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There's no denying the East Coast trip will be one of the most amazing things you do!
But seeing all these incredible places comes at a (small) price … there are some mighty long journeys to conquer on the bus. They're totally worth it of course, and the excitement of your next destination will keep you occupied for a few hours! But for the remaining eight, twelve or sixteen hours of your journey, we have a few tips to make travelling by the Greyhound, the Premier, or any other coach, a little bit more bearable:
- A Travel Pillow – This will be your best friend … especially if you are travelling on a night bus!
- A hoody or a jumper – the bus can get a bit nippy at times. If you're travelling at night and don't have a blanket, use a travel towel to wrap up with.
- Entertainment – have a pack of cards, an ipod, a book … anything that will help pass some time.
- Make friends with your neighbours. They'll most likely be travellers like you – get to know them, swap travel stories, they could end up being your new best friend!
- Take some food – it could be several hours in between stops and the journey will feel much, much longer if your tummy keeps rumbling!
- When the bus does stop and you get the chance to step off, take it! Stretch your legs and get some air, the buses can be uncomfy and that five minutes of freedom can make all the difference.
Do you have any tips to share on how to make those journeys a bit more bearable? Why not share them with us, and your fellow travellers, on our Facebook page?
Give us a shout if you need help organising your East Coast trip – our fab travel team are on hand to help you with anything you need!


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Khat Reid
Make it work!
It is all kicking along with the ArtsLab crew. We have all been wrestling with our own ideas and creating as much as we can when in the space with our mentors. Now that the official roster of guest artists/producers has been created and given to us I am excited about what is to come!
May 20, 2012 | Categories: ArtsLab12, ArtsLab, Khat Reid | Tags: ArtsLab, Artslab12, Creation, Frustrating, Hair, Khat Reid, Make It Work | 1 Comment »

subset: commoncrawl


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A Woefully Late Post About the 4th of July!
Yikes! It has been too long since I shared a glimpse in our monastic life... We are all beginning to get used to having a new mother superior. The funniest story of late...Sister Catherine Marie and I were out running an errand. While waiting in line, I proceeded to introduce myself by saying, "I'm Mother Catherine Marie." Sr. Catherine Marie looked at me and said, "No, you're not." I looked at her...mystified...I couldn't figure out what I had said wrong.
Anyway...here is a fun explanation of our celebration of Independence day back on July 4th, written by one of the novices...I hope as I get more adjusted to this new office that my blog posts won't be so late! Enjoy!
Oh beautiful, for cloudy skies, for driving sheets of rain...
America, America, God shed His grace on thee…If He sheds half as much grace as rain He shed this Independence day, our Nation will be blessed indeed!
The weather this Gaudeamus Day morning, in the 80s with about 420% humidity, posed an extra challenge to the two new grilling sisters. Mother John Mary, who has done the grilling for the past several years, passed the job on to Sr. Cecilia Maria and Sr. Rose Marie this year. Undaunted by the torrential rain, they set up the charcoal grill under the aluminum awning at one end of the Monastery. It took nearly an hour to get the coals to light, but lots of lighter fluid, help from grilling expert Christie, and fervent prayers, the valiant sisters succeeded in igniting the damp coal, and did a marvelous job preparing hotdogs, hamburgers, and grilled toast and garlic cloves just in time for Midday Prayer and Dinner.
After a delicious dinner, and a penitential dessert of dirt and worms, several sisters took advantage of the beautiful weather for some time outdoors. Changing into 'outdoor' habits, the group took a leisurely stroll in the rain. To top off the splashy, sloshy, soak-to-the-skin afternoon, they returned to the monastery to make s'mores over the smoldering grill.
Thanks be to God for a beautiful day of celebrating the precious gift of our freedom. May He continue to shower down His grace and mercy in on our Nation.


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If I could travel back in time, I sure as heaven would snap cell phone pics of the famous people I'd walk into, which in Hungarian photographer Flora Borsi's latest series, more or less, is exactely what happens.
Floria imagined what the world would be like if a time traveler could venture into the past and capture some of humankind's greatest, most iconic moments ever. But in this scenario, Borsi herself is the aforementioned time traveler.
Holding up a poster board mimicking the tools, Borsi transforms her own image to play on the tool's name. For example, "convert to smart object" turns her into nerd chic; or her lipstick goes awry, of course, when she selects "smudge tool."
Borsi says:
How would time travel affect life as we know it? Capture the most important moments is history, upload to Instagram, Twitter, Facebook? If time travel did indeed become a reality, how would it affect our world as we currently experience it? I imagined how I would to do!"
Super excited of what Flori will come up with next!


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Monday, July 12, 2010
Home » Candlestick Chart , Technical Analysis » THREE WHITE SOLDIERS - Bullish Candlestick Pattern
THREE WHITE SOLDIERS - Bullish Candlestick Pattern
Three White Soldiers is a 3-day bottom reversal / bullish reversal formation.
It could occur at the end of a downtrend, or during a pullback within an uptrend, or at the support.
The appearance of Three White Soldiers pattern signals that higher prices are likely ahead.
This pattern is more powerful particularly when it appears after an extended decline followed by sideways movement.
Three White Soldiers pattern consists of 3 consecutive long white candlesticks that occur during a downward price trend.
The opening price of Candles 2 and 3 of the pattern should be lower than the previous day's closing price (i.e. The prices open within the previous day's body).
And all the 3 candles should close near or at their highs, and make new highs in each day.
Since all the 3 candles should close near or at their highs, the upper shadows of the Three White Soldiers formation are normally short, or even no shadow in some cases.
This pattern is formed when the prices are in oversold condition, and indicate a sign that the bears might have lack of conviction in the current downtrend.
On 1st day, due to increasing buying pressure, the price closes above its opening price.
On 2nd and 3rd days, it seems that as if the bears want to regain controls, as the price opens lower than the previous day's close. However, by the end of each day, the buyers' strength overcomes the earlier bears, causing the price to move up to a new closing high (i.e. the price closes at higher levels than the previous day's closing price).
The Three White Soldiers pattern does not occur very frequently. However, when it does occur, traders / investors should be very alert, because their appearance indicates a period of strong buying pressure, and hence the reliability of this pattern is likely to be very high.
The reliability of this pattern tends to increase in the following conditions:
1) Longer white candlesticks' body.
However, it should not be too long as well because if the white candlesticks are too long (over-extended), traders / investors would worry that the market could be overbought by now and hence may pause accordingly.
2) Shorter upper shadow of the candles.
3) The opening prices of the 2nd and 3rd days can be anywhere within the previous day's body. However, it is better to see the opening prices to be above the middle of the previous day's body. The higher a candle opens compared to the prior candle, the stronger the chance of a continued reversal.
4) Increase in trading volume.
Although the reliability of this pattern is likely to be very high, but it is always better to substantiate this signal with other technical indicators to confirm that the momentum is actually changing.
To learn about other major candlestick patterns, please refer to the following:
Learning Candlestick Charts
Other Learning Resources:
* FREE Trading Educational Videos with Special Feature
* FREE Trading Educational Videos: Learn Technical Analysis from Award Winning Author John Murphy
Related Topics:
* Options Trading Basic – Part 1
* Options Trading Basic – Part 2
* Understanding Implied Volatility (IV)
* Option Greeks
* Understanding Option's Time Value
* Learning Charts Patterns
* Getting Started Trading


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'The Martian'
Space exploration, I think it's fair to say, is having an extended moment at the local cineplex, and The Martian might just be its fitting culmination. That's not to say I hope this little run is anywhere near its conclusion. But it is to say that The Martian represents something of an apex, and in a cinematic world where everything that isn't from the DC or Marvel universe seems like an endangered species, it would feel greedy to hope for much more.
About the only thing tongue in cheek or abstract about this film is its title, which does not refer to an alien, but rather to an astronaut, Mark Watney, who winds up stranded on Mars when a violent sandstorm separates him from the rest of his crew as they depart the Red Planet thinking he has perished. Watney is very much alive, though his crewmates -- among them Jessica Chastain, Michael Pena, Kate Mara and Sebastian Stan -- are to be forgiven for thinking otherwise. And he is very much up against the odds.
Bleary-eyed and foggy-headed, Watney, played by Matt Damon, scrambles back across the unforgiving landscape to the "Hab" -- not a Montreal Canadien, but rather an oasis of oxygen meant to house he and his crewmates during their abbreviated mission to Mars -- and sets about figuring out how to survive given the meager rations left, his inability to communicate with mission control and the limitations of space and time (a voyage from Earth to Mars take four years in this reality).
Watney is determined to "science the shit" out of his situation — a quip that both garners well-deserved laughs and is a succinct, inelegant summation of exactly what The Martian is all about. Watney is a botanist, which is awfully helpful when he attempts to solve the problem of a dwindling food supply meant to sustain six people for a handful of weeks as opposed to one person for a handful of years. Here is your crash course in growing potatoes on another planet, kids. He is also a freakin' astronaut, which is awfully helpful when he's figuring out how to take his roving vehicle on longer journeys or piecing together a method of communication with NASA.
Other than his sense of humor and distaste for disco music, you learn almost nothing about Watney other than what pertains to his survival. The same pretty much goes for his fellow crew members and even for the folks back on Earth — the NASA director played by Jeff Daniels, the head of NASA PR played by Kristen Wiig, the head of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory played by Benedict Wong, the scientist played by Donald Glover and the mission directors played by Chiwetel Ejiofor and Sean Bean. There is no traumatized wife or overly optimistic, sage-like young child he has left behind, awkwardly inserted in to the story for human interest. Survival, director Ridley Scott seems to be saying defiantly, is human enough.
The Martian sports a star-studded cast, yet it manages to be singular in focus and almost spartan in its ambition. Watney's survival is all that matters, and the players involved in guaranteeing it end up being almost incidental. There is no real villain despite the ensemble cast — indeed, there is a hive-mind-like feel to each individual character's motions. No one moves in lockstep, exactly, but everyone has the same end goal in mind. This has the odd, wonderful effect of making rooting for Watney an unconscious reaction.
We are meant to marvel at his resourcefulness — to cheer at every bit of progress and recoil at every setback. By the time the sandstorm has swirled past, it is involuntary. It is so laser-focused that the pacing of the film becomes a (very minor) problem when the novelty of Watney's survival skills wanes and the dramatic rescue attempt remains a ways off.
The Martian is not as awe-inducing as Gravity, and by grounding itself more fully in our reality, it winds up feeling less heavyweight than Interstellar (for better and for worse). It possesses an unquestionably broader appeal, though, than either of its immediate predecessors. There ought to be no need to explain to anyone what makes this film so great. This is Scott at his very best — no wonder that this is occurring with him at the helm of a sci-fi film.
I can't help but mention that the excellence of The Martian filled me with pangs of melancholy. Here is a straightforward, big-boy-pants film. There are no superpowers, and there is just one, highly sardonic mention of Iron Man. Even in outer space, we can't fully escape Tony Stark, it seems.
It should be like this more often. That it is not has nothing to do with The Martianand everything to do with an industry that is deathly afraid of the financial consequences of the energy and investment involved in trying to introduce new characters to the world. Scott and the wry, assured Damon prove that it is possible — easy even. For once, I'm hoping there are a few imitators finding inspiration in this film.


