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Our Story
I can't remember when I first saw a bonsai tree, but I was ready when I happened upon a notice for a bonsai course in 1982. I was teaching an "Introduction to Interior Landscaping" class at the New York Botanical Garden. The teacher was Yuji Yoshimura; author of the first authoritative book on Bonsai in English. After finishing the course I joined the New York and Connecticut area's Yama Ki Bonsai Society. After a few months of intoxicating meetings and exploring for raw materials at area nurseries, I went on a week's vacation and returned to find all my early bonsai projects dead from missed watering in the hot summer. Dejected, I gave up bonsai for fifteen years. "This isn't a hobby for a young person," I thought.
Thankfully, in 1997 I realized that if I could raise children, I could care for bonsai. Starting with the early Internet bonsai community, I eventually rejoined Yama Ki and began revisiting the Shanti Bithi bonsai nursery in Stamford, Connecticut.
My serious study began when I discovered a scheduled branch of Colin Lewis' Ho Yoku School of Bonsai. Scheduled for four weekends per year for three years, this was the only serious learning opportunity in the New York area since the passing of Yuji Yoshimura. When I learned that it lost its meeting place, I worked hard with Colin to enroll enough people to form a group. Canvassing my club and other bonsai enthusiasts at local exhibitions I eventually had enough committed students to form a group.
Over the course of the three year Ho Yoku school, I learned the fundamentals of bonsai design, care and display. About this time I also began to study and collect bonsai pottery, display objects and to fall in love with viewing stones and particularly the Japanese suiseki aesthetic.
At the urging of a friend, I entered the American Bonsai Society's Joshua Roth New Talent Competition. Competing against eight other contestants, my tree was chosen by the bonsai masters headlining the 2004 Bonsai Clubs International Convention. This was an amazing moment for me and propelled me to continue my bonsai education with gusto. I have continued studying with Colin as well as many other gifted bonsai educators.
Grand prize in that competition was a plane ticket to Japan, and in fall of 2004 I joined Bill Valavanis' International Bonsai Arboretum tour to Japan. Over a little more than a week, I was able to see many of the most famous bonsai nurseries, growing fields, private collections and the Japan Grandview Bonsai Exhibition (Nippon Bonsai Taikan-ten). I was even able to fit in a visit to the Choseki Suiseki exhibition at the beautiful Kennin-ji (Kennin temple) in Kyoto. I've since been to shows throughout the US and Europe; wherever the best bonsai are being displayed.
Bonsai Shinsei New York feels like an inevitable result of my passion for bonsai. I hope I can share this wonderful practice with you.
Michael Pollock
Westchester County, NY, USA
Awards and Exhibitions
2004 Joshua Roth New Talent Award
2005 Honorable Mention (2 trees) Yoshimura Award Greater New York Bonsai Society Convention
2006 MidAtlantic Bonsai Societies' Best in Show Award
2007 MidAtlantic Bonsai Societies' Best in Show Award
2008 Two trees accepted in the 1st U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition
2009 MidAtlantic Bonsai Societies' President's Award
2009 MidAtlantic Bonsai Societies' Peoples' Choice Award
2010 One tree accepted in the 2nd U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition
2011 MidAtlantic Bonsai Societies' Best in Show Award
2011 MidAtlantic Bonsai Societies' Peoples' Choice Award
2012 MidAtlantic Bonsai Societies' President's Award
012 Two trees accepted in the 3rd U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition
012 American Bonsai Society John Naka Award Hobbyist Division, Grown in North America
2015 American Bonsai Societies Capital Collections Exhibition - First Place


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First Up - with Soledad O'Brien
This logo concept was created for CNN's launch of their new morning show, "First Up with Soledad O'Brien" which covers top stories in the news, discussed by both leaders and everyday people. The whole Identity process was to capture the bubbly yet serious character of the anchor. The Color palette chosen are light to accommodate the early morning show. The overall design approach was to capture the conversational tone of the morning show.

subset: commoncrawl


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Pawn Shops & Lost Propoerty
Recovery of lost and stolen property investigations are on the rise. During these difficult economic times desperation seems to bring out the worst in people. Career criminals seem to be bolder and John and Jane Q. Public are driven to the point of distraction with trying to keep up appearances so that no one knows they are suffering, financially speaking.
Because of this prevailing attitude "lost" property turns up not being lost after all… but often times finds its way to pawn shops because the owner is in need of cash. Senior Investigator Randy Wyles, in his Creekside Journal column, touches on a couple of cases that took him into local pawn shops on an investigation for missing personal property. Wyles mentions that insurance companies may pay out on a lost article, but when the item is discovered they will want their money back. It's called fraud – and that's a felony.
Despite the economic times, honesty is the best policy. Pawning a family heir loom and then claiming it as lost or stolen property to the insurance company only creates more trouble than its worth. However, if your property has been stolen or legitimately lost file a police report and let us help you recover your treasures.
Hunter Investigations has developed a network of resources to assist our private detectives as they work with insurance companies, local law enforcement and other individuals to recover your valuables. For more information on how we can assist in the recovery of your stolen property call our office: 770.667.7467.


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3. Foreign Exchange Market Intervention: How Good a Defense Against Appreciation Winds?
- International Monetary Fund. Western Hemisphere Dept.
- Published Date:
- May 2011
Show Summary Details
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text:
We're trying to load a shapefile into memory using class "ShapeFileFeatureSource" but it throws an exception with the following message/stacktrace:
System.IO.FileLoadExceptionThe record is invalid, please call Validate method to check the failed reason.Record index: 48 at ThinkGeo.MapSuite.Core.ShapeFile.sBQ=(Int32 recordIndex) at ThinkGeo.MapSuite.Core.ShapeFileFeatureSource.GetAllFeaturesCore(IEnumerable1 returningColumnNames) at ThinkGeo.MapSuite.Core.FeatureSource.<GetAllFeatures>b__d(IEnumerable1 cns) at ThinkGeo.MapSuite.Core.FeatureSource.eBQ=(IEnumerable1 returningColumnNames, Func2 getFeatures, IEnumerable1 filters) at ThinkGeo.MapSuite.Core.FeatureSource.GetAllFeatures(IEnumerable1 returningColumnNames) at ThinkGeo.MapSuite.Core.FeatureSource.GetAllFeatures(ReturningColumnsType returningColumnNamesType)(...)
1 returningColumnNames) at ThinkGeo.MapSuite.Core.FeatureSource.<GetAllFeatures>b__d(IEnumerable
1 returningColumnNames, Func
1 filters) at ThinkGeo.MapSuite.Core.FeatureSource.GetAllFeatures(IEnumerable
There's some problem with shapefile data and we don't understand what is it.
We've uploaded a Visual Studio project into WeTransfer service with which you can replicate this problem. You can download it with the following link:
Best regards,BdaF
Hi BdaF,
If the sample is small you can directly upload it here, if that's big you can choose to sent us via our FTP.
This exception is because your 48 and 49 record is invalid, we improve related logic so it will skip invalid records, we tried some other utility which also skip invalid records.
Please get our latest code to have a try.
For V9 it's 9.0.694.0 or higher versionFor V10 it's ThinkGeo MapSuite ShapeFile Layer 11.0.0-beta002 or higher version
We will refresh the download link in one or two days, please keep you eyes on it.
Hi Don,
What do you mean by "(...) we improve related logic so it will skip invalid records, we tried some other utility which also skip invalid records (...)"? Does that mean that the features will not be loaded into memory or it will have a null geometry?
We are using V9 and we must keep it. Those TG 9.0 versions are beta or release versions? Some time ago we used a BETA version and it was really unstable. We cannot afford to use unstable versions on our software solutions.
BTW Ron,
Can you explain the reason why is this happening?
We open this shapefile on QGIS and perform "Geometry Validation Check" over it and it doesn't detect any problem.
For now, we want to know the problem and solve it with some spatial tool or other methodology. We don't want to replace TG DLL versions.
Hi BadF,
Your record 48 and record 49 is invalid both in shp and dbf file, the other spatial tool for example QGis and GlobalMapper just ignore the invalid record, so you cannot validate that.
We help you remove the invalid record in the file attached, you can use it directly no need to replace dll, wish it's helpful.
Issue ShapeFile Resolved.zip (5.5 KB)


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Cole Haan outlet is the best place to shop for designer's shoes, bags, apparels, and accessories. Highly admired by elite class, it has the privilege to have all the major celebrities as its top customers.
This outlet is more than a fashion label. In 1988, Nike took it as a subsidiary. It was originally started in 1928 in Chicago, United States. It was named after its founders, Trafton Cole and Eddie Haan. They started it mainly for men footwear. But gradually it continued to extend its product line and today it has products for everybody including men and women footwear, belts, gloves, scarves, hand bags, hats, sunglasses and many more.
Every product at Cole Haan is exceptionally stylish and of good quality. But its footwear is just matchless. For their footwear, all the celebrities have an irresistible love for this brand. At the outlet, a large variety of colours and styles both for men and women is ready to stun you. So everybody can have a perfect pair according to his or her choice. A brief overview of men and women footwear is given below:
Men footwear: From sports to casual, the outlet offers every type of shoes for men including boots, slippers, and loafers etc. Whether they are professional players or businessman, Cole Haan shoes are the first choice of men. With the combination of style and uncompromised quality, they can not resist themselves to shop from this outlet.
Women's footwear: Just like men's footwear, Cole Haan offers a huge variety of shoes for women. Ranging from heels to sandals, boots, ballets, lace ups and slippers etc, Cole Haan is not short of options for ladies. The heels from this outlet are simply fabulous. With a high level of comfort and style, they give you an enchanted experience of wearing heals. Just like the Nike sport shoes, the heels are also created with cushion-lining which has a very soothing impact on feet.
Getting shoes is not a problem at all. Its wide network of outlets, both offline and online provide you with the immense opportunity to look for a perfect pair for you. However it is advised to go to the outlet, so that you can try the shoes. But if you know the exact dimension of your feet, you can place the order online. Due to Cole Haan's association with the celebrities, everybody loves to shop from Cole Haan outlet.


