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Photo Wednesdays
Today is Photo Wednesday and therein shall be a weekly posting. Since I have discovered that such a posting is successful and popular, I've decided to expand it and make it--gasp!--a weekly thing. Photos often describe my feelings and emotions in ways that words cannot suffice. So, be forewarned, on Photo Wednesdays, you will not receive information on my toiling moods, but rather just pictures. So if the meaning is ambiguous, too bad.
Posted by raluca at 21:29 0 comments
Labels: gilmore girls, tumblr
Rain, Rain, Go Away...
But when the rain refuses to submit to your demands and, rather than reciprocate the query, continues to torrentially downpour, it puts a dismal influence on your mood. With the furious pitter-patter weighing down on your skin like pebbles, it's hard to go outside and have those feel-good moments. Personally, I enjoy the rain. When it's soft and peaceful, the rain is romantic; when the rain seems similar to hurricane season, it seems as though it gives rise to a plethora of emotions, all of which indicate stifling and rousing behavior. So, what do you do when you want to scream and the rain for falling? Rather than being admitting in an asylum for your ludicrous behavior based on last-second judgement, first, go to the grocery store and stock up on junk food--chips, popcorn, chocolate, ice cream, the works. Then, rent a boat load of movies and just watch all of them with your best friends, enjoying the company rather than ruining it just on account of simple weather. Here are my recommendations:
Megamind is an excellent remedy for the rainy blues. With Will Farell lending his voice for the title character, it is a wonderful alternate to feeling sulky.
Ah, a true screen gem. A Place in the Sun is an iconic film that tells the story of a young man enchanted by a young women. However, unbeknownst to her (Elizabeth Taylor), he is with a pregnant woman with whom he is living with (such scandal in the 50s!). But since he (Montgomery Clift) is so in love with Taylor, he pursues to inadvertently kill his pregnant girlfriend. A sexy thriller/suspense movie...half of which is added to Montgomery Clift's sexiness. Why can't men dress or look like that anymore? Does everything have to be a bygone era? Sigh.
This is possibly one of the cutest movie in the 21st century. I am impartial to these sweet and tender and love stories, but Flipped is in a league all on its own. Furthermore, the soundtrack will make you want to shake and dance, something exciting to do when the outside scenery seems to damper your mood.
Steve Carrell is a genius. Get Smart will induce violent laughing that may or may not lead you to the bathroom. But you will cry from laughter, that is guaranteed. A wonderful giggle-fest.
Again, a sweet love story that takes you the sweeping landscape of Ireland. I realize that it's cliche to have a movie that involves the on-screen characters to attract animosity towards one another then grow to have tenderness to ultimately love each other, but seriously, that theme never gets old. This is a wonderful film to watch while pigging out with your girlfriends, grovelling on the fact that you want a boyfriend like Declan, thus leading the discussion elsewhere. At least, that's how it was with me...
Oh, the 80s...how I adore the 80s...Pretty in Pink tells the story of a popular guy in love with the girl from the wrong side of town who endure peer pressure for being together. It's nice to know that things haven't changed since 1986. Beautiful, just beautiful.
Pride and Prejudice may perhaps be the most sweeping love story told. I am not even kidding. Keira Knightley is brilliant as the vain and judgemental Elizabeth while Matthew Macfayden is remarkable as the handsome and subtly sexy Mr. Darcy. It's a story that never gets old.
Pants, 4 best friends, heartache, love...what else do you need? Pass the popcorn.
I just realized that all these movies include at least one rainy scene. Mhmm...could that foreshadow something...?
Posted by raluca at 19:53 0 comments
Labels: '80s, amy adams, anne hathaway, blake lively, elizabeth taylor, film, Jane Austen
Youtube Epiphany (aka. Addendum to Gilmore Boys)
If you read my Gilmore Boys post, then you'll know that I am team Dean. However, after watching several videos on Youtube and reading some comments, I've changed my mind. I am officially team Jess. What changed my mind? Well, Rory cheated on Dean (emotionally and physically--that kiss at Sookie's wedding?) with Jess. She also cheated on Logan with Jess, ending also in a kiss. So, if she cheated on Dean and Logan with Jess, then it's obvious she loves Jess and should be with him. Otherwise, she would not have done what she did. If you are in love with two people, usually the second person is to whom the affection is returned because if you weren't in love with that second person, then you would be in love with that first person and you wouldn't have second thoughts...or have gentleman caller #2 on your mind. Rory and Jess had far more in common that she did with Dean or Logan. Jess also knew her better than anyone else too. Dean grew over-possessive and while I would leap to the moon to have a boy that much infatuated with me, after a while, it seems similar to strangulation, not letting me breathe. Logan, no offence, was a pompous jerk and Rory defending him is simply confirming it. Rory and Jess should have ended up together in the end. They both should have married and they would have ended up in the same department: Rory in journalism and Jess in publishing or writing novels. It's as simple as that. Also, in season 2, Jess displayed attention to Rory without being asked to. He brought her that care package (which Jess made her believe was from Luke when really it was all his doing), he pulled that umbrella over her head when Luke's Diner was being "renovated", and he opened up to her, showing his delicate nature. Yes, bad things often followed but hey, to err is human. Besides, they had far more natural chemistry than anyone else.
I really hope they make a Gilmore Girls movie.
Posted by raluca at 13:50 0 comments
Labels: gilmore girls
Little Eyes are Watching...
What do non-Christians want to see in us fellow believers? Is there something specific they aspire to see in terms of our lifestyles, our vocabulary, our day-to-day routines? Do they want to see love behind our actions, authority behind our words, and truth and honesty behind our motives? Unbelievers want to see results, ladies and gentlemen! A chef goes into a kitchen, broils ingredients, and cooks something; likewise, a Christian should cook something and display it, symbolizing that it's simply not enough just to talk about it--you actually have to do it. "Oh, I'm a Christian 'cause I go to church and youth group and my whole family is implicated in the local church scene." Really? That's wonderful. But what does your lifestyle say about that? Do you say you love Jesus and show it? Or do you say that you love Jesus, go to church and/or youth group but you're drinking, smoking, fornicating, and doing other inappropriate miscellaneous things? People don't like talkers or people who use a lot of superfluous words simply because talk is cheap. You can say a lot and quite frankly, whatever the heck you want, but when it's time to act upon your words, many fail to do so. "Oh, I'm a Christian but I'm also really popular." Is that the type of legacy you want to leave when you finish high school, that you were known for your popularity status rather than your temperature for Jesus? That you were heavily involved in the local drinking/smoking/sex scene rather than your fervent love for Jesus? Don't you get it? People are watching and monitoring your every move. You say you are a Christian so the people around you watch and detect your moves, your words, and your actions because you say you are a Christian so they want to see if you walk the talk rather than just talk the talk. If you say you're a Christian but do non-Christian-y things (i.e. doing things Jesus would frown upon), then you might as well not say you're a Christian because you are a freaking hypocrite! You sigh, you disgruntle, and you are vexed as to why you haven't lead anyone to Christ lately. Perhaps, if you analyze your lifestyle then you would see that you are a hypocrite and no one wants a hypocritical Christian. In the minds of nonbelievers, after seeing and observing you, they think, "Why would I want to become a Christian if they act like--referring to a nonspecific human--you?" You have to have results, something that proves to the eyes of nonbelievers without ever opening your mouth that being on the Lord's side is good not just because of what you're saying but because of what you're doing. Since obviously what you're doing is working and producing mass results. You can't say you love and serve Jesus and conduct yourself in an unlikely manner, comport and engage in inappropriate activities. No offence, but you might be the reason that person might go to hell because you are not living the light of Christ. As Christians, we are supposed to be a light, not just some dim headlight that is flicking and seems to die out at any given minute, but as strong as a lighthouse, guiding from several hundreds miles away. We are call to be different, set apart. We're supposed to have something that everyone wants, not act as if others have something you want and Jesus is practically nothing. When you cuss like a sailor, using excessive profanity and profoundly vulgar sayings, you do not exude the light of Christ; when you have erratic Facebook statuses, ranging from " I love Jesus and He is my life and I will serve Him for the rest of my days" to "#$%@! My life sucks!", it's no wonder people do not go to for life help because you obviously need help yourself to differentiate from what it means to love Jesus (if Jesus is with you, your life doesn't suck; it is the greatest adventure); if you claim to go to church on Sundays, but have sex Saturday night, there is a reason why no one wants to hear your opinion on God because no one wants to listen to a fornicating Christian who is the epitome of hypocrisy; when you're sick (and I'm referring to life-threatening diseases such as cancer or lymphoma), no one wants to listen on your opinion as God the Healer because you're not living a life of God the Healer since you're obviously still sick; no one wants to listen to a Christian who is in poverty and has the poverty mentality ramble about money and how good God is when you're barely making it. If you want people to take you seriously, to make people listen, and make them ask you what you're doing, then you have the live the life of prosperity. You can talk about healing because you live in supernatural wellness; you can talk about prosperity because all your debt is paid and you bought a 1.5 million dollar mansion...in cash; and you can talk about Jesus and His goodness because it's displayed in your life and is extremely evident in your day-to-day life. If you will not do and be likewise as Jesus, then you might as well not say you're a Christian. Let someone who is actually following Him and serving Him all the way do the talking because they'll listen to them and not you. If your youth pastor would ask your friends what is your temperature for Jesus, what would they say? Would you be shocked? Or would your pastor be astonished to find out that you are living two separate lives: the church life and then the school, after school, and Friday night life? What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind? Do you want to be known for being popular or for making a difference in your peers just by simply being you and by your actions alone? You are not accountable to your friends, but to to God. You can go to hell even if you're a Christian because you are not a disciple of Christ or follow Him. Friends can help you go to hell. So, what would you rather be: an isolated, "religious freak" and go to Heaven and life in God's abundance, or be popular in high school but die and go to hell? It's your choice, my friend.
But what happens when you're surrounded by people who share Christ? When you are surrounded by Christians who are not bringing you up but rather dragging you down? What do you do then? Nothing. Just let them be. If you have friends who live life for Jesus up until the point of going to youth group, hanging with fellow Christians at school and that's it, leave them alone. Oftentimes, Christian people will be the ones rooting for you to fail, wanting you to be stumbling on the ground, asking them for help. When you talk about Jesus, do they grow uncomfortable? When you talk about healing and how God is the Healer and heals, do they grow offended and demand to know what prompted you to inquire such preposterous inquisitions? Do they make you feel as though they're bringing you down and holding you back rather than raising you up? Do they make you feel as though you should conform to the world rather than live by God's standards? If they are your real friends, then they will respect you and if they see real and genuine change in you and see you living what you preach then they will do the same because you're only living wholly by the Word, nothing else. If not, or, if they turn their backs on you because you are serious about God and about His Word and they're not serious about Christ, then it's better to cut them off completely. It's easier to go forward without so-called brothers and sisters dragging you down. We are called the body of Christ for a reason! We support each other; we love each other. We don't kick a fellow sister out or ostracize him or her because he or she said God heals based on Isaiah 53:5. If that's the case, then let them act immaturely and continue your life. People will see their lack of maturity and more importantly, people will look at those Christians and conclude that if they treat a fellow Christian that way, they wonder how they will treat a non-Christian. We are accountable to God with our time and how we spend our time, whether that be watching Creflo Dollar on your iPad or partying it up with friends who will laugh when you are so hungover, you land in the hospital due to alcohol poisoning. People are always watching you, observing what you say and do. Even if they say nothing, or even if they laugh along with you, in the back of their minds, they are thinking and observing you. What do you want to be known for?
What do you want to leave when you exit high school? Do you want to leave knowing that you made a difference, that you pursued Jesus regardless of all the distractions and nuisances, or that you were the most popular Christian on campus for strictly non-Christian reasons? People want much more than just talk, talk, talk. They want to see actions, they want to see a reality behind your words. They want to see results, something cooking in the kitchen. So, what are you cooking?
Posted by raluca at 13:33 0 comments
Labels: Christianity
Globe-trekking Itinerary
I love to travel. I suppose it's nothing particularly surprising, considering that I'm gone for nearly 6 months of the years. I have been in 3 continents and plan to visit the remaining. Strange as it sounds, I actually even enjoy the plane ride en route for my destination. Flights are synonymous for jet lag, lack of slumber, fatigue, baggy eyes, back breath, horrible hair, and crankiness, but, oddly, the flight adds part of the excitement. It means you're actually going there...wherever that may be. I have the globe-trekking blood in me; I have always found voyages exciting. I am elated whenever I hear we're going to Switzerland (again) or staying in St. Marten for a month or driving down to Florida to live there for 2 months. Ahh, yes, there is something to travelling that captures the valiant traveler. When I see a new scenery, gaze at the astounding panorama, or admire the unfamiliar atmosphere, I receive inspiration and accustom myself to the culture, something I find invigorating. While I have footprints in impressive countries (Switzerland, Venezuela, France, Italy, Hungary, Austria, Romania, Germany, and the Caribbean), there are several more places I want to visit, immerse myself in the culture, and delve in the topography before I go to my permanent home with Jesus. God created such a wonderful and beautiful earth that it's shameful not to visit His accomplishments (I would use the words masterpiece but He considers us His masterpiece). Accurate, Third Day's lyrics rings true: Footprints of the mighty God. Such places are absolutely correct. Here is my travelling itinerary in no particular order yet filled with equal aspirations.
I want to go Down Under--I want to visit and live Australia. I want to see the toilet go counter-clockwise; I want to swim in the Great Barrier Reef; I want to tan, swim, and learn to surf for the first time on the Gold Coast; I want to chat with hot Aussies; I want to go to Hillsong Church; I want to pet a kangaroo. I just want to go to Australia period. It's just one of those places I want to go for an inexplainable reason because the reasons would not suffice my desire to go there. It's a cool place, with cool people, with cool things to visit. Simple as that. And I will go there soon. Mark my word.
Thailand is known for its exquisite beaches and that is the reason alone I why I want to go there. I am a beach bum and seeing the turquoise waters mere feet away from me would arouse my growing passion for sun, water, and sand. I swear, I'm going to be here for a honeymoon or wedding ceremony in a few years because the beaches is not only relaxing and soporific, it's almost timelessly romantic. The ultimate paradise for beach bums, such as myself.
I am going to go on a continent-wide exploration across Europe. I am not even joking. I'm going to visit Britain, see London, Oxford, and the Buckingham Palace; visit Paris, Cote d'Azure, St. Tropez, Nice; go to Belgium and have authentic Belgium chocolate; take a ferry and visit all of Scandinavia, seeing Copenhagen, Oslo, Reykjavik, Helsinski, Stockholm, and Køpenhavn; visit all of Greece and all of its isles, including Corinth, Santorini, Athens, and Crete; visit Cyprus and relax as the lethargic beach bum; go all the way to Italy and fill my body with pasta, pizza, and garlic bread, see Rome, Naples, Sicily, Isle de Capri, Milano, see Mt. Vesuvius and Herculaneum, and learn how to toss pizza dough like classic Italian chefs, and see the the Tower of Pisa; see all of Spain, including Madrid and Barcelona, and see a bit of Morocco; and make my final stop in Portugal.
This sounds lackadaisical, since I adore the sun and abhor the snow (which is weird since Barrie is snow central), but I do want to see Antarctica. I want to see penguins and see the uninhabited continent of Antarctica and what white and serene looks like without mobs of crowds everywhere with overlapping voices. In this tranquil quiet, you can hear the voice of God.
This sounds cliche but I want to see the Pyramids of Giza. Actually, I want to see all of the Seven Wonders of the world. But I particularly want to visit Egypt; well, until the feud and protest began and then realized that it was not safe and could possibly jeopardize my health and life if I went there now. I'm not saying that I will never go but there is a reason for everything under the sun (booya, Ecclesiastics) so when God says it's okay for me to go there (regarding to security and safety) I'll go. Until then, I'll merely admire it from afar, planning ahead.
One word: New Zealand. (Yes, I realize that is two words but if you say it really fast, it will sound like one.) I just want to visit New Zealand. I'm not exactly sure why, but then again, to whom am I entitled to give an explanation for why I want to visit this tantalizing country? I just want to go there. Now.
I've wanted to visit South Africa way before 2010 Fifa World Cup was held there. I want to visit Cape Town and from then on, take a voyage across Africa, laying down some roots to build a Christian orphanage for children who have lost parents from AIDS, build wells in cities where they have no access to clean water, and start a revolution where a continent is ruled by voodoo, sorcery, and witchcraft. And how you may ask will I fund this? With my own money, because after all, it's not about me; it's about Him. If you haven't gotten it by now, acquiring money is not just for "selfish" reasons based on "pride" and while we may have things richly to enjoy, it's to distribute our wealth to others so they may see the light and love of Jesus. Without money, many missionaries would fail to continue their work. With money coming directly from God, the Source, I am able to do His work without relying on man...I apologize. I deterred completely off topic and I am sorry. Yes, so, I want to visit South Africa and have a lush and rich experience.
As aforementioned, I am a beach bum and I will likely be found on a beach or somewhere warm with sand. One of the first places I will want to go to is French Polynesia. With its lush landscape, soft sandy beaches and transparent waters, it is an oasis. Three points that I will definitely visit are Bora Bora (first picture), Tahiti (second picture), and Fiji (the cool underwater hotel room picture that I wanted to cool just I thought that was just so cool! Seriously? An underwater room? Whoa.). I think it's safe to say that half of my travels includes beaches and sun.
I don't care y'all say: I want to go to Hawaii. I want to go there to simply get a towel, blob on sunscreen, and lounge in the sun. Man, Americans are so fortunate--you have paradise within your country. Not really within the country itself, but you don't need a passport to fly to paradise. That's awesome. I recognize that I using mostly jargon in this post, but unfortunately, I don't have my vocabulary reference book with me (and because I received less than required sleep last night so I am not scholastically sharp today). I may even get a dual American-Canadian citizenship just so I can travel to Hawaii minus the passport. I'll live in Florida and travel to Hawaii...good plan.
My list would not be complete with a visit to the Holy Land. I'm not adding this simply because it is when Jesus walked, roamed, touched, and dined, but also because the vista is spectacular. This photo, in Tel Aviv, displays the Mediterranean mystique that captivates people such as myself. I will also go to Jerusalem to see the places where Jesus walked and breathed on this earth, giving me the epiphany that Jesus had good taste in food. And that He was a real person. But mostly for pleasurable reasons.
I will go to these places one day. I like to think big; God is not limited and since this is His creation, I will be equipped to see it. Hey, who knows? You might even join me! Unless you prefer snow over sand, then, I'm sorry you can't come because I'll mostly be doing nothing on those beachy destinations anyway other than sleep, tan, and swim.
Posted by raluca at 10:58 4 comments
Labels: australia, europe, french polynesia, travel
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
I like looking at photos. There is something about that is open to interpretation, that allows the imagination to conduct its meaning. The mystique of photography is something still astounds me simply because I can look at it, envision myself in that photo, and leave the possibilities endless. Plus, when you're a writer, like myself, gazing a photo can spark a novel idea. So today, instead of posting my thoughts, rants, and vocal opinions, fashion editorials, I've decided to compile a series of photos that appeal to my current nature. It's like a plethora of my emotions or feelings based on these following pictures. Enjoy!
I wish I had taken a photography class in high school. I just love looking at photos, imagining the possibilities...
Posted by raluca at 16:10 5 comments
Labels: tumblr
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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Still filled with embarrassment from yesterday, Lucinda avoided direct eye contact with Jake. She remembered the fell of his arms around her and how safe she felt.
From Becoming Lucy by Martha Rogers

