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Over the last few months, I've practically buried myself in new jewelry without posting any of it, but now I'm finally starting to dig myself out. Here is the first batch of new items to go up in the shop! If you happen to see something that you like, just click the picture to go directly to the listing for that item! How convenient, right?
This blog is now exclusively devoted to crafting in general, and the shop in particular! Pretty much all of my personal content has been moved to a new blog, one that is intended primarily to help keep our family and friends in the loop. (If you are interested in following the new blog, you will find it here.) This blog will continue to feature shop news, new listings, sales, giveaways, and all of my share-worthy crafting exploits.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
2 comments:
- pearlswirl said...
Pretty stuff! :) I too am in such an inspired making kind of mood!
- May 5, 2013 at 6:19 AM
- Corinnea said...
Really, really pretty pieces! Nice job!
- May 6, 2013 at 11:11 PM
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subset: commoncrawl


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Why did I watch it?
A few years old already, I caught this on TV recently. I would like to go on record as saying I have not seen the original film or read the book so I won't be commenting on the necessity of the remake or judging it against anything other than its own merits.
What's it all about?
Denzel Washington and John Travolta square up as good and bad guy in Tony Scott's retelling of the 1974 original film. A group of terrorists led by Ryder (Travolta) hijack a New York subway train taking it's passengers hostage for ransom. Denzel Washington plays Walter Garber, a rail control centre operator unluckily overseeing the train's operations that day.
Should you watch it?
I'm going to get straight to it, upset fans of the original and say that on the whole I quite enjoyed this film. Don't get me wrong it is definitely not without it's flaws, none more so than the hugely anti-climatic ending, cut-out bad guys (except Travolta) and terrible character writing for James Gandolfini's Mayor but up until the ending I enjoyed Tony Scott's fast paced and stylish direction and Washington's performance. The opening sequence, in which the train is hijacked, is a fantastic sequence of New York both above and below ground, framed through quickly edited long-taken blurred shots of colourful taxis and trains all played out to Jay-Z's 99 Problem's.
Travolta's role see him reprise his familiar, unhinged and over the top villain from Face/Off (as Cage) that I can cope with in reasonable doses. Unfortunately, he is given a really clichéd profanity heavy script that doesn't do the film any favours.
The film works best when Ryder and Garber are separate and playing traditional roles of terrorist and negotiator and begins to stall when Garber leaves the office to meet up with Ryder. The less said about the film's ending the better.


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Sunday, March 7, 2010
When You Just Know
16 comments:
- Huckdoll said...
I am in complete awe.
Seriously, I rarely give online but this I will support 150%.
I love you and I've never been more proud of a friend.
- March 7, 2010 at 7:33 PM
- Jason, as himself said...
An AIDS raid of almost 50%.
I wish you all the best in your fundraising and preparations!
- March 7, 2010 at 8:44 PM
- katydidnot said...
i just shared these with my kids.
it's awful.
they kind of like the idea of them living in an orphan-headed household. until i explained that it isn't just a weekend, but would mean i was dead.
- March 7, 2010 at 8:49 PM
- Cheri @ Blog This Mom!® said...
Your heart is the biggest and brightest I've ever known. Ever.
- March 7, 2010 at 9:32 PM
- dkuroiwa said...
oh james. what an incredible thing to do. i'm just choked up over here.
to find what you were meant to do...how wonderful for you.
you. are my new hero.
- March 8, 2010 at 3:40 AM
- marlys said...
WoW! You continue to amaze me each time you update your blog! I have missed you but now realize you have been finding yourself -- and in such an incredible way. Is it too early to say I cannot wait to see your pictures and hear about your mission? I see this as your start in this great race of helping people. You finally helped yourself. You make me open my eyes a little wider each time I read your thoughts. Thank you for sharing (and of course I will be donating)! Thank you for being my moral compass today! LOVE YOU!!!
- March 8, 2010 at 6:10 AM
Wow! How awesome are you!?! I am so glad you are taking this journey, which will most certainly change the course and direction of your life and it's calling. You have been searching for more and maybe (possibly) this is it! How exciting!!! Can't wait to hear more and live vicariously through you!
- March 8, 2010 at 5:04 PM
- Krystyn said...
Jamie-wow. What a big and amazing heart you have.
I went to Nicaragua. I don't know if I could do Swaziland.
- March 8, 2010 at 7:55 PM
- Karen said...
I love you for this. Thank you for being available when He called.
- March 9, 2010 at 5:27 AM
- Burgh Baby said...
I love you.
- March 9, 2010 at 7:10 AM
- Courtney said...
Holy moly, I can't wait to hear all about this on our date. It sounds amazing, just like you.
- March 9, 2010 at 5:17 PM
- Life As I Know It said...
oh, good for you. I would like to do something like this, too, when my kids are a little older.
I think I understand about feeling moved and called to do something. What a great thing you are doing.
- March 16, 2010 at 6:11 AM
- kneesandpaws said...
You and your misson are on my mind. I'll be sure to keep checking for updates. All the best to you as you proceed on this heart-rending yet important decision.
- March 18, 2010 at 7:06 PM
- Lisa said...
yay you! seriously amazing!
- April 2, 2010 at 6:29 AM
- ~Swankymama said...
Wow! You inspire me!!!!! Good luck :)
- July 2, 2010 at 6:03 PM
- Burgh Baby said...
I miss you. :-)
- August 10, 2010 at 9:26 AM


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Some cool things have been happening in the land of Zack.
Yesterday was Scout Sunday which means some of the scouts in his Pack attend the church services of the church that allows us use of their facilities. Well Zack had a speaking roll in the services and much to my amazement he did exactly what he was supposed to do and did it very well. Proud of my little man.
Tonight we went to a local a.m. radio station for a tour with the scouts and he was asking questions, was amazed by some of the things the equipment could do and got to speak on air very briefly with the other scouts. He had a blast doing that. One the way home we turned that station on the radio and he about jumped out of the seat when he recognized the dj's voice.
Today was also report card day, he brought home an awesome report card! For that he was rewarded with a trip to his favorite frozen yogurt place.
Next month is the spring concert at school and his grade is performing that night. The music teacher sent home a paper asking if anyone wanted to be considered for certain rolls that would be included in the concert, Zackary asked if he could be one of the few to have a special roll but he did request to have a none speaking part, well he was told today he did get a roll. He was pretty excited about that. So I can not wait to see that!
I am pretty darn proud of my little man, he was once a shy hide behind mommy kid and would not talk to anyone he did not already know. Now he is making a name for himself and becoming more and more confident in the things he does. Love him.
17 hours ago


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Happy College Football Week! Been a long off-season people but it's finally here; college football.
We have had to deal with scandal after scandal. From the mess at OhioState to the Miami situation and throw in the Jordan Jefferson mess at LSU. Are you ready for kick-off like I am? I hope so. But just in case you missed some of the stories from this summer of scandal in college football, here is an update.
Let the race for No. 1 begin!


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Today was a crafting day for me!
I decided that "traditional" wasn't working for me,
so I decided to go with what I really love...
I used some thrifted upholstrey webbing to wrap a
straw wreath, and added a couple to red burlap roses and a grungy old funnel.
Two old folding carpenters rulers provided the starburst backer, and I tied some of my old bottles onto the wreath with twine.
I hung an old red enamelware pot lid in the center, and then tucked some greenery into the bottles and funnel. I have no idea what the two "swiveling hooks with handles" are, that are dangling underneath, but I like 'em anyway!
Happy Holidays, Everyone!!


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- Sunday: Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
- Monday: P. F. Chang's Mongolian Beef
- Yummy
- Tuesday: BBQ Chicken Rolls and salad
- use tortillas on this, i used wontons and they were ok.
- Wednesday: Breakfast
- Thursday: Easy Slow Cooker Pot Roast with vegies and rolls
- Yummy
- Friday: Take Out
- Saturday: Leftovers
- Bonus Recipes:
- Guacamole Sauce
- I place this in water bottle ice cube trays & freeze. DH really enjoys this on his wraps for lunch.
- Spinach Walnut Pesto (I had leftover spinach)
- I use spinach because it is cheaper & better for you than basil. I do throw some basil into the mixture to give it a more traditional pesto taste.
- I use walnuts because they are cheaper than pine nuts. Though I prefer pesto with pine nuts. I freeze these also in the water bottle ice cube trays.
- Chocolate Chip Scones
Ring in this year's holidays with your office family under budget by bringing them fabulous food, enthusiastic good cheer and a long lunch from Buca di Beppo. Whether your office party is onsite or at one of our festive restaurants with private rooms, Buca is your go to resource for to go menus AND eat-in delights.
Takeout that takes the cake!
Buca's to go menu offers a diverse selection of yummy foods perfect for your holiday office party. In addition to Italian favorites, Buca pulls out all the stops to bring you and your colleagues special seasonal dishes, such as roast turkey breast, whole-berry cranberry sauce and to-die-for desserts. And these tasty treats are available for your office Christmas party in affordable, extra large pans to go, each of which feeds up to 20 hungry worker bees.
To add peace and joy to the season, many Bucas offer lunch delivery and dinner catering.
Every Buca location offers office party ideas, catering for parties and lots of extras from on-staff, experienced party planners. And many also offer lunch delivery and dinner catering for your convenience. Our experienced employees accept orders online or by phone for freshly made Italian takeaway for next month, next week, next day — even next hour!
Luncheon catering doesn't get any better.
Our job is to make organizing your holiday company party easy so you and your guests can forget about your jobs, relax and have a great time. Call in your same-day takeout order, and it's guaranteed to be ready within one hour. Give us a description of your vehicle when you call, and we'll bring your holiday takeout food to you curbside — along with FREE plastic plates, serving and eating utensils, napkins and tablecloths. Or call one of our restaurants that deliver, and our fantastic staff will bring your freshly prepared order to the location of your choice, set it up and be ready for your crowd in just 3 hours.
For the easiest office party luncheon ever, bring business buds to Buca!
Every Buca consists of a series of party rooms and meeting spaces just made for a company party or festive business lunch. Your guests will love the vintage photos and decorations, especially around the holidays when Buca comes into its own. Have you ever noticed that Italian food is naturally red and green? Think tomato, fresh basil, diced pepperoni, crisp salad greens – why, even the Italian flag features holiday red and green!
Plus, our party planners and award-winning staff can help you add your own decorations or gifts. We'll be happy to spread good tidings to all as we serve delicious food family style. Guests at our catering restaurants can relax and enjoy sharing great food and each other's company in surroundings that encourage lots of non-work-related conversation. It's designed to turn your corporate party into a social, team building event to be remembered all year.
For restaurant catering at its best, contact Buca for your holiday office party.
For a casual gathering, order or make reservations at Buca online. For a larger, more formal do — give us a call. Just choose your local restaurant at bucadibeppo.com to find contact information, menus and all kinds of company event ideas for this year's holiday luncheon. Whether you're ordering holiday takeout for your gang, looking for party catering or the perfect corporate venue, you can count on the folks at Buca to help bring you and your co-workers together for a good time.
Don't forget to also visit I'm an Organizing Junkie for more menu plans.


