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Letter from the Editor –So long, 2016
- By Marty Madden
Prince Frederick, MD - New Year's Eve revelers will have many reasons to celebrate this weekend. It's not just any year that's ending. It's 2016. Will it be remembered as the year of the worst presidential election ever? Will it forever be recalled for the exits of a large volume of celebrities? It was supposed to be the Year of Mercy yet it seems as if very little mercy was shown toward mankind. Even having such a nightmarish year last one extra day seems like punishment.
This would be a good time to pause for some perspective. In many ways, we now see what the new normal will be.
In subsequent elections we are likely to have too much information about all the candidates and everything they say and write will be available. Instant information is the byproduct of our changing technology. I firmly believe many presidential candidates of the past have had a streak of arrogance, brazenness, bad habits, pettiness and the tendency to be mendacious. We just weren't aware of it until we read it in the newspapers or, in most cases, the history books. How things have changed! The ones vying in the 2016 race were likely the first to ever dominate our personal phones. The two major party candidates in 2016 are certainly unique individuals—"unique" not always being a good thing. They owe their notoriety, however, to advanced technology and modern methods of marketing.
As for all the celebrities who have died in 2016, I believe this might be the largest famous person purge since…hmmmm….maybe 2015? We have more entertainment venues, music and movie genres, television channels, spectator sports, heroes, villains etc. than ever before. Politics, military, and literature have been around for centuries, although those fields' notables are now becoming obscure. Andy Warhol's premonition that "In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes" has come true. Additionally, you would be surprised at how many famous people you thought were dead are still alive. How about we resolve to celebrate those folks in the coming new year? Before it's too late?
The world in general and the United States in particular now prepares for the changes 2017 will bring. Twenty days into January the always-unique transition of America's leadership will take place. Perhaps there are changes pending for you personally, as well. I wish everyone only the best in 2017. Thank you for reading TheBayNet.com and have a Happy New Year!
The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the management and staff of TheBayNet.com.
Contact Marty Madden at email@example.com


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Terrarium Geometric Large
Terrarium Geometric Large
These stylish, geometrically designed terrariums are planted with a range of plants creating an engaging and ever changing mini-landscape. Creation of this product seeks to replicate the effect and feel of what is pictured using the same or alternative plants choices.
• Unique, framed atmosphere for plants to grow
• Handmade antique black/zinc frame
• Specially selected gravel and soil mix
• Option for additional lights and customisation
Size: 37cm x 37cm x 39cm
Delivery: We currently only deliver within a 10 mile radius of Bristol. If you're unsure if your location is included please contact us first. At the checkout you will have the option to choose the delivery and advisory service for £5.00. Alternatively, you can opt to collect the indoor garden yourself.
Timescale: Please allow up to 2 weeks for creation and delivery.
Care: Semi-shade position. For more information look at our care guide.

subset: commoncrawl


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La Série Raquin - Noyer
In collaboration with Bryan Raquin, our first exclusive chef knife series features a 220mm gyuto profile with Bryan's hand-rubbed petrichor finish and reclaimed noyer (walnut wood) handle and saya. The hand forged san mai blade consists of the highly regarded, super clean 145sc carbon steel (1.45% carbon and little else) for the core and a mild XC10 for the outer jackets, heat treated and water quenched by Bryan. The walnut wood, with its beautiful, deep grain, is carved from 100+ year old reclaimed furniture belonging to Bryan's parents and grandparents.
Each blade is individually numbered and only 10 knives in La Série Raquin - Noyer style will be made. *Note: you may choose from the knife numbers remaining in stock but individual photos are not available, and each knife, being entirely handmade, will vary slightly.
* Required fields
The Story
Bryan Raquin forges superb hidden-tang Japanese style chef knives at his shop in central France. With a focus on performance and heat treatment, Bryan creates his own san mai steel using the cleanest steels available. The 145sc ("super-clean") used in many recent blades from Bryan was produced in a small, one-time run by a metallurgist and friend of Bryan's in Germany. We have had the honor of representing Bryan's work on Eatingtools since he first began making knives for the kitchen, and we're thrilled to launch this first exclusive collaboration with him.
customer reviews
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Overseas appetite for Portugal property is back with a bite.
29 July 2014
International property experts report Portugal's property market is on the increase, with mortgage enquiries up 58% year on year. Rock bottom prices and lower interest rates are increasing buyer affordability, causing an upward trend of overseas property investments.
The overseas mortgage specialist, Conti, has recently reported that the number of enquiries regarding mortgages in Portugal from UK purchasers has increased by 38% in Q2 2014 compared to the same period last year. Over the January to June period, enquiries have increased by a massive 58%.
With good prices, low mortgage interest rates and improving lending conditions, more international purchasers are returning to the country. The current strength of the euro is also an encouraging indication – with the pound rising to a 22-month high of €1.26.
Marcella Spee Horta e Costa from Abloom Properties in Almancil said:
"The phrase 'end of the crisis' is no longer wishful thinking or a shallow phrase used by politicians. It is actually proven with facts/results instead."
Many also believe that the Golden Visa Scheme has given the Portuguese property market a clear competitive advantage. Portugal has seen a 30% increase in sales over the past year which is mainly due to the London property bubble, tax breaks offered under Portugal's non-habitual resident scheme as well as the Golden Visa scheme.
Kerstin Buechner, director of Quinta Properties said of the Golden Visa Scheme:
"It is very popular. It is the best European programme and the only one which offers a passport at the end of it."
We are confident that a combination of increased demand and readjustment of pricing has created a momentum in Portugal's property market.
If you're interested in purchasing a property in Portugal, whether it may be as a holiday home, or as part of the Golden Visa Scheme, we're pleased to offer affordable properties across the country in popular locations.


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The Wineville Chicken Coop Murders Podcast – Part 1
In 1928, Gordon Northcott drove around the greater Los Angeles area grabbing kids off the street and doing monstrous things to them. This episode of the podcast tells the story of how Northcott got to Wineville, California and the terrible things he did to his community and his own family.
The Wineville Chicken Coop Murders - Part 1
Review us on iTunes!
Like the show? Then leave us a review on iTunes!


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My holistic massage practice offers a range of bodywork to help you relax, rejuvenate and heal.
Swedish massage
This is a gentle yet deep form of massage that uses long flowing strokes, muscle kneading, deep circular movements, vibration and tapping to help you relax and energize. A Swedish massage is an excellent way to bring your body's systems back into balance. It is performed on a massage table with oils and lotion.
Shiatsu is based on the holistic system of traditional Chinese medicine and uses kneading, pressing, soothing, tapping, and stretching techniques performed without oils through light, comfortable clothing on a Shiatsu mat on the floor. The effects may be stimulating and invigorating or calming and sedative, depending on the goal of the session.
Shiatsu is based on the fundamental concept that Qi (pronounced chee) is our vital life energy that flows through specific pathways in our body called meridians. Health exists when there is abundant Qi flowing unobstructed; symptoms arise when Qi is deficient or out of balance. Shiatsu massage stimulates and harmonizes the flow of Qi to alleviate conditions, restore balance, and promote health.


