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The Center for Popular Democracy (CPD) is a left-of-center 501(c)(3) organization involved in voter mobilization and policy development. The center's stated mission is "to create equity, opportunity and a dynamic democracy in partnership with high-impact base-building organizations, organizing alliances, and progressive unions."[1]
The group has numerous state- and local-level partner organizations and is active in approximately thirty states. In the 2016 election cycle, CPD and its 501(c)(4) affiliate Center for Popular Democracy Action sought $7 million in contributions for work in concert with the left-wing Working Families Organization on voter contact and activation for progressive candidates.[2]
Center for Popular Democracy is a "recommended organization" endorsed by the progressive donor consortium Democracy Alliance.[3] Center for Popular Democracy has received millions in funding from various progressive foundations, including the Wyss Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Surdna Foundation, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and the Public Welfare Foundation.[4] Despite supporting restrictions on anonymous conservative political speech, CPD has taken over $3 million in anonymized contributions from the donor-advised Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund.[5]
CPD has four co-directors: Andrew Friedman, Ana Maria Archila, Jennifer Epps-Addison, and Brian Kettenring.
Andrew Friedman, a graduate of Columbia College and the New York University School of Law, is a longtime veteran of left-of-center politics.[6] He founded Make the Road New York, another left-of-center group focused on worker and immigrant rights, in 1997. CPD compensated Friedman $189,115 in 2014, including $153,500 in base pay.
Ana Maria Archila is another longtime left-of-center activist. She joined CPD in 2013 after serving as the executive director of Make the Road New York and the Latin American Integration Center.[7]
Brian Kettering led the Leadership Center for the Common Good until the group merged with CPD in 2013.[8] Kettering worked for the now-defunct ACORN from 1995 until 2010. During the 2008 presidential campaign, Kettering denied ACORN engaged in voter fraud tactics and accused Republicans of attacking the group to suppress voters.[9]
Center for Popular Democracy was founded in 2012, merging with the Leadership Center for the Common Good in 2014.[10] It has taken the lead for liberal organizing on local policies through its arm Local Progress, demanded extremely loose monetary policy from the Federal Reserve, and advocated for a broad and aggressive progressive-left agenda.
Local Progress
Center for Popular Democracy's most prominent campaign is Local Progress, an effort to pool policy ideas and activism from municipal councilors in America's most liberal cities and spread them to more cities. The group is closely tied to the key players in the Democratic coalition: The Local Progress Board includes officials from the AFL-CIO and SEIU.[11] Local Progress's board is chaired by Councilor Brad Lander (D-Brooklyn), the chairman of the New York City Council's Progressive Caucus and powerful Rules Committee.[12]
The group seeks to use its organization of municipal policy to influence state and federal regulation. Local Progress published a platform in 2016 that sought to influence the campaign of Hillary Clinton for President, emphasizing gun control, advancing left-wing labor and employment regulation, reversing school choice, and demanding environmentalist energy policy.[13]
Local Progress's strategies include forcing businesses to push states to adopt the group's preferred policies rather than face patchworks of inconsistent rules. Local Progress chair Lander described the strategy: "Eventually that should be a national law or a CFPB regulation. That's not going to happen until a lot of cities and states do it […] And if there's a competition for who can do the strongest law, eventually it'll make sense for businesses to say 'we should have a national law.'"[14]
Since the election of President Donald Trump, Local Progress has taken a key role in coordinating opposition to the Administration's immigration restriction policies. In March 2017, Local Progress gathered representatives of 30 "sanctuary cities" that refuse to provide certain information on illegal immigrants to federal authorities to plan defiance of the Trump administration's immigration enforcement policies.[15]
Labor Regulation
Center for Popular Democracy led the effort to pass so-called "fair workweek" legislation in Seattle, Washington.[16] The ordinance mandates larger retail and food establishments post worker schedules two weeks in advance, provide at least 10 hours between shifts and offer additional hours to employees before adding new workers. Portland, Oregon, passed a nonbinding resolution calling on businesses to review their scheduling practices.[17] The laws, based on a law first passed in San Francisco under heavy influence of organized labor unions, have been criticized for reducing workplace flexibility for part-time employees and reducing employment.[18]
CPD has also engaged in progressive and labor union campaigns to push minimum wage increases. In November 2016, Colorado voters voted for a plan to boost the state's minimum wage to $12 per hour, plus yearly wage inflation adjustments. CPD spent the most money of the progressive groups supporting the campaign, reportedly more than $1 million.[19]
Federal Reserve System Changes
CPD has also agitated against the Federal Reserve's efforts to prevent inflation through its "Fed Up" campaign. Campaign activists met with Fed officials in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in August 2016 to demand Fed officials slow interest rate increases and restrict the independence of regional Federal Reserve Banks.[20] CPD sued the federal government in October 2016 to demand more transparency into how the regional banks select their presidents.[21]
The "Fed Up" campaign won what appeared to be its biggest victory when then-Democratic Presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton endorsed CPD's proposal to bar bankers from serving on Federal Reserve regional bank boards. CPD and Clinton had been in talks with Clinton's campaign to advance the left-wing regulatory agenda.[22]
Race Relations and Policing
Center for Popular Democracy also plays in the debates surrounding policing reform and the Black Lives Matter movement. CPD was involved in a 2015 Democracy Alliance-associated conference kickoff dinner strategizing on how progressives could fund the efforts of anti-police activists.[23]
A Center policy advocate sits on an eight-member inter-organizational "Movement for Black Lives policy leadership team," which released a policy manifesto in August 2016.[24] The manifesto addressed policy areas far outside those of policing reform including demanding reparations for slavery and the reinstitution of the Franklin D. Roosevelt-era Glass-Steagall banking regulation.[25]
A Center for Popular Democracy deputy director proposed seizing revenues from a future decriminalized or legalized marijuana industry and redistributing them as reparations. Marbre Shahly-Butts told a policy conference of the liberal state policy development group State Innovation Exchange: "The idea is we that have extracted literally millions of dollars from communities, we have destroyed families. Mass incarceration has led to the destruction of communities across the country. We can track which communities, like we have that data. And so if we're going to be decriminalizing things like marijuana, all of the profit from that should go back to the folks we've extracted it from," reportedly to widespread applause from principally Democratic state and municipal legislators.[26]
Brett Kavanaugh Confirmation Hearings
During the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh in September 2018, CPD co-executive director Ana Maria Archila and another staffer "cornered Arizona [S]enator Jeff Flake, who had just announced he was going to vote yes on moving Brett Kavanaugh's nomination out of the Judiciary Committee and onto the Senate floor for a full debate. The women wouldn't let Flake leave until they had yelled at him, face to face, for several minutes." [27]
In a fundraising email, CPD wrote: [28]
"Last week, you saw protestors interrupting the Kavanaugh hearings, trying to slow it down and show the Judiciary Committee how much they/we care. Those protests were organized by the Women's March and the Center for Popular Democracy and other groups."
"Be A Hero" Campaign (2018)
On October 3, 2018, a handful of activists wearing T-shirts featuring "Be A Hero" harassed and shouted at Republican Sen. David Perdue (Georgia) and his wife as they traveled through Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. The "Be A Hero" campaign is a project of the Center for Popular Democracy, encouraging voters to vote for Democrats in the November 2018 midterm elections.[29]
Criticism of Trump Administration
CPD signed a letter condemning the immigration policy of the Trump Administration and urging American CEOs not to employ anyone involved with the policy. It accused these officials of being directly guilty for physical abuse, sexual assault, and even the death of illegal immigrant children. The letter was titled "An Open Letter to America's CEOs" and was dated April 6, 2019. [30]
CPD reported more than $12.2 million in total revenue in 2014.[31] The group spent $7.3 million that year.[32] The group reported $3.05 million in total revenue in 2013, with $2.87 million in expenses.[33]
The Center receives substantial contributions from labor unions. In 2015, annual reports filed with the Department of Labor showed that unions spent $987,938 in expenditures to CPD and its 501(c)(4) Center for Popular Democracy Action.[34] The top union contributor in that year was the National Education Association, which contributed $148,900 to CPD and $422,000 to CPD Action Fund.[35]
The Tides Foundation donated $15,000 to CPD in 2014 on two separate occassions.[36] Tides gave the center $70,000 in 2013.[37] The Marguerite Casey Foundation granted CPD $350,000 in 2015 to bolster the Fed Up project.[38] The Open Philanthropy Project granted CPD $1 million for 2016 to aid the same campaign.[39]
The Ford Foundation gave $2.48 million through four separate donations during 2015 and 2016.[40] An October 2015 Ford Foundation blog post boasts of CPD's work on the Fed Up Initiative.[41] The Bauman Family Foundation granted CPD $130,000 between 2012 and 2016.[42]
The Mertz Gilmore Foundation granted CPD $40,000 in 2016 to, "support the Peabody Organizing Projects."[43] CPD's Missouri ally, Missourians Organizing for Reform and Empowerment, asked the now-bankrupt Peabody Energy, a coal company, for reparations to communities supposedly harmed by the company's energy-producing practices.[44]
Ahead of the 2016 presidential election, numerous musicians collaborated to produce 30 songs in 30 days in opposition to then-candidate Donald Trump. Money raised by this project, launched by Dave Eggers and Jordan Kurland, will flow to CPD, which was reportedly chosen because of CPD's advocacy of automatic voter registration.[45]