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Tuesday, August 17, 2010
It Looks So Peaceful
Thrills Blog writer Alex Jurek points me to an interesting set of three-dimensional images showing what Warsaw, Poland--the setting of Alan Furst's 2008 historical espionage novel, The Spies of Warsaw (Random House)--looked like in the mid-1930s. Here is the main page, in Polish. Click on the word "Zobacz" to bring up the artwork.
Posted by J. Kingston Pierce at 1:04 PM
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Wednesday, December 03, 2008
4 Comments:
- Laurel Neustadter said...
Nice sketches.
- Penny said...
finally catching up again. I love Rufus and well as usual I think your sketching is great. My computer screen has gone blank so the laptop is attached to another monitor while they get a new light bulb, cant believe how I missed the wretched thing. Only trouble is I will get a crick in the neck looking at the monitor as the only place to put it was rather high up.
Madly trying to get stuff done for Christmas and so not much sketching, nice to look at the urban sketchbook site.
- Alison said...
Nice to see Rufus still chugging along
- Julie Oakley said...
Thanks Laurel and Alison. Quite amazing isn't it Penny, how much of a lifeline the computer and internet has become?


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On April 25th, four weeks after their interesting courtship ritual, Suni and Najin finally mated! 32 days later, on May 27th, they mated again. These recent mating activities provide a glimmer of hope for the critically endangered northern white rhino subspecies especially as they are Najin's first mating in over a decade!
News updates on the endangered animals visited by Douglas Adams and Mark Carwardine for their book "Last Chance To See".
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Hope for the Northern White Rhinos as Suni and Najin Mate; Twice!
Here's a quick update from the Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
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TRADE - SEPTEMBER 20th at WORK
theme: "Fall"
Our 1st employee trade! The theme was fall.
Cards by Cathy Kouris.
Card by Elizabeth Baddeley. She printed the image on printable fabric and sewed the design by hand!
Card by Gayle Baddeley (Elizabeth's mom). She used stickers for the pumpkin-head and drew the body by hand on the fabric.
Card by Ashely Hutteger.
Card by Kim Gardenhire.
Card by Mimi Mangrum. Reminds me of the PSP commercial.
Cards by Dayle Bennett.


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Tuesday , March 18, 2014 - 1:39 PM
Dealing with a negative work history can present problems any time, but especially so in today's slowly improving but still challenging economy.
In 2000, there were about 1.1 unemployed workers for every job opening. Today there are about 3.4 for every opening. In 2009, the number was as high as 7.8 unemployed workers for every job opening. That's a lot of competition.
While the odds remain stacked against job seekers, you will have a great advantage if you know how to effectively go about your job search, even if you have a negative work history.
When it comes to selecting new employees, employers are looking for someone they believe can do the job and someone they like, meaning a team player and an individual who will fit in.
If you have a negative work history, what employers are looking for remains the same, but they also need to know that the negative work history will not impact your ability to do the job and will not impact how well you will fit in as a new employee.
It is up to you to ensure a potential employer believes your negative work history will not impact your ability to do the job and to fit in on that job. More so than ever before, getting along with others is critically important as employers increasingly rely on teamwork to get the work done.
You may try to hide your negative work history and you have no obligation to offer information as long as you can always be honest, but many times it is impossible to ignore. For example, long gaps in employment will likely eventually come out in an interview no matter how you handle it on your résumé. You have to be prepared to address any concerns the potential employer may have about your negative work history.
The same rules apply to all job seekers, no matter their work background:
• Rule 1: Always be honest
• Rule 2: Always be positive
• And Rule 2 is never more important than Rule 1.
Understanding the importance of networking will significantly improve your odds. About 65 percent of jobs are found through networking, 15 percent through the Internet, 8 percent through recruiters and 12 percent through employment agencies.
A key to finding a job is to ensure you spend about the same percentage of time in each approach as that approach has of being successful. That is, since networking has about a 65 percent chance of success, you should be spending about 65 percent of your time networking.
Another key is to apply multiple approaches to any job opening you may find. For example, if you find an opening on the Internet or through a recruiter or an employment agency, start networking to find people who may work there.
Remember, if you know how to effectively go about your job search, you will have a great advantage, even if you have a negative work history.
Ron Campbell has worked extensively in the job preparation and job search industry. He can be reached at 801-386-1111 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
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Just Because
36" x 36" Oil on Heavy Duty Gallery Wrap Canvas
Contemporary Floral Palette Knife Painting
My inspiration for this painting was a beautiful arrangement that son in-law Wes gave to daughter Lindsay. I asked what the occasion was......."just because" was the answer that I got. I used thick strokes with the palette knife.
This painting is currently hanging at Dutch Art Gallery in Dallas. Sharon Hodges, Steve Hahn and I were interviewed for an article published last week in the local paper. Click for the article about Dutch Art Gallery's 50 year anniversary. I am working on a series of florals for an upcoming show...and getting ready for Christmas! Thanks for looking at this blog, Kay


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In the last post I mentioned that a tour with The Wiyos was fast approaching and our spring concert would be up and running again. Well, we just wrapped our final show and I am staying up late buzzing about all that I have learned from this experience. We went on the road...and not the glamorous road, the REAL road. There was nothing fancy about this trip. We went to small towns and did it the way it is done in the real world. The dancers were the crew AND the performers. We stayed up late in uncomfortable buses. I have never tried to find so many different ways to sleep in one tiny square seat.
The work was tiring and being away is always exhausting, but the experience is really priceless. The show was such a success and playing for an audience of complete strangers is intensely rewarding.
Every dancer should perform with LIVE MUSIC at least once! It changes everything, absolutely everything, about the way you approach movement.
I have experienced what it is like to build a character and expand that role. I know now what it means to find something new in every performance. In a show that is repeated so many times, you have to experience something new or the performance will become stale. Within this last month alone, something has clicked with me internally about being onstage. I now know how to be entirely in the moment. Stage presence. That elusive "thing" that cannot be taught has finally found its way inside of me. Something happened during a performance. It clicked and I cannot explain it, but I get it.
I am buzzing. I am scatterbrained and buzzing about my own little self discoveries and performance experiences. Learning and growing as an artist is the most exciting part about this crazy career choice. No one likes to plateau and I am ready to start climbing again....


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Whoa! It's real long since I blogged anything here. But I have been doing things all along. I didn't click any pics and kept postponing it. That is the sole reason why I have not been blogging anything till now. Even now I haven't clicked any pics. Thought I'll just update you guys on what all I have done till now.
I made a big crochet granny square. The colours are maroon and green. It looks like an accessory for Christmas. Well, I made it atleast a month back and it now is in place for where it was created - on my fridge. I'll click a pic and post it soooooon!
Next were my experiments with my lovely sewing machine. So pathetic of me that I have not clicked a pic of my sewing machine yet. Anyways, the first few days I used it to learn and refresh my sewing lessons. Straight lines, curves, zig zags, and on it went for a few days. Then I sewed up a hand clutch. Yes, I did it! Though not a perfect one, I just loved it.
Then I sewed and sewed and tried to learn stitching necks for dresses. It took me a while to learn it. And once I learnt it, I jumped on to a kurta project, for me. I cut an old big dupatta and within a few hours, my first kurta was ready :-) It is not fit to be worn out because it is a bit crumply at places owing to the nature of the cloth material. But yes, I am wearing it at home :-)
Later I had the courage to create a kurta from a lovely FabIndia cotton dupatta I had for some time now. It did not take me long to finish it and the end result was really pretty. And I wore it out as well. Few said it was nice, though nobody knew I had stitched it ;-) I was thrilled with the result.
After the success of the FabIndia dupatta-kurta, I have now another on In Progress. It is a lovely orange shaded fabric. Only the neck needs to be completed and a little bit of shaping up. Then the kurta will be done!
On the crochet space, I did have some green, yellow, and off-white yarn left from this project. I started making granny squares out of it to make a small throw for the winter coming up. But I am out of yarn now. So I have gone back to my old Big Pink Blanket again. I completed 3 more rows of shell stitched on it yesterday. It is almost over 2 years since I started on the project. I don't know how many more months or years I'll take to finish it. Being a long item, it is a bit difficult to sit on the chair and sew. Let's see how it goes.


