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John 6. 30-35
30 So they asked him, "What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'[c]"
32 Jesus said to them, "Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
34 "Sir," they said, "always give us this bread."
35 Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
Bread is never boring!
What do you eat every day?
I know most days I have toast for breakfast there is nothing better than
Bread is something that we take for granted, but I wonder what life would be like without it?
All over the world bread is eaten – it is a staple part of our diet. It has been eaten though out history as well and is mentioned in the bible –
God gave the people of Israel 'manna' from heaven. A sweet bread so they wouldn't die from hunger so they would be able to keep going until they reached the promised land.
When we come to the Jesus, he tells us that he is the bread of life. He is 'manna' sent by God to feed us but not in a physical way but spiritually if we feed on Jesus then we will be able to live our lives fully fed and able to reach the promised land – heaven.
Sometimes like bread we take Jesus for granted, we get caught up in the other delights in life. We get distracted by cream cakes and steak and chips..
Sometimes we might think I'm bored of bread, and you go off and try something else. But after a little while you realise that you have only got to smell fresh bread or toast cooking then you long for it again. It's a bit like this with Jesus, there are times in our lives when we don't go to church, we think it doesn't matter – maybe it seems boring when other exciting stuff is happening. Like football or dancing, or any number of other things. But actually when things are difficult it's not football or dancing or anything else - we turn to it is Jesus.
It is said that when life becomes difficult even those that don't believe pray, just in case.
Bread is an every day essential like prayer. Prayer should be an essential part of our lives. It's not about fancy long complicated prayers. Whilst Bread comes in different forms, flavours, thickness but no matter what's added it is still down to earth and essential. So should prayer be. Down to earth like you are talking to a friend and essential something we do every day.
I think the Hebrews had it right when they had prayers for every part of their daily life. Thank you God for waking me this morning. Thank you God for this wonderful toast. Thank you God for the roads that aren't busy. Thank you God for the lady that brings the coffee. Even Thank you God that I can go to the toilet….
Bread is something to be eaten alone and to be shared, and everyone is welcome to share in the bread of life. But to make that possible we have some special breads like Gluten free. This bread is glued together differently. You have to add xantham gum for it to bake like bread. Otherwise it just crumbles. We are like that when we don't have Jesus in our lives our faith begins to crumble but Jesus will be there for us and help glue us back together so once again we can share in the bread of life.
Bread fills us, it makes us feel comforted, it's every day but special, it's something we turn to when we are hungry..
Jesus tell us.. 'I am the bread of life' and today I thank God for the bread of life, that comforts me, is there for me every day, but is the Son of God, and that fills me when I feel completely empty.
An activity today could be finding out the different kinds of bread. Perhaps bring a selection of bread to your class. Ask the children what bread they like best.
If you are feeling adventurous why not make bread.
Or make toast and eat it together, sharing what their favourite toppings are..
Enjoy the bread of life – there is nothing more satisfying.. J


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Monday, April 07, 2008
Homeschool beginnings 4
The year Erin 'missed the bus' for the first time, we were telling ourselves and everyone that we were just holding back on school enrolment until she was emotionally a little more ready. But even from the beginning of that year I had an inkling that the sort of delight-driven child-led natural learning that had been serving her well for over 5 years was going to continue to serve her well as time went on. And I wanted to do my best to make that clear to the people who cared about her.
That year I put a fair bit in the way of resources and energy into creating a picture of a robust and 'successful' homeschooling experience. It was a robust and successful experience already, from my perspective, but I wanted other people to see it as such. I zealously provided resources for Erin -- software, a globe, reference books and library books, art supplies, craft tools, booklets and games and toys. And I documented her learning experiences in several ways. First, I created and updated a web-page with lists of resources, photographs and descriptions. And then I put together a 'creativity scrapbook' for a couple of the pivotal extended family members filled with photos, art work and other creative output.
I was earnest and I wanted to create an impressive record that no one could argue with. I found photos that 'covered' math, and visual art, and physical education, and I wrote and captioned according to subject area. I was blessed with a kid who was of an age and stage to make all of this easy.
I also wrote a lot for my own comfort. I chronicled our days, I watched my children play and I wrote about what I saw beneath the surface of their play. I adored them, and I processed my pride and adoration by writing it down so that I could admire what was going on right at my feet, in my very own living room, under my very own apple tree. I developed a deep sense of comfort with what was naturally evolving amongst my children at home. It was in many ways an extremely challenging year; Sophie was mobile, Noah was a rascal of a preschooler, Erin was never an easy-going child. Being a stay-at-home mom was a very difficult job at that stage. But their learning and growing was a delight to watch, and I worked on my mindful awareness of what was going on every day over a big bin of Duplo. It helped.
This was the year that I allowed a lot of Erin's eggs to be thrown into the homeschooling basket. I happily let her start piano lessons, knowing full well that it would be next to impossible to continue lessons (out of town) if she were to go to school at some point. I helped her make social connections within homeschooling circles, scheduling regular Wednesday morning playdates. Homeschool art classes and swim lessons, in Nelson, 90 minutes away, were other homeschooling endeavours that I enthusiastically supported her in pursuing.
By the time we got to the end of the year I was able to say "well, we could put her in school next year, but if we did that she'd have to give up piano, and swimming, and art classes, and Wednesday get-togethers with Catherine, and nature days with the homeschool groups ... " It was a very effective tactic. Typically if friends and family have concerns about homeschooling these are concerns over what kids will miss out on. I was able to show them the flip side -- things that were already a part of Erin's life and working beautifully for her that she'd have to give up in order to go to school.
It never really came up as a major issue, though. I had, over the course of that year, stopped thinking about school as a possibility. I don't think Chuck and I ever did what we'd both intended to do, which was to informally re-evaluate together our educational choice. We never got challenged by extended family. A few asked casually that summer at the end of her Kindergarten year whether we were indeed continuing. And we shrugged and said we figured so, and that what the last time it ever came up.
And I think that's the end of our Homeschool Beginnings. I stopped feeling like I had anything to prove. Erin was busy being a poster child for unschooling, reading her eyeballs off and obsessively learning about the human body, dinosaurs, great artists and world geography. She was involved in arts, sports and other group activities. Homeschooling had just gradually become something that we did, a way we lived our lives, rather than a choice that we were making or needed to justify.
2 comments:
- Anonymous2:19 pm
I find it interesting (or I'm just envious) that people "bought" your comment that you were going to wait until Erin was more "emotionally ready". I, too, have a child who didn't fit in well socially and I, too, believed that giving her time to mature was the right course of action. But I can't tell you how many people thought the answer was to force her to socialize more, that school was exactly what she did need to "learn to get along with other kids", etc.ReplyDelete
Love your series on this, btw. It's a great reference to send to others.
- Anonymous4:08 pm
I so love reading about your activities and thoughts. Your weather and setting is nearly opposite mine (you are cool and rural, we are warm and urban} -- so I love dreaming of the beauty that's a particular part of your learning habitat. One part of this post did strike me: when you said the fact that your first child was a "poster child for unschooling." Sigh, my first child is not considered such by my mom (who recently pressed this on me yet again}. My daughter, turned 7 on Monday, is bright and curious, loves birth (aims to be a midwife) and chickens (a midwife who lives on farm :) , draws all the time, has a distinct and amazing and personal artistic sensibility. She is a fabulously marvelous girl . . . who doesn't read. The horror! I know you understand. But much as I appreciate my girl and all she is, some days I can't help but wish she'd read and do the poster child thing. Just wanted to share a bit. I'll keep reading . . . Nancy in NC, email@example.com
This blog is moving to archive-only status. Please consider posting comments instead at the active version of the blog at nurturedbylove.ca/blog
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subset: commoncrawl


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By Zoya
Have you ever associated living in a tunnel, with style, comfort and luxury? Check out this apartment extension carved by Sumessh Menon's out-of-box design to believe it!
Over a period of 90 days last year, Sumessh transformed a tin tunnel into a fashionable guest suite atop a residential terrace in Pune.
The 25' x 10' x 14' tunnel maintains an inside temperature of 20°C in scorching heat and thundering showers, thanks to its five-inch thick glass wool insulating layer. "The insulated tunnel constructed out of curved metal frames, bent plywood and coated metal is ideal to combat the fluctuating temperatures of the city," explains the designer.
The tin facade and its minty green colour almost camouflage the suite and make it look like a temporary structure. Indoors, the interiors reflect urbane luxury with the bathroom designed in a back-to-nature theme. The whole ambience reflects 'living amidst forestry': the end of the tunnel on the bathroom side is clad with frosted double glass with sandwiched bamboo shoots, while limestone and other stones used for the flooring and furniture take the nature thematic forward.
A monochromatic vinyl print of birds flying between tree branches (a random photograph shot in Mumbai; now digitally printed and enhanced) covers the white curved ceiling and blinds, reinstating the nature bit; and constituting seamlessness, when viewed in conjunction with the wooden flooring.
At the other end, light enters the suite at dramatic angles from a massive wood-and-glass propeller window, adding a touch of drama. The bright and colourful flaps can, however be pulled over to block daylight or ensure privacy.
The spotlight of the suite, however, lies on the bed that has been highlighted by a backlit headboard and curved, lit footboard.
Rattle proof, termite proof and sound proof are just some of the bonus features of this smart architecture that confirms that all it takes is a fertile imagination and a heightened aesthetic sense to add a plush all-equipped room to your house.


