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Monday, 25 April 2011
Our Central Bank proves its worth
Well, a stunning new report silences the begrudgers in a single stroke and demonstrates conclusively the value of this excellent (if highly expensive) organisation.
For example, in a shocking discovery, the authors tell us that "the rise in unemployment, wage cuts, and increases in interest rates have acute implications for people at a personal level"
Well, who could have guessed?
And then there's this finding which, honestly, left me stunned: "The severe decline in the performance of the Irish property sector allied to the post-2007 global economic down-turn has had a distinctly harsh impact on the Irish economy"
Crikey! Did you know that? An Irish property bust? Well, it's news to me.
And, based on these dramatic findings, the report concludes with an ominous forecast which will bring the country's current celebratory mood to a jarring halt. "This suggests that many Irish households will soon experience difficulties with their mortgage repayments"
You know, I hate to say it, but they could be right. Just maybe.
Anyway, with such original research, dramatic findings, and innovative conclusions, I think the CBI has fully demonstrated its value, once and for all.
Ok, sarcasm off. The CBI, like the rating agencies, excels at arriving at a wake and pronouncing the corpse to be dead. They are totally useless for anything else. Armies of economists, at enormous cost, labour to come up with useless rubbish like this while the country flounders. I despair.
32 comments:
- Bemused stare said...
And people wonder why I think we might have a better chance if we put twelve year old kids in charge of the whole show.
It must have taken a staggering amount of effort to breed such a gang of hopeless pillocks.
- 25 April 2011 at 10:57
@ Savant
"The CBI, like the rating agencies, excels at arriving at a wake and pronouncing the corpse to be dead."
Well, you forgot to mention that central banks are in the habit of organ harvesting the half rotten, already liquified remains of the patient so that his diseases may spread further.
After all, when the markets fall out of bed and the bonus season short of expectations, it is only fair that all sectors of industry, all citizens great and little, should partake in the pain and do so in exponential measure.
- 25 April 2011 at 14:46
Oh - I forgot to make one prediction which I want to share and have on the record.
Now that inflation is picking up in many, many places of the world, the central banks will soon be flooded with demands for additional money and most of them make a show of initial hesitancy but in the end will gladly oblige.
At first, this seems counter-intuitive to a thinking person. Fighting inflation with more paper money? However, history has shown time and time again that the victims of inflationary fires are the ones most loudly demandaing that more petrol be poured on the flames.
It will go like this: At some point (three months or three years from now) a barrel of oil will set you back $300. The population at large will demand help in dealing with the ensuing price rises in everything. After all - we need more money to pay these prices!
The political class will answer by subsidizing basic foodstuffs and energy at least for those on the dole, maybe the whole population.
As the tax base has gone dry by then, these subsidies will be paid for with newly created fiat confetti, thus furthering the effects of inflation.
It will be tantamount to fighting a Heroin overdose with more Skag, but to most people it will seem a perfectly good idea at the time.
- 25 April 2011 at 15:20
Franz - I think you're correct about inflation. Don't forget also that it's easy to inflate away your debts. I think this is waht the Fed is doing. Collapsing the value of the dollar is also collapsing the real cost of paying off the Chinese and Japanese.
- 25 April 2011 at 17:48
In the case of merging Anglo with whoever to bring us Unabanc "It lives!It lives!"
- 25 April 2011 at 18:55
You're right about no need for a CB. Or at least one drastically cut down (20% of previous size). But just like the HSE all the drones had to keep their jobs.
- 25 April 2011 at 22:11
Don't worry Savant, the Irish people have other things to worry about. According to the Indo the trials and tribulations mixed race couples go through http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/independent-woman/love-sex/so-whats-life-really-like-for-mixedrace-couples-in-ireland-2011-2629114.html
- 26 April 2011 at 17:58
Fat, dirty and disgusting North American Pavement Ape walks into a Walgreens pharmacy and nonchalantly pisses on 110 packets of cough drops.
How goddamn more disgusting will these creatures become?
- 26 April 2011 at 18:56
Well Derek, I suppose it's a somewhat reassuring th\at the 'mixed-race couples' are having problems. I don't mind the Chinese-Irish thing really, it's the blacks and ragheads that piss me off. Also reassuring to see that one of the Nigerian sperm donors was deported. But doubtless the European Court will force us to take him back.
- 26 April 2011 at 21:43
Whatever about the jig pissing on the cough drops, what "pissed" me off was the advert before for UPS. Here another jig explains to the dumb white man what logistics are all about. Cue several other blacks in top positions. The only time they get involved in logistics is when they're transporting drugs!
- 26 April 2011 at 21:53
- Bemused stare said...
"How goddamn more disgusting will these creatures become?"
You know that you really don't want the answer to that, don't you? If that alarmed you, a visit to Chimpout.com will give you sleepless nights. There is no limit to the depravity of these fetid beasts.
- 26 April 2011 at 22:08
@ Ironman
And they aren't really good at bringing drugs from point A to point B either.
It seems as though the only people moving serious weight are the Zetas, Zips and assorted professionals with severely lower levels of skin pigmentation.
The only thing blacks are good for is slinging dime bags at the corner.
Think about it: You choose one thing and one thing only to do in your whole life and still manage to remain so inept at it that you are merely able to pick up the crumbs others left behind.
No wonder the darkies have a chip on their shoulder.
- 26 April 2011 at 22:09
I don't mind the Chinese-Irish thing really
Their children, if they have them, can never have the same interests as white children.
The "white" in such a relationship isn't.
Granted, it's a little less serious for a man; mixed children of white fathers tend to be less anti-white than the mixed children of white mothers.
- 26 April 2011 at 22:36
The product of the probability of the correctness of a forecast and the proportion of people who have heard and believe the forecast is less than or equal to phi.
Anyone catch Ben Bernanke's "Historic" press conference today? It's the first of what are to be regular press conferences.
- 27 April 2011 at 21:11
Tell me these people are not taking the piss ...
BRITAIN faces a fresh wave of migrants from next Sunday, when rules on benefits are relaxed.
As many as 100,000 people from eastern Europe are expected to head for the UK after May 1, when they will be able to claim up to £250 a week in handouts.
Sir Andrew Green, chairman of the monitoring body MigrationWatch UK, said last night: "This needs to be watched very carefully. Nobody knows what impact it will have."
He is particularly concerned about what would happen once similar "transitional controls" on immigrants from Bulgaria and Romania are lifted in two years' time, with fears that Roma people would race to take advantage.
Immigrants from eight countries – including Poland and Hungary, which joined the European Union in 2004 – will get automatic rights to Jobseeker's Allowance, housing and council tax benefit. Rules that prohibit eastern bloc migrants from accepting the handouts unless they have worked here continuously for a year must be lifted to comply with EU requirements.
Like anyone not actually living and working in England, I await events with great interest.
Uncle Nasty
- 27 April 2011 at 22:43
These new UK regulations, and Bernanke's pathetic interview plus his refusal to raise interest rates. Folks, we're GOING DOWN! Grab what life-saving equipment you can, because the lunatics are running the asylum.
- 27 April 2011 at 23:07
@ Anon 20:11
I watched the prices of silver and gold simultaneously to Benocide's quivering performance. As I am invested in both, I am now positively exuberant.
I was wondering what particular spin the chairsatan might employ to explain the dollar's confetti trajectory. He surprised me by simply claiming that his current policy is in effect a "strong dollar policy" and that's it.
It was like some Soviet aparachik in the late 80s explaining to the starving masses that "well, tractor production is up!"
If Benocide is commited to repeat his performance on a regular basis, I will program my computer to buy gold concurrent with the beginning of the press conference and sell at the end. Should be the day-trade of the decade!
Also, US readers should fill their cars with gas BEFORE the chairsatan opens his mouth, for their purchasing power will have degraded by the time he is finished speaking half an hour later.
- 27 April 2011 at 23:19
'If Benocide is commited to repeat his performance on a regular basis, I will program my computer to buy gold concurrent with the beginning of the press conference and sell at the end. Should be the day-trade of the decade!
- 27 April 2011 at 23:35
- hooker said...
Have you noticed that all of these bastards in top public sector posditions are looking after themselves as well as ever. The rest of us are being hit right left and centre.
- 28 April 2011 at 23:33
I think you will like this ...
My TinyURL is acting up so please forgive the unwieldy address.
Essence of the matter?
Iceland Declares Independence from International Banks
By Bill Wilson –
Iceland is free. And it will remain so, so long as her people wish to remain autonomous of the foreign domination of her would-be masters — in this case, international bankers.
On April 9, the fiercely independent people of the island-nation defeated a referendum that would have bailed out the UK and the Netherlands who had covered the deposits of British and Dutch investors who had lost funds in Icesave bank in 2008.
At the time of the bank's failure, Iceland refused to cover the losses. But the UK and Netherlands nonetheless have demanded that Iceland repay them for the "loan" as a condition for admission into the European Union.
In response, the Icelandic people have told Europe to go pound sand. The final vote was 103,207 to 69,462, or 58.9 percent to 39.7 percent. "Taxpayers should not be responsible for paying the debts of a private institution," said Sigriur Andersen, a spokeswoman for the Advice group that opposed the bailout.
ooh, I like it.
Uncle Nasty
- 1 May 2011 at 22:30
Amazing what you find ...
California Seizing Safe Deposit Boxes to Balance Budget
The State of California turned their unclaimed property program into a $5.1 billion slush fund. Over the years, and through multiple budget crises, California reduced the holding period for unclaimed property from 15 years down to three. Desperate to pay for their political largesse, Californian legislators even pushed to reduce the holding time for rightful owners to claim their property down to only 1 year.
They stopped sending notices to the rightful owners too. In an internal memo obtained by ABC News, the lawyer for California's Bureau of Unclaimed Property objected to efforts to find the owners because "It could well result in additional claims of monies that would otherwise flow into the general fund."
Yes, you've got it right. While most states keep unclaimed property in a special trust fund, California puts the money into the general fund to spend as fast as they can.
Despite court injunctions and class action lawsuits, California's Bureau of Unclaimed Property continues making up any excuse they can to steal citizen's private property.
Look like they've run out of the silverware to steal and sell. They're now rummaging in your garage to steal your bottles for the deposit.
California now ... rest of the world, tomorrow.
Uncle Nasty
- 1 May 2011 at 22:49
Just for Fun ... my belated Easter gift to the group.
Bookmark this site:-
Very, very highly recommended. These guys publish articles that other blogs only see weeks later ... and the MSM never see at all.
Uncle Nasty
- 1 May 2011 at 23:26
Sorry to disappoint you Uncle Nasty. Much and all as I'd like to see the Icelander's score on this, the vote really gets them nowhere. If the international banks choose to stick it to them they could find themsleves literally starved out. Also, if they try alternative sources they could end up paying more than the rejected deal would have cost them.............
- 1 May 2011 at 23:34
Croesus said...
... If the international banks choose to stick it to them they could find themsleves literally starved out. Also, if they try alternative sources they could end up paying more than the rejected deal would have cost them......
Croesus, You are probably absolutely correct in your analysis, but, by the same token, those countries -- the rest of us -- who chose the path of dropping 'em, bending over and greasing up, are not doing all that well, either.
By allowing this behavior to occur once, we have established a precedent for all time -- after all the next bailout is being negotiated as we speak. And the one after that.
And so on, ad nauseum, until the inevitable collapse ... and then, no one's got anything, anyway.
Cheerful bugger, Aren't I?
Uncle Nasty
- 2 May 2011 at 01:47
I suggest you check this out.
Check the deals that were cut immediately after WW1 and compare them with what is happening today ...
Yea, verily and forsooth, there is literally nothing new under the sun.
A very short quote:-
The First President of the World.
In June of 1919, the victorious powers were in Paris deliberating over the best way to carve up Europe. With each national delegation came a coterie of financial advisors: Paul Warburg negotiating for the Americans and Max Warburg defending the interests of the Germans. Woodrow Wilson found his hour amongst this milieu of dignitaries.
Whattaya know? Two Red Sea Pedestrians, sharing a name --- on the opposite sides of the table.
Just coincidence -- of course.
Uncle Nasty
PS. I've just had a really depressing thought.
What if, a hundred years from now, our descendants (the two dozen white ones that are left), having a discussion on their implanted cellphones, point to this blog and say:-
"Damn ... those old bastards knew what was going on even then.
Why didn't they do something then ... when you still could?"
Why, indeed?
- 2 May 2011 at 08:49
Amazing - and chilling - story about the Warburgs. Where do you dig these things up, UN?
- 2 May 2011 at 14:13
Asterix said...
Amazing - and chilling - story about the Warburgs. Where do you dig these things up, UN?
It's actually no big deal, Asterix. You acquire a few links to favoured sites, and then look at the links they, in turn, supply to their articles and the "Favourite" sites they link to.
A great example is the "Check Out" column, right here on Savant's Home Page.
Click on any one and ... Bingo. A whole new world.
- 4 May 2011 at 05:21
Can just imagine, the Warburgs engaging in tough and unpredictable nogotiations with one another.
- 4 May 2011 at 13:24
Reg and savant ... this does not bode well ..
Beware - Starving Beast lashes out
Irelands public debt now stands at €120,000 per worker, a staggering figure. Instead of growing the economy organically, they rushed into Europe and the Eurozone, binged on "new found wealth" that never existed in the first place and declared themselves "Celtic Tigers".
In a VERY sinister move, the Irish government has decided that rather than simply default and upset the private bondholders (banks, hedge funds) that it owes, it will raid the private pensions and savings of Irish citizens instead.
Reg? Savant? Comments?
Uncle Nasty
- 7 May 2011 at 23:58
- SAVANT said...
UN - this is absolutely correct. WE have made a complete balls of it and yes, the 'government' is now set to raid the private savings and pensions of those of us who were prudent. The big gamblers (banks, developers) can simply dump their debts on the rest of us. The only thing is that with figures of this magnitude it won't be possible to pay off.
- 8 May 2011 at 09:28
Reg and Savant ... it's the bearer of bad tidings again ...
The article:-
Ireland's future depends on breaking free from bailout
OPINION: Ireland is heading for bankruptcy, which would be catastrophic for a country that trades on its reputation as a safe place to do business, writes MORGAN KELLY
WITH THE Irish Government on track to owe a quarter of a trillion euro by 2014, a prolonged and chaotic national bankruptcy is becoming inevitable. By the time the dust settles, Ireland's last remaining asset, its reputation as a safe place from which to conduct business, will have been destroyed.
Ireland is facing economic ruin.
Surely there is someone who you can kidnap -- and if necessary, kneecap?
I am being quite serious here. It would be a very small price to pay ... for the greater good.
Not for him, of course. For you.
Uncle Nasty
- 9 May 2011 at 08:25
@UN - re Prof Kelly's analysis, the solution he proposes in not practical. The damage is done. Every day that goes by another bondholder escapes the net.
- 9 May 2011 at 21:03