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The 2016 BET Awards' 'Hamilton' Parody Songs Were All Your Faves & More
It's hard to follow an epic performance by Beyoncé, but the 2016 BET Awards hosts Anthony Anderson and Tracie Ellis Ross (of ABC's Black-ish) found a way on Sunday night. The dynamic duo appeared on stage wearing some old timey costumes and gave the audience a hilarious Hamilton parody at the 2016 BET Awards. They didn't try to tackle the complex rhymes of the Tony-winning Broadway musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda, but rather applied their own twist to the music: Anderson and Ross performed contemporary songs in the style of Hamilton and it was so fun.
Anderson and Ross came out dressed to the nines in revolutionary-era gear right out of your high school history books. They sang OT Genasis' "Cut It," Desiigner's "Panda," Rihanna's "Sex With Me," and The Weeknd's "Can't Feel My Face" using the cadence and the moves of Miranda's cast and choreography of the world famous Broadway musical. The duo starts out on opposite sides of the stage: Ross definitely channels Angelica Scuyler as she sings "Cut It," while Anderson totally dished out "Panda." They meet in the middle of the stage to sing it out some more to "Can't Feel My Face" and Rihanna's "Sex With Me." It's a skit Hamilton and music fans alike can appreciate.
After some dancing and twirling in their period costumes, Ross expressed how thankful she was that BET brought them back to host the award show and gave a salute to Beyonce's epic opening performance, in which she and Kendrick Lamar brought down the house to her song "Freedom." Anderson expresses some confusion at which Hamilton the BET Awards wanted them to pay tribute to — and then he brings out his favorite Hamilton, Anthony Hamilton, to sing with a (fake) musket.
According to Twitter, President Barack Obama's staff was definitely watching, too, sending out a Hamilton-themed fundraising e-mail right after the bit was done airing. Coincidence or just awesome planning? The answer isn't clear, but it's cool that he's a Hamilton fan, too.
Relive the performance below:


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Leah Remini's return to Hollywood, and to working with her former King Of Queens co-star Kevin James, has unearthed a lot of old drama. Now separated from the church of Scientology, Remini revealed some details to People about her time with the religion, and how it affected her work. Specifically, she confessed that she felt pressured by the church to also convert James, something she refused to do.
"They always tried to get me to, [asking] 'Why is he not in? Why have you not promoted it to him?' I was like, 'Because he's Catholic. He doesn't want anything to do with it,'" the 47-year-old told the outlet. "They let it go after a while, but usually you'd be expected to recruit, especially with somebody you work with for nine years."
According to People, the Church of Scientology has denied they ever asked Remini to convert her co-star, and they've also come out strongly against her decision to break from the church and speak out.
"It is Remini who is the attacker," a spokesperson said in a statement. "Her whole anti-Scientology shtick was scripted and choreographed by her, casting herself in her drama as the 'victim' so she could cash in on her false narrative while savaging her friends and those who helped her most of her life."
But Remini feels differently — most of all, she feels free.
"I'm finally at peace knowing who I am and who I want to be," she explained. "I just want to be happy — and I want to help people."


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Ballooning 2000
Ballooning 2000 Baden-Baden GmbH, is a registrated air transport companie with one of the largest passenger and promotion carrying fleets.
Over 31 years of professional experience allows us to ensure our passengers of the utmost in safety and routine in hot air ballooning.
Ballooning 2000 is an internationally recognized address for hot air balloon flights for tourism, promotion and sport activities.
Ballooning 2000 Baden-Baden
Dr. Rudolf-Eberle Straße 5
76534 Baden-Baden
Phon: +49. 07223 - 600 02
Fax: +49. 7223 - 600 05
Fascination Sahara – walk in the footsteps of the Little Princ


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BOOKs & Articles
Ashley Cooper, Images from a Warming Planet
Climate Outreach's important, accessible report:
Report: Climate Communications in Practice: How are we engaging the UK public? (27 Nov 2018)
Article on fostering climate change engagement through exhibitions -
Julie Becker, 'Getting Unstuck: New paths to engage audiences with big issues', Spokes, no. 47
Article in Heritage Daily: 'Cultural Heritage has a lot to teach us about Climate Change', 16 October 2018. By Cathy Daly, Senior Lecturer in History and Heritage, University of Lincoln, Jane Downes, Director, Archaeology Institute, University of the Highlands and Islands, William Megarry, Lecturer, Queen's University Belfast.
Leal Filho, Walter; Evangelos Manolas; Anabela Marisa Azul; Ulisses M. Azeiteiro; Henry McGhie (editors).
Handbook of Climate Change Communication: Vol. 3
Case Studies in Climate Change Communication.
Springer International Publishing, Switzerland, 2018.
Capstick, Stuart, Sarah Hemstock, Ruci Senikula.
"Perspectives of artist–practitioners on the communication of climate change in the Pacific",
International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, Vol. 10 Issue: 2
Janes, Robert R.
Museums and Climate Change Activism, The Beam no. 6, 2018.
Newell, J., Libby Robin and Kirsten Wehner (editors).
Curating the Future: Museums, Communities and Climate Change
Routledge Environmental Humanities, 2016.
A volume presenting essays and object essays by a number of members of the Museums and Climate Change Network.
Cameron, Fiona & Brett Neilson (editors).
Climate Change and Museum Futures
Routledge: NY & London, 2015
Before 2010:
Buckland, David & Chris Wainwright (editors).
Unfold: a cultural response to climate change
2010. Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-7091-0220-6
(Profiles the work of the artists in the 'Unfold' exhibition and also proposes a number of creative and innovative responses to climate change aimed at stimulating discourse and a wider engagement with the climate debate.)
Janes, Robert R.
Museums in a troubled world: Renewal, irrelevance or collapse
Routledge: NY & London, 2009.
Barker, Holly.
The iniquities of climate change & the small island experience.
Pulse of the Planet, counterpunch.org. 2008
Books from the Climarte website Resource Library
Art & Ecology Now, Andrew Brown
Artwash: Big Oil and the Arts, Mel Evans
Burning Ice: Art and Climate Change (Cape Farewell project, David Buckland)
Four Degrees of Global Warming: Australia in a hot world, edited by Peter Christoff
Green Patriot Posters: Images for a New Activisim, Dimitri Siegel & Edward Morris
In the Balance: Art for a Changing World, Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney
To Life! Eco Art in Pursuit of a Sustainable Planet, Linda Weintraub


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The Residential Appraisal Report – Improvements Section
The bottom half of page 1 of the appraisal report form breaks down your property into its two counterparts and describes the characteristics of each in more detail. The second counterpart is the improvements. The improvements include your home, storage buildings, detached garages, outdoor amenities such as pools, guest houses, etc. Essentially, it's anything that's built on the land. It's important to know that some structures add value and some don't. The appraiser will use their professional opinion to make the determination.
According to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), 2014-2015, when developing a market value opinion, the appraiser must identify the physical characteristics of the property.
The appraiser will use the characteristics identified in this section to find the most suitable comparable sales for the "Sales Comparison Approach" and cost estimates for the "Cost Approach."
Please notice the form fields "Finished area above grade" and "Square Feet of Gross Living Area Above Grade." Many homeowners argue that the appraisal shows the wrong bedroom count, bathroom count, or gross living area (GLA). However, per Fannie Mae Selling Guide September 29, 2015, the appraiser must calculate and report above grade room count and square footage for the GLA. Any basements or below grade area must be reported separately. This includes all bedrooms, bathrooms and finished living space that's in the basement.