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A spectacular show, including:
- The school band
- String ensemble
- Chinese Lion Dance
- Bop til you drop
- Fireworks
- Food stalls: BBQ, Greek Souvlaki, Asian, Sushi
A spectacular show, including:
Congratulations to the Winner!
The winner of our 2015 raffle was drawn at the Fete on 17 October.
All proceeds of the raffle went towards the Field of Dreams.
We'd like to thank our sponsors!
Lindfield District Cricket Club has been a great long term partner of LEPS. Based at Tryon Oval our local cricket club in 2008 provided $25k of financial assistance to help build our school practice nets. The club has since utilised the batting enclosure after school during the cricket season and also helps maintain it. Yesterday, to coincide with Education Week, LDCC coordinated a clinic for all interested Year 1 and 2 students at LEPS. Club Stalwart Peter Rezak, along with former Australian cricketer Belinda Robertson, P&C's Peter Fahy and other LDCC volunteers promoted our national sport through a series of fun, skills activities in the lunch break.
Congratulations to the top Mathletics students at LEPS, Ian S 2CM, Yinkai C 1VW and Sophie A 1RN who all achieved a score greater than 97% of all activities attempted.
Professor Kevin Dunn and Dr Virginia Mapedzahama from the University of Western Sydney's, School of Social Sciences and Psychology were keynote speakers at last weekend's City Country Alliance (CCA) meeting in Menindee and Broken Hill. LEPS and 21
other NSW primary, secondary and Central schools will utilise UWS's expertise to survey, support and evaluate the effectiveness of a collaborative intercultural understanding, student and teacher exchange project over the next 6 years. The project being introduced is informed by the principles of intercultural education espoused in the Australian curriculum and is aimed at improving students' appreciation of diversity as well as increase their awareness, understanding and empathy towards diverse cultural groups.
This evaluation study will therefore assess the intercultural exchange programme's success in improving students' capacity to "value their own cultures, languages and beliefs (i.e. improve cultural confidence), and those of others (i.e. improve sense of
diversity " through "engaging with diverse cultures in ways that recognise commonalities and difference" – Australian Curriculum.
The City Country Alliance also includes local schools such as Killara HS, Beaumont Rd PS and Masada College as participating partners. The attendance and input of local Members of Parliament, Jonathan O'Dea and Paul Fletcher at the Menindee meeting needs
to be acknowledged.
LEPS opened its doors on Open Day 2015 to showcase some of the many experiences and activities on offer at this great school. There were performances by dance troupes, bands and the choir, tours of the Eco Garden and library and demonstrations of technology, science and PE. Classroom doors were wide open to parents, grandparents
and friends who enjoyed the opportunity to share the children's learning, before joining them for a leisurely morning tea in the sun.
Teachers and students loved having visitors at the school – our thanks go to all who joined us for this special day. Thank you also to the many parents who helped in variety of ways; with the dance, bands and morning tea, and those who helped in the canteen. The LEPS family is a wonderful community, and it was great to see so many people here yesterday.


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Unity rules!
MoBros games is an independent game development company based in Newfoundland, Canada. Our focus is to create games that pays respect to the very beginnings of video games. At MoBros. we don't rely on preconceived genre's, instead we aim to create our own.
Unity rules!
Great idea, can't wait to see some more of this looks like alot of fun.
The game looks like its coming along ok, though I can't say that it really reminds me of Metroid. I know it's early on in development but remember how organic the Metroid level design was. I'd say when most people think, or reminisnce of Metroid they think about Super Metroid. I feel the same as Mentor2 I got an idea of Quake more than Metroid, that being said I cant say that Metroid Prime really felt like "Metroid" either. What excited me the most about the upcoming Metroid: Other M was the fact they they implemented a somewhat heavy focus to the traditional 2D sidescroll gameplay. Good luck with this project!
Some sweet looking particle effects, nice job the movement looks great!
Unity rocks! Thanks for providing such a great development tool!
Nice artwork, reminds me of Alex Grey.


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We saw tons of custom nail designs – created to specifically complement the presented garments. There were some fierce brights, inspired by the '60s. As every season, tasteful nude nails were also popular. Photos where a city isn't identified were taken during New York Fashion Week.
To submit your own Fashion Week photos, e-mail photos with captions to [email protected]
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Lighthouse Centre Day Nursery
Catchment Area
Academic Results
Parents Forum
Buy & Sell
About Lighthouse Centre Day Nursery
Lighthouse Centre Day Nursery is a Voluntary/Charity school located in Manchester.
Contact Information
Lighthouse Centre Day Nursery Sandy Lane, Chorlton , Manchester, Greater Manchester, M21 8TZ
0161 881 1415
0161 881 3131
Other Info
- Type: Voluntary/Charity
- Gender: Co-ed
- Total on roll: 41
View the official OFSTED report for Lighthouse Centre Day Nursery
School Catchment Area
Academic Results
Parents Forum
New and exclusive to School Reviewer is our new parent's forum. Join other parents to discuss issues and topics that are relevant to your school, or join our national forum to discuss, ask or give advice on topics that matter to all parents. Get involved and start the conversation!
Buy & Sell
School Reviewer's new and unique Buy and Sell section Sell your child's outgrown uniforms, no longer needed books or any other items on your local selling platform. Welcome to the new and simple way to buy and sell unwanted school items.
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carrot soup with miso and sesame | smitten kitchen: " « scallion meatballs with soy-ginger glazeapple sharlotka » TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2012 carrot soup with miso and sesame
I hadn't meant for this soup to be so quintessentially early January — that would be, virtually fat free, dairy free, gluten free (miso dependent), vegan and the very picture of healthful do-gooding. It's about one cube of tofu away from earning a halo or at least being surrounded by singing cherubs. In fact, if you advertised a soup to me with all of those qualities, I'd probably run in the other direction because I am a dietary heathen, and I love butter, even if overdoing it in December now requires it in moderation. For the rest of time.
In fact, the reason why I made this soup is because, in general, I don't find carrot soups all that interesting and wanted to challenge myself to make one I'd love, and eat often. I turned to one of my favorite dressing recipes for inspiration — the ginger-carrot-miso awesomeness most of us know from sushi restaurants — and d"


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24 October 2014
the sadder side of a bird sanctuary
2 comments:
I've had so much fun trolling through your blog this morning. Such a delightful corner. Dead birds are sad. My kids were recently traumatized while bird watching from their bedroom window, they watched a stray cat snag a pigeon. It was terrible. But when we come upon not too squishy or smelly dead birds they are compelled to study it, lifting the wings and examining them. They bring a very scientific mind to the study of dead things.ReplyDelete
Your kids sound like my husband when we go for walks --- He always seems to spot the interesting bits first, whether it be a squished frog, the remains of a rabbit, or a dead coral snake. But we also get to see live creatures like the deer who cut paths through our neighborhood or the longhorn cattle and donkeys across the road from us. I am loving this living in the country!ReplyDelete


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The message they are sending is that it's not okay to diss Jews and call comedians bigots but it IS okay to be involved in a large scale scandal and be forced to resign from your post as a high profile politician.
Perhaps it's CNN's way of trying to be more like Fox News? At least that's what some people are saying. The train wreck that results from Rick Sanchez being fired just seems to get worse and worse.
MSNBC and Fox News are said to be "not interested" in Rick Sanchez. Who is? Click here to find out.
What did you think of CNN hiring Eliot Spitzer? How long do you think it will last?


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That is what I have declared today to be at our house. What things do we need to get caught up on? Here is a short list:
1. laundry
2. cleaning the dishes in the sink
3. charging my cell phone (it's been dead for a few days, I think)
4. "free" play for the kids - where they have to use their own imaginations
5. exercising
6. blogging
So, I folded the laundry from the dryer already. And I plugged up my cell phone. And the boys are playing/crafting with paper, markers, and scissors. (Evan is making cards for magic tricks.) And I am blogging. So far we off to a pretty good start!
I also thought it would be nice to catch you up on what we've been doing for the past few days. (Okay, it's been over a week. Sorry!)
Last week the boys finished their swim lessons! They did really well! Joel's teacher was telling me that because of his size and physical maturity he should stay in the same class if he took lessons again. I agreed and added that he's only three. He look surprised and said, "Oh! Then he's doing really well for his age!". (The other kids in his class were 5-6, maybe even a 7-year-old.) Evan's teacher said the same thing about him. And again, he was one of the smallest in his class. Steve was very impressed with their progress after swim lessons, so I am declaring the lessons a success this year on many levels!
That's Evan during his swim test. He made it all the way down and floated on his back for the required amount of time. Swimming back he was a little tired, but he has improved a lot on his strokes and his endurance.
On Saturday we went to a birthday for a sweet little girl from our community group in church who just turned 1! It was so much fun to share in her special day. Plus there were clowns there, too. Joel was scared at first, but recovered pretty quickly when the male clown made him a balloon hat. The clown also did card tricks, which is where I am assuming that Evan got his inspiration for today's craft. After that we came home and "chilled". That's what we did after church on Sunday, too.
On Monday we had some friends over. The kids had fun together and the moms actually got to talk! What a great playdate! It was raining when they were here, so we stayed indoors. Later the skies cleared so the boys went out to play. With the rain this past weekend and the beginning of the week, we have had a break in temperatures so the boys got to play outside some. I think we're going back to 100 degree days now, though.
Yesterday we attended a carnival at the local library. It was mostly outside, and the temps were making their way back up. The kids had fun though, and we ended the carnival time with a couple of trips down the inflatable water slide. Poor Joel got "stuck" at the end of the slide both times. He just stopped moving and had to get up and walk to the pool at the bottom. Evan made it in both times. I told him before his second trip that if he kept his back against the slide he would go faster. He tried it and it worked! He made a hug splash and had a great time!
The boys got their faces painted at the carnival, too. They didn't survive the water slide very well, though.
So, it seems that a quiet day at home is in order. Maybe I can take a few deep breaths today, too.
Weeding and Healing
6 years ago


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Emily and Derrick have their Lincoln Park Wedding
June 11, 2013
Emily and Derrick had a gorgeous wedding and reception in Lincoln Parks new premiere event space. Deborah Weisenhaus and her brilliant team did an elaborate pipe and drape in the main gallery for the ceremony and created a flawless "urban-chic" vibe in the "Glass Brick Room" for dancing and cocktails after dinner.
And in typical fashion, Gabi and her team from Harry Caray's, provided a flawless sit down dinner for 120 guests.


