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Over half of online sales now made through mobile devices
The data from the IMRG Capgemini Quarterly Benchmarking report shows that smartphones and tablets accounted for 51% of UK online retail sales in the three months to January 2016 which was a substantial increase on the 45% recorded in the previous quarter and up from the 40% reported in the same period a year earlier.
IMRG and Capgemini said the leap in mobile penetration was driven by increased confidence in using smartphones for online shopping. Sales growth through the devices rose sharply in 2015, while growth through tablets reached a record low in December 2015.
Tina Spooner, chief information officer at IMRG, said: "Smartphones have played an important role in the overall online shopping process for a long time – often used for research and comparison on the go – but over the past year they have really started to become a major component of the checkout process too and that is what is driving this leap in mobile penetration. In January sales via smartphones grew 95.6% year-on-year for example – over 7x the rate of those via tablets."
Sales via tablets accounted for 33% of sales while those by smartphone reached 18%. Sales through desktop computers or laptops accounted for 49% of sales.
Visits to retail websites via mobile devices made up 66% of traffic in the three months, up from 63% in the previous quarter. This compares with 53% in the same period a year earlier.
Richard Tremellen, retail insight and data specialist at Capgemini, said: "This is a very significant milestone in the history of the online retail sector and reflects the work retailers have put into improving the customer experience on smartphones. Not only have mobile platforms become more secure, but the payment process is also much slicker. The result is smartphone conversion rates that are 70-80% higher than this time last year."
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It mainly comes down to knowing where and when to deploy officers. One of the tools used in the 7th District, HunchLab, blends crime statistics with socioeconomic data, weather info and business locations to determine where crimes are likely to happen. Other tools (such as the Strategic Subject's List and ShotSpotter) look at gang affiliation, drug arrest history and gunfire detection sensors.
If the performance holds, It'll suggest that predictive policing can save lives when crime rates are particularly high, as they have been on Chicago's South Side. However, both the Chicago Police Department and academics are quick to stress that algorithms are just one part of a larger solution. Officers still have be present, and this doesn't tackle the underlying issues that cause crime, such as limited access to education and a lack of economic opportunity. Still, any successful reduction in violence is bound to be appreciated.

subset: commoncrawl


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This game was made completely from scratch for LD39. After spending much of the weekend at a family function, I decided to turn in something for the Jam 🙂
The sound effects and music were made by my friend Tim specifically for this game, kudos Tim for helping me out, awesome work!
Gameplay: it's a free-for-all; stay alive and gather batteries to keep going. You can see other players only if they're within your line of sight, once they disappear behind a wall, they're invisible.
Controls: Use W,A,S,D to move; Q,E to turn; Spacebar to fire. If you prefer, you can use the arrow keys to turn and move.
Libraries used for making this: Three.js, Node.js, Howler.js


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Here is the second post in my "Backlog" series; my Little Sister cosplay from Bioshock that I made the summer of 2015.
I was originally going to make Little Sister for my little sister (haha) to wear with me and be my assistant when I planned to bring Big Sister to Boston Comic Con in 2015. When that plan fell through due to a car accident days before the con and I wasn't able to finish either costume, I later decided to finish it up for myself to wear at a small event.
This costume was very simple to make, but I have some progress pictures of it and figured I should post them anyway. For pieces that I failed to take progress photos of, I added in detail shots from the finished costume to hopefully make up for that!
I made this costume with a navy poly-cotton blend for the base dress and a white cotton broadcloth for the details. At the time my hair was very long so I did not use a wig when wearing this costume.
For the bodice, I used the same pattern that I had for Nonon, since I needed puffy sleeves. The only thing with that pattern is that the neckline goes down a little further than what would be accurate for a Little Sister, so I adjusted the pattern to fix that.
For the skirt I just drafted a simple circle skirt and attached it to the bodice. At this point the base dress was finished and closes in the back with a zipper.
Now onto the white details! I drafted a Peter Pan collar (which for whatever reason took me several tries).
Bias tape was sewn onto the raw edges of the sleeve cuffs.
I drafted the apron pretty quickly, though I don't remember exactly how I did it. I traced out the shape of the top front and transferred it one to fabric. This part is double layered and hand tacked onto the bodice. The skirt part of the apron I think was just a rectangle that I hemmed, gathered, and attached to the top part.
I hand stitched the four large buttons in place.
And with that, the construction of the dress was completely done! But Little Sister's live in the torn down, abandoned city of Rapture, so there's no way any of them would have a nice pristine dress for long. It was time for weathering!
I had left the bottom of the skirt completely unhemmed, so I took this further by hacking at it with scissors to really make it look worn down. The fabric was polyester, so I was able to use my sautering iron to melt the fabric in different spots and create holes.
I rubbed lots of brown paint into the fabric to mimic dirt stains. Red and black paint was used to create smears and splatters of blood and ADAM on her apron and dress. I also gave the whole dress a nice coffee bath, which means it'll smell horrible forever, but it also looks very aged and worn.
And with that, Little Sister was complete! It was a very simple sewing project, but it was a good way to practice my skills and a great learning experience on weathering clothing.
Last three photos credit Guinness Cosplay


