text:
"Did you, for example, ever know a single fact about Joe Biden's health care plan? … But let me guess, you know Barack Obama's bowling score."
You go there, Elizabeth, you go girl!
Man, something like this today has the thought creeping into your mind that, maybe, the wrong Edwards was running for President.
We speak of Elizabeth Edwards' NYT Op-Ed, "Bowling 1, Health Care 0"
Mrs. Edwards rips into the MSM, for covering the silly, the pap, and not being the beacon bulldogs of a robust democracy.
Why? Here's my guess: The vigorous press that was deemed an essential part of democracy at our country's inception is now consigned to smaller venues, to the Internet and, in the mainstream media, to occasional articles. I am not suggesting that every journalist for a mainstream media outlet is neglecting his or her duties to the public. And I know that serious newspapers and magazines run analytical articles, and public television broadcasts longer, more probing segments.
But I am saying that every analysis that is shortened, every corner that is cut, moves us further away from the truth until what is left is the Cliffs Notes of the news, or what I call strobe-light journalism, in which the outlines are accurate enough but we cannot really see the whole picture.
She laments that lack-of-coverage for all the candidates, people like Joe Biden and Chris Dodd, whose good policy plans went, virtually, unnoticed.
Or, as she questions "who decided that Fred Thompson was a serious candidate."
I'm not the only one who noticed this shallow news coverage. A report by the Project for Excellence in Journalism and the Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy found that during the early months of the 2008 presidential campaign, 63 percent of the campaign stories focused on political strategy while only 15 percent discussed the candidates' ideas and proposals.
Watching the campaign unfold, I saw how the press gravitated toward a narrative template for the campaign, searching out characters as if for a novel: on one side, a self-described 9/11 hero with a colorful personal life, a former senator who had played a president in the movies, a genuine war hero with a stunning wife and an intriguing temperament, and a handsome governor with a beautiful family and a high school sweetheart as his bride. And on the other side, a senator who had been first lady, a young African-American senator with an Ivy League diploma, a Hispanic governor with a self-deprecating sense of humor and even a former senator from the South standing loyally beside his ill wife. Issues that could make a difference in the lives of Americans didn't fit into the narrative template and, therefore, took a back seat to these superficialities.
The essay is on-the-money and a good read.
And it has generated (for the most part; There's a few in the RWFS out there dissing it) good kudos.
Kevin Hayden: Strobe-light journalism: the ADD of campaign 2008
Bang The Drum: Elizabeth Edwards, I'd Vote for YOU
Mark Halperin: Elizabeth Edwards Points Finger at News Media
Take some time and read Elizabeth Edwards' "Bowling 1, Health Care 0"
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Elizabeth Edwards: "The Cliff Notes of the news"
Posted by 13909 Antiques at 4:20 PM
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Conversations and Horses
I asked Georgie where he wanted to go. He shook his head "no" at McDonald's. I said, "Do you want to go get some chickens?" and he said, "Moooo."
"You're silly!" I laughed. "Chickens don't say mooo! What do they say?" He made a passible "bwak" and then said, "Mooo." I laughed again.
Well, when we got to Chik-Fil-A, he pointed to the door and said, "Mooo." What is on the door at CFA? A COW.
LIGHTBULB. "Oh! You're right! At CFA, they have COWS and the COWS say moo." He gave me a look that said, "Duuuuh Mom."
Georgie David -1. Mommy- FAIL.
After a snafu at CFA (we got our food late) we headed out to ride horses. Georgie was not happy when I took him away from the cats and cried. He refused to wear a helmet and fought the "belt" but they insisted. I finally just had them put him on the horse and I went to grab Cole from the car. (The car is right outside the open barn, so I could hear and see him; he was sleeping.)
Georgie being George cried for a little bit and then he relaxed.... and was clearly enjoying himself but pouting because he didn't want us to know he was having fun! It took a grand total of five minutes before he was relaxed, holding onto the handle... and talking! He was talking to people he had only met once before! It was awesome! He pointed out the other horse, put rings on a stick and played basketball!
I met another mother with a little boy with CP. She sang the praises of horse therapy. It's nice to meet other moms of kids with challenges. Her little boy had just started school too, at the same program (but at a different school) as the one Georgie will go to. She said she loved the program and her kid is doing really well.
Joseph is thinking of running for student council. Should be interesting, esp with meetings at 8 am twice a month! Adam said he would take him to school in the mornings.
Speaking of mornings and days, I need to blog about our Large Family Logistics Change-Up. It's going pretty well! We have a nice and easy routine to our days. It helps that the weather is cool and really feels like fall. We are outside so much more. I had my first pumpkin spice latte of the season, so I guess fall is really here!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Monday, January 4, 2010
(Monday) Politics 1/4/10
Do you feel the United States Of America is on the right track?
What's your opinion about the future of American Economy?
Feel free to answer any one of these...
17 comments:
- banx said...
i dont trust him simply because he's a politician.
i think he has good intentions in leading us on the right track but don't know if he'll be able to come through simply because the odds are stacked pretty damn high. hope it is.
- January 4, 2010 at 5:16 PM
- Jesse Taco said...
people in your violent country are dying and killing other people in 2 oil related wars. every other country in the world hates the US and A because of its world domineering foreign policy. what a joke, a two party system, a fuckin elephant and a donkey.
- January 5, 2010 at 9:58 AM
- Percy Carey said...
Banx and Jesse,
What do you suggest?
If it's business as usual, how do we change things?
Thank you.
- January 5, 2010 at 11:00 AM
- Jesse Taco said...
I would start by deprogramming everyone, followed by many hours of listening to your jams, followed by the president declaring marijuana the national bush
- January 5, 2010 at 3:39 PM
- banx said...
to jess- how many people do you know in our country? i dont know you so not trying to front too much but if you said 0 or under 10 your generalizing our population by referring to us as a "violent country". thats never good to do.
to Percy- its hard to suggest anything at this point, but doing more to focus on educating kids about info that matters, giving money to the people who need it, lowering the price of survival(in cali shits ridiculous), lowering prison sentences for petty crimes, re-educating some of the bible thumpers to think with there heads and not there religion (im christian but hate how cats try to rule the world), dealing with the immigration problem; i think they should make it easier to obtain citizenship, figure out once and for all how to end the current was we're in and remove religion from the government as well. just a few that wouldn't solve all but i think would help society somewhat.
- January 5, 2010 at 3:48 PM
- BIG D O said...
Barack is doin Barack man...
I can't stand people that are up here tryin to blame him and posture as if it's his fault we in this mess...No America it's your fault, first for electing an idiot like Bush and second for letting him steal that second term....He's the true culprit for all the shit America is in...
And yeah, really if you wanna get into it from the most candid perspective of all, the people that are truly, truly to blame can't be seen and never will be...powerful world banks that pull strings behind the scenes and all that..
- January 6, 2010 at 6:57 PM
- banx said...
believe me, i know there are people in higher places doing shit, and i don't blame obama for our current situation, don't know where you got that from but its all good.
- January 6, 2010 at 7:22 PM
- Jesse Taco said...
it's easy to blame someone else and say that there is a conspiracy and "people pulling strings". maybe because a high school education in your country is about on par with a grade 10 education in mine. you live under a fascist regime that built its arms so powerful that a revolution would be impossible. not a violent country? what other country can a person pack an automatic weapon under license? what is your per capita police spending? why are you allowed to have numerous nuclear weapons sites? why do you have such odd protectionist tariffs? why don't you look at the NAFTA north region of Mexico where you get all your wal mart crap from, and truly see what poverty and depravity is.
- January 7, 2010 at 2:20 PM
- banx said...
damn, you seem to know a lot about our current situation. even more impressive is that you are standing on the outside looking in. i dont think any amount of articles you read can allow you to fully comprehend what we feel here in america more than those actually living it. It can be argued that we a have a violent government but im telling you we are not a violent country and those that are violent usually do so out of survival or are in a constant spiral that forced them into it, its not a choice. Dont come at me with that shit, if you're not living it get the fuck out of here. go to a homeless man and tell him he's lazy. he'd beat your ass because you don't know what type of life he's living, same with americans and what ever country you are from. the life is different and if i knew the country you were from im sure there would be many things that I would disagree with your culture but would not generalize its entire population because that would be ignorant.
What would you really do to change america? i'm curious.
- January 7, 2010 at 4:54 PM
- Jesse Taco said...
yep i know its not like my whole life i haven't been inundated with your countries garbage seeing as i live in canada, but i'm glad your gov't has taught you well, to stand under the flag and hold your heart and tell me because i don't happen to live next door to you i can't see or have any idea of what is going on. now go be a good boy and go die for your country. it's a good cause i hear, and those army commercials man those look dope.
- January 7, 2010 at 6:16 PM
- banx said...
this cat is really getting there e-feelings boiling lol. im not hating on you but you should respect that which you respectfully don't have all the information on. I've seen many racist encounters in canada but i dont call canada a racist country. im curious in what ways have i come off as one who stands @ the flag & holds there hand over there heart. far from it, just you once again drawing conclusions on things you have no knowledge on. Also just because our country is in a war it does not mean i am willing to fight it. i will fight for my country if i believed in the cause but i do not in this particular instance. please believe i would not even wait to be drafted if i believed in the cause. stop duckin questions and say what you would do to change america. you clearly have all the info already so you must have all the answers.
Also, apologies to Grimm if it seems like im disrespecting your blog. Am not trying to turn it into a forum or anything.
- January 7, 2010 at 6:38 PM
- Jesse Taco said...
ya i have no idea about anything, and i'm not saying this is what you are or what you aren't. i'm just telling you that your country is resented by the majority of the world. yes that is a generalization but a commonly shared generalization. don't know why you are questioning the issue of racism. i'd call canada a racist country, we have been mistreating the indigenous since we gave them blankets infested with smallpox. but no we have never persecuted a people to the level of your countries initial and continual persecution of the african american. yes we participated actively in the underground railroad movement, and yes we welcomed draft dodgers and yes we saved your asses in both world wars.
- January 7, 2010 at 7:41 PM
- banx said...
your still duckin though. what would you do different to change america for the better. On a side note, you just admitted to your own ignorance if you are openly generalizing an entire country based on what you've seen in media and however else you get your dose of the american population. i would never judge an entire country, no man/woman should. no one is in such a position to do so. no two person in america are exactly alike. give us a bit more credit than that
- January 7, 2010 at 8:04 PM
- Jesse Taco said...
banx- im just jealous you have so many fast food options. we only got wendys, mcds and burger king up here. sorry for being small minded about your country, at least its better than mexico. and as for change, maybe a broader and more diverse way of looking at employment, and stop letting people spend more than they have, stop paying actors and athletes so much.
- January 8, 2010 at 12:21 PM
- Percy Carey said...
No please that's why this topic was started feel free to continue. No harm done.
- January 8, 2010 at 1:48 PM
- banx said...
Jesse- the sarcasm isnt appreciated. you came at me like i was out of line for assuming you knew nothing about the states. the place i know well having grown up here. you came with a lot of negative shit to say about put country yet your not trying to add your input on how we can better ourselves. i am more than willing to hear you out and but now you're just coming off as a bit arrogant. Don't bring Mexico into this because there are things they have that are better than the US IMO.
"stop letting people spend more than they have"- if this is in reference to every day living than thats kind of cold to say since we have no choice but if you are referring to the banks who are foreclosing on all of the homes nation wide than i agree 100%.
"stop paying actors and athletes so much." - you really think this is an american problem? homie this is world wide not just america. the worlds 2nd highest paid athlete is Michael Schumacher whose pulling in 80million. just a fun fact.
to add on what should be dont to better america, i feel better training for law enforcemnt would help a great deal. there have been many times where myself or a friend have been stopped, arrested or even held at gun point by a cop simply for being who we are in the wrong area. police should have better instincts in this day and age and should no when force is necessary and when it is not.
- January 8, 2010 at 8:00 PM
- Luke said...
If only for reasons stemming from a desire to see the many, many hours I campaigned for him in 2008 come to some good, I've been extremely supportive of President Obama. This sounds awful, but, in all likelihood, we may have set the bar too high for him. I think politicians should be held to higher standards, but, to rattle off the now much overused to-fix list Obama has on his desk, he's facing two wars, the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, and a host of other massive issues, so he has his work cut out for him. I'm more frustrated with the Democratic Party in general, for allowing itself to be victimized, for letting political has-beens like Dick Cheney and Karl Rove walk all over them, for letting themselves be perceived as weak and liberal, yet being forced to accept quite centrist legislation. All that said, I think Obama made a mistake by introducing healthcare reform before going after financial regulation, and I think he hasn't done enough to fight for liberal causes.
But more devastating than all that, he has inevitably failed to be the wondrous, transformative figure many, sadly including myself, were led to believe during the campaign. It makes me truly despondent. I thought if there was one politician in America who could put the country back together, it was Barack Obama. If he can't do it, I don't believe many others can.
- January 20, 2010 at 6:34 PM


