text:
In what has become a delightful local tradition, the Brunswick Rotary Club offers a morning of old-fashioned family fun on the town mall each July 4th.
|Brunswick Rotary Club Hosts Annual July 4 Games on the Mall
|4th of July,Brunswick Rotary Club,Games on the Mall,Independence Day
The Brunswick Rotary Club will be holding it's first ever Patriots' Day Half-K on Monday, April 15th on the Brunswick Mall. Registration starts at 11:00am while the "race" begins at noon.
|Avoid Long Distance Running at the Brunswick Rotary Club's Patriots' Day Half-K on April 15th!
The Brunswick Rotary Club is proud to sponsor Midcoast Maine's Got Talent for the eight year. The talent show will be held on Friday, May 17, 2019 at 7:00pm in Brunswick High School's Crooker Theatre and will feature 20 acts.
|Midcoast Maine's Got Talent Returns on May 17, 2019
|Jennifer Iacovelli
The Brunswick Rotary Club is sponsoring its second annual Essence of Elegance Fashion Show & Wine Tasting on November 15, 2018 from 6:00pm - 9:00pm at the Hilton Garden Inn at 5 Park Street in Freeport, Maine.
|Essence of Elegance Fashion Show & Wine Tasting: November 15, 2018
|Jennifer Iacovelli
|Brunswick Rotary Club,It's all Good,Maine,Universal Promise,community fund,event,fashion show,fundraiser,wine tasting
The Rotary Club of Brunswick has been awarded a $5000 grant to purchase nine laptop computers, mouses and a securable computer charging cabinet for the Brunswick Teen Center. This competitively awarded Rotary District 7780 grant was approved mid-July and awarded based on its quality and positive community impact. The $5000 check was presented to Jordan Cardone, Teen Center Director, and Stacy Frizzle, Executive Director of People Plus/Teen Center during the August 20 Rotary meeting. A following ceremony at The Teen Center unveiled the new computers to the delight of the teens.
|The Rotary Club of Brunswick Provides Additional Computers for the Teen Center
|Jennifer Iacovelli
Brunswick Rotary is excited to announce the second annual fashion show and wine tasting fundraiser will be held on Thursday, November 15th at the Hilton Garden Inn in Freeport from 6:00pm - 9:00pm.
|Save the Date (11.15.18) for our Fashion Show Fundraiser!
|Jennifer Iacovelli
|Brunswick Rotary Club,Hilton Garden Inn,It's all Good,fashion show,fundraiser
The Brunswick Hannaford Supermarket located has chosen Brunswick Rotary Club as a beneficiary of the Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag Program!
|Buy a Reusable Hannaford Bag & Support the Brunswick Rotary Community Fund!
|Jennifer Iacovelli
|Brunswick Rotary Club,Hannaford,community fund,fundraiser,reusable bags
The Rotary Club of Brunswick, in cooperation with the Brunswick Parks and Recreation department, is pleased to announce "Games on the Mall," a Brunswick Fourth of July tradition, will take place from 10:00am to 11:30 a.m. at the Brunswick Town Mall on Maine Street.
|Join Us for "Games on the Mall" on July, 4 2018
|Jennifer Iacovelli
|4th of July,Brunswick Rotary Club,Games on the Mall,Independence Day,Maine,family event
The Rotary Club of Brunswick is happy to announce the 2018 edition of "Midcoast Maine's Got Talent!" In its seventh year, this fun and well-attended local talent show will be held on Friday, May 18 at 7:00 p.m. at the Crooker Theatre (Brunswick High School) in Brunswick.
|Coming on Friday, May 18: Midcoast Maine's Got Talent!
|Jennifer Iacovelli
|Curt Dale Clark
The Rotary Club of Brunswick is happy to announce the 2018 Brunswick Bike Rodeo & Family Safety Day will be held on Saturday, May 19 from 9:00 a.m. until noon in the Walmart parking lot, Bath Road in Brunswick. The rain date will be Sunday, May 20 at the same time and location.
|24th Annual Brunswick Bike Rodeo & Family Safety Day on May 19th
|Jennifer Iacovelli
|Brunswick Rotary Club,bike rodeo,events,family safety
The Rotary Club of Brunswick is now accepting applications for "Midcoast Maine's Got Talent! 2018." The seventh year of this fun and well-attended local talent show will be held on May 18th, at 7 p.m., at the Crooker Theatre in Brunswick. Deadline for applications is April 16th.
|Midcoast Maine's Got Talent 2018! Seeks Contestants
|Jennifer Iacovelli
|Brunswick Rotary Club,Maine State Music Theater,Midcoast Maine's Got Talent,Teresa Gillis,application,event,talent show
With great pleasure we announce our upcoming Rotary Fundraiser. On Thursday, November 16th, we will be presenting our first Essence of Elegance Fashion Show from 6 to 9 pm at The Daniel.
|Brunswick Rotary Club Announces Fashion Show & Wine Tasting
|Jennifer Iacovelli
|Brunswick Rotary Club,It's all Good,Tedford Housing,The Daniel,Universal Promise,event,fashion show,fundraiser,wine tasting
Following is a letter from Dave Underhill, Portsmouth Rotary Club, District 7780 Governor (2017-2018) on how you can help those affected by Hurricane Harvey.
|Rotarians Help the Houston Area With the Gulf Coast Disaster Relief Fund
Brunswick Rotary Club presents Midcoast Maine's Got Talent
Friday, March 31, 2017 - 7:00 PM
Crooker Theatre
116 Maquoit Rd. Brunswick
Adults $12 ~ Seniors & students $10 ~ Family $30
For more information, email: email@example.com
|2017 Midcoast Maine's Got Talent
|Claudia Frost
Art fundraising auction Thursday, December 1, 5:30 pm at the Brunswick Hotel and Tavern, proceeds to benefit Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program and Rotary programs.
|Art Feeds the Heart Fundraising Auction
On Saturday October 8th during Columbus Day Open House weekend, the Growstown School was recognized by the Brunswick Rotary Club as an Historic Site.
|Growstown School Recognized
Great weather and a great turnout for the 2016 4th of July games on the Mall in downtown Brunswick, Maine.
|4th of July Games on the Mall 2016
Brunswick Rotary honored Brunswick High School seniors JD (Jennings) Souza, Molly Gramins, and Shelby Cash for their community commitment.
|Brunswick Students Honored
On February 24, 2015, Dennis St Pierre, a member of the Rotary Club of Brunswick, Maine, was presented with a merit award by our District Governor Larry Furbish, at the World Understanding and Peace Dinner in South Portland.
The guest speaker at this dinner was Rick King, International Rotary President for 2001-2002. It was absolutely fascinating hearing him tell his story about how Rotary has made a difference in his life, and in the World! The crowd was completely silent as we listened to his compelling words. It made me so proud to be a Rotarian!
Dennis was honored as an outstanding "new" Rotarian who has stepped up and understood what being a Rotarian is all about. Dennis has taken on significant responsibility in his short tenure, and has made a great impact to our club. His passion for helping people, his energy and his creative mind are the traits that set him apart. Please join me in congratulating Dennis on this great honor!
|Dennis St. Pierre Honored
Midcoast Maine Has Got Talent - But you knew that. Now is your chance to be part of it. On Saturday, May 9, the Rotary Club of Brunswick, Maine will present some of Maine's finest singing and dancing talent on the stage of the Orion Performing Arts Center in Topsham. To be part of the action, download an application here:
or get one from one of our fine sponsors.
Or keep your inner Elvis bottled up inside and just come out for an evening of wicked good entertainment.
|Midcoast Maine Has Talent
|Michael Sfirri
Brunswick Rotary President Gary Torow presents a check to Ethan Minton, MCHPP Program Director
On Monday, December 8, 2014 the Rotary Club of Brunswick Maine presented Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program with a check for $3000 to support their Pack a Backpack program. As the MCHPP website explains,
Every Monday morning, over a thousand students in the greater-Brunswick area arrive at school hungry. They leave school on Friday afternoon and simply don't have enough food at home to provide the nutrition they need on the weekend. It affects their ability to concentrate. It affects their ability to learn. It affects their ability to do all the things many others take for granted. It doesn't have to be this way. For around $5 a week, we can supply a student and their family with enough food to get through the weekend so they don't go hungry.
The Rotary Club presentation is in addition to a $1000 check presented previously. The money was raised primarily through a Pack a Back Pack 4ME event in October.
|Brunswick Rotary Supports MCHPP Pack a Backpack Program
The International Rotary Foundation awarded a $35,770 Global Grant to the Rotary Club of Brunswick for a project to train teachers to recognize common illnesses in Lusaka, Zambia. The local club has partnered with the Nkwazi Rotary Club of Lusaka as well as "Healthy Kids/Brighter Future," a local non-profit, and the N'Gombe Health Clinic, in Lusaka. This alliance will bring health screening, health education and treatment for common illnesses to 16,000 of the poorest and most vulnerable children in Zambia
The genesis of this project came from a visit to a Brunswick Rotary Club meeting last March from Lonnie Hackett, a Bowdoin College senior. While Lonnie was a student at Bowdoin College, he had an opportunity to travel to Zambia during summer break in 2011 to teach English and math. While there, he noticed an alarming gap in his students' knowledge of basic health care including common and preventable childhood diseases, sanitation, and HIV/AIDS education and prevention.
Lonnie traveled to rural Nepal in the summer of 2012 where he observed a school-based healthcare model that he believed could be modified to fit the vulnerable children in the N'Gombe district of Lusaka, where the poorest children live and attend school.
During his senior year as a biochemistry major, Lonnie garnered the knowledge of any global health expert who would listen to his goal of establishing a program to train teachers as health care providers within the 50-public schools that serve children who suffer from treatable diseases. He established "Healthy Kids/ Brighter Future" to bring medical services and health education to children in need.
Rotary International is one of the largest not-for-profit service organizations in the world, with approximately 1.6 million members actively participating in thousands of local clubs spread across 161 countries around the world. Rotary International Foundation contributes nearly $100 million every year toward humanitarian programs in which Rotary members participate and voluntarily raise funds.
The Rotary Club of Brunswick was chartered in 1925 and currently has an active membership of 70 community leaders. They meet weekly, except on holidays, at noon on Monday in Brunswick.