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Third Year is the Charm for Atlanta as Concours Gains Reputation for Innovation and Integrity
ATLANTA, GA., May 8, 2018 — Having made a significant mark within the automotive community during its first two seasons and proving itself as a bona fide Concours recognized for highlighting a distinguished field of entries that include collectible vehicles of national merit, the Atlanta Concours d'Elegance takes on an additional feat in its third year by adding a non-profit status to both its mission and its outreach.
With the establishment of the Atlanta Concours d'Elegance Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to restoring mobility to the lives of the disabled — both civilians and veterans – the Foundation also channels outreach to enhance the hobby of collecting and restoring classic cars. This years' event, to be held September 29th and 30th at Chateau Elan Winery and Resort in Braselton, GA, will expand its community efforts to support both the regional Shepherd Center, along with student involvement from and financial support to the McPherson College Automotive Restoration program.
According to Bill Wallet, CEO of the Atlanta Concours, this third year marks a near trifecta for the organization as it offers the ability to reach out beyond the local and regional focus, gaining support and entries from globally renowned car collections such as the Evergreen Historic Automobiles collection; further growth and support from manufacturers and local dealers — beginning with Porsche adding the Atlanta Concours to its 70th anniversary celebration of events and taking on the lead marque for the event; and the creation of an all-new mobility area that will not only showcase vendors and sponsors bringing utilities such as all-terrain wheelchairs, but of more importance working with the Shepherd Center to provide appropriate equipment for disabled veterans and those that are handicapped to make the Atlanta Concours a truly accessible show.
Wallet is taking innovation to another level with the enhancement of mobility, and opening doors for all to enjoy the entire weekend of events. "Our work with the Shepherd Center is only just beginning," said Wallet. "Military guys happen to be huge car guys, and this is the very least we can do to support our Vets."
The Concours has grown considerably over the past two years and is creating a truly immersive experience for all enthusiasts throughout the entire weekend of events. "We're quite proud of the strong foothold we've gained in both the community and throughout the industry," said Wallet. "Expanding our relationship with Evergreen Historic Automobiles – the largest historic car collection in the U.S. — is but one example of the strength in quality of cars we're providing to the people of Atlanta and we're looking forward to educating our audience on the provenance we are sharing." This year the Concours plans to have a minimum of five docents offering guided tours of the entire show field, providing a taste of history for these rare vehicles, the historic eras they represent and current ownership.
Evergreen Historic Automobiles of Lebanon, MO, owned by Stephen R. Plaster and curated by Michael Rhodes, a former graduate of the McPherson College School for Automotive Restoration, will be returning with six distinguished vehicles to show, including such rarities as a 'one-of-one' 1909 Washington, built in D.C., an aluminum body Graham Phaeton, (another 'one-of-one' vehicles and an original protype built by Graham) and the 1933 Isotta Fraschini Tippo 8A SS driven by James Dean in the movie "Giant."
Of the more than 600 vehicles of distinction cared for within the overall Evergreen collection, Plaster has chosen several for Atlanta this year that have also competed and earned recognition at the famed Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Last year, the stunning 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K, owned, restored and maintained by Evergreen Historic Automobiles, received prestigious honors and the European "Best of Show," setting the stage for the more than 30 total award winners to gain their famed moments during the 2017 Atlanta Concours. The award-winning 540K, valued at $4-$5mm, had previously received a 3rd place class win at Pebble Beach in 2016.
Founded by CEO and Co-Chairman Bill Wallet and Co-Chairman Harry Krix, the Atlanta Concours d'Elegance is the first premier Concours automotive event to grace the metropolitan Atlanta region and will include more than 150 vintage and collectible entrant vehicles, as well as approximately 200 rare and high-interest privately owned automobiles on display. Wallet and Krix are lifelong friends and business associates who joined together three years ago to realize their dream of producing a major classic automobile event such as the Concours d'Elegance for the Atlanta community. More information can be found at www.atlantaconcours.org
Twitter: @ATLConcours Instagram: @ATLConcours
Snapchat: ATLConcours Facebook: /atlantaconcours
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When I say that every major news outlet had stories about Grand Theft Auto IV last week, I mean every major news outlet, including venerable parody news site and internet staple The Onion, who took some time to inform their readers of the new features in Rockstar's latest entry in the series. My personal favorite, which hits quite close to home...
Though it doesn't affect the game at all, your character is severely afraid of spiders
See, before I couldn't identify with Nico, but now it's like we were separated at birth or something. Also, great news for those of you who don't enjoy all of the violent combat...
You have the choice to stay in Liberty City or drive to the suburbs of New Jersey, where you can earn a degree or learn a trade
See? GTA IV has something for everyone!
Grand Theft Auto IV Hits Stores [The Onion via TBBPS]


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Letting go
No one ever tells you that being a mom is easy, but they don't really tell you how hard it is either. It's the letting go that gets you.
You've carried them for nine plus months, keeping them safe and happy. The day of their birth arrives and you are filled with joy. What you don't realize is that the world demands that you start letting go within the first few moments.
First they sever the umbilical cord and literally separate you. That's the first of many, many, times you will be asked to let go.
You let someone else hold them even though you never want them to leave your arms. They whisk them away to the hospital nursery without you. You're expected to let go.
They start to grow up and it doesn't get any easier. They go to school, make friends, have their first sleepover. You want to protect them from the skinned knees, the bullies at school, the scary shadows at night, but you can't.
They become teens and letting go gets even scarier. They go to parties, ride in another teen's car, go on dates. Then the day comes when they get their driver's license. You hand over the keys and let them take their first trip to the store without you.
They go off to college, move into their own apartment, walk down the aisle, and all the while you are asked to let go.
Letting go is the hardest but one of the most important things a mom can do. If you didn't let go of their tiny hand, they couldn't have taken those first few steps on their own. If you don't continue to let go, they can't walk the path they are meant to walk, and become the person they are meant to be.


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25 Days, 25 Ways to Light the World
For each December day until Christmas, a teaching of Jesus Christ is highlighted, followed by a question and a suggestion.
December 8: "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you."
Know someone who's difficult to get along with?
For an entire week, focus on being kind instead of right.
December 9: "I was sick, and ye visited me."
Did you know that many of those in nursing homes never have a visitor during their stay?
Visit a senior center today and provide some much-needed attention.
- Watch "Service through Song."
December 10: "Search the scriptures."
Do you have a favorite scripture?
Share it with friends and family on social media.
- Watch "Texting Truths."
December 11: "I was a stranger, and ye took me in."
How can you help refugees in your area?
Visit IWasAStranger.lds.org and get involved.
December 12: "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."
Do you know someone who's recently lost a loved one?
Offer to provide comfort and a listening ear.
December 13: "All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them."
Have you seen someone get bullied on social media?
Reach out to them today and send some positive vibes in their direction.
December 14: "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Are you spending time on the things you value most?
Clear some space on your calendar to invest in some one-on-one time with someone you love.
- Read "Screening Your Screen Time."
Share your experience
How did you light the world this week? Share your experience below.


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Boogie Board JOT 8.5
5 in stockCompare
Boogie Board JOT 8.5 LCD eWriter with Folio Club Pack – Black
Give your little ones the most interactive learning experience out there. Tracing is an essential skill for young children, preparing their motor skills for much more complex tasks like handwriting. How does it work? Place the eWriter screen over anything and trace it – we mean anything! Give their little eyes a break from digital screens and let them learn in an immersive and artistic way.
Boogie Board eWriters
Model: Play & Trace LCD eWriter
Colour: Blue/Red
Pack contents:
Play & Trace eWriter pad
Yellow tracing pen
Blue-tinted translucent writing surface
Comes with a free activity app compatible with iPad
Works with both included pen and fingertips
Requires 2 x AAA batteries (included)
Suitable for ages 3+ years
Writing surface dimensions (approx. cm): 22 x 17 (L x H)
Country of origin: N/A
|0.300 kg


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Volunteer Training Videos
This is a fun home-made RideAbility training video that you can watch to become familiar with the RideAbility program and facility – and the concept of safe sidewalking.
(10 minutes)
Helmet safety videos should be viewed by all RideAbility volunteers.
Every Ride, Every Time!
(2 minutes)
This mounting video was created by Physical Therapy students from the Mayo School of Medicine as a community project. They did a nice job training volunteers how to safely mount and dismount clients. This is a critical skill!
(14 minutes)
Watch this video to get a better idea of a RideAbility OneTimeFunTime visit. Cardinal of MN made this video for us on a day when they brought a group of clients for a customized visit. They experienced spirit painting, ground work, foot games including a relay race, food, fun and finally mounted horseback activities for each client. We schedule OneTimeFunTime visits several times each year to support various community groups, they all have so much fun !
(5 minutes)
Thank you to Cardinal of MN for this wonderful visual illustration of a OneTimeFunTime!
This video describes an overview of the 'GaitWay to the Brain' program, …developed by ManeGait Therapeutic Horsemanship. This video explains some of the training that our RideAbility instructor's have completed. We use this type of training to improve our therapeutic techniques at RideAbility. Our goal is to be a catalyst in improving the lives of our clients and their families!


