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Capitol Alert
World 'at immediate and genuine risk,' Jerry Brown warns in final state address
Atomic clock inching toward midnight, Jerry Brown warns
Gov. Jerry Brown warned about the risk of nuclear ruin, environmental catastrophe and political poison, declaring in a sweeping speech Thursday that existential threats to the planet would require more engagement from U.S. and global leaders.
In his 16th and final State of the State address, Brown barely mentioned President Donald Trump and ignored his liberal state's jousting with the federal government. Like his predecessors, he instead cast California as an exceptional place built on generations of dreams and perseverance, emphasizing his role with the Legislature to claw back from the brink of financial ruin. With just a year left in office, Brown also delivered an animated defense of signature projects under attack.
The Democratic governor, who took the rostrum to an extended standing ovation and chants of "Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!" cited a decision earlier in the day by the science and security board of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists to move the minute hand of the Doomsday Clock 30 seconds closer to catastrophe. At 2 minutes to midnight, the clock is now as close as it was at the height of the Cold War in 1953, Brown said.
"Our world, our way of life, our system of governance – all are at immediate and genuine risk. Endless new weapons systems, growing antagonism among nations, the poison in our politics, climate change," Brown said. "All of this calls out for courage, for imagination and for generous dialogue."
Brown has witnessed and delivered year-opening speeches in the Assembly chamber going back nearly six decades. There was the 20-year-old seminarian watching his dad, the late Gov. Pat Brown, present his first inaugural address in 1959, and the 36-year-old Brown being sworn in on Jan. 6, 1975, when the median home price was just $41,600. Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak had not yet invented their personal computer when he first took office, as Brown noted in his 2011 address, when he returned to the Capitol to serve historic third and forth terms.
Having mounted three failed bids for the presidency, Brown, now 79, long ago assumed the mantle of elder statesman imparting wisdom on a state he will soon have to hand over. Citing the Women's March and push to shield so-called "dreamers" from deportation, he said California was at the forefront of movements to expand protections for women and immigrants.
"All of us – whatever our party or philosophy – have a role to play in defending and advancing our democracy," Brown said.
On Thursday, he returned repeatedly to themes of broader cooperation and bipartisanship to cure the toxicity coursing though politics. Brown thanked Trump for delivering "substantial assistance" following devastating wildfires and other natural disasters. He nodded to Republican U.S. Sens. John McCain, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins for voting against a GOP-led effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act. At another point, he praised Republican lawmakers in California for joining him in overhauling the pension and workers' compensation systems, and for putting up votes to secure a rainy day budget reserve, a $7.5 billion water bond, and to extend the cap-and-trade climate auction program.
To the eight Republicans who crossed party lines to back his cap-and-trade deal, Brown promised, to applause from the mostly Democratic chamber: "Don't worry. I got your back."
Brown did, however, reserve a moment of tough talk toward Trump, but did not mention him by name. He said the world generally is in sync that action is needed on climate change, but noted: "All nations agree except one and that is solely because of one man: our current president."
To that end, he announced plans to convene a task force of forestry experts to review how the ecosystems are managed and suggest ways to reduce the threat of fires.
Over the roughly 30-minute address, sprinkled with factoids like the 234,000 words contained in the Penal Code in 1965, Brown offered a staunch defense of last year's $52 billion gas tax and vehicle license fee increase to pay for road and transit repairs, saying he would do everything in his power to defeat any repeal that qualifies for the November ballot.
Brown highlighted plans in his final budget proposal to link K-12 education spending with local accountability plans to better track progress of English learners and students from low-income families, and low-cost, online courses designed to serve the 2.5 million Californians between 25 and 34 who are working and lack certificates or college degrees.
He implored lawmakers to examine the need for more mental health and drug treatment programs, along with better training and education for prisoners and past offenders, and urged them to consider the overall criminal justice system rather than reflexively enacting new laws because of horrible crimes and lurid headlines.
Reaction to his rosier assessment of the state fell along predictably partisan lines. Assembly Republican Leader Brian Dahle lambasted Brown's vision of a thriving state. He said laws Brown signed that are driving up fuel taxes, energy costs and the minimum wage have left behind ordinary citizens and chased away businesses.
"The cost of living is too high in California," Dahle, of Bieber, said. "We haven't built many homes in California, and it's hard to grow an economy when you can't afford to live here."
Though largely offering praise for the speech, some Democrats acknowledged they also would have liked to hear Brown address California's mounting housing crisis.
"We're going to talk to the governor quite a bit about continuing our efforts on housing throughout the year," Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon said after the speech.
Brown did devote extended stretches of his speech to two signature projects – twin water tunnels under the Delta and a high-speed rail system, considered central pieces of his legacy. Both efforts face considerable political resistance and cost pressures. Brown argued the rail, a punching bag of Republicans here and in Washington, is not unique in having to overcome obstacles. From the Golden Gate Bridge to the Bay Area Rapid Transit System to the Panama Canal, nothing so ambitious comes easy, he offered.
Even as supporters fret over cost increases, to $10.6 billion for the first segment from Madera to Bakersfield, Brown said the link between San Jose and San Francisco, an electrified Caltrain, is financed and ready. Another $1 billion, with matching funds, will be invested in Los Angeles to improve Union Station and fix the Anaheim corridor.
"Yes, it costs lots of money, but it is still cheaper and more convenient than expanding airports and building new freeways to meet the growing demand. It will be fast, quiet and powered by renewable electricity and last for a hundred years," he said.
Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, a leading contender to succeed Brown in the governor's office, said the governor was right to make the case for his major infrastructure projects. While critical of the "misleading" business plans put forward by the high-speed rail authority, which caused him to balk at the project in the past, Newsom said he is "up for the task" of completing the bullet train connecting Northern and Southern California.
"I'm supporting the vision. I want to get it done," he said, a position that largely syncs with his Democratic rivals.
Newsom also praised Brown's openness to scaling back the water conveyance project to a single tunnel, which he said he hoped would lead to a deal. Newsom had previously said Brown asked him to reserve his judgment about the multibillion dollar project.
"This has got to be a top priority in the next administration," Newsom said after the speech. "You can't walk away from this."
Democrats Delaine Eastin, a former state schools chief; former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; and state Treasurer John Chiang all have questioned the twin tunnels concept.
Brown said, simply, that the project is needed to conserve water, protect fish and the habitat in the Delta and ensure water to millions of people. Local water districts are pushing ahead.
"That is true," he concluded, "and that is the reason why I have persisted."
Christopher Cadelago: 916-326-5538, @ccadelago
Money. College degrees. Criminals. Gov. Jerry Brown's final State of the State address Thursday was chock full of numbers and statistics. Among them:
- 2.8 million: Jobs created in the past eight years; "Very few places in the world can match that record," Brown said.
- $27 billion: Budget deficit in 2011
- $154 billion: California's personal income in 1975
- $2.4 trillion: California's personal income now
- 78: Days added to California's fire season over the last 40 years.
- 331: Prisoners per 100,000 California residents
- 125: Prisoners per 100,000 California residents in 1970
- 5,000: Separate criminal provisions in California that specify "what is criminal, what the penalties should be, what enhancements should be added and what credits might be earned"
- $5.8 billion: Increase in annual higher education funding since 2011
- 2.5 million: Californians between 25 and 34 who are in the workforce but lack a postsecondary degree or certificate.
- 17: Sites that more than 1,500 construction workers are working at to build the state's high-speed rail system.
- 3: Percent of 1970 budget spent on prisons
- 8.9: Percent of current budget spent on prisons
- 234,000: Words in the California Penal Code in 1965
- 1.2 million: Words in the California Penal Code today; "By comparison, the Ten Commandments run just under 300 words."
- 10: Commandments; "There are still ten," Brown confirmed.


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About this Document
This five-year USMMA Strategic Plan serves as the compass for the Academy to educate and graduate merchant mariners and leaders of exemplary character who can meet the current and future needs of the nation. It charts the course for excellence and leadership at every level of our academic, professional and regimental programs and sets the Academy on a sustainable path for the future. Going forward, our progress must and will be measured against the goals, objectives and strategies outlined in this plan.

subset: commoncrawl


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Day 2 of the Annual Research Conference carried on with the same enthusiasm and vigour of the previous day. The first speaker of the day was Dr. Swati Shirwadkar, Professor and HOD, Department of Sociology, University of Pune. She spoke on the topic, "Ethics in Education towards the future of society". Dr. Shirwadkar said that in an era of globalization and the world pushing boundaries at a fast pace, education and ethics play an important role in guiding the world in the right direction.
Development in technology is the solution to everything. Education is a tool that empowers people and helps fight social plagues such as corruption, injustice and inequality. She urged the student managers to help the society to move forward with the right ethos and values. Continue reading


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Please click anywhere to continue browsing our site.
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Well this was my last post for the Scrappy Canary team.. :(
It is so bitter sweet as I was with the team through so many changes and this was actually the very first design team that I joined :) It was being accepted onto this team that gave me the push to apply for Scrapbooking Memories Masters and the BoBunny team which I have been lucky to be accepted onto both teams..
So THANK YOU Scrappy Canary for taking a chance on me and believing in me, and for allowing me to take a leap and go after my scrappy dreams..
So let me share with you my last layout I made using the December Scrapbooking Kit - Sunshine & Lollipops.
I managed to have some play with my Gelatos and my shimmerz paints with lots of layering.. When I started to add the gelatos I was really disliking the colour and stressing that I had buggered up the layout .. So I added stamping, watercolors and anything else I could get my hands on to keep laying.. Now I love how it turned out..
I did struggle to journal over the top of the gelatos and literally had a go with about 5 different pens and then found my slick writer to work best over the top.
Well thank you all for support throughout my time here and I will certainly be around to see the exciting things ahead for the Canary girls.
Till next time
Much Love


