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Submit Express
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Call for 2011 Christmas Donations in Behalf of Sta. Elena Elementary School, Hagonoy
This Christmas, you may want to share some old or new school supplies to the pupils and teachers of *Sta. Elena Elementary School. *This school is the hardest hit Hagonoy school in the recent onslaught of typhoon Pedring and Quiel. The Socials Committee coordinated with a graduate student of our College, and he had inquired about the needs of this school. A formal letter that itemizes the request has been sent by the school's Disaster Committee Chair. The items below are just some of things that appear in this list.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
12th National Conference in Special Education 2011: Details of the Conference
A letter of Invitation from Dr. EDILBERTO I. DIZON, Ed. D. /Conference Director for the 12th National Special Education Conference.
Dear PARTICIPANT:
Dear PARTICIPANT:
Warm greetings! The 12th National Special Education Conference coincides with the 45th Founding Anniversary of the U.P. Special Education Area (SPED Department). Thus, this year is significant as UP SPED Department have reached 45 years of serving children and youth with special needs and their families and communities through committed and purposive teacher training, research, extension services and advocacy programs.
This 45th UP SPED Department Anniversary will be celebrated by way of conducting the 12th National SPED Conference on this theme:
Posted by SpecialEducationPhilippines at 6:19 PM 4 comments:
Labels: 12th National Conference in Special Education Philippines, Seminars Special Education, special education conference, special education philippines, special education seminars, UP SPED
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Seussical the Musical – A Teacher's Review
|Teacher Ia at Seussical the Musical
Several friends and parents have asked me if I watched Seussical the Musical and my answer was "Yes I did, almost a month ago". And usually the question that follows is that "How come I haven't read your blog about it". This is because knowing that (1) I blog and (2) I love watching theater plays.
And so this review is long over-due and I want to review the play not just as a theater enthusiast but also as a teacher.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Phiippine Cerebral Palsy (Rehabilitation Center), Inc's Forum on Current Trends in Education for the PWD (CP) and Mobility for the CP Forum 2011
12th National Conference in Special Education 2011
Special education teachers, parents, children and advocates of special education, the conference we are all waiting for to listen to is finally here.
What's up? What's new? And what can be done for the betterment of Special education here in the Philippines? Finally, the Special Education conference we are all excited about is going to happen soon.
Click read more for details.
Posted by SpecialEducationPhilippines at 6:43 PM 2 comments:
Labels: 12th National Conference in Special Education Philippines, Seminars Special Education, special education conference, special education philippines, special education seminars
Monday, September 19, 2011
BREAKING THE SILENCE: Understanding Deaf Culture and Filipino Sign Language
On October 1, 2011, Saturday between 8:30 - 12:00 noon, there will be a conference entitled BREAKING THE SILENCE: Understanding Deaf Culture and Filipino Sign Language at the Benitez Theater, College of Education, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.
Do you want to attend? Find out how you can go for free.
Do you want to attend? Find out how you can go for free.
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J and I went to a Cookie Swap in Williamsburg on Saturday night. I really didn't do much work. J bought the ingredients, made the dough, and then rolled all but 6 (that's where I pitched in!) cookies onto a cookie sheet and into the oven. He was determined to make his favorite cookie, the Chocolate Crinkle. They were delicious. "Like a brownie with sugar on top," J said. We ate an insane amount of cookies and I was so impressed by everyone's creativity. Someone made those girl scout cookies that used to be called Samoas, but now they're called something else b/c that's not PC. Very impressive.
The party-hosters even made a chocolate "earth." (see below)

subset: commoncrawl


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♥ Product Swap Post ♥
Hello there Pastel Dolls! Hope you all had an amazing Christmas and New Year <3
Since this is our first 'Product Swap Post' then I'll explain what that means! We did a swap with Reinbo Neko as we thought our products would match each other nicely!
Today, we are reviewing the Statement Necklace from Reinbo Neko! This one looks like a cute little kitty cat in rainbow form!
Reinbo Neko is a brightly-coloured fashion store that seems to draw inspiration from alt fashions like Cyber and also some Japanese fashions such as Decora. It is run by artist and model Tia Sakura. Her style is super unique and she has a range of products on her website, including drippy horns, statement necklaces and fashion rings!
The necklace we received was the main logo necklace, and it's absolutely gorgeous!
The necklace arrived in a bright blue metallic packaging, and inside that was a paper bag with the Reinbo Neko branding. We also got a couple of business cards with links to social networks and the like.
The necklace was bigger than I thought which was a nice surprise as I figured it would look great in photos especially with bright outfits. The quality is excellent - the front panel looks like a printed plastic and it's mounted on to a glitter backing which looks so pretty! The necklace chain is a brushed rainbow colour which matches the necklace logo. On the end of the chain, is a little heart charm and a clasp to lock the chain in place. The chain size is adjustable so you can wear it in different ways.
There is a range of these necklaces available on the site, and more to come according to the Reinbo Neko facebook page.
Overall, super happy with the product and you should definitely check them out! They have their Jan sale on at the moment so check out the Facebook page for details.
Misadoll x


text: Shelby loves to watch cum fly. In this vid she gives one of the best BJ's on film to date. No one can gobble a thick python quite like her. She's done more tea bagging than an Indian sweat shop. She likes to going to bars and fucking random guys all night long sometimes. Get More


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W Austin's popular Wednesday night poolside workout and happy hour, "Detox.Retox" is back for the month of August and is hosted by DivaDance.
Workout and slay poolside with DivaDance, learning the dance routines from some amazing pop music videos from Beyoncé to Britney. Come dance to Britney Spears "Baby One More Time", and enjoy a complimentary post-workout cocktail by Snap Kitchen and cool off with a dip at the pool. For tickets and more information see here: http://www.whotelaustin.com/workout


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I wrote about mystery vine that looked line from squash family. Here's update –
Looks like this is pumpkin, not sure still. I ripped off the vine as it was growing bigger and getting unmanageable. From the looks I think this is volunteer pumpkin. how cool… To give some background: Back in June, I spotted this squash like seedling volunteer. Instead of weeding it, I let it grow. I never knew this small innocent seedling will grow into giant in couple months.
Will I be growing pumpkins again? intentional or not – answer is NO. Pumpkin vines are gigantic, even without any compost or special soil, they'll grow monsters and take up way tooo much space. I have a small yard and I'll use it to grow something more cool – maybe potatoes?