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Monday, April 2, 2012
The first night we were here, we commented to each other that it was so quiet without neighbors banging on the walls/ceiling/etc. or playing rock band all day or whatever. So far it has been great.
As we were moving in, many of our new neighbors came over to help and introduce themselves. That was so nice. In fact, moving only took about 3 hours total from starting to load the truck at our apartment to getting everything unloaded at the new place and even cleaning. I was really shocked that it only took that long. And now I never have to move again!!!!
A few of the new neighbors even brought us treats and someone brought us a pizza. I have been waiting for that. No one has ever brought us anything all the times we have moved, and it has been my little test. And the new neighbors passed!
I hope that we will fit in in the ward and neighborhood. It seems we are on the young end of the spectrum and everyone seems to have 4-5 kids or be retired (there is a senior citizen community in our ward).
But we are glad to finally have a house of our own. Other changes going on around here include this....
We are expecting Baby #2 in October! I have been extremely sick and miserable, which has made for quite the interesting moving situation. Packing and puking are not a good combination. I NEVER was sick with Emily at all, so I was really surprised when I started puking multiple times a day. I was really nervous that it would be twins since I have been so sick, but the doc assured me that there is just one in there. All I have to say is this better be a really calm baby to make up for making his/her mommy miserable.
I am really hoping it gets better SOON because I really need to get the rest of the house unpacked and prep for my class I am teaching at BYU-Idaho which starts in 2 weeks. And, you know, do normal things like cook and clean and take Emily to the park or whatever. Poor Emily and Matt have to deal with a miserable, unfunctioning wife and mommy, and I feel like such a disappointment to them.
Anyway, even though it is stressful, we are excited for all these new changes!
12 comments:
- Bekah said...
- April 2, 2012 at 11:29 AM
- Lisa Heinrichs said...
soooo fun. hope you feel better soon!!
- April 2, 2012 at 11:45 AM
- Leslie@leserleeslovesandhobbies said...
I'll bet it's a boy. I was sicker with Bryant than with Abigail. As for teaching at BYU-I...is it an online class or will you be commuting once a week or so or what? If you need a place to stay, let me know. We are about 30 minutes from Rexburg.
- April 2, 2012 at 2:25 PM
- Muffin said...
Hooray! congrats to you! sorry about being sick... i know what that's like..
- April 2, 2012 at 3:42 PM
- The Graham Family! said...
CONGRATS! that is sooo exciting! Sorry you have been so sick. With my last two I was sick until about 26 weeks! It's miserable. Sure hope you don't stay sick that long.
- April 2, 2012 at 3:48 PM
- Angie Weight Unck said...
- April 2, 2012 at 6:25 PM
- Kristen Brady said...
YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats on so many levels! So happy about the new baby (and believe me, I totally understand moving and being pregnant - it's okay to leave things in boxes, I promise!). Sounds like you are in a really good new ward and neighborhood too. So happy for you!
- April 2, 2012 at 10:02 PM
- audrey said...
CONGRATS CHRISTY!! That is so exciting! I totally feel you on the whole moving while puking thing. It's no fun, but at least you don't have a harsh deadline unpacking things like you do with packing(like having to be out of a house). You can take your time with the little stuff you don't need in order to survive on a daily basis. :) It sounds like your new neighborhood and ward will be great! The best advice I ever got though, was give it time. Seriously, it's taken me almost two years to settle into our new circumstances and I'm still not all the way there yet. So don't feel like you have to be fully adjusted all at once--it will come :). I'm so so happy for you guys! What fun changes!
- April 3, 2012 at 8:42 AM
- Christy said...
Leslie, luckily it's an online class, so I won't be commuting. But thanks for the offer!
- April 3, 2012 at 10:07 AM
- rebekah said...
yay! Such wonderful things happening. How exciting for the new baby. And I'm jealous about not moving again. That sounds really nice. congrats!
- April 4, 2012 at 10:16 PM
- Betsy said...
Congratulations! That's so exciting! I hope you get feeling better soon.
- April 9, 2012 at 4:48 PM
- Krista said...
Congrats on the baby! That's exciting! I'm sorry you're sick. That sounds awful to have to think of moving when you feel that way. If it makes you feel any better I couldn't tell!
- April 11, 2012 at 8:12 AM


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This is a fine world for the person who knows precisely what he or she expects from life and is busy getting it.
We are happiest when we are striving to achieve a goal. When we achieve one goal, it's a natural human tendency to set another, usually bigger, one. W. Clement Stone calls it inspirational dissatisfaction — the letdown one experiences after a goal has been achieved and before the next step toward a new one has been taken. When you begin to experience that nagging feeling, it's time to get into action! Make sure you have a long-range plan in place so that when one short-term goal has been achieved, there is a natural progression toward the next.


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We all know smartphones and tablets are the new iPods but we can do a lot more with our mobile devices that just play our favorite tunes. Faster networks, vast online databases, and smart cloud services are turning our favorite gadgets into karaoke machines, recording studios, audio social networks, and more.
If you want to know the name of a song, put together your own scratch mix, or find out which band is coming to town, look no further than your smartphone. Here are 8 great music apps that will surprise and delight:
Ever heard a great song in a bar or restaurant and desperately wanted to know the band or the title? Or you have a tune in your head but cant figure out what it is? Fire up the SoundHound app and you will instantly have the answer! Theres hardly a recorded song anywhere that this super-fast search and discovery app wont be able to recognize in just seconds. You can even hum or sing to it! Links to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pandora and more.
Cost: FreePlatform: iOS, Android
Listening to a song and want to sing along? musiXmatch will identify songs playing nearby and automatically show you the lyrics scrolling in time to the music. musiXmatch boasts the worlds largest lyrics catalog, with over 7 million song lyrics in 32 different languages. Great for impromptu karaoke parties or those moments when you just need to give it your best Rihanna impersonation!
Price: FreePlatform: iOS, Android, Windows Phone
Cleartune turns your mobile device into a highly accurate instrument tuner and pitch pipe, allowing you to tune virtually any instrument. As your devices built-in microphone gathers the sound of your instrument, a highly responsive note wheel helps you quickly find the right pitch. Works with acoustic or electric guitar and other stringed instruments, as well as piano, timpani, woodwind instruments and anything else than can sustain a note.
Price: $3.99Platform: iOS, Android
Cloud DJ
Cloud DJ lets you unleash you inner Grandmaster Flash and mix your own music or music streamed straight from the Internet. The entire Cloud DJ database of songs is available for you to mix, with many of them already mixed and uploaded by professional and amateur DJs from all over the world. Chosen tracks can be played back immediately. Just tap the waveforms to scratch and additional filters and faders will help deliver the sound you are looking for.
Price: $1.99Platform: iOS
Want to know when your favorite bands and DJs are coming to town? Bandsintown is the #1 concert listing and search app, providing you with a way to track live performances based on your preferences and location. It provides notifications and links to box offices and ticket brokers, as well as sharing tools for Facebook, Twitter and more. Never miss out on another gig again!
Price: FreePlatform: iOS, Android
Described as the Facebook for audio, SoundCloud is the leading social network for music, audio files and sound bites. You can search the SoundCloud database based on your own preferences, follow your friends audio postings, or record and submit your own audio offerings. You can like other peoples audio files, add comments, or search for like-minded friends and add them to your stream.
TuneWiki Lyrics
A scrolling lyrics app with a twist! Not only can you use TuneWiki to sing along with your favorite tunes but you can also create your own lyrics to store or share with friends. Add photos to create your own LyricArt, or search for new or popular LyricArt submitted by others. You can translate lyrics into over 40 different languages and share images and lyrics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Are you missing the 80s and your Walkman? AirCassette transforms your iPhone into a cassette player, complete with spinning dials and the name of the band and song title written on the case. You can listen to music while you browse your collection, add tracks to you play queue, save queues as mix tapes and, even send tapes with your friends via Facebook, Twitter or e-mail.
Price: $0.99Platform: iOS


