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Making the decision to get help with excessive alcohol use is a first step to regaining control over your life. The decision usually leads to the question, "do I need an alcohol clinic?" To answer this question there are a few things to consider.
Most people think that in order to overcome their alcohol use they have to enroll in a 12 step alcohol program. It is a common misconception that just because millions of people enroll in a 12 step program, that millions of people are successful in 12 step programs. In fact, no one is successful in 12 step programs because those programs promote the idea that alcohol use is a disease for which there is no cure. If you are diseased and there is no cure, everybody loses.
12 step programs tell you that at best you can receive treatment, but you will not be able to control your alcohol use, so you will fail. 12 step programs tell you that you will need treatment forever, because there is no cure for your disease. They will not tell you that they have a dropout rate of up to 95 percent.
12 step programs use tactics like manipulation to control the members as a way to keep them coming back for more treatment. Their meetings are filled with bitter and angry people who cannot seem to control their alcohol use because they believe the lie that it is not their fault because they are diseased. 12 step programs take away any measure of hope for the problem drinker. They tell people they are alcoholic, this is how it is; they must accept it and give up the chance of every living a productive life again without the 12 steps.
However, there is an alternative to alcohol clinics. Freedom Model Retreats is not a 12 step program, and we are not a rehab. We do not use other medications to replace alcohol use. Rather, Freedom Model Retreats offers hope and confidence to alcohol users who are ready to make a permanent change in their lives, Many people who come to Freedom Model's have tried all the other options.
First of all you are not diseased! Alcohol use is a choice that you make: the choice to drink alcohol. You always have the power to make a different choice. The Freedom Model Program is a Cognitive Behavioral Learning program that uses self evaluation to determine what motivates you to use alcohol. Our guests discover that they are not diseased and they are not victims of the "cunning, baffling and powerful" alcohol. We do not use manipulation, fear or labels to hold our guests hostage, but work to build their self confidence and to give them the life skills that will help them make permanent lifestyle changes.
The confidence building lessons in our Cognitive Behavioral Learning program empower our guests to see that they can make different, more productive choices that will enhance their life. Instead of spending the rest of their lives in countless hours of tedious support group meetings and group therapy, our guests discover that they can go on to have purposeful lives without alcohol use permanently.
The Retreats approach to help those in need regarding their alcohol or drug addiction problems is far more positive, motivational and successful than treatment centers.More Reviews Here


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Respectful Maternity Care
Sexual/Reproductive Health & Rights
Maternal & Newborn Health Self-Care
History & Mission
The Safe Motherhood Network Federation Nepal (SMNF), the national affiliate of WRA Nepal, has been a leader in reproductive, maternal and newborn health and rights for decades. WRA Nepal was at the forefront of implementing awareness and advocacy activities when safe motherhood was a non-issue in Nepal, and were instrumental in ensuring that maternal health and reproductive rights were included in Nepal's Constitution.
In Nepal, women in childbirth routinely experience disrespect and abuse in health facilities. The problem is pervasive and does not spare anyone, no matter the social, geographical or economic background. This is not only a human rights violation, but it discourages pregnant women from seeking the healthcare that could save their lives.
Parliamentarians must include the Respectful Maternity Care Charter in the Safe Motherhood and Newborn Healthcare bill and guarantee every woman in Nepal a safe and respectful childbirth experience.
Current Campaigns
During childbirth, women in Nepal have reported being pinched, pushed and hit by health staff, and routinely face rudeness and lack of information in health facilities. This disrespect and abuse can cause women to refuse to go back to the facility, either staying at home to give birth, or going further afield – and telling their friends not to go there either. Because of this pervasive ill treatment, only 19% of births in Nepal are attended by skilled birth personnel – putting countless lives at risk from emergency birth complications. White Ribbon Alliance Nepal is using its extensive national network to mobilize women and communities to demand their rights to respectful care while pressing the government to provide and fund Respectful Maternity Care trainings.
Our Impact
Since its inception, SMNF has promoted a rights-based approach for maternal and newborn health. Dr. Arzu Rana Debua founded SMNF in 1996 and shortly thereafter brought together maternal and newborn health advocates from across the country to form WRA Nepal. As the movement grew, so did its influence. In the past two decades, Nepal has reduced the maternal mortality ratio by 76%, under-five mortality by 73%, infant mortality by 67% and neonatal morality mortality by 42% – but there is still more work to be done. By providing information on safe abortion services to communities, training health providers on the importance of Respectful Maternity Care, and building and equipping birthing centers, SMNF is making sure that safe motherhood is the right of all women in Nepal.
WRA Nepal News
Working with Politicians and Local Leade...anemptytextlline
Nepal Stands Atop in South Asia in Terms...anemptytextlline
Jemie Shreshta, Youth Advocate, Campaign...anemptytextlline
Prime Minister and Health Minister of Ne...anemptytextlline
Mothers' Rights are Human Rights: Celebr...anemptytextlline
Groundbreaking legislation protects wome...anemptytextlline
The Effort Behind the Victory: Q&A with ...anemptytextlline
White Ribbon Alliance's 2018 Year in Rev...anemptytextlline
WRA Nepal hosted the WRA Global Alliance meeting, which coincided with International Self-Care Day. Nepal's Prime Minister and Secretary of the Ministry of Health both attended the opening ceremony, and commended WRA Nepal for its vision and leadership around maternal and newborn health and rights.
WRA Nepal hosted WRA representatives from around the world for its July 2017 global meeting.
WRA Nepal Youth Ambassador, Jemie Shrestha, gives testimony while seated next to her country's health minister during the 3rd Annual Global Citizens' Dialogue in Geneva. Jemie has worked with youth in rural areas to learn about challenges in receiving health information and services.
WRA delegates to the 2017 World Health Assembly in Geneva included WRA Nepal National Coordinator Sunil Shrestha (far left) and Youth Ambassador Jemie Shrestha (second from left, not related).
Thank you to our partners
ADRA Nepal
ADRA Japan
USAID – Health Policy Project
The Government of Nepal
Contact Us
Sunil Shrestha
Board Member, WRA Nepal
Sunil Shrestha serves as National Coordinator for WRA Nepal and Treasurer Safe Motherhood Network Nepal (SMNF), and is involved in all activities and projects implemented by SMNF, which he joined in 2005 after spending 20 years in the health care sector. Sunil represents SMNF as an Executive Board Member of the Civil Society Alliance for Nutrition Nepal, a movement for scaling up nutrition. He holds a bachelor's degree in health care management and is a very motivated social service volunteer and active member of Lions Club Kathmandu.
When not advocating for safe motherhood or volunteering in the community, Sunil manages a medical equipment business.
Click image for bio
Sunil Shrestha
National Coordinator, WRA Nepal
+977 9851160924

subset: commoncrawl


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Verner Panton
The fixture emits a soft and comfortable illumination. The hemispherical...
In 1944, Wilton Carlyle Dinges founded the Electrical Machine and Equipment Company (Emeco) in Hanover Pennsylvania utilizing the skills of local craftsman. During WWII the U.S government gave him a big assignment, make chairs that could withstand water, salt air and sailors. Make chairs lightweight and make them strong, build them for a lifetime. Aluminum was the obvious choice, engineered for practical purposes, designed by real people. Emeco named the chair with a number: 1006, some people call it the Navy chair. We still call it the Ten-o-six. Forming, welding, grinding, heat-treating, finishing, anodizing- just a few of the 77 steps it takes to build an Emeco chair. No one else makes chairs this way. No one can. It takes a human eye to know when the process is done right, and it takes human hands to get it that way. Our goal. Make recycling obsolete and keep making things that last.
Stay informed on our latest promotions, sales, and product launches
Le Belle Arti is extremely proud to be one of the longest standing modern furniture store and design centre in Canada.
Verner Panton
The fixture emits a soft and comfortable illumination. The hemispherical...
Arne Jacobsen
The fixture emits downward directed light. The angle of the shade can be...