subset: commoncrawl


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Wow! What a great deal from Amazon! My daughter has been begging me for an Ipod that will hold more music and do more than what she already has. I've been saying it's too expensive, but not any more!
Amazon has the Ipod touch 8GB as they're daily deal today for only $158 with FREE SHIPPING! If you've never ordered from Amazon, believe me: you're gonna love them! They always provide fast shipping and great service!
Check it out:
Monday, November 30, 2009
Ipod Touch 8GB only $158 with Free Shipping
Extra Cyber Monday Savings at Kohls
Don't you just love Cyber Monday?! No Crowds to fight through! You just sit back, relax, and click! There are a lot of great deals out there. And here's a special one from Kohls.
Take an Extra 15% off any order with coupon code Cyber15
spend $75, take an extra 15% off, + free shipping with coupon code Cyber 15
spend $100, take an extra 20% off +free shipping with coupon code cyber20
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Quotations & Lyrics is The Craft Barn blog challenge for 2014.
A new prompt is provided every other week,
leaving two weeks for us to think about & create our artwork.
The current prompts are
Knowledge & Hurt
I chose Knowledge & decided to use a quotation by Augustus Hare.
This is the front of my bookmark.
This is the reverse.
I used patterned papers by Papermania, Distress Marker (black soot)
& an image cut from old paper stock.


