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Posted on 01/04/2016
Mary blogs on how being in the garden helps her to manage her bipolar disorder, and the support she's received from her employer.
I was diagnosed with bipolar during my second year at university, over ten years ago now. I had a severe mental collapse and within the space of a few months my not unreasonable ambition to become an academic – an historian – was replaced with the more modest aspiration to complete the basic tasks of daily life. The inside of my local hospital's psychiatric ward became more familiar to me than the inside of lecture halls and libraries, first as an in-patient and later as a regular out-patient.
Debilitated as I was, the decision to leave university came as a relief. By some stroke of good fortune – though I didn't realise it then – I decided to try gardening. Thus began five years of training. I had two years at college and three as an apprentice gardener. Towards the end of my apprenticeship I was sexually assaulted by an abusive boyfriend and spent my second and to date last stint in psychiatric hospital. Soon after this I applied for my current job in the garden of a country estate.
What has made my present job such a significant part of my recovery and good mental health has been the part that my colleagues have played.
Working outdoors has definitely been very important to my mental well-being. The open space seems big enough to cope with my extreme interior life, both the struggles and joys. Gardening is a constant boost to my consciously nurtured optimism, as I am surrounded by the natural world which pursues life with eager enthusiasm. Moreover, anyone who works in a garden which is open to the public and has many volunteers knows that their works involves enabling others to experience the great benefits of a garden, which is very satisfying.
I know however that working as a professional gardener is not a panacea; as an apprentice I experienced some pretty awful times when work was a hindrance not a help to my mental wellbeing. What has made my present job such a significant part of my recovery and good mental health has been the part that my colleagues have played.
Looking back, my interview at the garden was a fairly decisive point in my life. I said openly that I had a diagnosis of bipolar. The response from the man who was to become my boss was, "I don't know much about that, but let me know how we can help". Although I was in my mid-twenties then, my years of illness meant that I was new to permanent employment and new to any kind of role involving responsibility for others - my position involves managing a large team of volunteers. Without anything formally being put in place – no policies or paperwork on 'How To Deal With A Person With Mental Health Problems In Your Workplace' – I was mentored through the first few years by my boss. He helped me both with specific advice and with the knowledge of his support in developing the way to work through my personal challenges so that I could effectively fulfil the role's requirements.
In the busy-ness of the modern workplace, it takes a certain wisdom and generosity to be understanding and sympathetic towards someone with mental health problems.
From the start he had the ability to see me as a person and not just someone with a condition. Moreover, he saw my potential and especially in the early years was not afraid to push me: but he would preface any tough words by ensuring that I was not then going through a difficult time with my mental health. He is also one of the few people who will even now pause and say "Really?" after asking, "How are you?" if he is not convinced by my answer. He is also ready to hear the real answer, and to set me off again with some words of encouragement.
In the busy-ness of the modern workplace, it takes a certain wisdom and generosity to be understanding and sympathetic towards someone with mental health problems, and then to push them to achieve their potential. It's all too easy for people to offer pity and not expect much, although this is better than receiving no sympathy at all! In my case the support of my boss has been in the context of reliable friendliness and support from my colleagues. On the surface it's nothing spectacular though: the walls are not festooned with posters reminding employees to be decent to people who might be struggling.
However it's been proved true by many people's experiences that a workplace can be a very harsh environment. "Leave your problems at home when you come to work" is a maxim still widely accepted as the correct attitude. Yet, creating the best opportunities for people to flourish in the workplace can mean treating people differently because of the problems they have. Someone like me, with serious mental health issues, may well need more time and greater personal support than a typical employee. My boss recognised this even though he "didn't know anything" about bipolar, but not everyone is so lucky.
Neither my boss nor my other colleagues would say they have done anything special by being patient, kind, and understanding. However, with this sort of support I have achieved more than I ever imagined possible when I was first ill. My life has moved on in many ways, and my support network has grown. I now have the luxury of being able to keep work as the place where I challenge myself to move forward and continue to fulfil my potential. For me, my workplace, my colleagues and my boss have been the inspiration for me to push through the barriers that a serious mental health problem can put in your life. With their support, I have achieved success in my present job in a way that I would have been very proud of back in the days I dreamed of being an academic.
Information and advice on a huge range of mental health topics
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Director/PDMR Shareholding
The majority of PayPoint shops will be open during the festive period, allowing people up and down the country to top up their gas and electricity prepayment meters.
Surfdome is now offering its customers the chance to return goods free of charge through CollectPlus' network of 4,500 corner shops.
PayPoint has extended its range of Support Services by offering a competitive rate for Business Grade Broadband exclusively for its retailers.
CollectPlus today warns retailers to expect a surge in returned goods following 'Mega Monday' as online shoppers rush to secure replacement gifts before Christmas.
Strong growth the result of powerful demand from online and multi-channel retailers for Collect+ returns and delivery services.

subset: commoncrawl


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You know how I admitted a few weeks ago that I am a pasta-a-holic? Well I probably should change that to admit that I am addicted to one pot pasta dinners. I seriously can't get over how easy they are and why they weren't in my life sooner. [Slightly dramatized but only slightly]. They have become my new go to meal lately because everyone seems to love them. I can add this delicious roasted tomato skillet pasta to my ever growing list of pasta recipes.
This may be he simplest of the one pot pastas that I've made. What really sets it apart are the homemade roasted rosemary tomatoes that I added. It gives the pasta dinner so much flavor without much effort. Plus it's all cooked in one dish! I honestly think that gives the dish so much more flavor. Everything is roasted and toasted in one pan and the flavor get to commingle. It's the best. Plus, one dish! I only have to wash one dish when all is said and done! [Ok, two or three if you include the utensils.]
Pssst.. sign up for weekly recipe ideas plus two free printables!
Another great thing is that you can create your own one skillet pasta dish. If you don't like the onion from this recipe, skip it. Add your own spices or a different meat. It's totally customizable. The basic steps stay the same but you can make a one pan pasta that your family will love. My family? They don't seem to care what in it as long as its pasta. Which is a-ok with me! [Ryley does request her pasta have that "red stuff" on it though.]
Have I sold you on skillet pastas yet? I promise after you make your first one you will be a convert. I know I was nervous when I tried them for the first time. I didn't think the pasta would cook right, or that everything would come together. But oh was I wrong. The sauce and the water do a great job of cooking the pasta and then gets a little crispy under broiler. The cheese on top just seals the deal. Its just a one dish perfect kind of recipe!
- 1 box of pasta of choice
- 1 pound hamburger
- ½ onion
- 15 oz jar of tomato sauce
- 1 cup of water
- ½ cup roasted tomatoes
- spices to taste
- 1 cup cheese of choice
- Saute your onion until translucent.
- Add your hamburger and spices and cook until no longer pink.
- Toss in your roasted tomatoes.
- Add the water and pasta sauce.
- Put the pasta in the in the skillet and push down under the liquid.
- Set to a simmer for 15-18 minutes. Check to make sure the pasta is under the water at all times and not sticking to the bottom of the pan. Add more water as needed.
- Remove from burner and add your cheese.
- Place under the broil for 3-5 minutes until the cheese starts to bubble.
- Let cool and enjoy!
Love this recipe? Be sure to check out these other skillet pastas:
- Chipotle Pasta Skillet
- Artichoke and Penne Pasta Skillet
- and the Rosemary Roasted Tomatoes that made this dinner possible!
Plus! Sign up for our emails to have more easy recipes delivered right to your inbox. Woohoo! I also have a freebie for you too! (Double woohoo!!)
Like it? PIN IT!


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'Bachelor' Preview: Sean Lowe Gets A Nasty Surprise At Hometown Dates
It's that time of the season! Sean will make his way around America to visit to the hometowns of Lindsay, Desiree, AshLee and Catherine, and he meets several scary fathers. Gulp.
Sean Lowe is seriously clocking up those air miles! The Bachelor star travels to California, Missouri, Washington and Texas on the Feb. 18 episode to meet the relatives of his four Bachelor finalists. As every girl knows, there is nothing more romantic than having your boyfriend come to visit you at home and meet your family. Except when he is meeting three other girl's families too. Anyways, Sean packs his bags and go traveling, and at one hometown date he gets a nasty surprise when he meets someone unexpected…
Sean Lowe Goes To The Girls' Hometowns
After last week's episode where Sean finally eliminated that cockroach Tierra, this week Sean goes to be terrified by four sets of potential in-laws.
He goes to Houston, TX to see southern belle AshLee, where they walk her dog in a field full of flowers, and they look just like Maria and Captain Von Trapp in The Sound Of Music. Minus the outfits of course.
And it goes downhill from there, as Sean is NOT making a good impression on the girls' family. Just take your shirt off Sean, and all will be OK.
Sean gets a stern talking to from Lindsay's army dad in Fort Leonard Word, MO, and he looks pretty scared. Poor Sean. Catherine's sisters are unconvinced that Catherine and Sean would make a good couple, when he sees them in Seattle, WA.
Shizz really hits the fan when Sean arrives in Newport Beach, CA to see Desiree. Not only does her brother call him a "playboy" and a "fraud" (real fighting words), Sean also gets to meet Desiree's BOYFRIEND! Girl obviously didn't read the ABC handbook, because that is not allowed. Sean forms fists when the boyfriend's temper flares, and it looks like this all might end in "red hot tears."
"Just watched Mondays episode. I personally guarantee that it's the best one so far! By a mile. Get excited!
#Bachelor" tweeted Sean on Feb. 14. He says that every week!
I wonder which three girls will progress to fantasy suite dates! Desiree's chances are not looking so hot right about now.
What do YOU think HollywoodLifers? Do YOU think Sean will eliminate Desiree for having a boyfriend?
Watch: The Bachelor: Sean Lowe Eliminates Terrible Tierra
— Eleanore Hutch
More Bachelor News:
- 'Bachelor' Preview: Tierra Reveals An Ugly Secret To Sean Lowe
- 'Bachelor' Recap: Tierra LiCausi's Dramatics Reach A New Height
- 'Bachelor' Recap: Sean Lowe's Surprise Twist Angers The Girls


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Click the power button below to download my mix!
Téléchargez le mix en pressant sur le bouton Power ci-dessous!
Back with my monthly Tech House mix!
Here's my monthly Deep House mix. Enjoy the best and freshest Deep House right here! Don't hesitate to check my previous Deep House and Tech House sets!
Back with my monthly Tech House mix!
I'm back with more Tech House for you guys ! I'm still experimenting with Deep and Tech House, but my love for them stays strong. This time for volume 4, I've selected the very best Tech House tunes I could find. I had such an amazing time mixing this set! Normally, this is a good sign, and this means you should enjoy it as well!
Deep is the new thing. I'm slowly falling in love with this genre. Here's volume 4 of the Deep series.
Here's volume 3 of my Tech House series!
This mix is a lounge mix. It's about repetitive songs and stable build-ups. That goes very well to warm up the night and to chill with some friends without getting too excited. You should listen to this if you want to relax or do something boring, like studying.
Tracklist and Timestamp on Mixcloud.
Click the power button below to download my mix or listen to it on Mixcloud!
Téléchargez le mix en pressant sur le bouton Power ci-dessous ou écoutez-le sur Mixcloud!


