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Indonesia: A Christian LeaderARTE Reportage
Basuki Tjahaja Purnama was the Christian governor of Jakarta, running for election. ARTE Reportage visited Jakarta during this crucial time as radical Islamists sought to dethrone him, decrying the fact that a Christian could have so much power. Fast forward to today, he is serving two years in prison for blasphemy. Were the signs of a crack down already there on the campaign trail?


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What needs unchaining in your life?
Often, when we think about freedom, it's more of a "we" context than "I"—a lofty, supposedly universal notion that especially those of us from the diaspora, perhaps more closely have tied to our ancestors enslavement and eventually their subsequent freedom.
But what about you? What does freedom look like in your own life? What does it sound like? What does it feel like? What or perhaps, who, has shackled your happiness? Your confidence? Your ambition?
In the many lessons that can be taken from Freedom Summer, I'd like to draw out three things in particular—courage, commitment & creativity.
The volunteers, be they from the North or South, threw themselves into the risky work of voter registration in Mississippi. Harassment and abuse were commonplace. Bombings and burnings, routine. Safety could not be guaranteed. Arrests were likely. Less than two weeks passed before the kidnapping and murder of James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Matthew Schwerner. Yet still, they persevered.
What does courage sound like in the context of liberating yourself?
Imagine if, after a few days, weeks even, the Freedom Summer volunteers changed their minds. Decided the risks were too high, the work too taxing. What then? What type of message would that have sent to the Black Mississippians and Black folks across the country who were still being denied their right to vote?
And, even before them, the volunteers committed their time and energy to learning how to register people to vote, curriculum and logistics for setting up Freedom Schools and promote the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. The planning began months earlier, in February. The work begins before the results become visible.
What does commitment look like within your own freedom struggle?
By the end of the summer, 41 Freedom Schools had been established across Mississippi. The basics were taught—math, reading and other traditional courses but the brilliance of the curriculum was that the over 3,000 students were taught what was missing: Black history, the philosophy of the civil rights, and leadership skills.
And, if I can go there with y'all—how do you think they went about convincing hundreds of well off white college students not to "save the Mississippi negro" but to instead invest themselves into a world that required them to surrender their privilege?
What does creativity feel like in your pursuit of freedom?
I challenge you to not only think critically about your freedom but to act on it. Freedom is a journey, undoubtedly so, but you cannot lose your shackles if you do not begin to search for the keys.
I saw keys in the hands of Bree Newsome as she took down the confederate flag. I saw keys in the hands of Issa Rae as she committed to create a show that was truly for us, by us. I saw keys in the hands of Elaine Welteroth as she revolutionized Teen Vogue.
I see keys in the hands of Raquel Willis, Elle Hearns and Janet Mock as they labor to create space, advocate and share the narratives of trans women and gender nonconforming folks of color.
I see keys in the hands of the Mothers of the Movement who've resisted despair and continue to fight for their lost blood.
I see keys in your hands. As often as it is said, chanted, shouted, Assata Shakur's words still ring true.
What would it mean to replace the "we" with you? It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love each other and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains.
Randi Gloss is the editor and founder of GLOSSRAGS, @GLOSSRAGS. She is a dynamic Social Entrepreneur | Activist | Writer | Creator | Connector | www.glossrags.com

subset: commoncrawl


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A 2006 survey by the University of North Texas reported that North Texas residents most frequently receive their news through television than from any other media outlet. The 2007 Stormwater Pollution Prevention Campaign will bring with it Stormwater Management's first television commercial. The advertisement will air during local morning newscasts and other programming on area television stations. The commercial was produced through a cooperative effort with the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) and focuses on how to prevent pet waste from polluting our stormwater.
The commercial will run from mid-April through September on WFAA Channel 8, KDFW Channel 4, KDFI Channel 27, KXTX Telemundo 39 (Spanish ad), KXAS Channel 5, KTXA Channel 21, and KTVT Channel 11.
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Farmacy Skin Dew Product Review
This summer it's all about keeping your skin feeling fresh and hydrated! I don't about you, but after hours being out in the sun I love to keep myself hydrated in multiple ways. The Farmacy "Skin Dew Hydrating Essence Mist & Setting Spray" is perfect for those hot days. Not only do I love this spray for keeping my skin feeling hydrated but I love that it makes my skin look after putting on makeup. It gives my foundation a dewy finish, perfect for that summer glow!
Not only does this spray gives your skin a dewy finish, it also has amazing benefits for your skin. Made with several essential oils, it also contains Kiwi Fruit Extract, rich in Vitamin C, Potassium and Magnesium. While attracting moisture, this spray also improves your skin's barrier function. Feels good using a product that helps your skin and still can get a dewy look overall.
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Science is a fun and interesting topic for kids as a result of it is all round us. Some individuals do not understand that science is involved when in nearly every part you do corresponding to cooking, cleansing, and taking part in. Science tasks, formal and casual (group service types), crucial for youths to be inspired to science examine and careers in future. 23. (Non-compulsory) If you're not restricted by time, permit youngsters to pick out an amphibian, a fish, or a reptile from "Draw Write Now, Guide 6: Animals Habitats – On Land, Pond & Rivers, Oceans" (Draw-Write-Now) and draw it.
The very best science honest tasks in your youngsters reply questions they are genuinely interested in. Evaluations of eight free on-line games and cell apps that entertain children as they study to rely payments and coins. A science honest undertaking on testing ingesting water might help them study what is within the water they use.
Steve is a trainer's teacher who is televised weekly in Denver and who has appeared on nationally televised reveals, demonstrating experiments and explaining the science behind them. I at all times wanted to know find out how to make a sprig for my bottle and science experiments using straws are teaching me so much.
Have children predict what will happen once they place the ice cube in a glass of water. Once I did science tasks I might always have a accomplice so we'd break up between doing research and putting the fabric on posterboard. And in this article we are going to see the various ways that science experiments with straws are straightforward ways to learn.
Also in case you had enjoyable and you learned one thing whereas doing the mission, it is a good signal you might have chosen an incredible undertaking. While studying about the three parts of an ant's body – head, thorax, and stomach – you may add a number of questions for the youngsters to consider.


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TCS Off-Campus for 2017 batch also at PCET's PCCOE&R, Ravet on 31-01-2018
Eligibility :
Year of Graduation : 2017
Eligible Courses and Disciplines:
BE / B.Tech / ME / M.Tech in any of the following disciplines:
Applied Electronics
Applied Mathematics
Applied Statistics & Informatics
Artificial Intelligence
Automobile Engineering
Bio Medical
Communication Engineering
Computer Science
Digital Engineering
Electrical & Electronics Engineering
Electronics & Communication
Electronics and Telecommunication
Electronics Engineering
Industrial Management
Information Science
Information Technology
Instrumentation Engineering
Materials Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Multimedia Technology
Network Engineering
Operations & Systems
Production Engineering
Remote Sensing
Software Engineering
Wireless Technologies
MCA with BSc / BCA / BCom / BA (with Math / Statistics Background)
M.SC in Information technology / Computer Science / Software Engineering
Minimum aggregate marks of 60% or above in the first attempt in each of Class Xth, Class XIIth, Diploma (if applicable), Graduation and Post-Graduation examination within the stipulated duration of course as specified by the respective board/university (any arrears/backlogs cleared post stipulated course duration is considered as extended education and would not be eligible). Please note that all subjects mentioned in the mark sheets should be taken into consideration (including languages, optional subjects etc.) while calculating the aggregate marks. For example, best of 5 out of 6 subjects for calculating the aggregate is not acceptable as per the TCSL Eligibility Criteria. In cases where a candidate has completed both, XIIth and Equivalent Diploma, the cut off percentage of 60% and above is applicable to both the courses.
First attempt implies that the candidate should clear the final year/semester examination (including Xth, XIIth, Diploma, Graduation and Post-Graduation as applicable) with minimum aggregate (aggregate of all subjects in all semesters) marks of 60% and above within the stipulated duration of the course itself. For example, if a candidate has secured 58.9 % (aggregate of all subjects) in Standard XIIth examination in the first attempt and has taken an improvement exam in the next attempt securing 62 %, he/she does not fulfil the TCSL eligibility criteria as marks/CGPA obtained during the normal duration of the course only will be considered.
It is mandatory to declare the gaps if any, during the academic tenure. Break in education should not be due to extended education. Any such break should not exceed 24 months and is permissible only for valid reasons. Relevant document proof, as applicable, will be checked for gaps in education.
Only Full time courses will be considered (Part Time/Correspondence courses will not be considered).
Candidates with more than 3 years of work experience will not be permitted to participate in the TCS Selection process.
Candidates should meet the below specified age criteria at the time of appearing for the TCS selection process: Minimum age – 18 years and Maximum age - 28 years.
Steps to Apply to Off Campus Drive:
Logon to TCS NextStep https://nextstep.tcs.com/ with your CT/DT Reference Id or registered email Id
On the Homepage on the left hand side menu click on Apply for Off Campus Drive
Check the Eligibilty and Select/update nearest Test Location and Apply
Last date to register for TCS Off Campus drive was 21st January 2018. Apply to Drive link has been disabled.
Date of Test: 31st January 2018
Note: Kindly access TCS NextStep portal (https://nextstep.tcs.com/campus/) using a desktop or Laptop or desktop site on your mobile browser


