text:
20. That brings up a question and then I will
hand on to Richard, if I may, about the future of the code of
practice. You gave a relatively upbeat assessment of its success
so far but you also admitted in your own evidence just a moment
or two ago that obviously, everything in the garden was not lovely,
otherwise, you would not have been progressing this in the way
that you are doing. In the intervening period, between now and
the legislation, what plans do the Government have to increase
awareness of the code of practice among employers?
(Ms Hodge) Until legislation comes into force, and
we successfully negotiated this six-year transposition period,
the code will actually remain our primary instrument of change,
so we intend to use it with vigour. You ask what we will do. We
will build on what we have done. We have done much more research
to highlight the issue. We will continue with our awards. We will
continue with a culture change strategy. We will continue to try
and work with people like the recruitment agencies or the larger
firms to try and encourage action down the supply chain. We will
continue to look at other ways to reach particularly small and
medium-sized enterprises. We will also continue to promote our
New Deal for 50-plus and the New Deal for Disabled People and
further publicity campaigns.
21. Minister, turning to the issue of the EU
Directive on Equal Treatment and the Government's plans for legislation,
which came first? The EU Directive or the Government's desire
to legislate? In other words, did you jump or were you pushed?
(Ms Hodge) I think the answer is they came together.
We committed ourselves in our manifesto to tackling age discrimination.
We tried first working through the code and, although we think
it has been effective, I have said before I think speed is of
the essence in this, given the demographic changes and the extent
of disadvantage, so there was a happy togetherness.
22. So the Government is wholly supportive of
legislation within the terms of the EU Directive on Equal Treatment?
(Ms Hodge) What we want to do with the legislation
is ensure that we develop best practice and make best practice
the norm. What we also want to do is to ensure that we can actually
work together. The reason I have set up this working group with
a very wide range of people working with me is so we can find
the best balance that works in practice to tackle age disadvantage
but to retain business competitiveness. So we want to bring people
with us but we want to work through what will be some very difficult
issues together with the business community and those with a particular
interest in this issue. We want to ensure we get something which
is workable, practicable and balances business efficiency with
tackling age discrimination.
23. Can I ask why it is going to take so long?
You have already referred, I think, twice to the fact the Government
was successful in negotiating this long period until 2006, if
we look at those who suffer from disability discrimination, they
have an Act on the statute book, those who suffer from race discrimination
have legislation on the statute book and will have to have it
up-dated, those suffering from discrimination on grounds of sexual
orientation will have to have legislation on the statute book
under the same Directive by 2004, surely there is a case for older
people in this country saying, "The Minister says on the
one hand that speed is of the essence because of demographic change,
yet the Government is actively putting us way down the queue behind
everybody else"?
(Ms Hodge) It may be your presence in Parliament is
short, we are hoping our presence will be long, so for us those
additional six years is a sensible transposition period. Why?
Because there are a lot of complex issues. We have talked, even
around this table this afternoon, about some of the issues Jon
Trickett raised as to why an employer might feel it is to his
advantage or her advantage to use age as a factor in taking certain
business decisions, so we have to think about those issues and
see how we can bring that together. We have talked a little bit
about age discrimination in young people which of course will
be covered in the legislation, and there are some difficult issues
there we have to think about. Some of the issues are easier and
others are pretty complex. We want to get them right. We want
to bring people with us. We want legislation really to reflect
practice rather than be distant from practice, and I think for
all those reasons it is a good idea to do it over a long period.
The other thing I would say is that I am having the first meeting
of this working group in a couple of weeks' time, so we are starting
straight away. I worked in a similar way around disability, in
that I chaired a Disability Rights Task Forcein fact I
came to talk to this Committee about itfor about 18 months,
and my predecessor chaired it before me, and we in the same way
worked through a lot of disability discrimination issues in this
collaborative way, then produced a report. The response from the
Government to that report is about to come out, and then legislation
could follow from that. That has been, I think, a very good model
of how to build consensus around some changes which some people
may be worried about.
24. Minister, to be clear on the timescale,
in the memorandum you said, "Employer groups were concerned
about confusion and a rush to litigation ...", which I think
is understandable, "... and age representative groups expressed
concerns about ineffective legislation". That is not quite
the same thing as saying they want to take five years to get something
through. Are any of the age representative groups saying they
are happy? Have they actually said to you they are happy to wait
five years or have they suggested they would prefer to see it
sooner if at all possible?
(Ms Hodge) You will have to ask them that question.
I have to say I have had a warm welcome from all sides to the
way in which we intend to move forward. Indeed the fact I have
been very swiftly able to put together this very broad range of
people demonstrates I think a commitment to working with us to
get it right. Everybody has welcomed it, that is all I can say
to you. You will have to ask them direct.
25. Moving on to the issue of implementation
when the legislation is on the statute book, at this stage do
you envisage having separate commissions, so there will be a new
Age Commission to run alongside the commissions already in existence,
like the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Race Equality Commission,
or do you think this debate and the Equal Treatment Directive
may move us towards a position of having a single-Anti-Discrimination
Commission rather as they have in Northern Ireland at present?
(Ms Hodge) Nothing in the European legislation and
therefore necessarily in our legislation demands a commission.
One of the issues I will want to consider with the group I have
convened, once we have decided the framework for the legislation,
is how it should be implemented and what the structure should
be. That is the first thing to say. The second is, there has been
a lot of thought given to our structure on anti-discrimination
and we do have three commissions at present. This is a very personal
view, but when I first got this job I was told by everybody, "Look
at the American model, look at the Australian model", so
I did look at them and I am not sure that the single commission
is the most effective way of tackling the disadvantage that various
people meet in society, for two reasons. One is that the focus
is always on litigation and very rarely on culture change and
education and promotional work. Secondly, the focus tends to be
on the issue of the day, so the less powerful disadvantaged groups
tend to get lost in it. People are tending to look at the Northern
Ireland model now because it is the latest around, but it has
hardly been working for very long, so I shall watch how it operates
with interest. Again with my hat on as Minister for Disabled People,
those who are involved in the disability world have only just
achieved their own commission and have been struggling for it
for generations and at this point they want to use that to promote
civil rights for disabled people, and I think they would be pretty
fed up if they felt they were being submerged into one commission.
So it is an issue which is around and I think it is an issue which
will be debated over the coming years but my view at present is
it is not one on which we should move.
26. We have talked about other discrimination
which exists, such as sex discrimination legislation, and the
other legislation which exists, and you have said already it has
not got rid of the problem in 25 years. Do you see other mechanisms
working alongside age discrimination legislation as well, or do
you have any view as to how you can make it more effective than
that which is already in place, which has had some effect but
not been entirely successful?
(Ms Hodge) Yes, I will repeat the ones which I think
are the key ones: our labour market interventions; the New Deal
for 50-plus; the New Deal for Disabled People; attempts to encourage
progressive retirement; looking at how to encourage employers
to change their training programmes and ourselves through the
Learning Skills Council; ensuring there is access to training
and qualifications for older people; attitudinal change and promotional
change. Those are the sort of things. You cannot do it on its
own. Legislation alone will not change the current structure,
I am absolutely convinced of that.
27. I think, Margaret, I really ought to shield
Richard, although he has not complained, from your uncharacteristically
cruel riposte about the length of time he might expect to be here.
(Ms Hodge) You know what I am like, Chairman!
28. If a week is a long time in politics, six
years must run into the Keynes' definition of, "In the long
run we are all dead". I am sure you did not intend to be
so cruel to Richard.
(Ms Hodge) I was being slightly facetious, but what
is true is that six years may seem a long time to us but I do
not think in terms of what we are trying to achieve it is that
long, and I think it is appropriate to get it right, I really
do. The worst thing you can do with legislation is get people
just complying with the letter and not the spirit. If we want
people to apply the spirit then it is very important they should
feel some ownership of that legislation when it is enacted.
Mr Allan: Water and ducks' backs, Chairman!
29. In reply to an earlier question you said
you were absolutely certain that legislation on its own will not
change the age structure of the labour market, and I accept that
entirely, it is a matter of changing the culture and all manner
of other things. One of the main things which has to be addressed,
I think, is an individual's financial calculations about his or
her financial security when he or she finally retires. No doubt
from the point of view of the employer, similar calculations are
made in terms of the occupational pension scheme, and there again
the state will be making fiscal calculations and if a percentage
of the elderly continue to work beyond the age of 65, what are
the fiscal implications of that as well. You introduced the idea
of progressive retirement or flexible and phased retirement, and
I am just wondering if you can guide us on any work which has
been done so far in advice which might be given to the individuals
considering this idea of flexible and phased retirement over a
period of time. How will it affect their state pension and, secondly,
their occupational pension? What are the fiscal implications of
people working beyond 65? Thee must be a fiscal calculation in
terms of tax generated and pensions not paid possibly. Finally,
what implications are there on occupational pension schemes, most
of which are time-limited? Are we talking about people being able
to continue for longer to contribute to an occupational pension
scheme, bearing in mind there is a ceiling on the amount one can
accrue? What will happen in that circumstance? So a series of
questions there but in how much detail have we done the work to
ensure this is a realistic prospect, which I think is an exciting
prospect, people being able to be flexible about their work and
so on?
(Ms Hodge) These are some of the issues we are going
to have to consider in the working group. Secondly, both state
social security benefits and occupational pensions are exempt
from the age discrimination legislation. That was another triumph
for the UK in our negotiations around article 13. The third thing
to say is that what we are trying to do is bring in flexibility
and choice for individuals, that must be our aim, and what we
have done so far is that the DSS impediments for progressive retirement
were included in the Child Support, Pensions and Society Security
Act, 2000, and we have the Inland Revenue and the DSS currently
discussing practical issues together with the pensions industry,
the National Association of Pension Funds. I hope that work will
come to fruition in the not-too-distant future. When you talk
about complexity, these are just some of the issues we will have
to think through very clearly to make this legislation practicable.
30. Do you envisage that when a person reaches
65 they may continue in work and receive a state pension simultaneously?
If so, will they continue to pay into the national insurance fund,
because they will be employees even though the national insurance
fund is intended for pensions contributions which they are already
receiving? It seems to me this is a complicated issue. I sat on
the Bill you have just referred to and I must admit it went totally
over my head and I do not remember addressing those kind of issues.
Have we thought that through or are we looking at that as well
at the moment?
(Ms Hodge) I am not sure what the answer to that is.
Just to make one thing clear, your entitlement to state pension
will not change, so you will continue to be eligible for state
pension as at present. On the other issues I think we will have
to write to you. You are just demonstrating the beginnings of
that conversation in the working group.
(Mr Richardson) It must be the case that things do
not change, because plenty of people work beyond 65 now and their
income is taken into account for tax purposes along with the state
pension. Subject to confirming that, I think nothing will change.
31. Before we let you go, can we touch on this
issue of compulsory retirement ages which will be illegal once
the Directive has been implemented. What impact do you think this
will have upon an employee's ability to make contributions to
occupational pension schemes over a reasonable time period?
(Ms Hodge) Can I clear up something, Chairman? There
is nothing for us to abolish, to be absolutely honest, because
there is no such a thing as a national retirement age. There is
a state pension age and that will not change. What we will need
to do is to look at the issue of discrimination and our purpose
will be to try and ensure choice and flexibility for the individual,
so any discrimination that arises out of a whole range of current
practices will need to be examined. One of those will be a contractual
retirement age which an individual employer may have, but there
are all sorts of other things involved. But the idea there is
a national retirement age is just wrong. It is one of those areas
where it might have been better to have given the evidence.
32. Is your view then, Minister, that it is
likely that the legislation may make illegal something such as
happens currently within the NHS where, once somebody reaches
the age of 65, they cannot be employed, which is a term and condition
within that particular area of service? Alternatively, where a
private sector employer says, "At age 65 I will get rid of
you". Those are the sort of things which you are saying may
be made illegal?
(Ms Hodge) What we will have to look at, and again
this is why we are taking our time over it, is where there is
an occupational requirement for there to be a specific age. Let
me give you an example, a television show which is geared towards
youth, it may be appropriate to have as the compere of that show
somebody who is young, so where there is an occupational requirement
to have a specific age, that might be an issue. The other thing
is that there has to be an objective justification, and we will
have to work through those situations where an objective justification
would make an age limit for retirement an issue. There are all
sorts of other issues like specifying age in adverts, which will
be one we will have to think about; redundancy schemes would be
another one. There are a huge range of very, very complicated
33. The standard contractual terms and conditions
which say, "You will retire at 65", which is very common
now, aside from all this objectivity, will be the sort of thing
we can expect to be made illegal?
(Ms Hodge) My quote here is, "Compulsory retirement
based on age would only be possible where it is objectively justified
by a legitimate aim."
34. In thanking you, Margaret for addressing
our questions so well, can I ask if I am right in believing that
it is the Government's intention to promote flexibility in retirement,
that is where it is both in the interests of companies and individuals
to retire before the age of 65, whatever its proper designation
is, and also to go on beyond that, and you are presently addressing
all the tax and benefits issues which impinge upon achieving flexibility?
(Ms Hodge) Thank you for the opportunity to reconfirm
that, Chairman. Flexibility and choice are what I hope will inform
the deliberations as we consider how to take the legislation forward.
Something which perhaps I should have said earlier, it could beand
you and I might like thiswork combined with leisure, volunteering,
further educationI have this desire to learn the harp and
do a good science A-level which I missed outor indeed caring.
So there are all sorts of flexibilities we want to bring in. Equally,
on the other side, it is an outrage that we are not making the
best use of the widest pool of talent by ensuring that people
have the opportunity to participate in the labour market whatever
their age.
Chairman: Thank you very much indeed on behalf
of all of us here.


