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AZUSA – For the Burroughs boys basketball team, a second straight weekend at Azusa Pacific produced an optimistic split of four games. The Burros delivered lopsided victories over Mesa Grande Academy and Indio, offset by losses to Canyon and Whittier Christian.
AZUSA – For the Burroughs boys basketball team, a second straight weekend at Azusa Pacific produced an optimistic split of four games. The Burros delivered lopsided victories over Mesa Grande Academy and Indio, offset by losses to Canyon and Whittier Christian.
"All around it was an encouraging weekend," said head coach Doug Hayes. "We beat up on who we were supposed to beat up on."
Both of Burroughs' wins came in decisive fashion. The Burros beat Mesa Grande Academy by 27 and opened up a big lead on Indio before turning the game over to the bench in the final quarter.
"We decided that we were going to play around with our second group," Hayes said. "We were up 26 points in the fourth quarter and we let some of the guys play long into their rotations in order to work on some stuff."
In the loss against Whittier Christian, foul trouble in both halves hurt the Burros. Alexander Ledford picked up a pair of fouls in the opening minutes and Calvin Martin missed a six-minute stretch in the third and fourth quarters after committing his fourth foul.
"They're a decent team right now – they're much improved from where they were last year and they had a lot more size than we did," Hayes said. "If we hadn't gotten into foul trouble in the first quarter, that's a totally different ballgame."
Offensively, Hayes said the Burros are working to put the pieces together within their motion offense. He said the team is very close to running it efficiently.
"We know all the parts of it, but being able to integrate them all together at the same time is the biggest thing," Hayes said. "If we come out and run one part they can do that part to death, but they need to be able to adapt and start doing the other parts that go with it at the same time."
Hayes said communication is key to the success of Burroughs' motion offense. He also noted that the team has room to improve its talking on defense.
"That's something we struggle with on a regular basis, but it's going to have to improve," Hayes said.
Hayes said Martin delivered outstanding performances throughout the weekend. The athletic senior-to-be is one of the keys for the Burros to have a successful 2013-14 season.
"With every game he plays, he's starting to figure it out – when he should stand and shoot it, when he should rip and go to the basket – and he's learning how to be a good leader as well," Hayes said. "He kind of has to put those pieces together.
"Playing out of town with the L.A. Rockfish and then playing everywhere we go during the summer brings forth a new challenge each week. I think he's doing well at stepping up and meeting that challenge."
Hayes said the backcourt tandem of Matthew and Michael Polman played well for the second straight weekend, and that Tyron Jones and Biggie Hernandez had big moments in the four games. Burroughs also got a boost with the return of Caleb Felix, who was medically cleared on Thursday after missing time with a hamstring injury.
"He went out there and played tough, he didn't make costly errors for us and he played good and steady," Hayes said of Felix. "It's going to take him a while to get his footwork back and be consistent, but it was nice to have that tool back in our toolbox."
Burroughs returns to action on Thursday in Woodland Hills, when they begin pool play at the 32-team War on the Floor at Pierce College. The Burros' pool includes Van Nuys, Santa Clarita Christian and Bullard, the three-time defending Central Section Division I champions.
"It's an invitational – a lot of the top teams in different sections and different divisions go there," Hayes said. "The competition is always extremely good."


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Jen, Justin, and George
Every time George Clooney makes a movie these days it's considered an Oscar contender. Who wouldn't want in on some of that action? Is that why Justin Theroux signed with CAA? His fiancée can help with that too. So while Brange is off with their nanny militia over in the Caribbean, the child-free celebrity circuit is counting down to 2013 on the other side -- she and Justin apparently had dinner with George and Stacy Keibler in Cabo the other night. This is great, right? That Justin Theroux's equivalent in this equation is Stacy Keibler? If only George would make it conditional on Justin investing in a proper pair of beach shorts. I mean at this point they have to be pretty sweaty, right? Unless he sends them to the wash every night. But even still, badass, denim should not be laundered so frequently. I really do enjoy his commitment to staying flexed. Paparazzi awareness is a very good attribute.


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Due to the fact our company are often discussed in Police interviews and Newspapers due to the quality of crime scene cleanup work in the area. Doing all the necessary components of crime scene cleanup decontamination. Understanding that blood is just one part of the cleanup in a death, many times feces and other debris must be cleaned as well as a bio-wash of the entire room. Usually the cost for the crime scene or death cleanup is determined by the amount of blood cleanup in any building the our cleaners will be dealing with and the number of hours a cleaners will be at the property. In dealing with the sometimes costly expense of crime scene cleaning or blood clean up in this area can vary due to the nature of the death being a suicide or natural death, a gun shot or knife and many other factors including but not limited too if there is insurance. The laws in this zip code for blood clean up must also be part of the process. We utilize the highest pedigree in obeying these Laws and Rules to make sure that not matter where we are cleaning we are within the strict adherence of the Legislation. Crime scene cleanup Laws are also on a national level with EPA regulation and OSHA and those must be implemented. Twenty-Four Hour - 7 Days a Week Crime scene Clean-up Response Telephone Number 1-888-629-1222


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Allstate Releases Breathtaking LGBT Pride Ad
Allstate has joined an elite group of companies making extra effort to support the gay community during National Pride Month. In the mostly-animated "Out Holding Hands" ad, the insurance company beautifully captures what it's like growing up in a society that has labeled you "different."
"We believe everyone should be treated with respect and without judgment no matter who they love," reads a description on Allstate's website. "Everyone deserves to be in good hands." [Emphasis mine.]
What does this have to do with insurance, you ask? Allstate explains: "Being visible should never leave you feeling vulnerable."
Check out the gorgeous video:
(Via E!)
Dear People against Marriage Equality:
Let me put it this way: I've worked and paid taxes since age fourteen. I'm now 68. My taxes went to all the same places yours went EXCEPT for LGBT couples or anything to do with our community. Our taxes paid for your highways, your children's schools, your legislators that you vote for and who tell you great lies to make you think they're going to be good to you. For 68 years I have been nothing other than a gay man. If gay sex repulses you, have you ever considered that straight sex might repulse most, or at least some, of us?
We have been denied equal rights in a nation that guarantees equal rights. And it's all because laws were written based on religious beliefs even though that was forbidden by our founding fathers in the Constitution they prepared that supposedly gave us all equality.
Even so, you don't see gay people going around shooting schools or raping women and cutting them up like a side of beef. The majority of pedophiles are heterosexual.
If any of you dislike the LGBT community based on what your preacher's or parents' misinterpreting of the Holy Books brought your way, you need to get out more often and meet different types of people. It's not only gay people you hate but any people who aren't exactly like you who are so terrified of this world you refuse to accept anyone who's different. That's your problem and you've made it ours.
I'll be goddamned if gay people are going back into the closet to suit the likes of you bigoted freaks. Every single word of hate that comes out of your mouths is totally against what Jesus taught us. Every act of violence against anyone is absolutely not done with the approval of Jesus Christ, the man whom you all refer to as your Lord and Savior. Read the damned Bible for yourselves and quit listening to someone else and you might learn what Jesus was really like and quit your fucking bullying everyone. You will still do it as an adult (our Republican and Tea Party legislators are a perfect example) if you don't take it upon yourselves to learn the Truth about Jesus.
Many of you hate Jews. Have you ever asked yourself why? Is there any reason you can state to me why you hate Jews? If it's because a monster named Adolf Hitler did, do you know why he hated Jews? Because his mother's doctor was a Jew and the good doctor could not cure Adolph's mother's illness. Plus, Adolph was a wannabe artist and a lot of Jewish people are into the arts because many of them are very talented. Because of is awkward behavior (because he was in a closet just like you people have kept us in a closet forever), most of the people in Berlin's art scene rejected him and didn't want to talk to him. Still love your Hitler?
Well, thanks to people like you and the people you elect, there is a new phase of Hitler's style of running a country coming up. And it's been at work for about 30 years now and, in the form of the Tea Party, is quickly taking our freedoms away and this time yours will be gone, too. So, my friends, instead of being so quick to judge and hate and harm what may be among the most peace-loving people on earth, you'd best spend some time covering your own asses because we're all going down in the name of Corporate Law. And the creators of your beloved Tea Party, Charles and David Koch of Koch Industries, are the ones who have divided us so severely that there may be no hope of our ever becoming as one united nation again.
Thank you for not only hating people needlessly, but for supporting the very people who have stolen our Democracy. And you call us sick.
Of course this is going to bring a bunch of trolls to the conversation. I am a straight man and I really enjoyed this commercial. It actually made me emotional. Oh and to comment on the rimming comment, i enjoy doing this with women, so I guess I'm gay too by the that logic. Oh well. Tolerance. Love. To all.
The ignorance in the comments section is almost comical; you know like when a puppy is so ugly that it is cute?!? Anyway, I am really tired of all the bashing going on against people who have different sexual preferences. This is not a commercial about anything but equality and I feel sorry for the people that do not understand when they repress others, they are just opening up a world of hate. Lesbians, Gays, and Bi-Sexual couples are just as beautiful as any other couple; do not judge others if you do not want others to judge you.
