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Expanse AWD International Carry-On
The Eagle Creek Expanse AWD International Carry-On is a lightweight, durable and versatile international-size carry-on bag with four multi-directional AWD spinner wheels to ensure a smooth ride through airports and city streets.
This durable spinner bag has a spacious expandable main compartment with a central lock point for added security, an interior zippered mesh compartment for additional organization and compression straps to keep contents crease-free and maximize packing space. Multiple lash points let you strap bulky items to the outside of your bag and handles on all sides always give you a place to grab onto.
The Eagle Creek Expanse AWD International Carry-On is covered by the Eagle Creek No Matter What Warranty which covers damage regardless of the cause.
- Carry-on size for most international airlines
- Abrasion resistant Bi-Tech Armor Lite technology reinforces high wear areas
- Ultra-durable multi-directional spinner wheels with heavy-duty wheel housing for easy mobility
- Fabric blocking technology hides stains and scuffs and keeps you bag looking new for years to come
- Lightweight anodized aluminum dual-tube handle
- Expandable main compartment for additional space when needed
- Large zippered front pocket
- Padded tablet sleeve keeps your device protected and within easy reach
- Vertical quick stash pocket helps keep often needed items within easy reach, its unique orientation makes it easy to get things in and out of your bag even when it is in the overhead bin
- External lash points allow you to attach a purse, water bottle or other items using a carabiner or clip
- Interior compression straps keep content secure, minimizes wrinkles and maximizes packing space
- Interior zippered mesh compartment provides additional organization
- Grab handles on the top, side and bottom make it easy to grab this bag from any angle
- Mesh ID pocket ensures your bag makes it back to you
- Reflective accents for dusk and nighttime visibility
- Central Lock Point with secure zip toggles secures main entry points with a single lock
- Durable lockable zippers with reflective finger-friendly pulls
- Protected by Eagle Creek No Matter What Warranty
- Capacity: 2015 cubic inches
- Capacity (expanded): 2195 cubic inches
- Size: 21.25"x13.75"x8"
- Size (expanded): 21.5"x13.75"x9.75"
- Weight: 6 lbs 1 oz
- Fabric: 420D Two-tone Poly, 300D Diamond Ripstop Poly, 500D Oxford Poly
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Expanse AWD International Carry-On
Item # EC0A3CWP
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1526 Chartwell Drive, West Vancouver Listing #: R2384141
SPECTACULAR 180° plus panoramic Lionsgate Bridge, water, city & mountain views! This UNIQUE FAMILY HOME features over 7,000 sf of immaculate interior & 1000 sf of outdoor patio space with sweeping stunning views. Indulge in having your own private infinity heated pool, jacuzzi & plenty of room for entertaining! Exceptional quality & the finest workmanship is found throughout this fabulous home with classic contemporary finishes, 7 CAR GARAGE. Truly an architectural masterpiece with fantastic views in all main rooms, 7 SPACIOUS & COZY BEDROOMS & 8 SPA-LIKE BATHROOMS. This home boasts an open concept layout, floor to ceiling windows, gourmet kitchen with high end appliances, fully equipped wok kitchen, theatre, so much more. Call for details.
Taxes (2018): $16,463.61
Similar Listings
Listed By: RE/MAX Masters Realty
Disclaimer: The data relating to real estate on this web site comes in part from the MLS Reciprocity program of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver or the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. Real estate listings held by participating real estate firms are marked with the MLS Reciprocity logo and detailed information about the listing includes the name of the listing agent. This representation is based in whole or part on data generated by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver or the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The materials contained on this page may not be reproduced without the express written consent of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver or the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board.

subset: commoncrawl


text: The Northern Rough-winged Swallow I posted about yesterday wasn't the only swallow that enjoyed the abundance of insects last weekend in the Green Island Wetlands. This colorful Barn Swallow was resting on a gravel road while several others were flying over the water of the Mississippi backwaters. I assumed they were still on their migration path to Minnesota or even Canada because they mostly use buildings for their nest sites. I used the car as a blind again and the bird gave me almost three minutes to position myself and make a few clicks.


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Soup Season is here! It's time to start getting creative with your vegetables and make some tasty soup to get you through these chilly days. First up, we'd like to share a classic with you: Ginger Butternut Soup. The recipe below was adapted from a Bon Appétit recipe that you can find here.
We just started harvesting sweet corn a few days ago, and couldn't be more excited about it. Now that we we're harvesting it daily, you better believe that we're also eating it daily! Since we have an abundance of zucchini and fresh herbs as well, I decided to make one of my favorite summer dinners tonight: Zucchini and Corn Fritters.
Here's my favorite recipe and we hope you're inspired to make it at home!
Toss zucchini and onion with 1 teaspoon salt and let stand in colander for 10 minutes. Using your hands or a clean dish towel, squeeze out as much of the liquid from the zucchini and onion as possible. Transfer zucchini mixture to a large bowl and add corn kernels. Stir in egg, garlic, basil, parsley, serrano pepper, black pepper, flour, baking powder, and shredded cheddar until thoroughly combined.
In a large cast iron or heavy stainless steel skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat until shimmering. Working in batches to avoid crowding the pan, carefully drop scant 1/3 cupfuls of the zucchini batter into the skillet, then press down on them with the cup measure to flatten them to about 1/3 inch thick.
Cook until the bottom side is golden brown, about 4 minutes (the corn will have a tendency to pop in the hot pan, so be careful; you may want to use a splatter guard or lid to shield yourself). If the fritters darken too quickly, reduce the heat to low. Flip the fritters and cook until browned on the other side, 3 to 5 minutes longer. Transfer fritters to the prepared baking sheet then keep warm in the oven. Repeat with remaining batter, keeping the pan well-oiled as you go.
Serve fritters warm, with a dollop of lemon yogurt on top.
*Denotes ingredients that are currently available here on the farm!
Pauline adapted this recipe from Serious Eats and it makes about 7-8 fritters.
Site produced by Pam Knights Communications, Newcomb Studios, and Raven Isle Graphics Salt Spring.


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Congratulations to the 2019 class of the Knox-Lombard Athletic Hall of Fame! Tremier Johnson '91, Matt Hayden...
Explore other offices & services
Academic Assessment, Office of
Community Service, Mark & Jeannette Kleine Center for
Global Studies, Eleanor Stellyes Center for
Government & Community Relations, Office of
Information Technology Services
Institutional Research, Office of
International Student Services, Office of
Knox Advisory Committee on Socially Responsible Investing
Research & Advanced Study, Gerald & Carol Vovis Center for
Student Development, Division of
Teaching & Learning, Center for
Deborah Steinberg
2 East South Street
Galesburg, IL 61401-4999
According to the EPA, transportation accounted for 26% of the total US greenhouse gas emissions in 2014, only second to the electricity sector. Knox is doing its part to reduce the dependence of single occupancy vehicles by promoting the following alternative transportation options.
Bicycling is a great way to get exercise, make friends, and have fun - all while reducing your environmental impact and saving money. Knox College encourages students to bring bikes to campus and supports bicycling by providing ample parking, secure storage over breaks, free bike registration, short- and long-term bike loan programs, and a full-service on-campus bike shop! Learn more on our Bikes at Knox page.
Knox College supports and encourages ride sharing and car pooling by hosting an online discussion forum allowing members of the Knox community to post and respond to ride share requests. You can also subscribe to the forum to be alerted when new requests or offers are posted. This forum can facilitate students giving each other rides to the grocery store, to events in nearby cities, or home for breaks. It can also help faculty and staff find resources for carpooling and ride-sharing for those who commute to campus. Ride sharing helps save in driving costs and reducing emissions while building community.
The campus plays host to two car share vehicles, managed by the UHaulCarShare program. The cars have designated parking spaces in the Seymour Library parking lot. They can be rented by the hour by any licensed driver in the community. Visit the UHaulCarShare website for information. We are currently hosting a Nissan Cube and a Chevy Colorado truck. The pickup truck was recently added and provides a vehicle for those who need to occasionally haul or move larger items, allowing vehicle owners to opt for a smaller more efficient vehicle for daily use.
The Knox Corps program has an electric vehicle, which is used by students traveling to and from their community building activities. An extra electric vehicle charging station is available for guests of the college. In addition, the Facilities department maintains a number of biodiesel-powered vehicles in the maintenance fleet.
For a small fee, Knox College offers shuttle service at the beginning and end of each term for students flying into or out of Quad City International Airport in Moline, Illinois, or Greater Peoria Regional Airport. Ride sharing reduces the number of individual trips and decreases the College's carbon footprint.
Local Bus - Galesburg Transit
The local public transportation bus service, operates Monday-Friday. Four bus routes serve many areas of Galesburg and all routes pass by the Knox College campus. See the City's website for more information on schedules. For those who take the bus frequently, you can save money by purchasing an unlimited bus pass, which is good for several months.
Amtrak Train
Galesburg is a historic railroad town, fortunate to have Amtrak service eight times per day (four trains heading toward Chicago and four heading west). Train service is at the Galesburg Train Station, just a few blocks east of the Knox College campus. The train provides transportation to visit other cities in the region or to connect with airports in Chicago. It is often faster and much less expensive than the cost to drive and pay for fuel and parking. See the Amtrak website for schedules and more information.