text:
Hi Everyone...
Do any of you know where the challenge Blue Monday is?
I saw it, but now I can't find it!
Your help would really be appreciated.
For free BLOGGING SEMINARS AND TUTORIALS, click the tabs below. I am sorry, but I am not available for personal blogging questions as I am writing full-time and my work takes precedence.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Does anyone know?
Posted by Cindy Adkins at 3:51 PM
3 comments:
- mle said...
Hi Cindy!
Is this what you were looking for?
happy friday : )
- July 16, 2010 at 4:08 PM
- Cindy Adkins said...
Oh yes,
That's it!!! Thank you so much!!! I couldn't find it on Google search...I wanted to send it to a friend of mine because she made such a pretty blue picture...Hugs, Cindy
- July 16, 2010 at 5:29 PM
- Fabric Art said...
Thanks for the link Cindy it seems to be a fun challenge blog. Have a nice weekend.
Hugs Anni
- July 17, 2010 at 2:48 PM
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subset: commoncrawl


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"What Narnia teaches by analog is generally consistent with the historic Christian faith and meant to create confidence in it; what The Shack teaches using literal characterization is subversive of the Christian faith and meant to undermine it. My counsel, then, is to enter Narnia but stay out of The Shack."
A new article from Tim Challies about the difference between Narnia and The Shack.
More about the problems in The Shack:


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Friday, September 14, 2012 – 21:27
Hassan Ashour
Confirmed Henry Kissinger and former U.S. Secretary of State's 89-year-old that Iran is the kickoff in the third world war that Israel will have to kill as many Arabs as possible and occupy half of the Middle East.
Kissinger said in an interview he conducted with the newspaper "Daily scape" U.S. and published by news agency "Ona": We have informed the U.S. military that we are compelled to occupy the seven countries in the Middle East because of its strategic importance to us, especially as it contains oil and other economic resources, leaving only one step, a striking Iran and when moving China and Russia Ghafootehma would be "Big Bang" and the Great War, which will not win with only one force is Israel, America and Israel will fight with all my strength and weapon to kill the largest possible number of Arabs and occupation half the Middle East.
He added that the drums of war now ticking in the Middle East and strongly and do not hear it certainly "deaf."
The Kissinger that if all goes as it should, it will be half the Middle East to Israel and said, "We have received our youth in America and the West well trained in the fighting over the past decade and when receiving orders to go out to the streets and fight those" chins crazy, "I will obey commands and يحولونهم to ashes.
The Kissinger that Iran will be the final nail in the coffin, which processers America and Israel both Iran and Russia after it has been granted the opportunity to recover and a sense of false power and then Sasagtan and forever to build a society new world will not only be a single force and a single government is world government super Bauer has dreamed a lot of this moment historical.


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President Barack Obama stops to view the moon and Venus before boarding Marine One in Boulder, Colo., April 24, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
This official White House photograph is being made available only for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House.
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Taken on April 24, 2012


