text:
Danielle Bayar: Part 1
Danielle deployed to Afghanistan in 2006 and Uganda in 2009 and worked directly with Civil Affairs teams. She deployed to Afghanistan again in 2012 and worked with a Cultural Support Team. In part 1 of our interview, she talks about the challenges of working with Afghan civilians during her first deployment and of training the Ugandan army in Civil Affairs on her second deployment.
Interview conducted on March 15, 2015 over the phone
Present: Richard Hayden and Danielle Bayar
Transcribed by Richard Hayden
Richard Hayden: What is your full name?
Danielle Bayar: Danielle Lara Bayar.
RH: What branch of the military did you serve in and what years?
DB: US Army Reserve from 2003 to the present, actually.
RH: What is your rank?
DB: I'm a Staff Sergeant right now.
RH: What's your MOS?
DB: I started as a 38B [spoken as thirty-eight Bravo] which is Civil Affairs. Currently I am with an intel unit in the process of trying to re-class. We'll see if that happens.
RH: When you were a 38B what was your unit?
DB: The 411th Civil Affairs Battalion out of Danbury, Connecticut.
RH: What motivated you to join the military?
DB: That's a complicated question. I guess I never found a satisfactory answer to it. I was fascinated with it since I was a kid. My dad went to West Point. It gave me the ability to communicate with him as a person. I've always had a sense of adventure. Also, the desire to want to do something greater than myself, to serve my country – all the typical things that motivate young people to join. Money wasn't really a factor in it for me. Also the values. That sort of appealed to me.
So I joined the Reserves thinking that if I like it I can always go active duty. I can always do more. If I don't like it then it's just a weekend a month. [laughs] And it was something to do out of college.
RH: Why did you pick the Army?
DB: Actually I thought about joining the Marines first. The Marines were kind of my first military love. But when I was looking at which job appealed to me, I did some research and I found Civil Affairs. That was the job that related to my background and I could see turning that into a career as a civilian in the government or something like that.
I wanted to join Civil Affairs in the Marines. [laughs] My Marine recruiter didn't seem to know what Civil Affairs was. The Marines have Civil Affairs but at the time – 2003 – I guess they didn't have quite as good a unit so he thought I was talking about public affairs. [laughs] It didn't seem to be a match. Then I looked at the Army National Guard and figured out they didn't have Civil Affairs and the only branch that had Civil Affairs was the US Army Reserve so I joined that.
RH: How did your family feel about your decision?
DB: My dad was pretty supportive. I think he was happy about it. My mom, less so. I think that she was at least happy I finished college first. There was a time when I thought I might just go and do the Army first and then finish college later but she talked me out of that. I guess in some ways it was a compromise solution. I think over time she got used to the idea. They were both very supportive when I was going through my training and deployment.
RH: Where were you on September 11th?
DB: I was in college. I was at Barnard College in New York City on about 116th Street, the top of Manhattan. I was on my way to an early morning swim class when I heard about it.
RH: Do you have any specific memories of that day?
DB: Yes. I remember the general atmosphere of, I don't want to call it panic, but everyone sort of knew that this was a game changer, that our world would not be the same after this. I remember seeing dust overhead in Manhattan. I remember we had some teachers who had to move in with the students overnight because the bridges and tunnels were closed. I had the sense that we were on lock down and that war had come to New York, if not the country, and things were going to be different going forward. That was my general impression from 9/11.
I thought about walking downtown but for some reason I didn't. Sometimes I wish I would have. I used to go down to the World Trade Center quite often actually when I was applying for that Marine officer program. The recruiting office was right outside of the World Trade Center. I remember always looking up at them and thinking how huge they were. I think I remember hearing they were their own zip code and so the idea that they're no longer standing still strikes me as kind of surreal.
RH: Where did you go to boot camp?
DB: Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
RH: What was your follow up training like?
DB: It was individual training for us. For the Civil Affairs soldiers, we go to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Basic training was nine weeks. My AIT as we call it was about twelve weeks. My AIT I think was much more difficult than my basic training. I was actually rather demoralized for the first couple of weeks at AIT. Typically AIT is easier than basic so everyone was looking forward to getting a little bit of a break and focusing more on professional development than the basics of soldiering and that drill Sergeant dynamic. Our AIT was quite different. I finally got into the right headspace and got through it but it was a hard reality. [laughs]
RH: What is Civil Affairs exactly? What do you do?
DB: We are the soldiers who are supposed to interact with the host nation government officials and the local population to achieve the commander's intent. So that could mean a number of things. That could mean working with the local government to distribute humanitarian assistance, to rebuild infrastructure or to build it for the first time, to help in the process of governing. It could mean interacting with the normal Iraqis or Afghans, to hear concerns and how to address them, to help build their faith in local government and police forces. So there's capacity building elements and there's humanitarian elements. Relationship building is a big component of it. That's more or less what Civil Affairs does. I think of it as the liberal arts unit of the Army.
RH: Where did you deploy to?
DB: My first deployment was to Afghanistan in 2006 to 2007. I was applying to be part of a Civil Affairs team on the provincial Ghazni province. I also deployed to Uganda as a Civil Affairs Sergeant in 2009 to 2010. And I did another deployment to Afghanistan in 2012. That's a whole different story. That was with something called the Cultural Support Team.
DB: It was the United States Army Special Operations Command.
RH: Let's talk a little bit about your deployment to Afghanistan from 2006 to 2007. What was the specific mission of your unit?
DB: As the Civil Affairs component of the PR team, we really focused on trying to strengthen the provincial government and to help them build ties with the local population. It was kind of a hearts and minds component that you sometimes hear about in regards to the Global War on Terror. So what does that actually entail? You did assessments. You'd go to villages and talk with the local elders and the leaders and you try to get a sense of what their priorities were for their people, what their concerns were. But you didn't do that in a vacuum. Often you would go out with the local police chief or the department head of agriculture and work together on those kinds of missions. We had projects. For example, the Taliban. Let's say they attacked a school and they destroyed the windows or maybe a wall or something, we would do a site assessment and we would assess the position of that school. That kind of thing.
I think there were a couple of times where we would use our assets to deliver school supplies to villages in the remote parts of the province. Otherwise they would not have gotten those supplies from the head of the province because the roads were not passable either due to weather or due to security concerns. Humanitarian assistance, especially during the winters in Ghazni which are quite harsh, we would push humanitarian assistance out to local officials to help their populace with humanitarian needs. So that kind of thing.
RH: When you spoke with local Afghani leadership, what did they express were their needs or their biggest concerns?
DB: Security obviously was foremost on everyone's minds. This was back in 2006, 2007 and the Taliban insurgency hadn't quite reached the climax that I believe it did a couple years later. It was sort of a low rumbling. They weren't really in Ghazni province. Ghazni province is quite desert. There were some areas that were primarily Hazaran that I think were more or less stable. But there were certainly areas further south that were primarily Pashtun and that I believe were transit points for insurgents. Those areas were difficult for us to access, even back then. I believe in later years many of them became hotbeds. I can think of an example – I can't remember the name of the village – we spent a considerable amount of time, money and effort there and a few years later I think it pretty much completely fell to the Taliban. I don't know what the status is now. So security was an underlying, ever-present concern.
And the basics of life: basic infrastructure, schools, wells, roads and karizes. These were the irrigation systems that they used there and I think we had some controversy with local officials about what to do, if at all, with funds for kariz cleaning and rehabilitation projects. I guess we felt that this was something they would do anyways as members of their community and I guess they wanted some financial assistance with that. I can't remember how that was resolved but these were the kind of conversations that we would have.
There were also concerns with providing employment for young men, especially during the fighting season – the fighting season being the warm months. These were the projects that would help put young men to work, especially in areas that were considered more at risk because we knew that if we didn't come to them with the opportunity to make a living one way, someone else could come to them with the opportunity to make some money by planting an IED or something. The security tied in with development concerns. They were very intricately linked.
Women's rights was a concern. It was an issue. It continues to be, of course. I worked with the Ghazni Province Department of Women's Affairs. Actually, it was headed by a woman but her two deputies were the ones that I worked with the most. I kind of jokingly called them my ladies men. [RH laughs] Not to their face. I got a little bit of money to do a local women's rights conference and to educate the local religious leaders especially on what the Koran actually said about women and what their rights were and how they should be educated and to help spread that message. These are some of the things that we worked with.
RH: When you first got there, what was your initial impression of Afghanistan like?
DB: It's hard to put into words. It was just so profoundly different. I remember going out on our first mission and seeing a little kid on the side of the road give us a thumbs up. I was driving one of the vehicles past and this kid's waving and smiling and being supportive. It felt really good. It felt like, "Oh, I'm finally here doing the job, representing the United States in uniform." Of course later on through different deployments and in different areas you did not always get such a warm welcome. [laughs] But I remember that first patrol feeling proud that I was part of the mission and feeling that the Afghan populace was at least in part supportive of that mission. And I'm sure the same thing is true today. They're probably tired of our presence there but I'm sure it's a mixed picture.
RH: Did you interact with all levels of Afghan society?
DB: I would say so. Personally during the missions where we were delivering humanitarian assistance, we called them MEDCAPs and VETCAP. A MEDCAP would be a medical humanitarian civic action and a VETCAP was a veterinary civic action. That entailed handing out humanitarian assistance or veterinary assistance to the local populace. So for veterinary projects we would help people hold down their goats while they got a vaccination or something. For humanitarian assistance projects it could be unloading bags of beans and rice and school supplies.
During the course of those projects typically we would set up somewhere, maybe a school compound for a day, and people from the surrounding areas would come and see us and bring their animals or they would come themselves to collect assistance. We would have soldiers there who were veterinarians or who were doctors or medics coming to see people and treat them. So during these projects we did very much get to meet with everyday Afghans and converse with them as best we could, trying to get a sense of what was going on in their neighborhoods and what their concerns were. That kind of thing. My work as part of the Provincial Reconstruction Team also entailed working with the governor, working with the heads of the Department of Education and Women's Affairs and social services. I consider myself very fortunate on that first deployment. We did get to work with quite a section of people.
RH: Interesting. Are there any particular Afghans that stick out? Specifically.
DB: I'm trying to remember. It was many years ago.
RH: If there's one that you had a particularly productive relationship with or one that sticks out in your mind.
DB: There's so many. They stick out in different ways. We had an interpreter who was very nice, very intelligent, spoke excellent English. I remember he was displeased when I cut my hair short. [laughs] Little stuff like that. I guess the little stuff sticks out in my mind because he was killed in one of our missions. I was not on that mission but yeah, he didn't come back from that one. Little stuff like that.
As a matter of fact, many of the interpreters I met in 2006 and 2007 I would hear in later years about them being killed. Some of them were quite young. I think that he was twenty-one when we worked with him. Another had the nickname Smiley. As you can imagine he had a great smile. I heard a year of two later that he had been caught in a Taliban checkpoint and tortured before he was killed. So you remember the faces. You remember the little things about them.
I remember the head of the Education Department. Her name was Fatima. She spoke pretty good English and was very intelligent. Sometimes though you could tell she was just so frustrated. She really wanted to try to change things. I'm sure she was under a lot of pressures that I can only begin to understand. And my ladies man [laughs] who worked at the Women's Affairs Department. He was an older guy, I don't know, sixties or seventies. It can be hard to tell an Afghan's age sometimes. But he had been there with the mujahedeen and fought the Russians and everything but he was so gentle and had such a gentle way about him. He had a true passion for women's rights. I just remember being really impressed with him. Things like that.
RH: Did you have any contact with the Taliban?
DB: [laughs] I'm sure I spoke to a few of them. Whether they were confirmed Taliban or not at that time I don't recall. But probably in some of our dealings with local leaders from certain districts it's pretty safe to say. Our understanding was that probably at least a few of them were the Taliban. That would be the extent of it probably on that deployment.
RH: What was the most challenging period of the deployment, the beginning, the middle or the end?
DB: It's hard to say. I think the end was the easiest. We spent three hundred and sixty-five or so days downrange so the entire deployment was about sixteen months if include the train ups and the redeployment. By about six months in, nine months in, you get into the swing of things. You hit your stride. I think that the beginning was very challenging. It's such a steep learning curve and it's sink or swim. Especially on the first deployment when you really are learning the ropes. It's quite challenging. The middle has its own set of challenges, especially on a longer deployment. In the middle you've learned a lot but the end is not quite in sight yet. You have to battle a sort of mental fatigue. Oh my God. "How many more weeks am I going to be doing laundry duty?" or going on patrols early in the morning or just all the chores [laughs] of deployment. You're still six months out from being able to come home. I'd say the beginning and the middle were challenging in different ways.
I'd say the end was probably the least challenging but it also had its own difficulties. You actually reach a point where you have a certain reluctance to leave because you have equity now in what happens in that particular province in that small part of the world. You've built relationships now with those people and when you can move over to the next team, they have to go through those relationships all over again. And when their deployment's over, there probably will be a part of them that doesn't want to leave either. That's just the nature of the game, I guess.
RH: Do you feel that, for Civil Affairs, the length of your deployment was adequate or could you have gone a little longer? Should you have gone a little longer? Should you have gone home earlier?
DB: I'm sure people well above my paygrade have more educated answers to that [laughs] but I almost feel that longer deployments for Civil Affairs might not be a terrible idea in the same way that the State Department would be a two year tour somewhere. Because you spend you first year learning your job and you really hit your stride the second year. The second year is when you really get a lot of things done. Even a third year. That being said, even in the State Department, if you're deployed to a combat zone like Iraq or Afghanistan even today you have a one-year tour and that's considered a hardship tour. So there's trade-offs. You have the mental strain of the soldiers to consider but at the same time you also have to worry about quality of performance. I feel with Civil Affairs, our ability to perform a lot of it is predicated on how we establish that rapport, how well we know the local dynamics. I think there would be some benefits perhaps to having longer tours but the drawback would be can the soldiers and, equally as important, can their families withstand that sort of deployment? I can understand the reason for not wanting to do that.
RH: What was the most challenging non-combat aspect of deploying?
DB: Hearing about the deaths of other people in our unit who had been killed. That was definitely very challenging and very sobering. And then next to that, I would say seeing the other people suffering from trauma. Having to go through this deployment and not quite knowing how to reach out and help them.
And then I think about that middle portion of deployment where you're so ready to be done with it. [laughs] You're four to six months away from coming home. That has its own mental challenge. It is perhaps difficult to appreciate if you've never deployed in that environment. You really are a prisoner on that Forward Operating Base. There are only so many places you can walk. It's very different from Bagram. Even back in '06, '07 Bagram was pretty well built up but in the Forward Operating Bases, there are not a lot of places to go. You get a little stir crazy. I know some of our colleagues from the PRT lived on the remote site in Buldak before that was built up a lot more. I know that they had a lot of mental issues being stuck out there for prolonged periods. So there's definitely a lot of non-combat stresses during deployments.
RH: Did you have any transformative or significant events that informed your deployment besides from those that talked about already?
DB: Let me see. I remember working on a project with the director of education of the province. We were both very enthused about this project. We were going to try and get school tents out to all the different districts in Ghazni province, rudimentary shelter for classes in extreme heat or maybe even during extreme cold. I can't recall if the tents were of such a quality that they would have withstood that kind of winter. But in any event, it helped students get the basics in place so that they could succeed.
I remember speaking with one of our interpreters about this project and I remember him telling me, "Come back to Ghazni province in about a year and try to find these tents that you've pushed out into different districts and I bet you, you won't find even one of them." To this day I still think about that. I wonder if I went back to Ghazni province if I would find any of the tents. And who would I find them with? And what are they being used for? I suspect that what he said had a lot of truth to it and it's probably truer in the larger context of the assistance that we've provided over the last decade or so. More than a decade at this point in Afghanistan. I'm sure that there are people asking similar questions about where has all the money gone and has it been worth it? Those are important questions to ask.
RH: Alright, great. Thank you. Let's move onto your deployment to Uganda in 2009 to 2010. Were you doing Civil Affairs there as well?
[Note: Danielle's operation in Uganda was not part of the Global War on Terrorism. At the time there were some operations in Africa that contributed to GWOT but this was not one of them. – RH]
DB: Yes I was.
RH: What was the mission of your unit there, specifically?
DB: We were deployed to a part of the country called Karamoja. Karamoja is inhabited by primarily pastoralist societies. These pastoralists fight each other for the possession of cattle. This has been so for decades and centuries, I think. In recent decades the Karamojong – the people who live there – have acquired small arms. Whereas before they would fight each other with bows and arrows, now they were fighting each other with AK-47s. Some of this was bleeding out into other parts of Uganda.
So in response to this, the Ugandan government had deployed to Karamoja to try to disarm the pastoralists. As you can imagine it was not a terribly popular campaign. The Karamojong were not a big fan of this and moreover the Ugandan military had been accused of multiple human rights violations in the process. A pretty big mess all around. We deployed there in a small team, a small Civil Affairs team, to work with the Ugandan military to help them learn how to do civil military relations. We were not part of the disarmament campaign in any way. The Ugandan military had set up their own civil military coordination centers throughout Karamoja. So our job was to liaise with them to build their capacity, to advise them and to see how we can assist them to do civil military operations.
RH: Were there any similarities between working in Uganda and Afghanistan?
DB: Similarities?
RH: Yes. Similarities.
DB: It was a very different deployment. Very different. We lived in a hotel in Moroto which is the capital of the Karamoja region. It was a mainly permissive environment although there was a security incident about halfway through our nine month deployment that involved the ambush of a humanitarian vehicle with several passengers. After that incident our security posture changed somewhat. We were under some risk of being in the line of fire if one group of pastoralists targeted another and we were in the wrong place at the wrong time. That was a constant risk. Highway banditry was also a risk.
But that being said, it really was mostly a permissive environment so obviously that was quite different from Afghanistan. We had civilian vehicles and we had drivers, nothing necessarily up-armored. We were much more free to plan our own operations. We had this small unit. There was maybe six of us, seven of us. We could essentially move as we pleased. That feeling that I was speaking to earlier in Afghanistan of being a prisoner on this Forward Operating Base was much less so in Uganda. I'd say they were fundamentally different deployments, different experiences.
RH: Did you interact a lot with the locals as well?
DB: Yes. That was a big part of the job. We did a lot of interacting and coordinating with the local NGOs that were up there. Also with the United Nations. There was a UN interim office that was up there. Save the Children was up there. Who else? A lot of different groups. Some religious NGOs were up there, I believe. A lot of groups doing veterinary work due to the importance of cattle in that part of the country. Of course we worked with local officials and the local Ugandan soldiers who were running the local civil military operations center.
I wish we had interacted more with the Karamojong. We did interact with them on a few missions but we did not get out into their communities very often. But nevertheless I'd say we interacted with a diverse mixture of people during that mission.
RH: I know that the US military and the Ugandan military are probably starkly different but are there any universal similarities that you noticed?
DB: I would say that the Ugandan military – at least the soldiers that I interacted with – were fairly disciplined, professional. It was a fairly professional operation. Obviously they didn't match us in terms of resources but I'd say there were a lot of similarities. They were very proud to wear the Ugandan military uniform and I think our ranks were pretty similar. I would respect their officers as officers. I was an NCO so I felt more comfortable interacting with their NCOs. There's a common military culture that I would say allows us to fit in with each other pretty well.
RH: Are there any Ugandans in particular that stick out?
DB: Let me see. It was more experiences than people I would say. I had to conduct some training for about two-hundred soldiers, I think, one time, on responding to humanitarian crises. It was a really interesting experience teaching Ugandan soldiers. They're quite eager to learn, quite eager to be receiving training from Americans and very eager to partner with us. They were hungry for information, hungry for opportunity.
I remember speaking to an NCO who was really excited about the idea of being a civil military relations Sergeant because I think that's an opportunity not many of them had. To be honest with you, I don't know if it was something that was necessarily considered prestigious in the Ugandan military. It might not be. It might be considered a punishment for all I know. But I remember this particular Sergeant really took to the idea of working in the realm of civil military affairs and was asking me a lot of questions about how he might go abroad, about what the training was all about. It made me appreciate the training I had received and I appreciate the opportunities we have to reach out to sldiers of different nations and kind of show them how this work is done and why it's important for military operations as a whole, for any military.
RH: Before I move onto your second deployment to Afghanistan, since I'm not entirely familiar with the operations in Uganda, is there anything I left out that is really significant that you want to talk about?
DB: You know, it was interesting because not a lot of Americans know that US soldiers deploy to Africa. I think there's not as great an understanding of what we do there or what we do when we're not in a conflict environment per se. I think some of the greatest challenges of that mission was having to repeatedly explain to people what our mission was and why we were there, particularly to humanitarian actors. There was a strong feeling that we should always be in uniform and we did. We did comply with that. We wore the uniform at all times. We made it clear that we were not humanitarians, we were soldiers.
I remember that really opened my eyes to this idea of humanitarian space, how important it is even outside of a conflict zone, to make sure that humanitarians are not confused for military personnel. And I think that's something the humanitarian community learns at their expense when they are in conflict zones. So it was just a different operating environment. I think the US military does a lot of good outside of conflict zones. I think we have unique capabilities to deliver rapid assistance, for example. My team at one point in Uganda helped respond to a landslide in Bududa, Uganda. We didn't provide assistance per se but we went there and provided guidance. So that deployment opened my eyes to the opportunities and the challenges of working in a non-combat zone.
Part 2 of Danielle's interview can be found here.


