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Inebriated Press
December 29, 2008
Forbes reported last week that a Beverly Hills doctor is converting the liposuctioned fat he removes from his patients into bio-fuel for his Ford SUV and his girlfriend's Lincoln Navigator. And News-Australia reported last week that scientists are working on an implantable electronic "sex chip" that stimulates pleasure centres in the brain. Meanwhile, Sweden's The Local reported that researchers have found a common erectile dysfunction aid also has an enhancing effect on the common spruce tree. Inebriated reporters say the new Obama Administration is planning to incorporate these developments into upcoming environmental and healthcare plans.
"One of our first initiatives will be to help obese Americans loose weight and improve their health as well as help our environment, by providing government funded liposuction for all over-weight citizens, and then converting their fat into fuel for our cars and trucks," said Rahm Emanuel, Obama's chief of staff, as he sat polishing the sole of his shoe with the soul of a Republican. "This initiative will be a multiple win as citizens get healthier from the weight loss, we reduce demand for foreign oil by burning the renewable fuel derived from millions of obese Americans, plus we get the added benefit of creating thousands of new lipo-sucking jobs in cities all across the country. And once we put sex-pleasure brain implants into all Americans of voting age that are triggered by president Obama's voice, he'll rule the country until the day he dies, and that will ensure that we'll be able to put all of our important initiatives in place. Its change we can all believe in and quiver with joy and newfound thinness about. You can't beat it."
Not everyone agrees with Emanuel. "Building America's future energy dependence on the waists and thighs of Americans may seem like a good idea at first glance, but in reality, it will cost too much to refine the body fat into fuel in volumes enough to power our nation's transportation system," said Governor Sarah Palin, a grass-roots common-sense styled Republican who is naturally out of favor with liberals and Democrat and Republican elites and most other people who want government that isn't of the people, by the people or for the people. "Renewable fuel has its place and so does Viagra, as do brain implants that treat symptoms like Parkinson's disease. But we need to be careful when sticking electrodes into our heads for stimulating pleasure or erectile drugs into growing trees. Some unnatural things can be harmful — like claiming that creating bigger government by hiring more people is a beneficial jobs program. Eventually someone — usually the taxpayers — have to pay for it. And that hurts the economy because they're the only people creating real value as derived from the marketplace. We better think hard about this stuff and not just do it because it sounds cool and then hope for the best."
Forbes reported that liposuctioning unwanted blubber out of pampered Los Angelenos may not seem like a dream job, but it has its perks. Free fuel is one of them. For a time, Beverly Hills doctor Craig Alan Bittner turned the fat he removed from patients into biodiesel that fueled his Ford SUV and his girlfriend's Lincoln Navigator. Love handles can power a car? Frighteningly, yes. Fat–whether animal or vegetable–contains triglycerides that can be extracted and turned into diesel. "The vast majority of my patients request that I use their fat for fuel–and I have more fat than I can use," Bittner wrote on lipodiesel.com. "Not only do they get to lose their love handles or chubby belly but they get to take part in saving the Earth." Using fat to fuel cars might be environmentally friendly, but it's definitely illegal in California to use human medical waste to power vehicles, and Bittner is being investigated by the state's public health department. Bittner's lipodiesel Web site is no longer online.
Australia's News.com.au reported that scientists are working on an electronic "sex chip" that will be able to stimulate pleasure centres in the brain. The prospect of the chip is emerging from progress in deep brain stimulation, in which tiny shocks from implanted electrodes are given to the brain. It has already been used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease. In recent months, scientists have been focusing on an area of the brain just behind the eyes known as the orbitofrontal cortex. Stimulating this area can produce pleasure. Tipu Aziz, a professor of neurosurgery at the John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford, predicted a significant breakthrough in the science behind a "sex chip" within 10 years. By 2015, he predicts, micro-computers in the brain with a range of applications could be self-powered and controlled by hand-held transmitters.
The Local reported that Swedish researchers have found that a common erectile dysfunction aid also has an enhancing effect on the common spruce tree. For a recent project, researchers in Umeå in northern Sweden from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) concocted a potent fertilizer featuring arginine, a common amino acid known for its power to improve sperm production and blood circulation in the sex organs. Forestry professor Torgny Näsholm then added the mixture to the soil around several young spruce trees and measured the effects. Näsholm discovered that trees which grew in soil laden with the performance enhancing fertilizer developed stronger root systems than other spruce trees. In essence it boosted the tree roots' "virility."
Some people say that virility and not body fat or brain implants are the key to the future.
"Anything can be artificially enhanced by adding stimulants, or chemicals, or by chopping off stuff we don't want — like fatty deposits. But if you aren't naturally virile as the result of diet and exercise and have usable energy sources like oil, coal and gas deposits in addition to renewable fuels, all you have is fake health and fake energy security," said Kathy Irelandski, a philosophy major and northern European babe whose natural resources are lusted after by men everywhere. "A healthy society and healthy economy require hard work, strong character, personal responsibility and strong adherence to common sense and practicality. Bailouts, handouts and citizens and companies who all think they're victims and need the government to provide for them, represents a country in decline. America was built by people who came to this continent to take risks and build a future based on freedom and opportunity. Western European welfare and tolerance for radical Muslims is not what made this country great for two hundred years and it won't make us great in the future. We the people had better pull our collective heads out of our asses, roll up our sleeves, and go to work and fix this America ourselves. No government has ever fixed anything."
In other news, Florida Freedom Newspapers reported last week that a Beach police officer tased a naked woman after responding to a complaint of a disturbance along Front Beach Road on Saturday. Just after midnight Saturday morning, a Bay County Sheriff's deputy responding to a complaint of a verbal disturbance saw a woman leaving an apartment wearing no clothes. She started walking toward him, and he told her to stop. The woman kept approaching the officer, according to the report, which says the officer then "deployed his taser into" the woman. The report says the woman "remained on the front porch without further incident" once she had been tased. No word on why the woman did what she did or whether she had brain sex-pleasure implants or fuel laden hips, but she was apparently plenty virile.
(C) 2008 InebriatedPress.com
Source articles:
Fill 'Er Up With Human Fat
'Sex chip' will have us wired, Oxford University researcher Morten Kringelbach says
Erectile aid found to enhance spruce tree roots
Naked woman tased by police officer