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Just to let you know, Mo Manning has a free digi on her site to celebrate the 4th of July. However, it is available until the 5th July until 9pm :)
For those of you who are interested I have attached the link below for you.
Enjoy, Sonia x
If you would like it the link is: https://www.facebook.com/
Maurie J Manning is the author and illustrator of THE AUNTS GO MARCHING, an ALA Notable Book and KITCHEN DANCE which Kirkus called "In the Night Kitchen uncloaked." NEW this spring from Clarion, LAUNDRY DAY, which has so far received starred reviews from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly. She is also...
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One of my favorite things to order at Olive Garden is soup, salad, and breadsticks. And my favorite soup is Zuppa Toscano. I created my own version, using parts of this recipe and parts of a recipe given to me by my sister-in-law. It is one of the most flavorful soups I've ever had! No need to head out to Olive Garden now!
Here's what you need:
5 Italian sausage links, casings removed
4-6 russet potatoes
1 onion, diced
2 teas minced garlic
2 cans chicken broth
2 cans beef broth, plus one can of water
1 cup frozen chopped spinach
1 cup half-and-half
To remove the casing from the sausges, simply slice the link down the middle and peel the casing back. Then break up the sausages in a large stock pot and cook for a few minutes.
While the sausage is cooking, slice your potatoes. I didn't peel mine. I like the earthiness and rusticity of leaving the peels on. I just scrubbed them well, then sliced them in half length-wise. Slice each half into 1/4 slices.
Add the potatoes, onions and garlic to the pot. Cook until the potatoes start to soften, stirring often. Pour in the broth and water.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes. Add the chopped spinach and simmer for another 5 minutes. You can leave the spinach out if your family doesn't like it. Or you can use fresh chopped spinach if you have it on hand.
Stir in the half and half and heat through. Ladle into bowls and serve.
You can, of course, spice this up by using hot Italian sausage if you wish. My kids don't like spicy foods, so that's not an option for me. I prefer non-spicy anyway!
If you like Olive Garden's Toscano soup, you're going to love this!
For more yummy recipes, visit Blessed with Grace's Tempt My Tummy Tuesday.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
6 comments:
This looks delicious! I love a good soup! Will give this a try. Thanks for sharing!ReplyDelete
I LOVE Zuppa Toscano soup--I've been wondering if I could recreate something similar at home, I am so going to try this!ReplyDelete
I don't think I've noticed that on their menu probbaly cause my eye stops at the veg. soup LOL thanks for stopping by, I'll have to give this one a try!ReplyDelete
This soup used to be one of my favorites as well, I just stopped eating meat. I may have to give this a try with veggie sausage. YUM! Thanks for stopping by my blog!ReplyDelete
We love this soup! Thanks for sharing - I can't wait to try it! :)ReplyDelete
Ohm this sounds really good too. I think everyone on my house will really like this!ReplyDelete
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It has been almost month since I did my "Pinterest Hits & Misses" post, and of course I have since experimented with plenty more Pinterest finds. Which means...dun, dun, dun, DUN: time for Pinterest Hits & Misses, Part 2!
So Which Pins have been HITS and which ones have been MISSES?
The Pin: Caramel in a can!
The Claim: Though the pin says "caramel", the blog connected to the pin claims that you can make dulce de leche in your slow cooker, all easy peasy. Just submerge a can (literally, an unopened can) of condensed milk in water in your slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours, and voila--dulce de leche.
The Verdict: A Hit! I read that the can of condensed milk could stain your slow cooker, so I transferred the milk to a canning jar, and followed the directions. I took it out after 8 hours and it looked gorgeously brown (another benefit of doing it in a glass jar: you can see what it looks like). I waited a few hours before opening it (to prevent it from exploding in my face), and was thrilled with the results! I drizzled it over my Chocolate Chess Pie, over ice cream, and I have even eaten it straight from the jar. It is ridiculously delicious!
|My result: dulce de leche!
The Claim: Turn a regular shirt into a super soft shirt, by simply soaking it in salt water for 3 days, and then wash.
The Verdict: Miss. I was super disappointed about this one. I'm a sucker for soft clothes. My whole wardrobe is a tribute to being comfortable (which is why I have ten times more flip flops than I do heels). So I was really excited when I saw this pin. I made sure my water was super salty, and I submerged the shirt for 4 days. I washed it, and it feels exactly the same to me. The only change I was able to detect was perhaps a slight fade of color. Not the result I was hoping for.
The Claim: Cut a lemon in half, dip it in kosher salt, and use the lemon to scrub the soap scum off your shower doors.
The Verdict: Miss. Which is too bad, because in the last Pinterest Hits & Misses post, I attempted the Dawn & Vinegar shower cleaner trick, and that also didn't work. So my shower doors are still streaked with soap scum. One day I'll find the right trick! This method, however, apparently makes your shower door taste delicious; I found my daughter licking the shower door later that day.
|Before and After shots; the "after" shot only looks better because I had to use a wet sponge afterwards to get off the salt, which removed the easier less soap scummy areas. The main soap scum is clearly still there.
The Claim: Use baking soda and warm water to remove sweat stains
The Verdict: A Hit! Since becoming a Stay At Home Mama, fighting my husband's sweat stains on his t-shirts has become a weekly battle. A battle that I lose. These stains are a mix of sweat and deodorant that penetrate the shirt so much that it leaves it stiff; and even worse, they still smell after I wash it. So of course I was willing to give the baking soda trick a chance. I grabbed one of my husband's "clean" shirts that had bad stains. I mixed enough warm water with baking soda to make a paste, and rubbed it on the armpit stains. I let it sit for a few hours, laundered as usual, and set outside in the sun to dry. Result? Amazing! There was barely any visible stain left, and the smell was completely gone. I then repeated this method with every single one of my husband's shirts that had stains. However, there were a few where it did not work. I guess the stains on those were just too bad. Another theory I've been considering is that the baking soda/water paste lost its potency as time went on (it was a few of the later shirts that didn't work). So to be on the safe side, I recommend applying the paste immediately after you mix it.
|Before & After
-------------------------------------------------------------------The Pin: Clean Sweat Stains
The Claim: Yes, this is the same pin as the one above. It also suggests that white vinegar will remove sweat stains.
The Verdict: Miss. Kind of. I used the same t-shirt as the above baking soda method (at the same time), but did vinegar on the other side. I saturated it in white vinegar, let it sit for a few hours, laundered, and sat out in the sun. The stain had reduced some, but the smell was definitely still there. The other side--the baking soda side--did remarkably better.
|Before & After
The Pin: Clean Oil/Grease Stains of Clothes (I can no longer find the pin)
The Claim: Use dish detergent to get rid of those oil stains
The Verdict: Hit! I even used a stain that had already sat for a few days, then was sent through the washing machine and dryer. Which means that stain was really set. I put some dish detergent on the stain, rubbed it in, let it sit for an hour, laundered, and voila--stain was gone. Take that, olive oil stain!
|Before & After
The Pin: Make your Whites Whiter
The Claim: Wash your whites in HOT water (I actually boiled a pot of water and added it to the washer), bleach, dish detergent, laundry detergent, and borax to get them super white.
The Verdict: Hit! I'm constantly trying to whiten my white sheets, and while I've managed to keep them from looking too dingy (using oxyclean, bleach, and/or vinegar), this trick really did make them whiter.
|Before & After
Well, those are all my Pinterest attempts for this month. I have several more in the works, but I haven't finished them yet. I'll be sure to do a Part 3! And then a Part 4! Until then, let me know if there are any that you want me to try out for you! (And for the record, I do take donations for anyone that wants me to try out that trip to Bora Bora for them).


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Monday, 19 July 2010
Liam is three!
blogger, who was also inspired by The Idea Room.
My cake started out looking like a bunch of very colourful pancakes, which I had to cool and store overnight in my locked pantry.
Both Liam and Noah were pretty impressed with the cake. I missed Liam's excited expression when I cut the cake and he was able to see the colourful layers, although Maxx was able to catch it on video.
He was pretty excited about his new red tricycle too!
9 comments:
Oh *YUM* ... the cutting rainbow effect is fantastic!!! What a great cake, what a lucky boy!!!! Looks like turning 3 was pretty cool!ReplyDelete
very cool cake! Ollys birthday is soon! I think I now have an idea :)ReplyDelete
Fantastic cake!ReplyDelete
Congratulations and Happy Birthday to Liam. Hip Hip Hooray!!!ReplyDelete
... and a big bravo to you Carmel - that cake is AMAZINGLY ACE!!! Love it.
happy birthday to the little man but wow, great job on the cake! seen the rainbow cake around, amazingReplyDelete
Carmel that cake is amazing!! Can you make one for my birthday next year??!!! I love it.ReplyDelete
The trike looks fab too - glad he had a lovely day.
3 is a wonderful age to be. And that cake is amazing! I know my kids would love that.ReplyDelete
Happy Birthday Liam!ReplyDelete
And wow what a cake!
Huge happy birthday to Liam! The cake looks fantastic and I bet he just loves the adorable trikeReplyDelete


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When I was nine I was sexually abused by my older brother who was 13 at the time. Those assaults lasted for some time, until I guess he grew out of it. I never told anyone about those incidents and I just learned to try to act as if they never happened. But as hard as I tried I couldn't stop it from messing me up.
Growing up I found myself struggling with my sexuality. Even though I think that I have homosexual preferences I keep running away from any relationship once it starts getting sexual. It's not that I don't like sex because believe me I like it too much for my own good, it's sexual encounters that I fear the most. I just can't think of sex as a result of a loving relationship, to me sex could never mix with love. Sexual encounters tainted my life, how can I choose to go there!
I've been living in the shame of letting that happen to me when I was old enough to just say no. Sometimes I think that I allowed it to happen because of the attention that he was given me, which I never received from anyone else. I can't blame him without blaming myself, because I could have said no. I guess I'm just another victim of incest, or another attention whore! I'll leave it for you to decide.
And please I don't need anyone of you smart asses to give me some of your stupid "tough love". When we come here to confess we expose ourselves, we're being vulnerable and trust me the last thing that we need is you all acting as if you're better than us because you had easier lives! Who are you to judge us based on our suffering! I guess I'm getting carried away so I'll just wrap this up.