text:
"The most beautiful makeup for a woman is passion. But cosmetics are easier to buy." — Yves St. Laurent
March 5, 2011
FOTD (featuring Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua)
Sometimes, maybe a couple of times a year, I feel absolutely happy with the way I look -clothes, hair and makeup.
Yesterday was one of these days. Maybe because it was really sunny (even though it's still freezing cold), or because I love my new dress or had a perfect skin day. Maybe I was just in an excellent mood because it was Friday!
Chanel Vitalumiere Aquan foundation in B10
Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer in 01
MUFE Aquacream #5 as a blush (perfect long-lasting dupe for Nars Orgasm!)
(no powder, no setting spray - you see the foundation as it is)
Mac brow pencil in Fling and brow gel in Mink
Mac All That Glitters
Mac Satin Taupe
Bobbi Brown Sapphire Shimmer Ink gel
Hourglass Superficial Lash mascara
Givenchy Rouge Interdit in Candide Tangerine
Yes, I got a bit happy with the cream blush, but I don't care, I like it this way.
Essie Clambake (2 layers) - it's a jelly color and I love it!
And a quick look at the whole outfit, which I absolutely love! (Crappy pic taken in the work bathroom)
Any look you particularly liked this week?
Publié par Musing on Beauty à l'adresse 11:24 AM
6 comments:
This is such a beautiful look. Love both the makeup and the dress. You have gorgeous skin!ReplyDelete
You look lovely!!! Lie Tyra would say, you're smiling with your eyes ;)ReplyDelete
You look amazing! I really love the peachy tones you used in the FOTD.ReplyDelete
I've been wanting that lippy badly for the last week, and this is making my Givenchy craving much worse!
Oh that foundation looks like you're not wearin a foundation! Your skin looks lovely!ReplyDelete
Thanks for this post=)
I really like the shape of your glasses, they frame your face so well! xReplyDelete
Such a beautiful FOTD, I adore the way you've applied the blush. Perfect!ReplyDelete
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Missy the Navigator
Cary and I both have these high tech phones that we thoroughly enjoy and don't know how we ever lived without them. Our phones have voice activated searches along with voice activated navigation systems. So for example, I can search for the closest Starbucks by hitting a button and saying "Starbucks" into my phone. It calculates my GPS and then gives me a map and driving directions that I can either read or "SHE" will read them to me as I drive along, just like any regular navigation system. It's a nifty feature, except for one thing..."SHE" has a bit of an attitude, especially when we don't exactly follow her route. And "SHE" can get a little testy. It's quite entertaining. Sometimes I take a wrong turn just to make "HER" mad. Heeeheeeeheeee. Today, Ashton asked, "What's HER name?" And I was like, "Who are you talking about?" And she said, "Her, the lady talking on your phone." And it occured to me that we haven't given "HER" a name. But tonight as we were listening to "her" get agitated with us yet again, Cary said, "Oh hush up Missy!" And that's when it occured to me that her name should be Missy. Missy is kind of a sassy name and she is a sassy kinda voice! So here is a conversation that took place tonight between Me, Cary, and "Missy":
Picture us driving in a part of town we've never been in before...
Me: Honey, I think you should turn right at that light, I just really think that's the direction you need to head in.
Cary: Well, let's see what Missy has to say....pause....Missy says we should go left, not right.
Me: (At this point, he's getting the raised eye brow, slow head turn from me b/c how dare he not trust my sense of direction!) Well, are you going to listen to the woman who has never walked on this planet, or ME who just drove us here and feels like we should go back in sorta the direction we came in?
Cary: Missy gets her cues from satellites.
Me: FINE! Listen to Missy. But she's WRONG! I think you should turn around now.
A few minutes later....
Cary: Missy froze up. pause. Missy says we are off track and should take a U-Turn at this light and go back the other direction.
Me: That's what I tried to tell you 10 minutes ago! Now turn that thing off and listen to your wife!
Cary: But you don't have a satellite.
Me: No, but I have a BRAIN!!!!!


text:
I heard from the doctor today about what is possibly going on with Ryder's latest MRI. I've spent the last couple hours contemplating and researching what he told me. It is hard to wrap my brain around it, but all in all, it is still clear as mud to me. We aren't any further in understanding what is going on with Ryder, but I did find some leads that I will discuss with the doctor on the 27th of this month.
So---here it goes (I might ramble, but try to follow along haha)
Ryder's last MRI (his 3rd so far) was conducted by a 3.0 MRI machine that has a very clear resolution and better magnetic field. ( His previous 2 were on a 1.5 MRI.) It is new technology that makes very small details of the brain observable, where they weren't before. As with all new technology, it is wonderful, but no one is an expert yet at understanding these new images that are being seen so that was the reason for the long waiting on my part.
This new MRI showed abnormal (or funny as the Dr. but it) images of Ryder's cerebellum (specifically in the dentate nucleus) and in his thalamus. The doctor wanted to discuss these findings with another specialist before he reported the findings because he didn't agree with them. He thought that the "funny findings" were due to the extreme clarity of the new MRI machine that most radiologists haven't interpreted yet.
The doctor said that Ryder's myleination looks appropriate. He believes that the cerebellum looks appropriate to Ryder's age despite the results from the radiologist. I'm still questioning this because the cerebellum controls motor, balance, eyes/ears...etc. Ryder has nystagmus, motor delay, is unbalanced and we recently learned about hearing loss as well.
The doctor did see the thalamus abnormality. This controls sensations. Ryder does have difficulty eating, swallowing and has some tactile sensitivities as well.
So what we know for sure: Ryder has nystagmus, axatia, he's hypotonic,hearing loss, developmentally delayed, has difficulty swallowing, an awkward gait and is too stinkin cute for words ;)
So overall, nothing new ;/
In the meantime, the doctor will share Ryder's story on the international child neuro network so more doctors can but their brains together to figure this out and what directions we should go in next.
I was anxiously (and impatiently) waiting to hear any news--I am a Mom though and that is just what we do;) I truly appreciate the doctors who are working hard to help us and figure out what is going on with our little guy. They are in uncharted territory the majority of the time and I know that has got to be rough. Ryder's neurologist goes above and beyond any doctor I have ever!!!!
GREAT NEWS though:
Ryder was approved for Az Long Term Care!!!! AND SSI disability!!!!!!! That is a huge financial burden off our shoulders:)


text:
WPI 3355 (Nateglinide 120 mg)
Pill with imprint WPI 3355 is Pink, Capsule-shape and has been identified as Nateglinide 120 mg. It is supplied by Watson Laboratories Inc..
Nateglinide is used in the treatment of diabetes, type 2 and belongs to the drug class meglitinides. Risk cannot be ruled out during pregnancy. Nateglinide 120 mg is not a controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
Images for WPI 3355
- Imprint:
- Strength:
- 120 mg
- Color:
- Pink
- Shape:
- Capsule-shape
- Availability:
- Prescription only
- Drug Class:
- Meglitinides
- Pregnancy Category:
- C - Risk cannot be ruled out
- CSA Schedule:
- Not a controlled drug
- Labeler / Supplier:
- Watson Laboratories Inc.
- Inactive Ingredients:
- silicon dioxide colloidal
fumaric acid
hypromellose 2910 (3 mPa.s)
lactose monohydrate
magnesium stearate
polysorbate 80
sodium starch glycolate type A potato
corn starch
titanium dioxide
hypromellose 2910 (6 mPa.s)
FD&C Red No. 40
aluminum oxide
ferric oxide red
ferric oxide black
Note: Inactive ingredients may vary.
More about nateglinide
- Nateglinide Side Effects
- During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding
- Dosage Information
- Drug Images
- Drug Interactions
- Support Group
- Pricing & Coupons
- En Español
- 2 Reviews
- Drug class: meglitinides
Consumer resources
Other brands: Starlix
Professional resources
Related treatment guides
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 2018 Drugs.com, National Library of Medicine, Truven Health Analytics and Cerner Multum, Inc. All Rights Reserved.