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You are hereHome ›
Seeking newspaper clips from the 70s
Inquiring minds
Each week the staff at the Roseville Library answers more than 2,500 questions on every subject under the sun. Here is one of the most interesting ones they've gotten lately.
Q. I am hoping to see a photo from the early 1970s of a group of local students who went to the national science fair competition. The photo appeared in a local community newspaper. How far back do online issues go for publications like that? Are there other ways that I might see issues from the 1970s?
A. Digital archives for community newspapers rarely go back as far as the 1970s. A better choice would be to consult the Gale Library at the Minnesota History Center in downtown St. Paul. They serve as the state newspaper repository, and they have microfilm copies of most Minnesota newspapers going back to Territorial days. You can find more information on their website, www.sites.mnhs.org/library.
(Website of the Minnesota Historical Society.)
Do you have a question for the staff at the Roseville Library? You can call them at 651-724-6001 or ask your question in person at the Information Desk, Roseville Library, 2180 Hamline Ave. Library hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

subset: commoncrawl


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**Trigger Warning: mention of self harm and medical treatment** Today I found out that I need to have surgery to deal with some self harm that otherwise won't heal. It's one of those things that I know I have to deal with as potential repercussions of symptoms of my illness such as self harm- although… Continue reading A Bit of My Leg Will Be In My Arm
Tag: generalised anxiety disorder
TRIGGER WARNING: overdose
Today has been a day of fighting that bastard of a monster who takes control of my head and heart. I think of him like this:
That monster convinced me that even by sitting with other patients or staff I would spread the toxicity inside me to them and even worse that I was having such a bad impact that I couldn't even just avoid people but would have to die.
I found some tablets on leave. I grabbed them. I meant to take them to punish myself.
But that little bit of Molly somehow battled past the monster long enough for me to grab a member of staff I know and trust. And I wrote a letter explaining, handed it over, and then had a chat with her and a nurse.
The staff were lovely- truly- but I still don't know if I did the right thing or if it was really selfish of me to not remove myself for the good of everyone else. I still couldn't sit with my usual group of friends here after the talks and PRN.
A very sad, scared and confused Molly 😦
Help with Emotions
Emotions are tricky little buggers. They really are.
And for some of us they feel down right impossible to cope with, understand, recognise and even simply to have. I struggle in many ways with emotions…others' but mainly my own. I also give myself a hard time about that fact and expect myself to 'do better' or 'feel the right thing'. Knowing this, and knowing that I'm facing a particularly turbulent time*, last week the crisis team manager had me do an exercise where I stood in the middle of a room surrounded by different sized pieces of paper and alotted emotions to those pieces of paper according to how much I was feeling them at the time. We then went through several different scenarios and changed the emotions around accordingly. This was to show me that even if I was being hard on myself and expecting to feel the 'right' emotions (e.g. happy or relieved that the placement is definite rather than scared or anxious) or feeling that I would feel one emotion forever, in fact recent history shows that emotions fluctuate massively in their presence or size and that I can feel many things at once without invalidating anything else that's going on.
I found the exercise incredibly helpful (although it felt quite painful at the time) and today decided to recreate it in a portable and reusable form. I already have benefited from this – working out what is actually going on inside me rather than just a broad 'overwhelmed'- and thought it's a concept worth sharing in case anyone else wants to give something similar a go in any of its forms.
So here is a concept borne of the crisis team manager's work with me:
This is in my visual journal but could be on a standalone piece of card or inside a diary or something similar, with very basic boxes drawn on the page, and colour-coded emotions cut out in card and blue-tacked to the appropriate box at that moment in time.
Let me know if you've used something similar or gave this a go!
*in the latter stages of preparing for a long-term specialist hospital placement, hours away from home/family/care team, in a locked and mainly unknown environment, after my last placement collapsed for financial reasons with just 28 days notice and after not fulfilling their promises/purpose
Days From Hell Approaching
Tomorrow: 11am Commissioner coming to gather evidence and talk to me to assess if they will keep funding my placement 2.30pm Meeting with CCs, placement psychologist, placement manager, senior keyworker and ODM of the company to review/assess/gather evidence ahead of funding panel Tuesday: 9.30am Funding panel that decides my future 11am Therapy, last before psychologist… Continue reading Days From Hell Approaching
"Please, tell me more about my own Goddamn experiences"
Well this really struck a chord; unfortunately I think it will with anyone suffering from mental illnesses, and especially those with the more stigmatized ones such as personality disorders. I genuinely couldn't even begin to count the amount of times that mental health professionals, with confidence and certainty, tell me rather than ask me (AKA… Continue reading "Please, tell me more about my own Goddamn experiences"
Forget All That You're Not
These beautiful words were shared with me today and I just wanted to pass this important message on…
…I hope you can take them to heart and try to remember all that you ARE rather than what you're not.


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Even though Spring is right around the corner, and many people plan to spend more of their time outdoors, watching movies is still a great time out. There are many movies that are coming out in theaters and on Netflix if you're looking for some entertainment. Here are some movies that caught my attention, and how "hyped" I am to see it after watching the trailer.
Five Feet Apart
Release Date: March 15, 2019
Starring: Cole Sprouse, Haley Lu Richardson, Claire Forlani
About the movie: Seventeen-year-old Stella spends most of her time in the hospital as a cystic fibrosis patient. Her life is full of routines, boundaries and self-control which all gets put to the test when she meets Will, an impossibly charming teen who has the same illness. There's instant flirtation, though restrictions dictates that they must maintain a safe distance of six feet between them. As their connection intensifies, so does the temptation to disobey the roles and embrace their love.
Hype meter: 3 out of 5. I'm not that interested in romantic movies but this one seems a bit interesting since Cole Sprouse is in it. The movie sounds sort've deep and sad since it's about two teenagers who fell in love but aren't allowed to be close to each other. I would watch it to see how the story ends when the two teenagers risks their lives just to be one foot closer to each other.
Wonder Park
Release Date: March 15, 2019
Starring: Brianna Denski, Jennifer Garner, Ken Hudson Campbell, Mila Kunis
About the movie: June, an optimistic, imaginative girl, discovers an incredible amusement park called Wonderland hidden in the woods. The park is full of fantastical rides and talking, funny animals, only to discover the park came from her imagination. She's the only one who can fix it, so she brings together the animals to save this magical place and bring back the wonder in Wonderland.
Hype meter: 3 out of 5. Although I like watching cartoons, this one seems a bit weird and childish. It tells the story of a creative girl having a wild imagination which seems interesting at first, but the trailer makes the characters seem annoying. And why is the bear blue? The one reason I would watch it is to see how the animals build June's imagination into an actual park.
Release Date: March 29, 2019
Starring: Eva Green, Alan Arkin, Michael Keaton, Colin Farrell
About the movie: A live action reboot of the classic Disney animated films featuring a young elephant, whose oversized ears enable him to fly. Dumbo is forced to perform at a struggling circus helps save a struggling circus, but when the circus plans a new venture, Dumbo and his friends discover dark secrets beneath its shiny veneer.
Hype meter: 5 out of 5. I watched the 1941 animated classic Dumbo, and Dumbo has always been one of my favorite Disney characters. I'm also curious how the live-action movie, blending real people and real sets with computer generated images compare to the cartoon version.
Avengers: Endgame
Release Date: April 26, 2019
Starring: Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Robert Downey Jr., Josh Brolin, Scarlett Johansson, Brie Larson
About the movie: After the end of Avengers: Infinity War in 2018, half of the universe has been erased. With the help of the remaining allies, the Avengers come together once more in order to undo Thanos' actions and restore order to the universe.
Hype meter: 5 out of 5. After being left with a cliffhanger ending to last year's Avengers: Infinity War, I'm "dying" to know how the characters who died come back and which ones end up leaving for good. I have so many questions that need answers: Will Captain Marvel and Ant Man play a big role in saving the universe, what's the strategy this time so the Avengers aren't defeated by Thanos again, and how the fight go for the remaining Avengers who try to defeat Thanos?
Someone Great (Netflix)
Release Date: April 19, 2019
Starring: Gina Rodriguez, Brittany Snow, Rosario Dawson
About the movie: After a devastating break up with her nine-year relationship due to a new job across the country, Jenny enjoys one last night out in New York City with her two best friends before preparing to move to San Francisco. Someone Great is a romantic comedy about love, loss, growth in an individual and the everlasting bond of female friendship.
Hype meter: 4 out of 5. Although I don't care for romantic movies, I do enjoy watching comedies. The movie first caught my attention when I heard that Gina Rodriguez is starring, because she was hilarious in the show Jane the Virgin. Her character in the movie seems similar to her character on the show. I find it interesting how Someone Great isn't just about finding love or falling in love, but about a woman who is capable of letting go of a relationship and think positive as she finds herself and her goal in life. I like how the trailer already shows the bond of friendship with laughter, support, and uplifting each other.


