text: This is supposed to be the most up-to-date book on biosurfactants. Moreover, the enormous commercial and healthcare potentials of biosurfactants and the current market demand for cost competitive and environment friendly alternatives to synthetic surfactants, particularly when an impending petroleum crisis is looming large all over the world, have encouraged me to undertake the challenge of editing this book on Biosurfactants. We endeavor not only to highlight the tremendous progress made by the scientific community in this field of research, but also to critically analyze the lacunae to improve the commercial prospects of these wonder biomolecules by resorting to novel screening methods, metabolic pathway engineering, and innovative process development and application strategies. I do fervently hope that the book will be able to cater to the needs of the research scientists and technologists at large. We will be very happy if our sincere efforts enhance the readers understanding of the new developments in this subject area.


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OffsideMade in: IsraelLanguage: EnglishDirectors: Erez Tadmor, Guy NattivStarring: Joad Abed El Gani, Ido Mosseri, Liron Levo, Dirar SuleimanYear: 2006
Synopsis: In this short film (which is posted above for your viewing pleasure), two Israeli soldiers are patrolling the security zone that separates them from Palestine.
To pass they time, they listen to a portable radio which is broadcasting a live soccer match between arch-rivals Brazil and Italy. The signal is spotty, so the soldier holding the radio has to keep adjusting it.
When the Israeli soldiers are suddenly confronted by two armed Palestinian militants (who appear directly on the other side of the security fence), automatic weapons are drawn and a tense face-off ensues.
However, the radio continues playing, and it soon becomes clear that both parties happen to be rooting for the same team.
How the game and standoff ends is anyone's guess...
The Good: This is a clever concept that works perfectly for a short film. Directors Erez Tadmor and Guy Nattiv, who have explored the theme of middle east tensions between Arabs and Jews before, do a great job defining the characters and conflict without dialogue.
Using soccer as an allegory for a number of themes, the film gets its message a cross very clearly through an effective blend of drama, humor, hope, and tragedy.
Bad: Although engrossing and clever, Offside doesn't do enough to challenge the audience.
The message, although authentic, doesn't go beyond telling us something that we haven't already discussed when it comes to tensions between Israel and Palestine. Also, it's a little heavy-handed. And as with most indie films, this one follows the "if you see a gun, someone's gonna die" formula.
Who would like this film: Offside is for you if you appreciate short films and have an interest in world events and soccer (or football, if you're reading this article outside the US). It's a smart, sobering story but I thought Erez Tadmor and Guy Nattiv could have come up with a better surprise ending.
(3 out of 4 stars)
Review written by:
Joe Yang
Return to Home Page

subset: commoncrawl


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Do you ever wonder why there is a growing number of people consuming healthy smoothies these days? Are you one of them? If you are, great for you, as your body is very happy with your healthy choices. If you haven't started this great habit, wait no longer. The truth is, most smoothies are connected to different health reasons, but over all, they are just perfect for your health.
The best smoothies are nutrient-dense, providing vitamins and oils necessary for good nutrition. Fat is required for biological functions and burned by your body for energy; a good smoothie should have some dietary fat. Simply blending a banana with ice and skim milk does not make a good smoothie; there is almost no fat for the body to use in assimilating the vitamins, and there is little nutritive content at all. A healthy smoothie contains egg yolks, coconut oil, cream or other nutrient-dense foods. Smoothies are a great, simple way to get in the extra nutrition you need.
A smoothie for breakfast helps you get hydrated for the day, something soda and coffee won't do. Since your body pulls water from many foods in order to stay hydrated, you won't have to drink water when you're sipping on a smoothie (especially a homemade one without sugar). Milk and yogurt are largely water, so if your smoothie is dairy-based, you'll quench your thirst. In hot weather, add some ice cubes to the blender for extra water.
Smoothies made with dairy products as the bulk provide calcium for bone strength. Try yogurt or kefir, as these cultured milk products are good sources of probiotics and live cultures, and eight ounces provide almost a third of your daily requirement of calcium.
Last, but definitely not least, when you have a good blender and easily accessible, quality ingredients, making a delicious, healthy smoothies is a snap. Start with 8 to 16 oz. of Almond milk, yogurt, fresh or frozen fruit. Most fruits are high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals adding a power boost to your day. Certain combinations are quite tropical and make a great summer treat. Other excellent ingredient choices are raw Omega-3 egg yolks, extra virgin coconut oil, shredded coconut & pure vanilla extract. via The science of eating


text: It's Time to Boat!! Written by Fairway Insurance Services on 4/30/2014 10:10 AM . It has 0 Comments. It's finally Spring and with Summer just around the corner it's time to dust off all your summer toys and get them ready to hit the water. Here are a couple important tips before launching your vessel: - Make sure you fully inspect your pleasure craft for any damage the winter weather may have caused. - Make sure batteries and motors are operational - Inspect all ropes and lines for damage or wear and tear - Make sure drains are clear - Ensure life rings, rafts and jackets are operational and not expired - Ensure that you have your pleasure craft operators card - Contact your insurance broker to be certain your unit is insured to be in the water as most insurance policies have a lay up period in which your pleasure craft needs to not be used. Fairway Insurance is a specialized marine insurance broker, whether it's a sailboat, a jet-ski, or sport boat, we have a market for you. Be certain you have the right insurance coverage. Give us a call today!! If you have any questions or should you have a topic you wish discussed, please contact me at email@example.com or 1-888-245-4741. At Fairway Insurance, We've Got You Covered!!


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Teenagers go through many hormonal changes, which has a direct effect on their hair and scalp. This causes hair fall as well as sebum (oil) secretion, making the scalp oily and greasy. And to add to it, the stress of studies and varied diets often lacking many nutrients, further aggravating hair fall. Our doctors understand the root cause of the problem and have prepared a flexible programme to tackle hair problems for teenagers.
Our Programme
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Thank you for your support! We appreciate the donation you made to RotaCare. Your help will go along way in helping those in need. If you need additional information, please contact us.
Make a Donation to RotaCare
RotaCare relies on the generous support of individuals, companies, and foundations to operate our facility. Please consider making a donation to support free health care for people in need.
All donations to RotaCare are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Donate Online
Donate to RotaCare online through PayPal. Once you click the donate button below you'll be redirected to our PayPal page where you'll be able to customize the amount you wish to donate.
Other Ways to Donate
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support RotaCare every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you'll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to RotaCare.
Click the link below to select RotaCare from the list of charities and you are all set to: Shop and Support!
You may also mail a check, made out to RotaCare to:
875 Jerusalem Ave
Uniondale, NY 11553
Or call us at 1.516.539.9834 for more information.


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Press Release
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BarclaysCEO Energy-Power Conference in New York Cityon September 5, 2017. A link for the webcast presentation at 3:05pm ETcan be found on Sunrun's Investor Relations website at http://investors.sunrun.com.
- Various events at
Solar Power International2017 in Las Vegas, including investor meetings hosted by Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Guggenheim Securities, ROTH Capitaland R.W. Bairdon September 11-12, 2017.
Any written presentation materials used will be made available on Sunrun's Investor Relations website at http://investors.sunrun.com.
Sunrun Contacts: Media:
Morgan Mathis, Highwire PR firstname.lastname@example.com 310-528-6306 Investor Relations: Patrick Jobin, VP, Finance & Investor Relations email@example.com 415-638-4007


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A disillusioned, bitter ex-GI gets involved with the Communist party, and winds up falling in love with one of his "instructors." At first true believers, they realize their mistake when they witness Party leaders murder a member who questions the party's principles. They try to leave the party, but are marked for murder and hunted by the party's assassins. - IMDb
Children's Cast:


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Paleoanthropologist Rick Potts is the director of the Smithsonian's Human Origins Program and curator of anthropology at the National Museum of Natural History. Since joining the Smithsonian in 1985, Rick has dedicated his research to piecing together the record of Earth's environmental change and human adaptation. His ideas on how human evolution responded to environmental instability have stimulated wide attention and new research in several scientific fields. Rick has developed international collaborations among scientists interested in the ecological aspects of human evolution. He leads excavations at early human sites in the East African Rift Valley, including the famous handaxe site of Olorgesailie, Kenya, and Kanam near Lake Victoria, Kenya. He also co-directs ongoing projects in southern and northern China that compare evidence of early human behavior and environments from eastern Africa to eastern Asia. He received his Ph.D. in biological anthropology from Harvard University in 1982, after which he taught anthropology at Yale University and served as curator of physical anthropology at the Yale Peabody Museum. Rick is curator of The David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins, at the Smithsonian's Natural History Museum, and has authored the companion book, What Does It Mean To Be Human? When he's not time-traveling, Rick enjoys singing, Halloween, and the Phillies.
Selected Publications:
Potts, R., Sloan, C., 2010. What Does It Mean To Be Human? National Geographic, Washington, DC.
Petraglia, M., Potts, R., 2004. The Old World Paleolithic and the Development of a National Collection. Smithsonian Contributions to Anthropology No. 48, Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC (148 pages).
Zhu, R.X., Potts, R., Pan, Y.X., Yao, H.T., Lü, L.Q., Zhao, X., Gao, X., Chen, L.W., Gao, F., Deng, C.L., 2008. Early evidence of the genus Homo in East Asia. Journal of Human Evolution 55, 1075-1085.
Potts, R., Behrensmeyer, A.K., Deino, A., Ditchfield, P., Clark, J., 2004. Small mid-Pleistocene hominin associated with East African Acheulean technology. Science 305, 75-78.
Bonnefille, R., Potts, R., Chalié, F., Jolly, D., Peyron, O., 2004. High-resolution vegetation and climate change associated with Pliocene Australopithecus afarensis. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (U.S.A.) 101, 12125-12129.
Zhu, R., Potts, R., Xie, F., Hoffman, K.A., Deng, C.L., Shi, C.D., Pan, Y.W., Wang, H.Q., Shi, R.P., Wang, Y.C., Xhi, G.H., Wu, N.Q., 2004. New evidence regarding the earliest human presence at high northern latitudes in northeast Asia. Nature 431: 559-562.
NPR Science Friday March 2014 - Sculpting Science: Interview with Rick Potts and paleoartist John Gurche
PBS Nova October 2009 - The Adaptable Human: Q & A with Graham Townsley, producer of "Becoming Human"
AnthroNotes article by Ruth O. Selig, 'Human origins: One man's search for the causes in time'