text:
Body: Maitreya Lara
Head: Lelutka Karin
Skin: Glam Affair Jamaica
Shape: Custom
Hair: .Truth Hair. Morgana
Pants: Blueberry - Side Tied Shorts {Black}
Rings: Izzie's- Celestial Midi Rings
Piercing: ~Soedara~ Of The Plains Black
You will never break a lady. No matter how much you beat her... no matter how much she cries out, her will is stronger than your fist could ever be. #StopAllAbuse
(I know this isn't my typical post. However, this is a problem near and dear to my heart. Any amount of support someone can get, while being abused, helps no matter how small. I urge every single one of you to step up and offer a hand to anyone getting abused. Male or Female. Abuse can happen to anyone.)


text:
For Leaders and Councils
Use this presentation in your ward, stake, or coordinating council meeting.
Presentation Time: 13 minutes plus discussion
For Temple and Family History Consultants
Use this presentation as you train temple and family history consultants.
Presentation Time: 16 minutes plus discussion
For Members
Use this presentation in a combined Sunday lesson, a devotional, or a Saturday night stake conference session.
Presentation Time: 15 minutes plus discussion
- Home
- Leader Resources for Family History
- Family History Training Presentations
Family History Training Presentations
Select the presentation below to download the PowerPoint for the audience you are teaching. These are large files and may take a few minutes to download. If you are having difficulty downloading the presentation, you may want to use the PDF lesson plan format.
If you are having difficulty playing the videos you can download them directly here.
- Share
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text:
While our focus is working through sterilizations and education towards the day when no pup would be born to be abandoned again, the little innocent souls already born and dumped in the street like garbage surely have no fault. We stand by them as well.
We have 2 enclosures, "The Dutch Squad" (half covered) and "The Ree-pee-pee" (fully covered) which at the moment accommodate 4 puppies. During the day the pups can play in the garden supervised. While we're looking after many other puppies in the streets of Ploiesti, we are very strict about the Puppy Center, the number of pups we keep in here and the quality of care they receive. We are against imprisoning large numbers of animals in little space, with greatly reduced welfare and no individual attention. Solely the physical integrity of an animal is nothing compared to all the needs of such a complex animal as the dog. So we are super strict about taking in only as many pups as we can handle and care for properly. As hard as it is sometimes to say no to yourself given the high numbers of animals needing help in the streets. All pups come in healthy, de-wormed and vaccinated.
Pups playing around at our little Puppy Center
The two enclosures, The Dutch Squad and The Ree-pee-pee
Pups getting plenty of individual attention
Lots of cuddling
Happy faces
For their own good, we focus on quality as opposed to quantity. That's our little Puppy Center.


text:
The hAP ac is our most universal home or office wireless device. It is a dual-band device with Gigabit ports that allow the full advantages of 802.11ac technology speed, while maintaining compatibility with legacy devices in 2GHz 802.11 b/g/n and 5GHz a/n modes. The omnidirectional antennas allow mounting the hAP ac in any location, and the high power transmitter will ensure good coverage for the mobile devices in your home, office or public location.
Icon Mail firstname.lastname@example.com
Icon Phone 010 980 0000
Icon Home Unit 4 Louwlardia Business Park
122 Bavaria Road, Centurion
Gauteng, South Africa, 0157
Icon Mail email@example.com
Icon Phone 010 980 0002
Icon Home Unit 2 Garnet Park
6 Drill Avenue, Montague Gardens
Cape Town, South Africa, 7441


text:
Buzz Bits: Dow, Nasdaq Slip
Your daily Buzz & Banter highlights...
Editor's Note: This is a small sample of the content available on the Buzz and Banter.
You imagine me sipping champagne from your boot for a taste of your elegant pride... - Todd Harrison - 3:43 PM
I hear ya Bobby, it's pretty hellish out there as Boo turns the screws into the close. While it coulda been worse, it shoulda been better for the bulls who continue to buzz and banter that 'nothing has changed.' Hey, you know my humble take--I think there's alotta hope (denial) in the marketplace--and it sure seems like they're gonna go down fighting.
I tossed out a nonsensical thought earlier--that we'll close heavy, see a counter-trend rally tomorrow and then a resumption of the downtrend. I don't have an edge, per se, but intend to shave some puts into the close and lean long (with gamma) come Turnaround Tuesday. I'm not playing huge, mind you, as I'm hitting for average rather than power these days.
The bring it home tea leaves find breadth off 3:1, the financials heavy (note the brokers as the XBD tests the 200-day), soft commodities (CRB -1.7%), a stronger dollar and troubled emerging markets (EEM -1.5%, TRF -5%). Geez, I sure hope Jack Bauer fares better than this tonight. I mean, Charles Logan? I didn't see that one coming!
Fare ye well into the bell, Minyans, and remember that tomorrow is promised to nobody.
Position in financials
Mini-Minyan Mailbag - John Succo - 2:36 PM
Prof. Succo-
The 30-day realized on the S&P went from 7.2 to 13.2 (83% move) while the Russel (RTY) went from 10.9 to 16.3 (a 49% change). I know that the RTY (in price) has been lagging the move in the broader market leading into the sell off. But I would have expected a high-beta index such as RTY to move more violently in this tape (e.g. Spring 2006). Thoughts?
-Minyan A
Minyan A-
Ah, great question.
At market tops they go for the most speculative, the most risky. I interpreted the relative out-performance of RTY as a signal of a top more than anything.
Will the Fed change their bias? - Bennet Sedacca - 11:13 AM
Based on economic and market activity, my hunch is that the Fed changes its bias to neutral at its March 21st meeting.
Considering that 3/15 is a short-term 'cycle low' date for stocks (according my best source on the subject), it would make sense that we could see a nice low for stocks by then followed by a rally in stocks.
With the market pricing in such a large percentage chance of an ease by Summer, the Fed would probably upset the market if it doesn't change, ushering in a chance to ease over the Summer.
At least that is how I see it unfolding. The fact that 31 lenders have gone broke this year and New Century Financial (NEW) is on the way, it would give the Fed a great reason to change bias.
Oops...they did it again! - Fil Zucchi - 8:55 AM
Not many changes to the driving forces behind the equity market's moves. The Yen continues to ramp as the carry trade unwinds. I can't put my finger on the reason for the overnight free-fall by the Euro vs. the dollar, except surmising the carry-trade was not being undertaken in dollars only. Gold and silver are taking more hits, and they are now down where I am again interested in putting on longer term positions.
Incidentally, IMHO, the now total meltdown in sub-prime land courtesy of New Century Financial (NEW) et al. is a much more important story for the equity markets than the macro bets environment. NEW's debt is now in default, which presumably would/could trigger all kinds of hedging and speculative positions against such debt. It also creates all kinds of problems for the throngs of homebuyers that were otherwise lined up to purchase homes (...not) and save the homies from the resumption of their collapse.
With the benefit of all kinds of put positions (which until recently had cost beaucoup bucks for beaucoup years) now coming to life and protecting my rear, I will hold my nose and scale into some of the stuff that I am familiar with, and I have often mentioned here, Akamai (AKAM), F5 Networks (FFIV), MRV Communication (MRVC), and maybe even some new and bit more defensive names like CVS (CVS).
As Toddo often reminds us, "breath Minyans," and if your emotions are running way up there, wait out the storm.
For what it's worth, I think it is already priced into bonds.
Position in AKAM, gold/silver/euro futures
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We decided to take our Engagement photos in Portland. It ended up being pretty telling because it turned out that my family move to Portland a mere year later. We had the best day grabbing lunch with Jay, our photographer, then just walking around the city looking at interesting buildings. Portland has a crazy chill vibe with super nice people.
Photos by Jay Eads


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Identical twins Rock and Tiger Allen suffered serious injuries in a one-vehicle crash Tuesday evening, according to Bernard Fernandez, writing on Philly.com.
Tiger was driving and struck a tree, a police report said. He was in the intensive care unit Hahnemann University Hospital, while Rock was in the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Fernandez wrote.
They are the sons of notable trainer Naazim Richardson.
Rock is 15-0, fighting as a welterweight, with seven KOs. He went 168-10 as an amateur, and was on the 2004 Olympic squad. His bother Tiger has a 3-0 mark, and has been absent from the ring since 2007.
TSS hopes for a full recovery for each.