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With only one skein of worsted cotton, you can make 4 different items for the bridal shower wishing well. I make mine in the order written and just had a few inches of yarn left.
This is my original pattern and I have retained all my copyrights. You may make items from the pattern for gifts. You may not sell either the pattern or items made. You may not profit from my work.
Bridal Shower Sink Set
Peaches & Crème 4 ply worsted weight yarn 100% cotton 2oz/56.7g
One skein #205 Gumdrops
Hook size: G/4.25mm
Yarn Needle
1 round plastic mesh scrubber about 4 inches across
1 7 1/2 inch by 3 inch, 12.6oz/375ml bottle of liquid dish detergent
Plate Scrubber
Note: Piece is worked in a continuous spiral without joining.
Rnd 1: Starting at the top edge of the mesh scrubber, and inserting hook somewhat horizontally and catching several plastic threads, ch 1, sc in same place, ch 3, now working evenly around scrubber (sc in scrubber, ch 3) 32 times.
Rnd 2: Working toward the center in a spiral, , evenly work, (sc in scrubber, ch3) 24 times.
Rnds 3-7: Continuing in pattern and working evenly, continue in the (sc in scrubber, ch3) pattern. Work front side only. Fasten off. Leave reverse side unworked.
Glass Washer
Rnd 1: Ch 2, 10 sc in 2 nd ch from the hook. Do not join. (10)
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc. (20)
Rnd 3 -14: Sc in each sc First pouch completed. Do not end off but continue for second pouch
Rnd 15: Ch 10, skip each of next 10 sc, sc in each of 10 rem sc, sc in each of next 10 chs. (20 sc). You will now be working second pouch.
Rnd 16- 27: Sc in each sc. (20)
Rnd 28: 2 sc tog around. (10) . Fasten off with a 4 inch length. With yarn needle, weave yarn length over and under stitches, pull tight to close and stitch shut.
To use, insert thumb in one pouch and fingers in the other. Place finger side of pouch inside glass and thumb side of pouch outside glass.
Fork Scraper
Row 1: Ch 21, dc in 3rd ch from hook, (ch 1, skip next ch, dc in next ch), across. (10 dc). Ch 1, Turn.
Row 2: Sc in each dc and in each ch-1 sp. ( 19 sc) Ch 2, turn.
Row 3: Dc in the first sc, (ch 1, skip next sc, dc in next sc), across. (10 dc). Ch 1, Turn.
Row 4-14: Repeat row 2 and row 3, alternately, with row 14 a sc row and not turning at end of row but continuing with the edging.
Edging: Rnd 1: Now working down side of piece, (2 sc around stem of dc, sc in side of sc) to bottom edge, (sc in ch-1 sp, sc in sc) across, working up side of piece, (2 sc around stem of dc, sc in side of sc) to top edge, (sc in ch-1 sp, sc in sc) across. Join with a sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Soap Bottle Apron
Rnd 1: Ch 4, dc in 4 th ch from the hook, ch 2, ( counts as first shell), in same sp work,
(2 dc, ch2) 4 times. Join with a sl st to top of beg ch-4. (5 shells).
Rnd 2: Sl st across to ch-2 sp, (ch 3, dc, ch 2, 2 dc), in each of next four ch-2 sps, work, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc), join to top of beg ch-3.
Rnd 3: Sl St across to ch-2 sp, (ch 3, dc, ch 2, 2 dc), in the skip next two dc, *in the sp before the next two dc, work, 2 dc, in the ch 2 sp work, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc), rep from * around. Join with a sl st to top of beg ch-3.
Row 4: (Bib) Sl St across to ch-2 sp, ch 4 (counts as a dc, ch 1), dc in ch-2 sp, ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next dc. (3 dcs separated by 2 ch-1 sps) Turn.
Row 5-6: Ch 4, dc in next dc, ch 1, dc in last dc. Turn.
Row 7: Ch 12, join with a sl st to first dc to form a ring. Fasten off.
Tie: With rem yarn, chain a length of 18 inches. Fasten off.
Weave through spaces below bib. Slip 12-ch ring around detergent bottle cap and tie a bow around the bottle.
I have also posted this set on Crochetville
My website is Crochet Living


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Malcolm sevren, consultant
Malcolm has been associated with the Practice for over 15 years.
With a career background clients would not normally expect to find in a professional practice, Malcolm had a career in Sales & Marketing, having held senior positions with Beecham Foods, Coca-Cola, Alberto-Culver and Mars.
Malcolm worked in the UK retail sector as Sales & Marketing Director at Dixons and Allied Carpets, having won two National Awards for his customer service strategies.
With over 2,500 employees under his remit, Malcolm has also gathered knowledge and skills in HR management along the way.
Email: email@example.com
Tel: +44 (0)20 8371 3000


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Decision : 32 COM 8B.23
Examination of nomination of natural, mixed and cultural proprerties to the World Heritage List - Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran (ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN)
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Documents WHC-08/32.COM/8B and WHC-08/32.COM/INF.8B1,
2. Inscribes the Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iran, on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (ii), (iii) and (vi);
3. Adopts the following Statement of Outstanding Universal Value:
The Armenian monasteries of Iran have borne continuous testimony, since the origins of Christianity and certainly since the 7th century, to Armenian culture in its relations and contact with the Persian and later the Iranian civilisations. They bear testimony to a very large and refined panorama of architectural and decorative content associated with Armenian culture, in interaction with other regional cultures: Byzantine, Orthodox, Assyrian, Persian and Muslim. The monasteries have survived some 2,000 years of destruction, both of human origin and as a result of natural disasters. They have been rebuilt several times in a spirit in keeping with Armenian cultural traditions. Today they are the only important vestiges of Armenian culture in this region. Saint-Thaddeus, the presumed location of the tomb of the apostle of Jesus Christ, St. Thaddeus, has always been a place of high spiritual value for Christians and other inhabitants in the region. It is still today a living place of pilgrimage for the Armenian Church.
Criterion (ii): The Armenian monasteries of Iran illustrate the Outstanding Universal Value of Armenian architectural and decorative traditions. They bear testimony to very important cultural interchanges with the other regional cultures, in particular Byzantine, Orthodox and Persian.
Criterion (iii): Situated at the south-eastern limits of the main zone of Armenian culture, the monasteries were a major centre for its diffusion in the region. Today they are the last regional testimony of this culture in a satisfactory state of integrity and authenticity.
Criterion (vi): The monastic ensembles are the place of pilgrimage of the apostle St. Thaddeus, which bears an outstanding living testimony to Armenian religious traditions down the centuries.
The State Party has made a remarkable long-term effort regarding the restoration and conservation of the Armenian monastic ensembles in Iran. Their integrity and authenticity are satisfactory, and this includes the Chapel of Dzordzor, which (because of a dam construction project) was moved and then rebuilt with an evident concern to retain authenticity.
The legal protection in place is adequate. The monastic ensemble is currently in a good state of conservation. The management plan provides the necessary guarantees for the long-term conservation of the property and the expression of its Outstanding Universal Value.
4. Recommends that the State Party should give consideration to the following:
- a) improving the quality of the areas around the properties, as there are some disparate elements which are not conducive to the expression of Outstanding Universal Value (transformer, pylon, etc.);
- b) ensuring the harmonious development of tourism, while respecting the Outstanding Universal Value of the properties. Ensuring in particular the harmonious nature of the visitor facilities located in the monastic ensembles and their buffer zones.
DocumentsDecisions Report
Context of DecisionWHC-08/32.COM/8B


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MoveIn Certified
What is MoveIn Certified?
Are you selling your home? Let OHIA inspect it before you even list it. A Move-In Certified™ home has been pre-inspected, which means that the seller can confirm that there are no major systems in need of immediate repair or replacement, and no known safety hazards. A Move-In Certified™ Seller Inspection informs you of any defects or problems with your home so that you can address them before prospective buyers discover them. You can then take the time you need to obtain reasonable repair estimates. Show prospective buyers that you are dealing in good faith. Avoid 11th-hour negotiations and delays, and justify your full asking price by having your home pre-inspected now.
The inspection reports are hosted on www.FetchReport.com. Ask the listing agent or seller for access to view.
Read this article that explains some of the reasons it's a good idea to have your home pre-inspected: 8 Unexpected Factors That Can Threaten Your Home Sale.
Read this Los Angeles Times article about seller inspections.
Contact us today for a quote on your home inspection.
Call us today:


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Defending Indigenous Democracy
Uncivil acts such as that passed unanimously by the Idaho legislature, show how far we have yet to go before we can say we live in a respectful society. Until that day comes, there will be a need for applied investigative research and communication, which is where the Public Good learning center comes in. Presently operating online and in occasional conferences and teach-ins, we hope to expand our offerings with a brick-and-mortar presence in the near future. By making a donation to this initiative, you'll help us get there sooner.
As we noted at the beginning of our social enterprise fifteen years ago, safeguarding indigenous rights is part of defending democracy. It still is.


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POUND RIDGE, N.Y. – Stacy Geisinger writes the local lifestyle blogazine stacyknows.com . Her articles are reprinted in Daily Voice.
New contemporary art is featured at the Lionheart Gallery, located at 27 Westchester Avenue in Pound Ridge, through July 3.
Ashley Chase Andrews' 'Impulse' showcases large-scale abstract paintings that reference history and culture through adventurous mark making and bold lush color, and Gregg Welz' 'Paper Cuts,' highlights geometric shapes and patterns created through intricately cut and folded paper.
Now residing in North Salem, Andrews was raised in Santa Monica and credits her Californian upbringing with sparking her love of freedom and adventure. "I was never afraid," she says. "I was a risk taker."
Inspired by Cy Twombly, Robert Rauschenberg, and Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andrews begins with unstretched canvas tacked to her studio wall and then draws with charcoal or oil sticks and paints in acrylic or oil.
She works big, she works fast, and she spontaneously responds to whatever color or marks she is using at the moment, constantly building up layers of interesting marks, symbols, shapes, and personal messages: numbers, words, foods, places or political events.
"I am drawn to this abstract process as a means of expressing the visual symmetry around me: architecture, water patterns, or stone walls, for instance," Welz says, citing Sol LeWitt and Louise Nevelson among sources of inspiration.
'Cuts' includes works like Up and Over, a perfect square composed of 169 smaller squares, each its own tile of origami-like folds. The creamy white paper conjures endless associations: tiny kites, ornate frosting roses, snowy peaks, experimental architecture, spinning pinwheels, scales on a pale fish, or facets in a diamond.
The Lionheart Gallery is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.
For more information and directions to the gallery, go online to www.thelionheartgallery.com or call (914) 764-8689.
Click here to sign up for Daily Voice's free daily emails and news alerts.


