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A new Presbyterian Youth Book Club study on the wildly popular young adult novel Divergent is now available on the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A)'s website.
Just in time for the release of a major motion picture in March, the study aims to help young people explore their faith through fiction and fantasy in pop culture.
"Like Hollywood, we noticed a surge in reading activity in our youth around the time of Harry Potter," says Ministries with Youth associate Gina Yeager-Buckley, who began the book club about a year ago.
"As the market exploded, we began to create book club studies for churches to use with our youth so they could examine what they were reading and seeing through their lens of faith."
Yeager-Buckley says her work in the agency's Evangelism and Church Growth ministry area increasingly involves helping young people live out Scripture—as disciples of Jesus—in the real world.
"The Divergent study helps them recognize they have many gifts," says Yeager-Buckley. "It helps them see the larger picture of the goodness in the creation of God and how they might use each of their gifts for a greater purpose."
In the dystopian near future of Divergent, the government classifies individuals based on their primary genetic gift, putting them into one of five categories. A group of "Divergents,"those who feel like they don't fit neatly into any of the five classifications, rebel in hopes they can eventually rebuild their fallen world.
"These stories that our kids are passionate about have great theological meaning," says Yeager-Buckley. "We don't ask our kids to read only their Bibles, but to apply what they get from scripture in their lives — including what they are reading and absorbing in pop culture."
The new Divergent resource and all previous Presbyterian Youth Book club studies can be downloaded for free. The studies have proven to be a great resource for the youth at Faith Presbyterian Church in Tallahassee, Fla.
"Many youth at Faith love to read — they're so excited about the movie Divergent," says Shannon Guse, the church's director of Christian education and youth ministry. "They can't wait to discuss the book with their friends in a faith context before going to see the film."
Youth at FaithPresbyterian have participated in many of the previous book studies, from The Hunger Games to The Perks of Being a Wallflower to The Fault in Our Stars. Last month, the church even included its 4th and 5th graders in a study on Wonder by R.J. Palacio.
"Students young and old filled the room to learn empathy for others and how to define themselves as a child of God,"says Guse. "It was beautiful to hear their thoughtful and faith-filled conversation as they explored what it means to be 'kinder than necessary.'"


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Jeff Carroll undergoes surgery
February 20, 2008 - Major League Soccer (MLS) - D.C. United News Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 20, 2008) - D.C. United announced today midfielder Jeff Carroll has undergone successful surgery to repair a ruptured plantar plate in his left big toe. Dr. Lew Schon, a foot and ankle specialist at Greater Chesapeake Surgery Center in Lutherville, MD, performed the procedure. Carroll is expected to miss three to six months of action.
Selected in the fourth round (39th overall) of the 2006 Major League Soccer SuperDraft, Carroll has made two first team appearances, one start, in his career with the Black-and-Red. A key performer within the reserve system, the St. John's product led the reserve team in minutes played in 2006 and totaled 710 minutes last season, posting two assists.
• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board...
Major League Soccer Stories from February 20, 2008
- Kenny Mansally and Adam Cristman strike as Revs post shutout in second preseason match - New England Revolution
- Rapids Win and Tie in Bradenton - Colorado Rapids
- Fire Tie Toronto FC 1-1 in Preseason Scrimmage - Chicago Fire
- FC Dallas open tryouts to begin this weekend for Sueño MLS: "The Dream Continues" - FC Dallas
- Red Bulls Kick Off Camp Programs - New York Red Bulls
- Chicago Fire to Continue 2008 Preseason in Mexico - Chicago Fire
- Jeff Carroll undergoes surgery - D.C. United
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent D.C. United Stories
- MLS Unveils Three United Players for 2018 Top-Selling Jerseys
- D.C. United Clinch Playoff Berth After 3-1 Win against NYCFC
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- Chris Odoi-Atsem Diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma
- D.C. United Beat FC Dallas 1-0 After 86th-Minute Game-Winner

subset: commoncrawl


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I took time off from blogging, but realized I never actually typed out Cecilia Grace's Birth Story- I don't want to forget it so I'm going to get it down in writing right now.
The night before I was set to be induced, May 16th, 2013 a Thursday I remember getting into the bath to relax before my family came over to have one last night before all the chaos. I think we ordered pizza that night and Colby's mom and dad, brother and our sister-in-law, and my sister came over to spend the evening with us. My sister was staying the night so she could keep Emery while we went to the hospital.
I remember being very still lying in the dark in the bath preparing myself mentally for what my body was about to go through the next day. I heard my in-laws come in the door and decided I had better get myself out of the bath and visit with my family and get some good rest before having to be at the hospital at 5 in the morning. That evening my sister rubbed my feet hoping to put me into labor on my own and not have to use an pitocin.
I went to bed that night and set my alarm for 4:00 a.m. so I could straighten my hair in the morning. I didn't sleep well at all that night, I believe there were tears about whether Emery would understand the events getting ready to happen, and when the alarm went off at 4 I was up and getting things ready when I got a phone call. I didn't know the number, but answered anyways and it was the hospital saying that they didn't have any rooms available so since I was supposed to be induced they told me not to come in unless I was in active labor.
I freaked out.
I told Colby and he did what any other man would do in this situation and went right back to bed, very easily actually. I, on the other hand, woke up my sister and told her then got back in pajamas and tried my hardest to go back to bed because the hospital said to call back at 7:00 in the morning to see if they could fit me in. Soon after I laid back down I felt contractions small at first, but building until I felt the need to get up and walk through them. I woke up Colby and my sister and told them I needed to call now because I was actually in labor at this point I had made it to about 6:30 a.m.
I called the hospital and told them that this was my second baby and the first baby came fairly quickly and wasn't the second usually quicker? They told me to come in and that if I had dilated to a 5 that I could stay because they had 1 room. ONE. We jumped in the car and I called my mother-in-law and told her we were on the way to the hospital and that I had spontaneously gone into labor on my own. I had to pause the conversation every time I had a contraction so she said they were on the way to the hospital (they beat us there) We had to stop at a gas station because I told Colby I needed gum.
While going into the hospital I had to stop a couple of times to breathe through the contractions and when we made it to the 5th floor we had to sit in the waiting room while they got a room ready for me. My father-in-law timed contractions on his phone while we sat in the waiting room. Luckily for me I didn't vomit with every contraction like I did with Emery. Although this labor already was giving me a run for my money. When they finally had the room ready they called me back and had me change into a gown so they could see how far I had dilated I was a 5-6! Hurray, they kept me and gave me the option of breaking my water and having me walk OR I could get they epidural right then and stay in bed. (shitty options) I chose to have my water broken and walk the halls. Dear. God.
At that point my parents had arrived and my mom and Mother in law were walking the hallways with me (I can't remember where Colby went, back to the car maybe?) In that small time he was gone though I was in SEVERE pain. I had never experienced anything like it with Emery I thought my insides were being pulled apart. I was sobbing with every contraction and needed something "RIGHT NOW" I made it back in my room with Colby and my sister arriving and my sweet nurse, Susanna telling me the anesthesiologist was in the next room and he'd come in as soon as he was finished.
Kill me.
She had me lay back on the bed so she could check to see how far I was and I was now close to a 7. The anesthesiologist was now at the bedside and had my lie on my side to put in the epidural, an interesting approach, but I didn't care. He finished and I had a couple more painful contractions before I was able to have relief- then they came to put in the catheter. I told them I thought I could still walk to the bathroom and they assured me I could not- the catheter made me feel like I had to pee worse than before it was put in- somewhere after this my dad came in to visit and we filmed him saying, "Hi" to the baby and he couldn't wait to hold her and then he switched places with my sister. She hadn't been in the room 10 minutes when I started feeling major pressure and major contractions again. The nurse, who checked me and I was a 7 just 15 minutes ago told me she'd be back in an hour to check me again, rushed back into the room to check and sure enough in a span of 15 minutes I'd gone from a 7 to a 10.
Awesome, but…
Because I had dilated so quickly the baby hadn't had time to turn in the birth canal and was facing sunny side up. People, the pain. I have never experienced anything like it. The doctor came in and said she would need to have time to hopefully flip before we could start pushing and had me lay on my right side with my left leg up in a stirrup. I felt like I was there for hours, the pain was absolutely unbearable and the urge to push was tremendous. The nurse kept telling me not to push, but I could not help it. I felt like I was going to poop and heaven forbid I do that in front of my husband- the nurse kept telling me there was nothing in there, but I kept telling Colby to stand in the bathroom so I could have a "minute". Mind you, all of this was very frantic.
Me: "Go in the bathroom for a minute."
Colby: "Are you serious?!"
Me: "Yes! I'm not pooping in front of you!"
Nurse 1: "When I checked to see how far you were dilated I didn't feel any poop."
Nurse 2: "Honey, if you have to go just do it. We see it all the time."
Me: (Whimpering/Crying/Trying to feel down there to see what was going on)
Colby: "Can I come back out?"
Eventually I just started pushing and told the nurse I couldn't take it anymore. She went back to get the doctor and now we're pushing.
I pushed a few times and the doctor asked if I wanted her to give me an episiotomy because if she did Cecilia would be here in the next push. I told her no. I pushed one or two more times and finally said, "Just do it!"
Our entire family has gathered outside our door at this point waiting to hear her cry, but instead listened to me cry for awhile.
Finally after getting the episiotomy Cecilia arrived at 2:41 in the afternoon weighing 7lbs 6.5 ounces and 19 inches long. She looked so small that before the doctor put her on the scale she said any guesses? I guessed 6lbs and so did everyone else. As soon as she was born Colby yelled she's still a girl! We cried, the nurses cried. That gum that I had Colby get me at the gas station, I spit that out in his hand.
It was an amazing experience and even though it was a very painful labor and was pretty fast and furious I would do it again and again to be able to have our sweet little Cecilia.


