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It could be the result of weeks of planning and organizing.
Or, you could have a spontaneous Chick Night that none of you saw coming!
Last weekend, I managed to enjoy BOTH of these extremes.
On Saturday afternoon, Bonnie, Collette and I met at Bonnie's house for some pre-planned chick time that involved a raw veggies platter with three types of dip, a hot cheese dip with four kinds of crackers, a fruit platter and two dips – one being a lovely serving dish brimming with melted chocolate – and a Chick flick.
The three of us spent a hilarious 90 minutes watching the movie Mamma Mia on DVD.
Yes, we chose the Mamma Mia Sing-a-Long option. Did you really have to ask?
After the movie and snackies, we had a nice, long chat – the kind that involves each woman being able to get caught up on what is happening in the other women's lives.
Such FUN!
On Sunday afternoon, I packed my trunk full of the various leftover goodies, added a portable chocolate fountain, and drove across town to meet reporter, Jenny Jelen and cameraman extraordinaire, Cliff Skelliter to tape an upcoming segment for a local cable show on Eastlink TV called, The Episode.
When the first words out of Jenny's mouth were, "Glad you're here, our makeup and hair woman is ready for you", I KNEW this was going to be FUN!
How often do I have someone else do my hair and makeup for me, you ask? Hmmmm, let me think. It happens about as often as people offer me free trips to the Caribbean!
I am amenable to that suggestion, by the way.
When Christine had finished with Jenny and I, it was time to set up the "props" for filming. Jenny's friend, Amy had graciously donated the use of her home for the afternoon.
I arranged food, beverages, and DESSERTS in Amy's kitchen and livingroom while Jenny prepped her intro and Cliff set up his equipment.
After the standard interview questions had been asked and answered, Cliff asked Christine and Amy to join us in the livingroom. He said, "Just relax and do what you would do if you were actually having a Chick Night."
This is where the MAGIC started to happen.
As we four women began enjoying the munchies and serving up the chocolate brownie cheesecake – with whipped cream and strawberries, naturally – we started to chat.
Talk turned into REAL CONVERSATION which sparked LAUGHTER and eventually moved straight into FUN.
Before any of us knew it, we were HAVING a Chick Night.
It didn't matter that I barely knew Jenny and had never before met Amy or Christine.
It didn't matter that we were all there to tape a tv segment.
In that moment, we completely forgot about the camera guy hovering in the background. (Sorry Cliff.) Chick time simply HAPPENED.
Four women + one chocolate dessert = FUN.
Spontaneous. Unexpected. Wonderful FUN.
That's the aspect that most women seem nervous about. The dreaded HOW?
"How do I get this started?" "How do I choose the "right" women?" "How do I word the invitation?"
Ladies, please believe me when I say…Chick Night will happen…if you LET IT HAPPEN.
Here's the simplest and most direct procedure:
1. DECIDE what YOU would like to do.
You may want to go out for dinner or host a potluck meal. You may prefer to see a movie at the cinema or rent a DVD. You might feel like going out hiking or biking or snowshoeing and coming back for hot chocolate. Or, the idea of doing arts and crafts together may appeal to you.
The choice is up to YOU.
2. CALL or EMAIL two or three women you would like to spend time with. These can be girlfriends you haven't seen in a while or women you barely know.
EITHER way works.
3. INVITE THEM to get together "just the girls". Make it clear that there will be no spouses, partners, or children. Chick Night is your chance to get away from all your roles and responsibilities and just be YOU.
This is YOUR night out.
4. MENTION the chocolate. Trust me, offering a woman a chance to TREAT HERSELF is like holding a magnet half an inch above an open box of paperclips!
They will WANT to join you.
5. ENJOY yourself. It really is that simple.
Jenny, Christine, Amy, and I managed to pull off a totally impromptu Chick Night in the middle of taping a tv segment. Just think of what YOU will be able to do with a little thought and a couple of emails!
Talk soon.


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Today is officially the first day of Camp NaNoWriMo, and I'm trying to write a 50,000 word novel in the month of July!
(Today is also officially my sister's Sweet Sixteen birthday... YIPPEE!)
So I don't know how this will go (the writing, not the birthday), because I'm now working full time at an internship at a hospital in the city. That means I only have between three and four hours to spare - and some of those will have to go to blogging, chores, and other necessary things. Which leaves about - one to one-and-a-half hours to do Camp. I may shift my word goal down a bit from 50K, just saying.
Anyway, I will be chronicling my Camp adventures here (if I have the time), and probably posting excerpts from my writing. And definitely doing July's Beautiful People on a new character!
So here's to a fantastic July!
Anyone else doing camp?
"Fool," said my muse to me, "Look in thy heart, and write!"
~Sir Phillip Sidney

subset: commoncrawl


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By Graham Chalmers
It's the biggest music festival of the year in the north and the Harrogate Advertiser's team will be there throughout the weekend.
With closing night headliners Metallica said to be planning the biggest and most expensive live show in the event's history on Sunday, August 30, this year's Leeds Festival promises to be a cracker.
There's even a Harrogate singer on the bill this time round - Eeectro-pop artist Katie Skinner, 22, who is to perform on the BBC Introducing stage.
As for the Advertiser's reporters - Laura Hill, Graham Chalmers, Nina Swift and Dan Windham - they will be at Bramham Park reporting throughout the weekend through social media and www.harrogate advertiser.co.uk
As to what to see, here's the Advertiser's recommendations.
The Top 10 Leeds Festival acts you have to see
10. The Cribs (Friday)
Wakefield's perenennial underdogs still have plenty of bite left in them as current album, For All My Sisters demonstrates.
9. Coasts (Friday)
As the Foals aren't playing, check out this blissed-out Bristol-based five-piece who who put the lift in uplifting on their forthcoming debut album.
8. Seether (Sunday)
It's 21 years since Kurt Cobain died but his spirit is kept alive by this South African hard rock band who bring the Grunge era back to life.
7. Frank Turner (Friday)
A star by stealth, Turner has graduated to a headlining slot indoors through years of acoustic slogging live in small venues that puts young whippersnapper Ed Sheeran to shame.
6. Circa Waves (Sunday)
If you're tired of the soap opera that is The Libertines, try this newish Liverpudlian four-piece already renowned for their upbeat indie rock songs and rousing choruses.
5. Royal Blood (Sunday)
This Brighton-based two-piece garage rock band are the hottest two-piece on the planet right now - except for The Black Keys, and they are certainly louder..
4. Bastille (Saturday)
Can the ultimate energetic synth pop outfit transform the lifeless main stage. If they can't, who can?
3. The Maccabees (Friday)
The U2 it is safe to like, the London-based four-piece indie rock band special in big tunes that aren't dumb and interesting musical ideas which are always accessible, re new album Marks to Prove It.
2. Metallica (Sunday)
The heavy metal legends promise spectacular pyrotechnics - and that's on top of a classics-laden set.
1. Kendrick Lamar (Friday)
This hot US hip hop artist's latest album To Pimp a Butterfly, has been hailed as the Sgt Pepper of rap and he's a bit of a bold choice as second top of the bill on the main stage. Just let's hope he doesn't declare himself the "biggest rock star on the planet."
For ticket information, Leeds Festival tickets


