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When Is the Best Time
Alice Lake Provincial Park Squamish is pretty busy during summer and popular for camping. The Four Lakes Trail can be done all year and is beautiful with sunshine and during fall. It's permitted to swim in these lakes therefore in summer bring your swimming clothes and a towel in your backpack.
Avoiding Crowds
Arrive early during summer; the car parks fill up fast due to the many activity options and the beautiful location. There are several car parks in the park. The last one at Alice Lake is the quietest, less busy and located close to the trailhead with a nice and clean picnic area. The best choice is camping at Alice Lake, but reservations have to be done in advance for summer. May, June, and September are still crowded but mostly not fully booked.
The trail is popular for hiking, biking, and running among tourists and residents. Mid-week fewer people are on the dog-friendly trail. Around 40.000 people hike this trail each year.
Weather / Climate
Squamish has a high amount of rainfall throughout the year with its peak from October/November to February/March. Summer is the driest season of the year, but rain can occur so be prepared while hiking. From May to September the temps are pleasant for hiking, in summer around 20 °C / 68°F but can be hot as well with temps over 30 °C / 86 °F. Nights are cool even in the summer with a maximum of 10 to 13 °C / 50 to 55 °F. Due to the Howe Sound, it's freezing cold during the winter only.
- Stump Lake is covered with yellow pond-lilies which looks gorgeous.
- Between mid- and late August swarms of toadlets (frogs) move from their birth lake to their home in the forest. They are very small and it's difficult to see them. Be careful while hiking.
Good to Know for Biker:
The bike trail is closed to cyclist from May to mid-September.
Where and Tips
The Alice Lake Provincial Park was established in 1956 located 5 km north of Squamish close to the Sea to Sky HW 99. The park offers picnic areas and hikes in a beautiful scenery. The Four Lakes Trail is a well-marked 6.5 km / 4 miles loop trail through secondary forest to four picturesque mountain lakes, along creeks, and groves of cedar, douglas fir, and hemlock trees. The trees are covered with moss and lichen. The trail starts at Alice Lake, and counterclockwise you get to Edith Lake, Fawn Lake, and Stump Lake. If you like to walk furthermore hike around each lake except Fawn Lake. A huge tree trunk lays inside Stump Lake, and it's possible to walk carefully almost to the middle of the lake. You get a stunning view of the Garibaldi Mountains especially with sunlight in the afternoon.
Activities at Alice Lake Provincial Park:
- picnic
- swimming
- kayaking
- stand up paddle boarding (boats are prohibited)
- hiking
- biking
- fishing
Inside the park is a rental shop for kayaks and boards.
Camping at Alice Lake
There are 108 campsites, all spacious and clean with hot showers. It gets a bit windy though in the evening. Look where you pitch your tent. It's quite popular during summer and reservations are advisable. Price $35 for each site for up to 4 adults and four kids age 15 and younger. Number 97-108 are walk-in sites for §23. Reservation campsite Alice Lake
If camping is not your favorite type of accommodation check out the low budget Squamish Hotel which we prefer during colder night temps. It's clean, quiet, washing and ice for free, and the most attentive staff.
Other Hikes in the Squamish Area
- Sea to Summit hike; elevation gain 918 m / 3.012 feet, distance 7.5 km / 4.7 miles and takes 3.5 up to 5 hours climbing up - back via gondola for 10 $ only!
Tip: Usually, the gondola is operating from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. (last ride down), but on Fridays and Saturdays the last gondola is returning at 9 p.m. from mid-May to mid-September. Enjoy the sunset at the top!
- Take the Sea to Sky Gondola 885 m / 2900 feet above sea level for hiking
There are several short trails and day hikes from easy to difficult. The view to Howe Sound, Sky Pilot-, Co-Pilot- and Ledge Mountain and the Stadium Glacier is spectacular. Snowshoeing is possible in the winter time. One outstanding day hike is the Garibaldi Lake Trail; elevation gains more than 900 m, distance 18 km / 11.2 miles which take about 5-6 hours.
- Stawamus Chief Hike; three peaks from 3-7 hours hike (follow the link for more information)
- The Shannon Falls and Upper Shannon Falls hike; It's a short stroll to the bottom of the Shannon Falls. The Upper Shannon Falls are a half day return hike of 7 km / 4.3 miles which takes 4-5 hours and an elevation gain of 450 m / 1.476 feet
- Backcountry hiking from Diamond Head inside the Garibaldi Provincial Park.
Squamish is a lovely town with a population of around 20.000. The Canadians are very kind and attentive, but in Squamish, everybody walks an extra mile for you. If you need any assistant get in contact with the Information Center. They made our stay memorable due to all the information we got provided with. Information Center Squamish


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It was an action packed day, and I shot over five gigabytes of photos, so I decided to split this into two parts. The first part dedicated to get to the canyon, and then canyon itself. Of course with so many photos to choose from, this will be a challenge to see what photos I post. So, here we go… Some facts about the site. It is part of the Gitselasu First Nation People, and the oldest site is said to be over five thousand years old based on radio carbon dating. When I was here last, in the 1980s, this was just a trail from the highway to the river. Since then, it has been turned into a park, and very well maintained. I think our trek to the canyon was faster today, then it was back then.
Today, it is a park, with a museum and tours. If you just want to hike to the canyon, your free to do that as well. The first place you go to is the museum; however, that was closed on the day that we went here. We parked our car here, and went on foot the rest of the way. The hike was short from this point, about two kilometres from the parking lot. The trail was in awesome shape as we walked along it.
In the above shot, you can see some of the forested areas that in seen from the hiking trail. The moss floor, and the spaced trees covered about half of the hike.
And of course, I cannot forget to mention the numerous information signs along the way too. Then is a lot of information that you can read along the trail. This on, above, shows a map, and some historical facts, among the five thousand year old carbon dating from the oldest site around the canyon. Also, the introduction of the riverboats (about the 1860s to 1912), and the use of "ringbolts" to aid the riverboats up the Skeena River, then the railway, from the early 1900s until now. There is a lot of history in this location.
Then once we reached the end of the trail, you are greeted with these guys at the edge of the canyon. I believe there is a Killer Whale, Wolf, Raven and Salmon. I am not sure, I will have to check with more knowledgable friends as to what they actually are. But anyway, we are at the canyon now. Oh one more item to say before I go into part two of this post, also at this location, across from these totem poles, is a shelter that houses a very old dug-out canoe that used on the Skeena River by the First nation's People. I could not get a good shot because of the low light there. Bring a speed-light nest time!

subset: commoncrawl


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This programme features new works by Artur Żmijewski, Mel O'Callaghan, Sara Cwynar and Korakrit Arunanondchai.
Films screened in this combined programme
GlimpseArtur Żmijewski IFFR 2018 15′
Confrontational film on life in four European refugee camps. Provocation by Żmijewski, who pushes what is and isn't acceptable increasingly far.
Dangerous on the WayMel O'Callaghan IFFR 2018 33′
Sensuous portrayal of the traditional harvesting of bird's nests, a particularly dangerous ritual performed by the Orang Sungai-people in the 'White Cave' of Gomantong, Borneo.
Rose GoldSara Cwynar IFFR 2018 8′
Richly layered, Rose Gold focuses on Apple's Rose Gold iPhone, tracking how the phone acts as a talisman of desire for objects, people, power, and money.
With History in a Room Filled with People with Funny Names 4Korakrit Arunanondchai IFFR 2018 24′
In a world where drones take on the role of spirits and co-exist with living species, Thai artist Korakrit Arunanondchai tackles the subject of death.


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- Installation, set-up, and start-up by a Galdi's skilled FSE
- Use of original parts only
- 6-month warranty
- Passion: we have at heart our creations
- Highest market value guaranteed
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- All disassembly and transport expenses covered by Galdi
- You will be in touch with a Galdi representative, without the need of any intermediary
- No disposal expenses, no environmental impact
- Guarantee that the machine will not be sold to competitors
- Our technicians can suggest upgrades as an alternative to selling the product
- Would you like to buy a new machine? You'll enjoy even higher negotiating margins!


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Bollywood actress Kiara Advani said that she wants to do romantic films.
Kiara made her debut in Bollywood with the 2014 film Fugly, which was directed by Kabir Sadanand. She shared screen space with Jimmy Shergill and newcomers Mohit Marwah, Vijender Singh and Arfi Lamba.
"I am grateful that Fugly came my way. I did benefit from the film. There is something coming up (a film) but I can't talk about it. I would like to do romantic and romantic-comedy films," Kiara told PTI.
The actress walked the ramp for designer Shaina NC's inaugural show Beti on the first day of the India International Jewellery Week on August 3. She wore an Indian outfit.
The Fugly actress was also the celebrity showstopper for a jewellery brand at the Jewellery Week.
The 23-year-old actress looked gorgeous in a Fuchsia pink gown teamed with a delicate necklace. "It was a great opportunity to walk the ramp for Beti. It's a great way to support the cause. Then I walked the ramp for AAKS Jewels. Initially I had butterflies in my stomach but then I was okay," she added.
"I like to keep it minimum and subtle. I can't wear too many accessories and believe that less is more," said Kiara.