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For their eyes only
When Churchill said, 'democracy is the worst form of government except all the others', he simply lacked the vision to see that the World Trade Organization would design a system to replace democracy with something much better – Article VI. 4 of the General Agreement on Trade and Services, or GATS. Last year an extraordinary document, dated 19 March 2001, marked 'confidential', came through my fax machine from the WTO Secretariat. This unassuming six-page memo which the WTO modestly hid away in secrecy may one day be seen as the post-democratic Magna Carta. It contained a plan to create an international agency with veto power over parliamentary and regulatory decisions. The memo begins with considering the difficult matter of how to punish nations that violate 'a balance between two potentially conflicting priorities: promoting trade expansion versus protecting the regulatory rights of governments'. Think about that. For a few centuries Britain, America and now almost all nations have relied on elected parliaments, congresses, prime ministers and presidents to set the rules. It is these ungainly deliberative bodies that 'balance' the interests of citizens and businesses. Now kiss that obsolete system goodbye. Once nations sign on to the GATS, Article VI. 4 – otherwise known as The Necessity Test – will kick in. Then, per the Secretariat's secret programme outlined in the 19 March memo, national parliaments and regulatory agencies will be demoted, in effect, to advisory bodies. Final authority will rest with the GATS Disputes Panel to determine if a law or regulation is 'more burdensome than necessary'. And the GATS panel, not Parliament or Congress, will tell us what is 'necessary'. As a practical matter, this means nations will have to shape laws protecting the air you breathe, the trains you ride in and the food you chew by picking, not the best or safest means for the nation, but the cheapest methods for foreign investors and merchants. Let's get down to concrete examples. The Necessity Test had a trial run in North America via inclusion in NAFTA, the region's free-trade agreement. The state of California had banned a gasoline additive MBTE, a chemical cocktail that was found to contaminate water supplies. A Canadian seller of the 'M' chemical in MBTE filed a complaint saying California's ban on the pollutant fails the Necessity Test. The Canadians assert, quite logically, that California, rather than ban MBTE, could require all petrol stations to dig up storage tanks and reseal them, and hire a swarm of inspectors to make sure it's done perfectly. The Canadian proposal might cost Californians a bundle and might be impossible to police. But that's just too bad. The Canadians assert their alternative is the 'least trade-restrictive' method for protecting the California water supply. 'Least trade-restrictive' is NAFTA's Necessity Test. If California doesn't knuckle under, the US Treasury may have to fork out over $976 million to the pollutant's Canadian manufacturer. The GATS version of the Necessity Test is NAFTA on steroids. Under GATS, as proposed in the memo, national laws and regulations will be struck down if they are 'more burdensome than necessary' to business. Notice the subtle change from banning 'trade-restrictive' rules (NAFTA) to 'burdensome' rules. Suddenly, the GATS treaty is not about trade at all, but a sly means to wipe away restrictions on business and industry, foreign and local. What burdensome restrictions are in the corporate cross-hairs? The US trade representative has already floated proposals on retail distribution. Want to preserve Britain's greenbelts? Well, forget it – not if some bunch of trees are in the way of a Wal-Mart superstore. Even under the current, weaker GATS, Japan was forced to tear up its own planning rules to let in the retail monster boxes. The Blair Government assures us that nothing threatens the right to enforce laws in the nation's public interest. But not according to the 19 March memo. The WTO reports that, in the course of the secretive multilateral negotiations, trade ministers have agreed that, before the GATS tribunal, a defence of 'safeguarding the public interest... was rejected'. In place of a public interest standard, the Secretariat proposes a deliciously Machiavellian 'efficiency principle'. 'It may well be politically more acceptable to countries to accept international obligations which give primacy to economic efficiency.' This is an unsubtle invitation to load the GATS with requirements which rulers know their democratic parliaments could not accept. This would be supremely dangerous if, say, one day, the US elected a president named 'Bush' who wanted to shred air-pollution rules or, say, Britain elected a prime minister named 'Blair' with a mad desire to sell off his nation's air traffic control system. How convenient for embattled chief executives: what elected congresses and parliaments dare not do, GATS would require. Britain's government can brush off the green-haired anti-GATS protester, but can't ignore the objections of the British Medical Association (BMA) jittery about GATS' control over the National Health Service. In the journal, _The Lancet_, the BMA nervously questions European Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy's assurances that 'interpretation of the rules [must not be] settled by disputes procedures', that is, the GATS panel. One defender of GATS calls the BMA's accusation 'hysterical'. But after reading the 19 March internal memo, hysteria may be the right prescription. The Secretariat's memo makes no concession to sovereign interpretation of the rules. Under the post-democratic GATS regime, the Disputes Panel, those Grand Inquisitors of the Free Market, will decide whether a nation's law or a regulation serves what the memo calls a 'legitimate objective'. While parliaments and congresses are lumbered with dated constitutional requirements to debate a law's legitimacy in public, with public evidence, with hearings open to citizen comment, GATS panels are far more efficient. Hearings are closed. Unions, consumer, environmental and human-rights groups are barred from participating – or even knowing what is said before the panel. Is the 19 March memo just a bit of wool-gathering by the WTO Secretariat? Hardly. The WTO was working from the proposals suggested in yet another confidential document also sent to me by my good friend, Unnameable Source. The secret memo, 'Domestic Regulation: Necessity and Transparency', dated 24 February 2001, was drafted by the European Community's own 'working party' in which Britain's ministry claims a lead role. In a letter to MPs, Britain's then-Trade Minister Dick Caborn swears that, through the EC working party, he will ensure that GATS recognizes the 'sovereign right of government to regulate services' to meet 'national policy objectives'. Yet the 24 February memo, representing Britain's official (though hidden) proposals, rejects a nation's right to remove its rules from GATS jurisdiction once a service industry is joined to the treaty. Indeed, this official and officious document contains contemptuous attacks on nations claiming 'legitimate objectives' as potential 'disguised barriers' to trade liberalization. Moreover, that nasty little codicil borrowed from NAFTA, that regulation must not be 'more trade restrictive than necessary', is promoted in the secret EC document, ready for harvesting by the WTO Secretariat's free-market fanatics.
for a few centuries nations have relied on elected parliaments... now kiss that obsolete system goodbye
Not knowing I had these documents in hand, Britain's Trade Ministry still insisted when I called that GATS permitted nations a 'right to regulate to meet national policy objectives'. I was not permitted to question Dick Caborn himself (and in the post-GATS future, I understand, no mortal may gaze directly upon him). But let us suppose, for a moment, that Caborn believed what his press office said on his behalf: that there is nothing to fear from GATS, especially because Britain can opt in or out of clauses as it chooses.
Don't count on it. According to Professor Bob Stumberg of Georgetown University, Washington DC, the WTO has suggested that the Necessity Test, the shark in the swimming pool, will be applied 'horizontally', that is, to all services. No opt-outs.
A Caborn letter to MPs admits that Blair's pleasant interpretation of GATS has not been 'tested in WTO jurisprudence'. In other words, he doesn't actually know if a GATS panel will rule as in his fantasies. This is, after all, the minister who, with his European counterparts, lost a $194 million judgment to the US over the sale of bananas.
Now, I can understand how Caborn goofed that one. Europe argued that bananas are a product, but the US successfully proved that bananas are a service – try not to think about that – and therefore fall under GATS...
And note: America doesn't grow bananas – so how did it get in this dispute anyway? Did it have anything to do with the fact that Carl Lindner, Chief of the Chiquita Banana Company, is one of the top donors to both Democrats and Republicans? (See also
This article is from
the July 2002 issue
of New Internationalist.
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Below, a recap of stories posted today to the Search
Engine Watch Blog, along with other items we've spotted but not blogged
From The SEW Blog…
- Google AdSense For Audio Coming Soon
Blogs are buzzing on recent "credible" sources saying that Google is going to be releasing AdSense for Audio. SeekingAlpha writes Leak: Google Reorg and AdSense for Audio, Threadwatch writes Google to Re-Org: All Your Ads Are Belong to Us, eWeek writes Google AdSense for Audio Coming, ThoughtShapers.com writes Leak: Google to Re-Org IBM Style, and DMNews writes Rumor Has It…. All point to Google launching AdSense for Audio before the end of this year and focusing heavily on launching other forums of advertising media such ad podcasts….
- Google To Hire TV Engineering Project Manager
Gary Price spotted a new job posting at Google for a TV Engineering Project Manager at the Mountain View location. Before Google was hiring Television Engineers & Wireless Software Engineer, so I guess they now need someone to put these things all together, "to ensure a smooth and seamless release of software products to the market."…
- Windows Live Mobile Now Live
Gary Price reports that Windows Live Mobile is now live at http://mobile.live.com/. The features include: 1) Mail 2) Search beta 3) Spaces 4) Local 5) Messenger 6) Live.com beta 7) MSN.com beta 8) MSNBC News 9) FOX Sports 10) Weather 11) Money 12) Entertainment 13) MSN Calendar More details at http://mobile.live.com/GoLive/….
- Competitive Intelligence & Link Searches
Rand over at SEOMoz has a great write up on Long List of Link Searches where he goes through a sample client and how he would approach the competitive intelligence aspect of the SEO research. This is a must read for any SEO because he goes through "the obvious," some "advanced operators," "alternative search sources," "directory search terms," "blog & forum searches," and "submit type searches." The best part is that this is a practical example that gives you actionable items to run through in your own SEO practices. Gotta love Rand for doing this, most would not….
- Microsoft Online Services Group Losses $136 Million in Q3
The Wall Street Journal reports that Microsoft lost $136 million in the third-quarter within the online-services group. The money is going towards their continued effort to build up a competing Google product. The WSJ says, the loss is due to "competition with Google Inc. and growing investment by Microsoft in trying to improve its position against the Internet-search specialist."…
- Google Enhanced Google Alerts & Adds Blog Search Alerts
The Google Blog announced that they have added Google Blog Search email alerts to the Google Alerts system. So like you were able to add alerts for Google News and other Google properties, you are now able to add alerts for Blog Search results. Google has also enhanced Alerts to "show results from multiple sources (including Google News, the web, and blogs)."…
- Search Forums Roundup: Oct. 27, 2006
Today's SearchDay, Search Engine Forums Spotlight, features our weekly links to this week's hot topics from search engine forums across the web: NYT calls Google Bombing a 'campaign tactic' – Googling With Google Is Good, But Very Bad Elsewhere – Coming Soon: Yahoo Directory Tag, With 'No' Option – Did-it President Takes a Shot at SEO – What Does Your Holiday SEM Campaign Look Like? and more….
