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Do you ever notice that most pictures that accompany corporate communications are ridiculously lame? Here are my top 10 lamest corporate stock photos.
1. Corporate Super Heroes Staring into the Distance:
I'm sorry but what are they looking at? Their office? Are they going to meet with their billion dollar account? This picture represents what financial advisers think there job is going to be like, before they start.
2. High-powered Executive Meeting Silhouette:
This futuristic business meeting takes place on some sort of virtual reality set. World Corp. Inc. is doing very well, but they don't have to rub it in.
3. Executive Jet Landing:
If you want to create more animosity between executive and employees, this picture should help.
4. Man with Briefcase and Hands in the Air:
Is this guy going to work or leaving? Maybe this is his last day before summer vacation. What do you think?
5. High School Executive Meeting:
A day in the life of the White Young Person Inc. executive council.
6. Ethnically Diverse Work Unit:
After numerous complaints and negative publicity, Young White Person Inc. used this stock photo instead.
7. Chrome Glass-walled Boardroom:
Why do people associate corporate life with a complete lack of culture and humanity? This room does nothing to inspire. It makes me think of Robocop or Terminator.
8. Hand with Pen:
This the most generic of all generic corporate communication stock images. I can't look… no… make it stop!
9. International Corporate Reps:
Do these people actually have white collars?
10. Firm-saving International Business Deal:
"I'll meet you in the parking lot by the giant chrome globe at 3:00 to close the deal."
There you have it. Generic corporate stock photos at their worst.


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Delivery Information
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2004 Tyrrell's Rufus Stone Heathcote Shiraz
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- Cellar 2 - 3 years (2008-2009)
- Closure: Screw Cap
The Tyrrell's Heathcote Rufus Stone Shiraz does not live up to the standard of previous vintages, nor does it compare well with many of its neighbours. This begs the question why not? The answer is simple. Thorough balanced vineyard management is absolutely necessary in this district, which tends to be unforgiving of poor vineyard practice. Vineyard management is a tricky business here since no two seasons have been the same, inspite of the seven year drought continuing.
Local knowledge of the seasons is imperative, and vineyards which have access to water need to use it judiciously and in a timely manner. Yields must be kept below 3 tonnes per acre, although with water the rich Cambrian earth is certainly capable of producing much more than that. The vines must be carefully balanced, and this means adjusting bud numbers at pruning to adapt to micro vineyard terroir. Stress is common in the district, and once the basal leaves start to yellow and drop off in the growing season trouble starts. The natural ripening process is arrested, with grapes being ripened by shrivel, which contributes to off flavours in the wine.
The new Rufus Stone is a good everyday drinking red, but nothing more than that. It falls short of the quality of previous vintages, and certainly does not have the same cellaring potential. All this is reflected in the price. Buy to drink!
Very deep crimson colour with deep crimson hue. Aroma of violets, spice, blackberry and liquorice allsorts. The palate is much lighter than expected and does not deliver the classic Heathcote flavour profile. On the palate flavours of blackberry, liquorice and spice are evident. Fine grained tannins. Very long spicy aftertaste.
Cellar 2-3 years (2008-2009)
Alc/Vol: 15%

subset: commoncrawl


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Well, I always have big hopes of updating this blog regularly...and joining actively into the blogging world - but then real life gets in the way :)
At the end of this week I hit a big milestone (ugh for big birthdays!) and one of my ambitions is to write more and record what my sweet life is like. So...welcome back, I hope!
We've been busy with summer - pool, play dates, vacations, ice cream...and s'mores!!!


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Orit of http://OritDotanDolls.etsy.com shared these great tips on how to create an etsy treasury on our forum thread over on etsy. I thought I would share them here so we can easily check back on them.
I have been asked about the treasuries-how do I know when the treasury will open?
Well-you need to count from the last one until you will see the 333
Usually it is on pafe 17
When you will find the time that it will be 333-you need to be at the treasury 10 minutes before as lately it does not fixed exactly at the time it is written and to wait
then, when the box open-do not dream-click the first letter if you do not want to loose it
-Prepare the treasury on the sketch
-Also you can follow the instructions [at the buttom of the treasury page
-After you post the treasury-go to the promotion thread and open a thread or go to a thread that is already there
This way you will have more comments
Important -in my point of view-to comment on all the treasuries you see at that thread
Yes-it is a lot of work BUT we can have better sales-all of us -if we will create many treasuries
Also lately allow poeple to feature one item from their shop -so -that is one more good reason to make this effert
Sorry about my English, I guess I have many mistakes BUT i am trying to get better all the time..
Hugs to you dear ladies
Here are the instructions of how to create a treasury
you will find there the poster sketch, you can add it to your favorites and prepare the treasury BEFORE you are trying to catch one so you will be able to create beautiful treasury
If you will prepare the treasury on poster sketch -it will take you couple of minutes to copy it to the treasury
I do it so fast now that most of the times I am the one that open the thread of the new treasuries
If I am not the faster one -I join thread that already open
Hope it helps
Sunday, May 10, 2009
How to make an Etsy Treasury
Orit of http://OritDotanDolls.etsy.com shared these great tips on how to create an etsy treasury on our forum thread over on etsy. I thought I would share them here so we can easily check back on them.
3 comments:
- Brandon said...
Thanks for that, some fellow etsyians do now. I'll keep trying when it open to get one for the NFEST team!
keep felting
- May 12, 2009 at 11:27 AM
- feltmeup designs said...
craftopolis now has a treasury clock whic tells you when the treasuries will open, thought you might like this!
- June 3, 2009 at 5:20 AM
- barbaraK said...
Cooking is a form of creativity where the sky can't be the limit. It is my belief that a person will not gain a very great cooking experience without visiting cooking sites. http://www.gourmandia.com and http://www.gourmetrecipe.com are few for me to mention and to recommend as a part of the best. This isn't a theory. This is a fact. Both of these sites are likely responsible for publishing thousands of professionally chef qualified recipes over the Internet. Since I've found Kitchen Geekery as you have suggested, I'll be checking it out. Once it satisfied me, I'll be sharing it with my friends throughout the web. Thank you for sharing.
- February 21, 2012 at 10:40 AM


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So we are back in school! I have been so busy doing stuff to get us both back in school that I haven't even updated this in forever. We had a great summer! I am so sad that it's over. I went back to school on Aug. 11 and Rachel stayed with Nana and Papa for a week and a half.
Rachel started kindergarten on August 24th. She has done such a great job and I am so proud of her! She was a little clingy the first morning, but other than that she has done great! Her friend Bo from daycare goes there and is in her class, so that has helped her transition tremendously. If she sees him in the mornings she is okay. I think she is making other friends now too. She doesn't talk much in the evening about it, I think she is just too tired. Her teachers name is Mrs. Sanders and she seems real sweet. I know I couldn't deal with kindergartners, of course a lot of people say that about high schoolers.


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Off to Bonnaroo Wed round noon for four days of music and partial consciousnes. Oh and its official - the show is sold out and no tickets will be availible at the gates. I've enboldened who I'm really there to see though Radiohead, Elvis Costello and Sasha are the big 3. Oh and they will be showing World Cup matches from the air conditioned cinema tent!!
Radiohead, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Phil Lesh & Friends, Beck, Death Cab for Cutie, Buddy Guy, Ben Folds, Common, Elvis Costello, Oysterhead, Cypress Hill, the Neville Brothers, Dr. John, Sonic Youth, G. Love & Special Sauce, The Streets, Umphrey's McGee, Cat Power and the Memphis Rhythm Band, My Morning Jacket, Soulive, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, Bright Eyes, Steel Pulse, Mike Gordon & Ramble Dove, Nickel Creek, Gomez, Atmosphere, Steve Earle, Amadou & Mariam, Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks, the Dresden Dolls, Son Volt, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Jerry Douglas, Rusted Root, Devendra Banhart, Donavon Frankenreiter, Mike Doughty's Band, Sasha, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, the Magic Numbers, the Codetalkers, Bonnie Raitt, Bill Frisell, The Disco Biscuits, Bettye LaVette, Lyrics Born, moe., Dungen, Shooter Jennings, Damian Marley, Rebirth Brass Band, Robinella, Andrew Bird, Dumpstaphunk, Matisyahu, Steel Train, Blues Traveler, Jackie Greene, Devotchka, Randolph & The Family Band, World Party, Brothers Past, Blackalicious, the Wood Brothers, dios (malos), Toubab Krewe, Les Claypool, the Motet, Marah, I-Nine, Matt Costa, Balkan Beat Box, Deadboy & the Elephantmen, Medeski Martin & Wood,Tortured Soul, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, Electric Eel Shock, David Ford, the Refugee Allstars of Sierra Leone, Seu Jorge.
Also Patton Oswald and Lewis Black among others in the comedy tent.
Yes I've looked at the shcedule and it will be impossible to see everyone i want to (Elvis, Rusted Root & Damian Marley for instance all overlap each other - though i'm most pissed of The Streets/Matisyahu overlap) but everyone knows technical issues come up that throw off nicely ploted out time lines so i'm hoping that the stars line up just right.
And yes, as you can tell by the bolds I'm not a jam band fan. Its just not my cupa. I refuse to twirl on the grass and thats is final.
Today is a selection of mp3s from some of those acts.
The Streets - When You Wasn't Famous
Devotchka - Venis in Furs (Velvet Underground Cover)
Andrew Bird - Lull
Death Cab for Cutie - Title and Registration
The Magic Numbers - Forever Lost
Clap Your Hands say Yeah - The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth (mislabeled as "Is This Love"
Blackalicious - Supreme People
Mike Doughty - 27 Jennifers
Bright Eyes - When the President Talks to God
That should be good for now. Recap to come next week!
And if you can't make it the main show (Fri-Sun) will be
streamed live right here in both video and audio.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Bonnaroo Pre Show!!
Posted by - Jester - at 12:54 AM
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I've never liked Halloween. I don't understand the appeal of dressing up like I've been in a car crash and then trying to look a little bit sexy.
Bonfire night? That's different. Fireworks, hot dogs and good clean fun is something I can get behind. I'll happily park objections to the (equally weird) ritual of celebrating burning someone alive, for a spiced cider and everyone coming together.
So great is my nerdy nostalgia I invited friends over for a 'firework themed lunch' (which I know sounds like the start of an ill-fated episode of casualty, but don't worry it was FINE). I even consulted Pippa Middleton's suggestions for a bonfire feast in her much-mocked 'party book' Celebrate. I made her filled jacket potatoes, before moving on to my own honey and mustard sausages and a great toffee apple and blackcurrant crumble recipe I found. Unfortunately London was 30 degrees, so I really should have adapted and served salads and ice-cream.
I usually go to Battersea Park Fireworks – its amazing display, set to music in such regal and impressive surroundings – is one of the best ways to spend £10 in London. However this year, we headed up to North London (so far up I risked a nosebleed) to see what Alexandra Palace had to offer.
The first noticeable thing were the crowds – the display was delayed by half an hour to let everyone in. But once it started it was amazing and they chucked everything at it. As my friend aptly put it, it was basically like watching exploding money.
However, one of the best things was discovering the aerial view of London on the viewing platform. Just stunning and my camera phone doesn't do it justice.
So I'll come back to Ally Pally – even if there are no fireworks. But Battersea Park's display is scheduled for next weekend in case I've tempted anyone….


