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Friday, April 24, 2015
If you look closely, you can see where the rain bruised this beautiful blossom...
Even though the rain will lend life to the plant... it bruised it on the way.
Well, that's kind of how I feel about the exercise DVD that I've been doing... bruising but beneficial. Over the past decade, I've gradually traded a very active lifestyle for a very sedentary one. Not good for the body, people.
I've traded interests of running and golf and gardening... for knitting and painting and blogging. It has taken its toll. At the first of this year, I started back walking... then added a yoga DVD... now, I've added an exercise DVD. THANKFULLY, my daughter started doing this DVD at the same time I did... and knowing she is suffering, too, but keeping on has helped me keep going.
Recently, I read that only 30 minutes of increased activity a day can make a huge difference... even if you get it in small doses of 10 minutes at a time. And, that CONVENIENCE is the number one factor of whether people will stay with an exercise program. A DVD in the privacy of my own living room has been a good thing for me and I can vouch that increasing my activity is making a world of difference in how I feel. The "Sitting is the New Smoking" campaign bears a ton of weight... literally and figuratively. So, I guess what I'm sayin' is that I would encourage anyone and everyone to get up and get moving...
So that when it comes time for those sedentary endeavors... we will feel good. ;)
I've had this beautiful skein of gradient merino wool and silk blend... over 1000 yards of deliciousness... for quite awhile.
Finally decided on a pattern for it and a shawl is in progress... I did laugh with my yarn buddies that it may look like I'm wearing a giant doily when I'm finished! It feels heavenly though... so, I think I'm going to love it. Hope to share the finished shawl soon. =)
Even ten minutes is a good start...
blessings ~ tanna
30 comments:
- Nancy Chan said...
Hi Tanna, that is a lovely flower, so delicate and bruised by the rain. Moderate exercise is good for us. I love my morning walking exercise.
- April 24, 2015 at 9:12 AM
- TexWisGirl said...
i started exercising regularly again about 4 years ago. so glad i did - yes, sitting while blogging is a dangerous thing. :)
- April 24, 2015 at 9:31 AM
- Cloudia said...
ALOHA from Honolulu,
- April 24, 2015 at 11:24 AM
- Christine said...
Whew! I thought you were going to quit blogging! (yeah, no withdrawals)
It takes so little to start moving.
Keep encouraging us. I know I need it.
- April 24, 2015 at 12:40 PM
- podso said...
Your bruised ladies are still pretty (I call those flowers the ladies, and ours are brilliant right now) … good illustration and encouragement for us all…and love that shade of pink!
- April 24, 2015 at 1:33 PM
- Nancy's Notes said...
I agree, we must move! Blogging does cut into my working out time and it's my fault! I do walk and that is helpful. Love that merino wool and the color is just awesome! Great post, sweet Tanna!
- April 24, 2015 at 1:52 PM
- La Table De Nana said...
My irises succumb to bruises easily also..I have this one..I am sure of it..of course it's just a wee bit of green poking up..but she will come.
I like to keep moving..I must admit blogging added a sit down that is longer than I am used to..but normally in the day..I am up and moving..
Moreso in summer.
I do enjoy hobbies ..much more than the treadmill..:)
You look perfect to me!
- April 24, 2015 at 2:36 PM
- Pammy Sue said...
I love the pretty peachy color of the flower. Hopefully it will still be beautiful when it fully opens. That pink yarn is making me drool. What a fantastic color! Pink always does it for me. Good for you doing the exercise! I'm glad you are feeling a difference and it's worth it.
- April 24, 2015 at 2:55 PM
- Lynne said...
Good for you Tanna . . . As I near my seventy sixth birthday I realize this tremendously. It was part of the reason I purchased a wrist pedometer, (mine is a Garmin) and it has helped me so much. I strive for 10,000 steps daily . . . I am in the house right now for a late lunch and water break since I have been outdoors cleaning the ground cover gardens, (Ivy, pachysandra, myrtle.) since early this morning. I needed a break . . . I looked down at my wrist to check my steps and I had reached 11,135 . . . And that makes me very happy. I do my work and exercise in small increments. I used to be able to go for hours, now I work a couple hours and take a mini water break. My next goal is upper body strengthening. It is so important . . . and my weakest area. I am proud and happy for you and say BRAVO for thIs excellent post!
- April 24, 2015 at 2:57 PM
- Mereknits said...
I hear you my friend, since Little Buddy arrived my activity level has decreased as my time to walk is limited. I do this great workout by Teresa Tapp, you can find her under google at T Tapp, she is incredible. You will get fit in no time at all and you won't be killing yourself doing it. Look her up and tell me what you think, I love her.
- April 24, 2015 at 4:18 PM
- Amanda said...
My favorite part of this journey is doing it "alongside" you. =) And the feeling better about ourselves ain't too shabby either. Gotta keep movin'! XOXO
- April 24, 2015 at 4:32 PM
- Wanda said...
I hear you Tanna. I did so good last summer when we moved in and I was swimming every day. Now I need to get back into that routine. I do go up and down the stairs several times a day, and that has certainly helped me maintain. But I still need to loose 12 lbs.
You are an inspiration and encouragement. Thanks
Can't wait to see your new shawl..the color is heavenly too.
- April 24, 2015 at 5:17 PM
- Coastal Cottage Dreams said...
Tanna, yes we got to keep moving! Well that's good that you are adding Yoga too. I used to do Yoga years ago....I still am on the kick of running....I guess going on about two years. It makes me feel so good afterwards. So I guess I will stick with it. I usually run 4- times per week and the other remaining days I walk for close to one hour. I can't wait to see your completed shawl. Have a lovely weekend.
- April 24, 2015 at 5:27 PM
- Gloria Baker said...
Im agree with you !
Move is good for all.I love walk .and sometimes isn' t easy because a knee hurt me but I try.
Help me I live in countryside and here you have to walk.
Love this flower look amazing.
And love the colour of your crochet work!
Have a nice weekend dear!
- April 24, 2015 at 5:39 PM
- Jemma@athomewithjemma said...
Your Iris are beautiful, even bruised, Tyler weather is more condusive to prettier blooms than the metroplex. We have had so much rain, haven't we? I too started back to a walk/jog and weights exercise program. Blogging for us older gals is very hard on the already slower metabolism,which equals a fuller figure! Boo...:(
- April 24, 2015 at 6:17 PM
- Dewena said...
I'm very proud of you! You and other bloggers who are trying to live healthier inspire me. I must dust off that old DVD!
- April 24, 2015 at 10:10 PM
- Margaret Adamson said...
Weel done you. I need to take a leaf out of your book, I hate excercises. Have a lovely weekend.
- April 25, 2015 at 2:05 AM
- Nonna Rose said...
As soon as I finished reading your post I did 20 minutes on the elliptical!! You are so right about changes we make. I once was a daily exerciser and now i am an occasional exerciser....you motivate me to get badk into the groove.
- April 25, 2015 at 9:40 AM
- Tricia Buice said...
Boy I totally agree Tanna. I sit at my desk at work and feel like it is killing me. I just hate it. I wish I didn't have to work - but retirement will be much easier with money coming in and health insurance. Between that and blogging I feel exhausted all the time. It's funny how fast I can get out of the habit of hitting the treadmill. The bathroom renovation is almost done and I can get back in our spare room with the equipment. Thanks for the reminder and the inspiration! Best wishes on getting moving again.
- April 25, 2015 at 3:14 PM
- Betsy Brock said...
It's funny how those things creep up on us and before we know it, we've given up all of our activities! It's just too easy to sit at the computer or in front of the tv! I feel so much better if I'm up and active...you are so right!
- April 25, 2015 at 9:38 PM
- Laurie said...
I love running, even so I need something to keep me motivated to keep running. That's why I sign up for races. You have to train, so it keeps you going. I'm trying something new this year. A Woman's Tour bike ride. Six days of riding 20-40 miles most days. I have to train for this, too. I'm starting this week. I'm happy to start as I feel lethargic from being indoors most of the winter. Have fun with your DVD. My daughter does the Insanity one by Shaun T. She's addicted. Ha! She looks great, too. Keep up with your exercise. You're doing great. Your Iris is so pretty, bruised or not. Talk soon!
- April 25, 2015 at 9:42 PM
- Betsy Adams said...
I read something today that to me is totally WRONG. The article was telling obese people not to worry about exercise --but JUST to cut down on the sugar and carbs.. I am one who KNOWS how important SOME exercise is to all of us... Proud of you for working on it in your 'spare' time..
Love the Iris. What gorgeous colors. We have several blooming here --but none THAT color. Love it.
AND--I love the color of your new 'to-be' shawl...
- April 26, 2015 at 1:22 PM
- Cheryl @ TFD said...
I certainly sat too much over the winter months and now that I need to get busy, I don't have the energy. :( You are smart to stay in shape. I love the pretty color of your new project! Happy Sunday to you!
- April 26, 2015 at 4:41 PM
- Sally said...
For some reason (can't remember) I came upon your blog, and needed to hear about your exercise routines. I used to be a walker, and need to get started again! So, thank you. :)
- April 26, 2015 at 5:45 PM
- karen said...
I've been trying to walk 10,000 steps and my am I super tired from that. I live on a hill and it's a doozie. So I'm tired at the end of the day. Imagine me being your cheerleader while you dvd it :)
- April 26, 2015 at 5:50 PM
- steph said...
oh, gosh. if sitting is the new smoking, i'm putting away a dozen packs a day. :( when you put it that way.......i'm going to ramp up the walking! (Freddy will love me for it!)
- April 26, 2015 at 8:24 PM
- Deb said...
Very inspiring!!!
- April 27, 2015 at 5:18 AM
- handmade by amalia said...
I love walking. It is my favorite form of exercise. If you could blog while walking, that would be something.
- April 27, 2015 at 10:47 AM
- Gillian Olson said...
Beautiful flowers,. I had to give up running recently because of knee injury and I am struggling to get enough exercise now. Fun it seems I'd rather paint or read, fancy that.
- April 29, 2015 at 8:30 AM
- Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...
I've not walked much in several weeks because of all the dust we've had lately and this weekend, when I could be walking, it is super hot -- 108 yesterday. But after reading this, I am thinking I need to put on my walking shoes right now and head out. Everything is starting to spread again, my pants are all very tight which doesn't make me happy at all. Walking makes a huge difference, and it doesn't take long to notice adverse results from sitting. Best wishes, Tammy
- May 2, 2015 at 12:49 AM


