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If you've been following along on my journey up to this point, you know how nervous I was about staying strong with no liquid courage when I started traveling again.
Turns out, I had nothing to worry about!
It's been surprisingly easy to travel without drinking, even when celebrating my best friend's birthday in London and Paris.
My friends are incredibly supportive, and never once pressured me, guilt-tripped me, or called me "boring" for not drinking with them.
Just because I wasn't partaking in the boozefest, doesn't mean I was a party pooper.
I still went out, I danced, I laughed, I chauffeured, and I never once complained.
In Iceland, I stayed out until the wee hours of the morning, dancing the night away with my friends, and drove us safely home in the snow at 5am.
In London, I went bar hopping, disappeared into a sea of balls at Ballie Ballerson, and indulged in late night munchies right along with my friends.
In both cases, I had just as much fun as I would have if I were drinking, without feeling like crap the next morning!
Although I will say that my diet definitely was not on point during those two weeks. And I was seriously sleep deprived.
But the deprivation was much more manageable without the accompanying hangover.
Normally, I would crack open a cold one while I settle into my new digs, and possibly hit the town to check out the local bar scene and night life when I first arrive somewhere new.
This time I settled in with a hot cup of chamomile tea, caught up on much-needed sleep, stocked up on fresh fruits and veggies from the farmer's market, and mapped out my running routes.
During the past 3 weeks here in Croatia, I've mostly just been focusing on working, immersing myself in the culture, and getting back into my routine of exercising and cooking healthy meals.
It took a couple of days, but I'm officially back into my routine.
I naturally wake up between 6am and 6:30am every day (even on weekends), just in time to catch an amazing sunrise with coffee in hand.
I spend the first hour or two of the morning writing, reflecting, "meditating" (of sorts), and planning my day.
This "me" time gears me up to be super productive and motivated for the rest of the day.
I don't really like to use the term "meditating" much because I know how "woo-woo" it sounds, and people automatically picture me sitting cross-legged on the ground going "ommmmm". But I'm not that cliché, guys.
For me, meditation just means sitting in my window sill, watching the sunrise, admiring the beauty of the town and the marina below, soaking in all of the beauty, and feeling grateful to be there in that particular moment. And not thinking about anything else.
Because that's what meditation actually is. Focusing your full attention on ONE thing and pushing all outside distractions and thoughts out of your mind for the time being, to be fully present and aware of what's happening in this particular moment.
Your legs don't have to be crossed, your eyes don't have to be closed, you don't have to pinch your index finger to your thumb, you don't have to hum or chant, and you don't have to have an "out of body" experience.
That's why I wrote my previous post about using meal times to meditate. It's the same concept, focusing your full attention on eating rather than multitasking.
Anything you do can be a form of meditation if you give it your full attention, awareness, and focus.
Anyway, I digress.
Back to my update.
One thing I've noticed about my physical changes since I stopped drinking alcohol, is how quickly I am able to bounce back after falling off the wagon of eating healthy and exercising regularly.
When I go on a streak of eating really well, exercising every day, and consistently making healthy choices, I get in the best shape of my life.
Then life happens, I get busy, I travel with friends for two weeks, and all of that hard work goes out the window.
But as soon as I make the decision to get back ON the wagon and back into my routine of eating clean and exercising, my body bounces back to feeling healthy and vibrant again within a few days.
My hangovers were getting progressively worse with age – I swear every year older I got after 21 added an extra day of recovery time onto my hangovers.
Like I said in my very first No Alcohol Challenge post, a night of drinking would leave me feeling sluggish and depleted of energy for a week. Which of course, sucked away all motivation and productivity right along with it.
With my newfound sobriety however, I can wake up on any given day, decide I'm going to be super healthy, and have the energy and motivation to just start making healthy choices right then and there.
When I was suffering from regular hangovers, my body literally felt incapable of getting up and going for a run, or taking the time and energy to cook a healthy meal.
Now, even on my laziest days when I don't feel like exercising or cooking, I know it's just in my mind and my body is fully capable of doing it, so I'll just trick my mind and start moving.
The mental clarity I have these days is truly phenomenal.
I have a crystal clear picture in my mind of everything I want, and everything I need to do to get it. Which makes it a hell of a lot easier to turn into reality.
I'm super productive, super focused, and super enthusiastic about my work and everything I'm creating. I can say with 100% certainty I wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't quit drinking, simply because of the motivation and productivity that hangovers were stealing from me.
And when I say "where I am today", I mean it in every sense of the phrase. I wouldn't be running my own online business while traveling the world, I wouldn't be the incredibly happy and grateful person I am today, and I sure as hell would not be this focused and motivated.
I know that there are a lot of factors at play that contribute to all that stuff, but I truly believe (now more than ever) that having a totally clear mind is the number one reason for it all.
I feel the happiest and most "whole" that I've ever felt in my life. I have more self-love and self-respect than I ever thought I could possess. And I constantly blow my own damn mind.
I don't mean any of that in a narcissistic way, I'm just simply amazed at how far I've come and how much more I'm capable of than I ever realized.
I'm excited to see where month 5 will take me!
P.S. For those interested in following along on my travels – I share daily photos on my personal/travel Instagram account @hellooo_itsbre <– click to follow me 🙂
P.P.S. If you haven't read my other posts on my No Alcohol Challenge and aren't familiar with it, I'm doing it as a one-year health experiment – it's not addiction-related in any way. Just thought I should clarify that.
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New Hours of Operation: 12pm MM Time - 12pm MM Time. MON-WED-FRI!
Voting does not start until: 6pm MM Time. EACH CONTEST DAY!
The winner for yesterday was Purple Princess Edits. Congratulations!
Digital Art of The Day Contest is managed by FJR Photography
Apr 02 13 05:53 pm Link
OK, just so you know.
I am friends with Purple Princess edits.
So to cast the final tie breaking vote. I flipped a coin. Wanted to be fair and felt that was the best way.
Apr 02 13 05:55 pm Link
Posts: 6
Bowling Green, Kentucky, US
For the new contest when it starts:
http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2013/ … 5ruk3e.jpg 18+
Title: Burning For You
Editing: CS5, all images used are my own. I added the burned flesh, added the glowing eyes, the glow reflection on the pipes. Changed tone of image and darkened image.
Apr 02 13 06:11 pm Link
FJR Photography wrote:
Shouldn't Mediademon have won this since Purple Princess Edits was in violation of Rule 13 [You must post with your entry what medium (software used) and how you processed the artwork(example : Photo, new background, Painted etc or Oil painted, photoshop etc...) If you do not post how you processed it (steps taken) and the medium, you will be disqualified.]?
Apr 02 13 08:09 pm Link
Posts: 162
BOISE, Idaho, US
Title: Beautiful Manipulation
Editing: Edited on CS6, Image of female is my photography, background is a purchased stock photo. The lighting was used from the photoshop filters, dodged and burned throughout the entirety of the photo. Light uses of denoise with a subtle touch of noise on the smoothed skin. Used overlay with a paintbrush to enhance eyes and jewelry. Also a few additions to hair fullness.
Apr 02 13 11:50 pm Link
Jerry O wrote:
And if you had been here in the earlier discussions it was determined that the guidelines / rules were going to be lightly administered. And I will overlook most areas as was the determination of the majority of the group participating at the time. Because IF I were to administer the rules to the letter, we would have no entries a lot of days.
Apr 03 13 05:52 am Link
Posts: 4830
Maitland, Florida, US
Photo taken in studio on a gray backdrop. Background created with 6 layers in OnOne Suite 7. Additional layers in S7 used to tie background and foreground.
Apr 03 13 07:41 am Link
FJR Photography wrote:
Apr 03 13 07:58 am Link
Posts: 82
Irvington, New Jersey, US
Added new background also added wings and glow/faded edges
Apr 03 13 08:29 am Link
Just a little touchy, lost my mom two weeks ago and dealing with a lot of personal issues.
Apr 03 13 08:30 am Link
Posts: 1371
Cumming, Georgia, US
Model shot in front of fabric backdrop with my cheap azz camera and some flashy lights.
New background and layers top create colors and scratches, smoke to gun, usual photo edits to original image, adjusted tone and curve
Apr 03 13 10:02 am Link
Digital Artist
Posts: 1781
London, England, United Kingdom
Sorry yesterday I did not post how I created my work, I haven't been in the forums in about 2 years was simply a case of forgetting My apologetics and sorry if it upset anyone
Today's Entry
An old one of mine, model placed into new background built up of several layers, software used Photoshop apprx time taken 6 hours, this one was reasonable quick to do as was an easy extraction process
Apr 03 13 12:28 pm Link
Posts: 58
Osseo, Minnesota, US
Image is of a co worker when I needed an image of someone "surprised". I did additional Photoshop work more for fun than anything else. Over-liquified the eyes and mouth, clipped out and placed on blue background. Adjusted the color of the shirt from dark green to red for contrast against background. Painted the eyes to match the background.
Apr 03 13 03:20 pm Link
Posts: 13229
Irvington, New Jersey, US
Brownlager Photography wrote:
Apr 03 13 07:05 pm Link
Brownlager Photography wrote:
Apr 03 13 09:45 pm Link
Posts: 6
Bowling Green, Kentucky, US
Brownlager Photography wrote:
Apr 04 13 01:38 am Link
Posts: 1371
Cumming, Georgia, US
Brownlager Photography wrote:
Apr 04 13 04:48 am Link
Posts: 162
BOISE, Idaho, US
The House of Velvet wrote:
Apr 04 13 06:02 am Link
Posts: 4830
Maitland, Florida, US
Purple Princess Edits wrote:
Apr 04 13 07:11 am Link
Digital Artist
Posts: 1781
London, England, United Kingdom
Brownlager Photography wrote:
Apr 04 13 08:37 am Link
Posts: 58
Osseo, Minnesota, US
Brownlager Photography wrote:
Apr 04 13 09:11 am Link

subset: commoncrawl


text:
GAG removed a question of mine regarding censorship, as it was ostensibly considered "nonsense". I suppose that's a reason to burn books too...
It was completely genuine (and non-offensive) question regarding an earlier question which was removed because it was deemed nonsense. No one (who commented anyway) seemed in the least bothered by it, and I felt our interchanges were interesting, engaging and polite. Will GAG not allow any critique?
- It is, someone's just got it in for me.Vote A
- No it's not, you can't talk about arbitrary rules.Vote B
But still removed the second one, which was arguably more interesting and meaningful.
Most Helpful Girl
Questions asking about a post's removal are just clutter, no one can really help you (aside from pointing out the rules and speculating), an Admin might come across it but there's already a direct way to contact the Admins with your questions, so yeah.00|00|0
Well I would like to be able to see the opinions I had on it. The question wasn't just about the removed question it also contained some broader discussion which I see no reason to be blocked, it certainly wasn't offensive. Anyway they've reinstated the original question (for now...) anyway.


