text:
Within this, I aim to discuss a few books I have recently acquired as a means of gaining further critical insight into photographic issues and debates. For my first post, I will give an overview of Geoff Dyer's The Ongoing Moment.
In this, I have based most of my focus upon the first 50 or so pages of his book, which in itself offers an idea of his written approach.
In his introduction, Dyer discusses how he is a outsider the act of photography, he doesn't even own a camera. However, he has a passion for the subject. Within this, he doesn't want to elaborate upon traditional method of highlighting critical photographers and their photographic contributions but rather offer a reflexive view of aspects of photography over the years that have drawn his interest and attention for various reasons.
One of the main subject areas within this is how photographers aim to define or classify their work. Many of which forming visualisations of picture categories from which to base their creative work.
For example, Walker Evans in 1934.
People, all classes, surrounded by bunches of the new down-and-out.
Automobiles and the automobile landscape.
Architecture, American urban taste, commerce, small scale, large scale, clubs, the city atmosphere, the street smell, the hateful stuff, women's clubs, fake culture, bad education, religion in decay.
The movies.
Evidence of what people in the city read, eat, see for amusement, do for relaxation and not get it.
A lot else, you see what I mean.
In a sense, this foundation outlined the desired narrative of the photographer. However, they became the 'shooting script, acting a caption from which news agencies/media businesses could encourage their own agenda into the field of photojournalism.
Often photographers would use these scripts as a means of pitching ideas. Which in turn, over time started to set the standard definition of a social documentary picture story. Many photographers have since replicated such concepts within their own work, a taxonomy of fixed, preconceived visual cues.
Even when photographers aimed to follow a more topographic approach as an objective observer, we are all still influenced by cultural iconography and symbols of association.
The example that Dyer follows is hats. He outlines how certain images kept catching his attention, in the same that photographers are instinctively drawn to certain attributes. Within this, he noticed a re-occurring subject of hats. Once aware of this, he started to look for pictures of hats, as he became drawn to the concept.
'the hat became an organising principle or node'
This assertion leads us to question the truth of the photograph, as there is no true sense of objectivity.
Dyer then moves on to discuss another heavily debate subject within photography, photographing a subject that is unaware of being photographed or a subject who is fully concious and aware of the photographers presence and from this, whether we can truly capture a natural image of a human subject or whether the increased popularity of photography has desensitised people to being photographed, prepared to be willing and aware subjects.
Another significant aspect to Dyer's book is also the subject of blindness and how it people inflicted with it has incited a great deal of interest as a photographic subject. He starts by analysing the work of Paul Strand and his image of a blind woman, 1916.
Many photographers appear to have focused upon the blind, (in the case of Winogrand, blind and deaf) because they are often unable to force a response for an image, even the use of a camera's flash bears no effect upon blind subjects. The ethics of which have also been a point of much debate.
There is also an importance placed upon documenting an American city from the view of a native (Walker Evans, Garry Winogrand) and that of the visitor/outsider (Robert Frank, Andre Kertesz). As a result, segregation and injustice were the subject of many photographers work, however the way in which it is constructed and understood a narrative is different.
He also offers an insight into the issues of self labelling, the desire to document a particular scene, incident or place that is defined through recognisable text or icons. In this, he once again cites Walker Evans, focusing upon his earlier work and then on his series for American Photographs (1938).
Evans first published series of images were from December 1930. Within them, he aims to document neon signs on Broadway in a collection filled within meaning and ironic juxtapositions which then became his trademark signature. Creating his own lexicon, whilst showing clear influence from his cultural iconography in a material world of commercialism and advertising.
This then progresses to highlight the contrast between viewing images within a gallery space or within a printed publication, as well as the way in which a photographer can edit a sequence to a force a particular impact or sentiment within the order and structure of the narrative.
The history of the photographic book is the history of photographers and editors trying to lure and coax us into reading them sequentially.
This the stage in which Dyer highlights American Photographs as ambition attempt to experiment with the traditional format of a photographic sequence. Within this, Evans arranges his book as almost a reversal of this, creating the sensation of randomly assembled juxtapositions of portraits. To Dyer, this created the effect of viewing them as though selecting them from a box of images.
The structure in upon which we view a body of work has an enormous influence of our understanding of the images. This can be defined through a dialogue of text within imagery. This photographic lexicon encourages its audience to understand the images beyond simply looking but reading them.
In this, Dyer refers to Lee Friedlander, whose series, Letters from people was influence by the example set by Evans, removing one letter at a time from signs, window displays, notices and advertisements, choosing to separate the individual characters from words. This exclusion and cropping created a 'vast anagram of the city'.
Another interesting area of critical insight relates to Diane Arbus and the distinction of her approach compared to other photographers such as Strand and Evans. Although Arbus was often the subject of controversy and exploitation, it could be argued that her frank and confrontational approach is less exploitative than the methods adopted by earlier street photographers, who sought ways in which to reduce people's awareness of their presence to capture to the decisive moment.
Again, the subject of blindness is referred to and reaffirmed through Arbus. In 1960, she became fascinated with a blind street performer named 'Moondog'. When reflecting upon her interest in photographing the blind, Arbus stated it was:
'because they can't fake their expressions. They don't know what their expressions are, so there is no mask'
Thus, Dyer suggests that photographers see blind people as subject who have no idea of who they are and how they are being perceived. In a way, blind subjects for Arbus expressed her desire for invisibility.
This was in turn reversed upon her when being unknowingly photographed by William Gedney in 1969 while Arbus was photographing beauty queens. This was just two years prior to Arbus' suicide.
As a result, the area of discussion moves towards the subject of whether Gedney's captured Arbus' suicide within his image, in the same way Arbus discussed the idea of photographing Hemmingway or Monroe. Sometimes the most significant element of an image is what we can't see.
From this, I feel that I have gained an interesting insight into some of the topics and debates involved within photography. It was particularly refreshing to view the perspective of person who isn't involved within the field of photography offering his own quite informal but developed point of view.


text:
It is a good thing the super bowl is held on a Sunday, because otherwise I think the government would have to concede that it's popularity as the singular most important sporting event in the United States (sorry World Cup) warrants holiday-esque status.
What better way to celebrate that pseudo holiday of indulgance and merriment than by giving to those less fortunate than yourself. The Souper Bowl campaign, aims to transform the weekend into the "largest celebration of giving and serving". As of this writing, the group is having impressive success, raising $2,201,960 to fight hunger. What is really impressive is that the money was raised by 461 groups, stories about some of which are linked to below. While many are rushing to ensure the chips and dip are ready in time for kick-off, these groups thought beyond themselves and donated to the cause.
They ambitiously hope to raise $11,000,000 and I sincerely hope they are successful in turning what is otherwise a purely hedonistic event into an opportunity to improve the lives of others.
Some good stories I found in a quick search for the Souper Bowl.
As always, keep checking back here for more efforts to improve your life and improve the world. Lose Weight Fight Hunger

subset: commoncrawl


text:
I am mourning the loss of the 3rd parent that resided in our home for all of July. Thats why we had so much fun in July, because Steve flew in from Australia and we entertained the crap out of him.
|Glig backyardigans
|Naples Pier
|Funny kids.... corn and shark lovers
|The only reason he wanted to visit Florida-- to see Chobes!


text:
Successful Pregnancy in a Diabetic Patient Treated with Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis
In this article we describe the successful management of pregnancy and delivery in a 26-yr-old patient with advanced diabetic nephropathy and chronic renal failure. Targets for control of blood urea and hemoglobin were achieved with the aid of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Peritoneal dialysis did not interfere with normal recovery from cesarean section. With CAPD, successful pregnancy is now possible in this group of patients, among whom fetal loss would otherwise be high.
- Copyright © 1983 by the American Diabetes Association
Log in using your username and password
Pay Per Article - You may access this article (from the computer you are currently using) for 1 day for US$35.00
Regain Access - You can regain access to a recent Pay per Article purchase if your access period has not yet expired.


text:
Test Center
My Recent Searches
- No Recent Search.
My Tests Viewed
- No Test Viewed.
- Available Tests (314)
- Interpretation and Selection Guides (32)
- Algorithms (64)
Showing search results for "algorithm" 71-80 of 314
- Chromosomal Microarray, Postnatal, ClariSure Oligo-SNP
Determine genetic cause of Developmental Delay (DD) or Mental Retardation (MR) in patients with or without dysmorphic features. Confirm, exclude, (or clarify) the diagnosis of known chromosomal syndromes. Assist in …... More
- Chromosome Analysis, CLL/LPD
Chromosome Analysis, CLL/LPD CPT Code(s) 88237, 88264 Methodology Culture Karyotype Reference Range(s) See Laboratory Report... More
- Childhood Allergy (Food and Environmental) Profile
Childhood Allergy (Food and Environmental) Profile CPT Code(s) 82785, 86003 (x16) Includes IgE allergy testing for: Alternaria alternata (m6) Cat Dander (e1) Cladosporium herbarum (m2) Cockroach (i6) Codfish (f3) …... More
- Chromosome Analysis, Lymph Node
For diagnosis and prognosis of hematologic malignancies, specific to a tumor site.... More
- Colorectal Cancer Mutation Panel (KRAS, PIK3CA, BRAF, NRAS)
This panel detecting tumor-associated somatic mutations in 4 different oncogenes can predict response to EGFR-targeted immunotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Tumors with mutations in KRAS, NRAS, …... More
- Autoimmune Neurology Antibody Comprehensive Panel with Reflexes, Serum
A comprehensive approach to detection of known antineuronal autoantibodies aids the diagnosis of paraneoplastic syndromes and autoimmune encephalopathies and related conditions. Identification of specific antineuronal …... More
- Acylcarnitine, Plasma
Elevation of one or more acylcarnitines is diagnostic for an organic aciduria or a fatty disorder. A low carnitine level may mask a disease state.... More
- ANA Screen,IFA, with Reflex to Titer and Pattern
Antinuclear antibodies are associated with rheumatic diseases including Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SLE), mixed connective tissue disease, Sjogren's syndrome, scleroderma, polymyositis, CREST syndrome, and neurologic …... More
- ABL Kinase Domain Mutation in CML, Cell-based
Imatinib mesylate (ST1571;Gleevec) is a selective BCR-ABL kinase inhibitor, effective in the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Most patients in chronic phase maintain durable responses; however, many in …... More
- Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia chaffeensis Antibody Panel
Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia chaffeensis are tick-borne agents that cause an acute febrile illness, which often resembles Rocky Mountain spotted fever.... More
Didn't find the test that you were looking for?
Search for a test at a regional laboratory below.
Enter test name, test code, CPT or keyword
* The tests listed by specialist are a select group of tests offered. For a complete list of Quest Diagnostics tests, please refer to our Directory of Services.