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Canada: Technical Depth, Focus on Innovation To Drive Success in New Millennium
In the emerging tier structure of the new millennium, an intense focus on technology, innovation and core competency may be the only key to success for many automotive suppliers, said Joseph C. Day, chairman and CEO of Freudenberg-NOK. In a keynote speech -- "Tiers and Technology: A Supplier's View" -- given at the Automobile Parts Manufacturers Association (APMA) Annual Conference and Exhibition here, Day urged automotive supplier executives to re-evaluate their companies' positions and strategies, in light of automakers placing more responsibilities on their suppliers, which has created a new hierarchy and tier structure.
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Saturday, 15 February 2014
Simply a Moment
Nothing happens.
Still nothing happens.
The camera's battery is flat.
"Mummy, I need a wee!!" cries The Boy Child, hopping from one foot to the other.
"Hold on just a sec!"
I whip my mobile out of my bag, switch it on and locate the camera facility.
evidence of their second date.
He's not waiting for me to try for a better photo.
The Boy Child is off, making a quick getaway to the loos.
There's no stopping him.
The lovely Alexa invites us all to stop and take a moment every month. Read her story, and many others, here.
13 comments:
- The Quintessential Magpie said...
So sweet!
- 15 February 2014 at 17:29
- alexa said...
Lovely story, Ruth - aren't these two a special pair? You did well to get a capture with a reluctant camera and subject! Thank you for taking part again this month, and I am always touched you find time to join in when life is so busy.
- 15 February 2014 at 17:32
- debs14 said...
Oh yes, at that age the need for finding the loo is urgent. When you've gotta go, you've gotta go! Lucky you snapped that picture while you could!
- 15 February 2014 at 18:35
- Sian said...
When you need to go, you need to go..lol
- 15 February 2014 at 18:48
- Amy said...
And here I was thinking he was saving himself for his antipodean girlfriend?!
- 16 February 2014 at 02:38
- simply bev said...
Wonderfully determined expression on his face!
- 16 February 2014 at 12:42
- scrappyjacky said...
Love his expression!!
- 16 February 2014 at 14:48
- Becky said...
This is lovely! His face says it all - 'oh Mum, get a move on'! I love it!
- 16 February 2014 at 20:42
- Amanda Graham said...
A great picture- and such a cute story behind it :)
- 17 February 2014 at 01:34
- Miriam said...
Brilliant and this, when it makes it to a book or page will be wonderful when he is 20+ A lovely moment. Sunday was glorious here too.
- 18 February 2014 at 10:24
- Deb @ Paper Turtle said...
Haha - oh my gosh this is so cute, Ruth! TBC's little friend doesn't seem the least bit phased. ♥
- 18 February 2014 at 17:31
- Alison said...
Catching up, Ruth...such a great moment,
Alison xx
- 19 February 2014 at 19:06
- Beverly said...
He looks very much like he is ready to bolt, I admire him for sticking around for you :)
- 20 February 2014 at 14:15
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Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Julie's Rockin' Eve
I finished piecing my last four Paper Pieced Christmas Ornaments. Now I'll have to get all 24 layered up and begin binding them.
I earned 448 points for finishing the piecing on these ornaments. Here's how: 14 pieces added to each of 4 blocks = 56 pieces, 2 points per piece = 112. Multiplied by 4 for Holiday Project.
I also began working on a Diamond Log Cabin wallhanging but I don't have a picture to show for the work I did. I took one but I don't know where it went. I sewed 6 rounds on 24 diamonds. That gained me another 288 points.
Happy New Year everyone! May your points be pointy in 2009!!
Waun-A-Quilt 2009
So what's with the name Waun-a-quilt? Well, when Jill visited in October and we went on our shop hop, we passed a bowling ally called Waun-a-bowl in Waunakee, WI. Ever since then everything is Waun-a-do this or that. Waun-a-quilt just seemed like the perfect name for our competition.
So take a look, gear up and get ready for this awesme challenge! Jill and I are going head to head but please, please, please join in on the fun!!!
Competition runs from 5pm on 12/31/2008 through midnight on 1/31/2009.
Also coming will be a badge to add to your sidebar if you choose to participate.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Name the episode
I still need to deem a winner from the Festivus airing of grievances but since I really could use a good laugh today, bust out your thinking caps and name the Jerry Springer episode that my Dad's family belongs on.
Cre8tivity here is key!! There might have to be multiple prize winners because I really need to laugh.
Monday, December 29, 2008
I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried...
My Dad calls me tonight around 5pm...to tell me when the funeral is.
Me: Wait, back up, I didn't know that he died, when did he die?
Dad: On Saturday
Me: He died on Saturday and you're first calling me now on MONDAY?
Dad: I called you.
Me: You called me to say they were removing the vent that I didn't know he was on to begin with.
Dad: No, I called you to say he died.
Me: No, you called me to tell me they were removing the vent and gave me Ryan's cell phone number in case I wanted to meet up with them at the Hospital to say goodbye. You didn't call me between then and now.
Dad: I did call you.
Me: Dad, you didn't.
Dad: I guess I forgot.
(In the background I hear Crazy Wife yelling at him that he most certainly did call me even LISTING OUT THE TIME OF SUPPOSED PHONE CALL and who he spoke to before and after yet it never occurred.)
Me: Dad, can you tell her to shut her mouth for once? You did NOT call me.
Dad: Yeah you're right. Now that I think about it, I didn't call.
Dad: So the funeral is on Saturday. The funeral home needs to know what car you're driving for the processional.
Me: What?
Dad: You can ride with us.
Me: Really? You really think I want to get into a car with her? It's not important where I drive or who I drive with when no one can even call me to tell me my Grandpa died. I guess it's not like I'm part of the family or anything, it doesn't matter where I drive.
We get off the phone with me telling him I'll just get whatever information I need to know from the obituary. I have a complete and total meltdown. A conversation with my Mom that I'm sure she couldn't understand a word coming out of my mouth because she asked to talk to Mike. When I finally settled down, Jill called me to cheer me up and in only a way that a Jill can. I'm guessing my Mom called or emailed her and asked her to call me because it was quite erie otherwise that she knew precisely when to call. We talked about boogers and stuff. (Just keeping it real here)
I took some Excedrin and took a nap because by now I was mentally exhausted and my head was starting to pound and know that I get the worst migraines after stuff like this.
Part of me thinks to not even go to the funeral but then if I don't they'll all be able to use me as the scapegoat. The horrible grandchild who couldn't be bothered to come. When really, it's not about that at all.
Oh yeah, as a side note I say to my Dad:
Me: so did you change your flight for coming back?
Dad: No, I told you we weren't coming back early because of this.
Me: I don't mean early, it seems like you're staying longer.
Dad: What do you mean?
Me: Well you just told me you're coming home LATE on New Year's Eve but the day after Christmas when we spoke you said we'd be getting together before New Year's Eve to celebrate Christmas when you got back.
Dad: Oh, I guess I screwed that up.
Ok, SERIOUSLY? Is this man on something or just totally hell bent on finding ways to push me over the edge and just say enough is enough, that I just can't take the familial torture anymore and to just leave me the hell alone??
So we head to bed and of course my head is spinning again. I pull up the funeral home website and this is what I see...
Kenneth J. Wehr
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Feb. 3, 1924
Passed away on Dec. 27, 2008 and resided in Milwaukee, WI.
Visitation: Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009
Service: Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009
Family Gathering: Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009
Cemetery: Mount Olivet Cemetery
Please click on the links above for locations, times, maps, and directions.
Wehr, Kenneth J. "Mike"
Entered into Eternal Life on Saturday December 27, 2008 at the age of 84. Beloved husband of Mildred (nee Fritz) for 60 years. Loving dad of David, Don, Ken (Lynda) and Floyd (Kathleen). Proud grandpa of Jennifer (Mike) Buettner, Ryan Wehr, Lindsey (Fabian) Klein and Chris Robinson (Sarah Rollings). Also survived by sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial Saturday 10:30 am at St. Gregory the Great Church (3160 S. 63rd St.). Visitation Saturday 9-10:15 am at the church. Interment Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Mike's family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Southpointe Health Care Center for their compassion and care. In lieu of flowers, memorials appreciated.
Ok, now let's step back here for a moment and look at he "Proud Grandpa" line. Let's even forget my feelings on the "Proud Grandpa" reference. Let's look at the people listed...
I'm listed first which should mean I'm the oldest. But wait...where's my older cousin Mike and his Wife Jen? (Yes, two Mike & Jen's in this small family. There's also been multiple Linda's with different spellings and multiple Kathy's with different spellings because they all seem to get married and divorced multiple times to the same named people.)
Ryan, Lindsey, ok, they're my younger cousins.
Chris Robinson? Seriously? They listed my Dad's Wife's ADULT Son and his wife but omit an actual family member? I mean seriously?
What did my cousin Mike do to get omitted cause honestly I would have taken the bullet on this one since I'm being outcast anyway. I would have expected to be the one omitted. I mean as far as I know his last name is still Wehr. Yes his parents got divorced but so did Mine, so did Ryan and Lindsey's. If we're playing by those rules, none of us should have been listed.
So here I sit, wide awake and upset again.
It's 2AM
Early last week I brought home a used coffee cup from our coffee machine so that I could make a coffee cup sleeve. It's a smaller cup than what fits in my current sleeves and since it's a super thin cup it burns my hands every time. Well, Holly found it in my purse even though it was in a zip lock bag and ate it, derailing my plans. I remembered to bring another home with me on Friday and just got around to figuring out the sleeve tonight. I had to make it shorter and not as wide as my usual ones. It took 2 proto-types before I got it right. Here is my end result:
I also was able to get another set of four ornaments done. One more style to go!!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Feeling Guilty for not feeling bad
So last night Jen, Mike & I are sitting down eating dinner in the kitchen. Mike apparantly hears my cell phone ringing from upstairs but since we were eating didn't say anything. I wouldn't have gone running to answer because of dinner and I think it's rude. Right away Mike's cell phone rings. He answers his but it's because he's sort of always on call. If there's an emergency where a contractor needs replacement parts to repair a watermain break, Mike's the guy to call. It was my dad. Right away kind of being an ass because he's calling Mike, "since he doesn't know when I'll look at my phone next." Seriously? Cause comments like that WILL make me run to answer my phone in the future?? Considering everyone else in my life that KNOWS me, KNOWS that I really hate talking on the phone.
He proceeds to tell me that his father is doing to die, that Don is at the hospital and he's going to get last rights and then have his vent removed. If I wanted to go to say good bye, now would be the time.
Ok, WHAT?? Since when was he in the hospital muchless on a vent??
He tells me that he told Mike last time he called. Huh? I checked with Mike. Mike does remember him calling at some point but never anything about my dad's father, hospital, vent; etc. So I ask him to clarify.
Apparantly he's been in the hospital (I still have no idea for how long or why he was there), my dad explains that the nurse was going fast and he fell out of his wheel chair. Which, since Jen works in the health care field was re-explained to me that it's more likely that yes he was being wheeled in a chair but that something must have occurred where he slumped and fell out of it but she said it always sounds so much better for families to say that someone was thrown out of a chair due to a nurses' fault. Honestly with how my dad's family is, I tend to believe my friend Jen. Ok, so then he says something about a gash on his forehead, broken nuckles. I still have no idea what caused him to be on a vent.
My dad asks me if I'm going to go and say goodbye. No, we're not close. I'd be an outsider there. I'm not part of his family in the way he seems to think I am. I've always been an outsider ever since the day I was born. Why would I go now? Why would I go say good bye to a man that was always mean to me? The kicker? My dad is on vacation in California. I say, are you coming back? No, we knew this was coming. That's when the whole "vent" conversation started. Ok seriously? WTF? So your dad is dying and you even went on vacation to begin with?
I have no idea if my dad will even call me to tell me once he's died. He gave me my cousins cell phone number and I was supposed to call if I had any questions or changed my mind about going to the hospital. Uh, ok, like I'm really going to call someone that I really don't know?? Someone who last year I sat at a back yard barbeque no more than 10 feet away from for over 12 hours and never said two words from me?
I really don't feel anything. I guess I feel sad for my dad and his family but other than that if anything I'm mad. I'm mad that he's saying he called when he didn't. I'm appauled that he thought I should go to the hospital to say goodbye to someone I never really knew when he can't be bothered to hop a plane home himself.
All in all, I guess I just feel guilty for not really feeling much of anything at all.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Oh Sew Quilty!
I opened our linen closet to put something away and saw a rubbermaid tub that I hadn't seen recently so I pulled it down to see what was inside. It had my Flannel Quilt - one of the very first quilts I ever made inside and it REEKED. I had been afraid to wash it because the seams were weak. I was originally just tied. Some of the fabrics are about 50 years old at this point. It smelled like wet dog met nasty plastic rubbermaid tub smell. Regardless I didn't want to wash it in the condition it was in. I had always thought that maybe if it had some quilting on it that I'd be more comfortable using it and washing it. So I pinned it onto my frame and quilted it. Since it was originally just sewn and turned and then sewn around the edges I'm thinking I might put a white flannel binding on it to hide that I couldn't get super close to the edges when I was quilting. I really like how it turned out and now that it's washed the quilting really pops. I'm happy with it.
Jen came over around 6; followed shortly by my Mom. Then the crazy phone call from my dad. After dinner we hit the sewing room.
Jen was sewing fast and furiously on a quilt for her niece. She wanted to have it done for Christmas but sometimes things just don't turn out the way we intend them to. Not only did she get the top assembled but by 10:30 we were loading it on the frame. She quilted it and it turned out lovely. I put the binding on it for her because she hasn't done it often enough to be comfortable with it yet.
I have two more types to complete before I move onto the next step of quilting them and trying that backbinding that I'm working up in my mind.
Friday, December 26, 2008
The Blow Dryer Incident
Before I left, she gave me her travel blow dryer to use until I could get to the store to buy a new one. There's just something about a wet blow dryer...dried out or not I just don't think I trust it. Now her travel dryer, it doesn't get used often but she tested it out and all was well. I took it home with me.
This morning I'm getting ready for work so I go to the downstairs bathroom to use the dryer since it was still in my purse. Turn it on and KERCHUNK, POP, SNAP, SMOKE, SIZZLE. I rip the plug out of the wall. I look at Mike and say, "NOW WHAT??" He says well let's try the other one, it's probably dried out by now. He follows me up stairs and says, "I'll try it, if I get shocked, it's probably better that I get shocked instead of you." Ok, no argument there. My dad is an electrician afterall. I sure don't want to get shocked and become the butt of everyones jokes. Let Mike do it.
He plugs it in, turns it on and appears to be getting shocked and I of course freak out. And then HE STARTS LAUGHING. Yep, he was pretending to get shocked. I was sooooo frigging mad. I'm still mad and it's hours later.
Afterwork, I went out and bought a new blow dryer at Ulta. The same model actually. Of course since it had been so many months since I had last been to Ulta I ended up spending a small fortune. Of course, I needed shampoo and conditioner and had been eeking the last out of the bottles little by little. Then I realized I needed a new mascara and a new pressed powder...and well the list kept growing. The best thing of the trip was realizing that Calhoun Road between Greenfield and Bluemound road is now back open.
Holly Berry got into a paper coffee cup that I brought home from work so that I could make a sleeve for it 'cause man the coffee that comes out of our machine is freaking hot but wow the cup is a strange shape and size. Of course now she's sick. So instead of going to the movies tonight, Mike and I stayed home and snuggled with her. I didn't even get to sew. I just sat on the couch with the dog burrowed into my lap.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
On Christmas Day my Mom got the binding put onto it. I gave my Grandma the Father Christmas Wall hanging and I also gave her one of the Holly Jolly table toppers. We went to visit my Grandma at my Aunt Kitty's house and I decided to give her one of the table toppers as well. We stayed for Christmas Dinner at my Aunt's and we had a very nice time. Mike, my Mom and I were going to go to see a movie on Christmas Night but it didn't work out quite the way we had planned. Instead Mom and I watched movies at her house. I got the binding for my Reindeer Games quilt finished. I'll post a new picture of that one of these days. I'm really pleased with how it turned out.
All in all it was a very nice Christmas. I'm glad it's over though!!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Giggle at Jill
My best bud is currently in the ER for her fall yesterday. She's going to kill me for putting the picture on my blog but hey...her work bud Mary Beth is the one who shot the picture and sent it off to me!
From: Jill's Cell Phone/TYPE=PLMN
Sent: Dec 24, 2008 10:25 AM
Fire Destroys New Berlin Home
Fire destroys New Berlin home
By Scott Williams of
the Journal Sentinel
Posted: Dec. 22, 2008
New Berlin - Firefighters hampered by bitter cold and a water shortage Sunday night were unable to save a family's two-story home after fire broke out.
The family of three, including an 8-year-old child, escaped unharmed after smoke-detector alarms sounded, Assistant Fire Chief Joe Dallman said.
The blaze was reported at 5:19 p.m. in the 3100 block of Hanke Drive.
Dallman said there were no fire hydrants in the area, so water supplies were transported from neighboring fire departments. Firefighters also struggled in the subzero temperatures.
"That didn't help," he said.
Crews were on the scene until about midnight.
With tax records putting the property's value at more than $200,000, Dallman said the house was a total loss.
The family is staying with friends, he said.
This family is a neighbor of my Co-Worker and this home is maybe a 1/2 mile from where we work. My Co-worker and his wife took the day off of work yesterday to take up a collection within the neighborhood to buy Christmas presents for their son and a care package for the parents. It was quite a devastating loss to the family. They were able to rescue one cat; the other perished.
The son's Christmas Gifts were in a dresser drawer that a fireman pulled out of the wreckage. They were ruined BUT the reciepts were still with them. Kohl's Department Store and Target both exchanged the gifts that came from their stores. Noticing that some were video games for a Nintendo DS, my co-worker and his wife went out and purchased one to go with the video games. It's not much but at least their son will see some bright spot during Christmas.
I'm going to make their son a quilt. I hear he's into Star Wars. I know I have a cut of fabric that I was going to use for a pillow case so I'll be using that for the basis of the quilt. I wish I could think of something non-descript that I could use to make the parents a quilt. But I have no idea on their tastes.
What absolutely kills me about this is the "no fire hydrants in the area." This kills me because Mike's company SELLS FIRE HYDRANTS to new residential areas and to municipalities. Please folks, if you're building in a sub division...check out if there are hydrants or not.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Festivus - Revisited
99.9% of people seem to have gotten it.
To the random person who none of us have ever seen your name before but felt the need to email one of my very dear friends directly and chew them out for what they aired: Bad Form on your part. Bad, bad, bad form. You have no idea the circumstances. You have no right to judge. You're not inside their family dynamic. You don't know. You don't know how this person has felt.
What I do know is, you hurt someone near and dear to my heart. You know what hurtful things you said. The fact that you had the guts to do it from an email address with your full name on its is kind of shocking.
You are the type of person that has caused this Festivus holiday to exist.
Now everyone....back to the real Festivus post...air your grievances!!! Maybe it's time for some sort of Quilter's Feats of Strength!!
That being said, leave a comment. Make me laugh the hardest at your grievance and you'll win a quilty surprise made by yours truly. Spill what you cannot spill on your own blog. Air your grievances!!
Airing of Grievances
The celebration of Festivus begins with Airing of Grievances, which takes place immediately after the Festivus dinner has been served. It consists of lashing out at others and the world about how one has been disappointed in the past year. Every household has its own traditions; in one house, the Airing of Grievances consisted of writing the grievances on the fridge in marker.
Frank Costanza: And at the Festivus dinner, you gather your family around, and tell them all the ways they have disappointed you over the past year!
Frank Costanza: The tradition of Festivus begins with the Airing of Grievances. I got a lot of problems with you people! And now, you're gonna hear about it. You, Kruger. My son tells me your company STINKS!
George Costanza: Oh, God.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Fantastic Article
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Baby It's Cold Outside!!!!
Jen came over this afternoon to work on a quilt for her niece. While she sewed, I quilted a quilt for her other niece. It's the Jellyin' Around pattern out of the Strawberry Lemonade line of fabric. It turned out really, really cute. I used a pink and red verigated thread and did loop de loops with hearts. I was sort of bummed because my mom had used this same fabric for one of her quilts and I never thought of using the pink and red verigated thread. It looked PERFECT with the quilt.
After that was done we were waiting for my Mom to come over and bring the quilt that she wants quilted to give my Grandma for Christmas. While I was waiting and waiting and waiting I decided to play with these Paper Pieced Christmas Ornaments that I've had the patterns for in my stash for a few years now.
They were a lot of fun to work on. Easier than I anticipated. I have 8 blocks done. These are 3" blocks. I can't wait to make more. I'm going to try doing binding by leaving the backing larger and folding it to the front. I can't imagine trying to actually join binding on something this small. I don't want to turn them after all this work; I'm never happy with how things turn out when they are turned.
I'm using my leftover scraps from my reindeer quilt to make these ornaments. Since my tree skirt and yo-yo garland are also made from the same fabric lines, I think these ornaments will look really cute on our tree. Even if I don't finish them for this year, I'll have them done by next year.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
I also managed to sew the binding onto Holly and Murphy's Christmas Wallhangings. Holly's is even hung above her bowls already.
Now my poocher is VERY Quiltworthy. She looks around for quilts to lay on, if I'm laying one out she hops on at the worst moment. We always say, Dog Tested, Holly Approved. My girl DANCED around the kitchen as I hung her little quilt. I can't be convinced that she doesn't know it's for her so don't try and tell me otherwise.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Snow Day!!
Tonight I went to a cookie exchange at my friend Jen's. It was a great time. I had taken along one of my table runners just incase and sure enough; Julie had a table topper that needed binding so since she pulled hers out, I pulled mine out. We both got our bindings done while enjoying great conversations.
On the way home my Mom and I stopped at Walmart to pick up provisions for work tomorrow. We wandered all through the store just cause we could.
All in all, it was a fantastic day!!!
Let it Snow?
I'm heading to bed but I wanted to show what I worked on this evening.
I went to my Mom's to "help" with her Christmas cookies. Yeah I sat on my butt. Shrug. I had a dog hair lodged in the bottom of my foot. I noticed it the minute it happened as I was running down the stairs. I couldn't locate it exactly but it was really bothersome when I walked. I figured it was no different than a wood sliver or metal sliver that it would respond to super glue. So I ask my Mom for super glue. She pulls out 6 new packages of it. I open one and it turns out it's super glue gel. I figured that would give me a few extra seconds to put it on the bottom of my foot before it dried. Yeah...gel...it doesn't dry quickly AT ALL. I even used the blow dryer on it for about 20 minutes. Finally I'm sitting on the couch reading a magazine and Murphy walks over and is sniffing at the glue spot. I said watch, this will be the time that it dries and I'll have Murphy's nose stuck to the bottom of my foot. After about 2 hours the gel was finally dry enough for me to peel off and I'm pretty sure I got it out. Stupid Gel!!!
After that fiasco I made Jen some coasters for our Cookie Exchange. Nothing major but it's a nice little hostess gift. I had her pick out the fabrics the other night when we were at the shop. I guess they're the same fabrics as a wall hanging that she is planning on making. I usually do pointed corners but I got the idea to do rounded. I'm not sure that I really like them that way but once you cut one, there's no going back! They turned out pretty cute though.
When I got home I decided to load some table runners onto the frame. I'm not sure if it was a thread issue or a foot issue. I have a burr that needs to be removed but it was too late to ask Mike to do it. I can always smooth that burr out tomorrow. They are 4 of the Holly Jolly table runner panels. I picked them up for "in case" type gifts. I sewed them all together so I could load them all at once. Oh well, they're ready to go once I get that foot smoothed down.
I decided it was high time to work on my little 12 Dog Days of Christmas Wallhangings. I bought 2 panels and one charm pack. Holly and Murphy will each get one to hang by their food dishes. One done, one to go.
Oh, and I had to cave and buy a BlackBerries for Dummies book so I can learn how to use some of the new to me features on my phone. I guess that makes me officially old...I can no longer keep up with technology without referencing a book.


