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Input Devices Guide
First Looks: SteelSeries Kana Mouse
SteelSeries' new Kana optical gaming mouse is the closest thing yet to Microsoft's Intellimouse Optical 1.1, but can it live up to the legend? We find out.
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Best of CeBIT 2012
CeBIT 2012 ended two days ago. If you've missed our previous news coverage, here's a quick roundup of a handful of noteworthy items showcased during the international IT trade show held in Hannover.
Tt eSPORTS Meka Mechanical Gaming Keyboard - Basic Gear for the Moderate Gamer
These days, it is not considered extravagant for a gamer to purchase a full suite of gaming gear to arm themselves with. Here we have the Tt eSPORTS Meka, a sub-S$200 mechanical gaming keyboard by Thermaltake. Will it meet the rising expectations of gamers? We find out.
First Looks: Prolink PKB-3811U Illuminated Keyboard
Prolink has a slew of gadgets readied for 2012. And among them is the PKB-3811U Illuminated Keyboard which comes with tri-colored LED backlights. Stick around to find out if this keyboard is worth its chops.
Microsoft Touch Mouse - A Mouse That'll Change How You Interact with Windows 7
Designed to make navigating Windows 7 a breeze, the Microsoft Touch Mouse reminds us of Apple's Mighty Mouse at first sight. Looks aside, will the Touch Mouse fulfill our expectations of it? Read on to find out.
First Looks: Rosewill RK-9000BL Mechanical Keyboard
If you consider yourself a gamer, you've to be serious about the keyboard you use. Here, we assess if the Cherry MX black switches-equipped Rosewill RK-9000BL lives up to the rising standards of mechanical keyboards.
Sitex 2011 - Desktops, Notebooks, Networking, PC Accessories & Software
Looking for the best deals on desktops, notebooks, networking, PC accessories & software? We've scoured all three halls of Sitex to find the best bargains and highlights so that you don't have to. Enjoy!
First Looks: Logitech Wireless Mouse M325
Optimized for Internet browsing and document scrolling, the Logitech M325 is upping the ante with a 72-ratchet scroll wheel. Not only does it offer precise scrolling for pages of text on the Web, it also brings about smooth control for photo-editing tasks. Find out more after the jump.
First Looks: CM Storm QuickFire Rapid Mechanical Keyboard
Mechanical keyboards are quickly becoming an essential piece of hardware for anyone who takes their PC gaming seriously. Meet CM Storm's newest entry in the market: the Cherry MX switches-fitted QuickFire Rapid.
First Looks: PowerLogic Armageddon G11 Gaming Mouse
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Sensitivity shown in tale of Alzheimer's sorrow
Memories are twinkling stars in a celestial map linking our past, present and future.
Some of these glittering orbs dim naturally over time, such as first experiences from childhood, while others are temporarily obscured by the fog of modern life, like when we forget a friend's birthday, what we dreamt last night, to water the plants or the last place we saw a set of keys.
Alzheimer's is an incurable neurodegenerative disease that slowly robs a patient of the ability to see these stars and chart a safe passage back to the people they love.
Names and faces of friends and family fade to black.
For those left behind, staring into the unblinking eyes of a close relative who no longer recognises you, is an anguish that defies words.
Julianne Moore delivers an Oscar-winning performance as a forty-something mother faced with an early diagnosis of this cruel disease in Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland's heartfelt drama.
Based on the novel by Lisa Genova, Still Alice simply, yet powerfully, conveys the emotional devastation for the central character and the ripple effect for her family.
Celebrated linguistics professor Alice Howland (Moore) leads a charmed life.
She has a husband John (Alex Baldwin) and three grown-up children, Anna (Kate Bosworth), Tom (Hunter Parrish) and Lydia (Kristen Stewart), who are forging divergent paths through life.
During a lecture that she has rigorously prepared, Alice inexplicably loses her train of thought.
'I knew I shouldn't have had that champagne,' she jokes to appreciative giggles from her audience.
Alice begins to forget simple vocabulary and seeks guidance from family medic, Dr Benjamin (Stephen Kunken).
He rules out tumours or a stroke but suspects that Alice is exhibiting the early symptoms of Alzheimer's.
'It would be rare for someone as young as yourself, but you do fit the criteria,' he tells her soberly.
Tests confirm the doctor's fears and since the condition can be passed down, Alice calls together her brood.
She advises her children to be tested, which poses a dilemma for Anna and her husband Charlie (Shane McRae), who are expecting twins.
Anchored by Moore's spellbinding work, Still Alice is a modern family portrait that will strike an unsettling chord.
Baldwin tugs our heartstrings and Stewart offers strident support as the youngest member of the clan, who moves back home to reconnect with her mother while there is still time.
'I wish I had cancer,' Alice tells John. 'I wouldn't feel so ashamed. When people have cancer they wear pink ribbons for you and go on long walks and raise money.'
Still Alice feels no shame or cloying self-pity.
Writer-directors Glatzer and Westmoreland treat characters with sensitivity, touching lightly on the frustrations and blind terror that will become more frequent for Alice and her inner circle as the disease progresses.
Wexford People

subset: commoncrawl


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Lately, the writer in me has been thinking of a story where the U.S. breaks into two, peacefully(maybe). The conservative-libertarian states would create the limited government they want, while the liberals/progressives/socialists would have as much big government as they could stand (California comes to mind). Since three of my novels are heavily political, I thought I'd write a post on my thoughts (to a point, I could go on a rant if I'm not careful). I've been thinking about this on and off since the early 1990's, when I was in high school, when RINO George HW Bush was President. Sure I'm unhappy with Obama being re-elected, but I could see that coming, what with the Republican Establishment forcing Romney down our throats. Being in Texas, I couldn't vote in the Primaries until May, so my vote for Herman Cain, Rick Santorum, or Governor Perry would have been pointless. Thanks RINOS! Anyway, I'm sure you've heard about the petitions on the White House's website where people from at least 20 states (since yesterday) have asked that their states be peacefully released from the Union. As of 11/13/2012 at 8:50 am Central time, the Texas petition has received 65,630 signatures, out of the 25k that was needed. I know people think states can't secede thanks to the War Between the States, but if Puerto Rico can vote itself into the U.S., then why can't states vote themselves out? Food for thought.
Here are my thoughts on what my theoretical conservative(or would that be libertarian?) country would govern like:
1. No central government, which means no fixed central capital. If there are enough states that join, for a chosen period of time, say 4 years, a state capital would be chosen to be the nation's capital. The Chief Exec would be the Governor of that State. The Legislative Branch wouldn't meet in person. Since we have video chatting, they can stay home and telecommute. This would limit the ability for lobbyists and others to corrupt our representatives. Judicial Branch would also be elected, that means no more sitting on the Supreme Court for a lifetime.