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Download crack for An Eggstremely 3D Easter Screensaver 1.21 or keygen : This funny screensaver celebrates the Easter holiday in a unique way. An Eggstremely 3D Easter Screensaver shows the Easter Bunny walking through yards with a He also has access to his own version of Q Branch, Professor Poultry, an intelligent chicken who provides him with eggspress ways to deliver eggs faster. Some of the ghost might be passive in nature, but the enemies frontlines are still attacking. From the makers of A Very 3D Christmas Screensaver comes yet another completely unique 3D screensaver, which displays the Easter Bunny as he roams through backyards hiding eggs, jumping fences, and overcoming any dogs who stand in his way, all in amazing real-time 3D graphics. Examines how the atmosphere can effect readings and export features are not activated. This screensaver also features a countdown to Easter Sunday and 10 Easter-related tunes as background music, all of which are guaranteed to annoy your coworkers. Schedule an alarm reminder so it also makes it ideal for an portable usage. Music can also be turned off. Each word has a level of use, so you can easily refer to them later. . Quick search navigation feature for every science student out there.
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Planned gas station point of contention for Curtis Park residents
Residents of Sacramento's Curtis Park neighborhood on Wednesday night challenged a developer's notion that rejecting a gas station would turn a planned upscale retail development into a collection of discount stores, pizza joints and check-cashing businesses.
At issue is Petrovich Development Co.'s request for a conditional use permit for an eight-pump gas station sought by Safeway, the proposed anchor store for the Curtis Park Village retail center. Without the gas station, Safeway won't locate in the center, Steve Berndt, Safeway's corporate vice president for real estate, told an overflow crowd at the Sierra 2 Center.
Berndt said it was expected that Raley's would include a gas station with a grocery store planned on the former Capital Nursery property on Freeport Boulevard. "I have to have fuel to compete against them," he said.
Wednesday's meeting sponsored by the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association focused on the gas station proposal, the latest source of controversy sparked by the Curtis Park Village project.
Neighborhood residents have objected to the gas station, arguing that it would lead to major traffic, and damage the quality of life and charm of their neighborhood. An estimated 300 people turned out for the meeting, exceeding the 180-seat capacity of the meeting hall and leaving many to listen to the proceedings via speakers in the hallways.
Curtis Park Village, a development planned on the former Union Pacific railyard, was approved by the Sacramento City Council in September 2010. The developer received approval for 189 single-family homes, 248 multiple-family housing units and 90 units of affordable senior housing, as well as 259,000 square feet of commercial uses. The shopping center zoning allows for a gas station, subject to a conditional use permit.
Berndt said that the grocer's business model relies on a customer loyalty program tied to its fuel centers, and that Safeway would not operate a store in Curtis Park Village without a gas station, which would be about a block and a half south of the Crocker Drive-10th Avenue intersection.
"Fuel is a good way to bond with customers," he said.
The comment drew some derisive chuckles from the audience.
Without Safeway, the developer has said, Curtis Park Village likely would have to settle for a nonunion, discount grocery store as its anchor tenant, which in turn would discourage upscale businesses from locating in the center.
Owners of the UFC Health Clubs said they are in negotiations with Petrovich to operate what they described as an upscale gym, specializing in classes and individual training, in the center. But they said the lease would be contingent on Safeway locating in the center.
In an online posting responding to frequently asked questions regarding the shopping center, the developer lists a dozen stores that meet minimum requirements as anchor stores. They include Safeway, Raley's and Whole Foods, as well as Grocery Outlet, Walmart and Winco.
Among the potential anchors that might help land upscale co-tenants, the developer said, Whole Foods has decided to locate at 21st and L streets, and Raley's plans to build on Freeport Boulevard.
A shopping center anchored by Safeway, the developer said, would attract co-tenants such as Noah's Bagels, Jack's Urban Eats, gourmet coffee shops, Sur la Table, a 40,000-square-foot health club, an expanded and upscale Pet Extreme, a gourmet wood-fired pizza oven restaurant and a well-known sushi restaurant. But a discount grocery store could be expected to attract the likes of Dominos pizza, auto parts and tire stores, a Subway sandwich shop, DD's Discount Clothing, a cigarette store, a doughnut shop, H&R Block, a Goodwill Outlet, a discount pet store and Hobby Lobby, according to the developer.
Nancy McKeever, representing Curtis Park Character Advocates, a group that conducted a survey of the types of businesses residents would like to see in their neighborhood, said more than 90 percent of those responding indicated support for restaurants, coffee shops and specialty food stores. But 82 percent said they did not want a gas station, she said.
Chris Holm, a representative of Walk Sacramento, a group that advocates walkable communities, said he was concerned that traffic generated by a gas station would create hazards for pedestrians. Jim Brown of Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates said he was waiting to see data on the projected traffic and how it would affect the safety of bicyclists, saying that businesses prosper in areas conducive to bicycling.
Some residents argued that the gas station was not in keeping with the concept of Curtis Park Village as a transit-oriented development.
Representatives of the city's Planning Department noted that the application for the conditional use permit is still being analyzed, and the planning staff has yet to make a recommendation and schedule a hearing before the Planning Commission.
City Councilman Jay Schenirer said he expects that whether the Planning Commission approves or denies the conditional use permit, the matter will be appealed to the City Council.
Call The Bee's Cathy Locke, (916) 321-5287.


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the big smile and reddish cheeks could make anyone think. Yusuf was having a brilliant life and living his dream, but a closer look would tell the truth of a thousand frowns behind the smile. He asked me if if like to have some tea, to which I declined, saying I'll take a sweet instead.
He continues…….
Hajira and I were the perfect pair, puppy love and all joke it seems now, but back then it was all I lived for.
School days had passed rapidly and it was time for farewell, whilst all made it priority to look good at the farewell, I was thinking up an idea of how to get there, as obviously his dad would not allow.
I didn't even posses a suit or any nice western clothing. Naeem shared the same grade as me and was a quite youngster, and was often te victim of my bullying, I coaxed him into bringing me his best suit for the farewell as I was going to honour him and be his back up in high school, little did he know I was not even going to attend senior school.
Naeem was the life saver in the clothing department and the excuse of going for tableegh Jamaat secured my spot at the farewell, I was on top on of my world I had it all sorted.
I lied to my parents making them believe I was going to some good act of deen, whilst they believed me. Only Allah knew the truth. I lied to them but the ripple effect still lingers on today, you will understand later on
The night was one of joy and laughter, I had the time of my life, even won the best dance competition with the price money of R500 which was a lot for a 13 year old. It was at this point that I started liking Indian music, RIPPLE EFFECT
I used to tune into Radio Lotus every night on my Walkman and keep the earphones in my ears, they played all the jams of that time, Mohra was the movie of the time, whilst
dilwale duhaniya le jayenge
still remained the all time favourite.
Yusuf starts humming the tune to himself and asks me if I know the words, at this point I clear my throat and ask him to stay on track, he apologizes and goes on
I remember clearly on my trip few years ago to the Middle East, it was the month of ramadaan and it was approximately 5 years that I have given up listening to bollywood music, I was asked to perform taraweeh for that night, I accepted.
The night was young and cool, the mehraab of the masjid had windows which stayed wide open, I really enjoyed the mic system as it felt like I was reading in a sound studio, enjoying my reading and suddenly a taxi passed outside the mosque with very loud bollywood tunes I recalled the song, the movie, the actor as well as the backstage singer almost instantly, despite having listened to the song in almost 5 years…. RIPPLE EFFECT
I sincerely prayed to Allah that night in tahajjud salaah and Shukr to Allah that effect has managed to leave me,
at this point Yusuf is tearing and says "May Allah protect us all"
insha Allah we will carry on tomorrow he says to me without waiting for my acknowledgement!!
Untill tomorrow
Fee amaanillah