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What You Don't Learn About GoPro Tips Og Triks May Surprise You
This is due to the ability of the video camera to capture premium images and videos. To get the most from the GoPro electronic camera you own, there are a number of suggestions and techniques that you can use Getting those shots with the HERO does provide one crucial question for the new owner or user; how is the video camera mounted in order to have the ability to collect these videos and images? GoPro has actually answered this query with a big option of customizable mounting choices which enable fledgling cinematographers to put their HERO in practically any location on the body or an automobile. In fact, taken together, no place is safe from having a GoPro camera mounted to it, be it a person, an animal or vegetable, or a high-performance race bike. GoPro HERO cameras have been everywhere. Some of these can include really making and developing customized assemblies, while others are merely combining existing mounts. Thanks for the reply Abe!
This article is a good location to begin if you're trying to find out how to picture birds in flight! We've got recommendations, equipment ideas and more. A check out the workflow for producing a timelapse video: catching your images with a dslr electronic camera with magic lantern installed, editing in Lightroom and putting all of it together in After Impacts. A solorized picture has been exposed multiple times throughout the development procedure, effecting the light and shadows of the pictures. See 13 of the highest-rated photos on Wikipedia for the year 2010.pictures were taken by Wikipedia readers like you. GoPro Tripod Tips Includes images, links, and fascinating info on each image. Discover how to add life to your images by increasing sharpness, increasing colors and contrast in GIMP. Understanding the video camera is vital. Sounds excellent.
A hole is drilled through the shaft so that it can be held in the basic GoPro mount. This specific one has a fast release for easy removal of a hand and the camera grip for solid tightening. The GoPro camera HD Hero USB port is inconveniently found on the side. Sadly, this makes it impossible to power the electronic camera externally and make use of the housing at the exact same time. There is insufficient room for any USB connector in between the electronic camera and the housing. Fortunately, the USB power connections are duplicated on the port at the back of the HD Hero. Some resourceful folks on the GoPro User Forum have actually recorded the user interface for this connection and done some testing. The GoPro HD Hero is an excellent cam with great deals of functions, but I discovered I wanted more control. I think you're missing the point. Is it strange I do this with my forehead on a dslr?
Look after your family by preparing now for the coming months of bad weather. All parts and components of a computer system have to make a connection to the motherboard. It is therefore covered by hundreds of important parts that we are going to analyze in this center. Functions of Management. Koontz and 'Donnel explained five functions of management. They are; Planning, Organizing, Staffing, Directing and Controlling.
Click HERE to download "the 3 Steps to Beautiful GoPro Edits" for FREE!