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ebay 231139009168 is the right Thing !
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Thangar and the princess returned to his castle. A large welcome was held for her and Thangar's safe return, with a large feast and song and dance, joy and happiness.
Then one day, a great sadness came over the land.
"Thangar . . ." the princess asked, ". . . where art Sint, my nobleman?"
"I am sorry, but he is d-dead," Thangar replied with sorrow.
And the princess wept.
"He died for you and without him I would be dead also," Thangar told her.
"If he died for me, I will die for him also," she said with tears.
"NO! . . . But you can't!" Thangar said.
"There is no reason for me to live," she said, "unless . . . unless you marry me."
"What?" Thangar said. "I can't! I would betray Sint."
"But Sint would be happy if I were happy. We'll be married, and then break our vows when we get into heaven. Sint would want a man like you to live with me for the rest of my days."
"Then it will be done, to be my queen!"
They were soon married and with their two kingdoms combined, Thangar became the greatest of all kings and many envied him and his riches.
Closing Thoughts: With double extra cheese, Thangar 2 comes to an end. On second thought, calling this ending cheesy would be an understatement. I think it interesting how much of my beliefs are revealed in this one chapter. Like most 11 year olds, I struggled to understand adult themes like love and marriage, and as an 11 year old writer, it was especially frustrating incorporating it into my fiction. It's one of those lessons I've come to learn only recently, in my thirties, that no matter how many books you read or education you have, you simply cannot fake life experience. If you've never been in love before . . . you can't write well about it. Even if you mimic what others have done, it wouldn't be genuine; it wouldn't be art. Now that I've been married for ten years, struggled with family and finances, and know what it means to be a father (to two wonderful children) I find that I can better populate the worlds I create, with not only young, brash, idealistic heroes like Thangar, but more world-weary characters like Demacharon from Age of Aenya.
If you've come with me this far, THANK YOU.
What's next? Well, three years after writing this story, I made my first attempt at getting published. At 14 years of age, I picked up a copy of Writer's Market, picked three publishers, and sent out three copies of a manuscript entitled, Dynotus' Adventures. Of course, I only heard back from this one agent, but that didn't stop me from writing Dynotus Adventures 2, 3, 4, 5 "The Metal God" and my first novel starring Dynotus, The Nomad.
To this day, I've written more about Dynotus than any other character. He's the precursor to Xandr. He is what got me through many lonely years. So I feel I owe it to him to post his story, the first one, anyway:
COMING SOON: Dynotus' Adventures: Book 1: The Island of Fotiaskotoma
Month February 2011
From the Mind of an 11 Year Old Boy: Thangar 2: Chapter 8
Author's Notes: No thoughts tonight—just read the exciting conclusion!
Thangar 2
Chapter 8
Thangar was more equipped than ever because he now had two power swords and a gold, magical medallion. He pressed forward to his goal, Zarack's Throne Room, with great anger, slashing the large door in front of him and fearlessly entering.
"It's over, Zarack! Your time has ended," Thangar boasted.
"Ha! You are no match for my alien power," said Zarack, as an electro beam blasted from his hands.
Thangar blocked with his swords and then tied a rope to one sword and threw it at a skull on the wall, using it to swing across the fire pit. Zarack blasted the rope in two but Thangar flipped across the chasm, sticking his swords into the side of the cliff.
Hanging to the narrow cliff, he started to climb, step by step, by sticking his swords into the stone. From the top, Zarack blasted electricity downwards. Thangar crossed sideways, dodging the beams. Zarack fired again and Thangar absorbed the electricity with his sword and threw it upward, stabbing Zarack and shooting his electro beam back at him!
"AAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRH!!!" Zarack cried in pain. "You fool, you cannot stop me!"
While Zarack was hurting, Thangar climbed to the top and flipped backwards onto the ledge, near the door leading to the dragon. Thangar quickly entered the door, avoiding another shot from Zarack, saying, "Phew! I'm safe now . . ."
He then heard a noise and turned.
"Holy cow! It's . . . it's . . . it's the dragon!"
|It's Polykephalos, the Three-Headed!
He cowardly turned to run away, but was blocked by Zarack, face-to-face. Quickly, he ducked an electro beam and Zarack accidentally shot the dragon. Thangar stood up and stabbed Zarack.
Zarack was stuck to the sword, and Thangar carried him over to the pit and kicked him down it. Zarack would fall forever.
Thangar ignored him now and turned to face the dragon!
He lifted a shield stolen from a knight, and blocked the fire bursting from the dragon's mouth. He then got out the medallion and it magically floated to the dragon's middle head. Amazingly, a beam surrounded the dragon. The earth started to shake. Thangar ran and slashed the door behind the dragon. A girl was standing there.
"Come, woman, I have come to rescue you!" Thangar yelled. Together, they ran out of the castle and suddenly . . .
The entire castle crumbled under the magic of the medallion. The princess turned, saying, "Thank you for saving me."
"Do not worry; I am Thangar the Mighty. But do not give credit to me for saving you. Give credit to Sint." And Thangar's heart was set.
From the Mind of an 11 Year Old Boy: Thangar 2: Chapter 7
Author's Note: Writer's write. That's what we do to survive, to make sense of life, to find meaning in an otherwise meaningless existence. For many people out in Internet land, it may seem like a waste of time to keep posting something nobody responds to.
Long before the Internet existed, I was writing to no one in particular. On occasion, I might even design promotions for my stories, little drawings that said things like, "COMING SOON: THANGAR 2!" I would imagine that if Emily Dickinson lived today, she might have a blog like this one. She wrote 1800 poems, most of them unknown and unpublished. Why did she do it? Because writer's write, because she suffered from the writer's disease.
Of course, no one will ever dig up Thangar 2 and proclaim it some great lost work of literature. I consider it poor writing even by 1970's comic book standards. But it's a part of me. I am a very nostalgic person, and I long for the good ol' days when my mind still burst with ideas. My six year old daughter already insists on growing up to be an artist. She has produced some very thick ring-binders of her own. And therein lies the beauty of youth: without knowing what came before, you believe anything is possible. As long as that belief persists, I think, success is within her grasp. Who knows? Maybe someday she can illustrate a book I've written.
Thangar II
Chapter 7
Edited by Nick Alimonos
Special Guest Edit by Arthur Karapateas
Everything was being watched from Zarack's crystal ball and he was greatly angered. "If I have no warriors mighty enough to defend me, I shall create one!" he said. Electricity bolted from his hands, electrifying a thick stone wall. It exploded. Eyes pierced the light and from the ruins of the wall a human form appeared. As life was rooted into him, his work began. Instinctively, he knew what his destiny was, his reason for living: give death to gain life.
"I am Stonehedge and I will complete my destiny, master!" He ripped off a pillar and ran to his enemies.
Meanwhile, Sint and Thangar, both wounded, continued fighting, till Stonehedge blocked their path. He struck them down with his pillar. Thangar quickly slashed the pillar in half and Sint, behind him, cut Stonehedge. But the rock [body] grew back immediately.
"The more we hit him, the more he reconstructs himself!" said Sint.
Stonehedge turned around and struck the sword away from Sint. Thangar, all the while, slashed at him, crying, "Ye shall fall, evil giant!"
But Stonehedge kicked Thangar and sent him flying through a wall. Sint turned, boasting, "Come and get me, you wimp!"
At this, Stonehedge was angered. He punched Sint down and Sint's neck whiplashed. But he got up and struck back with his fist, breaking his hand. Stonehedge pounded him again, yelling, "DIE! DIE! DIE!" When he finally stopped, Sint was in a pit, because Stonehedge had crushed him through the ground.
From behind, Thangar slashed a statue and it came down, crushing Stonehedge. And for a moment, he thought the monster dead.
"ROAR!" Stonehedge screeched, rising from the rubble. He went to pound Thangar, but Thangar blocked with his sword and returned the attack with a quick blow to the head. Stonehedge's head crumbled and Thangar knew he was victorious.
He ran to Sint's aid, but this time it had gone too far.
"What's wrong?" said Thangar.
"I am dying," said Sint.
"But you . . . you can't!" Thangar replied.
"Nothing will save me now," Sint said weakly. "You saved me twice; I only wish I could save you now, Thangar. Make my soul rest in peace, strike down the FIST of FASCISM and spread the ideas of freedom and democracy, and save my beloved one."
"I swear to god, I will not fail you!" Thangar told him.
"Take this," and Sint gave Thangar a gold medallion.
"What is this?" Thangar asked.
"Put it on the dragon's middle head and he will die. Avenge my death . . . avenge my death . . ." Sint's voice faded away.
Angrily, Thangar continued on his quest, this time without Sint.
From the Mind of an 11 Year Old Boy: Thangar 2: Chapter 6
Author's Notes: Not much to say here except this chapter contains my favorite line from the story. I won't tell you what it is . . . but it sure made me laugh! Just look for the italicized sentence.
Thangar II
Chapter 6
Deep in the heart of the castle was Zarack's Imperial Throne Room. Sint and Thangar continued to fight, getting closer and closer to him. But Zarack had one more man to defend him: THE EXECUTIONER.
|Notice the logo on his shirt? Not a fan of stick figures, this guy.
"Go and destroy mine enemies!" Zarack commanded and the Executioner took up his ax in search of Sint and Thangar.
Meanwhile, Thangar rested, tending to Sint's injuries from the arrow in his arm to his burned hand. But their safety was cut short. Out of the darkness, a voice broke the silence and a new enemy arose!
"Ha!" said the Executioner. "Your puny swords are no match for my power ax!"
Thangar turned to Sint, saying, "I'll fight this battle . . . you stay here and rest." He then got his sword and the two power weapons clashed like lightning. Both fighters blocked blows for a great length of time. Whoever tired first would die—and Thangar grew ever weaker from the weight of the ax.
Suddenly, the Executioner made a lucky blow, slitting Thangar's stomach! Too weak to fight, Thangar lowered his defenses. The Executioner did not finish the job, however, but picked him up and carried him away.
Thangar looked for Sint, but Sint was gone!
The Executioner took Thangar to the guillotine [original spelling: guiliteen] and set him up for a painless death. His ax was about to cut the rope to release the blade when suddenly, a brick flew into his head knocking him unconscious. Then the ax accidentally cut the rope! Thangar jumped forward, past the blade, and the Executioner fell into his place; the rest was too sickening to talk about.
Thangar survived. He turned to see Sint, who had knocked out the Executioner, and was glad Sint hadn't abandoned him . . . but saved his life.
From the Mind of an 11 Year Old Boy: Thangar 2: Chapter 5
Author's Notes: Am I crazy? Why am I doing this, showing the world my very worst work? You don't see J.K. Rowling publishing her work as an 11 year old, even though she professes to have been writing since age six. I honestly don't have a good answer for that. I consider this a kind of literary experiment, a way to learn about the writing process and the evolution of learning how to write better. There is so much that could be improved upon here it almost pains me to leave it as is. If there's one thing this experiment proves, at least, it's that a story is so much more than a string of events.
Every writer arrives at mastery (or at least competence) by a different path. Some are born predisposed for word play or grammar, but I was never good at any of that. All I had was an insatiable imagination. If genres can be said to fall into the category of a medium, then whatever category mediums fall into—let's call them "things"—is what I loved: stories, any kind of stories, from books or movies or comics or games, whatever ignited the flame of my imagination.
Thangar II
Chapter 5
The castle was astoundingly huge and dreadful. It looked thousands of years old with spider webs and slime. The roof reached up to the vanishing point.
All was silent and an evil cold blew in with the wind. Back to back Thangar and Sint held their swords, entering with caution. They walked silently into an area of complete darkness.
Suddenly, a blast of fire burst from the ground! It was as if the earth opened and the core blew out. A few more steps, and they would have been fried.
The fire lit up the place but turned the room into an oven. Sint and Thangar ran back, but a door slammed in front of them. Even their swords were useless against it. They had to go forward—and then the roof grew spikes and so did the floor, which elevated to crush them! They were trapped between a door on their left and fire to their right. And there was the crushing floor and roof too! The safest way, it seemed, was straight into the fire. They took a rope and tied it to Sint's sword, then threw the sword up, which stuck to the roof. One by one, they swung across the pit of fire, giving themselves great, grave pain. Thangar went first and then Sint.
Suddenly, halfway across, the sword came loose and fell along with Sint. Sint quickly flipped across, barely making it to the other side of the pit, which was good, but his sword was lost in the fire! And he needed it to fight an enemy guard at the exit. It was Eeya-To-Shun, a Japanese samurai. His large sword clashed with Thangar's and Sint wanted to help. Eeya karate kicked Thangar down and Thangar's sword flew backward. Eeya then lifted his sword for the killing blow.
Meanwhile, Sint saw the rope still in the fire pit. He bravely stuck his hand into it and got the rope and pulled out his sword, which was on fire. Sint grabbed the burning sword and blocked Eeya's sword, saving Thangar. Then, with all of his strength, Sint thrust forward, stabbing the samurai. The fire from the sword slowly burned Eeya-To-Shun from the inside out.
Sint helped Thangar up and screamed in pain, having fought with a burning sword.
From the Mind of an 11 Year Old Boy: Thangar 2: Chapter 4
Author's Notes: One thing I can't stand is when people get excited about reading my work. They practically beg me.
When I was growing up, everyone just assumed I was some kind of genius. Either that, or they hoped to learn some dirty secret about the inner workings of my mind. Despite repeating that my story is fantasy and that it probably wouldn't appeal to them if they don't like fantasy, they'd insist on reading it. After relenting, I often didn't hear from them again—they even avoided eye contact. Sometimes I never even got my story back.
Which makes me wonder . . . what does Thangar say about me? Does it reveal potential genius? In 1986, I honestly thought so. I deluded myself into believing I was destined for greatness. And that belief built the stepping stones upon which my writing stands today. Without that practice, without all those crimes against fiction, I couldn't write nearly as well as I do now. So many people have this Mozart theory stuck in their brains—this idea that some kids are born great. They never stop to think about the rest of humanity, the people who work hard at being good, or the people who simply write bad fiction. Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers argues that there has likely never been any real such prodigies. After all, Mozart's father was a musician who taught him piano from as early as Mozart could reach the keys. It's no wonder Mozart could play by age 6.
Thangar II
Chapter 4
Thangar and Sint rode off on their horses, leaving the Enchanted Mountains, towards the dreaded castle. They saw the castle guards and more jousters. Some of the guards who'd managed to flee acquired a new weapon—catapults—which flung giant stones into the air and crashing to the ground.
Thangar and Sint went back south to the mountain and took the knights' [the ones killed earlier] armor. When they returned to the castle, the knights thought Thangar and Sint were jousters and ceased firing the catapults. Then Thangar and Sint neared the catapults and cut the wood [holding them together]. When the knights saw this, they knew they had been tricked and attacked them.
"Come on, Thangar, let's ditch these suits—they've been giving me the cramps," said Sint.
The two fighters [Thangar and Sint] took up lances and jousted down the knights. All of a sudden, an arrow cut into Sint's arm—his sword fighting arm—and he had to switch to his bad arm, handicapping him. Arrows were tumbling down from the balcony.
"It's the archers!" Sint yelled in pain and Thangar rode to his aid. But Thangar's attention was drawn off and a jouster knocked him off his horse. He'd lost his horse but fought on.
Sint fought the knight while Thangar climbed up to the balcony and into the window. Inside, he quickly spun around with his sword, cutting the balcony! Thangar then jumped down and it tumbled onto the archers.
Thangar ran to Sint's aid and helped him kill the rest of the knights. Thangar and Sint were in pain but were victorious at last. The giant draw bridge was closed but Thangar and Sint slashed the door as if it was paper and together they ran into the castle. Their map did not reveal the inside, however, which was a mystery!
From the Mind of an 11 Year Old Boy: Thangar 2: Chapter 3
Author's Notes: When I started this crazy project, I went into it blindly. I honestly don't remember this story, but I am finding out about it as I edit it. I feel I must apologize for the level of violence in this chapter—and in this story in general. When I was growing up, I was exposed to many violent movies and TV shows, and unfortunately, my early writing was influenced more by these mediums than by books (this still affects my style, which can often be excessively literal). There was a time when I believed, without really thinking about it, that the only conflict resolution was violent resolution—that the climax of any good story was a fight.
Also of note: The binder where I found Thangar 2 featured many drawings by me, so many of the characters mentioned here (like Tull and Racklor) have no description, since the drawings did the job. I will try to post these in the future.
Thangar II
Chapter 3
They finally reached the Enchanted Mountains knowing the enemy was near. They drew their swords, prepared for battle, and soon saw the Deckronian Knights rushing to attack them. Sint and Thangar clashed swords and started sword fighting. Sint took on twenty men while Thangar, being the better warrior, took on thirty. Their powerful swords slashed the guards' defenses, cutting the enemy shields and swords in two. Weaponless, but still with armor, the evil knights fled. Thangar slashed through their armor, killing them before they could return with more weapons. The knights were obviously outmatched. But then they sent their jousters in to attack. But, just like the knights, their spears were slashed and they were knocked off their horses. Even the jousters were useless.
When the battle was over, Thangar and Sint took their prize, two of the jousters' horses, which would allow them to ride quickly toward the castle. But they still could not leave the mountains safely. They still had a more dangerous battle ahead, two obstacles named Tull and Racklor.
"What manner of beasts are these?" asked Thangar.
And Sint said, "Evil creatures which we will see more of in the future."
They did not talk long. Sint started to fight Racklor, while Thangar dodged Tull's fireballs. Sint's feet were swept off the ground by Racklor's tail and then Racklor went to stab him. But Sint dodged the blades and stood back up. Sint slashed Racklor's blades and stabbed Racklor.
Meanwhile, Thangar had more trouble fighting Tull. Tull swept down to the ground and his claws scratched Thangar's skin. Thangar bled but fought on, even as Tull's fireballs kept coming. Sint saw this and ran to a dead knight, taking up a shield and throwing it to Thangar. Thangar used the shield to block the fireballs. Seeing that his fireballs were now useless, Tull swept down for another claw attack. This time, Thangar ducked and when Tull came back up, he cut off his wings.
Tull plunged to the ground and Thangar made a final blow, killing him.
From the Mind of an 11 Year Old Boy: Thangar 2: Chapter 2
Author's Notes: Editing a story I wrote in 1986 has been a unique challenge. How many mistakes do I keep? How much do I change? From the start, my intent has been to preserve as much of the original as possible with the least amount of editing (spelling and grammar have been corrected). In this way, I hope to offer you, the reader, a glimpse into my 11 yo brain.
Thangar II
Chapter 2
Sint and Thangar made the perfect team. Hand in hand, with the might of their power swords, they traveled through many lands in search of their enemy. On the road, Sint explained to Thangar their deadly mission to save his princess, who had been captured by Zarack, an evil being from "the realm of stars". Zarack, Sint told him, with the help of his three-headed dragon, Polykephalos, forced the Kingdom of Palantine under evil rule. The dragon was their symbol. Sint was just married to the princess when she'd been captured, which is why he made so daring an attempt to go on this quest.
At night, Thangar and Sint rested. Sint talked about how he loved his princess and how grateful he was for Thangar's help. He mentioned how he could not live without her, and would die trying to rescue her.
By morning, Thangar and Sint traveled through Shadow Pass to the Enchanted Mountains. Sint told Thangar that the enemy's castle lay beyond. He had a map of the castle and knew they had to pass the jousters of the Deckronian Knights, the archers, and the castle's catapults.
The tension was drawing nearer as they got nearer to the castle.
From the Mind of an 11 Year Old Boy: Thangar 2: Chapter 1
One day, I was in my mom's attic looking for stories I feared she'd thrown away, and found boxes of ring binders containing fiction I don't remember writing. One binder was entitled, Thangar II: The Omen of Sint. The only thing I remember about Thangar is how I came up with the name. As a kid, I used to watch old pirate movies with guys like Errol Flynn, and before a sword fight somebody would cry, "en garde!" but what I thought they were saying was "thangar!" The second thing I recall, from when I was 8, is that after writing the original Thangar, I accidentally left it at Country Pizza Inn. When I went in the next day to find it, I discovered, to my surprise and confusion, that the writing in the binder wasn't my own. My story. Not my handwriting. I eventually learned that a busboy who worked there, Chuck Briceno, who aspired to becoming a writer himself, had picked up my story and edited it (to this day I have no idea why he did this). Interestingly enough, Chuck moved to New York City and now writes for the New York Times. [If you're reading this Chuck, please send me a message!] Unfortunately, I do not know what happened to Thangar, but I did manage to hold on to the sequel, which I wrote years later in 1986 when I was 11.
My birthday is this month. I'll be 36 years old and will have been writing for 30 million years (OK, maybe not, but it sure feels like it). To commemorate, I thought it'd be fun to post Thangar II with minimal editing for the Internet world to see. Also, I name-dropped Thangar into my current novel, Age of Aenya, as a story within a story (it's one of Emma's favorite books). I was not exactly a Picasso when it came to writing back then, so the story is pretty awful (but unintentionally funny at times). So without further ado, I give you:
Thangar II and the Omen of Sint
Written by 11 year old Nick Alimonos
Edited by 36 year old Nick Alimonos
Chapter 1
Sint was very hungry. But he did not hesitate from his journey to eat, but continued on his way through the courtyard and into the Imperial Throne Room.
"Who goes there?" said King Thangar, after seeing Sint barging through the gates.
"It is I," Sint said.
And the King replied, "Why have ye come hither and barged in without my permission, Sint?"
"Because I am here on a very important mission and need your help as soon as possible," Sint replied.
"What need of thee?" the King answered him, "riches . . . gold?"
"No," said Sint, "I need you and you alone to join me to raid a castle and save my princess."
"But why," the King asked him, "need me alone? I can give you one hundred knights, and one hundred jousters."
"They'd all die," Sint told him matter-of-factly, "for this mission is so vile . . . Within the castle is all that is evil."
And Thangar replied, "If that is so, what can a mere king be able to do?"
"But ye are no mere king, but the mightiest warrior in the land; legend has it that ye once yielded a sword like mine," and Sint removed a glowing sword from his scabbard.
When the king saw the sword, he was astounded. He jumped off his throne and said, "If you are telling false words, ye will be greatly punished." And the king laid down his crown and robe, saying, "When do you need me?"
"ASAP," Sint said.
"Then let us be on our way," Thangar replied. "As we have no time for explanations, you will tell me your story on the journey." And he took up his sword and armor and followed. The priests and governors were shocked at the sight of the king departing his post so hastily.
Soon, the sun fell and rose again, and Thangar and Sint were far from the kingdom in an unknown realm.
"We'll soon reach the Creature Cavern, oh King," Sint said to his companion.
"That is all well and good, but call me Thangar."
"OK, Thangar," said Sint. And their quest began.
The Five Greatest Books I've Ever Read: #1: The Once and Future King
Recently, a friend showed me an excerpt from a book about words and their meanings. The author was critiquing the biased nature of the dictionary, of all things, using the definition of civilization as an example. Civilization, she argued, should not be generally defined as "advanced" unless the dictionary was (and I paraphrase here) the White, Male, European version. She is obviously referring to the history of genocide enacted in the name of civilization. But as a history major, I tend to bristle at such casual generalizations. Who, exactly, are these white, male, European evil-doers? And how are they differentiated from any other culture, race, or nation-state? There is no doubt that, looking strictly at numbers, Europeans probably take the top spot for evil, but Asian and Middle Eastern cultures are just as infamous. It would be like arguing that Ted Bundy is somehow a better person when compared to Jeffrey Dahmer: it's pointless. Even the Spanish conquistadors, who committed perhaps the worst crimes against humanity in the name of civilization, can be judged as no more callous than Aztecs who disembodied their peasants. And as far as being white and European, my people, the Greeks, are innocent of enslaving anyone during colonial times, being subjugates of the (non-Anglo) Ottoman Empire. If it's one thing I've learned in history: it's complicated. But despite historians who discredit the romantic view of medieval times (and I refer here to knights-in-shining-armor) there is no denying that Romanticism was, in and of itself, a thing produced in these times. Whether knights actually stayed true to chivalrous ways is besides the point (probably not, if looking at Amin Malouf's The Crusades Through Arab Eyes). I prefer to judge societies not on the mob of the masses, however, but on that society's aspirations. In other words, at one point in time chivalry meant something, and it is a sad loss that we do not remember it. Nothing expresses this sentiment better than T.H. White's The Once and Future King.
I chose this book as my no. #1 for a moment of reading akin to religious revelation. Granted, I was impressionable in my youth, but The Once and Future King had me balling. It isn't sad things that open my tear ducts, however—it's something else entirely—something close to my heart, redemption. For me, redemption is the defining quality of Christianity, and while I no longer label myself a Christian, I still hold dear many of its values. On the surface, The Once and Future King is about King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, which is probably the most written about subject in the fantasy genre. In fact, Disney's Sword in the Stone is based on its first third (side note: Professor Xavier, in one scene of the X-Men movie, teaches The Once and Future King to his class). But T.H. White's masterpiece is more than just a retelling of the Arthurian legend; in its second third (in some publications, The Ill-Made Knight is part 2 of 4) the focus rests exclusively on Sir Lancelot Du Lac and the quest for the Holy Grail.
The Holy Grail, as many people know, is symbolic of Jesus Christ, and the knights who seek it serve, allegorically, as Christians fighting for salvation. To be a good knight is to be without sin. For the larger part of his life, Sir Lancelot avoids sin and is invincible. His moral failing comes from the forbidden love between himself and King Arthur's wife, Guinevere. Despite this love triangle, Lancelot's love is entirely platonic, yet he is still tormented by guilt and desire. This kind of conflict may be a foreign concept in our modern ME generation; it may be difficult for people of today to understand the angst by which a man struggles for his soul—and though I do not prescribe to many of the values that existed during medieval times—I am still saddened by the fact that most people care little about simply doing good. Goodness, it would seem, has been hijacked by the Religious Right. And while The Once and Future King may be to Christianity what Grapes of Wrath is to Socialism, it in no way diminishes the book or the strength of its narrative, and it never, ever, comes across as preachy. Without giving away spoilers, redemption ultimately saves Lancelot (just as Jesus sacrificed himself for sinners) and isn't that a value we can all, left and right, agree upon?
OK, maybe not.
While it may not touch everybody in the same way, T.H. White's The Once and Future King had a powerful impact on my life. It's a book that, I can quite honestly say, made me a better person. And while chivalry may be dead and forgotten for most people, it's still alive in me, and in others. Just as the knights of old, some people still fight for truth regardless of consequences. These ideals came out of a "civilized" Christian Europe, passed down to us by the bearers of those ideals, by writers like T.H. White who taught kids of the 80's (like me) the meaning of chivalry.
Of course, none of this would matter if the writing wasn't superb, if the story wasn't engaging or the characters memorable. Strictly as an adventure story, or an epic fantasy, or as a retelling of Britain's very best myth, any way you read it, here is a masterpiece. But it's the subtext, the inspiring lessons behind the story, that bring tears to the eyes, and that makes The Once and Future King my #1 book of all time.


