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How to get started on your December Daily Album17:51
Hi, Aimee here. I'm super excited to be here today to kick off the first of our December Daily series. By now, I'm sure many of you have started amassing a pile of Christmas supplies. I know I have! This year, I'll be using the Polly December Daily kit and whatever else I find lying around. I have to admit that I'm not really one for preparing pages. Partly because I like to use the colours from my photos to dictate a layout and well… I don't have kids, so scrapping everyday is not that much of a drama. I have, however, taken the time to pimp out my album. Would you like to see?
Now three days, four coats of paint and a hot glue gun burn later, I want to talk to you today about inspiration. I do truly believe that creativity is just like a muscle – the more you use it the stronger it gets. Personally, more often than not, I have a vision for a project long before I begin, but what if you don't know where it is that you're headed? What if you want to tackle a project, but have no idea where to start? It's a great question and that's exactly where I found myself at 4am on Thursday. I had just wrapped up another amazing project that encompassed 3 of my CT teams. I was pumped and motivated by the result. I was up early to watch the Becky Higgins Creative Live class. I sat down on the floor behind my coffee table to watch the class with a bare BasicGrey Capture Album in front of me and… nothing. No ideas at all. What is a girl to do in situations like this?
Well my first port of call is always Pinterest. I adore Pinterest because the cream of the crop naturally rises to the top. It's different from doing a Google search because Google works on a very particular algorithm that is influenced by your previous searches. Pinterest is people-powered. The more pins and likes it has, the more likely it is to show up in your search. I did get an idea for a misted cover, but ultimately abandoned it because my mist was the wrong shade of green.
Next stop is always Instagram. There is something truly wonderful about Instagram because not everybody's album looks posed and perfect. I also love that it all happens in real time. People are working on their albums at the exact same time as you. Sadly, in this case there were A LOT of red binding star albums out there, which wasn't a lot of help to me.
Usually, if I'm still out of luck by this point, I would head for the big galleries, such as Studio Calico, Two Peas or even here, but you can guess what that would result in… red binding, painted stars.
Lean in just a little closer, because now I'm going to fill you in on a secret. My absolute last stop, which never seems to fail, are the archives. I head to my favourite blogs, the blogs written by my scrapping Idols, and I search their tags for relevant topics. More often than not, the posts go back many, many years and guess what I found?
This was an image I found of Elizabeth Kartchner's (Dear Lizzy) Daily December album from 2011. I loved the simple title and the use of frame. I also felt the combination of textures were brilliant. The doily, washi, wood and glitter are just a great combination. I used enamel dots as a nod to her confetti motif.
So how did it come together?
1. Gather supplies. I didn't have a frame similar to the one in the picture. The one you see on the front of my album is actually a letter stencil. I used to use it to address letters back in my pen pal days. The doily came from my present wrapping supplies. I dug through my washi basket to find all my red tape and I've got an uber crush on velvet ribbon right now.
2. Paint. I masked off the binding on my album (P.S. this album can be found in the Polly store) with washi and painted the front and back covers with Acrylic white paint. It took 4 coats over a period of a day and a half. I wasn't really prepared to use a heat tool to dry the paint between coats because I have heard rumours of it warping the cardboard. Once dry, I gave it a light sand with fine sand paper to remove brush marks.
3. Layering and placement. Long before glue was involved, I shuffled the elements around and around until I was happy. I asked my scrappy friends, I asked my husband… then I ignored them all and did what I liked.
4. If it can't survive a toddler attack, you didn't use enough glue. I'm a minimalist and, don't get me wrong, I understand the logic behind making flat covers, but I really do love mine so the only other option was glue and lots of it. I used a hot glue gun to glue everything (EVERYTHING) down.
5. Ta-da! Admire your handiwork.
Just in case you were wondering, here is my supply list:
- Green Basic GreyCapture Album
- Red Velvet Ribbon
- White Doily
- Maggie Holmes Gold Daiquiri Thickers
- Freckled Fawn Red Stripe Washi
- Small Freckled Fawn Red Sequin Bow
- Wooden Letter Stencil
- Red Enamel dots form the DD kit
- Gold Enamel Dots from past Polly Kits
- Green Enamel Dot I found lose on the bookcase
Just a few more things before I leave you. I'll be back in early December to show you my progress, but if that isn't soon enough please feel free to check on my progress over on my blog. If you are using the Polly kit too, please feel free to tag me in any and all social media. I love seeing how you are all using my designs. There is no greater feeling as a designer. Oh and just a reminder, there are still December Daily kits and Christmas stamps available in store. Any questions?
Have a fantastic weekend.


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Another year goes by and more lessons learned, identifications made, new experiences and of course a couple of dips!
The majority of the focus of the year was on the Patchwork Challenge competition, which I managed to score a massive 160 species of bird at Strumpshaw, Buckenham and Cantley. this beats by previous best year by 11 species!
New species I've not seen at Mid Yare before are as follows;
Grey Plover
Montys Harrier
Sandwich Tern
The Wryneck stands out as being the most surprising of the additional species closely followed by Sandwich Tern and Woodlark. Nice to finally catch up with Hawfinch over the reserve too.
Off Patch I had a single addition to my UK list, but a bit of a belter -The Pacific Swift on my first fathers day
Biggest annoyance of the year has to be (yet again) Icterine warbler. It was a good year for them and I managed to see one fly over my head and away at Cley and another for a millisecond in the open after a 4hr search turning up seconds after it was showing well at Gun Hill. Maybe this year!!
So not to dwell on the past I'll look to 2014.
It may be a busy year for several reasons;
1- January I will be doing the footit competition. I have set the large target of 80 species within a mile of my house....we'll see, but it'll be fun to explore the species around me in fuller detail.
2- Patchwork challenge- all year (but I will probably be there less than last year)
3- Garden pan species listing- all year. This is potentially an interesting and time consuming goal for the year. I will be concentrating on true bugs, hoverflies, moths and all other creepy crawlies that can be identified. This is a way of forcing me to look at more taxa to increase my knowledge and my chances of becoming a better ecologist! I have set a target of 500 species for the year in my small garden, if I'm honest I really don't know how realistic this is but with a potential of 200 sp of moth I think its a fair aim.
4- The biggest thing I will be busy with will most probably be family! with little Toby now 1 and just starting walking, this will be a year for being a dad and a husband. (This also works well with my garden all taxa challenge!! lol)
I wish all readers of this blog a Happy New Year and a prosperous wildlife filled 2014 thank you for reading- Ben

subset: commoncrawl


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Springfield, Ore.--Last week, students from the University of Oregon, members of the local faith community and immigration reform advocates continued their pressure on Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) over the issue of Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
On Tuesday, 40 students and citizens canvassed the campus area, knocking on a combined 249 doors in 1 hour. Their message focused on Representative DeFazio and their call for him to help pass desperately needed reform legislation.
Since January, Reform Advocates around the state have been ramping up pressure on Oregon's Congressional Delegation calling for them to stop the pain that families are suffering under our current broken immigration system and support immigration reform. As Congressman DeFazio has refused to commit to anything on immigration reform, residents of Lane County have been increasing in their engagement over the issue holding events throughout the district.
At least five of the seven members of the Oregon's Congressional delegation have committed to working to pass reform legislation. Congressman Earl Blumenauer has joined on as a Co-Sponsor of Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity (CIR-ASAP) Act of 2009 (HR 4321) and has been an outspoken advocate for reform.
On Saturday, over 80 members of the local Catholic Faith Community gathered for a prayer vigil outside the Springfield home of Congressman DeFazio. The group largely from St. Alice Catholic Church of Springfield and St. Mary's Catholic Church of Eugene engaged in song and prayer while holding signs and candles calling on the Congressman to hear the voices of justice and support HR 4321.
During the vigil, the Congressman's neighbors, many who attended, were very supportive of the action. One neighbor even brought his car with a lamp to provide lighting for the vigil.
There is a growing frustration around the nation as members of Congress stall on immigration reform while families are being separated. People of faith in communities across the country are urging Congress to reform the country's broken immigration system this year.
The Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity (CIR-ASAP) Act of 2009 (HR 4321) was introduced in Congress on December 15, 2009 by Illinois Congressman Luis Gutierrez and would:
The Senate has yet to introduce a Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill, although the Democratic Leadership and the President has said that they plan to pass reform legislation this year.
Students Pound Pavement for Immigration Reform
PHOTOS: Prayer Vigil for Immigration Reform outside the home of Congressman DeFazio


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How's your contest season going?
This is the saddle of fall activity; CQWW SSB and CW SS are behind us, SSB SS and CQWW CW are just ahead. Then there is the holiday flurry of ARRL 160m, ARRL 10m and the Stew Perry before we collapse into the end of the year. Oh yeah, we gotta stay awake or wake up long enough for Straight Key Night. (No, it's not a CONTEST, but as an operating activity, it serves to keep us humble to once a year pull out the J-38 and make an unmitigated abomination of Mr. Morse's code by trying to send something other than 5NN)
Our CQ SSB effort wasn't too awfully different from Dash's. But Cousin QRM usually finds Gummi Bears when he shakes the rig rather than pretzels. It's funny how for months we've bemoaned the lack of sunspots and poor conditions only to find 15m hopping during the world's biggest DX contest. Years ago someone once told me that a dead band was composed of thousands of operators listening for the band to open. Or maybe we just got lucky. Macho Cuesew and Leche Dinero are still trying to steal enough network bandwidth to get their worldwide network of remote receivers to work properly. Maybe by the CW contest.
Sweepstakes is always a blast, even if the cw event serves to re-enforce our humbleness even more than SKN. Cousin QRM keeps trying for that elusive sweep, and Lord knows he needs the broom to clear off the cracker crumbs from the shack table. Rusty Key pointed out that if all the LIDS lived close enough, we could enter the club category and whup all them other big contest clubs, east and west. But our wide flung membership only fits within the 'circle' that is Mother Earth. (So far, none of the astronaut-hams have expressed an interest in being one of the LIDS, but we welcome inquires.)
So this last 'free' weekend of the year will be devoted to repairing antennas and raking leaves around Dr. DX's Lab of Mad Sciencery. Get the voice keyer files recorded and polish the D-104. Polish the beam with Dr. DX's Antenna Wax, and chill the Beveridges. The rest of the year, and contest season, are coming fast.