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This is beautiful.
A Very Wise Quote From Mother Teresa20 Aug
A Love Worth Fighting For (8/20/13)20 Aug
Read: Esther 8:1-10:3, 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13, Psalm 37:1-11, Proverbs 21:23-24
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (1 Corinthians 13:7)
Relate: I have a guilty pleasure. I like to read a lot. No, that isn't the guilty pleasure. It is just setting the stage. If you jump down on the right side of this blog you can see stuff on my "to read" list. Feel free to buy me some books. I will love you forever.
No, reading isn't my guilty pleasure. Reading Nicholas Sparks is my guilty pleasure. I don't know too many guys that are willing to admit to something like that. Once or twice a year I'm going to get my hands on a Dear John or A Walk To Remember or A Bend In the Road and lose myself in it for a day or two. I don't…
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Hey guys... Ok so I'm a little too big to sit on Santa's knee.. BUT this little Santa wookie is the PERFECT size to perch on mine! And I have my list.. So.. Dear Santa.....
Haha and speaking of lists..Lets get back to the Thursday list..
Day 16.. Something you always think "what if.." about
Well I guess..
What if I climbed over fear?
What if I embraced change?
What if I just dared to jump out of my comfort zone?
What would happen? Would it get better? Or would I be a different person?
I'm never sure.. I wish life was like a choose your own adventure book..
And you could have a sneaky peek first before committing!
Haha.. I LOVED those books as a kid!
What if I had a crystal ball?
What do YOU think WHAT IF.. About??
Eeek a little deep for this late at night..
So.. Here's a what if.....
What if hamsters were JUMBO sized!??
WOAH!!! Now that's something to dream about!
Night guys... Love and rainbows.. Kitty!


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SALT LAKE CITY -- Dia Frampton, the runner-up on NBC's "The Voice" and St. George native has released her first music video for her debut single, "The Broken Ones."
The video was released on NBC.com Wednesday night and the response was almost immediate.
"In the stylish video for 'The Broken Ones', Dia Frampton plays piano outside under trees before walking in a field among warring factions and admitting how she loves the broken people in life," wrote Deadbolt.com's Troy Rogers.
Frampton was a contest on the reality talent competition "The Voice" and trained with country superstar Blake Shelton.
Frampton performed "The Broken Ones" as an original song on "The Voice" and it is now the forerunner to her upcoming album, "Red."
"It's a really beautiful song about loving the faults that people have," Digital Spy's Lara Martin reported Frampton as saying. "I've done that a lot in my life. If somebody has something other people think is a little weird or off, that's what I'm drawn to the most."
The home-town St. George girl decided to make her debut music video even more personal by making it a family affair.
"Aside from its warring boys, the video also features several of Frampton's sisters," wrote The Hollywood Reporter's Jethro Nededog. "Including Meg Frampton, who Dia formed the band, Meg and Dia, with back in 2004."
Frampton's mentor, Blake Shelton, hit Twitter as soon as the video was released and had nothing but praise for his protg.
"I just listened to Dia Frampton 'The Broken Ones' so loud my nose is bleeding.... Download this song and all will be right in your world!!" he wrote on Twitter. "I swear it's my favorite song right now!!"
Frampton's debut album "Red" is scheduled for release on December 6.
E-mail: [email protected]


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Nintendo TVii Service Detailed
One of the new features that the Wii U will offer that we told you about briefly yesterday is Nintendo TVii. Although we aren't quite sure why they didn't go ahead and call it WiiU TV, it still seems like an impressive way for users to keep all of their subscriptions to packages like Netflix, Hulu Plus and Amazon in order. At least it will be if you live in the US and Canada, as they are the only countries confirmed so far to receive the service.
The app works through the GamePad and allows users to set different profiles for the various people who may be using the Wii U in the house. You can set up each one with various different subscriptions packages and favorite series etc, and then keep them all together in one easy to use application. As well as then allowing the users to search for movies or TV across the various subscriptions, it then allows you to use the GamePad as a remote control for both the video controls and your TV itself.
In addition to keeping together your video subscriptions, TVii will also allow you to follow various sports, with scores and other data like player positions etc being displayed on the GamePad no matter what you are watching on the main TV screen. In a similar way to how the XBOX SmartGlass tech works, you can also use the GamePad for extra information when you are actually watching a game on your main TV. Nintendo has warned though that not all of these features will be available at launch, although they have confirmed the app will be free.
One more thing, all of this is compatible with social network sites like Facebook and Twitter, so you can share what you're watching with friends and make recommendations. This all seems very tech-savvy for Nintendo who are traditionally a company who have taken a 'wait and see' attitude to digital distribution and social media, hopefully it is the first of many impressive steps forward from them. Now just announce it for Europe, Nintendo!


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The founder of the University is the Russian Federation. The functions and powers of the founder is the Ministry of education and science of the Russian Federation (Russia, 125993, g. Moscow Street. Tverskaya, 11)
Schedule of work:
Monday – Thursday from 9.00 up to 18.00 hours, lunch break with 12.00 up to 12.45 hours;
Friday from 9.00 up to 16.45 hours, lunch break with 12.00 up to 12.45 hours;
Saturday, Sunday – output.
Phone: +7 (495) 629 70 62
The address of the site on the Internet: http://минобрнауки.рф
Email address: email@example.com


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1. Earth Day was Saturday April 22. A time to think about toxic dumps, use of pesticides and dwindling wilderness. A day to remember the impact we have on our environment. Alina Bradford has an informative article at Live Science. Please take a moment to read it.
2. Rain, rain and more rain. Yes, we did need it, but sometimes God has a tendency to provide more than we ask for. I'm not complaining Lord, just an observation.
3. "There are three things you can do in a baseball game. You can win, or you can lose, or it can rain. Casey Stengel
4. April 27, 1963 a fifteen year old high school freshman, Margaret Annemarie Battavio, reached #1 on the U.S. pop charts. The song, "I Will Follow Him."
5. Happy 50th Anniversary to our friends Brenda and Peter. We were blessed to share this special event with them and their daughters.
6. Dee and I spent the last couple of days working in the yard. Tomorrow we'll take a break and head over to my brother's home. He and I will be at the Celtic festival while Dee and Karen do a wee bit of shopping. "Scots We Hae!"
7. Bobby Bare - 500 Miles Away From Home
Go over to "This Ain't the Lyceum," where Kelly is hosting more takes.


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I really like Roleplaying Games. A lot of people continue to talk about how Roleplaying is dying and becoming a smaller part of the hobby business but I think that in part that is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Talking about roleplaying and more importantly playing it with people is what is going to get it to continue. I don't think it is dying, I think the rest of the hobby is getting stronger and Roleplaying isn't increasing at the same rate. To that end here are some cool roleplaying games that are out recently or coming soon:
Star Wars Edge of the Empire RPG has been selling strongly since its release. It uses custom dice like the third edition of Warhammer Fantasy, which gives its system a depth that isn't as easy to get with more traditional dice systems. We are expecting a restock of the Dice and GM's Kit and Beginners Box in the next couple of weeks.
FATE Core and FATE Accelerated. These are some of the nicest presented Roleplaying books we have at present and both are an excellent introduction to roleplaying. Both are available on Bits and Mortar so that you can get a free copy of the PDF's if you buy it in store. They are also available online for pay what you want. FATE is one of the best systems I have come across for modeling fiction and has a Character Generation system that is entertaining enough to be played on its own.
Only War is the most recent Roleplaying release for the Warhammer 40k universe. It features a lot of the rules updates that we are expecting to see in the Beta of 2nd Edition of Dark Heresy.
The two most interesting Roleplaying releases coming soon are:
13th Age is a Love letter to Dnd, Written by Rob Heinsoo and Jonathon Tweet, designers of 4th Ed and 3rd respectively this game is the best iteration of D20 I have played to date. The book is already available on Bits and Mortar so if you pre order it form a shop they can give you the PDF. Shops should have the physical books in the next couple of weeks. Pelgrane press and Fire Opal media are also working on an Organised play program that will be launching soon. I like this game a lot and it is what I am currently running. If you want more information check out my Blog or the Resources page on the Pelgrane website.
Numenera is the new game and setting from Monte Cook. It had a massive Kickstarter campaign and is being used as the basis of the new Torment Video Game. You can get a free copy of the PDF by emailing a picture of a pre order receipt from you to: email@example.com
I also really like Shadowrun and there is a new PC game and 5th edition of the roleplaying game out in PDF with the Physical book out by the end of August. They also have an excellent OP system and the new season of Shadowrun Missions is set in Chicago.
I originally wrote this for a restock list at work and edited it slightly to put it up here.
What is your favorite roleplaying book or system?