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Wednesday, March 07, 2012
NTLMv2 Client-side
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Windows 7 Negotiate/Kerberos
The company I work for had been having issues getting NTLM authentication to work between a Windows 7 client PC, domain servers, and CXF web services. In the end I got it working through HTTP Negotiate Auth and a registry setting, below is the paragraph I sent as an explanation:
With Windows 7 and changing the lmcompatibility level to 4 on the client (Clients use NTLMV2 for auth and NTLMv2 session security if server accepts, Domain controller refuses LM auth responses but accepts NTLM and NTLMv2 -- http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc960646.aspx), the client and server were no longer accepting LM authentication. Kerberos is preferred to NTLM, and since when LM was disabled the servers responded with HTTP 401 errors indicating that the only allowable mechanisms were NTLM and Negotiate (NTLM or Kerberos -- http://docs.oracle.com/javase/6/docs/technotes/guides/net/http-auth.html), it was decided to use Negotiate with Kerberos, since that is what the below Linux code was already doing. On windows this required an extra registry setting "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa\Kerberos\Parameters\AllowTgtSessionKey", a REG_DWORD set to 1 -- http://support.microsoft.com/kb/837361, along with the regular Kerberos config files (krb5.conf and login.conf).
Saturday, July 09, 2011
it's been a little while since I've posted. Lots of things change, still loving life and doing it in Illinois. This year has been flying by, and I'm about to turn 31. I have a wonderful family and 4 beautiful nieces (about to have another niece/nephew, holidays are getting crowded :)).
Just bought a 2005 Honda Repsol CBR 1000RR. It's a lot of fun. I think mostly I put what I'd put here on facebook posts now. Do people still blog?
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Today's Interesting News
Someone very hungry.
Somebody with a weird fetish.
Somebody who is avoiding being hungry, and winning himself a 14" TV set.
Well there you go.


