text:
May 28th was my friend Carly's 18th birthday. Since we wanted to do something different, in place of a typical birthday celebration, we went hiking. Carly and I decided to go up to the Governor Dick Observatory Tower at Clarence Schock Memorial Park. We packed our camera bags and at about noon I picked Carly up and began our easy 30 minute drive to the park.
We arrived and quickly realized that my phone GPS took us to a restaurant and not the park (thanks apple maps). The two of us drove around the town to try and find these supposed hiking trails. The journey took us to the Mount Gretna Lake and Beach where we asked an employee for directions. As it turns out, in order to get into the town of Mt. Gretna, you actually have to pass the entrance to the park we were looking for. Carly and I felt like pretty big goofs for not realizing upon arrival that we passed it. Nevertheless, we made it to the trail and commenced our trek to the top.
Immediately two things were realized. It was incredibly humid and the bug spray we used decided not to work. These two elements made for a very uncomfortable trip, but we didn't let that hurt our spirits because we were determined to get to the top. The hike was fairly easy. We took a few different trails which led us to the main gravel path. From there we walked about twenty more minutes before we came to the final stretch of the hike. Towards the peak of the mountain, we came to a clearing with the observatory tower sitting at the end.
The closer I got to the tower, the more I realized how thin it was. Carly explained that unlike observatory towers we've been to in the past, the method of getting to the top was ladders and not stairs like I had hoped. A journey up a set of ladders with a bag and a camera in hand would not be easy, but I'm always up for a challenge. There were 9 ladders to climb from the bottom to the top of the tower and each one was about 12 ft tall. The ladders were off set from each other on platforms which means the climber would scale one latter and arrive on a platform, then walk to the next latter and repeat the process. I'm not entirely sure how I managed to do it but I made it to the top of the tower. I walked out of the ladder covering and saw an astounding view. I was able to see for miles over beautiful Pennsylvania mountains.
This whole day was documented as a vlog as well. Check out the video on my youtube channel: http://bit.ly/24jpl6h
Until next week! - Evan


text:
Places Of Interest Premiere August 2016
Places of Interest/Sehenswürdigkeiten
is a project based around the importance we attach to actual places. It is also a project based around our preconceptions about places we have never been to and what we might expect to find there.
Starting with an initial list of people I know, have worked with or whose work I like, working in the fields of Performance, Art or Music; I am writing to people around the world, asking them to do the following 3 things for me:
– to choose a place that has a special meaning to them. This could be for very personal reasons, or because of political or historical significance.
– search online and find a photograph of that place, taken by somebody else.
– record a description of the photograph. The description should include the name of the country it is in, but not the name of the place or the reason it was chosen. In short, an impartial description of the photograph without opinion.
I will in turn then send the recorded description to an artist living in a different country who will receive a fee to paint a picture entirely based on the recorded description.
The artist will not know the significance of the place and will only know that they are painting for example somewhere in Argentina or northern India. I am also asking those proposing places if they could also suggest an artist we might contact to paint somebody else's description.
Currently the project connects Shepherds Bush, Beirut, Madrid, Newport Wales, Minneapolis, NYC, Kerala, India, Finland, Chile, Contributors include Aaron Landsman, Vic Godard, Ant Hampton, Bouchra Ouizguen, Naoko Tsurudome, Maria jerez, Jon Langford, Sankar Vekateswaran, Charbel Harber, Shadi Noyani, Alf Hofstetter, Sabine Wewer, Yves Nussbaum, George Rush, Nada Gambier, Moulay Youssef Elkahfai, Amir Reza Koohestani, Eisa Jocson, Kristina Horvat Blažinović ...and more.
Places Of Interest will open at the
Theaterspektakel Festival, Zurich on August 20th 2016 and will include a series of short performances linked to the project and the material it generates.
- Concept, Direction, Performance: Phil Hayes
- Assistance & Coordination: Katharina Balzer and Julia Hintermüller
- Production: Lukas Piccolin
For further information about touring and availabilty, please contact Lise Leclerc at Tutu Production
A First Cut Productions coproduction with
Theaterspektakel Festival, Zurich