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Health and Safety Expert Warns Hoteliers: "Compromise Your Guests' Safety At Peak Times And Pay The Price"
In peak season or at weekends, hotels can be fully booked and as such health and safety standards can slip. However, Graham Greaves, director of health and safety at Ellis Whittam explains that actions, such as allocating ground floor rooms to single women occupants, can mean that best practice is overlooked and standards compromised resulting in a real long-term headache for the hotelier. Here Graham highlights the potential pitfalls and looks at what hoteliers can do to minimise risk and the consequences if these are ignored.
Anyone in the hospitality business will put the safety and welfare of their guests at the top of their priorities. When your hotel is packed, all your staff are run off their feet and everyone wants some of your time, do your normal standards go out of the window? Health and safety should be paramount, however busy you are – the worst time for anything to go wrong is when you are already at capacity! So, let's have a look at a few simple, sensible and pragmatic things you should be doing to make sure your guests have a great time and don't end up in a hospital bed instead of one of yours.
Personal safety for lone female guests can be a real issue, and looking after them properly starts from Reception. Make sure your receptionist doesn't tell guests their room numbers out loud, or allows others checking in to see room numbers on keys or key cards etc. Giving lone females an upper floor room is a simple way of reducing vulnerability. Also, some lone female travellers feel more comfortable if they have room service meals, rather than sitting alone in a restaurant – offering to waive the room service charge can be much appreciated.
At peak times, you may be obliged to use more than one taxi provider – make sure you are happy with recommending them, and that they are reputable – your local authority will maintain a list of licensed firms. And while we are looking at travel, when your car park's full, are users parking in unsafe areas, and creating hazards to both drivers and pedestrians? Do you have any alternative parking areas you can use, or recommend? If guests decide to travel by public transport, do you provide timetables and assistance, so they don't have to wait for long periods at bus stops and stations in unfamiliar areas? Are there any areas where it's not really safe for people to walk after dark? These issues may sound dramatic, but remember your guests don't know the local area, and whilst it may not be downtown Detroit, there are 'dodgy' areas in every city where care should be taken.
In summary, sensible and simple precautions will help to keep your guests safe and happy – and because they've had a great time, they'll want to be your guests again. Good health and safety is always good for business.
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Since the launch of the 17 Sustainable Development Goal Agenda in January 2016, JUEMUN has pledged that our global community-engagement platform will play an important part in raising awareness, among our university communities, of the UN's ambitious initiative for every nation to join in creating a better quality of life by the year 2030 for all of our world's people. In 2016 JUEMUN discussed SDG 3, 4, 11 and 16. It was exciting but the diversity of thought on responses to very different problems in very different parts of our world made conference coherence a big challenge. At JUEMUN 2017 we chose one United Nations goal – SDG 5: achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. To emphasize our focus on, and commitment to SDG 5, JUEMUN 17 was a model Commission on the Status of Women. We discovered the centrality of SDG 5 to whole agenda of 17 goals, and the relationships of SDG 5 to the other goals.
To follow-up on this success, we conducted a model UNESCO in 2018 to focus our discussion of SDG 2. Irinia Bolkova has declared, "UNESCO is bringing all its weight to supporting countries through new innovative and integrated approaches to reach the goals they set for themselves (The UNESCO Task Force on The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development http://en.unesco.org/sdgs/2017).
In 2019 we continue our coverage of SDGs with a focus on SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth in order to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the International Labor Organization (ILO).
Both JUEMUN host universities are members of the United Nations Academic Impact association and a central part of our current mission is to draw attention to the United Nations SDG Agenda, In the coming years, JUEMUN will focus attention on one or more of the other SDGs but the choices of themes will reflect the course of future world events.


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Rescue and recovery workers, residents of Lower Manhattan, and area workers are still suffering physical and mental health problems related to 9/11 exposure, according to the first report of the WTC Medical Working Group, released today by Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
After reviewing more than 100 scientific articles published since 2001, the group of physicians and researchers found that thousands of people have been treated for physical and mental health problems. But more people still need medical help, so the mayor today launched a citywide publicity campaign to promote awareness of medical and mental health treatment options for those who are still suffering.
"We have answered the call for help from those who have suffered health problems as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack," said Mayor Bloomberg. "We're helping people heal, both physically and emotionally, and we will continue to reach out to those in need."
In the aftermath of 9/11, respiratory symptoms were common among people who breathed in the contaminants released by the collapse of the World Trade Center, the WTC Medical Working Group reports.
New York City Police and workers at Ground Zero October 19, 2001. (Photo by Andrea Booher courtesy FEMA)
Respiratory symptoms have subsided over time for many, but have persisted for some including firefighters, 25 percent of whom had symptoms two to four years after the event. Lung function also has declined among some workers.
In surveys conducted two to three years after 9/11, rescue and recovery workers, Lower Manhattan residents and area workers developed new cases of asthma at two to three times the expected rate.
Studies on cancer risk or increased risk of death are underway, but the results are not yet available because of long latency periods of many potentially fatal diseases.
The new $5 million citywide advertising and grassroots marketing campaign will debut on subways, print, radio, and television next week. The campaign, which will run in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Polish, urges the public to seek care for 9/11-related health problems with its tagline, "Lived There? Worked There? You Deserve Care."
The campaign directs New Yorkers to the WTC Environmental Health Center or to dial 311 for help.
"Many New Yorkers are suffering from wheezing, shortness of breath, stomach and other medical or emotional problems related to their 9/11 exposure and its aftermath. Yet too many don't connect their continuing health problems to 9/11 or believe that help is only available to WTC rescue and recovery workers," said Alan Aviles, who heads the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation.
"This awareness campaign - devised collaboratively with concerned community organizations - has been designed to get people to the health care they need," Aviles said. "
"We hope it will resonate deeply with those potentially affected - families who lived and stayed in their downtown homes, young people who went to school in the area, local business owners who kept their shops open, local office workers who commute from many parts of the city and the region, clean-up workers who cleared dust from nearby offices, and those who still struggle with the psychological and emotional trauma of losing a loved one or witnessing the horrific devastation," he said.
Fire Department of New York personnel at Ground Zero during clean-up of the World Trade Center six months after the terrorist attacks. March 15, 2002. (Photo by Larry Lerner courtesy FEMA)
"The World Trade Center Medical Working Group Report represents remarkable consensus among scientists, doctors, and experts on what the research tells us about 9/11 health problems," said Deputy Mayor Linda Gibbs, who co-chaired the group. "Our objective review will inform the city's ongoing commitment to targeting resources and research where they are needed and ensure that those affected receive the treatment they deserve."
Mayor Bloomberg is appealing to the federal government for more funding to support the research and treatment already underway."We will keep fighting for the support these critically important programs deserve," he said.
The city has secured more than $108 million from Congress for fiscal year 2008, including first time funding for community members and area workers suffering from 9/11 health problems.
"This was gained with crucial support from members of the New York delegation, labor leaders, members of the community, and local health and environmental organizations," the mayor said.
City actions also prompted the release of $30 million of these funds from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide services for residents, workers and students.
"The city has not waited to get treatment to those who are sick because of the 9/11 attacks, but the federal government must make the long-term investments necessary to ensure that we can continue to conduct vital research and treat those who are sick or who could become sick," said Deputy Mayor Edward Skyler. "To accomplish that, Congress must pass the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2008."
The 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2008 would provide a consistent funding stream for 9/11-related treatment and the re-opening of the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund.
The City of New York has committed $100 million in funds over five years for the 9/11-related health agenda.
The mayor said today that all 15 of the recommendations laid out in the city's 2007 report, "Addressing the Health Impacts of 9/11" have been completed or are underway. Among those efforts:
Treatment services have been expanded at Bellevue Hospital, Elmhurst Hospital Center and Gouverneur Healthcare Services, where more than 2,800 New Yorkers have been treated for 9/11-related problems.
More than 1,000 New Yorkers have been enrolled in a new financial reimbursement program for people receiving 9/11-related mental health services.
Medical treatment guidelines for treating people exposed to 9/11 contaminants have been distributed to 40,000 health professionals, and health information has been sent regularly to more than 5,000 residents and city employees.
A comprehensive website for 9/11 health information and service listings has been established, and the site has had more than 300,000 visits to date.
"Help is available for people still suffering," said New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Tom Frieden, co-chair of the World Trade Center Medical Working Group.
"Any New Yorker can call 311 or visit the 9/11 health website at www.nyc.gov to find information about treatment for a physical ailment or a mental health problem, he said. "Both post traumatic stress disorder and respiratory conditions are still common among those directly exposed. Treatment can help, so please seek care if you're suffering."
Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2008. All rights reserved.