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Do you want to create attention-grabbing, thumb-stopping fitness testimonial videos for your brand, gym or business?
Great! When used at the right point in the customer journey, testimonial videos can help you convert more leads into customers.
The trouble is many people don't plan testimonials well because they fear that if they do, the videos won't look 'authentic' or 'natural'.
This means a lot of testimonial videos produced without much thought don't deliver on expectations and can be a nightmare to create.
So how do you plan testimonial videos if you've never done it before?
Easy! Follow this checklist to help you produce great testimonial videos that are quick to edit, look and sound, and serve your business well for years to come!
- Film in a quiet location with plenty of light.
- Turn all background music off
- Always use a tripod and a lapel mic.
- Put a sign on the door so you don't get disturbed
- Be selective on who you interview for your fitness testimonial videos. Choose a variety of different people who exemplify your ideal customer and have a story to tell.
- Give your interviewees space – don't back them into a wall. Choose a background that looks good, but not distracting.
- Create a brief for your video team to explain how you want your videos to look once edited. Work with your video team to choose the best framing to accommodate any on-screen branding, graphics and captions.
- Allow plenty of time with your interviewees so they don't feel rushed. The more they talk, the more relaxed them become and the better answers they give.
- Don't make a point of saying "we're recording now". Start the interview with general chit-chat before moving into questions. Arrange with your film crew to start filming discretely as soon as they enter the room.
- Provide your interviewees with a copy of the questions in advance so they can prepare their answers.
- Ask open ended questions like 'How did you…" , 'Explain why….' and 'tell me more about…"
- Avoid closed questions that can be answered with a simple 'yes' or 'no'.
- Allow a second or two of silence after each answer before asking the next question. Your editor with thank you for it.
- Train yourself to nod in agreement throughout the interview so your voice isn't heard when your interviewee is talking.
- For every question you plan to ask, write a list of ideal answers you'd like to hear and tick them off as you go.
- Write a list of words or phrases you don't want to feature in your testimonial videos and listen out for them.
- Prompt your guests to mention the question in the answer.
- Ask your guests to mention your product, service or brand by name instead of using 'they', 'you' or 'it'
- When you hear a great quote or piece of content, write down the time you hear it.
- Ask your interviewees to sign a release form. This gives you the permission to use their image audio and words for all your marketing needs.
- Provide your video editor with the questions and notes for each interviewee.
Filming testimonials can be as easy as sticking a camera in someone's face, but that'll only get you average results at best.
It's easy to film anything nowadays, but if you want to guarantee better results and create effective marketing videos then there's no substitute for planning your projects properly.
Follow these tips and you'll create fitness testimonial videos that are authentic, quick to produce and remain useful for years.
Musclefood testimonial filmed in 2016 for the lunch of the Do The Unthinkable 12 week fitness filmed over 5 days in Nottingham.


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Welcome to the new Alloy Products Distribution website! Thanks for checking out our new Blog.
We have spent a lot of time and energy in updating the site. We're very excited to release it to our customers and we would love to hear your comments on the finished product. One of the biggest changing is the navigation, you will not only find this new layout simpler to use but also will have a faster load time.
Be sure to leave a comment and share this release with your co-workers.


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Video of Chogyal Namkhai Norbu (Dzogchen teacher) lasting about five & a half minutes.
Comments welcome.
Video of Chogyal Namkhai Norbu (Dzogchen teacher) lasting about five & a half minutes.
Comments welcome.
Thanks for posting the video Aloka.
It seems to me like the teacher is talking about suspending the mind of judgement. I find that while my sense of self is disliking or liking, the awareness that lays underneath isn't judging, its just aware. Of course resting in that awareness is not always an easy thing. I can do it in meditation sometimes but bringing it into everyday life is a hard task. Still that's the point of practice, we've been so conditioned by our experiences in this life (and in previous lives if like me your into the whole re-birth thing) we judge things as bad or good when really they are just the flow of the universe.
The funny thing is despite the mahayana/theravada/vajrayana split I find teachers from all traditions pointing toward the same fundamental view.
When I tried to look at the video again, a notice came up "Embedding disabled by request. Watch on YouTube" So here's the link at YouTube:
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Book Tour – The Last War by Alex Davis
Posted by authorcamilson
Title: The Last War
Author: Alex Davis
Genre: Science-Fiction
Born from the genius of the Animex, the aliens of the Noukari seek to gain a foothold on a savage planet. But the greatest danger to their existence lies within them – a powerful gift of telepathy.
As the tension grows between idolatry and admiration of their creators, and the Noukari come to understand the latent powers within their own minds, a species created for peace are about to succumb to brutal violence.
In a galaxy torn by conflict, will the first battle between the Noukari also be their last war?
"The Last War is a remarkable study of reason and faith, morality and practicality, pragmatism and idealism. With sharp, unfussy prose, Alex Davis draws the reader into an endearing nascent civilisation, and then takes it apart before our eyes. Unpredictable, challenging and rewarding." Gav Thorpe, New York Times Bestselling author of Angels of Darkness Deliverance Lost.
Author Bio
Alex Davis is an author, editor, publisher, creative writing tutor and events organiser based in Derby. His debut novel, THE LAST WAR, is out in July from Tickety Boo Press and is the first in a science-fiction trilogy following the aliens of the Noukari. He is co-ordinator for Derby's annual Edge-Lit event – running this year on the 11th July – and also part of the management committee for this year's Derby Book Festival. He also runs Boo Books, Derby's independent press, aiming to promote regional talent along internationally known authors. Their latest release is The Electric, available in paperback for the first time. For more information, visit http://boobooks.net/
Ebook: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00YQICMHQ
Paperback: http://shop.ticketyboopress.co.uk/index.php
Book Excerpt
Outside the temple, whose two walls have grown to four, a proud and lyrical voice carries across the clearing. Beneath the spell of its powerful tones a loose congregation has gathered, without seats, without rows, without any location worthy of such worship.
No matter, the Re'Nuck thinks. All of that will come in time.
He does not allow this simple thought to interrupt the rhythm of his speech. He has become expert in such matters – the words of the Book seem to have ingrained themselves into his memories, written there as large as they are on the crinkled pages at his hut.
'And the Noukari arrived, borne within the sacred vessels crafted by the gods themselves. But those simplest of lifeforms did not resemble us as we are today, yet by the powers and craftsmanship of the Animex, we were able to rise from the simplest of forms to something more. It was within sunups that we first came to walk, to think, to speak.'
Apius pauses, taking a look at the rapt faces before continuing.
'We know all this to be fact. All of these things are burned into our common history, and live within our memories still. There is nothing I have said to be disputed. But the question that some still ask is what this truly means for our people. What interpretations can we offer for this event? In this respect we talk about the beginning of life, an act of creation beyond any we have encountered. We are their people, and Genem – and all of Noukaria – is every bit as much theirs as it as ours.'
The crowd nods thoughtfully. Apius has swiftly become used to these public appearances, and the necessary flourishes of the spiritual leader. The means to instil his belief, to communicate in the name of the gods.
'No act of nature nor of building can do such a thing. It is clear that we were made by the hand of gods – gods called the Animex! There is no other conclusion, and in time all of those who have yet to accept will come to believe. Rest assured, those in denial shall soon worship with us. And they will share the word in a temple that surely even the gods cannot deny, a building so grand in scale that it would be worthy for a god to set foot within.'
Apius bows his head for a moment, allowing his newly-embroidered robe to billow around him. The new vestment has come with the title, and sets him apart from those who hang to his words.
'That is all. Go with these words, and spread them in the streets and fields of Genem. Much has been done, but there is a longer road ahead.'
One by one the followers of Apius drift away, carrying eager conversations with them.
Alex, thanks for being here today. Please tell us about you:
I've been involved in writing really actively over the last decade, some of which has of course been my own writing but also including event organisation, running my own small press, Boo Books, proofreading, copy-editing, mentoring and plenty more besides. It's a pleasure to finally have my own book
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
In a practical sense, my daughter gets me out of bed every day. But beyond that I love being in the position I am and doing what I do – every single day it's writers and writing, whether it's gathering them together for an event, hopefully helping them along their way to publication or working on my own stuff.
If you could hang out with one famous person for one day, who would it be and why?
My two main interests beyond writing are really comedy and horror, so on those grounds it would either be Frankie Boyle, Patton Oswalt or Tom Six. I had the great pleasure of interviewing Tom at the UK premiere of Human Centipede 3 and he was a great guy.
What's the story behind your latest book?
The Last War originally started life as a shared world novel written for an Australian publisher, who unfortunately went out of business between me writing the book and them publishing the book. So I was slightly left dangling with a project that I wasn't quite sure what to do with, but having chatted with the editor he was happy for us to all try and get our work out as long as key names etc. were changed. So The Last War is now its own entity, and I'm delighted to be with Tickety Boo for this one – they're a publisher really going places.
Tell us your writing process
I'm a great believer in simply cracking on, and I suppose an absolute non-believer in writers block. So for me it's a matter of at least 1000 words per day, whether I feel vastly inspired or not. That way I can put together a first draft pretty quickly and leave me plenty of time to work on the editing process.
What advice can you share with other authors who want to get the word out about their book?
It's a big job, so I suppose the first thing is to be prepared for as much work on promotion as there is writing, if not more! The other advice I'd give is just to give things a go – readings, workshops, panels, make yourself available for anything and everything. Even if you're not talking directly about your book, they're still really valuable opportunities.
When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?
Ever since I was tiny – in fact I can't remember ever wanting to do anything else. My grandmother has stories from when I was four or five still kicking around.
Tell us about your main character:
There are a few in the book, but I suppose the real lead is Apius, who becomes the leader of a new religion and rather grows too much into the role of preacher. He's a man of great belief, great conviction and great ambition. But he also has many opponents among his people, so the tension that grows from there is a key part of the story.
What are you working on next?
Book Two, what else? The Last Days is the second part of the Noukari Trilogy, and having had a couple of false starts I'm feeling on the right track with the latest plan and opening. I'll be trying to keep the epic, formative feel of that first book but also adding in more from the universe more widely.
Do you have any special/extraordinary talents?
I've always been a dab hand with word games and anagrams. I was on the UK quiz show Countdown back when I was 15, and then invited back again when I was 16. I got beat both times but still watch now!
Who are your favorite authors?
For me I've always been a big fan of SF which has a more character-driven/human angle. I'm a big fan of Kate Wilhelm and DG Compton, but my two faves would be JG Ballard and Ray Bradbury. Bradbury in particular has always been a massive inspiration – his Martian Chronicles definitely fed into the thought process for The Last War.
What do you like to do with your free time?
Like I said, I'm big into comedy and particularly like the animated stuff – Adult Swim has kept me entertained for many years. I'm also big into my horror films, and like some of the more extreme stuff out there – things that push boundaries has always been really interesting to me. Besides that, I'm very partial to my sport, mainly football and horse racing but also golf and tennis.
Tell us about your plans for upcoming books.
The trilogy will be the main focus for a while yet, probably about the next year or so. Beyond that I have a couple of ideas for horror/thrillers that I'm excited to explore. I've also written a few short stories set in the world of the Noukari, so perhaps that'll be something I can explore in the future.
Where can people find you on the web?
My website is at http://alexblogsabout.com, and if you fancy checking out the small press I run Boo Books is at http://boobooks.net/
Any final thoughts?
Thanks a lot for having me – I'm always happy to hear from people who've read the book, or anyone who enjoys this interview, so feel free to drop me a line at firstname.lastname@example.com
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Posted on September 3, 2015, in Guest Authors and tagged Alex Davis, author interview, Book Excerpt, book promotion tips, Enchanted book promotions, The Last War, writing tips. Bookmark the permalink. Leave a comment.