subset: commoncrawl


text:
I am still so angry right now, mostly because I knew it would be a waste of time but I also knew I had no other option. Frustration doesn't even come close to describe my emotions.
After my failed attempted at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital's Ehlers Danlos Rehabilitation Programme and subsequent feedback to the team, a follow up appointment was made for me to see my consultant, Dr Mittal, at 10:30 on Monday 4th August 2014 at their clinic on Bolsover Street in London.
To be honest I had my reservations. Dr Mittal was quite nice last time I saw her but she wasn't that helpful. She also misdiagnosed me with carpal tunnel and prescribed wrist braces that I didn't need, but that's another matter
After checking the price of train fares I telephoned Dr Mittal's secretary to see if there were any later appointments so I could catch a cheaper train. I was told I was the last one in clinic but it didn't matter if I was a little late as Dr Mittal would still be around to see me. I told the secretary I would try my best to be on time.
Ten days before my appointment the secretary telephoned be to confirm what time my train would be arriving. I told her the train got into Kings Cross at 10:05 so I should be on time for my 10:30 appointment. Sorted
I arrived at the hospital reception desk at 10:25. The nurse called me through and told me I was early, my appointment wasn't until 14:00.
They had changed my appointment time and not told me. This was not good. I had already booked non-refundable train tickets for 13:48 out of Kings Cross. The nurse checked with the doctor and said they would fit me in at the end of clinic. Phew!
I sat and waited but I was still rather cross. I got in to see Dr Mittal earlier than I expected to. She asked me what did I want to see her for. Erm, the appointment was made for her to see me.
I started out trying to explain how the rehabilitation course was not helpful for me because my existing medical conditions prevented me from fully participating and the physical demands of the course made me worse. She didn't seem the slightest bit interested.
I tried to talk to her about the head and neck pain I've been suffering from. My GP and the pain management doctor both told me to talk to my EDS consultant about it. She refused to talk about it because she only deals with EDS.
I mentioned my autoimmune problems and how I'd recently been diagnosed with Sicca/Sjogren's. She didn't want to know. She only deals with EDS. I told her the reason Dr Sobey from the EDS Service referred me to see Dr Cohen at the RNOH was to determine if I had EDS, an autoimmune condition, or both. Dr Mittal told me again she only deals with EDS, this is an EDS clinic. I didn't find this particularly helpful so I asked who could help me. She said a local rheumatologist.
I told her I've seen FIVE local rhematologists, they ALL missed my hypermobility and discharged me with no treatment and a vague diagnosis of CFS or Fibromyalgia. I needed to see someone who was experienced in EDS and autoimmune conditions. She said this was an EDS clinic and she only dealt with EDS.
Frustrated by this, but knowing it was a futile argument, I moved on. I asked her about the myotonia in my hands. A local neurologist said it was a rare complication of EDS, which she should be able to deal with because she only does EDS, right?
Dr Mittal said I needed to speak to the rehabilitation team about that.
I told Dr Mittal that I already had spoken to the rehab team about it. They said talk her HER about it because, and they made this very clear from the very beginning of the rehab assessment meeting, THEY DON'T TREAT OR DIAGNOSE MEDICAL CONDITIONS. Dr Mittal just said "absolutely".
I asked her if there were any treatments for myotonia. She said there are no treatments for EDS, only rehabilitation. That's not what I asked but I wasn't going to get any other answer from her today.
She only dealt with EDS and the only treatment is rehab.
She only dealt with EDS and the only treatment is rehab.
She only dealt with EDS and the only treatment is rehab.
I was getting a bit frustrated by this point. I had a whole list of things I wanted to discuss with her that were directly related to EDS. I took the list out of my bag and she dismissed everything on it. She wouldn't talk to me about my head and neck pain (which is possibly EDS related), I need to see someone local about autoimmune, even though the local doctors can't help me because I'm too complicated, and the only treatment for EDS is rehabilitation. I reminded her that the rehab didn't help me and she shrugged and said it doesn't help everyone.
I told her again, the reason I was there was to see an experienced doctor to figure out my complex health problems. My husband was getting equally frustrated. He asked if she had my original referral letter. She ignored him. He asked again, a little louder. She ignored him. He asked again, almost raising his voice. This got her attention.
She told us there are acceptable levels of behaviour. It took me a moment to realise what she was talking about. She thought we were being aggressive towards her and she said she didn't have to see me if we behaved like this.
She was the one being rude and not answering questions!
I got rather upset and said it was disgraceful that she refused to discuss anything with me. I was so pissed off and angry that our journey had been a complete waste of time. I appreciate she may not have been able to help me with all of my questions but she made no attempt to listen to me and no attempt to find the appropriate medical care for me. All she bloody said was "I only deal with EDS and the only treatment is rehab," which is, in truth, absolute bollocks, but I refrained from telling her that because unlike her, I'm not that rude!
I was in a bit of a state in the waiting room, I asked the nurse who sat in during the appointment if our behaviour had been unacceptable and she said she wasn't allowed to say. I spoke to the nurse on the desk and she gave me a feedback form and found the telephone number for RNOH PALS so I could make a formal complaint.
I know doctors don't have all the answers. I know there is no magic cure for EDS but there are plenty things I can do to help improve my quality of life. Rehab was not right for me at this time and in hindsight Dr Mittal should have known this, she even wrote in her letter to my GP that exercise makes my symptoms worse. How did she expect me to cope with rehab then? That's the problem. I don't think she thinks at all. She was brought in to ease the case load from Dr Cohen but she seems to be able to do little more than recognise the symptoms of EDS and make referrals for rehabilitation.
PALS telephoned me this morning, they are going to make an informal investigation, talk to the team and to Dr Cohen and see if they might be able to bring my appointment to see Dr Cohen forwards. The 18 week NHS waiting time seems to be a fairytale when it comes to RNOH. I was referred to Dr Cohen in August 2013 and I am currently due to see her in March 2015, which is a mere 19 months wait...
It's a good job I'm not ill or anything...oh... wait.... Yes I am ill, I am in pain and my condition is deteriorating.
I must look on the bright side. At least I didn't have to pay for the consultation. It only cost me £116 in train fares, one day off work for my husband to take me and push my wheelchair around London (I'm housebound without assistance) and the kind services of my parents who looked after my three children for the day.
I'll keep you posted.


text:
The Gollywhopper Games come back for a third round of puzzlers and prizes, with the main contestant a kid who is totally into football.
Sidelined by a concussion, Zane is smart, loves math and strategy, and is deeply afraid his football days are over. For him, competing in the Gollywhopper Games is a chance to regain his edge. In this iteration of the games, contestants work alone for some tasks but must pair and team up for others—but never with the same people, creating situations in which contestants are both cooperating and opposing one another at the same time. In the games, Zane is always thinking about how he can optimize his chances, but hindrances abound to make it tough. Zane is a good-looking, popular kid, but he recognizes the assets scrawny young genius Elijah can bring to the contest. In the background, game sponsor Bert Golliwop frets about sabotage to this spectacular publicity stunt for his company. Rule twists aside, readers will find this edition of the games similar to the first two; as before, the fun is in the puzzles and being inside Zane's head as he works out his answers. Zane is all about the strategy and what is needed to help each team member bring their best work.
It's this altruism, combined with a competitive spirit, that will have readers rooting for these kids. (Fiction. 8-12)