text:
About a week ago, in connection with our ** Summer Children's Story Time on Tuesday Mornings at 10:30 ** I mentioned Gracie the Groundhog and said I would have more to say about her later.
The wait is over. Gracie is the leader, the general, the inspiration for our exciting new Summer Reading Program for Children. We will create a card for your child and stamp it every time he or she buys a book. When the card is full your young reader gets to choose something from the prize box. At the end of the summer, the child who has accumulated the most "Gracie Points" gets a big box of literary goodies. And there's more: participants in the program get 10% off children's books.
What possible reason could there be to not participate? None, as far as I can tell. So be sure to sign your child up for this wonderful program. Not only will you be helping your young reader, you will be helping us. For Gracie is fully expecting us to make this program a success. And we don't want to have to deal with an angry groundhog,
Monday, June 23, 2008
The Exciting World of Gracie
Posted by Patrick Covington at 7:32 PM
No comments:
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
Following months of intense pressure from economic analysts, small businesses, manufacturing concerns, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and politicians such as Senate President Bukola Saraki, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has on Monday, January 11, relaxed some of its foreign currency controls by lifting its ban on foreign currency cash deposits in commercial banks.
The new rules will allow customers deposit foreign exchange in cash directly into local banks while the CBN will no longer sell forex directly to Bureau De Change operators in the country.
The CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, who disclosed this in a press statement he personally signed, said the policy should be implemented with immediate effect.
He said: "The Bank would henceforth discontinue its sales of foreign exchange to BDCs (bureaux de change). Operators in this segment of the market would now need to source their foreign exchange from autonomous source,"
"The Bank would now permit commercial banks … to begin accepting cash deposits of foreign exchange from their customers."
These are part of steps being taken by the CBN to reduce the pressure on the naira, which has been under pressure against major foreign currencies in the parallel market.


text:
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Take A Look around...You're already there
Prompt: 11 Things. What are 11 things your life doesn't need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life?
I want to Fly in 2010. Let go and just Be. I am taking hold of the reins, and no letting anyone or any event dictate who I should be.
I have been busy and learned much in the past few years, and I want 2011 to be about transforming that knowledge into something wonderful. I am starting right now, by forgiving. This is a wholly selfish thing mind you...i forgive for my sake alone. There is no need to hold on to any of the above feelings..doing so only hurts myself. By forgiving and letting go of negatives, I make way for more positives...and that can only amount to more happiness.
Prompt: 5 minutes. Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010.
"Meeting" my love and , My daughter saying, "I Love You" again
Prompt: Lesson learned. What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward?
That I AM good enough just by being me, and I am stronger than even I understood
Posted by Pryncezz at 6:05 PM
No comments:
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
Review of Dublin Vitality Center | Irish Independent says "Im a Colonic Convert
What people and press say about Dublin Vitality Centre in Ballsbridge and Blanchardstown. You dont have to be a celebrity to have colonics at Dublin Vitality Centre but many who visit Dublin Vitality Centre are.
"Ive never felt so good in all my life" Sarah, Dublin
"I cant believe it was so private" John, Cork
"This treatment is something I will do every year. Its amazing. I feel so much lighter and less bloated. Thanks. Ill be back". Graham, Meath.
"This has helped me with my IBS. I would recommend it to anyone." Sorcha, Drogheda
"I had stopped losing weight. I didnt really know what to do next. Once I had the treatment I lost an incredible 5 LBS and the weight loss continued. Brilliant and so private. " Paul, Dunlaoghaire.
"I am a colonic convert." The Irish Independent.


text:
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
Posted by jake on October 09, 2004 at 10:47:45:
In Reply to: C'mon guys. All the experts in here, nobody knows the answer? posted by NOC on October 07, 2004 at 04:00:37:
: : I have a steam boiler system with two "scavenger loops" running to a sun room and part of my kitchen. They each have their own thermostat and R845 switching relay. This morning they both called for heat. The circulator pump is working and one loop has heat. It's switch lever on the bottom is all the way to the left. The other has no water circulating through it indicating the relay is closed. But its switch is also all the way to the left. Is their something wrong with the switch, is left the correct "on" position? Anyone have any thoughts on how to check it out? I'm just a homeowner, not an electrician, plumber or heating specialist.
try heatinghelp.com
Follow Ups:
Post a Followup


text:
I realize that I fell off the blogosphere this week. It's been another hectic week. However, this weekend Dave's brother and his family came down for a visit. We had SUCH a great time. The cousins (Noah and Tyler) played and played and PLAYED. We went down to the Children's Museum on Saturday. The kid's had a great time. It was so nice to get to see them. Grandma and Grandpa came over today and have hung out with us. Noah is back on track with potty training. HOORAY!
Here's a few pics from the weekend:
Sunday, March 8, 2009
2 comments:
- mjvan said...
Cute pictures! Grandpa and Grandma look so proud! :) Tyler looks so big!
- March 8, 2009 at 10:11 PM
- SLP said...
It looks like the big boys played and played and PLAYED too:) FUN:)
- March 9, 2009 at 9:20 AM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
|Sport Spiel
I no longer use the "sportmurphy.com" email listed elsewhere online. try myspace/facebook if you have something to say or ask.
Monday, March 31, 2003
Go on and mingle among 'em a little bit, go on, child.
What's that quizzical sniffle they greet you with? What's that, child?
That's just the way they know their own... it's a very special smell!
When you catch a whiff of it, run like hell.
A group's a gang's a mob's an army: itching to deploy.
"Noli Me Tangere."
You tell 'em.
You're "IT," Cactus Boy.
There's a whole buncha nothing a-crawling through the world, child.
When it eyeballs on Something, it wants to make it die.
One's a soul, and two's a love song. Yonder come a hoi polloi...
Wish 'em all out into the cornfield, Cactus Boy.
-Copyright 2000 Sport Murphy-
(Note: "cactus" as in: Arms up, spines out, alone in the wasteland. "Noli Me Tangere" is Latin for "Don't Touch Me" …it's also the name of a plant bearing spurs. Hoi Polloi is the masses. All groups are dangerous. Most individuals are, to some extent, worth knowing; they're "something." They gravitate to groups, though, becoming nothing in the process. This is my proudest recorded accomplishment. The "everybody" shout at the end is a joke on sing-alongs, as well as announcing who should be "wished out into the cornfield" …which is another Twilight Zone reference. The episode is "It's A Good Life," starring Billy Mumy. I imagined the song as a Broadway song, performed by a cast of one to an empty theater. Musically, it was an attempt to answer the age-old question "what if Henry Cowell wrote "One For My Baby?")
Comments: Post a Comment


text:
Trivia Night – GRAND PRIZE DRAWING
Wednesday April 25, 2018 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Trivia Night: Enter to win a Chromebook! Enter your table (up to 6 team members) at Squires for our trivia game from 7:00-9:00 PM. Prizes awarded each round. Win free appetizers, Squires gift certificates, coupons and more! Top team receives grand prize. Plus, ALL participants can enter to win a Chromebook! Receive one entry for each Trivia Night you attend. Winner will be drawn TONIGHT during Trivia Night. Must be present to win.
Reserve your table! email@example.com or 717-657-3212 x22


text:
AN: Just a very short ficlet about one of the possible
endings to the Ford story line. Spoilers for anything up to the
episode Runners.
There Are No Happy Endings
Death doesn't hurt. Really. Kind of funny, actually, but it's true. Oh, I guess some people wouldn't find it funny, but I did. All the movies, and grand adventures I watched growing up, and every death was dramatic, and full of anguished cries or tearful goodbyes.
But it wasn't for me. I wasn't screaming, and I wasn't crying. I was laying, though. Here, on the ground, and I could still feel how hard the ground was, and smell the cold air. When I was gone, that's the stuff I was going to miss. Smelling, tasting, breathing – being.
We get so caught up in our lives, and what has to be done, that we forget what living is about. The actual process of being alive. Experiencing – feeling. Listening to a grand opera, and feeling the growing crescendo. To really experience the emotion, and breathe it in, and never forget. I never wanted to forget.
It's only at the end that we know what we're losing.
I didn't think it'd end this way. Not that I'd done a lot of thinking about it, but killed by my own man? In all fairness, he'd tried to avoid it. I'd tried to, as well, but I suppose it was inevitable from the beginning, and maybe, down deep, we'd both known it would come to this.
I sighed tiredly. I was growing sleepy. My organs were shutting down, like the lights in an office building after quitting time. 'Goodnight, John Sheppard'. Shifting my numb uncooperative legs, I swallowed at the sight of the body to my right. That lump in my throat wasn't for me, it was for him. It wasn't fair. It'd have been kinder if he'd just died. Why be saved, only to live in a self-imposed exile, hunting the hunter, and knowing you can never go back?
Could any of us have done it? Lived, and kept fighting like that?
A sharp pain hitched inside, hard and fast, and I had to rethink that not hurting part of dying. Maybe it did, at the end. Ford knew. Maybe I'd ask him when I got to wherever you go, when you die. I could hear it now, 'Hey, Ford. Sorry 'bout that. Did it hurt for you, too?'
He'd ambushed us on a planet. Surprised us. He needed more ammunition, and that's it. Didn't want a fight. He didn't want to kill, or die, or any of how it all went down, but in the end it didn't matter what he wanted, or what I wanted, because there never was any choice, for either of us.
As soon as he'd turned his back, and ran for the gate, I was with him. We fought, and in doing so, fell through the event horizon. We picked up, and kept fighting. If he hadn't been so reluctant to kill me, I'd be dead already, and he'd be alive and gone. Instead, the kid tried to avoid doing the very thing that I was trying to do. And I hated myself for it, even while I knew I had to do it.
Once he'd known I was going to follow through, he'd started fighting, for real. For his life. Even as changed, and warped as he had become, the little boy that was Ford didn't want to die, and he fought back with all he had left in him, but by then, it wasn't enough.
And I shot him. Not once, but twice, three, four, I lost count after five –
But he'd managed to get his own licks in. I had a bullet in my gut, and unless a miracle waltzed through that gate, I was dead.
And the little boy in me didn't want to die either –
"It's a ship; it goes through the gate: Gateship one."
"Anyone else call shotgun?"
"By, Grandma, Grandpa! I miss you!"
"Is he still alive? Please tell me he's still alive, damn it Sheppard, don't you die on me!"
"Get a med team stat! Colonel Sheppard's been shot -"
"It hurts," I murmured, surprised. "Dying's not supposed to hurt."
"Then you're not dying," replied Rodney, his voice cracking.
Something was gripping my hand – was that McKay?
I blinked, and saw the infirmary focus in around me. They'd found me. I hadn't died and I wasn't alone anymore. But Ford was, even in death, he would be cheated out of a friend up there. I grimaced from the pain. It doesn't hurt when you're dying, and I was hurting pretty bad, so maybe I wasn't really dying this time.
"He's gone," I whispered through dry lips. I'd killed him, hadn't I?
I watched as McKay found somewhere else to look as he answered soberly. "Yeah, he's gone."
I blinked some more, because it hurt. It wasn't supposed to be like this. It wasn't supposed to end like this.
McKay was fighting hard to not be so – McKay'ish. He tried to say something, but each time he opened his mouth, he couldn't get it to come out right, so finally he just looked at me, really looked, and written all over his face was him trying to explain to me that he understood.
"Go back to sleep, Sheppard. Carson said you'll need a lot of it for a while."
I closed my eyes, my hand found McKay's and I felt him give a strong squeeze, before he let go, and I heard the chair creak as he leaned back, getting comfortable for the long night ahead.
I'm sorry, Ford.
"Does it hurt?"
"Hurts like hell, Sir – woohoo!"