For more information, visit: www.brunswickmainerotary.org or www.healthykidsbrighterfuture.org.
|Rotary Club of Brunswick Receives Global Grant
Kate Egan, president of the Curtis Memorial Library Board of Directors, and Brunswick Rotarian and retired US Navy Captain Charles "Chuck" Mull, stand in front of a bronze plaque marking the 130 year old library as a historic site. The Brunswick Pride and Heritage Committee of the Rotary Club of Brunswick sponsored the plaque's creation and dedication, honoring the library that began in 1883 as a single room at the town hall with a collection of 1300 books. The current library location opened in 1904 and is the 13th location honored by the Brunswick Pride and Heritage Committee. For a full listing, click on the Brunswick Pride and Hertiage link.
|Curtis Memorial Library Honored
|Michael Sfirri
As you can see from the photo the food drive Saturday February 23 was a HUGE success! Over a ton of food was collected for MidCoast Hunger Prevention Program as well as $310.00 in cash. Thank you to everyone who spent time at Shaw's on Saturday and to everyone who made a donation to help feed those who's plates are empty. We are Rotarians and we do make a difference!
|Rotary Food Drive a HUGE Success
|Michael Sfirri
The Rotary Club of Brunswick, Maine wishes to thank all who participated in the Second Annual Hometown Idol and helped to make it a successful event. We would especially like to thank our sponsors for the event, without whom it would not be possible. Thank you again and we'll see you next year.
|Brunswick Rotary Announces Hometown Idol 2013
|Michael Sfirri
The Brunswick Rotary Club recently installed a new swing-set at the Tedford Housing – Family Shelter on Federal Street in Brunswick. "There had been a swing set there but it had to be closed a few years ago as it was deteriorating and no longer safe," says Don Kniseley, a member of the Rotary Club and former director of Tedford Housing. "Tedford did not have funds to replace the playground equipment at this time so we received a Rotary International Foundation grant and matched it with Club funds to purchase and install the swing set."
Craig Phillips, current Tedford Housing executive director says that this is an important new addition to their work with homeless families and children. "When families are in such a stressful situation, having safe and appropriate outdoor play space really means a lot. We very much appreciate the Brunswick Rotary Clubs thoughtfulness and hard work."
|Brunswick Rotary Builds Swing Set for Homeless Children
|Michael Sfirri
Brunswick Rotarians spent a delightful Thursday morning on April 26 spreading mulch on the Brunswick Mall,
sprucing up the appearance of the centerpiece of our town.
|Rotarians on the Mall
|Michael Sfirri
Saturday, June 11 marked the dedication of the Rotary Club of Brunswick's plaque recognizing Holbrook Wharf as a unique and historical location in the MidCoast of Maine. The Brunswick Pride Committee of the Rotary Club have been identifying and recognizing those places that make our Midcoast area special and unique since 2000, and this is the 10th location to be so honored. In the photo, President Sue Chadima (left) endures the rain during the dedication ceremonies.
|Holbrook Wharf Recognition
|Michael Sfirri
Brunswick Rotarians Connie Hartley and Carol Taylor enjoy a moment at the 19th hole of the Big Brother Big Sister golf tournament this summer.
|BBBS Golf
|Michael Sfirri
Lauren Kennedy and Stacia Brezinski, both seniors at Brunswick High School were honored recently by the Brunswick Rotary, for their "diligence and persistence in community service". Rotary Club representative Valerie Campbell noted that both students exemplify Rotary's commitment to service above self.
Brezinski was described by her guidance counselor Mike Halmo a great choice for this recognition. She is involved in the Youth Advocacy Group, Gay Straight ALliance, The Theatre project, Midcoast Chapter of the American Red Cross, to name a few.
Kennedy is also exemplary in her community involvement. She volunteers at Mid Coast Hospital, the Coastal Humane Society, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and Curtis Memorial LIbrary, and has spent countless hours working as a mentor for a an underpriveleged youth.
Both Students were also selected as one of 40 students to train with the Center for Preventing Hate. As student leaders their role is to raise awareness on how to prevent hate and violence in their school and community.
|Brunswick Recognition Award 2
|Michael Sfirri
Ashley Dufresne and Matt Stasinowsky, both seniors at Region Ten Technical High School, were recognized at Brunswick Rotary for their diligence and persistence in community service. Valerie Campbell, shown with Dufresne and Stasinowsky, noted that both students exemplify Rotary's commitment to service above self.
Ashley Dufresne of Brunswick High School and Matt Stasinowsky from Freeport High School both find time in busy high school and work schedules to volunteer in their communities. Dufresne, a student in the Region Ten Marketing program, volunteers at school flu clinics, has chaperoned a field trip to Boston for students with special needs, and is currently organizing a school fund raiser for Make-A-Wish foundation. "When I see that smile on a kid's face," she explained, "that makes it all worthwhile."
studies Firefighting at Region Ten. He recently earned
firefighter status as a volunteer with the Pownal Fire Department and
also helps with fundraising with the Pownal Fire Company. Sundays,
he helps clean stalls and care for horses at a local horse rescue
farm. Both students plan to go on to college, Dufresne in
medicine and Stasinowsky in education. Valerie Campbell, Brunswick
Rotary's Student Recognition Coordinator, awarded Dufresne and
Stasinowsky with plaques recognizing their commitment to community
|Brunswick Rotary Recognition Awards
|Michael Sfirri
Brunswick resident Emily Marsh spoke at our August 23, 2010 meeting about her exchange student experiences in South America.
|Emily Marsh Speaks at Rotary
|Michael Sfirri


text:
Guide to Communicating on Engagement.
Communicating on EngagementOn October 31, 2013, the Global Compact introduced Communication on Engagement (COE) for non-business participants, such as cities. This reporting mechanism aims to provide non-business participants with an opportunity to engage more actively in the initiative and to better connect with business participants. The Global Compact City Scan, launched in February 2015 by the Cities Programme, assists cities to fulfil their commitment to Communicate on Engagement. Visit the Global Compact City Scan for more information. The COE is a tool for non-business participants to express their commitment through transparency and communicate the ways they advance the Global Compact. In the spirit of continuous improvement and engagement, non-business participants will be required to disclose specific activities in support of the initiative to stakeholders every two years, as well as results. The COE is a disclosure of specific activities that a non-business participant takes in support of the Global Compact and its results. The COE is a public document uploaded to the Global Compact website. When possible, the COE must be fully integrated in the organization's main medium of stakeholder communication, such as an annual report. PowerPoint Overviews of the Policy: – English – Communication on Engagement Policy – Introduction Non-Business Participants – Español – Comunicación de Involucramiento – Participantes No Corporativos
COE PolicyNon-business participants in the Global Compact will be required to communicate to stakeholders on their activities in support of the initiative within two years of joining – or two years from 31 October 2013 for existing non-business participants, and every two years thereafter. Failure to submit a COE every two years will result in a change of participant status to "non-communicating". Organizations that do not submit a COE within one year of becoming "non-communicating" will be expelled from the initiative. The COE must include the following elements:
- A statement by the chief executive or equivalent, such as the Mayor or Governor, expressing continued support for the Global Compact and renewing the participant's ongoing commitment to the initiative and its principles.
- A description of the practical actions that the organization has taken to support the Global Compact principles and to engage with the initiative. Practical actions should relate to one or more of the specific activities suggested to each type of non-business participant in support of the initiative.
- Measurement of outcomes (i.e. qualitative or quantitative measurements of results).

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Back when I was working in the old folks home in Florida, there was this lady with Parkinson's who was the nicest and most optimistic resident there. Many of the residents were bitter or just plain angry, for perfectly reasonable reasons, and the rest were mostly just spacey or sad. This particular woman, Ruth, was always real refreshing to see and talk to; she'd help push other residents in wheelchairs to their seats, for instance, even though her condition was such that when she'd first arrived she had been in a wheelchair herself. She was always smiling, friendly and concerned. I felt that she deserved to know the positive impact she had on the people around her just by being who she was, so on my final day of working there I decided to tell her.
Now, I'm very glad I did it; everybody should be able and willing to do things like that every day, in my opinion. But, to this day, if I find myself thinking about it for one reason or another, even just silently to myself, I get embarrassed. I was embarrassed by the prospect of it, trying to decide to do it, I was very nervous when I was walking up behind her in the hall... When I finally tapped her shoulder and said "excuse me," the embarrassment was gone and it was a very amazing and spiritual moment. Though my spiel lasted probably no more than 15 seconds, in that short span of time it was very obvious that this was a beautiful and just thing to do and I was immensely glad to be doing it. But as soon as she hugged me and I'd begun to walk back the other direction, one of the receptionists at the front desk must have overheard and said "awwww!" in a very genuine tone. I immediately became embarrassed again, and had an intense rush as if I'd just done something CRAAAZZYYYY and, like I said, even recalling it today causes me a strange internal embarrassment.
Why do I feel this way? There is no conceivable reason why that act should be considered wrong in any way, and I definitely don't regret it in the slightest and will always be glad I did it. But WHERE do these unwarranted feelings come from? It seems clear that cultural conditioning has embedded these instinctive responses deep within my consciousness. Now, I have never felt even the most remote conscious desire to subscribe or conform myself to society in any way that I didn't agree with, and have usually prided myself on essentially "marching to the beat of my own drum." Though my ideals have changed drastically throughout the years, I can guarantee myself there is never a time when I would have thought that an act like this should be considered shameful in any way. Even society itself would never openly admit to feeling this way, but it's also very obvious that VAST numbers of people--especially males--are subject to feeling this way.
I feel like this is a relatively important consideration... The way you think, feel, speak and act... Hell, the way you look, the way you ARE, are all crafted by your environment with direction from your internal processing system known as individual consciousness. Please, NEVER underestimate the impact that your surroundings can have on you, never take for granted the information and material input into your mind and body. Our global society is shaped by the primary force in nature so far: Dominance. Dominance is its own entity, bigger than you, I, or the president of the World Bank. It has crafted nature into what we see today: Gravitational cores, beautiful landscaping of ebb-and-flow climates, and countless diverse species of life that have worked well enough to dominate some real estate here on this planet, Earth, and quite possibly any number of other places. And it has crafted our cultures and societies into machines that seek to perpetuate this motion by any means necessary; the means, in our ever evolving world, becoming things like distracting spectacles and futile outlets for energy such as fear-based loyalties and commodified images.
We as the human species clearly still enact this natural mode of dominance, but the catch is that this dominance doesn't seek to destroy the other for the sake of destruction but SURVIVAL. In other words, the constant re-expression of energy and subsequent life has been a struggle to try and find a beautiful, sustainable balance so that it can exist in the most beautiful way eternally (and of course, the universe as a whole always has been and always will be doing this.) Our unique position as humans, however, allows us to internalize such concepts, and therefore gives us the VERY REAL possibility of enacting a beautiful, sustainable way of life here on this planet beyond what the natural mode of violent dominance can give us. Famous spiritual thinkers have proved this possibility for millennia, and most of the human race has subscribed to these ideas because it's obvious to our true selves that this is the right way of thinking.