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A report from Smart Mobs tells us that bloggers made the front page of the New York Times...
Strangely, I happened to have purchased a copy of that issue of the New York Times in New York on that day, and the front page pic and story was about the shelling of a Palestinian beach in Gaza, killing seven people
So, what's really the news here? Is it a blogger convention, or a bunch of innocent people getting blown up and a delicate cease-fire, with international implications, called off?? Perhaps it all has to do with time of day--if you're monitoring the news 24/7, the Israel story would be "old news" and completely irrelevant to you by a certain time of day. The blogging story might be relavent if you live mostly online or are deeply into political blogging (not to take away from what Smart Mobs reported, the piece in the Times also talked about the number of political tpyes that were circulating at Yearly Kos.)
Makes me wonder, though, about what we now consider the "front page"--is it now just our own personal front page, or the front page that will eventually make it to the archives of various libraries across the country?
I wonder if the Times reported on Scoble leaving Microsoft to vlog and such for Podtech.net. Probably not--but: good luck Scoble!
Journalism, citizen journalism, media, Blogging, Blog, Blogs


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The Strike List - Lots Of Good Stuff Coming
A very well circulated list landed on my e-mail heap a couple of days ago too, but it came while I was very, very busy with school and not able to run any updates. By now, lots of sites have carried the list and commented on what interests them most of all and, funnily enough, some of the bits and pieces that excited me have gone without much mention at all.
The full list, first of all. You can read it at Coming Soon (just to pull one site out of the hat). By now, the list is apparently a couple of week sold, so it may be slightly out of date, but it's a vague list anyway, not a set of concrete projects.
Martin Campbell is listed as attached to two projects: Villain at 2929 and Runaway Train at Fox. I'd have preferred Bond 22 be in his hands, instead of Marc Forster, but that's not going to happen, so hopefully these both can.
The Coens' Serious Man is listed, which suggest they may be preparing to segue directly into that after Burn After Reading wraps. Nice.
Josh Marston is named as the director of Curveball. I'm a huge Marston fan, on the strength of Maria Full of Grace alone, so this has me very interested. It may be the supernatural thriller that JJ Abrams is producing, but I suppose it also may not be - either way, it's a Josh Marston film. That's all I care about right now.
Focus are apparently teaming with Werner Herzog on The Piano Tuner.
Jean Pierre Jeunet's The Life of Pi still appears to be a going concern at Fox 2000. Good. I didn't much care for the book but it's been far too long since Jeunet's stepped foot on set for my liking.
Seth Gordon's Four Christmases looks set to go before his King of Kong fiction film, but that was pretty much known already.
Paramount have an Untitled Cameron Crowe Project - and I'm still head over heels with the last one of those (even if it did eventually get a title, before losing it again for 'the bootleg cut'). If anybody knows anything at all about this film, please tell me.
With no director yet attached, Tokyo Suckerpunch is still revving up at Sony. They also have Nora Ephron's Julie Julia and Jim Sheridan's Brothers.
Over at Universal at Billy Ray's Hurricane Season, Edgar Wright's Scott Pilgrim - pushing Ant Man to the back of the backmost burner, I imagine - and My Name is Jody Williams from Audrey Wells. After the Crowe, this was the most delightful surprise on the whole list for me - I wasn't entirely convinced Wells would be making many more films, nor in any hurry, but I'm utterly chuffed that she is.
There's a Tim Burton film listed at Warner Bros., entitled Spook's Apprentice. Another surprise listing, at least to me, I know very little of it, though I assume it's an adaptation of the books by Joe Delaney. Again, pass on what info you have.
I believed Richard Curtis was exclusively busy prepping The Boat that Rocked, here listed as Rock the Boat, but the Weinsteins have him down too, for a big screen version of Bernard and the Genie (incorrectly titled Bernard the Genie, but anyway). That should shift a few DVD copies of the BBC original.
Peter Chelsom's Tulip Fever is listed under the Weinstein banner too. I'm very hopeful for that one, though, like all of the other genuinely newsy entries here, I've no idea who is scripting, who might star, or anything much at all. It's a fair bet that this is an adaptation of the book, of course - indeed, I'm sure of it. But that's where my insight ends.
So, that's plenty for me to get worked up about over the next 18 months or so. What caught your eye?


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I submitted the first three chapters of a chapter book manuscript called BEG, BORROW, AND EARN.
"Can I get new sneakers?" David asked.
"You can wear the ones you have until the end of the summer. We'll get you a new pair, right before school starts," Mom said.
"Cool!" David's voice went squeaky. "I know what kind I want. I want a pair of black and white Ninja Heelys."
Mom was reading the label on a box of Cap'n Crunch . She looked over the top of her glasses . "I can't see the point in spending sixty dollars on a pair of sneakers that turn into roller skates when you already have roller blades."
"But, Mom, they're wicked cool! I have to have them or everyone'll think I'm a loser."
Things I learned:
1. She liked my dialogue and said she would read on. (smile)


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Complete with a fast connection, secure PIN protected sessions and efficiency-driven features, Momentum Meeting is the ultimate collaboration tool.
Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) February 28, 2013
Momentum, the number one most reliable hosted PBX provider, announced today at the 2013 Channel Partners Conference & Expo the expansion of its cloud-based platform and unified communications portfolio with the addition of enterprise-grade web conferencing.
Momentum Meeting is a browser-based web collaboration solution complete with a robust set of presentation tools and built-in audio and video support. Businesses can collaborate and connect effortlessly with a feature-rich solution that facilitates virtual meeting sessions with up to 250 attendees.
The application enables users to interact and share content from across the building or around the world - without the expense and time of meeting in-person. With the versatility of Momentum Meeting, employees can easily organize, manage and attend online meetings, webinars, sales demos, training sessions and even live support calls.
"The true value of collaboration tools is their ability to facilitate greater communication between customers and colleagues. Momentum Meeting is an affordable solution that empowers users to engage online, bringing dispersed teams together to discuss and work on projects in real-time, driving productivity, efficiency and a streamlined workflow," said Alan Creighton, President and CEO of Momentum.
Web conferencing services like Momentum Meeting help businesses reduce their carbon footprint, lower training costs and accelerate time-to-resolution, further facilitating a remote workforce model that more and more businesses are adopting every year.
Benefits and functionality of Momentum's virtual meeting application:
■ Share and Sync Ideas - Synchronized Browsing and Screen Share
■ Transfer Documents - PowerPoint Presentation and Online Media File Sharing
■ Outline Projects - Live Document Annotation and Interactive Whiteboarding
■ Solicit Instant Feedback - In-Session Polling and Survey Questions
"Complete with a fast connection, secure PIN protected sessions and efficiency-driven features, Momentum Meeting is the ultimate collaboration tool," said Creighton.
To celebrate the beta release, Momentum is offering a free 30-day trial beginning March 12, 2013. To learn more about how your business can leverage a web conferencing solution and to enroll in the free trial, visit the Momentum Meeting page.