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Gratitude in old clothes
I found myself grinning as I stepped out of the doorway of the Old Crow Coffee House into the blustery night. As I walked I looked back over the evening, noting each gratitude. The space. The people gathered. The event.
Finn's friend Andie had organized a clothing swap. A theatrical lighting designer by trade, she is someone who cares deeply about a just world and endeavours to live intentionally to that end. More than clothing, this was a political and community social event.
The coffee shop had offered space for the swap in their back room. Andie welcomed everyone with an acknowledgement to the Qayqayt First Nations on whose unceded territory we were gathering. The good-will entrance fee was to be donated to the Coast Protectors and the legal fund for those arrested for standing against the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion.
Andie had collected clothing, and other goods, for months. People were invited to take as much as they wanted, whether they had brought anything to swap or not. All leftover donations would be taken to Big Brothers with a tax receipt to the high school music program. This was a pre-Christmas invitation to get out of the malls, to "shop" thrift, to re-use and recycle. It was both gathering and anti-consumerist activism.
I think that all parents must have moments of imagining what they want to offer their children. I imagined a renaissance household, a salon around the dinner table bantering into the night on big ideas, political discourse, humour and life. And Finn on the edges, eagerly listening to good natured argument and eventually joining in. He would get to know musicians, politicians, poets and anarchists.
As I walked home I ran through the litany of blessings. My grateful heart gave thanks that in fact my child sits at many tables with artists and activists, people who are engaged, outspoken, funny and creative. But in a glorious twist, these are his friends, people he has exposed me to, not the other way around.
The pre-Christmas time of Advent is seen as a time of awaiting the coming hope. This evening spoke to me of hope fulfilled. Blessed be.
What is resurrection when it's all fallen down around your ears? When the person who believed you could do anything is gone? When your imagined future peters out, the path dissipating with every footfall until there is just a vast open landscape?
Resurrection is the pause for breath. It is re-seeing the emptiness as liminal space and knowing that what will be is the other side of what is. And it will be life anew, reimagined by the Divine Yes for one who is beloved. Thanks be.
November night
The rain is driving and thick tonight. It's like walking through a constant bead curtain. Fat drops clatter on the garbage laden sidewalk, piles of peoples' belongings, and the cars negotiating Hastings street. A man wrapped in a hoodie and plaid shirt sits tucked in a doorway, an attempt, I suppose at keeping out of the deluge. There is no dry place in this weather.
As the traffic light turns red, a woman darts into the street. Luckily the drivers are watching and wait for her to cross. Between the dark, the rain and people, cars move cautiously through this area.
This is the gritty heart of the city. And despite the pouring rain there are a lot of people out here. Some, like us, are headed some place. But many are just out where they always are, meeting with friends, trying to score something, watching what's going on. For many people down here, the sidewalk is the only place they can gather to share a smoke, a drink or even a conversation with friends. There's a sense of place here.
The Downtown Eastside is notorious. This is the area that reporters always write about because it's a poor postal code rife with drugs and all that goes along with that. I know people who are nervous about coming down here or just wouldn't. This is not my neighbourhood and I don't exactly feel it's home turf, but for tonight I am part of it. I'm enjoying the walk, the vitality of it and connections that are here, even the rain. People acknowledge us, some with nods, some with stares. I don't sense hostility, just interest. Still I stay aware. But I'm a city girl so I always try to be aware of what's around.
We're headed to Pat's Pub in the Patricia Hotel. As we step inside we see friends. My jeans are damp, leather jacket and felted hat dripping, which we laugh about as they come over to hug me. We're here to celebrate a record release for our friend Tim Chan's band China Syndrome.
I'm sure the rain kept some people home tonight. Rainy nights are good for curling up with books and cups of tea. But I'm glad to be out. The darkness enfolds me like a quilt and the wet and wind remind me that the world is a living thing and life is all of this, the grit and glory. I don't want to shut myself away from that because God is out here in the heart of things, in the community that gathers under awnings and doorways, in the music played for the love of it, in sharing a damp hug and a glass with friends. Blessed be.
For Willy
Six years ago, our dear friend Jim Williamson died. I wrote this then.
For Willy
autumn is a good time
when leaves blanket our paths
soften our steps and
quiet the earth as it prepares for winter
autumn is a good time
as we pull our blankets from closets
to wrap ourselves
in quiet contemplation of anticipated frosts
autumn is a good time
if any time must be good for the sorrow
of the empty chair
of the bare branch
even as you drift away
we will gather the red and gold memories
and prepare for the winter of your absence
and anticipate spring when we will greet you
once again
with the budding of the trees and
return of the songbirds
love kimiko
oct 17 2012
Down to the river to pray
When I was 15, Bruce Springsteen released the River, a song rich with images that played like a movie. His ability to tell a story drew me in. I longed to plunge myself in the river, to wash away regrets I did not even have.
Years later, Brother Where Art Thou created a resurgence for old spirituals about the river. I did not know when I saw it in the summer of 2000, that I soon would wade my way on a journey to deeper spiritual life as an ordered minister and healer. Even with that, ultimately I found my greatest spiritual home on the blackberry river and I truly would go down to the river to pray as I picked, finding connection, release and a quiet place to listen to God's whispers. This is the place that fills my soul and continues to give me insights into the Divine.
I went down to the river today to check the berries. The first thing I noticed was the river bank. Previously a gradual slope, the edge has been worn away by the high, fast waters of the spring run off. The river was flood high this year, and even now runs faster than usual, requiring careful attention to foot. But it felt good to step into the flow of it. As I did I could feel myself ground, my energy wash clean.
The berries are, for the most part, not quite ripe. Happily this means I'll be back many times in the next few weeks. I'm kind of glad of it because I'm busy all weekend and was fretting that I would miss peak picking days. But apparently not.
In a few weeks blackberries will, once again, fill my freezer and pantry. In the winter, when their flavour graces my breakfast, they will bring memories of the river that provides them with their juice. And while I don't go to the blackberry river in winter it continues to nourish me, continues to pray for me. Indeed continues to sing in me. Thanks be to God.
Kimiko Karpoff
musings of someone spiritual and oddly religious
Click here to check out Kimiko's Postables
Paul's page includes photographs, stories from friends and fans, kimiko's blog posts and more.
December 2018


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Stephanie + Patrick / Canlis
We had the pleasure of coordinating Stephanie and Patrick's wedding day at the romantic Canlis Restaurant in Seattle, Washington. Taking place in the Penthouse Suite of the restaurant, Stephanie and Patrick's wedding began an hour prior to sunset, allowing guests to arrive and view the gorgeous views of Lake Union prior to the room entering a romantic shade of darkness. With a live pianist and each table named after a location in which the couple has lived, there was a personal touch to every corner of the upstairs at Canlis.
One element displayed throughout such elegant decor was the playful use of puzzle pieces - from the cake, to the guestbook, down to the custom puzzle piece cookie party favors, Patrick was big on infusing their proposal story throughout the wedding day.
When Patrick proposed, Stephanie and he put together a puzzle of a photo of them one evening. As they neared completion, Patrick withheld the last final piece - Stephanie's left hand. As they began looking for the last piece, Patrick got down on knee to present a gorgeous engagement ring - the rest is history!
Both Stephanie and Patrick's family was a pleasure to meet. The ceremony was non-traditional: standing, no aisle, two little flower girls with an immediate cake cutting after the "I do's". It was elegant. It was intimate. And the food, of course, was beyond delicious.
The owner of Canlis even walked upstairs to congratulate the newly wed couple!
Thank you Stephanie and Patrick for allowing Cake & Lace Seattle to plan your special day.
Thank you to the following vendors for helping make this event nothing-less of flawless:
- Planner: Cake & Lace Seattle (Karen Seo, Reneille Velez)
- Photography: Tracey Salazar Photography
- Cake: Honey Crumb Cake Studio
- Venue: Canlis Restaurant
- Favors: The Night Owl Bakery
- Calligraphy: Letters & Bliss
- Make-up: Swink Style Bar
- Transporation: British Motor Coach


