text:
Like most people, I've been on a variety of bad dates. Sometimes things just don't work out, and sometimes a perfectly normal looking guy is the complete opposite. "Sam" for example. We both frequented the same coffee place. He was always holed up in some corner studying, and I thought that was a good sign: he was probably not only going to school, but taking it seriously. We had made eye contact a few times, and eventually we had a short conversation that led to him asking me out to coffee. At the same shop we were in, but at a later date. Whatever, sure, that worked.
I had never seen him outside before, so I was a little taken aback when, after I showed up, we ended up having to move outdoors almost immediately so he could chain smoke. It was cold, but I thought I could deal. I started to doubt this slightly when he brought up a craigslist missed connection post he had put up that happened to be one that a friend of mine had posted to facebook because it was so ridiculous and crazy.
(Basically, he had freaked out a girl in local 24 hour business so much that she called the police on him, and they told him he was no longer allowed to go back to that establishment. The reasons for freaking out involved a mix CD and a book, and seemed fairly legitimate considering he had known her less than 24 hours and she had to spend a significant amount of time alone with him in the middle of the night. And also because, as I was learning, he came off sort of crazy.)
So he bitched about it for awhile and I nodded and went "mmmm." and tried to keep from looking too incredulous.
He had several quirks I was unsure about, but following in my pattern of dumbassness, after another hour or so I agreed to let him give me a ride home, because it was cold and dark and I didn't want to walk. In his truck, he dug out a book he'd been talking about for me to borrow, and against my better judgment I agreed to see him again. Don't forget, this blog is not examples of how many good decisions I make.
He picked me up for the second date. When I told my friends this story, I smooshed the two dates together and pretended like I didn't actually agree to see him a second time. But in the interest of honesty…
For the second date, we went to the creek. Long story short, he bugged me about my recent break up until I cried, and then tried to be all comforting, which felt manipulative, like he FORCED me until a vulnerable spot and then poked at me mercilessly until I had a big bloody wound and then was like "Oh my, however did you get that giant bloody wound? Let me tend to that for you"
So I asked to go home.
In his truck, I attempted to steer the conversation to some pretty tame subjects. But somehow he started telling me about how The Church was trying to kill him. Was it a specific church? Was it the Pope himself? Or the Pope's team of secret hit men? I didn't ask. I did ask him why he thought that, though. Apparently, once, while working in a gas station, an old woman came in to buy a lottery ticket, and told him that he should play the lottery too because he might die tomorrow
Therefore, he said confidently, the church is trying to kill me.
Possibly because that isn't a very strong argument for playing the lottery, (What good is winning money if you're going to be dead in 24 hours? What if you won a million dollars and then just keeled over? A better reason is you might live to be 98 and it would be nice to have a million dollars to throw around in the meantime.) Sam was convinced that she had been sent by The Church as a warning, that he must "stop" (what?) or be bumped off by a group of robed religious assassins. Kind of like The Boondock Saints, but much less cool. Because he was just some random paranoid chain smoker.
Though I vaguely wondered if I could get in Willem Dafoe or Sean Patrick Flanery's pants (or both, i'm not picky) if I hung around this guy long enough, I thought it would be best to pretend he didn't know where I lived, say no thank you to a third date, and avoid him from now on.
That night, I get up for work at 3am because, unfortunately, that is the time at which you must begin to deliver newspapers and that is the job I had. Now I need to make very clear that i stepped ON and not OVER my outside doormat on the way out, because I have short legs and don't take over-sized steps unless absolutely necessary. I get home from work at 5:30am and there on my doormat is a small, terracotta, decorated pot. Right directly in the center.
I think that centering objects makes them look more deliberately placed. Once my old roommates, for april fools day, hid a bunch of my stuff and turned all the lights in the house off and put one chair directly in the center of the hallway facing the door I would enter through and then left. This doesn't sound like a big deal but it was incredibly creepy to me, and I may have thought some sort of sadistic ghost was probably sitting in that chair getting ready to bite my arm off as I walked by.
Anyway, this creeped me out. I texted Sam later that day to ask him if he did it, and first he denied it, but then later confessed. I got sort of mad at him, because honestly, he was already creepy enough without hanging around outside my apartment at 4am.
I think the funniest part of this whole story is when I got mad at him, he told me that if I didn't appreciate him creeping up to my apartment in the middle of the night without my knowledge, then I obviously wasn't a true fan of the movie Amelie.
Later, I realized I still had is book. In an effort not to ever have to talk to him again, I drove around the coffee place parking lot until I saw his truck, parked next to it, and as soon as the area cleared of people, shoved open his back window (which I knew was broken), threw the book inside, jumped back in my car, and drove home as fast as possible. Where I locked myself in my room, just in case.


text:
For some reason, blogger told me I have too many pictures on my photo blog... hmm. Quite the dilemma. So, I talked to the Mr, and I told him that I seem to have outgrown my space here... I had been thinking about a website for a while, but always thought that it was out of my reach... Well, the time has come. I officially have a website now! So, I will keep this blog open, and post pictures and things from time to time, but the majority of my pictures can be found on my website now. My facebook page will continue to be where I show sneak peeks, and so I will still be all over the place. Please don't leave this page today thinking that I have left my blog to grow cobwebs. I will still post on here. I will post giveaways, and special promotions, and on my facebook page, I will continue to post pictures and be accessible there as well. However, as I said, my new website is, I feel, much easier to navigate.
So, without further ado...
Please visit me at:
Please go and look around! Drop me a line and let me know what you think! I would love to hear from you!
With Love,
Thursday, December 2, 2010
It's official. I'm a big girl now.
Posted by Susan at 12:32 PM
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
This course is designed to study the significant events and individuals in American History. We will cover American History from the 1850's into the 1920's that includes: The Civil War, Reconstruction, Progressive Era, Spanish-American War, WWI, The Roaring 20's, Life in the 1850's into the 1920's, and all the Presidents and people throughout this period of time in United States History.
- Teacher: John Austinson


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as "fo" may as well stand for foreign object for me these days friday's are going to become puff of the week on those weeks where i don't finish something proper.
puff of the week this week involves some embroidering and some photo-shop action – as i can't face reading about how photo-shop actually works it's very limited action really but i missed the daylight with the camera today so it's more so you can actually see anything!
and so to my new favourite puff…
i think it's vaguely recognisable as a flower so that's good enough for me!
for some more finished rather than foreign objects head to tami's blog for some yarney goodness.
lesley x


text:
If you didn't get a chance to read Ninja's post yesterday at "Punch Debt in the Face", you should.
He tells a great story about the letter he wrote to himself, prompted by a high school teacher, that would be sent to himself to read six months later . He admits while he didn't take it that seriously at the time, it's a great time for a proper re-do.
What would you say to your future-self? He asked for some company in his mission: Read his initial post and add your letter too. This one goes out to: "FUTURE SELF" sahmCFO.
Dear sahmCFO plus 10 years,
You have been married for 15 years. You have lamented to each other many times over the past three years how much you "miss" each other. "With the kids so young," you both have said, "once they are a little older we will have more "just us" time." Well now that they are, I hope you guys are living it up, and are back out in the big wide world. Traveling, enjoying new places, experiencing everything and keeping open-minds (even if you do have to bring them with you sometimes). He is so patient with you, I hope you have cut him some slack by now. And if you are still leaving your old coffee cups on your bedside table, you're a jerk. It really is the only thing he complains about.
You have 3 teenagers/almost teenager now. How's that working out? They may be all hormonal and "too cool" to want to hang around you much anymore but remember this…They asked you to read them "Someday" by Alison McGhee again today. They love when I read them that book. All three of them sit in a little circle around me, they don't fight, or scream "so-and-so is touching me!". They just study my face and listen to my voice. It's not story they care about, it's your feelings for them, on full display they seek. They hear my voice crack at certain parts and scoot closer. They watch my cheek intently for when the tear does fall and squeeze me a little bit. I fight through it, relish it actually, finish, and they say happily, "AGAIN!" Don't you doubt for a second that you "didn't show them enough" how much you love them. They see it , they glowed in it, they know.
Today (well 10 years ago really), you worry about your debt, but 3 months ago you decided it was really time to take your family finances seriously. You made a plan and then, a commitment. I don't think you are a millionaire by now, but if you have a credit card and use it you better pay it off in full every month. Do you still stay up at night sometimes worrying about money? You better not. You're an "older woman" now, you need your sleep…
"young" sahmCFO
I also have been accepted into my first Carnival (Thanks for the encouragement Out of Debt…Again!). Please head over to: "M is for Money" to check out the latest "Carnival of Money Stories"!
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|Colton Brown
I really do not understand why people make so many excuses. You can usually get the thing done in the time you take to complain about it. I am speaking from experience on that one. Recently at work I was tasked with calling 12 students to check on their progress. It was an effort to keep students enrolled and progressing towards their degrees. The rationale was that if they knew we cared and they had a point of contact to direct their issues the drop out rate would decline.
Yes, that makes good sense. But I hate calling people. I really do not like talking on the phone. So I moaned and groaned for over an hour. Then I finally made the calls. It took me less than 10 minutes to do it including sending out emails to those I did not reach by phone.