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Sunday is Mother's Day–you probably knew that. And I get to spend it with my mom, which is a real treat!
As I head to WV to see my family and celebrate my mother, I wanted to say how grateful I am for my biggest fan–my mom. We have long shared a love of books and all along my road to publication she's been my most steadfast cheerleader.
So when I found this quote from Robert Brault (a freelance writer who seems to specialize in saying quotable things), I knew I had my Mother's Day post. It's good to have someone in your life who will always brag on you no matter what. (And I have more than one! Dad, your turn is coming.)
Happy Mother's Day, Mom–and thank you.


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In a bid to make the MBA course a perfect blend of practical knowledge and theoretical lessons, B-schools are increasingly roping in industry insiders to train potential employees.
When it comes to the coveted MBA degree, there is hardly any space for the immaterial and who better to groom students on current trends and the most pertinent industry practices than their future employers? With most B-Schools bringing in visiting faculty from the Industry to help students gain, a perspective of the corporate scenario, institutions seem to have struck the perfect balance between theoretical knowledge and practical learning. The aim is to add practical knowledge to the entire learning process. This is an opportunity to expose the talent available at the institute, build the brand of the organization ad create learning options of the students as well. It is important to have a god sight of industry insiders to share views on future challenges and contemporary practices.
When questioned about their views on this trend, the consensus reached by students was a thumbs-up for this practice. Irrespective of the innumerable questions we fire, the industry experts seem ready with a case in hand to help correlate information with their individual practical of corporate bigwigs sharing from their experiences is a welcome contribution to the young set of go getters. However, like every other endeavor, industry stands to gain from such a bargain. It's an opportunity for industry insiders to sample the competency of the talent available on Campus first hand.
The industry gains because those involved are in a position to share their expertise with the new generation of budding managers. Similarly, students are aware of the realities of the business. It's a perfect blend of industry and academia.
While it may sound like a win-win situation on paper, practically how willing are organizations to send in their professionals? We have professionals from the mid management to the top management levels, who come in to teach. Nearly 250 industry experts as visiting faculty with different sets come together on campus. Clearly, this indicates a rather enthusiastic response from both sides. A corporate manager says teaching is the best part of his week. The amount of perspective that the students bring in from several industries is incredible. In any class you're getting an insight on 60 different industries, and that's certainly a great opportunity.
Another asset is the obvious advantage during placements. Having dealt with the students first hand and after training them in a manner they would see fit for their future employees it's a lot easier for corporate organizations to make the right decision during placements. You get a first and feel of the talent available. Specific students are identified and offered placements by the visiting faculty. Apart from the final employment opportunities, student area also offered summer placements based on their exposure and talents. Also, the visiting faculties get to represent their organization or brand within the B-schools which plays an important role in attracting talent during placements. Thus, right from the training to the placements, organizations are keen to be involved in every step of the education in every step of the education process of their future managers. Whether this continual guidance does anything to wipe out dearth of well-trained professionals in the corporate sector remains to be seen.


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Saturday, May 17, 2014
Personally Customized Volkswagen Beetle - Zamac
This is a quickie customization I did myself. All I did was remove the paint to give the Beetle a metal/Zamac finish and I also switched out the tires for bigger blacked out ones. I also removed the yellow windshield too. Overall, for a quick and easy customization, I like it! Check out the original Beetles here too.
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Agency Revenue Tools
Take Back Personal Lines
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Agency Revenue Tools (ART) is a proven method for agencies to profitably engage in employee worksite marketing using their appointed markets at regular commission rates. Agencies across America are using the ART method and its accompanying software to sell personal lines P&C coverage to insureds utilizing payroll deduction billing....read more
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Book Online 24/7 or Call 01373 824 50001373 824 500
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Norton Grange at Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight is an Adults Only chalet village with stunning views of the Solent. Norton Grange has many activities for all interests, including archery, social dancing and bingo. Superb nightly live entertainment is also included.ExcursionsWe have included the following excursions during your stay:• A visit to the elegant town of Newport and onto the charming village of Godshill.• Full day coastal island tour
Your HotelWARNERS NORTON GRANGE, YARMOUTHA far cry from the original Holiday Parks with the chalet style accommodation of today offering modern comforts including central heating, en suite bathrooms, TV and tea/coffee making facilities. If you do fancy some extra luxury there are Premier Chalet upgrades - subject to availability. All chalets are serviced daily. There is a fantastic range of menu for breakfast and dinner and you can have a drink in the Waterfront Bar or enjoy the views from the large decking area. Visit the hotel websitePrice Includes4 nights Dinner, Bed and BreakfastLuxury coach travelExcursionsHome pick upReturn ferry crossings
Pickup Points for this tour are:
The following room types are still available on this tour:
This tour is no longer on sale, but feel free to browse the other tours we're currently offering...


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Are you a union member? Are you going? Will you rally with the communists?
The communist party had been involved with the labor movement at the beginning and dissolved over time. Now with the economy slumping and unemployment rising, they are back in full force. What price are union members willing to pay to protect their pay and benefits? Are they willing to cede their freedom to the communists? The reality is that if pay and benefits are unsustainable, unions have to give back same as all of us or there will be no one to pay them. There was a time when unions were needed, but are we sure we so desperately need this type of union activity at this time? How can I sympathize with union members who rally with the Communist Party USA? The Communist Party USA has been uniting with Big Labor for far longer than the Wisconsin situation, but they are gaining strength.
"In the wake of changes to government employee unions' power in Wisconsin and elsewhere, The Communist Party USA is working in conjunction with national labor unions and other left wing political groups to organize protests in Madison, Wisconsin and across the nation on April 4th." Read more here: Communists march for labor


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As I continue this journey of…well not sure what else to call it except a journey; this new road of being awakened to and acknowledging my own trauma is far too new for any type of description. It just is.
But it is in this acknowledgement that old memories don't look quite the same anymore. Among those memories is the movie The Color Purple. My family and I can quote this movie as if we wrote it ourselves. But aside from the movie itself, I recall a day when I and someone else walked into the house to hear moaning and groaning coming from under the stairs. When we went to investigate we found my young sisters and cousins play-acting The Color Purple's opening scene where Celie was giving birth. It's a striking memory for me and I remember how all the drama of that scene was there. The seriousness, the pain and agony and the uncertainty. But what I remember most is how funny it was. Of all the scenes in the movie to act out, these young girls chose the birth scene and we all thought it was funny.
Today, as the memory came to me, all I could think about was Celie's father when he came to take her baby.
"Ya better not never tell nobody but God. It'd kill ya mamma."
"Better not never tell nobody but God."
I wonder how the girls would have dealt with this had they been allowed to continue. I wonder if they understood the command. I wonder why, when confronted with young girls play-acting this particular scene, why we thought it was funny. I wonder if anyone ever talked to them about the meaning of the scene.
I suspect not. It was just funny.
Thinking back, I recall how the NAACP boycotted the film for its portrayal of Black men. They talked about "stereotypical representations." Reading the articles today I find that many mention the incest, rape and domestic violence saying the movie perpetuated the stereotype "that Black people as a whole are…perverse, sexually wanton and irresponsible." Many Black women had problems with class distortions but that "sexual politics and sexual violence" are issues that need to be addressed in the Black community.
But with all the controversy, commentary and analysis, this one statement is never mentioned.
Better not never tell nobody but God.
As those young girls play-acted that scene, how did they interpret the command? Did they understand that Celie had been raped by her father? Did they understand that the command protected Celie's father? Many questions, few answers. It was funny.
Better not never tell nobody but God.
The problem is that the command was normal. Even the double-negative of the command was normal. Everyone understood the command; even the play-acting children understood the command of silence…nobody ever caught them play-acting that scene again.
Better not never tell nobody but God.
We all understood. And while there were protests and boycotts of the movie, most of us have continued to comply with this command.
Better not never tell nobody but God.
I do not recall a single person ever talking about it. Even as my family and I quoted the movie extensively and often, this command was never among the quotes we used.
Better not never tell nobody but God.
And 30+ years later, many of us are still heeding the command.
I am not.
Better not never tell nobody but God.
It's time to end the silence.
It's time to stop protecting the abuser who would command us "Better not never tell nobody but God."
The power in this command is such that even a movie invoking silence renders us compliant.
No More.
Better Not Never Tell…
As I continue this journey of…well not sure what else to call it except a journey; this new road of being awakened to and acknowledging my own trauma is far too new for any type of description. It just is.