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Terms and conditions:
1. Package Deals are not applicable
2. Free Shipping is not applicable
3. Warranty is not applicable to any of the products sold.
Selling cloth diapers and clothes for our little ones.
Untuk Sayangku Comel Copyright © 2009 Baby Shop is Designed by Ipietoon Sponsored by Emocutez


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Ashton Kutcher Takes on Ted Turner & CNN on Twitter
Who would have thought that 70's show star Ashton Kutcher would cause such a stir on Twitter! Well fellow tweet meisters, this is no punk – he is the 3rd most popular person on the fastest growing social network – Twitter!
CNN has the current # 1 spot with 938,368 followers as of 12:30 p.m. ET on April 15th. Ashton is right on their tail with 891,629 followers.
journeyPod is joining with Lil Kim, Oprah and other celebrities who are rallying behind Ashton's ambitious plans to hit 1 million followers before CNN!
Since we're based right here in Atlanta, we thought we would take the challenge right to Ted's front door at 2 o'clock today at the CNN Center. journeyPod intends to help him overtake CNN even if he does not beat them to one million followers.
To support user generated content and demonstrate the power of social media, the journeyPod team will be rallying at CNN center in Atlanta this afternoon and passing out flyers to help Kutcher overtake CNN for the most followers on Twitter.
The journeyPod team of social media and web 2.0 experts will also be polling people locally in Atlanta to get feedback on Twitter awareness and Ashton's Challenge to CNN. We will be demonstrating how easy it is to use Twitter onsite during the rally. Updates on the event will be posted on Twitter @journeyPod!
Check out Ashton's qik video where he challenges Ted Turner: http://www.qik.com/Ashton
Start following him now! http://twitter.com/aplusk
Come join us! Follow us for more info: http://twitter.com/journeyPod
Photocredit to SarahandTim & LA Times.


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TV Guide has some "Vampire Diaries" scoop to pass along. The CW hit returns next Thursday with "The Descent", and EP Julie Plec gives fans some spoilery good news on the Delena front, but unfortunately it comes with tragic repercussions for Rose.
"There is a devolution of Rose's sanity and Rose's character, as a result of the bite, which brings a lot of danger into Elena's (Nina Dobrev) world and into everybody else's world," says Plec. "The follow up from that is going to be pretty extreme." And then there's werewolf Jules (Michaela McManus). "She knows now that Mason's dead, and she's going to have something to say about that. What she chooses to do and how she chooses to respond is big and it's bold, and it takes us for the next couple episodes on a journey that's pretty intense."Read the full interview here.
And, finally, there's some good news for Team Damon. "Elena and Stefan (Paul Wesley) are happily back together, but as a result of what Rose is going through, Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and Elena find themselves sort of thrown together, trying to deal with this invalid vampire," says Plec. "They go through a pretty rough emotional experience together which, of course, cements their relationship even further."


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A medievalist, feminist, life-long student, and middle school teacher sounds off on any and all issues that inform any of those identities. The name is simply a misspelling -- because English has lost a few characters over the years -- of the Anglo-Saxon words for "she" (Heo) and "said" (Cwaeth). There are two basic rules for this blog: 1) Comments are welcome from anyone--agree or disagree--but will be deleted if they are vile. 2) I decide what's vile.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Speaking of Pandarus
You look confused.
I'll explain, shall I?
I have nieces. Oodles of 'em. They are smart, silly, athletic, lazy, funny, serious, charming, brusque, whiny, weird, goofy, cranky, short, tall, ill-mannered, gracious, and any number of other adjectives you might care to mention. Just like people.
Yet, a 'feminist' male 'friend' of mine, upon hearing that I got a surprise visit from Niece #3 today immediately asked, "Is she pretty?" At which point, a number of memory neurons started firing on protector neurons, and I told him to get lost. Now, the first time I said it in a joking way. But Mr. Genius just HAD to keep insisting I answer his question. So I answered his question like an aunt whose niece, on the basis of being adult and female, was immediately being considered for classification of the "would I or wouldn't I?" kind by a man who calls himself a feminist and my friend.
This hurt his widdle fee-fees.
I am now in a boiling rage. I hurt his feelings?! Hm. I answer the phone and explain that a niece I haven't seen in a bit made a very lengthy car trip up to the back of bloody beyond to see me, and brought her new boyfriend for me to meet, and I was so delighted to see them I seriously considered making an attempt at cooking. And where are those sheets that fit the futon in the guest room anyway? Can I call you back in a day or two?
And I get two questions:
1) "How old is she?" and, upon learning she was indeed in that coveted barely adult range...
2) "Is she pretty?"
And then the weirdest thing happened. Every time a guy 'friend' tried to use our 'friendship' as cover for being a sexist, vulgar ass to me sprang to my memory. Every time a guy 'friend of mine' ignored our friendship and common decency to make a comment about the developing physique of Niece #3's older cousins sprang to memory. Every time any man treated me or any woman I cared about in my presence or in my knowledge as if we existed only insofar as we might serve his purposes sprang to my memory.
And I had a revelation.
If people hate me because I say, plainly, that I will not tolerate my kids being treated like sexual jokes, they can go right ahead and hate me. I have a more important social role to fill than 'friend of random jackass.'
13 comments:
You go, Auntie.
- April 01, 2007 2:53 AM
- jb said...
Yeah. Right on. His behavior is unbelievable (or all too believable, sadly).
- April 01, 2007 6:23 AM
- Andrea said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- April 01, 2007 8:30 AM
- Ancrene Wiseass said...
Sometimes the fee-fees have to get hurt for the consciousness to get raised. And even if Mr. "Feminist" doesn't learn the lesson, yep, we gotta protect our girls. So screw his fee-fees, anyway.
- April 01, 2007 8:33 AM
- Medieval Woman said...
open up a can of "whoop-ass" on his feminist-esque little bum!
- April 01, 2007 11:22 AM
- History Geek said...
Gah, I hated that when working child care how some of my co-workers would call the boys smart and brave, etc, but the girls were always cute, pretty, and adoreable.
You had every right to be ticked off.
- April 01, 2007 9:05 PM
When I had my PhD party, I took some of my friends aside and said, 'there will be a very pretty 17-year-old at this party. she's my niece, and if you so much as drool discretely over her, you'll be picking up your teeth off the floor.' Worked like a charm...
- April 01, 2007 10:00 PM
- Alexandra P said...
I have the same problem with my 7-years-younger-than-me sister. Just a couple of male friends would suddenly be interested in visiting me when she was visiting. Actually, I would still have this problem, if
1. I advertised her visits, and
2. She hadn't developed quite such a lovely, acerbic, out-there personality.
- April 01, 2007 11:15 PM
- Bardiac said...
Sounds like you contained yourself quite well if only his feelings were hurt.
- April 02, 2007 9:12 AM
- squadratomagico said...
Yay! I love this story!
- April 02, 2007 11:46 AM
- nightgigjo said...
I'm trying to watch this in myself, actually, when it comes to babies and gender socialization (my only niece is two, and my nephews are 7, 4, 3 and 1).
It's really much "easier" (i.e., more knee-jerk) to say "what a pretty girl" than "what a bright child" or "what an inquisitive baby".
This is obviously not sexualization, but the socialization is part of the structure that supports the sexualization, once they hit that "nubile" *grrr* state.
It's good to get pissed at stuff like this. GOOD.
- April 02, 2007 12:12 PM
- Anniina said...
Go, Aunt Heo!
- April 03, 2007 6:33 PM
I agree with Bardiac. Sounds like you were very reasonable.
Why is it exactly that men are emotionall wounded when women object to being treated like sub-human sex toys? What is it about a woman having a mind and some sense of self-respect or humanity that is injurious to the male of the species?
9th of April was Amazon day. I wish I'd made a post for that. Oh well, the ritual will have to do. ;-)
- April 13, 2007 12:19 AM


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|Fall 2006
Volume 3, Number 1
|Table of Contents
Dealing With OSHA - The Most Common Mistake Companies Make
Say an OSHA inspector shows up at your door, unannounced, and wants to conduct an inspection of your workplace. What do you do?
If your company is like most others, you let the inspector proceed. At the conclusion of the inspection, which could be days, weeks or months later, you find out if OSHA is going to issue any citations to your company. Then, if you are cited for one or more violations, you might for the first time in this process call your lawyer.
Compare that scenario to a visitor who is injured on your property and sues your company. You (or your insurance company) immediately hire a lawyer to defend the lawsuit. The lawyer is integrally involved in all aspects of discovery; depositions, document production, etcetera. By the time trial comes around, the lawyer has carefully prepared the case and knows all of the applicable facts about it.
Now think back to the OSHA inspection. That inspector was interviewing your employees (i.e. taking depositions), looking at your logs, records and written programs (i.e. reviewing your documents), and where was your lawyer? Not hired yet! Most companies let OSHA conduct and complete its discovery before even calling their lawyer. Big mistake! You would never do that with the personal injury lawsuit, so why do it with OSHA?
A lawyer who is knowledgeable about OSHA procedures and requirements can help a great deal with the conduct of the inspection, in many cases significantly affecting its outcome. I routinely tell my clients that while both are important, if they only are willing to have me involved with either the inspection or the contest phase defending the violation, I can usually help them more during the inspection.
OSHA inspections occur in several ways. In each case, the inspector is limited to inspecting the part of your operation that gave rise to the inspection*, but no more. For example, if an employee complaint or an accident in your loading area lead to the inspection, the inspector is not supposed to delve into other areas of your operation. With that said, they can cite you for violations in other areas if they happen to observe them or learn of them during their inspection of your loading area. Many inspectors, if allowed, will gradually expand the inspection to encompass other areas of your business. Containing the inspection to one particular area or operation and shielding others from view has obvious benefits to the employer.
Examples of ways that a given inspection can be contained or allowed to expand are too numerous to mention in this article. But the point is that it is OSHA's right to conduct the inspection it is there to conduct, not some broader one. The best way to keep it from expanding into a larger inspection, and a bigger deal, is by assigning someone to represent the company in the inspection who knows the OSHA procedures, requirements and case law. That person is your OSHA lawyer.
So, say you're now convinced that you should bring in an OSHA lawyer to represent your company during an inspection. How can you do that when the inspector has shown up at your door unannounced? Easy!
OSHA has two mechanisms for conducting a legal inspection, your voluntary consent or a valid search warrant. The OSHA inspector seldom shows up with a search warrant. Without a search warrant, the only way the inspection can proceed at that time is by you voluntarily agreeing to allow it. If you tell the warrantless inspector that you will allow the inspection, but only once your OSHA lawyer arrives to participate in it, the inspector has only two alternatives: 1) he or she can leave and either obtain a search warrant or forget about you; or, 2) agree to wait for your attorney. If the delay is limited to, say, an hour or two, they will usually wait for the lawyer. Getting the search warrant requires a considerable amount of bureaucratic red tape.Another step that is useful in getting your company ready for a surprise OSHA inspection is an anticipatory meeting between your OSHA lawyer and your facility managers. At that meeting, the process suggested in this article can be explained to each manager who may be the one in charge at the time an inspector shows up, as well as considerably more details such as: how to handle the initial introduction; what to expect once the inspection proceeds; what equipment to keep ready (i.e. camera and film to take side-by-side pictures of whatever the inspector photographs); what to tell employees; etcetera. Such a briefing can usually be accomplished in one to two hours, and makes a big difference in how your company fares when that surprise visitor from OSHA shows up.


