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What is your LEAST favorite horror franchise? Is there one that you simply despise, or even just a series that falls flat and right into the mediocre category for you? This should be an easy one for most people, but I am very curious as to what answers come about and if any particular franchise gets a lot of mentions.
Random Question of the Day
17 comments:
- Zombie Mom said...
I don't care for the whole "Chucky" line of movies..never did...something about a doll swinging a knife. I don't find them scary or funny, just my opinion.
- September 6, 2010 at 5:41 PM
- Wings said...
Honestly, I have never been able to get into the zombie flicks. I love the original Night of the Living Dead, but after that I just feel "meh" about them.
- September 6, 2010 at 5:53 PM
Right off the top of my head, I can say that I was honestly never a fan of the Amityville Horror series. The first one was mediocre at best, and they continued to get worse and worse with each and every installment. A haunted mirror... a haunted dollhouse... a haunted clock. I guess we should just be thankful that it never got to the point where there were movies based on the haunted Amityville toilet, the haunted Amityville carpet, or the haunted Amityville foot stool.
(P.S. Call my crazy, but I love Chucky AND zombies)
- September 6, 2010 at 6:20 PM
- Christopher Zenga said...
The current crop of Saw films! the first couple are fantastic but it went downhill from there.
- September 6, 2010 at 6:46 PM
- Hellbilly Hollywood said...
Scream! Hated everyone of them. They are an insult to horror fans and started the teenie booper horror trend of the 90s.
- September 6, 2010 at 7:15 PM
- Mr. Gable said...
Puppetmaster. I love full moon and I love the crazy puppets...but they just churned out too damn many. And eventually it was came to a head with a montage movie chronicling the series and a vs. Demonic Toys crapfest. I have hopes for Axis of Evil but Parts 4 - 8 were kind of a let down.
- September 6, 2010 at 8:55 PM
- Maynard Morrissey said...
Children Of The Corn. Part 4 was ok, all other parts just sucked
- September 6, 2010 at 11:17 PM
- JennyB said...
I'm sick of the Saw franchise and it needs to end does Final Destination.
- September 6, 2010 at 11:17 PM
- cynniegurl said...
i'm gonna have to agree with the saw comment. I liked the first couple but then it started to become too much too soon.
- September 6, 2010 at 11:17 PM
- Chris Regan said...
It's the Saw franchise for me too. I lasted until the fifth one before I got really sick of it, but in all honesty only the first film has anything going for it, and even that worked better as a one-off and didn't really warrant a sequel every year.
- September 7, 2010 at 5:07 AM
I don't like the SAW franchise. It should have never been a franchise, it should have ended with the first one because it was so unique and really didn't need sequels. I've seen SAW and SAW II, that's it and that's as far as I'm ever going to go with it. SAW II sucked and that's the end, for me. And I'll also agree with the Final Destination franchise, too. Better as just 1 movie, didn't need sequels, couldn't really hold them up. It's tired and dead, now.
- September 7, 2010 at 10:20 AM
- Fritz "Doc" Freakenstein said...
As a fan of supernatural horror, I've never understood the facination with the slasher films of the 80's: e.g. - Halloween, Friday the 13th & A Nightmare on Elm Street. If I had to pick one of these series as a whole for my least favorite, it would be Friday the 13th. These are the type of bottom line visceral crap-fests that give the whole horror film genre a black eye!
- September 7, 2010 at 7:51 PM
- Will Errickson said...
I must concur with "Doc" Freakenstein... as soon as you say you love horror, people think of those (mostly) craptastic slasher films. But pretty much anything that became a series is usually bad, however; what with the law of diminishing returns and all.
- September 8, 2010 at 12:00 PM
Hands down, the Amittyville franchise. The book is a million times better than the original film (and the remake). And I never bothered watching any of the sequels past 3, which was just ridiculous.
Dreaded Dreams
Petunia Scareum
- September 9, 2010 at 12:56 AM
- The Groundskeeper said...
Friday the 13th! Not an ounce of talent or vision went into that whole series, and making the bad guy your anti-hero is the laziest thing you can do. What's harder, crafting a solid group of characters with whom the audience can identify and care about, or populating your horror film with annoying teenagers and just throwing a masked maniac with a machete at them? That whole series is such a one-trick pony that wears out well before the run time of even the first film.
I agree with the good Doc, slasher films in general have almost become "the horror genre" to most people, at the expense of genuinely atmospheric and well-constructed films outside the sub-genre.
- September 9, 2010 at 9:04 PM
- Spooky Sean said...
I would have to say, my least favorite horror franchise is the Hellraiser series, because it went from being so powerful, to so hokey.
Also, because I had high hopes for the new Hellraiser, but with all the recent news I've heard about it, my hopes have been smashed like so many fish against a rock.
Spooky Sean's Blog
- September 10, 2010 at 12:08 PM
- iZombie said...
bringing in a great start to a sort of horror film was the great "the crow", which poopy sequels should have never been made out of respect.
- September 16, 2010 at 5:40 AM


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Bridal Gown Runway
You've been hired as the primary stylist for the biggest wedding gown runway show of the year. This beautiful and experienced model has been hired to wear this hot new line of fabulous wedding dresses, but it's up to you to make sure that she looks flawless before she steps out onto the catwalk. Browse the wide selection of options to create a photo-worthy look in this fun online dress up game for girls. Be creative and design an outfit that is sure to make the front page of all of the most popular fashion magazines this year.

subset: commoncrawl


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Dulse, (Palmaria palmata), edible red alga (Rhodophyta) found along the rocky northern coasts of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Dulse can be eaten fresh or dried. In traditional dishes, it is boiled with milk and rye flour or made into a relish and is commonly served with fish and butter. The gelatinous substance contained in dulse is a thickening agent and imparts a reddish colour to the food with which it is mixed. The seaweed is said to be more nutritionally dense than most leafy green vegetables and is a good source of iodine, iron, vitamin B6, and potassium, though it is high in sodium.
Fresh dulse has the texture of thin rubber and consists of numerous flattened fronds; both the amount of branching and size (ranging from 12 to about 40 cm [5 to 16 inches]) vary. Dulse grows on rocks, mollusks, or larger seaweeds and attaches by means of disks or rhizoids. The alga can be grown in tanks and is of interest to researchers as a potential specialty food crop.


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Ford Focus Electric Convenience Cord Gives Owners Easy Handle on Recharging
Oct 07, 2010, 10:15 ET
DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 7 /PRNewswire/ --
- Ford Focus Electric, which debuts in late 2011, will bring enhanced recharging flexibility with a 120V convenience cord to allow users to recharge the all-electric vehicle at remote locations; the convenience cord will serve as a backup to an optional 240V home charging station
- Ford and supplier partner Yazaki used internal ergonomic studies to design the convenience cord, drawing inspiration from hockey sticks, curling irons and tennis racket handles
- Focus Electric is one of five new electric vehicles Ford will deliver over the next three years in North America and Europe; it will be built at Ford's Michigan Assembly Plant
When Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) debuts its all-new Focus Electric in late 2011, customers will learn a new way of "refueling" – plugging in instead of gassing up.
While most owners are expected to recharge the zero-emissions, gas-free Focus Electric at home with an optional wall-mounted 240V charging station, they also will have the ability to recharge at remote locations with a standard 120V convenience cord. Both types of cord set connectors will use an industry-standard five-point plug fitted with an ergonomic Ford-branded handle specially designed for comfort and durable daily use.
"Focus Electric owners can look forward to having a 'refueling' device they can call their own," said Sherif Marakby, Ford director, Electrification Program and Engineering. "Since Focus Electric owners are likely to handle one of the charge cords two or more times everyday, we're providing a distinctive and durable device for their plugging-in experience."
The EV experience
Owners of Focus Electric will recharge the car's onboard lithium-ion battery pack by plugging the convenience plug or charge station plug into the vehicle's charge port.
When plugged in, the vehicle's onboard charger converts the AC power from the electric grid to DC power to charge the liquid-cooled battery pack. A full recharge is expected to take six to eight hours with a 240V charge station or more than 12 hours with a 120V convenience cord set. When fully charged, Focus Electric is expected to deliver up to 100 miles of gas-free driving – more than enough for most U.S. commuters, who average 40 miles per day.
Like most household electrical plugs, Focus Electric's cord set connector has three pins at the end that plug into a standard outlet. But the similarities stop there. The end that connects with the car has five pins, including one that communicates with the vehicle about the type of electrical current (120V or 240V) it is requesting and another pin that deactivates the current when the user disconnects the plug from the charge port.
Focus Electric's convenience cord will be 25 feet long, making it long enough to reach the nearest outlet, eliminating the need for an extension cord. When not in use, the user can spool the cord around a special oval-shaped holder that also accommodates the cord's control box. The spooled cord will have a designated spot in the vehicle's trunk for on-the-go storage.
Finding the right fit
Since Focus Electric owners are likely to recharge their vehicles two to four times each day (nearly 1,500 times a year) compared to once a week for gassing up (52 times a year), Ford conducted an ergonomic study to help determine plug handle design, as well as charge port height and insertion angle. Study participants – who ranged from petite adult females to larger adult males, ages 21 to 61 – tested a variety of plug handle prototypes.
"We tried handles inspired by hockey sticks and curling irons, but found that a grip diameter similar to a tennis racket handle worked best for the widest range of users," said Cary Diehl, Ford human factors engineer. "More than most automotive devices, Focus Electric's cord set connector has given us an opportunity to think outside the box and find inspiration from non-automotive consumer goods."
In seeking a blend of tactile toughness, high-tech polish and ergonomic comfort, the team benchmarked Craftsman® tools and considered the attributes of such disparate products as Apple® mobile electronics and OXO Good Grips® kitchen utensils.
The plug handle uses a matte-finished blue rubber that allows for a comfortable, non-slip grip and the plug head is shielded with a glossy white hard plastic to protect the electronics. The Ford Blue Oval trademark helps make the device immediately recognizable.
"Fueling a car with electricity will be a new experience for most Focus Electric customers," said Jennifer Atanasovski, Ford designer. "So it's important for the look and feel of the plug to accentuate how special it is and to help instill a sense of confidence in the technology."
Dropped, dunked and driven over
Ford's supplier partner Yazaki conducted extensive and unusual durability tests on Focus Electric's cord set connector, including an insertion/extraction study of 10,000 cycles to assess the durability of the interaction between the handle and plug. For every thousand insertions, testers dunked the plug into a sandy salt water solution to add grit to the connectors and they repeatedly dropped the handle and rolled over it with a car tire to test its durability. Testers also subjected the cord set connector to ambient extreme temperature increases.
"We put the cord set connector through more abuse than it's likely to endure in the hands of Focus Electric owners," said Katie Pecoraro, project engineer. "We want our customers to have peace of mind knowing that their means of recharging the vehicle will be well designed and durable – just like the vehicle itself."
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 159,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln and Mercury, production of which has been announced by the company to be ending in the fourth quarter of 2010. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.
SOURCE Ford Motor Company