text:
Curriculum vitae
Baby khushboo
Contact no.749-***-****,782-***-****
Career objective
To present my knowledge and capabilities at a challenging and responsible position in a growing organization with the purpose of achieving set targets a boosting my skill set.
Educational qualification
Perusing PGDBA (1st sem)(hr) from simbiosis center for distance learning.
PG from MGKVP in 2010.
B.A from Purvanchal University in 2005.
12th from U.P Board in 2002.
10th from U.P Board in 1999.
Computer qualification
Certificate in web application from NIIT
C++ programming from NIIT
Working experience
. As a telesales in Unicon Investment from 1st Oct '07 to 13march'08.
As a receptionist in Fortune Broking Solutions Pvt Ltd from 15th May'08 to25th
Presently working as front desk executive in Maya Academy of advance Cinematics Lucknow from 22 Feb 2011.
Good interpersonal relation building self discipline planning and organization skills
Good communication skill in English n Hindi.
Personal Information
Father's name: - Mr.Shakil Ahmed
Date of birth: - 31st of July '1984
Language known: - English n Hindi
Sex: - female
Martial status: - single
Nationality: - Indian
Address: - Vikas Nager Lucknow.
I hereby declare that all the information given above is correct to the best of my knowledge and belief
Place: - Baby khushboo


text:
Health Tips
Travel Page
Travel Pictures
Amazing Photo
Contact Us
Blog Diary
Found Dead Tubing in Laos River
Posted by kim on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Under: Travel Page
Please refer to :
Travel Page - Laos
In :
Travel Page
Next post:
Email To Woman...
Previous post:
Photo Collection
« Back to posts
About Me
Ecostarr ....
NOTICE : Thank you so much for your support, the Web has been growing steadily. We would like to thank you for people who have contributed all this lovely articles and email. There are more up coming features and articles will be added on the Web. Please register to be informed of the new Web update by sending us an email to : email@example.com or click on Contact Us to send your email address. Will Keep Up With The Good Works…..
Recent Posts
Democrats go to war with civilization, call for...
A recipe for beating Alzheimer's
Curb those cravings
92-year-old secures VICTORY
Nutrition is the key to keeping your cells young
Amazing Photo (113)
Cancer (4)
Food News (56)
Food Picture (2)
General (133)
General Health (160)
Great Pictures (7)
Health Tips (61)
Important Message (38)
Jokes (311)
Law and Order (30)
Products (1)
Public Justice (72)
Smart & Logic (197)
Sweet & Nice (75)
Travel Page (55)
Travel Pictures (2)
Youtube (25)


text:
As people age, they often let their fitness slip. The pressures of a job(s), spouse, and kids often take precedence over working out. If you are tired of the way you have let your body slip, then follow these fitness tips listed below. They will help you get into the shape you were in when you were a teenager.
http://blogs.rediff.com/jacketjam9roseline/2017/03/09/practical-techniques-to-help-your-skin-care-retail-company-grow/ are not the only way to burn calories. Strength training is an important part of a healthy exercise regime. Lifting weights, using resistance bands and similar activities help build muscle, which pound to pound burns more calories than fat. Plus, proper strength training gives you a lean and fit look.
When working out some soreness is normal, but pain is not. Working out is often see here as you are working to increase your endurance and limits; however, it should not be outright painful. If you ever experience severe pain when working out, stop what you are doing immediately. If the pain does not subside, head to the doctor, as you may have suffered an injury.
If you don't already have a personal trainer, consider paying for just a few sessions. Often times you don't need to pay for ongoing training, just a couple sessions to get you on the right track, and find out what kind of exercises you should be doing to meet your fitness goals as well as learning proper techniques for executing them.
When trying to be physically fit, cardiovascular exercise should be a part of your fitness routine. Any type of movement that gets your heart beating fast (running, riding a bike) will help to burn calories, and keep off unwanted fat. Cardiovascular exercise will help keep your body healthy and strong.
You can easily improve the quality and effectiveness of shoulder presses by concentrating on only one arm at a time. Perform two or three sets of ten reps with your left arm, then switch and do the same with your right arm. Even when you are using only one arm, your body is sending messages to stimulate the muscle fibers in the other arm.
When running as part of your exercise routine you need to give yourself a break every now and then. Cut your weekly training frequency and mileage in half one out of every six weeks. This will allow your body a better chance to recover, and will help to keep away permanent injuries.
Pull those elbows down when you are doing chin-ups! Proper exercise technique can be tremendously enhanced with visualization. When you are completing chin-ups it helps to think in terms of pulling your elbows down rather than pulling your body up! You'll be able to complete more pull ups using better form.
Go with a friend. Studies have shown that taking someone along with you to a gym is likely to not only increase the amount of time you stay, but also the intensity of your workout. Some gyms offer discounts when multiple people register together, so take advantage of this and bring someone along!
If you are having a hard time fitting in a workout, set up a time to get in some exercise and stick with it. Even if you only have a few minutes to commit to it, you will feel better knowing that you stuck to your guns and got some exercise.
Volunteer to help at the school during any fitness programs, and show your child that you are interested in fitness as much as they should be. They will be more likely to want to be a part of things that you're involved with.
Try to reduce the amount of stress you have in your life. Find web page relaxing place and maybe take a break from your work out and try and meditate or do some yoga. This will really help your fitness routine, and your body will love you for it.
You can cut your workout time down by doing your exercises in less time. About 10% less time to be more specific. Doing this will cause your muscles to have to work much harder and it will also help improve your endurance. Start doing this by cutting down your workout sessions by about 3 minutes.
An easy way to stay on track with your fitness goals is just to stop making excuses for yourself. Do not allow yourself to think that just because you ate healthy today or worked out hard today is reason to slack tomorrow. Take each day as a new start to keep moving forward with your fitness goals.
No matter what level of fitness you are currently at or what your fitness goals are, you can still benefit from the advice that you've learned from this article. By putting these proven methods to work, you'll soon be getting better results when you exercise. Before long, you'll be in great shape!


text:
Aliko Dangote has been said to be the richest man in Africa for the seventh year with a net worth of $12.2 billion according to Forbes.
Bill Gates maintains his position as ths richest man in the world with a net worth of $86 billion with Warren Buffet and Jeff Buzos in the second and third position with a net worth of $75.6 billion and $72.8 billion respectively.
According to Forbes, Dangote is looking beyond his most valuable aset, Cement production and has been investing much on fertilizer production and a large oil refinery.
Recall that Dangote was also the only African selected among Blomberg's world 50 best persons in the year 2017 with names of notable Nigerians dropped from the billioniares list.
Globacom chairman, Mike Adenuga was said to be the 5th richest man in Africa with a net worth of $5.3million and Folorunsho Alakija, a Nigerian, as the 15th richest person in Africa with a net worth of &1.6 billion.
Coming on number two of the Africa's richest persons is the diamond mining heir Nicky Oppenheimer of South Africa with a net worth of $7.7 billion. Oppenheimer is one of the eight South Africans on the list making it the African country with the most billionaires as Nigeria has got only three.


text: Finally some warm weather to play outside. Charlotte and I went to the park this morning for a little fun. She loves the slide, up and down, up and down. Still won't try the swings though. But I must say I am loving my new camera. The pictures are just so beautiful.