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Local refugee organizations receive positive reception
When they think about the future, members of the Byamukama Zadoki family have dreams of working and studying in the United States. Mougisa Jimmy Byamukama Zadoki, 23, said Midlanders have helped his Congolese refugee family transition to the area.
"The people are good," said Mougisa Jimmy, translating for his brother, Isaac Jackson. "Sometimes when we were here, other people (drove) us to the job. They help us at the market."
The Byamukama Zadokis are part of the population of about 1,400 refugees living in the Tall City. Despite contentious national rhetoric about foreigners entering the country, local refugee organizations have noticed steady support for their efforts to resettle refugees.
Susanna Lubanga, resettlement director for the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Abilene and Midland, said many in the region welcome refugees.
"What we've seen is overwhelming support from the West Texas community," Lubanga said. "A lot of people support us. They see benefits of people resettling in the community. They see contributions to the workforce."
Bob Fu, founder and president of ChinaAid, also said the national conversation about refugees hasn't affected thoughts about his Christian-based human rights organization. He said the local economy — more than the current political climate — impacts support.
"Our overall financial support is like other NGOs or nonprofits," Fu said. "Primarily because of the oil price, we've seen a sharp drop. In terms of overall spirit here in the community, we haven't seen a change in the overall attitude toward us."
But the resettlement of refugees has been a contentious issue in recent years. In 2015, terrorist attacks in Paris prompted Gov. Greg Abbott and other governors to refuse to accept Syrian refugees in their states. In September, Texas withdrew from the nation's refugee program, an action that doesn't stop the federal government from helping refugees resettle in the state, according to a Texas Tribune article.
Donald Trump's presidential campaign also brought the topic into the spotlight when he pledged to increase immigrant vetting and suspend the acceptance of Syrian refugees.
Locally, the IRC has helped one Syrian family with resettlement, Lubanga said. She said the organization is committed to working with the president-elect in the future.
"The IRC will be partnering with the new administration for refugee services in the country," Lubanga said. "Refugees are a vulnerable population. It remains to be seen what the administration will do."
For Fu, the national focus on refugees is personal. He left China with his family in 1997 and has helped others from the country resettle in Midland.
Fu thinks proposed screening efforts protect not only from people leaving countries where terrorism abounds. He said some Chinese seeking refugee status hold communist ideals that contradict U.S. values.
"From what I have seen from the president-elect's policy, he basically wants to change the procedure and extent of the vetting process to filter criminals and terrorists," Fu said. "I think that's reasonable."
As Trump prepares to take office, Fu is optimistic about his stance regarding refugees. Fu wants the president-elect to use an aggressive tone toward China.
"I hope the Trump administration stands up to communist values," Fu said. "We shouldn't continue the appeasement of the Obama administration."
ChinaAid has helped about 100 Chinese refugees resettle in Midland. Some families choose to move to other regions, but the ones that stay in West Texas have settled comfortably, Fu said.
Though ChinaAid has faltering financial support, Fu said it's a crucial time for resettlement efforts.
"I anticipate religious persecution will dramatically increase next year because a religious law will be implemented," Fu said. "It will be the worst law since the end of our Cultural Revolution."
The majority of refugees in Midland are Chin, an ethnicity facing religious persecution in Burma. Many Burmese coming to the area recently have been reunited with family members already living here, Lubanga said.
Refugees from other parts of the world have also found homes in Midland.
"We're seeing an increase in Congolese arrivals," Lubanga said. "We've seen some Iraqis whose work with the U.S. forces put them at risk."
Despite tense rhetoric about refugees from the Middle East, Lubanga said Midlanders haven't expressed qualms about that group to the IRC. She said local attitudes make Midland inviting for people resettling in the United States.
"West Texas is a welcoming community," Lubanga said. "It's something we want for our refugees. Many refugees have lost everything and want safety and community. The ability to form friendships is what they need."
The Byamukama Zadokis hope to rebuild their lives, according to Mougisa Jimmy. The family fled violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo before arriving at a refugee camp in Uganda more than a decade ago and entering the United States last year.
"They told us it would be better," said Mougisa Jimmy, translating the sentiments of family members. "There are some challenges; however they aren't too much."
IRC opened a Midland office in April to address the needs of refugees already living in the area. The organization has a variety of offerings to ease the transition process, including help with housing and jobs, cultural orientations and short-term financial assistance.
The organization is helping the Byamukama Zadokis become self-sufficient. While some family members await access to employment and educational opportunities, the family turns to the IRC to assist with rent and food, Mougisa Jimmy said.
In the meantime, Mougisa Jimmy and Isaac Jackson work at Domino's to support nearly a dozen family members living in Midland. Mougisa Jimmy eventually hopes to pursue an engineering degree.
"I would like to go to school," he said. "In college here, you pay yourself. I don't know how I can."
Additional refugees may soon make the adjustment to customs in West Texas. About 100 refugees could be resettled in Midland this fiscal year, according to Lubanga. She thinks the community will continue to contribute to the region.
"The resilience refugees bring with them is inspiring," Lubanga said. "They're able to enter jobs and have homes and pay taxes.... In Texas, we are more conservative, and we want to have strong economies."


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Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust & Swavesey Village College
Physical Education (3CRK)
QTS full time
- Accredited body
- The Cambridge Partnership
- Financial support
- Student finance if you're eligible
- Qualification
QTS (qualified teacher status) allows you to teach in state schools in England.
It may also allow you to teach in the EU, the EEA and Switzerland. You should check with the institution you'd like to teach in for confirmation. The status of QTS in these countries may change after the UK leaves the EU. Please check GOV.UK for updates.
To teach in the rest of the UK or internationally, you may wish to consider a 'PGCE (or PGDE) with QTS' qualification instead.
- Date you can apply from
- 9 October 2018
- Date course starts
- August 2019
- Vacancies
- No
About the course
Financial support
You may be eligible for a loan while you study.
About the training provider
Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust is a family of schools centred in Cambridgeshire. CMAT schools share a vision of education at the heart of local communities. As a Trust we truly value the success of every child and we place the sharing of excellent education practice at the core of this value. We are committed to improving the quality of education and life in the county of Cambridgeshire, and its immediate surroundings. With this aim, the Trust operates from hubs in Cambridge and Peterborough and its staff, pupils and families are spread across the entire area from rural village to inner city estate. Training the next generation of outstanding teachers is a vital part of our vision for the future. CMAT has a long history of delivering professional training at all levels of a teacher's career. Our philosophy is to encourage creativity and evaluation to continually push the boundaries of learning.
About the accredited body
The Cambridge Partnership is a well established, successful provider of Initial Teacher Training and rated 'Good' by Ofsted in 2017.
The Partnership aims to create successful, bespoke training programmes to stretch and challenge talented graduates who are committed to working in primary or secondary schools around the country. As an experienced provider The Cambridge Partnership can provide the necessary support for schools and trainees to ensure that all trainees thrive in a high quality, reflective environment. The Cambridge Partnership joined CMAT in 2015 and is an integral part of CMAT's holistic view of education.
Training with disabilities and other needs
CMAT and The Cambridge Partnership are committed to equal opportunities for all. We aim to ensure that no present or prospective trainee or tutor receives less favourable treatment than another on grounds of any condition or status not directly affecting study or work. As part of our equal opportunities policy, CMAT and the Cambridge Partnership are committed to improving the support of students with a disability.
Contact details
- email@example.com
- Telephone
- 01954230366
- Website
- http://www.swaveseyvc.co.uk
- Address
Gibraltar Lane
Support and advice
For questions about this course you should contact the training provider using the contact details above.
Get support and advice about teaching
Register with Get into Teaching, the Department for Education's free support and advice service, for personalised guidance from teaching experts. They can help you to prepare your application, book school experience, and access exclusive teaching events. You can also call them free on 0800 389 2500, or speak to an adviser using their online chat service, from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday.
Website support
If you have feedback or have had a problem using Find postgraduate teacher training you can contact us by email.
Is there something wrong with this page?
If there is something wrong with this course listing, contact us by email.


text: Heat Pump or Air Conditioner: Deciding Which One is Right for You Published on May 12, 2017 If you are thinking about investing in a new cooling system, you may be trying to decide whether an air conditioning system or a heat pump system is best for your home. Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is here to help you make the best decision. If you still need help deciding which cooling system is right for you, call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning and we'll come out and provide a no-charge in-home estimate. Back To BlogContact Us


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» Comics - Announcements - SMASH and 2015 Character Poll - June 1st, 2015, 7:14 pm
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Author Comments:Torino, June 1st, 2015, 7:24 pm ( Reply )
- The poll is now LIVE! It's like the previous character polls but with one major difference - you can now vote for up to 3 characters if you so wish, instead of only one! Who will the winner be this time...? Well, we'll find out after SMASH, but go here to vote!
Also argh I am so sorry for the lack of any actual announcement regarding the hiatus; I was waiting on the confirmation that I had my place for SMASH locked in and it's been quite busy this year. But that's done now, so if you're in Sydney during August 8th/9th, come see my stall at SMASH - Sydney's biggest dedicated anime/manga/games convention. It was a lot of fun last year and I've got some new products lined up - hopefully I'll even have time to have a bunch of new (and free!) Southern Cross mini comics available.
Anyway, I'm off to America this weekend and am returning back just in time for SMASH. Sorry for such a long hiatus, but the comic will continue after the poll results get posted in mid-August.
Reader Comments:
( Reply )
"Back by moderate demand" LMAO!
posted by SisterKyoya on May 24th, 2017, 8:32 am


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Scott Smith
Mr. Smith is the Founder and Managing Partner of Viant Group and a Managing Director of Viant Capital. Mr. Smith also founded Neveric Capital, Viant's predecessor firm, in 1998 and has over twenty years of experience in investment banking, corporate law and company operations working primarily with technology, media and healthcare companies. Prior to Viant, Mr. Smith was a Managing Director at Credit Suisse First Boston (CSFB) where he was responsible for establishing the Silicon Valley office and was the co-head of the technology group. Before CSFB, Mr. Smith spent fifteen years with Pillsbury, Madison & Sutro as a Partner where he was responsible for founding the firm's Silicon Valley venture capital office.