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Well, I promised to post more, but apparently, I LIED! So here is a quick post, stolen time in the moments before Lolly wakes up after a restless, coughy night's sleep.
We've been busy bees, Lolly and I went to Sydney with DinnerDad last week for a whirlwind visit while DinnerDad worked. We were great tourists and saw all the typical sights, I'll do a post of photos next! We've got the older two kids back now and have had a bit of recovery time. Smash won his basketball match on Saturday, yay!!
Our family is in the process of doing a 101 Things To Do list (we've called it our Hotdog Tins list, lol) with lots of fun stuff on it. The gist is that you do a list with 101 things on it that you commit to completing in 1001 days (about 2 and a half years). We've got a mix of fun things, and practical stuff to keep us sorted for the next few years. It's been a great way of thinking about what is important to us as a family, and what our key goals are, too. Here's the link to our blog, we've not quite finished our list yet, and haven't started the 1001 day challenge, but stay tuned for more news on it soon!
In sad news, Steve McQueen, one of our two turtles, died a few weeks ago. He was an entertaining turtle, who enjoyed his freedom! RIP Steve. Squirtle is not the same without you.


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Declaring "energy crisis" for the next four and a half years, the Nepalese government launched a $275 million initiative to supply 2500 MW of electricity within that period. This drastic move comes after years of power outages (load-shedding) in a country that has one of the highest potentials of hydropower. Note that the previous UML-led government had set an ambitious target of generating 25,000 MW of hydroelectricity in the next two decades, much above the past Maoist-led government´s target of generating 10,000 MW of power in 10 years. Progress in this front is almost nil.
During fiscal year 2009/10 the annual peak demand reached 885.28 MW, a 8.96 percent growth over the peak demand in previous fiscal year. Annual energy demand recorded 4367.13 GWh out of which 3076.69 GWh was met by domestic power generation, 612.58 GWh was imported, and 667.860 GWh was managed through load-shedding (Nepal Electricity Authority 2010). Currently, power outages have reached up to 14 hours a day.
Since supply of electricity is trailing behind demand for electricity by over 50 percent (on an average the demand is 900 MW, but supply is around 450 MW), especially during dry season, it has affected pretty much everyone in the country. Due to acute power crunch cost of production of industries is going up, cost competitiveness of Nepalese products is decreasing, industries are closing down, production is being winded down, a shortfall in domestic production is leading to an increase in imports of even the most basic goods and services (contributing to widening trade deficit), and future growth potential is being severely crippled. It will take years to make up for the lost growth potential due to the ongoing energy crisis even if the power outages are solved in five years time.
Some of the strategies of the present government:
- Begin on a war footing the repair works at 39-megawatt multi-fuel plant in Duhabi, 14-megawatt diesel plant in Hetauda, and six-megawatt thermal plant in Biratnagar, and supply an additional 59 megawatt.
- Reduce the current electricity leakage form 26 percent to 20 percent.
- Encouraging the usage of CFL lamps, the customs duty in CFL import has been reduced from the current 15 percent to one percent.
- Add an additional 150 megawatt to 200 megawatt by repairing the powerhouses and increasing their capacities, and also by controlling leakages.
- Prioritize construction of one hydro project in each of the five development regions.
- Encourage the private sector to produce power from rubbish.
- Waive tax on private investors building new hydroelectric power plants.
- Provide special security for investors and introduce laws to make it a crime to hamper energy construction projects, punishable by five years in prison.
Few comments:
- While it is good to know that the government is getting serious about solving the power crisis, the latest moves are just an attempt to apply balm on a deep wound that needs a complete surgery of the whole structure/body. Grandiose plans had been put forth before as well, but in terms of implementation and action nothing substantial happened.
- Why is there such low investment even when there is high return to investment in this sector? Simple answer: business unfriendly policies, red tapes, politicization of both NEA and licensing procedure, and corruption, among others reasons. The power market in Nepal is deeply distorted (in terms of price, politics and socio-economic dimensions).
- Security of investment is a major concern among investors. Labor unions, politically-indoctrinated cadres, and affected villagers (who at least have genuine concerns about sharing outcomes and getting compensated for lost livelihoods and dwellings) are complicating security of investment.
- The purchasing agreement between NEA and producers is another contentious issue. NEA has been offering an average rate of Rs 4.50 per unit for private developers. However, the developers are demanding that the NEA purchase electricity at Rs 6 per unit. The NEA is importing electricity from India at Rs 9.80 per unit, which is double the rate offered to the private sector. How come NEA is willing to offer higher price per unit on imports than from that generated from domestic sources? Why such discrimination against domestic producers?
- About 26 hydro projects are ready to sign PPA but the developers are hesitating to negotiate purchase agreement at such a low price. Commercial banks have jacked up interest rates for hydropower projects to 13-14 percent, up from about 11 percent a few months ago. It means NEA should be offering higher price than the existing one to incentivize private sector to start investing in this underinvested sector. The late it is, the higher will be the cost of production as domestic bank loans will have higher interest rates due to their own problems, and construction machinery might be expensive as a result of increasing infrastructure investment in developing and emerging countries.
- Promoting the use of CFL bulbs and solar panels can only take us so far. It might encourage efficiency and reduce usage of hydroelectricity marginally, but it won't address the main issue, which is the structural problems in NEA and politicization in the whole hydropower sector. Similarly, increasing electricity prices will also not help the nation overcome the underlying problems of this sector. It might just help NEA cover some of the losses (almost Rs 19 billion as of now) and save it from going fully bankrupt.
- The bottom line is that the power market in Nepal is deeply distorted, primarily due to excessive political interference and the corrupt, inefficient NEA, which has monopoly (and monopsony) over production, distribution, and purchase of electricity. Ironically, it is barred from adjusting electricity prices. The monopoly and monopsony powers of NEA should be axed. It should be given a supervisory/regulatory role only. Leave the rest to the private sector. The political interference in this sector should be outlawed.
- Nepal needs an impartial independent energy commission (something like the CIAA) with competent human resources and equipped with the latest technology to save the country from further plunging into darkness. NEA should be made just a regulator/supervisor of the energy sector. Political interference in this sector should be constitutionally outlawed. This might help Nepal overcome some of the hurdles in the power sector, but not all.
- Note that the lack of energy is one of the major binding constraints to economic activities in Nepal. For higher growth rate, enough power for households, enterprises and industries is a must.