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Saturday, February 28, 2015
Beers, Bores and Bokeh - Girls Day Out
I'm playing "bachelorette" and Partner in Grime is tearing out the kitchen floor (I think I got the better of the two deals, even if I miss him). It was an emotionally brutal week with some long work days so I needed to just put my "goofball" hat on and hang around with someone that knew me years before this whole blogging thing and understands that.
Broad Ripple Brew Pub - where on any given weekend you can see a blond and a redhead standing around in sub zero temperatures taking pictures of things while muttering such artistic comments as "damn it's cold!"
To the Pub! Lots of goodies on the menu but after a week of salad and low fat wraps I wanted something to make my cholesterol levels wake up.
But first - a little transaction following the exchange of the secret code.
"The Quick Brown Fox Jumped Over the Lazy Dog"
Yes, frozen croissant dough - I'm the local croissant dealer it appears after making 3 dozen of them from scratch a few weekends ago. After a night of rising in the oven with the light on, then baking, all you really need to add is bacon.
Of course there was beer. It is un-American to eat this much fried food without a pint to wash it down.We caught up on what we'd read lately, the state of the world, and local news, including someone arrested locally for less than super secret deals to send some of the family butter and egg money to an extremist group They couldn't have been less obvious if they'd had an ISIS Go Fund Me Page with a kitten on it, and thankfully, ended up in the slammer.
But there's enough politics and bad news out there, let's talk about important things, bows, bores, and bokeh as well as a discussion on adult beverages we love, and don't.
"I wouldn't drink that if I could lap it out of Hugh Jackman's navel!"
You know, typical dainty, feminine conversation.
Then the cameras came out again. There were more lenses on the table than a good day at Lenscrafter. But it was fun to talk about something other than work, or shop, or firearms, for friendships are bound in many things, most of them unspoken and formed over time.
It was actually kind of neat being in Broad Ripple on a Saturday - a LOT more cars but Rene's Bakery was open. . . which meant.
Yup - Rene's giant chocolate chewy cookie (with extras for Partner). I may start making noises like Chewbacca in the truck and explode on the drive home, but it might be worth it.
Posted by Home on the Range at 5:55 PM 5 comments:
Friday, February 27, 2015
Brother in Arms
He's still my hero - even as he's gone to tend to us from above, a Submariner always on watch.
Posted by Home on the Range at 9:11 PM 15 comments:
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
RIP Barkley 2-24-2014
It's the day we lost Barkley. It's a hard day, for sure. Some of it was good. I got to write a check to an animal rescue group in the four figures from sales to help them and I'll have another one soon in the same amount to another group in Texas. I got to spend time with coworkers I hadn't seen in a couple of weeks as I was dealing with issues with my Dad, who is terminally ill with an inoperable mass in his colon.
Then I got to come home to the first and only 1 star review of TBOB, after being on the cover of Kirkus Reviews, an Amazon #1 in the kindle store, thousands given to dog, cat and horse rescue around the country in memory of Barkley and my brother.
"Not worth the read".
Yes, I know Marko says "don't read the reviews". But there it was, as glaring as a spotlight. Today, the day of all of their tiny handful of reviews. A troll with bad timing - or just someone who lives to hurt because of their own failures.
I'm pretty sure I know the woman who left it, though I won't ever know for sure.
But Barkley does.
Posted by Home on the Range at 10:10 PM 24 comments:
Monday, February 23, 2015
Charmed Lives
In communicating with different rescue groups to find the best places to send sales proceeds from The Book of Barkley to help rescue dogs, I found Dog Saving Dogs and ordered one of the beautiful charm sets, which would came with two, one for me, and one for Miss Abby-- happily noting they had set up their business and marketing in beautiful South Bend Indiana. Being a "Hoosier" for many, many years, that made me smile. And so I contacted one of them and asked for their story, delighted to find this company was founded by two young men more concerned with others, than themselves. In this day of many young people asking for the world handed to them without effort it was so refreshing to meet someone committed to hard work, entrepreneurship, even as they help others.
Keith and Maya
Keith did all he could through social media to see if he could find her a home, with no response. Two weeks later, he went to the shelter again to visit her, only to find that Maya had been put down. One year from graduating he felt powerless to help her, having neither the money nor the means to help such dogs in the way they needed.
After moving back to Indiana, he knew donations were an option but he really wanted to see where the money went, and how it would help the dogs. That was the inspiration for Dogs Saving Dogs, but the specific idea (and the name!) came when he met Declan F. at a meeting for entrepreneurs. Declan had been working with a friend on a new kind of surgery cone that would be a lot more comfortable for the dog. The two of them began talking and planning and Dogs Saving Dogs was officially started in November 2014.
Their mission, simply put, is to make animal rescue fashionable. In their own words - they want to give ordinary people the power to do something extraordinary, provide the necessary funds for an animal to be rescued from a shelter and brought to a pet rescue, where they will be fostered until they find a forever home. They are currently working two shelters in the South Bend area and a new one in New York, all operating as non-profits,
The charm set comes with two charms, one for you and one for your four legged best friend, so that the two of you become partners in rescue. The Charms are nickel-free, non tarnishing and American made, with locally sourced materials, keeping the communities hard earned money local, so local business can grow and prosper. Their commitment to American-Made, quality jewelry comes from their desire to create lasting and timeless art that has a positive impact on everyone involved. They are really beautiful, and I can guarantee if you have a daughter or other lady in your life that loves dogs--- she would love to have one, the "human" charm, coming with a matching chain to wear around your neck.
With every set, they provide a paper insert that tells you exactly where your donation went. The donation is currently 50% of profit, the best they can do as a initial start up, but the goal is 100% of the profits once, they get going
Bear - the dog my charm set is helping to save.
Their story made me misty-eyed, thinking of the months Abby Lab spent in a high kill shelter, thin and sick and scared. I was so happy to be able to rescue her with the help of like-minded people and now, like these wonderful young men, want to make sure I do all I can to help other dogs. Because if we save one, or a thousand, we will know that there are people in the world that care. As Keith says - "every name that we engrave into a charm set is one more dog that gets out of a shelter and that much closer to finding a home and a family that will love that dog for the rest of its life."
I love the one I purchased and received today in the pretty gift box with a note that said it went for toys for Bear and his buddies and Abby's is already on her paracord collar. (yes, that's U of I-- not the Miami Dolphins - Partner in Grime is a graduate) The collar is from Pudin's Paw Paracord for Dogs. They are a wonderful family owned business (Pudin is their Lab) from my home State, that makes beautifully crafted, high quality paracord leashes and collars of many varieties, all custom made for size and color selection.
Please go check out Dogs Saving Dogs, consider a set of charms or simply say thanks. I asked if I could share their story here, and Keith, coming from a rural family that tended and hunted the land, said "yes, please!"
Posted by Home on the Range at 8:11 PM 4 comments:
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Shaken not stirred - The Beretta 3032 Tomcat
- Roberta X has a post up earlier this weekend about a nifty "improper lady's gun" she picked up at the Tri State gun show - a .25 Beretta 418 which got me thinking about this little back up piece.
The .32acp was a standard police round in Europe for decades, and is still seen around in small, inexpensive pocket pistols in the US and elsewhere. One of those is the Beretta 3032 Tomcat is a simple blowback pistol with a single and double action mechanism. Fitted with a frame mounted thumb safety, it's small but it's not crafted cheaply. The frame is aluminum alloy, and the slide and barrel are either carbon or stainless steel though the grip material is plastic. It is available in an "Inox" variant, with stainless steel barrel and slide and the frame anodized to look the same.
For a short time a titanium model was also available. It's been reported that only 1,500 of the titanium models were made, but I was not able to verify that. There was also a Tomcat Tritium version with tritium night sights.
The 9 mm is often pointed to as the minimum caliber for serious defensive uses and for good reason. I'm one of many who consider that too small. For home defense, I have a .45 with hollowpoints. In concealed carry, unless clothing prevents otherwise, I carry a .45 while traveling in areas I might need it, and 9 mm otherwise. 9 mm, compared to the .45, is smallish and the .32 acp, in comparison, has about half the power of the 9 mm. It's a 70 grain slug at about 850 fps. Not man stopper. Perhap's not even a man-slower, if they are high on drugs.
On the other hand, it's a small hideout pistol, meant to be quite the little surprise when you pull it out of your pocket holster or small bag. Draw, fire until the bad guy is distracted or down, and run like hell. Perfect for slipping in your pocket if you're running to the corner store. Or for deep cover concealment when nothing else is available.
One feature on the Tomcat (which I believe was adopted by Taurus) is the 'tip up' barrel. (meaning the barrel can be released to pivot on a pin under the muzzle).This feature allows a round to be inserted into the chamber directly, without manipulation of the slide. Likewise, the chamber can be easily inspected for its load status. Ammunition companies have also improved on the .32 acp load, by making it in 60 grain hollow-point. CorBon is making some serious kick-butt defensive ammo for the .32 acp. It's not .45 or 9 mm but it's a step up.
To load the pistol, insert a loaded magazine. Then, you can chose to rack the slide OR push a lever and tip the rear of the barrel up, exposing the chamber. You drop in a loaded round, push the barrel back into place, and the weapon is loaded. The slide never need be operated, and the hammer need not be cocked as a result. Since it's a double action pistol (like my trusty Sig), the shooter can just squeeze the trigger to fire. Also easy for people with weak hand/arm strength to load.
So what about accuracy? Don't expect a whole lot, it has a very short barrel and small, all matte sights - notch in the rear and a blade up front with no dots to line up. But then again, not a real issue, the piece is meant for close range work where there won't be a lot of opportunity for aiming. But it's quite accurate for it's size, even with the little sights.
Ladies, you may find the DA trigger a bit heavy, though I prefer it to the .32 Kel-Tec's trigger pull. SA is fine. With the blowback, recoil is snappy for it's size, but more than manageable. If you have small hands, this works well. People with large hands may only get a couple fingers around the grip, and if you have larger hands like I, there's a chance of slide-bite. You can add a stock with a large palm swell as an alternative.
Another drawback, other then the firing power, The pistol lacks an extractor, relying upon the expanding gasses to force the spent casing rearward. This means that racking the slide will not remove either unspent or defective cartridges. This can lead to complications in a self defense situation, but is often balanced out by the tip-up barrel. There have also been some design issues, with reported frame cracking and failure to feed. This gun has not experienced it, and has been nothing but reliable.
By American standards, underpowered, though I'm sure many of you can relay stories of how it was quite lethal. In my opinion though, in self defense I prefer the 9 mm and most definitely the .45.
For me, if there's an imminent threat to my life, the .32 is one step above "Look. . a Squirrel!"
Yet there are times this gun might come in handy. Certainly, if I was a criminal, I'd give pause if I was looking at this, as opposed to no gun.
There are better concealed options, but if you have you mind on one of these as an ultra small concealed option there are others you might look at as well. Kel-tec is one. Compared to it, the Beretta is a bit large and thick. But I didn't like the Kel-tec near as well, for feel in my hand and looks alone. It felt like a little plastic squirt gun to me though a partner at work loves his Kel-tecs. On the other hand, it's light, it's thinner and their customer support is really good. If you're buying, try out both. Look and feel and comfort are important in any gun that may, on a given day, be a concealed piece for you.
But, for tiny pocket pistols, I'd stick with the Tomcat. It's better than an unkind word, and almost as easy to carry. It's so small and light it would be easy to lose it in a purse (it's less than 1 pound) so make sure you have a purse with a built in holster for stability and easy access (perhaps my readers could suggest one). It's also good for clothing that's snug as well. Keep it clean (it doesn't like lint) and lightly lubed, feed it some nice Silvertips, Gold Dots and Federal HS JHP's, house it in a nice pocket holster and you'll have a another friend for life.
I miss you Barkley.
Posted by Home on the Range at 10:48 AM 16 comments:
Friday, February 20, 2015
Iron Roads Running
To me there is something almost soothing about old tools, old machinery. The feeling of history simultaneously impossibly far away and yet tantalizingly close. The scent of past use, dulled by generations of oil lamps, of echoing footsteps, hushed voices, tarnished brass fittings, of wood precious as carved ivory. This is the scent of history; comforting us by saying, one hundred years may have passed but what you were is still remembered. What you gave is still useful.
That is why you will find such things around the Range. There is a feeling of innate security in tools that were made to last. Cast iron, machined bronze, Brazilian rosewood, forged high carbon steel. When I hold them, use them, I still seeing the original owners life stamped into the tool, which cost a weeks pay in their time. A time when things were made to last, for a people that had faith in the future and the destiny of our country.
When I was a kid, log trains coming off the mountains would cut shadows across our property, dark forms that would slide over the wall above my bed, over the model boats and planes and trains my brother and I had built. And with the shadow came one of the first sounds of memory, the mournful wail of a train. In daytime, we'd ride our bides along the tracks, searching for diesel smoke in the air, throbbing engines, hoping for quick glimpse. When we did, it was glory, racing our bikes as if we could keep up with it, trailing as fast as we could pedal in wake of smoke that smelled of adventures we could only dream of, crickets sawing away in accompaniment in the summer day of childhood, slowly dying.
If we thought we could go all that way before sunset, and without getting caught, we'd ride as far as the local timber mill, which had multiple tracks running in. We'd sit, breathless as two trains would come in together, praying against a collision, only to have one veer off and stop, while a quarter mile of cars passed. I think of the missing man formation, in which a squadron of fighter planes performs a low pass, one separating and flying off to the heavens. A howling ballet, it's performers mighty machines. Both sights bring a lump to my throat.
We'd look for the engineer up in the engine, indistinct yet mighty, and we wondered who he is and what's in his heart as he holds the power in, his steady foot balancing on an engine that knocks and rumbles. We're not supposed to be her , this close to the tracks, this far from home, and we're going to be late for supper. But we know enough, having learned early on, that for something you love, for the ineffable feeling of rightness, of being exactly where you want to be, in tune with nature and yourself, accompanied by a trains whistle, there will be a price to pay, and it will be worth it.
Now, I'm grown and I'm free to wander the plains and the rails.
The last train trip was a short one when business took me up to Central Ohio and I made a trip on the Cuyahoga Valley train. There were other tourist things to do, yet this was a good day, a trek with a packed sandwich, sitting in a car generations older than I, restored to meticulous polish, watching the trees, the water and even an eagle nookery slide past. The line is run by volunteers, the cars kept up by donations, people who love the rails keeping it alive in a time where speed is of the essence and the old is often replaced by the new, not due to necessity but for the misguided notion that new is always better, that young is always the most desirable.
The extensive park it travels through runs clear down into Central Ohio, with glimpses of simple frame houses, bought at Sears Roebuck, generations ago, for the workers cutting the valleys through which the train passed. The train made stops where we could get off and visit where the trains are restored and maintained, walls of tools, lit by old lamps. Old shops in ancient buildings, the smell of wood and cast iron forever in the air.
Back on the train, the conductor gave us snippets of history over the loudspeakers; spoke of men cutting through the heavy hills of rock and the soil by hand with a brace of mules. (Abrasive Mules?) With the conductors words we could almost picture the mules and the men working, toiling in the cold and the heat and the abrupt change of seasons that is the Great Lakes, and it provided a frame to the landscape outside which was more suitable than the sleek, shiny cars we occasionally saw at the crossings. We could look out on the bare trees and picture those trees as new growth, leaves laid out like hands, gathering the rain and the wind that fueled their growth. We rolled past old buildings in which engine repairs had been made, are still made, the wind ripping the sound of our wheels onward and away, like scraps of paper on which history is written. That is history, the leavings and the shards, the remnants of people who toiled and dreamed and made something that for its day, rivaled any mode of transportation we have today.
One of the cars we saw dated back to 1918 and was used for carrying passengers in the time of WWI. What had it been like for those first people riding out on the trains that now rushed past us? I imagine myself as those people on the train, young men loading their simple gear and saying goodbye, heading towards a future that is ambiguous at best. I picture them boarding the train, in silence, commitment and perhaps fear, yet with a tremulous excitement for what they had accomplished to this day. What would have it been like for those first passengers, for those brave enough to make that first trip, for that moment of exultation when the cars pushed on up an incline constructed in sweat, blood and mud, the trains whistle throwing up an appeal, a defiant cry to the land, "I am this nations' future and I will be heard".
Today that rallying cry was but an echo so I leaned back my head against the seat, and closed my eyes, feeling the train through my bones, its song lulling me back to a day not long distant. I heard the tracks and the whistle, the sound of a eagles cry as it raced the wind behind. Then I didn't hear anything outside at all, only the rhythm of the wheels, rocking me gently, the scent of hard steel coming up out of the darkness, in the valley below, to quicken something in me as old as time.
