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The writer in me!!!
Raw British Motorcycle Club Book
Riot's Obsession
My book is out on Amazon for you to buy.
Raw British Motorcycle Club Book
Lady Amy Stratton has run away, escaped far from her stiff world of aristocracy and religion. If she stays she's forced to marry Cross Acebri, a man from the church who she doesn't know let alone love, all consequences of her father's gambling problems. Lord Stratton embezzled close to £400,000 from the parish and not only has money exchanged hands but innocent Amy's hand in marriage.
But has she landed herself within another cult. A different religion of sex, lust, dirty money, crime, leathers – also with members who are loyal to their preacher, their leader, just like her church…. the Demons Rage Motorcycle Club is no different.
This modern day Motorcycle Club Romance novel told with two points of view is full of mystery, suspense, drama, and a touch of erotica. How does Amy resist the bad boy charms of her best friend's brother Levi, road name Riot? Is the church itself a front for the underground society? Who is the traitor? What is Amy's involvement, why is she suddenly accused of being a spy…and who is she really?
Short Stories
As a book lover, writer and blogger, I love helping other authors by reading their books and giving them an honest review and a rating between 1 – 5 stars * With every ARC books (advanced readers copy) my promise to the authors is I give an honest review and I will share my review on my website, Amazon, Goodreads, Pintrest, Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr. I cannot guarantee a 5 star rating every time but I can promise that it will be honest. Fill out the form below
2017 Goodreads Challenge
The challenge of 1016 of reading 60 books was completed successfully. This year I plan to read 70 books.


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I am Lincoln from Hong Kong also aka Excapegoat at bigsoccer. This blog is mainly about all-time teams.
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Luis Suarez of Barcelona FC is named Miramontes
For the younger generations, Luis Suarez of Barcelona was a Uruguayan forward who also played for Liverpool. They probably never heard of Luis Suarez Miramontes, the Barcelona's midfield general playing in the 1950's.
The original Luis Suarez was probably one of Barcelona's greatest players. He was the "Xavi" of his time. He joined the club in 1954 from Deportivo La Coruna. Along with László Kubala, Zoltán Czibor, Sándor Kocsis, Ramallets and Evaristo, Barcelona of 1950's was considered one of the most glorious period in its history. They won a La Liga/Copa del Generalísimo double in 1959 and a La Liga/Fairs Cup double in 1960 . Luis Suarez was crowned European Player of the Year in 1960, the first Spanish player to win the award. In 1961, they beat Real Madrid in the first round of the European Cup. It was Real Madrid's first ever defeat in the completion. It marked the end of an era for the great Real Madrid side of the 1950's. However, it did not give the Catalan side their first ever European Cup glory. They lost to Benfica in the Final. Benfica would win its second European Cup a year later and replaced Real Madrid as the king of Europe. Meanwhile, Barcelona was hit with financial crisis. They sold Luis Suarez for a world record transfer fees to Inter Milan shortly after the 1961 European Cup Final.
At Inter Milan, he was reunited with manager Helenio Herrera. The team would become known as "La Grande Inter". Herrera would modify the Catenaccio system into his own style. He would use a libero at the back so that his leftback Giacinto Facchetti could have the freedom to attack on the wing. Luis Suarez was transformed into a deep lying playmaker and served as the main organizer on the team. Inter Milan would win back-to-back European Cups in 1964 and 1965.
For the national team, Luis Suarez went to the World Cup in 1962; also playing under Helenio Herrera. The team was famous for its foreign contingency that included Ferenc Puskas, Jose Santamaria and Alfredo Di Stefano, but failed to perform on the field. Two years later, Luis Suaraez won the European Championship with Spain on home soil by beating the Soviet Union. The Final was marked as a battle of ideologies. Spain was under Franco's right wing government in 1964. Spain would not win an international trophy for another 44 years.
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No Direction Home
Adhara's sister-clone?
Aludra is proof positive that the Great Spirit is pretty much a total cockwangle. She used to look just like Adhara – because he forced her to look like his favorite daughter – and even had a cosmic fistfight through space and time with her sister. She turned coat at the first opportunity, though. It turns out she hates the Great Spirit just as much as everyone else who's ever met him. Though older than Earth by at least an order of magnitude, she is quite new to wearing a human form, and approaches the world with a sense of naive wonder.
She might have a thing for Alloy.


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Are you ready for winter in the Hudson Valley and the Catskills?
Winter is the region is pretty, but also hard. Can you handle it?
Labels: quiz
Daily Freeman Life Editor Ivan Lajara talks about journalism, living in the Hudson Valley, language, the Web, cats and even politics. But he shouldn't.
Monday, December 15, 2014
Labels: quiz