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The Galaxy Nexus release date has changed more often than a chameleon sitting on a color wheel.
Originally believed to launch today, December 9th, on the Verizon 4G LTE network, a brief outage earlier this week could be to blame for a delay. We had heard that the Galaxy Nexus would arrive on December 13th, but that date looks like it will pass by without a Galaxy Nexus release.
We have just heard from multiple sources that the Galaxy Nexus release date for Verizon has been the rescheduled for Thursday December 15th.
This new release date comes from multiple authorized Verizon retailers in different states. When one of our staff stopped in to ask about purchasing the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon, the employee looked down at her screen and told him that the Galaxy Nexus should be available for purchase next Thursday, December 15th.
This is great news for the many users who have been waiting and waiting for what looks to be the best Android phone to arrive on Verizon this year.
The Galaxy Nexus has a 4.65″ HD curved display, 4G LTE connectivity, 32GB of Storage, Micro SD card Slot, NFC, 1GB RAM and a 1.2GHz dual core processor. The Galaxy Nexus will be the first phone to run Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, on Verizon's fast 4G LTE network.
Check out a Hands on Video of the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon, which shows the speed of the 4G LTE network.
Stay tuned for more Galaxy Nexus news.


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Solving Customer Problems
Healthcare | Energy | Transportation | Industrial | Communications | Defense
Our customers span the breadth of the Industrial Internet of Things, including medical, energy, mining, air traffic control, trading, automotive, unmanned systems, industrial SCADA, naval systems, air and missile defense, ground stations, and science. Connext DDS is a cornerstone of complex and critical systems in every industry around the world.
RTI Connext DDS technology provides the fundamental infrastructure for the real-time integration of next generation clinical systems and devices. Getting critical data to the point of care allows medical professionals to control medical devices and instrumentation; integrate internal monitoring systems; deliver real-time analysis and correlation of patient data between labs, hospitals, physicians, administrative offices, and record management facilities; and reduce errors in managing and treating patients. As a result of real-time connectivity, patients can see reduced healthcare costs, fewer treatment errors, and increased medical safety. Learn more »
Fast Emergency Response
Exelis C4i Command and Control Systems
RTI Connext DDS connects GUIs to servers that route voice and video RTI met the critical needs: scalability, routing, recording – for military and civilian agencies.
EMS Device Integration Platform
World's Largest EMS Equipment Provider
Provides emergency response equipment to 60% of the world's emergency vehicles. RTI will be used in their entire product line emergency response equipment … for the next 20 years.
Hospital Patient Safety
DocBox Integrates Clinical Decision Systems
RTI Connext ties together devices, services, and displays in real time. "RTI Connext DDS met all our needs – whether we're handling 12 patients, or 200." – DocBox Founder, Tracy Rausch
Hospital Data Integration
Clinical Decision Support Systems
Connext DDS helps hospital networks meet their data challenges involving thousands of patients (in motion), hundreds of thousands of devices, diverse link protocols, 100% uptime, security and real-time waveforms.
Surgical Systems
DLR Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery Systems
The Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery (MIRS) system at DLR coordinates three robots to perform delicate heart surgery. The system closes a distributed loop between the robots and the remote surgeon's control at 3kHz.
Medical Imaging
RTI powers MRI & CT
Imaging systems require massive data flows and fast performance. DDS controls and optimizes network use to handle megabytes of load without losing data.
Medical Imaging
Agilent MRI Systems
"RTI delivered great functionality at a low cost. Using RTI middleware saved us a lot of money, time, and effort compared to our previous in-house developed solution." – Varian (Agilent) MRI
Advanced Proton Therapy
Mevion Proton Beam Radiation Therapy Systems
RTI middleware is used in superconducting synchro-cyclotron control, including the coordination of imaging, patient positioning, treatment, machine control and hazard mitigation.
Safety-Critical Software
Connext DDS Cert
Connext DDS Cert meets stringent SWaP requirements and offers certification evidence for IEC 60601 class 3 (medical devices) and DO-178C Level A (UAS and ATC integration and flight management systems) applications.
Wind power solutions are deployed in a wide range of environments where network services vary—from LAN (local area network) to broadband to satellite communications. RTI supports a variety of underlying network transports to ensure that wind turbines can intelligently integrate with multiple networks and IT infrastructure to achieve the highest possible performance, control and business systems integration. In such environments, systems of systems continue to perform reliably as they continue to scale, generating more wind power for the grid. RTI sets the standard for peer-to-peer communication performance and resilience. Learn more »
Largest Power Plant in North America
GC Dam
The US Army Corps of Engineers is replacing the plant's monolithic supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system with a modern distributed system. The system's fundamental communications platform relies on Connext DDS.
Smart Grid Distribution and Control
Microgrids and NI LabVIEW
MicroGrids connect generation, load and storage to optimize usage. Deploying at Toronto Hydro, Connext DDS seamlessly integrates apps, enforces security, and merges NI LabVIEW.
Distributed Power Generation
Siemens Wind Power
DDS enables fast control within wind turbines and distributed gust mitigation across the array. RTI will also integrate with predictive maintenance and business diagnostics.
Transportation applications play an important role in keeping highways and other transportation lines running safely and efficiently. These applications need a high-reliability communication infrastructure that supports automatic failover, network configuration changes, and tunable Quality of Service (QoS). RTI technology is well-suited to the integration of large-scale transportation systems because it provides source-code portability, multi-vendor interoperability and extensive control over real-time QoS. Learn more »
Smart Cars
Volkswagen Driver Assistance and Integrated Safety System
The Driver Assistance and Integrated Safety system combines radars, laser range finders, and video to assist safe operation. Connext DDS helps the Cargate ECU bridge high speed networking to the CAN bus.
Modular Testing
Audi Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation
Audi uses hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation to feed realistic data to devices in their testing lab. RTI middleware enables a modular test environment that scales to work with hundreds of devices.
Rail Tracking
Wi-Tronix Monitors High-Value Mobile Assets
Wi-Tronix systems wirelessly monitor high-value mobile assets such as locomotives, industrial equipment and marine vessels. RTI addressed critical issues such as optimized flow and discovery process over a wireless network.
Flight Training Simulators
CAE Using RTI over High-Bandwidth IEEE-1394
"In the past we probably would have developed an expensive, proprietary system for data communications. By using RTI, we were able to deliver a proven, reliable and cost effective solution to our customers." – Peter Jarvis, Chief Designer
Manufacturing Structural Testing
Lund Engineering Composites Inspection System
Lund Engineering uses Connext DDS to integrate their composites inspection system. Critically, all data must be saved for validation. Connext DDS database integration saves all data to permanent storage; Replay is also supported.
RTI's infrastructure software enables the development of high-performance process automation systems—distributed control systems and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) applications. RTI's data distribution and messaging software can dramatically improve system throughput, latency, scalability, reliability and security. At the same time, RTI's open architecture and loosely-coupled interfaces slash the cost of software development, integration, upgrades and maintenance. Learn more »
Industrial Automation
Schneider Integrates PLC and IT Systems
RTI eases PLC integration: provides up-to-the-minute data, works with limited memory and processing power on PLCs. RTI middleware also connects factory PLCs and IT systems.
Harsh Industrial Operations
Joy Mining Machinery Continuous Miners
DDS connects the controller, operator GUI, and historian. Reliable and fast connectivity enables control, debugging, and system health monitoring for continuous mining.
Large SCADA Systems
NASA Constellation Launch Control System
RTI delivered 300k instances, at 400k msgs/sec with 5x the required throughput, at 1/5 the needed latency. NASA mitigated risk by parallel-tracking multiple DDS vendors RTI.
Precision Instrumentation
European Southern Observatory, Very Large Telescope
This uses hundreds of servo mirrors and scientific instruments. RTI middleware coordinates precise control and measurement.
Applications for the communications industry are becoming increasingly sophisticated. New applications, such as video, are driving the need for faster and more reliable communications. These applications require seamless failover and robust scalability. RTI's technology is inherently designed to deliver these critical capabilities. Learn more »
Scalable Broadcast Switching
Harmonic Transmission and Video Switching
Harmonic's equipment delivers worldwide video-on-demand. RTI handles thousands of clients and millions of messages. DDS enables high-performance scalability and future extensibility.
SDN Networking Equipment
RTI and Cisco RFP for SDN
DDS provides fast backplane communications for telecom equipment. RTI and Cisco RFP for Software Defined Networking was recently submitted to OMG. RTI DDS supports 1000s of apps, 50k+ namespaces.
Space-Proven Data Link
NASA Human Robotic Systems for extraterrestrial surfaces
RTI middleware communicates over disadvantaged links. NASA uses DDS for low-bandwidth, high-delay, lossy space-earth communications from the ISS.
Aerospace and defense applications require the highest level of reliable, real-time performance. Tactical communication systems often need to be installed or reconfigured within hours. Command data must be delivered with 100% accuracy. RTI technology and expertise have played a key role in many mission-critical aerospace and defense systems. Learn more »
Non-Stop Reliability
Raytheon Ship-Wide Area Network
The Ship-Wide Area Network (SWAN) on the US Navy LPD-17 runs machinery, damage control, steering, magnetic signature, mission control, navigation and communications. DDS supports redundant networks, data and sensors without servers.
Real-Time Message Delivery
US Navy Ship Self-Defense System
The Ship Self Defense System (SSDS) is the "last line of defense" and coordinates high-speed radars, targets defensive missiles and directs 1000+ rounds/sec at incoming cruise missiles. DDS delivers messages in real time.
System of Systems Integration
General Dynamics LCS
RTI connects disparate systems, merges multiple languages on multiple operating systems, and handles DIL links and legacy interfaces for the US Navy Littoral Combat Ship. RTI is the leading vendor of combat system messaging.
Massive Application Scalability
Zumwalt DDG 1000
RTI DDS middleware coordinates and manages complex, diverse onboard hardware and software systems, including hundreds of computers, thousands of applications, and more than 10m publish-subscribe pairs.
Interoperable Open Architecture
Next Generation Naval Systems
Standards-based, high-performance middleware breaks vendor lock-in, drives interoperability and future-proofs architectural designs. Coming to Lockheed Aegis, Raytheon DDG 1000, Raytheon SSDS, LCS (Lockheed and GDAIS), Raytheon LPD-17, etc.
Easy Technology Upgrade
Boeing AWACS airborne surveillance, command & control
The Boeing AWACS upgrade design is more open and supportable. DDS open and extensible middleware lowers maintenance cost.
Large Scale Asset Tracking
US Army Blue Force Tracker (JBC-P)
A redesign using DDS and data-centric technologies significantly reduced code size and CPU utilization, resulting in a fully redundant system capable of 250K tracks.
Enabling Advanced UAV Middleware
General Atomics Predator/ Reaper
"The DO-178 version of the RTI Connext DDS middleware is a key part of our Airworthy MQ-9 UAS development program." – Jeff Hettick, Senior Engineering Director at General Atomics
Ground-Air Cooperative Control
General Atomics Ground Control Stations
RTI middleware, services and open architecture sped the development and lowered costs of delivering real-time data acquisition, analysis, and response for unmanned aircraft systems such as Predator GA.
Unmanned Vehicle Architecture
OSD UCS and FACE
RTI leads in defining a standard architectures for unmanned vehicles and avionics. RTI chairs the OSD architecture for UCS (ground stations) and is key at FACE (avionics).