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Yes, he's back. And you probably hate him too much by now to be bothered. That's OK, he knows it and with The Afterlove he's here to talk about it. What Blunt has produced with his 5th album is a fusion of his more traditional style mopey ballads with some more modern 21st century pop sounds and for the most part it has been a resounding success.
On first listen I will admit to being a little thrown by some of the new sounds featured on The Afterlove. Blunt has worked with some of the top names of the industry – Ryan Tedder, Stephan Moccio and Ed Sheeran to name but a few – and as a result songs like the lead single 'Love Me Better' have an instantly un-Blunt like sound. Even after repeated listens I do feel that some of these tracks don't sit well into the overall ecosystem of the album, even if they are good tracks on their own. That aside, this is a strong album with some stellar standouts worthy of a place alongside his best from previous efforts. 'Love Me Better' as mentioned is the first single released from the album, and that is a pretty smart move given that it presents a head first introduction to what some of these new sounds are like. Lyrically it's far more up his alley though, taking a swipe at those who insist on spitting shit at him online whilst also celebrating his new found happiness with his wife. 'Bartender' is probably the best fusion of old and new to be found here. Production -wise it is somewhere between his old and new content and lyrically it is a natural step up from the "I had you, I lost you" motifs he has become known for. A strong early track. 'Lose My Number' slips us back into that more Bieber-esque territory and being honest it's the first thumbs down of the album for me, a pity that it comes along so soon and ties back to my earlier point that some tracks just don't sit into the album properly. 'Don't Give Me Those Eyes' also departs from the album's style somewhat but in a far better fashion. Sounding like a mix between an 80s power ballad and something from a Broadway show it is a powerful track and again, lyrically, new territory for Blunt.
Next we find ourselves into the strongest sequence of tracks on the album, with one exception. First up is 'Someone Singing Along' which is the highlight of the album for me at the moment. Heavily influenced by recent political shifts and the general societal issues plaguing many parts of the world right now, this is how you write this song. Though it is revolving around current events, the themes of this song have been relevant for all too long now. Rather than litter it with cries and pleas of a downright miserable nature, Blunt has crafted a call to arms that also comes with a welcome, a brilliant blend of protest and unity. Next up is the misstep 'California'. Described by Blunt as being inspired by the soundtrack to 2011's Drive, it most certainly is but as a result it's just sonically way out of place on the album as a whole. I've also got a personal dislike for songs about places that explicitly and gratuitously use a place name too so maybe it's just me. 'Make Me Better' is the first of two collaborations with Ed Sheeran. This is the only one of the two also produced by Sheeran and it would sit just as comfortably on one of his albums. In interviews Blunt has spoken about Sheeran trying to coax more honesty out of his songs and it is on display here. A fantastic song right up there with his best.'Time Of Our Lives' is the second Sheeran collaboration, with a little input from Tedder for good measure. Describing his wedding day Blunt manages to capture and convey the scene brilliantly whilst also treading the limits of schmaltz just enough to get away with it.
The home stretch starts with 'Heartbeat' which could have easily found its way onto previous albums. It's a little safe and basic, but good and catchy enough to be worthy of its place. Closing out the album is 'Paradise' and as closers go it's top notch. Rumbling guitar lead lines running along the spine of the track with big sweeping vocals to take us home as the album comes to a close. A special note should also go to the extra tracks on the Extended Version. 'Over' is a reliably safe number but 'Courtney's Song' is a hauntingly beautiful tribute to Blunt's close departed friend Carrie Fisher. Blunt had an extremely close relationship with her even living with her for a time whilst his career was taking off and he has left a fitting testament to his and many other's sorrow at her passing. Finally we get to '2005' and I honestly can't figure out why this isn't part of the album. I mentioned at the start of this review that Blunt is here to address his critics and he does so brilliantly here. With lyrics that take direct aim at those who only seem to remember that one song of his, Blunt responds brilliantly to his detractors. If this doesn't wind up being the track that goes viral of his 2017 output I would be shocked.
In all this is a solid entry from the veteran (see what I did there, huh? Huh?) crooner and sits up with Back To Bedlam in the tracks with longevity side of things. Some misfires pop up but to be honest they're not any way bad enough to take away from the album as whole. I still don't entirely buy it that he is just trying this style out though, without an ulterior motive. Some of the most incriminating evidence against him can be seen here in his live performance on the Graham Norton show last week. He just doesn't look comfortable strutting around the stage singing this hip hop style. I could be wrong but I can't shake the feeling that the guy just wants a top ten single again and so veered towards the norm instead of his older style that has maybe outstayed its welcome. Really though, if that's true, I can't really begrudge him that desire and more credit to him.


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When it comes to the best and fastest ways to lose fat, many people find that adding FenFast 375 to their strategies is an integral step toward their success. The reason is that this diet pill has a unique ability to boost the effectiveness of a weight loss effort by making it both easier and faster to accomplish.
You now have yet another option to get rid of embarrassing body fat: it's a body sculpting therapy that can actually exercise a muscle without you doing anything. Continue reading to learn all about it.
A Noninvasive Body Sculpting Therapy
Emsculpt is the only body shaping procedure that is noninvasive, so it is a great option for those who want to lose weight without going under the knife for weight loss surgery. This therapy uses electromagnetic energy, which is high energy that is able to trigger the nerves that make the muscles move.
Phentermine is one of the most well-known prescription weight loss pills. It has been around for years, and it has helped a lot of people lose weight when other options have failed. However, there are side effects, along with the risk of addiction, that come with the use of Phentermine and other prescription diet pills, so it is imperative that you work with your doctor to learn about the pros and cons of these pills, and to decide if they are truly right for you and your weight loss goals.
Although Phentermine is a well-known prescription weight loss product that a lot of people ask for when they're struggling to lose weight, there are some drawbacks that can come with taking such a powerful prescription. Those drawbacks include becoming dependent, or addicted, to Phentermine.
Continue reading to discover what you need to know about Phentermine dependence so you can take steps to avoid it if you choose to use this product.
Bloating isn't any fun during any time of year, but it can be especially embarrassing and uncomfortable in the summer when you want to don clothes that are more revealing or you're ready to hit the beach. Thankfully, there are some surprisingly easy ways to beat summer bloating fast, and a few of them are listed below to help you get started.
Protein has become a huge factor for dieters, but what are the best meats for weight loss? It's one thing to make sure that you're on the right track. It's something else to make sure you're on the best track.
As we gain a better understanding of the human body and how it functions, protein has enjoyed positive time in the spotlight. A growing number of diets have stopped focusing on low-fat in favor of high-protein. Now, people are looking into the best meats for weight loss.
Who doesn't love relaxing in front of the TV, watching their favorite shows and movies? Unfortunately, too much TV time might mean that you aren't getting enough workout time in, and that could add up to you gaining weight and putting your health at risk. But did you know that you could exercise while you watch TV? That's right, by performing the simple exercises below, you could make your TV time even more productive.
The return of the cold weather means that it is the perfect time to start cooking up some more soups that are nutritious and filling. A great addition to your usual rotation of soup recipes is the following lentil and cabbage soup, which is packed with vitamins, minerals, and protein.


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We are fully insured, qualified and completely dedicated to providing our clients with the highest level of service – and at a reasonable price. Working on both a domestic and commercial scale, you can always rely on us to get the job done, and in good time too.
As you would rightfully expect from a professional contractor, we are accredited by the Master Locksmith's Association and always adhere to the most stringent of working practices.
So, wherever in South Wales you might be located, whatever your lock-related issue might be – you can count on us to provide you with the assistance that you need.


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When people read or think about hypnotherapy, they don't really know what to make of it. Because how can sitting calmy change so many terrible habits? Even hypnosis in general still has a few stigmas about whether any of it is actually real. But the truth is that hypnotherapy can be a very effective tool for dealing with several different problems. And in order to get a better perspective on how this is possible, here is look at the practice and how it provides a solution.
Habits Start And Live Inside The Sub-Conscious
Every person has good and bad habits. For example, you always brush your teeth twice a day (and after meals if you can), but you bite your nails when you get nervous. And for some, the severity of the habits are going to differ. More specifically, the habits can be hazardous in nature, like smoking and drinking, emotional eating, bouts of depression, etc.
And the problem with establishing a habit, especially when it's one you really invest in, is getting rid of it when you realize how badly it influences your life. This is because the habit has been "wired" into your sub-conscious pattern – the same place that controls all your other bodily functions without your conscious thought.
This is also why addicts find it so hard to kick the habit, seeing as the pleasure center part of their brain has been rewired and doesn't perceive pleasure the way it should. And the biggest misconception people make is thinking that simply trying to crush the habit will work. In reality, the habit needs to be replaced with something healthy.
Where Does Hypnotherapy Come In?
Now that it has been established where the source of the problem really is (which is deep inside your mind) you need to confront it. Unfortunately, your conscious state of mind is "blocking" access to your sub-conscious, hence the reason for going into a hypnotic state.
Going into a hypnotic state is nothing more than a very relaxed level of inner-consciousness. Instead of focusing on external elements like a tree through the window or the color of the walls, you bring your focus to your breathing. You notice how your thoughts calm down and you are able to reach a part of your mind you never typically visit, seeing as you usually fall asleep at this point.
In a hypnotherapy session, only your body is going to "fall asleep", while your mind stays awake. And the best part is that a direct connection to the subconscious has been made, and all the bad habits can be replaced with positive affirmations.
Basically, you take control of reprogramming your brain to make healthier choices. And you can do it with the help of professionals like Positive Transformations (visit website), or you can try and practice self-hypnosis.
Hypnotherapy Is A Tool
Patience is a big part of the true transformation, and expecting to be rid of your bad habits overnight will only lead to a relapse of sorts. So, instead of expecting the world to change in a matter of days, start living the life you really want to have.


