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I can't remember when, if ever, Pedro Almodóvar has had as much flamboyant fun as he does in the high-flying comedy "I'm So Excited!"
The sex and death, musically infused airline disaster farce is staged at 30,000 feet. Much of the story unfolds in the plane's crowded cockpit — just one of the many entendres the Spanish writer-director doubles to take an imperiled Mexico City flight to heights of lunacy.
The film is so off-the-wall, so raw, so risqué, so gay, that it may come as a shock even to Almodóvar fans used to his boundary-pushing ways. It is why "Excited!" will likely divide audiences into love-it or hate-it camps, as any good-bad campy film should. Even the relationship intrigues — one of the filmmaker's consistent strengths — are played with such a fanciful hand you'll be hard pressed to find a deeper meaning.
Best not even try. Better to settle in, fasten your seat belt and get ready for a bumpy ride.
Though the movie can be great silly fun, be prepared for everything to lean toward the "too too." Its retro visual style, too retro; the costumes, too tight; the language, too crude; the drinks, too frequent, too spiked; the sex, too exhaustive. Even the bad lighting is a bit too bad. And the script is too loosely constructed.
No matter. The skycaps' Broadway-styled lip sync of the Pointer Sisters' late-disco classic that gives the film its name is thrillingly awful and totally awesome. Almodóvar was brilliant to put that trio in charge of the drinks and entertainment. It is tempting to jump into the aisles and join them.
Stylistically, the extremes make for a film that is not as beautiful as Almodóvar's have been in recent years. But his choices do not seem random.
The movie begins on terra firma, baggage being loaded by a fetching ground crew of the filmmaker's favorites — Antonio Banderas and Penélope Cruz making cameos. Some dizziness proves a distraction, which leads to the plane taking off with its landing gear impaired.
In short order the plane's captain, Alex (Antonio de la Torre), and his co-pilot, Benito (Hugo Silva), are trying to burn fuel by flying in circles — another metaphor not so lightly dropped — while air traffic controllers look for an airport that can handle an emergency landing.
The entertaining cabin crew is led by head steward Joserra (Javier Cámara), who cannot tell a lie and is having an affair with the plane's married-with-children captain, so much for discretion. Fajas (Carlos Areces) is a gossip who spends a lot of time praying about other people's sins and tossing his hair. Ulloa (Raúl Arévalo) seems to believe that sex is the answer for any difficulty, or spare moment, one might encounter in life. That theory is certainly put to the test — I think everyone on board is in the throes of some sort of sexual crisis.
The passengers are a varied bunch. The most significant is Bruna, a rural psychic who can see death, so not the seatmate you want on a doomed flight. Made wonderfully dense by Lola Dueñas, Bruna is also hoping to lose her virginity in case this is her last chance.
Over the course of the film, the remaining business-class passengers will find they are not so much strangers as simply unaware of their connections. Almodóvar had knotted them together long before they boarded, but he takes his time sharing their secrets.
One of the film's running gags — and as poignant as things are ever allowed to get, which is not very — is the series of phone calls home once word of the mechanical failure spreads. For some reason the only phone working is on an intercom that can't be turned off — so the exchanges become ripe for public consumption and comment.
Though a crash could come at any point, "I'm So Excited!" is a lark — nothing more. Still, it is nice to see the filmmaker loosen up. The recent years have been such dark ones.
Almodóvar's last film, 2011's "The Skin I Live In," was a Frankenstein-esque morality tale of a modern-day plastic surgeon. "Broken Embraces," in 2009, took on the frustration and angst of a film director robbed of sight. The return of the spirit of a meddling mother did little to lighten the drama of 2006's "Volver." Even the humor of 2002's "Talk to Her," which won Almodóvar an original screenplay Oscar, was tempered by its story of comas, communication and loss.
It would probably take reaching back to 1983, to the drug-running gay nuns and other sacrileges of "Dark Habits," to find any parallels to the venerable Spanish director's new movie. Like "Habits," "I'm So Excited!" will not stand as one of Almodóvar's defining works. But for some completely frivolous, naughty nonsense, it may be just the ticket.
'I'm So Excited!'
MPAA rating: R for strong sexual content including crude references and drug use
Running time: 1 hour, 30 minutes; Spanish with English subtitles
Playing: ArcLight Cinemas, Hollywood; Landmark Theatre, West Los Angeles


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In our opening posts (here, here, and here), we considered the case of "Brad" and his long-time live-in girlfriend and three children. We considered the cost of Brad following Jesus and how the church should help him to pay that cost.
We've been thinking of Luke 14 as one foundation text for this series. There, the Lord says:
"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
28"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 29For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'
31"Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.
So, we're left to understand that those who turn from the broad path of the world to the narrow path of the Kingdom will need to count and pay the cost of following Jesus.
Scenario 2: Angela and Andy, Divorcees Wishing to Remarry
Today, I want to introduce a different scenario. Meet "Angela" and "Andy." They've been dating for about a year now. Both are professing Christians; they understand the gospel and give evidence of loving the Lord. They're in their early thirties and are active parts of two different local churches.
"Andy" is a member of your church. They've decided to marry and have come to you/your church seeking marriage counseling and to have the wedding there. As you speak with Andy you learn that both have been divorced. This will be their second marriage.
In Andy's case, his first wife had been unfaithful and they eventually divorced over the adultery. Andy and his first wife were professing Christians. In Angela's case, she had been unfaithful to her husband, leading to a divorce. At the time, neither Angela nor her husband were believers.
Andy's first wife has gone on to remarry and now lives with her second husband and four children across town. Angela's first husband has not remarried.
The Questions:
Can Angela and Andy remarry? If so, both of them, or one of them? Why or why not?
In your opinion, what are those costs in this situation? And how can you and your church help them bear those costs?
You don't have to be a pastor to answer these questions. I welcome your thoughts as a church member who might be called upon to help in a situation like this. The more the merrier!

subset: commoncrawl


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Walmart play a lead role in blocking a proposal to have global retailers help their Bangladesh suppliers improve their electrical and fire safety, according to the minutes of a meeting that have emerged in the wake of a factory fire that killed at least 112 garment workers in Dhaka last month. More than a dozen retailers, including Walmart, Gap, Target, and JCPenney convened in the Bangladesh capital in April 2011 to discuss a contractually enforceable memorandum that would require them to pay their factories more to cover the cost of upgrading their manufacturing facilities. Walmart, however, opposed the idea, noting that it wasn't "financially feasible" for brands to invest in the expensive modifications some factories would require.
PREVIOUSLY ON ECOUTERRE: Walmart Fires Supplier That Contracted Bangladesh Garment Factory
Sridevi Kalavakolanu, a Walmart director of ethical sourcing, and her counterpart at Gap told attendees their companies weren't willing to pay for the safety improvements. "Specifically to the issue of any corrections on electrical and fire safety, we are talking about 4,500 factories, and in most cases very extensive and costly modifications would need to be undertaken to some factories," they stated in a document, which was later incorporated into the minutes. "It is not financially feasible for the brands to make such investments."
A Walmart representative said the company wasn't willing to pay more to cover safety improvements at its Bangladesh factories.
A Walmart representative said the company wasn't willing to pay more to cover safety improvements at its Bangladesh factories.
Walmart spokesman Kevin Gardner told the New York Times that the company official's remarks in Bangladesh were taken out of context. "Walmart has been advocating for improved fire safety with the Bangladeshi government, with industry groups and with suppliers," he said, adding that the retailer—the world's largest—has helped develop programs to increase fire safety.
But some labor-rights campaigners aren't so convinced. "Walmart's efforts to evade accountability make a mockery of its pretensions to be committed to protecting the rights of workers in its supply chain," Scott Nova, the executive director of the Workers Rights Consortium, told The Nation on Thursday. "No company that is unwilling to pay [factories] enough to make it possible for them to operate safely can claim to be interested in any way in the rights or safety of workers."
Although Walmart insists that Tazreen Fashions, the site of Bangladesh's worst industrial accident, was no longer authorized to produce merchandise for the retailer, documents photographed by a Bangladeshi labor organizer after the fire revealed that five of the factory's 14 production lines were dedicated to producing apparel for Walmart as late as mid-September.
Walmart's Gardner said that accredited third-party auditors regularly inspected the facility on the company's behalf. A May 2011 audit produced an "orange" rating, indicating "higher-risk violations." A follow-up inspection that August downgraded Tazreen to a "yellow" rating, meaning "medium-risk violations."
Two days after the fire, the retailer announced that a supplier had "subcontracted work to this factory without authorization and in direct violation of [its] policies." Walmart also said it had severed its relationship with that supplier, although it declined to name it.
[Via New York Times and Bloomberg News]


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At times strangely numb, and at other points echoing a modernist affection for the coldest of structures and surfaces, the most recent work by Philadelphia painter Erin Murray certainly doesn't lack in focus. Murray's fixation on the bland, eerily coded architecture of American cities reveals an underlying criticism (or slightly tongue-in-cheek reference) to the simultaneous banality and sinister intentionality that exists in the spaces around us. Rather than allowing these ever-present backdrops of contemporary life to fade quietly into the background, she brings them forward in the hopes that the viewer will find the same suspicious significance in each graphic, expertly rendered façade.
Where her graphite works are dark and slightly ominous, the lush, surrealistic landscapes Murray has sketched out are deliciously disorienting. As a group, they reflect a curious interest in space, place and structure—something that might eventually push Murray's works off the page and into the 3D realm.


text: The Black Keys, The Hundreds, and Yonder Mountain String Band all share one thing in common – the incredible illustrations of Johnny Sampson. His original works have graced gig posters, t-shirts, and even the walls of galleries. Yet, his talent is so great and diverse as to enable him to do all that and more without ever repeating himself stylistically. Whether he's ripping on old comic book covers, Lichenstein dots, or 70's cult movie nostalgia, Johnny Sampson is doing it with a master's flare and impeccable taste.