text:
I might be the only person on the planet who doesn't swoon at the mention of Paris, and by extension, France. Yes, I loved seeing the Louvre and Sacré-Cœur, the food – nutella crepe sandwiches, baguettes warm, crusty and fresh, cheese, bottles of wine, steak frites, – and walking from Montmartre to the Eiffel Tower, but overall, Paris was rather wet, unfriendly and gray. It serves as a reminder that for me, people make the city, and my memories of Paris (despite the grandeur of the attractions, the history and the food) are quiet, lonely and sad. I frequently imagine going back to Europe, and Paris has never made the re-visit list.
Until Jules.
Located on Spadina and Queen, in downtown Toronto, entering Jules felt like what I had imagined Paris would feel like (before I went there): charming, casually (rustically, even) elegant with a certain air of je ne sais quoi (nonchalance maybe?), a little bit of amusement in the atmosphere. They had jazz music playing the background, but there was also the bzz bzz bzz of random conversations floating in the air that added to the ambiance. A large wooden table was placed on one side of the room, smaller tables on the other, and several tables outside on the patio for a warm summery day. Most of them were full. There were some people who were dining alone, not at all out of place. There were also some groups chitchatting away, very much at home.
The menu is written on chalkboards hung up on the right side of the wall, above a row of small, square, intimately placed tables, and has the best selection of all the comfort French food you could want: steak frites,Côte de bœuf, cornish hen, veal chops, a wide variety of sandwiches, quiches and crepes, and for dessert – pies, creme brulee and cake! Altogether, a casual, welcoming place that deserves to be the gem that it is.
After eating here (we had the Côte de bœuf for two, with the juices from the beef sopped up by airy, crusty bread, and spilling onto the shoestring frites and salad), all you'd want is a cigarette in one hand, a glass of wine (or coke) in the other. You take it for granted that the conversation will continue. The night should never end. You feel satiated. And indulgent. As though you had the best thing going, and all the time in the world to enjoy it. And that maybe, just maybe, it might be time to go visit Paris again.


text:
|Sadly, not my model.
|A nice little model of the Yamato, only 5 inches long? And only
$10? I must own you.
|You have to admit, that is efficient!
|My intent was always to paint it, but you can settle for not
painting it. If so inclined.
|*sigh* I really hate assembling models after I've painted them.
*holding breath*
For the next phase, and the reason for the gloss coat, I planned on doing a pin wash for the panel lines. Since this was a first for me, it required some sagely advice from my buddy John over at 40k Hobby Blog. Although I did not heed his advice to use enamels instead of oils (because I did not feel like ordering and waiting for enamels to arrive), I tackled this step with a bit of confidence. That was till I started putting those first few pin washes on: Watching all my hard/careful work get messy, praying that it will come off like they say its supposed to, praying that you got a good gloss coat on, etc:
|Ok, I got a little to messy with the pin wash.
|Hmm, I think I've done pretty well.. A couple of warts though.
It was a really fun little projected and a nice diversion. Overall, I happy with the quality vs time I spent on the model, for once. Of course, that is mainly due to being able to use the airbrush almost exclusively. It was also a nice exercise for improving my airbrush skills and also served as my first foray with pin washes. Much like the chipping I did with my vehicular combat car, I will approach this task next time with much more confidence.
Down the road, I will have a second go of this model. I ended up damaging the superstructure on my first build of this. I tried to roll with it but eventually conceded to ordering a second kit just for the superstructure (the kit only costs $10). So what is one to do with a second kit, with a damaged superstructure? A battle damaged Yamato! Eventually... I might even have a few more models from this collection. Maybe.
Lastly, I found the transformation process extremely rewarding:
|Not a bad little model straight out of the box, but a
little toy-ish to me.
|It may not be "great" but I'm pretty proud of this.
Greys: RMS Stormy Grey (Shade), RMS Cloudy Grey (Base), RMS Misty Grey (Highlight)
Reds: RMS Bloodstain Red (Shade), RMS Clotted Red (Base), RMS Carnage Red (Highlight)
Brown (Decking): RMS Leather Brown
Pin Wash: Burnt Umber oil, with a little Black oil mixed in
Now, back to some Tail Feather models before my daughter finds out I have not been working on them. Shhh.


text:
LONDON — Playing like the Roger Federer of old, the 16-time Grand Slam champion from Switzerland easily beat Andy Murray 6-4, 6-2 at the ATP World Tour Finals on Tuesday.
The second-ranked Federer stretched his record to 2-0 at the season-ending tournament for the top eight players in the world, but has still not advanced to the semifinals from Group B.
Robin Soderling beat David Ferrer 7-5, 7-5 in the other Group B match, meaning all players still have a chance to advance.
Federer lost only eight points on his serve in the match at the O2 Arena — three in the first set and five in the second.
Federer has won the season-ending event for the top eight players in the world four times, and he can certainly add to that if he keeps playing like he did Tuesday.
Murray, however, dropped to 1-1 and will have to improve if he is to reach the semifinals. He will face Ferrer in his final match Thursday while Soderling takes on Federer.
Federer earned his first break in the third game of the first set, winning all four points played. He then won his next three service games at love.
In the second set, Murray saved two break points in the opening game, but Federer stayed alive through four deuces to earn a third break point, which he converted with a forehand that hit the top of the tape and zipped past Murray.
After holding at love yet again, Federer broke again to make it 3-0 and soon led 4-0.
In the late match, the fourth-ranked Soderling broke his Spanish opponent in the final game of both sets. The Swede also broke the seventh-ranked Ferrer again for a 4-2 lead in the second, but the Spaniard broke back to 5-4.
Soderling lost to Murray in the first match but can still advance with a win over Federer on Thursday, depending on the result in the Murray-Ferrer match. Ferrer has a slim chance of advancing, but must beat Murray in straight sets and hope Federer defeats Soderling.
On Monday, top-ranked Rafael Nadal rallied to beat Andy Roddick 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 and third-ranked Novak Djokovic defeated Tomas Berdych 6-3, 6-3.
Nadal will take on Djokovic today, while Roddick and Berdych play in the early Group A match.
In doubles, Jurgen Melzer of Austria and Philipp Petzschner of Germany beat Lukas Dlouhy of the Czech Republic and Leander Paes of India 7-6 (9), 4-6, 10-8. Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski of Poland defeated top-ranked Bob and Mike Bryan of the United States 2-6, 7-6 (4), 10-8 in the late Group A match.
Federer beats Murray at ATP finals
LONDON — Playing like the Roger Federer of old, the 16-time Grand Slam champion from Switzerland easily beat Andy Murray 6-4, 6-2 at the ATP World Tour Finals on Tuesday.


text:
Congrats to BCS students Nikita Tighe, Lilian Keane, Niamh Duffy and all of their Mayo teammates on their fantastic… https://t.co/XsUm3N06U618/06/2018 21:43:14
Follow us on Twitter →
Home Page > School Musical "Back to the 80's" >
Ballyhaunis Community School is a co-educational, multidemoninational school which caters for students of all abilities, preparing them for life.Ballyhaunis Community School provides an expansive curriculum which caters for the diverse skills, aptitudes and abilities of our pupils.
Ballyhaunis Community School, Knock Road, Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo.
Phone: 094 963 0235 Fax: 094 963 0777 Email: firstname.lastname@example.com Website: www.ballyhauniscs.ie
Follow @ballyhauniscs
Copyright Ballyhaunis Community School 2012
Website Design Ireland by Designwest


text:
Guesthouse : Sugar Cane 2, River Kwai bridge end of Mae Tham Kwae road.
I realise i have no experience of any other guesthouses by means of comparison but i couldn't fault Sugar Cane 2 : Idyllic surroundings, spotless, large and airy rooms, and friendly service.
Eateries : Sri Rung Reung, Mae Tham Kwae road.
Pleasant surroundings, efficient and friendly service and the Thai green curry was very tasty.
Internet : Jo Jo internet (opposite Sri Rung Reung)
30THB per hour and they'll also serve you drinks while you're surfing. All computers have USB ports so if you've got a memory card reader or pendrive, you can transfer photos directly fromyour memory card without the need to burn them to C.D
I don't feel like i've really accomplished a great deal today, apart from a lot of travelling and my third port of call in Thailand reached, however i did meet a couple of really nice people in the process. I bumped into Tony (Belgium guy who lives in America) briefly yesterday when he recognised me from Sugar Cane. This morning i recognised him in the guest house cafe so i said "hi" and he invited me to sit at his table. Subsequently we had breakfast together and ended up chatting until our respective mini buses arrived at 1:30pm. On the bus i sat next to Katherine. She's from Edinburgh and has been travelling (mainly around Australia and New Zealand) for a year. We got on really well and exchanged email addresses before going our separate ways (she was heading back into Bangkok).
I arrived in Ayuthaya around 5pm. Aside from a few of the ruins i caught glimpses of on the journey in, the town doesn't seem to have a lot of character. However, i think it will take a great deal for a town to match up to the beauty of Kanchanaburi. As i was walking down Soi 1, just off Naresuan road (the main traveller's centre), i was really starting to think it had beeen a bad idea not booking some accommodation beforehand : Tony's Place, Baan Lotus and Chantana guesthouse were all full and the room i was shown at P.U guesthouse was a complete dump (in fact the whole guesthouse looked like a building site!). Then i stumbled across Ayuthaya guesthouse. It wasn't in the accommodation recommendations in the Lonely Planet guide or on Travelfish (which have been my bibles for this trip!) but as i was rapidly running out of available options, i decided to take a look. 160THB was the cost of a room; at 140THB less than i'd been quoted everywhere else, i had my reservations. However i was pleasantly surprised. Ok, so it was nothing to write home about but there was a double bed, a window, a fan, a lock on the door and it appeared to be sufficiently clean. So that's where i decided to lay my hat for the next couple of nights.
Later on this evening i was sipping a refreshingly cold Chang beer and enjoying a delicious Thai green curry at Tony's Place (which incidently is a fantastic place to spend the evening : lively atmosphere, the friendliest staff i've experienced so far, and first class service) when i spotted a comment in my Lonely Planet guide. It read, "several serious complaints have been made about service and tours at Ayuthaya Guesthouse." Oh dear . . . so it appears that, although the rooms are perfectly adequate (and cheap!), it's not advisable to do anything other than sleep at the Ayuthaya Guesthouse!
It's also very noisy along this soi due to passing traffic and music from the neighbouring bars, so pack your ear plugs if you want a good night's sleep (as i have!)
Photo is off me at the top pool at Erawan Falls, near Kanchanaburi