text:
Dean N Rogers
Room 142
State Mandate: Students must develop the ability to comprehend and process material from a wide range of texts.
Class rules:
- Be on time
- Be prepared
- Be respectful
- Own your education
- Follow student handbook
Course activity
Students will read independently in the area of American Literature. Each literary work is self-selected by the student and the work is completed on a self-paced basis. The course is designed for the average high school junior to be able to complete the semester requirements in about six weeks. Regular progress is expected. Some group activities will be conducted s well.
In this class you will improve
- your reading comprehension
- your writing skills
- your confidence as a communicator
My pledge to you is to work as hard as you do. I hold tutorials Tuesday after school until 5pm for anyone who needs more one-on-one assistance. My goal is to see you succeed.
- All Categories
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- Select Month
- January
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- Select Year
- 2018
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Bluegrass Raleigh
Bluegrass goes to college at East Tennessee State
East Tennessee State offers degree in Bluegrass music
Room 306 in Brooks Memorial Hall looks like a pretty standard college classroom, until you notice the acoustic enhancements.
Look up and you'll see canvas baffles hanging from the ceiling. And you might also notice the canvas-covered rectangles between windows on the walls and in corners, to break up standing waves.
Acoustics aren't so much of a concern elsewhere in East Tennessee State University's Appalachian Studies department. But sonics are very important in the rooms given over to the department's Bluegrass, Old-Time and Country Music Program, the oldest established program of its kind at any four-year institution in the nation.
When the International Bluegrass Music Association's World of Bluegrass opens its annual festivities in Raleigh this week, the East Tennessee bluegrass program will be well-represented – with students, faculty and alumni playing on stages all over town. But before that, the East Tennessee classrooms are where the hard work of practice and learning take place.
A recent harmony-singing class found a half-dozen students breaking down vocal arrangements for "Boil Them Cabbage Down," an old folk song from the days of slavery, and the Carter Family spiritual "Will the Circle Be Unbroken?"
"Want to do it in G or E?" instructor Brandon Green asked, tuning a guitar. "I'll let you pick … E? Well, OK, although I like G better because E is harder to play – for a nonguitarist."
Green added, "A lot of this is not getting you awesome at all the parts so much as just familiarizing you with them. Some people can do all the different parts great – but not many, and that's not the point of exercises like this."
He began to strum, walking around the room and conducting with nods to each group – lead, tenor, baritone – as he played "Circle."
There's a better home awaiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky …
After a few verses, Green stopped playing to let the students continue singing a cappella. Despite his earlier caveat, it did sound pretty awesome.
Banjo and bass
One of the student singers was Jamie McDermott, an Arizona native with D, B, G, D and G tattooed on his right knuckles – tuning for a banjo. At 34, McDermott is at least a decade older than most of his ETSU classmates. His path to get here was circuitous.
"I was a geologist, so I upgraded – figured there was a banjo fortune out there," he said, then laughed. "Mostly, I just didn't want to work for big oil. The only offers I was getting were from Exxon and BP."
As he spoke, McDermott packed up his notebooks and gear. He'd brought his bass to class because he was headed to Bristol for a gig afterward with a band so new, it didn't yet have a name.
That's typical. There are about 40 student bands in the program, and just about every student is in more than one, often playing multiple instruments.
"I've actually been playing a lot more bass than banjo lately," McDermott said, looking down at his knuckles. "So I might need to get 'G' and 'E' tattooed on my other hand."
A big presence
It's not unusual for East Tennessee's bluegrass program to be at the center of things during IBMA in Raleigh. Among the nine East Tennessee alumni and faculty nominated for 2015 IBMA Awards is Adam Steffey, up for mandolinist of the year – an award he's won 11 times.
There's also Becky Buller, who is nominated in seven different categories. When she plays her "Bluegrass Ramble" club showcases Wednesday night, Buller's band will include her fellow nominee Dan Boner, also an East Tennessee graduate who is now chairman of the bluegrass department.
Elsewhere onstage throughout the week, you'll see East Tennessee people in groups including Alison Krauss' Union Station, Blue Highway, Earls of Leicester, Grascals and Volume Five. And the ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band will play Friday afternoon on the Wide Open Bluegrass street festival's Youth Stage.
East Tennessee wasn't the first school in the nation to offer bluegrass classes, but it was the first to offer a four-year baccalaureate degree with exclusive study of bluegrass, starting in 2010. The program dates back to 1982, when journeyman mandolinist Jack Tottle was passing through the Tennessee Triangle of Johnson City, Bristol and Kingsport and thought it looked like just the place for an academic bluegrass program.
"Jack saw all the music and history in this area and asked the university if they'd let him teach some classes," said Ron Roach, chairman of East Tennessee's Appalachian Studies department. "That's how it started, and it's grown from there."
Academics, too
Early on, East Tennessee's bluegrass program was just a few classes in the music department. But it steadily grew, with classes such as History of Bluegrass alongside hands-on instruction.
By 2006, it had enough heft to become a minor and move from the music department to Appalachian Studies, finally becoming its own major in 2010. It's an academic degree, not a vocational program, so students have to take the same core classes as anyone in the university's college of arts and sciences.
"It's not just the music, it's academics as well, which surprises a lot of people," said Roach. "There are times the students wish it was just the music."
There are about 80 full-time bluegrass majors at East Tennessee, some from as far away as Iran. Students in other majors take bluegrass classes, too, "and a lot more people come around to learn how to play," said Roach.
"Years ago, we had a guy quit a medical practice in New Delhi, India, to come here and learn mandolin," Boner said.
While students come from far and wide, a lot more are from nearby. One is Colton Powers, a 20-year-old junior from Kingsport, 25 miles up the road. Based on his choice of T-shirt – heavy-metal band AC/DC's "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" – banjo is not what you'd expect him to be playing.
"I didn't grow up on bluegrass and really only started listening when I began actively playing it," Powers said. "That was about five years ago at Christmas, when my grandparents gave me a 'canjo' as a gag gift – a stick with dulcimer frets, one string and a spam can on the end. My dad saw me taking an interest, trying to remember old songs I'd heard him play, and he surprised me with a banjo one day. I was not good at first, it took a while. But I practiced six-plus hours a day until I'd get it."
Teaching and playing
East Tennessee's bluegrass program is spread out among three different buildings on campus, with classrooms, practice spaces and a recording lab. Student bluegrass bands are a familiar sight at area gatherings, including the campus farmers market.
"I'd encourage you to sign up and play there," professor Lee Bidgood told his History of Bluegrass class. "It's not paid, but – free food!"
The department's main hub is the third floor of Brooks, where photo murals depicting various students and alumni line the walls. Look hard and one face you'll find is the biggest mainstream country star of the past decade.
"Kenny Chesney came in one day and asked Jack Tottle to give him some guitar lessons," said Boner, the bluegrass department chairman. "He went on to discover the musical community on campus, and he was in some early bands. There are some old, old videos of him playing that will probably never be seen by the public. But I've heard him say his goal in music was to create a show he would've wanted to go to. Seems like he succeeded."
Chesney is obviously a commercial outlier, but a fair amount of other East Tennessee bluegrass alumni have gone on to have solid careers in the bluegrass world. Some of those alumni also wind up coming back to Johnson City to work with the program as teachers.
"We try to give an idea of what's out there, to be realistic," Boner said. "There are only so many people who can play for Rhonda Vincent or Doyle Lawson at a time, where you're earning a living just from playing. Otherwise, musicians have to wear many hats. A lot of our faculty members are a good example."
One of those multitasking faculty members is Steffey. He teaches mandolin at East Tennessee State and is also developing a new class on the business of bluegrass.
"You can learn a lot about life sitting knee to knee with Adam Steffey taking mandolin lessons," said Boner. "He dropped out of school to join Alison Krauss & Union Station, went back and got a degree later, and now he teaches here. One student was so nervous about his first lesson, and Adam noticed he needed new strings. So that first lesson was Adam changing his strings and showing him how to do it. It was almost biblical, like washing the feet."
David Menconi: 919-829-4759, @NCDavidMenconi