2. All laws and constitutional amendments are to be voted on by the people. The politicians would be required to live under the same laws because of this. Politicians would be limited to a term of twelve years, and their salaries would be less than the average citizen makes, since most politicians already have a lot of money. Voting would be a requirement, even if you don't want to vote for anyone, you would still have to show up at your polling place.
3. Churches and charities would take care of those less fortunate, no more spending billions on people who never lift themselves out of their situations, causing generations of people to be on the government dole. These churches and charities would teach people how to do things for themselves, how to make a living, etc. Families will be encouraged to take care of their elders.
4. The education system would be run locally. Each state and each local community has different needs, so it wouldn't be possible to have nationwide standards. I wouldn't expect a farm state like Kansas to need the same education that an oil/cattle state like Texas would have. All that would be required is that the Bible be part of the education and that Creationism also be taught in addition to the "established" sciences. University education will have less of an emphasis, that way having a low-level college degree will be a bigger deal, instead of making everyone have one just to have a job, which dilutes the importance. The free market system will dictate the needs of the education system.
5. We will have no official denomination, so this will not be a Baptist, Methodist, Mormon, Jewish, or even a Catholic nation. However, due to the inherent conflict with our nation being mostly Judeo-Christian, Islam will not be welcomed, as it is in direct conflict with our beliefs. Other faiths are welcome as long as they don't try to change the culture of our nation. We will also not sell alcohol on Sundays.
6. Immigration – Considering how unlimited immigration ruined the United States, we will limit who can come here. We will welcome all conservatives from other states who are stuck in liberal/progressive/socialist hell, and if liberals in our new country want to leave, we will propose a trade agreement with the USA: Your conservatives for our liberals, kind of like a trade in sports. As for other immigrants, only those that contribute to our overall technological progression as a society can live here; i.e. scientists, inventors, people with knowledge. Other than that, all illegals who try to cross our borders(including liberals) will be immediately returned to where they came from. No amnesty. Asylum will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Anyone who needs medical care will be welcomed for the time it takes them to get the required care.
7. Defense/Military – All citizens will be required to buy a gun, learn how to use it, and open-carry will be encouraged. Graduates from high school will be required to serve at least 2 years in the military or in service of some sort that will teach you to be invested in your nation, so that way you will care what happens. We will not have entangling alliances with other nations; no military bases or embassies so we won't be tempted to get involved in other peoples' affairs, nor will we recognize the United Nations. If we're attacked, we will respond in kind, maybe with a stronger response. When we go to war, it will be all-out war, none of this hobby war stuff the U.S. engaged in. One caveat to alliances: we will have an alliance with Israel, because it is the Christian thing to do, God blesses those that do, and they are one of the few nations that wouldn't need us to hold their hand or fight for them in a conflict. Each state will have a ready-to-go militia, but the nation as a whole will not have a standing military. All militia will train for three days a month. Some of our states have nuclear weapons facilities, so those will also be at the ready to show others that we will not be trifled with.
8. Medical – The government will stay out of the way to let the Free Enterprise system handle this. Tort Reform will be done to prevent lawyers from suing every Doctor or Hospital, which would cause skyrocketing medical costs if there is no Tort Reform. Insurance can be bought across state lines so that costs can stay down. Technological progress will be encouraged and we will strive to have the best medical care in the world. We will be a Pro-Life nation; you can be abstinent, use protection, or carry the child to term and give it up for adoption (there are many families who would adopt). If you are unable due to your life being threatened, we will do all we can to help you both survive, but there are times when an infant can't be saved. We will mourn the dead unborn as we do any person who has been alive for any period of time.
9. Resources – Since the new government will not gobble up all the unused land for themselves, companies will be encouraged to search for new sources of energy: oil, coal, natural gas. These companies will be asked to search for energy as cleanly as possible, since it would be in their best interest for us to stay healthy and our environment not damaged, since they have to live here too. No more subsidizing ethanol production, since that drives up the cost of food and other products made from corn. Large windmills will be taken down, since that kills off birds, instead of actually contributing to our energy production. If it makes economic sense, car companies will be encouraged (but not given oodles of "stimulus" money) to see if electric powered or hydrogen powered cars are actually feasible. We will encourage the mining of gold and silver, and base our monetary system on one of these minerals. Eminent domain will not be used by the government, state or local. If a person's property has some resources beneath it, the company will pay for the use and royalties will be paid. Conservation will be encouraged and the free market system will dictate what works and what doesn't.
10. Spending/Taxes – Instead of an income tax, we will have a flat sales tax, 10% will be the rate. Since we won't have permanent military bases overseas or embassies, we won't need to spend that money. We will not send monetary aid to other nations. There will be no Departments of Education, Energy, Homeland Security, HHS, or Labor, no IRS, no Federal Reserve, along with other pointless agencies that only spend money. We will go back to having only a Department of State, Treasury, Interior, Commerce, and Defense (or War). The States will build their own roads and maintain the interstate highways. Government will require that contractors bid as low as they can stand, no more paying $20k for something like a hammer. The government will live on a budget, like everyone else.
That is all I can think of for now. I know there are plenty of people who disagree, and will probably voice their displeasure. But remember, this is all theoretical and I'm writing out a possible storyline. Do I seriously think this will happen? No. But, having differing opinions is what used to make the United States such a good place to live, but now it seems like everyone is just angry with each other. In the immortal words of Rodney King…. can't we all just get along?


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– As noted, Kofi Kingston is advertised to face Dean Ambrose at WWE live events in Australia at the end of July. Kofi was originally expected to be out of action for up to 8 weeks so it looks like he's returning about a week ahead of schedule. Kofi is also advertised to appear at Best Buy on South Christopher Columbus Boulevard in Philadelphia on July 13th from 2pm until 4pm.
– WrestlingDVDNews.com has revealed 5 more matches and segments for WWE's Best of Madison Square Garden set that comes out on August 27th:
* Andre the Giant and Paul Orndorff vs. Bob Orton and Roddy Piper, 8/10/1985
* Steve Austin stuns Vince McMahon, RAW on 9/22/1997
* First-ever Tag Team Tables Match, The Dudleys vs. The Hardys, Royal Rumble 2000
* Booker T attacks Vince McMahon, RAW on 6/25/2001
New Challengers for The Shield Soon?, Backstage Bray Wyatt News, More…


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24 Jan 1874 - 19 Dec 1959
dau of William Henry and Mary Jane (Henderson/Hensley) Stepp
married 15 Dec 1892
Contributed on 12/3/08 by mjkane7
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Record #: 115728
Thank you for visiting the Arkansas Gravestones. On this site you can upload gravestone photos, locate ancestors and perform genealogy research. If you have a relative buried in Arkansas, we encourage you to upload a digital image using our Submit a Photo page. Contributing to this genealogy archive helps family historians and genealogy researchers locate their relatives and complete their family tree.
