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Thursday, April 8, 2010
The Good, The Bad, The GA/GI!
Photo shown: GA/GI Archives
GA/GI boasted no shortage of photographers, many who are just now rolling film from their cameras. We feel truly blessed on this score. Some took advantage of our "Live! Laugh! and Upload" system created by Deeplocal to send images as they happened. Others caught images on the fly from one venue to the next trying to find food that was quickly being devoured; swarms of students like Adam Keene from Mpowered at Duquesne University, hung in for our belated but astonishing fashion show; he met us at the end of the evening nodding and patting his back pack. In our last post, You met Spike from VivoLive, who experimented with an awesome live stream of GA/GI Activities, the busy battery going out moments before our first model hit the runway. GA/GI Fest was a-whirl with showcases, show stoppers, first-year surprises and happy paparazzi snapping away. It is these images that will best tell our story, and some of the most compelling photographs of the Geek Art/ Green Innovator's event have been captured by Heather Mull. A photographer of considerable talent, Mull shot the March 31st City Paper cover featuring Bill O'Driscoll's GA/GI Festival story. And recently through artist Randie Snow (who's work is still on exhibit at Voluto Coffee), we discovered Mull's images in the blog "Keystone Edge." They are amazingly beautiful! Mull captured some of our finest festival moments, so while we work to put together our comprehensive Media Review, this retrospective of some of the evening's delights, is a feast that will surely curb any post event anticipation! Click the link below view and enjoy.
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Family Photos Questionnaire
This form helps me get ready for your family portraits. The more I know you all before the session, the easier it will be to get going and the better photos we will get!
Quirky + candid + documentary style wedding photographer. Based in Melbourne, but always keen to travel the world.

subset: commoncrawl


text: A 63-year-old man is evaluated during a follow-up appointment. One month ago, he had a transient ischemic attack. Carotid ultrasound revealed a 60% left internal carotid artery stenosis, and transthoracic echocardiogram revealed left ventricular hypertrophy. He is currently asymptomatic. He has hypertension and quit smoking 10 years ago. He has no history of coronary artery disease and no family history of premature coronary artery disease. Current medications are hydrochlorothiazide and aspirin. An LDL cholesterol level 6 months ago was 138 mg/dl (3.57 mmol/L), and he has been complian with recommended lifestyle modifications, including diet and exercise. On physical examination, blood pressure is 132/84 mmHg. There are no focal neurologic abnormalities. Fasting lipid levels are as follows: total cholesterol, 206 mg/dL (5.34 mm/L); HDL cholesterol, 50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L); LDL cholesterol, 128 mg/dL (3.32 mmol/L); triglycerides, 144 mg/dL (1.63 mmol/L). In addition to continuing therapeutic lifestyle changes, which of the following is the most appropriate management otion for this patient? a. change hydrochlorothiazide to amlodipine b. Add atorvastatin c. Change hydrochlorothiazide to carvedilol d. Add nicotinic acid Could anybody answer this please? take from MKSAP 3. thank you!


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Recognizing the importance of Historic Sherbrooke Village to the economy of Guysborough County and the Village's significant contribution to the preservation of cultural history, the Historic Sherbrooke Village Development Society is offering the opportunity for corporations, foundations and individuals to partner with us in support of Historic Sherbrooke Village. To restore and maintain historical buildings and offer opportunities for participation in historic village life requires significant financial outlay. Sponsorship support will help provide for the maintenance needs of the Village, and allow the Village to continue to provide quality service and programs for visitors, thus enhancing the long term viability of one of the area's key employers and leading cultural icons.
The support of Conserve Nova Scotia in helping to make Sherbrooke Village more energy efficient is greatly appreciated by the Historic Sherbrooke Village Development Society. We'll have more on our ongoing lighting project to the days to come!
Sponsor Recognition
Sponsors of $200 or more will be recognized on a plaque on the Donor Wall at the Exhibit Centre. Depending on the level of support, sponsors will be noted as follows:
- Bronze (donations of at least $200)
- Silver (donations of at least $1,000)
- Gold (donations of at least $3,000)
- Platinum (donations of at least $5,000)
Platinum sponsors will also be recognized on the Historic Sherbrooke Village Development Society website.
If you have special recognition requirements, we are willing to discuss your recommendations.
To Make A Donation
To make a donation to the Historic Sherbrooke Village Development Society, please call (902) 522-2400 or toll-free (888) 743-7845, or send a cheque or money order to the following address:
Historic Sherbrooke Village Development Society
P.O. Box 87
Sherbrooke, Nova Scotia
Atlantic Fabrics, Halifax donated enough fabric to cover 80 chairs which were in bad need of repair.
General Upkeep of Historic Buildings
Though it would cost in the neighbourhood of $150,000 to $200,000 to adequately restore and maintain the Village each year, the budget over the past few years has averaged only $50,000 to $75,000. Due to these budget constraints, the buildings of Historic Sherbrooke Village have not been receiving adequate maintenance.
Donations will be received for general maintenance and upkeep, or may be designated to support specific buildings.
"Beauti-Tone Paints the Town"
In partnership with Highland Home Building Supplies, Beauti-Tone Paints have entered into a three-year sponsorship agreement with Historic Sherbrooke Village Development Society, whereby the sponsors will match paint purchase. Through this program Sherbrooke Village has been able to greatly enhance and help preserve the appearance of many of the buildings.
Past Campaigns
"Good Fences, Good Neighbours" Campaign
Due to ongoing budget constraints, it has become increasingly difficult to meet the maintenance demands at Historic Sherbrooke Village. Nowhere are the maintenance needs more evident than in the condition of our fences, which have deteriorated over time to the point where most need replacement. We estimate that over a mile and a half of fencing will be replaced by the end of the 2005 season. There is an old saying that "Good Fences, Make Good Neighbours". We are asking interested individuals to become a "Good Neighbour" and help us to mend some fences.
Each donation of $25 to the "Good Fences, Good Neighbours" campaign will enable us to build a five-foot section of picket fence. Please help us support Historic Sherbrooke Village by sponsoring sections of a fence.
A list containing the names of the Good Neighbours and the number of sections they sponsor will be on display in our Information Centre.
"Keep The Home Fires Burning" Campaign
Twenty-six of the buildings in the Village need repairs to the chimneys. Some of the repairs are required for fire safety, and, in cases where brick is actually falling, the repairs are necessary for public safety. Due to the size of the project, the maintenance budget is not able to cover the repairs. Some of the craft buildings, such as the jail and the blacksmith shop, need fires in order to perform their duties.
The Development Society would like to provide support for the repairs and replacements needed for the chimneys. These repairs would include rebuilding portions of chimneys, as well as installing stainless steel liners and thimbles where necessary. Although repairs are needed for twenty-six buildings, due to the size of the project the Development Society has decided to prioritize the five craft buildings.
We will also need to acquire new wood stoves for various buildings to enhance interpretation and presentation. Funds collected for the "Keep The Home Fires Burning" will also be used for new stoves as monies allow.
Please help us "Keep The Home Fires Burning" and ensure that the historic buildings do not continue to deteriorate to the point where we can't light our fires.
"Doctors' House Calls" Campaign
Renova Cottage (the Doctors' House in common usage) is considered to be one of the "showcase" homes as befits the status of the Doctor in a thriving community such as Sherbrooke at the beginning of the last century. Unfortunately, the house, furnishings and decorative trappings are beginning to show serious signs of deterioration brought about by heating problems, which have been only recently corrected, and other factors caused by the above mentioned lack of maintenance funds.
The HSVDS has targeted Renova Cottage as a key structural, cultural and heritage asset in the quest for viability for Sherbrooke Village. We are hoping for support from groups and individuals who might have an interest in helping to ensure that this valuable piece of medical and social history does not deteriorate to the point where it is lost to future generations.
Thanks to the great support received fom the Nova Scotia medical community, we have been able to refurbish Renova Cottage to to its former grandeur.
Hands On History Program
One of the most successful outreach programs has been the Hands On History program which is designed to educate Canadian children about their past in a hands-on interactive, educational and fun manner. Teachers have found this program valuable for augmenting classroom learning, building relationships and contributing to the personal growth of the students.
A three-day program is offered in which groups of children from grades 4, 5 and 6 can experience Village life. Each group stays on site for 2 nights, dresses in period costume (1860 - 1914), eats Village food and experiences Village life.
Sherbrooke Village is the only location in the province offering the unique opportunity for children to participate in a three-day, hands-on learning experience of life in the 1800s. Given the time period portrayed, and the activities that were taking place in Sherbrooke - gold mining, lumbering, shipbuilding, farming, commercial trading - this may be the most unique heritage learning experience available to Canadian children and families today.
"Hands On" is one of the keys to the success of the program. When we make butter we use a paddle-churn and everybody gets the opportunity to participate, whether churning or washing and shaping the butter. You're never too old to enjoy working with clay, and students, teachers and chaperones alike all rave about this aspect of Hands On History. Making (and sampling) cookies or biscuits in the kitchen of the Jail, sewing beanbags at the Temperance Hall, or making a hammer at the Woodturner's Shop, they all have their fans, and they are all interactive and "Hands On".