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Weird Wisconsin Adventures/
Growing up, my family was all about day trips or going on quick weekend trips across Wisconsin and the Midwest. In 2005, my mom bought a book called Weird Wisconsin – the authors describe it as a "travel guide to Wisconsin's local legends and best kept secrets." It has stories about ghosts, UFOs, roadside oddities, legends...the list goes on. She thought it would be fun for us to visit as many places in the book as possible and archive all of our adventures, and we've been doing that ever since. So many holidays, family vacations, and random summer days have been filled with jaunts across the state thanks to Weird Wisconsin.
One of our first adventures was meeting the authors, Linda S. Godfrey and Richard D. Hendricks – they just happened to do a book signing at the Pewaukee library a few months after my mom bought the book.
My mom's copy of the book is filled with notes, addresses, pamphlets, etc. For every place we've visited, my mom has paper clipped an envelope filled with a story about our visit, photos, and any paraphernalia from the trip.
Check out my mom's story from our first adventure (note: Gary is my dad, and my mom does not have a "compass-like sense of direction"):
Today was our first attempt to visit a Weird Wisconsin attraction. Let me set the stage – it's 101 degrees outside, we didn't leave until 3pm, and Gary's heart wasn't in it. But we were off to see "Truck in a Tree." The author states it is just outside Clinton (near the Illinois border) and you can see it from I90. Not exact directions but because of my almost compass-like sense of direction, I thought we could find it for sure.
Once we were headed toward I90, we ended up making a rather large circle. Gary said, "Let's drive up 43 and ask in Clinton if anyone's ever heard of this thing," but then we spotted it! The "Truck in a Tree"! We drove past "Customer Only" signs, "Private Drive" signs, surveillance cameras – nothing could keep us from it. We then made our little Sammy, our own child, get out of the car in these hostile conditions so we could take her picture. I took it as fast as I could, and we flew out of there before the cops came.
Another favorite adventure was going to Bill Benson's Hideaway in Campbellsport – his bar is known as the UFO headquarters. Many people have claimed to see UFOs there. We went with a bunch of family friends for the weekend, went camping in the area, and wore alien glasses and tinfoil hats the whole time. We didn't see any UFOs ourselves, but Bill did sign my mom's book, and we still talk about how fun/funny that weekend was to this day.
Another favorite story:
Today Gary, Sammy, and I drove up to Sheboygan to see the "Extraordinary Fence of Daniel Erbstoesser" which is also on the cover of the book. We had a nice ride up, found the fence, and then had a nice picnic on Lake Michigan. Gary and I then proceeded to argue about the fastest way to get home until we were no longer speaking to each other. Ahhh!!
Get out there and explore your state. Here's to many more adventures!


text:
Job Reference: KW260618
Job Type: PermanentContract
Location: Southwark
Salary: DOE
Date Posted: 26th June, 20182018-06-26
Date Closing: 20th July, 201807/20/2018
Sector(s): Secondary Teacher Jobs, Senior Team & Leadership Jobs, SEND Teaching Jobs
Agency: Castles Education
Castles Education in collaboration with one of our client schools are searching for an experienced SENCO (special education needs co-coordinator) to join a school in South East London from September. This post is part time, 4 days a week and is due to start in September 2018 on a temp to perm basis.
The school itself is a SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) alternative provision for secondary aged students who have been excluded from mainstream. Across two sites, the centres support and teach students with a range of needs including social, emotional, behaviours and/or mental health needs (SEMH). With some students attending on a day 6 provision while others will be finishing their KS3 and KS4 education.
The school is a "GOOD" school and the staff work hard to give every student the best education and opportunities to succeed.
Pay for the SENCO role will be comparable to scale.
The role of a SENCO is an important one within a school and to apply for this role, the SENCO will need:
Closing date for applications for this role is 20th July 2018 with interviews the week after.
We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, younger learners and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. All positions will be subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references and will be exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974


text:
Why I didn't go back to Titan Fitness
I wanted to write blog post to update you on my latest visit to 'The Soi'. You might want to start by reading my previous blog posts about Thailand - there is one from when I first visited a few different areas in Thailand and another from one of my other visits in the last year.
When I decided to pack up my apartment and head back to Thailand, my first thought was how excited I was to get back to Titan. They have always let me train for free and so I was naturally posting about all the great classes I was doing. This is where I fell in love with Crossfit-style training.
It worked so well for them because I know so many of you booked Titan on my recommendation. They have often offered me accomodation but I've politely declined because I had heard so many horror stories about the accomodation in Little Hill. Plus for only a tiny bit more money (or maybe even less!) you can stay in much nicer places on the street, within a stones-throw from Titan.
In my previous blog posts I always tried to allude to the recommendation of booking your own accomodation and staying away from the meal plans because there are so many nice food places on the Soi. From speaking to people in camp - it seems that after people arrive on a package, they usually book everything separately if they are returning or extending their stay.
When I mentioned I was going to go to Thailand for a month, Titan got in touch to kindly offer me a month's accomodation at Cocoville (one of the nicest places to stay) along with free training for the month (approx €500 from what I hear, I can't find exact cost on website). The condition was that I would mention their packages and their PT course in a blog post. I was a little hesitant and I also advised them to work on making the packages better value if I am to recommend them. I've always heard it was better value to turn up at the gym on the day and book training.
After speaking to people I know who had trained there over the summer, or had done the PT course or had worked there - it really made me question whether I was making the right decision by accepting... From what I could see, the coaches I had loved were leaving and they were hiring interns from the PT course to teach "Crosstraining" classes. I wondered what I could learn from trainers that had less experience than me - especially as I had learned so much more while I was at home. I had also heard some other stories about clients and staff being mistreated.
Now please note, this could be all "he-said, she-said" and I don't want any of it to be taken as gospel but I just want to paint the picture as to why I had to go with my gut and morals and turn down the offer from Titan and train elsewhere. It felt weird because Titan have always been so kind and accomodating to me, but ultimately I wasn't comfortable promoting something if I was the only one getting special attention.
For me, the trust of my followers is very important to me so I saw this opportunity to try another training camp on the street for review. I know a lot of people presumed Titan was the only camp in the middle of nowhere but there are a few different options.
It was a no-brainer that the next place I would try is Unit 27. Unit encompasses the official crossfit box - Crossfit Phuket - in a large, in-door, airconned gym. The trainers are some of the best in the region and there are several CrossFit classes a day.
Unit 27 also has a huge range of conditioning classes on throughout the week. These are suitable for all fitness levels but be prepared to be pushed to your max - whatever that is for you! Most of these classes take place in their other training facility across the road. There's no aircon here but plenty of fans to battle the heat. The Sauna and Ice Baths are available to use after class - but I didn't get a chance!
It is very simple to check prices, create an account, buy units and sign up for classes - all through an app on your phone. Just search Unit 27 on the app store! I bought 6 credits for the few days and it cost 2696 Bt (about €11 a class). The price goes down slightly with the bigger packages purchased.
Here are the classes I did
Crossfit (x3)
Kalorie Killa
The Executioner
S&C Rapid Fire - Wild Card
I would say Kalorie Killa was the hardest class I have ever done!! It was an HIIT class covering all types of equipment and body weight exercises. I burnt over 1000 calories in that class!
The Executioner is a weekly class that doesn't change. The idea is to gauge your progress week to week by doing 3 min AMRAPs (as many reps as possible) across 9 stations. There is 1 minute rest. Technically you can go at your own pace but the trainers do not let you sandbag it - they will know if you're not trying your best!
The Rapid Fire class on a Saturday is a Wild Card class and it was so much fun. We basically played lots of games in teams while burning lots and lots of calories!
The Crossfit classes were good but I happened to drop in on a de-load week so there wasn't much strength work and lots of accessory work. The WODS were tough but I actually found them easier than the conditioning classes!
I have to say I was very impressed with my few days in Unit and I would choose it over Titan next time. I felt like the weight fell off me over a few days from those conditoning classes! If you are considering booking - I would weigh up the cost per class in different gyms depending how much you plan to train.
I don't know when I will be back on the Soi but I was speaking to a few people who were also recommending Tiger Muay Thai for a range of classes and training so I think I'll have to test that place out for review on my next visit.
I hope you found this helpful and I just want to reiterate that I have such fond memories of my time in Titan but, this time, it just wasn't the right move for me.
Thank you for reading,
Siobhan x