The ride was over too soon, and time to head back. The long drive back home was mostly in silence, thinking of a simpler time, of sights and sounds of places we are blessed to know, of shiny trains buoyant in the sunlight, the whistle of the train winding through the misty valleys of our past.
Posted by Home on the Range at 6:00 PM 9 comments:
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Books and Big Mutts
More books on order and I'm taking the night off to celebrate.
Thank all of you for your support, for his memory, for the many rescue groups we are helping with all of the sales proceeds.
If you've already read Barkley's book or want something a little more adventuresome -
- Peter Grant's new book Stand Against the Storm, the 4th book in the Maxwell saga is out, I read it today and it's his best work yet.
Posted by Home on the Range at 4:59 PM 4 comments:
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Barkley Memories - When Computers Attack
After living out of a suitcase the last few weeks both with and without Barkley, I was looking forward to a quiet weekend of sleep, making some French pastry and catching up with the blog world.
It felt good to be home, Barkley was more than ready for mischief (so much for the spare roll of T.P.)
Then I turned on my laptop. It's been getting slower and slower the last few times I used it. So Friday night, when it kept knocking me off line, I took it over to the coffee shop and tried their wi fi. It worked great. It's not the computer.
I called Brighthouse in the morning. I had been a customer of ComCast before I moved. At ComCast the only way to get a real person to speak to was to select the menu option indicating you wanted to SUBSCRIBE to Comcast, not that you already had it, and you'd have someone on the line in seconds. But for tech support, be prepared to hold for an hour or more. IF you got someone, they were LESS than helpful.
Now I have Brighthouse. I'll be honest, I didn't have high hopes. I'd called them to pay the bill once, that works pretty well with a voice recognition help desk provided you don't get distracted.
"Thanks for calling Brighthouse Network."
"Are you calling from a phone associated with this account?" "YES"
"In a few words tell me what you're calling about." "MAKE A PAYMENT"
" What is the last four digits of your SSN?" and more and more question, watch the clock tick, wishing your computer wasn't acting up.
"Do you wish to make the payment of. . . " "Great Leaping Horny Toads Barkley, those are my NEW panties!"
"I don't understand what you are saying".
"Thanks for calling Brighthouse Network."
So I didn't have high hopes for tech support. But someone answered! Within a couple of minutes. A human who spoke with a Midwest Accent. I explained the issue and what I'd tried to troubleshoot. They did some tests and sent out a well trained and polite technician within 2 hours.
My modem was bad. I have the Internet now. Yes!! I write, I surf, I comment, I bake layers of pastry with real butter, there's a shot of Jameson and a bubble bath and a big black dog happily asleep on my bed (OK, just for tonight)
Sunday dawns - No Internet. I call again. They checked the signal, which was fine, and asked "do you have McAfee". This doesn't sound good. Apparently McAfee had a problem with a recent update. It's not allowing Internet access. Brighthouse was just notified. "Here's their support number to call, they'll walk you through a uninstall and reinstall."
I call, I'm on hold. For an hour and 30 minutes. Music is playing that I can only describe as Japanese Monster Film Musical Score. Plus it's the same song as well, over and over and over. I start going through the give stages of Internet use.
Denial - I know that if I click on send really fast at least 37 more times it WILL work.
Anger - If I see that little puke with the #%@# Geek Squad shirt that sold me this. . .
Depression - Everyone else is on line but me (have big sad-eye stare down with black lab).
Bargaining - Lord - give me back my Internet access and I'll take back that prayer about a large meteorite and a certain member of Congress.
Acceptance - I'm beginning to LIKE this music.
I don't need them. I can uninstall. OK, I can uninstall after I call EJ to ask how to do it, bribing him with the mental image of baking croissants.
We're uninstalled, internet access is restored.
But I didn't reinstall. Not McAfee anyway.
Instead I picked another anti virus program a friend recommended and downloaded it. I don't care that I already paid for McAfee, never hearing that music again will be worth it.
Now for that French Pastry.
Posted by Home on the Range at 12:08 PM 5 comments:
Monday, February 16, 2015
Route 66 (Smith and Wesson version)
I have more "old" weapons than new. Some of it is simply the comfort of those things that have been proven realiable.Then there is simply the sheer love I have for that which is history, of the acts of courage that defined a persons freedom, of the mechanical workings of objects which support self sufficiency and strength. Planes, trains, steam engines, old tools, and yes, the gun. There's an attraction to old tools and old machines, the human values they represent. Nothing that withstands history gets built without brilliance of design, a laboring effort and the dreams of man. Some say a gun is a killing instrument. Man is a killing instrument. The gun is only a tool, from which we have the pure mechanical force which can keep one alive or take a life. As a tool it is as weak or as strong as he or she who hold its, as good or as bad as the collective soul that keeps it in working order. The guns I own are defenders of good, soldier's weapons, officer's weapons, my weapons.
The Smith and Wesson 66 was born in 1970 as a stainless, and therefore more corrosion-resistant, version of the already-popular Model 19 Combat Magnum. That particular firearm was produced from 1957 (first model number stampings) to November 1999
The Model 19 was produced in blued carbon steel or nickel-plated steel with wood or rubber combat grips, an adjustable rear sight, semi-target hammer (wide hammer spur with good checkering), serrated combat-type trigger, and was available in 2.5" (3" particular to the Model 66 being more rare), 4", or 6-inch barrel lengths. The weights are 30.5 ounces, 36 ounces, and 39 ounces, respectively. The 2.5- and 3-inch barrel versions had a round butts, while the others had square butts. I'm not a big fan of the Spongebob Squarepants gun butt from a "feel" standpoint, but they've got a nice crisp look to them.
The Model 19 was produced on Smith and Wessons K-frame platform (S and W refers to their frame sizes by letter) and was chambered for .357 Magnum. The K-frame is somewhat smaller and lighter than the original N-frame .357, usually known as the S&W Model 27. The Smith and Wesson no longer makes the K-Frame, replacing them with the heavier L-Frame models, which include models 619, 620 and the model 686. The L Frames are a bit heavier, and for me, don't point as naturally as does the 66.
Stainless steel offers many advantages in a gun, outside of just "SHINY", including the fact that you can polish out minor imperfections without removing bluing. Additionally minor rub wear doesn't affect the gun's finish appreciably as it would do to a blued finish.
The Model 66 is a double-action, six-shot revolver, retaining most of the characteristics of the 19. The one I have fired the most, like the 19, had a target trigger (featuring vertical grooves), target hammer (wide hammer spur with good checkering), fixed point sight and adjustable rear sight.
If you are on the lookout for one of your own, the first issued ones are easily identifiable with the stainless steel rear sight, pin barrel, serrated stainless trigger, recessed cylinder and the "mod 66" stamped on the frame. If you think you see one there just waiting to be purchased somewhere, it should have stamped on the left side of the gun the words "SMITH & WESSON" along the barrel, with the trademark S&W logo on the frame below the cylinder latch. If you have a S&W you would like to know more about you can send a picture and a form from the S&W Website to the Historian, Mr. Roy G. Jinks.
The gun remained virtually unchanged until 1977 when the 66-1 model came out which changed the gas ring from the yoke to the cylinder. The later 66-3 designation indicates design tweaks to delay development of cylinder end-shake as well as the elimination of the recessed cylinder. Future changes through the 70's and 80's slightly lengthened the cylinder and installed a new yoke retention system/radius stud package/hammer nose bushing/floating hand.
In 1994, with the 66-4 model, the rear sight leaf and drill, extractor and tape frame were slightly changed and Hogue grips were introduced. In 1998 there was a change in frame design and in 2002, with model 66-6, it introduced the internal lock. I believe the last one was manufactured in 2004 or 2005.
This firearm was a favorite of many law enforcement agencies in the mid to late 70's, some even carrying it into the late 90's (or later than that, if the rumors are true). The demise of the K-Frame (and with it, the 66) came as owners started to get a hankering for the lighter and faster 125gr .357 Magnum load as an alternate to the 158gr lead projectile that was the bulk of the ammo available in the early production years. The forcing cone on the model 19 is not as thick at the very bottom. The lighter bullets at very high velocity using very hot burning powders, apparently subjected the forcing cone to what I guess, in layman's terms, you could call metal fatigue, with resultant cracking of the forcing cone. Smith and Wesson has made the recommendation to not use the 125gr loads though I've not heard of any cone cracking issues with the 66 Model. Some 66 owners recommend alternating .38 with the .357 in the 66, others have shot nothing but 158gr for thousands of rounds and still have a nice, tight weapon.
The .357 Magnum is a story in and of itself, being probably the oldest handgun "magnum" cartridge. Its collaborative development started in the 30's, in direct response to Colt's .38 Super Automatic. At the time, the .38 Super was the only American pistol cartridge capable of defeating automobile cover and the early ballistic vests that were just beginning to emerge in the post-World War I "Gangster Era". ("Gangster" not to be confused with "Gangsta" as the future felons of the 1930's had the common sense not to wear their pants so low the waist is about knee level. It would have been hard to be a successful bootlegger in pants a clown wouldn't wear because they were too undignified.
Tests at the time revealed that those early ballistic vests defeated any handgun cartridge traveling at less than about 1000 ft/s. Colt's .38 Super Automatic just edged over that velocity and was able to penetrate car doors and vests that bootleggers and gangsters were employing as cover. Smith and Wesson's Dan Wesson agreed to produce a new revolver that would handle "high intensity" .38 Special loads, but only if Winchester would develop a new cartridge.
Though .38 and .357 would seem to be different-diameter chamberings, they are in fact dimensionally identical. 0.357 inch is the true bullet diameter of the .38 Special cartridge. The .38 Special nomenclature relates to the previous use of heeled bullets (such as the .38 Long Colt), which were the same diameter as the case. Thus, the only external difference in the two cartridges is a slight difference in length (the .357 having a .125 inch longer case). Those first revolvers referred to as the Magnum Models were completed by Smith and Wesson in April of 1935.
Retired Assistant Chief Patrol Inspector of the U.S. Border Patrol, and noted firearms and shooting skills writer, Bill Jordan, consulted with Smith and Wesson on the design and characteristics of the Model 19. His idea? The Peace Officers perfect dream. A sidearm with a heavy barreled four inch K frame .357 Magnum with a shrouded barrel like the big N frame .357 and adjustable sights. After months and months of experimenting with improved strength steels and the latest in special heat treat processes, the result was the .357 "Combat Magnum" firearm (later designated as the Model 19). The first, serial-number K260,000 was presented to Jordan on November 15, 1955 and a legend was born.
So how does this "old legend" shoot? Flawlessly. With the weight of the K frame and the barrel, it points more naturally then a German Short Haired Pointer. Never having shot the weapon before, I still got a nice tight group, even with the bigger round, once I learned where it shoots with the sight picture. I can see why it was so popular with law enforcement.
The trigger was one of the smoothest I've tried, no stacking. Double tap didn't require me to do the "Dance of the Seven Veils" trying to get my hand back in position from recoil. Single hand holding with double actions pulls was not hard at all with this piece. It was accurate, it was tight, it felt really good in my hand (no ow!!! factor with multiple rounds and tender skin) and even better, it made a nice big HOLE right where I wanted it to go.
Now for the ammo question. Generally speaking, any .357 Magnum revolver will safely handle any factory 38 Special ammo (but do NOT attempt to load or fire .357 in your .38 special - BAD dog. . BAD!). The Model 66 should safely shoot both 357 Magnum and 38 Special ammo, including extra-hot 38 ammunition known as "plus-p" (+P) and "plus-p-plus" (+P+). Of course, check with your manufacturer if any doubt as to what rounds are the best to put in your newly acquired firearm. I've not fired it enough to recommend any particular type, so will leave it up to my readers to pass that information along.
The double action (DA) was not quick as smooth as the Colt Python, but that's like saying Vanilla Hagan Daz ice cream is not quite as rich and tasty as the Coffee flavored. The feel was consistent through out the pull, even more so than the Python, which to me has a noticeable change in the pull weight partway through the DA trigger travel.
You may have to hunt around to find one. But there are not a ton of good condition, clean ones available. If you have to chance to buy or borrow one, you probably won't regret it. The first one I shot, and one of those pictured here, belongs to a partner in squirrellville. It's what he carries when off duty and it's a beautiful piece.
The leverage is excellent for the size of the handgun. I've got really long fingers and a good sized hand. However, I think the hands of most women and men who are not built like Grizzly bears, would find a good grip with this. The trigger finger reaches the trigger with a minimum of effort, and the front sight stays on target if the target isn't a Bobble Head.
Cleaning is a snap. Remove the cylinder and clean with a little Break-Free. There's no sideplate removal or detail stripping that's required on other types of guns you're used to cleaning. Even if you dunk the thing in salt water, it's just a field strip, clean with Break-Free CLP, rinse in hot water, spray with more CLP, wipe down and air dry.
Why salt water you ask? Seal Team Six used the Model M66 until the M686 came along, as did other Teams. The reasoning was that if lubricants washed off the weapon during the swim to the. . uh. . . objective, a revolver was more likely to function than a semi-auto. Blued finishes don't hold up to such exposure. Parkerized, anodized and stainless finishes do quite well. There was no special ammunition used, as the Winchester Silver Tips of the time were considered reasonably waterproof.
It's a wee bit big to be totally indiscernible, but with the right holster it will make a good concealed piece for someone that's not hobbit sized. Dennis at Dragon Leatherworks has made several beautiful ones of the FlatJack type for the Model 19 (K Frame, just like the Model 66) and a J Frame (Chief's Special) including a couple that blogger Jay G. owns.
I was sold the first time I got my hands on it. It's light for what it packs and comes on target easily with a high hit probability. It's a legend, a true sculpture in stainless. Like my partner, I'd trust my life with it, and that says a lot.
Posted by Home on the Range at 4:48 PM 11 comments:
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Canon Fodder - Valentine's Day
This was a day for warm shirts and slippers - not formal wear.
It was a busy week - Saving Grace - A Story of Adoption got its final round of chapter by chapter editing before being put into one manuscript to go back to Gigi for a final review then off to the publisher next week. 80,000 words and 56 chapters - we're looking for a late May publication (I'm still working on the cover design). The Book of Barkley sold out at Amazon after being featured on the cover of Kirkus Review with a stellar review and the publisher is whisking them more. This second book - I wrote for my daughter and if no one but she reads it--- I'm OK, it's a story for her and penning it was quite cathartic.
The rest of the week - well, not so smooth. It started with the vacuum at the crash pad suddenly spitting hair back OUT - even with a new bag. I brought it back to the Range with me for a Suck-ectomy.
This was inside. Partner just looked at me and all I could say was "3 glasses of wine, an exploding squeaky toy that moo'd and type A redhead with a strong cleaning drive."
I don't know why we keep having so much hair around here.
Yes, because Mom made homemade croissants for Valentine's Day Breakfast.
It was a good Valentine's. Simple is better.. We agreed, like Christmas, no expensive gifts. We're not real big on the whole "Hallmark Holiday" kind of holidays. (though I did get him a bottle of Bitters on "Sweetest Day".)
For Partner it would be easy - some little fun things to nibble on for him.
Well NOT the soap for nibbling. The soap is from Horse Creek Soap Company -hand crafted by a young lady who is friends with the Farm Family of Blogorado and who makes THE best goatsmilk soap and lotion. Partner likes to use it to shave with as it's so very silky and rinses clean This is "Bay Rum". I have "Fresh Snow" in my shower which smells particularly yummy and unlike a lot of scented soaps is mild to wash with. . . well. . head to toe. You know, some soaps you can clean the sedan with it but you don't dare wash the Mini Cooper with it. These soaps are perfect and last a long time.
I couldn't resist the "box of chocolates" but I think Partner liked the fresh baked cookies better.
Even Abby for a new plushie toy (don't disembowel this one, OK?)
He was making me this.
Posted by Home on the Range at 3:28 PM 5 comments:
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2D Animator
Bajeti ₹1500-12500 INR
Security solution in car. Need a small 2d animation.
Wafanyakazi huru 25 wanaweka zabuni ya kadri ya ₹8746 kwenye kazi hii
Hi, Thank you for looking at my proposal. We Hope you are doing good! We have read your Brief and can see that you want Animated Video. We have 10 + years' experience in making motion graphic explainer video and Zaidi
Hi, I can make 2d animation in Adobe flash or in after effects as per your choice, Give me a chance and I will not let you down.
I am new to freelancer but have 5 years of experience in all the listed skills and we will provide the best product available in the market. Here are some of our skills : Video Editing 2-D Animation Promotional Vide Zaidi
I am ready for this job. Do you have a script? Will you prefer voiceover to be US or UK accent? Or IN I can do that too. Video to be colorful or whiteboard?
hello dear, I am a professional video animator I have a long experience. I read your message and I am very much interested in your request I would like to work for you. I can make a professional and awesome ANIMATED vi Zaidi
Hi, We are Animations Expert & Highly Professional in 2D/3D, Motion Graphic, Commercial Videos, Logo Intro, Explainer Videos etc. We provide high quality work with quick delivery. Skills:Animation Animation po Zaidi
Hello, how are you? I am shams afroz founder of S Media Creation. I create explainer videos for the companies. I can see you need a 2D animation for car security system. No worry, here I am. I have six years of freelan Zaidi
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I am graphic designer adobe illustrator 2d drawings I can make animated vector drawings Here is an example I have an animation that I have done before [login to view URL]
I'm really good at illustrating thoughts on paper and can convert those illustrations into animation. I can very well simplify things and represent it wonderfully. Relevant Skills and Experience I'm good at Adobe illu Zaidi
I am 12 Years experienced animator I hope my bid is not much for you as its a security company , I shall make it in 11666 and It will be completed in 5 days .