So I don't usually share my opinions on this stuff because I think it is a waste of time. But they say that no one should be judged no matter who they love....that sounds great and all, but what if a 60 year old man decides that he loves a 15 year old girl....or what if someone decides they love a horse....where will it end? If we start tolerating this, then other groups will want to be tolerated to
Let's ask Canada. They've had legal same sex marriage since 2005. Has adults having sex with children become legal there? No. Has bestiality become legal there? No. Is anyone campaigning for those things to become legal? No. Is the general population likely to support such a campaign if it happened? No.
People have already made it clear how these things differ from gay and lesbian relationships between consenting adults, but let me add that EVEN IF treating same sex couples with respect and equality DID actually lead to some moron trying to legalise acts like child abuse or bestiality, this would not be enough reason not to do it. We shouldn't be denying the rights of people who are doing nothing wrong, because someone else might try to do something wrong. That makes no sense.
People saying how humans might be in love with farm animals has nothing to do with gay rights. This is probably why the US is one of the stupidest countries in in the world. Do you not realize we are one of the only first world countries without gay rights? People like you should just move to the Middle East where more fascists, ignorant people like you dwell. If you want to make this country less free and limit tolerance against a certain group of people, then please get the heck out of this continent.
I had this big tl;dr reply almost finished when I thought, "Why the hell am I bothering?" You have a hatred for a certain group of people, led by personal opinion which will latch onto any argument against said hated group, no matter how ridiculous it is. But here's your answer, buddy:
"where will it end?" you ask.
My answer: It ALWAYS ends at 100% consent. A 15 year-old cannot consent, a cow cannot consent. Two grown men or two grown women CAN consent.
You should have stuck with the opening to your comment and moved on to watching lesbian porn. That's what a lot of gay-hating men get into, not realizing the hypocrisy of their chosen get-off material.
Are you kidding me? Seriously? Did you just crawl out from some hole out the side of a mountain? Maybe you should just climb back in, because you're not ready to live in this world. And for men that judge gays, you are very much hypocrites watching lesbian porn. Also, if you watch porn that involves anything having to do with anal on a girl. Well I guess, you can't really say much either. Straight people do just as much crap that gay people do during sex. So, anyways, sex and making love is their personal business and should not be pushed into who they can love or why two "people" cannot get married. If an old man wants to marry a young girl, at a legal age, then so be it. Marrying a horse? That would never happen. If it did, it would be such a quiet ceremony no one would talk about it. Seriously mind your own damn business and live your life.
You are only regurgitating what you've heard by other people in your community.
You'll find that those same exact arguments have been used for hundreds of years by religious folks scared of progress. Ideas promoted by leaders because it means that religion has less of an absolute hold on the minds of their followers.
What about when we started "tolerating" Irish and Protestants getting married? Blacks or whites? You're on the wrong side of history sadly. But there's really nothing anyone can do to stop your disability of having difficulty reasoning/questioning. It's not your fault directly, but things can start to change with people like you when they wake from the deception they've been forced into all their lives.
My husband ( altho no license hath been issued as of yet because we live in Alabama a red state ) and I have been with Allstate over the past 2 decades and never has there been any question about our relationship with our current Allstate rep even tho we have never had any actual face time with her .
For anyone who wants to say homosexuality is "against the Bible" or gay people are "immoral", please read the passages in the Bible that state it isn't YOUR place to judge but to love your fellow man. If you're going to preach that gay people are "against God", what do you think you're doing when you judge others like that? You can't pick and choose which passages from the Bible you will adhere to or which ones YOU think God was serious about.
If you'd actually ready my post, it wasn't about whether or not the Bible condones or opposed homosexuality, it was about not judging people. There are multiple passages that state it is not our place to judge others but to love them. It's God's place to judge. The Bible also states that if you judge others, you will be judged in the same regard by Him.
Personally? I believe that since God made all of us, and he doesn't make mistakes, he loves all of us regardless of being gay or straight.
Kudos to you Jenn for actually knowing the ten commandments and the added knowledge of the specific one that states " do unto others as you would have them do unto you " which in fact is some thing my husband and I try to live by because if every one would not be a hater to every one else for their different choices then the world would be a much better place .
I mean if being gay and in love were not a choice of my own I might still be married in a loveless relationship and here I have been with the man who has vowed to one day become my legaly endowed spouse I might be the father to my ex wife's two girls and two boys yet for some reason still uses her second married name not mine much less the sir name of the boys father ( s ) .
Yet here I am 28 years later in a relationship bases on love from within the heart as opposed to one of no love stagnating in the quagmire of lovelessness .
So are we just gonna skip over the verses that specifically list homosexuality as a sin? Like, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 -- "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral nor the idolaters nor the adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." And there's at least 5 other verses that mention why God doesn't like homosexuality.
Do you skip over the verses that say that eating shellfish is a sin? Do you skip over the verses that say you should die if you wear clothes of blended fibres? The reason you don't want to skip over the verses that condemn one sexual orientation is because you don't like, or maybe don't understand, homosexuality and it seems fair to you that the Bible condemns it. You want to believe that some form of authority backs up your homophobia. But shellfish probably doesn't offend your delicate sensibilities, so that verse you just ignore. Yet these things could also get you stoned. The Bible also recommends stoning for disrespectful children. Have your kids shown you disrespect? Are they still alive? My point is that the Bible is full of bad and cruel suggestions for how to punish and condemn behaviours that are not worthy of such punishment and condemnation. It shouldn't be used as a guide to moral behaviour, by anyone. The better response is to stop caring what a foolish ancient text says and use your own reason and judgement to work out that homosexuality is (a) one of many natural sexual orientations, albeit one that is in the minority (who cares?) and (b) none of your fucking business.
We shouldn't ignore these passages, Christian or Buddhist or Atheist, but we should have a more wholesome view of the situation. Many times people will pick a cherry and decide "this is it, this is a cherry" when in reality it's not; it's a cherry out of a hundred, on a single tree out of thousands.
Right. I'm only mentioning that you're going to hell out Christian Love TM and concern. Actually the bible doesn't use the word homosexuality anywhere. And if your version does it's been corrupted by modernity and bad translation. However it is pretty specific about divorce and adultery of course internet trolls are never banging on about how those people are going to hell or refusing them equality in civic life.
Aww, that was sweet!
As far as these homophobic, religion-based comments go... I have a hard time accepting an opinion that something is wrong because "it's in the bible". A few of you say that those who disagree with the bible and don't believe in God are turning away from morality, but you don't understand that morality is purely subjective. One could even say that those who don't follow the bible (or a religious text) have a better sense of what morality is, as they think for themselves and don't let a book tell them how to think.
One /could/ say.
Though I'm an agnostic, I'm a big fan of the Wiccan rede: "An it harm none, do as ye will."
Love is a gift. It doesn't matter who you fall in love with- race, gender, social status... as long as two (or more) people are happy together, we shouldn't be trying to impede them simply because their relationship isn't one we would enjoy ourselves.
I cry because people like you judge others... without fully considering what it is like to walk their path and experience what they have experienced. "Who am I to judge?" -Pope Francis. I believe you are morally bankrupt. "Our" society is not morally bankrupt--Your "society" is. I will not be associated intolerance. "Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." Matthew 7:3-4
Me too! You can hate Jesus and hate Christians and disagree with Morals. But if you disagree with homosexual sin, you're a hater and lose your job! This world is upside down. Don't be fooled by sin guys. Seek God and follow his commands. Repent and turn to Christ! Only God can satisfy what sexual immorality cant. Alcohol, lying, stealing, adultery are all sins that need to be given to Christ. He will heal us when we trust him.
I don't think people disagree with morals or principles. You're just building a straw man. People generally don't lose their jobs for having unpopular opinions. They may if they chose to express those opinions in ways that are against the employers rules of conduct or create an environment of harassment in the workplace.
I like that you point to losing a job as the bedrock of your claim to being persecuted. Homosexuals are literally killed for being who they are. They're killed by 'god loving Christians' all over the world. Don't believe me? Look at Harvey Milk, the legal slaying of a city council member and the mayor only 40 years ago. Look at Africa, look at Russia for examples of modern day persecution. You are not being persecuted.
"god" is a myth created by primitive man to explain the wonders of the world that they didn't understand. the "rules" in your ficticious book were written by MEN. Men who lived in a time when women were property, and had NO rights.
I hate the hypocritical "christians" who pick and choose which parts of their fairytale they like to follow, but ignore those that they don't so they can "sin" in "good conscious"...
Remember, divorce, wearing clothing of mixed materials, and even being in the same ROOM as your wife while she's having her monthly are SINS.
Get off your high horse, think for yourself, and stop pretending you're so f*cking special, because you're NOT.
Beautiful ad!! It made me cry. I'm straight and I hope one day, everyone will be able to enjoy the same rights and not have to go through the pain of being judged by society simply based on whom they love.