Our biological instincts and resulting cultural concepts, of course, tell us to dominate, control, and beat out the competition... But clearly that is not the issue for us humans anymore. If we want to strike the desired balance, we need to do it through what has brought us to this ugly present in the first place: Consciousness. We need to make conscious decisions to live beautifully and treat the rest of the world as if it were the beautiful gift that it is. We need to recognize ourselves as an integral part of this and never think that, just because we are one or few, we have no impact on this world. Please, when you feel it anywhere deep within you, reach out and spread your boundless love to ALL of the deserving creatures and non-creatures of this unified world. Don't let anything hold you back from that.
Well, that's it I suppose. Hope you can take something from it. I love you. :)
If you take anything from knowing me:
8 years agoLeus
Back when I was working in the old folks home in Florida, there was this lady with Parkinson's who was the nicest and most optimistic resident there. Many of the residents were bitter or just plain angry, for perfectly reasonable reasons, and the rest were mostly just spacey or sad. This particular woman, Ruth, was always real refreshing to see and talk to; she'd help push other residents in wheelchairs to their seats, for instance, even though her condition was such that when she'd first arrived she had been in a wheelchair herself. She was always smiling, friendly and concerned. I felt that she deserved to know the positive impact she had on the people around her just by being who she was, so on my final day of working there I decided to tell her.
If so...
8 years agoLeus
I'm in a Women's Studies class.
9 years agoLeus
One of my assignments is to tell people I'm in a Women's Studies class and write an essay about their reactions.
So what do you guys think of this?
Oni Rap
10 years agoLeus
I made a track called Only the Wind Blowin' based on the far-superior Bungie game, Oni. :)
Arm drama
10 years agoLeus
garfnick13 (10:36:47 PM): I was just singing a song from Meatballs and screwed it up. It goes, "-the kids are brats, the food is hideous!" and I got it, "-the food is bad, the kids are hideous!"
garfnick13 (10:36:52 PM): I like my version better.
hybrid4994 (10:37:01 PM): bad story
garfnick13 (10:37:09 PM): Better than yours.
hybrid4994 (10:40:22 PM): i got bit by a dog, was pouring blood out onto the sidewalk but i felt fine, but some girl ran up and said "i'm a certified nurse, i need you to lie down," i was in the grass with my arm wrapped in a towel and she was applying pressure, it was hot as hell and the nurse said i was looking really pale and asked amanda to call 911. an ambulence nd firetruck came and there were like 10 EMTs all around me. the female owner of the dog was crying hysterically and the cops showed up and were asking questions. the EMTs suggested that they take me to the ER via ambulence so I got in the back and almost passed out when i stood up.
hybrid4994 (10:40:52 PM): the animal police showed up too before the ambulence took off, and on the ambulence my blood pressure dropped below 90 over something so they put an IV in me and pumped me with some saline. also they hooked up EKG sensors or some shit all over my torso with wires clipped to em. then we got to the hospital and they wheeled me in on a stretcher. i got x-rays, my wounds flushed, dressed and my arm put in a splint. the doctor said i couldn't work for a week
hybrid4994 (10:41:50 PM): but then i went to the clinic two days later and they said i was fine so i went to work. my arms look pretty gnarly but they feel alright
hybrid4994 (10:43:02 PM): arm* looks& it* feels*
hybrid4994 (10:43:05 PM): **
garfnick13 (10:43:13 PM): yeah, mine was better.
hybrid4994 (10:43:20 PM): mine was more expensive
That's my lazy way of telling the overly-dramatic story. Here's some overly-dramatic pics. Most are poor quality but the last two are pretty sharp and gross.
It all started one normal morning with me and my friend.
Then I went to the E.R.
That's vaguely what my arm looked like when they took the dressing off.
Another angle. I'm giving the thumbs up with tons of medical equipment on my other arm but you can't see it.
They wrapped my arm in like 6 different things and it ended up as a splint. This was overly dramatic.
Within like three days I'd taken everything off and it looked like this.
And this.
All because of this.
(He didn't bite me, some pitbull trying to fight him did. I was rescuing my friend in a daringly noble feat.)
What My Name
10 years agoLeus
Feat. Hoolz (Uncle Julio) and Spike Roscoe.
I flowed heat wit' no beat.
10 years agoLeus
Public service announcement.
10 years agoLeus
It took me over twenty years to discover this, so I thought I'd save you all any more potentially wasted time and just tell you upfront: Butternut squash soup is fuckin' DELICIOUS.
I can't stop dreaming about my job.
10 years agoLeus
Is this normal?
Comments (2837)
8 years ago
Hmm well I have aim and a cell phone with texting capabilities! :D
8 years ago
I haven't grown, I still basically look the same. LOL As for facebook, no way, I try to avoid the social networking sites, excluding this one of course.
8 years ago
8 years ago
8 years ago
Hey dude you still in the Ville?
9 years ago
Where you at muhfucka?
Right here, biotch. How've you been?
9 years ago
You definitely should get both and you should definitely add me when you do! ODST is really fun.
9 years ago
I listened to your music that you linked on the Stoner's Group page...
kick ass shit dude!
Keep it up :D
9 years ago
I've actually wanted to see Bubba Ho-Tep for some time, now. I'm a fan of Bruce Campbell. Just gotta get around to it. Glad to hear it recommended, I'd actually never heard anything about it except that Bruce was there.
9 years ago
Another musical event.
9 years ago
That sounds pretty legit.
So where are you even at, again? I completely lost track of your life, somewhere along the way.
9 years ago
I think I have to agree, shorter hair is nicer. And lighter and cleaner.
10 years ago
Very cool! I actually prefer the slower tempo on that tune. Ableton?
10 years ago
Gonna be good times. Been going for the past 3 years. I also have a question for you about this but that will be in a personal message.
Thanks for the other Link.
dragonmanweb What's this?
10 years ago
It depends on how busy we are at work. Somewhere between 30 and 35 hours a week.
10 years ago
A roller pig.
10 years ago
What do being alcoholics and "doing pot" have to do with being victims in this scenario?
Well if my aunt, like, didn't drink or do pot, and my uncle was a raging alcoholic and high all the time, I could see her wanting to get out of there. But it wasn't like that, so this move is hardly justified.
10 years ago
10 years ago
The soda abstinence does feel great. Although I've eaten my weight in peanut butter M&Ms this weekend so now I feel absolutely miserable. Totally worth it though.
I don't know about dar's album. I told him last night I was going to buy him a mini fridge and a microwave and take the dvds and tv out of his room and lock him up in it and not let him out until it's done.
I'm such a wonderful and supportive girlfriend.
10 years ago
That definitely does sound very ME TV-ish.
10 years ago
I dunno, that "six-foot-fifty; I don't even know" line sounded a lot like you.
...But yeah, okay. Me.
10 years ago
Because we didn't know if they would have dogs at border checks in eastern Europe, and they've got some pretty good prison sentences for having stuff on you there.
MrJacinto Hey I'm Grump
10 years ago
3 seconds from torching your own scrodim?
You need STIMULTAINMENT!
10 years ago
Question mark.
10 years ago
Have Ventrilo.
10 years ago
10 years ago
Yeah but aren't there like eight seasons of it? That's a lot of watching.
Where at in Florida? I have a few relatives down there. Perhaps next time we visit them (whenever that might be), if you're still around, we'll have to
meet up hook uphang out.
PS - Brooke Skye lives in Florida. If you see her, get me an autograph.
10 years ago
[...]and, lately, watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer. :)
By "lately" do you mean "like always"?
And yeah, there are a lot of times when I read journals and don't comment. I'm working on that, though, because... Well, I dunno. Promoting conversation, I guess.
So where are you two even at? Weren't you in a foreign country for a while? Are you still?
10 years ago
10 years ago
Couldn't get them on YouTube (only in the States), but I found them on Video Google.
Effing brilliantly done. And Phillip Glass is an amazing composer.
10 years ago
Never heard of them. What do they do?
10 years ago
two dick scenes too many to be watching with my parents.
10 years ago
I'm training for fun, really.
But knowing how to kick ass is always useful.
10 years ago
wats up
10 years ago
Because when I said 'no, second hour' she only heard the no part and thought that she didn't need to wake me.
10 years ago
sure it matters. Thanks for telling me.
10 years ago
Being that this is the second time you have offended me, I have chosen to leave the thread. You seem like you are PROBABLY a decent person, but we just got off on the wrong foot from the get go. If I see you around the site I promise not to hold it against you. I simply don't have it in me to fight people right now. My life is a disaster, and any little thing can seem like an H Bomb.
Anyway....there it is. Peace .
10 years ago
Our little Tacoma get together was too short-lived. I would say we should meet somewhere in the middle one day and do it again as a double RVB date but everything west of Florida is kind of gay.
Maybe one day we'll take a trip down that way. My cousin's in Orlando.
10 years ago
I've been living the American dream.
Wait a minute...
Dunno. dar and I are about to celebrate our four year anniversary. It's on the 23rd. We're going out of town for a day or so on the 21st to re-create our first date.
Also, I've been creeping around here and reading stuff without commenting. I've noticed you and Amanda are a thing now. Congratulations. You guys are adorable together!
What have you been up to?
10 years ago
Nothing forward about that...
I OD'd on Vyvanse, ADD meds.
10 years ago
Alright, so you can dope, but you're headed to the bin.
Next time you beat, don't change the color of your skin.
Toss shit up in the air *BAM* catch it back again.
Did Charlie just sock you?
She rolls her eyes and thinks "men."
Babe Rooth, ya tooth loose? Fly with yer ears.
White tear duct tape deck, you know what happens then?
Bro hits ground hard; should be up before ten.
One, two, watch that drop.
That's how a motherfucking bird get knocked.
Three, four, five, fuck stammer, it's about hammer
time. rhyme. free change. nice try.
You're shit's strange. My flow can't die.
Throw you - sky
Noon - Shanghai
HxC - Banzai time
See my uniqueness will tie that of Jay-Z.
I you greased your hair back, you might look Swayze.
Just go ghost. But I won't sigh. pa diddle this rhyme.
Just in time, let's go...
Never smoke weed with doors ajar.
Close your fucking door! I got you? Bizarre.
Light cigar. Tie for par. I'm so high I'd eat a star.
Btw, your going to guest star in one of my track or two, pimp pro.
10 years ago
Damn, our past was sure the shit.
Dewish religions, when PIMP was a hit.
I reflect on how we'd could open doors,
back when we still had those fucking pours.
It's really kind of hard trying to burn a mentor,
But fuck it, I got one, let's make this hardcore...
Recalling your girl, adding pictures of whores
Claiming to be her, cheerleaders galore
At least now she's not so fucking insecore.
Hulk hands was hot, PUKE not anymore!
