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Quaker Instant Oatmeal is likely one of the most popular oatmeal products in the United States. When your average person thinks about oatmeal, they probably have a vision of that handsome gentleman that adorns Quaker oats products. You have likely at least tried one or two flavors yourself at some point in your life. I thought it would be fun to do some small reviews of each flavor currently available in the US.
Keep in mind, Quaker Instant Oatmeal, while often tasty, is not the best option for your health. They do tend to come equipped with higher than average levels of sugar and some added preservatives. In general, I tend to preference steel cut oats. With this said, for some, instant oatmeal is preferable just because of the convenience - and this is difficult to ignore.
For these tests, I have tried each of the instant oatmeal flavors both in "instant" fashion (just add warm water and stir) and with use of the microwave. They both produce different taste experiences, but ultimately are much shorter cooking times than preparing a 30 minute bowl of oats the old fashioned way.
For the vegan readers out there, keep in mind that not all flavor options are "vegan friendly." Some include dairy or other animal products - so it is important to be aware when these products sneak into our oatmeal cereal. There are also a few products that have a large ingredient list - much of which is derived from complex artificial substances that it is hard to recommend to anyone! The bulk of this dietary information comes from reviewing the boxes I purchased myself, checking Quaker Oat's website, and through additional information provided through other online sources and reviews (such as Amazon).
A quick note: I use affiliate links to Amazon throughout this article - if you click on them and choose to purchase something, I will make a small commission for your sale. These proceeds help to support the longevity of Plant-Smart Living and producing pieces of content for our website, recipe guide, and YouTube channel. Thanks for your support if you choose to do so!!
Quaker Instant Oatmeal - Put to a Taste Test
Vegan Instant Oatmeal Options:
Below are a list of vegan Quaker instant oatmeal options. They are classified as vegan because they do not have animal products included in their ingredient list. Keep in mind, just because they are "vegan" does not necessarily mean they are healthy, however from my review of the many, many instant oatmeal options available - these do tend to be the best for your diet.
Easily one of the most accessible instant oatmeal options is the regular, plain old oatmeal. No additional flavorings are included to spice things up. Naturally, Quaker oats tend to taste very good on their own - and this allows you to add your own toppings more easily. As you can imagine, there is a lower sugar level naturally as most of the other flavor options provided by Quaker Oatmeal tend to make their hot cereals more in tune with consumer demand for sugar in the morning.
5/5 - Buy on Amazon
Maple and Brown Sugar
The addition of maple and brown sugar to oatmeal is really a fundamental classic when it comes to flavoring oats. These are natural and organic sweeteners that provide some serious sweetness. Of course, with Quaker instant oatmeal you have no control over the quantity, and this is where someone who does not like too much sugar may have some problems. Still, as an occasional treat and for something even more convenient than adding brown sugar and maple syrup on my own, it's a great option!
4/5 - Buy on Amazon
Apples and Cinnamon
One of my favorite super quick breakfast options is Quaker's apples and cinnamon instant oatmeal. They really managed to hit all of the right notes here, and found a great balance between the light, sweet, fruity flavor of the apple bits paired with the all consuming cinnamon. As with others, the sugar level is high and is noticeable, though.
Fortunately, this option comes in a reduced sugar option - which I would highly recommend as the taste is very similar, though less sugar and calorie content.
5/5 - Buy on Amazon
Raisins and Spice
Raisins are a truly excellent oatmeal additive. They provide a natural sweetness, though often some companies add additional sugar to make them more enticing (as is likely the case here). I wish the ingredient list would include some of the specific "spices" used - instead it just lists "spice" as an ingredient, which isn't saying much. I assume Quaker is using a unique blend that helps set themselves apart from the competition.
One struggle many people are having is the availability of this flavor. Fortunately, all Quaker instant rolled oatmeals are available online, and can often be found at a more affordable cost this way - especially when you buy in bulk!
4/5 - Buy on Amazon
Cinnamon and Spice
The nice thing about the previous two instant oatmeal flavors were the added fruits - something many people seem to be lacking in their diets (especially if you are not yet "plant-based." While this flavoring is not bad - it is lacking some of the added texture and fruity elements. It is as if they decided to pull out the added spices and just create a new oatmeal option. If you have some aversion to fruit, this may work well for you, but it misses just a little bit in my eyes.
3.5/5 - Buy on Amazon
Cinnamon Pecan
Quaker's cinnamon & pecan instant oatmeal is actually quite satisfying. However, the biggest problem is that it does not sit nicely within my low-fat vegan diet as I try to limit unnecessary fat consumption. Unfortunately, pecans (like most nuts) provide a high level of fat. Basic nutritional facts indicate 1 cup of pecans provide 684 calories and 71 grams of fat. This is really ridiculous by any standards.
In the oatmeal, pecans are used sparingly so as to not bring up the caloric levels per serving, but for some this could lead to a slippery slope towards eating unhealthily - yes, even if it is vegan appropriate!
3/5 - Buy on Amazon
Raisins, Dates, and Walnuts
There are some serious pros and cons about this instant oatmeal option. Because of the diversity of the additives, it provides a different texture sensation (what foodies would call "mouth feel") than most other instant rolled oats. It is really a great blend of chunky, chewy, sweet, and crunchy. Despite the many additives, Quaker has managed to find a nice balance that is not excessively sweet as can be the case with many of their other offerings.
The downside to this if you are trying to limit fats and/or stay away from nuts is the inclusion of walnuts. Fortunately, they are used sparingly and they do not make too much of an impact on the overall breakfast package.
3.5/5 - Buy on Amazon
Apples and Cranberries
The balance of sweet and sour tones coming from these fruits makes for another potentially great oatmeal blend, however this falls short because of inconsistencies in the packaging department.
Many reviewers online have indicated problems with too few cranberries (or none at all) showing up in their packets, and others have complained about only apple core pieces being a part of their oatmeal. In my case, while taste testing this option, I did not encounter a comparable problem - but it appears to be a more widespread one than would just be the result of poor quality assurance standards.
In terms of my experience with this offering, the apples and cranberries did a nice job providing something different - but it doesn't really stand out as an instant oats option I would want to return too over and over again. Not bad, but not great either.
3.5/5 - Buy on Amazon
Cinnamon Roll
The availability of cinnamon roll instant oatmeal is pretty low these days from what I am reading online. I was not able to find it fresh at the grocery store, however recall trying it a while back and thought I could still add some quick thoughts in case you were able to find some yourself.
Pure and simple, this flavor of oatmeal tends to be unnecessary. It is one of the sweeter offerings, and while this might appease those really looking to replicate eating an actual cinnamon bun, I didn't really care for it. I think there are enough other options available with cinnamon as the basis that are far better in taste.
2.5/5 - Buy on Amazon
Banana Bread
Banana bread is a unique option that is only available in the Quaker Bakery Favorites Variety Pack or in the Banana Bread Weight Control package. I'm not sure why it isn't for purchase on it's own - especially given how popular something with a simple fruit could become.
I suppose this is where the first problem comes into play - there are no actual banana pieces in this oatmeal (unlike the apple products). The banana component is a literal "flavoring" additive derived from banana flake powder. If you can get past this and some of the additional artificial elements, it actually does manage to taste pretty good. Again, if you are like me, you may find yourself comparing it to the "real thing" of home cooked oats and freshly chopped bananas, and you will likely be disappointed, but not a bad option if you need some banana oatmeal that can be prepared in 30 seconds!
3.5/5 - Buy on Amazon
Pumpkin Spice
I was actually surprised this pumpkin spice instant oatmeal was vegan compliant, given that I have learned that many pumpkin spice options provided in different foods and drinks tend to include many additives and some dairy as is the case with a certain beloved Starbucks drink. With this said, the taste is pretty good but is noticeably light on the pumpkin, and heavier on the spice. Some other reviewers online have pointed out it basically smells and tastes like cinnamon, and that is pretty accurate in my experience. Not a bad choice, especially if you catch it during it's limited run time during the fall season (or buy some online year round), but nothing mind blowing.
3.5/5 - Buy on Amazon
Vegetarian Instant Oatmeal Options:
Given that the plant-based diet spans a number of different dietary lifestyles - most simply "vegan" and "vegetarian" and a number of things in between - I thought I would include some additional instant oatmeal offerings from Quaker Oatmeal that would be acceptable for vegetarians - ie: those eating primarily plant-based but also open to consuming dairy.
Keep in mind, I do not advocate for eating dairy and have researched the negative effects it can have on the body, but everyone is able to make their own decision on this matter. I do come with my own biases against it, though, and will not be the best source for an objective perspective on these.
Still, if you value your health, you may be able to find something I say of use!
Honey Bun
This one actually surprised me - I had expected based on the name that it would be something fattening and filled with excessive and unnecessary ingredients. Instead, honey bun instant oatmeal really just provides an opportunity to use honey as a natural sweetener, something I occasionally use in my homemade oats.
If you are open to consuming honey, this is actually a reasonable option! I still think I can make it better from scratch with boiled steel cut oats + locally sourced honey, but this can do in a pinch!
This is classified as vegetarian because honey is a byproduct of bees - some people consider it okay on a vegan diet regardless, but just thought I'd separate it so you can be sure you are making the appropriate decision for your health needs.
4/5 - Buy on Amazon
Strawberries and Cream
I am actually pretty disappointed that the first (and only) oatmeal offering that includes strawberries also includes dairy cream. I cannot in good conscious recommend this one given the inclusion of dairy - but in terms of pure taste it is quite good. I think it is a strange contradiction that on the Quaker website for just about every one of their products they leave a note: "Diets rich in whole grain foods and other plant foods and low in cholesterol and saturated fat may help reduce the risk of heart disease."
I'd say just leave it plant-based, or replace the dairy milk with a plant-based milk substitute!
2/5 - Buy on Amazon
Not Safe for a Plant-Based Diet:
There are a few instant oatmeal options that are really just not healthy for you at all - regardless of your diet. This really boils down to having excessively long ingredient lists, unnecessary and often artificial additives, and even some plainly false advertising (like the faux blueberries discussed below). Sure, some of them might taste alright or be appealing to our kids, but given that there are so many higher quality instant oat options, I don't see why anyone would go down this road if they are trying to better their health.
These really are like the fast food of the instant oatmeal industry - not something that is said lightly given that even the best products take about 30 seconds to prepare with some water!
A quick note: While much of this article has included referral links for which I would make a commission, I am actively against promoting products that I cannot stand behind or support. In the case of these products, I do not think they add any value to your life, and cannot recommend them as even remotely healthy options. For this reason, I have not included such links.
Dinosaur Eggs Brown Sugar
At first glance, the Dinosaur Egg shapes and fun cartoon character on the packaging will be instantly attractive if you have children. Many of us know that children can be picky eaters, especially if their diets are not regulated well from a very young age.
Like many breakfast cereals, Quaker has produced a product that is high on the sugar to make it attractive to youngsters. Unfortunately, while most of the product is normal fair and relatively healthy (just simply rolled oats with brown sugar), the "dinosaur eggs" themselves are the main thing to worry about.
These pieces are artificially produced out of sugar and other mysterious additives. Just to name a few: magnesium stearate, red 40 lake, titanium dioxide, etc. Some of these components are just not "whole foods" sources by any stretch of the imagination - and some are purely synthetic (ie: created in a lab). They tend to function as preservatives or to make food more visually appealing, but as a result have some potent side effects on our health.
As a simple example, look at how red #40 lake dye can negatively impact your health. Skip this one!
Strawberry Adventure Animals
It seems that products specifically geared towards kids are the worst options on the list. On one hand, this doesn't come as much of a surprise given how much of the breakfast foods market is made up of processed sugary cereals with cartoon characters designed to get kids interested. The problem here is the same as with the Dinosaur Eggs - a lot of unneeded additives that are potentially very unhealthy.
Peaches and Cream
Going into this instant oatmeal option, I expected similar characteristics as the Strawberries & Cream oatmeal. That is: a small list of ingredients with just a few I don't care for. Instead, the ingredient list is pretty hefty on this package, and it even notes that a good chunk of artificial additives are included. For vegans, watch out for whey and other dairy products. Some of the additives - like unnecessary food coloring - take it into a territory that is really unhealthy. There are many preferable instant oatmeal options over this one.
Blueberries and Cream
One of the most disappointing options is the Blueberries & Cream. I am actually a big fan of adding berries to my oatmeal - it is just the natural result of having a great organic sweetening opportunity. There are multiple problems with this instant oatmeal product, though. First off, the inclusion of excessive additives and dairy products. The biggest problem, though, is there are no real blueberries in this! All that is included is blueberry flavoring - most of which is attached to figs. This may as well be called "blueberry flavored fig oatmeal."
Bananas and Cream
I'm not sure how much more value I can add as there is a noticeable trend here - basically all of the "... and Cream" products are not good options for vegans, and frankly, even for vegetarians given the unneeded additives. Like the blueberries and cream instant oatmeal - these packets are only available in the Fruit and Cream Variety Pack - something you should stay away from in exchange for other more health-conscious options.
Apple Crisp
Unlike the Apple Cinnamon option that I consider to be one of the best Quaker instant oatmeals, Apple Crisp really manages to provide you with an unnecessary alternative, and one that is loaded with unneeded sweeteners, artificial ingredients, and dairy milk. The taste is okay, but pales in comparison to the superior Apple Cinnamon.
Conclusion --
Quaker Instant Oatmeal has some great, classic options. Unfortunately, it also has many mediocre options - and worse still, a few that are just plainly not good for your health. At the end of the day, there are just a few packets that I really enjoy and can come back to again and again like the Apple Cinnamon and Maple & Brown Sugar. Still, variety is the spice of life (sometimes literally in an oatmeal sense!), and it is valuable to know what you can expect before you buy.
So, what is your favorite instant oatmeal? Do you enjoy Quaker Oats or do you prefer another brand name?