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Remember Bases Loaded? Better yet, remember Bases Loaded 3? Back when baseball games were really easy and let you play a quick game and then move on with your life without having to obsess over stats, lineups, and bullpens? For those of you who haven?t played a baseball game since then, there?s a new glimmer of hope: 2K Sport?s The BIGS. The main focus of the game has the players act as heroes and baseball as the sport of gods. In other words, they went a little over the top, but in a good way. I spent a little hands-on time with the game earlier this week and it looks like it could be a much more attainable and fun version of every other baseball game out there.
To start off, the visuals looked amazing. The players were extremely life-like and fluid-moving. The stadiums are a prime example of exaggeration for the fun of it. Landmarks, usually way off in the distance are pulled in closer, to be in the background of the games, added seating capacity makes some of the smallest fields feel like they are Yankee Stadium. It just adds to the over the top atmosphere.
The gameplay was fairly easy to pick up. Even though timing is still a key element of hitting, you can sway your at bat in your favor, by using the available turbo meter, or, if you save it up enough, you can go for the "Power Blast" as the batter. The Power Blast essentially lets you see where the pitch is coming in, and if you make contact, it?s going over the fence -- complete with scoreboard destruction and fireworks. If you?re pitching, you?ve got the advantage throwing Big Heat right past the batter, with no chance of them touching it. When you?re in the field, every play could turn into a big play, as the camera will zoom in on you as you go to field the ball. The game goes big again with seemingly super human abilities when going for a catch off the wall in the outfield, reaching heights of what appear to be 15 ? 20 feet as you rob a homerun.
A couple different modes show off the depth (or lack thereof) of the game. Homerun Derby is a given, but the game doesn't have a full season mode; it's supplemented by Rookie mode. You start off in the minors and end at the World Series. Coming in at about 20 hours long, the mode is essentially drills (which had me pining to be shagging balls in the outfield like I was 15 again), and game-based challenges (bottom of the 9th, down by one) that you complete to level up and advance your character. The other more unique mode The BIGS boasts is Pinball. If you ever wanted to take batting practice in Times Square, then this mode is perfect for you. You get points for how much you destroy. Seriously? how great is that?
Overall, The BIGS seems like it will be a great offering for anyone that doesn?t want to deal with the technical aspects of other modern baseball games, and just wants to play a quick, really fun game. The BIGS hits stores on June 22nd, on pretty much every platform, with the Wii being the most intriguing. They didn?t have the Wii version to demo, but it sounded like just playing Homerun Derby was a good workout.


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1 Radio Stations from Santa Bárbara de Samaná
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How To Find A Yacht Crew
Do you need to learn how to find a yacht crew? Finding a yacht crew can be a serious task. Good help is often hard to come by, and people who form such a crew have certain expectations that they should be able to match. Following are some steps to consider when learning how to find a yacht crew.
- Talk to your contacts. If you know other yachters, or people in the yachting business, ask around and see if anyone has come to them to look for a job on board. Also see if anyone who a friend can vouch for is available, and looking to be part of a crew.
- If you cannot find people using this method, you may have to ask around at yachting companies, or even rely on the manufacturer of the yacht to find a crew. Ask how one would go about assembling a crew, and if candidates come forward, see how much they know before making any final decisions about who will take a job on board. Also consider asking around at fishing marinas, to see if any boats had mates that are looking for jobs, as many of them know how to perform basic nautical tasks.
- Also try hitting up craigslist or the paper. This will be easier in coastal areas, but in some cases, people will be willing to travel to get the right position on a boat.
- Finally, make sure that each crew member can perform the tasks efficiently, and make sure that each can handle being on the yacht. Potential employees prone to seasickness do not make exceptional candidates for boating jobs. Look for past experience, and make sure people can do their duties. If some candidates seem qualified, but need to be trained, it can be worth it to provide training.
When looking to find crew members for a yacht, look around and ask around. When you have found candidates, be sure that everyone considered is reliable, hardworking, and able to do his or her tasks well.
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Pope Benedict says East German Catholics suffered "acid rain" under communism
Pope Benedict has praised Catholics in eastern Germany who held on to their Christian beliefs despite the "acid rain" that corroded their faith under the Nazis and communism. The pope said mass on Saturday for some 30,000 people in the medieval main square of this city in former communist East Germany, where only about seven percent of the people are Catholic.
"You have had to endure first a brown and then a red dictatorship, which acted on the Christian faith like acid rain," he told the crowd from the altar, set against a hill dominated by Erfurt's cathedral and another Catholic church. The region was ruled by the Nazis from 1933 to 1945, like all of Germany, and then by the East German communists until after the Berlin Wall opened in 1989.
About two hours before the mass a man fired an air gun at security staff at a checkpoint in Erfurt, police said. Detained on the spot, the unidentified man told police he was protesting at the strict security measures. The pope's third trip to his homeland since his election in 2005 has attracted small crowds and some protests against the church's positions on homosexual marriage and birth control, and a sexual abuse scandal.
The 84-year-old praised those who remained faithful despite the pressures of the Nazi and communist regimes but appeared disappointed there had been no resurgence in faith since German reunification in 1990.
Benedict held a surprise meeting on Friday evening in Erfurt with victims of sexual abuse by priests. Church officials said on Saturday there were three men and two women present, chosen from many victims around Germany who had asked to meet the pope. "There was no dispute, that wasn't the atmosphere of the conversations, but to really listen, and it was obvious that the Holy Father felt deep regret, he expressed that clearly," said Bishop Stephan Ackermann. About 700 Germans have filed for compensation for abuse by priests and Church personnel. A record 181,000 Germans left the Church last year, many in protest at the abuse scandal.
A Vatican statement after his meeting with victims at the Erfurt seminary said the pope had been "moved and deeply shaken" and had assured victims the Church was "committed to the promotion of effective measures to protect children". Victims' associations have said the Vatican has not done enough to bring the perpetrators of abuse to justice. German victims joined 8,000 protesters on a march through Berlin, where the Pope began his visit.
On Friday, Benedict called for unity between Catholics and Protestants at the monastery where 16th century reformer Martin Luther lived before he posted his 95 theses criticising the Catholic Church that led to the Reformation. Residents attending the mass said they also hoped for closer ecumenical ties in Germany where Christians are split equally between Catholics and Protestants. Although he called for unity at his meeting with Protestant leaders, Benedict resisted their calls for practical steps such as letting Protestants receive Catholic communion.
"I hope the two faiths come closer together. There have been some small steps, but I think it's a long way off," said policeman Michael Weiss, 43. "The two churches must become more alike. The Catholic Church does reform, albeit slowly," said Gabriele Sturm, 57, a Protestant doctor married to a Catholic.
Interviewed on German radio, German Church spokesman Matthias Kopp rejected criticism that the Church was paying about 30 million euros ($40 million) for the pope's visit but only two million euros in compensation to about 700 victims. The 30 million euros were needed to pay for open-air masses attended by about 260,000 Catholics, he said.
Asked about the protests, Kopp said: "The demonstrations were rather small events. In Berlin they expected 20,000 and only about 8,000-9,000 turned up. There were some 200 in Erfurt. The pope knows about this and he's taking it pretty calmly."
by Philip Pullella and Brian Rohan in Erfurt
For an interactive timeline on recent papal visits, click here.
on http://link.reuters.com/vud33s))
We welcome comments that advance the story through relevant opinion, anecdotes, links and data. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters. For more information on our comment policy, see http://blogs.reuters.com/fulldisclosure/2010/09/27/toward-a-more-thoughtful-conversation-on-stories/
as an ex Catholic, it has become abundantly clear that sociopaths run the church since its inception. they will do anything to protect criminal pedophiles but have absolutely no sympathy for children victim of sick sick men. thank you for confirming that evil is accepted and protected by men of the cloth.
The Vatican said the pope expressed "deep compassion and regret" at the suffering of those who were abused and assured them that the Catholic Church is seeking "effective measures to protect children".
it's been over 2000 years, now, and somebody is still protecting these criminals.