Submitted: 12/3/08 • Approved: 5/6/10 • Last Updated: 3/19/18 • R115728-G115728-S3


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Wouldn't a cupcake just be amazing right about now? Never mind the fact that I just now ate breakfast (it's 11:00 here), I'd still go for a cupcake!
Speaking of cupcakes, they are off the menu (well, unless it's just a bite) until after June 11th. #1, I have Mexico coming up in May, and then I'm in my best friends wedding on June 11th. I took a few days off of shredding it with Jillian due to Nickmesiter being home this past week, and then we had his parents in town. I'm back at it and I started it back off with level 2 of the shred. Honestly, I like it A LOT more than level 1. Its challenging enough to make me sweat and make my arms shake with each and every plank move (if you've done the shred, you know what I'm talkin about), and it seems to go by a lot faster than level 1. My plan is to shred M-Thursday and take walks every day Mon-Thursday that the weather is super nice. Then when Nick is home on F-Sun, we can take walks too :) When I get the 6 week check up (March 9th), my plan will be to hit the gym in the AM instead of shredding it.
Eating clean is also on the menu. I'm that chick that can eat the same thing every.single.day. So it's my usual 5 egg whites, 1 yolk scrambled over some spinach and some salsa with a side of the 100 calories Orton Sandwich thins (Dry, no butter or anything - I like to dip it in my salsa). Then for lunch it'll be the most AMAZING salad ever created & a nice juicy Fuji apple. It consists of- Spinach, sugar snap peas, baby corn, and a cut up Boca meatless chicken patty with 2 tablespoons of Kens Steakhouse Lite Italian dressing. I am not doing a plug or getting paid to say this, but this is by far the BEST dressing ever! I'd pick it over ranch, and that's saying a lot. Then for dinner, I usually just make whatev I have on the menu. Tonight it's a turkey lasagna I got at Costco before Troy man was born and a side salad. Maybe a glass of wine....maybe ;-) My plan is to stick to this menu (Except the lasagna everyday of course), M-Friday and then weekends, it differs since Nick and I grab lunch somewhere.
You could say I'm worried about Mexico with my thunder thighs I've been rocking lately, but I have about 2 months and 2 weeks to get them in better shape. I am reading to lace up my Asics and have sparks fly off the back of my heels and hit the trails! Should be pretty amusing for you ladies to hear about my post partum running experiences when it's harder than heck to control my bladder these days and jumping up and down makes a girl panic!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Hey there Cupcakes!
Wouldn't a cupcake just be amazing right about now? Never mind the fact that I just now ate breakfast (it's 11:00 here), I'd still go for a cupcake!
Posted by californiadreamin at Monday, February 28, 2011 3 comments Links to this post
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Just kickin it in my crib
Posted by californiadreamin at Saturday, February 26, 2011 4 comments Links to this post
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Happy 1 month little man
1.) He argues with his poo. When he is pooping, he screams at it and if he has his binki in, he will mumble some sort of baby swear words at it.
2.) He still isn't quite the fan of getting his diaper changed. He is getting better from day 1 so I am thankful he doesn't sound like we are beating him anymore when we are trying to get him outta that stinky diaper.
3.) He is starting to watch TV. I don't like it when women use the tv as a babysitter, but when Troy does have his eyes glued to Little Bear, it allows me to do some dishes, make myself some breakfast, or just simply catch up on some me time. This is always in the morning, and lasts about 30 minutes until he finally falls asleep for nap #1 of the day.
4.) He is definitely showing to be a mamas boy. He loves to cuddle and take naps with his mommy and sometimes when he is fussy, I will give in and lay down with him just so he will fall asleep ( and you can bet your bottom dollar, I get some shut eye too. Being a mom is exhausting, but worth every scream and dirty diaper).
5.) The boy has amazing head control. Im a total bragging mom - his pediatrician says he has better neck control than most babies his age.
6.) He is THIS close to smiling. He is starting to talk and makes noises that cause his mouth to curl up and you can tell he is gonna do a full fledge smile any moment. I try to tickle him and everything else under the sun to see that ray of sun.
I cannot wait to see what this next month will bring. He is growing everyday and I am enjoying every second of it, hence the lack of posts. I just wanna eat up every second with him haha.
Posted by californiadreamin at Thursday, February 24, 2011 3 comments Links to this post
Labels: Troy
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Cabs are Hear!
So that title has nothing to do with this post, but I love me some Pauly D. Todays post is all about the pictures - so without further adou
Then we headed for clam chowder bread bowls and beer on the pier, num num num
Posted by californiadreamin at Tuesday, February 22, 2011 4 comments Links to this post
Labels: traveling
Monday, February 21, 2011
Get it guurl, get it get it gurl
So we had Troys doctor appointment and it went pretty good. The doc said all we gotta do is push the skin back on his big toe and encourage the nail to grow over the skin opposed to through it. We also got some antibiotics for the little guy and he seemed to actually like it. He is also weighing in at 9lbs 7 ounces! Still a few ounces away from what his mama weighed when she was born, but he's getting there. I bet he weighs about 11-12 lbs at his 2 month appointment on March 15th.
So cupcakes, like you girls know, I have been shredding it up with Ms. Jillian Michaels while i wait for my 6 week clearance from my doctor (2 more weeks!!!) I have done it about 6 times this past week and a half, and I am already feeling stronger. Especially in my endurance. I the beginning, jumping jacks kicked my butt, but I'm feeling a lot better with them. The push ups are also getting easier, which makes sense cause I have some pretty impressive guns haha, I kid, I kid. As much as I love me some Jillian Michaels, I am itching to get my butt back into the gym and back on the treadmill, back into the weight room, and back into the XBike room. This morning I talked to Nick about how he will be in charge of Troys feedings from about 4:30- whenever i get home from the gym. He wasn't as enthused as i was, but he will be fine with it, he has no choice haha. The truth is ladies, i need "me" time, and in fact, all women including mamas need some me time. It keeps us all sane. I need to get onto my marathon training, eeek!!