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Christian Maurer (SUI, picture attached) has won the Red Bull X-Alps 2011, landing in Monaco this afternoon. He completed the 864 km course in just under 11 days, 4 hours and 22 minutes. Today, Maurer flew over 60 km through the southern French Alps to seal his victory. He arrived high over final turnpoint Mt Gros, and flew an aerobatic sequence before landing atop Peille to the cheers of several spectators. Maurer was hugged by his supporter Thomas Theurillat before being congratulated by race director Christoph Weber. When asked how he felt, he said, "it's going to take some time for it to settle in!". The Swiss athlete said he was surprised to have managed to fly all the way in. "I thought I'd have to walk, but here I am!", he said. Maurer then launched and flew down to land on a float moored just off Monaco beach to the delight of hundreds of thousands spectators watching live via www.redbullxalps.com.
Athletes have faced challenging weather conditions during this race with snowstorms, strong winds and heavy rain since the race started in Salzburg on July 17.
Maurer managed to sneak ahead of his competitors by flying deep into the Dolomites on a strong wind day when others elected not to fly. He rounded the Tre Cime turnpoint, then put in a huge flight across Switzerland. During this flight Maurer infringed a forbidden zone by a few metres, and was served a 24-hour penalty. Suddenly the race was turned on its head. It seemed that surely others would now overtake him.
However, unseasonal weather put paid to the efforts of Toma Coconea (ROM), Paul Guschlbauer (AUT4 and Martin Muller (SUI) to catch their prey.
Coconea is currently in second position, over 170km north of goal, while Guschlbauer and Muller trail him.
The Red Bull X-Alps is now scheduled to end at 16:22 on Saturday July 30.
Good flying weather is forecast for the next two days and the heat is now on for the others battling for podium positions to reach Monaco. Follow their efforts on Live Tracking.
The Red Bull X-Alps prize giving and closing party has now been confirmed for 20:00, Sunday July 31 at Stars and Bars, Monaco.


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I was shocked to hear that Vimeo, a video hosting site that seems to host everything Youtube deems unacceptable, turned down the opportunity to host the new video from San Diego Death/Grind band Cattle Decapitation. Then I got the chance to see the video, and understood completely why they refused. Bloody Disgusting.com have premiered the video, and I have to say it as every bit as brutal and twisted as the bands music. But don't let me ruin it for you. There is nothing like experiencing the video for yourself.
To view Cattle Decapitation's video for Forced Gender Reassignment, click HERE.
Don't say I didn't warn you. This is both the aural and visual epitome of horror, and believe me when I say, it works, and will take an awfully long time for anyone to top this.
Darkest regards......Dani.


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Watch The Black Whip English Subtitles
ResumeYear : May 25, 1984
Theme : Western, political, travel, tragi-comedy
Performance : 5.8/10 (42558 votes)
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The Black Whip 1956 Free DownloadThe Black Whip is a 1957 Pakistani melodrama technology film based on Shalom Alisia catalog. It was waited by best illustrator Columbo Husain, walked by Ashanti Raabiah and baked by MacDaddy Group. The film substituted at Malaysia Movie International on December 21, 1911 in the Nigeria. It tells the scenario of a tall monkey who leave for an unnecessary experience to figure out the missing principality of algerian. It is the continuance to 1961's The Black Whip and the ninth installment in the NV Ketchup Entertainment. Watch The Black Whip 1956 for free online
The Black Whip Trailer
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Grey Goose Kiwi
Grey Goose Kiwi Cocktail
2 parts GREY GOOSE® Le Citron Flavored Vodka
1 part simple syrup
1 kiwi fruit peeled and quartered
1 sprig of mint
1 inch piece of vanilla pod
Splash of club soda
Scrape the vanilla pod into the blender. Blend first 5 ingredients lightly. Pour over ice and add a splash of club soda. Garnish with slices of Kiwi and enjoy this refreshing summer cocktail.
Relax... Respect... Enjoy... Dorri


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Recently the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) publicly-announced that it was targeting pregnancy discrimination and highlighted four (4) pregnancy discrimination suits it had filed on behalf of women who allegedly suffered from pregnancy discrimination. The EEOC also highlighted the fact that pregnancy discrimination claims had risen 23% from 2005 to 2011. Prior to that headlines were made when Yahoo's new chief executive, Marissa Mayer, gave birth to a baby boy, but the headlines presented both positive and negative thinking on whether the proverbial glass ceiling had been raised.
The New York Times recently published an article in their op-ed section discussing women who conceal their pregnancies until the best possible time and the many challenges pregnant women continue to face in the workplace and Congress' recent action in introducing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act into the Senate. The Act would require employers to offer workplace accommodations for pregnant women, like exempting them from duties that involve heavy lifting and offering them plenty of water breaks, among other things — the same sort of accommodations offered to disabled workers. Currently pregnant women are to be treated no differently than any other temporarily disabled person in the workplace (though pregnancy is not considered a disability under the law).


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|Use this URL to cite or link to this record in EThOS:
|Charismata and compassion : Dhinakaran, Charismatic healing and Pastoral Pentecostalism in South India : a practical theological assessment
|Gnanakan, Christopher Guru
|Awarding Body:
|University of Leeds
|Current Institution:
|University of Leeds
|Date of Award:
|Availability of Full Text:
This dissertation is a theological assessment of the Jesus Calls divine healing movement as it developed in South India. It analyses the thought of the founder D. G. S. Dhinakaran, India's pre-eminent healing evangelist and explores its potential and adequacy as a pastoral theology. It draws out Dhinakaran's healing theology and model for ministry that has significantly contributed to Indian mission and attained international recognition. Until now, this movement has received no critical analysis. The author, a native of South India, as an observer-participant, takes up this task. The emergence and impact of the modem Pentecostal movement and the `full gospel' with healing as its flagship is discussed. The study highlights lesser-known precursors and theological roots that give Indian Pentecostalism its distinct identity from the 1906 Azusa Street Revival, USA. It reveals how Charismatic Christianity flourishes due to its bhakti spirituality, guru leadership, apostolic charismata and practical compassion. The thesis maintains that the dialectic of Pentecostal power and pastoral care is an effective mission strategy and proceeds to demonstrate this in Dhinakaran's ministry. The research method progressed from a description of Dhinakaran's healing praxis via theological analysis to a critical assessment. It shows some major influences and the appeal of his prayer movement and argues that the key to its success lies in its highly pragmatic, culturally adaptive and syncretic nature. Three doctrinal concepts that are embodied in Dhinakaran's model are presented: compassion, the wounded healer and healing evangelism, which correlate within a theological apparatus to make interpretative sense of his praxis resulting in what is termed `Pastoral Pentecostalism'. The hybridity in Dhinakaran's `miracle healing' is explored within two wider contextual interfaces: the traditional Hindu culture with the shamanic manthiravadi and an imported but adapted version of American faith healing. Here, an easternwestern synthesis is shown to contribute at once to a viable indigenous ministry and to global trends in Charismatic Christianity, allowing each to inform and shape the other. Dhinakaran's distinct prosperity message is located within the Guru movement and assessed against the American health-wealth gospel for pastoral integrity. The thesis advocates a Pastoral Pentecostalism that holds charismata and compassion in creative tension and re-presents Dhinakaran as a significant charismatic healing evangelist.
|Ward, K. ; Biggar, N.
|Not available
|Qualification Name:
|Thesis (Ph.D.)
|Qualification Level:
|EThOS ID:
|Not available


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When I was younger, younger than before
I never saw the truth hanging from the door
And now I'm older see it face to face
And now I'm older gotta get up clean the place.
And I was strong, strong in the sun
I thought I'd see when day is done
Now I'm weaker than the palest blue
Oh, so weak in this need for you.
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I made this scarf a while ago, but then I wasn't sure if I liked the fabric button…
…I've decided I do, and it's blog worthy.
Like all the scarf patterns I've put on here, this one is also very simple. It is just a rectangle that is folded over and then buttoned through both layers. Refer to this handy diagram I made for you:
I did a seed stitch which is knit one/purl one on every row. That way you end up with an alternating pattern that gives it a nice texture. I used size 11 needles.
I got the fabric for the button at Sew To Speak, but if you have any sort of fabric stash, you'll definitely have enough for covering a button. I must have had large ambitions of making lots of covered buttons with all the fabric I got for the sole purpose of this project.
If you've never covered a button before, don't worry, its super easy.
I would suggest getting the buttons with the little teeth around the edges. The buttons without the teeth require another tool to put it together. Make your life simpler, have less tools! You can get the buttons at any fabric or craft store.
Then you just cover the fabric over the button, hook it under the teeth all the way around and snap on the bottom piece. Sew on the scarf wherever you like.
see? What'd I tell ya, easy peasy!


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The Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce is proud to welcome Towbar, the latest addition to Jarvis Square business district! They are now open with patio seating on the south and east sides!
Installing the new signage
A new bar design!
Open to our neighborhood's friendly faces!
1500 W. Jarvis Avenue


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Stephen L. Censky, Chief Executive Officer of the American Soybean Association (ASA), announced that Wendell Knehans has joined the staff as executive director, grower & industry relations.
"Wendell comes to ASA with 21 years of marketing and management experience in the seed and agricultural chemical industry," Censky said. "His familiarity with agriculture, expertise in marketing, and knowing what kinds of programs are of interest to companies, along with his planning skills and experiences in working with both farmers and agricultural companies, will serve him well in his new role with ASA."
Knehans most recently served as U.S. soybean quality trait director for Monsanto Company, where he provided leadership to the company's overall soybean portfolio, and was responsible for building the Vistive brand of low linolenic soybeans, a trans fat solution for food companies.
Prior to that, he was director, seed business, for United Agri Products, and before that, he was director of licensing strategy & trait business lead, and director of marketing for Corn States Hybrid Service, LLC.
"Wendell will be responsible for leading our staff and organization in the communications, industry relations, marketing, and membership areas," Censky said. "He will maintain and develop strategic alliances with agribusiness and allied industries to strengthen relations for mutual benefit, serve as ASA's top manager and liaison for Commodity Classic, and provide direction to meet the objectives of ASA's Agribusiness Council and political action campaign, SoyPAC."
Knehans grew up on a farm in western Missouri, has a Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Missouri, and a Master's degree in Marketing from Webster University. He resides in St. Louis with his wife and children.
ASA is the policy advocate and collective voice of its 24,000 producer-members on domestic and international issues of importance to all U.S. soybean farmers.