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Does anyone know what game is this?
Pitstop Cafe, be part of the fun
Trivial Detour of the Day
Posted by pitstop at 8:21 PM 1 comments
We REALLY need you!
This is a very serious post... so serious that the future of Pitstop cafe relied on you.
Any folks who wanna work with us, please email, call, SMS or visit us!!!
Yes! please come and work with us!
Pitstop cafe, just work with us
Posted by pitstop at 3:14 PM 0 comments
Featured on I-Weekly!
Yesterday, my friend SMS-ed me and told me, "hey your cafe's been featured on I-Weekly!" She sounded so excited that I thought Pitstop Cafe has made the headlines!
I rushed to buy my copy of I-Weekly, hoping to see my face on the cover. And indeed, lo and behold, I saw four people on the cover page.
I was thrilled
But wait, the four folks look slightly odd
Now, since when do we look like that?
so much for being on the 'cover page'
Well, though not exactly in the 'limelight' as I initially expected, still there was a section about us!
While I attempted to read it, I realised out of 10 words, I could only read 5! So much for getting an A1 in my Chinese 'O' levels
the article, comprehensive, concice and cool
Anyway, much graces to Mei Wen of I-Weekly for her wonderful coverage!
So do grab your I-Weekly now, present it at Pitstop cafe for your one free scoop of ice cream!!!
Pitstop cafe, kena featured
Posted by pitstop at 5:31 PM 0 comments
Guide to Enjoying Euro Games
Let's say you have enough of the simple "brainless" games, you may ask what else more is there in boardgames? Plenty, i will say, if you are willing to try out some of the more strategic boardgames. You may think that these games are so complicated and have to think so much that all your brain cells will be dead. How can such boardgames be fun?
Perhaps not everyone have a taste for the more "meaty" board games. For those who will like to give it a try, I will share some thoughts on how to pick up and enjoy these exciting and fun Euro games.
So let's start by exploring the difference between the "brainless" games and the more strategic games.
In the previous entry, i have shared that when folks asked for "brainless" games, it does not mean that they don't enjoy thinking. They are looking for games that are simple to learn and the approach to winning the game is easy to understand.
Here is the big difference. Strategic games can be simple or complicated to learn but the most important trait about such games is that there are many different ways to win the game. Hence new players sometimes do feel overwhelmed by the numerous options available in these meaty Eurogames.
Enough of the crap, lets start by exploring how we can get a hang of these games.
Number of Players
Sad to say, these strategic games ain't for big groups. To play these games, 4 to 6 players will be just nice. Any groups bigger than that, chances are you may have to fall back on the party games.
Getting to know her
If board games have a gender, I wonder what would they be? Since i am a guy, i like to imagine these board games as babes. So for lady gamers, just imagine the board games as Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise.
The first step is to get to know her...
Pillars of the Earth. Look at her, isn't she sexy?
First remember her name and at the same time appreciate her beauty. When you want her the next time, you can request for her using her name. That is much better than using description such as 'the game that connects railways' or 'the game where you can trade sheep and wheat', etc.
For those who want to go further, you can ask about her parents (the game designers). For the above game, they are Michael Rieneck and Stefan Stadler. There are higher profile folks like Alan R.Moon, Reiner Kniza, Bruno Faidutti, etc who have created really good games consistently. You may like to check out some of their works.
Inner Beauty
Take the time to appreciate her inner beauty. Most of the time, you won't be disappointed....
Nice bits and pieces. Take the time to appreciate the little details
Understanding Her
Here is the difficult part. Depending on the game, understanding them can be quite tricky. The problem is that most folks want to understand everything and sometimes get drowned by the details...
Some rulebooks are not too bad...
For this part, you can either choose to read the rulebook or ask our pitstop crew to help you out. We might not know all games but there are certain games that we are really good at explaining and sharing. For me, it is definitely the Ticket to Ride series. God knows how many times have i shared this wonderful game with various groups!
The tip is not to be too concerned with all the details. Get an understanding of the overall concept and roll with it. As you play more and more of such strategy games, you will slowly recognize some of the concepts used. Subsequently you will just get better in understanding how these game works.
The First Date
Once you understand the overall concept and game play, just dive straight in and have the first game. It is very normal in the first game that you have no clue on what is going on. You don't know what you need to do and certain things just doesn't make sense. This is normal. Don't be afraid to explore and try out the different ideas. If you get lost, simply ask our friendly crew for help or refer to the rulebook.
By the time you finish the game, you will have a better idea about what is going on. If during the game, you find that the gameplay feels weird or doesn't make sense, chances are that you may have missed out certain details which affect the gameplay. Simply check with our crew if you have any doubts.
Get started and enjoy the first game
If you still have any questions at the end of the game, you can also start a discussion on our forum. As you start to gain more experience, you will develop a good feel on whether you are playing the game correctly.
Go for More Dates!
Here is the most important thing that many players miss out. Good Euro games ain't one night flings. To enjoy these games, you gotta have more sessions with them. You can't just play a game of Puerto Rico and walk away thinking that there is all to it. It is the subsequent gaming sessions that make these games shine!
The fun of such meaty games is that they provide players with many different ways of achieving their goals. The more timea you play, the more opportunities you get to try out different ideas. This definitely leads to a more exciting gaming experience, something that is hard to get on the first date.
For example, in the game Ticket to Ride, there are different strategies you can explore. Instead of building your own routes, you can try to disrupt other players' routes or focus on building many short routes.
As you get to play more times with the same players, everyone starts to play better as well. You will notice more creative gameplays and you definitely want to play again and try out new ideas.
Play more and each game will get more exciting!
When you start to win consistently, you will realise that you have master the game!
Phew, what a long entry. Even my mum isn't that long winded. Hope you guys find this entry interesting and helpful. Keep a look out for the next article where i will share with you some of the "must play" Euro games.
Pitstop Cafe, sharing the passion of board gaming
Update: This entry has been edited to make it more readable (i hope so). I know the recently entries has been pretty sucky. The things i do are always a rushed job with quality getting from bad to worse. Thanks everyone who has been giving me their feedbacks. It is a well needed wake up call. I will be off on a recharging trip. Hopefully i will come back with the focus that i badly need. See ya!
Posted by pitstop at 2:50 PM 0 comments
Grieviance at Pitstop
Dear Jasmine,
I regret that you and your friends has encountered a bad experience at Pitstop Cafe. I have put your comments on the chatbox on this blog entry so that we could give you a proper response to this incident. If you would love to elaborate more, do add in the comments.
We would definitely like to learn from your constructive feedback. At the same time, the crews involved and Eve will share their perspective on this incident.
Whatever it is, i hope that the bad experience at Pitstop Cafe do not stop you and your friends to continue to explore and enjoy the fun of board gaming.
Best regards,
Astro, on behalf of the Pitstop Crew
Update 18/07/07 2:10am
Jasmine has send me an email regarding the incident. I have also response to her. As it is an email corresponding, I will share the details of the email only upon her permission. Jasmine, i hope you find my response satisfactory and i like to thank you for taking the time to give us your feedback on the incident.
Jasmine feedback
I am really unhappy with the attitude of a certain female boss at Pitstop. Thanks so much for ruining my friend's 21st bday celebration mood last night.
I would love to elaborate more, but will my constructive feedback fall on deaf ears or be resisted and i'll be labelled as a "difficult customer" just becos she's one of the bosses?
I hope that someone who is unbiased will be able to address my grieviance, cos i'm really pissed and disappointed being treated that way since i always spend quite a lot whenever i go to Pitstop.
Btw, we didn't cut the cake at your place becos our moods were dampen, and we spent a few hundred dollars (meant to be spent at Pitstop) at PartyWorld. You lost one huge customer.
Or perhaps Pitstop's buisness is SO good now, that you can afford to choose and lose your "valued" customers?
Posted by pitstop at 3:31 PM 18 comments
Eh can you teach us brainless games?
The most difficult situation that i encounter in the cafe is when groups ask for brainless games. Are there such thing as brainless games? Even deciding what you want for lunch needs thinking! Perhaps there is this perception that most boardgames are super complicated and after playing those games, millions of brain cells would be killed and you will fall into a coma.
For me, the most brainless game that we have is the play-doh set. It comes in 4 different colours, you can mold whatever shape you want and there is no need to think!
Play-doh, make whatever you want
Of course you guys must be saying that i am siao. Where got people go board games cafe to play play-dohs?
So what exactly do groups mean when they ask brainless games? Is it easy to play? How about the game of blokus? It is easy to play. Yet some folks complain severe headache and hallucinating about colorful blocks after the game! :) For games like taboo which require you to beat around the bush is considered a brainless game!
After recommending many party games, I realize that when they ask for brainless games, it does not mean they do not want to use their brains. Rather they want games that are simple to learn and the approaches to wining the games are straightforward and direct.
So let me present some of the top few "brainless" games!
Halli Galli definitely one of the brainless games. The idea is simple. Look for some pattern and be the first to spot the pattern (eg 5 of the same fruits). There are quite a few games such as jungle speed, ugly dolls, etc that follows this concept.
Monopoly, pretty brainless as well. Roll dice and move your checkers round the board.
Jenga another simple game to play. Although some strategy is involve, the idea is still pretty straight forward, just take one piece and put it at the top.
Pit, very similar to heart attack. The difference is that there is more cards to collect and you can simultaneously trade multiple cards with anyone. Another high action game.
Cranium. I don't think it is a board game. It is more like an activity center where you get to act and draw. It is not exactly brainless, in fact you need quite abit of brain. But you recommend to any group that want "brainless" game, they still enjoy it. Perhaps it is because the game is pretty simple and direct.
Snorta, an animal making sound game. Basically about reflex.
Cluzzle, just like play doh just that it is more fun as there is a slight twist to the game.
Imaginiff, a great party game where players get to find out their friends' impression of them. A great hit among most groups and most enjoy it. Definitely one of the "no brainers" game.
The game of beating about the bush, Taboo! One of the game that requires brains but yet most think it is brainless.
Handy, another short interesting game where player have to hold the balls in all sort of weird position. Definitely more entertaining to watch then play.
There you go, a list of "brainless" games. Did i leave out anything?
All these games are fun but there are a whole range of euro games that bring the fun of board gaming to another level. However the "complexity" of such games do frighten most of the folks. Watch out for the next board game article which i will share tips on how to enjoy all those "chim chim" euro games!
Pitstop Cafe, sharing the fun of board game with you!
Update: One reader has the impression that i am complaining that customers want to play brainless game. I guess my england isn't that powderful which is why the confusion. What i am sharing is that when groups asked for brainless games, it is not because they don't want to use their brains. Rather they are looking for games that are simple to play and at the same time the way to win the game is obvious and direct. The subsequent game list show the game which are considered "brainless" by most groups even though they still need some brain juice.
Posted by pitstop at 12:26 AM 3 comments
Why Batman Sucks
Was chatting with Smith on some super heroes and turn out that both of us don't really like Batman cos he is an A.S.K. The discussion was pretty hillarious. Do visit Pitstoppers Network for more TCSS discussions.
Anyway here we have the 10 reasons why Batman sucks!
- He is an A.S.K (Ah Sia Kia), no superpower only very rich.
- He wears his underwear outside but don't want people to recognise him so he wears a hood over his face.
- He makes his good friend wear the same silly costume and names him after a small bird.
- He zhng his car and drive at high speed with the excuse that he is catching villians. Somemore no car plate number and don't need to use cashcard.
- He used to have pot belly (remember the old drama?)and now hides it under his thick armour.
- When superman ask him to join Justice League, he ai mai ai mai say dun wanna be in a team cause he work alone and so on.. den end up everytime fight villian he also come chap ji car.
- He is not environmental friendly. Despite been high-tech, he don't accept sms or msn. People need to power up a big flood light to get his attention.
- He is not humorous. Ever hear batman says a joke?
- He is known for his analytical skills i.e. chao geng so he got a butler to iron all his uniform and do all the chores.
- He got all sorts of gadgets, but where is the iPhone???
Hope you guys enjoy this boliao entry! Anyway did you folks know that although Batman is only a human, he defeated Superman!
Posted by pitstop at 7:05 PM 5 comments
Happy Birthday Mr Smith
Smith birthday was on the 3rd July. Times flies like nobody business. It was just like yesterday that Smith was here celebrating his birthday as a customer. This time round, things are different. The Pitstop Crew has grown bigger and new friends are made and some of the crew were around to celebrate Smith birthday as well!
Ok enough boring stuff from me, lets look at the pictures!
Smith with his signature small eyes
Joo made a nice cheese cake for Smith. The thing is that he made another cheese cake for another pretty girl. So wonder if Smith got the leftover..hahaa..but then again it is always the thought that count. So Smith even though we never get you anything, seriously we think alot about it.
Smith and his dear dear, Chris
Smith's friend. Dunnoe everyone but one of them is known as the Prince of Boat Quay
The crew turn to take pics with the birthday boy
Lovely Jermie who share the same birthday as Smith
Mum's favourite crew, cos only he entertain my mum nagging. Oopps, lucky she don't read this blog
We head for a short singing session with a nice bottle of "mojo", courtesy of Smith. But i still prefer fermented barley. Mum tag along also. Carol and Smith were great singer. I think my mum must have felt that she was 18 once again when Smith look at her eyes lovingly and sing to her.
Hey Smith what was the title of the song that you sing? I like that song!
Pitstop Cafe, folks who play together, stays together
Posted by pitstop at 11:55 AM 1 comments
Pitstop Crew Feature Part 6-Alfie
It's been awhile since we last featured our Pitstop Oompaa Loompa.
Our latest candidate is really a good catch...Ladies and Gentlemen, introducing to you...
Towering above all
Alfie is a man of talent. In his National Service, he assumed the heavy responsibilities of a naval officer. In University, he was also in charge of many hall as well as extra-curriculum activities.
Indeed a man of talent.
look into the mirror, he is a very different man...
Don't be put off by his stern and stoney look. Alfie may look like your quintessential engineer (he is an engineering student), but beyond this geeky facade lies a fun-loving, shots-gulping alter ego.
Get him comfortable, and he will tell you stories about him gulping down 24 vodka shots, marooning his drunk friends at his house void deck, girls in the club begging him to 'take them home' and so many more dark and wild secrets. A man of talent after all.
look at the way he wipes, every inch a choiced pick...
After work, Alfie is your choiced pick for a boyfriend/husband. Bearing the family's responsibilities as filial son. Alfie ensures that his family is being well taken care of. Providing immaculate care to his parents, Alfie also takes good care of fellow Pitstop crews and pitstoppers.Surely a man of talent.
So, if you yearn to be loved and served by such a man of talent. Remember to ask for Alfie when you are at Pitstop cafe.
Even more so, if you have what it takes to join us a our men/women of talent , don't hesitate! drop us an email or give us a buzz!
Pitstop cafe, talents are everywhere!
Posted by pitstop at 3:21 PM 0 comments