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"Alice Gaines will tantalize your romance taste buds with a book you can't put down until the very last page." NYT bestselling author Jasmine Haynes
Her brother's best friend is not only the hottest man Michelle Dennis has ever seen, he's the one man she hopes to avoid after leaving town eight years ago. Of course he's the one waiting at the airport. Worse, he made sure they're staying in the same house.
Pro football player Alex Stafford is expecting to pick up his friend's kid sister, not a full-fledged bombshell. He was planning to apologize for their past, but the feelings he had years ago come roaring back…and this time, there's no denying them.
Keeping his hands off is a test he's bound to fail—especially when they're stuck in close quarters. But falling in love with Michelle, living in her world, isn't an option for a guy like him. And remembering that will save them both a lot of heartache…
Later that night, Alex found the opening he'd been looking for ever since deciding he'd surrender to the inevitable and make love to Michelle. He'd sat in his bedroom after everyone had gone to bed, digging up enough courage to go out and knock on the cottage door. Instead, he watched as she emerged into the moonlight and walked slowly toward the pasture.
An invitation? She couldn't be sure he hadn't gone to sleep. On the other hand, she would know that she'd be visible from his window. She could have simply taken a chance he'd realize she was out there. She'd won.
He stuck his feet into his slippers and put on his robe. Before he left the room, he grabbed the condoms and put them in his pocket. He'd need at least one tonight. Then he left his room and went downstairs as quietly as he could manage.
No sound came to indicate he'd awakened anyone. The house was silent except for the hum of the refrigerator as he let himself out the back door. A little mental geography told him the direction to go in, and before long, he spotted Michelle where she stood with her face lifted toward the moon.
She wore something of a filmy, white material that glowed in the soft light. A breeze ruffled the material around her legs. With her graceful limbs and her hair falling down her back, she resembled a character from mythology—a creature you could only find in the moonlight and could never truly call your own. Someone who'd evaporate like mist in the heat of day and only return in your dreams.
Poetic and probably silly, but real in his heart. He stepped on something that made a snapping sound. Most likely a twig. She turned and spotted him, and a smile tugged at her lips.
"Following me?" she said.
"Did you come out here to invite me to join you?"
She shrugged. "I thought you'd gone to bed."
Yeah, sure. Everything about her smile said she'd planned this encounter to invite him into her web. But then, he'd come of his own will, needing nothing more than an opportunity.
He'd make love to Michelle Dennis tonight. As surely as the moon spilled silver light over both of them, they'd be joined before the morning came.
"Lovely, isn't it?" she said. "I've missed this."
"You must have full moons in Massachusetts."
"I don't mean the moon," she said. "I mean being with you."
Of course, their togetherness could be nothing like their earlier, innocent friendship. She'd never come to him wearing a negligee, and he'd never had condoms in his pocket. She shivered a bit, and he got up close behind her. When he opened his robe and wrapped it around her, she fit against him like pieces in a puzzle. When he bent to place the side of his face against her, the perfume of her hair surrounded him. He almost groaned out of pure pleasure.
"What am I going to do with you, Dr. Dennis?"
She gave him a wicked laugh. "I can think of three or four things off the top of my head."
"Evil woman."
"You have no idea how evil." She turned in his arms, and now her softness pressed against him everywhere. He wouldn't be able to hold her this way for long before he became completely aroused. The stirrings had begun when he'd first spotted her out here and the reality about what he was going to do registered.
She became even bolder, lifting her face to nuzzle the tip of her nose against his jaw. She followed that with a kiss to the underside of his chin.
"You know what's going to happen if you keep doing that, don't you?" he said.
"I do."
"And you're giving me permission?"
"Complete and total."
About the Author
Alice Gaines loves her romance hot. She's been writing since forever and has no plans to give it up.
Alice lives in the San Francisco Bay Area in a fixer-upper she never fixed up. When she's not writing, you'll find her knitting, crocheting, cooking, or vegetable gardening. Her main companions are her pet corn snake, Casper, and a collection of neglected orchids.
She loves to hear from readers at email@example.com. You can join her newsletter at http://alicegaines.blogspot.com. She periodically gives out her handmade items to people on her mailing list.


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Today's 5k/
Running may be the one thing that can make me like math.
I ran a 5k this morning hosted by the GSO Police Department to benefit the NC Special Olympics. The first and only 5k I've ever run before was on July 4th, 2006. My time then was 28:57. My time today was 26:25--well under a 9 minute mile. Whoo-hoo! Here are the numbers:
- Mile One: Completed in 8:18
- Mile Two: Time was 17:46
- Final 1.2 Miles: Ending time of 26.25
- Eaten: 1 Gu
- Number of times I peed in the two hours before the race: 3
- Entry Fee: $25, or almost $1 per minute (for a good cause though, so that's okay...)
- Number of skinny, short little 10 year-olds who finished ahead of me: Ahem, several...
I told Blair there was a little ten-year-old boy in front of me for the first mile and a half that I just could not catch. Blair looked at me knowingly. "You didn't let him get away, did you?
I smirked. "Smoked him on the first big hill."
"That's my girl."
I left before formal results were posted, i.e., what number you finished overall, how you placed in your age group, etc. All in all though, I feel good. I usually train at just under a 10-minute mile so this was quite a bit faster for me.
Never underestimate the power of the ego to make you run faster when elementary kids are whuppin' you.


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The classic 1982 Toto song "Africa" has been getting a great deal of attention as of late. Aside from being declared the "internet's favorite song", it has also been the subject of a clever Twitter campaign to get Weezer to cover the song and even Weird Al Yankovic got involved.
Completely separate from that, British musician Daniel Horvath of Woods of Trees knocks it out of the park with a hilarious but amazingly well sung black metal cover of the song, which features all sorts of very cute things flying about his head with some interspersed in between. Additionally, rather than "blessing the rains down in Africa", Horvath's version the blesses the rains of Scandinavia instead.
HAIL My friends!! I, Big Winter, have returned once more. Enjoy this ungodly piece ov muzik.
via Billboard
The post British Singer Blesses the Rains in Scandinavia in a Hilarious Black Metal Cover of the Toto Song 'Africa' appeared first on Laughing Squid.


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Maybe you're currently doing your dietetic internship, or maybe you've been running a private practice for years and taking cash payments, or perhaps you're working in a clinical setting and thinking about venturing out on your own. Regardless of where you are in your career, as an RDN or CNS you're probably familiar with the option to take health insurance. You've probably heard about the benefits: insurance companies are covering nutritional counseling at higher rates than ever before, physicians are more likely to refer patients to you if you're already in the same networks as them, and you're able to work with a number of new clients who may not otherwise have access to your services. But you may also be familiar with some of the challenges: the application process takes a while, it can be confusing and tedious, etc.
So when is it time to take the plunge and start the contracting process? In a word: now.
While it's understandable to want to wait until you're completely ready to start seeing clients and you feel prepared to file claims, the thing is, the contracting process can take up to six months (or in some cases, even longer). If you delay the start of the process until you're ready to file claims, you may actually be unable to start seeing clients and filing claims for another six months.
It's helpful to think of those several months in the waiting stages of contracting as a grace period —it's actually providing you with built-in time to assemble the other pieces of your practice (finding a practice location, designing a logo, setting up your website and social media platforms, networking with physicians and other dietitians, etc.). These are things that you can do whether you're just launching your career or whether you're already working full-time and planning to pursue your own private practice.
We recommend setting a date by which you'd like to be seeing clients who can use their insurance benefits to meet with you. Maybe your target timeframe is March or April, to capitalize on people who have summer vacation goals, or maybe it's August, to be available to potential clients who would like to incorporate nutritional counseling into their back to school routines. Once you have a date in mind, count backward six months and plan to start the contracting process no later than then!
Ready to take the leap? Congratulations on deciding to move forward! You can cross that first step off your list. Here's a rundown of what you'll need to proceed with the process.


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Frequently Asked Questions
terms of use: check out the SEPARATE page in the Terms of Service section before purchasing any original Artworks.
Delivery? | Please allow several weeks for the order to be processed. Once the orders have been processed it is around a 3-Day Delivery within the Continental US.
International Delivery? | Yes, and Yes!! The shipping and handling fee will only cover the cost of the transport, not the cost for duty, brokerage or any additional fees due at the destination. The responsibly lies with the purchaser.
How does my new creation come to my door? | It will be packaged specially for its new home rolled within a proper artists shipping tube and then securely wrapped within another container for safe delivery. Great care has been taken to have your item delivered safely and promptly; if by some reason an issue arises, please email email@example.com . A signature is required for delivery.
What should I do when my one of a kind artwork arrives? | Each work is created with very delicate materials so please be aware when you are unwrapping. Some have pin holes from the creation process in the four corners that once framed will be covered. One suggestion is allowing the piece to breath in its new environment. Just treat with care and wear the white gloves included.
Giving? | Art in essence is about always giving. I am very excited to be sending your way a one-of-a-kind artistic creation. I hope it truly brightens your day as it did mine while in the process of creating it for you and your environment. It also is wonderful to be able to support others philanthropically. A portion, 15% of the proceeds of each artwork is being given to support the efforts of women and artistic empowerment.
Currently #morningseries and #voices are supporting Nest, a non-profit based in NYC, who bring transparency, business development and advocacy to global artisans as well as a platform and opprotunity in the fashion industry.
The series #visions will be supporting various organizations to be determined. If you have any questions on this process please contact our studio.
Since your special work is a one of a kind and precious, ALL SALES FINAL. Thank you!
Further selections? | Please visit Apple Books or be on the lookout for future works, in multiple disciplines!
Please be aware of copyright laws as all work, visual art and poetry are original to Victoria Lee Case.
Any other information is sourced to its proper original owner.