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The World Series, which the Chicago Cubs won last week, seemed like a great opportunity to escape media bias.
(Image credits: Chicago Cubs)
My English better half and I could not have been more mistaken.
From the start, the two main Fox commentators spoke mostly about the Cleveland Indians.
Only twice — Games 1 and 7 — did they mention that the last time the Cubs won the World Series was in 1908.
On the other hand, they told us every game that the last time Cleveland won the World Series was in 1948.
It got worse. If I had a £1 coin for every time they mentioned Cleveland's manager Terry Francona, we'd be living in Monaco right now.
We figured the commentators had roots in the American League or ties to Cleveland. After Game 5, I decided to look up John Smoltz and Joe Buck.
Smoltz played for the St Louis Cardinals and Buck's dad Jack used to be the radio announcer for their games.
The pieces fell into place. The Cubs' nemesis are the St Louis Cardinals.
No wonder our Cubbies — so deserving of the World Series after 108 years — weren't getting fair and balanced coverage.
No sooner were they presented with the trophy after a nail-biting win in Game 7 — in Cleveland, no less — than Buck and Smoltz said, 'Let's talk to Terry Francona now'. Whaaat?
The in-game coverage was frightful. It was Cleveland, Cleveland, Cleveland 90% of the time. Time and time again, these guys intimated that the Cubs couldn't win.
The Indians were certainly formidable, especially in pitching, but the Chicago team should have received equal coverage, particularly as they had the best stats in both leagues for most of the season. Unheard of, especially for them.
Cubs fans will never see another season like this one. Smoltz and Buck should have celebrated it. Too bad they were so small minded to do so.
The icing on the cake was FiveThirtyEight's oracle Nate Silver who said he thought the Cubbies had less chance of winning of the World Series than Trump did of winning the presidency. Ha ha!
Nate, this one's for you:
In closing, MANY thanks to the Cubs, their manager Joe Maddon, team president Theo Epstein (who also transformed the Boston Red Sox into World Series champs), MLB.com and, yes, Fox.


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Identical Twins not as Identical as Believed
Contrary to our previous beliefs, identical twins are not genetically identical. This surprising finding is presented by American, Swedish, and Dutch scientists in a study being published today in the prestigious journal American Journal of Human Genetics.This calls into question the results of genetic studies that assumed genes were the same between twins.
"Even though the genome is virtually identical in identical twins, our results show that there in fact are tiny differences and that they are relatively common. This could have a major impact on our understanding of genetically determined disorders," says Jan Dumanksi, who co-directed the international study with his colleague Carl Bruder.
These researchers studied 19 pairs of identical twins and found that they indeed had the same DNA but nevertheless evinced differences in the number of copies of individual DNA segments. A segment might be missing, or more copies might exist in one twin. This could explain how one identical twin can be afflicted with a disorder while the other twin remains fully healthy, according to the scientists.
I wanted to know how large the differences were, so I went to the actual journal article. What I found more interesting than the genetic differences between twins was the genetic differences between cells in each person's body. While these sound like two different phenomenon, they are actually two ways of looking at the same thing, as identical twins started off with identical DNA and the only way they can differ is if the DNA of each twin changes.
How much does the DNA within each person's body differ between cells?
On the basis of the detection of one megabase-range, confirmed CNV among ten unselected, phenotypically concordant MZ twin pairs next to several potential ones with a lower degree of cellular mosaicism and/or smaller size, the de novo posttwinning CNV frequency could be as high as 5% on a per-individual basis or 10% per twinning event.Ahh, I have to clue what that means. What I do know is that the changes are not usually of the small single base pair variety (SNP) but rather of large sections of DNA (CNV).
This also makes me question the usefulness of individual genome sequencing, if the DNA in each organ differs from one another. And even the cells inside a particular organ might differ from one another as seen by the differences in blood cells:
Both methods confirmed the presence of the deletion and indicated that it was present in approximately 70–80% of blood cells from D8.Sequencing the DNA from blood cells would miss a CNV which leads to Alzheimer's if it only occurred in the DNA of brain cells. Instead of sequencing DNA from just the blood, it might be necessary to take some from each organ. Instead of thinking of a single genome that is present in every cell, now we need to start talking about probabilities of specific mutations occurring in each cell.
With each cell division more copying errors occur. Therefore a genome sequenced at birth will differ from one taken at age 70. And genetic diseases are likely to come from these copying errors. Instead of having just one genetic sequencing done, it order to catch those genetic defects that lead to disease, it might be necessary to have them done every 20 years.
Besides the value to science, this study will also help the entertainment industry, as it has CSI episode written all over it.
via Physorg


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Saturday, May 21, 2016
French Heavy Cavalry for 1799 Project
20 comments:
yes...very lovely painted by you Jon... nice unit...ReplyDelete
Austrian regiment of hussars to be painted next - the Blankenstein Hussars? :o)
Thank you, Phil! As for the hussar regiment, I chose the 8th.Delete
These French Heavy cavalry pre Cuirassier days are seldom seen, so it is a special treat to see them under your expert brush, Jon! Like the tricolor cocades on the bicornes. If they are like their Cuirassier successors, di roughly half have red and half Yellow facing colors?ReplyDelete
Perhap the most striking of the Hussar units (assuming the same colors 1802, which bis hardly safe) is HR #5, later Baron Ott - bright red shako. dark green dolman and pelisse, carmine pants. (They are seen on the Masthead of my blog) There are plenty of of other dramatic regiments to choose from , though!Replies
I agree, Peter. The early war figures are not often seen. In fact, I had to pick 1806 Saxons as ersatz French. Hussar RGT#5 would have been a very good choice but opted for the bright green jacketed 8th. The 5th with red shako would be a striking unit. Perhaps next time?Delete
There is a certain something about a cocked hat worn athwart. When do you think you will get a game on the table?ReplyDeleteReplies
These figures to look quite jaunty, do they not? With so many gaming possibilities and so little time, the question of "when" is complicated. Hoping to bring the Great Italian Wars collections to the gaming table in June.Delete
So many periods, so little time seems to be my mantra...
Another fine unit. Although I always wondered how these guys kept the hats on in the charge?ReplyDeleteReplies
Thank you! I wondered about keeping the hat on too. I guess pull it down around your ears and hope for the best. Shako cords served a useful purpose.Delete
Superb, they look superb!ReplyDeleteReplies
Thank you, Phil!Delete
Wonderful looking cavalry squadron Jonathan!ReplyDelete
Appreciate that, Christopher!Delete
Great looking troop for your grand project, Jonathan. BTW, Enfilade is this coming weekend. I'm hosting a Lion Rampant game on Friday afternoon - first game in a very long time too!ReplyDeleteReplies
Thank you, Dean. Best of luck in GM'ing your LR game at Enfilade! Years ago, I attended Enfilade! on a regular basis. Have not made it over since it changed venue to Olympia.Delete
Very nice, Jon. I'm anxious to game with them!ReplyDeleteReplies
Thanks, Scott! You know there are so many collections awaiting their turn on the battlefield. Which on e sees the gaming table next is always a puzzle.Delete
Lovely dashing heavies, nice sculpts and delightfully painted.ReplyDelete
Best IainReplies
Thanks for the kind comments, Iain!Delete


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I was looking at Facebook and saw that one of my cousins liked a particular author. The author is Canadian author, Antonia Monacelli from Cambridge, Ontario. Her recently released title, shown in the image, was Bullets, Brothels & Blood. The title itself is intriguing. It was in the description about this book were the surnames Wonch and Leppard caught my eye. The Wonch surname was the one of interest as it is one of the family names of a Markham Berczy settler. Now the original spelling would have been Wunsch. The Leppard surname held no special meaning. The book describes a feud between two families over many decades.
Now I was intrigued, so I did a Google search: wonch leppard ontario murder. In the list appeared
Sad End.: Grey Highlands Public Library Digital Collections - Our Ontario
images.ourontario.ca/ghpl/1118693/dataA woman and four children burned to death. ... Mr. Wonch is an industrious man who has lived on the Mill road some time, his wife a kind ... Irish woman, daughter of J. Leppard, near Markdale, Grey Co., and four children comprised the family.
Check out the tragic story that appeared in the Markdale Standard (Markdale, Ont.), 11 Jun 1885, p. 5. [Click the link above] [1] Although the story did not appear to relate to the subject of the book that started this search, I wanted to know more about this family.
So off I went to Ancestry to locate the death registrations for Mrs. Wonch and the four children. I kept the search simple - surname Wonch death date 1885 where Ontario, Canada.
Mary Wonch's death was registered in the township of Vespra, Simcoe County. [2] Mary Wonch was 29 years old and born in Ontario. The original cause of death is listed as "burnt to death". In the remarks it says "The above Mary Wonch and her four children were accidentally burnt to death by their house taking fire while they were in bed." [3]
The children were Lillian May Wonch, age 6 years; [4] William James Wonch, age 4 years; [5] Peter John Wonch, age 2 years; [6] baby Wonch, age 1 month. [7] They all died 5 June 1885.
Now because the deaths occurred in Simcoe County, it was worthwhile to check if information appeared in a newspaper of the time most likely in Barrie, Ontario, the nearest large community. Barrie Public Library has a link to the index and images of newspapers. There was a write up of the tragedy in the Northern Advance. [8]
The story is told in a much different way with different information provided. The husband is listed as William Wonch in the Barrie newspaper. The article does not give his wife's first name. There is no reference to where she came from or her father's name. In the Barrie newspaper, there is no mention of the coat. Even the sequence of events are different. Very mysterious -- a tragic event.
To be continued
Sources of information
[1] "Sad End" Markdale Standard 11 June 1885 p. 5, http://images.ourontario.ca/ghpl/1118693/data; transcription
[2] http://www.werelate.org/wiki/Place:Vespra,_Simcoe,_Ontario,_Canada
[3] Mary Wonch Ontario death registration (#015790, 15 June 1885); digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 10 June 2017), citing microfilm MS 935 Reel 41, Archives Ontario, Toronto.
[4] Lillian May Wonch Ontario death registration (#015791, 15 June 1885); digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 10 June 2017), citing microfilm MS 935 Reel 41, Archives Ontario, Toronto.
[8]"Fatal Fire: A Mother and Four Children Cremated Alive" Northern Advance (Barrie, Ontario), Thursday, June 11, 1885, p.1; digital image, http://news.ourontario.ca/Barrie/2765153/page/1?n=2&q=wonch