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Are BLOGS an old idea revisited?
Do you remember what it was like using your computer before the Internet, even before AOL or Prodigy? The days when 1,200 BPS modems were futuristic and your 8088 PC was lightening fast. Did you know there was an online community back then? PC users could look in various local papers and find telephone numbers for bulletin boards. A bulletin board was an online forum where you could write freely, express your opinion and share files with others. Sound familiar? Maybe a web-log (blog) is an old idea but it now has mass reach and appeal.
The question of the day is whether you need a blog of your own. Search engines seem to love them. Some experts even say "BLOG" actually stands for "Better Listing on Google". The fact is, blogs can actually make your site more visible to searchers. They can be used to provide valuable content to your visitors. They allow for images to be displayed and hyperlinks to other sites. Is there a downside to having a BLOG? They are relatively easy and low cost to create, but someone has to review entries and manage the BLOG. This is where the implementation typically falls apart.
Too much work? You can still use the power of blogs to your advantage. Find already established blogs that have relevant industry content and go to work! Become a blogger yourself. Many bloggers are looking for advice or product information. Lend your expert advice and include a link to your own site. It could drive your own web traffic and sales. It's guerilla marketing gone blogging - 'guerilla blogging' if you will.
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When should you redesign your site?
Some experts will tell you to reevaluate your site every three to six months, yet others will tell you differently. The fact is web sites should never be static for very long. Visitors expect to see fresh and relevant content. Search engines will reward you for new content and penalize you if you never make changes to your site.
For business reasons, new ventures may need to revamp their sites in as little as a couple months, often because the business model changes. If that is not the case for you, remember there is the search engine factor. Consider the "Google Sandbox Effect": as formerly new content ages slightly, the Google Sandbox filter kicks in and lowers the ranking of the site. The average length of time for a site to remain trapped in the sand is about ninety days, although staying in the holding pattern several months is not uncommon. This is a good argument to continually revise your site content. Content is king, and new, fresh content is the best way to stay on top of search engine rankings and most importantly what visitors (your customers) are looking for. Alternatively, you can patiently outwait the sandbox filter – demonstrating longevity will eventually get you better placement.
Your website should change with your company or it becomes dated and of little use. New businesses typically have constantly evolving product, distribution, promotions and pricing. Well-established businesses need to keep pace with changes in their industry and create a reason for customers to keep coming back to their site. Whether you are ready for a complete redesign of your site or just some updated content, do not neglect your investment in this important marketing tool.
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Search Engine Marketing
We received a number of questions and comments about last month's article on Search Engine Marketing. Exactly what does search engine optimization have to do with marketing? While it may sound like something that you should leave to your I.T. expert, it does has everything to do with marketing. Consider this - there are four primary methods for customers to find your website: 1. Traditional advertising through print, television, and radio; 2. Online advertising through paid placement and banner ads; 3. Word of mouth; 4. Search engines. Unless you have a large budget for up to several dollars per click or you can afford to run a television or large print ad campaign, you can not ignore the important role search engines play in the online business environment.
Check out this research from NetRatings:
Consider that AOL is powered by Google
and MSN is powered by Yahoo/Overture - that means 86.3% of the search
engine market is controlled by Google and Yahoo!
Consider that AOL is powered by Google and MSN is powered by Yahoo/Overture - that means 86.3% of the search engine market is controlled by Google and Yahoo!
give you a better idea of the size of this pie, according to Google
250,000,000 searches are performed each and every day on their search
engine. Search engine marketing will increase your chances of getting
your fair share of this pie.
To give you a better idea of the size of this pie, according to Google 250,000,000 searches are performed each and every day on their search engine. Search engine marketing will increase your chances of getting your fair share of this pie.
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Printing 101
Ink, toner or screen - what kind of printing do you need for your project? There are many different types, including laser, screen, digital and offset. Understanding the difference will help you choose the right printing method for your project and your budget. Of course, you can choose to print business cards on a preformatted paper on a laser printer, but the toner will often rub off while being handled and the edges are usually perforated, not giving the best impression. It is best to print business cards professionally. An offset press can assure a perfect color match and the high-quality card stock is professionally cut, producing a card that you are proud to hand to your clients.
Screen printing is often used to print on materials other than paper, such as plastic, still producing a high-quality print with exact color matching.
Digital printing is a great alternative to running smaller offset projects, such as a small run (1-200) of full-color brochures, as these can be cost prohibitive due to the setup costs associated with offset printing. Digital cannot always perfectly match colors, but as new technology comes available, it is very close. Additionally, digital printing often has a faster turnaround than offset printing.
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Start-up Tips
Contemplating a new business idea? Don't be afraid to talk about it. Most ideas need to go through the process of being challenged and validated. If secrecy is your competitive edge, what happens when you open your doors for business? Your secret will be out and your competitive edge will be gone. Part of the exercise of creating a business plan is to do research and ask people to challenge your ideas. It is better to discover potential weaknesses now than with your precious investment. Consider finding a mentor, someone who can give you guidance in your new venture. Don't forget to learn from their mistakes.
Want to collect more formal market research? All Summa clients can use our online survey tool and focus group for free. More information
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text:
Online B2B platform dedicated to Metallurgy and Metalworking
- Stage Full Product Ready
- Industry Business Products
- Location GBK Restaurants Ltd, Lindsey Street, London, England, United Kingdom
- Currency USD
- Founded September 2011
- Employees 10
- Website metdaq.com
Company Summary
METDAQ is positioning itself as an online B2B platform that helps metallurgy companies successfully build and develop their businesses. The whole concept is about bridging the gap between supply and demand of metals from all around the world. METDAQ's major aim is to bring metal suppliers and buyers together globally. Our B2B portal is capable of solving the range of difficulties that metallurgy businesses are facing in their everyday activities.


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Leather Lotion is great for protecting your leather using 100% natural ingredients. In fact the ingredients are so natural you could eat Granddad Jacks Leather Lotion and use it for so much more than leather protection. Let me explain:
Granddad Jack's Leather Lotion's main ingredients are beeswax and coconut oil along with a few other vegetable derived oils. The benefits of these two main ingredients might be flavour of the month but they are not new. Both have proven histories in balms, medicines and natural applications that go back hundreds of thousands of years.
Leather is essentially dead skin that has been preserved through the process of tanning to become leather. During the tanning process nearly all of the moisture is removed which makes the leather stiff and workable. Over time, if you use it regularly, your leather items gather natural oils from your hands and from other other substances around it, which can be enough to keep it soft and protected.
Occasionally though it's a good idea to give your precious leather items a little extra moisture and some protection from the forces that want to dry it out. That's where Granddad Jack's Leather Lotion comes in. Leather is made up of millions of fibres that tangle together to form a bond. If leather drys out, these fibres become brittle and break instead of flexing and maintaining the integrity of the leather. Granddad Jack's Leather lotion contains natural coconut oil which absorbs into the leather fibres, nourishing them and keeping them pliant.
Do you know what can dry out your leather the most? Water. It's sounds counterintuitive but it's true. So Granddad Jack's Leather Lotion also applies a protective coating of beeswax that remains on the surface of the leather, sealing pores and causing water to bead off.
None of these materials will hurt the leather because they are 100% natural and biodegradable. What's more they are not harmful to you or the environment around you.
Granddad Jack's Leather Lotion is so natural you can eat it. I can't guarantee it will taste any good but trust me, it's true. I don't care how tough you are, the skin on your lips is as soft as a babies bum. So they are easily dried by the sun, wind and water. Applying a little Leather Lotion deploys coconut oil, which is antibacterial and contains healing enzymes and beeswax which guards against infection and create a protective barrier against wind, water and sun. In fact, did you know that Granddad Jack's Leather Lotion has an SPF15+ protection rating.
In my opinion, If you're gonna sport a Stache you've got to keep that bad boy in check. That means trimming those overzealous lip gropers and keeping everything pointing at your toes. Using Granddad Jack's Leather lotion as a Muzzy wax will change your life and make Tom Selleck look like Betty White. As I said earlier, Granddad Jack's Leather lotion is non-toxic, in fact its positively anti-toxic. The combinations of beeswax and coconut oil in your Cookie Duster will keep the whole show clean and hygienic. At the same time, combed in, they keep Mr Tickler shiny and neat and actually train the hairs to grow in one direction.
When wood dries out excessively or unevenly, it can crack. This happens when unequal drying occurs in the grains of wood which causes splitting. The damage can be large in scale or very small such as on the outer surface of a special piece. Thank goodness for Granddad Jack's Miracle Leather Lotion. The oil content returns moisture to the outer layers of the wood while the beeswax, used for centuries as a natural furniture polish, fills tiny cracks and lays down a protective skin over the surface. Let the lotion dry for an hour or so and then buff the surface with a dry soft rag. Then go ahead and impress the missus by showing her how amazingly water beads right off. You're welcome.
That's right. Using the coconut oil content of Granddad Jack's Leather Lotion and the stiffness of the beeswax, you've got a pretty awesome polish for restoring metal objects. But as you apply Leather lotion to your leather bag, shoes or jacket, don't be shy to rub a little on the zippers, eyelets and other metal hardware. The beeswax creates a protective seal over metal to staves off rust and tarnish.
As if all of this wasn't enough I specifically made the packaging of Granddad Jack's Leather Lotion compact and portable. The small jar is water tight and tough and can be easy carried with you in the car or your satchel for use at any time.


text:
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Safe turning solutions for Helidon Spa connections
Download PDF
Download PDF
Safe turning solutions for Helidon Spa connections
Media Release
12 July 2018
Joint release with:
The Hon Mark Bailey
QLD Minister for Transport and Main Roads
Mr Scott Buchholz MP
Federal Member for Wright
The Hon Mark Furner
QLD Minister for Agricultural
Industry Development and Fisheries
Work has started on one of two U-turn facilities to improve safety at the Postmans Ridge
Road and the Warrego Highway intersection at Helidon Spa, Queensland.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormack
said the removal of right-turn access and provision of U-turn facilities nearby would
significantly reduce the crash risk at the intersection and allow safer movements onto the
Toowoomba Second Range Crossing (TSRC).
"These works will provide a safer alternative for drivers with U-turn facilities to be installed
either side of the existing intersection to maintain access to Postmans Ridge Road and
Twidales Road," ;Mr McCormack said.
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said negotiations were
taking place regarding the cost and staging of works to complete the U-turn facility near
Twidales Road.
"The current plan is to stage works so the intersection crossover remains open until both U-
turn facilities are available for use, however we still need to conduct a detailed analysis to
determine whether we keep the crossover in place while the U-turn facility near Twidales
Road is being built," Mr Bailey said.
Federal Member for Wright Scott Buchholz said residents, business owners and the
Lockyer Valley Regional Council were consulted to help achieve the best solution for the
"The community will be kept informed about the timing of the crossover closure, and we will
maintain left in and left out turning ability on both sides of the Warrego Highway at the
intersection," Mr Buchholz said.
Queensland Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said
the TSRC would deliver economic benefits for farmers west of the Great Dividing Range.
"This alternative crossing of the Toowoomba Range for all classes of heavy vehicles will
improve freight movements and driver safety to support our farming communities and
Western Queensland's local economies," Mr Furner said.
The TSRC involves the construction of a bypass route to the north of Toowoomba, about
41 kilometres in length, running from the Warrego Highway at Helidon in the east, to the
Gore Highway at Athol in the west.
It will provide an alternative route and assist in managing increasing traffic volumes,
particularly heavy vehicle movements from the developing resources region in the Surat
The Australian Government has committed $1.137 billion towards the TSRC with the
Queensland Government contributing equivalent to 20 per cent through a Public Private
Partnership with the Nexus consortium.