text:
Well the election is almost over and I don't want to vote for either presidential candidate!! On one hand you have someone with very questionable "friendships" that make me scared and on the other hand we have a guy that just sounds angry all the time! I saw McCain on Larry king the other night and he did not give me any reason to vote for him and Obama just has a lot of crazy "friendships" that scare me to my toes! I mean we all have someone we know that is "goofy" but to have as many of his "goofy" people in my life would make anyone question my sanity! So what does one do?? Well, I have no clue but I know one thing.... I don't want either of them!! Is there a better candidate out there?? Not this year! I guess I will just go vote for "Norm Coleman as putting in a "former" comedian with wacko ideas does not sound good. So, I know I will not vote for "Al Franken". I am sooooooo flippin sick of all the commercials!! Enough already! Is that good enough?
Friday, October 31, 2008
Election 2008
Posted by Tammy at 6:32 AM 2 comments
Labels: election
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
2 houses a funeral and a birthday!
I did one house this morning, fought with their shower and the shower won. Then I changed like superman in a phone booth and went to Marys funeral. (very sad to say goodbye, but rejoiced in the fact that she was in heaven with the King) then went and did another house. Why do clients that are never there only there when I am in a hurry?? Then came home and made a birthday dinner for Megan's 15th celebration with all my kids, in laws and grandchildren. (except of course for my Pooky who is away at school) That was fun! (not the cooking but the kids) The cake was good and now I will need to exercise a great deal more tonight to supplement the cake! I cant believe all that remembered Megan on her birthday? It was really sweet and very thoughtful as Meg is the type that needs reassurances like that! I am now exhausted and need a nap or to veg out in front of the TV. (if Kelsey will ever finish her show?) Wow, is she slow!! Hoping for a quieter day tomorrow but, not likely as the Grand boys are coming for the evening!
Posted by Tammy at 4:11 PM 1 comments
Labels: Drama queen, My business
Monday, October 27, 2008
Honesty still lives....
Yes, simple honesty still lives in this world! I went to the dollar store by my house to get a powerball ticket as I could not find the one I had purchased for last weekend. I went in and the nice young college boy who owns the store with his dad told me I had won. I said great how did I do that?? He said I had left my ticket there and that his Dad had told him to save it for me. He said he was bored and checked it and that I had won 100.00 dollars!! I said yeah right, very funny!! He said no, no you did I will show you and he ran the ticket and gave me my winnings!! My happiness was not from the 100.00 dollars but from the fact that he and his fathers honesty was so amazing in this troubled world! I asked him why he did not keep it for himself and he said that God was very good to him and that he did not need to take something from someone else!! HONESTY, does still live in this world and there is proof at the little dollar store where I live! (yes, I gave him 20.00) its not the money that makes me happy, it is the faith that this incident gives me, in the hope of this world!
Posted by Tammy at 3:40 PM 0 comments
Here am I......
That's a title of a song I could not stop listening to on my ipod today while working. I just couldn't stop, I just kept hitting the back button. Of course the song is from Mercyme (did you even have to wonder) lol its from their itunes original CD and the chorus is so beautiful it asks "whom shall I send, who will go for me, who will rise up for the King?" Then goes on to sing "Here am I, send me". So I cant get it out of my head. Here am I, send me!! But send me where? Where should I be at this moment in my life?I mean life is darn sweet in my little world. But,if I am supposed to be doing more, what is it? What do I want to be doing when He does return?
Posted by Tammy at 11:00 AM 0 comments
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Snowing in Minnesota!
I cant believe it is only October 26th and it is snowing outside!!! What the heck?? I mean really it is not even the drama queens birthday and it is snowing? Now I have to go outside this week and put away all my lawn furniture and throw away all the no longer useful plants and face the fact that summer (which never really got off the ground anyway) is over and there was no fall to enjoy! Poor me, my beautiful flower gardens are gone and now being replaced by all my neighbors leaves (how do they blow over a 6 ft fence??) and yucky snow that has come waaaaaaay to quickly this year!! Although, I would not live anywhere else in the world then good old Bloomington Minnesota, I cant help but get a twinge of envy at the thought of Judes leaving for the winter in 3 weeks! (and that is a whole other story)
Posted by Tammy at 12:28 PM 1 comments
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Mary Died..
I was called today by Mary's son and told that she had died, yesterday. I was than expected to continue working? How was it even possible? My beloved Mary had died! I really like all of my clients but, Mary? I LOVED her! She was 78 and just a spit fire!(she acted like she was 20) Such a joy to be with and oh how she could tell stories of her life! I loved listening to how she grew up, her families big house with the servants. So fun to listen to as she never sounded snobbish or anything it was just the way it was. I loved hearing of the trips she would take to the far away places when she was a young lady. Her stories of her beloved husband who had died a few years back were so wonderful to hear. I would go there and spend the first 15 minutes just talking then she would follow me around the house and we would talk the whole time. A home that should have taken an hour to clean always took two and a half! I loved the times when we would go for coffee or breakfast and just sit for hours hearing about her life. I was so fascinated by her and her life. She grew up "privileged" and it continued throughout her life. But, you would never know it the way she acted. She was such a dear sweet lady! I will always remember the way she said goodbye.. It was always "toodles". I called her house after I was informed of her death just so I could hear her answering machine tell me "toodles" one more time. I did get to see her last Friday and she was not doing well then. I made her soup and sat on her bed talking with her. When I left I hugged her and we told each other I love you, as we always did. Little did I know it was the last time I would see my "Mary" again. At least I did get a goodbye and I am trying to be happy for her as she is now in heaven with our Lord and Savior and her beloved husband. But, I cant help the tears or the sadness I feel at never being able to see her face again here on earth.
Posted by Tammy at 1:44 PM 3 comments
Labels: death, My business
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Drama queen part # 99
Poor Meg is sick! Actually I think it should be poor Pooky (who had to bring her to the Doctor and had to deal with them trying to get blood from her, lots of drama as she started hyper ventilating) or poor Mom? (who has had to clean up her messes and walk around disinfecting the house and anything she touches so no one else gets it! Even when sick she does not miss her chance to be a drama queen. Got to give her credit! lol
So, she was finally feeling better yesterday and wanted me to make her Mac and cheese. I tried to explain that she should only have toast or rice but she insisted and well I was tired of listening to her whine about starving. Yep, you guessed it, it all came back for a second showing. But, once again dear Meg is taught a lesson on listening to Mom. Poor kid, when will she ever learn?? I mean really she only got her ipod and phone stolen a month ago. Did she not learn from that? Must go now as the smell of the disinfectant on the mouse and keyboard is making me sick!
Posted by Tammy at 4:20 PM 6 comments
Labels: Drama queen
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Minnesota Vikings football
Could they have been any worse today? I mean, really?? Come on?? We finally have a great owner but everything else sucks!! What happened to our team or the hopes we had for our team? Do any of them really want to win? (including A.P.) The state of Minnesota deserves to have a solid team, why cant we ever get it together? Heck, I deserve to have them win! I have been faithful to them all these years. Even when Judes said today that I should "pick a new team" (parish the thought) I was appalled because you never desert your team. Period!! Otherwise I would not have the right to rant and rave about them if I was not loyal. (makes sense to me) My point???? PLEASE Vikings give me something good to write about? I deserve it and it is your time to go the distance, you owe it to your faithful fans and your owner!
Posted by Tammy at 1:48 PM 1 comments
Labels: Minnesota Vikings
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Scary night for the drama queen
Anyone that knows my 15 year old knows she is a drama queen and I mean severely a drama queen. So, tonight she calls to tell me that her Aunt is taking her to a haunted house for fun. Well, being the good Mother that I am I ask Meg if she really wants to go and she says yep! OK, Meg have fun I tell her. (this is a girl that BEGS to watch scary movies and gets very mad at me for not letting her do so) So, I get a call that she is waiting in line and again I ask if she is sure? Again, YEP! So, 15 minutes later I get a call from her screaming at the top of her lungs and crying "MOM, I WANT TO COME HOME!!! At first I was not sure what was going on and I asked her where she was? She screams "I AM IN THE HOUSE" "GET ME OUT" !!! Knowing what a drama queen she is I am just laughing hysterically inside as I try to calm her as she is still screaming for me to get her out! Even typing I am still laughing as I think about it! So, I get her cousin on the phone and ask her how long before they are done and poor Kelsey informs me that they just walked in and the "window greeters" are what scared Megan and it was all down hill from there. Poor Meg has text me numerous times still scared. I am hoping the whole experience will get her off the wanting to watch scary movies, kick? Funny night for Mom (how bad am I?) Bad night for Meg! lol
Posted by Tammy at 7:13 PM 3 comments
Labels: Drama queen
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Second chance at love?
Is there such a thing as second chance at love? If you marry not within your faith and you get a divorce is there such a thing as a second chance? Because you did not wait for the one God had chosen for you for what ever reason do you get a second chance? As a strong Christian I believe NO! I blew it the first time and now my job is to raise all of my children in faith and send them on their way. But, what happens after they are all gone? Do I then start dating? Yuck! Don't get me wrong I have had opportunities but have always said no thank you. Believing it is my duty to raise my children the way God wants me to and not complicate their lives anymore than what a divorce already does. Buttttttttt, what then? I think typing it out I have answered my own question. No, I should not! I blew it not waiting for the one God had in store for me (but, I got three great kids out of it) and now I will be content with what He has given me in my life. (boy does He give me a lot) So the answer?? I am grateful for what He has given me and am content with my life the way it is and I should stop watching "lifetime" movies!! Kids are back gtg!
Posted by Tammy at 4:37 PM 2 comments
Labels: God
Bringing them to Christ?
Wow, can life get any crazier? I feel like I am running around like a chicken.... Oh, you get the point! Last night had to fill in and cook for 80 at church. I had forgotten how much I used to like doing it although, I do not want the job back, it was nice being there with so many friends again. Now I just picked up most of the higher ground group to go to the corn maze tomorrow after work! These kids are pretty neat and it just makes me smile when they all get in the car and start singing to the Mercyme cd I had in. I think this is finally the weekend to really bring them to Christ? I pray God gives me the words to say. Its weird but the Mercyme music has helped them get to this point. Now prayer will bring them on in and they can be "one of us" hee hee that sounded like a cult! hee hee
Prayer for the 2 that have not yet turned their life to Christ.
Posted by Tammy at 2:33 PM 2 comments
Labels: God
Monday, October 13, 2008
How is it possible?
How is it possible that my beloved daughter has turned 27 today? Where oh where did life go? How could life have gone so fast and that I am now a Grandmother of 3 ? What is happening to my life? Will/can Christ just come now so that we can all leave with Him in peace? Am I finished doing what He had planned for me to do? That's a tough question to answer with out His help. Is the fact that I lived through a childhood that no child should have to go through good enough to say, done!? Or maybe that I have brought 3 children into this world and they just may all turn out alright, walking with the Lord? Now that I am writing, none of it seems enough to hear Him say.. "Well done my child" The words all of us Christians long to hear? So, now that I am way off track, what is the answer? I guess to continue to try and make a difference in this crazy mixed up world by, honoring Christ and wait for His return! Happy birthday my Jen and thank you for 27 wonderful years that you have given me thus far. I look forward to many more! Unless of course Christ comes to get us and then I will look forward to eternity in our heavenly bodies together forever! That would be even better as I would then not have to exercise anymore! Until then I will bid farewell and go force myself to work out now before we have Jens very fattening birthday dinner tonight!
Posted by Tammy at 9:43 AM 1 comments
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Mice and mayhem
Anyone that knows me knows that I am terrified of mice!! Those little rodents and me just don't mix well and I am deathly afraid of them! (still cant figure out why God made them but will wait to ask Him) So, yesterday I smelled something in Megs room, it was like a wet moldy towel which I knew to be the smell of a dead mouse! I had everyone search her room. Meg, Pooky, Corey and Adam and they found nothing. (I knew it was there but I could not bring myself to look just in case I actually found it, didn't matter that I knew in my head it was already dead I just couldn't do it) Well, they didn't find anything in that mess of a room of hers! (my whole house is cleaned because of my illness towards messy houses, but that is another story) Megs room is a disaster no matter how many times I clean it with the pretense of "redecorating". So, I have Sissy come after Church stuff to look, because if anyone will look really the way I would it would be Sissy. She didn't find anything either, unfortunately and the smell is still there! But, in the whole scene Meg starts freaking out on her and me because Sissy is making her move things to look behind and now Meg is throwing stuff out of the way just so she can say "see I told you nothing was there" I thought for a second Sissy was going to deck her but she held her patience and even offered to help Meg clean her room. Nope I don't need any help and basically get out! What a fun morning!! But at least I did my exercising to Mercyme sessions on GMC that I had taped so I was in a good mood when Meg had her fit as only a 15 year old could. (although, she acted more like she was 10) The smell is still there but I have bought enough decon to kill all the mice in the United States and I foamed every crack on the outside of my house so the little buggers cant get in! (how will I ever get all that overflow of yellow foam off so the house does not look so silly?) I have done my part and all without acting on the urge to smack Meg! I will leave the rest up to God to keep the little rodents out and put a smile on Megs face!
Posted by Tammy at 1:30 PM 1 comments
Back to exercising
Today I will begin to exercise again! I had start to do it last December and was really losing inches then Pooky came home in May from school and I just quit. Not sure why? Maybe he was a good excuse? Its really silly though as I had so much more energy when I worked out. By "worked out" I mean I would do 15 to 30 sometimes even 45 minutes of "walk away the waistline" 4 or 5 times a week! Not really what you would call working out as most of the time it was only 15 minutes but heck, it worked, until I stopped! I would get really bored with the DVD. Even adding Mercyme music with it only kept me doing it for while longer!For whatever reason I stopped and now I want to lose 20 pounds and or 4 inches whichever comes first? Does anyone know why exercising is sooo boring? Why it is so hard to train yourself to do something that is so good for you? Whatever the answers I shall begin today to make a serious attempt at eating more healthy and exercising on a regular basis! Final question: Considering what I do for a living (slave) why oh why am I still in need of getting rid of these extra 25 pounds? Lots of prayer is requested at this time as I would really like to get rid of the inches in 5 weeks as that is when I will "meet and greet" with Mercyme again and the last time I did that I made an idiot out of myself and would like to redeem that! So, it begins, I shall lose inches or pounds by exercising and eating right, beginning today!!!!
Posted by Tammy at 6:38 AM 1 comments
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Two seasons in Minnesota
There are really only two seasons in Minnesota and I will tell you they are not spring, summer,fall or winter! No, not at all! In Minnesota we only have two count them, 1 and 2... Winter and Construction seasons! That's it! I am sitting here waiting for Nonny to get her butt here and where is she?? She is at the tunnel waiting to get on 35, why you ask?? Cause once again they have shut down one of our two major highways (94) for whatever reason. I personally believe they just like to put up orange cones and pretend they are working with our hard earned money! They really don't seem to ever get anything done and here I sit waiting to go to the Apple orchard and Nonny is late!!Of course it could be that she got up late and its not the traffic at all, but her and the fact that she made plans for 10am on a Saturday morning? Hmmmmm, I wonder?? Either way, there are still only 2 seasons in Minnesota and I am glad winter is coming and the cones will be gone. (I wonder what they do in Texas and places like that, is there construction all year long??) If so I am glad to be in the extreme frigid north, still waiting for Nonny to show up!
Posted by Tammy at 8:18 AM 0 comments
Friday, October 10, 2008
Grumpy people @ 15
Really I should title it "grumpy Meg". Wow was she a pill this morning! Actually I think I need a dawny pill after dealing with her! So, its 8:45 last night and Meg comes to me and says that she wants her hair cut like this boy band from Japan. (in all fairness they look like a bunch of girls) I asked her 5 or six times.. "are you sure"? Yes, mom, oh pleeease, can I get it?? Being the wonderful Mother I am I took her right out to the get it done. She brought the picture in with her(that she wasted my ink on) and told the lady what she wanted! Done! She looked adorable and just plain cute. Then came the next morning. Wow, a 180 like only Meg can do! She hates it, its not at all like the picture... blah, blah blah What it up with 15 year old girls?? Why was sissy NEVER like this? By "never" I mean.. Never ever ever in a million years would she be disrespectful and rude at 6:45 in the morning and on my day off too!! Where oh where did I go wrong? After the way meg was this morning I am secretly glad she hates her hair! It looks great but what does she know she is 15!
Posted by Tammy at 5:12 AM 1 comments
Thursday, October 9, 2008
He who angers you, controls you
My favorite saying is "He who angers you, controls you" so, what controlled me today?? My vacuum!! I was at my last client of the day and it was an elderly woman who I am very fond of but has all these little rugs and by little I mean very little. I am trying to move them and vacuum putting them back carefully and they would get sucked into the vacuum and I was getting sooo flippin frustrated even my ipod was not giving me relief! When after the third rug got caught I cursed in my head (yes it is still a sin) then I remembered my favorite saying and realized I was letting this machine control me!! That in itself is funny and I started laughing. Imagine letting a vacuum control you?? How silly!! But my question must be why do the elderly need six small rugs to go over their already carpeted floors? In a 6 by 10 room? She is not the only client that has this, all the elderly do! Oh well, the ministry we have when done cleaning makes it worth it but it is still very frustrating or silly depending on who is reading this? Oh well, I have tomorrow off and all is right in my world as I dont have rugs all over my house!
Posted by Tammy at 11:27 AM 2 comments
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Getting old!
I cleaned three houses then went and got meg a shot and had my brows waxed then off to the eye doctor to find out that I will in fact in the future need bifocals!!! Nice huh?? So, what does that mean?? Well, I thought about it and Dr. Scott confirmed I am in fact getting old! Nice day, huh? Cleaned 5 toilets and was then told I am getting old! When will this madness end?
Posted by Tammy at 5:24 PM 1 comments
Monday, October 6, 2008
Last monday off!
Poor me, it is my last Monday off! I am trying to decide if I should feel sorry for myself or rejoice in what God continues to bestow upon me? Back story: I have always been off on Mondays and Fridays and just work Tuesdays, Wednesday's and Thursday's. I know its a great schedule as I am usually home by one in the afternoon. However, it is a schedule I am used to. Now for whatever reason God keeps sending me more clients that I cant say no to. So I bid farewell today to my Mondays off and thank God for blessing me in this yucky economy and allows me to bid on front row Mercyme tickets!! Oh yeah by the way: If you are reading this could you go to the left of my blog and click on Mercyme's blog so I can be S.L.O.B. of the month, next month?? NO ONE deserves it more than me as I am truly their biggest fan!!! While you are there check out their "cover tune grab bag" posts, they are really funny! So, I bid farewell to my Mondays off! Goodbye my Mondays, until we meet again.........
Posted by Tammy at 10:08 AM 1 comments
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Is it wrong?
Is it wrong to be secretly smiling when my Grandson cries when seeing is other Grandma? Well, that's what happened and I am trying to find some guilt in those feelings but it is really hard! Story: Mini Coop, my 6 month old grandson was at the celebration yesterday while we kicked off the birthday season and I was holding him and he was being his usual self. Smiling and cooing so cutely, when in walked his other grandparents. Who by the way live only 20 minutes away but for whatever reason only see the boys at birthdays and Christmas. (that in itself is a tragedy as I can only go a few days without seeing "my boys" and when I don't see them I am talking to them on the phone. (something I detested doing, seeing or hearing about until they came along) Anyway, off track again.....
So, they come in and poor mini coop took one look at them and started bawling. I walked into the kitchen with him and he stopped. Then trying to let them see this little cutie I went into the dining room where they were all sitting and he took one look at them and started crying again. Poor kid it was actually kind of funny as he would look away and turn to me and smile like realizing oh its OK I am still in Grandmas arms. Then he just could not help himself and he would turn again and they would try to talk to him. (not the baby way like I do , but the way you would talk to an adult, and I am sure that didn't help) I mean really he is six months old! It was really funny cause he acted like he was watching a horror movie, where you are scared and just keep looking away, quickly! How bad of a grandma am I that I found it funny? Even when sissy was holding him and his back was to them the "other grandma" took him out of sissy's arms and he must have thought I took him cause he was fine until he turned around and saw it was her and started bawling again! So, again I ask how bad am I?? My oldest grandson who's 5, I call him "boy". (I love saying "hello boy" to him when he pries the phone from his mother begging and pleading with her to let him talk to grandma, he always knows its me) Anyway, the boy loves his fathers dad. Always so excited to see grandpa that I could not help but ask them how they could go a day without wanting to call him all the time? I was not in any way trying to be mean or anything it was just an observation as I cant go a day without talking to him! He is so much fun on the phone, the love he shows is truly a love like no other! Morale of the story... I am so grateful to God for these boys, its so sad that they cant have all their grandparents all the time! Oh well, they seem pretty happy with me! Am I bad for secretly smiling? Maybe so?
Posted by Tammy at 5:41 AM 1 comments
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Birthday season begins today..
Birthday season officially begins today with Brian's celebration. Then we wait two weeks and its Sissy's turn then we wait another two weeks and there is Megs and yep you guessed it another two weeks and its Pooky's! Somewhere in between meg and Pookys is Jackers! Oh be quiet Sissy and Pooky I know when my Grandsons birthday is... Its the 3rd! (I just looked in my book) lololol I crack myself up!! For those who do not know the whole story Sissy and Pooky (mostly Pooky) give me a lot of crap because once I forgot when Jacks birthday was, please, I am getting old and if Sissy didn't have soooo many children I would not have to challenge my memory so much! So really its all on Sissy! Anyway, off track again!!
So, birthday season is upon us and I will sit and try to figure out what to do for each that shows them all what they mean to me?? Maybe I should just give them all nice cards and save my money for my Florida trip? Of course my son in law is sooo easy to buy for, as he is so easy to please, that I am done with him already! The rest of them I think I will donate their gifts back to myself and use it for Florida! So now that I have come up with such a brilliant plan, I must say thank you to all my wonderful children, in advance of their birthdays and giving me my winter vacation in Florida! What great kids!!! (it may be my plan but their still great kids)
Posted by Tammy at 12:05 PM 2 comments
Thursday, October 2, 2008
My embarrassing day
So, I am at my second house of the day and she happened to be home but said she would be leaving soon. So, I went downstairs and started work with my Ipod in going about my work. Then I went upstairs and she was gone so I really started getting into my music when "God with us" by of course Mercyme came on. Anyone that knows me knows this is my favorite song and I cranked it up and was singing very loudly and when it was over I was so into it I started it again and started dancing while dusting and all the while still singing. When I say singing I don't mean sounding like Bart! I mean really loud and awful and of course up the stairs she comes scared me to death with a big smile on her face!! How embarrassing can you get?? The song is on my play list, listen to it then imagine me sounding like a dying animal and that is what she heard!! Worst of all she is a new client and must think I am insane!
Posted by Tammy at 11:49 AM 1 comments