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Warriors-Spurs: Series Hub | Game 1: Box score | Notebook
SAN ANTONIO — On the court of our dreams, they would still be out there playing. Shot for shot, pass for pass, the astonishing marvel of a relentless attack against a miracle comeback born of experience and stubbornness.
There were spin drives that swirled faster than the winds inside a funnel cloud and a clinching 3-pointer that came down wearing a touch of blue from scraping against the sky.
Bop till you drop. Last team standing advances to next round. If that were the case, they might keep on fighting this battle into July. Or even August.
This was billed as a Western Conference semifinal series that would bear watching, and for three hours and 12 minutes of Game 1 we were like cavemen mesmerized by their first glimpse of fire.
OK, so why not get carried away about the Spurs' 129-127 double-overtime masterpiece over the Warriors? About the only things missing were a gold frame and a spot behind a velvet rope on the wall in the Louvre.
If Dr. Naismith's game has been played better, it certainly wasn't on this planet. The extraterrestrial Stephen Curry rang up another out of this world third quarter, hitting 9 of his 12 shots for 22 of his 44 points. The remarkably down-to-earth Danny Green matched Curry's half-dozen from long range. And a zaftig Frenchman who hadn't played in exactly one month — Boris Diaw — provided a certain je ne sais quoi.
The Spurs trailed by 16 with 4:31 left in the fourth quarter and forced overtime. The Warriors trailed by five with 1:06 left in the second OT and nearly stole off into the night with the win.
"It was a crazy game," said the Spurs' Tony Parker.
Never crazier and never swinging further from the ridiculous to the sublime than when Kawhi Leonard's inbounds pass found a wide open Manu Ginobili, who launched a high-arching 26-footer that settled into the bottom of the net with 1.2 seconds left to end it all.
All of that on the night when Ginobili made just 5 of 20 shots from the field and just 44 seconds earlier had missed badly on a brain-lock 3 try from straight out.
"I went from trading him on the spot to wanting to cook him breakfast tomorrow," said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. "That's the truth.
"When I talk to him and Manu, he goes 'This is what I do.' That's what he's going to tell me. I stopped coaching him a long time ago."
It was beautiful and bombastic, frantic and fragile, wild, woolly and wondrous … and certainly the best game of the season and maybe as good a playoff game as has been played in any season. It was Nureyev and Baryshnikov on the same stage, Picasso and Pollock on the same wall, Miles Davis and Leonard Bernstein making music together.
The sixth-seeded Warriors wear their underdog image as a suit of armor, fearless and invulnerable and even after losing their 30th consecutive game in San Antonio since 1997, have served notice that they no longer intend to be polite houseguests.
The second-seeded and ageless Spurs simply look at every game and every situation as something that can be handled, even if it's like picking up a hot coal in their bare hands.
On one hand, the Spurs will have to devise a plan to stifle or at least slow down Curry, who has joined the Rolling Stones as the hottest act touring America this spring. They will also have to fret that if Klay Thompson hadn't fouled out and Richard Jefferson hadn't missed two free throws with 1:57 left, they might never have survived regulation time.
On the other, the Warriors probably have to figure that the Spurs won't continue shooting 43.8 percent in the series and that Tim Duncan will be more of a force at both ends of the floor when he shakes off the effects of the flu that eventually forced him to the sidelines.
Jarrett Jack attacks, the Spurs answer. Curry thrusts and Parker parries.
"We're excited about this series," said Warriors coach Mark Jackson. "I saw a lot of good things during the course of the game tonight."
The good news is there could be six more left. The bad news is there can only be six.


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'CSI: Highline' Season Finale Presentation to be Given March 11 & March 13
"CSI: Highline" Season Finale, a public presentation on findings from the Community Salmon Investigation (CSI) for Highline – will be given on two days – Monday, March 11 and Wednesday, March 13, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
The March 11 presentation will be at the Burien Community Center (14700 6th Ave SW) and the March 13 one will be at the Normandy Park Community Club (The Cove; 1500 SW Shorebrook Drive).
The same presentation will be given both days, and light refreshments will be provided.
The exceptional scientific endeavor of over 29 volunteers last fall gives us a better understanding of adult salmon returns to Miller and Walker Creeks, which drain Burien, SeaTac, and Normandy Park. From October through December, volunteers navigated water high and low to count living fish and find dead ones for measurement and investigation of spawning success.
Each "season finale" will feature:
- The CSI: Highline program – who participated, how they surveyed
- Final population estimates for chum and coho salmon in two local streams
- How many coho died before spawning, and why
- Photos and videos
- Unexpected findings – things exciting and strange
- Overview of key factors affecting salmon health in the streams: stormwater volumes, water quality, streamside vegetation
- How you can participate this fall
- There will also be a brief "thank you" ceremony for the 2012 volunteers at the March 13 event
"Whether you want to know more about the Highline environment or are interested in volunteering for the 2013 survey season, this season finale is not to be missed!" reads an announcement.


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|2004-11-07, 13:49
|Link #41
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: The dog gossips too much.
Speaking of Takamura, he recovered pretty quickly from finding that creature in his poop. I thought he'd be paranoid for a while, but he got over it in a number of pages. Note to self: don't read chapter 358 while eating. -_-
I'm looking forward to his world title challenge, and even beyond, but I'm kinda scared about his weight. I mean he even has to struggle to stay in middleweight range. Junior middleweight, is he trying to commit suicide?
|2004-11-07, 17:09
|Link #42
Join Date: Jun 2003
Age: 36
There's nothing cooler than when Takamura finally loses it. Really, the next 3 volumes are probably my very favorite Ippo volumes in the entire series, just 'cause you learn SO much about a character that really hasn't been fleshed out at all (and I didn't even realize how little I knew about him until they started getting into what makes him tick).
|2006-06-24, 11:58
|Link #45
Just call me Ojisan
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: U.K. Hampshire
|2006-06-25, 07:08
|Link #47
Genin Featherweight
I believe it has been asked before
Anyway, the anime ends after "Lollapalooza", and that's about Volume 30 in the manga. There were two OVAs released after that (Ippo's 1st title defense and Kimura's challenge for the J. Lightweight title vs. Mashiba). If you've likewise seen that, then start at around Volume 33 of the manga.
|2006-07-22, 22:56
|Link #50
For a blue and pure world
Join Date: Dec 2004
For some reason, I think miyata turned down the fight because he figured that Ippo would lose all motivation/retire once he fought him (he was right). So he turned down the direct route to their fight and risked the whole cancellation hoping that Ippo would find his own motivation and fight him another way...that or he couldn't make weight =\
|2006-07-23, 07:25
|Link #52
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Obviousland--land of the obvious!
|2006-07-24, 07:35
|Link #53
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Age: 35
FYI the OPBF is made up of the following countries:
Australia, Fiji, Guam, Hawaii (USA), Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand, Philippines, PAMA (Professional Association of Martial Arts, representing boxers from several Asian republics of the former USSR), Republic of China, Samoa, Thailand and Tonga.
PAMA sounds interesting.
|2006-09-25, 09:59
|Link #54
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Age: 29
Hajime no ippo.. volume question
Ive searched around but i cant seem to find what volume i should start reading after ive seen the anime.. Any1 know ? or can help me find it? I would appreciate it very much.
Last edited by Snubben_Pierre; 2006-09-25 at 10:45.
|2006-09-25, 19:31
|Link #57
~Night of Gales~
Join Date: Dec 2005
|2007-04-11, 20:41
|Link #59
Wu Di Jin Gang Tui
Join Date: Jan 2007
The last post for this fantastic manga was around 6 or 7 months ago but I wanted to bring it back to the top of the list even if only for a day or two simply because it is underappreciated in the face of some of the crap out there that passess for manga. it is a sports manga that centers around a guy named Ippo and his friends who are boxers. But the manga is rife with humor, character development and generally good writing. it spans 78 official volumes at present and enough chapters for 2 more and it can take a couple of months to read and digest all of it. you will find yourself rereading volumes and really sympathising with characters. for those of you who say you hate boxing, give this manga a try, in 10 tanks you will be hooked, in 20 you will wanna watch boxing on espn by 78 you will consider yourself a fan. This is a great and adictive series and if I can spread the word to just one more person then it is worth it. This is an unliscened manga so at present it is legal to download read etc online and I strongly encourage you to do so. Other mangas I have read are as good a story or have better art but few can take you on such a long journey and keep the characters and plot fresh and interesting.
|2007-04-12, 00:45
|Link #60
@0| |-|@|\|@
Join Date: Dec 2006
ippo is an excellent shounen manga
i've always preferred sports based shounen over those with magical elements and really, hajime no ippo takes the cake.
i also like reading how he trains as well as the different moves that boxing entails. I have my doubts over several other issues raised in the manga (namely one of them is i think the mangaka is somewhat racist) but overall its a pretty good read.
|boxing, shonen, sports
|Thread Tools