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With Clayton Homes You Can Have It Made
Being from Texas, and having a long history of volunteering with the Salvation during disasters, we've been heartbroken by the devastation we are seeing in Houston and the gulf coast. There's are thousands of homes that will have to be rebuilt or replaced, and tomorrow Clayton Homes is going to start a national ad campaign that puts manufactured housing in a different light.
We shared some of the details on our American Housing Advocates site, and from what we have seen so far, this campaign alone could change how people think about manufactured housing. We also know the home used was in Texas and was built by SE Homes of Texas - a division of Clayton Homes. The home is a Bristol, and we have had the opportunity to style and spend time in many of these, and it's a beautiful home. It's really exciting to be able to share with people that were affected by the storm that this is a home that is available right now in Houston and is the perfect example of what today's manufactured homes really look like.
You can view the Have it Made® ad here, and the Clayton Homes website has lots of great information on their homes and where you can tour one in person. We think you'll love these homes and the quality of life they can provide as much as we do.

subset: commoncrawl


text: This book covers all aspects of oxygen delivery to tissue, including blood flow and its regulation as well as oxygen metabolism. Special attention will be paid to methods of oxygen measurement in living tissue and application of these technologies to understanding physiological and biochemical basis for pathology related to tissue oxygenation. This book is multidisciplinary and designed to bring together experts and students from a range of research fields including biochemical engineering, physiology, microcirculation, and hematology.


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Illustrator Jillian Ditner/
Recently I received a virtual introduction from Jillian Ditner. I was immediately impressed by the colour palette and mood of her artwork and illustrations. When I saw the image of a typist with white sheets (above) that she illustrated for Oprah at Home magazine, I was even more impressed. Based in Toronto, Jillian graduated from the Ontario College of Art & Design last year where she studied fine art and focused on printmaking.
"I have been active as both an artist and illustrator," she says. "My focus right now is more on illustration, as I am currently out of studio, but my love of printmaking continues... I would love to branch out into the design realm in the future."
I asked Jillian what her most exciting project has been to date. "The most exciting project I've worked on was with 'Lights Out Toronto' (image below with the bird in flight). This city-run organization whose aim it is to reduce the amount of migratory bird deaths in Toronto. For their spring campaign I created a series of limited edition screen prints to be awarded to building owners/ architects who strive to make city buildings 'bird friendly'. The reason I enjoyed this project so much is because I feel it is important for artists to become involved with environmental/social causes, and due to lack of funding for these types of projects, it can be very difficult to do so. I am happy to say that this project has sparked the interest for similar campaigns in other cities across North America."
We look forward to seeing more work from Jillian. You can see her portfolio of prints and illustrations at Painted by Number.


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He may now be the most powerful man in the country – but David Cameron once tootled about in this humble 1971 Fiat.
And now buyers at a Birmingham auction have the chance to own the Prime Minister's fully restored old motor.
The Fiat 500 L – bought by Mr Cameron as a present for wife Samantha – is expected to fetch up to £12,000 at auction at the National Exhibition Centre on Saturday.
The couple were said to have owned the car for around a decade, clocking up just 1,000 miles around the Cotswolds, and the PM ignored the pleas of Italy's Fiat 500 club by deciding to part with it.
The organisation's head, Domenico Romano, even reportedly wrote to Downing Street urging him to change his mind.
"Anyone who owns a historic Fiat 500 knows that it is a classic," he said.
"Whoever sells it, lives to regret it."
The club also reminded Mr Cameron that Top Gear had judged the Fiat 500 "the sexiest car ever, even more than the Aston Martin".
For those with a need for speed – and much deeper pockets – a range of somewhat racier models will also be available.
They include a 2004 Ferrari Enzo, predicted to go for up to £700,000 and a 1960 Aston Martin DB4 Series II, expected to go for up to £200,000.
The cars are among almost 70 being sold by Warwickshire-based Silverstone Auctions at The Footman James Classic Motor Show. Silverstone managing director Nick Whale said: "We have enjoyed a very busy 2012 and this is a great way to end it in style.
"The success we're enjoying with our classic models is mirrored by the resurgence of the region's automotive industry as a whole.
"Who knows, some of the fantastic models currently being made in the West Midlands might be among the classics of tomorrow.
"And they might find a place in one of our future auctions in the years to come."
- More information is available at www.silverstoneauctions.com and details of the motor show at www.necclassicmotorshow.com


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Work & Time Study Material for SSC CGL, IBPS, Railways, Bank and Other Government Exam
[Part 3]
In all the government exams whether SSC CGL, IBPS, Bank PO, Clerk, CTET, SI etc, Quantitative Aptitude plays a very important role. To help the students prepare for every section which is asked in examination, i am coming up with preparation material. Every Day i will create a Posts with Tricks, Formulas, Solved Questions and Practice Questions to help candidates prepare for the exam.