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Assalamualaikum wbt,
Pertamanya, saya ucapkan terima kasih kepada semua kawan-kawan yang prihatin terhadap masalah yang kami sekeluarga hadapi. Saya bersyukur dengan perhatian yang kawan-kawan berikan, dan berasa amat bersyukur diatas bantuan kewangan dan juga doa-doa yang kawan-kawan berikan.
Chronology :
- January 2009 diagnose with end stage renal failure, with kidney failure of 60%
- February 2009 doctor advice to implant fistula for dialysys purposes
- March 2009- only 3% of kidney functions, hence starts dialysys
- March 2009 - Wife inform Bank Islam about my conditions, informing about our difficulties of paying the house installments . Wife also acknowledged them about our needs of applying for mrta due to my illness.
- April 2009 - Due to kidney failure and on going dialysys of 3 times per week, with 4 hour per session for a lifetime. Therefore,i opt for pencen kelilatan kekal from socso. Which means had to stop working, and receive pencen of 50% from current sallary. This must be approved by panel doctors of socso. Applied for these on April, had to wait for turns to be called for the interviews by panel socso doctors.
- May 2009 attend interview by socso for keilatan kekal at Hops. pakar Sultanah Aminah Jb. Doctor advice me to work as usual and go for dialysys at nite. Huhu easier for them to say, but i know my body cannot take it, at least at the moment. With the pressure at work, and the nausea during and after dialysys, i knew i had to opt for ilat kekal. Furthermore, there's no dialysys center that open at nite, and if i decides to continue working, everytime i need to go for dialysys, there'll be salary cut. Ended up, half of my salary will be cut every month. That's why i decide to opt for pencen ilat kekal. However, it's quite hard to convince the doctors, after few discussion doctors agree to pronouce me ilat kekal due to my end stage renal failure.
- May 2009 - Got letters from socso certifying that i'm eligible for socso ilat kekal with pencen of 50% from current salary.
- May 2009 - submitted letters from panel socso of certifying i'm ilat kekal to current office and to Bank Islam for mrta.
- May 2009 - Inform bank islam that we are applying for takaful mrta and asked what are the documents needed. We submitted all the documents to bank islam officer incharge at jb head office.
- June 2009 - Take out the tube that had been hanging at my neck for the last 3 months. Start dialysys using my left hand, huhu what a pain the first time doing it.
- June 2009 - After settling with socso, arranged for schools changed for my two daughters. I decided to move back to Melaka since i'm not working, so better stay at our own house. Furthermore, my late father was not doing well with his heart and diabetic problems.
- July 2009 - Finally we are all in Melaka. Wife open a kiosk of branded kids wear. I use up my epf contribution to set up the business, with the hope that after few months operating, we can apply for business grants for govt., ie: smidec, belianiaga etc.
- July 2009 - still waiting for a reply from bank islam since we had submitted all the documents needed. Been calling them day by day asking for progress, with a promise from them will get back to us as soon as possible. Huhuhu
- August 2009 - Been contacting bank islam but no positive responses. This gives us pressure because wife wants to proceed for loans for capital and rolling. For information, bank islam had blacklisted us both for the amount of rm 225,xxx . whoa what a big sum and any institution would be scared to finance us. Actually we bought the house for the amount of rm 97,000 plus mrta and all.Since it is islamic financing, when there's arrears even it is small, all unpaid amount for the lang of 30years will be published huhu. That's the weaknesses of islamic financing i can say.
- August 2009 - Me and wife went to bank islam malacca branch, met with the officer. We were surprised when the officer informed us that malacca branch didn't receive any information nor documents about the claims. And they even have guts talking in front of me saying that bank islam don;t cover for critical illnessess only death. I was shocked, hello.. i'm still alive and i kept the takaful cert that explains that the insurance covers 36 critical illnesses and that includes end stage renal failure. That shows how ignorance the staff is.
- August 2009 - The same day after 'nice meeting' with the bank islam officers, we rush to takaful nasional branch in malacca. There in takaful office, the staff also have no such information.... i'm tired and frustrated at that time.. 3 months of time is wasted..from the day wife submitted the documents until august no actions taken. We were hushed around like stupids.
- September 2009- M e and wife have to compile all the documents, letters from doctors, socso etc to takaful. Takaful said that they will liase with bank islam. But surprisingly bank islam doesn't want to co-operate. Here, again i met with the officer ..same officer at bank islam, and he told me that all the needed documents i need to prepare myself. And if they didn't receive the money, they will lelong our house and declare us bancruptcy. Aku time tu cam..ahhh..nak lelong pulak? bukan ke dah terang2 umah tu ada insurans.. tergamak pegawai tu berlagak camtu sekali. Siap print kan surat nak lelong and bankrup notis tu, ti aku attachkan kat cni.
- September 2009 - Went to Bank Islam southern Regional office in JB, to clarify about the house status since we cannot get useful information from bank islam staff in malacca.
- October 2009- File complaints to BIRO PENGADUAN AWAM about takaful nasional and bank islam.


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This missing core, the damaged self, seems to want to pump itself up with acceptance and even praise from others. We must, in the end, praise and celebrate ourselves. There is this notion I think that people should behave certain ways online and in public, but the fact is there are very damaged people in this world. Recently people have been hyper-critical of a poet, a Pulitzer Prize winning poet too. They use words like "paranoid" and "unstable" to describe him and when people seem to sympathize with him, I understand why Nietzsche despised pity. They say most poets have been hurt or damaged in some way, and I think poetry by its very nature is about a person's need to have a voice, to be heard, and nowhere does that spring forth more than from a difficult and alienating childhood. I sense have a lot in common with this despised and now pitied poet.
Secretively, I cheer him on at times because I understand the rage, the feeling of outsider, the frustration with not being heard. And more importantly, I agree poetry has all too often become an insider's game, an academics game, a game of who-knows-who, but today I have hope! Hope because I sense most everyone is feeling the same way no matter the amount of their "success." Even a Pulitzer Prize winner gets fed-up with the goings on in Po-biz. I think most poets feel themselves outsiders to a degree. I think people
are focused so heavily on the mental illness of said poet, they cannot see the forest for the trees. It's true that unseemly behavior is uncool, but there is indeed, in my opinion a whole lot of whopping truth about what this man said. This is of course true in part because I am not in academia, and have never really been "accepted" and this stirs those feelings of shame and alienation.
This need to have a voice springs forth from having been silenced, and this too can happen culturally. Being of mixed-heritage makes it even worse I think because one can not fit in either culture or ethnicity. One is always at odds with "success" and "fitting-in". This is why large groups of Latinos band together in poetry land. It is necessary. And at times, unseemly behavior seems necessary, but of course diplomacy is what's needed? Sometimes I think diplomacy has Latinos getting crumbs from the literary world. Not only crumbs, but stale crumbs. When the likes of big name poets only know one Latino name, we have a problem.
Overall, my wandering through the field of self-promotion has me still feeling awkward, foolish etc. But one must press forth and shout out one's "successes" from the rooftops? I'm not so sure. I have to think further on this. There still, it seems to me, seems something unseemly about the whole thing.
I am very lucky to have a supportive editor and a supportive press at this point in my life. It was very much needed. Now, I will look through the mock-up of the book and press forward. All is well. I am very blessed when this book comes out, and I have to not let the fears of invisibility overrun myself. Be still. Meditate on the good things you have in life I tell myself. There is so much to be thankful for here and now. In my hometown the weather is phenomenal. Now, I think it's time to get to work.


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segunda-feira, 5 de março de 2012
un texto no es un libro
Link para o artigo: http://www.revistaenie.clarin.com/literatura/ebooks-libro-unidad-existencial_0_652734739.html
physical books x digital books??
1. Physical books never run low on batteries.
2. Much more efficiently than with digital books, you can put your finger in your spot in a physical book, flip back and forth in it as needed, and then go right back to your spot.
3. You can put physical books in multiple places (desk, bedside, bathroom) to remind you to read more often. You lack that visual cue to read the digital books that are hidden in the hard drive of your iPad.
4. It's faster to reference a book when all you have to do is pull it off the shelf and open it up.
5. Printed books ignite all your senses. I like the smell of a new book, and the texture of the pages' edges under my thumb. I get more pleasure from a glance at the design of the cover before I open the book, compared to the immediate transport to where I left off in my Kindle app. And the thud of closing a book, after you've finished, it has a triumphant ring to it – one that the puny speaker of a mobile device can never reproduce.
6. Physical books are easier to loan, borrow, and give (especially in bulk).
7. Because the pagination changes based on your text size, it's difficult to follow and contribute to a group discussion about a book if you are one of the few who read it in iBooks.
8. The ability to write in the margins provides much more freedom to develop your own note taking style.
9. It's easier to keep track of your progress while reading a physical book.
10. The context of a digital book, since it consists of apps, makes a high level of focus difficult to achieve. It sucks away the attention you can give to what you are reading, even if you have the discipline not to check sports scores or email, because the other stuff on your device is in the back of your mind.Fonte: http://pastoralized.com/2012/02/10/10-reasons-why-physical-books-are-still-better-than-digital-books/
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text: Hi all, if you haven't already noticed there are a few changes to the blog! Not many, but it gives you a little idea of what is to come with the new look Little Pinwheel. Come back today as you just might see what has been going on! I cannot wait to share it all with you; it has been a fun ride, lots of late nights, chocolate, wine and square eyes! For now.... here is my lovely new logo designed by the divine Miss S from Style Me Gorgeous.


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Saturday, November 08, 2008
The last nest
The last turtle season of the year is ready to hatch. Due around October 20, unseasonably cool air seems to have slowed the process. Our fingers are crossed as we wait to see how many survive.
Click on the photo to enlarge it and see what does not belong in the nest.
Did you guess a ghost crab hole! Good for you. Ghost crabs, even small ones, are a bad thing to see near a sea turtle nest because they will dig into the nest to devour hatchlings. Large ghost crabs will also capture hatchlings as they are heading to the water and drag them into their burrow to feast on. This is why we so carefully guard our hatchlings and watch over them as they make their way to the Gulf of Mexico.
Posted by Barrier Island Girl at 7:43 PM
1 comment:
- Robert V. Sobczak said...
Fun post, and good photos. Those turtles sure do need a little help from there friends.
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Blush Accessories
is entry #36!!!
Congrats Lindsay!
Your email prize confirmation has been sent and please remember:
You have 48 hours from the time that the email is sent to confirm your prize. If you fail to do so within that time period, you forfeit your prize and an alternate winner will be chosen. If you fail to receive your confirmation email, please email me at stephanie[at]mynewlifeasmom[dot]com from your winning email address stating that you claim your prize. This email must be sent by Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at 1:00pm, PST.