text:
fly away with me take my hand never let it go,
make me happy and never say no,
show me the way you make me love you.....
tell me how much you really want me ....
show me how much you need me please dont leave me.. please dont go...why all alone......why so soon...and yet so far...
Miyerkules, Hulyo 30, 2008
...POETS' corner
Posted by yellOw-PhOenix at 7:17 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Martes, Hulyo 29, 2008
'bet u know this...
Posted by yellOw-PhOenix at 4:51 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Lunes, Hulyo 28, 2008
The ability to converse well is an important asset. Being able to talk eloquently in a pleasant and intelligent manner to people gives one an opportunity for friendship and chances for success in one's life. The telephone is a part of modernization. Learn to use it properly in accordance to your advantage. In carrying a telephone conversation we should remember that our voice is the only thing that creates an impression to the recipient of our message. That is why we should do our best to make the conversation be as pleasant and as courteous as possible.
Rules to observe when using the telephone:
1. Greet the one you are calling.
2. The caller should identify his self/ her self first.
3. Modulate your voice and be articulate.
4. If you are receiving a call in the unit the best way to answer is; "Thank you for calling East Wing, this is Ms Gelito speaking how may I help you?
5. When you are the one making a call the best way to say is; "Good morning, this is Ms Gelito, can I talk to Ms Agustin?"
6. When a strange voice answers your call and asks; "Who's calling please?" Give your name at once and never hang up the phone. It is only proper to for you to identify yourself. There is no reason to hide your identity if your call is a legitimate one.
7. Don't slam the phone down when you hung up. Put the telephone down gently. The sudden sharp bang can be quite deafening to the person who might still have the phone close to his hear.
8. Don't stay too long talking to someone over the phone. Remember that telephones in the nurses' station are for emergency use only.
Posted by yellOw-PhOenix at 11:46 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Linggo, Hulyo 27, 2008
... POETS' corner
Tears, Idle Tears
Tears, idle tears, I know not what they mean,
Tears from the depth of some divine despair
Rise in the heart, and gather to the eyes,
In looking on the happy Autumn-fields,
And thinking of the days that are no more.
Fresh as the first beam glittering on a sail,
That brings our friends up from the underworld,
Sad as the last which reddens over one
That sinks with all we love below the verge;
So sad, so fresh, the days that are no more.
Ah, sad and strange as in dark summer dawns
The earliest pipe of half-awakened birds
To dying ears, when unto dying eyes
The casement slowly grows a glimmering square;
So sad, so strange, the days that are no more.
Dear as remembered kisses after death,
And sweet as those by hopeless fancy feigned
On lips that are for others; deep as love,
Deep as first love, and wild with all regret;
O Death in Life, the days that are no more!
Posted by yellOw-PhOenix at 6:39 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Huwebes, Hulyo 17, 2008
...POETS' corner
The Young
You bastards! It's all sherbet, and folly
makes you laugh like mules. Chances
dance off your wrists, each day ready,
sprites in your bones and spite not yet
swollen, not yet set. You gather handful
after miracle handful, seeing straight,
reaching the lighthouse in record time,
pockets brim with scimitar things. Now
is not a pinpoint but a sprawling realm.
Bewilderment and thrill are whip-quick
twins, carried on your backs, each vow
new to touch and each mistake a broken
biscuit. I was you. Sea robber boarding
the won galleon. Roaring trees. Machines
without levers, easy in bowel and lung.
One cartwheel over the quicksand curve
of Tuesday to Tuesday and you're gone,
summering, a ship on the farthest wave.
Posted by yellOw-PhOenix at 5:45 AM 0 comments Links to this post