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Trigger-Happy Star Formation
Trigger-Happy Star Formation (8/12/09)
Cepheus B – press for 660×864 image
More: here, here, here, here, here
A new study from two of NASA's Great Observatories provides fresh insight into how some stars are born, along with a beautiful new image of a stellar nursery in our Galaxy. The research shows that radiation from massive stars may trigger the formation of many more stars than previously thought.
While astronomers have long understood that stars and planets form from the collapse of a cloud of gas, the question of the main causes of this process has remained open.
One option is that the cloud cools, gravity gets the upper hand, and the cloud falls in on itself. The other possibility is that a "trigger" from some external source -- like radiation from a massive star or a shock from a supernova -- initiates the collapse. Some previous studies have noted a combination of triggering mechanisms in effect.
By combining observations of Cepheus B from the Chandra X-ray Observatory and Spitzer Space Telescope, researchers have taken an important step in addressing this question. Cepheus B is a cloud of mainly cool molecular hydrogen located about 2,400 light years from the Earth. There are hundreds of very young stars inside and around the cloud -- ranging from a few millions years old outside the cloud to less than a million in the interior -- making it an important testing ground for star formation.
Cepheus B – press for 660×864 image
More: here, here, here, here, here
Labels: star formation
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Lixin Fan segue una coppia che torna a rivedere i figli ormai cresciuti, allevati dai nonni e ormai lontani dai genitori, e irriconoscenti.
quei lavoratori, trattati quasi come schiavi, hanno costruito le città cinesi (i grattacieli di Shanghai di "Her", per esempio) e i vestiti e i jeans che indossiamo in tutto il mondo.
la crescita economica cinese ha cambiato la vita dei cinesi, e ormai di tutti, e non se ne vede la fine, purtroppo.
i costi umani sono immensi e le opportunità e la costrizione di cambiare e fuggire da una vita di stenti a un'altra vita di privazioni (per la stragrande maggioranza) sono sotto gli occhi di tutti.
il film non annoia un minuto e ci svela un mondo che molti non conosciamo (più o non ancora).
grande cinema da cercare e guardare con gli occhi aperti - Ismaele
ps: per alcuni istanti il treno del lungo viaggio sembra quello di "Snowpiercer".
…There is so much to say about this great film. You sense the dedication of Lixin Fan and his team. (He did much of the cinematography and editing himself.) You see once again the alchemy by which a constantly present camera eventually becomes almost unnoticed, as people live their lives before it. You know the generations almost better than they know themselves, because the camera can be in two places and they are usually in one or the other.
There is a quiet moment in a mall. On their day off, Zhang Qin and her friends go shopping. They like a pair of jeans: "Are these made in our factory?" No, in another. Of course they want them. Of course their generation wants them. But their generation doesn't want to work years leaning over a sewing machine and sleeping in a dorm.
We read about the suicides in Apple's plants in China. Seeing this film, you suspect there are many suicides among workers in factories whose brands are less famous than Apple. Chinese peasants no longer live without television and a vision of another world. They no longer live in a country without consumer luxuries. "Last Train Home" suggests that the times they are a-changin'. The rulers of China may someday regret that they distributed the works of Marx so generously.
…è interessante notare come la spiritualità sia relegata ai margini, in quella campagna che tutti fuggono e che appare senza speranza, il che va a consolidare il materialismo alienante che viene esplicato in quegli squallidi spazi (i dormitori, le fabbriche, le strade) che, pur promettendo a chi è distante da essi lavoro e, quindi, vita, sfornano invece la morte, alienando l'individuo e costringendolo a un'esistenza di sfruttamento e grettezza. Inutile, quindi, fare ulteriori considerazioni a riguardo (sarebbero pleonastiche): l'unica cosa che, dopo aver visto questo film, vien da dire e che, forse, sola centrerebbe il punto focale di Last train home è 'fanculo il capitalismo, e tanto basta.
He seems to get his camera into the most unlikely places, such as inside the marauding crowds at the train station, or inside the train itself. It led me to ask certain questions about the filmmaker, who deliberately tries to remain invisible. How did he secure tickets for the train? How many of these shots are staged? At one point, the father, Changhua, leaves the train station, and the camera trails after him, as if he had just given up. A minute later, we cut to outside the station, and the camera is in front of him. This suggests that the shot was staged, that the director asked Changhua to stop walking for a few minutes while he set up a new shot.
In this, the filmmaking is not as invisible as it wants to be, and it can detract from the story. Yet in another scene, Changhua slaps Qin (who has just dropped an "f" bomb in front of her parents). In tears, she turns to the camera and screams at it, "You want to film the real me? This is the real me!" Fan's camera does not blink, and silently holds the shot for a while longer. This family may have known they were being filmed, and agreed to certain shots, but their pain is very much real…
…Fan finds power in contrast, from the striking melee of the station where almost an entire city waits hours for a ride home and the stoic images of multitudes of workers crammed on a train, to the intimacy of a family where, through the direct fault of no one, patience is about to snap. On the one hand this is a very personal tale of one family's struggle to make the best of trying circumstances, on the other it is a stinging indictment on a political and economic structure that is stretching families to breaking point.
Although standing in the shadow of Up The Yangtze somewhat due to the similarity of some of the subject matter and a little overlong, this is nevertheless a striking and thought-provoking debut that puts a very personal face on a phenomenon that, Fan hints, could well be tearing Chinese society apart from within.
…Alternating fixed, self-consciously framed shots with ragged handheld camerawork, Lixin captures both the beauty of the film's rural and industrial settings and the fevered chaos of the family's public and domestic crises. While an overhead shot of a group of thousands of tightly packed workers lining up in the rain turns the masses into a lovely abstraction, their umbrellas adding patches of color to an otherwise monochrome painting, later ground-level shots capture with astonishing immediacy the confusion and desperation of the crowds forced to stand for days, waiting for the train after a snowstorm in another part of the country has knocked out the power grids. Similarly, while lightly ironic overhead shots of the family's rural village suggest a pastoral beauty with the just visible deterioration of the buildings the only sign of difficulty, when Lixin places his camera at the family center, things seem far less idyllic…
…This is a heartbreaking film. It is a film as much about migration as it is about family, love, sacrifice, rebellion. It's about dreams - dreams of your own, dreams for your children, and your childrens' dreams, one carrying into another, and now conflicting with each other. There are many moments that are so riveting that they seem fictional. They are not. This is human drama, and it is real. Fan resists the urge to embellish and simply allows them to unfold in front of your eyes…


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What a fun day I had! Don't get me wrong, I didn't do anything exciting or new, but still, I had a great day. The weather here is not pretty; we're in for rain (and LOTS of it!) for the next several days. But that's fine with me. We need it, and I enjoy spending time in my studio with the sound of the rain spattering on the roof.
One of our guild members dropped by to pick up her round quilt - she wants to redo a few things. And she showed up with a goody bag for me - Kaffe Fasset fabric! What a treasure! Thanks so much, Elizabeth E.
As for sewing, I did more quilting on the Sunrise quilt. It's coming along nicely. Then I machine stitched the binding on one of the Starry Slice quilts. I tried a new technique - more about that tomorrow.
And then I started the next portrait - Patches. I like to vary the way I do portraits. Life's more interesting that way. Remember the last one was done by fusing strips of fabric. This one will be done with hand applique. I know - a bit time consuming, especially since this will be a fairly large piece. But I'm excited about it.


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After I left Jackson Hole, I headed south to visit friends and family in Park City, Utah, and then continued down to Moab, Utah, for the night. The following day included a trek across New Mexico, including the Four Corners National Monument, ending down in Texas. Utah had some interesting "red rock" terrain, and while New Mexico had a lot of flat grasslands, it was fun to pass through all the small towns and settlements. The pictures below are some of the highlights. I took almost 1,000 pictures on this trip, so there's still a lot to pick through. For those of you who don't already know, I did arrive home on the night of Monday the 14th, after 6,360 miles, but more about that later… I hope you enjoy the pictures!
Posted from National Park, New Jersey, United States.