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FREE Post and Packaging
Hand Personalised Jewellery
Express Delivery
Marlee Personalised Pearl Disc Bracelet
- FREE UK Delivery: Standard UK Delivery via First Class Royal Mail (recieve your order on or after the 28/08/19)
- FREE Worldwide Delivery: International delivery times may vary due to countries postal service
- £6.95 Tracked Express Delivery: UK Next Day Express - Order by 2PM (excluding weekends)
- £10.95 Guaranteed Saturday Delivery: Get your order on 31/08/19, order by 2PM Friday
Our personalised Marlee Bracelet is a beautifully delicate disc on a fine chain bracelet. The addition of the pearls gives this bracelet a timeless and elegant look.
With the addition of the initial personalisation, this bracelet makes the perfect gift for a loved one or as a very special treat for yourself.
Made from: Silver or Rose gold plated
Size: Chain length 18 cm long, 5cm extender
You can pick a free card from our large selection of gift cards to make your bracelet extra special. We also have a beautiful selection of luxury packaging to choose from.
FREE POSTAGE within the UK - All items are posted first class with proof of postage and are wrapped beautifully!
FREE GIFT CARD - Enhance your gift with a free jewellery gift card and box.
Additional Information
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Reviews - Average 100% (3 reviews)
|Customer Comment
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|Beautiful bracelets, perfect thank you gift
|Spot on description definitely going to come back! Thank you
|Gorgeous item, both our mothers loved their gift
Thank you for the lovely feedback!
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Delivery: All items are posted First Class, beautifully wrapped and well packaged via Royal Mail with proof of post.
Returns: If you wish to return your order please contact our customer service team using our contact form via the link provided
or call 01803 867 266 to speak to our customer service representatives.
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text: IrvingThon was started by Corinne H. in 2017 to raise money for childhood cancer. Corinne got the idea from a similar event her siblings did while they were in high school. During IrvingThon, members of community perform activities and play games. This event has raised $900 and collected around 100 toys for children with cancer to be distributed during Holiday Season. Corinne is also organizing smaller events such as a coin drive starting in mid-February. This event has brought community members together and raised money for a worthy cause. One student can make a huge difference and since her first day at Irvington High School she has been spending a majority of her free time to help fight childhood cancer.


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Happy November everyone!
This week, Chloe Williams blogs about Chicago Booth's flagship LEAD program.
There is only one class that is required in the Chicago Booth curriculum. That class is LEAD. LEAD stands for Leadership Effectiveness and Development. As described on the Booth website, this course is designed to enhance students' self-awareness and interpersonal effectiveness through a series of challenging, yet fun, classroom sessions and events. When I first read that, I thought it would be a fluff class that talks about feelings. I figured we would do a few Myers Briggs assessments, everyone finds out they have a type-A personality, and life goes on. A little cynical, but I had been through those tests, along with 360 degree assessments, and other "find out about yourself" tools many times over the last few years. But I realized that LEAD was different…much different.
First, the course starts off with a three-day retreat in Wisconsin for all first year students. The class is split into 10 different cohorts with approximately 58 students each. While in Wisconsin we do ropes courses, improvement exercises, and have an abundance of social events to break the ice. Then we come back to Chicago and start the good stuff. We meet once a week for six weeks and cover a different LEAD module each week. 2nd year students teach the class and we tackle issues such as ethics, conflict and integrity, giving and getting feedback, interpersonal communication styles, and of course, team dynamics. The modules are seemingly independent but it all comes together at the end of the six weeks with two events called "LEADership Challenge" and "LEADership in Crisis." A group of students (10 for LEADership Challenge, 4 for LEADership in Crisis) is selected by each cohort as representatives in each of the challenges.
I can only speak to LEADership Challenge as you can only participate in one. Also, given the nature of the day-long challenge, I am not able to disclose all of the details. But trust me when I say that these challenges are where all of the modules and concepts in LEAD come together. Prominent alumni come to Chicago from all around the country and spend a day in the Harper Center with the cohort teams. There are challenges to be completed and the alumni play an interactive role in all of the challenges. These tasks require dealing with all of the concepts brought up in the modules. You get to see your fellow classmates in situations you never imagined, and understand how all of the different components of the leadership course fit together. My initial skepticism of LEAD was blown away by this event, which has to date been the most rewarding experience of school. Lesson for all: Pay attention in LEAD and you'll do well in the Challenge!


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Corporate & Foundation Donors
Celebrating our Growing Support
The Florida Humanities Council would like to acknowledge the generous support of the National Endowment for the Humanities; the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs; and the many individuals, corporations, and foundations that made contributions during our 2015 Fiscal Year (11/1/14 – 10/31/15). Thank you!
HTR Foundation
Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities
The Mosaic Company
$8,000 – $13,000
Frank E. Duckwall Foundation
The Saunders Foundation
Thomas M. & Irene B. Kirbo Charitable Trust
$2,000 – $5,000
Bright House Networks
Barbara Ann Cole Fund within the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
Plum Creek Foundation
Southwest Florida Water Management District


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The evolution of fashion: pattern and cut from 1066 to 1930
Batsford, 1967 - Art - 225 pages
Includes patterns - mainly in the scale: 1/8 inch to 1 inch.
What people are saying - Write a review
We haven't found any reviews in the usual places.
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Accessories adapt pattern armhole attached back and front band belt BLOUSE bodice body braided breasted breeches brim bum roll bustle Chemise chest cloth COAT SLEEVE Colours costume Cotehardie crown cuffs curled curve decorated deep doublet drawstring elbow embroidered epaulette Fabrics fastening feathers finger rings flared flounces fold foundation frills garments gathered or pleated gauntlet gloves Hair Hats Head dress hip pad hooks and eyes hosen houppelande inches interlined knee lace length lightly bone line throughout liripipe mantle material Movement narrow neck neckband neckline Notes on patterns Padding and restriction petticoat placket previous fashion previous pattern ribbons robe ruff sewn shape Shirt shoulders side seams sides and back silk similar to men's standing collar stiffened Stockings straps tight trimmed Trousers trunk hose tunic Undergarments similar veil waist edge waistband waistcoat waistline wear whalebone wire Women Corsets Women General characteristics worn wrist


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Custody and Support Issues for Military Parents
The men and women who defend our country face special challenges during divorce and child custody litigation. Fortunately, state and federal laws prevent a parent from using the military status of the other parent to gain an unfair advantage in custody and support disputes. The fact that a military parent may be deployed or transferred… Read More »


text: Just a Little Bit of Glamour December 05, 2017 There's always extra glamour in the air around the holidays- so it just seems fitting to share a couple of my favorite glam cakes! I just love the combination of both fresh blooms + glam as well as sugar flowers + glitter! Happy Holidays!


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How To Apply For Shell Credit Card Login | Shell Application Form | Customer | Shell Oil
Shell credit card can be given by Citi Bank a subsidiary of Citi group. Of which you can also manage shell card online, Shell company has its headquartered in the Netherlands. Shell credit card customer service is so lovely, and they treat people warmly.
Shell Credit Card holder, has the opportunity for saving costs and also earn a lot of benefits. The Shell credit card provides the benefits like zero annual charges. This Shell credit card can be used at any shell fuelling stations.
Some Benefits And Rewards you can get from Shell Credit Card Login.
Shell credit cards are loaded with benefits and redeemable rewards, below are the lists of interests, note that the benefits I'm about to dish out are not limited to the ones here;
Shell has an option which you can earn 5 cents credits on every gallon of fuel you purchased.
As well as 25 cents off on every gallon, this offers only secure you for the first two months you started using the credit card.
Rates, Charges, And Fees On Shell Credit Card Login
Below is the list of things you needed to know about the shell charges, fee and rates on this credit card, the charges cover both new cardholders, and the old card holder;
Also Read: www.americanexpress.com/activate 2017 | How to Activate Your American Express Card Online
- Shell doesn't charge you for an annual payment for individuals with Shell Credit Card
- Shell Credit Card Login purchase on yearly percentage rates is 26.24%
- Shell Credit Card would never charge you for any foreign transaction or purchase charges.
How to Apply For Shell Credit Card Login
Shell application form for this credit card is the primary requirement to increase your approval odd.
The applicant for Shell Credit Card Login credentials should not be below 18 years of age, in essence, 18 and above is the age limit
While applying for Shell credit card, you should have a valid Social security number (SSN)
A government-issued photo ID number which must be.
Application Procedure For Shell Credit Card Online
The Shell credit card application process for this credit card is as follows; below is the shell application process.
- Kindly login to Shell credit card login application on https://www.shell.us/motorist/ways-to-pay/shell-drive-for-five-card.html Or CLICK HERE
- Check through the Shell Credit Card and click on the "Apply online" you'll be directed to Citi credit cards official website.
- After then, fill in your personal information, it includes both your personal information, financial details, mortgage information,
here is the needed information,
- First and last Name
- Address (Home)
- A valid Email address
- Your Date of birth
- Mobile number (Home)
- City and State of residence
- Estimated Annual salary
- Your monthly rent payment or mortgage
- A valid Social security number
- Valid ID
Shell Credit Card Customer Service
- For General inquiry Call: 1-877-278-0083, a customer care agent you receive your call.
- Existing cardholders can call 800-331-3703 for complaints
- There is also an option of applying when you call 888-98-SHELL (888-987-4355) you may decide to use the USA cards site; card applicant can always contact customers for inquiry on their shell credit card application status.