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Posted on Sunday, March 24, 2013
by Ladykc
I was so happy to find this group of women who understand what it's like to want to be a mom but are not able to be. It's lonely when you are surrounded by families. If there is anyone still here and wants to talk, I would love to offer some support.
just joined fab40.I'm sitting in the same boat and am looking forward to talking to you and others.
Greetings from the Netherlands!
I am in the same boat as well!
Hello Nathalie,
Nice to meet you!How are your bee hives?
They are great for now. I have 18 at the moment and I bought 5 more that are arriving this week. This is an exciting time of the year, it's the most active for a beekeeper because bees are multiplying, creating new queens and swarming! I'm having a blast!
I too am looking for friends to talk to. I like the idea of having all these groups to choose from. I look forward to hearing from all of you.
It seems like a ghost town on this website. IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE?
Yes , still new here HI
For Women Who Decided to Not Have Children or Could Not Have Children


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People want to protect their privacy online, but some are not certain about how to do that. Other might know how to do it, but the process can be tedious and time consuming. InvizBox makes a variety of products to help people keep their privacy online.
Don spoke with Paul from InvizBox at CES 2018. InvizBox makes products that are easy to use for cyber security and privacy protection. Connect your phone, laptop or other device to any InvizBox product over Wi-Fi and all your internet traffic is encrypted before it is sent across the internet. InvizBox will take care of the rest.
InvizBox Go can be used at home, abroad, or on public Wi-Fi anywhere in the world. In addition to functioning as a VPN, an ad blocker, and a Wi-Fi hotspot extender, it also functions as a power bank so you can charge your phone.
The InvizBox 2 and InvizBox Pro connect to your home router. Simply connect your laptop, phone, smart TV and other devices over Wi-Fi or a wired connection. All of your internet traffic will be encrypted.
InvizBox Go is available now. The price ranges from $199 to $279 depending on how many months of VPN you want to purchase. InvizBox 2 is priced at $149, and InvizBox 2 Pro is priced art $219. Each comes with 12 months of VPN. It is estimated that those products will start shipping in April of 2018.
Don Baine is the Gadget Professor and gives lectures at TheGadgetProfessor.comSupport my CES 2018 Sponsor:
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Thursday, 23 February 2017
Whatever Happened to the Gift of Tongues?
If people speak in a heavenly language today, where is the interpretation? The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 14:26 (KJV), "How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying." How can others be edified if there is no interpretation?
Charismatic Christians often babble away together, as they did in the sick house church I once attended. Nobody seemed to apply 1 Corinthians 14:27 (KJV) which plainly says, "If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret."
If Christians must speak in what they believe is an angelic language, shouldn't they do it in private? Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 14:2 (KJV), "For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries."
The reason Paul prefered that congregants spoke in a known language is so others could be edified. Look at what he wrote in 1 Corinthians 14:4 (KJV), "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church."
God willing, I plan to expand on this subject in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? I'll explain how the gift of tongues has ceased and that what people call tongues today is bogus. Many Christians will disagree ardently with me but from what I've studied, people often fake tongues to fit in with others at meetings.
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30 min - 44mm
The Series 3 fire rated door is derived from the first doors manufactured by Noberne. A timber perimeter framing high density flaxboard core offers a strong and sturdy door very popular for use wherever doors of better than average strength and durability are required.
For related BIM models please visit our BIM page.


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How to Make Easy Greek Yogurt
Yogurt is so easy to make and you can save a few bucks making it yourself! No special equipment or starters. All you need is some milk, a cooler, a thermometer, and some store-bought yogurt to make your first batch. You can make additional yogurt by saving a cup from each batch you make. There is also a special note on buying heirloom yogurt cultures. At the end, there is also my favorite yogurt recipe.
How to Make Yogurt
- 3/4 Gallon of Milk (pref whole milk, not ultra-pasteurized)
- 3/4 Cup Store-bought Yogurt Starter (Stonyfield Organic Whole Plain works great)
Slowly heat milk to 160 degrees*. (If using raw milk, heat to 180 degrees). Pour into quart mason jars. Allow to cool to 110 degrees*. Add 1/4 cup of store-bought yogurt (or previously made yogurt) to each jar. Gently stir and add tight lids. Fill water cooler with water that is 110 degrees* and completely submerge jars for 5-8 hours. The longer the more tart! After 5-8 hours, check to see that yogurt pulls away from jars. If so, it's ready! Place in refrigerator to cool and thicken a bit or you can strain through a muslin or linen napkin for 1-2 hours to thicken it even more. Save some yogurt from this batch to make the next batch. You can keep making yogurt from previous batches for about 5 times before you need to buy a new store-bought starter.
Make a new batch every 7 days to keep yogurt starter active.
Cut recipe or double recipe as needed.
Taylor Candy Thermometer on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2e8l5JG
Playmate Cooler on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2euiUf9
Yogurt Doesn't Take: You are using ultra-pasteurized milk or a non-dairy milk or you may be using old yogurt strains or you may need to try a different brand of starter (Stonyfield works every time for me) or your temperatures were too high or too low.
Yogurt is Clumpy: Your milk was too hot when you added yogurt or your water in your cooler was too hot.
Yogurt is Too Sour: Allow it to sit in the cooler less time
Yogurt is Too Thin: Your starter strains may be getting old. Strain it longer through a muslin and try a fresh starter.


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Verizon FiOS First Level Local Manager Overtime Lawsuit/
The lawsuit is challenges Verizon's policy and practice of treating local managers as exempt from overtime pay. In order to avoid paying employees in California overtime compensation, the workers must not meet any of the job duties test of an exemption from overtime. In this lawsuit, the local managers contend they are entitled to overtime pay because they are not exempt employees as administrators, professionals or executives.


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When the boy band Suite 44 took the stage opening for Fifth Harmony on a recent tour stop in Cleveland, the Live! Starring … You! team was there. Check back soon for teen co-editor Noelle DeFabio's interview with the band. For now, enjoy these pics from the photo pit at Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica, courtesy of LSY! founder Tim O'Shei.
And keep an eye on Suite 44 … They just signed with Epic Records and are on the rise!


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Jennifer Hudson, Earth, Wind & Fire and Jermaine Paul to perform at Premier Event Raising Urgent Funds for Cancer Research
NORWALK, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) announced today that Jennifer Hudson, Earth, Wind & Fire and Jermaine Paul will be the featured performers at a tribute concert celebrating Clive J. Davis at the 15th Anniversary of the MMRF Fall Gala, to be held October 27, 2012, in Old Greenwich, Connecticut. The MMRF will be honoring the five-time Grammy Award winner and noted music industry executive Davis with the MMRF Spirit of Hope Award, presented annually to individuals who inspire hope with their perseverance in overcoming personal obstacles. All funds raised will support the development of life-extending treatments for multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer.
Jennifer Hudson to perform at 15th Anniversary of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) Fall Gala
An Academy Award-winning actress, Grammy Award-winning recording artist, best-selling author and clothing designer, Jennifer Hudson is an extraordinary talent. In 2004, she gained national acclaim as a contestant on the third season of American Idol. Hudson made her award-winning film debut in the 2006 production of Dreamgirls and her chart-topping music debut in 2008 with Arista Records, which was founded by Davis. Hudson became the national spokesperson for Weight Watchers in 2010.
Earth, Wind & Fire is one of the most innovative Pop and R&B music forces of the 20th century. The group was signed to Columbia Records in 1972 by Davis. With a career spanning over four decades, six Grammy Awards, eight #1 R&B singles, eight Double Platinum Top 10 Pop albums, and more than 90 million albums sold, VH1 ranked Earth, Wind & Fire as number 60 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of Rock & Roll.
Winner of the second season of NBC's The Voice, Jermaine Paul is currently recording his debut album set for release at the top of December. Paul, a world renowned vocalist, previously sang background vocals for superstar Alicia Keys. Paul notably performed on Keys' Grammy-Award winning album The Diary of Alicia Keys, which was released by Davis' J Records and was nominated himself for a Grammy for a duet.
"I am proud to participate in this tribute concert for Clive Davis to benefit the MMRF – an organization that has helped so many patients and families affected by this devastating cancer," said Hudson. "I hope my involvement will help the MMRF in their role of bringing new treatments and hope to cancer patients worldwide."
The MMRF has been recognized as one of the nation's most groundbreaking cancer research organizations. Significant MMRF achievements made possible by funding from programs like the MMRF Fall Gala include: opening more than 40 clinical trials with 21 novel treatments, sequencing the multiple myeloma genome, and helping to bring five new myeloma drugs to market in less than 10 years – including the July 2012 FDA approval of Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s KyprolisTM, to which the MMRF provided pivotal support to advance its development. N. Anthony Coles, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Onyx Pharmaceuticals will receive the MMRF Corporate Leadership Award at the gala.
Despite the advancements made by the MMRF, the five-year survival rate for myeloma remains one of the lowest of all cancers and multiple myeloma remains incurable. The funds raised by the MMRF are critical in continuing to advance research and the progress being made.
"We are so thankful to have Jennifer Hudson, Earth, Wind & Fire and Jermaine Paul joining the MMRF to help honor Clive Davis and support our urgent work," said Kathy Giusti, Founder and CEO of the MMRF and a myeloma patient. "The endorsement of our mission by these talented musicians, who are joining us to celebrate this momentous event, is critical to raising awareness for this rare cancer."
The MMRF Fall Gala is the largest benefit in Fairfield County and is attended by more than 1,200 people, including many celebrities and the nation's most prominent business executives and high-impact philanthropists. It is anticipated that this event will be sold out. To reserve a table for the MMRF Fall Gala, donate an auction item or inquire about sponsorship opportunities, please email email@example.com or call 888-584-5463.
About the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF)
The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) was established in 1998 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization by twin sisters Karen Andrews and Kathy Giusti, soon after Kathy's diagnosis with multiple myeloma. The mission of the MMRF is to relentlessly pursue innovative means that accelerate the development of next-generation multiple myeloma treatments to extend the lives of patients and lead to a cure. As the world's number-one private funder of multiple myeloma research, the MMRF has raised over $200 million since its inception and directs 90% of total budget to research and related programming. As a result, the MMRF has been awarded Charity Navigator's coveted four four-star rating for nine consecutive years, the highest designation for outstanding fiscal responsibility and exceptional efficiency. For more information about the MMRF, please visit www.themmrf.org.
About Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is an incurable blood cancer. The five-year relative survival rate for multiple myeloma is approximately 38 percent, one of the lowest of all cancers. In 2012, more than 20,000 adults in the United States will be diagnosed with multiple myeloma and nearly 11,000 people are predicted to die from the disease.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20121001006741/en/
Anne Quinn Young, 203-536-8691
Source: The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF)


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In the box:
WiC™ for Computer
Go wireless from any instrument to ProTools, GarageBand or Audacity (or others).
WiC™ for Computer lets you play wirelessly directly into your computer, where you can use your favorite software to mix and edit your sound.
It's super easy and the quality is amazing! You'll get the highest quality sound you've heard going into a computer for mixing.
WiC™ is really easy to use. The first time you use it, it takes about a minute to set the USB receiver up with your computer. From then on, just use the short cable that is supplied to plug the guitar into the WiC™ transmitter with the blue stripe, turn the transmitter on, and start playing.