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Above the Sea of Fog: New Encounters in Landscape
RSVP to email@example.com
For centuries, artists have used the landscape as inspiration, subject, setting, specter, and reference to the sublime. Often, these lines blur: the iconic Caspar Von Friedrich painting Wanderer above the Sea of Fog can be read as man conquering nature; man in awe of nature; or man's insignificance within the natural world.
CONVERSATIONS is pleased to present three artists, Christopher Carroll (A '08), Lilly McElroy (A' 06), and Scott Wiener (A '10), who have metaphorically played the role of Von Friedrich's Wanderer to various comic, tragic, and alienating ends. In their respective work, these artists explore many themes: clichés of the natural world and the sublime; relationships to history and time through the consistency of landscape; a disassociation with nature; the politics and history of site; and the complex relationship between being subject to the natural world and attempting to control one's place within it. Through their use of photo- and video-based media, and oftentimes their own bodies, Carroll, McElroy, and Weiner attempt to collapse the distance between the artist and their experience with and within the landscape.
Christopher Carroll
b.1981, Richmond, VA
Christopher Carroll attended Skowhegan in 2008. He received his MFA from Massachusetts College of Art and Design in 2010, his BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2003, and has exhibited his work both nationally and internationally. Although Christopher predominantly works in video and sculpture, he is also an avid printmaker and musician. Recent exhibitions include "Off the Wall" at the Hudson Guild, in New York City and "Present Tense" at Vox Populi, in Philadelphia. Recent publications include "Drain" and "temporary land bridge" as well as inclusion in "Going to the Dogs: Bourgeois Expectations and Savage Longings in Courbet's The Quarry", by Paula Lee. Christopher has participated in several lecture series including: The Melancholy Object: Embracing materialism in the post-studio world at "Presenting at 17", in New York City and Out of the Ruins: Reimagining the Romantic Tradition, at the New Art Center, Newtonville, MA. Originally from Virginia, Christopher currently lives and works in New York City.
Lilly McElroy
b. 1979, Globe, AZ
Lilly McElroy grew up in Arizona, surrounded by cliché representations of her own experiences. There were cowboys riding bulls, coyotes howling on moonlit nights, and beautiful sunsets. She has translated those experiences into epic photographs and playfully antagonistic videos. Lilly performs for the camera, enacting gestures that reflect a desire for control over subjects as ungovernable as nature. Her work investigates the American West and what means to be an American in a time of diminished expectations. Lilly received her MFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and her BFA from The University of Arizona. She was a participant at Skowhegan School of Painting & Sculpture and a Visual Arts Fellow at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown. Her work has been shown at venues including Modern Art Oxford in the United Kingdom, Southern Exposure Gallery in San Francisco, and Rick Wester Fine Art in New York City. Lilly lives and works in Los Angeles.
Scott Wiener
b. 1977, Baltimore, MD
Scott spent his early life traveling from one military base to another, never spending more than four years in one place. The work he produces is a direct result of an attempt to hold onto time and place, and he uses lens-based media to examine how place generates antagonistic points of reference for both public and private histories. Scott studied at Massachusetts College of Art and Design (BFA, 2001), the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (MFA, 2007), the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture (2010) and a completed a 2009-10 DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) Scholarship for Fine Arts in Leipzig, Germany. Recent exhibitions include "Brink v1" at the Boston Center for the Arts (2014), "Distant Images, Local Positions" at the Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts (2014), a solo exhibition at the 92Y Weill Gallery entitled "The Luxury of Distance" (2012), a group exhibition of the same name at Kunstverein Weiden in Germany (2012), and curatorial project entitled "All Our Tomorrows and Yesterdays" at Proof Gallery in Boston (2013). His work has been profiled and reviewed in Temporary Land Bridge, Afterimage, Hyperallergic, Big Red & Shiny, ARTnews, The Boston Globe, TimeOut Chicago, and Paper & Carriage. He has been a guest lecturer and critic at Maine College of Art, the University of California San Diego, the University of Missouri, Columbia, The Tisch School of the Arts, NYU, Leipzig Universität, and Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Currently, Scott lives and works in Boston, MA.
SkowheganCONVERSATIONS is a discussion series celebrating the significance of the dialogue that takes place outside of the studio, the classroom, and the gallery. Many generative moments at Skowhegan happen between formal discussions, critiques, and lectures, when participants and faculty have the opportunity to delve deeply into the topics that inform their work and practices. These moments happen while lounging after dinner, on the lawn in the afternoon sun, and in a myriad of other landscapes and times when boundaries are dissolved, and real discourse can take place.


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Resolution has so many meanings. Something toward which you feel resolute. The clarity of a computer-based image. Bringing things to conclusion or solution. A promise you resolve keep to yourself.
For me, right now, resolution means all of these things. For the rest of my life, however long that is, my resolve is to bring clarity to my life by 1) concluding unfinished business, 2) keeping promises to myself, and 3) solving, once and for all, the many issues of my upbringing that have kept me from true happiness.
That probably sounds like I've been reading way too many self-help books but at this point it's simply an effort to get to the core of things and get past all the bullshit in my life created by both myself and others. Because life's short, right? Why wait?
Seems like most days all any of us do is try to get through. Take care of the kids, pay our bills, work our butts off, and try like hell to have a little bit of fun. Some of us are stuck in addictions or dysfunctions or the worst kind of affliction: self-deception.
I've lived my whole life either struggling with the results of childhood drama or trying to get ahead, to get a little bit more, to work hard enough that hopefully someday I won't have any uncertainty or struggle in my life. But as the years go on and the world gets weirder, society gets more uncertain rather than certain. And all that work: will it pay off? Will it truly bring protection, longer life or an easier lifestyle some day? I'd say the chances of that are decreasing rather than increasing.
So rather than continue down the path of striving harder and stressing myself out, I'm refocusing on a couple of key elements:
If I died tomorrow, would I have any regrets? Would I be able to die with peace and honor? Would I have concluded long-unfinished business? Would I have given back in some way?
How do I bring clarity and focus to my life in a world of noise and distraction?
Step 1: Resolve Issues & Hangups
Get some help to shed, once and for all, many of my own issues and hangups. How? Counseling. Hypnotherapy. Status: it's happening! Lots of great learnings and resolution here.
Step 2: Physiology
Shed pounds, bad habits, stress, and all the other things that push us to an early end. How? Exercise. Health focus. Reading. Meditation. Give up coffee. Give up unhealthy food. Status: walking 2mi per day. Eating primarily organic.
Step 3: Balance
Work hard toward a balance between work activity and personal ("Balance? What's that?"). Stop overworking myself. Dedicate time for exercise, relaxation and mental detox. Status: needs work.
Step 4: Resolution
Resolve all unfinished business with others. How? Saying what should be said. Doing what was promised yet postponed. Status: getting there.
Step 5: Give Back
To my kids, to society, to the earth. How? Give my kids as much support as they'll let me (which right doesn't seem to be very much!). Volunteer. Help people in need. Status: have helped efforts to drill a Sudanese well; volunteer at fundraising efforts in Seattle.
So far, I am so happy to say that the refocus is happening. I'm doing ALL of these things. And it feels great. I have a long way to go but I'm on the right path. Perhaps the one thing that needs the most work is work/life balance. Working on it.
And thankfully I have an amazing woman to accompany me, whom I can support and who supports me.
Anyway…this probably sounds pretty woo-woo but you do what you've gotta do.
Wish me luck.


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Gals and gents, it's about that time: the holidays are upon us and it's really all too easy to feel down on ourselves. Between having the perfect holiday party wardrobe, cocktail recipes, gift ideas, family peacemaking abilities and the cooking skills to keep every fed and yourself alive, a woman's work is never done during the holidays.
So, it's about that time when you need a good playlist to keep you motivated to work out and be generally awesome during this time of year. This week's playlist is all chick power songs, some classic, some more current, but all of them are designed to help you keep your chin up so you can get through this week.
It's a goodie this time, y'all: tunes from Madonna, Missy Elliott, Destiny's Child, Janet Jackson, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Florence and the Machine, Mariah Carey, P!nk, and a dip into the way back machine with Gloria Gaynor and Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam, just to name a few. One hour, eight minutes of pure fun. Enjoy!
You've got this, girl! Keep it moving!