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Many of the video mash-ups you find on YouTube are astonishing in their complete and utter ineptitude. They're usually full of editing glitches, spelling errors and poorly synched sound. In fact, they're so godawful that you begin to wonder how the people responsible possessed the technical proficiency to even get them online. That's why it's so nice, and always surprising, to find something as funny and professional as the clip below. It's been on YouTube for almost four years now, seamlessly blending groovy sixties beats with zombie carnage from Zach Snyder's Dawn of the Dead Remake. It's foot-tapping, zombie burning fun!
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Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Anytime Costumes Renaissance Lady In Waiting Costume Review
I received this costume for free to facilitate this review.
I have always loved dressing up. Even as I get older I love cosplay (costume play). It is still fun to role-play. I always loved acting and was in a number of school plays (some musicals) as a child. I love the theater and used to go see plays all the time when I was in college. I miss it, but with small kids It is difficult to go see them. The next best thing to going to the theater and seeing others acting is dressing up and going to fairs or conventions where others are also dressed up too.
I love Renaissance fairs and although I never had a costume up until now, it was still fun to partake in the festivities. Through Anytime Costumes I got to pick out a costume for free to facilitate this review. I decided upon the Lady In Waiting Costume they had. I chose the size small (the smallest size they had) because I am very petite.
This costume comes with a dress and crown. The dress is long and layered. The moss green fabric of the bodice and sleeves feature a gold inlay of diamond shapes that is embellished with an ivory, green and gold decorated ribbon trimming the square sweetheart neckline and the waistline. The outer sleeves are royal purple and puffy at the shoulders and drop into hanging sleeves. They open up to inner long sleeves that are in the same moss green and gold patterned fabric as the bodice. The outer skirt is of the royal purple fabric and is cinched up with two gold colored ribbons on either side. There is a faux underskirt that is moss green and reaches down to your feet. The costume is topped off by a faux gold crown bejeweled with faux yellow gems. This costume is modeled after clothing ladies in waiting wore. A lady in waiting is a female personal assistant who tends to the needs of queens, princesses or noblewomen. They did things like secretarial tasks, embroidering, painting, horse riding, making music, and taking care of clothing.
When this costume came in the mail and I opened it up I was surprised at the crown that came with it. It is absolutely my favorite part of the costume. It looks very authentic from the front, but is held on by a black stretchy band in the back. The crown is made from some sort of rubber painted gold and molded with the shape. The faux yellow jewels really set it off. I love the radiance it gives. It reminds me of the sun's rays.
The dress was well built and I love the decorated ribbon and attention to detail in the front. However; it, like the crown, was not especially flattering from the back. When I tried it on at first I had to adjust it slightly so I wouldn't have a huge wardrobe malfunction. Even the small size I was swimming in. The skirt falls well past my feet and the bodice is not well suited for small chested women like me. I filled it out everywhere but there. I will probably take it in and up later. Even though I had to adjust the costume the pictures turned out great while I was wearing it.
All in all this costume is wonderful if you need something for Renaissance fairs, Halloween, or a theatrical performance.
Follow them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/wholesalecostumeclub
DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received product for free to facilitate my review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.
Posted by Finamoon at 1:20 PM
Labels: Anytime Costumes, clothing, costume, crown, dress, dress up, fair, Halloween, lady, lady in waiting, me, Renaissance, review, theater, women
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Look for more articles: use our search module on the right. Just type in ' Mexican taxes', 'sentri', etc. If you can't find what you looking for, contact us. We will be happy to provide you with any information you may need on Baja real estate. If you are looking for property listings go to our Baja listings search page instead.
Moving to Rosarito?Send us any questions you may have on relocating to Rosarito. Just fill in the form bellow and click the 'Make Contact' button at the bottom.
Need More Info?Send us any questions you may have on Baja Real Estate. Just fill in the form bellow and click the 'Make Contact' button at the bottom.
|U.S. Retirees predicted to outlive their financial assets
Originally Posted on Northwest Retirement Magazine - www.nwretirementmag.com -CALAFIA, Baja California –The American dream of never-ending prosperity has been shattered. According to a study recently released by Americans for Secure Retirement, retirees in California, Texas, Illinois and New York will have to lower their standard of living by 23 to 28 percent just to make sure they don't run out of money before they die. With home values dropping and the stock market stalling, many have seen their retirement funds destroyed and their savings disappear during the current recession.
There is a familiar place of relief, however, where California residents may find homes better suited for retirement living. Just 30 minutes south of the international border, newly constructed oceanfront condos are available for a fraction of the cost of buying a home in the United States. At Calafia Condos, Resort and Villas in Baja California, spacious twobedroom, oceanfront condos with all the amenities Americans have come to expect, are selling for less than $300,000.
Mexico is rich in heritage and holds a unique culture that has been known as a mestizaje or a melting pot of races including the indigenous Amerindian, Spanish and others. Today, more and more Americans are adopting Mexico as their second home and first choice for a vacation getaway.
According to the World Tourism Organization, Mexico has one of the largest tourism industries in the world and was ranked as the seventh most popular tourist destination worldwide. In the U.S. an online poll conducted by Travel Agent Central showed Mexico as the leading budget-friendly way Americans are seeking vacations during the current state of the economy. As the third largest industry in Mexico's GDP, tourism is the industry holding Mexico together during the current worldwide economic downturn. According to Miguel Gomez, director general of FONATUR, tourism employs 5.57 percent of the Mexican labor force. For each person employed directly in the industry, an additional four jobs are created. Tourism is the catalyst that is raising Mexico's financial standing in the world.
"Some Americans are afraid to come to Mexico because of the drug wars but we don't worry about safety here", said Gail Coronato, 62, of Carefree, Arizona, who owns a Calafia condo. "We are away from the city. We stay away from the parts of town we know are dangerous. It's just common sense."
It is possible to retire and securely own a second home in Baja California even in today's economy, according to Max Katz, sales director of Calafia Condos, Resort and Villas. "In fact, the majority of American vacation seekers are fleeing from the consumerism craze of the U.S. and are driving to Mexico," he said.
"Overall, the cost of living in Mexico is about 30 percent less than in the U.S. Most everything is less expensive," said Bob Dawson who moved to Mexico 13 years ago from Orange County, Calif., with his wife Carol. "The food is good too. In fact, just the other day I bought a delicious thick ribeye steak for only $5. The ocean water is clean, the weather is warm and it is quite easy and inexpensive to rent a boat for a day excursion."
Mexico's strong currency and tax benefits added with the minimal cost of living, creates the best retreat for keeping a standard of living that is simply no longer found in the United States. Calafia Condos Resort and Villas is a resort beach community on the Pacific Coast of Baja California guarded by 24-hour security. Just south of the historic city of Rosarito Beach and only 30 minutes south of the San Diego border, the nearby town of Calafia is home to charming shops, restaurants, clubs, art galleries, golf courses and more. And Baja's famed wine country is only a 15-minute drive away.
Calafia Condos, Resort and Villas provides expert guidance in purchasing real estate in Mexico with experts in the areas of title insurance, performance bond services and real estate law. Call toll free 1-866-CALAFIA or click on calafiacondos. com for details.
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text: HUYANO was designed for those who see the world in real live people. It's a little bit of strategy, a little bit of lick and a whole lot of who you know. Be the first to get rid of your cards by naming people from countries around the globe, but it can change with just one card!


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The Warmington Group of Companies
Watch for our Special Commemorative Insert in the OCBJ
As part of our 90th Anniversary this year, Warmington will be featured in a special insert in the Orange County Business Journal on Monday, October 31st. According to the OCBJ, "Warmington has played a unique role in the development of Southern California and beyond. This special insert will chronicle their rich history."
This is a unique opportunity for Warmington and we hope that you will be on the lookout for this commemorative piece and enjoy learning more about the Warmington group of companies road to becoming a 90-year-old full service real estate organization with roots that date back to 1926.
We understand that many of our associates and partners have played a role in helping to bring this special insert to fruition. For that we are thankful and recognize that we could not be the group we are today without the support of all of our colleagues, friends and clients. So thank you in advance!
Warmington Properties, Inc.
Just Closed: Cerca Student Housing in San Diego
Adding to our portfolio of luxury student housing communities, escrow has closed on an 82-bed student housing complex adjacent to San Diego State University. Previously operating as Campus Center, this new investment property will be rebranded as Cerca Student Housing. Cerca joins Zuma Student Housing, a 108-bed complex also in San Diego and built by Warmington Residential in 2014. As premier student housing options, Cerca and Zuma provide the "Life/Style/Luxury" that residents of private student housing anticipate.
The $5,000,000+ in equity was funded by Warmington's Friends and Family Investors and debt was provided by Fannie Mae. Asset Campus Housing, which currently manages Zuma, is providing management services for Cerca.
The addition of Cerca is part of Warmington's larger strategy to increase its holdings of both Student and traditional market-rate apartments in the San Diego metro. Cerca is Warmington's third asset in the MSA and plans call for adding two to three more in the near future.
Other Multifamily news:
- The construction of 90 units at Martin Apartments in Las Vegas is nearly complete and leasing is going well.
- The first phase, consisting of half the total of 325 units, of construction is nearly complete at The Gallery Apartments in Las Vegas. Leasing is underway. Construction on the second phase is expected to start later this year.
- Solana Apartment Homes in Las Vegas started grading in December 2015 and now has the Clubhouse and Fitness Center buildings and first units
(of a total of 204) framed up.
- By 2018, our current communities will provide over 1500 apartment units in Las Vegas and 1100 in California and are actively looking to build and acquire additional properties in these markets. Additionally, we are engaged in an analysis of the multi-family markets in Portland and Denver. Within existing and potential new markets, our focus remains ensuring stable investment income through the acquisition of high quality multi-tenant properties in stable markets.
Warmington Residential
Trellis Earns Best Single Family Detached Home Award
Trellis in Rancho Mission Viejo's village of Esencia has been named an Award of Merit winner in two categories in one of the homebuilding industry's most prestigious competitions, The Golden Nugget Awards. The Gold Nugget competition honors architectural design and planning excellence and draws entries from throughout the United States and internationally.
Trellis was an Award of Merit recipient in two categories:
- Single Family Detached Home - Under 2,000 sq. ft.
- Residential Housing Project of the Year - Detached Product
Notably, Trellis was Esencia's only Project of the Year Award of Merit recipient.
Awards were presented during the 53rd annual Gold Nugget Awards ceremony in San Francisco, California in June. The event was a grand affair held during PCBC®, the largest real estate development conference and trade show in the west coast region.


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Party Pals Say Let the Good Times Roll—On a Bicycle Built for 16
Companies Offer a Seat at the Bar, Which is Also a Giant Bike; Perils of Ill-Chosen Footwear
CHICAGO—Karen Kelly thought she had everything she needed for a recent bachelorette-party weekend here: a wad of cash, a dress for evening, makeup and hairspray.
But about an hour into the first activity, the 30-year-old merchandising assistant realized she'd made the wrong shoe choice.
"You're going really fast and your flip-flop just...


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Paint Protection Film
The ultimate protection from road debris damage
There are all sorts of reasons to buy a car. Under most circumstances we will be using it for our comings and goings. From the most basic grocery getter to the most exquisite supercar, we want to drive it. But we also want them to look beautiful, as beautiful as possible for as long as possible. Without any protection, a car's finish will take abuse from rocks, salt, insects and other road debris. We've seen unprotected cars with as little as 15K miles need their front end repainted. Thankfully we have the best options available to properly protect that brand new car and keep it beautiful for years before any damage can occur.
Paint Protection Film, also referred to as Clear Bra, is a thin, nearly invisible film that provides significant protection to your vehicles painted surfaces. It is most commonly installed on the front end where the most damage tends to occur but it can be installed on the entire car for a near seamless and glossy protection from anything the world may throw at it. This will not only ensure the vehicle will retain it's highest resale value but more often then not, your vehicle will fetch more money because of the upgrade of protection film.
As you may have already guessed, we are extremely particular about car care and we are proud to offer only the very best in Paint Protection Film
STEK DYNOshield
STEK DYNOshield has an industry leading 10 year warranty. It is guaranteed to not stain, discolor, crack or peel for 10 years! We have also found it to be far superior in terms of optical clarity and gloss. It has unmatched self healing and stain resistance and it is 100% engineered and manufactured in the US in order to ensure the highest quality film available anywhere! We know you will be blown away with the look and performance of STEK DYNOshield that's why we offer a complete satisfaction guarantee. We also have Matte PP and Fashion Films such as: metallic color shift (DYNOprysm), faux carbon fiber (DYNOcarbon), gloss black (DYNOblack) light smoke, dark smoke and yellow (DYNOshade. DYNOsmoke & DYNOyellow).
Partial Front End PPF Coverage
Car $1000 / SUV $1100*
This package covers the following:
Front Bumper
Partial Hood (usually around the first 20")
Partial Front Fenders
Side View Mirrors
Headlights and Fog Lights as applicable
Full Front End PPF Coverage
cars $1900 / SUV $2000*
This package covers the following:
Front bumper
Full hood
Full front fenders
Side View Mirrors
Headlights and fog lights as applicable.
Full Body PPF Coverage
pricing starting at $4500
* Represents typical pricing - please contact us to set up your consultation for a more information
Rocker Panels $550*
Lower Door Areas $450*
Lower Forward Quarter Panels $250*
Lower Rear Quarter Panels $175*
Trunk / Hatch $100*
Let's get started
Give us a call for more information or your custom quote (216) 342-5281