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Electro Bismed Instruments
Established in 2006, Electro Bismed Instruments has become a leading company engaged in supply of high quality Electrosurgical Accessories to premiere quality conscious customers across the globe.
Electro Bismed Instruments offer complete solution for Elecrosurgical Accessories for hospital at the right price. Their extensive range of Electrosurgical Accessories include: Bipolar Forceps, Monopolar Forceps in reusable and disposable forms, loops, electrodes, gynaecology instruments for use within electro surgery and a full range of arthroscopy and laparoscopy electrodes used for cautery.
SunMed is a manufacturer and distributor of high quality medical devices for use in hospitals and healthcare facilities worldwide. Their product family includes airway management, anesthesia, respiratory, resuscitation/ventilation, diagnostics, oxygen delivery and surgical care products. In addition to SunMed product, Ventlab and Ethox Medical branded products are part of the SunMed brand.
Yibon Medical
Yibon Medical was set up in 1997 and specialises in manufacturing medical disposable products. They are dedicated to provide the most complete and advanced products for consumers around the world. These products are most widely used in hospital surgery, home care and pharmacy. As a growing company, Yibon plan to continue setting trends with superior quality and competitive pricing. Quality and reputation are the foundation for their competitiveness and corporate growth.


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a bridgewater barn wedding: tracy & eric/
It's not too often we get the opportunity to completely transform an alpaca farm on a beautiful estate in a lovely town like Bridgewater, CT. When we started working with Tracy and Eric we were so jazzed at the idea of creating a beautiful wedding on Eric's childhood farm. The ceremony was picturesque. T & E's closest family and friends gathered around them overlooking a breathtaking landscape from the hilltop. Alpacas in bow ties greeted guests as they moseyed on down to cocktail hour under a stellar Sperry Tent, and then again when making their way to the reception in the barn. Sean Gallery Photography did an AMAZING job at capturing every detail of the day. Below you'll see photo overload... but choosing favorites wasn't an option.. Enjoy!
Photography: Sean Gallery Photography
Venue: Private Home, Bridgewater CT
Tent: Sperry Tents Greenwich
Catering/Rentals: Riverhouse Catering
Band: JM Music- The A Band


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Owner & Designer
Roaring Fork Landscapes is a culmination of long term expertise, creative vision and professionalism. Owner and designer, Tom Friel, first began in the business as a prodigy under his father's successful company, Friel Landscaping, at the young age of eight years old. After attending Villanova University, he came to Colorado and established Blue River Landscaping in Summit County in 1992. Business soon grew across the state and Roaring Fork Landscapes was established in Aspen and the surrounding area in 2002.
Roaring Fork Landscapes is known for its vast knowledge of irrigation and erosion control as well as intricate water features. Projects range from intimate courtyards to large scale multiple use domestic and commercial landscapes. In addition, the company is celebrated for its patio design and installation.
As Senior Foreman, Tom follows the strictest standards of ethics with building specifications and employee performance providing only the highest quality of work.
Tom's high standards reflect his personal values of building relationships and delivering quality service to his clients.