Just kidding just kidding, you guys are adore.
Jordan you're a spic... 80.
10 years ago
Are you attending college, currently?
10 years ago
Charlie (5atan) 02/24/05 Possible stoner.
el o elle ohe ell.
10 years ago
Leus I want to glance at your Dewish Religion you made 5 years back again.
If, perhaps, you have the file stashed away in some dusty, 'hey i used to be creative' folder...
10 years ago
I m still uncertain if I'm going to attend there, Florida is far away from my family and friends, but it did tip the scale when I found out that was your place of residence. I doubt I will attend but during the summer I will be visiting relatives and touring the school.
Perhaps I could meet you..
10 years ago
Wtf is Skull and Bones Society?
10 years ago
University of Florida in Gainesville.
10 years ago
Guess where I was accepted...
Go on... just guess...
10 years ago
The book's basically about how this guy, Shadow gets out of prison and everything just starts to fall downhill from there. He loses more than he had expected to but in the process he meets a strange man, Mr. Wednesday and from there things get even more-so strange. This book involves a lot of mythology as you progress through it, like the Norse Gods. And if you know anything about the days of the week in Norse history you'd know that Wednesday is Odin's Day; therefore Wednesday is Odin. But yeah, Shadow just gets into all these kinds of tasks and strange things just continue to happen to him.
It is actually a really great read from every person I know who has read it.
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John Stamos, Terrence Howard to Guest Star on 'Law & Order: SVU'
Lori Singer set to appear on the NBC procedural, with Diane Neal and Jeremy Irons returning to reprise their roles.
NBC has booked several guest stars for upcoming episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
John Stamos, who has appeared on Fox's Glee and HBO's Entourage, will appear as an adoption lawyer with a secret passion in the episode titled, "Bang." The actor was a regular on General Hospital, Full House and ER.
Lori Singer, who won a Golden Globe for Shortcuts, joins Stamos in the episode guest starring as a new mother struggling with her increased responsibilities. Stamos and Singer's episode is set to air April 6.
Law & Order: Los Angeles regular Terrence Howard is set to appear in SVU in a special crossover episode, "Reparations," with the LOLA and SVU casts. LOLA is currently on hiatus while the series is being reworked.
Former series regular Diane Neal will return in the same episode as A.D.A. Casey Novak, her first appearance since she exited SVU in 2008. "Reparations" is scheduled for May 4.
The Borgias star Jeremy Irons reprises his role as Captain Jackson, a psychologist who worked with the SVU team, in "Totem." The episode airs March 30.


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On 5 July 2005, in French Corsica, French diver Pascal BERNABE defeated the unassisted deep-sea World Record scuba diving (without assistance and without possibility of rescue in the event of an accident at the bottom).
On that day, in addition to his dive computers, he wore the first ever watch made by RALF TECH, the WR1, aptly named after the record itself.
Pascal BERNABE reached minus 330 meters after 35 minutes of descent in absolute darkness and took him nearly 9 hours to climb buck up stopping 26 times to change depleted oxygen tanks and allow for decompression stops.
This record remains unmatched today and is a human and technological feat. No other timepiece has so far descended as deeply on the wrist of a diver as the RALF TECH WR1.
It is therefore a triple record, for Pascal BERNABE, for watchmaking and for RALF TECH.
It is also the beginning of the watchmaking story of our brand.
We would like to share with you the original notes written by Pascal below. We invite you to share this extraordinary human and technological adventure.
Tuesday, July 5th. Propriano, Corsica. 9 a.m.
I have waited years for this moment: under my fins, a 400-meter drop in the sea. The Valinco waters are unexpectedly quiet! We had to push back this dive so many times because of the wind. Near my feet is a big buoy, attached to which is the 350-meter rope weighting more than 50 kilos plunging into the abyss... and waiting for me.
Too bad I still have this knot in my stomach, which remains despite several relaxation and respiration exercises, and especially despite such good weather and sea conditions.
The team is active around me: Hubert, François, Tono, Christian, Sophie, and Frank have been up since 5am to prepare all the material.
I have reduced the equipment to the strict minimum, in order to lower the risks of mistakes and confusion at the bottom. Only the oxygen has been "over rationed". My fear has always been to run out of air mixture in the tanks. According to my RALF TECH WR1, my equipment is finally ready. I make an initial stop at -6 metres to make a last check of the equipment with Sophie. Everything is fine.... I discard my stabilizing jacket and emptiness engulfs me.
I break the minus one hundred meters level without paying much attention and continue gaining speed. I pass the -150 meters tag. During my first gas mixture dives in 1993, that depth seemed quasi-inaccessible. But since 1996, I went back down between -150 and -174 meters about fifteen times, often with difficult conditions and tasks to accomplish (exploring, unwinding lines, filming, assisting...), which gave me a certain psychological comfort at this depth.
I just went pass the -200 meters, for only the third time since I have started deep diving. The first time was in the huge underwater cave of Fontaine de Vaucluse in 1998, at more than - 250 meters! The second time was on the open sea off the Catalan coast, at -231 metres, with the same team as for the record. But today, this is almost just a formality, since the objective is to go much deeper!
Still no HPNS (the famed High Pressure Nervous Syndrome that stops the nerves responding to the orders of the brain).
The rope slips quickly between my gloves. I am approaching the last 20-liter tank, which is attached to the- 250 meter tag, although it is actually at -265 meters (because of the elasticity of the rope). The HPNS starts to appear in the form of light shivers, but mostly I find it difficult to concentrate.
Strangely, passing -200 meters I am shaking less than I was at the Fontaine du Vaucluse. I am not having any obvious visual disturbance either, except for an advanced "tunnel vision" effect: my visual field seems restrained, without much peripheral vision. I hardly notice the -300 meter tag that really should grab my attention. A flasher is blinking, indicating the very deep zone.
I reach the minus 320-meter tag (situated at more than -330 meters) when a big deflagration happens in my right ear, along with a sharp pain. One of my lamps, fixed on my helmet, has imploded...
My stress that was gone since -70 meters, suddenly returns. At the time, I was sure I had a big lesion to my eardrum. The journey stops here for me! -330m ... Not bad anyway ... I quickly began the ascent. The pain in my ear doesn't get worse. I avoid thinking about what is next, concentrating only on the immediate tasks at hand.
At -265 meters, I happily reach my first safety decompression tank for my first deep stop. Then the ascent starts again, slower. Today, I feel as though from -220 meters, I experienced few or no HPNS symptoms.
At -215 meters, I make the second deep stop. The ascent is even slower now (5meters/min) and it takes a long time to reach the -165 meter deco stop and the next tank. My ear doesn't hurt as much as I thought it would and I am in a familiar environment. From -150 meters, the ascent becomes extremely slow (3 meters/min) especially with all of the tanks accumulating around me, on the rope and on my harness. When I get to -70 meters, there are nine 20-liter deco/travel tanks that I have to manage.
At -65 meters, I get onto the second rope. There, I am happy to find François, with whom I usually explore deep shipwrecks. He is there to check on me and to bring me food and drink. I let him know about my pain in the ear and a light nausea. He helps me to get rid of four tanks by taking them and after spending a little while with me, goes to his own deco stops.
Hubert relieves him at -50 meters. He is a follower of what he calls "baroque" diving: deep dives either in caves or on the open sea, down to -211 meters (not bad!). He gives me a mix of water and medication in order to prevent nausea. Then, it is Denis' turn to come to see me, he brings little purees and soups, in giant syringes. This salty food is a good alternative to condensed milk, sweet chestnut puree, marmalade, jelly and water I already ate.
From -30 meters, I start to feel more and more the effects of the strong surface swell. The pain in my ear increases and soon, each movement of the rope becomes a nightmare. The decompression turns into torture. Moreover, at about -12 meters, the seasickness begins. On the surface the waves are beginning to rise and Frank, who remained on the boat to ensure safety of the equipment, had to face waves of more than 3 metres !
The pain and nausea began to wear me down. The end of the decompression is done in the company of 6 other divers that accompanied me from -3 to the surface which I reached after a dive of 8 hours and 47 minutes.
I am taken care of and quickly rushed to the shore. Still exhausted, I keep breathing the oxygen for another half hour on the ground while rehydrating myself abundantly.
The adventure WR1 is a total success. My equipment and RALF TECH timepiece were extremely reliable. And above all ... here I am the holder of the new Diving World record !
Do we still need to introduce this exceptional sailor? Certainly is not necessary given his palmares: 2 second places on the last two Vendée Globe, two victories in the Solitaire du Figaro, two others in the Transat AG2R and a second place on the Route du Rhum and a victory in The Transat (Transat Anglaise). For Armel Le CLEAC'H "to do better than last time the only way is to win the Everest of the seas !"
Without hesitation Armel LE CLÉAC'H for his adventures decided to equip himself with the RALF TECH WRX Hybrid Pirates Shadow.
Able to resist to the harshest shocks and climates, waterproof well beyond current standards, precise, reliable and with a record autonomy, the WRX Hybrid Pirate Shadow is a professional tool indispensable for any skipper.
The Transat was born of a bet between a handful of British sailors to understand if they could cross the Atlantic alone and how long it would take. Among them, Sir Francis Chichester and Blondie Hasler. The concept, concocted in 1960, is at first criticized, turned into derision and considered foolish. The idea of a solo sailing race was revolutionary and almost unprecedented at the time, but these men had a goal and they were determined.
In 1964, the second edition of the Transat is a springboard for one of the most prominent characters in solo sailing: Eric Tabarly. In 1960, Francis Chichester completed the race in 40 days. Four years later, French Marine Lieutenant Eric Tabarly, won the race in only 27 days, 3 hours and 56 minutes aboard his 44-foot ketch, Pen Duick II. The performance of Eric Tabarly contributed greatly to popularize sailing in France, from where, in subsequent years,many sailors would come to win many of the greatest sailing races and The Transat itself.
The Transat formerly known as "La Transat Anglaise", represents offshore racing in its purest form. A 3500-mile course across the ocean between the southern tip of England and New York. It is a challenge that is punctuated by a succession of critical points that sweep the North Atlantic and generate strong head winds, a great feature and difficulty of this race. At the beginning, the record of the crossing was around 40 days. Today, the biggest solo specialists at the helm of the fastest boats can cover the same distance in just 8 days.
After a four-year absence, The Transat was back in May 2016 with 25 boats divided into four classes on the starting line in Plymouth.
The Transat left Plymouth on May 2, 2014 for a 3,500-mile route to New York where the fastest boats were expected as early as May 9. The race was divided into four classes: Ultimate, IMOCA 60 ', Multi50 and Class40.