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A Portrait of Life After War
In The Hired Man, Scottish-born Aminatta Forna reveals the pains of readjustment behind Croatia's seeming summer idyll
You have heard about the terrible war in ex- Yugoslavia between 1991 and 1999.
You have read about it, maybe tried to understand it.
You heard sad stories and saw shocking pictures.
Maybe you've seen movies about it – like Angelina Jolie's 2011 film In the Land of Blood and Honey that takes on the tensions and danger of cross-cultural love in Bosnia.
But have you ever asked yourself what has happened since?
How do people who have survived those ghastly times live with their memories and, even more interestingly, how does anyone live next door to the people who caused all that suffering?
These are the questions Aminatta Forna asks in The Hired Man.
The book is set in Gost, a small fictional town in the part of Croatia where in 1989, the Serbian minority pronounced its own republic, triggering unrest, and soon war.
Laura, a British woman, buys a house and spends a summer there with her two children and a hired man Duro, hoping to bring the house back to life.
Duro is a local and a friend of the previous owners. He is a man of few words but many practical skills – including hunting.
The arrival of the unexperienced foreign family will gradually unsettle Gost's inhabitants, bringing back painful memories and feelings long suppressed.
Just as the war in Croatia crept in gradually, the novel will take you by the hand and lead you out of naiveté and slowly, step by step, into a nearly suffocating darkness and final crescendo.
The book may at moments seem slow, but bear with it – the ending is so powerful, it will make you glad you did.
From inside a cage
All Forna's work deals with civil conflict: "Why does a country implode?" she wonders.
But a writer's job is to pose questions, and she doesn't search for answers.
As in her award winning The Memory of Love (2011), or her 2002 memoir The Devil that Danced on the Water, dealing with the conflict in Sierra Leone in which her father, a doctor and political dissident, was hanged, there are no solutions.
On the contrary – the deeper she digs into human existence, the more questions arise.
What would it be like to live among the effects of a war in a country where you were a foreigner, "where you can't read the signs"?
This question initially took her to Argentina as a possible setting. It ended in Croatia.
The Hired Man is powerful in many ways: its topic, characters, Forna's gripping prose. But its strongest quality is a unique atmosphere, which will stick with you long after.
The novel is claustrophobic, even when it takes you outside, into the woods, on a swim or a hunt.
It's like looking at the world from inside a cage – of horrors experienced, of not being able to escape one's past or one's future, of the inescapable presence of one's worst enemies.
When asked why he doesn't leave, Duro answers:
"Why should I? And anyway where would I go? When you've seen it and you know nothing is going to change that, you get used to it, like an aftertaste of something rotten.You get used to it, because you have to."
Other characters are also memorable: Laura, the wonderfully naive British woman, is a sweet, bored housewife who dreams of repeating her mother's success with refurbishing and selling houses.
She is here to find an idyll:
"Laura wanted cheese and cured meats, olives soaked in oil and vine tomatoes, like in Italy. Instead she found imitation leather jackets, mobile-phone covers and pickled vegetables."
She is oblivious, just as the world was back then, not understanding what the war was about: Just who were the Serbs and Croats and why did they want to kill each other when they speak the same language and live in the same country?
What makes Laura especially interesting is the ambiguity of her blindness – is it real or willful? How much does she actually choose not to see?
Even her children are less naive.
Lingering spirits
The book's local Croats are wonderfully real.
A strong contrast to Laura, they are everything but naive.
These people function in a multi-ethnic environment, they have experienced the transition from communism to capitalism, managed through the worst financial shortages, and survived a war.
Duro's voice is at times staggeringly Croatian.
He is a tough man who accepts his destiny and survives doing hard physical work – practical, loyal, brutal, private – but at the same time surprisingly sensible.
He is a true Croat: a powerful mix of a Slavic and Mediterranean soul.
The decision not to distinguish clearly between Croats and Serbs makes Forna's novel especially interesting, and even a Croatian reader will need some time to understand what is going on and who is who.
Someone who has experienced the war might feel irritated by her painting one side as brutal killers while not describing the horrors of the other.
But this also allows for an interesting mystery and a strong plot.
At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter who was who. Avoiding micro-politics, Forna is able to concentrate on her characters, fallible human beings to whom anything can happen.
Anywhere in the world, someone may manage to convince us there are enemies out there – and if we don't kill them, they will kill us.
Too many people have killed and been killed on false assumptions and what is left is wonderfully described: a suffocating cage of witnessed horrors, lingering spirits unable to move on.
The Hired Man Aminatta Forna Atlantic Monthly Press (2013) pp. 293


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On-line version ISSN 2304-8557
Print version ISSN 0023-270X
Koers (Online) vol.77 n.1 Pretoria 2012
Singing for your supper: Staff singing for transformation and teambuilding in a South African bank
Sing vir jou aandete: Personeel sing vir transformasie en spanbou in 'n Suid-Afrikaanse bank
Alta van As
School of Education, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
Transformation entails meaningful change. In South Africa (as is increasingly the case in Europe and elsewhere), such change hinges on interaction and communication between citizens of different cultures, ethnicities and languages. Where the inability to speak the others' language(s) can inhibit real interaction and genuine communication, choral singing proffers unique opportunities for shared communicative experiences. In 2005, Dr Steve Booysen, then Group Chief Executive of the Absa Group, initiated an internal choir festival as a platform for social interaction and teambuilding for staff across all cultures, age groups and post levels in the bank. Booysen envisaged the choir project as a means of moral support during the Absa-Barclays merger. This article reports on the results of a Doctoral investigation into the extra-musical benefits of this project for Absa, such as transformation and teambuilding. Choral singing as social capital is discussed. The Absa choir project can serve as a microcosm of larger multicultural, multilingual macrocosms. The benefits attained through communal singing in this project may also hold possibilities for attaining unity in diversity in South Africa.
Transformasie behels betekenisvolle verandering. In Suid-Afrika (soos toenemend ook die geval is in Europa en elders) is sodanige verandering afhanklik van die interaksie en kommunikasie tussen landgenote van verskillende kulture, tale en rasse. Terwyl die onvermoë om mekaar se tale te praat ware interaksie en kommunikasie kan inhibeer, bied koorsang unieke geleenthede vir gesamentlike kommunikasie-ervarings. Dr Steve Booysen, destyds Groep Uitvoerende Hoof van die Absagroep, het in 2005 'n interne koorfees ingestel om te dien as platform vir sosiale interaksie en spanbou vir personeel van alle kultuurgroepe, ouderdomme en posvlakke in die bankgroep. Booysen se visie was dat hierdie koorprojek sou dien as 'n middel tot morele ondersteuning gedurende die Absa-Barclays-samesmelting. Hierdie artikel fokus op die resultate van 'n doktorale studie wat die nie-musikale voordele van koorsang, soos transformasie en spanbou, ondersoek. Die Absa-koorprojek kan gesien word as 'n mikrokosmos van 'n groter, multikulturele, veeltalige makrokosmos. Die voordele wat die samesang in die koorprojek teweeg gebring het, mag belofte inhou vir die bou van eenheid in diversiteit in Suid-Afrika.
Full text available only in PDF format.
Competing interests
The author declares that she has no financial or personal relationships which may have inappropriately influenced her in writing this article.
Anderson, D. & Ackerman Anderson, L., 2001, Beyond change management: Advanced strategies for today's transformational leaders, Josey-Bass/Pfeifer, San Francisco. [ Links ]
Anderson, D. & Ackerman Anderson, L., 2010, 'What is transformation, why is it so hard to manage?', in Being First, viewed 08 September 2012, from http://www.beingfirst.com/resources/pdf/SR_WhatIs Transformation_v3_101006.pdf [ Links ]
Ashkenas, R.N. & Francis, S.C., 2000, 'Integration managers: Special leaders for special times', Harvard Business Review, November-December, 108-116. [ Links ]
Barrett, M., 2007, 'The value of choral singing in a multi-cultural South Africa', M.Mus dissertation, University of Pretoria. [ Links ]
Bonhoeffer, D., 1978, Life together: The classic exploration of Christian community, HarperOne, New York. [ Links ]
Chesnokov, P., 2010, The choir and how to direct it, Musica Russica, San Diego. [ Links ]
Clift, S. & Hancox, G., 2007, 'The perceived benefits of singing: Findings from preliminary surveys with a university college choral society', Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health 21(4), 284-256. [ Links ]
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Gordon-Brown, C., 2005, 'Making M&As work', Wits Business School Journal, April, 72-79. [ Links ]
Grauf-Grounds, C., Edwards, S., MacDonald, D., Mui-Teng Queck, K. & Tschermer Sellers, T., 2008, 'Developing graduate curricula faithful to professional training and a Christian worldview', Christian Higher Education 8(1), December. [ Links ]
HOW-FAIR, 2003, How opportunities in workplace and fairness affect intergroup relationships, University of Connecticut & Level Playing Field Institute, San Francisco, viewed 28 August 2008, from lpfi.org/docs/HOWFAIRReport.pdf [ Links ]
Jeannotte, M.S., 2003, 'Singing alone? The contribution of social capital to cohesion and sustainable communities', The International Journal of Cultural Policy 9(1), 35-49. [ Links ]
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Kulikovsky, A.S., 2007, 'Justice and the Bible', paper presented at Summit Australia conference, Canberra, January 2007, viewed 08 March 2012, from http://hermeneutics.kulikovskyonline.net/hermeneutics/Justice AndBible.pdf [ Links ]
Lomax, A., 1968, Folk song style and culture, Transaction Publishers, New Brunswick. [ Links ]
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Matthews, R.E., 2011, 'Music style preferences of urban South African adolescents: A follow-up study including additional genres of Hip-Hop, House, Kwaito, Metal and Rhythm & Blues', MA dissertation, University of Pretoria. [ Links ]
Mkhize, N., 2007, 'What is Transformation? Transformation as genuine dialogue', viewed n.d., from http://www.vryeafrikaan.co.za/site/lees.php?id=695 [ Links ]
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Putnam, R.D., 1993, Making democracy work: Civic traditions in modern Italy, Princeton University Press, New Jersey. [ Links ]
Putnam, R.D., 2000, Bowling alone: The collapse and revival of American Community, Simon & Schuster, New York. [ Links ]
Reddy, K., 2008, 'Transformation', in N. Shepherd & S. Roberts (eds.), New South African Keywords, Jaconia Media, Auckland Park. [ Links ]
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LFW - International Showcases
International Showcases or so called exhibitions/showrooms during London Fashion Week is running for about 2 weeks around the main fashion shows.
Majority of countries and designers represent their work in a small places all around the London. Displaying their work as well as a possibility of buying their designer works on place. But not everywhere.
It is very interesting, since it is split up by countries, so you will see each technique, designers and their cultural differences within fashion design.
I have so far visited 4 countries out of I do not even know how much (believe me a lot, and I won't be seeing all of them, because of school time)