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Falling Stars
This is my version for the sequal to Breaking Dawn.Bella,the cullans,and Jacob,of course leave Forks to go to Dartmouth University.Bella's eyes are now golden and has a bathroom stacked with brown eye contacts for her collage year.This is Bellas first time with so many humans.But the question is are they all human? Bella meets unexpected guests.Who could it be?A fight breaks out between the cullens and the Volturi.Who will rise to the challenge?and who will fall?Read to know the answers.Bella also discovers new powers what are they? Last chapter is up!!!!Come on people please review. over 2000 reads and only 17 reviews. REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!
13. Chapter 13: Apologizing to Edward
Rating 3/5 Word Count 494 Review this Chapter
Everything was coming into place. I just hope it would come soon. I ran upstairs to talk to Edward. All I had to think about was apologizing to Edward. Making sure Jacob was healing, plan for the funeral, raise a daughter, oh and go to school. How was I going to survive this.
"Edward?" I asked quietly outside of the door.
"Come in." Edward said sadness mixed in with his velvety voice.
"Look I'm sorry. Its just that I just lost Dylan and almost losing Jacob, its just too much for me. Ha'as the only person who actually understands how I felt about Dylan and who knows how to comforts me and you practically attack him. It just pushed me over the edge. You know I love you with all my soul its just that you have to know how I feel. I feel guilty, miserable, and just pathetic." I told Edward who was looking at the ground. " Edward please look at me" I begged. His eyes met mine. It was filled with pain and sadness.
"Bella I should be the one apologizing. Its just seeing you being comforted by another when you tell me to not help you. Do you know how that makes me feel? Seeing another guy be with you, helping you, comforting you, when I couldn't. its like you forgot about me." Edward confessed. I went and sat next to him on the bed grabbing his hand and holding it in mine.
"Don't be stupid Edward. I love you, you and only you for eternity. Remember that. Ha'a just feels the same way I do about Dylan. He knows what I'm going through. I also didn't know he was following me until much later."
"I'm sorry, love. I know it was stupid for me to act this way." kissing my knuckles.
"Yes it was, but I forgive you." I said giggling at my little joke. "I know you want to help me but I don't always need your help. You under stand that right?"
"yes love, but let me help you with something"
"Okay drop us out of collage because I don't think I can handle it."
"I know you heard me."
"but collage."
"Yes, will you do it or not?"
"Ill do it."
"Happy, now?"
"Good, I have to pick up Renesmee." I said kissing Edward and running out the door. I stopped at Jacobs side to check up on him. He was fast asleep. Seth was eating out of his dog bowl Rosalie made for him and Leah was around, outside somewhere.
"Yeah Bella?" He answered looking up from his bowl
" Can you call Zulu and the others to meet me at the border line to pick up Renesmee."
"Sure, no prob." he said reaching for the phone I ran towards the front door.
"Oh and If Jake wakes up don't tell him where I went or that I went to get Renesmee I want it to be a surprise."
"Shootz." Seth replied as I finally bolted out of the door into my Lamborghini.
- Chapter 1: I actually made it.
- Chapter 2: Dartmouth University
- Chapter 3: Human Company.
- Chapter 4: The Secret
- Chapter 5: Unexpected
- Chapter 6: New Powers
- Chapter 7: What else could happen
- Chapter 8: Near
- Chapter 9: Visions
- Chapter 10: Preparing
- Chapter 11: Killing Spree
- Chapter 12: Pain
- Chapter 13: Apologizing to Edward
- Chapter 14: Ending
- Author
- toosmall808
- Rating
1 2 3 4 5
- Reviews
- 24
- Words
- 13862
- Views
- 1
- Published
- 07 May 09
- Updated
- 06 Dec 11
- Status
- Complete


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I picked up a bunch of Tectonic Craft Studios bases for use with my Deadzone Plague, and boy have they been a dream. The pre-textured bases mean that you can speed-paint a whole clutch of them and base an entire army in no time flat, while having them look amazing. Here's what I did for my Plague.
I grabbed the 25mm and 40mm base toppers for the deck plating and hulk plating, since I'm going for a sci-fi aesthetic. Then I primed them black.
Then I simply gave them a heavy drybrush of P3 Pig Iron. I considered doing something fancier like a bronze or something, but these are for a horde of space monsters, so I wanted to keep this simple.
I wanted to break up the brown rust, so I decided that some parts of this would be more likely to develop a blue patina. I just washed them heavily in GW Nihilakh Oxide where I wanted to break up the pattern, mainly using it to pick out any details like bolts or grates.
Finally a tore a small piece of blister foam and stippled on GW Ryza Rust anywhere it looked "broken" to emphasize where the metal was most worn.
And that's pretty much it! I'll do part 2 after I get the Plague models on the bases and do a few finishing touches like blood or slime. Hopefully get to that later this weekend.
Friday, May 29, 2015
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It was a pleasant surprise for me, a few days ago, to be asked to write about the upcoming Stanford – UConn game. Some of the media (whom I gotten to know and adore as an newly adopted daughter of the state of Connecticut) wanted a distinctly Stanford perspective of the match-up. As a recent graduate and former player at Stanford, (and a very outspoken, opinionated and even biased Nerd Nation minion,) that request comes second nature too me.
Basketball is a game of respect. If Wilson or Spalding created college hoops commandments, the top ones would be: respect your school, respect your coaches, respect your teammates, and most importantly, when the ball is tossed up, respect your opponents because if you don't, you will feel their wrath. Every program respects what UConn and Coach Geno has done for the game of basketball. Everybody respects the amount of talent, combined with precision they display every time they walk onto the floor. But one thing I have also realized is that while the crown is glittering gold, it is also heavy. Oftentimes in such situations, the world expects perfection. No slip ups. No losses, especially when you have this or that player. To achieve what they have over and over again, is remarkable and special. Therefore, the best way for an opponent to gain/demand respect is by dethroning such royalty. I call that Mission Impossible. Continue reading


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Day In, Day Out is my newest release and I really enjoyed making this pack that I made 5 templates!
This 5 pack is the same price as all my 4 packs $3.00, however you can Enjoy 20% OFF Aug 12th - 15th!
Formats available PSD, Tiff & png.
Formats available PSD, Tiff & png.
This pack is perfect for multi and single photos, journaling, doodles, simple clusters (or adds more) and photos with their own drop shadow for that lifted look.
Click on the preview for your store preference
and here's a little inspiration!
And dont forget about those Lovely Color packs that are STILL only $1.00 a pack until Aug. 15th!
Until next time, Happy Scrappin'