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The door is open and she's standing in the light of the entryway. She is very pretty. Certainly he notices this.
When he gives her the signal, she steps up, smiles a nice smile, and hands him her ID.
It is the real driver's license of a pretty 21-year-old girl, but the girl is not her. The doorman looks down at the ID closely and without looking up asks her for backup, which at Mary Ann's means he wants to see her Boston College ID. As she reaches into her purse to get it, her posture shifts, ever so slightly, to a studied naturalness. It's the tell that comes from trying to avoid a tell.
The doorman looks down at the IDs, then up at the girl, and now he gets nervous. He knows it's not her. He takes a deep breath, puts the IDs in his right hand, and pushes them back toward the girl.
"I'm sorry,'' he says, and he means it, too.
School is back in session in this college town, and the 2011-2012 edition of fake ID season has begun again at those bars that cater to undergrads. It is a cat-and-mouse game that has been going on for decades, and while technology has changed the playing field - bars have better detection methods, and forgers have better tools, too - the ultimate decision still rests with the doorman, and his gut. He can, both sides agree, still be fooled with a good fake, or a good smile.
At Mary Ann's, the doorman is always a BC student, and his job is to card BC students, because Mary Ann's is the most BC bar on the planet, and part of the social pecking order involves getting into "M.A.'s'' early and often. The Brighton dive has been a fixture of campus life since the Nixon administration, back when an 18-year-old could drink and smoke in a bar. As that drinking age rose to 20at the end of the '70s before hitting its current number in 1985, the social dynamic at college bars - and the doorman's job - changed dramatically.
Legally drinking at a college bar became the province of juniors and seniors. Getting around the law became the quest of everyone else.
Mary Ann's has long been vigilant at the door. They have a scanner to read the strips and barcodes on IDs - which they rarely use - and make everyone sign their name, driver's license number, and date of birth in ledgers right at the doorman's stand. It's a good way to spot nerves. "And it's also a good sobriety test,'' Chris Eld, the manager, said as he watched a girl put down her BlackBerry to pick up a pen.
"But the best tool is up here,'' he said, pointing at his head. "Doormen have to have the confidence to say no to their friends.'' He is constantly reminding his employees that they have "staff'' on their shirts. A lot of them hate to work the door, hate having to be the bad guy in a game that many were on the other side of not too long ago.
On the first night of classes at the Heights, the bar was full by 10:30 and there were 80 people outside in a misting rain, waiting for people to come out. Throughout the night, everyone interviewed insisted that they were, in fact, 21, because that's what you say to a reporter who asks if your ID is fake.
Still, most would talk about what it was like, way back when, when they had fake IDs (just as long as they didn't have to give their names).
In 2011, well into the age of Photoshop, the days of being photographed standing in the corner of a giant cardboard license are long gone, and the students said it remains rare to hear of anyone making their own fake IDs. Most state IDs are more like credit cards now and, the students said, are tricky to master. New York's license is printed on a weird bendy plastic, and the latest Massachusetts license has a large hologram over the date of birth that will become a black circle if photocopied. And they all have some sort of strip to be read by a scanner.
There are, of course, many places that sell fake IDs online, but the students say they are more often garbage than good, as the "Wall of Shame'' at the liquor stores in Brighton attests.
'Doormen have to have the confidence to say no to their friends.'
Still, the students said, good IDs can be had. And as in generations past, they come from a guy who knows a guy, or from sketchy backrooms in places like East L.A. and Chinatown in New York. The process usually involves handing over your own ID and about $100 and getting back an age-appropriate replica. Some will even scan. There's also a computer scientist who, for fun, figured out the algorithm that creates driver's license numbers for many states, allowing for a fake person to get the actual number they would have if they were real.
Even with a solid fake that passes the scanner, the doormen at Mary Ann's can and do say no. The doormen are almost always seniors, and they know who is in their class, and who is not.
But BC kids are crafty. Like Mary Ann's, it's not an easy place to get into. Some do sneak by, Eld admitted.
Boston Police make regular sweeps. In 2005, the Boston Licensing Board suspended Mary Ann's liquor license for the sixth time after an officer fell down a stairwell chasing some underage drinkers. For a year after that, the bar only accepted Massachusetts-issued IDs, but business suffered so they had to go back to accepting all states' IDs while becoming particularly vigilant.
During the course of a typical night, Eld said they'll turn away anywhere from five to 15 people. For those who get sent back to the dorms, Eld will often tell them, quite simply: "It's not your time.''
Inevitably, though, it will be their time. They will turn 21, and then they will have full access to what all the fuss is about, get to experience the proud awfulness of Mary Ann's.
The bathrooms smell historically bad and have oddly irregular geometry. Outside, all three windows are boarded up, and above them is the mustard yellow sign with "Mary Ann's'' in green script. Half of it used to be a laundromat.
But that's Mary Ann's, that's how it has always been, and entering the society inside is quite simply a rite of passage at the Heights. So is trying to fool the doorman.
"The secret to using a fake ID is that you need multiple backups,'' a female senior said as she waited in line to have her ID checked. "Health insurance cards. Old ATM cards. You have to just throw them at them, be like, 'Are you serious? How dare you ask me?' ''
But that was a long time ago. She's, like, old now, she said. She's 22.
In fact, she said, she hoped that none of the underage kids got in. Her friends nodded. They didn't want to have to socialize with sophomores.
At Mary Ann's, this was their time. Everyone else just needed to wait their turn.Billy Baker can be reached at email@example.com. Follow him on Twitter @billybaker.


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Aquinas Institute of Theology and Saint Louis University offer a dual M.A./Ph.D. program for students focused specifically in the area of health care ethics. The M.A. at Aquinas Institute provides a strong theological foundation for students in the Catholic concentration of the Ph.D in Health Care Ethics at St. Louis University. Students study at Aquinas Institute for the first year, and then begin studies at St. Louis University in the second year. Students are admitted for M.A. studies at Aquinas Institute and conditionally admitted separately for Ph.D. studies at St. Louis University. A cumulative GPA of 3.3 within Aquinas Institute's program is required for full admission to Saint Louis University. Tuition is paid separately to each school, and degrees are awarded separately.
Candidates for the Master of Arts in Theology are required to complete 36 hours of coursework and a written and oral comprehensive examination. Six of the required hours for the M.A. are fulfilled by Ph.D. courses at Saint Louis University. Students are also required to develop a major paper, approximately 25 pages in length, of publishable quality and demonstrating appropriate methodology and content.
Contact the Office of Admissions and follow the instructions contained in the Application for Admission.
Applicants to the master's program in theology must possess a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution. In addition, applicants must have obtained 12 undergraduate credits in theology and philosophy, taken together. Deficiencies in undergraduate study may be made up at Aquinas Institute. A student needing to make up deficiencies will be informed at the time of admission and will arrange to make up the deficiencies with the advice of the academic adviser or the Dean.
36 hours in specific graduate-level courses are required for successful completion of the M.A. program. Six of the required hours for the M.A. are fulfilled by Ph.D. courses at Saint Louis University. Equivalent substitutions for any of the courses may be made depending on the student's previous study and/or goals with the approval of the Academic Dean.
M.A. Course Requirements:
To find the curriculum requirements for the Doctoral studies portion of the dual M.A./Ph.D. program, visit Saint Louis University's M.A./Ph.D curriculum web page.