This new edition of The Transat also saw the participation, alongside the fleet in competition, of the legendary French skipper Loïck Peyron aboard Pen Duick II, one of the six boats on which sailed Eric Tabarly, the legendary twice winner of the race.
Hervé Favre, Director of The Transat welcomed RALF TECH to this great race as the official timekeeper. "In the offshore race as in all professional sports, every second counts and the 25 skippers have pushed their limits to finish this race as quickly as possible".
«RALF TECH was the ideal partner as the official timekeeper for a race that crossed one of the most inhospitable seas in the world and on which the gaps at the finish were measured in hours.»
The English Transat was won by Armel le Cléach in the IMOCA category, with a RALF TECH WRX Hybrid Pirates Shadow on his wrist.
RALF TECH is the reference brand in terms of extreme marine events. The brand continues its involvement in the marine world alongside the best and launched a new challenge by becoming the Official Timekeeper of the VENDÉE GLOBE in 2012-2013.
The course of the Vendée Globe testifies to the purity and often the conceptual simplicity of such major events. It takes the skippers sailing around the world, from West to East, by the three great capes of Good Hope, Leeuwin and Horn. A long descent of the Atlantic Ocean, the perilous crossing of the South Seas with first the Indian Ocean and its crossed seas then the Pacific Ocean, the largest ocean in the world. Finally, the ascent of the Atlantic and the return to Les Sables d'Olonne, the departure and arrival point of the "Everest of the Seas".
It was a daunting challenge for the 20 boats and skippers involved: this trip round the world is done in solitaire, without assistance and without stopovers !
And it was also a major challenge for RALF TECH who had the considerable responsibility of indicating the time in France, Universal Time (UTC) in real time and measuring the elapsed racing time as well as the race time of each skipper until their arrival. Further proof, if any, of the accuracy of RALF TECH timepieces and the confidence placed in them.
On 10 November 2012 at 13:02 precise, as indicated on all television screens broadcasting the event live, the start of the race is given. A few hours before, about two hundred thousand people had massed along the channel going as far as the sea and on the pier of Les Sables d'Olonne to cheer the skippers and their boats.
By winning the 7th Vendée Globe on 27 January 2013, François GABART (29) became the youngest winner in the history of the event. In 78 days, 2 hours, 16 minutes and 40 seconds (15.3 knots average, 28.33 km / h), the MACIF skipper also became the first to complete a single-handed, non-stop, unmanned tour of the world in less than 80 days. It improved the previous time by Michel DESJOYAUX (84 days, 3 hours, 9 minutes and 8 seconds, at 14.02 knots average) by 6 days and 23 minutes.
And it is surely a detail that will not have escaped lovers of fine watchmaking ... François GABART was wearing a RALF TECH WRX «A» Hybrid.
One of RALF TECH's strong ideas, beyond its mission as Official Timekeeper of the VENDÉE GLOBE, was to offer volunteer skippers to test the WRX "A" Hybrid in the race. Indeed, nothing replaces experience. It has to be said that everyone has adopted it and uses it on a daily basis. It must also be noted that, in spite of the extremely dangerous conditions experienced by the skippers, all the timepieces at their wrists worked perfectly on their return and were all in an impeccable state.
But beyond this legitimate satisfaction, it with great honour that we pay homage to all skippers for their bravery and capability, whether they wear a RALF TECH or not.
Combativeness and experience, spirit of adventure and reflection, self-transcendence and respect for others, these are the values dear by the VENDÉE GLOBE skippers, which are also dear to Maison RALF TECH.
After 20 years of existence, the Transat Jacques Vabre has found its rhythm, convinced the riders and enthused the public through its commitment as a sporting, human and eco-responsible event. The launch of this double race whose motto is "Taking the Sea, Acting for the Earth" was given on 3rd November 2013 from Le Havre to Itajaì, the future Brazilian sailing capital and a new coffee destination !
The Transat Jacques Vabre, an unmissable sporting event on the sailing calendar, has been associated with the values of environment and ecology since 2009. It has been marked by a desire to promote a model of sustainable development not only in the cities and countries of departure and arrival, but also through a plan of concrete actions (transport, energy, recycling ...). RALF TECH also cares deeply about these values through its Hybrid system movements.
Vincent Riou, Jean Le Cam, Marc Guillemot, Michel Desjoyeaux, François Gabart, skippers of the fleet, were equipped with a RALF TECH WRX «A» Hybrid whose precision and reliability are already widely recognized in the World of enthusiasts of sea adventures. The experience of these modern adventurers, the skippers of the Transat Jacques Vabre, has made it possible to enrich the brand's DNA to the delight of all its users.
« Combativeness and experience, spirit of adventure and reflection, surpassing oneself and respecting others, are the values of the skippers of the Transat Jacques Vabre who are also dear to the RALF TECH brand. That's why we were very proud to be associated with this great event », said Frank Huyghe, President and founder of the Franco-Swiss brand.
« The Transat Jacques Vabre 2013 remains faithful to its values of commitment to sport, humanity and sustainability and was pleased to have as its partner a brand concerned with these values» added Benoit Fritsch and Gildas Gaultier, joint deputy general managers of the Transat Jacques Vabre association.
Car racing demands harsh performance to both men and machines. This challenge has been part of the brand's DNA, as RALF TECH has made itself known to the general public thanks to timepieces with an affirmed character that can withstand extreme conditions.
In automotive and watchmaking precision and reliability are a leitmotiv. Such requirements are applicable without a doubt to machines of the ALPINE team and to the movements of RALF TECH watches.
At the heart of these machines is a primordial beating heart, which is the centre of the machine itself. In the car we talk about the engine while in a watch the Balance Spring is the centre of the movement. In both cases this major organ will give all the precision and the soul to the product.
Because of their great technical nature, these parts must be strongly protected from any stress. This is why RALF TECH uses an Incablocs® system that protects the movement of any shock or vibration. The suspension system of a competition vehicle fulfills the same role. Without these parts, it would be impossible to take full advantage of the capability of these machines.
In both cases all the power is transmitted through a single piece. The escapement for the watch and the crankshaft for the automobile. They are closest to the heart of the machine and play a major role in the proper functioning of the product.
All these precautions would be of no use without a body or a watch case working in perfect harmony with these internal elements.
The aesthetics of RALF TECH watches and ALPINE vehicles is a compromise between elegance and performance. Each of the parts has its utility, the superfluous being the enemy of efficiency.
RALF TECH watches are designed to be robust and resistant to any weather and environmental stress.
Automotive and watchmaking have common objectives. Timepieces and automotive design concepts have many similarities in architecture as well as in operation.
In 2013, 35 years after his last victory at the 24H of Le Mans, the "Ecurie Tricolor" returns to the top of the podium. Last time ALPINE was there was in 1978.
RALF TECH was already a partner of the drivers Nelson Panciatici, Pierre Ragues racing for SIGNATECH ALPINE team during the 2013 season of Sport Prototype; We decided, in agreement with the team, to get more involved in the project ALPINE and to partner again with the team and its cars throughout the 2014 endurance season.
Our common vision then was to materialize by a first podium at the 24H of Le Mans and a global title of WEC European Champion !
All Alpine Ecurie's drivers were equipped with the WRV «A» Hybrid Limited Edition Alpine
After a first foray into motorsport in 2009 in partnership with young French hopeful Nelson Panciatici, RALF TECH returns in 2011 in the World Series by RENAULT with the KMP team.
Timepieces from RALF TECH are on the wrist of drivers Nelson Panciatici (French, 22 years old, 44 wins, 77 podiums, 37 pole positions and 46 lap records in various racing series) and Anton Nebilitskiy (Russian, 21, already a Formula Ford champion and competitor for the third consecutive year at the World Series Championship).
The WRX « C » Automatic Night and WRX «A» Hybrid Black are back on the many racing venues including Spa, Monza, Monaco and Silverstone, just to name the most famous !
Another opportunity to demonstrate the reliability and precision of RALF TECH timepieces and to highlight their ability to operate in the most extreme environments and conditions.
On 27 January 1990 the Trophée Andros was born. It had only 4 races but already aroused the interest of the best pilots of the time: Laffite, Jarrier, Beltoise and even Alesi.
An annual and winter event where racing drivers compete on what is considered the real "F1 of the ice", the races are contested affairs in between zero and minus 15 degrees, in all the possible climatic conditions, from dawn to dusk and even at night, the ANDROS Trophy does test man and machine to the limit.
In 2010, the Andros Trophy makes a giant leap forward in car racing, it organized the first race dedicated solely to 100% electric vehicles, a world first.
It was during the 25th edition that the ANDROS Trophy chose RALF TECH as Official Timekeeper for its 2014 season.
The events took place during 8 weeks until the end of February, in exceptional places such as the Alpe d'Huez, Isola 2000 or Val Thorens ski resorts. The famous racing drivers rubbed shoulders with the VIPs and joined the list of participants who had experienced the ice hell.
Some of the most famous were: Alain Prost, Olivier Panis, Jean-Pilippe Dayrault, Jacques Villeneuve, Yvan Muller, Franck Lagorce, Luc Alphan and Romain Grosjean.
Beyond the major role of Official Timekeeper of the event, this competition was once again the opportunity for RALF TECH to demonstrate the ability of its watches to operate in extreme conditions.
Already on the wrist of several racing drivers, the WRX «A» Hybrid Black, has done wonderfully in this unusual and demanding environment.
On July 23, 2014, the official ceremony to grant the 1000th Certificate as combat diver for the Marine Nationale took place.
The official ceremony was held at the Diving School of the French Navy in Saint-Mandrier in the Vars, right on the harbour of Toulon. It was a gathering of the highest solemnity hosting the highest authorities of the Navy and Army of France.
L'École de Plongée de la Marine Nationale (the elite Diving School of the French Navy), founded in 1952, trains the elite of the French Special Forces for underwater operations on behalf of the Commando Hubert of the French Navy and the CPEOM (Parachutist Training Centre for Maritime Operations) of the Army.
RALF TECH has been supplying French Special Forces since 2010 and particularly the elite diving combat units, is proud to have been associated with the event as the sponsor of the 90th National Combat Course of the Navy and the 1000th graduate.
As such, the "X Nageurs de Combats" certified this year, as well as their instructors, have received a new RALF TECH model specially designed for them, the WRX « T » Millenium Hybrid.
Also present at the ceremony were a large number of former combat divers, starting with the creators of the National Marine Diving School, Bob Maloubier and Claude Riffaud, carrying the Certificate number 1 together. They both received with pride their WRX "T" Millennium timepiece from Frank Huyghe, the chairman of RALF TECH.
Since 2014, RALF TECH has equipped with its timepieces all the graduates of the school.