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Need Reviews
My new eBook, Inconclusive Death an Aaron Blake Mystery, is now available on Smashwords.com, and coming soon in print. I'm in need of reviews. If you can help me out, go to this link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/243100 Write the review in a reply box below. Thank you so very much. I'll return the favor when you need me to. Just let me know. 🙂
Always, Carol


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Thursday, June 3, 2010
Hike to Triund
Posted by Maxwell R. at 7:33 AM No comments:
Closing retreat at Naddi Resort
At the waterfall and swimming hole.
The water was freezing cold...
Shortly after this photo was taken Kathryn fell down some rocks. They checked to see she was alright, but spoke no English.
Posted by Maxwell R. at 7:20 AM No comments:
Fire Puja at Namgyal temple
Posted by Maxwell R. at 7:09 AM No comments:
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Think again.
I've deliberately titled this part one as it will be one of three small segments regarding sections from Chesterton which pertain in some way to this topic. Be prepared to see outside the box... (Chesterton has a habit of forcing the reader to do this).
Probably the most consistent defense of St Marys is its commitment to "social justice" (and we all know there's no other organizations around that do that kind of thing).
That apparently justifies everything. They are committed to this one virtue. Now for the Chesterton (specifically it's from Orthodoxy):
"When a religious scheme is shattered (as Christianity was at the Reformation) it is not merely the vices that are let loose. The vices are, indeed, let loose, and they wander and do damage. But the virtues are let loose also; and the virtues wander more wildy and the virtues do more terrible damage. The modern world is full of the old Christian virtues gone mad. The virtues have gone mad because they have been isolated from each other and are wandering alone. Thus some scientists care for truth; and their truth is pitiless. Thus some humanitarians only care for pity; and their pity (I am sorry to say) is often untruthful. For example, Mr Blatchford attacks Christianity because he is mad on one Christian virtue: the merely mystical and almost irrational virtue of charity. He has a strange idea that he will make it easier to forgive sins by saying that there are no sins to forgive."
Only Chesterton would be brilliant enough to realise that virtues on steroids (as one person put it to me) can do a lot of damage when they run off by themselves.
Here we see the effect of social justice when divorced from other virtues such as, I don't know, obedience perhaps. One way it does more damage is acting as a cover.
By the way, has anyone seen St Mary's say anything on the biggest violation of social justice in Australia, abortion? Strange, I hadn't either.
Stay tuned.


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Thanks to everyone that entered our Pick'em contest. The response was terrific and we're very happy that all of you enjoy reading our stuff on PFN.
And we all appreciate that you like free stuff.
*drum roll*
KOLBY KEARNEY was our winner!
Kolby went a stunning 9-1 on the week, only missing the Georgia Tech/Clemson game.
Congratulations Kolby! You're getting a pair of tickets to the ASU/Oregon game. You still don't get the cheerleader. We checked with her, and she's gonna hang out with me. I wish.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
1 comment:
- Ms. Hot Mess said...
Kolby Kearney is a God- damn stud. Is he single and can he go to Vegas this weekend?
- October 21, 2008 at 2:15 PM
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Book 2 in the Mythos Academy series
Author: Jennifer Estep
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: Young Adult
Release date: November 29, 2011
Author's website: Jennifer Estep
Logan Quinn was trying to kill me. My Spartan classmate relentlessly pursued me, swinging his sword at me over and over again, the shining silver blade inching closer to my throat every time. A smile tugged up his lips, and his ice-blue eyes practically glowed with the thrill of battle...In book 2 of the series Gwen is learning all the different types of skills that a warrior needs to possess in order to protect themselves. Since she found out in book 1 of the series that she is the Goddess Nike's warrior, she needs to prepare herself for anything that may come her way. As she is training she learns that she is developing more abilities which include being able to channel past experiences one may have had after she has touched them. This ability comes in very handy for her throughout the book as she is now able to do things that she never thought she would be able to do.
I'm Gwen Frost, a second-year warrior-in-training at Mythos Academy, and I have no idea how I'm going to survive the rest of the semester. One day, I'm getting schooled in swordplay by the guy who broke my heart — the drop-dead gorgeous Logan who slays me every time. Then, an invisible archer in the Library of Antiquities decides to use me for target practice. And now, I find out that someone at the academy is really a Reaper bad guy who wants me dead. I'm afraid if I don't learn how to live by the sword — with Logan's help — I just might die by the sword …
There isn't a whole lot of action in this one since Gwen has to figure out what exactly is going on around her. She's seeing things that no one else is seeing and it adds to Gwen already feeling alone as she sees so many happy couples around her. This includes her friends as well as Logan. Although they are still friends, you just know that they have feelings for one another and it's hard for Gwen to see him with someone else. I really felt for her as she felt so alone and I felt that the author did a great job conveying that through the storyline.
I'm giving Kiss of Frost a rating of:
I felt that Kiss of Frost was a more emotional book than book 1 as Gwen learns more information regarding her mother's death. I found myself tearing up a little and Jennifer Estep does a great job with these scenes as one can only imagine what Gwen is truly feeling. She's still healing over the loss and the new information that she discovers seems to rip open those wounds and make them fresh all over again. The 1st half of the book felt a slow to me but managed to pick up in the 2nd half as things start to fall into place and Gwen begins to realize exactly what she has to deal with. I'm looking forward to reading book 3 in the series Dark Frost after reading the 1st chapter. It seems like it's going to start of with action right at the beginning and I'm looking forward to seeing what battles Gwen will have to face next.
Review of other book in the series:
Book 1: Touch of Frost


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Game designer John Wick, via his company John Wick Presents, has acquired the rights to the Dungeons & half of the Dungeons & Dragons franchise. "The 7th Sea Kickstarter was so successful, we had enough cash to do something important."
While the dragons are still out of reach, Wick is excited for the possibility of taking the dungeons to new heights. "It turns out the dragons are pretty expensive," Wick said. "But we've got some neat things planned for the dungeons part."
Wick announced Dungeons & would be released into the public domain in five years, making the gaming public owners of the property. "The fans can do what they want with it. It belongs to them now."
In the meantime, what are JWP's plans for the property? Wick said, "We don't plan on changing much. 5th Edition is my favorite edition of D&D. Maybe some new lighting for the dungeons. More pirates. Switching to a d10 system. Nothing major."
Along with the acquisition of D&, JWP has also acquired Raven-, Plane-, Dying and Birth-. Wick said, "When we get the rest, we'll be giving the full rights back to the original creators. Until then, they'll have to settle for halfsies."
For further information, please visit www.johnwickpresents.com/d-and.


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Barbed wire fencing is the cheapest and most commonly used fencing in Sri Lanka. (Photo:AFP)
People displaced by conflict is not something that only exists in Sri Lanka. In Pakistan over 2 million innocent civilians have been displaced due to fighting in the Swat valley between the Pakistani government forces and the Taliban.
2.5 Million in fact are now displaced in Pakistan, which is close to ten times the number of displaced Tamils in Sri Lanka.
As ACT members deliver assistance and continue to assess the needs of the 2.5 million displaced persons, staff are observing a significant lack of access to cooked food, hygiene facilities and health services for displaced women.Many of these displaced are now homeless sleeping on the streets of Pakistan without food or shelter.
Due to the lack of proper screening of the displaced many of the senior Taliban leaders have managed to flee. Rendering this entire offensive against the Taliban, including the displacement of millions, useless.
Washington Times
Despite claims by the military it had secured 90 percent of the territory in Swat that was previously under Taliban control, officials were forced to concede that every senior Taliban commander had escapedThe lack of screening for combatants fleeing amongst civilians has meant Taliban leaders have fled, re-grouped and are now carrying out attacks in other parts of Pakistan.
In recent days several suicide bomb attacks on hotels have left countless dead.
The situation in Sri Lanka is vastly different compared to Pakistan. Much has been said about the camps for the displaced. Some even go into great lengths to belittle the Jews who suffered at the hands of Nazis, by calling Sri Lanka's camps for the displaced 'Concentration Camps'.
The BBC in an article titled 'UN concern over Sri Lanka camps' published the views of UN official Mark Cutts who has expressed his dismay at phone lines and banks being constructed in the camps in Sri Lanka.
Cutts, acknowledged that the efforts were 'phenomenal' but the BBC chose to highlight his apprehensions.
Mark Cutts fears that these structures are permanent and it would mean that people would be held in camps much longer.
The Sri Lankan government has always insisted that until the former conflict zone is cleared of mines and improvised explosive devices, it is not safe for the displaced to return.
"Senior military officials have also told us that they don't expect to see any significant returns in the next six months, On the contrary, some senior officials told us just yesterday that they expect probably not more than 20% of these people will have returned in the next year," Mr Cutts said.As we speak demining operations are underway thanks to Japanese aid.
But Sri Lanka's human rights minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said it was "absolutely false" to suggest that it would take so long. He said it was not the military but the government who took such decisions and that it aimed to resettle most people by the end of this year.
Japan's special envoy to Sri Lanka, Yasushi Akashi, also said there had been "tangible progress" in the care given to nearly 280,000 refugees displaced by the war, but said demining the former Tiger areas is the biggest challenge remaining.
Only international assistance, support and cooperation with the Sri Lankan government can speed up the resettlement of the displaced. Not apprehension, accusations or allegations.
All actions by the Sri Lankans of late, including denying entry to Canadian MP Bob Rae, is a sign that the administration in Sri Lanka is sick and tired of critics. The time now is not for criticism but assistance in aiding those who need help the most.