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Xp 2
Standard Features Comfortable Pillows (3) 100 Sq. Ft. Lily Filtration System ABS Insulated Base and Support Structure Digital Smart Controls Custom Designed Stainless Steel Hydrotherapy Jets Lucite® Cast Acrylic 2 Illuminated Water Fountains LED Safety and Mood Perimeter Lighting LED Multi-Point Coach Light Maintenance Friendly Synthetic Cabinet Solid-Frame Pressure Treated Support Structure Ozone Generator Heavy Duty Cover Components that Meet Safety Standard Optional Features Deluxe Stereo System With Sub Woofer, Built-in Speakers and MP3/iPod® Dock. XT Insulation Specifications Dimensions: 82″ x 82″ x 36″ 208.3 cm x 208.3cm x 91.4 cm Seating: 5 - 1 Lounger Stainless Steel Jets: 50 Pumps: 1 Variable Speed 1 Dual 300 Water Capacity: 350 Gallons 790 Liters Dry Weight: 780 Lbs 355 Kg Filled Weight: 2,740 Lbs 1,245 Kg Electrical: 240V/60A


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* NSE, BSE indexes down 0.4 pct each
* Both indexes down for sixth straight session
* Technicals suggest NSE index may correct further
By Vishal Sridhar
Sept 26 (Reuters) - Indian shares fell on Tuesday in line with Asia and were headed for a sixth straight session of declines, as continued tensions on the Korean Peninsula prompted investors to move into safer assets.
North Korea's foreign minister said on Monday that the United States had declared war on the country and Pyongyang reserved the right to take countermeasures.
Asian shares withered, with MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan shedding as much as 0.7 percent to a near three-week low.
"Generally, there's a little bit of spookiness which has come about because of geopolitical events surrounding North Korea," said Nitasha Shankar, senior vice president and head of research, YES Securities.
Investors await U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen's speech later in the day for clarity on whether the Fed will stick to its plan to raise interest rates in December.
The broader NSE index was down 0.44 percent at 9,828.85 as of 0544 GMT, heading for a sixth straight session of losses after hitting a record high last week.
Technicals suggest the index is unable to hold the 61.8 percent Fibonacci retracement level at 9,874, of the short-term uptrend from the Aug. 11 low to the Sept. 19 high. This suggests the index may correct further.
The benchmark BSE index was 0.41 percent lower at 31,498.54.
Financials continued to weigh on the markets, with the Nifty Financial Services index down 0.56 percent.
Index heavyweights HDFC Bank Ltd and Housing Development Finance Corp were down for a sixth and third straight session respectively.
Oil refiner Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd fell 4.2 percent and consumer goods company Hindustan Unilever Ltd declined 3.2 percent, putting them among the top percentage losers on the NSE index.
Reporting by Vishal Sridhar and Gaurav Dogra in Bengaluru; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu


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It's been over three months since Brian and I started taking nutritional supplements. I had high hopes that these supplements would help with several health issues, and I've been looking forward to getting the results of some recent blood work I had done. My doctor was very happy with the results, but it wasn't until I compared a printout of the tests with my previous results that I was able to see for myself how amazing the results really were. My cholesterol had dropped from 8 to 6.9, and I was no longer pre-diabetic, with a fasting glucose level of 5.6! Besides that, I've lost 20 lbs, (Brian has lost 33!) and I'm sleeping better than I have in my entire life...and that is no exaggeration...even as a child, I remember tossing and turning trying to get to sleep! I now wake up before Brian's alarm, and I no longer feel groggy.
Best of all, I finally have the energy to start working on another important part of my wellness journey...getting fit. I knew I needed something simple, that I could do at home without any equipment. I decided to ask for suggestions on FaceBook, and it wasn't long before someone recommended a walking program. I knew the first time I tried it, this was something that would work for me. It's Leslie Sansone's Walk At Home program, and I encourage anyone who needs a simple way to get fit to check it out. Weight loss was not my main goal when I started on the supplements, so I didn't bother taking measurements or even a before picture. This time, before getting too far into the walking, I did both. Even though I've lost 20 lbs, I don't have a lot of muscle, and to be honest, I'm a little flabby! I want to see how much difference the walking will make. So far, I've only missed one day of walking in almost 3 weeks. Some days I make 1 mile, others I've walked 4, but I'm determined to keep it up, so when I go back to the doctor in January, my results will be even better!
I wrote previously about the need to reduce the stress in my life. I can't say that has happened. We just moved my mom into a care home, and are in the process of sorting through her belongings and preparing to sell her house, so if anything, stress has increased! But you know what? I haven't felt stressed at all. I feel strong, and full of energy, and excited about the future! It seems that when you take care of other issues in life, stress has a way of taking care of itself!
Recently, our church had a ladies conference with Amy Herbster, which couldn't have come at a better time! I gleaned so much from her sessions. The information Amy presented applies to every part of our lives. I particularly related to the session on choices, and have to share the quote.
Of course the most important choice any of us can make is to accept or reject the forgiveness that comes through Jesus. But Amy also spoke of the thousands of choices we make each day, usually without giving them much thought. I couldn't help thinking of how Brian's and my life has changed in the past 6 months because of one choice we made...a simple choice to change where we shop. And that choice led to so many other choices. We chose to convert our home to healthier safer products. We chose to begin taking nutritional supplements. That one choice has had such a dramatic effect on how we feel, that it enabled us to make more healthy choices.
The following week, Brian and I we were in meetings with a business leader from Toronto, who took time out of her busy schedule to come out and spend time with our local group. Six months ago, I sure never would have thought that we would be speaking to a room full of people about the way our lives have been changed by a few simple choices. I'm thankful to God for directing our choices, and for the doors he is opening in our lives.