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Posts Tagged 'search'
Are Your PPC Campaigns Ready For The Holidays?
There's a chill in the air and store shelves are stocked with Halloween candy, which can only mean one thing: the holiday season is nearly upon us! If you're a marketer running pay-per-click advertising campaigns, it's time to determine your fourth-quarter strategy. With products that see a spike in sales leading up to the winter holidays, it's crucial to plan your PPC tactics accordingly. Here are some steps you can take to get your PPC campaigns whipped into shape for the holidays. Read More »
Google AdWords New Report Generation Tools
If you log into Google AdWords as often as I do, you may have noticed the user interface undergoing a few changes lately. Most recently, Google has altered the way a user generates AdWords Reports. Curious how this change will affect the way you collect and analyze campaign data? Here's how to proceed with Google's new reporting features. Read More »
Google Instant Search Myths Debunked
Before you let the news about Google's new Instant Search function cause you to run through the SEO streets screaming, "the sky is falling!", make sure you know the facts. The blogosphere is buzzing with fear-mongering and paranoia about what Google Instant Search means for SEO and internet marketing, but not all information is created equal. Here are some common misconceptions regarding Google's latest entry in the search world. Read More »
Five Analytics Metrics You Can't Afford To Miss
When planning an internet marketing strategy it is imperative that you realistically budget your time and money for needed resources. All too often, one crucial aspect of an online promotion plan is dangerously overlooked: measurement analytics. It doesn't matter how much or how long you spend on any given internet marketing tactic; without the proper analytics in place, it's all for naught.
Don't worry, though – if you've never set up analytics tracking for your website it's never too late to get started. There are tons of great paid and free services out there but the best place to start is with Google Analytics. It's free and easy to set up, making it an excellent choice for the first-time analytics user. Read on to learn about the five most important metrics for your business that you'll find in Google Analytics. Read More »


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This circuit diagram and technical manual applies for Porsche Boxer 986 Model including 99 model. Herein you will find detail and complete reference of the electrical system and troubleshooting of the vehicle. This manual is divided into chapters covering topics on removing and installing current distributor, and fusible element in the current distributor, allocation of three fuse connection points, measurement of closed-circuit current, repair of main and rear wiring harness, wiring diagram for '97 model Boxter, wiring diagram for '98 model Boxter, wiring diagram for '99 model Boxter and circuit diagram.
Find the detail information of Porsche Boxer 986 Model Circuit Diagram and Wiring Harness part 1 and part 2 (pdf file format, source workshopmanual.co.uk)


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Even more unexpected is that the charging pillow power input interface is complete, including USB-C, Lightning or micro-USB, along with temperature sensors, to preventiPhoneoverheat.
However, less than satisfactory is that the charging pillow supports only 5W of power, while the iPhone X, 8 can support 7.5W of wireless charging. Of course, LXORY wireless charging pillow price is very cheap, only 29 US dollars.
Recommended use China IT News APP
Download flyfish app to read news