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For The Love of Natural Beauty
Since the beginning of S.W. Basics (back then, Sprout Wellness), I've been really hush hush about all of the scary synthetic chemicals in mainstream beauty products for multiple reasons: one, I don't particularly enjoy upsetting people; two, I don't think people really believe me; and three, sometimes I'm not even sure where I stand on what's truly worth worrying about versus what's fear mongering. Even I sometimes think, "Can this deodorant/mascara/tampon really be that bad? Am I gonna die from it? I guess I won't even know it killed me, I'll be dead. What can I even buy anymore without thinking about it? Nothing. I'M SO TIRED."
Sound familiar? (If not, then please teach me your ways.) Our lives are a constant feed of terrifying things. (Did you guys know that water is killing people in NYC right now? WATER.) It's beyond enough to make any sane person throw their hands up and try to drown it all out.
Except for one thing. A thing called options. In the Sprout Wellness days, another reason I didn't love to talk about this stuff was the dreaded response,"But what are we supposed to do?". To me, the obvious answer is this: make all your own products and only eat home-cooked food. But telling people to DIY their entire lives is a really efficient way to make their eyes glaze over, but not before they start daydreaming about calling you a quack to all of their friends and family. And, it's fear mongering. No one will ever DIY everything and they shouldn't have to. But back then, I was worried for us all!
Now, it's a whole new world! There has been an explosion of natural products over the past few years. You don't even have to buy toilet paper with chemicals in it! You can find organic pillows and sheets. There is natural deodorant at your drugstore and free-range chicken at your local grocer. Etsy makers often ship as fast as Amazon and you can buy green juice at Starbucks. (And, ahem, you can buy S.W. Basics at Target.) Healthy, natural options are everywhere.
So now we know there are myriad natural options easily accessible and available, I have one final reason for you to consider a more natural beauty regime. Forget the scary stuff - how do you feel after binging on fast food? What about when you don't sleep well for a few nights in a row? What's your Monday like after a weekend of drinking? The answers to those questions are probably very similar (and none of them include "cheerful", "calm" or "full of energy"). Now, think of your products as food and your skin as your body (not a huge leap here, but bear with me). Rashes, break outs, bumps, dryness, oiliness - these are all symptoms of your skin consuming too much "junk food". Use natural products and ingredients and you will end up with skin that is cheerful, calm and full of life...often that's the tip of the iceberg. Sometimes you'll also cure chronic ailments, get rid of allergies, boost your immune system and improve your moods.
This is why my perspective isn't as much why use natural, as why not use natural? Don't you want to feel good? Don't you want happy, clear skin? Aren't you relieved it's so easy? Me too.
p.s. Want more of Adina Grigore? Be sure to check out our interview with the skincare guru.


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Case Study
This content was COPIED from BrainMass.com - View the original, and get the already-completed solution here!
Mark and Jan have been together for eight years. Although they have never married, they consider themselves married and never thought it was necessary to have a wedding. They have good relationships with both extended families and have a group of close friends. Both are successful professionals; Mark is an engineer and Jan is an events coordinator.They have come to you (counselor) because they have started having some issues in their relationship that they think are due to the stress of trying to adopt a child. They have had two adoptions fall through in the last three years. The first failed adoption was the most difficult, and the second failed adoption was just a couple of weeks ago. Both people are very disappointed and frustrated with the process. They have noticed a change in their intimacy and their communication and are concerned about their relationship. They seem to be arguing more, and both report feeling very stressed and discouraged but desperately want to be parents. They are committed to their relationship and want to continue to pursue adoption.
Do you see any issues in working with this couple? What other information would you want to know?
Would your reaction and desire to work with this couple be any different if it were Mark and Steve or Jan and Jessica? Imagine that the case study information is the same, but the relationship is homosexual instead of heterosexual.
Please be honest in your response.
300 words or more with scholarly references© BrainMass Inc. brainmass.com October 10, 2019, 3:57 am ad1c9bdddf
Solution Preview
(1) Do you see any issues in working with this couple? What other information would you want to know?
There is the active and accepted view of a man and woman wanting to adopt a child. Apart from marriage, the environment of couples involving a man and a woman is deemed more acceptable than same-sex couples to raise a child from society?s standpoint. This perception will undoubtedly affect the decision to grant adoption to same-sex couples. For instance, in addition to the normal problems inherent in the adoption process, both sets of couples may not be prepared for the additional pain associated with adopting a child. For instance, challenges they may face with the adopiton process include: bias, differentiation and stereotyping of same-sex couples.
Sullivan and Harrington (2005) draw attention to several barriers to adoption that may be experienced by same-sex couples that heterosexual coupled do not face including: (a) perceived characteristics of children, (b) perceived characteristics of applicant families, (c) social worker bias, (d) organization barriers, and (e) ...
Solution Summary
This sudy discusses counseling couples related to a specific case study.


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The chief of US-led coalition forces symbolically handed over command at a ceremony in a dusty airfield near the southern city of Kandahar.
British Lt Gen David Richards said the new Nato-led force wanted to deliver "peace, stability and prosperity".
The south has recently been at the centre of an upsurge of violence.
Hundreds of people have been killed in attacks since May in what is the traditional heartland of the Taleban.
Troops double
This is the first land deployment outside Europe for the Nato forces led by the UK and Canada.
International troop numbers have been building up for months, ahead of the expansion, and there are now double the number of troops in the region.
The 8,000 soldiers will now go under the umbrella of Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) in six provinces in the south: Day Kundi, Helmand, Kandahar, Nimroz, Uruzgan and Zabul.
"I hope and believe the huge significance of this renewed international commitment will not be lost on the majority who yearn for peace, stability and increased prosperity we came here to deliver," Gen Richards said as he formally took command of the mission.
"These millions of people should be reassured that they will not be let down.
"At the same time, those few thousand who oppose the vast majority of Afghan people and their democratically elected government should note this historic day and should understand they will not be allowed to succeed," he said.
But the BBC's Alastair Leithead in Kandahar says they take control of an area which has seen a dramatic deterioration in security over the past few months.
'Writing's on the wall'
Over the weekend, coalition and Afghan forces said they had killed 20 militants in various clashes in the south and east.
In addition, 10 insurgents were said to have been killed on Sunday in the south-east.
In an interview with the BBC, Gen Richards said under his leadership, Isaf forces would be "taking the fight into the depths of the provinces".
He said counter-insurgency efforts were a "critical part of the reconstruction effort", and warned insurgents that "the writing's on the wall... they won't succeed".
Analysts say the failure to rebuild roads, schools and hospitals has fuelled sympathy for the insurgents, and the purpose of this mission is supposed to be to provide security for such reconstruction.
Later this year, Isaf will extend its command across the whole of Afghanistan, by moving into the east of the country.
Most Popular Now | 56,514 people are reading stories on the site right now.";


text: Share: Comments Print May 12, 2014 at 7:03 PM U.S. Postal Service: Facilities sold when too costly or large Posted by Letters Coordinator As news organizations have reported, the U.S. Postal Service is in a financial crisis that necessitates the passage of comprehensive postal-reform legislation. In response to Froma Harrop's syndicated column "Mail today, gone tomorrow," [Opinion, May 1], one initiative that has gained attention is the efforts to sell some Post Office buildings with historic significance. Each facility's size, location, costs and revenue, and the operations housed there, are taken into account. If the facility is too large for our needs and too costly to maintain, It needs to be sold, even if it is a historic property. When it comes to these actions, it is important to know that the Postal Service strictly adheres to all federal laws, rules and regulations pertaining to the sales of historic properties. The Postal Service also ensures that these historic buildings are in better condition because of the covenants and easements that are in place for the future when it decides to relinquish ownership Tom Samra, Facilities vice president at the U.S. Postal Service, Washington, D.C. Comments | Topics: Froma Harrop, Mail, Tom Samra


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Did you know that last year was the best year ever for deepwater discoveries? Exploration and production companies announced 52 new finds last year, which crushed the old record by 40%. The future looks even brighter as the industry continues to drill in newer geographies across the globe.
Unfortunately, profiting from the growth in deepwater drilling is easier said than done. Investing in an exploration and production company adds a layer of risk due to more direct exposure to commodity prices. A better way to invest in the profits found under the sea might be to invest in a contract driller. These are the companies that major exploration companies hire to do the actual drilling.
To help you better determine which deepwater drilling stock you'll want to buy, I've compiled the top reason why you'd want each company in your portfolio.
…you want to own the industry leader
With the industry's largest fleet, an investment in Transocean LTD (NYSE:RIG) is one in the industry's leader. Not only does it have the largest fleet but that fleet is booked under a massive $29.7 billion contracted backlog. Simply put, an investment in Transocean LTD (NYSE:RIG) is an investment in the growth of deepwater drilling.
However, that growth does come with risks, and topping that list is another Macondo-like incident. That disaster was a huge black eye for the industry, and it has cost the company dearly. Lessons learned from what happened, though, will likely help prevent a repeat disaster.
…you want to own a solid No. 2
Both Noble Corporation (NYSE:NE) and ENSCO PLC (NYSE:ESV) own roughly similar-sized fleets; either one would be a solid choice to add some deepwater growth to your portfolio. Noble Corporation (NYSE:NE) is completing its newbuild program and beginning a new phase of distributing cash back to investors. The company just doubled its dividend which now yields about 3%.
Ensco, which also just boosted its payout, has a higher yield at over 4%. Where the company really shines is in its customer service as it has been rated the number one offshore driller for the third year in a row. Both companies though offer investors a nice balance of growth and income.
…you want to own a big dividend
However, if its income you want then Seadrill Ltd (NYSE:SDRL) is your name. The company has a diverse fleet which will soon be up to 73 rigs. The fleet is split rather evenly with 26 drillships and semi-submersibles, 26 jack-up rigs, and 21 tender rigs. Those ships are contracted to a broad customer base with a total backlog that's now up to $21.5 billion. What I really like is that Seadrill will soon have one of the largest ultra-deepwater fleets once it completes its current newbuild program.