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Published: 2002/10/23
by Dean Budnick
No Repression for Todd Pasternack (and a Hint of Seapods To Come…)
Former (and future, read on) Ominous Seapods guitarist Todd Pasternack has busied himself with the Lo Faber Band as of late. Pasternack, recorded and toured the group and recently donned the horns and a red union suit as Busby Beals in the stage performance of Faber's Henry House musical. At the same time he continues to write his own music and earlier this year he tapped his bandmates to join him in the studio to record White Out. This disc, which he released as Marlow, presents a series of songs thematically linked by a romantic relationship gone awry (an understatement).
Beginning at the end of October, Pasternack will be joining Faber Band keyboardist Devin Greenwood on the "No Repression Tour," where they will present much of this material. The dates begin on Halloween at Da Funky Phish in Bay Shore, Long Island and then the pair route south before returning to the northeast in mid-November. A full list of shows, mp3s and the like can be found at marlowmusic.net
DB- Let's start out with the Marlow album. How did that come about?
TP- A couple of tunes from White Out were going to be Seapods songs but obviously we took a break so that never came to fruition.
DB- Hold on, does "took a break" imply that there are plans for the Seapods to perform again?
TP-WellYeah, there's been some talk recently. There's been some talk about doing a few shows with a full cast.
DB- By a full cast I take it you mean there will be three guitar players? [editor's note: i.e. Including Max Verna. Who left the group at the end of 1998]
TP- Yeah. Everyone seems really into it because the pressure of being in the band won't be there. It'll be "Let's just go out and play these songs, do them justice, have fun with it and not worry about the bullshit that sometimes goes along with being a band and being on a label and having to deal with the pressure of getting ahead." I think we're going to do a few shows just to have fun and keep the music that the Seapods created alive.
DB- Well, I hope that happens. It would be a cool thing. With any luck we'll bust that story wide open here on the site [Laughs]. But back to White Out. In listening to it, it's clear that's a pretty heavy album, talk a bit more about its origins.
TP- Throughout the last years of the Pods I had this ridiculous, intense relationship with this woman who I fell stupidly in love with. I wanted to marry her, I just thought this was the one. But over time that year I started to see signs of an unbalanced emotional and psychological state and it really weighed heavily on our relationship. In effect, it also weighed heavily on the band because it was the most stressful time in my life. My music with the Seapods was my heart and soul and then this woman came into my life, who was tearing me away from it. And that's what the album is about, concluding with one of the most horrific events of my life which was seeing her trying to kill herself. The music just came out from there, man. There was no stopping it. The dam burst open and thank god I had the support of my family and friends, my musician friends especially. They encouraged me and said, "You've got to write this album."
DB- Given the nature of what happened, were you at all reluctant to present this relationship in such a public forum?
TP- No, I had no reluctance whatsoever. I felt I had no choice. This is what I do. This is what I am. I'm a musician, a songwriter. I'm the type of person who usually doesn't show a whole lot on the outside. Everything ends up coming out through music for me.
DB- When you perform these songs, to what extent do they summon the emotions that you associate with that period of your life?
TP- We did a few shows as Marlow already, with all the members of the Lo Faber Band. I remember the show in New York City especially. It was a week after the album came out and as we were playing some of these songs it really dawned on me again what I was singing about. By then it was a year after everything had happened and I was singing and looking at all the musicians who were there and helped me record the album and then it hit me. I almost couldn't finish. I got very emotional, it overtook me. That was the last song of the set because I wasn't sure if I could play anymore. I was emotionally wrought by the end of that show. It was just, "Oh my god I can't believe the hell of that year."
DB- Now on this upcoming tour you and Devin will be performing as a duo throughout the night?
TP- Yes, it's myself and Devin. He has an album of his own that he's releasing it's called AgaveGreenhouse. We're going to be doing both Marlow songs and Devin's tunes and a couple covers.
DB- So relative to these songs, in this situation you'll be all the more naked?
TP- Oh god, yes. [Laughs]
DB- Well that should be compelling action in its own right. So it'll be guitar and keys?
TP- I'm going to be bring my acoustic and electric guitars. He's bringing out his Wurlitzer, electric piano and maybe another toy or two. I have a good feeling about these shows. It's going to be different and I think that when people come out they may discover something new about what this scene has to offer.
DB- Well you've dubbed it the "No Repression" Tour so I would assume that you're a fan of alt-country bands?
TP- I'm a huge fan of Wilco, Son Volt, Uncle Tupelo
DB- Songwriting is obviously one of the hallmarks of those bands. Can you talk a bit about how you think your own songwriting has developed.
TP- When I started out I was more in the typical jam band vein, trying to sound like Zappa with some complex arrangements. It was kind of stump your audience, "Wait, what time signature are they in?" I think that's cool and I'm really glad that I went through it as a songwriter. At that point I had goofy lyrics because I was 18, 19 years old in my first group Mr Ferguson Band and what the fuck was I going to write about? Cutting class? I hadn't lived very much. It took me a while to hone in on writing better lyrics.
With the Seapods, I would sit with Dana [Monteith] and we'd hash out ideas and riffs until we got a good melody or maybe a good starting lyric idea and then we would take time with it. I can remember the first tour I did when we were starting to write the Superman Curse. The five of us would sit in the back of the RV and talk about ideas for lyrics, not just chord changes but "What is this song about?" It was a great time. The song that was the most fun to write was "Imaginary Money" because everybody had an idea about that and everybody chimed in.
Then I really got into Aimee Mann who is an underrated songwriter. She writes the ultimate pop songs in that they're catchy but at the same time they so have much emotion and truth. You know what, that's probably why it's not mainstream [laughs]. It's probably so damn honest that it's hard to take. Lately, I've gotten into Elvis Costello who's another amazing songwriter and his new album is just kicking my ass.
DB- It's interesting you mentioned those two because Aimee Mann wrote the music on Til Tuesday's Everything's Different Now, which is a real intense album about the end of a relationship andElvis Costello co-wrote "The Other End (Of The Telescope)" on that same release. So you have it all right there. Anyhow, moving on, in terms of approaching these songs in the live setting, to what extent will they stay within their current form and to what extent will you take some of them out for a spin?
TP- There are a couple of tunes that are straightforward songs and that's how they and there are some others that have so much potential for exploration and improv. For instance, the second song on the album, "Fallen Up," that whole outro is open. It's just these chords repeating and it's really moody and it can go anywhere. It can start off really quiet and then explode or it can remain as this eerie loop and you can add all these textures to it. Or there's "What Would It Take" which we did with the Lo Faber Band last week. Lo wanted to do it and we had this big Black Crowes outro, an extended guitar solo. But there are some songs I don't want to touch, they're not asking for it. They're saying, "Look Todd, this is what we are, you made us this way. Don't fuck with it."[laughs]
DB- To what extent do you see it as a something of a burden that when you tour with this material, most people familiar with your music associate you with improvisation and guitar solos?
TP- There are times when I'm really conflicted with it. There are times when I'm like, "Why the hell did I get in this scene when all I want to do is write solid songs and not have to worry about an audience saying, When the hell are they going to jam already?'" But I'm thankful to have support and I don't think I'm underestimating jamband audiences. I think they get music like this. I like to think, for instance, they have U2 in their collection and groups like that. I don't think it's just Phish, Gov't Mule, String Cheese and the Disco Biscuits.
DB- Although if you look at the music of the bands you named it is qute dissimilar. So someone who owns all four probably has eclectic musical taste.
TP- Right those are totally different groups, a fan of those groups has an open mind. You have to appreciate, I'm a guy who's coming from a history of jambands and loves it and appreciates it and I still love to rip on the guitar, it's a relief. I guess I'm just hoping that people will be open to this other direction and will follow me along. It's not like a Phish show where you can get down and dance all night. It's more open up yourself to what we're doing and try to go to the place where we're going to go with the music emotionally. It's not always joyful music.
That's another thing about jamband music, most of it is about celebration. That's great and thank god music like that exists, and not to say I'm the bringer of the big down, but I think I'm tapping into other emotions. There is celebration but it's celebration through revelation and redemption. There's the old cliched saying "I've been through hell and back" but it's true and people really live those lives. I know I'm not the only one.
DB- Fair enough. So you recorded and you're touring as Marlow. How did you land on that name for this project?
TP- I was searching and searching for a name. Ted [Marotta] and I were trying to think of a name because we started this originally. We wanted to be called the Somethings and then I went online and saw there was a band in New York City called the Somethings. I had to scrap that and I went on a mission to find I name. Around that time I picked up a copy of Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness which I hadn't read in a while and the character who tells the story is named Marlow, and I was like, "That's it!" I really liked the name, where it comes from, and the significance to me. So we just went for it.
DB- Some of your newer, post-White Out material is a little more upbeat. Do you think at some point you'll decide that you've outstripped the moniker?
TP- No, I think I'm just going to keep it. I like it. I told my friends that I'm going to treat it like Moby or Sting and they said, "Dude, if you think we're going to start calling you Marlow, you're crazy." [laughs]


text:
Food price crisis feared as erratic weather wreaks havoc on crops'What the world economy really needs right now is a break', one economist says, but instead it appears headed toward upheaval
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 22 July 2012
Freak weather in some of the world's vital food producing regions is ravaging crops and threatening another global food crisis like the price shocks that unleashed social and political unrest in 2008 and 2010.
As the US suffers the worst drought in more than 50 years, analysts are warning that rising food prices could hit the world's poorest countries, leading to shortages and social upheaval.
The situation has sparked comparisons to 2008 when high food prices sparked a wave of riots in 30 countries across the world, from Haiti to Bangladesh.
Researchers say rising food prices also helped trigger the Arab Spring in 2011.
Nick Higgins, commodity analyst at Rabobank, said: "Food riots are a real risk at this point. Wheat prices aren't up at the level they got to in 2008 but they are still very high and that will have an effect on those who are least able to pay higher prices for food."
In America's agricultural heartland, searing heat and sparse rainfall have left farmers helpless as their corn and soy bean crops wither in dry fields. Earlier this month, the US department of agriculture (USDA) slashed forecasts for the corn crop by 12%.
US agricultural secretary Tom Vilsack said: "I get on my knees every day, and I'm saying an extra prayer right now. If I had a rain prayer or a rain dance I could do, I would do it."
As it is, current weather forecasts suggest the drought will continue and experts fear the USDA may have to cut its targets again in August.
Dan Basse, president of AgResources in Chicago, said the government's prediction would prove too optimistic if the drought continues. "We've been traipsing through the fields of southern Illinois, and it is worse than the government says." more
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
The corn belt drought
2 comments:
I can assure you this is shaping up to be a huge disaster. The corn crop is already lost here in Central Illinois (some of the most productive corn land in the world), and the soybean crop is also well on the way to being lost, unless there is immediate rain. If you want a flavor for what the markets are saying about this, I'd suggest listening to the farm reports produced by WILL, the University of Illinois NPR Affiliate, the commodity week report is especially useful, if depressing. http://will.illinois.edu/agriculture/ReplyDeleteReplies
You are invited to write about this from central Illinois—which is shaping up to be ground zero for this. Email me. We need to discuss the possible outcomes of this catastrophe—there is probably nothing more disruptive to the real economy than a serious crop failure, after all.Delete
We are looking at weather forecasts—getting rain does not demonstrate drought. Wouldn't it be ironic if the drought broke with torrential rain that floods out whatever survived this far?