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Monday, February 23, 2004
A Long Way From Winnemucca
Bill Scannell just let me know about PapersPlease.org, Nevada cowboy Dudley Hiibel's site devoted to his case before the U.S. Supreme Court to be argued on March 22. In Mr. Hiibel's case, the Court will determine whether the Nevada Supreme Court erred when it found Mr. Hiibel, who was apparently just minding his own business at the time, could be arrested for refusing to show I.D. to a police officer on demand. The Washington Times has this editorial.
Unless otherwise expressly stated, all original material of whatever nature created by Denise M. Howell and included in the Bag and Baggage weblog and any related pages, including the weblog's archives, is licensed under a Creative Commons License.


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Climate Changed: A Personal Journey Through Science by Philippe Squarzoni
The effects of climate change, as arguably viewed through devastating events such as Hurricane Katrina and the gradual change in our day-to-day weather, illustrate the urgency of this ever important issue. We should all contemplate our energy use, but to begin to learn about the cause, effects and response to climate change confronts you with an overwhelming amount of statistics, facts and divided opinions. Through his extensive research and interviews with members of the scientific community, Philippe Squarzoni offers a fantastic and engaging overview, starting with the principle cause of industrial processes and our ever-increasing consumption, moving onto targets for the prevention of irreversible damage, and proposals for a solution.
It's an understandably contemplative book and often bleak in tone, and you sense Squarzoni's disappointment with the global community and it's current mode of inaction. It's use of the graphic novel form is certainly effective and will hopefully help it to reach a new audience, but the format does feel forced in parts, with several pages resorting to repeats of the same image across a six panel grid. This is typically in the interview sections and no doubt designed to support long sequences of conversation, but does bring the pace of the book to a halt on a few occasions. The self-referential chapter breaks attempt to squeeze in some narrative, but again seem to hamper the books pace on the way to some truly fascinating and often shocking statistics.
It's difficult to criticise a book like this on narrative terms when what it does brilliantly is to provide the essential message on climate change in a thought-provoking and memorable way. When it seems that our governments are more focussed on their economic and business concerns (the push for Fracking feeling particularly relevant) it's ultimate message of the change in individual behaviour is commendable and recommended to all.
Climate Changed: A Personal Journey Through Science by Philippe Squarzoni
Abrams ComicArts
Paperback 480 pages
23.4 x 16.3 x 3 cm


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It'sgoing to be short and sweet tonight; I promised myself I'd have an early night and be in bed by 3am - and it's just past that now! First up tonight I chose the sky fabrics:
I had plenty to choose from:
After I'd pieced the sun and sky, I went back to the beach to add some more umbrellas. Luckily I remembered another print in my stash with decent beach umbrellas, and added a few of those - as well as shuffling some of the others:
They're not sewn on yet, but tomorrow I'll come back to it with fresh eyes, and if I'm still happy with the layout, I'll applique them in place, then see about joining the three sections of the quilt.


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No one gives a flying fugue at a donut about OSM (or the Pilot's Had a Heart Attack Airlines).
Here's what happened, a certain person, wasn't nice to another. And rather than be a man, a mensch, or a regular joe, and apologize. They betrayed a friend. But .... here's the thing, they also betrayed an ideal.
It was that betrayal, that got eyes looking, ears preening, and tongues wagging. That those who p'ssed down their own pant leg, couldn't see, wouldn't see, or didn't want to see. It certainly made for a very interesting beginning for a new company.
This new company has trumpeted the words/concept: 'word of mouth'. Well, unless people are deaf. I think they have heard enough. Self interest vs. betrayal? Well, I think the net is going to decide on it's own. And no one cares. Why? Because it isn't funny anymore.
Addendum; 10:16 p.m. Hot off the presses
That's It. I'm Officially Embarassed Now.
Addendum; Sunday, Nov. 20, 8:48 a.m.
The 39 cent blog network.
November 20th, 2005 by liberalcowboy. "I want to hear something positive about this dumb OSM venture."
10:10 a.m. I haven't read this yet, I imagine it isn't pretty.
1:00 p.m. The real world view, from the Riehl World View
More On Simon, His Menace And OSM
And of course Althouse, has a collected overview of the recent swirl as well.
When you can't attack the message, attack the messenger.
Addendum; Sunday Evening, 7:24 p.m
Anechoic Room has the latest breaking updates to keep you abreast of the situation.


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Prof. Marco Varisco,
(how to email a professor),
Office: ES-120C, Office Hours: MWF 9:10–10:15, or by appointment.
MWF 8:15–9:10 in ES-139.
Honors version of linear algebra. Same topics as AMAT220, but topics are covered in more depth and with more emphasis on theory. This course is for students with more than average ability and more than average interest in mathematics. (See the University Bulletin.)
Main topics
- Systems of linear equations
- Vectors and matrices
- Vector spaces
- Determinants
- Eigenvalues and eigenvectors
- Linear transformations
- Orthogonality
David C. Lay, Linear Algebra and Its Applications, fourth edition, Addison-Wesley, 2012.
A grade of A in AMAT 113 or AMAT 214 together with permission of the instructor, or a grade of B+ in AMAT/TMAT 119 or AMAT/TMAT 218. (See the University Bulletin.)
Grading & Examinations
- 10% — Homework.
- 20% — Quizzes.
- 20% — First Exam, Friday, October 18, 8:15–9:10 in ES-139.
- 20% — Second Exam, Friday, November 15, 8:15–9:10 in ES-139.
- 30% — Final Exam, Thursday, December 19, 1:00–3:00 in ES-139.
Homework will be assigned regularly on MyMathLab from the exercises in the textbook. To enroll in our course on MyMathLab, click here. The course ID is varisco62941. You may then enter or purchase (for $91.30) an access code, or start a 17-day free trial (before the free trial expires, you will need to obtain an access code to continue using MyMathLab). Be sure to check MyMathLab regularly for homework assignments as well as for all course announcements. Do all the homework, and then some — mathematics is not a spectator sport!
There will be at least twelve quizzes, mostly consisting of questions from the homework and statements of definitions/theorems. The two lowest scores will be dropped, and no make-up quizzes will ever be given.
Please contact me as soon as possible if you cannot make one of the exams. Retroactive or last-minute requests for a make-up exam or a reweighing of the examination grades will be ignored.
Of course, you are expected to follow the University's Standards of Academic Integrity and Medical Excuse Policies.


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This Blog accompanies my class Miss Bronte Meets Miss Pym. There are graphics and photos, bliographies and lists of books in print. Included is information about related topics and The other Brontes, Shirley Jackson, Laura Ingalls Wilder and Susan Glapsell. Please visit often, and feel free to visit whether you are in my course or not. In Memory of our Friend Cathy Berta
Friday, August 3, 2012
An Apologia for Countess Erzebet Bathory: Writing World
An Apologia for Countess Erzebet Bathory: Writing World: Useful for all writers and free to share: W R I T I N G W O R L D A World of Writing Information - For Writers Around the World ...
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First, the skirt. I made a pattern for half a heart taking up most of an 8.5x11 sheet of paper. I cut the pattern on the fold, creating the heart. I found the brown fabric in the remnant bin, and matched fat quarters with it, using 3 of each color(green, pink, and yellow). I cut out 18 hearts in all, making this a very full skirt!
See those little toes, helping me wherever I go :)
When I finished sewing it all together, it reached up to the ceiling and half way back again. I then layered the "garland" in to a circle, spiraling it around, so the hearts all laid flat. Think 6 layers of Four leaf clovers. Then I measured #5's waist, and used one of my dishes with a similar circumference. I used a sharpy marker tracing around the spiral, until every heart had 1/4 of a circle on it. And then I cut it out. This cut all of the points off of the hearts. I used this remnant to make a little skirt for Jo-Jo(this was my baby doll when I was little, and now it is #5's).
Next I gathered the garland. I do this by sewing 3 basting stitches, across the entire length of the garland, and then pulling at the three strings simultaneously, so that I might "gather" the fabric.
Next I measured the elastic, and sewed it directly on to the gathered skirt. For this look, I used a button to fasten it at the back, and later added a second strip of elastic, for a vivid color contrast. I wanted to keep this as a grass skirt look so I decided not to stitch the two outside edges together.
Right after I took this picture, the camera broke forever, and I had to revert back to the web camera, for the rest of the photo shoot.Now for the outfit. I copied an old navy dress for the pattern for this shirt. I like the linen, and I think it will be very comfortable, soft, and washable! I made several mistakes and revamps but, in the end I really like how it turned out. I made the bias, that goes around the shirt collar. The sleeves are finished with fold over elastic. The hem at the bottom is done with my straight stitch, on the very shortest stitch. I like the almost braided look that it gives it.
The pants happened, because the shirt was to short to be a dress :) so of course it needed something on bottom! And, this is where I was finally able to bring in the Earhart look! Yahoo. I decided since she was back in the planning, I would honor her with a very plain, comfortable pant, and a cuff at the bottom. I cut this pattern off a pair of khakis, that #5 wears. The waist band is the fold over and finish elastic. It is becoming a new favorite of mine. I only have a sewing machine that sews a straight stitch, and no serger, so I try to save time, wherever possible, and that elastic, seems to be a go to for me. The pants are simple, and do the job.
Lastly we bring in the bomber jacket. This was so fun to make! I cut everything really big, off of one of #5's jackets, and then I gathered the sleeves and waist. I finished them with elastic. I also lined the jacket with the same fabric-just a printed cotton, to give it a heavier "leather" feel. I added the minky and buttons, just for fun! And the outfit was soon completed with the aviator hat, and iconic scarf. That hat pattern was cut off the hood of an old jacket. I lined it with minky for softness and warmth.