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Back in 2000, many of my friends and colleagues, especially those on the left, commented on how they prefered the Canadian coverage of Sidney Olympics, largely because they thought it was less nationalist than that of the U.S. broadcasters. So this year I've been watching quite a bit of coverage of the Athens Olympics on CBC and comparing it to the U.S. coverage on NBC. In one respect, the CBC wins hands down since they actually broadcast many events live. Most of the finals run between noon and 4 PM EDT (7 and 11 PM in Athens). There is no reason why NBC can't do this, other than an unwillingness to sacrifice primetime ad revenues for the thrill of live coverage.
On the other hand, I've seen no evidence that the CBC is any less nationalistic than NBC. They are less pro-American, to be sure, but that doesn't mean that they stint on covering Canadians any less than NBC covers U.S. athletes.
The one clear distinction between CBC and NBC is how relentlessly downbeat the Canadian coverage is. Not only do they have fewer medal prospects than the U.S., but the Canadians have generally not performed very well in Athens. As a result, most of the Canadian coverage consists of stories of athletes failing to measure up in some way. After a few hours of this you want to start reaching for the Xanax with a bourbon chaser.
With NBC, on the other hand, there are more than enough medal winners to fill the coverage, so even if a particular U.S. athlete disappoints in some way, they can always move on to another, more successful, one.
Friday, August 27, 2004
Ohhh, Canada!
Posted by Philip Klinkner at 11:03 PM
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I never saw the Sea--
Yet I know how the Heather looks
And what a Billow be.
I never spoke with God
Nor visited in Heaven--
Yet certain am I of the spot
As if the Checks were given--
~Emily Dickinson
I have seen the sea.
And someday I hope to see the moors.
And someday I will see the Heavenly realm.


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We took off at 6am on Saturday morning for a 5 hour drive to visit our dear friends.
The car ride wasn't great, but it also wasn't awful. It was a good warm-up for our 24 hour trip slated for December.
We are so blessed to call the P's our friends!!
They are the type of family, that it doesn't matter how long it's been since we've seen each other, it just feels right, good, relaxed. Like we just spoke yesterday.
We soaked up every single minute of them.
Our kids played and laughed and reconnected.
Our sons interacted like they were old buddies (even though nearly 6 years separates them)
I loved watching it all happen. It felt comforting and filled my heart.
Of course, we were so busy laughing and eating and catching up and eating some more that we didn't capture one single picture of the adults together. This HAS to be a higher priority the next time we are all together!
And then to TOP of the weekend, Ed (actually all of us!) got to visit a very special place.
Antique Archaeology.
The only way it could have been better was if Mike or Frank had showed up.
Ed is a BIG fan of the show American Pickers and it was so cute to see how happy he was to be there. I loved it. And when he scored a t-shirt, I swear it made his YEAR!!!
(Sorry for the crappy iphone pics)
|Look at that grin!!
The kids got to test their 'picking' skills and choose an item and barter for it. It was cute.
The weekend went WAY TO FAST.
It was really difficult to leave.
The entire drive home, I Thanked God for bringing the P's into our lives.
Can't wait until the "bushes are trimmed" and we laugh together again. Love you guys!


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Dreamland Bali
Dreamland Beach is a beautiful place in Bali, this place is my favorite site, and a real Dream Land for me. Dreamland is tourism place that placed on Pecatu, South of Bali. Dreamland area is arround by high mountainsides, and corals near seashore. This place is in Bali Pecatu Graha Center (Kuta Golf Link Resort) about 30 Minutes from Kuta Beach.
Dreamland looks like Kuta Beach, white sand, green and blue sea, and coral crevasse that very beauty. Big and high wave be a surfer place. Moreover, Dreamland is a Surfing Spot in Bali today


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I swear to all that is holy that if that goddamn smiley tells me that he's counting the minutes until he can be with me again one more time I will find the first person who ever thought 'Jeepers, if I put a colon and a parenthasi (singular usage?) next to each other it kinda looks like a sideways face.' and when I do, I'm gonna stab them in the neck with a #2 pencil over and over, urinate on their computer, and when I leave I'll toss a lit matchbook over my shoulder and light the place on fire.
ahh, sooo, anyway...
Today marks three years since I stepped onto a plane in Sea-Tac and stepped off in my adoptive home, Osaka. Well, actually it was a man made island off the coast of the Wakayama Peninsula, and that was only after stepping off in LAX, getting some pizza, taking a nap on a bench and getting on a different plane. But all that lacks the poetic ring that people can raise a glass to, so incorrect absolutes it is. (funny how often history ends up that way)
Commemorating something begs the question, "What makes this significant? Why should February 19th 2003 hold any meaning today?" And perhaps for most of you reading this, it shouldn't. But for me, today is my chance to look at a single choice I made years ago and see how that one decision synthesized the person I am today. I'd know I wanted to live in Japan for at least a year when I first went there in 1997. What started as a love of Japanese Animation drew me to discover the culture, people, and aesthetic that has had a prominent (some might say dominating) influence on my adult life.
When I left America I was still recovering from surgery, I was walking into my first real Job, an overeducated (if such a thing is possible) and undersocialized kid (see: Nerd). Unlike my time at Evergreen I couldn't go home every weekend to mow the lawn, snuggle Max -my Lab-Pitbull mix- , and play D&D with the gang. And really, that was the point, so long as I was able to get by with my slacker lifestyle, I would never grow up. I didn't realize it at the time, but I had come to Japan to become the person I wanted to be.
Am I that person now? Certainly I've changed a huge amount in the intervening three years. I've lost a lot of hair, gained a lot of confidence. I've discovered so many wonderful, ugly, bizarre, and captivating things. And met so many incredible people.
Howie, my first roommate in Japan, likes to tell the story of our first meeting: He was resting after a frenzied cleaning of our apartment in anticipation of my arrival and was feeling kinda excited about the prospect of playing mentor to a fresh-off-the-boat kid. I was led in by Bruce -our landlord- shown around, signed the lease and then Bruce took off. I turned to Howie and asked, "Y'know where I can get a good Curry Udon?" completely deflating his fantasy.
Little did Howie know that he would indeed show me the ropes, though they weren't the ropes he expected. If any one person is to thank for what I've gained in the past three years then that person is Howie.
Living as a foreigner in Japan is a study in transience. Everything is on a temporary basis, your visa, your job, your friends, everything. No gaijin is expected to stick around for long. Why would you? You don't belong here. People slide into and out of focus, one day a grin wisecracking over a beer after work, the next a pang of regret that you didn't hang out with them more. The sheer number of people that I've known that I would have liked to know better gives me hope for humanity as a whole, and the few people who have stuck around as figures in life are now and forever family.
The things I've discovered here, the art, the music, the cafes, bars, and all the other little material experiences have informed my identity as well. One of my favorite things to do now is just to go walking around new areas with my girlfriend or my buddies and just pop into interesting places all day.
My commitment to writing has blossomed in the past three years. When I lived in America I was a person who talked and thought about being a writer, now I've realized that that Billy Crystal line in Throw Momma From the Train couldn't be more correct. Writers write. That's what it takes. And if you want it, you have to sit your ass down and put some words into an order on paper or a computer screen that means something. Now, sometimes I'm still just a guy who talks and thinks about writing, but more and more often, I really am a writer.
So if you faced me with the classic existential conflict of being judged by my former self, I think I'd be a surprise to the Llyw of three years ago. But I also think that I'd approve. And after I leave Japan, I think I'll start moving towards becoming another cool person.
I can't wait to meet me.
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Happy Japaniversary!!
Posted by Llyw Stengel at 12:34 AM
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My daughter and I are freestyle dancers. I usually use black and white face paints on the eyes but would like to use an eyeshadow. Could you recommend any black and white colours that are dramatic on the eyes that will stay on and give a strong bold colour.Thanks a million - Sinead
*above - Lucy from Selfridges Trafford works the dark smoky eye look by using a similar technique to the one that Jay has outlined *
I asked James from Selfridges Birmingham to answer this question...
"Use Concealer 350 as a base all over the lid - I love using this for any smoky/ dark eye look; the staying power is incredible and of course the high levels of pigment give you a great base for any powder shadow to grab on to. I love to apply this with Illamasqua Eyeshadow Brush and use a pressing action to apply the concealer to the lid.
Next, take your choice of Powder Eye Shadow - I love 'Machine' for dark, sparkly drama - but you could use 'Lestat' if you prefer a more matt finish. Alternatively, Pure Pigment in 'Android' would look amazing if you want more of a sparkly effect.
Use the same Eyeshadow Brush to press the colour on top of the Concealer.
If you do want to create a more "winged" effect, you can use the tape method as shown in the Golden Goddess video, or you can use the edge of any Illamasqua compact as a stencil.
Use Blending Brush I to soften the colour into the crease of the eye.
Next, take Pure Pigment in 'Tingle' and press onto the brow bone. I would also add a dot of this onto the centre of the lid, this will stop the eye looking too heavy and add dimension to the look.
Line the waterline with either Medium Pencil in 'Elate' for a more wide eyed look or use the Sophie pencil for a dark, intense liner.
Line bottom lashes with the Sophie pencil and smudge over with your choice of black eyeshadow [as detailed above]
For intensity and a feminine flutter, apply False Eye Lashes - I love number 21."
Terry Barber Palette X MAC
1 day ago


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Stop American Censorship
Congress is about to pass internet censorship, even though the vast majority of Americans are opposed. We need to kill the bill - PIPA in the Senate and SOPA in the House - to protect our rights to free speech, privacy, and prosperity.Watch the video, please!
We believe in the open internet. Do you?
We believe in the open internet. Do you?