While we are talking body improvements and "me" time, I will be starting my teeth whitening (crest whitening strips all the way baby!) again. My teeth are looking non white and every time I watch American Idol and Jennifer Lopez opens her mouth, I am jealous over how white her teeth are. Another thing on my to do list tomorrow - hair touch up and mani/pedi (given by yours truly of course). Since Im a SAHM, I cannot spend $160 every 4 weeks anymore, boo! So thank you Loreal! We will see if Troy let's me do these things tomorrow, but thankfully with Nick being home, he can grab Troy when I can't.
Posted by californiadreamin at Monday, February 21, 2011 1 comments Links to this post
Another week
Okay ladies welcome to another fabulous week! The hubbinator is off this week like i mentioned in a previous post,and i couldn't be happier! This morning is sorta a bummer tho because we are taking the little man of the house to the doctor. His poor toe nail is growing into his skin on the big toe, so the pediatrician is gonna fix it. My poor guy, nick and I feel so bad for him cause we know it's going to be very uncomfortable for the doctor to fix it. The bright side of the appointment is we are gonna have him weighed so we can see how much our little piggy is growing. The boy must be going through a growth spurt cause he has been acting like a starvin marvin for the past couple of days. My ladies are producing like they've never produced in their life! I have 7 whole feedings ready to go in the fridge, so i ordered some freezer bags so I can start stashing some of that liquid gold.
Yesterday my amazing kick ass family traveled to the big city of San Fran and spent the day looking at fish at the aquarium and stuffing our faces with clam chowder bread bowls on the pier. *pics to come when Im not typing on our new iPad* Troy was a total champ and either slept or just hung out in his stroller. He started getting hungry and fussy towards the end, but he has every right since this was the longest he's ever been in his car seat. Plus he's only 1 month old! Well in 3 days he will be. I can't believe my baby boy has been here 1 full month!
I'm skipping my 4 week pp picture of the belly because #1, I'm too lazy to take a pic right now and #2, I don't think I look THAT different. So you'll be getting a 5 week pp picture next week :)
Posted by californiadreamin at Monday, February 21, 2011 1 comments Links to this post
Friday, February 18, 2011
Lazy Rainy Day
So guess who just got a whole lot sexier? My man!! He bought us an iPad!! Its about time we have one of those babies, Nick does work for the good ol' fruit company. It should be delivered today. As well as a bottle warmer I ordered from Babies R Us, some teeth whitening strips for Nickmeister and some more Mothers Milk Tea. My review on the tea - it worked for me. I noticed my supply went up at least 2 extra ounces per pumping session. The taste doesn't bother me at all like I thought it would. It smells like black licorice (BLAH!), but doesn't taste that way , it's just bitter which I actually like. Speaking of things that help milk supply - OATMEAL. I read it awhile back on babycenter.com, and tried it once I ran outta Mothers Milk Tea and it's been doing the trick. I was a total sceptic about that, but hey, you don't have to tell me twice. Especially with this chilly rainy weather - pass me a steaming hot bowl of oats, 1 spoonful of almond butter and a healthy squeeze of honey, and I'll devour the stuff!
A lot of randoms - this weekend us and the fam are going to San Francisco!
SO excited for a change of scenery ad to just get outta the house and do something fun with the people I love. This will be Troy's 1st road trip, and we're being smart by easing him into it. Frisco is about 2 hours from here, so we'll be planning the 6 hour trip to Disneyland sometime down the road. I've been pumping like a mad cow trying to build up a supply of bottles for the little milk guzzler for our trip. I even plan on pumping on the way there (dad, you will not be allowed to turn around from the front seat when this occurs). Like my sister told me earlier, when you become a mom, all your modesty goes out the window. Gotta keep my milk supply up and I don't think walking around SF engorged sounds like a good time. I can't wait, you can bet your bottom dollar you will find me with a nice steaming clam chowder bread bowl and this bad boy -
{Side note - yes this is Julia Roberts, and yes, I recommended the Ergo baby carrier to her}
The man of the houses, birthday is this week (the 23rd) and it's the big 2-7! Most def will be doing something special for the man, once he can tell me what it is that he wants to do that day. Sitting around the house will not be happening, birthdays are a cause for celebration. I will be making him a fabulous yellow cake with vanilla frosting like I do every year to keep his stomach happy (and mine!). He is also taking a week off of work to be with me and the little man and get a little R&R. It's no joke that Nicky poo works hard for his family and when you count in his commute, he is working 11-12 hour days 4 days a week. The man leaves when it's dark and comes home when it's dark. I am SO excited he'll be home this week, things are always better when he's home. I know Troy misses him too. You girls shoulda seen the two in bed this morning - Nick talking to Troy and Troy talking in his baby jabber. I'm convinced he was venting to his dad about how boring I can be during the day with all my attempts are trying to make him smile.
The pic of the day
Posted by californiadreamin at Friday, February 18, 2011 2 comments Links to this post
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Wee Bit of Me Wednesdays
Posted by californiadreamin at Wednesday, February 16, 2011 2 comments Links to this post
Labels: survey
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Things I've learned since being a mommy
Here are a handful of things I've learned since becoming a mommy:
* Breast milk is like liquid gold. I make sure Troy drinks every sip of his bottle. It took me forever to pump that baby!
* Sleep is more valuable than diamonds. Troy slept for 6 hours straight on Friday night - twas amazing!
* I can do anything with 1 hand - this includes tying my shoes, pumping a bottle and feeding at the same time, and cutting up strawberries (no fingers lost, YET!)
* If I change the diaper and then feed Troy, he'll let me put him in his car seat, carrier or the bath without a fuss. If I do otherwise, it's a screaming battle
* I am no longer human - I am either a kangaroo, carrying around my little Troy in his carrier on my front, or I'm a cow - pumping bottles every 2 hours
* At night, I don't sleep with a shirt on to give my ladies a break. So much as brushing against my chest will cause a let down. Milk comes out quicker than a bullet in a gun - I grab whatever cup like thing that's nearby to catch any milk coming out. Read #1 to understand
* Binki's are awesome. If your baby doesn't take one at first, keep trying, then can be a lifesaver
* This is the most amazing job I've ever had, and my boss is quite the looker
Posted by californiadreamin at Tuesday, February 15, 2011 4 comments Links to this post
Hanging on
Posted by californiadreamin at Tuesday, February 15, 2011 2 comments Links to this post
Monday, February 14, 2011
Happy 6 years to us baby
Posted by californiadreamin at Monday, February 14, 2011 6 comments Links to this post
3 weeks post partum body
Posted by californiadreamin at Monday, February 14, 2011 9 comments Links to this post
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Shredding that Baby fat off!