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Lovely 3 bedroom Apartment for rent in Kingston (Canberra)
$800 per week
Available 31 January Protected content
Located in the "Pearl" Complex is this quality executive apartment, boasting generous open plan living and quality appliances throughout. This apartment offers space, style and fantastic location as well as inground pool as part of the complex.
The ground floor location is ideal to entertain guests and has the added bonus of overlooking the pool and gym.
It's location is ideal being so close to Kingston foreshore, Lake Burley Griffin, Kingston Markets, Manuka Village, Canberra Glassworks and a short drive to the Parliamentary Triangle.
Features Include:
Generous open plan living
Ducted reverse cycle air conditioning.
Gas cooktop.
Integrated fridge, freezer and microwave.
Double lock-up garage in basement.
WIR in master bedroom, built in robes in 2 bedrooms
McGrath Estate Agents Dickson
P: Protected content
F: Protected content


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Blue America Is
Current Campaigns
Latest From The Blog
Previous Campaigns
Among Blue America pages you will find actions dedicated to specific endeavors, like defeating Blue Dogs, rewarding members of Congress who have been fighting for meaningful health care or for ending the disastrous occupation of Afghanistan. There is even a page dedicated specifically to giving props to progressive hero Alan Grayson and one dedicated to the best challengers running for the U.S. Senate this year. I'm kind of partial to the one that Digby came up with to send a message to the Inside the Beltway Establishment by supporting BETTER Democrats, the non-corporate kind.
This page, though, is the Blue America PAC mainstay, our official candidates' endorsement page. On this page are the candidates for office-- the challengers and a tiny handful of incumbents-- who we are recommending that our readers donate to. Each candidate has been interviewed and questioned about a handful of specific items: women's choice, equality under the law for all Americans, campaign finance reform, issues of war and peace, and the bread and butter issues that seek to re-establish an equitable balance between ordinary working families and powerful Big Business interests. The Blue America PAC is especially looking for strong and independent-minded progressive leaders and critical thinkers, something at least as important as any single position.
You will find the candidates we endorse on this page covered on the blogs Digby's Hullabaloo, Crooks and Liars and DownWithTyranny. In the past we have raised over $2 million, overwhelmingly in small donations. Most of the money raised has gone directly to candidates via our friends at ActBlue. Money to our PAC has been used to advertise for (and against) candidates and initiatives and to promote activities commensurate with building a strong progressive Congress. Blue America bloggers do not hire themselves as consultants nor in any way seek to gain financially from this PAC. The PAC was established because we love our country and seek to help perfect it. Please send us suggestions at firstname.lastname@example.com/
And let's make 2010 even more successful for progressives than 2006 and 2008.


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An event took place recently that brought me to a harsh realization: I am a freak. Our weekly pastoral staff meeting generally starts with a pilgrimage to our favorite table and chairs at the Plover Starbucks, some of our absolute best work gets done there.
It was during one of these Starbucks meetings that the full extent of my freakishness was unveiled. I ordered my customary tall nonfat no whip peppermint mocha and then made a decision that changed the course of the entire meeting. I ordered oatmeal as well. It was prepared for me by the jovial barrista with a little milk and brown sugar. Perfect. But when she handed it to me, I got my first inclination that this was not going to be okay. It was in a thick cardboard container. It kind of makes me cringe just thinking about it.
I have a problem and my problem is wet cardboard or wood products. Wet cardboard boxes, popsicle sticks, wooden docks in lakes. When I was handed the cardboard cup with the delicious but wet oatmeal in it there was moment of panic. I quickly told myself to suck it up and get over it. I sat down in my regular chair and tried not to scrape the spoon along the cardboard as I ate my oatmeal. It did not work. I blanched as the spoon made contact with that stupid wet cardboard and Pastor Dan launched into the topics we needed to cover that morning. I tried as hard as I could to keep eating, but I couldn't. My teeth started tingling and I just put the oatmeal down to try and recover. But try as I might, the mere thought of the hideous wet cardboard sitting on the table in front of me controled my thoughts and physical reactions. No matter how I strained, I couldn't hear a word Pastor Dan was saying.
Finally I knew I had to do something about it. I went back to the counter and told the kind barrista that I had a problem. I had a problem with wet cardboard and, if possible, would like to have a bowl or glass cup to put the oatmeal in. As she looked at me with a puzzled expression, I admitted, "Yes, I know. I am a freak."
And here's the spiritual application. God loves you just the way you are. No matter what freakish fear you might have. God created you and loves you, even if you become petrified at the sight of the Starbucks cardboard oatmeal cup. Amen.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
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Hi all, I'm thinking of starting a copper gun and have been looking at some of the designs floating around here. I like the idea of a breach loader but somehow I'm not that keen on the bolt-action design. It looks a bit hit or miss as to whether or not a good (and tidy) seal is made. I was thinking of using a 3 way ball valve or a modified 2 way ball valve (hole drilled in top) as a tap loading mechanism, as found on certain air rifles. The 3 way ball valve could have a sealed "magazine tube" screwed onto the top....Bren gun style.
I'd be interested to know if anyone has tried this out and I'd appreciate any further comment/ideas from other forum members........Thanks.
Registered users: Bing [Bot]


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Beauty favourites ...
Lily Flame Rhubarb and custard candle - Not strictly a beauty product but this smells so delicious that I want to bottle it and spray it around as perfume. Although it's more of a summer scent I find it's rather uplifting in this cold,wet and windy weather England currently has.
Korres Mango shower gel - Another beautifully scented product. This shower gel smells like freshly cut mangoes and makes me instantly think of future holidays, it is perfect to refresh in the morning. I recently discovered our local Waitrose sells Korres I'm not sure this is a good idea?
MAC Palette and 217 brush- I've had my MAC palette for little over a year now and I've always liked using it for nights out , however this winter I've really enjoyed experimenting a bit more with eye shadow's . I am just a little bit in love with the 217 brush I'm just wondering why it took me so long to get it ...
Nars sheer glow- So I told you all about how this was my 'marmite' foundation here. But I've being persevering with it and you know I think it may be the start of a beautiful relationship.
Oils, oils and a bit more oil- Be it a facial oil or a bath oil my skin is loving it. Above are a few of my favorite facial oils, they are just great at injecting a bit of glow, plumpness and moisture into the skin. I am especially loving the NUDE offerings and will be doing a post very very soon .
Everything else...
Stationary and getting organised ... I love stationary, writing lists and the idea that I am at least trying to be organised. This Christmas I received some lovely notepads and purchased a lovely little desk planner so on wards with the organisation.
Something I've enjoyed... I love love the festive period and this year was no exception. It was so nice to go home, relax ,eat and watch crap TV with my family. New years eve meant catching up with old friends and seeing new friends on the 30th- including my lovely friend Syd who came over to England from LA for a few days.
Something to look forward to ... Whatever 2014 brings , cold nights and hopefully a bit of snow? A trip to London.


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It's the weekend! I'm pretty happy this week is over - what a strange one! Michael and I are welcoming the chance to get out of the house and spend a little quality time together (annnnnnd...away from the kids, who have been out of school all week).
It's chilly out, so I'll be breaking in my new winter coat and boots, and also these new waxed denim pants from James Jeans. I love that they look a little bit like leather, but more subtle. They definitely are more forgiving than leather pants, and it's easier to move in these.
I'm a huge fan of James Jeans. The company (started by a husband/wife duo) cares most about fit and quality, and you can really tell by looking at their clothes. I've ordered a couple pairs of jeans from their site before and I love that I can trust that when I order my size, the jeans will fit right and well.
I'm excited they were willing to give away a pair of jeans to THREE readers today! Which pair will you choose? Here are some of my favorites. Mostly I'm loving high-waisted and ankle-skimming cuts - what about you?
To enter, please click here and choose your most favorite pair of jeans, then leave a comment with your choice. Contest closes next Friday at midnight and is only open to US readers. Winners will be emailed, so please be sure to leave contact info or sign in.
AND!! In related, very exciting news, James Jeans is offering a whopping 25% off to LGN readers through the end of November. Just use the code JJ011 during check out.


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Interested in starting a similar book club of your own? Here's how I do it:
- About two weeks before our meeting, I ask my local librarian to give me a print out of books carried by the library and published within the past three to five years by whichever publisher we are reading that month.
- Once I have the list, I use a combination of the library website, Amazon, and the publishing house's website to check to be sure the books fit our criteria for the month.
- I put the books I want on hold (usually 25-30 of them) via the library website and have them delivered to my local library branch.
- When the books have all arrived, I check them out and (before the meeting) try to find out who edited them using a combination of Google searches, SCBWI resources, and author notes or dedications in the books themselves.
- For each book, I make note of the editor (if possible) and year of publication on a little piece of scrap paper and stick it inside the book.
- I meet with a wonderful group of authors and illustrators and we take turns reading about 20 books aloud (story time for grown-ups!). We look for common themes and try to come away with a better sense of the types of books released by the various publishing houses we cover.
Alternatively, you're very welcome to use this blog as a template for hosting your own meetings.
Happy reading!
Colleen Paeff