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A meeting is being held in the Village Hall at 7.30pm on Friday, 8 August at which there will be presentations about the facts and science of fracking - Equally suitable for pro-frackers and anti-frackers! There will be some presentations followed by a general discussion. The meeting will end at 9.30pm.
Everybody is welcome - and please pass on the details to anyone who might be interested.


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Springfield, Mass. - January 29, 2017 - Competing in its second meet of the weekend, the Springfield College men's swimming and diving program fell to Amherst College, 144-115, at Art Linkletter Natatorium on Sunday afternoon.
Junior Kent Parsons (Hamilton, Mass.) strung together multiple strong performances on the day, taking third in the 100 fly, with a time of 56.42. Parsons was also the Pride's top finisher in the 100 IM and 200 free, swimming a time of 58.12 and 1:51.79. Classmate Kyle Bauer (Bath, Maine) was successful as well; he followed Parsons closely with a 1:02.02 in the 100 IM, along with earning third in the 50 free and fourth in the 50 breast, with times of 24.85 and 30.99.
In the 100 breast, Kevin Walker (Middlebury, Conn.) and Sam Fox (Providence, R.I.) touched the wall in 1:11.23 and 1:13.94. Walker later swam a 29.53 in the 50 fly, behind freshman Sean Harnish (Middlebury, Mass.), who swam a 25.16. On the day, Harnish also collected a third-place finish in 100 back with a time of 56.77.
Vladimir Burnin (Leningrad Oblast, Russia) earned first-place points in the 500 free, as he swam a 5:24.08 to just edge-out teammate Evan Oemcke (Waterbury, Conn.), who recorded a 5:25.68. The 200 free relay team of Burnin, Oemcke, Parsons, and Tim DeCoste (Greenville, R.I.), later swam a time of 1:35.64 to finish the day's competition.
In the diving events, Nicholas Sullivan (Wrentham, Mass.) earned first-place points on both boards, as he posted a score of 225.15 on the 3-meter, and a score of 205.81 on the 1-meter. Freshman Brian Laukaitis (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.) scored a 168.08 to follow Sullivan on the 1-meter.
This upcoming weekend, the Pride will travel to Holy Cross to compete on February 3, at 6:00 pm.


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I began my first Comexim journey with the Victoria 3HC almost 9 months ago now. The bra I received was beautiful, but didn't fit, mostly because the band ran abnormally tight. This post will explain what I did next – I simply wasn't prepared to give up on Victoria! Continue reading "A Comexim fit odyssey, Part III: Victoria 3HC – 70HH, 65J & 65HH comparison"
Tag: half cup
Spotlight on The Fitting Room & Bra Review: Freya Fearne Half Cup, 28G
Freya half cups were my first bras that truly fit and they will always hold a special place in my heart. When I saw previews of the Freya Fearne half cup for AW16, I fell in love with the print and the understated details. My love of this bra also serendipitously brought me in touch with Clare, owner of The Fitting Room, a lingerie boutique in Stevenage, UK. Continue reading "Spotlight on The Fitting Room & Bra Review: Freya Fearne Half Cup, 28G"
Bra Review: Evollove Fly High & Estate Blue Splash Print and Lace Balconette, 32G/32FF
Since starting this blog, one of my aims has been to draw attention to under-reviewed or underrated brands. Evollove may be just that. I bought this bra when I wore a 30G/32FF and for a long time it was my favorite bra ever, yet hardly anyone talks about Evollove. The print is unique and the materials are wonderfully smooth. Let's talk a look. Continue reading "Bra Review: Evollove Fly High & Estate Blue Splash Print and Lace Balconette, 32G/32FF"
Bra Review: Fantasie Marianna Half Cup, 30F
I have admired this bra from afar since it was first released. There are some bras that I think "ooh, that's pretty" and then forget about shortly after. But Marianna has been an aesthetic favorite of mine for a long while. Fantasie lingerie is fairly expensive for my limited lingerie budget at the moment (Marianna retails at $78), so when I saw it on sale for $40, I jumped at the chance. Let's see if she was worth it. Continue reading "Bra Review: Fantasie Marianna Half Cup, 30F"
A Comexim fit odyssey, Part II: Victoria 3HC, 65HH Review
A month has passed and my long-awaited Comexim order has finally arrived. You can read more about my ordering experience and communication with Anna from Comexim in Part I. Spoiler alert: the bra doesn't fit. Part II of this fit odyssey will try to work out why it doesn't work for me and where to go from here. In this review, I'll discuss some of my expectations about the bra, including the alterations and modifications that I ordered, and what I received. Continue reading "A Comexim fit odyssey, Part II: Victoria 3HC, 65HH Review"
My first Comexim order: A fit odyssey, Part I
Well, I did it. I finally ordered my first Comexim bra! I wasn't planning on blogging anything about Comexim until my order arrives (hopefully in about 3-4 weeks). I definitely don't want to "jinx" it. Since it has taken me a long, long time to place my order, I thought it would be helpful for myself and for others if I record the various stages of my Comexim journey. It has taken quite a few hurdles for me to get as far as placing an order: figuring out the styles, guesstimating my size, opting for alterations, worrying about the language barrier, and committing to spend $40 and over a month waiting for a bra that could easily not fit. I see questions about these same issues popping up all the time, and it's no small feat trying to figure it out alone. Here's how it has gone for me so far. Continue reading "My first Comexim order: A fit odyssey, Part I"


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A 24-year-old hijra committed suicide by hanging at her house in Lingarajapuram in Banaswadi police limits on Friday morning. The deceased, Famila, a sex worker and hijra rights activist, ended her life in an inebriated state over a trivial reason, according to the police.
Famila was also the board member of Sangama, an NGO working for the rights of hijras. She had come second in the "Miss Koovagam," an annual hijra meet in Koovagam in Tamil Nadu, beauty contest in 2003.
Human Rights Violations against the Transgender Community
A study of kothi and hijra sex workers in Bangalore, India
- September 2003Reflections on the PUCL Report
by Lynn Conway
Dear friends,
In September 2003, the Peoples' Union for Civil Liberties, Karnataka (PUCL-K) published a truly remarkable report on human rights violations against the transgender community in India. In the spring of 2004, I was fortunate to obtain a hardcopy of the report, and I wish to alert you to it via this webpage.
The 117 page PUCL report begins by providing background on the social, cultural and political context of the Kothis and Hijras. It then documents violence and abuse against these peoples via testimonies of many who have been directly affected, and goes on to discuss the institutional basis of all this violence. The report then documents efforts by the Kothi and Hijra to organize and protest the violence and discrimination that they face. It also documents many useful recommendations on how to improve the plight of transgender people in India. The report concludes with many useful appendices of valuable information, including contact information for Kothi and Hijra support organizations.
Th PUCL report provides valuable insights into Hijra life. Many of you may not realize that the Hijra traditions and community go back 4000 years in India. Hijra practices include a tradition innovated thousands of years ago for surgically intervening in cases of transsexualism so as to effect a "sex change" from male towards female. You will learn in this report that the practice of a "one-year real-life test", which we think of as part of the "modern HBIGDA tradition", may itself have originated in ancient Hijra traditions. This time-test is practiced there to this day, in this case under Hijra gurus instead of psychiatric "gatekeepers". (For more background on the Hijra, see Lynn's pages on Transsexualism and Sex Reassignment Surgery, and links you'll find there).
India's eunuchs demand rights
By Habib Beary
BBC correspondent in Bangalore
Eunuchs came to celebrate - and demand better treatment
She is tall, bold and - many think - sexy!
At a carnival for eunuchs in the high-tech southern Indian city of Bangalore, purple sari-clad Famila invites curious stares from the crowd.
Eunuchs are known in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh as hijras or "impotent ones".
Born as boys, they have strong female feelings - some become cross-dressers, others opt for often crude surgery.
In her mid-20s, Famila is unabashedly candid - she makes a living out of sex.


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Jury out in Abu Hamza terror trial
A New York jury has deliberated for six hours without reaching a verdict in the trial of an Egyptian imam accused of supporting terrorist organisations from his London mosque.
Jury deliberations began yesterday in the case against Abu Hamza, being tried under the name Mustafa Kamel Mustafa. The jury return will return on Monday morning.
US District Judge Katherine Forrest in Manhattan warned them not to be "swayed by sympathy, prejudice or fear".
Prosecutors said the 55-year-old cleric provided a satellite phone to men who abducted 16 tourists in Yemen in December 1998. Four hostages died.
They said he supported al Qaida as well, in part by plotting to open a training camp in Oregon in late 1999.
Hamza testified he never supported al Qaida or any terrorist acts. He was brought to the United States in 2012.
PA Media


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Located between the beach Llorell and Cala d'en Carles, 3 km from Tossa de Mar town, we find Cala Figuera a nude beach. It is quite easy to access. To access from Tossa de Mar you can take the road towards Lloret de Mar. 3 km from Tossa out on the left we find a complex forgotten, 7 seven, then Llevadó camping. Here we have two options, either leave the car at the restaurant / pizzeria attached to the camping on the same road and walk down to the car park entrance (about 15 minutes) or continue with the car to the parking. If we decide to drive down the price is 6.5 €. It is well managed and it is easy to find access to the beach d'en Carles. Once there, before going down to the beach you will see a path on your left watching the sea. If you continue walking for about 200 meters you find cala Figuera's signale, as a nudist beach.
This is a small little beach with stones and surrounded by rocks. No services, which is appreciated, but its proximity to the two neighboring caves or beaches makes it quite busy with swimmers of all kinds.
As a point in its favor, this closeness makes going to a refreshing drink at the beach bar next door relatively easy.
If you're looking for a nudist beach, more or less you are at the right place. If you want a small cave with nice views, rocky, clear and chilly you're definetly at the right place. And if you want some quietness, I recommend you to go in the afternoon which is when it is empty or during those months of the year where tourst is low season.