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Little Italy, India to Ash, Ash to ocean. Not an incantation but directions from my new home to the sea.
This evening was when I discovered that Ash Street leads to the bay. I saw a speck of gray water under gray sky and an old-fashioned ship like you see in glass bottles. I waited for a train to cross in front of me and then I walked up to the ship. In front of it, a fiberglass swordfish strained toward the sky.
Signs around Anthony's proclaim it to be San Diego's original seafood restaurant. It's like a nautical McDonald's—plastic baskets of fried fish, fried shrimp, fried scallops; a side of mac 'n' "krab" salad, plastic booths, ketchup that you pump into little paper cups. I sat at a table that had one chair at it. I looked out at seagulls and a lone sailboat. I dunked a battered shrimp in a cup of cocktail sauce and thought, "What an adventure."
* * *
Things I saw tonight during my walk from the bay to Ash, and then home to India Street in Little Italy:
A toga party inside a bar. I first heard a man bellow, "Where's your toga?" to someone else, then saw the fold-up blackboard outside that said, "Toga Party Tonight," then saw people inside wearing togas.
Homeless people sleeping around the perimeter of an empty Ace pay parking lot. They were wrapped up in sheets and blankets like mummies. They had gone to bed early. Except some of them were awake, sitting up and chatty with passersby like me. One of them said hello and then, "We won't bite you." On my way home past them again, another one said, "Hello again" without surprise, as if he'd been expecting me to return.
A man whose eyes were unseen in the shadow beneath the bill of his cap, who said to me, "Hi sweetie," and then, "Where you goin'?"
Fireworks reflected in the windows of a tall building. At first I only heard them. All of us felt the booms and knew the sound from the Fourth of July, but the buildings on both sides of the street kept the spectacle from us. I walked toward the sound and saw red sparks on glass, distorted but unmistakable. By the time I got to a clearing between buildings, the show was over.
A guy my age, a nice-seeming guy, reading a local newspaper at a table on the other side of the glass from where I sat inside a Starbucks. I wondered if I should take off my hoodie and sit there in the tight-fitting hot pink blouse I had on underneath, but I felt shy and left the hoodie on. I opened the New York Times to the Arts section and read a book review. I wondered if he was a writer, because sometimes people who hang out at Starbucks are. I wondered if he could see that I was reading a book review. I wondered if I was sitting there in an incandescent glow, if somehow it was apparent that I had come from far away to live here, that I had been through deserts and cornfields and Las Vegas to get here. When I finished the review, I looked out the window and saw that he was gone.
* * *
My favorite parts of the drive to here were the Mojave Desert and the road that leads into Moab, Utah.
The first night, I slept for an hour in my car in the parking lot of an AmericInn in Iowa City. I'd left DC at noon and was supposed to stop in Chicago, but Chicago came and I felt like going on. I grew sleepy while still in Illinois but wanted to make it across the Iowa border. Across the border, in Davenport, I tried to get to a Motel 6 but went the wrong way down a one-way street, got spooked, and drove on. A Comfort Inn farther down cost too much, and that AmericInn was all booked up. It was 4 a.m., so I thought I'd sleep till 5 then drive and watch the sun rise over the corn. I was already on the road when I realized that I was in a new time zone, and the sun wouldn't light the cornfields for a long time.
In Nebraska, I got a second wind. The flatness was exotic to me. Nebraska turned to cowboy country on the way into Colorado. At the Colorado Welcome Center, a woman sweeping the ladies' room watched me put on make-up and asked me questions and wished me all the best in my new life. "If you come through here again, be sure to say hi."
In Denver, I met up with a friend who lives there. We ate dinner just outside town, in Golden. We had a view of the Coors factory, although my friend won't order Coors. It's pumped out in abundance, cheaply, in plain sight, and the locals will order something else.
After dinner we drove up a mountain to look down at Denver at night. In his truck, he caressed my thigh as he steered us up twisting roads. When we got out at the top, he asked if I could feel the high-altitude air in my lungs. I wasn't sure that I could really feel it, but he'd asked it rhetorically and with pride, so I said yes.
It was his idea that I go to Moab. He mapped my entire route for me and planned all the scenic detours.
He had talked briefly of living in California, too, and then he changed his mind. By the time he had changed his mind I already had a home lined up there, in the rented guest room of a druggie guy in San Diego's Little Italy. Not moving to California was his subtle way of letting me know he was cutting off the chance of a life with me. Neither of us was ever much for confrontations.
* * *
His directions were a little wrong only once, when it came to the part about which exit to take off I-70 for Moab. The directions said Exit 202, but it was Exit 204. The road leading to Moab was Highway 128. On this road I was more alone than I'd ever been. I pulled over and took photos to prove how alone I'd been, using my camera's self-timer. In one photo I'm sitting in the middle of the highway, right on the double yellow line, waving. In another, I'm leaping with joy in front of the emptiest landscape I'd ever seen. I jumped so high that my head went out of the frame. I didn't delete the photo; it was a mistake but it was better than what I'd had in mind.
A few days later, I met my Denver friend again in Vegas. He was there for a wedding; we'd timed my trip to coincide with this. Then I drove through the Mojave Desert and discovered a new universe of alone.
Outside the desert, I came to Amboy, which looks from the map like it will be a town but is a cluster of three or four trailers. There was a place with a huge sign that said "Roy's CAFÉ." Craving a sandwich and possibly an iced mocha coffee, I pulled up to an antiquated gas pump and went into the nearby office. Inside was a man who was tanned and had bright blue eyes. There was no food—you had to have a license to sell that, and they didn't—and all he had to drink was bottled water or Pepsi from a chained-up vending machine out by the restrooms. The man chatted: about how he volunteered to come out here three or four days a week, how there'd been a storm the other night and how lightning in the desert is pretty, how today there was a slight wind and that was good because "it breaks up the monotony."
* * *
I have lived my whole life on the East Coast until now; to me, palm trees and sparkling Pacific Ocean and year-round sunshine are things in paradise, not in real life. In my old life, I would think of these things as postcard images and in terms of "someday." It was all abstract, like Heaven. It was something you strived for but never reached. There was strange comfort in the idea of never reaching it; that way, there was always something to strive for. What do you do after you've reached paradise? Stagnate, or go back?
It only became real because things fell into place. The 10-year relationship with my unemployed manic-depressive boyfriend ended, not because he was unemployed or manic depressive but because I didn't want to continue cheating on him.
People told me I was strong for ending it, but they all thought I ended it for the obvious reasons. Breaking up with him didn't feel like something I did; it was because of something I wanted to stop doing.
My friend who lives in Denver is adventurous and travels a lot. We talk about how we both want lives that are "experientially rich." I think that to him this means breadth, while to me it means depth; maybe this makes us ultimately incompatible, or maybe it makes us a perfect yin-yang.
After I got laid off from the global company we both worked for—he works from Denver, I worked from DC—I did it. I found an online posting from a young engineer with a room for rent in Little Italy. I sent him witty e-mails. I got the room. I left nearly all of my furniture for the young family I found to live in my apartment. When I went into the apartment a few days after they'd moved in, to help carry boxes from their truck before going with them to the Comcast office to transfer my cable account to them, I saw that their little girls had laid dolls and stuffed animals all over the couch on which my ex used to sleep. We never slept together in my bed, although I would sometimes—on rare and desperate nights—hint for him to join me in bed, right up until very near the end. "I snore," he'd say. "I'd keep you awake."
I hadn't wanted to make love; that's not why I'd hinted for him to join me.
My ex doesn't know I'm here. How do you tell someone that you drove across a continent to get away from the life you had with him?
* * *
That thing about real life being stranger than fiction – that's only part of it. It's stranger, and more convoluted, and much happens that means nothing. It slumps and spurts in irregular patterns. There are moments that shimmer and months of sleepwalking.
Years of sleepwalking. A lifetime of sleepwalking if you're not careful.
* * *
One of the strange stories of my real life goes like this: I had an affair with the father of my first-ever boyfriend, whom I'd dated when we were 13. I had the affair with the father when I was 27. The father is 24 years older than I am and is an English professor and haiku scholar who lives in New Orleans. I was in a relationship with my manic-depressive ex at the time, and the professor was in a relationship with a woman his age who is slowly dying of cystic fibrosis, a woman to whom he claims he is more of a caretaker than a lover, although this is probably to assuage his guilt. One time when I visited the professor we went to a Bourbon Street strip club where he was a regular and where one of the girls greeted him by name. It'd been my idea to go into the strip club, thinking he'd think that was enlightened and sexy of me, trying to impress him. At one point, upon returning from the restroom, I found myself slumped on the floor in the back of the club, drunk and crying, watching him watch the girls onstage, watching him want them.
I'm ashamed of it all now, but sometimes I think of phrases like "English professor" and "Bourbon Street strip club" and I feel stupidly glamorous, or at least that my life has been experientially rich.
Today after calling my mother twice, my father, brother, and sister once each, and leaving a tentative text message for my friend in Denver, I called the professor. He was happy to hear from me—this past summer he worked on a new novel, a "love story" about two characters based on us except it takes place in ancient Japan.
He told me he doesn't want to publish it while his girlfriend is still alive, so he put the manuscript of our story in a drawer, and he closed the drawer.
* * *
Daniel rattled off a list of all the stuff that goes into a hurricane, the mixed drink he's going to make me sometime. Daniel is the guy whose room I'm living in now. In his kitchen he has more booze than food. Not wine but heavy-duty stuff, like Jagermeister and whiskey and Russian vodka, plus an idiosyncrasy: a bottle of butterscotch schnapps. The bottles are in a row, on display on the counter beneath an inset light, like a sinner's version of a spice rack.
It'll happen. One night—maybe this weekend—we'll tire of the awkward, polite stranger routine here in this small space, and he'll offer to make me the drink, and I'll accept. I'll drink it too fast, wanting it to work quickly, wanting it to warm me and open me up until I'm light and loose and generous. I'll drink another, and maybe another. I'll laugh too hard, a madwoman's cackle. I'll do that thing I always do, joke about how I need music because I gotta dance! I'll be hyper and silly, and I pray that it stops there. I pray that it stops there and doesn't go on, into me dancing "sexy," into puking, into crying confessions on the bathroom floor, into calling people I shouldn't call especially at that hour, into an episode like the ones I had first with the professor, later with my friend who lives in Denver.
I'll drink his hurricane. It's an inevitability.
* * *
I don't know yet if this is heroic or escapist.
Things that happened to me this afternoon when I walked from home to Ash to Fourth Avenue downtown:
Before turning at the corner with the Scientology church on it, a weathered man smoking a cigarette said to me: "Love the chapeau." He meant my white canvas hat, which I always wear in the sun. He seemed sincere. I liked that he used the French word.
At another street corner a man handed me a tiny religious tract and seemed almost apologetic about it. Sure enough, the text began in supplication: "Please do not resent us for giving you this tract. We love your soul, and we want to tell you that if you have never been born again, you are on your journey to a place where you will burn forever and ever." And ever, because forever isn't shocking enough.
The timing for me to receive this tract was perfect; I felt hell-bound. I was on my way to a pawn shop on the next block to sell the ring my grandmother gave me. It doesn't fit; it's a tiny flower made of sapphire chips, because sapphire is our birthstone. I got 25 bucks for it. I spent five of those on a drink at a nearby Starbucks. I might have kept the ring to pass down to my daughter or daughter-in-law or granddaughter, if a family were something I planned to have. I was planning to have one, until I met my friend who lives in Denver, and he convinced me that a family was unnecessary and could even be a burden, something that cramps your style.
My ex, the one who is manic depressive and still unemployed, wants a family with me. He hopes our separation is temporary. I've talked to him on the phone a few times from here; he thinks I'm still in DC. I hear his sweet familiar voice, and suddenly I'm back in our old apartment that's full of clutter and stagnant air. I picture him at home with his parents where he's lived since I broke up with him, where he surfs the Internet and reads comic books all day, and I never want to go back even just to visit.
* * *
On Friday night of my first week here, I called an old friend who lives in town and left a message saying I'd love to get together, that my schedule was wide open. Daniel wasn't home from work yet; he must have gone out with friends afterward. I stood in the apartment wearing a black miniskirt and a new top my mom bought me just before I left. I'd straightened my hair and put on make-up. I walked from my room to the kitchen, looking at the dark living room, a wall clock ticking above the silent, turned-off TV.
In the glow coming from where the bottles of booze sit in the kitchen, a plastic Elmo toy phone lay on the counter. I'd found it under my bed when rearranging the furniture in my room. Daniel said, "I thought I got rid of all that stuff from when my kid was staying here." He didn't say anything else. The clock ticked, and I stood there looking at the toy that should have been gone with all the other remnants of past and family.
* * *
In the Starbucks where I bought myself a drink with the money from my grandmother's ring, I saw a girl and a guy in seats near the window. Before getting up to get their drinks, the girl pressed her hand to the back of the guy's neck and stroked upward, running her fingers through the short hair at the base of his skull. Her gesture was casual, affectionate, mindless, tender enough to bring tears to my eyes as I thought about how I love to do that to my friend who lives in Denver.
In Vegas, we met up with his Australian friend who was getting married and some people the Australian guy knew. When my friend and I approached the group at a casino before heading out to a bar together, one of them, a middle-aged woman who'd already drunk several beers, asked if my friend and I were married. I laughed, but my friend didn't. Everyone told her "No, no!" and some of us tried to joke away the awkwardness. Whenever he introduced me to someone in Vegas, he said: "This is my friend… This is my friend…"
One night in bed, after making love, my friend who lives in Denver went to the bathroom and got a mouthful of water. He climbed over me in bed and pressed his mouth to mine, slowly feeding me water. Like a baby animal, I instinctively knew what to do, to open my mouth and take a little at a time, although I had never even heard of someone doing that before. He laughed afterward and said, "I just thought you might be thirsty." I would do anything he wanted me to, and he knew that.
Another night, falling asleep, his arms were under me and over me, his body draped all around me, my arms twined around one of his. One of my arms tingled, the loss of blood circulation replaced by electric prickles until it went numb, and when I moved that arm or hand I couldn't tell where my body ended and his began. I would have lost a part of myself for him, gladly.
Maybe to him it means depth, too.
Before I came out here, I'd had this image in mind of what it would be like when I finally reached the Pacific Ocean. I saw myself standing triumphant on a beach, wind whipping my hair, sunlight sparkling, blue sea crashing. Instead I got an overcast day, gray water and sky, no beach but a place that sells cheap fried seafood by the bay. One plastic chair at a table and a basket of battered shrimp. It's different, but I'll take it. It's different, but I love it.


