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Friday, June 25, 2010
Greatest Hits: My Kids' Best One-Liners
Some of you know that I frequently use my Facebook status to share amusing things my kids say. A friend encouraged me to start saving those gems in a Word file too, and I was recently surprised to find that I've been at it now for a year. Here are their Greatest Hits of the last 12 months in reverse chronological order. From the mouths of babes . . .
June 2010
Jill and I were having a general discussion about kids and how they can be tough on furniture. She nodded toward her brother and sister. "That's why you should have stopped before you had those two."
While we were driving down the highway, Jill said, "See that place called Kids For Less? You think that's an adoption center?"
Me, to the kids: "Trust me guys. I'm old and wise." Lindsay (conciliatory): "Don't say that, Mom! You're not wide!"
May 2010
Sam unwittingly corroborated my impressions of last weekend's slumber party: "Mom, where is that necklace that Lindsay got at her screaming girl party?"
Maybe I use my laptop too much. When asked to name a "D vegetable", Jill came up with a Dell pepper.
Me, to the slumber party: "Does anyone have to use the restroom before bed?" Visiting child, worried: "Why? Are you going to lock it up for the night?"
Sam: "Are you sorry?" Me: "For what?" Sam: "For not letting me have that piece of caramel this morning." Me: "No. I'm your mom. It's my job to make sure you have a real breakfast." Sam: "No, it's not. Your job is to push me on the swing."
Me (thinking I was alone): "Heeeeyy, good lookin'..." Sam, from the other room: "Whaaaatcha got cookin'?"
April 2010
Lullabye update. "Mom, sing that ten more times." Me: "Ten? That's too many." Sam: "How about four times because I'm four?"
My nine year old kid just "yada yada yada"d me.
Doing an art project with Jill, I got: "Looking pretty good, Mom. You should be an artist instead of a scientist or engineer or whatever you are."
Me to Jill: "Well, one reason I don't buy you more stuff is because I think it diminishes your appreciation for what you have." Her reply: "I do appreciate those things, Mom. I'm just saying I'd like to have more things to appreciate."
Sam wanted an explanation for "butt talk," and I was concerned he'd come home with some new language for rude behavior, but it turns out he'd only learned the word "buttock," pronounced Forrest Gump style.
I awoke at 3 a.m. to Jill prowling the house with her reading flashlight, searching for the Easter baskets. By 6:30 a.m. all three were in the back yard vying for the eggs. Red Bull, please.
March 2010
Fun clues I got from the girls playing Catch Phrase: "The hat of Texas" turned out to be Oklahoma, and "Those yellow people on TV" turned out to be The Simpsons.
Sam: "Mom, on your next birthday, wish to be a boy. Then you can pee standing up. Got it?"
Me: "You sure ask me some funny stuff." Jill: "We're kids. It's our job to crack up our moms."
February 2010
From Lindsay tonight, a note with MOTHER as an acronym: Mom, Outstanding, Terrific, Huggable, "Exelent," Radiant. What a great way to end my day.
Public service announcement from Sam: "If you get near a jelly fish, stay away from his tempicles."
Me: "What's so hard about being a kid?" Jill: "Having a sister." Me: "I never had one. I think that would be fun." Jill: "Well, maybe we can switch places sometime. Then you can feel my pain."
January 2010
Sam: "Is this how you spell your name? O-M-O?" Me: "Pretty close. M-O-M.":-)
Sam: "Can I have a piece of candy?" Me: "Who's the best mom ever?" Sam: "You." I gave the nod. Next it was Jill: "Can I have one? You."
I was making lasagna, radio playing, when my 4-year-old turned and quoted: "Just the two of us. We can make it if we try, Mom."
I recently asked Jill if she knew what oatmeal was good for. I was going for "your heart." Her reply: "Cookies."
Woke up snuggled next to Sam this morning, who opened his eyes and immediately said, "No singing in the shower, Mom. I want to sleep."
December 2009
Another round of Outburst with Jill. "Parts of the body that come in pairs"... Jill's answer: Butt cheeks.
Played Outburst with my girls. Jill's category was Pizza Toppings and I was trying to clue her into anchovies: "Do you know the name of those disgusting little fish some people put on their pizzas?" She snaps her fingers and her face lights up: "MINNOWS!"
Sam caught the garter tonight. Says he has to find a "yittle girl to get married with."
Sam put me on the Naughty list. No explanation was offered. The statement was: "I'm putting you on the Naughty list because you're naughty. How do you spell your name?"
Sam has been giving me stickers this morning. He just confided, "Mom, don't let Jill see these." I said, "Are these Jill's stickers you've been bringing me?" He said, "Yes, and if she finds out, it's gonna be BAD."
Me (singing): "Oh, Sammy, I love you so! Never never never gonna let you go!" Sam: "Why will you never never never let me go? Does this mean we'll be stuck here at basketball practice forever?"
Driving in the rain with Sam, a wiper blade came loose: "Uh-oh, Mom. Looks like we need a new car."
Jill: "Mom, who was the first person on the planet?" Me: "Not sure, I wasn't there." Jill: "Sure you were."
Lindsay: "I love you mom. I hope you never die." Me: "Love you too, baby. I'll do my best not to die." Lindsay: "Me too. I'll eat a lot of carrots."
Sam: "Why does the sky have to rain?" Me: "Because clouds are made of water. When they get too full of water, that's when it rains." Sam, after a thoughtful pause: "Mom? I don't know what you're talking about."
After seeing Lindsay kiss me under the mistletoe, Sam announced that "only one person has to do it," thereby absolving himself of any kissing-Mom duties. They learn to break hearts young.
November 2009
Jill, on our drive home from Target: "Mom, are there any famous singers besides Taylor Swift and Hannah Montana who aren't dead?" ...Maybe it's time for me to roll some contemporary artists into the mix.
Sam proclaimed a new allergy, this time to milk. Me: "You're not allergic to milk." Sam: "I am." Me: "Do you know what ice cream is made of?" Sam: "What?" Me: "Milk." Sam: "No. Ice." Me: "Afraid not. Milk." Sam: "Then why is it ice cream?" Me: "Cream is made from milk." Sam: "I know that mom." And I have these conversations why?
Lindsay on orbits: "It's like the sun is just sitting there, watching TV. Being lazy. The Earth wants some exercise, so it runs around the sun, around and around. And the moon wants in on it too, so it runs around the Earth."
Sam asks for the crust to be removed from his sandwich. Claims allergy to crust.
Crimebake writers' conference is having a costume banquet Saturday evening... anything from the late 1800s to mid-1900s. I asked Sam if he'd help me find a costume today, and he expressed strong feelings that I attend as a vampire.
Tough Mommy moment tonight. The note I found waiting at Jill's room: "Keep out! Don't touch! Don't donate! Stay out of our stuff! Stay out of our tareotory!" I don't think my efforts at clutter elimination were appreciated.
Watching Sam's soccer practice together, Jill was telling me about her friend's theories regarding gerbil heaven when she randomly smacked me in the side of the head: "Mosquito." And then right back to what she was saying.
October 2009
Jill's new career aspiration: "Mom, when I grow up I'm going to write commercials for food, but only for the foods I like. Oatmeal, candy, and cookie dough."
Jill and Lindsay's new way to mess with Sam: tell him he's "fired" as uncle to their pets. You would not believe how many times my shower was interrupted with complaints from a recently fired three-year-old.
Jill: "Mama, when you're a Grandma are you going to spoil our kids like Grandpa spoils us, or are you going to act to them the way you act to us?" Me: "I'll probably spoil them." Jill: (squinting at me and pointing a finger...) "Naughty."
Me: "Whose birthday is it today?" Sam: "Jill's." Me: "How old is she?" Sam: "Nine." Me: "How old is Lindsay?" Sam: "Seven." Me: "How old are you?" Sam: "Free and... a half." Me: "How old am I?" Sam: "Seventy."
All together now, to the tune of "She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain": Water travels in a cycle, yes it does. Water travels in a cycle, yes it does. It goes up as evaporation then comes down as precipitation, water travels in a cycle, yes it does.
Lindsay is singing "King of the Road" in the bathtub, but her lyric is slightly off: "Two hours of pushing broom buys an eighth or twelve four do soon."
Jill asked whether there were TVs when I was a kid. That one kind of made my stomach flutter.
I was just admonished by a three-year-old. My speaking while he played GameBoy apparently caused him to die.
September 2009
On the way home from school, Jill asked, "Mom, you know how you look right now? Is that as good as you can do, or can you look better?" I replied that I was sure I could do a lot better. "What prompted that?" I asked. She described a facial product on TV that makes women look younger and finished with her hands up defensively: "Not that you need it! I'm just sayin'."
Getting ready for my lunch with some big-wigs at work, I told Sam I was going to be having lunch with some scary people. He asked, "Are they Halloween people?" Jill's advice was simply not to order the okra since, I guess, that's the only thing that might really make a bad impression. Lately, all of Lindsay's make-believe characters are talking with British accents.
Sam: "Mommy, can I watch SpongeBob Squarepants?" Me: "You know mommy doesn't like SpongeBob." Sam: "Then don't yook at him."
Jill turns her attention to marketing. "If IHOP changed their name to *Incredible* House of Pancakes, I bet they'd get more business."
August 2009
When Sam goes swimming he requires a "babing suit and gobbles."
I was getting out of the shower and Jill kept talking to me through the bathroom door so much that I felt like I was being stalked. I told her to go play. "I can't," she said. "I accidentally tied myself to the door knob."
Sam, reflecting on his soft pretzel today at the zoo: "Mm. This white stuff's super good." (the salt)
I must be getting predictable. I told Sam, "I think I'll put on some music." He said, "Patsy Cline, mom?" Which I thought was fun enough. So I told him yes. And he said, "She's *Crazy*."
Took the kids to see a movie at the local *Cinema 6*, but Sam was under the impression we were going out for "Cinnamon Sticks."
Another Jill classic: "If Johnny Cash were alive would you let him sign your guitar?" "Yes." "I wish I could sign your guitar." "If you ever do I'll kill you." "What? You love me more than Johnny Cash but he could sign it and I can't? Well, that's just weird."
Jill and Lindsay asked me why Nintendo doesn't make a Gamegirl.
Me: "Why is there a soccer goal in my bathroom?" Jill: "I just felt like it."
Lindsay smoked me at air hockey. While playing, she said, "Sorry to do this to you, Mom. I'm not even playing my best game." And she meant it sincerely.
Driving home from a date with Lindsay. "We are the Champions" came on the radio. She asked me who was singing. I said, "I'm not sure but I think this is Queen." She said that no, it wasn't. I asked if she knew who it was. She said, "It's the Champions."
I asked what the best part of the museum was. Jill said the dinosaur bones. Sam... the elevator. I called Lindsay my mini-me and she responded by calling me her huge-me, which somehow seemed less endearing.
July 2009
Jill, 8, announces career plans: "First I'm going to be an actress, maybe make a few movies, and then I'm going to buy Sea World."
Night 3 at the forts disappoints. Much chit chat, whispering, and lollygagging. Also questions I can't answer, such as, "Mom, how do fish drink water?" They taunt me.
Second night for the individual living room forts. Like yesterday, they all went right to sleep in an eerily compliant sort of way. You don't suppose they are storing up energy, preparing for The Great Coup of '09?
My kids are sleeping in individual living room forts. I find this adorable.
Sam asked for Bobby McGee as his lullaby. He calls it Bobby BaGee, otherwise known as "the train song." Knows most of the words! Tonight's twist? "Mommy, sing it sixty times." Got upset when I stopped after three.
* * * * *
These guys are my greatest joys. I can't begin to imagine what they'll come up with between now and next summer. What are your best kid and grandkid quotes?
11 comments:
- AnonymousJune 25, 2010 at 8:05 AM
Laughed out loud several times while reading your post...my dog now thinks I'm "Crazy"! Thank you for helping me start my day off with a smile on my face.ReplyDelete
Glad you enjoyed it, Diana! I think dogs like to see us laugh.ReplyDelete
I'm sorry, everyone, for all the RED. I didn't do that on purpose. I imported text from elsewhere and Blogger was unhappy about it. :(
Jill's got a point with the Johnny Cash thing.ReplyDelete
I was once explaining the world is a sphere to my then six year old. I told her the Earth was like a tennis ball. She replied, "Dad! The Earth is NOTHING like a tennis ball! Tennis balls are yellow! And fuzzy!" And I couldn't disagree.
What a kick! Too long ago to remember what my five said to me--I was probably too frazzled to remember. Seeing your kids on the beach reminded me that when mine were growing up we only lived a mile from the beach and during the summer we went nearly every day after everyone pitched in with the chores.ReplyDelete
Rachel: This is great! I wish I had written more of my kids' sayings down (and taken pictures, shot video, etc.) Here's a gem from my 11-year-old son the other night:ReplyDelete
Me (to my husband): Do I look fat in this dress?
Husband: No. You look beautiful.
Son: You kind of do.
Me: Look beautiful?
Son: No. Look fat.
Why do I bother? Maggie
Hilarious! They must have you rolling in the aisles!!!ReplyDelete
I've said it before, and I'll say it again, your kids crack me up.ReplyDelete
Thanks, everyone.ReplyDelete
Graham, I like that tennis ball story! And Maggie, good stuff. :)
Thanks, Rhonda, for fixing the font. You're a Blogger wizard.
- AnjaliJune 25, 2010 at 3:46 PM
Rachel that was hilarious!! Jill and my son would get along well. : ) Thanks for the laughs!ReplyDelete
Oh Rachel they are precious. I have two great nieces ages 6 and 8 almost 9. Their mom was telling me Katie is her why child. Yesterday we returned from spending three days in San Antonio while my husband had surgery on his left carotid artery. Katie looks at his neck and goes, "Uncle Jim what is that thing on your neck?" I told her it was because he had surgery on his neck. So later while we are eating dinner she pipes up, "Why did Uncle Jim have to have surgery on his neck?" I tried to explain so the blood could flow to his brain type idea to her lol. Laura their mom said last week when they were in the doctor's office Katies asked why they painted the walls red and white? Laura told her she didn't know why. She asked Katie what is wrong with red do you know what red means? and Katie said yes red means stop, yellow means wait, and green means go.ReplyDelete
I told her that is as good as my friend's little boy telling me as I took a drink of my canned Diet Pepsi in the car one time, "Kathy you aren't supposed to drink and drive." His mom and i cracked up.
Evelyn the 8 year old is scary she's smart, and the saying "an old soul" fits her to a T. She was awed by me making her a poster on regular printer paper that said, Evelyn Is A Supertrooper.
- AnonymousJune 25, 2010 at 11:00 PM
These were great! I am still snickering at the 'tied myself to the doorknob' one.ReplyDelete
My daughter, when she was four, took all of the 'feminine napkins' out of the box, peeled off the strip and stuck them to the wallpaper at the foot of her bed. She didn't want her stuffed animals and dolls to fall off in the night, hit their heads on the wall and get "bane damage" and bleed on the new rug.