Someone was complaining about PACs and stuff, but I don't think it matters at all if it's a marketing ploy because if you look at it for what it is, what it truly is, is a message supporting equality. For any major American company to do that so publicly is amazing in and of itself. Whatever you think about All-State, what you should really take away from this ad is the message of acceptance and tolerance it conveys. (Honestly, I felt like it was more of an LGBT support ad than an insurance ad!!)
OK. I cannot keep silent about this anymore. GLBTQ and thinking about switching to Allstate? DON'T and please share to counteract this deception.
There's something called emotional marketing, and Allstate is taking advantage of "pride month" with this ad. Look a little deeper and you'll see... Allstate is no friend of yours.
So, it may look a little "balanced" at the top... but keep reading down. Boehner? Republican Main Street Partnership? Heartland Values PAC?Every Republican is Crucial? ERIC CANTOR? etc, etc.
NEVER trust any corporation that uses emotional marketing... especially when it is timed so perfectly.
The only insurance company that doesn't have a contribution profile like this? Progressive... and that's why their name is "Progressive"!
National Republican Senatorial Cmte $15,000
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Cmte $15,000
National Republican Congressional Cmte $15,000
New Democrat Coalition $10,000
American Council of Life Insurers $5,000
Boehner for Speaker Cmte $5,000
Republican Main Street Partnership $5,000
Financial Services Roundtable $5,000
Heartland Values PAC
(Affiliate: John Thune (R-SD)) $2,500
Every Republican is Crucial PAC
(Affiliate: Eric Cantor (R-Va)) $2,500
Freedom Fund
(Affiliate: Mike Crapo (R-Idaho)) $2,000
Republican Majority Fund
(Affiliate: Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga)) $2,000
Blue Hen PAC
(Affiliate: Chris Coons (D-Del)) $1,000
Responsibility & Freedom Work PAC
(Affiliate: Roger Wicker (R-Miss)) $1,000
Professionals in Advertising PAC $1,000
Pioneer PAC
(Affiliate: Patrick J. Tiberi (R-Ohio)) $1,000
Empire PAC
(Affiliate: Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)) $1,000
Hoyer's Majority Fund $1,000
Oceans PAC
(Affiliate: Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)) $1,000
Lincoln PAC
(Affiliate: Mark Kirk (R-Ill)) $1,000
*Based on data released by the FEC on May 19, 2014
Feel free to distribute or cite this material, but please credit the Center for Responsive Politics. For permission to reprint for commercial uses, such as textbooks, contact the Center.
Okay if you are looking soley at donations-I see your point. BUT-I have been with Allstate for over 10+ years and this isn't new for them. They have been progressive and GLBT friendly and supportive to their clients this whole time. They never advertised that they were so openly supportive but I can tell you when I interviewed prospective insurance companies over 10 years ago they were the onyl ones who ever asked if my partner would be added, and asked how long we were together and made me feel welcome in an "ordinary" kind of way. This advertising is new but this treatment is how they have been treating their clients for some time.
...just the other day I wrote policies for a same-sex couple that were married out of state (gay marriage is not recognized in our state) and when I called underwriting about how to define them all they said was, "A marriage license is all it takes for us...they're married." Our local gay pride festival will have 3 booths representing State Farm this year and it makes me very proud to work for a company that is changing things.
This is not comparing being gay to a physical deformity- this is an analogy. Think about it. In the commercial it's about a person who is afraid of letting their true self show because of fear of rejection. The big hand displays how it sets them apart from others, a trait which the character at first hates because he doesn't want to be treated differently. But when he meets this man, whom he loves, he realizes he can't worry about being different anymore if he wants to stay with this guy, and that if he wants to live a happy life he needs to accept himself, and his sexuality, aka his "big hand."
For the love of god, let it go. What isn't "emotional marketing?" United Negro College Fund? The warm and fuzzy Maxwell house spots? The "fly United" with the soldier coming home? The Coke Olympic spots with the bears? And lets not even start on Disney. A trip to an amusement park isn't going to save your life, but a single ad spot can at least give you hope, no matter how "emotional" YOU think it is.
That's the kind of work that keeps hundreds of thousands of marketing and advertising people employed/ Just let it GO already, it's a commercial, not a kidney transplant.
I am a lesbian and I find this to be very beautiful! For the people who took offense to this because they think they were comparing being gay to a disability, thats not how I personally took it at all.. I see it as if thats how society as a whole sees every gay person.. Then when (in my personal experience) find the one that makes u feel complete and safe thats when u feel like you are normal, no matter how everyone else sees u.. Thats a wonderful commercial! Well done Allstate, so proud to be a customer!
I've been meaning to check the rates at State Farm for years now. My husband and I love how quickly and hassle free Allstate has been but just wonder if we could get the same for less at another company. After seeing this ad, I think we'll stay with Allstate, even if we could save a bit of money elsewhere. We like to support a company that stands up for the groups who are unjustly marginalized by society. We are straight and hope that one day, nobody will care one way or another. s.
No way. The gays are taking over this country, along with the downfall of our morals. Don't you see gays are the majority? Of you're not "supportive", you're "a hater" or a "bigot". The country is being bullied by this gay rights movement. It should be a country where we're free to feel however we feel, but if you feel unsupportive of homosexuals (because people have strayed from what is natural, right, and God's teachings), you can lose your job.
Ha ha ha...Gays are takign over this country? Gays are in the majority? In the last census bureau statistics they said 10% of the population is gay so dumbass the majority of people are straight in thr USA. But, common sense and a growing interest in equaity has lead many of those straight people to realize discrimination is WRONG. Stop watching lesbian porn -its not natural bro! (by the way lesbian porn is usually made by straight men...for straight men ...talk about a decline in morals)
Is it just me, or does it seem outrageous to compare gay people to people with physical deformities? Sorry Allstate, but you REALLY missed the mark. This ad depicts a person living a life as an outsider suffering from sadness and isolation. I find this abhorrent. As a gay man I prefer not to be reminded of what it was like to be in the closet. Why not show someone celebrating the joy of living an out proud life, blending in with the rest of the people in his surroundings? I'm so appalled by this imagery, suggesting we're some sort of mutants who don't fit in, until we find solace in another mutant. This is so offensive it's astounding!
I disagree. Sometimes nothing stands out more than two men holding hands. When my husband and I walk hand-in-hand just out for a walk or on our way to work, you should see the looks we get. Allstate's hand ad hits remarkably close to home for me and I suspect for many others.
Displaying "affection" through a simple gesture of hand-holding is a great way to get the message across. The ad has nothing to do with comparing being gay to physical deformity.
Congrats to Allstate.
The "big hands" analogy is both a gesture to the Allstate logo and their theme. Your politics aside, this is designed to reflect the experience of the many, not the few. Your desire to "blend in with the rest of the world" is an option that arrived only recently. In a world where DADT and DOMA have only recently been struck down, should blending in be your choice, not everyone has the option. To you it may feel "offensive" to others it is a bell of hope where often there was none before.
@Greg Boas:
You complain about comparing being gay to a "physical deformit(y)." Then while accusing Allstate of missing the mark you go on to say "You prefer not to be reminded of what it was like to be in the closet."
Your admission of being uncomfortable with this "reminder" proves Allstate didn't miss the mark at all. In fact Allstate hit the bullseye with you, they reminded you of how life for us WAS. In this very real way they are dispelling the closet with this ad. A MAJOR American company is showing two gay men finding each other and using a PUBLIC DISPLAY OF AFFECTION in their ad.
Your whining only spoils the grandeur of this moment. Take another look from the prospective of a straight person. The happy ending is only effective when one can feel the pain of rejection. WE KNOW THAT PAIN HAVING LIVED IT. Allstate has found a way consistent with their "Good Hands" motto to convey our pain and celebrate where we are today.
For you to miss the "Good Hands" tie-in is incredible.
Well said, John and Elmer. Greg, you need to wrap your head around the symbolic, philosophical and spiritual aspects of this commercial as opposed to being so concrete. I'm pleased you appear to have been lucky enough to come out in a culture where being gay isn't equated with being disabled and that you are so incredibly healthy in your self esteem and self image, but not everyone is. Frankly, more people aren't than are. Perhaps you should take another look at this commercial from the perspective of someone who has always been made to feel an outsider - as if they are in some way wrong for the biological preferences they were born with.
I found this to be a beautiful representation of the journey from sadness and isolation to togetherness and love. For me, it represents hope, love, and acceptance. You go Allstate! Well done!
Throughout the video the "animated" depicts the mental image of "thinking/believing" something is physically wrong, when the animation fades to reality you see the real world as it is without the mental deformities. All-State obviously put a lot behind this too support LGBT,... not to further oppress.


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Earth : Asia : Southeast Asia : Laos : Central Laos : Vientiane
Vientiane (ວຽງຈັນ Vieng Chan) is the capital of Laos.
Compared to the hectic, bustling capitals in other Southeast Asian countries, Vientiane's deliciously relaxing atmosphere makes it feel like the small town it is. After you've done the round of temples, the best thing to do here has always been to wander down to the riverside, relax with a cold Beerlao - the Lao national beer - and watch the sun set over the Mekong.