text:
This is a true HEADS or TAILS week as the choices are HEADS - Anything in the sky or space *OR* TAILS - Anything in or under the water.
I choose tails
One thing my parents did together was fish and during the winter they would head up to Kootenay Lake in British Columbia, Canada, and fish.
As they where in Canada I would stay at My Uncle Henry and Aunt Eve.
Well not sure of the year I'm sure it was in 1960's my parents took a fishing trip up to Kootenay Lake.
Under the water swam a Dolly Varden and my Mom hooked the fish and I wish I could tell you a fish tale of how long it took her to landed this fish.
Well it was the 2nd biggest fish caught out of the lake that year and it weight 24 pounds or 10.8 kg.
I've seem some large fish caught when I grew up and once while someone will land a good size fish.
To see others head or tail Click here
This project was going to be done this up coming spring and in resent history Bart some how put his pick-up in the ditch and
back into our old mail box for a very short time we tried to hold it in place trying to figure out how and where we will place to new mail box.
This time of year the ground is frozen.
But we had an ideal in what area we wanted the mailbox but we weren't sure what we wanted to put the mailbox on.
So Murphy came up with ideal but before we could move on we needed some welding done and both of my boys can weld
Bart did the welding and I was wondering if we were going to get the welder lite.
When Murphy Grandmother Charlotte passed away somehow we ended up with this stand and we believed it was to rock cutting stand.
So it became our mailbox stand but it might have to be moved a little.
To see more Tackle project please Click here