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Hire Equipment
The following Equipment is available for hire from BladeRight Cleaning Supplies
4200W High level Gutter Vac
The 4200W Omni-Gutter Vac is the heart of this Gutter Vac Hire System and is designed to be used as a stand alone gutter cleaning system.
The Gutter Vac comprises of the following;
- 3 x 1400 watt two stage by-pass motors providing 4200 watts of suction power, with a choice of 110 or 240 volts, each motor has an independent switch allowing any combination of motors to be used to suit the circumstances of the clean.
- Aero-Space Alloy telescopic modular suction tubes in 6' sections and is available in heights up to 36`
- The 78Ltr dry (55Ltr wet) Heavy Duty chromed steel tank has a 100 mm inlet with a push fit connector to the 15Mtrs of 50 mm Lightweight Highly flexible reinforced abrasion resistant hose. The Lightweight hose connects to the base of the Aero-Space Alloy telescopic suction tubes.
- The suction heads comprise of 1x Tapered Nozzle & 1x Standard Nozzle.
1400W Gutter Vac
The 1400W Pro Junior Gutter Vac is the heart of this Gutter Vac Hire System and is ideal for standard residential properties.
The Gutter Vac comprises of the following;
- High performance 1.9 Hp – 1400W 240V motor providing excellent residential gutter cleaning.
- Wet and Dry Gutter Vac 50mm (2") Tank inlet.
- Heavy Duty 30 Ltr Capacity stainless steel tank with tank drain.
- 3Mtr 50mm Ultralight Suction Hose with blower feature.
- Foam sleeve, filter bag and cartridge filter.
- Air Flow 90Ltr/sec.
Included in the package are; Modular Alloy Poles suitable up to 30`, 1 x 3 Mtr 50mm lightweight ultra-flex hose, 50mm hose cuffs, 1 x tapered alloy Nozzle, 1 x standard Nozzle.
Honda GX 340 Power Washer
This Professional Hhigh-Powered Mobile Pressure Washer is ideal for all those Heavy Duty cleaning tasks including Transport yards, Plant Hire and Agricultural uses.
The Honda GX340 200Bar 15LPM Pressure Washer comprises of the following;
- Petrol Engine
- Oil alert
- Brass Head
- Adjustable Integral Unloader
- 13″ Pneumatic wheels
- Low pressure chemical
- Easy bleed valve
- Gun lance and 10Mtr HP hose
- Suction hose with filter
18" Whirl-A-Way Flat Surface Cleaner
The Whirl- A- Way is ideal for cleaning all types of flat surfaces including driveways, concrete floors, patios and can be used with any hot or cold pressure washer. Cleaning up to 20 Square Metres per minute the Whirl-A-Way reduces operator fatigue, Increases Productivity saving up to 80% on Labour costs. The durable cover eliminates over-spray & damage to surrounding area.
The 18" Whirl-A-Way Flat Surface Cleaner comprises of the following;
- 18″ Whirl-a-Way Surface Cleaner on 18″ Castors
- 276 Bar (Maximum Pressure)
- 30LPM flow rate (Maximum Flow)
- 80Deg Maximum temperature operation
- Polypropylene cover with nylon skirt
- Trigger Gun & Nozzles
- Supplied with 2 x 1/4″ nozzles
- M22 M Trigger Inlet
Sabrina Maxi Carpet Cleaner
The Sabrina Maxi injection-extraction machine has awesome vacuum performance, and recent upgrades have made this mid-range machine now better than ever before!
This unit also has a new vacuum motor silencing system as standard which makes it whisper quiet in operation.
A unique sized machine ideal for use in environments such as trains, buses, aeroplanes and cinemas, the Sabrina Maxi splits into two sections for ease of transporting and carrying.
- Solution Tank Capacity: 30 litres
- Recovery Tank Capacity: 30 litres
- Vacuum Motor: 1500W 2 Stage x 1 | 3000mm H20 | 45L/sec (max)
- Pump: Shurflo by-pass piston type | 9 bar (max) (130psi) | 4.5L/min (max)
- Cleaning Width: 300mm
- Number of Jets: Three (015)
- Cable Length: 10 metres
- Hose Assembly Length: 5 metres
- Construction Material: Expanded polyethylene
- Machine Weight: 22 kg
- Machine Size: 300 x 420 x 780mm


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The King's School Canterbury
In February 2003 BHM won a limited competition to design a new sports pavilion at Birley's Field, for the King's School at Canterbury. The new building would replace an existing sports pavilion built in the 1930s, which had become too small to provide changing rooms for all the students using the cricket, rugby, hockey, tennis and athletics facilities. In addition, the school needed to provide high quality clubroom facilities for both the students/visiting teams and parents who wished to watch the sport. The clubroom would also provide a venue for school functions and allow some use by the local community.
The new sports pavilion is located on the outskirts of Canterbury and through discussion with the local planners it was established that a more contemporary approach would be acceptable. Therefore the new building has a curved roof which sweeps down to form an entrance canopy on the ground floor and forms a covered area for the viewing balcony on the first floor. The ground floor is constructed from architectural masonry, with white render to the first floor. High quality timber windows and doors blend with the extensive timber decking of the first floor viewing deck.
A large entrance space gives access to the new sports pavilion which provides eight student, one accessible and two staff changing rooms. On the first floor there is a large clubroom served by a commercial kitchen with a licensed bar and toilets. This gives the school scope to hold large functions in a formal setting, overlooking the playing fields.
Construction commenced in the summer of 2004 and the building was completed in the summer of 2005. The new sports pavilion was formally opened in the autumn of 2005 by former England cricket captain, David Gower, who had played cricket for the school at Birley's Field.
"In 2004, BHM won the competition to design and deliver a new sports pavilion on King's School's Birley's Field sports ground. What followed was a textbook process of consultation, design & delivery (i.e. we got what we wanted / needed, on time and on budget), resulting in a superb facility – opened in 2005 – which, along with the sports grounds themselves, is much envied by visiting schools. The school was, and is, delighted with the architectural thoughtfulness, detail & quality of the finished product, and for me personally, it remains one of the projects which I am most proud to have been involved with here at King's."
Gavin Merryweather
Deputy Bursar (Estates)


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Chandramshu Alankara
चंद्रांशुः Chandramshu
- One who has pleasing rays like thousands of Moon's
- One who has bestowed radiance to Moon.
- One who has pleasant rays.
- One who has granted brilliance to Gold.
- One whose innate qualities give pleasure.
Shri Madhwacharya has praised the Lord as having a face, which has the radiance of infinite number of Moons.
smareta yamininatha sahasramitkantimat
bhavatapano deedyam shripatermukhpankajam ||
Lord has manifested pleasant characteristics like a moon, specially in Ramavatara. Hence like moon Shri Rama is pleasing to look at. Sage Valmiki has thus described. (Valmiki Ramayana. Balakanda 1/12)
In reality Moon's radiance is materialistic, whereas Lord's radiance is spiritual. Since Lord's radiance is spiritual it is auspicious. Shri Madhwacharya has interpreted that Shri Rama pervades everywhere with this auspicious glow. Svaishvarya kanti pratatha....ramavataro harireesha chandramaha || (Mahabharatatatparyanirnaya 3/2).
Moon is being compared only to get acquainted with Lord's radiance
- Author : Vidwan Sri Sagri Raghavendra Upadhyaya
- Translation : Sri Vadiraja, Maisooru


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Thanks to its status as one of the most developed and stable countries in Latin America, Panama is on many people's radar as a possible destination for teaching English as a foreign language.
It also offers some tips on places to go and things to do during your free time, such as exploring the San Blas Islands, roaming the streets of picturesque Boquete, and enjoying a unique party on a converted school bus.
This guide gives a brief introduction to the country, including some general facts and figures, advice on visas, vaccinations and climate, and some suggestions of popular local food and drink to sample during your stay.
Outdoor pursuits including surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, and jungle trekking are also popular pastimes in Panama.
Want to see more infographics on TESOL and TEFL? Check them out!
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This video shows how the theory of "Total Physical Response" (TPR) led James Asher to develop a new teaching methodology
"Like" us to connect with other students, watch videos, see job offers and even get special discounts.