text:
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text:
Drew woke up at 5:30am and went back to sleep. I didn't. After laying there for 45 minutes trying to fall back asleep I whipped out the iPad and started to read… and then I finally got up the motivation to get out and run before he and AJ woke up again. So the day started with a super tight and achy 4 miles around a gorgeous "No Trespassing" loop that AJ and I love to run. Notice the white house at the far left and side of the photo? That was the house from "The Good Son" with Macaulay Culkin, at least that's what people around town have told me, I've never seen it.
Move It: Saturday
It's a great feeling to get home from a run before 8am. Mostly because I don't dread doing it the rest of the day.
If you are new to the blog normally I do a lot more home makeover / decorating stuff but I started journaling yesterday my exercise and food intake for two weeks and that'll be at the bottom of my regular posts during that week. Why two weeks? That is generally the time it takes to form good habits. I need more discipline in my life so I'm trying to make sure you are holding me accountable. I'm not eating perfectly, you'll see I had pizza and dessert tonight, but I'm just making sure I'm doing stuff in moderation.
Same oatmeal I had yesterday
1 piece of homemade chicken pot pie (leftovers from last night)
2pm Snack (after a mile walk with Drew to get him to sleep)
4 animal crackers from Drew's stash
2 eggs with onions and peppers
Dinner at Brian and Susan's house (they have a super fun house from 1895)
Homemade pizza (probably equivalent to 2.5 slices)
1 glass of ginger ale
Salad with spinach, tomatoes and reduced fat feta. Then with a smidge of Trader Joe's amazing Goddess dressing.
Dessert… 1 cupcake Kim made and a scoop of ice-cream. I was lazy and brought a dessert my sister made, is that bad? No. That is a smart use of my time. 🙂
Water intake
About 72 ounces
Want to humor me and take a look at the little guy who just made AJ and I an aunt and an uncle for the first time? Patrick James… what an adorable little guy he is… I wish I could snag some of that fabulous hair. He was born to AJ's brother, Matt, and his wife Alison yesterday at 2:03pm.
All right, folks, now that I've written this rousing post I'm off to read my new Country Living and Traditional Home. In bed. And yes, it's before 9pm on a Saturday night. 🙂


text: Cranberry Pear White Balsamic Vinegar Sale! from $15.95 Size 250 ml 500 ml 1 liter Qty. Add to Cart This item is currently on backorder but you can still purchase it now and we'll ship as soon as more become available. This Balsamic will awaken your senses! Drizzle over your salads, fruits, vegetables, chicken, pork, and even use in cocktails. PAIRS WELL WITH MEYER LEMON OR BLOOD ORANGE OLIVE OIL Tweet


text:
Continuity mistake: When Martin does his book report, on the blackboard it says 'An afternoon with Ernest Hemingway: Reflections by Martin.' But when Bart goes up to do his report, the blackboard is clean. (00:01:25 - 00:02:20)Hamster
Continuity mistake: When Lisa shows her exam to her family, the "a" note keeps changing from being circled in red and in a red round. (00:04:30)Dr Wilson
Character mistake: When Bart fakes being sick, on his way to the infirmary he passes the door with a sign that reads "maintanence" but the proper spelling is "maintenance", and when Bart reaches the infirmary, the sign on the door reads "ineirmary."Super Grover
Continuity mistake: The door to Mrs. Krabappel's classroom has a window, but when Bart fakes being sick then walks out of the class (we see the desks as the door closes), the door's window has vanished, and the doorknob has switched sides as well. Additionally, earlier, when Bart deliberately falls off his chair in class, note that one of the bars on the back of his chair has gone missing.Super Grover
Continuity mistake: When Bart fails the test despite having actually studied, we see the two red "X" marks in the center row of the multiple choice questions, but after Mrs. Krabappel passes Bart because he applied practical knowledge, when Homer hangs the test up on the fridge those two "X" marks in the center have vanished.Super Grover
Continuity mistake: The colour of the school changes from yellow when Martin and Bart are talking before the test to grey when Bart has spoken to Otto about being held back. (00:07:00 - 00:11:00)Ssiscool


