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Diane hasn't been blogging for long but she has shared some great classroom project ideas that I definitely recommend you check out! My favourite has to be her classroom's Mosaic Area Projects.
To keep the love going, here are the rules:
1 ) Thank the blogger who nominated you.
2 ) Include a link to their site.
2 ) Include a link to their site.
3 ) Include the award image in your post.
4 ) Give 7 random facts about yourself
5 ) Nominate 10 other bloggers for the award.
6 ) When nominating, include a link to their site.
7 ) Let other bloggers know they've been nominated.
7 Random Facts About Miss L
1 ) I am going into my 6th, and LAST, year of university which means that at this time next year I will be a Certified Teacher!
2 ) My fiance and I have one pet, a grey and black kitten named Mr. Cuddles.
3 ) My favourite sports team is the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, go blue & gold!
4 ) In less than one year I will no longer be Miss L as I am getting married and will be "Mrs. T".
5 ) I am addicted to every type of home design show on HGTV.
6 ) I make the most amazing brownies that don't require any milk, butter or oil.... wouldn't you like to know the recipie!?
7 ) I drive approximately 800 kilometers a week for my summer job in a small car with no air conditioning.
Ok, now the hard part, I follow a lot of blogs and I like them all! I chose these 10 blogs because I feel that they are truly Versatile. Although they may represent a certain grade level or style, they blog about everything from classroom projects and management styles to educational resources and networking opportunities.
1 ) The Science Life
2 ) Nicky's News
4 ) Madly Learning
7 ) Wolfelicious


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Comb Wash and the Cedar Mesa Plateau in Southwest Utah. We weren't ready for summer to be over and all the glorious things that go along with it—camping outside, time together, and good weather.
Utah is this little added gem for those of us who call the West home. The weather stays good longer than it does in the mountains, and it has fabulous places to explore. Comb Wash, just southwest of Blanding, is one of our favorites.
There are fantastic ruins to check out, and the camping is easy and beautiful. Hikes in Comb Wash are also very accessible with kids. We did a 3-mile loop to one the best ruins, Fire House, and everyone, even our 2-year old, had an awesome time hiking.
That said, we did find that these granola and chocolate chip packed cookies helped to motivate everyone along. I adapted this recipe for Canyon Cookies from one I found in Gourmet. I've included my own granola recipe but if you're short on time, a commercial granola like Cascadian Farms will work just fine! Enjoy.
Canyon Cookies
makes about 2 dozen cookies
1 cup flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 stick butter
¾ cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 ½ cups granola
¼ cup dried cranberries, chopped
1 cup chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350°F. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. With an electric mix, in another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Beat in flour mixture and stir in remaining ingredients.
Drop dough by rounded tablespoons 2 inches apart onto buttered baking sheets and bake in batches for 7 and ½ minutes. Cool cookies on racks.
Serve to tired children (and their parents). Goes well with red wine after children are hopefully sleeping.
Em's Granola
Makes about 12 cups
4 cups old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 cup whole almonds, halved
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
1-cup raw cashews
2/3 cup (packed) brown sugar
3 teaspoons ground allspice
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
4 tablespoons honey
Add after you bake granola: 2 cups chopped pitted dates, raisons, dried cherries, or cranberries
Preheat oven to 300∞F. Mix first 7 ingredients in large bowl. Melt butter with honey in heavy small saucepan over low heat. Pour over granola mixture and toss well. Spread out mixture on baking sheet. Bake 30 minutes, making sure to stir often. Add dates; mix to separate any clumps. Continue to bake until granola is golden brown. Cool and add dried fruit.
Jon Cornforth for sharing the fire house ruin shot.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Canyon Cookies: Exploring Comb Wash, Utah with Some Sweets in Tow
Posted by Emily Brendler Shoff at 1:16 PM
2 comments:
- Amy CooperOctober 14, 2011 at 5:35 PM
Ok, although I am feeling like a slight failure for not making my kids HOMEMADE granola, I am going to let it go and embrace this yummy-looking recipe. And will definitely include the red wine. thanks!ReplyDelete
You are a star mom and my hero. Aren't the cornforth shots amazing?ReplyDelete
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subset: commoncrawl


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Friday, February 02, 2007
More from the stage mother
Despite her success and the fact that people often say super nice things to her, she's still down to earth. This is due primarily to my husband's influence. As I've said before, he has always maintained that acting is merely an extra-curricular activity for her. He's tried to help her see herself not as an actress but as a kid who likes to act. He doesn't want it to define her because if it does, she's more likely to be crushed when (if?) the work dries up or if she doesn't get a role she wants.
I whole-heartedly agree with his approach but I struggle to keep myself from being too invested in her success. Part of it stems from my own childhood desire to be an actress. Part of it stems from plain old mother pride.
She's currently in a show at a theater near our apartment (very convenient). They've been in rehearsals since the day after Christmas and they open on Saturday. The rehearsals in the three or so weeks prior to the open are called tech rehearsals - that's when they rehearse on stage and work out all the technical aspects of the show - lights, sound, costumes, stage set. During the last two weeks of tech rehearsal, they have shows that are called previews. These shows are basically dress rehearsals that people pay a discounted price to see. At this point, they don't have all the kinks worked out so previews can often be a bit rough around the edges.
Last week I went to pick A Girl up after one of the first preview shows. As I was walking into the theater, the last of the patrons were walking out. As I walked past one couple, the woman said "Well, they do one bad show a year and this one is it." I felt like someone kicked me in the gut.
Rationally, I know it's not a big deal. There is no reason for me to take that personally but I did. I know and respect all the actors, the director, the crew. I know how hard they've worked. I like the script (but I haven't seen the show all the way through) - it's a funny and heartwarming story. My husband and I have talked about how we would handle it if A Girl got a bad review. He's always given her great advice about this - "Don't believe all the good things people say about you because then you'll have to believe the bad things, too." We're prepared for that if it happens. It just never occurred to me, until that moment on the theater stairs, that anyone would dislike the show as a whole. I wasn't prepared for that.
The show she did this fall was controversial to begin with. When the show was performed in New York, there were people who left at intermission. The same thing happened in Chicago. And although it was a critical success there were lots of people that didn't like it. But because I was prepared for that it didn't bother me. But A Girl didn't have a large role in that show but in this one she plays a lead. It just feels more important.
I still feel a twinge when I think about it but I've pointed out to myself that there are plenty of shows - at this theater and others - that I haven't liked. This was during previews so her dislike of the show might have been due to the roughness of the production. In the end, it is what it is - one person's opinion. Even if the show's a flop and even if A Girl never works again, it's not the end of the world. I truly believe that this work shouldn't define her. Not just because she's too young for that. Being successful in show business depends so much on external factors - how other people view you, whether you're lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time - it's not healthy to invest your self esteem in that.
That's all easy to say and easy to believe. It's just hard in practice for me to separate myself emotionally. Thankfully, A Girl seems perfectly able to maintain that healthy separation so far. I just worry that my stage mother tendencies will somehow make her think that I'll only be happy as long as she's successful in "show business." And nothing could be farther from the truth.
2 comments:
- landis said...
That is a tough situation. I think that it's natural for parents to see their children (or the results of their parenting) as an extension of themselves, and to feel judged by other adults who are commenting on their behavior. It's hard for me not to take it personally when I get weird looks out in public with my kids--although I'm constantly reminding myself that it may have nothing to do with them (or me).
I think that your advice to A Girl is good--about the good reviews and bad ones. The important thing is for her to do something that she loves, and taking one bad review to heart after a career that's been marked by success would be silly.
- Bimbo said...
A little unsolicited advice?
Demonstrate that you're proud of her despite the negative feedback about the show. You are proud of her regardless, as you said, and you want her to know that. Sometimes a little practical application makes the philosophy easier to maintain and remember.


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Weight Gain Holiday Pain
This is the epitome of a first world problem, I make no excuses about that. I am completely aware that I have been living a fantastic life over the last few years. This isn't a cry for help, or a call for praise, it isn't even a travel post really, although our holidaying is definitely… Continue reading Weight Gain Holiday Pain


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Courtney Love thinks she found missing Malaysian airliner
Courtney Love has admitted she is a bit obsessed with the case of Malaysia Airlines flight 370 and thinks she has found the missing plane — something two dozen countries have not been able to do.
Courtney Love admits she has been slightly obsessed with the news of missing Malaysian Airlines flight 370 since it disappeared more than a week ago. After poring over satellite photos, she thinks she may have found the answer.
Everybody deserves a 2nd chance, why not Courtney Love? >>
Over the weekend, the story went in a new direction when government officials said they believed the plane's disappearance was caused deliberately. And even though 25 countries, 43 ships and 58 airplanes have joined the search (according to Boston.com, that number is constantly changing), Hole front woman Courtney Love has decided she may have solved the case.
Love has been doing what plenty of other amateur sleuths have been doing — scanning ocean photographs from the website tomnod.com, searching for any signs of the missing airplane.
The site had asked people all over the world to help look at satellite images to see if they could find anything. On Monday, March 17, Love posted a photo on both Twitter and Facebook declaring that she had found the plane in one of the photos.
Love has never been afraid to share her opinion, on anything, and after her initial tweet, fans responded with all different kinds of posts, both negatively and positively. Love then posted a response.
She later explained her effort, saying, "I mean I don't know anything about aviation per se," according to New York Magazine. "I saw an article asked people to help search on Tomnod.com, so I decided to give it a shot."
Courtney Love loves "hillbilly" Miley Cyrus >>
Love added that she is hoping to bring awareness to the website by posting the photos, whether or not anything comes from it.
"I hope they find the plane, I pray they're still alive, it's sad and my heart goes out to all those involved," she said. "It's the least I can do."