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WESTON, Conn. — The Fresh Air Fund's goal of sending 4,100 New York City schoolchildren for visits this summer includes plans to increase the number of families from Easton, Redding and Weston who take part.
Last year, 12 families in Weston, eight in Redding and five in Easton hosted children for one to two weeks.
Martha Mintzer, who coordinates the volunteer program in Weston, hosted two girls from the Bronx, N.Y., last summer who returned over the holiday season. "Estrella and Genesis came up in December and helped us celebrate Hanukkah," she said. "It was new for them."
Dawn Kelk hosted Skylynn, a 9-year-old from the Bronx, who also came to visit during the holidays. "At Christmas-time we made Christmas cookies and she went skating for the first time at Longshore," she said. "It's an opportunity to give kids an experience they wouldn't have otherwise."
For more information about hosting a child this summer, fill out this form or call 800-367-0003.
Click here to sign up for Daily Voice's free daily emails and news alerts.


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NREL, Chevron consider renewable diesel research
In the five-year agreement, both companies will research and develop new production technologies for biofuels, including renewable diesel. However, Chevron and NREL weren't limiting the project to this area. "They still have to sort out where the research is going to head," Douglas said.
Right now, the focus is less on the biofuel end-product and more on the best feedstock for the job. Ultimately, the real target of the research is finding the best way to convert a cellulosic feedstock into a usable fuel, "whatever that fuel might be," Douglas said.
Chevron and NREL don't plan to pursue biodiesel production technology through this project, at least not biodiesel made from feedstocks such as soybeans. "They're not looking at making biodiesel in the conventional sense," he said.
The research may delve into producing renewable diesel from bio-oils. Bio-oils can also be used to produce hydrogen, he said.
"We believe that for the next generation of biodiesel production to become commercially viable, there must be flexibility to diversify the feedstocks, and the process by which the biofuels are produced must also increase in efficiency and effectiveness," said Rick Zalesky, vice president of biofuels and hydrogen for Chevron Technology Ventures. "This research will address both of these fundamental challenges."
Chevron and NREL each have other research partnerships in the area of cellulosic biofuels. In the past year, Chevron also announced research alliances with the University of California, Davis, and the Georgia Institute of Technology. At about the same time Chevron partnered with NREL, NREL was linked with investment company HamiltonClark for work on cellulosic ethanol.
What Is Renewable Diesel?
According to the U.S. EPA, renewable diesel is defined as a nonester renewable fuel. Biodiesel is made from mono-alkyl esters.
Nonester renewable diesel is derived from nonpetroleum renewable resources, including-but not limited to-poultry fats and poultry wastes, municipal solid waste, sludge and oils derived from wastewater, and other wastes, according to the EPA. Current examples include diesel fuel produced from fats and oils through a refinery hydro-heating process.
The EPA plans to finalize a proposed ruling for equivalency values for renewable fuels, including renewable diesel, by early 2007, according to Enesta Jones, an EPA spokeswoman. The values will be used to track renewable fuels standard (RFS) credits that were initiated in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. In the meantime, the EPA has proposed that biodiesel has an equivalency value of 1.5 gallons, while nonester renewable diesel has a 1.7 equivalency value. "Equivalence values of nonethanol renewable fuels are based on their energy values in comparison with ethanol, and then adjusted as necessary for their renewable component content," Jones told Biodiesel Magazine.


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Thursday, June 3, 2010
Happy birthday Tilda
Had to wait for the glitter-glue to dry before I could scan this birthday card and then get it into the mail. Shh, not telling where it's going to, though . . .
Labels: Happy Birthday Tilda
5 comments:
OOOOOOHH this is sooo cute. I love the colors and the layout!! Great job!ReplyDelete
also pretty card!!! love it!ReplyDelete
How cute! Love the DP and Tilda is adorable! A perfect Birthday card, Lillian!ReplyDelete
- patricia smithJune 3, 2010 at 10:50 AM
Someone will have fun with that card when they get it! Neat job, Lillian. Hugs, PatReplyDelete
Lillian, whoever gets one of these cards will really love it. Beautiful job--oh, do the presents come with the card too?ReplyDelete
Hugs Monica M
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Eastern Maine Community College is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant students. Applicants who are citizens of countries other than the United States are expected to submit the same credentials as other applicants, including transcripts of courses taken and examination results. If the documents are not in English, they must be accompanied by an English translation certified by a recognized agency that specializes in the evaluation of foreign educational documents.
Recommended for international educational credential evaluation:
World Educational Services
Bowling Green Station
PO Box 5087
New York, NY 10274-5087
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
If English is not the applicant's native language, Eastern Maine Community College requires a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 530 paper/197 computer based/71 Internet based (iBT).
International students who want to receive an I-20 form from Eastern Maine Community College must study full-time (a minimum of 12 credit hours) in one of our many programs of study.
To receive an I-20 form from Eastern Maine Community College for full-time study, you must submit the following:
- a complete application for full-time study
- a non-refundable, one-time application fee of $20.00
- official test results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- tuition payment
- proof of finances, less than two months old (in English), showing that you will have enough money to pay for both your living and tuition expenses with studying at Eastern Maine Community College
- a copy of your passport
- a copy of all required vaccination records
Acceptable documents include:
- a letter from your bank, in English, stating the amount of money in your account, or
- a bank statement from a family member or an employer (in English). If you submit a bank statement from anyone other than yourself, you must also submit a signed Declaration of Finances from the person or organization that will sponsor you.
If you are transferring from another school within the United States, you must also bring the following to Eastern Maine Community College before we can issue you an I-20:
- your passport
- a copy of all pages of your 1-20 from the previous school
- Proof of health insurance. All matriculated students must have health insurance while in the United States.
We recommend that you apply for your I-20 from oversees at least one month before your program begins.