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Monday, August 30, 2010
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Gayle Forman
SUMMARY: When Mia came down to breakfast that morning, snow flakes were still fluttering down outside and the voice on the radio was announcing the cancellation of school. With her beloved cello stuck at school, Mia can't practice. Her parents decide to use the day off to visit friends; Mia and her brother Teddy willingly pile into the car with them and the four set off as the snow already begins to melt. As they finally shift the radio back to the classical music station and Beethoven's Cello Sonata no. 3 begins to play, a truck comes out of nowhere and crashes into the car. Suddenly Mia is standing beside her broken body in the snow as the sonata miraculously plays on from the destroyed vehicle's intact radio. Her parents are dead. Before Mia can find Teddy, the paramedics arrive to take her severely injured body to the hospital. Compelled by the utter strangeness of her situation, Mia follows. Over the next few days, Mia must make the ultimate choice: will she let herself go or will she stay?
ONESMARTCUPCAKE THINKS: I first began reading this book several months ago, when I picked it up in a store and then couldn't put it down for several minutes. I forced myself to place it back on the shelf, however, because at that point I was deep into senior paper land and had to spend my spare reading time on literary criticism about Victorian novels. But I picked it up again at the library this summer and sped through it in about a day. If I Stay is lovely and evocative work which delves into the delicate and difficult questions of mortality: what control do we have over our death and what is worth staying alive for?
The novel shifts between Mia's current state after the accident and the significant and insignificant moments of her past that have shaped her relationships with her family, friends, and boyfriend. Mia's voice is distinctive and recognizably realistic. Her quiet but powerful passion for music, her occasional sense of separation from her former rock 'n roll parents and punk rocker boyfriend Adam, and her concerns about life after high school-all these basic facets build together through the shifting narrative to illustrate Mia in her complexity and humanity. The details of Mia's reactions and experiences in both time frames allow the reader to become intimately connected to Mia and the circle of people surrounding her. Even only a few pages into the novel, I felt as though I knew the characters, especially Mia, and so I felt every pain and twist in her brief but intense journey along with her.
The relationships between Mia and her parents, her best friend, her grandparents, her brother, and her boyfriend are well-drawn and realistic in their complexity. Mia and Adam's relationship in particular was enjoyable to follow; it grew organically and went beyond the flush of first love to the complications of mature affection. Forman's lyrical language beautifully evokes the genuine passion between the two without shifting into melodrama or overwrought teen romance.
If I Stay is a short novel but its brevity contributes to its emotional impact. Forman's spare but poetic prose expresses a wide range of emotions and experiences with honesty and frankness. Through her elegant writing, the reader is immediately drawn into the frightened and confused mind of a seventeen-year-old girl on the verge of losing everything. The lyricism of the text seems to echo the large role music plays throughout the narrative, emphasizing that while the decision Mia faces is universal, the story remains that of an individual-a vital young woman for whom music represents all the pain and joy of life.
Gayle Forman has written a small book that packs a big punch. Her characters could step off the page and her beautiful writing is a pleasure to read. Moreover, If I Stay marries serious questions about mortality with the concrete reality of human relationships and emotions.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
In My Mailbox #1
So here's what I got this week:
So I bought and received in the mail the following:
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
Home by Jeannie Baker
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos
The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron
The Hunger Games trilogy was a long desired personal buy and receiving Mockingjay Friday afternoon was one of the highlights of my summer! The review will be up soon but I'll give you a clue now: I really, really liked it :) The other four books are for grad school but I hope to review some of them as well as the other 'school' books I read over the coming months.
From the library, I got:
No and Me by Delphine de Vigan
Devilish by Maureen Johnson
I'll be reading and reviewing both of those books this week, baring natural disaster or academic overload :)
Saturday, August 28, 2010
A Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend by Emily Horner
Emily Horner
SUMMARY: Cass and Julia had been best friends since they were kids; even Julia discovering her theatrical destiny at drama camp and getting a boyfriend hadn't changed that. Throughout their junior year, Julia claimed to be at work on a secret project. But before she could reveal it to Cass or her drama club friends, Julia was killed in a car accident. Still reeling from the unexpected tragedy, they discover that the secret project was in fact a musical titled "Totally Sweet Ninja Death Squads" and led by Julia's devastated boyfriend Oliver, the group decides to make Julia's dream come true by producing the musical. But Cass has never felt like she truly fit in with Julia's theater crowd. And she doesn't think she can take a summer of painting sets and hearing Julia in every line of the play. Especially when Heather, the girl who bullied her in middle school, has somehow been cast in the lead role. So, Cass sets out to undertake the cross-country trip she and Julia had planned--alone on her touring bike with Julia's ashes in tow. When Cass returns in August, she realizes that she's changed in big ways. But then so has Heather. But through all the drama, the show must go on.
ONESMARTCUPCAKE THINKS: This book has been on my 'to read' list for quite some time. The title intrigued me and then seeing that it could work towards my Debut Authors Challenge pushed it way up on my list. Overall, I enjoyed A Love Story. The novel is divided into two distinct alternating settings: the recent past of Cass' bike journey and the current events since her return. While I normally don't mind such a format, I felt it worked less effectively in this novel. Although both sections were significant in exploring Cass's development through the course of the story, the shifts between them occasionally felt awkward and sudden. However, I did enjoy the gradual revelations about Cass's growth as the two portions of the story played out simultaneously. The concept of a solo cross country trip on a bike is a bit of a unique take on the classic road trip story and Horner utilizes details about this style of the travel to tie the reader into Cass's experience more closely. Also, the solo and self-reliant aspects of biking allows for an extra emphasis on self-discovery and reflection on Cass's part. The obvious connection between Cass' physical actions and her emotional journey shines strongly with the more transparently physical bike as well.
I liked that Cass's process of understanding and embracing her sexuality worked hand in hand with her coming to terms with Julia's death. The difficulties of grief and identity development are interconnected in the story of Cass' entrance to the complex adult world. I also enjoyed the romance between Cass and Heather. Their rehabilitated friendship blossoms into a new chance at a happy, open relationship for each girl. Also, their contrasting pasts reveal two different but equally challenging paths to self-acceptance.
Overall, A Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend was an enjoyable and touching read about the sometimes painful process of growing up.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Boy Toy by Barry Lyga
Barry Lyga
SUMMARY: For the past five years, Josh Mendel has worked hard to be invisible by doing the easy things: being the best hitter on the baseball team, continuing his streak of straight A's, and hanging out with his best friend Zik. However, as hard as he tried, Josh knows that he will never be invisible because he has a secret: when he was twelve, his seventh-grade history teacher Evelyn Sherman sexually abused him. But, after the trial and the online leak of Mrs. Sherman's detailed confession, Josh's secret is far from truly hidden or private. All Josh needs to do is survive long enough to escape town on a college scholarship. On top of his recent college worries and his long-term anger control issues, he has to deal with the sudden reemergence of Rachel, an old friend he thought he'd lost forever ad the most important baseball game of his life. Worst of all, Eve has been freed from prison early. Can Josh ever find a way to understand the events from five years ago and so start running towards his future instead of away from his past?
ONESMARTCUPCAKE THINKS: Holy moly, did this book blow me away! Boy Toy is a powerful, upsetting, and compelling force of a novel. I assumed from the subject matter (sexual abuse between a teacher and a student) that it would be emotional and intense book but I was not prepared for the reality. Boy Toy is a very well crafted novel from its construction to its excellent writing. It manages to pack a big emotional and intellectual punch without ever becoming melodramatic or maudlin. The novel makes a great attempt to deal honestly with the tangled and complex reality of sexual abuse, from a perspective that frequently remains unheard: that of a young male victim.
Why is Boy Toy so great? One huge reason is that Josh is such a wonderfully formed character. He combines intense anger and cynicism with vulnerability; his narration contains sarcastic bite and wit as well as deep unhappiness, fear, and joy. Josh's three-dimensionality makes his story even more heart-breaking and powerful for a reader. From the first chapter, I felt as though I knew Josh; his complexity makes him real and knowable in such a way that I felt as though I was experiencing the emotional roller coaster with him. His confusion, fear, and desire all come through with clarity and potency. The secondary characters were equally well-crafted, especially the two pivotal women in Josh's life: Rachel and Eve.
As I said above, Boy Toy is also brilliant for taking on such difficult material in such a respectful yet honest way. Lyga does not shrink away from somewhat graphic or harsh scenes but instead uses these situations to place the readers even more firmly in Josh's head. The unflinching look at the after effects of sexual abuse demonstrates that old writing motto: show, don't tell. Through Josh's narration, Lyga shows the harsh and unsettling reality of a victim's long recovery process; he does not need to tell us about the many ways in which Josh is struggling because they are clearly illustrated through the plot and Josh's internal commentary.
So, to conclude: I could not put this book down. I read for a few hours straight, completely immersed in Josh's world and psyche. The whole time I was cheering for Josh to overcome his many challenges. Overall, reading Boy Toy was a powerful experience and I recommend the book to older teens and adults who are looking for a great story with emotional and intellectual impact. Also, Barry Lyga speaks eloquently about his reasoning behind writing Boy Toy at his website's FAQ page.
Friday, August 6, 2010
2010 Debut Author Challenge
So I am blogging again today because I'm joining yet another challenge extremely late. But I'm going try my darndest to complete it anyway! This challenge is the 2010 Debut Author Challenge hosted by awesome YA book blogger Story Siren! The general guidelines are:
-read at least 12 Young Adult or Middle Grade novels from debut authors (note: these authors may have published adult or children's books before but these must their first YA or MG novels)
-all are welcome to join in, including non-bloggers
-the challenge runs from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010
-the novels should be debuting in 2010
So I'm going to do my best to read at least 12 debut novels in the next few months before the deadline hits! Getting a hold of the books might be a tricky sometimes but I am moving to Pittsburgh in a few weeks for grad school and their awesome public library system should help me out in that part of the mission. Below is my list. I would love to get through all of them by December 31, 2010 but there's a strong possibility that will not happen. But I will read at least a dozen of these awesome, exciting new books! YAY! I love new books.
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken
Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White
Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
A Love Story: Starring My Dead Best Friend by Emily Horner
Boys, Wolves, and Other Things That Might Kill Me by Kristen Chandler
Three Rivers Rising by Jame Richards
The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney
Deception by Lee Nichols
Sea by Heidi R. Kling
The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin by Josh Berk
Happyface by Stephen Emond
Crossing by Andrew Xia Fukuda
No and Me by Delphine de Vigan
Tell Me A Secret by Holly Cupala
YOU by Charles Benoit
Thanks again to Story Siren for hosting this great challenge!
The Bermudez Triangle by Maureen Johnson
The Bermudez Triangle
Maureen Johnson
SUMMARY: Nina Bermudez, Avery Dekker, and Melanie Forrest have been an inseparable trio known as the Bermudez Triangle for years. Now, the summer before their senior year of high school they will be spending a significant amount of time apart for the first time. While Nina goes off to Stanford for a ten-week summer program, Avery and Mel stay at home in upstate New York and begin jobs waitressing at P.J. Mortimer's Fine Food and Drinks Emporium. Within those ten-weeks, some big events happen in the separate lives of the Triangle. Nina falls for the sweet eco-activist Steve but must also face the fact that he lives in Oregon and so she likely won't see him after the summer until they hopefully both end up at Stanford the next fall. Meanwhile, Mel has finally had a real kiss—with Avery. When the trio is reunited, relationships will change and the next year will be full of confusion, revelations, and division. Can the Bermudez Triangle survive?
ONESMARTCUPCAKE THINKS: I've been planning to read Maureen Johnson for a while. Actually, I feel slightly ashamed that I haven't been reading her since she first started publishing. But being an English lit major for four years limited my recreational reading time. So I'm still playing catch up on awesome YA fiction.
Anyway, I've finally started reading Maureen Johnson and I'm definitely not going to stop anytime soon! The Bermudez Triangle was a great, fun, and unique read. The characters are all individuals with three-dimensional personalities and emotional lives. Also, it does something I really appreciate; it tells the 'after' story. What do I mean by that vague phrase? Well, in many movies and books, the story builds up to an important event; the heroine falls in love or gets her first kiss. But here, Johnson places these big moments at the beginning of the narrative and then spends the majority of the novel exploring what happens afterwards. The story expands on life after that first kiss and the struggles of making summer love work in the real world. Also, she allows the relationships to be messy and imperfect, which I also greatly appreciate.
The Bermudez Triangle also does a wonderful job portraying the complexities of teen sexuality and romantic relationships. The novel's characters are diverse and the narrative spends equal time on the straight, gay, and questioning characters. Johnson treats each girl's journey through love, heartbreak, and recovery with balanced details and obvious sympathy. I loved reading a novel where sexual identity plays a role but does not become a single identifier of a character's role or personality. Also, Johnson works to explore the universal difficulties in maintaining friendships and balancing relationships with friends and lovers. Johnson's story is a pretty successful attempt to show the lives of three young women with honesty and respect. I felt emotionally invested from the first few pages and thoroughly enjoyed the entire reading experience. Also, Johnson writes with great humor and elegance and so her writing, like all good writing, is a pleasure to read.
The Bermudez Triangle also does a wonderful job portraying the complexities of teen sexuality and romantic relationships. The novel's characters are diverse and the narrative spends equal time on the straight, gay, and questioning characters. Johnson treats each girl's journey through love, heartbreak, and recovery with balanced details and obvious sympathy. I loved reading a novel where sexual identity plays a role but does not become a single identifier of a character's role or personality. Also, Johnson works to explore the universal difficulties in maintaining friendships and balancing relationships with friends and lovers. Johnson's story is a pretty successful attempt to show the lives of three young women with honesty and respect. I felt emotionally invested from the first few pages and thoroughly enjoyed the entire reading experience. Also, Johnson writes with great humor and elegance and so her writing, like all good writing, is a pleasure to read.
Now, I can't close this post without noting the controversy that has surrounded this book in recent years. Although I had been planning to pick up at least one of Maureen Johnson's books this summer, I picked this book first because I heard about the censorship issues it faced in 2007. I first heard about the Bartlesville, Oklahoma challenge to this book via catching up on John and Hank Green's Brotherhood 2.0/Vlogbrothers videos. On a side note, they're hilarious and awesome and everyone should watch them; I'm proud to say I am a belated but now devoted Nerdfighter! Anyway, back to The Bermudez Triangle challenge. In April 2007, the Bartlesville school district decided to pull The Bermudez Triangle from the shelves of the Mid-High school library. The objections seem to be primarily that the book "has no moral fiber" and promotes immoral actions, such as homosexuality. It should be also noted that the book contains essentially nothing sexual beyond kissing between girls or between boys and girls. Maureen Johnson recounted the saga that followed in detail here on her blog so I won't go into all the details—better to hear from the witty author/blogger herself! But if you don't already know the story and you care about teenagers, books, and our first amendment rights, please go and check it out; you can trace the story through her archives beginning in April 2007. The conclusion to the so-called 'Battle of Bartlesville' was that the book was allowed to stay in the library but only on a reserve shelf where it could be checked out for school use with a parent's permission. So, as Johnson wrote on her blog, the ending was sort of success (in that the book is still on the shelves) but in more significant ways it was almost worst than a full banning. I mean, because this fun and touching novel contains a romantic relationship between two girls, it has been relegated to a separate shelf. What kind of message does that send to a confused and nervous young woman or man who is thinking about her or his sexuality? How would that make even an openly gay teen feel? Situations like this are the reason that I am perhaps very sensitive and a little hard-line about censorship.
In conclusion, if you haven't read The Bermudez Triangle or any of Maureen Johnson's other YA fiction, you should remedy that as soon as possible! I for one am glad that I did!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
GLBT Reading Challenge 2010
So since I'm new to this whole blogging thing, I'm also new to the idea of online reading challenges. I can't believe the fun I've been missing out on! So I'm going to be jumping onto two 2010 challenges very late in the game this week in an attempt to get into the swing and so be ready to go all out next year. The first challenge I'm joining is the GLBT Challenge 2010.
The Challenge is located at the Blog That Dare Not Speak Its Name, which was developed specifically to house this challenge and accompanying informational posts and mini-challenges by Amanda of The Zen Leaf. The challenge began in January 2010 and runs through December 2010. It also has three levels of participation:
-Lambda Level: Read 4 books.
-Pink Triangle Level: Read 8 books.
-Rainbow Level: Read 12 or more books.
Also, overlap with other reading challenges is acceptable.
Because I'm entering late, I'm going to aim at the Pink Triangle Level of 8 books. Because I'm not required to post a list when I begin the challenge, I'm just going to jot down some possibilities here; I promise to post a final list at the end as well as keep track as I go along!
I coincidentally just completed a great YA book with GLBT themes and characters and so it will be my first review for this challenge. Look out for a review of Maureen Johnson's The Bermudez Triangle likely tomorrow to start this challenge off!
Other Possibilities includes:
Ash by Malinda Lo
Keeping You A Secret by Julie Anne Peters
The God Box by Alex Sanchez
Hard Love by Ellen Wittlinger
Another Kind of Cowboy by Susan Juby
Almost Perfect by Brian Katcher
Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters
Sprout by Dale Peck
More suggestions are welcome!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
In Which This Cupcake Gets A Bit Riled About Libraries and Censorship
Today is a very special day. Today is the first day I am actually blogging about something directly library-related! Woohoo! As a passionate library-lover and librarian-in-training, I try to keep up to date on all that is going on in the library world. When I caught the full details on this story via the School Library Journal article last week, I knew would have to blog about it. While I am a generally passionate person who cares a great deal about many issues, there are a few issues that get me particularly riled up. Censorship is definitely one of those especially riling issues.
So what happened? Well, earlier this April the library director of the Burlington County Library System, Gail Sweet, requested the Library Commissioners' approval in the pulling of Revolutionary Voices: A Multicultural Queer Youth Anthology from the shelves. Apparently this event was prompted by a request for the book's removal by the 9.12 Project, a conservative group created by Glenn Beck. From emails gathered by the ACLU of New Jersey via a Freedom of Information Act, it appears that a formal request for the book's removal was never made; Ms. Sweet and a colleague simply decided that the book should be removed from the shelves and were then supported by the library commissioners. When a librarian within the system asked the reason behind the book's removal, Sweet replied with merely two words: "child pornography." It might be good to note here that Revolutionary Voices was named one of the best adult books for high school students by School Library Journal in 2001 and has been recognized by the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) as a unique resource that is one of the first to really be applicable to "queer and questioning youth of every color, class, religion, gender, and ability."
So why does this rile me up? Well, first of all, my decision to pursue library science was based on a combination of factors but one of the main reasons was the American Library Association's incredibly strong stance on censorship and our first amendment rights. Librarians are ideally the defenders of such rights who aim to work against censorship. So, librarians would ideally be the ones resisting requests for the removal of books rather than those doing the requesting. My librarian idealism is deeply offended by the concept of a librarian giving in to such a challenge in the first place. However, the ALA also recognizes the difficult situations librarians can find themselves in concerning their collections and so recommends that every library have a written policy that details the selection process used in choosing materials for the collection. Also, many libraries use a formal process to handle challenges. These measures protect against allowing a single opinion to determine the content of the library's collection, which is a shared source of free information for diverse populations. In this situation, the procedures were all ignored; materials were completely removed from the library shelves without any official request and based on the opinions of two people supported by a committee that did no further investigation. Frankly, this behavior just undermines the authority of libraries and librarians around the country and the world to work for free speech and open access to information. And, so it riles me. I mean, not be completely cheesy or anything, but I really believe that free speech, free press, and open access to information are basic human rights and the key building blocks to a successful democracy. Libraries and librarians currently play one of the most important roles in defending these rights. And so it breaks my little idealistic heart to hear about things like this happening.
Well, there was my censorship rant. In other news, I already struggled with WFMAD by forgetting to do my writing yesterday. But I did a make-up this morning and I vow not to forget again! Laurie has posted some great prompts on her blog every day so if you are participating and running low on ideas, check it out! But, to end on a happy note, I received the coolest little gift ever yesterday: my friend sent me a Time Turner from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! AWESOME! Look how cool it is:
I can be even more like Hermione! YES! It is now one of my great geek treasures, right up there with my Jane Austen bobble-head. Anyone else out there have some favorite geeky possessions? Or an opinion about this NJ censorship business? I promise to respond to comments promptly!