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BNP Paribas Open
Mar 6 – Mar 17, 2019 | Indian Wells, CA
View Photos
BNP Paribas Open Packages
Enjoy the excitement of world class tennis at the BNP Paribas Open with one of Championship Tennis Tours' complete packages. The tournament is located in Indian Wells, a quick 20 minutes from Palm Springs. Set in an idyllic setting, our packages feature official BNP Paribas Open tickets in your choice of seating levels on Stadium 1 and hand picked 3, 4 or 5 star accommodations just minutes from Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Come celebrate the end of winter with an unforgettable stay in Indian Wells with its signature snowcapped mountains, warm desert breezes, and the finest tennis in the world.
Complete Packages Include
- 3, 4 or 5 star Hotel Accommodations i
- Guaranteed Official BNP Paribas Open tickets
- On-Site Tour Hosts
- CTT Tour Gifts
Indian Wells Tennis Garden
Seating Information
Seating Information
Quick Links: First WeekMiddle RoundsFinal Week Provisional Schedule
First Week:As tennis play gets underway in the warm desert, you'll find many a match to enjoy and even see some of the future stars of tennis competing in the early rounds.
|Tour Code i
# of
|Package Dates
|Tickets Included
|Seating Level i
Cost Per
Person i
|03/05 - 03/08
|Opening Rounds
|Wed, Thu, and Fri Day Sessions (3 Sessions)
Middle Rounds:The stakes continue to grow as the contenders separate themselves from the pack. However, stunning upsets and brave runs by unknowns make this week quite intriguing.
|Tour Code i
# of
|Package Dates
|Tickets Included
|Seating Level i
Cost Per
Person i
|03/08 - 03/11
|Opening Weekend
|Sat and Sun Day and Eve Sessions (4 Sessions)
Final Week:Watch only the top tennis players compete for the BNP Paribas crown. This week is full of top draw matches and determined play!
|Tour Code i
# of
|Package Dates
|Tickets Included
|Seating Level i
Cost Per
Person i
|03/10 - 03/14
|Mon-Tue-Wed Day Sessions (3 Sessions)
|03/14 - 03/17
|Semis and Finals
|Fri Day/Eve, Sat Day, Sun Day (4 Sessions)
|03/14 - 03/17
|Final Weekend
|Fri-Sat-Sun (3 Sessions)
|03/16 - 03/18
|Men's and Women's Finals
|Sun (1 Session)
Add Tour Options or Continue to Checkout
Featured Properties (View hotels on map):Please select up to three featured properties below: Read more
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Best Western Plus
Courtyard Marriott
Holiday Inn Express
Hilton Garden Inn
Residence Inn
Homewood Suites by Hilton
Miramonte Resort & Spa
Indian Wells Resort Hotel
Embassy Suites
Hyatt Grand Champions
Rennaissance Esmeralda
La Quinta Resort
JW Marriott Desert Springs
Ritz Carlton
Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort
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Indian Wells Hotels
For your stay in this desert paradise, we work with the finest properties throughout the area. All properties are within 5-15 minutes to the tennis and are handpicked for space, character and comfort by our team of experts, so you only get the best.
Indian Wells - Three star properties: Overview
We've hand picked a few of the favorite three star hotels in the area, all offering easy access to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
The hotels are located approximately 5 - 7 minutes from the BNP Paribas tournament site
Here are the 3 star properties we feature (View Hotels on Map):Best Western Plus, Courtyard Marriott, Holiday Inn Express, Hilton Garden Inn and Residence Inn.
The hotels are located approximately 5 - 7 minutes from the BNP Paribas tournament site
Read More
Indian Wells - Four star properties: Overview
We've selected excellent properties that offer you an excellent home in the desert for your time at the BNP Paribas Open. Each property has been selected for its comfort, location and amenities.
Here are the four star properties we feature (View Hotels on Map):Embassy Suites, Indian Wells Resort Hotel, Miramonte Resort & Spa and Homewood Suites by Hilton.
Location:Palm Springs International Airport: Resort is approximately 13 miles East of
the Airport.
Distance from Event: Approximately 5-10 minutes by car
Read More
Indian Wells: Five star properties: Overview
Indian Wells has long been recognized as a world-class tennis destination and we've selected four premier luxury resorts for our five star properties. Each property offers an incredible resort experience. In addition to the beautiful pools, fine dining options, and well appointed rooms, you'll enjoy award-winning service, picturesque courtyards, and sparkling fountains.
Here are the five star properties we feature (View Hotels on Map):Hyatt Grand Champions, Rennaissance Esmeralda, La Quinta Resort, JW Marriott Desert Springs, Ritz Carlton and Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort.
Location:Palm Springs International Airport: Resort is approximately 13 miles East of
the Airport.
Distance from Event: 5 minutes by car
Read More
Your BNP Paribas Open tickets will be located in the seating level of your choice on Stadium 1.
With your Center Court Tickets you can attend matches on all the outside courts.
With your Center Court Tickets you can attend matches on all the outside courts.
How many seats are in the main stadium?
There are 16,100 seats in the main stadium. The upper bowl section is located above the stadium suites and consists of two seating sections, the loge and the grandstand seats. The grandstand seats have a seat-back but no arm rests. The lower bowl is located below the stadium suites and includes all box seat sections.
What does my ticket entitle me to?
Tickets purchased for the main stadium are valid on a general admission (first come, first serve) basis only on ALL outside courts. Box Seat and Club tickets have a small reserved general admission area located in the first four rows on the east side of stadium 2 & 3. Tickets purchased for stadium 2 & 3 are not valid for the main stadium.
What time is the evening session ticket permitted through the gates?
Evening session tickets are permitted through the gates at 4:30 p.m. Evening session tickets are valid on a general admission (first come, first serve) basis on ALL outside courts. Admission to the main stadium will be allowed at the announced evening session match time. Main stadium admission may be delayed if the day session runs late.
Does my child need a ticket?
Children under the age of 3 are not required to have a ticket, provided they sit on your lap and do not inconvenience the other tennis fans. If they require a seat, a ticket will have to be purchased.
Are there shaded seats?
All courts are outside and open air. The courts are situated on a north/south plan so pending the time of day there may be shaded seats located on the west, northwest and southwest sides of the courts. All seats in the main stadium court are reserved. Most seats on the outside courts are available on a general admission basis.
How many seats are in Stadium Two and Three?
Stadium Two has 6,000 seats and Stadium Three has 2,700 seats. There are a limited number of reserved seats on the west side of both of these courts and are available for purchase. All other seats are available on a general admission basis - first come, first serve. Once a person leaves, the seat becomes available to the next person waiting in line.
What time do the gates open for day session matches?
Gates open one hour before the matches start each day.
What time does the day or evening session start?
Matches generally start at 11:00 a.m. for main draw play day sessions and 7:00 p.m. for the evening session. Times are subject to change. Day session ticket holders may enter the grounds beginning at 10:00am. Evening session ticket holders may enter the grounds beginning at 4:30pm though please note that admission may be delayed if the day session runs late.For current times please check www.bnpparibasopen.com
May I bring a back pack?
All soft-sided containers and bags 16 inches by 16 inches by 8 inches are permitted. Bags and containers are subject to inspection by gate security prior to entering the tournament site. Hard-sided coolers and bags are not allowed. Back packs that exceed the approved size or hard sided containers must either be returned to their owner's vehicle/transportation or discarded. The Indian Wells Tennis Garden will not provide a storage area for these items. Guests arriving by public transportation must take particular caution not to bring any prohibited items as no exceptions will be made.
What is your camera policy?
Camcorders and cameras are prohibited for any purpose other than the recording of footage or photographs for personal and private domestic use only. They are permitted as long as there is no flash photography and the equipment is not a hindrance to surrounding spectators. Film may not be reproduced. Such footage or photographs cannot be exploited or displayed in any manner or in any medium whatsoever without the express written consent of the ATP World Tour or WTA.
How is the draw made?
First the 32 seeded players (the 32 highest-ranked players per the WTA or ATP World Tour ranking system) are placed on the draw (No. 1 on the first line, No. 2 on the last line and then the others in alternating order on pre-determined lines). Once the seeds are in place, the other players are drawn at random and placed on the empty lines starting at the top of the page and going down the draw until it is filled.
How is the schedule determined?
The schedule is made each day late afternoon or early evening. Representatives including the tournament referee, Tour supervisors from the ATP and WTA, broadcasters and the tournament director determine the schedule.
How do I get information about the match schedule?
During the tournament the following day's schedule is determined each evening and is usually available no later than 7 p.m. depending on how long the day session matches run. It will be posted at www.bnpparibasopen.com.
Can you tell me when a particular player will play?
No, the draw for the WTA main draw players will be made on Monday, March 5, 2013 and for the ATP World Tour main draw players on Tuesday, March 6, 2013. The match schedule for each day of play will reflect which players will be playing as well as when they will be playing. The match schedule is posted on the official tournament website after approximately 7pm the prior evening.
Can I watch players practice?
You may watch the players in action on the practice courts 9-24 which are located on the south side of the stadium. A schedule of practice times is displayed on information towers adjacent to the practice courts.
What items are banned from entry to the tournament?
Alcohol, weapons, illegal substances, glass, open beverage containers and hard-sided bags/containers are not permitted. Prohibited items that are discovered during bag inspections must either be returned to your vehicle or discarded. The Indian Wells Tennis Garden will not provide storage for these items. Guests arriving by public transportation must take particular caution not to bring any prohibited items, as no exceptions will be made.
- CTT Tour Gifts and On-Site Hosts
Your BNP Paribas Open package including your tennis tickets will be delivered to you by FedEx a few weeks before your first day of arrival at the tournament.
Do you have any questions? Send an email. Or call. Arizona Office local and international call +1 (480) 429-7700
Since 1987, we have had just one mission, and that's to make it as easy as possible for thousands of fans each year to attend the most sought after tennis tournaments in the world. We handle only tennis and have deep experience and understanding of the tournaments we service. You can trust us to take care of all the details, with a level of customer service that will make you a loyal client for years to come.
Mike Bernstein
Championship Tennis Tours
|BNP Paribas Open| Individual Tickets | Complete Packages | Customize a Package |BNP Paribas Open Info


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Many energy retailers offer different deals for your gas and electricity. They're usually called energy offers.
There are many energy offers available. Think about price, but don't forget things like:
- how long you have to sign up for
- fees
- discounts, and
- other special deals (these might be called 'incentives').
There are other things that you might not know about. For example, did you know that when you use energy might affect how much you pay?
Some offers depend on whether you:
- have a smart meter
- want your energy to be good for the environment (these might be called GreenPower offers)
- have a solar energy system, or
- live in the city or country.
To find out more, click on the topics below:


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Two-year-old airline Virgin America touched down Wednesday in Florida, marking one of its most ambitious expansion moves yet with a lavish welcoming ceremony that included Virgin Group Ltd. founder and billionaire Richard Branson.
Virgin took a cautious first step into Florida _ just two daily nonstop flights apiece between Fort Lauderdale and both Los Angeles and San Francisco.
The move could foreshadow even more head-to-head competition between Virgin and other airlines, including Delta, Southwest and JetBlue.
Virgin flies mostly between the coasts, from four spots in California to New York, Washington and Boston _ routes popular with business travelers. Fort Lauderdale doesn't fit the profile of a typical Virgin America city.
"We know we need warm-weather sites," CEO David Cush said in an interview this week. "This will help balance out our network."
Cush acknowledged that Californians, especially in the San Francisco Bay Area, are more likely to consider Hawaii than Florida for a beach vacation, but he believes the airline can change that thinking. Fort Lauderdale is contributing $100,000 to a Virgin marketing campaign aimed at Californians, he said.
Virgin's closest rival on the new routes may be JetBlue, which began nonstops between Fort Lauderdale and San Francisco on Tuesday.
"Virgin America has a good product, but we're confident our customers will continue to fly JetBlue," said JetBlue spokeswoman Alison Croyle.
The list of Virgin competitors is likely to grow.
Airline consultant Robert Mann said Virgin's service from California to Florida is a good way to use its aircraft wisely on potentially lucrative flights. If the service succeeds, he said, Virgin will expand to include Florida flights from its bases in the Northeast, including New York's Kennedy Airport.
That would pit Virgin against Delta Air Lines Inc., the world's biggest airline company, which already flies to Fort Lauderdale from Kennedy and LaGuardia airports in New York. Delta also flies there from Los Angeles.
Other big operators at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport include Southwest Airlines Co., the nation's largest discount carrier, and AirTran.
Virgin advertises fares from California starting at $104, although it's not saying how many seats it will sell at the cheapest price.
Kent Landers, a spokesman for Delta, said his airline offers a vastly larger network of connecting flights and "will vigorously compete" with Virgin on price, although he couldn't say whether Delta had matched Virgin's cheapest fares.
Because of stiff competition and the presence of low-cost carriers, airlines regularly discount fares to Florida destinations.
Airlines compete in other ways too. Continental pointed out it still serves free meals in coach, while Virgin charges for them.
Virgin takes a $15 fee for each checked bag. Southwest and JetBlue let the first bag fly free.