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"I don't wanna eat it. I don't like it. It tastes bad. I don't want it," the first lady said in her best nasal whine.
Then she added: "We don't want to hear the whining. We want you to eat it. Just eat it."
#1, make fun of your opponent when they resist
#2, force them to do what you want anyway, because it's "good for them."


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My To Do List
Just like everyone else I have a "To Do" list. And, just like everyone else, mine is a mile long. Most days I don't reach anywhere near the bottom of my list. On the days that I do the feelings of satisfaction rarely last because I know that tomorrow I will start right back at the top of another list.
I have been feeling extremely frustrated with that situation. I get a lot done everyday alright, but it just doesn't bring the peace, satisfaction or joy into my life that I am looking for. Frankly it just plain isn't a fun way to live.
I have started to become less interested in doing the things I need to do everyday. I feel they are a huge burden. I have slipped into a little self pity and have had the blues about it all. I have started letting some things slide....really slide. When I let things slide everything became worse because I began to be overwhelmed with things piling up; instead of a small chore they became a huge undertaking. A vicious cycle that overwhelms me. Time to take a new approach, a new path.
So, in an effort to improve my attitude I have decided to re-write my To-do list. No, I'm not taking a thing off. I'm going to ADD to it.
What I need isn't less to do. I NEED to be doing everything I am. What I need is to shake things up and add some things to feed my mind and my soul. I have let myself become bored. That sentence hurts to write because I have always told my kids..."Bored people are boring people." OUCH! I don't want to be boring.
In an effort to improve the situation and be accountable to someone other than myself I'm going to start a new category here on the blog titled My To-Do List . I'll try to share something a couple of times a week, an assignment of some sort that I will give myself. If anyone wants to follow along they can leave a comment or post on their blog and leave a link.
An assignment may be something as simple as spending some time writing a letter to an old friend to giving myself a pedicure. It might be a reminder to give myself time to do nothing for an hour, who knows. I have no idea if this is going to work but it is worth a try.
If anyone has any suggestions Email me at the address on the sidebar. Just remember to remove the asterisks.
Photo: Pathway at Norris State Park.


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Home Users
We can pretty much solve all your PC/ laptop problems, at your home or our workshop. If we have to bring your computers to our office we would be happy to collect and deliver for FREE.
SME's, Education and 3rd Sector
We have the right people to help solve your IT Network and Infrastructure problems. So whether you're a small to medium business, a school or charity we have the right packages at the right price to help you on your way.
IT Training and Education
For all your IT training and Education needs look to Computer Gentle for the right solutions.
Gentle Community
Our aim is to help develop the communities of Keighley and the surrounding towns. See how our contributions help make the communities of Yorkshire better.


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Welcome to our website
To take full advantage of all features you need to login or register. Registration is completely free and takes only a few seconds.
Revised: Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-007
Posted by philipp on: 04/24/2003 05:10 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]
Microsoft has revised Security Bulletin MS03-007: Unchecked Buffer In Windows Component Could Cause Server Compromise (815021)
Microsoft originally released this security bulletin on March 17, 2003. At that time, Microsoft was aware of a publicly available exploit that was being used to attack Windows 2000 Servers running IIS 5.0. The attack vector in this case was WebDAV although the underlying vulnerability was in a core operating system component, ntdll.dll. Microsoft issued a patch to protect Windows 2000 customers shortly afterwards, but also continued to investigate the underlying vulnerability. Windows NT 4.0 also contains the underlying vulnerability in ntdll.dll, however it does not support WebDAV and therefore the known exploit was not effective against Windows NT 4.0. Microsoft has now released a patch for Windows NT 4.0.
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|Leticia, Manolo, and The Star of the Show
|proud family
|Leticia, Manolo, and The Star of the Show
|proud family
Thank you for this lovely blog. My partner and I have talked about walking the camino since we met at Union seminary in New York City. We took a long trip to Thailand and mostly India to visit Christian ashrams and christened ourselves "sisters of the holy road."
I'm so ready for another pilgrimage, I often cry when reading about the Camino, but it seems too commercial and "world traveller" oriented, at least on the French part. Is another way (another world) possible?
And on the Peaceable Kingdom, do you know that Hicks painted that one theme all his life, the animals aging, becoming more sad and his Society of Friends bickered and broke into factions. It is then beautiful to see his last version, with its expanse of sky more wide than the creatures, the children running, and yet quiet, distinct, luminous.
blessings on all our ways,
Kathryn Poethig
Another world IS possible, indeed it is here with us! The camino is calling your name, and it won´t leave you alone til you come and encounter it yourself. The only thing you can be sure of: It will NOT meet your expectations.
When you come, you must stop here. I like the way you think.
Yes, we will come by your pueblo! Would love to read your book.
What first caught my eye was the blog at the convent, all of you reflecting on the way the camino has changed. And yet it seems that it is now even more powerful - calling us out of our stupors. Everyone is longing for a mystical experience, a way to the holy, awe.
Here's my awe: I was just reading about Voyager 1, our interstellar pilgrim 30 years on its journey into 'outer space.' (What is *outer* space?) It's far far out on the edge of our little solar system, in 2004 past the termination shock, the heliosheath, into the heliopause, and soon (who knows when) bracing to cross the boundary of our system into the interstellar winds. When you go outside some night, look up and imagine it out there, the first little thing we've sent out that far.
I teach Global Studies in the Cal State University system, and my students, now occupying Monterey SF and the campus, are mostly preoccupied with their electronic life. In the class world religions and social issues, we talked about cellphones as a craving. The first Noble Truth: cellphones are dukkha दुक्ख. The 99%'s lust for the goods that 1% provides.
Peace be to you at the end of Ordinary Time.


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I love that title – Theft from the dead. What can you steal from a the dead?
The revelation came as a shock to the community, Katwick said. The funds were for the perpetual care of grave sites and the association has had a difficult time maintaining the grounds at the cemetery on Applebee Road.
As president of the association, Katwick issued an apology to the community for being unable to maintain the cemetery. He said he has friends and family buried there and as a retired 67-year-old has volunteered time and money for upkeep.
I get it, Pastor David Maleham took money meant for the upkeep of a cemetery. He allegedly stole over $11K. He was able to steal because he was a pastor and the board figured it did not need to check up on his financial record keeping. Why trust somebody when a simple yearly audit will spot theft? The board should be held accountable for their poor decisions.


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Do you want to go a party? But you don't have an idea about your dress that will you wear for the party. Maybe in my post here, you can find a good model for your party. In here I give you more model of party dress and lets check it for you...
Semi formal white dress party
Sweetly dress party can make you looks beautiful
Short dress party that can make you looks charming
Simple black dress
Nice motif dress
Sexy long dress
Wrinkled dress
Elegant black dress
Spring dress party
Luxury dress
Indian dress party
Easy dress


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Chains do not hold a marriage together. It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads which sew people together through the years. ~Simone Signoret
I've been married to my husband for 16 years. We met during the summer of 1995 and he proposed to me in November. We got married just six weeks later. Looking back, I now realize how fortunate we both were given our short courtship.
Marriage is a funny thing and it does get better with age if you are willing to love, to be vulnerable, to be accepting and to blow off the little things because, guess what ladies, most of that stuff you get bent out of shape about really doesn't matter.
Pat and I started our family three years after getting married, which allowed us plenty of time to truly get to know one another, and I am truly grateful for that.
Men and women are different. Men fret over "what women want." They even make movies about this apparently confusing topic. But what do men want? It is, in many ways, very similar to what we ladies are always looking for.
Over the years I've discovered eight things that every husband wants in their relationship:
1. Intimacy and closeness. Men yearn for consistent physical closeness. They want hugs, kisses, pinches and, yes, sex with their partners daily. Physical touch is very important in a close loving relationship.
2. Recognition. I've found that acknowledging and appreciating my husband for the basic things that he does like cutting the grass, fixing something that's broken or jumping in for double carpool duty always makes him puff out his chest.
3. Nurturing. Husbands don't want a mother for a wife but they do want to be nurtured and cared for. They want to feel that their partners truly get them and are looking out for their best interests.
4. To Brag about their family. Men love being able to share pictures of their family with others. It makes them feel fulfilled and successful when their wife is happy, cute and their children are doing well.
5. Adoration. When he walks in the home, he wants everyone to be happy to see him.
6. Alone time in his cave. This is an important one. Men need time to think, plan, reflect and relax.
7. Dates with You. Men want to enjoy you as their girlfriend and not always as mom or as a wife.
8. A Friend. A place to fall when things go wrong and a sense that their failures and disappointments will not follow them into the home.
Father's Day is on June 17th and our guys usually get their share of ties, golf clubs, cologne and socks. But what they really want is another year that makes them feel valued and valuable to the family that they love so much and is the centerpiece of their entire life. It took me many years to understand this basic list but I can tell you that once I did love my husband in accordance to his love language, our marriage got even better than it already was.