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Scrap Car Major's Green, B90, Scrap your car for free
Here at Scrap Car Major's Green we collect vehicles free of charge throughout Major's Green (B90), Worcestershire. If you have an old car that you are not using you will still be expected to keep it taxed whilst it is on the road. Don't pay to have your car towed away. We can take away your scrap car for free!
Breaking News in Major's Green
As well as offering a completely free collection, we are also currently able to offer cash for scrap cars in Major's Green depending upon the weight of the vehicle!
If you'd like us to make you an offer just ask when calling or add 'CASH QUOTE PLEASE' in the 'Additional Info' box when submitting our online form.
- DVLA notification
- Completely free collection!
- Nationwide coverage
- Environment agency approved recycling facilities
- Convenient collection times
Just ring 0800 043 5100 or simply fill out the form and we will be there!
Choose Scrap Car Major's Green
We have been trading in the Worcestershire area for over a decade and have many happy customers. After trading here for over a decade we have built a knowledge of the local area meaning we are fast and reliable. We are proud to be able to offer an unrivalled service and will arrive to collect your car at the agreed time slot. We are open 24/7 and are available to you 365 days a year, and we will work around you commitments.
We will scrap your car in the most environmentally sound way in Worcestershire. A lot of companies out there will sell on your scrap car and not even notify the DVLA that the vehicle is no longer yours. This can leave you a target for receiving a fine that you do not need to get. Scrap Car Major's Green will always notify the DVLA that your vehicle has been scrapped, meaning you can rest assured that you are in the very safest of hands. We always recycle anything that we can when we strip an old car, this minimises the impact on our local environment.
Ensure that your old car is disposed of correctly, we would like to keep the streets of Worcestershire tidy and clean of rubbish. If your area looks unsightly due to abandoned cars, we can help, call Scrap Car Major's Green, we will help keep our streets clean and tidy. Get your car scrapped in Major's Green, call today!
The car scrappage scheme
The car scrappage scheme at first may seem like a great idea. However, you will be limited as to what you can get. You can't just go out and purchase any vehicle you want This can cause people a lot of misery as you might have your heart set on a particular car only to be told that, "the vehicle is not in the scrappage scheme".
Reasons to scrap your car
There are many reason you might want to scrap your car. The main reason in our experience is that the car is beyond repair, it will be cheaper to buy a new one. If you have a scrap car that is unusable you need to either declare it off the road or scrap it, otherwise your will continue to need to pay road tax on the car.
How to scrap your car
It is very easy to scrap your car in Major's Green. Just by picking up the phone you can be told the process by our members of staff. If you would rather not call you can find out the process on our how to scrap your car guide.
Just call us on 0800 043 5100 or fill out the following form:


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Faire des Observations
Saturday, August 4, 2012
I started this blog in 2010 but became so involved in reading other blogs that I had forgotten mine; my interest in fashion started at a very early age (view vintage photo); I am not a photographer or an illustrator or a designer, but I DO like to write about things that I enjoy and I have been a people watcher for a very long time. I have always liked STREET FASHION. It is creative and expressive. Isn't it great that everyone is different? If all of us were exactly alike what a boring place this world would be!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Little Black Dress! This is your 86th Birthday. You were created by CoCo Chanel in the year of 1926 and have been recreated by many designers since. Still you have survived; your silhouette and hemline have changed through the years, but you have endured. Now considered part of any woman's basic wardrobe, you are a CLASSIC! Congratulations. No longer are you considered as a mourning dress, or part of a uniform; nor a garment worn by wealth challenged citizens. You can be elegant or simple. Your color matches all other colors. Plain fabrics or rich fabrics make little difference, you are still suitable for royalty. Jewelry enhances your look, whether real or fake. Travel perfect, you always look fresh and are welcome for any event. Long Life to you!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Reasons to Shop
It's good for your health: walking is good exercise.
It's good for your soul: lifts you spirtually.
It's good to celebrate: special occasions, such as your birthday or your cousin's (twice removed) birthday.
But most of all, it is good for the economy. So SHOP 'TIL YOU DROP! Happy Christmas to all!
It's good for your soul: lifts you spirtually.
It's good to celebrate: special occasions, such as your birthday or your cousin's (twice removed) birthday.
But most of all, it is good for the economy. So SHOP 'TIL YOU DROP! Happy Christmas to all!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Anyone who has an intense interest in fashion whether by occupation or hobby, will event-
ually be declared as "shallow". To the uniformed, fashion is a very light-headed business.
The reality is that the fashion industry is a very serious business . It draws very skilled
people from many other industries as well as the creative, imaginative and visionary artists in
its own realm.
Fashion is an Art Form as evidenced in many museums. Current fashion of any given
time in history is responsible for the shape of the furniture we use; accommodating the clothes we
If Couture is the Mother of Fashion; Pret-a-Porter is the daughter and the Wedding
Industry a close relative. All employing very gifted people from many industries.
Fashion allows people to express themselves; it chronicles the times in which we live.
Therefore, I don't think that the Fashionistas of the world are the least bit shallow!
Saturday, October 30, 2010
The Adventures of a Chanel dress
I came into being in the year 1994, Collection 94A in the country of France at the House of CHANEL.
Upon arriving in "The States" I was destined for THE CHANEL BOUTIQUE, Highland
Park Village in Dallas Texas.
On February 16, 1995 I was purchased by Madame T. who lives in Houston. However , my arrival in Houston was delayed in order to alter my dimensions for "My Lady's" imperfect figure.
One month later Federal Express delivered me to Millvan Drive, my new home.
NOW begins The Adventure!
My first public appearance, with my proud new owner, was on February 23, 1995 at 7:30 PM
in the Wortham Center for the opening night of the Houston Ballet's performance of DON
QUIXOTE. The costumes on stage were exquisite. Rich brocades shimmered in their jewel
toned colours under the evening's lights. But I was even more beautiful with my simple, elegant
fabric adorned with the Signature Golden Nugget Buttons. My fabric is made of 100% LAINE or
wool, lined in 100% Soie or silk.
A Matador's Bolero style was chosen for the lines of my jacket. Two breast pockets
were added for "practicality" as CoCo Chanel always dictated. The cut of the cloth was similar
to one sketched by "Mademoiselle herself" IN 1938 for Harper's Bazaar. There are six buttons
down the front and three on each sleeve allowing greater wearability.
My dress is also made of black wool and silk. Jumper styled: sleeveless, low waisted,
scoop necked; "Poverty DE Luxe" as featured in the January 1927 issue of Paris Vogue.
The ambiance I project is that of an Audrey Hepburn Movie. Little or no jewelery is
necessary; when buttoned, my jacket seems to sparkle on its own.
The initial trip was a short plane ride to New Orleans for a visit with my family, and a reluctant
meeting with "My Lady's Tax Accountant on March 25, 1995. I travel well; my fabric does not
wrinkle like that of many of my sister's.
Between trips my jacket was coupled with a 20 year old black and white plaid skirt and
black leather belt buckled in gold. Quel declasse, n"est pas? Mais non! Mesdames et Messieurs.
I gave life to that old A-line skirt which many times narrowly escaped the Good Will bag.
After that success story, my jacket was tried on with evening pants of black crepe, straight wool
skirts, etc. I seemed to breathe new life into various other garments that had long been forgotten
in the back of the closet.
Many times I have been removed from my special, serene dark corner of the closet for
approval or disapproval by "My Lady's" friends, but I AM CHANEL, therefore I am invincible!
Originally, my ancestors came from Greece when Athens was the center of the Universe,
where great and wise minds expounded on the virtues of Democracy. When grace and order
On April 6, 1995 I embarked on my next plane trip. Destination: Washington, D.C. For a
family wedding in Woodbridge, Virginia. The ceremony was performed in a little brick chapel
that was 200 years old. Located on a lovely hill, the small church was surrounded by falling
apple blossoms, due to a recent cool spell. One of my "sisters" attended the wedding, since more formality was required.
The evening of my arrival, I was adorned with a gold banana pin, which emigrated from
New Orleans to Houston via The Mignon Faget Shop. Suit decorated, I then proceded to
"The Jockey Club pub and restaurant in The Ritz Carlton Hotel on Massachusetts Avenue where
"My Lady" and mari were staying.
The Ritz was built in the 1920's. The lobby was small by Texas standards, but very
elegant and intimate. Reminiscent of French Quarter Hotels in Old New Orleans, "My Lady's"
Birthplace. After a brief survey, it was decided the room was just perfect..
A warm but dignified shade of Cream adorned the walls, ceiling and woodwork. The
vaulted ceiling gave way to recessed Greek Moulding. The doors were all paneled in the
18th Century manner of a Christian Door. The hardware was a lustrous gold, picked up in the
gold damask coverings of the two Queen Ann Chairs. One on either side of a small Chippendale writing table. Two sets of French Doors flanked the desk. For reasons of safety, the two
balconies outside were not accessible but the view of the street was. Three windows were draped
in cream coloured fabrics , large silk tassels drew the last aside. Schumacher would have been
Crystal lamps were everywhere. They gave the room a light, airy feeling. All of the
furniture was mahogany and very traditional. A King Size Bed was decorated with a Cotton
Damask quilt combined with a matching dust cover. The headboard was carved mahogany. A
large Armoire, or Entertainment Center, featuring open Bat Wing Brass Pulls dominated
the room. In a cozy corner was a very comfortable Chaise Lounge equipped with ottoman and lamp table for reading and sipping coffee or tea.
Every detail was thought of. I myself resided in the Ladies' Closet on a beige Satin
Coat hanger provided by the hotel. There was also a Gentlemen's Closet. To the right of the entrance door was the Bath which was appointed with all the necessities, but in a luxurious way. The atmosphere of the Ritz had an air of quiet refinement, sophistication and comfort. Just "My Lady's"
cup of tea.
The morning of April 7th I was worn to view the White House. About ten minutes were
required to view the Public Rooms after having been in line from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM.
Sunday morning I was again selected to be used with a pumpkin coloured silk blouse for mass,
breakfast, and then a tour of Gunston Hall, a restored 18th century plantation built by George
Mason in Virginia. A great Architectural Treasure ! Designed in part by William Buckland of
England in 1755.
Monday morning April 10th , I was reluctantly taken from the closet. Then I was paired with a
beige and black patterned blouse (of 13 years vintage) for the ride home. My visit was much
too short, but tres amusant! Again I arrived unwrinkled, ready for my next adventure!
Mes Amis
chanel adv.doc.
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Hot Black Booties
So, it seems that Cherokee D'Ass has a special evening in store for her good gal pal Jada Fire. Cherokee has invited Jada over to her house to sample some strawberries and whipped cream treats, but she's also invited her hunky personal trainer over as well to put the two hot black chicks through his very physical workout routine. Before he arrives, though, these hot black chicks explore each other and even lick some of that sweet stuff off each other's pussies. Some very hot action here as both big black booties get a thorough worshiping that will leave you with the stiffest hardon you've ever had. These amazing black asses are just too fucking much, and Cherokee's massive booty is a jewel.
This video is called "Four Lips One Stick" and we find out why when the personal trainer arrives. He sees these two black babes and quickly gives them access to his sizeable erection. Jada Fire gives him a blowjob that could milk his balls out of every last drop of sperm they can produce. Cherokee works him over orally as well, giving him her trademark sloppy blowjob that usually drives guys nuts. When the fucking gets started, both these hot black babes get put through the ringer, and their hot black booties go wild as they jiggle all over the fucking place. This video is a keeper, for sure.