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|About this Recording
8.557291 - PITFIELD: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 / Xylophone Sonata
Thomas Pitfield (1903-1999)
Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 • Studies on an English Dance-Tune, etc.
Xylophone Sonata
Thomas Pitfield was born in Bolton in 1903 and died in Bowdon, Cheshire, in 1999. His father was a joiner and builder, and his mother a dressmaker. Although from infancy he had first artistic and then musical leanings, these were denigrated by his conformist family, and at the age of fourteen he was pitchforked protestingly into a seven-year apprenticeship in engineering. His savings during this period did, however, afford him a year's study of piano, cello and harmony at the Royal Manchester College of Music. After attempting a freelance career as a musician, commercial pressures dictated a change of direction and he won a scholarship to study art and cabinet-making at the Bolton School of Art. During his years as an arts and crafts teacher in the Midlands he became increasingly known as a composer, owing to the help and encouragement of Hubert Foss of the Oxford University Press, who published many of his compositions and commissioned for the press cover-designs (including that for Britten's Simple Symphony), cards, folk-song translations and book illustrations. In 1947 Pitfield was invited to teach composition at his old College, and remained on its staff (through the transition to the Royal Northern College of Music) until his seventieth birthday in 1973. In a long and happy retirement he continued to pursue both his musical and artistic interests until well into his nineties.
As a composer Pitfield was essentially self-taught. Most of the works in his substantial output are collections of miniatures, many written for children or amateurs, for whom he seemed to compose with an innate understanding of their capabilities. Larger works include a five-movement Sinfonietta written at the request of Sir John Barbirolli for the Hallé Orchestra, and concertos for piano, violin, recorder and percussion, and there is a quantity of chamber music written for many distinguished artists of his own and subsequent generations, including Goossens, Evelyn Rothwell, Archie Camden, Dolmetsch, and Osian Ellis. A speciality was composing for unusual instruments, including solo works for accordion, clarsach, xylophone and harmonica, and he even invented his own instrument, the "patterphone", to produce rain-like sounds.
Despite being a somewhat idiosyncratic performer on the piano, Thomas Pitfield was strongly attracted to the instrument throughout his life, one of his earliest publications being Prelude Minuet and Reel, still his best known work. The idea of a piano concerto was first mooted by the Australian pianist Beatrice Tange, who had recorded Prelude Minuet and Reel for HMV Sydney, but when the resulting work, with string orchestra accompaniment, was sent to her, she returned it unplayed as not being "in her line" – though perhaps the fact that it was dedicated to the Liverpool pianist Gordon Green may not have helped. This early Concerto was eventually performed by another Liverpool pianist, Douglas Miller, but Pitfield subsequently withdrew it, and used the material in other works.
His next essay in the form, Concerto No. 1, in E minor, with full orchestra, was written in 1946-47 at the request of yet another Liverpool pianist, Stephen Wearing, who gave the first performance with the (Royal Liverpool) Philharmonic Orchestra under Hugo Rignold on 12th November 1949, winning critical praise from The Liverpool Daily Post. Subsequent performances followed under Louis Cohen, Boult (for the Festival of Britain), John Hopkins and Vilem Tausky, but then, despite having had three broadcasts, it fell foul of the BBC's reading panel, to the composer's composer's chagrin. The offensive report was read to Pitfield at his insistence, and "the words registered as if burnt through my skin", as he wrote in his autobiography – "Moody and Sankey – sentimental – academic – derivative-Liszt – produces a mouse….." The work was, however, revived for Pitfield's retirement concert at the RNCM in 1973, when it was played by Anthony Goldstone. The concerto, which is in three movements, bears many of Pitfield's fingerprints, parallel triads, folkish melody, cheeky grace notes, lush hymn-like harmonisations, and black/white note cascades between alternating hands, as well as hints of Gershwin, Poulenc and Ravel. The composer's own programme note for the work reads as follows:
"The interval of a fourth, with which the present work begins, is used as a kind of motto throughout. It sometimes undergoes a gradual chromatic expansion, as in the rocking bass which becomes conspicuous quite early in the exposition.
"The first subject provides, through many transformations, most of the contrapuntal fabric of the work, and the slow theme beginning the second movement, much of the harmonic. After a statement of theme 1 in the basses (with a little help from the cellos and bass-drum), it is restated in canon between piano and woodwind – except that the latter have it in reverse. Subsequently there are many transformations: expansions, compressions, ostinatos, canons in two keys, and finally, in the extended coda, fugal treatments.
"While one of the first movement's three subjects is in contrast to the remaining two – and chiefly confined to the piano – echoes of the other two (and particularly the interval of the fourth) still persist. The third and more cantabile theme turns up again fragmentarily in the next movement.
"A solemn dirge-like theme (lower strings used antiphonally with the piano) initiates the second movement, which owes most of its existence to this theme. If the concerto were a play, the theme would probably be rightly regarded as the leading character. It is not, however, unconnected with plays, for it was written for an amateur production of Hamlet during my youth, when it provided the incidental music to the Death scene. Regarded graphically rather than purely musically, it can be traced (by outline) in the slightly mysterious scherzo which comprises a section of this movement.
"Movement 3 is gay and impudent – a Rondo with a fugal appendage. The gay mood and that of the fugue have a brief struggle for ascendancy, the latter prevailing. (The subject is again the first of movement 1). Soon the main theme from movement 2 gradually emerges (in solemn chords on the brass) like a threatening shape, at first faintly visible through the more transparent and complex texture of the fugue itself. Finally the dirge-like theme succeeds in flooding the fugue and emerges blazoning its triumph unchallenged, except that it accommodates the rhythm of the fugue subject (pounded on the bass drum and cymbal) to its own purpose. The elation of triumph subsides and some brief reference to other moods of the work (including a canonic compression of the Rondo theme) brings the work to an end."
Piano Concerto No. 2 had an even more chequered history than the first. It was commissioned by Pitfield's friend the publisher Max Hinrichsen at the instigation of Peters Edition in the United States, and bears a publication date of 1960. Piano students in American universities had to play a concerto movement lasting ten minutes for their performance auditions, and the intention was to provide a miniature concerto within that timespan, thus allowing for the variations in speed and mood that a single extracted movement would not provide. At the suggestion of the publisher, but against the composer's better judgement, the work was published with the subtitle "The Student". Not surprisingly, this was seen as patronising, and the work fell between two stools, being shunned by both professional and students alike, despite a play-through by a student with the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra. The composer's collection of programmes does not include any reference to a formal première of the work.
The concerto is prefaced by a quotation from Milton: "…… and bring with thee Jest and youthful Jollity". The opening movement, Dance-Prologue, starts with a typical Pitfield ostinato of ascending thirds, which recurs regularly throughout the movement, and melds together three very simple white-note tunes, a descending scale, a touchingly harmonized hymn-like melody, and a waltz tune starting with a repeated note motif. A touch of variety is provided in the middle section by some quasi-flamenco harmonies and rhythms in the orchestra. The second movement, Interlude on White Keys, serves as a scherzo, and derives its contrast from the opening movement (itself nearly all on the white keys) by being modally inflected. The main material for the movement is an insistent running figure introduced by the piano at the start, and the contrasting middle section is a tender and free folk-like melody (also modal) played by the piano alone. In the reprise the running figure is counterpointed against a reel-like tune on the clarinet, with the side drum providing rhythmic impetus, before the rest of the players break in with desultory interjections, the strings and woodwind rocking the movement to a hushed conclusion.
The last movement, a set of three variations on the English folksong "The Oak and the Ash", acts as both slow movement and finale. After the solemn and expressive statement of the theme, the first variation is playful and spiky, in Pitfield's favourite 5/8 rhythm, whereas the second, for piano alone, is a dreamy meditation. The third and final toccata-like variation brings back high jinks, with wayward escapades into remote keys before a resounding sequence of triads on the orchestra, accompanying a cascade of doubleoctaves from the soloist, bring the work to an exultant and sudden conclusion in the home key of C Major.
Studies on an English Dance-Tune was written for Pitfield's pupil, the composer and pianist John McCabe, who first performed it, whilst still a student, at the Royal Manchester College in February 1961. The tune in question is "Jenny Pluck Pears", and each of the seven short movements subjects a fragment of the tune to rhythmical, modal, or playing technique transformation. Arietta and Finale is an early work, published in 1932, whilst the ebullient Toccata, written for the Manchester pianist Lucy Pierce (a fellow teacher at the RMCM) was published in 1953.
The four movement Xylophone Sonata, published in 1987, was composed for the Hallé Orchestra's principal percussionist Eric Woolliscroft. It bears the distinction of being the first work for the instrument to use a pair of fixed beaters in each hand, and has firmly entered the instrument's still young repertoire.
John Turner
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Women are scrutinised more than men—this hampers efforts to solve the problemby Jessica Abrahams / January 6, 2017 / Leave a comment
A few days after Christmas, a study was published in BMJ Open, the open-access version of the British Medical Journal, which highlighted the problematic coverage of binge-drinking in the media. The report noted that although men are more likely to binge-drink and to suffer from drink-related health problems, the media focuses overwhelmingly on the drinking behaviour of women. This attention is more likely to be negative, to moralise their appearance and dress, and to focus on a departure from feminine ideals with language such as "haggard," "scantily clad" and "loutish" used to describe women who are drunk in public.
This is dangerous, the authors suggest, not only because of the blatant double standard but because it distracts attention from the real issues—the health and social problems suffered by those who drink too much too often. For example, it may reinforce ideas that heavy drinking is less problematic or harmful for men, although statistically they are at greater risk. And although among both sexes it is the middle-aged who report drinking the most each week, they may fail to recognise their drinking habits as a health hazard because they differ from the "unseemly" public behaviours of the young and female.


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Michael Allen Austin's TEN RULES and COWPOKE CLYDE
Our 2012 Illustrators' Day is chocked full of amazing talent. Many of you know this first hand if you've been working with Michael Allen Austin on the mentorship project (open to the first 12 registrants).
He'll also be speaking on a panel and helping critique portfolios during our portfolio review this year.
Michael's latest book is called 10 RULES YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST NOT BREAK IF YOU WANT TO SURVIVE THE SCHOOL BUS written by John Grandits. You may recall seeing some illustrations from it at our 2012 Gallery Show. His forthcoming picture book is called COWPOKE CLYDE AND DIRTY DAWG written by Lori Mortensen (can't wait to see this one). Of course, you're probably already familiar with RAILROAD JOHN RED ROCK RUN written by Tony Crunk and MARTINA THE BEAUTIFUL COCKROACH written by Carmen Agra Deedy.
Michael is an incredibly knowledgeable and generous guy and we're lucky to have him in our Southern Breeze region.


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My mother is deceased so I was uninvolved with the festivities. But things happened anyway.
Anne came over on Friday with a firm request for Japanese food so we repaired to the Sunny Doll. I had omurice as I often do and Anne had three courses: Tempura vegetables, Gyoza and Yakitori lamb. I did "help" with all 3 of her courses. The restaurant is next door to Woolworths so we afterwards went looking for things we "needed" there. Anne put a packet of white tea -- whatever that might be -- into my shopping basket and we also got some Pancetta.
Then on Saturday morning we filled up my $8 Aldi thermos and went in the Toyota to Muzza's to get pies. I got steak, tomato and onion as I usually do and Anne ordered steak & mushroom. We then took pies and thermos to Orleigh Park for a breakfast beside the river. It was raining a bit but we found a shelter. Rather surprisingly, the thermos worked well enough. I once had a thermos that was actually made by Thermos! Can't remember what happened to it
On Saturday night the Pancetta came into its own. I used it as a base for some yummy sandwiches. I make a good sandwich so Anne chose that for supper.
Sunday morning was a bit different. Joe could not join me for breakfast as he was shouting his mother a breakfast. I suppose I could have come along but I thought they deserved some interrupted mother-son chats on mother's day. So I went into Stones Corner for breakfast instead. I had a Tandoori chicken bagel, which was good but surprisingly large. That night, however, Joe and I together dined at Guzman y Gomez -- on Burritos.
Then on Monday night I shouted another Nando's visit, with Jenny and Joe coming along but without Kate as she had to work late. Jenny and Joe had a lot of discussion about Joe's present search for a new job. She warned him about various pitfalls in job advertisements.


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A catch up post here as it's been a while, here's some things that have caught my eye in 2014 so far
Young by The Paper Kites
Using 4,000 images from 350 people this is stunningly simple idea you can't take your eyes away from
Lookup – British Airways
Fantastic idea for taking digital outdoors and integrating it into the real world.
Icons – Sunday Times
One shot, 50 seconds, 6 iconic moments of popular culture from US and Grey
True Detective Title Sequence – Patrick Claire
A beautiful and haunting title sequence as visually striking as the show itself. Be sure to check out the article on Art of the Title for details on how it all came together
ANAR – Secret Message
This is absolutely amazing, a fantastic use of outdoor technology for an amazing cause, very smart, very effective
Formula 1 on Sky Sports
Beautifully directed spot for Sky's coverage of the new F1 season
Unsung Hero
It's not often an ad for life insurance can make you smile and bring a tear to your eye but have a look at this
Canon – No one sees it like you
If you have any interest in photographer this beautiful spot for Canon will have you wanting to go out and capture the world with your lense
Waitrose – Carrot
A stunningly simple and moving ad by Waitrose, with fantastic use of The Cinematic Orchestra. This was directed by Tom Tagholm who made the best sports spot of the last few years in Meet The Superhumans for the London Paralympics, certainly a change of pace.


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i have this issue too my blog is a mix bag slash gong show.
a lot of my posts are rambling and trashy but those ones i set to draft after a few hours.
cos i get over it.
really i wanted to have separate blogs but who has the time and energy.
so i just post my most trashy bits in like minded forums but most people dont mind my semipersonal/shop/craft blog, most people that read my blog arent even customers anyway. so even if i spazz on it a lot, i dont leave the posts up on there, and the few friends that have read my blog read it cos they like me already
now im all paranoid. my blog isnt that bad.