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Who Is 'Little Women: LA' Star Tonya Dating? She's Making Changes for the New Season & New Year
Season 2 of Little Women: LA is arriving on New Year's Day, and this season is throwing everything from Season 1 into question. Ringleader Terra Jole's best and oldest friend, Tonya, actually split from her boyfriend between the first and second seasons, and is back on the market. During the Season 1 finale, Tonya and Trevor were still together, but things were not particularly close between them. It really seemed as though this Little Women: LA relationship was on its way out.
You know what? This is a great development. While they got along and seemed to be attracted to one another, it never seemed like Trevor was all that serious about getting into a relationship with Tonya. And Tonya clearly wasn't moved to the ends of the Earth to stick up for him, either. He was nice enough for her to spend some time with, but she couldn't even be bothered enough to get mad at him for disrespecting her by saying that he would cheat on her.
Tonya's a little older than the other ladies, so she's not facing the urgency and pressure of getting married and getting pregnant. She already has a 22 year-old daughter, Angelique, and only started dating again once she sent her kid to college. She admits that she could have started earlier, but she was hesitant because she didn't want to bring unknown men into her daughter's life. But now, she's ready to get back on the scene, and start looking for a brand new guy.
Trevor acted as her palate cleanser. Now she's ready for a more serious relationship, like her BFF Terra and her boyfriend, Joe. While we've seen Terra and Joe fight almost constantly, they've always been passionate. Terra doesn't let Joe walk all over her and Joe doesn't let Terra pressure him into doing something he's not interested in doing. While they don't always get along, they choose to stay together every day. And that's why they're still together, while Tonya is rightfully back to being single for the moment.
Now, Tonya needs to look for another boyfriend (at her own pace, of course), and I hope Terra will help a girl out. She knows a lot of people in their industry, and whomever Tonya goes out with has got to respect her decades of work as a stuntwoman and be in awe of how amazing she looks. There's no doubt that Tonya's still got it — and she deserves a smoking hot new guy to go along with her new season.
Images: Richard Knapp/Lifetime; Giphy


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This follows the success of Leah's debut album "Summer's On The Ground" recorded in a rickety abandoned hall reveals a haunting and intimate storyteller, Rolling Stone saying "this is insular music, akin to eavesdropping on someone else's prettily conveyed thoughts".
Her crisply picked songs reveal a love of old world folk providing a stark canvas for her unusual lyrical wit pulling the songs into the present.
Leah Senior's unique style has attracted not only those in the folk world but the likes of many others including the infamous psychedelic King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard, Dorsal Fins, Jess Ribeiro and Fraser A Gorman as well as international artists Calexico, Glen Hansard and Jessica Pratt.
Leah was also part of the Americana festival "Out on The Weekend in 2015 March last year.
"Meandering weirdo"- audience member at Meeniyan Town Hall 2016.


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'Grim Up North', a mini adventure across the north of England, testing the new Hope Tech Cranks,with factory riders Craig Evans and Sam Flanagan. Photos: Duncan Philpott. "It's grim up north they say….you're right, it might be grim up north – but we bloody love it!" What better way to test our nicely designed and manufactured Hope Cranks than to send two of the most stylish riders we know out to play in the "grim" northern countryside. Hope riders Sam Flanagan and (new recruit) Craig Evans have played a vital part in the testing phase of…Read More
Tag: Philpott
Steve Peat | Exclusive interview
Steve Peat | Exclusive interview By: Vineet Sharma | Photos: Duncan Philpott Also featured in Issue #8 | March 2012 Full Name: Steve Peat Nickname: Peaty Hometown: Sheffield, England Favorite Drinks: Stella FR MTB MAG: We have seen you shredding and winning – What's the secret behind it? PEATY: I have been racing for many years now and have had lots of wins and also loses, dealing with the loses is a big part of coming back the week after and winning!!! FR MTB MAG: What are your favorite…Read More


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Senate Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT) claimed during a speech on Thursday that Obamacare supporters are the "stupidest, dumbass people I've ever met."
Hatch said during a speech at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) on Thursday, "[We] finally did away with the individual mandate tax that was established under that wonderful bill called Obamacare. Now, if you didn't catch on, I was being very sarcastic. That was the stupidest, dumbass bill that I've ever seen."
President Donald Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December, which repealed Obamacare's individual mandate to purchase health insurance.
Hatch continued, "Some of you may have loved it. If you do, you are one of the stupidest, dumbass people I've ever met. There are a lot of them up there on Capitol Hill from time to time."
The Senate Finance chairman also called Obamacare one of the most "regressive taxes," particularly because lower-income Americans were "paying most of the freight."
Sen. Hatch argued that the repeal of Obamacare's individual mandate serves as a significant first step towards repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act.
Nearly 80 percent of Republicans continue to oppose Obamacare, according to a recent poll conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Breitbart News reported that 80 percent of Americans who pay the Obamacare individual mandate fine make less than $50,000 per year.
President Donald Trump argued last week that "Piece by piece by piece, Obamacare is being wiped out!"


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|22 .09 - 26 .04
|monday - friday:
|friday - sunday:
- Available
- Available from 15:00
- Not available
- Not available from 15:00
- Pre-booked
Martini Grande is a luxurious 68 square meter apartment, which can accomodate 6 persons. The apartment is located in a quiet area, in a private Villa Martini, which is located 500 meters from the beach and 800 meters from the pedestrian area of Monte Casino.
Grande Martini Suite is decorated in a modern style, warm colours of brown, with a deep sense of taste and aesthetics.
This three-room apartment in Sopot is located on the ground floor. It consists of two bedrooms, a spacious living room whith a convenient kitchenette and a bathroom.
Both bedrooms have large, comfortable double beds to ensure a comfortable rest and a healthy, restful sleep.
Comfortable, soft and very exclusive sofa, placed in a living room, combined with a large plasma TV, creates ideal conditions for relaxation, and allows guests to obtain additional accommodation.
The modern kitchen is equipped with high quality facilities and equipment of daily use, so guests can easily prepare delicious and healthy meals.
There is a Grill Hut within area of villa, kept in warm and tasteful style, in shades of brown. That makes a perfect place to drink morning coffee or prepare evening meeting at the grill.
Offer includes parking space, Wi-Fi and possibility to use beach screens and bicycles.
The apartment is equipped with a refrigerator, electric cooker, dishwasher, electric kettle, microwave, elegant tableware, cutlery, washing machine, dryer, towels, iron and ironing board.
Every guest of Imperial Apartments receives discount cards for swimming pool, SPA Sheraton and other entertainment spots in Sopot.
Villa Martini grande is a perfect choice for comfortable rest by the sea.
Book online now.
TV, SofaBedroom:
Doppelbett, Bedside table, Bedside lamp, Iron, Iron boardKitchen:
Fridge, Electric kitchen, Dishwasher, Microwave, Electric kettle, Cutlery, Kitchen vesselsBathroom:
Bathtub, Mirror, Hair-drier, TowelsBedroom II:


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Wellness Treatments At Yoga Rooms
To Book a Treatment please click on the Book Now button and send us a message with the treatment you would like to book with the date and time you would like and we will email you back with your appointment confirmation.
Reflexology is a treatment based on the principle that there are areas and points on the feet that map via the nervous system to corresponding parts of the body. When pressure is applied to these areas and points it stimulates the movement of energy along the nerve channels, and helps to restore balance in the whole body.
It is a wonderful relaxing treatment, which can help balance overall wellbeing or address specific problems. Spend 10 minutes relaxing your feet in a soothing foot soak and then rest on heated therapy couch to receive your reflexology treatment.
Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. The treatment is given by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.
The method of receiving Reiki is simple. The client remains clothed and lies on a couch or sits on a chair and relaxes. The practitioner gently places their hands in a series of non-intrusive positions on or near the body. There is no massage or manipulation.
Clients may or may not feel sensations during a Reiki treatment. Benefits reported by recipients include deep relaxation promoting a calm, peaceful sense of well being on all levels. Some people feel sensations of heat, tingling, or experience seeing colours, whilst others can have an emotional response.
Sports Massage
- Postural Assessments
- Injury Management
- Pre and Post Event Massage
- Deep Tissue Massage
- Remedial Massage
- Treatment of Muscular Imbalances
- Treatment Plans and Home Care Advice
A holistic approach to Sports Massage Therapy.