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U.S. Inflation Calculator
The CPI Inflation Calculator extracts the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The All-Items CPI, used by the calculator to calculate inflation rates in the United States, is updated as soon as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) releases its monthly CPI data.
How to Use The CPI Inflation Calculator?
Simply enter a dollar amount in the "costing" field, then select the years that you would like to compare. The years must be between 1913 and 2014, and the dollar amount must be between USD 1 and USD 10,000,000. For example, if you would like to know the difference between the value of $1 in 2014 versus $1 in 1945, type 1 in the "costing" field, type 1945 in the first year field, and 2014 in the second one. Hitting "Calculate" will display the result and generate a new chart.
How Does This Calculator Work Exactly?
As mentioned above, this inflation calculator uses the CPI (Consumer Price Index) rates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rates are available from 1913 to 2014. New rates are published every month on the BLS website and are available publicly. Our calculator's script extracts the rates for the selected dates and instantly calculates the result.
What is The Link Between CPI and Inflation?
The CPI is used by government agencies, banks and different entities to measure the effectiveness of fiscal and monetary policy, and to determine when that policy needs to be adjusted. The CPI basically correlates with purchasing power. When you hear the terms 'in today's dollars,' or 'adjusted for inflation,' the values discussed have been adjusted by using the CPI in order to reflect true purchasing power, or the amount a dollar will buy, at different times in history.
Can I Add This Calculator to My Website?
Yes, we are the only U.S. inflation calculator that you can embed on any page of your site as a widget, and it's completely free of charge. Simply head to the widget page, and start customizing the look and feel of your calculator. Once you are satisfied with how it looks, simply click "Get the Code" to receive a unique code snippet that you can embed on your site.


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Sidcup: 020 8309 0888
Bromley: 0208 313 0010
3 Bedroom Terraced House
Completed Onward Chain
3 Good Sized Bedrooms
Popular Location
Close To Local Amenities
New Double Glazing Throughout
New Bathroom Installed
Kitchen/Dining Area
Private Rear Garden
Guide Price: £360,000 - £370,000 Capital Estate Agents are delighted to present to the market this very well maintained and deceptively spacious 3 bedroom family home. Comprising 3 good sized bedrooms, lounge, kitchen/diner, recently installed family bathroom and front and rear gardens. Located within very convenient location for local Schools and transport links, we would urge any potential buyer to book a viewing now as properties in Southspring always sell fast.
Double glazed front door leading to entrance hall
Hall: spacious hall with stairs to 1st floor, wooden flooring and radiator.
Lounge: 13'5 x 12'5
Spacious sitting room with double glazed window to front, feature fireplace, carpet, ceiling light, radiator and TV point.
Kitchen: 19'9 x 9'9
Range of wall and base units with matching worktops. Sink/drainer with mixer taps. Integrated oven and gas hob. Space and plumb for washing machine and dishwasher and fridge/freezer. Ceramic flooring, window to rear, double glazed patio doors to rear leading to garden, spot down lighting and wall unit lighting.
First Floor
Carpeted stairs to landing, loft hatch with access to loft and window to rear.
Bedroom 1: 13'9 x 11'10
Double glazed window to front, carpet radiator x 1, ceiling light.
Bedroom 2: 13'9 x 9'11
Double glazed window to front, carpet radiator x 1, built in wardrobes, ceiling light.
Bedroom 3: 10'7 x 8'8
Window to rear, carpet, radiator x 1, storage cupboard, ceiling light.
Contemporary bathroom comprising. Panelled bath with shower attachment and mixer taps, tiled walls, low level W.C, vanity wash hand basin and window to rear, heated towel rail and extractor fan.
Rear garden: Garden to rear with flower and shrub borders, patio area to rear, side access, outside tap and 2x shed.
Front: Lawn area with access to back garden.
Below is a breakdown of how the total amount of SDLT was calculated.
Descriptions of the property are subjective and are used in good faith as an opinion and NOT as a statement of fact. Please make further specific enquires to ensure that our descriptions are likely to match any expectations you may have of the property. We have not tested any services, systems or appliances at this property. We strongly recommend that all the information we provide be verified by you on inspection, and by your Surveyor and Conveyancer.


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Falling in Love with Film
I like to call these our fun little experiments These photos were taken with my first couple rolls of film with my Canon EOS-1V film camera, the newest addition to our camera family. Hoping to do this more often... taking more photos of our day to day lives, and also incorporating film into our sessions and weddings.
There's just something magical about film.
And I'm completely smitten.
All of these were taken with Kodak Portra 400, and Kodak BW Tmax 100 film.


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The members of the OCEAN ALLIANCE, COSCO Container Lines, CMA CGM, Evergreen Line and OOCL, today signed a document entitled the 'Day One Product,' which sets out the proposed OCEAN ALLIANCE's network, including port rotation for each service loop.
The Day One network intends to deploy around 350 container vessels with an estimated total carrying capacity of 3.5 million TEUs to provide one of the most comprehensive service coverage in the market on the following trade lanes. The vessel deployment details for each service loop will be released around the end of November 2016.
20 Transpacific services (estimated 160 port pairs, with 13 Asia – West Coast North America services, 7 Asia – East Coast North America and U.S. Gulf services)
6 Asia – Europe services (estimated 110 port pairs)
5 Asia – Mediterranean services (estimated 165 port pairs)
3 Transatlantic services (estimated 70 port pairs)
5 Asia – Middle East services (estimated 70 port pairs)
2 Asia – Red Sea services (estimated 35 port pairs)
"The signing of the Day One Product marks an important step forward to show just how committed we are in developing the most competitive products to market and the high level of synergy and confidence we share in the partnership," member carriers said in a statement.