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Holidays without the kids…
Ok girls…. I'd be lying through my teeth if I said I didn't miss my munchkins (Itchy & Scratchy). Plus, The Captain doesn't appear to care as much as I do that we have (1) left them with our Helper in Hong Kong (yes, shes wonderful & yes we have cameras….) (2) time alone together just us … well…. it's a bit harsh no? I mean, we're meant to be getting on brilliantly.
I had images of him chasing me into the ocean waves, or strolling in the sun hand in hand, laughing, joking, gossiping (basically… I was imagining a gay friend, I had the bonus of having sex with). BUT, the reality…. we have just agreed, we want to literally harm each other. The Captain told me to "go ahead and order another Cosmo" as I'm such a joy when drinking … which of course I did (hey, you don't need to tell me twice), and I told him "sometimes I'd like to hold a noose round your neck and keep tightening it". YES I SAID THAT. Big fucking deal.
Who isn't married and comes out with worse comments… seriously? I've actually edited some things that took place at lunch-time today. I was in a very jovial, almost over happy mood after indulging in my new book by Russell Brand (my not-so-secret celeb crush), "My Booky Wook" and was enjoying myself, laughing out loud (he's fucking funny), until HE (AKA "The Captain") turned up to "talk" about my behaviour (hey, for the record… I wasn't sat there without a top on indulging in any sexual/illegal act….well…not today anyway).
What is it with the new age /metrosexual man and their need to chit chat!? What happened to just relaxing with a cocktail and no feelings chit-chat bullshit? After a row at lunch which involved many a familiar line about how I hated his family, him mine (people staring at us both while this took place, but The Captain always does like a good dramatic scene) and how neither of us can agree on anything…. I then text my troop of fab girls back home who told me "I'm loved" and then I wanna cry and jump on a plane back to London, Heathrow ASAP.
Even on holiday in the Philippines, I want to be home. I want my family (who drove me maaaad), my girlfriends (who I always, always love being with) and the biggest loves of my life, the kids. The Captain and his brood though… well at the moment… I'm all done on exhausting arguments about family, and whose is more "normal, better, wierd" etc. I've always had to spend more time with his than mine, mainly because mine like a quiet peaceful life, and the Captains love drama, have more religious holidays, followed by arguing and me always feeling like the odd Duckling in the crowd (I didn't say Ugly, I said Odd). That will never ever change, nor do I want it to.
I am now stuck between a rock and a hard place. Does anyone know what that actually means because it sounds to me like I'm pretty much fucked either way?! I want out of the whole non-stop arguing. I'm not "lucky" or "ungrateful" because of my new bull-shit fake affected life in Hong Kong. I'm alone, I have 2 small babies (who I have had to leave in HK to "prove" my love to The Captain) and I miss my Mum (yes, I'm also a big girls blouse…. anyone know where that saying comes from?!). I wanna go home. If anyone reading this can give me a ticket home (plus enough space for 2 babies) and no Legal crap about an additional accompanying adult for baby no.2 (any infants under 2 can't travel without an adult), please email me.
I want to go to London without ANYONE but MY family & friends knowing. I want to go home. The Captain today… well… he just sealed the deal on how hard this relocation business is. I thought I was doing really well until he told me I was "ungrateful".
Ungrateful!? Have a look at our Twins from 2 years of trying IVF. Have a look at your new home that I moved us into, once again (for the 3rd time…he didnt unpack anything but his underpants), have a look at how happy and chilled your kids are (they get that from me/wine). Have a look Captain. I have done everything you wanted and i tried very hard. Today…. I'm mentally packing up and heading home ….. even if I do have to live with your Mum as shes the only person who has any room in her house.
Damn it… I need to re-think things or start playing the fucking lottery.
ps. As I'm writing this, the family on the next balcony to ours is KICKING OFF. Big fight between Mum/Dad about "respect" (I'm drinking my freebie bottle of red vino and blatantly staring!) So you see…. EVERYONE is fighting and yet we all put on a fabulous bull-shit, we're so fucking happy show. I feel better now….. right…. errr… where's The Captain?!
So girlies, I'm off on a long weekend break to Philippines with The Captain, and despite missing my Monkeys terribly, I know we need some time out for our wedding Anniversary. Time to regroup, time to remember why we go together in the first place, time alone, and time to party late into the night, holding a bottle of Vodka in one hand and my Hubby's in the other (we were great at that).
It will be hard after so many years of trying to tone things down, but we loved to be away on holidays, sometimes 8 times a year. Whether it was long weekends in Amsterdam (smoking the local delicacy), Prague (food), Brussels (Mussles with frites), Malaga (Gambas pil pil), skiing in France …. Everyone I worked with hated me as I was always jetting off to Italy, Spain, Ibiza, France, Bora Bora, Fiji, Vegas (Baby!) …. you name it…. we did it.
Plus we enjoy diving and liked to push the boundaries. BUT, we didn't have the twins (or the copious amounts of luggage they come with). The arguments getting to the airport are drastically different to the ones before. Now, it's over who sits with the easy baby, who holds the buggy, changing bag, what if they go into meltdown on the plane, do we feed them before take off? zzzzzz. Our rows before would involve buying magazines and who read what first.
Soooo… as I pack for my trip, I know what the Captain has on his mind. SEX. It's very simple. If I dish it out, we wouldn't have one itty bitty row, about anything. So why does one hold out when we know this is the secret to keep men quiet and fun? Well, I'm just bloody tired and not feeling that sexy. Ok, after a few vodka shots and a smoke on the bong, who knows what I'll be doing, but stone cold sober…. I'm just tired and want to sleep in the sun (and maybe get a nice tan too). This, of course, is not how men are programmed. Less sex for them means, distance. Women need to be feeling close to their fella emotionally in order to put out the goods. I read this crap somewhere recently.
I have to state, I am very much in love with the Captain, and often recall those early days of continuous sex in all sorts of public places just for the hell of it (sometimes 3 times) but we had no kids, responsibility, a huge mortgage, old parents, and generally life hanging on our shoulders. I will say this…. all the excuses I hand out, are lame. If my life is going to be fun and happy just by giving The captain a quick nosh here n there, so be it.
Sooo…. off I pack for a long weekend away to drink with my Man, swim, dive in the sea, shag in someone elses beach side villa with swimming pool (& hopefully CCTV to capture the moment), drink again and have sex all over our luxury Hotel in the Philippines.
BRING IT ON!! I just hope customs in Manilla Airport don't open my suitcase to discover all sorts of, ahem, sexual paraphernalia…
I'm sad
Ok, so, I've been told to "curb my chat a little" as people will cotton on as to who I am, & I'll probably never be invited to anything again. Keep my mouth shut? Tell the truth, but NOT too much.
Ladies and Gents, really?! Do you want me to tell the truth as I see it (Lord forbid) or, keep quiet? I haven't got time to waste, living by anyones rules but my own. I'm not going to live any way but my own. If this is a problem for people, why? Why can't we be, who we really are? Why can't I open my door and say, "I can't be arsed today mate, I'm tired." Why can't i say, "I'm sad", or "I'm lonely". This is not weakness but, for me, someone who doesn't show their emotions too often, this is great.
About 3 years ago, after my Mum had a stroke, I had an epithany, when I decided, no more. No more making others happy over myself. No more worrying what people thought about me. No more being polite to people, which I have to say, I'm great at…I was raised very well. But, no more, well, anything. Do you know how liberating that is for someone like me?! Raised to be a polite, quiet (unless spoken to), lady?!
You're either in, or out. That's how it is for me. I'm not ashamed of who I am. I'm unreliable and yet very reliable at the same time. I'm loyal, trustworthy and the kinda friend who turns up with a shovel, spade and a drive into the country…minus any questions (should you ever need it, but never judgemental). I'm a good friend, a great wife, and above all, my aim… a wonderful Mum. If I can steer my twins in the right direction, even a little bit (as no one ever gets it right), I'll be happy.
Today though… I'm sad. My parents haven't been feeling well, I miss my friends at home and, well, it's not easy being an expat. To me, personally, it feels like I'm creating a false world on a different Island. My husband is there, and yet at the moment, I'm still very lost.Very very alone. Empty sometimes. How do those expats turn up all over the world and re-create a new life?!
The truth is this. I miss home. I miss my amazing best girlfriends (their blokes are soo lucky to have these women), I miss being able to call someone who can bring me down to earth in a second. In Hong Kong, you have no one. It's not real. There's no history. I felt alone today for the first time in ages. Ironically, I was surrounded by loads of new friends but, boy….. do i wanna go home now!
Marriage in Hong Kong for ex-pats. Can it really work?
Having just about managed to find my feet in Hong Kong, I have begun to wonder about all the expat wives/partners who moved here. Did they find it easy or difficult? Were they angry, pissed off, stressed with the move …. especially if you had to move your entire life and children too, while your partner was probably over here already (possibly months before), and you packed up your entire home, alone.
Since our arrival, I have been incredibly honest about the difficulties I faced in moving abroad and leaving our great life in the UK. At the moment, my only plus with Hong Kong, is still just the warm weather. For the Captain, who loves it here, its more the Tax relief, lifestyle, great weather, Trecking in the mountain and outdoor stuff.
I have heard and read various horror stories (Nancy Kissel being just one), where lots of expat marriages seem to be doomed from the moment they touched Hong Kong soil. Loads of people I know are in Marriage Counselling too. Why?
Well it's not unheard of, or uncommon (from what I've read on geoexpat and asiaexpat), how the Men have places to go and "party" in Wan Chai, but besides that, there is Macau and all types of escort services everywhere. But it's not just the men from what I've heard. The girls are out there having their fun, too. I just read on asiaexpat, and I quote "One of the boys banged his client's wife after the client went home early from a night out drinking. And they did it several more times afterwards, with the wife initiating it each time!" I mean, FUCK?! What is wrong with these people?
Everyone seems to be looking for a cheeky shag. According to Asiaexpat there are loads of men exchanging tales of sex behind their unknowing wives backs (the predictable, ungrateful, mother-of-their-kids, wankers) and those wedding vows simply mean nothing here in Asia. Clearly.
I also want to quote another bloke on asiaexpat who states; "The fact we are westerners gives us status, as usually poor western guys never make it here, so the ones who are here are the ones educated and with money, at least that is the asian vision of us. On top of that, traditional asian mentality places little importance in physical beauty, and anything different is attractive, so both western guys and asian girls are attracted to each other even if the guy is a potato. Before I came to Asia I was in a rock solid totally committed never cheated 5+ years relationship with promise rings, almost the whole nine yards. This lasted 7 months after my arrival. Any major city in Asia is heaven for expats and no mistake."
So…. what he's saying is, your Man is going to head out there and shag someone else as the temptation is sooo high and apparently, even if he is limp, missing a ballsack and looks like Rodney Trotter, this dick will still get laid by someone, with or without their beer goggles on. In my eyes, to inflate their already bulging egos, and if "The Missus" (or "Her in-doors") isn't putting out, someone else might as well do it. Especially if they're out drinking in vile, Faliraki Style, Wyndham street , Soho or LKF on any night of the week.
Yes, there is a culture in Hong Kong for expats to play around but I never realised it was too easy for guys to do this. In fact it really pisses me off! I have a Moral compass and I have never faltered from who I am, and what values I do believe in. Shagging, snogging, petting, lap dancing on my Man, are all BIG no no's.
According to my research, all this shagging around is not done openly, but in a under-hand kind of way (from what I've read, some blokes have a shared sex pad just for their conquests in Soho or wherever).
This other bloke on asiaexpat also said; "I don't know any guy that I am close with that is an expat that does not fool around. Of course, there are different levels of playing. There are ones that strictly visit the pros for a wham-bam-thank-you-maam, there are ones that like to pick up other expats at the clubs, there are ones that like the locals, married or not, and there are ones that have actual girlfriends that may or may not know they are married."
Why the fuck would you put up with this bullshit?? What?! So because we moved to a different country, our Men have all gone mad and started humping anything that moves, because they're sooo fucking arrogant, they think they can. And the ones who go to the "Pros/Strippers/lap clubs"… well they are the worst type of scum, as in their minds, it's not even cheating if you're paying a hooker. Really?? Would you do that sort of shit IN FRONT of your wife you DICK!?
I can say this now, with my hand on my heart, if I ever EVER found out that The Captain had been cheating on me during "business trips, late nights at the office, clients dinners, having a drink with the boys, or even before I showed up in Hong Kong". I will end his entire world, by leaving. Its simple. Oh… and as an added Fuck You, I'd have a revenge shag with someone he knows, just to show him how much it can hurt.
It seems a woman needs a reason to cheat, a man, well he just needs a place.
I have to sign off now and go check my Hubby is sweetly tucked up in bed. He's definitely not the type of Man listed above. I wouldn't have married him if he was (plus I have him tagged just under his butt cheek so I know where he is at all times).
One thing I will say, having read up on this for the last few hours (and there are hundreds of threads about this on asiaexpat). Hong Kong is certainly somewhere to test your marriage and push it to the limit. I will hold my wine filled cup to that, BUT, pull your shit together and remember who you were before you arrived on this Island of Madness. This doesn't feel like the real world for me yet (yes, I'm still homesick and will be heading back to London sometime over the summer ….. cant fkin wait), but it's not bloody Vegas either. For every dumb asshole who thinks he can sleep around behind his Partners back, there's also a woman who knows about it, and she will be doing the same right back atcha! Your wife, girlfriend, partner, will always know when something is up.
ps. I think I want to go home before my Husband catches this unknown "must-have-sexitis" illness.
pps. Captain, if you're reading this, I have 3 big brothers, a shovel and have learnt my way around the woods of Hong Kong quite well 😉
* Photo of Repulse Bay Beach … my local.
Our ex-Helper (2nd part) & things that go bump in the night!
Ok, this story is in 2 parts. The 1st bit is about our ex-Helper (yes, again) and the 2nd part is about having a laugh with your Man and laughing soo hard, you realise, sometimes it really is the best medicine.
Soooo, my grand plan to foil the silly cow (ex-Helper) failed…. kind of. She rang our house (she stopped working for us approx 3 months ago) and at nearly 10pm, asked our new Helper how long she's worked with us. Our new Helper didn't understand why this woman was asking her all sorts of questions and put the phone down quickly.
I then get home that evening, and after a few bottles of wine, decided, then was the time to confront this silly cow and tell her to piss off, stop calling my house and get a life. The Hubby attempted to stop me, but I told him I knew what I was doing and to butt out. Anyway….. she didn't answer her phone. Cow! I was all geared up too! Instead I end up leaving a pointless text message telling her to leave us alone and that was it.
The next day, The Captain rings her new mobile on a withheld number, she answers, and then denies ever calling our place. She then admits she rang to "see how the children were" (yeh, because she gives a shit) although she didn't ask one question about them. The Captain asks her "Why are you calling us and interrogating our new Helper? Why are you lying on Geoexpat and Asiaexpat about your experience? etc". She's telling people she still works for us too, the cheeky cow. He told her to leave us alone, stop calling our house, leave our Helper alone too and to stop making up lies about our family (like we're the Mafia).
Since then, we have had a few random calls at the apartment. One call yesterday went something like this; "You Filipina? You are silly woman?" This was the 3rd call in 2 days. When I reply, with gritted teeth, "WHO THE F@%K IS THIS?", the caller starts laughing down the phone. It turns out The Captain likes to think he's a bit of a joker. Nob job.
I pointed out, there's only room for one of those in our family (Me), although our Daughter has also started to show some of her mummy's flair recently with pulling faces, biting her brother, kicking her daddy in the ball sack if he sits in front of her while she's trying to watch Little Einsteins etc. Anyhow, the phone calls have ceased, although our ex-Helper is STILL advertising her services on geoexpat, stating she worked with 9-year-old twins and we are going back to "Europe", but that's the end of that…. for now.
As a result of being wound up by the Hubby with his fake call, it became my new calling to catch him out (by scaring/winding him up) and last night, I finally managed to do it.
As most of you mummy's know, the window to wash your hair after a loooong day with the kids, cooking, cleaning, shopping (yes, I have a helper but she's old and not as quick as I am) running around…. well, time for you is minimal. So…. I had a shower at about 11pm last night, and as it was soo late, I went to bed with a HUGE towel wrapped around my wet hair. I have über thick crazy hair which is a nightmare to blow-dry unless you have 4 arms, in which case you should really be in a Circus (yes, very Un-PC…bla bla). For the record, my Hubby thought I had straight hair for nearly a year when we first met, until we went on holiday and he discovered I actually have a huge Afro that needs taming, especially in humidity. Two words for that now though ladies, HAIR SPRAY.
Anyhow…. I wake up at about 3am with horrendous (& I mean, AWFUL) pain from what The Captain describes as "the painters, decorators, arrival of Satan" every month. I have two very large fibroids in my body (while I was pregnant they were incredibly prominent) and these cause me a lot of pain, every month for about 3/4 days. They can't be removed just yet, in case we decide to have more kids. Yes, I have twins but there is potential to add another duo sometime (yeh right).
Its hardcore but I'm good with pain (I've got Twins for crying out loud!) and get on with it. I explained to the Captain that if Men went through what Women do, nothing in the world would exist and there would be no procreation.
Plus, I believe in reincarnation and in my next life…. I wanna come back as a Man. It looks waaaaay easier and a shit load more fun. Boys road trips, Steak dinners, farting openly, burping even louder (& laughing about it), cooking BBQ's only but your wife cooks all the rest of your food, Vegas, Strippers, being a Bastard, no make-up, no blow drying your hair (unless you're a total Metrosexual, in which case, welcome to my site), no ceiling on your earnings (yeh yeh like times have really changed that much), if you date someone 20 years younger you get a big slap on the back, AND you look better with age.
Sorry, I got sidetracked. So, back to 3am last night….
I wake, in agony, and stumble to our guest bathroom in the hallway so as not to wake the Captain in our en-suite (no, we don't live in a posh flat but we have a spare loo… shoot me). Oh, I also forgot to point out, that pimples (or potential ones) seem to arrive at the same time every month which means I was looking absolutely gorgeous with Oxy 10 Spot Cream on parts of my face (this white stuff is amazing and zaps spots in a day) and my huge turban style towel wrapped around my head.
While sat there in the darkness, the door creaks open, and standing there in the moonlight, is The Captain, stark bollock naked…. about to go to the loo (well, until he saw me on it thankfully) and he SCREAMS, physically jumping back. He then stumbles back to our room (possibly to hide?!)
Now as I write this, I still can't stop laughing about it as it has to be one of the funniest things I've ever seen a person do in aaages (especially someone as poised and controlled as The Captain). I climbed into bed after the incident, and couldn't stop giggling on/off, for one hour. The Captain did too and later explained what had terrified him.
Basically, he was half asleep, and not wanting to wake me, had stumbled, bleary eyed, into the spare bathroom right outside our room (he's clearly considerate, like me). As he pushed the toilet door open, the light from the streetlights outside the bathroom window, shone onto me and he thought he saw, "The Devil". I'm actually quoting him!! THE DEVIL!!! I laughed so hard, it actually took away the period pain for about a millisecond.
When I woke this morning to tell our Helper the story (which must have annoyed her as I was laughing soo hard when I told it & these stories are never that funny for other people), but she starts laughing too, though I don't think she really understood me. The kids are both staring at me (bless 'em) and they then start laughing too (pretend laughing) but only because I'm laughing soo hard, I'm making snorting sounds and have tears running down my face. I guess you just had to be there….
Anyway, that said, whenever you feel even a little bit down now, I suggest you remember one of those times that made you laugh soo hard you can't speak/almost wet yourself. That image, last night, of the Captain jumping and SCREAMING, is something that will last me a few weeks…. absolutely priceless.
Plastic Surgery, Tummy Tucks, Sex while pregnant
Last week I met a group of gals to discuss the pro's and cons of Tummy tucks (as well as other surgery from boob jobs to Botox), for Mum's of Multiples (or in my case…. TWINS!)
One Mum has just had a full tummy tuck with a scar that stretches from one side of her tummy to the other, and resembles, in my opinion, a smile (ironic too considering that's what I'd be doing after such a fab piece of plastic surgery).
After nearly 6 weeks, she is fully recovered and unbelievably happy. And so she should be, considering her tummy was stretched beyond belief during her pregnancy. Both her Twins weighed well over 7.5 pounds!!! I mean…. fuck!!! She could barely walk into the hospital when she gave birth. She also had a 7 centimetre gap between her stomach muscles from where her body had been stretched so much. When I spoke to her, she'd just bought her first bikini in 5 years and was bouncing off the walls with happiness (hell, I'm surprised she didn't turn up wearing a bikini… I would have with those results).
Now, my twins were almost full-term at 38 weeks, which is apparently pretty impressive in the world of Multiple births as the norm can be anything from 32 weeks onwards. Given my small size at the time, all and sundry expected me to go into very early labor. This did not happen and I got progressively larger by the minute. I was even putting on weight while I slept and at one point, I was convinced I must be sleep-walking into the fridge every night. I mean, by the time I gave birth by elective C-section (like I was gonna even attempt that "naturally"…. what am I fucking stupid?!!) I was MASSIVE. I had gained FIVE STONE in weight. FIVE STONE PEOPLE!??!
It's no wonder the Captain didn't want to have sex anymore … although I did try it on all the time like a teenage boy would. And I do mean, A LOT (no one tells you how horny pregnancy makes you, especially if you are carrying a boy, but apparently its their hormone in your body). Which actually explains why they all walk around looking for sex the whole time… hmmmm…. I mean… in hindsight, I was like one giant penis trying to get laid at every opportunity. It's no wonder men wank constantly…
Anyhow, back to being a huge obese pregnant woman, I was soo big, I had to have TWO epidural due to the amount of fluid in my body. I couldn't lie flat in bed either as I would faint from the pressure the kids put on my internal organs (even during hospital scans, I had to be almost upright towards the end, or I would faint). I mean, twins, or more…. its hardcore from day one. Even before they pop out, they're giving you an insight into your new life. One would be awake all night inside my tummy while the other slept during the day.
I would wear those headphones you can get while pregnant, at night to listen to them sometimes and I swear my son was building something with all the banging inside my tummy. My daughter would start partying a little later…. hopefully something she wont continue to do as a teenager. She already looks like me but, acting like me will be a nightmare… I was expelled from one school in London alone for "not working enough & having parties at my house". This was news to my Mum at the time when she met the Headmistress of my school "to discuss my options" …. I had to pretend the Head had dementia and had been gunning for me from day one (a complete lie of course but I couldn't let my parents know that's where all their booze was going from the "Drinks Cabinet"in their lounge, which BTW, had a lock on it!)
Anyhow, if I thought for one second I was going to attempt natural birth during my pregnancy …. I don't think I would have been walking around as happy as I was (the Captain loved me preggars BTW as I was sober the whole time & couldn't stand the smell of wine….) And despite looking like a small elephant (who had eaten two children), I thoroughly enjoyed the whole pregnancy thing.
That said, Itchy & Scratchy not only did a great job on stretching what used to be a washboard stomach you could literally bounce coins off (The Captain LOVED my tummy). They also screwed up my hips (I was a very small size 6/8 UK), I had carpal tunnel in both hands/wrists (constant sensation of tingling which was horrible when trying to drive/cook), and the fucking headaches/migraines were a killer, especially when you can't take anything more than a pointless paracetamol tablet (useless on someone like me in any event as I need the hard stuff).
NOW….aside from all that, its my stomach which is pissing me off. I'm being kind to myself when I say it looks like an 80-year-old womans which I literally have to tuck into my knickers (or my new NBF's, Spanx). The skin has been stretched sooo much that despite losing all my baby weight in under 4 months (I'll be honest, I was strict with myself and determined to shift 5 stone as quickly as possible as the weight was killing my knees & I was fed up wearing The Captains jeans… fucking depressing), this didn't really do my skin any favours. Slower weight loss equals better skin elasticity, apparently.
Also, despite hours in the gym (yaaaawn….unless there's some sexy instructor to stare at) and now my obsession with Allegro Pilates in Stanley (I fucking love it and swear I gain weight the minute I stop), still this "envelope" of skin is sat there. Staring at me…. Day after day…. after day. Reminding me, never to show this bloody tummy off until, I too get a tummy tuck. I also forget its there from time to time, as I was so used to having such a lovely stomach that now if I raise my arms up in the super market and my T-shirt lifts… I automatically pull my top down as the skin above my C-section scar is loose. It looks horrible and I don't want people seeing it. Am I being vain??! Yes of course, fucking of course!! I'm a bloody woman!!? I mean, who doesn't want a nice body?
Now, I'm still going to give myself a bit longer as the twins have only just turned 14 months and I'm determined to at least try to tighten this skin. I've googled it all on the net and apparently, skin brushing and moisturising will help. However, my local Doctor, who I used to consider lovely (she's had five kids though, the crazy cow) told me, it wont ever go but its the price we pay to be "blessed" with kids.
"BLESSED"?! How is it that these celebs are losing weight super quick and no loose skin?? Yes, I know, pretty much all have a surgeon to do a few nip/tucks, but where's the scars etc? I've been watching that Kourtney Kardashian on E Hollywood and after just 3 months, she had lost the baby weight AND has a flat stomach. She's also wearing a bikini (bitch) which I used to love poncing around in when my tummy didn't jiggle like flippin jelly in a wrinkly old leather handbag.