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Helping with the cost of raising a child
Working in a joined up way
Making the move into work easier
Posted on 7th January, 2015 by Lincoln Against Poverty
Christmas may have only just been and gone but people are being encouraged to start saving for this year's festivities.
Lincoln Against Poverty, a partnership between City of Lincoln Council and several city organisations, is urging the public to plan ahead and set some money aside, rather than having to find the funds nearer the time.
Lincolnshire Credit Union has a Christmas Saver Account where people can put money away for what can be a very expensive time of year, especially on top of everyday household expenses.
Linda Burden, from the credit union, said: "By starting to save now, you could make sure next Christmas is enjoyable and debt free.
"We know that the festive season can be a difficult time financially for families and planning ahead so you know the budget you've got to work to can help take away a huge amount of pressure.
"All savings are protected and unlike some other savings schemes you can spend the money you've saved wherever you'd like.
"Please contact us today if you'd like more information."
Posters signposting people to Lincolnshire Credit Union's Christmas Saver Account are being displayed in the city throughout January as part of Lincoln Against Poverty's 'Say No To High Cost Borrowing' campaign which got under way in October last year to show where people can access affordable credit or debt advice if they are worried about their finances.
Throughout January, a number of businesses in the city will be giving out advice cards to their employees to let them know where budgeting, debt and welfare support can be found.
A range of services offering help to people who are living in poverty can be found here.
For more information about Lincolnshire Credit Union's Christmas Saver Account, please visit www.lincscreditunion.org.uk or call 01522 873550.