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In which, energy can be delivered to homes for less than a penny per kilowatt-hour.
The etymology of the word lukewarm comes from old English meaning tepid rather than from the Evangelist whose name means bringer of light is some traditions. The advantages of using real energy to warm water before it is delivered to a home is the subject of this post so we have a Latin title meant to evoke both light and warmth while perhaps spurring a memory that the Romans would take almost any practical step to get a good bath.
The word plumbing comes from the word lead and, despite its unfortunate origins, this is our main theme. Lead, mercury and other heavy metals cause many of our misfortunes because they cause our minds to no longer function properly. As we end the use of coal as we ended the use of lead in gasoline we may well see further reductions in violent crime. Luke, who traveled with Paul, does not mention what Nero did to Paul. Some argue that this is because he wrote his Gospel and Acts before Paul died but others argue that it is because Luke considered Nero an aberration. The behavior of Nero and the other degenerate Emperors could well be explained by the ubiquitous presence of lead in the Roman environment, only some of which was from the plumbing; they used it to flavor food as well.
In our plumbing, water is delivered to homes at the ambient temperature which is just the average temperature of a region over a year (about 55o F near the Chesapeake Bay). Depending on the depths of the water mains, it may be slightly warmer in the Autumn and cooler in the Spring as the heat from Summer or cooling from Winter reach those depths, but if it is sourced from a well, then these effects are even smaller because the water temperature coming from that low in the earth is constant. The effect of raising the temperature of the delivered water by 20o F on home energy use is important. When the warmer water is heated in a water heater, less energy is required to bring it up to temperature saving about 25% in energy. Further, when the warmer water is mixed with hot water for bathing, less hot water is needed resulting in a 16% savings on hot water use. Together this comes to a 36% savings. In a home where water heating accounts for 20% of energy use, then the overall savings is about 7%. For a well insulated house where water heating accounts for half the energy use, the fractional savings are even larger. And, there is no need to change anything in the home to take advantage of this.
The water pipes we use to deliver water to homes are close to thermal equilibrium with the ground, but if we are to deliver warmed water they will lose heat to the ground. So, we need an estimate of how much heat they would lose. This depends on the thermal conductivity of the soil and the temperature gradient beside the pipe. We can get an upper limit on the steepness of the temperature gradient if we consider a pipe surrounded by a cylinder of insulating earth with a radius that corresponds to the depth at which the pipe is buried. This is rough upper limit. For dry soil such as under a road the distance down to the water table will often be greater than the distance to the surface implying more insulation in that direction. For soil subject to percolation of rain water, heat transfer could be greater downward if the percolation is rapid enough. For a 20 centimeter diameter pipe buried 2 meters below the surface in soil with a thermal conductivity of 1.5 W/m/K and a temperature difference of 10o C we can calculate an energy loss of about 31 Watts for every meter of pipe. For a town of 10,000 homes laid out in a square of 5 by 5 kilometers there needs to be about 250 kilometers of water pipes so the energy lost would be 8 MW. If each home uses 350 gallons of water a day that is about 0.018 litres/second and to raise 18 grams of water per second by 10o C requires 770 watts. So, all 10,000 homes also need 8 MW of power. All told 16 MW of energy input is needed.
For solar energy input we need the collecting area of about 16 house lots. Let's have our town served by four 50 meter high water towers, one at each corner. If we paint the bottom of the tank of each one black, we can arrange mirrors called heliostats around the base of the tower to reflect sunlight on the bottom of the tower. If these are arranged in a circle, then to deliver 2 MW of average power to the bottom of the tower we need to deliver 10 MW at noon so the radius of our circle of mirrors will be about 56 meters. Assuming that the bottom of the tank is 20 meters across, the sunlight will be concentrated in power by a factor of 32. As long as the reflectivity of the bottom of the tank is 10% or less, this poses no danger to vision. The cost of durable (30 year) heliostats is about $126/meter2 so the delivered cost of energy, $4.9 million in heliostats for 2 billion kWh over 30 years is 0.23 cents/kWh. Since this mode of delivery displaces electricity or gas use for water heating this looks like a pretty good deal though not all water use is involved with hot water use. In operation, one of our towers would look something like this spanish power plant, but with a water tower instead of a solar furnace. We don't need hot water, just warm.
But, we can go a bit further. Silicon solar panels are about 20% efficient and currently cost about $5/Watt. They perform within 80% of their initial efficiency for at least 30 years. The main reason they lose their efficiency is owing to cosmic ray induced defects in the crystal lattice which provide places for charge carriers to become trapped. At the bottom of a water tank, they are substantially shielded from cosmic rays and thus should last much longer. Let's assume a lifetime of 60 years. The cosmic rays come mainly from straight up (cos3) and 5 meters of water is about the same as half the atmosphere in terms of mass so that is about 3.8 attenuation lengths for neutrons and panels should last more than 40 times longer mounted under a water tower if they were not also affected by local radioactivity. In practice, we need only be concerned with radioactive contamination of the water in the water tower and the tower itself since the ground is a long way away. Drinking water should not have more than 30 micrograms of uranium per litre according to the EPA so this is a low level of radiation compared to soil. For a steel tower, uranium should have slagged off when the steel was made. So, doubling the life of the panels seems fairly conservative; they might last a couple of centuries or more.
Silicon can be run at much higher light intensity than solar illumination but it loses efficiency when it gets hot. Since we want to heat water in any case, cooling the panels at the bottom of a water tank just requires a bit of plumbing to carry off the 26 kW/m2 of power that is not converted to electricity. This is the reason you can boil water in a paper cup over an open flame. The water keeps the paper cool. Keeping the panels within temperature limits also helps with their durability. What is the cost of electricity if we install silicon solar panels with this plumbing? Lets assume that the plumbing costs as much as the solar panels and we employ a company that charges about the same for labor. Then $15/watt over 60 years at 5 hours per day of illumination comes to about 14 cents per kWh with regular illumination, but 0.43 cents per kWh with the concentration we have arranged in any case using the heliostats. This novel method is about ten times less expensive than using coal and twenty times less expensive than buying electricity. The average 1.6 MW of electricity generated this way could be put to use powering public buildings allowing reduced property taxes.
The idea for delivering warmed water to homes appears to be novel and it actually came to me when a friend asked me to attend a Maryland Public Services Commission hearing about a proposed gas fired power plant which is currently dealing with issues of sources of cooling water with the county government. They are asking for flexibility in their licence application to go with either grey water or dry cooling. My friend was concerned about the potable water they intend to draw because each time the water system in Waldorf expands people where I live have to drill new wells and more springs run dry around the county. The issue with the grey water is that it is 15 miles away from the proposed power plant site while the plant itself is much closer to town. The plant will be throwing off about 400 MW of heat so it seems to me that they could ingratiate themselves with the city of Waldorf by offering to warm the potable water using that heat rather than waiting for the water to be used and sent so much farther away. In the end, this idea may be just fiddling while the ghost energy burns but following Luke in attempting to bring more light than heat I put it forward. There may be a number of applications for this approach of delivering power to homes through tepid water. In cases where artificial reservoirs are used instead of water towers and wells, floating absorbing mats might reduce evaporation and warm the water. I like the water tower arrangement best because it shows how to get the most out of silicon solar panels while they are still bit pricey. It seems to me to be the lowest cost for electricity around. We'll be seeing more of that with solar.
The EPA estimates that 147,000 water systems are ground sourced in the US. If 5% of those have suitable water towers then at 400 kW of electricity generation per tower that is about 3 GW of average generation available at less than a penny per kWh. The required nameplate capacity is about 460 MW or 12% of world production of solar cells in 2007. Since the supply of silicon appears to be adequate, getting a home grown heliostat industry going looks as though it might be a good investment opportunity. Because the water tower bottom environment appears to be a good place to avoid soft errors in electronics as well, companies that need very high reliability in data processing might be interested in sponsoring water tower conversions to provide themselves with an extra-reliable server network in a thermally controlled environment using low cost high circuit density components.
Waste heat may also be available from Fischer-Tropsch or Sabatier process plants that produce hydrocarbon fuels from atmospheric carbon dioxide directly. The relatively steady demand for water compared to seasonal heating suggests than towns that don't have suitable water towers may be able to warm their water supply while producing hydrocarbon fuels for other purposes using low cost wind energy as an energy input. The advantage here is that compared to the home scale plants we considered earlier, the need for heat is constant so that the equipment for producing fuel can be used continuously. Conversion of some existing combined heat and power plants might also take advantage of this if their heat production is also configured to produce cooling so that the heat consumption is fairly steady throughout the year.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Lux lucis tepida
In which, energy can be delivered to homes for less than a penny per kilowatt-hour.
Posted by Chris Dudley at 12:33 PM
2 comments:
- Cyril R said...
It looks like you didn't consider the time value of money. Still the concept looks very economical.
We also waste a lot of hot water. Water saving showerheads and insulated plumbing in the house, plus heat recovery from the waste warm water (after it passes the sink) could easily cut domestic hot water needs in half.
- July 7, 2008 at 1:42 AM
- Cost To Add Solar Panels To Home said...
I want say that this article is very nice and very informative article.I will make sure to be reading your blog more.
Solar Pool Heating
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- December 22, 2017 at 5:23 AM