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BATON ROUGE, La.
They worry about the economy here, and the public schools, and a fit of violence by bored teenagers. But as the heat turns from powerful to painful in just a few hours, and people run inside for relief, there is little talk of the immigration wars that rage in the political campaigns or a looming Supreme Court decision about Arizona's anti-immigrant law. Immigrants rebuilt this state after Hurricane Katrina; that memory is often why, despite being a pretty conservative place, there is little hatred of the other here. As one Republican politician told me, "We are conservative, yes, but we know Arizona is not where we should be."
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subset: commoncrawl


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|Pier and Little Orme
Tuesday, 1 October 2013
Lets Linger in Llandudno
7 comments:
- Leslie: said...
Oh Joy! (and I mean that in 2 ways!) This is where my Nana Jones was born and brought up and I still have to get there. I almost got there last year, but didn't. It's absolutely beautiful and I have friends in Liverpool who go there frequently for a holiday. Love Love Love your photos!
abcw team
- 1 October 2013 at 22:54
- Roger Owen Green said...
I like the London naming story
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
- 2 October 2013 at 03:46
- Lea said...
You got some very interesting photos despite the wind and rain.
Lea's Menagerie
- 2 October 2013 at 14:30
- Gerald (SK14) said...
a lovely tour of Llandudno - we stayed on the west shore years ago and my wife renamed the avenue which runs from there to the north shore - pneumonia alley!
- 2 October 2013 at 21:57
- Jocee said...
What a nice looking place with such interesting buildings and their history.
- 2 October 2013 at 23:06
- Carver said...
Wonderful shots of a beautiful place.
- 3 October 2013 at 18:46
- Weekend-Windup said...
Beautiful pictures of great place...
- 5 October 2013 at 18:32


text:
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"Virtually everywhere we are, we have some level of labor and employment, pensions and benefits practice," said Peter Pantaleo, the global co-chair of the firm's Employment, Pensions and Benefits practice.
Having the capability to phone a firm attorney on the other side of the world...
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text:
After sixteen years of teaching, I've assumed a new role and have moved out of the classroom this year. Of course, my greatest fear was realized after one month: I miss the kids. I miss their youth, their awkwardness, their perspective, and their curiosity. Intent on keeping the focus of education in my life, I've begun tutoring a few high school students on the weekend – students who are either struggling to succeed or benefit from having a one on one relationship with a teacher.
Yesterday, a 15-year old girl, new to high school, sat next to me, clearly frustrated in math. She said they'd had their first quiz, and the mean score was a 53. The highest grade was an 82. I asked her what she thought that mean score meant. She replied, "That no one gets it." Well, I joked, at least you understand that math concept. She wasn't amused.
I asked her if the teacher had explained what he planned to do with the score. She seemed baffled, answering, "What do you mean? He's going to enter it in to the grade book. He's moving on to the next chapter." I wanted to know her plan. She didn't understand that first chapter, had not learned the math concepts, and like an inexperienced builder was about to attempt to erect another story on a weak foundation. I explained that she had to develop some resiliency and to take responsibility for her own learning in that environment.
Dejected, she said she didn't think that was possible and that after week two she already wondered if she would be a failure in math in high school. Resiliency was one thing, but this task seemed insurmountable. She voiced words that echoed in my mind for the rest of the weekend: "I just need a teacher that wants to make sure I learn it."
I'm in the business of education. I'm passionate about making school an exciting place of discovery, innovation, and growth. But sometimes I think we education advocates are missing the forest for the trees. If we haven't convinced teachers and administrators that the classroom should be first and foremost a place of learning, then we are never going to transform the student experience. The raison d'être of every technology device, every opportunity for professional development, every new initiative must be to increase student learning. Why haven't we been successful in getting that message to resonate? Do we need to come up with a new strategy?


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Anyway, my orthopedist had put the nix on any type of cardio and any exercise that involved moving my foot. This was problematic in that I still like to eat, but I don't like the idea of gaining back the forty-plus pounds I lost about eight years ago. I looked at my arsenal of
I started with the 30-day ab challenge, but I couldn't do the planks. No worries, there is enough pain and suffering without them.
|This is EXACTLY how I look when I am doing the ab challenge.
What I mostly do is light lifting (five pound weights) with the exercise ball. I found this great webpage that has pictures and explanations for the ball. I choose two exercises per area of concentration (abs, back, shoulders, biceps, legs, triceps). I like this option because I can watch tv while I'm doing it. It's a lot easier to do ab exercises when Angel is on tv at five in the morning.
When the orthopedist gave me the go-ahead for swimming and aqua jogging, I did that twice a week.
Now I can do most exercises that don't involve running or slamming my foot against things (like kick boxing or dancing). I look forward to walking, but the cold weather has kicked in, and while I feel comfortable running at 5 in the morning, I don't feel comfortable walking at that time. The zombies can't catch me if I run, but they might catch me if I'm walking. My walking solution is Leslie Sansone's DVDs. Now, I HATE Leslie Sansone, but she does have walking programs with pacing times. Right now I feel comfortable walking two miles at a time. After that, I worry that I am hurting my foot.
|This is one of the DVDs I own. It allows me to walk in place at home. I don't own a dreadmill.
I tried some light yoga, but I don't think the pressure is good for my foot, so when I want to do yoga, I do the 20 minute Rodney Yee session.
|This is EXACTLY how I look when I do forward bends.
This DVD has five practices, and I choose #1. Power Foundation because I can practice on my back or in a sitting position, and I still get a great stretch.
I look forward to getting the all-clear from the orthopedist, but in the meantime, this is what I can do. I have noticed that the weight lifting and exercise ball work has really helped me to maintain/gain some muscle tone, and I initially lost weight after being injured. I hope that I can keep it off, but honestly, eating is a constant battle for me.
If you ever find yourself in a running slump, or God forbid you get injured, check out these options; they can keep you fit and healthy until you are back on track.
P.S. Today my exercise will be traipsing around the neighborhood in the freezing cold for Trick or Treat. Yay! I hope the neighbors have beer. . .
P.P.S. My daughter said to me as we were about to leave for Trick or Treat, "Maybe you can go as a drunk, bitter, injured runner."
Like this post? Follow me on Twitter
P.P.S. My daughter said to me as we were about to leave for Trick or Treat, "Maybe you can go as a drunk, bitter, injured runner."
Like this post? Follow me on Twitter