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"2017/2018 Registrations
Our 1st nipper day was held last Sunday 8/10/17. It is still not too late to Register your child for nippers. Nippers must have turned 5 by 30/9/17.
We will be holding Registrations this Sunday 15/10 between 8.00am and 8.30am for new members. Cut off time is to allow members to be added to weekly sheets for nipper start time of 9am.
We will not be taking new registrations the following week 22/10.
Any members wishing to join can contact our Registrar – Leisa Griffin on 0404 487 517 or email email@example.com to register electronically or on line. I am happy to forward our Membership Forms.
Regards Leisa Griffin


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I took 12 hours starring at this photo which belong to friend of mine, realvista. I'm the ones who drag him into the real photography scene, but he a step further than me! I don't know why, but something in there! His courage, philosophy and his expression of art. Thats make me remember to the Ken Rockwell post back to 2009 and my post on blog 'Whats Make A Photographer a Professional'. And i really like what Ken Rockwell have told that 'Don't presume the most expensive gear is the best. Having too much camera equipment is the best way to get the worst photos'. Hope this post will help you think more on Photography Itself not about gears!!
See renowned pro Chase Jarvis' art book, The Best Camera, shot entirely on his iPhone.See the online eork shot exclusively on his iPhone.
If you can shoot well, all you need is a disposable, toy camera or a camera phone to create great work. If you're not talented, it doesn't matter if you buy a Nikon D3X or Leica; your work will still be uninspired.
It's always better to spend your time and money on learning art and photography, not by spending it on more cameras.
Why is it that with over 60 years of improvements in cameras, lens sharpness and film grain, resolution and dynamic range that no one has been able to equal what Ansel Adams did back in the 1940s?
Ansel didn't even have Photoshop! How did he do it? Most attempts fall short, some are as good but different like Jack Dykinga, but no one is the same.
Try to tell an American he can't, and he will: Man Uses Barbie Fishing Rod for Record Catch!
Why is it that photographers loaded with the most extraordinary gear who use the internet to get the exact GPS coordinates of Jack's or Ansel's photo locations and hike out there with the image in hand to ensure an exact copy (illegal by US copyright laws and common decency), that they get something that might look similar, but lacks all the impact and emotion of the original they thought they copied?
I'm not kidding. A bunch of these turkeys used university astronomers to predict the one time in almost two decades that the conditions would match and had 300 of the clueless converge at just the right spot. They still didn't get the clouds, snow or shadows right. This makes Ansel or any other creative artist cringe. Of course they didn't get anything like what they wanted. Art is a lot more.
Compelling photographs come from inspiration, not duplication.
Someone asked "If I got a camera with only 6 or 7 MP, can I make good pictures with it?"
That reminds me about the guy who breaks a wrist and asks his doctor: "Doctor, will I be able to play the piano after this heals?" The doctor replies "Absolutely, no problem!" The man laughs, and points out that that's great, because he never could play the piano before!
Buying a Bösendorfer doesn't mean you can play the piano. Buying a great camera doesn't mean you can create compelling photographs. Good pianists can play on anything and a good photographer can make great images with a disposable camera.
As we all saw in The Blues Brothers, give Brother Ray a keyboard with a sticky action and he'll play so movingly that the whole town will be up and dancing.
Cameras don't take pictures, photographers do. Cameras are just another artist's tool.
Why is it that even though everyone knows that Photoshop can be used to take any bad image and turn it into a masterpiece, that even after hours of massaging these images look worse than when one started?
Maybe because it's entirely an artist's eye, patience and skill that makes an image and not his tools. Even Ansel said "The single most important component
of a camera is the twelve inches behind it."
A camera catches your imagination. No imagination, no photo – just crap. The word "image" comes from the word "imagination." It doesn't come come from "lens sharpness" or "noise levels." David LaChapelle's work is all about his imagination, not his camera. Setting up these crazy shots is the hard part. Once set up, any camera could catch them. Give me David LaChapelle's camera and I won't get anything like he does, even if you give me the same star performers.
The only reason I have a huge lens in my photo on my home page is so I don't have to say "photographer" or "photography." The lens makes it obvious much quicker than words. That's what visual communication is all about: thinking long and hard to make your point clearly and quickly. I haven't used that huge lens in years.
Just about any camera, regardless of how good or bad it is, can be used to create outstanding photographs for magazine covers, winning photo contests and hanging in art galleries. The quality of a lens or camera has almost nothing do with the quality of images it can be used to produce.
Joe Holmes' limited-edition 13 x 19″ prints of his American Museum of Natural History series sell at Manhattan's Jen Bekman Gallery for $650 each. They're made on a D70.
Another San Diego pro, Kirsten Gallon earns her living using Nikon's two very cheapest lenses, the 18-55 and 70-300 G.
There are plenty of shows selling shots from Holgas for a lot more money, just that those folks don't tell me about it. Holgas sell for $14.95, brand new, here. You can see an award-winning shot made with a Holga hanging in Washington, D.C.'s Hemicycle Gallery of the Corcoran Museum of Art in their 2006 Eyes of History competition of the White House News Photographers Association here.
Walker Evans once said "People always ask me what camera I use. It's not the camera, it's – – – " and he tapped his temple with his index finger.
Jesus Christ's dad Joseph built a masterpiece of a wooden staircase in a church in New Mexico in 1873, and does anyone care what tools he used? Search all you want, you'll find plenty of scholarly discussion but never of the tools.
Your equipment DOES NOT affect the quality of your image. The less time and effort you spend worrying about your equipment the more time and effort you can spend creating great images. The right equipment just makes it easier, faster or more convenient for you to get the results you need.
"Any good modern lens is corrected for maximum definition at the larger stops. Using a small stop only increases depth…" Ansel Adams, June 3, 1937, in a reply to Edward Weston asking for lens suggestions, page 244 of Ansel's autobiography. Ansel made fantastically sharp images seventy years ago without wasting time worrying about how sharp his lenses were. With seventy years of improvement we're far better off concentrating on making stunning photos than photographing test charts. Of course these large format lenses of the 1930s and today are slow, about f/5.6 typically. Small format and digital lenses work best at about 2 stops down.
Buying new gear will NOT improve your photography. For decades I thought "if I only had that new lens" that all my photo wants would be satisfied. Nope. I still want that "one more lens," and I've been shooting for over 30 years. There is always one more lens. Get over it. See "The Station" by Robert J. Hastings, as published in "Dear Abby" in 1999, for a better explanation.
The camera's only job is to get out of the way of making photographs.
Ernst Haas commented on this in a workshop in 1985:
Two laddies from Nova Scotia had made a huge effort to be there and were great Leica fans, worked in a camera store, saved to have them and held Ernst on high for being a Leica user (although he used Nikons on his Marlboro shoots, when the chips were down).
About four days into the workshop, he finally maxxed out on the Leica adoration these kids displayed, and in the midst of a discussion, when one of them asked one more question aimed at establishing the superiority of Wetzlar, Ernst said, "Leica, schmeica. The camera doesn't make a bit of difference. All of them can record what you are seeing. But, you have to SEE."
Nobody talked about Leica, Nikon, Canon or any other brand of camera equipment for the rest of the workshop.
He also said, "Best wide-angle lens? 'Two steps backward' and 'look for the ah-ha'."
(This Haas anecdote comes from Murad Saÿen, the famous photographer from Oxford, Maine over whom people are all abuzz. Many say he emerged from the back woods as a cross between Eliot Porter and Henri Cartier Bresson. I found at least three websites claiming to be Haas' official one here and here.)
You can see some of the world's best photography here by a fellow who says the same thing here. Here's another load of data which also confirms why owning more lenses just makes worse photos. I made these B/W photos here with a 50 year old $3 box camera more primitive than today's disposables.
Andreas Feininger (French, b. 1905 – d. 1999), said "Photographers — idiots, of which there are so many — say, "Oh, if only I had a Nikon or a Leica, I could make great photographs." That's the dumbest thing I ever heard in my life. It's nothing but a matter of seeing, thinking, and interest. That's what makes a good photograph. And then rejecting anything that would be bad for the picture. The wrong light, the wrong background, time and so on. Just don't do it, not matter how beautiful the subject is."
People know cars don't drive themselves, typewriters don't write novels by themselves and that Rembrandt's brushes didn't paint by themselves. So why do some otherwise intelligent people think cameras drive around and make pictures all by themselves? The most advanced, exotic and expensive car can't even stay in the same lane on the freeway by itself, much less drive you home. No matter how advanced your camera you still need to be responsible for getting it to the right place at the right time and pointing it in the right direction to get the photo you want. Every camera requires you to make manual adjustments now and then as well, regardless of how advanced it is. Never blame a camera for not knowing everything or making a wrong exposure or fuzzy image.
Even a good driver in a crummy car like a Geo Metro can escape from multi-car police chases in broad daylight. It's the driver, not the car. Read that one here.
Here's how I came to discover this:
When it comes to the arts, be it music, photography, surfing or anything, there is a mountain to be overcome. What happens is that for the first 20 years or so that you study any art you just know that if you had a better instrument, camera or surfboard that you would be just as good as the pros. You waste a lot of time worrying about your equipment and trying to afford better. After that first 20 years you finally get as good as all the other world-renowned artists, and one day when someone comes up to you asking for advice you have an epiphany where you realize that it's never been the equipment at all.
You finally realize that the right gear you've spent so much time accumulating just makes it easier to get your sound or your look or your moves, but that you could get them, albeit with a little more effort, on the same garbage with which you started. You realize the most important thing for the gear to do is just get out of your way. You then also realize that if you had spent all the time you wasted worrying about acquiring better gear woodshedding, making photos or catching more rides that you would have gotten where you wanted to be much sooner.
I met Phil Collins at a screening in December 2003. It came out that people always recognize his sound when they hear it. Some folks decided to play his drums when he walked away during a session, and guess what? It didn't sound like him. Likewise, on a hired kit (or "rented drum set" as we say in the USA) Phil still sounds like Phil. So do you still think it's his drums that give him his sound?
A fan from Michigan teaches auto racing at a large circuit. The daughter of one of his students wanted to come learn. She flew out and showed up at the track in an rented Chevy Cavalier. She outran the other students, middle aged balding guys with Corvettes and 911s. Why? Simple: she paid attention to the instructor and was smooth and steady and took the right lines, not posing while ham-fisting a lot of horsepower to try to make up for patience and skill. The dudes were really ticked, especially that they were outrun by a GIRL, and a 16 year old one at that.
Sure, if you're a pro driver you're good enough to elicit every ounce of performance from a car and will be limited by its performance, but if you're like most people the car, camera, running shoes or whatever have little to nothing to do with your performance since you are always the defining factor, not the tools.
Catch any virtuoso who's a complete master of their tools away from his or her sponsors and they'll share this with you.
So why do the artists whose works you admire tend to use fancy, expensive tools if the quality of the work is the same? Simple:
1.) Good tools just get out of the way and make it easier to get the results you want. Lesser tools may take more work.
2.) They add durability for people who use these tools hard all day, every day.
3.) Advanced users may find some of the minor extra features convenient. These conveniences make the photographer's life easier, but they don't make the photos any better.
4.) Hey, there's nothing wrong with the best tools, and if you have the money to blow why not? Just don't ever start thinking that the fancy tools are what created the work.
So why do I show snaps of myself with a huge lens on my pages? Simple: it saves me from having to say "Ken Rockwell Photography," which sounds lame and takes up more space. The big camera gets the message across much better and faster so I can just say "Ken Rockwell."
Here are photos made by a guy in the Philipines – with a cell phone camera!
One last example: I bought a used camera that wouldn't focus properly. It went back to the dealer a couple of times for repair, each time coming back the same way. As an artist I knew how to compensate for this error, which was a pain because I always had to apply a manual offset to the focus setting. In any case, I made one of my very favorite images of all time while testing it. This image here has won me all sorts of awards and even hung in a Los Angeles gallery where an original Ansel Adams came down and this image was hung. When my image came down Ansel went right up again. Remember, this was made with a camera that was returned to the dealer which they agreed was unrepairable.
The important part of that image is that I stayed around after my friends all blew off for dinner, while I suspected we were going to have an extraordinary sky event (the magenta sky, just like the photo shows.) I made a 4 minute exposure with a normal lens. I could have made it on the same $3 box camera that made the B/W images here and it would have looked the same.
Likewise, I occasionally get hate mail and phone calls from guys (never women) who disagree with my personal choice of tools. They take it personally just because I prefer something different than they do. Like anyone cares? These folks mean well, they probably just haven't made it past that mountain and still think that every tool has some absolute level of goodness, regardless of the application. They consider tools as physical extensions of their body so of course they take it personally if I poke fun of a certain tool as not being good for what I'm doing. For instance, the Leica collectors here have a real problem with this page. All gear has different values depending on what you want to do with it. What's great for you may not be for me, and vice-versa.
Just about any camera, regardless of how good or bad it is, can be used to create outstanding photographs for magazine covers, winning photo contests and hanging in art galleries. The quality of a lens or camera has almost nothing do with the quality of images it can be used to produce.
You probably already have all the equipment you need, if you'd just learn to make the best of it. Better gear will not make you any better photos, since the gear can't make you a better photographer.
Photographers make photos, not cameras.
It's sad how few people realize any of this, and spend all their time blaming poor results on their equipment, instead of spending that time learning how to see and learning how to manipulate and interpret light.
Buying newer cameras will ensure you get the same results you always have. Education is the way to better images, not more cameras.
Don't blame anything lacking in your photos on your equipment. If you doubt this, go to a good photo museum or photo history book and see the splendid technical quality people got 50 or 100 years ago. The advantage of modern equipment is convenience, NOT image quality. Go look at the B/W images in my Death Valley Gallery. Look sharp to you? They were made on a 50 year old fixed-focus, fixed exposure box camera for which I paid $3. This camera is more primitive than today's disposables.
I have made technically and artistically wonderful images on a $10 camera I bought at Goodwill, and have turned out a lot of crap with a $10,000 lens on my motor driven Nikon.
The great Edward Steichen photographed Isadora Duncan at the Acropolis, Athens in 1921. He used a Kodak borrowed from the head waiter at his hotel. The images are, of course, brilliant. Steichen had not taken his own camera because the original plan had been to work only with movie equipment. This image was on display at The Whitney in 2000 – 2001.
You need to learn to see and compose. The more time you waste worrying about your equipment the less time you'll have to put into creating great images. Worry about your images, not your equipment.
Everyone knows that the brand of typewriter (or the ability to fix that typewriter) has nothing to do with the ability to compose a compelling novel, although a better typewriter may make typing a little more pleasant. So why do so many otherwise reasonable people think that what sort of camera one has, or the intimate knowledge of shutter speeds, lens design or camera technology has anything do with the ability to create an interesting photo other than catering to the convenience of the photographer?
"…anytime I go anywhere with a camera, whether it be my top-of-the-line pro body with fifteen lenses and smart flash or a simple point-and-shoot, I might take the best photograph of my life. If, however, I trapped myself into believing that success of my style would only come through in the grainless technical perfection of a cumbersome larger format or the heady fine art of a preconceptualized composition, then I would lose much of the magic that drew me to photography in the first place." Galen Rowell.
Just as one needs to know how to use a typewriter to compose a script, one does need to know how to operate a camera to make photos, but that's only a tiny part of the process. Do you have any idea what brand of computer or software I used to create what you're reading right now? Of course not, unless you read my about page. It matters to me, but not to you, the viewer. Likewise, no one who looks at your pictures can tell or cares about what camera you used. It just doesn't matter.
Knowing how to do something is entirely different from being able to do it at all, much less do it well.
We all know how to play the piano: you just press the keys and step on the pedals now and then. The ability to play it, much less the ability to stir emotion in those who hear your playing, is an entirely different matter.
Don't presume the most expensive gear is the best. Having too much camera equipment is the best way to get the worst photos.
The more expensive cameras and lenses don't do much of anything significant for the huge increases in price.


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R.A.W. – Realms of Ancient War, the explosive Hack'n'Slash for PlayStation® Network, Xbox LIVE® and PC developed by Wizarbox, today immerses us in its heroic-fantasy universe through a minute of video sequences!
This video presents us a bit more the rich universe of R.A.W., in which you will take control of a powerful warrior, a dark sorcerer or a stealthy rogue, before throwing yourself in a big, action-rich quest!
The first few sequences of the video, more contemplative, let us appreciate the diversity and richness of the game's levels and environments. These sequences quickly turn into pure action, while the 3 heroes of the game face swarms of creatures and huge bosses. All the power they have been granted, their powerful spells and devastating abilities will certainly not be too much for them to complete their grand quest!
R.A.W. – Realms of Ancient War will release on PlayStation® Network, Xbox LIVE® and on PC early 2012.


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02+ RSX Function 7 Rear Lower Control Arms
Category: JDM Integra Dc5 02-06 RSX
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Model #: F7-DC5LCA
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02+ RSX Function 7 Rear Lower Control Arms. Designed for extreme racing use.
- LCA are precision machined aluminum for ultimate strength and also treated to resist corrosion.
- Every arm is tracked step by step in the manufacturing process, and each arm is individually serialized, engraved and bar coded for quality assurance.
Item ships within 1-2 business days from purchase date.