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Eric's still angry at Val for telling Amy about Kyle's parents dying. Ashley walks in on Marlon and Laurel having a row about yesterday. Marlon tells him what she did. Paddy and Rhona have slept in separate rooms at Smithy Cottage. David asks after Amy as she informs Victoria about Kyle's parents dying. Jude tries to talk to Nikhil about Gennie's funeral, but he says he's not going to be there. Paddy tries to talk to Rhona but she rushes off. Ashley talks to Laurel about what she was thinking, he makes her see that she could have gone to prison and convinces her to seek professional help. Moira overhears Amy telling Cain about Kyle's parents dying, but Cain says he's not interested. Once Amy's gone, Moira sympathises with Amy and leaves Cain feeling guilty. He finds Amy in The Woolpack and apologises for his reaction, but urges her to let Kyle go. Rhona manages to get Vanessa to up her dosage while she deals with her and Paddy breaking up. Marlon arrives home to find Ashley with Laurel as she talks to Dr. Abbott. She diagnoses Laurel with post traumatic stress disorder. Vanessa plants a seed that there might be someone else Rhona is interested in to Paddy. Marlon wonders what Ashley was able to say to Laurel that he couldn't. David yells at Nikhil about saying he's not going to Gennie's funeral. Nikhil tells him he's right and that things can't go on like this. Amy tells Victoria she's going to Kyle's parents funeral tomorrow.
Regular castEdit
- Eric Pollard - Christopher Chittell
- Amy Wyatt - Chelsea Halfpenny
- Val Pollard - Charlie Hardwick
- Laurel Thomas - Charlotte Bellamy
- Arthur Thomas - Alfie Clarke (uncredited)
- Marlon Dingle - Mark Charnock
- Ashley Thomas - John Middleton
- Paddy Kirk - Dominic Brunt
- Rhona Goskirk - Zoe Henry
- David Metcalfe - Matthew Wolfenden
- Brenda Walker - Lesley Dunlop
- Bob Hope - Tony Audenshaw
- Priya Sharma - Fiona Wade
- Victoria Sugden - Isabel Hodgins
- Nikhil Sharma - Rik Makarem
- Rishi Sharma - Bhasker Patel
- Jude Watson - Andy Wear
- Katie Macey - Sammy Winward
- Cain Dingle - Jeff Hordley
- Moira Barton - Natalie J Robb
- Vanessa Woodfield - Michelle Hardwick
Guest castEdit
- Sammy Winward is credited as Katie Macey despite having no dialogue in this episode and only appearing briefly sitting in the background in The Woolpack.
|August 2013 episodes
| Thu 1st (1 2) • Fri 2nd • Mon 5th • Tue 6th • Wed 7th • Thu 8th (1 2) • Fri 9th • Mon 12th • Tue 13th • Wed 14th
Thu 15th (1 2) • Fri 16th • Mon 19th • Tue 20th • Wed 21st • Thu 22nd (1 2) • Fri 23rd • Mon 26th • Tue 27th
Wed 28th • Thu 29th (1 2) • Fri 30th