text:
I'm not sure how many people read the "About" section of this blog (lie: I check the Site Stats page more regularly than is healthy), but I'm fairly certain that I mention in that my love of poetry. This is actually quite a recent thing; I wrote my first poems around a year ago but decided they were rubbish and left it for short story writing. But in March this year I wanted to start writing more again (I fell out of practice with school work and the internet), and I didn't have time for short stories (although I did start a screenplay and a script-explain the logic of that decision to me please?). So, I started writing poems. And as of today I've written 25-of which about three are acceptable for eyes not genetically linked to mine.
Anyway, to cut what could otherwise be a very, very long post short, here is one of my poems. It's a more recent one, and I know it's not perfect, but it was one of my first attempts at getting a structured rhyme scheme (it's so tempting to write poems stream of conciousness, even when you know it doesn't fit right). And you know what, I am quite proud of it.
It's also appropriate for the setting (you'll see).
Living on the Internet
Living in a technical generation
No time for talking, or a toast and tea,
Only for digital stimulation
Which won't fulfil you nor please me.
The clinical coldness of LCD,
The scraped bare virtual inbox.
Not a bone left, emotionally clean
And no warmth in pixel crosses.
Beeping beeping everywhere, but no voice.
Buttons to accept everywhere, but no choice.
Pay be cash, by credit, by card-
Never mind that you've already paid with your heart.


text:
The St. Regis Aspen Resort is situated at the base of Aspen Mountain within walking distance of all Aspen's shops and restaurants.
The St. Regis Aspen Resort offers 179 guest rooms and suites with views of the Rocky Mountains; some rooms and suites also have fireplaces.
The St. Regis Aspen Resort offers several dining venues, which include: Chefs Club by FOOD & WINE, where menus are developed as a result of consultations by chefs from FOOD & WINE's "Best New Chefs" list; Trecento Quindici Decano, The St. Regis Aspen Resort's signature restaurant, which serves Italian and American cuisines; and the Shadow Mountain Lounge, which offers cocktails and aperitifs by the fireplace.
The St. Regis Aspen Resort has an on-site Remede Spa, a heated outdoor pool and hot tub, and a 24-hour fitness center. Guests can enjoy skiing at the Aspen, Buttermilk, and Snowmass ski areas.
15min from Aspen-Pitkin Airport (ASE), 75min from Eagle County Airport (EGE) and 4hr by car from Denver International Airport (DEN)
December to March (Ski Season), May to September (outdoor activities – golf, cycling, fishing, hiking, spa)


text:
(952) 945-9900
Fax: (952) 945-9905
Merry top notes of juicy orange, red raspberry and cranberry
lead to a yummy midsection of apple blossom, blackberry and strawberry finishing with a luscious base of blond woods and mistletoe. BOTTOM LINE:
Click 'Yes' to accept & add product to cart. Click 'No' to reject


text:
"Russ was the first Liverpool artist to have a big hit in the US before the Beatles. His song Rainbow reached number 3 in the US chart. He also had a big hit We Will Make Love in UK and Asia and was very popular in Malaysia, Singapore and other parts of Asia.
RTM Radio 4:
He was my favourite singer especially during my high school days and I have all his records. His music is still being sought after in Malaysia. On my own initiative, I did the interview with him for RTM Radio 4's very popular regular Sunday night programme produced by a very well known D.J. Reezal who introduced me to his listeners. Russ Hamilton became a close friend of mine and had since passed on. This is a tribute to my friend." Watch the videos on right bar>
Article and image from: You Tube.
Original article by Lee Yan San who hails from Penang, Malaysia.
You can read about them by clicking on Labels below:


text:
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Since this was my last weekend at home for awhile I wanted to make the most of it, we loaded the dirt bikes up early and headed down the hill. One of our favorite riding spots is north of Reno about 30 miles near Pyramid lake, known as Moon Rocks. With dry camping, an endless trail system and mountains to scale the area has great riding for any caliber offroader. We always seem to find a new trail and sometimes it can get a little crazy, as was the case on Saturday. Thom, my riding buddy and Dustin his 15 year old son and myself set out to for a little hill climbing, our choice would have to be considered one of the most difficult in the area, and after a hour or so of serious climbing, we reached the top. Taking a well deserved breather, we decided to descend into a narrow passage that maybe only a handful of bikes had traveled. this "trail" soon turned into a narrow, boulder strewn canyon. And at this point it became obvious that there was no turning around! After a handful of vertical drops of six feet or more we approached the base and all that was left? a 50 yard blitz down a 60 degree chute with three huge boulders greeting us at the bottom.. We all safely navigated this plunge and nervous laughter filled the air, an hour later we were back at the camp reliving our conquest. A good end to a great day in the Nevada high desert
Capt. Monte "Wizard Mouse"
14 comments:
- AnonymousApril 12, 2010 at 6:19 PM
fish hard, play hard looks like funReplyDelete
- Miss KittyApril 13, 2010 at 9:51 AM
Wow! Sounds like an incredible way to spend an afternoon. Have to do it again sometime!!ReplyDelete
- WoasisssApril 13, 2010 at 2:12 PM
Hey hey hey Capt Monte...I am still seein overlappin comments on your blog....therefor we can't see the first two comments posted by the masses....does anyone else see this glitch, or is it jus me?? And NO! I have not been hittin the bottle lately...LOL! Anyways, as I said in my previous email, Capt Monte, sooooo glad ya all survived the adreneline rush canyon trail. Vertical drops of 6'...oh my, bet that hurt ....sounds like a great time with great friends....always a highlight in one's day!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousApril 15, 2010 at 3:06 PM
Just the thought of dropping 6 feet on a dirt bike hurts me :) Glad ya had a good time and everyone landed safely.ReplyDelete
PS I had to log on as anonymous because it was asking for an email and password and I cannot remember which one I used...oops :)
- AnonymousApril 16, 2010 at 7:04 PM
dammit i missed you againReplyDelete
so get this, anthony is a serious dirt biker
i still feel bad about your cr250
but you told me to go faster :)
fly safe,
- Kim (otter)April 18, 2010 at 7:12 PM
Sounds like a good and thrilling time was had by all. Just watch those drops, sometimes they're deceptive!! Take care. Hi to Catherine. C U in Seattle soon!ReplyDelete
thanks for sharing!ReplyDelete
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text:
by Pardeep Toor
Losing is relative. It's a measure not conducive to absolutes because of the spectrum of "losers" in the League. For the Los Angeles Clippers, losing is an incurable epidemic that reeks of failure. For the Knicks, losing is a reminder of the karma-induced hope that possibly awaits them this summer – a boon for their suffering.
Lakers, Magic, Celtics, Cavs – any title with out the prefix "NBA Champions" would be considered a loss this year.
There is one team this past decade that combined the inevitably of loss with unbearable disappointment, showcased the collective swagger of a champion despite consistently failing to meet expectations. This decade's loveable losers are the … Detroit Pistons.
Before you slay me for picking a team that won a championship and has little fanfare outside of its home state, let me explain. This isn't about what the Pistons were but what they could have been. The title of "loveable loser" is not based on their single championship but the dynastic seeds they planted with one of the most balanced and complementary starting fives of the last decade.
The Pistons represented the collective over the individual – the culmination of egos into a unified cockiness that was unhindered by the results of their play. Validation for the Pistons came from within – win or lose – they believed they were the best team in the League every year. That belief was so strong that they often appeared bored, complacent, and indifferent in the most crucial playoff games, as if the championship had already been won inside their heads.
Six consecutive years of at least making Eastern Conference finals, two finals appearances, one championship, six coaches, seven 50-win seasons, yet I still consider them loveable losers. Their core was so good, the Eastern Conference so weak, they should have won more rings.
The Pistons were "loveable" because they displayed a fundamental human trait – a stubbornness and refusal to change, no matter the results.
Despite winning a championship in 2004 with depth, Larry Brown played only six players (Billups, Hamilton, Prince, Wallaces and McDyess) for four rounds in the 2005 Playoffs, the bench never developed in the era. Many nights in the regular season, it appeared as if they weren't trying 'til the fourth quarter. An aging team refused to play zone in the Playoffs for Flip Saunders. Sheed never did re-enter the post. Billups wore down each and every year in the Playoffs and struggled to stay in front of quicker guards. Yet, the team never reflected on its flaws, but placed blame for their annual failures on external factors (refs, coaches) – very human.
The Pistons were loveable because they mirror many of our individual lives. They caught a break in 2004 with the Malice at the Palace, eliminating their strongest opponent in the Indiana Pacers. They capitalized on their chance by wining a championship but couldn't catapult themselves to historical greatness, instead being just another team that won a title. As they aged, they remained inflexibly confident until it all ended last year with the Billups/Allen Iverson trade. Then, the reflection on an under-achieving era began among the group's core.
Looking back, it's easy to reminisce about how close things were to being completely different. What if Robert Horry (18 points in the second half, 4-of-5 from three) didn't have the game of his life in the game five of the finals in 2005? What if Sheed didn't leave him on the final play of the 4th quarter?
What if the basketball Gods didn't send LeBron to drop some knowledge in game five of the Eastern Conference finals in 2007? Who was checking Daniel Gibson when he went off for 31 points, 5-of-5 from three, 12-15 from the free-throw line, in just 29 minutes in game six of the same series? In 2008, how did Kendrick Perkins go off for 18/16/2/2 in a crucial game five loss to the Celtics?
The Playoff series losses were too close to embrace. Each time, it felt like the Pistons were equivalent, if not a better team, but just a few plays each year distinguished them as the loveable losers rather than the best team of the decade.
This past decade, the Pistons were a microcosm of many of our own lives – marginal success, complacency and reflection, followed by regret. More than their accomplishments, I will always remember the Pistons for their mishaps – their flaws are our flaws – but also for how they kept getting up after each heartbreaking playoff loss. Their resilience (a trait worthy of mimic) is what truly made them admirable. I loved them for their unified attitude, but unfortunately, that was also their downfall.
For more Decade Awards, check out the archive.