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Want it all, Risk it all, Lose it all' – the tagline from The Counsellor
Not only Directed by Ridley Scott and written by the Pulitzer prize-winning American novelist Cormac McCarthy, The Counselor (2013) also boasted a beyond star-studded cast of Michael Fassbender, Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem, Cameron Diaz and Brad Pitt, and yet, and yet still managed to comatose audiences and critics alike with what seemed to be an icy tribute to its own failure.
Not simply a film that fails to entertain or convince, but one that seems to unwittingly reveal the festering machinations behind its failure. Each symptom of its oddly misjudged tone – be it zero suspense, the sheen of production, character inertia, or the stilted dialogue that communicates a little less than cold brevity with a little more than vacuous excess – each of these symptoms seem to reflexively turn into parodies of their buried cause. Consequently, The Counselor casts an involuntary and icy light on the ugly capital of 'the star' in Hollywood promotion, in addition to the symbolic potency and expectations that such 'stars' have historically delivered.
In a silent comedy from 1927, Clara Bow, one of the very first stars of American cinema became synonymous with the film's title: It. She was the 'It girl', 'Miss It, California', the birth of 'It', a title and description originally suggested in a magazine article by the English writer, Elinor Glyn – who had a cameo in the film. The value of 'It', though mainly unmentioned as a mysterious quality, does surface in a couple of definitions: the male protagonist's best friend reads out that 'the possessor of 'IT' must be absolutely "un-self-conscious", and must have that magnetic "sex appeal" which is irresistible'; in Glyn's cameo she defines 'It' as 'self-confidence and indifference as to whether you are pleasing or not – and something in you that gives the impression that you are not at all cold.' Bow's allure as a star came from her supposed ordinary-ness; an exemplary and working class background that ostensibly leant her energy a lively naturalism that distinguished her from other more consciously thespian modes of melodrama. It was an attraction that conveyed her plucky spirit as both relatable and in the currency of sex appeal, attainable – thus spinning off into another mythic toxin of male fantasy: 'star' quality in 'the-girl-next door-syndrome'. By the age of 28 Bow had left Hollywood. Not because, as is suggested, through her incompatibility with talkies, but through exhaustion: she was overworked (completing 46 silent films and 11 talkies, all completed from the age of 16 to 28) and increasingly in the 30s attacked by the press. She retired to a cattle ranch with her husband and suffered from various psychiatric illnesses for the rest of her life.
Rather than simply (or only) encapsulating a cautionary example of stardom, there is something telling about the supposed qualities of her objectified 'It' status and how that has changed. Described as 'un-self-conscious' and giving 'the impression that you are not all cold', Bow was celebrated for a spirit of naturalism in a medium that was trying to evolve beyond the artifice of a carnival attraction, or the emulation of theatre. Not far off a hundred years later and American cinema now has a history of 'It'; manufactured naturalism and the impossibly glamorous, warped, undercut or consecrated idols of everyday have been through whole legacies of influence, reaction and growth. Alongside that cinematic change, inevitably the currency of the 'it girl' and having 'it' has become something very different. Now the 'it girl' phenomenon is usually attributed to a famous for being famous socialite, whose primary purpose or ambition seems to be courting the press. The 'un-self conscious' has become the consciously calculated and 'the impression that you not all cold' has been newly configured as a coldly performed version of warmth. Yet in The Counselor the performance has lost its currency, the potential 'It vitality' of its cast seems dislocated, remote and unsure.
The first time we see the titular 'counselor' (played by Michael Fassbender) and his lover (Penelope Cruz) they are writhing beneath white sheets in a luxurious bed. There is an extended take hovering over the bed, bodies discernible only as draped forms and pre or post-coital small talk between them supplied in voiceover. Rather than a heated sense of intimacy, the extended lingering on white sheets feels almost sepulchral. Clearly aiming for an evocative scene of promiscuity and proximity, the draped and entirely concealed bodies (no erotic glimpse of flesh) become only the awkward trace of sex – clinically remote from its physicality in folds of perfect white and closer in appearance to squirming body bags, or absurd mummified shapes. The camera then joins them beneath the sheets: a close up, looking from Cruz's point of view at Fassbender's confident smile as he says "tell me something sexy", we then see Cruz for the first time as she brushes away a strand of hair and replies "I want you to put your hand up my dress". Her smile is as white as the sheets, disturbingly white, the tone of her voice an awkward attempt at shy and girlish daring. Fassbender grins, enjoying his sense of playful wit, "but you're not wearing a dress -", "what does that have to do with it?" is Cruz's gnomic response, followed by: "something you'd like for me to say?" Fassbender then tutors her, "but it has to be real doesn't it?" Dirty talk has to uphold the pretense of pertaining to the situation, to being real, otherwise it is just an excruciating charade. Just as this scene demonstrates.
Both actors, despite ticking the requirements for a standardized type of Hollywood beauty and exchanging breathy lines of flirtation, feel remote and even embarrassed, and despite the camera's nestling intimacy we – as the audience – feel coldly removed from the scene. A scene of dirty talk that acknowledges the need for a sense of realism that it itself lacks. An opening scene between the film's central romantic relationship not only fails to inspire any connection or care in the viewer but similarly seems strained to convey its connection between the characters, all of this while evoking a deathly white shroud in the disheveled sheets. For a film written by the infamously bleak Cormac Mccarthy surely this could all be intended? A portent of Cruz's later fate (kidnapped by members of the drug cartel and killed in a snuff film), a foreshadowing of her death and the film's end latent in its beginning? I would like to suggest that this would be too generous and forgiving a reading of the film's manifold failings. Instead, though I believe there are elements of awareness to the film (reflexive, cine-literate nods), what is more compelling is its haunted sense of that which escapes awareness. I would like to read the film as a prolonged demonstration of a kind of visual parapraxis, whereby the repressed is the Hollywood star system and the implications of its modes of representation. The desire to escape this, both intentionally and at times without knowing, causes in The Counsellor a troubled documentation of its own inability to exist as either a critique of a Hollywood film or as a Hollywood film – falling instead into a confused and uneasy neurosis between the two.
The film's most obvious and perhaps more conscious attempt to parody and distance itself from Hollywood 'star' systems is through an explicit referencing of its existence. Michael Fassbender appears as the male lead, central protagonist and, by star rules, a hero. Fassbender is cold, unreadable and for the most part uninteresting (especially for a central character whose peril we should ideally care about). He recalls the automaton, 'David', he played in Ridley Scott's previous film, Prometheus (2012). In a scene before one of the film's most memorably jarring sequences, Fassbender looks at a photo of the actor Steve McQueen (the earlier icon of lead action roles) as though wistfully observing a past version of himself.
Brad Pitt – in this lineage of male stars – appears as jaded middleman, eternally wearing a cowboy hat, a memento that literally tips its hat to his much earlier role in Scott's Thelma and Louise (1991). A film when Pitt arrived as a star – with sex appeal, cowboy hat and youth. No longer an object of lust (at least in this film) and thus not a bankable star at the top of the business, Pitt appears as a weathered figure reduced to a lecherous version of his previous success – the middleman criminal who has seen it all and reports 'it's all shit'.
Cameron Diaz, an actress who was 'discovered' (that creepy euphemism) as a model and then, after her first role aged 21 in The Mask, was declared a sex symbol, appears in The Counsellor as its femme fatale. Her sexuality is a mark of strength, wielded in increasingly contorted versions of itself. Meanwhile Penelope Cruz perhaps suffers most as the romantic interest: the ornament with which to furnish the male lead. She is not only devoid of any discernible character, being a lazy counterpoint to Diaz's libidinous empowerment, but she also becomes the expendable body (after being killed), that is unceremoniously and literally dumped as waste.
Whilst this suggests a degree of conscious parody, I would argue it breaks down around Cameron Diaz's character, Malkina. Javier Bardem (Reiner) is fatally obsessed with Malkina and, in the jarring scene that follows Fassbender looking at the portrait of Steve Mcqueen, he recollects a disturbing sexual incident. He reflects that he found out too much about women and by way of a begrudging explanation, Bardem tells Fassbender that Malkina literally 'fucked his car'. This involves a cut away of Diaz removing her underwear, climbing up the car's bonnet and on to the windscreen, where she then spreads her legs – sliding herself up and down to orgasm. Rather than being turned on, Bardem is left in a mixture of horror and appalled curiosity, describing the action (as seen from the car-seat, staring up into her exposed and sliding vagina on the windscreen) as like a "catfish – a bottom feeder" before concluding 'it was too gynecological to be sexy'. It seems a fevered and uncomfortable enactment of the actress as star, sexualized in film not through her own comfort or realistic sexuality but through pressures of a pornographic leering, here the cinematic male gaze and its fantasy becomes grotesquely realised in its objectivity. This is at the repressed heart of the film and its cold but obsessive relationship with sex and stars. Bardem stares up at a literal screen and when he gets what he wants in its most unadorned form, a front row seat to the sexual worship of his financial, phallic and four-wheeled status – he is horrified. This sequence is also notably the only flash back in the film, a conspicuous detail considering we never find out the past of 'the counselor' let alone his name. For a film with many other unanswered questions about what came before, this - sex, commodification and masculine wish-fulfillment – is the only flash back.
When the fantasy is made real it is 'too gynecological', is this a hysteric victory for Diaz's Malkina in a critique through literalizing extremes, or is it perhaps more complicated? I would suggest it is more complicated, mainly for the reason that the film, neither in McCarthy's screenplay nor Scott's direction, seems to know precisely what is meant in this scene. Is it possibly a moment of witness, where the star system is turned into an unwanted strip-tease revealing the exploitation of its own base logic: a vagina rubbed up against the screen while the male viewer is in the driving seat. A vision later repressed as like a 'catfish' – and then, again unsure of its own implications beyond the image, the phrase "a bottom feeder" unwittingly attempts to control the fantasy made real through a denigration of power. Or is this the ultimate death dance of the femme fatale, the film noir creation of anxious misogyny, parodied here by a powerful woman…or perhaps it is just the logical extension of the femme fatale taken to its seemingly perverse extreme (The Counsellor alludes explicitly to film noir, when Pitt quotes the neo-noir Body Heat,1981, itself heavily drawing from Double Indemnity, 1944). Does Malkina's act expose sexist expectations in star culture through a horrific and absurd image, while also offering the self reflexive critique on Cameron Diaz as sex symbol? Or, does it only extend those expectations as a dangerous fantasy, one to be buried and then incorporated into a star-led film as a semi-repressed acknowledgement, later dismissed by men in a recollection that mentions 'catfish' and the loaded insinuation of 'bottom-feeder'. This jarring and somewhat neurotic instability, both in tone and interpretation, spreads out throughout the film.
In the film's concluding scenes, we join the counselor on the phone to a man whose role is one of questionable philosophical aid – helping the counselor realize he has no choice, all the significant choices that can be made have been made, he must now choose only to accept this fact. Again we approach this through the windscreen, the glassy separation of the screen and a visual slip back to the Malkina scene. The criminal system into which the counselor has entered, through his very entrance, has set into motion choices and movements that cannot be avoided. In the star system, as with the film's narrative, agency and choice are gone. As by this point, is anything resembling the viewer's interest. The 'it' of Clara Bow as arguably Hollywood's first star has grown, from a celebration of warmth and lack of self awareness, to the critique of a cold self awareness, one that remains unaware of how inextricable its own critique is from that which it criticizes. I used the phrase 'visual parapraxis' as a way of imagining this troubled slip, a symptomatic accident of clarity that has at its root something not fully acknowledged or made entirely consciously available. This is the unresolved flashback of Malkina and the equally unresolved involvement and legacy of the star system. The original German word used by Freud, from which parapraxis was translated, is Fehlleistungen. A word defined as either "faulty functions", "faulty actions" or, most significantly for all involved in The Counselor "misperformances".