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Jayesh Limaye
23:32 12th Oct, 2012
Intex Launches Eight LED And LCD TVs From 19" To 40"; Prices Start From Rs 9500
Claim USB playback support, reduced eye strain, and low power consumption.
Intex has entered the television segment with eight new models of LED and LCD TVs. Apparently in anticipation of Diwali, the TVs feature screen sizes ranging from 19" to 40". The four LED-backlit models are the LED-1901 (19"), LE22FHD06-VR12 (21.6"), LE23FHD01-KT11 (23"), and LED3204V12 (32"). The plain-vanilla LCD TVs in this launch are the LC22HDR11-VT12 (22"), LC22HDR12-VT12 (22"), LCD-3272T (32"), and LCD-4072 (40"). The entire lineup has been mentioned on the company page for TVs, with the exception of the 40" LCD TV. Intex has been known for several years as a maker of PC peripherals, and more recently, mobile phones. This is the first time, however, that Intex has stepped into the TV manufacturing business. Here is a general list of the minimum features of the TVs, as Intex states:
- HD Ready with USB video playback.
- 3x HDMI input for LED-backlit models (2x or 1x HDMI for LCD TVs).
- 10 W stereo audio output.
- 5 ms response time.
- Power saving features.
Intex says all the models are HD Ready, meaning that they can support 720p natively, and that the higher-end models support Full HD (1080p). The company mentions that all LED-backlit TVs come with a minimum of 1x USB and 3x HDMI ports to connect to various sources -- STB, game console, and Blu-ray \ media player, simultaneously. If the 5 ms response time is true, you shouldn't have to worry about visible streaks while watching fast-action movies or games. All models are also said to feature Eye Safe T Matrix, which is an Intex technology to reduce eye-strain.
Rs 9500 to Rs 32,000 for this range is substantially lower than what we see from the major players. I hope the performance isn't proportionately lower!
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Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography/Argüello, Luis Antonio
ARGÜELLO, Luis Antonio, governor of California, b. in San Francisco, Cal., in 1784; d. there in 1830. He was a member of a large and influential family, was governor of California from November, 1822, till November, 1825, and had been military officer under the Spanish government. He was the first governor under the Mexican rule, and the only one under the Mexican empire. He was also the first native of California called to serve in this capacity. While in office he was led into numerous dealings with the Russians, who had founded a colony in the northern part of the territory, and his policy toward them was highly liberal, even dangerously so. Before he became governor he had acquired some note by an exploring expedition into the unknown northern parts of California.—His sister, Concepcion (b. in San Francisco, Cal., in 1790; d. in Benecia in 1857), was noted for her romance with Rezánof, the first Russian explorer that showed definite designs upon any part of California. In 1806 Rezánof, in the interests of the Russian colony at Sitka, had resolved to open trade with the Californians, and to establish, if possible, a Russian colony in the territory. To further his ends, he became betrothed to the young Concepcion, hoping for personal aid from the influential Argüello family. He returned to Russia to get further government approval for his projects, and suddenly died while absent. Concepcion never married, and died, a nun, half a century later. Her social position gave her story prominence, and it has been used by Bret Harte in one of his best-known poems.