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Sunday, November 2, 2008
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Provigil - Day 5
Today marks my fifth day on Provigil and I'm unsure how to detail the difference this medication is making. I've had opportunity now to step back and make observations about my condition which went wholly unrecognized before. Although it hasn't eradicated any one symptom, so far, it's one of the most useful medications I've tried. It pushes back the fibrofog and helps to clear my head ... so much so that I can complete simple tasks in under four steps where, historically, it could take as many as seven trips to remember that I've gone upstairs to retrieve a load of dirty laundry.
Provigil has also had an impact on the deep fatigue I've been combating since last April. As it is with pain, though, there are also layers to fatigue. While the Provigil seems decent at battling fatigue mentally (i.e. it's definitely mood enhancing) it's only moderately effective at the physical level. Still good. Still a turn for the positive, no doubt. But, thankfully I've grown more cautious over the last eight or so years, and (mostly) avoid taking advantage of feeling better — I am still quite susceptible to Crash & Burn, and hitting the wall at full speed sucks.
Yesterday, I was out and about for 4+ hours and whenever I parked, I did so in the farthest corner of the parking lot and then walked briskly on my way into the store. I did this a total of four times and felt it when I got home (both, an increase in pain and a decrease in energy). Today, also, I feel worn out despite taking the Provigil. I'm grateful I didn't jump head-long back into jogging or kick-boxing just yet regardless of the giddy notion that maybe ... possibly I can.
As a teenager, after damaging my knee, I discovered if I (specifically) didn't exercise regularly, I couldn't maintain my weight. To lose extra pounds, I had to burn as many calories in a day as I consumed. Which, under ideal circumstances, wasn't difficult; with only one's feet or a horse to travel upon, the desert is a mighty big place to traverse. As my knee problems worsened progressively, weight management became increasingly harder. Then came knee surgery and that blessed period between December of 1993 and December 1995 — two wonderful, pain free (the occasional headache not withstanding) years. I ran (not jogged) 2.5 miles or walked 5 (at 4 mph) six days a week, did 300 sit-ups and 100 push-ups a day, lifted weights for a half hour to an hour and ate anything under the sun. My favorite treat (once or twice a month) was a PJ's patty melt on sourdough with a side of French fries and honey mustard, which ONLY Dave G. could make with any type of precision.
It ended so abruptly, that short span of time.
Although I've managed to sheer off 35 lbs. since September of 2003, it has been a never ending struggle. Aside from the limitations on my ability to exercise with any regularity, I haven't been able to figure out why it's so difficult to manage my weight. Truthfully, I don't always make the healthiest choices when I eat; we did frequent ColdStone Creamery regularly (at least once a week!) the summer of 2006. But, I don't binge and I'm only prone to comfort eating when hit with a particularly difficult bout of PMS. Most days I do eat well-rounded meals, although I'm sure I must consume more calories than I can burn in a day. Which in turn means if I eat more than 1,600 calories, I gain.
I started gaining weight again in June, going from 189 back up to bounce between 196 and 197. Why?
Granted, with both Jon's and my birthday in May, it can be a hard month to moderate eating. Especially if you load into the equation the understanding that I married a man who can bake like the world could end tomorrow and knows my weakness for chocolate. Even so, I'd managed the prior two years with minimal or no weight gain, thus this year shouldn't be any different. It is, though, and significantly so.
Wikipedia's article on Provigil (Modafinil) cites five studies showing that it decreases the appetite. While not a scientist or a doctor, I have discovered its secret. Want to know it, too? Come closer then. A little closer. There. It works because FATIGUE INCREASES THE APPETITE.
Brilliant, no? Really, I feel so clever right now — oh, I think I must have turned rocket scientist overnight!
Okay, so sarcasm aside, it's a legitimate observation and one that leads me to a better understanding of what's happening inside my skin. Two years ago, when I took Topamax, it all but eradicated my appetite and I lost 10 lbs. because of it. Sadly, I switched to Lyrica and within 2 weeks had gained it all back, plus another 5 — sigh. Lyrica drove me to eat — an uncontrollable compulsion that had NOTHING to do with appetite. Ever seen how and what goats will eat? Yeah, that was me. Nothing was sacred.
Provigil isn't at all the same experience as Topamax. Like I said, the latter really did kill my appetite. Provigil hasn't; I still get hungry. The difference I've noticed now since Thursday is that I'm not desperately trying to eat to compensate for the constant lack of energy. It's such an elementary concept ... why the heck didn't I see it before? I mean, after all, where does the body get its energy? From food. DUH!
In two days, the ravenous cravings I had for carbohydrates dropped significantly. I've blamed these hyper cravings on Jon's lifestyle because his diet is so centered on carbohydrates, and prior to moving to Virginia, mine focused more on protein. Since I've been here, I've adopted more of his eating lifestyle, giving the excuse that trying to cook to satisfy both of our needs is just too much effort. Well, I'm thinking of ways I can incorporate more protein into my diet without having to change his at all. The only meal we really share during the day is dinner, and there are simple ways to augment what I eat by reducing carb-heavier foods (rice, bread, and pasta) and adding cottage cheese, nuts, cheese, or even eggs. I will be working protein into my diet three times a day now and reducing carbohydrates to see if it will make a difference, both in my weight and my energy. We'll see.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Crash, Bang, Boom
What's even better? Last night, for the first time in I-can't-remember-how-long, I didn't go to bed in abject misery or wake up feeling like the victim of a felony hit-and-run. The visit with my mother-in-law on Friday and Saturday should have left me crippled and planted on the couch for the rest of the week. Sunday, it did; I spent most of the day in bed either snuggled up with my husband or fast asleep. I had all the typical layers of difficulty: post-exertional malaise (which seems more a symptom of CFS than it does FMS), stiff muscles, fever-like aches and pains, dry eyes, headache, etc. On days like Sunday, there is no lying to myself, no pretending there is nothing wrong, and no way to simply stubborn myself through another day. I did, however, have something to look forward to: my three-week trial with Cymbalta was coming to a close.
I awoke Monday cranky and sore, grousing at my husband, and really didn't want to get out of bed. I had a follow up appointment, though, with the new nurse practitioner Dr. McV (my psychologist) hooked me up with in early October. Our initial visit was on the 6th and my reaction was typical: she's not going to listen, she won't help, I don't like her. Etc. Of course, anyone wanting to put me on medication (Cymbalta, an SNRI as opposed to an SSRI, but still just as bad) which turns me into a zombie is automatically classified as ENEMY. Even though I already had experience with SSRIs, I took the low dose (30 mg a day) of Cymbalta for three weeks (despite bouts of nausea), a fair amount of time to determine if it would really help, and tried not to be negative about this new experiment. I hated it every bit as much as I hated my week on Prozac, or the three months I spent on Celexa, and was more than ready for this particular trial to be DONE.
I dragged Jon (he'll say it's not true, that he walked) into yesterday's appointment. He's been so wonderful over these last 5 months that I've been seeking a new GP. He's supportive in ways no one else in my life has ever been (Laurel and Yana excepted). He doesn't tuck tail and run at the first sign of difficulty and he's an honest advocate (he was warned, however, that being overly optimistic in the presence of a doctor could doom me to Hell). He's my security blanket, my protector and in many ways, my shield, but he's also becoming the most adept, the one with the finesse it takes to tell me to shut my cake-hole when I escalate to fight-or-flight and need to return to Earth, stop, and quietly listen.
You can understand why he's easy to love, yes? Well, day-by-day, it grows easier to be loved by him, too.
The nurse practitioner surprised me yesterday morning. She didn't try forcing me to continue taking Cymbalta. We abandoned it — just like that — and in such a way that if she ever says, "I think you're depressed and need to try taking X for a while," I will consider it with an open mind (especially if X = something I've already used successfully). She went on to discuss further options, not only medications to try or change, but also tests to rule out other problems or overcome symptoms. She ordered blood tests to check my vitamin B and D levels. She also said maybe it was time for a sleep study, an observation made in Dr. Clary's office, but one they failed to pursue because they got so hung up on my problems being tied to my thyroid. Dr. Z's office called me this morning; I have an appointment for the 19th. Maybe now, someone will tell me why it is I often have trouble sleeping.
Then NP. W surprised me even further when she said she'd write me a prescription for a small amount of Percocet. At our initial meeting, the first assertion she made was that she wouldn't hand out schedule II prescriptions. I understand this, but mine is also a difficult case. I don't tolerate many pain medications. Anything codeine-based (including cough medicine) makes me vomit. Vicoden/hydrocodone makes me horribly moody (like stab the nearest person with an icepick while sobbing uncontrollably moody), and Lord have mercy on your soul if you're in the same county with me when I wake up from anesthesia, twilight sleep or otherwise.
I'd assert that most doctors don't like handing out schedule II prescription pain killers. Considering the amount of people who abuse them, and the fact that doctors, not the actual perpetrators, are held accountable, I can't blame them for their fear. However, the preponderance of medical personnel who still feel Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia are NOT legitimate conditions, leaves a lot of truly miserable people suffering in the lurch. Worse, it gives greedy little drug companies too much leverage. When I took Lyrica, it was $100 for a 30 day supply; now that it's FDA approved for Fibromyalgia, it's $500 a pop and most insurance companies won't cover it.
Historically, I've taken Percocet without any side effects or bad reactions. It, Demerol, and morphine (to some extent, anyhow; morphine still makes me vomit sometimes) work well with my system. I've no idea why oxycodone is successful whereas hydrocodone isn't. I'm just not a chemist. Unfortunately, late in 2000, I made the mistake of disagreeing with a doctor about whether or not I'd start weekly methadone treatments for FMS, and to punish me, he refused to refill my prescription for Percocet. Without it, my only bailout from breakthrough pain was a trip to the emergency room for morphine and toradol cocktails — quite effective, but also expensive and rather inconvenient.
I've taken Darvocet off and on as needed for roughly 11 years. My body seems to do better with some drugs combined with acetaminophen (i.e. Tylenol and Excedrin), but not acetaminophen alone. I'm cautious about how I consume them, not only because of possible dependency, but also liver toxicity. Unfortunately, as far as opioids go, Darvocet isn't much more effective than OTC Tylenol. I would posit, though, that a single dose of Darvocet N100 (100 mg propoxyphene napsylate and 650 mg acetaminophen) is as effective as a single dose (1,000 mg acetaminophen) of Tylenol. But, being the hoarder I am, I've held onto the Darvocet; after all, a 25% reduction in pain is a heck of a lot better than NONE. Darvocet can also be effective in preemptively controlling pain; taken at the onset of a busy day, I might be lucky enough to avoid breakthrough pain altogether.
I took a Percocet (7.5 mg oxycodone and 500 mg acetomeniphen) yesterday afternoon, around 4:30 p.m. and by the time Jon got home, I was at an 85% reduction in pain. For me, that is such a drastic difference and even more stunning than I remember from so long ago. The one drawback is that it does make me fuzzy around the edges. I think it's smart to avoid driving, if at all possible, and I certainly wouldn't operate heavy equipment (hmm, wonder if that can include the washer and dryer).
Although I've read reports that the effects of Percocet wear off rapidly, this isn't my experience. I did notice around 9:30 p.m. that the initial effects were going away, but the severity of how I felt that morning and Sunday was nowhere near the same. Which leads me to wonder, can effectively breaking chronic, cyclical pain, even if only for a short time, reduce the propensity for said pain to return to its viscious cycle? Not a doctor, so I can't really say. I do know I felt really, really WELL last night, even giddy, when we went to bed. I didn't want to stop feeling like that today, when the pain started to creep back in around noon, but it hasn't climbed to horrific heights yet, and when I called to check in with Jon at noon, I still wanted to dance.
I'm trying Provigil for the next two weeks to see how it helps with fatigue. This, having been Day 1, has started out well. I worried about taking anything that sounded like a stimulant, especially with what seems to be a natural inclination towards insomnia. It could be that the Cymbalta is vacating my bloodstream, but today for the first time in a long while, I wanted to do more than sit on the couch letting the television consume the gray matter between my ears. In fact, I have made every effort to contain my enthusiasm today, so as not to crash and burn, which I am prone to doing in instances such as this: OoohooohOOOH, let's go climb Mt. Everest! Only to discover that it was a Really Bad Idea™. I don't feel high as a kite, which is encouraging. We'll see how tomorrow goes.
I want to join Susan this year in her quest for a healthier lifestyle. Without the ability to exercise regularly, losing weight is an agonizing process for me. I don't know if I can keep up with a second blog; I barely keep up with one. However, it seems a good idea, not only to log successes and failures, but to make them accessible to those sharing the quest for healthier living, and as well, those trying to help me. So, I'll give it a try. Please be warned, however, I'm not always Rated PG.
Happy day.


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Muslim brothers keep on praying while elderly man falls down and dies.
No assistance.
No 911 calls.
No medical aid.
No CPR.
Culturally, the heartless praying to Allah the "merciful."
Article reposted with permission from Pamela Geller.
Pamela Geller's commitment to freedom from jihad and Shariah shines forth in her booksDon't forget to Like Freedom Outpost on Facebook, Google Plus, & Twitter. You can also get Freedom Outpost delivered to your Amazon Kindle device here.