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With Raikkonen confirming he will stay at Ferrari until the end of 2010, I take a quick look at who will be where, and until when.
Kimi Raikkonen (until end 2010, confirmed): Kimi has confirmed his new contract which will see him well into 2010 at Ferrari, with an almost definite retirement in 2011.
Felipe Massa (until end 2010, confirmed): Felipe has signed a new contract to stay with Ferrari until the end of 2010.
Lewis Hamilton (until end 2012, confirmed): With Lewis vowing to stay with McLaren forever, it's likely we'll be seeing him in the Silver arrow for the foreseeable future.
Heikki Kovalainen (until end 2009, confirmed): Heikki looked to be leaving McLaren after 2008, with Rosberg as his replacement, but these rumours were sunk when he signed for another year.
Robert Kubica (until end 2009, confirmed): Kubica has extended his current BMW contract for another year. With BMW giving him his first win, it looks like a good relationship. Will it soon get more fruitful?
Fernando Alonso (until end of 2011, rumoured): Fernando has been linked with a three-year BMW contract, it is only a rumour, but it has some good substance now that he can't move to Ferrari.
Jarno Trulli (until end 2009, confirmed) - Jarno has had some great finishes with a third place in France; he is confirmed until end of 2009.
Timo Glock (until end 2009, confirmed) - With a second place at Hungary, Timo has proven himself and secured a seat at Toyota for another year.
Nelson Piquet (unknown, but likely to stay): He has not had a very good time as of late, but likely to stay with Renault for another year.
Nick Heidfeld (complete guess): Heidfeld is too good to lose. I think he may replace Alonso in a straight swap?
Red Bull
Mark Webber (until end 2009, confirmed): Very experienced, Webber has still shown some good driving skills and is set to stay at Red Bull.
Sebastian Vettel (until end 2010, confirmed): After shining in his Toro Rosso, Vettel has confirmed he is moving to Red Bull, to partner Webber.
Nico Rosberg (until end 2009, confirmed): Frank loves Nico, and would struggle to let him go. Nico is a definite Williams driver for the 2009 season.
Kazuki Nakajima (likely to stay until 2009): With eight points so far, it doesn't look too bad. Just one point behind Rosberg, Nakajima is set to stay at Williams.
Toro Rosso
Sebastien Bourdais (likely to stay with Toro Rosso): With his recent performance at Spa finishing seventh, Sebastian drove well, and this may warrant a new contract.
Bruno Senna (rumoured): Bruno Senna has been linked with a move to F1 for a few years now, but could 2009 finally be the year he joins Toro Rosso?
Jenson Button (until end 2009, rumoured): Jenson has had a miserable time, but it's likely he will stay at Honda, to see if Ross Brawn can change things.
Rubens Barrichello (likely to stay until end of 2009): The oldest driver on the grid, he has huge experience. Likely to stay at Honda, but only until the end of 2009.
Force India
Adrian Sutil (unknown, but likely to stay until 2009): Force India have been saying that Sutil has to impress them if he wants to stay. Did Monaco do enough? I think so; he should still be at FI until the end of 2009.
Giancarlo Fisichella (unknown, but likely to stay until 2009): Giancarlo is currently lying in last place. His future looks short, but another year is possible.

subset: commoncrawl


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Nationals Blog
At www.lifesmartsnationals.blogspot.com, NCL will provide frequently updated content, like team photos, stories, and a regularly updated competition grid, so you can chart your team's progress from home!
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This year, watch the final morning of competition live online at www.lifesmarts.org!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Semi-finals- 9 am Pacific Daylight * 12 noon Eastern Daylight
Finals- 10:45 am PDT * 1:45 EDT
Stay tuned in to this blog and lifesmarts.org to keep up with this year's excitement!


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Friday, April 29, 2011
Confirmed / Unconfirmed LC
When the Letter of credit is guaranteed by adding payment confirmation by the advising bank or any third bank ( Confirming Bank ) on behalf of the opening bank, it is termed as a confirmed LC otherwise it is an unconfirmed LC. The confirming bank also becomes a party to the contract of LC after confirming it. Generally, the confirmation to a credit is desired by beneficiary from a bank known to him preferably the one located in his country so that his risk becomes localized and he can deal easily with a local bank rather than dealing with a bank abroad which has issued the LC. A confirmed LC is preferred when the beneficiary is not able to ensure payment surety from the issuing bank and or have less faith on it. confirmed LC is costly since it includes the confirmation charge from the confirming bank. The LC is confirmed by another bank only when it is advised to do so by the issuing bank. Confirmation can be added only to irrevocable and not to the revocable credits.
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I was just peacefully sitting here at my desktop computer transcribing gravestones when BOOM, I got an email telling me that Diane Haddad of Family Tree Magazine put me on her list of seven favorite blogs.
I Heart Your Blog
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel
I Heart Your Blog
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel
I had what I thought was a "senior moment" because I think that one of my fellow genea-bloggers at Facebook already nominated me for this award and I never got around to picking seven people for a list.. "Wasn't that just a couple days ago?", I thought. I think I am working way too hard. Having two careers just might kill me yet. [Yes, I know, then I will need my own gravestone!]
I so hope this other person doesn't think that I am ignoring them. Could they please let me know who they were? Does this mean I have fourteen blogs to nominate? UPDATE! I found out who this is, it is:
Miriam Robbins Midkiff, my friend on Facebook, author of AnceStories blog.
Diane listed me with my friend Maureen Taylor, the "rock-star" of family photography. I was watching her be interviewed by Dick Eastman and thinking about the series of coincidences that have brought us together. Maureen and I are NOT related, are NOT the same age, are NOT the same height and weight, are NOT both blonde but we DID go to the same college in Rhode Island, we both write and she wrote a book about MY ancestors. There are more "same-ness" but you get the idea....
Maybe this is a sign that I should make family history my main career?


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Bust Magazine's SPRING CRAFTACULAR!
this sunday, april 27th, 11am-9pm...
treehouse* brooklyn at the craftacular!
DATE: Sunday, April 27th
TIME: 11am - 9pm!
LOCATION: The Warsaw in williamsburg, brooklyn
261 Driggs Ave, 11211
MORE: ...shop for handmade treasures from over 50 amazing and talented designers and crafters. plus, there's a raffle that includes over $2000 worth of prizes, including a Magnolia 7330 sewing machine from Janome! and the first 250 shoppers will also score a BUST Craftacular goodie bag packed with swag and prizes!
help support your local designers! come holla at treehouse* and show your love! we've got fantastical spring treats and treasures galore for ya. shop our booth at craftacular..or our graham ave. treehouse* outpost and this sunday only just say "crafty trees are the bees knees" and get a free limited edition pin pack with purchase. wowzers! who loves ya, baby?
kisses from the branches,
SIRIUS* & Becky Lee treehouse*
Friday, April 25, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
feral childe, sirius*, and lady jane...
we've been getting so many new and amazing things in the branches this month. here's a well dressed mannequin featuring just a few of the latest. organic cotton hand sewn top from sirius*, sparkly layered party skirt from feral childe, bird and feather neckpiece by glovenotes, and printed fabric tote by treehouse's newest designer lady jane.
stop into the shop to check out the new arrivals!
new wolf-e in the trees*
we just got a shipment of new wolf-e tees and onesies for spring...
jaguars, owls, bunnies and birds, oh my!
tots need to brighten up their spring wardrobes too you know...
and don't miss the adorable allison rose pillowcase dresses and new applique onesies from alacrity.
Monday, April 14, 2008
bust magazine is hosting another great craft fair...this time at the warsaw in greenpoint.
sunday, april 27th from 11am to 9pm...mark your calendars now!
treehouse will be there representing local handmade treasures from the shop. come visit us! we'll be sure to have a few surprises and special treats.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
*treehouse news*
Spring soirees, surprises and sales galore bloomin' in the branches....this THURSDAY April 3rd from 6-9pm!
Guess what tree friend?!...we're welcoming spring with a party in the trees, and you're invited! this THURSDAY, APRIL 3rd from 6-9pm. come check out the newly revamped treehouse..we've been busy bees; restocking the shelves, finding new designers, and rearranging the branches..all for YOU! so let's celebrate the season with a cocktail soiree. we promise surprises and seasonal sales aplenty...
While you're sipping your springtime cocktail you can check out our newly redesigned branches..there's a gift corner, tots tower and of course, racks of handmade one of a kind spring creations. new tees for the gents from loyalty and blood and uzi, pretty spring tops from bells, adorable little girl dresses from allison rose, and more more more!
and don't forget to sign up for our last craft class before summer: jewels and treasures with siri* sign up here...hope to see you soon!
oh..and one more thing: we're still searching for a few new designers. got something to show us? email your pics (small ones please) here.
oh yeah...one LAST thing: check out our PODCAST debut here. we were honored to be featured on threadbanger.com with treehouse designer girl popcorn. enjoy!
Kisses from up in the branches,
Rebecca & Siri*
treehouse* brooklyn
430 graham ave.
btw withers & frost streets
williamsburg, brooklyn
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is it worth saying sorry for the lack of updates? i did not think so......
well, still so far so good with the pregnancy. week 18 now, i believe, and he/she is turning into quite a big baby. i guess it will take after daddy in at least one respect!!
not sure if i mentioned in my last post (doubt it), but, believe it or not, a better film that Star Wars Episode III has arrived. it is called Batman Begins. a most excellent film from a class director with an ace cast. if you have not seen it, see it!
otherwise, major thanks to my mate Chris - he has sent an excellent package of tunes and videos, including footage of the Manics gig Michele & I went to! nice one fella!
meanwhile, I seem to have started an international ring of emails about David Hasselhoff. sure, there are many going around, but this one is in a circle of 20 people and has made dubious, unsubstantiated comments about my boss trying to dress like the Hoff. it can only be a matter of time before I am threatened with dismissal.
otherwise, all is well here guys. I will try and put the "proper" scan image up soon, but then again we will have a new one as of the 25th!!
be excellent to each other!!