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BEIJING — China on June 26 was upbeat that the upcoming visit by Premier Li Keqiang to the European Union from June 28 to July 2 will mark a new stage in ties with the EU.
During his five-day visit, Li will attend the 17th China-EU leaders' meeting in Brussels, the first since the change of EU leadership, pay an official visit to France and visit the headquarters of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris. He will also visit Marseille and Toulouze while in France.
"This visit will realize a new leap in China-EU relations and benefit the two peoples," said Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen.
Vice Foreign Minister Wang Chao told a press briefing that new ways to expand China-EU cooperation, and international and regional issues will be on the agenda of the leaders' meeting between Li, and President of the European Council Donald Tusk, and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.
Li will meet President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz, address the opening ceremony of a China-EU business summit, and attend a forum on China-EU urbanization partnership.
"[There are] increasing cooperation opportunities for China and the EU, such as connection of each other's development strategies. Both China's Belt and Road initiative and the Investment Plan for Europe, the so-called Juncker Plan, are related to infrastructure construction and intercommunication," said Cui Hongjian, a researcher on European studies from the China Institute of International Studies.
According to the two ministers, China and EU will issue a document to outline their future cooperation priorities, and a statement on climate change, and sign several cooperation deals on regional policies, intellectual property rights, customs and technological innovation.
"The two sides will strengthen negotiation and coordination on trade and investment policies through the leaders' meeting, to promote their cooperation and give the positive signal that the two sides are willing to push forward growth through reform and innovation," said Wang Shouwen.
The EU has been China's largest trading partner for 11 years while China has been the EU's second largest trading partner for 12 years. Bilateral trade volume exceeded $600 billion in 2014.
According to Wang Chao, China and Belgium will sign cooperation deals on finance, telecommunication, technology and education after the talks between Li and Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel. This is also the first meeting between the two heads of government since the new Belgian government took office last October.
"The Premier's visit to Belgium will further promote trade and investment cooperation, strengthen their policy coordination on major trade issues and promote Belgium to improve its investment environment," Wang said.
During Li's stay in France, the two sides will sign several deals covering nuclear energy, aviation, finance, agriculture and health care. The two sides will also issue a joint statement on third-party market cooperation and a joint statement on civil nuclear energy cooperation.
As for the Premier's stay in the OECD, Wang Chao said Li will deliver a speech on China's stance on development issues. The two sides are formulating a cooperation vision and cross-year action plan.
"Li's OECD visit will help the organization better understand emerging economies and developing countries, and inject new political impetus for bilateral cooperation," Wang Chao said.