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Big Tease - Day 7/
Day 7 - Intellectual
Brain fitness. Ever heard of it? Chances are you've likely engaged in some cognitive cross-fit recently without even being aware of the exercise. Math problems, puzzles, Rubik's cube, sudoku, crosswords. Brain teasers, we call them, and they're doing more than just mind-tickling pleasure passers.
Experts of brain games explain that doing these tasks can awaken dormant cells in our brain. When these brain cells are highly stimulated, unused genes are suddenly reactivated. This gene reactivation leads to a brain better able to fight off disease. Just two hours a week of these novel activities is suggested to slow down mental decay—or the decrease in cognitive ability that naturally comes with age.
Two hours. That's one movie a week, a few television episodes here and there. A seemingly more than fair trade when the payout is as impactful as better brain function.
Other reasons to put down the remote and engage in some stimulating child's play:
- - Provides emotional satisfaction and sense of accomplishment
- - Enhances memory and processing speed
- - Helps reduce the risk of dementia
- - Improves concentration
- - Reduces boredom
The best part of this news? You don't even need to solve the puzzle to reap the benefits of the exercise. So take heart if you're feeling amongst the not-so-smart in the brain teaser box. Go at that complicated math problem free of pressure knowing even if you get it wrong... your brain is doing something right! Just make sure to mix it up. A variety of puzzles is important to maximize the above health benefits.
Daily Challenge
Grab your cutie and your competitive spirit and take a crack at these 4 short, simple and stimulating brain teasers. If you like a challenge that includes a reward as much as my hubby and I do, then raise the stakes. Dish duty? Foot massage? Laundry folding? Pick your prize— or your poison… it's a battle of the wits!
Can You Count? (it's sometimes the simplest of tasks that can be the most interesting)
Dupe the Stroop (the Stroop test of evaluates your ability to pay attention)
Catch the Number (a test of peripheral vision, hand-eye coordination & short-term memory)
Bus Brain Buster (a test of visual logic)
To get these posts by email, subscribe here:
[gravityform id="2" name="Subscribe" title="false" description="false"]
[jbox title="About the Author:" border="5" radius="15"] Megan is a Doctor of Audiology, Holistic Nutritionist, wife, yoga-lover and ever-evolving health aspirer. Having transformed her own health, she's eager to help you transform yours. She believes in power in its purest form: FOOD. Whole foods, to be precise. So pick up a fork and join her in a revolution of habits, health and happiness. A WHOLE new life awaits! Read more about her reformation of health and wellness at My Whole Food Habit.[/jbox]


text:
Friend's Sister
My fetish definitely developed during the later stage of puberty. As soon as I hit puberty, I realized I was bisexual, although I didn't know the term at the time. I loved the attention of boys, but also found myself infatuated with many of the girls I knew. One of those girls led to my fetish for diapers and embarrassment.
I was twelve years old, in the summer of 1995, and spending the night with my friend Natalie. She wasn't a very good friend. In fact, I found she was rather mean to other people and I hated that. But I had a huge crush on her older sister, Katie. Katie was fourteen and already had hips and boobs that wouldn't quit. I was smitten and tried to find any excuse to be around her. On the night I stayed at their house, I kept trying to inclue Katie in everything we were doing and Natalie was getting upset. She didn't want her sister around at all. They bickered a bit, but I didn't care. I just wanted Katie to stay.
That night, their mother came to get Katie and told Natalie and me to get our pajamas on, promising we would have ice cream sundaes for dessert before bed. As soon as they left the room, Natalie blurted out that Katie had to get her diapers on. I thought I misheard her at first, but then she explained that her sister wets the bed and has to wear diapers like a baby. I asked why she didn't wear pull-ups like a couple of my other friends. She said they were too small, because her butt was too big, so they bought her old people diapers.
After we put out pajamas on, we all met in the kitchen to make sundaes. Katie was wearing purple plaid pajamas that were really baggy and I could hear the telltale crinkling confirming what Natalie had told me. After we made our sundaes, we stood around the kitchen island and talked about random stuff. Natalie started getting upset that I was intently listening to everything Katie was saying, so in retaliation, she yanked down her sister's pajama pants. Clear as day, Katie was standing there wearing a huge adult diaper(old style Attends). She freaked out, dropping her spoon and yanking up her pants, before running off to her bedroom. Their mom was furious and threatened to put Natalie in diapers for a month if she ever did something like that again.
It was at that point I was hooked. As I curled up in my sleeping bag that night, I began touching myself as I fantasized about their mother putting me in diapers and making me sleep next to Katie. In my daydreams, we would cuddle and reassure each other all night. As time passed, I became better friends with Katie than Natalie, though we never discussed her diapers. I wanted to so many times, but always chickened out.
Now, I'm in my thirties and wear diapers most of the time. Obviously there are times I can't, but I managed to find the perfect man that accepts my kinks. Of course, they match up with his, as he likes to pee on me and it's deliciously embarrassing to have him relieve himself by peeing into my diaper.
That's my story. I hope it's long enough to publish. My friend won your contest two years ago and I'm hoping I have a decent shot at it. 🙂
** Salad ** Not my real name, but part of my standard screenname. 😉