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[Announcement] New Team Name is "HAKUTO"
We, White Label Space, are excited to annouce our new team name "Hakuto".
"Hakuto" is based on a Japanese fairy tale of a rabbit on the moon.
This name is also used for our rover's name which was originally chosen by our supporters.
Did you know that there is a rabbit on the Moon? and it's pounding a rice cake? Well, let's take a look!
Here! Do you see a rabbit?
A Japanese anthology-"Konjakumonogatari" goes like this.
Once up on a time, there was an old man begging for food. A monkey, fox and a rabbit came to him. The monkey picked fruits from trees, the fox hunted fishes, but the rabbit could only collected grass. Instead of the grass, the rabbit offered its own meat to feed him. The old man is actually the Taishakuten(one of the Gods in Japan). He felt sorry for the rabbit and carried it to the moon.
The moon and a rabbit might sound like a weird combination but it's closely connected in Japan. They remind me of the old days when my grandmother told me this story while looking up the moon together.
The rename process was not easy. We spent hours to discuss what's the best name for the team. We finally made up our mind based on our dream. Our goal and dream will not only be for an individual, it will be for everyone who shares our dream.


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Rob Zombie directing 'CSI' episode
Rocker/filmmaker bringing Miami team to L.A.Rob Zombie will make his television directorial debut on an upcoming episode of "CSI: Miami."
CBS says the rocker and filmmaker will bring the Miami crime-solving team to Los Angeles in a story that involves secret tape recordings and evidence tampering.
Production began Wednesday on the episode slated to air March 1.
Zombie previously directed the horror films "Halloween," "Halloween II," "The Devil's Rejects" and "House of 1000 Corpses."


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Drawn to Her
Feisty and outspoken, Lexie McKenna will do anything to protect her cantankerous and ailing patient—even if it means going up against his cold and calculating, but sexy and irresistible grandson. After all, as a nurse, her number one priority is her patient.
Drake Carmichael doesn't trust the nurse who's taking care of his grandfather—despite how adorable and compassionate she seems. He refuses to let her get her grips into their hard-earned money. But as the two square off and begin to battle about what is best for the dying man, Lexie and Drake realize they know very little about each other and that first impressions are deceiving. Once they finally give into their desires, the battle has only just begun.
With a fight between family and fortune, love and lust, will either one be able to find the southern comfort they both truly crave?


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SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS Belgium (Reuters) - Valtteri Bottas ended Mercedes' run of fastest laps with the top time for Williams in a damp final Belgian Grand Prix practice on Saturday.
The Finn clocked a time of one minute 49.465 seconds, with Australian Daniel Ricciardo second and 0.268 slower for champions Red Bull.
Mercedes had finished one-two in the previous two Spa practice sessions.
Formula One leader Nico Rosberg was third fastest for Mercedes, with title rival and team mate Lewis Hamilton fifth and with exactly the same time of 1:49.817 as Ferrari's four times Spa winner Kimi Raikkonen.
Rosberg leads 2008 champion Hamilton by 11 points after 11 of the 19 races.
Hamilton, who was fastest on Friday, and Rosberg had led the timesheets until about five minutes to the end with the pair separated by only a thousandth of a second.
Rosberg has yet to finish on the podium at Spa, while Hamilton won in 2010, but the Mercedes powered cars - which include Williams, Force India and McLaren as well as the works team - are expected to dominate.
With the circuit damp but drying as the session started, drivers left it late to venture out for meaningful laps. Qualifying later could also be wet.
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin; Editing by John O'Brien)


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A fire today in North Street in Skibbereen gutted a building and was attended by 4 fire engines.
The picture below was taken at approx 1:30pm after the fire had been extinguished.
A fire today in North Street in Skibbereen gutted a building and was attended by 4 fire engines.
The picture below was taken at approx 1:30pm after the fire had been extinguished.
It has been announced that as part of the restructuring of the EBS following the takeover by AIB that the EBS franchise in Skibbereen is to close in February 1st 2012
Ronnie Tanner has been operating the EBS agency in the town for over 26 years but EBS customers recently received notification that Ronnie will cease this role at close of business on February 1st.
Those with accounts can operate these from other branches.
The closure follows the departure of ACC Bank and Irish Nationwide from the town in recent years and leaves the choice of banks in Skibbereen now at just 3 plus a very vibrant Credit Union.
The feel-good initiative on Tuesday by retailers in Skibbereen to beat the budget blues really put the town on the map.
Not only was there widespread newspaper coverage, the inititiative got huge exposure throughout the day, including Sean Murray's interview on the popular Ray D'Arcy show on TodayFM and TV cameras coming to town to cover the story for RTE's main news bulletins.
The following is just a small sample of the coverage:
The ambulance protest march through the town on Saturday was given prominent coverage on RTE's 6 oclock and 9 oclock News bulletins.
Local business, Roycroft Cycles, has recently embraced the digital age and launched a new website.
Cleverly named http://www.westcorkcycles.ie, the new website was launched some time in the last few weeks.
Click here to see the new website: Roycroft Cycles
The now annual Cork-x-Southwest Music festival takes place in Lissard Estate this year.
The beautiful 200-acre estate and its Georgian Liss Ard House and Victorian Liss Ard Lake Lodge country manor houses have been carefully refurbished to retain the elegance and charm of bygone eras, while conferring luxury and modern conveniences. This will truly be a magnificent setting for a summer festival and positions CorkxSouthwest as one of the premier events in Ireland in 2011.
The lineup this year includes favourites like Patti Smith, Mick Flannery and Nina Hynes along with headline act, English post-punk group, Echo and the Bunnymen.
Writing in today's Irish Times, Joanne Hunt, outlines David Puttnam's views on why "classrooms must embrace technology to prepare us for 21st century"
Read more in the Irish Times: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2010/1022/1224281722630.html
Brendan Grace is to play at the Celtic Ross hotel in the nearby village of Rosscarbery this coming Friday night as part of his " ITS A FUNNY OLD WORLD" tour.
Following a hugely eventful week in Skibbereen with the Skibbereen Arts Festival and CorkXSouthwest, the "stars" just keep coming to West Cork 🙂
Costcutter/Esso on Market Street has added a full range of alcoholic products to its extensive range of products.
The Off Licence opened in the last couple of weeks and is alreday getting noticed for some great prices.
Costcutter is part of the Barry's Wholesale group which recently bought the Carry-Out franchise throughout Ireland. If Costcutter Skibbereen in buying through that system then it is competing directly with the Carry-Out in town.
It will be interesting to watch the pricing in the two if they are both part of the same group.
Skibbereen is to feature on the national airwaves this weekend with the broadcast of the documentary The Great Irish Famine: Remember Skibbereen which will be broadcast by TG4 this coming Sunday at 8.30pm.
The documentary was commissioned by Skibbereen Heritage Centre to mark the National Famine Commemoration which took place in Skibbereen last year. The film gives an overview of the famine and how it affected the people of skibbereen and surrounding areas.
The documentary includes interviews with some well-known historians including Professor Joe Lee of New York University (formerly UCC) and Dr Larry Geary of UCC, but also features local West Cork historians with an interest in the subject.