Headlines & News From Elsewhere
- Old Google News Alerts Subscribers Getting Unwanted New Blog Search Alerts, Search Engine Roundtable
- Google Trademark Apps via the dMarc Acquisition, ResourceShelf
- Yahoo Could Strike HotJobs/Newspaper Partnerships, MarketingVOX
- More Open Shortcuts!, Yahoo! Search blog
- Forum Hack Enables Google AdSense Code To Be Placed On Site, Search Engine Roundtable
- Google plans new News, The Inquirer
- Research: Multiple Ranking Strategies for Opinion Retrieval in Blogs, ResourceShelf
- You Do and/or May, In Fact, "Ask" (or "ask"), The Ask.com Blog
- Donna Bogatin tries to be funny. Gets basic facts wrong, Jeremy Zawodny
- The Blogger Outages (a novel), Blogger Buzz
- Flickr Interestingness Rankings Patents Released, SEO by the SEA
- Jennifer Convertibles Web Site Back in Google, Search Engine Roundtable
- Halloween: So Close it's Scary, The Ask.com Blog
- Keep Ask.com As Your Steady with IE 7 and Firefox, The Ask.com Blog
- Web Domain for Sale In Really Hot Locale: Hell.com Takes Bids, WSJ.com
- Trading Influence, Yahoo! Publisher Network
- Amazon Acquisitions and Investments, SEO By The Sea
- Google Base or Froogle? Google Base…sort of, Comparison Engines
- AdSense Befriends Israel With EFT Support In שק×?, Cartoon Barry
- EMI and Yahoo! Maps partner for album promotion, NMA
- Jingle, Jingle… Maximize Holiday Sales with QuickLaunch, MSN Blog
- Killing Google PageRank: Making Relevancy Irrelevant, SEO Book.com
Related reading
Dragonfly: What we know about Google's possible plans to re-enter China's search market
Separating facts from speculation on recent reports of Google re-entering China's search market. What do we know, and what can we reasonably expect from Google in China over the short and long term?
The State of SEO survey highlights – SEO enters the mainstream
In a survey of 30,000 UK marketers of their views on SEO, it seems SEO is entering the mainstream.
Baidu: Can the search giant hold firm in China's increasingly competitive mobile market?
A look at China's search giant Baidu. Against mobile-first Shenma, and potential for Google to enter the gray, can they stay competitive?
Q&A with SAP on digital transformation and search
Last week we spoke with Siddarth Taparia, SVP and Head of Marketing Transformation at SAP. He argues that digital transformation is preceded not by technology but by people, and shares what SAP is doing to ready themselves for the future.


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Senior defender scores two set piece goals in shutout victory.
Box Score | Printable Box Score
GREENVILLE, NC August 22, 2014 – Senior centerback Taylor Leach netted a pair of second-half goals to give No. 14 South Carolina a 2-0 win in the season opener at East Carolina on Friday night in Johnson Soccer Stadium.
The Gamecocks kept possession for most of the first half, and the few times the Pirates moved the ball into their attacking third, the South Carolina defense thwarted any opportunities.
In the ninth minute freshman Savannah McCaskill saw an excellent chance off a long ball from Christa Neary, firing a shot towards goal on a one-on-one opportunity. The ball hit the crossbar and bounced down.
From the opening whistle of the second half, the Gamecock offense began to click, and they struck in the 50th minute.
After an ECU foul, Leach found net on a header setup by a free kick from senior Andie Romness taken from nearly 30 yards out. The first goal of the Gamecocks' season gave them a 1-0 lead.
In the 62nd minute, an ECU corner kick provided one of its best chances of the night, but D'Angelo snatched it out of the air to snuff out the opportunity. The Pirates recorded just two shots on the night.
Just three minutes later, the Gamecocks earned the first of three corner kicks of their own in a five-minute stretch. The third time proved to be the charm for South Carolina as sophomore Chelsea Drennan served a ball into the box and found Leach on the other end. The Gamecock netted her second goal of the night on another header. The defender's tally gave South Carolina a 2-0 advantage that held for the final score.
Game Changer
Senior Taylor Leach scored the first goal of the 2014 campaign in the 50th minute. The tally, assisted by fellow senior Andie Romness, proved to be the game winner.
Key Stat
The Gamecocks limited the Pirates to just two shots, both in the second half, in the shutout victory. South Carolina outshot their opponent 8-2.
- With tonight's road win, South Carolina is now 12-5-3 in season openers, including a 5-4-3 mark on the road.
• Senior Taylor Leach scored the first goal of the Gamecocks' season in the 50th minute to give South Carolina a 1-0 lead.
• Tonight was the first multi-goal game of Leach's career
• Senior Andie Romness and Chelsea Drennan recorded assists in the win.
• The Gamecocks put four of their eight shots on frame
• The shutout is the 20th of senior goalkeeper Sabrina D'Angelo's career.
• Three Gamecocks – Leach, McCaskill and Stevi Parker – recorded multiple shots.
• Freshman Savannah McCaskill drew her first career start
South Carolina Head Coach Shelley Smith
Taylor (Leach) had an excellent game for us, as always. She's fearless. She played great defense tonight as we shutout our opponent, and she came through for us on offense too. She had well-timed runs and great serves to set her up. She's worked hard on trying to finish set pieces and it paid off tonight. It just showed off her senior leadership.
Taylor Leach, Senior Defender
Tonight was a strong start to our season. We adjusted some things after the first half ,and we came out ready to go in the second. We were able to put some goals away and we did it on set pieces, which was something we've been working on. We hope to keep our season going this way.
Up Next
The Gamecocks return to Columbia for their home opener against Samford on Sunday at 6 p.m. The match, which starts a five-game home stand, is South Carolina's first broadcast on the SEC Network+, available only through WatchESPN.


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Honda Big Red
If you were to go by Honda's official description of the Big Red, you would think it was a little cement truck or a self-propelled entrenching tool. The brochures show it dumping asphalt and hauling hay bales. Do a word search for the words "fun" or "recreation," and you'll come up dry. The words "safety" and "reliable" come up instead.
Honda is a very conservative company made up of enthusiastic people. Those two forces often conflict with one another, and that was exactly what happened in the development of Big Red. Even though it was clearly designed with fun in mind, its marketing and styling point it squarely at the utility market. That's not surprising. Honda was late to the UTV party, and as a result, witnessed all the pitfalls endured by Yamaha. In the hailstorm of lawsuits that followed the introduction of the Rhino, Honda's naturally conservative outlook made them pull back and aim their version of the Rhino more at the workman side, which was dominated by the Kawasaki Mule. But Big Red is no Mule.
Last year, we used Big Red daily at Glen Helen Raceway, laying out race courses and working hard with the other heavy equipment.
The only change to Big Red for 2010 is the addition of a new color. Big Red can now be purchased in olive as well as red or camo. The core vehicle is the same, and the styling is deliberately industrial. Whereas a Rhino looks like a little sand rail and a Prowler has a Jeep-like appearance, the Honda appears to be a giant generator on wheels. It's all part of the big deception. The power plant is based on the same unit that powers the Rincon. It's a 675cc, liquid-cooled four-stroke with pushrods operating four overhead valves. The crankshaft is oriented longitudinally, meaning front to rear, like an automobile. In fact, it's the automotive technology that really sets Big Red apart from other UTVs. It makes sense; Honda is the only company in this market that actually makes cars. The transmission is very much like something you would find in a Civic. It's a three-speed hydraulic auto, whereas every other side-by-side is driven by a CVT transmission. Unlike a car, the transmission pumps motor oil, not ATF.
Final drive is a shaft—no surprise there. In the chassis, you start to see little hints that the Honda is sportier than it looks. It has four-wheel-independent, double-wishbone suspension. At six inches front and seven inches rear, suspension travel is only slightly less than that of the decidedly sporty Kawasaki Teryx, which has 7.5 front and rear. It also has four-wheel disc brakes. Honda is keen to point out that in case of a failure on one of the brake lines, the other three calipers will still work, just like a car.
You can see that obsession with safety throughout Big Red. The seat belts have inertia reels like a car. The doors, of course, are standard equipment, as is a safety net. The roll cage is substantial, and there are passenger grab bars aplenty. Honda clearly didn't want the machine to become lawyer bait. Those features added to the overall weight of the Honda. It's no feather. The official curb weight is 1431 pounds with its 7.9-gallon tank full. That makes it the heaviest in the class, with only the Kawasaki coming close. It's also the widest and the tallest, if only by an inch or so. Yes, Big Red is, indeed, big. Don't try to get it in the back of a standard pickup unless you really don't care about the truck.
You don't have to limit your activity to daylight hours. Big Red has excellent light as well as an accessory outlet to power 12-volt electrical devices.
Honda gave Big Red all the credentials to be a hard worker. The double-wall bed is big and rated to 500 pounds. It tilts easily with hydraulic assist to dump your load, and when the bed is up, you can access the air filter, which is well-protected. It comes standard with a receiver for a hitch and will tow 1200 pounds.
But the best thing about Big Red is that it doesn't complain. It always starts quickly, it needs minimal warm-up and it makes excellent bottom-end power. We used last year's model almost every day for maintenance at Glen Helen Raceway. That was hard work. Without rest, it was used to drag personnel around the mountainous facility. We managed to carry broken motorcycles in back on several occasions. But its most impressive moment came on the annual Dirt Wheels UTV camping trip, where it was employed to carry another side-by-side piggyback. A broken tie-rod had rendered the other machine unsteerable, so the front end was lifted into Big Red's bed. The trip back entailed climbing some steep hills where the Honda would sometimes run out of power. The nice thing was that we didn't have to worry about burning up a belt in the transmission when that happened because Big Red has no belts. It would simply come to a stop and then we would use the broken side-by-side for some six-wheel-drive assistance.