text:
For my first blog post I'd like to share one of the very first things I incorporated into my life when I started to adapt healthier ways. My beloved green drink. Eating lots of fresh (and hopefully local) vegetables is so important to our overall health, yet many people find it difficult to eat enough every day. This is how my green drink came about:
I got the idea of making myself a daily green drink after I had my son and I realized that chomping an entire salad of vegetables simply took too much time! I had always taken a salad of spinach, bell peppers, tomatoes, and zucchini to work for lunch for at least the previous 6 years, maybe longer, so I didn't want to give up my healthy veggies but needed a quicker way to get them into my belly.
So, I Googled "green drink" and I found Dr. Oz's recipe which I believe included spinach, celery, cucumbers, apples, and lemon. Over the years I have done several variations and I used to puree an entire week's worth in my food processor. Now I make one a day at least 5 days a week in my Magic Bullet. (May 2017 Update: I now use a Blendtec and I highly recommend it!)
This summer, since I'm growing swiss chard and kale in my garden, I use kale or chard, lemon, cucumber, peppers or celery if I have them, and frozen organic raspberries and blueberries. Please keep in mind that this is a health drink - think
"food as fuel" or "eat to live rather than live to eat."
With the kale it tastes just okay, but I love it anyway because I know it's chock full of vitamins and antioxidants and I'll do anything I can to ward off illness and disease. (Greens and berries are superfoods that attack free radicals that can lead to cancer.) With the swiss chard or spinach I can even get my 2 year old to take some sips from a straw, so you know it must taste good. Sometimes I'll even throw in some flax seed, chia seed, or wheat germ for some added health benefits and fiber. Here's an added bonus that I recently learned - when eating pureed, and especially juiced vegetables, the vitamins and nutrients are more readily available to our bodies so we get even more benefits from them.
Susan's Green Drink
(sometimes purple-ish due to the added berries)
- 1 BIG handful of kale, swiss chard, or spinach (from my garden or farmers market if possible)
- small cucumber
- juice of half a lemon
- small handful of parsley
- 1/2 cup frozen organic blueberries and/or raspberries
- some bell pepper or celery if on hand
In my Magic Bullet I put a few tablespoons of water in to help the blending along, then the lemon juice and greens and blend. Then the cucumber and blend, then any other veggies and blend, then the berries and blend. In a food processor or blender you could add a little at a time, or you might even be able to put everything in and blend away. Easy peasy!
What variations will you try? Leave a comment below to let me know how they turn out!


text:
17 December 2012 12:00
ESCP Europe launches its Executive Master in Marketing and Creativity!
The Executive Master in Marketing and Creativity (EMMK) is a 15-month, part-time programme beginning in September. This ground-breaking programme is designed for current marketing professionals wishing to stay ahead of the curve, as well as those planning to enter the discipline and facing the challenge of getting up to pace.
For further details and to download the EMMK leaflet, please click here.


text:
There's no better time than summer to embrace originality in fashion. In honor of new adventures, the Casana team is proud to announce the arrival of our 2017 collection!
We believe that fashion should always strive to be part of someone's personal narrative. Our latest releases are a testament to this; each design has a history all its own. We're unveiling several new product lines within our 2017 collection, all crafted with different styles in mind. Wherever your journey takes you, we've got you covered.
Here's a rundown of what the 2017 collection includes:
- CLASSIC: Some looks are simply timeless. The old souls among us know this very well. Our classic scarves are made of deluxe Himalayan cashmere, hand-embroidered by Nepali and Mongolian artisans. These elegant designs include traditional beadwork and perfectly symbolize a meeting of the minds between Eastern and Western philosophy. You can find some of our favorites from this line on the website now.
- CONTEMPORARY: For those who enjoy modern twists on their favorite accessories, we've added bold contemporary designs. These chic scarves combine decadent cashmere with shimmery Lurex, creating a dramatic look that lends the wearer an instant spotlight wherever she goes. You can find some of our favorites from this line on the website now.
- SOLID: Certain items are in the fashionista's handbook - you must have a little black dress, a crisp white button-down, and a great pair of jeans that ages like fine wine. We say, add a bright-colored solid scarf to that list, and you'll be forever on point. These accent pieces are made from the softest cashmere available. Slip one on and let its fresh, energizing vibes inspire you.
- MELANGE: One of Casana's core beliefs is that fashion should enhance your natural beauty. There's nothing more natural than these gorgeous dye-free scarves. Feel closer to earth with designs that retain the essence of their Himalayan roots. Zen moments have never looked better.
- PRINT: Want your outfit to make a statement? You'll love these patterned scarves, each one an eye-catching work of art in lightweight cashmere. From traditional Mongolian designs (like the intricate ikat) to brilliant splashes of color, the pieces in this line will easily help you piece standout ensembles together.
- LUXURY FUR: As a classic fashion campaign used to say, "What becomes a legend most?" The answer was then and still is, "A little fur, darling." True, this glamorous style isn't for everyone, but if you're eager to embrace your inner movie star, these cashmere scarves mixed with luxurious fur are your ideal wraps. The wide variety of solid colors and print designs within this line will surely make you ready for your closeup.
- BABY PRODUCTS: Casana products truly spring from love (our founder, Carrie Chen, was inspired to start the company while bonding with her daughters). So it's no surprise that our 2017 collection includes items for the most precious members of your family. Babies will feel instant comfort when they're wrapped in our super-soft cashmere throws. These lush blankets come in several different colors and traditional Mongolian prints, all of which keep your little ones happy and safe - even when mom has to step out of reach.
- TRAVEL SET: At Casana we love connecting you to your next adventure. With this line of ready-to-travel products, you'll be jetting from one city to another in fabulous style. In our versatile cashmere, you'll feel like a citizen of the world in no time.
- PONCHOS AND WRAPS: Want more coverage? We're wild about scarves, but sometimes a girl needs a slightly more substantial wrap. We get it. That's why our ponchos give you the best of all possible worlds - same glorious cashmere, new structure and durability. They're perfect transitional pieces for when seasons change and summer starts fading into fall.
Thanks for being friends and fans of Casana. The adventures are just beginning.


text:
Single Lot Urbanism
Single Lot Urbanism
Exploring ways to densify the city - by providing affordable eco-housing - one lot at a time.
The Challenge
RS Single Family Lots
RT Duplex Lots
Use the form on the right to contact us.
You can edit the text in this area, and change where the contact form on the right submits to, by entering edit mode using the modes on the bottom right.
362 E 10th Ave
Vancouver, BC, V5T 4G5
Bryn Davidson 604.728.0606
Mat Turner 604.999.1460
RS Single Family Lots
RT Duplex Lots


text:
New Magic: TG Set, "Innistrad", In Stock/
Today marks the release of the newest Magic: The Gathering set, Innistrad. as per usual, we receieved a box of boosters, as we do not carry the Intro Packs. We have the boosters in stock and ready for purchase at the usual $3.29 each price.
Stop in and pick up some of the new set today! And don't forget, we have a large selection of dice sets, and some Zendikar boosters on clearance for $2.75 per pack!


text:
1. Payment is expected when services are rendered. In order to focus on our patients' needs, customer service and minimizing costs, we do not offer payment plans.
2. We accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express) personal checks and cash. All cards must be signed by the owner of the card.
3. We now accept CareCredit. It is an affordable credit card with options of deferred interest payments or long term payment option with 14.9% interest. The cardholder must be present with the card in order to use! For more information on CareCredit, visit their website to apply here or call 1-800-677-0718.
Insurance For Your Pets
Another popular option for your family and pet is insurance coverage. To learn more, please visit the following pet insurance websites . . .
- www.PetInsurance.com
- www.PetCareInsurance.com
- www.gopetplan.com
- www.aspcapetinsurance.com
- www.embracepetinsurance.com
- www.trupanion.com


text:
Actress Gillian Jacobs joins Jordan and Jesse for a discussion of websites that make them nervous, the vaping congressman, modern t-shirt canons, and male pregnancy art on the internet.
Michael Showalter joins Jesse and special guest co-host Karen Kigariff for a discussion of his new movie Hello, My Name is Doris, the most charismatic people Jesse has ever met, and Karen's experience working on The Marriage Ref with Jerry Seinfeld.
Highlights from the live JJGo streamed online from MaxFunHQ to cap off the 2016 MaxFunDrive! Guests include MaxFun hosts Jonathan Van Ness, Carrie Poppy, Travis McElroy, Andie Bolt, Teresa McElroy, Renee Colvert, Allegra Ringo, and Erin Gibson.
Josie Long, England's number one celebrity, joins Jordan and Jesse for the second week of MaxFunDrive 2016. Jordan's local Shakey's Pizza Parlor has upped their game, Josie loves eating in America, and Jesse's son Simon has an ambitious new project.
Plus, Jordan has a new incentive to add to the list of MaxFunDrive bonuses for new and upgrading donors! Go to http://www.MaximumFun.org/Donate to support the shows you love.
Nick "Repeat" Adams joins Jordan and Jesse for an extra special MaxFunDrive edition of the show. Biggest episode ever some might say. From startling revelations to tips on getting a hat on a cat, this one has it all.
It's MaxFunDrive 2016! Go to http://www.MaximumFun.org/Donate to support the shows you love and get some cool stuff!
Mike Mitchell from the Birthday Boys joins Jordan and Jesse for a discussion of Mike's favorite gizmos, Mike's life in Quincy Massachusetts, and the best kind of french fry. Plus, Jesse opens a package of dollar bin comics sent in by a fan.
Comedian, actor and writer Paul Rust joins Jordan and Jesse for a discussion of the Ernest back catalog, Paul's work on the new Pee Wee Herman movie, and an anti-establishment GoFundMe project to fund a Wayne's World sequel. Plus, Jesse has an important Eyes and Nose Light update.
Comedian and podcaster Jimmy Pardo joins Jordan and Jesse for a discussion of children's show auditions, Jordan's experience as a Prius owner, and Jimmy's feelings about pizza toppings.
Comedian and writer Dwayne Kennedy joins Jordan and Jesse for a discussion of what makes a good uncle, Dwayne's Donald Trump theory, and Jordan's new neighbor audio mystery.
Comedian and writer Sara Schaefer joins Jordan and Jesse for a discussion of Octonauts corrections from last week's show, Jordan's dream wedding, and people from their past who they can't find on social media.