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This is the last of the not very exciting London posts, the day after I was too busy catching random trains and visiting the science museum to take any pictures. So on the Friday I wore this dress and the hat I bought the day before; while I was wandering around oxford street in search of Liberty's a random girl asked if she could take a picture of my style, is this bad or good? Her picture probally came out rubbish because this dress really isn't photogenic. I also went to the V&A museum, I only had one hour, so I rushed around the fashion section, went in the gift shop and cringed when my brothers started paddling in the pool thing.
Sorry about the rubbish photo, as I said earlier dress ain't photgenic and neither am I, but lets not dwell on that fact.
Hope you all had a good bonfire weekend, I went to the local bonfire and fireworks display which was amazing. I find fireworks so pretty and make you believe anything can happen. Afterwards me, Chloe and Steph ate some fish and chips, then laughed at some funny words, we are really mature. Ohh, and I got my Grandmas watch fixed and I am determined not to lose it. XX
Wearing: Hat & Jacket- Topshop, Dress- Warehouse


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- A digitally focused customer centric marketer - Managed and delivered a wide variety of digital campaigns - Managed the delivery of new websites and mobile/tablet apps - Deep understanding of e-commerce and online merchandising - Deliver best practice SEO principles - Edited and curated blogs, managed social media, and led email campaigns - Analytically minded and comfortable in the numbers behind any marketing work - Qualified CIM practitioner Over my career, I have worked across the marketing mix and have a strong understanding of how to leverage each channel. I am comfortable in the analytics, which I consider essential to the delivery of campaigns that provide customers with the right content at the right time. These campaigns have delivered excellent results with strong ROIs. I have experience of working across a number of industries both in a B2C and B2B environment.
Click to edit position descriptionWorking across 2 brands as Digital Marketing & Sales Manager for both Brooks England and PEdAL ED. Managing all digital marketing and sales for both BROOKS ENGLAND and PEdAL ED brands. Leading projects to launch new websites for both brands, including the management of design, e-commerce, and marketing agencies. Manage and create content on all websites, including products, news, and blog posts. Create and manage the digital marketing and sales plans, including SEO, paid campaigns, email marketing, digital merchandising, affiliate marketing, and pricing analysis. Manage social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. Responsible for driving large growth across each platform, including the email database.
On the Marketing and Product stream. Accelerated leadership programme. Carried out a variety of roles in Brand, Planning, Propositions, and Strategy.