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I love this effect which was almost immediate when I placed the magnet as close to my nail as I could without touching!
28 April 2012
25 April 2012
The Troublesome but Loveable Nails Inc Windsor Castle
I can't say that I found this an easy polish to apply. It wasn't!!! The consistency was quite gloopy although I love the end result!
24 April 2012
♥ The Stunning Nails Inc St Mark's Square ♥
♥ The Fabulous Nails Inc England's Lane ♥
♥ The Fabulous Nails Inc England's Lane ♥
Anyone would think I like this shade of lilac considering my nails match my bedroom walls, my bedding, my pens and my make up bag!!!
♥ The GORGEOUS Baker Street ♥
19 April 2012
4 April 2012
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In what appears to be a conscious effort to mend increasingly frayed relations with Beijing, the Aquino administration has been, in recent months, trying hard to restore a semblance of normality in bilateral ties.
Cognizant of China's growing economic and political clout - most visible in the Southeast Asian region, where China is the region's biggest trading partner - and immense sensitivity to increasingly revitalized Philippine-US military relations, Manila has engaged a cocktail of strategies to calm Chinese nerves, prevent a disastrous diplomatic-economic fallout, and set the stage for a more cooperative relationship with the new leadership.
Meanwhile, President Obama's decision to skip the Philippines (again) in his current Asian visit has added a greater element of urgency to restoring Philippine-China ties. Surely, as Manila laments Washington's diplomatic snub amid such a sensitive period in Sino-Filipino relations, it finds greater rationale to de-escalate territorial tensions.
Taking China's threats seriously
The Aquino administration's strategic calculus is hinged on an assumption that as long as territorial tensions are kept below a specific threshold, with America's (unfolding) pivot serving as an implicit deterrent, it is always possible to cajole China into an amicable settlement over disputed territories - allowing both sides to save face and irreversibly shun direct confrontation.
In Manila's estimation, the tipping point was reached somewhere around April this year, when both sides teetered on the verge of military confrontation, as they squared off over the Scarborough Shoal. However, since then Manila has taken a more cautious and increasingly conciliatory approach for two reasons.
First, a sober appreciation of China's highly sensitive domestic political environment: with communism losing its ideological appeal, it's popular nationalism that has gripped the nation, acting as a political glue that binds an anxious communist party with an increasingly restive society.
Watching China's aggressive showdown with Japan over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea in recent months, Manila has recognized the depth of Beijing's domestic dilemma: Despite the need for maintaining strong economic relations with neighboring countries, especially to sustain the current pace of growth, the Chinese leadership could (or perceives to) face a more severe domestic political backlash if it is seen as diffident over its territorial claims - so embedded in Chinese psyche - in adjacent waters. This is precisely why the Chinese leadership has tolerated - if not partly encouraged - massive protests against Japanese interests in recent months, despite the tremendous associated (diplomatic and economic) costs.
Second, an anxious observation of America's equivocations in terms of providing direct support to both the Philippines and Japan at the height of recent territorial spats with China in the South and East China Seas. In Philippines' view, a provoked China might not hesitate to throw its weight around the South China Sea disputes, even in the absence of long-standing historical enmity - like those against imperial Japan - between Beijing and Southeast Asian states such as the Philippines. A lack of unconditional commitment by the United States to the protection of its regional allies has only exacerbated the matter.
China has already been sending ominous signals to the US's regional allies. Influential elements within the Chinese leadership, especially the People's Liberation Army (PLA), have regularly branded - through open statements in major Chinese newspapers - the likes of the Philippines and Vietnam as agent provocateurs, who are said to be fanning Sino-American tensions amid Washington's pivots to the Asia-Pacific theater.
Earlier this year, the Global Times called for "economic sanctions", blaming the Philippines for stoking tensions in Sino-American relations, while the Liberation Army Daily accused the Philippines of hiding behind America's skirt by stating, "The United States' shift in strategic focus to the east and its entry into the South China Sea issue has provided the Philippines with room for strategic maneuver, and to certain extent increased the Philippines' chips to play against us, emboldening them to take a risky course."
Restoring balance
Since 2010, Sino-Filipino relations have been progressively undermined by a bitter territorial conflict over a host of features in the South China Sea (or 'West Philippine Sea' in Manila's diplomatic lexicon). The deterioration in bilateral ties has come against the backdrop of booming diplomatic and economic relations, especially during President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's administration (2001-2009).
What the Aquino administration hopes to achieve is to revitalize bilateral ties to (a) sustain a rowing economic partnership and (b) avoid direct confrontation; but, at the same time, he wishes not to jeopardize his fiercely assertive (if not populist) stance over Philippines' territorial claims.
In mid-October, just weeks before Xi Jinping's ascent to the helm of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), President Aquino, in a press conference with international media, expressed his optimism in restoring bilateral ties by stating, "There seems to be a gradual, very gradual, warming up [in Sino-Philippine ties] - I want to be very precise. So we are hopeful that this gradual warming up will be really warmed up by the time of the transition. So we are taking a wait-and-see attitude."
Recognizing the complexities of China's "domestic pressures", he implored Beijing to show more flexibility in their approach by emphasizing, "[though] there will be pressures leading up to the transition, we hope that these domestic pressures in China will be lessened after the transition so that we can have more room to negotiate and to discuss in more reasonable terms and less ultra-nationalistic [author's own emphasis] tones."
Aquino hinted at how Beijing's foreign posturing is entangled by the trappings of growing popular nationalism among the populace - a worrying policy handicap, which has limited China's strategic wiggle room for dialogue and compromise over territorial disputes in adjacent waters. The Philippines' hope is for the new leadership to transcend these limitations and prioritize a rational pursuit of interests within the broader international system.
Aquino made his statements just days before much-anticipated top-level bilateral talks between the two country's deputy foreign ministers, the so-called Foreign Ministry Consultations (FMC). Reciprocating the Filipino leaders' encouraging remarks, the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei stated, "China and the Philippines are important neighbors to each other, China attaches importance to China-Philippine relations, and is willing to push forward a healthy and stable bilateral relationship."
The October FMC was extremely crucial, because it broke a long period of de facto bilateral diplomatic hiatus, with the previous FMC held as far back as January (just four months before the flaring up of tensions over the Scarborough Shoal) and a number of bilateral dialogues and cultural events cancelled due to heightening Sino-Filipino tensions.
Room for cautious optimism
Beijing's "October surprise", the well-handled FMC exchanges with Filipino counterparts, proved largely a success for a number of reasons.
First, the Chinese envoy was led by Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying, who - as the former ambassador to the Philippines (1992-2000) - has been largely familiar with both the Philippines' political landscape as well as its top leadership.
Second, Fu chose to also meet Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, who has had a particularly difficult relationship with the Chinese negotiators in the past few months. Back in June, President Aquino sanctioned an attempt by an up-and-coming Senator Trillanes to pursue backdoor negotiations with China. The whole episode proved to not only undercut Del Rosario's function as the foreign policy chief, but it also exposed Beijing's dismay with him.
According to some commentators, Chinese diplomats preferred Trillanes as an interlocutor, because they saw Del Rosario as the chief architect of the revitalization in Philippine-American military alliance, obviously at China's expense. Fu's decision to meet Del Rosario served as an opportunity for China to mend ties with Del Rosario, restore channels of communication, and signal its willingness to negotiate with him on a more amicable and institutionalized basis.
Third, the Chinese envoy expanded its charm-offensive towards the Filipino leadership by also meeting with leading legislators, most especially the influential Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, who has been behind a vitriolic criticism of the Trillanes-led backdoor negotiations. Although claiming that he did not touch on sensitive issues in his conversations with the Chinese Vice Foreign Minister, Enrile described his meeting with Fu in an affectionate and upbeat manner - suggesting some good bilateral report between major figures in both countries.
"She just paid me a visit because she's my friend. She has been my friend when she was here," Enrile told the media about his meeting with the Chinese diplomat. "She used to come to my office to talk to me about some problems then of China, especially when [senators] were discussing the Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States. [Fu will] understand that I am serving my country and not anybody else in the same way that I would understand she's serving her country and nobody else."
It is far from certain whether the new Chinese leadership under Xi Jingping will ever contemplate a softer stance on its territorial claims in the South China Sea, but what is clear is that both sides are interested in preventing a direct confrontation and/or a major diplomatic fall out over ongoing territorial disputes, without backing off from their populist territorial position.
It's a tough balancing act, which will require both strategic foresight and some luck. In the end, depending on the trajectory of regional territorial tensions and the sincerity of America's pivot, the Philippines might be pushed to throw in its lot with either the Americans or the Chinese, which is precisely what most regional leaders are trying to avoid.
Richard Javad Heydarian
Business & Investment Opportunities
YourVietnamExpert is a division of Saigon Business Corporation Pte Ltd (SBC), Incorporated in Singapore since 1994. As Your Business Companion, we propose a range of services in Strategy, Investment and Management, focusing Healthcare and Life Science with expertise in ASEAN. Since we are currently changing the platform of www.yourvietnamexpert.com, if any request, please, contact directly Dr Christian SIODMAK, business strategist, owner and CEO of SBC at firstname.lastname@example.com. Many thanks.


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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition that inhibits or hinders normal breathing. Symptoms of the disease include coughing up mucus and severe shortness of breath. The disease is often related to cigarette smoking. Researchers for the European Respiratory Society, Vivek Baliga, S. Faruqi, I. Djoukhadar, M. Thirumaran, and S. Meghjee, have surveyed patients diagnosed with COPD on their experiences with smoking. The survey confirmed that a significant number of patients were unaware of the relationship between smoking and COPD.
Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of COPD, though breathing in pollution, chemicals, dust, and other irritants can also contribute to the disease. Though there is no cure for COPD, quitting smoking greatly improves the condition and can prevent its occurrence. Researchers are working to increase patient awareness of this fact.
There are many free quit-smoking programs offered to patients diagnosed with the disease. Though smoking is a difficult habit to stop, smokers diagnosed with COPD should reach out to doctors and other health experts on how to quit.


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The University of Maryland seeks Communications Specialist for editorial/management duties for UMD Right Now web outlet – strong copyediting & social media skill-set desired – $38k-$47k – apply by Oct. 1
Your experience (at least four years worth) as an executive or administrative assistant supporting lobbyists, legislators, or policy makers sought for Executive Assistant to VP Federal Affairs post at un-named multinational company – to $60k – search managed by TRAK Services.
American University
- Assistant Director, Marketing & Communications, School of Business – $65k-$75k
- Video Editor
- Program Assistant, Washington Mentorship Program – mid $30k
DDC Advocacy – Senior Interactive Strategist – seeking CVs that show 7+ years of strategic experience in the interactive space, with a focus on political online marketing and advertising, search marketing, usability and analytics
Pinkston Group – Account Coordinator – entry-level position with salary in the 30k range, DOE.
Latest with the Children's National Medical Center
- Director, Corporate & Foundation Relations
- Assistant Director, Major Gifts
- Assistant Director, Stewardship
Conservation International – Executive Assistant for the Center for Environmental Leadership in Business unit
Feeding America – Chicago, IL
- President & CEO – min. of 15 years of leadership experience at the executive level of a large, complex, geographically dispersed organization required.
- Senior Writer & Communications Specialist – familiarity with nonprofit fundraising communication and online writing preferred.
Lockheed-Martin – Senior Manager, Promotion/Advertising Analysis – specialized knowledge of health industry & government regulatory communications, media placement/outreach sought.
Pew Charitable Trusts
- Admin Assistant, Health Group
- Associate, Cultural Data Project – Philadelphia, PA
- Senior Officer, International Policy – London, UK
Recently updated listings from Bloomberg/Bureau of National Affairs
- Research Analyst/Writer – knowledge of Environmental, Health & Safety Issues desired
- Reporter
- Legal Index Editor
- more editor/reporter posts available
Recently-posted opportunities with the American Diabetes Association – search here for more
- Manager, Online Fundraising & Engagement – New York
- Executive Director for New York City area
- Manager, Fundraising & Special Events – Madison, WI
- Manager, Fundraising & Special Events – Brookfield, WI
- event/fundraising/outreach Intern opportunities: Miami, FL – Birmingham, AL – San Antonio, TX – Columbia, SC – New York
William J. Clinton Foundation – New York
- Research Assistant/Communications Associate
- Web Producer – strong technical skill-set required
Snallygaster DC debuts, brought to you by our friends from the Churchkey – Rustico – NRG empire. Proceeds support the great work of the Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture.