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SQL Server, Analytics, .Net, Machine Learning, R, Python
About Me
Mitch Wheat has been working as a professional programmer since 1984, graduating with a honours degree in Mathematics from Warwick University, UK in 1986. He moved to Perth in 1995, having worked in software houses in London and Rotterdam. He has worked in the areas of mining, electronics, research, defence, financial, GIS, telecommunications, engineering, and information management. Mitch has worked mainly with Microsoft technologies (since Windows version 3.0) but has also used UNIX. He holds the following Microsoft certifications: MCPD (Web and Windows) using C# and SQL Server MCITP (Admin and Developer). His preferred development environment is C#, .Net Framework and SQL Server. Mitch has worked as an independent consultant for the last 10 years, and is currently involved with helping teams improve their Software Development Life Cycle. His areas of special interest lie in performance tuning
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Save and Restore Files/Images to SQL Server Database
The usual consensus is that it is bad idea to store large files or images in a database, and it is recommended that you instead store the file system path to the image in the database and store each image as a separate file in a suitable folder structure. This helps to reduce the size of the database and keeps it performing efficiently. Despite the disadvantages, there are some advantages in storing images in the database such as keeping all data in a single place.
Storing a file system path is the preferred technique in many situations, but if you have to store the images (such as icons) in an SQL Server database, you should create a separate table containing the image/binary data column (and ideally place it in a different filegroup residing on a separate physical disk). Then reference the images from your main table using a foreign key. This will help to reduce wasted space and improve performance.
There are quite a few partial solutions and code snippets around to solve this problem, and I've helped answer this question a few times, both on and off the forums. So I decided to write an easy to reuse solution with simple semantics, and have the ability to automatically compress data going in and out of the database. [The download link is towards the end of this post].
The goal was to be able to simply store a file in the database and receive back an ID so it can be used to reference and retrieve the file:
// Create a FileStore object
DBFileStore dbf = new DBFileStore(connectionString, CompressMode.Compressed);
// Add file to DB
Stored storeID = dbf.Store(filename);
// …OR since returned Stored object is never null (but Id might be zero)
int fileID = dbf.Store(filename).Id;
// Restore file from db to file system with original filename
string localfilename = dbf.Restore(fileID, @"C:\temp");
Originally, I had the Store() method just returning a plain int, but then decided that I wanted the GUID value returned as well. It should be easy to revert the code if you wish…
At the heart of the Store() methods is the following private method that actually does the write to the database:
private Stored Store(byte[] bytearray, int origLength,
string name, int? parentID, int? refID,
CompressMode compress)
int fileID = 0;
Guid guidID = new Guid();
Stored retID = new Stored(fileID, guidID);
// Execute stored proc to add data to repository
using (SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection(this.connectionString))
using (SqlCommand cmd = conn.CreateCommand())
cmd.CommandText = "AddToRepository";
cmd.CommandType = CommandType.StoredProcedure;
cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("@filename", Path.GetFileName(name));
cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("@length", origLength);
cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("@compressedlength", bytearray.Length);
cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("@binarydata", bytearray);
cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("@refID", refID);
cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("@parentID", parentID);
(compress == CompressMode.Compressed) ? true : false);
// Add output parameters
SqlParameter p = cmd.Parameters.Add("@ID", SqlDbType.Int);
p.Direction = ParameterDirection.Output;
p = cmd.Parameters.Add("@GUID", SqlDbType.UniqueIdentifier);
p.Direction = ParameterDirection.Output;
// No retry logic; any Exceptions bubble up to caller...
// Retrieve output values
fileID = (int)cmd.Parameters["@ID"].Value;
guidID = (Guid)cmd.Parameters["@GUID"].Value;
retID = new Stored(fileID, guidID);
return retID;
Similarly, the corresponding method that decompresses and writes to the file system:
/// <summary>
/// Restores a saved file from Repository to file system.
/// </summary>
/// <param name="fileID">Integer ID of the file to restore</param>
/// <param name="filepath">Either the folder which the original file
/// is to be restored to, OR the "full file path" + "\" + "new name"</param>
/// <returns>The full filename of the restored file/data</returns>
public string Restore(int fileID, string folderfilepath)
string filename = String.Empty;
// Execute stored proc to read data from repository
using (SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection(this.connectionString))
using (SqlCommand cmd = conn.CreateCommand())
cmd.CommandText = "LoadFromRepository";
cmd.CommandType = CommandType.StoredProcedure;
cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("@ID", fileID);
using (SqlDataReader rdr =
if (rdr.Read())
filename = SaveToFileSystem(rdr, folderfilepath);
return filename;
private string SaveToFileSystem(SqlDataReader rdr, string folderfilepath)
byte[] binaryData = (byte[])rdr["binarydata"];
string dbFilename = rdr["filename"].ToString();
int length = (int)rdr["length"];
bool isCompressed = (bool)rdr["iscompressed"];
DateTime CreationTime;
DateTime LastWriteTime;
DateTime.TryParse(rdr["FileCreatedDate"].ToString(), out CreationTime);
DateTime.TryParse(rdr["FileModifiedDate"].ToString(), out LastWriteTime);
string filename;
if (Directory.Exists(folderfilepath))
// Folder only passed: restore as folder + original name...
filename = Path.Combine(folderfilepath, dbFilename);
// Caller has specified exact folder and filename we should restore as...
filename = folderfilepath;
using (FileStream fs = new FileStream(filename, FileMode.CreateNew, FileAccess.Write))
if (isCompressed)
MemoryStream ms = new MemoryStream(binaryData);
byte[] decompressedData = new byte[length];
using (GZipStream cgz = new GZipStream(ms, CompressionMode.Decompress))
cgz.Read(decompressedData, 0, length);
fs.Write(decompressedData, 0, length);
fs.Write(binaryData, 0, length);
// Set file creation/modified date and time if these exist...
FileInfo fi = new FileInfo(filename);
if (CreationTime != DateTime.MinValue)
fi.CreationTime = CreationTime;
if (LastWriteTime != DateTime.MinValue)
fi.LastWriteTime = LastWriteTime;
return filename;
In addition, I've created several Store() method overloads that allow a parent ID and a reference ID to be stored allowing grouping and linking of stored items respectively.
The solution provided here is 100% working, includes several unit tests and all the C# source code which is fairly well commented. Click on this link to download the zipped solution files. [Standard disclaimer applies: use at own risk, no liability or responsibilty taken for any loss or damage, what you do with the downloaded files, you do so at your own risk etc.]
If you have questions, comments, suggestions or bug fixes please leave a comment. Hope you find this useful.
Points to note:
Suggestion for Further Enhancements:
0 Comments:
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MSN, Email: mitch døt wheat at gmail.com


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Executive Coach, Emergent Success • Founder & CEO, Mulberry Street Studios • Communications Studies Professor, Golden West College • Saddleback College
Kayla Graney, M. Communication Studies is a dynamic executive coach with over a decade of experience in helping leaders and their teams create meaning in their own lives and in their organizations. Her assertive approach to collaborative communication results in motivated employees, customer commitment and bottom-line performance.
Kayla has worked with some of the most influential business owners, CEO's, and politicians in Southern California providing them with the tools that have led them to success. As a Communication Studies professor, she has developed a strong intuition for reading people's nonverbal communication. She applies her expertise in helping clients open their perspectives, allowing them to bring their ideas to light. Kayla's coaching philosophy begins with establishing a foundation for each client in clarifying personal and professional values and goals as well as creating a long-term vision.
Kayla is also the CEO and Founder of Carpe Diem Media Productions, a special event photography and videography company and the Co-chair of Future Leaders of Our Community, a professional bridge-building group partnered with over 350 nonprofit organizations. She is regarded for her coaching in corporate leadership, elevator pitch's, team building and presentation skills.