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Hello, I'm Bobbi, the owner and creator of LifeLine Dogs
I am your Gower / Swansea based Holistic Dog Training Provider. I have over 5 years professional experience working with dogs, and many more before that with dogs and other animals, and am now working as a dog trainer with LifeLine Dogs since 2015.
Whilst we are updating the accessibility of our services you can be put on our mailing list to ensure you are kept up to date with how you and your dog can get involved with achieving your training goals. To do so, email email@example.com with the headline MAILING LIST.
For class details please view our Facebook events, or get in touch for more details.


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- Stand with the feet flat
- Bend the knees
- Relax the hips
- Close the anal sphincter
- Relax the waist
- Tuck in the chest and relax the upper limbs
- Suspend the head and tuck in the chin
- Close the eyes if you desire inner vision
- Touch the tongue to the upper palate.
The Wuji Posture
This information comes from Dr. Suzanne Friedman's book, Medical Qigong Exercise Prescriptions.
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The newly published book "Selecting Video Conferencing Solutions" helps you to define requirements and select modern video conferencing solutions for your company.
The book describes the use of conferencing solutions and differences between cloud and on-premise solutions. Important topics such as the maximum number of simultaneous users, but also prerequisites of the data network to exchange high-quality videos are described.
The selection of suitable coding and compression techniques is addressed. Read in the book what advantages the use of browser technology (WebRTC) offers for video conferencing. You should also take into account user-friendliness, security aspects and costs or tariff models.
A list of examples of manufacturers and service providers completes the topic.
A checklist summarizes important points of the selection criteria.
The following content is available:
1. Preface
1.1. About the book
1.2. Copyright
1.3. Disclaimer
1.4. Author
1.5. Image source (title page)
1.6. Publisher
2. Table of Content
3. Introduction
3.1. Optimization of Business Processes
3.2. Online Meetings
3.3. Online Seminars
3.4. Intercom
3.5. Collaboration of Teams
3.6. Integration of Social Networks
3.7. Software Interfaces ("Connectors")
4. Basic Questions
4.1. Types of Video Conferencing Solutions
4.1.1. Integrated into Business Phone System
4.1.2. Dedicated Room System
4.1.3. Desktop Video Systems
4.1.4. Browser-based Solutions (WebRTC)
4.1.5. Cloud Service or On-Premises Solution?
4.2. Integration of Mobile Devices
4.3. Maximum Number of Participants
4.4. Video Quality, Video Resolution
4.5. Monitor Technology
4.6. Being Future-Proof, Open
4.7. Requirements in Data Networks
5. In-depth Technical Selection Criteria
5.1. Coding Technology
5.2. WebRTC Support in Browser
5.3. User Management
5.4. Usability
5.5. Session Control
5.6. ISDN Gateways
5.7. SIP Trunks
6. Security and Recording
6.1. Security
6.2. Recording of Sessions
7. Management of the Solution
7.1. Video System Management
7.2. Integration in Network Management
8. Cost
9. Vendors and Cloud Service Providers
10. Checklist
11. Appendix
11.1. Abbreviations
11.2. About the Author
Order the book from following sources:
About the Author
Ronald Schlager is an independent trainer, consultant, book author and blogger focused on communications technologies and their applications. Ranked #23 of Onalytica´s List of Top 100 Influencers of "Unified Communications" (2016)
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What treatment was effective for your mononucleosis? Submit Your Comment
My daughter at age 2 years was diagnosed with mononucleosis. The doctor at that time prescribed she should suck on lollypops frequently, to give her more energy and sugar I guess, and aspirin for the fever. We did that with her for several weeks till the disease subsided. This happened over 50 years ago. Thought it would be of interest to some today.
I have mononucleosis and been having weird symptoms like brain fog and headaches. Also my muscles hurt terribly after any physical activity. I have muscle pain, head pressure and numbness, it's been 2 or 3 months. I'm 22 years old and had to leave work, I feel so bad. I have literally lain in bed for 2 months. Advil does nothing for headaches, but oddly I haven't had strep throat. My doctors suggest seeing a neurologist, the CT scan shows a normal brain.
I was diagnosed with mononucleosis in August of 2015 at 29 years of age. I had a severe case where I was hospitalized for 6 days with pneumonia caused by the virus. I was really sick for about six weeks; after which I began to recover. It was a long process and I haven't felt 100 percent since. Here we are six months later and I am now having a lot of the same symptoms that I had with the initial outbreak but I don't have a fever. I have abdominal pain, foggy brain, chronic fatigue, an upset stomach, headaches, and muscle weakness and muscle spasms. My doctor said that I could have symptoms for up to a few years after the initial infection. I have been to the doctor and the emergency room and all of my blood work looks fine. It started with a cold about four weeks ago. I have been out of it ever since. I find it difficult to focus and think, and I feel like I am stoned all of the time. If this is because of mono, I wonder if there is any light at the end of the tunnel and if I will ever feel normal again.
I was not feeling well for three months, shortly after my college semester ended. I kept on going to the doctors, they all said everything is clear. I went to the emergency room on Sunday, it was the same as what my doctors said. Tuesday I went to my doctor, got tested for mononucleosis and found out today that I had mono, but now it is an old infection. It is a relief that it is no longer active, now I just need to get back on track.
When I got mono in 1971, I developed a severe strep throat. All my lymph glands were swollen. My spleen and liver were swollen. I had a fever for three solid months. It took 10 years to get lymph glands not swelling and liver function tests back to normal.
I got a sore throat. I sneezed for a bit, and I had a fever and a general sick feeling. The worst part was the extreme fatigue and weakness. I am over the sickness and the extreme fatigue, but I have plateaued at feeling generally tired and foggy for 8 weeks now. I was hoping I would be back to normal. I am still operating at about half my normal capacity. I find if I pace myself and don't over do it, it is more manageable. I am frustrated and want to be better now!