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Bottomless Bloody Marys at The Maple Bar - Seattle
The Maple Bar
8929 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115 (206) 402-6135 The Maple Bar specifically caters to all the boozy day drinkers out there in Seattle land. On Saturdays and Sundays till 2PM, you'll get bottomless mimosas and bloody marys for just $14, and folks, this is one out of only two all-you-can-drink boozy brunch spots in the city. Sometimes, that means you're getting crappy drinks for a long period of time, but at Maple Bar, the quality of bloody mary stands tall, true and vodka-filled. With its chunky mix of horseradish, black pepper and cumin seed, Maple Bar's bloody mary provides full on flavor at a damn fine price.
Why go? AYCD bloody marys. | Price: $14 on weekends till 2:00 pm


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Thank you for your interest in the global distribution of our wines. For more information on international sales, please contact Betsy Wildberger.
Betsy Wildberger
Export Director
(707) 463-5365
© Copyright 2019 Mendocino Wine Co. (707) 463-5350 - 501 Parducci Rd., Ukiah, CA 95482 - CA Permit CA-W-15116
Mendocino Wine Company is the owner of the PAUL DOLAN brand and trademark.Reference to Paul Dolan's name on the brand does not constitute an endorsement or sponsorship of the brand by Mr. Dolan.
Winery Ecommerce by Vin65


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Everything in a B.o.P. System - Forward/Backward Planning (Happy Planner - Classic)
Everything in a B.o.P. System - Forward/Backward Planning (Happy Planner - Classic)
Size: Happy Planner - Classic
Our Everything In A Week System© is an exclusive Better over Perfect proven tool designed to help you stay on task, see your months, weeks and days clearly, and help bring planning peace. The concept behind this planner line is to have everything you need for right at your fingertips, with science and practical application to back it up.
Everything in a B.o.P. System - Forward/Backward Planning includes:
2 Blank months on right/left side
Grid Paper on opposite page
Multiple uses - one insert
Backward or Forward Planning
Projects and more!
All digital files are delivered via the email provided during checkout. Each link is valid for 24 hours at which time it will expire. Please save the file to your computer to avoid loss of access.
All items are for personal use only and may not be distributed, sold, altered and claimed as your own design or product in any format. Reproduction and distribution of materials or products without written permission from Better Over Perfect Co. is prohibited. We would greatly appreciate credit when displaying or featuring any items provided to you by simply tagging us on social media. Thank you for being you!!!!


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I don't think this was my first Superman/Batman team-up book but it has certainly remained stuck in my memory for decades. I think I read this (repeatedly) between the ages of 8 and 10 until it was lost to the winds of fate. I recently found a copy in the cheap bins and was thrilled to see that - as silly as it is - it holds up as a fun little story.
Of course, at the time I had no idea that scripter Bob Haney was blatantly ripping off the film FANTASTIC VOYAGE (1968) and crossing it with a monster story. It's just such barely concealed theft that makes returning to the comic books of my youth so much fun. I got the occasional title steal from classic literature and the often over-obvious character names for both heroes and villains but lifts from things I had yet to be exposed to went past me easily. Now, spotting this stuff is part of the joy of rediscovery when I find one of these pieces of my childhood. Of course, the fact that The Atom is reduced to dust and then injected into a human body where he reassembles himself to do battle with gremlin-like 'germs' has me smiling the whole time. This kind of madness is why the 1960's and 70's DC comics were seen as so unhinged.
And, as a side note, Dick Dillin's artwork for this issue is amazing! I always associate him with his very long run on the original Justice League series and his pencils here show his style off well.


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David joined Skyline in 1996 as a partner, leading the sales and business development effort. In 2005, he assumed the role of CEO and restructured Skyline into a 100% employee-owned entity, which changed the direction and future of the organization. As CEO, David is responsible for driving the company's vision and implementing long- and short-term plans to grow the business forward.
Before joining Skyline, David admired the construction industry from a distance through his participation in BOMA and his work with local general contractors as a vendor: "I noticed that people in the construction industry seemed to be having a lot of fun, while doing some really large projects in marquee high-rise locations," said David, "so when I was approached by the former founders of Skyline to join them as a partner, I was excited about the opportunity to enter this business."
As a former collegiate athlete, David believes that leading an organization draws many similarities to playing team sports: "I always wore the captain's "C" on my jersey, and it came with great responsibility. I have the same mentality towards business -- no task or job is too small or too big. My goal is to always help the team move the ball forward. I hope the lessons I teach are of persistence, humility, focus and communication, coupled with a genuine desire to learn and get better. All of which results in personal and professional success."
David is respected as a skilled businessman, leader and innovator, but if you ask him what his true talents are, he says it's his ability to spin plates and create parody versions of popular songs — skills he crafted during his down time while waiting tables in college.
Outside of work David likes to ski, watch hockey play golf and travel the world with his wife and kids: "Being an immigrant from Europe, I have family all over the world, which makes for fun travel experiences."


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All day-use fees will be waived at Ontario Parks on July 17, 2015 to celebrate Healthy Parks Healthy People.
The global movement supported by Ontario Parks and many Canadian health organizations suggests that regular visits to natural spaces can lower blood pressure, boost immune systems and relieve stress.
Special July 17 Healthy Parks Healthy People events will take place at provincial parks across Ontario. Take a guided hike on a section of the Coastal Trail at Lake Superior Provincial Park. Join a free Yoga, Zumba or Tai Chi class on a park beach. Learn to fish and much more. Below is a small sample of the July 17 events planned. More are listed on the Ontario Parks Calendar of Events.
Certified yoga instructors will lead free Yoga on the Beach sessions at Wasaga Provincial Park. Two sessions, one for adults and one for kids and guardians, will run at 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Both are 45 minutes long. No experience or equipment is required.
Interested in a backcountry canoe trip in Algonquin Provincial Park? Don't know where to start? Join an expert tripper for an afternoon workshop at the park's Whitefish Lake Group Campground. This hands-on event will cover everything from canoes to food to the do's and don'ts of backcountry camping. Algonquin also plans a guided Spruce Bog morning hike and an afternoon biking event for kids on the Old Railway Bike Trail. Evening events include a guided Mizzy Lake Trail walk to search for wildlife tracks and an Outdoor Theatre program on the positive effects of connecting with nature.
Go fishing at Emily Provincial Park near Peterborough and Lindsay. Park staff will lead a Learn to Fish lesson that covers tackle, Ontario fish species and safety tips. Two-hour fishing licenses and equipment are provided. Free Learn to Fish lessons are offered at many Ontario Parks.
For more information on Healthy Parks Healthy People, see http://ontarioparks.com/hphp.
Courtesy Ontario Parks.