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Jewish World Review Sept. 12, 2000 / 11 Elul 5760
Bob Greene
children of the pioneers
1. To boil water before I tried to drink it.
2. Not to eat any food that any restaurant in my part of town might be serving, because the restaurants had been told to close, and those that disobeyed might be imperiling the public health.
3. Not to expect to eat any food in my hotel, because any dishes that had been washed might be contaminated.
4. To forget about ice -- the ice in the icemakers was considered suspect.
5. Go ahead and shower, but don't swallow any water that might splash in my mouth.
But this is not a column of complaint -- far from it. If any city is made for dealing good-naturedly with a water emergency in the middle of a hot summer, it is Kansas City, which has the nicest people in America, and which is undoubtedly the most underrated large city in the United States.
Instead, this is a reminder of how much we take for granted in our advanced culture of the 21st Century -- and how much worse off we might be.
The Kansas City water emergency happened when a 48-inch water main broke, and cut off service to 150,000 people. City officials called the water-main break the worst in local history; in the center of the city, water pressure became nonexistent, air-conditioning units shut down, and all buildings more than four stories tall were advised to evacuate because of fears of problems in the event of fires.
Water pressure was restored within hours -- but the boil-water order remained in effect for an entire day and night because of the possibility of contamination in the wake of the breakage.
So no water, no prepared food, no ice was the rule in a big portion of Kansas City -- including the portion where I was staying.
And -- the next afternoon, when it was all over -- here is what I figured out:
We are all lucky beyond imagining. We count on certain things, because as Americans during our time in history we have become accustomed to them:
We turn a handle, and fresh, cool water, safe for drinking, comes out; we turn another handle and the water is as hot as we want it.
We pick up a telephone receiver, and within seconds we can reach family and friends in any part of the U.S., and in most parts of the world. It's surprisingly inexpensive.
We flick a switch and lamps illuminate our homes and offices. We flick another switch to cool things down, yet another to warm things up.
Fresh food -- meat, dairy items, produce -- is readily available wherever we are, conveniently packaged and guaranteed safe to consume.
If we want to be on the other side of the United States, we can be there within a few hours -- jet airplanes are regularly scheduled so that if we leave by the middle of the day, we can be on either coast by dinnertime.
We become frustrated and angry when any of these things break down; when the water stops flowing, or the lights stop working, we act as if the world is coming to an end. The reason we behave this way is because we have it so good -- these amazing facts of our lives have been with us for so long that it strikes us as outrageous when they are taken away from us for a day, or for a week.
Thus, when Chicago has had its problems with electricity in recent seasons, the rage has been understandable: When you become accustomed to something being there on demand, you will not accept its absence -- you are more perplexed that it is gone than you are astonished that it is always so easily available. When airplane flights are delayed for five or six hours, or are canceled, you say you can't believe it -- when perhaps the truly unbelievable thing is that the planes are usually there to take us to so many places so quickly and so frequently.
Now . . . I am able to bring this kind of perspective to all of this because, as I write these words, the water crisis is over. I don't think I could have been as calmly reflective during the boil order, when no one knew when the water would be back.
As for food: For dinner the first night I had a bag of
spicy peanuts from my hotel room mini-bar. For
breakfast the next morning I had a Butterfinger
candy bar. The pathetic thing is that I realized later
these were probably the two most nutritious,
well-balanced meals I have eaten in
09/09/00: River banks? How to turn water into an endless cash flow


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Kill the Acrylic
No, that is not the war cry of a fiber purist, at least not in this case. I've finished the Rosebud shoulder shawl, and it definitely needs blocking.
But the yarn is acrylic. What to do? I've seen reference on the Ravelry forums to a blocking process called "killing" acrylic with a warm iron. I need to go back and try to find the details, but I think I'll try it on this. The whole project has been pretty much experimental, so what have I got to lose?
This will have to wait until we get back from the trip, though. I have other things that need to get done today, including a shift at work. And tomorrow we get up (in the middle of the night, really) to catch our plane.
To the Last Saturday knitting group, I really will miss being with you. I'll down an extra beignet in your honor.


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Who we are
We are a volunteer Catholic Christian faith-based youth movement. By "movement" we mean that the varied FNE program experience can help shape the character, social, environmental, spiritual, leadership aspects of your child into his or her adult life. This single gender male or female program experience includes weekly gatherings, regular field trips, all season weekend camping opportunities, International Travel excursions and an annual summer camp.
We are members of a larger movement known as the International Union of Guides and Scouts of Europe active in 19 countries with 55,000 members strong. FNE offers four single-gender unique program levels: Otters ages 6 and 7, Timber Wolves ages 8 to 12, Explorers ages 12 to 16 and Wayfarer Explorers ages 17 to 24.
What makes FNE unique?
We deliver a Christ-centered program experience where each member strives to become an Ordinary Saint through love, service, hard work, dedication, honesty, integrity, compassion, courage, prudence, and by embracing the Sacraments of the Church. We hold true to our values and ideals even if society may be moving in a different direction.
We are uniquely a uniformed movement (one for males and another for females). Our youth proudly wear their uniforms as part of their program experience.
What do we do?
Some examples include:
Why should my child join FNE?
At the core of our movement are values which teach every participant what it means to become a fully formed man or women. Our youth learn the importance of meeting life's challenges with an increased sense of responsibility, so as to be better suited to live, work, and play with youth and adults from other cultures and life experiences.
A few Parental Testimonies
"The Timber Wolf and Explorer program have brought many positive changes to our family."
"Our children, on Timber Wolves meeting day, they are always READY way before the meeting time pushing me to be hurry because they do not want to miss out any second of it."
"It is nice to see my son is getting along with group of other children and learning positive teamwork and social skills."
"My sons especially confess that God, far way above the sky, is now near them and even exists in their body... what a great blessing."
"My son now strongly believes GOD and often telling non-Christian friends about the existence of GOD excitedly."
Site Developed and Hosted by Upper Room Media


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Portenos (with the tilde over the n...a function I won't bother to figure out on TypePad) is how residents of Cuidado Buenos Aires (as opposed to Estado) sometimes refer to themselves. We came across (in the ritzier section of town) billboards aplenty for the fragrance Colbert Noir. I know Stephen is selling his secret sauce, I had no idea he was also shipping his scent. But how come its not easily available to us domestic "heroes" Stephen?
Tags: Colbert


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Josh Groban Weeping chords
Highlighted Show chord diagrams
This song is best known nowadays for Josh Groban's cover but it was written by Dan Heymann. I am a total beginner so this is most likely not in the original key... but I couldn't find any other version online so here you go. You can use your own judgment and style for the timing of the D7 chord as the pickup to the next measure, or even go straight from A to D7 if you like, especially right before the last line (the repeat). I've tried to space out the chorus to show how the chords fall in the rests between lyrics. Verse: D A D A I knew a man who lived in fear D G D A It was huge, it was angry, it was drawing near D A D A Behind his house a secret place D G A D Was the shadow of the demon he could never face. Bridge: Em A Em A He built a wall of steel and flame Em G A D And men with guns to keep it tame D A D A Then standing back he made it plain D G A D That the nightmare would never ever rise again D7 G D A D But the fear and the fire and the guns remain. Chorus: G D G D It doesn't matter now, it's over anyhow G D A D D7 He tells the world that it's sleeping G D G D But as the night came round, I heard its lonely sound G D A D D7 It wasn't roaring, it was weeping G D A D It wasn't roaring, it was weeping. Verse: And then one day the neighbours came They were curious to know about the smoke and flame They stood around outside the wall But of course there was nothing to be heard at all Bridge: "My friends," he said, "We've reached our goal The threat is under firm control As long as peace and order reign I'll be damned if I can see a reason to explain Why the fear and the fire and the guns remain." Chorus (repeat above) The chords for the ad lib break before the final ending are: G D A D


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10 Health Benefits Of Cauliflower
#1. Look Younger
One of the essential health benefits of cauliflower is that it is a great source of antioxidants and it can help slow the signs of aging.
Cauliflower has the ability to fight free radicals so you can decrease the signs of aging by consuming this cruciferous vegetable. Imagine, by eating cauliflower, you can keep on looking years younger and healthier longer.
#2. Healthy Heart
Cauliflower will keep your heart beating strong. The benefits of cauliflower is in the fiber which helps to lower cholesterol. Another beneficial affect is that cauliflower contains anti inflammatory properties so you can build and maintain a solid immune system.
#3. Aids Pregnancy
If you or someone you know is having a baby, then you or the mother-to-be should be eating plenty of cauliflower. It has the vitamins that a mother and baby need like vitamin A and vitamin B. These vitamins help the baby to grow and to develop. You should eat at least a cup a day while carrying the baby and continue to do so even while nursing.
#4. Healing Wounds & Bones
Cauliflower also contains zinc, phosphorous, magnesium, sodium, and manganese. These nutrients help when it comes to healing wounds, strengthening the bones, building the immune system and activating enzymes.
#5. Reduce Cancer Risk
Cauliflower is also known to reduce the risk of lung cancer, breast cancer and bladder cancer. It detoxifies the body because of the thiocyanates and glucosinolates in it. One way to enjoy cauliflower is to add it to your vegetable smoothie.
#6. Lose Weight
If you are trying to lose weight, then eat more cauliflower. It has vitamin C which you will need to burn the fat.
Besides that, it is low in calories so you can eat as much as you want. Additionally, if you lack vitamin K, this is a good way to consume lots of it.
#7. Healthy Skin
Want great looking skin? Who doesn't? Cauliflower has the right stuff to get your skin in top notch condition. The antioxidants, vitamin C and manganese found in cauliflower work as an anti-aging agent. In abundance, the anti oxidants increases the amount of oxygen in the blood and accelerate metabolism so you can more easily digest your foods. Also, it will help you to rid your body of the toxins. When we detox, it shows. Watch how your skin will glow and eventually, the acne will disappear, too. I know your teen would love that. That is one sure way to bribe them to get them to eat up. Also, it will help to clear up those dark patches on the skin.
#8. Cures Arthritis
There's even more benefits to cauliflower. It has anti-inflammatory properties so you can find relief of joint pain or arthritis. Having good bone health is just as important as anything else when it comes to your body's needs.
#9. Improves Immunity
A strong immune system is vital to everyone but especially to those suffering with respiratory illnesses. It provides a source of sodium, phosphorous, calcium and selenium.
#10. Reduces Cholesterol
If you trying to reduce your bad cholesterol levels, then including cauliflower in your daily diet is important.
To sum this up you have learned that cauliflower is active in fighting cancer; it boosts the immune system; it is an anti-inflammatory and anti aging agent; it is an important part of heart and bone health, it supports the digestive system by the detoxification process; it is loaded with vitamins C and K, and it also has beta-carotene in it.
Adding cauliflower to your diet is a healthy choice and is easy to do. You can eat it in its pure form or it can be cooked. I have seen it added into a creamy soup as a meal. The calories are so low, you can even have a slice of bread to dip with.
See Also:


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Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Permanent Vacation
1. I am not working. (well, barely)
2. It is January, and it was 80 degrees and sunny today. I wore a sun dress!
3. I am eating and drinking with the kind of abandon that only comes when visiting a new place. (I may have to rename this blog to "Everyday French Fries" or "Everyday Fatty").
4. Staying with friends feels like a weeks-long sleepover party (fun!) and when we are not with those friends, we are hanging out with other friends or making new friends.
5. Every place we go, everything we do is a new, never-been-done before adventure. Like, me finally getting behind the wheel this week and driving on the highways without anyone honking at me for going too slow (that is what happened to me the last time I drove in LA). It was fine. Okay so there was three attempts at parallel parking, but no one saw. No one knows. It's a new car, and I haven't parallel parked in about five years. And when I was done, it looked great. ADVENTURE.
6. I still walk around pinching myself and thinking, "I can't believe we actually moved here." This is all fake, right? We're going back home to New York next week, right?
How long will this keep up? Not sure -- what I am not keeping up with is maintaining this blog and taking pictures and trying to encapsulate these first few weeks in Los Angeles in the way I intended. So, I will try my best here.
I am very glad we have decided to stay with friends first before getting a job/finding an apartment. Not only do we have a chance to get to know different neighborhoods and different living styles, but we get to bond with our friends in a whole new way...in our sweat pants.
We are doing two week rotations, and we spent the first rotation with Brett and Emily in Los Feliz. I loved getting to live their life for a while -- working hard at our computers all day, cuddling with Alfie the dog on the couch, eating out in their hipster neighborhood, taking yoga classes, grocery shopping at Trader Joe's. I felt like I got to know them and love them that much more. And I can't wait to do the same with the other folks.
Sunday Night dinner ... enjoying a delicious lasagna made by mom! Thanks, Susan!
Seeing The Artist at the Vista...
...which is a very cool old Hollywood theater that we (gasp!) walked to from Brett and Emily's place.
Meanwhile, we've been on the dinner circuit, having one-on-one dinners with each of the LA couples. Ara and Sandy took us to a Mediterranean place. Dan and Jacey got us SusieCakes cupcakes (my fave!) and Matt and Katie made a steak dinner I am still fantasizing about.
Dan and I have also been going all over town to have drinks and lunches with people we know or friends of friends. At this stage, it's all about getting to meet as many people as possible who could possibly be our friends or help us with our careers.
Watching the State of the Union and the Golden Globes at 6pm is weird. When I wake up each morning, my in-box and Facebook are flooded with new messages. Even though I have been getting up most days at 9 am, seeing all this news from the east coast makes me think I have already missed out on half the day. And then at 9 pm, it all goes dead, and I feel like I am the only one awake.
The pizza here sucks. There, I said it.
When I see images of New York on television commercials, I feel a bit wistful and sad. I love hearing from people from the East Coast and knowing they are still thinking of us.
It gets better every day.
I think what's helping is not being sick anymore and getting a car and going off on my own a little bit. When you are staying with friends, you are always surrounded by people which makes things fun and interesting. But I am a person who recharges when alone, so the small moments I have been able to steal for myself have been delicious. Take the day I took a yoga class alone, and then walked back to Brett and Emily's house. I finally noticed how lovely their neighborhood is, how pretty people keep their gardens, and how the light looks when the sun sets (because the light here is very different than what I'm used to) and for that moment, I could see small glimpse of what my life looks like. Not the fantasy "I am on vacation" life. But the I-will-one-day-have-a-job-and-a-home-and-live-in-LA life.
And I liked what I saw.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
You get a car! You get a car! You get a car! Everybody gets a car!
Dan and I are pleased to welcome the new arrival to our family: a 2011 Nissan Versa.
I knew it was a good sign when we drove up to the Honda dealership in Monrovia, and there was a giant inflated Panda bear perched on the roof. We were there to look at a Honda Fit and walked away with this guy (though the Versa was a main contender all along).
It is used hatchback model with about 35,000 miles. It runs like a champ, and it is a pretty light grey color. The plan is to share this car until we find jobs. Then it will be my designated car, and we will buy Dan something like this or this (or so he tells me).
We got some help from Dan's parents who came into town for two days to say hi and bring Dan's bowling ball, among other things. (Dan's joining Ara's league). We celebrated our purchase in true Pasquini style with some gelato in Old Pasadena, even though it was freezing outside.
When it is 50 degrees outside, no one here whips out the winter coat. I actually saw some women walking around wearing sleeveless shirts. What gives?
Friday, January 13, 2012
First Impressions of LA
The amount of cars on the road is staggering. It never stops. There are no left turn signals on the traffic lights or jug handles, so you spend half your day in the middle of an intersection, trying to make a left turn. I haven't driven yet, but I am super intimidated by the roads and wondering how I will ever figure it out.
The amount of hipsters here is also staggering. Yesterday, we saw multiple men wearing 1980s-style fedoras. Why?
Our friends have been lovely. We have been staying with Brett and Emily in their Silverlake cottage, and they have bent over backwards to make us feel welcome. I have been sick with a cold all week, and it's tough feeling unwell in someone else's home, but they have been so cool about it. We have met some of their friends, including Jonathan, who I already adore, and everyone so far has been kind and encouraging.
Brett Jackson is one of the hardest working people in show-biz. I have watched him work relentlessly and tirelessly on his screenplay all week for hours and hours and hours, and his work ethic is impressive and inspiring. Just wait until they discover him.
I have talked more about the film industry in the last week than I've had in the past year.
I had my first meal at Ara's parents' house. I have been hearing about these famous Armenian feasts from Dan for years. Ara's mom made us a yummy beef wonton soup with broth and homemade garlic yogurt. She also served us these fig pastries that were so intricate, I was sure they were made with a mold, but they were actually handmade. Ara's parents have agreed to store our moving boxes until we find a home, and we're so grateful for that. The movers came this week, and it was so surreal to see the boxes we packed in New York here in California.
Our entire life in 40 boxes.
We went to The Library Bar at the Roosevelt Hotel to meet Jonathan's new boyfriend, Peter. This bar is lined with fresh and exotic ingredients, and you tell the bartender what you are in the mood for or what flavors you like, and he makes a drink based on that. My drink was pretty tame with muddled strawberries and balsamic vinegar, but some of the other drinks featured arugula or lavender. It's there we had our first celebrity sighting: Ricky Schroder. He sat with his back to us, and we had a nice view of his butt crack all night.
I have started a routine of eating my breakfast outside on the porch with Alfie the dog. It is what I always imagined my life in California being like.
I am thinking very hard, trying to remember street names and where things are and figuring out what people are talking about and piece everything together. I know nothing, and I ache for things to be familiar. Dan and I have been sleeping on two twin beds in Brett's office. It is a dark and cool room. I have never slept so long or deeply, nor my dreams so vivid.
New York or LA, I still hate job searching.
I am trying to teach myself some web design this week. I am terrible at it. It might come to shock that I haven't figured it all out in one day.
Dan and I went on a run the other morning. I felt so lonely running in a place where there were few other runners. I looked around me and for a moment it all looked so strange to me that felt like I was on another planet. I couldn't believe that this was actually my home now. I was experiencing culture shock, for sure. Since Dan is much faster than me, we separated in the run, and I forgot to make a turn and got lost. I found my way back because I recognized the McDonald's and Del Taco signs from our last visit here. American fast food, in any foreign place, will always save you and make you feel at home.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Good-bye to New York and All That
Sunrise in Cedar Knolls, NJ.
It has been a whirlwind. I can remember the panic setting in on December 26th when Dan and I looked at each other, and the enormity of amount that needed to get done revealed itself. Somehow, impossibly, we managed to pack up our belongings into 40+ boxes. One by one, strangers from Craigslist and friends came by to take away our couch, lamps, nightstands, even our vacuum cleaner. I made countless trips to Housing Works, walking back and forth the two blocks from our apartment holding an armful of our possessions and wondering if people will enjoy our things as much as we did. With our apartment emptying out, one day we had no choice but to eat lunch on beach chairs pulled up to our TV stand. It was the only piece of furniture we didn't sell, so on our last night together in New York, Dan and I lugged Besta Jarga out on the street. We went to see The Descendants at the small theater on 85th and First, and in typical NYC fashion, it was gone by our return. The next morning, we got up from bed, stripped off the sheets, wrapped the mattress in plastic and unceremoniously dumped it on the sidewalk. Given that it was a Saturday and a holiday, there would probably be no garbage pick up the next day; our parting gift a blight on our neighborhood - we're sorry for that.
Dan left for the airport the day we moved out. He had always planned it at the way. He was excited to start the New Year anew in our new city. The way he talked about it, I kept imagining on New Year's Day our lives our magically reset like pushing a button, and we would be starting over. In a way, it's true.
Last moments in the apartment.
So much luggage to load.
There he goes!
I booked my flight a week later so I could spend my last week in New Jersey with my family. I was spending New Year's Eve with Adam and Nell, so after I said good-bye to Dan, I walked around our neighborhood one last time and tried to take it all in. I noted the restaurants on Second Avenue we went to; the ones we missed. The people walking around oblivious to my circumstance and I to theirs. The construction of the Second Avenue subway. It was a mild day; I was too hot wearing a coat. I browsed some books at Barnes & Noble and waited on an insanely long line for cupcakes at Two Little Red Hens bakery one last time.
The Q train that goes to Adam and Nell's apartment goes above ground for a short while over the Manhattan Bridge. The sun was setting, and I could see the glistening water, the iconic Lower Manhattan skyline and Lady Liberty. I was trying to have a moment, but there was a crazy guy on the train screaming, "BOOM!" over and over again. I looked over at the guy sitting next to me. He was updating his Facebook status. "There is a crazy guy on the train yelling "BOOM!" There was my moment.
Adam and Nell invited a few friends over, and we made homemade pizzas and played games. I grew tired and quiet early but was grateful for the company. The next day, it was hard to leave and so I didn't. We stayed in our pajamas and worked on a puzzle until I had to force myself to go.
Upon arriving in NJ, I made a page-long to-do list for the week and managed to get through none of it. My mom asked me to spend some time cleaning some of my old stuff that I had left at her house almost a decade ago when I first moved out. I assumed it would take an evening or two to get done, but apparently I used to be quite a pack rat because there were so many papers and mementos and things that I barely made a dent. It was surprising and almost comforting to find references to my old ambition to "move to LA" and "work in movies." I completely forget that I once felt that way.
I tried my best to see everyone before I left. Believe it or not - we even managed to have a 'Stock. (See Nell's blog for the deets). I even reconnected with some old high school friends before I left, including Laura, Stacy, Becky, Chris and Juliette.
Laura visits me from Portland.
Laughingstock! (Photo by Nell)
It probably comes to no surprise that in the end of it all, I got really sick. A sore throat turned into a nasty nasal waterfall turned into sinus trouble. On my last night, my mom made roast beef for dinner, and Pete came over.
I haven't been overly emotional about the move. This is strange for me, I admit. When I tell people I am moving, I feel like I am telling them I am going away to college. I took very few pictures in the last month. It is almost like I didn't want to memorialize that this was the "last time" I was doing anything. I refused to say any serious good-byes. The only time my eyes really welled up was on Christmas Eve and my brother told me that he was genuinely happy for me that I was making this decision and was so excited about this new chapter in my life. It was everything I wanted to hear.
When the plane left the runway, I was surprised to find myself crying. Someone told me that would happen, but I didn't think it would happen to me. As I sit on the plane now, sweaty and snotty and cramped in the middle seat, I am looking forward to seeing my husband at the airport (he has already called me with gleeful reports about barbecues in January, wearing flip flops and invigorating morning runs). I am excited that it will be 70 degrees when I get off the plane. I am sad to leave my mom behind. I am grateful she made me a lunch for my plane ride (ham sandwich, m&ms, cookies, an apple, grapes, cough drops - thanks Mamoosh!) I wonder what awaits me and already long for what I left behind.
Made it to LA sick as a dog.
Dan picks me up and gives me a hard time for taking pictures, what else is new?
Going "home" to Ara's.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
2011: Year in Review
The Good:
Conquering a huge fear and taking swim lessons.
Changing breakfast forever with some homemade granola. (Here's my go-to recipe).
Photo shoots with Annette.
Finishing the 365 Project.
Gross yet admirable crawfish binges.
French dinner with Meagan and Julie.
Watching Wrestlemania and kind of loving it. (really!)
Exploring NYC at night.
The Dom arrives.
The British Wedding and an English breakfast.
Dan makes history.
The Panorama.
Midwest Road Trip - including Julie and Simon's wedding, the Polish sausage and Mini-stock.
Dan is silly in Philly.
Dad turns 70.
CSA Cooking Adventures
Dan becomes an even bigger nerd.
Our favorite Euro family visit and they bring Speculoos!
Brighton Beach Day Trip.
My first earthquake!
Occupy Wall Street.
Trip to Cooperstown and the pumpkin regalia.
The New Yorker Festival (and finally seeing Jhumpa!)
Making Thanksgiving dinner.
QT with Heather and Drake.
Nail dates and Westville with Nell.
Making a new friend: Carrie.
Lots of new babies and more on the way.
The Bad:
What a long, cold winter.
Dan wins the Oscar pool, ending my 7-year winning streak.
The loss of two great souls.
Dan gets his first fillings.
It was kind of a boring summer.
Pizza fights.
Saying good-bye to NYC and to our friends and my family.
The terrible return of Sweet Valley High.
The Ugly:
Gaining back all the wedding weight we lost.
The mouse in the tub.
Who Knows?:
Deciding to move to LA - we'll see!
Favorite Books I read in 2011:
Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann
Bossy Pants by Tina Fey
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
Favorite Movies I saw in 2011:
Bill Cunningham NY
Midnight in Paris
The Christmas Story (yes, for the first time!)