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The Best Headphones for Pop Music
<< If you enjoy this article, please consider sharing!! It really helps the site get noticed and is much appreciated 🙂
Hey there friend, and Welcome aboard!!
This is part 5 in a 7 part series on Genre, which takes a nostalgic look at some of my personal experiences with various types of music, games, and pop culture over the years. Check out the others if you would like! Suggestions for how to improve? Contact me or leave a comment below!
- The Best Headphones for Jazz
- The Best Headphones for Classical
- The Best Headphones for Rock
- The Best Headphones for Metal
- The Best Headphones for Pop (This article)
- The Best Headphones for Hip-Hop
- The Best Headphones for Gaming (Bonus)
Before we get into the best headphones for Pop music, grab a snack and some pop, sit back and relax because..
You've come to the right place!!
What I will bring you in this article
- Introduction
- Considerations
- Amp/DAC?
- Sensitivity
- Criteria
- Entry level
- Mid-tier
- High end
- Final Word
This is going to be really embarrassing for me, but hopefully you get some entertainment out of it! If you don't care to read my ramblings/nostalgic trip down memory lane, you can skip over this obviously. 🙂
Pop Music matters, man.
Before I discovered Rap/R&B, Classic Rock, and Hip-Hop, I listened to Pop like everyone else. It was the cool thing to do. You remember the days of The Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, 98 degrees, etc. In fact, the very definition of Pop music is that it's accessible to the broadest audience, i.e. it sells the most copies, draws the largest concert audiences, and is played the most often on the radio.
Pop really isn't a genre technically. It originated in the mid 50's in Britain as a description of Rock n' Roll. The Oxford dictionary of music states the the term "pop" refers to music by artists like the Rolling Stones. Huh? If you think about it, this is true. The Stones fit the criteria mentioned above, even though they are widely considered to be what "Rock" is. They are played on the radio a lot, they draw unthinkable audiences, and they're up there in most copies sold (around 200 million).
Popular music is a little different in that it started during the Industrialization period of the 1800's. It's music that's most inline with the tastes and interests of the Urban middle class. Bleh. Whatever that means.
I like to think of Pop as a sort of "Melting Pot", (call it the Melting Pop) in that it borrows characteristics, elements, and ideas from other genres. Specifically:
- It's Vocal Harmonies are taken from Gospel/Soul.
- It's Form is derived from Sentimental Ballad.
- It's Instrumentation comes from Jazz/Rock.
- It's Orchestration comes from Classical.
- It's Tempo comes from Dance.
- It's Backing comes from Electronic.
- It's Rhythmic elements from Hip-Hop.
- It's Spoken Passages from Rap.
Looking at Pop in this way, it's easy to see that it's kind of everything at once. In 1967 the term was increasingly used in opposition to Rock, but that's only because Hippies. Lol.
Some say Pop is a matter of enterprise and not art. It's more commercial, ephemeral, accessible, and designed to appeal to everyone. It doesn't come from any particular place or work off of any particular taste. It's not driven by ambition, but by profit and commercial reward. In other words, it's like a Ginger and has no soul. Just kidding.
Haha. Good old Copper Cab. Aside from that..
Why is it so embarrassing for you to talk about Pop Music?
And could that headline be any longer? Pop music and I have a strained relationship.
It was a dark and stormy night during late Summer of 1999. I was curled up on the bottom bunk of my bed listening to Sugar Ray and holding my Teddy Bear.
I suppose that's not too embarrassing, aside from the fact that I was holding a Teddy Bear and listening to Sugar Ray. I was 12 years old and interested in love, okay? The problem was that I could never find it. It seemed like I was the outcast, even though I knew some cool kids and had friends. I was actually quite handsome if I do say so myself, but the girls didn't think the same. They were never interested in me for some reason. I just wasn't bad enough yet. I had yet to channel my inner Copper Cab. Or that time Tommy from Rugrats turned bad in "Rebel Without a Teddy Bear" because he thought his mom took his Lion named Herman away from him when in reality she was simply cleaning it for him because he tried to clean it with Mustard and she was just trying to be a good Mom and and Oh my God run on sentence. "HIS NAME IS HENRY!"
But darn it I loved me a good love song, and still do! Listening to Sugar Ray was my comfort zone, and we all love those good old comfort zones right? To be fair, the album had some really good songs (Someday, Falls Apart, Every Morning) but most were flat out duds. It's never a good sign when you're constantly asking, is the album over yet? I'm at 37:05 and can't wait until it stops. Oh God please make it stop.
It came at a time when Sugar Ray, like most mainstream artists, decided to scrap their original sound in favor of a more poppy tone, given the massive success of "Fly" off of the previous album. Read: Incubus followed a similar path. It doesn't really work that well because it's trying to be like 8 different things at once. Oh well. There are lots of things about my child hood that don't make sense. Add Sugar Ray's "14:59″ to the ever growing pile.
Back then I had a friend named J.J. Bishop. He was always ranting and raving about teh Smashing Pumpkins, and I never took heed to his word. Why? Because Sugar Ray dude. Years later I would find out that the Smashing effing Pumpkins are what I was supposed to be listening to; Not all this mindless drivel that I'm currently talking about. Sheesh. Girls not liking me may have had something to do with my outrageously bad CD collection. Not that they even knew or cared. But that's just a hunch.
That said, there was an extreme low point for me. Aside from Will Smith's "Willenium", Limp Bizkit's "Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water" and Kid Rock's "Devil Without A Cause" there was another album that I'm a little ashamed of owning.
It was LFO's "LFO" released August 24th, 1999. I was just.. but I.. it had some good.. it wasn't that..
Why? Why did you purchase that album man. I can't really tell you why.
Actually, now that I'm revisiting it again for the first time in over 19 years, it kind of holds up as a quintessential pop album. Well maybe not that good, but it's good! You like! Sure, it was super corny at times (the song Every Other Time is pretty cringe inducing), but there were some gems as well, including "Girl On T.V." which is Rich Cronin's love song to then girlfriend Jennifer Love Hewitt. How could you cheat on such a gorgeous man! Ugh.
Unfortunately in browsing the Internet I found out that Rich died of Leukemia in 2010, and another band member Devin Lima currently has Stage 4 cancer. Well that escalated quickly. I was in a great mood and now I'm just like..
It makes you really stop and think about your own life, and hopefully makes you grateful for what you have. Rich's last song contained the lyrics:
"I was obsessed with this chase for wealth/'Til the doctor said, 'Rich, it's about your health. Your blood's messed up, it don't look good/I couldn't stop time, but I wished I could."
He would die just days/weeks later. Wow. I'm not going to lie. I went from super up beat writing this article to really down. Hopefully we can finish this on a happy note.
Listening to "Summer Girls" back then made me long for a girl to call my own, but I really never experienced that in full. Well so much for a happy note. Lol. To this day people still talk about that jam, and for good reason. It was what Pop should sound like, even though people called it corny at the time. Yeah it's a bit cheese ball, but it's Pop in it's most unabashed form, and that's what people appreciate about it almost 20 years later.
With that, let's get into why you're actually here. 😛
- Budget. How much are you willing to spend? Fortunately, it's fairly easy to ascertain whether or not a headphone is good for Pop. We'll take a look at some affordable options as well as some higher end gear today.
- Closed vs. Open. Are you looking for something more portable, or would you like an Open back headphone that does well in studio? Closed back vs. Open back headphones.
Other than that, choosing a good headphone for Pop is fairly straightforward, but..
Should you get an Amp or DAC?
Let's talk more in depth about it. When deciding on:
- An amp: If your headphones have a high impedance, they're going to require more voltage (power) to perform optimally. Generally speaking, most headphones above 100 Ohm, (and even some below) need an amp of some sort. It just depends. I go into much more detail here: How to choose a headphone amp!
- A DAC: A Digital to Analog converters job is to convert the 1's and 0's from your computer, into an analog sound that you hear (and vice versa). During a microphone recording, the computer takes the analog (your voice), and coverts it into data that it can understand (1's and 0's). Basically either of these exchanges are always happening depending on what you're doing. The only reason you would upgrade a DAC is if your existing one is crappy. You'll know because it either won't be loud enough, or just generally sound bad (noise, crackling, etc). I also go into more detail about it in the article mentioned above. 🙂
Also check out my article on: What is Headphone Impedance?
Sensitivity and low impedance cans
For low impedance headphones, the Sensitivity will usually be fairly high, resulting in a can that generally does well with mobile devices. What is Sensitivity in Headphones? That said, the quality of the song will still largely depend on the source file, as well as your DAC.
For instance, if you have a bad DAC and buy an amp, you'll only be magnifying bad sound by raising the volume level. This is why it's important to consider just what you will need and not need.
At the end of the day though, I'm nitpicking a little. Most entry level closed backs will sound great and the discrepancies in sound quality are somewhat marginal when you're starting out.
Now let's get into the meat of it!
- Bass. Here our options are varied. Pop sounds very good with heavy bass as well as bass that's on the more neutral side. I enjoy Indie Pop especially with a wide range of headphones. So we'll be cognizant to include an array today, not just some that are more bass oriented. Hooray!
- Treble. There has to be some excitement in the treble, but I've found that even with a darker headphone like the HD600, Pop sounds fantastic. It's more about overall detail than sparkle in my opinion, but some of that is fine as well.
- Mid-range. I've found that a good, balanced mid-range is ideal, but if the headphone is more V-shaped (with recessed mids) it's not as big of an issue as it would be with other genres.
- Soundstage/Instrument Separation. This is always one of the more important traits of a headphone, as it will give you more of an out of body, 3D type of experience. If you're used to headphones that don't get this right, i.e. sounds stacking on top of each other, you're in the right place!
- Comfort/Build. Obviously we want these two things, but I can forgive headphones that aren't quite perfect in this regard. After listening to countless headphones, I'm of the mindset that if the build is a little off, I can deal. If comfort is a little off, it's a bit more of a concern, but still not a deal breaker. That said, these headphones will mostly be pretty comfortable, but you're always going to have to take breaks every so often. It's just the nature of the beast. There are a couple of exceptions, and we'll get into that in a bit. 🙂
Now it's time for the moment you've all been waiting for.. Dun dun dunnn..
The Headphones
Yeah that was a bit anti-climatic, but work with me here. 😛 Like usual, I'll split this up into 3 categories: Entry Level, Mid-Tier, and Top Tier. If you have any suggestions, don't hesitate to let me know in the comments! Just don't be rude about it. Thanks! 🙂
Entry Level ($0-100)
Open Back
- Philips SHP9500. Yep, it's the headphone I always recommend a long with the V6. Great for most genres, with an incredibly open, airy, and detailed sound. As an open back can, this is perhaps the closest you'll get to a higher end headphone, specifically the HD600. I talk much more in depth in my review and video about this relationship. Learn more: Philips SHP9500 Review!
- Sennheiser HD558. With the strips in place, I would consider these better for genres like Jazz, Classical, and Acoustic type stuff. The Best Headphones for Jazz. Without the strips, they take on a more exciting character, and do well for nearly all genres including pop. Bass does roll off like the 9500, but there's enough there, and sounds fantastic because of the balanced mid-range. Learn more: Sennheiser HD558 Review!
- Grado SR80e. Another fine headphone in this price range, the 80e has a sparkling quality that does well with pretty much anything you throw at it. Combine that with a pretty comfortable fit and you've got yourself a gem. Build is a bit flimsy, but it's a minor qualm in an otherwise great can. Learn more: Grado SR80e Review!
Closed back
If you'll notice, my top 6 options here are all the same as in my Budget Kings Series. There's really no reason to deviate from this list, as I think these guys are all more than worthy of a listen and are really the only headphones to concern yourself with in this price range.
- Sony MDR V6. Perhaps the best buy you could make in regards to mixing/mastering/reference, this headphone has been around since the mid 80's and for good reason. You can never go wrong in purchasing a pair, and I'm convinced every engineer should have one lying around. Learn more: Sony MDR V6 Review!
- Audio Technica ATH M40x. This may be your go to option in this price category. It's about the best overall sound in terms of enjoyment that exists at this level or any other. Not quite as bass oriented as a 50/50x, but what's there is magnificent. Learn more: Audio Technica ATH M40x Review!!
- Status Audio CB 1. Yeah this is a worthy entry into the lineup, and has a marvelous Soundstage given that it's a closed back. What is Soundstage? It's also got some great detail and instrument separation, with a bass similar to the 40x's but maybe a bit less controlled/cohesive. Learn more: Status Audio CB 1 Review!!
Mid-Tier ($100-300)
Open Back
- Beyerdynamic DT990. A fantastic bass oriented headphone that still somehow sounds spacious and detailed. The DT990 is an easy choice for all things that involve lots of impact, but they're also more than good enough for, well, anything really. Learn more: Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro vs. Premium!
- Sennheiser HD600/650. The 600's are my go to headphones for an all purpose set, and will do fantastic with Pop as they provide an extremely detailed mid-range and incredible instrument separation. Learn more: Sennheiser HD600 Review!
- HIFIMAN HE400i. This is a warmer sounding headphone than the HD600, but also has incredible detail, a bit more bass, and somewhat of a brighter treble (though still not harsh). An excellent choice if you're looking for a signature like this. Learn more: HIFIMAN HE4ooi Review!!
Closed Back
- Sennheiser HD25. These would make a great portable option because they're lightweight but extremely durable. I've talked ad nausea about this in my videos, and even went so far as a Stress Test! 😛 You can see that in my review. Other than that, the sound is extremely intense and exciting, which does well for more upbeat, EDM type of pop music with heavy bass and a fast sound. These handle fast music with relative ease, and therefore are a great option for DJ's, Metal music, Pop, Rap, and anything of the like. The Best Headphones for Metal. If you're looking to be blown away, look no further. Learn more: Sennheiser HD25 Review!
- V-Moda Crossfade M100. Perhaps the best pure bass head can out there, the M100 is sure to satisfy. This is purely a fun listen, but what surprised me was how detailed it is, being closed back and being a V-shaped signature. The bass has plenty of impact but really doesn't get out of line which I really appreciated. Learn more: V-Moda Crossfade M100 Review!
- Beyerdynamic DT770. A similar sounding can to the DT990, this closed back beast is extremely well respected among audiophiles, and for good reason. It's got an incredibly exciting sound and has plenty of bass for your needs. That's really all there is to say. Learn more: Beyerdynamic DT770 Review!
- Audio Technica ATH M50/50x. Yeah I will still recommend these because they are extremely fun to listen to regardless of the hate they've gotten in the past few years. I've had a pair of M50's since January of 2013, and they're still going strong to this day. The 50x improved upon the sound by adding a detachable cable, more bass, and less harsh of a treble. All wins. I got a chance to try out a pair and the differences aren't earth shattering, but they are there. Learn more: Audio Technica ATH M50 Review!
- PSB M4U. Just ignore the weird name. These are fantastic for bass heavier genres, but have a more balanced sound than something like the M100. I enjoyed them so much upon demo, that I had a hard time even taking them off my head! Learn more: PSB M4U Review!
Top Tier ($300 and beyond)
Closed Back
- Audeze Sine. These headphones have some of the best instrument Timbre that I've personally heard. What is Timbre? I'm fully convinced that the Sine is one of the balanced headphones around, with a lot of detail and a smooth overall sound. Learn more: Audeze Sine Review!!
- Audioquest Night Owl. An extremely fun headphone that sounds smooth, detailed, and is extremely comfortable with a great build. Learn more: Audioquest Night Owl Review!!
- Bowers & Wilkins P9. I didn't like the P7 much and wasn't expecting a lot out of the P9, but boy howdy do these puppies ever deliver. A marked improvement over their predecessors, the P9 cleans up the sound considerably, as it's less stuffy, and the bass isn't flabby or bloated. Learn more: Bowers & Wilkins P9 Review!!
- Audeze LCD-XC. The XC version of the LCD is quite fantastic, but does have a bit of a bright character in the mid-range which can become a bit "shouty" at times. However, aside from that this is an extremely detailed and revealing headphone with a perfect bass response and a somewhat darker sounding treble. Learn more: Audeze LCD-XC Review!!
- Sony MDR Z1R. Whew! It's astounding how open this headphone sounds considering it's closed. Perhaps one of the most natural signatures I've heard, music really comes to life while also not becoming overbearing. Learn more: Sony MDR Z1R Review!!
Open Back
- Audeze LCD-X. Yup, this headphone is one of the best I've ever heard to be honest. Audeze really has nailed the perfect sound signature. Low, rumbling, coherent bass, perfect mid-range, and a darker treble make for an unbelievable listening experience. Learn more: Audeze LCD-X Review!!
- Focal Utopia. This beast costs $4000 big ones, but is it worth it? Considering that it is the best and most natural headphone I've personally heard, the price may be justified. Would I pay it? It's hard to say. I probably would not pay full retail but would shell out over a grand for it if I had the money. Learn more: Focal Utopia Review!!
Final Word
Well friend, I'll attempt to give a best in specific categories.
Best Overall for Bass heads:
Best Overall for fun in the entry level:
SEE THE 40x FOR YOURSELF ON AMAZON!!
Best balanced sound (open back) in the entry level:
Best balanced sound (closed back) in the entry level:
Best Overall for fun in Mid-Tier:
Best Balanced in Mid-Tier:
Best Overall for fun in Top Tier:
Best Overall for Balance in Top Tier:
Well that's about it for today my friend! I hope you've enjoyed this article on the best headphones for Gaming.
Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Please let me know down below or Contact me!!
Marvin, what do you make of all this? I would love to hear from you. Until next time..
All the best and God bless,