text:
Casey Fossum, he of the 135.00 ERA, is being brought into the game to face the tying run. This cannot end well.
It feels good to be wrong. That's always a nice omen when a potential Leyland blunder turns into a good move.
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Posted by Eddie Bajek at 3:10 PM
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No. 11 Blades for Exacto/Racer's Edge style hobby knives (100) by Excel
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This is a package of No. 11 blades for Exacto and Racer's Edge style hobby knives. The blades are made from Carbon Steel for a very long lasting and extremely sharp edge. These blades are perfect for cutting and trimming, as well as for cutting masking material when painting lexan R/C bodies.
This is a bulk pack of blades and contains 100 blades.
This is a bulk pack of blades and contains 100 blades.
This product was added to our catalog on August 24, 2009.


text: At 11:53 PM 6/29/2004, email@example.com wrote: >--On Tuesday, June 29, 2004 10:33 PM -0400 Jong-Hyuk ><firstname.lastname@example.com> wrote: > >> >> >>> > Yes. this is the same as I observed so this is clearly related to >>> > ITS#3127. - Jong-Hyuk > >With Howard's help, the problem has been tracked down to the fix for >ITS#3139. ITS #3139 fixed an issue for DIGEST-MD5 SASL binds, but the >encoder used by SASL/GSSAPI is different, and introduced this problem to >SASL/GSSAPI binds. I think we need to back out the ITS#3139 "fix" and then reopen a discussion on how to properly fix the ITS#3139 issue. I intend to do just that quite soon. Kurt


text:
I've done a couple of posts about the quilts I've made that live at my house : Part 1 and Part 2.
These are some of my quilts that live elsewhere in Palmerston North.
My husband's 40th birthday quilt lives in his office at work
From a pattern by Robbi Joy Eklow - I showed you this last year - detailed shots of the quilting here.
This is the wedding quilt I made for my brother and his wife
Detail shot
This is their son Harry's quilt to celebrate his birth
and of course now he has his Christmas Advent Tree
This quilt was made for one of my very best friends
I really like Pacifica colours and appliqued shapes.
I'm currently working on another applique quilt.....
What are you working on?
Hope you have a good week :-)
Monday, December 5, 2011
My Quilts : Part 3
Posted by Lynette (NZ) at 9:02 AM
Labels: Applique, Handmade gifts, Quilts I've made
5 comments:
- Kiwifruit-Shiree said...
Fabulous quilts Lynette, it is so nice to see previous quilts as well as current,I am sure these quilts have made their owners very happy indeed!
- December 5, 2011 at 11:14 AM
- Tessa said...
Ooooh wow.... absolutely gorgeous!! You are so good with that: I'm a bit jealours! I just can't figure out how the sewing machine works :D
xx Tessa
- December 5, 2011 at 1:18 PM
- papillon said...
wow, you know how to handle a needle! and what a great colorcombos!
- December 6, 2011 at 8:01 AM
- Sam said...
OMG, your quilts are just fantastic, love the guitar one! Makes me want to quilt again x
- December 7, 2011 at 9:12 AM
- Margaret said...
Stunning work Lynette! all of it! wow! My fav has to be the pacific one, the colours are so wonderful. What an amazing talent you are! Mx
- December 7, 2011 at 9:49 AM
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Few web authoring programs for OSX are as affordable, elegant, approachable and easy to use as RapidWeaver for Mac. You can literally whip up a multi-page Static site or a quick Blog in a half hour or less, monetize it and have a new site up and running - QUICK!
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It's important to grok RapidWeaver's SITE SETUP dialogs. So much of the On-Page SEO details of Title, Description, Keywords, Page Header and Footer Text happen there. Load these up with your primary keyword phrases - and you have a strong foundation for ranking well in organic search. Site Setup is also where you'd add Google Analytics or other Stat Tracking code to monitor your site's progress.
With a healthy amount of help and online resources: Whether it's RealMac's online support forum, YouTube tutorial videos, and others - some of the finer points of leveraging RapidWeaver's abilities are within reach of any Mac webmaster.
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jeudi 24 mars 2011
Quickly Make Money Online - MMO The Mac Way - With RapidWeaver
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1. 2 Table spoon of vegetable oil.
1. 2 Table spoon of vegetable oil.
2. 1 Table Spoon of freshly chopped garlic.
3. 2 Medium heads of Broccoli.(Cut into florets.)
4. 1 Finely chopped garlic clove.
5. 2 Tablespoon of soy sauce.
6. Pinch of hot chilly flakes.
7. Pinch of salt.
8. 1 Teaspoon of toasted sesame seeds to garnish.
9. 1 Tea spoon of corn starch.
Boil your broccoli florets into deep bottom pan for 5 minutes in slightly salted water. Drain the water in cold running water and let it cool. In a preheated pan put vegetable oil. Add chopped garlic and stir it until turned golden brown. Combine soy sauce , corn starch and all the boiled broccoli and cook over gentle heat, stir constantly for 3 minutes until sauce thickness slightly. Transfer it to a serving dish,garnish with sesame seeds and serve immediately.