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Program Type: Food Events, Clubs & Games
Registration for this event has closed.
Saturday, January 12 – February 2 from 10:30am – 12:00pm. Dates to come. Join local knitting expert Stephanie Raffel to learn to knit with a guided project, or, if you already know how to knit, share the company of fellow yarners – with refreshments!
Registration required.


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New York Times – Birth control pills still linked to breast cancer, study finds
Women who rely on birth control pills or contraceptive devices that release hormones face a small but significant increase in the risk for breast cancer, according to a large study published on Wednesday.
Kaiser Health News – Surgeons try prescribing fewer opioids to lower addiction risk
Surgeons should give patients fewer pills after surgery. They should also talk to patients about the proper use of opioids and the associated risks. That seemingly small intervention could lead to significant changes in how opioids are prescribed and make inroads against the current epidemic, said the researchers. Their findings were published Wednesday in the journal JAMA Surgery.
Reuters – Consistently lower cancer survival rates for black patients in US
Whether it's colon cancer, breast cancer, or ovarian cancer, survival rates in the U.S. are lower for black people than for white people, three new studies show. All three were published in the journal Cancer.
HealthDay – Alzheimer's cases to double by 2060: report
As the baby boomer population ages, the number of Americans with Alzheimer's disease will double by 2060, researchers report. The study findings, which show cases of Alzheimer's and mild cognitive impairment going from 6 million this year to 15 million in four decades, highlight the need to better identify people with a brain-related disease, and to slow its progression.
Public Health Accreditation Board – Public health accreditation board celebrates ten years of public health department improvement
The Public Health Accreditation Board today celebrated 10 years of improving and protecting the health of communities by advancing the quality and performance of the nation's state, local, Tribal, and territorial public health departments.