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Archive for the 'TRS' Category
Sizzling Snippet and Review: Flushed and Fevered 2: Making Demons Purr
They will bind her to them in every way they can.
Seraphena, a black panther shifter and familiar, hasn't had a night off in months. Between work, dealing with her mother, and issues with her leap, her life is one challenge after the next. So when she finally finds herself with a night to herself, the last thing she expects is spending it with her secret crushes, Carver and Thorn, demons and owners of her favorite café, The Java Demon. Neither does she expect what happens when you play high card strip with a couple of pros. They give her a hot game, a night to remember with a little kink on the side. But Sera knows it can't last with all the complications in her life. The last thing she needs is having to explain two men at once—and demons at that.
Carver and Thorn have wanted Sera from the moment she first strolled into the Java Demon for her caffeine fix. Now that they have her in their life, they refuse to let her go. They will bind her to them in every way they can, fulfill her fantasies, and show her the love and support she needs. Nothing will stand in their way—not work, not her mother, not her pard. But it might be Sera herself who shuts them out if she can't stand up to those who would dictate their love…
Buy Links:
"And if you're a really good girl—and I mean a good girl—I'll ask my best friend to join us. Him in your ass and me in your pussy." Carver pressed his palm against her stomach and slipped it down until he covered her mound. "You want to be our good girl, don't you?"
She nodded, unsure of what it would take to be that, but knowing that whatever it was she'd do it. He smiled and it felt as though the sun had come out. Heat radiated from his lips. She reached up to cup his face and bring him closer for a kiss, but he lifted his head.
"Tsk, tsk, not yet. I'm not finished." He rolled his hips, rubbing his erection into her. The noises she made turned to moans. "Feel that? Every inch for you, used to pleasure you, fuck you, make you moan and scream and beg and cry out, to own you. I'll sink into you over and over again, make you come so hard you'll see stars. I'll use toys, my fingers, my mouth, my tongue, my lips, my cock to worship you as you deserve. My beautiful one, I will never do to you what that bastard, Arthur, did to you."
Sera jerked back. The fantasy faded away at the mention of her ex. How could he? She narrowed her eyes at him. "How do you know about Arthur? Only Mysta, Bridget, and Lana know what happened with him."
Carver shrugged. "Word does get around, even if you don't open that pretty mouth of yours. Besides, the asshole told anyone who would hear at the Harvest Festival about leaving you. But don't worry, Thorn and I put him in his place." A hard look entered Carver's eyes, a darkness that glittered in the inky black of his irises. He gave her a dark smile.
Her nipples pebbled to the point of pain and she shivered. The arousal stirred to life. "Why would you do that for me? Whatever it is you did."
Carver bent his head down. "Because I will fight to have you and shed blood to keep you safe and keep your heart secure. You are worth it. You are priceless. Do not doubt that."
He cut off any response by lowering his head and pressing his lips to hers. Her mind became swathed in desire, and her body temperature rose once again. She was in so deep she wasn't sure she wanted to escape.
Buy Links:
"I loved this book! Carver and Thorn are one hot package and Sera is one lucky panther. The chemistry between the three of them is scorching hot, and oh man, the sex scenes!" – Amy Hopkins
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Why I watch the TV Show Chuck
Don?t worry I?m not going to do massive spoilers. I can?t do that to my friends on the West Coast or in Australia who haven?t seen it yet. Normally I don?t really blog about TV shows. I just say this is what I?m watching and leave it at that. But this time I wanted to do something. I know people have been wondering why Chuck and not say Law and Order or Heroes? Honestly I don?t know. What I do know is that I?m grateful to NBC for keeping the show alive (Pleeeaaassse give us a whole 22 episodes season, pleeeeaaassseee).
To be honest I didn't watch in the beginning. Too many freakin shows on at the same for me to watch. But I became curious after reading my friend Chris/Crystal Green's Chuck recaps (her show recaps rock!) on her blog. Then I saw one episode and was hooked. I had to see them all.?Chuck isn?t a show that many will get. It?s not as complicated as Lost or as flashy as 24. It didn?t get lost in its mythos like Heroes did. At the core of the show, at it?s heart, the show is about Chuck and those that Chuck loves. His family. He may not be an uber spy like Bryce Larkin (Dear God, Matt Boomer is gorgeous) nor is he as suave as James Bond. He does bumble and fumble but he means well. In his heart of hearts he is a good guy, a sweet guy. He may not be your first choice but he is the guy who will go over to your house with your fav ice cream and a playlist of all your favorite songs if you?ve had a hell of a day. He?s the guy who will be there for you no matter what.
Chuck is the type of guy who will do the right thing no matter how much it hurts him. He?s the guy who will sacrifice it all for those that he loves even if it means risking his life. He is all about family: Ellie, Awesome, Morgan, Sarah and Casey. Yes, even Big Mike and, um, well, Jeff and Lester. Yeah them too. And that?s what we love about him. He?s loyal to a fault, good hearted, well meaning and a sweetheart. And yeah he?ll dress up for Comic Con and drag you along but you?ll have a hell of time there. He?s a dork but he can laugh at himself and he can fix your computer, pretty snazzy, I know! LOL.
Chuck is neither hip nor the hot, happening, it show of the moment. It just is. Season 3 had its ups and downs and there were gripes but this finale shows us yet again why we love the show, the writers and actors. There was action, humor, moments that made our hearts melt and there was a pay off (those wicked, infuriating, clever, wonderful writers). Looking back I feel as if over the seasons it?s been a natural progression, very organic, never hurried. The writers took their time. Nothing felt crammed in or over the top to me. There didn?t seem to be a need to outdo last week. Although for a moment there, some episodes made me wonder if I was watching a season finale and they didn?t tell us. LOL.
I for one think 3 months or however long we?ll have to wait for the new season is too long. But it?s worth the wait. This TV show Chuck is a keeper. And I can?t wait to see where they take us. To me the finale didn?t feel like an ending, it felt like just the beginning of a new chapter. Sorta like Supernatural, a reboot of sorts. Okay enough of my blathering. I return you now to your regularly scheduled program whatever that may be.
I?m blogging at TRS Blue today. Stop by, leave a comment and be entered to win 5 Changeling Credits. Good luck! http://trsblue.blogspot.com/ (Warning Adult Content)
Oh and watch White Collar on USA Network (or whatever channel it airs on where you are). How can you resist those gorgeous blue eyes of Matt Boomer's? Seriously, he?s just gorgeous. I said that already didn?t I? Am I drooling? Sorry. *blush*


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After a decade of being teased, and a poor quality bootleg from back in July at San Diego Comic Con, the most anticipated trailer of the year has finally arrived – the very first look at the culmination of the Marvel Cinematic universe to date with the first trailer for "Avengers: Infinity War".
The clip is expected to break online records and shows off our first look at the heroes coming together to take on Thanos, the purple alien warlord determined to assemble the Infinity Gauntlet which will give him limitless power.
Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Tom Holland, Scalett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Mark Ruffalo, Anthony Mackie, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olson, Jeremy Renner, Chadwick Boseman, Sebastian Stan, Don Cheadle, Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Pom Klementieff, Benedict Cumberbatch, Benedict Wong, Sean Gunn, Josh Brolin, and Paul Rudd star in the film which opens May 4th.


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Oscar Fashion
Nicky Sczesny
The Oscars are tomorrow! Who's excited? Since I am in the fashion mood, I drew a dress for the Oscars. As I drew this I decided that it would suit Michelle Williams... just a thought. If there are any life changing dresses at the Oscars, I may sketch them. Maybe.