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Rebbi Yishmael in the Medrash (Rabbah Breishis 92)tells us that this is one of the ten kal vachomers in Tanach. These are:
(Obviously there are many more, starting with Breisihis 4:24,כי שבעתים יקם קין ולמך שבעים ושבעה. The mefarshim there offer numerous explanations about what distinguishes these ten, but מקום הניחו לך להתגדר/להתגדל.)
Reb Elya Lopian, in the Lev Eliahu, addresses the question that everyone asks. This kal vachomer does not seem to work. The reason the Bnei Yisroel didn't listen was (6:9) "מקוצר רוח ומעבודה קשה", because they were exhausted mentally and physically from their demeaning servitude and endless hard labor. If so, the kal vachomer is not valid, because these problems did not apply to Pharaoh. He answers that the Bnai Yisroel did accept Moshe Rabbeinu's nevu'ah when he told them about the geula (4:31.) It was only when things got worse that they lost their faith (6:9) when they suffered. This shows that they did accept it intellectually, but that it did not penetrate their hearts. If so, Moshe's kal vachomer was good; if this lack of heartfelt faith ended their trust, then Pharaoh, with his wicked heart, certainly would not accept it at all, despite what his intellect would tell him. When it comes to belief, to conviction, the heart is stronger than the mind.
Reb Elya brings down a wonderful vort from Reb Yitzhock Blazer: the distance between וידעת היום, and והשבת אל לבבך is far greater than the distance between is far greater than the distance between לא ידעת and ידעת. My father zatzal, a talmid of Slabodka in Litteh, used to say this about the passuk in Krias Shma. והיו הדברים האלה אשר אנכי מצוך היום על לבבך. The most important thing is that after you hear and understand something intellectually, you must keep it on top of your heart. Every Jew has a moment that his heart softens, and at that moment, what he knows will penetrate his heart and then he will truly know it.
This brings to mind R Yisroel Salanter's advice to the person who asked what to learn in the only fifteen minutes he had available, because the point there is that the kotzer ru'ach will be come like earmuffs and blinders, and you won't see what you otherwise would. Mussar is the antidote to kotzer ru'ach and avoda kasha.
My son Shlomo sheyichyeh used this in a drasha in January '04/Shvat '64. He said
In Brisk once, a wealthy exporter put all his money into a shipment that was loaded on a boat. The boat, unfortunately, sank not far from the port, and the man's family was afraid to tell him the terrible news. They came to the Beis Halevi, and he told them he would take care of it. When the man came to the Beis Halevi's shiur, he opened to the Gemora (Brachos 54) חייב אדם לברך על הרעה כשם שמברך על הטובה. and repeated it many times, and he asked the man, What's the pshat in this Chazal?" The man asked, rebbi, I don't understand your kashe! The pshat is pashut— that a person has to know that no matter what happens to him, it is the retzon Hashem, and it is meant for his good, so he has to thank Hashem for it. The Beis Halevi said, well, if you understand this, I have a little story to tell you. When the man heard what happened, he fainted and didn't recover for three days. The Beis Halevi went to visit him, to be mevakeir choli hanefesh. The man asked him, Rebbi, I don't understand. I understand the Mishna Why did I faint? The Beis HaLevi answered him yes, it's true that you understood it fully. But you understood it in your head, not in your heart.
He then quoted Rabbi Neuman, a Rebbi in Yeshiva of Staten Island, who said that the lesson of tefillin is that the Torah has to go from from your head, to your heart, to your hand.
Just knowing something is not at all the same as full emotional understanding. We have all experienced the difference: This is like when a person tells his best friend, or a father tells a son, close your eyes, lean back, and fall into my arms. Even if you absolutely trust the person behind you, it will be very hard to actually fall and depend on the person to catch you. Only after a few false starts can you convince your body to let go and fall into the other's arms. It's not enough that you know— your body has to be convinced.
Rav Eliyahu Dessler (Michtav Mei'Eliahu Vol. 5, on the avoda of Rosh Hashanna.) stresses this difference, which he categorizes as the difference between rational awareness and 'dveikus'. He says that this journey is the avoda of Rosh Hashanna: if you properly say Malchios, Zichronos, and Shofros, you will come to devykus, which will make teshuva a foregone conclusion. If the dveykus does not lead to remorse and full teshuva for past sins, then your enthusiasm and kavana is just an ephemeral overlay, a delusion.
This applies just as well to negative or destructive beliefs or behaviors. In the Haftorah of Devorim the Navi talks about sins that are Kashanim and sins that are Katola. Both shanim and tola refer to red-dyed wool Despite their similar appearance to an observer, there is an very important difference between them. R' Meir Simcha says that Shanim is wool that is only dyed on the surface, so teshuva can result in brilliant white like snow, whereas Tola is red through and through, and teshuva can only result in the less pristine white of Tzemer. This illustrates the difference between an act or behavior that is superficial and one that saturates the personality.
The Darash Moshe and the Ramban observe that the Meraglim in Shemos Shlach 13:3, were listed lefi gedulasam, in the order of their spiritual achievements. But strangely, we find that Yehoshua and Kaleiv are in middle of the pack. Despite the apparent superior tzidkus of the others over Yehoshua and Kalev, what mattered in the end, when faced with nisayon, was the depth of conviction, the emotional saturation, the dveikus— the hasheivosa el levavecha.
What really is the difference between yedi'ah of the mind and yedi'ah of the heart? One example: a woman may know absolutely that married women cannot go outdoors with her hair uncovered. But she might sit in mixed company and talk about private matters that concern only her and her husband. Or, strangely enough (and I'm not making this up), swim in a bathing suit at a mixed pool– with a snood covering her head to preserve her standards of modesty. People who never miss davenning in shul can let years go by without one Shmoneh Esrei in which they pour their hearts out to Hashem. What the heck are they doing there? The only possible explanation is that simply knowing something means that you know the thing and nothing more. Knowing it in your heart means that you understand and feel the underlying concept and you have made it a part of your emotional and intellectual essence. When a person has reached that level, then everything he does will subconsciously be checked for consistency with his essential belief.
And how can you tell who is a tzadik misafa v'lachutz and who is a tzadik in his pnimiyus? You can't. Not only can't you tell in other people, you can't even tell in yourself. It's like courage— you never know what you are until you are tested, as is well illustrated in Stephan Crane's The Red Badge of Courage. Not only can't you tell, it is almost unknowable; the Torah (and Sefer Iyov) is full of stories of people who were tested, after which Hashem says "Atta yadati" that you are a real ba'al bitachon. Appearances mean little. Only after being put to the test can one know who he is.
When we put on our tefillin, let us remember this important idea, perfectly symbolized by the Shel Rosh on our head, the straps of the shel rosh that go down to our heart, the Shel Yad next to the heart, with the straps that go down to our hands: it is not enough to 'know'. Torah has has to go from your Head to your Heart to your Hands.


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When your city keeps on winning championships, you're allowed to brag a little. Pick one of these shirts up for yourself or grab a few as Christmas gifts. This is one of the absolute hottest selling shirts in the streets of Boston right now.
Boston: King of Sports t-shirt (U.S. shipping)
Boston: King of Sports t-shirt (International shipping)
Shirts will ship out on Tuesday, December 10th, so you will get them in plenty of time for Christmas.
Note: If you do not live in the United States, please choose international shipping. We can't ship otherwise.
You may also like these t-shirts:


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It's not the prevailing sentiment among the Shiites' main rivals, either. A February poll found that 73 percent of Iraqis oppose the presence of foreign troops in Iraq—including 77 percent of Shiites and 95 percent of Sunnis.
Whether or not that poll is true, I have a very simple proposition. Hold a referendum on whether foreign troops stay or leave, and follow the will of the voters, supporters or opponents of the war be damned.


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After replacing my broken plastic cages
with some sturdier metal pieces that had
accommodation for double-izers should I
ever be feeling saucy, I decided since I will
be riding the T1 the majority of the time, I
should equip it with some of my nicer bits.
First stage: Handlebars. I replaced the stock
Bontrager cockpit (stem and bars) for the
one off of my Raleigh. The extra steer tube
length looks a little funny, but one can imagine
the finished product.
I took it for a small shred around the block and
I am completely pleased with the result. The flipped
Thompson stem and Nitto B-123AA bars feel
amazing and the difference in drop is radical. I
can feel my body pushing way harder when I am
on the drops and it is still respectably comfortable
when I keep my hands toward the stem. Also, there
is a slight weight drop over the factory cockpit.