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ALTAMONTE SPRINGS — The city commission has decided to avoid -- or at least delay -- a legal confrontation with Seminole County over an annexation request that the county contends would be illegal.
Up for final reading Tuesday night was a set of ordinances to annex and rezone 1.3 acres at State Road 436 and Pearl Street. The owners sought annexation so they could obtain city water and sewer service.


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Pirates help Kevin as he fills the treasure chest with parts of the whole to find the missing numbers in both addition and subtraction problems. Particularly funny, Kevin spoke like a pirate through this entire activity!
Doubles! We are working on memorizing our doubles addition facts to 10.
Adding to make 10 plus some.
Here Adam is making words with the sunflower letters! He was told to make 10 words and write them down.
We are having fun finding exciting ways to learn!


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Apologies if this isn't in the right place.
Hi all,
I am the president of a small romance writing group in Missouri, and over the past few years, we've noticed a dramatic decrease in participation in our annual contest. I believe there are several key reasons behind this, one of which being the draw of being read by an agent or editor is not as valuable as it once was. Granted, that's based on personal observations and not backed by data, so I could be wrong.
Despite our group being primarily romance-focused, we welcomed writers of all genres to participate allowing that the category theme remained the same (Contemporary/Paranormal/Science Fiction/Fantasy/Historical/YA/MG)
The contest worked like this: submit the first 2,500 words of an unpublished title. Each submission would be read by volunteers, then the finalists would be sent to agents and editors, who would award the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd entries. The group also issued a cash prize (not much; we're a tiny, resources-strapped group) and certificate of accomplishment. To enter the contest, the price was $25 for nonmembers, $20 for members per submission.
This used to be wildly popular, enough so that it funded an annual two-day conference we have since been forced to suspend due to lack of funds. The contest this year received 4 entries and was canceled.
So here are my questions:
· Does this model still have life?
· Where would you market this sort of contest? We used Facebook ads in the past, but Facebook is not returning the results it once did
· What inspires or would inspire you, as an author, to enter a smaller-scale writing contest?
· If you're a member of a writing group that holds an annual contest, can you share what is working with their model?
Anything you can share will be helpful. Thank you in advance.


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Graduate Management Trainee - Hygiene
Graduate Management Trainee - Hygiene
Graduate Management Trainee - Central London
If you're a high-energy self-starter with an interest in sales and customer service then consider Rentokil Specialist Hygiene. Here at Specialist Hygiene our employees are our most important asset. We offer a positive work environment, attractive terms and conditions, a competitive remuneration package, industry leading training, continuous development opportunities and career progression. We firmly believe in rewarding our people for their hard work and offer a comprehensive benefits package.
Due to continuous success and growth we are always looking for ambitious, business minded and customer focused graduates to join our Graduate Management programme.
You will be able to experience the full operations of our business from learning the business through joinng as a Sales Surveyor progressing through the structure by exceeding your targets and into management level.
Within the Graduate Programme you will experience the following;
First 12-18 months - Cover a dedicated geographical patch as a Field Based Sales Executive selling our Services as well as account managing existing customers. You will also undertake 4-6 weeks sales training and development programme through our internal sales academy.
The next 12-18 months - You will progress through from sales surveyor up to advanced level consultant ensuring you meet all targets in each role. You will also undertake the company Aspiring Managers program.
To be considered for the position of Graduate Management Trainee, you must have a 2.2 BSc/BA, or higher, in any subject.
We are ideally looking for people who are intretsed in a career within a fast moving business and can work to targets. We offer a supportive training structure which will give you the tools you need to succeed through every stage of the programme and see you become a successful Manager of the future.
We are inviting applications from suitably qualified candidates who hold a full UK Driving Licence and live within commutable distance or are willing to relocate to the area.
To find out more about the Rentokil Initial family, please visit
Rentokil Initial are an equal opportunities employer and are committed to creating a diverse working environment. To find out how we process your data view our privacy policy here: https://2IORzXH
Reference: 34111782
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Friday, April 18, 2008
I think I'll settle for average after-all.
I am trying to have some perspective. This morning, after I talked to her I got angry, then I cried, then I went outside on my deck and sat in the sunshine and took it to the Lord.
After the Lord and I had a good talk, (okay, I mostly talked and He mostly listened) I had an idea that I think was inspired. I came up with a way to get through this. I needed some advice from an acquaintance first though, so I called her. She is a wonderful lady who has/is raising 4 boys. 2 are out of the house, 2 are still at home being homeschooled.
Talking to her helped me immensely. She had some real wisdom to share with me. I needed to hear it.
We have a plan, we know where to go from here. The world did not stop spinning, but it is not going as I had planned. Will's schooling is not going to end up the way I thought it would. Turns out, he's not a rocket scientist or a Rhodes scholar. He's an average student. Why is that bad?
My friend said something to me that really stopped me in my tracks. She said, no one wants their kids to be average. We want them to either be above average, or we want a reason why they're not; like ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia or whatever. If there is a reason for them not to be above average, okay. But if their is not, well they better excel.
Here is the thing, average is average. It's not bad, it's not bottom of the barrel, it's in the middle.
I am not suggesting we settle for mediocrity and I don't think she was either, but the point is, to be above average in everything might just be a little more pressure than a 16 year old boy can handle.
I'm listening God.
And just in case you were wondering, I now not only think Whooping Cough is from the devil, but so is algebra!
3 comments:
- Sheri said...
But I don't think accepting is "settling", you find their "average spots" and work with them, find where they can excel and work with that.
Glad you found an answer!
- April 18, 2008 at 3:12 PM
- Tonya said...
I believe God has given us all areas we are good in and areas we aren't. So what if he stinks at math! I'm sure you can name many things he does well. Just because the world tells us that being good at math, science, art, etc is good doesn't mean that God thinks so. God knows Will and has a plan for him. Keep listening! :-)
Just thought of that verse - give thanks in all things. Even in this, give thanks. God is directing and teaching.
- April 18, 2008 at 8:00 PM
- Halfmoon Girl said...
I think algebra stinks. I bet there are things that Will is above average at. So he won't be a math professor- he will do what he enjoys and is good at, right?
- April 19, 2008 at 11:43 PM


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"Get Out the Vote"
Michael Lujan Bevacqua
October 24, 2012
The Marianas Variety
Daniel Ellsberg was infamous during the Vietnam War era for his releasing of documents that later became known as "The Pentagon Papers." Ellsberg was working as an analyst for the RAND Corporation at that time and had access to numerous top-secret documents dealing with the ways in which the United States was prosecuting the war in Vietnam. Through his work Ellsberg was privy to the fact that the White House under President Johnson had systematically lied to Congress and to the American people about the war in Vietnam. It was an important moment in given some credibility to the sometimes instinctive feeling that people have that their government cannot be trusted. The Pentagon Papers proved that we often times dismiss things that have a conspiratorial quality to them precisely so we can never find out if they are true or not.
Ellsberg is a hero for many progressives and Democrats in the United States as someone who was willing to go to jail in order to keep his government honest. He is however even more of a hero to those in the United States who see themselves outside of the usual politics, especially the two-party system. These are people who are alienated from the major parties and side with Third Parties or with no parties. For these people the Presidential election is a pageant held to distract the American people from the fact that both Democrats and Republicans generally stand for the same things. In the final Presidential debate on Foreign Policy this sameness was so glaring that I felt like I was watching Danny Boyle's Sunshine and about to be vaporized.
It was therefore surprising when Ellsberg wrote an article this past week on the progressive news website "Common Dreams" calling on people, especially those in swing states, to vote for Obama. His argument was very interesting however as he wasn't call for people to "support" Obama, but simply vote for him. His argument is summed up very well by his title "Defeat Romney, without illusions about Obama."
Ellsberg states that the idea that Democrats and Republicans are the same is misleading. They may stand for so many of the same basic things, with minute superficial changes between them, but in the minds of progressives they should see that one party is clearly worse than the other.
He writes that the idea that "There's no significant difference between the major parties" amounts to saying: "The Republicans are no worse, overall." And that's absurd." He points out that the Republican party of today is far more extreme in its ideology than Democrats are, and if they came to power it could mean radical, potentially catastrophic changes. Ellsberg points out that Obama and Romney do have some key differences and even if you don't believe in the two-party system, those differences are worth participating in the election over. For women's rights, taxes, whether or not Iran gets invaded there are sometimes stark differences.
This sort of discussion is important because it brings about a central contradiction in terms of the office of the Presidency. Obama himself campaigned on the theme of "CHANGE" in 2008, but so does every challenger for high office. You always propose yourself as different and new and being able of taking things in a new and different direction.. A lot of voter apathy in 2012 stems from the fact that while every candidate proposes that they will use the power of the Presidency to right the wrongs and put things back on track, all of this changes once you actually get into office.
The Presidency has its own logic and power. You could say it looks and feels different from within and without. From the outside Obama may have criticized many of Bush's policies as abusive, corrupt and incompetent. But once he was elected he continued many of those policies and expanded others. Candidate Obama railed against so many of the illegal and immoral detention and rendition policies of the previous administration. President Obama has continued most of those programs and in some case even expanded them. The paradoxical power of the Presidency or any high office is that while it can potentially change so much and revolutionize things, it also breeds avarice, as if more power must be consolidated and change must be avoided since it may lead to the Presidency or the government holding less control.
The Presidency will most likely never be a "critical" position, regardless of the past of whoever holds it. It is fundamentally a conservative position, interested in protecting American interests and hording American power, and will do so legally and sometimes illegally. So people looking for Presidents to change everything or to be fundamentally different might as well be looking for unicorns in haystacks or chichirikas in Guam's jungles.
The vote for Presidency is for whoever will be in charge of that governmental apparatus, and as Ellsberg notes there are difference that are worth getting out the vote for someone you may not wholeheartedly support. In concluding his article Ellsberg invokes a quote from Henry David Thoreau that he states has sustained him in his life, "Cast your whole vote: not a strip of paper merely, but your whole influence." In other words, cast your vote in elections, but don't feel like that is how you change the world or how positive change takes place in general. Your role in life is not just a vote, but as community members and individuals you have potentially so much power over the world around you. But what happens in democracies like the United States is that the aura of being "the greatest" or "the best" often makes people forget that being part of a democracy should mean more than just voting every 2 or 4 years. There is far more responsibility than that, and so while we should care who gets elected President, we shouldn't pretend that he or she will change much, especially on the more difficult and entrenched issues of our times.