text:
Monday, March 19, 2012
Happy 11th Birthday Ethan
Eleven years ago today, God
Thought I needed to be reminded of
His incredible love for me
And gave me the gift of you. I can
Never thank Him enough.
Posted by Elaine at 2:06 AM
3 comments:
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Touched by an Angel in Walmart?
My plans for the evening had gone south.
And since I didn't fancy spending the evening with the three people I share living space with and since I also needed a new can opener, deodorant and a birthday card (in that order) I decided to go to Walmart.
It was only when I pulled into the car park, that it occurred to me I still had my house clothes on. A floral shirt, old jeans and green Christmas socks. What did I look like? But who dresses up to go to Walmart anyway? Oh Lord. I could only hope and pray that :-
a. I wouldn't see anyone in Walmart that I knew.
b. I wouldn't get my photograph secretly taken for "The People of Walmart"
Have you ever seen "The People of Walmart?" If not click here at your own risk. You were warned!
So this had to be a quick trip. Too bad. I wasn't in a hurry to go back home.
I got the first two items, and then went over to the greeting cards. I spent a few moments browsing, when I heard a voice..."My, that's a lot you're carrying there." It was an elderly gentleman. Dressed casually but smart. Perhaps in his mid-seventies.
At first I thought he was talking to someone else, but we were the only ones in the aisle. He didn't look crazy, so I assumed he must be talking to me. But carrying what? I only had two small items in my trolley.
"Excuse me?"
"I was just thinking it looks a little heavy for you to carry"
Was this sarcasm? "What?" Perhaps he was a little crazy.
"Oh..," he said laughing. "...not what's in your basket, I'm talking about what you're carrying on your shoulders. Looks like it's a heavy load".
I was speechless. Was he a mind reader? How did he know I was worrying in Walmart? Was it that obvious? Written on my forehead? I didn't quite know how to respond.
"I was just going to get a coffee .Care to join me?" he said.
I'm not sure why, but I nodded, dropped the card into my trolley, and walked with him to McDonalds. He ordered a coffee. I ordered an orange juice (and a sandwich of high calorific value - yes I'd already had supper, but it was that kind of day.) And before I could get the money out of my wallet, he thrust a twenty dollar bill into the cashiers hand. He paid. I felt a little guilty, but he was quite insistent.
We sat down and there was no awkward silence. We began talking about the weather. Seriously we did. Just weather. For about 15 minutes. The mild winter. The early spring. The gusting winds this evening. Weather. And yet somehow it was the most refreshing conversation I'd had in a long time.
After a while he got up to leave and we shook hands. Then turning he said... "God has only given you two hands, so don't carry any unnecessary bags." Then he added with a chuckle... "Especially now they charge you 5 cents for each bag. You take care now."
And then he was gone.
I went to pay for my items plus one more. Some gum. Then I realized... he didn't buy anything!
So what exactly did he come to Walmart for?
Maybe he was lonely. Maybe he was just a kind old man with money and time to spare. Maybe he felt sorry for me, because I was dressed like one of the "People of Walmart" and looked like a hobo. Maybe he had Alzheimers and forgot what he came for. Or maybe, just maybe, he was heaven sent for such a time as this. I don't know if he was an angel (the jury is still out on that one), but he was most certainly a blessing in disguise.
I hung around for a while to see if he would come back. He didn't.
I know you can always find a bargain in Walmart, but sometimes you can find more that you bargained for. And in keeping with the logo, his advice saved me money and aimed to help me live a better life. And what did it cost me? Nothing. A mere 15 minutes of my time.
Some of the best things in life are free. Like good advice. So I took it and tried to let go of the the issue that's been bothering me. Hakuna Matata.
Of course I will go back to Walmart.With a better wardrobe choice next time. And you can be sure I'll wander up and down the greeting card aisle. Because well, you never know!
Hebrews 13 v 2 "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some people have entertained angels without knowing it"
Posted by Elaine at 9:02 PM
1 comment:
Labels: Inspirational
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Mission Accomplished.
We were on a mission.
She was cold, tired and hurting. At 1 hour 46 minutes and 15 seconds she ran across the finish line. Her race was over. And by all accounts her mission was accomplished. Almost. She still had something left to do.
So she grabbed a bottle of water, collected her finishers medal and put on a thin plastic poncho to protect her from the extreme cold wind. Then she started running again. This time in the opposite direction. Running back.
She ran for about half a kilometer until she saw one of the runners from her group. Then she turned with them and ran them home. All the way to the finish line.
She did this again. And again. Approximately 9 times until all of her runners were finished.
She is Angie.
"'Leave no man behind"
You will hear this phrase used by the military.The U.S marines. It's like an unwritten code between soldiers.When they go out on a mission, no matter how tough the battle is, they will
never leave a soldier behind. Ever.
Angie is a marathon instructor and I am one of the runners in her clinic. She knows a lot about marathons, because she has run many of them . She knows about the physical and mental stamina that is needed to endure and complete the race. She knows it can be tough out there. So whenever she takes us out for training or for a race, she practices a code. A clinic instructors code. Leave no runner behind.
Since she is fast, Angie is usually one of the first to finish. But she's never truly finished until the last runner gets to the end. Sometimes she has to wait for us, sometimes she has to call us and on occasion she may have to drive to find one of us . But we're never left alone.
On Sunday I was on a mission too. A simple training exercise. It should have been easy, but shin splints made it feel like mission impossible. Still I soldiered on. And just when I thought I couldn't go any further, there was Angie running toward me. She came back for the last runner. Me.
We were 600 metres away from the finish line. At the end of the race there are always crowds, cheering, music and festivities. I tuned out all the noise so I could listen to the voice that I've come to know and trust during my training. Angie. She ran alongside me with encouraging words until I got to the finish line.
After the sweet exchange of salty tears and much saltier sweat, she said "You did it Elaine, you did it." But I knew it I didn't do it on my own. It was a team effort. We did it together.
At 2 hours 23 minutes and 45 seconds I stopped running. Then and only then could Angie finally stop running too. I realized that although mine was a solo mission, Angie's wasn't. Her mission ended when mine did. Mission accomplished.
I am glad that when I race, I only have worry about getting myself to the finish line. But I am so grateful for the leaders like Angie, Colin, Monick, Megan, Dom and Diane who make it their mission to bring every last runner home.
|March 4th 2012
Posted by Elaine at 4:31 PM
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Labels: Running


text:
Monday, January 19, 2015
wow i didnt blog in 2014 even once!
Posted by susan at 6:21 PM
5 comments:
- smazoochie said...
You scared me! I thought the dear boy was gone!
Love you, love Otis. Miss you blogging & Instagram-ing.
😚 Happy New Year!
- January 19, 2015 at 7:15 PM
- susan said...
aw im sorry. yeah. i need to get back on instagram. blogging? eh.
- January 19, 2015 at 9:34 PM
- silversmith said...
has it really been that long? I guess so. his little signature on my Christmas card made me smile big. I've been horrible about blogging as well...and quilting...and painting...
- January 20, 2015 at 8:16 AM
- susan said...
bizarre! lately blogger hasnt been allowing me to post. but i see that post up there posted??? hmmm
- January 20, 2015 at 6:23 PM
- Helen Keyes said...
The view of the photo can make a serious mistake that he is suffering from the sickness. I hope you and Otis are always happy and healthy.
- October 14, 2015 at 8:33 AM
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text: A 43-year-old Chicago man was placed on probation for 18 months and fined $500 after pleading guilty Monday to transporting 361 cartons of unstamped cigarettes from Ft. Sheridan to Chicago. Jon Nordhagen was arrested Friday by investigators of the state Department of Revenue near his home, after he was seen driving off with the cigarettes from the Army base. According to a revenue department spokesman, the untaxed cigarettes were placed in Nordhagen`s car by a retired military man who purchased them at the base.


text:
For many teachers, the only option they know to use cell phones in the classroom is to ban them in phone jail to prevent certain distractions. We are here to show you a few more ideas.
Are All Cell Phones In The Classroom Only A Distraction?
This image from @themetspictures shows how some teachers hold cell phones captive as a solution to student distractions. However, the following activities will show you a few other ways to show your students how to use their devices for educational purposes in the classroom.
Cell Phone #1 – Talking Vs Texting Math Games
Help your students understand math lessons with real life situations.
Cell Phone #2 – Text Message Homework Reminders
"Remind101 is a FREE, safe way for teachers to text message students and stay in touch with parents without ever sharing phone numbers." – Sydney Musslewhite
Cell Phone #3 – Research Assignments Made Easy
At their desks, students can research and get the answers they need for assignments. Knowing how to search for answers on their own is a valuable skill.
Cell Phone #4 – Photo Scavenger Hunts
An activity like a photo scavenger hunt is an opportunity for students to get out of their seats, grab their devices and explore their school.
Take these ideas and try them in your classroom this week. For more ideas visit the Teacher Learning Community and explore other ways that teachers are using mobile learning to transform their classroom.


text:
Ryan, Lilly and Wambach
We have learned that allegedly Greg Ryan's decision to drop Solo and replace her with Scurry may have been more than just agreed to by Lilly and Wambach, and the change may actually have been instigated by Lilly and Wambach.
If true, that of course would shed some light on Solo's banishment and Lilly and Wambach's support of Ryan in the aftermath.
We understand that there is a split among squad members between 12 younger players who continue in their support of Solo and 6 senior players who sided with Lilly, Wambach and Ryan.
During a team meeting it was agreed to put the differences aside and to focus on becoming "the third greatest team you have never heard of."
It appears that Ryan maybe influenced if not outright led by the senior players and thus his bizarre player changes and behavior.
Ultimately, in our opinion, his coaching credibility has been destroyed and his ability to lead greatly compromised.


text:
10-second review: You learn to write by reading and paying attention to the world around you.
Title: "Tips from a Master Story Teller." SA Johnson. The Writer (December 2008), 20-23. The Writer is a magazine written by writers for writers.
Summary: Interview with fiction writer Elizabeth Cox. Question: What advice do you have for new writers…? Answer: "Read. Read. Read. And pay attention! Reading good writers will help you pay attention to detail: the way gestures reveal true emotions, the dialogue of people around you, the way an event unfolds in your life and in others' lives. I read poetry every day because poets can see nature as a psychic landscape, can use detail to imply larger ideas or emotion. And when you begin to pay attention in this way, you'll find ways of being amazed again—feeling the kind of discovery in everyday life the way a child does. You'll never be bored."
Comment: I read for ideas. I have had to learn how to read for technique, to see how writers achieve their effects.
One of the best writers I have discovered for awakening the reader to the miracles of everyday life is Loren Eiseley. His essays cause me to recognize the detail in life that I overlook when I go through life with other things on my mind, distracting me from the reality around me. You can go through life bored, distracted, uninvolved, unobservant, or you can focus on the world around you—and learn how to write. I'm not giving this advice just to my readers. I'm giving it to me! RayS.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Topic: Learning to Write
Posted by RayS at 4:13 AM
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text:
Silver Creek boys' basketball winds up June 2014 with victories over Ballard, Jeffersonville, New Castle, and Terre Haute South.
I have arrived in Florida for my misson trip at Lake Correctional Facility, but took some time to play at Fantasia Putt Putt Course.
My son is playing 7U baseball all stars and my daughter is playing 9U softball all stars. Been a good month.