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Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Liviana's Daddy In Hospital
I am exhausted and emotionally spent. He is at Methodist hospital where Liviana was born and she "kind of" was in the hospital (since the Children's NICU is on the Methodist Hospital side). It is surreal being back there worrying about the mortality of a loved one. My greatest fear is obviously lung cancer since Brad smokes. Don't worry, I have mentally Bi***** him out several times. I will move to verbally when he is feeling better :).
Please keep him and the kids in your thoughts. They miss their daddy so much and I know he hates not being able to see them also.
I will keep everyone updated.
9 comments:
I am so sorry to hear of Brad's hospitalization. My prayers are with all of you! I hope that it is nothing serious and he can be home with all of you very soon!
God bless you all!
Jeanie & Ryan
(I hope you know who I am)
- November 11, 2008 at 7:50 PM
- Missy said...
I'm so sorry to hear it! Please keep us updated. Many positive thoughts for a quick recovery and that it's nothing serious.
- November 11, 2008 at 8:45 PM
- Owain's mommy said...
I am so sorry to hear that I will be keeping Brad in my prayers.
- November 11, 2008 at 8:48 PM
- Kenny and Jennifer Miller said...
Amy, I'm praying for you guys and hope for the best case scenario for Brad and quick recovery. Hang in there!
- November 11, 2008 at 10:05 PM
- Dear6993 said...
Amy, I am sorry to hear that Brad is in the hospital, and that you are in the midst of all the 'unknowns' of waiting for testing and results. I will pray for his healing and for positive results. Also for your strength and health through all of this! God Bless.
Karen Dear
- November 12, 2008 at 5:32 AM
- Alex & Ingrid Houchin said...
Hi Amy,
So sorry to hear that Brad is in hospital. We are thinking about you and hope that it's nothing too serious.
All the best,
Ingrid, Alex & Alina
- November 12, 2008 at 10:13 AM
- Vicki Jensen said...
That's terrible. I hope the mass is associated with the pneumonia and he starts improving quickly with antibiotics.
mom to Jack
- November 12, 2008 at 12:53 PM
- Fer said...
Amy, If you need anything, talk or vent don't hesitate to email me. My prayers are with you and Brad.
- November 12, 2008 at 4:39 PM
- Elizabeth said...
I hope he feels better soon and comes home.
I know what it is like to go into that same hospital - it is surreal.
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers,
- November 12, 2008 at 5:44 PM


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I saw this on someone else's blog. No one nominated me, but I am going to nominate 4 people to be my new blog friend award. These people need to nominate 4 more people to be their blog friend.
1. Jan at http://stampspaperscissors.typepad.com/
2. Michelle at http://megbeedesigns.blogspot.com/
3. Jan Scholl at http://papertango.blogspot.com/
4. Cindy at http://cindyvernon.blogspot.com/


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Messing With Mélange
After six years in Vienna, Starbucks still struggles for survival
As I step through the door, I am greeted by the smell of fresh roasted coffee beans and smoke – the cold autumn breeze and hovering grey clouds are replaced by the cozy hum of conversation mixed with the distant chime of spoons on porcelain and the gargling of milk being foamed. Globes of warm light hang from the ceiling and smaller lamps with orange shades lean on the collage of posters and pictures, photographs and paintings on the wood-furnished walls. As I work my way through the narrow maze of paths that remain between the cluster of tiny marble tables, the diverse range of wooden chairs and striped velvet futons, I exchange a smile with the waiter: "One mélange please."
"Would you like a piece of fresh Apfelstrudel with it?" he asks me, addressing me informally, as he would an old friend who has just arrived and sat down in his living room. He brings the coffee promptly on an antique-looking silver tray, accompanied by a tiny glass of tap water topped with a tiny silver spoon beside an even tinier glass bowl containing two perfectly arranged cubes of sugar. As I lift the cup, I inhale the soothing scent of freshly brewed coffee and let my eyes wander over the rim, across the room: A man at a table by the door is sipping his coffee over a newspaper that extends beyond the borders of his bubble of privacy, seemingly unmindful of the busy murmurs around him. The table across from mine is occupied by two elderly couples, chatting away, sporadically nipping at their tiny coffee cups and indulging happily in a piece of warm apple strudel - the same I was offered upon arrival. I dip a cube of sugar in my coffee, waiting for it to soak up slowly, before dropping it into the cup. The coffee is hot and strong and delicious.
Café Hawelka is one of the most renowned Viennese coffee houses, first opened by Leopold Hawelka and his wife Josephine in 1939 and passed down in the family for meanwhile three generations. Though it was temporarily closed during World War II, the café later reopened, becoming the hot spot for artists and writers in the era of the Coffee House poets during the late 50's and 60's. Today, Hawelka is as heavily frequented as ever, having undergone little to no change for almost a century in terms of popularity or interior design.
At Café Hawelka, I feel at home; it is everything I need, whether it is company or solitude, relaxation or inspiration, quiet or commotion. The coffee is just a bonus. Four women – apparently German tourists - sit down at the table next to mine, chatting and giggling as they peel off the multitude of layers they are wearing to shield themselves from the chilly air outside. I can hardly contain my amusement when they ask the waiter for a menu. "We have coffee: strong or weak, tall or small, with milk or without. I can bring you hot chocolate too, apple strudel or sausages if you are hungry. So, what is it going to be?" The women laugh incredulously at the selection's simplicity, and place their orders.
I smile as Mr. Hawelka himself dims the lighting over the two tables at the front of the café, right by the windows. I catch his eye, and he leans over to me, lowering his voice as if to share a great secret with me. "Now it is perfect: See those two lights? They cannot be on during the daylight hours. That is the tradition. If the old one comes, he will scold me. You cannot change the traditions as long as the old generation is still around." In a Viennese coffeehouse, it is easy to forget the time. But not just in the sense of hours or minutes, even in terms of years and centuries. Lifting my eyes from the screen of my laptop, I would not in the least be surprised to find Stefan Zweig, Arthur Schnitzler or even Gustav Klimt at one of the adjacent tables, sipping mélange, reading a paper, discussing politics, or scribbling in their notepads like they used to. Little has changed between then and now; time passes by outside but stands still within, leaving the café oblivious to modernization, globalization, hybrid cars, the World Wide Web, war, revolution, global warming, corporate social responsibility … and even Starbucks. What started out as a small West-Coast coffee shop, discovered rather than founded and later bought by Howard Schultz in 1981, Starbucks is the fastest-growing restaurant-chain in the world today: it has approximately 16,000 stores worldwide, though exact estimates are hard to make given 1,000 new openings each year – that is three per day. With an annual turnover of $9.4 billion and an exemplary marketing strategy, which has repeatedly proven competitive attempts around the world futile, the global coffee giant seems uncompromising and unstoppable. Though once threatened by fast-food brother McDonalds, when the latter introduced its so-called McCafés and thereby caused Starbucks a 40% drop in market value, Starbucks now plans an expansion to 40,000 stores worldwide, therefore outgrowing their competitor who currently runs "only" 31,000 restaurants.
So, in an age when time is considered money, and speed and efficiency are key to success, when newer and bigger and faster and better are the words that make the world spin round; when global brands constitute the golden calves of our time, how does a place like Café Hawelka survive? Looking in from outside, it may easily appear just a matter of time before this venue, too, is conquered by a glistening storefront crowned by a green and white figurehead, home to a cozy interior designed by a former Disneyland architect, with a polished wood bar that incessantly spits monstrous recyclable paper cups of fair-trade Frapuccinos off the conveyor belt. However, in a town like Vienna, the matter is not quite that simple.
Legend has it that the first coffeehouse opened in Vienna in 1683 - more or less a result of the second Turkish Siege – laid the foundation for a century-old tradition. The Viennese fell in love with the bitter black brew and by 1714, there were eleven licensed coffee houses in the city. Almost 300 years later, in 2002, Starbucks opened their first Viennese settlement neighboring the state opera. The location was carefully selected by savvy marketing heads: the building had once been home to one of Vienna's legendary cafés. It was expected to appeal to the Viennese' sense of nostalgia, and aimed to circumvent their inherent reluctance to choosing international corporate giants over established local traditions. Within the following six years, Starbucks expanded to meanwhile eleven stores in the city alone – a thorn in the flesh of any authentic Viennese who, by nature, hates Starbucks for endangering an adorned tradition. The silent war even escalated into vandalism in January 2008, when an anonymous globalization-hardliner shattered all the windows of a Viennese Starbucks bar.
However, I would argue that the Viennese have nothing to worry about: Despite the fact that the fast-food coffee chain has accomplished a growth exponentially faster than that of the first coffeehouses in the late 17th century – i.e. opening eleven cafés in six rather than 30 years – Starbucks is not successful. Upon opening in 2002, the company announced their plan to open one new store in Vienna every month – a business objective that was clearly not met. In Vienna, Starbucks is still struggling, and seems to be losing the battle. Passing by their store on Kärntnerstrasse, and peaking through the massive glass windows, I realize that most costumers inside do not appear to be locals - almost everybody who comes out grasping one of the iconic paper cups speaks English. This lack of success does not come as a surprise however, given that the traditional Viennese Kaffeehaus has already once survived a substantial crisis when in the 1950's a phenomenon called the Kaffeehaussterben or "coffee house death" took place: Due to symptoms of modernization, such as television and the import of trendy espresso bars, many cafes were forced to close. But others managed to survive, and are now - almost 60 years later - packed with people and are as successful as ever. A similar phenomenon seems to be taking place today, when the century-old tradition takes on the fight against globalization. It almost seems as if Viennese Kaffehäuser are succeeding in something that so far only fast-food giant McDonalds has managed to do: standing up to Starbucks like the city of Vienna stood up to and finally defeated the Turks.
Although both Hawelka and Starbucks offer the same product, namely coffee, there are differences so substantial that they seem to have nothing in common at all: Starbucks has the world's best blends of high quality, triple-roasted, fair trade coffee; professionally prepared by specially educated "baristas"; packaged in recyclable, environmentally friendly and very convenient "to-go" cups. They offer personalized fast-food coffee, with so many choices they require their own lingo to order: grande soy chai no-foam lattes, triple tall no-whip skim macchiatos, venti decaf vanilla-bean low-fat with-cream frapuccinos. Not to mention triple-chocolate-frosted brownies, banana oatmeal cinnamon muffins, New York cheesecakes, Snickers tarts, Danish rolls, bagels, donuts, and after-coffee mints. You can buy anything from coffee beans to merchandise; CDs and mugs and baseball hats: A true coffee megastore and consumerism at its best. And then there is Hawelka. Hawelka has coffee: Tall or small, strong or weak, with milk or without. And if you wish, you may accompany your drink with a piece of fresh apple strudel, made by their pastry chef out of home-grown apples from the garden. The true Viennese seem to prefer such simplicity over a flood of choice.
"It's not just about the coffee," remarks the man sitting at the table next to mine, when I ask why he chose Hawelka over the Starbucks around the corner. "It is about the special atmosphere. I like to sit here, read, chat, or simply relax; it is much more peaceful than any Starbucks could ever be. Viennese Coffeehouses are almost an oasis to me, allowing me to forget and escape the busy bustling on the streets outside. Here, I feel like time has come to a halt, as if I were sitting in a timeless, pre-capitalist living room."
The window-front lights flicker and illume, as day turns to dusk, and the evening breaks in; I pay my bill, and throw on my scarf. An elderly man at a table close to mine gets up, and without saying a word he helps me into my coat.
I thank him, touched by the simple, yet iconic gesture. In the door, I turn around once more – inhaling the smell of fresh roasted coffee beans and smoke – gratefully soaking up the comforting atmosphere and the cozy hum of conversation mixed with the distant chime of spoons on porcelain before I disappear into the rainy autumn streets.