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Today is Earth Day... a great day to clarify my blog name - "Living Grenier (Greener)". I've had some people congratulate me for trying to live a greener lifestyle "in order to save the planet and make sure our grandchildren will even have a planet at all." But I'm trying to live a greener lifestyle in order to attempt to live a healthier life, and to be a good steward of the planet that God has given us. In Genesis, God entrusted Adam and Eve (and now us) as caretakers of His creation. I don't fear the future, I don't fear for my children or grandchildren or even great grandchildren. God is in complete control over everything, and that includes the planet. I'm not trying to be fanatical, or buying into the mainstream media's "Global Warming" theory, or buying into fear strategies... The earth is NOT my mother!!! I am just trying to look at my decisions and think, "What would my great grandparents have eaten, or bought, or done, or cooked..." I'm not trying to be progressive, I'm trying to go back to the basics.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
1 comments:
- Jennifer said...
I am right there with you Heather. It is about being healthier for our families and better stewards of "God's Green Earth."
Just last night I became convinced of the power of baking soda as a household cleaner. I was upstairs to scrub the tubs and realized I had not brought my cleaner up with me. Too lazy to walk back down stairs, I grabbed my baking soda (the stuff for my hair experiment) and sprinkled it one. It was awesome! I don't think I'll ever go back to scrubbing bubbles again!
- April 23, 2009 at 3:59 AM
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Managers, CEOs, Purchasers, Sales Reps, and Customer Service personnel are expected even
under the most difficult of circumstances -- to maintain a professional attitude. This highly
elusive state, however, is nearly impossible to achieve when your supplier fails to meet a
deadline, when a strike keeps you from arriving on time for a meeting, or when venture
capitalists withdraw their interest as the stock market turns bearish. Forget about
maintaining control of your attitude at such times. You're more likely to shout, "Why do I
always have to do everything myself? Why can't other people just do their jobs? Am I who has
to show up on time?
I give up."
Whether you're closing a sale, completing a report, or making a presentation, losing control
of your attitude can divert you from achieving your objective and can damage the health of
your business. In a training program on "Peak Performance on the Job," a leading trainer
found that language barriers and the stress of having flights cancelled at the last minute
magnified the usual logistical problems that people face everyday doing business. His task was
to work hard to avoid slipping into a negative attitude.
He advised his audiences: "Remember, the real pros consistently perform at their peak, not
because they're always in control of logistics and their personnel, but because they're in
control of their attitude."
Attitude control involves the practice and application of three peak performance skills.
1. Effective Self-Coaching
When Michael Jordan quit basketball to fulfill his father's wish that he play baseball,
reporters asked him: "How can you quit basketball after being voted the most valuable
player? What if
you fail at baseball?"
Michael Jordan, a master at playing in The Zone where nothing distracts him from giving his
best performance, said: I'm strong enough as a person to face failure and move on. If I fail, I
won't feel bad. I can accept failure. What I will not accept from myself is not trying. In that
one statement Michael Jordan tells us that -- regardless of the odds and regardless of the
outcome -- he will be there for himself, on his side all the way through the game. Effective
Self-Coaching means that we offer ourselves safety rather than threats, criticism and worry.
Like Michael Jordan we need to be strong enough as a person to be an effective coach in our
lives — keeping ourselves focused on core principles, helping recover from setbacks, and
making ourselves feel safe enough to take the risks that make us champions in our field.
The gremlins inside our heads complain and whine, distracting us from doing our personal
Identify the specific words and feelings of these gremlins and be ready with alternatives that
shift your attention to effective, goal-oriented actions. Use your usual or "default" reactions
to stress and setbacks to wake-up the Leadership role and perspective in you. From this
perspective and role -- of leader, CEO, executive, coach or project manager — we are can
take charge of our attitude and our life.
Ellen, the CEO of a technical editing firm in Silicon Valley, used this technique to double her
income in 3 months. She says: I used to work with my nose to the grindstone, faxing at 3 AM,
totally out of touch with my commitments to my health and my family. Now, I'm doing the
work that relates to the bottom line and I'm done before 7 p.m. I'm working from a project
manager's perspective where I see the big picture, focus on getting results, and maintain my
commitment to my personal life.
3. Choosing to Show Up.
When we're in charge of our attitude we don't use the victim's inner dialogue: "I have to
show up but I don't want to." Instead we speak about "choosing to show up to do our best."
Choice is an executive function that involves considering the risks, consequences, and one's
commitments before deciding how to act. Choice is an act that ends ambivalence and
procrastination and calls for a united team effort to achieve an objective. It automatically
puts you in a leadership role and perspective.
When the computers crash (again), when there's another delay in production, or when loss or
illness disrupts your personal life, you're still expected to carry on. To consistently deliver as
a true professional -- regardless of the setting and circumstances — you'll need something
more powerful than the old "grin and bear it" technique. You'll need to support yourself with
the safety of "Effective Self-Coaching", rapidly shift to a "Leadership Role" and perspective,
"Choose to Show Up" to demonstrate that you truly are a peak performer. When you use
these skills you'll be in control of your attitude.


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Who we are
Learn about the organizations that support BC's College Pension Plan and provide you with services as a plan member.
College Pension Plan
BC's College Pension Plan is one of the largest public sector pension plans in British Columbia. Learn how your plan is organized and managed.
British Columbia Pension Corporation
British Columbia Pension Corporation provides professional pension services to BC's College Pension Plan, and a range of services to employers and members.
British Columbia Investment Management Corporation
British Columbia Investment Management Corporation provides investment management services for BC's College Pension Plan.


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I recently signed up for a few handmade Christmas in July swaps and
this one was with The Oz Material Girls My swap partner's name is
Jennifer and she lives in NSW.
In keeping with the Christmas in July theme, I have made another elf
and some little tree decorations.
I hope she will like them :o)
I took the pattern for the elf from 'Homemade Magazine',
The peg reindeer were a kit from my local craft store
and the peg angels are my own design.
I'd just like to thank The Oz Materials Girls for hosting this
fantastic swap!
Thanks for stopping by
Happy Sewing!
Peta xoxo


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Walmart Express Opening Near MU Campus
COLUMBIA - A new Walmart Express will open on Ninth Street in downtown Columbia, across from the MU campus.
The smaller format store will be more than 3,500-square-feet, featuring a pharmacy and fresh groceries. The store's general merchandise will be tailored to the campus.
The store plans to hire 10 workers.
There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony with community leaders on Wednesday, Jan. 8, to celebrate the store's grand opening. On Saturday, Jan. 25, a big family welcome will allow customers to meet the store manager and enjoy family activities. The celebration starts at noon and ends at 3 p.m.
The store will be open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A Walmart spokesperson told KOMU 8 News the store is one of only a few Walmart Express stores in the country near a college campus.


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Hopes to replace Damian Williams as the fourth wide receiver
The Titans have their starting receivers in veteran Nate Washington, rising star Kendall Wright and promising Justin Hunter.
But who will take the role as the fourth receiver when the season opens at Kansas City on Sept. 7?
Michael Preston, second-year pro, has taken every opportunity to stand out to the coaches, especially wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson.
"He is my jack of all trades," Jefferson said at the conclusion of organized team activities. "He knows all the positions. I can plug him in anywhere, he hustles, blocks, and is a great teammate.
"He has a great chance, but there is a lot of competition at this position. Right now, I'm not making any predictions, but as a coach I can't live without him. That's how much he means to me as a player and a person."
The competition for the fourth wide receiver is growing. The Titans recently brought in veteran free agents Brian Robiskie, Derek Hagan and Dorin Dickerson along with Rico Richardson, a 2013 undrafted free agent, and a few 2014 undrafted free agents including Oklahoma State's Jaz Reynolds and Texas A&M's Derel Walker.
PREVIOUSLY: Shawn Jefferson keeps fire lit under Titans wide receivers
PREVIOUSLY: Jim Wyatt analysis on Titans top five wide receivers
And don't forget about fifth-year pro Marc Mariani, who missed the past two years because of injuries. The 2010 Pro Bowl kick returner was brought back on a one-year deal.
The 6-foot-5, 213-pound Preston, who was an undrafted free agent in 2011, came out of his four-year career at Heidelberg College with 167 receptions, 2,748 yards and 27 touchdowns in 39 games. As a senior he set career-highs in every receiving category, bringing in 76 receptions for 1,213 yards and 10 touchdowns in just 10 games.
With the Titans releasing Damian Williams, the former fourth wide receiver, Preston has a great chance to replace him on the depth chart.
"I feel like this is a great opportunity," Preston said. "It is something I've been waiting for … and with this opportunity I have to make sure I step up to the core. I have to be ready for anything."
Preston spent the entire 2011 season and the first 13 weeks of 2012 on the practice squad. He appeared in the last four games of 2012 and made his first NFL catch against the Colts on Dec. 9.
PREVIOUSLY: Kendall Wright's 2014 goal with Titans: More big plays
PREVIOUSLY: Nate Washington embraces "old man" role with Titans
Last season he flipped between the practice squad and the roster, between active and inactive status, and appeared in three games. He scored his first two NFL touchdowns against the Cardinals on Dec. 15 in an overtime loss.
"My main focus is to be very dependable and consistent," Preston said. "My route depths and always catching the football, those things will make me separate myself from the competition."
Jefferson speaks very highly of Preston and his abilities to be "that player" at the moment when you need him most.
"He is one of those guys a coach like me can't do without because I know what I have with him," Jefferson said. "I know when I'm in the war on Sundays, when I put him out there, he will make a play."
Preston's work ethic and positive attitude throughout the past three seasons has not gone unnoticed. It helps when you have a supporting team and coach behind you.
"I love coach (Jefferson)," Preston said. "It doesn't matter who it is, he pushes everybody the same way; he gets the best out of everyone. With a guy like that leading the charge, it is great for the whole group."
The Tennessean's Jim Wyatt talks about the progress of the Titans offense, particularly the quarterbacks, as offseason practices conclude. Jim Wyatt / The Tennessean