text:
The missing StraightTalk manual... released!
Are you considering switching to StraightTalk to save money on your cell phone plan... but just aren't quite sure what the whole story is? Are you worried about losing your phone number, or about the not quite unlimited data plan? Maybe you're just trying to figure out which MVNO is the best fit for you.
And at the end of the day, can you really save about $1,000 a year by switching to an MVNO, like StraightTalk?
You absolutely can. I know, because I switched 8 months ago and haven't looked back.
That's why I'm releasing The Unofficial Straight Talk Guide, for $10.99 via LeanPub.com.
The Unofficial Straight Talk Guide is the missing manual for switching to an MVNO, like Straight Talk. As of today it's about 38 pages and 10,900 words long. I say, as of today because Leanpub.com lets you update after you publish, meaning you'll see future updates for free (which makes Leanpub pretty cool). At 38 pages, it's just long enough to tell you everything you need to know... to explain precisely what you need to do, and the order to do it in, so that you don't have to worry about making a mistake. But short enough to not be irritating.
Plus, there's a 45-day 100% Happiness Guarantee. You'll get the guide in pretty much every format... Kindle, PDF, and iPad (MOBI, PDF, and EPUB), which means that you can pretty much read it on any eBook reader in existence. Also, for a very limited time you can get The Unofficial Straight Talk Guide for $2.99 by using the coupon code st-100 when you go to order.


text:
Now then,
I have been concentrating on writing about a couple of pubs recently, but I assure you I have been to others. Here are some details of some of them, the beer I drank (possibly) and the news I know.
Last night the Three Cranes on Queen Street reopened. It has been taken over by Tracey and Kevin (note, only looked at sign once). I noticed soon after getting in that in fact they ran the pub before, after thingy and whats his name went bankrupt. There were 4 real ales, Black Sheep, Robinsons Trooper, another and what I had a pint of, which was Sharps' Atlantic IPA.
Am certain this used to be stronger and more hoppy - I realise in the years since I last tried it (6) my tastebuds have developed but it tasted really sweet and not very hoppy. Still, all real ale was £2.60 a pint and I went and sat in the roof beer garden in the shade to enjoy my pint.
Couple of differing visits to the Three Tuns - went on the hottest day of the year to find, unsurprisingly, that it was boiling. The Blue Bee American 5 hop was OK, but cloudy and almost warm. I expect the old pub is difficult to chill but that was a shame. Popped in last night to find an improved beer range including Mallinsons SPA which I had a half of ,along with an excellent Silver Dollar from Tyne Bank. Pub was busy as well.
Went in Craft and Dough recently for the first time. Some people like, others don't, and I am not sure. I have to admit that it was full of the most nauseating hipster pricks, and I tried hard not to let this distract me. The beer was nice - Abbeydale Mosaic on keykeg, although even using that dispense, £4.50 a pint is a lot for that beer. The range of bottles is impressive but pricey, some on the best list are absurd. Probably worth choosing carefully if you go.
Have also been regularly supping in the Brothers and Sheaf View. However, what has happened to this duo? The Sheaf View, initially knocked back by the popularity of the Brothers Arms, has slowly and quietly gone from strength to strength with an excellent range of ales. Meanwhile, whilst still having the best beer garden in Sheffield, what has happened at the Brothers?
Unhappy staff, brown beers only and stouts, and less snacks - two crucial observations from my last two visits. Speaking to one of the beer Geeks recently they pointed out that the pub pulls off a clever trick, by being part real ale pub and part traditional boozer. I agree, but am surprised the beer range has suffered so much. Maybe I visited on the wrong day.
Have been spending a lot of time in the Wellington of late. No probs remembering what I had here, its the same every time - pints of the Little Ale Cart Flying Scotsman at 5% and £2.60 a pint. Delicious. My only concern is that there are so rarely new people in there - its brilliant to have a band of regulars, but, in small numbers, that's not a long term survival plan. Maybe that is why I heard that someone was going to buy the pub, bearing in mind the owner is selling his pub in Worcester.
Recent visits to the Bath have seen decent beers including Anarchy Blonde Star, Bad Seed Cascade, Thornbridge Tart, and lighter if less hoppy guests from Blackjack and others. Shame the cask selection has gone down a bit of late, as this is still one of my favourite pubs - no doubt the fast approaching end of summer will bring about a change in fortune.
Finally, the Hallamshire House can now sell guest beers - I understand the Man of Ash has a whole range of Cloudwater beers available. Its always been a great place to try Thornbridge beers at their best but the addition of guests is a brilliant boost. No doubt the soon to be reopened Springvale will draw more ale supping customers to the area....
Wee Beefy
Saturday, 4 July 2015
Meanwhile, sales, openings and other news
2 comments:
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text:
Friday, May 08, 2009
how about a no-diet LIFE?
not sure how i missed this (oh, wait, yes i do, i was organizing a bake sale!), but may 6 was International NO-DIET DAY. i say we celebrate this all year long!
not that i need any other reasons - dieting makes me a miserable, hungry, self-centered bitch, and i think that's reason enough - but here are 16 reasons not to diet.
2 comments:
- Danielle Mari said...
Wonderful idea and a wonderful link!
It reminds me of when I was struggling with accepting my weight.. I saw a fantastic therapist who asked me to tell her what was GOOD about being overweight. I sat there blinking at her, "N-nothing... right?"
She grinned and said, "Oh come on! You get to eat whatever you want! You should at least enjoy that!"
That one comment completely adjusted my thinking. Enjoying eating?! What a wild idea!
- Sunday, May 10, 2009 2:44:00 PM
- margrocks said...
i LOVE that therapist, danielle! holy cow. i wish she'd been mine. another benefit of being "overweight"? i just read today about a study of twins: one of which is thin and one of which is heavier. the twins who are heavier look younger than their thinner counterparts. again, not that that should matter that much, but nice, right?
- Sunday, May 10, 2009 8:13:00 PM


text:
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Caption this photo... (#4)
"Goldilocks," he said with a sigh, "why didn't you return any of my calls?"
(Anyone else want to take a crack at captioning this photo?)
23 comments:
- CB3Dot said...
If your are not bringing something for me, don't bother coming in.
- January 3, 2009 at 1:53 AM
- Jutilda said...
Under a spell, Harley sat by the window, waiting for the mail carrier to bring the magic elixir to turn him back into an accountant. :~P
- January 3, 2009 at 6:10 AM
- Jilly said...
Don't tell anyone but there are four Rottweilers and two pitbulls behind the door. Okay, I'll put on my cute smile...
- January 3, 2009 at 6:45 AM
- Hilda said...
When's mom coming home?
- January 3, 2009 at 7:02 AM
I bearly could wait for you to get here.
- January 3, 2009 at 7:20 AM
- Eki Akhwan said...
Ohhh, I like it Laurie! The eyes and the framing of the window make this stuffed doll look soo expresive. What about "longing for the outdoors"? :D
- January 3, 2009 at 7:36 AM
- Dixie Jane said...
Hey, brother bears, tell Goldilocks to leave my soup alone, if it is too hot or too cold. Tough! And G., Get out of my chair and get your own bed. I have spoken!
- January 3, 2009 at 8:47 AM
- Wayne said...
Look at that view!!!! If I'd stared at the walls in Toys 'R Us one more day I was going to lose it big time.
- January 3, 2009 at 8:54 AM
- Mister Earl said...
From a loudspeaker: "Keep your paws where we can see them and step back from the window!"
- January 3, 2009 at 9:00 AM
- altadenahiker said...
Oh, it's the same old story. After my voice changed, the fabric softener gig dried up, and it was a downward spiral into booze and pills and meaningless sex. I'm trying to get my life back on track, staying clean in one of the many, many halfway houses that dot the South Pasadena landscape.
- January 3, 2009 at 9:09 AM
- Laurie said...
Stepping in to say... I'M CRACKING UP! I love you people.
- January 3, 2009 at 9:56 AM
- dcs said...
"You're underage," she lamented, barely holding back the tears. But then, she thought, "So am I! Your absence is unbearable!" she Tom Swiftied, perhaps, unwisely bearing her soul. "Let's text--but not too fast and not too slow. I'm a novice--a mere cub*--and bearly learning."
*sure, this last one which is a stretch.
- January 3, 2009 at 10:30 AM
- dcs said...
Of course, "bearly" not "barely" on the tears.
- January 3, 2009 at 10:32 AM
I always wondered what happened to BooBoo
- January 3, 2009 at 10:42 AM
- San Diego Farmgirl said...
HELP! The old lady has at least 100 more of my comrades trapped inside!
- January 3, 2009 at 2:54 PM
- dbdubya said...
Woe is me. Those damn Trojans won the Rose Bowl again on my home field the other day.
- January 3, 2009 at 3:29 PM
- Laurie said...
I honestly can't pick a favorite!
Thanks, everyone.
- January 3, 2009 at 10:55 PM
- Cafe Observer said...
With humans no longer able to afford homes, the owners are moving in to repossess their properties.
- January 3, 2009 at 11:48 PM
- Ken Mac said...
They put me up here to be a watchdog. HA!
- January 4, 2009 at 7:01 AM
- Dusty Lens said...
When will the weather be just right?
- January 4, 2009 at 7:55 AM
- babooshka said...
It was your own caption that cracked me up.
- January 4, 2009 at 5:12 PM
- runescape account said...
where you come from!
- January 6, 2009 at 4:14 AM
- maicher said...
I think I come to the right place, because for a long time do not see such a good thing the!
jordan shoes
- January 15, 2009 at 8:19 AM