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Looking back
What a season.
The Pen's quest for a fourth Stanley Cup ended last night with a 1-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, a real heartbreaking loss. Not that all playoff losses aren't heartbreaking, but you just had the feeling that the Pens were just one lucky bounce away from moving on to the next round. I do have to give Tampa Bay some credit. They played a solid series, fueled by 41 year old Dwayne Roloson in net and by all accounts derserved to win the series. They capitalized on chances nearly every time they got them and Pittsburgh didn't.
The lone goal was scored by Sean Bergenheim, on an absolute identical play that they scored on in Game 6. With Dominick Moore going around the net, he dropped a blind pass back to Bergenheim who, with Marc Andre Fleury moving to the far post, slammed it into a half empty net. Not that the Pens didn't have their chances. They finished the game 0-5 on the powerplay, including a six on four for the final two minutes of the game, making them an abysmal 1-35 on the man advantage in the series.
I don't want to talk too much about last night, just wanted to touch on it. This has been one hell of a season with a lot of ups and downs along the way. CONSOL Energy Center opened this year, replacing the Civic Arena, where the Pens called home for over 40 years. Although we lost the inaugural game to hated cross-state rivals the Flyers, you could just feel the excitement in the building. The consecutive sellout streak also rolled on, eclipsing over 200 at the end of the season. That just shows the support and the dedication of the fans in Pittsburgh.
We hosted the Winter Classic this year at Heinz Field against another rival, the Washington Capitals, as well as being featured in the HBO special, "24/7". Again, the game didn't turn out exactly as hoped, as the Pens were handed a 3-1 defeat, but that was an experience like no other. The game was supposed to be played in the afternoon, but inclement weather pushed the game into the evening, underneath the lights, and with 68,000 plus fans screaming, it didn't matter if there was a monsoon, it would have still been incredible.
However that game will live in infamy, as that is the game where Sidney Crosby suffered a concussion after he took a blind side hit from David Steckel that ended his season. The injury most likely occurred during that hit, but ironically, it was a hit the following game by Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning that sidelined him for the next three and a half months, the same Lightning that just ended the Penguin's season last night.
Sid wasn't the only one to get hit by the injury bug this year. Evgeni Malkin took a hard hit by Tyler Myers of the Buffalo Sabres that tore a ligament in his knee. Jordan Staal, out the first few months after recovering from foot surgery from an injury suffered in last year's playoffs, got sidelined again in late October by a broken hand in practice. Mark Letestu and Dustin Jeffrey suffered knee injuries as well, and Arron Asham and Eric Tangradi both, like Crosby were victims of concussions. The final count in man games lost due to injury was nearly 400, yet they were still able to get within 13 victories of the Stanley Cup.
All in all, it was a great season, a fun season to watch and be a part of as a fan.
About the shots in this post, all taken last night. The top shot is one that I've been trying to get for a while, and I finally got it last night. I had been trying to get a silhouetted fan waving their rally towel and I think that this one game out pretty good. The next one is someone holding up a beer toasting the Pens, and this one will be my post on flickr today. The next two are both from after the game, one during the handshake between the two teams after the series and the other of the Pens holding up their sticks in salute of the fans after the game. Lastly, I threw on in there from the walk back to the car, because I like how the bokeh turned out.
One more time…Let's go Pens.
Lucky 13
Well, you know I have to do it. Ok, so maybe you don't know what "it" is, especially if you aren't a hockey fan. But if you have been following my blog you know I'm kinda sorta a big Pens fan, and you would also know that they are in the first round of the playoffs right now. And last night's game…well…it was awesome. And while you can read recaps on about 50 different websites, I still can't help but at least tell you how exciting it was.
This game had just about everything that makes hockey exciting (aside from Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, still out with injuries). The Pens went up 2-0 in the first 1+ period of the game on goals by Tyler Kennedy (pictured above in warm ups earlier this season) and Arron Asham, who is having an incredible post season. TK's goal was huge because it snapped the 0-Forever powerplay drought the Pens were on. Early in the second Asham tallied his to double the lead. But again, the Lightning fought back. Martin St. Louis took a beautiful area pass, scorched past Ben Lovejoy and buried it to the far side past Fleury. I'm not a fan of St. Louis at all, but damn that was one hell of a goal.
Pittsburgh made it out of the second up 2-1 and looked like they were on their way to a victory by the same score until Sean Bergenheim found the puck in a scrum in front of the Flower and shoveled it home, knotting the score at 2 with just 3 minutes left in regulation. The first overtime came and went, but not before we had some more excitement. Craig Adams was called on a terrible interference penalty (one of many terrible calls by the referees in this series) that put the Lightning again on the man advantage. But then Pens held strong killing off all 4 Lightning powerplays last night. Max Talbot, Tyler Kennedy and Craig Adams all had odd man chances to score but couldn't put it behind Dwayne Roloson. The defensive play of the night, however, was Paul Martin' play on Lightning superstar Steve Stamkos. Stamkos took a pass up the middle and had a breakaway, but Martin smoothly came up behind him, lifted his stick and poked the puck away. Crisis averted.
NHL playoff overtimes are the full 20 minutes, with no shootout and a full intermission in between. There are also no TV timeouts, so the players can get very tired very quick. This is a factor, since this game went into the second overtime. The Pens owned the puck for most of the fifth total period played, and it led to the play of the night. Jordan Staal won the offensive zone faceoff and James Neal (second and third pictures above) got a shot on net, which was turned aside by Roloson. The puck was swept around the end boards, and Kris Letang made a nice play to keep it in. Staal corralled it with his stick and through it behind him against the boards, where it was picked up by Neal who just tossed it on net. At the same time that announcer Bob Errey was saying "He just needs one" (referring to the fact that Neal hadn't scored in 21 games) the puck zipped over Roloson's shoulder for the game winning goal. 3-2 win and a 3-1 series lead as Game 5 rolls back to the ' Burgh on Saturday.
So why Lucky 13? Since there are no first round byes in hockey, a team needs 16 wins to capture the Stanley Cup. The Pens have won 3, so just 13 more.
I'm feeling lucky.
And that is what Marc Andre Fleury looked like in last night's playoff opener. It was possibly the best performance I have ever seen out of a goalie since I can remember, he was that good. Didn't matter who was shooting from where, the Flower was making kick saves, glove saves, blocker saves, pad saves. I mean, it was just unbelievable to see. Obliviously the Pens won, 3-0, as Fleury earned his fifth career playoff shutout.
This was a really important game, more so that a normal Game 1 of the first rounds of the playoffs. With no Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin in the lineup, it was vital that the Pens were able to establish their game early and often against the high powered Lightning offense. Pittsburgh came out hitting, with Steven Stamkos, Ryan Malone and Vincent Levacalier getting the worst of it, especially Stamkos, who got absolutely destroyed by Brooks Orpik. The best part about watching that hit was the fact that everyone saw it coming. Everyone except Stamkos that is.
As solid as any goaltender is, a team still needs to score goals. Even though the Pens were peppering the Tampa Bay goalie Dwayne Roloson with nearly 30 shots through two periods, they still weren't able to put one in the back of the net. Then, about six minutes into the third period, Alexei Kovalev (pictured above from a game last week) changed all that. After he appeared to be tripped (with no penalty), he layed on the ice for just a second. When the defenseman drifted away, Kovy jumped up, took a shot-pass from James Neal, and buried it in the back of the net.
Just 18 seconds later, Pens fourth liner Arron Asham (above, from last night's game) streaked down the right side of the ice, faked a shot to draw Roloson away from the net, wrapped around the net and tried to bury one. It bounced off a stick, came right back to him, and he buried it in the open net. We were still going crazy from the Kovy goal, that half the arena didn't even realize we'd scored again. Asham is one of those roll players I talked about yesterday who, if the Pens are going to win the Cup, needs to step up, and he did just that. Chris Kunitz added an empty netter to seal the game.
Overall the Pens looked great. Hard hitting, great penalty killing, beating the trap that the Lightning play is what led to the Game 1 victory. The important thing is sticking to their game for the rest of the playoffs.
Game 2 is tomorrow. And it can't come soon enough.
Eyes on the prize
Well it all begins tonight. The 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs will open with the Pittsburgh Penguins taking on the Tampa Bay Lightning at the CONSOL Energy Center. It certainly has been a trying year for these Pens, but they have shown that they have what it takes to win under extreme adversity. They have only had the combined services of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal for two games this season, with Staal missing the first half due to a broken hand/severed tendon in his foot and Sid and Geno missing more or less the entire second half of the season. Yet these Pens have fought through rough stretches of poor powerplay performance, low goal totals and a host of other injuries to finish fourth in the conference and gain home ice advantage through at least the first round of the playoffs.
So what is it going to take to win? The same things that they have been doing all year. Solid penalty kill. Team defense. Brick wall goaltending. And of course production from their role players, like Craig Adams, Max Talbot, Mike Rupp and others. I like the Pens in this series in five games because of all these factors, but one thing I think that really sets up apart from the Lightning is our consistency. We never really let the season get away from us, even with the loss our two biggest superstars. Yes, we did lose five or six games in a row after Sid was out, but that can be expected when you lose the main focus of your offense.
The Pens are also very versatile while I believe that Lightning are much more one dimensional. They want to get the puck to Stamkos, St. Louis or Lecavalier and let them shoot. They rely too heavily on the powerplay and if they aren't getting the opportunities, then they won't be effective. The Pens have scorers on every line and guys that bring a high level of energy to team like Talbot, pictured above. I took this during a game back in February, and it's always fun to photograph Talbot, as he seems to always be looking into the camera. He's a guy who can win you the faceoff, kill a penalty, and then find himself alone in the middle of the ice for a breakaway. Max went through a bit of a dry spell early in the year, but the intangibles he brings to the team in the absence of their captain is immeasurable.
Today's shot is one I took at the last game I was at which was the last regular season home game. We were in a suite above the single attack zone, which is a great view to watch the game from. I took this HDR during the national anthem, as you can see by the stars and stripes on the ice. This is a five exposure JPEG HDR that I processed with HDR Efex under the "Clean" method. Since the players and scoreboard were both moving, I took the +2 exposure (for the players) and the -2 exposure (for the scoreboard), tonemapped both of those under the Clean method and masked in the respective shots of the picture to give it a crisp look. I also added a Pro Contrast filter in HDR Efex to give the shot a bit more pop. As a note, that is also Max Talbot on the video screen here as well.
At the time I am finishing this, 11 hours and 39 minutes until puck drop.
Igloo overload
Monday morning: back to work, back to blogging, and only three more days until the iPad 2 is at my door. Cannot wait.
Today, as the title suggests, is going to be a bit of an Igloo overload. For those of you who are from Pittsburgh or may have read one of my previous posts, the Igloo is the nickname that was given to the old home of the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Civic Arena. This is an appropriate name because, well, it looks like an Igloo. Even more appropriate that the team who (whom? nah, who) it was built for are the Penguins.
What inspired this Civic Arena kick? Not too sure. Just been going through a lot of my old shots lately, and I came across a whole series that I did last year. The Penguins had an employee skating party to celebrate the end of the season and the closing of the iconic building, and since my wife falls into that category I got to attend. I knew it was going to be my last chance to take pictures of the inside of the Arena, so I snapped as many as I could before we left. With the hockey playoffs fast approaching, I have been reminiscing about the Civic Arena, and will be posting the pictures both on my blog (that's here) and flickr.
The last post that I did specifically about the Civic Arena focused on pictures of the outside, while today, you'll get a tour of the inside. We'll start out with the entrance to and view from our seats for almost every game. Located in C3, the single attack side (meaning the Pens only shot towards us once), they had a great view of the entire ice. You could see plays develop, pick up on opportunities, and the play was never really blocked or shielded in any way.
Another place that had a great view was from the club seats or the press area, way at the top of the building. This is something that made the Igloo so unique, the domed roof made the whole place seem twice as big as it really was. Watching a game from that high up was something special, because although you could barely read the players' names on the back of the jerseys, you could hear everything they were saying, and it really gave you a different perspective on the game.
Then of course there was the ice level, where I was lucky enough to have my camera and tripod to get these shots. The first one above is from one of the goal creases, and this too gives a sense for the vastness that was the inside. The second one above was taken from one of the penalty boxes looking towards both benches. You can see Penguin employees milling around, enjoy the last few hours of public access.
Of course I had to get a picture (after waiting in line) of the locker room. Well, not actually the locker room, but the door to get in to the locker room. In the new CONSOL Energy Center, like most of the arenas around the league, the entrance to and from the locker room is behind the bench area, which is more convenient for intermissions and to handle injuries. The Civic Arena had a separate entrance however, off to the corner of the ice.
To wrap it up, how about a few new pictures of the outside? This is the sign located at Gate 3 at the bottom of the Arena, welcoming fans entering from the city. If you walked up the side of the arena, you would see Gate 2, where staff and players entered, and finally Gate 3, one of the more popular gates, as it gave easy access to fans coming from above the arena as well as 5th Avenue.
That's it for the tour of the Igloo today. Let's hope this walk down memory lane will bring them some luck against the Red Wings tonight.
A Classic rematch
Usually coming up with a title is one of the more difficult parts of writing these blog entries, but today was easier than most. If you stopped by on Friday, you read that this evening will be a rematch between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh. This is not the first time the two teams have played since that cold, rainy New Year's Day game, but it's the first time the Caps have been back in town since then. The make up of the Pens is vastly different this time around, with the ranks still being depleted by injuries. It's going to be a good show none the less, as it is always is when two rivals face off.