Yup, you read that header right. My OB told me when I was being discharged that I could do whatever I was comfortable with when it came to workouts. I haven't gone back to the gym (YET!), so I'm just keeping it low key with some 30 day shred. Ladies, it is ROUGH getting back into that program when you haven't done it in about 9 months. It's probably been longer since I rarely did the 30 day shred before I was pregnant. The routine starts you off doing pushups for the 1st workout. I usually did the modified pushups with ease, but wholly guacamole, I was DYING!! Even a modified pushup was HARD!!! I looked over at Nick in shock at my ridiculous lack of strength. That's okay though- it's just a matter of time before I get these guns back. For now, I am dealing with my soreness like any other crazy lady - by continuing on with the workouts. I know I"m only 3 weeks (tomorrow) post partum, but I'm missing my pre preg body. Mostly my thighs that don't jiggle so much. Nothing a little cardio and much squats can't take care of. But that'll come once I get the clearance from my OB in about 3 more weeks. Then it'll be time to hit the gym, which I will attempt to do in the mornings before Nicky poo goes to work.
{I would like to have this body by Mexico, please :) }
Tomorrow is picture updates! I'll be posting a pic of the 3 week post partum tummy, which I'm not too sure looks much different, as well as the bday bash for my dad we had on Friday. Then of course tomorrow is Lovers Day, aka Valentines Day, aka...mine and Nick's anniversary! 6 years bay bay!
Posted by californiadreamin at Sunday, February 13, 2011 2 comments Links to this post
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Huge 20ft tall Dancing Air Guy!
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No mistaking it: He loves Cleveland
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CLEVELAND — I love this town.
That's right. Cleveland. You call it "The Mistake By the Lake.'' You make it a punch line for every Rust Belt joke.
Not me. I call it a once-great American city in need of a comeback . . . and a championship, of course.
No fooling. Cleveland is great. It's got a real downtown. It's got clean, wide streets that are (unfortunately) never crowded with traffic nor people. Cleveland's got cab drivers who speak English and know their way around town. Many of them remember when Jim Brown toted the pigskin for the Browns and when Rocky Colavito hit majestic homers for the Tribe.
Cleveland has no pretense. Folks work hard and value their money.
Thirsty? Walk into Flannery's Pub on East 4th and Prospect. Do not ask to see the wine list. And forget the
Before it was wiped out by foreclosures and unemployment, Cleveland was one of the five largest cities in America, stocked with immigrants from Eastern Europe. It gave America Jesse Owens and the Cleveland Orchestra. It's where Eliot Ness served as city safety director. It's got the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie. According to Canadian bard Gordon Lightfoot, Cleveland is where the Edmund Fitzgerald — loaded with 26,000 tons of iron ore — was bound when it sank in Lake Superior in 1975.
When I first came to Cleveland in the summer of 1977 the mayor was 31-year-old Dennis Kucinich and there was a downtown nightclub ("The Theatrical'') that featured a singer named Jim "Mudcat'' Grant. It was the same Jim "Mudcat'' Grant who beat the Dodgers for the Twins in the 1965 World Series.
Old Cleveland featured cavernous Municipal Stadium on the shores of Lake Erie. Home of the 111-43 Indians (1954) and NFL champion Browns (1964). Municipal Stadium was the site of Cleveland's 10-cent beer night (1974), when fans rioted after consuming too many eight-ounce Stroh's. The Indians had to forfeit the game. In 1986, when the Red Sox and Indians were interrupted and postponed on account of fog (erasing a certain Cleveland victory), the inimitable Oil Can Boyd said, "That's what happens when you build a ballpark by the ocean.''
Cleveland's new venues are downtown and spectacular. Sparkling Browns Stadium stands next to a parking lot at the Municipal Stadium site. The football field is just a few hundred yards downshore from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Less than a mile away, Quicken Loans Arena and Progressive Field stand, side-by-side. When Progressive Field was Jacobs Field (ever distinct, with its toothbrush light towers), the Tribe sold out 455 consecutive home games.
Cleveland is stocked with sports fans. Foofs and trendies are not welcome. Clevelanders buy gobs of team garb (Indians stuff in the golden '90s, Cavaliers in 2010, Browns always) and pray for a championship. The poor folks have not been rewarded with a title since the Browns won the old NFL championship game in 1964.
Cleveland is tough on its football coaches. Bill Belichick may be a god in New England, but his name is mud in Cleveland because he dissed local hero Bernie Kosar. Browns fans suffered through John Elway's "Drive'' in 1987 and Earnest Byner's fumble in 1988. The Browns left town in 1995, then were born again in 1999. They hired and fired Romeo Crennel. They drafted Brady Quinn, who is already gone.
The Indians haven't won a World Series since 1948, an active streak of futility topped only by the Cubs. The Tribe should have won a couple of championships in the '90s, but couldn't get it done with talents such as Manny Ramirez, Albert Belle, Eddie Murray, Jim Thome, Roberto Alomar, David Justice, Omar Vizquel, and Kenny Lofton. They got to the seventh game of the World Series in 1997, but reliever Jose Mesa coughed it up and the Tribe lost to the expansion Florida Marlins.
The Cavaliers never have won the NBA championship. Their best team of the pre-LeBron era was derailed when Jim Chones broke his foot in 1976. They had the worst owner of modern times in Ted Stepien. They famously took the Celtics to the limit in the 2008 Eastern Conference semifinals. Last year they were favorites right up until they got spanked by the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference finals.
I picked the Celtics to upset the Cavaliers in this conference semifinal. Cleveland's Game 1 victory Saturday night does not change my mind. Boston led by 11 points in the third quarter. The Cavaliers looked vulnerable, especially considering that they were playing at home, where they are 74-8 over the last two regular seasons.
But I hope they make it. Cleveland fans deserve a champion. They've been the butt of jokes for too long. And despite everything you've heard and read, this is a great town.
Dan Shaughnessy is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at email@example.com.


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Eco-novice shares some Etsy favorites.
This post was partly inspired by Greenmom's Everything I Need To Know I Learned from Laura Ingalls.
I love Etsy. Probably a little too much. I probably spend too much time and too much money there. Maybe I buy some things I don't completely need, and that's not exactly green. But, in general, I am very thankful to Etsy for making possible many of my green changes. Here are a few stores I've purchased from recently.
I first reviewed her products as part of an Etsy reusable bag round-up and review. I recently purchased more bags from this shop in the gallon-size (see photo above). I am so grateful to have an awesome replacement for gallon-size disposable ziploc bags. I love the snack and sandwich sizes too. Since I'm a very beginning sewer, I could not make these bags (cotton exterior with nylon interior, zipper closure and all hidden seams) if I wanted to. My mom, who can sew, was happy to shell out the money to buy a few of these bags. I will say this about Etsy: lusting over so many of the products for sale there is partly what inspired me to learn to sew (with two small children and very slow progress). Maybe in 20 years I'll be able to DIY some of the stuff I find there.