On its own, the Honda is hard to get stuck. It's the only machine in Honda's line that offers four-wheel differential lock. If one wheel still has traction, you can usually get yourself free. Ground clearance is decent at just over ten inches. Our only real complaint is that the vulnerable rear tail lights hang down into harm's way and can be torn off when the wheels start to dig in.
The double-wall bed tilts, revealing the airbox. Honda claims a 500-pound capacity for the bed, but we've seen it carry more.
Honda's big secret is that Big Red isn't all about work. The suspension is surprisingly good, so moderately rough terrain is comfortable. It has twice the wheel travel of a Mule and will go almost twice as fast on top. Like we said, it's no Mule.
Don't get carried away, though. If you pick a fight with a RZR on a twisty fire road, you'll take a beating. In terms of sheer muscle, the Honda's 675cc pushrod motor suffers when compared to the Polaris 800 motor, Kawasaki's 750cc V-twin, or the Arctic Cat Prowler's 951cc Vee. It will, however, hold its own against any of the mid-sided UTVs and give fits to an older 660cc Yamaha.
The Honda is most competitive with those machines in low-speed rock crawling. The motor not only has excellent low-end power, but the automatic transmission gives it a more positive response. And like we said, you don't have to worry about the smell of a burning belt. In the world of sporty off-road vehicles, the Honda is more akin to a Hummer than a Trophy Truck.
We would love to see Big Red come with a power steering option in the future. The Honda's steering is lighter than you might think, but power would help at both ends of the spectrum—slow and fast. Honda's standard response for not having EPS on the Rincon ATV is a concern for overshooting the 600-pound weight barrier. That's not an issue here.
The driver's compartment is roomy, and the doors and safety net can keep convicted felons captive.
In a world of RZRs and Teryxes, Big Red looks like Quasimoto at Miss USA. But we've developed a fondness for its look because we know what it can do. Its farm-equipment styling actually is an asset—you can buy it for work and no one will notice what you do with it after hours. The machine lives a secret life when work ends. That's okay. So do most of us.


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Day 2 – 22 Nov 15 - Phuntsholing – Thimphu
We reached Phuntsholing yesterday after the Permit office had closed. Having not been able to do anything on that issue, today was the day to get our permits and travel into Bhutan to Thimphu, the capital city. Phuntsholing is also in Bhutan but there is no permit required to enter this city. Indian citizens have to take permit and if they are travelling in their own cars then I understand permit for car also needs to be taken.
Our travel management firm told us that their representative would reach us by 0900 (Bhutan Time, henceforth, in my narrative all timings would mean Bhutan time 30 min ahead of India time. After all we have reached a foreign country). They also asked us to be ready and we were quick to get up, get ready, have breakfast and we were ready at dot 0900. Then it was a wait for TTT person to arrive. Well he did finally arrive at 1015 hrs. Form filling, mostly done by him, for five of us took about 10 minutes and off we were to Permit office. The office seemed very effective and we got the permits in flat 15 min.
He then asked us to return to hotel and get ready for the move. The vehicle came by about 1050 and post proper loading we started for Thimphu by 1100 hrs. This day being day of journey, only spectacular part of the journey was the changing landscape as we climbed up from Phuntsholing (1240 ft) to Thimphu (7600 ft). From usual semitropical greenery at Phuntsholing where even mangoes grow to conifers around Thimphu was the main thing to watch.
The road from Phuntsholing to Thimphu is maintained by Project "Dhantak" of Border Road Orginasation (BRO) of Indian Ministry of Defence. Incidentally, Dhantak is the name of the Project under which this road is maintained by BRO. Road maintenance in these areas is a tedious task and we could see BRO teams working at various places.
|Road to Thimphu - I
The road is about three lanes (1.5 lanes per side) for most of the distance. It is free of potholes, has good surface and also good signage throughout the journey. The exception is when it is traversing steep hill sides to gain height where the road is as narrow as in any other hilly area.
|Nice Quality of BRO Maintained Road
We took total 2 stops in a total 5 hrs travel time. First stop was at hotel Shelgoen at Wangkha, very closed to a major Hydro electric power project in the valley below. Next stop was very close to Thimphu at a place called Whatsa (easy to remember, very close to Whatsapp).
|Hotel Shelgoen signboard
Soon we were at a decorative gate announcing our arrival at the outskirts of Thimphu, capital city of Bhutan since 1955 when the capital shifted here.
|Welcome gate of Thimphu
|Glimpse of Thimphu - Outskirts
Thimphu impressed us. The roads were wide. Traffic was not heavy (we were used to traffic in Indian cities). It was disciplined and people showed patience and courtesy to other drivers. Hardly any Horn Honking was done, in fact we heard very little of the beast called horn, which in India one feels that the switch for horn is fused and horn keeps blaring. Both sides of the road had five to six story houses constructed in Bhutanese style or at least maintaining a Bhutanese style façade. Most buildings had Photograph of present king (and in some cases the queen also) or last king or both prominently displayed on them.
Soon we reached the Clock Tower area (city center) where our hotel, Shantideva was located. Whne I tried to reach the reception, I was shocked that I had to climb two flights of stairs but then realized that only one flight of stairs need to be climbed if one comes from other side (Hotel was between two main roads). Hotel does have a lift but from their reception to upper floors of the hotel. Hotel 89 which is close by has a lift from ground floor (as its reception is situated on the ground floor unlike Shantideva). Once inside, we found the hotel to be neat and clean. The rooms were comfortable and the staff good.
After check in, we decided to move out to the market. Let me remind the readers, Bhutan is another country having its own culture and way of life. There is no point comparing things to things back home. Inadvertently, we all do this mistake at least on day one in the heart of Bhutan at places like Thimphu or Paro. Because of this habit of going by own experiences, we were shocked to see at 1900 many shops were on the verge of closing and most of them closed at 1930 hrs.
|Traffic Island in Clock Tower Area
We had to zerox our permit issues at Phuntsholing (for applying next day for another permit to travel to Punakha) and at 1930 we could barely find only one shop in the clock tower area. Any way resigned to the fact that we are in a place having different way of life we returned to Hotel (whose restaurant closes at 2030 hrs). We finished our dinner by 2100 hrs.
The best was yet to come. We all thought let us have ice cream. When we asked the reception staff about ice cream shop, they indicated that it is right opposite the hotel but it may be closing now. We rushed only to find out that it had closed a long time ago around 2000 hrs. That was eye opener. We never thereafter went by our standards and adopted local standards from the next day. That finished our day II in Bhutan.


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Soccer is the most popular IDAF team sport. Games for the Junior A (7-11), Junior B (12-15), and Open (any age) Divisions consist of 8-on-8 play with 7 field players and 1 goalkeeper on the field at any one time.
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Early round play consists of either round robin or double‐elimination games. The top teams then advance to single‐elimination bracket/knockout games.
The Sport Technical Officer for soccer is Scott Dane.
Sponsors and partners for the soccer competition include Capital Area Soccer League.


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THQ announced today that Evil Dead Regeneration is now shipping for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox, giving console gamers a chance to take up their boomsticks against the weird and unholy once more.
Evil Dead Regeneration follows Ash, the lone survivor of a camp discovering the Necronomicon -- the wholly evil book of the dead. Thought to have murdered his companions, Ash is arrested, convicted of the crime, and sentenced to Sunny Meadows, an institute for the criminally insane ... but not for long.
Developed by Cranky Pants Games, Regeneration features Bruce Campbell himself providing the voice of Ash, and Ted Raimi voicing Ash's half-sized sidekick.
Look for Evil Dead Regeneration at local shops this week for a suggested price of $19.99. A version for PC is expected September 20.


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Disclosure: This site receives a payment from Nest Bedding® when you purchase a product using any links to that company in this article (or use my coupon code)
There have been a lot of new mattress companies popping up recently. On this site, I only review the ones that I think have a good chance at sticking around long-term, and I think Nest Bedding® is going to be one such company. I turn down the opportunity to review more mattresses than I accept, but after doing a bit of research I decided to review Nest products.
The Alexander Signature is their luxury lineup of four mattresses (soft, medium, and firm memory foam mattresses, plus a hybrid innerspring mattress) and is the focus of this review. They also have a more entry-level mattress called the Love & Sleep which I review here.
In this review, I will look at how each mattress feels, what they're constructed of, the customer service polices (like return and warranty) and my overall thoughts on the mattress.
The first three Alexander mattresses are 13″ memory foam mattresses. The mattress comes compressed in a box and expands quickly after opening. The other mattress in the lineup is a "hybrid mattress" which has a similar top layer to the foam mattress but uses a coil system instead of a base foam underneath.
This part gets kind of technical, so feel free to skip ahead if you don't really care about foam densities and the like.
The Alexander comes in three firmnesses (firm, medium, and soft), and each one is constructed a little differently. They are made of a combination of 4 pound density memory foam (the average is somewhere from 3-4 among most companies), a 1.8 pound density high resiliency support foam, and a breathable foam layer in between the two.
Then, the top layer of all three uses a quilted cover, which is something that not every foam mattress uses. The quilt is 1.5-2 inches thick depending on the firmness.
Putting the technical details aside, the takeaway here is that this is a solidly-built mattress. The foams are overall denser and stronger than a lot of the competition, and these mattresses should last a good 8-10 years before they start wearing down.
How it feels
The important thing is "how does the mattress feel?" I didn't have the chance to sleep on all of these mattresses, but I spent 8 hours in the Nest Bedding showroom in San Francisco lying down on these and the Love Beds, so I got a very good opportunity to really feel the mattresses. I will explain how each one feels and who each might be best for.
Alexander Firm
The Alexander Firm is an ultra-firm mattress. It's not the hardest one I've ever tried, but on a scale from 1 to 10 where 1 is the hardest, I'd give this one a 2. It feels very hard at first, but contours a little to your body over time. The Firm version will be good for:
- Heavier people, especially those who sleep on their back or stomach. If you're a heavier side sleeper, I'd recommend this with a mattress topper to go along with it. Otherwise, you'll have too much pressure on your joints. (In this context, "heavier" means a BMI somewhere north of 35-40+. If you're just a bit overweight, I'd consider you an average American for the purpose of this review).