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Sample Collection Guidelines
Following guidelines for sample collection, handling and transport will ensure the best possible results.
The LiquidBiopsy patient sample collection kit contains everything you need to collect, prepare and return samples to Cynvenio for processing and analysis. To order kits, please complete the online request form. Kits will be mailed overnight to the collection site address.
Sample Collection
Store the LiquidBiopsy fixatives at room temperature before use. Always follow your institution's phlebotomy procedure to verify patient identity before specimen collection.
Prepare Fixative
- Prepare a working fixative solution for 10mL of blood sample by adding the entire contents of Tube B into Tube A.
- Mix the solution GENTLY by inversion.
- Allow the solution to stand at room temperature for 15 minutes to activate. once activated, the solution must be used within 24 hours.
Collect Blood Sample
- Collect one 10mL EDTA tube of blood. Must be filled to the fill line.
- Invert the sample GENTLY by hand 8 times to mix.
Combine Blood with Fixative
- Once the fixative is activated, empty the entire contents of the 10mL collection tube (whole blood sample) into the Tube A working solution.
- Secure Tube A lid tightly. Do not add sealants or parafilm to threads.
- Label Tube A using a permanent marker (see "Sample Labeling Policy")
- Invert Tube A GENTLY by hand 3 times to mix.
- Allow the specimen to sit undisturbed for 1 hour.
For best results, the blood should be fixed within 2 hours of harvest. Maintain the blood at ambient temperature until fixation.
Sample Labeling Policy
For correct processing and patient protection, it is crucial that specimens are labeled thoroughly and accurately. This includes ensuring information on the specimen sample (Tube A) and the Requisition Form match. Samples that arrive unlabeled will be returned to the client.
Specimens must always have two unique patient IDs (i.e. external patient ID, patient name, date of birth). These should be recorded carefully on both the Requisition Form and Tube A.
Write the Subject ID, (second identifier), Date and Time of Harvest, and Lab/Clinic Info on the Tube A label using a permanent marker.
If a specimen is not fully labeled (a partial name, for example), clients will be notified and will be allowed to submit written clarification of the label if the partial label is legible. If the specimen is labeled, but the accompanying Requisition Form cannot be matched to the specimen, either by omission or error, clients will be notified of the problem and will be allowed to submit corrected Test Requisition paperwork.
Submission Requirements
Complete the LiquidBiopsy Services Requisition Form for each patient, either by filling out the PDF form in Acrobat, or using a black or blue ballpoint pen. Please print and record all required patient information.
Packaging & Shipping Instructions
- Place Tube A into the biohazard bag, remove excess air, and seal the bag.
- Once you verify all fields of the requisition form are complete and match the specimen label, fold and place it in the outside pocket of the biohazard bag (this pocket does not seal).
- Place the sealed biohazard bag into the LiquidBiopsy box. This will protect the sample from light exposure and physical damage during transit.
- Close the LiquidBiopsy box and place in the pre-paid FedEx Clinical Pak. Seal the pack.
- Fill out the "From" section of the pre-printed, pre-paid FedEx Billable Stamp and attach to the Clinical Pak. Keep the receipt portion for your records and shipment tracking.
- Call FedEx at 800-463-3339 for courier pick-up no later than 3PM Monday - Friday. Do not place the shipment in a drop box.


text: Salt Lake City Solar Air Conditioning: Harnessing the Power of the Sun Improved efficiency AND a smaller carbon footprint?!? Yep, you can do it with solar air conditioning. Choosing solar for your heating and cooling has never been easier! Designed to help you cut your energy consumption and overall impact on the environment, the system takes full advantage of the sun's energy to reduce your electricity usage. The system can also be used to work with other devices in your home such as your appliances and lighting, making it the quintessential energy system. Good for your energy bill and for the environment, solar energy provides many benefits, including: When you use net-metering, any unused power goes back to the grid, which might save you even more with a potential credit. You can take a look at your system's status, energy production, and the environmental benefits of using renewable energy for your home on a personalized system monitoring website. Several of our air conditioner models are solar ready, so you have plenty of options to ensure your wallet has a little more green in it too. Call 385-399-0280 or schedule an appointment online for your FREE in-home consultation. We're more than happy to help you to find the ideal solar heating and cooling option for your home and your budget.


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Thanks to everyone who joined us for our August Dead Space Giveaway! We picked our three winners this morning, and sent them their keys!
1st – Eder Muniz – Dead Space Steam Key
2nd – David Kapostasy – Dead Space Origin Key
3rd – Oskar – Dead Space Origin Key
Stay tuned, we have more giveaways coming every month! Congrats to the winners!


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Not too long ago, customers looking for your product or service would have to look you up in the Yellow Pages, the local paper, another form of print advertising or pass your shop front. Today, with the Internet, many of your potential customers will search for your product or service through search engines like Google, Bing, Yahoo search and social media.
With 82% of adults using the internet and 78% of consumers conducting research online it is surprising that only 41% of businesses have a website.
The top 9 Reasons to have a Website!
- Your website is the easiest and most cost-effective way to represent your business 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and bring your message to the world.
- It's a convenient shop front for your customer, they can find out about your business or purchase from you at a time that suits them best. Many online stores find their sales are highest out of their normal business working hours.
- Your website is great tool to compliment your other advertising and business promotions. Websites are easily updatable enabling you to keep your business and product information current which means your customers are always up to date with your latest products and services.
- Your website helps you stay competitive in your marketplace by keeping your name in your customers minds; especially when it is well placed in search engine results.
- Your website enhances your customer service and saves your office staff time. Many of your customers general enquiries can be handled by the information you provide on your website, especially in your FAQ. Larger companies find it cost-effective, efficient and a boon to their online reputation to have a dedicated customer service person to answer online questions.
- Many small businesses will find that having a website increases the geographical reach of their business. Through your website you can connect with customers who may not be able to visit your physical business premises. If your product is downloadable or able to be shipped your website will enable you to reach a worldwide marketplace.
- You can very accurately track the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns through tools such as Google analytics. You can use these tools to show you which marketing campaigns direct your customers to your website and monitor your website traffic.
- Inquiry marketing is the way many potential customers are choosing to find out about products and services. This type of customer will research a product or service and compare value, customer service and price before making a purchase. If you want your business to be competitive look at ways to provide this information to potential customers.
- Irrespective of the size of your business your website can impress your clients and potential clients.
So put yourself ahead of your competition and make sure your business website stands out from the crowd, easy for your customers to interact with and always up-to-date. The easiest way for your website to achieve these goals is to plan it.
You can read more about discovering your websites purpose and meeting your customers needs here.


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June is Healthy Choices Month at Kings County Tennis League. Our students have participated in a series of off-court discussions about nutrition and exercise, and this coming weekend, during Family Day, we're having a fitness challenge!
At Lafayette Gardens, where there is no physical tennis court, but a large open blacktop space with portable nets and hand-drawn lines, Educational Coordinator Ari recently led an informational, interactive game called "This or That." Quite fantastically, the game combines exercise and nutrition!
Ari presented her students with two different foods—each set at opposite ends of the court—and directed them to decide which is nutritionally superior. They were instructed to declare their choice by running to the end of the court at which the perceived healthier food was located.
The decisions were individual, not team-based. Each child independently ran to the side that reflected his or her own personal opinion. After each sprint to a food choice, Ari led a discussion about which choice was, in fact, nutritionally better and why. It was definitely an excellent educational opportunity for all of the participants.
Lafayette Gardens may lack a real tennis court, but, evidently, this cannot stop the team from using its makeshift tennis surface in a creative way. Most of us look at a tennis court and see only one purpose: to play a specific game. But at KCTL, we use the tennis court—"real" or not—for activities and lessons of all kinds.