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Activated Alumina (AA)
Xebec's high porous activated Alumina is suitable to use in dehydration of compressed air and gases:
Molecular Sieve (Molsiv, MS)
Xebec's Molsiv is suitable for a variety of industrial applications, including deep drying of air, natural gas, alkane and refrigerant; argon generation and purification; static dehydration od electronic elements, pharmaceutical and unstable materials
Got a question? Ask us here .
We'll do our research and get back to you asap.
Or call us:
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Phone Toll Free 1-877-469-3232 or Phone 450 979-8700
USA Sales -
Phone Toll Free 1-866-622-9100 or Phone 450 979-8742
Int'l Sales
+001 450 979-8700


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South Dakota School for the Deaf moving to smaller campus
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — The South Dakota School for the Deaf is moving to a smaller campus this fall despite record enrollment.
Demographic data shows the school serves nearly 600 students who are deaf and or have some hearing loss. The number is expected to jump to about 650 by 2021, the Argus Leader reported.
As the facility moves to a smaller one, administrators said they're looking at potentially hiring more help and planning for growth. They also said they're trying to smooth over any potential problems during the transition.
They are moving because nonprofit group Sioux Falls Ministry Center bought the current facility in May for $6.9 million, according to the Argus Leader.
Now, the school's move has been criticized by the deaf community and lawmakers.
"We're going to be challenged in terms of space," Superintendent Marje Kaiser said. "You saw the two or three classrooms that are down there right now. We won't have that comparable space in the new facility."
Administrators said they can't guarantee the new campus will be the same size as the current one, which worries Kaiser.
"Where are we going? How do we build to meet the need that we hear from parents from the deaf community?" Kaiser said. "The challenge is people who have gone to residential schools cherish that experience as part of their education. But it's almost impossible to replicate that in today's world."
The move can also bring a disruption in audiology services offered to students by the campus because of the time it will take to disassemble, move and reassemble the school's sound booth used to evaluate students, according to a presentation last week by school officials to the South Dakota Board of Regents.
School officials are expected to present a new three-year strategic plan to the Board of Regents for review in October.
Information from: Argus Leader, http://www.argusleader.com


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Miners accidentally stumbled upon fluorescent minerals near the end of the 19th Century, when the light of emitted sparks from poor connections on electrical contacts emitted ultraviolet light, revealing the fluorescent quality of the minerals. And in the highlands of New Jersey, in Sussex County, miners worked the two most extraordinary mineral deposits on the planet.
Approximately 10 percent of all the mineral species known in nature occur in the Franklin and Sterling Hill mining district of Sussex County. In this one area, a number of world records are held:
This area is famous for its zinc deposits. They were immense, easily worked and exceedingly rich. The Mine Hill deposit in Franklin eventually yielded 22 million tons of zinc ore, and the Sterling Hill deposit in Ogdensburg yielded 11 million tons! The ores were mined principally for zinc metal, of which about 6 million tons was recovered - enough to galvanize every roof in the United States and Canada!.
This ore consisted of the minerals zincite, a zinc oxide, willemite, a zinc silicate and franklinite, a zinc iron manganese oxide. These three principal zinc-ore minerals are practically unique individually and in the combination, and serve to set these deposits apart - there are no other zinc deposits on Earth like these.
Both of these intimately related ore deposits are of great interest to science. After 180 years of scientific investigation, the characterization of over 345 minerals and the publication of more than 1,000 papers, reports and monographs, their origins are still shrouded in mystery.
This website is owned and operated by Web Team Associates, Inc. Copyright © 2019
U-Haul International, Inc. All rights reserved.
U-Haul International, Inc.'s trademarks and copyrights are used under license by Web Team Associates, Inc.


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Committed (2000)
Not every revenge film has to be a bloody, penis-maiming mess. Some revenge films can actually be sweet, or funny, or straight up strange and lovable. This is the case with Lisa Krueger's Committed, a movie I've adored since I was seventeen and now that it's available on Netflix Streaming, you have the chance to fall in love with its weirdness too!
The Story: Joline (Heather Graham) is... how do you say... in love with love. When she makes a commitment, she doesn't just stick with it; she tattoos that shit on her finger and makes a religious declaration in the middle of a dressing room. So when Joline's idiot husband, Carl (Luke Wilson) leaves her to go to Texas and find himself, she follows in an attempt to prove to him that you simply can't walk away from a commitment like marriage. Joline is going to show him the error of his ways, or get committed trying.
Despite the fact it came out in 2000, Committed is irrefutably, undeniably, adorably 90s. Starring Graham, Wilson, Casey Affleck, a baby Mark Ruffalo, Clea DuVall, and featuring a cameo from Everclear front-man Art Alexakis, this film is so gloriously 90s, I want to wrap myself up and roll around in it. The music, the leather pants, the outsider art and renewed obsession with Johnny Cash... it's all there and it's all wonderful. If you're a nostalgia junky like I am, Committed is worth your time alone for its ability to remind you what a weird decade the 90s were.
|90s-est wedding getup EVER. Do you SEE the upper arm bracelet? LOVE!
|That's her brother. They kiss. It's NBD. Don't ask.
|You're looking lovely, Anck-Su-Namun!
Revenge Honey Rating: 4 rattlesnakes out of 5
Committed is available on Netflix Instant, iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, YouTube VOD,
Google Play, & DVD
What is YOUR favorite relationship revenge movie?
Let's talk it out on Twitter: @linnieloowho


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and here we go
This summer I mentioned the impending debut of Polaroid's digital answer to their offing of the much beloved analog older sister (gasp, uses film). Looks like the day has finally come (not exactly directly via the Polaroid company), and with that my definite conclusion that I hate the idea. I'm sorry, it's just not the same. I will never love you.


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Sanctum is a unique and fantastic smelling Eau de Toilette spray which comes with 2 scents in one bottle. This wonderful smelling fragrance has a masculine light primary scent followed by a secondary scent which is very long lasting to ensure that you smell good at all times which will leave your friends wondering what scent you are wearing.
Guaranteed delivery by Tuesday, 20th August if you order in the next 34 hours, 0 minutes and 7 seconds (choose Next Day Delivery at checkout)
"Incredible" is the only word suitable to describe Sanctum. This is no half-measure just to say LA Muscle has an Eau de Toilette. Sanctum is right up there with some of the top fragrances in the world and that is not said lightly. This amazing new fragrance has taken 2 years to develop in conjunction with 2 perfume houses, one of them in France.The scent of Sanctum is fresh, sporty, yet sophisticated and premium. Sanctum has a delicious masculine yet light primary scent, followed by a magnificent secondary scent that lasts and lasts. The problem with most fragrances is that a) they don't last, b) they have a terrible soapy secondary smell and/or c) they turn sour.
50ml Eau de Toilette Spray in a beautiful white bottle with silver top.
The women will love it Kishor!


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Textron/AAI Corporation, Hunt Valley, MD
Principal Systems Engineer, 2008 to present
Systems Engineer IV, 2001 to 2008
Test and Integration Lead and Lead Avionics Engineer for Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV), Shadow 200
· Ground and flight testing
o Shadow 200, Shadow M, Shadow M2 - engineering, qualification, and production acceptance testing of complete system
o Flight test director, senior flight test engineer, hardware and software integration lead for over 30 Shadow UAV flight test series in the U.S. and abroad, resulting in sales to the U.S. military and foreign countries with production value of over $1B
o Responsible for ground and flight test definition, structure, and execution
o Lead for test planning for proposals that won US and foreign sales of Shadow, Future Combat Systems III, and Warrior (Army ERMP)
o Routinely requested by name from US Army Unmanned Systems Program Office to lead flight tests
· Hardware and software design and implementation
o Subject matter expert for three successive generations of Shadow avionics, SAASM GPS, Hardware In the Loop Simulation (HILSIM), payload simulation, aeronautical models, automated takeoff and landing systems – both GPS and radar based
o Develop flight, simulation, and data reduction software with automated analysis, hardware design, and system interfaces
o Integration lead for new system development and existing system improvements
o Develop hardware and software roadmaps for system integration
o Sole developer of IAI POP 200/300/300D (EO/IR/laser designator) payload simulation
o Senior software engineer and system architect for Shadow 200 HILSIM that allows AAI to fly the aircraft on the ground, using a proven 6-degree of freedom (6-DOF) simulator and a real-time digital signal processing hardware interface for all avionics input/output, incorporating all components of the Shadow 200 system, allowing for complete test of all interfaces and communications links with the actual air vehicle in flight mode
· Management
o Ground and flight test integration management of personnel and resources for all aspects of Shadow development
o Management of the flight line, as test director, and lab assets and personnel, as ground integration and test lead
o Manage up to 30 engineers, technicians, and operators for assignments and execution of test series
· Training
o Recognized the need for engineers to be trained on the entire system, instead of just one specific area
o Build and conduct training classes that are well attended for all engineering staff
o Classes include avionics overviews and details, simulation training, flight data reduction and analysis
· AAI Interface/Advisor to FAA for unmanned system certification in national airspace
· Researched, built, and presented documentation to US Air Force GPS Directorate for successful approval of SAASM integration to Shadow system
· Delivered HILSIM presentation at Huntsville Simulation Conference, October 2003
· Promoted within company because of demonstrated test knowledge and leadership, and recognized technical subject matter expert on air vehicle hardware and software, and radar automated landing system
· Five years with AAI recognition letter, Ten years with AAI certificate, Fifteen years with AAI certificate
US Air Force Officer, July 1989 – 2001
Air Force Information Warfare Center, Detachment 1 (Ft Meade, Maryland), Sep 1997 to June 2001
· Primary Air Force Computer Scientist in the Information Operations Technology Center
· Chief, Toolbox Readiness Team – Manager and lead technical support for directorate level database development program
· Manager, lead programmer, and system architect for modeling and simulation effort. Application software consisted of > 30,000 lines of C/C++ code using Microsoft Visual C/C++ w/ MFC
· Briefed this national level modeling and simulation effort directly to U.S. Vice President Cheney, Director of Central Intelligence, Assistant Secretary of Defense, SPACECOM CINC, two Directors of the National Security Agency
· Defense Meritorious Service Medal page 1 – page 2, Joint Service Achievement Medal page 1 – page 2
Air Force Flight Test Center, Detachment 3 (Nevada), July 1993 to Aug 1997
· Applications programmer/systems analyst with Applications Software Division – real-time data gathering systems, post-missions data reduction systems
· Chief, Applications Software Division – Directed efforts of 10 application programmers; manager and technical lead for three-year post mission data reduction applications development program; responsible for new system development and legacy system maintenance
· Chief, Systems Management Division – Hired and directed efforts of 10 system managers; responsible for maintenance and upgrades for all systems; head of flight test support on 24/7 basis
· Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal (first oak leaf cluster) page 1 – page 2
Foreign Technology Division, National Air Intelligence Center (Ohio), Feb 1990 to June 1993
· Applications programmer/systems analyst with Applications Systems Division
· Wrote custom timeline & event graphical database applications, DTED/line-of-sight applications & satellite ephemeris computational applications. Responsible for center-wide geographic information systems (GIS) upgrades & new application integration and training. Integrated data from ARCINFO/ARCVIEW (GIS), Digital Chart of the World (GIS), Oilstock (satellite information / GIS), Galactan (satellite information)
· Air Force Commendation Medal page 1 – page 2
United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO
B.S., Computer Science, May 1989
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Candidate for M.S., Mechanical Engineering, (2 classes left), Dynamic Systems and Controls Options
Project: 16-foot wingspan Unmanned Aerial Vehicle consisting of airframe and airfoil design and construction, flight computer design and integration, flight sensor hardware design and construction, flight sensor to computer design and interface, and flight and ground software development
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Master's level computer engineering classes
C/C++, Pascal, PICBASIC, Fortran 66/77/90, ADA, BASIC, PL1
Design, build, and fly remote control aircraft (fixed wing, helicopter, multi-copter) for 25+ years
Aerial photography, hiking, and camping
Secret - Active; Top Secret SCI/SBI – Inactive