The Intervention Group of the Gendarmerie Nationale (GIGN) is the emblematic unit of the Gendarmerie in terms of armed operations and, more generally, the control of exceptional situations requiring the recruitment of specially trained and equipped men and the Implementation of special techniques and operations.
The GIGN soldiers are trained to the use with very sophisticated equipment and armaments to accomplish their missions. They usually intervene in cases of terrorism, hostage taking, arrest of dangerous individuals, riots in prisons, risks or threats to interests vital to the state, intelligence gathering, and terrorism. The effectiveness and competence of the GIGN are recognized worldwide.
The GIGN intervenes first on the following missions :
Piratair : hijacking of aircraft;
Piratmer : diversion or attack on ships;
Piratome : nuclear attacks;
Piratox : chemical or biological attacks;
Piratext : taking hostages of French nationals abroad; But also the neutralization of fanatics, the arrest of dangerous and armed individuals.
Particularly seasoned but still working in police operations, the GIGN men are able to deploy particularly complex capabilities, operations and equipment especially drawn from military know-how.
One of the special capabilities within the GIGN is operational diving.
Indeed, the operations carried out by the GIGN members sometimes require the employment of operational divers. Men are able to use the underwater medium as a means of projection, or of discrete ingress/egress from the theatre of operation. The GIGN divers are "Certified Combat Divers", which allows them to use advanced technology such as air recyclers in order to progress underwater without detection because of surface bubbles. These divers are used to infiltrate ships and check their hulls for protection missions, or to camouflage themselves in the water during observation and research missions.
The GIGN inaugurated the new Black Series of the WRX "A" Hybrid in June 2012.
The Commando Hubert is a Special Forces unit of the French Navy. Heir to the units of Free France created during the Second World War in Great Britain, this commando bears the name of Lieutenant Augustin HUBERT, killed on June 6, 1944, during the landing operations in Normandy.
A legendary unit, The Underwater Action Commando (CASM) "Hubert", is the tip of the spear of French Special Forces and is deployed in the greatest secrecy on all continents at the request of the General Staff of the Command of Special Operations (COS).
The Commandos that make up the operational company are all paratroopers and certified combat divers.
Commando Hubert includes an operating company and a support company. The operational company is subdivided into 4 specialized sections: support, maritime counter-terrorism, submarine gear and reconnaissance.
RALF TECH has delivered a few units of the very first series of the WRX "A" Hybrid model to the Commando Hubert in 2010 to perform real operational tests in order to facilitate the development of the Series II model.
After 1 year of testing on the world's most risky terrains and harshest conditions, the men of the Commando Hubert adopted the WRX "A" Hybrid to accompany them in all their combat missions.
RALF TECH is following the trail of other prestigious brands that have equipped this legendary unit since the late 1950s.
200 units of their new RALF TECH timepiece were delivered in September 2011 and 200 more in July 2012.
The unit has been fully equipped since June 2013.
In the air, on the ground and of course under water, the WRX «A» Hybrid goes where other timepieces cannot go.
On June 23, 2015, the BRI (Brigade de Recherche et d'Intervention, Police Research and Intervention Brigade) celebrated its 50th anniversary. It is important for our partnership to trace the history of this unit.
Due to the increase in heists and robberies in the 1960s, François le Mouel decided to change the investigative methods of the time. Instead of waiting patiently for a crime and going back to the criminal, he suggested to his superiors to anticipate crimes in order find the criminals before they can even take any criminal action.
In 1964, Max FERNET created, with the agreement of the director of the judicial police, the investigation and intervention unit; its mission was to investigate suspected criminal and robbers in order to arrest them in flagrante delicto and not once criminal acts had been already committed. At the same time and as part of the same unit the counter-banditism brigade (BRB) was created, the combined service was renamed the Brigade of Research and Intervention (BRI) in 1966.
In 1979, commanded by Robert BROUSSARD, the brigade stopped the public enemy n ° 1 Jacques MESRINE at the Porte De Clignancourt.
Since then, the BRI has been constantly evolving and transforming.
The extent of the Bridage's competence today is very varied, ranging from counter organized crime to large-scale banditry, through arrests in flagrante delicto or interventions in crisis situations.
The Anti-gang - the nickname of the BRI - operates between 160 and 200 times a year.
In January 2015, the members of the BRI were alongside the Raid during the assault to the Hyper Cacher. On July 14th, 2015, the BRI marches for the first time at the head of the procession on the Champs-Elysées with the RAID and the GIGN. November 13, 2015 will remain forever engraved as a key date as the BRI men conduct the assault that will put an end to the Bataclan nightmare.
The exceptional capability and understanding of the BRI of difficult situations and environments makes RALF TECH an ideal partner of this emblematic elite unit.
Each BRI's operator is equipped with the Hybrid Black «A» WRV.
RALF TECH now equips most French and foreign Special Forces units.
RALF TECH also equips the most renowned and professional civilian submarine companies whose divers work day and night on the ocean floor, under oil platforms, etc. They validate our technical solutions day after day and help us to constantly improve the quality and reliability of our products.
RALF TECH is continuing its world tour of aquatic disciplines and has reached Paris for the 2015 European Open Water Ski Championships.
More than 100 athletes representing 25 nations are contesting the games from 17 to 22 August 2015 in the Paris region, in the Parc Interdépartemental des Sports de Choisy - Paris - Val-de-Marne, to be precise.
For a long time, the practice of water skiing and wakeboarding has begun to become more democratic. Patrice Martin, "The Little Prince" of the discipline, is now president of the French Federation of water skiing and wakeboarding. He is the most titled French sportsman (twelve times world champion, 34 times European champion), surrounded by his teams has indeed worked hard to ensure that this event is held close to Paris in order to attract a larger audience.
Currently second in the world, the French Federation (FFSNW) and its athletes are also currently preparing to conquer European gold at home.
3 disciplines were on the program, Slalom, Jump and Trick as well as 2 categories, Man and Woman.
It should also be noted that the World Championship of water skiing and wakeboard will take place in France in 2017 and that RALF TECH will again be the Official Timekeeper.
After a fierce fight, it was finally the Czech Adam SEDLMAJER who won the overall final title before the French Thibaut DAILLANT and the Slovak Martin BARTALSKY. Finally, the French team overall climbed to the top of the podium, ahead of the Belarus team and the Czech team, with the Germans and the English being relegated to 4th and 5th respectively.
The three athletes on the podium naturally received a RALF TECH WRX «A» Hybrid «O», thus fulfilling the RALF TECH commitment to support the discipline and the FFSNW.
Since 2014 RALF TECH has been a partner of the ATP tournament "OPEN DU PAYS D'AIX". For Arnaud Clément, Director of the Tournament, the objective is simple, to make the OPEN OF THE PAYS D'AIX a flagship competition in France and then in the World. It has so far been a resounding success since the tournament attracts more and more visitors and players in the top 100 ranking every year.
32 players in single matches and 16 doubles compete against each other on the club's clay court. A few weeks from Roland Garros, winning a victory at the OPEN DU PAYS D'AIX is an undeniable asset. This allows players to gain confidence and take ATP points.
Resistant to shocks, unusual accelerations and dust on the pitch, the WRV of the OPEN DU PAYS D'AIX meets all the expectations of tennis players.
Moreover, Arnaud Clément, former coach of the French team of Davis Cup and Director of the Tournament is a true connoisseur of watchmaking. In this capacity, he knows the RALF TECH world well, since he already carries a WRV «A» Hybrid and a WRX «A» Hybrid «O» on a Barenia gold leather strap, of course the colour of the clay!
RALF TECH has been a partner of this competition since 2014, which brings together excellent professional and amateur players competing in 20 courses in France.
In the end, the qualification for the final is played on the most beautiful French golf courses: the Golf National de Saint-Quentin in Yvelines, the Golf Chantilly in Vineuil, and the Golf Saint-Germain en Laye ...
The competitions are played in scramble at 2 and the best team is rewarded by a RALF TECH timepiece.
With tennis, golf is one of the most challenging disciplines for a timepiece. The violence of the shots puts incredible stresses on a timepiece. A challenge that RALF TECH watches conquer without any problem!


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BMJ 2014; 348 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.g3341 (Published 15 May 2014)
Cite this as: BMJ 2014;348:g3341
Concerns among scientists about a possible takeover of AstraZeneca by the giant US drug company Pfizer will be dealt with, MPs have been told.
Pfizer representatives, appearing before the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee on 14 May, said that the company wanted to convince the scientific professions and the United Kingdom that a merger of the two companies would create a "powerhouse" of science for the benefit of patients.
The MPs, holding an inquiry into the possible AstraZeneca takeover,1 said that UK scientific organisations had expressed concern about the possible bid and asked whether Pfizer had held any discussions with them.
Mikael Dolsten, president for worldwide research and development at Pfizer, giving evidence, said, "We have started to reach out and have had a number of meetings with key scientific leaders."
Pfizer's chairman and chief executive, Ian Read, also giving evidence, said, "Change is always difficult, and change creates anxiety. We only made the proposal two weeks ago, and we are interacting with the scientists trying to inform them of our plans.
"As we do that in the following weeks, and if we do make an offer, I think we'll be able to talk to the scientists and reassure them of the strength of Pfizer's science and the commitments we have made."
The committee's chairman, Andrew Miller, the Labour MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston, asked why the two companies were such a "good fit."
Dolsten said, "As you get inside the two companies you can see a lot of opportunity for a powerhouse of science coming together.
"The companies have complementary drugs in lung cancer, and if you have a portfolio like that it can start aiding clinical development, and you could have an aspiration to provide much better outcomes for patients."
The comment was in response to claims made by AstraZeneca's chief executive officer, Pascal Soriot, on 13 May during an evidence session of a similar inquiry being held by the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee that a potential merger could distract staff and potentially delay some of the company's lifesaving drugs from reaching the market.2
The Science and Technology Committee asked Read how many fewer scientists the combined Pfizer and AstraZeneca group would have if the deal went ahead.
Read said, "I can't give you any definitive figures. However, we have said that we will put into the UK 20% of our global R&D [research and development] headcount, and I think that is an unprecedented commitment. This combination would make us the largest pharmaceutical company in the world."
Later on in the session Soriot said that merging the companies would cause substantial disruption, adding, "A company is a little bit more complicated than putting two pieces of paper together. We have a standalone strategy that can deliver value to patients but also to our shareholders.
"Our pipeline has changed dramatically in the last 18 months. It has increased, and we want to stay focused on delivering on this pipeline."
David Willetts, the minister for universities and science, also appearing before the committee, was asked whether the deal would be good for UK science. He replied, "It's very important that we protect the interests of UK science. We are very keen to understand what would happen if a formal bid were made and press very hard on the importance of maintaining science and R&D activity in the UK."