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Every Sunday, we take Communion. You know this. But do you listen closely to the words our Servant Leaders say? Technically, they're "The Words of Institution." Different churches use different versions, but they're mostly either a quotation of 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, or based upon it. Fun fact: those verses are taped to the cross on our communion table, in case someone needs help!
They begin, "On the night he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread…" The passage continues with a retelling of that last supper; Christ breaking the bread, sharing the cup. But the final words aren't a quotation from Jesus. They're what Paul (the author) wrote to the Corinthians as a summation of this story. He said, "(A)s often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes again."
To many, that's the most confusing part of Communion. Assuming, that is, they're still paying attention! I'll be honest, I used to hate that last part when it was my turn to preside. I've even- Paul, forgive me- left it out before. Now, instead, I change it slightly. I add something to that final verse that communicates my understanding of Paul's meaning- "…you proclaim the Lord's victory over death…" See what I did there?! You decide if it's clever or blasphemous. But more interesting, I think, is that last phrase, "until he comes again."
In Sunday School recently, we discussed Paul's understanding of the Second Coming. Specifically, we listened to an NPR interview with John Dominic Crossan, a scholar of early Christian history (whose Irish accent is awesome). In it, he said something about that spooky doctrine I found rather profound. First, recall the way many folk understand Jesus' return. They predict that someday soon or otherwise, he'll come to earth and the world will end in violent tribulation and mass death. To which, Crossan responded, "Such people seemingly refuse to accept the First Coming. As if Christ's non-violent acceptance of crucifixion was a mistake. They want Jesus to come back and do it right this time, by killing all the evildoers."
Interesting perspective. To be fair to those who pine for Jesus' violent return, there's fodder for that in the New Testament. Paul himself obviously thought that, in his lifetime, Jesus' reappearance would create a sudden, permanent transformation of society. He was wrong, obviously. But Crossan's point wasn't to laugh at Paul's poor prediction. That's secondary to Paul's wiser instinct that the "End of Days" wasn't to be a bloody cosmic battle fought outside Jerusalem. Rather, the "End of Days" (in Jesus' words, "The Kingdom of God," a social order ruled by compassion and love, not violence and greed) was already at hand, had begun with Christ's first coming. And whatever fight it required would occur in the hearts of God's children.
I love that! Why assume a Second Coming if you're convinced the first one worked great?! That Jesus already conquered death, already overcame sin, already ushered his followers into life eternal, which began the moment they accepted God's Love. Did Jesus fail by not leaving the cross, killing the Romans and setting himself up as King? No! Instead, he revealed the ultimate, radical truth that God's peace is stronger than war, that compassion will defeat fear, that love won't ever be beaten, no matter how terrifying the present looks, how long the bending arc of justice.
In other words, from the eternal perspective, troubles look different. And while that doesn't mean our hurts are trivial- God knows our trials real and hard- because Jesus came, we can live with confidence that we'll make it, that we're never alone if we let ourselves be known. So here's how I now understand that final, elusive Communion phrase. Next time someone says, "…you proclaim the Lord's (victory over) death, until he comes again," remember that Jesus is ever-poised to "come again" into your heart, your life, if you ask his power to guide you, his hope to uplift you, his joy to strengthen you, his truth to set you free. That's a second coming I look forward to. And third, and fourth, and forever!
Grace and Peace,
Read more!


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The North American Synchrophasor Initiative (NASPI) Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) Registry is a North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)
initiative to provide a common location for documenting the configuration of devices making phasor measurements on the North American electric power system.
The primary purpose of the PMU Registry is to provide a structure for mapping synchrophasor data from multiple substations and multiple utilities so that this data can be used as an integrated set of
information with all parties knowing where and how the phasor measurements are taken. As a name server, one of the most important services of the PMU registry is provide attribute information about
phasor measurements as based on a unique measurement key.
The PMU Registry does not contain synchrophasor data. It is service that provides other computing systems
such as Phasor Data Concentrators metadata about devices that make synchrophasor measurements -- typically a dedicated PMU or a relay.
The types of metadata provided by the PMU Registry include device installation status, device make and model, device physical location, and the electrical location of the measurements made.
The PMU Registry contains a unique key for every measurement. The registry can also store additional measurement keys that are used within utilities or regions that are formatted to support specific applications, data packaging, or communications standards.
As a simple example, if Transmission Owner A installs a new PMU, Regional Entity B will be informed when the PMU goes into service and will dynamically be provided the same configuration information as is used by Transmission Owner A.
The value of the PMU Registry increases as additional Transmission Owners and Regional Entities are also made aware of this new phasor measurement information.
If you are the owner of a PMU connected to the North American Bulk Electric System and need an account to enter information about your PMU please Click here.
If you are a NERC certified entity and the owner of a computer system that needs an account to subscribe to registry data feeds please Click here.
If you are would like access to the registry for research or academic reasons please Click here.


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Envoy Says Zionists Run Media by Stewart Bell
Raymond Baaklini, the Lebanese ambassador, shown in a file photo, said yesterday: "90% of the mass media in Canada is controlled by Jews or Zionists."
Lebanon's ambassador to Ottawa is under fire for comments he made about Canada in an Arabic-language newspaper in response to the government's decision to ban Hezbollah.
In an interview with the newspaper Sada al Machric, Raymond Baaklini said Canada outlawed the terrorist group last month because of pressure from a "Zionist party" that he said "controls 90% of the Canadian media."
He also advised that Canadians travelling in the Arab world should not wear Canada T-shirts anymore, and said he had been told that "Canadian police always suspect every man with a beard and every woman with a veil."
Lebanese-Canadian and Canadian Jewish organizations said yesterday they were contacting Bill Graham, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, to protest the remarks and seek a reprimand for the ambassador.
Foreign Affairs said last night it was looking into the matter. "The translation that we received is indeed cause for concern," said Rodney Moore, a department spokesman. "We're going to be reviewing the original text."
Yesterday, the ambassador confirmed to the National Post he made the comments. He said the remarks were meant for an Arabic audience and he might have phrased them differently if he were addressing English readers.
The Dec. 31 edition of the Arabic-language newspaper asked the ambassador for his response to Canada's "unfair" policy on Hezbollah and published his reply verbatim over two pages.
"The most stubborn party benefiting from this subject is the Zionist party that exists in Canada," he was quoted as saying. "As you know this party controls 90% of the Canadian media. It takes instructions and help from many Zionist organizations either in Canada or abroad. Therefore if we don't say the Zionist movement had the number two role, it had the number one role and America comes second."
Asked what he meant by these remarks, the ambassador told the Post: "I wanted to say exactly that 90% of the mass media in Canada is controlled by Jews or Zionists, and those Jews and Zionists, they are also supported by other organizations in the States."
Canadian Jewish leaders are outraged
"Not only are such comments insulting to Canada and to Canadian values, they are also actionable under Canadian human rights legislation and the Criminal Code, but for diplomatic immunity," said Keith Landy, president of the Canadian Jewish Congress.
"I would call upon the Canadian government and specifically Foreign Minister Graham to call in the Ambassador and to admonish him that in Canada, we take a dim view of such comments and that they are completely unacceptable."
Frank Dimant of B'nai Brith Canada called the remarks "crude" and said they were "just not acceptable public discourse in this country. His reference to Zionists controlling the media -- standard fare for the propagandists of the Middle East -- is just a rehash of age-old anti-Semitic canards."
Left: Keith Landry, president of the Canadian Jewish Congress speaks at a pro-Israel rally. The only two things that matter to Mr. Landry are Jews and Israel. Right: Landry again, this time with booze king and president of the "World" Jewish Congress, Edgar Bronfman. Bronfman headed the effort to extort billions from various European countries as "holocaust reparations." Both Bronfman and Landry are furious that the Ambassador would dare mention Jewish media control!
Billionaire Boychiks Battle for Media Empire
Do Jews Dominate American Media ? And So What If We Do? by Philip Weiss
Jewish power dominates at 'Vanity Fair', By NATHAN BURSTEIN, Oct 12 2007
Vanity Fair's `Top 100' seems to confirm age-old `canards' about `Jewish power', By Michael Collins Piper
The New Jerusalem (2005), Michael Collins Piper