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Why have we heard so little of this? Newspapers have been banned, their presses smashed, foreign journalists expelled. One local reporter continued to get his dispatches out; he was arrested, and released only after protests from abroad.
The Red Cross is barred from Kashmir. India's ban on Amnesty International was lifted only after pressure from the U.S. Congress, and AI has yet actually to get in. A Senator -- the only U.S. official to try to visit -- was kept out by India.
One Indian human rights group which visited Kashmir "obtained detailed information from a large number of sources" of "an exercise directed against the vast masses of the Kashmiri people, who are being denied the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Indian Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.... These abuses have been carried out by the official law enforcement personnel [as] operative extensions of an official policy."
Neither India's reign of terror, nor that a few Kashmiris have begun to respond to it in kind, are as surprising as that the overwhelming majority of Kashmiris -- ordinary people and activists alike -- remain committed not merely to the goal of freedom but to the tactics of nonviolence. Whenever the curfew is lifted or defied, Kashmiri crowds march on the U.N. offices in Srinagar to present petitions and raise slogans for a plebiscite. Called for by the U.N. Security Council since 1948 (after India referred the "Kashmir question" there) and promised by India, Pakistan, and Britain at Partition in 1947, a plebiscite would allow Kashmiris themselves to decide whether to be a part of India or Pakistan or to be independent.
For nearly half a century, for nearly a billion Indians and Pakistanis, Kashmir has been central to foreign policy, national identity, and wars. South Asia's cold war is still intense, as was apparent to us at the Indo-Pak border (a crossing reminiscent of the Berlin Wall), and India and Pakistan are the only nuclear powers curently engaged in direct armed conflict.
Any aid by Pakistanis to Kashmir pales beside the military aid India gave Bangladesh in its revolt against Pakistan, but anyone hinting of sympathy for Kashmir is dismissed in India as a Pakistani dupe, a terrorist sympathizer, and/or a traitor. As colonized Central Asia begins to bubble like Central Europe with ideas of freedom, "militant Muslim fundamentalist terrorists" are often falsely blamed for any threat to stability.
Historical and political disputes give India more layers of false excuses for its conduct in Kashmir than we could begin to deal with here. But the bottom line is that there is NO excuse for these increasingly genocidal means of repression, NO excuse for the colonialism they serve. It's that simple.
The Kashmir Valley is broad and fertile, famed for its beauty, and valuable for agriculture, tourism, and its strategic location. Its national, cultural, linguistic, and religious identity is centuries old. In 1846 Kashmir was sold by the British to a non-Kashmiri feudal lord as part of his autonomous "princely state". During the 1947 Partition, with the Kashmiris already in revolt against him, he signed over his domains (including Kashmir, Jammu, Ladakh, Gilgit, and Baltistan) to India, which now claims them as the state of "Jammu and Kashmir". This is India's "democratic" claim to Kashmir.
After 43 years and three wars, a cease-fire line still divides Jammu and Kashmir between those areas annexed (and occupied) by India and those administered by Pakistan as trust territories pending a U.N. plebiscite. India controls most of Jammu and Kashmir, including the Kashmir valley and most of the population. India would, as was obvious to us, lose any plebiscite, either to Pakistan or to independence. Ergo, India permits no plebiscite and refuses to negotiate with the United Nations or Kashmiris on what it says is either an "internal" matter or a bilateral dispute with Pakistan.
Either characterization, of course, ignores the Kashmiris, and on this we can help. India is a democratic country, and extremely sensitive to its image as such at home and abroad. U.S. pressure in the U.N. Security Council could help bring about a plebiscite in Kashmir, hopefully while something remains of Kashmir and its people. We need to get Congress and the State Department to push India hard, now, to let Kashmiris go free.
Jawaharlal Nehru may have said it best in 1951: "Kashmir has been wrongly looked upon as a prize for India or Pakistan. People seem to forget that Kashmir is not a commodity to be bartered. It has an individual existence, and its people must be the final arbiters of their future."
[Marguerite Helen was born in Lahore in British India (now Pakistan). Marguerite is a member of the Wellesley, MA, Meeting of the Society of Friends (Quakers) and has been a paralegal, administrative staff person, and volunteer for a variety of legal, environmental, peace and justice, and other nongovernmental organizations. Her son Edward Hasbrouck was convicted in Boston in 1982 of refusal to submit to draft registration. Longtime activists, they travelled in Kashmir, India, and Pakistan in the fall of 1989.]
[Originally published by the American Friends Service Committee in Peacework magazine, issue #200, September 1990. The views expressed are those of the authors, not necessarily those of the AFSC.]
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This past week we tried a new version of our "meat log", also known as rouladen. We just like calling it meat log.
Don pounded the round steak with a meat tenderizer and preheated the oven to 400 degrees.
We gathered some other things: green onion, jalapeno, bacon, feta cheese, and tomato paste.
And garlic that didn't make it in the previous picture. (I was playing around with my camera settings.)
We layered the meat with the sauce, garlic, and cheese.
Then the green onion and jalapeno.
Next a little bacon…
It would have been nice to have tied it together with butchers twine, but we didn't have any so we made do with skewers.
Fits it in the dish nicely.
We heated a sauce on the stove to add to the pan. It consisted of one cup of water, 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar, and one beef bouillon cube. We heated it on high long enough to dissolve the bouillon and then poured into the pan with the meat. Then, into the oven for about an hour.
We then took the lid off and broiled it for about 30 minutes, but that was a fail. I wouldn't recommend it. The top got way too crusty. I'm including it so my pictures make sense but if you're interested in trying this I would skip this part. I'll give you recommended cook times without this step at the end.
We added vegetables and put it back in at 400 degrees for about 45 minutes.
Mmm, meat. (Can you tell it's a little overdone from the broiling? lol It was still amazing inside.)
Don went to such effort to make a pretty plate for the blog. Although I tried to stop him from putting the gravy over the meat so you could see the spiral effect of the rolled up layers. Oh well.
The gravy was made from the sauce after removing the meat and vegetables. We left the dish sitting on the stove, turned the burner on medium, adding about a tsp of cornstarch to thicken it up. Don also used our stick blender to blend a couple of carrots and onions into the gravy for extra thickness.
If you've like to try this, Don recommends cooking at 400 degrees (with the lid on the dish) for about an hour and 1/2. Use a meat thermometer to ensure your internal temperature has reached 140 (for rare), or higher depending on your preference, so it's cooked completely through before you add your vegetables. Then add your vegetables and cook for another 45 minutes.
Vegetarian: old caveman word for bad hunter.
~ Don Walser


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BTS: Tragedy of the Commons
People live in a compartmentalized world occupying neighborhoods, cities and farmland. We are connected by roads, downtowns and highways. We often forget that the world is not composed of cities and people, but rather a body of land and water that holds us and welcomes us to flourish in the elements it provides.
The name of this editorial comes from a very widely known theory in environmental studies. It explains what happens to shared resources when we think individualistically, or when we don't think at all. It's the idea that everyone takes for themselves without considering the greater group that shares a resource. This idea sits behind all the environmental issues we face, and for change to occur it must be brought to the front and centre of the heuristics of how we live our life by making conscious choices.
This editorial is a manifestation of the blurred navigation in trying to find a grounding connection to our environment. In an industrialized world this navigation seems to be covered in a layer of plastic. The production of this editorial brought our editorial team together to think about these elements from styling to set design and capturing the photos. Removing the opaque veil that interrupts our connection to the land we occupy begins with collective mindfulness and taking a step back to reflect and question the sustainability of our actions.
Creative Director: Iain Ailles
Photographer: Haley Wilsdon
Stylist: Maxine McCarthy
Videographer: Connor Garel
Social Media: Kaylah Wilson
Make-up: Lacey Day
Model: Bronwyn McGuinness


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Plenty of raised eyebrows and social media scorn followed when the New York Jets hired Adam Gase as the new head coach.
A man who had just been canned by the division-rival Miami Dolphins after generating a 23-25 record in three seasons, whose offense averaged under 20 points per game the past two years, and who has not led a single top-15 offense since being carried by Peyton Manning is expected to turn around the ever-struggling Jets?
Many didn't believe the new coach had what it takes, and weren't shy about saying so on social media. Jets CEO Christopher Johnson scoffed at those negative reactions in a discussion with reporters after his formal press conference.
"I get it," Johnson said, via ESPN's Rich Cimini. "Part of it is I have to earn their trust. We just had a couple of down years. I have to earn their trust. I think they will see, if not right now, they'll see it pretty soon as a great hire.
"I'm not trying to win Twitter. I'm trying to win football games. I think we're going to win some football games here."
The key for Johnson is Gase's work with quarterbacks, from Peyton Manning, to Jay Cutler, to Ryan Tannehill. This is the first time Gase will work with a young potential phenom like Sam Darnold this early in his career. The QB tutoring is one reason Johnson said he favored Gase over the likes of Mike McCarthy or Baylor coach Matt Rhule.
"To me, to Mike (Maccagnan), seeing how Adam has gotten the best out of quarterbacks in different stages of their careers is vitally important, no question," Johnson said in explaining why he preferred Gase.
Johnson refuted the report that talks with Rhule broke down because Jets management wanted to pick at least some of his assistant coaches.
"No, that never happened," Johnson said. "I completely deny it."
For Johnson, the Gase hire was about bringing in an offensive, forward-thinking mind, which Gang Green hasn't done in ages.
"To paraphrase Wayne Gretzky, he's coaching to where football is going," Johnson said.


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Sweet and Spicy Popcorn Crunch/
This popcorn is sweet, salty and a little spicy. Add as much or as little Cayenne as your
spice-o-meter desires! This treat has been a huge hit around my house and is the perfect treat whether one has a trick or not!
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
- 1 cup salted peanuts
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or less, depending on your taste).
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with nonstick baking mats; set aside.
In a large heavy-bottomed pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add 3 popcorn kernels and cover until they pop. Add remaining popcorn kernels, cover, and shake pot continuously over burner until popcorn is completely popped, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer popcorn to large bowl; add peanuts and set aside.
Combine butter, sugar, and corn syrup in a medium pot over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally until sugar has dissolved. Increase heat to medium-high, and cook, without stirring, until golden brown, about 5 minutes, swirling pot occasionally.
Remove mixture from heat and quickly stir in salt and cayenne with a heatproof spatula or spoon. Immediately pour over popcorn mixture and stir to incorporate. Divide popcorn mixture evenly between baking sheets. Transfer to oven and bake, about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Let cool on sheet pans before breaking apart into clusters. Store popcorn in an airtight container for up to 1 week.


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I might be a reluctant cook with a penchant for Pot Noodle, but I do love to eat/drink (preferably pink champagne from a cut-glass coupe, if you're offering). Which made the recent sorry state of The Pink House's plates and glassware all the more shameful.
Somehow, between not adding a dinner service to our wedding list nearly 11 years ago (given that we ate out 75% of the time, I was much more interested in accumulating cash to spend on honeymoon) and procreating two small Pink House Dwellers who smash plates like they're at a Greek wedding, we never got round to acquiring attractive tableware, although our plastic Peter Rabbit bowl game was strong.
Until I laid eyes on Marks & Spencer's latest array of dining table deliciousness.
As part of my ongoing partnership with M&S, I recently wrote a blog post about my visit to the homes section of their Westfield Stratford store. As you can clearly see from this post, I had lots of kid-free shopping fun, and got rather overexcited about the pretty things I found (and not just because seeing them in three dimensions was such a novelty).
Many of my favourite bits came from the cook and dine area (I literally couldn't leave that gold cocktail shaker alone), so I thought I'd bring them back to The Pink House and show them off in a family home setting. So long Peter Rabbit plastic bowls, melamine mugs and ugly cracked crockery – my dinner service (and drinks tray) has had an upgrade, and even the Pink House Husband's delighted! Pass the sachet of soy sauce, please…and a coupe of pink champagne while you're at it…
(For credits see bottom of post. All photos of The Pink House by Susie Lowe)
Dining table credits
Bistro blue dinner plate, £6 | Tavira blue/turquoise side plate, £8 | Tavira blue/turquoise pasta bowl, £8 | Tavira blue/turquoise serving bowl, £25 | Hammered serving spoons, £17.50 | Copenhagen light pink glass tumbler, £4 | Copenhagen light pink glass carafe, £15 | Sicily blue high ball glass (used as vase for the paperwhites), £4.50 | Salisbury salt and pepper, £9.50 | Manhattan 24-piece cutlery set, £59 | Charleston teapot, £29.50 | Alphabet letter mugs, £5
Drinks tray credits
Rectangular mirror tray, £35 | Manhattan cocktail shaker, £19.50 | Ophelia 4 pack pastel wine glasses, £25 | Nouveau 2 pack champagne saucer, £25
This post is part of The Pink House's paid partnership with Marks & Spencer. As always, all opinions, thoughts and love of pretty pink and blue things are entirely my own.