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Well folks, it's that time of the year again, where spring is in full bloom and allergies are too. Many who suffer with allergy related symptoms resort to antihistamines for relief, which seems pretty logical, right? But what if we told you that certain antihistamines can have adverse effects on your body. In fact, certain types and doses of antihistamines can not only significantly reduce cognitive function, but in some cases can even lead to seizures. This is because some antihistamines contain something called anticholinergic properties, which means they hinder the neurotransmission of … [Read more...]
Conquer Your Allergies This Season
If you dread allergy season, then you know what it's like to suffer from itchy skin, red eyes, a runny nose, sneezing, sinus pressure, and headaches. Likewise, you may react to certain foods with hives, headaches, nasal congestion, skin problems, a racing heart, or irritability. What is the common denominator in both scenarios? Histamines. While many people just give up and suffer, some natural compounds can bring relief. To understand why these natural remedies work, it's helpful to understand a bit about histamines. What are histamines? Histamine is a protein that causes inflammation, … [Read more...]


text:
07.05.2016 - 12.05.2016 — Hall: 9.1 Stand: B 50
Habasit Group - A one-stop shop with the world's broadest range of belting products
Habasit, headquartered in Switzerland, is the leading company worldwide for conveyor belts, processing belts and power transmission belts for the food, textile, wood, paper, postal, materials handling and automotive industries. The extensive product range includes fabric-based conveyor belts, plastic modular belts and chains, power transmission belts, timing belts and gearmotors.
Habasit has over 30 affiliated companies, more than 70 representatives, and numerous service centers around the globe, ensuring excellent proximity to its customers. Our more than 3,600 employees provide customers with expert advice, products of the highest quality, and comprehensive, tailor-made solutions.
Habasit is a family-owned joint stock corporation established in 1946. In 2014, the company achieved turnover of CHF 643 million.
At Habasit, we are dedicated to optimizing our customers' process performance results. Tailor-made belting products from Habasit go further, with all-in-one solutions that enhance productivity and efficiency. The Habasit name stands for outstanding products, optimal processing results, and a global network of over 300 partners delivering fast and professional support and service whenever and wherever it is required.


text:
I was washing the floor with the best mixture of floor soap in the world: baking soda, white vinegar and a squirt of dish soap with plenty of hot water in the bucket, and I wanted to add a little something.
I have many essential oils, but especially own a huge (too huge) freakin bottle of lemongrass I use for lip balm. I added a capful, like a tsp. in the bucket and what a great scent it added to the home! 🙂
Here's great website for oils, and some excellent info on lemongrass: http://www.justaromatherapy.co.uk/acatalog/Lemongrass.html
Isn't that amazing? Have a great weekend!


text:
Content-Type: text/plain;
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
labeling of home use videosRobin,
We have been collecting "home use" videos for many years. Our accession =
type numbering system makes it easy to distinguish these titles. We add =
a capital letter suffix to the number - R for restricted. We also affix =
a bright red, self-adhesive, custom label to the edge of the cassette or =
outside of the DVD case that states "No public performance license. For =
face-to-face teaching only." Our on-line catalog entries for these =
titles include a 500 note with the same statement. This link should take =
you to our entry for The Lion in Winter (long record). We are always =
happy to respond when faculty and students still ask for clarification =
about what constitutes face-to-face teaching.
Hope this helps,
Gail B. Fedak, Manager
Instructional Media Resources
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
phone 615-898-2740
fax 615-898-2530
email firstname.lastname@example.com
Web www.mtsu.edu/~imr
----- Original Message -----=20
From: Feinland, Robin=20
To: firstname.lastname@example.com=20
Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2006 3:56 PM
Subject: [Videolib] labeling of home use videos
Hi all,=20
We are just starting to add more "home use only videos" to our =
collection and wondered about language and labeling others might be =
using (if any) for these in academic libraries. Do you label the videos =
themselves with any special wording so that faculty and students know =
they are home use only videos (vs. PPR) and understand how they can be =
viewed/shown? Do you have wording in your online catalog? =20
Any examples would be appreciated.=20
Thank much,=20
Robin G. Feinland=20
Media Resources Specialist=20
Ludcke Library=20
Lesley University=20
30 Mellen Street=20
Cambridge, MA 02138=20
phone: 617-349-8863=20
Content-Type: text/html;
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
------=_NextPart_000_006D_01C6CC56.2D51FF00-- VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.----- Original Message -----From:=20 Feinland,=20 RobinSent: Wednesday, August 30, = 2006 3:56=20 PMSubject: [Videolib] labeling of = home use=20 videos
Hi all,
We are just starting to = add more=20 "home use only videos" to our collection and wondered about language = and=20 labeling others might be using (if any) for these in academic = libraries.=20 Do you label the videos themselves with any special wording so that = faculty=20 and students know they are home use only videos (vs. PPR) and = understand how=20 they can be viewed/shown? Do you have wording in your online=20 catalog?
Any examples would be=20 appreciated.
Thank much, =
Robin =
Robin G. Feinland
Media Resources Specialist
Ludcke=20 Library
Lesley = University
30 Mellen Street
Cambridge, MA 02138=20
phone: 617-349-8863=20


text:
Four bills signed yesterday in Detroit by Governor Rick Snyder have a very large impact on the city. There has been more legislative movement in the state on topics to do with the Detroit than have been passed in recent memory.
We're going to look at the four areas that will have a long term impact on Detroit for decades to come. The reformulated emergency manager law that was recently signed will also undoubtedly have lasting effects, but seeing as that law won't take hold until March and the city is currently under a financial review, it's harder to talk about what the effect is going to be at this juncture.
So let's get started with what we do know:
Let there be a lighting authority:
Anyone who lives in Detroit can tell you in many areas the street lights don't work. This problem, exacerbated by equipment that's more than 100 years old as well as scrapping and budget cuts, has seemed insurmountable and only getting worse leaving darker streets for residents. Lawmakers in the Detroit delegation came together along with the majority party and now there's an authority that can issue bonds, separate from the city and its junk credit rating, to raise money for needed improvements.
The bill transfers the municipal utility to the authority and utilizes the tax you already pay on your utility bill if you're a city of Detroit resident (which is 5% for electric, telephone and natural gas) to provide the funds. It's expected repair and upgrade costs to Detroit's streetlights will cost more than $160 million dollars.
Get on the rapid bus with a regional transit authority:
We talked about this earlier but now it has the Governor's signature. The authority is going to coordinate systems across the four county Detroit region (namely DDOT, the Detroit Department of Transportation and SMART, the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation), as well as currently the AATA (Ann Arbor Transit Authority).
We're the only major region in the country without coordinated, reliable mass transit, and it's a required piece of infrastructure for the region to be part of the new economy. More and more younger people more either do not want to own a car or prefer not to need one every day. Not only that, it's a hand up for those who are trying to get to work but don't have a car.
New arena / Downtown Development Authority:
Basically, this is about the new multipurpose arena (most are speculating for the Detroit Red Wings) and possible attached mixed-use development. We covered it more in depth when the news of it first came out. It would allow the Ilitch organization to tap $12.8 million of tax money for the $650 million project. Proponents say the project will have a $1.8 billion dollar impact to the state economy and could create 8,300 jobs.
Local food production supported in Eastern Market development
Last but not least, the green hub of Metro Detroit, Eastern Market is going to have some improvements coming its way, including a community kitchen for food entrepreneurs, rentable by the hour, as part of an $8 million renovation of Shed 5. There are already 75 food companies waiting to use the space, and there also will be improvements made for the market's wholesale trade as well as plant and flower businesses. Easter Market has more than 40,000 visitors on a market Saturday.
The bill made this possible by allowing the state to give money to non-profits for certain types of projects.