text:
Zen Garden by Linda Seward
Zen Garden by Linda Seward
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Bistrot Paul Bert: A Meeting of Minds
March 18, 2010
Bistrot Paul Bert, Courtesy of: Hoostamagazine.com
Text by Simone Blaser
Sometimes, the planets align. Sometimes old friends come back to Paris (hi Tory!) and sometimes new friends come back to Paris (hi Sarah!) and sometimes you go to dinner at a restaurant about which you've all heard loud and exuberant whispers. It's never ideal when two people order the same dish – there is so much to try! – but the heart wants what the heart wants (or in this case, the stomach) and so I generally let it slide. But once in a while the planets actually do align and you find yourself at dinner with old friends and new friends and everyone independently decides to order something different and everyone chooses the very dishes you yourself were trying to decide between and you all agree on the wine, too, and then you just know. You just know.
The other night was one of those magic nights. The players: Tory, Sarah, and myself. The setting: le Bistrot Paul Bert, a cozy restaurant tucked in the 11th off a metro stop – Faidherbe-Chaligny — where I somehow never have reason to go.
The décor: mirrored walls, eclectic art, tiled floors, roving chalkboard menus. The tables are quite close to each other, but what better excuse to inspect the meals of your neighbors as your labor over your own decision. And what a decision! The 34-euro, three-course menu – all in French – is heavy on the meat. The wine list is extensive, though not suffocating. The bistrot also offered about a dozen vins du mois.
Ed Alcock
We shared a bottle of white Bourgogne that was sweeter than expected, but not overwhelmingly so. The noix de St. Jacques seemed to be a popular entrée, but we opted for starters slightly more decadent: a feuilleté with escargots and champignons des bois swimming in cream; the smoothest most beautiful foie gras with chutney; and a terrine de campagne that melted in my mouth and paired quite nicely with the balsamic dressing of the side salad. We each sopped up the remaining flavors on our plate with hearty brown bread.
On to the plats: for Tory, a dos de lieu – a man-sized filet of white fish sitting next to a heaping pile of champignons des bois; for Sarah, a glass of red and a pot au feu that was chock full of tender beef, potatoes, turnips, leeks, carrots, and even a fist-sized piece of marrow; and for me, grilled squid, chewy and succulent all at once, served with roasted red peppers. The portions were surprisingly generous (this is France, after all), and after two courses we were stuffed and happy. But dessert! Dessert! Soufflé, lemon and currant sorbets, and the specialty of the maison, a Paris-Brest. I had never seen one before, but it was a giant puff pastry filled with an airy chocolate-hazelnut cream. After such a meal, coffee was a must. There was even talk of Calvados and a trou Norman. We left the restaurant on a cloud.
Bistrot Paul Bert menu – Courtesy of Lyn Zee (Flickr)
A few notes: all of our choices were fairly traditional and non-experimental, but the simple flavors did their job remarkably. The clientele was mostly French-speaking, perhaps regulars. The wait staff was attentive but not overbearing. All in all a lovely Wednesday evening meal, and a new must in the classic bistrot category. I will certainly be back soon.
Le Bistrot Paul Bert
18 Rue Paul Bert, 75011
+33 (0)184.108.40.206.01
Métro: Rue des Boulets, Faidherbe – Chaligny, Charonne
Written by Simone Blaser for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.
Written by HiP Paris
Haven in Paris is a boutique vacation rental agency with gorgeous properties in Paris, London, Provence, and Tuscany. We hope you'll enjoy reading our updates on food, lifestyle and travel happenings on our blog, Hip Paris.
Website: HiP Paris
Tags: Bistro Paul Bert, French dining, Restaurant Paris
Posted in Food, Restaurant Reviews | 13 Comments »
13 Responses to "Bistrot Paul Bert: A Meeting of Minds"
[…] charm quotient, the worse the food. I found charm and deliciousness at Coquelicot, Le Baron Rouge, Bistrot Paul Bert and Le Petit […]
[…] the family: When my uncle swept into town, we all met up at Bistro Paul Bert. It's the kind of place where everyone feels comfortable—lively but not too loud, trendy but […]
[…] Dinner at Bistrot Paul Bert […]
[…] Dinner at Bistrot Paul Bert […]
[…] are many must-know-slash-in-the-know restaurants that pepper the 11th and 12th arrondissements—Bistrot Paul Bert, Le Square Trousseau, La Gazetta, to name a few—there are also some killer sweet spots in this […]
[…] are many must-know-slash-in-the-know restaurants that pepper the 11th and 12th arrondissements—Bistrot Paul Bert, Le Square Trousseau, La Gazetta, to name a few—there are also some killer sweet spots in this […]
Hi Rie,
Reservations are a very good idea, especially during the summer when Paris is at its most crowded! Tory
I'm so excited to happen upon your site – I'm leaving for Paris in a couple of weeks with friends & am definitely going to add Paul Bert to the list. I'm assuming reservations are a must, right?
Not to be too picky, but Paris Brest is made with pate a choux, not puff pastry. Puff pastry is that flaky stuff used for Napoleons and the like. Pate a choux is for "cream puffs" and other pastries, typically stuffed with "creme patissiere", which is what Paris Brest is classically stuffed with.
At the risk of sounding silly, I think I'd love to visit Bistrot Paul Bert for the gorgeous waiter pictured in the first photo as much as for the delicious food!
I've been hearing (and reading) wonderful things about le Bistrot Paul Bert lately. I'll have to make it a point to enjoy a meal there later this year when I return to Paris. How lucky you are to live in such a wonderful city.


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"Refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo board buses at Nyakabande refugee transit camp in Kisoro town 521km (312 miles) southwest of Uganda's capital Kampala, July 10, 2012."
" A UN peacekeeping patrol drives through the eastern Congolese city of Goma, July 23, 2012."
"A Congolese army tank retreats through the village of Rugari, around 37km from Goma, following an alleged ambush by M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's restive North Kivu province on July 26, 2012."
"Congolese people crowd into a building following a clash between M23 rebels and the Congolese army on the edge of the village of Rugari, around 37km from Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's restive North Kivu province on July 26, 2012"
It is heart breaking reading about the people of the Congo and just wishing that Africa and the world would pay more attention to the situation occurring in the Congo. But read we should
Aljazzea and the BBC are doing a pretty good job of covering it but most mainstream media simply don't seem to care. Also it is worth keeping an eye on Congo Siasa and From Congo I will post other blogs I come across.
Updated Breaking News


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Sunday, 2 June 2013
Claim it!
I used to cringe at cat calls
They made me feel dirty
I was a girl in a woman's body
No name, just thighs and breast
I hated that
Looks of lust from men old enough to be my dad
How do I get over that
My body is that of a woman
I can't stand it
Why is this happening to me
I'm not ready yet
How can I bury it
Comfort in the bottom of a bag of chips
And everything good that passes through my lips
I'll build up a layer of protection
Layer upon layer
Year after year
Maybe I'll disappear
This is easy
Nobody sees me
I'm invisible
It worked
I have managed to bury myself
in layers of flesh
I have created a mess
Ready for a change
No longer afraid of being a woman
And ALL it entails
I am focused
I have a vision
The body that I have managed to bury
Is ready to be exhumed
No more hiding
No more shame
It's mine and I'm staking my claim
I saw it yesterday and it still bears my name
It's not too late
I can get it back
Here's my plan of attack
Be aware of what I'm eating
and what's eating me
I'm an emotional eater
if you know what I mean
Replace lounging with activity
Focus on my dreams
Stay off the sidelines and participate
Feeling good and looking great
Motivated by the body I buried yesterday
I saw it and it still bears my name
I am ready to do the work this all entails
No giving up
No time to fail
I owe it to me
And this I CAN ACHIEVE!
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Major Harry Schmidt update...
"Yesterday, the Military Court of Appeals ruled very favorably for Maj. Schmidt. The court's decision was one that allowed Schmidt's attorney, Charles Gittins, to have military clearance. This allows Mr. Gittins to gather information that is separate and secret from the prosecution.
The stay was lifted per agreement. Now the lawyers and the judge will decide next the date for a motions hearing.
This decision was very good news for us, fair and constitutional. Thank goodness.
God Bless, Joan and Harry, proud parents of Maj. Harry Schmidt"
Copyright © 2009 The JAG HUNTERGet subscribers


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Summary of River Ranch Fresh Foods – Decision After Reconsideration
Employer's toilet facility consisting of three toilet units resting on top of a platform trailer was not hooked to any vehicle. The Division observed the trailer tip to the ground after an employee attempted to use the facility. The adjustable support stands were not supporting the trailer. Thereafter, the Division photographed Employer's supervisor abating the dangerous condition. In response, the Division issued a citation to Employer alleging a general violation of section 3457(c)(3)(B) [unusable toilet facility]. Employer contends the toilets in the exhibits did not belong to him because (1) they were not hooked up to a truck and (2) the toilets in the photographs did not correspond to the exclusive use of "Shorty's Portable Toilets". Employer also challenged the admission of photographs offered by the Division. The Board found that the ALJ did not improperly admit the Division's photographs since Employer used the photographs for its own purposes during its defense at the hearing. Furthermore the evidence established a section 3457(c)(3)(B) violation since Employer failed to produce stronger evidence of non-ownership of the toilets. Moreover, the evidence established that it was reasonably predictable that the non-operating toilets were accessible to Employer's employees. The Board affirmed the ALJ's decision.
River Ranch Fresh Foods Salinas,
Inc., 01-1977 (MS Word)
River Ranch Fresh Foods Salinas, Inc., 01-1977 (Adobe Acrobat)
July 21, 2003


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- David M. Walker, chairman, comptroller general of the United States
- Frank A. Camm, senior economist, RAND
- Mark Filteau, president, Johnson Controls World Services
- Stephen Goldsmith, former mayor of Indianapolis
- Bobby L. Harnage Sr., national president, American Federation of Government Employees
- Colleen M. Kelley, national president, National Treasury Employees Union
- Sean O'Keefe, deputy director, Office of Management and Budget
- Former Sen. David Pryor, D-Ark., director, Institute of Politics, Harvard University
- Stan Z. Soloway, president, Professional Services Council
- Robert M. Tobias, distinguished adjunct professor and director of the Institute for the Study of Public Policy Implementation, American University
- Director, Office of Personnel Management (Kay Coles James, nominated)
- Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology (Pete Aldridge, nominated) Nearly every member of the panel has staked out a public position on outsourcing, observers noted.
GAO names members of outsourcing panel
By using this service you agree not to post material that is obscene, harassing, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable. Although GovExec.com does not monitor comments posted to this site (and has no obligation to), it reserves the right to delete, edit, or move any material that it deems to be in violation of this rule.