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How to Trade Pokemon Between Every Generation
May 12, 2016 - Did you know it's possible to take Pokemon from as far back as 2003 and import them into Sun & Moon. Possible, but far from easy...
Pokemon: Symphonic Evolutions Debuts in UK Later This Year
September 16, 2015 - This will be the first time the Pokémon-flavoured show comes to the UK.
Pokémon: Symphonic Evolutions Concert Gets More Tour Dates
March 26, 2015 - Pokémon music coming to a city near you!
Pokémon: Symphonic Evolutions Orchestral Concert Tour Announced
July 7, 2014 - The team behind Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses have announced a brand new live tour, featuring all of Pokémon's greatest hits.
These Are Nintendo's Lifetime Hardware and Software Numbers
January 29, 2014 - Nintendo is transparent with its sales figures... which is why we've compiled sales numbers for every piece of Nintendo hardware and software.
IGN Can't Design Pokemon
October 16, 2013 - We gave the IGN editors two days to design their own custom Pokemon. What could go wrong?
Backwards Compatibility: Pokemon's Secret Weapon
October 14, 2013 - Pokemon games get a lot of attention for their depth and high quality, but one feature in particular has long been the franchise's secret weapon...
The Worst Pokemon of All Time
October 9, 2013 - We love Pokemon, but come on. An ice cream cone? A mime? A garbage bag?!? These are the worst of the worst.
Inside the Twisted World of Competitive Pokemon Battling
October 8, 2013 - Inside the ultra-casual and ultra-popular Pokemon franchise hides a brutally competitive RPG battler with secret stats & hours of min-maxing.
How Many Copies Have Nintendo's Biggest Games Sold?
April 24, 2013 - Nintendo has revealed life-to-date worldwide sales for its biggest titles on Wii, 3DS, DS and Wii U.
The Top 25 Nintendo DS Games
August 7, 2012 - Newly revised for 2012! We rank the best games on Nintendo's original dual-screened handheld and crown a new #1.
Reader's Choice: The 10 Most Hated Pokemon
May 2, 2011 - We love Pokemon, but even we can't love these ones. These are the red-headed stepchildren of the Pokemon world.
What is IGN's Pokemon Face-Off?
April 1, 2011 - IGN is letting Pokemon fans vote in the ultimate face-off between all 649 Pokemon. Who is the best? We don't know, but it sure as hell isn't Luvdisc.
Why Pokemon Starters Matter
February 25, 2011 - Every journey has a beginning. A point of reference one can use when measuring how far the hero has come during the course of their adventure. For Ash, it was choosing a Poke Ball.
The Evolution of Pokémon
January 10, 2011 - With Pokémon Black and White set to hit shelves March 6, now is as good a time as any to give credit where credit is long overdue, by exploring the evolution of the core titles of the Pokémon franchise, one adventure at a time. Consider this the slap in the face many gamers need to truly understand just how awesome the Pokémon games really are. Prepare to be humbled.
A Very Pokemon Thanksgiving
November 24, 2010 - Pokemon are just like you and me. And by that, we mean that like your family, Pokemon are freaking crazy.
The Top 25 Nintendo DS Games
November 19, 2010 - The DS has built an impressive library over the past several years. And now we've sorted that library and put the best games in order for you.
Pokemon Nationals: It's Super Effective!
July 9, 2010 - Look at this kid! He's more excited about Pokemon than you are about anything in your entire life! Why is he flipping out? Because it's the Pokemon National Championship!
Pokemon: Kristine Catches 'em All
May 20, 2010 - Find out why Kristine hates Manaphy's antenna, and see all the new Pokemon she caught at the Pokemon Videogame Championship!
What We Want: Pokemon Black & White
April 28, 2010 - It's no big surprise that Pokemon is getting a little... stale. There we said it. Even those of us who are actually big fans of the series are starting to get fed up with how slowly the series is progressing. Instead of writing an article saying the game need a complete overhaul with a new real-time battle system and 3D everything, we decided to go for the more realistic route (plus Jack DeVries wrote that article already).


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DC Comics' Senior Story Editor Ian Sattler was in rare form when he took the stage at Baltimore Comic-Con on Sunday morning, ready to chat with fans about some mutual love of comics. Alongside fellow panelists, DC Editor Rachel Gluckstern, Vice President of Sales Bob Wayne, "Tiny Titans" writer Franco and the fresh off of "Justice League of America" Len Wein, Sattler regaled the audience with humor, stories and the how and why of DC Comics.
The name of the game was Sunday Conversation, a tradition at BCC. For those unfamiliar with the concept, DC Comics hosts a panel where the panelists and the audience converse about everything from comics and sports to television and food. "It's really my favorite thing we do," said Sattler. "The idea is, we're in this room because we love comics."
One of the running themes throughout the morning was the success of Franco and how both he and "Tiny Titans" artist Art Baltazar are doing many of the books in the DCU, including "Ambush Bug" #7 (of 6). "Franco's going to draw the new 'All-Star Batman and Robin.' We're just going to pick it up from there," said Sattler as an answer to a fan's question about new issues of the popular mini-series. "We're just going to let Art and Franco take over half our line. Anywhere we can spot-fill these guys, we put them to work. They owe us a lot of money."
"Franco's quarterbacking for the Panthers today. If that happens, Panthers win by 100," said Sattler. "And then he'll interview himself post-game," added Rachel Gluckstern.
The gag continued when one fan asked which creative talent DC would most like to lure away from other companies. Sattler simply said, "Why would we want to when we have Franco?"
One fan asked what superpowers the panel would choose. "Mine would be to be Franco, 'cause you have all the superpowers at once," said Sattler. "I already have that power," said Franco. Gluckstern said, "Flight," while Wolverine co-creator Len Wein said, "Since you already have the 'being Franco' power, I guess healing factor." Bob Wayne said, "I'll take invisibility for 100," to which Sattler responded, "Yeah, if I didn't already get it with the Franco package. It always seemed like a good one to have."
For another fan sporting an Alex Ross "Justice" t-shirt, the laughs just kept on coming. Sattler first mistook his shirt for a "Marvel Zombies" product. Bob Wayne then mistook the shirt for a "Kingdom Come" shirt. "At least you got the right company!" said Sattler, who then immediately called on the same fan, identifying him as "the guy wearing the Geo-Force t-shirt in the back," causing the panel room rumble with laughter.
Sattler was then asked by a fan asked about his career path. "I started shopping at Big Planet in Bethesda, Maryland when I was about 11," said Sattler. "My mom found the store in the yellow pages, I started shopping there, and DC hired me 15 years later! No, but seriously, my experience in comics retail is one of the most important things I have going for me. Even when I was out of comics doing a bunch of different jobs, I would still work one Saturday a month at Big Planet, because I love talking comics to people. Retailers are the front line of everything that we do. I had customers there that I had known since I was in high school. I've said a lot about Baltimore and this show, and one of the coolest things about being a fan is the community aspect of it. I wouldn't have this job if it wasn't for Big Planet or having started there. That led to another job in comics, and another job in comics. It's not a huge industry, so when you start meeting people, it works out like that."
A fan asked Bob Wayne about the possibility of more Jonah Hex collected trades, "I think the odds of seeing more Jonah Hex are good as you go into the release of a Jonah Hex feature film in 2010. I am required by terms of a settlement to say that Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray's 'Jonah Hex' comes out every month, and we are collecting those."
Requests also came to Wayne from fans for reprints or collected editions of "The Heckler," "Plastic Man," "Angel and the Ape" and a continued request for "Wild Dog" from Sattler.
As for some actual DC news, Sattler noted that Len Wein has a project in line at DC that is "truly epic and awesome that I wish we could talk about." Franco noted that "Tiny Titans" #25 is an issue to look out for, saying, "It'll knock your socks off." Sattler also brought the audience's attention to the Wonder Woman renumbering postcard campaign, "If you go to DC's The Source blog, you can see pictures of all the postcards we're getting," Sattler said. "We're getting close [to 600 postcards]. They were in the 400s when I left a few weeks ago."
Sattler closed the panel by saying, "We're having quite a good time with the line right now. Grant Morrison on 'Batman and Robin,' Geoff Johns on 'Blackest Night' - it's a heck of a time to be in the DCU. The Brian Azzarello Doc Savage and Bat-Man stuff is the coolest stuff I've read in ages. We're going to keep bringing the awesome for as long as we can. I hope you guys enjoy it, because it's all for you. We appreciate you guys coming out and liking the books so much. I can't thank you guys enough."