text:
Ganges (Blu-Ray)
Release Date: 15 September 2008 | Certificate: Exempt
£6.99 includes FREE UK Postage (other delivery options available)
Shipping Destinations for this item
UK - Shipping Included
United Kingdom
Europe Zone 1 - £1.29
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Falkland Islands
You Save: £18.00
Documentary series charting the way the Ganges has shaped India's religion, culture and wildlife. The series follows the river from its beginnings high in the Himalayas, flowing south onto the foothills of India's Northern Plain before veering eastwards, finally discharging into the Bay of Bengal. The sacred role that the river plays in the lives of millions of Hindus is examined, in addition to exploring the rich and varied collection of wildlife to be found along its shores.
Release Date: 15 September 2008
Certificate: E - Exempt from Certification
Region B
Sound: Dolby Digital
Running Time: 78 minutes
Main Language: English
For more information and our Delivery Policy see here.
For more information and our Returns Policy see here.
Catalogue No: BBCBD0020


text:
I am so thankful to all those who made this year's Kristin Jacobs Mulch Sale a tremendous success this past Saturday. I would like to thank Dave Bodkin, Scott Hubbard, Ricky Tavenner, Wayne Warfield, Frank Jurney and Ricky Holliday of Stuart M. Perry for delivering our bulk mulch and Chris Stiles, Shannon Dulaney and Jim Stutzman for their expert loading skills.
Additionally, Toni and George Novakowski, Lisa Dale, Jennifer Jones, Carolyn Kruza, Tricia Dietz, Alana Dang, Meredith Place and the Ohm Family all provided valuable support to facilitate this annual fundraiser.
Lastly, I am ever so grateful to the Nelson family for donating the mulch that makes this event possible and for the many families who purchased the mulch allowing us to raise over $12,500 to benefit the Clarke County Public Schools.
Much appreciative,
Kim Stutzman Ex. Director,
Clarke Co Education Foundation


text:
We welcome Ruby, daughter to Michael and Selina Galvin, Ardnacraney
and Lucyann, daughter to Aidan and Carmel Finn, Cartron who were baptised recently. We wish Ruby and Lucyann and their families health and happiness.
We extend our sympathy to the Nolan family, Cannistown on the death of William and the Reilly family, Rathmore on the death of Annie. May they both rest in peace.
GAA Lotto Jackpot €4,550
Results 11th August: Numbers drawn were 6, 12, 15, 18. Four draws €25: John Joe Ward, (S: John Ward); Danny Reddin, (S: Damien Gill); Phyllis Conlon, (S: Tom Conlon); Ronan Farrell, (S: Tom Farrell).
Progressive 25
Fridays at 9.15pm, Tang Community Centre. Results – Friday 8th August -
1st: Freda & Josie, 2nd Willie & Mary. Tables: Barry and Jim, Pat & Liam
Raffle: Josie Connaughton, Freda Connaughton, Larry Grouden.
Next Jackpot: €100 on 14 games. Cards start at 9pm.
Information meeting
The Parkinson's Association are holding an Information meeting for people with Parkinson's, their families and carers on Saturday, 6th September in the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone..This is a local event and offers a great opportunity for people with Parkinson's to meet and learn more about their condition. Details contact 1800 359 359 or email firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
Author has written 1 story for Inuyasha.Alias: Mia
Grade: Senior, graduating c/o 2004
Age: 16
Sex: Female
Nationality: Filipina
Location: California
Status: Taken
Interests: anime/manga, Disney, movies, singing, dancing, theatre arts, music, games...
Don't hesitate to iM me, even if you really don't have anything to say! I love talking to people. =0)
For those who have read my story, Beauty and the Demon, here's the picture of Kagome that won't show up in chapter 3:


text:
Toronto, Canada (PressExposure) September 22, 2009 -- IchessU Ltd. is an international chess university that specializes in long-term online chess education by using proven educational processes and has a web presence, namely, http://www.IchessU.com/. The company is located in Toronto, Canada and provides online chess lessons through real teachers and grandmasters & is a regular online internet chess-playing club. IchessU is a multilingual international online chess university where people irrespective of their age and region, can learn chess online [http://www.ichessu.com/Download.aspx?subPage=DownloadClient]. IchessU is the only online chess school where people can take full interactive live chess courses. They provide many services for chess lovers such as free chess gaming zone with real audio and video.
IchessU has launched a new program to help students with ADHD, ADD and other behavioral problems to help them improve their thinking skills through the study of chess [http://www.ichessu.com/Main.aspx?subPage=ADHDPrograms]. The study of chess will help the child to use his mind in an efficient manner that enhances their thinking skills. This program will be effective in teaching patience and concentration to students with short attention spans and those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. IchessU says that their experience in working with ADHD kids and teaching such kids chess makes them believe that there is a similarity between strong attributes among chess players and the same attributes that are defined as weak among children diagnosed with ADHD. Chess for kids [http://www.ichessu.com/Main.aspx?subPage=ADHDPrograms] would be a valuable tool for teaching creative thinking, math, reading skills -- and patience.
Chess is a game characterized as a "brain using" game. Playing this game makes the child use the following skills:
- Attention - Long distance planning thinking - Memory - Ability to resist external provocations - Global and General vision of what is occurring around the child - Patience - Forecasting of future steps
IchessU is also developing a new tool that will help people with any cognitive problem. The tool performs a diagnosis and after encountering the problems, it builds a private course of chess to counter these problems. During the chess course a person learns chess and at the same time receives a direct feedback from the smart engine which supports the person at every stage. In this way, the user is able to study chess [http://www.ichessu.com/Main.aspx?subPage=ADHDPrograms] and at the same time is able to play against the chess engine and compete against people from all around the world.


text:
Suggestions for Itineraries in The Lakes Region
Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire's Largest Lake, covers 72 square miles.
Shopping Around the Lake
Bring your tour group on board for the 2.5 hour cruise with a shopping excursion before or after, or book a one-way ride to one of these great towns. Enjoy breakfast or lunch on board our vessel before you depart.
If you take the morning cruise, 10 Am from Weirs Beach, you can get off and visit for 2.5 hours while you wait for the ship to return to that port in the afternoon. Then get back on board for the last return trip to Weirs Beach.
Theme or Special Interest Tours
Adventure Seekers
Homemade Treats
History & Preservation
home • evening cruise • day cruise • tickets • coming events • weddings
charters • directions • area guide • lodging • about us • vessels • contact
© Cruise Mount Washington


text:
Qinpu - A-6000 MKII - Integrated /Headphone Amplifier
- Compact integrated amplifier
- Output Power: 2 x 16.5 WRMS (8 ohms)
- Tubes: 6N3 x 2
- Inputs: one RCA, two mini-plugs
- Outputs: mini-plug variable line-out/headphone jack, speaker posts
Product Description
Small, sleek, and sonically spectacular. Those are the hallmarks of the Qinpu A-6000 MKII vacuum tube integrated amplifier. The Qinpu delivers a smooth, luxurious, and detailed 16.5 watts-per-channel at 8 ohms, enough to fill your room with beautiful music and to easily drive a wide range of loudspeakers. The A-6000 MKII also excels as an audiophile headphone amp. A pair of 6N3 vacuum tubes in the output stage are responsible for the A-6000 MKII's highly musical performance, along with an oversized torroidal transformer. The Qinpu has one RCA input, two mini-plug inputs, a mini-plug variable line-out/headphone jack, and quality speaker binding posts.
Product Detail
- Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 6.7 x 4.3 inches;
- Item model number:
- Average Customer Review: (Customer Reviews)
Customers Who Viewed This Item Also Viewed


text:
We offer a variety of our home defense gun racks in both wood and black poly and in vertical and over the door models.
Home Defense Vertical Gun Rack
Quick access…… Top wall mount is open on the right side. Mount on a convenient wall… Easy to install, 2 screws hold each piece, Buttons cover the screws. Always ready .. Just grab and go… Top piece measures 5 1/2″ wide, 6″ deep & 4 1/2″ high. Bottom piece measures 7 3/4″ wide, 5 1/2″ deep & 4 1/2″ high. Available in Poly $32.95, Oak Finished $39.95 and Unfinished $32.95
Closed Top Option Home Defense Vertical Gun Rack
Home Defense for Over Door Gun Rack


text:
California Gov. Jerry Brown appointed a Moreno Valley man to the State Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, his office announced Wednesday, Nov. 9.
Miguel Garcia, 23, is a legal assistant at the offices of Daniel Cargnelutti and is a UC Riverside student. Garcia has also been a student intern for Assemblyman Jose Medina, D-Riverside, a student services tech at Riverside City College and a host at Applebee's.
The position does not require Senate confirmation and offers no pay.


text: Eric Bryan Seuthe II was born in California, USA, and has called it his home ever since. In his childhood Eric always wanted to create things, design games, and write stories. In 2012 Eric designed and created several game concepts and decided to finally do what he always wanted to do.