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Friday, November 19, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
How Long did it Take Howard Carter to Exevate King Tut's Tomb?
The man who discovered king Tut's tomb was Howard Carter. It took his almost ten years to take all the 3,500 objects out of King Tut's tomb. I don't think that I would have had the Patience to be underground for ten years taking jewels and riches out of some dead guy's tomb. I went to a king Tut exhibit in Denver one time and I was really mad because they didn't bring the mask from his sarcophagus like they used too. The Egyptian government deemed it too fragile to travel. I just think they want people to come to Egypt to see it.
How many tombs were dug in the Valley of the Kings?
There are 62 know tombs dug in to the Valley of the kings. Well, only 62 for the pharaohs but there are hundreds and hundreds more dug for noblemen, craftsmen and the king's advisers. Most of these tombs have been robbed or destroyed by tomb robbers. Most of the tombs can't be identified because they are in such bad shape. I hope when i die no one put any riches in my coffin because I don't want to have grave robbers take my stuff.
Were all the tombs in The Valley of the Kings underground?
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
What sigfificant pharohs were burried in the valley of the kings?
Well at first I was just raddle off a list of pharaohs that were buried in the Valley of The Kings but, then I realized that would be like reading an encyclopedia Any way the Valley of the kings were not just for kings and pharaohs. It was for wiseman craftsmen and the king's advisers. Some of the most important pharaohs were Hapshutsut, Ramses II,III,IV, and VI. Tut was also buried in the Valley of the kings. However Tut really didn't do anything special in his life time. He is most famous for how he died in fact I once watched a two hour documentary on how he died. Also his tomb was uncovered completely intact, nothing was robbed.
Why was the Valley of the Kings Built? For what pharoh?
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Greetings all you Singular fans! I've got good news regarding the much desired Gryphons, and new Osprey's. They're in customs and about to be broken out of jail there. I've got a couple of the Gryphons pre-sold, but there will still be plenty left. I hope! The Osprey road frames will be ready to ship out too.
Since we're pushing items to sell, and its winter, lets see if I can get off load some items I've been hanging on to!
I have a 180mm E13 SS crank set/bb NIB.
A White Industries Dos 17/19 free wheel, NIB.
And XTR M975 Hydro brake kit. The levers and calipers have been used a bit, but the centerlock rotors are new.
A NEW Redline D440 in a 17". Super nice cromo frame and fork that are ready for a disc brake up grade. Solid mid level parts package.
A NEW Torker T300 3 speed city bike. Sturmey Archer 3 speed coaster brake hub, rack and fenders, all part of the purchase price. 19".
A SWEET new Torker KB2 urban ripper. Sturmey Archer 2 speed kick back coaster brake hub. Cromo frame. Surly Open Bars, Race Face stem. 19".
On the used front, there's a nice Trek 7000 mtb. This would make a great little entry level mtb for bashing about in the woods. 17".
I've also got a nice Pilot 2.1 I'm selling for a customer. Triple front gearing, 10 speed rear, with a mix of Ultegra and 105 parts. Its got a fresh tune up. Carbon rear stays, and carbon fork. Comfortable century geometry. 56cm.


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And the day finally came!! On April 24th we finally got to find out the gender of our Headquarters new Baby Vice President!!
Why not Baby President you ask? Because Baby J. loves being the man in charge.
But he's willing to allow the new baby in the house a healthy dose of authority.Just as long as he still gets to make the final decisions around here. Guess that means we're going to have to make some room for a Vice Presidents office pretty soon.
Anyway back to our exciting news BUT before I spill the beans. Let me just say that baby is healthy.Still sitting smugly head up - legs down. Baby also loves practicing some totally awesome and occasionally painful kickboxing moves in there. I wouldn't mind so much but my ribs are slightly bruised or at least feel like they are. I'm also sure the amount of drop-kicks Baby has been doing lately have quite literally obliterated my bladder because all kidding aside it seems that I have lost all measures of control.
And no that is not funny. Even though if Hubby were to be the blogging type of man I'm sure he would have quite a few "funny" stories to tell.
But he's not so lucky me!
I am also doing well thank you my blog readers for asking. Yes, there has been some weight gain but so far I'm still way below what I should have gained. 3.5 kgs below just to be clear. I'm sure now that I've spilled that secret I'll probably have gained all that plus some by my next check-up.
Alright, now for the gender. Since obviously I can't have all my readers over for a gender reveal, I searched up some sweet photos on google image to tell if it's boy or girl.
the answer is...
Baby Vice President will be a boy and we are so very excited!!!


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Monday, November 3, 2008
Mailbox Monday (November 3)
I received two books this week, both courtesy of Mini Book Expo for Bloggers: Good to a Fault by Marina Endicott, which is a finalist for the 2008 Scotiabank Giller Prize, and A Wood Engraver's Alphabet by Gerard Brender à Brandis.
I had promised myself I would stop requesting books for a while until I caught up on my reviews, but alas... I am weak.
Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page.
11 comments:
Don't worry. I'm weak too. I have requested quite a number this past week and I swore I would not do that. It's an addiction of the best kind.ReplyDelete
:) My TBR pile is SO huge - I've tried to stop requesting books too - it just doesn't work!ReplyDelete
Thanks for stopping by my mailbox!
- AnonymousNovember 3, 2008 at 6:12 PM
I'm weak, too. I've outgrown my bookshelves, and of course, I requested a couple of books today and entered some contests, too. A Wood Engraver's Alphabet looks gorgeous.ReplyDelete
I totally understand the dilemma. I wish not every book in the world looked so good to me.ReplyDelete
'Good to a Fault' does sound really good. I look forward to your review. It's so hard to resist books, I suppose it's probably a good thing that most won't ship to me in Japan, or I'd be drowning in them!ReplyDelete
Good to a Fault is one I will read because it'a a Giller nominee. I actually just went a whole week without asking for an ARC. I had reduced it to about two only for each of the previous two weeks. It can be done but it's oh so difficult. lolReplyDelete
I hear you on the weakness. Books are a major addiction. You can never have too many good things to read! Hope you enjoy them!ReplyDelete
Diary of an Eccentric
Thanks everyone for your support with respect to my addiction!ReplyDelete
That first one sounds especially intriguing!ReplyDelete
Thanks for stopping by the 'mailbox' this week. I'm the same way ~ it's hard to pass up free books that sound so good.ReplyDelete
Shana, I just started Good to a Fault and it sounds like it's going to be another great read!ReplyDelete
Ah, let's face it, Marcia, most of us are addicts! Thanks for dropping by!


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Fiction never got round to popping the second single from The Affectionate Punch out until September 1981 ( more than a year after the first). The twelve inch version of A/ Would I Bounce Back is a wonderful step up in production values and leaves behind the sparseness of the original album tracks for a much fuller sound.
When The Affectionate Punch was remixed and re-released on the back of Sulk a couple of years later, for many including Billy and Alan it was a disappointment. Billy had given up on it, re-recording a couple of half hearted vocals and leaving Mr Rankine to complete the synthy overdubs and finish the thankless mess. What came out was certainly a new take on the original album but it was not what it could have been.
This twelve inch version of A/ Would I Bounce Back shows us what a re-recorded and remixed version of The Affectionate Punch might have sounded like. It is a pity they never mixed the entire Affectionate Punch in this mould. It's still as fresh as a daisy. Great.
Sid Law


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Oh I love you, Hipstamatic.
Tonight is the big night!! Richard and I are SO EXCITED to show you everything we've put together for this special occasion. And I know you bloggers are pumped about Republic of Austin's Austin Blogger Awards, being presented tonight at The Bleet-Up too.
A few TIPS to ensure your Bleet-Up experience is absolutely grand:
1. Arrive early! Doors are at 7:00pm. Last year at Mohawk there were lines, and nobody likes lines. Plus...
2. Beer! Live Oak Brewery will be there tonight. And if you get there early you will be happy you did! Early arrivals drink free beer 'til it runs out, then we switch over to cash bar ($3/cup).
3. BYOAwesome. This is the cool thing about partying on top of a grocery store. While our kegs and bands will say goodbye to you at 10:30pm, the party will continue long after that on the roof. So if you'd like to grab a beer, a six-pack, a bottle of wine, etc. from the regular store part of WF and bring it upstairs to enjoy past 10:30, that is a-ok my friend. Just grab it before store close -- 10:00 -- and you're all set.
PS. I think Whole Foods sells single-serve champagne in a pink can. If so I'm definitely getting it.
4. Have a BLAST. Seriously. Richard and I saw the Whole Foods terrace last night y'all, and it's ridonkulous. By which I mean, totally gorgeous and beautiful. We are so grateful to have Whole Foods host this for us!
I know my levels of enthusiasm are getting obnoxious at this point. But really, it's so surreal to me that The Bleet-Up TONIGHT. Totally cray cray! You'll see many bloggers, blog readers out there, and friendly faces out there tonight, and here is a small sampling.