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text:
Boxing Day
Old Ruts vs Old Wimbledonians
Final Score - 22-19
Firstly, a huge thank you to the coaches and players of the U9s who put on an excellent spectacle. There was some brilliant rugby on show and it is safe to say the future is bright for Ruts.
As usual the side-line was packed with Ruts and Wimbledonians supporters, trying their best to shake of the Christmas hangovers and as a reward they were gifted with a lovely sunny day.
The Boxing Day fixture is equally a chance to show off some of the new Christmas presents, none took this opportunity more than 1st XV veteran Beany who was proudly sporting a new sheepskin jacket and t-shirt from the Mrs Whiteman to be. It is great to see so many people continually coming down to this fixture, many of the opposing players are friends, as too their families. Both sides have always been, and will continue to be, excellent friends off the pitch and fierce rivals on it.
The 1st XV fixture kicked off about 12.30, festivities were in full flow by this point. Captain James Kearney led out a young but unfamiliar looking squad, some returning players from years gone by and a few Boxing Day debutants – notably the fresh faced but well established Caolan.
Old Wimbledonians were the first team on the scoreboard; the Ruts defence was sloppy and let in a soft try to let them go up 7-0. I think the boys still had their Christmas hats on for the first few minutes, but it didn't take them long to get into 5th gear as James Kearney ran over from a wonderful counter-attacking move started by Ollie Jordan and assisted by internationally capped Henry. 7-7. Some more poor defending let fixture veteran George Fairbairn run in under the posts for Old Wimbledonians – he's been a mainstay for OW's in recent years, a fine chap indeed. 14-7.
The mighty Ruts almost immediately returned with an emphatic score from Asher, who had a brilliant game. I actually saw him in a ruck within the first 5 minutes, a Christmas miracle of the highest order. Either he was trying to impress a girl or his family, I later found out that he had his mum, cousin and brother down to watch. They will have been mightily impressed with his performance. The kick was missed so it was 14-12 at half time to OW's.
The second half was all Ruts, MOTM contender Ollie Jordan ran over for an excellent score on the break. Almost immediately Tom Richards, who was still taking off his London Irish kit, ran over in the corner for a brilliantly worked try to make it 22-19.
The finest display of the day was undoubtedly from young Benji Sumrie, who is 18 by the way. He doesn't do anything fancy, not for lack of trying, but he is constantly providing support for his team mates all over the pitch and doing the jobs no one wants to do. He doesn't even look tired at full time either.
Merry Christmas and Happy New year from everyone at Old Ruts.
- Details
- Written by George Vaughan-Barratt


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text:
Environmental Bill Seen Aiding Grassroots Efforts
Washington--The new federal interest in spurring state and local programs in environmental education is coming at the right time, experts say, but it will need to be channeled into workable, long-range plans that do not duplicate past mistakes.
The call for conservation-related curricular materials has not been as loud since the heyday of environmental-action campaigns, they say, but many teachers remain uncertain of how to structure their efforts.
"The schools want to focus on it and there are really not any places for them to go and get help," said Robert Howe, director of the Education Department's eric Clearinghouse on Science, Mathematics, and Environmental Education at Ohio State University.
Requests for materials on environmental issues last year reached the highest level seen since the late 1970's, he said, and requests so far this year have already exceeded that.
Senator Quentin N. Burdick, Democrat of North Dakota, this month introduced a "national environmental education act" designed to encourage further state and local efforts to educate "environmentally literate citizens."
The legislation would create an office of environmental education within the Environmental Protection Agency, at a cost of $15 million, to act as a catalyst for these efforts. Introduction of the bill is seen by some as marking the resurgence of an endeavor that has lain dormant since a similar federal measure expired in the early 1980's.
Restoring 'Federal Commitment'
Speaking on the Senate floor, Senator Burdick, chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, said the bill would restore ''the federal government's commitment to the environment, and to teaching new generations about our natural resources."
"Education," he said, "can bring environmental problems into better focus and establish a foundation on which to build long-term solutions."
The bill enjoys wide support in the Senate. Among its more than 20 co-sponsors are Majority Leader George J. Mitchell of Maine and Senator John H. Chafee of Rhode Island, the ranking minority member of the environment committee.
The list of sponsors also includes Senators Daniel Patrick Moynihan of New York, Paul Simon of Illinois, Lloyd Bentsen of Texas, James Sasser of Tennessee, and Joseph Biden of Delaware.
"Those are good, strong, notable people," said S. Douglas Miller, vice president of education for the National Wildlife Federation and a prime mover in the effort to reforge the national consensus represented by the Environmental Education Act of 1970.
"We're trying to achieve the same strong sponsorship on the House side," he said.
Although the measure takes a broad view of environmental education--one that includes postsecondary training as well as informal education--a number of its provisions directly affect schools. They include:
The establishment of an Environmental Education and Training Program at a postsecondary institution to develop a corps of environmentally sensitive educators.
A $5-million grants program for which both postsecondary and precollegiate institutions will be eligible.
The e.p.a. would be able to award matching grants of up to $100,000 to local education agencies to develop curricula, teaching aids, and instructional programs. Under the terms of the bill, 25 percent of the grants awarded would be under $5,000.
Establishment of a 15-member National Environmental Education Advisory Council on which a representative of the Secretary of Education would serve as ex officio member.
Membership would also include three representatives from primary and secondary education--the measure stipulates that at least one should be a "classroom teacher"--and three from state departments of edu8cation and natural resources.
An annual awards program designed to recognize an "outstanding career" in environmental education, teaching, or administration. This would be one of four awards specified in the bill and would be named in honor of Theodore Roosevelt.
Research and Funding
Environmental educators and other experts have raised questions, however, about how the legislation will avoid pitfalls that allowed the 1970 measure ultimately to expire.
According to Mr. Howe, the federal effort's importance may lie in the fact that it can "leverage state and local funds by requiring some match" with local money. He pointed out that many of the environmental-education programs that came into being with the Environmental Education Act of 1970 subsequently failed because of an inadequate funding base.
"You're building in support over time," he said. "Often, once the federal money is gone, local people have not built in the money to sustain it. And they're not all bad programs that get dropped."
The legislation should also, he said, include provisions that require the collection of evaluation data for programs funded. Such a stipulation was not included in the 1970 act and may have contributed to its demise.
Others said they felt broader philosophical problems had to be ironed out if the legislation is to have any lasting impact on the grassroots movement of strong environmental-education programs building in the states.
"The concern I have about the legislation is that it does not define environmental education," said David A. Kennedy, program administrator for curriculum in the Washington State department of public instruction.
Mr. Kennedy, who reviewed early drafts of the bill, said he is also concerned that the measure "deals with the natural environment and not the built environment."
"Most people live in the urban areas and in the suburban areas, and my sense is that people have to know a little more about where they live," said Mr. Kennedy. "If e.p.a. ignores the built environment, I think they've ignored half of the issue."
Vol. 08, Issue 36
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text: The end of Emma's junior year could not have come soon enough and it has been nice having her feeling unburdened and stress free for a couple of weeks. We've been enjoying her so much that it is going to be difficult to say good-bye for an entire month, but Hubbard Street beckons! I think it is safe to say that these two pups can sense her impending departure; even though I am pretty sure Emma would sneak both of them in her baggage they better get their cuddles while they can.