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Adrian Monk was once a rising star with the San Francisco Police Department, legendary for using unconventional means to solve the department's most baffling cases. But after the tragic (and still unsolved) murder of his wife Trudy, Monk developed an extreme case of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Now consumed by peculiar obsessions and wracked with hundreds of phobias (including but certainly not limited to germs, heights, and even milk), Monk has lost his badge and struggles with even the simplest everyday tasks. Despite his many quirks, Monk is fortunate to have some supportive friends. With the help of his gifted therapist Dr. Kroger, Monk has made some gradual progress in controlling his condition. Monk's first personal assistant, Sharona Fleming, was able to help him pick up the pieces of his life and get back to doing what he does best: solving crimes. Though Monk was devastated when she moved away, he soon found hope in the form of a spunky new assistant, Natalie Teeger, whose unique brand of tough love proved to be just what Monk needed. In Natalie, Monk has found more than just an assistant; she's a faithful friend, a savvy businesswoman, and, it turns out, a pretty good assistant detective to boot. Natalie and her teenage daughter Julie have welcomed Monk into their family. And though Natalie and Monk have grown close, she's never afraid to give her boss a loving kick in the pants when he needs it. Now working as a private consultant, Monk continues to investigate cases in the most unconventional ways. Although Monk is no longer a member of the police force, his former boss Captain Leland Stottlemeyer still often calls upon him to provide unique insights into cases that have the cops stumped. Stottlemeyer himself is a highly decorated detective, but he knows he will never be as good as the illustrious Monk... and it drives him crazy. Still, he's a loyal friend to Monk, as is Lieutenant Randall Disher the Captain's self-appointed go-to guy, a cop with enough eagerness to almost make up for his lack of brilliance as a detective. Monk is a detective afraid of the dark, a gumshoe afraid of gum. He has no problem cracking a case - as long as it doesn't involve heights or germs, and is in close proximity to his apartment. Other than solving his wife's murder, Monk would like nothing more than to gain back his position on the San Francisco police force, but can he pull himself together and get back to solving crimes full time?


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Sheila + Maurice's Camden Town Farm wedding
Sheila runs an Interior Design company. Maurice is just another IT geek "but a bit more hip and stylish than the normal nerds".
This beautiful wedding is filled with lovely flowers, a lot of DIY stuff, vintage caravan and a gelato cart for dessert. Now who wouldn't want to attend such wedding?
Sheila's favourite part of the day was when Maurice made his entrance on the vintage bike. "He was reluctant to do it at first, but he did it! And everyone loved it." So did we!
Featured on Style Me Pretty.
There's a full list of vendors at the bottom of the page.
Marquee/Teepee: Bedouin Tents
Wedding Favours (jars): Ballmason
Printer: Trusted Print
Drinks tags: Bags and Tags
Decorative Elements: Vintage Patina
Food: Gelato Messina
Food: That Vintage Caravan
Food: Street Sliders
Food Truck: Yang's Food Truck
Celebrant: Jeannie Wan
Floral Design: DIY Flowers from Flowers Market
Earrings: Chow Sang Sang
Hair and Makeup: Mariane Make up & Hair
Bowties: Gloiberry via Etsy
Groom's Shoes: Pedro
Wedding Rings: Cartier
Bride's shoes: Billini
Groom's Suit: Montagio
Gown: Grace Loves Lace
Photography: Studio Something Photography


text: Have you heard? I am happy to announce I am now offering Bump and Bonnet packages in 2017! This session includes a 30-minute maternity mini, plus a 90-minute newborn session. Images for both sessions are delivered through an online gallery for downloading and professional ordering. With the maternity mini, you will get about 15 edited images delivered and the newborn session will be about 45-50. Pricing for this perfect pairing is $375 with half due at booking and the remainder due 30 days before the newborn session. I am so excited about this package and look forward to seeing you and your sweet bump in 2017!


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For this blogging project I had hoped to obtain fresh, locally-farmed seaweed, but this task proved much more difficult than expected! Dried sea vegetables are already available at most natural foods stores (for a pretty steep price) but fresh sea vegetables (undehydrated) are a rarity. However, the dried products that I worked with for all of these blog posts rehydrated quite nicely and apparently suffer little to no nutritional loss as a result of the drying process. We won't be finding fresh sea vegetables in the produce section of every grocery store until there is a larger demand from consumers for these products. Join the cause and become a sea vegetable pioneer in your own kitchen!
In Long Island Sound, cultivation projects are already underway, and research efforts are being lead by UConn Professor Charles Yarish. I admit that seeing huge strands of kelp being pulled out of the ocean doesn't exactly get my appetite going, but the recipes below should change the way that you see seaweed forever!
Sea Vegetable #4: Kelp
Kelp is a very large taxonomic grouping of brown-algae which tend to grow in tall, thick underwater "forests".
I have found the flavor to be mild, which I can only vaguely describe as an "ocean-y" taste. However, it is not overly salty and helps to boost the moisture-content of baked goods, which is why I chose to make the kelp-carrot cake recipe that the makers of my favorite podcast (Gastropod) raved about on their sea vegetable episode: "Kale of the Sea".
Recipe #1: Kelp-Carrot Cake
See the Ocean Approved Recipe
This recipe is so moist and delicious, it will make you a kelp convert!
Recipe #2: Candied Kelp
See the Maine Sea Coast Vegetables Recipe
*Just a note before you dive into this particular recipe, I found it very frustrating trying to unfold my kelp pieces once they were covered in honey/maple syrup and then covering these in sesame seeds was very time-consuming, so proceed at your own risk. The end result was pretty tasty, but I will not be making this again any time soon!


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Well, THAT happened./
Started on Day 10; finished on Day 26. In spite of oh so many things.
I'm going to wallow in a confetti state of mind, and then, yep, make a pumpkin pie for tomorrow. Do a bit of dancing, have a day of gratitude tomorrow, and then...
And then get to work on the next 50,000, eh? Because this novel's only half-way written, if you want the truth. And I want it done by the end of the year... oooooh, this trilogy is almost there, I can taste it!! But it is lovely to have half of the marathon over, and that with much rejoicing.
... Pfffft, what am I even SAYING??? Don't listen, I'm delusional. A crazy writing working lady just took over my brain for a second.
I'm taking a break. I'll pretend that I'm going to write a bit for the next two weeks, but in all honesty, I'll be playing with my nieces and nephew, making up songs to sing, doing silly dances, cooking with my sisters, and generally just being family. Sure, I might nudge my writing along, a page a day, just to remember what's happening in this story, but mostly?
Mostly I'll be living.
It's good for writers to remember: we get to be humans too. We don't just write about them.
Right then. Priorities straightened out.
A merry Thanksgiving, one and all.