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Kaepernick Given Muhammad Ali Award
Colin Kaepernick has another accolade. Beyonce made a surprise visit Tuesday night to the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year Awards to give the former San Francisco 49er the Muhammad Ali Legacy Award. "Daily Show" host Trevor Noah introduced Beyonce and said Kaepernick's decision to protest police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem sparked a national conversation about race. He also noted that Kaepernick has faced consequences from his actions.
Past winners of the award include Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson.
Photo: AOL


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VIDEO: The Daily Zap for games played Feb. 23
Kobe on Collins and courage "domino" effect | Oden's makes waves, first start for Heat | Clippers finally get what they need … win over the Thunder | Wizards turn to veterns for help down the stretch | A "shoe war" over Lillard?
No. 1: Kobe insists Collins courage will have domnio effect — Making history surely wasn't on the mind of Jason Collins Sunday night, as he became the first openly gay athlete to suit up and play in one of the four major American sports. All Collins, of the Brooklyn Nets, was trying to do was earn his 10-day contract keep and help his team win. Whether he likes it or now, though, Collins is taking groundbreaking steps that will generate what Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant called a courage domino effect across the landscape. Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports explains:
"His impact [Sunday night] is greater than what people think," Bryant told Yahoo Sports before the game. "You look at it from the context of having the first openly gay player. But they missed the domino effect that it has way beyond sports."
Collins, now in his 13th season, was a free agent at the time of his announcement and the Nets were the first team to sign him. Bryant said his initial reaction to Collins signing with Brooklyn was, "It's great. Let's hoop."
Along with having an impact on the gay and sports communities, Bryant says the news teaches the youth "it's OK to be yourself" and will motivate people from all walks of life.
"It's fantastic. It sets an incredible precedent," said Bryant, who is currently out of the Lakers' lineup indefinitely with a knee injury. "I think the most important part about it, what I've learned on the issue is that one person coming out is showing this type of courage that gives others that same type of courage.
"It's dealing with a lot of issues for kids who are afraid to be themselves. Afraid to be themselves because of the peer pressure that comes with it. A lot of these kids have depression issues or they're being teased from other kids for being different. You wind up seeing a lot of suicides, kids injuring themselves and getting hooked on things that they should not be hooked on."
On the impact of Collins' first game, Bryant said: "There is a kid out there who … is going to say, 'Jason gave me strength in dark moments to be brave. He gave me courage to step up and accept myself for who I am despite what others might be saying or the public pressures. He gave me strength and bravery to be myself.'"
Collins, who was scoreless in 10-plus minutes of action, said in response to Bryant's praise, "That's along the same lines of what I would say to every other professional athlete. … Realize that there is support there waiting for you. That's the only thing I can say about encouraging people to be their true self."
VIDEO: Jason Collins waxes on his season debut with the Brooklyn Nets
No. 2: Greg Oden's first start for Heat (sans LeBron) ends with a win — Greg Oden made some news of his own Sunday, earning his first start for the Miami Heat in their win over the Chicago Bulls. The former No. 1 overall pick reached yet another milestone in his long journey back from what once appeared to be career-ending knee injuries. His start came without LeBron James in uniform, the Heat superstar sat out with that broken nose suffered against the Oklahoma City Thunder last week. But this day was about Oden and his milestone, writes Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald:
Oden's big-picture perspective is unwavering.
He's just happy to be here.
"For me, each game getting better and walking off healthy — they're all milestones to me," said Oden, who is attempting to revive his career after a series of knee injuries. "It has been a long road, so every one is a good one for me."
Sunday might have been the best of all. He started his first game since December 2009 and played nearly 13 minutes in Miami's victory. During his brief time in the game, Oden matched up against Bulls center Joakim Noah and had five points and five rebounds.
"He's an active player for someone that big," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "He makes multiple efforts, he gives you extra possessions and he's very intelligent, so he has a pretty good grasp of what we want and how we want to play already."
With LeBron James out with a broken nose, Spoelstra went to Oden for his size inside against the Bulls and also to keep the Heat's second unit somewhat intact. Chicago is one of the league's most aggressive rebounding teams and it showed early. The Bulls held a 32-19 rebounding advantage after the first half.
"We knew the minutes would be short for Greg still — 10 to 12 minutes — so we figure that [it would] be best to get him in that starting lineup," Spoelstra said. "We get to keep our rotations somewhat similar."
Oden said he could have played more than 13 minutes, which is a positive sign for the Heat. He is expected to be an important piece in the playoffs, especially against teams such as the Bulls and Indiana Pacers, which feature big frontcourts.
On a contending team for the first time in his career, Oden is following the lead of his more experienced teammates and Oden's health is returning just in time for the Heat's playoff push.
"They've all been through this before," Oden said. "This is one of my first times going through this. This is that push you've got to get for first place. That's what we are aiming for right now the next push is going to be when the playoffs come."
No. 3: Clippers finally get that much-needed win over The Thunder — The Los Angeles Clippers fancy themselves a championship team, as do the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Clippers, though, needed a win over the Thunder, on the road, to legitimize their claim. And they finally got that Sunday, solving their Thunder issue on the big stage and sending a message that they are indeed going to be a part of the power mix in the Western Conference playoff chase. As Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times reports, it was long overdue:
The Clippers needed this.
A 125-117 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Sunday carried restorative powers for a Clippers team had been unsuccessful against the NBA's elite on the road.
The Thunder owned the league's best record — until the Clippers' victory took their opponent down a peg to 43-14, percentage points behind Indiana (42-13).
The Clippers won with all five starters scoring in double figures. Jamal Crawford led the way with 36 points, but Matt Barnes (24 points, seven rebounds), Blake Griffin (20 points, seven rebounds, six assists), DeAndre Jordan (18 points, 12 rebounds) and Chris Paul (18 points, 12 assists, eight rebounds) all played significant roles.
"It's definitely a good win for us," said Paul, who played despite a sprained right thumb. "We were on the plane [Saturday] flying here and we were just talking about how we hadn't beat any good teams on the road, and this would be the perfect time to start."
The Clippers lost here earlier this season. They also have lost at San Antonio, Miami, Indiana and Portland, teams that rank among the best in the league.
The Clippers have won at Houston, but that was only one win against five road losses against the top teams.
Now the Clippers have a victory against a Thunder team that has lost only five games at home all season. They also have their first win since the All-Star game, after stumbling out of the break with losses to San Antonio and at Memphis.
"It was a very important win, especially having dropped our last two," Griffin said. "This win was big for us. We haven't really made a statement on the road. We've won some games, but we haven't won big games. So it was terrific for us."
VIDEO: Doc Rivers talks about the Clippers' big win in OKC
No. 4: Wizards turns to veterans for help down the stretch — Trades and injuries have a way of opening doors for NBA veterans this time of year and the Washington Wizards are not different. After their work on deadline day, the Wizards had a new point guard in Andre Miller and an opening for a few minutes for guys like Al Harrington and Kevin Seraphin. An injury to Nene created even more space for those two veterans and they answered the call for Randy Wittman's team. Michael Lee of The Washington Post with the details:
Kevin Seraphin couldn't get overly concerned when he saw Nene crumple to the ground in pain, then hop off the court and through the tunnel toward the Wizards' locker room on his good, right leg. Coach Randy Wittman called on Seraphin immediately after Nene went down with what the team is calling a sprained left knee in the third quarter of the Wizards' 96-83 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday. Seraphin had to be ready.
"Yeah. I saw him leave, but when we're in the game, we have to be focused on the game," Seraphin said.
The Wizards (28-28) were only up by three points at the time of Nene's departure and they have typically become flimsy when their most gifted big man is unable to finish a game. Washington squandered a 10-point fourth-quarter lead when Nene was ejected with roughly three minutes left in Oklahoma City, lost in overtime to Milwaukee when Nene strained his right Achilles' tendon, and suffered a controversial defeat in Houston after Nene fouled out late in the fourth quarter.
After Luol Deng completed a three-point play to bring the Cavaliers within 73-72 with 93 seconds left in the third quarter, the Wizards were once again in danger of letting a winnable game get away from them. Then, Wittman put veteran Al Harrington on the floor and he made two huge shots – a driving layup and a three-pointer – to send the Wizards into the fourth period with a six-point lead.
"I was just looking for an opportunity. I was ready, obviously, the situation with Nene allowed me to do a little more," Harrington said. "It's tough. He's been playing some great basketball, so that was tough to see. Hopefully we can get him back sooner than later, but guys got to step up. I think we got enough guys that can do that."
Harrington didn't score for the rest of the game. But Seraphin came through with two huge, 10-foot jump hooks to push the Wizards ahead 82-74 early in the fourth quarter.
"He's capable of doing that," Wittman said of Seraphin. "The more he simplifies his game the better. Sometimes he likes to trick people, and we got to get him just to be simple. That's his move and he does it very well. Big couple of shots he hit."
Harrington finished with two rebounds and an assist and tried to extend the lead but missed a three-pointer and Wittman replaced him with Marcin Gortat. "I thought Al gave us a big lift in the second half. He was panting like a dog out there but we got to continue to get him rounded into shape," Wittman said of Harrington, who played just 31 seconds the night before against New Orleans as Nene matched his career high with 30 points.
No. 5: It's gotta be the shoes for Portland's Lillard — Portland All-Star point guard Damian Lillard made waves with his busy schedule during All-Star Weekend. There could be more waves on the horizon where he is concerned, courtesy of a budding tug of war over his shoe company. It's been a while since a battle between shoe giants made noise in the NBA, but Lillard's story is about to get interesting as Adidas and Nike get ready to tussle over the young star. Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com provides the minutiae:
Lillard, 23, has a profitable rookie shoe endorsement deal with adidas, though that could change abruptly due to clever language in his contract.
Being that he took home the 2012-13 NBA Rookie of the Year award, became an NBA All-Star and reached other unique incentive clauses in his first two seasons, Lillard will be able to opt out of his shoe contract at the end of the basketball season and either renegotiate a more lucrative deal with adidas, or open negotiations with Nike, Brand Jordan, Reebok or Under Armor, league sources informed CSNNW.com.
Another source that's vastly briefed on Lillard's situation added, "There's no doubt about it, he's opting out."
Rival shoe companies have been well-versed on the matter for months and are expected to make competitive offers, but CSNNW.com is told that Nike stands the best chance of luring Lillard away from adidas.
Adidas is in no position to lose their accomplished young standout point guard.
Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose is currently viewed as the basketball face of adidas. However, his string of knee injuries in addition to the fact that he has only participated in 49 games in three seasons has adidas apprehensive he can remain the company's headliner.
In 2012, Rose signed a multiyear deal in the upwards of $200 million.
Lillard hasn't missed a game in his one and half years as a professional and the way in which he carries himself on and off the court is without glitch if a company seeks to market him as the face of a national corporation.
SOME RANDOM HEADLINES: Sunday proved to be a great day/night for quite a few players from around the league. that lists include Kevin Durant … Jamal Crawford … Goran Dragic … Rudy Gay … Danny Granger is still MIA for the Sixers on the practice court. The buyout has to be negotiated if he plans on moving on without suiting up in Philly … The Commissioner speaks on openly gay pro athletes … Harvey Araton of The New York Times weighs in on Collins, too, and the impact he can have going forward
ICYMI(s) of The Night: Thomas Robinson showed up and showed out for the Trail Blazers in so many ways …
VIDEO: The Thomas Robinson affair folks