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Recorder cats -- here's that video I promised you of the biggest recorder in the world.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Second Grade Week 3 -- "Son Macaron"
On Friday the second graders learned the Yugoslavian beat passing game. I have used this game for a couple of years now and I never cease to be amazed at how excited the kids get. In "Son Macaron" the kids sit in a circle and sing a song while they clap each others hands on the beat. Anybody who is "caught" when the music stops has to leave the circle, but gets to become part of the band. The objective is to reinforce what they are learning about the relationship between rhythm and beat.
Posted by Richard Lawton at 11:42 AM 1 comment:
Saturday, January 23, 2010
"Pretty Saro" -- Phrase 8
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"Pretty Saro" -- Phrase 7
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"Pretty Saro" -- Phrase 6
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"Pretty Saro" -- Phrase 5
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"Pretty Saro" -- Phrase 4
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"Pretty Saro" -- Phrase 3
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"Pretty Saro" -- Phrase 2
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"Pretty Saro" -- Phrase 1
Recorder cats -- listen to the audio and try to read along with the music. The pitch pattern is:
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Recorder Ensemble -- Deconstructing "Pretty Saro"
Hi Recorder Cats -- One of the songs we will be doing for our spring Concert in the Park is the beautiful Appalachian folk tune "Pretty Saro." Like many songs the basic melody is 4 lines long with each line having two parts or "phrases." The best way to learn it and practice it is one phrases at a time, so that's how I'm going to publish it here. As you listen to the audio, try to get used to reading the notes as well. You'll need to use the high "E" we just learned -- you can go back to the video lesson I posted last week. The rest of the notes you know.
Posted by Richard Lawton at 8:58 AM No comments:
Second Grade Week 2 -- Bate Chocolate
One of my favorite songs to do in second grade in "Bate Chocolate," a children's rhyme/chant from Mexico that happens to be a recipe for mole. Besides being fun to say, it also provides an opportunity to talk about the relationship between syllables in spoken language and rhythm in music. as well as beat and rhythm in the abstract. This knowledge is key to understanding musical notation.
Here the kids in Ms. Pak's class are substituting syllables of the song with chopsticks representing "tas" (quarter notes). Later we talked about dividing those into two smaller beats or "ta-tes" (eighth notes).
Homework -- complete the Ta/Ta-te worksheet
Posted by Richard Lawton at 8:42 AM No comments:
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Fourth Grade Week 2 -- Rhythm and Beat
My camera was on the fritz today so Mr. Bassett was good enough to let me snag this image off his blog. This week the kids turned in their first lyric writing efforts, after which we spent a lot of of time talking about the relationship between beat and rhythm. I used chopsticks on paper to illustrate this, something I do with many grade levels. Here the students are walking the beat represented by the sheets of paper while "clapping" the chopsticks, which appear on top of the beat as eighth notes (2 chopsticks), quarter notes (one chopstick), or in the case of no chopsticks, a rest.
Homework -- develop a simple 32 bear percussion piece, 4 lines with 8 beats each, where Line 1 is the same as Line 4, and Line 2 & 3 match as well. The worksheet explains what to do.
Posted by Richard Lawton at 9:14 PM No comments:
"Tumbling Down"
Hey there Orff Ensemble -- here's audio of new piece we're learning -- "Tumbling Down" -- along with some unconventional notation. Take a few minutes to listen and look. Notice how this type of notation emphasizes contour (up and down) in the melody and length of phrases. In some ways I think it is easier to read.
Between now and next week I hope you'll spend a little time with this piece. If you have a piano see if you can figure it out. If you don't own a piano you can use the online piano posted under "my links." Remember to use good crossover technique. ;)
Posted by Richard Lawton at 8:55 PM No comments:
Friday, January 15, 2010
Recorder Lesson 5 - High "E"
Hey Recorder Ensemble Cats -- here's a recap of today's lesson on making the high "E." Practice it this week, I'll be posting audio of our new song "Pretty Saro" shortly as well.
Posted by Richard Lawton at 5:40 PM No comments:
Week One Second Grade --Hungarian Dancing and Beat
Today we kicked off second grade music with what is becoming one of my favorite activities. First the kids improvised some dances to the eight beat phrases in "Hungarian Dance #5" by Brahms. We then looked at the way rhythm lies on top of the beat as a series of long and short notes. The lesson ended with kids composing their own rhythms using chop sticks on sheets of copy paper that represented the underlying pulse.
Homework -- none this week. We'll start composing music next week.
Posted by Richard Lawton at 5:24 PM No comments:
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Fourth Grade Week 1 -- Song Lyrics and how to write them
Week 1 of Fourth Grade Music started of with one of my favorite activities. The kids learn the Irish marketplace song "Molly Malone" and then develop new lyrics including some highly unique products to sell. The passing of the boxes represent the off loading of cargo and helps keep the time.
All of this was designed to help the students understand that lyrics usually follow the rhythmic patterns and accents of spoken language. This week's assignment is to come up with a four line lyric where each line contains seven and only seven syllables. These will be added to a traditional melody in class next week.
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Thursday, February 07, 2013
This S*^t Just Got Real
The topic (mental illness) has been kicking around in my brain a lot for the last week and I felt confident that just as soon as I got some time I would sit down and crank out a quick query, link it to past work and hit 'send.' Easy as pie.
And then I sat down to write the query and felt stiff and stilted.
I kept writing like Anne Lamott says to do even if it's crap, hoping that I would eventually find some gem to pluck out and polish off.
I abandoned it at one point to my "drafts" folder and walked away.
That afternoon I scribbled notes on scratch paper as they occurred to me; ideas for a general direction to take the essay in, going down a few mole holes chasing research ideas and interviewees before abandoning that tack as well.
Yesterday I finally admitted to myself that I am unsure about heading in any of the original directions because I don't feel like an expert in those areas. I don't feel like I know enough about the specifics and I am not sure I could interview enough people or do enough research to make it credible before the deadline.
And yet, I am familiar with the topic. Intimately familiar.
I decided to leave it alone for a while.
I took Lola to bouldering practice after school yesterday and decided to stay and watch. She is a little tentative about it for reasons neither of us can figure out, and I wanted to see if I could get a little insight. I saw fear and uncertainty on her face. I saw the way the coach interacted with her which was supportive, but not meaningful for Lola because of who she is and how she processes things. The support was cursory and well-intentioned but not authentic.
It wasn't a brick to the forehead; more like a soft, slow settling of Truth. A clearing of the waters.
Write what you know. Write from a place of authenticity. Admit your own fears and uncertainty as you write and you will reach the reader. This is what I know.
And so this morning, I will go back to the "drafts" folder and begin again. This time I will be writing as an expert, as someone who knows enough about how mental illness instills fear in family members on so many levels and how that fear creates stigma and secrecy and stops us from seeking help.
And I am again reminded that getting real is the way to get it done.
Labels: authenticity, fear, Lola, mental illness, process, writing
4 comments:
- Chris Gilliland said...
Best of luck with the new project Kari!
- fullsoulahead.com said...
I love when you get real. Go for it Kari! Knock their socks off.
- Carrie Link said...
NECBM of getting real (and of course, I'm a huge fan of also getting it done). GOOD JOB!
- Dee said...
Dear Kario, this getting real and being authentic demands a lot of us but I'm convinced that our stories when they are real and authentic speak to a wide range of readers and listeners. They find within our words their own story and that would not happen without the authenticity. So I applaud your efforts. Always. Peace.
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CLEVELAND (TDB) -- Spilllover from internal fractures within the family of Dr. Henry Heimlich -- esteemed inventor of the life-saving maneuver that bears his name -- has led to a libel suit against Cleveland Scene, an alternative weekly that recently showered state medical boards, med schools and hospitals with subpoenas seeking data to defend its journalism.
Heimlich, who is in his 80s, has retired and turned in his medical license. He lives in Cincinnati where one son, Phil, is a convervative Republican county commissioner who dabbled briefly in statewide Ohio politics as a candidate for lieutenant governor. Another son, Peter, has split from his father and runs a Web site that disparages Henry Heimlich's accomplishments. He has phoned journalists trying to get them to do stories that are unflattering about his dad.
Cleveland Scene, which has a reputation for muckraking, has been accused of taking the bait.
It ran an article in October 2004 under the headline "Playing Doctor," with a subhead that added: "Lying on a resume isn't a crime -- except when a doctor does it. Luckily for Edward Patrick, the Ohio Medical Board is forgiving."
The story was about Patrick, a physician who once worked alongside Henry Heimlich and supported him after Heimlich battled the medical establishment over the effectiveness of the "Heimlich Maneuver" as an aid to help choking and drowning victims. In short, the story questioned Patrick's credentials and implied that some were fakes.
Patrick, who went to MIT and holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering as well as certifcation as an M.D., went on the offensive by filing suit for libel, defamation and invasion of privacy last year. (Northern District of Ohio, 1:05-cv-2791.) He is gathering a vast array of material that his lawyers say will refute Cleveland Scene's story. Eventually, he may call Henry Heimlich as a witness. But first he wants to keep some records from oozing out of the courthouse. He now wants a protective order from U.S. District Judge Lesley Wells in Cleveland to block Peter Heimlich from posting records about his background on the Internet. Patrick lives in Wheeling, W.Va.
''All of these documents should be maintained confidential and should not be released to the public,'' his lawyers, N. Jeffrey Blankenship and Edward S. Monohan of Florence, Ky., contended in a recent court filing. ''The plaintiff is aware that the primary source for the defendant is Peter Heimlich, the son of Dr. Henry Heimlich. Dr. Patrick and Dr. Heimlich in the past maintained a close professional relationship."
Patrick's lawyers said the Heinrich family feud is at the heart of the case.
''Peter Heimlich has, for some reason, engaged in a major ambition in his life with the goal thereof to destry the reputation of his father and that of Dr. Patrick. For that reason, he has established a Web site of all current information available on Dr. Patrick and Dr. Heimlich,'' they wrote . "As a result, Dr. Patrick is concerned that very confidential and private information, if made public, will find its ways into the hands of Peter Heimlich, or for that matter, and other person who may seek to use it against him."
Cleveland Scene has indicated it opposes any attempt to close portions of the case file. And so far, Judge Wells has not made any move to shut the records. On Friday, she ordered both sides to sit down in a settlement conference set for April 25. But long before that takes place, the judge said she plans to have a telephone conference with lawyers for Patrick and the alt/weekly in early January that will focus on the status of the case.


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Library Journal has announced its annual Top Ten Best Books list. Chosen by a consensus vote of eight Book Review editors, the list represents outstanding titles in fiction and nonfiction that span subjects as widely disparate as bigamy, politically charged fashion, Balkan magical realism, and pre-Civil War history. "Because so much is being published and in so many formats, lists have become even more important reading tools," said Heather McCormack, Book Review Editor of Library Journal. "We're proud of our Top Ten because we think it showcases both blockbuster works and quieter contenders that merit more attention. No matter their topics, these books share an irresistible point of view." The following titles made up the 2011 Top Ten list:
Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty by Andrew Bolton and others (text) & Sølve Sundsbø (photogs.) (Metropolitan Museum of Art, dist. by Yale Univ.)
Midnight Rising: John Brown and the Raid That Sparked the Civil War by Tony Horwitz (Holt)
Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones (Algonquin)
1Q84 by Haruki Murakami (Knopf)
The Tiger's Wife by Téa Obreht (Random)
The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka (Knopf)
The Tragedy of Arthur by Arthur Phillips (Random)
The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined by Steven Pinker (Viking)
Tides of War by Stella Tillyard (Holt)
The Empty Family: Stories by Colm Tóibín (Scribner)


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After watching Burns' latest documentary film, "The Dust Bowl," the two-part, four-hour film, coming to PBS Nov. 18-19, it's impossible to argue the point.
Today, Day 2 of the 2012 Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour, was highlighted by a fascinating session devoted to the film. Burns was joined onstage by Dayton Duncan, who wrote the excellent script for the documentary, and has a companion volume coming out in the fall; author/journalist Timothy Egan, who is interviewed in the film and wrote his own history of the era, "The Worst Hard Time"; and the elegant and eloquent Dust Bowl survivor, Cal Crabill, who's in his late 80s.
Clips of the documentary gave a taste of the film's power: survivors of the Dust Bowl, now elderly, recalled what it was like being engulfed in dust storms so massive they looked like moving mountain ranges as they blew in across the barren land. Not for nothing were the storms called "black blizzards," and photographs from the era illustrate why -- during daytime, the incoming dust clouds turned the skies a terrifying black.
Later, after the panel, Burns and Duncan talked about some parallels between issues surrounding the Dust Bowl and the current day. As the film tells, the land in Oklahoma and surrounding states was made for native grasses. Homesteaders and immigrants arrived, able for the first time in most of their lives to own their own ground and build their own homes. The grasslands were suitable for grazing by cattle and other livestock.
But after World War I, a boom came -- there was a robust new market for wheat. Scores of farmers plowed up the land and planted wheat. For a time, it was profitable. But then the market cooled; the rain stopped; and the crash of 1929 came.
But it was too late for the land. When strong winds whipped across the plains, the dry topsoil that had been turned over for wheat blew away. And blew, and blew, into dust storms that invaded every inch of every life of those who lived there.
The boom-bust cycle echoes, in a way, the recent housing boom-turned-bust recession. Burns says one could see a parallel between the impulse to own a house even if you couldn't afford it and the payment terms were untenable, and the folly of trying to make a go of it in an area of "really marginal agriculture," as was the case with the land that became the Dust Bowl.
There may have been, Burns says, "more folly in the real estate boom," since the homesteaders in the 20s and 30s weren't buying homes to flip them, and "all of a sudden, everybody was being told, 'it won't cost you anything.'" The plains farmers, by contrast, were pursuing an older American dream, that of working with the long-range goal in mind. "One's instantaneous," Burns says, "and the other is if you work hard, you will be rewarded."
Duncan adds that the history of America involves "one different real estate story after another. What is manifest destiny?" he says. "They were coming for the land, the whole notion of the land and the ownership of it is so deep in the American story. It runs as deep as the desire for liberty."
"The Dust Bowl" suggests other parallels between then and now, as in the harsh reception many Dust Bowl refugees (who were uniformly stamped with the name, "Okies," no matter where they came from) found in California. They were greeted as job-stealing refugees, which Burns says is reminiscent of disputes on the Arizona/Mexico border.
In making "The Dust Bowl," Burns says, he and Duncan found there was much more to the story than they had thought. Burns was struck by a theme that emerges strongly from the film -- those who lived through the storms personified them, as a force that seemed almost malevolent.
Burns face brightens as he mentions a moment early in "The Dust Bowl," when an elderly survivor says the storms were "evil." "That just shoots you in" to the story, Burns says, with excitement. People thought the epic storms, which sent dust into households, noses, lungs and caused what was called dust pneumonia, signaled the end of the world. Burns says hearing the descriptions made them sound like a disaster movie. And he marvels that people persevered, despite the terrifying attack of the very air and earth around them.
"It's amazing how these people made it through," he says.
-- Kristi Turnquist on Twitter


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I've been waiting for this $10 at Target for months! I couldn't get myself to Target fast enough when I heard they put out the fall/Halloween goodies in the dollar section. To celebrate our Countdown to Halloween (look for this year's announcement next week!) I like to put a few treats in Aria's pumpkin for her to find on October mornings. Things like Halloween pajamas, a couple new Halloween books, and usually a few random things from Target. This year's haul is probably the most I've ever gotten for her pumpkin. Can't stop myself! And, it was fate when I picked up ten things exactly. Although, I'm not sure yet what we will do with the little pumpkin and cauldron mini buckets. Thoughts?
Here is this month's festive $10 at Target shopping spree:
How'd we do on the budget?
If you joined in with us for this month's $10 at Target challenge please link up below. And, mark your calendars for the next challenge link up on October 17th.