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- How high is graduate unemployment in South Africa? A much-needed update0.17 MB
The frequently reported 'crisis in graduate unemployment' in South Africa is a fallacy based on questionable research. Not only is graduate unemployment low at less than 6%, but it also compares well with rates in developed countries. The large expansion of black graduate numbers has not significantly exacerbated unemployment amongst graduates. Contrary to popular perception, such graduates – many from 'formerly disadvantaged' universities – have been snapped up by the private sector. Black graduates are, however, still more likely to be unemployed than white graduates.
Download the full article above.
By Hendrik van Broekhuizen – Researcher, Department of Economics, Stellenbosch University and Servaas van der Berg – Professor, Stellenbosch University
This article was first published on the Econ3x3 website – Accessible policy-relevant research and expert commentaries on unemployment and employment, income distribution and inclusive growth in South Africa.
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The 3 Most Important Things to Do After You Start a Blog
Last week, I asked you if you had any questions on blogging or business. I was pretty astounded at all the questions I received. And it made me excited to see how many of you were interested in a weekly column tackling business and blogging-related topics.
My plan is to answer one question per week for as long as there's interest and questions being asked. We'll see how it goes!
Here's today's question, emailed in from Alyssa:
Currently, I am considering the possibility of starting my own blog. For the past several weeks I have done TONS of research. So naturally, I was really excited when I saw your post about asking you questions about blogging.
I haven't been able to find much yet in terms of tips or suggestions for once your blog is live (like the first couple of months). It seems like there is endless information out there about the logistics of getting the blog off the ground and running. And then, there is quite a bit of information out there for different ways to monetize your blog and make your graphics beautiful.
But, what I haven't found very much of is strategy for your first couple months while your blog is just getting started. I would be curious to see more information (from you in particular) about what you would recommend a brand new blogger focus on in that first few months.
Quality content is obvious, but what marketing techniques would you recommend and what strategies would you use for optimum growth? -Alyssa
Great question, Alyssa! And I'm guessing you're not alone in wondering what some of the first steps would be once you've actually started blogging. {If you're still in the thinking of starting a blog stage, be sure to check out my comprehensive post here on How to Start a Blog & Make Money Blogging.}
I thought about this question — and especially back to my early days of blogging as well as to bloggers who have started in recent years and what I've watched them do. With this in mind, here are my top 3 recommendations for what you should do after you start your blog:
1. Blog Consistently
This is a must. Do not, I repeat, do NOT, start a blog, put up a few posts, and then disappear for days at a time.
If you want to do this blogging thing well, if you want to build a successful blog, if you want to make money blogging, you MUST be a consistent blogger.
Now, this does not mean that you need to put a post up at 8:01 EST a.m. every day like my amazing friend and virtual assistant, Andrea, does. Though you are more than welcome to, if that kind of consistency is your thing.
The consistency I'm referring to here is that you show up regularly. That people know they can count on you. That you treat blogging like you do a real job — because it totally can become that with consistency.
This might mean that you post an in-depth post every other week. Or, it might mean that you post every day. Or it something in-between or something entirely different.
But whatever you do, be consistent about it. Perseverance for the long haul is the key to success in blogging.
If you pay attention around here, you'll know that I don't always blog at the same time every single day. But I pretty much almost always blog every single day. You know that when you check in here each day, I'll be sharing some deals, sharing some inspiring ideas, and maybe sharing a peek into my life, too.
You never know exactly what you'll get or exactly when my posts will go up (because I'm more in the "blogging by the seat of my pants" camp), but you do know that, unless it is Sunday, I'll be updating this blog every day.
I don't always feel like blogging. I don't always feel like showing up. But I show up every day because I love you all, because I'm committed to this blog, and because I know that staying consistent in blogging is one of the biggest keys to success for the long-haul.
Blogging consistently every single day is a habit I developed years ago and the rewards have been far beyond what I could have ever dreamed or imagined! I love this community. I love the amazing ideas shared. I love getting to learn from you. I love the encouragement I receive from here.
And our family is also grateful for the income this blog provides that gives us flexibility and the ability to pay cash for purchases, save for the future, and give generously.
None of these things would have happened had I started blogging and blogged faithfully for a few weeks and then fallen off the planet for weeks. Start and stop blogging — where you blog consistently for a few days and then go long periods without blogging and then blog for a few days in a row and then go missing again — is a surefire way to sink your blog. People will only show up consistently if you also show up consistently.
I encourage you to consider carefully what you can realistically commit to in regards to blogging and the time you have available to invest in it. Don't bite off more than you can chew.
Start out slowly — maybe committing to post 1-2 times per week, if that, and then gradually increase if you feel like that works for you. When it comes to blogging, quality content is almost always better than quantity content.
In addition, I encourage you to plan out post ideas for at least the first 6-8 weeks of blogging. This exercise will get your creative wheels turning and will help you to refine what your blog is about and determine whether or not you have enough content inspiration to write dozens and dozens of posts on those topics.
2. Experiment Strategically
It's good to have a plan in place for where you want to go with your blog, but in order to make traction and figure out what works for you, you're going to need to do a lot of experimenting.
It's easy to go into Experimentation Overload mode… where you're trying lots and lots and lots of ideas all at once. However, this is not only a recipe for burnout, it's also going to inhibit you from really drilling down and learning what is working.
So rather than trying to implement 33 new ideas in the first 3 weeks of blogging, pick 1-2 ideas. Set some goals for those ideas, map out a plan for experimenting with those ideas, and then get to work!
Keep focusing on those 1-2 ideas for at least 3-6 weeks. Keep tabs on how effective the idea is. Does it bring more traffic? Is it increasing social media engagement? Are you getting good response via comments or emails? Or whatever measurable ways there are to track it.
Also, consider personally if that type of writing or implementing that idea is fulfilling to you. Do you love it? Hate it? Or somewhere in between?
It's important to remind yourself often that what works for one person won't always work for another. And that what one person loves, another person will loathe.
Your sweet spot in blogging is where you find what you love writing about/working on that also brings traffic and engagement. However, please don't compare your traffic and engagement numbers to someone else. Every blog is going to be different, just as every person is different.
It's easy to get caught up in the numbers game and become so focused on that that you lose sight of what you love or why you started blogging in the first place. Remember that all the traffic and engagement and income in the world isn't worth it if you're miserable in the process.
Do what you love and what works best for you. Don't worry about what works for someone else or how much traffic they have or how much income they are bringing in.
It's also good to realize that a successful blog and business is constantly growing and experimenting and changing as technology and blogging and the online space changes, expands, and morphs. The day you get stuck in a rut and refuse to keep growing and experimenting is the day your blog begins to die.
Be willing to fail. Jump out and try new ideas. Change up the way you post. Experiment with different voices and writing styles. Try video blogging or podcasting.
Read books. Watch other bloggers. Learn from them and be inspired by them, but always remember that it's most important to be YOU.
You have a unique story and perspective that no one else on the planet does because you are the only you in existence. So be you, bravely.
Be okay with breaking the "blogging rules" if doing so means you are staying true to yourself. Be okay with having less traffic or making less income if doing so means you keep your integrity or have your priorities in place. At the end of your life, you won't regret it.
3. Network Religiously
One of the best things you can do for your brand-new blog is to get to know other bloggers. Some ideas:
- Join Facebook groups with other bloggers.
- Leave well-crafted comments on other blogs.
- Reach out to bloggers via Twitter.
- Offer to write a highly-relevant and well-written guest post for a blog you love.
- Use hashtags on Instagram and find other folks who are interested in the same things you are.
- Comment on Facebook/Instagram posts of bloggers you love.
- Join Pinterest group boards and re-pin posts from bloggers you love.
- Write a blogger and tell them thank you without asking for anything from them.
Now, this list might seem really long and overwhelming… and it sort of is. Which is why I encourage you to just focus on the 1-2 networking-related goals like we talked about earlier.
You can't do it all, but you can reach out a little. And a little bit of the right kind of reaching out can go a long way.
What do I mean by this? Well, I'll let you in on a little secret.
Want to know the best way to develop relationships with other bloggers? Stop making it about yourself and what you can get from them.
It's a huge turn-off to get pitches and requests from people again and again and again when they want nothing more than to just use you as a step stool for their own personal success and gain.
Instead of networking with bloggers for the purpose of what you can get from them, start looking for ways that you can give to other bloggers. Promote their links. Retweet their posts. Send them encouraging emails just because. Tell them thank you.
Truly show that you care about them as a person, not that you only care about what they can do for you. Expect nothing in return.
Let me tell you, because it's so rare that someone reaches out and says thank you and gives without asking for anything in return, I take notice of it right away. And that's how some of my best friendships and blogging relationships have been formed.
I'm so over the whole "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" philosophy and I know how lonely and discouraging it can be when you are constantly hearing from people who are complaining or who wants something from you, that I am always looking for ways to serve, celebrate, and give to others. It's so much fun and it's so fulfilling. And bloggers genuinely appreciate it and often go out of their way to build a relationship with you as a result.
Some of these relationships have not only blossomed into deep friendships that have blessed my life in numerous ways, but they've also opened doors of opportunity that I never would have expected.
Bloggers: I'd love to hear what YOUR advice and recommendations would be for Alyssa. Tell us in the comments!
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61 Comments
Loved this! I don't have anything to add to it but I am really excited about these weekly posts!
I'm really glad this was the question answered. I've had a blog for awhile but have been very very very inconsistent with it and sort of more in the camp of when the inspiration strikes and didn't really have any specific goals for it. Lately I've really been feeling the pull to make it a priority and have been reevaluating and dreaming about all I want it to be. In the past I wasn't really sure I had much to offer but thankfully I'm starting to think differently about that 🙂 I definitely don't want to go for it haphazardly so I really really appreciate ALL the wisdom and advice in this post! Thank you!
I'm sending you a big-happy-warm Thank You. I truly needed to read this. Now was the perfect time.
I started a blog and consistency has been my biggest issue of concern. Your encouraging advice was spot on for me. Thank you for answering that question from your reader. She wasn't the only one that benefited from it.
This was great- I'm so excited about you doing this Crystal! I'm still new to blogging, but networking has been the biggest encouragement for me. I joined a business group on Facebook, and it's incredible to be a part of such an encouraging, helpful group of women.
Great tips. I have been thinking about a blog, prayed about and thought the answer was "no". But I realized that it was because I was too comfortable and didn't really wanted to put that much effort into it. But I feel God spoke to me in different ways and that I am supposed to do this. I am slowly working on some posts. I do not really hurry because I want to see how my writing goes. But I am also excited about it. I know that God will lead me through it all and don't worry anymore about if I will have any visitors. Even if I touch and handful of people and their lives change because of something I (better said, the Holy Spirit) wrote, I feel that I did what I was supposed to. God will send the readers that need to hear what I have to say. So…I will keep on praying and ask God to write His stories….
Thanks for sharing… 🙂
I'm very much like Alyssa in that I am new to the blog world. Alyssa and everyone, please watch this video interview of Crystal!
I found it so helpful as I began to think more stratgically. It's a learning process but this video is great and about 30 mins.
I am so incredibly excited for this new series! I've been trying to get a blog going for over a year and, thanks to a surprise pregnancy, I've been guilty of the start stop routine and inconsistency. I'm trying to make it a bigger priority but find my computer illiteracy to be a bigger problem than I thought. I can't wait to soak in everything you have to teach.
Thank you so much for this information! There are some great tips here. What I also love, is that it is easy to hear/read your passion for what you do. I watched that video above and would highly recommend it as well! Thanks for all you do!
Thank you for being a continuing inspiration to keep going with my blogging and for your wonderful wisdom!! I am also amazed at how many books you manage to read (having read some of your posts about your book lists), while managing a busy blogging business, speaking, consulting and a family. Awesome job. Thank you for writing such helpful, informative posts that enrich us all. xx
I just started blogging a little less than three weeks ago. So, I am in the trenches of the "brand new blogger" world. I have loved reading your posts about blogging, as well as Ruth Soukup's book "How to Blog for Profit Without Losing Your Soul," and Abby's book "Building a Framework for Blogging." My biggest surprise? People are actually reading my blog! I have found using Facebook to be a really helpful tool. For the first week, I would create a link on my Facebook page to each of my posts. I had tons of friends and family stop by, and many of them have kept coming back! They also shared with their friends on Facebook, and the sharing love has truly helped me out.
Sarah, I'm with you that I am shocked to find people are reading my blog. But to this I say PG and YAY! 🙂
I love this advice! Blogging is a lot of hard work but there are so many great resources out there to help you get started now.
"Be willing to fail. Jump out and try new ideas. Change up the way you post."