Of course, the booming tourism industry is changing this by slowly but surely bringing the excesses of Thailand and China to this formerly sleepy city. It has also become famous for bedbugs. Just like any other Southeast Asian capital/major city, Vientiane is experiencing a building boom. Even it's Presidential Palace is having a major makeover-addition and a new convention centre has opened recently.
Settled since at least 1000 CE, Vientiane became an important administrative city of the Kingdom of Lan Xang ("million elephants") in 1545. Ransacked in 1828 by the Siamese, Vientiane sprung back in time to be again named the capital of the protectorate of Laos by the French, a position it kept after independence (1953) and after the communists took over in 1975. Today Vientiane is the largest city in Laos, with an estimated population of 210,000 in the city itself and some 700,000 in Vientiane Prefecture.
Vientiane is stretched out on the north-eastern bank of a bend in the Mekong River. From the river bank inland, the main roads running parallel to the river are Thanon Fa Ngum, Thanon Setthathirat and Thanon Samsenthai. The central district, Chanthabuli, contains most of Vientiane's government offices, hotels and restaurants. Vientiane's widest boulevard, Thanon Lane Xang, runs from the Presidential Palace (now used for government offices and for state receptions) to the northeast around Patuxai, the Victory Gate, towards Pha That Luang, the That Luang Stupa, the most important religious monument in Laos.
Get in
A visa on arrival is available at Wattay Airport, the Friendship Bridge and Tha Naleng train station. Bring US$25-42 plus a US$1 bill (Washington) in cash (depending on your nationality) and a passport photo; see Laos#Get in for details. You can also get a visa in advance at the Lao Embassy in Bangkok; the only real advantages of doing this are that you need to spend less time queuing when you get to Laos and if you are traveling by through-bus from Udon Thani in Thailand to Vientiane the bus may not wait for visas on arrival to be processed.
By plane
Vientiane's Wattay Airport (IATA: VTE, ICAO: VLVT) is 4 km west of the city. International services are quite limited, but this is slowly changing.
International flights
There are direct flights to/from:
There is a US$10 departure tax for international flights, but this is being incorporated into the ticket cost so is not now payable in cash for most flights.
From Bangkok many visitors choose to fly into Udon Thani in Thailand, and cross the border by bus, as this domestic flight is considerably cheaper than a direct international flight to Vientiane. There is a direct shuttle from Udon Thani airport to the Thai/Lao border at Nong Khai (about 50 km away) for 200 baht, and there are also direct cross-border bus services from Udon Thani (the city, not the airport!) to Vientiane. This option (flight plus bus transfers and immigration clearance at 2 points) takes at least 2 hours longer than a direct Bangkok to Vientiane flight. Be aware that you may have difficulty getting an international bus to Laos if you do not already hold a visa. Ticket officers for the buses sometimes check for this as the buses do not wait at the border long enough for the painfully slow visa on arrival process. If you are flying to Udon Thani you should also make sure you go to the correct departure airport. Nok Air and Thai Air Asia (effective since 1st October 2012) flies from Don Muang, the old Bangkok airport, Thai Airways flies from Suvarnabhumi [35].
Domestic flights
Transfer to the city
Many hotels offer a pickup service from the airport, or you can take a jumbo or taxi for US$7 (57,000 kips).You can buy a taxi coupon before you leave the airport building for US$7. Rides to the airport should be cheaper, around US$3 by tuk-tuk. From city to airport, tuk-tuk is 30,000 kip. Do not agree with 55,000 kip, shown on a price list by some tuk-tuk drivers. You can bargain down to 30K kip, or simply walk away to find another tuk-tuk. Always agree with the price before boarding the tuk-tuk. If you don't mind walking the distance between the airport and the main road (less than 500 m), you can take a local bus for less than US$1.
By train
The railway link across the Mekong finally opened in March 2009, and there are now four shuttle services daily from Nong Khai to Tha Naleng, some 13 km away from Vientiane and reachable by shuttle bus from the Morning Market. The shuttle trains are timed to connect with overnight trains to and from Bangkok, with around 90 minutes buffer time at the Thai side of the border for buying tickets and Immigration. It's thus possible to hop aboard express #69 at 8 PM in Bangkok, arrive at Nong Khai at 9:30 AM and reach Tha Naleng around 10:30 AM. The train has first and second class air-con sleepers, which cost around 1200/800 baht respectively. Check State Railway of Thailand [36] for the the up-to-date time tables and fares, as well as online ticket booking. A Lao visa on arrival is now available at Tha Naleng station, though you need to arrange your own onward transport to get into the city. This is a major drawback, as the station (unlike Friendship bridge) is located in the middle of nowhere, and songthaew drivers asked as much as 100 baht/person (even from Thai/Lao people) for a shared ride to Vientiane.
The other option is to get off the train at Nong Khai and cross the border by bus via the Friendship Bridge. The Nong Khai station is just 1.5 km from the bridge, so if you take a tuk-tuk it should cost no more than 30-40 baht for all, after bargaining of course. Outside the station there's an information board listing the official prices to the nearby destinations. Most tuk-tuk drivers will stop at a travel agent just outside the station and try to coerce you to buy both a Lao visa and shuttle bus to Vientiane. Don't listen to them: you can get a visa and shuttle easily at the Lao border.
For those, who already have a Lao visa, or do not need one for a short visit (citizens of ASEAN countries, Russia and a few others), getting off the train in Udon Thani then taking direct cross-border bus to Vientiane bus is a good option. See below for details.
The train trip either way is pleasant if basic, if you have a sleeper. (Less than 800 baht.) You usually don't need air-con as the train isn't hot, though non-air-con often isn't available. (A few cold-blooded travellers do say the air-con is too cold.) Pack your own meals, beer, etc. The food on the train is expensive - and beyond awful. There is a 'change racket' operating among the catering staff: being seriously short-changed is the rule, not the exception. You need to note the prices on the menu, have baht (USD or kip will result in a big loss on the change) & have small denominations (a 1,000 baht note can serve an excuse for a 9-hour delay in bringing change; even then you will have to go looking for it).
By road
From Thailand
The Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge (Saphan Mittaphap) from Nong Khai, Thailand is the most common means of entry. The bridge cannot be crossed on foot or by bicycle (theoretically; however people have been seen strolling the bridge), but there are frequent 20 baht shuttle buses just past Thai immigration. (The price changes depending on the time of day and day of week. You will get a receipt.) Bicycles can be carried on buses in the cargo compartment.
Direct buses to/from Nong Khai (55 baht) , Khon Kaen(180 baht) and Udon Thani (80 baht) arrive and depart from the Talat Sao bus terminal. These are cheap, comfortable, hassle-free and popular, so book ahead or arrive early. Schedules change often, currently the buses start at 8AM and leave every 2 hours or so, until 6PM. Note: these buses are not an option if you plan to obtain a Lao visa on arrival at the bridge - the bus will not wait long enough. To get from the Udon airport to the Friendship Bridge, a 200 baht minibus fare can be purchased in the airport and will drop you off on the Thai side of the bridge.
Visas on arrival are available at the bridge. If you forgot your passport photo, they'll photocopy your passport for an extra US$1/40 baht (or do it on the Thai side for just 2 baht). When you get a visa on arrival, you get the entry stamp at the same time, so you don't have to wait in line afterwards. A 40 baht (or 9000 Kip) "entry fee" is sometimes charged once through. Just walk past the entry fee booth. If no-one stops you, you haven't done anything wrong.
Once through immigration, you can take a jumbo (posted price 250 baht, easy to bargain down to 100 baht or less for immediate departure with only one passenger) or taxi (300 baht) to any destination in the city. Shared jumbos are cheaper. You should be able to negotiate to a good deal less than 50 baht/person if you're prepared to share (and possibly wait).
The local bus (usually #14) to Talat Sao (the Morning Market) is the cheapest of all, 5,000 kip or 20 baht, but signage is nonexistent and you may be in for a wait (up to 20 minutes). The bus runs until at least 18:45 or so.
It's about 25 km from the bridge to Vientiane; allow at least 30 minutes.
When arriving via the Friendship Bridge, you might like to visit the Buddha Park sculpture garden before going on to Vientiane, and save yourself a return trip back past the border crossing later. The same local bus (usually #14) that connects Talat Sao (the Morning Market) and the Friendship Bridge checkpoint also continues on to Buddha Park. Ask the driver which way it's going, just in case.
The bridge immigration shuts quite late, around 10PM. (Ambulances can go through at any hour, in an emergency.) But check with the locals if you are unsure. Although note that the Thai clock is very different to the western one, so using 24 hour time may be a better way to ask.
Khon Kaen - Vientiane direct bus, 185 baht per way, departs twice daily from Khon Kaen Aircon Bus Terminal (Prab-argat) at 07:45 (usually delayed till 08:00) and arrives Vientiane Talat Sao Bus Station around noon. Second bus departs at 15:15.