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We are excited to announce our adoption of Ryland James, as of February 19th, he is officially a member of the family. In honor of our celebration, I will be sharing our journey in to fostering and adopting in a few short posts. Fostering is near to our hearts and our prayer is that God would open yours, too, to see what he has in store for your family and maybe our journey would be some encouragement to get you started. (You can find part one here.)
We enjoyed our new little family, as we went from three to four, adding a boy to the mix. Jude was born December 2013 and we adjusted and enjoyed the craziness of caring for two littles.
We enjoyed our new little family, as we went from three to four, adding a boy to the mix. Jude was born December 2013 and we adjusted and enjoyed the craziness of caring for two littles.
We attended a friend's wedding in October 2014 in Reno. While we were in the area, we visited with friends we had been blessed to walk with through their journey of fostering to adopt. Our friend is a pastor and we stayed for service. It was Orphan Sunday. Tears ran down my cheeks as I listened. My heart continuing to break for the children. For the child God had for us. I have never cried so much in a service. Or knew without a doubt that we had to start the certification process again. There was a child waiting for us.
We contacted our agency and got started filling out packets of paperwork and all the fun things you do to get ready. We were thankful that some of our past interviews were kept, which sped up the process and we knew what to expect this time.
We had planned to go through months, if not years, of court dates and visits and prayers for families and reunifications and everything else that a typical foster to adopt process takes in order to end up in adoption. Everything we had heard and seen others walk through its doors.
We had prepared ourselves as best as we could, while we installed new locks on the cabinets and spent hours in more trainings (I have to add, these trainings were AMAZING and every parent should take them; not to mention yummy food is provided) and rearranged our home to accommodate another little person and completed the check list of county regulations. We were wet behind the ears with our official, newly certified home.
A whole two days passed between being certified to receiving our first call for a baby. We were out of state. The logistics did not work. Another week. We received a call for an emergency placement. We said yes to the sweetest seven month old baby boy for eight nights.
It was during those eight nights that I found myself asking what we were doing. What we were doing opening our home and interrupting our schedules to cater to strangers. What we were doing bringing social workers in to our home on a regular basis and welcoming the uncontrollable. And what if what we were doing was going to wreck our children and their childhood. It was a wake up to the reality of what God had for our family.
We were not meant to live cookie cutter lives or be so set on our own pursuits that we miss out on those around us. Being in community, having friendships and loving others allows for interruptions to be turned in to opportunities.
For us, this was our opportunity to be interrupted with phone calls for children and for self centered prayers to be turned to those in the system, those who needed Jesus. This was our entry in to deeper gospel living and receiving more than we had to give to those God placed in our care.
Receiving the blessing to care for those who cannot care for themselves and be reminded of how rich God has made us, not in material form, but in Spirit. In his love and compassion and this was our opportunity to overflow, despite the exposure of opening up our home and our hearts.
We were ready, as we could be, for the next call.
We were ready, as we could be, for the next call.


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|After the record warmth, strong thunderstorms moved across northwest Vermont on Sunday. (WCAX TV)
In the late afternoon, strong thunderstorms developed over eastern New York and impacted the northern Champlain Valley as far north as extreme southern Quebec. Wind damage and flooding was reported in St. Albans, Vermont. Only a few rumbles of thunder and less than 2mm of rain occurred in Montreal. We are very dry, with only a paltry 32mm of rain for the month of May in and around Montreal.
|Tropical storm Bonnie produced heavy rain across coastal South Carolina on Sunday.


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Kermit the Frog - The Muppet Movie 1979
Notice Confederate Flag in the background
In the Original Muppet Movie from 1979, the Confederate Flag makes an appearance when Kermit visits the Bogen County Fair. The County Fair scene is full of cameos that include Bob Hope and Richard Pryor.
Note that the American flags appear in a similar fashion with Fozzie and Gonzo. However the Confederate flag is reserved as a background for Kermit only.
Jim Henson was originally born in Mississippi. Apparently Henson's childhood would have included playtime around the swamps, which no doubt played a role in the genesis of Kermit the Frog. If you take a close look at Jim Henson, with his long beard - he is has an iconic confederate general stature. However, when Henson became a mainstream icon he was careful to hide his Mississippi Accent.
Kermit standing proudly for Southern Pride?
Perhaps America is ready for a Muppet Civil War Movie? Muppet humor mixed with history, song, love, and dance? The Sesame Street Gang can play on the northern side. Since those Muppets are from NYC. Imagine Bert, Ernie, the Cookie Monster, and the Count in union blue. But Oscar the Grouch must be anti-Lincoln and pro-states rights.
The Muppet Gang fights for the south or at least play as southerners. Kermit and Fozzie will don the grey uniform. The cranky smart mouth old farts - Waldorf and Statler are picture perfect plantation owners - owning Ralph the Dog. But Sam the Eagle plays as Sam Houston who refuses to fight the north due to his patriotism for America. Basically Sam the Eagle counters Oscar the Grouch.
It'd be educational, fun, and quite neato. Of course regular people should play Lincoln, Davis, and other important Generals and soldiers.
The "Kermit Confederate Flag"
The Rainbow Connection includes everyone!


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Kind-hearted man catches mouse in his house.
Kind-hearted man releases mouse in a woods miles from his house.
Hungry hawk catches and eats mouse.
Kind-hearted man catches mouse in his house.
Kind-hearted man releases mouse in a woods miles from his house.
Hungry hawk catches and eats mouse.
I am surprised that I am not seeing the usual Alfred approach to this event! : ) Has anyone considered the good deed done for the hawk, who may have been near-starved-barely-able-to-stay- in-the-sky-no-way-in-my-condition-can-I-get-a mouse-on-my-own, and now may live to fly free another day? ; )
All perception right Gary….. lol… you know that guy was pissed though!
I think, I got one better. Remember the Exxon Valdez oil tanker that spilt crude oil in Prince William's Sound in Alaska?
Environmental do-gooders saved two seals and brought them back to life with a lot of hard work and time invested; only to watch, to their horror, the seals eaten by killer whales upon their release back into the wild.
See what I mean?????? Those poor killer whales were probably almost ready to float upside down (like my goldfish used to do) and those seals were probably the difference between life and death! Thank you seal-savers! : ) Killer whales live to eat seals another day! (Do-godders, please send more seals! lol!!!!)
Now Wait – Gary Lee!
Those killer whales are in great danger. Eating Saturated Crude Oil seals is bad for the whales' hearts. They should be eating Non-saturated Crude Oil seals – don't you think?
Yartap, you have a point. perhaps the FDA should pass a ambiguous law about saturated crude oil seals eating by killer whales (for their own protection, of course) and it could be enforced by the IRS under obummercare (because it is equally ambiguous). Might even create a revenue stream of some kind ("for raising revenue and other purposes"). Let me find that contact list for my senators and congressmen….
"Kind hearted man…"
If that's a reference for being brain dead, then I think you should refrain from such language.