- Most people who sleep on their stomach. Stomach sleepers tend to need firmer mattresses in general.
- Anybody that doesn't have many curves to their body. The mattress just won't contour to your curves very well, so if you're a side sleeper with broad shoulders or wide hips, this mattress will hurt you. On the other hand, if you're a back sleeper, and the curve in your lumbar section is not very pronounced, you should be fine.
- People used to extra firm mattresses. This is common in Asian and European cultures. If you're used to sleeping on a Japanese futon, you're likely going to love this mattress.
If you've ever tried the Tempurpedic Contour Supreme, this mattress feels somewhat similar.
Alexander Medium
Not surprisingly, the Alexander Medium is a medium mattress. It's a bit softer than a lot of their direct-to-consumer competitors. It's roughly a 4.5 out of 10 on that mattress firmness scale I mentioned. This one was my favorite in the store (and the CEO told me that most of his customers agree with me; this is their favorite too). I'm a side sleeper, so I spent over a half hour lying on one side without moving, and at no point did I feel any pressure in my shoulder. The Medium is best for:
- People of about average weight. If you're very heavy or very light, I'd recommend the firm or the soft version respectively. I'm about 60 pounds overweight, and this one was just the tiniest bit too soft for my tastes. If I were to lose ~15 pounds, it would probably be perfect.
- Side sleepers and back sleepers. Stomach sleepers tend to need something firmer (unless you're a particularly thin stomach sleeper)
- People that like soft mattresses but don't want something you'll sink into too far. This is similar to what a lot of places would consider "plush," but it's kind of on the firmer end of "plush."
Compared to the well-known Tempurpedic brand, this one is somewhere in between the Rhapsody Luxe and Cloud Supreme in firmness.
Alexander Soft
I didn't spend as much time on the Alexander Soft, because it was just too soft for my body type. When I was on my side on this mattress, my shoulder went all the way into it, and I barely needed a pillow. On a scale from 1 to 10 with 1 the firmest, this one was about a 7. I have trouble feeling the gradations between different soft mattresses (again, because of my body type), but I can say that this is one of the softer mattresses I've ever laid on. The Alexander Soft is best for:
- Side or back sleepers of a slim or athletic build. If you sleep on your side and have bony hips and shoulders, you'll need something that won't cause pressure, and since you're so light, you don't need anything extra firm to keep you in proper alignment.
- People that are used to extra soft mattresses. If you've slept very well on extra soft mattresses before, you'll probably be fine on this one.
Once again comparing it to the more well-known Tempurpedic brand, this is similar in feel to the Cloud Luxe.
Alexander Hybrid
The Alexander hybrid is in between the firmness of the Soft and Medium. It's a little bouncier because it uses coils under the foam instead of the high resiliency foam. On a scale from 1 to 10 where 10 is the firmest, this one is about a 6, which is good if you want something just a little softer than average. As a hybrid, it is bouncier than the all-foam models. The Hybrid is best for:
- People who don't like memory foam mattresses as much (i.e. you're afraid of getting "stuck" in one spot on the mattress)
- Side sleepers who don't want their mattress to be too soft
Return policy
The Alexander has a 100 night return policy, so this is a low risk purchase. This is the main reason I can recommend buying this mattress without trying it in a store first. If it doesn't work out for you, Nest makes it easy to return or exchange the mattress. There is no fee for the return, and they do NOT make you do the work to return it. They will find a local charity for you and donate the mattress.
The Alexander has a 20 year warranty which covers the mattress sagging more than an inch or any seams coming out. The "industry standard" for warranties is 10 years, so this warranty reflects the fact that the Alexander is built to last. However, keep in mind that the warranty doesn't necessarily reflect how long a mattress will be comfortable. The mattress will become less comfortable long before it physically starts falling apart, so you should expect to get maybe 10 years of good use out of this mattress.
The Alexander mattresses are a little higher priced than the average of the direct-to-consumer mattresses, but they are also some of the highest quality of the group. Like many things in life, you get what you pay for. The Alexander retails for $1199 in a queen, but you can get a $100 coupon by entering the code NERD100 at checkout, which brings the price down to $1099.
Since the mattress is fairly priced for the start, you won't find any big sales on the mattress, so that $100 off coupon is the best you're going to find.
The Alexander does not come with a boxspring, so you'll either need to use a platform bed, use an existing rigid foundation, or put it on an adjustable base (which is my favorite option, but it's a lot more expensive. Nest Bedding has all of those options here on their website.
Concluding thoughts
A lot of mattresses coming out recently have been variations on the same theme, that is to say they're all 10 inch medium-firm foam mattresses. Nest Bedding breaks this mold with their Alexander bed. It's 13 inches of foam rather than 10, and you have a choice of comfort rather than just giving you one mattress. Though like most things in life, you get what you pay for. It is very fairly priced; at $1099 in a queen (after using NERD100 at checkout) it's a great value, but it is more expensive than a lot of the other direct-to-consumer options out there. If you just don't have the money, consider getting the Love & Sleep instead.
If you have the room in your budget for this mattress, you're unlikely to be disappointed. This is a luxury mattress at a fair price delivered right to your door without the hassle of dealing with salesman. And with the generous return policy, you don't have much to lose.
Click here to purchase the Alexander, and don't forget to enter the coupon code NERD100 for $100 off
Disclosure: This site receives a payment from Nest Bedding when you purchase a product using any links to that company in this article (or use my coupon code)
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Questions & Comments
MattressNerd Says
November 3, 2017 at 9:59 pm
The Alexander Hybrid Soft is pretty soft. It's roughly on par with the Alexander Signature Soft. Maybe switching to the Alexander Signature Medium is the best bet?
Kim Says
November 3, 2017 at 8:47 pm
My husband and I had a waterbed for about 25 years. It wore out and we're trying to find a bed we both like. I am a side sleeper and my husband sleeps on his back. He's 6'2", 225 lbs. I'm 5'3", 175 pounds. We bought a saatva soft and it was too hard and never got comfortable. We are sleeping on the Alexander Signature Soft and love the feel but are waking up with sore backs. Maybe not enough support? Alexander makes a hybrid labeled as "soft". Is it more supportive but still cloud like? Loving the soft except for the sore back.
MattressNerd Says
June 18, 2017 at 11:10 pm
They're both solid mattresses and I'm an affiliate for both companies. It's tough to know which one is better for you. When I tried them, the L&L Relaxed Firm felt a little stiffer than the Alexander Medium, but other than that, I don't think you'd be making a mistake either way you went. One thing to keep in mind though is the Nest does the more common thing with direct-to-consumer foam mattresses and ships it in a box. For the Loom and Leaf, you're paying for delivery, which isn't refundable if you return it. On the other hand, they set it up for you. So, there's a tradeoff that way. Besides that and the firmness difference, they're pretty similar and it is not at all a clear choice one way or another. It's like Coke vs Pepsi in my opinion.
Mike Says
June 18, 2017 at 4:09 pm
Dear Mattress Nerd, Having a hard time deciding between the Nest Alexander Medium and Loom and Leaf Relaxed Firm. Researching, the L&L seems to get slightly higher grades but it appears it may have slightly less dense foam in the bottom layers. So my concern is it may wear faster and the Nest may be a better value long term. Any thoughts? Love the site and insight you provide. Thanks, Mike
MattressNerd Says
June 17, 2017 at 6:00 am
The L&L will be slightly firmer, and they have a delivery charge that isn't refundable, but otherwise they're fairly similar. It's impossible to tell which one you'll like better. I know it doesn't help, but I don't think going either direction would be a bad choice.
Mike Says
June 16, 2017 at 10:07 am
I am struggling between the Nest Alexander Medium and the Loom and Leaf Relaxed Firm -- did you prefer one over the other? Thanks!
MattressNerd Says
January 27, 2017 at 8:43 pm
If you prefer the Cloud Luxe from Tempurpedic, I'd recommend the Soft Alexander.
Colleen Gabrielle Says
January 23, 2017 at 7:00 pm
I am 140 lbs, side sleeper, back and hip pain, and lots of problems with pressure points waking me up at night (especially my hips). I am really interested in trying the Nest Alexander. Is it best to go for the medium since that is supposed to work for the majority of sleepers? I've read a few comments that some people find even the medium to firm for side sleeping and it creates pressure points on their hips and shoulders. I tried a Tempur-Pedic Cloud Luxe and a Cloud Supreme. The Luxe is very comfortable but just not sure I could get used to that much overall body sink. It gives quite a hug. The Cloud Supreme was also comfortable although it could have used a touch more sink for my shoulder than I was getting. Any advice?
SG Says
October 21, 2016 at 7:37 pm
Hey Im currently considering buying the Alexander in Medium/ soft or Novosbed Medium/ soft. Im 5'4 140 lbs and a side and back sleeper and my wife 5'1 110lbs side sleeper. We tried the Tempurpedic Cloud supreme breeze and like it. Which matress would you say is closest to to the Tempurpedic? If you have other suggestion am open to it. Also should we go with soft or medium. The only thing I would say I didnt like about the Tempurpedic would be the difficulties in getting out of it. I have a hard time getting up real early at 4am lol.
JackO Says
October 5, 2016 at 8:47 pm
Hi, I have been stuck between the Alexander Signature Series Medium/Soft vs. the Hybrid. I currently have had the Helix (My side is Medium Soft) and is way too hard. I have had now for a little over 30 days as well and it hasn't given at all. I have read in numerous post that the soft is not noticeable from the medium soft so that is out. I have decided on trying out the Nest Alexander series. Do I go Signature Series or Hybrid, and if I go Signature Series do I go Medium or Soft? My wife and I (in our early 30's) are combinations sleepers, she is 5'7" under 130 lbs, and likes her Helix medium side. I am 6'4" 190 lbs and like a softer "cloud, hotel" feel, but with good support (don't need back issues). I tend to sleep hot as well.