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The winds blowing around Etna cause this cloud formation.Did anyone else think of the movie "Independence Day" when seeing this?
Welcome! I'm glad you stopped by for a visit and hope you'll come back often. Please leave comments and notes ...even if only to say hello. It's always good to hear from friends - be they newly made or of of long duration. Again, welcome to my world.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Spaceship over Etna
Posted by Holly at 8:40 PM
Labels: local explorations, out and about, sicily, summer
2 comments:
- Kathy G said...
Are you SURE it's just a cloud? :-)
- August 5, 2012 at 10:06 PM
- Welshcakes Limoncello said...
That's fantastic!
- August 15, 2012 at 6:40 PM
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Randolph College will celebrate the graduation the Class of 2014 in several events this weekend.
About 121 students will receive bachelor's degrees and approximately 20 will receive master's degrees.
At 9 a.m. Saturday, a hooding ceremony for master's degree recipients will be held in the Maier Museum of Art at Randolph College. The College will then hold Baccalaureate, a celebration of faith and thanksgiving, at 11 a.m. in Houston Memorial Chapel. Gordon Steffey, a Randolph professor of religion, will deliver the baccalaureate address. Students will present music, readings, and an interpretive dance.
Saturday's events continue with Daisy Chain, a beloved tradition that honors the friendships between the sophomore and senior class, at 3:30 p.m. Garden Party, a celebration for the members of the graduating class, their families, and faculty, will be held in Michels Plaza at 4 p.m. Saturday. This year, a jazz group, the Dwight Spencer Trio, will provide live music for Garden Party.
The weekend will culminate in the Commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. Sunday in the Dell. Edward L. Ayers, president of the University of Richmond and a renowned scholar of Civil War history, will deliver the Commencement address. Other speakers will include Randolph College President Bradley W. Bateman and Stephanie Barron '14, president of the graduating class.


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Everyone, i have something to say. I kindly ask you to read everything before commenting. First of all, i wanna make it clear how much you guys mean to me. I never felt so accepted in any online community, of all the ones i have joined. At first, when i met the Call of Duty Wiki, i thought the same would happen as in other communities. I'd be left in a corner, a user without any good eyes turned to me. I never knew i was going to be active here for that long, afraid of rejection, as always. Not because i'm a bad person(i probably am, as i'll explain bellow), but because people in other online communities say that i'm a smartass/sensitive person/weirdo, i almost always get trolled. CoD Wiki is different, and i didn't know it.
Saying that i w…Read more >
Infinity Ward and Activision have already given notice recently and is now more oficial then ever: those who play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 before the release date will be banned indefinitely. Who enphasized the prerogative was Xbox Live's security director, Stephen Toulouse, who pointed out that whoever is playing and is not expressly authorized by Activision, will be banned.
The director asked for patience for the players in a message from his Twitter profile. Some images of how the ban takes place, which you can see above, were posted on the forum NeoGAF always trendy. The order is now waiting four days.Read more >
Congress is considering passing a bill that could shut down gaming videos and streams on Youtube. It's called Bill S.978. This bill would shut down channels like machinima and other gaming channels all over the internet, also Call of Duty videos! If the bill is approved, all videos on youtube about games and video editors tutorials and will be erased. After that, if someone post a video related to gaming, the video will be erased, the channel blocked and the user can be jailed for five years(in the USA), even if you post a video of your friends singing karaoke if the song is copyrighted.
UPDATE: I found out that the bill only applies on illegal streaming of copyrighted content.
More: http://act.demandprogress.org/letter/ten_strik…
Read more >
Modern Warfare 3s near-invincible juggernauts also return for the Spec Ops mode, the publication says, and this time there will be several different types of them.
"All that stuff really fleshes out Spec Ops and adds in a lot that we know our fans are going to love, some of the most addictive aspects of multiplayer," Bowling said.
"You definitely have to change up your strategy as the enemy changes up. Obviously how you fight the kamikaze dudes is different from how you fight the normal dudes and how you fight a dog is different from a dude and how you fight juggernauts, they are not only big and armoured, so they will just brute force come at you. But they each have their own way of being taken out effectively."
In Modern Warfare 3, Spec Ops…
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Everyone, i need help and o don't know who to ask.
Read more >
I tried to login to PSN. alright, they sent me an e-mail to change my password. I clicked in the link and it says PS Store isn't avaliable in my country... And i can't do anything! Help?