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published in Change, Climate Change, Environment, Face the Future by Maryanne | March 31, 2017 | No Comment
This is the second blog in the Face the Future Spring 2017 blog series:
Countdown to the Carbon Bubble Burst – Point of No Return Dangerously Close
"For decades now, we've looked the other way as global temperatures and sea levels have risen, as the ice caps have shrunk, and as greenhouse gas emissions have grown unchecked. Despite mounting evidence to the contrary, we've chosen to believe that we can go on living the way we've always done. We can't. Our past choices are catching up with us, quickly."
– Jeff Rubin, The Carbon Bubble; What Happens to Us When it Bursts
Happy Friday & thanks for being part of the Face the Future blog series!
Tomorrow – April 1st – is April Fool's Day. It is also Fossil Fools Day – a national day of student action across Canada to raise awareness about the need for society to move away from fossil fuels as our primary energy source and towards a more sustainable future.
"Emissions from fossil-fuel consumption have remained at historically high levels since 2011 and are the primary reason atmospheric CO2 levels are increasing at a dramatic rate."
– Pieter Tans, lead scientist of NOAA
We are rapidly running out of time to make the changes that need to be made – in order to ensure a sustainable future.
Last weekend, I was browsing in my favourite bookstore (Munro's in Victoria), doing my darndest to avoid worrying about the environment – despite the terrifying dispatches from Washington, DC about Trump & Company's insistent denial of climate change AND the subsequent policy changes this denial is leading to.
But wouldn't you know it, what book jumps out at me from the damn bookstore shelf? Jeff Rubin's 2015 book, The Carbon Bubble; What Happens to Us When it Bursts. It was in the sale section.
Of course it was on sale! Who wants to read about reality? Especially when reality really sucks.
Alas, I am a glutton for punishment so I forked over my $7.99 and trundled home with my depressing treasure.
I haven't gotten very far in the book yet but what I read in the first two chapters certainly wasn't conducive to a good night's sleep – especially since I also went on-line to research for myself the eerily rapidly increasing amount of carbon we are pumping into the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels.
Did you know we actually have very few years left before we overload our atmosphere with carbon – beyond the point of no return?
"The longer we wait to reduce our emissions, the shorter the time we have left to power our world by burning carbon. And, unfortunately, the trend in annual emissions is moving in the wrong direction."
– Jeff Rubin, The Carbon Bubble
Here are a few sobering facts from Rubin's book:
1.) Anything greater than a 2-degrees-Celsius rise in average global temperature would overwhelm our capacity to adjust, putting the human population – not to mention countless other species of animal and plant life – at risk.
2.) Atmospheric carbon was stable at around 280 part per million (ppm) from the time of the last ice age (roughly 10,000 years ago) to the dawn of the Industrial Revolution (1760).
3.) According to the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), the point of no return is 450 parts per million. Anything beyond that and the 2-degrees-Celsius threshold will be breached.
So how much time DO we have left until we reach the point of no return of 450 ppm?
You're not going like the answer.
But first a few more facts from my on-line research (data from the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration):
1.) In February 2000, atmospheric carbon had reached 370 ppm.
2.) In February 2005, atmospheric carbon had reached 380 ppm.
3.) In February 2010, atmospheric carbon had reached 390 ppm.
4.) By February 2015, it had reached 400 ppm.
5.) By February 2016, it was 404 ppm.
6.) As of February of this year (2017), we were at 406 ppm.
So there I sat, studying the damn chart right before going to bed. A mathematician I am not – but even my little pea brain could see that the atmospheric carbon number was increasing every year by 2 ppm. Until, that is, we hit 2015.
"The two-year, 6-ppm surge in the greenhouse gas between 2015 and 2017 is unprecedented in the observatory's 59-year record," said Pieter Tans, lead scientist of NOAA's Global Greenhouse Gas Reference Network.
Uh oh.
So I pulled out my handy-dandy calculator and punched in a few numbers. Get this: if our atmospheric carbon continues to increase by 2 ppm per year, then we have 22 years left (we are now at 406 ppm) before we hit the point of no return (450 ppm).
BUT if we continue to increase by 3 ppm (or, God forbid, even more), we only have 14 years left. That would bring us to about 2030.
And then what happens? What would our world look like if we go over the 2-degrees-Celsius rise in average global temperature?
The answer, in a nutshell, is: Glaciers melt, ocean levels rise and crop yields falter. Please click here to read an article for more deets.
"The rate of carbon dioxide growth over the last decade is 100 to 200 times faster than what the Earth experienced during the transition from the last Ice Age. This is a real shock to the atmosphere."
– Pieter Tans, NOAA
This should also be a real shock to us – the inhabitants that rely on said atmosphere…to survive.
Kay, great…thanks for ruining my weekend, Maryanne ☹
Or perhaps you might be asking, "What on earth can I do about this looming catastrophe?"
Or not.
But let's say you do happen to care that we are hurtling ever faster towards environmental disaster, there are, in fact, two tiny things you CAN do right now:
1.) Join me in pulling our collective heads out of the sand on this issue
2. Check out this website that tracks our atmospheric carbon: Earth's CO2
Or if you want to go directly to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration website that gathers the data, here is the link:
Earth System Research Laboratory, Global Monitoring Division, NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, US Department of Commerce)
But you might want to check that website out sooner rather than later. With the Environmental Protection Agency now its on way to going the way of the Dodo bird, Oceanic & Atmospheric data could very well be next on Trump & Company's hit list.
Annoying scientific facts have no place in a post-truth world.
Happy Fossil Fools Day!
Face the Future is an on-line environmental awareness campaign that raises awareness about how and why individuals can lessen their environmental footprint one step at a time. The 2017 blog series runs from Mar 24th to Apr 28th. To receive the weekly blogs via e-mail, here is the link to subscribe . Face the Future is an initiative of Pink Gazelle Productions Inc.
published in Change, Climate Change, Environment, Face the Future by Maryanne | March 22, 2017 | No Comment
This is the first Face the Future blog in the Spring 2017 series:
Don't Forget About Earth Hour at 8:30 pm on Sat March 25th!
"No one causes climate change in isolation and no one can tackle it alone."
Hallo & Welcome to the Face the Future spring 2017 blog series!
And what better way to kick off this round of Face the Future blogs than to raise awareness about Earth Hour.
What is Earth Hour?
Around the globe, millions of people, businesses, and landmarks set aside an hour to host events, switch off their lights, and make noise for climate change action.
This year Earth Hour is at 8:30pm on 25 March 2017.
Earth Hour is a charitable organisation based out of Singapore. Their mission is uniting people to protect the planet. Coordinated by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and other volunteer organisations, the purpose of Earth Hour is to shine a light on the need for action on climate change.
Earth Hour 2016 was celebrated in a record-breaking 178 countries and territories across seven continents and aboard the International Space Station, serving as a strong visual reminder of the globe's determination to tackle our planet's biggest environmental challenge yet.
Earth Hour is more than an event. It is a movement that has achieved massive environmental impact, including legislation changes by harnessing the power of the crowd.
What to do during Earth Hour?
You could host a candle-lit dinner 🙂 go stargazing, or simply switch off your lights for an hour.
If you're on social media, here is the link for further details on how to help spread the word. Donate your social power for Earth Hour and help shine a light on climate action. Your action today can change our tomorrow. This is our time to #ChangeClimateChange.
Face the Future is an on-line environmental awareness campaign that raises awareness about how and why individuals can lessen their environmental footprint one step at a time. The 2017 blog series runs from Mar 24th to Apr 28th. To receive the weekly blogs via e-mail, here is the link to subscribe . Face the Future is an initiative of Pink Gazelle Productions Inc.
published in Change, Climate Change, Environment, Face the Future, Habits, Inspiration, Nature by Maryanne | November 16, 2016 | No Comment
Are You Concerned About the Environment?
Face the Future Christmas Blog Series Begins Nov 25th, 2016
"We don't have much time. If we truly care about the future of our planet we must stop leaving it to "them" out there to solve all the problems. It is up to us to save the world for tomorrow: it's up to you and me."
– Jane Goodall, Reason for Hope
A Bit of Background…
I love this beautiful planet of ours and care deeply about the environment. I am extremely concerned about many environmental issues, from climate change and warming oceans to the plight of polar bears and the loss of wildlife habitat – and species – the world over.
My idea of the perfect Saturday afternoon is lying on the couch reading National Geographic, cover to cover My idea of the perfect Sunday afternoon is heading to the woods or beach for a hike with my dog, followed by a couple of hours of puttering in the garden.
I recycle as much as I possibly can. I try not to buy anything unless I really need it. I compost my kitchen and yard waste. I use my reusable coffee cup 99% of the time. Likewise with my Nalgene reusable water bottle. I use a cardboard box and reusable grocery bags to carry my groceries. In the summer, I try to hang my clothes outside to dry instead of using the dryer. I walk instead of drive as much as possible…
But I do have a car. I heat my home with oil. I love to travel and take multiple flights every year. As much as I love the environment and do what I can to lessen my personal footprint, I also contribute my fair share – and perhaps more, when it comes to air travel – to the problems
Which is probably why I didn't get the Face the Future environmental awareness campaign going until the spring of 2016. I actually planned on getting Face the Future started SEVEN years ago – but for one reason or another, I kept putting it off.
Yes, I was busy with life and other work projects. But I suspect a part of me also felt like a hypocrite. How dare I tell other people how to reduce their environmental footprint when my own footprint is, at times, pretty damn big?
And the answer is: I can really only provide suggestions to people on how to reduce their environmental footprint in ways that I have already reduced my footprint.
So that's what Face the Future is: a rather personal campaign about raising awareness about environmental issues and providing people with tips on simple ways they can help reduce their environmental footprint or take positive action in some way…because every little bit helps.
Even though I am just one imperfect person running a tiny company with limited resources, I reckon Mother Nature needs all the support she can get at this point.
What is Face the Future?
Face the Future is a grass-roots on-line environmental awareness campaign initiated by my company, Pink Gazelle Productions Inc. The purpose of Face the Future is to raise public awareness about the potential global impact of individual actions, while inviting people to be part of the solution by making simple changes in their own lives.
By reflecting the cumulative effect of seemingly harmless habits – such as vehicle idling, regularly using disposable hot beverage cups instead of a reusable cup, buying single-use water bottles instead of using a reusable one, etc – the Face the Future campaign is a call to consumers to 'face the future' by thinking globally and then acting locally.
Spring 2016 Blog Series
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"Giving up is a copout because no one knows what the future holds. And although it is true that each of us is insignificant, a lot of insignificant people add up to a real force. For me, the rewards of getting involved are that I will be able to look my children in the eye and say, 'I did the best I could.'"
– David Suzuki, The Sacred Balance; Rediscovering Our Place in Nature
Together, we may still be able to change the future we are heading towards. Because if we don't, who will?
The next generation, that's who. And how fair is that?
"The science is clear. The future is not."
– Before the Flood, an outstanding documentary by Leo DiCaprio & Fisher Stevens
Maryanne Pope is the author of A Widow's Awakening, the playwright of Saviour and the screenwriter of God's Country. Maryanne is the CEO of Pink Gazelle Productions and Chair of the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund. To receive the Face the Future blogs, please sign up here.


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President Trump fired FBI Director James Comey suddenly on Tuesday evening, noting that his decision came on the recommendations of Attorney General Jeff Sessions and deputy AG Rod Rosenstein. The reactions:
- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Trump's firings of Sally Yates, Preet Bharara, and James Comey: "This does not seem to be a coincidence."
- Edward Snowden: "Set aside politics: every American should condemn such political interference in the Bureau's work. This FBI Director has sought for years to jail me on account of my political activities. If I can oppose his firing, so can you."
- Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA): Comey firing "disturbingly reminiscent of the Saturday Night Massacre during the Watergate scandal &the natl turmoil that it caused."