text: DigitalA New York Journalist Fit for Two Romance NovelsBy Richard Horgan|July 28, 2014ShareBy Richard Horgan|July 28, 2014ShareThe first romance novel, Seams, was published by Lori Bell through Amazon's CreateSpace in March. From the plot description:Kelsey Duncan has settled into a life in New York City as a newspaper reporter. As a journalist, she thrives on telling other people's stories. But it is her story, her life as a woman in her late twenties, that she sometimes wishes she could rewrite. Or at least rejuvenate with passion and excitement and fulfillment…The sequel tome, Unraveled, came out in May. Per a write-up in the Belleville News-Democrat, Bell is a Midwestern stay-at-home mom of two children who, previously, was a newspaper reporter through 2005 after graduating with a journalism degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville:"I gave up what I thought I would do for a career," she said. "I didn't regret it, but there was a hole there. As a writer, I think you need to keep feeding that passion."Bell is currently at work on a third book, which spins off a character briefly mentioned in Unraveled. Read the rest of the News-Democrat piece here.P.S. The Amazon customer reviews for both books are uniformly spectacular. Sharehttp://adweek.it/2kBnTxU copy Adweek Adweek


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You probably know of Queen Elizabeth, but have you met Niall Stanage? He's England's other queen. In a nasty little piece of crap, he issues his own royal edict that Cindy Sheehan is dead, dead, dead, off with her head!
He thinks it matters what Daily Constipation and it's inspid little minions do. Daily Constipation is run by a right winger. He was a Reagan-ite, his life before arriving in the US raises eyebrows, and he's a little snot nothing. It's no surprise he's banned Cindy Sheehan. He also banned the journalist Chris Floyd. He's an idiot whose ass may be kissed even more than WalkOn.
He and his squeaky little voice are among the biggest jokes in US politics. He styled himself as a Democratic cheerleader because he's a businessman and saw an opening.
Niall probably knows that, probably ignores it. That's because Queen Niall is on a mission, the same one the Red Queen had with Alice: Off with her head.
Cindy Sheehan is a threat to Niall because she might run against Nancy Pelosi. Niall has voted for Pelosi in one election after another and . . .
Oh, no. He hasn't. He presumably votes in Belfast. Queen Niall is off the rocker and taking American Congressional politics just a tad too seriously for a foreigner. I don't criticize the late Princess Diana or wrap myself around what Prince Charles has done. I don't fret over it because I do understand my nose doesn't belong in everyone's business.
Queen Niall knows what Americans need most, no, what the world needs most, is his attack on Cindy Sheehan. Queen Niall sat on his throne and crapped. Hopefully, he remembered to flush.
Keeping it short tonight because we've all got plans. (Almost all.) We're doing a group thing.
Closing with C.I.'s "Iraq snapshot:"
Wednesday, July 18, 2007. Chaos and violence continue, the US military announces more deaths, the Senate Slumber Party ends, the killing in Iraq continues, and more.Starting with war resister Phil McDowell. War Resisters Support Campaign notes: "Phil McDoweel is from Warwick, Rhode Island and a former SGT in the United States Army. He joined the Army in 2001 after the September 11th attacks during his senior year at Marist College, in Poughkeepsie New York, where he majored in Information Technology. As part of the First Cavalry division he served in Iraq from March 2004 to March 2005. A month and a half after being discharged in June 2006 he received notification that he fell under the Army's Stop-Loss policy and was to return to his unit at Fort Hood, Texas for a second deployment to Iraq. Shortly after returning to his unit he made the decision not to take part in the illegal war and moved to Canada in October of 2006. His partner Jamine Aponte, joined him a month later in November. They now live in Toronot where they have started their new life."
There is a growing movement of resistance within the US military which includes Phil McDowell, Steve Yoczik, Ross Spears, Jared Hood and James Burmeister, Eli Israel, Joshua Key, Ehren Watada, Terri Johnson, Luke Kamunen, Leif Kamunen, Leo Kamunen, Camilo Mejia, Kimberly Rivera, Dean Walcott, Linjamin Mull, Augstin Aguayo, Justin Colby, Marc Train, Robert Zabala, Darrell Anderson, Kyle Snyder, Corey Glass, Jeremy Hinzman, Kevin Lee, Joshua Key, Mark Wilkerson, Patrick Hart, Ricky Clousing, Ivan Brobeck, Aidan Delgado, Pablo Paredes, Carl Webb, Jeremy Hinzman, Stephen Funk, Clifton Hicks, David Sanders, Dan Felushko, Brandon Hughey, Clifford Cornell, Joshua Despain, Joshua Casteel, Katherine Jashinski, Chris Teske, Matt Lowell, Jimmy Massey, Chris Capps, Tim Richard, Hart Viges, Michael Blake, Christopher Mogwai, Christian Care, Kyle Huwer, Vincent La Volpa, DeShawn Reed and Kevin Benderman. In total, forty-one US war resisters in Canada have applied for asylum.Information on war resistance within the military can be found at The Objector, The G.I. Rights Hotline, Iraq Veterans Against the War and the War Resisters Support Campaign. Courage to Resist offers information on all public war resisters.Iraq Veterans Against the War are among those working not only to end the illegal war but to get across the very basic point: Funding the war is killing the troops. Joel Bleifuss (In These Times) interviews IVAW's Vincent J. Emanuele who hails from Chesterson, Indiana, went to Iraq in March 2003 and credits Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 with giving him "a new perspective" and one he was open about while serving. His opinion of the illegal war, "This war is tragic. It was not needed. To die in this war is a wasted death. Had I died, I would have indeed died for nothing -- or maybe not for nothing, but for oil and dollars and cents. To be brutally honest, the war was a money-making machine. And it hurts to think of it that way and that you have been used.""The war's going to end. It's now really," Tom Hayden declared, about "scheming on the part of Machevilians" as to whether they can continue the illegal war as it is or be forced to scale back (and pretend they're ending it). "The other end is that all the military troops" come home and "the military bases are closed down" but no presidential candidate or member of Congress has the will to end the illegal war because "they've bought into the myth that if they end the war our superpower status will end". "What you do, what will all do will determine the behaviors of the politicans going into the election"Hayden spoke in Pasadena and KPFK's Uprising broadcast the speech today. Members who listen (or already have) and want to share comments or want my comments can e-mail. What we're noting from the speech is factually correct or Hayden's opinions. (Comments about Democracy Now! starting up as a result of the Iraq war, for instance, are wrong. Democracy Now! began in 1996 and it started to follow the 1996 elections.) Hayden's newest book is Ending The War In Iraq.Hayden's opinion is that the most likely outcome on Iraq is a partial withdrawal to mitigate popular outrage due to impending elections and continue the illegal war.He spoke of traveling around the country and being "surprised myself" to find that "the anti-war movement" was so large and notes one possible "reason the peace movement today is invisible" in some ways is due to the fact that "generally, it's led by women." (A comment on the marginalizing of women by the mainstream press.) Hayden also explored the topics of the pillars that support war and how "putting people power to the pillars" can end a war.The pillars propping up war include public opinion (which is now gone and has been gone domestically since 2005), bipartisanship (to make it acceptable, to argue "national security" and -- though not noted -- to silence dissent that could kill the war before it starts), troops and the capabilities to add more troops, the budget (where monies could have instead be spent), American 'prestige' around the world, public perception (including your own).Hayden spoke at length on the pillar of troops noting that if you read reporting closely, as well as the James Baker Circle Jerk, you will find the cautionary notes that "the armed forces will not be able to continue past next spring". He noted the increased difficulty of recruiting and stated this "accounts for many of the military, including leadership, but not all, trying to divert" the Bully Boy away from his illegal war of choice.On the topic of "your own perception and your country's perception," Hayden noted that the illegal war "is a dirty war" with secret prisons, "Americans secretly training Iraqis in the black arts of counterinsurgency," etc. On the issue of Abu Ghraib, Tom Hayden noted the press did not break that story, "Joseph Darby, a prison guard, saw them [photos] on a laptop and, for some moral reason, turned them over to his superiors . . . and then and only then did the military start to investigate and the media begin to pick it up. . .. And we still haven't seen all the photographs." Even in a supposed free society and democracy, Hayden noted, we haven't seen all the photographs.Nor have we heard all the details. In speeches, Sy Hersh enjoys mentioning the sodomizing of at least one child in Abu Ghraib but has yet to write about it. (On Iraqn, Hersh obsession of the last three years, Hayden noted that presidents confronted with a losing and unpopular war often attempt to widen it but his personal opinion was that the power structure in this country would not tolerate expanding the illegal war to also include Iran.) Last week, [Language warning -- F-word throughout the clip for those who may listen at work] Information Clearing House posted a video of an unidentified American male discussing his time working at Abu Ghraib which includes being taught various techniques by the CIA, expressing the belief that everyone imprisoned there was guilty because the Iraqis were guilty of not taking Saddam Hussein out of power themselves, and of an Iraqi women that several Americans had sex with (probably rape, but he doesn't use that term) who ended up killing herself (in prison) which was just as well, according to the male, because she probably would have been stoned when she left the prison anyway. We'll return to the topic of Iraqi women but first, the obsession: Democrats in the Senate.Democrats in the Senate invited Republicans to a sleep-over last night. Kay Bailey Hutchison got her bra frozen, Lindsey Graham put Orrin Hatch's fingers in water causing Hatchet-face to wet himself while sleeping, and short sheeted Tom Coburn's cot causing Coburn to hiss, "So what! You think I care? I'm for smaller government!" It was a public relations stunt on the part of the Democrats, an attempt to rebuild their plummeting ratings. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid started off spewing fire and brimstone but, as Shailagh Murray, Paul Kane and Debbi Wilgoren (Washington Post) observed, that changed quickly: "Although Senate Majority leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) initially warned that votes on legislation to withdraw combat troops could occur at any time during the night, he agreed shortly after midnight to delay even procedural votes until 5 a.m. and to put off until 11 a.m. a vote on legislation to bring home most troops by May." Most? Hold on for that. The usual Party Hacks and Dream The Acceptable Dream types were out in full force. WalkOn.org announced, "Republicans in the Senate are planning to block a vote early next week on ending the war. Let's be perfectly clear on this: Republicans are blocking this vote because they know they'd lose. It's time to leap into action. As Repbulican filibuster on Tuesday, we're holding citizens' counter-filibusters on Tuesday night. We'll gather outside Senators' offices and in public places to read first-hand accounts from Iraq vets and military families about the cost of the war. We'll send a clear message to Senators and the media that this isn't about partisan games -- it's about people's lives." Let's be perfectly clear about the pathetic shell game that went on: No proposed legislation was about bringing troops home, no proposed legislation was about ending the illegal war. Let's be perfectly clear, WalkOn.org exists to always steer to the path of least resistance. It is not an organization made up of fighters or dreamers. What Tom Hayden was speaking of (and he lavished praise on the pathetic WalkOn) was that the leadership is at a place where they have to do something but ending the illegal war is not the course they will go for unless pushed hard. Fortunately for them, they have supposed independent actors perfectly willing to serve as body guards and publicity flacks giving them cover to continue the illegal war and willing to sell that as an effort to end it.The pathetic Senator Carl Levin made noises, as reported today by Amy Goodman (Democracy Now!), about the people wanting "to end the war in Iraq. It is time to change the course. And the reason that we are in control of the Congress is because the American people want us to change course in Iraq." He gives lip service very easy, he just can't follow through (as anyone who's lobbied him over the Guantanamo Bay prison over the last few years can attest). As Amy Goodman noted, this is a debate that (if successful) would mean "most combat troops" (US troops) would leave Iraq "in 120 days". "Combat troops" is a classification. Bully Boy could ensure that none of the approximately 160,000 troops leave simply be reclassifying them. If that point seems familiar it's because we've been making it here for some time -- since the US Congress first played the shell game that was the Pelosi-Reid measure. Party Hacks came out to support that non-action as well. The people didn't buy into the fluff and the Democrats' ratings plummeted. It was thought that by doing the same thing with a p.r. stunt like an 'all nighter' would make the do-nothing party leadership look less pathetic. And certainly the usual pathetic centrists were out in force to prop up the lie that the Democratically controlled Senate was attempting to end the illegal war when, in fact, it was doing nothing of the sort. When independent media joins hands with the Democratically controlled Congress in lying to the people, it shouldn't get a dime of support. Thus far The Progressive has ignored the p.r. stunt which may be because it was a stunt or because the points to make have already been made. (Or a combination.) By contrast, the feel-good spirit of The Nation (which leads to censoring evidence of atrocities) means it's all pom-poms all the time. Robert Parry (Consortium News), a true independent, notes the truth and the reality, "If the Democrats really want to prevail over George W. Bush on the Iraq War and on his authoritarian vision of presidential powers, they would put back on the table two options that their leaders have removed: a cut-off of war funding and impeachment. Rather than all-night debates about resolutions that will go nowhere, the Democrats would make the cast to the American people that Bush has trampled on the Constitution; he has ensared the nation in a catastrophic war by lying; and he has his eyes set on more dangerous chicanery in the months ahead." Edward Epstein (San Francisco Chronicle) notes that the categories that would remain in Iraq had the Levin-Reed measure passed the Senate (it didn't) and then the House would have been "those conducting special operations against al Qaeda, training Iraqi forces or guarding U.S. facilities." Retired army Col. Daniel Smith (Foreign Policy in Focus) addressing the Skelton measure (similar to the Levin-Reed measure) in the House last week and the deployment issue in the Senate notes that "proposed legislation contains all sorts of caveats, exceptions, and restrictions, all of which the president can waive if he determines them detrimental to national security." Nicholas Johnston and William Roberts (Bloomberg News) report the Levin-Reed measure did not pass. 52 for and 47 against was the count. Gail Russell Chaddock (Christian Science Monitor) explains, "Washington's political theater is part of a deliberate political strategy aimed at living rooms across America." Ron Elving (NPR) notes that the theater was meant to get "the country to notice that the White House has enablers in the Senate." Yes, and some are on the Democratic side. Interviewed by the Socialist Worker, Anthony Arnove noted that the Republicans in Congress are backing away from the illegal war in terms of unconditional support but not calling for an end to it and "elements of this approach are actually similar to what many Democratic critics have in mind: troop reduction, not withdrawal; a greater reliance on air power and 'over the horizon' forces rather than boots on the ground; a retreat to bases and the Green Zone in Baghdad; and a shifting of the blame from the United States and its allies to the Iraqis. In effect, it's a 'blame and hold' strategy. Blame the Iraqis for all the problems we created. Hold onto whatever the U.S. military can salvage in terms of military bases in Iraq -- to have some influence over the future of Iraq's massive oil reserves and some ability to continue military operations in Iraq, and to project power against other countries in the region, particularly Iran."Let's be clear, WalkOn pushing the nonsense of Dream In Monochrome and With Fine (Limited) Tuning is nonsense. The illegal war needs to end it will not do so with measures sold to the people as "End the war" that, in reality, continue the illegal war. Possibly it is an accomplishment that US Senators actually had to make statements about how badly the illegal war was going (I didn't see any press accounts that quoted senators speaking of how badly things were for Iraqis during the illegal war -- possibly that didn't make the Talking Points List?), but applauding nonsense is encouraging nonsense. "Funding the war is killing the troops" is a rallying cry of Tina Richards and Iraq Veterans Against the War.On Januray 4, 2007, the Democrats took control of both house of Congress. The US military announced one death in the illegal war that day, "A Multi-National Division - Baghdad patrol was attacked by small arms fire, killing one Soldier in the western part of the Iraqi capital today." He was later identified as Staff Sgt. Charles D. Allen of Wasilla, Alaska, a 28-year-old. The announcement of his death brought the total number of US service members killed to 3006 on January 4th -- the same Dems took control, swept in by citizens wanting an end to the illegal war. Six months later, 616 announced deaths later and the war drags on. Only difference appears to be that these days, the Dems are helping Bully Boy by grabbing an end to help him drag it. Funding the war is killing the troops. Funding the war is killing Iraqis.Bombings?Mohammed al Dulaimy (McClatchy Newspapers) reports 6 people dead from a Baghdad bombing (four wounded), Baghdad mortar attacks left one woman injured and a Kirkuk bombing killed a police officer escorting a pregnant woman to the hospital (another police officer was wounded, "The woman wasn't harmed in the explosion and reached the hospital and gave birth"). Reuters notes a mortar attack in Kut that left three women (sisters) injured, a roadside bombing in Jurf Al-Sakhar that claimed 2 lives (four more injured)Shootings?Mohammed al Dulaimy (McClatchy Newspapers) reports a police officer was shot dead in Baghdad, 7 bus passengers were shot dead riding near Jizani Al Joul, 1 person shot dead in Baquba, 2 men shot dead "near the Dwiliyah village," one woman shot dead "near Al Shima village," a home invasion that left Dr. Firas Abdul Zahraa Hameed dead (his wife was wounded) in Basra, and one person was shot dead in Kirkuk. Reuters notes one person shot dead in Kirkuk, in front of his home and that a village in the Diyala province (not far from the massacre that killed 29 overnight on Monday) another attack occurred that claimed 1 life and left fifteen injured.Corpses?Mohammed al Dulaimy (McClatchy Newspapers) reports 15 corpses were discovered in Baghad today and two corpses were turned over to the Baquba hospital. Reuters notes two corpses were discovered in Mahaweel and one in Daquq. Meanwhile the BBC reports that Suweira is an Iraqi town on the Tigris River that has been the site where "five hundred mutilated bodies dumped into the River Tigris have been washed up in two years". Mona Mahmoud and Sebastian Usher note that many corpses are never identified and that they must be buried quickly (due to the heat and lack of storage)Today, the US military announced: "Two MNC-I Soldiers were killed when an improvised explosive device detonated next to their vehicle during combat operations in western Baghdad Tuesday." And they announced: "One Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldier was killed and four others wounded when an improvised explosive device detonated near their patrol during combat operations in an eastern section of the Iraqi capital July 17." ICCC's total currently is 3622 US service members who have died in the illegal war since it began and 43 have died so far this month.And in Iskandariya, Reuters notes, the chief of police -- and five bodyguards -- were kidnapped.Want more holding of hostages? "The Iraq oil was essentially drafter by the US government and forced on the Iraqi government," Antonia Juhasz explained on KPFK's Mid Day News today. The Iraqi oil workers are trying to demonstrate that 'now is not the right time and the oil law is not the right oil law.' The oil law is a 'benchmark' (by the US government) and comes with conditions -- reconstruction funds have been pinned upon it. Unions are protesting the oil law and saying it will rob Iraq of the country's soveriegnty. They are calling for the withdrawal of all foreign forces. This as it's decided to ration electricity in Iraq. Tina Susman (Los Angeles Times) reports that news and notes:The plan, launched nearly three months ago, represents the latest break with one of the biggest promises made after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion: that services such as electricity and water would quickly surpass prewar levels. If anything is seen as symbolic of the United States' failure to deliver on its promise that life would be better without Saddam Hussein, it is the lack of reliable electricity. And as Iraqis endure their fifth blazing summer without sufficient power, it is no surprise that resentment toward American forces remains fierce.Returning to the topic of Iraqi women, Ellen Cantarow (CounterPunch) recommends the book Iraqi Women: Untold Stories from 1948 to the Present by Nadie Sadig Al-Ali and notes, "A final chapter on the US invasion and occupation makes clear that Iraqi daily life has shut down. Women fear going into labor at night: they are terrified they and their husbands will be killed on the way to the hospitals. Everyone fears going outside on the commonest of errands -- so much that when people leave the house they say a final farewell: each time may well be the last. Women in particular fear venturing away from home because of frequent assaults by criminal and reactionary Islamic gangs, and by 'militias.' Professionals -- doctors, university professors -- have been killed. Kidnapping for ransom is pandemic."Turning to the US, Aaron Glantz (Truthdig) examines the case of Manny Babbitt who was executed by the state of California and had been awarded the Purple Heart for his tour of duty in Vietnam only to receive the death sentence in 1982 for crimes in 1980: "broke into the Sacramento home of Leah Schendel, a 78-year-old woman he did not know. He stripped the clothes off the lower half of her body, took a hot iron to her vagina, beat her to death and robbed her house. Then, less than 24 hours later, Babbitt struck again. He grabbed a 60-year-old woman out of her car when she was on her way home. Babbitt dragged her into close-by bushes, knocked her unconscious, cracked her chest, stole her watch and wedding ring and fled. The woman, Mavis Wilson, survived." Did Babbitt suffer from PTSD caused by his time in Vietnam? If so, what does that mean beyond Babbitt's own story? Glantz notes: "On May 21, 2006, an Army court-martial at Fort Lewis, Wash., sentenced 20-year-old Spc. Brandon Bare to life in prison for killing his 18-year-old wife, Nabila, with a meat cleaver after he returned from Iraq."
democracy nowamy goodmanmcclatchy newspapersaaron glantz
iraq veterans against the war
tom haydenjoel bleifussantonia juhasztina susmanlos angeles timesthe washington postdebi wilgorenpaul kane