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You Are My Heart
Cullen paced nervously in his office. The Inquisitor's party was late. They should have been back two weeks ago. There had been no word since they had left their camp in the Western Approach three weeks prior, and it should have only taken a week to return to Skyhold.
Cullen's heart clenched every time he replayed the memory of his first kiss with Dorian, just over two months ago now. Cullen had finally gotten up enough courage to confess his interest to Dorian, leaning over the chess table to plant a quick kiss on the mage's lips. Dorian had initially been startled before pulling Cullen in for a deeper kiss, clearly showing his mutual interest.
Then the Inquisitor ran in, pulling Dorian away on yet another urgent mission. More Venatori and something about time magic. Dorian had looked at Cullen apologetically before running after the Inquisitor.
There had been so much Cullen had wanted to say. He had been delaying for too long and now … now he tried not to dwell on the fact that Dorian may be lost to him forever. The mere thought nearly made his heart stop.
They couldn't have been lost. They were needed. The Inquisitor most of all was needed for the sake of all of Thedas. However, for Cullen, Dorian was the one he needed. The Maker couldn't possibly be this cruel.
Cullen started when he heard the horn sound. Three times – that meant the Inquisitor's party had been spotted approaching Skyhold.
Without another thought, Cullen ran towards the gates, to see the party approach in the distance. Normally he would wait patiently for the party to arrive at the keep, but Cullen was still too full of worry to form a coherent thought. He ran down the path, meeting them half-way. Cullen ran right past a startled Inquisitor, looking for the flamboyant mage.
At first Cullen didn't see Dorian, until they rounded a bend in the path and he appeared from behind the large bulk of the Iron Bull. They all looked exhausted, but otherwise well. Cullen was sure he'd get a full report from the Inquisitor in due time, but for now all he cared about was that Dorian was back, alive and well.
"Dorian!" Cullen launched himself at the tired mage, uncaring of who saw. His need to feel Dorian in his arms was too great to ignore any longer. Dorian's yelp of surprise was cut short by Cullen's lips slanting over his.
"My, my, Commander, I hadn't quite expected this enthusiastic of a greeting," Dorian said with a wry smile, "not that I'm complaining, mind you."
"I was worried," Cullen confessed. "You are two weeks overdue."
"Ah yes, that. We were held up a number of times along the route home. I'm sure the Inquisitor will fill you in on all the details," Dorian replied.
Cullen took Dorian's hand as they walked the rest of the way back to Skyhold together, not wanting to let the mage go. The Iron Bull looked back at them and chuckled, but said nothing.
Later that evening, Dorian awoke from a much needed nap, to find a note slipped under his door.
After you've rested, meet me in my office.
- Cullen
Dorian smiled, and began to dress. He opted for a simple outfit, instead of his more elaborate leather outfit he usually wore. Instead he chose a pair of soft suede breeches, a loose silk shirt, and soft leather boots.
Dorian made his way towards Cullen's office, noting the flickering of candlelight from the windows. He tried opening the door to let himself in as he normally would, only to find the door locked. This was highly unusual as the Commander's office was nearly always open, even when the man was asleep in his loft.
Dorian knocked on the door, "Commander?"
He heard the soft click of the door being unlocked, and Cullen waiting on the other side. The door was quickly closed and locked again.
"Come up to my loft," Cullen said, with an edge of nerves in his voice, before quickly climbing up the ladder, hoping Dorian would follow.
Dorian noted that Cullen had also opted for a simpler choice of clothing for the evening, rough spun breeches and shirt, instead of the armor he practically seemed to live in.
Once up in the loft, Dorian saw that Cullen had a meal set up for them on a small table in the corner of his loft, complete with candlelight and wine.
"Oh my, what's the occasion, Commander?" Dorian asked.
"Cullen," Cullen corrected. "Please, call me Cullen."
"All right, Cullen, so what's the occasion?" Dorian asked again.
Cullen looked at Dorian with adoration, making Dorian's heart skip a beat. Cullen closed the distance between them, and as he leaned in for a kiss he whispered. "Us."
Dorian had tried not to put too much thought into Cullen's actions until now. Their first kiss had been brief before they were torn apart by needs of the Inquisition. Dorian didn't think the Commander would be one for a quick tryst, but whatever else could he be up for if he was interested in Dorian?
Dorian's breath hitched when he heard the whispered word. Us? What could that possibly mean? Dorian's mind was reeling as the Commander … Cullen … was kissing him so softly and sweetly. Could Cullen possibly, maybe, want something more?
Dorian pulled away from Cullen, looking deeply into those soft brown eyes. "Us?" he queried. He needed to know more before things went too far.
Cullen smiled warmly, not letting Dorian out of his arms. "Yes, us. As in you and I."
"Care to elaborate a little more, Cullen? I'm not entirely sure I understand your intentions," Dorian asked hesitantly.
"My intentions are to pamper you and spoil you, as much as I am capable of," Cullen said sincerely.
Dorian looked confused. "Why?"
"Because, my dear Dorian, I find myself hopelessly in love with you." Cullen confessed.
Dorian wasn't sure he'd heard that right. His pulse quickened at the sound of those words. Those sweet, amazing words he never thought he'd ever hear anyone say to him.
"You're in love … with me?" Dorian asked incredulously.
"Yes," Cullen responded, leaning in for another kiss.
Dorian felt overcome with emotion and kissed Cullen back with all the passion he could muster, while tears threatened to cascade down his cheeks.
Dorian was breathing heavily when their lips finally parted again.
"I … I don't know what to say, Cullen. I never dared to hope for anything like this from another man, most especially from you," Dorian said breathlessly.
"Just say you might find it in your heart to love me, too." Cullen said hopefully.
Dorian leaned his forehead against Cullen's, trying to steady his breathing. His mind was still reeling from Cullen's confession. For a moment he just stood there in Cullen's arms, thinking back on the past year they had spent getting to know one another. Talking amicably over their games of chess, laughing together over drinks in the tavern, walking the battlements together discussing everything from war strategy and politics, to the latest tales Varric was always writing.
Dorian suddenly realized that Cullen had been courting him all that time, and Dorian had been letting him without even realizing it. It hit him that he'd also been falling in love with Cullen as well. Now here he was, wrapped in Cullen's arms.
Dorian looked up, tears falling freely as he finally allowed his emotions free reign. "Oh Amatus, I do love you. I just hadn't realized it until now."
Dorian pulled Cullen into another kiss, sweet and tender, trying to convey the depths of his newly realized emotions.
"What does 'Amatus' mean?" Cullen asked after they pulled apart again.
Dorian placed his hand over Cullen's heart.
"It translates to 'my heart,'" Dorian said simply. "You are my heart, Cullen."
"And you are mine," Cullen breathed, pulling Dorian close enough that they could feel each other's heart beat … in perfect unison.
Did you enjoy my story? Please let me know what you think by leaving a review! Thanks, KleineganzWrite a Review


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How does soya effect the environment?
This post is part three of a four part series. You can find the introduction (part one) here and part two here. After hearing many different comments about soya so I asked Sagar Kirit Shah to write an article about the pros and conns of soya.
So over to Sagar Kirit Shah.
The concerns about soya production
With soya beans linked to the GM industry and deforestation, it is not surprising that many are concerned about the environmental effects of the soya bean.
What we need to know about soya produce
When thinking about the environmental consequences of soya production, it is important to bear some things in mind.
First, a vast majority of the world's soya beans are grown to produce high-protein animal feed, and not to feed humans directly.
Since animals foods are inefficient (in terms of use of inputs such as land and water) compared to plant foods, humans substituting plant foods for animal foods (including milk) is beneficial for the environment.
Second, soya is one of the most efficient plant foods when it comes to land and water use. One square metre of land can produce 40gm of soya protein, compared 29gm of rice protein, 24gm of maize protein, 22gm of protein of other legumes and 15gm of wheat protein. This means that if soya were to be replaced with other crops, it is likely that amount of arable land required to support the human population (and its consumption patterns) would actually go up, increasing pressure to cut down rainforests.
Third, living in the UK, we have considerable choice when it comes to the soya products we choose – and we also benefit from legal protections when it comes to genetically modified foods. It is relatively easy to obtain non-GM soya products (soya milk, tofu) made using soya beans from sustainable plantations.
This means we can choose to eat/use soya products which don't destroy rainforests.
Conclusion - does soya have a negative impact on the environment?
Taken together, I think these three points mean that it is possible for green-leaning individuals to consume soya without feeling guilty about the impact their food choices have on the environment.
Final part - Conclusion: The effects of soya on health and the environment
"Forests … are in fact the world's air-conditioning system—the very lungs of the planet—and help to store the largest body of freshwater on the planet … essential to produce food for our planet's growing population. The rainforests of the world also provide the livelihoods of more than a billion of the poorest people on this Earth… In simple terms, the rainforests, which encircle the world, are our very life-support system—and we are on the verge of switching it off."
- Prince Charles


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Ekberg also offers lunch in Helsinki
How does a delicious Finnish lunch in a traditional milieu in the centre of Helsinki sound? Ekberg Café, renewed in summer 2016, is also an excellent lunch restaurant in Helsinki city centre that offers a generous lunch buffet every weekday. Our shop also offers luscious take away salads, lunches and sandwiches in case you do not have time to enjoy your lunch sitting in. We wish you a warm welcome to lunchtime at Ekberg's!
A delicious lunch buffet
We serve lunch every weekday from eleven until three. We offer a plentiful salad bar, soup, warm food, fresh bread from our own bakery, coffee and tea as well as sweet dessert. We also always provide a low-lactose option. Our lunch is tasty, homely food, made from high-quality ingredients and we make everything ourselves on-site from the very beginning. Our lunch menu changes weekly.
|Mon - Fri
|11.00 -15.00
Lunch buffet 12,50 €
Ekberg's lunch – classic food in Helsinki
Ekberg is Finland's oldest bakery and our products are renowned for their quality. Our strong traditions and the professionalism of our staff can be seen in our service and tasted in our products, every single day. Ekberg's lunch, a Helsinki classic in the true meaning of the word, also adheres to the same uncompromising principles. We want to create a memorable moment for each day of the week.
Our location on the Boulevard in the centre of Helsinki offers you a wonderful opportunity to stop by on a weekday for a slightly fancier workday lunch, or perhaps for a lunchtime meeting with a client. We can also be easily reached by public transport; the trams stop right by our door.
"Came for the lunch buffet and enjoyed a very tasty vegetable soup, some nice variety of salads and a really Ekberg special dessert with coconut and macaroons . Price was more than fair and I enjoyed observing the other guests. Traditional unique cafe and fantastic lunch option, among the best food I had in Helsinki."


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Architect Forrest Jessee is dabbling in architecture structures applied to garments in this gorgeous and cocoon-like functional pattern. "Inspired by Buckminster Fuller's practice of Dymaxion Sleeping, which involves four segments of half-hour naps every six hours, Jessee redefined the sleeping ritual while challenging the roles of private and public space by designing the portable Sleep Suit. Structural pleats made of EVA foam which absorbs shock in sports equipment is used to "dress" or contain the body much like a sleeping bag. By testing and recording sleeping positions, areas of comfort and discomfort are identified, and thus determined the thickness of the foam where the support is needed. I can't help but be reminded of the napping challenges endured by taking on the benches, crates, floors and chairs during my architecture school days." (source)
View all the photos and read more about this project on Pleat Farm.