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Love, Marriage & Divorce, the new album "starring" Toni Braxton and Babyface, is the first time I've paid attention to new music by either one of them in like 13 years (when Babyface tried to update his sound and recruited the Neptunes to produce "There She Goes," to be exact). The project--a collection of tunes about rocky relationships (where the fighting often leads to sex), infidelity, divorce and post-divorce reconciliation that stem from Braxton and Babyface's experiences with divorce--plays to each of their strengths as artists: Braxton's terrific contralto, especially when she sings a blistering kiss-off to an ex like Love, Marriage & Divorce's "I Wish," and Babyface's skills as a craftsman of New Jack-era, pre-Jodeci/R. Kelly R&B of the baby-making kind.
There's a scene early in Boomerang where a heavy-handed--and enthusiastic, of course, because he's played by Geoffrey "No Caffeine: Never Had It, Never Will" Holder--TV ad director presents Eddie Murphy's skirt-chasing ad exec Marcus Graham with a rough cut of a hilariously unsubtle lipstick ad, which is full of shots of supermodels wagging their tongues between pairs of cherries and sucking on bananas. Marcus' response to the footage is "I like the orange, and I like the ice cream. You gotta get rid of the cherries and lose the banana... That's a little too overt, you know? We should go a little more subtle... At least there wasn't no sausages in this one." His preference for classing things up also best sums up why most of Babyface's hits still hold up today and you can sing along to them without snickering, while the much lewder slow jams that followed Babyface's string of hits--like, for example, Silk's "Freak Me"--come off as unintentionally funny when you re-encounter them these days, mostly because their lyrics have been parodied so often by the likes of Murphy's Boomerang co-star Chris Rock ("Suck Your Big Toe"), Dave Chappelle ("Piss on You") and The Lonely Island ("Dick in a Box").
It's nice to hear Braxton and Babyface singing together again because I remember very well when I first heard them together: the duet "Give U My Heart," which Babyface produced for the Boomerang soundtrack. That album, which represented the best in mainstream R&B at the time, dominated the R&B airwaves in 1992 (you couldn't hide from the mammoth radio hit that was Boyz II Men's "End of the Road," which is the very last song featured in the film's end credits). "Give U My Heart," a New Jack tune that still holds up today, made me think, "Who's this chick with the smoky voice? She's like a younger Anita Baker. I'd like to hear more from her." And five months later, we did get to hear more from her when the Boomerang soundtrack hit us with the single "Love Shoulda Brought You Home," which, in fact, was written for Baker, but she declined to record it because she was pregnant at the time, so she suggested to Babyface and L.A. Reid that they give the song to the girl who sang its demo version: Braxton.
The release of Love, Marriage & Divorce isn't just why "Love Shoulda Brought You Home," which Angela (Halle Berry) quotes from when she breaks up with Marcus in Boomerang, and the film version of "Give U My Heart," known as the "Upscale R&B Remix," have been added to "Whitest Block Ever" rotation. It's Black History Month, and I think Boomerang is just as important and vital a film for directors and moviegoers of color as, say, the box office hit Lee Daniels' The Butler and 12 Years a Slave. In 1992, there wasn't a film like director Reginald Hudlin's Boomerang. "Part of the appeal of Boomerang for the Hudlins was that the film's subject matter--a brazen look at the battle of the sexes--had never been explored in a black film with multimillion-dollar production values," said the Philadelphia Inquirer in its 1992 profile of Hudlin and his producer brother Warrington Hudlin, who were fresh off the success of House Party.
The Hudlins' 1992 hit paved the way for the current hot streak of black, or as USA Today likes to say, "race-themed," rom-coms: Think Like a Man (soon to be followed this summer by Think Like a Man Too), The Best Man Holiday and Kevin Hart's About Last Night. That's why Boomerang, which I just saw for the very first time, is worth another look. It's also a damn good comedy (peep its ensemble cast--there are so many funny performances throughout Boomerang) and one of Murphy's best, even though, like Odie Henderson says in his post about the film, it sort of falls apart at the end. (That's due to the Hudlins rewriting the film at the last minute so that Marcus wins back Angela instead of winding up without either Angela or Jacqueline, the marketing department boss--and freak in the bed--played by Robin Givens. It was supposed to originally end with that shot of the Empire State Building lighting up behind Murphy, his future Life co-star Martin Lawrence and David Alan Grier hugging each other--again, that cast!--on the rooftop.)
|(Photo source: Brian Orndorf)
There's an interesting Tumblr exchange about this very subject between David Brothers from Image Comics, who's similarly said that he's had it up to here with misery porn, and another African American comics blogger, cartoonist Darryl Ayo. "I do feel like the [black-driven movies] that come across my desk tend to be what you describe--something about how much it sucks or sucked to be black, instead of just movies about people," wrote Brothers to Ayo. "The Butler, the Help, 12 Years a Slave, Django Unchained, Precious, The Blind Side, all these movies traffick [sic] in black misery. I feel like Hollywood's black people, outside of what feels like exceptions, have just a couple ideas as to what black folks are all about, and keep going to the misery well because it has a built-in triumphant narrative if you look at it right... I'm over feeling sad about being black."
The Hudlins did the same thing in Boomerang, throwing in a little scene where Marcus and his friends, despite their Manhattan ad agency cachet, are racially profiled while browsing around a menswear store (Marcus' comedic handling of the racist clerk brings back a little bit of the fire Murphy brought to the scene that Roger Ebert memorably said was the moment that made Murphy a movie star, the 48 Hrs. redneck bar scene), as well as another bit where Berry says good night to Grier in fake Korean and jokes that it means "I'm sorry I shot you, but I thought you were robbing my store." It's the Hudlins' way of saying, "Sure, this is the same opulent and insular ad agency world from those Rock Hudson and Tony Randall rom-coms, but because our characters are black, these things that are unfortunately everyday to us--like racial profiling--are as much a part of this world as the tuxes, gowns and lavish product premiere parties." And in House Party and Boomerang, the Hudlins preferred to ridicule the racist assholes who keep these problems alive instead of building Oscar-bait dramas around these problems or speechifying about them, an approach I'd like to see more often from filmmakers of color. It's laughing to keep from crying (hey, that's the title of a Tyler Perry play).
Another thing that's made Boomerang age well is the ensemble, and unlike some other Murphy films in that pre-family-movie period of his career (particularly 1994's Beverly Hills Cop III, where, according to Bronson Pinchot, Murphy was so disengaged with the lame material that John Landis told him, "Just rest, Eddie, and I'll do the scene with Bronson," and he shot Pinchot's scenes with Murphy without Murphy), you can tell Murphy enjoyed being there because of the cast he was surrounded with. During one of the business meeting scenes, he looks like he's about to break character and corpse when the ponytail on Grace Jones' hat hits him in the face, and he looks like he's about to do the same thing too when John Witherspoon explains why "you got to coordinate" in a quotable scene Ludacris once referenced. In a later scene where Angela tries to cheer up a depressed Marcus by bringing him along to a kids' art class she teaches, the interplay between Murphy and the kids appears to be ad-libbed, and his amusement over interacting with those child actors brings to mind how much fun he clearly had watching Pinchot hilariously ad-lib in the first Beverly Hills Cop.
Everyone in that Boomerang cast gets a chance to shine, even bit players like the actor who plays the butler for Eartha Kitt's Lady Eloise character, plus there are three cast members who appeared in Bond movies (Holder was in Live and Let Die, Jones showed up in A View to a Kill and Berry later starred in Die Another Day) and the two black Catwomen (Kitt and Berry). Berry would have been an okay Catwoman had the idiots behind Berry's Catwoman fiasco adapted Ed Brubaker's Catwoman comics instead of inserting all that Patience Phillips/Egyptian superpowers shit. On the other hand, her romantic rival Givens would have been a great Catwoman. Peep how Givens dominates her sex scenes with Murphy. It's very Selina Kyle.
That willingness to take a brief break from the heroism of Reggie Hammond and Axel Foley to play such an emasculated character (who, at one point in one of his sex scenes with Givens, starts sucking his thumb) and win back women who hated the misogyny of Raw and wanted more of Murphy's Coming to America rom-com side--plus hitching his wagons to Black New Wave filmmakers--were good career moves for Murphy. Early '90s "Hammer Time in her shoe" line aside, Boomerang stands the test of time, thanks to the Hudlins, the cast they assembled ("I remember talking to one of the producers at the time and saying, 'Ten years from now, people won't believe we had all these people in the same cast,'" recalled Hudlin to Blackfilm) and a soundtrack that still slaps.
|(Photo source: Big Media Vandalism)
Bear McCreary, "Theme from Black Sails" and "The Parson's Farewell" (both from Black Sails; now playing during "AFOS Prime" and "New Cue Revue")
I haven't checked out the new Starz pirate drama Black Sails yet, even though the Michael Bay-produced show is the latest project from co-creator Jonathan E. Steinberg, who was in charge of the first and best season of Human Target, a season so enjoyable it made me want to keep an eye on any subsequent post-Human Target shows from Steinberg. But I've listened to the Black Sails first-season score album from series composer Bear McCreary, who worked on Human Target with Steinberg.
Battlestar Galactica or a historically accurate sound for Black Sails that McCreary says has the feel of being "improvised by an exhausted crew aboard a ship navigating choppy waters." That improvised feel permeates "The Parson's Farewell," a lively, hard-rocking track based on a source tune from the show's seventh episode of the season.
For Black Sails, McCreary chose to frequently work with an instrument he's used before on Abed Nadir's favorite show outside of Inspector Spacetime, The Cape, and The Walking Dead: the hurdy gurdy, a string instrument with a droning sound that's played by turning a crank (it also doesn't stand up well to heat, which makes it difficult to keep around in L.A. weather). McCreary once said, "It sounds like an evil bagpipe," and during Black Sails' main title theme, the hurdy gurdy, along with the accordion and antique-sounding piano, helps set the sinister tone of the show's pirate world quite well.
worshiping money like one.
Jon Brion, "Hands & Feet" (from Punch-Drunk Love; now playing during "AFOS Prime" and "New Cue Revue")
At first it was difficult to find for "AFOS Prime" rotation an original score cue to remember the late Philip Seymour Hoffman by. Then I recalled that Punch-Drunk Love, my favorite Paul Thomas Anderson movie, features a standout atonal cue where the Los Angeles Orchestra drummers go to town on the percussion as Hoffman's Mattress Man character, forced to talk on the phone to Adam Sandler's irate Barry Egan, a victim of his sex hotline scam, amusingly tries to be the calm and cool one--and fails (between that exchange, the Magnolia scene where his caretaker character makes an impassioned call to Tom Cruise's character and the empathetic Almost Famous phone conversation with Patrick Fugit's character about being uncool, Hoffman owned phone scenes).
"10 episodes a season of watching Hoffman play a hilariously bitter ad man with a boss half his age? I SO wanted to have that on my DVR," tweeted Hollywood Reporter TV reviewer Tim Goodman, one of the lucky ones who got to see footage of the Happyish pilot. I wouldn't be surprised if Hoffman murdered that ad man role in the pilot like he murdered his scenes in Punch-Drunk Love and so many other movies.
Ludwig Göransson, "End Titles" (from Fruitvale Station; now playing during "AFOS Prime," "The Whitest Block Ever" and "New Cue Revue")
Ludwig Göransson, who produces beats for rapper Childish Gambino (a.k.a. former Community star Donald Glover), also writes scores for New Girl and Community and is always game for whatever genre Community's parodying that week, whether it's spaghetti westerns, Ken Burns war documentaries or more recently, David Fincher movies. The Swedish-born composer was also game for the serious subject matter of the quietly powerful Fruitvale Station, up-and-coming director Ryan Coogler's fact-based drama starring future Fantastic Four reboot star Michael B. Jordan in a terrific performance as Oscar Grant, whose death from being shot in the back by Oakland transit police at a BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) train station on New Year's Day made international headlines in 2008 because the shooting was captured by phone cameras.
|Fruitvale Station by Owen Freeman for the New Yorker (Photo source: Freeman)
But Fruitvale Station chooses not to dramatize the activism that's emerged in response to the killing of Grant or the part of the story that (white) Hollywood would have only been interested in building a film around, the trial of Mehserle, whom Coogler renamed in his film. Coogler's indie film focuses instead on Grant's final 24 hours, as a way to humanize a figure who's been known only for his martyrdom (or his criminal past, which Mehserle's defenders keep using to justify Mehserle's use of his gun, just like how George Zimmerman's defenders distort Trayvon Martin into being a thug who was asking for it), as well as a way to underscore the stupidity of racially profiling someone.
"It was an incredible creative slight [sic] of hand on his part, as the music would blend in with the environment, and subtly put the audience in Oscar's head," said Coogler in the soundtrack's press release, which mentions that Göransson sampled an actual sound recording of a BART train and reshaped the sample for dramatic effect in the cue during the sequence that recreates the shooting on the platform.
Riz Ortolani, "Beat Fuga Shake" (from Tiffany Memorandum; now playing during "AFOS Prime" and "New Cue Revue")
Riz Ortolani, "I travestiti" (from Confessions of a Police Captain; now playing during "AFOS Prime" and "Beat Box")
Riz Ortolani, who died on January 23, was best known for composing "Ti guarderò nel cuore," the 1962 Mondo Cane theme that became the easy listening standard "More," and the Cannibal Holocaust score. But for those of us who want nothing to do with cannibals or holocausts, Ortolani's name was attached to countless enjoyable scores from Italian crime flicks I've never seen, like 1969's Perversion Story, the 1967 espionage flick Tiffany Memorandum and 1971's Franco Nero/Martin Balsam thriller Confessions of a Police Captain.
|Riz Ortolani (1926-2014)
I have no idea what "I travestiti" was doing in a crime film that appears to be dead-serious in clips and trailers on YouTube--maybe it was a source cue at a nightclub or bar--but it's one of a few highlights of the Easy Tempo Vol. 1: A Cinematic Easy Listening Experience collection that are far from disposable and toothless Muzak and were made for the dance floor. In 1971 in Rome, that is. I don't know if you can dance to something like "I travestiti" nowadays without getting laughed at for looking like you're trying to get rid of a ferret that crawled into your shirt, but that Ortolani piece and many other Italian crime flick instrumentals are born to be sampled by beatmakers or needle-dropped in an action sequence on Archer.
Armando Trovajoli and the more famous Ennio Morricone) excelled at. The five Ortolani scores I just mentioned are only like two percent of a long and prolific musicography even I have yet to discover.