This is especially true. And also be willing to be hurt. When you put yourself out there you get the negative and the positive comments. I can't even begin to imagine all the negative comments Crystal has received over the years. :/ But then a comment will come along from an encouraging reader and it will really help. It reminds me to try and leave positive comments on other blogs when I can!
Great choice for a new series. I can already tell that I am going to enjoy each post. I really appreciate the time you have taken to pack them full of useful and practical ideas to implement.
I currently do not have a blog but have been thinking about starting one for a long time. One of the things that has held me back was whether or not I could be consistent enough. It is encouraging to know that in the beginning, a quality post once a week can be effective.
Thanks for all you do. I look forward to reading your next post.
One thing that really helped me before I got started was to not only plan out a couple weeks of posts, but to have some written up and ready to go – that way I had a bit of a buffer when life happens and things come up. You should go for it!
I second this wholeheartedly. I worked on writing posts for a good three months before I ever did anything with them. Then, when I actually started my blog, I had 60 or so posts to load up so that readers would have some meaty content and know what I was all about. I did read this somewhere, I think it may have been Crystal's post about making money blogging. It could have been in Ruth's book, too. Doing this was huge though. I do try to work ahead, too, and I keep a notebook of all my brainstorming ideas or I make notes in my phone if I am driving, which seems to be when all my ideas come! Then actually writing the posts is just forming my thoughts into sentences and paragraphs
Thanks for this post. The idea of a weekly column on this topic would be so great!
You are very thorough, yet I find it easy to comprehend/understand the information that you share. Though I am very interested in blogging, I know very, very little about it, so this is very helpful. Your style of teaching will definitely benefit the most seasoned blogger to the one who is just beginning.
Thanks Again.
I am so glad you are going to do weekly posts on blogging! I have had blogs off and on for the past couple of years, and haven't really been posting consistently at all. I am ready to get serious with it now that I am setting aside time each day for "work". Looking forward to reading all your helpful tips!
Thank you for this information. I have been an inconsistent blogger for years. This makes me re-think my position and whether I am able to commit to blogging at this time. Again, thank you.
Thanks for posting these tips! I am trying to get my blog up and running, but homeschooling three kids while having to make gluten, dairy, and egg free meals from scratch can really take up time. Not to mention a part time job. I love the deals and recipes you post. They really help me save some money.
Such great points!
I am excited about this new series. I am looking forward to following along and learning from you. Especially because you have shown how you focus on keeping your priorities straight. I am noticing that can be hard now that I have started blogging…so much to do and learn. It's all so fun, but I have to try hard and not let it be all-consuming!!
Thank you, Crystal. Yours is the only blog that visit daily. I feel like I've been on a journey with you for the past several years. I'm still taking baby steps to make more aspects in my life feel intentional, and I so love that your messages often make me think about whether I'm giving purpose to what I'm doing.
Thank you, Crystal, for these suggestions! I appreciate your insights.
I agree consistency is key. I'm just getting started blogging too (well, I've been at it since early January), but I can't count the number of times I've found a blog that looks so interesting, only to have the author stop updating it. When I go repeatedly and don't find new content, I delete it from my bookmarks. There are enough other high-quality content blogs that are updated regularly that I stick with those.
I'm so excited about this new series!! I've been blogging casually for 1 year – today, actually! – but still have tons to learn. I'm reading a lot and also just started listening to some podcasts.
Alyssa asked a great and important question, and I'm so glad that you answered it for all of us.
I suppose it depends on why you began blogging in the first place, but my suggestion would be to consider writing just for fun at first, as a hobby. Try to figure out your own voice for what you want to say and bring to the world before getting lost in things like if you should self-host, tech details, how to monetize, how to market yourself, what the best graphic creation and social media apps are, etc. All of that stuff is overwhelming! First, make sure that you want to blog and enjoy blogging!
There's a LOT of blogs out there nowadays and the fight to stand out amongst all of them can be difficult. So be yourself first. Have fun blogging. Write about things you want to write about and feel you can share with the world (that not many else out there are sharing) in the first couple months.
If you're ONLY blogging hoping to make money, you will burn out (unless you're a very big blog with a very big readership, it's unlikely you'll make much more than a few bucks here and there!).
I can really attest to your comment about only blogging for the money leading to burn out. I think that was the plan when I started blogging years and years ago- and while it was fun getting products for free and writing reviews it eventually wasn't very fun anymore since I was trying to please the big G and not writing for fun or my followers.
When you try to write for rankings it takes the spontaneity out of writing and you quickly start to dread it.
I've been dipping my toes back into blogging lately and while things have changed a lot over the years (there are millions more blogs) there are still communities of bloggers who are very kind, giving and supportive. When you find bloggers in your niche that like to support each other it makes your blog less reliant on search engines – which is a big relief since G likes to mess with rankings so much. 🙂
I am so excited about this series! You are such an inspiration, Crystal, and have been a great source of encouragement for me (and others) for years.
I have been blogging for about 4 years, although rather inconsistently until the past year or so. I make a living online, freelance writing and doing social media promotions for companies. Until recently, blogging wasn't a big part of my income, but that is slowly changing, which is really exciting!
I agree with all of your advice above. For me, the most important thing has been to not compare myself to other bloggers.
I felt so hopeless in the beginning of my blogging journey, seeing other blogs with amazing photography and graphic designs. As a single mom of 4 on a very tight budget, I knew that a fancy camera or hiring a graphic designer weren't options for me. Instead, I use what I have available to me – a cheap point and shoot camera and online tutorials for creating graphics.
I think my favorite tip that I've consistently read in your various posts about blogging, is to be yourself. I couldn't agree more with the fact that each and every blogger has their own unique voice and ideas, and that is what makes the blogging world so awesome.
Thanks for doing this series. I'm looking forward to reading your posts in the series, as you always have nuggets of wisdom. That's why I keep coming back :). I love learning from you.
While I've been blogging for a few years, I have just began to get more consistent as I feel like the Lord has given me a green light to spend sometime writing and blogging. I am being very prayerful, as I want to blog in the manner that He is calling me to do so for this season of my life.
Crystal, first thank you so much for being willing to answer questions! Secondly, still loving your blog, so thank you! Third, my question is, how do you handle publicity in regards to your family? Specifically, your kids. The internet can be very scary, and its amazing what people – when motivated – can figure out from pictures of children, parents, inside their home, their car, places they go, etc – and this is my big deterrent from starting a blog. So I am curious how you and your husband feel about this topic, and what measures you have in place to ensure your family, mainly your kids are safe. Thank you!
Love this Crystal!!
I will soon be starting a second blog, which will have an extremely tight niche. It is where my true passion and gifting lies though, so I am trusting God to make of it whatever he chooses.
Excited for the rest of this series.
I'm not in a place to want to start a blog again at the moment (baby #4 arriving soon + fixer upper house etc) but I think this is a great idea for a series. Thank you for all that you do. It's fun to see you find so many ways to help people.
LOVE this series! I just recently figured out how to schedule a post. Lol! I was scheduling willy nilly and decided I needed to be consistent. Oh boy! It's a lot of work! Thank you for your generosity in helping us newbies!
Thanks for this post. For the last several years, I've tried to start several blogs but consistency has been a major issue.
Now I've started again and have been focusing on trying to make it a priority. I'm not a great writer and I'm not even trying to make money with the blog but I've felt pulled towards blogging so many times that I just want to put my voice out there.
I'm having a hard time with getting to know other bloggers and becoming part of a community. This post has been so useful. Thank you once again for this.
I LOVE this!
"Be okay with breaking the 'blogging rules' if doing so means you are staying true to yourself. Be okay with having less traffic or making less income if doing so means you keep your integrity or have your priorities in place."
And you're the best blogging coach EVER! 🙂 LOVE that pic of all of us at ALLUME! Love that group of ladies!
Your advice for helping other people rather than making networking an "all about me" exercise is spot on and useful for business and life in general.
By the way, I was in Nashville this week for a conference. My husband and I ventured out to have breakfast at the Loveless Cafe and spent part of this afternoon wandering around downtown Franklin. What a lovely town you live in! It was even more fun to walk into one of the shops and see "Say Goodbye to Survival Mode" featured! I was in one of your early blogger/book reviewer groups via Daniel-so glad to see your ongoing success.
I love this, Crystal! Such great insight here , thank you for sharing.
It's so true that finding your own unique voice and embracing the confidence to be yourself is very freeing… people connect with real people, not professional copycats. 🙂
Also love what you said about reaching out with genuine intentions to other bloggers… Wow, what great advice!
Looking forward to reading more.
Thank you, Crystal! I so appreciate what you said about just being you, bravely. This post was just what I needed tonight!
Many years ago, I started a blog for fun, and though I wanted to keep it going, I dropped it because my family ended up having to care for my mom 24/7 due to serious health issues. But I hung on to the blog anyway, hoping to one day bring it back.
I just popped on Pinterest for a quick moment tonight and found this post in my feed. The timing couldn't have been more perfect, as I just finished moving my old blog to WordPress and rebranding it tonight. I so appreciate this post and the great advice you shared. Thank you! I will go be me, bravely. 🙂
Thank you for this post. I live overseas and I've been trying to figure out how to take my desire to blog and my need to help provide some income for my family. This series is incredibly helpful. Thank you. I've written inconsistently, but right now I'm working on a series of posts, and once I've gotten them ready, I plan to start blogging more consistently. My question is this: Can a blog have more than one main subject? I have eclectic interests and limiting my blog to just one of them seems unrealistic. At the same time, I know that I need to have some focus. How do I balance my eclectic interests with the need to focus my blog?
First off Crystal, thank you for all of your insight to life!
I have wanted to start a blog but am afraid to jump in yet. Main problem is that I really have NO iced where to start. Some things I have read say " buy your domain name, website etc before you start blogging" I'm like..huh?
My husband does really get the whole blogging thing, he thinks the market is so saturated with bloggers that you will never make any kind of money off of it then IF you do, what do you do about taxes?
Keep up the awesome work, I love reading your stuff
I came here from Pinterest looking for exactly this information. I constantly need inspiration for what to blog about. Even though one particular topic works for me and I enjoy doing it, I wasn't sure if that should be what i continously do. Thanks to your advice, I now know I should.
Thank you, Crystal!I'm Japanese.
I am thinking start blog in Japan.
I research foreign blogs and find this very nice page.
It is difficult to blog consistently, but if my post share with other people, I will be very happy.
To learn blogs, I want to read your other posts.
This was so helpful! I recently started my blog As Life Grows and have had such a hard time finding tips to get me through my first month! Thank you!!!(:
Thank you Sooo much for this article Crystal…. I soo needed some advice on how to do my blog better. I started a blog back in 2014. Left it because of 'life' getting in the way and got back into it for alittle bit in 2015 and again stopped because of 'life'( I know, I have sadly done all the 'no -no's of a blogger you listed in your article above). This year – 2016, I want to be able to REALLY do my blog with intention, research, authenticity, and JOY….. I have been LOVING watching your periscopes (I love all your scopes but the 'money making mom ones – especially this week have been most helpful) everyday this past week about blogging tips (I will be going back this weekand and taking notes for sure) and through your scopes, I have again fallen 'in love' with blogging (my head has been dizzy with ideas of what to blog and take pictures of/I love taking pictures and capturing memories)…….. Again, thank you for all you do and share with this community (I love being apart of this community)….
I have been reading a lot of articles regarding blogging and this one Has helped me the most as I am just getting started. You didn't use a lot of blogging lingo that I don't understand (YET!! I am not giving up. I will get this!!!) You gave simple basic ways to get started that were really helpful. One blogger who I am following offers a lot of great info but when you don't know what an ALEXA score is and it isn't explained then things just get frustrating. Thank you for the great info!!!
Thank you Alyssa for asking this question. Thank you Crystal for your answer! You have a lot of great advice! While I've not got a "niche" I do enjoy blogging! I try to write at least once a week and if I have time between classes I'll write as well. I started the blog because I felt it would help me be a stronger writer. My professor's know all too well how much work I need with my descriptive writing!
I hope y'all have an awesome day!
Great post. I was checking continuously this blog and I'mimpressed!
Extremely helpful information specially the last part 🙂 I care for such information a lot.
I was looking for thyis ceryain information for a long time.
Thank you and good luck.
I've been following your blog for a good few months and I'm always so encouraged after I read your posts! You have a way to make it seem possible and having a successful blogging career can happen.
Plus, you are such a humble gal and I love that about you!
Thank you for working so hard for US. You are a blessing!
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Foil & Crayon Wedding Invite III 604928
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South Carolina Aerial Video - Cheerleading
The 2015 installment of the Battle at the Beach included over 6000 participants, 6 different performance halls and a giant tent for awards. Championships were conquered and believe there were Bids! A lot tremendous talent this weekend at this annual event hosted by Spirit Sports Cheer and Dance.