text:
By Mike Steffanos
It's not exactly a secret that the Mets bullpen was their downfall last September, so it's no surprise that most of us are wishing, hoping and praying that this year's edition performs as well as it looks on paper. In less than two weeks we will begin to find out.
Although only 27 years old, Francisco Rodriguez has been in the league since his remarkable playoff run with the Angels in 2002. While both his velocity and strikeout rate have declined the last couple of years, he still averages more than a strikeout per inning and a low hit rate. The addition of a plus changeup to his still 90+ fastball and sharp breaking pitches should allow him to remain an elite reliever through the length of his contract.
The concern with K-Rod has always been walks. He has averaged just under 4 per 9 innings of his career, and his rate has climbed to 4.5 over his last two seasons. I've never enjoyed watching a pitcher who created his own drama since Doug Sisk gave me agita more than 2 decades ago. The walks are something I'll be watching for, because to me an "elite" closer throws strikes.
Some writers have speculated on how much K-Rod's exuberance will fire up the Phillies, but I could care less as long as he gets them out.
The eighth inning will belong to J. J. Putz, who also is coming into the cauldron of NY baseball from the more laid back and forgiving west coast. The 32-year-old features a fastball, a dynamic splitter and the occasional slider. Although he is coming off a down year with some nagging injuries, he has shown signs this spring of full recovery.
Provided that's the case, I believe Putz to be a better pitcher than K-Rod, and he could dominate eighth innings in a way we only dreamed of last year. He'll strike out as many batters while walking far fewer. In his two best seasons as a closer, 2006 and 2007, Putz averaged just over 1.5BB/9IP. That's the kind of aggressive, no-nonsense approach I could appreciate.
Beyond Rodriguez and Putz the picture is less clear at this point. The options for the sixth and seventh inning right now look like some combination of newcomer Sean Green, rookie Bobby Parnell, and holdovers Brian Stokes and Pedro Feliciano. Rule 5 sidewinder Darren O'Day, veteran mediocre lefty Ron Villone and Carlos Muniz, who had 18 appearances with the Mets last season, are also in the running.
You had the sense coming into camp that Sean Green was the guy they were looking to be their primary seventh inning choice. His lifetime numbers are good, but not great, but there seems to be a feeling that he came into his own as a reliever last year, although he faded from overwork in the late going. One number that impresses about Green is that he has only allowed 7 HR in 179 major league innings. He gets a lot of groundballs, which is also nice. His lifetime major league walk rate of 4.2/9 is not so great.
I've been fairly impressed with Green the couple of times I was able to see him pitch, but I'll need to see more to form an intelligent opinion. His spring numbers have been good -- 6 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 7K, 2BB -- so I have to believe he hasn't hurt his chances.
Pedro Feliciano may very well end up as the only lefty in the bullpen. After solid years in 2006 and 2007 he fell a bit last year. He seemed tentative on the mound quite often, falling behind batters and then either walking them or coming in with something fat. His hit rate jumped from 6.6/9 in 2007 to 9.6 last year, and the 7 HR he gave up were as many as the previous 2 years combined.
Feliciano has a deceptive fastball and an effective slider, and if he can go back to getting ahead of hitters consistently I look for a better year from the veteran southpaw.
Ron Villone is the only other lefty still standing, but he increasingly looks like a long shot as he battles it out with righties with way more upside. I've never been a fan of Villone, who averages just under 5BB/9IP. Even Cardinals pitching coach and miracle worker Dave Duncan couldn't make anything out of him last year.
Brian Stokes pitched pretty well for the Mets last year, has no minor league options left and has been effective this spring. It adds up to Stokes being very likely to be in the mix with Green and Feliciano for the sixth and seventh. Stokes has a live fastball and a really sharp slider, but he needs an off-speed pitch to help him get lefties out. I heard he was one of the pitchers working on a splitter, but I don't know if that went anywhere. Stokes can pitch multiple innings, so he's an option for both short and long relief.
Rookie Bobby Parnell seems to be winning a job with a very impressive camp. One thing we saw from him last year was that he didn't seem to rattle, which would stand him in good stead. He has a heavy fastball that sits in the 90s and a good slider. He's working on a splitter, which should complement his other pitches.
Parnell has always walked a few too many hitters in his short career, 3.9/9 in the minors. He'll need to throw strikes to stick with the Mets. As with Stokes, Parnell would be capable of being either a short reliever or a long man. I wouldn't be surprised at all if they didn't put him in the long role to start the season. The Dodgers have eased a lot of kids into the majors like that.
Although not certain, I am going to assume that Parnell and Stokes will be on the club with K-Rod, Putz, Green and Feliciano. Although the Mets could play it in different ways, I still think they'll primarily go with 7 relievers.
Rule 5 pickup Darren O'Day likely has a leg up on the last spot, simply because he'll have to be offered back to the Angels if he doesn't stay on the 25-man roster this season. He's a sidearm pitcher in the mold of the departed Joe Smith and has pitched well this spring.
Carlos Muniz has also added a splitter to his repertoire, which might be enough to take him from Quad-A status to solid major league middle reliever. They like him because he's not afraid to throw strikes. He got off to a slow start this spring, but has picked it up of late. Having minor league options left might work against him making the team out of the gate, but we're likely to see him at some point.
Waiver pickup Fernando Nieve is a former top prospect with the Astros who has suffered from injuries and inconsistencies. He has a lively fastball and a nice slider, but also control issues. If they can get him back through waivers he will provide bullpen depth in Buffalo. Every once in a great while a guy like that can resurrect a career, particularly since he still has an above average fastball. You could never have too much depth in a system.
One final thing to watch with the bullpen is how Jerry Manuel uses them. Jerry didn't have much to work with last season, but I also thought he could be part of the problem at times last year. If he kills these guys with overwork in the early going he could be setting the stage for another late season disappointment. That would be hazardous to our mental health and Jerry's long-term employment picture.
I'm going to hold off a little on the position players. We'll probably hit them with a week to go.


text:
Just a pair of sweatpants that were very much needed by my 4 1/2 year old boy. Lately he's been totally into comfy pants (when he was younger he only wanted to wear jeans), and the few pairs we have are about 3 inches and 2 sizes too small. So, I decided to whip up a pair with some fleece from my fabric stash.
I was kind of lazy with these pants and didn't bother finishing any seams. But hey, you can do that with knits, right? I also made these after C went to bed so I wanted to try them on him first before I invested too much time in making them all neat and tidy. Here are the details:
Pattern - New Look 6746 view A pants, size 5. Originally I was going to just copy a pair on sweatpants he already owned, but as I mentioned, the only sweats he had were 2 sizes too small. So I decided to try using this pajama pant pattern I had on hand and just add the ankle elastic and, Voila! Sweatpants!
Fabric - Gray heather fleece from my stash. I know this isn't 100% cotton but I'm not really sure what the blend is. It's suuuper soft and cozy though which I know C will appreciate :) I also added a little Japanese linen twill tape with a cute monkey on it so we can easily tell the front from the back.
General Thoughts - Again, another super easy and quick project. Two pattern pieces and sewn with a knit fabric so no seam finishes. Sewing time was probably just about an hour after the cutting out the fabric pieces. The only thing I'd do different is to add a little extra room in the butt area when folding down and sewing the waistband to make them even more comfy. But, C does seem to love these so I'm calling this a success! Hooray hurrah!
And on a side note, check out yesterday's twirl skirt in action