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Why Us
Why Choose Albin Roach?
Our Principles and Experience Bring Results
Albin Roach is a full-service law firm in Frisco, Texas that is built on traditional principles and ethics. Based on this solid foundation, we tailor creative strategies designed to achieve results. When you retain our firm, you can expect:
- Local lawyers — Our lawyers are established residents of Plano and Frisco. Our commitment to our communities and neighbors is a guiding principle of our practice. We have earned the respect of other attorneys, judges, court clerks, government officials and law enforcement officers in Collin County and along with our advice you receive our credibility in the community and with the courts.
- Long-range perspective — Our firm focuses on building long-term relationships with our clients. In fact, many of the clients who initially retained us to resolve one issue have come to us for years for help with various other unrelated problems.
- Complete solutions — Legal problems are often multifaceted and require a big-picture approach. For example, a family law issue might affect your estate planning and have implications on your business. Our Plano and Frisco estate planning lawyers work as a team to develop complete solutions that consider your total wellbeing.
- Accessibility — We want you to feel comfortable picking up the phone or sending us an email. Our accessibility helps us represent you more effectively. It also gives you peace of mind to know the status of your case and receive prompt answers to your questions.
- Cost-consciousness — Our attorneys always consider the costs to you. We do not cut corners, but strive to save you unnecessary expenses and attorneys' fees whenever possible. Because of our mindfulness regarding costs, when we recommend a particular course of action, you can be certain it is in your best interest.
Our Team
Our legal team comprises a group of dedicated, experienced lawyers who have earned recognition from our Collin County colleagues. Our lawyers include:
- Todd Albin — Todd primarily handles litigation and is considered a formidable trial opponent in the Collin County courtroom. Drawing on his mantra that it is preferable to avoid litigation, Todd also advises clients on risk management strategies.
- Laura Roach — Laura is a mediator who helps divorcing couples reach equitable settlements. She is also a family law litigator who represents clients in court and mediation. She has been named to Thomson Reuters Texas Super Lawyers in 2013, 2014, and 2015, and Thomson Reuters Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2011 and one of "21 Persons Leading Collin County into the 21st Century" in 2000.
- Jeff Yates — Jeff is a respected estate planning, probate and business litigation and transactional lawyer in Plano. He has been recognized in Thomson Reuters Texas Super Lawyers in 2012, 2014, and 2015, Thomson Reuters Texas Super Lawyers – Rising Stars in 2005, 2009, 2010, and 2011, and as a "FIVE STAR: Best in Client Satisfaction Wealth Manager" in 2009 and 2012 recipient for multiple years. He is also an Associate Judge over court-ordered mental health hearings for Collin County.
- Misty B. Cole — Misty is a family law attorney and has a creative approach to resolving cases outside the courtroom if able. She is a calming voice for families in the middle of conflict.
- Dana J. Stewart — Dana is a family law attorney whose approach to practicing law centers on helping his clients, and their families, through extremely difficult times in their lives by offering competent and trustworthy legal advice.
- Laura Calhoun — Laura, a board certified legal specialist in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization,represents clients in the areas of employment law, business law, collections law and general civil litigation.
- Jennifer Grinke — Jennifer is one of the newest dedicated members of our firm focusing her practice on family law.
- Erin M. Bogdanowicz – Erin Bogdanowicz has dedicated 100% of her practice to domestic litigation. She is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a certification that less than 1% of the attorneys in Texas hold. Erin is also a member of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists.
- Troy Majoue – Troy is a great addition to our firm as a litigation attorney and business transaction attorney.
- Greg Hall –Brings high energy and experience to our firm and is an asset in the areas estate planning and probate.
- John J. Mongogna -John is a civil litigator and business attorney who brings experience in contract disputes, insurance defense cases and real estate disputes, among others.
- Mary M. Crossett – Mary is newer to our firm, specializing in family law cases.
Learn More About How We Can Help You With Your Legal Issues
For complete solutions to your legal issues, call Albin Roach at 214-423-5100 or contact us online


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From no-bake energy bites to healthy mini peanut butter pies!
These healthy no-bake energy bites, packed with superfood, are the perfect healthy snack to enjoy anytime of the day. Top them with a delicious vegan peanut butter mousse and you can turn them into some yummy and healthy mini peanut butter pies.
For the energy bites:
Ingredients (makes 8)
1 cup old-fashioned oats
½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
½ cup ground flax seed
1 tbsp chia seeds
½ cup peanut butter (or almond butter)
⅓ cup honey (or agave, or maple syrup)
½ cup mini chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla extract
Stir all the ingredients together in a medium bowl until thoroughly mixed. If too gooey, add some more oatmeal, if too dry, add some water. Cover and let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour. Once chilled, shape into patties, using a stainless-steel measurement cup (¼ cup size), or simply roll into small balls if easier. Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.
For the vegan peanut butter mousse:
1 can full-fat coconut milk
4 tbsp natural creamy peanut butter
2 tbsp maple syrup
Chill coconut milk overnight. When ready to use, remove the lid and scoop out the solid cream from the top into a chilled bowl (reserve the liquid part for a smoothie recipe for example). Using a mixer, beat until creamed together, about one minute. Add peanut butter and maple syrup, and stir until well combined. Transfer into a piping bag and pipe onto each energy bite. Chill for at least one hour before serving. Reserve leftovers in a covered container in the fridge. Will keep for up to 1 week.
By: Delphine Fortin, Author and food blogger behind Del's Cooking Twist. Find original recipe here!


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|Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill
Mr. Malins: We have had a long and wide-ranging debate about accommodation centres. My hon. Friends and I have expressed serious concerns about their proposed size and location, despite the fact that we support them in principle and wish them well. I hope that the Minister has taken our comments on board.
Mention has been made of Yarl's Wood. Perhaps I can be forgiven for asking the Minister to give us an idea of when the insurance will be sorted out with the underwriters. When will the remaining half be filled up with detainees and over what period? What plans are there for rebuilding the half that was destroyed, and what is the time scale for that? We need to know when it will become operational again. We would appreciate any help on that and on the likely publication date of the report that the Government commissioned into the Yarl's Wood affair.
Simon Hughes: I shall be equally brief. I reiterate the question about the report. That is of interest to all of us. Our view is that relatively small accommodation centres would be a good idea, but that big and inappropriately located centres would be a bad idea. That is exactly the policy that is not evidenced by the Bill, but by thinking and practice. My hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Hallam, who led on the previous Bill, and I have had unhappy experiences of the legislation and of the management of this issue. We will therefore happily talk to the hon. Member for Woking and his colleagues and the Ministers to try to reach a consensus. If we can reach a consensus in Committee and with non-governmental and other organisations about the right locations on the basis of the information provided by the Minister's officials, the centres are more likely to be successful. Otherwise, the locations are likely to be considered inappropriate, as were aspects of the previous Bill.
It is reasonable to trial proposals, but we must trial them carefully with the broadest possible consensus in Parliament and local government. We should not believe that it will be easy to achieve such agreement, but it is worth trying. We support the concept behind the clause and will not vote against it, provided that it is sensitively worked through with the maximum collaboration.
12.45 pm
Angela Eagle: I understand that the police are still investigating the incident at Yarl's Wood. It is important to put the report in the public domain, and to learn lessons from it as quickly as possible. We shall publish it as soon as we can, but I cannot give the hon. Member for Woking a date yet. That is not very satisfactory, but I cannot tell him what it is not possible to establish at the moment.
The hon. Gentleman knows as well as we do that the insurance for and the rebuilding of the remaining part of the site are subject to legal action. That makes it
Column Number: 99almost impossible for me to say anything other than that we are vigorously pursuing our contractual rights and that we look forward to the legal system dealing with the insurance claims as quickly as possible to end the uncertainty.
I agree with the hon. Member for Southwark, North and Bermondsey that it will be easier to develop the systems in the clause coherently and safely if we can achieve consensus in such an emotive area and calm fears that often get out of proportion. I hope that we can do that, however difficult it might be.
Question put and agreed to.
Clause 14 ordered to stand part of the Bill.
|©Parliamentary copyright 2002
|Prepared 7 May 2002


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Kcal ??? Fat ??? Fat(sats) ??? Carbs ???
With scores ranging from 6.6 to 8.6 you wouldn't be far off the mark describing Montezuma's chocolate as variable at the best of times. Whereas some of their offerings like their 'Surf Nut' and 'Culture Shock' bars have been fantastic they have almost always followed these up with a chocolate that has been no better than average or worse (e.g. 'Space Hopper' etc). With really no idea what to expect the day came for me to try yet another from their 'Speciality Range' - the 'Acid Zest' bar. The 'Acid Zest' was described on pack as 'white chocolate with orange nibs and lemon' and offered up a pretty unique sounding proposition. Unique sounding it may have been, but more importantly was it any good?
If your already 99% sure how much this bar weighs chances are you read this site a little too much :) As expected the 45.0g bar split into six separate blocks which I shared out between a few members of my family during a mid afternoon coffee. Aesthetically all was well with the outer packaging with its bright vivid colours, though once again I have to pass comment on the cheap looking inner plastic wrapper that spoilt the effect of the premiumness somewhat. Despite my hatred of the plastic packet one part of me makes me wish I didn't open it and that was the god awful smell that was revealed once opened. With the fruit completely lacking presence I would personally have described the smell as 'slightly gone off milk' but one of my family went for the slightly more vulgar 'baby sick' description. With the smell proving more than a little unsettling the clean cut nature of the blocks provided little in the way of piece of mind.
The bar thankfully tasted better then it smelt ... but truth be told it was still pretty poor. With name 'Acid Zest' I was really expecting something very strongly flavoured but this just sadly wasn't the case. I have had Montezuma's white chocolate before but never have I perceived it to be lacking flavour to this degree. As soon as the piece entered the mouth I was instantly alarmed at the lack of flavour the chocolate was delivering as it melted on my tongue. To be honest it is very hard to describe the taste as it is wasn't almost non-existent due to the fruit influences adding very little aside from a subtle lemony background note throughout. The white chocolate itself was unfortunately no better and offered a dried milk like sweet taste that never generated any telling or lasting impact. Although I didn't enjoy the dry, lacklustre melt of the chocolate all that much I did enjoy the texture brought to the party by the chewy orange nib like pieces which at least brought some interest to what was a dull taste. A 45.0g bar shared between a few of us was never intended to make for a fulfilling but it also failed in its job of offering a small indulgent chocolate flavour hit.
Overall despite this bar scoring a lowly 5.5 I would say I have been kind score wise. This chocolate couldn't possibly have tasted as bad as it smelt so it was never going to score as bad in taste category as it did the aroma one. To put it in perspective how 'off' this bar did smell I guess it gives a little insight when I say that had consumption not been for review purposes I probably wouldn't have even contemplated eating it. Looking at the scoring chart the only thing that saved this chocolate from getting a truly dismal score was the fact that the orange nibs added a little bit of interest to the texture, whilst the outer packaging gave it a slightly funky look. Just as I opened this review saying Montezuma's range has it good'uns and it's duds and this one just so happens to be the worst of the lot I have tried yet. Even if your the biggest white chocolate fan I would tell you to avoid this one -I can assure you that it will do nothing for you whatsoever.
5.5 out of 10