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Dangle Earrings
One White Cloud
This product is currently sold out.
Gorgeous polymer clay designs from Tansy at One White Cloud.
Earrings measure 2.5cm x 4.5cm.
All of our earrings are 100% handmade.
Each one uses hypoallergenic surgical steel backings, hoops and stems, suitable for the most sensitive of ears.
Although everything we use is of the highest quality, we recommend that you keep these products out of water and extreme heat.


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LIVONIA, Mich. – For the second consecutive year, motorsports legend and NASCAR team owner Jack Roush has been named the Grand Marshal for the second annual Motive Gear NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Street Legal Drag Racing. The event will be held July 19-22 at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill.
"I started my racing career at the drag strip and have many, many great memories and friends from the quarter-mile," said Roush. "I never lost this fondness for the sport and though I have spent the last few decades concentrating on road racing and stock cars, I always kept an eye open to what was going on in drag racing.
"With my daughter Susan (Roush-McClenaghan) and Dale (McClenaghan) getting involved with NMRA drag racing I have become a real fan of what they do with racing Ford products and it is a real honor to serve as the Grand Marshal of their biggest event of the year," he added. "I enjoyed my visit last year and am looking forward to this year's race."
Roush will be at the racetrack for an autograph session on Saturday, July 21 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the ROUSH Performance team pit area. He will also be involved in Sunday's opening ceremony.
He will be keeping an interested eye, and in his typical fashion probably giving hands-on assistance to the four car ROUSH Performance team which is comprised of Susan (Roush's daughter) in a 2003 Ford Mustang and her husband Dale who runs the only 1962 Ford Falcon in NMRA competition. Don Bowles, and his son Donnie, both compete in 2005 ROUSH Mustangs. The team has two entries in the ROUSH Modular Muscle division, and two in the Crane Cams Open Comp category. Don Bowles won the Open Comp class at the NMRA season-opening event at Bradenton (Fla.) Motorsports Park in March.
The ROUSH drag team carries sponsorship from ROUSH Performance, ROUSH Filters by K&N, Mickey Thompson Tires and Kenwood.
Based in Livonia, Mich., "The Art of Performance Engineering" takes place at ROUSH Performance. In addition to the Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3 Ford Mustang and F-150 styling, handling and performance upgrades, a complete line of performance parts and crate engines are offered. For more information see your local ROUSH dealer, visit www.ROUSHperformance.com or telephone toll-free (800) 59-ROUSH.


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Iridium Communications has partnered with Amazon Web Services to develop a cloud-based satellite platform designed to advance the adoption of internet-of-things applications and services.
Iridium said Thursday it plans to launch in 2019 the Iridium CloudConnect service that will work to provide worldwide coverage for AWS' IoT applications through its satellite network.
CloudConnect "will allow existing AWS customers to keep everything the same on the back end, while opening up the opportunity to quickly expand their coverage," said Iridium CEO Matt Desch.
The cloud-based service will work to enable AWS IoT service users to reach at least 80 percent of the globe lacking cellular coverage.
Iridium said it has signed up for the AWS Partner Network as part of the collaboration.


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HTC is planning to launch HTC OneX10 phablet in the first quarter of 2017. According to a report from VentureBeat, the 5.5-inch phablet will be an upgrade of the HTC One X9 which was launched last year.
With some hardware specs remaining the same, report claims that the HTC OneX10 will use a 'slightly less powerful version' of the MediaTek system on chip (SoC) than its predecessor.
The One X10 will feature a MediaTek octa-core MT6755V/C processor clocked at 1.9GHz paired Mali T860GPU. The HTC One X9 however is powered by octa-core MT6795 system on chip (SoC) that runs at 2.2GHz.
The phablet will have a 1920×1080 screen resolution and like the One X9 it will come with 3GB RAM and 32GB on board storage. The probable upgrade in the X10 is its imaging segment. It will sport 16.3-megapixel rear camera and 7.9-megapixel front camera. The One X9 is equipped with a 13-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front camera.
Previous leak reports also revealed the pricing of the HTC One X10 which will come for around $290. Rumors also claim that the company is planning to launch two other smartphones in the first quarter this year. A mid-budget smartphone with codename 'Ocean Note' is expected to be released by January 12th. The HTC Ocean Note is said to be a higher end phablet with a curved screen and enhanced camera. The other smartphone could most likely be HTC's 2017 flagship and upgrade of HTC10. Report (unconfirmed) suggests that the upgraded could make its way through at Mobile World Congress (MWC) which will be held in February in Barcelona.


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Select this reward
This is your bog-standard Kickstarter tier that allows you to follow the campaign and comment. It includes my thanks and helps me get these decks to more students.
By pledging you agree to Kickstarter's Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Cookie Policy.
It's a way to bring creative projects to life.
One copy of the Deck of Many Games. June delivery for the first print batch.
For multiple deck orders at a more efficient shipping cost or for international customers not covered by the listed areas, please contact me at email@example.com.
Feb 12, 2018 - Mar 14, 2018
(30 days)


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BEDHEAD HATS Kids Ponytail Bucket Hat - Rose
Bedhead Hats Australia stockist.
The Bedhead Ponytail Bucket hat is a UPF50+ kids sun hat featuring Bedhead Hat's unique 'anti-flop' technology ensuring brims won't flop in front of their eyes!
Due to popular demand – the girls Bucket Hats feature a clever little ponytail slit to keep hot hair off little necks! Made with super-stretchy and lightweight cotton jersey that keeps kids heads cool under the hot Australian conditions with UPF50+ excellent protection.
These roses are not red, but pink, yellow and lilac set against a white backdrop. They're the sun hat version of a floral crown!
BEST SUITED TO: Fully mobile children no longer requiring a stroller – walking, running, non-stop play!
- Ponytail keyhole – a discreet slit at the back of the hat (not a big gaping hole)
- Our unique 'anti-flop' brim designed for serious fun!
- Rated UPF50+ Excellent Protection
- Tested in accordance with Australia & New Zealand Standards 4399
- Sun-Smart recommended brim depths (see tab below for measurements)
- Perfect for use in Childcare centres
- Made from 90% Cotton and 10% Elastane jersey
- Wash & Wear - gentle cold machine wash and line dry in the shade
- 'Return to' label to help hats get home safely
- Stretch chin strap with adjustable toggle