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Welcome to the ILWS new catalogue blog hop. The new and exciting 2012/2013 Stampin' Up! catalogue launches today and you can view all the new products to the right.
You may have arrived from the talented Ally and hope that you enjoy looking at my designs with products from the new Autumn/Winter catalogue.
For the cards below I used two stamp sets, Joyous Celebrations and Scentsational Season. The colours are Gumball Green which is a brand new In Colour, and Cherry Cobbler, a favourite of mine for this time of year. I have cut the snowflakes with the new Snow Flurry Bigz Die and look forward to glittering them up for cards and decorations.
Here you can see the close up of the beautiful Scalloped Tulle Ribbon which is very soft and easy to tie. The Designer Series Paper is part of the Candlelight Christmas Specialty paper pack which includes a beautiful flocked window sheet.
The tree on this card was stamped and then cut with the matching Framelit Dies, making it very precise. The stamp set and Framelit Dies are available as a 'Scentsational Season' bundle saving 15%. Again the Scalloped Tulle ribbon adds extra dimension, this time in Early Espresso.
Products Used:
Card and Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green
DSP: Candlelight Christmas Speciality Designer Series Paper
Ribbon: Scalloped Tulle in Cherry Cobbler and Early Espresso
Punch: 2 3/8" Scalloped Circle
Dies: Snow Flurry Bigz Die, Holiday Collection Framelits
Stamp Sets: Scentsational Season
All these items are available from the Autumn/Winter catalogue, if you would like a copy, just send me an e-mail.
I hope you have enjoyed your visit, please hop on now to Julie to see her wonderful creations!


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Yesterday I had to do something somewhat unpleasant - I had to call somebody working for me on his absent behavior.
It might not be easy for many people to believe, but this can be quite stressful for the manager.
This would not be an issue if the person in question was producing well; we are, after all professionals and are inclined to give a degree of slack. However, this person's basically not very productive, and even though these absences are glaringly apparent to everyone around, and even though everyone else is being short-changed by this person's absence, it is still somewhat stressful to have to confront someone this way, even when you're basically "following the algorithm" that is used specifically for such issues.
In such moments, practicing "just this" as far as the disciplinary procedure is essential- especially when at the same time your more primitive areas of the brain might be suggesting a less civilized response.
Thursday, February 04, 2010
And yet more common cold/busyness practice
Posted by Mumon K at 6:30 AM
Labels: Daily Practice..., Practice
1 comment:
Reading these kind of posts reminds me of just how technology truly is an integral part of our lives in this day and age, and I think it is safe to say that we have passed the point of no return in our relationship with technology.
I don't mean this in a bad way, of course! Ethical concerns aside... I just hope that as memory gets less expensive, the possibility of uploading our brains onto a digital medium becomes a true reality. It's a fantasy that I dream about all the time.
(Posted on Nintendo DS running [url=http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978023679]R4[/url] DS BB)
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Grand Theft Auto 5 Announced!
If you are getting tired of headshots, killing Locusts, or maybe even collecting stars. It is time once again to do some drive by's, kill civilians, and collect hookers! Rockstar Games in unleashing the next game in its epic series.
Out of nowhere, Rockstar Games announced their next game in the popular Grand Theft Auto series.
Grand Theft Auto has always been known to bring up controversy and pretty much piss off every ratings board and crazy parents. But that doesn't stop Rockstar from creating one of the most well known game series.
Just the general announcement of the game has been confirmed so far, along with a date that a trailer will also be released on November 2.
GTA 5 is rumored to be released Fall 2012!