text:
BC: Created by: Christine Michener Due: Tuesday January 22, 2008 Communication and Thought II
FC: Communication and Thought ii
1: This article starts explaining about what it means to be an American by starting with the Pilgrims and all of the trials and tribulations they went through to get a strong country. It posses a wonderful question: When is a person really considered an American?
2: Time Magazine's article called "What is an American" compares America to Rome. They are both very diplomatic and are great ruling nations. The article says the reason why priviledged countries, such as America, do so well is because of three things: Their Power, their Heart, and their Wisdom.
3: Harold Ickes makes the claim that America is constantly being degraded. People say that the "wave of the future" is comming and nothing we are doing will be worth our while. He then describes an American as someone who loves justice and dignity and will fight for his freedom.
4: Peter Ferrara says that an American is anyone. There is not one type of religion or culture that makes a person American, it is their beliefts. In America, people are generous and help those in need. Most importantly, though, women are free. Therefore, anyone can be an American.
5: Edward L. Hudgings explains that an American is someone who wants to be more, takes a risk, is willing to work hard, and has hope for a better future.
6: While interviewing 3 politicians, CNN compiled that an American is someone who betters America, but also needs to be willing to drop their past and accept the culture of America.
7: Larry Lessig explains that younger generations are part of a user-genterated-culture. They do as their parents did, but in a different way. Some young extreamists say that copyrights should be disbanned, but the governemt is their opposition.
8: In the Declaration of Indepence, one concept that modern day America is still struggling with is all men being equal. A prime example would be during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960's. Overall, the main point these men were trying to make was that they deserve the right to say no to their ruler when they are being treated unfairly and that is why they crated the United States.
10: More citizens of the United States of America should know and understand the Preamble of the Constitution. For it embodies everything that Americans have stood for since the beginning.
12: The Bill of Rights is the beginning 10 amendments of the Constitution. It was created so that the United States did not turn back into being ruled by a single ruler and that it stayed a democracy. It also clearly stated an indivdual citizen's rights. Amendments can and have been added on after the original 10.
14: Primary Documents are a great way to see for yourself a bit of history or facts. It is the most reliable source or way of getting information. The types of primary documents are: published documents, unpublished documents and records, oral traditions, and visual documents and artifacts. The most interesting of those four examples is oral tradition because you get to experience an event as if you were there; like you are experiencing the event through another person's memories.
16: "Primary Sources at Yale" discusses the type of items that will be preserved so that they can be used for primary source research. One of my favorite items that they discuss, that the previous article had not, was the preserving of music and sound recordings.
17: One of my personal favorites of such recordings is Maya Angelou reading her poem "Phenomenal Woman". She puts a certain tone to the words that no one, but the writer could.
18: "Primary Texts in Humanities" introduces the concept of secondary sources. These are sources that either challenge or accept the material expressed in a primary text. Another example of a primary source, though, is a diary. The first example of this that came to my head is the diary of Anne Frank.
20: "The Lottery" is a very disturbing short story. In the beginning, it seems that the lottery is a good thing, but as the story progresses the reader learns that to win the lottery is a bad thing. The story has some mystery to it, as to what the lottery really was. The writer never came out and said directly what the lottery was for, but by the end the reader can make good assumptions.
22: As seen in Purdue OWL's presentation on how to conduct a successful interview, there are two things that I see most important. They are: knowing how to ask good questions and thanking your interviewee in writing or orally after the interview. The reason good questions are needed is because as an interviewer you do not want to waste your time asking unvaluable questions. Then, being courteous to your interviewee will only aid you in the future if you should ever need their assistance again.
24: While reading Purdue OWL's tips on surverying the most important aspect is knowing how you are going to survery people. You want to do something that is easy for you, like handing out papers, but you always want it to be easy for the surveyees so they give accurate answers.
26: Peggy Noonan's article called "To Old Times", gives a sense of hope to Americans. We believe that we are perceived as nasty and self-centered, but in fact, people see us in the opposite way. This article makes me want to spread the patrotism I have for my country and our troops over seas.
28: "The ones who walk away from Omelas" could be renamed, "Ones who walk away from paradise". The story is about a city that is beautiful. It is so great because a single child is locked in a closest and expereiences all of the bad things the citizens of Omelas do not. Throughout the story, the village is going through a ritual called the Festival of Summer which where children participate, naked, in a horse race.
30: After doing the Coke and Pepsi challenge at DeSales University, I was not too suprised with my group's findings. For the questions that we asked, the votes were pretty split between the two drinks. For example, we asked which one had the better inital taste and 14 people said Coke and 16 said Pepsi. So, even though Pepsi got the most votes, it was a very tight race.


text:
Corrie Reed, assistant professor of fitness and sport sciences, is a
graduate of Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas, where she earned the
Bachelor of Science degree in animal science with a double minor in criminal
justice and range and wildlife management. She also earned a Master of Science
in degree kinesiology from Angelo State University.
Currently Reed is writing her doctoral dissertation titled "Factors
Influencing Professional Team Sport Attendance Among Hispanics" through the
sport management Ph.D. program at Texas Woman's University.
Reed has worked in numerous municipal recreation departments
across the state of Texas and remains active in the Texas Amateur Athletic
Federation, Texas Recreation and Parks Society, and the American Red Cross. She
serves as the director of the Polk-Key City Girls Basketball Classic.
She and her husband, Edgar, who is also a faculty member in
the HSU Fitness & Sport Science Department, are members of Sacred Heart
Catholic Church in Abilene.
Hardin-Simmons University
2200 Hickory, Abilene, TX, 79698
Operator: (325) 670-1000
Admissions: 877-GO-HSUTX
Campus Police: (325) 670-1461
Ask HSU
Campus Directory


text:
Two young men have fallen victim to the thugs in blue. They were stopped and arrested on New Year's Eve for doing something about as "wrong" as walking across a room.
Their "crime"? Smoking marijuana and selling some to someone else. So now they face made-up charges including "conspiracy". Yeah, there's a conspiracy all right, but it is The State who is guilty in this one.
The only thing these young men did wrong was admitting anything to the LEO. Never speak to cops. Never.
If this gets to trial, which I hope it does since no one should ever plead "guilty", this is a good opportunity for a fully-informed jury to nullify the "law" in defense of justice.


text:
Sheet Music: Score
String quartette / Raymond Hanson.
by Raymond Hanson (1967)
This item may be available to purchase from the Australian Music Centre.
Product details
Published by: Ricordi — 1 score (32p. -- Non-standard page size)
Duration: 23 min.
"Commissioned by A.P.R.A. Music Foundation, 1967" -- T.p.
Copyright held by G.Ricordi & Co.
This is a handwritten edition — it is not typeset.
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Parts: String quartette / Raymond Hanson.
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text:
I frequently get asked....
In Outlook I used to be able to sort by the "from" to find a message by a particular person. How do I do that in Gmail?
Bad News: You can't sort by the from in Google Mail
Good News: You CAN search by the from in Google Mail. Here is how...
Step 1: While in your inbox, click on the triangle in search bar at the top of the screen.
Step 2: In the From box, type the email address for the person you are searching for.
Step 3: Click the Blue magnifying class.
Step 4: You will now see all your emails that particular person sent you.
Note: You can also search by To, Subject, Has the Words, and Doesn't Have.
Happy Searching!


text:
Sunday, November 18, 2012
3:30 pm
Caltech Glee Clubs
Nancy Sulahian, Director
Featured will be music by Music by Palestrina, Di Lasso, Handel, Mozart, Bizet, Puccini, Barber, William Dawson, Randall Thompson, and Rosephayne Powell.
This concert is free and open to the public, with no tickets or reservations required; parking is also free!
The same concert will presented on Saturday evening. For further information, please call Caltech Performing and Visual Arts at (626) 395-3295.
Presented By: Caltech Performing and Visual Arts
Event Sponsors:


text:
Several projects I have been working on are going to be show entries and as you may have realised by now, this is the time of year I'm a bit 'private' about showing you a whole finished project. lol I will show a couple of those first, in the crochet section......
After much success at our last market day, Heather and I are now knitting madly to complete orders of handmade goods. As we sold many beanies we are now restocking. This one crocheted in tones of mixed white and purple will have accompanying crocheted flowers to go with it.
And...oops!..this is another one of those 'secret' projects for the show. I have used dusky and natural tones mostly for this project but the embellishment I plan to add will bring all the colours together nicely.
I have been commissioned to knit some doll clothes for a boy and girl doll, so here I have the boy doll jumper. It is about a 9 inch chest doll, so it is a good size. Now you will notice there is a tail in the picture....I can promise you it is not mine. lol
Oh there he is.....the Prince of Darkness. lol Milo has now added another naughty habit of jumping in the wheelbarrow when I am trying to fill the bucket with wood. He is also prone to sneaking off with pieces of wood from the wheelbarrow and chewing them up.
Well my friends, I am thinking hard about having a cup of coffee and perhaps a little crocheting. I have one more week of holidays so I will still be trying to plough through some show entries. While I do some crocheting I will be also planning to pay back those naughty lads at gym. They recently stuck my windscreen wipers up and shoved a banana peel in my door handle. lol....that my friends deserves payback. A beautiful weekend to you.
Ciao, Anita.


text:
Ronan O'Gara yellow carded for scuffle with Pierre Mignoni
Mignoni, who will be retiring at the end of this season, was fantastic on the day and the fighting spirit he showed typified the Toulon performance, knocking the much fancied Irish side out of the competition for the first time in many years.
The decision made following this incident wasn't as clear cut as the Munster loss though, as referee Dave Pearson took a hard-line approach to assistant ref Sean Davies' recommendation.
While O'Gara and fiery scrumhalf Mignoni were no doubt the instigators of the scuffle, if anything it was former Leinster man Felipe Contepomi and Munster captain Denis Leamy who accelerated matters. It led to mass chaos, and O'Gara was the only one to be picked up.
The score was 29-9 at the time of the carding, and by the time O'Gara came back the score hadn't changed, so it didn't have a massive bearing on the outcome of the game. However it looked like the wrong call, and I know some of you wanted to see it again.
If you were referee on the day, what would your call have been?
Toulon send Munster packing after big performance at home


text:
Child Care Centers Get Active by Improving Nutrition and Physical Activity
It is never too early to teach children about the importance of physical activity and healthy eating. According to a report by the American Dietetic Association on Dietary Guidance for Healthy Children Ages 2 to 11, children in this age group should achieve a healthy weight, enjoy food, and reduce the risk of chronic disease by developing healthy eating habits and participating in regular physical activity.
That's exactly what many child care facilities in Wood County are working to achieve as Get Active partner centers. Children at these centers are learning more about nutrition and spending their days being more physically active. To make these improvements, child care center staff are receiving a variety of nutrition and physical activity curriculum, resources, and training.
If you are interested in promoting physical activity and healthy eating at your child care center please contact Wood County Health Department at 715.421.8911 or firstname.lastname@example.com
Got Dirt?
Got Veggies?