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TANZANIA Through Harold's Lens:
"Nowhere in the world do you find sunsets like in Africa.The crimson is deeper, the blue more brilliant and the purple hues appear in sequential shades that seem that seem impossible. Even if the colours don't fascinate you, the atmosphere will dazzle even the most blunted soul".
Imagine: Africa! by Amos van der Merwe. Blog: http://rolbos.wordpress.com


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A Review (And A Coupon and A Sweepstakes) For You! *Dove Visible Care Body Wash*
OK, here's something you may or may not know about the Taff family– we're tub people.
Oh sure, we'll grab a quick shower if we have to wash our hair in a hurry or something, but by and large, we all much prefer a languid soak. We read in the bathtub, we eat snacks, talk on the phone, and watch movies on our computers. Seriously. It's kinda weird. So when I was offered a chance to check out Dove's new fancy-schmancy Visible Care bath products line, I was totally in– especially when they were claiming it would give each and every Taff "visibly more beautiful skin in just one week" and throwing around phrases like "highest concentration of NutriumMoisture technology across the entire Dove products portfolio." That's like throwing down a gauntlet around here– we are no stranger to bath products.
Apparently the Visible Care line offers three kinds of creme body washes that cover three different kinds of skin needs: 'Softening,' 'Renewing,' and 'Brightening.'
We tested the 'Softening' version, which is supposed to target your skin's dry spots. The label says that it is a mild cleanser containing glycerin and stearic acid. It looks really thick and rich when you squeeze it out of the bottle; the texture is kind of like a creamy toothpaste with little pearly sparkles in it. It has a nice floral scent, not too overpowering or lingering. All four of us used it for a full week (some of us even TOOK A SHOWER with it), and here are our findings:
**MADI ROSE gave it… four stars! Madi is very careful about trying new products because her skin is especially sensitive– when she was a little girl she used to get itchy eczema patches on her feet that just drove her crazy. But she immediately liked this body wash, and said that it did not irritate her skin at all. She also said that it was great for shaving her legs, and that it rinsed off well. (Note: Madi is single-handedly responsible for going through at least half of our quite-generously-sized bottle of Visible Care.)
**CHARLOTTE gave it… four stars! At 16, Charlo is just now starting to get into her own little beauty routine, and she really got into this! She shaved her legs with it also and said she much preferred it over shaving cream and that it smelled "very flowery, but in a good way." Her final word was that she wanted me to keep it around, and "maybe we could try the other flavors, too."
**RUSS gave it… four stars! OK, to be honest with you, Russ usually wouldn't pay any attention to body wash; he'd just use whatever happened to be sitting on the ledge and go on about his business. But he humored me by paying attention to this one and dutifully reported his opinion: "I actually liked it a lot. It had a nice lather but it didn't feel like it left stuff on my skin. Didn't dry me out. Smelled good. Yeah, I like it."
**AND I gave it… four stars, too! I'm now about two weeks into using the Visible Care wash every day, and while it hasn't made me younger, cuter and taller, it has definitely left my skin feeling softer and well-moisturized. I like to use a small loofah pad instead of a washcloth, and the combination of the exfoliating loofah and the softening Dove wash has worked well for me. I especially noticed a difference on the front of my legs and the sides of my arms, which is where I have a tendency to get little dry spots.
So, to recap: Four out of four Taffs heartily recommend Dove's Visible Care Softening Creme Body Wash!
DISCLOSURE: I received one bottle of Dove Visible Care body wash for the purpose of this review, as well as additional compensation. (Sadly, not like a new car or anything. And also, they didn't buy my house. Dang it.) As always, the opinions expressed in my reviews are 100% completely my own (and my family's, in this case), with no obligations to anyone. Because as you know, I'VE GOT OPINIONS– and none of them are for sale.
**Visit Dove® VisibleCare® to get a coupon for $1 off!
**AND– Enter to win one of two $500 Spafinder gift certificates!
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c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and then visit this link to provide your email address and the URL to that post.
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2 Responses
I bought some today! I'll let you know if I get any softer.
HEY!!! That stuff works!!!! I like it! Thanks!
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I was recently brought to task for the apparent overuse of digital manipulation using Photoshop and it caused me think on the subject a little more.
First of all, what is manipulation?
Before we even press the shutter release, we are effectively manipulating the image. In the pre-digital era, we would decide on whether we would use monochrome or colour film; then we decide on what aperture to use, which will have an effect on the depth of field apparent in the image. Depth of field is evident and peculiar to cameras with a lens and to a lesser extent we can see it when we close one eye and focus on a close object. We do not notice any softening or blurring of the image when we have both eyes open. So a two dimensional photographic image with shallow depth of field can be seen as a manipulation of the scene; shutter speed controls the amount of movement of an object registered on the film. Think of star trails over a horizon. This can never be seen with the naked eye; exposure controls the tones registered on the medium. We can cause any scene to be dark and moody or light and airy. Which one is correct? Neither? Both?
This line of thought can extend for every step of the photographic process, and so far we have only mentioned film. The digital photograph gives many more opportunities to make decisions. Jpg or raw? Straight image or composite? Etc.
We make conscious decisions every step of the way to a finished photograph. All of which can be seen as manipulation.
After the initial exposure in-camera, much of the decision-making is during post-production. We can look at an image and decide what can be done to improve it. In my case, it usually involves only selective burn and dodge, but many treat this just as a starting point and work from there with extensive manipulation.
Then take the portrait below. This has quite a lot of manipulation compared to my usual. To keep the "feel" of the old car, I needed to change the colour of some shirts to keep a pleasing palette. Decisions had to be made about how much detail (or not) to leave in the background; a head transplant corrected a slightly less than perfect expression; I added highlights to the old car to increase the separation between the bonnet and the dark background. Finally, I reluctantly added a texture to the overall image to give it a grittiness that it seemed to lack. Compared to many or most portraits I see on the net, this amount of manipulation is minimal.
There is a saying that "you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear". Perhaps if you start with a SILK sow's ear you are well on your way to success. A well composed, well exposed, well thought-out image will give you a better final result than a hastily snapped, badly lit piece of rubbish. (having said that, there are many people who make a lot of money producing just that.) The former could be used as components in a composite photograph that could stun the world.
Its a bit like making a cake. Using less than perfect ingredients will result in a less than perfect result.
Beautifully designed and lit components, aligned in a single composite image will be much more appreciated than a series of badly lit and poorly exposed pieces arranged on a canvas which then has a texture added to hide the imperfections.
I see the work of some of the Masters who regularly introduce several components into their image, and the results are truly amazing. Take Kenvin Pinardy in Malaysia http://www.pinardy.net who uses beautiful underwater images and adds in other, equally well photographed components to complete a final portrait.
So how much is too much?
I don't have the answer to this but can only offer my opinion.
Some years ago I had an image deemed ineligible to be judged because I had used a pencil to retouch a shoulder. Apparently it was not purely photographic. Carried through to a logical conclusion, that judgement would render many of the portraits in competition ineligible. The digital pencil, the Wacom tablet, would need to be banned.
Excessive manipulation is subjective. One man's allowable is another's excessive.
So I guess just about anything goes, but please, learn your craft and do it well.


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The cruelty of HAMP
Atrios, reading Steve Waldman on Treasury thinking, concludes that they are "truly awful people":
Conning homeowners by announcing a government program designed to help them when in fact it was designed to help the banksters is, in my world, "cruel."
It's a powerful point, and it's definitely one of those things which Treasury is only going to say off the record. Even when Waldman was told it on deep background, he characterized it as "surprisingly candid".
Treasury told Waldman — and told my group of bloggers, too — that HAMP, even if it was a failure, was a success. It might not have helped much in terms of its ostensible stated aim of permanently modifying millions of home loans. But it did help in at least three other ways: it gave temporary tax and payment relief to millions of homeowners; it massively reduced the rate at which homeowners in default were being foreclosed on; and, in the words of Waldman, "it helped banks muddle through what might have been a fatal shock".
Was HAMP a bait-and-switch? Did Treasury know all along that it was likely to fail in its stated aim, but go ahead with it anyway because of its second-order effects? That seems to be the message they're sending — that HAMP was a way of encouraging owners to apply for loan modifications, not because they were likely to get those modifications, but just because the sheer fact of applying for the modifications would help out homeowners generally, by reducing the rate of foreclosures, and banks too.
At the same time, I find it hard to believe that Obama personally was quite that cynical when he announced HAMP. And even within Treasury, I suspect that there was rather more hopefulness and rather less cynicism than the present viewpoint would suggest. On the other hand, if Treasury really did think at the time what it's thinking now, Atrios is right. It's undeniably cruel to raise people's hopes like that if you know those hopes will end up being dashed.