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Six Flags Magic Mountain Park Update 9/2/16
Since Six Flags' "starring" line-up of new attractions for 2017 were announced just yesterday, we decided it would be a great time to visit Six Flags Magic Mountain again to bring you guys a new update! With all that said, let's start this update!
The park has started advertising for the 2017 season passes, and of course, Justice League: Battle for Metropolis that's coming next year as well! Also, I would just like to say that all of us here at Crazy Coaster Freaks are very excited about what Six Flags Magic Mountain is receiving next year (especially considering how much this park needed a break from roller coasters).
In the front of the park, they're setting up for Demon's Door (One of our favorites), and it looks like they're almost done! I'm sure there are still a few more things that need to be done, but most of the preparation for Demon's Door is finished, and we couldn't be more excited!
The New Revolution has (unfortunately) discontinued it's single rider line. I'm unsure why, but it's probably for the same reason they discontinued the Twisted Colossus single rider line (even more unfortunate).
X2 is still closed for maintenance. It's supposed to open before September 10, however. Also, they are setting up for the theming around the Chupacabra maze.
Over near the future site of Justice League: Battle for Metropolis, not much has really changed, just some dirt has been moved, and a few more markings have been placed. I would say the time to look for actual significant changes would be around the middle of Fright Fest.
Over near Cyclone Bay, Apocalypse is TESTING! Also, they were testing it with water dummies. Expect it to open pretty soon. Possibly by Fright Fest opening. Additionally, there is some crate next to the future site of Aftermath 2: Chaos Rising. I'm not sure if this is for the maze or the Wastelands scare zone. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.
I can't wait for all that new, awesome Metropolis theming because this is just sad. This is the ONLY (that I know of) theming throughout the entire Movie District. I'm so glad they're giving this area a much needed update.
Now to perhaps the best part of this update. Suicide Squad: The Six Flags Experince has recievied an EPIC (in my opinion) new sign! This is starting to look like it could potenatilly be the best scare zone in the park (again, potentially)!
Furthermore, more lights have been added to the scare zone. Also, a little prop has been placed for what I'm guessing is in refereance to the movie. I say that because I haven't actually seen it, and the way the critics are reviewing it, I'm not sure I care all that much. 😛
They also have a sign right under the big DC universe arch giving you info about Suicide Squad: The Six Flags Experince.
Last but not least, most of the theming for the Zombies Xing scare zone has been installed. This is actually one of my favorite mazes and it has some of the best theming for a scare zone in the park, so I'm very excited to experince it yet again this year.
Thank you for checking out this Six Flags Magic Mountain park update!
Are you excited for Fright Fest 2016? Tell us in the comments!
Six Flags is hosting their 3rd annual Flash Sale right now. If you're planning on buying passes anytime soon, we reccommend you buy them right now. You can find the link to the Flash Sale here. The sale ends September 5, so hurry and buy them while you can!
Do you want to help support Crazy Coaster Freaks? Share this with your friends!
"Follow" us on Instagram & Twitter, "Like" us on Facebook, and "Subscribe" to us on YouTube. Thank You!


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Read the Spanish-language version of this story here.
MEXICO CITY -- Robert Franco, a slopestyle skier, trains on a rugged gravel hill in Iztapalapa, east of the capital.
Gravel and snow aren't often associated with each another, but the gravel has to do when Franco can't trek around the globe scoping out an ideal snow-packed mountain. It's all done with one goal: competing for Mexico in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
For the first time since Salt Lake City 2002, Mexico will have more than one athlete participating in the Winter Olympics: Franco in slopestyle and Sarah Schleper and Rodolfo Dickson in giant slalom.
All three finance their own training, which Franco confessed was more difficult than the actual preparation for competitions.
"The thing that makes it difficult is it gets more expensive because I have to travel to places that have it [snow]," Franco said. "So when I'm training here in Mexico, I'm working on my injury prevention and on building strength."
The California-born Franco, 24, has dual citizenship through his father from Guadalajara. Two top-30 finishes in qualification earned him a spot in the Olympics: a fifth place in the World Cup in Italy and 18th in Canada.
Dickson, from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, and also bears a financial burden for his Olympic training.
"Funding for my sport has really been the hardest part leading up to the Olympics. I'm very lucky to have an amazing mother that has sacrificed a lot of her income for my dream," Dickson said.
Schleper will compete in her fifth Olympics, but it's her first representing Mexico. She doesn't let the money interfere with her dream and is even organizing a skiing school in her native Colorado to find future representatives for Mexico.
"I want to create a Mexican team that can obtain good results in the Olympics in the future. I have a son [Lasse] who is training and other kids who were born in Mexico," she said about the group of 12- to 14-year-olds in Vail.
After marrying Mexican Federico Gaxiola, Schleper came out of retirement to compete for a country that gained special meaning to her.
"Many people think it's wrong to switch countries to compete, but for me it's very natural to keep competing and for Mexico, which is my favorite country in the world; I love being Mexican," she said while training in Austria.
Despite few ski resorts in Mexico, where winter snow is common in the northernmost states, all three competitors believe there is untapped talent in the country.
"We just need to believe in the athletes and have a better program for the individuals. Mexico has lots of people, and I guarantee there is a kid out there destined for a gold at the Winter Olympics," said Dickson, who has dreamed of a gold medal since he was 6 years old.
"The culture is amazing, that's what makes Mexico so great; it's so much love and passion," Franco said. "When I show my family that I'm going to be able to represent Mexico doing the sport I love, they just 100 percent back me up even more and say 'congratulations' and continue to promote me to people that have never even seen snow."


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One of the many active groups at First Baptist Church, Portland. Here are some ways seniors can get involved.
Meeting on monthly basis, this group for seniors provides for food, fellowship, and fun. Some recent programs have included concerts, guest speakers, a talent show, and even a time called "old-fashioned TV night." Check a current bulletin for the date and time of the next Young at Heart gathering.
Periodically our seniors load up and head out on the road. Whether it is to the Texas Hill country or just across the bridge to Corpus Christi, this is a group that knows how to have fun as they fellowship together.
Each week First Baptist Church, Portland helps meet the needs of seniors in our community through 3rd Sunday Services and a Friday Bible study at Brookdale Retirement Village, a Sunday afternoon Bible Study at the Pavilion, and our Homebound Ministry sharing God's love with the homebound throughout our community.
Seniors serve at First Baptist Church, Portland. For more information or to get involved contact the church office at (361) 643-6506.


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Super 8 teaser trailer in HD secrets revealed
The teaser trailer has arrived online for Super 8 in high definition, and that allows us all to run through it almost frame by frame, and when you do there's a nice surprise for everyone to see.
To save you having to do it for yourself, I just have and gathered some screengrabs, so that you can either sit back and wonder, or head to the trailer and see for yourself.
We've already seen the bootlegged version of the trailer, and then like a sad person with no time on their hands, I waited for days for the viral site to reveal something, now I've stepped through the trailer in high definition frame by frame and come up with something very interesting.
If you don't want to see, I suggest you head off and watch the trailer in high definition over at Apple Trailers and forget all about the hidden frames, otherwise look below.
It all happens just after the door is burst open, as demonstrated below - note that all images are selectable and they will open up a larger version over on my Flickr account:
So that's the part where the door is about to burst open. Then you go frame by frame and after the camera zooms in there's a big flash of light:
After that there's the face that's soon going to be analysed a million ways:
Then the camera pulls out through the other end of the camera and we see the scene of the wreckage continue inside it, a few frames show just that:
Now there are more frames in the trailer to see around this, but I can't really make out anything exciting.
What does this mean? That inside the crate is a boy, an alien masquerading as a boy, or something else? Who knows. It's all part of J.J. Abrams marketing strategy, a strategy that worked well with Cloverfield (Filmstalker review), will it work here?
On the Abrams front, the word is that he's going to keep "tweaking" the teaser and we might actually see more things crop up, I'll keep you aware of it as it happens.
What is that boy all about?