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By Rowan Sylva
This week's UN climate summit looks likely to be the biggest fizzer since the League of Nations tried to stop World War II. For a start this years UN climate summit is to be an informal discussion to which big polluters are invited to attend and even present at a private sector luncheon. On top of this the Chinese and Indian presidents are not even bothering to attend and none of the issues that caused an impasse in Copenhagen five years ago look likely to be resolved. The issue of ocean acidification, moreover, will not be discussed. Add to the mix the fact that important countries like Canada and Australia are being run by environmentally hostile governments, in the pocket of big polluters and you have a recipe for a waste of time. The UN at present is so divided that member states cannot even work cooperatively to contain the Ebola virus. Anybody who thinks for a second that positive action will result form this summit is putting on a blindfold. At best we can expect a bit of guilt-elevating green-wash, of the kind that Naomi Cline as so articulately exposed. At worst we can expect a complete collapse of any semblance of international action on climate change.
But what about the mass climate rally in New York that urged leaders to do something? It was, as far it could be expected, a success, attracting around 300, 000 people, as large as comparable actions protesting the Iraq war (a lot of good they did), larger than the largest Vietnam protest, and bigger than any comparable rallies for an environmental issue in American history. The targeting of Wall Street by the protest was a good tactical move, because as one stockbroker put it, " I think its bullshit… anything that makes clients money is good for my clients, and its good for the countries economy." So yes investment is driving pollution.
The protest made headlines world wide, bringing some media attention to the issue. All of this is good and a testament to the organization that went into the event, however, the notion that the protest will have an effect on the outcome of the summit is utterly naive; there is no historic evidence to suggest that these kind of protests affect the negotiations. Unlike actions such as strikes they exert no hard power over political actors.
What the global day of action showed us is that there are enough people that care: but what should they do? Answer: target extraction. Extraction is the polluter's weak point. it is dependent on limited physical infrastructure. It can be subjected to legal disputation over land rights. A simple, peaceful blockade can cost the polluter money, delay delivery of their product and affect their bottom line. Local people of all stripes and colours usually oppose the development of nearby extraction projects – because they are horrible. A lot of extraction takes place in rich countries where there are relatively strong environmental movements. It also often takes place in areas of natural value. This means that even those not concerned with climate change may be willing to oppose them.
It is worth noting that once a polluting fuel or substance is extracted it will be used. Shutting down existing extraction and blocking the development of new extraction projects nips pollution in the bud; if it's not extracted it won't be burned. This is the most effective form of carbon capture. Stopping extraction is the simplest way for governments to take action. They don't need to argue about the details of carbon taxes or emission trading schemes. They simply need to shut down the mines and not offer new contracts – problem solved. There is a reason why governments won't be discussing shutting down extraction programs at the UN summit, that's because it works. Finally extraction is the one part of the pollution process, where small but dedicated action groups can have a big impact – this is demonstrated by the very effective way that environmental groups in the USA and Canada have managed to reduce carbon emissions by targeting pipeline projects from Canadian tar sand.
In my view climate actions groups should pivot their action toward targeting extraction and only extraction. They should not bother spending their precious little money on lobbying government and industry; they won't listen, and if they respond, it will be with green wash. Some people in the climate movement argue that it is better to use every method there is to affect change. I respectfully disagree. A global movement with limited resources needs to focus on where it can best effect change. In the words of Frederic the Great, "He who defends everything, defends nothing." What money, climate groups do have, should be spent on a two-pronged strategy: supplying ongoing peaceful blockades on essential extraction infrastructure, and fighting new extraction projects in the courts. Groups should not mobilize in cities to call for climate action; they should mobilize in the local areas where extraction is taking place and where direct action can affect polluter's bottom lines.