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Mike Patton launching new project
Members of TV On The Radio, Subtle and Faith No More's Mike Patton have joined forces to form a supergroup.
TV On The Radio singer Tunde Adebimpe has revealed that he is working on an album with Patton and Adam Drucker of Subtle.
The singer told The Onion's A.V Club that the threesome are hoping to wrap up an album by the end of the year.
"It came from an idea that Adam had, to have the three of us just, basically, mess around vocally and see what comes of it," he explained.
The trio are yet to name their group or confirm a release date.


text: On Mon, 07 Dec 2009, Sthu Deus wrote: > > I think ClamAV should run as "clamav" user, not "root" and the same > > remains for many other services that use their own user. > > I think the same. But! In Debian all/most the mail-related services are > run under the root user... I was asking here how I can change it - seems > nobody cares for it... This is simply not true. Certainly not for exim or postfix, which are the *only* MTAs worth considering for any professional usage, anyway. Both of these run with their own users, and in postfix' case, it does fine-grained privsep (like ssh does) and chrooting. At least postfix has also a targetted SELinux profiles, and can run fully locked down with some configuration to allow for Cyrus SASL authentication, if you need it. I have no reason to believe exim to be any different. amavisd-new refuses to run as root, and will run spamassassin and other such stuff as the "amavis" user. clamav will have clamd and freshclam running with its own users as well, and not as root. So, exactly what crap are you running on your "Debian mail server"? > > Of course, your linux server does not need an antivirus to protect > > itself, but to prevent your users to be infected. And remember that by > > centralizing the anti-malware checking in one point (your e-mail server) > > you are saving not just resources, but time and money to your company. > > Well. They still need to have antivirus software as they use internet... Have you ever heard of any Windows AV that filters *outgoing* email? -- "One disk to rule them all, One disk to find them. One disk to bring them all and in the darkness grind them. In the Land of Redmond where the shadows lie." -- The Silicon Valley Tarot Henrique Holschuh


text: Last fall I was invited to create artwork to contribute to The Mask Project, an auction to benefit Denver Hospice. Once I agreed, I received my "canvas," -- a cold-looking, almost life-sized, white plaster mask.The raw mask sat in the studio looking blankly at me for quite awhile before I had time to begin working on it. I'd wondered how well papers would adhere on the curved surfaces but my wet working process allowed them to flow with and adapt to the shape, attaching well. Granted, I was working with fairly thin papers and small pieces and I'm sure that helped. It was fun to work on a different kind of support and to respond to the facial features in my own whimsical way.The mask, "Foundling," will be on display as part of an exhibit in the Kaiser Permanente Grand Court of Cherry Creek Shopping Center in Denver, Colorado from September 12 through October 25, 2016. A number of masks from celebrities and artists are available for viewing and auction. Online bidding on the masks begins September 12 — view (or perhaps bid on!) mine here. Bidding ends October 9.My mask comes with an added premium item: a $150 Gift Certificate for Ophelia's Electric Soapbox, an amazing restaurant / bar / performance venue. Thanks, Ophelia's!


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Provisions in the Small Business Enterprise and Employment Act which purport to 'ban' exclusivity clauses in zero hours contracts (which are those that seek to prevent a worker from working for another business) came into force on 26 May 2015.
No. Instead, the Act will render legally unenforceable those terms in zero hours contracts which prohibit workers from working for other employers, rather than altogether banning zero hours contracts. This means that employers will have to remove any exclusivity clauses in their zero hours contracts, but can continue to require workers to be available for work 'as and when required' and to refuse to offer work to those who cannot comply with this (including where they are working for someone else).
No. The Act does not contain a free standing right to bring a claim and there is little that a worker can do if their employer continues to insist upon enforcing an exclusivity clause.
In other words, the ban will not protect workers who are disadvantaged in some way (such as being denied work) because they have refused to agree to an exclusivity clause or have exercised their right to work elsewhere.
That may change in the future as the Act enables the Secretary of State to make future Regulations (which might include claims of unfair dismissal and unlawful detriment).
The Act was published last year and attracted a lot of criticism. It was argued that unscrupulous employers would be able to avoid the 'ban' by offering workers a minimum number of hours work per week (it was suggested that this could be achieved by offering as little as an hour's work). In response, the coalition Government issued the draft Zero Hours Workers (Exclusivity Terms) Regulations 2015 for consideration by Parliament. It was anticipated that these will apply to all contracts under which a worker works less than a set number of hours each week, or earns less than a set amount per week and were specifically designed to protect low paid staff.
However, following the election, these draft Regulations have not been brought into force, and the Government has not indicated if it intends to introduce legislation to combat anti-avoidance measures.
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The Internet has brought many benefits, in particular for teenagers, such as doing research on any topic or quickly connecting with friends & family. Despite all the advantages, the online world also raises safety concerns from cyberbullying, fraud and sexual predators.
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1 cube butter (Lindsey only used a half of a cube)
1 chopped onion
2 chopped celery stalks
2 cups uncooked rice
4 1/2 cups chicken broth
2 1/4 tsp. salt
dash of pepper
1/2 cup slivered almonds
Saute onion, celery, and uncooked rice in butter until brown. Add chicken broth, salt, pepper, and almonds. Bring to a boil and cover. Turn to low and simmer for 1 hour or according to the directions for the rice (on the rice box.)
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Lyndsey - January 2007
Posted by bunko girls at 12:59 PM
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I'm a local Wholesaler and I am in need of serious real estate cash buyers. I'm finding some smoking hot deals and my biggest cash buyer is over loaded with properties right now. If interested please send me your contact info so I can add you to my buyers list.
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Note: What I communicate in this message about Christians is what I have generally observed. I also include myself in this message's title, as I have been guilty throughout my life of sins of stupidity and foolishness; also, sins of commission and omission.
This last week, there appeared in the national news media, the account of "Joe the Plumber," and his remarks about our present White House occupier (usurper), Barack Hussein Obama, as his Christian "brother." Joe the Plumber, (Mr. Samuel Wurzelbacher achieved national poster child press coverage (fame) over the question he personally posed Barack Hussein Obama and, over Obama's ill-advised answer. Mr. Wurzelbacher, since then has been often called, "Joe the Plumber," because that was his trade before the happen-chance meeting with Obama on the 2008 presidential campaign trail. Incidentally, and presently, Joe the Plumber is currently running for political office in the state of Ohio.
When I read the news about Joe the Plumber regarding Obama as his Christian brother, I was sickened. I was disappointed that Mr. Wurzelbacher, a professed Christian, should regard Barack Hussein Obama, as a fellow Christian.
Please don't misunderstand, as I would be happy if Mr. Obama was, indeed, a genuine Christian, but, I was frustrated because Mr. Wurzelbacher just didn't utilize much, (if any), spiritual discernment. He made the naive [dumb / stupid] blunder of taking Barack Hussein Obama, at Obama's word. Please see the following, for further understanding:
Recently there was (also) the news about the Christian mega-church leader, Joel Olsteen expressing his assertion that Obama is a Christian. His reason? Essentially, because Obama said so, - the same (lame brained) excuse reason that Joe the Plumber, offered. Didn't these two Christian buffoons ever learn that Jesus Christ distinguished between cheap talk and actual (meaningful) actions? Matthew 7:1f
Why are Christians often lacking in spiritual discernment? Why do Christians act so foolishly?
I've been known to say that every seminary and Bible school lacks a required course of time, spent, living on a sheep farm. Throughout the Scriptures, God's divine revelation often refers to God's children, as sheep. [Isaiah 53:6] That word is an excellent description, as sheep are unsuspecting creatures of habit and often prone to go astray. What saves sheep from being devoured by wild beasts is that they have a shepherd who loves and cares for their safety and ongoing preservation.
Basically, sheep are dumb and foolish. They aren't the smartest animals. And, as such, they wander away from the sheepfold and from the shepherd, seeking greener pastures. I think that you catch the picture.
Also, systemic of sheep, are, that they are creatures who do not foresee danger in their short-term or long-term future. They go about their simple existence eating, resting and sleeping. They desperately need the shepherd of their flock to guard and protect them from the dangers of the wild and from animals who would love delicious mutton meals.
Christians are like sheep
Not only do the Holy Scriptures of the Hebrew and Christian divine revelation depict God's children as sheep [Isaiah 53:6] – those same Scriptures depict Jesus Christ, God's (perfect) Savior / Messiah to be the Shepherd of the sheep – God's children. John 10:1f
Christians are like sheep. Once they are separated from their Shepherd [Christ] they are likely to be devoured (destroyed) by "the evil one." The devil is not the only "personable" influence which wars against Christian sheep and is intent to destroy their faith in Christ. But there is, also, the worlds' decadent (and politically correct) culture [cosmos] which is continually shifting for the worse to press "Christian 'sheep'" into its evil mold. [Romans 12:2] Added to the evil influence of the evil one (Satan) and the "world" is the Christian's own sinful nature, which was passed on by birth because of man's (Adam and Eve's) first sin. Genesis 3:1f; Romans 5:12
In short, Christian sheep are up against a 3 front war. There is the battle with the devil; the world's (declining and decadent culture) – and, their own sinful human nature. A Christian's sinful dilemma can be liken to a mouse trap, the cheese on that trap and the mouse who craves to eat that cheese. The motivation for that mouse to eat the cheese is his inert desire (craving) for that delectable food. And, what, (or who) daily places these delectable mouse traps in front of Christian sheep? The evil one, (the devil). However, no analogy is perfect, and, I am not a Christian who is on a continual rampage to blame the devil for everything and offer the simplistic excuse: "The devil made me do it."
Christian sheep can be safe sheep when they listen and follow their good Shepherd, Christ
Christians need not endanger themselves and their priceless souls by allowing themselves to be siphoned off by the devil, the world and their own sinful flesh. [John 2:15-17] We need to do all "possible" to resist the 3 enemies of our priceless souls. We need to put on the "whole armour of God" to withstand (against) this spiritual onslaught, bent upon transforming our lives and our priceless souls into the devil's workshop, disciples. [Ephesians 6:10-18] Notice that the Ephesians Scripture says, "armour of God?" We do not resist evil and follow after God's calling, and all that is holy and righteous and good in this life, on our own.
The Scripture makes that clear. It says: "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." [Philippians 2:13] We are also exhorted by the words of Jesus, Himself, in John 15:4 to "abide" in Him. But notice the reciprocal context of that precious Scripture. The Christian is to put his faith in this Savior / Shepherd, but, at the same time, the Lord says – "……for apart from Me, you can do nothing." John 15:5 Is this a contradiction? Of course not. Rather, it is one of Scripture's many paradoxes. Human reason can never fathom God's workings. Such workings must be accepted by faith, as God's doings are often above and beyond our human understanding.
Sinner – you are not a sheep but a goat
You sinner, who is not one of Christ's sheep, - I hate to relate to you that you are a "goat" in God's eyes. In your unregenerate (unconverted) sinful state, you are headed for hereafter perdition (hell). Without (genuine) faith in Christ who was born for you and who lived a holy life for you – and, who suffered and died a perfect sacrifice for you – and, who rose from the dead; - without Him abiding in you, it will be a horrific day for you when you die. Your soul will speed its way to a Christless and utterly sinful place in hell to be tormented by its torturous environment and the devil and his minion demons. You may not think this is real or possible, but, God does not lie. He warns you in His Scripture revelation, and by His sent messengers. [Luke 16:19-31] Then, when Christ returns in glorious triumph to this earth at the end of this world, - and the resurrection of the dead takes place, your torment will increase, because your body will be reunited with your tormented soul to suffer as one of God's rejected goats – forever! Matthew 25:31-46
However, - sinner – There's good news for you
Sinner – There's good news for you. The very Scripture Bible which you have refused to take seriously has for you the good news that can affect your status to become one of God's children, Christian sheep. You can escape the goat status when you die and on the day of eternal judgment, if, by faith, you repent of your sins and receive the Lord Jesus Christ, as your Savior from your sins against your holy Creator God, and His holy commandments. This cannot be accomplished by personal fiat or by willy-nilly prescription schemes.
Christian – You don't have to be a stupid and a foolish Christian like Joe the Plumber and mega church pastor, Joel Olsteen
When you take your spiritual eyes off your Good Shepherd, Christ, you are bound for trouble. Your cultural surroundings will ensnare you to be the prey of your own sinful nature and the evil one to have you saying things that aren't true. You will be telling lies to yourself and others, not having the capacity of retaining the truth of God's divine revelation, because you have separated yourself from the green and nourishing pastures of His very Word, found in the holy Scriptural revelation.
Sinner – You don't have to be like our nation's White House occupier – Barack Hussein Obama
Sinner – you don't have to delude yourself and play games with yourself and your fellowman. You don't have to play the "big guy" and go it alone like you are a "rock and, an island." Your stout independence is a hindrance to your priceless soul. Your reliance upon human reasoning and evolution's pseudo science will permanently trap your soul from being subject to the green pastures of God's written revelation. Your very willful arrogance, denial and stubbornness to resist God's powerhouse of spiritual regeneration will eternally do you in. Failing to heed God's written revelation, the Scriptures, will guarantee your future perdition residence. Luke 16:19-31
The Scripture says:
"Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat....." Isaiah 55:1f
.....Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."..... John 7:37;38
"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17
The Scriptures call for you to repent of your sinful thinking and lifestyle and believe God's Word [Acts 2:38]. That very same revelation which pronounces you dead in your sins [Ephesians 2:1;2;3] can make you spiritually alive. [Ephesians 2:1-10] But, you must come, God's way – not with human reason, doubting God's two edged Scripture sword. Hebrews 4:12 ; also, John 3:14-21
Sinner, - may you by God's grace come to the point in your temporal and fleeting existence [1 Peter 1:24;25] to hear and read God's revelation Scriptures! May you be like the Ethiopian who searched, believed and was baptized! Acts 8:26-39
Above Message and Related Scriptures [below] -- Intended to be utilized in a simple worship format:
Also: For a couple of other (more formal) worship formats:
The Order of Morning Service
The Order of Matins
Related Scriptures To the Above Message
Also: For a couple of other (more formal) worship formats:
The Order of Morning Service
The Order of Matins
Related Scriptures To the Above Message
Isaiah 53:1f – Christ and His mission foretold (in Old Testament prophecy) hundreds of years before his birth
John 10:1f – Christ, the Good Shepherd
John 15:1f – The absolute necessity of having Christ; abiding in Him and the promise of Christ to be with his own when persecution is exacted by the world's current culture
Romans 10:17 ; 2 Timothy 3:14-17 - The absolute necessity of exposing oneself to God's Divine Revelation
Acts 8:1-40 - Two accounts of Philip's ministry - especially, take note how God's Holy Spirit (through the Scriptures) moved the Ethiopian to belief in Christ and the desire to be baptized
Luke 15:3-7 – Christ's parable of the lost sheep
Of Whom Does the Prophet Speak" -- by Victor Buksbazen -- Isaiah 53:1-12 -- an in-depth view of and the prophecy of Christ, hundred of years before his birth. Isaiah 53:1-12 underscores the truthfulness of Divine Revelation as exemplified in the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures.
Please note: Topical Messages, by subject
Pastor (emeritus) Nathan Bickel
Please also note:
The "Words in Season" topical messages and related worship format are not intended to discourage or replace the Christian worship and assembly of Christians at their particular places of church worship. As this website's author, it is my prayer and hope, that many souls will find the topical messages, related worship format and other material, a useful and valuable Christian resource.
The Christian Faith: Parts 1-3