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The Dragon Sword
by John Phythyon
A murdered mage. A legendary sword. A poet in peril!
The mightiest wizard of all time is dead, murdered by ambitious rivals who crave his power. Locked in his tower are the secrets to world conquest. The only man who can retrieve them is the son he never loved.
Calibot thought he'd finally found happiness as a poet in the court of an influential duke. But the same ruthless sorcerers who killed his father are now after him. His only defense is the legendary dragon sword, Wyrmblade, his lone bequest for a miserable childhood. Enchanted within the sword's steel is the key to his father's magic. But using it could cost Calibot his soul. Worse, this may always have been his father's plan.
As he struggles to complete the mad last wishes of the father he loathes, everyone with a stake in The Known World's future will try to stop him. And how can a mere poet wield a sword of legend?
$0.00 Previously $2.99
Category: Fantasy – Epic
Shadow Detective Supernatural Action Thriller Series: Books 1-3
by William Massa
My name is Mike Raven, but the world knows me as the Shadow Detective…
Orphaned by demons at the age of ten, I have dedicated my life to keeping the world safe from nightmares. Trained by one of the greatest monster hunters who ever lived, and armed with an arsenal of mystical weapons, I battle forces beyond human understanding. Trust me, it's not as glamorous as it sounds.
The Shadow Detective Boxed Set collects the first three supernatural action thrillers of the bestselling urban fantasy series in one place for one great price. You get: Cursed City, Soul Catcher and Blood Rain.
Category: Fantasy – Paranormal & Urban
Awaken: Book 1 in The Dark Paradise Chronicles
by Isadora Brown
There's something wicked happening in Onyx City…
Category: Fantasy – Paranormal & Urban
Nepenthe Rising
by John Triptych
In the far future, two major factions are locked in a galactic cold war. As tensions mount between the technocratic Union and the genome-harnessing Concordance, both sides anxiously watch for a chance to conquer the other.
The Nepenthe is a pirate vessel, loyal to neither. Led by the enigmatic Captain Dangard, her rough and ready crew includes the cat-like alien Commander Creull, Zeno the immortal synthetic, the dashing Garrett Strand, and Duncan Hauk, a promising young recruit.
Hired by a cryptic employer, the crew waylays a transport ship carrying a mysterious passenger. In due time, this incident sparks the beginnings of an interstellar conflict that could threaten the state of known space.
Category: Science Fiction – Space Opera
Shards of Eternity
by John Triptych
Betrayed by fellow pirates, the Nepenthe is heavily damaged and trapped behind enemy territory. The practical thing to do is attempt an escape back to the neutral zones, where they can lick their wounds and count themselves lucky to fight another day.
But their stalwart captain has other plans. The crew knows that if they let the renegades go, they stand to lose their reputation as the most fearsome raider outfit in known space. As they plan an elaborate revenge, they soon realize the true stakes revolve around a fabled artifact, one that could determine the fate of an entire star cluster.
Psi War Volume 1: Homecoming
by Rick Partlow
You can't outrun your past, and Korri Fontenot's is coming back to haunt her. A family she deserted, a granddaughter she's never known, a stolen alien artifact that could bring an end to civilization…and a crew of mercenaries who'll stop at nothing to get their hands on it.
Category: Science Fiction – Space Opera
Somebody Tell Aunt Tillie She's Dead
by Christiana Miller
A little magic can go a long way — to totally screwing up a girl's life!
Mara is having the worst month of her life. She's evicted from her apartment, fired from her job and banned from Beverly Hills. So, she uses a little magic to make her world right and winds up inheriting a cottage from an aunt she didn't know she had.
But when Mara moves in, she discovers her Aunt Tillie never moved out. She's one pissed-off old ghost–and she blames Mara's magical meddling for her untimely death.
Somebody Tell Aunt Tillie We're In Trouble!
by Christiana Miller
When a local man vanishes from Mara's car, Mara is the prime suspect in his disappearance. As she begins to suspect something supernatural happened to him, her best friend, Gus, opens up a portal to Hell and the Devil comes calling. Now, she's got her hands full, trying to find out what happened to J.J. and broker a truce between Gus and the Devil before Gus becomes Hell's newest resident.


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Workshop Presenters
Community Organization Workshops (11:15 – 12:30). Please choose one of the following:
Women Against Violence Against Women (WAVAW)
Irving K. Barber Learning Centre Room 155
Led by Ariana Barer & Dalya Israel
WAVAW Rape Crisis Centre works to end all forms of violence against women. WAVAW provides all women who have experienced any form of sexualized violence with support and healing, and engages with youth to develop leadership for prevention of future violence.
Fat Panic
Irving K. Barber Learning Centre Room 460
Led by Kalamity Hildebrandt
Fat Panic is an alliance of people of all sizes who are committed to ending the oppression of fat people and working towards a society in which no one is taught to hate their own or anyone else's body, for any reason.
West Coast LEAF
Irving K. Barber Learning Centre Room 264
Led by Adam James
The West Coast Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF)'s mission is to achieve equality by changing historic patterns of systemic discrimination against women through BC-based equality rights litigation, law reform and public legal education.
Student/Activist-Led Workshops (2:45 – 3:45). Please choose one of the following:
Sacred Justice Yoga Workshop
Irving K. Barber Learning Centre Room 261
Led by Andrea Macdonald and Kandace Dragonfly
Andi MacDonald is a co-creator of Community Yoga Vancouver. She received her 200 hour certification in July of 2011 from Mount Madonna and has been teaching ever since. She is also certified in yin and trauma sensitive yoga. Formerly a community organizer against the Enbridge Gateway pipeline, Andrea has been involved with environmental and social justice activism since 2008. She is currently finishing up a bachelors degree from the Institute for Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice at UBC, with a minor in First Nations studies. She is also studying to become an herbalist. Her writing on social justice and yoga has been published in the UBC Ignite Journal, on Elephant Journal and Tikkun Daily and in various zines. She is an unapologetic feminist with an open-heart and a big mouth. She loves facilitating, teaching, listening, learning and building community. You can check out her writing and current projects at http://www.moonlitmoth.wordpress.com
Kandace Dragonfly is a co-creator of Community Yoga Vancouver, they got their start in the yoga world whilst living on the streets of Toronto over a decade ago. Kandace sees yoga as good medicine and received their 200 hour certification from the Salt Spring Center of Yoga in 2012. They have also taken training in Yoga for Street Youth, Mental Health & Addictions, Trauma Sensitive Yoga, and Yin. They are committed to creating and holding space for the peoples, sizes and identities most often ignored in main stream (western) yoga communities. Kandace has been involved in social justice movements since about 2006. They have spent time organizing for various struggles incl. g8/20 in ON and the Enbridge Pipeline in BC. Kandace brings to the table a sparkle of authenticity and blunt (yet gentle) honesty. They are an intuitive soul who mindfully treads on the hearts and minds of the students they encounter. You can find some of Kandace's writing on their blog at http://www.fatfemmeyoga.wordpress.com
Community Yoga Vancouver offers a Sacred Justice workshop which focuses on personal, emotional, energetic and spiritual engagement with anti-oppression. It is grounded in the ethics of community care and mindfulness.
Indigenous Feminisms & the Politics of Recognition
Irving K. Barber Learning Centre Room 155
Presented by Claire Love Wilson, Alexandra Zuur, Salia Joseph, Erica Baker, and Josh Kioke.
Moderated by Dr. Dory Nason
Students from the First Nations Studies Program and the First Nations Studies Student Association will be hosting a paper presentation on Indigenous Feminisms that will explore and position Indigenous Feminist theory within academia and will be grounded in discussions on different contexts where Indigenous Feminism is at play.
Alex Zuur is of mixed Maori, Swiss and Dutch heritage and grew up in a small coastal community in Aotearoa, New Zealand and is so grateful to be a guest on traditional Coast Salish territory. Before coming to UBC, she studied and worked on a range of community development projects in Italy. She is currently completing a Bachelor of Social Work with a specialization in First Nations Studies. She is particularly passionate about the health and wellbeing of Indigenous women from her experiences as an Trauma Sensitive Yoga Teacher in a range of Mental Health and Addiction Centers.
Salia Joseph grew up in Brentwood Bay on Vancouver island. She comes from Squamish, Snuneymuxw and European decent. Salia is in her second year of the First Nations Studies Program at the University of British Columbia and is very honoured and privileged to study and learn on the traditional, ancestral and unceeded territory of the Musqueam people. Salia feels a very strong pull to her traditional territory and her community. There she will continue to learn and grow with her people and use her particular skill set to contribute to the vibrance of her community and the land she comes from.
Claire Love Wilson is a white/Scottish/settler/queer/feminist multidisciplinary learner and artist based in Vancouver, Unceded Coast Salish Territories. She is a student of First Nations Studies and Film Production at UBC and has directed two short documentaries in the past year focusing on issues of ancestry, decolonization, gender, love, and identity. Practices in all areas of her life attempt to manifest a fullness of joy and growth while honouring multiple spaces of struggle, loss and limitation.
Erica Baker is a fourth year student in the First Nations Studies Program and currently a guest on the traditional and unceded territory of the Musqueam First Nation. She holds interests in the politics and process of Indigenous and non-Indigenous reconciliation and critical race theory. In addition to her education at UBC, Erica has studied at the University of Queensland, Australia, in their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Department. This has inspired her research on Indigenous Feminisms and representation through film in the Australian context. Further, Erica has the added experience as a Junior Policy and Research Analyst for the Assembly of First Nations in Ottawa, focusing her research education systems in First Nations communities.
Josh Kioke has just completed his third year of the First Nations Studies Program. His research interests lie in the politics of representation, and the ways in which colonized and marginalized peoples' voices can disrupt dominant discourses. Josh is also thinking through the ways in which those dominant discourses tend to privilege himself as a white-skinned heterosexual man.
Out in Schools
Irving K. Barber Learning Centre Room 460
Led by Nico McKay and Dia Doucette Pilles
Out in Schools is a youth outreach program run through Vancouver's Out on Screen, Film, and Video Society. Since 2004, Out in Schools has been bringing queer films to high schools in an effort to increase understanding through education and awareness.