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NEW this summer!
Summer is calling, what better time to work on that beach bod or strengthen those knees for next seasons ski and snowboard expeditions!
Looking to make the most of the sunshine this summer? Hoping to improve (or maintain) your fitness level till the snow comes back and you can hit the slopes again? Come join us weekly on Tuesday at 5:30 for a 1 hour Outdoor Summer Training for Winter Sports group. Runs from July 4 to Aug 22, 2017. Best of all, the first class is free!
Wear your favorite runners, your brightest shorts and socks and your biggest smile and enjoy a group workout lead by our enthusiastic leaders!
Come out and get active and we'll see you there!
*First class is free, after that, we will accept Event Bright receipt or cash drop in fee at each session!


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Jake Lamotta Punches CB Out
Saturday night rolls around and I ask my best Gal what she'd like to watch? "Raging Bull" she says. I love that Gal! So we spent the night with a … Continue reading
July 16, 2017 · 12 Comments
Movie Scene : The Shining – Jack comforts Danny
Danny sees his dad sitting on the edge of the bed. He wants to get some toys. His dad calls him over to sit with him for a bit. The … Continue reading
May 14, 2017 · 15 Comments
Movie Scene : Heaven's Gate – Roller Skate Dance
We're inside a huge barn, community hall. A big crowd of people are clapping in time. A fiddle player starts to play on the bandstand. He jumps down onto the … Continue reading
January 15, 2017 · 2 Comments


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– Summer 2011
Contextual Essays
Dexter Sinister
Minerva Cuevas
Events, Works, Exhibitions
ABC West: On Playgrounds and Andrea Zittel
Lisa Anne Auerbach, Robby Herbst
This text is only available to subscribers
To subscribe to Afterall journal, starting with this issue, please click here.
Alternatively, if you wish to purchase this article individually, you may do so via the University of Chicago's website.
Existing User
Playground at the church Rancho Cucamonga. Photograph: Lisa Anne Auerbach and Robby Herbst. Courtesy the artists
Between the centre of Los Angeles and the High Desert outpost where Andrea Zittel has dotted the landscape with self-contained structures for living, there are a hundred-and-thirty miles of human innovation. Zittel's A–Z project isn't the only thing creating systems for living; new structures are everywhere, providing mini and starter utopias for the masses in a huge variety of shapes and strategies. The idea of creating a structure which allows life to flourish is what connects planned communities to communes and playgrounds to weekend art events. As Zittel writes in her list 'These Things I Know for Sure': 'What makes us feel liberated (and consequently more creative) is not total freedom, but rather living in a set of limitations that we have created and prescribed for ourselves.'1
We set out to consider playgrounds in terms of Zittel's work, and in particular in relationship to the High Desert Test Sites (HDTS), an ongoing project of site-specific events and projects that Zittel began in 2002. Ours was an exercise of physically pushing our bodies to move in unfamiliar ways, and of engaging our minds to go beyond daily tasks. The possibility of transformation — of the self, of materials, of social constructions — is key to Zittel's artwork. Situated outside the museum, playgrounds could be seen as on-the-ground manifestations of Zittel's over-arching idea for her practice, of presenting a set of physical limitations within which we are invited to explore. A playground invites a boundless reading of the universe, even if the space delineated by the ground itself is not so open-ended — attention is paid to a playground's boundaries, perhaps to discourage lawsuits
Andrea Zittel, 'These Things I Know for Sure', in Paolo Morsiani and Trevor Smith (ed.), Andrea Zittel: Critical Space, Munich: Prestel, 2005, p.14.↑
See http://www.apartmentfinder.com/California/Rancho-Cucamonga-Apartments/Villaggio-On-Route-66-Apartments (last accessed on 14 March 2011).↑
A. Zittel, 'These Things I Know For Sure', op. cit.↑


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We often don't realize just how much our wellness impacts our loved ones. When you improve your overall level of wellness, your loved ones' lives also enhance.
The PEMF regenerates impaired cells all while stimulating the formation of healthier cell. This is extremely healing for just about every issue that can plague the human body, from anti-aging to pain management, to destroying cancerous cells.
After the scales have budged and you've achieved clearer skin and more energy, I'm sure the last thing you'd like to do is slide back into those old ways that inspired a detox in the first place. If you're at that sweet spot right after a detox cleanse where you want to continue feeling clean and healthful, we've put together a few tips that may help you maintain your fabulous results!
Flower essences are vibrational remedies created with the flowering parts of plants. The remedies don't actually contain any botanical elements, they're really an energetic imprint of a flower into spring water.
Mindful Muse is a series featuring amazing people who live life with authenticity and passion, and inspire others to lead more fulfilling lives as well! In this installment, we catch up with the incredible Kirk Jones, master sound healer, spiritual teacher, and ecological engineer as he shares his passions, goals and personal perspective on healing.
The lymphatic system is key for fending off toxins and transferring white blood cells — so when it becomes overwhelmed, it leaves the body more susceptible to viruses and bacteria.


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The fabulous Toni Belafonte drops in to tell us about her current venture, #TheWhitneyProject, dedicated to Whitney Houston. Roz and Toni discuss her process, how she developed her project, and how she is making it happen! Learn more about Toni at ToniBelafonte.com.
Tools of the trade for the serious actor


text: The first snowfall prompts Lorelai and Max's first date. Lane is upset with Rory for being distracted with Chilton, and Dean. Rory spends time with her grandparents, and introduces them to frozen pizza. Meanwhile, Luke mocks and refuses to take part in the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Stars Hollow.


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Link to indiegogo campaign:
Along with being an independent artist I am also Director of FLOCK Dance Center. Although many people call FLOCK their artistic home and are a part of our larger community, FLOCK's day to day operations and the larger issues of keeping FLOCK afloat is run solely by myself. This is a labor of love that I commit to with all that I am. And yet as they say, it takes a village. Today I ask you for your help.
Through a huge community effort FLOCK opened it's doors 4 years ago in 2014 and continues to be an incredibly vibrant and important part of the local, and the larger dance community. FLOCK is dedicated to creating access to affordable rehearsal space, classes and workshops. I believe that money should not stand in the way of participation. This is an underlying belief that underpins most of what FLOCK does. I thank Disjecta Arts Center (our landlords) for subsidizing our rent to make this model possible in the always charging higher rent market of Portland, OR.
Today I ask you to join me in FLOCK's fundraising efforts and give what you can. Every dollar matters. I have created an Indiegogo campaign and the perks are amazing. Please take a moment to go online and see what FLOCK is offering. I hope you will consider donating today, and please help spread the word!
Thank you for your consideration and I hope to see you at our Summer Celebration Dance Party on June 22nd (more on that to come....


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I say it all the time but I have the best clients. I photographed Libby and Tom's wedding 10 or so years ago and now several family shoots later we get to go hang out have fun and take photos around downtown LA. I love my clients that go for something a little different and fun and I just adore these family photos.
My Info
- weddings
- Alyssa and Dan Park Plaza Hotel
- Angie and Mike
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- Lily and Russel, Marvimon House
- Liz and Joel, Paso Robles, Winery
- Lizzie and Jonathan Modern wedding at Craft
- Monica and Gary Smog Shoppe
- Natural History Museum
- Ojai Valley Inn wedding
- Old Town Orange
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- Sabine and Jeff Ortolan Restaurant
- Saddle Rock Ranch Malibu
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- Destination Weddings
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Metal Fabrication
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Let Metals, Inc. be your metal fabrication supplier. We have over 30 years of experience and offer unparalleled quality and support for our customers. Our experienced team can assist you with any of your welding, shearing or cutting needs.
We offer the following types of fabrication: cutting, cutouts, shearing, sawing, burning, welding, and press brake forming.
Our fabricating services include:
If it needs to be fabricated, Metals, Inc. can do the job.