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Apply To Graduate
Get Your Degree
Graduation Regalia & Announcements
The official University Regalia and announcements can be purchased from Barnes & Noble University Bookstore. You must have your regalia to participate in the commencement ceremonies.
If you have any questions regarding cap and gown orders, please click here for contact information and store hours.
There is currently no limit on the number of guests you may invite to commencement.


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Below is the latest update. Hope you enjoy.
Happy weekend.
Sally Owen
The Mysterious Bookshop
The Mysterious Bookshop
58 Warren Street
New York, NY 10007
Ph: 212-587-1011
Fax: 212-587-1126
Open Seven Days, 11.00 a.m. - 7.00 p.m.
Weekly Update 8/20/10
Thursday, August 26th 6.30p.m. - 8.00p.m.
Lisa Unger
reading from and discussing her new novel
Monday, August 30th 6.30p.m. - 8.00p.m.
Gerald Elias
reading from and discussing his new novel
Danse Macabre
He will also play his violin.
Refreshments will be served.
Our signed limited copies of The Devil by Ken Bruen are here. This is the latest Jack Taylor thriller and we do have a few copies left. First come, first served:
Numbered copies - Limited to 100 copies. $150.00
Lettered copies - Limited to 26 copies $275.00
Laura Lippman has signed her new novel, I'd Know You Anywhere. This is a suspenseful stand-alone thriller which moves between past and present to explore the lasting effects of crime on a victim's life. $25.99
Fangs is the second volume of tales taken from The Vampire Archives by Otto Penzler. This is a mass market paperback. $7.99
We will be getting signed first editions of Three Stations by Martin Cruz Smith. This will be a CRIME COLLECTORS CLUB main selection. Members of that club will receive their copy automatically, but if you are not in that club and would like a copy, please let us know. $25.99
The Fabulous Clipjoint by Fredric Brown, Gregg, Boston. 1979. $25.00
First of this edition of the author's Edgar-winning first mystery. Contains a new introduction by Ron Goulart. Very fine in dust jacket.
The Enchanted Isle by James M. Cain, Mysterious Press, NY. 1985. First Edition. $35.00
Very fine in dust jacket.
Career in C Major by James M. Cain, McGraw-Hill, NY. 1986. First Edition. $35.00
Very fine in dust jacket.
The Fantastic Saint by Leslie Charteris, Doubleday, NY. 1982. First Edition. $75.00
Very fine in dust jacket, which has a trace of darkening to its white spine. Very scarce in this condition.
The Red Thumb Mark by R. Austin Freeman, Collingwood Bros., London. 1907. First Edition. $4500.00
First Dr. Thorndyke book. Original publisher's wrappers; the book was also issued in cloth. Owner's blind-stamped ex-libris; some foxing; tissue repair along the spine and front wrapper; short tear in bottom right corner of the front wrapper; tiny chip at the corners of both wrappers; INSCRIBED on the half-title: "Barnaby Ross/Ellery Queen (author's own copy) E.Q." Haycraft-Queen Cornerstone.
Cinderella by Ed McBain, Holt, NY. 1986. First Edition. SIGNED. $65.00
Early novel in the Matthew Hope series. Inscribed and signed by McBain to Edward D. Hoch and his wife: "To Ed and Pat-/How nice to meet you!/Warmest wishes/Ed McBain." A nice association copy from one Grand Master to another. Very fine in dust jacket.
Stranded by Val McDermid, Flambard, London. 2005. First Edition. SIGNED. $45.00
Short story collected limited to 325 hard cover copies, signed. Contains an introduction by Ian Rankin. Very fine in dust jacket.
Herbert in Motion and Other Stories by Ian Rankin, Revolver, London. 1997. First Edition. SIGNED. $200.00
Very rare short story collection, limited to only 200 copies, numbered and signed on the title page, with the author's sketch of a tic-tac-toe puzzle. Very fine in card wrappers.
The Deep by Mickey Spillane, Dutton, NY. 1961. First Edition. $45.00
Very fine in a near-fine, price-clipped dust jacket (black) with a short closed tear and crease on front cover.
(Rex Stout) Royal Decree by John McAleer, Pontes Press, MD. 1983. First Edition. SIGNED. $45.00
First and only edition. Conversations with Stout on such subjects as his craft, his peers, Nero Wolfe and Archie, etc. A 73-page booklet, limited to 1,000 numbered copies. This copy inscribed and signed, "Best wishes to my friend Ed Hoch, John McAleer." Fine.
A Hair's Breadth by Lee Thayer, Dodd, Mead, NY. 1940. First Edition. $40.00
A Peter Clancy novel. Bookplate, else fine in dust jacket.
The Deadly Isles by John Holbrook Vance, Bobbs-Merrill, IN. 1969. First Edition. $150.00
A fine copy of a scarce mystery novel by the author better known as Jack Vance. The dust jacket is lightly rubbed and has a small, nearly invisible closed tear at the top of the front hinge.
Young and Innocent by Donald E. Westlake writing as Edwin West, Monarch, CT. 1964. First Edition. $45.00
Paperback original, a soft-core lesbian novel. Light cover creases, else about fine and apparently unread.


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Q: Why did you disassemble the engine?
A: I disassembled the engine to study the parts and to figure out how to start putting the pieces together.
Q: What are you going to do with the engine now?
A: Well as you can see, the engine is empty. I'm going to start reassembling the engine step by step.
Q: Do you know tools we need?
A: Of course, Well first off you need a Piston with a connecting rod.
Q: What next?
A: Then you want to get a Piston Ring Compression, a ratchet and an extension.
Q: Is that all you need?
A: This is all you need for this first step. A Piston, A Piston Ring Compression a small ratchet and an extension, I used a 1/4" Dr. 3" Extension.
Q: Okay now that we have the tools what do we need to do next?
A: As you can see above in the picture, i already put the piston in the Piston Ring Compression so that the piston rings can be leveled out. Afterwards, you want to push the piston down so that it can go in.
Q: Once it's in, what do we do next?
A: Once it's in make sure that the connecting rod comes out with the oil slinger sticking out.
Q: Now that i put in the piston what do i do now?
A: The picture above shows the piston with the crank shaft. We are going to be putting the crank shaft in.
Q: How do we put in the Crank Shaft?
A: Align the crank shaft with the hole that's there, then connect the crank shaft with the connecting rod
Q: Once it's in, what's next?
A: You're going to get the piece that comes with the connecting rod and put it around the crankshaft then fasten them.
Q: After we fasten them what are we going to do next?
A: As you can see in the picture, The pencil is pointing on the Tapits. We're going to put in the tapits in the holes above. Tilt the engine backwards a bit because they'll fall out if they were to be put in straight.
Q: Do we keep the engine tilted back?
A: Yes because next we are going to put in the cam lobe and cam gear, that'll serve as a holder for the Tapits.
Q: Okay the cam gear is in place, what do we do next?
A: As you can see I the photo that the pencil is pointing on an indent on the gear. We are going to time both gears together. Meaning, the silver gear has a dot, we are going to match the indented gear with the silver gears dot.
Q: How is it suppose to look like ?
A: It should look something like that. The indented part is aligned with the dot on the silver gear
Q: Okay it's aligned, what's next?
A: You see the brown thing? Yeah it's called a Gasket, we need to seal off any gaps between the case and the engine itself.
Q: Once that is in, what do you do next ?
A: Now we are going to put the head case on, also if you can you can put the bolts in so you won't lose them, just hand tighten them.
Q: Where do we put the bolts?
A: 2 on the top, 2 on the bottom and 2 on the sides. Total of 6 bolts. Remember just hand tighten them for now.
To be continued....