When my first child started solids, I searched in vain for a non-infant bib made of all-natural materials. When my second child became the messiest eater ever, and regularly tore off her Velcro-closure bib before staining her shirt, it finally dawned on me to consult Etsy. I found this store which makes 100% cotton bibs with long sleeves, pocket to catch crumbs, cotton terry behind the bodice for extra absorbency, and an adjustable tie closure. Just the genius kind of bib I might have designed myself. I reviewed the long-sleeve bib in June and have since special ordered a short-sleeve bib and several sleeveless bibs. I love putting these plastic-free bibs on my kiddos.
The Mulled Mind
Now here is a product I will never have the equipment or skill to make on my own: stainless steel straws. You can find mass-produced stainless steel straws, but you can't find them in an assortment of lengths and diameters. Like so many Etsy shops, The Mulled Mind offers multiple options and takes custom orders. I first reviewed her products a few months ago and recently bought a few more in the regular and fatter smoothie diameter. No more plastic straws at my house!
Dress Green
So I know some of you are years into the no 'poo business. I am moving in that direction in baby steps. After examining my plastic consumption several months ago, I decided I wanted to switch from liquid shampoo bottled in plastic to shampoo bars. I chose to purchase from Dress Green because I liked the simple ingredients used and the store had lots and lots of positive reviews. Now, over a month later, my husband and I are both very happy with our sweet orange shampoo bar. I honestly thought the transition would be a bit bumpier. I've noticed minimal differences between using my Avalon Organics bottled shampoo and this shampoo bar. I have noticed that I can wash my hair a bit less often (every 1.5 to 2 weeks instead of once a week). Currently I'm experimenting with no conditioner, but I may also look into purchasing some type of conditioner bar from an Etsy store or other small business.
Do you use Etsy? Has it facilitated any green changes for you?
Disclosure: I run an ad for Celeste Blake Designs on my blog Eco-novice in exchange for store credit. I don't receive any cut of sales. I have no affiliation with any of the other Etsy stores mentioned in this post.


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Eastern Wake: Sports
Sports Briefs: April 23
Cow Patty Bingo upcoming
Rolesville High School will hold Cow Patty Bingo from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at the football field of Rolesville High, 1099 E. Young St., Rolesville.
Tickets are $5 per square and can be purchased through email@example.com through May 7.
The cow will be released at 2 p.m., and the first square to have a cow patty dropped on it will be the winner of the $500 cash prize.
Zumba toning
Zebulon Parks & Recreation will hold Zumba toning classes from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, May 20 through June 24, at the Zebulon Community Center, 301 S. Arendell Ave., Zebulon. $5 per class or use your Get Fit pass.
Registrations open
• Knightdale Dragons Pop Warner football and cheer registration will be open May 3, 17 and 31 and June 14 and 28 at the Knightdale Walmart, 7106 Knightdale Blvd., Knightdale, and May 10 and 24 at the Knightdale Dick's Sporting Goods, 220 Hinton Oaks Blvd., Knightdale.
Online registration is currently open at knightdaledragons.com.
Call 919-868-9166 or email firstname.lastname@example.com@gmail.com for more information.
• The Zebulon Swim Team is now accepting applications for ages 3-18.
Practices start May 19 and are held at the Zebulon Swimming Pool Association, 309 W. Glenn St., Zebulon, and at Zebulon Country Club, 2424 Pearces Road.
A parent/swimmer information session will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at the Zebulon Swimming Pool Association.
Call 919-269-2057 for more information.
Towns hold fitness classes
• Knightdale Parks and Recreation offers Katandi classes on Fridays from 6:30-8 p.m. at the new K-Fit Center, 426 N. First Ave.
The cost is $5 per class for adults. Children age 15 or younger can attend for $3 or for free if accompanied by an adult.
Katandi West African rhythmic movement connects with the rhythms of African drums while learning fundamental and traditional movements derived from Guinea, Mali and Senegal.
• The Knightdale Recreation Center, located at 102 Lawson Ridge Road, offers several fitness opportunities for children.
Kindertot, for 2-year-olds, meets Thursdays from 3-3:30 p.m. at a cost of $35 per month (four sessions). The program is designed to develop gross motor skills, movement creativity, physical development and body awareness, while learning numbers, colors, shapes and songs.
Kinderdance, for ages 3-5, meets Wednesdays from 6:30-7:15 p.m. at a cost of $42 per session. This is a developmental dance, movement and fitness program taught on three levels. It teaches the basics of ballet, tap, acrobatics and creative movement while blending educational concepts.
Registration for these programs can be completed at Knightdale Town Hall, 950 Steeple Square Court, or by calling owner/instructor Elizabeth Littleton at 919-274-7055.
• Knightdale Parks and Recreation is now offering Tuesday night yoga classes at the new K-Fit Center, 426 N. First Ave.
The classes run from 5:15-6:15 p.m. at a cost of $7 per class. Participants are asked to bring their own mat and bottled water.
For more information, call 919-217-2236.
• Zumba classes are held from 6:30-7:30 p.m. every Tuesday at the K-Fit Center. The cost is $5 per class, pay at time of class.
• Mandy's Aerobics is an ongoing class held at the K-Fit Center.
Class are held Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:30-9 a.m. (abs) and 9-10 a.m. (step/sculpt). Classes also meet Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30 p.m., and Sundays beginning at 6 p.m.
The cost is $5 per class, and all equipment is provided except for a mat or towel and water bottle. For more information, call 919-217-2236.
The Wendell Community Center, 601 W. Third St., has several offerings for those interested in exercising. For more information on the following programs, call the center at 919-366-2266.
• Living Well in Wendell hosts free classes once a month from 7-8 p.m. in the Wendell Community Center, 601 W. Third St., Wendell. On April 24, the topic will be "What is healthy eating and how do I begin?"
• Total Body Fitness with Beth Narron is held Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8 a.m. and Zumba is held Tuesdays at 6 p.m.
• Boot Camp fitness class with Beth Narron meets Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
• The community center weight room is open Monday to Thursday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost for all members is $10 per month.
The Zebulon Community Center, 301 S. Arendell Ave., has several offerings for those interested in exercise and health-related events. For more information on the following programs, call the center at 919-823-0432.
• Kid's Fitness for grades K-5 gives children an opportunity to learn more about fitness, exercise and healthy eating.