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After the all-French European final ended 0-0 after extra time and penalties went to sudden death, PSG goalkeeper Katarzyna Kiedrzynek missed from the spot. Taking advantage of the French federation's women's development program that has produced a host of talented players - if not trophies for the French national team - Lyon has had an abundance of riches on its roster, topped this winter when it signed Morgan for the second half of the season and Hermann Trophy victor Kadeisha Buchanan. Read More »
Ronaldo 'Always Believed' he would beat Messi to 100 Champions League Goals
Cristiano Ronaldo placed a attractive shot into Buffon's net on 20 minutes, but 7 minutes later Mario Mandzukic scored one of the goals of the tournament as he deftly controlled the ball on his chest before lobbing the goalkeeper with an exquisite overhead. Read More »
Ronaldo leads Real Madrid to 12th European Cup title
It was a chastening end to a night the Bianconeri had started superbly. Matters were quickly compounded as Ronaldo turned home at the near post to take his goal tally for club and country to 600. Ronaldo had a chance to hit back, but he misjudged an attempted diving header from Isco's cross as an entertaining first half ended level. Modric played a one-two with Carvajal, latching on to the full-back's return pass down the right and digging out a superb cross, allowing Ronaldo to nip ahead ... Read More »
Rafael Nadal Enjoys Easiest Win Of Grand Slam Career
His previous best was a 6-2 6-0 6-0 win over Juan Monaco here in 2012. Djokovic: "Did I hit the ball in your direction?" Asked by French sports daily L'Equipe on Saturday if any other player could have drawn him back to a sport he once hated, Agassi said: "I don't know". Read More »
Fans in near-stampede in Turin after Champions League match
Juventus responded with a spectacular bicycle kick by Madzukiç in the 27th minute. It was a chastening end to a night the Bianconeri had started superbly. "Great play, ( Leonardo) Bonucci to ( Alex) Sandro ". Few footballers have made the pursuit of personal goals so advantageous to their team, few men have done so much for their team by being so focused on individual targets. Read More »
Juventus, Real Madrid lineups for UCL Final announced
Ronaldo had a chance to hit back, but he misjudged an attempted diving header from Isco's cross as an entertaining first half ended level. It is the first time a team has won back-to-back titles in the modern iteration of Europe's elite club competition and Zinedine Zidane's side did so in style. Read More »
Nadal out to tame Durchman Haase at French Open
Nadal will face the Netherlands' Robin Haase in Wednesday's second round tie. "I pulled my back yesterday and specialists were saying I needed 48 hours, I was nearly sure I could not take it to court today", said Mladenovic, who burst into tears after a two-hour-59-minute tussle. Read More »
Wenger admits future led to top-four failure
The ex-England goalkeeper, who won three league titles and four FA Cups with Arsenal , said: "If Arsene stays, and I hope he does, the board need to back him". 'Hopefully now we can stick a few trophies in the cabinet. "He is not at fault if we did not reach the Champions League tonight", Wenger said. Arsenal's loss was Liverpool's gain as they qualified for Europe's top competition for just the second time since 2009. Read More »
MotoGP star Hayden dies after bicycle crash
A spokeswoman for Cesena's Maurizio Bufalini hospital said a statement was expected later. The 35-year-old American suffered critical injuries when his bicycle collided with a vehicle on Italy's Rimini coastline last Wednesday. The Superbike World Championship says the incident occurred Wednesd. Nicky Hayden passed away after an accident while cycling in Italy. Hayden participated in MotoGP until 2015 before switching to Superbike full-time in 2016. Read More »
Kevin Kisner shuts out big names to win at Colonial
Just moments after failing to convert a 12-footer for birdie at the 72nd hole that would have forced extra holes against Kevin Kisner , Rahm was asked about the missed opportunity. Kisner, 33, posted a closing 66 and a 10-under-par tournament total to hold off Spieth, the defending champ , and two other golfers by one stroke. Read More »
IndyCar drivers robbed at gunpoint in US
Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Doug Boles says IMS tightened security four years ago after the Boston Marathon bombing. I think its a breath of fresh air for him, said Zak Brown, a former Indianapolis-based sports marketer whos now executive director of the McLaren Technology Group. Read More »
Chelsea considering move for Dani Alves?
According to the report of the English tabloid, Chelsea have been informed about Dani Alves' availability in the summer. Click through the gallery above to find out! While Alves is a first-team regular at Juventus , he is unlikely to command a sizeable fee due to his age and because he only has 12 months remaining on his contract. Read More »
Crusaders down Highlanders 25-22 in Super Rugby thriller
But in the fallout from the frenetic, physical battle, key All Blacks Ben Smith and Ryan Crotty were injured and unable to play out the game. New Zealand have suffered two more injury scares ahead of the three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions. Read More »
Murray tames power-hitter Klizan
This definitely has all the ingredients you want in a match between two major champions, but obviously I feel strategic-wide it will be interesting to see how Andy plays because Del Potro isn't as strong as he used to be. Elsewhere in the men's singles draw, 2015 champion and third seed Stanislas Wawrinka beat Ukraine's Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-4, 7-6, 7-5. Wawrinka will face Italy's Fabio Fognini for a place in the fourth round. Read More »
Stanley Cup Finals Game 1: Penguins vs Predators
Nashville will get the next two games at home , but Game 3 is a must-win for the Predators or they'll fall down a three-game hole to the defending Stanley Cup champions. "You can see how good of a player he is". Carrying that momentum into Nashville is task No. 1 for Pittsburgh , which will rest up and travel to Tennessee for Game 3 , the Music City's first Stanley Cup Final game. Read More »
Jackson to play pre-Game 3 concert in Nashville
It was enough for Nashville coach Peter Laviolette to send in backup goalie Juuse Saros to replace Rinne, who had stopped 21-of-25 shots. Fifteen seconds later Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin scored off of a two-on-one, lofting a shot over Rinne's glove to make it 4-1 in the first 3:28 of the third. Read More »
Champions League Final: Buffon looks to become oldest victor
But we found one local girl, turned Real Madrid fanatic, who believes Bale could still play a crucial role... With both teams at full-strength, the main source of intrigue concerns whether Zidane will pick Cardiff native Gareth Bale, who has been out since April 23 with a calf problem, or, as expected, keep faith with Isco. Read More »
Richard Jefferson Says Warriors Lacked Composure When They Lost 2016 NBA Finals
Vegas is betting against them and the bookies are hardly alone. The Golden State Warriors face the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday i. After LeBron James , 32, Kyrie Irving , 25, Kevin Love, 28, and the rest of Cavs play Game 2 on June 4, the NBA Finals head back to Cleveland for Games 3 and 4. Read More »
Jose Aldo hints at frequent future lightweight fights
Interim-champion-in-all-but-name Aldo versus interim-champion-by-default Holloway. "How could I be impressed when he beat a guy who was never a featherweight?" "The thing that I worry about is myself". I know I'm the greatest, and I'm not here to be average. Holloway said. "This is two years later already". "Everybody keeps saying this kid is cocky. Read More »
Palestinian girl dies a day after stabbing Israeli soldier
A female Palestinian terrorist stabbed and wounded an IDF soldier at the entrance to the Israeli community of Mavoh Dotan in Samaria, on Thursday. Since September 2015, Palestinian assailants have killed 42 Israelis, two visiting Americans and a British student, mainly in stabbing, auto ramming and shooting attacks. Read More »
Champions League Final preview - What to know
For a decade, that record has been held by Paolo Maldini, a victor with AC Milan at age 38. "I'm enjoying it all", Zidane said. "We are going to be extremely focused, very concentrated so we make as few mistakes as possible". But Welsh fans hoping to see their home favorite should be prepared for disappointment on Saturday. Spanish global Isco shone in Bale's absence as Real secured their first La Liga title since 2012, and manager Zidane remained coy on his selection headache at his final ... Read More »
Concerns growing at F1 Mercedes after slump at Monaco GP
Vettel's victory in Monaco was significantly aided by Ferrari's strategy which enabled the championship leader to get ahead of his team-mate and pole-sitter Kimi Raikkonen during their only round of pit stops. Vettel got ahead of Raikkonen during the pitstops after being left out for five more laps than the Finn , when they took their one and only tyre change during the race . Read More »
The 9 most disappointing Finals in NBA history
For the Cavaliers , back-to-back titles would be something a championship-starved city could have never expected. That is not a luxury the Cavs, who are powered by LeBron James and Kyrie Irving , can afford if they hope to upset the Warriors. Read More »
Near-perfect Kiwis take control of America's Cup qualifiers
Emirates Team New Zealand competes against Groupama Team France (not shown) during America's Cup qualifying on the Great Sound in Bermuda on Friday, June 2. If a challenger wins the qualifiers and then reaches the match, it will get the bonus point . In one of the many radical departures from tradition, this is the first time the defender has sailed against challengers in the preliminaries. Read More »
Oracle beats Kiwis to earn America's Cup match bonus point
That is providing Team New Zealand survives the upcoming challenger knock-out rounds. Heading into the encounter on just two points , the same amount as bottom-placed Groupama Team France, Artemis Racing knew victory in their two scheduled races today would guarantee their progress from the Louis Vuitton America's Cup Qualifiers. Read More »
Stanley Cup Notebook: Opportunistic Penguins Grab Control Of Series
It was a Pittsburgh record for fastest playoff goal at the start of a period. Then the puck was dropped to start the third period and the Penguins pounced. That would put them one ahead of the New York Rangers, despite the fact that the Rangers had a 41-year head start on them. This culminated in a fight between Malkin and Nashville blueliner PK Subban late in the third period. Read More »
Gareth Bale open to sensational Man Utd move
The Welsh attacker has returned to training and is in contention for a place on the bench when Real take on Juventus in the Champions League final in Cardiff on Saturday (3 June). This has also led to conflicts between influential members of the Real boardroom arguing that Bale could well be the high-profile player to leave this summer. Read More »
Lacklustre Lions fail to impress in opening win against Provincial Barbarians
Gatland Jr started at fly-half for the Barbarians, converting the Sam Anderson-Heather try that sent them in with an unexpected half-time lead. The Lions are next in action on Wednesday (7 June) against the Blues (kick-off 08:35 BST). But the scoreline could have been far more comfortable for the Lions had they converted four potential try-scoring opportunities in the first half. These guys arrived on Wednesday and are still recovering from travel, they haven't got into regular sleep ... Read More »
Twitter actually reacts positively to the release of Steph Curry's new shoe
From that angle, these shoes are a vast improvement over the much-mocked Curry 2 Lows and the Curry 3. Stephen Curry's partnership with Under Armour has proved lucrative for the company, with the basketball star bringing in nearly $200 million for the company previous year. Read More »
Zidane: Ronaldo would have been the star if we had played together
Juventus steam-rolled through the group-stages, earning the top-spot ahead of Sevilla , Lyon, and Dinamo Zagreb. The charter plane carrying relatives of Real Madrid players was delayed for more than an hour in Spain because of the high number of flights arriving at Cardiff's airport for the Champions League final against Juventus . Read More »
James says stopping Durant will be tough
Kevin Durant had six slam dunks in the first half. But he also made eight of 20 Cleveland turnovers that led to 21 Warriors points, seven of them coming in the first half, the second most in any half of his epic career. The pop star, who openly roots for LeBron James , at one point got up out of her seat to bow to him. Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue, when asked after the game how well the Warriors are playing, said "They're the best I ever seen" but knows his team have more ... Read More »
ICC Champions Trophy 2017: Worst bowling performance, says Steve Smith
Ronchi and Williamson were united at the crease after Martin Guptill had fallen for 26. Ronchi had hit nine fours and three sixes when he departed in the 16th over. As the rain kept falling, it left the officials no choice but to declare the match a No Result and both sides claim 1 point. "I thought it was probably one of the worst bowling displays that we've put on for a very long time ". Read More »
UEFA Champions League final live, Juventus vs Real Madrid, live football score
Kickoff for the final between Juventus and Real Madrid will be 2:45 p.m. ET. Despite Ronaldo missing nine La Liga games in total, Madrid didn't miss a beat, winning every single one to edge out Barcelona and claim a first league title in five years. Read More »
Nadal launches French Open title bid
Nadal broke Frenchman Paire eight times and recovered from a slight second-set wobble when he dropped serve twice in a row to surge into a round two meeting with Dutchman Robin Haase. 2 returning everything Granollers tried to throw at him. "Not only that but Francesca is a legend and I was very excited to play on Philippe Chatrier court with her", said Muguruza. Read More »
Plane delay for relatives of Real Madrid players
His last two goals were in the 2015 Champions League semifinals, but it was Buffon's Juventus which ultimately advanced to the final. A fitting venue and city, particularly if local boy Gareth Bale can play a part for Real Madrid in their showdown with Juventus . Read More »