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This morning on Twitter, J. K. Rowling http://www.shelf-awareness.com/ct/uz3642037Biz25584177
announced that Harry Potter and the Cursed Child http://www.shelf-awareness.com/ct/uz3642037Biz25584178, a new stage play centered on
the series, will open next summer at the Palace Theatre in London's West
End. The script was written by Jack Thorne, who collaborated with
Rowling, and is being directed by John Tiffany, with singer-songwriter
Imogen Heap writing the music.
"I don't want to say too much more, because I don't want to spoil what I
know will be a real treat for fans," Rowling tweeted, adding: "However,
I can say that it is not a prequel!"
With Neil Gaiman's blurb of approval on the cover, it was nearly impossible for me to resist the lure of the beautifully-jacketed book, Magonia, by Maria Headley when I saw it in Book Page, a monthly book review publication that is free at my local library. Fortunately, the inventive and fascinating story on the inside lives up to the beauty of the cover. Here's the blurb:
Maria Dahvana Headley's soaring YA debut is a fiercely intelligent, multilayered fantasy where Neil Gaiman's Stardust meets John Green's The Fault in Our Stars in a story about a girl caught between two worlds . . . two races . . . and two destinies.
Aza Ray Boyle is drowning in thin air. Since she was a baby, Aza has suffered from a mysterious lung disease that makes it ever harder for her to breathe, to speak—to live. So when Aza catches a glimpse of a ship in the sky, her family chalks it up to a cruel side effect of her medication. But Aza doesn't think this is a hallucination. She can hear someone on the ship calling her name.
Only her best friend, Jason, listens. Jason, who's always been there. Jason, for whom she might have more-than-friendly feelings. But before Aza can consider that thrilling idea, something goes terribly wrong. Aza is lost to our world—and found, by another. Magonia.
Above the clouds, in a land of trading ships, Aza is not the weak and dying thing she was. In Magonia, she can breathe for the first time. Better, she has immense power—but as she navigates her new life, she discovers that war between Magonia and Earth is coming. In Aza's hands lies fate of the whole of humanity—including the boy who loves her. Where do her loyalties lie?
Like most YA novels, there's a dystopia at the center of the plot, but in this case the dystopia is only bad because Aza is really one of the bird people of Magonia who isn't meant to breathe the heavier air on the ground, but is, instead, able to breathe the lighter air in the upper atmosphere, in the ships that Magonians live on while they plunder supplies from earth during storms that they have some, but not much, control over. Though this utopia in the skies provides everything Aza needs, she still can't get over her beloved childhood friend Jason, and though Aza eventually finds her way back to her earth family and the persistent Jason, it seems obvious to readers that she will have to choose between the two worlds soon, and that the only world she can actually breathe in is the better choice. Though the romance in this novel is a bit obsessive and possessive, which made me uncomfortable, I still felt that the lush prose and the impeccable plot built around divine storytelling earn this book an A, and a recommendation to those who enjoy epic fantasy and adventure.
Written in Red by Anne Bishop was something of an impulse buy for me, as the blurbs made it sound a bit too close to a horror novel for my taste. What it actually is is more of an urban fantasy retelling of old fairy tales with a horrific dystopian twist. Here's the blurb:
No one creates realms like New York Times bestselling author Anne Bishop. Now in a thrilling new fantasy series, enter a world inhabited by the Others, unearthly entities—vampires and shape-shifters among them—who rule the Earth and whose prey are humans.
As a cassandra sangue, or blood prophet, Meg Corbyn can see the future when her skin is cut—a gift that feels more like a curse. Meg's Controller keeps her enslaved so he can have full access to her visions. But when she escapes, the only safe place Meg can hide is at the Lakeside Courtyard—a business district operated by the Others.
Shape-shifter Simon Wolfgard is reluctant to hire the stranger who inquires about the Human Liaison job. First, he senses she's keeping a secret, and second, she doesn't smell like human prey. Yet a stronger instinct propels him to give Meg the job. And when he learns the truth about Meg and that she's wanted by the government, he'll have to decide if she's worth the fight between humans and the Others that will surely follow.
There are two problems with this novel from my perspective. One, it's too long, 496 pages, when it could easily have been half that and still have told a good story. Even knocking 100 pages off would have helped, because there were places where the story dragged a bit, and places where readers were privy to too much information about the Others eating habits and what happens to the remains, etc. Gore for it's own sake never helps a plot speed along. Hence my second problem with the novel. Too much anger, hatred, distrust, fear, cruelty, death, gore, mayhem and general prejudice and distrust flow through this novel, and it casts a pall that is hard to shake. In other words, if you are prone to depression, this is not the book for you. There are two kinds of people in Bishop's alternative universe, the innocents and the killers, the predators and the prey, or "meat" as she often reminds us through her Other characters, who view all humans as something to eat. The only reason the werewolves, the vampires, the werebears and the elementals keep humans around is because we can make things that make their lives easier, like cars, beds, clothing, etc. Anyone who steps out of line, goes where they aren't supposed to go, pisses off an Other or tries to take anything from them illegally, is automatically ripped to shreds and eaten. Fortunately, though, Meg, who is a seer, escapes what is basically slavery and ingratiates herself with the Others, via her innocence, and becomes their "liaison" which is another name for postmistress, as well as being something of a pet for Simon Wolfgard and his son, who is a puppy. The Others don't seem to desire humans sexually at all, so any hint of romance between the liaison and Wolfgard becomes uncomfortable for readers and characters alike. Still, the prose is hypnotic and the bad guys get ripped up in a very satisfying manner, plus, there's a distinct HEA at the end, so I'd still give this book a B+, and recommend it to anyone with a strong stomach who finds gritty horrific urban fantasy fascinating.
The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen is the second book in this series, following the smash hit fantasy Queen of the Tearling that I read last year (and thoroughly enjoyed). Here's the blurb:
In this riveting sequel to the national bestseller The Queen of the Tearling, the evil kingdom of Mortmesne invades the Tearling, with dire consequences for Queen Kelsea and her realm.
With each passing day, Kelsea Glynn is growing into her new responsibilities as Queen of the Tearling. By stopping the shipments of slaves to the neighboring kingdom of Mortmesne, Kelsea has crossed the brutal Red Queen, who derives her power from dark magic and who is sending her fearsome army into the Tearling to take what she claims is hers. And nothing can stop the invasion.
But as the Mort army draws ever closer, Kelsea develops a mysterious connection to a time before the Crossing. She finds herself relying on a strange and possibly dangerous ally: a woman named Lily, fighting for her life in a world where being female can feel like a crime. Soon Kelsea herself begins to change; she does not recognize either her reflection in the mirror or the extraordinary power she now commands. The fate of the Tearling—and that of Kelsea's own soul—may rest with Lily and her story, but Queen Kelsea is running out of time.
In this second volume of the compelling trilogy begun with her bestselling The Queen of the Tearling, Erika Johansen brings back favorite characters and introduces unforgettable new players, adding exciting layers to her multidimensional tale of magic, mystery, and a fierce young heroine.
I just finished reading this book, and I was awed by Johansen's ability to take the story in a direction that I did NOT see coming at all. The book moved back and forth in time, and added science fiction elements to what had been a dystopian fantasy. The prose is robust and yet elegant, and manages to keep ahold of the roller coaster of a plot until the very end, which also holds a few surprise twists and turns. Kelsea's story, which had been at the forefront of Queen of the Tearling took a backseat to the courageous story of Lily, a woman living 30 years into our future, in a world where, like Margaret Atwood's Handmaid's Tale, women have become male possessions, controlled by their husbands and expected to produce children while allowing their men to abuse them or even kill them if they prove to be barren. Female voices are silenced and women hide from their captivity with drugs and alcohol. Meanwhile, the gap between the haves and the have nots has become huge, with the rich few living behind secure walls while a majority of the population starves and dies on the streets. Lily manages to break free from her abusive husband and is swept off with the resistance to a "Better World" and how that better world intersects with Kelsea's becomes the crux of the story. This brilliant page-turner left me hungering for more. I'd give it an A, and recommend it to anyone who read the first book.
Cress by Marissa Meyer is the third book in the YA Lunar Chronicles, a wonderful science fiction retelling of classic fairy tales. Cress is the retelling of Rapunzel, except this long-locked girl is on a satellite in space, instead of a tower on earth. Here's the blurb from Publisher's Weekly:This third of four books in Meyer's Lunar Chronicles has no shortage of humor, action, or romance, and the author still delivers the clever fairy-tale twists her readers expect. Cress, a self-proclaimed "damsel in distress," has been imprisoned in an orbiting satellite for more than seven years, and has never been allowed to cut her hair, which has grown to Rapunzel-like lengths. Though Cress—an expert hacker—is supposed to be tracking down the fugitive Linh Cinder for Lunar Queen Levana, Cress has been secretly aiding her. When Cinder and her crew try to rescue Cress, the plan goes awry, leaving Cinder's group scattered and fighting for survival. Meyer continues to show off her storytelling prowess, keeping readers engaged in a wide cast of characters while unfolding a layered plot that involves warring governments and a fast-spreading plague. The momentum Meyer built in the first two books continues to accelerate as the stakes grow higher for Cinder and her friends. The next installment cannot come fast enough.
Though I really enjoyed the Cinderella reboot in Cinder and the Red Riding Hood reboot in Scarlet, I was not as enamored of Rapunzel's reboot, Cress, because she was such a wimpy, whiny and fearful little girl, that she didn't fit with the other, more independent and adventurous heroines from the first two books. She was also completely obsessed with the con man Captain Thorne and her childish daydreams and fantasies of his falling in love with her and saving her like a real damsel in distress. She's constantly collapsing, crying, cringing and hiding behind everyone because she has no backbone or grit. She has to "pretend" she's enacting a drama in order to function when things go awry, and it is only by sheer luck and the help of the other characters that she survives at all. I found her character so annoying and stupid that I was hoping she'd be killed off in the desert. Unfortunately, she's the daughter of the main scientist/doctor in the novels, so she lives, but at great cost to everyone else. Still, we get to see more of Cinder and prince Kai, which is good, and that alone made the book worth the price. I'd give it a B+, and recommend it to anyone who has read the first two books.