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October 27, 2009
DSME books $460 million VLOC order
Korea's Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. said Tuesday it has received a US$460 million order to build four 400,000 dwt very large ore carriers.
DSME identified the customer only as "a client in Southeast Asia." Speculation is, however, that the customer is either Brazilian mining giant Vale, or an owner who will charter the ships to Vale.
Vale has been coy about its extensive ore carrier building program in Korea as it has been criticized by Brazilian President Lula da Silva for not building the ships in Brazilian yards. The $460 million price tag for the ships is a drop in the bucket in terms of Vale's overall capital expenditure program. Earlier this month it said its investment program for 2010 would reach $12.9 billion and that it would "continue to invest a sizeable amount of funds in our railroads, maritime terminals, shipping and power generation."


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Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Another non-solution to the wrong problem
Ok, got it. Let's respond to terrorism by stripping law abiding Americans of their constitutional rights. Today the 2nd amendment, tomorrow...what? Freedom of speech? Freedom of religion? How about if we just quarter S.W.A.T. teams in our houses on a rotating basis?
5 comments:
- Mike_W said...
Freedom to march into a FEMA camp not entirely of your choice.
- November 18, 2015 at 7:18 PM
....Congressthing.... Perfect! Or Congresstool.
Her calls are reminiscent of post-Oklahoma City bombings when there was discussion about placing restrictions on fertilizer. Those restrictions would greatly impact the farmers, but that didn't matter to the let-no-crisis-go-to-waste mob.
- November 18, 2015 at 9:24 PM
The only difference gun laws make is that criminals have an odd antique assortment of weapons, like this Russian guy found with a Tommy-gun near where my kids used to go to school, and part of the reason why I moved away! -
"Sub machine gun"? Or whatever.
- November 18, 2015 at 10:08 PM
- rinardman said...
Don't look at me...I didn't vote for her.
- November 18, 2015 at 10:26 PM
Hey she's got a point. With the magical power of government regulation, firearms will cease to exist! They'll just turn to dust. Pixie dust! Wingnuts, why don't you get this?
- November 19, 2015 at 2:06 AM


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Greetings and welcome to part four of my trip to Hong Kong! I've been waiting to write this post for so long because today, I get to introduce you to one of my absolute places in Hong Kong - Victoria Peak! I don't think I need to say much for you to understand why I love this location so much with such a breathtaking view! One of my favourite things to do at the Peak is to watch the sunset as the sky turn pink and then blue as all the city lights begin to turn on.
To me grand cities are almost dull during the day. The locals go to work or school and particularly during the summer, it's extremely hot and humid. When the sun goes down, everything just seems to come to life. Something I have difficulty adjusting to how much of a night owl everyone is. During the holidays, my cousins sometimes wake up at 1pm and sleep at 3am where as I generally wake up at 8am and sleep at 11pm. What's strange is that once I've adjusted, I can see why it must be done in a city like Hong Kong. The shops open up at 11am and shut at sometimes 2am so there's no point being up in the early hours of the morning at all (unless you're going for yum cha in which case the restaurant will open at 7am).
In Hong Kong, it almost scares me when I check the time and realise I'm still out and about at half past eleven at night. The trains are completely packed with little children still wandering the city. In Melbourne, by 6pm almost all the shops would have closed and by 7pm, I might be one of the only ones on my train line!
There are a few ways of getting to the Peak - one being the famous Peak Tram! As the tram has to go up the mountain, it's actually hauled up by a rope which can hold up to 139 tonnes. Usually the queue to board the tram is a little extreme so I end up catching the bus which is no where as scenic but gets the job done. At the peak, there's a 360 degree viewing platform, some restaurants and cafes, a hiking trail which is where I took my pictures, a historical tram gallery and a Madame Tussauds! You could honestly spend your entire day there and not get tired of the view, I think I stood on the mountain for about two hours.
Another thing that happens in Victoria Harbour is 'A Symphony of Lights' at 8pm. For about thirteen minutes, some of the buildings put on a laser light show which is said to be pretty spectacular to watch. Unfortunately if there is any rainstorm warnings before 3pm, the show will be cancelled which is why I have yet to see the light show. Especially during July when it's typhoon season. I still think with or without the lights, Victoria Peak is a pretty spectacular place, one I highly recommend!
Sally Kaack Photography © All Rights Reserved


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How this work:
In the last couple of years I have seen how my collection of books have grown a lot. I really want to read all the books I have been buying that's why I have decided to create this challenge.
Here is the list of some of them, I will be adding more books little by little.
- Where Rainbows End by Cecelia Ahern
- Negotiating with the dead by Margaret Atwood
- Size 14 is not fat either by Meg Cabot
- Thyme out by Katie Fforde.
- Bridget Jones. Mad about the boy by Helen Fielding
- The Humans by Matt Haig
- Born weird by Andrew Kaufman
- Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins
- Dancing in my nuddy-pants by Louise Renninson.
- Gulp by Mary Roach
- Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
- At a loss for words by Diane Schoemperlen
- The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion
- The tower, the zoo and the tortoise by Julia Stuart
- The End of Mr. Y by Scarlett Thomas
- This is where I leave you by Jonathan Tropper
- In her shoes by Jennifer Weiner.
- The pocket muse by Monica Wood