Rivalries are one of the best things about sports. Of course every fan dreams about their team winning a championship, as that is the ultimate prize for any league. Individual player awards are nice, but they don't do a whole lot for the fans. Rivalries though, that is what really gives sports that edge, that intensity, that can't miss game appeal. It's amazing how rivalries in games can transcend into the culture of an entire city. Take my hometown, Pittsburgh and their football team the Steelers (notice I said their, not our) and one of their most hated rivals, the Cleveland Browns. The competition between the two teams has spread from the football field and into the streets of the cities, with Cleveland being called "The Mistake on the Lake", t shirts that say "The only sign of intelligence in Cleveland is 'Pittsburgh – 170 miles'", and general ridicule for all things Cleveland. It doesn't really help that the Browns haven't been able to really field a competitive football team in years, but I think if they had, it would only fuel the rivalry further.
There will also always be those classic rivalries, like Lakers-Celtics in the NBA, Yankees-Red Sox in baseball, Packers-Vikings in the NFL and Duke-North Carolina in college basketball. But it can be really exciting to watch rivalries grow, like the one between the Pens and Capitals. Sure they have been Eastern (or Wales back in the old days) Conference competitors for decades, but with the emergence of Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin as the two best players in the world, it has taken the feud to an all new level and makes them the most exciting two teams to watch in the league, especially when they play each other. No matter what happens with for the rest of their careers, Sid and Ovechkin have left their mark on these franchises that will last a lifetime.
On to the shots. I won't be going through the processing on these, just wanted to share a few sights from the 2011 Winter Classic. Check out the caption below each for the description. You'll have to excuse the quality on the close ups of Sid, Geno and Ovechkin. We weren't allowed to bring in big cameras, so I had the S95 at full zoom, which doesn't giving the most crisp shots. The other in game action shots were taken with it as well, and they turned out great.
King for a night
I believe that it has become almost customary that I post a shot from the Penguin game the day after, especially if I was there, which I was last night. It was a pivotal game, not in terms of the opponent, but in terms of the confidence level of the team, as the ranks have been depleted with injuries, including Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Chris Kunitz. However, we got some big time play from some big times players, especially Jordan Staal, pictured here, who got the game winner with 18 seconds left in overtime, and the Pens were victorious 2-1 over the Los Angeles Kings (ahhh, there's the reference to the title).
I have been blessed in terms of the area of the country that I live in and the sporting events that I get to attend. As everyone probably knows by now, I am not a Steelers fan, however there is something to be said for the enthusiasm of their fans in the city. I can't really relate to going to Heinz Field, the home of the Steelers, to watch a game, however I can hear what it gets like on TV as well as hear how incredible it is from friends and family. I obviously get to attend Penguin games, as my wife works for the team, and more nights than not the Consol Energy Center is rocking. It can be difficult for fans to get really pumped up and excited for the forty one home games a year, compared to the eight that the Steelers play, but when you win in dramatic fashion like we did last night, you swear the building is going to collapse.
With hockey, different than baseball and football when you can see a score coming, you never know if your team scored until that puck crosses the goal line. And when it does, it is so exciting to see 18,000 people all jump up and starting cheering and screaming and high fiving everyone around them (whoops, don't spill that beer!). It is such a fast action sport, there is always excitement, big hits, breakaways, great saves by the goalies. If you haven't been to a hockey game before, it certainly is worth the trip!
Aside from hockey, we have PNC Park. Now, we do have the worst baseball team of the past two decades, the Pirates, but that stadium is something to go watch a game in. You have a view of the entire skyline of Pittsburgh, and on fireworks night, the city lit up in all the different colors, it is an incredible view! I've also had the privilege of gong to several Penn State Nittany Lion football games. You want an electric atmosphere, go to one of those. You have almost 110,000 people in the same building, with upwards of 20,000 students, and half of the crowd has been drinking since five hours before game time. During Penn State home games, State College (where Penn State University resides) becomes the third largest city in Pennsylvania.
Ok, enough sports talk for today and on to the shot! I've already debuted the S95 on my flickr page and my blog, but this is the first HDR that I will have posted from it. I took this last night at the game from the Brewhouse, the best place to get food and drink at the new Consol Energy Center. It has a great view overlooking the city, and last night the lighting was perfect, a nice blue hour with a hint of sun on the horizon. The warm glow of the traffic lights looked great against the sky!
For the processing, this is a three exposure HDR that I put the camera on the ledge, set the self timer and snapped away. Put it through HDR Efex and then over the CS5. Added a warming filter to cool off the blue just a bit, added some contrast, recovered from highlights from the skyline as well as masked out a slight halo. Masked in one of the moving cars and lastly reduced the noise. I wasn't thrilled about having the church in the corner of the frame and you can still see a bit of noise it the roof, but I still like the shot. For the picture of Jordan Staal, I adjusted the white balance (because shooting the arena is terrible lighting), decreased the overall saturation, reduced the red levels to give his face a more natural look and added a Tonal Contrast filter in Color Efex.
That's all for this week amigos and amigas, take care and enjoy your weekend.
Policing the ice
So my goal of this blog was not to become a Penguins centric blog, as there are already multiple Pens' blogs out there. The original goal was to post some pictures and talk a little more in depth about the shot than I do on flickr. However, as I am trying to blog everyday (well, every weekday), it can get a bit boring and repetitive if I am just saying "Here's this shot, this is how I took it" and so on, and that it is. That being said, I've tried to add a bit more commentary to my posts to hopefully keep those of your who make the daily (or weekly or monthly) trek to my blog a bit more enjoyable, because if it was just the same pictures I posted on flickr, then you wouldn't have any reason to come here. I will say this. I have a ton of respect now for newspaper columnists, who have to write every day, though it is a bit easier for them, as the majority of the time they are reporting on news. They are still writing everyday for their job. I do it just for fun. Which I think makes it a bit easier.
Anyways, moving on to more exciting topics: Geno (Evgeni Malkin) is back tonight for the Pens. Oh wait. I realized I never finished my though on the Pens' blog thing. See that's what happens to me when I write these. I get off on one tangent and forgot where I parked the firs tangent to get back in and keep going. I think that if you are going to write every day about something, it should be something you are passionate about, because otherwise it won't be interesting. I am passionate about the Penguins and my photography, so it is very easy for me to write semi creatively about these two things. So while you won't see Pens' stuff up every day on here, you will see it. Like yesterday and today.
So Geno's back, but our stellar rookie center, Mark Letestu, is out four to six weeks for a damaged meniscus from catching an edge on the ice at Madison Square Garden in New York before the Ranger's game on Tuesday. With Sid the Kid still out recovering from a concussion, it's great to see Malkin back out there policing the ice (reference to title #1). It means that the opponent has to plan for a superstar and match their lines up accordingly, and just makes it more difficult to get the matchups they want. I'm not saying this demean anything else any of the Pens have done, quite the contrary actually. The depth that we have is some of, if not THE best in the NHL, which has allowed us to gain points in the standing even without the "two headed monster" (Sid and Geno) in the line up. One quick note on the aforementioned phrase. HDR Exposed (aka me) does not condone the use of this saying…actually it is quite discouraged. Just wanted to use it once, get it out of the way, and never use it again. 'Nough said.
Even though I foster incredible disdain for the Steelers, I would remiss in my blogging duties if I did not at least MENTION the Super Bowl in a few days. Packers vs. Steelers, NFC vs. AFC, the game of all games, the big game, Super Sunday, and all that jazz. I will be attending a party with a whole lot of Steeler faithful. I will also be wearing a Dallas Cowboy jersey. Probably Tony Romo…maybe Miles Austin. Not sure yet. But I will say this. Steeler fans are in for a rude awakening. Their beloved defense (which is incredible) is going to fall hard. Prediction: Packers 31, Steelers 10, Aaron Rodgers throws for 320 yards and is MVP. Ben Roethlisberger throws two picks and fumbles, and the Packers defense lives up to its billing. Let's go Pack. Now, where is my cheesehead?
Almost forgot about today's shot with all my other rambling. More from NYC. Another one taken on our last day there, which I think I got my most shots from. I had been trying to get a shot of Bryant Park that I liked; I was trying to use the reflections in the buildings and had tried three other times and got nothing. This was my final attempt, and as we were walking across the street, I stopped to grab this five exposure HDR. Of course, the light turned green right when I stopped and this cop car was right in the middle of the road (reference to title #2). I just said ok, forget, I got a ton of other shots. But…
…then I got home and processed it. Did my usual settings in HDR Efex, and thought to myself, "This isn't too bad". Took it back into CS5, masked in the moving people and the police car, applied a Tonal Contrast filter in Color Efex, burned the sky right about the horizon to give it that orange glow, boosted the blues to make the police car stand out, and while it isn't one of my best, in the end, I like it!
That's all for this week guys! I hope you all have a great weekend!
Did I mention Go Packers yet? I did? Ok, well, GO PACKERS!!!!!!! Yes, I'm done now.
The best and the rest
First off, I wanted to thank all of you who read and commented on my article yesterday. I couldn't believe so many people stopped by and it ended up being my most heavily trafficked blog day ever! I really appreciate it!
This weekend is All Star weekend both for the NFL and NHL. One I don't care about at all, one I was really excited to watch, but probably won't even tune in now. The one that is completely meaningless in my eyes is the NFL Pro Bowl. First off, they have it the week before the Super Bowl, meaning that the players from the top two teams remaining (notice I didn't say best) aren't going to be there. To me that was half the fun of the Pro Bowl, watching the Super Bowl champs play against the other all stars. Not anymore in the NFL.
The NHL All Star game I was really excited about a few weeks ago. Sidney Crosby (pictured above) was leading the league in points and goals and beat the rest of the league by over 150,000 all star votes. I mean that is just insane. Center Evgeni Malkin was voted it, goalie Marc Andre Fleury, and defenseman Kris Letang was voted in as a write in. But, since Sid and Geno (Malkin) are still out with injury, only Fleury and Letang will play.
I had a quick question too for all of my Canadian friends. How come when Pittsburgh plays in Ottawa and Montreal, Sidney Crosby gets booed worse than anywhere in the league outside of Philadelphia? I know he is competition, but he won the gold medal in the Olympics for you! I mean, I was rooting for the USA, and while I am sad we lost, I will take a loss by the hands of Sid any day. He's the greatest player in the world, and before his career is over, he will be mentioned as one of the top three hockey players of all time, up there with Gretzky and Lemieux. I completely understand that I am biased seeing as he plays for my team, but he's a clean player, a class act, took the team on his shoulders after Mario retired when he was only 20. If the USA would have won in dramatic fashion on an ovetime goal, I think it would be hard for me to boo the player that scored it, even if he played for the Flyers or the Capitals. Just wondering.
So, finally, today's shot. I took this last Friday evening before a happy hour with some friends in Station Square. I got there a little early to do some shooting, but I ended up with just a handful of shots because it was about 0°F, with a windchill that made it seem like -10°F. Seeing as I was on a bridge and the wind just whips down the river, it was all I could do to wait for the seven brackets and run back to my car. Which I parked in a garage that was a good ten minute walk. Genius I know. The bridge I am on is the Smithfield St. Bridge that is right next to Station Square in the South Side. It's one of the classier bridges in downtown, with great iron work on the top that I've showcased a few other times.
Let's get technical, technical, I wanna get technical. Sorry about that, I don't normally break out into song during my posts. Like I said earlier, this is a seven exposure HDR processed with HDR Efex. I kicked it over the Color Efex and applied a Tonal Contrast filter on the buildings and water (left the sky alone) and then applied a Low Key Filter to the entire image. Burned a bit of the sky in spots and added a warming filter to tone down some of the blues. I had gotten there a bit too late to get the sunset and a bit too early for the blue hour. Oh well there's always next time!
Thanks for stopping by, and if I don't see you, good afternoon, good evening and good night!
Mellon Arena…oh, how you will be missed!
With the Pens in the midst of another playoff run, and since this is the last season ever at Mellon Arena, I thought I'd share some of my shots of the historic Pittsburgh landmark.
Built in 1961 for the Pittsburgh Civic Light Orchestra, the $22M structure was the world's first largest indoor sports arena with a retractable roof. It has played host to multiple concerts, basketball, tennis, boxing, wrestling, and soccer matches, with some notable concerts being the Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, Queen, Elvis Presley and the Beatles. The Penguins began playing in the Arena in 1967, when they were one of 6 new hockey franchises to be added to the NHL. (wikipedia)
But this is information you can get off any website. What you CAN'T find on a website is the Mellon Arena aka the Igloo aka The House that Lemieux built, experience. Now, anyone from Pittsburgh will know what I am talking about. However, for those of you who aren't, or those of you who have been to the Arena but never to a Penguins game, here's what you can expect, at least for another month and half or so, before the Pens move across the street to the newly built Consol Energy Center.
What you can't read on a website is how when you walk in, you immediately get inundated with the smell of every fried stadium food you can imagine. The Arena is so small, that the smell of hot dogs, nachos, fries, sausages and chicken fingers just overwhelms you, and you will find that you can still smell it on you two days and four showers later. Speaking of the limited size of the concourse of the Arena, the only place that I have ever been to that is worse is Detroit's Joe Louis Arena, and that is only because they only have one concourse for all 20,000 fans. Mellon Arena is a bit better, as it does have two concourses, however I feel like the cowbells that people ring during the game should be distributed so we can all be herded in the intermission. "'Scuse me, sorry about that, whoops, my fault, I'm sorry, comin' through" is pretty much the dialogue that you hear as you meander through the crowds.
What you can't find on a website is all the different people who you see game after game. There is "Steel City Man", dressed in armor; there is the super fan who looks strangely like Hulk Hogan; there is the girl who always wears a hockey mask and pajamas; there is the kid who puts on a show during the nightly playing of "Cotton Eye Joe" in the Igloo club; and, this time of year, there are clip on beards, painted on beards, glued on beards and of course real beards, all in support of concept of "playoff beards". Men, women and children all partake, some better than others!
And of course the last thing you can't get off a website is the sheer awesomeness of watching Sidney Crosby and his Penguins play. The electric atmosphere when Sid or Geno touches the puck, you feel like it's going to end up in back of the net every time. When the opponent has a breakaway, you have faith that Marc Andre Fleury will come up with a save reminiscent of the one he had against Alex Ovechkin in game 7 of last year's conference quarterfinals, or against Dan Cleary on the breakaway in game 6 of last year's Stanley Cup Finals. Just being there, taking it all in, and knowing that you are watching one of the greatest players to ever play the game, it's just an experience like no other.
Good luck in the second round of the playoffs against the Canadiens Pens!