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Tomorrow is "Rose Day" at the Oklahoma State capitol. The annual "Rose Day" event draws hundreds of people to the capitol to deliver roses to legislators and show support for extreme anti-choice legislation introduced every year.
To offset the large attendance at Rose Day, Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma in coordination with Planned Parenthood of the Heartland created a social media campaign called #RejectTheRose. This is your opportunity to give a voice to the pro-choice, pro-woman, pro-family movement during a time when legislators will be swarmed with anti-choice messages.
Tweet, post and pin at your convenience, tag your legislator and encourage your legislators to #RejectTheRose. Use the hash tag #RejectTheRose in all of your communications so we can track our impact and measure our success! Here are some messaging examples you might use:
· (Insert your name or organization) believes that access to comprehensive health care is the real solution. #RejectTheRose
· Nobody knows a woman's specific situation — we're not in her shoes. #RejectTheRose
· Women's health matters. #RejectTheRose
· Trust Oklahoma Women! #RejectTheRose
· We all want to protect women's health. #RejectTheRose
· As legislators consider policy on women's health, it's critical to listen to doctors and medical experts who know legal abortion is safe. #RejectTheRose
· The ability to control your own fertility is a fundamental human right. #RejectTheRose
· Decisions about childbearing should be made by a woman, in consultation with her family, her doctor, and her conscience — not politicians. #RejectTheRose
Thank you for standing up for women's health and reproductive rights in your community, for current generations, and for generations to come.
Your friends at Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma


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My Little Shed, Naked
Stripped bare of its roof, the poor thing. This cockeyed roofline was one of many problems needing correction:
I must admit a certain fascination with the interior during all of this -- one of those beautiful moments never to be seen again:
4 comments:
- ArchitectDesign™ said...
like the light through wood slat mini-blinds which I'll always love even though I know a lot of people despise them.
- February 16, 2012 at 11:34 AM
My gosh! How are you affording this?
- February 16, 2012 at 3:28 PM
- Nick Heywood said...
AD -- Blinds are a tough one -- it all depends on how they are employed. What I do love is a good tromp l'oeil venetian blind print. I'm really torn on blinds.
Anon -- In terms of the expense, it's true, the outbuilding roof is the most costly project we've undertaken so far, the majority of the other fixes in the house being relatively inexpensive, sweat equity jobs. The roof wasn't an option, either, given the degree to which it had degraded and our desire to NOT watch the whole building rot into the ground. And we've been living pretty frugally. Everything paid in cash, no ill-advised loans.
- February 17, 2012 at 2:03 AM
I love how your redoing your shed. Keep it up.
-Zane of ontario honey
- December 25, 2012 at 6:45 PM
Post a Comment
Thanks for commenting on Nick Haus! I look forward to seeing what you have to say. Unfortunately, I had to stop taking Anonymous comments -- too much spam, too much vituperative. Come out from behind the curtain, ye nasty Anonymous! Everyone else, please, I love to hear from you.


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These days I'm working mainly on Visual Studio 2012 RC and since we use Xsd2Code, I thought about why can't I have it running there?
Basically VS 2012 RC is really similar on the Add-Ins model (from what I understand it didn't change a lot from the 2010 release).
However if you try to find it through NuGet you can't find it, and if you install the CodePlex package you see that actually it does show up on earlier versions of Visual Studio, but not on Visual Studio 2012.
I tried to hack this stuff and "published" the AddIn manually by changing some files, and it looks like it's working.
Install from here:
Here you go:
- Find the folder "AddIns" on your personal Visual Studio 2010 folder. You should have the same file as shown here:
- Now, move on the "Visual Studio 2012" folder, and copy the same Addin file as shown above (remember to create AddIn subfolder if not found).
- Edit the AddIn file by adding the section highlighted below.
There you go!
Start Visual Studio 2012, and see that the tool is available on the AddIn manager.
Update: Darin asked me to add the file directly for those that don't have Visual Studio 2010 installed on their machine, but only 2012, here you go … from codeplex, for the VS 2010 version, apply the changes above and you're done
Have fun with this great tool!