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'American Idol': Why is it tanking?
So where do you assign blame for the ratings woes of "American Idol" (8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Fox) this season?
Is it the polarizing presence of Nicki Minaj? The inane utterings of Mariah Carey? The bland ballads and dumb theme nights? Is it simply old age?
You could answer "all of the above" and be right, but there's one more thing to consider: the lack of a talented male heartthrob. Yes, "Idol" has been so consumed with finding another female champ that it alienated perhaps it most vital fan base: teen girls who crush on cute young guys.
The closest thing it had to a legitimate heartthrob was the recently ousted Lazaro Arbos, but there was one small problem: He couldn't sing. As for his male counterparts, they not only lacked that certain swoon-worthiness, they just weren't that good.
We can argue over whether "Idol" or "The Voice" has the best vocal talent. (We're still waiting for the latter to produce a real star.) But when it comes to which set of judges/coaches makes for the best TV, "The Voice" wins easily.
Fans had reason to fret when Shakira and Usher came on to sub for Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green. But the new kids have fit in just fine with vets Adam Levine and Blake Shelton.
Moreover, they're having a good time, playing well off one another and exchanging good-natured barbs. They're just fun to watch.
The "Idol" panel, in comparison, makes it feel like work. The four judges just pretty much do their own thing -- especially Nicki and Mariah, who clearly are going out of their way not to make eye contact or speak to each other. There's a frostiness that you can feel through the screen.


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Kim Kardashian's love of leather just won't let up! The Kourtney & Kardashian Take Miami star took to the red carpet on Thursday, April 4, for a Tracy Anderson Flagship Studio launch event in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles, and looked positively radiant in her trademark leather pants.
Kardashian, 32, kept her hair sleek for the look, pairing her leather pants with a fitted beige top and long trench. The pregnant reality star, who ditched her heels for a pair of flat sandals during a frozen yogurt run on Wednesday, April 3, also slipped back into her comfort zone: a pair of black pumps.
Kanye West's longtime girlfriend has come under fire for her maternity fashion choices ever since the couple first announced their happy baby news on New Year's Eve.
"Kourtney warned me when you become a mom and become pregnant, there will be this whole new group of critics that will criticize me for everything you do," she said in a March 26 interview on Good Morning America. "If I wear one color clothes, I'm in this kind of mood. Or if I wear heels, they're harmful."
But though the criticism does hurt, Kardashian says she chooses to focus on other things — like staying healthy for her baby, for instance.
"I like to be active," she told E! News at the March premiere of Tyler Perry's Temptation. "But I've been chilling out. I took a week off, just to rest, and it was amazing."
PHOTOS: Kim Kardashian's best hairstyles ever
The couple's little bundle of joy is due in July.
For more on how Kim is fighting back against the haters, pick up the new issue of Us Weekly, on stands Friday.
Sign up now for the Us Weekly newsletter to get breaking celebrity news, hot pics and more delivered straight to your inbox!
Want stories like these delivered straight to your phone? Download the Us Weekly iPhone app now!


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Kylemore Abbey is a Benedictine Monastery founded in 1920 in the Kylemore Castle where used to be a private home for the Mitchell Henry family in Connemara, County Galway in Ireland.
The first construction began in 1867 ant took four years to finish. In 1920 the Irish Benedictine Abbeys purchased the estate and since 70's the Castle and the gardens are open to the public. The Castle covered a 3700m2 area with 70 rooms including 33 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 4 sitting rooms, ballroom, schoolroom, study, libary, smoke room and more.