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The random musings and joys that comprise life. More accurately, my life (sans all the whoosh).
Saturday, April 22, 2006
And yesterday I bought a new computer... that's right, I walked into a store with a healthy bank account balance, and walked out with a much lighter wallet, and a surprisingly not-too-heavy box. I named my new computer Hal, as the minute I turned it on, it started talking to me, and then it took my picture. I feel like I am finally in the future. I do mourn for my old computer which is 6 years old and sitting next to my new one...mostly I mourn when I'm not too busy playing with my new one ;) Had I not bought this maachine, I would never have known that one needs a computer with aa built-in camer AND a remote....I am totally stoked.
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Before discussing the other three differences between Moshe's prophecy and that of the other prophets, I want to work through Rambam's description of Moshe's personal achievements. (The quote below is from the online edition available at www.Da'at.co.il while I translate from Rav Kafih's edition which accounts for the slight differences). I will intersperse the translation (italic) with comments. In his introduction to Perek Chelek Rambam writes:
נבואת משה רבנו ע"ה
. והוא שנאמין כי הוא אביהם
של כל הנביאים אשר היו מלפניו ואשר קמו מאחריו, כולם הם תחתיו במעלה. והוא
היה הנבחר מכל מין האדם אשר השיג מידיעתו יתברך יותר מכל מה שהשיג או ישיג
שום אדם שנמצא או שימצא. וכי הוא עליו השלום הגיע התעלותו מן האנושות עד
המעלה המלאכותית, ונכלל במעלת המלאכים, לא נשאר מסך שלא קרעו ונכנס ממנו.
ולא מנעו מונע גופני, ולא נתערב לו שום חסרון בין רב למעט, ונתבטלו ממנו
הכוחות הדמיונות והחושיות והשגותיו, ונבדל כוחו המתעורר המשתוקק, ונשאר
שכל בלבד. ועל העניין הזה נאמר עליו שהיה מדבר עם השם יתברך בלא אמצעיות
מן המלאכים.
The seventh foundation, the prophecy of Moshe Rabbeinu A'H, is that we believe that he is the father of all prophets that preceded him and those that will follow him.
The belief in the uniqueness of Moshe is fundamental to Judaism. A child admires a father and sees him as a model to aspire to and try to emulate. Moshe is the paradigm of what a prophet could be and represents what they all aspire to emulate.
They all are below him in rank, he is God's preferred member from among the whole of the human species, having apprehended God more that anyone has or will ever apprehend Him. He reached the ultimate level of attainment above all humankind, having apprehended the level of angels and having attained the level of angels.
Moshe is the paradigm of human perfection, a human being that has transcended his physicality and material self to apprehend and conceptualize the transcendental. Underlying this statement of Rambam is the Aristotelian concept of unity between the knower and knowledge. If one apprehends angels, the transcendental concepts, one becomes transcendental, an angel.
No veil remained without him tearing it down and he was not stymied by any physical barrier being without any deficiencies whatsoever, small or large. His imaginative and sensory faculties were non-existent during his state of apprehension, as were his appetites, becoming only Sechel - intellect. That is the meaning of what the Rabbis said of him that he speaks with God without the intermediary of angels.
What is a veil in the context of apprehending the transcendental? Rambam in MN 3:9 devotes a whole chapter to just this theme.
Matter is a strong veil preventing the apprehension of that which is separate from matter as it truly is… However great the exertion of our intellect may be to comprehend the Divine Being or any of the ideals, we find a veil between the two. Thus, the prophets frequently hint at the existence of a veil between God and us. They say He is concealed from us in a heavy cloud, in darkness, in mist, or in a enveloping cloud: or use similar figures to express that on account of our matter we are unable to comprehend His essence.
Bypassing our materialism is the only way to apprehend the non-physical, the immaterial. Rambam in his introduction to Avot, Shemona Perakim, presents the human mind as an integrated unit that both controls and directs bodily function and also is the seat of the intellect. Intellectual perfection comes when all these integrated components of the human mind are perfectly tuned so that each performs its role in a rational and balanced manner. It is only then that the intellectual can apprehend true realities that are not material. Moshe is the paradigm of such a human being. …he was not stymied by any physical barrier being without any deficiencies whatsoever, small or large. Deficiencies are related to matter. Matter is transient, good being its coming into existence and bad its demise. Concern with material existence only, means to emphasize the finite. That prevents one from even comprehending that that there is more to existence than matter, that there is a transcendental First Cause. The veil that hides the transcendental is commensurate with how important the material is to us. Moshe overcame that concern, forty days and forty nights he ate no bread and drank no water, tore all possible human veils that stood between him and apprehension of the immaterial, and still could only apprehend "My back but My face will not be seen". That was more than any other human could.
Prophecy is not a superhuman trait but something that every person can attain. It is synonymous with human perfection. Human perfection means apprehending God to the best of our abilities. Apprehending God means searching beyond the physical and material existence trying to understand how, why and for what purpose we exist and what is our role in the whole of existence as a species and as individuals and acting accordingly. Moshe is the model that we all try to emulate knowing that we will never attain his level of perfection. The prophets among us, those that succeeded in perfecting themselves to the utmost both past, present and future, know that they are not at Moshe's level.
This understanding of Moshe's attributes and uniqueness is important in understanding why we believe the Torah is of divine origin.
The question which now remains to be settled is this: Is the person who proclaimed these laws the same perfect man that received them by prophetic inspiration, or a plagiarist, who has stolen these ideas from a true prophet? In order to be enabled to answer this question, we must examine the perfection of the individual, obtain an accurate account of his actions, and consider his character. The best test is the rejection, abstention, and contempt of bodily pleasures for this the first of the degrees of the people of science and all the more of the prophets. (MN2:40)


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Scott Walker has a long history of obstructing open records requests from political opponents and other people that he perceives as adversaries. I have some personal knowledge of that fact. But more specifically, Walker has been caught before not giving the actual records requested but rather producing some doctored data instead.
Back in 2004 the David Riemer campaign submitted an open records request to the Walker administration. They were trying to learn if Walker had kept one of his original promises: having "at will" employees sign pension benefit waivers. When the Walker administration received this request and realized that they had failed to keep that promise, they ran around trying to get as many waiver signatures as possible. When they finally did send records, it was only a listing rather than copies of the actual waivers (which would have shown the dates of the last minute signatures). Quite simply it wasn't what Riemer asked for in his request. Riemer later filed an open records complaint with the Wisconsin Department of Justice who had some of the following choice words for the Walker administration's open records games:
"In sum, this episode evinces a case of how government officials ought not to do business...Nobody honored to serve in public office ought to manipulate public records in this fashion -- that is the opinion of this office."
As I concluded when I chronicled my own Walker open records odyssey several months ago: "Although Walker's policy positions change with the wind, it seems that his approach to open records has not changed at all." Walker's open records games are not just costly to the requester, but they are also costly to any sense of open government in Milwaukee County.


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Saturday, December 1, 2012
DIY Jesse Tree ornaments
This year, my family will begin using a Jesse tree in our Advent devotions. With Morton Salt's handy "Dough It Yourself" handbook, I mixed up a double batch of salt dough and used this symbolism chart for inspiration. I rolled rounds roughly the size of a regular mouth jar on a foil covered baking sheet, and swabbed a little water on top to help the symbol adhere. After the design was complete, I poked a hole in the top of the ornament for a hanger. I did opt to bake the ornaments for half an hour at 350 so they would be lighter and hang better from the "tree" (I was also impatient to paint!). After the ornaments cooled, I painted them with copper acrylic paint.
1 comment:
- Pink Scissors Design said...
My family celebrates Advent with a Jesse Tree, too! I make felt sets of Jesse Tree ornaments: http://www.etsy.com/listing/109692943/jesse-tree-christmas-advent-felt-jesse
- December 3, 2012 at 5:29 AM
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text: The GWear sock collection was something new to all of us on the project. This was done at the company I work for Rock Paper Sketch. It was neat seeing the project come to life from our technical illustrations to trying out the actual socks. We designed over 40 different sock designs. Some are out now on the website and others are soon to come. I have included a few of the designs, if you want to see more or get your hands on them check them out here or you can find them at local stores in Seattle.


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Sunday, November 15, 2009
At a Stand Still
No excuses.
Just have not made the time.
Have not really felt motivated enough to post.
Oh, I have lots of ideas - and some great material!
But I am not making the time.
I am too tired.
I am too stretched.
I have so many other areas of my life I want to get into order.
I need to relax, refocus and decide what and why I want to continue this blog.
I am at a stand still, and I need to figure out what to do...
...see you soon....I hope!
11 comments:
- Tara R. said...
Do what feels right... take a break if you need to. We'll still be here when you get back.
- November 16, 2009 at 3:22 p.m.
- Kat said...
I have done this a number of times myself. Sometimes you just need a break.
Blogging should not be a chore. Do it when you feel like it, and we'll still be here when you get back. ;)
- November 17, 2009 at 3:29 p.m.
- aandjblog said...
I'm with ya. I'm feeling the same way about my blog. It's okay, take a break, we'll still be here.
- December 1, 2009 at 6:21 a.m.
I am in the same boat, been off for a bit, been a rough year. But I see you are doing well with your health and determination, so great!! I am sorry to see the news about your mom-big prayers.
- January 17, 2010 at 8:17 p.m.
- Barrie said...
Just checking in on you.... xo
- January 19, 2010 at 1:56 a.m.
- Forgetfulone said...
Just stopping by to check on you. Hope all is well.
- January 24, 2010 at 12:07 a.m.
- Mighty Morphin' Mama said...
Thinking of you Laura, your mom has been on my mind and so have you. Will pray for you today.
- January 28, 2010 at 3:53 p.m.
- Kat said...
Just wanted to stop by and let you know I've been thinking about you and hoping all is well.
I hope your new year is off to a great start.
Miss ya!
- February 3, 2010 at 8:32 a.m.
- Nguyễn Thanh Tùng said...
Nice blog !!!
thanks for sharing
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Nha xuong, Nha xuong dep
Biet thu, Biet thu dep
Thiet ke nha dep
Nha pho, Nha pho dep
Nha vui, Cong ty nha vui
- January 13, 2017 at 2:31 a.m.
- عبده العمراوى said...
- October 30, 2017 at 4:45 p.m.
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nice blog
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- May 8, 2018 at 5:23 a.m.