text: Tuesday, September 11, 2007 New York (ANI): Baywatch babe Pamela Andersons former husbands, Kid Rock and Tommy Lee, reportedly smacked each other during the MTV Video Music Awards last night. The two rock stars started taking jabs at each other just as Pamela introduced Alicia Keys. They were sitting precariously close to each other at the ceremony, being held at the Palms Casino. It was Rock who started the fight by smacking Lee, and the fracas lasted for 15 seconds. Both stars were later escorted out separately by security. The incident was not caught by the networks cameras. There was a fight tonight, and Im glad to see it wasnt rappers, the New York Post quoted MTV News correspondent Sway as saying jokily.


text:
Would you like fries with that?
Demon overlord one moment, fry cook the next. Based off the light novel series, Hataraku Maou-sama (also known as The Devil is a Part-Timer) is the spring season's comedy that tells a real fish-out-of-water story. How was the service? Find out!
In the realm of Ente Isla Overlord Satan and his demon generals are making an advance to crush all humanity. However, a Hero appears and backs the Overlord into a corner. In a last ditch effort, Overlord Satan and his right-hand Alsiel escape into a dimensional gate and accidentally end up in 21st century Japan with no demonic legion, no magical powers, and transformed into humans. The Overlord, now named Sadao Maou, finds a job at the MgRonald's fast food restaurant and the shenanigans begin.
First off, the comedic writing is amazing. There's tons of parody and satire all over the place, from Alsiel complaining about health insurance to jabs at action series cliches during the fight scenes. The humor is varied and actually quite witty and subtle oftentimes, so it's not all boob jokes. The story itself has a nice twist of drama, especially when the Hero Emilia enters the picture, set on vanquishing the Overlord, but is in the same debacle of crazy shenanigans as the Overlord and his right-hand.
Of course, romantic subplots will begin, and while expected, is not too offensive and if anything pries open more opportunities for jokes and meta-humor. It doesn't matter if someone truly evil is trying to terrorize the city, a double-decker bento is just as traumatizing. I had initial reservations as more girls were put into the Sadao Maou's life, but it was rather well executed instead of resorting to cheap fanservice grabs all day or trifling romance plots. It's pretty meaningful romance too. And even then, the function of comedic parody helps and is massaged into these moment to perk it up and make sure the show doesn't take itself too seriously.
The animation is par for the course, as is the OST. If anything the voice actors and actresses seemed to have lots of fun with it, the delivery from bombastic take-over-the-world to "would you like fries with that?" is very noticeable and well-appreciated. Really, this anime stacks up in a really solid well-rounded way and the only thing I could honestly say would strike nearly against it is that it's overall very short, in-spite of a fair amount of source material to pull from. All in all, Hatarku Maou-sama is one of spring season's best, and if you want a comedy with romance and action elements, look no further. I give a solid 4.0 to Hatarku Maou-sama. Season 2! Season 2! Join me next time when I order a mighty bowl of Khatsu-Doom.
– Great jokes, gags are clever and cover various "types" of comedy
– Writing is solid, can be dramatic one point, but then fake-out the viewer for great effect
– Good voice work makes for good delivery of gags and serious moments
– It's incredibly short, a mere thirteen episodes
Rating: 4/5
Miscellaneous details:
Studio: White Fox
Director: Naoto Hosoda
Writer: Masahiro Yokotani
Character design: Oniku (written as 029) (original), Atsushi Ikariya
Music: Ryosuke Nakanishi
Original creator: Satoshi Wagahara (light novel)
Original run: April 4, 2013 – June 27, 2013
Latest posts by Inverseman (see all)
- Review: Final Fantasy XV Kingsglaive - August 30, 2016
- Hands-on with Pokémon GO - July 12, 2016
- First Impressions on "Mighty No. 9" and a Cautionary Tale - June 22, 2016
- Almost! Appealing to the "Anime Demographic" (Now with K-pop!) - June 7, 2016
- RPGs, Nintendo, and Censorship – A Complicated Relationship - May 24, 2016


text:
Product or Service
turbine pump
Profile:Manufacturer - Producer|Ref:PSL195737YH | Country: China | Currency: | Export: No
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This series of products in the design, production and testing, etc.
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Used of advanced hydraulic model, the pump is with high efficiency. Vertical struction saves room. The vertical gravity direction of rotor and the small radial force makes the pump run smooth with small vibration, low noise and long service life.
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text: Mirandas quinceañera was on December 13, 2014, it was such a beautiful sunny day. We started out at Miranda's house and capturing her getting ready and all the detail like her beautiful purple and blue dress, and her accessories. Miranda looked so pretty in her dress the colors were gorgeous, her theme was peacock. Her[…..]3


text:
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Startech - PCI2S550_LP Serial Adapter
Mfg Number: PCI2S550LP
Manufacturer: StarTech
Condition Code: Used
Category: Serial/Parallel Adapters
used Startech - PCI2S550_LP Serial Adapter - 2 x 9-pin DB-9 Male RS-232 - PCI 2.1
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text:
From OpenWetWare
- Brief summary of what I did. Link the the lab manual: [1]
- Links to all wiki pages that contain my notebook entries.
Purpose The purpose of our experiment is to determine the value of plank's constant (h). We will do this by examining the photoelectric effect and using the equation E = hf = KE + W where f is the frequency of the incident light, W is the work function (amount of energy required to eject an electron from the metal plate, h is plank's constant and KE is the max allowed kinetic energy for the ejected electrons.
SJK 03:40, 11 October 2007 (CDT)
- Planck's constant- 7.17E-34 J*s +/- 2.31E-35 J*s
- Work function- 2.15E-19 J +/- 2.3E-20 J
Are these results sastifactory, how could I improve next time?
- With the true value of h being 6.63E-34 we had a percent error of 8.14% we could have better results but having less then ten percent error is fairly good.
- I believe that the error stated above is from a systemmatic error. I think one of the systemmatic errors came from the focus of the lens, when we changed the focus of the light the voltage reading changed. The only way I can think to improve the focus factor of the lens is to put the lens on longer tracks to be assured that the correct focus of the light beam is a position that the lens can be at (on the track). It seemed that even the farthest point on the track the light was not completely focused.
- Also we could take more data next time in order to have a better representation of the mean and to decrease the size of our error bars.
- If I had more time to experiment I would try to unfocus the light a little bit to see if this "focus factor" really effected the results of our experiment.
ConclusionSJK 03:42, 11 October 2007 (CDT)
- This data supports the idea of a quantum description of light, one where the stopping potential depends on the frequency rather then the intensity.
- But why does the time to return to the original voltage reading increase as we decrease the % of transmitted light and therefore decrease the intensity? The intensity of light effects how many electrons are displaced during the photoelectric effect not the energy that they have after displacement. Since the h/e appratus that we used the buildup of electrons to create its stopping potential the less intense the light, the less electrons displaced, the slower the buildup of the stopping potential (the voltmeter readout).


text:
Mirror — is two identical villas, designed with all the modern requirements for comfort. Each villa is equipped with everything necessary and includes a spacious living room, 3 large bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, fully equipped kitchens.
- Air conditioners
- ceiling fans
- Personal safes
- Free wifi
- Large private swimming pool
- Fat
- Parking
- TV and DVD player
- Deck chairs umbrellas
- sea View
- Tropical garden with beautiful landscaping
- Cleaning
- Towels and bed linen.
- Electricity included in the price.
Beach Bangrak. 5 minutes away from Samui International Airport, a 7-minute way to Fisherman's village with its shops and restaurants, 15 minutes to Chaweng Beach with its entertainment and nightlife.
For rent from 1 month discounts.


text:
Mom said, it's important for me to serve, and that's all she said about it, nothing about my dead little brother or Dad's grief poured into the hood of broken-down cars in our front yard, or about the trouble I was in with the county and school and that other thing. She said that, then packed up and joined the Army, like she's some eighteen year-old stumbling drunk into the recruitment office downtown and not a mom who's supposed to serve at home, too. She'd been gone hours, but Dad didn't budge, his hearing's not so good, what with the box radio blasting in the garage and people always saying things that he doesn't like to hear, things like Your payment can't be late again, Jack, or There's no heartbeat anymore or I'm cutting you off and taking your keys too. So it was no use asking him for a ride, I just nodded at him as I shut the door.
I was early for the bus. I held onto the pole and gave a little swing with my face looking up to the sky. Doing this made me miss the tire swing we had on the old oak tree before it got diseased and the city sent maintenance people to bring it down, limb by limb.
I knew that there wasn't a lot of my childhood left.
Number fourteen rolled up and sighed. I climbed the steps, put my coins in and found a seat by myself. I pressed my cheek against the cold glass as we drove through Allenstown, past the high school with the new gym where I'd be going next year if I didn't get in trouble again, past Rick's Hardware Store, where Dad worked when he was in working shape, and by Star's Seconds where I'd found that little, black dress I wore to Nate's dance last month. Finally, the town stopped and the grass began. Yellow, thirsty grass. Tall, weedy grass. Tufts of it and long, rolling fields of it. I pulled the bell when I saw Grandma's house, a white triangle in the distance, down a dusty driveway.
Grandma heard the bus on the road and was waiting for me on the sloped front porch. She motioned me into her arms, and I accepted her strong hug like I always did. Her kiss on my cheek made a smacking noise.
"Mom's gone off to the Army," I said as the screen door thudded behind me. Grandma turned to face me.
"That girl," she said, shaking her head. "What did I ever do wrong?"
I sat at the kitchen table; Grandma's coffee was cold and black in her mug across from me.
"Good thing we've got you," she said, "you're gonna set this family right."
She smiled and brought down the flour and sugar, and pulled out the fresh eggs and milk from the fridge for us to make cake. I watched as she beat the dough, her thick trunk of a body embracing the bowl as she whipped it round and round. When she turned her back I dipped my pinky into the batter and tried to suck it off before she saw me, but I wasn't quick enough. She broke into a sly smile and winked at me.
Sitting at Grandma's table, I wasn't worrying about Mom going off and killing herself and Dad drinking himself under the car. I wasn't thinking about how much I missed my brother's kicks under the table or about the trouble I might have brewing right in my own belly. I trusted Grandma's words, the way I trusted her hugs.
The kitchen phone rang loudly and Grandma nodded and "uh-huh"ed into the receiver and then unwound the cord and stretched it into the living room, the swinging door shutting behind her, except for the spiraling chord bouncing in the air. The room was warm and the smell of the cake was intoxicating. I knew that Grandma left the room because there was trouble on the line, could be with the bills, could be about Dad, or it could be news about Mom. I liked that she tried to protect me. I knew that there wasn't a lot of my childhood left and I wanted to protect her from that too. I didn't bother to eavesdrop, even though I could easily — whatever trouble it was, I'd know of it soon enough. I watched the crows out the window as they lined the telephone wire. They squawked at each other and the line bounced a little as they flapped their wings taking off and landing. I knew they were scanning the field for worms, but I imagined they were sharing the neighborhood gossip. The country out here had ease to it that my life in town did not.
Grandma swung the kitchen door open right as I caught the whiff of a burning smell and saw the smoke coming from the oven. It wasn't a fire, more of a fog, that I hadn't noticed as it rolled in. Grandma dropped the phone, grabbed her potholder and opened the oven in one smooth motion. I saw the burnt cake, collapsed like a broken promise, as she plopped it in the sink. Exasperated she turned to me, and yelled, "Mary Beth, what were you thinking?"
I couldn't find an answer quick. I had been craving that cake, and my thoughts often lead me to dead ends, and plus, Mary Beth is not my name. It's my mom's, but Grandma didn't seem to notice. Anyway, her mistake might have been my mistake too — always looking for the differences between me and Mom, when really we should have been noticing the similarities.