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1. The Cook and the Chef: Musk's Secret Sauce
A good look at what makes E Musk tick
- We mistake Musk's clear view of the present for vision into the future
- We mistake his accurate understanding of risk for courage
- We mistake his originality for brilliant ingenuity
2. The Struggle
Ben Horowitz shares his experiences as an entrepreneur.
"This is not checkers. This is motherfuckin' chess. There is always a move"
3. The Moral Bucket List
It's always YOU vs YOU. This NY Times article helped me discover parts of my true self.
4. The Loneliness of Success that Nobody Talks About
"After watching the hatefulness of the Reddit troubles play out in front of us – whatever conclusions people draw about our leaders I just wish we could humanize them a bit more. If we did that we would have more empathy and less vitriol. And if you're going through the struggles of success or failure – know that everybody else is, too. It's a part of life"
- Mark Suster
5. How to Do What You Love
"It's hard to find work you love; it must be, if so few do. So don't underestimate this task. And don't feel bad if you haven't succeeded yet. In fact, if you admit to yourself that you're discontented, you're a step ahead of most people, who are still in denial. If you're surrounded by colleagues who claim to enjoy work that you find contemptible, odds are they're lying to themselves. Not necessarily, but probably"
- Paul Graham


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When we hear the word "bandage," there are spring up an association with medicine, operations. Indeed, the bandage is the French word "bandage" ( from word bander) and means a different belt made of wear-resistant, hygienically clean material, readily amenable to sanitation in warm soapy water. Moreover, the world designers saw practicality and comfort, which gives the bandage, decided to take as a basis the construction of the bandage and create comfortable clothes for the women, and then bathing suits. Designer houses like Dippin Daisys, Maxine Of Hollywood, Profile By Gottex, Qzunique created not only a practical and comfortable swimsuit but also added elegance, beauty, and tenderness. As a result, they created a swimsuit, which ideally sits on a female shape. Swimwear bandage is a style, versatility, functionality, and comfort. On our site, you can buy a swimsuit bandage of various models, which fall into several categories:
• One-piece and separate swimsuit.
The one-piece bandage is a swimsuit with various weaves. Tapes can be intertwined on the belly, on the chest, on the hips, on the back. Such swimwear disguises a big belly very well, and if that's exactly what you're trying to hide this kind of swimsuit is your best helper. A separate bandage consists of a top and swimming trunks, and naturally ribbons that are intertwined in different places. This swimsuit with ribbons look very sexy and if you are not afraid of the considerable attention of men, choose it.
The bottom in a separate swimsuit can be as with a high waist and a low waist. There may be laces on the sides that open the hips making them softer. Sexuality or modesty of a swimsuit bandage depends on the interlacing of ribbons, where it is, how it interlaces, what place of your body opens or hides. If you are a brave girl of the size plus and do not hesitate to show your beauty, choose swimsuits with straps on your chest, laces on the thighs. If you are a modest and shy woman, for you we offer swimwear bandages of a closed swimsuit or with a high waist, and also with a full top.
On our site, you can also find a variety of models of a swimsuit bandage that perfectly hold the chest, but at the same time look fashionable and modern. This is very important for women with large breasts. When choosing a model, first of all, pay attention to the material from which it is made: fabric, straps, and ribbons, as well as the degree of strength and stretching. Even though in this swimsuit tan is very strange, it has become prevalent on the beach, at a party, and at beach bars.
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|A Collection of Informative and Interesting Articles
|Collection Agency (Advt.)
Money Received From a Personal Injury Claim Often Can't Make Up For What You LoseBY: nicky joolly | Category: Education | Submitted: 2010-08-06 06:52:11
Article Summary: "Medical malpractice cases are rather unusual in the fact they can be so dramatically different from one another in my past law experience - such as a case regarding a beautiful English woman and the damages done to her breasts by a plastic surgeon. There were some color images that showed the damage to the woman's breasts, but t.."
The most difficult and interesting medical malpractice case I have ever encountered was the case of a beautiful English woman who made a complaint to me that her plastic surgeon placed her implants very unevenly. Her claim was that the surgeon had replaced sections of her breast unevenly, and as such, I had color photographs to use during the case, but I did not feel that the photos appropriately displayed the range of damage. Therefore, I made a request to the sitting trial judge for permission to have the jury see my plaintiff naked in front of them. The judge said, "Yes," to my request and everyone, including the jury, proceeded into his chambers. My plaintiff disrobed and stood before all the members of the jury in her glory and horror.
However difficult a surgery might be for a plastic surgeon, there's no justification for the horrendous mess this surgeon made when he hacked and slashed at my client's chest. In many of my tort cases I've often had to actually exhibit the injuries done to my client's bodies to show the breadth of damage done. However, this particular event remains as the single most dramatic moment in all my time in a courtroom.
The term tort has no actual relation to the non-legal term tart. It's derived from a French word describing the act of twisting or turning awry. It is very appropo considering the plaintiffs in a tort matter are usually broken, bent, bowed, or twisted out of shape in some way. But any injury that someone suffers to their mind or body can rightly be called a tort. Torts include both malpractice cases against lawyers and doctors, as well as personal injury claims. It's possible that the event which brought you to the point that the only remedy was legal action was a real estate deal gone sour, a contract dispute, a will, a medical issue, or even a crime.
However, you may have to deal with a tort at some point in your life if you have been injured and need a tort lawyer. It may surprise you to find out you are able to hire one of the top tort lawyers available for the same price you pay for someone with the least experience. The fee for this is commonly called a "contingency fee" and it's considered illegal in both Canada and England. This system works so that they lawyer will not charge you an upfront fee, but you agree to give them some number, usually one-third to 40 percent of the final settlement. If you end up recovering nothing, then you don't owe your lawyer anything.
Typically, the attorney can advance costs and then recoup them once the verdict comes in and the check is written. There are a wide variety of torts, as many torts as man's mind can come up with. Between planes, trains, and automobiles, and objectionable or too hot products, the possibilities for tort actions are endless. Hospitals and doctors are sued for tort matters, and the common denominator of all these tort actions is negligence.
Thus, anyone visiting a doctor in a growing number of jurisdictions is likely to receive a document and a request for a signature. It supposedly constitutes a waiver of your rights to litigate any disputes between you and the physician and an agreement to enter into arbitration instead. Courts have mixed opinions on these types of agreements, with many being considered invalid agreements. Also be aware if any arbitration agreement attempts to remove your right to take it to court, it's not legal.
One of your key rights in this country is the right to a jury. So regardless of which state you're in, you are entitled to that. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from the year 1953 to 1969 gave a big push to criminal law cases at that time. The criminal defense attorney is a staple in today's society in part because this chief justice revised many old rights and restructured other ones that were woefully outdated. The political arena houses many attorneys, and some exceptional attorneys have turned their back on their profession to participate in this arena, especially within the U.S. The Senate and Congress are both full of these lawyers who hold great influence over our laws, and what is or is not constitutionally acceptable.
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Maggie Montgomery
Student Advisor | The Americas and Southern Europe
Maggie joined the ISEP team in April 2018 as the Member Relations Intern. She is currently earning her master's degree in International Education at the George Washington University, where she focuses on international exchange and study abroad, as well as the relationship between citizenship education and nationalism. Maggie's first study abroad experience was in a rural town in Spain in high school, and she's since spent a semester in college in Madrid, and has studied in Germany and Cuba. She holds a bachelor's degree in Media, Culture, and Communication with a minor in Spanish from New York University. A native of Seattle, Maggie enjoys watching soccer, spending time outside, traveling, and eating dumplings.


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Zig Listens to..
Bands Zig Likes
Popular Posts
Games and Video
FOAMY @ IllWill Press
Strong Bad
Play Homerun and Hangover from here
Yeti Sports
Kitty Cannon
Water Boy
Tampa's only Goth, Punk, Retro store
Free Shipping
Buy a T for mom..:)
Funny shit, really
Prank Place
Glow in the dark Garden GNOMES!!
You know you want one!!
Counter and Stats
About Me
- Name: ZigZagMan
- Location: United States
Father, Big ole perv, dork, geek. Hopeless romantic....
NSFW FavoritesAlexSuze.com
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Down The Rabbithole
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- Touchless hand soap dispensers..
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Thursday, May 11, 2006
Friday, May 05, 2006
Happy Cinco de Mayo!!
|Ok...........this may surprise some of you goofs, but I think celebrating Cinco de Mayo is a good thing......if it's important to you.
With all the rhetoric surrounding "illeagle" imigrants, and the hispanic twist painfully pointed out of late, I think this holiday is getting a bad rapp this year.
Zig for one fully appreciates any holiday, that inspires heritage pride, and an excuse to drink a lil more than usual over the course of a weekend well spent. Drinking aside, remembering your heritage, is important.
While to me, this is not an important holiday.....the Zig household celebrates St. Patty's day with blatent disregard...:). Aside from drinking..we remember how hard our ancestors came here to become Americans. We remember just how hard the ancestors worked, and not get caught in the old world, and hence not winding up Australians.......:) ...but that was many many years ago...I digress
Happy Cinco de Mayo to all who celebrate it, and my Irish blessing to my celebrating friends....
May your hangover be short lived..
May your breakfast stay down..
May you remember atleast most of last night..
And may your confession sunday not make your priest not gasp.............:)
Monday, May 01, 2006
A day without Immigrants........My Ass!!!!!!!!!
|OK........so it's on the news and in my face and hot topic still.Rather than rehash my stand on "illeagle immigrants" and get all pissed off and rant, I've instead to pose a few musing on the subject.......credits noted to where I heard them if they are not mine...
RE the protest march in Chicago.......If it's a day "without immigrants", why can I see you blocking my traffic and on TV? Zig
RE a radio call in today the protests........I rather enjoy this protest, I can actually drive in cali today with fewer uninsured drivers and alot less traffic. But if they are going to make it a real boycott, do it all the way. Please boycott our emergency rooms, please boycott our social services, please boycott the spanish speaking schools our government built for your kids. Anonymous call Rush Limbaugh Show.
RE a radio statement..........OK, I get it, and the problem is real, something needs to be done. But...if your one of those guys yelling to the camera.....they're stealing our jobs!!!!!! What job line are you standing in that an illeagle that can't speak english beat you out of work? What was the last job line you acually stood in looking for work? Roe Con show WLS Radio
RE a radio call in todays protest..........OK...help me out here. The main argument is that they do work Americans won't or can't, yet they are demanding citizenship. If they get it and are then Americans, doesn't that just mean we'll have allow more "illeagles" in to do the jobs they won't do anymore? Anonymous caller Rush Limbaugh Show.
Make no mistake, I have not given up my soapbox, nor my opinion this issue. I do however think the spin is way away from the real issue. Secure the border, respect all who come here legal and want to earn citizenship, and hold employers accountable who break the rules.
Hope this post gave you all a chuckle....and something to think about..