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wear. 20 weeks
April 30, 2012
34 comments:
your skirt is gorgeous! as are you, my friend!!ReplyDelete
I love those sunglasses. Can't wait to see pics of that little girl.ReplyDelete
yay for the midwest! :) i am actually excited because i might just be able to come.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousApril 30, 2012 at 11:47 PM
Super cute outfit! YAY the baby is kicking! Love her name :)ReplyDelete
The conference sounds lovely. Too bad it's on the other side of the world ;-) I wish you lots of fun with all the preperations.ReplyDelete
And you look beautiful. Good to hear your little one is doing well!
What a great idea for that conference! I'm all the way in Europe, so unfortunately won't be able to join. But it sounds amazing.ReplyDelete
The photos are beautiful, as are you, as always. Isn't this the most precious time, feeling that little baby grow and develop?
You look perfect, as usual. I don't know how you manage to be sweet, sassy, and edgy all at once.ReplyDelete
Aiden's little giggles must have been precious. How are you feeling these days?ReplyDelete
Aiden giggles must be adorable.ReplyDelete
So how are you feeling with this pregnancy? Are you ever just too tired to keep up with Ains and Aiden? Can't wait until we "meet" Apple virtually.
Aiden's little giggles must have been precious. How are you feeling these days?ReplyDelete
The conference is in Indiana? Yay! I'm in IN, I just might be able to make it there.ReplyDelete
i am obsessing over your purple skirt! xo!ReplyDelete
I'm from Indiana (a really small quaint town called Shipshewana). Think antiques, flea market, amish buggies, so special! i'm beyond excited that you are bring a blog conference to the midwest! so excited for you all!ReplyDelete
You are beautiful!ReplyDelete
Pregnancy is so beautiful!!
Praying for your sono tomorrow!
I love how you wear your t shirts with your skirts.ReplyDelete
id love to get my hands on a purple skirt like that. wanna share where you got it?!ReplyDelete
You look AMAZING! So cute! Congrats again and hope all is going well :)ReplyDelete
You look AMAZING! Congrats again and hope all is going well!ReplyDelete
That so great that Aiden was able to experience a little kick from his little sister to-be :) You look breathtaking in these, Casey.. no lie! Where did you get that shirt? I HAVE to have one.. I'm such a travel junkie, myselfReplyDelete
xo, Janell
You're just glowing! Love it!ReplyDelete
You should be a maternity model! :) SO pretty.ReplyDelete
And how precious that Aiden felt her kick and giggled ... that made me smile!
You are such a good momma. Your blog and Kelle Hampton's make me so excited to someday be a momma ;)
- AnonymousMay 1, 2012 at 2:45 PM
I love you little sister. I giggle right along with Aiden, what a joy to feel a baby move and grow inside you. Each and every baby is a gift from our Almighty Father!ReplyDelete
I'm assuming you'll be in Indy? That happens to be my hood! I'd highly recommend checking out the broad ripple and/or mass ave areas. Both are artsy neighborhoods with primarily locally owned businesses. In broad ripple you must eat at three sisters and shop at girly chic, pitaya, or Indy Cd&vinyl. In mass ave check out black market, Aesop's tables, or bazbeaux to eat and silver in the city and nurture to shop. Indy is a great city! I'm new to your bloc but I heart your writing.ReplyDelete
these are so precious! Imagine the day when you will get to show them to that little babe! prayers for a continued healthy pregnancy!ReplyDelete
oh goodness, these photos are absolutely perfect! and your sweet little apple and baby bump. still in love with the name you have chosen!! :)ReplyDelete
xo TJ
lovely outfit! such a lovely family too...ReplyDelete
You are so pretty Casey! Pregnant or not...preeeetttyyyy!ReplyDelete
You look great!ReplyDelete
you are the most beautiful pregrant woman ever. your just glowing!!!!ReplyDelete
I have followed your beautiful blog for a good year now, and I have always wondered how you did it, thinking you had something (some techno thing or another) that allowed you to create such a beautiful keepsake of your families love. And then this morning, just now, as I sit in my quiet Denton, TX home on the rare occasion everyone is still sleeping (my 1.5 year old boy and 1 month girl and their handsome daddy and dogs) it hit me. The song Legends came on and as I scrolled down to the bottom to see who it was, the beauty just poured through your photos and I realized, you have no more than the next person (ok maybe a nice camera :)) you do this all out of love and because you just DO. You do it no matter the day, it is a piece of you, its like eating food everyday, you have to breath into this little space constantly and beautiful things will happen, they will grow.ReplyDelete
I think you have inspired another person, sincerely, to try and preserve these special, amazing moments that fill my day- and night.
God blesses you Casey. Thank you for sharing.
I live in Indy and LOVE it. Jess was pretty dead on with the places to visit. If you're into swing dancing or duckpin bowling, go to Fountain Square Theatre. Check out the Indianapolis Museum of Art (free admission!)...I used to work there and they have great exhibits, beautiful gardens, and a gorgeous nature park. Twenty Tap is a bar that has delicious, locally sourced food (more than just beer, promise). In downtown Indy, there is the zoo, Easley winery, a canal for walking/biking/running, and lots of great murals and street art. Great farmers markets and food trucks. Also, the Indianapolis Art Center is great!ReplyDelete
I absolutely LOVE your style!!ReplyDelete
Much Love & Hugs,
I know this comment is coming quite a while after you posted this, but I just love your shirt! Pretty sure "life is short, travel more" could be my motto -- and thankfully, something my dad encourages me in!ReplyDelete


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Had a great day training a really diverse group today with delegates from America, Germany and the UK.
I will think of you, you think of me, when we have Tea and TED at 3! Today we are watching 'Confessions of a recovering micromanager'. Will you be joining us? #ShowMeTheTea
To coincide with their 30th Anniversary, Mercia Image have launched an initiative to raise up to £30,000 over a period of 30 days for 30 local charities. We are excited to be involved offering Individual or Group Coaching for a minimum donation of £100. #30daysofgiving
#MentalHealthAwarnessWeek We really love and recommend this book by Jenny Bagworth 'Positive Me-A journal of self-care & mindfulness activities' to give you a helping hand on your journey. There's also a 'Positive Me colouring book' and other fab products.
Shona has 2 coaching slots available in Glasgow on Monday. Let us know if you would like to take advantage of this rare opportunity.
©2010 - 2019 Neish Consultancy Ltd | Company No. 07417717


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Tour Details:
Duration: 4 Hours
- Hotel Pick-up & drop-off
- Guide and Air-conditioned Vehicle
- 0-3 Years Old Child free of Charge
- Entrance fees as per itinerary
- V.A.T. (%18 sales tax)
- 4-6 Years Old Child Discounted % 50
Tour Itinerary:
Duration: 4 Hours
- Spice Bazaar We begin with a brief visit to the 17th century Spice Bazaar*, one of Istanbul's most colorful, bustling attractions. Next, we travel the Golden Horn on our way to an unforgettable cruise along the Bosphorus, the majestic strait that runs through Istanbul, linking Europe and Asia
Bosphours Cruise
From our cruise boat, we view the dramatic sights lining the Bosphorus' wooded shores: mosques, a bridge that for a time was the world's longest and Rumeli Hisar›, a massive fortress built by Mehmet the Conqueror in just three months as he prepared to take Istanbul. Also noteworthy on this tour are the 19th century mansions of the Ottoman elite and the Sultans' fanciful gingerbread palaces and hunting lodges. We cruise the Bosphorus, and from the deck of our cruise boat, take in the
sights and sounds of this legendary waterway, lined with historic villages,
grandiose waterfront mansions, imposing fortresses, like Anadolu Hisar›,
and the Baroque palaces of the late Ottoman sultans. After our cruise we travel
along the breathtaking Golden Horn to the Spice Bazaar**, a thrilling riot of
colors, sounds and the smells of exotic spices


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The rhetoric surrounding Africa, or at least the continent's economic development, appears to be changing.
Despite the ongoing global economic turmoil, a number of African nations have been making impressive strides in their development, a point underscored by The Economist's decision recently to run a leader describing Africa as the "hopeful continent," drawing a clear contrast to its cover story "The Hopeless Continent" a decade ago.
And the continent's leaders are now looking east for their inspiration. Rwandan President Paul Kagame, for example, has said he hopes to eventually transform his country's economy into the "Singapore of Central Africa." Such sentiments tap into the vast and growing repository of Afro-optimism, an optimism that sees sustained economic growth as the future, even as the north of the continent is embroiled in domestic political turmoil and uprisings.Enjoying this article? Click here to subscribe for full access. Just $5 a month.
So, is it Africa's time to replicate the economic growth feats of Asia? This may seem like a herculean task, but given the recent economic gains made in countries like Ghana, which posted 13.5 percent growth last year as it casts off the failed economic policies of the 1980s and 1990s, as well as the success of recent BRICS addition South Africa, there's now hope for an "African miracle."
But if Asia is the guide for Africa's economic miracle, then the Asian foundations of a strong state and supporting institutions must be made a reality in Africa. The examples of China and Japan loom large in the minds of many African leaders and elites. Yet in contrasts with these two Asian giants, the post-independent African state is still encumbered with significant structural weaknesses, a lack of professionalism and an excess of cronyism, patronage and other corrupt practices that would make even officials involved in some of China's most notorious cases of corruption blush. This lingering image has undermined efforts to settle on a positive economic agenda in Africa, even when visionary leaders of developmentally-oriented states such as Mauritius and Botswana have emerged.
Some argue that the East Asian model of state-driven economic growth might not be suitable for African states, given the apparent weaknesses in their leaders' characters (this isn't to mention the somewhat troubling view that Africans are inherently not up to the task of producing sustained and healthy economic growth). With this in mind, some argue that the social, historical and structural weaknesses demonstrated by many African states suggest that their economies would instead be better off relying on market incentives, i.e., the Southeast Asian path beaten by Singapore and Indonesia.
Regardless of the model that African nations choose to follow, achieving the enviable growth patterns of some Asian economies will require the strengthening of intra-regional trade. Africa's recent economic gains have been mainly driven by external trade, especially with emerging economies such as China, India, Brazil and South Korea. A recent report by the McKinsey Global Institute puts intra-African trade at a lowly 12 percent, about half that achieved in Latin America. This is despite almost a billion consumers residing in the African continent, meaning that intra-African trade should no longer be perceived as an insignificant element of any country's economy, but rather a potential path toward market consolidation and leverage for African markets in the global economy. China and other Asian economies offer clear examples of the benefits of looking local as well as outside the region.