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Hello humans. I haven't been writing very much lately and I've no one to blame but myself. A couple weeks ago I decided to buy myself an early Christmas gift, against my better judgment, and now this gift has completely taken me away from my passion of writing. You see, I'm not very good at avoiding temptation. The devil would've had a lot of fun with me out in that desert. Heck, I wouldn't make it through the fasting, let alone being tempted three times by the Dark Lord. I guess that's why stories are written about Jesus and not me. Ha, anyway. Sometimes I do wish I could turn rocks into bread. That'd be badass. My stomach is growling right now and there is nothing in my kitchen to eat, but there sure are a lot of rocks in my gravel driveway..
"Ventuuurraa." "Yes Satan? Oh I'm sorry, you sounded like someone else." "Never mind the wisecracks, Ventura, you owe me rent."
So you might be asking yourself, what is this gift that keeps me from my writing? Well I'll tell you. It's a Playstation 3 gaming system. Yep, I did it, I gave in to the temptation of submersing myself in yet another alternate reality. As if DVD movies, the Internet, and creative writing wasn't enough escape from everyday life, I went and joined the masses who lose themselves in video games on a daily basis. And let me tell you something, it's a lot of fun. I got a game called Red Dead Redemption, and even when I'm not playing it I still hear it calling me away from whatever it is I'm doing. Basically it's a wild west story and the main character (me) is a horse-riding, bandit-nabbing, whiskey-drinking gunslinger who roams the land from town to town, looking for ways to earn that dollar. It's the most fun I've had since watching Sarah Palin display her ignorance during the '08 Presidential election. Yes, I'm hooked.
But fear not, fellow bloggers, I have many new ideas I want to share with you! I love writing and creating short stories, that part of me will never go away, but this whole gaming thing eventually will. I gotta be honest, a big reason I decided to get a PS3 was because it has a Blu-ray player built in. I've been wanting to go in that direction for awhile now but kept stalling, and then it hit me, I can spend an equal amount for a PS3 as I would for a Blu-ray player, so why not? I'm not the type of guy who becomes obsessed with video games, they begin to bore me rather quickly, my interests typically lay elsewhere. So as soon as I finish Red Dead Redemption I feel I'll be back in writer's mode, giving you guys and gals intriguing things to read once again.
And now you know ;-)
Here are a few screenshots so you can see how gorgeous it is:


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15 April 2011
Saturday is Crafty Day #38
9 comments:
Thanks for hosting the party!ReplyDelete
Thank you for hosting!ReplyDelete
I totally understand busy! It's no biggie!! Glad your back! :)ReplyDelete
I have missed your party the past two weeks. I love coming on here and seeing whole bunch of new crafts to inspire me. thanks for your parties and your awesome ideas and words:>ReplyDelete
I love weekend crafts! I just came across your blog from Just Lovely Things!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousApril 16, 2011 at 8:57 AM
Thank you for another great link party!ReplyDelete
Thanks for hosting! I'm still absolutely loving the (relatively new) blog design - I think I like it more each time I see it and notice some sweet little detail! : )ReplyDelete
Always fun to meet another Laura! Thank you for hosting :)ReplyDelete
Thanks Laura for hosting my first week-end of parties. I am a follower of yours today.. and a follower of the Lord for my whole life..ReplyDelete
I placed your button on my Party Links Page..
Your invited anytime.


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Camrosians will have more Vikings to cheer for in the coming months, as Augustana Campus is thrilled to announce the addition of Men's & Women's Soccer and Golf programs to Vikings Athletics beginning this fall.
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) ratified Augustana's application to join the league in soccer and golf at their Annual General Meeting on May 7, 2013. Golf will begin competition in the ACAC in September 2013; soccer will follow in September 2014 after one year of exhibition play and team development.
"The additions of golf and soccer clearly strengthen Augustana. They add new opportunities for students and contribute to our philosophy of educating the whole person," says Dean Allen Berger. He adds, "given our current financial circumstances, I am particularly grateful to Greg Ryan, Director of Athletics, for putting together a creative proposal that allows us to add these sports without creating additional budgetary burdens."
This comes as good news to the staff in Augustana's Prospective Student Office. For several years they have been fielding inquiries from students with interest in these two sports. "It's never fun to tell student athletes that we don't have a team in their particular area, especially when the unique academic environment provided by Augustana is a perfect fit for them as a student," says Tim Hanson – Assistant Dean, External Relations. "Augustana has a good mix of athletic offerings and the addition of golf and soccer will round out our offerings."
Greg Ryan, Director of Athletics and Campus Recreation is excited for the Vikings expansion. "Camrose is a tremendously supportive community, with a rich history in sport." He adds, "the success of our bid to add these programs is a testament to the existing strength of Camrose's golf and soccer communities. The Vikings look forward to offering these programs and continuing to lead sport development opportunities for young Camrose area athletes."