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If attending multiple events: A $50.00 discount will be applied to your Data Day registration if you choose to add it to your BILT or BCS registration. Visit RTC Events Week 2018 for event information
Registration Type
Fee Type
Early Bird
|Data Day Only
|Data Day Attendee
1 Day Pass, includes the Data Day social function
|$ 700.00
|$ 800.00
|$ 900.00
|Data Day Only
|Data Day Professor
1 Day Academic Pass, includes the Data Day social function
* Must show academic ID on arrival
|$ 500.00
|$ 600.00
|$ 700.00
|Data Day Only
|Data Day Student
1 Day Pass, includes Data Day social function
* Must show student ID on arrival
|$ 400.00
|$ 500.00
|$ 600.00
- Earlybird places are limited and sold on a first in first served basis. (Nb. This applied to Data Day only, Data Day + BILT early bird has sold out)
- Registrations after Monday 30th July will need to be made onsite.
- All prices are quoted in US Dollars and include taxes. Amendment and Cancellation Fees will apply.
Room Type
|Deluxe Single (King Bed, inclusive of internet access)
- Up to 2 occupancies
|$169.00 +
|Deluxe Double/Twin (Two Double Beds,inclusive of internet access)
- Up to 2 occupancies, both of whom must be event attendees
|*$84.50 +
- Please note that the Twin Room rates are based on two colleagues sharing a room and you must nominate the colleague whom you are sharing with during the registration process. Please note when selecting this room type during the registration process both colleagues need to select this accommodation type (twin) to ensure the full cost of the room is covered.
- All accommodation prices are quoted in US Dollars and are exclusive of taxes.


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A West facing model "Josefina" for sale in a quiet part of Urbanisation La Marina, yet central to amenities including the public swimming pools.
This cosy fully furnished property offers a spacious front terrace, fully tiled, with a seating / dining "al fresco" area, a living room with an adjacent open plan, renovated, kitchen, a double bedroom and bathroom with a walk -in shower.
Extras included with this property are security grills, sun awning, new floor tiles and ceiling fans…
Please contact us to arrange for an internal viewing.
Calle Amsterdam, 2D
03177 San Fulgencio (Alicante)
Tel: + (34) 965 063 012
Mobile: + (34) 608 224 083
WhatsApp: + (34) 605 37 50 33
Email: email@example.com
Opening hours:
Mon-Fri: 9:00H - 19H / Sat: 9:30H - 14h


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Blue Tourmaline + Grey Rose Cut Diamond Ring | 14k Yellow Gold + Sterling Silver
sold out
Blue Tourmaline + Grey Rose Cut Diamond Ring | 14k Yellow Gold + Sterling Silver
○ A beautiful blue rose cut tourmaline surrounded by two grey rose cut diamonds. Bezel set in 14k yellow gold with a sterling silver band.
○ Ring size 7.5. One of a Kind.
○ Ring is finished with a polish, brushed available upon request.
○ Not the right size? Reach out to firstname.lastname@example.com to view our stone inventory to create a similar custom ring.
○ Handmade in Portland, Oregon.
○ Ring will arrive in a ring box, ready for gifting and will be shipped via UPS with insurance, tracking and required signature confirmation. Please select a UPS shipping profile at checkout.
○ International customers, please contact us prior to purchasing to inquire about international fine jewelry shipping restrictions.
Add To Cart


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The "5-Second Rule" claims that food dropped on the floor will be safe to eat if picked up within five seconds. Is it true? Not according to Snopes.com calling it contemporary folk wisdom, an urban legend. In a July 4th, 2006 CBS New report entitled "The '5-Second Rule' – Fact or Fiction?" readers were informed "existing pathogens will transfer" to dropped foods in under five seconds. Common sense appears to validate this warning.
More recently, however, two biology majors at Connecticut College in New London conducted an experiment with apple slices and Skittles candies on the college dining hall floor at 5-, 10-, 30-, and 60-second intervals. They found that the apple slices did not pick up bacteria until after one minute. It actually took Skittles 5 minutes or more floor time to become inedible.[1] In this latest, Connecticut College study, bad germs took time to adhere to the surface of even wet foods. This is encouraging to me since many times I have quickly consumed yummy foods dropped to the floor while invoking the "5-second rule."
God is patient with the human race.
Exodus 34.6-7 NKJV
"The Lord is… patient toward you, not wishing for any
2nd Peter 3:9 NASU
Matthew 12.31 NASU
The author of Hebrews agreed.
Hebrews 6.4-6 NASU
I sometimes drop my Christian character and I fall to the floor. It's good to know that the blood of Jesus covers my sin. I have some time, maybe even a long time, to pick myself back up again and fully experience God's restoration and forgiveness. But I better not wait too long.
An intelligent person may pick up and consume a fallen apple slice in well under a minute or, better yet, adhere to the "5-second rule." An even smarter individual will try not to drop the apple slices at all.
[1] The Oregonian, Science section, "Five-second rule really more like 30", May 23, 2007.
The funny cartoon above featuring chickens and the "5-second rule" was created by illustrator and cartoonist Mike Bannon and used here by permission. You can see his work at http://www.mordantorange.com/.
The creative Cheez-It crakers photo is called " 083/365 - I Love the Five Second Rule! (Explored!)" is used with permission of North Carolina photographer Brian Hughes whose work you can view at http://www.flickr.com/photos/briansbastion/.


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McDonalds Warns Thai Protesters: Quit Politicizing Our Golden Arches
As the political crisis in Thailand widens, Thai protesters have taken the McDonalds golden arches — the fast-food giant's iconic icon — and turning it into a anti-coup political symbol. This was sparked by necessity, at first, thanks to the need for a sizable meeting place for those opposed to the Royal Thai Army's takeover back on May 22; a large Bangkok McDonalds (called McThai over there) turned out to serve the purpose well. But McDonalds is not a politically-active company, so now the shoe is on the other foot — Mickey D's are suffering a little heartburn over the Thai protesters' adopted logo.
The next step, for some protesters, was to incorporate the McDonalds arches into anti-coup signs and images, and that's what seized the company's attention. Some signs bearing the word "Democracy" were edited to replace the "M" with the arches. For the record, McDonalds is officially trying to maintain neutrality in the midst of the tumultuous political environment in Thailand.
Now McDonald's has ordered the protesters to refrain from further infringement of their globally-recognized logo. It's not clear whether the protesters will comply, but they're getting the full, vaguely threatening treatment from McDonalds, who warn "appropriate action" will be taken otherwise.
It's a curious balancing act for McDonalds, owing to the political neutrality they're trying to protect in the midst of the Royal Thai Army's takeover. Surely, issuing legal threats to protesters is going to seem divisive, or at least less neutral than they'd like.
Sometimes the simplest path is to allow a protest's adoption of icons, phrases or messages. (Though it doesn't hurt if the messages are better politically aligned than "Say no to military coups — and eat this hamburger!") A prime example of this was when Sylvester Stallone's John Rambo, the fourth film in the hyper-violent Rambo series set amid the Burmese civil war, became a hot anti-government property six years ago after the state's military regime banned it from distribution.
The movie, which showed the musclebound Stallone slaying countless, viciously-represented Burmese soldiers, inspired much of the Burmese public with the lead character's quote: "Live for nothing, die for something." Stallone himself embraced the idea, telling Reuters: "They've actually used some of the film's quotes as rallying points. That, to me, is one of the proudest moments I've ever had in film."
Apparently, McDonalds isn't quite as sanguine about being dragged into the fray of Thailand's upheaval, but they'll probably still enjoy any sales boost they might get out of it. Although to be fair, the Thai public, whether for or against military rule, doesn't even need to show up in person to buy their greasy food — did you know that McThai delivers?


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Back in August I had the very special pleasure of being a destination wedding photographer for Sheila and Simon for their intimate wedding in France!
I have known Sheila's family since I was very small and it was an absolute pleasure to spend a few days in the hot sun near the Pyrenees mountains in the fabulous Chateau des Ducs de Joyeuse for a beautiful, family oriented wedding. Friday Afternoon tea, a boat dinner that evening, a beautiful wedding ceremony, lovely people, great food and a refreshing swimming pool, what more could you ask for?