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Life is a journey, one that often does not involve straight lines. While there is always a destination in mind, I would argue that the journey is many times just as important as the end point.
Food production in the United States is varied. The journey of making food is full of diversity and yet the end goal is always the same: safe nourishment to feed our bodies.
There is no doubt that food production has changed dramatically during my lifetime. The journey that Matt's grandfather and Archie took to grow food does not look the same as the one that Matt and I take in 2013.
We can have a discussion as to whether or not this change is positive, but that discussion does not alter the fact that food production methods constantly evolve. There is no doubt in my mind that my daughters' journey will take them down even more diverse pathways than those that Matt and I have traveled.
My perspective on modern food production has widened since moving to Nebraska and learning the different ways that food is grown. As I experience it, I learn to both understand it and to realize the benefits that come from having many different types of food production systems.
I manage a cattle feed yard where animals are raised in a concentrated setting to make food. I believe that I offer humane animal care, and I am devoted to producing a safe and high quality beef product; but there is no doubt that I participate in a very modern food production system.
One of my favorite "hobbies" is gardening. When I garden, I use a good old fashioned hoe that likely looks the same as the one that Matt's grandmother used. Just as I love to use my hands to raise cattle and beef at my feed yard, I also love to use them to grow vegetables and flowers in my back yard.
There are nights in the summertime when almost all of the food that is on our table was grown by us. While it was all "home grown", it came from varied production systems. It all tastes good and it is all healthy—from the beef that came from my feed yard to the vegetables that came from my backyard.
I love those dinners because they help me to realize how important it is to be in touch with food, and to understand what it takes to grow it. I am reminded that a varied food production system is a good thing—it provides a practical way for me to have choices and diversity at my table.
So, when it comes to food production, I am a believer…
- I believe that there are many responsible ways to grow safe food.
- I believe that the diversity of the United States food production system allows for Americans to have choices.
- I believe that having choices is a good thing.
The important ingredient to food production is a devotion to quality—I see that both at my cattle feed yard and in my back yard garden.
The journey weaves and flows in diverse directions, but it always come back to the goal of safety and wholesomeness of food. Food that I proudly grow for both you and my family.


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Lazy Lee :: 'Full Circle'
This is no ordinary concert music video. It's the filming of a performance where you feel as though you're the only one in the audience (an experience that's up to the viewer themselves, but to me, it makes it a little less natural).
This is the explosive video to 'Full Circle', the second single released off Lazy Lee's 2013 album Electromagnetic Circus. The cinematography was well-considered here starting from the location, being filmed at the Rialto Theatre to give the listeners "a taste of their performance".
The performance style is a lot like Paramore with the music sounding pretty similar to the band as well. The uniformity of colours is commendable, being primarily blue and purple with clips of white flashes. This colour scheme tends to be typical with band performances and the popular use of it actually works here.
The biggest criticism I have here is the use of quick-cuts that are too lightning-fast and disorienting for the choreography to leave any lasting impression with the viewer.
The song itself isn't bad – it's upbeat, it has a good theme to it, and it generally has a lot of qualities to it that make it a likable song. However, it doesn't do enough to make itself stand out from the other new releases from punk bands today.
The lead singer has a unique style to her, along with every other person in the band. Everyone seemed to have a more or less equal amount of screen time but with the staggering cuts, we aren't left with much to take in. Otherwise, it's a decent piece of film without going over-the-top or being boring. You also have to look at it through the scope of it being an indie band and having and indie band budget.
For more on Lazy Lee, visit lazyleemusic.com.


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As some of you may know we assisted in the rescue of five baby raccoons recently. Patte, a veterinary technician, over at Divine Animal Hospital on Miracle Mile in Vero Beach, is caring for the little pups. The most recent update is that all 5 pups seems to be re-hydrated and no visible signs of any parasites! This is great news and they are in good hands with Patte who will be giving around the clock care! A big shout out to Patte and Dr. Laura Baldwin! They have a great team in place!
Did you know Sandpiper Pest Control offers humane animal trapping services.
If you have unwanted wild critters taking up residency in your property, call Sandpiper Pest Control for solutions. We can trap many animals in a humane way, and even see to it they find their way to a safe new home.
Sandpiper Pest Control is your solution "for Pests with more than two legs."


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Botox 'no benefit' for migraine sufferers10th February 2011
Experts have suggested that there is limited evidence that botox is a benefit to migraine sufferers.
While botox is licensed in the UK and America as a preventive treatment for chronic cases, an expert review has played down its value. The a review of evidence by the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin said it could not "see a place" for giving botox to migraine sufferers although the UK charity Migraine Action has argued some sufferers do see improvements from the job which costs about £276.
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Article Information
Title: Botox 'no benefit' for migraine sufferers
Author: Mark Nicholls
Article Id: 17515
Date Added: 10th Feb 2011