text:
Hello my little dollies!!! Sorry I have been gone so long, but I am back… and I am back with new super cute clothes. Autumn is here so we know what that means… leaves changing colors, cold weather, and all new clothes!! Now I have deviated from my typical fluffy dolly dresses with these outfits, but they are still super cute and perfect for autumn!!
These long skirts and warm tops are the perfect way to stay warm and stylish, and the colors blend perfectly with the changing leaves and warm colors that come with autumn.
Shirt: LUAS – Basic Modesty (Red)
Skirt and Gloves: LUAS – Rashida (Brown)
Hair: *Calico* - Mantha
Entire outfit: LUAS – Rebeca
Hair: *Calico* - Mantha
Entire Outfit: LUAS – Aliane (Beige)
Hair: *Calico* - Mantha


text:
Annual Arctic report card shows record warmth and retreating ice
Arctic's annual report card is out — and it's grim
The U.S.'s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has released its report on the state of the climate in 2015.
And it's not looking good.
Among its key observations: An increase in air and sea surface temperatures, a decrease in sea ice, the shrinking of the Greenland ice sheet and the changing behavior of marine life.
Not only were Arctic temperatures well above average, some areas saw the highest temperatures since record-keeping began in 1900.
For the second straight year, the Arctic is warming faster than the rest of the planet — a finding that was recently affirmed by Environment Canada scientists.
The warmer air and sea temperatures are melting ice that, in turn, expands oceans and causes sea levels to rise.
It presents not only a growing danger to human populations along coastlines but for animals in both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans as well, where populations have been thinning along with the ice sheets crucial for their survival.
The NOAA has been issuing Arctic report cards for 10 years now — a key tool in understanding how changes in the Arctic are impacting ecosystems.
Its chief scientist Rick Spinrad says it's time to start paying close attention.
"This year's report shows the importance of international collaboration on sustained, long-term observing programs that provide insights to inform decisions by citizens, policymakers, and industry."
Seventy scientists from 11 countries contributed to the annual peer-reviewed report.
Air and sea temperature increasing
The report says the average annual air temperature in the Arctic this past year was 1.3 C above average. Arctic Ocean temperatures also continued to increase. Mean sea-surface temperatures in ice-free regions in August 2015 were as high as eight degrees in some areas.
Arctic Ocean ice is reaching its maximum extent earlier in the year with record low coverage. The extent of coverage at its smallest point in the summer has been declining at a rate of 13.4 per cent per decade.
The trend is likely to continue at an exponential rate.
Now that much of the older, thicker ice on the surface has melted away in the past several decades, the exposed younger ice is more vulnerable to melting in the summer. Across the Arctic, snow cover over land has declined 18 per cent per decade since 1979.
Feedback loops
The melting and retreat of sea ice during spring means more sunlight is reaching the upper layers of the ocean. It also means more photosynthesis and ultimately more algae growth — the base of the marine food chain.
However that's not necessarily positive.
Widespread and exceptional phytoplankton blooms were observed in 2015 in Arctic seas. Arctic vegetation, as indicated by the satellite record, has been increasing over the past two to three decades, but not during the last two to four years where green tundra has been declining for reasons as yet unknown.
One of the report's major studies deals with the changing habitat for walruses. Traditionally, these large mammals use sea ice for mating, birthing, finding food and shelter.
In recent years, large numbers of walrus have been forced to haul out on land in northwest Alaska. Aerial surveys have shown major overcrowding which has led to deadly stampedes and food shortages.
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text:
Monday, November 5, 2012
Scavenger Hunt Sunday 11.04.12
5 comments:
- Katie said...
I love this set!
Your Thanksgiving decorations look great.
Those shoes are really cute! I like them a lot!
I'm glad you guys made it through your hurricane adventure safely.
The skates are adorable. I love the old school skates like that! Plus, they make it so much easier to not fall!
- November 6, 2012 at 12:08 PM
- Morgan said...
I love roller skating! Especially with those classic skates. :) Your daughters shoes are really cute. I wouldn't have known they were for a costume.
- November 6, 2012 at 2:08 PM
- Seizing My Day said...
Glad you escaped Sandy well enough to be blogging this week! ;) yikes! Love Classic... I had some of those..once upon a time! ;)
- November 6, 2012 at 4:36 PM
- Nicki said...
I adore your daughter's White Rabbit costume - and yep, those are wildly busy shoes. Love your vibrant and classic shots - those roller skates bring back loads of fun memories.
- November 10, 2012 at 9:34 AM
- Ida said...
Catching up on some of the previous weeks enteries.
I really liked your Vibrant shot and Wild (cool shoes).
- November 12, 2012 at 5:34 PM


text:
"O'er thy Pile shall Flames celestial burn"
Yesterday, a couple of my favorite local blogs observed the anniversary of the Boston Massacre with complementary poetry. [Actually, one of the blogs observed the anniversary last year, with a tweet reminder yesterday, and I didn't notice the older date. I should probably check the dates I'm writing on checks as well.]
Rob Velella's American Literary Blog reprinted Phillis Wheatley's poem on the death of Christopher Seider (which she spelled "Snider") on 22 Feb 1770. It also mentioned her poem about the Massacre, known from its title but not in her first collection—most likely because that book was printed in London, where the event had a very different political value.
William Henry Robinson's 1984 edition of Wheatley's writings and a 1998 article in the journal The Explicator by Antonio T. Bly suggested that the lost Wheatley poem was in fact printed anonymously in the 12 Mar 1770 issue of the Boston Evening-Post. Yesterday Caitlin G. D. Hopkins's Vast Public Indifference blog reprinted those lines along with some thoughts about how the newspaper presented them. Here they are:
With Fire enwrapt, surcharg'd with Death,At the time, Patrick Carr was still clinging to life. He would die two days later, bringing the official number of victims to five. However, Christopher Monk, badly wounded and apparently disabled as a teenager, may have died of complications years later.
Lo, the pois'd Tube convolves it's fatal Breath!
The flying Ball with heav'n-directed Force,
Rids the free Spirit of it's fallen Corse.
Well fated Shades! let no unmanly Tear
From Pity's Eye, distain your honour'd Bier:
Lost to their view, surviving Friends may mourn,
Yet o'er thy Pile shall Flames celestial burn;
Long as in Freedom's Cause the Wise contend,
Dear to your Country shall your Fame extend;
While to the World, the letter'd Stone shall tell,
How Caldwell, Attucks, Gray, and Mav'rick fell.


text:
Sailing the Seven Seas.
Mixed Tape Compilation #63 is a somewhat laid-back affair, as well as, from time to time being slightly melancholic. Starting with sun drenched yacht-rock grooves by Russian band Pompeya this mix is a journey towards the dusk of a warm night. Our travelling companions are a diverse mix of artists: on the one hand electronic music producers Bob Moses or NTEIBINT and fully-fledged rock outfits like The Phoenix Foundation and I Know Leopard on the other. In the mix you will find, as always, debut releases like "Calm Down" by Bombee and "Temple" by Wilde, as well as tracks from later albums, like "Settle Down" by LANKS or Peter Broderick's "One Way".
The compilation is available for free download on Soundcloud and iTunes. Each single track from the compilation will be made available for free download in the Mercedes.me portal exclusively.