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Happy New Year to all my friends new & old some of you are already celebrating.....may God bless you with Love, Peace, Health & Happiness this new year!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
JC Kid's choir Christmas program
My grandson's TJ & Tyler's Christmas program at church....they were each a different Christmas tree ornament TJ my oldest he was the Polar Express train conductor & that is a real conductor's hat he's wearing and Tyler he was a race car driver. The following pictures show Tyler with the hanger on his head falling down because of a little help from him playing with it and TJ was saying "All aboard" in his picture. The pure innocence of children....God Bless them all!
Posted by Vintage Sandy at 1:28 PM 2 comments: Links to this post
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Merry Christmas to All!!
I just want to wish all my friends a Very Merry Christmas and a Wonderful, Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year and remember "God" is the reason for this glorious season...may his light shine down upon you today and everyday may you feel his love around you forevermore...Amen
Posted by Vintage Sandy at 9:56 AM 4 comments: Links to this post
Monday, December 7, 2009
Fun times w/grandson's
We had a fun filled weekend with our grandson's, first both set's of Mamaw's & Papaw's took them to see Santa and out to dinner on Friday then just the papaw's and daddy took them on a train ride with of course Santa on board on Sat. ....they had so much fun our oldest one TJ he loves diesel & steam engine trains so he was thrilled beyond words and Tyler the youngest liked Santa best... don't know how much longer they will want to go with us to see Santa so we're trying to keep in going as long as possible we had a few snow flakes today.....I want snow for Christmas then it can stay away, well enjoy those little one's they sure grow up fast!
Posted by Vintage Sandy at 9:50 PM 3 comments: Links to this post
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Now it's..wait..wait.. wait
Well, I got at the inside decorating yesterday took me all day cause I really wasn't in the mood to do it but now it's done and it feels good... and the grandson's are happy that's what it's all about anyway's to see their little faces all lit up like the christmas tree so here is our fireplace mantle we're real country so that's how I decorate stuffed deer, moose, and snowmen no glitz & glitter for this country gal but I love to see other's who do it. Our tree looks like it just came out of the forest all covered with snow and the real reason for the season...baby Jesus lying in the manger, then a little table with grandson's and both set's of mamaw's & papaw's pictures taken every year when we go see the man himself "Santa claus" so that's pretty much it for my decoration's not alot but just enough so here's wishing all my friends & their families "Merry Christmas & a Wonderful New Year"
Posted by Vintage Sandy at 2:27 PM 1 comment: Links to this post
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Looking alot like Christmas
Well since it's now the Christmas season I've changed my background & header picture.....I love the reindeer background I found at http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/ and the header picture is from our front yard....DH & I decorated this past Sunday after church since it was such a beautiful fairly warm day...we usually wait till it's cold & snowy before we do it but, got smart finally and did it when the weather cooperated with the mood so last night I went outside and took alot of pictures and put a collage together and made it my header picture. I love using the photo's I've taken to decorate with I hardly have any pictures on my walls that I've bought they are all photograph's taken of family, vacation's or whatever just seems so much homier to me well enough rambling on, think I'll start my inside decorating today so stay tuned for indoor pictures soon till then stay warm, hug someone you love and beeeeeeeeee happy!
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Declaration of Health Care IndependenceIn order to retain the Blessings of Liberty as secured to us by our Founding Fathers and as expressed in our Constitution, We the People reject the imposition upon us of a new, Washington-controlled system of government-run health care. We demand Constitutional protection of the right to make our own health decisions and our own health care choices free of government denials, bureaucratic red-tape, and greater intergenerational debt. A Washington takeover of American health care will
- Deny fundamental personal and economic liberties and indisputably violate the Principle of Limited Government as established by the Constitution;
- Impose increased costs and taxes upon individuals, families, and businesses, as well as taxpayers at the federal, state, and local levels;
- Irreparably cripple the American economy, at the cost of jobs, businesses, productivity, and quality of life;
- Create an inescapable new tax by imposing individual and employer mandates;
- Institutionalize a massive, ever-expanding federal bureaucracy that is impersonal and impractical;
- Empower bureaucrats to interfere in the doctor-patient relationship, undermine the quality of care, limit choice, and increase the cost of health care.
We have appealed to the decency of the elected majority to respect the rights of all Americans, but their leaders have been deaf to the Voice of the People. We are appalled by their cavalier disregard of the Constitution and of the demands of the People. We are repulsed by their blatant political bribes and kickbacks.
We, therefore, the People and Representatives of the United States of America, do solemnly Publish and Declare that health care reform, as a matter of principle must
Click here to sign this declaration
- Protect as inviolate the vital doctor-patient relationship;
- Reject any addition to the crushing national debt heaped upon all Americans;
- Improve, rather than diminish, the quality of care that Americans enjoy;
- Be negotiated publically, transparently, with genuine accountability and oversight, and be free from political favoritism;
- Treat private citizens at least as well as political officials;
- Protect taxpayers from compulsory funding of abortion;
- Reject all new mandates on patients, employers, individuals, or states;
- Prohibit expansion of taxpayer funded health care to those unlawfully present in the United States;
- Guarantee Equal Protection under the law and the Constitution;
- Empower, rather than limit, an open and accessible marketplace of health care choice and opportunity.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Declaration of Health Care Independance
Thursday, January 21, 2010
US Ranks 37th in Healthcare? Not Quite...
1. The ranking was from 10 years ago and is not considered valid any longer (although I would bet that the ranking is still similar). Even a WHO representative admitted it was outdated.
2. The WHO took from 2 different collections of statistics, neither of which have both Canada AND France in the top 10; there is no ranking in which Canada is better than 10 while the U.S. is 37th. In the one with the U.S. at 37, Canada is 30th. The WHO took the US's lower rankings in each of these to base our status.
3. The WHO doesn't do the ranking based on its own investigation, but with numbers that were submitted to them. When they weren't provided with data, they made it up based on their own determined parameters.
4. Non-emergency doctor visits skewed numbers. For example, waiting a few days longer for a non-emergency doctor appointment was rated worse than having to wait months for chemotherapy.
5. Some of the criteria, such as infant mortality rate, did not take into account some crucial common sense factors. For example, if a baby is born alive in the US and dies 6 months later, that counts against our rating whereas a baby delivered dead (which was actually more common in some "higher ranked" countries) didn't end up counting against them.
6. Medical cost is not apportioned equally in this country i.e. "financial fairness". The pharmaceutical industry is heavily profit oriented and not many limits are put on that. Also, some people choose not to buy insurance, which skews the outcome numbers. Financial considerations made up a significant portion of this rating. When they were removed, the US ranked substantially higher.
7. The typical US diet is horrendous and we don't exercise resulting in obesity and chronic disease. This is a lifestyle problem, not a healthcare deficiency. This was counted against our healthcare system when it should reflect more on consumer choices.
8. The US healthcare system has refined itself in giving very good, but very expensive care in emergency situations and chronic degenerative conditions, but has not put much money towards prevention. This is an issue of financial priorities, not the quality of care delivered.
9. The WHO was being run by a socialist when the ranking was being decided.
10. There are too many differences in culture, government style, economic policy, healthcare philosophy, moral code, lifestyle, etc. to accurately compare and rate over a hundred countries' healthcare against each other.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Just $42 per month for great health care? YES! (if you are in Congress)
No Debating Congress' Lavish Health Care (CBS)
24-Hour On-Site Care, No Coverage Limits; Congress Gets It All - But You Pay for It
As members of Congress debate a "public option" for health care coverage, they remain safe and secure in their own generous health plan.
CBS News correspondent Sharyl Attkisson reports it's subsidized by millions of your tax dollars annually. The government doesn't even keep track the total cost.
What exactly does Congress get? Sen. Lindsey Graham agreed to show CBS News first hand, flashing his Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance card.
Blue Cross Blue Shield is one of five plans offered to members of Congress. Most Americans, 74 percent are offered only one plan - if their employer offers insurance at all.
And members of Congress earn $174,000 a year - triple the income of the average working-age household. Yet their premiums are about the same.
For them, there's no coverage limit - a major factor for the American families bankrupted or thrown into poverty by health care costs.
Pre-existing conditions? No problem for congressmen and women. The rest of us are out of luck.
And the elected officials get still more perks most Americans can only dream of. Got a cold? You probably have to take time off work and wait to see a doctor.
Not Congress.
"We're able to access that health care 24 hours a day when we're in Washington," Graham said, leading us to the Attending Physician's Office, a clinic inside the U.S. Capitol. They don't even have to leave the office.
About half of the members of Congress, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, use the Attending Physician benefit. For $42 a month, they can get all the primary care they need - physical therapy, X-rays, minor surgery, specialists and a pharmacy for emergencies - no appointment needed.
They also get VIP hospital treatment from the best doctors at Bethesda Naval Hospital. And they have a reserved spot at the elite Ward 72 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where the late Sen. Strom Thurmond spent a lot of time.
Outpatient care is free. Well, free for them. Your tax dollars pick up the cost.
Graham says in the current climate, it's just not fair.
"If we pass a law that says a public option will be made available, I think people like myself should get out of this plan and go into the public option," he said.
That's unlikely. Congress has voted down all proposals that would switch them to a public option.
Even if you're mad enough to vote out your representatives, they still won't have to stress over health care. Their plan is portable. Until Medicare kicks in, they can keep the generous coverage for themselves and their families at the same low cost, still subsidized by your tax dollars.


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Pelican Pub & Brewery
Pelican Dorymans Dark Ale
Country: USA
Brewery: Pelican Pub & Brewery
Style: Brown Ale
Format: 650ml Bottle
A dark brown colour, with a balanced aroma of roasted malts and Northwest-grown hops. The sweetness of the ale, crystal, and chocolate malts blend beautifully with the assertive flavours of Cascade and Mt. Hood hops.
Rated 93 out of 100 on Ratebeer.com


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With all the new rules USAW has recently implemented we just really don't know when the last chance will be till they decide to announce it but John Thrush has vast knowledge with dealing with USAW and has made an educated guess! Hes pretty much never wrong so you can bank on it!
Also you will notice we have added the 85kg men into their own category as the majority of lifters in our last session at the Bad Mother Open were 85kg men and we all know how long that session lasted! We are hoping that trying our next meet out this way will work better for all, but please be patient! Its just an experiment we are trying! Hopefully it doesn't backfire! But if you are an 85kg man then please be prepared to lift in the later session if not many show up!