text: Not a competition as I love both and they seamlessly compliment each other, but I'm doing a 4 day bike tour in a few months and wondered if I could just take the F and not compromise too much with what the T2 could take. I was pleasantly surprised and I think I'm satisfied just to take the F. The couple of coloured shots at the bottom were from the T2 with the 16 & 50-140 attached. The rest was the X100F ( plus WCL) in Acros . Cheers.


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Front page
Monday, October 09, 2006
# Posted 6:51 PM by Ariel David Adesnik
Why bother, you might ask? Because Georgia had a peaceful democratic revolution made possible in part by peaceful US democracy promotion efforts. And now Georgia is strongly pro-American.
Recently, Moscow cut off transportation and postal links to Georgia after it arrested four Russians as spies.
Thanks to geography, Georgia faces an unpleasant choice. Accept subordination to Moscow, or cultivate Western support and suffer Moscow's wrath. Georgia has chosen the latter and deserves our help. (0) opinions -- Add your opinion
Comments: Post a Comment


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Not a beautiful morning.
Gary helped me with chores.
We were supposed to join Jenny and the boys for a trip to Naples and a tour of a Maple Syrup farm, but it was just to rainy. So instead, we met at Java for breakfast.
As you can see, the weather required a jacket and hat for this little visitor.
Spud and Ed joined us. Part of Gary's usual morning crew.
Home 11ish and got a fire going. Relaxed most of the day and went out to do chores a little before 6.
By that time, we had had a few hours of sunshine and the temperature hit the 50s.
My assistants were happy to get out for awhile.
We had a 6:30 dinner engagement with Mary E. and Jay at 6:30.
I could not resist taking a picture of this colored pencil drawing that was given to ME as a gift. Can you see her conducting the Children's Choir?
We started out with some appetizers on the side yard. How many times have we done that in March??
One of their kitties was hiding under the table.
As the sun went down, it got cooler and we went back inside....
for a fabulous dinner.
I brought a salad....
that was served with BBQued spareribs....
corn (from their garden last summer)
a pasta/humus (made from their own basil) salad
followed by homemade carrot cake (sorry, but the picture was too blurry to use).
What a meal!
After much conversation, we left for home.
The moon and stars were brilliant.
Night all.


text:
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Nasdaq OMX Group Inc (NDAQ.O) has reached out to at least one brokerage that lost money due to Facebook's (FB.O) botched initial public offering on the exchange, saying it will make an announcement on Wednesday, a person at the brokerage firm said on Tuesday.
Nasdaq is expected to release details of a plan to make up some losses sustained by banks and trading firms, which collectively have been estimated above $100 million, in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources.
Nasdaq declined to comment on Tuesday.
Facebook shares have fallen 32 percent since the IPO when technical glitches resulted in a 30-minute delay of the IPO, unconfirmed trades and losses by market makers and retail investors.
Nasdaq's plan to pay back brokers has been slowed by regulatory questions centered on exchange's ability to compensate customers, the WSJ reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
Nasdaq's liabilities for a trading glitch are limited through regulation and a contract with its customers to $3 million per month. The exchange has applied to the SEC to increase the amount to $13.7 million to include a gain of $10.7 million it made from the Facebook IPO through the sale of so-called "phantom shares" it was left holding in the IPO.
Reporting by John McCrank; Edited by Walden Siew and Tim Dobbyn


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One of my goals this year is to get organized and that's why I created this weekly to do list.
You can print this and store it in a binder and start tackling all of your weekly to do goals. I love simple weekly to do lists and had a hard time finding one I loved. This one works perfect for me and I know it'll work perfect for you as well. Enjoy!
Go her to print your Weekly To Do List.


text:
|The Four Cardinal Virtues and their Contrary Elements
(copied from http://csermelyblog.tehetsegpont.hu/node/25)
Today a story client asked a good question that I've never breached on this blog. She asked if my deeply held Roman Catholic values would get in the way of helping her with a screenplay that had some elements that were contrary to Roman Catholic teaching.
While this possible conundrum may be on the minds of some that have not worked with me (yet), the question offers me an opportunity to expound, again, on a universal truth: All successful stories connect with audiences BECAUSE they are universal, or "catholic" -- notice the lower case "c."
Here's how I responded, which I've edited for clarity.
Dear C:
I'm not bothered by story elements that run counter to Roman Catholic teaching (or counter to perceived Roman Catholic teaching, which is more often the case).
Here's my standard on such matters:
In order to connect with mainstream audiences you'll face something called Natural Law. What you must realize is that audiences subliminally recognize what is natural to the universe (and their lives) and what is not. That your story resonate with such natural elements is what helps your audience connect or "get" your story. When you try to legislate a reality that is not natural to your audience, you will distance yourself from them. One of my tasks in consulting is to help you connect with a target audience, and thus be aware of Natural Law and how you represent it in your story.
Drama stems from the conflict between what is universally natural and what is not. The "universe" of which I write is both physical and psychological, but I focus on the psychological because that is what motivates the physical.
Long before there was a Roman Catholic Church (or any other religion's set of propositional statements), there was nature, and the rules of such are written on all human hearts and consciences. Now, it is true that many people (or story characters) can and do harden their consciences to those natural truths....but again that's one of the sources of drama. But generally and universally human conscience is very stable…and that's the realm in which I work.
In my work I refer to these natural forces as "virtues (or strengthens)." And the rejection of those truths I refer to as "vices (or weaknesses)."
Yes, there is an alignment between Roman Catholic teaching and "catholic" universal vices and virtues. The Roman Church claims that it's teachings are not arbitrary but are a careful articulation of how the universe and nature work, and that the development of correct theology is the consequence of thousands of years of human observation about both the physical and the psychological universe in which the human condition lives
Thus, for proper dramatic conflict that general audiences will recognize there must be catholic vices/weaknesses and catholic virtues/strengths (contrary elements), or you will not have conflict and thus you will not have drama that anyone will connect with.That last paragraph also reads correctly this way:
Thus, for proper dramatic conflict that general audiences will recognize there must be UNIVERSAL vices/weaknesses and UNIVERSAL virtues/strengths (contrary elements), or you will not have conflict and thus you will not have drama that anyone will connect with.