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|Have you become a whiner?
Certainly life offers hundreds of opportunities to learn valuable and different things all the time: we only have to be willing to listen carefully and draw the lesson lurking behind every situation we live.
A few days ago I met a friend of mine who I hadn't seen for a while. After greeting each other the traditional way, ask about our respective lives and everything else, I asked him about his work.
He replied: "The same trash as always!". A little confused by his answer, remembering that the work he had last time we saw each other was not to his liking, I asked: "Why?".
"The same crap as always, Joel. Literally, I'm picking up trash in my job!". I asked him: "Are you looking for something different then?"
"No, I am not!" he replied.
And I'm sure I couldn't hide the shocking feeling on my face, perhaps unintentionally or out of appreciation for him, but it really took me by surprise that he was making no effort to find a different job, one that made him feel better especially after being stuck for so many years working in the same place, feeling frustrated, always complaining about his work being rubbish.
Some years ago, I wrote in this blog an article entitled: "I refuse to say "It is what it is "and "With what the situation is itself" (sorry, it didn't have an english version) which are phrases commonly used to demonstrate our inability to change our circumstances and have a better life, to take control of our future, simply because the negativity around us is the dominant agent and determining factor in almost all our things.
I refused then, I refuse now and, for the rest of my life, God permits, will refuse to let myself surrender to negative thoughts and complaints and give them control of my life.
Complaining as a habit, turns you into a toxic character
Hasn't it ever happened to you that you start working for a new company and, all of a sudden, you realize you're sharing desk with one of those coworkers who is able to steal energy from even the most positive person in the world?
In particular, it has happened to me in two of the last three companies I have worked with. In one of them, it was my own immediate supervisor who took charge of discharging batteries of all his team, whether after each sales meeting, or during our on-the-road campaigns.
If from your mouth come only complaints, you'll never have the opportunity to clearly see the road ahead of you.
In the next company I worked with, almost all employees used to complain, every single day, about the miserable wage conditions, the extreme delay depositing payrolls, about having too many non-productive meetings and you could keep on going.
It causes much frustration to get excited about your new job only to discover how your own co-workers become the ones responsible for crushing all you illusions, stealing your energy and taking away everything to finally turn you into one of them: Just another whiner!
Who wants to work in a company surrounded by toxic colleagues who spend all day complaining about the life they have?
There are very few things that are built within an environment of negativity. Where negativity reigns, there is no room for creative, dynamic thinking, the kind of thinking that turns adversity into an opportunity.
When you complain as a habit, you stop assessing your opportunities
First of all, I think that continually complain about something without doing anything about it, makes you sink forever deep in your problems, makes you a part of it and doesn't let you focus your eyes on anything else.
Concentrating your thoughts on what your situation is, thinking it's just like that and that there is nothing you can do about it, immerses yourself in the world of conformity and self-justification.
Only if you take control of your life and your stuff, you will begin to appreciate your true potential.
What kind of opportunity can have this friend I met on the street, whom I mentioned at the beginning of this post, if for him his work is simply rubbish but, regardless, he makes no effort to find something better?
Doesn't it seem like the attitude of a person who has already surrendered and stopped fighting for its professional development?
And if you've already thrown in the towel and don't think you deserve any better, then you're not valuing all options that would be available for you, if only you gave yourself a little chance to look at things from a positive, creative and proactive point of view.
What'is my advice to you?
Always choose the positive side of the story. Very realistic, though, but always on the positive side. You will see the difference.
Photo Credit: Portfolio / jorgophotograph


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CGM takes a few minutes to chat with local indie game developer Ricardo Hyde on his latest project Zone 416. CGM writer Alex Leach talks with Ricardo about the game and its development, using Kickstarter, and of course zombies.
For more info on Zone 416 visit – www.zone416.com
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Luis Suarez has asserted that he is content to remain at Liverpool.
The Uruguayan turned in a dominant performance on Wednesday evening, tallying four goals and an assist in Liverpool's 5-1 demolition of Norwich at Anfield.
With the display the oft-controversial striker wrote his name into Premier League history, becoming the first player to net a trio of hat tricks against the same club, with the Canaries the victims.
Thirteen goals on the campaign see the former Ajax man top the scoring charts in the English top flight, despite his having missed out on the opening five games of the term as he served out the remainder of his ban for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic on April 21.
Suarez's present circumstances are a far cry from those of a tumultuous summer, in which he stated several times that he wished to leave Liverpool and was subject to a now-infamous £40m+1 bid from Arsenal, only to be denied a supposedly promised exit by club owner John Henry.
But despite Suarez's turnaround in August, in which he reaffirmed his commitment to the Reds, and positive performances on the pitch, he continues to be linked with a January switch to the Emirates as the Gunners look to reinforce for a title run.
However, the Uruguay international has come forward to express his happiness with his current situation, remarking that his primary focus is leading his current employers to Champions League qualification.
"When I'm happy away from the pitch, I am happy on it," he told Marca.
"I'm happy to be in the Premier League as it's the best competition in the world. I'm happy here and I will stay.
"Luckily I'm scoring to make up for the games I missed, so I have my confidence back and so I can help the team.
"It's the main aim for Liverpool to qualify for the Champions League as we haven't been in it for a while. I'm going to help the team to reach their goal."
Suarez's fourth place Liverpool will return to action on Saturday afternoon against West Ham at Anfield.
image: © LovelyLeftFoot


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If you have any questions that are not addressed here, please contact Julia Kubanek, Associate Dean.
I. New Faculty Mentoring Program
- To guide and prepare new faculty for success as teachers, research leaders, and effective managers of people
- To create a network of early career College of Sciences faculty who can help each other solve problems and enrich their campus community
This program uses a cohort model of faculty mentoring for first and second year tenure-track faculty (pre-tenure assistant and associate professors), teaching faculty (academic professionals), and research scientists managing their own research groups within CoS. The program consists of a rolling calendar of events that new faculty join at their time of hire and participate in throughout their first two years at Georgia Tech. In future years, the program may be expanded beyond first and second year faculty, addressing the mentoring needs of mid-career and/or senior faculty. Alumni of the program who are beyond their first two years are welcome to continue to participate as they see fit.
Each fall and spring semester, three workshops are offered on topics related to teaching, research, and leadership. Each meeting lasts 90 minutes and is discussion-oriented, typically utilizing outside experts or colleagues as guest discussion leaders. Associate Deans Julia Kubanek and David Collard facilitate and participate in each meeting. Format and topic suggestions from participants are used to refine topics, with the expectation that successful topics will recur every two years and new topics will be introduced as the program develops.
Past workshop topics have included:
- Planning a new course: course design, syllabus construction, learning objectives, and partnering with students in and out of the modern, interactive classroom
- Recruiting, mentoring, and leading graduate students and other researchers in your research group
- Building an independent, original, and productive research program, including expectations for a successful transition through promotion and tenure
- Teacher and learner assessment: tools for evaluating student learning and teaching effectiveness
- Preparing your first major research proposal, including navigating research collaborations, establishing independence from previous advisors, and designing broader impact activities
- Professional service: balancing contributions on campus, to your broader discipline, and influencing the future of your field by participating in peer review, curriculum design, and other committee-based service
- Creating a classroom environment that promotes student learning: practical tools you can implement right away, what the pedagogical literature says about how classroom atmosphere affects student performance, and what Georgia Tech expects of us as teachers
- Time management, prioritizing, and multi-tasking to launch your career in academia while striving for work-life balance that keeps you sane, happy, and the person your dog thinks you are
- Preparing early career proposals and fellowships (NSF CAREER and others): when to get started, how to straddle expectations about broad appeal and focus within your discipline, and how to avoid rookie mistakes
- Encouraging student productivity, guiding student career development, and resolving conflict with students in the classroom and in research
- Navigating peer and non-peer relationships with faculty colleagues and collaborators, including how to chair a meeting and handle difficult co-workers with flair
- Opportunities for building relationships with federal agencies
- Research and funding opportunities with the Department of Energy
For more information, email Associate Dean Julia Kubanek firstname.lastname@example.com
II. CoS ADVANCE Track Mentoring for the Promotion of Women Faculty
Currently, women faculty meet for lunch each semester, which has started an important networking process (luncheon signup form).
Any questions please contact Wing-Suet, CoS ADVANCE Mentoring Coordinator. Also please checkout the resources on the campus NSF ADVANCE Program webpage.
Watch a presentation by Professor Laurie E. McNeil from her talk at Georgia Tech on April 5th, 2013 - "It's Hard to Lead a Cavalry Charge if You Think You Look Funny on a Horse"
- For general mentoring questions or requests contact Dr. Julia Kubanek.
- Also, CoS Chairs work with faculty to identify a mentor within their department.


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LockCookie Structure
The .NET API Reference documentation has a new home. Visit the .NET API Browser on docs.microsoft.com to see the new experience.
Defines the lock that implements single-writer/multiple-reader semantics. This is a value type.
Assembly: mscorlib (in mscorlib.dll)
Indicates whether the current instance is equal to the specified LockCookie.
Indicates whether a specified object is a LockCookie and is equal to the current instance.(Overrides ValueType.Equals(Object).)
Returns the hash code for this instance.(Overrides ValueType.GetHashCode().)
Returns the fully qualified type name of this instance.(Inherited from ValueType.)
|Equality(LockCookie, LockCookie)
Indicates whether two LockCookie structures are equal.
|Inequality(LockCookie, LockCookie)
Indicates whether two LockCookie structures are not equal.
The following example shows how to request a reader lock, upgrade the reader lock to a writer lock, and save the LockCookie. It then uses the LockCookie to downgrade to a reader lock again.
This code is part of a larger example provided for the ReaderWriterLock class.
// The complete code is located in the ReaderWriterLock class topic. using System; using System.Threading; public class Example { static ReaderWriterLock rwl = new ReaderWriterLock(); // Define the shared resource protected by the ReaderWriterLock. static int resource = 0;
// Requests a reader lock, upgrades the reader lock to the writer // lock, and downgrades it to a reader lock again. static void UpgradeDowngrade(int timeOut) { try { rwl.AcquireReaderLock(timeOut); try { // It's safe for this thread to read from the shared resource. Display("reads resource value " + resource); Interlocked.Increment(ref reads); // To write to the resource, either release the reader lock and // request the writer lock, or upgrade the reader lock. Upgrading // the reader lock puts the thread in the write queue, behind any // other threads that might be waiting for the writer lock. try { LockCookie lc = rwl.UpgradeToWriterLock(timeOut); try { // It's safe for this thread to read or write from the shared resource. resource = rnd.Next(500); Display("writes resource value " + resource); Interlocked.Increment(ref writes); } finally { // Ensure that the lock is released. rwl.DowngradeFromWriterLock(ref lc); } } catch (ApplicationException) { // The upgrade request timed out. Interlocked.Increment(ref writerTimeouts); } // If the lock was downgraded, it's still safe to read from the resource. Display("reads resource value " + resource); Interlocked.Increment(ref reads); } finally { // Ensure that the lock is released. rwl.ReleaseReaderLock(); } } catch (ApplicationException) { // The reader lock request timed out. Interlocked.Increment(ref readerTimeouts); } }
Available since 1.1
This type is thread safe.