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Handicap Road Race @ Bryce Road 18.02
Thursday 18/02/16 and every week in summer - always a beautiful evening...
Time: Sign on 6:00pm, racing starts 6.15pm
Venue: The start, 3km from the Corner of Bryce's Road & SHW 30, at top of the hill.
A 26km road race run on handicap with slowest riders leaving first, up to 9minutes ahead of scratch riders. The race continues to the South end of Bryce Rd then right on to Waikaukau Rd, left to Whirinaki Valley Rd, left on to Twist Rd and finishing with a right turn onto Bryce Rd to the start/finish.
Cost of entry: $2.00
Organiser: Cycling Rotorua.
Contact: 027 2911580
Media enquiries: Peter Clark
For more information please contact Peter.


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2 Stars – Troubling
Complications of grief are seldom as troubled as we see in the life of Davis (Jake Gyllenhaal) in the film Demolition. Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée and based on a screenplay by Brian Sype, the film lacks any person of character, compassion or understanding beyond a self-absorbed and hopeless experience of life. This deficit creates, exacerbates and twists the grief we witness.
Davis is an extremely self-absorbed man who doesn't know how to love. Painfully honest but lacking self-awareness or awareness of others, he expresses a general numbness for over a dozen years. So when his wife Julia (Heather Lind) is killed in an automobile accident, he cannot feel either pain or grief. When he tries to purchase candy from a machine at the hospital and the machine malfunctions, Davis uses that breakdown to voice his own personal malfunction and he expresses his emotional breakdown by writing reimbursement requests to the vending company. Obsessing on a statement his father-in-law Phil (Chris Cooper) makes about the necessity to take things apart in order to rebuild them, he begins to demolish everything in his life – from his leaking refrigerator to his now empty house.
The receiver of the letters at the vending company is Karen (Naomi Watts). Karen is herself a malfunctioning person who is in a relationship with someone she does not love and is struggling with her troubled fifteen-year-old son Chris (Judah Lewis). Inappropriately inserting herself into Davis' life and allowing her son to join his own troubles with Davis' twisted grief, the story moves into a destructive attempt to deconstruct, build and rebuild their lives.
The truth that grief is more complicated when the relationship is struggling is seen in a variety of ways we will not spoil by revealing the plot developments. However, it is helpful to understand that spiritual and emotional resources are necessary when loss is experienced. The fact that Davis has neither in his life is painfully presented. He has no close friends or family support, including from his own parents or the parents of his deceased wife.
Similarly, the emptiness of Karen's life and her addiction to pot is presented as an aspect of her life but without recognition of the implications and complications such life choices have caused her and her son. Although there are other factors that impact their lives, it is difficult to watch these people in so much pain.
Perhaps as artists observe the nihilistic movement of our self-destructive society, we will see more of these types of films presenting its impact. This rejection of larger religious and moral values and accepting the meaninglessness of such a nihilistic life is revealed in its destruction in this appropriately titled film: Demolition.
- The lack of personal responsibility by the adults in the film extends to their lack of care for children. Did you find Karen's lack of care for her son disturbing or appropriate for his age? Why?
- Did you think Jake was a positive or negative influence on Chris? Why?
- How did Jake and Chris seem similar in their emotional development or lack thereof? How did this influence of parents on their children extend to Julia and her parents?
- The attempt to make Julia's death meaningful by starting a scholarship foundation in her name is undermined by the presentation of the young recipient as being himself an addict to pot with a lecherous disregard for women. Why do you think the story took away even this attempt to provide some meaning from the viewers?
- When Davis claims at the end of the film to have loved Julia, do you accept that as a true self-revelation, or a continuing lack of self-understanding? Why?
- The decision to make the young teenager Chris a gay person who is brutally beaten by a group of peers to which he revealed himself could be seen as almost cliché or gratuitous. Do you think this plot development and its violence added or detracted from the film? Why do you answer as you do?


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Hello. Appendix B of DOM L3 Core describes algorithms for namespace normalization [1] and namespace prefix lookup.[2] The two algorithms differ in their treatment of prefixes on attributes. The namespace normalization algorithm will ensure namespace declaration attributes exist for any element prefix or attribute prefix. However, the namespace prefix lookup algorithm will only return an implicitly-declared prefix that is used in the name of an element, but not one that is used in the name of an attribute. To be more concrete, the following Java example Element e = doc.createElementNS("http://ex.org", "org:elem"); Attr a = doc.createAttributeNS("http://ex.com", "com:att"); a.setValue("abc"); doc.appendChild(e); e.setAttributeNode(a); System.out.println("Before normalization:"); System.out.println("Prefix associated with ex.org: " + e.lookupPrefix("http://ex.org")); System.out.println("Prefix associated with ex.com: " + e.lookupPrefix("http://ex.com")); System.out.println(); doc.normalizeDocument(); System.out.println("After normalization:"); System.out.println("Prefix associated with ex.org: " + e.lookupPrefix("http://ex.org")); System.out.println("Prefix associated with com: " + e.lookupPrefix("http://ex.com")); will produce the following output: Before normalization: Prefix associated with ex.org: org Prefix associated with ex.com: null After normalization: Prefix associated with ex.org: org Prefix associated with ex.com: com It's not clear why the prefix lookup algorithm ignores prefixes that are used on attribute nodes. Was it an oversight? The documentation of the algorithm doesn't explicitly point out this surprising fact, so it's not clear that this was a conscious decision. In a similar vein, according to section 1.2.3 of the W3C Note on DOM L3 XPath:[3] << The set of in-scope namespaces of an element is the default xml namespace combined with the contributions of namespace attributes of the current and all ancestor elements. In addition to explicit namespace attributes, any element has an implicit declaration of its own prefix, if any, or if no prefix then of the default namespace, which is enforced during namespace serialization, fixup, and lookup, which must be added to the set of in-scope namespaces when generating namespace nodes for an element. This causes the set of namespace nodes to be consistent with serialization, fixup, and lookup of namespaces in DOM Level 3. >> That text ensures that an element will have a namespace node that declares its own namespace. However, there is no requirement that there be implicit declarations of namespaces for that element's attributes. The last sentence I've quoted from [3] indicates the set of namespaces will be consistent with fixup [1] and lookup of namespaces [2] in DOM Level 3. It's not clear how the definition in [3] can be consistent with [1] and [2], when [1] and [2] are not consistent with one another. Thanks, Henry [1] http://www.w3.org/TR/DOM-Level-3-Core/namespaces-algorithms.html#normalizeDocumentAlgo [2] http://www.w3.org/TR/DOM-Level-3-Core/namespaces-algorithms.html#lookupNamespacePrefixAlgo [3] http://www.w3.org/TR/2004/NOTE-DOM-Level-3-XPath-20040226/xpath.html#NamespaceNodes ------------------------------------------------------------------ Henry Zongaro Xalan development IBM SWS Toronto Lab T/L 969-6044; Phone +1 905 413-6044 mailto:firstname.lastname@example.com on Tuesday, 16 November 2004 15:22:46 UTC
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.3.1 : Tuesday, 20 October 2015 10:46:12 UTC