text:
Today is known as Pi Day in America, because the date (3/14/15) matches the first five digits of pi (3.1415...). Some people have even gone so far as to say that 9:26:53 AM/PM is even more worthy of celebration because that contains the first 10 digits of pi. A mathematician might say that there was a moment in time in which the time was pi itself (that is, sometime between 9:26 and 9:27 AM/PM, there was a time which was pi AM/PM).
I want to propose a couple things:
(1) That the idea of pi day is terribly American-centric. Many countries write the date not as MM/DD/YY (03/14/15) but as DD/MM/YY (14/03/15) -- so the idea that the date matches the first 5 digits of pi is a bit wonky.
(2) In effect, every day is pi day because every date and time because every date and time conceivable will appear in the digits of pi. Given that pi is an irrational number, pi is both never-ending and never-repeating. Thus, every combination of numbers you want (let's say, for example, March 15 at 11:05 AM -- or, in the non-American method of writing, 15/03/15 11:05 = 153151105) will appear at least once in pi ("The string 153141105 occurs at position 151419383. This string occurs 1 times in the first 200M digits of Pi" --according to http://www.angio.net/pi/). We can try to find the same string of numbers in other irrational numbers (say, the square root of 2, for example). Yes, the string might not start at the beginning, but any string of numbers is contained within pi.
Just a couple more pointers:
(3) There is a point in pi where the number 9 appears six times in a row (at position 762: ...11349999998372...). This is called the Feynman point. Just a fun little pattern.
(4) I have heard it argued that the existence of irrational numbers, such as pi, is evidence for the fact that we do not live in a computer-simulated world (we don't live in a Matrix). To contain an infinite number of digits (as we have not yet found the end of pi) means that a computer would require an infinite amount of memory/data processing to store the number pi in its hardware, which, as far as we can tell, is not possible.
Excuse the long delay in between posts -- I've been quite busy.


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Must See: New Photos From Jet Li's FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON INN
We finally have some images from director Tsui Hark's FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON INN starring Jet Li! The movie has a $35 million budget and centers on a warrior couple battling with imperial agents in a desert inn.
December 2011 is slated as the release window.
Says Hark: "There are three major criteria pertaining to wushu choreography, the exquisiteness and difficulty level of the moves, the set up as a whole, and how to use film to show the characteristics and principles behind wushu. 3D brings about a whole new visual experience, and would ultimately result in actions designed originally for 2D filming losing impact, so, we can't simply import these three points based on traditional ways of filming, but have to come up with actions that are most suitable for 3D showcase."
Jet Li's take on 3D is that it is presenting added work for him as an actor as scenes that might have been a perfect take in 2D, must be re-shot to present stronger sense of depth. To me it sounds like there may not have been as much 3D expertise on the set as there should have been.
Says Li: "But, after this film, I suppose my martial arts ability would be improved, for now, I could even get into precise positioning mid-air. Tsui Hark is fond of editing a whole set of action on the spot on the set, and watching the wuxia action through 3D glasses, the feelings of strength and speed are greatly magnified and enhanced, as if everything is taking place just 1m before myself, so I would feel more nervous, and tense too."
I am really looking forward to seeing this movie - well ANY Jet Li movie! See more photos here. More when I get it.
Sources: Wu-jing | Bleeding Cool


text:
Next week on "Fringe", the collision course between Peter and the doomsday device continues. When the Fringe Team visits Massive Dynamic's assembly of doomsday device, Walter becomes greatly concerned for Peter's well-being, so he turns to Nina for added brain power to understand the relationship between Peter and the superweapon. Meanwhile, the discovery of a dead body triggers an intense investigation.
"Fringe" officially occupies a new night this week, returning for the remainder of the third season on Friday, January 21. The upcoming episode called "Reciprocity" which airs January 28 would determine whether the new night would affect the number of the show's "loyal audience". Friday night is considered a death slot for scripted series.
"We have pitched to the network our five, six and seven-year plan for this show ...which has garnered more and more excitement," executive producer Jeff Pinkner told TV Overmind. "There's no concern that the show's being moved to Friday. It's being moved to Friday because we all believe that that's where the show can live for years and years."


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...as close to what I was looking for as I have seen on the net.
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|Photo by Marta Ramos
This morning a dear friend emailed me this beautiful message by psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross. I looked her up, and became acquainted with the wise words of this incredible woman.
Here are some quotes that rang a bell...
"Everything in this life has a purpose, there are no mistakes, no coincidences."
"People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within."
"Dying is something we human beings do continuously, not just at the end of our physical lives
on this earth. "
"Should you shield the canyons from the windstorms you would never see the true beauty of their carvings."
"When we have passed the tests we are sent to Earth to learn, we are allowed to graduate. We are allowed to shed our body, which imprisons our souls …"


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Occupy Davos activists are continuing their protest in igloos outside the World Economic Forum venue.
Protesters view the forum as an undemocratic club of the world's rich elite, seeking to secure their wealth.
Demonstrators, who are calling on global leaders to protect the poor and the environment from state budget cuts, launched balloons over the venue to bring attention to their message.
The protest is one of several small, peaceful rallies that have taken place in the Swiss ski resort of Davos this week.
"We think we should solve our problem democratically and not another with those are responsible for the problems because self-proclaimed global leaders, they are responsible for the crisis of the last year and they can't be the solution. Solution is democracy in every part of the life, it means economy, it means society and it means of course it means politics", one activist said.
Protesters say that despite their peaceful intentions, they are often portrayed as violent criminals.
"We believe that with democracy we are able to have those solutions, we are able to have those problems solved and it is really crucial that we are not being criminalized while protesting", a protester said.
Related articles
- Davos, occupied (paper-bird.net)
- Davos: Financial fragility and igloo protests (ibnlive.in.com)
Tags: Davos, Occupy Davos, Switzerland, World Economic Forum


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Swift Systems For Ernährungsberatung Wien - Some Insights
Gain weight a lot of people neglect to eat due to this reason they get ill and the right kind of food and be slack. But then most individuals don't seem to realize and they still continue to eat the same unhealthy material that is old. The effect is they start to suffer from various ailments. In the future, it can be very dangerous and there may be serious health complications. Hence, to avert such a position, it'll be wise to locate a appropriate Ernahrungsberaterin in your community.
So that you can get to your healthy beginning, it's important to eliminate all unhealthy food stuffs that are lying in the fridge. After the unhealthy food items are thrown out, the following phase is to buy fresh food items including fruits, vegetables and non vegetarian food like fish, chicken and eggs. Only the slim part should be purchased if you have a craving for red meat and eating ought to be limited to once a month.
If residents in Vienna are trying to find experienced and pro dieticians who will assist them in leading healthy lives, there are many to select from. Ernahrungsberatung Wien might be found in several locations around the city. Contact information on specialists might be collected and clients could make appointments as quickly as possible.
Mag.Monika Masik is a reliable website where residents in the area can find lots of stuff about healthy diet strategy. In once, they'll also come across some reviews produced by customers and testimonials. They may make contact to obtain advice from ernährungsberatung, when customers are totally content with the write ups. The specialist in the site will ensure that customers get the very best help from them.
After going through the reviews and also other facts provided at the website, anyone that wants to follow strategies produced by way of an excellent dietician may make contact with the expert and get the strategy. Should they make it a point to check out the plan as given by the experts, they're certain to slim down and become slender, healthy and fit once again.