text:
Beatboxing flutist, Greg Pattillo, burst onto the YouTube scene circa 2007, racking up over 20 million views for his performance videos. Patillo has garnered world recognition for his skills, as well as attention from the New York Times:
"Greg Pattillo may be the best person in the world at what he does. He may also be the only person in the world who does what he does. A classically trained flutist who studied with the Cleveland Orchestra before teaching music in San Francisco and New York, Mr. Pattillo, 29, is now a beat boxing flute player. In his songs, Pattillo combines classical music with the New York-bred street art of beat boxing, a method of vocal percussion made famous by hip-hop artists in the early 1980s."
Patillo's subway performance below, as well as several other Youtube hits.
Have an iPhone? Check out all 200+ new features coming in iOS 13.


text:
patterns > wrapped and 1 more...
> men's wrapped pullover
men's wrapped pullover
A classical drop-shoulder pullover for men, but the assymetrical placed cable at the front and the back makes it interesting and stylish. The men's wrapped is worked top-down, starting with a provisional cast-on at the shoulder. The breast pocket is optional.
Back and front are worked seperately to the armholes and joined in the round. The stitches of the sleeves are picked and the sleeves, worked top-down, can easily be adapted to any length.
This garment is worked in one piece and seamless, apart from a little bit of sewing at the lining of the pocket.
Available for size: S-M, M-L, L-XL, XL-XXL
finished measurements bust: 39.5, 43.25, 47.25, 52" (101, 110, 120, 132 cm)
What you'll need
± 1100 (1200/1350/1500)m (1200/1300/1450/1650 yards) aran or light-bulky weight.
4,5 mm (US7) circular needle or dpns
5,5 mm (US9) circular needle or dpns
5,5 mm (US9) straight ndls
or size to obtain gauge
All techniques used (short rows, provisional cast-on, I-cord cast-on, … ) are explained in detail.
30694 projects
stashed 12890 times
20263 projects
stashed 10562 times
- Page created: April 4, 2012
- Last updated: February 10, 2017 …
- visits in the last 24 hours
- visitors right now


text:
CGC: Could you begin by telling us about your own professional background?
FV: I have been working in visual effects and computer animation since the 1980's. I got my start at Robert Abel and Associates in Hollywood. There I was a technical director on quite a few commercials including several Clio winners such as the TRW series. I also worked on the movie "Tron". When Bill Kovacs left Abel's to found Wavefront Technologies, he promoted me into his position as Head of R&D at Abel's. I helped to spin off Abel Image Research where we created a very cool 3D software package that was an early competitor of Wavefront.
When Abel was dragged down and out by the Omnibus fiasco in 1987 I went to work as an independent computer graphics consultant and visual effects supervisor. I have worked on a lot of different projects including the design of a motion capture based sports performance analysis system, several interactive multimedia systems, commercials, and visual effects for motion pictures. My specialty is always finding creative solutions for difficult technical and aesthetic problems
I have done a lot of work with KWCC over the years including Judge Dredd, Stargate, the Spiderman attraction at Universal Studios, and more recently visual effects for the X-Men movies.
CGC: What were your role on the production of X2?
FV: I was visual effects supervisor for the X2 team at KW. The first movie was very successful and so Bryan Singer and Mike Fink brought back many of the same people who worked on the that film including KW and me. As I did for X1, I led the team that produced all of the Mystique transformation shots in the movie. I worked with Mike Fink to design the shots, and was on location in Vancouver for all the plate photography. During post production our team was based at MASS MOCA in the Berkshires where we created all the effects and composited them into the live action.
CGC: What was the most challenging aspect of the project?
FV: Well… I think the biggest challenge was to figure out how to improve the Mystique effects without losing continuity with the shots in the first movie. Bryan Singer wanted everything to be bigger and better and more realistic yet it had to be consistent with what we had already seen. The shots themselves were more challenging as well…. Mystique plays a much more important role in X2 and Bryan wanted to see her transformations up close… with the camera lingering longer in much tighter shots. We had to step up the level of detail in every aspect of the effects.
CGC: What was different between the original X-Men movie and this one for you?
FV: The shots are closer and more intimate. This forced us to
work with much more photo-realistic techniques. Luckily we had some more sophisticated tools at our disposal this time around. In a strange way though it was very much like the original movie… but we got a chance to work out some of the problems we had experienced and push the look of the transformation into a whole new realm. One advantage we had was that we were able to tap Daniel Roizman again. He completely re crafted the non linear morph tools that he had developed for us the first time around to work within the constraints of our new more highly detailed Mystique model. And he was able to vastly improve their real time interactivity at the same time. Pretty amazing stuff.
CGC: Were there any special challenges in integrating the digital character into the live plates?
FV: Yes. For one thing this time we made extensive use of live action projected textures. Kevin Noone and his group worked out a system that allowed us to rotoscope a character's live action plate and extract his or her surface properties frame by frame. This allowed us to alter a performance and even a person's proportions dynamically. This in turn allowed us to carry very convincing surface properties that were based on real live action footage right through to and integrated with a fully synthetic CG character. The results are most notable (by the fact that you don't even realize that it is happening!) in the tent sequence when a series of very differently shaped women morph smoothly and erotically from one form to another complete while continuing to move in a convincing way.
We also made extensive use of High Dynamic Range Imagery or HDRI techniques on X2. While Paul Debevec has done amazing research in this area, it still fell to us to work out the practical details of how to implement it in our own production. The techniques we developed allowed us to reproduce in our CG elements the practical lighting of the original live action footage. Mike Fink and Bill Maher came up with a very cool system of shooting HDRI exposure ramps through an 8mm fisheye lens that gave us 360 degree coverage of every setup. We scanned this footage and combined the images into panoramic HDRI environment maps. These in turn were used as reflection maps and as a source from which we derived CG light rigs that approximated the original lighting. Our head Lighter Leo Quiles put all of this information to good use, creating lighting setups that were applied to all the elements in every scene…. and there were a LOT of them: main color passes, highlight passes, ambient occlusion passes, contact shadows, cast light shadows, scales, scale shadows, the meaty edge layer, etc… it seems almost ridiculous in retrospect, but by separating the renders into so many layers we were able to keep render times down and gain a lot of flexibility in our final composites.
CGC: Beyond Mystique's transformation, what else have you contributed to the film?
FV: We worked only on Mystique but not only only on her transformations. WE also did a large number of Eye replacement shots. Rebecca Romijn-Stamos was unable to wear the full cornea contact lenses that would have been required to give her the characteristic Mystique Yellow Eyes so we gave them to her digitally. That process is a story unto itself! Talk about having to make an effect look real! AS humans we are trained from infancy to interpret every subtle nuance in the appearance of each others eyes. If the tiniest detail is wrong we spot it instantly. I had a team of eyeball experts led by Mary Nelson who were on the the case. We worked out a mainly 2D approach that preserved much of the clarity and detail in Rebecca's real eyes while allowing us to shift them into that weird monochrome yellow color space. We also tracked a CG element of the Mystique blotchy pupil frame by frame into each eye.
We also did some wire and rig removal shots for Mystique's action sequences… and even a digital floor reconstruction for when Mystique makes her escape from Stryker's clutches by sliding out between the massive closing doors in his secret base.
Related Links:
Tags: Frank Vitz, Mystique, X2


text: WOW! That's really all I can say... When I first met Christine and Omar they pulled out a look book for their up and coming fashion lines. At first I was unsure why, minutes into the consultation it all came together. They didn't want cheesy, plain, ordinary wedding photography. They wanted something to take your breath away, something that looked as though it belonged in a magazine. I was totally on board and ready!!!! One of the first things Christine said to me was, "I know what I want, I know I'm high-maintenance, and I will probably be one of the most difficult brides you've ever worked with." I was instantly IN LOVE! No disrespect Omar LOL! She was instantly my favorite! I couldn't wait for the wedding day. I couldn't have asked for better weather for the day of, nor 2 more beautiful venues! The ceremony took place at Neighborhood Church in Palos Verdes. Another gorgeous spot for photos was the reception venue, The Portofino Hotel & Marina in Redondo Beach. I can't help but smile every single time I look at their photos! Every time I see them I think I'm looking at a magazine!


text:
The title says it all...this week I hit my pre-pregnancy weight. Wahoo! It was absolutely a nice feeling to step on the scale and see the three numbers I haven't seen in more than 10 months. Now we begin the muscle rebuilding and toning stage. I have a girls weekend scheduled for August and while I could suck it up and wear a one piece I am going to try to make it a goal to "try" to get into a bikini...even if it is a high waist one...REALISTIC GOALS PEOPLE! I didn't make it out for a run, but we DID go back to pilates/boot camp on Sunday. Aside from the Fridays where I can get the workouts done back-to-back (and even then since its usually ab intervals I feel like its a light workout) this was the first time I was doing an hour long workout since having Dylan.
I jumped rope for a straight minute! Did burpees with a bosu! It was like old times and it felt amazing.
I do think we need to "clean up" our weekend eatings a bit, and I think the next few weeks will see a pretty major decrease in my sugar intake...I just can't say no to ice cream.
All the working out and the lifting of a 7 week old (soon to be 8 weeks, how did that happen?) has left my back pretty sore. I was sent a Massage Track to test out and have to say it relieved a significant amount of tension in my upper and lower back. I am a huge deep tissue massage person and given the fact I haven't even gotten a hair cut in 4 months you know I haven't found myself on a massage table in longer than that. This is a nice substitute for regularly working out the kinks. It does take some maneuvering and a bit of coordination but once you've got it down it works.
So this week's workout goals remain the same, get through all my T25 workouts, and then maybe try to go for a run one day this weekend. If we get brave enough to bring Dylan along for a workout we might go back for more pilates/boot camp...TBD.