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8 Best Winter Foods/
By:Â Michele Wolfson
It's basically winter season with these 40-degree days and even colder evenings that seem to start before 5 pm. The chill in the air makes it all the more tempting to take on a pleasantly plump physique in hopes that it will keep us warmer during these brutally cold months. Truthfully, this notion only makes it a more difficult and sweatier experience to walk up the subway stairs and makes holiday picture gazing in the spring a painful one. So much for pleasantly plump! The moral of this lesson? Don't forget to stop by the produce aisle this winter and purchase fruits and veggies!
The cold months are the perfect time to branch out to bolder fruits and vegetables and some of the best hit their peak just in time to snap your taste buds out of their winter funk. Here is a list of 4 fruits and 4 vegetables that you must eat this winter. Â Be sure to check out local farmers markets in your area so that you can get the freshest and most local produce around.
1. Brussels Sprouts
My mother never had to tell me twice to finish my Brussels spouts and that's because they are delicious! The high fiber content (over 15% of our RDA) of Brussels sprouts lowers cholesterol by binding with bile acids that the liver produces from cholesterol for digesting fat. When preparing this cruciferous vegetable, remove the outer layer of leaves, trim the stems, and toss with olive oil and sea salt. Place them on a baking sheet and roast at 425 degrees F until they're nicely browned. Then, saute them with a little butter, almond extract, golden raisins and sliced almonds for a delicious dish! They also can be eaten raw and sliced up in a salad.
2. Pomegranate
Pomegranate seeds are high in polyphenols, plant chemicals that fight inflammation. They are full of antioxidants that lower LDL. Research also shows that eating organic pomegranate seeds and drinking pomegranate juice can increase oxygen levels to the heart. Mix the seeds into oatmeal for more flavor and crunch.
3. Beets
My favorite way to eat beets is in a salad with goat cheese. Wrap a few beets in foil and bake them in a 350 degree-F oven for an hour or until they're cooked through. Then cut them into cubes to toss into a salad of greens and crumbled goat cheese. Add a drizzle of walnut oil.
4. Kiwi
One kiwi contains about 100 milligrams of immunity-boosting vitamin C. This fruit is nature's perfect medicine to prevent a cold and other common winter illnesses. It is also rich in Vitamins A and E, and its black seeds can be crushed to produce kiwi fruit oil, which is very rich in Alfa-Linoleic Acid (an important Omega-3 essential fatty acid). Add kiwi slices to a spinach salad.
5. Sweet Potatoes
This vegetable can be used in any course from an appetizer to a dessert. Several recent studies have shown sweet potatoes amazing ability to raise our blood levels of vitamin A. This benefit may be particularly true for children. In several studies from Africa, sweet potatoes were found to contain between 100-1,600 micrograms (RAE) of vitamin A in every 3.5 ounces-enough, on average, to meet 35% of all vitamin A needs, and in many cases enough to meet over 90% of vitamin A needs (from this single food alone). It's sweet for your health to eat sweet potatoes! Puree cooked sweet potatoes with bananas, maple syrup and cinnamon. Top with chopped walnuts. The fat content of the walnuts will help you get optimal absorption of the beta-carotene in the sweet potatoes and your kids will love them.
6. Guava
One cup of raw guava contains more than 8,500 micrograms of the antioxidant lycopene, which may help prevent coronary artery disease. Guava has been used to treat diarrhea, dysentery, constipation, cough, colds, skin issues, high blood pressure and helps with weight loss and scurvy. It's pretty amazing that one fruit can cure so many different ailments. Pair it with blue cheese and figs for a snack.
7. Kale
Perhaps my favorite vegetable these days, kale is excellent when gently sauteed with olive oil, sherry vinegar, chopped garlic, and mushrooms. This dark leafy green vegetable is so awesome- it can even be made into a chip! Why has kale gotten an edge on all the other dark leafy greens? Nutritionally, kale has Vitamins K, A and C, and calcium and iron. Its delicious, complex flavors make it a stand out veg.
8. Goji Berries
Research shows that eating berries like blueberries, acai berries, cranberries, strawberries, and cherries offers some definite health benefits. Berries like the goji berry are filled with powerful antioxidants and other compounds that may help prevent cancer and other illnesses, including heart disease. The antioxidants in goji berries also boost the immune system and lower cholesterol. Over time, people have used goji berries to treat many common health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, fever, and age-related eye problems. Goji berries are eaten raw, cooked, or dried (like raisins) and are used in herbal teas, juices, wines, and medicines. I soak mine in tea and it is a wonderful way to enjoy this nutritional berry.
Photo:Â Carol MoshierÂ
For more helpful winter tips, follow me on Twitter (@MarcusCooks)


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More info
Saturday April 1st
Performance & Autograph Signing
moe. will be here Saturday April 1st for a Performance and Autograph Signing before their show at the Paramount on the same night. To gain entrance you must come down to the store and request a wristband in advance because this is a FREE event! If you'd like to reserve a wristband on-line you can do so by clicking the add to cart' button below but be aware, you will be charged a small fee for order processing purposes ($.99). Avoid this pesky fee by picking one up here in our store. DO NOT MISS this event as it is sure to be one of the BEST in Looney history!
This special in-store event will be celebrating the release of our own Brookvale Records moe. Live from San Francisco for Record Store Day 2017 (April 22nd) . Click on the banner below to visit www.brookvalerecords.com and learn more about this and other exciting Record Store Day releases from Brookvale Records!


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Choose Us When You Need E-Cigs
Who We Are And What We Do
We are a leading supplier of e-cig products, and as a leader in the industry we believe in commitment to our customers. We know what consumers want and what they like, and this is one of the many reasons consumers across the Uk choose to buy products from us. They also choose to do business with us because we have a reputation for being one of the most trustworthy companies in the industry.
Why Choose Us
There are many reasons why you should choose to buy from us, and some of those reasons are as followed:
We Have Great Products
All e cigs are not created equal, as some electronic cigarettes are better than others. We are well aware of this, and this is why you should choose us when you are in need of an electronic cigarette. If you take the time to browse or e cigarettes, then you will quickly realize that we offer nothing but the best e cig products on the market today. Whether you are in need of a brand new e-cig, a new cartridge or some accessories, you will find that we have exactly what you are looking for.
We Have E-Cig Kits
If you are undecided on what product you want, due to being a new to e-cigs, then why not try one of our e cigarette kits? Our kits are designed for people who are new to e-cigs, as well as for people who are experienced with using the devices. Our kits come with everything that you need, but make sure to browse through our selection of kits before you make a purchase, as we have quite a few kits available and we want to make sure you get the best one for your needs.
Quality Customer Support
We do not just sell products to our customers and then that is it. In other words we do not treat our customers as sales. After you order our products we are open for feedback or any questions that you may have about your order. You can even contact us before you order one of our products, and we will be more than happy to answer any and all questions that you may have. Simply send us en email or call us and one of our representatives will be more than happy to talk to you. We pride ourselves on being a company that consumers throughout the UK can trust and count on. If you want to find out what makes us the best company to buy an e-cig, and e-cigarette products from, then order from us today.
Great Prices
We know that quitting smoking is not easy and we also know that traditional cigarettes cost a lot of money, and this is why we make it affordable for you to switch to vape kits. If you have always wanted to quit smoking and save money, then you should make the switch today.
As you can see we care about our customers, we carry great products and we sell them at affordable prices. If you want to make the switch today and experience what it is like to smoke an electronic cig, then check out our products, as you will be pleased to see that we have a very large selection to choose from and that we stand behind every single product that we sell. In other words, if for some reason you are not happy with your purchase or with the customer support that we have provided for you, then simply tell us about it and we will be more than pleased to work with you to make you happy.


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From the Archives
I recently stumbled across my scornful critique of Dharma students who are suckered by the old "crazy wisdom" routine into tolerating all kinds of outrageous behavior by their lascivious teachers. It would merely be funny, if the results weren't so often tragic.
See Crazy Wisdom and Other Bad Ideas.