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|Cram Session
|The Spin Commandments
|Speedway Installs 88,000 Square Feet of Synthetic Turf
|Craig Masters the Bojangles' Summer Shootout
|Ready, Set, ROVAL�
|Mayer Campaigns for Bojangles' Summer Shootout Glory
Van Wingerden Nabs Third Shootout Win
In the 20-lap feature for the Peach Auto Body Legends Car Pro division, Dallas, Texas, resident John Gottsacker took the lead on lap four and appeared en route to his third victory. However, his hopes went spinning off the track just two laps later when he was hit from behind by Ben Stancill, a move that earned Stancill a black flag for rough driving.
Once the dust settled, Casey Roderick of Lawrenceville, Ga., took command and led the final 15 laps around the frontstretch quarter-mile oval to claim his first victory of the season. Tyler Green, son of veteran NASCAR driver Mark Green and a rookie in the Legends Car Pro division, posted his best finish of the summer in second with Patrick Molesworth next under the checkered flag. Gottsacker rebounded and moved through the 24-car field to finish 10th.
The 20-lap feature for the Thunder Roadsters was a Van Wingerden family affair as Thomas out fought older brother Michael to claim his third consecutive victory and extend his advantage in the championship chase. Michael Van Wingerden was on his brother's bumper at the checkered flag, but had to settle for the runner-up pay while Ryan Zeck finished third for the third time in four races.
In a crashfest otherwise known as the National Guard Legends Car Semi-Pro feature, Mitchell Coble of Mt. Airy, N.C., made the smooth move of the night. With Andrew Carlsen dominating the race, Coble took advantage of the "choose" rule on a lap-nine restart and advanced to the outside of the front row from the middle of the pack.
When the green flag reappeared, Coble used his newfound position to steal the point before oil on the track brought the field to a standstill. In a green-white-checkered finish, Coble withstood a furious push from Carlsen to take the victory. Zachary Stroupe grabbed the show money in the 11-lap event that was shortened due to time constraints.
Veteran Clay Hair brushed aside early leader Danny Williams and cruised to victory in the 20-lap feature for the Legends Car Masters division. Once in front, the Mt. Pleasant, N.C., racer took only two laps to build a 12-car length lead and captured his second feature win in three weeks. Eddie Harwell was next under the checkered flag followed by 2005 champion Brian Weimer in the division for drivers ages 40 and over.
Matthew Stover of Gastonia, N.C., needed a bit of last-lap heroics to record his third victory of the season in the 20-lap feature for the Lucas Oil Bandolero Young Guns. Stover dove inside Sam McAulay moments after the white flag was waved and then held off a last-turn charge by early leader Kendall Sellers to claim the trophy. McAulay settled for third.
Point leader Bruce Benson II continued to dominate the Lucas Oil Bandolero Outlaws division, scoring his second straight victory. Following a lap-12 restart, the Lexington, N.C., racer took the lead from Marcus Limehouse and held on for his third triumph in four races. Josh Turner charged forward from the 10th starting spot to take second with Limehouse third.
Nicholas Stroupe of Iron Station, N.C., emerged victorious in the caution-filled finale for the Lucas Oil Bandolero Bandits which features drivers ages 8 to 11. Stroupe, who also won during week two, started ninth, methodically worked forward and took the lead just two laps before the checkered flag was unfurled in the time-shortened race. Early leader Corey Gordon finished second and Ronnie Bassett Jr. was next across the stripe.
Paul Sparrow provided the fireworks in the 15-lap CRASHCar feature as the Gastonia, N.C., resident romped to his third consecutive victory driving the Invader machine. Kirby Allen, piloting Create-A-Scape, finished second in the bumper-banging event.
Fireworks will light up the sky again Tuesday night, July 4, when the 10-race Summer Shootout reaches its half-way point. More than 200 Legends Cars, Bandoleros and Thunder Roadsters are expected to fill the pit area and the crowd-pleasing School Buses will make their second appearance during the Circle K-sponsored night of racing.
Admission is just $5 for adults with children 6-12 admitted for $3 and kids under 6 free. Spectator gates open at 4 p.m. with feature racing at 7:30. The fireworks are scheduled for approximately 10:30 p.m.
The results:
Peach Auto Body Legends Car Pro Feature (20 laps): 1. Casey Roderick; 2. Tyler Green; 3. Patrick Molesworth; 4. Jordan Anderson; 5. Duncan Molesworth; 6. Brennan Poole; 7. Ryan Lawler; 8. Michael Van Wingerden; 9. Chrissy Wallace; 10. John Gottsacker; 11. Rob Hall; 12. Thomas Van Wingerden; 13. Patrick McVay; 14. Kyle Fowler; 15. Jeremy Kalina; 16. Steve Abbey; 17. Daniel Moskowitz; 18. Chris Eggleston; 19. Chris Buescher; 20. Mark Whitley; 21. Jason Reisman; 22. Tolliver Smith; 23. Scott Knox; 24. Ben Stancill.
Thunder Roadster Feature (20 laps): 1. Thomas Van Wingerden; 2. Michael Van Wingerden; 3. Ryan Zeck; 4. Kyle Beattie; 5. Jim Gresham; 6. Roger Simons; 7. Tom Van Wingerden; 8. Johanna Godinez; 9. Eric Harrington; 10. Mike Ferre.
National Guard Legends Car Semi-Pro Feature (11 laps): 1. Mitchell Coble; 2. Andrew Carlsen; 3. Zach Stroupe; 4. Max Gresham; 5. Thomas Hartensveld Jr.; 6. J.R. Allen; 7. Matt Bowers; 8. Darrell Wallace Jr.; 9. Jake Crum; 10. Daniel Hemric; 11. Paddy Rodenbeck; 12. Josh Williams; 13. Justin Lloyd; 14. Robby Innella; 15. Kara Clarke; 16. Garrett Lancaster; 17. Beau Browning; 18. Kyle Hall; 19. Trey Edison; 20. Drew Denham; 21. Dennis Lambert; 22. Tyler Chrisinger; 23. Michael Brown; 24. Steve Daniels.
Legends Car Masters Feature (20 laps): 1. Clay Hair; 2. Eddie Harwell; 3. Brian Weimer; 4. John Sossoman; 5. Danny Williams; 6. George "Cotton" Spry; 7. Tom Van Wingerden; 8. Phil Sharpe; 9. Chuck Dohm; 10. Keith Breasbois; 11. Jeff Turner; 12. W. Gary Shannon; 13. Todd Johnson; 14. Bill Gardner; 15. Tony Caper; 16. Jimmy Gurley; 17. Jan Ingram; 18. Dr. Mark Moskowitz; 19. Carlos Moore; 20. Dave Winston; 21. David Denham; 22. Bobby Pence; 23. Bruce Sawicki; 24. Bruce Little.
Lucas Oil Bandolero Young Guns Feature (20 laps): 1. Matthew Stover; 2. Kendall Sellers; 3. Sam McAulay; 4. Ryan Glenski; 5. Ryan Blaney; 6. Christopher Moore; 7. Trevor Farbo; 8. Dylan Pack; 9. Kyle Pierce; 10. Zac Kittle; 11. Kenny Brown; 12. Ryan Rust; 13. Sloan Henderson; 14. Ty Dillon; 15. Bailey Daniels; 16. Currie Pierce; 17. Austin Hill; 18. Timmy Hill; 19. Jordan Coker; 20. Gerald Campbell; 21. Tyler Armstrong; 22. John Stancill; 23. Ty Bennett; 24. Daniel Hemric.
Lucas Oil Bandolero Bandits Feature (16 laps): 1. Nicholas Stroupe; 2. Corey Gordon; 3. Ronnie Bassett Jr.; 4. Clint King; 5. Bodie Bellinger; 6. Dillon Bassett; 7. Jacob Harrell; 8. Dylan Presnell; 9. Cody Blackburn; 10. Mark Hoover; 11. Shawn Hoover; 12. Blake Jones; 13. Judson Kittle; 14. Dylan Ames; 15. Mason Massey; 16. Tyler Hill; 17. Meghan Dillner; 18. Grayson York; 19. Daniel Gobeille; 20. Peyton Durflinger; 21. Kyle Benjamin; 22. Noah Clark; 23. Landon Bullock.
Lucas Oil Bandolero Outlaws Feature (20 laps): 1. Bruce Benson II; 2. Josh Turner; 3. Marcus Limehouse; 4. Trevor Cauble; 5. Amanda Harrell; 6. Chris Morgan; 7. Kara Clarke; 8. Tim Keener; 9. Dawn Eagens; 10. Jennifer Spain; 11. Bailey Freeman; 12. Nathan Rodgers; 13. Benny Mingo; 14. Charles Long Jr. 15. Ashleigh Wilkins; 16. Chris Honeycutt; 17. Duke Furr; 18. James Parson; 19. Jake Morris.
CRASHCar Feature (15 laps): 1. Invader, Paul Sparrow; 2. Create-A-Scape, Kirby Allen; 3. Got SPEED, Matt Dillner; 4. Krashy the Klown, Walter Pecora; 5. Chowder Head, Dave Knight; 6. Ruby Rhino, Dave Hutchinson; 7. Big Show, Kenneth Deese; 8. USA 1, David Hargget; 9. Vigilante, Rusty Drye; 10. Rimer Rocket, Bob Dillner; 11. White Boy, Jerry White; 12. Miss DeMeanor, Jennifer Petrea; 13. Area 51, Jeremy Troiano; 14. Fast Ball, Jeff Blackwelder; 15. Kill O' Bite, Jake Brown; 16. Black Widow, Sam Nail; 17. Cherry Bomb; 18. No Insurance, Larry Henderson; 19. High Voltage, James Grider; 20. Milk Man, Jeff Plott; 21. Land Shark, Bobby Wallace; 22. Saddle Tramp, Lynn Patterson; 23. Nightmare, Daryl Delapp; 24. C&D's Salvage, Gene Loden; 25. C&D's Crusher, Dustin Doster.


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Sandra Bullock had herself a kickass 2009. "The Proposal" and "The Blind Side" were massive hits, enough to make the sour cherry on top that was "All About Steve" a non-entity. The two big ones have grossed more than $500 million in ticket sales so far, and "The Blind Side" has yet to even see anything more than a domestic opening. The success was enough for a survey of movie theater execs to paint the star as the top-earning performer of 2009, according to /Film.
Not too shabby for an actress who was last seen in the 2007 thriller "The Premonition," which boasts a lowly 8% rating on RottenTomatoes. Is it really so surprising though? Clunkers like "Premonition" aside, Bullock has had more than her share of fine performances. Given her recent honors, we felt it would be fun to run through some of our favorites...
"Crash" (2004)
I actually hold the opinion that "Crash" is overrated, and that it didn't deserve its Oscar win for Best Picture. This isn't to say that it's a bad movie; I just don't think it deserved top honors for the year. Considering the size and talents of the ensemble cast and the potential for some real commentary in the meandering narrative, the movie feels like less than the sum of its part. There's one standout performance in that massive ensemble however, and it belongs to Bullock. She plays Jean Cabot, a bigoted, well-to-do married woman who dials her prejudices up to 11 after she and her husband are carjacked. Jean's character arc isn't terribly believable, but it works in the end because Bullock's performance is so strong.
"Miss Congeniality" (2000)
Some of you readers might scoff at the inclusion of "Miss Congeniality" on this list. Scoff away. It doesn't change the fact that it was a smash hit at the box office, earning more than $200 million worldwide, or that it nabbed two Golden Globes nominations (one for Bullock's performance, 'natch). Say what you will; "Miss Congeniality" brings the funny, even if it isn't your brand of comedy. Bullock stars as a tomboy FBI agent who gets a total makeover when she goes undercover as a Texas beauty pageant contestant in the hopes of bringing a terrorist to justice. It's a "fish out of water" sort of story, nothing you haven't seen before. The success therefore hinges on that fish, played by Bullock, and she delivers.
"Demolition Man" (1993)
Ahhhhh... "Demolition Man." Malign it all you want -- critics certainly have -- nothing will change the fact that it delivers on classic early '90s action from two of the biggest stars of the time, Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes. Bullock more than holds her own with this duo, proving early on that she had the chops for action blockbusters. Then there's the story: a cryogenically frozen criminal (Snipes) escapes, and only the bad-boy cop (Stallone) who caught him -- also cryogenically frozen, for criminal acts resulting from his unorthodox methods -- can catch him again. Bullock plays Lenina Huxley, the cop assigned to shepherd Stallone's "caveman" in this future world he's been thrown into. "Demolition Man" also gets points for turning Taco Bell into a fine dining experience, and for positing a future in which today's commercial jingles are tomorrow's oldies radio hits.
"While You Were Sleeping" (1995)
"While You Were Sleeping" is one of two mid-'90s movies that turned Bullock into a superstar. She plays a Lucy, a lonely railroad fare collector in Chicago. One day, she watches as one of her regular commuters -- a man whom she harbors a secret crush for -- is mugged and then pushed onto the railroad tracks, leaving him in a coma. She is mistaken at the hospital for his fiancée, a fact the grieving family accepts. Only Jack, the comatose man's brother, suspects otherwise. It isn't a movie that everyone can enjoy, but Bullock's performance and the film's success -- $182 million in box office sales -- cemented her status as a superstar.
"Speed" (1994)
Had to save the best for last, right? Fresh off of "Demolition Man," Bullock turned to action yet again for her starring role (opposite Keanu Reeves) in "Speed." It's got a marvelously simple setup: a madman (Dennis Hopper) takes a city bus hostage when he plants a bomb that arms itself once the vehicle hits a speed of 50 miles per hour. Said bomb is set to detonate if the bus's speed drops below 50. When the bus driver is injured by a confused and scared passenger, that Wildcat Bullock is forced to step up and take the wheel. Joke all you want about "pop quiz" hilarity and Keanu's "whoa"-factor... this is classic '90s action at its best.