The class, instructed by Amy Scaggs, consists of age-appropriate exercises (cardio and body weight muscle work), games that include moving and a short lesson on healthy eating.
There is a five-child minimum and 12-child maximum for the classes, which will meet Thursdays from 4-5 p.m. The cost per month is $15 for residents and $20 for nonresidents.
• Zumba classes are offered Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-7 p.m. Yoga classes are held Wednesdays at 9 a.m. and Thursdays at 6 p.m.
Strength training is offered Thursdays at 9 a.m. and trekking meets Tuesdays at 9 a.m. Use your get fit pass ($25 for residents and $30 for nonresidents) or pay $5 per class.
• Senior aerobics are held Thursdays at 10 a.m. and cost $3 for Zebulon residents and $4 for nonresidents per visit. Senior walking group meets Wednesdays at 10 a.m.
• Family gym time is offered free on Mondays from 4-5:30 p.m. for children 15 and younger with parental supervision.
Children ages 7-12 can take part in open gym on Tuesdays from 4:30-5:30 p.m. for $1 per visit. Open gym for youth ages 13-17 is Wednesdays from 4-5:30 p.m. for $1 per visit. And open gym for adults 18 and older is offered on Tuesdays from 6:30-8 p.m. at a cost of $2 for residents and $3 for nonresidents.
• Karate classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. Cost is $35 for Zebulon residents, $45 for nonresidents.
• Senior cards time is held for free Tuesdays and Fridays at 10 a.m.
• Free walking programs are offered Monday through Friday from 7-11 a.m.


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Serious Eats on a Juice Cleanse: We Try Out Cooler Cleanse
New Year's Day brings with it all sorts of predictable behavior. Joining gyms and keeping up an ambitious exercise regimen... for three or four days. Pledging to stop spending so much money, at least until that mid-January sale hits. And vowing to really, really lose those ten pounds this year. (Really.)
Juice cleanses are touted by believers as a means of detoxing the body, gaining energy, and generally feeling dance-around happy about life. But let's be honest. Most people do them to lose weight. Sure, it's easier to say that you're forgoing solid foods for X or Y impossible-to-quantify health benefit, but whole legions of people aren't slugging down kale juice because they're looking for that elusive "inner glow". And we've heard from plenty of people considering January juice cleanses.
But which one to do? Earlier this year, Maggie, Erin, and Carey did a three-day BluePrint Cleanse, trying out one of the most popular programs. Overall, we were reasonably happy with the juices themselves, if not always with the way they made us feel, and not exactly sold on the merits of attempting this type of thing at all.
What about other cleanses, then? We were intrigued by "Cooler Cleanse," a very similar program to Blueprint, priced slightly lower. Even if cheaper, though, $58/day is an awful lot. So in the grand tradition of Pop-Tarts World, Taco Bell Triple Steak Stack, and terrible commuter-baiting Mexican restaurants, we're trying it for you.
The Similarities
Just like BluePrint, Cooler Cleanse gives you six juices each day, all of them fresh and perishable. Just like BluePrint, there's a predictable order: green, something fruity, green, something refreshing, green-or-root-vegetable, fatty nut milk. It's a rhythm you grow used to, though we started to resent it when we felt weak and substance-deprived halfway through the morning (leading us to crack open our nutmilks prematurely more than once.)
As with BluePrint, these juices are quite filling. We never felt hungry throughout the day, even if we did occasionally feel food- or energy-deprived in other ways. And with some exceptions, they taste pretty good. "Sweet Greens" makes celery and parsley juice more palatable through apple and ginger. Fresh watermelon and pineapple juices, no complaints. Spicy lemonade is pretty delicious.
The Pros of Cooler Cleanse
Just like BluePrint, a three-day juice supply can be delivered to your door (in certain cities) or shipped (everywhere else). True to name, each six-pack of CC juices came in a soft-sided cooler. It's cute, but it's useful, too. Toting juices around last time grew cumbersome, and we learned quickly that these things taste an awful lot better cold.
What's more, whereas BluePrint gives you the same six juices every day, Cooler Cleanse mixes things up a bit. Pineapple-ginger one day might be grapefruit-mint the next. Dinner might be almond milk, hemp milk, or Brazil nut. The monotony of BluePrint was definitely a bit of a killjoy, so points for variety.
And while the price differential is only about $10/day, that's still something.
The Juices
Sweet Green: Sweeter than it looks. Lots of apple juice. At first you taste the kale and parsley, then it's all apple on the finish. Peppy, fruity day-starter. Recommended: an added squeeze of lemon juice.
Pineapple and Ginger: Very easy to down this. Tropical sweetness of pineapple complemented by spicier, biting ginger. Lots of ginger. Tastes like a brunch cocktail we'd order.
Essential Green: Much greener than Sweet Green. Not sweet at all; you really taste the stringy celery and dark green kale roughage. More like a vegetable soup. Erin added some sea salt to make it a bit more savory and was tempted to pour in some olive oil, too, but resisted. (By the time day three came, Erin went for it and added some sambal sauce to make it spicier, more interesting, and distract from the blaghhh-green-ness. We don't believe this is officially endorsed in the Cleaner Cleanse rulebook. Oops.)
Essential Red: Sweet from all the carrots and beets; one of our favorite juices in the pack. Not thick but substantial enough to get you through the afternoon fuzzy-headed lulls.
Young Coconut Water: Nice change from the sweet, juicy, appley and greeney flavors. Refreshing with a little more body and flavor than water. Coconut water isn't for everyone and might have a turn-off quality if you're hungry or light-headed and craving real food, but we didn't mind it.
Spicy Hemp Milk: Though we occasionally still have nightmarish flashbacks to this alterna-milk tasting, this hemp milk wasn't as hempy as we feared. It has a diluted grassy-milky flavor with a mild sweetness from dates and earthy spice from ginger. Not particularly rich or creamy, but at least there's some heft in there, which the body appreciated after a long day of juicing.
Watermelon and Lime: Tastes like summer and makes us realize we miss watermelon the rest of the year. There's a bit of texture from the melon meat but it's not gritty. Watery-sweet with a little lime squeeze in the background, not overwhelmingly citrusy.
Grapefruit and Mint: You get a big tangy bite from the grapefruit. Puckery, in a good way. Refreshing, minty finish. Really like this one—in our top three of favorites on the cleanse.
Almond Milk: When you're building up all day to the dinner nutmilk, you really look forward to that nutmilk. Like, staring-at-your-watch-at-5pm-look-forward-to-it. But this one wasn't satisfying. It didn't feel like the pat on the back (you survived, kid!) reward at the end of the day. Something off about it. Rubbery and synthetic, like licking basketballs. We was craving richer, smoother, fattier, but this wasn't restorative. It made us want to go to bed earlier.