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This quaint little home in Cooperville, MI needed some TLC that American Classic gladly provided. An American Classic Crew stopped out here and replaced the shingles of the house, shed, and garage. Check out the before and after pictures of this transformation!
The shingles installed were IKO Cambridge Dual Black.


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Storytelling: The Key to More Donations
As a charity, you may think gathering donations is as easy as putting out a donation kiosk and waiting for the money to roll in. Surely people will immediately understand that your cause is a worthy one and give generously, right?
The truth is that the competition for supporters is fierce – just think of all the donation boxes you see in retail storefronts, not to mention on-site events equipped with high-tech kiosks. Your charity is going to need a way to stand out in the crowd. What makes your cause the most worthy? What's going to make people decide to donate to you?
The answer is your cause story, and being able to convey it in a meaningful way is the key to not only bringing in donors, but creating supporters for life. By creating emotional reactions, you're building a bridge between your organization and its donors, and this connection is huge when it comes to helping supporters feel as though they're truly a part of the bigger picture.
Here are three ways to develop and use storytelling to your charity's advantage:
Find what will tug on the heartstrings
Playing to your audience's sympathy is a simple and smart way to get people to sit up and pay attention; there's a reason why those sad humane society or humanitarian aid commercials work so well. Assess your organization's mission and determine what appeal would do the best job at pulling the heartstrings of a casual passerby.
Visual aids are definitely important as well, so make sure you display prime photos and punchy text near your donation kiosk in order to really drive the goal home. It also doesn't hurt to have a sense of urgency to your emotional appeal, so choose your text with this in mind.
…But don't be afraid to make it light-hearted
One way to play to sympathy is to focus on the direness of your cause with sad images and strong calls to action, but a sense of humor and quirkiness can also go a long way in helping you stand out. Look to incorporate some irreverent humor in an attempt to capture the interest and attention of potential donors – it might be a strategy that competing charities are not utilizing, which can put you ahead of the game.
Consider making a display around your kiosk that's attention-grabbing and fun, with a punchy headline and interesting colors. Also, it's worth ensuring that your digital properties – like your website and your social media profiles – have the same tone.
Be strategic in pairing your story with your kiosk
Having your kiosk located on site at your organization or at your fundraising event is where pairing it with your storytelling can really shine. Since your prospective donors are already there – be it at church for a function, volunteering in a soup kitchen, or visiting a community center – they're likely already getting firsthand knowledge of your cause story.
Leverage these emotions by having a donation kiosk handy, preferably with a staff member nearby who can explain the importance of donating in the moment. This might just bring in some additional donations, as well as help create a stronger connection to your cause.
Charities that utilize the strength of storytelling to its full potential are often the ones that create long-lasting relationships with donors. Don't miss out on including an engaging story to go along with your donation kiosk – if people understand the appeal behind your charity, you may end up bringing in a whole new army of supporters.