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ECIL Walk In Interview 2012
|Any Graduate
|25 years
|Number of Vacant Posts
|Last Date
|Selection Process
|Date of Interview
|Job Location
|Anywhere in India
|Nature of Job
ECIL Walk in Interview for Hindi Translator cum Computer Operator 2012
Electronics Corporation of India Limited Popularly known as ECIL, a Public Sector Enterprise, is going to organize a walk in interview for the recruitment to the post of Hindi Translator / Computer Operator purely on contract basis. The Period of the contract will be of two years. ECIL is looking for Result-Oriented and dynamic persons to fill up 05 vacancies of Hindi Translator cum computer operator by conducting a walk in interview on 27/05/2012 (on Sunday) at its Zonal Offices Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata. Aspirants are required to go through the following details and if they find themselves suitable for the post may appear for walk in interview on the date stipulated by ECIL.
Designation: Hindi Translator cum Computer Operator
Number of Posts: 05
Age Limit: Minimum 25 years as on 30/04/2012. Relaxation in upper age limit for SC / ST Candidates is 05 years and for OBC is 03 years
Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree in Hindi (Preferably with 1st Class) with Diploma in Translation with minimum post qualification of one year in Translation from Hindi to English and Vice-Versa. Knowledge of computer in both the language as well as knowledge of regional language
Walk in Interview: Aspirants having suitable qualifications for the post may appear for walk in interview along with duly furnished application, Original Testimonials & Certificates as well as photocopies of all and a latest passport size photograph on 27/05/2012 from 9.30 AM to 1.30 PM at Zonal Offices of ECIL such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata. Address with contact Number of all the Zonal Offices are mentioned in the Detailed Advertisement for which a link has been placed below
More details for the Jobs in ECIL can be seen in the detailed advertisement
ECIL Detailed Advertisement & Application Format
Official Website: http://www.ecil.co.in


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Policy Pages (Chat)
What are policy pages?
Each policy page contains information about a library and its policies. The chatting librarian can view the policy page of the patron's library during a chat session to help answer the patron's questions.
An administrator creates his or her library's policy page in the QuestionPoint Profile module.
Go to a policy page during a chat session
Click the Policies link in the chat monitor when you are chatting with a patron to view the policy page of the patron's library. The policy page appears in a separate window. You can close or minimize the window and return to it as needed during the session.
You can scroll through the policy page or click a link at the top of the page (Phone, Hours, etc.) to jump to a field on the page.
Patrons and policy pages
The patron with whom you are chatting does not see the policy page. Do not share a policy page or a link to a policy page with a patron because most policy pages contain some information not intended for patron use.
You can copy information that is intended for patrons, paste it into the chat box, and send it to the patron. Do not send a large block of text at one time. Send it in multiple short messages.
Report problems or suggest improvements
You can report problems with a policy page or suggest improvements to it if the library provided an e-mail address in the Policy Page E-mail Contact field.
Click the address in the field and then send a message to report a problem with the policy page or suggest an improvement. The message goes to the person at the library who is responsible for the policy page.
View other policy pages in a library's group
From a library's policy page, you can also view the policy pages of other libraries in the library's group.
Click the link for the Group Policy Page to view the policy page created by the administrator of the group.
Select a library in the Group Member Policies drop-down list and click Submit to view the policy page of that library.
Search all policy pages
You can search all policy pages on the Search Policies page.
To go to the Search Policies page:
Click the Search Policies link which is available in the following locations:
Or, click the Search Policy Pages link in the Profile Quick Links on the My QuestionPoint page.
To search on the Search Policies page:
The data used in indexing policy pages and in displaying results lists comes from the fields listed below. Your administrator may want to confirm the data about your library in these fields to ensure that accurate information is available for searching and listing your library's policy page.
Create or update your library's policy page
For information, see Create or update your library's policy page.
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We live in an increasingly cynical age where romantic love has been distilled into algorithms of data. Where love is reduced to nothing more than the neurotransmitter, dopamine. Biochemically, no different than an addiction to cocaine. Imagine that, right? The romantic passion of the lover, reduced to a coke head on a coke binge. There's something kind of cynical about this resignation, about letting go of that ecstasy of love that inspired the Romeo and Juliet story. The archetype of finding "The One," that is as God.Read More
There's a lyric from a Radiohead song that perfectly captures the wistfulness of lost love, the wistfulness of what could have been and might have been and should have been, if only. The lyric goes like this "I wish I could be who wanted, I wish I could who wanted." It so perfectly captures that bittersweetness, that aching sadness, that anguish of longing for what might have been, if you or I could have been what we hoped each other would be for one another.Read More


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November 5th 6-8:30pm
Tate Hall, CPCC, Charlotte NC
Free Event Parking
Ticket Sales
Tickets purchased before November 1st receive 3 free raffle tickets.
Click here to make a donation and
help build Northgate Central.
acrylic on canvas
12 x 12
oil on canvas
Original Print
8 x 10
watercolor and ink
hand thrown pottery