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First off is project real woods. This came to being due to my dislike of crappy looking terrain.
My current versions of woods were a few trees on a bit of felt. Perfect for tournament play but I prefer more detail.
So a few quid was spent on woodland scenic tree armatures and clump foliage. These then had magnetic strip stuck to their bases.
The woods bases have steel washers placed around and will have foliage etc when finished.
Following pic shows bases with earth/dead leaves around tree positions and healthy greenery where the sun would shine.


text:
It came…but I conquered.
May is ALS awareness month, so it came as no surprise to see an episode of the Night Shift where a man was diagnosed with it. It made me think of when I was diagnosed.
I had several uncharacteristic falls prior to my diagnosis. I fell on the job, but I was actually walking backwards and stepped on my friend's foot. So I explained that one away and laughed it off with everyone else. I later fell twice in my son's room; once after stepping on a small toy;and the other was more of a slide from the edge of his bed because my feet were tangled in his comforter and the hardwood floors did the rest. I sprained my knee that time, and wore a brace for a few months because it would give out occasionally. In hindsight, these were the first signs of my legs becoming weaker, but since I could explain each fall, I thought nothing of it. And because I couldn't ride my bike, my weight, blood pressure and other things ballooned out of control.
I began looking into gastric bypass surgery. I had been approved by my insurance and had completed all the requisite clearances and had a date for surgery, December 16th, 2010. Three weeks prior, was a family vacation to Disney World, and I drove there and back. And anyone who has taken children there that it's miles and miles of walking! My legs were so worn-out that I was literally using Laila's stroller as a walker by the end of each day. Of course, I attributed this to my weight-gain and inability to exercise the last few months. On the night we arrived home, I slipped on a slick spot and grotesquely broke my left ankle, requiring a plate and six screws. Little did I know that I wouldn't walk again without assistive devices.
The symptoms of ALS are often accelerated after traumas such as car accidents, surgery, etc. So when I began to lose the ability to raise my arms while recuperating from my ankle, I feared that I had damaged something else when I fell. Then I remembered a few things, like being unable to play fast runs on the organ several times over the past year or so, and the mild numbness in my fingertips, or the fact that during the FL trip I had people open my bottled water because I couldn't get a grip. I was scheduled to see my primary physician about that the week after vacation. So after multiple consultations, and months of therapy and devices to help extend the use of my hands, I received the diagnosis.
Over the next 18 months I lost the ability to feed, toilet, bathe, or care for myself in any way. It should have been scary but it wasn't. It was frustrating and in some cases embarrassing, but never scary, except for when I had to deal with steps. Every time I had to navigate stairs I could see myself falling. But that was it. When my speech became more and more slurred and eating and drinking became more and more difficult, I was saddened. I had been gradually losing everything that made me human. I had begun to use the CPAP machine 24hours a day instead for sleeping only, life was looking bleak. By December 2012, I was facing surgery that would leave me dependent on a machine to live, or death by suffocation and/or starvation.
Obviously, I chose surgery, but it wasn't just for the extended life-expectancy. The fact is that from the day doctors suspected ALS in February 2011, through my official diagnosis that June, through every single physical loss to date,I have been believing that God's going to heal me! And as I look back on the journey of the last five years, especially the last two years where I've battled a wide variety of fears, isolation, rejection, loneliness and even hopelessness, God has continually delivered me into His grace;a place of faith and strength! Where I am reminded that His power is greater than the challenges that I face, and His grace is sufficient while I wait for His healing!
When you find yourself in a valley, there's no telling how He's going to provide deliverance. But whether He leads you through the valley, or removes the mountains from around you; if you stay in Him and not allow what you see or feel to affect your faith, your circumstances can not conquer you!
PSA: This Is A Totally Selfish Post… But I'm Only Human!
I am thankful that on most occasions I am able to glean the positive out of a given day's challenges. But on days like this it's really tough. I wake-up and I see a beautiful day outside, the sun shining brightly. I wake-up approximately every two hours for suctioning, and earlier I remember Laila showing me her pretty, spring dress, at her mother's behest. But now I realize that I have no idea where anyone in my family is! Obviously they are enjoying this beautiful Saturday. And a quick glance at the nursing schedule gives me the clue that apparently, I will have extended nursing hours. From 11am until 9am, I will have a nurse. Past experience suggests that this means the kids will be gone all day and my wife will be gone most of the night. Often it's discussed ahead of time but not always. My first clue is often the already worked out, modified schedule that comes via e-mail on Friday afternoon. It's actually a common occurrence, that I am basically left alone with a nurse while everyone else enjoys a weekend of fun and adventure. Countless photos of my children in places that I had no idea that they were going appear on my facebook timeline. And while I am glad that their experiences aren't very limited by my condition, when you combine this with my wife's nightlife it's difficult not to feel piled upon. I feel guilty for this, but it's really hard to not feel like a pet fish when everyone is living life "around" you! I can only comfort myself with pictures of the rare moments of family togetherness for so long. Nineteen to twenty hours of my day are spent alone.
Is it wrong to wonder what it would be like to feel loved on a daily basis? I am not suggesting that they don't love me, but love, being an action word, should be felt. I go weeks without anyone sitting within an arm's-length of me. I have visitors about two or three times a month, and they stand at my side, with a hand on my arm and talk to me. And for someone that's a sensory-deprived, paralyzed, socially isolated person that's huge! The love conveyed through touch can not be overestimated. I am so alone! I want to feel wanted! I want to feel prioritized! I don't want to feel like the only time I am important is on my birthday or during medical crises! I am tired of having to post images of past acts of love and seeing all the "likes" and comments knowing that my day-to-day experience isn't even close to that! And I can't even get out of the house if I wanted, despite the fact that I have come up with a solution to being bedridden almost a month ago. Since it's not much of a priority for the people in position to act on my rather simple plan to liberate me from this room, I have to wait patiently for it to be done. It could have been done in a week or less, but only if it's deemed as important.
Instead, I lay here with the only options available is whether to watch television, read or write. And despite communicating my need for physical contact, for knowing where my family is, for simply not spending my life with nurses while everyone else is enjoying life; this seems to be what I have to look forward to. I mean, what are my choices? There are certainly worse situations that I could be in, many people with ALS have no one. It's just that I had hoped for more as I looked at the future progression of my diagnosis.
God has been my every day companion, He's seen my tears and heard my cries. I don't know what my future holds, as is the case with us all. I don't know if I would choose a better situation even if it presents itself. It may be God's will that I suffer in this manner.
I know that this is a selfish post but I seem to be the only person who places my day-to-day well-being as a priority.
Can't We All Just Get Along?
Many of you aren't aware of this, but I was married before. I got married a year after I graduated high school and I was totally unprepared for the challenges it presented. My mother suggested it at the time but I was too grown to listen, so by the time everything was said and done the marriage yielded a stepdaughter and a son, and two damaged parents. I have never admitted it outwardly but as I got older, and better versed in the Godly role of a husband, I placed the blame for that failure squarely on my shoulders. I am who God expected to lead.
Fifteen years later, I married Jennifer. And while I had the benefit of greater maturity, marriage still wasn't a piece of cake. I had to learn many things, some of which were a remedial course of sorts. But because of a closer walk with Him,I was a far better husband and father this time around, though far from perfect. One mistake that I seemed to repeat, though for entirely different reasons, was a failure to build a proper relationship with my stepchildren. In my first marriage it had more to do with the brevity of the relationship. This time it was multiple factors but I bear the blame in each instance. I am the adult and the responsible one. And many years of them having the loving father that they deserve, that I in fact had,were lost. They both love me, as I do them. But things still aren't as they should be.
I was able to be there for my oldest son for the last eleven or so years but I missed out on a large chunk of his first twelve or so years, and it's evident in our current relationship. Now he loves me dearly. But he's been trapped in the middle of my first family and my current one. And having walked that fine line for so long, he's settled more with his family than with mine. Which severely limits our time together. This again, is my fault because he learned the art of inconsistency from his dear old dad.
So as I lay here lamenting the plethora of poor decisions that I've made, not the least of which is not trying harder to foster a fundamental understanding between my wife and my ex-wife, (which may have been impossible), I have two fractured families and a ton of regrets that I can do nothing other than pray for. As the great humanitarian Rodney King once said…
Removing the filter…
When I started this blog, the intent was to have a place to write out my heart. Well that's proven to be a difficult task, for various reasons. What I've decided to do is to keep my blog separate from facebook, and rather than solicit readership, I'll let you decide to visit or not. Not that this story will be any different from my facebook version, but it will be as my "about" page indicates, unfiltered and human.
Isolation is a huge component of my journey. And it comes in various stages. I mean, I know that people love and are praying for me, but very few people have the inclination to have regular or in-depth contact with me. For example, think back to Monday of this week. Beginning with when you first open your eyes from sleep. How many people did you speak to, or kiss before leaving your own house? Then factor in texts and phone calls. Upon arrival to work, or to drop off the kids; you greet everyone with a "Good morning!", Some people even rate a hug or handshake. Then your workday or school-day involves whatever inherent communication, and finally that's over. Then you leave, and what? Go home, get the kids, consider dinner? Connect with spouses, go to the gym or classes, church or bowling? Finally it's time for bed, and you get into bed with whomever you share it with, or alone; but not before talking your girl or your significant other. All in all, it was a normal and typical day. Everyone has rushed, packed to the minute days, especially if you have children; and by the end of it you're spent. But hey, it's your life, right? Whatcha gonna do?
For the sake of comparison we'll assume that my wacky sleep patterns have me waking at seven-ish. I awake to whoever worked overnight and request suctioning. Sometime in the next hour Jennifer will come downstairs and pass me en route to the bathroom and say good morning, often touching me as she passes (the bathroom is connected to my room and you have to enter and walk past me to get to it ). While she's in there one or both of the kids enter my room to ask something of their mother through the closed bathroom door. Most times they'll say good morning if they notice that I am awake, which is a 50/50 proposition in itself. When she exits the bathroom, she gathers the kids and their breakfast, has them come say good-bye, and they head out to school. At nine, there is a nursing shift-change. This nurse will stay until four. In that time, my wife may be working, sleeping or any number of things; largely predicated on whether she went dancing the night before and what time she came in. So, from nine last night until four this afternoon, with the exception of the occasional bathroom break, I am alone with a nurse. The only interaction with them is care related for the most part. I have a friend that I text a few times almost every day, but that's it. When the nurse leaves at four, I am either alone in my room with my wife listening for my alarm so she can render care, or she sits in here using her iPhone or computer. This is usually predicated on whether I am watching something that she finds interesting. Then at nine, the overnight nurse comes in.
Every day is a close variation of this. A family movie gets me more time with the kids similar to how an interesting show gets me more time with my wife. But overall, the nineteen hours of nursing are spent with just the nurses. Other variations are Tuesday, which is bath day. And on weekends the agency occasionally provides 24-hour coverage for one or more days. This allows for all-day or overnight excursions for Jennifer and/or the kids.
So this social isolation is a real issue for me. Let me be clear about this. I am NOT throwing off on my wife or anyone else. Everyone has their burdens to deal with and I am simply sharing mine.. Over the last year or so, we have tried to address it several ways but invariably, this seems to be the default pattern that we always revert back to. And I have to admit, some days it makes me extremely angry! Those are usually the days when I post on facebook. I find that writing allows me to visualize the situation outside of my own mind, making it a little easier to deal with. More importantly, it allows me just enough distance for God to move on my heart and be ministered to. Apparently you can, indeed get in the way of your own deliverance!
So take it from me, even though your anger and frustrations may be justifiable, holding onto them is rarely beneficial! God will help you put them in perspective if you bring them to Him! And even if He doesn't deem fit to resolve the situation, He will give the the strength and grace to withstand it; at least for today! Lest you decide that you no longer need Him! Lol! Peace and Love Fam!
What A Difference A Year Makes
This isn't the day I had planned. Today, December 21st, I was supposed to be travelling to Maryland to enjoy a Christmas production featuring Commissioned, the Winans and Tamela Mann. Earlier in the week there were nursing issues threatening the trip, and frankly, I wasn't bothered by the idea of canceling at that point. For some reason I had not built-up any excitement about it so the idea of not going didn't bother me. But then, the nursing problem was resolved and all the pieces fell into place. Additionally, there was a strong possibility of meeting Fred Hammond through a close family friend, which would've been great! Now, I'm excited! Jennifer, along with Pamela Learned and Danielle Lewis had managed to plan a weekend that would include not only the previously mentioned event, but attending my church and Longwood Gardens for their Christmas display! I was genuinely hyped…and it all fell apart!