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Early on I made an assessment that in situations where there is no chance for children to find permanent homes, that you had to be engaged with, involved with and committed to the local community to gain support. That's why WWO doesn't just work with orphans in a community, but also help other children and entire families, people of all ages.I couldn't agree more with what Dr. Aronson says here. I'm on record as also saying that adoption can't solve the orphan crisis, no matter how many Orphan Sundays we have; the only way to solve the orphan crisis is to work to eliminate the reasons children become orphans in the first place.
Every orphan is in someway connected to a community. If we can help support that community, we help the kids. We focus on the community. What's going wrong there to create orphans? Battered families? Illness? Extreme poverty? We try to focus on alleviate the causes. For instance, we set up the Family Resource Center in Vietnam, which supports parents who are HIV positive. If we can help them stay well, we help their children stay within a family and prevent them from becoming orphans.
* * *
Adoption is obviously the gold standard. Every kid deserves a permanent family in a safe and loving home. The trouble is the orphan problem is too great to be resolved through adoption alone. There just are too many children. There has to be another solution to support these kids. To me, orphans symbolize the lack of justice in the world. These children are the victims of poor adult decisions and the big picture is that it's incredibly sad that human beings allow this to happen. But the fact is they do, these kids exist and we have a moral obligation to do something about it.
* * *
Every community that has high number so orphans should be given a family resource center, where all families can tap into help with everything from mental health to vaccines to job training to parenting classes. We should be putting a major emphasis on strengthening families.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Interview with Dr. Jane Aronson
3 comments:
Hi, I enjoy reading your posts. Thanks!
- July 27, 2011 at 11:36 PM
- Research-China.Org said...
The "orphan crisis" is exacerbated by the children brought into orphan status as a result of money, coercion, and other means. In every international adoption program (China, Vietnam, Nepal, Guatemala, Cambodia, Romania and the others) what began as a small program exploded in size as the gravity of money took hold. Eliminating the financial rewards of adoption should be the first step to resolving the "orphan crisis". Only then can we determine if the supply truly exceeds the demand.
- July 28, 2011 at 9:52 AM
@ Research-China.Org,
Actually your assertations and data do not refect Russia, Columbia or Kazakhstan where there was no significant increase in adoptable children. In both Russia and Kaz. more regions with already established "Babyhouses" may have welcomed IA, thus giving the allusion more children were availible, but the adoptions themselves had no bearing on overall growth of said numbers. In fact the funds/donations coming from overseas PAP's improved the lives of those children remaining behind substantially.
Additionally having spent many years in Romania as a missionary I can tell you first hand the need still exists and the numbers of children in crisis has risen since they closed their doors to IA. Not declined.
The numbers they "report" only reflect those being cared for in an institutionalized setting, not those children homeless and on the streets who are not receiving care/support due to lack of funds.
I don't wish to get this off topic, but sweeping and inaccurate generalizations do a disservice to us all in a real dialogue.
Thank you,
- July 28, 2011 at 2:14 PM


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Mangrove swamps are mostly found in the tropical and subtropical region where fresh-water meets salt water.
They have muddy soft soil and are a hostile environment for normal plants. This is because the soil has very low levels of oxygen and a high concentration of salt.
In addition, mangrove swamps are exposed to high intensities of sunlight and strong winds.
The pioneer species of a mangrove swamp are the Sonneratia sp. and Avicennia sp.
The presence of this species gradually changes the physical environment of the habitat.
The extensive root systems of these plants trap and collect sediments, including organic matter from decaying plant parts.
As time passes, the soil becomes more compact and firm. This condition favours the growth of Rhizophora sp. Gradually the Rhizophora sp. replaces the pioneer species.
The prop root system of the Rhizophora sp. traps silt and mud, creating a firmer soil structure over time.
The ground becomes higher. As a result, the soil is drier because it is less submerged by sea water.
The condition now becomes more suitable for the Bruguiera sp., which replaces the Rhizophora sp.
The buttress root system of the Bruguiera sp. forms loops which extend from the soil to trap more silt and mud.
As more sediments are deposited, the shore extends further to the sea. The old shore is now further away from the sea and is like terresterial ground.
Over time, terrestrial plants like nipah palm and Pandanus sp. begin to replace the Bruguiera sp.


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|Christ the Teacher
Ink on Papyrus
©2011 Debi Cady
My interpretation of the icon of Jesus, also known as Christ the Pantocrator or Christ in Majesty. It depicts Jesus holding the Gospels with his hand raised in blessing. I wanted this to look like it was enameled and had a lot of metal and gemstones on it ^-^ I've always liked this icon, so it was fun to draw.
This illustration is now available on my stores at Cafe Press, Zazzle, Red Bubble, and my deviantArt Print Shop


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Less than three minutes into the first period, London's Tommy Hughes scored the second goal of his OHL career on an innocent-looking shot from the neutral zone, the first shot of the game on Petr Mrazek. Ottawa carried the physical play throughout the first period after the deflating goal, but before the opening frame was done, the Knights got another marker from an unexpected contributer. Knights Captain Jarred Tinordi opened up a two-goal lead with his third career goal.
The second period saw more of the same domination from the visiting side. Josh Anderson beat Mrazek from the hashmarks and Jared Knight stretched the lead to 4-0 on a goalmouth scramble. Michael Houser's shutout bid was ruined at 16:56 of the second as Tyler Toffoli improved on his league lead, scoring his 46th goal and 90th point of the season to get Ottawa on the board.
Shane Prince cut the lead in half and extended his amazing streak to 20 straight games with a point, splitting the London defence and placing in a backhander. But when it seemed Ottawa finally had some life, deadline acquisition Greg McKegg put home a rebound, putting the game away in the process for the away squad.
Houser improved on his league lead, stopping 39 shots to lock up his OHL-best 42nd win of the season. Mrazek recovered nicely from his rough first period but still took the loss, making 21 saves.
The out-of-town scoreboard wasn't announced to the near sellout crowd at the J. Benson Cartage Centre, but the OHL scores had their share of good and bad news. In Peterborough, the Petes edged the Belleville Bulls, meaning the 67's become the first team this season to clinch their division. Unfortunately for Ottawa, they didn't get any help from the other division rival in action today. The Kingston Frontenacs were blown out 9-3 by the Niagara Ice Dogs, moving Niagara ahead of Ottawa and into sole possession of first in the Eastern Conference.
The 67's (36-16-5-2) now head out on the road. Ottawa starts the final month of the season by heading on a road trip to the Western Conference, playing in Sarnia on Friday, taking on London in a re-match on Saturday and completing the away stand in Guelph a week from today. They finish their road swing with a Wednesday night game against the Frontenacs.
Click here to see the game sheet.
No Three Stars slide show - the London players chose not to grace the ice when announced. Seems pointless to do it just for Tyler Toffoli (second star).
No picture for Mike Cajkovsky as the Hardest Working 67's. He's hard to catch in a photograph.
As for Random Thoughts from behind the lens, summarized in a major sigh. The London Knights seemed to play more like a team than the 67's. If this was a measuring stick, the 67's have some room to improve.
Some pictures from the game:
First Responders were honoured today.
I think Ottawa's 3rd line is my favourite line.
More physical play from Toffoli than I recall from previous years.
Click here to see more pictures from the game.


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Round Robin Quilt Along It looks like a lot of fun!! I love row quilts and that they are putting a modern twist to it. It doesn't start till July 5th so you have plenty of time to gather your fabrics together and start. Who's joining in?
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Round Robin Quilt Along!
at 9:49 PM
3 comments:
- Needled Mom said...
I am thinking about joining in too.
- June 29, 2011 at 9:08 AM
- onlymehere said...
Nadine, it was fun to meet you at My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe. I have to tell you it's an absolute joy to work for Kris and Mike. They're so talented and truly genuinely nice people. Thanks for coming up to see her and show your support!
- June 30, 2011 at 8:16 AM
- Brianne Duncan said...
Sounds like fun! I just might on this quilt along!
- July 1, 2011 at 7:09 AM
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Hi everyone! I've been watching a ton of movies lately, new and old. So I'm gonna sum 'em all up in a four part series.
The Help- First of all, I loved the book to the point of suffocation and this movie had high expectations. And it got as good as it could get. I'm not going to go into plot detail, just general over-view.
1. There's one of thing that the movie has that the book didin't: Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, and Emma Stone with an amazing cast of supporting characters. I forgot the name of the lady who played Celia Foote but lawdy she was funny. The ending made me want to cry more than the book did and I really loved watching it. Like, I never thought WHEN IS IT GONNA BE OVER!?!?!? I loved sitting in the theater with my mum and laughing and crying and listening to other people have the same reaction
NOTE: The following review is writted (that was on purpose) by my fantabulous brother CALEB...
Schindler's List- I spent most of my life hearing about Schindler's List as a really great, really graphic, really emotional kind of movie. but in my whole life, I had never seen it. so Randi got it off Netflix. I watched it, and I must say that it was one of the best I've seen. I love Liam Neeson for his always epic acting, and this movie's probably his best (that I've seen at least. I've yet to see taken, which I was told is great). The black and white is hard to get used in a way, but it's not a negative at all. The picture quality itself is just as good as any movie made today and seeing that kind of quality in black 'n white is definitely a great effect. Color is used only twice in the movie, both times to show significant important things. If you wanna see what the holocaust was like, the closest depiction of it is this movie. No hidden violence here. All shown, all the time. Best movie I've seen in a while.
KEEL BEEL VON AND TWO (otherwise known as the two part film known as Kill Bill)- Quentin Tarantino has one of the best imaginations. Ever. I know, ranking such abstract things as imagination is super unfair. But Quentin Tarntino must be something of a genius. I think so anyway. But alas, I'd never seen Kill Bill, which is like his second most popular, well-loved, well-reviewed film (first goes to Pulp Fiction obviously). So I invited my best friend, the Diabolical Diabetic overe to watch them with me. And I loved them more than I loved the previous two movies. It had everything I love: Action, drama, weird swords, weirder people, long lost kids, tricked-out trucks, assassins, crazy asians, all done tongue in cheek. I won't give anything away, 'cause youu need to see these for yourself. It's a thrill ride fo' sho'.
That concludes part 1!
Love and sonic screwdrivers,