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Friday, March 25, 2005
By The Waters Of The Minnetonka
You know, on the night of the full moon, the high Priest goes to a jungle clearing, and sings a song of love. And then follows the cortship dance in which the bride-groom tries to impress his bride to be with his fercness and stregnth. So now, lets pretend that this is a jungle clearing, there is a full moon, and the high Priest is singing his song.
Moon Deer, How near Your soul divine
Sun Deer, No fear In heart of mine.
Skies blue O'er you, Look down in love;
Waves bright Give light As on they move
Hear thou My vow To live,
to die, Moon Deer, Thee near Beneath this sky.
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Anytime that you move it can be both physically and financially draining. Moving with children is no exception to this rule. There are certain things that you can do in order to make the transition easier when you move with kids. Children can feel a special sort of attachment to a place, especially their home. Its important that you help them make a smooth transition.
While it may seem convenient to hide the fact that youre making a big move from your little ones, its not a good idea. Children are pretty intuitive. Sit down and have a conversation with them explaining where youre going. You can even throw in the why if the move is due to the fact that you need more space or need to be closer to work. It may even be in your best interest to do this over your childs favorite meal or at their favorite pizza place in town.
This can be a great teachable moment for kids in the moving process. Teach them about giving things to people who are less fortunate than they are by going through their toys and clothes. Show them that you are donating items from your own collection as well.
Kids can be involved with the move in many ways. Older kids can pack their own belongings in boxes and suitcases. Younger kids may need a bit more help. You can let them decorate the boxes as they are labeled. This will be a help for staying organized throughout the move.
If your new house has some neat features that you know the kids will love, definitely share it with them. Some things to talk about with kids about the new place youre moving to:
Anything that you know will be a highlight for your child in the process of moving can help them to cope with the changes ahead.
It can be easy to snap at kids when youre stressed out. Keep all of your important documents and papers in one place. Make sure you leave ample time for packing and moving. Hire a moving company if you need to as well. If youre selling any of your belongings from your old house, make sure that you do so well in advance of the move to avoid any undue last minute stressors. With a bit of planning, moving with kids can go quite smoothly.
After a move, everything feels fresh and energizing. This is, of course, in part because of the energy that comes with a big change. But it also comes from having a neatly, organized home. In the jumble of packing and unpacking, junk gets tossed and items get new homes. Everything gets a new dedicated area where it belongs. Everything is tidy, as it should be.
So how then can you maintain this wonderful feeling and continue to keep things neat and tidy?
First, you need to make a daily habit of doing a quick clean sweep every day. Whether you do it in the morning, afternoon or before bed isnt important. What is important is that you do it every day.
Go through the house to make to corral up stray dishes, put items back into their dedicated places, and give homes to those who dont have one yet.
And if you cant think of somewhere to put it? Question its purpose and consider either donating or tossing it.
Aim to keep your surfaces clear of items. Allowing things to accumulate is one of the fastest for clutter to quickly take over. Stop it in its track by tidying up when youre done using this station of your home.
Practice not being lazy. If you bring your tea to sip on the couch when you leave the room take your mug with you straight to the dishwasher. If you finished the last of the chips put the clip away where it belongs instead of leaving it out on the counter. Put pens back away after using them to jot out notes. Recycle magazines when you're done reading them.
If you find things are building up as clutter quickly you might have too much stuff. Which is okay, it happens!
Decluttering isnt a one and done process. We need to consistently be assessing the things that collect in our homes and what benefit they are adding to your life. Sometimes we once used all the time have fallen out of favor or need to be repaired/replaced.
Make time once a month for a quick declutter session and once a season for a more detailed one.
And the best way to avoid clutter is to closely monitor what youre allowing to come into your home in the first place. If you find you love to take things home just because they were free or on sale, its important to take a step back and ask yourself why.
After all, the less stuff we have in our homes the less there is to manage. Which means more time spent doing what you enjoy doing, like spending time with your family, and less time organizing it all.


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The Phoenix Parks Dept. just finished a survey of city parks visitors, described in an Arizona Republic article and found the system needed…..
More basketball courts? Expanded playground equipment? Extra open space?
It's a little more basic than that: Visitors want better restrooms. The need came out on top as more than 4,500 people participated in a city survey on what's needed for the aging city parks or areas that lack recreation programs.
Without restrooms, or decent restrooms, people may avoid their parks. The message is that good facilities and features – even restrooms – help draw users to parks.
Filed under: facilities | Tagged: restrooms |


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It seemed like only yesterday (it was actually November, 2017) we were excitedly jabbering on about the return of one of our favorite go-to Riojas after a long absence from the marketplace. At the time, probably a decade or so ago, we were presented with the Valsacro Dioro 2001. It was love at first sip and we kept a few bottles back for ourselves (though not enough) that we consumed with gusto over the next few years.
Our reunion offer that aforementioned November involved the 2010 Vinsacro Dioro (which had subsequently been renamed Vinsacro for reasons unknown to us). The 2010 was a most pleasant déjà vu because it was the same fruit driven, polished, creamy, supple, hedonistic red we had remembered from our first experience all those years ago.
The first time around (the 2001) we don't remember seeing any press at the time. But the 2010 had also caught the attention of Wine Advocate's Luis Gutierrez who launched a rather detailed piece describing this unique estate in Rioja Baja that had been owned by the same family for four generations. The short story is that the vineyard is up to a century old and the grapes are planted to a field blend that the family refers to as 'Vidau'. The fruit is hand harvested into small crates and the Dioro goes through four separate steps in the selection process, ending up as a 'best barrels' cuvee.
Luis' notes say, "The 2010 Vinsacro Dioro opens to an explosion of flowers and ripe blueberries that is very perfumed. It feels quite modern and aromatic with well-integrated oak and a luscious palate. This is produced from a field blend they call Vidau, which, in their case it is approximately 50% Garnacha, 30% Tempranillo and a myriad of other grapes like Graciano and even Monastrell…92 points." Yeah it's that whole explosion of berries and 'luscious palate' that keeps us coming back, plus we were selling at more than 50% off Luis' stated 'retail' price.
Good times were had by all then, and when we waltzed through a slug of the winery's 2015 Vinsacro Dioro in August of the following year. Similar story, 92 point, shamelessly engaging, supple Rioja redolent with dark plum/blueberry fruit tinged by spice, lead pencil, notes of cocoa being sold for a fraction of its original retail. Again, here's an extremely pretty wine from a clearly committed producer, from a great vintage, for pennies on the dollar? We love the story line…it's so Winex!
But mostly we love the wine.
So when we were approached with the 2005, another great vintage (this one was still labeled Valsacro), the choice was easy. Where had this wine been for the last decade plus? No clue, but it is in a verygood place now. Thanks to the additional time in bottle the 2005 Valsacro Dioro is a harmonious, hedonistic marvel. We found reviews from back in the day, dueling '92s' from Vinous' (then IWC) Josh Raynolds and Advocate's reviewer at the time Jay Miller, significantly different palates.
From Jay Miller, June, 2010, "The 2005 Dioro was produced from a stricter selection and was aged in new French oak for 12-14 months. A saturated purple color, it displays a brooding bouquet of wood smoke, pencil lead, espresso, truffle, and blackberry. Dense and loaded on the palate, it has gobs of ripe black fruit, excellent balance, and a lengthy, pure finish. It will continue to blossom over the next 3-4 years and have a drinking window extending from 2014 to 2025…92 points. (list $57). "
From Josh Raynolds, September, 2011, "(aged in new French oak): Glass-staining ruby. Extremely perfumed, oak-accented nose displays cherry-vanilla and blackberry preserves, with a sexy floral note and building spiciness. Full-bodied and velvety, offering palate-coating flavors of macerated cherry, dark berries and vanilla bean. Finishes very long and sweet, with persistent spiciness and a hint of smoke. An extremely attractive and balanced example of the modern style…92 points."
The plush, creamy texture, integrated fruit and terroir components, superb balance, and silky finish are like few wines in the marketplace at any price. We have consumed a good bit of this already and have plans to do a lot more. Once again we are able to offer this absolutely delicious wine, bottle age included, for under $20!
We have stocked a bit more for ourselves this time around because the stuff doesn't seem to last long in the cellar (not that it wouldn't if we left it alone). The 2005 Valsacro Rioja Dioro 2005 one to buy by the case.
The same could be said for the 2015 Vinsacro Rioja Dioro, of which we recently got a reload. The short story here is that this is another offering from this very appealing house that was a Wine Advocate 92 for this wine, at a list price of $65, only we are also selling it for a ridiculous$19.98!


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As a Tau player, I'm familiar with their unique strengths and weaknesses, namely shooting and close combat. Having played against marines several times I had come to realize they were better than my Tau in close combat, but fell short in shooting. Watching games of marines fighting the Tyranid menace, I saw how the marines were able to outshoot the bugs, but couldn't stand up in close combat. How could an army that was being out classed in one way or another possibly be able to be worth while, I thought.
That's when it hit me. When I was in a shootout with marines, I was generally better, but they held their own. When the marines tangoed with the bugs, the bugs were better, but the marines were able to hold their own again. The marines weren't close combat specialists, nor were they ranged specialists; nor were they incompetent shooting at an opponent or when fisticuffs were called for. The marines did not have any overwhelming superiority, but they have no crippling weakness either.
The strength of marines, in my opinion, is their ability to adapt to any situation and be able to fight their way out. The standard battle brother is able to be used in a variety of different roles, but choosing the role for the squad requires the commander to consider the situation carefully. Sometimes the choice is clear and simple; hit the shooty things and shoot the hitty things. The ability to do either well, not necessarily excellently, but well is the strength of a marine and a quality that can forgive tactical errors by a commander.
Strive always to make the best choice given the situation and leave the rest to the dice.


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Entertainment Earth Comic-Con Exclusive! This BSG-themed tin tote comes to you in glorious Cylon silver and black. Inspired by the Battlestar Galactica sci-fi TV series, the futuristic metal lunch box features an embossed chrome-metallic surface and the BSG logo. Even more exciting are the silver-colored Battle Damaged Cylon Centurion and gold Cylon Commander Action Figures included inside! Measuring 8-inches tall, these articulated action figures feature authentic fabric and armor pieces, plus incredible rifle and sword accessories and a retro style reminiscent of the bestselling "Mego" figures of the 1970s and 1980s. Order this... or else! The tote measures 8 5/8-inches wide x 6 3/4-inches tall x 4-inches deep. Limited edition of 1,500 pieces.Posted on 6/17/2013 10:47 am


text: (Ottawa/Toronto, October 20, 2014) On Friday, the International Human Rights Program at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law (IHRP), MiningWatch Canada (MiningWatch) and the Canadian Centre for International Justice (CCIJ) filed their factum with the Supreme Court of Canada in Yaiguaje et al. v. Chevron. The joint interveners provided the Court with submissions on the proper interpretation of private international law and corporate law principles in light of the international law obligation to provide effective remedies for human rights violations.