MattressNerd Says
September 25, 2016 at 12:48 pm
1) They didn't make you pay a fee, and 2) you didn't have to do the work to return it. Sounds like all you had to do was set it outside. So I don't think my assessment of the situation is a "joke."
Mike O Says
September 23, 2016 at 5:28 pm
" There is no fee for the return, and they do NOT make you do the work to return it. They will find a local charity for you and donate the mattress." I'm sorry, but that is a joke. I had to submit a bunch of photos to show it was in good shape - fair enough. But NY state generally prohibits mattress donations (they make it difficult to comply for health reasons, so no charities outside NYC usually accept them). After some back and forth with Nest I was told to put the mattress on craigslist for free, send them a link to the posting and a picture of the person taking it away, once one did. I declined, of course, for my own safety. Then I was instructed to donate it to a charity (already been through that discussion with them) or dispose of it with proof (a receipt or a photo). I finally contacted my trash hauler, and I have to set the mattress curbside so it can go to the local landfill. It's a good thing I'm strong and healthy enough to do all the lifting.
MattressNerd Says
August 1, 2016 at 6:31 pm
The L&L Relaxed Firm will be firmer than the Alexander Medium. Additionally, if you return the L&L, you don't get the delivery fee back. So it might be worthwhile trying the Alexander first, and if that's too soft, or you sink into it too much, switch it out for the L&L after.
Candace Says
July 31, 2016 at 3:38 pm
Hi -- I"m also comparing the Loom & Leaf Relaxed Firm to the Alexander Medium. I tend to gravitate to softer, but have lower back and hip issues. Want something that is firm enough to provide support w/o me melting into the bed and causing me to angle funny. I understand the Alexander mattresses to be a bit softer in general. I sleep well in hotels and they are usually medium, I figure anyway. Is the Loom & Leaf like sleeping on a board -- I need something balanced and not too firm, not too soft. And while I want memory foam, I don't want to sink into it like you do Temperpedics.
Stephanie Says
July 24, 2016 at 9:07 am
Curious as to why you are getting a different brand? I am considering a Beautyrest Black. What is your experience? I need a zero motion transfer, super cool mattress. Would you recommend the Alexander over the BB?
Robin Says
July 12, 2016 at 6:42 pm
TRC, I'm wondering what you ultimately decided on. I have had the Love Bed (medium) a few weeks and feel it may be a little to firm. I'm thinking the Alexander Hybrid maybe? Currently waiting for the topper to arrive. I'm 5'2, 180lbs and a side sleeper with some intermittent spine issues.
Ann Says
July 5, 2016 at 12:14 pm
Hi Brandon, Curious how the Alexander soft worked out. I'm 5'-3", 110 (side and back sleeper) and I'm debating between the soft or medium with a soft kit. Any feedback? Thanks.
MattressNerd Says
June 2, 2016 at 8:52 pm
They're very different mattresses. The Saatva is a more traditional innerspring mattress. It has a very old-school construction; it reminds me of some of the "Luxury" mattresses from 15 years ago. The Alexander Signature models are foam mattresses more like Tempurpedic. The Hybrid model is similar to a Tempurpedic Flex.
Kevin Sanders Says
June 2, 2016 at 5:05 pm
Curious about your opinion of the Saatva vs the Alexander. Both seem really good for lower back issues. I have a tempurpedic now and I am ready for a change plus it's over 10 years old. Thoughts ?
Brandon Says
May 21, 2016 at 8:21 pm
Thank you for providing all of the reviews, it's been a great resource. I just ordered the Alexander soft. I'm an athlete, 6', 150 lbs and side sleep. My wife is 5'3", 110 lbs. We're both kinda bony :). We've always had spring mattresses and all of the foam we've tried has felt too firm. I feel like we made a good choice based on your recommendations. We're excited to try it. Thanks!
MattressNerd Says
April 28, 2016 at 2:49 pm
That's funny, I didn't do a review about Novosbed.
Jimmy Says
April 28, 2016 at 10:07 am
Thanks for the quick reply. I also read your review about the Novosbed. What are some of the competitive pro and cons of Novosbed vs Alexander?
MattressNerd Says
April 27, 2016 at 12:33 pm
The Alexander Soft would probably be the one closest to what you liked.
Jimmy Says
April 26, 2016 at 8:04 am
Hi. Thanks for the great reviews. We are small sized couple. In the mattress stores we loved tempura cloud supreme breeze and sealy optimum inspiration plush and optimum elation (both with opticool). Of course these store mattresses are overly priced for our budget. Out of the Leesa and Alexander (med, firm, soft) which one do you think would be better or alike the above two. Thanks!!
MattressNerd Says
April 8, 2016 at 10:26 am
I'd recommend either the soft or the hybrid. I haven't tried the Dreamfoam ones, but they seem pretty decent and fairly generic. I don't have any strong opinion one way or the other about Dreamfoam. I don't think they're quite as good as the ones by Nest judging by the specs, but they're also a little lower priced, so it's a wash.
Natalie Smith Says
April 7, 2016 at 6:51 pm
Hi thanks for your reviews! I'm debating between Alexander medium, soft, or hybrid. I do prefer a pretty soft mattress but have never had a foam mattress before. I'm 5'5" and 124lbs. I'm a side sleeping and my lower back kills on a firmer mattress.. I am currently sleeping with my 11 month old son in the bed and hoping the soft won't be too soft for him. Also, have you tried Dreamfoam?
MattressNerd Says
April 4, 2016 at 2:21 pm
If you liked the Contour Elite more than the Rhapsody, get the Firm. If you liked the Rhapsody more, get the Medium. If you couldn't tell the difference either way, you'd probably be happy with either of the Alexanders, though I'd recommend the firm because if it's too firm, you can always add a topper.
Andrew Says
April 3, 2016 at 8:47 pm
Hi - Thanks for your insight. I am 5'10" 185 lbs. and prefer a firmer mattress (stomach and side). My wife, 5'8" 125 lbs. and prefers a little bit softer, (side mostly) but is open to a firmer mattress. I also prefer to sleep cooler than warmer. Lower back pain every morning has me searching fo a new mattress but getting lost in the many options. I've narrowed it to the Alexander. We tried Tempurpedic in the store and liked the Contour Elite and Rhapsody Breeze but certainly didn't like the price tag. Based on these models would you recommend a medium or firm in the Alexander?
MattressNerd Says
February 10, 2016 at 4:42 pm
It's quite likely that the mattresses don't run hot, but rather you run hot. The "heavenly bed" mattress is an old-school innerspring mattress with plenty of air flow. If it's uncomfortable, you should exchange or return it. It's a 100 day policy.
harro Says
February 9, 2016 at 11:00 am
I have the alexander. I guess I always run hot. My old W hotel "heavenly bed" mattress ran hot for me. This one runs hot as well :( Quite uncomfortable, not sure what to do. I'm just past my 90 days.
MattressNerd Says
February 8, 2016 at 3:11 pm
I haven't tried the Alexander Hybrid yet, but I'm heading to New York next week to try it and I'll add it to my review. The Loom and Leaf will be MUCH firmer. It's not even close. I tried the L&L "relaxed firm," and it was about the same firmness as the Alexander Firm. If you want something "medium or soft," stay far away from the Loom and Leaf.
Oscar Says
February 7, 2016 at 4:52 pm
Hi there I'm trying to decide between the Alexander hybrid and the Alexander medium or soft and the loom and leaf I like that the loom and leaf has cooling gel. I'm a side sleeper 5'9 175 my wife is 5'7 135 side and back sleeper she has shoulder and hip pain thanks
MattressNerd Says
January 3, 2016 at 9:38 am
Haven't tried it yet, but according to their website it's a little softer than the Medium.
Cindy Jacobs Says
January 2, 2016 at 11:20 pm
Hi, I am wondering what you think about the Alexander Hybrid. From everything I've heard the Alexander medium would be a good choice for me and my husband. However, I read in another review on another website that the sides are not very structured and this person felt as if she were slipping off the side. There aren't any reviews on the Nest website yet so I'm wondering what, if anything you've heard about the hybrid. Thanks so much. -Cindy
MattressNerd Says
December 31, 2015 at 10:20 am
If it's just a little too firm, the Alexander Medium would work, but so would a ~2" topper. You can price out each and see which makes the most sense for you. If the Leesa is way too firm, then the Alexander Soft would be good. As for the motion, that makes sense. The Alexander only uses memory foam in the comfort layers, which is better at separating motion than latex (which Leesa uses... well, a synthetic latex anyway, not natural latex).
Melissa Says
December 31, 2015 at 7:51 am
Hello! We got the Leesa a few weeks ago, and I still feel it is too firm for me. However, my husband likes it. We are both pretty small people. I'm wondering if we should try the Alexander Medium, the Soft, or possibly get a mattress topper for the Leesa to see if that makes it more comfortable for me. I am a light sleeper, and also notice more motion transfer on the Leesa than I would like. I've seen a few reviews saying the Alexander has less motion transfer than the Leesa - do you agree? Thank you so much for your help!
MattressNerd Says
December 23, 2015 at 4:15 pm
Foam mattresses in general will sink wherever there is weight applied to it, for the most part. The firm version of the Love Bed or Alexander won't sink as much anywhere (middle or otherwise), but it might end up being too firm because of that.
Shan Says
December 23, 2015 at 12:53 pm
Thanks for all your awesome reviews. Never thought there was so much to mattress selection despite struggling with sciatica and lower back pain for years! Wifey and I have tried over 5 mattresses over the years (mostly memory foam) but they've all gotten hot or sunk in the middle. Just got leesa during thanksgiving sale and while we love the firmness and feel, the middle portion sinks. I am 6' 3" 220 stomach sleeper and wife is 5' 4" 175 side/stomach sleeper. Do Alexander or Love beds' firm or medium options sink in the middle? If not, thoughts on which option would best suit us? Thanks again!
MattressNerd Says
December 2, 2015 at 8:43 am
The Alexander Medium is a little softer than the Leesa, that's correct.