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All about the FLUFF
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- October 4, 2018 - December 2, 2018
- CSPS Hall
- Free
John Dilg, who teaches painting and drawing at the University of Iowa, says of the works in this show, " My imagery derives from a life-long meditation on my relationship to the land and its vulnerability in human hands. In terms of the fragility our contemporary land possesses, my concern acts to foster the views of regret and the sense of latent danger that often appear in the paintings.
"These are not landscape paintings; rather, I intend the idea of 'landscape' to function as a trope that makes possible a record of my tendency to view and remember, in an abstract, metaphoric language, this relationship with the land. The memory of land is a reservoir of abstraction; as such, it is in service to both survival and the kind of advantageous 'beauty' found in most natural encounters."
Dilg received his BFA in Painting and Filmmaking from the Rhode Island School of Design. He has participated in one-person and group shows across the US, and his work has been reviewed in Art in America, The New York Times, The New Art Examiner, The Boston Globe, and Hyperallergic.


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Lose yourself in the relaxing world of "Through The Fog". Tap to zigzag forward and be prepared for the unexpected
twists and turns of the fast developing scenery.
Combined with an Epic soundtrack "Through The Fog" is truly a Masterpiece.
For the 1st time BoomBit introduces 3 different Multiplayer Experiences:
Same Device Multiplayer: 2 players playing on 1 device. A beautiful and engaging experience with your friends and
Local Multiplayer: 2 players playing locally via Bluetooth or WiFi
Online Multiplayer: 2 players playing remotely online
Connect any iOS device to your Apple TV and plays with up to 2 other people on the same screen. It's insanely fun and incredibly addictive. It's an amazing party game!
iCLOUD SYNC
Synch your progress to iCloud to continue your games on any iOS device.
You can now play the game in 24 different languages
Arabic, Chinese (China), Chinese (Taiwan), Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Turkish and Vietnamese
Game Features:
- Local Multiplayer on Apple TV
- iCloud Sync
- 24 Languages available
- Simple 1 Touch Controls
- Beautiful Minimal Art Style
- Leaderboards and Achievements
|Through The Fog!
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|Lock The Block
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|Zombies Chasing Me
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|Ball Maze!
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Something smells in Denmark...
Gus Philpott
Woodstock Advocate
June 16, 2011
Where did that phrase come from? My apologies to Denmark and to Danes who feel slighted by my headline. No offense intended.
But something smells at the McHenry County Sheriff's Department. Again! Wouldn't you think the Sheriff learned anything over the past 2-3 years about trying to cover up incidents that involve deputies? And crashes of patrol vehicles, whether on-duty or off-duty?
The Northwest Herald reported this morning that a two-car crash (involving two MCSD patrol vehicles) occurred on June 8 "in a residential area of Wonder Lake." The Wonder Lake P.D. told me this morning that it did not investigate it, because it did not occur within the corporate limits of the Village of Wonder Lake.
The crash occurred at East Wonder Lake Road and Chippewa Drive, in unincorporated McHenry County near Wonder Lake.
Normally, a nearby law enforcement agency (such as Wonder Lake P.D.) would be called to investigate a crash involving County vehicles of the sheriff's department. If they aren't available, the Illinois State Police would be called. Or maybe the ISP would be called first and, if a trooper weren't available, then Wonder Lake P.D. would be called.
Or, if it's like the July 13, 2008, crash caused by poor driving judgement of a deputy, you just let the deputy's supervisor handle it. In that case, the civilian driver was placed as "Unit 1", the at-fault driver, and the County's risk-management (insurance) company refused to pay for the $5,300 damage to the civilian's vehicle, because she was reported as being at-fault. Even though she was not ticketed!
So, who was at fault on June 8? Obviously, one of the deputies, since both vehicles belong to the McHenry County Sheriff's Department. And who were the drivers?
It's not clear how Northwest Herald Brett Rowland sniffed out this story. Even now (10:30AM) there is no media release about the crash on the Sheriff's website.
|Connect with The Crittenden Automotive Library


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Magento 2 has several attractive features that add great value to an online store. However, many store owners and administrators are always looking for new features that would distinguish their stores from the competition.
Recently, I was looking for a way to add custom input option to Magento 2 cart without affecting the core Magento functionalities. I did a lot of Google searches and read some Stack Overflow threads (even started a thread myself). Finally, here is my solution to the major issue of adding additional options in Magento 2 cart.
How To Add Additional Options In Magento 2 Cart


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Sold Out - $9.99 $49.99
Brewing a great tasting 0.0% alcohol lager beer, is it even possible? Yep, it isn't easy, but not impossible.
The master brewers at Heineken started from zero and spent years exploring, brewing, and tasting before they finally created a recipe defined by its refreshing fruity notes and soft malty body – perfectly balanced. One that deserves the Heineken mark. Of course with the uncompromising Heineken characteristics since 1873: natural ingredients and Heineken's unique A-Yeast.
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Country: Netherlands Style: Pale Lager Alcohol: < 0.05% ABV
Water, malted barley, hop extract, natural flavourings
Per 100ml serve
|89 kJ / 21 kcal
|0 g
|0 g
|<0.01 g
|0 g
|4.8 g
|- Sugar
|1.3 g