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Friday, 31 December 2010
Ooh, how exciting, I've been included in 365 Days of Nail Art!
What a nice way to round off 2010, Happy New Year everyone!
Wednesday, 29 December 2010
My latest new discoveries/products I like:
Clinique Airbrush Concealer - I got given this for Christmas and it could not have come at a better time! I've basically had a cough and cold for all of December and I look pretty run down. I have dark circles (I've never had dark circles before!) and this is helping me to disguise them thank god.
Lady Million - I love the packaging, I love the smell and I was chuffed to bits to get this as a Christmas present! It came as part of a gorgeous looking set in a gold metal tin.
Thursday, 23 December 2010
Dear Santa...
Chanel 2.55 - somewhere in the region of £1,500
ASOS Nude Feather Clutch - £26
Tuesday, 21 December 2010
NOTW Christmas Red Snowflake Minx
After debating whether or not to apply to my toes or fingers (last longer on toes, more noticeable on fingers), I went for fingers - it's winter, it's freezing, who's going to see my toes? Plus I didn't really want to still be wearing Christmas stuff well into the new year! I did these on 20th December, and they should last me until Boxing Day at least:
Next on my list of Minx to try is Oil Slick:
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
Winter nail polishes
Models Own "Grey Day" (love this polish!)
Sephora by OPI "Charge It!"
Eyeko "Cosmic Nail Polish" (a black polish with tiny pieces of multi glitter)
L-R: Leighton Denny "Millionaire" (sheer pinky lilac with gold flecks - not a dark polish, I know! But so easy to wear!)
Eyeko "Vampira Polish" (black with red glitter)
Illamasqua "Ruthless" (longwearing true red)
Diamond Cosmetics "Chainmail Charm" (dark grey holo)
L-R: OPI "Glamour Game" (silver with fine silver glitter)
Rimmel "Pompous" (dark purple with fine multi glitter)
China Glaze "Ruby Pumps"
Nails Inc "Rosebery Avenue"
See? Mainly dark polishes and reds - I feel like there should be more unashamed blingy glitters in there though, it is nearly Christmas! What have you been wearing on your nails? Do you go for dark stuff like me or does it not really affect what you've got on your nails?
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
China Glaze Polishes - Ruby Pumps and White on White
Saturday, 4 December 2010
Trying to help my dry, wintery skin out with MAC Moistureblend (and some other stuff)
Moistureblend is a creamy compact foundation (it reminds me almost of concealer), that I'd describe as a medium coverage, though it is buildable to cover the odd area of concern. It does need set with powder though, as you do run the risk of looking a bit shiny! I apply this with a sponge as I didn't think fingers would be hygenic and I think using a brush would waste a lot of product.
Does anyone know if MAC Moistureblend has been discontinued? Have you seen it anywhere recently? How does your skin react to winter?
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
Baylis and Harding Wild Rose and Raspberry Bottle & Skin Spa Travel Set
Baylis and Harding Wild Rose and Raspberry Bottle in Sequin Bag
The packaging on this is lovely - really pink, sparkly and expensive looking; the bottle inside is plastic too which is good if, like me, you grew up in a house where your mam went mental anytime you went anywhere near the bath with a glass bottle/jar "in case you drop it and crack the bath", sigh. This body wash isn't heavily scented which I personally think is a good thing as I sometimes find things that are really heavily floral scented a bit much for me. It was a nice body wash to use, and best of all it only costs £3.50! I actually think I'm going to buy some of these as Christmas presents, there's also Sweet Mandarin and Grapefruit (which sounds yummy!) and Moonlight Lavendar that come in these lovely special bags. If you'd like to buy some of these for Christmas pressies (or even if you'd like Santa to bring you one), you can find them here.
Skin Spa Travel Set
I think this is lovely as a gift or just a nice item if you travel regularly, I like the little handle on the box too so that, in theory if you did go on your travels with it you could just carry it rather than packing it and worrying about things leaking in your bag etc. I like the packaging of this too, it's quite minimalist but that isn't a bad thing! You can buy this set here.
Monday, 29 November 2010
Joico K-Pak Intense Hydrator for dry, damaged hair - Pink Ribbon Edition
I definately would buy this again, it was a real treat for my hair, it's made me nterested to try their Joico K-Pak Deep Penetrating Reconstructor Treatment for Damaged Hair, which I suspect may be even more moisturising on my hair.
Sunday, 28 November 2010
Last day to enter my Hotel Chocolat Giant Milk Chocolate Truffle Tree giveaway
Friday, 26 November 2010
I have lash extensions again, yay!
About a year ago I got lash extensions and I loved them, finally my lashes looked like I wanted them to! No more messing around with primers and mascaras on a morning either. They were actually the first thing I ever blogged about a year ago. But due to the cost (and me feeling vain to be spending so much money on something so insignificant to most people) and struggling to get appointments with the girl who did them I ended up stopping in the new year. But after seeing a brilliant deal on Wahanda near me for a full set of Nouveau lashes with 50% off, making them £54, I decided it was time for my lash extensions to make a return!
I got them done at The Beauty Lounge at the Radisson Blu hotel at Manchester airport. The Beauty Lounge is a little small, and is in the corner of the gym, but the actual treatment room is nice and the girls that work there are really friendly and good at what they do. I got a file and polish on my toes and my lash extensions, I would definately recommend this salon, the girl who did my lashes was great (as was the girl who did my toes), she really knew what she was doing and she didn't skimp with the lashes to save time either! They don't look totally false or ridiculous either, it just looks like I've got naturally gorgeous lashes, which is what you want really when you've got them on all day every day - I don't want to be in the office looking like Cher Lloyd! I also got a complimentary lash/brow brush and a waterproof mascara as well, which was a nice touch.
Lash extensions require a bit of maintenance - I don't use mascara or eyeliner when I wear these, just a line of MAC Carbon applied above the lashline and I try not to get them wet or rub at my eyes. It saves me loads of time in the morning though as I normally have to apply loads of mascara! You do need to get them infilled as well as time goes on, I think it was generally about 4-5 weeks when I started needing mine done again last time I had them.
P.S. Remember, if you sign up at Beauty Heaven by Wahanda, you'll get a £5 off voucher just for signing up as well as more prizes and discounts the more people you share with! So, the lashes could actually cost you £49.
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
Xen Tan Dark Lotion - Weekly Self Tan
I'm not feeling so great about the way I look at the min so I decided to change what I can for now, and deal with the other stuff on an ongoing basis (hello, spare tyre!). I started with an instant boost for feeling slimmer and just feeling a little bit better, fake tan. Namely Xen Tan Dark lotion. I have used normal Xen Tan before and liked it as it's olive toned, not orange, so I went for the dark version.
It looks kind of scary in the bottle:
Application was easy, the lotion is really creamy, applies well and as shown above, the guide colour is nice and dark so you can see where you've applied. It smells nice too, like marzipan. I applied the tan using my bare hands, and thoroughly scrubbed my palms after each area to make sure I didn't have orange palms - using a glove is miles better for not getting orange palms but I find it hard to apply with gloves on. They recommend using their fake tan mitt so might try that in future. After application, the tan dried pretty quickly on my skin and actually left my skin feeling moisturised rather than sticky or coated.
The instructions said to wait at least 3 hours before showering or swimming - I'm sure this is miles quicker than other tans I've used? That's great if that's the case, no more having to sleep in my tan and getting the sheets all manky! But I left it on for about 8 hours as I applied on the Saturday morning to go out on the Saturday night. The tell-tale fake tan smell does turn up eventually as the tan develops, but it isn't as strong as other tans.
I was a bit worried as I got someone to help me do my back and they slapped on a LOT of product on my back and shoulders (and worryingly, whilst liberally applying product asked "does putting more tan on mean you go browner? Er...you're going to be brown if so."), but it turned out fine - a gorgeous, even olive colour with no streaks, and amazingly no tell-tale dark patches on my (extremely dry) elbows where the tan had stuck. I actually even used it on my face too and it looked ok.I had done a little test patch on the inside of my arm which you can see below, and this was the difference in colour to my skin - it looks much more golden in real life though!
Xen Tan, you have now become part of my new and improved beauty routine!


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During the making of Into the Night only one song came to mind while making this scarf. 10,000 maniacs - because the night. I love how it turned out this is one of the longest scarves I had ever made measures 8.5 feet! Beginning with a variety of fabric and notions I then tear cut and knot together roll into a ball then knit. A three day journey in the end is a art scarf that is long luxurious warm and definitely a head turner.
Materials used are cotton, wool, hemp, silk, plastic zipper teeth and polyester.


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I've been to a bunch of games, sung the national anthem at two (with a choir), and even own a few hats. Ignoring the excitement in our city isn't possible. It's been fun getting swept along in the tide and even watching (gasp!) the Rocks sweep the D-Backs.
Local news channels spend the bulk of air time on Rockies interviews and what's struck me is their humble attitude. They swept the Phillies (my old home team) and didn't take anything for granted. They never assumed a sweep with the Diamond Backs, even when they won 3 games and only needed one more win. I wondered...
Now I don't need to wonder anymore. Local papers have lambasted some Rockies players for mentioning faith. People wrote to the editor of the Post complaining about the mention of religion and baseball. Separation of church and mound?
Anyway, here's a link to a fantastic article about our Rockies. I'm so proud of how they ACT Jesus, rather than beat Jesus into people.


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They had embarked on the union with common ideals and objectives. It was exciting going through the ups and downs of realising their vows. They worked hard, much harder after the arrival of the kids. A decade down the line, the ideals began to crack. Their choices began to differ. Their objectives does not match anymore. Where had he gone wrong ? Where had they gone wrong ? This question begs to be answered and in answering Jim realised that no wrong has been done. Only that they both had changed. Changed by the passage of time. Altering their values and needs. Each became a different person in the others eyes, maybe because each does not conform to the others expectations after all these years.
The one thing that they both agreed on is that the kids should be well taken care of. Jim realised that no matter how well they plan, the separation will have a negative impact on the kids. He also realised that he is beyond the point of return and that is just something that he is powerless to prevent. At first he thought that perhaps he could continue with the charade for the sake of the kids, but it doesn't work. The negativity and lack of warmth is not lost on the kids. The elder even starts to blame themselves for the situation. That is what finally drove Jim to come out and make the move towards separation.
It is sad, yet the prospect of escaping the suffocation provides some comfort to Jim. He imagined going through the coming days on his own. That is the price that he has to pay. He just could not understand why life has been so unfair to him. Why does this happen ? There are no third person involved for either of them, no drunken bouts, no late night outings, no abusive violence and money has always been in abundance. Theirs were a civilised union, yet, it came to an end when it should be at the peak.
Jim just sat there staring at the papers with teardrops slowly making its way down his cheeks. There are just so many consequences, so many causes, so may thoughts and hurts and pains that invaded his mind and he is powerless. All the years, the efforts, the joy and the sorrow, all of them will be relegated to a deep dark place in his psyche. And the kids, the kids will be hurt too.
With that thought, Jim raised his pen and in one swift movement put his mark on the papers to initiate the inevitable. He just hoped and prayed that somehow the kids will be alright.


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Faisal Shahzad, a U.S. citizen of one year, has been arrested in the Times Square bombing probe. The Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) had issued a specific BOLO for individuals who had recently traveled out of the country.Mr. Bloomberg prior to the arrest of Mr. Shahhzad, showed that he is yet another dumbass politician spouting off on a subject he knows little about. Mr. Bloomberg's ranting that this had to be a "right wing" nut case, or this from CBS Ch 2 NYC
Ultimately, authorities removed three passengers from a Dubai-bound flight late Monday. The three included Shahzad, the suspect arrested in connection to the foiled bomb attempt at Times Square. Shahzad was arrested at JFK airport in New York and the other two passengers were allowed back on the flight.
Was Shahzad a victim of racial profiling? What specific information was on the BOLO and why were specific individuals targeted?
Why are federal law enforcement officials allowed to use profiling while Arizona law enforcement officers will be criticized for enforcing the same laws?
New York mayor Michael Bloomberg said of the Arizona law, "We are committing suicide by having this law." But he took to grandstanding before the media and the NYPD to congratulate their actions. Are NYPD officers trustworthier than Arizona local law enforcement officers?
Maybe some pinhead Federal judge will see it for what it is and release Shahzad because he was a victim of some run amuck racial profiling edict. When he is released he could attend some competent bomb-making school and visit Mayor Bloomberg's personal residence. I am sure that the governor of Arizona would attend his memorial service.
Bloomberg later told CBS Evening News Anchor Katie Couric that the suspect behind the bombing attempt could be a domestic terrorist angry at the government who acted alone....gee that really inspires you to think that the "authorities" really know what they're talking about, doesn't it?
"If I had to guess 25 cents, this would be exactly that. Homegrown, or maybe a mentally deranged person, or somebody with a political agenda that doesn't like the health care bill or something. It could be anything," he said.