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Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Story on True South Studios
Here's an excerpt from John Beifuss' story on a local production company:
"We put our funding toward production instead of bricks and mortar," said Bob Compton, 52, the Germantown millionaire who is the guiding force behind True South Studios, a new multimedia company that is poised to be one of Memphis' most active filmmaking houses.
Incorporated earlier this year, True South Studios recently opened an office Downtown in the EmergeMemphis facility at 516 Tennessee.
The partners in this production and distribution company are chief executive officer Compton, who made his fortune as a venture capitalist specializing in startup technology companies; vice president of operations Les Edwards, 52, a financial consultant and accountant (he handled the payroll for Craig Brewer's recent "$5 Cover" production) and longtime organizer of the Indie Memphis Film Festival; and creative director Dan Treharne, a young Memphis moviemaker who this year wraps up his graduate film studies at the University of Southern California.
Read the entire story here.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Variety reports on Tennessee incentives
In the increasingly competitive market of film-hungry states maneuvering to host Hollywood productions, the fertile region of Tennessee is making a pronounced bid for the showbiz green.
The Volunteer State has long been the filming locale for John Grisham epics, and Memphis native Craig Brewer's "Hustle & Flow" and "Black Snake Moan" were local productions, as was Johnny Cash biopic "Walk the Line."
But, thanks to dual incentive programs courtesy of the Tennessee Film Commission and the Dept. of Revenue that were enacted a year and a half ago, 2008 has seen efforts such as Disney's upcoming "Hannah Montana: The Movie," director Rod Lurie's "Nothing but the Truth" and indie Billy Graham biopic "Billy: The Early Years" hunkered down in Tennessee.
The incentive package was fostered by competition, says film commission project manager Bob Raines. "Tennessee was falling behind other states that were rolling out incentive programs, some of which are not as conservative as ours, but we're trying to build something that is long term and sustainable."
The dual program offers up to 17% refund from the Film Commission with an additional 15% distributed by the Dept. of Revenue. Productions coming to Tennessee get an immediate 13% rebate with 2% added for Tennessee music acquisition, and another 2% can be had if at least 25% of the production's crew is hired locally.
"It's important to know that these are cash rebates," Raines stresses. "Louisiana offers tax credits, where you lose money up front. With us, productions get a check straight from the government."
From the state side, 15% "is for film companies that establish a permanent headquarters in Tennessee and incur a minimum of $1 million in qualified Tennessee expenses," explains Dept. of Revenue spokesperson Sara Jo Houghland. "If a production company doesn't have a headquarters in state but spends $1 million, then a company's investor can receive the refund, as long as they're headquartered here. Also, other states require you to submit all of your receipts, where we'll look at a spreadsheet and take a statistical sample, which gets the rebate check into the producers' hands quicker."
And, while the Film Commission currently has $20 million to spend, the Dept. of Revenue's incentive budget is unlimited due to a law pushed through by Gov. Phil Bredesen. The state's low cost of living and lack of state income tax are also major pluses for visiting productions.
Terra firma attractions are "the three distinct topographies," Raines explains. "We're mountainous in the east with the Appalachians, middle Tennessee has urban Nashville and the rolling-hills look, and then there's Memphis, which is delta."
Knoxville is a savvy, multibillion-dollar cable hub, home to Scripps, River Media and Jupiter Entertainment, an area well versed in low-budget, high-quality HD, reality and musicvideo creation.
Tennessee projects slated for '09 include a music-based Paramount effort, an unnamed Screen Gems feature and a Nashville-based Craig Brewer film.
"Our goal is not to be a Michigan or a Louisiana with 80 productions happening," clarifies Raines of his state, which currently can crew two and a half deep. "We want to have five or six productions, and we want them to be perfect. And having a studio here in the state will make us more competitive. It's a great thing that we look forward to."
The wait may not be long, thanks to the proposed Browns Creek Media Village: a multiuse studio complex, retail space, hotel, 5,000-seat entertainment venue and film school potentially located at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds, a 117-acre site in Nashville.
For the rest of the Variety story, go here.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Indie Memphis screening Wednesday
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Talent sought for Web project (adroit and cocksure)
Actors, thespians, and starlets, leading ladies and lads, even the hams for the cams...
Corduroy Wednesday Films is seeking talent of the acting variety for an uber top-secret web series.
Okay, it's not so secret, it's called "The Conversion" and follows the downfall and post-apocalyptic world after the digital TV conversion on February 17th, 2009 goes horribly awry.
These "webisodes" will hit the internets from December 08 to February 09. We pay in fun, good times and tasty snack foods. Most roles will take a day. We need all makes and models but here's a few lead roles we need:
White Male 30's: Best described as Ryan Seacrest(ish)...
African-American Male 50's, 60's with a deep, soulful, radio DJ voice.
Female, any race, late teens to early 20's. A lonelygirl15 type gal.
Contact us at firstname.lastname@example.com with resumes, pics, availability, likes, dislikes, and just to let us know how you're doing today.
We'll also get a few things posted up on our website: www.cwfilms.net & www.myspace.com/
For those who we've yet to meet in the fine Memphis community, Corduroy Wednesday Films is a band of adroit and cocksure individuals who enjoy the fine art of independent filmmaking.
Recent works on our resume:
L'Hippopotame Vert FTW! (Winner Li'l Film Fest 8, screened @ Indie Memphis 2008)
Grim Sweeper (Premiered at Indie Memphis 2006)
And a few other cinematic samples are swimming about in cyberspace...
See ya on the www,
CW Films
Saturday, November 08, 2008
'Nothing But the Truth' clip
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Monday, November 03, 2008
House needed for shoot
If you have one like this and can spare it for the shoot, please contact him at 859-4622.
It should look "lived in". It's about an older couple, the wife having Alzheimer disease. James Buchanan is the cinematographer and the actors are Don Meyers, Helen Bowman and Larry Bonds plays the son.


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I've been planning a big Johnny Weir post but have yet to get around to it, unfortunately. Hopefully I'll have one ready for when he takes home an Olympic medal on Thursday.
I do have to do one quick update on another male figure skater, though. Meet Florent Amodio.
I'm in love. He's 19, Brazilian, but was adopted by a French couple after he was abandoned when he was four. He's overcame a knee-disease only to recuperate and make it to the Olympics, stealing my heart. But most importantly, he brought us this:
And this (just skip to the part where he takes his jacket off):
You all already know how I feel about hilarious, sassy, and modern ice skating routines! And now that Johnny's leaving the ice I need another figure skater to dominate my heart. There's not a doubt in my mind that I've found him. Love you, Florent! Can't wait to marry you and have adorable triple-axeling, ice-dancing babies.
Feb 16, 2010
Heart of Ice
2 comments:
I'm DVRing the short programs tonight so I can get pumped for Thursday. I'm so glad I know about all the ice-drama that's going down.ReplyDelete
Also, isn't knee disease what killed Leelee Sobieski in that one terrible movie?
How have I not had Johnny Weir in my life until tonight!ReplyDelete
Oh, the humanity!
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


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You are here: AwningsVango Awnings
Rapide III 350
From: 550.00
**We currently have a Rapide II ex-demo model for sale at only £399. It was kept exclusively inside and is therefore in an 'as new' condition**
The Rapide III delivers a unique mix of speed, convenience, and innovative design. With a single Vango SuperBeam™ and durable Vango Sentinel Comfort 150 fabric, the Rapide stands up to its name by being incredibly quick to inflate! Updated to our Grey Violet colour, allowing more light into the awning, and featuring large diamond clear windows with elegant and convenient zip-up curtains, this caravan awning provides an excellent conservatory style living space to the side of your caravan. The multifunctional door allows you to keep it fully closed, half way open or removed completely, ideal for any occasion whatever the weather. A quick pitching caravan awning, the Rapide is ideal for those who are more frequently mobile and looking for an awning that saves time but does not compromise on space and quality.
Condition: New
Year: 2019
Status: Out of stock
Dimensions: 350x275
Frame: Air
Colour: Light Grey
Type: Porch awning
- *NEW* SkyTrack II System - Suspends Lights & Storage
- *NEW* Grey Violet Colourway & Design Refinements
- AirSpeed Valve System
- Zipped Curtains
- Covered, Heavyweight Door Zips
- Side Doors unzip at the top for Ventilation
- Easy-Clean, Weathershield Draught Skirt
- Webbing Storm Straps for Secure Guying
- Secure Line-Lok Guyline Runners
- Adjustable Pegging Points for Uneven Surfaces
- Factory Taped Watertight Seams
- Fitted Carpet
- AirSpeed Replacement Tubes
- Skyhooks
- Skyliner
- Sky Storage
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Looking to sell? Need a quote for insurance purposes? Interested in a part-exchange? We can help, so contact us today.Book a valuation ›


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Every once in a while, a few Wild Heart Tribe Members ask me questions about my artwork and some of my processes. My larger paintings usually take hundreds of hours to paint, even a smaller painting takes days. I have a tendency to paint with a very small brush and add multiple layers of colour so the painting transforms itself under different lighting at various times of the day.
I've taken three work-in-progress photographs of my new painting, "Serpent Heart" to give you an idea of how I use acrylic paints in my work.
The first image (above) reveals several hours of work getting the canvas ready for painting. The background is textured and has multiple layers of colour. The white paint strokes are my way of shaping the central figure, building his form with light.
What a mess! This part is always tricky for me. After layering the white paint strokes, I roughly brush yellow acrylic over the red. This step will tone down the red and give the white lines a layer of colour. It is sometimes difficult to picture the end result when the messy yellow layer gets painted in. I've outlined the heart with little bits of tape that will be pulled off after the paint dries.
Blue! In the image above you can see that I've started washing the colour blue over the canvas. In this case, I am using a dark ultramarine blue to create a purpling in the exposed red. I will continue this pattern for a few more layers, adding white for light, and refining the other colours for movement and depth. After a few more hours of this, I will start to paint the final layer.
I will post a photo of the finished painting by the end of the week. Thank you so much for being curious and joining me on my journey.
(Update: the Serpent Heart painting is now in the shop. The finished painting can be seen below, and in the blog entry "I Had His Six" )
If you have any questions about my art or my art making process, please leave a comment below.
My dear Wild Ones, you inspire me.


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Free Download of Hotel Receptionist Sample Resume
A hotel receptionist's main duty is to be at the front desk at the entrance hall of a hotel. One important aspect regarding the hotel receptionist job is that no educational requirements are required to get the job of a hotel receptionist but sometimes employers want to engage an individual with a degree and some sort of experience in the front desk tasks.
Your main objective is to get the target of bookings and to make sure that all the guests are given treatment with a high quality customer service. Just similar to the Editor Sample Resume your Hotel Receptionist Sample Resume has to have all the experience that you have in the past.
Where to Download a Sample Resume for a Hotel Receptionist?
The Hotel Receptionist Sample Resume needs to have precise points in it and must be having detailed information regarding the skills and experience of a Hotel Receptionist.
Following are some vital points that need to be included in the resume:
- The objective in the resume of a Hotel Receptionist is well written and targeted.
- You need to mention the skills, abilities and core competencies in the resume.
- In the work experience section you need to mention about your work experience extensively. You may also include your main accomplishments in this section.
- In the education section you may mention your professional qualifications
- You need to mention your special skills like the interpersonal skills and the presentation skills
- You should also mention your computer expertise
- You must include your key skills and competencies in the resume
- In the personal details section you need to mention your phone number, email address and your physical address
Did you find what you are looking for? We have a new service where we write a sample resume just for you.