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Loop In the Wheel of Fortune
Category: Gillian MacBeth-Louthan Views: 1088
(boy could we all use a vowel about now!)
We are all in the middle of a restructuring, and there is no easy way to get thru this loop in the wheel of fortune. As time jumps forward past the winter gods and goddesses we all take a moment to take off the teachings of winter. We are weary confused and alert, like a cat next to a rocking chair. we can feel the future racing thru our veins, Are we prepared for these shifts to come? Every cell in our bodies screams no! The weather has more moods than a teenage girl without a date. How do we prepare for energies that do not respond to our prayers and will not acknowledge us or our dire earthly straits?
What will the goddess of spring ask of us this year? Growth is natural and beautiful but sometimes painful. like a spring bud just waiting to break free we all have to put on our big girl and boy panties and get thru this next phase of light and life. Disclosure is the word for the spring as every little thing that was dormant in winter now spurts out all its hidden secrets.
As the Goddess of Spring stretches herself underground, she takes all of us to a hidden entrance of life. Like a magic fairy door hidden in a tree trunk or a portal between worlds in the middle of a sticker patch, the worlds between the worlds open to be seen. Each corridor reflecting a place where time bends. The dimensions dance together like auroras changing form and colors at a glance. We become dizzy and disoriented as living magic is seen when least expected. We rub our eyes to make sure we see what we see! The human eyes cone changes as it sees thru time. Time once disrupted comes back around like a dancer that seductively moves toward you. All matter shifts in accordance with divine instructions. This spring equinox portals open and close, try not to get caught in-between.
A seed can only be sown when it is given free will. Allowing it to search for hallowed ground and start the process of releasing the divine blueprint of life into the earth. Everything we do or do not do seeds the future. All seeds are about believing in the invisible harvest. Like a cosmic farmer holding the image of bounty in his heart until it is finally seen on Earth.
When that harvest is birthed from your seed of belief it is then necessary to share that bounty with others. To take part of your field of manifestation and cut off the corners of it and give it freely so another can start the seed of belief process as well. Sharing their bounty with others and so on and on…. Listen to the voice of the universe inside of you as it asks more and more of you. As it asks you to give and give and give, like a wellspring without end. The universe has its watermark upon your soul and cells. You can never out give the Creator.
ॐ Namasté - Blessings!
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By Monica Nelson
Competition for your target market's time is at a premium, more so now than ever in the past. Lives are busier, there are more and more choices to choose from, and time allotted to shopping shorter. If you want your potential customer to buy your product, you must get their attention and hold it long enough to put the item's benefits in front of that customer.
Getting a customer's attention is a two-fold process. You must get them to see and get them to listen. Most etailers and retailers have no problem comprehending the need to see. Smart marketers will put their product out with a first-rate picture showing the product in its most attractive light.
But then, those same smart marketers drop the ball. They follow up with a dull and boring description. The job of the picture is to get the customer to read and assimilate your product's benefits. They see a fabulous picture, they want an entertaining as well as informative read.
Let's take for example a woman's pair of black leggings. You can picture this easily in your mind. Not much distinction between the pair in your head and the multitude you can find on a Google search. How do you pique a buyer's interest? Certainly not with a tired, but so traditional type description like this:
"The possibilities are endless. Our leggings fit perfectly into every wardrobe. They hug your shape and flatter your figure. A definite necessity."
A generic description for a generic pair of leggings. For a generic customer response. Next.
Now, see the difference:
"Our infinitely versatile leggings introduce a wow factor into your wardrobe. Not only do they act as a comfort plus basic, but they are a sleek standout on their own. Body sculpting style combined with easy care polyester/spandex make for a timeless treasure you'll want to wear every day."
A bit daring, a bit out there. But definitely more interesting than the first. Using more emotional language combined with a flair befitting your audience's talking points equal a winner.
2013 © Monica Nelson and Technicator.com


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The railway transport in the railway track between Thabuthegama and Senarathgama which was halted due to a derailment of a train has been recommenced.
The railway station reported that accordingly the intercity train from Colombo fort to Kankasanthurai left the station today morning.
The following postal trains scheduled to travel yesterday night at 9.30pm from Colombo fort to Kankasanthurai and Talaimannar to Colombo were cancelled due to the derailment of a train.


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Growing up in West Virginia, glass blowing was one of those special crafts by local artisans that most children saw at craft fairs. When we traveled the West Virginia Turnpike between Charleston and Bluefield, one stop off point was the Blenko glass works where you could see a live demonstration of glass blowing. It's a fascinating process watching the artisan turn a hot piece of glass into an object of art.
Glassblowing involves placing a molten chunk of glass at the end of a long pipe. The glassblower blows through the pipe and creates a bubble in the glass and then forms it into whatever he/she wants by manipulating the glass with various tongs, snips, and other shaped tools.
Skilled craftsmen are able to create the various shapes by rotating the blow pipe or swinging it around to cool it off while they form the glass into the shape they want by blowing into the pipe at the appropriate time. In this way the craftsmen can create a variety of glass objects such a drinking glasses, vases, and even window glass.
The glassblowing process involves the use of three furnaces or one furnace with three different temperature zones which is what one will find at most craft fairs. The first is called the "the furnace" which holds a crucible (a large cup) of molten glass. The second is the "glory hole" where the artisan puts in the glass on the pipe to reheat the glass for further shaping. The third is the annealing furnace which is used to slowly cool the glass over time so that the glass does not crack.
If you think that this process seems simple enough, think again. To become a master glassblower a person may work as a glass blowing apprentice for ten years or more. Some European countries have a difficult and formal program that a person must pass before earning the title of master glassblower. The United States, on the other hand, does not have a formal program.
The Venetian island of Murano is probably the most well-known source of hand blown glass art in the world today. Beginning in the 13th century, the glassmakers of Venice where sent to the island because the Venetian rulers of that time were fearful of fire destroying the mostly wooden structures of the city. Over time the glassblowers became the most revered citizens of Murano as they held a virtual monopoly on quality glassmaking for centuries.
Alvar Aalto, a finish designer worked with Iitala glass works to create the famous Aalto vase that is shaped like one of the Finish lakes for the World's Fair in Paris 1937 and has become one of the world's most recognizable pieces of hand blown glass.
In 1962, Harvey Littleton and Dominick Labino held a couple of workshops at the Toledo Museum of Art where they experimented with a small furnace to create hand blown glass art. This studio glass movement helped to open up a vast new approach to glassblowing which is now worldwide in nature.
The rest of this website is dedicated to those master artisans who are very skilled in the craft of creating hand blown glass art.
One of the latest trends that can be seen is hand blown glass art. Many fine art galleries are beginning to feature this type of art in their studios. Also, many nice, public places are beginning to feature blown art glass.
There is something to be said about hand-blown glass and its artform. I fell in love with blown glass years ago, I think when I saw my first Chihuly piece. Since then I have been in awe of the colors, form, and fluidity of the shapes.
Randi Solin is the artist behind the Borsetta vase, a hand-shaped blown glass vase in an amazing mix of "organic" colors and decorative, sparkling elements within the glass.


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Alan Manly featured in US based Magazine Successful Meetings
Article Date: 08/04/2016
Article Title: How to Overcome Networking Nerves
Not everyone in business is a natural show pony. Some are inherently shy, and while you don't need to be the loudest person at networking events, you still need to know how to work the room. After all, "it's
not what you know, but who you know," whether building your professional career or make your next sale. Here are six steps to getting over the fear of networking:


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Month: May 2015
Mobile Phones Are Always Altering, Keep Up To Date With These Leading Tips
May 25, 2015
Cell phones have been about for fairly a even though and they do not seem to be to be likely everywhere. They are convenient and most everybody owns one particular. If you require aid understanding how your cell phone operates, read by means of the post below.
If you unintentionally drop your cellphone in liquid, don't suppose that it's damaged. Consider out the battery and place all the components into a bowl of dry rice. This can minimize the sum of humidity which is in your mobile phone.
Be mindful when you might be watching a video clip employing LTE or 4G signals. Most cellphone strategies frequently come with a restricted allowance for info each and every month. Video rips right by way of this allowance, so you may conclude up getting charged a lot more fairly speedily. Appear for a new plan if you regularly go above.
Never be the very first to get the newest and finest gadget. At times, the price does not justify the upgrades. Even though businesses set new mobile phone versions out usually, there are not constantly way too many alterations. Search at the evaluations ahead of generating the decision to purchase it. In numerous situations, you don't.
If your mobile telephone is a smartphone, you happen to be a lot more than probably using it during the day. Be positive to restart your smartphone on a normal basis. Treat your cell mobile phone like a personal computer. You can free of charge up memory and get best overall performance by restarting your system often. A number of resets a 7 days must give you a enhance in performance.
Beware of prolonged warranties. These just cost you far more money. Typically talking, if your mobile phone breaks down, it will do it prior to the yr is up while still under basic warranty. Also, tons of individuals get new telephones at any time calendar year, so prolonged protection is useless.
When you have a cell telephone, it can do a great deal. It may even have capabilities that you do not even know about. Use the insights acquired from this piece to get even much more from the mobile phone you have. This will help you know all you can about your phone.
Do not Research Higher And Low – Discover About Mobile Phones Right here
May 16, 2015
Cell phones are what a whole lot of individuals use to connect with other folks. You can use them for calls, textual content messages, and even internet surfing. Preserve reading through for much more tips about your mobile cellphone.
There is no require to update to a new cellphone so speedily. A lot of moments, it really is not required. The update may just be a basic 1. Look at evaluations on the web ahead of determining that upgrading to the latest telephone is anything you need to have to do. Most of the time, you don't.
AS they turn out to be more mature, smartphones will slow down. There are some updates that lessen this problem. Regrettably, as new telephones appear out, the updates are more strong. The more mature phones may not be in a position to get these updates.
Is your phone's battery running out quick? If that is the scenario, you might be in an spot of weak indicators. Weak signals can get rid of a battery. When you are not using your mobile cellphone, see to it that you do not place it in lower signal locations like drawers or closets.
Will not get fooled by an extended warranty provide. Usually, they usually are not well worth the paper they're printed on. Mobile phones typically cease functioning within the very first year you personal them, if they are likely to malfunction at all. This is normally covered by your phone's simple warranty. In addition, a lot of individuals get a new mobile phone ever year, so the warranty that's extended truly isn't worth it.
Never be opposed to carrying out some real leg perform by visiting your neighborhood merchants to find and evaluate mobile mobile phone charges. Commit some time screening the characteristics of a variety of models. You are far more most likely to acquire a telephone that you will use and enjoy for the following couple of a long time.
The details introduced below must supply you with a lot assist. Mobile phones usually are not likely away, so you want to know how to learn yours. Just take the tips you've got uncovered to help you when making use of your mobile cellphone.
Strong Cell Cellphone Tips And Tips You Can Use Nowadays
May 15, 2015
In today's technologically sophisticated entire world, you need to have to recognize how to purchase and use cell phones. Nonetheless, employing a mobile phone requires that you hold up with the technologies. Contact screens, blue tooths and a slew of other developments mandate that we all turn out to be a lot more savvy with products. The article that follows has the information you want for mastering a cellphone.
Restart your mobile phone every now and then to very clear its memory. In this way, you will be capable to get the greatest functionality from your cellphone.
Be careful when you might be seeing a movie using LTE or 4G signals. Your mobile phone might have a limited data allowance. Movies use up a good deal of info, so you may possibly have sudden expenses. If overages are a common occurrence for you, then you need to rethink your plan.
You probably use your cell mobile phone frequently. You need to shut them down every single now and then. Wise phones are really just mini computers. Restarting the telephone will help to maintain the memory free and running nicely. Simply turning your telephone off a few of instances every 7 days will boost how your phone works.
Smartphones will turn out to be gradual as they age. In excess of time, easy factors like updating apps may become cumbersome. There are occasions you will need to select. Preserve the aged and acquainted or just take a possibility with a new upgraded cellphone.
Prior to getting a smartphone, be sure it is what you require. Smartphones get pricey, but they supply a huge bang for the buck. The issue will come in when you genuinely only require just a standard cellphone that you can make phone calls with. If this applies to your scenario, keep in mind that not only should you shell out more up entrance for a smartphone, but you should also shell out more each and every month for provider. This may possibly not be a great choice for you.
Numerous individuals have to keep in touch with one particular an additional, so that means incorporating some advanced technologies into their schedule. You've seen some superb suggestions below. Now you must truly feel at relieve acquiring the most out of your phone.
Information And Tips About Mobile Phones And How They Function
May 5, 2015
Is the universe of mobile phones something with which you are unfamiliar? Possibly your cellphone is outdated and you would like to upgrade. If you are baffled about what to get, the method can be difficult. This guidebook will give you guidelines on the factors you need to have to know about cell telephones.
Watchful about seeing online video when you are employing 4G or LTE signal. Your mobile phone strategy likely arrives with a data allowance for the thirty day period. Video clip normally takes really a little bit and it can incorporate up quickly. If overages are a frequent occurrence for you, then you require to rethink your strategy.
Don't squander funds calling information. You need to attempt to dial 1-800-411-Free. You can access the details you happen to be searching for after an ad.
If your cell cellphone is fairly previous, it might commence slowing down. Downloading software updates can avert a telephone from actually getting to be obsolete. More recent telephones will have much far better updates however. In fast purchase you see the smartphones get out-of-date thanks to the more recent technologies.
When acquiring a more recent cellphone, consider time to assess phones in real bodily shops. This will support you to make the right selection. By performing this, you will almost certainly find the best telephone for you, a lot easier.
If you've got been a very loyal customer to your cell cellphone organization, do not be reluctant to experiment with distinct choices. Even though you may possibly truly feel comfortable with a certain mobile phone type, be open to alter. Getting a look at what kinds of telephone are out there can direct you to acquiring a lot more features from cellphones.
Evidently, there is much more to your cell phone than you believed. This piece has presented a wonderful foundation of information. Go through above it a couple of instances and see exactly where you want to acquire much more expertise. Then go out and purchase the ideal cell mobile phone for you.


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Brad Paisley's Beat This Summer Tour presented by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® has been extended through the first of March and renamed appropriately Beat This Winter Tour presented by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®. Tour dates include a Nashville play at Bridgestone Arena on Feb. 22 and a stop in Paisley's home state at Charleston Civic Center in Charleston, WV on March 1. Special guests on the final leg of the tour are Chris Young and Danielle Bradbery.
Beat This Winter Tour presented by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® tour dates:
January 9 Bon Secours Wellness Arena Greenville, SC
January 10 Eastern Kentucky Exposition Center Pikeville, KY
January 11 KFC Yum! Center Louisville, KY
January 23 Germain Arena Estero, FL
January 24 Leon County Civic Center Tallahassee, FL
January 25 Amway Center Orlando, FL
February 13 Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Long Island, NY
February 14 Mohegan Sun Arena Uncasville, CT
February 15 Verizon Wireless Arena Manchester, MA
February 22 Bridgestone Arena Nashville, TN
February 27 Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Ft. Wayne, IN
February 28 Ervin J. Nutter Center Dayton, OH
March 1 Charleston Civic Center Charleston, WV


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Access & Use
|Access to the collection:
|There are no restrictions on access, however, certain collections may have donor restrictions and may not be available, nor may archival or manuscript materials be removed from the Reading Room area or borrowed from the collections.
|Use of the materials:
|Researchers are advised that express written permission to reproduce, quote, or otherwise publish any portion or extract from this collection must be obtained from the Phillips Memorial Library. Although Providence College has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. It is up to the researcher to determine the owners of the literary rights and to obtain any necessary permissions from them.
|Preferred citation:
|John J. Fawcett Cartoon collection, Providence College, Phillips Memorial Library, Special and Archival Collections.
|Contact information:
|1 Cunningham Square
Providence, RI 02918
Tel: 401-865-2377
Fax: 401-865-1578
Email: email@example.com
Website: Special and Archival Collections


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Husbandry, 2001
Socrates Sculpture Park, redwood and polycarbonate greenhouse, bricks, wood, lights, heater, potted plants.
A private space for the care and attention to plants was created within a public, NYC park over the course of a single year. My role, as steward, was simply to provide the best care possible for the plants through four seasons. Drawn to the house-like structure, park-goers were often frustrated by its enclosure and semi-transparency, often surprised by the presence of a body within, and on occasion entered the space when I was not present.


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Welcome to our Make Bake Create Party! Every Wednesday come and link up your favorite projects from the week. This could be any food, recipes, crafts or DIY! Since there are 5 hosts… your link will be seen on 5 blogs at once. SWEET! Meet your hosts:
MBC Hosts: Rachel from Bubbly Nature Creations, Sarah from Hope In Every Season, Kristy from Mommy Hates Cooking, Brandi from The Creative Princess and Vanessa from The Rookie Seamstress.
We would love for you to subscribe to our email subscriptions!
This week, Brandi from The Creative Princess painted these bamboo utensils in some seriously cute colors! I love how they turned out! Check out her blog for how to make your own. I want to go paint all my kitchen utensils now!!!

Let's link!


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Oil-based enamels contain extremely high levels of VOCs. Typically about 350g/L. This is a major area where use of the new water based low VOC enamels makes a huge difference to the health of the painter, the occupants of the house, and our environment.
The Rockcote Ecostyle satin and gloss are water based enamels containing less than 3g/L VOC - one of the lowest for any enamel on the Australian market. They performs equally as well as oil based enamel and are very economical to use.
We also carry the Volvox ProAqua Enamel as our natural enamel. This is a totally VOC free enamel and the most suitable for people with high chemical sensitivity. It is also the most environmentally friendly of the two. However it is more expensive than the Ecostyle satin or gloss and hence may be prohibitive on large jobs.