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Friday, June 18, 2010
Mailbag question: USC players
Posted at 8:00am -- 6/18/2010
Mailbag question: USC players
Hey guys, great stuff lately as always. Just a quick question, a couple of years ago we were recruiting a kid out of the PSL (I think) named Nick Perry. He was one of the top DE's in the country for that class. We thought we were in it but he ultimately chose USC.
So my question is now with the USC sanctions allowing players to leave without sitting out a year might he come back home? If not him are there others who may be interested?
Keep up the good work!!
Tom T.
Thanks for the question.
That is a tough question, and any maybe is not even in the early developmental stage. USC is still going to be on national TV a ton, so exposure is not a problem.
USC is still going to attract NFL scouts in droves. so that is not an issue.
Defenders like Nick Perry will be playing for one of the most respected DC's in the business in Coach Kiffin. Coach Carroll and many other noted coaches credit him as a mentor, a plus for the USC program.
Players like Perry, who have limited eligibility remaining, are less likely to transfer, but it is not out of the question. Ronald Johnson likely will not come back to Michigan, among many factors not in Michigan's favor is the style of offense and how the split ends have been used the last couple of years at Michigan certainly would be unattractive to a potential high draft pick.
Is it possible either would come back? Possible, yes, but highly unlikely in our opinion -- we could see either going to Michigan State before Michigan.
People need to remember that no matter how Michigan fans can minimize what is going on in Ann Arbor, others around the country have a different perception.
So, not many players would want to leave a team like USC soon to be under sanctions to go to another team like Michigan that has been investigated, self-penalized, and are waiting on the NCAA in August for final sanctions.
Now if the NCAA ruling had came out earlier then we could possible see USC players looking into Michigan, but since nothing will be finalized until mid-August that means that the players would have to trust the word of coaches they really don't know, an unlikely scenario after being burned by coaches they did trust.
This is a situation that is bad for the current USC players, because they are at a place they wanted to be part of, and in most cases the current USC players were not even in high school when these events occurred. They will be the ones that have to suffer the consequences, not the school, the president, the current head coach, the previous head coach, the assistant coaches, the athletic director, boosters, or former players.
Written by GBMW Staff
Go Blue -- Wear Maize!
Posted by GBMWolverine at 8:00 AM
Labels: Michigan, Wolverines, Football Football, Mailbag Question, Recruiting
1 comment:
great reply, but the truth hurts.
- Sunday, June 20, 2010 at 11:21:00 AM EDT
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|Jeff Gordon currently sits 18th in points heading to Kentucky (Getty)
"If you could have picked [the No. 24 car] up (from 20th-place in the running order) and placed it in the top seven or eight, we could have stayed there and maybe battled with the leaders," said Gordon after last year's event. "We just needed track position."
Gordon finished 10th in that event, and the No. 24 Drive To End Hunger team will attempt to better that – and thecompetition – during Saturday night's Quaker State 400.
"The track is very challenging," said Gordon, who has gained four positions and moved up to 18th in theNASCAR Sprint Cup Series point standings over the last two weekends. "It's the same thing that makes it difficult to pass any race weekend – usually because it's a one-groove race track.
"There are pretty severe bumps getting into turn three, so it's hard to run side-by-side because you get really loose underneath somebody. And the pace is pretty fast – you carry good speed through the corners here.
"It's just hard to get an edge on the competition."
Since Gordon did not win the inaugural event, Kentucky Speedway joins Homestead-Miami Speedway as the only two tracks where Gordon has yet to visit Victory Lane. Kentucky is also one of four tracks where Gordon has yet to win a pole (Las Vegas, Kansas and Homestead-Miami being the others).
But while qualifying well would mean less traffic for Gordon at the start of the race, traffic outside the track is a major talking point heading into the weekend.
"[Traffic] certainly dominated the conversation on Twitter," said Gordon. "I think (Speedway Motorsports, Inc., chairman) Bruton (Smith) and that group have a lot of pressure on them this year to make sure that doesn't happen again.
"I don't know if you can fix it all at once, but I feel confident that they are going to make some huge strides.
"I think it is going to be a much better experience for all of the fans."
- Performance PR Plus


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Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Guest chops on SWEET TOOTH #34.
Jeff Lemire's fantastic series Sweet Tooth for Vertigo! It'll hit stores in June... more info as the time approaches. It's always exciting to work on this project, and hope to do it more and more over time.
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About Me
- Nate Powell
- Eisner Award winning, NYT Best-Selling graphic novelist behind March, Any Empire, Swallow Me Whole, The Lost Hero, The Silence Of Our Friends, The Year Of the Beasts, and Sounds Of Your Name. Native of North Little Rock AR; resident of Bloomington IN.


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2. Nuclear Energy is 1000 times safer than Coal, Oil, and Hydro Power
3. The Myths and Realities of Solar and Wind Energy
4. Anti-Nuclear Singer Elected to US Congress
5. John Hall's Report Lacking in Key Facts
6. Anti-Nuclear Bloggers Support John Hall
7. Indian Point's Containments Among the Safest
8. Listen to the show at (510) 248-0360
9. Leave a voice mail at (206) 984-3654
Australian Nuclear Report
This past week the Australian government released their formal study of the potential for expanding the nuclear industry in Australia. The study concluded that even in coal-rich
Some fascinating statistics from the report:
- Nuclear energy accounts for 0.006 fatalities per GWe-year of energy produced.
- Gas powered electricity accounts for 15 times more fatalities than nuclear.
- Coal, oil, and hydo powered electricity account for 1000 times more fatalities than nuclear.
So here's another independent analysis that shows nuclear energy is the safest form of large scale electrical generation!
The report was greeted, as you would expect, by a flurry of press conferences and official statements by politicians and green party members who condemned the report as biased. Some even threatened legal action.
South Australian Premier Mike Rann, for example, says his government will pass laws to prevent a nuclear power station ever being built in the state. No surprise here – the coal industry is a strong supporter, and will do everything they can to prevent nuclear energy from taking any market share. This kind of reaction is just plain irresponsible in light of Australia's air quality that claims more lives than traffic accidents every year.
Another report from New Zealand Green Party tries to create public fear of a Chernobyl-type accident by claiming
The Australian report predicts that the first nuclear plants could be running in 15 years, and by 2050 25 nuclear plants could be running. That that would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in
The Myths and Realities of Solar and Wind Energy
Last Saturday afternoon I was admiring the beauty of the desert while taking a run along the
I'm getting off track because I wanted to talk about solar and wind. On Saturday and Sunday I was thinking
My experience made me wonder what the typical capacity factors are for wind and solar power stations. Nuclear plants on average put out 90% of their rated capacity day in and day out, so that was my benchmark. At 90%, nuclear plants run at 100% most of the time except for planned maintenance and refueling outages every 18 or 24 months that last a month or less.
What I found confirmed what I suspected – in the USA solar photovoltaic stations have an abysmal 21 % capacity factor because the sun doesn't shine at night, but also because cloudy days and the seasonal changes in the angle of the sun mean that solar panels virtually never operate at their rated capacity. Solar thermal systems, systems that convert sunlight to heat, have slightly higher capacities, but are much more expensive to build.
Wind energy is affected by the weather conditions, and by mechanical breakdowns, resulting in a capacity factor of about 41 %. Don't get me wrong, I've been fascinated by wind and solar energy my whole life, and I'd love to see the technologies mature. While both are getting better every year, experts predict that by 2030 wind energy will only produce 1.1% of all the electricity consumed in the
The low capacity factors have another less obvious impact – it raises the cost of producing a given amount of energy. Let me explain this in simple terms; Let's assume there are two power stations that both put out 1000 MW, and both cost the same to build and operate. Plant "A" runs at 40 % capacity factor, and plant "B" operates at 80%. With this difference in capacity factors, every MW of electricity generated by A will cost twice that of power plant B. That's a huge consideration in a market where a few tenths of a cent on a kilowatt of electricity is the difference between making a profit and going out of business.
So that brings me back to reality – the capacity factors of wind and solar, when combined with the construction and operating costs put them both way out of line with coal, nuclear, gas and oil. You've heard me talk about gas and oil before – they are the highest cost options and we shouldn't be burning them anyway if were going to reduce our reliance on foreign fuel sources. That leaves the big two – coal and nuclear. Solar and wind will continue to get better and cheaper, but they won't put a dent in coal or nuclear in my lifetime or even in my daughter's lifetime. That's why you don't hear about large utilities planning to invest in 30 to 50 Gig watts of solar and wind capacity, but they are talking about that level of investment in coal and nuclear. There are other technologies out there, too, like tidal generators, biomass, and a few others, but none have a chance to contribute even 1% of our energy needs in the foreseeable future. That's why nuclear energy is the only technology that has a chance to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions released by burning coal.
I've used statistics from the United States in this discussion, because that's the data that's readily available for me. My conclusions hold true elsewhere because the economics are essentially the same elsewhere in the world. Nuclear energy is even more attractive in the EU where they've implemented a carbon trading program.
This is the same debate, and the same logic that has brought so many environmentalists around to support nuclear energy; Patrick Moore, for example. He's one of the founding members of Greenpeace, and here's what he has to say about nuclear energy…
(Patrick Moore audio plays here)
That was Patrick Moore sharing why he supports expanding nuclear energy.
So reflecting back on my mental wanderings in the
Politics and the Indian Point License Renewal
In my last show I talked about politics at the national level in the
John Hall is vocally anti-nuclear, and he campaigned on a promise to shut down Indian Point Nuclear Plant and turn it into what he calls an "
And tidal power? Well at least we'd have electricity on the full moon!
Oh – I forgot to mention, John Hall claims to want to reduce CO2 emissions, but he also wants to add lots of gas turbines burning bio-diesel. Hey, I'm a big fan of bio-diesel, because it can help reduce foreign oil consumption, but last time I checked burning bio-diesel it still created CO2! There is no way that NY State can meet its obligations under the Northeast Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative under Congressman John Hall's proposal.
I'm all for developing these technologies, but as I've just explained, none of these separately or in aggregate can replace the contribution that nuclear energy makes – not at Indian Point, and not anywhere.
I also have to mention that funding for John Hall's
John Hall's suggestions are strangely reminiscent of the Shoreham Nuclear plant deal – remember that one? Then Governor Mario Cuomo brokered a deal where NY State bought a brand new, ready to operate nuclear plant from Long Island Lighting Company for $1 and assumed the billions of dollars of debt that they passed on to the taxpayers. The state tore the plant down, and the people of NY paid for it and will continue paying for it through our children's lifetimes. The deal also resulted in
I'll have to give John Hall the benefit of the doubt because he's obviously been misled on the science, and economics underlying electricity infrastructure in southern NY. We'll need to give him a chance to use his new position to become better informed on the issues and the facts. He claims he's been against nuclear plants since the 1970's and that may be part of the problem. The nuclear industry today is NOT the industry of the 1970's! Advancements in the technology that have been added to existing plants, 40 years of worldwide operating experience, and improvements in all aspects of how nuclear plants are operated, tested, maintained, and managed paint a striking contrast – I've been in the industry for about 23 years and have seen a remarkable change in just that period of time. In the 1970's most nuclear plants had trouble staying on line for half the time. Today, the industry's average capacity factor is 90%! That's better than any other form of electricity generation!
The Hall report also makes an interesting reference to "unscrupulous multinational corporations who have downsized thousands of people." The only multinational corporation I know of in his district that has downsized thousands of people is IBM. I wonder what IBM thinks about his characterization of their corporate morality?
Anti-Nuclear Blogger
Congressman-elect Hall definitely got out the radical anti-nuclear vote. One such activist, a blogger who calls himself "Porgie Tirebiter" is publishing misinformation and false accusations about Indian Point. According to Mr. Tirebiter there's criminal collusion going on between the NRC and Entergy, the plant's owner, to hide the truth and lie to the public. If you believe him, the plant is spewing glowing green toxic waste, the containments are falling down, and the operators are a bunch of illiterate morons. I really take offence to his characterizations. Yeah, I'm biased, I'll admit it, but my beliefs are the result of years of study, and personal real world experience. In fact, I spent several years in operations at Indian Point, and held a senior reactor operator license there. I consider myself fortunate to know many of the operators who work there today. To a person they're smart, dedicated, and highly trained. Being a nuclear plant operator is a great job, but it's a demanding field that requires intelligence, dedication, and motivation. If you're missing any one of these traits you won't make it as a nuclear plant operator.
This reminds me of another fact about Indian Point that the mainstream media seems to miss – the containment system at Indian Point is one of the only ones in the world, maybe the only one – with a full-time liner leak detection system. It's a unique system that makes the Indian Point Containment one of the safest containments on the planet.
Indian Point's Contaiment Safety is Enhanced
Here's how it works: The containment is made from three or more feet of steel reinforced concrete. The inside of the containment is lined with an airtight steel liner That steel liner is made of thousands of steel plates welded together, and every one of the welds is encased in a welded steel channel that is pressurized with air. If a liner weld springs a leak then the operators can tell immediately because the pressure in the channels drop and the air flow to the channels rises. This ability for operators to continuously monitor the leak-tightness of the containment liner welds makes the Indian Point containments unique, and among the safest in the world.
Indian Point has some other unique design features that add to the safety of the plant that I'll talk about in a future show.
New Show Features
Now you can listen to the show by calling (510) 248-0360 on your cell phone or telephone (or via Skype). There's no charge for the call other than what your telephone or cell phone provider charges for the call. This is great if you're traveling, or if you don't have routine access to a broadband Internet connection.
You can also call and leave a voice mail that I can play on the show at (206) 984-3654.
Be Well!
John Wheeler