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Who doesn't love peanut butter?!? I know I for one have eaten a half jar of peanut butter or more in one sitting.
Although I know there's nothing like dipping into the creamy jar of goodness and licking the spoon off, I can't help but keep at the back of my mind how many calories I'm eating, so that's definitely not something I do that often. Yet I still love peanut butter and need that fix. Luckily, there's good news!
One of my favorite things to add to shakes, bake with, etc is called PB2. It's peanut butter in powder form, so there's MUCH fewer calories. In fact, there's only 45 calories in 2 Tablespoons! Granted, it's just not the same as eating true peanut butter, but if you're looking for a sweet fix or a peanut butter fix, make up something using PB2 to satisfy those cravings. I've put it in my shakes with chocolate Isagenix meal replacement powder, baked healthy brownies with it, and even drizzle it over my apple slices for a healthy snack (see some of my earlier posts for a few recipes and ideas, and stay tuned for many more!).
You can also get chocolate flavored PB2 and both can be ordered from:
If you want to try it with the chocolate meal replacement shake (seriously yummy like a peanut butter cup!) you can order those from this site:
|Can you say yum?!? Low cal peanut butter substitute!
|Mix PB2 with this for a peanut butter cup flavored meal replacement. Dee-lish!


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Mayhem x Antiserum – Seven Deadly Sins EP [Free Download]
The Level 99 trap wizards that are Mayhem and Antiserum are an inseparable duo. Just like peanut butter and jelly or peas and carrots, they're made to work each other. It's been the case ever since their 2012 breakout "Bricksquad Anthem", and now they're back together for something ever larger.
The "Seven Deadly Sins EP" covers 7 records that explore a wide range of genres. Drawing influences from their background in drum & bass and new found love for trap, the project will take you on a musical journey as soon as you hit play. If that wasn't enough, they're embarking on the "#7DSYOUR" to coincide with the release, spanning 30 cities across the USA and Canada. Did I mention it's also available for free? Grab your copy below!
Download: Mayhem x Antiserum – Seven Deadly Sins EP
Purchase: Mayhem x Antiserum – Seven Deadly Sins EP


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While some people, including his parents, interviewed in response to his arrest and capture in Yemen expressed surprise and shock, there were apparent signs that he had radicalized.
Sharif Mobley had strong Muslim views as early as high school. But his old friend Roman Castro knew he had radicalized when he saw him about four years ago.Mobley was apparently picked up in a Yemeni security sweep earlier in March with other al Qaeda suspects.
Castro, an Army veteran who did a tour in Iraq, said Mobley had only these words for him in a chance meeting: "Get the hell away from me, you Muslim killer!"
Now, Mobley is in custody in Yemen as a suspected member of the same branch of al-Qaida that's linked to the failed Christmas Day bombing attempt of a Detroit-bound jet, and stands accused of killing a guard in an attempt to break out of a hospital, officials said Thursday.
Mobley, a former laborer at several nuclear power plants in the U.S., appears to be the latest example of the phenomenon of Americans joining terror movements overseas, which U.S. intelligence officials have warned of.
His case surfaces days after charges of terrorist connections were brought against Colleen LaRose, an American-born woman known as "Jihad Jane" who lived for years in Pennsylvania.
Mobley, a 26-year-old natural-born U.S. citizen, was identified by Yemeni officials as a Somali-American. A former neighbor said he moved to Yemen about two years ago, supposedly to learn Arabic and study Islam.
He was among 11 al-Qaida suspects detained this month in a security sweep in Yemen's capital of San'a this month. He was taken to the hospital over the weekend after he complained of feeling ill. He snatched a gun from a security guard and fatally shot one guard and wounded another before being captured, said Mohammed Albasha, spokesman for the Yemeni Embassy in Washington.
Yemen is again a nexus of al Qaeda activity and the Yemeni government is struggling to deal with the problem. Americans that head overseas for jihad are a significant threat precisely because they hold American passports and are less likely to be scrutinized by security that are often looking at threats from those holding foreign passports from countries known to have active terror groups operating there.
It also turns out that Mobley had worked at several nuclear power plants in the US as a contract worker, including several in New Jersey though he passed a security check in 2008 and had no problems reported by supervisors. I would expect that US intel and law enforcement officials are going to want to know what Mobley said to al Qaeda about those experiences. Considering al Qaeda's intentions to engage in mass casualty attacks, attempting attacks against a nuclear power plant would be a major threat. Expect a reevaluation of security procedures at not only those plants where Mobley worked, but across the nation.


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Details & Dimensions
- Exclusive to Habitat.
- Frame profile width: 0.5cm.
- Orientation: portrait or landscape.
- Holds picture size: 30 x 40cm (12 x 16").
- External frame size: W31 x H41 x D2cm.
- Holds 1 picture.
- Aluminium and glass
Product Code: 368396
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Click and collect from 2000+ UK locations.
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Care Instructions
- Wipe with a damp cloth.
- Do not use abrasive cleaners.
- Glass cleaner may be required.
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text: The F-ire Collective's recent festival showed how far they have come, but this represents the Collective's decade-long origins, in Cuban percussion-choir music bridging Yoruba religious and dance grooves and contemporary jazz and improv. F-ire founder member and alto-saxist Barak Schmool, flautist-saxist Finn Peters, keyboardist Nick Ramm, guitarist David Okumu, and occasional horns, strings (including Basquiat Strings' Ben Davis) and vocal sections balance a contemporary sound with traditional rhythms anchored on the bata drums. Careful respect for original materials is paramount, so the contemporary embroidery is very gently threaded in; but though that occasionally risks getting becalmed between the past and the present, Maurizio Ravalico's lead vocals impart an unvarnished directness to the ancient songs, and the balance is gracefully struck between the Steve Coleman-ish sax wriggle and zigzag on the punchy For Infe, the urgency of the strings and zigzagging improv flute, or the folding of Okumu's bluesy electric guitar into the dreamy For Odudua.


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build: Slim
height: 1.73m (5' 8")
weight: 58Kg (127lb)
|waist: 74cm (29")
body hair: Naturally Smooth
facial hair: Clean-Shaven
cock size: Large
his cock is: Cut
|preferred role: Bottom
interests: Muscle worship, Email/chat, Leather, Groups.
practice safer sex: When appropriate
"Taken, just looking around at all the big dicked tops."
This Hot boy will be visiting NYC and possibly w. his hot bf They're down for a shoot so let's keep our fingers crossed kids!


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The Library, which was established in 1994, houses more than 14,000 books. There is a children's library, a teen room, Mary... Deas Pierce Reference Room, a meeting room and a computer lab. The library continues to grow with the support from the Library Foundation, Mayor and Council, Satsuma Community Development Organization, Library Club and citizens of Satsuma. Please stop by and see for...
Be the first AL.com user to add photos or videos of Satsuma Public Library
Love to go there and spread out my paperwork. Love the staff.
5 star
"The Town Treasure"