text:
What hapened to Lanka News Papers?
I used to read articles in Lank News Papers (www.lankanewspapers.com). But now I can not visit that site. Site is not opening up. Does anybody knows what happened to Lankanewspapers site ?
Tags: anybody com happened to lanka lanka news papers Lankanewspapers lankanewspapers.co lankanewspapers.com lankanewspapers.info news Papers site Sri Lanka News what what happened to where is www


text:
Darvocet Judge Won't Seek States' Input On Lilly Liability
In an order Tuesday, Judge Danny C. Reeves of Kentucky federal court ruled that a potentially lengthy certification process to determine the name-brand liability question would not serve the interests of resolving the MDL promptly.
The MDL arose from heart-related injuries the plaintiffs...
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The Daily Word in war vet beating at Occupy Oakland, Tebowing, Sean Parker's hard-knock 1 percenter life
Iraq war vet in critical condition after taking a beating from cops at Occupy Oakland demonstration.
New study says Burque's red light cameras are more about cash than safety. Council votes on the issue Monday.
Sean Parker says it's hard out there for a 1 percenter.
Wait, you you thought the planking craze was getting out of hand? How about Tebowing? And no, it doesn't have anything to do with the QB telling women what they can do with their bodies.
The legacy of cartel kingpin El Chapo.
California man grows a 1,700 pound pumpkin.
Stop dressing your pets up for Halloween.
U.S. military activity in Ethiopia uncovered.
Last night was one of the greatest World Series games ever played. The deciding Game 7 is tonight.
(Un)occupy march scheduled for Saturday.
West Mesa Killer may have six more bodies to his rap sheet.
Kanye West meets "Saved by the Bell" on Tumblr. And it's hilarious.
Obama says nope on dope.
Gaddafi's son talks to ICC at The Hague.
Drunk Sconie gets 30 days for grabbing ex-boyfriend's junk.
The Daily Word in ICE agents no longer needing warrants, WikiLeaks no longer leaking, and liquor shelves no longer standing.
Libya continues to celebrate liberation as Gaddafi remains unburied.
ICE agent declares "the warrant [came] out of my balls."
Presbyterian opens first full-service hospital in Rio Rancho.
Who wore it better? Lady Gaga or this lady trying to look like Judy Jetson?
WikiLeaks suspends secret-spilling to focus on making more money.
Woman arrested for stealing a bagel shop cash register that contained exactly one quarter.
6,810 bottles of wine and champagne come crashing to the floor at discount liquor store.
Diabetes is not a joke, but it does make for some amusing billboard graffiti.
Today is going to be a crappy day. Life is full of too many problems.
Get your daily puppy fix.
Mmmm. Pumpkin Monkey Bread.
Some more little known facts.
Does anybody else find these real-life Disney princess pictures sort of creepy?
25 worst rapper names of all time.
Thanks to T-fame and N-C-Double-Brown for the contributing links.
The Daily Word in signs, RUSH, the richest man in the world and plutonium pits
Canada's conservative government is going all Reagan on your ass with this crime bill.
This bicycle plays records.
"This year my wife is attempting to drink 4 pints of sherry while free falling from 1500 feet...."
You must watch this nifty/naughty stop-motion Spike Jonze short.
Loretta Lynn is sick.
Was Gaddafi the richest man in the world?
Uber-expensive new metallurgy laboratory (read as "nuclear bomb factory") in Los Alamos continues to freak everyone out.
C&O Canal water-bridge (aqueduct) over water has been restored. Neat.
These occupy wall st. signs are hilarious. So are some of these. "I shaved my balls for this?"
Take the psycho ex-girlfriend test.
Which RUSH song is stuck in your head right now?
Did you know RUSH had a drummer BEFORE Neil Peart?
Is The Faith's "More of the Same" a rip-off of RUSH's "Bastille Day?"
Geddy Lee meets Alex Lifeson for the first time.
Happy birthday, Sam "Evil Dead" Raimi!
The Daily Word in Rail Runner hikes, more Gaddafi death videos, no KFC for Travolta
Rail Runner raising fares in 45 days.
No lunch in Texas prisons on weekends.
New video of a bloody Gaddafi being dragged about challenges preliminary reports as to the nature of his death.
Two minor quakes hit the Bay Area same day as earthquake preparedness drills take place.
Travolta denied reservation at KFC while in UK for a Scientology conference.
Somebody was making fake checks in the Northeast Heights.
Rangers rally to tie World Series in dramatic fashion.
Lindsay Lohan show's up for community service at the L.A. County morgue, which, by the way, sells some awesome merch.
Seattle Hertz branch axes 25 Somali Muslims for length of prayer breaks.
Breaking down the ownership laws for exotic pets in lieu of the Ohio fiasco.
Cain makes changes to 9-9-9.
Ralph Montoya gets 25 years for murder of UNM professor and his girlfriend.
Murdoch ponies up $3.2 million for phone hack of murdered 13-year-old.
N.M. senators propose expansion of area in which Mexican nationals can visit in the state for a 30-day period.
Shaq cleared in kidnapping lawsuit.
The Daily Word in Gaddafi, tattoo Barbie and electronic whips
Gaddafi is dead.
Was the Elephant Butte killer really a killer?
New Mexico is considering opening a "foreigners only" DMV in Albuquerque.
Maybe the Declaration of Independence was illegal.
The State Fair is insolvent.
Who runs the world?
In Alabama, "Mexican" is a dirty word.
Authorities capture or kill all the animals freed from a preserve in Ohio—except for one monkey.
Disneyland big brothers hotel workers with a system employees call the "electronic whip."
Archeologists unearth a street from the 1600s in Santa Fe.
We are using a lot of antidepressants.
The new Cranberries single—their first in a decade—is not so great.
The real Sybil says the multiple personalities weren't real.
The Daily Word in newspapers, cop-sex, and JSOC
Vote for the best animated T.V. theme.
"Alcohol doesn't make you behave badly, it just stops you from caring...."
Two major Beijing newspapers suddenly have a new "publisher:" the Propaganda Bureau.
There is no safer place to invest your money than print media, according to... The Onion.
Commander of Libyan rebel forces says he was tortured by the C.I.A. who, documents prove, worked with Ghaddafi.
Ten enduring myths about the U.S. space program.
New Mexico State Police cop caught copulating on car in front of canine has been fired.
Update on the New Mexico based Lone Ranger film shoot that is on hold.
Excellent Washington Post article about the recent exponential growth of JSOC, the United States' "secret army."
Berlusconi calls Italy "Shitaly." OK, he only said "shitty," but that's his cross to bear.
Self-powered cyborg beetles.
Utah Bigfoot sighting (thank you, Nick Brown.)
On this day in 1967 Sweden switched from driving on the left to driving on the right.
The Daily Word 8.22.11 likes Antarctic ice flow, robo-poopers, famous dolphins, and more.
Gaddafi's regime appears to be crumbling in the aftermath of the capture of 3 of his sons.
NASA space research leads to first complete map of ice flow in Antarctica.
Expo New Mexico events manager charged with child solicitation.
Gang of young Albuquerque vandals arrested and accused of disobeying their parents.
Who wore it better? MC Hammer or Aladdin?
Sarah Palin gets last chance to enter presidential race.
Awww. Winter the dolphin with her prosthetic tail finally gets the the fame she deserves.
The Debut of RoboDump 1.0 (yes, the 'dump' stands for what you think it does).
Florida police arrest a man outside of a McDonald's for popping his own back zits in public.
Lots of quotes from different rock songs to make your day a little wiser.
Man in a flowered dress and whitey tighties on his head robs a Texas convenience store.
Travel agents tell funny stories about stupid people.
61-year-old lifegaurd sues state after getting fired for refusing to wear a speedo.
Japanese iPhone users will soon be able to get sophisticated earthquake alerts.
The Daily Word with Expensive Profanity, Explosive Alarm Clocks, Egyptian Virginity Tests
Muammar "I wear my sunglasses at night" Gaddafi may be open to a truce.
U.S. defense firm Lockheed Martin becomes the latest victim in cyber attacks.
You could be fined in Australia for using profanity in public.
Alarm clocks containing explosives blow up at IKEA stores in Belgium, France and The Netherlands.
The Illinois House approves a bill that will bring a casino to Chicagoland.
Detained female protesters in Egypt were subjected to "virginity tests."
In this creepy video, a Mexican teacher sings to her students while a gun fight goes on outside.
A woman is arrested after wheeling a trash can filled with human body parts through a neighborhood.
Apparently, it's an unspeakable offense to play golf on Memorial Day.
A woman in Bangladesh takes a would-be rapist's penis to police as evidence.
They've enlisted the help of elephants during the clean up efforts in Joplin, Mo.
Hackers hit PBS' web site and post a fake Tupac story.
No, not snakes on a plane, but snakes on a train.
You know your organization is the laughingstock of all scary radical religious groups when it's counterprotested by the Ku Klux Klan.
Now you can save face by sending your lover an STD e-card to let them know they're infected!
Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel resigns under numerous allegations of NCAA rule violations.
The Daily Word: Earthquake in Myanmar, jet fuel, sperm from scratch
7.0 earthquake hits Myanmar.
Jet fuel from Kirtland leaks into a neighborhood.
UNM proposes 8 percent tuition hike.
Lobo Village dorms to allow alcohol, but planners never mentioned it to the City Council.
Gov. Martinez is not done on the driver's license issue.
Scientists grew sperm from scratch outside the body.
Without serotonin, male mice lose their preference for females.
Who will the Republicans run in 2012?
In 2009, Gaddafi demanded energy companies from around the world help him cover his bill for acts of terrorism.
Palestinian missiles getting closer to urban areas near Tel Aviv.
An interview with the clowns of ICP.
The Daily Word: Sex Toy Defusing, Japan in Even Worse Shape, Soy Sauce Hazing
Radiation levels are increasing in Japan after explosions continue to rock nuclear power plants.
... And with that, Japan's tsunami and earthquake disaster is more costly than Hurricane Katrina.
This soy sauce fraternity hazing could have been responsible for a seizure.
Yee-haw! Texans are fighting to bring back the Alamo battle flag.
A Russian bomb squad was called to defuse a sex toy.
Al Franken thinks big corporations are trying to take down the Internet.
Libyan rebels want the west to take out Gaddafi.
If you have to tweet your anxiety attack, are you really having an anxiety attack?
Sorry, there will be no Harry Baals building in Fort Wayne.
This man used a samurai sword to rob a pharmacy.
The Daily Word 3.12.11: Japanese exploding reactor; experts agree Gaddafi can't win in the long-term due to probable Central America-
in- the- 80's- tinged military support of rebels; Iron Maiden birthday
One of the damaged Japanese nuclear reactors exploded. Officials say everything is OK -but here's some iodine anyway.
"Qadafi will prevail." Here's a list of the 112 ways to spell his goddamn name.
Newt Gingrich says he cheated on his wife because he was working too hard for America.
Intellectual property law and American world hegemony.
Super cool Australian mugshots from the early 1920's.
Amnesty International is on Robert Gates' ass over Wikileaker Bradley Manning's living conditions/torture which involves "forced prolonged nudity."
A Texas state representative has introduced a bill making non-medically necessary abortion illegal.
Daylight Saving Time, not Daylight Savings Time. Reminder.
South by Southwest. The meat market badge.
On this day in 1957, Steve Harris, Bassist and chief songwriter for Iron Maiden was born.
The Daily Word 02.23.11: The Amazonian Guard, Hipster Princesses, The Honey Badger Takes What It Wants
Wacky Gaddafi is still in charge of Lybia, but for how long? More importantly, what will happen to his all-female, all-sexy security staff-The Amazonian Guard?
State Rep. James Smith wants to repeal the medical marijuana program.
$11 million in unpaid red light camera tickets.
vigilante dirtbag gets the death penalty.
Judge upholds health-care reform law.
Republican governors may be busy trying to crush unions, but no too busy to be pranked.
Researches link cellphone use to changes in brain activity.
Rahm Emanuel will be Chicago's next foul-mouthed mayor.
Comedian Rush Limbaugh calls Michelle Obama fat.
Watch out for the crazy nastyass Honey Badger!
Determined researcher discovers large order of fries doesn't have many more than the medium size.
R.I.P. comic book writer Dwayne McDuffie.
Banksy won't be at the Oscars this weekend.
US troops in Afghanistan finally get their shitty Pizza Hut pizza back.
I was into the Hipster Disney Princesses before they were cool.
Scuba inventor dead at the age of 93.
Netflix signs a deal with CBS to stream shows like Star Trek and The Twilight Zone.
How to become a twitter guru in six easy tweets.
"Bitch, your pancakes look fine to me!"
After initially condemning Kinect hackers, Microsoft announces a official SDK for the device.
Can we talk about these cookie-stuffed cookies?
Explore the secrets of spider anatomy.
I miss the 80s: here's list of rated R movies that got cartoon spin-offs.
Chinese gamer dies after three-day bender.
The Daily Word 02.21.11: Tripoli, Alan Rickman and Bow Nessie.
Muammar Gaddafi has fled protests in Tripoli.
China, on the other hand, will not stand for protests.
It's time to worry about space weather.
Music executive Steve Stoute ran a full page newspaper ad complaining about the Grammies.
Speaking of which, some people don't know who Arcade Fire even is.
People dress like pandas and play with baby pandas.
Mystery of the synchronized fish dance.
Here are ten delicious science fiction foods.
Here are some science fact fat-fighting desserts.
15-year-old Jake experienced time travel.
Beware the killer Australian birds.
Hey, come at me like you're going to attack me so I can show you my new wrist lock.
There's a place in France where the naked ladies dance through a creepy underground city for thousands of years.
Brace yourself for some mushy Kurt Vonnegut quotes. He loves you, damn it!
Kayakers snapped a picture of the Windermere Monster.
Spiderman and Batman, news news news.
Heinrich is considering running for Bingaman's senate seat.
Christopher Torres let his crazy flag fly in Garcia's restaurant.
Steve Terrell gives a mid-term report on this legislative session.
Plastic surgeon Daniel Ronel died in a car smash near Algodones.
Yale Blvd. is going to be closed for a month.
Happy birthday, Alan Rickman. Happy birthday, Blanket.