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ARSLEV, Denmark (BRAIN)—SRAM has expanded its Dealer Service Direct (DSD) program to the Nordic region through a partnership with its distributor Dan Agentur.
Dan Agentur will become a regional Cycle Service Nordic center representing all countries in the Nordic region for sales and product service. SRAM-related service for the region will be performed by four technicians centralized in Denmark. Satellite service centers will open in Oslo, Norway, and Finland this month.
The central location in Denmark offers SRAM the ability to expand the workshop and combine it with a dedicated show room and training facility, offering access to a higher sales stock level for the regions IBD network.
This workshop will have direct links into SRAM's DSD structure and be treated as a SRAM location.
"SRAM's wide range of aftermarket goods and spare parts can be delivered either directly from our central warehouse in Denmark or through our merchant partners," said Svend Møller of Dan Agentur.
During the past five years, SRAM has seen extensive growth in its OEM and aftermarket business within Europe. In order to be able to support this growth in all areas, SRAM has invested in both personnel and infrastructure. Part of this strategy has seen the growth of SRAM's Dealer Service Direct and Technical Centre structure from a single location in Germany to a multi-regional effort across Europe.
"Following a strong increase in market share and the successful launch of many new product lines, SRAM is making a significant direct investment in a new service proposition, designed to offer best in class support to dealers, and its OE customers," said Robert Priest, SRAM director of sales for Europe. "This new DSD structure is an addition to what has already been established by our European distributors. As we reviewed the Nordic market it was evident that a similar approach was required."
Dan Agentur will continue to work with all existing partners in each country, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Iceland in providing high levels of sales, service and stock, providing the local Dealer with the access to SRAM parts that they may have before struggled to gain access to and to support the domestic OEM brands.


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quote "You do not lose any weight in the final maintenance phase as this phase lasts an indefinite amount of time and serves to only help you maintain your weight. By the time you've reached this phase you'll have added all the carbohydrates you plan on eating."
Throughout the entire process you are expected to avoid unhealthy carbohydrates such as:
Excessive amounts of white bread
Excessive amounts sugary carbohydrates
Carbohydrate-rich fried foods
****YES, IT IS TRUE,...walaupun myoliza dh makan mcm2 (dgn bahasa mudah,kantoi diet) tapi berat tetap maintain.55kg.
selamat berATKINS semua.
|aku hanya insan biasa, and im not a dietitian, so far atkins suits me,..i lost 6kgs in 42days,..riceless days but tahap metabolisma setiap org tidak sama,..Atkins best for me but it doesnt mean it best for you. But its nice that ATKINS provides some guidance. bg akak diet adalah ubah tabiat makan dan gaya hidup, anda buat, anda dapat!!! blog ini adalah catatan pengalaman peribadi sahaja
this is my personal journal and food diary , how i keep my track, a journey to lose weight, to get my ideal weight, BMI, my own passion and experience with . whatever you do, please consult your doctor first. atkins suits me but it doesnt mean it work for u.follow my diet is at your own risk.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Oh! Final Maintenance - Phase 4
3 comments:
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Thursday, September 2, 2010
A Card and Some Reminders
Just sharing another pub reject from a while back. Nothing special...just a punch, stamp, and some pearls.
Don't forget about the current Wee Memories challenge "In the Forest" AND the EBTKS challenge using hair accessories.
And be sure to stop by on Saturday for the next Wee Memories challenge...we've got another fabulous sponsor and a cute challenge lined up for you!
Enjoy your weekend!
Stamps: Sweet on You (Verve)
Paper: PTI white, PTI pp
Ink: Berry Sorbet
Accessories: SU Heart to Heart punch, Kaisercraft pearls
18 comments:
- Belinda said...
Oh this is lovely! Love the use of the hearts with the color my world sentiment! :) Super cute!
- September 2, 2010 at 8:11 PM
- Michele Gross said...
This is really cute! Have a blast at your sister's! :) We're just chilling at home and doing a pool party get together. We'll see if we can get through this one without my hubby making a trip to the e.r! I think we'll bubble wrap him this time ;)
- September 2, 2010 at 8:48 PM
- ~amy~ said...
hey YOU...such a cute card!!
- September 2, 2010 at 9:32 PM
- Aimes said...
Such a sweet card! Enjoy the long weekend - we had ours last weekend!
Just think, it'll be me at school next Monday and not you! LOL!
- September 3, 2010 at 5:38 AM
- Cindy Lee said...
It's such a cute card and i love it i every possible way!
- September 3, 2010 at 6:33 AM
- BananaStamper said...
Ooooh, this rocks! Happy Weekend - not sure what we are doing yet, all depends on the weather - the cool fall weather that arrived two days ago means no tubing for us!
- September 3, 2010 at 7:38 AM
- Vera W. Yates (Ling) said...
Ann, I love this CAS card! Totally love it! Enjoy your trip!
- September 3, 2010 at 11:14 AM
- Maureen said...
hey, TGIF!!!!! Have a fun trip and enjoy your visit...my classroom is set up and I'll go in for a few hours just to sit and reflect a bit on Sunday...we also get Monday off and then it's back to the pencils and books and teachers' dirty looks!! LOL
Love the colourful hearts...it makes me smile :)
- September 3, 2010 at 10:27 PM
- Susan (peebsmama) said...
What cute and colorful hearts. I like the arrangment of them.
- September 4, 2010 at 9:47 AM
- Irena said...
Simply beautiful card.
Sending you lots of smiles, Irena :)
- September 4, 2010 at 1:53 PM
- Elise said...
I adore the beauty of this ASTONISHINGLY elegant card, Ann! I'm sure it wasn't REJECTED, as much as it might have been TOO elegant to fit in with the potential magazine's design choice for that particular section... just sayin'... HEE HEEE
[I'm nursing a few "rejects" myself... *sob!* I feel ya, sister! *WINK!*}
- September 4, 2010 at 8:11 PM
- Anthonette said...
I totally loved this card! It's fabulous.
- September 5, 2010 at 1:02 AM
- Angie Tieman said...
LOVE this!! That row of hearts is adorable!!
- September 5, 2010 at 10:40 AM
- Ayana Posadas said...
I love this card, Ann!
So simple and adorable. I really like that sentiment too. Hope you are having a great weekend! :)
- September 5, 2010 at 12:06 PM
- Courtney K said...
what a super sweet card - love the simplicity.
- September 5, 2010 at 4:26 PM
- Pat (mspfd) said...
Simplicity at its best. This is a winner!
- September 7, 2010 at 8:05 AM
- Trinh said...
I {heart} this card! It's simply perfect!
- September 10, 2010 at 9:34 PM
- Sherri Thompson said...
Love this CAS card, Ann-gorgeous!
- September 12, 2010 at 7:02 AM


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We spent the day at an outdoor musical festival. We had a booth there to sell our Haiti t-shirts. Our booth was in the family section of the venue, right in front of four bounce-houses. It was a Christian festival (hence the name Fishfest), and let me tell you. I was praising the Lord on high when I saw that placement. We had all four kids with us, and I had been worried how we would keep them entertained. We got there around 2pm, and the three bigger kids ran straight for the bouncehouses. They bounced themselves silly for FIVE HOURS. No kidding. We did drag them out at one point to make them eat dinner. And then they were kicked out when it got dark and the crew came around to deflate them. Oh, and there was one point when Jafta came out and staggered around a bit, holding his stomach. I thought for sure he had finally had enough. I was wrong. He looked like he might upchuck for about 20 seconds, and then went straight back in.
We didn't even make it in to the stadium. Our babysitter extraordinaire came with us, and she helped maintain a visual on the jumping kids, and helped with Karis while we were selling t-shirts. Thankfully a couple friends came to help, too. It was a lot of meeting new people and schmoozing - which is not always my best milieu. But we had fun, and we at least sold enough t-shirts to cover the booth and $40 worth of amphitheater pizza. We also got to pass out Rage Against the Minivan stickers . . . which, apparently, many people find quite offensive (as shown by the look of horror and disgust on their face when they approached the booth, read the sticker, and then huffed away). But perhaps those people would have been more interested in the "I was saved by someone getting nailed" t-shirts that were being sold at another booth. (Okay, that might not have been the actual verbage. But there were some baaad t-shirts, for realz).
Also, rumor has it that Toby Mac went on stage with one of the stickers on his shirt. This has not been confirmed. I will keep you posted. I know you will be anxiously awaiting my follow-up on this important bit of news.
We also got a chance to see The Supertones play their reunion show. (Only because their set was after the bouncehouses had been deflated - otherwise we would have had a mutiny). This was the first concert for Kembe and Karis, and what a fun band to start out with. Mark has known the Supertones since they were in high school - urban legend has it that they played their first show in Mark's backyard. But even if we didn't know them, we would still be fans. Because, hello? Who can resist ska music?
My kids had a blast. They stood up on a picnic table to get a better view, and I thought they might break it. Kembe was mesmerized.
India got her groove on pretty quickly. Althought I must admit, her dancing would have been better suited for a grateful dead concert. We're gonna have to work on that.
At first, Karis was unsure.
"I don't know about this"
"Wait a minute, I LOVE this! Supertones rock!"
Jafta had fun until someone in the crowd started throwing a beach ball around. Then, he became completely obsessed with wanting to hit the beach ball himself. Which, of course, was never going to happen because a) he was way too short, and b) there were hundreds of people there. Still, he was locked onto that beach ball and completely oblivious to the band for a good portion of the concert. And when we left, he melted down the entire way to the car about how he never got to hit the ball.
We got home LATE. I am hoping this day of bouncing and rock-n-roll will ensure for a good night's sleep. Right?
Obligatory grainy audience fan shot snapped
while holding my camera above my head:
while holding my camera above my head:
Obligatory stroll down memory lane:
Obligatory cheesy video for you to enjoy:
Throw your hands up, throw your hands up high!