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a Momenta pop-up
curated by Eric Heist
video still by Michael Paul Britto
At Brooklyn Fire Proof's Temporary Storage gallery
119 Ingraham St., ground floor,
Brooklyn NY 11237
March 3rd-April 2nd, 2017 / Opening Reception: Friday, March 3rd, 6-10 pm
Gallery hours: Friday-Monday, 12 to 6 pm
Featuring the work of:
Orit Ben-Shitrit
Michael Paul Britto
Oasa DuVerney
Chelsea Knight
Momenta Art's first post-brick and mortar exhibition will be the group exhibition Not That Hard, including the work of Orit Ben-Shitrit, Michael Paul Britto, Oasa DuVerney, and Chelsea Knight. This exhibition will present perspectives on maleness from the perspective of individuals that lie outside of dominant stereotypes, whose work problematizes the complexities of male power and the spectrum of gender roles.
Orit Ben-Shitrit's video Vive Le Capital is a deliberation on a love/hate relationship with money. The plot shifts between the protagonist's soliloquy in French, and dancers who respond with various transgressive behaviors. This complex work visits the roots of our banking system, pays homage to the French Revolution and embodies John Law, the first Ponzi schemer in history. The site for the film is 14 Wall Street— the former Bankers Trust building. BT's fraudulent activity was recorded and used as evidence in a trial that led to its dispersion in 1998. Amongst other sources, fragments of the original court transcripts were incorporated into the film's text.
Michael Paul Britto's Machismo! is a series of video vignettes that address exaggerated masculinity as it relates to the contemporary world. Machismo culture includes the set of behaviors and rules of conduct that are inculcated into boys, demanding toughness, strength, independence, and the hiding of emotion. This humorous work is intended to shed light on a serious problem, specifically within Latino culture.
Oasa Duverney will present portraits from the series The View From Nowhere which simultaneously references the perspective of the marginalized, those who are ignored and looked over and the historic claim of the white male perspective being neutral - untarnished by race, gender or nationality.
Chelsea Knight's 2004 a modified myth of Narcissus is a narrative about two young men speaking about their sexual exploits and their life philosophies. Over time the authenticity of each narrative is called into question.
Orit Ben-Shitrit received her MFA from Hunter College in 2010. She is a recent Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grantee (2016) a Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Swing Space resident, and a 2012 New York Foundation for the Arts Fellow in Film/Video. Ben-Shitrit has recently shown at MACRO Museo d'arte contemporanea Roma, Museum Van Loon, Amsterdam, El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe, the Haifa Museum of Art, Biennial of Moving Image (BIM) at Museum MUNTREF, Centro de Arte Contemporáneo, Buenos Aires, and the Royal College of Art, London.
Michael Paul Britto has a BA from the City College of New York in Media and Communication Arts. He attended the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council's Workspace Program and Smack Mellon Artist Residency Program, Brooklyn, NY. His work has received support from the Rockefeller Foundation, Franklin Furnace Fund, and NY State Council on the Arts. Recent exhibitions include Aljirs, Newark, NJ, Casita Maria, Bronx, NY, The Kitchen, NYC, Taller Boriqua, NYC, Rush Arts, NYC, Gallery Aferro, Newark, NJ, and Momenta Art, Brooklyn, NY.
Oasa DuVerney's selected exhibitions include The View From Nowhere, Rush Arts Gallery, NYC, 2016; The Window and the Breaking of the Window, Studio Museum in Harlem, NYC, 2016/2017; The Brooklyn Biennial, BRIC, Brooklyn NY, 2016, Crossing the Line, Mixed Greens Gallery, NYC 2013; March On!, Brooklyn Academy Of Music, 2013; Through A Glass Darkly, Postmasters Gallery, NYC, 2012.
Chelsea Knight received an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, IL, attended the Whitney Independent Study Program, NYC, and attended the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture. Her work has been performed and exhibited at the New Museum, NYC, Diverseworks, Houston, TX, the Brooklyn Museum, and Momenta Art, among others.
Momenta Art's programming is supported in part by:
The New York State Council on the Arts, The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, The Brooklyn Arts Council, The Agnes Gund Foundation, The Ames Family Foundation, The Lily Auchincloss Foundation, The Foundation For Contemporary Arts, The Jacques and Natasha Gelman Foundation, The Greenwich Collection LTD, The CK and Kay Ho Foundation, Monroe Denton, Beth DeWoody, Ronald and Frayda Feldman, Richard Gerrig & Timothy Peterson, Hans C. Haacke, Raymond J. Learsy & Melva Bucksbaum, John Farrell Lines, Robert Longo, Ray Mortenson & Jean Wardle, Robert Thill, among many other individuals like yourself.
In-kind Support:
Art in America, Artcat, Artillery, Hops & Hocks, Hyperallergic, Life on Mars Gallery, Materials for the Arts, Mellow Pages, NY Arts Magazine, Sign Solutions, LLC, Sixpoint Brewery, Wagmag
NOT THAT HARD has been supported by Brooklyn Fire Proof Inc./BFP Creative through the donation of Temporary Storage gallery for the duration of the show.


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Compact House Inspired by the Popular Tetris Game in Toronto
Tetris, the game, reminds me of my childhood. It's always nice to bump into projects that are somehow related to that period of time. For those of you who don't know (somehow I doubt it, but still), the game is all about arranging blocks and trying to find the most efficient way to reach your goal, that of saving space. In other words, your efficiency is getting tested. Based on the same principle, rzlbd architects built the Tetris House (Toronto, Canada), a building that "does not afford" to waste too much space. The concept behind is simple: "every inch is a usable inch".
On the outside, the house impresses with a bold exposure of materials and claddings. The geometry and the intersection of the elements that compose the façade are the first Tetris-like details that clearly suggest that this game inspired the house's structure. Once inside, you understand what exactly did the architects: they applied an impressive 4000 square feet house program onto a 3000 square feet surface. That means: "5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 2 laundries, nanny room, home office, a large living/dining area and a spacious kitchen, bar with a wine cellar and entertainment area, covered garage and of course lots of storage area." The best thing is that, despite being compact, the natural light is well distributed throughout the length of the house. [ Photo credit: Courtesy of borXu Design. ]


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TFF is absolutely thrilled to share an interview we conducted with the fabulous femme from The Voice, Miss Erin Martin! Her unique style, acoustic sound and laid back demeanor has made her a fan favorite among The Voice viewers and thousands lezzies across the globe. While listening to the sweet sounds of Amy Winehouse, we had a chance to catch up with Erin and discuss her love for music, her battle with Ulcerative Colitis, and her plans for the near future. Erin is a breath of fresh air and I think you all will be surprised by her story! Never judge a book by its cover. Enjoy the interview and share with friends!
The Fab Femme: Tell us a little about yourself. Where did you grow up, what kind of childhood did you have and when did you fall in love with music?
Erin Martin: Well Aryka, I grew up in Michigan. I grew up in musical theater. I started performing when I was four or five years old. I would sing and dance around the house. Theater was my calling. When I was 10 years old I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. I had my large intestine removed and had a full colectomy at 14 years old. Ulcerative Colitis is similar to Chrones and it was a long hard recovery. By the time I was 16 I started to feel better and when I was 17 I moved out of the house and I felt exuberant. I wasn't in a hospital anymore. I could finally start to experience life.
I worked with ford modeling agency for 6 years before I started pursuing a career in music. I lived in Wilmington Indiana. I followed a friend there and started playing music. I move to la when I was 21. I've also lived in Oregon. I guess you can say I'm a bit of a traveling gypsy *laughs*. I wrote 40 songs that I wanted to put out on an organic, acoustic record for my first project.
TFF: So you're pretty musically inclined?
EM: Yes. I started playing piano when I was two and the violin and clarinet shortly thereafter. When I was 16 I picked up the guitar. I love theater. Here's another interesting fact about me. My family did a lot of renaissance reenactments when I was little. It was cool. I'm also kind of a computer techy. I like electronics. I'm definitely a gamer.
TFF: What's your favorite game?
EM: Metroid was until I beat it *laughs*. Now I need a new game. I also like css and html.
TFF: Very cool. I like techy stuff too. Hence my blog. Im also a big fan of musicals and the arts. Art and fashion go hand in hand. I love them both. It's clear you had a vision for your career and stylistic choices long before you made it on The Voice. Who do you draw inspiration from as an artist and who are some of your favorite artist now?
EM: My favorite artist is Ken Ressner from 9 inch nails. My fashion inspirations come from living in different places. I draw influences from everything I see. I never like to look like anybody else. I have to be different. I like to be unique. I was interested in fashion design as a child and it kind of carried over into my music.


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|Research Collaboration in Ghana
|Monday, 22 June 2015 18:31
What are the various forms and levels of research collaborations being undertaken in research institutions in Ghana? What are the factors influencing research collaboration? In other words, why do researchers in Ghana collaborate? Dr. Frederick Owusu-Nimo, a DRUSSA bursary holder, outlines research that he is currently conducting on this issue as an MPhil student at CREST, Stellenbosch University.
Advancing research in Ghana
The main players in the research system in Ghana are research performers or institutes, intermediaries or governing councils, and policymakers or government (main funders). One of the mandates of universities and other research institutions in the research system is to undertake research and to disseminate the results through various modes of publication.
An important way of advancing and effectively carrying out research work and promoting Research Use is through collaboration. According to Katz and Martin (1997), it is difficult to define what research collaboration is, but it can broadly be considered as the working together (sharing labour) of individual researchers, institutions and/or industry to achieve the common goal of producing new scientific knowledge or solving a scientific problem. Over the past two decades or so, researchers in Ghana have collaborated with researchers and institutions from both within and outside Ghana.
There is however no information on the trends as far as research collaboration in Ghana is concerned. There are therefore several questions in this regard which need to be answered. My research study investigates, by means of a bibliometric profile, the various research collaboration engagements undertaken in Ghana, and provides information to help understand the nature and profile of these collaboration activities. The study also investigates the motivations of Ghanaian affiliated researchers for engaging in research collaboration, in order to improve our understanding of the value and impact of such collaborations and future collaboration.
The research study was conducted through a bibliometric analysis of published articles and an online survey of selected respondents. For the bibliometric analysis, publication of researchers in Ghana the online version of the Web of Science was used. The articles were extracted and exported to a Microsoft Access database and the data analyzed. All papers published between 1990 and 2013 were considered. The results and analysis will be published in my M Phil. dissertation.
A web interface questionnaire was also developed, using SurveyMonkey, to solicit information from the corresponding authors of the relevant articles, on themotivations for the research collaboration and the roles of their collaborators in conducting the research and publishing in a peer review journal. Ghanaian corresponding authors of the extracted papers were selected and emailed with the request to complete the online survey. The criteria for selecting these respondents were based on (i) article publication date (2009-2013), (ii) co-authored publication, (iii) being a corresponding author and (iv) availability of an email address. The survey has been designed so that the responses will be correctly linked to the authors bibliometric data or article information, but at no stage will the names of the respondents (from the article information / bibliometric data) be linked to the questionnaire responses.
The administration of the web survey is now completed, and the analysis of the responses is being undertaken. It is the hope that this study will provide information on the motivations for research collaboration in Ghana and give an indication of the trends as far as such collaboration in Ghana is concerned.
Dr. Frederick Owusu-Nimo is a Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering KNUST, Ghana. He is also currently an MPhil Student with CREST, Stellenbosch University, email@example.com. His thesis is supervised by
Dr. Nelius Boschoff, Snr Researcher, CREST, Stellenbosch University, South Africa