Cite this as: BMJ 2014;348:g3341
↵Jack A. US drug firm Pfizer seeks to buy UK company AstraZeneca. BMJ2014;348:g2986. FREE Full Text
↵O'Dowd A. Drug development at risk from proposed take-over of AstraZeneca. BMJ2014;348:g3327.FREE Full Text


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This week I have published the book "Nuevas investigaciones sobre la gestión de la Empresa Familiar en España" (in English: New research on the management of the family business in Spain), through the scientific publisher OmniaPublisher SL (OmniaScience).
This book focuses on scientific contributions for understanding the current situation of the Spanish family business, its causes and its possible evolution in a medium and long term. The book aims to provide strategies and guidelines to overcome the current crisis from different and diverse perspectives. The contributions provide insight, both globally and specifically in various areas of the company on how Spanish family businesses could continue or become more competitive.
The book's contributors are experts from the academic and professional world, specialists in the fields of Strategy, Economics, Production and Logistics, People Management, Systems and Information Technology, Financial Management, Marketing, and Information Sciences. Initially we received 19 research proposals that after two rounds of reviews, were reduced to 8 chapters of high quality scientists. The 22 researchers involved in this publication are from seven prestigious universities.
Link: http://www.omniascience.com/monograficos/index.php/monograficos/issue/current/showToc


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July 26, 2013
Ruth Collins, age 88, of Brownstown Township died July 26, 2013.
Beloved wife of the late Sonny. Loving mother of Jeff (Ruth), Philip, Paul (Patricia) and Melissa (Ron) Grams. Dearest sister of Ralphine Sisco, Charlcie Miles, Violet Flynn, the late Rouden White, the late Pauline Prosise, the late Lucille Fox and the late Anna Lee Housley.
Dear grandma of 4 and great-grandma of 2. Preceded in death by 1 grandson.
Funeral Tuesday, 12 noon at the Ford Chapel ? Martenson Family of Funeral Homes, 23620 N. Huron River Dr. , Rockwood. Visitation Monday 4 ? 9 pm at the funeral home. Interment Riverside Cemetery. www.martenson.com.


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SGAC membership has been steadily growing throughout the years. Among our membership there are many incredible young space enthusiasts who should be recognized for their hard work and contributions to SGAC. In December 2009, the SGAC Executive Council decided to acknowledge one member per month for his or her outstanding work and contributions to SGAC and its goals, and we continued this until today.
SGAC is proud to present the SGAC September Member of the Month: Damilola Oladeji (Nigeria); SGAC Web Editor
Damilola Oladeji (Nigeria)
Damilola Oladeji is a final year student of Remote Sensing and Geoscience Information Systems at Federal University of Technology, Akure. He is a geospatial analyst and research fellow with passion in space technology. He is a former intern at the GIS unit of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, a member of Space Club Futa and has taken part in several projects organized by the club. His major interests are Earth observation for disaster monitoring and mitigation, agricultural monitoring, urban planning and hydrologic studies. He likes programming, graphics design and artwork and loves to take on responsibilities. He is an SGAC Web Editor.
Damilola was nominated by Oniosun Temidayo Isaiah (Africa RC);
"Since he joined the web team. He has been very instrumental to the team, he has been helping with timely delivery of duties. He has also been very instrumental to the AF-SGW organizing team, assisting with managing the event web page and database management."
Here's Damilola's reaction:
"I am sincerely honored to be recognized as Member of the Month. I feel privileged to be part of such a wonderful community and to contribute to the development of global space exploration and technology. Being a member of the Web team has indeed helped me to hone my skills and handle tasks more effectively. I will continue to actively contribute and grow with the organization."
From SGAC Chair, Ali Nasseri:
"Many SGAC teams work hard behind the scenes to make sure SGAC activities are a success. Our website is one of our main tools to showcase our activities and I am happy to see a member of our web team be selected as member of the month. In the past few months, Damilola has contributed to both AFSGW and management of our webteam, in some cases taking initiatives and using observations to make sure any needed content is properly implemented and goes out. I am happy to see him being recognized as the MoM. Congratulations Damilola! Well deserved!"


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North African Grilled Chicken
Without AC in the summer, our small Pittsburgh kitchen is not a place you want to be cooking with high heat. For us, summer eating often revolves around the grill, where our current go-to protein is North African Grilled Chicken. Inspired by the flavors of the famous North African spice mix known as Ras Al-Hanout (or "best of the shop"), our marinade uses a blend of warming spices, cinnamon, black pepper, turmeric, cumin, nutmeg, and cloves, balanced with punchy lemon. This fragrant combination is intoxicating. North African Grilled Chicken is a crowd pleaser on its own and an excellent light addition to sandwiches, salads, or tacos.
Yield: serves about 6
- 5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- juice of 2 lemons (approximately 4 tablespoons)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- In a small bowl, whisk together the marinade ingredients (olive oil, salt, lemon juice, cinnamon, pepper, turmeric, cumin, nutmeg, and cloves) until well combined.
- Combine the chicken and marinade in a zip-top bag, shake well to evenly coat all pieces. Allow the chicken to marinate in the refrigerator for 2-4 hours (as long as overnight) before grilling.
- Preheat your grill on high for 10-15 minutes. Clean the grates thoroughly and wipe with a lightly oiled rag just prior to grilling to reduce sticking.
- Grill on medium heat (covered) for about 7-10 minutes per side. You are looking for nice browning and the chicken to just cook through in the middle. Your cook time will vary depending on the thickness of the pieces and the starting temperature of your meat. As you finish cooking, test a piece by cutting through the thickest part (you should not see any pink).
- For moist meat, allow the grilled chicken to rest for 5 minutes, covered, before serving.
Paul Shetler Fast


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The long drought in California has left behind empty lakes and reservoirs, including Northern California's normally substantial Lake Oroville. Nestled in the Western Sierra foothills, Lake Oroville is both a recreational paradise and an important California water resource.
In recent years, however, the water levels of Lake Oroville, along with the rest of California's lakes and reservoirs, have dropped precipitously, making Lake Oroville look more like Oroville crick or mud flats than the majestic lake it can be in non-drought times.
But enter El Niño, the long talked about body of warm water out in the Pacific that has opened a gateway across the ocean and sent storm after storm rolling into California, packing the California Sierras with a precious new snowpack and reportedly raising Lake Oroville's water level a dramatic 17 feet in the past 10 days, reports KRCR News.
As last summer's continued dryness drifted into an equally dry fall, many docks on Lake Oroville found themselves resting in dirt rather than water. Concrete boat launch ramps stretched endlessly down toward what remained of the lake, with moored boats quickly running out of room to float on Lake Oroville.
Dramatic and eerie pictures of Lake Oroville's plight have featured its distinctive high water mark defined by lake side greenery and towering high above Lake Oroville's dwindling surface.
But with the strong El Nino driven Pacific rain storms, Lake Oroville's quickly rising levels are a welcome sight, with other California lakes and reservoirs also reporting significant rises.
Lake Oroville's 17-foot rise in 10 days was documented by hourly mapping conducted by the Department of Water Resources.
"This is excellent," said the Department of Water Resources' Kevin Wright. "This is what we need."
According to Wright, Lake Oroville hit a frightening low last year, but has since rebounded with 264,000 fresh acre-feet of water pouring into the lake.
But while the rising tide of Lake Oroville is good news, the lake is still low, and according to Wright there's still a lot more water that would be welcome.
"We are not out of the drought," said Wright. "We're just…we're not. The lake has a long ways to go before it's full. So, we still need to conserve water."
By a long way to go, Lake Oroville currently sits around 690 feet full, with a high water mark of 900 feet, leaving over 200 feet of additional water that would be much welcomed.
Which represents a significant number, but with more storms forecast to roll in over the horizon, Lake Orovile could be looking at an additional 25 to 30 feet in the next few weeks.
"The storm we just had…we need several of those over the next few months," said Wright. "Let's say between now and the end of March, end of April, we need to see those at least every other week."
Regardless, the El Niño rains have been a huge gift to California and Lake Oroville from Mother Nature.
Fulsom Lake, south of Lake Oroville and above Sacramento, has also risen dramatically with the recent plentiful rains, even more than Lake Oroville.
SF Gate reports that Fulsom lake raised an astounding, and much needed, 44 feet in just over a month.
Opportunities for irrigation, recreation, and other activities had grown dire at Fulsom Lake, like Lake Oroville, a popular wake boarding and water skiing area.
But while its Lake Oroville neighbor hit a new low in December, Fulsom Lake had become "the hydrological equivalent of a mud puddle," according to SF Gate.
Along with Lake Oroville, Fulsom Lake was the lowest it has been since 1977, but with continued El Niño storms, California is hoping more snow and more rain will return lakes like Oroville and Fulsom to healthy heights that put a dent in the long and nasty drought.
[Images by Justin Sullivan via Getty Images]


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Return Policy
You can return/exchange the product within 14 days of delivery if the following criteria are met.
Hair Extensions
The hair has not been worn, damaged, or removed from the original packaging.
Hair Products
The product has not been opened or used.
How to Return a Product
- Click on the "RETURN FORM" below. Complete all required sections.
- Once your return is approved, and we have received the product, we will:
- For Returns, credit your account used for the original payment.
- For Exchanges, ship out replacement product.
- JZ Styles is not responsible for shipping for returns or exchanges.
- There is a 10 % restocking fee.


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A Merry Xmas - Reboot
Because this year as been insanely busy - please enjoy this reboot of our 2005 Xmas Card!
Nothing says, I love you like an eleven year old card.
Because this year as been insanely busy - please enjoy this reboot of our 2005 Xmas Card!
Nothing says, I love you like an eleven year old card.
Although, it has been a shit one for many. We remain pretty lucky. Skating through the year with only flesh wounds, 2015 has been ok. The boys have now finished grades 1 and 3 respectively !! (excuse me while I have a little lie down) and are looking forward to bigger, better new year adventures. Me thinks surely ONE of them will get a job this year?!
Ben catapulted us into the future with the long-wanted purchase of an all-electric car, named Claude [we didn't name him, he came that way]. The perfect to and fro car. Zippy as hell up our hills and saving us $100's a month in petrol. As soon as we throw a few more solar panels on our roof, Mr Helios can start fully paying for our transportation (and the use of our microwave and washing machine).
In April we acquired a new fur baby - who ironically is probably the oldest thing in the house - Mr Boyd Harris you slipped in, seamlessly. If you could just sort our your shedding problem... ;-)
Linda/Arnie and I have performed a bit more than recent years. Such wicked fun and an extra delight to work with SO many new (& old) pals. Miss Itchy remains the best fun you can have in a tight taffeta frock with your very bess fat fren. THE. BEST!