text:
I am not dead. Here's what happened. My life has been kind of eventful lately. Mostly in good ways, mainly unexpected ways, but also some very stressful ways. Because June is one of those five week months (by the way I count), I decided to take the first week off. I usually post a little update when I do that, I know. Sorry about that. I had to semi-unexpectedly go out of town and several personal matters distracted me. In addition, some problems with my ISP actually knocked out my internet access for several days. Again, sorry about that.
I'm still on track to deliver the feature content you know and love this month. Wednesday will see a nice, shiny new article. Next Monday, Megadungeon will return with a discussion of doors and setting DCs. Sorry Megadungeon went on a forced vacation.
The Sailor Moon charity drive will start a little later in the month. There's been a slight problem that, hopefully, will get resolved quickly so as not to prevent the event from happening. I will keep you posted on that.
Meanwhile, as part of a project, I've been playing with some probability math and it occured to me that probability and statistics is somewhat arcane to some GMs. That's okay because game systems (theoretically) do most of the math anyway. But if you guys would like an article thinking through a specific probability question from the standpoint of an interested layperson as a way to discuss how to understand probability math in RPGs, post a comment below and let me know. Otherwise, I'll see you back here on Wednesday.


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Tuesday, September 22, 2009
The Stranger
As I grew up, I never questioned his place in my family. In my young mind, he had a special niche. My parents were complementary instructors: Mom taught me good from evil, and Dad taught me to obey. But the stranger, he was our storyteller. He would keep us spellbound for hours on end with adventures, mysteries and comedies.
If I wanted to know anything about politics, history or science, he always knew the answers about the past, understood the present and even seemed able to predict the future! He took my family to the first major league ball game. He made me laugh, and he made me cry. The stranger never stopped talking, but Dad didn't seem to mind.
Sometimes, Mom would get up quietly while the rest of us were shushing each other to listen to what he had to say, and she would go to the kitchen for peace and quiet (I wonder now if she ever prayed for the stranger to leave).
Dad ruled our household with certain moral convictions, but the stranger never felt obligated to honor them. Profanity, for example, was not allowed in our home. Not from us, our friends or any visitors. Our longtime visitor, however, got away with four-letter words that burned my ears and made my dad squirm and my mother blush. My Dad didn't permit the liberal use of alcohol. But the stranger encouraged us to try it on a regular basis. He made cigarettes look cool, cigars manly and pipes distinguished.
He talked freely (much too freely!) about sex. His comments were sometimes blatant, sometimes suggestive, and generally embarrassing.
I now know that my early concepts about relationships were influenced strongly by the stranger. Time after time, he opposed the values of my parents, yet he was seldom rebuked, and NEVER asked to leave.
More than fifty years have passed since the stranger moved in with our family. He has blended right in and is not nearly as fascinating as he was at first. Still, if you could walk into my parents' den today, you would still find him sitting over in his corner, waiting for someone to listen to him talk and watch him draw his pictures.
His name?
We just call him 'TV'.
Hat tip: My sister ♥Debbie♥
29 comments:
yep, same here. didn't expect that at all!ReplyDelete
not me, i never saw it coming at all! good one! daughter #1 kicked him out of her house years ago, she wouldn't put up with his mouth!ReplyDelete
smiles, bee
He has blended right in and is not nearly as fascinating as he was at first. this line makes me to act like shockingReplyDelete
Sandee, that is so true about TV and how we have become too accepting of it. I am the stage where I don't really trust it because of the poor quality of the shows.ReplyDelete
Have a great day!
Excellent story with relevance from start to finish ;)ReplyDelete
hehehe, good post :) thanks for sharing. Found you by EC hopping.ReplyDelete
I'm going to pat myself on the back as I actually managed to get this one figured out fairly soon!ReplyDelete
We were watching some new comedy on TV at work last night and when the main character was flicking her nipples to get them "more perky" I thought to myself - "where has our Nation gone when this sort of thing can be shown on PrimeTime TV?" It really made me cringe and be thankful that I wasn't watching it with my mother.
Well done! My gosh, I wanted him gone! And I have preyed for the TV to leave...ReplyDelete
I LOVED this post Sandee. I was not sure if you were the one writing or not. I totally was surprised at the end. It is sooo true, all it it and that crazy box we call the TV. I wonder if 40 years from now we will be saying the same thing about this thing we call the computer?ReplyDelete
Your narration of the story is absorbing and full of suspense till the last word! excellent presentation! You have also had a dig at the evil effects of the TV in your own characteristic way!ReplyDelete
I believe that I know this stranger who you speak of. He ran out of great stories to tell about 7 or so years ago, so I tend to ignore him most of the time when I'm at home. Not too sure if he resents me for it...The new stranger in the house(computer) seems to have a lot more to offer anyway.ReplyDelete
I bet that TV's brand is SonyReplyDelete
I figured this one out before the end, sadly his younger brother has now moved in and he is far more vuglar, more obscene, and has absolutely no manners, he is our beloved "Personal Computor".ReplyDelete
Wow we have a friend like that, too! He even recently brought his brother called HDTV. :DReplyDelete
man, that guy is my best friend on ,sat.,sun.,and monday night. ain't no football without ole tv around, he does get too personal with some of his ads though, you know them creams and such.ReplyDelete
back home and all is well
I got to watch plenty of TV as a kid...but I was pretty strict as a parent.ReplyDelete
this was a great post.
hugs back!
Thank you for stopping by my little corner of the blogosphere. All comments are very much appreciated.
♥♥♥Have a terrific day.♥♥♥