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|Preparing to embark on a 14-hour flight across the ocean,
who's panicking?
Flying with a little one, especially by yourself, can strike fear in a mom. Recently, a few people have asked about my experiences flying, especially internationally, alone with a child. I flew by myself with Lucas nearly a dozen times before he reached age 3, which means I've seen some of the best and worst of it. I am by no means an expert, and there are braver moms than me who fly alone with not one, not two, but three or more children. Much of what I do when traveling I've learned from them. I figured I'd share my view and the things I do in case any one else is nervous about the prospect. I know I definitely was the first time. Bear with me here - this stuff might be obvious or well-known to you, but for the benefit of those new to flying with kids, or flying in general, I wanted to include info on everything I've been asked by other traveling moms.
Experienced travelers, what suggestions or tips do you have for moms new to flying with little ones?
Stage 1 - Buying Tickets
Well, first and foremost, I have to put in a totally un-provoked plug for KoreanAir. If you are flying through Asia, it's worth any extra price to fly this airline, especially with kids in tow. "Excellence in Flight" is their motto and it's for real. Their service, relaxing atmosphere, thoughtful provisions, great amenities, and overall attentiveness is unparalleled vs. the dozens of other airlines I've flown. All air travel should be like that. Anyway...
Lap baby tickets - children under 2 yearsAs you probably know, children under 2 are normally allowed to share a seat with a parent, enabling you to buy a single ticket. This is a huge relief to many parents, especially the way airfare is headed right now. Just be aware that when flying internationally, there are usually significant fees and taxes even on the accompanying baby's ticket. With some airlines, you don't find out about a lot of these fees until after booking. In one case, I even had to pay a large chunk of the fees at the ticketing counter when I checked in. So try to verify exactly what you will pay if you choose to fly with a lap baby, and don't just assume your final booking price is the end of it. In general, prices tend to be around 10% of the adult ticket. Beware of how this can work! Some airlines will tell you that there's a choice to pay the infant seat ticket upfront or wait until some other time before the travel date. If you choose not to pay upfront, check the policy on price calculation. I've been told that certain airlines (American being a notable one) will charge 10% the face value of an adult ticket on the day you pay, which means if fares rise significantly between the time you purchase your ticket and the time you pay the lap baby fees, you could pay a lot more for the baby ticket.
Also, with many online ticketing sites and services, it's not possible to reserve a lap baby ticket online; you have to call in or use some other method. So keep this in mind when searching online - you usually won't be able to get the full flight price until you talk to a real human.
One cool thing about lap baby tickets is that on many flights, you can try to reserve a bulkhead seat for yourself and the airline will attach a bassinet to the wall in front. This is great for small babies, so you can give your arms a break. Check with your airline for policies. Usually the bassinet is available for babies who can't yet sit up, and most airlines have an upper age limit for infants using this service. Just something to keep in mind and check into if it applies.
Lap baby ticket or separate ticket?With a small infant or baby, I say it's a great idea, especially with that bassinet option. As you get into the toddler ages, perhaps not so much. When Lucas was nearing 2yrs, I flew with him on my lap and I really regretted it. We were way too squished. Personally I think after 18 months, most kids are too big to fit comfortably squished in one seat with mom, especially in the ever-shrinking economy-fare seats, and especially on flights longer than an hour or two. If you're also flying with an older child who will be in his/her own seat anyway, then doing the lap baby ticket for a under-2 child could probably work out better because you can use some of the other child's seat space to your advantage.
One big factor in favor of a separate seat ticket is if you want to bring a car seat on board for the child. Some moms with restless toddlers find that they get through the flight better when strapped into a car seat just like in auto trips. My son would never go for this, but perhaps it would work for you. Airlines allow you to bring any FAA-approved car seat on board for a child flying with a separate ticket. Some airlines will even let you bring a car seat on board for a lap baby provided there is an unoccupied seat to use it in (essentially amounting to a free seat for your baby), but this is heavily contingent on how booked the flight is, and you don't always know for sure if you can do this until check-in or even boarding.
- For domestic flights, always bring a copy of your children's birth certificates, especially if you need to prove their ages for fare purposes.
- For international flights, even to Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean, each child under age 16 must have a passport. Here is the Department of State website for under-age-16 passports. If you need to get a child's passport and the other parent is outside the US, the requirements can seem daunting but it is possible! At this link, you can find out how I and many others in this situation have done it.
- If flying internationally without the child's other parent, it is recommendable that you carry a notarized consent letter from the other parent if you can. 90% of the time nobody even asks about it, but among countries party to the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction, officials are supposed to check that the other parent gives consent before you exit and/or enter the country with the kids. I am of the opinion that it's better to be safe than sorry, because sorry could mean secondary inspection at the immigration, meaning an hour or two of hassle at best, and missing a vital connection at worst. Here's one in English and Spanish that I drew up that you can print or use as an example to create your own. NOTE: If you will be in Canada at any time during your trip, you will need their specific consent letter, which can be found here, and you will need to get it notarized. Canada takes this issue very seriously. Some parents have reported getting through Canada just fine without the letter, or with one that wasn't notarized, but enough have experienced major hassles to make it very worthwhile to have one.
Which seats?For a toddler, I like to get a window seat so I can let my son stand/play on the floor all he wants during the flight. And this way there's minimal bumping into other passengers and no limbs getting into the busy aisle. Even for our Korea trip, I chose the window and middle seats and we did just fine. Plus, it makes it easier to set up pillows/blankets for him during sleeping time.
However, if you have a recently potty-trained little one, accessibility for bathroom runs is probably even more important, so in that case the aisle seat might be better.
For more detailed seat-choosing, you can use SeatGuru, a site that has the exact layout of each kind of aircraft and gives you in-depth reviews of the best and worst seats on the plane.
TimingIf you have the luxury of choosing what time you fly, it obviously works well to have naptimes and bedtimes coincide with the flight. The longer your child sleeps on the plane, the easier it is for everyone. Even if it's off schedule by a bit, the humming of the engines and the in-flight cabin sounds seem to lull little ones to sleep, and they're able to get much more comfortable in those little seats than we adults can. My son always sleeps longer on planes than he does anywhere else. Just be sure to keep the child as active as possible before getting on the plane so that sleep can take over once you're settled and in the air. Some moms worry that their little one won't sleep enough. You might check with your child's doctor about suggested supplements or medicine if they become too restless and can't sleep onboard. We've never needed anything, but I know a lot of moms feel best having something in their arsenal.
Stage 2 - Checking In/Gear
Car SeatsAt the check-in counter, you can usually check one car seat per child for free, even if you get a lap baby ticket for a child under 2 (check with the airline for free luggage policies, but this is generally the case). You can check it right alongside your luggage. This is what I've done when I've traveled with Lucas' car seat, because Lord knows there's no way I'm dragging that thing all around the airport when I'm traveling without an adult companion. As mentioned above, you can generally bring a car seat on board if you have purchased a corresponding seat. I'm not sure I'd have the sanity to manage a car seat plus stroller, carry-ons, and child, especially while going through the security checkpoint, but especially if you're flying with someone else, it could be option. As an alternative, if you don't want to lug a car seat onto the plane but do want to have the child secured beyond the floppy airplane lap belt, there are products like the CARES system that construct a secure harness and can be tossed into your carry-on. Another option, if you really just care about having a safety system when you reach your destination, is this car seat harness vest that a fellow travelling mama pointed out. It's also lightweight, packable, and can be used for children over 30 lbs. It's not FAA-approved so it can't be used on the plane, but especially in cases where you're traveling internationally to places where car seats are not commonly used, it can be a great tool once you arrive.
If you do bring a car seat and check it at the counter, I suggest wrapping it in an old sheet and then putting the whole thing into a big garbage bag for protection, if you don't have one of those fancy fabric bags. Just be sure to leave a way for airline staff to attach luggage tickets to it. Our Combi Coccoro convertible seat has traveled wonderfully with us and I usually arrange the wrapping so that tags can be looped around one of the plastic braces on the back.
StrollerYou are allowed to bring a stroller all throughout the airport, right up to the gate, and check it there. They put it under the plane after you board, and it's right there at the gate when you get off the plane. As above, check with the airline for restrictions - some have requirements for folded dimensions and materials. You don't want to fly with your heavy-duty stroller; this is a time to use the most lightweight, compact, easy-to-collapse-with-tons-of-stuff-in-your-arms stroller you can find, which for me was either our trusty $25 Babies R Us umbrella stroller or our Combi lightweight stroller. Again, if you care deeply about the stroller, you may want to bring a bag or wrapping to protect it, but remember that this can be tricky to accomplish at the gate when you have limited hands, a child to attend to, carry-ons to keep track of, documents to show airline staff, etc. Also, some great airlines (ahem, KoreanAir) actually wrap the stroller for you before they put it under the plane.
If you're traveling with an infant, consider bringing no stroller at all, and just using a sling, or carrier. It can be much easier than assembling-disassembling the stroller at various points during travel. Just be sure the carrier is easy to remove if security personnel want it off during a checkpoint.
LuggageFare-paying children typically get the same luggage allowance as adults. Even lap babies usually get a free luggage allowance as well. Check with your airline, and I recommend using any free checked luggage allowance you can to avoid bringing things on board. While maximizing your carry-on luggage is great when you're an adult flying sans-enfants, it is not so great when you also have to manage a child/children, their supplies, gear, tickets, passports, documents, shoes, layers of clothing, etc. So check anything you can and only bring on board what is absolutely necessary to survive the flight or is just too valuable to check. If you have a preschooler who is big enough to wear a backpack, try to store a good bit of plane stuff in there, but other than that, I would try to stick to just one other carry-on bag if you can help it. One time I made the mistake of bringing a bit too much stuff, AND I was traveling with Lucas as a lap child, and by the time I got off the plane, I was so stressed out from trying to keep track of everything. Once you're on board, you're likely going to be reaching into your carry-on a lot for stuff to keep the kids busy or fed, so make sure it's easy to store at your feet/under the seat, and has compartments that are easy to reach into even if you can't fully see.
Waiting to check inWhile some airlines have great, easy, electronic check-in screens where you just swipe your documents, punch a few buttons and you're done, others require you to wait in very long lines, especially for international flights. Also, even with airlines that use check-in screens, flying with children often kicks you out of the automated process and causes you to have to wait for employee assistance to finish the check-in due to gear or lap baby tickets. So be prepared that this is the first of many times when you might need to break into your Stay Sane Supply, which I will describe further down.
Stage 3- Security and Boarding
Security linesOne challenge is that you have to get the child out of the stroller and collapse it to scan when you go through security. Sometimes a TSA employee steps in and helps at this point, which is fantastic. Otherwise you're on your own. Be sure to check out the TSA "Flying with Children" website before you fly to prepare for what happens in the security line. That site details the security process, what you can/can't bring in your carry-on luggage, and the special rules that apply to people traveling with kids (e.g. we can bring more juice and such beyond the regular liquid limitations). One note: my child gets upset when he has to take off his shoes during the security check. I found that it was actually helpful to prepare him this last time, go through it with him verbally in the days before we flew so that he'd know what to expect and what to do. It can be a stressful moment there, when you're removing shoes, jackets, etc. I always have Lucas wear socks, at least for the security check, so his feet don't freeze on the bare floor. Again, be prepared for long lines in security, especially for flights during busy hours. Stay Sane Supply again...
Waiting to Board/LayoversI like to try to get through security right away and then relax on the other side. The downside to this at some airports is that the terminal might be pretty limited once you get inside. O'Hare International terminal immediately comes to mind here. If your little ones like to watch planes take off, you're golden, but even this can get old. Some airports have a play area for kids to burn off energy, so check into it and plan your layover accordingly. Definitely make a bathroom trip as close to boarding time as possible. No matter where I am, I usually try to find a less-congested area, and set Lucas free for awhile to burn off any excess energy. "See that blue barrel? Run to it! OK now run back!" Also, I know a lot of people like to board as soon as the staff at the gate calls for anyone traveling with small children. I usually ignore this and wait so I can take advantage of more wiggle time, but if you fly with multiple children, you might want to take them up on this, so you can get everyone settled in and get all your stuff in place for the flight.
Stage 4 - On Board/Carry-On/Stay Sane Supply
This is probably the most panic-inducing stage. Just try to stay calm about it. Your baby/child probably will cry at some point. Strange noises, strange smells, strange people, fluctuating temperatures, changing altitudes, it all adds up to a perfect storm for a small child. But if you're able to anticipate some of these obstacles, everyone can get through the flight with minimal stress. All of your tools for this stage are the Stay Sane Supply. You want to keep all of these things easy-to access, packaged into small sets so you can pull one thing out at a time without causing a breakdown when your child sees something that wasn't supposed to come out until the fifth hour of flight time. For longer flights, you may end up rotating through it all.
Infant to small toddler age
- Fun, colorful toys are great. Chewable, tactile stuff. If you can get a new one to pull out on the plane, awesome. No matter what, it's good if you can find a way to tether any toys to the seatback pocket or tray hook in front of you so that every time baby drops a toy, it's not hitting the icky floor and disappearing under fellow passengers' seats. Use those plastic linky things, or just a ribbon connected to a clothespin.
- Unless your little one is entertained for long periods of time by particular board books, don't bother bringing them - they add bulk and weight that aren't worth it. Instead, consider fun paper, stickers, sticky notes, and things that can be moved around while sitting in your seat.
- Make sure to pack teething remedies, just in case your baby's mouth decides to start erupting on the day you travel or during your trip.
- Also make sure your diaper supply is well-stocked, with a backup change of clothes (possibly also one for you if you have a blowout-prone infant), a light blanket to use as a changing pad if necessary, and some plastic bags in case you need to do a diaper change without a garbage can nearby.
Toddler to Preschooler
- iPad/tablet/smartphone loaded with kids books and fun apps is an obvious choice if available.
- I used to raid that bargain zone at Target and get cheap little books and random small stuff to pack as surprises into my carry-on.
- Another thing you might find at Target or Wal-Mart are travel games, like this Take N Play Robot Construction Set that Lucas adores.
- I also bring Wikki Stix. They're waxy so they stick to each other and onto the backseat trays or walls, but don't leave any residue or mess. Lucas spent one entire flight playing with those, I didn't even need to get out any of the other stuff.
- Finally, we love this Melissa & Doug Magnetic Pattern Blocks set. Sometimes we travel with the magnetic board and entire case, sometimes we just bring the blocks and the pattern sheets, but for our most recent flight, we did just fine with only the pattern blocks in a baggie, and we took out a few at a time to arrange into designs on the tray.
|One entertaining use for Wikki Stix
All ages
- One trick I've often read about and used to a certain extent is the "surprise present" idea. You get some small, basic toys, old or new, and wrap them in colorful wrapping paper. Every now and then you pull one out and let your little one have a blast opening a surprise to find out what it is.
- Snacks - if they're on solid foods, pulling out small baggies of surprise snacks at various intervals during the flight can break up the boredom. As previously mentioned, you may need to dip into this stash even before you board the plane. Check-in and security lines sometimes are madness, and so are the immigration lines if you fly internationally, particularly if you arrive mid-day. Just be mindful that sugary snacks, especially early in the flight, could have pretty maddening repercussions. Also, like many moms, I believe artificial flavors and colors enhance any hyper or moody phases my son might go through, so I try as hard as possible to avoid these, especially while flying.
- Particularly for a non-nursing child, it's a good idea to pack some kind of chewy snack and/or a drink for takeoff and landing so you can try to keep them chewing and swallowing and prevent their little ears from popping.
- Also, my child falls asleep on airplanes, all airplanes (fights to sleep normally, but put the kid on a plane and he's out). This can be such a blessing, but it's also horrible when I'm forced to wake him up mid-nap so I can sit him upright during landing as requested by flight attendants. So I started bringing some ridiculous snack (like chewing gum) that he never gets to eat and only pulling it out during landing, so that he can be chewing and bribed into happiness even though I woke him up from a peaceful nap.
- If your little one is nursing, prepare yourself however you need to so you can nurse without hesitation on the plane. This is your single greatest weapon when they get bored, uncomfortable, scared, hungry, teething, ears popping, whatever. In fact, if you're considering weaning soon but have a flight in the near future, consider postponing at least until the trip is over. Breastfeeding made all of our infant and toddler-age flights so much more bearable. And if you're sheepish about nursing elbow-to-elbow around strangers, keep in mind that they'd be more angry to hear your hungry/uncomfortable baby screaming. I've sat next to businessmen who suddenly felt comfortable to talk about their own children and families once I started nursing Lucas. You just never know.
- Layered clothing for everybody to wear onboard. Even in summer, or maybe especially in summer. Those planes get cold after awhile, but sometimes while dashing through airport terminals or waiting to take off with the climate controls off, the temps rise pretty uncomfortably. So have everyone prepared for both extremes.
- Wet wipes. No matter what age, they always come in handy during air travel!
Stage 5 - Post-flightTry to do a bathroom stop before hitting the baggage claim and immigration lines if you can find one. Depending on the airport, it's often right there after you get off the plane and I tend to miss the opportunity. But better to take it. This way, you're not only avoiding the massive crush of people in the line from your plane, but you also don't run the risk of having to forfeit your place in the long crazy line if someone does have to go all the sudden.
Baggage claim - if possible, try to have someone pick you up from inside the airport if you're traveling with kids and luggage. Even just one extra hand to push a luggage cart or stroller can make all the difference. If you're flying internationally and have to drag your stuff through customs before exiting into the real world, airport staff should be able to help you if you're struggling. Don't be a hero, seek help for this part. You'll likely be tired, a bit ragged, and in need of any assistance you can get by that point.
And from there, you should be at your destination, ready to go take a really long nap.
Good luck and happy travels!
For more travel tips and advice from other traveling parents, check out this link at SuitcasesandSippycups, where lots of other bloggers weigh in.