text:
Illegally posted YouTube vids now appearing on iPhone
This blog entry explores the legal implications of that.
Labels: Apple, iPhone, Turner Broadcasting, YouTube
Labels: Apple, iPhone, Turner Broadcasting, YouTube
Extremely annoying, considering I still *can't* watch a lot of original content made for online video sharing--including Michael Cera's series 'Clark and Michael'== on my AppleTV.
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By 5:47 AM, at


text:
Photos from here.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Double the Fun
I love looking through online galleries of homes, perusing pictures for ideas for my own spaces. There's so much inspiration to be discovered. And as I pored over living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms on House to Home, I found two of each that I particularly like.
Posted by Katie*Belle at 8:30 AM 4 comments: Links to this post
Labels: homes, house to home, interiors
Monday, March 28, 2011
Posted by Katie*Belle at 7:39 AM 5 comments: Links to this post
Labels: inspiration, quote
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Our Tree
It's been a wonderful weekend. We've had family in town to celebrate my nephew's birth and my grandmother's eightieth birthday. I love when lots of family gets together and we hug, laugh, eat and simply spend time together. It's neat to look around and notice the traits we share, and listen to old stories that represent the history we share. We have quite a colorful family tree, and I love it!
Speaking of trees, aren't these prints by Angela Vandenbogaard beautiful?
Speaking of trees, aren't these prints by Angela Vandenbogaard beautiful?
Posted by Katie*Belle at 1:36 PM 3 comments: Links to this post
Friday, March 25, 2011
Today I am grateful for the simple joy of hearing birds outside. The weather may have turned cold again but the birds are chirping away, and it's a beautiful reminder that spring really isn't too far off.
Birds are also one of my favorite jewelry motifs. Here are a few Etsy pieces I'm loving:
Birds are also one of my favorite jewelry motifs. Here are a few Etsy pieces I'm loving:
Photos from here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here.
Posted by Katie*Belle at 9:33 AM 3 comments: Links to this post
Labels: birds, etsy, jewelry, weekly gratitude
Thursday, March 24, 2011
I was sad to hear about the passing of Elizabeth Taylor. Her glamour as a young movie star is inspiring and timeless, and she appeared to live her life as a true original. I especially like this quote from her:
"I don't entirely approve of some of the things I have done, or am, or have been. But I'm me. God knows, I'm me."
I find this statement so honest and authentic. Don't we all feel this way about our lives? Shouldn't we?
Photo from here.
"I don't entirely approve of some of the things I have done, or am, or have been. But I'm me. God knows, I'm me."
I find this statement so honest and authentic. Don't we all feel this way about our lives? Shouldn't we?
Photo from here.
Posted by Katie*Belle at 8:20 AM 3 comments: Links to this post
Labels: elizabeth taylor, quote
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Bold & Beautiful
Today is dark and gray and rainy. I love moody, stormy days like this every once in awhile, but I am so looking forward to spring and bright days full of color. Until that happens, these gorgeous acrylic paintings by Michelle Armas will have to tide me over.
Photos from here.
Posted by Katie*Belle at 2:58 PM 6 comments: Links to this post
Labels: art, color, michelle armas
Monday, March 21, 2011
I love quizzes. Any little questionnaire that can help me understand myself better or hone in on what I like is pretty cool in my book. So I was excited to take Stylish Home's Style Maker quiz. And I was even happier with the results: I was told my style is "Park Avenue Cocktail." The results went on to say I enjoy "graceful living in a well appointed home," that my house is a "den of discussion for artists and intellectuals" and that others with similar tastes include Marlene Dietrich, Frank Sinatra and Audrey Hepburn.
If this is the case, perhaps I should add some art like this Audrey mural. And throw a swank cocktail party!
If this is the case, perhaps I should add some art like this Audrey mural. And throw a swank cocktail party!
Posted by Katie*Belle at 8:13 AM 5 comments: Links to this post
Labels: audrey hepburn, personal style, quizzes, style maker, stylish home
Thursday, March 17, 2011
A Wish
Posted by Katie*Belle at 8:20 AM 6 comments: Links to this post
Labels: ireland, quote, st. patrick's day
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Pretty Things
While on Diem Design's Etsy shop, I found myself drawn to two types of photographs: flowers and maps. Both are so lovely. They make me feel simultaneously energized and calm, inspired and content. And they make me want to go out and discover other pretty things today.
Photos from here.
Posted by Katie*Belle at 8:34 AM 6 comments: Links to this post
Labels: diem design, etsy, flowers, maps, photography
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
When you hear the phrase, "a hilltop home in Napa wine country," you get the feeling the house is going to be pretty incredible. And this home, featured in Architectural Digest, truly is. The creamy tones, the serene bedroom ... the pool! Yes, that pool is where I'm going to mentally escape today. Care to join me?
Posted by Katie*Belle at 8:18 AM 7 comments: Links to this post
Labels: architectural digest, homes, napa, pool
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Screen Style
This weekend I watched French Kiss, the 1995 movie starring Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline. I'd forgotten how funny it is, how neurotic the main character Kate is as she travels to France to win back her fiance. I'd also forgotten how cute some of her outfits are. A few pieces feel perfect as spring approaches, even if my plans don't include jetting off to Paris and Cannes.
* Backpack
* Blazer
* Khakis
* Necklace
* Dress
Posted by Katie*Belle at 2:45 PM 3 comments: Links to this post
Labels: french kiss, kevin kline, meg ryan, screen style
Friday, March 11, 2011
Reach Out
Today I am grateful for all the connections this week has brought. I had a wonderfully long chat with a friend who's living far away, and last night I went out with a great friend who lives close by. We had a blast, laughing so hard tears streamed down our cheeks. And it's truly been a blessing getting to spend time with my mom, sister and her new baby this week; it's a beautiful point in our lives that I will never forget. As we move into the weekend, I'm hoping to simply be with my husband and pup. And maybe I'll give some other friends a ring, too.
Here's wishing everyone a weekend full of connections!
Photo (of me as a child) by my parents.
Posted by Katie*Belle at 7:23 AM 2 comments: Links to this post
Labels: family, friends, weekend, weekly gratitude
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
HIs & Hers
My husband reacts quite strongly whenever we happen to wear similar clothes. If we're about to go out and he sees that we're both in, say, jeans and a black shirt, he will sigh and head back to the closet to change. While I'm not suggesting that we go out in matching outfits, there is something appealing about looking like we complement one another. Maybe we could go for looks like these from Banana Republic:
Posted by Katie*Belle at 8:27 AM 7 comments: Links to this post
Labels: banana republic, fashion, spring, style.com
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
I am enamored of New York artist Suzanne Caporael's striking prints. Whether she's exploring geometric forms or depicting a landscape, her work pulls me in. I especially like the ones that employ cool shades of blue and green. Have a look at a few pieces:
Posted by Katie*Belle at 9:58 AM 1 comment: Links to this post
Labels: art, blue, green, prints, suzanne caporael
Monday, March 7, 2011
Stitched Together
Yesterday was my grandma's eightieth birthday. While I can't comprehend that number, I do know I'm so blessed to have this incredible woman in my life. She and my grandpa were quite a pair. While he was outgoing and jovial, she has always been loving in more quiet ways. She's ultra-organized, with Tupperware stacked and individually labelled in the refrigerator, and she's part of a lineage of women in my family who are very particular about things (when my husband first met my grandma, I think he understood me a little more). She's always doing kind things for others, whether it's baking seventeen different kinds of cookies so everyone has their favorite when they visit, or knitting blankets, baby sweaters, hats and other items that will keep people feeling warm and cared for. Grandma is constantly knitting and it's a good symbol for what she does. She keeps our family stitched together.
Photo from here.
Posted by Katie*Belle at 7:15 AM 1 comment: Links to this post
Friday, March 4, 2011
As a very full, unusual and wonderful week comes to a close, I have so much to be grateful for. Here are a few things:
* I'm an aunt! And I'll get to spend some time with my new nephew this weekend -- and his beaming mom and dad, too, of course.
* I've rediscovered how good it feels to move my body. I've been running and strength training and stretching more and I don't want to stop.
* Although I'm mentally and physically tired from a busy work week, it's so nice to have a job that challenges me and lets me be creative.
* Birds are chirping outside in the morning. Spring can't be too far away!
* My husband and I have a weekend ahead of us with no plans.
* The fact that as my family grows and life changes, my little pup will always be my first baby.
Have a great weekend!
Photo by me.
Posted by Katie*Belle at 8:18 AM 3 comments: Links to this post
Labels: family, weekend, weekly gratitude
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Screen Style
Dirty Dancing is one of my all-time favorite movies. While I've loved its characters, storyline, dancing and music for years, the fashion of the film somehow seems right as I think about spring and summer. Maybe I'll knot a white shirt above jean shorts or pair an embroidered top with white cropped pants. Hopefully I'll dance the night away in a swooshy pink dress and metallic sandals. Who's with me?
* Sneakers
* Sandals
Posted by Katie*Belle at 7:44 AM 3 comments: Links to this post
Labels: dirty dancing, fashion, movies, screen style
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Old & New
I love the combination of contemporary furniture and older architecture. And I appreciate when a homeowner can artfully combine vintage items with pieces made today. Perhaps that's why I was taken with this restored Victorian, featured on Living Etc. Clean lines mix with interesting details. Have a look:
Posted by Katie*Belle at 6:00 PM 2 comments: Links to this post
Labels: homes, interior design, living etc.
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text:
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
TWD: Apple-Coconut Family Cake
Amber of Cobbler du Monde chose Apple-Coconut Family Cake for this week's Tuesdays with Dorie recipe.
I almost didn't make this since I've been busy lately. But, with the snow piling up outside and a chilly kitchen, I thought it would be a nice way to warm up my kitchen. Yep, I baked this because I was cold.
I'm glad I did.
This was a moist, appley cake with a nice touch of coconut. Not overwhelmingly so, but enough to notice. Since some of the TWD folks commented that they didn't like the stringiness of the coconut, I gave my pile of coconut a thorough chopping with a knife before adding it to the cake batter.
I baked half of a recipe in one 7" pan, and finished it up with a light drizzle of powdered sugar icing. Oh, and I skipped the apple jelly glaze on top... too lazy!
OK, just want to say thanks to Amber for a great pick! If you'd like to see the recipe, please stop by Amber's blog, or find a copy of Dorie Greenspan's book "Baking, From my Home to Yours".
10 comments:
- Jessica of My Baking Heart said...
The glaze on top is beautiful!! :) I almost didn't make this one, either, but I'm so glad I did.
- December 14, 2010 at 12:48 PM
- steph- whisk/spoon said...
oh, a drizzle--good call!
- December 14, 2010 at 12:58 PM
- Amber Marie said...
Baking because you're cold sounds like an excellent reason! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
- December 14, 2010 at 1:04 PM
- Jessica said...
This was a last minute baking decision for me too! And I loved it! Your cake looks super cute -- I hope it warmed you up!
- December 14, 2010 at 1:10 PM
- Judy said...
Love the drizzle on top. If I make it again, I will keep that in mind.
- December 14, 2010 at 2:24 PM
- Juliana said...
Wow, what a lovely cake, love how you decorated with the apples...and coconut sounds delicious :-)
- December 14, 2010 at 3:11 PM
- The Cottage Garden Farmer said...
There are so many variations on apple cake, but this one sounds particularly delicious.
- December 14, 2010 at 4:40 PM
- Katrina said...
Love it that you baked the cake because you were cold. I wanted to bake just to play along, but we just got a new puppy who is like having a new baby! Glad you liked the cake.
- December 14, 2010 at 11:55 PM
- Tia said...
aww... the pics didn't load for me...
- December 15, 2010 at 2:56 AM
- Avanika [YumsiliciousBakes] said...
That cake looks gorgeous! The flavors sound truly wonderful :)
- December 19, 2010 at 8:19 AM