text:
Recently tried recipes
Avgolemono soup. Simple and yummy. I doubled the veggies. It seemed too lemony at first, but I got used to it after just one bite. Baby loved it too!
No-knead mini artisan loaves. Too good to be allowed.
Hot chocolate. I left out the chocolate chips and used 2T powdered sugar in place of the agave. Very nice with almond milk, and so easy.
Quinoa chili verde. Yum! I left out the butter and water-sautéed the onion, then added 1 teaspoon cumin. I used the option for only 2 cans of beans and more quinoa. I also used green enchilada sauce instead of salsa verde because that's what I had on hand. Loved it and will make again!
Raw apple crumble. This was surprisingly fast to make and it was very good. I made a half batch and it would have served four generously as a dessert—but my apples were big.
1 comment:
Remember when you gave me that chicken broth recipe and advised to put the extra chicken in freezing bags? That's how I do avgolemono. I cook the rice separately. Then I sautée onions separately with dill and/or basil. Then I combine it all together and let it simmer. I don't add the egg and lemon juice until the heat turns off.ReplyDelete
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text:
Okay, first of all, I published CinderEddy on Saturday. Finally broke down and used my mom's account, and realized the next day that Five Glass Slippers had also been published that day. So that means that had I actually finished it in time to enter the contest and had won, it would have been published the same day anyways. If that makes any sense.
Anyways, here's the link:
Also, in celebration of this event, "The Sun Jewel Contest" and "The Prior Quest" are free until Wednesday night.
If you're apposed to magic, neither CinderEddy, nor "The Prior Quest" have any. At the moment, they are my only stories to not do so. Also, "The Sun Jewel Adventure's" magic is more in the form of a child's imagination from reading too many stories and fairy tales. The rest of the Bookania Quests do have magic, but Prior is clean.
Good books, all of them, or so I'm told. (A bit of violence in them, though Sun Jewel is the tamest, since it is told from the perspective of the Fair Maidens who go and hide when anything unfit for their eyes occurs.)
Anyways, on to the title.
I mentioned that the title of one of my plot bunnies is Fire and Song, and I actually finished the first scene today. (I'm doing terrible on this writing business, to tell the truth, as this first scene is pretty much all that I have written, although there is a first paragraph for the Beauty and the Beast one). So I'm going to post it. The reason for the title of this post is alluded to.
"Red berries are poisonous, right?"
Simmon glanced over at Dinna, the youngest member of their group, who crouched in front of a bush that was laden with plump red berries. "Not necessarily," he admitted, "but those are."
Dinna rocked back on her heels. "Oh."
"But you knew to ask questions, get a second opinion. That's good. Very good."
She stood up and spun around. "But it doesn't get us anything to eat. Let's keep looking."
"Hey, you're doing good, you've made it this far, even though everyone recommended that you waited until next year to climb to the roost," Simmon pointed out. "Don't expect too much from yourself. You're not Nixa, after all. Only Nixa's perfect at everything."
She shrugged and scampered off.
Frowning, Simmon thought about following, but he heard a step behind him.
"You're too hard on them, Nixa," he said without turning around.
An exasperated sigh. "How do you do that, Sim? You always know it's me."
He shrugged, and turned to face his best friend. "Maybe because it always is you. No one else approaches me so boldly."
She snorted and leaned against a tree. "No, I choose to believe that you're magic. We're so close to the Roost. Soon we'll know …"
"I can feel the wind under my wings already," Simmon admitted. He gave his friend a long critical look, then added, "I just hope you won't be too disappointed."
He saw her tense – though most would have mistaken it for an extra blink. "Why would I be disappointed?"
"Nixa, you may not have actually said what sort of bird you wish to shift into, but I've known you long enough that it's obvious." Simmon shook his head. "And you haven't been exactly subtle. I mean, it was quite obvious when you announced your desire to come here the day we received news of Luqua Waterbird's death. Besides, I've known for years that it was your desire to be an Elemental."
"Waterbird wasn't my first choice," Nixa admitted, shrugging. "But I'll take what I can get. We only had a few more months before we had to take our journey, after all."
"How convenient for you."
"I didn't arrange her death," she protested, rolling her eyes.
"Wasn't suspecting that," said Simmon. "We live a bit too far from the capitol for you to have pulled off such a stunt. But," he held up a finger before she could retort, "I wouldn't have put it past you had we lived closer."
"You think that lowly of me."
He arched an eyebrow. She arched one back. For several seconds, they just stared at each other, until she started laughing. He chuckled and took a step forward, taking her arm and turning her around so that they walked side by side. "The fact remains that you're being too hard on the younger members of our party."
Mirth died away. "We have to make sure they survive."
"Agreed, but we don't need to kill them with stress in the process. Let them fail a little – they'll succeed all the better for it."
"Sometimes, you say the most contradicting things."
"Just because two things contradict each other doesn't mean they can't coexist."
"Are you trying to get them killed?" Nixa turned around and started walking backwards, arms folded over her chest, eyebrow arched. "There are a lot of dangers out here. They could eat the wrong thing, wander away and be eaten, and a whole slew of other things!"
"But you don't have to be so condemning when you correct them," Simmon pointed out. "Believe it or not, Dinna, Loxor, and Mari think very highly of your opinion, and when your opinion cuts at them like it does …"
"Look, I'm flattered, but I'm concerned about more important things, such as us all surviving the climb tomorrow." She nodded over his shoulder to the mountain silhouette that rose behind them. "It's all we have left."
"I think I shall prefer the trip down."
"So will I," she agreed. "So will all of us."
"Which is why you need to be more encouraging to the kids. We don't want them to make stupid mistakes because they're trying to impress you."
"I won't be impressed if they make a stupid mistake."
"Neither will I." Simmon shook his head as she returned to walking beside him. "But you're driving them to it."
"I think I'm looking forward to when you're trapped in an apothecary grinding at your herbs, and I'm making laws that will make everyone's lives better at the capitol," she said impudently.
"I think you'll get lonely quite quickly," Simmon countered. "I know I shall without you to keep me on my toes."
"You need someone to keep you on your toes."
Monday, June 16, 2014
Of Water and Herbs
Knitted by Kendra E. Ardnek at 10:45 PM
Labels: CinderEddy, Fire and Song, Free Books, My writings
3 comments:
Congratulations on publishing CinderEddy! I think I mentioned it already, but I love that you swapped the genders of the characters! I think that's a really unique twist!ReplyDelete
I really liked CinderEddy!ReplyDelete
Congratulations, Kendra!! I'm looking forward to reading CinderEddy and so are my Mom and sisters.ReplyDelete
Ooooh, I LIKE that scene!! It's fascinating! I like Simon. :)
Hi! Now that you've read my post, hast thou any opinions that thou wouldst like to share? I'd love to hear them!
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text:
Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter. (Ecclesiastes 10:20)
The words/text have given rise to the little phrase which you sometimes hear when the question is asked: How do you know I said this/that? Who told you?
The answer is sometimes given, complete with a little smile:
A little bird told me!
Here is the source of that rather secretive reply
Another case of where the Bible has influenced the everyday language of the people
It was considered treason to curse the King
Whatever your thoughts might be…it were better that you kept them to yourself
The modern idea of freedom/speech and liberty to express contrary opinions were hardly even thought of then
You kept your mouth shut and you kept your head down
There was nowhere safe
Even the bedchamber - that most private of places - could not be considered safe
Many a man has been trapped by his own pillow talk
There is an incident in the life/Elisha where the King/Syria was told that Elisha was able to repeat the very words he spoke/his bedroom
The law/God forbade the cursing of the Ruler - here Solomon goes further and chains the very thoughts
Once an idea is born in the mind…it can grow and will soon escape the lips and the damage is done
The reference to the bird is the very opposite of secrecy.
It is a bird of the air
It can fly where it wants and you are helpless to stop it or plan its flight
The whispered words, designed for absolute secrecy, are soon spread abroad/common knowledge
Listen to the words of another:
It is dangerous to speak, where secrecy is required. The thought is thine own, while you keep it to yourself; but once the cage is opened, and the bird let loose, who knows how far its flight may bear it? You tell it to a single friend. He tells it to another, who mentions it to a chosen few. The cord is loosened; then it is slipped, your bird will no more roost in secrecy. Learn to keep your secret to yourself. It is snug to know that the bird is in the cage, securely fastened. And though it flutter against the bars, desiring its liberty, still keep it close. No harm it will do while there. What mischief it might do if let loose, you know not.
We want to think (today) about this bird/air that carries the conversation
Solomon reminds us: the tongue, though a little member, can do great harm
It doesn't take much…for the bird cannot carry much in its little beak
James said that the tongue, although a little member, can boast great things.: Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth.
But the Christian is not commanded to be dumb
James also spoke of the tongue blessing God.
Surely the little bird that can carry the words/rebellion can just as easily carry the words/loyalty also?
It is on this more positive note that we desire to speak
What communication should the bird/air be carrying from our thought life/bed chamber to listening ears/others?
4 things
A/ A more glorious subject/conversation cannot be found
Other subjects are glorious
We may speak of great heroics whether on battle field/sports field/personal lives which serve to spur us on to greater heights
Well/good (as far as it goes) but we cannot equal/surpass the glory of the Lord Jesus
The record God gave/His Son makes all others pale/insignificance
[1] Let's talk of the glory which He had before the world began
No time/no universe
Three Persons in One Godhead fellowshipping supremely and happily one with another
God /Son one of the Glorious Three
Supremely honoured by the Father
Then the world is created
Angels come on the scene & they worship Him
Man falls and the Son is revealed as Promised Saviour
Although imperfectly…yet He is adored/looked for by the OT Church: Abraham rejoiced/see His day – saw it & was glad (John 8:56)
[2] Let's talk of His incarnation (Galatians 4:4)
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
What condescension!
Weak (Though sinless) human flesh
Born into a manger to poor parents
Flight/Egypt etc.,
Are these not glorious subjects?
[3] Let's talk of His great ministry
Healings/Miracles & above all His teachings:
Never man spake like this man (John 7:46)
Is the message/grace not a marvellous thing?
[4] Let's talk of His atoning death: As worded by Charles Wesley:
Tis mystery all! The Immortal dies! - Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the first born seraph tries - To sound the depths of Love divine
That He should die at all is a great mystery…
that He should purposely die for His worst/enemies is wonder/wonders
[5] Let's talk of His resurrection from the dead
His Ascension/Present ministry. His return etc.,
[6] let's talk of he message/gospel of full salvation by grave through faith alone: Marvellous beyond any compare
B/ The early Christians so centred their speech on these things.
Let's do away with thought that this is fanaticism
Christians: are free to discuss other things e.g. politics/sport etc.,
We are not hermits living on some remote island in the middle/nowhere
We ought to be capable of contributing to every day conversation
But what a man truly loves will soon come to the fore
We all return to favourite subjects
Totally committed politicians will return to the various debates
Economists will discuss the latest figures and forecasts
Christians therefore will speak oft about Christ
We sometimes sing, do we not?
I sing, for I cannot be silent – His love is the theme of my song
If Christians are always harping on a worldly thing - then it is evident that Christ is taking second place
We have gone beyond ordinary speech – the politics/sport has taken over
We are betraying the bias of our hearts towards the world
It may be a struggle – but at least, let there be a struggle
Let it not be that we fail to mention Christ from one Sabbath/next
The early Christians are good examples to us
Key verse: Acts 8:4 gossiping/word.
These aren't the apostles (8:1) Just the ordinary 5/8ths Xians
So natural to them to spread the gospel
Evident it was no put on nor was it superficial
People detect/hate such
Even if disagree…know when genuine
C/ Speak about the Lord Jesus
Think of the two on Rd/Emmaus
Much we can criticise - but not this:
The conversation turned immediately to Christ:
And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: (Luke 24:17-19)
Immediate because it was natural.
They did not make use of the supposed Stranger to relieve themselves of their burden for spiritual things
Such is the thought in our text
Words do not die
Words get recorded/repeated
Words become famous
Words become (like text) proverbial & live for ever
A/ Solomon taught this elsewhere:
Word fitly spoken…apples/gold in pictures/silver.
Again: 15:23 Word spoken/due season…how good is it
Why? Because it lives on - Has a good effect
B/ As Christians we have begun to make sure the birds fly with message. Employed (successfully) those modern means of mass communication
Printing press/radio/TV/www. etc.,
Good. But there is something better (quality wise) i.e. by word/mouth
Somebody repeating what you said in your enthusiasm as a Christian
Hard to beat the personal word!
Puts flesh on doctrine
Personalises impersonal words from a distant land in an distant age
Makes it real
C/ Think of influence you can have
The little bird carries your speech
Into home/friends/work mates/customers/school among teachers/pupils &c,
Even people unsympathetic (context) can carry your speech for you
Do you hear what that nutter outside said…?
God works in mysterious ways
Text again shows that.: twittering bird carrying words
God uses despised means
Sparrow was used by Jesus to denote most common thing
God can work unknown to us
Little bird was unsuspected
D/ It is exciting isn't it!
What power lies in your tongue. But you must use it
If you keep the bird caged…no good can be done
It must be loosed and let go
Don't be a dumb Christian
A/ Which, followed after by our enjoyment, is the chief end of man
If your speech is Christ centred/Christ uplifting…then God will be glorified
B/ Seen (dramatically) when Angels announced Birth/Christ to Shepherds - What happened?
The Shepherds responded most positively and they themselves repeated what they heard: Luke 2:17-18/20
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
God was glorified.
C/ God is never more glorified in salvation/lost soul
Angels in Heaven rejoice (Luke 15:7)
Great cry of the Redeemed is the song/Moses & Lamb
In no Christian testimony…should man ever get the glory
It is all God: none seen but Jesus only
A/ Cannot if for God's glory
In text, speaker brought upon himself more than mere shame
Endangered his liberties/life
Possibly implicated others (listeners)
Affected his family etc.
B/ Speak God glorifying words (e.g. gospel) & although you might be unpopular (in that sense shamed) yet your shame is not shame
Paul was often humiliated by men, yet he could say:
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. (2 Timothy 2:12)
If your speech is seasoned with grace/salt…hold your head high
If God commends it & does not condemn it
(Sound speech which cannot be condemned: Titus 2:8)
then what are men's sneers?
Not against you…but against Christ (Acts 9:5)
Words (text) against the King
C/ Word to unsaved…Curse not the King
Do not refuse Christ's offer/salvation
Such refusal effectively says: We will not have this [King] to reign over us
God sees that type of talk simply as rebellion
You are already his by creation and providence
You are happy to take all the benefits but you do not yield your heart
Let me show you a better way:
Embrace the gospel of free grace now and you will experience reality/God's wonderful salvation from sin