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Smitty: When you talk about bass players, you must include my next guest. He is a sure superstar in this format and if you don't believe me, just ask Will Downing, Gerald Albright, Natalie Cole, Norman Brown, Bobby Lyle, Michael Paulo, Doc Powell, Michael White, James Ingram. This cat is the real deal, he's enjoying his debut release appropriately called This Is Me. Please welcome the phenomenal Mr. Dwayne "Smitty" Smith. Smitty, how ya doing, baby?
Dwayne "Smitty" Smith (DSS): I'm doing wonderful, brother.
Smitty: Yeah, and I know you're having fun with this new record. Now, sometimes people think that if you don't have ten records out there that you haven't arrived, you're not a great star, but that's not the case here, man, because you have raised level and made a significant difference on a lot of recordings just by the fact that you were sitting in on the bass.
DSS: Yeah, bass is a great instrument for lead and typically you think of bass as the groove instrument and a lotta great guys like Wayman Tisdale have done bass records using the piccolo bass.
Smitty: Yes.
DSS: I brought it back more like a Marcus Miller thing using the traditional four-string bass which has its own voice and, yeah, it's doing well. People are receiving it well.
Smitty: Yes. And I feel like you are making a huge statement with this solo record… "Here I am, here's the record, I'm putting it out there, this is what I can do, this is what it's all about with Dwayne 'Smitty' Smith."
DSS: "This is me."
Smitty: Yeah, man. And you've got some great tracks on here and I gotta tell ya that "Funky G" is my boy.
DSS: That's your boy?
Smitty: That's my track, man.
DSS: Yeah, thanks to my buddy Gerald Albright, we wrote that together. I just said to him….I said, "Gerald, I got a tune for you, man, some tracks. Listen to it. Write me a melody or something," and I sent him the track and a couple of weeks later he sent me all the sax stuff, we mixed it down, it was done.
Smitty: (Laughs)
DSS: Gotta love that.
Smitty: Yes indeed and you couldn't have picked a better cat. I mean, Gerald Albright, he is the boy, you know?
DSS: Great guy.
Smitty: What a talent and you've got some great musicians on this CD. My goodness, man, just looking at this lineup, it's full all stars: Jeff Lorber. How can you go wrong with him?
DSS: Right.
Smitty: And my girl, Gail Jhonson on "Amazing Grace."
DSS: Yes.
Smitty: What a track and what an arrangement.
DSS: Love her, love her.
Smitty: Oh Yeah. You slipped Brian Simpson in there.
DSS: Brian Simpson.
Smitty: Will Downing.
DSS: (Laughs)
Smitty: And, you know, someone I wanted to mention here that perhaps not everyone in the format is familiar with, but this cat is totally bad and that's guitarist Darryl Crooks.
DSS: Oh yeah.
Smitty: He has got some heat, great chops.
DSS: Yes, you're right. He's been around a long time, he's played with a lotta people.…been on a lotta records, but like you said, not a very familiar person, but he is awesome, sweet guy.
Smitty: I have seen him set in on some great sessions and I've had the opportunity to just watch him do his thing. He's got some juice.
DSS: Yes, he's very talented.
Smitty: When I first heard that you were coming out with a record, I said "Oh, man, it's about time! He's been holding everybody else up and doing their thing and supporting everyone else. It's time for him to bust out."
DSS: Well, the time was right. I did a long run with the Isley Brothers….maybe from '96 to about 2002, and I was just getting this feeling, Smitty and I said that it was time for me to do my thing.
Smitty: I know that's a true story.
DSS: I pulled away from those guys and I just started writing some tunes and about a year later I had some stuff.
Smitty: Yeah, isn't it cool that over the years you've supported all these cats. And they didn't forget you….They all came out to support you on this project. Even Donnell Spencer's there. I can't leave him out.
DSS: You know Donnell?
Smitty: Yeah, I know Donnell. Donnell's a great cat, yeah.
DSS: Yes, beautiful talented brother. You are right, it was beautiful to have all of them involved with this record.
Smitty: This is high quality stuff, and you got Dwight Sills in there too. Talk about when you started to put this record together, what was the whole concept? I know the title is This Is Me, but talk about some of the inner workings of putting this together and your thought process when you arranged this record.
DSS: When I first started writing, I wanted to fit in with the Smooth Jazz genre because I wanted to get radio and be very popular but, Smitty, I just couldn't write it. Whenever I would sit down to write, this funky groove smooth musical bass thing would always come out, so I just went with it, man, I just kept going with it. And I looked up, I had eight, nine tunes and they all sounded like the same person wrote them.
Smitty: Yeah.
DSS: This is my record, this is it. So I put the Smooth Jazz thing down and said "This is my record, this is it, and this is me."
Smitty: Yeah, and it's definitely you.
DSS: That's how that came about.


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Omega-3 fatty acids provide a promising complementary approach to traditional methods of treating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, according to a 2006 review published by A.J. Richardson in the International Review of Psychiatry. Omega-3 fatty acids should not replace standard treatments for ADHD, states a 2006 review published by Marlene P. Freeman and colleagues in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. If they are used as an adjunct treatment, you should consult a health care provider for advice about the correct dosage to give your child.
Omega-3 fatty acids are concentrated in the human brain and appear to be important for cognitive function, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Omega-3 fatty acids include docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, and alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA. DHA and EPA can be found in fish and fish oil supplements, while ALA can be found in vegetable oils and some nuts. DHA is important to brain functioning, nerve health and visual abilities. Increased intake of EPA reduces the risk of coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis. ALA can be converted into EPA and DHA in the body.
Children with ADHD often have lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids, according to the 2006 review published by Marlene P. Freeman. Dietary supplementation of DHA and EPA through fish oils may help alleviate some symptoms of ADHD in some children, according to the 2006 Richardson review. Larger studies are needed to confirm this finding, as well as to determine a recommended dosage.
In one study performed by A.J. Richardson and B.K. Puri, the children received 480mg of DHA, 186mg of EPA, 864mg of of cis-linoleic acid, 96mg of GLA, 43mg of AA and 60 IU of vitamin E daily over a 12-week period. Cis-linoleic acid, GLA, or gamma-linolenic acid, and AA, or arachidonic acid, are omega-6 fatty acids. Reductions in ADHD behaviors were noted in these children.
In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in January 2000, researchers noted improvements in parent-child interactions and positive reviews in teacher-rated attention. Participants were given 480mg of DHA, 80mg of EPA, 40mg of AA, 96mg of GLA and 24mg of alpha-tocopherol acetate, or vitamin E, for four months.
It's important to have a balance of omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish and nut oils, and omega-6 fatty acids, which typically provide fat in an American diet. Most omega-6 fatty acids are found in vegetable oils. They are also found in nuts and seeds. According to Paul Montgomery, D.Phil., a researcher in the psychiatry department at the University of Oxford in England interviewed by Additude Magazine, the right ratio of omega-3 fatty acids to omega-6 fatty acids seems to be about four to one.
Make sure your child gets omega-3 fatty acids from fish. Harvard School of Public Health recommends that young children should eat two servings per week of fish or other seafood; however, avoid fish with high concentrations of mercury, including shark, swordfish, tilefish and king mackerel. Fish oil capsules should not be used in children unless a health care professional has directed otherwise, according to MayoClinic.com.