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Welcome to Inner Health Colon Hydrotherapy.....
…where we provide a warm, inviting, and very private experience for your colon hydrotherapy (also known as colonics) session. If you are new to colon hydrotherapy or colonics, new to MA or RI, or new to my practice, we have all you need to know, and more, on this site. We have included a page of frequently asked questions, which should answer anything you may want to know. Please call or visit our colon hydrotherapy treatment center in Mansfield, MA to discuss your individual needs.
You may have come to this site because you are experiencing health and/or digestive problems. You are not alone. According to the Ohio State University Medical Center, about 95 million Americans suffer from some form of digestive disorder, accounting for more than 37 million trips to the doctor each year. Poor diet, stress (Massachusetts is not easy sometimes), inactivity, and mis-and-over-use of pharmaceutical medications are just a few of the factors causing this epidemic.
Or you may be here because you want to use colon cleansing to improve your general health and well-being. I have created a spa-like environment to enhance your feelings of rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation.
To learn more about the benefits of Colon Hydrotherapy, Irrigation, Cleansing, Detoxification or Digestive Health or to make an appointment at our Mansfield, MA office, I welcome your call and/or email.
Providing colonics and colon hydrotherapy and colon irrigation treatments in Southeastern MA and the surrounding Massachusetts and Rhode Island area.
Linda Stearns


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Stormwater Ponds
What are stormwater ponds?
Stormwater ponds are manmade features generally located near your neighborhood or business. They are designed to mimic the ecological function of naturally occurring ponds and wetlands. Water from these ponds drains to a lake, river, stream, wetland, or may infiltrate into the ground.
Depending on the age of the pond, it may serve one or two stormwater management functions. Older ponds were designed to slow the flow of
and discharge it at a rate to minimize downstream flooding. Newer ponds are designed to manage water volume as well, but also provide a water quality benefit. A
properly designed
stormwater pond will remove a substantial amount of sediment and other pollutants from stormwater before releasing this water downstream. Some ponds are planted with wetland plants and are known as stormwater treatment wetlands.
What should a pond look like?
Next to being properly designed to store and convey stormwater,
is the most critical component in the proper functioning of the stormwater pond. Historically, many ponds were designed to have mowed grass edges as a form of "sales appeal" for the developer, rather than being landscaped for the long term benefit of the pond. Mowed grass to the waters edge on all shorelines means the pond is not providing its full ecological value. Unmowed vegetative buffers are essential to long term health of ponds and waterways.
Buffers should also extend into the pond where possible using emergent wetland plants. The most important factor when designing a buffer is to choose the proper vegetation for the slope and soils. The buffer should include a diverse plant community that provides both habitat and aesthetic appeal. The proper buffer will provide both a water quality and wildlife component:
Water Quality
: The proper plant community will prevent shoreline soil erosion (bank slumping) around the pond. It will also prevent herbicides and pesticides from going directly into the pond. Eliminating the need for fertilizers and frequent mowing will reduce the potential for algae blooms.
: A diverse plant community will provide habitat for a variety of wildlife, including predatory insects, amphibians and birds which keep mosquito populations in check. Tall native grasses will also discourage Canada Geese from taking over the pond and adjacent lawns.
: Trails provide access for viewing and photographing birds, enjoying wildflowers, fall colors and for short strolls. They can be as simple as a footpath around the pond, or a winding mowed trail among the clusters of planted trees and shrubs. Trails should be set well above the shoreline so they don't flood when the water in the pond is high, but may be designed to get wet in large overflow events. Benches may be added as amenities for users.
: Ponds are generally designed with gentle slopes so if someone falls into the pond, they are able to climb out. In locations were walls or steeper slopes are incorporated into the pond, a safety fence may be added. Many ponds have fences installed to help identify the presence of the facility and indicate in a passive way that they are not swimming or play areas. However, since ponds are intended to be natural areas, like streams or natural ponds, the City avoids use of fences where possible.
How are ponds maintained?
Much pond maintenance, such as sediment and aquatic plant removal requires the equipment and expertise of a professional. Some work, like weed control or planting of approved plants can be performed by volunteers. Native plant buffers around the pond and its discharge waterway require maintenance to prevent non-native invasive species from taking over. This is critical because the native plants often require more time to become well established than the weedy species. Debris removal and weeding will be required as small plants develop. Plant identification is very important for this operation since it is difficult in the beginning to distinguish between the non-native and native plants. Invasive plant removal will be an annual task but will diminish as the native plants fill in.
Who maintains Redmond ponds?
Public stormwater ponds are maintained by City crews. Private ponds are maintained by private landowners and
inspected by City staff
. Regulatory required maintenance is focused primarily on water quality benefits and ensuring that ponds have adequate sediment storage and inlets and outlets are not blocked by plants or debris. At times, these maintenance activities may detract from pond aesthetics, but efforts are made to reduce any such negative impact.
Stormwater crews are limited by budget constraints, so resources are focused primarily on functional pond attributes like storage, access, and water quality, and less on pond aesthetics. If a local group has an interest in improving the aesthetics of a stormwater pond, through weed control, planting, adding trails, or other measures, the City has procedures in place to grant permission for such activities. Maintenance, planting, or vegetation removal without enrollment in this program is not permitted.
Are existing ponds being improved?
Within the limits of staff time and budgets, the City is working with contractors and volunteer crews to convert some older ponds from the old "mowed buffer" to the more contemporary native landscaped buffer.
How can I help?
The biggest impact homeowners and businesses can have is to prevent pollutants from entering these ponds. Ponds are designed to remove pollutants, but they are not able to remove all pollutants.
In particular, soaps used to wash cars cannot be removed by ponds and actually suspend other pollutants to reduce the effectiveness of ponds. Don't wash your car in a place that drains into a pond. Using natural yard care practices and limiting the use of chemicals around the home are good measures everyone can take to reduce the source of pollutants, rather than relying on imperfect pond facilities to remove those pollutants.
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Dominic Smith scored twice as Colchester United's under-21s emulated the U's first team when they ran out 4-1 winners in their friendly at Brantham Athletic.
Richard Hall's side won by the same scoreline as their senior counterparts, in another match contested over three, 30 minute sessions.
They took the lead just after the quarter of an hour mark through Nnamdi Nwachuku and Smith's brace, along with Macauley Bonne's strike, sealed Colchester's win in the final half hour.