text:
Postdoctoral Fellow: ARC Centre of Excellence for the History of Emotions
University of Melbourne - Faculty of Arts
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text:
Love An Alien Concept !
It's the difference in us that makes us tick
Things just happen, like magic, a sudden click,
No enforced stereotypical ideology,
No adhering to social or philosophical philosophy,
Just following our intuition,
Fighting Inbred humans inhibitions,
Let love go with the flow,
Allow it to breathe and grow
Blank out peoples Incredulity,
Celebrate love and Individuality
True Love is hard to find, a real scarcity
So rejoice, celebrate, it's rarity!
Love Conquers all
Boundaries and perceptions,
Love Is Love
There are no exceptions !!!


text:
Armie Hammer covers L'Uomo Vogue
Armie Hammer covers the December 2015 issue of L'Uomo Vogue. The magazine unveils three additional covers. Actors Armie Hammer, Kurt Russell and Kodi Smit-McPhee grace distinct covers snapped by photographer Francesco Carrozzini.
I have added 2 magazine scans and 2 photos from the December issue of L'Uomo Vogue to our photo archive.
He talks quickly with a tone of voice that conveys ener- gy, courtesy, enthusiasm. He comes from an upper-class family (his great-grandfather was the founder of the Hammer Museum); he was born in L.A. but grew up on the Caymans. When he was 12 he was bedazzled by ac- tion movies and decided that his future was in films. "There's not a role in this business that doesn't fascinate me. I'm seriously considering becoming a director, with my wife (Elizabeth Chambers, editor's note) as the producer".
In the meantime, however, he's a super-busy ac- tor. «In "The Birth of a Nation", the story of a slave re- bellion in Virginia before the American Civil War, I'm a plantation owner who helps his slaves learn to read and write. I accepted to do Free Fire, which was all shot in one room in real time, because I really wanted to work with Ben Wheatley, a director who has always surprised audiences with movies that are all very different from each other. I'm currently shooting "Nocturnal Animals", helmed by Tom Ford. I play Amy Adams's husband, but the lead male is actually Jake Gyllenhaal. In addition to directing the movie, Tom also wrote the script. He has a maniacal attention to detail and personally supervises all the hair and makeup tests. For the first time in seven years I'm filming in L.A., and I can go home every evening and take care of my daughter. She'll have her first birthday in December, she has changed my life for the better in at le- ast a million ways. I even love changing her diapers! Then I'll be in Stanley Tucci's "The Final Portrait", a movie about Alberto Giacometti starring Geoffrey Rush».
The- se films are all potentially more interesting than the 29-ye- ar-old's last few. After debuting to high critical praise, he appeared in "Mirror Mirror", "The Lone Ranger" and "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.". He, however, seems to re- member them all with equal pleasure. «If, today, I had to take on the double role of the Winklevoss twins in "The Social Network", I'd be aware of the difficulties whereas at the time I was simply thrilled at the opportunity of studying the psychology of two characters instead of just one». Of his Clyde Tolson in Clint Eastwood's Hoover biopic, "J. Edgar", he remembers that «On the first day on the set Clint asked me to smile at DiCaprio, without telling me anything about the scene. We smiled at each other and Eastwood said: "OK, print that". I was astoni- shed; I'd just come from filming with Fincher, 60 takes for every single scene. The hard part was playing my cha- racter as an old man. I had to get up at four in the mor- ning for a six-hour makeup session. It was like having my face encased in rubber, I could hardly move it». No em- barrassment about playing DiCaprio's lover: «Leo is awesome, incredible. He's totally serious on the job, always concentrated».
Armie played the prince in "Mir- ror Mirror" because he was interested in working with Tarsem Singh after seeing the director's "The Cell". And he had lots of fun on the set with Julia Roberts. «"The Lone Ranger" is the most challenging movie I've ever done. One hundred and sixty days non-stop of shooting and a major physical training program because although there were stuntman, if you want to know what kind of expression you have when you fall off a horse, you have to try falling a few times. Not to mention the director who said to me, on the second day, "You have to be more expressive". But I wore a mask nearly all the time, so I couldn't use my eyes. I had to learn to be expressive through my posture, the movement of my shoulders. It was a pleasure to work with Johnny Depp, he's a very generous actor. It was also fantastic to be part of the cast of Guy Ritchie's movie (editor's note: "The Man From U.N.C.L.E."). We all spent lots of time together at his house to prepare for shooting, it was a lot of fun. I'm only sorry I missed the chance of working with Tom Cruise; when I signed up for the movie he was suppo- sed to play my rival, the American secret agent Napole- on Solo. But he left two weeks before filming started»
Photo by Francesco Carrozzini
Fashion editor Robert Rabensteiner
di Fabia Di Drusco
Gallery Links:
– Armie Hammer Online > Publications > 2015 > [December] L'Uomo Vogue
Photoshoots > 2015 > 004: Francesco Carrozzini