text:
The Victoria Cross is the highest award for gallantry for the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Is the equivalent of the Medal of Honor. Since the Second World War, the Victoria Cross has only been awarded 10 times to British soldiers. - S.L.
Lance-Corporal James Ashworth became the first recipient of the Victoria Cross since 2006 - awarded posthumously.
L/Cpl Ashworth, from Corby, Northamptonshire, was killed as he stormed an insurgent position in the Nahr-e-Saraj district of Helmand in June 2012.
L/Cpl Ashworth and his platoon were ordered into Nahr-e-Saraj on June 13 to engage an insurgent sniper team. They came under fire as soon as they landed, prompting L/Cpl Ashworth to lead his team in a 300-metre charge to the enemy position in a local village. Two insurgents were killed in this initial attack but a follow-up assault by Afghan police stalled when a patrolman was shot and killed as the enemy fled.
The citation for the Victoria Cross reveals "supremely courageous and inspiring" actions:
Despite the ferocity of the insurgent's resistance, Ashworth refused to be beaten. His total disregard for his own safety in ensuring that the last grenade was posted accurately was the gallant last action of a soldier who had willingly placed himself in the line of fire on numerous occasions earlier in the attack.
With no regard for his own safety, L/Cpl Ashworth again led from the front of his team, advancing on an insurgent compound and using grenades to drive the final remaining enemy to an outbuilding. The insurgent was now being supported by fire from several positions, with the enemy desperate to protect their sharpshooter team. The immediate priority for L/Cpl Ashworth's team was now to neutralise the final sharpshooter and extract as soon as possible.
Seeking to break the stalemate using his final grenade, L/Cpl Ashworth dropped to the floor and crawled behind a knee-high wall that ran parallel to the front of the outbuilding. With just enough cover to conceal his prostrate form, he inched forward on his belly. Bullets flew over his head as he edged forward and the enemy continued to engage the rest of his team. When he was within five metres of the insurgent's position L/Cpl Ashworth was desperate to make his last grenade count. He deliberately crawled out from behind the wall, exposing himself to fire to get a better angle for his throw.
L/Cpl Ashworth was now in full view of the enemy just metres away, with rounds hitting the floor just centimetres around him. He was preparing to throw the grenade when he was tragically hit by enemy fire.
L/Cpl Ashworth's comrades spoke of their pride in his bravery and told how the death of such an "outstanding soldier" would affect the battalion.
His company commander, Captain Mike Dobbin said: "Lance Corporal Ashworth was killed while fighting his way through compounds; leading his fire team from the front, whilst trying to protect his men; and he showed extraordinary courage to close on a determined enemy. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and his girlfriend, who should be extremely proud of the courage he displayed and the life that he led.
"I am humbled by what I saw of Lance Corporal Ashworth's actions and will never forget him."
Guardsman Jordan Loftus said: "Selfless, brave, courageous - words like these don't come close to what Ash demonstrated that day."
L/Cpl Ashworth was a soldier for five years and came from a family with strong military links. His mother Kerry, father Duane, a former Grenadier, and brother Coran, 22, a serving soldier, were present at Buller Barracks, Aldershot Army base, Hampshire, where the citation for the Victoria Cross was read aloud.
As well as his parents and brother Coran, L/Cpl Ashworth left behind sisters, Lauren and Paige, brother Karl and four-year-old niece Darcy, as well as his girlfriend, Emily.
This brave young man demonstrated Heroism of the highest degree. Honor him.
Monday, March 25, 2013
L/Cpl JAMES ASHWORTH VC, KIA 13-6-12 Afghanistan
Posted by STORMBRINGER at 02:38
3 comments:
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text:
A sinus medical procedure is necessary for detecting a fluid buildup, inflammation or another problem. The procedures range from a sinus x-ray to an endoscopic sinus surgery. You may feel anxious about scheduling the appointment, but there are ways to prepare for your x-ray or surgery. Use the following tips to prepare for your sinus … Continue reading Preparing for a Sinus Medical Procedure
Author: Head and Neck Health
How Prednisone Helps with Sinusitus
An estimated 35 million Americans suffer from sinusitis, a condition which causes inflammation of the nose and sinuses. Its symptoms include congestion, pain, a loss of smell and, in severe cases, nasal polyps that exacerbate symptoms. While standard treatment such as antibiotics and nasal sprays have been proven effective in treating short-term sinusitis (and in … Continue reading How Prednisone Helps with Sinusitus
5 Relaxation Techniques to Help You Sleep Better
Trying to fall asleep and looking up at the ceiling or tossing and turning is one of the most frustrating experiences you can have. Whether you're just tired and want some rest, or you know you've got an early morning awaiting you, not being able to get to sleep can wreck your night and your … Continue reading 5 Relaxation Techniques to Help You Sleep Better
How Your Weight Affects Sleep
Your weight and your sleeping habits are interwoven. Studies have shown that people who sleep less than six hours or more than nine hours have a tendency to gain weight. People who sleep seven or eight hours have a better opportunity for weight control. There are many reasons for this, starting with hormones. Hormone Reactions Leptin and ghrelin … Continue reading How Your Weight Affects Sleep
Your Body Clock and Sleep
Your body clock, also known as an internal clock or circadian rhythms, and sleep pattern go hand-in-hand. Your body clock is a series of internal variations that occur in a 24-hour cycle. When your body clock is thrown off track, it can take a toll on various aspects of your health. The following scenarios can throw your … Continue reading Your Body Clock and Sleep
Perfume Allergies: Are You Allergic?
No one likes it when another person shows up reeking of perfume, but for many people, even a little perfume can be an awful thing. If you've found yourself wanting to scream as people walk by with what they claim is only a little fragrance, you could have a sensitivity or allergy to perfume. This … Continue reading Perfume Allergies: Are You Allergic?


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Give me a good horror book or movie and I'm happy. I know I can defend myself when the Zombies come – and they are coming. Vampires don't bother me one bit. I've read all of Stephen King's books so I know how to slay a Vampire – Sharon The Vampire Slayer. Buffy watch out. Okay, ghosts do frighten me and I'd rather not deal with any ghostly disturbance. If my apartment ever told me to "Get Out" I'd run like heck.
Then there's psychological horror. Dean Koontz taught me about this and I usually stay away from this type probably because it frightens me more than ghosts do.
Knowing my love for all things horror, a friend of mine sent me the link to the video, "The Joker Journal" by filmmaker Josh Venkataraman. It's a representation of the month that actor Heath Ledger spent in a hotel room trying to discover "The Joker" within him. He would portray the character in the movie "The Dark Knight."
John Corby plays Ledger and he does a nice job in showing what the actor was going through. As I was watching I wondered if Ledger might have had some kind of psychological something or other going on. This is just what the film made me feel. I have no idea if this is true so please, no emails telling me how far off base I am.
There are few scenes that have some blood in it. Nothing terrible but be prepared if the thought of blood makes you weak kneed.
Josh Venkataraman created and directed this 16 minute film and it was directed by Sean Cutler.
Josh is only 22 years old and graduated from the University of Florida. The "Joker Journal" is his only horror film and has one other film called "I Art NY." In it he interviews several different artists living in New York City. The film has been accepted to five film festivals and won for best documentary in one of them. I'll be watching and reviewing "I Art NY" in the very near future.
Take a look at this really interesting and thought provoking film. It gives great insight in what actors, and really every creative individual goes through to be the best at their craft.
I'm still thinking about this film's portrayal of Heath Ledger and wondering if "The Joker" was almost a part of him that he had to get out.


text:
Painting pictures with words. Opening a part of the soul. Emotion flowing with the lines. Tapestry skillfully woven. Reflecting thoughts artfully. Yearning to make a difference. --Karen O'Leary--Whispers' Editor
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
Birthday at Tatum Park--By Isha Wagner--New Zealand
3 comments:
Dear Isha,ReplyDelete
Love the way you describe "tea" in stanza 1, "silver pots and fine bone china." I learned something through your poem.
Thank you,
This is a nice poem. I especially love the last stanza; beautiful imagery. Thank you for sharing and continued blessings!
-MJ (www.tgbtgpublictions.com)
Hi Unique writer Isha, Thanks for the visit of aReplyDelete
windless blue sky day, elegantly served afternoon
tea and Breakfast served with silver pots and fine
bone China. Thanks for all the words that make up
"Birthday at Tatum Park" Including her remark
astounds me I put the camera away to leave this
moment alone at here gentle words don't I look
so different from how I feel. I thought I was holding
the camera, reading this poetry.


text:
Big plans, Bright Future.
I'm probably just going to kill myself the day before our wedding.
that's a long ways away,
but with my luck,
I know I'll be stuck with you.
I'd rather die than be with you.
7 Comments
- newest
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The title is really misleading.
Please dont do it.
then do what god wants
In the meantime I have some polishing that I would like you to do. It will make me happy.
If the original poster really left that comment above...
You need to grow a spine and stand up. Either get some counciling or learn to enjoy being a doormat.
Because I don't care what I want.
My whole life revolves around giving anyone what they want.
And what he wants,
is to marry me.
I don't think that being happy is a priority,
my job is to make people happy.
and I will.
Then why the h*** are you getting married?!!


text:
On some level, these books are really creepy. lol
They're funny, but they're subtle. In fact they're so subtle that I don't think my kids get it. At all.
Now don't get me wrong, I know my kids smart. My kids are too smart for their own good.
But even smart kids miss subtle.
My husband thinks this one is actually less creepy than I Want My Hat Back... and he's probably right. :)
Overall, I think these are probably better for older kids that will get it and not find it scary...
(Again, from the phantom pinterest thing about picture books...)