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Some landmark CIC judgements
Some landmark CIC judgementsindia Updated: Jan 01, 2007 21:12 IST
RTI : some important cases.
File notings: On January 31, the CIC ruled that as per the existing provisions of RTI Act, a citizen has the right to seek information contained in 'file notings' unless the same relates to matters covered under Section 8 of the Act. This section lists national security and such grounds that can exempt a piece of information from disclosure. The CIC didn't categorise the information contained in file notings and therefore, all types of information could be sought.
UPSC case: On November 13, the CIC asked Union Public Service Commission to provide scores to civil service aspirants subject-wise. CIC also recommended that the model answer sheets should also be disclosed from time to time. The commission rejected the UPSC's contention that the information was secret and revealing it could compromise fairness of the examination system.
DISCOM case: The CIC's decided in December that power companies are "public authorities" and therefore are covered under the purview of the Right to Information Act. As per the CIC order, the power companies are required to appoint Public Information Officers (PIOs) by February 1. They are also required to inform the public by putting up the details of the RTI infrastructure on their websites. For now though, the discoms are "studying the CIC order" and are in no hurry to implement it.
Gujarat letters: On the controversial issue of communication between former President KR Naryanan and former Prime Minister AB Vajpayee, the CIC asked the government to provide the communication in a sealed cover to it for examination whether it would be in public interest to disclose information or not. For the first time, the commission sought letters between country's top executive heads for examination as per the RTI Act.
CBSE case: The CIC in December ordered the Central Board of Secondary Education to give a Delhi student question-wise marks awarded to her in the Class X science and technology paper in 2005. CBSE had objected saying there were no provisions in the examination by-laws of the board to show the answer-script to candidates.
Officials Secrets Act has no meaning now: The babus labelling file as 'confidential' could not be an excuse for denying information sought under the Right to Information Act. CIC Wajahat Habibullah observed that withholding the information either on the ground that the information is classified as "confidential" under Officials Secrets Act or under section 8 (2) of RTI would be wrong interpretation of the law.
He said the public authority could withhold the information that comes under the ambit of section 8 (1) of the RTI Act. He further added that the public authority could label any information as "confidential" per section 8 (1) and not the Official Secrets Act - the normal practices in government offices. Thus, the information labelled as "confidential" under the Officials Secrets Act, 1923 would not stand under the new observation.
First hearing using video-conferencing: In May, the CIC for the first time conducted hearing through video-conferencing in a case where penalty provisions were to be invoked on an official based in Raipur. The official through video-conferencing presented his case before the commission.


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The vision of a smart grid includes smart appliances that automatically turn on or off in response to fluctuating energy prices as electric demand peaks and troughs. Intelligent fridges, dryers and other energy hogs could help utilities reduce their needs for new power plants, help consumers save money and ease stress on the environment.
To enable this so-called demand response application, appliance makers need an easy, low cost way to plug into the grid. Today they face as many as a dozen wired and wireless choices, most of them far too expensive and high bandwidth, focused on carrying digital music and video around the home.
In an effort to fill the gap, a senior government technologist laid down the gauntlet before a recent gathering of powerline networking engineers: create a standard to plug appliances into tomorrow's smart grid soon–or Uncle Sam may do it for you.
Industry representatives at the meeting said the government is over-stepping its boundaries. Forcing the handful of powerline technologies in the market to converge makes no sense, they added.
Government planners knew a lack of standards was one of the big issues preventing the move to a digital, networked power grid. Before its first economic stimulus grant went out, it spent $10 million to launch a new smart grid standards effort organized by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
NIST is now reviewing industry feedback on a first draft framework for smart grid standards. As a next step, NIST convened in Denver in mid-November a so-called Smart Grid Interoperability Panel of diverse stakeholders to drive the standards work forward.
SGIP includes fifteen Priority Action Plan committees focused on some of the thorniest standards issues ahead. At the first meeting of the PAP-15 group focused on powerline home networks, the national coordinator of smart grid standards at NIST, George Arnold, gave the group his ultimatum.
"It was a pretty competitive group to put in one room," quipped Arnold. "I almost thought I would have to hire a security guard."
In the meeting Arnold said NIST could use its experience selecting the AES security standard as a model for creating a technology bake-off for a low cost powerline standard for smart appliances.
"The moment where he most needed a security guard was when he said if you guys can't get together [on a standard], NIST will decide," said Stefano Galli, a lead scientist at Panasonic R&D Co. of America who attended the meeting. "There was an uproar.
"Big companies feel this weight of a government decision is not beneficial," said Galli who also co-chairs an IEEE task force exploring communications standards for the smart grid. "A premature convergence of the home network could create more problems than it solves," he added.
"I would rather let the market decide, and I think the 70 companies in the HomePlug Alliance would rather have the market decide, too," said Rob Ranck, president of HomePlug which has released multiple generations of home powerline networking standards. "We've met with [regulators], the Department of Energy and Congressional staff members and there doesn't seem to be a clear consensus that [picking a standard] is NIST's role," he said.
"If you go back to the legislation that supports NIST, it talks about interoperability, but it's not clear whether it sets up the federal government to pick a single winner," Ranck added.
The industry has tried and failed for years to set a single powerline home networking standard. After four years of work, the IEEE 1901 group is about to finalize a standard that essentially blesses multiple powerline physical layers and media access controllers.
The stakes are as high as the difficulties. The government is keen to ensure its $4 billion in recent smart grid grants is money well spent. Many of the projects include pilot projects in demand response systems.
White goods giant Whirlpool Corp. made a high-profile promise last fall that it will ship in 2011 a million dryers ready to plug into the smart grid—if there is a suitable networking standard the company can use.
"The last thing I want to see is a Wall Street Journal article a year from now saying Whirlpool had to renege on its promise because of the lack of a standard," said Arnold.
From NIST's perspective, "the ideal would be to have one wired and one wireless standard," Arnold told EE Times.
Members of competing Wi-Fi and Zigbee trade groups also attended the meetings in Denver. Some expressed they disagreed with the idea of a single wireless standard—even if their approach was picked.
"Everywhere you look there is something missing," said Galli of Panasonic.
Ranck of HomePlug said his group's technology has the broadest backing. It is part of the pending IEEE 1901 standard that provides a mechanism for at least two competing powerline approaches to at least not interfere with each other.
"I think coexistence is achievable, and we will push for coexistence at a minimum," Ranck said.
However Galli said the 1901 spec makes no mention of smart grid applications, and it mandates a minimum 100 Mbit/second connection. "It's too expensive to put 100 Mbits/s in an appliance, its overkill," Galli said.
In an October meeting the 1901 group also dropped plans to support another major contender, the ITU G.hn standard for wired home networks. The G.hn standard specifies data over powerline and other wired media. It supports both a low-cost profile for a few Mbits/s and has attracted broad support in the past year.
But the HomePlug camp is not prepared to back G.hn which was adopted than dropped as part of the IEEE 1901 spec. Ranck of HomePlug noted there are no G.hn products available yet and the G.hn spec may not be formally complete until June.
Engineers could define a generic network socket for appliances and build a variety of different modules based on the IEC 62480 standard for network adapters, Galli said. Each module could cost less than $20 and support a particular wired or wireless network, he added.
However, Arnold charged the PAP-15 group to define a standard that would not require consumers to buy different adapters if they move from one region to another.
Another approach would be to follow the example of Europe that uses the low frequency (9-150 KHz) spectrum to handle the kind of low bit-rate traffic smart appliances need. Galli noted that the U.S. makes this band available for data up to 490 KHz, potentially enabling links supporting data rates up to 500 Kbits/s.
The Prime Alliance–which includes smart meter makers Itron and Landis+Gyr as well as chip makers STMicroelectronics and Texas Instruments–is working to define specs in this area. However, there are few PHY and MAC standards for such data links, Galli said.
The LonWorks technology of Echelon (San Jose) that delivers about 15 Kbits/s is another option. It is used widely in Italy to handle simple apps such as reading meters remotely, however Ranck said it lacks wide support from other vendors.
Galli noted the Denver meeting was the group's first, with many more to come. He was also quick to point out that the demand response application in the home is just one part of the overall smart grid effort.
"I feel there is undue attention on the home, and other important issues have not received the same level of attention," Galli said.
Indeed, the Denver meeting included first gatherings for most of the other 14 high priority gap areas NIST has identified.
Posted via email from Ippei's @CloudNewsCenter info database