text:
Right off the bat, let me preface this article by saying this is a piece about self-exploration. It is entirely selfish; my primary intent is to expand my perspectives for personal gain. It started as an objective political piece and collapsed quicker than the GEICO caveman TV sitcom.
I'm in my mid-20's. I'm an artist and a writer. There are a myriad of depictions that would suitably describe who I am and how I feel. At or near the top of that list – that for the sake of my self-esteem I won't actually compose – is perpetual confusion. Some of it I could be talked into accepting as normal, most of it I'm convinced is personalized. I continue to hope that the day will come in which I have a clue.
Since I can't even begin to understand myself, needless to say it's quite difficult for me to try and understand others. But as an aspiring artist or writer or person who's able to afford dinner, it's rather important to know what is interesting to people, what will abduct their attention, and most importantly what will garner a response.
Earlier this week we learned that Americans are 12 times more interested in Miley Cyrus' recent antics than the Syria dispute. And this time we can't even blame America or the media – the usual suspects or scapegoats, depending on your appetite for machination. Miley beat out Syria in every country in the world except Israel and Russia, who suffice it to say each have their respective reasons, despite the fact that Syria received nearly two and a half times the media coverage that Miley did.
Now before we go any further, let's actually analyze what it is that's getting Miley Cyrus so much darn attention. Was I the only one who was flummoxed by how big and controversial this story was? Even upon first read, confusion prevailed once again.
Let me get this straight: a college-aged pop star who makes her living romanticizing the risqué, who posted provocative selfies online as a teenager, who was photographed wearing a t-shirt that boldly states "Sex, Drugs & Rap", whose last record was entitled "Can't Be Tamed", who is completely nude in her newest music video, whose history of salacious photo shoots make her the embodiment of an incendiary sex-crazed rebel; danced in an overtly erotic manner at an event specifically designed to enhance the brands of celebrities based on the degree of outlandishness of their performances, airing on a network whose mission since its inception has been the same, which in turn provokes overreactions from impressionable teens that will inundate the digital and social media world so the value of the event is ultimately higher next year and more revenue can be generated from advertising and partnerships?
Stop the fucking presses. Next you're gonna tell me that Kim Kardashian's sex tape was a publicity stunt. For once, I can pinpoint the source of my confusion. It has absolutely nothing to do with the behavior itself – if it were up to me, Miley Cyrus would quit music and just twerk at every waking hour – and everything to do with why people can muster such an enormous reaction to an incident that so obviously took place solely so the aforementioned result would indeed materialize. Calling it a ruse would be giving it too much credit.
I get why the Syria debate isn't a popular story. It's messy, confusing and political. I get that people don't want to read about kids being gassed. We could have a whole other discussion about the advantages of ignorance, in this situation and in general, but this isn't the forum (is it?). And I get why people don't want to decide to kill more of our own and theirs on the other side of the world, while many of us can't even find a job.
My issue is that the line between juicy, scandalous controversy and downright nonsense has officially been crossed. At least when a celebrity commits suicide, or when a politician has an affair, or when an athlete takes steroids, something is actually happening. It is at least a partially legitimate event, newsworthy or not, that exists beyond the realm of theatrical deception. It was not created exclusively to feed on itself.
Call me naïve, call me late to the party, even call me wrong. But maybe someday, people will realize that this stuff is garbage even by Page Six's standards. Maybe someday people will get bored of these "outrageous" synthesized media plays. Maybe someday people will realize they are too easily conned and take a stand against this transparent sensationalism.
Or, just maybe, someday I'll finally get a clue.


text:
Dear Friends, former mission team members, and supporters of the work in Honduras,
If you have been a part of any of our trips over the last 7 years, then you are very familiar with Wilmer, our amazing bus driver, and his OLD school bus that he has used to transport mission teams all over Tegucigalpa and surrounding areas.
Thinking back to the very first day that Wilmer drove our mission team on his bus was an unforgettable day. He arrived early but also carrying a Bible. He was dressed very nice and loved to talk. You could tell he appreciated the work we were doing for others which resulted in him asking a lot of questions. The very next day, and every day since, he came prepared with a hammer in hand, so that when he had to park the bus, he could get out and work with our teams. He loves to laugh, a friendly competition, and even preaches while he drives. Wilmer is simply a servant of God.
Wilmer's bus is the largest tool he owns to help serve others and due to years of service, the bus is no longer functioning well enough to be reliable. This has caused Wilmer and his family to be put under a good deal of financial and emotional stress. Our goal is to help Wilmer continue to be the servant he has been called to be, as well as support his wife and four daughters. As group leaders of this trip, we are committed to helping Wilmer get a new bus so he can continue to provide transportation services to groups for years to come! The financial goal is to raise $30,000. Even though this money will be used for a new bus, it will equally serve as an amazing blessing to this wonderful family.
We are excited to announce that we have obtained a $15,000 matching gift to get the wheels rolling. This means that every dollar you give will be matched up to the first $15,000! So many of people have been blessed by Wilmer and we want this to be a way of giving back. Please consider to support the continued work in Honduras by making a contribution to this worthy cause.
Honduras Mission Group Leaders
"But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us--see that you also excel in this grace of giving." - 2 Cor. 8:7
If you are seeking a tax deduction in conjunction with your donation, please CLICK HERE or send a check made payable to Hillsboro Church of Christ with the memo stating, "Honduras Missions Bus" and a tax statement will be mailed to you at a later date. Please mail checks to the following address...
5800 Hillsboro Pike
Nashville, TN 37215
Phone: 615.665.0014
© Hillsboro Church of Christ | Memphis Web Design by Speak


text:
Far from mint
When Jeff and Perry go to see a Ferrari, they are appalled to see how badly the car has been neglected. Has the extensive damage destroyed the luxury auto, or can Jeff restore it back to the beauty it once was? Watch the following clip from #207.
Tune in to the new season of "The Car Chasers" on CNBC Prime, all new episodes Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT.


text:
Massachusetts Drug Rehab Centers; Addiction Treatment for MA
If you are searching for a Massachusetts drug rehab center call and speak with our counselors. He or she will guide you to a private rehab center that is suited to your needs and situation.
One of the main problems faced by relatives of someone addicted to some sort of substance is knowing the best way to get help. Our resource is a free service to help you get the needed information on private addiction treatment centers or private detox and other options available to you.
Substance abuse
The important thing to know about any type of addiction whether it's with heroin, cocaine or even pot or prescription meds like OxyContin and Fentanyl is that they will have some consequences.
The other fact to know about addiction is that the large majority of addicts have become addicts because of a choice. People using mind altering substances choose to do so, usually this is done as a solution to some personal problem.
People faced with life problems that they cannot solve will seek relief. The person will discover that mind altering substances bring about temporary relief to their unwanted unsolvable problem. They numb out the source of pain and discomfort.
This eventually numbs out other vital qualities; such as morals, responsibilities, honor and truth. The addict's behavioral changes, the mood swings, the lying, and overall disassociation to the real important things in life.
Massachusetts Drug Rehab Center Helpline
As a help line servicing Massachusetts, we offer our services to bring some peace of mind and hope to family and addict. We have worked in the field of rehabilitation for more than a decade. We have assisted hundreds of families find a path to recovery and peacefulness.
As such, we want to lessen the difficulties you may face with funded rehab centers. Remove all confusion concerning your loved one's behavior and give you some knowledge of your options for addiction treatment. Substance abuse cannot be put on hold.
Massachusetts Drug Rehab Centers Options for Referrals
Throughout the state of Massachusetts, every day there are people suffering with a dependency to some mind altering substance. Don't wait until you receive the dreaded phone call, take action and call one of our professional Massachusetts drug rehab referral counselors today.


text:
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Shared Interest Group
Welcome to the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Shared Interest Group (ERAS SIG) webpage!
This group has formed around a shared interest in the topic of Enhanced Recovery and its' impact on clinical practice, interdisciplinary collaboration and patient outcomes.
Learn more about the ERAS SIG in the FAQs below:
What is the purpose of the ERAS SIG?
The ERAS SIG will focus on engaging the profession in ERAS implementation, interprofessional communication skills, and continued quality improvement for program sustainability.
With AANA staff support and resource access to facilitate our work, this SIG will provide our expertise to provide tools, skills, and a network for AANA members that will assist in their ERAS program development, implementation and sustainability. Ultimately, our goal is to share knowledge amongst the CRNA community with the hope to optimize patient outcomes utilizing ERAS principles combined with innovative perioperative medicine.
Enhanced recovery has grown exponentially and has become a staple in a wide array of surgical specialties, ranging from the everyday to complex procedures. With less than 20 percent of facilities currently engaged in at least one ERAS pathway, there is great opportunity to engage CRNAs as leaders to improve the patient interdisciplinary care experience and outcomes.
What is the ERAS SIG Mission?
To provide a member driven platform that empowers CRNA's to deliver innovative, research-based care utilizing Enhanced Recovery care pathways to deliver perioperative care using a comprehensive, interdisciplinary, patient-centered framework.
Who is leading the ERAS SIG?
The ERAS SIG is led by Joshua Newman, MSN, CRNA and a core steering committee. SIG membership is comprised of CRNA members who are affiliated with the American Society for Enhanced Recovery (ASER), Evidence Based Perioperative Medicine (EBPOM-USA), and others who are experts in the field of ERAS implementation.
Can I be a member?
This is a pilot SIG, therefore the membership number is limited to 25 members, who are dedicated to implementation of ERAS protocols, available to actively participate in calls and resource development, and can commit time to building this initiative with the support of AANA staff.
A few spots still remain, therefore if you are interested in joining the SIG, send you CV and a brief description of your experience with ERAS to firstname.lastname@example.com.
Why is this a 'pilot' SIG?
The secondary goal of the SIG is to help AANA evaluate the formation and structure of a SIG and make recommendations on how to operationalize this format to expand to other areas of interest.
How can I engage with the SIG?
The ERAS SIG will be actively posting on the AANAConnect General Community, developing resources, and presenting at AANA Annual Congress. See Desiree Chappell, MSNA, CRNA, present "Leadership in Enhanced Recovery After Surgery and Perioperative Care Quality Initiatives: Opportunities for CRNAs to Expand Practice within and Outside of the Operating Room" on Monday, September 24.
What if I have more questions?
Please contact the Professional Practice Division at firstname.lastname@example.com with any questions.