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How to Set and DOMINATE Your Goals This Year/
Happy New Year! This is the time for fresh new beginnings and for looking ahead with vision, focus, and hope. It is a perfect time to set new goals for the year ahead.
We're not talking about resolutions. We're talking about goals. Resolutions usually fizzle and die in January, but goals are the difference between achievement and stagnation. They are the difference between victory and failure. You simply will not get where you want to go without goal-setting.
Use this comprehensive, evidence-based guide to achieve tremendous success in the coming year and arrive triumphant at the destination of your dreams.
A year can change so much. Think about where you were a year ago. How was your health and your body? Where were you financially, in your career, in friendships and love? What was your home like? How did you feel deep in your soul?
Think about the growth you've made, the things you've achieved (include non-tangible achievements like confronting and healing past pain, or taking an emotional chance on someone) what you've learned, and the adventures you've had.
Reviewing the past year helps you celebrate and be grateful for your accomplishments, and allows you to visualize how long a year can be.
This past year, I had a lot of big goals. When I sat down to review it, I was thrilled to see how much I accomplished, and how much fun and adventure I had! I used the system I'm sharing with you here to achieve your greatness!
You can check out my personal review of 2015 here. I never would have been able to accomplish these things if I had not used these steps to get there.
Review your last year with regard to Finance and Career, Love and Friendship, Living Environment, Spirit, Body and Health, and any categories that you feel are necessary. You could consider parenthood, family, travel, learning, giving, and creativity. Write down as many successes as you can think of.
After looking at what you've accomplished, write down the things that didn't go as well. The reason is to learn about the things you want to improve upon or avoid this year.
After the review of the last year, it's time to dream up the progress you'll make in the next year. You get to close your eyes and envision who and where you dream of being in rich, colorful detail. Goal-setting should be fun and exciting. It is a hopeful activity in its essence.
We are starting with big, limitless dreams, but remember that GOALS are not WISHES. A wish is a feeling. A goal is a result. While a wish is intangible, a goal is a real outcome. No matter how much you wish something for yourself, it will not happen if you're just wishing.
What YOU Want
Consider each category (Finance and Career, Love and Friendship, Living Environment, Spirit, Body and Health, etc.) and really muse about what you want. Make sure your dreams are truly what YOU WANT.
It doesn't matter here what you think you should accomplish or be, just what you want to accomplish or be. It also doesn't matter what your parents, your friends, or society wants you to accomplish or be. These are aspirations for YOU and your future.
Scare Yourself!
Your goals should be big enough to scare you. They shouldn't be so big that they are unreasonable or unattainable, but they should require you to push outside of your comfort zone. Don't set goals that you're sure to achieve just so you're sure not to fail. That's a waste of time that does not serve you.
Get SMART
These are not resolutions that will be broken by January fifth. These are aspirations turned concrete, realistic plans for the year ahead. The well-known goal-setting acronym SMART is the perfect framework for developing these goals.
SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timebound. When you turn your desires into goals that meet these requirements, they become much more effective.
For example, if your goal is to lose extra belly fat, make it into a SMART goal.
So, rather than "I want to lose extra belly fat," which is a nebulous, vague idea, the goal is now specific and measurable. We know it can be attained, and it is relevant, which makes the goal meaningful. It has a deadline and a sense of urgency because it is timebound.
This is the most effective means of goal-setting.
Power of the Pen
It is so important to physically write down your goals. Research has confirmed that writing down goals increases the likelihood that they will become reality. I can't stress this enough. Write down your goals!
The greatest, most extravagant accomplishments are achieved by a series of mundane tasks. After setting your goals, take each one and break it into small, simple, steps that move you toward it.
This is where your goal goes from a big dream to an achievable agenda. These short-term goals are clear, detail-oriented, progressive, and support the long-term goal.
Big goals can often feel overwhelming, so looking at the small steps it will take to get there takes the pressure off, and reduces big goals to what you can do RIGHT NOW to move toward your goal. You'll be motivated to do these small acts when you know exactly where they are leading—straight to the life you want.
Now it's time to take action. There is evidence of the effectiveness of accountability, commitment, and writing down one's goals. Now that you've written them down, you have to COMMIT to the goals. You are pledging to your future self. It is your sacred obligation to demolish these goals.
Stay on Top of It
Every badass has a strong sense of responsibility and accountability for his or her own behavior. As evidenced in the study linked above, accountability is one of the main characteristics of a successful goal-setting process. This is the difference between committing to your goals and making them happen.
Ideally, you could have a partner or social group to whom you can report your progress. Check in with them weekly, monthly, or quarterly, depending on your timeframe. This makes you feel responsible to someone else for your achievements, and it creates an additional sense of urgency.
You can use social media as your social accountability. It's a great accountability tool!
If you don't have a supportive social system, then at the very least, hold yourself accountable! Check in with yourself on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis to assess your progress and results. Consider what changes you might need to make, behaviors you might need to avoid, and the next steps on your journey.
If you do not periodically assess your progress, chances are, the weeks and months will go by without you even noticing that you are not progressing toward your goals. Don't let yourself realize in July that you haven't even started yet!
Milestones and Rewards
Set milestones that represent difficult feats or success that were hard-won. When you evaluate your progress and find that you've grown, made progress, or moved in the direction of your dream, celebrate! Studies show that small wins along the path toward a large goal invigorates your efforts, and taking time to celebrate them positively affects achievement.
Learn from Setbacks
There will always be setbacks and failures. Expect them so you are not thrown off course when they occur. Maybe you've heard that failure is not the opposite of success, it is a part of the process. So be prepared by learning from your mistakes and using them for inspiration. If and when you do not meet one of your short-term goals, remember that it is not a failure until you give up!
When the year is over—and it will be before you know it!—take some time to reflect on the entire year. Reflect and evaluate your progress on all of the year's goals, and look back over all other aspects of the year. Take out a big sheet of paper and write down every success, moment of growth, or adventure you've had that year.
Share your accomplishments with everyone, in person, on the phone, or via social media. Reward yourself for all that you've done. Schedule a massage, dine at a fancy restaurant, take a trip, or throw yourself a party!
*Please note: It is NOT RECOMMENDED to choose rewards that set you back, such as going on a shopping spree if your goal was to practice smart spending habits and save money, or a night of cocktails and greasy bar food if your goal was to lose fat and eat clean.
Celebrating your accomplishments with a definitive reward encourages and reinforces your own progress. Think of it was training your subconscious to associate pleasure with hard work. Or just think of it as celebrating. Wooohooo!
A goal can start as a big, extravagant dream. But goals are not dreams or wishes. It doesn't matter how badly you wish for it. The only thing that matters is what you do about it.
You are capable of so much. You might surprise yourself—just don't allow the possibilities to slide away from you. You CAN accomplish incredible things. Use this science-based process designed to help you access all of your badass potential.
Let's make this year the best of our lives!