text:
This week nearly 250 regional, state and national farm, ranch and agribusiness organizations sent a heartfelt "thank you" to Chrysler Group Chair and CEO Sergio Marchionne — and his Ram Trucks team — for its outstanding XLVII Super Bowl commercial "So God Made a Farmer."
The ad kicks off a campaign declaring 2013 "The Year of the Farmer," and features gorgeous still images from 10 noted photographers including William Albert Allard and Kurt Markus.
The commercial's crowning glory, however, is legendary radio broadcaster Paul Harvey's recitation of his essay on the virtues of the American farmer, which he originally delivered at a Future Farmers of America conference in 1978. Harvey passed away in 2009.
"The commercial, with its poignant earnestness reminded the millions who watched the game that farmers and ranchers — those who feed and clothe the country and world — must be appreciated and recognized for what they do, and how well they do it," said Kay Johnson Smith, President and CEO of the Animal Agriculture Alliance which coordinated the letter with assistance from the Farm Animal Welfare Coalition, an ad hoc agriculture coalition coordinated by Steve Kopperud, Executive Vice-President of Policy Directions Inc., a Washington, D.C., consulting firm.
"I think a hush came over many Super Bowl parties when this advertisement ran," remarked Johnson Smith. "It was so different from the flashy, comical advertisements that you usually see; it really showcased a piece of Americana."
The commercial also kicks off a partnership with the National FFA Foundation to draw viewers to the http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/keepplowing site. For every view, download or share of the two-minute spot, Ram trucks will make a donation to the FFA Foundation's "Feeding the World — Starting at Home" hunger program.
In addition to the advertisement being the third most popular Super Bowl commercial according to USA Today's "Ad Meter," it has already received over six million online views to date.
Ram trucks is joined in the "Year of the Famer" campaign by tractor and farm equipment manufacturer Case IH of Racine, Wisc., and Farms.com Ltd., a global marketing and information services company based in Ontario, Canada. Other Ram partners include Stihl, Bosch and Mossy Oak.
"Over time the agriculture industry has struggled with how to best remind America that farming and ranching isn't a 9-to-5 job, it's a way of life," said Johnson Smith. "We are so grateful to Ram, Case IH and Farms.com for sharing this important message with the world and we invite consumers to take this opportunity to learn more about the hardworking individuals who comprise the U.S. agriculture industry."
To read the thank you letter sent to the Chrysler Group and Dodge Ram Team and for a complete list of the letter's signatories, visit the Alliance website.
The Animal Agriculture Alliance, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is a broad-based coalition of individual farmers and ranchers, producer organizations, veterinarians, scientists, suppliers, packer-processors, private industry and retailers.
The Alliance's mission is to communicate the important role of animal agriculture to our nation's economy, productivity, vitality, security and that animal well-being is central to producing safe, high-quality, affordable food and other products essential to our daily lives.
(For an earlier story on "And God Made a Farmer" ad, visit http://southeastfarmpress.com/livestock/year-farmer-ad-makes-super-bowl-news).


text:
Text Message 12971: A real boyfriend
A real boyfriend knows his girl like the back of his hand. He knows when she's mad, sad, aggravated, happy, hurt because that is his girl. — Okay where can I find one? lol. Eve. :)
A real boyfriend knows his girl like the back of his hand. He knows when she's mad, sad, aggravated, happy, hurt because that is his girl. — Okay where can I find one? lol. Eve. :)
Cheating doesn't mean you have to kiss, meet or have sex with a third party. Once you find yourself deleting texts, So your partner won't see them, You're already there.
If you're not being treated with the love and respect you deserve, check your "PRICE TAG". Perhaps you have marked yourself down. It's YOU who tells people what your worth is by what you accept. Value yourself more and show… (READ MORE)
Being single means you're taking your time deciding on how you want your life to be, and who you want to spend it with. — Goodnight.
Nakakamiss rin pala magmahal at umibig ng TAO noh? Kasi yung minahal ko dati. HAYOP eh.
The worst feeling is when someone makes you feel special, then suddenly leaves you hanging, and you have to act like you don't care at all.
Ang pagseselos ng mga lalake, nakakakilig para sa mga babae. Pero ang pagseselos ng mga babae, nakakairita para sa mga lalake. — Bwahaha. xD
"Jealousy in a relationship is actually quite normal. A little jealousy is one way of showing how much you love your significant other. On the other hand, however, too much jealousy signifies a lack of trust in your partner and… (READ MORE)
Overthinking ruins you. Ruins the situation, twists things around, makes you worry and just makes everything much worse than it actually is. Good day. :)
Women are sensitive, they over think every little thing and they care way more than they should, but that's what makes their love so strong. — Mornyt. :


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Produced for:
On this week's program, we preview the upcoming Treme Culture Fest, a three-day event that celebrates one of New Orleans' most beloved neighborhoods and talk brass bands with one of its natives, Kermit Ruffins.
During the hour, we also visit Cowbell, a restaurant in the River Bend section of New Orleans to talk with Brack May about everything from growing up eating Hawaiian food to the local food scene over some grass fed beef. Their menu also features a veggie burger that appeals to both vegetarians and natural food lovers.


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Here's a quick roundup of search-related events coming soon:
Next week Lucene/Solr Revolution is to be held in San Diego, with a couple of days of training on April 29th & 30th and the main event on the 1st and 2nd May. This is probably the biggest event dedicated to Apache Lucene/Solr and features a huge array of presentations from Etsy, Wells Fargo, Lucidworks and even Microsoft who are increasingly supporting open source technologies.
Enterprise Search Europe is next on 15th and 16th May with a day of workshops on the 14th, including one from the Flax team. I'm looking forward to the various open source panels and presentations of course, and hearing from people from Ernst & Young, Neilsen Norman Group, Oracle and the University of Manchester. We're also running a Meetup event on the first evening, open to all, with the usual informal mix of beer, snacks and search!
Some of the Flax team are hoping to attend Berlin Buzzwords on June 3rd & 4th – this conference promises to address "search", "store" and "scale" – certainly sounds interesting! We know there will be lots of talks on elasticsearch and Lucene/Solr.
There's more to come in the Autumn of course – more details when we know them. Hope to meet you at one of these great events!


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The LG G3 has popped up again, this time in gold! GSMArena received a few shots of the upcoming LG G3 with a golden makeover, showing that LG is not immune to the gold-colored device trend. The leak also gives us new information regarding the build of the device, and not surprisingly, the G3 is gonna be a beast. Can't wait!
According to GSMArena, the G3 will rock a 13MP camera, 4K video recording and OIS+ stabilization a la the LG G Pro 2. The bezels of the G3 have been slimmed down when compared to those of the G2, 3GB of RAM, a Snapdragon 801 processor, 32GB of internal storage and a monstrous 3,000mAh battery. The display is of the QHD variety and clocks in at 5.5 inches.
But what about that weird sensor on the back of the G3 left of the camera? That guy is a laser beam, which will help users take better shots in the dark. How exactly this works is still a mystery, but sounds promising for sure.
LG is expected to announce the LG G3 at a press event on May 27th. We'll be there so stay tuned!
via: GSMArena