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This agency was moving to a new central government support contract, this change mandated that IE11 be the sole supported browser of choice and legacy software compatibility issues had to be addressed.
Quick Facts:
The agency was running a legacy Case Management application which was embedded in their business processes, both internally and with every local government authority in the UK. The risk of upgrading the current system, or buying a new system, against running unsupported software presented a genuine conundrum.
They approached their incumbent software vendor, who could only offer an upgrade. This would mean retraining of staff, downtime within their server environment and no guarantees that the years of application customization they had undertaken would work. So the agency looked to new vendors for a solution, all of which presented the same issues as upgrading with the incumbent vendor, not to mention additional upfront costs for buying new software.
The agency then approached Microsoft and were recommended to attend a Roundtable event at which Cloudhouse were speaking. At this event, they learnt about Cloudhouse's Application Anywhere technology and found a solution to address their immediate problem.
Taking the agency's rich web case management system, Cloudhouse packaged the app once with the required Internet Explorer 9 and Java 6.45 software. Once packaged, Cloudhouse was able to deploy the application to IE11 Enterprise Mode, allowing the users to continue using their software with no change to the look and feel of the application.
In a straightforward five-week evaluation, Cloudhouse were able to ensure the agency could run its app on supported Internet Explorer software, and prepare to migrate to new systems in 2017 - and they could do so without additional head count, or budget, or complex migration projects. Benefits of the Cloudhouse solution included:
As a centralised agency built from a federated, local set of offices, this particular application is one of many that will require Cloudhouse to help it overcome app dependencies such as device, operating system, browser or even where data is stored.
"With Cloudhouse, we no longer need to worry about unsupported software, lack of budget or headcount to ensure our critical case management system works. Cloudhouse made it simple for us."
IT Director, Government Service Agency
This White Paper explains how Cloudhouse Compatibility Containers bridge the gap between legacy IT and an AWS-powered public cloud future.


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Friday, November 8, 2013
I wish I saw what they see
However, though I know I'm BETTER than I was, I don't feel like I look great. I'm having a hard time with that one. I mean, my BMI still has me ever so slightly in the obese category (though I do know that those things, when doing a straight calculation, isn't exactly precise), but three more pounds will have me as simply overweight.
I know I'd feel I was in a better place if I didn't have my dunlop apron hanging out in front. I'm trying not to be vain about that, but it IS there and it does affect how clothes fit, too.
Well, that's another issue for another day.
Posted by Beth at 5:50 PM
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A few years back people were so lazy that they wouldn't able to catch their favorite TV shows and Movies on Big Screen. Some of them were not able to catch their favorite TV shows and Movies due to their work, jobs and business or due to some other reason.
But a few years back there is a sudden change in the attitude of the people of the world. People start watching their favorite shows and Movies on their personal computers rather than waiting for them to come on TV channels and cinemas.
Now a new change comes with the attitude of the people of the world. In present world personal computers are replaced by smartphones and tablets. Now a day's people are watching their favorite TV shows and Movies on smartphones and tablets.
Also Read: Best Android Smartphones with 3000mAh Battery Life Capacity
If you are like me, who procrastinates or is too busy, to watch the TV shows and new movies, then you will like the idea of getting them into your smartphone. There are many apps which helps you to download or stream these at small prices.
We have listed below some of the most popular Top 5 Android apps which keep you in touch with the latest TV shows and movies.
Sony LIV:
The Sony LIV app is one of the most popular apps which provide you with videos of TV Serials which comes with channels of Sony Entertainment. The Sony LIV app is for Indian TV lovers. This app provides you video-on-demand service. You can watch your favorite shows like Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega, CID, Taarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashmah, Bade Acche Lagte Hain, Crime Patrol and more without any subscription charges.
IMDb is an app which is mostly used by the users. This app is known as one of the best app. Many smartphone users use this app to get the latest Buzz about latest Movies and TV Serials. If you like watching movies then you surely heard about this app. Surely, some of you also have this app on you smartphones.
IMDb is an official app of IMDb which provides you real time rating and trailers of all the latest movies and TV shows. This app has all information about latest movies and TV serials. This app has world's largest collection i.e. over 2 million movies and TV titles and over 4 million celebrities, actors, actresses, directors and other crew members.
This app is one of the best apps to keep track of all your favorite TV shows. You just need to add the shows you like and you will get the latest updates about their upcoming episodes and the entire buzz about a particular show.
SeriesGuide has a spate section for movies which provides you dates of upcoming latest movies. But this app doesn't have section Bollywood flicks.
This app lets you stream your favorite TV shows, Movies and even Music Videos also. This app provides a range of TV show categories including videos sites, entertainment, health and fitness, kids, business, auto, educational, sports, news, lifestyle, technology, how-to, and more. The best feature of this app is when you start watching videos it asks you if you want to watch this video in your device or you want to watch this video on any secondary wireless device (if your handset supports streaming through another device).
Airtel Digital TV:
If you have an airtel connection at your place, then you take advantage of this connection on your phone also. The Airtel Digital TV app is just like having a TV in your pocket. This app includes more than 150 live TV channels and past episodes of more than 13 channels and also thousands of videos including movies.


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PALM DESERT, Calif., Nov. 8 (UPI) -- Veteran stage, movie and television actor and singer Howard Keel has died of colon cancer at his California home. He was 85.
His most lucrative stint was on television's "Dallas," where he played the second husband to the show's Miss Ellie, a role he began in 1981, running through the end of the series in 1991.
He stood 6-foot-3, was barrel-chested and possessed a bass-baritone voice. He sang opposite Kathryn Grayson in "Show Boat," "Lovely to Look At" and "Kiss Me Kate." He paired with Doris Day in "Calamity Jane" and with Ann Blyth in "Rose Marie" and "Kismet." He romanced Esther Williams in "Pagan Love Song," "Texas Carnival" and "Jupiter's Darling." And he courted Jane Powell in his favorite film, the rousing 1954 "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers."
Keel was married and divorced from actress Rosemary Cooper, and from dancer Helen Anderson, with whom he had three children, Kaija, Kristine and Gunnar. In 1970, he married former flight attendant Judy Magamoll, with whom he had daughter Leslie. In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by 10 grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
A memorial service was being planned, and the funeral will be private, the Los Angeles Times said Monday.


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Sweethearts of the Rodeo
Live at the Wildey Theatre on Mar 29th, 2013
While serving as a the Theatre Manager at the Wildey Theatre, Bedell arranged and oversaw the production of Sweetheart of the Rodeo.
The acclaimed sister duo Sweethearts of the Rodeo have been talking about doing a reunion record for years, but Life always seemed to get in the way.
"Life starts to get your attention, and I think we got completely distracted with that," explains Janis Oliver.
"I had kids to raise and bills to pay," adds sister Kristine Arnold. "Not being in the music business made me humble and made me realize that it's not the most important thing. But every year on the day after Thanksgiving, we would do a gig at The Bluebird Café. Every time we would do that, we would say, 'Why are we not singing together all the time?' Then we'd go off back into our routines.
"Eventually, I came full circle, back to the person who has really always been a singer. I realized, 'What am I doing? Why am I not singing with my sister?' Everything finally came around. Everything lined up. The timing was right so that we were both in a place where we could once again focus on doing music."
The result is Restless, the first CD of new Sweethearts of the Rodeo music since 1996. The new collection recaptures the feisty spirit of classic Sweethearts hits such as "Midnight Girl / Sunset Town," "Satisfy You" and "Blue to the Bone." But there are new textures as well. And both sisters are singing more powerfully and creatively than ever before.
"Ever since I was a little kid, it was always the plan to sing together and to make music together," says Kristine. "There never was a Plan B. So that's what we're going to do. All this other stuff was a diversion. Now we're back to focusing on music again."
When she says "always," she means it. Janis and Kristine began singing together when they were 9 and 11 years old in Los Angeles. When they were teenagers, The Byrds issued the l and mark country-rock album Sweethearts of the Rodeo, inspiring their name. "We finally made it, so I am ready to hit the road," says Kristine. "I would go in a heartbeat. My girls are grown, and they're responsible for themselves. So I am waiting for that call."
Sweethearts of the Rodeo have returned.


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Dougie Maclean
Earlier this year Dougie Maclean visited the workshop to have some work done on his Cocobol/Adi MKII Tirga Beag and we also finalised his order for a new Tenor Guitar that we'd been talking about.
At the beginning of October, just before he jetted off to Canada I delivered it to him up in Perthshire. I'm pleased to say he was delighted and we had a great afternoon discussing its potential with Jamie his son and right hand recording man.
This is the second Tenor Guitar I have made and this varies massively from the first with lots of developments. I'm happy to be releasing this as a model in my range now.
Dougie's Tenor is made from reclaimed Brazilian Mahogany and Adirondack Spruce. It has an Amazonian Rosewood Bevel and Headstock plate with matching back graft.
Thank you Dougie for commissioning this guitar, an absolute pleasure working with you as always!


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We had visitors!
8 months ago
Posted by Emily at 10:25 AM 3 comments
Poor Girls! Abby took a spill on the tile floor and later that day Gracie was playing ghost (with a blanket over her head) when she tripped and ran into the corner of the coffee table.
Good thing we have hard heads in this family :)
Posted by Emily at 1:47 PM 1 comments