A malfunction with my wheelchair derailed EVERYTHING at the last minute! I was crushed. This is where the assault begins. The enemy combined with my humanistic mind conducted a multi-fronted attack to depress me. They used weapons such as:
– This is just one more preventable event that you have to suffer through alone while everyone around you happily enjoys life.
– I'm lying in the same spot I was yesterday, and the day before that; and tomorrow, the day after that…
– Serves me right for looking forward to anything.
– There were other possible options but you weren't given the opportunity to explore them.
– Few people REALLY understand or care what you're feeling, they visit your world, leave a kind word or two, and they're gone.
– Once again, your holiday will be just like any other unremarkable day.
– To add further insult, now your daytime nurse is sleeping.
Then came this thought…where were you one year ago today? Well, that's easy. I was laying on a stretcher waiting to have my tracheotomy and feeding tube surgeries done. It was cold, crowded and uncomfortable in the holding area. It was similar to boarding an airplane, being seated, then being informed of an hour or so delay for weather. Jennifer and I sat for what felt like hours, watching the clock and other patients being wheeled into their procedures. While waiting I had Jennifer make phone calls to my oldest brother, Dwayne Bowens (it's his birthday) and to my old job (CYR) where we spoke to homie Charron and my other mother, Mrs. Coleman. Afterwards, I was ready. Jennifer kissed my forehead, assuring me she'd be there when I came out. I was wheeled in, transferred to the table, introduced to the surgical personnel and asked to count backwards from 10, 9, 8…
Light peeking through half-closed eyelids, then suddenly awake! I can't breathe! My nose isn't working! I'm trying to tell Jennifer, the nurse, ANYONE I cannot breathe! They're telling me to relax, telling Jennifer I'm okay. OKAY? #@!*!! I'm trying my best to scream…nothing. Suddenly exhausted and resigned to die, I stopped trying to breathe, and the breath came (that's another sermon for another day).
This was the beginning of a new life for me. I'd spent 15 years on the other side of this. So many years of Linda Vitale carrying that dreaded admissions notice; the trache patients meant lots of extra work added to an already overstuffed workload. Now I WAS that extra. But flash forward 365-days and I'm doing wonderful! I've exceeded my expectations manifold! I was literally waiting to die! But God said LIVE!
I have learned to trust what He says over what I see, hear or feel. So concert, Fred Hammond, Longwood Gardens, Covenant Fellowship…I'll catch on another day. But I choose to rejoice on THIS day rather than lamenting and resenting! And I look forward to Christmas even though it's not really the day Christ was born, and it was previously a pagan holiday celebrating winter solstice; it's the day set aside to recognize His arrival. Without which there would be no eternal hope! So as you give, receive and love, don't forget to acknowledge He, whom we celebrate! Love ya Fam!
Turnabout is fair play!
In 1995 I became a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), and since then I've spent all but one year of my nursing career working in nursing homes. In terms of what one can experience in that setting, I had a wide-ranging experience there. I was a charge nurse on the skilled-nursing unit primarily, but I worked all over as needed. I frequently served as team leader, treatment nurse and even house supervisor in an extreme circumstance. I recall several co-workers commenting that they wouldn't do what I'm doing without an increase in pay. The fact is, the experience was more valuable to me than a few dollars. You see, the funny thing about organizational hierarchy, and this is especially true in nursing; it's frequently perceived that the person one step above you isn't really doing much! LOL! I really enjoyed the increased responsibility and embraced the challenges they presented. Additionally, I was proud of the trust that administration had in me! I eventually made it to department head of a program which I helped to develop, the Restorative Nursing Program.
The best part about these experiences was serving the residents (patients) in a much more in-depth way. In addition to their medical needs, I was able to positively impact their psychological, psychosocial, nutritional, recreational and functional mobility areas. I even assisted in educating family members concerning their loved ones; helping with conflict-resolution, decision-making, and providing a sense of clarity. It wasn't the easiest avenue in my field but I loved it!
Now I'm on the receiving end of the nursing process in the most extreme way! Having cared for many residents like me, complete/total care, the change in perspective has been drastic! As a nurse, I relate to my experience on various levels. The following are some of the revelations from my perspective turnabout:
1) If you're unable to or have difficulty communicating, people often expect more patience with their attempts to interpret you than they have available for your attempts at communicating.
This is a tricky issue and tough for both sides. I can recall many instances when a resident became upset because I had difficulty understanding what they were saying. I tried various methods to make it easier by allowing them to write, allowing them time, even obtaining help from people known to have success with interpreting that particular resident. What I've found is most people don't have much patience in that regard. Though it's understandable to a degree when in a hospital setting, where you have multiple patients with pressing needs, but I've had nurses come in, turn my call-light off and leave without even attempting to discern what I needed. In the home setting where you mix in untrained family members, fatigue from full work-days, children, other family dynamics, their own physical and/or medical needs; things can become challenging for everyone
Over time, you simply stop expecting EVERY need to be met. I adjusted my expectations to deal with certain issues like minor itching and discomfort. Now you're not having nurses avoid your gaze as they pass your room, and reduces the strain on the family and friends that partner in my care.
2) Regardless of the time of year, urine gets cold extremely fast, especially when you're laying in it.
I am very fortunate this regard in that it's only happened on a handful of occasions in the three years I've been sick. Of that handful, only once was a case of the "I can't hold its". The others were nursing gaffes during which I was either deprived oxygen long enough to induce a sort of pre-fainting release or unattentive urinal handling (smh). I can recall beginning shifts with CNAs reporting that they were finding residents surrounded by rings of urine, (for the uninitiated, that's usually indicative of length of time and/or how many times they urinated since being changed).
I have a new understanding of the utter degradation and humiliation of what that feels like! If it were a regular and routine occurrence I don't know what would be worse, the constant degradation or the eventual acceptance and resignation to it.
3) For those of us who can communicate; when folk ask you how you're doing, 75% wanted a brief positive answer like "Doing well!" or "Blessed by the Best!". Another 20% can tolerate a brief negative response like "Not too good today." or "I've been better.". Very few people really want details either way.
I have to offer this caveat, 95% of my communication is done online and most people don't have time for long conversations during their drive-bys on Facebook and other social media. But I noted this long before I became ill. People generally don't want to be bogged down with the gravity of one's day. Especially dealing with their own stuff, or perhaps trying to sustain their day of positivity. Either way I got it! The world doesn't revolve around me and my issues; only MY world does! That's partially why I started a blog, for those few who want details! I reserve FB and the like for generalities and prayer solicitation.
4) Focusing on others keeps me from dwelling on myself.
I remember the day quite clearly. February 14, 2011, around 1:00pm the telephone call came through informing me of the possibility of a diagnosis of ALS. I sat still for about an hour or two. Then, I reluctantly researched and familiarized myself with what ALS entails. From then until now, there's been few surprises. Occasionally, looking at my situation can get me down but I've found that focusing on others is key to overcoming that. When I see people expressing hard times, I say a prayer, send a message or both. I'm always cognizant of the fact that things could always be worse. A few years ago, I don't know if I would've believed that it would be possible to be here, and not be chronically depressed. My Lord has certainly kept me!
5) There is power and comfort in the human touch of love.
As different aspects of ALS have overtaken my body, one thing has remained steady. The touch of those who truly love really makes any day better! The absence of loving touch, especially for someone who's paralyzed, can be a brutal, dehumanizing blow! Consider how often you rub your hands together in a day, scratch your head or rub your nose. Now think of no touch, save what's medically necessary. It would be horrible. When I was in the hospital, I had family that would simply hold my hand, or rub my feet for their entire visit! The warmth and comfort it provided was immeasurable!
Ultimately, there's one lesson that supercedes all others. God's power and presence is the prevailing reason that I thrive. Whether through scripture, song or prayer; He's the source of my joy! Jesus is definitely the reason that I can still smile through this, my season!
Battlefield: The Mind
Since I was a child I've always had a strong imagination. For this reason, playing alone was never a problem for me. Up until the age of 10-ish, television provided the backdrop for my imaginary adventures. One day I was partners with Steve Austin (Six-Million Dollar Man), and the next I'd be teaming with Jill, Sabrina and Kelly (Charlie's Angels); always battling the bad guys. I even investigated mysteries with Scooby, Shaggy and the gang! There was never a shortage of characters for my alone time. When all else fails I always had wrestlers to do battle with!
In my teen years, my musical aspirations took over. I sat at home studying drummers. Since there was no internet, I studied the one's I saw. Vernon Johnson was my favorite (years later we became tight brothers), but there was also Jerry MacBeth, Walt Lewis and even John Lewis III (young rivalry at church)! I would play along with cassettes that I recorded of services; on my lap and in the air. I virtually pretended to be them, mimicking each move for days on end. Eventually I started playing bass guitar and played along with Walter Hawkins, Keith Pringle and my favorite bassist, Fred Hammond of Commissioned! I even followed behind my brother Peter and played the tuba for several years. I finally found my passion with keyboards and that's where I stayed. As a keyboardist/organist, I studied Randy Oliver, Thurston Cox, Willis Hickerson, Steven Ford, Zak Williams and Bryant Pugh. From mannerisms to technique, I spent time emulating each one. It was my method of learning. Essentially, I mimicked and copied people I admired until finding my own niche.
Flashing forward to now, in my present, temporary condition; my mind is probably overactive. Consider this. In the course of a normal day most people go through a series of interactions with greetings, chitchat and goodbyes. Some of these are interspersed with other necessary communications regarding work, school, children/family concerns and personal relations. In each instance there is a thought (Hey, there's so-and-so), a physical action (What's good Man?), a consideration of their response and physical response to that (Yeah, I've been wanting to talk to you about that) and a resolution (Alright, talk to you later). Often as a result of these various communications conflicts, misunderstandings and hurt feelings are initiated, confirmed or resolved. Sometimes love is established, other times hate is fueled. The same can be said of faith, confidence, security and any other facet of our emotional states. They all begin within and manifest in our actions or inaction. Inevitably, my mind is periodically overrun with conflicting emotions and regret.
I have found various ways to address this. Prayer has helped but it's not always an answer unto itself (more on that later). This may be surprising but Facebook has been extremely useful! Due to its gross popularity, I'm able to connect with people from almost every juncture of my life. Taking my time, I've been able to apologize for wrongdoings and achieve reconciliation. Where reconciling isn't an option (it takes two to tango), I've at least been able to free my spirit from guilt by apologizing. I've also been able to let various people know how special they were to me. All this time in my mind I've been able to identify people who've been in or through my life that's made positive impact. Perhaps they didn't know, didn't care…or maybe they were at a point where they thought nobody cared! Either way I reached out to them; some were happy, some lukewarm, some unresponsive but it was edifying regardless.
However, the most significant battle in my mind is waged against my faith. The enemy (Satan) and my humanistic mind (logic) send their Black-ops and Seal Team Six in, armed with such firery darts as: "You see that you're STILL in this bed, you ain't healed!", "Have you seen ANYONE get up from ALS? Cancer, brain tumors, diabetes…yes; but not this!", "You're only deluding yourself, coping mechanism against the inevitable!" and "Everyone dies and this is how you're going out so just accept it!". Meanwhile my spiritual response begins in my spiritual head, enclosed in the helmet of Salvation it signals my left hand, which intercepts those darts with the shield of Faith. Then it goes on the offensive by signaling my right hand which has the sword of the Word, delivering blows like: "By His stripes I am healed!", "All power is given unto Me in heaven and earth!", "Behold, I am the Lord, God of all (even diseased) flesh; is there anything too hard for Me?" and "These things and more will you do in My name!". My heart, secured behind the breastplate of righteousness, now emboldened and strengthened grows with each small individual battle won. They're brought back to remembrance in times of weakness and tough battles. Finally, as my feet, shod in the preparation of Peace remain pressing forward, they leave a peace that surpasses all understanding wherever they tread. It's a daily battle but with a predetermined outcome!
So what am I trying to convey through all of this? Simple. While you are yet able, consider those you may have offended in the past, and apologize. Do this even if you don't agree with their reasons, for it doesn't lessen their pain; and have no expectations for a positive response. Your apology frees you up regardless of the response. Next, forgive anyone who has offended you. Where it's feasible, let them know they're forgiven; they may receive freedom also. Finally, put on the whole armore of God that you may withstand the attacks of not only the enemy but yourself! Love ya Fam!