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We enjoyed the Science Museum of Oklahoma today with a few our friends from Tulsa. They had a blast! We spent about three hours exploring the museum and then headed to Pops for a late lunch. It was perfect timing as we didn't have to wait at all, we sat outside, so the kids were able to run around while they were waiting. We also splurged on a little dessert, however it was more just for looks. There was still a lot left, even after the kids attacked it. Super fun day! That is one thing about being in OKC, there is always something to do. I'm thankful our Tulsa friends were willing to drive to the city to join us for a day of summer fun!
What A Wonderful World
Monday, July 28, 2014
Science Museum w/our Tulsa friends
Posted by Devin at 11:26 PM 11 comments:
"People Love You"
Posted by Devin at 11:17 PM 2 comments:
Last But Not Least....Lincoln
He has had a harder time with the move than the girls, and really missed his friends, which I never thought would be a problem. He got to hang out with his one of his best buds everyday at the babysitter in BA, and his other best friend had just moved into our neighborhood, so he has been kind of lost without them. He started a Mother's Day Out for a couple of days a week when we first moved, and ended up at OCA once I started working at OC. He loved that, and is excited to go back this fall. Thankfully, he too, loves school, and works hard to do his best. He is quite a perfectionists and gets frustrated when things don't come easily to him, but he is dedicated enough to figure it out.
Lincoln played tee ball this spring, and loved it. He was disappointed that it wasn't baseball, but he loved finally getting to play on a team. He practices constantly. Seriously, like hours a day. He gets really upset if he is made to come in or someone stops playing with him. It's weird. However, I'm hoping his dedication and love of all things sports will pay off for him someday. For now, he's signed up to give soccer a go this fall.
Lincoln got to spend a week with my parents all by himself for the first time ever while the girls are at camp this summer. He loves getting to hang out in MO, it provided complete freedom for him to play outside, spend time on the farm and hang out with his only boy cousin, Malachi. He loves us, but doesn't like coming home after he's been there for a while. He also doesn't understand why we live so far away when everyone else is there, and sometimes, I don't either:(
For now, we are enjoying the final days of summer, and getting prepared for back to school!
I think that's the gist of what's going on with all the kids, maybe I'll have something else soon, who knows. Or, maybe it will be another year!
Posted by Devin at 11:03 PM 1 comment:
Londyn update
Londyn's update may sound similar to Skylar's. They are so close in age, have similar interests, and honestly, it's easier to have them in the same activities and on the same team. I don't force it, but if it works out for them, I am thrilled. Anyway, Londyn too had a smooth transition to a new city and new school. She immediately loved her teacher, made new friends and got involved where she could. She survived the pressures of the 3rd grade OCCT test and also managed to get herself in the enrichment program. She had been tested when we were in BA and didn't qualify, which was tough since Skylar was already in the program. When they sent home info this year, I didn't want to pursue it, but she really wanted in, so I figured I would handle the disappointment later and let her try again. Sure enough, she qualified, and was beyond excited. She also managed to earn a few awards from the enrichment class which made Skylar a wee bit jealous. Londyn loves school, more for the social aspect, but doesn't so much love the work that comes along with it. If it interests her, she's all in, but the rest of the time she pretty much has a "good enough" philosophy. It seems to be working for her, so I'm not going to fight it. One of the highlights of her year was working on a Mickey Mantle biography poster for her famous Oklahoman report. We had a great time working on it together, and I was pretty excited about it too!
Londyn is pretty good about helping around the house too, but she likes to get paid. So, she does a great job if there is a financial award, otherwise, she just gets it done. Which, I'll take, for now. She is quite a pack rat though, so that makes keeping her room clean a bit of a problem.
She loves arts and crafts and gymnastics. Neither of which she is formally involved in, but that certainly doesn't stop her. She did gave softball a try as well, she liked it and improved a ton over the season. However, she too, has opted for soccer this fall. We shall see how that goes. She is a natural athlete, quick and aggressive, so I'm anxious to see where she lands in the world of sports. At the same time, I'm still not ready to commit my whole life to running kids around for extra curricular activities.
Since Skylar wanted to try out for the OC musical, Londyn followed suit. She also was selected to participate in the homecoming musical. I think she had fun, but probably won't be excited to do it again anytime soon. She has already decided she wants to go to college there, and is trying to recruit all of her friends.
Londyn also made her debut at camp this year. She was so excited she could hardly contain herself, and she loved it just as much as she thought she would. She has also been excited to spend several weeks in MO with family this summer. She wishes that all of our family from both sides could live together in a commune.
Well, I think that kind of sums up the last year, I'm sure I missed something, but I suppose I can always edit:) I'm equally proud of this one, she is so different from me, constantly challenges me, knows how to push my every button, but loves endlessly and forgives easily. She's kind of awesome!
Posted by Devin at 10:27 PM 2 comments:
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Skylar Update
She's never been the cuddling type, but lately, she's always close to me. If you know me, you know I'm not the cuddling type either, so it kind of drives me crazy. I love that she wants to be close, so I try not to pull away EVERY time she decides she wants to cuddle. But, she knows I need my space, so when I do, she just laughs and occasionally torments me about it. She has always been sensitive to my emotions and is definitely the one in the family that senses when I'm at my limit, and she walks over with her arms spread out and says "bring it in mom, bring it in." For some reason, it makes me laugh every.single.time. She gets me...most of the time.
She has transitioned well, had a great 4th grade year, and made great friends! We were beyond blessed with an amazing school and wonderful teachers. Her interests are still very academic, she worked hard to meet and exceed all her goals at school and was selected for the IMPACT award (an award that her school gives out quarterly to students that are nominated by students and other teachers for kids that make an impact on their school.) in the second semester. Early in the school year, she came home with a flyer to try out for OC's homecoming musical. She was adamant that she wanted to try out, and I wasn't sure it was a good idea as our family is not naturally gifted when it comes to music. However, she was determined, so she called my sister, got some help and practiced for days. Thankfully, she made the cut and got to participate in the musical which was a fun start to our time here. If she is anything, it is dedicated, determined and willing to work hard for what she wants. She also tried out softball for the first time which was interesting. After the first practice, Skylar was ready to quit, and to be honest, I kind of wanted to let her. However, after a long talk, she decided not to and stuck it out for the year. I think she enjoyed it, but didn't love it. She's giving soccer a try again for the fall, and is on a team with friends, so that will make it a little more fun!
This summer started out with church camp at Burnt Cabin with her Broken Arrow friends and then a week in MO with my family. We also vacationed to Washington DC, primarily because Skylar loves learning about Presidents (actually, she kind of wants to be the President) and I 've always wanted to take the kids to DC as they prepare to learn about it in school. Other than that, she's been enjoying the usual summer activities, reading, swimming and playing with friends! To say that I am proud of the human she is and is becoming would be an understatement. Thankful that she is mine! Well, that was a little longer than I had planned, but it has been a while:)
Posted by Devin at 4:22 PM 2 comments:
Friday, July 25, 2014
Annual Post-2014
Well, obviously, we moved. It was, and still is, really hard...mostly just for me. I had no idea that it would affect me as much as it has, but it's slowly getting better, and I know that it was the right decision for our family. However, patience isn't one of my greatest strengths, and I'd really just like for things to start here the way they ended after ten years in Tulsa. I stayed home last fall, which was a challenge, but I was busy enough between getting the kids settled, getting the house decorated and then the holiday season rolled around, so it was nice to have a little extra time on my hands. Lincoln and I enjoyed a lot of one on one time and he went to a mother's day out two days a week. I knew I wasn't ready to go back to work full time, but definitely needed something to occupy a little more of my time. I crave structure and routine and that just wasn't happening. Anyway, a part-time job opportunity came up at OC, that offered me a lot of flexibility, so I started there in April. I was still able to be here when the kids got on the bus, I was home when they got home, and Lincoln started going to a small Christian school for full day PreK. It's perfect for now. Working in the summer is something that is definitely new to me, but it's working out for now, and I did manage to negotiate Mondays and Fridays off, so I can't complain too much. (I am aware that most people actually work every day all summer, but I'm spoiled by the calendar of a teacher, so it's new for me.) We've found a church home, and we are still trying to figure out our roles there, but look forward to becoming more involved with our congregation. I enrolled in graduate school for the fall, so I'm excited to begin that journey. I'm also a little scared, it's been a while since I've been in school, but it's something I should have done a long time ago. So, that's pretty much sums things up for now. Can't believe it's been a year.
Posted by Devin at 8:41 AM 1 comment:
Monday, July 29, 2013
Aachen, Germany
Now begins my favorite part of our trip! Don't get me wrong, the wedding was awesome, but I think we were still experiencing a little jet lag and anxiety about getting where we needed to be, so once the wedding was over, we more rested and had no strict agenda and were ready to explore. Kristi and Martin so graciously organized three days of fun in Germany, and it was so nice having someone else tell us where to go, what to do and could translate everything for us. Not to mention, I don't even know how long it's been since I've had the opportunity to spend more than a few hours with one of my favorite people. Anyway, we started our German experience in Aachen. The cathedral in the the center of town was one of our first stops. I did a horrible job photographing the cathedral and it was also under construction, so there is no great evidence of our time here. The Aachen chapel was the church of coronation for many German Kings and Queens and is the final resting place for Charlemagne.(In case you were wondering about it's significance. If you really care, you should probably google search it for more specific detailed information because I have a very pathetic memory and can't tell you much more than that.)
After dessert, we spent the rest of the evening at Martin's brother's house. We had dinner (yes, dessert then dinner, as it should be!) and then just relaxed for the rest of the evening. Mom and Tyler, Kristi's brother, played ping pong, we enjoyed another round of ice cream and visited until the sun went down...which happens to be really late in Germany, like 10:30pm. So, as you are sitting out or having dinner, you start wondering why you feel so tired because it is still so light out, but when you check the time and it is much later than you could ever have anticipated. It is interesting and weird, but at the same time, I kind of liked it.
Posted by Devin at 8:58 AM 1 comment:
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
The Wedding Continued
The reception was held at Landgoed Altembrouck in Belgium. The view from every angle was incredible, and as I said the weather couldn't have been more perfect. It was very picturesque. Everyone was able to wander, visit and simply enjoy being together celebrating.The inside of the venue was equally gorgeous with a simple, yet elegant decor with a Restoration Hardware feel. We spent the rest of the evening here enjoying appetizers, dinner, dessert and a midnight snack with flawless service from beginning to end. We finally called it a night and stayed in beautiful room on site and enjoyed a traditional brunch the next morning.
Kristi did such an amazing job of talking to everyone, making everyone feel as if they were the most important guest at the wedding. She's kind of gifted like that.
Again, talking to guests between one of the three entrees at dinner.
Apparently having a great time at the reception!
Posted by Devin at 8:00 PM 1 comment:
Europe Adventure-Day 2 (The Wedding )
Thankfully, we got a good night's sleep and were eager to get up and ready for the wedding day! We felt much better, and our moods improved tremendously. The wedding was nothing less than perfect. Perfect for so many reasons, but mostly that Kristi and Martin seem so happy and are so sweet together. In addition to that, everything went smoothly, the weather was amazing, the ceremony was beautiful, the reception location was stunning and the service and dinner were incredible. The Germans do things a little differently, the main difference being that in Germany it's an all day and night event. The ceremony started at 11AM, I left the reception at 2AM and it was still going strong. So it was a long day, but we thoroughly enjoyed it and were honored to be part of such a special day.
Getting ready before the ceremony
The finishing touches
A quick picture before the ceremony starts
Martin, Kristi and her brother Tyler
Mom and I hanging out between the ceremony and reception.
Daniel, the Best Man, Kristi, Martin and Me
Kristi and Martin with Martin's wonderful family.
Posted by Devin at 7:23 AM 1 comment:
Monday, July 22, 2013
Our Europe Adventure-Day 1
As I begin, I should tell you that neither my mom or I are very experienced travelers, particularly internationally. You should also know that my mother and I are polar opposites when it comes to personality. I knew it would be interesting. But, thankfully, we survived without tears or any catastrophic occurrences. The purpose of our trip was to go to my friend Kristi's wedding, and we thought if we were spending the money to fly that far, we should make the most of it. We spent time in Germany, Belgium and France, so it was a lot of traveling, but a great experience!
Before I ever got to Missouri, my car broke down, and I had to go back to Tulsa and have Kevin take me half way to meet my parents. That resulted in us getting to bed sometime between 2:30AM and 3:00AM the night before we would be leaving for this little Europe expedition. Needless to say, we were both exhausted before we even got started. We figured that would be ok since we would be flying for so long maybe our exhaustion would make it easier to sleep on the plane. Well, that didn't exactly work out as planned. I'm quite certain that neither of us slept more than an hour or two on our way across the ocean which left us quite jet lagged. However, the flight went smoothly and we landed in Paris on time at 9:30AM. Being time conscience and overly paranoid about missing the train we would be taking, the train ticket I purchased for the next leg of our trip didn't leave until 6:25PM. When I purchased the ticket a while back, it sounded like a good idea and that would allow us to explore Paris a little near the station, and give us some flexibility if our plane was late or we couldn't find the train station. Well, that plan backfired. We took a cab to the train station, and had about 8 hours to kill. I assumed the train station would have shopping or something, but it didn't. We attempted exploring a little, but we were toting all our luggage so it was a little debilitating. Also, once we ventured out, we realized the area surrounding the Gare de Nord train station seemed a little shady. So, we just hung out doing pretty much nothing for about 8 hours. I think at this point, we were both questioning our decision to come on the trip.
We did stop at a cafe and have lunch. It was at this point that I realized my diet coke habit was going to get extremely expensive over the next 9 days. It was 4,20 euros, there weren't free refills and it was served in a little juice sized cup. They did, however, add a lemon and a piece of ice or two:)
After a long wait, it was nearing time for our train to arrive when we heard an announcement most of which I couldn't understand, but I did hear the time and destination city, so I tried to figure out what was going on. After asking around a bit, it said that our train would be cancelled. A bit of panic set in because if we didn't make this train, we weren't sure we'd make it to the wedding, not to mention we were so ready to get out of the train station. However, it all seemed to work itself out, and they told us to get on the next train. It ended up only being about a 30 minute delay. So after a VERY long day of traveling, we reached our destination, my friend, Kristi, picked us up at the train station, and we stopped by the church for a bit to see the musicians rehearsing, followed by a bite to eat and headed to the hotel in hopes of resting enough to not look like zombies as the wedding the next day!
Posted by Devin at 9:00 AM 2 comments:
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Happy January-July!
So, blogging obviously hasn't made it on the priority list for a while. Not sure if it's because I haven't had time, or I was boring myself with the same posts year after year, but either way, it's been very neglected and I miss it. I love looking back and seeing what we had going on several years ago, and as I've said multiple times it is the only form of documentation for my children I've done. There's no way I can catch up, so I'll start where we are. A lot of life changes are going on in the Lawrence house right now. Kevin left his job at EY for a position at Bancfirst. I quit a job that I loved at TPS since his job requires a move, so I guess that means I'll be attempting to be a housewife again. I failed miserably in my previous attempts:) It's a great opportunity, and makes a lot of sense for our family, but it was no easy decision. We love where we are. We love our home, neighborhood, church, friends, schools and it's all our kids know. But, that's life I guess. It has meant a less than pleasant summer of having a house on the market and spending time traveling back and forth for Kevin's job. It's been a roller coaster, but I know things will settle soon and we will be in a routine that I so desperately crave. I missed spending the fourth with extended family and friends, but we enjoyed a relaxing day together as a family which we hadn't been all together for a while, so it was nice to just hang out and enjoy the city.
After a three hour family nap, we headed downtown to Pinkitzel for a cupcake break. We walked around town for a while, and then the kids just wanted to go back to the hotel and swim, so we enjoyed the rest of the night at the hotel pool. Thankfully, we pretty much had it to ourselves, so it was a super relaxing day.
Posted by Devin at 4:10 PM 1 comment:
Thursday, March 21, 2013
I Have A Blog???
So, I noticed I last posted at Halloween! Wow! I guess I've given up...I missed all the kids birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Disney, New Year's, and haven't taken a single picture this spring break. I'm really slacking. Then, I go back and reread posts, and it makes me think I need to get with it. I miss writing, and it is the only form of documentation of my children's lives I have. Also, when I read the blog, I am reminded of how blessed I am, and all the things I enjoy about my life because sometimes I need to be reminded. I occasionally get into a funk and forget how much I really love my life and family. So, maybe, just maybe, I'll find time soon to start up again. I thought about trying to catch up, but that's just not likely....
Posted by Devin at 10:31 PM 1 comment:
Friday, November 2, 2012
Halloween 2012
I hope everyone had as much fun this Halloween as we did. We hosted our annual party the weekend before, and for the first time, dressed up as a family. It was pretty fun. The girls were super into it. Lincoln kind of wanted to be a cowboy or superman, but once everyone else was dresssed, he was on board. That's what happens when you're outnumbered by girls, you get stuck being a doll for Halloween. Kevin is always a good sport too! Next year, the girls already have a plan, and it's more suited for everyone:) However, we had a great time celebrating at our party and at our church fall festival. We skipped trick or treating this year for the most part considering it was on Wednesday night, and I was pretty much Halloweened out anyway! Can't believe it's November. This year is flying! Have a great weekend! Happy November!
Posted by Devin at 8:21 PM 3 comments:
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The site of IL Triangolo is rich in Queens history. In 1640, John Burroughs established his farm here. During the Revolutionary War it was occupied by Dr. Harper, surgeon of the Royal Gerrision Battalion. The property remained in the Burroughs family throughout the middle of the 19th century, when it was acquired by Jonathan Randal. (Randal is best known as the owner of Randall's Island, which he sold to the city of New York in 1835). This historic farm was subdivided by the Randal estate in the early 20th century. Our building was constructed at this time. In the early 1980's, Angelo Gigliotti, an immigrant from Calabria, Italy, made his American dream by purchasing this historical building and restoring it to its original condition.
© Copyright 2015 IL TRIANGOLO RESTAURANT • CORONA, NEW YORK 11368. All rights reserved.