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New Homes in the North West
A stone's throw from cultural cities, historic sites and sprawling countryside
Whether you love the hustle-and-bustle of Manchester, traditional seaside fun at Blackpool or the idyllic landscapes of the Lake District, your new home in the North West puts you close to some of the most popular sights and attractions in all of the UK. Encompassing the counties of Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire, Lancashire and Cumbria, the North West is a large and diverse region, and is home to some of the country's best schools and universities along with a growing number of both big-name and small-scale businesses.
The North West through the ages
The North West dates back to Roman times, when cities including Manchester were just small settlements. From the 11th century onwards, Manchester and later Liverpool began to grow quickly, especially as industry around the local ports, mills and factories became more and more successful. The Industrial Revolution was the real making of the North West, especially once the railway lines linked the biggest cities in the 19th century, making transportation of goods much easier.
Although many towns and cities were bombed during the Second World War - including Blackburn, Barrow-in-Furness and Burnley - the North West is now one of the most exciting and cutting-edge regions of the UK. Today, you can relive the North West's history by visiting the Hat Works Museum in Stockport, walking through the old hospital at Dunham Massey near Altrincham, or exploring the 14th century Whalley Abbey Gatehouse. Other popular historic sites in the region include the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool, Lancaster Castle in Cumbria, and Lowther Castle and Gardens in Penrith.
Must-know info for families
If you're moving to the North West with children in tow, you'll be keen to know more about the schools in the local area. Whether your little ones are about to start school or are moving into higher education, there's no doubt the North West is home to some of the best institutions in the country.
Top-rated secondary schools in the region include The Blue Coat School in Liverpool, Lancaster Girls' Grammar School, Withington Girls' School in Manchester, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, Manchester High School for Girls, and Clitheroe Royal Grammar School in Lancashire.
There are also lots of well-respected universities to choose from, including the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, the Royal Northern College of Music, the University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Cumbria in Lancaster.
Places to see and things to do
For families, there's plenty to keep you entertained, whether you're snowboarding at Chill Factore in Manchester, exploring the World Museum in Liverpool, getting an adrenaline rush at Blackpool Pleasure Beach or discovering wildlife at Chester Zoo. There are also a number of outdoor attractions and sights in the North West, so you can get a breath of fresh air at Tatton Park in Knutsford, explore Whinfell Forest in Penrith, or take a hike along one of the Lake District's many walking routes.
What about business?
Although business in the North West has traditionally centred around industry including flour milling and wool making, the region is now home to a diverse number of companies spanning retail, finance, energy, sport and more.
The biggest employers in the region include the local councils, universities, airports and football clubs as well as big-name brands. Some of the most recognisable companies with headquarters in the North West include Bentley Motors in Crewe, Shop Direct and Matalan in Liverpool, Betfred Group in Warrington, Pets at Home in Handforth, JD Sports in Bury, and Kellogg's UK and The Co-operative Group in Manchester. Amec Foster Wheeler, Certas Energy UK, Essar Oil (UK) and United Utilities are also based in the North West.
For travel
If you live and work in the North West, there are many options for commuting including driving, taking the train or using the Metrolink in Manchester. There are a number of motorways linking Manchester, Liverpool, Preston and Lancaster, such as the M6, M56 and M62, good for regional travel or journeys to other parts of the UK.
If you opt to travel by train, the journey from Manchester Victoria to Liverpool Lime Street takes just 35 minutes, while Manchester can be reached in just over 1 hour from Chester and 1 hour from Lancaster. For journeys further afield, the train from Manchester Piccadilly to London takes just 2 hours 15 minutes, while there are domestic and international flights from Manchester Airport and Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
New homes in Cheshire
- New homes in Chester
- New homes in Crewe
- New homes in Ellesmere Port
- New homes in Halton
- New homes in Macclesfield
- New homes in Mere
- New homes in Nantwich
- New homes in Northwich
- New homes in Runcorn
- New homes in Sandbach
- New homes in Tarporley
- New homes in Warrington
- New homes in Widnes
- New homes in Winsford
New homes in Greater Manchester
- New homes in Bolton
- New homes in Bury
- New homes in Hattersley
- New homes in Hyde
- New homes in Littleborough
- New homes in Manchester
- New homes in Rochdale
- New homes in Stalybridge
- New homes in Stockport
- New homes in Stretford
- New homes in Walkden
- New homes in Wigan
- New homes in wilmslow
- New homes in Worsley
New homes in Lancashire
- New homes in Blackpool
- New homes in Chorley
- New homes in Clitheroe
- New homes in Eccleston
- New homes in Garstang
- New homes in Kirkham
- New homes in Lancaster
- New homes in Leyland
- New homes in Longridge
- New homes in Nelson
- New homes in Preston
- New homes in Skelmersdale
- New homes in Tarleton
- New homes in Thornton-Cleveleys
- New homes in Whalley


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300x410mm Metal Wall Sign – Good Friends are like Stars
Red Hot Lemon are extremely proud to say all of our designs of Metal Wall plaques and signs are EXCLUSIVE to us, they are designed in-house by an inspired and passionate team – our aim…to give you and your customers something to be excited about! We use the freshest techniques, great eye for detail, and a love for each design, we believe it makes us the wall sign supplier of choice for those who are just as passionate about giftware as we are! With many ranges there is something to suit you all.
A bit of info about this design:
Design & appeal: To show your friends just how much you love them! This beautiful print is featured on a knit background with art deco and antique style text with beautiful colourways to make it pop! Great sign for your bestie!
Print quality: 1400dpi (most on the market are printed at 300dpi)
Finish: Gloss
Fixtures: Punch hole in each corner for easy hanging
Size: 300x410 Flat folded
Material: Tinplate
Order quantity: 1 piece upwards
We would love you to jump on board the 'New World Of Metal Wall Art' - Join the Red Hot Lemon Experience!


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Republican Allen West Disses Bill Cosby In New Rant
Bill Cosby's latest published weekend opinion piece has sparked the ire of former Floridian Rep. Allen West. Couldn't a Jello pudding pop create peace between these two?
The Cos's op-ed spoke of the attributes of Muslims and encouraged American to emulate their virtues. This instantly angered the staunch Republican representative from Florida. "Bill Cosby said we should [be] more like Muslims," Mr. West wrote via his Twitter account." "[You] mean honor killings, beheadings, suicide bombings? Hope [you're] kidding sir."
The New York Post featured the article which found Cosby musing, "I'm a Christian, but Muslims are misunderstood. Intentionally misunderstood. We should all be more like them. They make sense, especially with their children. There is no other group like the Black Muslims, who put so much effort into teaching children the right things: They don't smoke, they don't drink or overindulge in alcohol, they protect their women, they command respect. And what do these other people do?"
Continuing, he wrote, "They complain about them, they criticize them. We'd be a better world if we emulated them. We don't have to become Black Muslims, but we can embrace the things that work."
Do you think that West was right in attacking Cosby on Twitter?!
Props: WND


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When the first major company in an industry reports its earnings, it often sets the tone for others in the same space. Navios Maritime Partners' (NYSE:NMM) earnings release was no different. Following Navios's good results and great commentary, dry-shipping stocks such as DryShips, (NASDAQ:DRYS) and Genco Shipping & Trading (NYSE:GNK) posted impressive stock price gains of their own. Navios' outlook seems to signal smooth waters ahead for the shipping industry.
On Halloween day, Navios Maritime Partners announced third-quarter results. Its revenue and net income were strong, as expected. Navios' fleet is on long-term fixed-contracted rates, so the odds were low that its top and bottom lines would surprise investors in either direction. But while Navios's actually earnings weren't a big deal, its outlook and response to those earnings definitely was.
In the way of its strong earnings, Navios announced a quarterly dividend of $0.4425 per share; it's committed to pay at least that much through the end of 2014. Navios CEO Angeliki Frangou said, "We believe that we are positioned to increase distributions in the medium term as the dry bulk market improves."
Navios appears to be ready to open its wallet. This suggests its confidence extends beyond 2014, and that it truly believes the shipping industry has reached a bottom.
Conference call
The conference call that followed was more upbeat than ever. In her opening paragraph, Frangou said of the 11.7% dividend yield, "We believe that in time investors will find Navios Partners yield extremely attractive." That's code for "higher stock prices and a sustained dividend." Frangou also said "...the drybulk environment has brightened significantly."
On top of this, she gave details about shrinking capacity in the industry. Many dry bulk ships are becoming too old to operate and are being sold off as scrap medal. At the same time, orders for new ships are not high enough to meet the demand Navios anticipates.
Executive vice-president George Achniotis added: "...significant additional iron ore export capacity in both Brazil and Australia should support earnings especially in the Capesize sector. Both the Panamax and Supramax sectors should receive support over the medium to long-term by Chinese coal and grain imports."
Iron ore shipments have been largely responsible for the 2013 improvement in dry-shipping thus far. Having "significant additional export capacity" going forward, in addition to what's already been taking place, would be fantastic for the shipping companies. Based on Achniotis' comments, Panamax and Supramax ships' growing popularity heightens their chances of higher rates and higher contract deals.
Final foolish thoughts
If all of the positive comments from Navios Maritime Partners prove true, other dry shippers could see drastic improvement in their fundamentals.
DryShips reports on Nov. 4, with a conference call the following day. Genco Shipping & Trading reports on Nov. 7. See whether their industry outlook concurs with Navios's. If they are all in agreement about good times ahead for the industry, all three stocks could rise going forward.
Keep in mind that DryShips and Genco Shipping & Trading have large amounts of debt, so they need a sustained recovery in the business to keep in good favor with their lenders. Additionally, keep close tabs on the daily spot rate environment, to make sure rates are going in the direction companies such as Navios Maritime Partners believes they are.
Oil prices and OPEC


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- Teacher:
- Mrs Crisell & Mrs Styles
- Year:
- 4/5
- Category:
- Key Stage 2
In our class there are both year 4 and 5 children. Mrs Crisell and Mrs Styles are our teachers. Mrs Crisell teaches us Monday,Tuesday and Wednesday, Mrs Styles teaches us Thursdays and Fridays. We also have wonderful Teaching assistants: Mrs Fleming and Mrs Pears
This year our class will be studying work on Kensuke's Kingdom, Space and Saxons and Vikings. We enjoy P.E. including outdoor games, on Wednesdays and Thursdays. We get homework every week – spellings, mental maths, reading and sometimes topic work in our learning log.
We have written a class charter which helps us to be successful learners and makes Coverdale a great place to be! We work together to keep our classroom tidy and to be resourceful learners.
See more about our class on our blog page by clicking here