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What a great job I have! I work with some of the most amazing people in this area, but then I also get opportunities like this one to go into a new up and coming local business, drink some amazing coffee, chat with friends, and take some fun images all at the same time! LUCKY! Anthem has become a pretty great hang out spot for me, too! I am loving the flavor of the coffee and the atmosphere! Have you been there yet? If not…take a second to be tempted by what you are about to see….and then make a time in your schedule to get down there and have a unique and tasty experience!! Ready?Anthem is right in the heart of Downtown Tacoma, nestled between the Union Station and the History Museum and the Glass Museum, at 1911 Pacific Ave. It's a central location for the UW students, SOTA students, and so many downtown people! I love the hustle of the city down there. It's gotten to be such a great place to walk around, shop, and now…have coffee! And, is this ever a great cup of coffee!! You all know I have an obsession with coffee, and while I would not consider myself a snob or even too discriminating, I know a great cup of coffee when I drink one! I have been in this shop several times now and it is consistently delicious! I know a lot of you are hooked on Starbucks, and you will see me there, too…but, this is a different type of coffee. It is not just a comfort brand…it is amazing TASTE! And, who can resist a little latte art to top of a masterful drink?! Bryan Reynolds and John Quick, along with their families, are the perfect guys to be bringing this unique coffee shot to Tacoma! They have such passion and vision…it is quite contagious when you talk to them! I have the privilege of knowing Bryan and his beautiful wife as friends, and I KNOW he is going to make Anthem a fun place to be at all times along with being committed to the quality of the drinks and food that you will get when you visit!Food!! There is a great variety here….For breakfast you could choose one of many different types of oatmeal…
….or muffins, and pastries made by a local company called, Wanna Cupcake?….DELICIOUS!And, for lunch Bryan whipped up a gorgeous paninni….…I mean, Seriously? If I wasn't dead set against eating bread right now, this sandwich wouldn't have even made it long enough to get its' picture taken…It was beautiful and from what I was told, absolutely wonderful!There is also a variety of pasta dishes, sandwiches, soups, and beautiful bagels….most of which are created by Joeseppi's on the Go! MMmmmmm!And, what about the after dinner crowd?….How about a huge variety of mostly locals beers and wines…?There is a lot to choose from….Some of the Northwests' Favorites, like Mac & Jack's, and just a few that aren't exactly local, but too good to not have around…like the Woodchuck Hard Cider! The ambience in the room is fantastic. Warm and cozy, but not dark at all! So much beautiful natural light streaming through the windows setting off the rustic charm in just the right amount!There is a small stage that will be hosting live bands from time to time, as well as a piano on the stage that gets played by the customers even from time to time…in fact just yesterday there was some amazing music being played by one of the SOTA kids who had stopped in on her break from classes! What fun! Interesting fact: The piano is being painted by a local artist and when it is finished Bryan and John will auction it and give the proceeds to charity, and then replace the piano to start the process again! Cool!Have kids? I will tell you that this is the new "want to go" spot for my kids! The chalkboard tables are a HIT! (here is a little bit of my daughter's scribblings from the other day!)
Lots of seating options…comfy couches and chairs, booths and tables, as well as the bar area where you can watch the barista's do their magic. Ladies, there are hooks placed strategically all through out the place to hold our purses up off the ground, as well as plenty of outlets for any one to set up a laptop and get some work done while getting caffeinated!You also will have opportunities to learn a little more about the art of coffee…Bryan especially loves to show you new and exciting methods for brewing a unique cup of java! This particular one being a pour-over….
or, the aeropress! Both delicious to me! They also have some amazing teas!! I had a Black Orange Tea Latte the other day in there….WOW!
Bryan is also an inventor of great drink combos!!! This day he made me a creme brulee latte! Started it off with a little caramel, whipped cream (which is deliciously real-not that canned stuff), espresso, a little magic and fire, and OH MY GOODNESS-to die for! You gotta try it out!If you want a fun, unique, yet warm and cozy place to meet with friends, or work, or take your kids…this is the new place to be! I just KNOW you will fall in love with it!!!! It is also going to be a great place to host an event or birthday party! Bryan is so excited about the possibilities with having private parties in there! So, if you have a group that is looking for a meeting place or you are planning a surprise birthday party…you should check this shop out! BONUS to buying a gift certificate for you friends and family…you get a free drink when you do!! Just a little something for your kindness to others!SO! Have I tempted you to try these guys out? I hope so!! And…if you want to try them out in party style you should head over there tomorrow between 3-11pm for their FORMAL GRAND OPENING! There are going to be lots of fun activities going on, bands like Roman Holiday and a few other amazing local bands….…and, even a champagne toast to ring in this new business' start!!! It's going to be a great time, for sure!But, if that doesn't work out for you, I urge you to give it a try soon! And, hey…tell them Chelle Nicole sent you!!! At the very least, friends, check out their FACEBOOK PAGE, give them your support by "liking" them, and give them some comment love! Let them know that you are rooting on small business here in Tacoma!!
Bryan and John, and families-CONGRATS and MANY BLESSINGS in your endeavors! I believe in you!


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Winter can surely change a landscape! Sometime the thick blanket of snow and ice can turn a dull place into a beautiful place, and sometimes it can do the exact opposite. In the 12 pictures below, it is rather objective whether the snow made a place more beautiful or not, because these places are just plain beautiful no matter (in my opinion anyways). 🙂
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text: Dragon Quest V - 3 save files - Can only show specific areas - Square Enix being very protective Retro Game Challenge/XSEED/Fragile - Review going up today - Turned out really well - XSEED publishing the game - XSEED apparently told Matt that people should buy the game because it'll help them in their cause to bring Fragile to the US - Fragile a Namco game in Japan - Matt thinks it's a game Namco might want to publish one day - Biggest downside in Retro Game Challenge is the localization - Fake game magazines you can read, in the back there are fake letters - one of the letters written in by Homer Sexual - Craig wants a bit more creativity in their localization next time - Fragile is in heavy Japanese but you can get through it - Control in Fragile is pretty good, beautiful, storyline seems dramatic - Matt can't wait to get it in the US LIT - Developed by WayForward - WiiWare title - Craig digs the concept - Puzzle game where you're in rooms that are darkened - Get through the room, don't go into the darkness - The way the concept is implemented frustrates Craig - Matt heard him growling - Certain little things that bother him (ex: Idea of turning on lights is good, but meter prevents you from turning on too many lights) - Should be able to see the solution without trying and resetting - Craig still recommends playing it, just be prepared for wonkyness in the design - Craig says it's worth it for the price - 800 points - Matt hates the control scheme - Context sensitive - Game went final to WiiWare pretty quickly House of the Dead: Overkill - Game ships tomorrow - Turned out well - Bozon would like to ask about the frame rate - Some of the moves swaps models on the fly - Model swap freezes the frame for a second - Other than that it's pretty cool - A lot of swearing - Some of the delivery over-the-top - Matt likes how you don't think you'd see something in the game, but then you do - Bosses could be a bit tougher, could have used more balancing - but still already an awesome game - Bozon assumes there will be a sequel - Has a turn-off ridicule mode and calibrate IR - Don't unlock dual-weild mode until you beat story mode and the director's cut mode - Can buy guns, unlock them, multiplier system is neat Deadly Creatures - Matt gave it an 8.0 - Craig didn't think the game shouldn't have received the editor's choice award - only scored 8.0 - Matt likes the theme, most of the execution except for the polish - Kind of glitchy - Play as tarantula/scorpion, run through environments - Mix of combat + exploration - One of those games that will make you feel squeamish - Was over a bit too quickly - Had some annoyances like loading pauses - For the most part Matt had a good time with it - Good choice if you're looking for something darker on Wii - Switch off between scorpion and tarantula in between levels - Bozon loves the sound - Matt wishes there was more exploration elements - Hopes it sells well for a sequel - EDGE apparently gave the game a 5/10 - Matt doesn't understand that - Maybe 7s, but never below a 7 EA news - Moving half to development to Wii - Dead Space heading to Wii - Daemon, Bozon, Matt big Dead Space fans - Game is really good + atmospheric - Want someone really competent to bring the game to Wii - Matt has high hopes for the game - doesn't think it'll be exactly what everyone thinks it'll be but it'll still be pretty awesome - Next week and a half to 2 weeks - more news will probably come - Kind of knew it was coming - Matt thinks it'll be fun - doesn't think people have to worry about it being a port Sonic and the Black Knight - Coming out next month - An interesting game - It's fun - has a nice presentation - Gimmick is that Sonic has travelled back to realm of King Arthur, has a sword - Feels like Sonic Unleashed daytime levels in some ways because you control character with nunchuck + Wiimote - Matt likes the sense of speed, graphics, interface - Have leaderboards and not so hot multiplayer mode - Matt not finding crazy level designs from Unleashed (day levels) - Only played a few hours so hopefully it'll ramp up - Right now it hasn't blown Matt away because control mechanics for sword not so hot - all waggle - Racing towards enemies, waggle - Can shake controller like a monkey - Matt never really feels a good sense of satisfaction fighting enemies unless he has the lock on - A lot of the times you stop to attack, then momentum is gone - Villagers in levels require you to stop, kills guys, have to talk to villagers - Certain missions require you to strafe over to villagers clumsily, talk to them - Daemon suggests doing what Capcom did with Mega Man 9 - Matt wanted to note that they've only played a few hours - game might get better Klonoa - Really good - Daemon has spent a lot of time with it - Remake of Playstation game - 2.5D platformer - Stuck on a 2D plane but levels spiral around - interact with foreground/background - No pointer control in the game - can use classic controller, just Wiimote, Wii remote + nunchuck - Coming out later this year - Craig loves Klonoa - it's not just a platformer, but you have to figure things out Onslaught - Bozon thinks it looks like a N64 game - Screenshots put up next to Turok, Turok looked better - Technically impressive - 4 players online, it's a WiiWare game - Reminds Matt of War - Craig says Japanese still haven't gotten the FPS genre down, he's a little nervous - If it controls really well and runs in 60 FPS, Matt won't care Real 3D game - Data Design publishing the game - Put out a press release stating they're putting out the first console game in 3D - Need to wear 3D glasses to get the effect - Finally have a game that doesn't make you want to vomit - Apparently a port of a PC from another developer - Not actually being developed by Data Design - Bozon tried emailing Data Design, didn't get a reply - Called Battle Rage: The Robot Wars Reader questions - Frontier working on Lost Winds 2 (already announced it) - Matt thinks it'll come out this year - Fire Emblem for DS is a lot of the same Fire Emblem stuff - remake of the original - game will get a good score - if this sells well they'll look into remaking other entries in the series - director wants to make a new Fire Emblem game that is super casual - Craig/Bozon would like to see World of Goo on the DS - 2D Boy doesn't have any plans to do so - Matt wants Smash Bros. on DS - Craig doesn't think DS software gets the credit it deserves - most owners don't buy many games - Nintendo hired a company to figure out how to sell more games to Wii owners - Nintendo saying that Wii owners not buying many games, just playing Wii Sports - Don't really know, but Matt figures the Metroid Side Story on the Japanese website refers to something about more information on space pirates (website related) - Matt surprised there hasn't been a Hunters sequel - NST hasn't been up to much lately - Matt heard they took a beating on some of their projects - Should wait until NPC! Metroid Prime to start the series if you haven't already - will be in widescreen - Possible future releases for NPC!/wishlist - Luigi's Mansion, Mario Sunshine, Killer 7 - Matt thought the RE5 demo was good, but feels like RE4 - he's a little disappointed - he'll buy it anyway - There'll definitely be more RE on Wii - could be Umbrella Chronicles sequel, etc. - Matt wants something original - MadWorld month starts off today - positive impressions - really great game - very violent - Nintendo won't patch games such as Brawl and Mario Kart - Dragon Quest V, Sonic coverage, MadWorld direct feed coming soon Source