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Samsung Galaxy S2 vs the World Challenge – Part Two
Lol. I sound like a himbo in the video. "Hamster? Oh, you mean like this?" Lol. Congratz to Rackwell for winning this one!
Here are some photos from the Rolly Polly challenge!
Loria admiring the huge balls. O wait. Hehehe.
And at the end of challenge #3, the score tally is
Wee Kiat – 24 points
Christine – 22 points
Rackwell – 22 points
Casey – 16 points
Yay! I'm leading for now. Two more challenges left. Go! Go! Go!!
Challenge #4: Flying Fox
A panorama photo taken with the Galaxy S2. Click on the image to view it!
Our Filipino boy taking a rest.
Watchu' looking at?
The rides and activities offered at Sentosa Island are pretty cool. Other than the Megazip Flying Fox, there is a rock wall, vertical jump platform and a high ropes adventure course. Plenty of stuff to keep you screaming.
Here's the second take of me on the Megazip. Just for recording purposes and the fun of it. Hahaha.
So now, at the end of challenge #4, the score tally is
Wee Kiat – 32 points
Christine – 32 points
Rackwell – 28 points
Casey – 20 points
Gasp!! It's a really really close match now. One more challenge to go! Let's go!!
Challenge #5: Up and Away
And here's the final challenge. The winner announcement is also in the video. So… the winner is…
And here are the photos for the day.
Loria making sure Allan stays pretty.
Chillin' with the Wulander.
All of us waiting anxiously for the final results.
And after the challenge, it's picture time with everybody!
With Allan Wu. O wait, what? We're too cute for you? Fine, here's a macho photo instead. Teehee.
And finally a last one with the Test Force!
So now that everything is over, it's late and we're all sweaty, dirty and hungry, what do we do?
Nom nom nom nom..
And interestingly, Kun is actually a magician too!! Take a look at this trick which definitely messed with Rackwell's logical thinking.
Phew! Wow. It's over. I mean, it has really been an adventure with the Test Force and production crew. It might have been only five days but it was certainly an unforgettable experience. And woohoo!! $10 000 is mine!!!!
Thank you to everyone who has wished me luck and supported me.
Thank you to Samsung and everyone in the production team who made this challenge not just rewarding but fun and bearable (some challenges took up the whole day).
Before you guys leave, there's something for you guys to win too! ^^
Just click here to go to the Galaxy S2 vs the World microsite and vote for your favourite challenge video to win a new Samsung Galaxy S2!!