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The Sinatra Test: Stand Out From The Crowd by Making YOUR Personality StickPosted: February 16, 2014 Filed under: Lifestyle Design | Tags: Chip, Credibile, Dan Heath, Frank, Idea, Made, Mark, New, Sinatra, Stick, Test, To, Twain, York Leave a comment
In Made to Stick, brothers Chip and Dan Heath explain why most ideas don't survive and define the factors required to really make an idea impressionable, memorable and ultimately: stick. One of these factors is 'Credibility', which introduces a simple, but interesting, concept known as the Sinatra Test:
'In Frank Sinatra's classic "New York, New York," he sings about starting a new life in New York City, and the chorus declares, "If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere." An example passes the Sinatra Test when one example alone is enough to establish credibility in a given domain. For instance, if you've got the security contract for Fort Knox, you're in the running for any security contract (even if you have no other clients). If you catered a White House function, you can compete for any catering contract. It's the Sinatra Test: if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere' (Made To Stick, pp. 151)
Now of course the difficult part of this is getting that one client, job, or investor that will allow you to take advantage of the Sinatra Test in the first place. And this is an experimental travel blog so what am I getting at? Well, whilst travelling you will hopefully find yourself in unique and virgin situations every day. Share this knowledge and life experience with your readers, create funny anecdotes to tell your friends on a night out, suck others into your reality and open their minds to unknown places and ideas. Don't just make your ideas stick, make yourself stick.
I don't watch television, I don't play computer games, and my wardrobe is a limited selection of questionable garments. Instead I put my savings and time towards two things: life experience and books. Whilst the media plunder brain cells from the mainstream society through news feeds and advertisements, I'm constantly growing as a person; out there doing the things that most people only ever experience through the box in their living room. The fact that some people choose not to read baffles me. In the immortal words of Mark Twain: "A person who won't read has no advantage over one who can't read." People have made an effort to extract and write down their pearls of wisdom gained from decades spent in a chosen profession or field so that others can learn from their experience in a tiny fraction of the time. Take advantage of these gifts to enhance both your life and others around it. Combining this ever-constant flow of knowledge through text with tales of excitement and adventure, and sharing them passionately with others will truly make you stick.


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By Peter Gelling - GlobalPost
JAKARTA, Indonesia — Unidentified gunmen opened fire on a military convoy traveling along a road leading to the American-owned Freeport-McMoran Gold and Copper mine in Indonesia's restive West Papua province Wednesday, the latest in a series of shootouts that have rocked the area since July.
Wednesday's attack comes one day after about 600 additional troops arrived to help a security force already numbering more than 1,000 guard the road connecting the mine to the nearest city, Timika.
A string of violent shootings, all of them targeting Freeport employees in July and August, has killed several people, including one Australian. Wednesday's shooting was the first to target military personnel. No casualties were reported.
Eight people, including two Freeport employees, had been arrested in connection with the previous attacks, but police said they are still searching for the actual gunmen.
Meanwhile, workers say the atmosphere around the mine remains tense. The company sent almost a thousand workers home for about two weeks following the first attack on July 11, though production was not affected and the workers have since returned. Drivers ferrying employees back and forth are now wearing flak jackets to protect themselves.
So what's going on?
Police have not said what the motives behind the shootings were, but spokesmen from both the military and the government were quick to blame a simmering Papuan separatist movement.
The Freeport mine, called Grasberg, has both the world's largest reserves of recoverable copper and the world's largest reserves of gold. For Papuans, most of whom still live in poverty despite the region's wealth of natural resources, the Grasberg mine has long been a symbol of Jakarta's centralized control and a natural target for freedom fighters. Human rights workers, however, doubt the Free Papua Movement, as it is known, has anywhere near the capabilities to carry out such attacks and instead blame ongoing feuds between the military and national police.
It's not the first time shootings like these have occurred on this stretch of road. In 2002, two American schoolteachers and one Indonesian working at the mine were killed by gunmen.
The attack led to an FBI investigation. Ultimately a Papuan separatist, Antonius Wamang, confessed, saying he thought he was shooting at Indonesian soldiers.
But some human rights groups believe Wamang, who is serving life in prison, was set up by the military. They argue that the attack was staged to prolong security payments the mine had been making to the military for years but was, at the time, being pressured to suspend.
In the recent shootings, just as the attack in 2002, ballistics reports revealed that the bullets found at the scene came from the same weapons used by the military and police.


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Tag Archive for: Oregon Trail
Courthouse & Jail Rock Golf Club – Bridgeport, NE
With a name like Courthouse and Jail Rock Golf Club, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to investigate further. I was amused by the directions the Golf Nebraska website shares, "turn left on an unnamed road that is marked by a small white "Dinklage Feedyard" sign on the right." These directions aside, the course is fairly easy to locate. When you arrive in Bridgeport, hop on Highway 88 and let the rocks guide your way. Read more →


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The Mexican Council on Foreign Relations (Comexi) and CIGI jointly present the conference, "Latin American Perspectives on Sovereign Debt Restructuring."
The conference is broken out into three workshops: "Sovereign Debt Crises in Latin America: Lessons Learned," "Is the International Debt Architecture in Need of Reform? Latin American Perspectives on the Debate" and "Governing Sovereign Debt: What's at Stake for Latin America?"
Conference speakers include CIGI Director of the Global Economy program Domenico Lombardi, President of Comexi Jaime Zabludovsky and Mexican Minister of Finance Luis Videgaray. CIGI Senior Fellow Gregory Makoff will also participate in the conference.
Event Speakers
Gregory Makoff
CIGI Senior Fellow Gregory Makoff is currently researching issues in international financial policy, including the management of sovereign debt crises. As an expert in sovereign debt and an experienced debt capital markets professional, Mr. Makoff's transaction advisory experience will inform his work with CIGI on sovereign debt.


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Viva Italia!/
Viva Italian style! Viva the costumes, the theatrics and the ladies of "Nine!"
Of course my favorite part of the move was Kate Hudson's number, "Cinema Italiano." Enjoy for yourself.
Lauren began Undeclared Panache in 2008 as creative diary, with hopes that others would find inspiration in her everyday musings. She is lover of glitter, vintage clothes, dogs, paper goods, Italy, confetti, pizza and parties. Lauren is a handbag designer by day and moonlights as a blogger, maker and DIY queen to channel her enthusiasm for fashion, interiors, entertaining and more.
Undeclared Panache is an ever-evolving journal of all the lovely things Lauren chronicles from her daily life in the New York City fashion industry.
Drop me a line email@example.com