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- 2 tbsp Golden Syrup (I always use Tate & Lyle)
- 1 tbsp Runny Honey
- 100g (3.5 oz) Golden Caster Sugar (Superfine Sugar)
- 1 1/2 tsp Bicarbonate Soda (Baking Soda)
Friday, 12 September 2014
Cookbook Corner: One: A Cook And Her Cupboard by Florence Knight + How To Make Homemade Honeycomb
8 comments:
I love making honeycomb! The recipe I used didn't include honey though, might give that a try next time.ReplyDelete
I keep getting a craving for honeycomb recently, and I've never actualy made it myself! So tempted to try this recipe. It looks like a lovely book too, I might have to add it to my wishlist for christmas..!ReplyDelete
That honeycomb looks divine- I will have to give it a go! Last time I made honeycomb was in a science lesson when I was about twelve. Four of us ended up in the medical room having pulled out loose teeth with it, so that may be a reason I've never made it since!ReplyDelete
Jennifer x
God, that sounds horrific! And I thought it was bad that my best friend and I were not allowed to work together as lab partners in Chemistry after an incident with an exploding test tube of acid after which the front bench of the lab had to be stripped down and resurfaced..!ReplyDelete
Now THAT looks like a beautiful book! I have far too many cookery books but I swear I use them all at some point in the year....and it's all that's on my amazon wish list as well, at least people know what to buy me!! It may seem a commercial choice, but my Jamie 30min meals was a gift last year and I have used that on a monthly basis, a good solid staple!ReplyDelete
This recipe book looks brilliant! I love the look of that honeycomb too, I may try making it for Christmas presents!ReplyDelete
Maria xxx
I have to say, I absolutely loved reading One, but it's not one I returned to yet to cook from. Perhaps something to rectify soon! Last year I cooked masses from Ottolenghi's Jerusalem so I am excited for my copy of Plenty More to turn up in the post this week!ReplyDelete
You really should, the recipes work brilliantly.ReplyDelete
Jerusalem is the only one I have not read yet; Plenty and the Ottolenghi book are mine so they came away to university with me, but I got Jerusalem for my mother by way of a birthday present, so our copy is tethered to the house!


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Mythology has a way to spur human thought. It does not mean that we must believe in myths. Instead the fact that a mythology exists, heightens the curiosity and inquisitiveness to explore the meaning and purpose of the myth. For example, it is said in Hindu mythology that Maharishi Vyasa recited the epic Mahabharatha while Lord Ganesha listened, understood the full meaning, and transcribed exactly what was said, all at the same time. A humanly impossible task, it creates an "ideal" model for human learning. Perception, thinking and understanding naturally lead to greater knowledge which creates the path towards achieving a higher state of the conscious mind. In fact, these are the five principal aggregates to human consciousness, also known as the Skandhas in Sanskrit.
Perception is based upon how our five sensory systems, namely, vision, hearing, smell, taste and touch, can be combined together to give form to the object that we wish to perceive. It is a self-taught skill that must be practiced and experienced. We must focus our attention deeply towards what we wish to see, understand, experience and learn. Our focus must not be disrupted by momentary thoughts that are unrelated and are inconsequential to what we wish to learn. Like firecrackers exploding randomly, thoughts emerge from nowhere, and disappear quickly. It is an annoying feeling when we are unable to concentrate on any one topic or issue when our mind begins to wander, sparked by dozens of thoughts. We cannot focus on any one thought for any length of time. We feel frustrated by the distractions. We feel like closing our eyes and ears so no thought other than what we wish to focus on can persist in our mind. We wish to experience a stream of thoughts and see the continuous, uninterrupted sequence of images in the mirror of our mind. How can one possibly achieve such a state of mind and yet carry on with the activities that we are normally engaged in.
I have been meaning to revise the blog posted in late August 2011, for some time. Needless to say, the lack of time combined with many distractions I have been experiencing has been major factors contributing to my inability in making any revisions. In any case, I have felt it is better now than later to start making changes.
The picture below shows an early first century AD Tibetan painting of Buddha pointing to the Moon. It is possible that the image is part of the Bhavachakra (Wheel of Life). The Full Moon image shows what Buddha might have pointed to.
The picture below shows an early first century AD Tibetan painting of Buddha pointing to the Moon. It is possible that the image is part of the Bhavachakra (Wheel of Life). The Full Moon image shows what Buddha might have pointed to.
|Buddha pointing to the Full Moon What one can see
Here is the image of the Moon in false color taken by NASA's Cassini spacecraft from approximately 400,000 nautical miles.
I have had a few instances when people have asked me "How do you know this is what Buddha pointed to?" Obviously, no one will ever know the answer. But there is sufficient detail in the image to arrive at one's own conclusions.
|False color image Closeup Face


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Friday, July 03, 2015
Comic Cuts - 3 July 2015
Even when I'm desperately trying to shed myself of as much of this junk as I can, I'm still finding it hard to part with scraps that could—at least in my mind—contain vital details for some future project or article. Chances are, the vast majority of these scans won't ever be opened again and I'm wasting a lot of glorious sunshine on things of little importance or use. But there's that nagging doubt at the back of my brain that says "What if you do need it... how will you feel knowing that you had the details you're chasing and threw them away for the sake of saving a minute at the scanner?"
Curse you, doubt! I would be gorgeously tanned by now.
I hope you all coped with the heat. Some readers—and I'm really thinking of you, Roger—would probably find the idea of sweltering temperatures in the low thirties laughable. We did manage to get as high as 36 degrees in London and the papers went into meltdown. Anyone would think we'd never had a hot day before. Mel's little thermometer measured the temperature in one room at 28, although that room was never in direct sunlight. I reckon my office probably hit 30.
What follows then is some kind of idiot dance: a grown man waving a stiff-backed A4 envelope and shouting at a tiny insect that doesn't understand directions. "That way, you little——!" But instead of flying out the open back door, the beasts circle back into the depths of the office.
Insects aside, I'm enjoying the sunshine and looking forward to the tomatoes that the nice weather is likely to bring. We have three tomato plants this year, plus a couple of others, including a cucumber plant. They all need watering, so we could do with some rain, not just to break the humidity but also to fill our two water butts.
Today's random scans... you may notice a theme!
Labels: Comics News
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Vishal Krishna Trailers
Thupparivaalan TrailerThe Great Father TrailerKaththi Sandai Trailer
Vishal Krishna is an Indian film actor who has appeared in primarily Tamil cinema. Often starring in his home productions, Vishal became an actor after a stint as an assistant director in films. Vishal played his first role in the romantic thriller Chellamae, before going on to secure a run of three consecutive successes with roles as action hero in the 2005 film, Sandakozhi, and with Thimiru in 2006. After appearing in two further successful films, the failure of his hyped home production, Sathyam halted his streak. Following further commercial failures, he enjoyed success again with Avan Ivan (2011), which became a significant film in his career.


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I'm not going to read all four passages in one sitting; that would be too confusing. What I will do is read the Bible four times a day, not counting my bedtime Gospel reading.
Also, in order to enhance (I love the word enhance!) my Bible reading even more, I will use two translations.
First, I will read the portion in the RSV, and then I will read it in the GNB. I considered using the NAB as well, but I decided that that would be overdoing it.
I don't plan to read the daily readings in the exact order given. This is a sample of how I intend to read my daily passages, beginning tomorrow.
Early morning:
Ps 1
Mid-morning or late morning:
Gen 1-2
Isa 1:1-20
Matt 1
And thus endeth my blogging for 2014.


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Walnut Fights
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
As conker fighting season draws to a close it is time that the world relearned the joys of its distant cousin...Walnut Fighting - the true king of seed related fight games was last big around the 1900's and not many people today realise that capital contests can be had with just the empty halves of a walnut shell.A dinner plate is turned upside down (the 'ring') and two fighters place their
Posted by Fashion at 3:28 PM 0 comments
Labels: indoor games
Mangelwurzel Throwing and other Strange Games with food
Monday, November 27, 2006
My recent post concerning Mangelwurzel Skittles led to a reader telling me about another weird and wonderful game involving them: Mangelwurzel Throwing. This in turn led me to research into the use of vegetable and other foodstuffs in Strange Games. Some of these merge into Strange Sports but they are all bizarre enough to be included here.Below are the greatest Strange Games / Strange Sports
Posted by Fashion at 1:33 AM 0 comments
Mullet Throwing
An Pythonesque American game/sport. A one and a half pound mullet(the fish not the hairstyle) is thrown by competitors from the Florida side of the state border into the Alabama side. Throws of around 150 feet are commonplace. It happens in April.Interstate Mullet Toss Strange Games no:79...category: new olympic sports?
Posted by Fashion at 1:31 AM 0 comments
Egg Throwing
There are various forms of egg throwing games: Egg Relay, Distance, Accuracy and Throwing and Catching.In 'Throwing and Catching' teams of two stand 10 metres apart and throw an egg to each other. The distance between the players is increased with each successive, successful throw. Greatest distance for an unbroken egg throw wins. The world record was established in 1978 Texas, when Johnie Dell
Posted by Fashion at 1:26 AM 0 comments
Pea Throwing
A superb game / sport, Pea Throwing involves finding out who can throw a frozen pea the furthest. The current world record is amazingly around the 38m (around 124 feet) mark.World championships (now in the eighth year) occur in a Sussex pub in October of each year.If any sport deserves olympic status it is Pea Throwing.article on 2006 Pea Throwing World Championshipstrange games no:77...category:
Posted by Fashion at 1:24 AM 0 comments
Cherry Pit Spitting
Baseball is just Rounders dressed up, Basketball is a gaudy facsimile of Netball and American Football is just a confused version of Rugby...but in Cherry Pit Spitting, America has created a true sporting classic.The rules: simply spit a cherry pip as far as possible. Current world record a staggering 93 feet.Cherry Pit Spitting HandbookStrange Games no:76...category: new olympic sport?
Posted by Fashion at 1:21 AM 0 comments
Cheese Rolling
World reknowned and extremely popular, Cheese Rolling takes place annually in Gloucestershire, England in May. Simple, fast, brutal; a large, disc of cheese is rolled from the top of a very steep hill. Competitors, of which there are a large number, hurl themselves down the hill after the cheese. The first person to the bottom wins. The hill, varies in gradient between 1 in 1 and 1 in 2 and has
Posted by Fashion at 12:59 AM 0 comments
Warring Couples
Thursday, November 23, 2006
I am indebted to Strange Games German correspondent - Heinrich Guntergarten - for telling me about this very odd party game. Warring Couples is an ice-breaking party game that Heinrich has played at an adults party - but it would be suitable for children too.Players are paired up and have their adjacent legs tied together (as in a three legged race) and stand with their adjacent arms over each
Posted by Fashion at 4:55 AM 0 comments
Labels: party games
Walking Relay & Sleepwalking Relay
Sunday, November 19, 2006
I still remember playing Walking Relay at 'Biffer' Henderson's 10th Birthday party - a party mainly memorable due to Biffer being sick after his failed attempt at the world record for eating Fondant Fancies. Walking Relay deserves to be rescued from its current obscurity.Players are formed into teams and then the teams are split into two groups at either end of the room. Upon a starting command a
Posted by Fashion at 11:59 AM 0 comments
Labels: party games
Human Skittles revisited : Mangelwurzel Skittles and Conger Cuddling
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Strange Games number 69 (Headstand Human Skittles) reminds me of one of the greatest Strange Games of all time: Mangelwurzel Skittles. Mangelwurzel Skittles is an ancient UK Westcountry game that has that magic combination of simplicity and stupidity. A mangel-wurzel (a large whitish-yellow root vegetable from the beetroot family) has a rope tied to it and this is then attached to the ceiling of
Posted by Fashion at 2:24 PM 0 comments
Squirrels in Trees
Wednesday, November 8, 2006
The leaves on the trees are changing colour, the nights are drawing in and you need a game for your party. Look no further than Squirrels in Trees - the perfect autumnal game. One player is the Squirrel (cocky and skittish) another is the Gamekeeper (unflustered and brutal). The other partygoers make 'trees' by standing still, facing each other, in pairs. The pairs of players (trees) should be
Posted by Fashion at 3:00 AM 0 comments
Labels: outdoor games, party games
Top 5 Tag Variations
Thursday, November 2, 2006
There are many variations of tag but below are the top 5 determined by a scientific survey of the nations top tag players (stand up Bertie Blister)1. Bent Knees TagThe title says it all. Everyones movements, both tagger and tagee must be made with the knees in a fully bent position. You are only allowed to stand straight if remaining still and not being chased. A very strenuous variation 2. Bunny
Posted by Fashion at 4:38 AM 0 comments
Labels: outdoor games, playground games
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The order price we saw was $39.00. No wonder it's "no longer
available." :-)
Kristine Brancolini
Indiana University Libraries
We reviewed "In the Game" last November (it's outstanding!). It's
available from: Smith Productions, P.O. Box 1638, Coos Bay, OR
87420-0336; (800) 332-2039. It was priced at $149 when we saw it.
Randy Pitman
Video Librarian
PO Box 2725
Bremerton, WA 98310
(800) 692-2270
On Wed, 29 Nov 1995, MARYG -- OWATONNA wrote:
> A patron is looking for a video about the Stanford Women's Basketball
> Team and their attempt to win a national championship. It's called "In
> the Game" (c1994) and is from Smith Productions, Coos Bay, Oregon. Does
> anyone know of a distributor for this video? Thanks for the help.
> M. Gontarek
> email@example.com
> Media Services
> Owatonna Public Library
> Owatonna, MN