text:
If you have ever been asked to cover an exhibition or show I wouldn't blame anyone to in waning to turn it down. Unlike portrait or product photography you have virtually no control on the subject, lighting or the crowds bumping in to you!
At most indoor exhibitions you are required to obtain a press pass, not always easy but it does come with its advantages. I recently covered Crufts 2011 which was a big challenge.
Not only because tripods were not allowed and the lighting was awful but because trying to get images in crowds that are constantly bumping in to you is not easy!
My first piece of advice would be to arrive early before any of the crowds arrive of at least before the bulk of the crowds roll in. Scope out the main areas where you will taking photos for lighting and white balance as well as potential access issues due the impending crowds. Either note down the settings you need or as I do use a small memory card as my white balance info on it already taken by you from test shots. That way when you go to take your photos later in the day you will be setup in no time!
So camera settings. Most exhibition halls will have poor and random lighting. A flash gun is an absolute must. If you are taking photos of subjects that move quickly or you can potentially stumble on TV interviews etc use high speed sync flash and free off a high number of images to ensure you will get some keepers. You may want to consider a fairly low f. number and maybe even bumping up your ISO if conditions are really bad.
Unfortunately at exhibitions and shows large crowds are almost guaranteed. This makes getting the right shot pretty challenging at times. Having a lens that allows you to keep more of a distance from you subject can be beneficial as you can find a spot that helps you get less involved with the crowds. Sometimes though you need to get up close and use the advantages of our flash so you really have to stand your ground and just go for it. Be prepared for the odd idiot to bump in to you, just be committed on the shot and fire off some quick images to ensure you get the shots required.
The best piece of advice I can give is keep mobile, photograph anything interesting and talk to everyone. You never know what shots you will end up with!


text:
I will tell you what. Everyone thinks Eye Candy is My blog and it isn't. EyeCandy -- one word -- is My blog. LOL... I have another one, too. And it will more than likely be My "real" as opposed to my "fake" art blog. (Not really. There is just so much to do and think and share and show.)
Speaking of which, I have found a new digital camera I am very VERY happy with. I will be grabbing it up for real tomorrow at the ridiculously close Best Buy.
Here is a photo of it up there in that corner, kids. Yes, I will more than likely go with the red! It has a great screen on the back, plenty big and plenty easy to use.
Anyway. Take note of My Name and My Blog's Name. Dear Me... Maybe I should change it? (not)


text:
Designed by Solid & Striped, The Ballerina One Piece Swimsuit in black and cream would lend a touch of retro glamour to any suitcase.
Inspired by traditional leotards, this extremely flattering and elegant colour-block swimsuit features a cross front design, low cut hip and full coverage back. Cut from sculpting Italian-sourced fabric in black and cream, this swimsuit epitomises the bygone glamour of old Hollywood.
New York based design house Solid & Striped was established in 2012 by Isaac Ross, with the aim of recreating the glamour of classic holiday style. Today, Solid & Striped design effortless, timeless and well-cut swimwear crafted from the finest English and Japanese fabrics to flatter all silhouettes.


text:
Recently I learned that some people reading this blog live in countries that have the death penalty for being gay.
I'll say it again--the death penalty.
I know that around half of the hits on my stats page are from robots. (Weird to think about.) Even still--some of the human readers are facing the death penalty.
And yet they do read blogs on the internet. Somehow, in the immensity of this world, they have heard Chely Wright's music, presumably know her story, and take comfort in her message that she is LikeThem. Or they are LikeHer. You know what I mean, that they are not alone.
Imagine the risk they must be taking when they read this or listen to her music. Imagine their lives of courage and resilience. Imagine the bond they must feel with us who enjoy lives of greater freedom. Imagine their longing.
For information on the rights of LGBT people around the world, please consider The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission. (QUESTION: do they include transgendered people among their concerns? Please let me know if you find out.) A quick glance on google indicated five countries (unnamed here, to protect the readers) that have the death penalty for LGBT people, and three more countries where self-appointed judges and militia groups routinely torture and kill LGBT people.
To the readers in those nations,
You are not alone. We see what you are facing. Take comfort--we dream with you of a day when it will end. We pray and we work to end your suffering. Persist in your courage, in knowing what is true of you, and in the knowledge that you are not alone.


text:
Financial Services jobs in City of Bristol
Broaden your search
Refine your search
Financial Services
Remove selection
Job Title
- City of Bristol Remove selection
Job Level
Salary Band
Recruiter Type
Found 3 jobs
Sponsored Links
Financial Services Administrator
Financial Services Admin, Assist colleagues with daily admin roles within the business Dealing with clients Other duties deemed necessary by manager
Administrators and client service assistants wanted NOW - no experience needed
Are you a recent graduate or school leaver? We are looking for a number of people to join us, starting immediately. No experience needed.
Dutch/English Customer Service & Claims Advisor
A fantastic opportunity has arisen to work in the heart of Bristol within the leasing industry. We are looking for someone who is fluent in Dutch a...