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Friday, November 30, 2007
work nora
Work has not been smooth sailing lately. Nothing specific, just a combination of things. I have not had the usual spring in my step and first one in and last one to leave spirit lately.
Today started out to be the same. I raced in to work, with seconds to spare. I attended a meeting that I thought was ridiculous and a bit of an ambush - and I'm afraid that I didn't do a good job of hiding my feelings and impatience. Part of of the ants-in-my-pantsiness was that the wheels were falling off the place. Not one of the nine heating units was working - seriously, what are the odds? We had one of our busiest catering days ever and the catering director and I were in the meeting. Today was graduation day for the students and we'd soon have 120 guests in the building.
I sprinted out of the meeting in to the fray of the day. The HVAC problem was so dramatic the owner of the company was on our roof with his workmen when I stuck my head up there. I spent time in the kitchen helping to made 150 box lunches, loaded up the van and ran to my office to check messages. My phone rang and I croaked out (I have laryngitis) a greeting. It was the mayor's office, asking what time the deputy mayor needed to be there for his gig as the graduation speaker. I replied "noon" and there was a long pause at the other end, "Okay, I'll try to get him there." Crap. The next telephone call was the minister slated to give the invocation - not coming. Holy Crap.
I looked at the agenda on my desk and realized that the DM was not scheduled until 1:00, called the mayor's office back and told her 12:45 would be fine for DM's arrival. She seem relieved and I mentally put the DM back on my Christmas card list.
Talked to the HVAC guys and learned that a power surge or something had fried parts of all of the units, heating and air-conditioning. Asked what the chances of getting the unit over the dining room going. They managed it with a zip tie, toggle switch and me saying the Rosary as I ran around.
On one of my sweeps through the kitchen snagged a volunteer to do the invocation. I've spoken at his church the last two years and he was happy to do it.
My dear sister Beth helps us with graduation logistics. The men living in one of the homeless missions volunteer to be the servers. She and I had a quick exchange of information in sibling shorthand, I gave her the agenda and off I went. I swung back by a few minutes later when it dawned on me that the men were not there yet. Double Crap.
Beth was doing a great job of getting 120 salads and desserts on the tables using the students. I plopped a few on the tables, made a phone call and learned the guys were on the way. The lobby was filling up with guests, but I didn't want anyone seated until the tables were all set. I gave the 'thumbs up' at 11:55 and the crowd poured in. The volunteer servers arrived and they looked like a motley crew. Typically they are dressed in white shirts for this event and look a little more presentable. They was wearing sweat pants and lots of cologne. I stopped to thank them as I walked by, and one of the men said "Hello Nora." I said hello back to LL and snapped by head back - wow! LL was a guy that was living on the street years ago and I'd helped out a little bit, letting him stash his stuff at the coffeehouse and visited him at the hospital. I had not seen him in years. He looked great and was in a year long Life program at the mission. He pulled me aside and told me how much my friendship meant to him. Wow.
The graduation was in full swing, I took my plate to the reception desk to wait for DM (you need to be buzzed in to the building). He arrived in the nick of time and did a great job. He said something really cool during his talk. He called me one of his spiritual advisors. He said he always does what ever I ask him to, and it is always a worthy cause. Wow.
Sometimes I need those obvious signs to remind me why my job and involvement in the community are important. In this case it was a guy with a teardrop tattoo under his eye, the DM was icing on the cake.
Here's a bonus photograph, DM playing a Madonna's Borderline at the Tonic Ball.
...and I think I lead a bit of a double life....
Monday, November 26, 2007
tonic nora
It is my favorite day of the year. The day that I feel the most complete. A day of generosity, good will, community and music. It is the one day of the year where almost everything that I hold dear is in one place. The day when I feel the most like myself.
This year I was also a financial sponsor. When I committed to it this summer, I was feeling flush. Pre-mortage. Before I knew that I had to empty my savings account for the down payment. But when I wrote the check for $1000 it felt good - because I was giving 'til it hurt and I knew the money would be used wisely.
We got to set up all of the back-line equipment at Radio Radio on Thursday night, which was a huge weight off of my shoulders. That saved a lot of scrambling before the show on Friday.
Tonic Week started off in a great way with the Barfly cartoon. On Tonic Ball morning WTTS (a local radio station) arraigned to have Mick Jones of the Clash give a message to the Tonic Ball musicians, "don't murder his songs." It was really cool and he talked about Second Helpings and how great he thought the Tonic Ball is.
I worked most of the day and ran home to change. I was nervous about it, but I wore a short black dress, fishnets, biker boots and the same black (heavy in weight and with zippers) leather jacket that I wore twenty-five years ago.
The Tonic Gallery was a blast. The bench that Dad made sold right away for $400, the "buy it now" bid price.
The Tonic Ball was a blast. Over 600 people poured in to the two venues. The enthusiasm was palatable. I got to be in my best "Nora" mode – project management. Making sure bands were in the right place, volunteers were doing their thing and everything was relatively on time. I got to run around like a nut for a good cause.
Tons of my friends (bloggers included – Kim, Bad Influence Girl and Jerry) were there. Another friend from Evansville surprised me by coming down. Dean emceed the Madonna room and did a great job – even introducing me from stage and announcing that I was single (I don't know if I could have blushed any harder). I got to announce the bands in the Clash room a few times. It is such a rush to hear all of those people cheering for something as simple as "I'm Nora Spitznogle, director of operations for Second Helpings and I have the best job in the world."
The icing on the cake was when Barfly gave me the artwork from the Tonic Ball cartoon.
Yes, it is the day that I feel the most like myself.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
relaxed nora
I spent the day wandering, shopping, swimming, napping, watching television and reading.
Everything but writing my column.
I'm staying at a hotel that I love, I discovered it last year. Staying an extra day is a great way to ease myself back in to the real world. I've also learned that it is nice to have a decompression day after six days with the kiddies and parents.
Cable television, pool, wireless Internet access, a bathroom bigger than my bedroom at home and cool furnishings.
I may never leave.
Okay -- I'm going to start writing...now...in a minute...just one more chapter...hey what is on HBO?...maybe I'll just sent my alarm and get up early...
Saturday, November 24, 2007
headache-y nora
I had a horrible headache for almost 24 hours. I finally caved-in and slept for several hours this afternoon.
Another great day of doing a bunch of nothing.
Pool this morning, 3 hour nap and spent hours transferring content from my music Web site to my new music site.
We had dinner at the Island Cow. The biggest source of argument among the children is who gets to sit where in the car. It would be easy to figure out, but the prime seat changes from trip to trip. My nephew had a bit of a meltdown so we stayed in the van a bit longer to calm down while everyone else jumped out to wait for our table. We sat in the very back of the van and I cranked up the music. I taught him to play air guitar to the Southern rock song that was on the radio.
I think he has a future in playing pretend instruments!
Friday, November 23, 2007
lazy nora
Another wonderful day of walking, swimming and eating.
Lots and lots of eating.
As a restaurant person I'm always trying to get a peek in to the kitchen.
I've been lucky enough to sit by the kitchen several times this trip.
I've had fun explaining line cooking and expediting to my nephew.
There are nine of us when we go out to eat and I always remember what everyone ordered. The night we ate the Mucky Duck (where I also bought a tee shirt and shorts to wear until my luggage arrived) I was sitting right outside the kitchen with John on my lap. Our order was almost ready and I was ticking off the items and the people that ordered them. John got nervous when the expeditor laid down the ticket and his pasta with butter was not with the other eight dinners. I told him that the waitress would call for it when she was ready to serve the meals. John was so impressed when I waitress walked by and yelled "one kid pasta."
Today we had lunch at Gramma Dot's. The restaurant did not open until 11:30 and the porch was full of people waiting at 11:15. By 11:35 the place was full and they were on a wait. The kitchen is partially open. I could see the three cooks in the sparking clean kitchen. The servers slammed them with orders and they cranked it out. Everyone was feed in 15 minutes! When the cooks tossed down the last ticket I caught the eye of one of them and gave them a thumbs up. I really like the place and could picture working there. Does everyone do that on vacation? Fantasize about chucking it all away and moving. Of course the folks that dream of waitressing on a island are probably not already waitresses in real life.
I also pay extra attention to the menu and kitchens because I'm allergic to shellfish. Understandably, they serve a ton of shellfish around here, so I'm extra careful about what I order. I know how things get so mixed up in the frenzy of a busy restaurant kitchen. I've eaten a lot of burgers since I've been here.
Tonight we ate at the Lazy Flamingo.
I really like the place - just six tables, no waitresses and some people bring in their own fish to have the cooks fry up. When you order from the bartender he sticks your ticket in a clip attached to a clothsline and whizzes it back to the kitchen.
I always feel bad about ordering a children's meal from a waitress, even though I really want (and can eat) a grilled cheese. Since we ordered from the bartender I thought I could get away with a kid meal. It was delicious - mac and cheese, potato chips and Oreo cookies. The fact that it was served on a Frisbee was a bonus. Everyone else's clam chowder and shrimp laden meals looked great also.
It is a beautiful evening. It's not very often that I get to see the full moon though a palm tree.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
thankful nora
Another gorgeous day on Sanibel Island.
I'm wearing my own clothes (although I was getting attached to that dress), I walked on the beach this morning looking for shells and swam this afternoon. I got to spend the whole day with my family and ate an amazing Thanksgiving dinner.
Clearly I have a lot to be thankful for. And not just for this vacation - I lead a good life.
But enough about that.
I've been chasing someone around the complex for the last three days. I first noticed him last year and I was thrilled to see him again.
I have not dared to talk to him directly. I snapped a few photographs with my lens stretched out as far as it would go and by lining the kids up in front of him and instructing them to duck when I said "cheese."
What does this mystery man posses that makes me sneak behind palm trees to get closer to him? And make Jamie Dawn proud?
The most glorious mullet that I have ever seen.
These photographs do not do his hair-do any justice.
The back of his hair is long - down to the middle of his back.
I'll work on sneaking up behind him tomorrow.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
sailor nora
A lovely day here in paradise.
I'm staying with brother J.R., his lovely wife Anna and my niece and nephew. Cousin Jim and his wife Karen and their two daughters are also staying at the same complex.
The nine of us spent all day on a boat; belonging to Captain Sonny.
He tooled us around Sanibel and Captiva Islands.
We saw dolphins!
They followed the boat for quite awhile.
We stopped at a beach to look for shells. I jumped in with the kids and the big boys - and my camera. I swam to shore holding it above my head.
The kids found lots of shells and searched for the ever popular and elusive sand dollar.
We stopped at Cabbage Key for lunch. There is a beautiful old wooden water tower and observation deck. I'm afraid of heights, so I opted out of walking up.
I got to sit on the front of the boat for a bit, it did wonders for my hair.
The kids are bathed and tucked in to bed.
I'm on my way to join them - have I mentioned the rollaway bed?
sunset nora
My luggage did not.
And, so far I don't care.
My shoes do look a little out of place on Captiva beach.
Maybe I can borrow a pair of sandals from Flip Flop Mama.
Sunset Nora at Captiva Beach
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
irresponsible nora
I need to figure out a way to trick myself in to packing and being ready to go.
Like, um, right now, for example. My plane leaves in seven hours.
Am I packed?
Have I confirmed the cat caregiver?
Is the house clean enough to let the phantom cat caretaker in the house?
Hell no.
My intention was to leave work around 3:00 today.
Ha! Everything went to hell in a (very expensive) hand basket.
A pallet was overloaded and the forklift could not lift the very heavy load of frozen chicken high enough to clear the freezer floor. The tines of the forklift caught under the lip of the freezer floor and peeled it back. Exposed wires and bent metal was the result. I just could not believe it! I was stamping on it with my little feet and hitting the floor with a hammer trying to solve the problem. I believe that a hammer can fix almost anything, and a bigger hammer can fix the rest.
I had to call the repair man and pray the the stuff in the freezer did not spoil -- because the door would not shut.
And one of our refrigerated box trucks was in the shop.
In the meantime there was a computer issue. I was on the phone with our tech support (at the tune of $110/hour) correcting a user error.
What else could go wrong, really?
The other refrigerated box truck got a flat tire.
On I-65.
During rush hour.
Full of food.
I whipped out our credit card and bought a tire and someone to rescue the truck and driver.
Our box truck that was in the shop has a jury rigged refrigeration unit. Someone had modified the diesel to gas and it never worked right and was impossible to fix. The cost to fix the latest problems was going to cost around $1500.00 and that is with the donated labor. The repair guy called to tell me that he'd found a much newer diesel unit for $2700.00 in Cincinnati. I had the tech guy on the other line. I told the truck guy great - buy it. He could not believe that I was making the decision so quickly and wanted to discuss it more. I asked him, bottom line -- is it the right thing to do? Okay, then do it. I went back to the $110 guy that I had on hold.
I think I spent about $6000 in the span of an hour.
I finally left work at 5:30 - and hour after the normal (what ever that is) quitting time.
I did some laundry and headed out again.
The best part of the day?
Celebrating LuAnn's birthday.
And cupcakes. Cupcakes make anything better.
I'm going to grab a few hours sleep and pack in the morning.
Nothing can go wrong with that plan, right?
Sunday, November 18, 2007
exhausted nora
Tonic Ball VI was a screaming success.
And maybe soon I won't be too damn exhausted to write about it.
Last night was the Christamore House Guild Gala.
From biker boots to black tie in eighteen hours (and only six hours of sleep in between).
I'm off to bed...and yes, I know it is only 8:45....and I took a three hour nap when I got home from speaking at two services to a church that is an hour away this morning. I knew it was time to pack it in tonight when I was too tired to talk about cupcakes and sprinkles.
You can find Tonic Ball photographs here.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
comic nora
I adore the cartoon Queen Bee Nora that Wayne Bertsch (boyfriend of Kim) drew. I'm um...curvy. You can check out more of Wayne's NUVO work here.
NUVO also ran a piece about the Tonic Ball. The writer called me a young urban progressive! You can read it here.
And I wrote a music preview for the same issue.
This is my favorite NUVO issue ever! I was drawn curvy, called young and will be paid for writing.
Monday, November 12, 2007
dressing nora
I was goofing around on the Internet this afternoon at work.
It was in response to being temporarily overwhelmed. I was juggling the Tonic Ball schedule, writing the minutes of a board meeting, setting up interviews for two open positions and working on things that actually are my job.
I took a little break and checked my blog and saw that Granny Annie commented. I clicked on her blog and then clicked on Black Olives On My Fingertips (how could I not?). After my third comment "I have that, I have that, I have that" and just as many comments that I didn't make - "I have a cat holding a guitar-shaped bottle opener too" and "I'd ate my mac and cheese last night out of a red Pyrex dish like the one you just found at a yard sale" - I didn't want to seem too stalker-ish. Anyway, one of Monica's posts mentioned John Travolta and I wrote that I was wearing my John Travolta (Sweathog, not Scientology era) necklace today. Freaky!
Right after that, I conducted an interview and noticed that the candidate kept staring toward my neck and looking away. I dawned on me that she was trying to see my necklace. I confirmed that yes, it was John Travolta and we finished the interview.
I spent the rest of the day wondering why in the Hell I insist on adding a quirky touch to my wardrobe. As you can see from the photograph I wore a perfectly ordinary dress to work. And the perfectly ordinary dress is exactly why I needed the accessory. If you look at the Crabby Club photograph you'll see that my heart shaped necklace is in the shape of an actual heart. Chambers, ventricles and all.
My friend Linda (who owns Marigold, the clothing store I work at occasionally) commented last year that young women are dressing like I did twenty-five years ago. In college I wore cotton print skirts and band tee-shirts with low top Chuck Taylor's. When I worked for Houlihan's the woman managers had to wear suits, stocking and pumps. Uggh, being one of the handful of women GMs in the country was hard on the feet. Off duty I was sporting the skirt look or jeans and Doc Martens.
Managing the independent pizza place screamed for ironic tees and Levi's. Eight years in the coffee house also called for quirky. I was back to the college look of skirts and tee-shirts, some times the same tee-shirts - now twenty-five years old. The beauty of coffeehouse dressing is that you can wear the same thing days in a row and no one ever notices - the customers are still asleep. Many times they were barely dressed - I was always discreetly pointing out a missed button or unzipped zipper to them.
I'm still trying to find my not-for-profit style. I still wear a lot of skirts but pairing them with a Dead Milkmen tee would probably be frowned upon.
Which is why I wind up wearing something that stops an interview.
Should I wear the pin made of marbles or the socks with the monkeys (sorry Kim) tomorrow?
[Tuesday update] I woke up this morning at 7:55; apparently I turned the alarm off at 6:00. I'm supposed to be at work at 8:00. I tossed on a very un-Nora like outfit. A green top with a....I can barely type the word...okay...the blouse has a...um....bow, there I said it, a blouse with a bow and black pants. Monkey socks and black shoes.
So, we can all guess what just happened. I got a call to be on the local music television channel this afternoon. I may have to work a quick trip to H&M in to my travel time. Today would have been a good day for the John Travolta necklace.
wild west nora
Sunday, November 11, 2007
crabby club nora
Bad Influence Girl, Nora, Kim
The first meeting of the Indianapolis chapter of the Crabby Club met tonight. We talked about our favorite posts, exchanged tips on cleaning coffee off the monitor from nose spewage and worked on the secret handshake. As you can see I'm making the Crabby Club C-claw, an integral part of the hand shake -- I'd tell you more, but it would be against the by-laws.
See what we're all a buzz about by clicking here.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
can't say no nora
The habit was formed.
Which is way my feet hurt so damn bad this morning.
I set the alarm yesterday for 5:30 to finish up a 500 word piece for NUVO. When the editor assigned it she suggested that I might be too busy with Tonic Ball stuff to write it, and told me not to worry if I need to pass on it.
Ha, that sounded like a challenge!
A challenge that kicked my ass.
At 7:30 I was dressed for work (and I could not do the casual Friday thing because I was attending a luncheon and conducting some employment interviews) and dragging a mattress out to the curb. When my tenant moved out last week he left some stuff that I told him I'd take care of. Did you know that mattresses and box springs weigh a lot more when they are wet? I'd leaned them up against the garage and they'd gotten rained on. I stood there balancing the mattresses to make sure my newfound friend the trash guy would take it.
Mission accomplished, I raced off to work. It was a jammed packed day of committee meetings, an off-site luncheon (thanks to Bad Influence Girl for the invitation) a plumbing problem that um, arose while I was out of the building and interviewing potential kitchen managers. I worked until 6:00 and drove straight to Marigold where I worked until 9:30. The Broad Ripple Merchants hosted the Holiday Gallery Tour. The galleries and shops were open late and they were all collecting pasta for Second Helpings -- how cool is that?
While I was there I got a phone call asking me if I could come to work at the Red Key when I was done. I said "no" I had plans. The calls continued and I caved in. I called Bad Influence Girl and asked if we could meet at the Red Key, I'd be there by 10:00. I raced home, threw on jeans and drove to the Red Key. B.I.G. was surprised to find me behind the bar when she got there. Bartending was fun, I hadn't done it for a while. I enjoyed the groove of making drinks and chatting with customers.
I got home at 2:00 this morning took a hot shower and rolled in to bed with a book. I woke up at 5:30 when the alarm went off (I'd forgotten to change it), turned off the light and extricated the book that was now wedged under me and went back to sleep.
I hopped out of bed an hour ago and winced. My feet were killing me! Two asprin and my ass is back in bed watching cartoons.
It is kind of cool to have worked at all four of my paying jobs in one day...which reminds me -- my column for the Broad Ripple Gazette is due.
Friday, November 09, 2007
tonic gallery nora
The Tonic Gallery is the companion event to the Tonic Ball.
I look forward to adding to my collection of Amy McAdams pieces.
A 4th grader made this plate last year and it looks freakishly like me. I can't wait to see if there is another one-eyed Nora masterpiece this year.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
tonic ball nora
The venues are next door to each other. In one venue 16 bands will all play one Clash song and one of their own and in the other venue the bands all play one Madonna song and one of thier own. This part will not mean anything to you non-musicians, but we do 10 minute changeovers, yes sir, only 10 minutes between bands.
I (Queen Bee Music) am also a financial sponsor this year.
This event is my favorite day of the year. For details and to purchase tickets, click here.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
political nora
First off all, I hope you voted.
It does matter.
Barry Wood (R) lost the assessors election three years ago by twelve votes. Barry did an excellent job for our township and is a Level II State Certified Assessor/Appraiser; a Certified Tax Representative; a Certified Indiana Assessor through the Indiana Township Assessor Association; and he has a Real Estate Broker's License. But he lost by twelve votes to a (very sweet) retired school teacher with no experience. I'm a big believer in knowing the people in the office, what the do and how suited they are for the job.
Barry is doing okay, he is the Assessment Division Director for the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance. He and his staff of assessment experts oversee real property assessments in the state, including the assessment of large industrial facilities and public utility properties. He is also responsible for overseeing training for the state's 1008 Township Trustee/Assessors and Township Assessors, and 92 County Assessors and their staff. He continued to be very helpful to the neighborhood helping us wade through the questions and issues when our neighborhood property taxes double and tripled the next year.
My point is, Barry was clearly the right man for the job and our neighborhood, but he lost by twelve votes. Barry and I don't belong to the same party, but I voted for him and encouraged others to.
I've always had this little back-of-my-mind idea that I'd like to work on a political campaign. I've probably watched too much West Wing. Campaigning is probably more than speeches and impassioned discussions over pizza. But damn it, I could picture myself at that table.
This year I was asked to work in the campaign of our mayor. Although I don't love every thing about him, I'm a fan and I'm hoping he'll be in office another term. The job was a good fit - coordinating volunteers, I can do that in my sleep-- if I ever slept, that is.
But I said no. I honestly could not commit to spending two hours an evening working on it. Second Helpings had a big event last Friday and the Tonic Ball (coordinating 32 bands, ekk) is in ten days. Plus I work and I work and I work. Oh yeah, and I write.
Now that the election is over, I'm kicking myself that I didn't not do it. Working on a mayoral campaign for the twelfth largest city in the country will probably not be offered to me again. But it was nice to be asked.
I love the whole voting process. I don't think I've ever missed an election or primary. The last few years I've voted on the way to work, arriving at the polls around 7:00. Usually I'm the second or third voter. This year I had a 9:30 meeting and went to work late. I stopped by the school where my poll is at noon. I loved walking through the play ground full of bundled-up laughing kids. I walked in the room and was greeted by the poll workers "hi Nora, where have you been" "Spitznogle, you're late!" "Hey what do you know about the new grocery store having parking on the roof?" "Nora I liked your last column" "Nora are you still at the Red Key"
I walked up to the table and the woman checking signatures said that she hated to ask, but she needed to see my identification. Good thing it said Nora S.
Two precincts were voting at that poll and I was only the 51st voter. And the polls had been open for six hours at that point! Hopefully folks stopped on their way home from work.
I'm off to watch the results -- not at campaign headquarters, but on my sofa.
Update: the incumbent mayor (D) lost in what is being called the "biggest political upset in Indiana political history." I'm okay with that - people voted, that is what counts. But, we managed to re-elect an ethics-plauged city/county councillor (D). Uggh.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
ugly nora
Last night two of my friends were discussing how hard it was to find pencils, bicycle vanity plates and key chains with their names on them. Ha! I know that story, not once did I ever find anything with the name Nora on it. Yet I insisted on pawing through everything on the racks, just in case. Hope springs eternal.
The only time Nora turns up in literature she is the upstairs maid or a spinster aunt. The notable exception is Isben's A Doll House.
I was thrilled by the Soft Boys song "Ugly Nora". As a young-punk rocker I felt like it gave me some sort of credibility.
When I was assigned the Hitchcock preview, I didn't dream that I'd ever have contact with him. I sent his publicist a list of generic questions. I just about fainted when he answered then. I would have asked him more specific questions especially about the genesis of "Ugly Nora". And thanked him for it.
I could not find a recording or video of the song, so here are the lyrics:
With your eyes like rattles and your legs like stems
It's a wonder you can walk on them
You make a bee look like a flying bomb
You're so thin, you're not dead, but you're almost gone
But your bones are hip and full of soul
Come on ugly Nora (Nora, come on)
Come on ugly Nora (Nora, come on)
Hideous Nora, I wanna see your jellies roll
With your eggs like jelly and your skin like moss
What you could have been is so great a loss
But your shrivelled onion made a fool of you
Like a straw babboon in an empty zoo
It's about time I lent you my salad bowl
Come on ugly Nora (Nora, come on)
Come on ugly Nora (Nora, come on)
Hideous Nora, I wanna see your jellies roll
Let me hear myself, stand back
Aw, do it again, Robbie baby
Now use the fork
Look out for that cat
Heh heh, too bad
Told you
Well, you know I mean it, don't say you don't
It just drives me crackers when you say you won't
All the best things in your life are loud
Forget about whether this stuff's allowed
You've been making a living out of doing what you're told
Come on ugly Nora (Nora, come on)
Come on ugly Nora (Nora, come on)
Hideous Nora, I wanna see your jellies roll
Squash it, kim