text:
In my opinion the transformative power of hope is not given enough credit . The population of India is an incredible 1.2billion and growing by 17 million a year. The majority of Indians (70%) live in rural villages. The recent census showed that majority of these rural dwellers survive on less than 35 rupees a day (or 40pence / 60cents). Talking to some of the families in the villages here, and students and teachers it is very clear that an absence of optimism is one of the most debilitating factors in peoples lives. Of course it understandable – rates of malnutriton, illiteracy, infant mortality and a lack of clean water are all at shameful levels in rural India. The biggest ministry in India's Government is that for Rural Development, and to their credit they have instigated important schemes such as subsidised grain and a guaranteed programme of 100 days paid work a year for unskilled labour.
Both schemes, well meant, are crippled by corruption. Many of the grain is pocketed by middle men, and much of the Public Works Scheme money is siphoned off by 'ghost workers' – invented by corrupt local officials in order to pocket their wages. This is the biggest flaw in India's politics – that so many see it as legitimate to exploit the state in order to redistribute patronage to their kin. Plundering the state is terrible for development. So those worst effected, at the bottom of the pile, feel hopeless and helpless. When you have no mental space to see beyond day-to day-survival it can lead to a certain listlessness, lack of motivation and depression. This also manifests itself in a kind of chronic conservatism, often culturally expressed, and jealousy of anyone who dares to be too successful from your village.
However there is hope…. just the witness of our children when they go back to their villages, speaking English, clean, confident, well fed seems to be having a big impact on changing this mindset. This week many parents are bringing their children in to seek for admission for the next school year. The Jesuits are giving priority to those from the poorest families, the Dalits, the Devadasis. At the early stages of the mission, much time and energy was put into forming womens groups in the villages, with the belief that they value education more, and more likely to ensure that the girls will not lose out. The picture on the right shows the leaders from a womens group in a local village who brought in a large group of children to register for admission this year. Maybe they wouldn't have come had it just been left to their families. The dynamic leaders of the women's cooperative are ensuring that education is starting to be valued more. However this is on a macro level – I believe change is also coming to India at a macro level.
The worlds biggest biometric database is being set up in India. This is based on the realisation that the rural poor have no identity – no drivers licence, no passport,no bank account, many live in villages shared by so many people with the same surname. This makes it impossible for them to open a bank account. If they want to migrate to work in another state, in the dead time between harvest and replanting, they have to spend hours queuing in the sun, to pay bribes to get papers.
Things are changing: the UID (Universal Id) or Aadhar number is drastically improving rural welfare. With iris, fingerprint and face scanners, their identity is robust, it means that they can open bank accounts, state support goes straight to them, cutting out the middleman and the loss of so much due to corruption. Their medical and school records can become mobile. As a voluntary scheme it has been embraced enthusiastically by the poor with already 400 million enrolled into it. Observers have suggested the changes are already evident with more land coming under cultivation, dietary habits slowly changing. Sadly we have not seen this in Karnataka, when I ask the villages here they shrug and shake their heads. The sad truth is that the schemes spread is being blocked by powerful forces including the Home Minister. Why? some claim arguments that would be more familiar in the developed world, data protection, civil liberties, privacy – these all seem out of place when you share a one roomed hut with 10 others!! I suspect the real reason it is being blocked is because it is so effective at cutting out the middle man and reducing corruption.