From Vietnam
A direct bus from Hanoi takes at least 20 hours (despite what the travel agents might say, avg 24 hrs) and should cost about US$15-20. There is a twice a week VIP bus (better seats) and a local bus that departs every day. For the local bus: apparently you're not always certain of a seat and Vietnamese people tend to sit and never get up again until you've arrived.
The journey from Hue is 14-18 hrs and should cost US$20-30. The bus arrives at Southern Terminal where you have to bargain hard with tuk-tuk drivers. The ride to town after midnight is 30,000 kip. There are local buses heading towards town from here that usually stop at the central market priced at about 10,000 kip.
From Cambodia
The bus trip from Phnom Penh to Vientiane costs about $50 if you go 'VIP': this involves a sleeper (bed) for the night portion of your trip; however unless you have a partner you will share the rather small bed with a random passenger (of the same sex). The bed is comfortable, though there have been reports of leaking windows and flooded mattresses.
At the Lao-Cambodian border, essentially the same form has to be filled out numerous times (to ensure each official gets his 'fee'). If you can't carry your luggage 500m from the Cambodian border post to the Lao, you're out of luck: the bus staff will have disappeared by now. The border process is hot, slow and enervating.
Regardless of what the travel agent or busline tells you, the Phnom Penh-Vientiane (or vice-versa) trip usually involves four separate buses, not two. The Phnom Penh-Lao border and Pakse-Vientiane legs are comfortable enough. However in between the border and Pakse (Southern Laos) you will be crammed into a minibus or open van, sit on other people's laps, etc, as the vehicle does the rounds of every guesthouse in the region. You will eventually be transferred into another van, and the process repeated. It can take 4-6 hours, and it is seldom clear where you are, where you are going, or who is in charge..
If the busline talks you into putting your luggage on a second bus (because of space problems), it is liable to vanish along the road.
The bus trip from Phnom Penh to Vientiane, or vice-versa, averages 27 hours.
From elsewhere in Laos
Buses to and from destinations in Vientiane Prefecture depart from the Talat Sao bus terminal, just east of the Morning Market. There is an informative schedule and schematic diagram of the bus piers painted on the central building, which is where you can also buy tickets.
The Southern Bus Terminal, used by all buses coming from the south (including VIP), is on Thanon Kaisone Phomvihane (that is the first stretch of the "Route 13 South"), quite far from town (10 km, ironically, north east of the centre) leaving you at the mercy of the tuk-tuk bullies (starting from 15,000 kip if you are lucky). Public bus number 23 stops by the entrance of the southern bus station and connects it with the Talat Sao bus terminal (Morning Market) at 5,000 kip, from where it is a ten minutes walk into the tourist centre. Mind you, that the existence of the city buses is going to be vigorously denied by most people you ask, as many have stakes in passenger transportation, want you to take their ride instead.
The Northern Bus Terminal, somewhat north-west of the city centre on the T2 road (now officially named Asiane Road), is where all buses to the north arrive and depart.
Note that if you buy a bus ticket, with quite a margin, in town, it should include the transfer to the respective terminal.
Cash & credit cards
===Banks and Money Changers ===.
Banks and money changers are plentiful in the city centre. Money changer shops have a competitive edge over the banks. The best rates are at the shops along Rue Lane Xang in the section north of the Talat Sao morning market.
Banque Franco-Lao (BFL) on Lane Xang Ave, The only European bank in Laos, with branches in Nam Phu, Talat Sao, Sihom, Talat Sikai, That Luang. Nam Phu branch is open 7 days a week, from 08:00 to 20:30.
Phongsavanh Bank on Thanon Samsenthai is Vientiane's newest and privately-owned bank and operates a currency exchange until about 20:30 on weekdays, and for shorter hours on weekends.
BCEL operates foreign exchange counters on the corner of Thanon Fa Ngum (the river promenade), Thanon Setthathilath (near JoMa), Thanon Pang Kham as well as at at the Friendship Bridge, just past the visa on arrival pick-up window. This bank charges no commission, gives better conversion rates, and has longer opening hours than most local banks. BCEL also has an exchange counter.
Home Ideal, a Chinese-owned store, offers a good foreign exchange rates. The store is a 2 minute walk on the next street over from Phongsavanh Bank.
A comprehensive list of banks, ATMs, and ATM fees in Vientiane: [37]
ATMs are plentiful, but often cause problems such as out-of-cash or "eaten card" and sometimes do not accept the major international credit and debit card networks. In addition, most have withdrawal limits of 700,000-2,000,000 kip and charge additional fees. For preventing such trouble, tourists should withdraw money from ATMs only at bank branches.
Credit Cards
Credit cards are accepted by travel agencies and in better restaurants and shops, but many charge a non-negotiable 3% fee.
Get around
Getting around Vientiane is generally easy, as the traffic is far less murderous than in larger Southeast Asian cities like Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City. Street signage is, however, rather lacking though in the centre more and more signs are appearing. Where there are signs displaying street names these are bilingual Lao and French. The Lao word "thanon" on these signs is translated by "rue", "avenue" or "boulevard", in many cases without any apparent logic. Therefore the Lao word "thanon" is used throughout this article.
When asking for directions or streets with "r" in them, be aware that Laotians often pronounce them as "l". Example is Rue Setthathirat pronounced as "Lue Setthathilat".
Probably they are shy about their English skills or lack of it, but most locals are "dumb" on street directions, even people in police uniforms.
The map on the right, which is fully to scale, covers the centre only. Maps covering a larger area are available at bookshops and some mini-marts, but are not as detailed and not always to scale. Many store fronts feature addresses in Roman letters, and these are often the best way to determine the street one is walking. People navigate using landmarks, so name the nearest embassy, hotel or temple to where you want to go.
Since 2006 a major road upgrading project has been going on in the town centre and out of it up to way past the airport in the west and the Friendship Bridge in the east, financed by the Japanese government and planned and overseen by Japanese engineers. Largely gone are the hazards presented by missing drainage gully covers and sidewalks upturned by tree roots. Almost no trees have been cut - amazing! In the centre of Vientiane the through roads Thanons Setthathirat and Samsenthai and the side roads connecting them and down to the river now have sealed surfaces and sidewalks, and there is decent street lighting. A one-way traffic regime is in place (but the police are not enforcing it), and parking regulations have also been introduced. Markings for pedestrian crossings have been painted on the new roads, but the local drivers regard them as decoration. Don't rely on them!
Vientiane's rainwater drainage system, which also takes care of "grey water" from baths, sinks, laundry, etc. consists of gullies on the roadside, usually covered by concrete slabs. These slabs are sometimes damaged and very precariously balanced, or even missing altogether; people rapidly learn to take care before stepping on anything that looks like a slab! Waste from toilets is or should be collected in septic tanks (at every house), but those gullies can nevertheless smell abominably. In the centre things have improved markedly as a result of the road upgrading. The smell from the gullies is now no longer very noticeable.
Note: do not rely on the Google Earth view of Vientiane for locating the sights: many locations put there by well-meaning users (the "Google Earth Community") are clearly in the wrong place, not just a block or so away but some even in a wrong part of the town!
By taxi
Vientiane has a small fleet of genuine taxis retired from Bangkok, usually found lurking at the Friendship Bridge, the airport or in front of large hotels. Fares are set by bargaining, so figure on around US$0.50 per km or US$20-40 to hire one for the day, depending on car type and distance.
Taxi Vientiane Capital Lao Group Co. Ltd. (21-454168, 21-454088, 90 Th Nongbone) advertises 20,000 kip for the 1st km, then 2,000 kip every 300m.
By tuk-tuk or jumbo
There are three types of motorcycle powered vehicle. Jumbos, despite their name are the smallest, then come tuk-tuks and finally sky labs. These are ubiquitous in Vientiane. If chartering a tuk-tuk/jumbo/sky lab, make sure of the fare in advance. Short hops within the city shouldn't cost more than 10,000 kip per person. In most cases, foreigners are difficult such bargain price. All the tuk-tuk drivers carry a fare card for popular destinations but these fares are ridiculously inflated. Do not pay these bogus, published fares. Walking away can make the fare drop quickly. Share jumbos running on set routes, eg. Th Lan Xang to Pha That Luang, charge a fixed 10,000 Kip. Tuk-tuks lined in front the Mekong bank restaurants or other busy areas will try to charge you 30-50K even for short trips. It's not worth trying to bargain as they won't go anywhere with a normal (10K) fare. Walk a few blocks and you bargain a much lower price.
By bus
Rattly old blue-and-white buses and newer white minibuses connect the centre to the suburban districts, but they are not equipped with air-con and have no signage in English, although route numbers are usually (not always) posted on the front. The only bus likely to be of use to the casual visitor is the bus to/from the Friendship Bridge, which continues on to Buddha Park for a fixed fare of 5000K. (The bus to Wattay International Airport goes near the airport but not quite into it.)