text:
Covering television, pop, folk, ambient, drone and doom. Hot takes: cold brew, comedy, poetry, comics and amaro. Patron saints Dan Harmon Jason Molina Robert Bly CRJ Gaga. Scott "Wuz Here" Nye served as film critic '04-'07, so yeah, we got the goods.
Sunday, January 15, 2017
Thomas Pynchon THE CRYING OF LOT 49 (1965)
I was always intimidated by Pynchon's reputation, but the INHERENT VICE film encouraged me that he might be more of a genius-jester than a heavy-and-dour, the other option for midcentury American male novelists. And he is. LOT 49 is highly amusing, running through life in the mid-sixties southern California dream, and could even be read as a precursor to IV, as it follows a possibly-medicated housewife falling deeper into an inconsequential conspiracy, which may or may not have been constructed to give her something to do. Pynchon is an astounding conjurer of sentences, employing names and nouns as chances at joy.
3 comments:
- Doug said...
First you make fun of me for reading Derrida in college and now you post Mr. "I'm just going to obtusely shove every single Post-Modernist trope into every single page so that I can prove to my readers how smart we all are" Pynchon?
Go Big Red!
- Ben said...
rejoicing in the English language will always win me over, and the dude is fireworks. So far he, DeLillo, and Chabon are my favorite conjurers of sentences. Also, all I know of Derrida I learned from WIkipedia so I will 100% defer to you, please and thank you!
Cornell has some damn impressive alumni and uh, Nabokov taught there?? I probably should have finished those supplemental essays...damn you Winter '04 Benjamin!
- Ben said...
then again plz remember that '04 Ben spent a good deal of time trying to convince you and a fellow Cornellie that Bush 2 was a shitty president #heroball


text:
It was an absurdly romantic, impractical notion that was perfect for my vision of perennial bachelorhood. Buy a 110-year-old, dilapidated adobe church in a remote New Mexico village populated by artists, outlaws and hippies. Install wood stoves for heat and ambience and get a big satellite dish to insure year round sports reception. Refinish the claw foot bathtub in the semi-detached greenhouse for long evenings of contemplation and the oak flooring in the main room for the occasional debauched dance party. Build high walls around the property to discourage casual visits and place wrought iron bed on the former altar to encourage other kinds of visits.
Uncork the wine. Turn up the volume. Kick off shoes. Leave the seat up. Bachelorize.
That was fifteen years ago. I was pretty much past the early expiration date for fatherhood. Then, two years back, I met Emily. We got together at the saddest points in each of our lives. And, miraculously, something amazing grew out of it.
Even when she moved in, the style of living didn't change much at first. Emily took over the guesthouse for her writing studio so the bachelor vibe of the church remained largely unchanged. It was kind of a dual bachelor/bachelorette house. We had matching, peeling Adirondack chairs for taking in the long sunsets and found the claw foot tub was big enough for two.
Emily was as content as I with the lack of dependable heat, absence of air conditioning, ancient, rattling windows that only slowed down the wind and dust, stinky water from the sulfurous town well and a tiny ramshackle kitchen that was like a welcome mat for infestation. Living in an isolated, former coal town in the mountains (population: 300, give or take) is something very far removed from convenient. We didn't care. A couple trips per week to Santa Fe for groceries and a movie was all the city stimuli we required.
And then came the call just after Labor Day. I was reporting a story in Fargo and Emily rang me after a visit to the doctor. It was confirmed: In six months we were going to have a household visitor. Her name would be Charlotte Mabel Elliott Black. And she'd be staying at least 18 years.
My blind happiness gave way to creeping panic. Clearly, certain accommodations needed to be made.
I made frenzied, unreadable lists on that plane ride home. There were lists of water filters, new dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, sinks, wall heaters. There were cribs, a changing table and silk taffeta onesie evening wear. There were practical things and insane things. Some items on my illegible inventory exposed my neophyte status. Turns out Gustav Stickley never designed a high chair, which is a pity.
Within days of arriving home, Emily and I had The Talk: Was Madrid, New Mexico, our beloved former ghost town, the right place to raise our child? I'm old enough to remember New York's Alphabet City in the early '80s, long before the billion dollar co-ops took over. Madrid is sort of a rural New Mexico version. We have a fire department, but no police—actually, no authority of any kind. Anyone who tries to impose order is roundly ridiculed. On summer weekends the town is the destination of choice for hundreds of motorcyclists, and road house rock pumps out of the Mine Shaft Tavern until daybreak. On the other hand, I've never lived among a higher concentration of artistically and intellectually gifted individuals. A Rhode Island School of Design grad just designed my new kitchen, a Harvard guy dug the foundation and an Auburn man is going to wire it. Charlotte will have plenty of opportunity to be challenged and engaged. And this is a beautiful place.
Madrid, we decided, would work.
We estimated we had half a year to de-bachelorize the church and turn it into a gigantic, family-friendly playpen. Luckily, we'd started the process of re-financing the previous May with the dream of building a lap pool. I optimistically figured the toughest part of this process would be getting used to pink.
Thus, we embarked on a project we like to call Mr. Blandings Deconstructs His Dream House. Emily tempered my frenetic enthusiasm by pointing out priorities. Since Charlotte would be arriving mid-winter, and our home is at an elevation of 6600 feet, we agreed I should probably focus on keeping the baby warm. True, I had several big wood stoves that could keep the place toasty as long as I continuously fed them like I was a stoker on the QEII. Too bad they also had a tendency to spew ash in the air, evoking an erupting Mt. St. Helens and smelling just as bad. Not good for baby's lungs, Emily advised tactfully.
This baby business was getting complicated.
The heating issue was daunting. One hundred years ago the church had a big coal-burning boiler in the basement. A couple surviving hunks of rusted metal were now used as yard art. The good news was that there was ample space to create a central heating system. The bad news was that I realized it was pointless to invest in such a system without first replacing all the windows—nine foot tall custom-made church windows. I'd also have to insulate above the 19-foot ceiling, sixty by thirty feet of it. That lap pool now seemed as likely as replacing my ancient Volvo with a Tesla.
We figured we'd start work in the fall before all the leaves were off the trees.
The bank did not approve the re-financing until it was nearly Christmas.
Still, we weren't yet in full panic mode. No, full panic mode hit two months later when we still hadn't found contractors with acceptable bids for the windows and heat.
Emily was less than three weeks to her scheduled C-section when a local contractor finally submitted a workable bid. Everything had to be ordered. They thought the windows and parts for the forced air system would come in the week of March 3rd. Charlotte was arriving on the 10th.
I liked Pete, the heating guy, except I wasn't really sure what he was doing down in the basement. There were periodic sounds of activity followed by hour-long silences. The basement became an impenetrable mass of serpentine ducting and Rube Goldberg mechanical parts. It wasn't possible to fully descend the stairs, so sometimes we'd walk down a couple steps, peer into the gloom, and ask Pete if he needed anything. His disembodied voice, soft but intense, drifted disembodied out of the dark corners. No, he was good, he assured us. Not much longer now.
Miraculously, the windows and insulation went right on schedule, but on Saturday the 8th, the heating system seemed no further along than the day Pete started.
That afternoon, Emily's water broke and we raced to the hospital in Albuquerque. Charlotte came a bit early, at 11:20 that night. We were two days in the hospital and then, because there was still no heat at home, camped out at a hotel. Then at a friend's house near Santa Fe. A week after leaving for the hospital, Emily and Charlotte demanded to come home.
I stood over Pete's shoulder. I tried not to be too pushy. He'd recently beat a badass biker to a pulp and I try to be respectful of that kind of decisiveness. Finally, at 7:10pm, he threw the switches. Warm air filled the church for the first time since about 1939. To my horror, Pete walked the perimeter of the interior muttering, "I can't believe it worked!"
At 7:35, Emily, Charlotte and Mary Ellen, Emily's mother, entered, their arms laden with the massive detritus accompanying a newborn. It was the proverbial parade of pink.


text:
People said that about the MTC and it is SO TRUE. Last week it felt like DAYS between meals, but I feel like Just yesterday it was Sunday. The Sunday on the 17th, that is.
I don't have a whole lot of time, but I hope you enjoyed the pictures! In addition to our regular investigators, we taught a couple of less-active members of the church and got to skype a Mormon family in Idaho! We shared a message, talked with the kids about serving missions, and shared a challenge with them - very fun!
Our investigator Leah has come SO FAR. Since she has been meeting with missionaries for 3 years and has a lot of emotional problems (PTSD, depression, anxiety etc) we spent a lot of time listening, talking, sharing scriptures, and praying with/for her. She didn't always say much, and when she did a lot of times it was rambling about her job. At the end though, she asked if she could share a lesson with US. We said okay, and she pulled out a bent nail. She talked about how it's useless in building things and if you hammer on the head it'll only become more useless and bend even more. Missionaries have done this to her. She told us about how they come and pound their religion and "homework assignments" into her head and it only hurts her more. It doesn't help her heal. She said that if missionaries who teach her were to minister more as Christ would, they'd help her where she's hurting, by patting her on the back (where the bend is), by listening, by suffering with her when she suffers, by praying for her, and by trying to help her instead of teach a lesson. She thanked us for being Christlike and told us that the way she felt when we shared with her made her WANT to start praying again. We never asked her to. She had an increase in faith that led to action, just because people were willing to listen to her, and lend a helping hand. She said she's been reading the scriptures more. We never asked her to. Inviting people to make changes can be important, and encouraging people to come to Christ is important, but I encourage you all to look at people with the Love that Christ would, and see what THEY NEED. Missionaries, friends, mothers, fathers, co-workers, anyone can do this.
I'm grateful for all I've learned here and I'm excited to get out into the field tomorrow morning. I can't wait to help people realize the love that Christ has for them, to help them realize that they can have SO much hope for the future because of Him.
I hope you all have a wonderful week.
Sister McIntosh
PS - If you haven't studied Alma 5 in awhile, it's a good one.
Our whole district. I love them (Elder Woods, Lloyd, Anderson, Hilsinger, Weber, Sister Me, Anderson, and Whitehead)
My comps with our investigator, LEAH! More on her later...
Our district with one of our teachers, Brother Smith. (first guy on the left)
Our elders, who are probably in a boy band. L->R (Elder Lloyd, Anderson, Hilsinger, Weber, and Woods)
Us with our senior district that went to the field several days after we arrived. The two sisters next to me were my Sister Training Leaders. (tall=sister marstella and short=sister weibye)
Me and my comps with Elder Hilsinger (sunglasses, going to Pocatello, also) and Elder Lloyd (going to Poky also) during our temple walk


text:
Member Since : 2016 | Country : Czech Republic
We are the Prague' destination management company. We organize and provide personalized assistance for individual as well as group travel experiences at the highest level.
We provide our services throughout whole Europe. We are mainly specialized and focus on tours and extraordinary experiences for groups and individuals in central Europe.
Dream Tours
Address :
Badeniho 1, ,