Brazilian Nut Milk: By far the richest of the dinner nutmilks that Cooler Cleanse offered, with contains 54 grams of fat in the bottle and almost 600 calories; in each sip, you really feel like you're swallowing a couple Brazilian nuts. This stuff is filling. You're not tempted by people eating solid food around you. Each swig is rich and strengthening.
The Cons of Cooler Cleanse
We appreciated the variety of the Cooler Cleanse program, but variety didn't always result in better juices. BluePrint's staple green juice, for example, was somewhere on the vegetal-sweetness scale between Cooler Cleanse's apple-y Sweet Greens and bitter Essential Greens. When we started a morning with Sweet Greens, we appreciated that extra apple, but Essential Greens is honestly a bit tough to get down.
Another concern is the nutmilk. When it's your richest "meal" of the day, you start craving it by mid-afternoon. BluePrint's cashew milk did feel like a reward at night, but two of Cooler Cleanse's (the thinner hemp milk and strangely synthetic-tasting almond milk) didn't. And while we really liked the Brazil Nut Milk, the calorie balance of that day is so late-skewed (almost half of your calories coming in that single drink at the end) that, that day in particular, we really noticed feeling weak during the day and almost unable to drink something so rich at night.
The Verdict?
We can both say that a juice cleanse is much easier the second time around than the first. And many of the same effects apply: it helps you ease out from under a coffee dependence, disposes you more favorably to healthy solid foods (it's amazing how powerfully you can crave a salad after three days), and gets you thinking twice about what exactly you're eating every day.
As for weight loss? You certainly might shed a pound or two (Carey "lost" two on Cooler Cleanse) but it's possible that's just the absence of solid food from your system. It does have a way of setting you on a lighter, healthier track afterward, if only because rich food looks so scary after you've been juicing. But a get-skinny-quick method, it's not. At least not in just three days.
Overall, while we liked some of the Cooler Cleanse juices better than anything on BluePrint, the average BluePrint juice was a little easier to drink (whereas we had a hard time with some of the Cooler Cleanse juices, like the Essential Green and the Almond Milk). And when all your nutrition comes from six little juices, it's hard for one of them to be a dud. Still, if you want to do a juice cleanse but feel like monotony is a dealbreaker, then Cooler Cleanse might be for you.
Our Future 'Cleanses'
Having tried this sort of thing twice now, it really just gets us itching to try our own "detox"—a veggie-heavy eating plan that would leave us with the same lighter feeling, without the energy depletion or large bill at the end. What are your favorite "lighter" foods? And are you ringing in the New Year with them?
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Barbara Ehrenreich is the author of several books, including Nickel and Dimed and Bright-Sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America.
If Wal-Mart is a person, as the Supreme Court contends, it's a behemoth terrorizing the countryside. But when it comes to workers' rights, it remains curiously immune from lawsuits.


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Bachelor of Science
To graduate with a degree in Biology, students must have a minimum of 2.0 cumulative GPA in required biology courses. No science or math courses required for the Biology major may be taken on a credit/no credit basis. At least six of the required biology courses with laboratory for the major must be taken at Eastern. Each year, all biology majors must take the biology comprehensive exam given in the spring semester. Performance of graduating seniors on the biology comprehensive examination will be noted on their respective transcripts. Students majoring in biology are exempt from the University's LAC Tier I and Tier II Natural Science requirement. Students planning to enter graduate and professional schools should enroll in the BS program. Students should also be aware that some laboratory and field positions pay less to those with a BA than to those with a BS degree.


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We tried to catch as much Pokemon as we can, to complete our Pokedex, and to expand it with new found species, Legendary Pokemon. This is fun and adventurous! Almost as soon as i got my first game-boy, the one and only game i bought was Pokemon, i began to be amazed by the daunting life of Ash Ketchum, venturing into the wild, battling Pokemon, leveling up and unlocking awesomeness! i hugged to my game-boy almost 24/7! i nearly went blind for the sake of awesomeness.
And i'd finally realizing my dream, a road trip in search of Legendary Pokemon!
We traveled almost half of a thousand miles; friendship, great foods, chats, and bugs!
Gears: http://heejennwei.blogspot.com/2012/05/nikon-r1-macro-flash-system.html
Mole Cricket (Gryllotalpidae)
Pincer Beetle?
Pincer Beetle?
Fishfly, Neochauliodes dispar (van der Weele, 1906)
Giant Red Long Horn Beetle (Cerambycidae)
Long Horn Beetle (Cerambycidae)
Indonesian Moon Moth (Actias maenas)
Stonefly (Plecoptera)
Dragonfly (Odonata)
Wasp (Apocrita)
Huntsman Spider on Tree Trunk (Sparassidae)
Rhinoceros Beetle (Dynastinae)
Mating Rhinoceros Beetle (Dynastinae)
Beautiful life of the undergrowth.


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fwts-live will run a range of fwts tests and store the results on the USB stick - these can be reviewed while running fwts-live or at a later time on another computer if required.
To install fwts-live on to a USB first download either a 32 or 64 bit image from http://odm.ubuntu.com/fwts-live/ and then uncompress the image using:
bunzip2 fwts-live-*.img.bz2
Next insert a USB stick into your machine and unmount it. Now one has to copy the fwts-live image to the USB stick - one can find the USB device using:
dmesg | tail -10 | grep Attached
[ 2525.654620] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdb] Attached SCSI removable disk
..so the above example it is /dev/sdb, and copy using:
sudo dd if=fwts-live-oneiric-*.img of=/dev/sdb
..and then remove the USB stick.
To run, insert the USB stick into the machine you want to test and then boot the machine. This will start up fwts-live and then you will be shown a set of options - to either run all the fwts batch tests, to select individual tests to run, or abort testing and shutdown.
If you chose to run all the fwts batch tests then fwts will automatically run through a series of tests which will take a few minutes to complete:
and when complete one can chose to view the results log:
if "Yes" is selected then one can view the results. The cursor up/down and page up/down keys can be used to navigate the results log file. When you have completed viewing the results log, fwts-live will inform you where the results have been saved on the USB stick (so that one can review them later by plugging the USB stick into a different machine).
A full user guide to fwts-live is available at: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardwareEnablementTeam/Documentation/FirmwareTestSuiteLive
To help interpret any errors or warnings found by fwts we recommend visiting fwts reference guide - this is has comprehensive description of each test and detailed explanations of warnings and error messages.
Below is a demo of fwts-live running inside QEMU:
Kudos to Chris Van Hoof for producing fwts-live