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"Traitor Bussin."
That short, sharp missive aimed at city Councillor Sandra Bussin and penned by a disgruntled resident appeared in large letters on construction hoarding where a controversial building for the homeless mentally ill now stands.
The hoarding, along with the message added to it about a year ago, are long gone and the building is accepting residents this month.
What's less clear is the degree of animosity that lingers in Bussin's Beaches-East York ward over the new supportive-housing building and the way the councillor handled the issue.
The $5.4-million structure will provide 29 units of permanent, furnished housing for men and women. Some residents will be coming from the streets or shelters, and some from tenuous housing circumstances, like sleeping on friends' couches, says David Dufoe, director of property services at Houselink, the organization that is renting out the building and providing supportive services to residents.
Those services will include job-related programs, training in cooking, social and recreational activities, and other educational and self-help programs.
Councillor Bussin, who has defended the project, says that despite the initial outcry she's confident her community is ready to welcome the new residents.
"I honestly feel the community has embraced the project. The actual construction of the building is an asset. It's well-built, the finishes are excellent, and it will fit in beautifully with the existing (structures) on that portion of Gerrard," she says.
When asked if lingering hostilities over the issue among voters could play against her in the lead-up to the Oct. 25 municipal election, Bussin laughs.
"I don't know. No, actually I don't believe so. I think the project and the work that's been done have been very good," she says.
Not so fast, says Paula Whitlock, 51, a longtime resident who maintains that hard feelings persist.
"We were stonewalled by the local councillor and council, and planners. There's bitterness there still that we weren't involved in the planning," says Whitlock.
A firestorm erupted in the ward when news first emerged in late 2007 that the project was coming. Residents in the community of mostly single-family homes were concerned about just who would be moving in.
"What kind of illnesses do these people have?" one agitated resident asked a committee at city hall that approved the project in 2007.
Because no zoning changes were required for the proposal, or committee of adjustment approvals (those had been granted to the previous landowner), the city didn't have to inform the community about what would be built.
Under human rights legislation, authorities are prevented from informing residents that mentally ill people will be moving into a community. "You can't decide who your neighbours are," says Bussin.
But, in a bid to allay fears, community meetings were held nonetheless. Bussin attended, as did the other players in the housing proposal.
Fast-forward a few years, and those fears are still there, argues Whitlock, at least "to a degree."
The depth of that emotion was apparent recently when a Houselink representative moving some furniture into the building was accosted by some neighbours.
"They were aggressively questioning our staff person, asking whether there'll be child molesters moving in. It's the same old tired stereotypes," says Lucy Gudgeon, a support supervisor with Houselink.
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On the other hand, Gudgeon noted, representatives from the Baptist church directly across the street from the home have been extremely positive, and even offered assistance for the new residents once they settle in.
Money to build the home came from a federal homelessness initiative. As well, the development company Alternative Living Solutions, which owns and will manage the building, poured in some of its own funds.
The developer, who asked to keep a low profile, trumpeted the project, saying that mental well-being starts with good housing. Toronto's Housing First strategy is based on that premise, and for years the city has been actively trying to get homeless people off the streets and into permanent homes.
The U-shaped building on Gerrard St. E. has five storeys, with four in the rear, and features a central courtyard that will serve as a meeting area for residents. Many will pay their rent out of the shelter portion of their Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) allowance, which provides up to $465 a month.
The rooms are comfortable and air-conditioned, and there's a laundry facility.
An Alternative Living employee will live on site to keep on top of maintenance, garbage disposal, snow removal and ensuring the building is kept up to standard, says the developer.
Dufoe, the director with Houselink, says his agency has no plans to invite the larger community in for a meet-and-greet with new residents.
"It's just another building in the neighbourhood. If you rent an apartment, do you have any obligation to go out and meet your neighbours?" Dufoe asks.
Once such buildings are established they become fairly self-sufficient, he adds.
Bussin points out there's another Houselink building in her ward that's been serving the same type of clients, with nary a problem.
Still, Whitlock and her neighbours will be keeping an eye on the new building, she says.
"I'm not terribly in support (of it) but I'm staying optimistic and hoping it works for the neighbourhood."


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Joseph Zwilling
Sponsored By
Stressful Times For New York Catholics As Churches Close, Parishes MergeChurchgoers lit candles early Friday morning at Our Lady of Peace on the Upper East Side, one of 31 churches that must merge with a nearby parish by Saturday.
Pope Francis On Gays: 'You Can't Marginalize These People'New Yorkers and people around the world were reacting Monday to what may have been the most memorable and attention-grabbing statement by Pope Francis since he became leader of the Roman Catholic Church in March.
Rockland Catholic School Could Sue To Keep Itself OpenRefusing to accept the New York Archdiocese's order to close, parents at Saint Augustine School in New City are exploring their legal options.
Dolan To Deliver Closing Prayer At Republican National ConventionThe four-day GOP convention begins Monday in Tampa, Fla.


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CCC-SLP, Ed.D., ASHA Fellow
Jean Blosser, Ed.D., CCC-SLP is passionate about creating systems in our schools that ensure therapists and special educators are providing high quality, outcomes-based services for children with disabilities. To Jean, collaboration is essential! Early in her career Jean initiated the first speech-language-hearing therapy program in a school district near Akron, OH. The experience of starting a program from the ground floor set the tone for her career as an SLP, entrepreneur, professor, innovator, author, teacher, researcher, and leader in school-based services. She has held leadership positions in schools, universities, professional organizations, and business. Throughout her career she has mentored hundreds of aspiring school-based therapists, encouraging them to be innovative, to coach and collaborate with their education partners and families, and to make their services educationally relevant and meaningful to children so they can participate and succeed in their classrooms.
As President of Creative Strategies for Special Education she provides consulting services nationally to K-12 school administrators and educators, universities, health care agencies, state departments of education, and professional associations. Jean's services include professional development, strategic planning, program design/development/management, strategies for recruiting and retaining high quality clinicians, mentoring new professionals, and innovative instruction and intervention services for children with learning and communication disabilities.
Jean has developed a unique, systematic approach for planning and delivering collaborative therapy services and improving student's learning and therapy outcomes. Jean's publications include numerous books, chapters, articles, clinical products, and resources for therapy professionals, teachers, and parents including: School Programs in Speech-Language Pathology: Organization and Service Delivery; Outcomes Matter in School Service Delivery; Speech Remediation: A Parents' Guide to Understanding and Helping; Let's Talk and Listen Today: Calendars of Daily Activities for Teaching Talking and Listening Skills; and Integrating the Core Curriculum into Service Delivery. She has been named a Fellow of The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the American Council on Education, and The Ohio Speech and Hearing Association.
Dear Valued Customers,
We regret to announce that ProEdTech LLC and all its affiliate brands will cease operations on April 1, 2019.
We are no longer able to fulfill online orders. We will fullfill all DVD and book orders already placed.
Customers of canceled webinars and subscription products may request a refund at (800) 223-8720 or email@example.com. You must do so by April 1, 2019.
Thank you for your business and loyalty over the years. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused.
Best regards,
The ProEdTech Team