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So December has been pretty much snowless for the most part, but hopefully that will change this coming week! I am holding out for a White New Year! :) But while we wait for that.. here is a look back at the incredible snow storm we had in November. The one we rushed to get the lean-to up before.
In the space of less than 12 hours the whole world was covered in a thick white blanket!!!
I was gone in the morning, but Josiah and Faith took advantage of the snow and went sledding on our steep hill back in "the bowl."
Ready.... Set........
I completely missed out on the sledding, so that's one of the many reasons I can't wait for it to come again!!
The next morning, we woke to beauty! Just think that this thick layer of blinding whiteness is made up of billions upon billions of individual tiny intricate snowflakes! We serve and incredible Creator!!!!
The animals all had different reactions to this sudden white out. The piggies rather liked rooting around in the cold moist fluff, and Sadie Rose of course has always loved snow!!! The goats on the other hand, weren't exactly thrilled, but they were nice and safe in their newly built run in. :)
Hope these photos helped assuage your desire for snow.. till the next Snow Day!!!
(Hopefully soon!)


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My oven isn't working. Light's on but no one's home. Literally. Brain dead.
No I've not gone mental on the workies, since they aren't here. The electrician told me. Since the oven is still under guarantee, I've called the shop and they've arranged an engineer to come out on Tuesday to fix it. Hopefully.
Not all that gleeful about the new kitchen now, but at least the hob works, so I can cook with the pans.
Just my kind of luck, really.
Chinese for dinner tonight, then. bah.
Friday, October 31, 2008
You knew it was gonna happen...
5 comments:
- Roxrocks said...
But your kitchen is still beeeeoooootiful! Smile!
- Friday, 31 October, 2008
- Hope said...
Hey hi! I hope you don't mind me popping into your forum all unannounced and such *shy eyes*
But...but...I had to tell you...
Happy Hallowmeme! I tagged you in my blog, now you have to play =D
- Friday, 31 October, 2008
- Maja said...
Bloody bugger hey.
- Saturday, 01 November, 2008
- Shorty said...
What dishes are you ordering (holds chopsticks in hand!)
- Saturday, 01 November, 2008
- Victoria said...
I just caught up on reading your blog - and you are very funny!
BTW your blog looks great. Every time I visit it's completely different - what's going on!?
Love your kitchen, love that photo of you - and, believe it or not, I love Jerry Lewis!
(King of Comedy? A more serious turn - but somehow still a favorite..)
- Saturday, 01 November, 2008
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I've had a few enquiries now about photography experiences at film locations and being a bit of a film buff myself, I'm really looking forward to the opportunity of showing people around and walking in the footsteps of Sergio Leone, Steven Spielberg, David Lean, et al…
There are some truly stunning locations in the Parque Natural de Cabo de Gata and once you've been here, it's easy to see why film directors favour this area.
I've found a website that has comparison photographs of then (as depicted in the films) and now, well actually the "now" photographs were taken mostly within the first half of the last decade. Have a look at http://www.fistfuloflocations.com/ and see. Then why not make a date with us to come a visit some of these areas for yourself? I would love to welcome you all to this beautiful part of the world.
A popular location near Los Albaricoques in the Parque Natural de Cabo de Gata, Cortijo de los Frailes has been used in many films. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, I am the Revolution and more recently the spaghetti western spoof, Fistful of Travellers Cheques (with Rik Mayall & Adrian Edmonson) were all filmed here. Not forgetting of course Federico Lorca's 1932 seminal play, Bodas de Sangre (Blood Wedding), featuring a crime of passion that took place near here.
So, now maybe it's time for you to come visit me. You can contact me via:
url: http://martynthompson.net
email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Hope to see you all soon!


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Link: TivoToGo & Multi-Room Viewing Coming in November for Tivo Series3 & TiVoHD
"I know you've been anxiously awaiting TiVoToGo and Multi-Room Viewing on your Series3 and TiVoHD boxes.
I wanted to let you know that development has been progressing smoothly, and all is well. You can expect TTG & MRV to be available for Series3 and TiVoHD this November."
It looks like we finally have a reason to buy an HDTV. I guess the final step will be to figure out whether DirecTV HD will play nice with the upgraded Tivo device.
Update: Marc points out in comments that the upgrade that Tivo is talking about here won't actually work with TivoHD because TivoHD will only let you record HD from cable, and only in the USA. Sucks!


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In which we grow veg on our allotment to the best of our wit, eat out a bit and generally write about food related affairs. Based in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Sunday, 24 January 2016
A (very) late postcard from Campania, pt II: Positano and Naples
Posted by Lee Burns at 11:48 4 comments:
Saturday, 9 January 2016
Restaurant Review: La Caravella, Amalfi
Nothing prepares the appetite for a fine lunch quite like being in the presence of the the bones of a bona-fide saint. Actually I've got no idea if this is true, but it didn't seem to do us any harm. After having staggered down the endless steps from Ravello to Amalfi we had spare time ahead of our appointment at La Caravella, which we killed with a brief mooch round the Cathedral.
Tuesday, 5 January 2016
A (very) late postcard from Campania, pt I: Vietri and Ravello
|Balcony #1
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Jamrock Radio Apr 29th: Tun It Up!!!
This week in the Netherlands we will be celebrating the Queen's birthday! Beer, booze and music! And a better way to celebrate is with a new episode of Jamrock Radio! We advise you to "Tun It Up" because we have a lot in stored for you! This week we premiere only one riddim called One Day Riddim produced by Seannizle! Why just one riddim premiere? Because we had to make room for this: a sneak peek of Shadyville Caribbean Presents: European Union! Exclusive remixes never before heard by D&H Remix, DJ Septik and DJ Waxfiend! But that's not all... we also drop in the new mixtape by Agent Sasco as well! But don't forget we also have the Jamrock Charts, News Flash and new joints by Aidonia, Da'Ville, Ziggi Recado! Plus Tanya Stephens has a new album out and it's FREE! Check it out in this week's tracklist! Can't forget that we also have something new by Nas & Damian Marley! So when the neighbors tell you to keep the noise down, tell them it's all in the name of her Majesty!