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The Skinny:
- MT turned 3 a few weeks ago. (oh how I have a blog about 3yr old's .... O EM GEE)
- We are in week 3 living w/my parents (but who's counting)
- everything I own is in storage except 5 outfits
- We are currently in the midst of getting financing for a FHA loan. And dealing with a head spinning process. "Since the economy took a dump, loans have tightened their belt and become pretty intense." - was the quote our bank keeps repeating to us. We have filled out more paperwork that I have ever had to do. AND if your credit is not Pristine, You have to write letters and document EVERYTHING! (and we have something on our report for a large sum that is not ours) So yesterday, I spent 6 hrs calling on issues/discrepancies, faxing, writing letters, and running to the post office. I think we know have everything hashed. But now, it's a waiting game. We have to wait to see how long it takes to reflect on our credit report. In the mean time (3 week period dealing w/credit mess) , 4 of the 6 houses in the area I am interested in have sold.
- I am trying not to get discouraged from all the financial hurdles, red tape and lengthy process. I am trying to keep my eye on the prize but Some days are more difficult than others.
- My children are just used to Mommie at home but since we have moved in w/my parents, there are atleast 2 (sometimes 3) adults at home and they are getting spoiled and losing patience's if there is not instant gratification. - It makes me head explode
- I have decided to take over our MOPS Chapter at our church. I am not sure I am ready for this but things had been leading up to this for the past few months. There became a need ago few months and I accepted a few days ago. I am not 100% confident in my ability But I am ready to accept this challenge. I am not sure what it all entailed yet either. I have a lot of planning to do to get ready too
- Of course, we got E's new work schedule - Which should not be called new because it is the exact same shift he has been working the past 4 yrs. Rotating me Butt! I am not sure their definition of rotating ....
- My Aunt lost her fight with Cancer a few days ago (Father's Day to be exact). After 20 ish yrs of treatments, surgeries, procedures, and experimental meds, She was taking from us. Honestly, I think she was the best person I ever knew. Genuine, and Everyone liked her instantly. She Really IS that great. The world lost a great soul and she will be greatly missed.
- We found out a few months ago (at her HS graduation in the end of may) that my 17 yr old sister in law and her 24 yr old BF were expecting. I swallowed a lot that day and told her congratulations. We got to talking and she was not exactly excited about it. So I offered an ear to her and told her if she needed to talk about things give me a call. Our relationship has always been strained. My MIL hates me and makes my life pretty miserable and has pretty much bad mouthed me to all her children ( she has 10). Since I cuold see that my SIL was hurting, I just extended myself to her. A few days ago.. The same 24 hrs that I found out my precious Aunt dies, My SIL called me after her regular scheduled U/S, the baby had no heart beat and the fetus had not been measuring at the ~approx 10 weeks she thought she was. She is using public assistance for medical help therefore the u/s was at the hospital and her dr was at the health dept. She was pretty confused, had a pretty crappy nurse and a pretty crappy experience. She talked to her mom and basically her mom is No help, and possibly causing her more harm. She is stuck in limbo at the moment ... Since it is public health, she had to wait a few days to get the results from the hospital back to the health depart., They have taken blood work (on Friday, Monday, and Wednesday and this morning) to see if her numbers are going down, but haven't gotten those results back yet either .. She is also NOT requesting them give her a definite. She is not really wanting to deal with not being pregnant or being pregnant .. She is so overwhelmed and I feel bad for her. She has called me a few times and I am just there to listen and I have to hold my tongue so much. So, I guess we will all find out on Monday. She is scheduled to get another U/S and get the results from all her bloodwork
Other than that - we are here, we are living and trying to keep up.


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Last updated: 30 June 2014
Compassion Care Foundation is a non-profit organization selling solar box cookers, located in Twisp, Washington. Their unique approach is to offer a solar cooker than can be used for cooking at large events, integrated into a commercial venture, or used for an institutional baking operation. They report that 1200 meals can be cooked, or hundreds of loaves of bread can be baked in one day (See also Solar restaurants and bakeries). Their oven is mounted on a trailer for easy transport to various locations. Their Villager Sun Oven is also offered with a complete turnkey package of appropriate cooking accessories, including various cooking pots, pans, and utensils.
Other features of the oven include its ability to reach temperatures of 260°C (500°F), a tracking system to keep it oriented to the sun, and a back-up propane tank. The propane feature allows the oven to be used in rain or shine conditions, or twenty-four hours a day if desired.
They also offer a more conventional, family size well-insulated solar box cooker made of high quality components.
The mission of Compassion Care is to offer sponsorship programs that provide safe, nurturing schools for children whose families have little or no economic means, and medical care for them and their families. In rural villages, Compassion Care provides villagers with medical and dental care, educational facilities for children, food for the hungry, and scholarships for those wishing to attend a university, Trade School, or other institute of higher learning.
At Compassion Care healing is viewed as a process of growth and self-empowerment predicated on nurturing the individual, which necessarily includes love, unconditional acceptance, unbridled encouragement and ceaseless prayer. In addition Compassion Care is committed to providing safe, hygenic water and a nutritious meal to those who have not eaten; creating opportunities for bright, underprivileged youngsters to attend school; making sure clothes and shoes are made available to children who have none. Compassion-Care is also about binding up the deep wounds of want by providing shelter for those who lack a roof over their heads, and teaching indigenous peoples the skills necessary to support themselves and even generate a decent income.
[This text was adapted from http://www.compassion-care.org.]


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I wanted to share a DIY/craft Chloe and I did last week that made me want to do it again which never happens. Trying to get it done, I did not make what we called our Elsa Snowflake straight but it still turned out pretty cool! I of course found it on Pinterest on this website here. The only thing you might not have is the Borax which is found in the laundry isle. You also need:
Pipe Cleaner
2 cups water
Pencil or chopstick
You boil 4 cups of water, pour it in a cup and add 6 Tbs of Borax. Once that is dissolved, you use a pipe cleaner and put it in the shape you want the crystal to be and then wrap a string around it. Attach the string to either a chopstick or pencil so it will hang over the cup. You just let it sit all night and you have a crystal in the morning! I just used a pink pipe cleaner to make it this color or you could use food coloring if you do not have colored pipe cleaner.


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My Sunday column on the weekend's big Republican confab is here, featuring the '08 presidential hopefuls and their delicate dance with the current White House occupant.
But I didn't bother to discuss one sideshow aspect of this Memphis event (although I plan to mention it in print, and in passing, tomorrow). The Republicans held a "straw poll," supposedly designed to measure the level of sentiment for the early '08 prospects.
Oh please.
It's a nice way for grassroots activists to give a little feedback to the process; it's also inevitable fodder for the political journalists who breathe this stuff 24/7 and who are perpetually ravenous for any numbers that might measure anything. But history demonstrates that these exercises are basically a waste of time.
The term "straw poll" is apparently attributable to a 17th-century thinker named John Seldon, who wrote, "Take a straw and throw it up into the Air — you may see by that which way the Wind is." The problem is, the American straw polls seem to suggest that the wind always blows every which way.
For instance, if straw polls meant anything, we would have seen President Pat Robertson. The religious right leader won the Iowa straw poll of 1987, basically because he organized the most people to show up. (For easy identification purposes, they wore revolving lights on their heads.) Robertson wound up fading fast in the 1988 primaries.
And if straw polls meant anything, we would have seen President Alan Cranston. The charismatically-challenged Democratic senator won the Wisconsin straw poll of 1983, largely because he was a peace candidate at the height of the nuclear freeze movement. Cranston wound up as an early dropout in the 1984 primaries.
One could go on. George H. W. Bush won a Maine straw poll in 1979, and was beaten by Ronald Reagan a year later. Texas senator Phil Graham also won a Main straw poll, and never got anywhere close to the nomination.
It all comes down to who can pack the house or hand out the most goodies. Steve Forbes finished second in the 1999 Iowa straw poll (it was perhaps the high point of his '00 campaign), in part because he had the best food and the best hospitality tent. The tent, as I recall from being there, featured French doors.
So that brings us to the Tennessee straw poll last night. Maybe it's sheer unmitigated coincidence, but the first-place finisher in Tennessee was the senator from Tennessee, Bill Frist. His victory had little to do with his speech, which was easily the most tepid of all the '08 hopefuls. No, his victory can be attributed to the three busloads of loyalists who were brought in from nearby towns. So if you see the MSNBC website headline today that reads "Sen. Frist passes first test for 2008," you might want to ask, "What test? That he can pull 526 straw poll votes - 36.9 percent of the total - on his own home turf?"
But if I was compelled to annoint somebody who did well, it would be Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts. He finished second (14.4 percent), in a region where he is arguably little known. That should give him bragging rights for a day or so.


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We welcome global business travelers for one-of-a-kind conferences, meetings, and events. Each of our eight venues—comprising 18,000 square feet—have a distinct charm, incorporating traditional Mexican design elements and highlighting sea views.
Celebrating the haciendas of Mexico, the Hacienda Ballroom features lively floral mosaics, sand-colored arches, iron chandeliers, and a soaring beamed ceiling. This rustic, elegant space can host more than 1,000 guests theater-style or be divided into three sections for more intimate events. The adjacent Hacienda Foyer provides the perfect spot for cocktails. Up to 200 guests can mix and mingle outside on the terrace before a reception or after a meeting.
Smaller meeting rooms like the Arcos and Cristal Rooms are great places for board meetings and presentations, and can be configured in multiple ways. Arcos features beamed ceilings and rich red and gold décor. In Cristal, you'll find vaulted brick ceilings, a living room, and en-suite restrooms.
When business has concluded for the evening, impress your guests with an unforgettable dinner in an enchanting Chapel with stained glass windows, an antique door, and soaring atrium.
Just steps from Tortugas Beach, the Palapa Fiesta is a spacious gazebo that hosts up to 150 for casual celebrations or plated dinners. We are happy to set up a banquet on pristine sands of the beach itself. Even our Delfines Pool can become a refreshing venue for a banquet of 100 or a reception of 150. From its vantage, guests can admire the spectacular golf course views.