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If you've ever done a couple of interviews, you've probably got the "I'm a perfectionist" candidate. When asked about its flaws he says with a fake-hidden smile: "I'm a lil' bit of a perfectionist", thinking deep in their mind this is more of a good thing then a bad one. Perfectionist, those people that only craft perfect thing, only the best (by the best), free of any flaw (except being too perfect), a piece of art left to be admired, not touch by anyone even it's creator!
Well, that might be good for some poor artist on crack but we're not! We're developer driven by business rules, deadlines, changing requirements, technology and coffee. Unhealthy perfectionism is like the big bang approach to integration. It's all or nothing, but most of the time, it's nothing.
Here are 5 ways to bring your software closer to perfection, bits by bits, while still shipping your damn code (no crack required).
1. Small changes
Making 1000 lines of code perfect in a respectable amount of time is impossible. But tuning 10 to perfection is easy and fun. It's also easier to wrap your head around the tiny problem you're trying to fix.
It's even easier to do this when writing tests, they help you split a complex problem into smaller and simpler ones and focus on one, one at the time. Hack some code, make the tests pass, commit, update and repeat.
2. Every single change should make the whole better
Incremental Perfectionism, is like the poor-artist-on-crack perfectionism on a smaller, healthier scale. Don't try to make the whole thing perfect. But never ever settle for something that is not the best possible solution to the small problem you're solving. Don't copy paste some code because it's easier, don't comment out a block of code because it's faster, don't live with ugly code. But don't fix it all at the same time!
3. Refactor, refactor and refactor
Perhaps your understanding of the problem has evolve or you've learn a new and better way of doing something. Backed by a bunch of solid tests, listen to the code artist in you and refactor! Make the code beautiful, gorgeous, a piece of art, more perfect! Make the tests pass, commit, update and repeat.
svn -R revert .
If you feel you're breaking any of the previous rules, start over. Maybe your changeset is getting too big. You're trying to change too much things at the same time. If you're afraid to loose your precious code, commit your working copy to a branch:
svn cp . http://svn.icanhazcode.com/svn/branches/my_precious
or create a patch:
svn diff > my_precious.diff
then, step on your ego and
svn -R revert .
But since we're working with small changes, you haven't lost that much right ?
5. Read lots of code
A good way to trigger your imagination into moving your software closer to perfection is too look at how other people are trying to do it. Open source projects are open books into some of the best programmers mind. They've spent time trying several ways to solve a problem, don't spent your time doing the same thing!
I hope you find this helpful. Let me know how you're making your code more perfect!


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A camel is expected to be alright after it was hit by a car twice in one day Tuesday.
The first collision was at about 3 p.m., and the second later in the evening. Both were on Bailey Road.
The camel was seen walking around after both crashes, and is expected to be O.K.
Seeing a camel in that area isn't all that uncommon. Several camels live on a property nearby.


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Run, don't walk, over to The Skirted Roundtable to listen to this week's gabfest where the new topic is "Decorating On a Budget," which is filled with ideas and tips on how to save money while decorating. The Blogging topic of the week, "Photography on Blogs," will be up in the next day or two.
And big news!!!!!!! I bought a new microphone!!!! So the sound quality is much better this week – you can really hear my whiney, nasally voice loud and clear now. Megan is going to get one for the next week. And, I loved the anonymous comment on how I pronounce Cote deeee Texas. Not sure how to pronounce "Cote de Texas" like a French person would, so if anyone knows - tell me!!!
And even more big news!!!!! We are now on I-Tunes!! You can subscribe to The Skirted Roundtable on I-Tunes. Search for us there!!!
Finally, speaking for my radio partners Megan and Linda, we are having such a blast doing these shows and we hope y'all are enjoying them too. Thank you so much for listening – I can't tell you how much your support means to us!!!
To listen go here: http://skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/2009/05/decorating-on-budget.html


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This recipe has been cut in half, so you could double it and get more cookies. I made the dough the night before and covered the bowl with plastic wrap and placed them in the refrigerator. I baked them the next morning. Just not able to wait any longer. Very chocolate, gooey and good. I got about 23 cookies. After scooping them on the baking sheet I pressed them down just a little to help with spreading. Do watch the baking time. I baked them at 350 degrees
Double Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies
recipe from HEB "My texas Life"heb Texas-Chocolate-Chip-Pecan-Cookies
cookie madness
print recipe
heb- Texas-Chocolate-Chip-Pecan-Cookies
one cup plus 2 tbsp flour
3 tbsp baking cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup light olive oil
6 tbsp white sugar
6 tbsp light brown sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 large egg plus 2 tbsp of another beaten egg
1 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup pecan chopped
Chill dough for 24 hours if possible. Using your mixing bowl add the sugars and oil. Mix then add the egg. Then by hand add the remaining ingredients. Cover bowl and place in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and scoop your dough and bake in the center of oven for 10-12 minutes. Makes 2 dozen cookies.