text:
Some while ago, inspired by this post of Orwell's Picnic, I invested a considerable amount of money in a box set of Star Trek – The Original Series, and never looked back. A minor irritant, however, was that I could only receive the delivery of the DVDs in person, showing my ID, because they were age-restricted (cue the hassle of making an appointment with the delivery service, getting up in the early morning on Saturday, and the embarrassment of signing for age-restricted DVD packed in discrete brown envelope…)
This week I watched the one (!) episode out of 79 that earned the whole lot an 'age 16 rating' in Germany (nothing but definite p**n gets anything worse here, according to my – admittedly extremely limited – knowledge).
It is this:
Patterns of Force. The Enterprise is looking for a historian who was sent to observe a primitive civilization, and who, as it turns out, was so appalled by the Ekosians' local squabbling that, non-interference directive or not, he decided to do something about it, though, to put it mildly, not with the best historical judgement.
Not to get me wrong: the episode may be in rather bad taste and has a number of glaring faults. One is the fact that most of the characters believe the National Socialist state was an efficient, though psychotic and evil, one, which is of course utterly wrong (Albeit, apparently, an opinion that was held at the time in the States [add Star Trek fandom source I am too lazy to look up here]). Another one is that if the generally kind and good historian (Gill, I think) just wants to copy what is good (?) about the Nazis, why does he import symbology, troop types and the like wholesale?
Still, from there on, it is pretty much 'Some anvils have to be dropped'. The Space Nazis are probably the most unalloyedly evil evil guys in the whole of TOS. First thing we see is them battering an apparently harmless civilian in way as brutal as not otherwise shown in TOS normally. The absolutely pacifist ethnic group to be eliminated (from a neighbouring planet with the best of intentions and behaving nobly throughout) come from the planet Zeon, and have names such as Abrom, Isak and Davod. The Space Nazis, leaving dying people in the street and mocking them, plus preparing wholesale annihilation of the Zeons both on their own and the Zeons' home planet, are also rather foolish: easily taken in by the valiant resistance double agents, and enthusiastic about the meaningless aggressive catchphrases Gill, now a mindless drugged puppethead of an evil Second in Command, spouts out. Probably the least attractive evil guys in TOS, IMHO.
So what we get is Kirk and Spock, after escaping from their prison cells, running around in SS uniforms to save the day by deceit, the morbid fascination about watching them doing this lying in the utter opposition of what they and these uniforms stand for. O.K., there is the rather blue-eyed ending assuming that Gill dead and the whole madness unmasked, everyone will be reasonable again (but then again, that was about the hope of the Stauffenberg assassination attempt, and oh if it just would have worked!).
The fact that the episode was not shown in German television until decades after the original airings, and then late at night (if 'in rather bad taste' was a criterion, what about 'The Empath'?), should elucidate to non-Germans the depth of the German National Trauma, that allows none but the most chest-beating reference to 1933-45, no fun made about that period, nor any light entertainment, be it ever so obvious about who the really, really bad baddies are. Just so that you think before you make you next Nazi/Hitler joke while we are listening.


text:
According to the New York Times:
The chief executive of the Toyota Motor Corporation said Monday that he is pushing his company's engineers to develop a plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle with a lithium-ion battery before 2010, raising the stakes in a race with General Motors.
They also said that it would release 2 new Hybrid cars at next years Detroit Motor show, including a larger Hybrid Toyota car and a new Lexus Hybrid.
This was also reported by HybridCars.com .


text:
I'm so old that my first playlist was on a Sony Walkman, the cassette kind. That's right folks, I used to run to a mix tape. I'd run around Memorial Park in Houston singing, "Let it Be Me" at the top of my lungs. I didn't mind all those looks I got; I was inspired! I picture Phoebe when I imagine myself back then.
For the last couple of years, I've been exercising in front of the TV since I exercise at home. However, since I've gone back to running, I've realized that it just doesn't distract me enough. And it doesn't make me want to move my feet. When doing hard things, we need inspiration.
I decided to use beats per minute (BPM) to help me build my playlist. The easiest way I could find to do this was with an app. After admittedly minimal research, I chose Tempo Magic Pro. I like it because not only does it analyze your BPMs, it can adjust them without ruining the song. You can actually y adjust them while they play! I have a lot of music on my iPod, so I don't tend to adjust the BPMs that much, I just look for songs that have the beat I need. Using BPMs made it easier for me to add intervals to my playlist. When a faster song comes on, I match my footfalls to the beat. I push hard through that fast song knowing I can change tempo with the next one. It keeps me pressing forward. In case you also want to move beyond the mix tape, here are a couple of tips:
- Your playlist should reflect you.
- Add your favorite songs first.
- Search your device for songs of a certain BPM. What you find might surprise you! I added "Timber" by Ke$ha because I just love the beat,
- Add inspiring songs. Don't underestimate sentimental value; I added Carrickfergus to my cool-down because it reminds me of a heart-warming time in England and a group of people dear to my heart.
- Add some just fun or silly songs or old songs
- Order your list and see what's missing. I decided I wanted a longer warm up, so I front loaded a couple of slower songs.
- Try to start and end on an inspiring note.
- Shape your BPMs like a bell curve if you're building an interval mix.
It's your turn! Break up with that bad boyfriend playlist and get a fresh start. Shake it off. You know you've hit it when you're running along and you tears are running down your cheeks while you sing, " I am a woman on a mission. Nothing CAN stop me, I'm stronger than ever! I'm gonna see it through."
Here's my current playlist. Be warned, some of the songs are a bit "colorful." If you will take a minute to share your playlist with me, I'd love to pick up some new inspiration. On your mark, get set, go!
1. Fight Song - Rachel PLatten BPM 88
2. Proud - Heather Small - BPM 103
3. Let's Get it Started -The Black Eyed Peas - BPM 102
4. I Want Candy - Biggest Loser Workout Mix - BPM 144
5. On a Mission - Miss G - BPM 90
6. We are the Champions - Queen - BPM 63
7. You Gotta Be - Des'ree - BPM 94
8. Shake if Off - Taylor Swift - BPM 160
9. All About that Bass - Meghan Trainor BPM - 135
10. I Won't Give Up - Jason Mraz - BPM 91
11. Timber - Ke$ha - BPM 130
12. Everything is Awesome - Lego Movie - BPM 141
13. Good Girls - 5 Seconds of Summer - BPM 142
14. Beautiful - Christina Aguilera - BPM 75
15. Mountaintop - The City Harmonic - BPM 63
16. Carrickferghus - Loreena McKennit - BPM 60


text:
Audio recording clip of interview with Alma Whitney by Claytee D. White, March 3, 1996
- Digital ID
- ohr000029
- Title
- Audio recording clip of interview with Alma Whitney by Claytee D. White, March 3, 1996
- Narrator
- Material Set
- Interviewer
- White, Claytee D.
- Description
- Part of an interview with Alma Whitney by Claytee White on March 3, 1996. Whitney describes her experiences as a maid and discrimination in her job.
- Identified Individuals
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- Neighborhood City / Town
- Source
- ora000091
- Original Collection
- Original Date (interview)
- 1996-03-03
- Subject (FAST)
- DC Type
- Genre (TGM)
- Language
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- This material may be protected by copyright. Personal, including educational and academic, use of this material is without restriction; but acknowledgement of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, University Libraries is requested whether the use is oral, web or in print. Commercial use of any portion of this material requires permission. For further information please contact Digital Collections: http://digital.library.unlv.edu/contact.
- Digital Publisher
- University of Nevada Las Vegas
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- 01:37:12; 1,618,491,772 bytes
- Master File Format
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- 24 bit PCM; 96 kHz
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text:
You can buy all sorts of candle making kits and they are normally pretty great for the amature candle maker. If you are unsure of yourself give one of these a go and see how you get on.
This tutorial uses a recycled mini jar, wax (which was pre-sented using oils and coloured with old wax crayon shavings), wick and some tissue paper to cover the lid. All you need to make it is a double stove top burner, HOWEVER you cannot share this with you food equipment! I'm also going to give a few suggestions to help the cleaning process.
One. Clean out your jar as normal, fill it with boiling water and let stand. After an hour or so empty the water and let air dry.
Two. Get your wax ready – cut, shave, chip or grate your desired amount of wax away from your block in whatever fashion you like. If it is your first time try a few methods until you find the one that best suits you.
Three. Get the water boiling in your bottom pan. Water and wax don't mix well, you'll end up with a hot mess so try to be careful not be splashing around everywhere. Put the wax from point two into the top pan and put over the boiling one. I'm always amazed at how quickly it melts! Swirl around every now and again and when everything is melted take the top pan away. Let the wax cool slightly. Be REALLY careful hot wax is very dangerous!
Four. As you are melting your wax get your final jar prep ready. Trim your wick a little too long as you can trim it at the end. If you are using a tiny jar like me you can wrap the top of the wick (if pre waxed) around a toothpick and balance that on top of the jar giving it a nice central position to ensure the best result when burning. You can use a bbq skewer if you want something bigger.
Five. Put some old plastic packaging where you are going to be filling the jar as wax is a really hard thing to clean away and this way you can just throw away the plastic if any drips…drip. Pour most of your slightly cool wax into the jar (exciting!!) taking great care. Fill your jar about 1-2cm less than your final desired level. Now leave to cool for an hour. As the wax cools you will find that it dips in the middle.
Six. When your wax is cool enough to touch you will find that you have a crater in the middle, you now need to top it up. Use the leftover wax (it needs to be of the same batch – especially if you are making your own wax combinations) which may or may not need to be reheated slightly. Pour this to fill the crater but ensure that it also fills a cm deep across the whole surface of the jar. This stops any problems of air spaces when burning.
Seven. Leave to cool completely, trim the wick. Use paper and PVA to decorate the lid and there we go.
Eight. Now to clean – you NEED to do this immediately…or there will be trouble ahead. Pour any residual wax back onto your block or into a new container. Throw away the plastic you were pouring over. While your pans are hot (but not scalding) use kitchen roll/paper and wipe the inside of the pan. You'll be amazed at how much wax you cannot see that comes off, I'd suggest doing this at least three times and a quick one in the boiling water pan. No need to scrub in the sink but make sure that you DO NOT USE THIS PAN FOR COOKING FOOD.
And there you have it! I hope you give it a try and I would love to see your photo's!