Routes from from Talat Sao:
By bike
Bicycles are perhaps the best way to get around the city. Most guest houses and hotels can arrange bike rental for around 10,000 kip per day. (The cheapest is apparently Douang Deuane Hotel, 8,000 kip, though their bikes aren't the best.) Although the city's flat terrain makes for good biking, one-way streets can be difficult to identify. You can usually choose to leave your passport, your driver's licence, about 1,000 baht, or a comparable amount of kip or dollars as a deposit.
Despite the poor standard of local driving, cycling is fairly safe in the city because the traffic is quite slow (maybe because of the condition of the roads). But take extra care when the roads are wet, because many are unsurfaced (even in the city centre), and they can be muddy and slippery—innocent-looking puddles sometimes conceal deep potholes.
On foot
The city centre can be quite comfortably covered on foot, at least in the cool season. Pha That Luang, however, is 4 km away from the centre and thus a bit of a hike. Out of the city centre there are few footpaths so walking can be uncomfortable.
By car
Take your free to discover the city by car, you can independently drive yourself whenever and wherever you want, but be careful with local driving. In Laos there are a lot of car rental company, but if you are looking for a international standard and service, you can try Europcar (Asia Vehicle rental), located on Samsenthai Rd, just 5 minutes from Namphu fountain.
Vientiane is best viewed as a comfortable transit point for other places in Laos, or as a recuperative stop on the way out. It's a pleasant enough place, but generally, there is little reason to spend more than a couple of days here.
Temples and Stupas
Some temples (indicated below) charge an entry fee of 2,000/5,000K for Lao nationals and foreigners and are open 8AM-4PM, with a Noon-1PM lunch break. The monks of those that don't charge a fee will be grateful for a small donation in the box.
There are many more temples all over the town, but it must be said that if you are out to admire temples Luang Prabang is the place to go, not Vientiane.
Markets and department stores
The snack section along Rue Lan Xang has some delicacies selling including fried insects (maybe locusts or grasshoppers, and also larvae and worms).
Handicraft shops
Look for the "Stay Another Day: Laos" [38] booklet for a guide to non-profit handicraft shops, sustainable manufacturing and other NGO stuff in Vientiane and elsewhere in Laos.
Above all, silk and cotton weavings are for sale in the Morning Market and in many shops along Thanons Setthathirat and Samsenthai, and in several of their side roads. In the Morning Market you should bargain; in the other shops you may try to get a discount but don't count on it. Some of the better shops are:
Most supermarkets offer groceries from Europe, wines from all over the world (thanks to the low taxation in Laos these are astonishingly low-priced considering the long transport routes); dairy products from Laos itself and Thailand (milk, yoghurt), butter and cheese from Europe and New Zealand, and everything else one may need.
Several shops around town, including the Full Moon Cafe, offer book buy/sell/exchange services. Some of the tomes on the shelves look as if they have been on a long, long trip in a back-pack, but you can find interesting reading material.
Vientiane boasts one of the best DVD shops in Southeast Asia, with 10,000 titles of quality European, Asian and US movies. This is Seng Lao, about 100 m toward the river down Chao Anou Street from the Home Ideal department store - on your left. Seng Lao has dozens of books displaying covers: you browse the books, and list your choices on a piece of paper they provide, at 10,000 kip ($US1.20) each. (Don't go to the nearby and better-marked Seng Dao DVD shop by mistake, as service and choice here are much inferior.). Mind the possible consequences of importing large amounts of illegally copied DVDs into your country.
Watch out for fake brand name alcohol in Laos.
There are many restaurants in Vientiane. They offer a wide selection of cuisines, from Chinese to Tex-Mex. More restaurants open all the time, but many are there for just a few months before they go under. A few are successful and stay and may even flourish. It's a question of offering something special, either in the way of the food served, or the atmosphere, or the friendly and competent service. There really is no need to go hungry in this town, but it is advisable to eat in places where there are many customers: there the food is likely to be good and fresh. Avoid empty places where the only guests are the flies buzzing around the food on display.
Exotic treats
On the west side of the morning food market, one can sample fried cricket delicacies together with other bug-like critters.
For authentic Lao food and dining experience there is one noodle soup shop on a nameless street (can't be located on the map) across from the end of Rue Saylom next to a green Fuji film shop and developing studio and with a conspicuously misspelled sign, "DELICIOUS NOUDLE". This restaurant offers the best Lao white thick rice noodles with some pieces of chicken, fried pork, quail's eggs, and the usual vegetable servings, spring onions, cilantro, mung bean sprouts (unlimited serve-yourself quantity). There's also the Kanom Ku (Chinese donuts) on the side. Unlimited servings as well. The big deal about it: it's all for 10,000 kip plus 1,000 kip per Kanom Ku consumed (honour system).
Most importantly, the noodle soup tastes great, the broth is delicious.
On Lane Xiang, a dirt alley north of Hatsady Road and the Morning Market, across from the Bank of Ayudhya, is a small group of stalls offering local food patronized by office workers. The ambiance is similar to the morning and night street food markets in Luang Prabang and the vendors seemingly have not been co-opted by a tourist-mindset. At 09:30, flies hover rarely and the food is steaming hot, having just been lifted out of the cooking fire.
A selection of more sophisticated restaurants:
Vegetarian / Vegan:
Chinese food
The massive influx in recent years of Chinese investment into Laos may be controversial, but one area in which it has had an undeniably positive impact is the vastly increased quality of Chinese restaurants in Vientiane. No reason anymore to settle for the ghastly Hong Kong Restaurant or uninspired banquet fare in the big hotels. Vientiane has a growing selection of authentic regional Chinese cuisine, particularly from the southwest.
Vientiane has a few bars/clubs, and there's no shortage of places for a quiet Beerlao. In particular, the Mekong shoreline has long been the epicentre of low-key night life, although a massive construction project to build a flood management system and a riverside park has seen most of the bamboo-and-thatch beer gardens here disappear.
There are numerous places to stay in Vientiane, but there is little budget accommodation. Most options are mid to high-range for Lao standards, and can go up to astronomic prices, which are impossible to pay in local currency, and exceed yearly salaries of most Laotians. In recent years many new establishments have opened, but mid-2007 the Government announced plans to restrict the number of new permits: they wish to concentrate on quality rather than quantity (read: to increase prices). The days that anyone could convert their home to a guest house and get a piece of the action seem to be over.
Normally, just get into the town centre (for instance, Nam Phu Square) and start looking around along Thanon Setthathirat and its side streets. You'll find something within minutes except in "peak season" (January) when it will be really difficult to find a room: book in advance!
High season is something like October through April or May; low season June through September.
Some places insist on an early nightly curfew and lock the front door without giving you a key. If you wish to enjoy the nightlife (what there is of it), make sure that you will be able to stay out and, more importantly, get in again. Often there will be a door man who sleeps near to the main entrance doors and can be woken up to get in, but its wise to check what system they have in place for getting back in during the small hours of the morning.
Budget accommodation in Vientiane fills quickly and can be difficult to find by late afternoon.
See the section on "Contact" in the article about Laos
See the section on "Contact" in the article about Laos
Internet cafes
Internet cafes are ubiquitous in Vientiane, particularly along Thanon Samsenthai and the east end of Thanon Setthathirat. The going rate is 100 Kip per minute, usually charged in 10 minute increments. Charged by the hour from 5.000-6.000 Kip.
Wi-Fi and GPRS
If you have a laptop and Thai SIM card, 3G GPRS access via Thai network is a good option - if there is a signal in the place where you stay, of course. Thailand's TrueMove coverage is better in Vientiane than over the border in Nong Khai!
Stay Healthy
The city's waterworks are called Nam PaPaa, which some may joke means "water without fishes". Yes, the fishes have been removed but not everything else. Don't drink the tap water, no matter how long it's been boiled (it tastes very industrial) - stick to the bottled water available everywhere, though even that varies in quality. Some people have a major preference for clear plastic bottles.
Mosquito-Borne diseases
Vientiane is free from malaria, but dengue is a real threat, especially during the rainy season. Take the necessary precautions against mosquito bites by wearing DEET repellent - available to purchase at any minimart. It is common practice to request a mosquito coil at dusk at outdoor venues.
They can be vicious, whether they're stray or just owned by irresponsible people who don't bother closing their gates. You don't need to be out in the suburbs to be attacked. Avoid anything but the most well-lit, busy streets at night.
If you're bitten see a doctor. Even if you've had a rabies vaccination before your trip, you will still need a booster jab.
Taxi drivers will offer ladies as bed partners for single men as part of their all-out sales pitch of Laos. These drivers may be Thais (to a non-expert's eye they may look and sound the same) since they operate on unmarked vans and they always mistakenly quote prices in Baht not in kips as if they are in Thailand.
Don't follow the example of the locals who will bathe in anything that looks like water. There is a real risk of picking up parasites! Swimming in public pools is okay. There is one in a kind of garden setting on Thanon Sok Paluang, and another, not in such a nice setting, on the road by the stadium.
Hotel pools are also safe. Some hotels with pools that you can use for a fee if you are not staying there: Mercure, Lao Plaza, Don Chan Palace, Settha Palace, and there are more. Recommended: the Sunday brunch (11:00-15:00) in the Mercure at 130,000 kip (+10% service charge +10% taxes) including use of pool and fitness centre.