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Green's Policy Conference in Invercargill
Invercargill Workingmen's Club (a great venue)
11 of our 14 MP's were in Invercargill over the weekend and most spent time outside the conference talking to local people and organisations. I spent time with Jan Logie (ex Invercargill) as she talked to people in the Southland Beneficiaries and Community Rights Centre regarding pending legislative changes that were going to further erode the support available to those in greatest need. I was also able to have discussions with David Clendon about a future Invercargill meeting for small businesses. David is keen to talk about the Green Party's ideas around making businesses sustainable and resilient through their energy use, maintaining employees through to developing a market for a product. The Greens are fully aware that we don't have all the good ideas and listening to what is happening in the real world is an important part of finding the best solutions.
Our policy conferences are an important part of our policy revision and development process. Unlike other parties we are averse to letting our leaders or MPs make up policy on the hoof. This never works and no policy ever operates in isolation from others. A spur of the moment policy statement may have serious ramifications in unintended areas if due diligence isn't applied to its development. Our Policy Committee has the same status as our parliamentary caucus in our organisation and our MP's are bound to the policy as it is printed. This can create difficulties when it ties them to a particular standpoint when new evidence comes to light but as our policies are under constant review, changes can be made. Our MPs can be frustrated with delays but any changes to policy must have some rigour applied to the process. The strength is that all our MPs are able to comment on policy outside their portfolios because the information is readily available. This is something that you rarely see with National and Labour who allow their leaders and Ministers dictate and make up policy as they wish and this often occurs purely to gain voter support. Unless new evidence comes to hand a thoroughly researched and member developed policy should stand unaltered.
One of the most interesting discussions at the conference was around what should determine policy and there was general acceptance that policies are generally designed to solve an existing issue. The importance and extent of a problem can only really be defined through evidence and data and the solution is developed based on our Party's principles and values. The weighting given to the principles can vary across the membership and this generally provides the points of difference in any policy discussion (should the emphasis be environmental, social or economic). Obviously political elements come to play and if a policy is to be achievable it has to be palatable to other parties and the public. What we don't do is create policy just because it would be popular.
Evidence should be an important part of policy, but research or data needs to be considered in context and with caution. It is easy to cherry pick data and spin its meaning (National and climate change deniers are particularly adept at this), and much research is paid for by those with a vested interest. If the evidence and argument isn't robust it would be easy for others to pick holes in our policy and we would lose credibility. It should also be noted that the scrutiny applied to the Greens is far greater than that applied to the current Government, otherwise they wouldn't have been re-elected or maintain their current level of popularity.
In our discussions around the relevance of the ETS we also talked about the importance of forming alliances and improving relationships with businesses who share our concerns around climate and the management of carbon. We looked at a number of systems to limit the use of carbon in operation around the world and saw that a carbon tax was being increasingly supported. Such a tax is predictable, provides certainty for business planning and the money raised can be used to directly support the transition so that businesses do not overly suffer and employment is maintained.
The face to face conference has huge value when an hour and a half with a group of 8-20 people, with a common policy interest, can achieve as much as an email group can do in a year or more. The facilitation of discussion is very important and we tend to find the most satisfying workshops for participants are the ones that are well managed and all voices are heard. It amazes me how people can come to a policy conference, with a long held and passionately supported view, and change their mind when presented with opposing arguments and have to justify their own. Part of the strength of the discussion groups was the calibre of those who took part, we had MPs, those who worked in fields being discussed, academics and members who just have an interest in the policy. It is important that any policy should meet the standards of academia but be understood by lay people.
We held a number of workshops over the weekend in a range of policy areas and it will be interesting to see if North Island conference comes to similar conclusions as we did. One of our national policy convenors told me that, in his experience, there was generally little difference between the conferences in terms of the consensus reached in each workshop.