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Recuse this, bitch!
From a piece in the New York Times Magazine, a profile of Robby George (D.Phil, Oxford University; JD, Harvard University; AB, Swarthmore College), America's foremost homophobic deep thinker. Of course the following analysis by yours truly (Mt. Lebanon High School '71) is based on what some guy said about what another guy thinks. That's hardly fair to Guy #2. But, then again, I'm hardly a researcher:
"He admits the argument for marriage between a man and a woman can require "somewhat technical philosophical analysis."
Go for it.
It is a two-step case that starts with marriage and works its way back to sex.
I think he's got it backward.
First, he contends that marriage is a uniquely "comprehensive" union, meaning that it is shared at several different levels at once — emotional, spiritual and bodily. "And the really interesting evidence that it is comprehensive is that it is anchored in bodily sharing," he says.
Like a tapeworm.
"Ordinary friendships wouldn't be friendships anymore if they involved bodily sharing," he explained to me.
No, they would be conjoined twins.
"If I, despite being a married man, had this female friend of mine and I said, 'Well, gosh, why don't we do some bodily sharing,'
Gee willikers, can I bone you?
and we had straightforward sexual intercourse, well, that wouldn't be friendship or marriage
How about if it was straightbackward sexual intercourse?
." It is bodily, O.K...."
"...but it is not part of a comprehensive sharing of life."
"My comprehensive sharing of life is with my wife, which I just now violated."
OK, you're a pig. So what?
"But just as friendships with sex are not friendships, marriage without sex is not marriage."
I'm free!
" Sex, George said, is the key to this 'comprehensive unity.'He then imagined himself as a man with no interest in sex who proposed to seal a romance by committing to play tennis only with his beloved. Breaking that promise, he said, would not be adultery."
Tennis anyone?
"The second step is more complicated, and more graphic."
Now you caught my interest
"George argues that only vaginal intercourse — "procreative-type" sex acts, as George puts it — can consummate this "multilevel" mind-body union."
Yay for the va jay jays.
" Only in reproduction, unlike digestion, circulation, respiration or any other bodily function, do two individuals perform a single function and thus become, in effect, 'one organism.'
Um, I think that would be 3 organisms in one orgasm. One - three, whats the dif? It's a Trinitarian view of the "Act".
Each opposite-sex partner is incomplete for the task; yet together they create a "one-flesh union," in the language of Scripture. "Their bodies become one (they are biologically united, and do not merely rub together) in coitus (and only in coitus), similarly to the way in which one's heart, lungs and other organs form a unity by coordinating for the biological good of the whole," George writes in a draft of his latest essay on the subject.
I'm sorry, but this porn does not work for me. Neither does the analogy. I wonder how long he keeps Mrs. George waiting while he thinks this whole thing through?
" Unloving sex between married partners does not perform the same multilevel function, he argues, nor does oral or anal sex — even between loving spouses."
Maybe not multilevel but definitely multitasking.
Infertile couples, too, are performing this uniquely shared reproductive function, George says, even if they know their sperm and ovum cannot complete it. Marriage is designed in part for procreation in the way a baseball team is designed for winning games, he says, but "people who can practice baseball can be teammates without victories on the field."
Kind of like the Pirates. Well, I know he's trying to dumb it down for guys like me with the baseball analogy but he fucking well lost me. Sex is "designed" for procreation. Marriage is about property rights.
"George argues that reason alone shows that heterosexual sodomy and homosexual sex are morally wrong, just as the Catholic Church, classical philosophers and other religious traditions have historically taught."
But not practiced.
"Unlike marital union in his special sense, he contends, such acts treat the body as an instrument of the mind's pleasure."
Invasion of the meat robots.
" As both a practical and a philosophical matter, he argues, the law should not necessarily police such things."
I agree.
" But the need for the state to establish a proper definition of marriage is a different matter, he says, because the law has always regulated it in the interest of parenthood and community. "Marriage in principle is a public institution," he said. "I don't think it can be like bar mitzvahs or baptisms or the Elks Club.""
And there is no evidence at all that allowing gays to marry injures children or communities. And if there is a nugget of a premise buried under that big pile of bullshit, I certainly can't find it. Strange that all the countries that have legalized gay marriage have not collapsed in utter social disarray and that people in those countries are still having babies. Another big picture guy so worried about who's sticking what where that he feels compelled to leave behind this little worm casing of reason. And he hangs with Scalia - that's probably all you need to know.


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So my adventures in reconstruction continue. Last night at 1:30a my right "breast" (that's the cancer side for any newbies) decided to start leaking. Yeah! Luckily it was just seroma, no signs of infection, so the resident plastic surgeon at the hospital just told me to cover it with gauze and get in to see my plastic surgeon in the morning asap, she'd let them know I was coming.
My hubby and I got about 5 hours sleep and trudged into the hospital. Thankfully they were moving well today, we got in to the room in about half an hour and saw the assistant surgeon in a couple minutes, my surgeon was only about a half hour after that. Long story short, the radiation didn't help the healing of this incision, seroma filled behind it and it pushed through a weak spot that was really thin skin. The fix? Cut the incision and re-suture.
They were prompt enough to keep me in until they could move me to the "minor procedures" room and set me up for the immediate slice and stitch. It's local anesthetic (honestly, I have no nerves there anymore so I didn't even feel the needle for the anesthetic), then scalpel, cut it back carefully (remember my implant is behind this skin), and sew me back up. For added benefit, he had the nurse find some glue (like Superglue, only "surgical" grade, by the looks of the container HA!) and slather that over top of the new incision. Some fashionable steri-strips to finish it off and I'm thanked for being a great patient, come back in two weeks!
I swear my breast didn't like the idea of being cut cold turkey from the hospital visits, so it acted up. Bloody stubborn breast!
If this finally heals proper then I will be waiting 6 months to see how everything looks. The cancer side is smaller, the radiation did make that side not stretch proper. I like to explain it to people that the left side is like spandex and the right side is like denim, one stretched fine, the other doesn't have a lot of give. If I really don't like the end result, there's lots of options. I'm just not out of the woods yet. Sooooo To be continued...


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Maine is a popular dining destination for seafood, especially lobster, and some exceptional restaurants can be found in Maine, in places such as Portland and Ogunquit. It also appears that Maine might be able to give Massachusetts some lessons in seafood, and not just in recipes.
However, let us first consider the fact that cod is getting more difficult to find on restaurant menus, as well as more expensive. That is partially due to the recent, significant catch reductions put in place by the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC). Two of their cuts included a 77% reduction on the Gulf of Maine cod limits and a 61% reduction on Georges Bank cod limits. The Council based the need for these cuts on scientific evidence that assessments of these species are at record lows. What are consumers to do?
As I wrote back in February, "People need to diversify their taste and embrace the less common fish available, which usually are less expensive and more sustainable." Doing this would not only help rebuild dwindling fish stocks, but would also aid fishermen who have had difficulty selling some of these less popular fish. These underutilized fish can be used to prepare a variety of tasty seafood dishes, and consumers would enjoy these fish if they only gave them a chance.
Maybe we need to take an example from a number of Maine restaurants which are addressing this very issue. The Gulf of Maine Research Institute has created a program called Out Of The Blue, "...to build markets for underutilized and under-appreciated Gulf of Maine species." With nearly 40 participating restaurants and food service companies, the program consists of 10 day promotions of specific species of local seafood on their menus. In 2013, the promotions included redfish, mackerel, dogfish, whiting and pollock. The next promotion will be held September 13-22, to promote whiting.
This program has even led to at least one Maine restaurant, the Inn By The Sea, to now serve only 100% Gulf of Maine seafood. This helps sustainability and local fishermen. As the U.S. imports a stunning 91% of the their seafood, any restaurant that supports only local seafood is doing a great job at supporting local fishermen and worthy of our support.
I would love to see a similar program instituted in Massachusetts, to see dozens of local restaurants uniting to promote underutilized seafood in weekly promotions. It would be easy enough to do. The hardest part is the will of the restaurants to take that step, and then the will of the public to support the promotions by patronizing the restaurants and supporting the use of those fish. We already have restaurants that promote sustainable seafood, and they would be the best at organizing at promotions of these underutilized fish.
So which Massachusetts restaurants are brave enough to take the first steps to such a program of weekly promotions for underutilized fish?


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Full Length of Kantemir in HD VideoNow you can watch full Kantemir in best look with duration 84 Min and has been launched in 2015-08-18 with MPAA rating is 4.
- Original Title : Kantemir
- Movie title in your country : Kantemir
- Year of movie : 2015
- Genres of movie : Thriller, Horror,
- Status of movie : Released
- Release date of movie : 2015-08-18
- Companies of movie : Indie Chi Productions,
- Countries of movie : United States of America,
- Language of movie : English,
- Durationof movie : 84 Min
- Average vote of movie : 3.1
- Youtube ID of movie : S_rxmMX7KIg
- Translation of movie : EN,SV,RU,EL,ES,DE,PT,FR,
- Cast of movie :Robert Englund (John), Diane Cary (Rebecca), Daniel Gadi (Nicholas), Justine Griffiths (Wendy), Stuart Stone (Brad), Bingo O'Malley (Ancient One), Joshua Elijah Reese (Officer Montgomery), Cindy Jackson (Paramedic), Sean Derry (Lars), Neil Samuels (Officer Wiles), Alanna Janell (Allison)
Movie synopsis of Kantemir :
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Director : Ben Samuels, Writer : Mark Garbett, Writer : Ralph Glenn Howard, Producer : Phillip Glasser, Producer : Brian Hartman, Music : Jeff Rosick, Cinematography : John Rosario
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Tags: small town, play,


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Entry 0183: Actus Essendi and Existence (V)
The connotation of existence and the notion of actus essendi are closely related, but they are not equivalent concepts. In the present context it should suffice to say that existence applies to that which exists in any way whasoever, whereas actus essendi applies only to that which exists as a subsisting extramental thing.
The notion of existence reflects the facticity of any state of affairs. Of anything that in any way whatsoever exists, one can say that its existence is a fact.
Actus essendi, on the other hand, refers to an innermost principle which serves as the ultimate ground of all the actuality, perfection, and knowability instantiated in a subsisting extramental thing of nature.
The possession of actus essendi necessarily results in having existence, but among existing things there are many which are not subsisting extramental things.
With reference to God, for example, Aquinas explains that knowledge of the existence of God is not the same as the knowledge of His act of being, that while we cannot know God's act of being nor His essence, we are able to know the existence of God.