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1. No purchase is necessary to enter. Contest is subject to federal, state and local laws and is void where prohibited by law.
2. Eligibility and Limitations. Participants and winner(s) must be legal U.S. residents of residing or working in Western Washington (Snohomish, Thurston, Kitsap, Island, Pierce, Mason, Jefferson, Skagit, Kittitas, Grays Harbor, Lewis, Cowlitz, Whatcom, San Juan, Clallam and King Counties). All contest winners must disclose his or her legal name, address, telephone number, date of birth and Social Security Number and any other information required in an entry form. Any winner found to have supplied false or misleading information may be disqualified from the contest and therefore forfeit the prize(s). Age restrictions may apply. By submitting an entry, all entrants to any contest both imply and agree to participate in the contest and obey the rules of the contest and all applicable law.
Employees of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. and Sinclair Television Group, Inc. (collectively, "Sinclair") and any and all parent, subsidiary, related and affiliated companies, and their respective officers, directors employees and agents and their dependents and immediate families, as well as employees of contest Sponsors, vendors, and prize providers and employees of other broadcast stations are not eligible to participate or win and immediate family and of such individuals, are not eligible to enter or play. "Immediate family members" shall mean parents, step-parents, children, step-children, siblings, step-siblings, or spouses. Sinclair may prohibit an entrant from participating in the contest if it determines that said entrant is attempting to undermine the legitimate operation of the contest by cheating, hacking, deception or other unfair playing practices or intending to abuse, threaten or harass other entrants. Caution: Any attempt by a participant to deliberately damage any website or undermine the legitimate operation of the contest is a violation of criminal and civil laws and should such an attempt be made, Sinclair reserves the right to seek damages from any such participant to the fullest extent of the law.
3. Release of Liability. Sinclair and any other contest sponsors and their affiliated companies and their respective officers, directors and employees shall be released and discharged from any and all legal claims, losses, injuries, demands, damages, actions, and /or causes of actions which arise out of and/or are in any way related to the prize(s), the receipt, use and/or enjoyment of the prize(s) and/or damages or losses related to the contest. If a Sponsor pulls out of a contest for reasons beyond Sinclair's control, Sinclair is not responsible for continuing the contest and may substitute prizes to fulfill obligations.
4. Identification of Participants/Use of Voice and Likeness. Listeners understand that if they call-in or enter any Sinclair contest (mail-in, web site or on-air) they may be called by Sinclair personnel live on-the-air, or taped live-on-the-air for use as part of the on-air contest or in future advertising or promotion on any Sinclair broadcast station. Listeners further understand that permission to use their voice, likeness and/or name is granted by entering to win or calling in to win any contest on a Sinclair broadcast station. By entering, listeners consent to such use. Each winner further grants Sinclair and their sponsors and its affiliates full permission and authority to use his or her name, likeness and/or voice in all forms of advertising or promotion without further compensation or permission.
5. Telephone Contests. If a contest is a call in to win contest and/or a telephone is needed to participate in the contest, participants are restricted to the use of ordinary telephone equipment. Participants that enable the "Caller ID" block function may not be allowed to participate unless they enter their correct area code and telephone number if prompted, or they disable the function to enable their participation in the contest. Poorly connected or disconnected cellular phone calls may be disqualified. Calls for contestants are taken in order of receipt. In the event that more than one voice is heard on the phone line, the contestant/qualifier or winner will be the first person to speak. If the judge(s) is not able to determine which caller was first, a random drawing will be held to determine the winner. The use of switching or programming equipment by telephone company employees is in violation of contest rules and is not permitted. Telephone contests with "cues to call" are only official when heard on-air via radio. Due to the time delay that exists between a station's over-the-air signal and the station's online webcast or streaming, listeners who listen to the station's online stream may hear a cue to call later than listeners listening to the over-the-air signal. As a result, the odds of an online listener being able to enter or become a winner may be diminished.
6. Mail/Fax/Text Contests. Only one entry per person will be accepted unless otherwise specified on-the-air or in separate contest rules. Unless otherwise specified in a contest's specific rules, winning entry(s) will be randomly selected from all valid entries received. If entry is illegible or does not supply all information deemed necessary to declare a winner, entry will be deemed invalid and another entry will be selected. Participants are responsible for any standard carrier texting fees that apply to any text contest entered.
7. Paper Entry Form Contests. Contestant must complete an official entry form and deposit it in the provided entry box or mail it to the address below. Only one entry per person may be submitted for each contest unless otherwise specified in separate contest rules. Unless otherwise specified in a contest's specific rules, winning entry(s) will be randomly selected from all valid entries received. If an entry is deemed illegible or does not supply all the information necessary to declare a winner, the entry will be deemed invalid and another entry will be selected. If mailed-in entry forms are permitted, entry forms must be mailed to Sinclair Radio of Seattle Promotions at 140 4th Avenue North, Suite 340, Seattle, WA 98109.
8. Website Contests. To enter a contest on a Sinclair station's website, contestants must complete all the information deemed necessary to declare a winner. Only one entry per person may be submitted unless otherwise specified in separate contest rules. Unless otherwise specified in a contest's specific rules winning entries will be randomly selected from all valid entries received. If entry does not supply all the information deemed necessary to declare a winner, entry will be deemed invalid and another entry will be selected. When entering a contest via an advertiser's web banner or logo hyperlink, Sinclair is not responsible for prize fulfillment or any aspect of the contest.
9. Problems with Entries in All Contests; Sinclair Not Responsible. Sinclair is not responsible for late, misdirected, lost or mutilated mail, entry forms or faxes. No liability is assumed for any malfunction of computer equipment, fax machine equipment or fax machine telephone lines. No liability is assumed by the Station for any malfunction of the internet or individual computer systems. Sinclair (i) disclaims and assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, or delay in operation or transmission of entries by any and all methods; communications line, device, or system failure; theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of, entries; faulty, mistranscribed, misdirected, failed, incomplete, garbled entries; misdialed communications or transmission; (ii) is not responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone, communications, or wireless network or lines, computer on-line systems, servers, internet service provider, computer or handheld device, equipment, hardware, software, failure of any entry information to be received by the Sponsor on account of technical problems, human error, or traffic congestion on the Internet, at any website, or wireless network, and (iii) is not responsible for any combination of the above, including any injury or damage to the participant's or any other person's computer or other hardware or equipment related to or resulting from entering, participation in, or downloading any materials in this contest.
10. Determination of Winner(s). Final determination of all winners will be made solely by Sinclair. Any and all decisions made by the Sinclair's on-air personalities and/or staff are final. Contest rules are available by request from Sinclair Radio of Seattle's Promotions Department. Any listener requesting contest rules must send a self-addressed envelope to "ATTN: Promotions: Sinclair Radio of Seattle Rules to: 140 4th Avenue North Suite 340, Seattle, WA 98109 or go on-line to the station website
(www.STAR1015.com, www.KVI.com or www.komonews.com/radio). For a list of winners, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to "ATTN: Promotions: "Sinclair Radio of Seattle" to 140 4th Avenue North, Suite 340, Seattle, WA 98109" within 30 days of the conclusion of the contest. Sinclair is only required to provide the first name and last initial of winner as well as they city he/she resides in upon valid request.
11. Transferability/Substitution of Prize. Prizes may not be traded or transferred.
Substitutions of cash or cash equivalents, unless otherwise specifically stated in the contest rules are not allowed other than a substitution that may be necessary due to the unavailability of a prize. If concert, other ticketed event, gift certificate or coupon has been awarded as a prize and the concert, event, place of business, or product is postponed, rained out, cancelled or for other reasons, beyond our control, does not occur/exist, Sinclair will not be responsible for replacing the prize. Prizes not redeemed by expiration date are no longer valid and will not be replaced by Sinclair.
In accepting a prize, the winner accepts to take the prize as outlined in the contest. Dates for concert, flight departure/arrival, weekend stays, etc, cannot be changed by winner. If changing the dates is an option, all additional expenses, change fees, etc. will be the sole responsibility of the winner. If a winner is not able or chooses not to accept prize "as is", winner forfeits his/her prize, and Sinclair reserves the right to select another winner. Winner is responsible for all costs associated with travel to any venue or event for which a prize was awarded, unless otherwise specified. If the prize includes a trip, winner agrees to accept all blackout dates, space availability requirements, etc. established by Sinclair's prize partner(s) who are providing the prize components, such as lodging, transportation, meals, etc. Winner agrees that acceptance of any trip taken as a prize from a Sinclair station does so entirely upon their own initiative, risk, and responsibility and winner and any travel companions will be required to sign a Travel Release and related forms. If the trip requires traveling outside of the United States, the winner, upon claiming the prize, must have a valid passport. If the winner does not have a valid passport upon winning the prize, the trip may be forfeited. Winner is responsible for obtaining any other required travel documents, including but not limited to any required visa.
12. Requirements for Claiming Prize(s). Winner is required to complete an IRS Form W-9,
Winner Affidavit of Eligibility and Release, and Travel Companion Forms before prize will be awarded. The W-9 and Winner Release will be sent to winner via mail, fax or email. Winner must bring the completed paperwork when claiming prize, or return it by fax, mail, or email before prize will be awarded. Winners must return forms within two weeks of being notified that they have won a prize or prize(s) may be forfeited. For contests that permit participation by persons under the age of
18, a parent or legal guardian must sign the release form on behalf of the winner if the winner is under age 18. Sinclair is not responsible for prizes that are lost, stolen, misdirected, or damaged.
Winners can select one of two ways to receive prizes after completed paperwork is received:
A) Prize will be mailed via the United States Postal Service; or B) Prize may be picked up in person during regular business hours (8am to 5pm, Monday - Friday) at KOMO Plaza (140 Fourth Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109) after calling (206) 404-3068 to schedule an appointment for pick-up. An appointment must be made if winner chooses to pick-up prize at KOMO Plaza. Prizes will not be available without an appointment.
13. Taxes and Expenses. The winner (or parent or legal guardian of the winner if the winner is under the age of 18) agrees to pay all expenses, taxes & fees not included in the prize. Sinclair will report to the Internal Revenue Service any winnings totaling over $600 (in cash or fair market value) during the calendar year. Winners will receive an IRS 1099 Tax form if any winnings are reported. Winners are responsible for payment of all taxes on prize(s).
14. Amendments to Rules/Severability. Sinclair reserves the right to amend the contest dates and rules at any time. If any portion of the above rules is determined to be unenforceable due to local or state laws, all other portions of these official rules remain in effect.
15. Postponement or Cancellation of Contest. Due to news events of the day, or any reason beyond Sinclair's control, Sinclair reserves the right to post-pone or cancel a contest without notice. If, for any reason, the contest is not capable of running as planned for any reason, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, and unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, acts of God, war, terrorism, government regulation, disaster, fire, strikes, civil disorder, or any other causes beyond the control of Sinclair which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity of the contest, Sinclair reserves the right in its discretion to disqualify any individual it believes has tampered with the entry process, and/or cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the contest. Sinclair reserves the right to select winners from eligible entries received as of the termination date.


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