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Monday, December 18, 2006
Happy Holiday Hound!
I almost never get my act together in time to actually send out cards, but this year I did! I did this one in an old Canson sketchbook I had that has thick brown paper pages, the same paper as grocery store bags!
Posted by Michael Dooney at 8:41 AM No comments:
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Wonder Woman!
For those of us children of the '70's Linda Carter will always be Wonder Woman. I did this one from a screen capture from the DVD set of the first season of the show.
Posted by Michael Dooney at 11:11 AM 2 comments:
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Every year on May 9, Victory Day in Russia — marking the anniversary of the day that news of the German surrender in 1945 reached Moscow — my father would go to the closet and take out his sailor's uniform, which required regular alteration to accommodate his growing belly, and pin on his medals.Thus Mikhail Shishkin remembers the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 in a New York Times piece entitled How Russians Lost the War.
It was so important to me to be proud of my father: There had been a war and my papa had won it!
When I grew up, I realized that in 1944 and 1945, my father was sinking ships that were evacuating German civilians and troops from Riga, in Latvia, and Tallinn, in Estonia. Hundreds, if not thousands, of people met their deaths in the waters of the Baltic — for which my father received his medals. It's been a long time since I was proud of him, but I don't judge him. It was war.My father fought the evil of fascism, but he was taken advantage of by another evil. He and millions of Soviet soldiers, sailors and airmen, virtual slaves, brought the world not liberation but another slavery. The people sacrificed everything for victory, but the fruits of this victory were less freedom and more poverty.My father was 6 when his father was arrested. A son wants to be proud of his father, but his father was called an enemy of the people. My grandfather perished in the gulag.When the war began, the persecuted population heard from the loudspeakers, "Brothers and sisters!" The baseness of Russia's rulers lies in the way they have always taken advantage of this remarkable human emotion: the love of homeland and the willingness to sacrifice everything for it.So my father went off to defend his homeland. He was still a boy when he went to sea, in constant terror of drowning in that steel coffin. He ended up protecting the regime that killed his father.The victory gave the slaves nothing but a sense of the grandeur of their master's empire. The great victory only reinforced their great slavery.After the war, my father drank. All his submariner friends did. What else could they do?… The chief Russian question is: If the fatherland is a monster, should it be loved or hated? Here everything has run together, inseparably. Long ago, a Russian poet put it this way: "A heart weary of hate cannot learn to love."Of course, I wish my homeland victory. But what would constitute a victory for my country? Each one of Hitler's victories was a defeat for the German people.


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Public Libraries as a Nuclear Threat?
Here is an article from msnbc about news staff secretly videotaping themselves retrieving government documents from public libraries. Here is a quick response from LIS News.
Luckily for us, I checked our catalog and we apparently do not hold any of these documents. Nothing we had before 2001 seemed to be of interest unless you were interested in the NRC's fee schedule or their involvement with the EPA about a radiological survey of sewage sludge.
Although, now that I think about it, I would be extremely terrorized if someone unleashed a serious amount of radioactive sewage sludge in my city. But now I'm just giving ideas to the bad guys...


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I love words. But when I pray (or try to) I can't seem to find the right ones. Lately the ancients have been helpful in this regard. Here's the fourth century's Gregory of Nyssa (again I'm quoting Robert Wilken):
"In a provocative passage in one of his most philosophical works, Gregory of Nyssa, somewhat to the reader's surprise, criticizes his opponent Eunomius for ignoring Christian practices and relying solely on theological ideas. It is foolish and idle, says Gregory, to think that Christian faith consists only in teachings [i.e. words]....
It also has to do with making the sign of the cross when one speaks the 'venerable names,' Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."
Add to this the seventh century's John of Damascus, who said that "the prohibition of icons challenged the fundamental Christian belief in the Incarnation, that the God who is beyond time and space was made known through a human being, Jesus of Nazareth, who was born of a woman and lived in a particular place and time in history."
And the ninth century's Theodore of Studium said "If merely mental contemplation had been sufficient, it would have been enough for him to come to us in a merely mental way."
These guys were saying that sometimes we need to just shut up and surrender to God in Christ. The Word made flesh was not only God's Word to us but is our true Word back.
Of course it is a fine line between using aids to prayer and worship and pure superstition. The trouble is that I think our words and songs have become far more deadly in-roads for idolatry than images and icons. When I look at a cross I know it holds no power in itself. Can today's evangelicals say the same thing about their song-styles and theological statements? Their bridge illustrations and altar-call prayers? Our words and music have no power, and neither do icons and crosses.
But they bring me to my knees like nothing can.
The power is in who they direct us to and what they speak of. God condescended to show Himself to us in Jesus Christ and to put the testimony of His redemption on ink and paper. But this is enlivened for us today through the power of the Holy Spirit in the Church. Because the Holly Spirit speaks through things. Words are necessary for their specificity. But non-words are necessary for their non-specificity. God is not contained. But God is not unknowable. See the need for both?
I would not recommend icons and crosses in place of the Word and rightly understood worship. I'm a huge fan of theology. But the ancients have reminded me that sometimes words only get in the way and that a picture can be worth a thousand.
I hung a cross in our house and put three candles below it. And each morning I light the candles and submit to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The flame, and when I blow it out, the smoke, reminds me that the Spirit must enliven all I do and think. The cross reminds me that my communion with God is only in Christ's life, death, resurrection, and ascension. The whole thing is my submission to the Father and my thankfulness that I am His child. I'm thinking, giving, thanking, praying. But not in words. Its hard to explain, naturally.
A child can look up in wonder and know love without having to explain it away. The child should grow up and learn to make sense of it (a never-ending process), but must always remain a child in faith. We need to keep that wonder.
The ancients might have veered off into superstition and idolatry here and there. But the images hindered them far less than the words that slipped them into heresy. Both need both. Words and objects both speak of a God that came to us, and continues to do so today.
And if all these words are adding up to nothing, just look at the picture above and see what it says.


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Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Sending Good Thoughts Your Way
Deconstructed Sketch: sketch/DS134
Dynamic Duos: colors/DD86
9 comments:
This is gorgeous how do you just keep on making them so lovely!!!!ReplyDelete
Its beautiful !ReplyDelete
Such a stunning card! Love the sentiment too!ReplyDelete
This is so pretty. I love that beautiful bow.ReplyDelete
I definitely have good thoughts about your card, it is gorgeous. Love all the pretty details. Thanks for joining us at the Dynamic Duos this week.ReplyDelete
Teresa, I'm always in awe of your cards. Could you please tell me how you make your beautiful bows? I'd be indebted to you:)ReplyDelete
Teresa, Your card are all beautiful! I am always in awe of your work! I would also be grateful to learn how you make those gorgeous bows! Thank you!ReplyDelete
Teresa, you used this stamp in a way I have not seen before... I did not even recognize it as one of the SU ones I have!!! Your style is so unique....such a beautifully soft card sure to make someone who receives it very happy. Thanks for sharing at the Dynamic Duos this week;)ReplyDelete
Your signature style is always so stunning! Beautiful card, Teresa! Thanks for joining DD!ReplyDelete
Thank you so much for your comments, they mean so much to me. Have a wonderful day! Teresa
sparkle & shine *~*


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As a DC fan, of course I'm reading Final Crisis. A big part of the problem, though, has been that I feel like I'm missing a lot. As I considered this, I came to the conclusion that maybe I just didn't have a good enough background with Jack Kirby's New Gods.
Now, bear in mind that ultimately Paul Dini and Bruce Timm are responsible with my entering comics. I was in college with Batman: The Animated Series was running, and I fell immediately in love with it. Much moreso than with the Tim Burton movies that inspired it. Later, when it was introduced, I watched the Superman series as well... and I believe it was this series that introduced me to Darkseid, and by extension the New Gods. I don't recall an explanation of the Anti-Life Equation, and still know, I suppose, surprisingly little about New Genesis.
So, with the aid of instocktrades.com I purchased the first volume of Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus. This should hopefully allow me to experience the work from the beginning, as though I were buying all of Kirby's books off the rack.
Just last night I read through over half of the volume, but I'm not sure what my impressions really are. I mean, it's weird and wonderful. Starting with a bang, elements of Kirby's mythos appear rather quickly. But most of what I've read is establishing material, setting up the conflict between New Genesis and Apokolips, and the secret nature of the war between these two worlds carried out on our own.
I'm hoping that it will give me a keener insight into Final Crisis. I'll try to post more thoughts about the book itself here after I've finished it.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
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I am getting a strange error when I quit the mud and select option 0 to leave the game: Bus Error, core dumped Here is the only thing I have changed in my do_quit code and the rest of the mud is pretty much stock as well, (this is a test mud) First what exactly does this error mean? And also, what is causing this? Thanks Chuck +-----------------------------------------------------------+ | Ensure that you have read the CircleMUD Mailing List FAQ: | | http://cspo.queensu.ca/~fletcher/Circle/list_faq.html | +-----------------------------------------------------------+
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : 12/18/00 PST


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Thanks so much to everyone that participated and assisted with the wonderful Syttende Mai Trunk Show I hosted May 15th. Here's an (overdue) recap:
The morning dawned sunny and pleasant with a dew-soaked lawn! The crafters started rolling in around 8:00am and we were all set up and ready to go for our first shoppers at 9:00am. Business was fairly steady, with a few busier spurts and despite the slight humidity and overcast skies that rolled in later, most of the artists were pleased with their sales.
It was wonderful to welcome new and repeat customers! I especially appreciate all the positive comments on my home. It is still very much a work in progress, but has come a LONG way from the dumpy, decrepit, eye sore two flat with 2800+ beer cans stored in the cellar!
I had one major lapse in hostess duties...I forgot to snap photos! Luckily, several of the artists were on top of that duty...so here are some photos I have *borrowed* to share with your here... (I won't ever make that mistake again!)
Whimsy House
Glitter Workshop


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1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup Marsala wine
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon mirin (sweet Japanese cooking wine) or sweet wine
2 teaspoons cornstarch
Bring the soy sauce, Marsala, sugar, rice vinegar, and mirin to a boil in a small saucepan. Simmer 3 minutes.
Combine the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to form a slurry. Thicken the sauce by stirring in the cornstarch slurry, bit by bit, until the sauce has a smooth consistency and coats the back of a spoon.