The choices for gyms in Vientiane are limited, though good prices and adequate facilities are available. Most popular among the expat community is Sengdara Gym, located on Rue Dongpaina: expressionless reception staff and many under-employed young male staff standing around staring at you, but excellent equipment and a nice pool. Daily rates are between 30,000 and 50,000 kip. Be especially watchful at the pool with children or the infirm. In 2011, a 21-year-old Lao man sank to the pool bottom and drowned. No one noticed.
For the more adventurous/frugal gym-goer is Vientiane Gym located near the Russian Circus on 15 Savang St. Daily rates are beween 5,000 and 10,000 kip.
In Vientiane
Vientiane's hospitals are a far cry from those in the West or even in Thailand. Mahosot and Setthathirat Hospitals can treat common conditions but for anything more serious you're better off heading to Thailand (see below) where there are good private hospitals with American or European trained doctors.
For emergency dental treatment you certainly do not need to go to Thailand; there is an excellent clinic just behind the Wind West Bar in Sihoum.
Mahosot Hospital is on the river (go to their "International Clinic" where you pay more and get more personal service, but from the same doctors that work in the hospital itself); Setthathirat Hospital is away from the city centre on the T4 Road.
Medical Centre : Centre Médical de l'Ambassade de France Medical. With the support of the French Embassy in Vientiane, the "Centre Medical de l'Ambassade de France" opened its doors to the foreign community in Laos in April 2007. The medical centre provides primary health care, 24 hours a day 7 days a week, along with paramedical services, including dental care, physiotherapy, speech therapy and psychotherapy, to expatriates and tourists in Vientiane. (English-speaking.) Practice Dr. Jean Marie Hospied; Bvd Kouvieng. Simuang BP 7168.Vientiane. Laos Tel / Fax: 856 21 214150 [email protected]
Australian Embassy Clinic. The Australian Embassy Clinic provides limited general practice services with a small pharmacy and pathology department. Although the clinic is primarily for diplomatic staff and their families, Australian citizens may access its services on a fee for service basis. Reciprocal arrangements with other embassies means that citizens from certain other countries may also access the service. The clinic is located at the Australian Embassy at km4 on Thadeua Road. Phone number: +856 [0] 21353840. Clinic Hours: 08:30-12:30 and 13:30-17:00 Monday to Friday. There is no after-hours service. Email:[email protected]
The French Embassy clinic charges US$36 per consultation, and the Australian Embassy clinic US$75.
In Thailand
Recommended hospitals close to Vientiane are:
Stay Safe
Vientiane is a fairly safe city in terms of crime. However, bag snatching from guests sitting in front of cafes is becoming more common. Bags in the baskets of (rented) bicycles or mopeds, even when moving along, are also far from safe. Do not leave a bag in an accessible position. If your bag is snatched, immediately start shouting: the perpetrators rely on tourists reacting by silently trying to chase them without alerting the numerous police boxes. The thieves are often drug addicts.
Probably a bigger hazard than crime is the missing sewer covers on sidewalks. Additionally, there are many loose sidewalk stones that will tip if stepped on. Tread carefully and exercise extreme caution at night.
To prevent the development of a sex trade industry, which is so prevalent in neighbouring Thailand, Laotian law bans foreigners from having sexual relations with Laotian nationals other than their spouses. This law is enforced by the village chief and, given the fines, the incentive to enforce is high. The penalty is US$500 for the first offense, though as the text of the law is not available, the fine could be much more (the U.S. Embassy says US$5,000); the foreign offender can face prison or deportation and the Lao woman prison. A Laotian prison is the last place anyone would want to be. If you take a girl to your room and she robs you, this law makes it almost impossible to obtain police assistance. Foreign women should note that, while rare, Laotian police enforce this law on both sexes. Bartenders are happy to provide stories of angry tourists confronting girls at the same bars they picked up the night before. Most hotels also do not allow foreigners to take girls to their rooms as it is officially prohibited.
Homosexuality is legal and there is a fairly open gay scene in Vientiane. Since the Pathet Lao took over in 1975, the Lao government has been completely silent on LGBT rights and homosexuality itself. Female homosexuality is relatively frowned upon for Lao women while male homosexuality is widely tolerated. A growing acceptance of homosexuality in Laos continues. Gay and lesbian travelers should be aware though that some hotels will impose the same restrictions as for straight people and not allow a Lao national into your room.
Illegal drugs are a problem throughout Laos and certainly so in Vientiane where even very young children can try to peddle "happy pills" to tourists. After declaring victory in the "war on opium" in 2005, it is not so much opium and heroin these days as methamphetamine that incurs the wrath of the authorities. Penalties are extremely harsh. Be extremely cautious of tuk-tuk drivers offering to sell you drugs, as they often collaborate with the police or police impersonators to "shake down" unsuspecting tourists.
Current as of 2006, the Lao PDR criminal code for drug trafficking or possession are:
Heroin: up to life imprisonment and 10 million kip ($1,316) fine; death penalty for possession of over 500 g.
Chemical substance: up to 20 years imprisonment. 50 million kip ($6,578) fine.
Amphetamines: up to 5 years imprisonment and 7 million kip ($921) fine.
Opium: up to 15 years imprisonment and 30 million kip ($3,947) fine; death penalty for possession of quantities over 3 kg.
Marijuana: up to 10 years imprisonment and 20 million kip ($2,631) fine; death penalty for quantities over 10 kg.
As noted above, dogs - whether stray or just owned by irresponsible idiots - are dangerous, especially at night. Stay on well-lit, busy streets.
Long trousers and sleeves are recommended when visiting a temple or official offices. Foreign women adopting the traditional long sarong (siin) are very appreciated.
Get out
Buses take you to dozens of towns around Laos including the most likely ones on your itinerary. Minibuses operate from here to around the town suburbs itself, though there is nothing to see around the town that you need a bus to get to, and tuk-tuks will be more direct, convenient, and relatively cheap if you bargain.
Buses to Thailand operate regularly from Talat Sao bus station. There are 6 buses to Nong Khai and Udon Thani during the day. Avoid the tuk-tuk/songthaew drivers insisting it is late/slow/gone and wanting 50,000 kip to drive you to the border before dumping you there at the mercy of their Thai equivalents on the other side. Your driver will provide Thai arrival/departure cards for you to fill out on the way to speed the process; be sure to have a Thai multiple entry visa or pre-arranged visa ready so that you don't delay the bus. They do perform head counts, but do you want to risk it driving off without you while you fill in forms? (Related matter: carry your bag with you just in case it ends up at the destination and you do not!)
Buses to Cambodia: see above: Get In > By road > From Cambodia: The same information applies for the reverse journey.
Asking around the bus station for "Friendship Bridge" or "border" is effective. The last bus, #14, leaves Talat Sao for the bridge and Buddha Park at 17:30 according to the timetable, but it may run later. Don't believe anyone who tells you the bus has gone. Just ask the bus driver.
There are no immigration fees when exiting Laos via the bridge, except at weekends when a token 9000 kip or 40 baht (August 2010)"overtime charge" might apply. Just walk past the exit fee booth. If no one stops you, you haven't done anything wrong.
Tickets from Vientiane to Udon Thani can only be bought from the Talat Sao bus station on the day of the trip for 22,000 kip.
Central bus station
Some bus are available from there at the same price than south bus station, most notably Tha Khek/Pakse
South bus station
Take bus 29 (3,000 kip, ~20min) to go there. Typical destinations are Tha Khek (60,000 kip), Pakse.
North Bus Station
The northen bus station is located about 10 km from the city centre.
A tuk-tuk will probably try to charge you about 50,000 kip. Don't pay more then 10,000 kip! As of Feb 2012 one person including baggage costs 20,000 kip.
GQ Bar, Chao Anou Road , Ban Watchan Village (Opposite Phoung Champa Hotel). 19.00 - 01.00. to edit the timetable, simply find the town and replace the old with the new information. To add a town,copy a complete section from |- to |- (excluding one of the marks.
There is no rail terminal in Vientiane; the only train station in Laos itself is 20 km away at Tha Naleng, beside the Friendship Bridge. Built with enthusiasm by the Australian government wishing for improved connections between Laos and Thailand, the Vientiane government has simply left it hanging as a useless station in the middle of nowhere with no plans to connect it to the town.
If you do wish to travel by train (e.g., for decent sleeping quarters), the most convenient bus for rail travel to Bangkok leaves at 14:30 for 15,000 kip. This allows you to breeze through the border during a less busy time and on to the quiet charm of Nong Khai with an hour or two to spare before the "Rapid" train heads for Bangkok at 18:30, arriving supposedly at 07:00 but often closer to 08:00. Cost of this journey: 15,000 kip for bus to Nong Khai, 680 baht for 2nd class sleeping berth to Bangkok.