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April 28 - May 1, 2013 (4 days) - McGee Creek RV Park, Mammoth Lakes, CA
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`I'm too old to have PMS! But it sure feels like that is what I'm experiencing! I don't like it!
Stressed: I wake and take the dogs out. They are pulling more than usual. The campground is chaotic with families being noisy packing up, kids crying because they don't want to leave and two yappy dogs right behind us.
I walk to the Eastside Bakery across the street from the RV park. I'm planning to order some kind of home made pastry and a coffee for breakfast. I'll sit outside and enjoy some peace while reading and eating my breakfast. CLOSED! Grrr. I've got to get out of this place. I need some "me time". How silly. My RV life is almost all "me time".
Thankful: After my therapy breakfast, I head out to Schat's Bakery (review below). Another great experience. No pushy counter help, not crowded. I take my time looking at all the wonderful products. $38.00 later, I head back home. Another realization that calmed me, was the fact that I COULD spend $38.00 on a whim and not have to worry about it. We are very fortunate to have two decent pensions.
Hope: On my way back, I am hoping the families have left. I see Mammoth Mountain RV Park and stop in. Ahhhh, there's hope. This is a beautiful pine forest, pine needle ground covered RV park and campground. Yes I can hope our future destinations will be more secluded.
Melancholy: Later in the day, Scott & I take a drive. Scott plays music on his IPod. It's amazing how music can bring out all kinds of memories.
"Without You" sung by Harry Nilsson playing first reminds me of at age 14, Dad caught me smoking and grounded me. So I wasn't able to see or talk on the phone with the boy I liked. I played this song over and over and over in my room on my little 45 record player. This song also reminds me of my college days and
|Similar to this.
|Deb & Jeff 1976
Thinking of my youth is definitely melancholy. The memories, my youth gone, but also thinking, do I really want to relive my youth?
I told Scott that if I'm ever in a coma, to play music. Music would be the most likely technique of jolting my brain and bring me around.
Happiness: I'm once again, happy in the moment. No use wishing for the past or wishing for my youth. Both are not possible. Also I'm happy with my life today in spite of the little annoyances that make my moods swing.
Contentment: I am content, even though I may rant and rave. Part of my contentment is that I can release by ranting. I am content in my marriage with an easy going husband who is devoted to me. I am content in our financial situation. We are middle income retirees with no real money worries and no major health problems. Ahhhh. Life is good.
Good Life Cafe, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
My rating 4 out of 5
Restaurant is in a strip mall, but once you walk in, it has a "homey" feel. There is an outside, umbrella covered deck for al fresco dining. This is a ski town and I'm sure diners enjoy eating out there even in the winter with California's dry cold weather.
Very pleasant waitress.
Swiss cheese omelet: Very good. The omelets are made with four eggs which I think is too much. The norm I find are 3 egg omelets and even that is a large omelet. The swiss cheese was melted on top of the omelet. I prefer the cheese to be inside the omelet. But the omelet was still good.
Hash Browns: Very good. Shredded potatoes, that may have been the previous night's leftover baked potatoes. I could taste the the crispy baked skin of the potatoes in the shredded mixture. I liked it. A touch of mexican seasoning added to make a nice side dish.
Whole Wheat toast: Oh my gosh! Delicious. I should have asked what bakery supplied this. Hearty multi grain and subtly sweet bread.
Coffee: Average. Good enough for me to drink black.
Schat's Bakery, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
My rating 5 out of 5
I believe there is a restaurant serving sandwiches also. I only tried the bakery.
Upon entering, my eyes widened in taking the loaves of bread, the pastries, the chocolates, oh my! There's only so much I can eat before items will go stale.
Hmmm, Asiago cheese bread or Muesli bread?
Muesli bread was the winner and a great choice. I tried this toasted,but it seemed to dry out. So I next tried it right from the bag. A heavy, hearty, moist bread full of grains, fruit and nuts. Delicious with Philly Cinnamon cream cheese spread thinly on it.
Cookies: Good but very crumbly.Take a bite and they fall apart. The lemon & raspberry thumbprint cookies were difficult to eat. The fruit center was so stiff, I couldn't bite through and the cookie broke apart into crumbs.
Coconut peanut brittle: Home made and yummy.
Chocolate Truffles: Excellent! Creamy, rich, smooth decadent center covered in a wonderful chocolate shell.
Cafe 395 aka Crowley Lake General Store, Crowley Lake, CA
Our rating 4 out of 5
This is a gas station/convenience store/cafe.
First off, diesel was 50 cents per gallon cheaper here than 12 miles away in Mammoth Lakes.
Well stocked 7-11 type store. The cafe part has about 3 tables for eating in, a refrigerated section with drinks, ready made sandwiches, & salads.
Very nice staff. The young adult boy/man in the cafe seemed to really take pride in his job.
A little high priced, but it's really the only convenience store in the area, so they can get away with the prices. I would love to have this family run store in my area.
Fresh fruit smoothie: I had a raspberry/banana smoothie with yogurt. Thick and delicious.
Pizza: Being from the NY/NJ area, we are very particular about our pizza. What a pleasant surprise! They make great pizza! If this were the only pizza place around, I'd be very satisfied.
Pre Made sandwiches: Egg salad was fair. Tuna salad with a kick was delicious. Both served on a large whole wheat roll & romaine lettuce. The tuna definitely had a bite to it. I don't think it was jalepeno, maybe more a dash of cayenne pepper.
Definitely a great store to have in the neighborhood.
Garden Fork video podcast is an interesting and entertaining podcast. I first viewed this because Eric would video his trying to make a recipe for the first time. His wife videos while he cooks. They show his mistakes, as well as his triumphs. They show his lack of measuring skills also. But all in all, it's fun to watch a "real" person try out the recipes.
He has two yellow labs and a quick clip of them playing is thrown into the video podcast.
Mr. Garden Fork aka Eric, also does beekeeping and gardening. So he's always full of info. Check him out. He's a likeable guy. He kind of reminds me of the host of "Dirty Jobs".
As the Crow Dies by Ken Casper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
He lost his legs in Vietnam and is learning to deal with his disability. He comes home to find out his Father is dead.
Decent mystery with good character development. The amputee's feelings how he deals with people and how people react to him is interesting. No feeling sorry for this guy.
He is surrounded by family and friends. The family dealing with racial prejudices and religion. His friends staying loyal. A good read.
May 2 - 6, 2013 (5 days) - Tahoe Valley RV Park - South Lake Tahoe, CA
May 7, 2013 (overnight) - Kelly's Family Kampground, Upper Lake, CA
May 8 - 19, 2013 (12 days) - Azalea Glen RV Park, Trinidad, CA
Crater Lake, OR
May 7, 2013 (overnight) - Kelly's Family Kampground, Upper Lake, CA
May 8 - 19, 2013 (12 days) - Azalea Glen RV Park, Trinidad, CA
Crater Lake, OR
June 14 - 24, 2013 Armitage County Park, Eugene, OR
OR, ID, WA, MT, ND, SD, WY, then south for the Winter of 2013/2014


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Heavy mix here of 'Bass heavy electronic Hip hop, Glitchy House and some Ravey Dubstep.' The link was left as a comment on the page so we don't really know much about it unfortunately, except that it's either by Nic or Moar Moar, or they might well be the same person, and they're possibily Australian. Oh dear, we haven't done too great on this one have we. Still bugger the details it's a great mix of tuneage nonetheless so enjoy.
Download Mix
Fulgeance – Tita Lima Esquizofrevo (Luv n Hate remix)
Frank n Dank – All seasons
Oliverdaysoul - Brain
Heralds of Change – Be out there ft Oddisee & Trek Life
Lukid – Fall apart
Neil Landstrumm – Godfathers 560
Dorian Concept – The fucking formula
Busy P – To protect and entertain (Mr. Oizo remix)
Diplo – Smash a Kangaroo (instrumental)
Kelis – Bossy (Two Fingers remix)
Zion and I – Lift me up (Traxamillion remix)
Mochipet – Tangle ft. Epcot
Ghislain Poirier – No more blood (Megasoid edit)
Ben Mono – Don't stop
Tolcha & Soom T – Send dem kids to war (Eva B remix)
Milanese – Caramel Cognac
Jahcoozi – Who (Kraddy remix)
Hint - At the dance
Sway – What you know (instrumental)
Jahcoozi – Jah C DC
Chaim - Africomania
Little Nobody – We call it crack house (Si Begg remix)
Modeselektor – Dancing Box ft TTC
Meat Katie – Stop the revolution ft Odissi (Bassbin Twins remix)
Joker – Digidesign
Spank Rock – Bump (Liver remix)
Tipper – Swipe Dub
Akira Kiteshi – Pinball
Reso – Smash yer face in
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- Back After The Break
- Heads Are Gonna Roll...
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- (YSI) Database - Miami (MMMatthias Remix) / alt ...
- Can't Shake This Virus
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- We Salute Two Fingers
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You are hereBack
Showing 8 events
Wednesday, 20 September, 2017 to Saturday, 11 November, 2017
The Big Anxiety is a bold, new, innovative festival that challenges artists, scientists and communities to question and re-imagine the state of mental health in the 21st century.
Wednesday, 24 August, 2016
FREE, Open to All
Tuesday, 12 July, 2016
Presented by the Visual Anthropology (VisAnth) and Contemporary Culture, Art and Politics (CCAP) research groups, NIEA, UNSW Art & Design
Sunday, 5 June, 2016
NIEA, in collaboration with the Black Dog Institute is presenting an interactive event on The BIG Anxiety Project at VIVID Ideas.
Tuesday, 9 September, 2014
A free curatorial symposium that examines the unique kinds of knowledge produced and deployed through curating with an evening keynote by Honor Harger, Director, ArtScience Museum Singapore
Friday, 15 May, 2015 to Saturday, 15 August, 2015
Bold desert photographic works, new media installations, paintings, soft sculptures, documentary films, animations, self/portraiture, fabric, fashion and fibre art works from community art centres, private and institutional collections.
Friday, 8 May, 2015
Panel discussion on art and physics-quantum computing with Professor Gerard Milburn (Theoretical Physicist and Director, Centre for Engineered Quantum Systems, University of Queensland), Associate Professor Paul Thomas (Artist and Director of Fine Art Program, UNSW Art & Design) and Dr Joel...
Thursday, 5 February, 2015
The Aesthetics After Finitude conference and exhibition address the problem of a non-, post-, trans- or inhuman aesthetics: an 'aesthetics after finitude' that is capable of investigating the cultural, technological and ecological demands of a rapidly dehumanising presen


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I kissed you from the
dusty curb underneath
the guard rail.
How I ended up here,
I'll run through my mind
over and over until I
trace it back to that bottle,
those glasses shining
from the fireplace mantle.
my mouth was full
of ink and everything
I pressed my lips on
remembered me
from class, or high school,
or the checkout line
at the grocery store.
I shift in my shoes.
I didn't mean to write
all these stories
with my kisses.