Megan Says
December 2, 2015 at 12:56 am
Hi! I read both the Leesa and Nest Alexander reviews and have a couple questions. We are currently sleeping on the leesa. At first I liked it, and now I keep thinking it's just too firm. I do sleep great on it (on my side). I can't sleep on my back on it because it feels to firm on the upper portion of my back. I can't sleep on my stomach (which is my #1) because my legs don't touch the mattress. ((like my lower legs don't sink into the mattress, they kind of stick into the air - if that makes sense)). So someone said I should look into the Alexander. I see on your firmness scale you rate the Leesa at a 3 and the Alexander at a 5. Is that accurate? Do you feel like the Alexander is less firm? Body type is a chubby 180 :) Thanks for your input!!
MattressNerd Says
November 19, 2015 at 2:13 pm
As long as the slats are close enough together, and the plywood is thick enough to hold it, you should be fine. Leesa and the Alexander are my two favorites in this area. I generally like the Leesa a little better for myself, because it's the right firmness, but Leesa only comes in that one firmness, while you have 3 choices with the Alexander. So if you know you like something a little on the softer side, or extra firm, the Alexander is better. If you like something that's kinda firm, but still gives a bit, the Leesa is better. Either way, they're great mattresses for the price.
Redd Says
November 18, 2015 at 2:06 pm
I know this sounds horrible but I sleep on a bit of a vintage bedframe and have a traditional spring mattress. However, I tossed out the boxspring and have my mattress on top of large slats of plywood. (Ha!) I assume the Leesa or Alexander would fair just as well on the plywood slats? I don't want to buy any extra jazz after buying a new mattress. If I sound like a poor college student... I just may be.. Also do you have a Leesa vs. Alexander opinion? I'm just tired of my back hurting!
MattressNerd Says
November 16, 2015 at 10:26 pm
Either is good. Leesa and the Alexander are my two favorites in the "direct to consumer" area. Leesa is a little cheaper and slightly firmer, while the Alexander Medium is a little softer and more expensive. So if you've generally favored softer beds, go with the Alexander. If you've favored them slightly on the firmer side, go with the Leesa. Either way, you're likely to be happy.
Tom H Says
November 16, 2015 at 8:16 am
Hi, I am 6 foot 230lbs and I am a side sleeper, back sleeper and stomach sometimes sleeper. What do you recommend for a bed for me and I was looking at the Leesa or the Alexander mattresses. Kindly Tom H
MattressNerd Says
October 26, 2015 at 12:19 am
The Alexander is slightly softer than the Love Bed. Just because your old memory foam mattress didn't give you proper support doesn't mean every memory foam mattress will also not give you proper support.
TRC Says
October 25, 2015 at 8:56 pm
I purchased the Love Bed medium and it is almost, but not quite, perfect. I sleep on my side and still have some pressure at my hips and sometimes shoulders - even though they kindly sent me a topper to put on it. I am considering switching to the Alexander medium. I have used memory foam before and it was fine for a while but then my back would ache from what I took to be lack of support. Any thoughts on this? I am average size - about 5'5" and height/weight proportional. Thank you
MattressNerd Says
October 25, 2015 at 12:10 am
The Alexander works fine on adjustable bases as far as I know. It should not void the warranty, but that would be something to ask them to be sure.
MattressNerd Says
October 25, 2015 at 12:09 am
It uses a quilted layer so you're not directly on the foam and it uses a layer of convoluted foam for air circulation in the mattress. If you sleep hot now, you will continue to sleep hot on the Alexander. There is no such thing as a mattress that cools you off. If you don't sleep hot on innersprings, you're unlikely to sleep hot on the Alexander.
tc Says
October 24, 2015 at 5:40 am
Also, I'm wanting to get an adjustable bed frame. Do you think the Alexander firm will be too heavy for it? What is the weight of the mattress and would using it with an adjustable frame void the warranty of the mattress? Thx.
tc Says
October 24, 2015 at 5:02 am
Hi. The Alexander medium sounds great for me, but Im concerned if it will sleep hot, since it doesnt have the latex on top. Even sleeping warm will be a turnoff for me, since I'm used to innerspring mattresses. What do you think?
MattressNerd Says
October 7, 2015 at 1:51 pm
If the Leesa was just a little too firm, the Alexander Medium should be perfect. If it was way too firm, get the Soft.
MattressNerd Says
September 5, 2015 at 10:39 pm
FTC Disclosure: I am an affiliate for Amazon and would be paid a commission if you purchase from the link in this comment. I recommend against Stearns and Foster for two reasons. One, they focus on materials that sound luxurious but don't actually contribute to the comfort of the mattress. Two, they're what's called MAP products, meaning they're not allowed to be sold below a certain price, which makes it tough to get a great deal on them. As for a custom bed, luckily there's a fairly easy solution for you since you want a king. Two Twin XLs put next to each other exactly equal a king size. There is a slight height difference between the firm and the medium, but that shouldn't be too big of a deal. They can be connected by something called a "bed doubler" strap so they don't slide apart. Here's an Amazon link. Another solution, which is actually fairly similar, is to get the firm so he has the support he needs, and buy a mattress topper after, either for the whole king (if he complains about the firmness), or just for your half of the mattress.
Nicole Says
September 5, 2015 at 7:17 pm
Hi, Thank you so much for all the helpful info. I have learned a lot! I am having the hardest time finding a king bed for my husband and I. He is 6'5 and 380lbs and I am 5'4 and 165lbs. It seems all the research I have found show he should have a firm and i should have a medium. I worry that one of us will not be comfortable. I can't afford one of those custom-built beds that tailor each side to weight and height. Could you possibly recommend a couple beds to try out that will be suitable for us and not break the bank? We are both side/back sleepers. My husband will not be trying out beds in the stores, but I will. There is a Stearns and Foster I was looking at online--they do not carry here in Bakersfield CA locally. Thank you for any suggestions Nicole
JQ Says
September 5, 2015 at 2:07 pm
Thanks for the thorough, and not too technical, review. Very Helpful! Have you tried out and written the "Love" review yet? I've had some questions for Joe, and he's been very responsive and helpful with his answers, but i may be stuck in limbo-land between the firm and the medium. I also like the idea of the natural latex, rather than the memory foam under the quilting. Thanks again! JQ
MattressNerd Says
August 31, 2015 at 7:53 pm
In general, foam mattresses are just better than innerspring mattresses. Foam mattresses get higher customer satisfaction ratings, and if you haven't tried a foam mattress, I recommend trying one. If you've tried foam mattresses in the past and just can't get used to them, then Saatva is fine. If you're a side sleeper, I'd recommend getting the Plush Saatva, since even the luxury firm one is quite firm. But, if you've never slept on a foam mattress, try one of those before Saatva. There's a reason most people in the mattress industry end up sleeping on a foam mattress.
MattressNerd Says
August 26, 2015 at 3:28 pm
If you prefer a medium to medium soft mattress, the Alexander medium is definitely the one to get. The Leesa is on the medium firm side.
Phil C. Says
August 25, 2015 at 7:22 pm
Hi. Thanks for your review. I am 240 pounds 6'4" and of athletic build. I am trying to decide between the Leesa and the Alexander (Medium or Soft). I am predominantly a side sleeper but I occasionally sleep on my stomach. I am leaning towards the Leesa but I am concerned that it will be too firm for me, as I generally prefer a medium to medium soft (not very soft) mattress and it seems like you feel the Alexander medium is slightly softer than the Leesa. So I am curious what you would recommend for a side sleeper? Which do you find to be the most comfortable mattress?
MattressNerd Says
August 19, 2015 at 9:49 am
In general, foam mattresses have a little bit of a break in period, so if you just received it, as in less than a couple days ago, give it maybe a week or two to break in because it will likely get a little softer than it currently is. If you've had it for maybe a month and it's still too hard, then switching to the soft version might be a good idea (although, it might be too soft for your husband. You can always make a firm mattress softer by adding a topper to it. There's no way to make a soft mattress firmer).
Johnna Says
August 19, 2015 at 2:29 am
I just rec'd my Alexander in the medium and am approximately the same height and weight as Emily. I seriously think I'm headed toward returning for the softer version. The medium is fine for my 6' tall, 240 pound husband and to him is a medium feel compared to our Beautyrest Black luxury firm. Just my own personal thought. Their pillows are great once you get over the off gassing.
Susan Says
August 18, 2015 at 8:50 am
Thank you, sort of what I thought.
MattressNerd Says
August 18, 2015 at 8:34 am
The medium would be best, I think.
Susan Says
August 18, 2015 at 8:19 am
Thanks for the review. On your reviews I have chosen the Alexander and feel more confident with this choice. Now, I am a stomach sleeper with occasional side sleeping. I have tried hard not to sleep on stomach do to the advice of my Chiropractor, but to no avail. I took a sleep test and they said I am better on a firmer mattress but I don't like anything that feels too hard. I am 5'6 and weight 155 lbs. Which firmness would you recommend? I am ordering next month through your link.
MattressNerd Says
August 2, 2015 at 7:11 pm
The Leesa falls in firmness between The Alexander Medium and the Alexander Firm, and I suspect that the Alexander Medium would be the better option for you based on your body type. The Leesa does have a little more bounce back than the Alexander Medium, however you don't really get much of a quicksand feeling in the Alexander Medium because of the quilted cover. You're not directly on top of memory foam like you would be on, say, a Tempurpedic. Especially since you two are on the lighter side of the spectrum, I doubt you're going to sink far enough into the Medium for it to be a problem.
Emily Says
August 2, 2015 at 6:18 pm
I'm considering the Nest Alexander or the Leesa, but I was wondering about the difference in feel between the two. I'm about 5'4 and 110lbs, with somewhat bony shoulders and hips; my husband is relatively small and thin as well, although he carries a little extra weight around the middle these days. We're both mostly side sleepers. I'm leaning towards the Alexander Medium to accommodate us both. Sounds like it's about a 5-6 in firmness compared to a 3.5 for Leesa? I like the idea of Leesa's Avena foam layer for bounce to eliminate the quicksand feeling of the memory foam. How does the Alexander do in terms of bounce back?