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Current Overall Standings in the 17-Race 2012 Butte Hill Climb Time Trial Series after 2 Events...........
Category "A" Overall Standings:
1. Kris Blee 56 points
2. Garrett Marking 36 points
3. Michael Lee 34 points
3. Patrick Clark 34 points
5. Ben Wentland 32 points
6. Luke Wentland 24 points
7. Josh Rowe 19 points
8. Manny Mejia 17 points
9. Mr. Boswell 10 points
Category "B" Overall Standings:
1. Tom Embree 46 points
2. Tim Mallen 38 points
3. Stephen Work 32 points
4. John Touchette 28 points
4. Sean Fischer 28 points
6. Matt Roberts 27 points
7. Chris Lambert 18 points
8. Alex Roberson 17 points
9. David Dura 16 points
10. Colin Moakley 15 points
11. Chris Marking 14 points
12. Justin Anderson 11 points
12. Jorge Ramirez 11 points
14. Lau Ackerman 8 points
15. Mark Wade 5 points
16. Todd Swagerty 4 points
17. Joe Crackel 4 points
18. Anonymous Guy 4 points
Category "C" Overall Standings:
1. Rick Carhart 38 points
2. Jim Pyle 33 points
3. Steve Suihkonen 19 points
3. Doug Conrad 19 points
5. Ryan Boner 17 points
Women's Category Overall Standings:
1. Stephanie Berkowitz 56 points
2. Kathy Walter 46 points
3. Diann Harger 19 points
4. Alexandra Blee 10 points
Masters 50+ Category Overall Standings:
1. Tom Tucker 52 points
2. Jim Mensching 27 points
3. Matt Maderos 23 points
4. Michael Wood 21 points
5. Neal Bordenave 19 points
5. Charlie Pelton 19 points
7. Byron Fountain 18 points
8. Monte Wolford 17 points
9. Gary Fowler 15 points
10. Ryan Hiner 13 points
11. Greg Kallio 11 points
12. Rick Ellison 10 points
12. Hal Tacker 10 points
14. Jay Rawlins 9 points
15. Gary Witteman 4 points
16. Dan Trevithick 4 points
17. Keith Lickey 4 points
Juniors Category Overall Standings:
1. Jared Kaye 23 points
2. Joseph Wolford 19 points
Tandem Category Results:
1. Rick & Laurie Ellison 23 points
Hi Everyone! So, we are starting up the 2012 Butte Hill Climb Time Trial Series again on Sunday, January 1st with the Humboldt Hill Climb Time Trial! The Series will visit various climbs around Butte County(see events and tentative dates below). There was a similar Series done years ago here in Chico - 1981 or 1982 - by Tom Devol and Jeff Smith, who owned Cyclesport bike shop at the time. So, we decided to revive the old Hill Climb Series.......with a few additions and route changes. Below is a list of the very tentative events with dates. It should be mentioned that these dates could change. Rain will NOT cancel the races - but heavy snow and ice will.
17 events - 144 miles - 33,000+ feet of total climbing - held over a 5-month period from January through the first weekend of June 2012! Bound to be a very challenging, epic and memorable Series. Sure - there will be some pain and suffering - but it's the good kind! :)
Note: The Chico Hill Climb Time Trial Series will be back in September 2012 - starting with The Cohasset Hill Climb Time Trial!
How does it work???
Below is a list of the 17 Events in the 2012 Butte Hill Climb Time Trial Series. Each climb has been given a rank based upon feedback from some well-known riders in the area (and climbers in particular - yes, I know - everyone is different, but this is just a low-key have-fun series, so no big whoop). Hors Category and Category 1 climbs are the hardest, with Category 3 being.......let's not say easiest.......let's say........not quite as hard as Category 1! Points will be awarded to the participant finishers in each Hill Climb Time Trial - the folks with the most points at the end of the Series, wins the overall title in their respective categories........along with the coveted Butte Hill Climb Champion Trophy. The Butte Series will go from January 1st, 2012 through the first weekend of June 2012. This Series follows a progression over 5 months - starting with the "easier" Category 3 climbs early in the year to get your legs ready and all warmed-up.....building up to the Category 2 climbs....then Category 1....and ending with the biggest Hors Category climbs (Hors Category = Beyond Category). The FINAL Time Trial in the Series - the brutal Jonesville Time Trial/Road Race is the ONLY "Double" Hors Category climb in the Series and will be held the first weekend in June.....with the Series Awards Ceremony the following day. This entire Series should help you take advantage of those springtime miles - and get you ready for those hilly spring and summer Centuries, rides and races. Never done a Time Trial before? No problem - it's just you against the clock.....go your own pace and just do what you can out there! There are ALL levels of riders out there when we do these Hill Series Events - from Pros, to guys like me who take 2 days to climb Humboldt Road, and everyone in-between.......so, just come on out and test yourself, and go your own pace! The events are FREE to enter - and all are welcome - just come on out and give it a shot! You can do one event - a few events - or all 17 - totally up to you. Use the Series for training, racing, a little competitiveness, to test your fitness from month-to-month, to have fun & meet other riders....whatever you would like to do out there! Don't be intimidated - the Time Trials are very welcoming to new riders....and the riders themselves who take part are just the best folks out there!
REGISTRATION: Starting times for the events are normally consistent - 8:30AM registration opens, 1st rider takes off at 9:01AM - and we will go in 1-minute intervals. So, rider #1 takes off at 9:01am....rider #2 at 9:02am.....rider #3 at 9:03am....and so on and so forth. The "Starter" at each Time Trial will start you off, and I will be at the finish of the Time Trial to record your time and finish photo/video. I usually set up registration by 8:30am at the Start location of the Time Trial - you just need to check in with me, sign in on the "Start" sheet at the time/place you would like to start - and that's it! Donations are always very welcome and appreciated in order to keep the events going, but are never necessary to race in these events. I will call out the starting order at the beginning of the Time Trial - and the Starter will set you off on the Time Trial, one-by-one, in 1-minute intervals. If you miss your start - or are late - don't worry - you will just be placed as the last rider to start, so don't panic - you will, essentially, get a re-start. However, the Starter MUST be present during your re-start.
RESULTS: I will try my best to have results & photos out from each Time Trial within a 24-hour period, as well as the Updated Overall Standings in the 2012 Series after each event. Sometimes life gets in the way, but I don't foresee that happening this next year. The results will be posted at www.ChicoBike.com, Twitter, Facebook and Google+. Photos and videos will be posted on Flickr, Google+, Facebook and YouTube.
EVERY competitor who starts and finishes an event receives an additonal 3 points PER event. It should also be noted - there may be additional points awarded for "adverse conditions" - known as "misery points". One year, we had an absolute freezing cold downpour of rain at the Centerville Time Trial and I awarded everyone 3 extra points for "adverse conditions"........but, again, this is a big "might" and the conditions would have to be atrocious. I follow a basic rule-of-thumb - if I am miserable...we're awarding extra points. ;) ANY person who helps me start the riders off at the events receives an additional 3 points(minimum) for volunteering - I usually only need 1 or 2 people, and can always use the help.....and you can still race the event - just be the last one out of the starting gate and you'll be good-to-go!
PARTICIPANT CATEGORIES: The following categories will be offered for the 2012 Butte Hill Climb Time Trial Series. The winner in each category will receive the 2012 Butte Hill Climb Champion Trophy, along with Bragging Rights.........as well as any stuff we can get to give away as prizes. The Top 3 in each category will receive trophies. Not sure what Category you should enter?? Not a problem - just come on out and we'll talk about it. In fact, many riders see how their first Time Trial goes before deciding what Category they should/could enter(with approval from the Race Director). So, no worries:
Category "A" - Advanced & Intermediate
Category "B" - Intermediate & Novice
Category "C" - Beginners, Clydesdales & Slower climbers(like me)
Women's Category
Masters 50+ Category
Juniors (Looking at 10 to 16 years of age for this particular Category, but may be changed depending upon who shows up!).
***In addition - The rider who has the MOST points in the Series will receive the "Grand Champion's" Plaque as well.
As usual, sandbaggers are strongly discouraged (a "sandbagger" would be a Category "A" rider entering a Category "B" event - must be totally obvious to the Race Director). The Race Director has the right to reclassify you at any time, with reason. Also, if there are a lot of folks in one particular category, we may split those up into sub-categories, if needed. In turn, if nobody - or very few folks are in one category - we may eliminate it and add an additional category where the numbers allow it(these could include a Tandem Category, a Mountain Bike Category, a Fixed Gear Category, various Age Categories, etc.). At the end of the Series, we will have an Awards Ceremony at a local establishment or at another R.A.C.E. event to honor the participants and winners/placers in the Series. I hope to have some 2012 Butte Hill Climb Time Trial Series T-shirts & Posters to give out as well to the top placers/participants, but will be dependent upon my extremely limited budget.
The Point Breakdown for placings is as follows:
Hors Category(Beyond Category) Climb = 40-36-34-32-30-28-26-22-20-18-16-14-12-10-8-6-4-2-1-1-1 (In other words, 1st place in an Hors Category Time Trial gets 40 points, 2nd place gets 36 points and on down the line - every person who competes and finishes in the event gets at least 1 point).
Category 1 Climb = 30-26-24-22-20-18-16-14-12-10-8-6-4-2-1-1-1 (1st place in a Category 1 Time Trial gets 30 points, 2nd place gets 26 points and on down the line - every person who competes and finishes in the event gets at least 1 point)
Category 2 Climb = 24-20-18-16-14-12-10-8-6-4-2-1-1-1(The winner of a Category 2 climb gets 24 points, 2nd place gets 20 points and on and on)
Category 3 Climb = 20-16-14-12-10-8-6-4-2-1-1-1
Below is a list of the Time Trial courses, the very tentative dates, and their listed difficulty category. Reasons for a change in dates include heavy snow and ice on the climbs, a change in the R.A.C.E. calendar or Rodney being ill or out-of-town, etc. So, take the dates with a grain of salt, for now. Many of the climbs are held on Saturdays - but they could very very easily be switched to Sundays if there needs to be a change. The distances and elevation gains on each of the listed climbs are approximations only:
Sunday, January 1st - Humboldt Road Time Trial - Cat. 3 - approximately 3.4 miles & 700 feet of climbing - COMPLETED!
Saturday, January 7th - Centerville Time Trial (From Covered Bridge to the gravel) - Cat. 3 - approximately 6.6 miles & 1,300 feet of climbing. - COMPLETED!
Sunday, January 15th - Cherokee Time Trial - Cat. 3 - (Start at Coal Canyon Road - across from Wheelock Road - and go up Hwy. 70, turn right at Cherokee Road) - approximately 4.8 miles; 1,100 feet of climbing.
Saturday, January 21st - Neal Road Time Trial - Cat. 3 - approximately 8.3 miles & 1,400 feet of climbing.
Saturday, January 28th - Pentz Road Time Trial - Cat. 2 - approximately 5.8 miles & 1,200 feet of climbing.
Saturday, February 11th - Clark Road Time Trial - Cat. 2 - approximately 7.7 miles & 1,700 feet of climbing.
Saturday, February 18th - Coutolenc Time Trial - Cat. 2 - (Just stay on Coutolenc) - approximately 6.8 miles & 1,600 feet of climbing.
Saturday, February 25th - Lunt Road Time Trial(From Coal Canyon Road) - Cat. 2 - approximately 8.1 miles & 1,600 feet of climbing.
Saturday, March 17th - Cohasset-to-Store Time Trial - Cat. 1 - approximately 5.1 miles & 1,600 feet of climbing.
Saturday, April 7th - Honey Run Road Time Trial - Cat. 1 - approximately 5.3 miles & 1,600 feet of climbing.
Saturday, April 14th - Dark Canyon Time Trial - Cat. 1 - approximately 4 miles & 1,600 feet of climbing.
Saturday, April 21st - Table Mountain Time Trial (Wildflower Century Side) - Cat. 1 - approximately 5.3 miles & 1,600 feet of climbing.
Saturday, May 5th - Lomo-to-Jonesville Time Trial - Cat. 1 - (starts at Hwy. 32 at entrance to Butte Meadows - ends at parking lot in Jonesville) - approximately 10.2 miles & 2,100 feet of climbing.
Saturday, May 12th - Vilas Road Time Trial - Hors Category - (From Nicalog to the end of Vilas) - approximately 7 miles & 2,400 feet of climbing.
Saturday, May 19th - Lovelock-to-Inskip Time Trial - Hors Category - approximately 10.4 miles & 2,800 feet of climbing.
Saturday, May 26th - Cohasset-to-Gravel Time Trial (from Nicalog to the end of Cohasset Road) - Hors Category - approximately 9.4 miles & 2,900 feet of climbing.
Saturday, June 2nd - The Jonesville Time Trial/Road Race (a Mass Start event) - "Double" Hors Category - approximately 35.5 miles & 6,200 feet of climbing.
17 Events
144 Miles
33,000+ feet of climbing
Held over a 5-month period from January 1st, 2012 through the first weekend of June 2012.
Consistency will be key to winning the Overall Series. This should provide you with plenty of good climbing and get you ready for some great Century riding, the Wildflower Century, the Death Ride and some spring/summer races!!
One note: Any rider caught giving grief to the Promoter, the Timers or the Starters of these events will be automatically disqualified from - not only the event - but the entire Series. So, do what ya always do, and just have fun with the Series - it's no big whoop, we're just out there having fun and getting some good fitness!!! (No no - we've never ever had a problem with getting grief - just wanted to state it so it will continue to just be a fun event for everyone involved!!). AND - Helmets are MANDATORY at all events!
This Series is FREE to enter - so come on out and take advantage of some, or all, of these Time Trials this Spring 2012! Although donations are always extremely appreciated, they are never necessary to enter these events - I just want y'all out there testing yourselves on your bicycles and having fun! Hope to see you out there - and I will have more details, maps and information as we get closer to the events.
R.A.C.E. - Rodney's Amateur Cycling EventsChico, California
~Grassroots bicycle racing events~