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Summer Wood Shape
Created by OMC Designer Jill
This Summer Wood Shape is such a fun bright way to welcome in the SUMMER season!
Supplies Used:
Wood Designs : Summer (MDF)
Martha Stewart : Acrylic Craft Paint - Purple Yam, ChamomileYellow, Beach Glass, Green Curry, Amaranth Marmalade
Prima : Flower Embellishments
Glue Dots
Doodlebug : Chunky Brads
1. Paint each let a different color, front, back, and sides. Allow to dry.
2. Take a foam brush and dip it into your paint very lightly. Lightly paint the edges of your letters.
3. Embellish your letters with all the fun flowers from Prima. I mixed a few different ones and hooked them together with the Doodlebug brads. I then attached them with Glue Dots.
Happy crafting!


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I own a pair of aR6-TSSOX and they always stay 'ON' in my system. As your dealer suggested, you should only turn them off when you are going away on vacation or in case of thunderstorm/lightning.
Audience aR6-TSS Power Conidtionor
I'm using an Audience aR6-TSS Power Conditioner since last year Summer and I just love it. Everytime after I use it, I will switch it off, but Audience's dealer told me unless I'm not at home for a long period. Otherwise, I better to turn it on continually everyday without switch it off. Otherwise, the switch may worn out later if I turn it it on and off everyday. I don't feel safe if I switch it on continually, especially when I left home to work. So what is the correct answer?Enter your text ...
Unless your neighborhood experience frequent power outages, it's perfectly ok to leave the aR6 'ON' at all times.
I own a pair of aR6-TSSOX and they always stay 'ON' in my system. As your dealer suggested, you should only turn them off when you are going away on vacation or in case of thunderstorm/lightning.
Thanks lalitk & ebm
Thanks for advice! Please let me know how noticeable the difference in sound quality between a AR6-TSS and AR6-TSS-OX? What cost to upgrade an aR6-TSS to Ar6-TSSOX? Also how long does it take to receive it back?
BTW, if I to leave my aR6-TSS 'ON' at all times, can I put a thin cloth to cover it? Because my home is quite easy to have dust.Enter your text ...
The OX upgrade is highly recommended. I spent another 1K on upgrading all the outlets from Cardas to Furutech GTX-D, rhodium plated receptacles. I am not sure if you already upgraded to Au24SE power cord, which yields tremendous improvements over the regular power cord.
I suggest you call Audience directly to access the upgrade cost. You may speak to Alex Keller at 1-800-565-4390.
from Audience website, The OX upgrade includes:
- Rhodium over copper duplexes - for increased conductivity improving every aspect of sound reproduction.
- Gold over copper forks - replacing previous tin over copper forks connecting filter capacitors to the receptacles. This provides a noticeably more refined sound.
- OCC (oxygen free continuous cast) copper wiring throughout. This is one of the most significant improvements ever made providing a big improvement in resolution, speed and soundstaging.
Hi ebm and lalitk
Thanks for information! Do you think if I already using Furutech GTX-D (Rhodium plated) Receptacles at home, it is useful to upgrade my AR6-TSS outlet to Furutech GTX-D (R)?
PS: This is what I'm using at home for my audio and AV system:
I bought my AR6-TSS last year around USD 5150, but I don't bought Audience's Au24SE power cord. I've bought a brand new Neotech NEP-3200 OP-OCC Copper Power cable to work with my AR6-TSS. This is an amazing PC! I don't think the sound quality is far away with Au24SE, but I just pay it less than USD 600 (Include Neutrik's powerCON 20A and a Furutech Rhodium plated connector), I ask my friend to DIY for me There are only 2 or 3 manufacturer to produce OP-OCC copper cable in this world, and Taiwan Neoetch is the largest manufacturer to do OP-OCC Copper OEM business, sometime I doubt if Au24SE is also produced by Neotech.
Since I'm located in Hong Kong, I bought my AR6-TSS from Audience's distributor in here. And I believe I need to go through their distributor if I want any upgrade. So I guess the upgrade cost is much more than USD 1000. I will check it with their distributor. For such expensive cost, I need to listen and compare the difference first.
Questions: May I know what price of a AR6-TSS in U.S. now (net price, after discount)? And how long you receive your AR6-TXXOX back?Enter your text ...
I did not compare the TSS and TSSOX side by side. So it would be hard to score simply because level of improvements are purely subjective and relative to associate gear.
I have owned every possible iteration of Audience line conditioners. With each upgrade I have heard improvements in my system.
You can find great price on used line conditioner on Audiogon. I saw couple of aR6-TSSOX in the range of $4K with Au24SE power cord. That's almost 50% savings.
re TSS vs TSSOX, I had the TSSD and TSSOX side by side and IME the difference was at least as good when I upgraded from the T to TSS. As expected, the law of diminishing returns remains valid here.
I happen to install the bypass caps in the xo of my speakers and the result is crazy good, my system has never sounded so good before, I get almost everything I can hope for, giving the setup with limited room treatment.


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How to Restore a Bicycle | Beautiful Vintage Bike Tips
The human eye is a remarkable thing. It can pick up on incredibly subtle details, and your brain transforms those signals into snap judgements. In the case of bicycles, the eye can pick out imperfections like a magnet.
Rust, scuffed and scratched paint, shoddy or worn out components: all are identified almost immediately. If you're here to learn how to restore a vintage bicycle, I have some good news for you: I know how to trick the eye.
Performing a beautiful vintage bicycle restoration isn't always a trial. You don't always have to tear it down and start from scratch.
There are a few simple and quick ways to restore your vintage bike and make it look like a million bucks (or at least several hundred). Curious? Keep reading.


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Friday, November 21, 2008
Fimo Stitch markers
I have decided to try something new with my stitch markers. I bought some Fimo and decided to try sculpting mini creatures. Take a look at them. Please feel free to let me know what you think.
Posted by Borealis Sea Glass at 2:20 PM No comments:
Monday, November 17, 2008
Knitting Stitch Markers
Another project that I have been working on are stitch markers for knitting. I just plain do NOT like the plastic ones that they sell at fabtic stores...even if they are pretty colors. LOL. I decided to get some beads and make some. Hopefully sell some too. Take a peek! www.akkricket.etsy.com
Posted by Borealis Sea Glass at 9:43 PM No comments:
Ribbon Hair barettes
Here are a few hair barettes that I made up. I am thinking of adding some crystals to them. Tell me what you think. =)
Posted by Borealis Sea Glass at 9:37 PM No comments:
THONGS! Bookthongs that is...
Hey everyone, I am new at blogging but thought that I would give it a shot. I have been making some beaded bookthongs (bookmarks of sort) and through trial and error...came up with some cute ones. Here they are.......
Posted by Borealis Sea Glass at 9:17 PM No comments:
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Hibiki Karaoke Lounge
Set in a Japanese-themed room with cherry blossom decorating the walls
|Hyatt Regency Dubai - Deira
|04 209 6887
|Al Khaleej Road
|Open Mon-Sat 7.30pm-3am
|Credit Cards Accepted:
Hibiki Karaoke Lounge on Map
Moh Nov 24, 2011 10:53 am
The place is quite nice, but the room we got was kinda crammed and the A/C was terrible. The service was good and we had loads of fun!
Mikaela Panlican May 19, 2010 02:35 pm
Hibiki is the best place i ever been for singing. Me & my friends celebrate our get together and we really just had so much fun. The service is excellent, staff was so friendly, you could almost feel you are part of the family. We really had a great time.
Definitely will be back again for another great night at Hibiki!
Keith Lewis, Feb 15, 2010 10:36 am
8 Years ago, a very timid me went into the Hibiki Lounge. I came out transformed. I always loved singing, but i had never done it on this kind of platform. Here it actually gave you room to improve. I have always found that singing relaxes me and its probably the most fun thing i like doing.
8 years now and i can still say the same, its a place i will never ever forget, the staff and the regular guests treat each other more like family than just friends and customers. I have taken a lot of my friends there through the years and they were always amazed. Hibiki apart from showcasing some amazing talent, is also home to lots of nervous bathroom singers who lack the confidence. We the supportive gang at Hibiki take care of this.
So in closing - Come on down , try your own voice - Amaze yourself.
Through the ages i would like to thank - Vangie - Avi - Anel - And now of course Selim, Andy, Wilma and James.... You guys make us feel right at home....
andy corda Nov 17, 2009 08:24 pm
Hibiki is the the right place to show your singing talent. We have great karaoke system and updated song's...We have a sucessfull Halloween party and watch out for upcoming new year's eve.
Check out our face book account @ Hibiki Music Lounge created by our regular guest and email@example.com account.
vangie laureles Sep 26, 2009 01:08 pm
Serene, yes u can also find some Indian selections from the songbook @ Hibiki. They also have variety of song selections in different languages and its a mix of all kind from pop, rock, folksongs to basically everything u r looking for from old to latest you will find it in Hibiki.
Great ambience, friendly people and nice crowd! Try it for yourself!