text:
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text:
[This piece was published in the July 2012 issue of Barcelona Connect magazine.]
In collaboration with Sónar Festival of Advanced Music and New Media art, last night MUTT inaugurated "Dimensions," a solo exhibition showcasing the work of Canadian artist Matthew Hawtin.
MUTT gallery has already gained a solid reputation in Barcelona for hosting a diverse array of events in support of both local and International talent.
Hawtin's art focuses on the concept of creating a 3D space using minimalistic shapes, bold colours and elements of repetition to bring a sense of symmetry and depth to the canvas, a 2D surface.
Matthew's brother Richie Hawtin, the owner of record labels Plus 8 Records and Minus Records, produced music accompanying the exhibition.
Matthew has looked to interpret the simplicity of electronic music since he first designed the artwork for Richie's "Dimension Intrusion" album in 1993. Their working collaboration since then has also served as a visual record of the development of electronic music.
"My work has slowly been minimalised and reduced," he says. "I think that's what any artist wants to do, whatever medium they work with. They want their work to be refined until it's down to its pure essence; achieve an idea in its purest form, in a way."
There is an undeniable sense of synesthesia in Matthew's work; rhythms become symmetrical lines, pulsing beats are rendered as blurred edges. It is the exploration of these parallels between visual and audio art that have brought "Dimensions" to Sónar.
Matthew Hawtin: Dimensions
MUTT gallery, Carrer Comerç 15, Barcelona
13th June – 31st July 2012
MUTT gallery, Carrer Comerç 15, Barcelona
13th June – 31st July 2012


text:
Nokia has launched the 808 Pure View, a Symbian Belle phone boasting of 41MP camera at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The phone is a combination of Nokia-developed pixel over-sampling technology and Carl Zeiss optics.
The phone has a high resolution sensor, which enables it to record 1080p HD videos with 4x digital zoom, without any loss of detail. It will be equipped with features like Nokia Rich Recording that will enable you to record audio at CD-like quality. The phone also has Dolby Headphone technology and Dolby Digital Plus for 5.1 channel surround sound playback.
Packed with 1.3GHz single-core CPU, 16GB internal memory, and 512MB RAM, the 4 inch Nokia 808 Pure View will be hitting the market in May.