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Game of Thrones Round Table: "Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things"Eric Hochberger at .
Wow, things are picking up quickly on Game of Thrones! With the Hand's tournament already underway and ending the episode with Catelyn capturing Tyrion, there's plenty to discuss from last night's episode.
After you're done reading Carissa's official review, come re-join her and the rest of our Round Table panelists as we analyze the episode below:
1. Favorite Game of Thrones quote from the episode?
Carissa P: Arya: "Can I be lord of a holdfast?" Ned: "You will marry a high lord, and rule his castle. Your sons shall be knights, and princes and lords." Arya: "No. That's not me."
Dan F: Sam: "I'm not going to get any better ya know?" Jon: "Well...you can't get any worse."
Jim G: "I am a Khaleesi of the Dothraki. I am the wife of the great Kahl and I carry his son inside me. The next time you raise a hand to me will be the last time you have hands." One of the things you lose from book to TV is the slower growth of the characters. This line did a great job of showing just how much Daeny has grown since Episode 1 where she meekly let her brother do what he wanted to her. -- LOVED IT!
Eric H: Since my favorite halfman is totally under-represented by my colleagues, I'll pick just one of the many great Tyrion Lannister quotes from the episode, "Then I'm not a dwarf. My father will be rejoiced to hear it."
2. Let's discuss new casting as usual! This week? Hodor, Sam, Robert's Bastard (Gendry), the Mountain (Gregor), and Bronn.
Carissa P: My favorite was Hodor. They picked an absolute perfect fit for him. Exactly as I imagined and even his voice is perfection. Also really psyched to see Gendry, as I loved the first two series of Skins. (Thanks Casey for telling me where I'd seen him before!). I cannot wait to see more of him!
Jim G: I have to disagree with Carissa, Hodor didn't look exactly right. He is described as big, brawny and very simple (remember the only word he can say is his name). Anyone who has grown a beard knows how much work and attention it is to keep one looking trimmed. Hodor's was *way* to shaped and maintained for a simpleton. I agree they go the size right, but he should have had a wild beard or no beard.
Dan F: I'm so jealous that you all immediately know exactly who these people are. I, on the other hand, have to go look them all up. At first glance I couldn't tell you who Hodor or Bronn are, so I guess they didn't make as much of an impact on me. I sure do love Sam though!
Eric H: Don't worry, Jim, I'm on your side here. Hodor also seemed too old as well. I didn't like Sam at first glace, but he grew on me to be a perfect choice by the end of the episode. Now as far as the Gergor goes, I wanted BIGGER. I wanted to see that horse trembling from his weight. But I'll still have to reserve judgment until we see some more of these characters.
3. Scene additions! Anything you want to comment on the new scenes between Tyrion introducing us to Theon's backstory, Cersei and Ned exchanging trailer-worthy lines, Jaime and Jory outside Robert's orgy, Sam and Jon cleaning, and, of course, the creepiness that was Viserys and Doreah?
Carissa P: The Tyrion scene made me really dislike Theon. I enjoyed Cersei and Ned throwing the gauntlet. They've both been trained to kill their enemies. That can't turn out good. Honestly, in the book, I always though Viserys was borderline homosexual, and was having sex only with Daenerys, so pretty much everything about his character has been odd and creepy to me. I loved the scene with Jon and Sam. Jon is a virgin. Oh how that hurts. And yet, it makes perfect sense. He's so noble.
Dan F: These were all additions for me, but my favorites was Jaime and Jory. It doesn't get much better than the cocky Lannister replying to "They like their bloodshed" with "They stopped liking it at the end."
Jim G: FINALLY, we got to hear Theon's name! I think all the scenes did a great job of filling in information that would have taken chapters to get in the book. I really liked Theon/Tyrion as we got a lot of needed info on the Greyjoys.
Eric H: I was definitely a big fan of the Tryion / Theon discussion, bringing Grejoy backstory that I don't remember seeing anywhere in book one. The Jaime and Jory scene just made me sad..
4. The dire wolves were back this week! Any other complaints from you bunch of whining book readers?
Carissa P: Yes, although they made brief appearances, it was not nearly enough. They need to step up the pace on just how important the union of the Starks and their living Sigil really is.
Jim G: Agree with Carissa, need *more* wolves.. But, I was a happy book reader to see Greymist sitting at Robs feet when Tyrion visited.
Dan F: These wolves must have been a major component in the books, because I've loved them as a quick pop in every once and again. Jon Snow using his for intimidation was fantastic.
Eric H: Geesh, Carissa and Jim. There is no pleasing you two. Now that I feel like whining too, I wish they would have let the Hound tell his backstory to Sansa like in the books. It was the first time I started to like Sandor Clegane.
5. Let's play the "Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things" game. We know who the cripple and bastards were, what are the broken things from the episode?
Dan F: Aren't so many of these characters broken in one way or another?
Carissa P: I think Bran can be considered broken, since he wasn't born crippled. Cersei and Jaime are broken in their understanding of love. Robert is broken because he lost his one true love. All of the Wall recruits are broken in one way or another. Even the direwolves family is broken because Lady was killed. I think George R R Martin writes very well about broken things.
Jim G: Some relationships: Clearly Ned and Robert are not close as Ned had thought given the tournament still happened. Daeny and her brother are clearly broken given she admitted she knew he would never take the 7 kingdoms and she didn't want him on the throne anyway.
Eric H:Gonna go with Viserys. Period. Unless it has to be one of those broken things that have a special place in Tyrion's heart. Then maybe Joffrey?
Eric Hochberger is the programmer of TV Fanatic, so please forgive his mediocre writing. His programming is far better. Follow him on Twitter and/or email him. Just don't request threaded comments. They're coming.


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