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Jenny and Kristin have a few different things they do every episode. First, they do a one sentence recap of the episode to jog the memory and then go deeper into the events and characters. They give a couple the Sexual Tension Award who usually isn't a canon or a conventional couple like Ethan Rayne and Giles (so much sexual tension) in any given scene with them together or Cordelia and Willow hiding in a closet during School Hard. One of them points out the effects of the PATRIARCHY in each episode that ranges from rich men considering women disposable as sacrifices for income in Reptile Boy or Xander and Blayne's masculinity contest in Teacher's Pet. Their friend Kate Leth (pictured below with Cordette and Slayerette pins in her collar) occasionally drops in with her informative 90's fashion updates, the best of which talked about Giles' different kinds of tweed.
My favorite part of the show is the music. Characters sometimes earn jingles, the first being Cordelia's that celebrated Jenny and Kristin's love for her. They truly changed my mind about season 1 and 2 Cordelia because of how strong, honest, and unflappable she was despite all her mean girl bullying. Drusilla has her own spooky jingle and Spike will probably earn his soon. Kristin recently mentioned that Spike and Dru love should have its own since it's the strongest relationship on the show at this point. At the end of every episode is an original song recapping the episode usually from Buffy's perspective. These songs are so amazing because they are written by Jenny and Kristin weekly with good production value, thoughtful lyrics, and varied styles. I'm considering becoming a Patreon supporter just to get the songs before they are released as a complete season CD. (They are also available to listen to on Spotify and for purchase practially any site music is sold.) I had coincidentally seen Jenny perform when she opened for Amanda Palmer a few years ago, so I was already a fan of her music. However, the quality and variety of songs written in such a short amount of time made me an even bigger fan.
Occasionally, Jenny and Kristin have episodes that don't follow an episode, but answer fan questions or interview actors from the show. The fans are very knowledgeable and offer their own view of things, answer questions, send gifts, and are all around pretty awesome. My favorite interview episode was with Armin Shimerman, famous for playing the odious Principal Snyder. I loved his frank account of how he thought himself above Sarah Michelle Gellar because of her background as a soap opera actress. He cam to respect and befriend her over time, but his initial feeling about her helped solidify his interpretation of Principal Snyder that had him coming back long after he was expected to. The best non-recap episode is the one titled Happy 20th Anniversary, Buffy! where they talk about how they came to the show and what it means to them even after so many years. Jenny and Kristin released their song Demons to Fight about the shows meaning. It's available for free forever.
I love this show that challenges and celebrates Buffy the Vampire Slayer. They are only currently on Season 2, Episode 9 so there's still plenty of time to start another rewatch of the show to go along with the podcast. I hope Jenny and Kristin will cover the entire series because this show brings me joy and an awesome song each and every week.
My rating: 5/5 fishmuffins


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He had a noose around his neck and a price on his head...
Sabrina Davidson, dutiful daughter, avowed spinster, thought she'd secured a place for herself in Aberfeldy society—until her hard-earned acceptance of her fate is challenged by the arrival of Cormac Enright, Earl of Ballin, trained physician, soldier of fortune, and convicted felon.
A prim and proper miss was the last thing he needed...
Mac is determined to clear his name, but first he has to find the man whose testimony sentenced him to a hangman's noose. Of course, Robert Davidson is missing and protecting Mac is Davidson's daughter, the most entrancing, frustrating, beguiling, stubborn woman Mac has ever met.
And it doesn't help that he has already tasted her kisses. Or that he has found in her a passion for life and adventure to rival his own.
Mac has turned Sabrina's world inside out—but what will happen when he leaves?
ebook, 384 pages
Expected publication: September 30th 2014 by Avon
Terri's Thoughts
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher Avon via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. The expected publication date is September 30, 2014.
Every so often a book comes along that I have to remind myself that I promised that I would give my 100% honest feedback. This is one of those stories and unfortunately I was not very fond of it but I must be true to my promise and say so.
It was not the writing that fell short for me, it was fine, but the story that did. The concept of an attraction between an escaped convict and a "proper" lady should have been a good one. A period love story is something I usually enjoy however this story was somewhat lacking from the beginning.
There seemed to lack some character development with the characters of both Mac and Sabrina. I simply could not find myself invested in either one and as a result the entire story. Little was known about Mac aside some brief narrations about his family and past and Sabrina was simply annoying. Instead of a strong personality with conflicting emotions she more seemed to be a snob.
The physical aspect that occurred between Mac and Sabrina in my mind was completely unrealistic. I can't think of a single female out there would be in the situation that Sabrina found herself in without so much as a conversation with Mac. I so want to rant about this however that would require giving spoilers which I do not do. Anyone who reads this will know what I mean. In all honesty this is where the story lost me.
There you go. I gave a truthful review. It is only my opinion however it is what it is. Although it was not for me it could very well be someone else's cup of tea. I almost wish I knew others who read this so I would have the opportunity to discuss.
About the Author
Website: http://cathymaxwell.com/


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Standard vape coils are not called that way because they are some sort of a 'standard'.
In this case, 'standard' actually denotes the type of use – they are Ohm coils, designed to be used for 1 ohm and higher vaping.
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If you're a casual vaper who enjoys vaping but you are not into cloud-chasing than standard vape tanks and standard vape coils are exactly what you're after. Also, if your prefered method of vaping is mouth-to-lung inhale these coils will do the job better than any others. You can find a replacement right here. Just go through our wide selection and choose a standard vape coil that fits your setup to a tee. One thing is certain – we at Vapelux can guarantee a great shopping experience and best coil prices in the UK!
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Couple Appreciation Day - If you are part of a couple, then you know (particularly if you have been part of a couple for more than a couple of years) that it is hard work to make it last and to keep both of you happy. You have to be totally committed to your relationship and to maintaining your trust and respect. It helps if you can laugh together and if you are with someone you can really talk to. This is a day to spend time with the other half of your couple, to laugh and love and talk together and to strengthen your relationship so you can stick it out for the long haul. Don't be one of those who gives up the moment it gets too hard. Lean on each other when times get tough instead of pulling away.
CSS Reboot Day - This is a web designer day that has been chosen to be a day for "spring cleaning" of the webs that have been designed. I feel fairly certain that they are not talking about spider webs. So take a look at your website today, assuming you have one, and clean up anything that isn't working or doesn't look absolutely great. Maybe change the design just because you feel like it.
International Permaculture Day - This is a day that was created by the United Nations General Assembly. The theme for this year is "International Year of Pulses" with a goal of increasing awareness of the pulses and their nutritional benefits. Now if you are like me and are somewhat lacking in plant based vocabulary skills, you might not know that pulses are legumes like peas, alfalfa and lentils. I had to look that up because I had no idea and I still don't know why they don't just call them legumes. If you know more, perhaps you would be willing to share. It is therefore fairly easy to surmise that Permaculture has to do with farming and gardens. We are getting ready to start planting our garden very soon now, so this falls on a convenient day.
Save the Rhino Day – This is a day for us to be aware of the danger Rhinoceros' fate. Their numbers are dwindling and we need to support those who are fighting for the survival of the species. There is an event in London called the Rhino Mayday that celebrates the Rhino by talking with interested students about all kinds of Rhino related issues. There will be several speakers with a wide variety of topics.
World Phone In Sick Day - This is a complicated day. It is celebrated today in countries where May 1st is not already a holiday...by that I think they mean a MAJOR Holiday that would give you the day off from work, not the myriad of somewhat more minor holidays that we celebrate every single day..if you live in a country where today is a major holiday then this is celebrated tomorrow. There are lots of other rules that you will find on this website. The purpose of the day is to phone in sick to work in order to squeeze out a bit of leisure time that all too often is lacking in our lives. I feel it, so I'm sure you do too. There is something going on every day in my life and there is never enough time to do everything that needs to be done. So enjoy the day and find a way to relax.
Worthy Wage Day - In many cases in this country, a person's wage does not reflect the importance of their job. One example of this is early childhood educators. There is nothing more important than our children, but in most cases, early childhood educators are paid so little, they cannot even afford early childhood care for their own children. With wages this low, it is difficult to attract intelligent and talented people to perform the job. It has become one of those jobs that you must feel drawn to and really love in order to want to do it. But even that isn't enough a lot of the time so it has become a "starter" job, one you would take in order to get experience so that you can then apply for a higher paying job later on.
Global Love Day - This is a day that is all about loving one another unconditionally. I think we all have a few people in our lives that we love to that degree, but today the Love Foundation wants us to come together and love everyone that way. Their theme is "Love Begins With Me" and their hope is that if you work on this today, it will encourage you to behave this way every day.
National Purebred Dog Day - This is a day that "celebrates the heritage,diversity and predictability of the purpose bred dog". Yes there is definitely something to be said for getting a purebred dog. While I have a very large soft spot in my heart for mutts, the one thing that I am a little leery about is that you don't know what traits you are getting in a mutt until you get to know them a bit. With a purebred dog, for the most part, you know what to expect from them right at the start.
Law Day - The theme for this year's celebration is "Miranda: More than Words." This year is the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court case, Miranda vs. Arizona. So today we focus on why it is so important to preserve the protections that we are guaranteed in the Constitution. See this website of the American Bar Association for more information.
May Day – An ancient spring festival celebrated in the Northern Hemisphere. It originated in pre-Christian times as the festival of the Roman goddess of flowers, Flora. An old tradition, that is mostly ignored now, is leaving baskets of candy or flowers by your neighbor's front door.
Beltane Day – The Celtic name for May Day.
Loyalty Day – Begun in 1921, this is a day to reaffirm our loyalty to the United States of America and to recognize our heritage of freedom. Many places in the country have parades to celebrate this day.
Mother Goose Day – Founded in 1987 by Gloria T. Delamar when her book about Mother Goose was published. I was raised on Mother Goose rhymes and I read them to my children as well, but there are many young children now who have never heard of Mother Goose so I'm guessing that she is fading away into obscurity.
National Chocolate Parfait Day – Parfait means different things in different countries. In France, a parfait is frozen custard mixed with whipped cream. Here in America, it is layers of pudding alternated with whipped cream and/or anything else that you think would taste delicious and sweet.
Batman Day – On this day in 1939, Batman first appeared in comic books. Specifically, he appeared in Detective Comics #27 where he was referred to as the "Bat-Man". He was so popular at that time that the next year he got to star in a comic book named after him.
Executive Coaching Day – This is a day to applaud the executives that don't have a job, they have a profession. And they take it seriously enough that they are willing to go the extra mile and help others in their profession by coaching them. Everyone benefits when this happen; the organization, the coaches and the workers being coached.
Lei Day – Hawaii is known for their tradition of lei making. If you've been to Hawaii, you have experienced their generosity in handing these beautiful flower necklaces to guests of their fair island. But you don't have to go to Hawaii to celebrate this day, you can have your own celebration right in the comfort of your own living room. Many Hawaiian inspired activities are planned for today such as, brace for the shock.....the making of leis.
Keep Kids Alive! Drive 25 Day – This is a day to pay attention to how you drive on neighborhood streets where kids are likely to be playing. I know in my neighborhood it is very common to see people speeding off to work or back home again and I have witnessed a couple of near misses with cars and people. Please be careful everyone and drive slowly in neighborhoods.
New Homeowner's Day – On this day we celebrate everyone who has bought a new home in the last year. If you know a new homeowner personally, today is a good day to drop in and get a tour of their new place. If they are a new neighbor, take the time to stop in and introduce yourself and welcome them to the neighborhood.
Silver Star Service Banner Day – Created by the Silver Star Families Of America, this day was first accepted by all 50 states and then by the U.S. Congress. President Obama signed the resolution on April 29, 2011. The Silver Star Service Banner is a symbol that reminds Americans of those who have sacrificed for us. It is reserved for our brave men and women who have been wounded or contracted a sickness or a serious injury while in a war zone. It may be flown by anyone as a symbol of remembrance and honor.
Lemonade Day - Celebrated on the first Sunday in May, and also on August 20th, this is a day to teach children about being an entrepreneur. Begun by Michael & Lisa Holthouse in 2005 as an after school program. It has grown to cities all over the country, teaching life and business skills to more than 200,000 children last year.
School Principals' Day - This is a day to honor principals of schools all over the country. They have a very difficult job ensuring the safety of the students and staff and making sure the students are educated and have all of the services that they require in order to get that education.
International Babylost Mother's Day, or International Bereaved Mother's Day – Celebrated on the first Sunday of May, this day was created by Carly Marie because the traditional Mother's Day (which was created by Anna Jarvis to honor her mother, Ann, who had to live through the death of 7 of her children) has become very commercialized and mothers of children who have died have been forgotten or ignored. This is a movement to bring back the true meaning of Mother's Day.
National Infertility Survival Day - While some people seem to get pregnant if you just sneeze on them, others have a great deal of trouble achieving what becomes the unattainable dream. Having a child can be the most stressful, frustrating and heartbreaking goal of a couple's life. This day is celebrated on the Sunday before Mother's Day.
World Laughter Day – Created in 1998 by Dr. Madan Kataria, also the creator of an exercise routine called Laughter Yoga, this day is about spreading the message of the best medicine not created by doctors. Celebrated in more than 70 countries worldwide, the mission of this day is to spread world peace, joy and good health by laughing together. If you do this at 12 noon local time, you can join the wave of laughter going around the world. This day is celebrated on the first Sunday in May every year.
Motorcycle Mass & Blessing Of The Bikes Day – Celebrated on the first Sunday in May, this is a day for motorcyclists everywhere to gather at a special mass to have their bikes blessed.