text:
The History of the Middle Finger
|English Archers
Before the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, the French, anticipating victory over the English, proposed to cut off the middle finger of all captured English soldiers. Without the middle finger it would be impossible to draw the renowned English longbow and therefore they would be incapable of fighting in the future. This famous English longbow was made of the native English Yew tree, and the act of drawing the longbow was known as 'plucking the yew' (or 'pluck yew').
Much to the bewilderment of the French, the English won a major upset and began mocking the French by waving their middle fingers at the defeated French, saying, See, we can still pluck yew! Since 'pluck yew' is rather difficult to say, the difficult consonant cluster at the beginning has gradually changed to a labiodentals fricative F', and thus the words often used in conjunction with the one-finger-salute! It is also because of the pheasant feathers on the arrows used with the longbow that the symbolic gesture is known as 'giving the bird.'
And yew thought yew knew every plucking thing!
Here are some interesting tweets on the topic. I'll behave myself and not correct the grammar or spelling.
When i was 5, sticking my tongue out was like giving someone the middle finger.
My wife came in complaining that I never lift a finger around the house. So I did. The middle one.
My middle finger is my power point presentation.
Sometimes I gotta let my middle finger do the talking for me!!!"


text:
The Paris prosecutor has said the fate of the suspected organiser of Friday's attacks remains unknown after a police raid on a flat ended in bloodshed.
Francois Molins told reporters Abdelhamid Abaaoud was not among eight people arrested during the raid in the Paris suburb of Saint Denis.
However, human remains found in the rubble of the flat had still to be identified.
A woman blew herself up and another suspect was shot dead during the raid.
An interior ministry spokesman said the building was so badly damaged that it is unclear if there is a third body in the rubble.


text:
JP Morgan Asian Family Enterprise Study/
JP Morgan, in collaboration with Wise Counsel's Dennis Jaffe, has just published a fascinating study of Asian family enterprises. Some of the headlines from this analysis of 140 large, multi-generational families include the families' top concerns (#1: fairness to the rising generation), their top leadership values, overall preparedness (or rather unpreparedness) with regard to transition and family employment policies, and practices concerning board composition, talent development, and exit strategies. All students of family governance will find in this study an invaluable glimpses into succession principles and practices. It also includes a great section on the practicalities of family meetings by Christian Stewart of Family Legacy Asia.


text:
Star Trek #41 came out this week and it is part one of a two part story arc I worked on with IDW and writer Mike Johnson. You can read more about Mike and his take on the Star Trek universe in this interview from Comic Book Resources. This is not my first time working on the new frontier, but it was still a pleasant challenge all the same. Mike had a fun and fantastic story that I got to work on, including designing aliens and star ships. Below is the character design for The Hunter and his ship The Scarab. In addition I got to design the alien planet, which was a blast. click on the images for a better view
Here are a few of the interiors pages. Pencils and inks by yours truly. I hope Star trek fans enjoy the arc as much as I did working on it. click on the images for a better view


text:
Chris Coleman will not resign as manager of Wales
- From the section Welsh
Chris Coleman insists he has no intention of quitting as Wales manager despite a poor start to their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Wales have lost three of the first four Group A matches, including their biggest thrashing for 15 years with a 6-1 defeat in Serbia.
Coleman's only win in five games in charge was a 2-1 victory over Scotland.
"My contract is until the end of the qualifying games and I'm looking to see that through," said Coleman.
Speaking to the BBC's Sport Wales programme, broadcast on Friday evening, he added: "I've had six games, [I'm] yet to have our strongest team on the pitch, one game [was] really bad - Serbia [a 6-1 defeat].
"Let's say we were three or four games in and we'd won every game, and let's say financially a better offer came my way from a big club.
"I wouldn't walk away because it leaves my country in a bit of a predicament.
"Equally, we've won one and lost three [World Cup qualifiers] and it's a tall order for us to qualify, but we're halfway through it so no, absolutely not [considering resigning]."
Coleman has been hampered by injuries and suspensions since taking over a Wales squad still coming to terms with the death of former boss Gary Speed.
A particular low point in qualifying was an unexpected 6-1 thumping in Novi Sad by a Serbia side that is itself struggling for form.
But Wales did bounce back to beat Scotland and claim their first win in the group - and the first under Coleman - thanks to a Gareth Bale-inspired performance at Cardiff City Stadium.
"After the Scotland win I said to my press conference that I was the same manager as I was 24 hours before when all the flak was flying and I'll be the same manager in 24 hours time," Coleman told the BBC Sport Wales programme.
"Now we've gone to Croatia - Croatia who are top 10 in the world [Croatia are 11th in latest Fifa rankings] - they've lost one game in 47 qualifiers at home and we've lost. In terms of the players and the effort it was fantastic.
"I'm the same manager now as I was Friday night, but it's results and that's what people look at."
Wales' next competitive match is in March 2013 when they have their return fixture against Scotland.
Watch Coleman's full interview on Sport Wales, BBC Two Wales, Friday 19 October at 19:00 BST


text:
So tell me again why you're not going to FYF Fest this weekend, because I don't understand. There's really no excuse not to go. Currently in its 7th year running, FYF Fest seeks "to be a mix tape of bands that would never play with one another but go so well together"- and they definitely pull that off. With The Rapture, Panda Bear, and the recently added Local Natives headlining all for the humble price of $30, how could anyone pass up this chance for the last music festival of the summer season? As the cool breeze of autumn approaches, let's all congregate under the sun and enjoy some local music. I'm especially excited to see bands that have played at KXSC shows before like Abe Vigoda, and 2010 KXSC(R) Fest headliners Thee Oh Sees and The Growlers. If you're still not convinced, I've compiled this comprehensive list of why you should go:
1. Panda Bear: It's Panda Bear...and he will be on stage...with his instruments...playing music
2. Local Natives: basically, see above reason
3. Labor Day Weekend: the only other thing going on is crazy shopaholic super-sales. Would you really rather spend your weekend fighting other people for half-priced t-shirts?
4. Size: it does matter. With over 30 artists and 3 stages, FYF has a pretty big bill but still manages to maintain an intimate enough setting that larger music festivals lack
and finally, reason number 5: KXSC will be there.
Peep the FYF Fest Facebook page for the latest deets on fest as well as info on the many pre+after show goings-ons (is that a word??) and don't forget to check back here for pictures and recaps of fest courtesy of your very own KXSC staffers!
*all images from FYF website


text:
STANY 2018 International Reception and Holiday Party
15 Nov
Nov 15 -
5:30pm to 9:30pm
22 Battery Place
New York, NY 10004United States
Event Details
The Canadian Securities Exchange is looking forward to attending and speaking at the STANY 2018 International Reception and Holiday Party, November 15th in New York City.
Held at the Pier A Harbor House, this evening event will feature a host of speakers in collaboration with the US Marines' Toys for Tots program.
The CSE's VP of listings development, James Black, will join speakers at the 28th annual celebration with the topic for this year entitled: 'Putting it Bluntly: Canadian Markets Take the High Road.'
Click here for more information and to register.Google CalendariCal Export
Date:Thu November 15
5:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Event Categories:Conferences
Event Website:https://stany.org/meetingin...
Pier A Harbor House
22 Battery Place
New York, NY 10004United States+ Google Map


text:
The city is overrun with chaos and the mayor knows just what might bring some order. He commissions Mang Andoy (Mr. Andoy) to make some signs to clarify rules of conduct. But how will people react?
Mang Andoy's Signs is a bilingual book, written in English by Mailin Paterno and translated into Tagalog by Eugene Y. Evasco. Isabel Roxas' thoughtful and whimsical collages are a perfect fit for the bustling scenes of this urban tale. A little about her method — "The artwork for this book was created using watercolor, paper scraps, and digital collage. Bus fare tickets, candy wrappers, and other pieces of vintage ephemera were collected from bus conductors, friends, and generous pack rats."
Published by Tahanan Books for Young Readers.


text:
Jersey City, NJ, September 01, 2009 - In order to make the business of exchanging information on the Internet as clear as possible, even among different platforms and languages, software developers have designed a clear standard of communication. That standard is called the Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP).
The disadvantage of such a clear protocol is that anyone who intercepts an online transaction can easily read it unless it has been altered. The computers exchanging the information can agree upon a method to disguise it. The text can be changed using a process called encryption. When computers exchange encrypted text, the protocol is called HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS).
The two computers agree to transpose the message into an unintelligible "hash" of characters. For example, instead of plain characters, encrypted text looks like this:
HTTPS uses a document called a "digital certificate" to create the hash file. Only the owner of the private key associated with the digital certificate can read or understand the encrypted communication.
Most popular Internet browsers acknowledge SSL communications by displaying a small yellow padlock appears in their bottom right-hand corners.
Recently hackers have discovered that they could buy SSL certificates online, without their trustworthiness being checked. The only verification is a series of email challenges that determine whether the applicant has some access to the domain name listed in the purchased certificate. If a hacker passes the email test (even if he or she is not the legitimate owner of the domain), he or she receives a "domain-validated" SSL certificate, enabling the browser to display the golden padlock.
Many Internet users believe that the padlock signals that their online communications are safe. Although the hacker is using encryption, these low level certificates do not give any guarantee that a user is communicating with the right company. Their information may be securely transferred straight into the hands of a thief.
Checking a website's certificate is a good practice that helps netizens avoid spoof websites, sometimes called "phishing" sites. To check the certificate, click on the padlock. The browser will display the name of the owner of the certificate. This name should match the name of the website operator.
Companies requiring digital certificates have a better alternative for online communications: Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificates. To receive EV SSL certificates, online businesses must be verified as to their business identity and their existence. A business must be verified by a certificate authority, both that it is an existing business and that it has exclusive control over the domain.
When Internet users access a website using an EV SSL Certificate, they receive a special confirmation. All popular browsers turn their address bars bright green as an indicator that the business has passed the more complex validation process, adding a visual reassurance that this online transaction is with a confirmed entity.
Seeing a site with an EV SSL Certificate confirms two essential factors:
To learn more about the protection provided by EV SSL certificates, visit cabforum.org/certificates.html or enterprisessl.com/.
About Comodo
The Comodo companies provide the infrastructure that is essential in enabling e-merchants, other Internet-connected companies, software companies, and individual consumers to interact and conduct business via the Internet safely and securely. The Comodo companies offer PKI SSL, Code Signing, Content Verification and Email Certificate; award winning PC Security software; Vulnerability Scanning services for PCI Compliance; secure e-mail and fax services.
Continual innovation, a core competence in PKI, and a commitment to reversing the growth of Internet-crime distinguish the Comodo companies as vital players in the Internet's ongoing development. Comodo secures and authenticates online transactions and communications for over 200,000 business customers and 3,000,000 users of our desktop security products.
For additional information on Comodo - Creating Trust Online® visit Comodo.com
For more information, reporters and analysts may contact:
Email: email@example.com
Office: +1 (888) 266-6361