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5 Minutes - Idle Hands...
While I run wild goose chases hunting down document files that do not exist anywhere at work, I decided a good use of the waiting time (while Windows 7 searches the entire ClearCase directory for the files it will never find) would be to write a blog post.
The timing could not be better either. It takes me more or less 10 minutes to write a post and in more or less 10 minutes I am going to get up from my desk chair, pick up my gym bag, walk over to the other building, change into my bike shorts and gear, and ride the @#$% away from this mediocre weak sauce institution that pays me exorbitant amounts of money to hunt down non-existent files.
I should not be too harsh. Sometimes the files do exist. I would say about 50% of the time a file with the right filename is found. Then it is usually at a revision level that far outstrips the outdated document request against it, making the request obsolete or more often than not generating a new wild goose chase to determine if the outdated request is obsolete or not.
Hey, let the cash roll in. If my job is searching for files all afternoon, by managerial directive, so be it. But there could be better uses of my time.
So, I heard there is a law now that prosecutes animal rights people if they document abuses at slaughterhouses. That's totally bogus. I think we need to go Monkey Wrench Gang on any and all corruption in Corporate America. They are khaks.
That was only about 5 minutes of writing. I am going to update the title of this post accordingly and goof off for a while longer as my computer spins its gear hunting down phantom files.
10 Minutes - Slower
Hi. It's Joe.
The down side of my new Galaxy S3 phone is the lack of a real keyboard. These touch screen keyboards are alien to me. There is no satisfying tactile sensation. This Swype thing though is cool if you are not on the go. It corrects your typing so you can be a little sloppy and don't have to hit every letter or even the space bar. But Swype is not faster than real typing I don't think. Maybe once you got used to it. For one thing, it is error prone, notwithstanding the auto correction. You have to be vigilant whilst swyping. You be the judge. How error prone has this post been so far?
Anyway, I am in Lake Mills at the Waterhouse Cafe. My dryer took a digger for what I decided was the last time. I am not going to pay any more repair bills. Time to upgrade. Sadly, dryers tend to expire when there is a load of wet clothes in them. So I took said clothes to the laundromat in Lake Mills and they are being industrially dried as I drink coffee, eat a bagel sandwich, and compose this post.
I am pretty much done composing this post though.
10 Minutes - "Why Didn't We Listen to Joe?" Asked Everyone
Today at work, the question floating through almost everyone's head is, "Why didn't we listen to Joe?"
I actually kind of surprised myself a little bit by how gosh darn right I was in predicting the failures of middle management.
When I raised red flags on a few occasions, I was slapped right down. Part of the slapping down was blind (albeit wrong) optimism of management, which never likes bad news, even when it comes from experts. Part of it was just slapping down a lowly employee who was too uppity and outspoken for his own good.
I don't especially like pure, unadulterated vindication. But this is 99.6% pure. That's about as pure as Mr. White's blue meth. The truth hurts and it is hurting a lot of people today. Some of those people I don't care about. They deserve the pain of utter incompetence. But some people I work with are actually marginally alright at their jobs and as people. I empathize with them a bit. Still, they were not wise enough to listen to the experts. They thought they knew better than Joe.
And frankly, I can't say that I was always confident I was right. I was 100% sure about some things, but not all things. As it turned out, I was just by random chance 100% right about 100% of things. That is rare. I know I am not perfect. I know I can sometimes be ideological and dogmatic, though I try not to be. But what I never do is swallow the corporate Kool-Aid just to go along with the happy middle managers and their optimistic view of reality.
Now there will be some pain. They will regroup and be secretly glad they have Joe around, even though whatever cockamamie scheme they dream up next will probably stink equally as much, and they will probably again totally ignore Joe's words of caution, in the interests of not rocking the boat. It's kind of sad.
Just save yourselves a lot of time, people. Put me in charge of what I do best.
10 Minutes - The Feeling of Knowing You Are Considered Less Than Pond Scum by Management
Today our boss told us some important stuff. It doesn't matter what he told us, specifically, except that it was kind of pertinent to us doing our jobs.
What really matters is that he also told us that middle management had told him not to tell us this important information. They wanted us to spin our wheels for nothing, which is what we would be doing without this knowledge we got today. So it was cool of our boss to defy the imbeciles in middle management and give it to us straight. It was not cool for middle management to want to sideline us like we are not important. That spells their doom.
I am not sure why management is always so diabolical, with the cloak and dagger routine. Employees much prefer to be given the straight dirt so they know what is happening right up front. When you try to deceive employees, they resent you and eventually hate you.
We are all supposed to be working for the same company, toward the same goals. That means we all kind of need the pertinent info that helps us do our jobs. If you are up to no good and need to hide information from your employees, that means you are not in good shape as a business.
Well, anyway, what does this week have in store?
I had my piano lesson tonight. It seemed to go well. My teacher went over almost a half an hour longer. I felt bad, but I really only wanted an hour lesson. Still, we covered a lot. I have a huge assignment for my lesson in a fortnight though.
Tomorrow is kind of a light day. I mean, I have to go do stuff at work, but it will be light. In the evening, I do not have much going on. I might head over to Tuesday night jazz for a little while at the Mason Lounge on Park Street in Madison. In fact, I am strongly leaning that way.
I told my friend Holly at work that I was not going to go to jazz until next week, because she was asking. But now I think I will tell her that I am going this week. Maybe next week too, but I do not want to overdo.
There is no HIATVS band practice this week on Wednesday, which bums me out a little. But that also means I will be able to work on piano a lot that night. I am hoping the weather allows me to get a bike commute in this week. But tomorrow won't be that day, because it is supposed to be rainy and cold.
I have a doctor's appointment on Thursday. I am going to a new doctor in Madison, because my doctor in Cambridge has been dropping the ball on some things. I want to say there is something after work on Thursday, but I cannot remember what it is. I am sure there will be the usual Thursday after work social at Capital Brewery. I think they should move that to Wednesday, because there are better happy hour specials on Wednesday.
But I do not really care. I cut way back on beer during the week anyway, on my new fitness kick.
10 Minutes - Mission Accompli and a Review of "Aeon Flux"
With my 90 minute workout earlier today, I accomplished my goal of hitting five 45-minute workouts this week (my week runs Monday through Sunday). It was touch and go though. My cruiser bike is the one I use on the trainer (still much too cold to venture outdoors on the bike...I am a fair weather biker) and it got another flat tire. There is something weird going on there. I patched the tube but it was only a matter of minutes before it went flat again. I will have to change out the tube and tire in the next few days, at least before I start bike commuting. In any case, I had a backup plan. I switched out bikes, putting my road bike on the trainer instead. I don't like training on the road bike, because the lower riding posture is uncomfortable. But I did it anyway. I was not going to let a flat deter my workout.
During this workout, I watched the film "Aeon Flux" on Netflix. Skip it. It's not very good. I am pretty sure the film was made to show off Charlize Theron's aesthetics. The plot made hardly any sense. It was based on an MTV show, so that should have been a telltale sign of mediocrity. But I decided to give it a shot and it was tolerable for a workout distraction.
I think my dog Foster was sleep walking last night. Either that or he had a seizure. I heard him whimpering and when I got up, he was stumbling around awkwardly. Then he suddenly fell over and started kicking his legs in the air. When I went over to him, he snapped out of it and was totally normal, like nothing had happened. It was very bizarre. Can dogs sleep walk? I am going to have to ask the vet about that on Wednesday, when I take Foster in to get his fingernails cut as far back as possible. He has crazy long nails. At first, when he was whimpering, I thought he had broken another nail, as sometimes happens. But when that happens he usually limps around because of the pain. In this case, there did not seem to be any after effects or limping.
It was a laid back weekend. I had GUPPY EFFECT v1.0 practice on Saturday with Stefan and Peter. We are learning three new songs, but I would not say they are polished yet. Nobody really gave them much of a listen ahead of time, so the takes were pretty rough. I did record them. I wish there was a way to insert audio into these blog posts. But it looks like video is the only option. That's what Demitri Martin would call "uncool."
10 Minutes - Be Yourself and Have Fun
Hi. It's Joe.
I am no self help lifestyle coach by any means, but when I look around, it seems to me that the happiest people are the ones who be themselves and have fun. I guess it is kind of hard to determine if someone is really being him- or herself. But all that really matters is that the person feels like they are being who they really are and not trying to be who other people expect them to be. The indicator of this is your comfort level.
People are most comfortable when they can be their true self and least comfortable when they have to put on a facade for whatever reason. Have you ever hung out with a group of people that aren't like you? You feel uncomfortable and out of place, especially if they seem judgmental. But that's OK. Don't try to be more like them and fit in. These are not people you are going to hang out with very often.
Sometimes a person can feel most comfortable when he or she is putting on a facade. For example, when I rock with my bands, I have a rockstar alter ego. I am nothing like my rockstar alter ego in real life. I am generally pretty mellow and quiet. But the rockstar mantle allows me to conceal my inner self when I am on stage. People see the exterior rock star persona and that is what they should see and what I want them to see, because they are there to have a blast and my normal every day self is not much of an entertainer. So when I am on stage, my normal self would feel quite uncomfortable, but my rockstar alter ego feels right at home.
I work for a company where some of my coworkers are very unlike me. Some are like me, but on occasion I have to associate with the ones who are not like me and who make me feel uncomfortable. But I never try to be like them. I just observe them and contemplate why we are so different. I am most comfortable at work with my team of peeps who are like me and who I feel comfy around. I am also most comfortable listening to punk rock at work to block out the people who I do not feel comfortable around.
I avoid social events with the people I don't relate to. Our manager tries to force compliance in our group by making everyone go to social events. But all that does is augment the awkward discomfort and make us think about it more. The most rational approach is to avoid such socials and let groups avoid each other if they will never be on the same page. I can work with these people just fine. There's a corporate vision and explicit goals, so we just go after them. At no time is there a requirement to like or relate to coworkers. You just have to get the job done. When coworkers work hard and uphold their end of that bargain, everything works great.
15 Minutes - My Week in Review
Sometimes it is a good exercise to reflect on a good week and reminisce the highlights. The thumbnail on the right is one of the highlights. I picked up Iron Maiden's album "Powerslave" on vinyl.
This has always been one of my favorite Maiden albums and it would be awesome to cover the title track, "Powerslave," in a band, such as HIATVS.
You will recall a recent post where I explained that I picked up a low end inexpensive vinyl record player. It has been getting some good use. In fact, I am listening to it now, specifically "Brain Salad Surgery" by E.L.P. I have a milk crate of vinyl records that I got as a graduate student in Iowa in the mid-90s. Many of these records belong to an ex-roommate, but he has never asked for them back, so I consider them my "foster" records. I would return them if asked. But for now, I am going through and listening to them all.
Last night there was a social at the Essen Haus in Madison WI that involved some passing of "boots" and some shuffle board. I was the DD, so I did not indulge in the fine diversity of the German ales available, but I did have a couple of sips from the boots as they floated by.
I had sushi for lunch on Friday, with my buddy Stephen. It was great, though the service was slow. But it was worth the wait.
I did not have HIATVS band practice this week because Brian (guitar) was out of town on business. Siberia is about as out of town as you can get, and that is where he went.
I practiced a ton of piano this week and one of the reasons I scored that Maiden album was because after my piano lesson on Monday, my teacher recommended some good piano learning books via AMAZON. I decided to tack a few extra things onto the order that I have been meaning to get, and thus take advantage of the free shipping from Amazon.
One of the books was piano exercises composed by Oscar Peterson, the jazz pianist I idolize and who influenced me to pursue jazz piano in the first place.
Anyway, it was a laid back week. This morning I applied for some new technical writer jobs and now I am going to go learn some songs for band practice with GUPPY EFFECT v1.0 at 3 PM.
10 Minutes - The Sabbath Diet
As I gear up for the post winter health and wellness activities, I had an idea for a dietary plan. I wish I could somehow tie the band BLACK SABBATH into this plan, but I have not found a way yet to do so.
I picked up the Tim Ferriss book, "4 Hour Body," a couple of years ago. It's got some good info and some bad info, but one of the recommendations he had for diet was to eat healthy six days a week and then have one day where you binge and eat whatever you want. There is an evolutionary genetic basis for such a regimen. As hunter-gatherers, our genetic ancestors went through periods of feast and famine depending on the availability of food in a given area. We might be hard wired to eat this way, low calories for a while then a sudden large intake of food (say, when big game was taken down).
Anyway, some people I know tried this dietary plan with good results. It might not be for everyone, but it is clearly for some people. I want to try a derivative of this plan.
The Ferriss plan involved one day of complete hedonistic dietary indulgence. I am not that much of an indulger and I don't eat a lot of refined sugar anyway. But I do tend to consume too many calories too often. So my derivative dietary plan for the spring is to eat a healthy diet most of the time but allow myself to eat and drink whatever I want during the sabbath period of the major religions, Judaism and Christianity. So basically from sundown on Friday until probably about noon on Sunday, I will allow myself to eat whatever I want, and the rest of the week I will adhere to a strict healthy diet of salads and whole food sources of protein, like beans.
This plan might work. My friends who did the Ferriss plan really went crazy on their free day, eating all manner of high calorie food and drink. I don't plan to go that crazy, so I think I can allow myself a day and a half or so of ad lib freedom, because I'll be eating less crazy. What do you think?
This jibes with the fact that I sometimes travel on weekends and it is hard to find good healthy food on trips. Plus, I can usually have a few beers when I go on trips, because I am not usually driving. So liquid calories will be OK too.
I am going to go soak some beans right now, for later cooking as part of my healthy diet. I ate some fish and cauliflower tonight and I had salad for lunch at Roman Candle. But I also had a few herbed breadsticks at Roman Candle too, because they were free. However, my friend Alexandra helped me eat some of them.
I will let you know how it goes.
20 Minutes - I Am Getting an Oil Change
Hi. It's Joe.
I am taking the time to write a blog post while my car is in the adept hands of my local mechanic, Terry. I am getting an oil change. I am not sure Terry is even the one doing the oil change; it may be one of his henchmen. But I am glad he is at least overseeing the work.