text:
Faculty & Staff
New York City is the heart of the musical theatre world, and BAA boasts a teaching artist staff comprised of Tony Award Winners, Broadway performers, and NYC's top casting directors, agents, coaches and choreographers! Each and every one of our instructors, coaches, and mentors are working professionals at the top of their industry who understands exactly what it takes to succeed in the business of acting.
Our Broadway teaching artists and mentors are passionate, caring individuals who love working with young performers. They are able to use their own insight and experience to help each student explore their creative talents, develop their performance technique, and build confidence in a challenging yet supportive environment.
Meet Our Tony® Award Winning & Special Guests
Meet Our Broadway Guest Artists


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Thursday, November 7
15 comments:
Absolutely lovely card!!Thanks so much for playing at CCCB!ReplyDelete
Beautiful work. Thanks for sharing this with us at Unstampabelles for our Vellum challenge.ReplyDelete
I have to say that I am really LOVING this amazing color combination, girl! You are always SO creative, and you really ROCKED these colors. Thanks for stopping by to share with us, and have a very blessed week!ReplyDelete
Word Art Wednesday
P.S. I have some yummy Freckled Fawn BLOG CANDY!
Deanne, this is gorgeous. I love that flower - did you create that? Thanks for sharing this with us at Unstampabelles for our current challenge - use vellum.ReplyDelete
Beautiful card Deanne, love the colors.ReplyDelete
Thanks for joining the TTCRD challenges.
lovely work ;-) thanks for joining in our Vellum challenge at UnstampaBelles.ReplyDelete
Very versatile card, I like the colour theme. Thanks for sharing at UnstampaBelles!ReplyDelete
Sweet card, love the inspiration colors! Thanks for sharing with us at Word Art Wednesday!!ReplyDelete
Lovely bright colours. Thank you for taking part in our Unstampabelles Vellum challenge.ReplyDelete
That is pretty, thanks for playing along with us at CCCB!ReplyDelete
brilliant project - thank you for joining the Crafty Girls Challenge - good luck xxReplyDelete
Pretty colors and I love that swirl diecut! Thanks for playing at PGCB!ReplyDelete
This is beautiful. Thanks for sharing with us at Unstampabelles.ReplyDelete
(guest designer for November)
What beautiful colors!! I really like the die cuts and your use of vellum. Thanks so much for joining us at Word Art Wednesday.ReplyDelete
Gorgeous card - the vellum looks really good.ReplyDelete
Thanks for joining us at The Crafty Girls Challenge.
Helen x
Thanks so much for your wonderful comments! Always greatly appreciated and read. Have a happy crafting day!!!


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Article Side
Online Article Directory!
Tips on How to Choose the Right Television Model
The first thing that we think about while buying a Television set is the model. These days, there are oodles of television models in the market, each one unique in its own way. One can say that a good television model adds more fun and excitement to enjoy the programs. In order to get the best experience, the demand on the customer's end has been increasing like never before. When we buy a television set designed on advanced technology, we look for better picture clarity, digital sound system, and user-friendly applications. And, of course, we also look at the budget part of it.
High Definition TV is something that is in high demand as they provide better picture clarity compared to the normal ones. However, one can't say confidently that all HDTV's provide the same level of clarity. If you want to buy any of the HDTV's then it is advisable to do your own research on the same and figure out which is the best. And while figuring out the best, don't go by their price tags. Expensive HDTV's may not always be the best! So, it is important to explore all the options before settling with one. You may go online and do a comparative research on all the leading HDTV's available in the market. The TV reviews column on the websites will give you a fair idea of all the good and bad of the TVs. Watching your favorite programs on HDTV definitely gives you an unmatched joy. It makes you feel like you are a part of the presentation that you see on the TV programs.
These days, gaming has become one of the unavoidable activities for many; not only for the kids but also for the grown-ups and teenagers. One fun way of playing and enjoying the games would be by connecting to the HDTV and start gaming. Gaming when coupled with the pristine audio and video quality of the HDTV serves as a treat for the hardcore gaming enthusiasts. Whichever game you may play, whether it is adventure or racing or any other genre of game for that matter, the advanced features of HDTV gives you a never-before-like gaming experience. So, if you are a hardcore gamer, then you may choose the HDTV that suits your needs and expectations with respect to its features. Apart from gaming, there are a lot of other things that you need to look into while choosing a good TV. Of course, the ultimate purpose of buying a TV is to get the best home entertainment experience possible. It includes all the popular channels and programs that entail movies, sports, drama, reality shows, concert etc that you see with your Cable TV connection.
I would like to bring forth a notable point here. There are loads of features that you need to keep in mind while you choosing the best HDTV model. There is something called the refresh rate that will give you an idea of how quick the picture gets updated. It is measured in Hertz. It may vary from the basic frequency of about 60 HZ that is, 60 frames per second to a maximum of 400 HZ, that is, 400 frames per second. Another parameter is the input lag which is nothing but the response time that is taken to change between two selections. One of the most important features for a better picture clarity is the high resolution. TV models that are powered by the advanced LED, LCD technologies have higher contrast ratios than the normal ones. So, this is one point you can consider while purchasing a TV model. I hope all the features mentioned above will help you find a good TV model and get the best home entertainment experience possible.
Cody - About Author:
Cody is a freelance writer and blogger. He writes on a wide range of topics encompassing entertainment, technology, environment, health, and self improvement. He likes spending his free time watching movies on his CableTV connection.
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The most savored Thanksgiving experience I ever had was in Boulder, completely unexpected.
My friends Julie and Chanel took me up into the mountains to a friend's house. It had sweeping windows, vistas of snow caps from every angle. A very long table was set up on the ground, and we were all invited to sit around it on cushions.
And what I remember most about it was the intention.
There was plenty of food, but there wasn't this rush to eat it. It was there on our plates, and we were all invited—all 20+ of us—to give thanks before we ate. There was live music, a beautiful singer and guitarist, who played a tune I had stuck in my head for months afterward.
Mainly, there was a softness, a quiet reverence that I loved about it. And after we ate, we stayed talking and drinking, sharing and making new friends.
This one Thanksgiving gave me a greater appreciation for what the holidays can be—if we let them.
This year, I'll be at 2-3 different Thanksgiving celebrations on the East Coast. And what I desire most right now is connecting to others on a deeper level. This means more than going around the table and half-heartedly blurting out something I'm thankful for.
I want space for honesty. I want space for someone to be so honest that they might say: "You know, I'm really not feeling a lot of gratitude in my life right now" and for that to be welcomed, felt and loved. And then, if they like, explored in a group setting.
And so I have some questions for you that you might like to ask in your own gathering. These questions are sourced with 100% gratitude from the If: Gathering, touched with a dash of my own flavor.
Want many more in card form? Check out my Collaborative Inquiry Deck!
These can be asked all at once at a dinner gathering, or perhaps if you're with loved ones for a few days this holiday season, you can ask the first one or two at lighter-feeling times and the other two at more intimate times.
1) What are the easy, uncomplicated things that you're thankful for this season?
2) What are some of the more unexpected or surprising gifts you've received this past year?
3) Even in the midst of gratitude, is there something you're longing for?
4) What might the Divine be inviting you to learn through this longing?
Please, if you use any of these and would like to share with me the results—I'd always love to hear it.