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The University of Richmond law school was among the big winners in the annual ranking of law schools by U.S. News & World Report.
It jumped 19 spots to 67th, which still left it trailing four other law schools in the state – the University of Virginia, which moved up a spot to tie for ninth; the College of William and Mary, 27th; Washington and Lee University, 30th; and George Mason University, 40th.
The rankings of the schools other than UR were close to previous listings, with W&L changing the most by jumping four spots.
The state's three newest law schools – Appalachian, Liberty and Regent – were not ranked in the top 145 law schools and were among those listed alphabetically.
There was little change among the top six schools with Yale, Harvard and Stanford holding the tops spots once again.
The methodology changed this year to rank three-quarters of the law school, with only the bottom quarter listed in alphabetical order. Previous rankings had listed the top 100 schools with the remaining schools ranked in tiers alphabetically. Now there are only two listings.
The magazine also modified the calculation of employments rates. "In the past, J.D.s counted as employed at graduation and at nine months later if they worked full or part-time in a legal or non-legal job or were pursuing further graduate education; so did 25 percent of those whose status was unknown," the magazine said in a press release.
"Now, the rates are figured solely on the number of graduates working full or part-time in a legal or non-legal job divided by the total number of J.D. graduates. Those not seeking employment are now counted in the total number of graduates; previously, they were excluded."
The change followed reports in The New York Times, The New Yorker and other publications about the efforts of some law schools to manipulate employment and other criteria to enhance their rankings.
By Alan Cooper


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By Melissa Wray
Is There An Elephant overpopulation in Kruger
In Kruger National ParkThe Kruger National Park (KNP) does not have an elephant overpopulation and there is no need to cull at present. This was the majority opinion at the Elephants Alive workshop held in Johannesburg from July 18-20, 2005. About 50 people, including animal rights activists, scientists and lawyers attended the workshop to discuss alternative methods of managing elephant populations that do not involve culling.
Proceedings from the workshop will be sent to Environmental Affairs and Tourism minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk, who is currently awaiting a large herbivore management plan from South African National Parks (Sanparks). According to spokesperson Wanda Mkutshulwa, the report is complete, and Sanparks is expecting to present it to the minister before the end of August. Michele Pickover from Xwe African Wildlife, one of the hosts of the workshop, says that Elephants Alive was intended to help the minister and Sanparks to find a more creative solution for managing elephant populations.
She believes that Sanparks is not doing what it has been mandated to do, has not carried enough consultation, and in a letter to the minister stated that Sanparks has "a definite institutional mind-set that was pro-culling". She says there must be alternatives to "Let's pick up a gun - we can be a lot more creative than that." She believes that culling should never be a management tool for elephants, saying "Is there ever a time for mass genocide?"
Presentations at the workshop included an overview of the existing published Sanparks management plan, the legal and ethical issues surrounding culling, Prof Rudi van Aarde's megapark plan for linking Southern Africa's elephant populations, contraception methods in elephants, whether culling elephants would conserve biodiversity, green hunting, lessons learnt from keeping elephants in captivity around the world, and an overview of what happened with the elephant population in Tsavo National Park. Sanparks declined to attend the workshop, but asked for a copy of the proceedings. According to Mkutshulwa, Sanparks has already finalised their report on the management of large herbivores, and said "The people that were there had already been involved in the elephant indaba, and there would be nothing new to bring to put in the report." She added, "Culling can only be one of a number of tools for the management of large herbivores. It is not the alpha and omega, the ultimate - it is only part of a toolbox to manage biodiversity." She called it "short-sighted" to reduce the issue "to culling or not culling" and said that people should look at the issue "more broadly". Although it was considered that there is not currently an elephant overpopulation in Kruger, the issue of how to achieve biodiversity conservation with elephants in the system was considered.
Climate ChangeOne of the presenters at the workshop, Bruce Page, an ecology lecturer at the University of KwaZulu Natal, says, "There is way more to worry about from climate change than from lephants." He says that South Africa could lose as many as three-quarters of its species due to climate change.
Respected ecologist Prof Norman Owen-Smith, also attending the workshop, says that the big issue is how to make decisions in the face of uncertainty. Leaving the elephant population alone may have unknown consequences in the long term. If species are lost in the long term due to elephants, it is too late to do anything about it by the time the damage is done. However, he believes that elephant impacts can be managed in other ways than culling, but does not rule out the selective shooting of elephants if the herbivores are threatening the survival of another species.
The issue of the scale at which biodiversity should be conserved came up at the workshop. Page says that people should look outside of Kruger to other places that have the same species. Even if elephant activity threatens certain plant species in the park, they are unlikely to become extinct if they are found elsewhere in the country. He points out that many species that scientists have raised concerns over were already declining in the park while the culling policy was in place, showing that renewing culling is unlikely to stop this decline, although it may slow the process.


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If you want to get insights into how Packers GM Ted Thompson approaches the NFL Draft, you need to check out the transcript from his press conference yesterday. Naturally, he isn't tipping his hand about who he might take or what he might specifically do come Saturday and Sunday. Of course, we already knew that he liked to trade down and accumulate picks. But beyond that...some interesting bits can be gleaned.
But rather than have me tell you about it, read it for yourself here.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
So this explains it
Posted by packrphan at 7:46 AM
Labels: draft, Ted Thompson


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The Grande Dame of the ballroom, Corrinne Blakely, has had a career in dancing for close to fifty years. She's seen, heard and experienced it all. Now she wants to tell all . . . .but, someone out there will do what it takes to keep that from happening. Unfortunately, when she keeled over at lunch, her dining companion was Maurice Goldberg, one of the instructors at Graysin Motion Dance Studio.
The studio owner, Stacy Graysin, is sad to hear of Corrine's passing but when she hears it was murder and that Maurice is the prime suspect, she knows she needs to start asking questions. Detective Lissy reminds Stacy what happened the last time. How could Stacy forget? She got shot and her studio was set on fire. Eh, minor details!
Things have been getting back to normal but she just can't let Maurice take the rap for something he didn't do. Besides, she needs Maurice at the studio. Corrine had quite the notorious life during her career including finding time for seven ex-husbands and one of them was Maurice. One of them must have had an axe to grind . . . . or not. Corrine didn't win so many competitions during her career without stepping on some toes.
Can Stacy dance her way around the numerous suspects and motives to find the right one before Maurice takes his last step on the dance floor?
What a fun series this one is becoming! I read the first book and really enjoyed it hoping the sequel would be just as good. It is! For cozy fans and for those who like to read a little behind the scenes in the dance world, this will be the perfect fit.
Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Berkley in exchange for my honest opinion.
Due to the ever so generous Penguin, I am able to offer a giveaway of one copy of this book. Open to US only. Be sure to leave an e mail address in your comment. Deadline to enter is June 13th at 5 PM (est). Bonus entries are as follows:
+4 for following on Networked blogs. Just remind me under what name.
+3 for blogging (sidebar is fine) or tweeting about the giveaway. Leave me a link, please.
If you cannot comment you can still enter by sending me an e mail with Dead Man Waltzing in the subject line. Include your name and e mail and send to florida982002[at]yahoo.com
Good luck!


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On Friday, the New York Times published an article about the ongoing effort to bring a memorial to Roosevelt Island for FDR in the form of a public park. I was quoted for two points (1) that the Louis Kahn design which calls for trees on both sides of the park will block the 360 degree views of Manhattan and Queens and (2) that the island would be inundated by visitors. This second point is what I want to address here as I did in my discussion with Mr. Beyer, the Times Reporter, as my point had a bit more to it than what was published.
Yes I am concerned about how many visitors might come to the island. I hope a lot of visitors come to the island and all stop by the local RIHS Visitors Center, the local Strabucks, Duane Reade and Nonnos as well as hopefully further North on Main Street. My concern is not whether the island can handle the increased visitors but more specifically whether our transportation infrstructure can.
In the coming year the Roosevelt Island Tram is scheduled to be taken off line for several months, some expect a year, to be basically reconstruct the entire Tramway system, from new cables, new cabins, new mechanical systems, everything. The question will be whether this new Tram and the existing subway service will be able to handle not only the increase in tourists but the continued residential expansion of the island.


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You may have no idea what I'm talking about or why this bothers me so much, and I totally understand why. It can be quite confusing.
Here's the definition of the CPSIA, according to this website:
The CPSIA stands for the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act which is a law that was enacted in August of 2008.
The stated purpose of this bill is to "establish consumer product safety standards and other safety requirements for children's products and to reauthorize and modernize the Consumer Product Safety Commission."
The CPSIA requires that all products intended for children under 12 are tested and certified as meeting the lead limits as set forth in the law. Phthalate testing is also required for toys intended for children under 12 or "child care articles" for children under three.
Basically, if you're a working mother, and you produce products for children under the age of 12, you need to have expensive third party testing done to make sure your products meet the required lead levels. The thing is, this isn't just directed at painted items, this is for all items. Even an item like a tutu that couldn't possibly contain any lead.
The idea behind this law was good. Remember back when Mattel had all of those toys recalled because of the high lead level content? This law was started to protect our kids from that. The problem is, this law is putting many working mothers out of business. When I stop selling these handmade items, I'm going to hurt my income severely. Most of these items are my biggest sellers, aside from blog designs. But our government views these handmade items as dangerous. And I can't afford the third party testing for each item, as it's outrageously priced!
That's not even the worst part! I found this article the other day that actually gives Mattel a pardon! They don't have to go through the third party testing. And they're the reason for the law in the first place! But, apparently, if one has enough money, one can buy off our government. Doesn't say much for the working mother struggling to put food on the table for her kids now, does it?
In all honestly, I don't understand everything about the CPSIA, but I know that it's affecting many working mothers and their income. The businesses that we should be supporting - WAHMs - are the ones being forced out because large companies can pull strings and get pardoned.
And, remember - grab the handmade products while you still can, because very soon they will no longer be available, unless we can get the government to change this law. Anyone have 3 billion dollars so that I can buy them off?


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The following are Disciples congregations in Delaware.
Bethany Beach Christian Church - Website
Interim Minister - Rev. Peter Maurer
Phone: 302 539-4118
Fax: 302-539-9034
E-mail: eMail Us
Mailing Address**:
P.O. Box 1484
Bethany Beach, Delaware 19930
**Physical address is 7 North Penn. Ave (Building #7 on the Christian Church Conference Center campus)
Get Map!