In any case, I had a good day at work today. I was able to blow the entire morning on work-related things, thus avoiding actual work. It was not my intention to avoid actual work and indeed, the work related items had to get done one way or another. But it was nice to be away from the banal and idiotic chatter that usually pollutes the area where I work. Usually, I have to wear headphones and listen to punk rock music to block out the lost time conversational incidents, although that can only block out sounds, not smells, and believe me there are some weird smells ranging from rotten milk to booze breath.
There are 2 buildings owned by my employer, across the street from one another. For whatever reason, one of these buildings houses buffoons and the other houses competent, intelligent, hard working people. Obviously, I do not gravitate toward the buffoon house, even though my desk is, painfully, situated there due to a recent downsizing and consolidation of real estate (they used to have 3 buildings). My work related tasks this morning took me to the more academic of the two buildings, and that was refreshing.
First, I stopped by HR and talked to my favorite HR rep about how to get a health and wellness reimbursement for joining a CSA farm. I got the info and should see a $100 rebate some time in early July. I also had a really good chat with my favorite HR rep. She told me we should start our own business doing health and wellness motivational seminars for other organizations, since we are both well informed about health and wellness. I concurred.
Then I went and had a chat with my favorite manager. There are not many competent managers where I work, but this guy is one...possibly the only one. We strategized about a project we are both involved in for improving documentation. Issues resolved, I headed back to my building a little before noon. There I found my favorite work peep doing her nails in the lunch room and I convinced her to tag along with me when I went to lunch. This was helped along by the fact that she was getting harassed by some of the buffoons referenced above and she needed some respite from them.
So we went to Roman Candle and I ate some salad while she finished her nail care using some kind of weird UV lamp that hardens some kind of nail polish finisher she had applied. Reluctantly, we returned to work. I finished some work I had to do and then prepared the documentation for my CSA reimbursement that came through on the e-mail from our healthcare provider.
Since all my work was either done or waiting for stuff in other peoples' courts, I felt a reward for my productivity was in order and I gave myself a raise, as did my nail polish flaunting coworker. When you are awesome, you are qualified to give yourself a raise. Don Draper is awesome at advertising and he gives himself raises all the time. That's my rationale.
10 Minutes - Bach "Prelude in C"
I had to give myself a raise today. We had health screenings at work. I did pretty well, though I need to up my game on working out and eating healthy 80% of the time. I am going to work out tonight, before I go to bed, but after some piano practice. In fact, I have to get going on piano practice here pretty soon.
I am working on a new Bach piece called "Prelude in C." It's a bit tough compared to the Minuets, even though it is mainly arpeggios.
What is a prelude anyway? Or, I guess, what's a 'lude? Presumably a prelude comes before a 'lude.
Well, I am pretty much rambling. I am actually kind of tired tonight. We had to go to the boringest meeting ever today, part of the justification for giving myself a raise (they stole an hour from me), and it sucked my soul away like nobody's business. I have half a mind to get an early night and do my workout in the morning. But that's always a slippery slope. In the morning, perhaps I will find another excuse to put it off.
But no, I have actually been good. I did the bike trainer Monday and Tuesday this week. I was even planning on going on a social bike ride with MG tonight in Cottage Grove. But I am a fair weather biker and the weather has been awful the past two days, with no end in sight. I am told of more cold rain tomorrow and possibly even snow on Friday.
Winter! We are sick of you. I am going to have to ask you to F right off. You are about as useful as middle management at the company I work for.
That said, perhaps there is an option for a snow day on Friday. That'd be grand.
I am not going to let the core incompetencies of some of my coworkers get me down this week. I work to live and they are paying me phat money to tolerate their jive. So tolerate it I will. But that is not to say I won't give them hell.
Been listening to some vinyl on my new smelly record player (smells all plasticy and new, and even a little electronically weird...an ozone smell like something is heating up inside the thing...hope not! But it is under warranty...). I like the vinyl.
10 Minutes - Why I Like Vinyl Records
I am listening to the Jimi Hendrix album "Are You Experienced?" on vinyl.
I picked it up a couple of years ago, then subsequently gave away my cheap turntable to a friend's kids so they could enjoy vinyl. I am just that kind of a guy.
When I went up to Oshkosh last weekend for Friday Fright Night at the Time Theater, I picked up a slick new (albeit still pretty cheap) turntable at the Exclusive company.
I remain a skeptic that vinyl really does sound better than digital audio, objectively speaking. But subjectively speaking, I definitely think it does. It may not be possible to show this with science, just as it is not possible to show the subjective existence of God with science, but in my mind vinyl sounds better, more real, less sterile.
Even if this is totally in my mind, for me it is real, just like seeing the Virgin Mary in a piece of buttered toast is real to some people.
But this is not why I like vinyl. I like playing vinyl records because there is a zen discipline quality to it. Unlike a CD, you have to flip a vinyl record half way through to listen to the whole thing.
That means vinyl forces you (if you too like vinyl) to participate in the listening experience. You are to some small but significant degree INVESTED. That makes the vinyl listening experience more human, more participatory.
As a result, I think this is why listening to vinyl is a more satisfying or at least fulfilling listening experience, entirely subjective, but still very real.
Like the placebo effect.
10 Minutes - Piano
Hi. It's Joe.
I practiced a lot of piano the last couple of weeks but I don't feel like I have achieved much and it is discouraging. Maybe I should take a break from lessons for a while and combe back to it later. I like that my teacher pushes me, but I almost never practice what he tells me to, because something is missing. I am lacking some skill that he must assume I have that prevents me from getting better. I think that something is a basic dexterity with the keyboard. Maybe I need to work on some classical pieces and get the dexterity skills before I try jazz.
Right now I am on a break from work. I just got some Salad Creations for lunch and I am feeling pretty healthy. Now I am chilling at the Barriques coffee shoppe on Old Sauk in Madison, with some dark roast. I needed to get away from the workplace for a spell because some coworkers were engaged in ceaseless banter about banal, non-work related topics. I swear if they actually worked as much as they gabbed, a lot of stuff would get done around here.
I had a fun weekend up in Oshkosh (begosh). As you know, if you have been following along, I cruised up there on Friday afternoon to hit Friday Fright Night at the Time Theater. Before that though, I met armona for coffee at noon on the west side of Milwaukee. I took Friday off to recover from the MOBIUS STRIPTEASE reunion gig and that was wise. This week should be light. HIATVS' guitar player is away for business, so I have no band practice on a school night this week. However, I do have GUPPY EFFECT v1.0 practice on Saturday and quite possibly GUPPY EFFECT v2.0 practice on Sunday. I want to focus the latter incarnation of the brand on original music and recording, because I am not feeling the live vibe with them. Recording will help us hone our sound and hopefully we can use a click track to keep the tempo in line, a big issue with that incarnation. We can play some live shows once we develop a solid performance.
10 Minutes - Friday Fright Night in Oshkosh (begosh): Part 2
I realize that my last post, in keeping to my 10 minute time limitation for writing, never completed the reference to the titular "Friday Fright Night" reference.
There is an old time community theater in Oshkosh called the Time Theater. It is run by some kids and they do a decent job. On Fridays in the spring, summer, and fall, they show campy horror movies every Friday night, called Friday Fright Night. Sometimes I can go to them and last night was one of those times. It was also the premiere night of the 2013 FFN, so that was cool.
Recall that MOBIUS STRIPTEASE played that weird rock show on Thursday night in Milwaukee. I wisely took a day off from work on Friday, in part to sleep in and recuperate from the late night, but also to run some errands before heading up to Oshkosh for the movie and festivities. As fate would have it, Todd and Sherry were not able to come to the premiere FFN movie at the Theater, but they hooked me up with their friend Pam and her daughter Ashley who were also going to the flick. I had met Pam before, but only briefly. She was nice and so was Ashley. I made two new friends and might have scored a gig for one or more of my bands, since Ashley does booking for the Masonic Lodge in Oshkosh. But whether that happens, I don't really care.
After the film we all re-grouped at the Reptile Palace in Oshkosh. This is a divy little bar that always has great punk rock and metal bands. Madison band DROIDS ATTACK was playing. I had never seen them before so it was cool to learn what all the hype was about. I am still not entirely sure. I mean, they are a great tight band and the music was good, but it wasn't particularly unique to the punk/metal genre. Darwin, who owns the Frequency rock club in Madison WI and also plays in another band called ORPHAN BLOOM, is now playing bass for DROIDS ATTACK. That is a new development within the last 3 to 4 months, I found out.
Anyway, when I am in Oshkosh, I am not really in my element, but it is a very nice and fun environment. So when I said in my prior post that I was in my element at the rock show on Thursday, even though the venue was alien to me, Oshkosh is the opposite. I am not usually in my rock-n-roll alter ego in Oshkosh, so to that extent, I am out of my element. But the environment of Oshkosh is very inviting and comfortable. There is tons to do and all the people are pretty nice. Weird things do happen though, usually when college kids and alcohol don't mix. But that always provides for some good entertainment.
10 Minutes - Friday Fright Night in Oshkosh (begosh)
Hi. It's Joe.
Last night I was fully in my element but in an alien environment. Tonight I will be a bit out of my element but in a very comfortable environment.
Last night I reunited with my old band MOBIUS STRIPTEASE to play a rock show at Coyote Ugly Saloon in Milwaukee WI. With only one rehearsal after a five year hiatus, we rocked the crap out of it and the people who came specifically to see us thoroughly enjoyed themselves. We blew their arses out.
Then there was the alien venue and the patrons who were not there to see us but rather to ogle and drool over the sexploited and scantily clad "service personnel," the bar dancing, body shot pushing female bartenders. Like strippers with clothes on, these women entertained by strutting their stuff to bad 80s hair metal while encouraging binge drinking.
Nothing particularly wrong with the albeit cliche entertainment, objectively speaking. But subjectively, it had many of the components I dislike in a venue and few positives. Actually, the bar staff was not unlike MOBIUS STRIPTEASE, actors and entertainers purveying a kind of sexy alter ego to please an audience. I would argue the main difference is that we purveyed more depth of "personality" and they purveyed more cosmetic "sexuality." And rightly so. They were arguably physically attractive women and we are all pretty average looking but arguably amazingly talented musicians. They do what they do well and we do what we do well.
Unfortunately, there was a noticeable lack of synergy between our two art forms. This was unfortunate because there was great potential for synergy that could have benefitted both parties. I would lay the blame for this at the feet of the venue, but for the fact that they simply were not prepared for the high quality performance "product" we brought in comparison to their somewhat low quality one. I mean, we could not realistically expect them to magically up their game for one night only when they may never again encounter the level of quality we bring (a rarity in S.E. Wisconsin).
Had the skin flaunting purveyors of pulchritude turned their attention to the band when we started playing, we could have facilitated their ultimate goal of booze sales and they could have turned the attention of their lust addled patrons toward our great band. I feel like we were open to this possibility and tried to encourage it, but that they preferred to maintain a territorial neutrality with respect to us. To that extent, the blame does lie with them in as much as it was a missed opportunity for mutual gain (recall the Prisoner's Dilemma exercise of game theory).
On the other hand, MOBIUS STRIPTEASE is an intimidating rock-n-roll force and no one would hold it against them for running away in fear.
10 Minutes - For Those About to Rock...
Hi. It's Joe.
In about 2.5 hours or so, my old band MOBIUS STRIPTEASE is going to unleash a fury of rock-n-roll upon the unsuspecting citizens of Milwaukee WI. This is not to suggest that said citizens don't know we are coming. They do. Or they should. What I am saying is that the level of rocking will take them completely by surprise. They are expecting just you average puny WI cover band. But MOBIUS STRIPTEASE has no equal in the realm of mere "mortal" rock-n-roll bands. Way back in the early days of this band, in the mid 2000s, we tapped into an ancient secret for channeling the spirits of dead (or partly dead, in the case of Ozzy) rock stars. Thus, the energy level of the rock is diabolically amplified. The FDA actually required us to use a black label warning on our marketing materials:
SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: This band will rock your ass off.
Too many people were shaking their booties so hard at shows that they literally flew off. Although this was not a lethal side effect of our rock, most people don't like the feeling of having no ass.
Anyway, tonight at the Coyote Ugly Saloon in Milwaukee will be no different. Wear your dancing shoes and your butt cheek restraining straps.
Or don't come. But you will be even sorrier if you don't.
20 Minutes - Let the Games Begin
Hi. It's Joe.
I just got back to Madison after a good vacation out in Colorado. Manitou Springs CO, to be precise. That is where my sister lives.
I kind of have to hit the ground running now that I am back, and the pace of life picks back up a little. It is a little after 3 PM on Tuesday 4/2 and yet today I have to vote, buy some groceries (the cupboard is bare), eat, practice some bass (for Thursday's MOBIUS STRIPTEASE gig in Milwaukee), and then hit Tuesday jazz night at Mason Lounge for a little while. I don't plan to be there too late and if I had to, I could skip bass practice, since I will have another opportunity to do that tomorrow. But it would be nice to hit the songs twice before the gig.
In a worst case scenario, I could skip jazz night too. But it is a fun assed time and in as much as I will someday be the substitute bassist for jazz night (among others), I should try to keep my skills honed.
Of course, I have work tomorrow, but I don't really care about that. My job is cut and dry, the hours predetermined. What matters is fitting in all the extracurriculars around work. Wednesday evening is pretty free, save for a brief musical diversion from 5 to 6 PM. Thursday night is the gig and I need to work out with MG the logistics of when we are going to try to get there. I have half a mind to do two half days of vacation, one on Wednesday morning, so I can sleep in post jazz night and also practice more bass, and one on Friday, so I can sleep in after the Milwaukee gig. Then again, vacation time is precious. I should just go to work tired in order to save it up for my next trip.
I like travel. Colorado was very laid back. I did not do anything too crazy. We did a couple of hikes and took my niece and nephew for a bike ride. We ate some decent food and I did the Swedish style outdoor sauna up at my sister's BF's mountain cabin. Breathtaking. If I had a mountain cabin, I would be up there all the time. I'd probably go off the grid and just focus on writing and music. We had awesome Mexican food up in Woodland Park, where the mountain cabin is. We saw the residue of the Waldo Canyon Fire from last summer. My nephew Ty and I got old school barbershop shaves and haircuts. I taught both my niece and nephew about the mock pro wrestling move called Flying Butt Pliers, which will probably get them in trouble at school.
The last time I was out there, I taught them a clever knock knock joke:
Knock knock.
Who's there?
A pile up.
I'll let you ride that one out, dear reader.
A while back, I taught them to say, "Building number 7 was an inside job," which they inappropriately yelled to me while saying goodbye at airport security. Totally my bad there.
I also played a lot of piano at my sister's. I still suck. Maybe I am too old for piano.
2 Minutes - Photo Shoot With Ty and Millie
Hi. It's Joe.
After lunching with my niece and nephew (and mom and pops) in Manitou Springs CO today, we stopped by a boutique for a quick kids photo shoot while my mom shopped for clothes.
The results were outstanding.