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Your Local Scheme
Mill Road, LN1 3JJ
Scheme information
Bring neighbours together to create strong, friendly, active communities. We want to try and increase awareness of crime and crime prevention methods, whilst ensuring the most vulnerable residents in our community get the extra care & support that they need.
- the scheme doesn't have a website


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We need truly radical measures, and ultimately a different kind of government with the political will to lead, coordinate and consolidate the transition
Archive | Carbon Pricing
A lesson from the yellow vests: Carbon taxes burn workers
Jonathan Neale says climate activists must reject climate taxes: they harm the poor, and do little to actually slow climate change
An ecosocialist reply to a defender of 'green capitalism'
People running big corporations—indeed, those running businesses of all sizes—seek to maximize profits not because they are misguided, but because that's their job in a capitalist economy.
Ecosocialist Resources, January 2018
Recommended reading: CO2 rise and denialism; women, nature and capital; left eco-modernists; carbon pricing; massive insect die-off; food nutrients in decline
The British Columbia Carbon Tax: A Failed Experiment
British Columbia's carbon tax has been held up as a climate success, but an analysis of the province's emissions under the tax tells another story.
Seven objections to the Paris climate deal
Oscar Reyes: Hailed as a breakthrough and the beginning of a new world, the COP21 Agreement is long on rhetoric and short on action.
Why are critics and media silent on Bolivia's green gains?
Opponents of the Morales government deliberately misrepresent its strong environmental track record, to advance their own political goals
Ecosocialist resources, 73
CO2 levels for February eclipsed prehistoric highs … How agroecology can feed Africa … State of Power 2015 … Paris climate talks and the failure of states
Ecosocialist resources, 64
Work and ecological justice; Nuclear in Bolivia; Indigenous voices on Peruvian deforestation; Renewables are not enough; Carbon trading or regulation?
Hansen's 'fee and dividend' plan: An exchange
Should the proceeds of a tax on fossil fuels be spent on social programs or distributed? Ian Angus and Michael Friedman discuss climate change exit strategy
Ecosocialist Resources, 52
Climate and growth in Vietnam; Tar sands in Quebec; Obama's emissions plan; Oil-by-rail on trial; Nuclear energy; Climate change and carbon trading
Debate on exit strategy: Hansen's program is more than a carbon tax
Ian Angus replies to Anders Ekeland: Ecosocialists must understand and build on James Hansen's entire program, not reduce it to a single policy that isn't suitable for building mass movements.
Debate on exit strategy: Should ecosocialists support carbon taxes?
Has the left been unduly critical of carbon taxes as a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions? Is James Hansen's "fee and dividend" scheme the kind of practical and concrete plan we should endorse and promote?
Why markets can't fix the climate crisis
Video from Australia: Socialist Alliance member Gemma Weedall speaking at the Marxism 2014 conference.
The Myths of 'Green Capitalism'
Brian Tokar: A system based on the accumulation of capital without restraint will require unsustainable growth, however cleverly we measure our ecological footprint.
Debate: Two tactics in the fight against climate change
Should climate activists limit their demands to what's possible under capitalism? Nick Davenport responds to Robin Hahnel's support of carbon trading.
Privatizing the air, 100 years ago
Carbon trading is a recent invention, but the idea that capitalists would privatize the air if they could isn't new at all.
Pricing carbon: A failed strategy that won't save the climate
Simon Butler: "We cannot deal with climate change through crisis-prone markets that subsidise dirty energy firms."
Carbon trading is an obstacle to effective climate action
A reply to critics of "Time to scrap the ETS." Getting rid of Europe's emissions trading scheme will let us move towards climate policy that works
Carbon trading has failed: scrap the ETS now
Europe's experience shows emissions trading is a disaster: it doesn't reduce greenhouse gases, subsidizes the worst polluters, and locks in the fossil fuel economy.


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Am I weird for wanting to bro out every so often? Go camping for 4 days without showering, call everyone "dude" and let them call me that right back?
Girls do that, right? Because I definitely do that. Often.
For one thing, I'm a sucker for action movies. Give me a pair of 3D glasses and a fistful of popcorn and I'm all set for the next 2.5 hours. This is the first summer since childhood that I've made it a point to watch nearly every blockbuster that comes out.
Except Fast & Furious part 1289494. Why do those exist?
I think bro-ing out is important to keeping a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Sure, there's running a 5K, practicing yoga, and cutting out processed foods — but sitting down for a few evenings with a cheap can of beer, a blazing fire and conversations amid farts? It reminds me that there's a chunk of me that doesn't care about nail polish, brushing my hair, or that parachute pants are back in style (Seriously, when did that happen?).
But don't worry guys, I'm still here. By Sunday morning, I'm looking up recipes for kale salad and pulverizing vegetables into juice.
Kale, celery. I'm really sorry for what I'm going to do to you. It's going to be loud. It's not going to be pretty. It's borderline plant murder.
Also, hey, I know not everyone has a juicer. They're expensive, bulky, and you really have to be willing to deal with a single-purpose contraption, unlike blenders, which make smoothies, margaritas and salsa. But the juicer I just bought was $100 and it's probably the best thing I've bought all year. Actually, here's a list of my favorite kitchen things.
So nix that end-of-summer clothing shopping spree and invest in something with a little more sustenance.
I've made four different kinds of juices thus far without using a recipe. I've yet to make a bad batch because a) vegetables taste delicious and b) it's all about balancing the greens with the sweets.
For example! If you're packing in 4 cups of spinach or kale, make sure you complement it with sweet beets and pears. Apples are also spectacular sweeteners and give you an energy boost in the morning similar to coffee.
Oh, and ginger. In everything. Please.
I should paint my nails in that color.
Morning Juice.
4-5 stalks lacinato kale
1 large pear
2 large carrots
1 chunk ginger, about a 1″ cube
2 small beets
6-7 stalks cucumber
1 large cucumber
Shove the ingredients in the blender in the order listed above. It's always good to start juicing with leafy greens.
Serve with ice or at room temperature. You can make a large batch at night and drink it in the morning so you don't wake up your roommates with what sounds like an alien spaceship hovering in the kitchen.
Makes about 20oz of juice.