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text: President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday called President Mamnoon Hussain and expressed solidarity with Pakistan over the terrorist incident in Lahore as well as condolences for the affected families. The President of Turkey condoled with President Mamnoon Hussain over the loss of lives in Lahore terror attack and said the people and government of Turkey were with their Pakistani brethren at this critical time. He said terrorism is a menace and Pakistan and Turkey will fight together to eliminate it. President Mamnoon Hussain thanked his Turkish counterpart for the expression of solidarity and condolence and said Pakistan and Turkey were bound together in strong bonds and share each other's grieves.


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"Life is full of ups and downs, you know that. But please take a deep breath, I can't understand what you're saying right now"- my mom.
And she's right, I do know that, and so do you (the ups and downs, anyway)- it's something we've all been told at some point or another. Over the past couple weeks, it seems the world (or the world according to me) is collectively experiencing the down. Some people are saying it's the moon, but I'm not entirely convinced. It feels like every day, we wake up to more stories about data breaches, violence and terrorism, death, illness, and ongoing issues (drought out west, Ebola in Africa) that I've forgotten about because of the newer threats we're presented with.
But, you know what? There's always going to be a disaster or craziness. As I became increasingly overwhelmed (and called my mom, because she always doles out the facts of life when I need them), the notion of "you see what you look for" popped into my head. Basically, if you're looking for something bad, you'll find it. So, I thought it'd be refreshing to actively look for ways that people use social media and the internet to demonstrate kindness in all shapes and sizes.
Using Internet fame for a cause. Singers and actors are often praised for their charitable actions, but there are quite a few internet famous people who contribute to causes. You may have heard of certain memes using their notoriety for a cause. For example, all proceeds that Lil Bub (the cat) generates go toward animal shelters. The girl behind "Overly Attached Girlfriend" created a fundraiser that donates to a different, predetermined charity every month. There's also people who are famous in certain circles, like the gaming world. YouTube famous World of Warcraft player Athene created a charity called "Gaming for Good" after realizing tens of thousands of people regularly view his videos.
Kid President is another example of internet fame for a cause. He spreads his positive messages through short videos and social media in the hopes that it encourages kids and adults to work together to make the world a better place. His pep-talk video is one of my favorites:
These are all people (or cats) who have decided not to rest on their laurels of internet fame, but decided to use it to make an impact besides general hilarity.
Sharing the tough stuff. We're all on a journey, right? While most people (myself included) share only their highlight reel on social media, some people share their difficulties as a way to raise awareness and/or help others who are also going through difficult times(like the "It Gets Better" campaign). These stories, wherever they are shared, are demonstrations of courage that encourage others to start a conversation.
Yesterday I saw this article about a girl on who has been on a difficult road to recovery since 2012, when she received up paralyzed from the waist down. In spite of complications along the way, she started a fundraiser for the Multiple Sclerosis Society and documented her recovery process-the good, the bad, and the ugly, on Imgur (a site I admittedly know nothing about). You can check out the original post here. I've also read a lot from those recovering from addiction, abuse, and eating disorders (here is one I read this morning). Even when these stories are submitted anonymously, they comfort people who, like me, tend to internalize their struggles.
A website built around sharing stories of everyday people, Humans of New York , shares stories of those who live in the city. Just the people you walk by on the street. The mini-profiles remind us that there's always more than meets the eye.
Reading these stories reminds me that a) everyone is experiencing their own adversity, and b) it's pretty amazing that we can identify with people we've never met before.
Losing and Finding. This is probably the most common type of post I've seen, and a lot of times, it can be the most heart-wrenching. Any time a local pup gets lost, I'm amazed at how responsive people are on social media. People band together in interesting ways during moments of loss, including loss of tangible things. I guess the amazing part is that things get shared by strangers who have no connection to the people who have lost something- they're just passing a message along and hoping for the best. No investments or ulterior motives, just people trying to help each other out.
This man found a wedding ring while scuba diving and shared it on Facebook, and after diligently wading through false claims, was able to return the ring to its rightful owner. Little did he know, the couple had been enduring an incredibly difficult time with the deaths of loved ones (on both sides), so the return of the ring served as a reminder "'there are a lot of good people still out there.'"
Inviting Participation. People have created Facebook groups and websites dedicated to recognizing acts of kindness and general connections with humanity. It's basically a way to pay it forward. I'm part of an "Awesome Acts of Kindness" Facebook Group, and basically people share the acts of kindness that they've either witnessed or experienced and want to share with others. There's also "Giving Tuesday" and other funding related efforts. Inviting others to participate can mean sharing a photo, using a hashtag, making an online donation, or asking for physical volunteering help.
As a final thought on "The Internet of Good," I couldn't ignore Marcel the Shell, who always looks on the bright side (and is the best use of YouTube I've ever come across).