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STATUS ANXIETY WEEK: Outsized social ambitions?
THIS excerpt from the National Post so perfectly paints a picture of "outsized social ambition." What a phrase, huh?
"The problem is that Toronto lies at a uniquely awkward halfway stage between bumpkin and sophisticate, between arrived and arriviste, between coach and first class. In poorer parts of Canada, an article like this would never appear, because people don't have the money or outsized social ambitions that fuel the underlying dinner-party culture. But nor would it appear in truly world-class cities either -- places where the money is old, and people know their way around a fish fork. Like the guy who intentionally double-parks his custom Porsche in front of the tennis club, or the stock-broker's wife who flashes her four-carat rock to the bridge group, Toronto has the money but not the class."
A reader sent this to me, and it was perfect timing because I have been trying to think of how to ask this question, which I think is basically:
Do you have tales of friends or neighbors with outsized social ambitions? For example, I was given a house tour a while back during which the owner apologized for the baby grand piano in the living room, as if to say, "I know that's a sure sign of fanciness. I hope our fanciness doesn't put you ill at ease. (For the record, it does not.)
And then there are people who call their babysitters "nannies" (I've covered this topic before). It's like having a detached garage and calling your place and "estate."
So - let's hear it:
Do you have an excellent tale of friend, neighbors or acquantainces with "outsized social ambitions"?
We want details.
60 comments
- Sucker For Marketing said...
I only have one thing to say...Alex and Simon VanKempen of RHNY (OK, that was 6 words.
- April 15, 2008 at 2:36 PM
- Jackie Von Tobel said...
All you have to do to see the textbook example is to watch Real Housewives of NYC. Alex lives in Brooklyn (which I don't have to tell you is not Manhattan) in a run down shambles of a house with no flooring and even less furnishings and yet she is wearing designer couture gowns and attending the opening of the Met while trying to force her children to speak French when ordering their Limonade. The drapes don't match the carpet my friend.
- April 15, 2008 at 2:52 PM
I knew this chick who had a house in a suburb here called Rockville (solidly middle class connotations), but she would tell people she lived in "North Potomac" ("Potomac" having fancy implications). Well, a friend and I got sick and tired of it, so we sent the chick a fake letter from the Post Office, saying: "We are holding mail intended for your address because [check one]"--and then we scrawled in: " 'North Potomac' not a recognized township."
She never used "North Potomac" again.
- April 15, 2008 at 2:56 PM
I'm an interior designer in Seattle, and run into this ALL THE TIME with clients. Here's a good example of one recent client:
She lived in a huge house that was basically empty, and called me to see if I could help her furnish on a budget. Of course I can! So, I go to the initial meeting and she has piles of catalogs from Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, etc...and wants me to help her catalog shop for furniture that "looks expensive" because no one will know the difference anyway, right? What??
Same client told me that before buying this house, she drove around the neighborhood with the addresses of her 6 year old daughters friends, to make sure that her house was on par with the ohter little kids her daughter would be playing with in 1st grade! Talk about setting yourself and your poor daughter up for Outsized Social Ambitions! ugh.
- April 15, 2008 at 3:09 PM
- morrismore said...
So many, so many--which one to list? Dinner on the porch of a ranch house in Menlo Park (a San Francisco suburb near Stanford)for eighteen guests. Our hostess, for some odd reason, served only white wine. However, there were four wine glasses--white, champagne,cordial and red--at each place setting...
- April 15, 2008 at 3:16 PM
This nanny thing must really bug you. Many 'childcare providers' refer to themselves as nannies, maybe people are using a common title rather than trying to elevate themselves.
- April 15, 2008 at 3:18 PM
Growing up, I atended a private school in toronto. And yes, I love my hometown but the city is all those things the quoted article says it is.
It was full of girls whose parents came from nothing and, instead of being humble and grateful for the wealth they had achieved, they filled their daughters' heads with dreams of marrying rich and climbing the social ladder.
One friend's mother asked her daughter what cars "the cool girls'" mothers drove. My friend responded BMW and Mercedes, so her mom bought one of each, just to ensure she had the bases covered. Hi Klassy, non?
- April 15, 2008 at 3:19 PM
I have no stories, but the classic tale in this vein is that of the nouveau riche would-be socialite who was taking Elsie de Wolfe on the grand tour of her brand-new townhouse.
And ...This she announced as she opened a big door "...is my Louis XV ballroom."
To which Elsie replied "What makes you think so?"
- April 15, 2008 at 3:23 PM
- Decorno said...
Anon 3:18 - Yep. It does bug me. But only when the parents use it in cases where they haven't bothered to professionalize the job by paying a true salary. Paying your sitter $8/hour and sending her home at the end of the day means she's a sitter. If the childcare provider wants to call herself a nanny, that is totally great. But if the parents want to pretend they are living the kind of life that includes a "nanny" they are obligated to pay the childcare provider like one - which means a real salary, pay taxes on it, and offer benefits.
Elevating yourself through the false title just seems cheap, no?
- April 15, 2008 at 3:51 PM
I prefer the term "child sherpa."
- April 15, 2008 at 4:04 PM
i have a friend that has owed me 4000.00 for almost two years now. recently i asked for the money. i received half. she always refers to her sometime babysitter as her nanny. how fancy of her!
- April 15, 2008 at 4:04 PM
Nothing makes my day more than when this happens:
I'll wake up (with the devil on my shoulder) knowing I'll be running with (by default) those with outsized ambitions, I'll throw an TOTALLY el'cheapo accessory or prop in the mix of dressing, KNOWING that everyone will be looking........
Never fails to get loads of compliments - and I NEVER tell, just snicker under my breath because these particular complimenters/gushers would crawl under a rock if they knew they were admiring something that wasn't really anything at all......
I know, I know, a dirty trick , but I gotta entertain myself around these people.....
If it's any consolation, I ALWAYS fess up to the
people I like.....!!!
- April 15, 2008 at 4:45 PM
Great topic decorno!
Is it just me or has there been an escalation of this type of attitude over the last few years??
- April 15, 2008 at 5:27 PM
I have a friend who refuses to use the words "patio" or "coffee table," preferring instead to say "terrace" and "cocktail table" ... that being said, nothing gets my dander up more than people saying "couch" when they really mean "sofa" and "drapes" when they mean "curtains" ... all this and more is covered in Nancy Mitford's "Noblesse Oblige," the immortal guide to U and Non-U speak ... read it and learn what too-fancy words brand one an arriviste ...
- April 15, 2008 at 5:28 PM
- An Aesthete's Lament said...
admission of guilt ... I used to tell my out-of-state mother than I lived on the Extreme Upper East Side ... she would have had a heart attack if I'd been honest and said I lived in Spanish Harlem ...
- April 15, 2008 at 5:29 PM
I wish the Elsie de Wolfe story had been funnier. I wish she'd said something witty, or venomous, or if she couldn't manage that, at least she could have sworn, or called the pretentious lady a "piss drinker" or something.
- April 15, 2008 at 5:30 PM
- Decorno said...
Aesthete - you crack me up!
- April 15, 2008 at 5:33 PM
- Jules said...
I have a friend who lives in a "flat" and goes on "holiday." She was born and raised in California. Her parents are Mexican. Sigh.
Anon--OK, at the risk of sounding like the dumbest person here: what is the difference b/w sofa and couch? Am I ignorant of some design language technicality? My entire life I've called it a couch until recently I've heard people say "sofa," so now I'm wondering if I've made some huge semantical error my entire life. Maybe it's an east coast/ west coast thing? Like soda and pop?
Same thing with drapery and curtains. Drapery I consider to be more formal, custom made, and somewhat structured. Curtains are just something more casual you buy or make yourself...no? Wrong?
Seriously--don't make fun of me too bad, and I don't mean to get your dander up...but since you mentioned it you might as well explain it to the less infomred, like myself. ;)
- April 15, 2008 at 6:18 PM
couch? sofa? I prefer divan!
- April 15, 2008 at 7:50 PM
- Reggie said...
OK, here we go with the requested distinctions: Sofa = preferred term to describe the multi-seated upholstered seating piece typically found in most people's living rooms. Couch = technical description of "grecian" style seating piece, usually with one arm (think recamier) only; considered to be a "common" term and not to be used when referring to a sofa by finnicky sticklers for verbal accuracy. Curtains = preferred term for all hanging fabric window treatments regardless of fanciness or cost. Drapes = considered hopelessly guache and common and not to be used under any circumstances. Drapery = technical term to use only when discussing clothing, never curtains. Here's another one: when is a vase a vahz? Never! Here's one that bugs me: people who refer to their cleaning lady as their "housekeeper" when she isn't daily. So much easier to refer to such as "the girl" (or "gell" if pronounced with an ironic English accent as I'be been known to do)...
- April 15, 2008 at 8:24 PM
- decorno said...
Reggie - where have you been all this time???
I have a new teacher's pet. Decorno hearts Reggie.
- April 15, 2008 at 8:35 PM
- Reggie said...
Decorno you make me blush! Consider the compliment returned with dividends...
- April 15, 2008 at 9:05 PM
- Jules said...
Thanks, Reggie.
See, Decorno? You'll class me up, yet. ;)
- April 15, 2008 at 9:09 PM
- simply seleta said...
Decorno, you are totally CORRECT on the nanny terminology.
As a mother of four, I've got this one down. First of all, we have a babysitter help us a little each week, so I'm not claiming to have a nanny. I prefer to be a hands-on mom. Although we were fortunate to have a nanny for 6 months when I was still nursing my fourth baby for his first year. She was incredible. It helped me juggle all of the duties with motherhood and get quality time in with each of the children.
Here's the scoop...
Nanny: a professional who is payed a salary and given a contract by the family. She generally helps with household management as well as child related duties. She can make anywhere from $30-$60K a year, plus benefits, depending upon experience and time with children. Works at least 40 hours a week. More on www.nannyassociation.com
Governess: a professional who resides with the family and cares for the children and home. These salaries can be a little higher and the position tends to be a bit more formal. This is a position often seen with a family such as a senator or governor since the parents travel and must have high levels of security for the children.
Babysitter: a caregiver who helps a family and is paid by the hour. No contract, no benefits, and is typically part time.
- April 15, 2008 at 9:35 PM
- perchance said...
I have a friend who lets people in on the "secret" that she and her husband bought their house from Larry Bird when he retired from coaching the Pacers (yeah, she does all right for herself). She acts like you're one of the select few who is in on it - funny how everyone knows the "secret."
- April 15, 2008 at 11:21 PM
- perchance said...
Oh, and a story of reverse snobbery (kinda, I think). I once had a client who's husband was the CEO of a la-harge pharmaceutical company. They had more money than God but were very down to earth. On my first appointment, she was showing me around the house and pointed to what appeared to be a very expensive antique. She said,"Oh that's my Louis the XVII." I laughed my ass off. She smiled and said,"You're the only one who's ever gotten that joke." Good people.
- April 15, 2008 at 11:29 PM
- Pieter said...
We refer to a couch as a couch. as far as I'm concerned that's what it's called. I've only been exposed to the word sofa through American media. We refer to a one armed sofa as a chaise longue (not "lounge"!!!! Technically it should have two arms though) I would not dream of pronouncing vase any other way than vahz. My family goes on holiday and I live in a flat. This is a hilarious post as most of the things you consider nouveau riche I consider the correct terminology. Nanny is a relatively new word for us. Up to 10 years ago, she was called the maid. You could call us colonial throwbacks...btw. i don't live in the USA...My comment kind of reads like a riddle when in fact the only riddle is my grammar.