text:
Uprising – Bangar
|Uprising, by Bangar
|Bangar, 1st FanFic Festival entry posted July 1, 2006 at 9:04 PM
|It started in the South.
Fueled by of all things science fiction. The great writers of the pulps dismayed that their bright future wasn't coming, that in 80 years that there was no World Government. Wars, famine, and mankind's constant inhumanity to man continued unabated. Mankind was only just returning to the moon after a 40 year absence. So their writings turned dark, their golden age had happened. All their works were still there but their hearts had broken. A dark age of science fiction began. Asimov crafted tales of world controlling computers manipulating people, events and information towards unknown ends. Heinlein distanced himself from his later works and told his stories of dominating governments and cybercorps grinding society down. The writers followed down the path, and conspiracy theory flashed across the comm nets,each followed by one more wild. The distrust of government, corporations and banks followed, soon any large agency was suspect. Fear and suspicion ruled everyone, and when reports of troops firing upon mobs started appearing as secret comms everyone believed, though no other information could be found about the massacres. The governments lost control as rumor became fact.
The Twentieth – World War 2.1.01, by Savo
|The Twentieth – WORLD WAR 2.1.01, by Savo
|Kevin Savage, 1st FanFic Festival entry posted July 1, 2006 at 1:11 AM
15 January 2021 01:10 GMT.
The first warning came when the medical telemetry began screaming. The Mission Control doctor monitoring the panels reached up without really looking and pressed the reset/test button. Five seconds later, the time taken for the computers to self test, bounce the signal to the moon ordering a reset/self test on the astronaut's neck implant and return, the monitor began screaming again. Then another one started, and another, and another, quickly follow by more. The doctor's mouth hung open. She blinked, but otherwise was frozen by what was happening. Finally, fumbling for her mike, she called the Mission Controller.
Operation Titty Twister by Michael Bath
|2nd FanFic Festival entry posted November 30, 2006 at 1:40 PM
Operation Titty Twister
Colonel Dave Orin, USAF, pushed his F-86 D "Sabre Dog", Sex Machine, into a shallow dive, alerted by the 'deedle deedle' of the threat warning indicator in his ears. As his primitive radar detection gained a bead on the source of the threat, he released a salvo of four 70 millimetre anti-radiation guided rockets at the target. Once he noticed the Jihadi SAM radar site disappear in a puff of smoke, his thoughts turned to how he came to be leading his Wild Weasel flight up the Nile Valley.
The Sins of the Future by Joe Devlin
|2nd FanFic Festival entry posted November 30, 2006 at 3:20 PM
The sins of the future.
The world really had gone insane.
The sound of gunfire could be heard getting closer. There was no getting out of it this time. Trapped in a slum with those left wing fanatics circling …"fucking Mormons"!
The Ayers Rock Affair (In Color!) by John Crist
|YD, 2nd FanFic Festival entry posted November 30, 2006 at 2:30 PM
|(Based on characters and situations created by John Birmingham, Mel Brooks, and Buck Henry)PART ONE
August 1954-Washington, DC
Vicente 'Chief' Rogas prepared for another day at the office. He hated not being able to do field work any more, but advancing age and a leg wound suffered in Occupied Japan back in '49 slowed him down to the point where he figured he'd be more dangerous to himself than to any potential enemy. So President Stevenson and the Admiral set him up in charge of the COuNTeRintelligence Oversight CounciL, (CONTROL, for short), a group which dealt with matters that even Donovan's folks at OSS wouldn't or couldn't touch. Since the Soviets collapsed in '52, a lot a rather nasty splinter groups and terror organizations had started to sprout up around the world, and CONTROL's mandate was to neutralize these groups however possible. The matter that the Admiral had briefed him on this morning sounded like it was going to be interesting.
Desert Sunrise, by Steve Kerr – AoT
|Desert Sunrise by Steve Kerr
|2nd FanFic Festival entry posted December 1, 2006 at 7:14 PM
Trepidation, fear trepidation and not a little anxiety.
Not the same fear inLos Alamos, no,.. not that,..thats was more of the Orwellian cum Machiavellian deal the Yanks had to prevent the secret leaking out….
The secret,..
THE secret,..
To quote that Astronaut from the OTL "One small step for a man,..-"
One Lurch toward nuclear extinction,..
A case of there being a fait-accompli…
Just a couple of paragraphs – Chris Babcock – NAoT
The drive was the same as he had remembered as a child, and if he closed his eyes, he could almost hear the non-stop music from his parent's satellite radio drifting through their '06 Chevrolet HHR.
Flipper's Bitch – AA Fan fic – Roger Ross
Rhino Fan fic.
Flipper's Bitch
By Roger Ross
Based on Characters Appearing in After America by John Birmingham. Also Based on Characters Appearing in Secondary Mission WW Fanfic Cmdr Havoc by Andrew "Havock" Porter.
WARNING – Some NSFW language and situations. You have been warned.
Financial District, Manhattan, New York City Federal Controlled Area
"Tell me, again, please, why it is you dragged your half-recuperated carcass out of bed to go on this fool's errand?"
The very large man wedged behind the wheel of the dented and dusty Range Rover battled with the shift in a futile attempt to slow down in time to weave around the mid-street pile-up of taxis that would never take another fare, a losing battle from the sound of grinding rising from the gear box, just scowled and mumbled around his cigar, "Well, Miss Jules, word was they was lookin' for some rated seamen to help out on some search and rescue ops and I was sick of lying around and I figured you were probably bored too and it might be nice to spend a day at sea to blow the stink off us as it were".
Chapter 10 Continued: Havoc AA FanFic
Chapter 10 Continued:
President Kipper thought about what Colonel Kinnimore and General Murphy had just finished briefing him on, he was also pondering the coming telephone calls he was going to need to make.
Chapter 10 AA Fan Fic by Havock
Havock fanfic.
. AFTER AMERICA FAN FIC by HAVOCK.
Chapter 10
Situation Room United States of America.
The chief of staff was eyeing off the President very closely, Jed, thought he could see President Kipper visibly pale, when General Murphy had levelled the issue at Blackstone's feet. President kipper leaned forward slowly in the plushley upholstered directors chair in the Battle lab reaching forward he grabbed the glass and a water pitcher off the central lazy Susan centred on the conference table gently pouring himself a glass of water.
Secondary Mission WW fanfic Cmdr Havoc
Secondary Mission. STRIKE FORCE 1 Somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean.
Lt Colonel Havoc, cut a rather mean figure in the cockpit of the B52, affectionately known as the BUFF, which was to be expected given the sheer scale of death and carnage his wing of B52 bombers had just released on New York, the commander embodied this with his sheer physical presence, at least that's What the Lieutenant Colonel would tell anybody who happened to ask..
The Southern Approaches Command By John R. Johnson WW
After The Wave III
John R. Johnson
It was over a year since the Wave, as it was called, hit the United States, Canada and Mexico. Every person living in the boundaries of the tear shaped wave had disappeared. The wave had covered all of the United States, except for a portion of the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. All of Canada south of an arc which extended from Oregon, brushing Edmonton, and the southern half of Hudson's Bay was gone. The northern two thirds of Mexico from Belize to Acapulco was lifeless. The survivors in southern Mexico had fled south. Afraid the Wave would expand and take them.
Sur La Plage Part 2 – Chaz – WW
The recent unrest had left some parts of the hotel curiously unscarred. The ground floor had been fairly well ransacked as had the first floor rooms. But the upper floors (except for some graffiti and odd bits of mindless vandalism) had been left pretty much intact.
Christmas Sampler
Julianne jumped from the cabin of the helicopter and felt the rotorwash trying to sweep her off the roof. She stayed bent over as she ran forward, clutching the straps of her backpack lest it be ripped away by the furious downblast. She turned and crouched beside an air conditioning unit, and was almost bowled over by the Rhino who was right on her heels. The dark green chopper snarled even more ferociously as the pilot fed power into the engines and lifted off again. Her dirty, unwashed fringe whipped stinging strands of hair into her eyes but she watched and waved them off anyway. The Polish soldier, Milosz, stood in the doorway, grinning hugely. With one hand holding a grab bar he laid the tips of two fingers under his eyes and then pointed directly at her.
After America Expurgated Excerpt – JB
They weren't regular Army and they weren't part of the Texas National Guard. Miguel had a hard time keeping track of the differences but he did know one thing about the men and women of the Texas Defense Force. They were Governor Blackstone's personal troops, for territorial use only, and in no way answerable to Seattle. They were also very well looked after. More than a few disaffected soldiers, sick of going months without any pay at all in the US Army, had come to his banner.
It happened when Jimmy was in Calgary, rummaging through an alley behind a strip mall on 1st Street: he found a crate labeled "Novelty Nose and Glasses." Jimmy opened the crate and found it full of rubber noses attached to black plastic horned-rimmed glasses frames. His hands shook as he placed a pair on his face. He ran into an empty store and found a mirror and, as he looked at his reflection, Jimmy suddenly knew what he was supposed to do.
The Caliphate spy, a Javanese carpenter known simply as Adil, resettled himself against a comfortable groove in the sandal- wood tree. The small, shaded clearing in the hills overlooking Dili had been his home for three days. He shared it with an aged feral cat, which remained hidden throughout the day, and an irritable monkey, which occasionally tried to shit on his head. He had considered shooting the filthy animal, but his orders were explicit. He was to remain unnoticed as long as the crusaders were anchored off East Timor, observing their fleet and sending reports via microburst laser link, but only in the event of a "significant development."
Fish Guts – John R. Johnson & Jose J. Clavell
USCGC Matinicus (WPB-1315)
On Patrol in the Caribbean
Chief Warrant Officer William "Wild Bill" Elliott, Commanding Officer of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Matinicus, carefully eyed its deck as he followed his morning inspection ritual. He was the only warrant officer in the post wave Coast Guard commanding a 110 ft. cutter and his ship filled him with pride. Still, after thirty days underway there were specks of rust starting to show through the paint on the bulkheads and sides of the cutter. The Matinicus could cruise for 60 days with ample provisions but with the all new crew members that he had recruited that would be shortened. He ignored the men and women sleeping on the deck, but froze for a moment when he saw the covered five gallon bucket secured near the fantail and smelled the pungent odor emanating from it.
Wireless – Tygertim8
Jane was stepping down the stairs wearing only her "Madame Butterfly" robe, her heaving bosom bouncing with each step.
The Surfer – Lobes
The surfer sat astride his board, legs dangling in the cool pacific water.
My Heart Will Go On – Savo
Manny and Larry were sitting in a bar in Reykjavík.
Cry Havock – Mr The Rhino
The observation room was separated from the thickly padded room by two inches of sound-proofed and mirrored glass.
The Wave – Alan Moore
(Hawaii. Crowded. FLASH. Darkness. Space? Oh god…)
Kids! – Oldsinger
Mrs. Zazbog skittered down the hallway of her plasma yurt.
The Long week – GirlClumsy
Shaun drew on the joint, breathing the rough smoke deep into his lungs.
This Golfing Life – Dr Yobbo
David Lawrence had lost a few things in the two years since the Great Stellar Shitfight.
The Rodent – sibeen
The hub-bub outside the conference room went up a notch and as Major Gen Gillespie raised his head Howard strode into the room.
…and taketh away – Guru Bob
The Lord giveth…
Dear Mrs First Lady – NoWhereBob
It seemed that half the nutbags and fruitbars who had survived the Wave considered First Lady Barb Kipper a back channel to the President.
On the patio – Matt Keith (again with the not so short …)
As the shadows lengthened and the foothills of the sierra shone purple in the gloaming the four of them were sitting out the back of Karsten's house on an assortment of plastic garden furniture arranged on the patio.
Russian Roulette – sparty
Lieutenant Colonel Nabrakov of the FSB was a worried man.
The Wee Men – savo
The lights flickers as the big generator cut in, it's low rumble vibrating the air throughout the compound.
It's…. – Barnesm
"So Barnesm what do you think caused The Wave"?
We Few, We Brave Few, We Band of Cheeseburgers – DArkman
Stephen Francis Murphy ran past the bodies of the Cheeseburger irregulars, spun around and yelled "Rhino, Havoc To Me!", mustering the last of fanbase.
Wichita Falls – Brian C (not so short …)
At the time of the Wave Damien had been married for 5 years and was experiencing some marriage troubles.
Schrödinger's Damned Cat – Barnesm
Toni laid the king down on the board.
Scapegoat – MickH
Gary Kovak lifted the whisky glass unsteadily off the bar, spilling a little of the goldern fluid and earning a silent frown from the bartender.
Equal Rights – Barnesm
Julie turned and asked, "pass us another tray of seedlings, Granny"
Tastes Like Chicken -Samuel C.
Randy Green was getting off work at his job at Microsoft.
April Fool – Sweet Jane Says
This is an April Fools thing – right?
Stavros – Paul Nicholas Boylan
When Stavros was in Seattle, he stopped for lunch at Roxy's Diner on 36th Street.