text:
high school academy
We strive to give our students the academic and life skills they need to be successful in high school, college and career. The Peninsula Bridge High School Academy includes 5 major components:
1. Academic Advising
Incoming freshmen are assigned a specially trained advisor who provide 1:1 support for every student through high school graduation. Our advisors are in continual contact with students and families, administering personalized academic and social emotional support throughout the year.
2. Saturday Sessions
We hold Peninsula Bridge High School Academy sessions on Saturdays from 9:00 am - 2:45 pm. Each session includes 3 sets of 90 minute workshops on high school success skills, college and career readiness, and social emotional skills development with Project Wayfinder curriculum.
3. Homework Club
The Peninsula Bridge Homework Club meets every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday after school during the school year. These sessions provide our high school students a safe place to complete assignments and access academic support provided by contracted tutoring services and corporate volunteers, as well as the opportunity to meet with their individually assigned Peninsula Bridge Academic Advisor.
4. Summer Programming
We seek to find new and exciting ways to engage our High School Academy students during the summer. 100% of our high school students are enrolled in collegiate summer programs, academic classes, corporate internships, local jobs or community service projects.
5. Student & Family Leadership Committees
Our High School Leadership Committees were developed to better incorporate student and family feedback in our organization. These committees have proven pivotal in strengthening the Peninsula Bridge community and program. As a direct result, we now now offer: Finals Review for Students, Family Game Night and, one of our most popular events, The High School Academy End of Year Barbecue. As always, we include families in workshops and 1:1 meetings too.