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View from our window!
Opera house from ship.
Two photos of the Atrium.
Library, such as it is.
Chocolate chip scones.
Typical lounge area.
Izumi Asian Cuisine
Fitness center.
Ocean view.
Spa deck.
Outdoor screen.
April 13-30, 2012, from Sydney to Honolulu
"It's horrible," she grumbles during our short elevator ride up to the Lido deck. "There's a door into the crew area just outside our suite, with carts rolling in and out all hours of the day and night." She does look a bit haggard. "For $20,000, you expect to get a good night's sleep."
"I would hope so," I commiserate. In my mind, I silently calculate that we paid one-tenth of her lofty price tag for our perfectly fine Deck 4 mid-ship ocean-view room. We are only a few days out of Sydney. The Coral Sea and Vanuatu lay behind us (a country unfamiliar to me, once important as a United States military base during the battle of the Pacific).
Our work building a labyrinth for Westmead Children's Hospital near Sydney, the culmination of our Australian adventure, finished ahead of schedule, opening the possibility of this cruise. We made reservations just ten days before departure. I was expecting give-away prices at that point, but no such luck. Only three staterooms remained, and they knew we wanted one of them. Supply and demand.
On April 13, from our spectacular 12th story apartment in Lavender Bay, with views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and the busy boat traffic, we simply walk the 100 yards from our building to the McMahon's Point Ferry.
Alas, there is no ferry in sight, even at the scheduled time. Ten minutes later, a different kind of ferry arrives, not the ubiquitous yellow and green two-level one. With all seating on one level, the new ferry squats low and wide in the water. The rope is secured and the gangway placed. "Circular Quay?" we ask, pronouncing the second word "key," as do the locals. "Yes." The deckhand helps with one of our suitcases. We stop briefly at Milson's Point, by Luna Amusement Park, continuing under the towering bridge.
I learn that the deckhand is British and once mastered a ship out of Southampton. Hm-m-m-m-m. From captain to deckhand. I'll bet there's a story there. It was left untold.
As we swing into the wide channel leading into Circular Quay, we see our destination gleaming in the sun, Rhapsody of the Seas. We are astounded at the lack of security, with dozens of boats passing within 30 feet of the ship. A sign warns boats to stay away, but they ignore it.
We have too much luggage, as usual. Thank God for the invention of wheels, especially four wheels that roll the suitcase upright with the push of a finger. It is necessary to buy a ticket in order to exit the ferry station. At a machine, we buy two "pensioner" tickets. At $2.50 they are good all day for all means of transportation -- ferry, bus, and train. The normal price is $5.60. Every country in the world has senior discounts based on age, but for some reason, Australia limits the pensioner fares to Australian citizens. It's like a slap in the face to seniors. Ouch. So, as we've been doing for two weeks, we buy them anyway, citizens or not.
With our luggage, the turnstiles are no easy matter. We roll up to a table at City Cafe to get our croissants and mochas and to check our email before being subjected to outlandish onboard rates. The table beside us also has suitcases stacked beside it.
Not too chatty of a bloke, he. Six words total. We turn to our own affairs. Previously, at the recommendation of a friend, we tried the pumpkin soup here at City Cafe, with a dollop of sour cream on top. Excellent. The crusty bread, too. Sometimes, in high traffic locations that assure steady business, management gets sloppy and food quality suffers. Not here. I've read that tipping isn't required at restaurants in Australia, which we find to be rather pricey, but I do anyway. Even in France, I leave a little extra pourboire. I was a waiter once.
We roll past the throbbing digeridoo music of an over-weight paint-striped aboriginal man, sitting under a canopy, available for photos, welcoming tips, selling CDs. Holding that distinctive guttural hollow tube in his left hand, one end resting on the ground, he surreptitiously manipulates a small electronic control with his right, to adjust volume, reverb, and tone -- just like his ancient forebears.
We roll through the park and along the yellow caution tape, restricting us from new plaza construction. To our right, numerous ferries come and go, somewhat constricted by the dominant Rhapsody, while above us, trains rumble on overhead tracks. To our left, George Street leads into The Rocks, the oldest part of town, where only yesterday we climbed up to see the Stevens Building, built by our host's father 80 years ago, but the building is no longer in the family.
The Rocks are dominated by the terminus of the Harbour Bridge, opened in 1932. Rising 440 feet above the water, it is reportedly the widest and tallest long-span bridge in the world, accommodating vehicular traffic, trains, pedestrians and bicycles. You can book a bridge walk that goes across the top of the arch, where the flag is always blowing perpendicular. Not me.
Large cruise ships don't fit under the bridge, forcing them to stop at the crowded facilities along the quay. It's a fabulous location, right in the business district. I think they should build a cruise port beside the Opera House, where the Botanical Garden meets the harbor. Others are eyeing a nearby naval base, which wouldn't be as convenient.
We roll past the new Museum of Contemporary Art, which has only been open for a week. Good location.
Lunch being our highest priority, we head for Deck 9 and the Windjammer Cafe to eat salads and hummus. Taking the stairs, we stop at Deck 5 to check out the library before all of the books are claimed. It has been moved to a new place, just a slight widening of a passageway in the atrium with only three bookshelves. Pretty meager. Still, Linda finds two novels by Baldacci, and I a Jack Reacher novel by Lee Child. Beside the library we find the imaginatively named Cafe Latte-tudes. They serve Starbuck's products, whereas the dining room features Seattle's Best Coffee, a subsidiary.
Embarkation day is one of the few times everyone tries to eat in the same place at about the same time. It is more crowded that you are ever likely to see again. It must concern first time cruisers to see the crush. Still, we find a great table by the window. In one direction, we see the now familiar skyline, in the other, the Opera House on the opposite quay. It's elegant sail-like tile roof line has become the iconic symbol for this vibrant city, cover photo for cruise brochures, and excellent performance venue.
During the past week, the nightly performance of La Traviata on outdoor stage sent up one minute of fireworks at exactly 7:43 p.m. every evening. Our friend Iris, from Andover, MA, whom we stumbled upon through sheer chance in St. Andrew's Cathedral one day, attended the play one evening and solved our puzzlement, having seen the brief pyrotechnics from our apartment windows but not understanding their purpose.
By the time the requisite mustering around the lifeboats comes around, we've already napped, unpacked, and explored. All surfaces have been redone, walls, carpet, furniture. We are astonished at the faux pas regarding bed height. In the days of ocean liners, trunks were 14 inches high and beds 15 inches, so the trunks fit underneath. On all of our other cruises, our mid-sized suitcases have fit under the bed. But not here. The bed is too low. From the top of the mattress to the window sill is a good six or eight inches, so the bed could easily have been higher. Underneath, half the space is taken up by bedding stored there. Ah well, what do you want for 54 million. We fill much of the small closet with our empty suitcases. Hanging space and drawer space are adequate for our needs.
Our relationship, marriage, honeymoon, and retirement are all associated with cruising. For us, every ship is a Love Boat. I am saddened to see the final scrapping of the former Princess ship, star of the television program for a decade, now 40 years old, too small, obsolete, unwanted, rusting, purchased for $3.3 million by a Turkish demolition company.
It turns out that, unlike most American-dominated cruises, 80% of the passengers are from Australia. Not to worry. We've learned to talk Australian. The key is to avoid all long A sounds, such as we would find in the word "say." Replace it with a two-syllable diphthong: "Sah-ee." So the greeting we know as "Good day, mate," becomes "Guh dah-ee mah-eet."
Cruise companies are directing more ships to the southern hemisphere, partly due to the strength of the Australian dollar, and partly because the percentage of Aussie's who go cruising ranks third, only after Brits and Americans. Princess has the greatest presence, with 8500 berths, P&O is next (7650 berths), followed by Celebrity (6550), Holland America (4700), Royal Caribbean (4100) and Carnival (2120) -- all to serve around 425,000 customers.
Australia evokes images of the vast, featureless outback, a huge continent with a very small population of adventurers and pioneers, eeking out a living through sheer will power. Yes, yes, I know. There are also bankers and teachers and computer programmers. Most of the population lives in a handful of cities. But just as Texas brings to mind a certain dust-ridden cowboy stereotype, so, too, does Australia have a rugged image. The principle cultural feature seems to be friendliness and gregariousness, as if to say, "there aren't very many of us, mate (mah-eat), we'd better stick together -- oh, and make that a Fosters (Fah-sters)."
Perhaps I've been influenced by Dorothea Mackellar's poem, "My Country". Every Aussie school child learns the poem, written not by a pioneer, but an erudite teenage socialite. It starts out . . .
Another difference between this and other cruises is reflected in the lack of repeat cruisers. On our Mariner of the Seas repositioning cruise last fall, about two-thirds of the passengers were repeaters. On this cruise? Only 387 of the 2,000 passengers -- less than 20 percent. Shocking. Perhaps that's why our platinum status has resulted in some handy perks. Checking in, for example, we joined a much shorter line. Plus we have a book of discount coupons that will be very useful.
On our previous cruise on Mariner of the Seas (subject of my book: Retired Gone Cruising), we lucked out with our dining arrangement, being given a table for two beside the window every evening. On Rhapsody, everything is discombobulated, partly due to the new computer system. We eventually land at a banquette in the rear, where Linda is comfortable and I have an uninterrupted view of the waiter's work area and the entrance to the galley. The captain of this section, Jerry, goes overboard to try to accommodate our new, restrictive diets (vegan, low fat, low sugar, whole grain). One night, he brings us a huge bowl of greasy wok-fried bell peppers and onions with a smattering of broccoli and carrots, enough for at least six people.
Another night, sitting next to a German couple, we order appetizers and the cold soup. Upon finishing, we spot Jerry, smiling proudly, bringing us two dinner plates containing large triangles of fried tofu on a mountain of cabbage. We reject one and share the other, out of sheer obligation. The German couple looks confused by our special treatment. As they are both chowing down on platefuls of steak, we say nothing about being vegetarians, lest we sound judgmental. Finally, we tell Jerry to let us be in charge of our own meals.
We try some other dining venues for a couple of nights. The refurbishing has added Giovanni's Table, Izumi Asian Cuisine, Chop's Grille steakhouse and a 14-place Chef's Table -- dining concepts first introduced on Oasis class ships. On the third day, we are awakened from our after lunch nap in our stateroom by a phone call. It's Jerry. He misses us. He's ready to do anything for us. We can't shake him, so we agree on a Bocaburger, baked not fried, a baked sweet potato, and steamed veggies.
That evening we don't order from the menu. We wait. Our neighbors finish their baked brie. Our neighbors finish their chicken. Our neighbors start on their chocolate fondant. Finally, Jerry appears with our dinner. We each receive two fried Bocaburgers and very ordinary steamed veggies. Sorry, no sweet potatoes. We are firm with Jerry. No more! At the end of the cruise, we give him an extra tip. He worked hard for it.
Subsequent evenings, we are back to the standard obligatory vegetarian menu choice, invariably Indian food. I like Indian food, but not every night. The poppadoms are glistening with oil. Our waiter, Ronny, is from India. I ask if we can have them baked or done on a dry grill. He agrees that they are too greasy. He brings proper ones. He understands. He should talk to Jerry.
Ronny says he's been with Royal Caribbean for 21 years. And he's still a waiter? Very low-key and clearly professional, he says something we don't quite grasp. "I sued Royal Caribbean for not letting me go home for 14 years and made a fortune." Is that humor? He has two daughters, 9 and 14. We see him some afternoons in the Park Cafe, a new venue up in the glass-enclosed solarium. There are tables along the windows, lounge chairs, a pool, a bar, two hot tubs. I think the glass roof opens. Almost all of tables wobble, some severely. They can redesign a whole ship at great cost, but they can't get tables that don't wobble. It's common to see thickly-wadded napkins jammed under one of the legs.
The Park Cafe remains a well-kept secret breakfast place few have discovered. We eat there every morning just after 7:00 a.m.. Oatmeal. Fruit bowl. Whole grain toast. Stewed prunes. Decaf. The coffee shops have soy milk because they can make a chai latte with soy, rather than milk. But asking for soy milk to go on my cereal at breakfast results in a blank stare. They don't have any.
At first I put the powdered cocoa mix into my decaf to make a mocha. Then I read the ingredients: Sugar (first ingredient, by quantity), corn syrup solids, dairy product solids (that's rather vague), cocoa processed with alkali (ugh), vegetable oil (partially hydrogenated coconut or palm kernel and hydrogenated soybean), less than 2% of sodium Caseinate, cellulose gum, salt, sodium citrate, guar gum, artificial flavors, mono- and diglycerides, and sucralose. Whew. There isn't a single redeeming ingredient. In this day and age of growing health consciousness, how can anyone manufacture such a poor product? More to the point, why does anyone buy it? I decide to drink my decaf black.
The solarium leads into the spa which leads into the fitness center which is nothing to write home about. Shoehorned into an inadequate space, the free weight section is a joke. I discover that the men's locker room is available in the spa, even if you don't buy a spa package. So, I have been using the sauna after working out. My routine is this: 15 to 20 minutes on the elliptical machine, 30 to 40 on the exercise machines or weights, followed by 15 to 20 in the sauna, cool down, and hike back to the stateroom. It takes about an hour and a half for all of that. Every afternoon.