Mum AND Dad have frequented the Eye & Ear and Eastern hospitals at a rapid clip this year, earning them both designated parking spots right at the front door. However, an end of year clean bill of health makes it OK. [We wont even bother bringing up MY ridiculous hospitalisation this year!].
Noel and Julie got married, on Mum and Dad's 50th anniversary! A very relaxed, casual fun day. Angus summonded a Dr Who vibe as he played the role of Best Li'l Man and Tild was resplendant in blue teeny bridesmaid of honour. And now there's another Julie Younger in the world. ;-)
And Helen finished off the year with a last minute trip to ER to get 4 stitches in her hand! That's why she can't have nice, shiny, crystal things. Onya, Sis.
We've had holidays, fun, LOTS of sport, great food, fun adventures and indulged great art - in all it's forms. Thanks 2015 - we're done with you now, please shut the big brass door on your way out.
Here's our year in review [in 350 odd pics] - you'll might even see yourself.
It ended weirdly... Mum got pretty sick, right before Xmas. She's out of hospital now, waiting on more tests and exams. Up until then - all in all, not too shabby a year.
2015 - get your ducks in a row, we expect a pearler!
Love to all xx
It hasn't been a Normal One this year, at all. But we were together and we ate things with faces and things that came out of things with faces and even a few things that the things with faces like to eat. We laughed, drank and loved. Love to your family* from mine. I hope you're as lucky. f xxx*except if you've got a shit family.
So here's something they don't ever fully prepare you for... the oneupmanship and overacheivingness of the other parents. Wow. It's proper full-on! And my favourite part, insidious and creepy like unchecked arse cancer.
Lemming Mothers I call 'em. All lined up. All ready to fling themselves and their offspring off the cliff if you say your kid can.
It starts EARLY. Like totes early. Like while you're still in hospital trying to come to grips with your swollen milky jugs. "How's he feeding?" she asks, smugly.
"Sitting up using utensils." you lie.
"Sleeping through the night yet?" says Lemming Mum, while she breastfeeds twins, simultaneously.
"He's barely 24 hours old..." you sputter, as you hook up the breast-pump backwards, through your tears.
But she's not listening. She's only asked to lead to her next proclamation.
"Tarquin was sleeping through at nine minutes old." She looks you right in the eye. "We're so blessed." then she changes sides with such prowess you don't even get a glimpse of her gnawed on nipples.
What can you say? "Sleeping through, already eh? Hmmm, I hear the mentally ill sleep a lot too," is what I chose.
Don't worry, they don't hear you. The nurse who's dropped a tray of tiny baby bottles did though. She gives me a thumbs up as I shoved another wilted cabbage leaf in to my nursing bra...
Lemming Mother has moved on to the next flustered bag of hormones. "Hi, how's she feeding?" It goes on. And on. And onnnnnnnnn
Admittedly, I should be used to it by now. My kids are 6 and 4 and the three FULL days of breastfeeding I did with my two are long forgotten (you never forget) mammary memories yet I still find the existence of Mother Lemming, confronting.
Most recently we encountered her when Mo bought home Boris, the Kinder Toy to spend a few nights. Boris arrived in a bag that contained a folder filled with pages documenting the visits he'd had with some of the other kids in Mo's class. What we learned from this exercise is some of Mo's classmate's mothers LOVE to scrapbook. They love it hard and they take it capital S, seriously. Four pages of the creative art of added photos, memorabilia, journaling, and embellishments. To be perfectly frank, Boris'd had the shit art directed out of him!
Hilarious B, to whom I am betrothed said I should just slip a blank DVD into the folders pocket to intimidate the next mother. Hilaire! Mo and I settled on a comic strip kind of thing with photos and hilarious prose. Take that, Georgia's unfunny mother with too many different kinds of pinking shears and stamps!
The competitiveness is in full force at sporting events, where you expect it. Football mothers scare the shit out of me and not just because they're toothless and drunk. The tennis coaching fathers who've taken a leaf from Damir Dokic's book and the Laurie Lawrence like enthusiasm poolside during the "just get your face wet without having a meltdown" pre swimming lesson classes is all there. But you know, you expect it there.
My girlfriend confided an hilarious story to me not so long ago about one of these Lemming Mothers in her kid's class. She'd directly asked Cindy*not her real name what level reader her Prep son was on. Cindy*her name doesn't even start with C had been subjected to almost a year of this crazy woman's incessant quest for oneupmanship so she'd refused to engage. "I have no idea?!" "But you must! You must know what level he's on!" Crazy Lady insisted. "Nope, no clue." lied Cindy*she's more a, Tori "It's on the small sticker on the back of the book!" screeched Lemming Woman. "Meh." said my friend. The next day Cindy noticed that Lemming was standing back. Soon, Lemming's child approached Cindy directly. "Hi Harry's mum, what level reader is Harry on?" "Level 14, Ethan. How are you this morning?" She tousled his hair and he ran back to his mother. All was quiet across the playground until Lemming Ma heard from Ethan. She stood upright and spat. "What bullshit, ullshit, ullshit!" she said out loud. It echoes up here in the hills.
It's not in the baby books. It's not on the parenting websites but you should know. Forewarned is forearmed and you can have fun with them as Cindy*Cindy IS her real name, you know :-) and my B have suggested.
Are YOU a Lemming Mother? If not, I bet you know one.
fahey x


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March's well deserved winner of Fred & Eric's ever changing logo banner goes to a regular contributor to this blog, Tom Ashton-Booth. We can't say how much we LOVE our new ampersand light (complete with dimmer switch) which is the envy of everyone who sees it.
Fred & Eric are really pleased to see the ampersand has inspired Tom to create so many varied designs for us so far. The only problem for Tom is working out a way to out do himself with the next one!
Tom Ashton-Booth is a London based designer specialising in hand crafted models, props and illustration. Visit his website to see more!
Photography by Andrew Meredith.


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The best time to book a newborn session is while you are still pregnant. That way, we can get your name and due date on our calendar and reserve a time for your session. Babies are unpredictable on their arrivals, so we only book a small number of newborns each month to ensure that we will be able to get you in right away. If you wait to call us until baby is already here, there is a chance we will already be booked. Newborn sessions take place before baby is two weeks old while they are still sleepy and squishy. After you book your session, we will email you more information about what to expect and how to prepare for a successful newborn session. You will receive $100 off your first milestone mini when you book your newborn session with us.
Below are the various options that we offer in newborn photography.
You will appreciate having someone else there to worry about recording these special memories. I will do my best to arrive at the hospital for the moments before and after birth, or we can schedule a session for the next day in the hospital when there is plenty of natural light available. This session includes approximately 2 hours of shooting time and 20 digital files chosen from your private online gallery.
mini newborn - $350
This short and sweet studio session will last less than an hour and will include simple shots of just baby. Trying to get baby asleep and posed will not be the goal of this type of session. It will include 10 digital files chosen by you from your private online gallery.
full newborn - $600
This session can take 2-3 hours depending on baby and can include parents and or siblings. We will do simple shots as well as more elaborate posed shots if baby's temperament allows. I can also come to your home for this session if you want more of a lifestyle look to your photos. It will include 20 files chosen by you from your private online gallery.


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Aidan's birthday party is Saturday. In my ideal world, I would be making all the food from scratch or buying all-natural or organic food to serve. We would use real dishes, silverware, and cups. I would bake and decorate the cake myself, make the ice cream, cut up the veggies, make the dip, etc. We would serve only homemade soda, juice, water, and tea. We would decorate with homemade, recycled things.
OK, time to wake up from the dream and be realistic. Maybe someday this will work for a birthday party, but not this year. Tim and Tom have both been working long hours and my mother-in-law is sick. I've had to pick up the house and the outside and do the cleaning with only a little bit of help. In fact, it's still not quite done. I've been picking up one room at a time, but of course the rooms get messed up again quickly. It's unrealistic to expect the kids to not get toys out for two days or to not make messes. And we still need to use the house until the party. So it won't be perfectly picked up and clean, but it will be better than it was. And, as always, the house cleaning is done without chemicals, mostly using vinegar and baking soda.
Yet I've had to compromise on a few things. I think it's safe to say that this will still be a mostly homemade, sustainable birthday party. I've done my best, while also not putting too much on my To Do List (who wants a party to be stressful?) since I do also have two kids to play with and feed.
Here is what I am making or planning on making from scratch:
- mayonnaise
- ranch dressing
- ice cream
- tea and coffee
- egg salad
- popsicles
Here is what I am planning on buying from the Farmer's Market:
- fresh fruit, probably apples and raspberries since that is what is in season
- any vegetables that can be served raw for a snack tray
- tomatoes for the sandwiches
We considered getting platters of sandwiches from Jimmy John's, but I thought buying stuff at the store would be more frugal. I'd have to actually do the math to make sure, but I am pretty sure that I paid less for the amount of food that I got at the store than I would have for the same amount of food at Jimmy John's. The other things I've had to get from the store:
- carrots, which are not quite in season, and possibly more veggies for a snack tray if I can't find them at the Farmer's Market
- lettuce for the sandwiches
- lunch meat and cheese
- bread, though I considered buying this at the Farmer's Market, but didn't want to slice it all or make everyone slice their own
- the cake
- juice and/or soda
As far as decorations go, I tried not to buy too much but I did end up buying some things at the dollar store. Honestly, I'm just not that crafty. Maybe for Mo's party in January I'll try to make some homemade decorations. We will also get a few balloons on Saturday when we pick up the cake.
I am proud to say that we have enough silverware that we won't have to use plastic, especially since we will only need silverware for dessert. I bought plastic cups that are recyclable and I bought dinner sized paper plates and dessert plates that can be composted. Any food waste can be fed to the cats, chickens, or compost heap accordingly. So the only waste will be wrapping paper and packaging from gifts. The toy I bought Aidan came in a cardboard box and had very little plastic to throw away, and it was not made in China, though Italy is still far away.
What I have realized (or confirmed) is that we have way too much Stuff. It's quite easy to just see the toys and think we have too many toys, which we do. However, it's more than that. It's too much clutter and too much stuff or not places for the stuff we do have and want to keep. I try to declutter and donate things all the time. It just seems that things come in faster than they go out. I have been telling the kids that we won't buy something if we already have it at home or can make it at home. It's time to seriously start thinking about all our purchases and questioning whether we really need that item.
This post is part of Fight Back Friday.
Tags: chemical free cleaning, cleaning with baking soda and vinegar, compostable paper products, green cleaning, homemade food, homemade ice cream, homemade mayonnaise, homemade ranch dressing, sustainable birthday party