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News: Scryfall acquires MagicCards.Info.
Learn more about the transition.
Or share your thoughts.
|Home, Random, Art Game, Advanced, Extras, Rules, About.
|Sets: Dominaria, Rivals of Ixalan, Core Set 2019 (new), Jace (new) > All Sets
|← Lightning Bolt
|Limited Edition Alpha
|Manabarbs →
Mana Flare
Enchantment, 2R (3)
Whenever a player taps a land for mana, that player adds one mana of any type that land produced.
Illus. Christopher Rush
Gatherer Card Rulings?, Legality?
#163 (Christopher Rush)
Fifth Edition (Rare)
Fourth Edition (Rare)
Revised Edition (Summer Magic "Edgar") (Rare)
Revised Edition (Rare)
International Collectors' Edition (Rare)
Collector's Edition (Rare)
Unlimited Edition (Rare)
Limited Edition Beta (Rare)
Limited Edition Alpha (Rare)
MTGO Masters Edition (Rare)
Flamboiement de mana
Eruzione di Mana
Fulgor de maná
Fulgor de Mana
all prints in all languages
Rules Questions / Links
View All Prices for Mana Flare
View Decks with Mana Flare
Crystal Keep Rulings Summaries
Cranial Insertion (MTG Salvation)
MOTL Price Lists
Non-Foil · Foil · MTGO
Print Proxies:
[ +1 ] [ +2 ] [ +3 ] [ +4 ] · View · Clear
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Gerard Houllier's men face a tough test when they welcome Premier League leaders Chelsea to Villa Park at the weekend.
The Republic of Ireland international is determined to help Villa shut up shop so that the likes of Ashley Young, Stewart Downing, Gabby Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey can start firing at the other end.
The 31-year-old told the club's official website: "I think when I came last year with James (Collins) and Stephen (Warnock) we started off with a clean sheet against Birmingham and then followed it up with another, but then we didn't have one for quite a few games after that.
"It was frustrating for us all because we just wanted to keep one to get our confidence back.
"It's similar now. We've had one then conceded again.
"We just want to get into a run now with keeping it tight at the back.
"We know with the strikers we've got and the options we've got up front that we'll always have a chance of scoring.
"So as defenders, if we keep clean sheets, it gives us the confidence that we'll score goals and win more games than we'll draw and lose this season."
Source: Team Talk


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Know more about this business than we do? Cool! Please submit any corrections or missing details you may have.Help us make it right
Be the first AL.com user to add photos or videos of Elmore Trucking
Elmore Trucking can be found at Old Towne Rd 822. The following is offered: Cargo Services. The entry is present with us since Sep 8, 2010 and was last updated on Nov 14, 2013. In Gordo there are 4 other Cargo Services. An overview can be found here.
Elmore Trucking is located at 822 Old Towne Rd, Gordo, AL. This business specializes in Trucks.


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For the first time in its 79-year history, the Federal Housing Agency (FHA) announced on Friday the need for a $1.7 billion bailout from the Treasury to cover losses on its reverse home mortgage programs.
FHA Commissioner Carole Galante said in a letter to Congress that the FHA will withdraw the money from the Treasury by Monday when the fiscal year ends. Galante does not need congressional approval to tap the funds.
"In the next few months, we expect updated data and economic forecasts to reflect what we already know to be true–the health of the fund has improved significantly," wrote Galante.
Republicans say the FHA helped fuel the housing crisis and should undergo immediate reform.
"The FHA is clearly headed toward financial disaster and taking taxpayers along for the ride," said House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX). "Unless Congress enacts sustainable housing finance reform, it's possible taxpayers will be forced to write blank bailout checks to the FHA indefinitely. That is unacceptable."
The $1.7 billion bailout is just the latest in a long string of FHA failures. In June, the FHA failed to disclose an internal stress test that revealed the agency's projected losses over 30 years could be up to $115 billion under severe economic conditions, a figure over $100 billion higher than the $13.5 billion projection the FHA included in its annual audit.
Last year, one out of every four homes with negative equity ("underwater") were borrowers with FHA-insured loans.


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See Michelle Obama and Will Ferrell's Tonight Show Skit
It's just nice to see Ferrell in drag again.
Michelle Obama visited the Tonight Show Thursday to hang out with Jimmy Fallon's alter ego, Sara, on her teen-girl show, Ew! Will Ferrell stopped by to wear pigtails and make out with his own headshot. All three discussed whether kale chips and exercise are disgusting. The debate rages, but we can all agree on one thing: The nation's stepdad, Gary, needs to get out of the basement and stop humiliating us.


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Polly Watts, owner of the Avenue Pub, remembers that during New Orleans' first American Craft Beer Week (ACBW) in 2008, Harpoon Brewing sent six 12-ounce bottles of its Leviathan series double IPA (DIPA) for the bar to pour, and it was gone in 15 minutes. "Everyone was so excited to have a DIPA," Watts says, whose bar is on St. Charles Avenue, "and in 2008 it was the only one available in the entire city."
This year's ACBW (May 13-19) will highlight a very different New Orleans craft beer scene.
In 2008, NOLA Brewing had been in existence for only two months. President Kirk Coco had heard about American Craft Beer Week, a nationwide celebration of craft beer, from colleagues at the Craft Brewers Conference. Coco realized that to publicize the new brand, he would need to create awareness of the event from scratch. NOLA Brewing, Avenue Pub, Stein's Deli and Crescent Crown Distributing put their skills together to make it happen in New Orleans.
Beer professionals in the Crescent City were "absolute infants" in 2008 when it came to craft beer, says Ron Swoboda, director of craft beer education at Crescent Crown. "We ran around like crazies" promoting the company's beers that first year, he says. Both Crescent Crown and NOLA Brewing tried to do events every night.
"ACBW '09 was just a couple of us ragtag beer nerds arm-twisting a few people into doing things," longtime local beer aficionado Vasu Tummala says of the second year. "Compare that to now ... and even I'm not 100 percent sure what's going on and where. There are so many things going on that even one of the earlier beer nerds here can't keep up." (See sidebar, p. 45, for a list of all events.)
Avenue Pub started spotlighting individual breweries in events during 2010's ACBW, and in 2011 began holding themed events spotlighting nanobreweries and catering to new local demand for IPAs, DIPAs and Imperial IPAs with a special "Hophead Night." Other bars and restaurants around the city and on the Northshore — including the Bulldogs in Uptown and Mid-City, the Barley Oak in Mandeville, Scarlett O'Hara's in the French Quarter, the Inn on Bourbon and Donald Link's Calcasieu — collaborated with breweries and distributors to create tasting and pairing events to showcase American craft beer.
This year, several local breweries plan to share new small-batch offerings during American Craft Beer Week. NOLA Brewing has several prototypes it is considering producing: Belgian IPA, Scottish IPA, Mexican Wheat Beer Lager, and Munich Helles.
Tin Roof Brewing will experiment with transforming its three flagship beers by using English yeast instead of its usual American yeast, and at the events, the regular version will be there beside the altered "English" version for comparison purposes. The Blonde ale has been transformed into "Blonde, James Blonde"; Perfect Tin is anglicized into "Manchester Brewnited Amber"; and Voodoo Bengal's new identity is "Parliament Pale Ale."
In its previous incarnation as Heiner Brau, Covington Brewhouse did not participate, but this year it will share Belgian Single (its flagship pilsner with trappist yeast), a keg of Bomabastic IPA brewed by local home brewers as well as a keg of Imperial Stout or Porter, only available in test batches.
Both locations of the Bulldog have at least one event planned every night of the week, showcasing local breweries and tap takeovers of East Coast and West Coast beers.
Evangeline, a bar that opened recently in the French Quarter, focuses exclusively on local beer and will offer more than a dozen craft selections on draft from the Gulf Coast as well as multiple food pairings. Owner Ed Bowdon, who spends much of his time researching and procuring beers to feature, has found local craft beers that complement Louisiana cuisine. "There are so many unique and flavorful styles brewed year round and seasonally that are made from the same local ingredients we serve on our menu," Bowdon says. Evangeline will offer special food pairings to complement the local beers available throughout the week.
More than a dozen events for this year's American Craft Beer Week feature firkins (containers of about 9 gallons) of cask-conditioned ale. Cask, or "real," ales complete their secondary fermentation in the vessel from which they eventually are served, giving them natural carbonation. Cask ales are served at cellar temperature, which allows the drinker a better chance to taste all the nuances of the beer. Often a brewer will add hops, spices, wood chips or other ingredients when putting the beer in the cask, which creates a unique version in a limited batch.
Abita, Covington, NOLA Brewing and Bayou Teche all have strong and growing cask programs. Since 2009, when NOLA Brewing collaborated with Avenue Pub to bring the first cask conditioned ales to New Orleans, cask ale availability has been a marker of increased craft beer awareness and appreciation. Abita has been focusing on its cask program over the last two years, and one of Covington Brewhouse's major changes this year is to invest in providing and promoting its beers on cask. The collaborative "American Craft Cask Crawl Down St. Charles Avenue" during ACBW will feature six casks from three brewers at two St. Charles Avenue bars, the Avenue Pub and the Irish House. Firkins also can be found that week at both locations of the Bulldog, Evangeline, Barcadia, the Barley Oak, Mellow Mushroom in Covington, Lager's Metairie, The Chimes of Covington and the Columbia Street Tap Room in Covington.
Swoboda from Crescent Crown says that at the start, Abita was "integral to the growth of craft beer." Growth of the craft beer market required Swoboda and his colleagues to re-evaluate how to market and sell craft beer. After working on educating themselves, retailers and consumers, breweries and distributors are seeing the fruits of their labor with increased sales and more brands entering the market.
"I know the Avenue Pub had an event for New Belgium, and there will be one for Southern Tier [during ACBW], but Nectar Ales and Caldera snuck in this month also," Tummala says. "Back in '09, that would have been cause for a weeklong celebration each."
Click here for complete schedule.