text:
I feel like I say this about every season, but I really adore spring. It's kind of like the reverse of autumn, replacing the browns, reds, oranges and yellows with spring leaf green, purple, pink, yellow, blue, white… a rainbow of colors. The wind makes things exciting, the sun comes out to warm us, and … Continue reading Spring Equinox: Sowing the Seeds of Love
Author: thefirespiral
Finding the Beauty in Change: Autumn Equinox Reflections
Autumn is my favorite season. I love the beauty of the leaves as they show us how to pass from this world beautifully and with grace. I love the cooler temperatures and the opportunity to bundle up with my favorite scarves, shawls and sweaters. I love when coffee and tea feel like I'm carrying a … Continue reading Finding the Beauty in Change: Autumn Equinox Reflections
Beltane Reflections
from this past Sunday's service at the Pacific Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Astoria, OR: Happy Mother's Day to those who celebrate. I am privileged to have (and hopefully BE) a mother worthy of celebration. That is not always the case for people, and I'm sensitive to that today. Mother can be a charged word, right? … Continue reading Beltane Reflections
Since the dissolution of my last group, I've been in deep cocoon. I have a lot of thoughts, have had a lot of epiphanies, but the one that is really working me now is that perhaps I have been searching for something I never really needed - a tradition to work with. Recently I had … Continue reading Evolution?
13 years
This year is no different than any year since 2004 when it comes to this - I am up again in the wee hours of V-Day, thinking about you, Jasmine, and how you'd be navigating this world with nearly 24 years under your belt. Grief ninjas come and go, but there's always the steady ache … Continue reading 13 years
burlap & sand
First Draft I sit made of burlap filled with sand an effigy of responsibility blue eyes like buttons twinkle with flat cheer mouth moving mechanically one hand neatly flat on the tabletop nodding saying The Right Things dying inside the other hand hidden below knows the truth clutching a sharp dagger waiting for the signal I … Continue reading burlap & sand
365 tarot spreads: bird's-eye view spread
So I picked up a copy of Sasha Graham's 365 Tarot Spreads to give myself some structure in getting to know the cards again AND to pick up some cool new spreads. It came last night, so I got started with today's entry - the Bird's-Eye View Spread. The trick with this spread is that … Continue reading 365 tarot spreads: bird's-eye view spread
taking a new name
In the Craft, we are often taught that names have power. We choose names to become or to represent who we are. And sometimes there is a big enough life change that names change too. In my case, I've had two names during my 30-ish years as a Witch. The first name I crafted was … Continue reading taking a new name
life as improv
Some people live a very scripted life. They go to school like you're "supposed" to, K-12, followed by four more years in college, work, get married, and so on. The script is written by various factors in society - you do this, you don't do that, and you get this reward and avoid that scary … Continue reading life as improv
don't tell me
This week there have been a few images circulating on FB that I found to be helpful in regards to bias in the news media. The first, I reposted. It looked like this: I thought it was pretty straightforward and helpful, even though they had to leave out SO many sites because, well, space and … Continue reading don't tell me


text:
It's about asking the why. We go through life, we go through routine, we do what society wants and forget to breath. Forget to pay respects. Forget to be grateful. It's easy to get caught up in the crowd. To worry about judgement. But it's just as easy not to care. Who cares what strangers say. If you're being you that's the only gratitude you need. People want to have a higher power. We base our entire civil structure off it. We base our universal structure off it. But why does it matter. Why does it matter if in the end we all die. In the end we become lost souls, lost memories. Make life count now because tomorrow is not promised. Tomorrow is a blessing.
Now keep all of my rambling in your mind when you hear this next part.
School is part of the routine. We go, we learn, and the next day we do it all over again. But I would've never guessed my life would end in school. I would've never guessed following a routine would get me in any type of trouble. And neither did these kids.
Charlotte Bacon. Daniel Barden. Noah Pozner. Jack Pinto. Jesse Lewis. Grace McDonnell. Dylan Hockley. Jessica Rekos. Ana Marquez-Greene. Madeleine Hsu. Olivia Engel. James Mattioli. Chase Kowalski. Catherine Hubbard. Josephine Gay. Emilie Parker. Caroline Previdi. Avielle Richman. Benjamin Wheeler. Allison Wyatt. Vicki Soto. Mary Sherlach. Dawn Hochsprung. Rachel D'avino. Lauren Rousseau. Anne Marie Murphy.
26 names that you don't know. 26 people you weren't blessed to meet. 26 lost souls.
From an outside view we try to peek in, we try to understand, we try to compensate-it's our nature. But you can't. You can't say you understand because you most likely don't and most likely never will. And yeah that's annoying, but that's life. We go through life as curious machines. At the age of five we begin playing the why game. Spend five minutes with a five year old and you're bound to here the question why 20 times. As we grow older we learn to interpret. To not ask why out loud but in our head subconsciously. But why did we stop asking the why. I like asking the why. Why did those people have to be punished? Why did they become angels all too soon? Why did those lives have to be taken?
We don't question and that's where we fall victim. Life is about the whys. They make up our being. They make our memories. They make our personality. They make us human.
So maybe asking questions doesn't get you answers and actually leads to more questions. But those questions are healthy. If you don't ask yourself why, you're living in denial or worse in a bubble. You have evolved into such a self-involved individual you forgot the question the life that beats around you.
Life is about the whys.


text:
Organizers of WUAL's 17th annual "Kitchens of Consequence" tour attribute much of the event's past success to its wide variety of homes with new or remodeled kitchens available for viewing.
Organizers of WUAL's 17th annual "Kitchens of Consequence" tour attribute much of the event's past success to its wide variety of homes with new or remodeled kitchens available for viewing.
Kathy Henslee, development director at Alabama Public Radio, said the seven homes on this year's tour, which takes place from 1-5 p.m. Saturday, will give people a lot of ideas about how to build a home or redo their kitchens. The event will also help people find a local caterer for their upcoming events, she said.
Tickets to Saturday's event, presented by the board of Friends of WUAL, are $20. All proceeds will benefit Alabama Public Radio.
"I hope that people feel that what they've participated in, it goes to a good cause — public radio — and also that whatever motivated them to go, that they were able to see an eclectic mix of homes and may be inspired by something they have seen and heard," she said.
Before Saturday's "Kitchens of Consequence," a pre-tour event, dubbed "Toast of the Tour," will take place from 6-8 tonight at Toulmin Cabinetry in Tuscaloosa.
Tickets to tonight's event, which features a silent auction, are $50 per person and include heavy hors d'oeuvres, selections of wine and beer and a ticket to the tour.
"We think that this year, having it in a showroom of a builder, is another way for people to get good ideas," Henslee said. "It's also a way for people who want to support public radio to come out and spend an enjoyable evening and maybe find something that they really cannot live without and want to get from the silent auction."
Joanna Jacobs, a member of the board of Friends of WUAL, said a lot of people enjoy the chance to take a peek into other people's new kitchens. She said the tour is helpful if people are thinking about renovating their kitchens and want to get new ideas.
"I think people really enjoy the chance to support Alabama Public Radio in a way that's a little more different and creative than just calling in during the pledge drive," Jacobs said. "It's a great opportunity to get out on a nice day and see friends and also sample foods from caterers all over town and hear some great live music."
For reservations for Toast of the Tour, contact Henslee at email@example.com or 205-348-2687. Tickets to Saturday's event are available at Manna Grocery and Deli, Spirit's in Essex Square, Spirits Wine Cellar in The Shoppes at Lake Tuscaloosa, Alabama Public Radio, from members of the board of Friends of WUAL and at each home on the day of the tour.
"(When attendees leave), I hope they've had a really great day, I hope they've had a lot of fun, and I hope on their way home they listen to Alabama Public Radio in the car," Jacobs said.


text:
With our all-natural original airbrush solution, we can custom blend more then 25 different shades. Allow your SunnaTan to develop for 12-24 hours, and then gently shower the bronzer off your skin to reveal the natural glow.
Weddings and special events
From engagement photos to the stagette and the big day, let SunnaTan be your beauty secret for all your wedding occasions.
Bring your bridal party, friends and family along for the ride. We can come to your hotel room, bridal suite or house to take care of everyone's spray tan. We're happy to meet your individual needs.
Quickie SunnaTan
Our new Quickie SunnaTan solution allows you to shower 3-4 hours after your application. The Quickie is perfect for clients who have a same day event or for those who cannot wait a full 12 hours to shower.
Fitness Competitions
SunnaTan is the finishing touch for hardworking fitness models and competitors.
We're proud to be the leading airbrush tanning choice for winning fitness models. With our exclusive rich, dark formula, we have extensive experience in tanning fitness models and athletes.