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From artistdirect.com:
Jon Bon Jovi is a busy man! He is working on his first solo album in 13 years. JBJ told Billboard that after the trek wraps next summer, he'll take a break and in September, he might record "a smaller-sounding solo record."
Expect an acoustic-sounding, lyric driven release, with a piano and a coupla guitars. That's straight from the horse's mouth.


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Yeah, nice, wasn't it? It was about 20 degrees cooler than it was last year, downright chilly in the morning and incredibly pleasant in the afternoon. The company for the day:
Monday, August 29, 2011
Ahhh, the last team ride of August
Death Valley "Extra Credit" Ride Details
Friday, August 26, 2011
A Reminder, a Plea, a Warning even....
Monday, August 22, 2011
This Week in Preview
We're "fresh" off ODRAM (and, for a select trio, MARDO), but we have a HUGE week upon us so no rest for the weary!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Impromptu Team Ride
For those not riding in the ODRAM on Saturday (or those that do and want even more mileage) we are putting together an unofficial team ride on Sunday. Ride leaves at 1:00 from Tom and Mary's house in Rockford (email us if you need directions). We'll do about 50 miles and then grill out on the patio afterwards. Sort of like a Wine Wednesday ride, but we'll call this one Sangria Sunday. Bring whatever and whoever you want. This will be casual, one loop, with a shower or hose option at the end. Please let us know if you are planning to attend.
Ride On.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
August already?!?!
August - it's hot, for the most part. Mercifully, my lawn has settled down and doesn't need to be mowed every weekend (not that I do that). Back to School ads are in full cry, and... well, it's the height of riding season in West Michigan!


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Theme: Witnessing to the Gospel in Faith and Love
Pragmatism is an ideology that evaluates theories or beliefs in terms of the success of their practical application. For instance, a pragmatist will only believe that one is a good cook not when he describes the process of preparing a particular dish but when he actually prepares it well.
Pragmatism has permeated every sector of our society and religion has not been spared. In times past, people believed a man of God by the authority with which he spoke, but today, by the signs and wonders he perform. The world wants every theory to be practiced and proved effective before it is accepted.
In the gospel reading (Jn. 20:19-31), we see Thomas as a core pragmatist. He did not believe in reasoning but in experience. He never wanted to listen to the event of Christ's resurrection and appearance but wanted to experience it. He needed an empirical first-hand experience.
In our religious practices, many of us are like Thomas. We want God to show us everything, to reveal every mystery to us before we believe. We want to see the Eucharist turn into empirical flesh and blood. We want to see a candidate for anointing of the sick rise up immediately after receiving the sacrament. We want God's blessings and promises to materialize immediately, etc.
But have we ever cared to compare our expectation from God and God's expectations from us? We expect God to be pragmatic, to be practical, but are we also pragmatic in our relationship with God? Can our religious doctrines and beliefs be seen practically in our lives?
In the first reading (Acts 4:32-35), we see a good example of pragmatic Christianity. The early Christians were preaching the gospel of Christ's resurrection, emphasizing peace, love, tolerance, unity, etc. and these virtues were practically seen in the way they lived. Today, their community spirit and practical examples are presented to us examples to follow.
In the second reading (1 John 5:1-6), we are given two ingredients for a practical Christianity: faith and love. One may ask if there could be a Christian who does not believe in God. The answer could be found when we consider believing in God to mean our way of life expressing our conviction about God.
When we believe in God, we should express this belief by loving God and the only way to love God is by keeping His commandments which are summarized into love for God and love for our neighbour.
Beloved brethren, within this period of lent and beyond, the Church exhorts us to witness to the gospel of Christ's resurrection not just by mere proclamation by mouth but by our actions. Our actions should depict triumph of good over evil. It should portray love for God and our neighbours. This love should not be selfish but should be open to all irrespective of sex, race or creed, because Christ died for all. You can begin today to show good examples in your school, office, business, etc. It is never too late to begin something good.
For those who are backsliding in faith because some believers do not show up their faith in actions, Jesus exhorts you today: "blessed are those who do not see but believe". Do not be discouraged rather put up the actions that others will see and believe. God loves you.
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It seems that touch screen technology is upon us now more than ever and is not likely to end any time soon. With the Apple iphone on everyone's wish list in 2007 to touch screen computer screens, grocery store check outs, banks and even the postal delivery service asking you to kindly sign the touch screen. What is the latest in touch screen technology?
Touch screens have found their way into cars. The GPS system- once seemed to signify a high tech gadget in automobiles is becoming a standard. Now, computers in cars which include GPS systems offer more than just an interactive compass. Computers being built for the next year's model cars will replace some of the current buttons we have all come accustomed to. Soon, more small screens built in as part of the dashboard or just to the right of the steering wheel won't provide the shock factor they once used to. Starting in 2009, Volkswagen will be installing computers in all of their new cars, whether people ask for them or not. These computers will be replacing the controls for heating, air conditioning and trip computers all within the car's own computer. With no physical keyboard necessary, a touchpad keyboard is built within the screen, allowing the driver to touch the screen and control functions by touch. Of course there are several disclaimers addressing the owner and operator of the vehicle to only use the buttons while not driving, bringing up issues of accidents- drivers playing around with controls while they are suppose to be driving.
Other smart function of these little computers is how they are connected. If it looks like several cars with computers inside them are converging in one area over another, the computer may suggest going a different direction in order to avoid traffic congestion.
Who knows where we will find touch screen technology next. We went from having a computer mouse with touch pad technology similar to using a touch screen to laptops with their own touch pad and now touch screens on computers and other screens that let us move things around using strictly our fingertips. Cars are more technical then they have ever been and it takes a lot more skill to be an auto mechanic then it used to. Even though computers on our dashboards may seem like the cool new feature now-perhaps some day we will wonder how we ever drove a car without them.
About the author:Melissa Peterman is a web content specialist for Innuity. For more information about finding a high tech touchpad keyboard ,or computer mouse , go to Cirque.