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If you want to know which pattern will definitley be worn a lot during autumn and winter you should check out this post from Susi Bubble from Style Bubble.
(picture taken from stylebubble.co.uk)
we do...
... conceptual projects, rejecting the processes of mass production.
... ecofashion, that goes far beyond.
... clothes that tell a story.
we believe , that fashion can be produced fair, social and local. We don't want to join the fast, inhuman and wasteful fashion industry.
--- that's why we don't work on collections, but projects.
--- that's why we use fabrics that are rather made in Germany or from organic fibres. we always try to get "dead-stock", end-of-roll or swatches and we upcyclefabrics to save landfills from more textile waste.
--- that's why we work together with social services like sheltered workshops, where handycapped people get the chance to work, feel save and be needed.
... inspired by the cradle-to-cradle principle, we try to keep everything in its cycle.


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1lb ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup Bisquick Original baking mix
1 cup milk
2 eggs
Heat oven to 400 degrees
Grease 9" pie plate
Cook ground beef and onion until beef is brown; drain
Stir in salt.
Spread in pie plate
Sprinkle with cheese
Stir remaining ingredients with fork until blended. Pour into pie plate
Bake 25 mins or until knife inserted in center comes out clean
Enjoy! Have a Tasty Tuesday


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This blog chronicles my experiences as a working writer and published author, and discusses the craft of writing and revision. Oh, and sometimes it's funny.
Monday, April 21, 2008
good to know
In other words, if I go to my local B&N and say, "Hey, I'm a self-published author and I'd like to schedule a reading at your store," then they would have to pre-order a number of books from the print-on-demand company. So let's say they order fifty copies. And let's say that I get a turnout of about twenty people, and of those, ten buy a copy. That's forty copies B&N is stuck with, and they can't send those books back because print-on-demand companies don't accept returns of orders. What's more, if I offer to liquidate the stock, then I'm stuck footing the bill. Further still, if I say, "No problem! I'll bring my own stock!" then they're still not making money because then I'm selling them out of the trunk of my car, so to speak.
Basically, wombmate said that I'd have to promise B&N a smashing turnout and sales, and then deliver on that promise. A really tough sell, especially if the book has just come out and I'm, like, nobody to them.
And great news -- I was able to reserve a seat in published author Zelda Lockhart's publishing "intensive" for this Saturday. So far, I've picked up really good vibes from Zelda, and Jesse said he's heard good things about her workshop, so I'm really excited. And I can bring my self-publishing considerations to her and ask for her feedback and guidance. So I'll keep you posted (literally) on my self-publishing venture.
2 comments:
- Stacey Cochran said...
While generally I'd agree with your brother's opinion, I've not had a lot of trouble booking events in North Carolina. But, Elisa, you've seen the events... we usually draw a large crowd.
Most of the time, though, unless you can guarantee a crowd (or can offer some other collateral like filming the event to air on television), few bookstores are going to schedule a solo book event for a self-published author.
P.S. Feel free to just call me Stacey btw. I need all the publicity I can get! lol
- April 21, 2008 at 7:41 PM
- The Purple Panda said...
Point well taken, Stacey (now thatwe've been outed!). Obviously, I've seen the turnout at your bookstore events, in both indy and corporately owned bookstores. He's talking about a single author booking an event, like a signing, that promotes one author and one book (such as John Kessel's reading/signing at QRB last week), just as you mentioned.
- April 21, 2008 at 8:00 PM