- April 16, 2008 at 12:29 AM
- perchance said...
New Zealand interiors terms:
"2 seater" - loveseat
"3 seater" - sofa
"curtains" - all window treatments
"cushion" - decorative pillow
"pillow" - what you sleep on
"bin" - wastepaper basket
"napery" - cloth napkins
"serviettes" - paper napkins
"robe" - armoire
"bedside" - nightstand
Off topic, I know, but fun!
- April 16, 2008 at 12:58 AM
This might be a bit of a tangent, but people who make huge money and give none to charity reek of outsized social ambition. I have a financial planner helping me at the moment with a few issues, and she tells me that most of her clients who have new money and earn more than $500K/year do not give a dime to charity. No sense of gratitude or societal obligation.
- April 16, 2008 at 2:05 AM
- An Aesthete's Lament said...
Jules ... "flat" is okay to say ... my mother says it all the time, because it's the word people often use in Detroit for an apartment, a flat or French flat ... weird regionalism, I think ... though it was what was uttered in the US in the late 19th century, when apartment buildings came into vogue and were actually called "French flats" ... and I prefer "holiday" over "vacation" ... I heard it as a child from English friends and just made the substitution ... 40 years on, it's hard not to say it ...
- April 16, 2008 at 3:47 AM
- An Aesthete's Lament said...
serviette???? oh, dear ... napkin will do ... it is the only thing that will do! and the only time drapes is acceptable is in art-historical/curatorial circles, when it is used to describe the part of a window treatment (oh I hate that term) that doesn't move or close but is fixed and purely decoration, whether at a window or on a canopy bed ... thanks, Reggie!!!
- April 16, 2008 at 3:55 AM
- An Aesthete's Lament said...
The Elsie de Wolfe comment was actually said by Mamie Fish, a notoriously waspish New York socialite whose every utterance was a knife-stabbing, pomposity-skewering delight ... and nobody has mentioned the obvious ... the meaning of the following phrase: The carpet doesn't match the drapes!!!! :) for those who don't know, it's when the dyed hair on your head doesn't match the, um, other hair, down below ... in England, I think, the full dye job is (or was) called collar and cuffs ...
- April 16, 2008 at 3:58 AM
- An Aesthete's Lament said...
ASC Ross was the English linguish who came up with acceptable words spoken by the British upper classes (U) and arriviste words (non-U) ... among them were the following ... the non-U words are in parentheses ... it's basically a celebration of 18th-century basic terminology over the fancy, mincing, faux-genteel words that cropped up in the late 19th century among the striking middle classes ... so here it goes ... bike (cycle) ... dinner jacket (dinner suit) ... knave (jack) ... vegetables (greens) ... ice (ice cream) ... scent (perfume) ... house (home) ... ill (sick) ... looking-glass (mirror) ... chimneypiece (fireplace) ... graveyard (cemetery) .. spectacles (glasses) ... die (pass on) ... false teeth (dentures) ... sofa (couch) ... lavatory or loo (toilet) ... rich (wealthy) ... lunch (dinner) ... pudding (sweet) .. drawing room (lounge) ... writing-paper (note-paper) ... schoolmaster/mistress (teacher) ...
- April 16, 2008 at 4:13 AM
- An Aesthete's Lament said...
that's "linguist" not "linguish" ... typing way too fast ...
- April 16, 2008 at 4:13 AM
- An Aesthete's Lament said...
"striving" middle classes, not "striking" ... jeez ...
- April 16, 2008 at 4:14 AM
aesthete's lament: Calm down, girlfriend!
- April 16, 2008 at 5:46 AM
I live in Dallas, and it was a total culture shock coming here from living in South Texas (where a bathing suit is perfectly acceptable grocery store wear).
Would driving your Bentley to the grocery store and wearing your dressage outfit in count?
Actually, that reminds me of my favorite Zappos.com shoe review for some Ariat clogs I bought (they're a real cowboy boot brand, nothing fancy).
Some woman wrote they were her favorite shoes, she could wear them between her dressage competition and the awards ceremony, when she could just kick them off and put on her good boots to collect her trophies.
Dressage is a European precision horse-riding competition. To compete seriously, most of the horses are a minimum of $100k.
- April 16, 2008 at 6:15 AM
I prefer "linguish"--it's drunker-sounding.
- April 16, 2008 at 6:24 AM
Yes, the old sticks-&-stones-may-break-my-bones-but-names-can-never-hurt-me policy is fine, but it didn't apply to Mrs. Stuyvesant Fish. Certainly, her basilisk-eye personality is captured perfectly in that photo of her all gussied up in an 18th Century gown & powdered wig for a fancy NYC ball. All the powder in hell couldn't enliven her stony, death-like stare and seeing it, one understands the myth of Medusa a bit better.
Speaking of outsize social ambitions, though, there's a pricey and self-important condo here in Chicago called "The ParVenue."
Either somebody needs a dictionary or Mrs. Fish herself chose the name based on a glimpse of the new tenants. Either way, it's good for a laugh.
- April 16, 2008 at 7:37 AM
The trouble with all these anecdotes, delicious as they are, is that the unspoken theme is "Who do they think THEY are?!" It's one class smacking the clawing knuckles of the class immediately beneath them.
More status anxiety, in other words.
- April 16, 2008 at 7:40 AM
- lk said...
I have a "library".
yeah, its a home office with lots of bookshelves (neither of us can stand to get rid of a book, and we have 12+ years of schooling between us- plus I'm a big reader)
- April 16, 2008 at 8:00 AM
I wonder if Mrs. Fish upgraded her name from Mrs. Poultry?
- April 16, 2008 at 8:24 AM
None of this is new, of course. Those with less status have always grabbed at the ankles of those with more status--even if the latter have themselves only recently acquired it--and if those latter are wont to step on the clawing fingers of the newcomers once in a while, well, it's all part of the Grand Plan.
Here's Charles Dickens bemused take on the whole process in Our Mutual Friend:
"And now, in the blooming summer days, behold Mr and Mrs Boffin established in the eminently aristocratic family mansion, and behold all manner of crawling, creeping, fluttering, and buzzing creatures, attracted by the gold dust of the Golden Dustman!
Foremost among those leaving cards at the eminently aristocratic door before it is quite painted, are the Veneerings: out of breath,
one might imagine, from the impetuosity of their rush to the eminently aristocratic steps."
That's the nice part about not having any status worth mentioning: you also have no obsequious hangers-on. And if you also have no particular interest in climbing the status ladder in the first place (and here's Andrew Marvel's "me lusteth no longer rotten boughs to climb" comes to mind) it's pretty easy to be happy with where you are in the status food chain. And to me, that's the secret of contentment: setting your standards really low.
- April 16, 2008 at 9:22 AM
My secret of contentment: better drugs.
- April 16, 2008 at 9:46 AM
Status anxiety is part of competition, and competition is an inescapable fact of life.
Whether you're competing over the number of things you know about someone named Mrs. Fish or how many Famous Writers you can quote (Dickens, Marvel, etc.), it's all competition.
ESPECIALLY claiming you're above it.
- April 16, 2008 at 9:54 AM
Ha! I am from the DC area and agree with Anonymous 2:56 sentiments on North Potomac!
- April 16, 2008 at 10:05 AM
Anonymous 9:54, THATS the way to smack the clawing knuckles of classics quoting social climbers. You go, girl!! Money isn't the only thing we need to defend against intruders.
- April 16, 2008 at 11:09 AM
My wife and I sell architectural hardware and could tell some stories about outsized social ambition as well.
My opinion: The people that take the time to build a 13,000 sq. ft. home, but want to nickel and dime everything to death. If there are only 3 of you, why in F's sake do you need 13,000(!!!) square feet? You could have a couple of acres, build an ultra-custom 3,000 sq. ft. home with every tasty upgrade imaginable - and it would feel like 5, 000 or 6,000 square feet with the right design.
These upscale pretenders (not the band - love them) always arrive at my door last. They have their $$$$ ideas and an $ budget and internet pricing - crying about the budget and can I meet the price from the guy with a warehouse and a telephone? Here's reality: The internet guy is NOT coming to walk your job. He is also NOT going to service you after you buy. I do that because that's what I'm in business to do - make happy customers. Customers that will tell others about the wonderful experience they had dealing with my wife and me.
I had a customer actually say to me - after attempting to beat me about the head and shoulders for 3 hours on my price - that, "If we give you the job, this can be your first foray into luxury home building." Really? I grovel in the unbearable light of your generous consideration.
Hardware is one of the few things in a home that you and your guests are guaranteed to touch. It is one of the details that speaks to your individual style and helps to complete a room. It reflects on you. It also reflects on your builder, your decorator, and the hardware supplier. How many bad marks can be racked up with this poor choice?
So, pretenders...Take your $100 talk and your $0.10 walk out of my showroom. Go to your new Mc Mansion home. Pick a cheeseburger when you should choose steak. Those that know, will know...
- April 16, 2008 at 11:20 AM
"Ten Cent Walk" would be a great name for a band!
- April 16, 2008 at 11:38 AM
I didn't know 'couch' was a fancy word, I always thought it sounded creepy. I say sofa.
- April 16, 2008 at 2:27 PM
Ok, I just read Reggie's post (thanks, Reg) I don't say drapes or vahz, I say curtains and vase.
I also say 'Ant', no 'Ahnt'.
And I changed from saying 'garbage' to 'trash'. Garbage sounds so yucky, but dustbin is a stretch.
Overall, pronoun usage is much more revealing.
- April 16, 2008 at 2:43 PM
oh jeez, is there *anyone* here who doesn't get "the carpet doesn't match the drapes"?
anyway, I doubt it's a class thing at this point. More like Benny Hill-level comedy.
- April 16, 2008 at 3:00 PM
- jakubowski said...
couch is fancy? I always thought my grandmother sounded fancy when she said "davenport"...
- April 16, 2008 at 3:55 PM
- jakubowski said...
my old boss refered to her cleaning woman who came only twice a month as the "maid", plus thier zipcode did not match the town they claimed to live in, (the nicer one next over,) not sure how their mail ever arrived?
- April 16, 2008 at 3:58 PM
"Maid" seems dated to me. Like from the days of "m'lady," "m'lord," etc.
- April 16, 2008 at 4:31 PM
- Jules said...
jakubowski--from what I understand, mail is sorted and delivered according to zip code. If there is a question on the zip, they look to the city for clarification. I guess your boss knew this, and took the opportunity to claim residence in a better city. If this is true, then that has to be the most pathetic thing I have ever heard.
- April 16, 2008 at 6:09 PM
- Cote de Texas said...
God, I am REALLY fu*ked up. I say "draperies." Where did THAT come from? haha And the Hardware Man - omg, I can relate! People with these HUGE houses made so shoddily, really - just lots of sq. footage, but no quality inside at all that would normally be equated with a mansion or large home. And most of the house will be unfurnished. the parts that are furnished have black leather furniture - not good looking black leather furniture- but that puffy kind of leather, you know what I mean by puffy?
- April 16, 2008 at 11:52 PM
I nominate Hardware Man for Best Written Comment on this post.
- April 17, 2008 at 5:37 AM
I have always called the woman who comes to my house to clean twice a month "the maid." I've always associated "maid" with someone who lives in and picks up daily. But so long as she cleans my house to my pretty exacting standards, for what is actually a pittance, I'll call her "your majesty" if that's what she wants. And that goes triple for the sitter.
So far as I'm concerned, language is the cheapest and easiest status I can award, and I could give two liverwurst donuts whether some of you people think I'm arriviste for making her happy.
Really? You want to discuss arriviste? Because seriously, people with good manners could care less.
- October 5, 2009 at 3:25 PM
- Decs said...
Well, it seems that you are discussing it now, so maybe you've just joined the ranked of the mannerless.
- October 5, 2009 at 6:50 PM


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