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Amber Laura Heard (born April 22, 1986). She made her film debut in 2004 in the sports drama Friday Night Lights. After small roles in North Country and Alpha Dog, Heard played her first leading role in All the Boys Love Mandy Lane (2006) and appeared in The CW television show Hidden Palms (2007).
Heard's breakthrough came in 2008 with roles in Never Back Down and Pineapple Express.
She will play Mera in Zack Snyder's upcoming superhero film, Justice League.
|Amber in Justice League


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ColdFusion MIMEFile Upload Security Issue Workaround
If you haven't heard by now, there is a huge security vulnerability using cffile to upload files. This effects every CF application out there and is being exploited as we speak. There is a ton of information out there about what causes and how to perform the exploit, however noone is doing anything about it at the moment to fix it. Needless to say, I wasn't going to just sit by and wait for someone to fix it, so naturally, I came up with a pretty slick solution on my own. Below is a link to download a UDF that you should be able to use as a replacement until this whole thing gets sorted out.
If you have any comments on improvements or suggestions, please leave them below or feel free to edit the gist directly.
2 Responses
Great solution! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for all your hard work. I have recently started using CFWheels, and I installed your upload plugin for that framework. Everything is working great on my windows production server, but my development server is on a Mac. For some reason, the path is getting screwed up and, as I am a newbie to CF and Wheels, I can't find the problem. It probably something simple, but here is what is happening. Default file path becomes: Wheels_Site/files/files\myImage. The "files\myImage" is actually the whole file name saved to the files directory. Any suggestions?… Thanks for your help.


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In the recent months here in Michigan many have either lost their jobs or have come to a point where the extended health insurance they were able to keep through Cobra or a severance package has come to and end or is too expensive to maintain.
There are decent health care insurance plans on the market today that are reasonably affordable. The comfort level one has with looking for health care insurance is somewhat different then looking for auto or home insurance, but the basic principals are similar. You want to get the most coverage for the best price without over insuring.
There are 3 main items I would like to recommend individuals looking for health insurance on their own take into account.
1. Too Good to be True: If the coverage offered at the beginning of the plan seems way to good to be true then there is probably language in the policy that sets very low limits on common coverage items. Make sure you read the fine print to know and understand what is and what is not included and what the limits are.
2. Use an Insurance Broker: There are many agents that sell only one companies insurance policies. They are referred to as captive agents because they have to sell you the product from their employer. You can rely on an insurance broker to hunt through policies and to educate you on the details involved in the health insurance industry.
3. Discuss Co-Pays with Doctors & Dentists: I the same manner that the auto mechanic can cut you a deal to replace your windshield and pay your auto deductible you can work with your Dentist or Doctors office to reduce the co pays on items. This might feel awkward until you realize the health insurance companies negotiate prices so why can't you!!!
I hope this article helps to reduce the anxiety involved in acquiring health care insurance coverage on your own. Explore the items in this site to lead you in the right path.
Good Luck Out There.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Michigan Unemployment Benefits - Increased by $25
I have just been informed that the unemployment rate in Michigan is going to be increased by $25 a week. This is part of the plan put into place by Obama to help with people struggling.
Please take advantage of the links on this page to check out all of your options.
Please take advantage of the links on this page to check out all of your options.
Posted by DryFlyWaters.com at 6:23 PM No comments:
Friday, March 13, 2009
Michigan Unemployed Benefits
There is a ton of useless information concerning the Michigan Unemployed Benefits available to those who are out of work or have been laid off. I have fellow family and friends that have been out of work in the Great State of Michigan for over a year now. They have spent time writing a resume and searching for work. It is not due to a lack of effort or education, but a lack of work opportunities that leaves these folks in the position they are in. It is important to understand the Michigan Unemployed Benefits available.
- Prior to contacting the Michigan unemployed benefits office you need to have an idea of where and when you have worked over the past few years. This will help with your Michigan Unemployed Benefits.
- If you have already assembled a basic resume make sure to bring it with you when you go to the Michigan Works office. You will have to enter your information into a computer data base. Don't worry - there are people there to help if you are not great on the computer.
- Visit the Unemployment Insurance Agency website http://www.michigan.gov/uia for the online application form. This application is available during the hours of 7am and 7pm Monday to Saturday. You can also try the toll free number 1-866-500-0017 with your details.
If you need help writing a basic resum there are tons of online examples and free templates.
I hope this has helped with your struggle and would love to hear a success story or two after reading the BEST RESUME WRITING TIP.
Posted by DryFlyWaters.com at 6:26 PM No comments:
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We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the Second Life 8th Birthday for all your hard work and volunteerism. You again stepped up and showed true community spirit with your eagerness and dedication.
We would like to thank Linden Lab for support and sim space for us to celebrate again this year. This year's gathering expressed the diversity of Second Life within our vast community, user created content, art and music. It was truly humbling for me to see so much collaboration that the Second Life community shared for this event.
If you enjoyed the event and want to be a part next year, keep an eye on the Second Life blogs and stay in the Second Life Birthday Group for notification of next year's festivities.
It was an honor and my pleasure to once again work with all of you.
Cya next time….


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Crimes and misdemeanors
Some have been arrested for misdemeanors many times over. Like Gloria Rodgers of Memphis, who in 1998 was reported to have had 258 previous arrests and to have been jailed 114 times in the previous four years.
One study found the four most common offenses perpetrated by the mentally ill were assault/battery, theft, disorderly conduct, and drug- and alcohol-related crimes.[1] One young man smashed a store window "because he saw a dinosaur jumping out at him," and a young woman refused to pay for her meal in a restaurant because she claimed to be "the reincarnation of Jesus Christ."[2]
Sometimes, a misdemeanor arrest can quickly land someone in jail on a far more serious charge ... all because of lack of treatment.
[1] National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Criminalizing the seriously mentally ill: The abuse of jails as mental hospitals (1992).
[2] Gary E. Whitmer, From Hospitals to Jails: The Fate of California's Deinstutionalized Mentally Ill, 50 Amer. J. Orthopsychiatry 65, 66 (1980), and Edwin V. Valdiserri et al., A Study of Offenses Committed by Psychotic Inmates in a County Jail, 37 Hosp. Community Psychiatry 163, 165 (1986).


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Susan M Boyce
- According to a survey of 3,007 people in the Rennie Marketing database, location, price, proximity to transit, and building amenities are the top four drivers in first time buyer's purchase decision. Green construction continued to lag in final place even among buyers who don't own a car. "First time buyers are not philanthropist out to save the planet the day they buy a home," Rennie noted.
- The burgeoning 25 – 34 age group accounts for 72% of the first-time buyer market.
- Within Metro Vancouver, 43% of 25 – 34s have their name on the title of the property they live in, although in Richmond that number skyrockets to a whopping 69%. In Toronto, only 34% own the home they live in.
- Energy centres like Metrotown, Richmond Centre, Marine Gateway, and the rebirth of Brentwood will continue strong because consumers increasingly want to be on transit or walk to everything.
- Downtown Vancouver remains the "ultimate energy centre." Demand continues strong. Of 930 condos that completed in 2013, only 130 are left unsold. Projecting to 2016 and beyond, only 1,600 are completions anticipated, 600 are already sold and another 500 are located in hyper-luxury buildings.
- Vancouver's 55 to 74-year-old demographic accounts for some $163 billion in homeownership (approximately 284,000 homes), $113.4 billion of it clear title. The over 75 market accounts for another $50 billion.
- In Metro Vancouver, one third of the housing stock now has more bedrooms than people living there — a number that's risen 26% in the last decade. New housing stock has risen only 17% in the same period.
- A too-often-overlooked stat Rennie said dispels the myth we're most expensive place on earth: 69% of all home sales are to people who already own, a number that's remained constant for over 10 years. Space and luxury matters more to these buyers than the built form, and whether their existing home sells for $2.4 million or $1.9 million is of less concern than square footage, luxury, and ability to walk to coffee, groceries and amenities.
As in previous years, he also suggested removing the upper 20% when calculating average housing costs yields a more accurate snapshot of the Metro Vancouver market because it is more reflective of the buyer who relies on local income.
This adjustment sees the average cost of a single-family home drop from $998,000 to $670,000. With a 25% down payment, this price would require a combined household income of $60,000 to achieve a mortgage. In the condo market, the average price falls from $442,000 to $313,000. Again with a 25% down payment, achieving a mortgage would require only $30,000 of household income.
© 2014 Real Estate Weekly


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In this image released Thursday Dec. 4, 2008 by Pakistan's Press Information Department, U. S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, left, meets Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari in Islamabad, Pakistan, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008. Rice said the Pakistani government must mount a 'robust response' to the terror shooting in India, which blames the carnage on terrorists operating from neighboring Pakistan. (AP Photo/Press Information Department, HO)
Yikes! Is it true? As far as I can tell, the photo above shows the Condi's most recent Matching Armchairs Classic™ Photo-Op. It was so unremarkable at the time that I didn't even bother posting what is now clearly an historic photograph. Did the State Department consciously eliminate the MAPO? Will Hillary carry on using the classic State Dept. Reception Room MAPO? Or will the MAPO dwindle with Condi's exit? So many questions about this important topic!