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(CENT) Central Garden & Pet Company Analyst Holds at Neutral
Central Garden & Pet Company (CENT) is a leading producer and marketer of premium and value-oriented products focused on the lawn and garden as well as pet supplies markets in the U.S. On the one hand, the company is witnessing increased sales, but on the other it is reporting dismal bottom-line results due to rising costs of raw materials that are weighing upon margins.
Top-Line Sustaining Momentum
The company's diversified portfolio of brands has helped it to develop a healthy commercial relationship with giant retailers, such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT), The Home Depot Inc. (HD) and Lowe's Companies Inc. (LOW). This provides a significant upside potential for the company.
This was quite evident from the company's top line that registered a growth of 8.6% to $376.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, reflecting increased sales in the garden products segment. Moreover, the reported net sales surpassed the Zacks Consensus Revenue Estimate of $360 million.
Garden Products segment sales jumped 24% to $165.1 million; however, Pet Products segment sales inched down 1% to $211.8 million.
Bottom-Line Struggling, Margins Under Pressure
Despite witnessing a growth in the top line, Central Garden & Pet posted disappointing bottom-line results, battered by higher input costs and increased sales products carrying lower margins.
The company's quarterly loss of 21 cents a share widened from a loss of 2 cents in the prior-year quarter. The analyst covered by Zacks had expected the company to incur a loss 6 cents.
During the quarter under review, gross profit dropped 5.1% to $98.2 million, whereas gross margin contracted 370 basis points to 26.1%. The fall reflected a 14.4% rise in the cost of goods sold. Total operating loss for the quarter was $4.6 million, indicating a significant decline from an operating income of $7.4 million in the year-ago quarter.
Gross margin has portrayed improvement from fiscal 2004 through fiscal 2010 but shriveled in fiscal 2011. We believe that the sale of innovative products carrying higher margins, a reasonable price increase and cost containment efforts may improve gross and operating margins.
Strategies to Step Up
As Central Garden & Pet enters into fiscal 2012, the company's primary focus is on streamlining its cost structure and increasing operating efficiencies in order to improve its margins. Management hinted of gross margin improvement and bottom-line performance to improve in the second half of calendar 2012.
The company's long-term target is to attain a growth of at least 10% in the top line, and achieve operating margins in the range of 10% to 15%. The company also targets a $30 million yearly savings in cost as it exits 2012.
The company intends to transform into an integrated, multi-brand company from a portfolio of stand-alone businesses, by restructuring and reorganizing operating units and consolidating manufacturing facilities and logistics centers.
Central Garden & Pet has lowered the count of sales and logistics warehouses to 27 in fiscal 2011 from 34 in fiscal 2008 and expects to further consolidate about 6 facilities during the first half of fiscal 2012, and intends to decrease its inventory level by approximately $60 million by the end of fiscal year in order to manage working capital effectively. Another significant area of savings is the SKU rationalization, and the company aims to lower its total SKU count by at least 30% to 35%.
Let's Conclude
Given the pros and cons, we prefer to maintain our Neutral rating on the stock with a price target of $8.25. However, Central Garden & Pet holds a Zacks #4 Rank that translates into a short-term Sell rating and well defines the depressed third-quarter 2011 results.
CENTRAL GARDEN (CENT): Free Stock Analysis Report
HOME DEPOT (HD): Free Stock Analysis Report
LOWES COS (LOW): Free Stock Analysis Report
WAL-MART STORES (WMT): Free Stock Analysis Report
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|My big boy, Phoenix.
|Illy's gaining more confidence! Here she is, leaning into her harness during a rest.
|And the dog butts....with Phoenix in single lead.
|Kristen drives the rig today! Wow is that bright orange!
|The DNR stopped us on the trail today.
|DNR worker, Deb, spent time hugging each and every dog but I think Zodiak got double his share because he gives such good wet kisses.
Training! It has been great fun so far this season. I feel lucky to have Kristen and Lisa on the trail with us, helping with the dogs.
Earlier this week, White Feather did a smashing job in lead as this girl muscled Oken over to the right consistently. Our "gee over" training is showing its rewards! Aise was in this team, as well. We were working with her on line biting during our last run. None this time around!
More "gee over" training for Phoenix today and in single lead. He's got it! So much better than the first time out. Illy is gaining more confidence with each hook up and doing so well!
The other dogs are all doing well with no major training issue to note. They really are loving training season, as much as we are! Klaus is not too bothered to be behind the leaders but does pull out to the left and lead from point! Wimzi is the team cheerleader and jumps straight up when she thinks that our break should be ending. Ilo and Sweet Pea are the wheel dogs for one of our teams and they are just strong and steady. Ilo always has a smile on his face but somehow loses his ears when I get out the camera. Sweet Pea turned 9 yrs old this year, along with her brother Klaus. I am not seeing any signs of their age so far this season! Tuloon gets a little down if she doesn't get to spend time in lead so we make sure she's up there for a portion of each run. Zala is our little firecracker and makes a big stink if she is not one picked for that day's run. She pulls her little heart out and has such a fluid movement. Zodiak is an athlete, plain and simple. He just loves to pull and run. Ari and Journey are the wheel dogs for one of the teams. Both are very strong. Ari has an interesting gait that appears a bit awkward but it doesn't seem to lessen his ability. He is a powerhouse! Journey has one of the most fluid gaits I've seen, next to Zala.
Last, but certainly not least, there is Topa! When we're out running, she's enjoying MN Public Radio from the comfort of her cushy crate. She is at approximately 35 days into her pregnancy and is already showing! I don't recall Tuloon showing until almost 3/4 of the way through. AND the good news is, she is eating like a horse! Of course, I have to cook for her, but she is eating it!
Oh, but what about little Copper and Blueberry, you ask? They always look forward to our return from the trail because that means it's time for the little dog walk.


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Orchestra: Asian Youth Orchestra
Conductor: James Judd
Cello: Steven Isserlis
Soprano: Mamiko Sakaida
Venue: Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall
Bach (arr. Stokowski) – Toccata and Fugue in D minor
Shostakovitch Cello Concerto No.1 in E-flat, Opus107
Mahler Symphony no. 4
While spending a relaxing Saturday going to a shopping mall after the first week back at work, I spotted a poster in the MTR (Mass Transit Railway i.e. the underground train) advertising an orchestral concert and noticed someone with remarkably curly hair on the poster. I paused and realised it was Steven Isserlis who was performing with the Asian Youth Orchestra. Thankfully, I looked at the date and saw that it was that weekend and I might not be too late. When I arrived back home, I quickly went onto the ticketing site and bought a ticket. Phew! Although many tickets had been sold, there were still a few left for Saturday evening. I was also fortunate that it was also the programme that I was especially interested in seeing.
The concert opened with Bach Toccata and Fugue which was orchestrated by the conductor Leopold Stokowski. Stokowski was a British conductor who was the founder of several orchestras in the U.S.A and is well known to many as the conductor in Disney's 'Fantasia'. Listening to his arrangement of this very well known Bach piece had the comfort of familiarity and all the orchestral grandeur that the music possesses.
Next was Shostakovitch Cello Concerto No.1 with Steven Isserlis as soloist. Isserlis is no stranger to Hong Kong and also performed with the AYO a couple of years ago. This concerto was originally composed for Mstislav Rostrapovich who performed its premiere in Leningrad. This first movement started with a four note Shostakovitch motif with tension and the tune by the cello unrelentingly driving forward. The theme continued to cycle through the piece by other instruments, notably the french horn. The second movement started in a softly melancholic manner with strings and horn before the cello played its mournful song with the clarinet joining in. The second cello melody seems playful at times but gets more fierce before returning to the original theme. Between the second and final movements is a cello cadenza. Unfortunately, this was interrupted a little by applause (There was applause after the first movement – which most people can forgive if the music is quite rousing!). The final movement sees the return of the theme and a modified version of it before ending abruptly with several strokes of the timpani. The horn player and clarinettist performed the solos extremely well with clear entrances. Both of these musicians were recognised by Judd and Isserlis and were singled out to stand for applause – rightly so!
Mahler's 4th symphony opened with a folksong theme using sleigh bells and flute, which recurred throughout the movement. It became more tumultuous later on with the violins before returning to a more cheerful and soothing melody. The second movement is a dance with a darker sounding part from the solo violin which was projected well. The slow third movement seems calming at first but becomes darker with the incorporation of strings and brass before continuing in a sweeter theme; a precursor to the final movement. In the last movement the orchestra sounded triumphant and the soprano seemed to suddenly appear. I had not noticed if she had been sitting quietly amongst the orchestra or crept onstage unnoticed. Dressed in a stark white dress Sakaida stood out in the grey background of the orchestra. She swayed along to the music before joining in with a sweet and joyful song.
At the end of the concert, AYO musicians were called by the founder, Richard Pontzious to stand up as their country of origin was called out. It was good to see so many countries represented, even if there were only one or two from one place.
If you're interested in the music here are some Spotify links:
BBC Philharmonic – Bach(arr. Stokowski) – Toccata and Fugue in D minor
Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, Vasily Petrenko & Truls Mork – Shostakovitch Cello Concerto
Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra – Mahler Symphony No.4


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Dear Dearest,
Your back in England now. The homeland. I'm still here in France where it's sunny but cold. I have my observation this week and I really could have done with you being here for me to practice my French and for you to support me and keep me chilled out. We'll practice on skype though. When I was walking back from the bus stop earlier a... kind, old French lady asked me if I was ok. At least, I think that's what she said. I said yes and thanked her. I'm glad that you got to come out here for a week. But now I miss being with you in England and in Montpellier. But I'll make myself enjoy these last two weeks so that I have lots of stories to tell you. Anyway, there's only one more Sunday to go and then I'll be back in Leeds for the one after that. I miss you very much. I love you very much too though. Xxxx


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Baltimore Ravens linebacker Rolando McClain, who abruptly retired on Wednesday, has shed some light on what led him to make the unexpected decision. After three arrests in less than a year and a half, McClain decided it was time to get his 'personal life together.'
"Clearly, my decision to retire has raised some questions," McClain said in a statement. "Quite simply, I love football, but I have decided at this time it is in my best interest to focus on getting my personal life together. Beyond that, I am not sure what the future holds for me, including football. This was entirely my decision and the Ravens have been very supportive during this process. I am very grateful for the opportunity they gave me and wish them the best of luck in the future. God willing, maybe I'll play for them one day."
READ MORE at CBSSports.com


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- Official Tax Statements (United States)
Official Tax Statements (United States-Letterhead)
I hadn't noticed the stack of letterhead paper we had in our clerks office, so I printed them all using the first option. After, I saw the instructions on a letter from Headquarters that seem very clear about using the second option and printing it on letterhead.
If we're supposed to use the 'letterhead' option from the Type of Report list and print on official letterhead paper, under what circumstances would the first option be useful. (And should I shred and reprint according to instructions?)