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by Jamey Dunn
Semitrailers may soon be able to travel as fast as passenger vehicles on certain stretches of interstate in Illinois.
A bill that would increase the speed limit for tractor-trailers on rural interstates to 65 miles per hour advanced through the Senate this morning. The measure already passed through the House, and now it goes to Gov. Pat Quinn's desk.
Similar bills have passed three times in previous sessions, only to be vetoed by former Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Libby White, a spokesperson for Quinn, said that he is reviewing the bill. Rushville Democrat Sen. John Sullivan, the bill's sponsor, said that he has not talked to Quinn, but he has been communicating with Quinn's staff. He said he has the impression that Quinn "doesn't have as much objections to it as the previous governor."
Sullivan said that this bill is a little different than previous versions because it names the counties that would be exempt from the increase. He said he thinks that this provision could help remove some opposition and that he is optimistic the proposal will become law this time around. "I feel better about it," he said.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Semitrailer speed limit could increase
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December 1st also means it's time to link up with the fabulous Farley for Currently! So here goes...
Nothing says Christmas like a bunch of zombies! Ha! I really do like Christmas movies, but I am a little obsessed with The Walking Dead! A LOT of this season has been shot in and around my hometown so it's really cool to see all the local places! If you follow me on Instagram, I have posted some pics of the different locales.
I love Christmas! I am so glad it's here!
You know that teacher bag we probably all took home with great intentions? Mine is still sitting in almost the same spot it was when I first brought it home! Yours too? Yeah...good intentions... I really wanted to get some things done, but alas, they did not get done so now I am cramming to get it done (and I'm blogging too --that helps get it done faster, right?)
Christmas shopping needs to get done quickly! Our first exchange gifts get-together is with my mother this coming weekend! She and her husband spend the winter in Florida and want to get an earlier start this year so we're doing Christmas this weekend! I at least have to get them done!!
I absolutely need nothing! I have plenty of wants! Just ask my husband! But honestly, I don't need a single iota! I really want to concentrate on being content in all things!
My favorite tradition is decorating for Christmas! I hate getting all the boxes out, but once I get everything going, I love it! Each little ornament and decoration has such meaning! Memory lane and Christmas all rolled into one! Ha!
Well, Thanksgiving and Black Friday have come and gone. Now, it is time for Cyber Monday and to wipe your wish list out! Click on the pic to take you to my store! Everything is 20% off and if you use the code CYBER, TpT is giving an extra percentage off!
I have added a few new things this week:
Scan and Listen Christmas Listening Center
Scan and Listen Winter Listening Center
Holiday Magic-A Christmas mini-unit
Happy shopping and I hope you have a great first day back after the break!
Till next time...


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How many times have we heard the statement saying that "I'm only interested in looking for a good story," with politics, agenda, race, culture, and author not factoring into the equation? Various critics, editors, and writers are baffled by the pervasiveness of this ideology (Nick Mamatas has a brief discourse on why a "good story" is not good enough). For me, it hearkens to one of the common tools (perhaps erroneously) still used in literary criticism and theory: Formalism. You only need to read the text itself; author, history, and context is discarded.
It's a lazy approach yet it has a certain appeal. After all, when we approach an unknown author or book--especially from a genre or field we're not familiar with--this is the paradigm we're working with. I don't care who the author is, when the story was written, or what the background of the material was. All I have to work with is simply the text. This was, for the most part, also the norm half a century ago, considering the unavailability of the Internet, and how the positive effects of globalization have yet to take place.
To a certain extent, "blind" readings also attempt to work within this framework, as the author's name is stripped from manuscripts and the reader or juror only has the text to wrestle with. The value of blind readings for me, however, is discovering the context of the story once you've accepted it as a "good" story. Who is the author? Under what scenario was it written? What was the agenda? It's also a great tool to expose the claims made by people like VS Naipaul. Naipaul's argument for example isn't new: science fiction already witnessed--in print--the folly of Robert Silverberg when it came to James Tiptree Jr.
Formalism is an old theory and with it comes a certain idealism that is impractical. It assumes that there is a certain level of objectivity that can be attained when reading a text, perhaps the same assumption people have when it comes to history ("it's fact!") and the news ("gee, your choice if headlines is not biased at all"), when that's not the case.
Let me sum it all up with one word: Baggage. We all have baggage (emotional, cultural, political, religious) and this informs how we read texts. An atheist for example might interpret the Bible as fiction at worst, or mythological history at best. A fundamentalist Christian, on the other hand, will read the Bible as truth more factual than the latest scientific discoveries.
Allow me to spell it out for you: there is no objective story, whether it's fiction or non-fiction. It's not just in the way it's written but in the way we read it.
For example, if an alien suddenly arrived and acquired our literature (assuming it understands our language--and that's a big if in itself), the way I read The Lord of the Rings will be very different from the way they'll interpret it. Will they consider it as fact instead of fabulation? Or perhaps they'll root for Sauron instead of Frodo. Or maybe they'll just find the work simply too long and futile.
Just look at the headlines from a hundred years ago. What was deemed important at the time is irrelevant by today's standards.
I bring this up because I just watched X-Men: First Class last Thursday (warning: spoilers), and while it has a few flaws in logic (Cerebro, Magneto's helmet, the missiles at the end), it is for the most part an enjoyable film with lots of relevant highlights (the characterization, the interplay between Mystique and Beast, etc.). It has one significant problem though, although for most people (and reviewers, apparently), this is a minor detail. Which begs the question, how important are details?
My one problem with the film--and this is ironic considering the theme of X-Men is that they represent the outsiders of our society (I once saw a blog post label the series as racial minorities and gay people if they were White)--is how the people of color are treated. Guess what, they either die or join the evil side. It's not new politics but one that has been in place for the past few decades and its recurrence starts to become a pet peeve once you notice it. Some people will brush off this detail as a "minor flaw" in the story. Others, those who've either experienced this problem firsthand or witnessed this too often, will not simply let this slide as the dilemma jars them from the entire movie experience.
Another, more personal experience for me, is Robert Heinlein's Starship Troopers, which is either the bane or the blessing of science fiction Filipino fans. On the surface, it's a book to be praised (pro-war politics aside), since it's one of the first science fiction novels to feature a Filipino protagonist (and this was how I felt when I first read it). Over time though, I started questioning this assumption. For example, the hero's culture is never revealed until the very end, although occasional irrelevant-to-the-story hints have been dropped here and there. If we strip out the character's name--let's make it Rick--there's really nothing there to suggest that he would otherwise be a Caucasian American. The only moment of Filipino-ness is his awareness of Philippine trivia, namely that one of the spaceships is named after a Filipino president. As far as the novel is concern, the character's cultural heritage (at least the part that's not American) did not have any impact at all (others are, of course, welcome to debate this thesis). Most non-Filipinos will probably skim this part of the book, but it's an important detail to me, as a Filipino.
Formalism has its place in critical theory but it's not the only tool we should be using, nor should it be an excuse not to eschew other paradigms. At the end of the day, I say Fuck good story, because that phrase doesn't really articulate what kind of stories interest you. It's like reading a book review that simply says the book is either good or bad.