text:
HANOVER, VA (WWBT) - A Hanover county teacher's heartfelt effort to collect school supplies for New Jersey kids affected by Hurricane Sandy, inspired one of her students to start a collection of her own.
The response was enormous as the community reached out to help.
The mission was simple, to collect as many boots and blankets as possible for those still struggling after Hurricane Sandy.
10-year-old Kathryn Godfrey said she was inspired by her teacher, Jennifer Post's effort to collect school supplies for victims in Stewartsville, New Jersey, so she started making calls, sending emails, and contacting different businesses for help. She wanted to start something on her own.
"I felt that they needed to be warm and safe there cause they don't really have their houses anymore. I thought they should at least have some warm clothes," said Godfrey.
She caught the attention of Delegate John Cox who also owns a trucking company.
"She wrote me an email wanting to know if I could furnish a truck to take up to New Jersey. And I was so inspired by this 10-year-old girl," said Cox.
"She's been inspired to do something beyond and that's what every teacher wants is to see where they can go beyond the lessons in the classroom," said Post.
Washington Henry Elementary collected nearly 2,000 school supplies.
Kathryn's fundraiser brought in truck-loads of clothing items. There's still time if you want to donate, just email email@example.com.
Copyright 2012 WWBT NBC12. All rights reserved.


text:
I'm on vacation right now & I just checked my emailbox to see a few messages, saying how YAP has deteriorated as of late.
Yes, no thanks to a few good impersonators, clones & trolls.
I also saw a Q from BL who I have not seen in ages, asking about this very same thing?
And so what happened?
And I will ask again, do you think we need to call Jonas to start a clean up drive?


text:
215 N. Frontage Road
Nipomo, CA 93444
New 2018 Genesis Supreme 40 CRLOWEST PRICE IN THE USA!!!
Your local dealer DOES NOT WANT YOU TO SEE HOW LOW OUR PRICES ARE! MSRP on this unit is $77,344. We are the Low Price Leader. Make sure you compare the options that we offer to your local dealers list! Buy with us and save THOUSANDS!
It's time to take your fifth wheel up a notch to this Genesis Supreme toy hauler that provides 19' 9" to 25' 11" of off-road toy hauling space, plus several amenities you enjoy at home.
As you enter 40 CR to your right up the stairs a side aisle bath is on your left. Inside you will find a sink, angled shower, toilet, and overhead storage. There is even a second entry into the bath from the bedroom. Continue towards the front bedroom to find a queen bed with dual wardrobes and overhead storage. A dresser is across from the bed, and an optional slide out wardrobe would allow even more storage.
Inside the large cargo area you will find a combined living and kitchen space plus sleeping accommodations. There is a refrigerator for your perishables, a hutch, and overhead storage for your dry goods and dishes along the interior wall and road side wall. You can wash your pots and pans in the double kitchen sink, and cook your favorite off-road meals on the three burner range. A dinette is next to the entry door for meal time or even provides another sleeping space.
Next to the kitchen area you will find an optional slide out sofa along the road side and an entertainment center, plus two swivel/rocker chairs with an end table between on the opposite side. There is more overhead storage along the road side above the chairs and dinette for your helmets, gloves, and camping items.
There is a rear power queen bed that is 60" x 80" including a futon below for the kids or guests or they can use the sofa or dinette.
Power Cooling Package (see below)
Living Room Sofa Slideout
Opposing Rear Power Dinette
160W Solar
Stainless Steel Galley Package
Exterior TV Bracket & Hookups
EZ Flex Suspension
Heated & Enclosed Tanks & Valves
Cable Kit
Euro Stove
Upgrade Package
RVIA Certification Tag
Power Cooling Package
5.5 Onan Generator Upgrade
13.5K BTU Bedroom A/C
50AMP Service
In addition to the optional equipment and packages listed above, this trailer is also equipped with the following standard features:
102" Wide Body Platform
16" Deluxe Aluminum Alloy Wheels
Laminated Ramp Door w/Full Length Latches
Fiberglass, Laminated Aluminum-Framed Sidewalls
No Wheels Wells (Flat Floor)
Molded Front Fiberglass Cap
Spare Tire & Carder
Stab Jacks (2 Rear)
LED High-End Tall Lights
LED Flood Lights
LED Running Lights
Slam-Door Luggage Compartments
Powered Awning w/LED Rope Lighting
One-Piece PVC Vinyl Roof
Integrated Rear Spoiler
Walk-on Roof w/Folding Ladder
Black Tank Flush
Dual LP Tanks (30 lbs.)
Crown Molding
Solid Surface Galley w/Covers & LED Edge Light
Carpet Kit
Ceiling Fan
Inset Coffered Ceiling Panel w/LED & Accent Lights
Water Filter
LED Interior Lighting Throughout
LED Rope Lights/Living Room Valance
Magazine Rack (Color Coordinated) & Key Hooks
Pleated Night Shades Throughout
Rear Screen Wall
Skylight Above Shower/Tub
Stainless Steel Galley Sink w/High-Rise Pull-Down Faucet
Stainless Steel Backsplash - Galley/Lavy
Angled Glass Corner Shower Enclosure
DSI LP Water Heater, 2-Way 110V/LP (10 Gal.)
Furnace (BTU's) (30K)
4.0KW Onan /30 Amp/Transfer Switch
40-Gallon Fuel Station
A/C Living Room w/Ducting (BTU's)(15K)
AM/FM/CD/DVD Player w/4 Inside & 2 Outside Speakers
Large Double-Door Refrigerator (8ft.)
Three-Burner Range w/Oven
XL Microwave Oven with Over-the-Range Exhaust
Flat Screen TV's
Two Swivel/Rocker Chairs w/Table & Picture Window
Rear Power Bunk w/Futon & Bunk w/Ladder (Upper)
Rear Power Sofa Bed & Power Bunk Futon w/Ladder
Living Room Fold-Up Sofa Bed (Road Side)
Pillow-Top Mattress w/Coordinated Bedspread (Bedroom)
Rear Table and Legs
32" TV - Bedroom
Stock# 7048
Interior Color: Mocha
|41 ft
|Ext Width
|8 ft 6 in
|Ext Height
|13 ft 1 in
|Interior Color
|Hitch Weight
|2880 lbs
|Gross Weight
|17500 lbs
|Dry Weight
|11880 lbs
|Cargo Weight
|5620 lbs
|Fresh Water Capacity
|160 gals
|Grey Water Capacity
|50 gals
|Black Water Capacity
|50 gals
|Tire Size
|Furnace BTU
|30000 btu
215 N. Frontage Road
Nipomo, CA 93444
Toll-Free: 800-847-2989
Local: 805-929-8095
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Nipomo, CA 93444
Toll-Free: 1-800-847-2989
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Grover Beach, CA 93433
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Genesis Supreme RV is a family-owned business that has been in operation nearly four years. With a combined 65 years of RV experience, Genesis Supreme is led by one of the most talented management teams in the industry. Our commitment to quality, design, and customer satisfaction is unsurpassed. The staff and workforce of Genesis Supreme RV are industry veterans that take great pride in their workmanship and quality products.


text:
On my next trip to Turkey, Georgia, and Armenia I decided that I'm going to try something I'd never done before, I'll be traveling for 30 days carrying only a daypack. Even though I've always been a light packer, I'd never really thought about traveling with only a daypack.
RELATED: My Turkey, Georgia, and Armenia itinerary
Two recent occurrences made me re-think my current backpack size:
1. On my last flight out of Montana, I was given flak by a flight attendant because my bag wouldn't fit in the overhead compartment. It was a smaller plane so the overhead compartment was super tiny. I was told I had to check in my bag. As I walked back towards the front of the plane, I kept bumping people sitting on both sides of the aisle (this plane is seriously small) I felt like I was carrying an elephant.
2. My favorite nomad couple came to housesit for us this summer and everything they own fit in a 30L and a 40L packs. Everything. Their laptops, cameras, and even at one point, a banjo. That's when I realised that with some forethought and creative packing, traveling with only a daypack might not only be preferable, it can actually be done.
The Bag
The things I looked for when I was shopping for the bag was a separate compartment for laptop and lightweight. I always want it to be of bright color so it's easily spotted. On those accounts, Eagle Creek Mountain Valley fit the bill. After the bag arrived, I realised that another feature I'd have liked that this bag lacks is full front loading.
At $100 the bag isn't cheap but Eagle Creek has a reputation for making durable bags so I hope this one will last close to forever. Jack has an Eagle Creek travel pack that he's been using for almost 10 years and it's still going strong.
The Challenges
Packing for Cold Climate – If I were traveling to warm places, say SE Asia, things would be easier. Shorts and tshirts don't take up that much space. But Turkey, Georgia, and Armenia get quite chilly in September and October and it will require me to take the 'dress in layers' mantra more seriously.
Guidebooks – I like to travel with guidebooks. I hate the idea of ripping off pages. I can't stand the digital version. I guess if I have to I could photocopy the relevant pages and take those. Ugh.
Gadget Protection – since I won't be bringing a separate bag for my laptop (and other gadgets) protecting these from bumps and scrapes has become the toughest challenge. The idea of anything happening to my laptop (my work depends on it) is enough to get me searching for the best backup solution I can find. Then a backup solution to that backup. This is probably the most stressful part of the challenge.
How I Used to Travel
My prized posession is a carry-on sized 44L Osprey Talon backpack. I've literally carried it around the world with me. It's the only backpack I've owned besides a small laptop bag that I wear in front. It's an arrangement that has worked well for Jack and me.
We'd throw our main packs on the bus roof or check it in as luggage when flying. Then all we'd have to worry about is our laptop bags (this is where we keep our passports and other documents).
RELATED: Looking for carry on luggage instead?
Why Travel With Only a Daypack?
I'm not so sure exactly why I'm doing this other than to see that I can do it. Even though I'm not a minimalist, I don't like to be weighed down by things I don't need. At home I continually get rid of things I haven't used in a long time.
I guess this zeal of getting rid of excess bleeds over to my travel life. This challenge is my quest to figure out if there are further things I can live without when traveling.
I think this would be a fun experiment to try. Besides, what's the worst that can happen?