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Our shop favorite - metallic blue streaked stingray leather, in a card case! As always, this is 100% genuine stingray leather. This stingray has been dyed a soft pearlized deep metallic blue! BUT, what makes this completely heart stopping and just completely amazing is the fact that is has stunning complementary streaks of color throughout. There is a soft fade from purple into blue at one end, and a gentle fade from a baby blue to a deep cobalt on the other side. There are also subtle hints of greens and pinks and honestly, you have to see it to believe how captivating this piece is! This is by far one of the most exquisite pieces we've ever offered or created and is a thousand times more gorgeous in person! Case is stainless steel and has a smooth polished metal interior and underside, perfect for engraving. Holds standard sized business cards, credit card, and IDs. Will accommodate roughly 6 credit cards or 15-20 business cards. We can craft this case with a multitude of other leathers and colors. If you are interested in a particular material, please feel free to ask us. Please see our shop for possible color and leather combinations. *The vast majority of our materials are by-product leathers. Please see our profle for more detailed information on who we are and what we do. Please also note that due to the nature of genuine exotics, no two cases will ever be identical. Patterns and natural markings and texture will differ slightly from piece to piece!
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Over the past couple months, we've come to realize that all it takes is a little monetary incentive to expose your embarrassing party moments. Although you've tried hard to forget them, these nightmare memories will now haunt you forever online. What happens at the holiday party, ends up on the internet…thanks to us!
We've thoroughly enjoyed laughing, cringing, and blushing with you while reading all of your contest entries. From embarrassing accidents to awkward encounters, you've witnessed it all! We've hand picked some of our favourite submissions to share with you and as promised, we've selected five winners at random. Drum roll please….
Presenting…Our Holiday Party Nightmare Honourable Mentions!
Sketchy Salad Surprise
"We had a Christmas potluck one year as most people would be off closer to Christmas time. We had everyone sign up to bring food or items that were needed for the day. One person signed up to bring salad. They washed it in the company restroom and than brought it out and added it to the table. One person saw and told everyone not to eat it but we forgot to tell our boss who ate it and said it was amazing!" – Baby
Source: npr.org
Don't Try This at Home
"At a Xmas party one time, a coworker who was trying to do a fireball trick by lighting a glass of Sambuca on fire, put his hand over the glass to shake it, but the Sambuca escaped the glass and splashed onto his arm, which quickly engulfed in flames. People rushed to put it out. Luckily didn't suffer any burns." – Vincent
Source: manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Sorry Santa
"I threw up on Santa Clause while getting a picture with him… and I was the first person in line to get one. No one else got a chance to take a photo with him!" – Mia
Source: bartlett-express.com
Pull the Plug
"I used to be a vendor for [Company X] and was always invited to their Christmas parties. One year they hired an older guy with an electronic keyboard. It was reminiscent of the movie The Wedding Singer. He was so bad that we had to shut him down and put on the radio." – Thuy
Source: pinterest.com
And now, without further adieu…our Holiday Party Nightmare contest winners!
- Dilara L.
- Helen G.
- Natalie V.
- Corinna L.
- Cindy S.
The winners will be contacted via email or by the social platform they entered through. If your name is listed above and you do not received a message within the next 24 hours, send an email to email@example.com! Thank you to everyone who entered our contest! We hope your holidays are nightmare free this year!


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Unravel the secrets of the Templars in this thrilling adventure!
This is an iOS / Android remake of our "Hotel" game originally released for PC and Mac only.
New York City Detective Bridget "Biggi" Brightstone has come to France to crack the case of a missing necklace in a haunted castle-turned-hotel. But her investigation is about to turn up much more than she bargained for! When the victim of the robbery suddenly dies, she must track the killer using clues left by ghosts. Join Biggi as she explores the eerie castle and unexpectedly encounters the legendary King Arthur, Queen Cleopatra and Mark Antony as well as an immortal Egyptian cult. Search the castle's dangerous shadow lands and help Biggi stop the evil that's trying to rise from the grave with the help of a mighty artifact!
- 50 arduous levels to conquer
- Five intriguing chapters to navigate
- 15 puzzling mini-games to master
- 16 rewarding achievements to earn
- 13 unforgettable characters to meet
- Three difficulty modes: casual, adventure, challenging


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Is it possible that we are overlooking one of the most healing substances on the planet? We all know water is good for us as we are made mostly of water, but how many of us think of it as a valid medical treatment?
The Water Cure.
Though known throughout the world the "Water Cure" did not spread to America until 1850. For a few years it prospered greatly. Many physicians however seemed opposed to it as a remedy as it was practical and inexpensive and to their chagrin could be used in any home without a doctor.
Not surprisingly in 1870 a law was passed that prevented Water Cure practitioners from operating in NY State. Since at the time New York was the center of these and most medical treatments the practice was abandoned just about everywhere.
Some claimed that their water possessed miraculous healing powers, which was simply not true. The truth was that the use of pure clean water combined with proper diet, exercise, rest, recreation, pleasant surroundings and sunshine affects a cure.
Effects of Cold Water:
Effects of Hot Water:
Waters Effect on Sickness –
Sedative – A warm bath relaxes and soothes and helps promote restful sleep without the side effects of medications.
Antipyretic – There is no drug that can reduce the body temperature more quickly than a cool or cold bath.
Analgesic – Hot water always gives pain relief.
Anticonvulsant – Warm to hot water is unrivaled at relaxing muscle spasms.
Astringent – Cold water stops hemorrhaging – this is why when you cut yourself they say to run it under cold water, it is not just to clean it out.
Laxative – Water is natures laxative.
Stimulant – A short hot bath (5 minutes or less) is a very effective stimulant increasing pulse rate and circulation.
Derivative – Method of removing blood from one part by increasing it in another.
Diuretic – the more water you drink, the more urine will be produced.
Expectorant – hot water applied to the chest loosens phlegm to be coughed up.
Anesthetic – Prolonged local use (such as an ice pack) causes numbness.
*You can also add fresh flowers, herbs and essential oils to hot baths for added healing benefits. We have all seen luxurious baths in the movies where the tub is filled with rose petals. Not only is it a stunning visual effect, rose oil, which is released from the petals with heating, has been shown to help heal stretch marks, soothe skin and help heal scarring as well as work wonders on skin exposed to poison ivy. Please check each herb and flower individually to make sure it is safe before adding to bath water.
Hydrotherapy is not a cure all but no other method is as inexpensive and potentially successful. It is not instant often requiring repeated application and many of us are used to the quick paced mentality of "just take a pill" lots of us are waking up to the realization that taking prescription and over the counter medication for everything often leads to a host of unwanted side effects along with in some cases possibility of addiction and dependence as well as body toxicity which can in turn lead to other illnesses over time.
There is no downside to trying hydrotherapy. It's cheap, effective and has no side effects.
Author: Sarah J. Barendse www.hcbl.com/blog & HCBL.com
Source: Back to Eden, Jethro Kloss


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C2CND is happy to provide "Connect"
A place where pet lovers can go and communicate with other pet lovers.
We strive to bring you honest information to let you know what is going on.
Find Us on Facebook
Please be sure to also check us out on Facebook where you can communicate and find out more.


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The Senate democrats havn't done their primary job in over 1000 days. Yet today, Senator Charles Shumer decided to announce that the Democrats in the Senate would be show boating on tax day. Rather than chose to submit a budget that would cut deficits and reduce the burden the Democrats are placing on my Grandchildren, they instead will have a "symbolic" vote on increasing taxes. This is an outrage and the Democrats should be punished for trying showmanship rather than actually do their jobs.
According to Fareed Zakaria, the US currently has a more progressive income tax than even Europe. That's right folks, our so called rich, you know the ones Schumer want to raise taxes on with his symbolic vote, already pay a higher percentage in income taxes than their brethren in Europe. Yet the rich are the ones required to also invest in our economy in order to get it moving.
What a shame that the Democrats would shirk their responsibility and have a vote that they know will fail. Most voters understand the Democrats are for higher taxes and higher spending. We don't need a showboat vote on the "Buffet rule" to prove that the Democrats will never find a cut they can stomach nor a tax they don't like. Rather than go around wasting time, why won't the Democrast propose something in the form of a budget? The Democrats have been busy over the last week complaining about Paul Ryan's budget propposal. Yet Paul Ryan's plan is the only one in Congress. The Democrat leadership in the Senate has failed to even attempt to do their primary job. The senate democrats need to start focusing on the issues at hand. We need jobs, we need a reduction in deficit spending, we need budget cuts, what we don't need is a showboat vote on a tax that currently has no chance of being implemented. We need the Democrats to actually do their jobs and stop passing the blame on Republicans. The Republicans are at least doing their part in proposing something for a budget.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Senate DEMS Showboat; Neglect Their Actual Jobs
Posted by The Lizard at 1:27 PM
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Dance/NYC and the Dance/USA Taskforce on Dancer Health invite you to join us in responding to the Taskforce's recent call to action to achieve the dancer aesthetic in a manner that promotes overall good health and protects the artist and performer. Led by Richard Gibbs, M.D., the town hall provides a forum to discuss case stories from the perspective of the health professional, cultural critic and professional dancer, including New York City Ballet Principal Dancers Jenifer Ringer and Jared Angle. What words work to promote dancer wellness? What positive practices? What can we as a field do for our dancers?Speakers: Richard Gibbs * Jared Angle * Jen Edwards * Melissa Gerson * Jenifer Ringer (For speaker bios, click here.)
Monday, May 16, 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Abrons Arts Center
Henry Street Settlement
Playhouse Theater
RSVP here