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"B's SGWA Report"---7-14-2017
Wow! What a fun night for Old School Memphis Wrestling Fans.
New SGWA Owner Memphis Mike comes out and names Downtown Bruno SGWA Commisioner. Bruno promises to clean things up and make sure the matches are fair.
Match 1: Fat B.R. Brawler beats The Midnight Rider with the cheating help of manager Justin Case
Match 2: DJ Brown vs TJ O'Riley
Fast paced , exciting match until
Kross man throws powder
DJ wins
Match 3: The Superstar Bill Dundee punches the senses out of Izzy Rotten and gets a victory.
Match 4: The Boogie Woogie Boy
Gary Valiant dances with the fans and gives Bruno a kiss. Raja fights Boogie hard but it ends up in a double count out
DJ Brown comes out and a
Kross Man match set July 28th for The SGWA Belt.
Kross attacks DJ and DJ retaliates only to be jumped again . Bruno breaks it up.
Main Event: Final Hour vs SGWA Tag Champs The Pink and Black Attack. This was a brawl between 2 teams I really respect. It looked to me like Kid Nova got the 1, 2, 3 but C-Lo, stunned from getting smashed , awards the belts to Final Hour. Bruno says the referees decision stands. C-Lo ends up getting jumped by Bone and Nova on the way to his car after the show. Things are heating up in the SGWA.


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DigitalismLabel: Magnetism Recordings Co.
Release Date: 13 May 2016
Format: LP Double Vinyl
|Digitalism Mirage Limited Vinyl 2LP Set + Download
It's hard to believe that it's been over a decade since Digitalism broke through with their anthemic 'Zdarlight'. Nu-rave and dubstep came and (largely) went; hip-hop morphed into trap; and EDM made pop stars out of dance DJs. Back with their third album, 'Mirage' - some five years on from sophomore record 'I Love You, Dude' - the German duo have wisely resisted any vogues or trends. Instead, they present a record that takes their much-loved sound and opens it up to new permutations and possibilities. 'Mirage' sees Digitalism return in their most complete and coherent incarnation yet; the album spanning euphoric radio-friendly electronic pop and guttural dancefloor bangers with equal aplomb. Their songwriting craft has stepped up a notch too, their vocal tracks delivered with more conviction than ever and once again firmly placing them in a position as an act with big crossover potential. Dashes of disco, French touch, prog rock, rave and hip-hop are thrown into an eclectic sound palette that colours the album. From the full-power electro-indie of 'Battlecry' to the upbeat rock flavour of 'Go Time' and the euphoric melancholy of 'Utopia', their sensibility for storming riffs and melodies hasn't waned one bit. Then there's the scintillating epic 'Destination: Breakdown' and glitchy electro-rap 'Ism' showing yet more accomplished diversity. The two-part title track shows the evolution of their synth work in stunning fashion, beaming in inspiration from the greats like Vangelis and Tangerine Dream across a mesmerising twelve-and-a-half minute journey that makes for an impressive album centrepiece
Featured Tracks:
1. Arena
2. Battlecry
3. Go Time
4. Utopia
5. Destination Breakdown
6. Power Station
7. Open Waters
8. Mirage [Part One]
9. Mirage [Part Two]
10. Indigo Skies
11. Dynamo
12. The Ism
13. Shangri-La
14. No Cash
15. Blink


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Originally posted by Muaddib
BTW, if you go frame by frame, I just kept hitting play and pause fast when the first image of the pentagon appears, you can see in a frame the actual image of the shadow of a plane....
Originally posted by shots
Muaddib is that what looks like a tail section (that appears to be visable through the flames) after the explosion or the white tip (blurr) over the red pylon?
Originally posted by Muaddib
It does appear to be the tail of a plane as it hits the pentagon.
Originally posted by Slaine01
Probably a silly question but are there any pictures of the "plane" captured a ANYWHERE over the city?
Or did it just materialise out of a vortex 500 metres from the impact?
If a Cessna was seen flying low over Sydney, every man and dog would be snapping shots with their camera phone.
Originally posted by denythestatusquo
Once again I'll have to set the world straight here...
Notice how an organization that can spend $thousands of dollars on a toilet seat has a crappy video surveilance camera watching its main headquarters?
Originally posted by Muaddib
Despite the fact that there were people who saw the plane as it was about to hit the pentagon, and when it hit the pentagon.
Originally posted by WestPoint23
Or the fact that we're supposed to believe the passengers onboard Flight 77 along with the plane itself were abducted by the Gray's. Unless of course they hit the building which would account for the plane debris recovered. But no, that is all wrong, we have video analysts and plane crash experts telling us it had to be a missile, no matter what the facts state.*Sigh*, why do I even bother?
Originally posted by WestPoint23
But no, that is all wrong, we have video analysts and plane crash experts telling us it had to be a missile, no matter what the facts state.*Sigh*, why do I even bother?