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Friday, December 03, 2010
Why Do You Do That?
I was working on the second foot of a pair of socks made according to Cat Bordhi's Footprints method, and spinning on a silk cap I had dyed a few weeks back. It never fails (at least in East Tennessee) that doing needlework in this situation leads to conversations with complete strangers, and I tend to enjoy those spontaneous opportunities for proselytizing to the non-fiber folk around me.
However, I discovered yesterday that I was giving rote answers to a never-changing slate of questions. While knitting, the first question was invariably, "Are you knitting?" There's not much scope for even a smart-alec like me in that one, so I answered, "Yes, sir" (or ma'am, as the case might be). But the next question, every single time, was "But that looks like a sock? You're not knitting a sock, are you?" This was always in a rather hesitant tone of voice, as if leery of giving offense by not recognizing that I was actually knitting, say, a flipper cover for a seal or something equally unusual. My response, again, was almost word for word, "Yes, it's a sock – I like knitting socks that fit me exactly and keep my feet nice and warm all fall and winter long."
Now came the usual bit (this response is so frequent as to be annoying, actually), "But you can buy socks at Walmart for just a dollar or so a pair; why make your own? Isn't wool yarn expensive?"
Now, let's face it – people either get socks or they don't. If they don't, all you can do is feel sorry for them and hope they don't sit there too long and give you whatever strange virus they're carrying. If they do, you pull your foot out of your shoe or boot and let them "ooooh" and "ahhhh" over the pair you're wearing right now. You next offer the address and phone number of your LYS, where they can learn to make their own lovely custom footwear. But I was polite, even to the ones who seemed to be carriers of that strange anti-sock virus, merely saying "I enjoy knitting things that fit me exactly and wear for years. And I don't think $20 for a pair of wool socks that I can wear for four or five winters is all that bad a price."
No fooling, I repeated these sentences, with no significant variation, often enough over a six-hour period that the receptionist was saying them with me!
The spinning conversation was equally repetitious. "What are you doing, making string?"
"Yes, I'm making silk string that I'll knit with later."
"Doesn't that take an awfully long time?"
"It's actually surprisingly fast. I make between five and ten yards of yarn a minute."
"Oh. You do know that you can buy yarn already made, right?" Again in a hesitant tone of voice, as in 'don't upset the crazy hippie lady.'
"Yes, I do – but I enjoy doing it myself. That way I can control all the variables."
"But isn't it just yarn?" This time in a bewildered tone.
Again, a conversational stopper – how do you answer this? By this time, either the questioner has gotten the idea that what I'm making is quite special (hand dyed, hand spun silk caps spun to a specific grist of singles), or again they're carrying some odd anti-fiber disease I don't want to risk catching. So I turn the conversation to their hobbies, and try not to ask quite such asinine questions about them. And excuse myself as quickly as possible – they may be contagious!
The aforementioned receptionist was quite lovely, by the way. Not a knitter or crocheter, but her sister is a member of the club, and she herself is a grateful recipient of her sister's handwork. Finally it was late in the afternoon, and it was just the two of us in the waiting area. Her comments were a bit more intelligent than had been the norm throughout the afternoon…and at last somewhat made up for the rote conversations in which I had participated to that point! She was the one who started me thinking, truthfully. I hadn't realized that my KIPing and SIPing conversations were so repetitive until she mentioned it.
So now I'll ask you folks: do the paragraphs above comprise most of your own knitting/spinning in public conversations? Or do folks in different parts of the country or world feel differently about what you do? I'm genuinely curious, by the way – surely the Southeastern US isn't the norm?
3 comments:
- simona said...
Big fan of your blog, learned to make the perfect sock here. I get the same reaction too, but when I respond they notice my accent and they say " oh, you are not American, and you brought the from the old country. " In 1977 my family immigrated from Romania, and I am an AMERICAN, that loves to spin, knit..... for the love of it.
- Fran said...
Love your style...thanx for the laugh, yes, it is sad how ignorant people can be..hope your husband is recovered..Happy Knitting/Spinning in the New Year...Fran
- PJ Kite said...
Thanks, ladies, and sorry about the delay in my response - life sometimes gets a bit nuts!
Simona, I currently have a Russian knitting student (someone I work with). During our lessons, she gets a lot of attention and the assumption is that she's teaching me - which gives us both a laugh!


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Welcome to children playing in the garden images, which is an article that handles the issue on the grounds, but it makes an interesting garden, besides being full of colorful, beautiful and radiant flowers; have a luxury program shine sunlight; particularly good at what seems to me a garden that has more life when we see children play in.
The good life of being children
- If we teach children from a young to take care of our garden will be more close to nature; and provide an incentive to their care and conservation. They very well may learn to sow plants, water the flowers and prune the garden. You just have to lead them and educate them.
- The gardens give harmony and joy to a home, because in the can spend your free time, chat with friends or family, hold a party, make a barbecue or take tea in the afternoon; and if you have children will be the recreational place to complement the rest of your activities.
- The images of children in the garden, are full of joy and fun, you will forget all evil, and I promise you'll want to have your own garden, take care of him as a treasure, add pleasing designs, they become a comfortable place and pleasant to distract yourself during evenings and weekends.
Kids doing homework images
Welcome to kids doing homework images, which is an article showing how important homework together with children in case, or habit that should have to develop their own activities and responsibility for the fulfillment of the work of the school.
These images show the discipline through photos
- It applied to be children when they are taught responsibility from home, so that encourages other children to fulfill daily duties assigned in school note without waiting for parents to remember what to do.
- The responsibility is a value that has been lost over the years, perhaps because it has changed the way parenting before parents tended to be a little tighter now, before not much opportunity was given to children to conduct their duties. Currently, it seems that they can perform their tasks when they want.
However, there are many families who still teach such values as it would be unforgivable not to meet each activity and look like an irresponsible person. Those responsible earn more respect and support of society.
They are considered to carry out the fulfillment of a goal. Therefore, although do their homework seems something simple, will determine the degree of responsibility that will have a child at maturity.


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- Not a day (no, not even one single day) goes by without Madeleine and Ian fighting over who gets to sit in the coveted seat at the back of the kitchen table. This might make sense if the tv were on while we're eating (since that seat would have the best view), but it's not. It seems like maybe the reasoning has become that that seat is closer to Alayna's highchair. Either way, it makes me want to scream.
- You could hear statements like these at almost any mealtime at our house:
"No!! I want the blue plate!!"
"Mom! He got the blue plate yesterday!!"
"You get what you get and you don't get upset!"
- Our older kids also have a real talent for arguing over what they watch on netflix. There are a few shows they agree on, like Avatar: the Last Airbender and the Fantastic Four. But mostly if Ian wants to pick something besides those two, Madeleine will fight it. Pretty much if it's not her way/choice/idea/etc. it's worth fighting over.
- If you're like me, you hope that prayer-time will be a brief moment of peace in your home. But again, if you're like me, you are disappointed on that one. Those two even have to fight over who gets to say the prayer. Unbelievable!


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Its the all too familiar sight in Goa at this time of the year. The streets packed to capacity. Traffic snarls all over the city. The town painted red with with the memorabilia of Christmas. Santa Claus waving from the glimmer of paint from glass fronted shops, Christmas carols renting the air and absolutely no place to park your two wheeler, while your four wheeler has no ambitions to make to the city for a long time to come.
From music shops to food outlets, to cloth shops to gift shops and groceries to designers, from stationers to hair stylists and beauticians to cold storages and sweet marts, there is a buzz of big time business in Goa for all merchants at this time of the year. With barely 2 days for the Christmas cheer to ring in, there is therefore the last minute scramble to fill up the missing ingredients to ensure that this years Christmas is not compromised for anything.
The prices of eggs normally soar in Goa at this time with a commanding premium. Eggs are major ingredients in many of the Christmas sweets and the Goan Bebinca which is a class favourite among Goans calls for a lot of the egg. Broken eggs or damaged shell eggs do not remain on the shelf and are quickly whipped off by Bebinca makers. These eggs are cheaper compared to normal eggs.
The prices of all essential commodities also become steep as demand rises for various food items. Cashew nuts which is also another major ingredient for many Goan Christmas sweets such as cakes and marzipan, is also in great demand. Demand for Christmas decor always satisfies the passion of most Goans and you will find the streets filled with Christmas decor of all types most of which is imported from China and has a lot of takers here. The Goan Christmas "star" has innovated over the years and the various styles are on display. However nothing can obviously beat the home-made bamboo star which many Goans fondly fabricate till date and the same brings nostalgia to the Goan Christmas.
Goans are also passionate about their clothing and the women always prefer to ring in Christmas while flaunting the crispness of a new dress. Tailors and designers have their hands full all over Goa and you can forget about ordering for a new dress a good 15 days before Christmas and are likely to be turned down. The town is also packed with a host of mens suit shops and from ready-mades to made to order, there is one for everyone.
The cribs at home are being given their finishing touches and the Christmas tree is moving out from the gloom of its storage in the attic to the comfort of the living room with buntings all over. Kids are now expecting good ole Santa to provide them with the gifts that they have been awaiting the whole year .
The curtains are being ironed, and there is a coat of paint given to the peeling walls. The Christmas dance is on the mind and the midnight mass would be the best way to ring in the Christmas cheer for all Goans.
Goa is therefore getting ready for the Christmas flavour, heralding the birth of Christ our saviour and King.


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A project created Microsoft's XNA developer tools, Gymnast is based on a deceptively simple premise. You control a character's arms and legs independently to perform moves. Each stage begins with your gymnast grabbing hold of a bar or trapeze. By moving your arms and legs back and forth, you can shift your weight, build momentum and release using the controller's triggers. If you know what you're doing, you can somersault in mid-air, grab another bar or trapeze and flit gracefully about.
Release Region: United States
Release Date: Released
Publisher: Independent
Also available on: Xbox 360