Unlike other cruises, on this one I lose a pound. This defies the common wisdom, "When on a cruise, pig out." On my first cruise, I gained half a pound a day (bread and desserts), seven pounds in 14 days. People just assume that will happen -- I've heard of gaining ten pounds or more -- a sign that you received your money's worth. Such a justification might be reasonable for vacationers, who cruise a week or two a year. You can't eat like this at home. Have fun. Go for it. I see plates piled high with bacon and sausage and donuts. You can diet when you return home.
But for serious, frequent cruisers, some kind of discipline is in order, something akin to the ecological principle of sustainability. We're not on vacation. We're retired. This isn't an exception to our regime, it's our life style. Porking out on every cruise would ruin our health. And so we set limits, especially regarding sugar, fat, and empty calories.
During his noon broadcast, the captain has a dry sense of humor. "As far as our location, um, oh, I don't know, it looks like we're out in the middle of the Pacific somewhere." I like it, Linda doesn't. I'm impressed by the depth of the ocean, often more than three miles deep. Once, we passed over an underwater mountain so that the ocean was only 2,000 feet deep. That was a 14,000-foot mountain! We are definitely dawdling, going only a few hundred miles between ports.
Several hours a day, I hole up in our stateroom, working on "the" book. Linda goes out to find a little niche for reading. Not so easy. Some of the cozy little bars were opened up for the new glitzy atrium, eight decks high, with specialized equipment for aerial shows. During the captain's reception, two chandeliers were slowly lowered to ground level, at which time two showgirls concealed inside stepped out to pour champagne. Another evening, acrobats performed with giant bungee cords, bounding up and down. The chairs are full, with people five and six deep at the rails. Not a very comfortable venue.
Still, we're happy as clams. Cruising R us. We feel a little more movement than on megaships, but that's OK. On some days, barf bags appear on the stairway railings. We find that the motion of the ocean rocks us to sleep. Dancing, however, is another thing. When you swing around and take a step, the floor isn't where it should be. Either it disappears, leaving you hanging in the air for an unexpected second, like not knowing there was one more stair, or it rises to meet you faster than expected, causing you to stumble. Across the whole dance floor, everyone seems to follow some unknown conductor, leaning uniformly first in one direction, then the other.
We learned to dance by taking lessons during various cruises. Having enough daytime dance opportunities is a sore spot with us. Most dancing starts at 9:30 or 10 p.m., which happens to be our bedtime. Yeah, I know. We're old. The kids disco 'til the wee hours. Not us. We would be satisfied with some prerecorded music in a lounge somewhere, so we can practice. Nope. They're playing bingo or the Musak isn't danceable. One night we stay up to go to Shall We Dance, the lounge with the largest dance floor. On the way in, we have our picture taken next to the statue of a couple dancing. Our dance instructor friend, Shirley, and her husband had their photo taken there, also -- 15 years ago. We send her a copy by email.
We settle into a table near the dance floor as the ship's musicians configure themselves into an old time orchestra for some big band music. The ceiling is low, with a sort of dome-like thing above. When they start playing, the volume is deafening. We last ten minutes.
From 5:00 to 5:30, prior to our early seating at dinner time, a very excellent band plays in the soaring atrium. Every seat and barstool is packed for happy hour. From several levels of deck railings, hundreds of pairs of eyes watch whatever brave souls venture out onto the dance floor. Much of the time, two couples dominate the floor. One man we call "the colonel" due to his shaved head and erect posture. The other isn't quite so severe looking, earning the moniker "The sergeant." Of course the wives are involved, too, but the men lead with such strong direction that the wives seem more like victims than partners. Both couples have had years of experience, whirling and swooping extravagantly around the floor, enjoying being the center of attention.
Every ship has some version of these couples. They are mesmerizing. And intimidating. Few others join them. They thwart the dance intentions (or is it pretensions?) of ordinary couples like us. They become famous. When we see them on the ship, we say "There goes the colonel." At a cocktail reception for loyalty awards, they appear to be in one of the highest categories for cruising frequency. They greet many passengers and staff like they are old friends, which perhaps they are.
We stratagize. Our only hope is to get out on the floor before they do. So we hop out there at the first strains of a new song while they are still sipping their cocktails. Confident in our box step -- slow. . . quick-quick, slow . . . quick-quick --we hold the space until other couples join us. Soon the floor is full.
The band plays "Twist and Shout," with lyrics encouraging one to do the twist. So we do. I was a confirmed wall hugger at high school dances, but even I could do the twist. No one else does. Two nights later, we strike up a conversation with a woman who declares, "Oh, you're the ones who did the twist." Our waiter also mentions it. We weren't that good. Really.
No longer do I cringe when the music starts, wondering what sort of step one does to that. True, I can't distinguish a samba from a mambo, or is it sambo from a mamba? Still, we jump into the fray, unafraid to try a few new things. Linda reminds me to smile, and to bend my stiff left index finger so it doesn't look like I'm pointing at people. If we can't figure out what to do, we make up something or we go sit down. It would help if we remembered even a single move that we learned in all of those beginner's dance classes.
Our last port stop is Pago Pago in American Samoa. They swear it is pronounced pang-go, pang-go. The population is about the same as the number of passengers and crew on our ship. We attempt to walk into town. It's 90 degrees with 90% humidity. Half way, we give up. Knowingly, several taxis are parked right there.
Our shore excursions are predictable. First, an internet cafe, then the market place, a few souvenir shops, and back to the ship by lunch time. On my own, I would find a restaurant and try the local cuisine, but Linda is both cautious and frugal. No big deal. All of these islands are lush green, the water outrageously blue, and the temperature, well, unbearable. This would be no paradise for me. I associate heat with that other place.
All the taxis and buses converge two or three times a month when the big white ships arrive. One type of bus is comprised of a bus body imposed on an undersized Toyota frame. The hood and motor are very small. Just where the windshield would have started is an obvious weld. The new windshield goes up almost vertically. The bus is very close to the ground, but tall enough to stand inside. It looks all out of proportion, but is very cute, especially when painted decoratively.
Thus ends our excursion through Melanasia and Polynesia. By attending lectures, we now know the population demographics and migration patterns, the geological formations, and some of the military history.
Finally, we are on the last leg to Honolulu, with its contiguous sea days. We love sea days. Linda overhears one passenger exclaim, "Well, not much to look at." On the contrary! Watching the ever changing sea is a favorite pastime of ours, especially from the window in our stateroom. Being on Deck 4, we are at a good level to observe. Because the window doesn't open, we hear very little. The sea slides by in silence. The longer I watch, the more mysterious it becomes. The swells have a texture of little wind-blown peaks, a few of which roll over into small white caps, dotted throughout the seascape.
Speaking of silence, one of my peeves is the lack of quiet space to sit and write, allowing me to get out of the stateroom. Even vacant lounges blare loud music from their speakers. The best candidate would be the Viking Crown Lounge, the one that sits above the top deck as if a spaceship from Startrek had just landed. Its tall slanted windows offer a broad vista of ocean. Officially designated as a quiet area, the silence is repeatedly marred by loud conversations or, even worse, whispered ones. I have always felt there should be a sign at the entrance asking people to respect the quiet, which would be enforced by a crew person.
I decide to make a suggestion to that effect. I go to the Purser's Desk and ask for a suggestion card. My wording for such a sign would be "Quiet space: Please refrain from conversations." In reality, it should say "Quiet Space, If you can't hold your tongue, get the fuck out of here." Even card playing should be discouraged.
The Captain of Rhapsody, Rick Sullivan, is Canadian. That's different. A break from the usual British, Scandinavian, or Italian. He grew up boating on the Great Lakes, went to nautical college, captained commercial fishing boats, and joined Royal Caribbean in 1993. Starting over in rank, he worked his way back to master in 2000. Like the new breed of captain, he is friendly and upbeat.
Typically, the officers are international: Canadian cruise director, Croatian engineer, German hotel director (living in Australia), Canadian food and beverage manager, Japanese Australian for cruise sales. On most cruise ships, the officers are from first world countries, and the crew from third world countries. Pay and social distinctions follow accordingly.
I find that one of the most interesting and informative events is when the captain addresses the passengers and answers questions. Some stupid questions are legendary, as when someone asked whether the crew lived on board.
Captain Rick explains how we make our own water. The ship burns heavy fuel to power its huge generators, which run everything, including the engines. The hot exhaust going up the funnel is utilized to heat water to a steaming temperature. This in turn is used to boil sea water in a vacuum, the steam condensing into pure water. The faster we go, the more engines are running, the more water we make. It is essentially free, other than the labor and equipment. We have been going relatively slowly, 15 to 16 knots, so only two of the four engines have been engaged, which is just enough to meet the demand for water.
Lifeboats, we learn, are relics of the past. With modern communication and GPS technology, the days of stranded passengers spending days in lifeboats trying to reach distant shores are over. Rafts are enough. Ships should have slides and rafts, just like airplanes. Yet, maritime regulations call for life boats, so we continue to have them. Some serve double duty as tenders, for taking passengers ashore in ports without docking availability.
Why three long blasts on the ship's horn when greeting other ships, or a long one when leaving port? The long one is just to let people know the ship is moving and maneuvering, preparing to enter the channel. There are many signals made with horns, detailed in the Rules of the Road. For example, turning to starboard is one short blast, to port is two short blasts. Danger is five short rapid blasts. Open the draw bridge is one prolonged blast followed by a short blast. Motoring through fog requires one prolonged blast every two minutes. The one combination that is not used for anything else is three long blasts. So that is reserved for courtesy purposes, to greet other ships in arriving or departing. In Sydney, on the harbor, we commonly noted three toots by ferries. Rhapsody's horn is powered by a 60 hp compressor!
Onboard the ship are additional signals. I always find it humorous when they point out that seven short rings mean report to your muster station, which is to say, your assigned lifeboat, with your life jacket. It does NOT mean abandon ship! So don't jump overboard.
"The ship that we passed the other day seemed to be heading very close to Rhapsody," pointed out a passenger. "What was it?"
"Legitimate tuna fisherman have fast, modern ships with helicopters and speed boats. They go through an area and drop into the water a series of platforms made of several pallets with beepers attached to them. They cause shade, which is unusual in open ocean. That draws small fish to congregate under the platforms, which in turn draws bigger and bigger fish until the huge tuna show up. They are big enough to see from the helicopter. When the time is right, the big ship returns. Speed boats herd the tuna into a small area, where they are netted and brought aboard."
The Starkist processing plant that we saw in American Samoa produces 80% of the tuna eaten in the United States. Captain Rick says it is a pretty clean operation, compared to some processing plants. Makes you wonder.
On these sea days, we get into a routine that is not possible when interrupted by ports of call. Life at sea is called shipboard. The basic aspects -- venturing far from land, dining, social intercourse, distraction, reverie -- have remained generally unchanged through the centuries, but the specifics today are quite different due to the size and features of cruise ships. Pulling away from the dock and beginning our adventure, counting the days, or arriving at our destination, evoke emotions in us, as it did our seagoing ancestors.
When we stand at the rail and look out at sea, it is no different than when my grandfather and grandmother did the same on the Stockholm in 1924. Yet they were subjected to the smoke and cinders from the coal-burning steam engines. Passengers were dressed formally, even for recreational activities, the men in suits and vests and long coats. The ships had opulent dining rooms, yes, but no air conditioning, just rows of noisy fans pushing the stuffy air around. Even first class cabins were half the size of our modest ocean view stateroom. Shipboard today is far superior, much more casual, comfortable, and safe.
The archetypal aspects of the sea and shipboard may be the same, but not the ships. Propulsion evolved from oars to sails to steam-driven paddle wheels, to diesel propellers to today's electric-powered azipods and side thrusters. What ships do, namely, travel across oceans, remains the same, but how they do it is always changing. An ocean liner first held 5,000 people before World War I. Twenty knots -- Rhapsody's cruising speed -- was reached in the 19th century. In the 1930's, ships achieved a thousand feet in length. William Francis Gibbs, who redesigned the Vaterland and thirty years later designed the United States, the fastest and most technically advanced ocean liner ever built, could never have even imagined Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas, 220,000 tons, 18 decks, carrying 7,500 passengers and crew.
If the era between the wars was the golden age of ocean lining, this is the platinum age of cruising. Not once does it even enter my mind that we might not make it to our destination. Not once have I been afraid of the sea. Never in history has travel on the ocean been so accessible, affordable, and care free. That is one reason why we love cruising so much, and why we return again and again.