There are plans for building a high speed railway from Kunming (China) to Vientiane, and extend to Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Wattay International Airport is close to the town but direct flights only operate to/from Laos' four more developed neighbours, Thailand, China, Cambodia and Vietnam, as well as AirAsia's direct service to Kuala Lumpur. Note that flights to Cambodia go via Pakse - meaning that there are no money changing facilities - so make sure you change your kip in town before you leave as it's not exchangeable outside of Laos. If you only have a small amount of kip, some shops at the airport may be able to give you change in US dollars if you buy something. When travelling long distance to Laos, aim for Bangkok and travel on from there. It is often cheap and relatively painless to travel to Vientiane overland rather than by air from its neighbours.
Vientiane may be situated on the mighty Mekong; but it lives more in fear than in love with the river. There are no bridges across it in Vientiane, and there are no docks or promenades currently: a new levee is being built (due for 2010) that will separate the town from the river by 100 m of parkland. As such, boat travel from Vientiane on the Mekong is extremely rare, slow and expensive, especially travelling upstream. Don't plan on it!


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About Guitars
With so many options available in the world today, buying a guitar that perfectly represents your own style, tastes, and attitude has never been easier. Whether you're a classical guitarist looking for that perfectly balanced nylon flamenco, or a hard rock enthusiast who needs Pete Townshend crunch combined with Jack White power, there is simply no shortage of axes to choose from.
Certain guitar brands are renowned and respected worldwide, and you don't have to be a player to be aware of them. Companies like Fender, Gibson, Epiphone, Ibanez, Yamaha and many others have built a solid reputation for providing exceptionally crafted guitars. In fact, these names are consistently endorsed by the greatest players of all time. However, you'll find more than enough guitar brands from lesser known manufacturers as well; these smaller companies take enormous pride in offering models of equally extraordinary playability, tone and construction.
With the massive range of options available, you'd have to spend the whole day here to go through every one. There are six and twelve-strings, models specifically made for beginners, limited edition double necks; you name it, you'll find it! For a real classic, strap on a Rickenbacker 330 electric guitar. A staple in 60's mod culture, the unique hollowbody construction, slim neck and contoured body make the Rickenbacker 330 so easy to play that it has held the status as one of the all-time greatest guitars for decades.
If you're a fan of the Grateful Dead, check out the D'Angelico Premier Series DC Grateful Dead Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar. In the acoustic department, the Alvarez Artist Series AD60 dreadnought acoustic guitar comes highly rated, thanks to its hand-selected spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and powerful tone. Singer-songwriters and fans of acoustic-driven music must check out the latest Ed Sheeran Martin guitar, the comfortable, easy-to-play Divide Signature Edition Little Martin acoustic-electric.
For experienced players, you already know what kind of questions need to be brought up when purchasing a guitar. For beginners, a great starting point is to look at what your favorite guitarists play. By taking your own musical tastes into consideration, you can narrow down your choices to models that will provide the tone and sound you already know and love. But whatever you're looking for, you can be certain that the perfect guitar for you can easily be found, right here. Just take a look around and see for yourself.


text:
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- Delivery & Returns
When passing from the sun's rays to the soft light of the moon, the hue of <b>Chanel</b>'s J12 Chromatic transforms from metallic accents to a stormy sky. A celebration of the present, its colour ranges from anthracite tones to shimmering grey. <b>Delivery terms & conditions: customers can select a nominated day for delivery and will receive their order on or before 10.30am. For next day delivery orders need to be placed before 3pm on a weekday to arrive the following day before 10:30am and for next day delivery over the weekend, orders need to be placed before 12pm to arrive the following day before 10.30am. Customers must have a valid passport or driving licence as a measure of photographic ID. Only recipients with the same surname can accept the delivery on behalf of someone else. Please note: This item(s) can only be returned by calling 0800123400. Tracking terms & conditions: customers will receive a standard Selfridges email and carrier text message the night before delivery. Between 7-9am customers will receive a second text message with an hour time slot for delivery. </b>


text:
The NVS Archive aims to provide a source of information about the dance forms relevant to our Association.
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Ven, E. v/d
Karpeles, Maud
Raven, M.
Milligan, J.C.
Buchan, Norman
Christiansen, H.C.


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The Henry and Stark County Health Departments announce that December
2-8, 2012 has been proclaimed National Handwashing Week.
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments announce that December
2-8, 2012 has been proclaimed National Handwashing Week.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
"Handwashing is the single most important means to prevent the spread of
infection." The CDC estimates that 36,000 die from the flu or flu-like
illness each year, 5,000 people die from food borne illness each year, and
approximately 78,000 patients die each year from Hospital Acquired
Infections, for which a direct link to many of these deaths is poor
RaeAnn Tucker-Marshall, Health Department Public Information Director
states, "What people need to remember, especially during the cold and flu
season, is that simple and consistent handwashing promotion and awareness is
important for infection prevention, food safety, school health, personal
health and disease prevention."
"To put this in greater perspective, " adds Tucker, "one should consider
that fact that in the average year as many as 164,000,000 days are lost from
school due to illness, of which 22,000,000 are due to the common cold
The Health Department staff notes that there are many critical times to
wash your hands. A few examples are before eating, after the toilet, during
food preparation, after handling animals, upon arriving home, after changing
diapers, leaving the hospital or physician's office and any time you think
your hands are dirty. Use soap, running water, and scrub all surfaces of
your hands for 20 seconds and dry with a paper towel. If a sink and soap
are not available, use a alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
For more information on good hygiene and infection control or to
schedule a program, call the Health Department at (309) 852-0197 (Henry) or
(309) 852-3115 (Stark) or visit our website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or
find us on Facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments.


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Some anonymous person left this behind in the comments:
The Fifth Training: Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I vow to cultivate good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family, and my society by practicing mindful eating, drinking and consuming. I vow to ingest only items that preserve peace, well being, and joy in my body, in my consciousness, and in the collective body and consciousness of my family and society. I am determined not to use alcohol or any other intoxicant or to ingest foods or other items that contain toxins, such as certain TV programs, magazines, books, films and conversations. I am aware that to damage my body and my consciousness with these poisons is to betray my ancestors, my parents, my society and future generations. I will work to transform violence, fear, anger and confusion in myself and in society by practicing a diet for myself and for society. I understand that a proper diet is crucial for self transformation and the transformation of society
He (or she, but I'll assume he) said it was odd a Zen teacher would encourage this. I guess that means "encourage people to go look at porn." So I thought I ought to clarify a little. But I am well aware that no matter how many times I clarify my statements you can never satisfy everybody. In any case, though, I find this interesting.
First, I'm not encouraging you guys to look at porn. I don't really give a shit whether you do or don't. It's none of my fucking business. I also think maybe I put too much emphasis on the monetary side of what I do for Suicide Girls. Though I could hardly make a living off writing for them or writing books, I have another job, so I ain't poor. Ain't rich either. But I don't write for SG for the cash. I do it mainly to annoy pious Buddhists!
That's a joke. Jesus!
SG provides a forum wherein what I say can reach a tremendous number of people. I could probably make as much, if not more, by taking PayPal donations at this blog. But then I'm just preaching to the choir. I find preaching to the SG readers to be much more of a challenge. It's like a weird little sociological experiement. I've always believed Buddhism was good for anybody anywhere. I'm testing to see if that's true.
But in response to the quote above, this is something I've heard a few variations on. I'm not quite certain who it comes from (though I can make a guess). One thing I do want to point out, in case it's not obvious, is that this is not from any traditional ancient Buddhist source. It is a contemporary interpretation.
I would not go so far as to say it's wrong or to condemn this approach. But it's not the approach in which I was trained, nor is it the approach I want to teach.
Obviously there's a lot of stimulation available in today's culture, which can be highly distracting to practice. When you sit on your cushion all the stuff you've shoved into your brain starts to bubble out. The less stuff you shove in there, the easier it is to reach a calm, nice state in Zazen. However, Dogen cautioned that reaching calm, nice, serene states of mind wasn't really the goal of our practice. It can be a nice side benefit. But it's not why we do it.
I don't condemn the approach our anonymous friend suggests. I mean, eating right is very good. Not spending hours and hours and hours machine gunning virtual bad guys at the video arcade, also good. Being aware how these kinds of stimulation affect body and mind = very, very, very good indeed. Yet it does no good to try and shut reality out, covering our ears and eyes and shouting, "Na! Na! I can't hear you!"
Dogen said, "By eliminating disturbances we redouble the disease... Intellectual excluding now adds to the disease and augments the disease. The very moment itself of eliminating is inevitably disturbance. They are simultaneous and are beyond simultaneousness. Disturbances always include the fact of [trying to] eliminate them."
This is a key point in the teaching I've learned from Dogen's lineage and that I want to try to convey. How you actually put this into action is up to the individual. I wouldn't go as far as the writer who made up this rule as to try and list "poisonous activities." That seems to be going a bit too far. In indiviual one-to-one talks, I've been known to make suggestions, some of which resemble what he's saying. But it may be more useful to discover how to remain balanced in the face of any kind of stimulation. This is a trickier path to follow. In the end, though, I really think it's the only way that makes sense.