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Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Lake Elmo woman makes miracle recovery from "brain dead"
St. Paul, MN -- How many people get a second chance at life? Rae Kupferschmidt has. In mid-January, the 65-year-old former medical secretary suffered a devasting cerebral hemorrhage, a massive bleeding on the brain.
"They thought I was dead," she says.
In fact, on January 17th, doctors declared her "brain dead." One word, "dead," is handwritten on that date on the calendar in Rae's room at United Hospital in Saint Paul. In that same hospital room where Rae fielded questions from reporters on Tuesday.
Clearly, Rae did not die, but even now, her family is not second-guessing the decision to disconnect life support. Medically, Rae was gone. Daughter Lisa Sturm is an operating room nurse at Regions Hospital in Saint Paul.
"So, I've seen many, many CT's and I never, ever saw one that looked like my mother's. Ever. It was black, meaning there was just so much blood in the head that you couldn't even see any anatomy of the brain," says Sturm.
In grief, Alan Kupferschmidt took his wife of 45 years back to Lake Elmo so she could take her last breath in her own bed. The house was soon full of friends and family who came to say goodbye. Rae says she is glad she was unconscious while everyone was mourning what they thought was her inevitable death.
"If I had seen all the tears and the gnashing of teeth and all that stuff, I'd have felt bad," she says.
As it was, the family began planning Rae's funeral, believing the end was just hours away. Then, Lisa tried to wet her mother's lips.
"When I touched her mouth with the ice cube and then a second time and then I asked if she was in there and she shook her head, yes and mouthed the word, yes," Sturm says.
At first, Lisa did not believe her mother was waking from her coma. She knew that terminal patients can seem to waken for a moment before death, but Rae began talking. Alan's roller-coaster of emotions suddenly sped upwards on a hill.
"For her to start talking to us and everything working, she wasn't paralyzed. She just kept climbing the ladder," he says.
It was a ladder back to awareness after being given up for dead. Rae sat up in her room. A prayer shawl covered her legs. She knitted many such shawls for others in distress but never thought she would need one herself. Rae says she does not remember anything that occurred during the coma.
"I remember my daughter, Lisa, asking me questions about angels," says Rae.
Lisa wondered what her mother was seeing in the room at home. Rae says she did see angels, but no one she recognized. "I said these angels are not here to take me home to my father. They're here to help me, to help me get over this," says Rae.
Doctors at United Hospital, including Physical Medicine physician Brad Helms are amazed by Rae's recovery.
"This is extremely unusual. It's virtually never heard of. You have some people who get better after a bleed, but in Rae's case, she was essentially brain dead and when she was in the intensive care unit, just was not responding to any sort of stimuli or any sort of activity. I've been here since 1999 and this is the first case like this I've seen," says Dr. Helms.
Rae has been undergoing physical therapy twice a day for three weeks. Dr. Helms expects her to be able to walk unaided in a few months. He says she has the possibility of a full recovery.
Rae and Alan have a zest for life that has carried them across the globe. They are continuing plans for a "roadtrip" to Washington, D.C. and Williamsburg, Virginia in May. Then, they plan to tour Greece in October. Rae Kupferschmidt intends to make good use of her second chance at life.
Others may call her survival a "miracle." She does not.
"I'm not a miracle lady. I am just a very blessed lady that God chose not to be done with," says Rae.
Posted by DelorumRex at 4:05 PM
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The Screaming Jets/The Radiators, St Mary's Band Club, December 4, 2009
A review, of sorts, of The Radiators 30th Anniversary gig at St Mary's Band Club to follow (well, not follow, but up Sunday sometime, along with all the other stuff I've committed to getting up here, eventually. Good thing I'm not charging for it, eh?)
I think this digital camera has seen its last gig, and its last drop down a flight of concrete stairs, and the beery splashes of drunk fucks who never learned how to headbang without spilling their drinks. The colours and bleeding of the pics are getting a bit too surreal. Even for me.


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Monday, June 15, 2009
New home for Medusa's Make-Up!
5 comments:
- mrnate29 said...
OMG!! LORA!! Its Gorgeous!! Congrats you two that really is HUGE......but of course you don't need me to tell you that! All the love and luck in the world to you and Pier!
- June 17, 2009 at 5:52 AM
- Lara said...
Hi, it looks great!
I'm just wondering, will I see and Medusa products at the Sydney IMATS show?
Lara xo
- June 22, 2009 at 7:46 PM
this is incredible! I am so happy for you guys! I remember visiting the store at Belmont when I was [younger] and how heartbroken I was to learn that you were closing! I remember when you made an appearance in AP magazine-- I still have the article clipped and posted to my wall. To see that you both have come this far is a great feeling and an amazing feat for you. :) I use Medusa products everyday and I hope I'll be able to visit soon. Say hello to Pier.
- July 9, 2009 at 8:37 PM
- Roxie said...
My daughters and I just found you online and made our first purchase. Can't wait to receive it and try the amazing colors out.
Thanks for offering the coolest trends and colors in makeup.
- July 22, 2009 at 6:26 AM
- Sara_Berry said...
Wow, love it!
I actually just made a post about your brushes. I picked up the 5 piece set and I am so impressed. I had to share the info! I love what you are doing!
-sara x0x
- August 4, 2009 at 7:05 PM


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Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Like To Draw Spaceships?
I just found out NASA is giving away (they call it funding) $175 million to the winner of the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services program. The design (fancy word for drawing) is for the privately owned space program that's being launched (okay, I should be ashamed). Shades of Robert A. Heinlein and Ben Bova! That's what those two SF writers spent considerable time writing about.
Back in the 1960s, I was a child of the space race. My friends and I used to design spaceships that would take you to every part of the universe. Got in trouble for drawing them in class too.
But I coulda had 175 million bucks...
In other space news today, the USAF denies reports that the Air Force pursued UFOs over Ft. Worth, Texas.
Hmmmm, it took them two weeks to get around to admitting that. Where is Fox Mulder?
And in still other news: my ten year old Chandler seems to be as pun-loving and twist-loving as his father. I took him, my 18 year old, and my wife to dinner at Santa Fe Steakhouse tonight.
Chandler started in on the bucket of peanuts, then asked his brother why peanuts were like mysteries. (Chandler likes Scooby Doo.)
Shiloh said he didn't know how peanuts were like mysteries.
Chandler said because you have to crack them both.
Posted by Mel Odom at 11:24 PM
1 comment:
- T.C. Robson said...
That peanut pun is cute! :D
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text:
Bells tolled from the red cathedral tower in the western Mexico town of Apatzingan, calling the faithful to hear a bishop who backs a growing vigilante movement against a cult-like drug cartel.
As people headed to church, soldiers patrolled the main square, banks and a supermarket in this bastion of the fearsome Knights Templar gang, which has brought mayhem to the southwestern state of Michoacan.
"We cannot deny that we are living through difficult times. Our towns are experiencing an atmosphere of uncertainty and suspicion," Bishop Miguel Patino Velazquez told his flock, reading a message signed by Michoacan's bishops.
East of Apatzingan, troops check cars and scan luggage in X-ray machines to look for illegal weapons.
On the western outskirts, the farmers who formed self-defense militia to combat the Templars earlier this year man their own checkpoints behind walls of sandbags.
The vigilantes say they have "liberated" more towns near Apatzingan in recent weeks and vow to spread, ignoring federal government warnings that their expansion will not be tolerated.
"Where there are kidnappings and executions, we will take all of them," said Jose Manuel Mireles, a tall 55-year-old doctor with a thick mustache who led one of the first revolts in Tepalcatepec on February 24.
"If (authorities) say they won't allow us to advance but they do nothing, then they can't stop us. Our people are ready to die, including against the state government if necessary, because they are infested with criminals," Mireles said as he hunted doves in a remote ranch.
The vigilantes appeared in a handful of towns on February 24, fed up with the municipal police's inability or unwillingness to stop the Templars, who have killed, kidnapped, fixed lime prices and extorted everyone from butchers to tortilla makers.
Underscoring the complexity of Michoacan, officials and the Templars have accused the self-defense forces of being proxies of the Jalisco New Generation cartel, a charge they deny.
President Enrique Pena Nieto, whose promise to curb violence in Mexico is challenged by Michoacan's troubles, deployed thousands of soldiers to the state in May to tame the situation.
Troops and federal police patrol sunbaked roads and towns in Tierra Caliente, or Hot Country, an agricultural region that exports limes and avocados to the United States as well as methamphetamine produced in makeshift labs.
Last week, unidentified gunmen hiding in the woods fired on four busloads of federal police on a road near Apatzingan, killing two and wounding nine officers.
'Failed state'
The chaos prompted Bishop Patino to send a missive in October accusing local officials of colluding with criminals, warning that Michoacan had "all the characteristics of a failed state."
Last month, authorities hid the 75-year-old prelate in another town over an unspecified threat against him.
But Patino, who is retiring, returned to preach in Apatzingan, using his pulpit to give support to the vigilantes.
"If I want to attack you, you have the obligation to defend yourself, no? It's the same with society," the diminutive clergyman with dark circles under his eyes told AFP after Sunday service, smiling to men, women and children who lined up to shake his hand.
But the Templars, whose symbol is the red cross of the medieval Catholic crusaders and claim to be pious defenders of Michoacan, enjoy some support in Apatzingan.
"They're the ones who bring in the money for the town to function," said Antonio, 19, a watch salesman in a street stand outside the cathedral who declined to give his last name.
But some residents said they no longer venture out at night and stores close early out of fear.
"People are fleeing town. You don't know who's good or bad anymore," said Eusebia Lopez Barbosa, 51, who prayed in the back of the cathedral. "The bishop simply tells the truth."
'Outside the law'
The vigilantes say they are now in 19 towns and are eyeing other communities, including Apatzingan, which lies on a key transport route they can no longer use for their fruits.
Hundreds of vigilantes tried to oust the Templars from Apatzingan in October, but the army barred them from entering with weapons and they were met with gunfire in the main square.
"I admit that we are outside the law. But we had to do this," said Hipolito Mora, a bespectacled 58-year-old lime grower and vigilante leader in La Ruana, where his men drive cars emblazoned with the words "citizen self-defense."
Few had weapons when AFP reporters visited the region though one was spotted with an AR-15 assault rifle and their leaders carried handguns in their belts.
But they deny getting their weapons and bulletproof vests from the Jalisco cartel, saying they took them from fleeing Templars. One vigilante said they rejected an offer from suspected Jalisco cartel members.
The self-defense units have critics within Michoacan.
A group of 400 businessmen formed the Michoacan Peace and Dignity Association, organizing protests against the vigilantes and the state's militarization.
But some were accused by a senator of being Templar emissaries when they visited the Senate in Mexico City in October, a charge they denied.
"We are speaking out against all armed groups that are in Michoacan," said association president Tito Fernandez. "We see the (vigilantes) as an armed civilian group that is violating the rule of law."


text:
I have much to be thankful for, even in the midst of a difficult year.
First, the minor things:
I am thankful that I'm done with chemo and was able to skip radiation.
I am thankful that my hair is growing back.
I am thankful for this time of year in Florida....bye bye heat and humidity.
Now the most important things:
I am thankful for my family.
- thankful for my mother-in-law and sister-in-law who helped us through this difficult time.
- thankful for my children who weathered things well and showed compassion for me when I wasn't feeling well.
- thankful, most of all, for my husband who lived up to his marriage vows in an incredible way. As life has continued to unfold for us, I am thankful that we found each other and have stuck together for 11 years. I grow to appreciate and love him more every day....except for when he forces me to watch inane Jackie Chan movies--there are some things which go beyond the bounds of love.
There are endless things for which I should be grateful. I don't always recognize them at the time. May God help me to remember the unexpected graces which come my way.