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Democrats arrived at the House Oversight Committee's hearing on the Benghazi terror attack determined to defend the reputation of the person that most believe will be their presidential candidate in 2016. Ranking member Elijah Cummings and his colleagues thundered at chair Darrel Issa and any other Republican who dared to raise questions about the way the State Department responded not only to the attack but also to questions about the aftermath, determined to cast the entire event as a partisan ambush. But the testimony of the three whistleblowers overshadowed their complaints about the necessity for the hearing or the spin being put on it by Republicans. While nothing said at the hearing was the "smoking gun" that some in the GOP suspect will eventually bring senior administration officials down because of the Libyan tragedy, enough questions were raised to keep the fires stoked on the issue for the foreseeable future.
Whether Democrats like it or not, Americans are going to be wondering about what senior diplomat Gregory Hicks told the committee about requests for military assistance on the night of the attack, the disconnect between the false story about the murders being a response to an anti-Islamic film and what he and others on the scene told Washington, and why he was told not to cooperate with the House committee. If Clinton thought she had put these issues to rest in January when she railed at senators inquiring about Benghazi asking, "What difference does it make?" who killed the Americans and why, the whistleblowers have ensured that Congress will keep pushing until they get the answers to these questions.
The dramatic nature of Hicks' testimony about the night of the attack changed what started out as a stormy proceeding as Cummings attacked Issa's statements and motives. Hicks's recollection of the phone going dead as Ambassador Chris Stevens told him the attack was under way made it clear that what he would say would rise above the political maelstrom. And when he spoke of his conversations with U.S. military personnel who were outraged that they weren't being ordered to go to the rescue of the beleaguered Americans, that opened a can of worms that the administration had hoped it had definitively closed.
Just as problematic was Hicks's telling of his shock when he heard U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice tell the country that U.S. intelligence had decided the attack was the result of film criticism run amuck. Given that he had already communicated to Washington the fact that the film wasn't a factor in Libya and that U.S. personnel in Libya knew the assault was the work of an Islamist group connected to al-Qaeda, this makes the growing controversy about the truth behind the official administration talking points that the White House altered to downplay any connection to terror even more worrisome. As Pete Wehner noted on Monday, the emails prove that the administration knowingly misled the country about the attack in a manner that makes it impossible to believe they weren't motivated by their desire to help President Obama win re-election.
Just as damning was Hicks's testimony about being told by the State Department not to cooperate with the House committee and Representative Jason Chaffetz as well as how his career seems to have come to a standstill as a result of his unwillingness to toe the party line about Benghazi. When combined with other testimony raising questions about what was not done to protect or help the Americans, it's clear that further grillings of senior officials will ensue and keep the issue alive. More than that, what we heard today will deepen the suspicion that Clinton or others very close to the top in the capital had a clear desire to lie about the attack and to make sure that no one in the know about what actually happened would speak out.
None of this may change the opinions of Democrats who have been determined to move on from Benghazi since the fateful night of 9/11/12. Nor will it deaden the enthusiasm they are feeling about the prospect of Hicks's former boss running for president in 2016. But today's testimony shows that the attack will be a wound that will continue to bleed in the weeks and months ahead. It may not sink Clinton, but anyone who thinks she's heard the last of this wasn't paying attention today.


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This course runs over eight weeks on Mondays or Tuesdays. Courses start:
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Yoga can help to develop a greater degree of awareness of the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual states, as well as support a more easeful balance both internally and within our relationship to the world around us.
Yoga is a non-competitive activity and each student is guided to work within his or her own capability, gradually encouraging each body to greater flexibility and ease. Learn to manage your breathing for improved health and practise relaxation techniques.
Please make your tutor aware of any issues or concerns at the start of the class. Otherwise, if you have any questions or concerns we encourage you to contact our office.
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Matthew Bell, interviewing one of my favorite writers, Steven Moffat (Sherlock, Doctor Who, Coupling) for BAFTA Guru:
His advice to would-be scriptwriters is "just write. The big break is easy if you're good enough. I hear people saying, 'I'm desperate to write – I've written this script.' And I want to say: 'Why haven't you written 50 scripts?'
"The first 50 will be shit and so will the next 50 and probably the 50 after that," he continues. "You have to write all the time and not worry so much about going to the right parties or the contacts you have in the business – they're completely irrelevant. And stop badgering people for advice because there almost is none – If you write a truly brilliant script, it will get on the telly."
The same is basically true for getting your film into festivals – if you've made a truly brilliant film, festivals will play it.