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How to keep your pet parasite free
The warm months have come and with the dog days of summer come parasites that can keep your pet from enjoying them. Many pet parents now use topical treatments such as K9 Advantix and Frontline to protect their pets from these pests, but recent studies show that most pet parents are not applying these products properly. This means that their pets are not being properly protected, and it's an issue that can be easily fixed. Dr. Greg McDonald from Expert Village has a great instructional video showing how to properly apply topical flea and tick preventative that can be viewed below:
These same studies also show that some pet parents are applying topical treatments directly after their pet has been groomed, which also renders the product in effective. Why is this? When a pet is bathed the natural oils in its coat are somewhat removed (quality products, like the ones we use at D'tails, do not fully strip the coat of oils). These oils are how the topical flea and tick preventative moves from the application site to cover your entire pet, protecting them completely. If applied when your pet's natural oils are lower than normal the preventative may not be as effective. If you wish to apply topical preventative after your pet has been groomed, the best course of action is to apply 48 hours after their grooming appointment.
Filed under: Fleas & Ticks, Grooming Basics, Home Mainteniance Grooming | 1 Comment
Tags: bath, dog, flea, groomer, grooming, health, home, pet, puppy, tick, vet
This is Doodles a 15 year old Schnoodle (that's a Schnauzer poodle mix), but don't tell her how old she is 'cause she won't believe you!
Doodles is done with a #5F a/o (1/4″ an inch) with poodle feet and a shaved face.
Filed under: Client of the Week | Leave a Comment
Tags: bath, brush, dog, groomer, grooming, home, pet, poodle
Client of the Week: Emily Rose
Emily Rose is a light cream colored Miniature Poodle available for adoption through the Rosholt Small Dog Rescue. She is about 2 years old and is a total sweetheart. She has lots of energy and would do best in a home with another dog to play with. Her neck and back-end were very matted due to lack of care from her previous owner so we decided to give her a stylish Modified Dutch trim with a mink collar. The rest of the hair on her body was left about 3/8 of an inch long to be easy to care for while still fluffy.
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Tags: adopt, dog, groomer, grooming, home, pet, poodle, rescue
Client of the Week
Filed under: Client of the Week | 3 Comments
Tags: bath, Bichon, brush, dog, groomer, grooming, home, puppy, salon
Which one to choose?
In a previous article we discussed how to find a good groomer, but how do you choose which kind of shop would work best for you and your pet? Below I've outlined some of the commonly cited pros and cons of several types of grooming salons so that you can determine which works best for both of you!
Commercial Salon
- Open more hours than most other salons
- Multiple groomers to try-out
- Someone to groom your dog if you groomer becomes ill
- Many dogs there at once
- Possible wait time for your dog in a kennel
- Less one on one time with your pet and the groomer
- Have to drop off and pick up your pet
- Pet spends more time away from home
Home-based Salon
- Homey atmosphere
- Usually single person operations so your pet always has the same groomer
- Often one on one appointments
- No large amount of dogs in one area
- Groom usually takes less time
- Low stress environment
- Have to drop off and pick up your pet
Mobile Salon
- Groomer comes to you
- One on one appointments
- Groom takes less time
- Grooming done in your home
- Low stress environment
- More expensive than Home or Commercial Salons
- Usually less flexibility with scheduling
Have something to add from your experiences? Leave me a comment and I'd be happy to add it!
Filed under: Choosing a Groomer | 6 Comments
Tags: brush, dog, groomer, grooming, home, mobile, pet, puppy, salon
National Pet Dental Health Month
Since this month is National Pet Dental Health Month I thought I would share with you some information the American Veterinary Medical Association has on regular dental care for your dog. From the AVMA's dental health website they site three easy steps to taking care of your pet's dental health.
" STEP 1: Take your pet to the veterinarian for a dental exam. Don't wait for his annual checkup if you suspect a problem.
STEP 2: Begin a dental care regimen at home. Your veterinarian can suggest steps that may include brushing your pet's teeth. One of the most convenient and effective ways to combat oral disease is feeding specially formulated foods proven effective in combating plaque and tartar buildup. The Seal of Acceptance from the Veterinary Oral Health Council, an organization initiated by the American Veterinary Dental Society to guide consumers, appears on products that meet defined standards for plaque and tartar control in dogs and cats. For further information on the VOHC or their product standards, visit www.vohc.org.
STEP 3: Schedule regular veterinary checkups. These are essential in helping your veterinarian monitor the progress of your pet's dental health routine. Your veterinary health care team can help you schedule the appropriate visits."
Here is a video from the AVMA about how to properly brush your pet's teeth:
So where do you buy the supplies to start brushing your dog's teeth regularly?
You can purchase them at your local pet store or online at places like PetEdge. The main thing to focus on is getting an enzymatic tooth paste, this works with the natural enzymes in your pet's mouth to better clean their teeth. Also make sure that you get a soft toothbrush or finger brush specially designed for your pet's teeth (animals' gums are much more sensitive than humans so this is essential).
Hopefully we can all take these simple steps to help our pets live healthier happier lives. Post links of your pet's stunning smile in the comments section so we can raise awareness on this serious, and overlooked, health care issue.
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Tags: dental, dog, groomer, grooming, health, pet, puppy, toothbrush, vet
Client of the Week
I thought I would share with you one of my clients per week, so you might have ideas for hairstyles for your own dogs! This week's client is Emma Daisy.
Emma Daisy is a 10 month old Cockapoo.
I used a 3/4″ comb all over, and hand scissored everything else. Mom really likes her with a large beveled foot.
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Tags: dog, groomer, puppy


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Moss Monday: Make a Terrarium
Heidi Heiland demos a variety of terrariums on an NBC affiliate in Minneapolis. We've got sun and heat in Texas already but I imagine that our neighbors in the northern states are still looking for gardening projects to do indoors. Do you live in a climate that is still in the throes of winter?
3 comments:
I always wondered how to plant cactus or succulents in sand! Great ideas!ReplyDeleteReplies
Wonderful-let me know how it goes!Delete
Thanks for all the great resources on your site!
The link on this page doesn't work any longer.....do you have .any idea where I can find Heidi Heiland's article/video? I can't find it on YouTube or by search google.
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