Destiny – Madoc
Blue Screen of Death – Mark R. Whittington
Craig Cram was one of the millions of Americans who had suddenly found themselves exiled when the wave wiped out much of North America.
Whidbey Island – Trinity64
This space reserved for Whidbey Island
Thommo and Derek – drej
Thommo and Derek, college freshmen fortunate enough to be vacationing in Alaska when the wave hit.
No More Heroes- Chaz
The night was warm and humid for a change Continue reading
Agent Frellman – Abe
Agent Frellman had just finished his weekly meeting with Raoul Castro. Secondment to the DGI in Havana was agreeing with Frellman, as it was helping him hone his sausage-making skills in his spare time. When he wasn't chasing down Cayman Island money launderers and rogue credit derivative traders, of course.
Alien Space Bats – Guy Roberts
Francis put down the telephone and turned back to the computer screen in front of him.
204f – NoWhereBob
204f braked against the gravity of a large yellow star. If a simple robot could, it would have been bored spit-less, but as this was its purpose in existing it just did its job with a minimum of fuss.
A Walk in The Woods – by Savo WW-ZE
Our/my memories were vague, broken. There was so much, so many of them but so little I could understand.
Only hunger remained.
Coming Home – Without Warning FanFic by Stephen Francis Murphy
"This is the last stop, Specialist," the African American driver, an above the elbow amp, said. "Sure you want to walk the rest of the way?"
Bobby Wilder, still in his desert fatigues, nodded. "Yeah, I'll be fine. Just a couple of miles."
"I'd take you there but the roads aren't clear and they watch my mileage pretty closely," the driver said. "Fuel ain't that hard to come by but they watch it anyway."
"They're more concerned about wear and tear on the bus I suspect," Wilder said, with a sixteen in one hand and his ruck in the other. "Thanks for the lift. When will you be back through here?"
"Same time tomorrow. Got some homesteaders here in Northtown and the work details down in the rail yards. There are some folks up at Cerner and the hospital as well. They keep me pretty busy," the driver said. "Rule of thumb is around noon or so."
Wilder nodded. "Noon it is. Thanks."
New Order – by Havock
For Sergeant Major Bo Jaason the retreat and subsequent sea journey from Kuwait had been nothing short of a nightmare. The organizational process of withdrawing as a result of the wave had been littered with disaster after disaster, catastrophe was more the word he thought, and they'd lost no fewer than 50% of the ships which had set out. A combination of missile attacks, suicide boats and a single stray Iranian Tango class sub had played bloody hell with the fleets departure in the confined waters of the Gulf, seemed every rag headed, religious nut job had come out to have a crack at the US and its allies.
The Falcon Masters – by Stephen Francis Murphy
The Falcon Masters – – Without Warning Fan Fiction
By Steven Francis Murphy
Snow covered the empty plains of the American Midwest, the bleak sun peering down through a clear grey blue sky down upon the bones of empire. Tufts of fine grass, waist high reached up, shifting with the Siberian express blowing hard across Kansas and over the river into Missouri. No rabbits scurried to evade the nimble fox, the eager wolf or the cagey farm dog. Huddles of cattle were nowhere to be found either. Rusting farm machines covered in snow and dirt sank on deflated tires into the soil. A windmill spun crazy lazy on a busted pivot, betraying the wind's true direction, creaking in the empty air, joined only by the sound of turbine thunder roaring far above a land orphaned in the blink of an eye by the hand of fate.
Par Ardua ad Astra by DrunkenWombat
October 23rd 1946.
Kapustin Yar Test Range, USSR
Stalin removed the pipe from his mouth.
"Well Comrade Korolev, it looks like I won't have to send you back to the Gulag after all. Your rockets will keep those American bastards in line! And you are sure it can hit Washington, all the way from the Motherland?"
Sergei Korolev, the Soviet Chief Rocket Designer's ears were still ringing from the launch of the Cossack I rocket 45 minutes earlier.
"Indeed Premier Stalin. And with a far greater accuracy than anticipated. We can put the atomic warhead right in Roosevelts tea cup!"
In his hand on the screen of the flexipad was the range data from the launch. The payload had landed less than a kilometre from its target on the north most Island of Japan.
The Right to Bear Arms – by Drej
The Right to Bear Arms
The line waiting to enter the Bungalow Bar in central Whangarei was not as long as usual, partly due to the cold and plenty due to the economic recession gripping the world. But to 19 year old Robbie Kahui, the din of voices raised to counter the ever present doof-doof music within was testament to the fact that no matter the state of the world, people still sought to drown their uncertainties in increasingly expensive liquor to preserve the illusion, at least, of a "good time".
Why – by NoWhereBob
The old man said nothing, as was his way. With a flick of the wrist he threw the last of his tea into the smoking embers of last nights fire, stood with popping joints and creaking tendons and walked towards the stock horses. He took no joy from what he had started, perhaps a grim sliver of satisfaction, knowing that a terrible wrong was to be righted. Last night in a special place he had sung the songs to summon his ancestors, he had sought their counsel and with their help he had sung the death of America.
Sur la Plage Part 1: Insertion by Chaz
Sur la Plage
Part 1: Insertion
April 2003
The camouflaged AS532 Cougar scudded low over the acid rain bleached fields bordering the Loire estuary. Nantes smoke blackened skyline faded into the springs early dusk. Normally at this time of year the evening would be warm and long. Now the ever present thick poisonous cloud cover cast an overbearing pall over the countryside.
Lootin' Schmootin' – by NoWhereBob
He slipped over a fence and into a new overgrown yard. A year's tall dead grass partly hid a kids play gym. He moved towards a back deck listening intently and watching the house for movement. Yesterday he had heard a helicopter in the distance, probably the army. But it was a week since he'd spoken to anyone. A week since the Chechens had killed Dan.
The Disappearance + 1 month by tonick175
Disappearance + 1 Month
Australia , Northern Territory Coastline – 0250H
"Here they come". The dull hum of the thermal imaging camera was now a constant reminder of their now familiar nightly routine. And its images told of another busy night ahead. "I've got 12, no make that 15 craft running line astern, about 200m apart, heading is on bearing 185, with no lights visible. They're running blind". Sergeant Peter Anders pulled back from the eyepiece and rolled his neck left to right, sweat running down the middle of his back. He had, up till recently come to accept that his job was, realistically, defunct. But that was before "the Wave" and, it seems, the vaporizing of what was the population of mainland United States .
Murphy's Law – by Guru Bob
Murph's law
The camouflaged figure crouched low in the bushes and scanned the blackness ahead of him along the barrel of his rifle. Suddenly there was scurrying movement ahead of him and then two low slung figures bounded away through the long grass towards the treeline.
Mr Singh – BobNoWhere
Mr Singh smiled as he watched one of his herds. The tall man in a turban, check shirt and blue jeans sat comfortably in the saddle. For the first time in a many long days he had allowed himself to leave the armies of problems to rage and gibber in his e-mail inbox. True it was to deal in person with yet another problem with the new slaughterhouse, but at least he was away from the desk in daylight and out on his horse.
Payback – By Jose J. Clavell
A Without Warning Fanfic
By Jose J. Clavell
Over the Caribbean Sea
Manuel Figueroa tried to ignore the numbers blinking in his head-up display and the occasional mutterings of Bitching Bettie as the female voice forcefully reminded him that a moment of inattention, or even a sneeze, could cause he and his Fighting Falcon to join the submarine service, permanently. Buying the farm that way would be terribly sucky after surviving the Iraq invasion, the unexpected furball with Iran, the second use of atomic weapons and the first nuclear war in history. That would definitively have pissed him off and greatly disappointed his legion of female fans.
Life had been relatively good since the American forces left the Middle East to their own devices and, in the case of his wing, moved back to sunny Puerto Rico. It had been extremely good for him because, unlike the majority of his mainlander brothers and sisters-in-arms, he had his grandparents and a good portion of his family still living on the island.
Continue reading
Again – A Without Warning Fanfic By sibeen (Joe Devlin)
He clambered out of the fog of sleep and glanced at the bedside clock.
"Shit, 3:14", what the hell was he doing awake, especially after the strenuous activities earlier in the night. He rolled over and looked at his bed partner. "Coleen," no wait, that was last week…Monica… Monica, yeah that was it. He grinned to himself and thought about giving Monica a quiet nudge; "for a short, balding lawyer of Greek and Irish extraction you don't do too bad, do you old son?"
Rhino Pr0n – by NoWhereBob
0400 Wheelhouse of MV Aussie Rules.
The Rhino was deliberately waiting before he got his next cup of coffee and a new cigar. He was well aware of the rapidly diminishing supply of both. To find something to do he tweaked the sea clutter up a touch on the RADAR. He snorted "Damned thing'll acquire, plot & lay off a course & speed for a new target before I even know it's there." While the old days had required more skill, more knowledge, a more intuitive touch, there certainly was something to be said for the new whizz-bangery of integrated GPS Chart Plotters & RADAR with ARPA. He drew some comfort from the knowledge that he could go back to the old technology, where as the under 30 pussies couldn't find their own ass without GPS. He settled his ass back into the gas lift helm chair, which despite being designed by some softcock interior designer and trimmed in white leather, the Rhino had to admit it was a thing of great comfort.
His mental background chatter stopped short as he sensed someone coming up the stairwell. Fifi, wrapped in a blanket, padded to beside his helm chair.
Rhino furry
0400 Wheelhouse of MV Aussie Rules.
The Rhino was deliberately waiting before he got his next cup of coffee and a new cigar. He was well aware of the rapidly diminishing supply of both. To find something to do he tweaked the sea clutter up a touch on the RADAR. He snorted "Damned thing'll acquire, plot & lay off a course & speed for a new target before I even know it's there." While the old days had required more skill, more knowledge, a more intuitive touch, there certainly was something to be said for the new whizz-bangery of integrated GPS Chart Plotters & RADAR with ARPA. He drew some comfort from the knowledge that he could go back to the old technology, where as the under 10 pussies couldn't find their own ass or donkey without GPS. He settled his leathery grey rump back into the gas lift helm chair, which despite being designed by some softcockerel interior designer and trimmed in white vinyl , the Rhino had to admit it was a thing of great comfort.
Rhino /
0400 Wheelhouse of MV Aussie Rules.
The Rhino was deliberately waiting before he got his next cup of coffee and a new cigar. He was well aware of the rapidly diminishing supply of both. To find something to do he tweaked the sea clutter up a touch on the RADAR. He snorted "Damned thing'll acquire, plot & lay off a course & speed for a new target before I even know it's there."
While the old days had required more skill, more knowledge, a more intuitive touch, there certainly was something to be said for the new whizz-bangery of integrated GPS Chart Plotters & RADAR with ARPA. He drew some comfort from the knowledge that he could go back to the old technology, where as the under 30 pussies couldn't find their own ass without GPS. He settled his ass back into the gas lift helm chair, which despite being designed by some softcock interior designer and trimmed in white leather, the Rhino had to admit it was a thing of great comfort.
Welcome to The Mini-Burger – Fan Fic in the Birmoverse.
Just a quick repast on what we are doing here. This is the repository for fanfic relating to John Birmingham's Axis of Time Universe and his Without Warning Universe.
Here is a sample of the quality work generally available here. Apologies to NWB
Rhino Havock
0400 Wheelhouse of MV Aussie Rules.
The Rhino was deliberately waiting before he got his next cup of coffee and a new cigar. He was well aware of the rapidly diminishing supply of both. To find something to do he tweaked the sea clutter up a touch on the RADAR. He snorted "Damned thing'll acquire, plot & lay off a course & speed for a new target before I even know it's there."
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text:
Inventors draw and sketch as part of their "process" of working out an idea. Drawing moves the idea from the inventor's mind to the paper, making it seem more possible. Sketches and drawings also convince. They convince us to imagine what something will look like, or how it might work before actually building or manufacturing it. The pencil sketch here represents the "process of working it out" at its very best. Drawn by Joseph Friedman (1915-1982), this sketch from the 1930s is the first record of Friedman working out his "flexible straw" idea. These pencil lines were drawn quickly on the reverse side of a scrap of paper, but with purpose-- to show that he wanted his straw to flex or bend. The sketch is whimsical too, and at quick glance reminds me of a flower wilting in a vase. Friedman eventually patented his flexible straw work (U.S. Patent #2,094,268) which was called a Drinking Tube, on September 28, 1937.
Alison Oswald, Archivist
Archives Center, National Museum of American History