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Yes or No?
Monday, June 30, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Sort My Books
I love reading (good books), libraries (state, local, university, rural, primary), bookshelves (mine, other peoples, online), bookshops (vintage, discount, factory 2nd, on the street or Borders - not a snob), the smell of new covers, bugs crushed in borrowed books, corners folded, jackets kept immaculate or torn or laminated (ew! not really), authors notes etc - but I do hate excessive annotation, epilogues or prologues and I generally skip introductions. Anyway the point of this paragraph is to say I love books, reading, and almost everything connected to this - I don't get people who don't (its creepy). So I'm obsessed with yet another facet of reading, writing and book obsessing that I've found online - I love different editions - The Sorted Books project.
Bleeding Optimist
Day at the Beach
Inspiration Sandwich
From the website - "The Sorted Books project began in 1993 years ago and is ongoing. The project has taken place in many different places over the years, ranging form private homes to specialized public book collections. The process is the same in every case: culling through a collection of books, pulling particular titles, and eventually grouping the books into clusters so that the titles can be read in sequence, from top to bottom. The final results are shown either as photographs of the book clusters or as the actual stacks themselves, shown on the shelves of the library they were drawn from. Taken as a whole, the clusters from each sorting aim to examine that particular library's focus, idiosyncrasies, and inconsistencies — a cross-section of that library's holdings. At present, the Sorted Books project comprises more than 130 book clusters.
Posted by Samantha at 4:33 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Looking on the Bright Side
I saw Mike Leigh's new film Happy Go Lucky the other day - I got last minute free tickets from a botched Rialto screening (the publicist wanted blood!). It was good but I'd have to say it left me feeling confused as to my own reaction.
Poppy is a mirror to us all: if we find her blind optimism and sunny nature hard to swallow, perhaps there's something wrong with us instead?
I personally sat there waiting for something to happen and although it never did I still enjoyed the characters and efforts of the writer.
Early reviews ran something along these lines: "What a surprise, a fabulous feel-good comedy from Mike Leigh the miserable".
So yes here's a light-hearted comedy from that miserable grump who makes dour movies about the turmoil and pain seething through lower-class lives.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Avant La Haine
Let's break up now, please
No. I kiss you and it passes
You can see
You can't brush me off like that
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
The Last Mistress
I adore Catherine Breillat. I really do. I have seen appallingly little of her 13 or so films she's directed, as little as three in fact (A ma soeur!, Anatomie de l'enfer and Romance). However each one I do see is both poignant and entertaining as well eternally scorched into my brain after watching. How many filmmakers do that eh? Maybe Cronenberg with eXistenz and Crash, but Breillat really packs a much harder emotional punch than any of Cronenberg's films.
I'm dying to seeing an The Last Mistress - not just because Asia Argento hasn't made a good film in a while - but because it looks like Breillat is becoming more and more comfortable at bringing humour (however dark) into her films. Her films are really quite hilarious, while being thoroughly disturbing, affecting and moving. Hence why I believe A ma Souer! is such a masterpiece, because its funny - and if the trailer is anything to go by The Last Mistress looks to be the same.
PS As a bit of trivia some may know the "porno auteuriste" from her supporting role is Bertolucci's 'Last Tango in Paris'.
I'm dying to seeing an The Last Mistress - not just because Asia Argento hasn't made a good film in a while - but because it looks like Breillat is becoming more and more comfortable at bringing humour (however dark) into her films. Her films are really quite hilarious, while being thoroughly disturbing, affecting and moving. Hence why I believe A ma Souer! is such a masterpiece, because its funny - and if the trailer is anything to go by The Last Mistress looks to be the same.
PS As a bit of trivia some may know the "porno auteuriste" from her supporting role is Bertolucci's 'Last Tango in Paris'.
Monday, June 16, 2008
End of Financial Year
Kim Wilde - Cambodia
Ladyhawke - Back of the Van
Amy Whinehouse - Tears Dry on Their Own
The Ikettes - I'm Blue
Monica - Don't Take It Personal
Biz Markie - Just a Friend
Ben E. King- Stand By Me
Cocorosie - Techno Love Song
Candi Stanton - I'll Sing a Love Song to You
Ane Brun - Friend Rhymes with End
Aimee Mann - One
Marilyn Monroe - When Loving Goes Wrong
Bruce Springsteen - Tougher than the rest
Judee Sill - Jesus Was A Crossmaker
Leonard Cohen - One of Us Cannot Be Wrong
Fiona Apple - Paper Bag
Santogold - Your Voice
Duffy - Warwick Avenue
Francoise Hardy and Iggy Pop - I'll Be Seeing You
Soko - My Enemy
Posted by Samantha at 7:40 AM 0 comments
Labels: music
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
For the Ladies? For the Fella's?
Last Saturday I was so hungover that I managed to catch both the American Summer blockbuster overflow films in one day - I'm in wintry Australia fyi. I'm sure when those fat bald movie bigwigs (aren't they always?) were sitting in their offices they thought reprise a classic action film - one for the guys and the girlfriends they drag along - extend a smash HBO show - one for the girls and their 3 other girlfriends - holiday mega-movies fun for all sexes!
To tell the truth I have never been more disappointed with the $31 I spent at Greater Union and Hoyts. Never have a longed more for a film produced by Judd Apatow to be released - oh Apatow how did I survive without you? O.K - they were bearable - just but I would have walked out of both with the slightest of encouragement just to get some Vodka to put in my Sex and The City Diet Coke-tail shaker. For both - Indiana Jones: Curse of the Difficult Ending and Sex and The City: The Tearjerker, poor scriptwriting, was definitely a problem. With scriptwriters in Hollywood it seems to be one of those - Which came first the chicken or the egg? scenarios. Do they get treated badly and paid poorly because they are lazy and untalented? Or do they choose to take out their poor treatment on lovers of good-bad films like me and my friends? One for the ages?
Indie Jones! See regardless of Cate's Cannes apologies for her accent, aging superhero Harrison Ford, (the one thats not the guy from the Apple Ad) Shia Le Bouf and the host of usual suspects - the acting/casting was definitely not the problem with Indiana Jones the movie. The main issues for me was the lack of truly funny moments, of classic Indiana stunts, the amount of CGI and the clichéd story writing - aliens, I'm your Father and the ever impending threat of the Reds - leave it to Star Wars George! I thought this was supposed be a return to old school - because besides the cinematic cred do you know what makes old movies cool? The fact that they didn't have CGI - to look at a cool stunt and think how did they do that!? Also where was all the usual religious subtext these films are known for? Next thing you know Prince Caspian will be flying away in his flying saucer - nah just kidding - but I always enjoy a good religious metaphor more than it was a dream/they were all aliens/we just invited this new technology as a way to explain the unexplainable.
SATC! no matter what the reviews, the poor word of mouth or the intense merchandising advertising (how many Diet Cokes, tampons/pads, hair straighteners etc can we flog off at this particular oestrogen fest?) every girl/woman between the ages 16-60 was going to see this movie jus' cause. Six seasons - six years, most people have seen the show through that long and thats a lot of nights in. For me that was from the ages of 16 - 21 - formative years my friends, years of emotional nostalgia and attachment. For me SATC was my Erica Jong meets GGW with adventurous fashion statements - for a virgin in boarding school who had never drunk a cocktail and had only recently learnt what the Nike symbol meant (hippie parents), this show was like a parallel universe. People say the media teaches us about sex, consumerism, materialism and all the other good stuff too early - let me tell you I was an eager student and was taking notes. Yeah I cried when Steve turned to Miranda and said 'You're the One' - more than I did when Big said it to Carrie anyway. I still watch the show today - find it numbing and enjoyable, even if I find the strong focus on marriage, babies and getting old is starting to hit a bit close to home.
However by the time SATC the movie had rolled round I had been to New York, I had been to all the stores, streets, clubs they'd spoken about. Plus I'd seen about 1000+ more movies than I had when I was a teenager. Was this why I was disappointed? I don't think so. I think it was the "poor me" story lines, the lack of funny gags (except for Samantha!) - and I'm sorry Charlottes pough-ing her pants only funny in American Pie, and the settling. Going back to the guy who cheated on you and the guy who hurt you and left you at the altar? Not exactly inspiring or exciting or even romantic escapism. Just depressing - like the reality we dread and hope doesn't exist. Don't' we watch TV shows like SATC and see TV for movies to escape from the possible reality of flaws and foibles for the girls that will risk security and settling for the hope of something or someone better. I mean these are the girls who blow their mortgage on shoes - I only (sadly) have to look around my social circle to see people who have settled - I don't need to pay $15 to see it!
PS I'm not even going to dignify the Samantha gets fat story line - please!
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Free stand-alone utility used to detect and remove specific viruses
McAfee AVERT Stinger is a Freeware software in the category Miscellaneous developed by McAfee.
It was checked for updates 0 times by the users of our client application UpdateStar during the last month.
The latest version of McAfee AVERT Stinger is 184.108.40.2065, released on 12/09/2014. It was initially added to our database on 10/29/2007.
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Hugh Jackman: Buff Body at Bondi Beach!
Hugh Jackman goes shirtless at Bondi Beach on Tuesday (September 27) in Sydney, Australia.
The same day, the 42-year-old Aussie actor posed for a photo call to promote his new film, Real Steel, at the InterContinental Hotel.
Hugh recently told Access Hollywood that he got the seal of approval for the action flick from his two kids, Ava and Oscar.
"This is the first time they've really connected with one of my films. I don't let them watch X-Men," he shared.
"I read [the Real Steel] script for the first time with my son. I was like being a bad parent and instead of reading Tintin, I read Real Steel and my son made me read it to him for the next 10 nights," he added. "So, I knew we were on to a winner then."
15+ pictures inside of Hugh Jackman at the beach and promoting Real Steel in Sydney…


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Stella McCartney is a Young and Famous English Fashion Designer. She is the daughter of former Beatles member Sir Paul McCartney and the late photographer and animal rights activist, Linda McCartney.
Stella McCartney became interested in designing clothes at age 13, when she made her first jacket. Three years later, she interned for Christian Lacroix, working on his first fashion design collection, honing her skills working for Edward Sexton, her father's Savile Row tailor for a number of years. She studied her foundation at Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication, fashion design at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in the early 1990s. Her graduation collection in 1995 was modelled by friends and supermodels Naomi Campbell, Yasmin Le Bon and Kate Moss – for free – at the graduation runway show.
The collection was shown to a song penned by her famous father, called "Stella May Day". The show made front-page news, and the entire collection was sold to Tokio, a London boutique. The designs were licensed to Browns, Joseph, Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus. In 1998, she designed her sister Mary's wedding dress for her wedding to television producer Alistair Donald.
A lacto-ovo-vegetarian, McCartney does not use fur or leather in her designs and supports PETA. Some of McCartney's designs have text that elaborates on her "no animal" policy; for example, one of her jackets for Adidas says, "suitable for sporty vegetarians" on the sleeve. Stella does use wool, silk, and other animal-derived fabrics in her designs.
In March 1997 McCartney was appointed Creative Director of Paris fashion house Chloé, following in the footsteps of Karl Lagerfeld. Lagerfeld was less than impressed with the house's choice, famously stating, "Chloé should have taken a big name. They did, but in music, not fashion. Let's hope she's as gifted as her father."
Despite initial skepticism, McCartney's designs have enjoyed considerable commercial and critical success. She was accompanied to Chloé by her assistant and friend Phoebe Philo, who later replaced her as design director.[citation needed] In 2001, McCartney resigned from Chloé in order to enter into an eponymous joint venture with Gucci. The line has four stores; one in New York City which opened September 2002, one in Mayfair, London, which opened April 2004, one in Los Angeles which she opened on her birthday in September 2005 and included an expansion into the perfume market, and most recently one in Hong Kong, which opened in 2008.
In 2009, Stella launched a store in Paris in the heart of the Jardins du Palais Royal. Stella McCartney received the VH1/Vogue Designer of the Year award in 2000. Paul McCartney presented the award to his daughter. She thanked him in her acceptance speech and dedicated the award to her late mother. In 2000, McCartney designed Madonna's wedding dress for her marriage to Guy Ritchie.
In January 2007, McCartney launched a skincare line called CARE. The 100% organic line includes seven products, from a cleansing milk made with lemon balm and apricot to green tea and linden blossom floral water.
In 2004, she designed clothes for Madonna's Re-Invention Tour, Annie Lennox's summer tour, and Gwyneth Paltrow's and Jude Law's costumes for the film Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow.
She also launched a joint-venture line with Adidas, establishing a long-term partnership with the corporation in September 2004. This line is a sports performance collection for women. The collection includes apparel for swim, gym, running, tennis and wintersports, as well as bags. McCartney's favorite pieces in the collection come with a special reflector keychain. In early 2006, the keychain was in the shape of a pink heart and in later 2006, it was in the shape of a gray wolf's head.
In January 2007, Stella McCartney announced that she would be adding a branch called Gym Yoga to her sports range for Adidas. Gym Yoga spring/summer 2007 collection is inspired by ballet and dance uniforms. The collection features double-layered tank tops with deep necklines, low-waisted skinny trousers and lightweight rubber shoes. Her Adidas contract was extended until 2010.
In 2005, she designed a range of clothing and accessories for H&M to boost public awareness of her own brand and to create more affordable options for her fans. The line was released in November of that year and sold out almost immediately on launch day, due to the similarity (in many cases, almost direct copies) between her expensive main line and the H&M line.
In January 2010, McCartney announced she would be collaborating with Disney to create an Alice in Wonderland-inspired jewelry collection. In October 2010, Stella relaunched her Designers for Target range in Australia. This time around, less crowds ran into the stores and refunds for the products have been significant. The range is priced from 30 dollars AUD to 249 AUD. Stella McCartney Kids children's wear was launched on 3 November 2010.
Read more at Wikipedia! | Follow Stella on Twitter! | Check the Site!


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The critics challenged that figure—and the critics were right. Here's the scoop:
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- BP conceded Thursday that more oil than it estimated is gushing into the Gulf of Mexico as heavy crude washed into Louisiana's wetlands for the first time, feeding worries and uncertainty about the massive monthlong spill.
Mark Proegler, a spokesman for oil giant BP PLC, said a mile-long tube inserted into a leaking pipe over the weekend is capturing 210,000 gallons a day - the total amount the company and the Coast Guard have estimated is gushing into the sea - but some is still escaping. He would not say how much.