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By oxjessiiox - / Sunday 11 October 2009 15:42 / United Kingdom
Add a comment - Reply to : #
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Top comments
_babyxdoll | 0
i just think that's gross (: and you wouldn't be laughing if it happened to you (:
godsrightnutsack | 0
How the eff does that happen?
bugmenotmofo | 33
well, i guess you did make it as realistic as possible
Nicholas241 | 0
It's funnier the other way around... Today, I had the role of doctor in a play who was helping a woman who had gone into labor. Trying to make it look realistic, she ends up shitting all over me. FML
Bullet4MyChemaMo | 12
Well this gives a whole new meaning to "Oh, shit!"
ilovefatcats | 12
156 win
alexanderavatar | 24
wow now thats a committed actor so realistic
Sun_Kissed18 | 25
ahaha, I see what you did there ;) Anyway, I wouldn't know but don't women giving birth shit themselves anyway? So I guess it was VERY realistic! Props to you for going all out :D
hellokittywhore | 0
yeah my friend was a mess when she gave birth. she not only shit herself but popped all the blood vessles in her face!!!!! no lie
wafflez333 | 0
ummm? eww
asspussy807 | 0
Haha I thought you said popped all the blood vessels lmfao!
oh_mi_shizzle | 0
Ohmigosh! that's so gross! lmao feel bad for u OP must've been humiliating. did it like, come all the way out? could u see it? eeeewww!!! so nasty if u were wearing a dress and it came out of ur undies and everyone saw!!! Fyl OP Ftl of all the other actors and anyone who say what came out of u (or just smelt it) hahaha
Who said she was giving birth to a doctor? They were referring to the doctor witnessing (or whatever the term for helping with the delivery is).
Witchcraft_fml | 4
I'm utterly confused with how Zeal came to that conclusion. :/
kirstensmook | 0
PinayTohDoh | 0
lmao!!! Idk either, but giving birth to a doctor sounds horrible! I think if you were giving birth to a doctor.. your best bet would be to wear a dress... or go nude. :]
ilovefatcats | 12
I'm with wichcraft how did u?
asspussy807 | 0
I can't stop laughing at this chain of comments Lmao
By blahasdfghjkl | 0
first. haha ive alwys wanted to do that. anyways, that sux but ydi kinda
By HappyCatIsHappy | 0
Fake? You wouldn't have to have tensed your anal muscles to give birth, or make it look like you were. Really, that'd just be un-needed.
frecklessobe | 0
Actually in real child birth most of the time the woman does have a bowel movement after childbirth, yes it was a little too much that she was faking childbirth and actually pooped, but in real child birth, it happens more times than not.
DeadKittens | 0
hehe .. anal muscles Thats a strong butthole!!
By blahasdfghjkl | 0
my damn ipod said there wasnt any comments so b4 anyone bitches at me for not being first. shut up
Witchcraft_fml | 4
Thank you, #12. You speak the truth. Also, #9, I still feel like mentioning that you fail. So, #9, you fail.
blahasdfghjkl | 0
i only said 1st cuz i kno it annoys ppl
LaGringaC7 | 0
You fail at life.
oxjessiiox | 0
Fuck you
By OhhxGoshhxAri | 0
Doesn't that make it just a little bit realistic, although it's really gross? I've heard some women do shit while giving birth. My mom's friend did I think. Or my mom's friend said she almost did. Something like that. But I don't know. That's really gross though, FYL.
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WFAA "Dances" While Competition Covers Metroplex Storms
May 25th, 2011
I was stunned – as were a number of other people I spoke with in Dallas – to see WFAA running the finale of "Dancing With The Stars" while tornado warnings were coming fast and furious across the Metroplex, softball-sized hail was ripping up roofs and smashing car and house windows, and 30,000 people were being evacuated from the stadium at the Texas Rangers game as a storm bore down on them. The competition was providing wall-to-wall coverage for most of the night – telling people in various parts of the sprawling DFW market to "go to your safe place right now" – as tornado warnings keep occuring up – and on Channel 8 the stars danced on.
Now, WFAA meteorologist Pete Delkus popped up during most of the commercial breaks as the mayhem swirled around the Metroplex – but was that enough? Was that enough from WFAA's main weathercaster – who has been on the air for every storm – wall-to-wall – non-stop for hours – since he came on the scene 5 years ago? Was that enough for the legion of WFAA fans who have come to rely on Delkus to keep them safe during storms – by always being on the air – day or night – 7 days a week – when storms have threatened?
It was a muggy August night in 1985 that WFAA forged the reputation of being THE breaking news station in the DFW market. It was a Friday night – Delta flight 191 clipped a storage tank during a deadly microburst while trying to land in a nasty thunderstorm at DFW airport. WFAA was first on the air with word of the tragedy – and the only local station to stay on the air non-stop covering the breaking news story. That night – WFAA became the "go to" station for DFW TV viewers. They have worked hard for the last 26 years to keep that all-important title. The question is – did they give up a piece of their legacy by running the DWTS finale during a wild weather night in Dallas-Ft. Worth?
I say yes they did. Think about it. Fans of Pete Delkus – who have all become accustomed to seeing him live on the air from the beginning of dangerous storms – until the danger has passed – were forced to go to some other meteorologist during the DWTS finale. For many – they most likely sampled the competition for the first time. They needed – and wanted – the information right now – not just during a break in the DWTS program. WFAA left those people hanging for many minutes at a time – minutes that many viewers felt they did not have to waste – as deadly storms broke out seemingly everywhere in the Metroplex. WFAA forced their loyal fans who wanted continuous weather updates to go somewhere else. How much did that diminish all those hours – and all those storms – that Delkus diligently covered as he built their trust in him? WFAA did win the ratings last night – and the DWTS lead-in gave them their highest 10 p.m. news audience in months. But at what long term cost did they get a one night pop?
Troy Dungan was the dean of DFW weathercasters during three decades at WFAA until he retired in 2006 – replaced by Delkus. It was always very reassuring to me as a viewer when storms were nearby or possible – that at the end of the 10 p.m. newscast Troy would say – "Now I'll be here all night, and if I need to come back on to let you know about dangerous weather, I'll be back." I spoke with Troy about the importance of being on the air continuously during tornado warnings. By the way, Troy made it very clear in our conversation that he would not have any comment directly about WFAA's decision on the storm coverage.
Troy told me that he believes things have changed a bit at DFW TV stations since he was the lead weathercaster. He says that it was strictly his decision back in the day when to go on the air with severe weather coverage – and when to go off. Dungan says today he thinks TV station managers get more involved in making that call. He says "weather people are not the final authority anymore."
Troy also said he thinks that sometimes the weathercasters go on for too long when there are only thunderstorms threatening. But, Dungan says, "you must be on the air continuously during tornado warnings." And that is my beef with Troy's former station – there were a number of tornado warnings issued while WFAA was showing uninterrupted segments of DWTS. Seeing Delkus during an ABC-dictated commercial break may have put some viewers in harms way.
When it comes to severe weather coverage – it is all about experience and trust. Troy Dungan said it best, "Marty Haag (the late, legendary news director at WFAA) always told me, "When you say I'm going to bed, that's when I would go to bed – not before."
During the "Dancing With The Stars" finale – WFAA forced viewers to get those reassuring words from a meteorologist that may not even have sampled before. I believe – forcing that viewing of the competition – puts a chink in your loyalty armor. How big a chink remains to be seen.
Posted in Willi | 2 Comments »
Social Media Clobbers Traditional Media on Bin Laden Coverage
May 2nd, 2011
I was first alerted to an "important" President Obama speech through a text message on my Android X from CNN. I checked in with MSNBC.com and found out the speech was happening at 9:30 p.m. Central. Several minutes later a crawl on NBC TV gave me similar information. That was the extent of the info.
I jumped on Facebook and Twitter – and quickly was able to find out what really was going on – Osama Bin Laden was dead! Killed by a U.S. special ops team! The information was now pouring in on social media. Bin Laden had been shot in the head. The U.S. did DNA testing on his body to assure it was the bastard. He'd been killed in a mansion in Pakistan.
Meanwhile the TV networks were treading water – blah-blah-blah – as they waited for President Obama to come out for the speech. The minutes droned by. It was obvious the networks knew what the speech was about – but apparently bound by some kind of an embargo from their sources – were tight-lipped about what the speech was about.
Meanwhile on social media I was interacting with people from across the country – ecstatic that the 9-11 terrorist leader was finally dead. I was sharing our relief and sense of pride that Americans had killed Bin Laden. I was reading heartfelt comments from people who had lost friends and relatives in the Twin Trade Towers collapse. And, of course, there was also erroneous information on the streaming social media "news reports." One post said that six Americans had been killed in the raid. That turned out to be untrue. But even that "mistake" was corrected within minutes by other posts.
Finally, the traditional TV networks, growing weary of President Obama's continuing delay of his speech, confirmed that Bin Laden had been killed. I believe CNN led the way in breaking the self-imposed embargo. But that was the extent of their information. They returned to their blah-blah-blah – this time with so-called expert opinions.
At the same time, I was growing frustrated at the traditional media's talking heads because I knew – thanks to social media – that Americans were responding to the news even before Obama made it official. Twitter feeds told me that fans at a Philadelphia Phillies game had broken out in chants of "USA, USA." I learned from Twitter that hundreds of people were gathering outside the White House singing the national anthem and chanting "USA." The traditional media had a live shot of the White House from a distance – but apparently no one thought (even though they had reporters on the White House grounds) to show viewers some live video of the gathering celebration.
The Twitter Universe told me other fascinating information. The widow of a man killed on 9-11 was on an airplane when she learned the news – broke out in tears – and the entire cabin was comforting her. Many were now gathering at Ground Zero to share this historic moment. A Facebook page had been created dedicated to Bin Laden's death and there were already over 120,000 people on it. There was a $25 million bounty on Bin Laden – would the Navy Seal who pulled the trigger get that money?
Finally, CNN showed live video of the now thousands of people outside the White House – cheering and waving American flags. That was about 30 minutes after I learned about this impromptu celebration from social media. It was nice to finally see those happy people – but I only gave it a glance. I was too busy learning more information – and the American perspective of this historic event – from social media.
Social Media even beat the traditional media on when President Obama was finally going to make his appearance. While the network talking heads chatted away with no word of when he might show up, I learned from Twitter that the speech was going to be in two minutes. Sure enough, a couple minutes later CNN showed President Obama strolling toward the microphone.
For a guy who has been involved in the traditional news business for over 40 years – this was a real lesson learned. If the traditional networks lost a guy like me to social media on one of the most historic nights in American history – what chance do they have to capture the hearts and minds of the younger, highly connected generation. Many make the mistake of thinking these younger folks in their 20′s and 30′s have no interest in keeping up with the news. That is a very wrong – and potentially deadly view for traditional media to take. Did you see who the majority of those excited people were outside the White House – it was those 20 and 30 year-olds. They care about news – but as traditional media plods along – stuck in its old ways – these youger folks – and even some aging Baby Boomers like me – turn to the lightning fast, more interesting, more connected social media universe instead.
I learned one other important lesson about social media during the Bin Laden event – it is a a helluva lot more satisfying to engage in the two-way sharing of this historic moment with "real people" whose lives were changed forever by 9-11 – than sitting passively watching anchors and experts give their one-way opinion.
Posted in Willi | 6 Comments »