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One essential step you always do when setting up your WordPress site is choosing the right theme for your site. There are so many WordPress themes out there that make you overwhelmed to decide. With a lot of premium and free WordPress theme available, it adds your confusion on which theme you should go for, and whether it's worth to spend your money. Here are some insights to help you out of the messiness.
Pros & Cons of Free WordPress Theme
- It's free
That's the main point of free themes. Most of us start building up our site using free WordPress theme. You can simply download the theme you want and start using it without spending any bucks.
- Directly from WordPress
Free themes usually come with simple design and it's available directly on your dashboard. You can also get free theme elsewhere.
- Experiment as you want
As they are free, you can switch your theme easily to find the one you like to apply on your site. It's different with premium themes because you have bought it to switch to other themes freely.
- Community support
You don't get customer support from free WordPress theme, but you can join theme user forums. Or you may try to get WordPress general support.
- No Uniqueness
You should remember that thousand other people can have the same look on their blogs as yours. People who visit your site also will recognize the theme immediately.
- Lack of support
The important disadvantage of a free WordPress theme is that you don't get customer support. So if you have any errors on your theme, you're on your own to dig in or discuss with someone who has experienced the same problem on community support.
- Simple and limited design
The limited options and settings in free themes make you hard to customize the look of your website. That will also affect the lack of user experience for both you and your site's visitors.
- Lack of update
You have to be prepared because the theme creator doesn't update the theme much. The creator might even stop supporting updates, which can lead to security vulnerabilities.
- Watch out for threats
You have to be careful of some threats like malicious code, encrypted spam links, and malware if you decide to get a free theme outside WordPress theme repository.
Why do you have to pay when you can get one for free?
Pros & Cons of Premium Themes
- More features and functions
Premium themes obviously are designed and developed with advanced features and functionality that free themes simply can't cover. Customizations and general site configuration will be easier.
- Exclusive support
Premium themes come with customer support directly from the theme creators. The support usually is provided through support forum, email, or even social media.
- Higher standard and quality
The creators of premium themes must assure that their theme's quality is great enough to satisfy their customers. Most premium themes have seller ratings, reviews and even pre-sale forums to help you out with their quality. Premium themes also include a detailed PDF or online documentation explaining for their configuration.
- Regularly updated
Regular updates are important to avoid any issues such as bugs. This is what premium themes offer to maintain their quality. Note also that WordPress always updates their version, so regular updates are necessary to prevent incompatibility.
- One of its kind
Premium themes have a better design to make your blog less recognizable. The customization options are also well-organized and have greater ability to make your site truly unique.
- Money involved
Most great premium themes usually cost $40 to $80 or even more (Dahz's are $44 to $59 though). It's a good deal for a fully designated website, but it will be a punch in your face if the theme you have purchased is discontinued. Choose your premium theme wisely.
- Unwanted features
Too many unwanted features on a premium theme will bloat the theme itself. You can avoid it by choosing a theme that only offers features you need such as a single-purpose theme.
Which One Should I Choose?
If you're just starting out or just simply want to ramble about your day on your blog, free WordPress theme is good to familiarize yourself with WordPress first as you won't need the advanced features and the thought of using premium themes may be ridiculous. But when your blog starts to get popular, a premium theme is a must for you.
If you intend to create a site for business purposes, the answer is obviously premium themes. Think about what your potential customers feel when they see your site if you use a free theme. Free themes aren't good to build your reputation.
Guideline to Choose The Right Theme
Whether you decide to use a free WordPress theme or a premium one, you should look for one with the best quality. You might help yourself by answering these question when searching:
- What features do you need?
A theme you choose should meet your need. Especially for a premium theme, make sure that it will also meet what you need in the future.
- Does it look like what you want your site to be?
Choose a theme that actually looks pretty close to what you want.
- Is there any support available?
Some of the free themes provide support, so you might want to check if there's any support available. For premium themes, check the page or forum of the theme to see how responsive the creator to respond the customers' queries. You can also check it through what customers are saying.
- Is it easy to customize?
If you need some changes in the original design, you will need to customize it. Make sure the customization is easy so won't get any problems when making some changes.
- Does it fit your brand?
You should look for a theme that suits your purpose. Searching a theme based on the genre of your site will also save your time.
- Is it regularly updated?
This is important to know if the theme you consider is compatible with the latest version of WordPress and you will less likely to find any bugs. You may also check the browser compatibility.
- How much is your budget?
If you decide to get a premium theme, make sure you get the best one without taking more money that you allow.
For a free WordPress theme, I recommend you to get ones from WordPress theme repository as it's the most reliable source. They have theme reviewer to make sure that the free theme is good enough for you. If you're looking for a premium theme, you can look for one in ThemeForest. It's the go-to marketplace for a great quality premium WordPress theme. It's crucial to go with the most reputable WordPress theme shops and authors. You may also check Dahz to see how the themes are set to meet the standard of high-quality premium themes.
Do you use a premium or free WordPress theme? Are there any other criteria you use when searching for themes? Let me know your opinion 🙂


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The Fellowship of Christian Athletes engages coaches and athletes to grow in their faith and sport.
Whitesboro NY
Chosen Attribute: Serving
Why is this important to you?
Because Jesus said that He came to serve and not to be served. Serving others gives me the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.
Favorite Scripture verse:
Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.
Faith is a choice. I know that God loves me and has a good plan for my life. This knowledge allows me to be strong and courageous in my daily life. God will never leave me or forsake me.
What else should we know about you?
I would love to play college hockey and baseball and be a witness for Christ. I attend Redeemer Church in Utica NY and have an awesome youth group. I want God to write my story and use me however He wants.
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barn find 1965 Mustang 289 V8 "C" code Convertible, factory triple black, automatic with power top, power steering and disc brakes. It was in storage since the mid 70's belonging to a college professor who parked it in his garage 42 years ago when he picked up his then new Mustang Cobra II.
Glendora, California, United States


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"The truth is, after a few lousy cable experiences, I decided to run my cable business through another Master. It was a disaster. You guys are far better at dealing with cable. Sorry – thought the grass might be greener, and it wasn't. I am back… for good."
MicroCorp Sales Partner


text: The identities of the two men have not been released Two men suspected of spying for the Libyan intelligence service have gone on trial in Berlin, accused of gathering information on Libyan opposition members living in Germany. The two men, aged 42 and 47, who can only be identified as Adel Ab and Adel Al, were arrested in the spring of this year. Germany has charged them with "spying for the Libyan intelligence service between August 2007 and May 13, 2010, the day of their arrest here in Germany," said Robert Baeuml, a spokesman for the Berlin justice authorities. Baeuml said the spying was "on a personal level" and "there was no technical eavesdropping involved". "There were attempts to contact opposition members through personal contacts and gaining their trust in order to gather information," he said. Baeuml said the start of the trial "coincides with considerable attempts within the Libyan opposition in Germany to find out in Libya what the opposition is up to". If the men are found guilty, they could face prison terms of up to five years. The trial is expected to last until the middle of October. SOURCE: Agencies Europe Germany Libya


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Yes, I'm a huge fan of this show, and the writing is usually way above par—one of the more creative and thought provoking shows on TV. That being said, it seemed as if this episode and the next had quite a few, "Really?" moments.
Allow me to rant about a few elements:
- This week's episode, titled Inmates, began with Beth's voice-over, an apparent diary entry from way back when. I thought it a creative way to introduce the episode, but… they never did anything with it? We see a casual glimpse of it in her back pocket, and that's it. Did they intend to return to that creative plot element, creating nice bookends to the story, perhaps ending the episode with her making another entry and tossing the diary in her bag? I guess the screenplay writer forgot.
- This week we experienced some really encouraging reveals. For those of us who watched this season live, beginning in the Fall of 2013, we all experienced a long break after the huge prison battle. Now it's 2014, and we're only in week two since the break, and last week we only saw three of our beloved characters. So at this point, fans didn't really even know who's alive and not. So it was nice to see Daryl and Beth together, and had this been shown in a theatre, audiences probably would have cheered or at least sighed in relief when we found baby Judith safe with Tyreese and the two irritating young girls (who I have personally nicknamed Psycho and Whiney). Carol is back in the picture, and Maggie searches for Glenn with Sasha and Bob. And finally we discover Glenn, passed out at the prison, only to grab some gear, rescue Tara (more emotionally than physically) and begin their search for the rest of the group. This all begs the question: wasn't our group smart enough to have come up with a "rally point" if things went bad? (Mental note, in case you ever find yourself surviving with a group, set a rally point. Something to consider.)
- And what's with Glenn? He's still sick, yet he somehow linebackers through a mob of zombies (as opposed to juking around them), only to pass out moments later on the road. Sick or not, I just think Glenn is probably smarter than that. I don't think he was that eager to test the strength of his SWAT gear. "Hey walkers! I'm going to run right in the middle of you and see if you can chew through my helmet and pads!"
But those questionable elements aside, I still found the episode intriguing. I loved the Tarantino-esque time overlaps from Beth and Daryl to Tyreese and the girls. And I really thought the scene between Glenn and Tara was well done, particularly when Glenn heard that Hershel had been killed. Actor Steven Yeun was especially convincing, not over-acting Glenn's grief, but effectively revealing his surprise and pain.
It's at the end of this episode that these two share some good moments. First, when Glenn encounters Tara at the prison:
Glenn: Are you just gonna stay here? Huh? You just gonna die?
Tara: I was part of this.
Glenn: I know.
Tara: Then what are you doing?
Glenn: I need your help.
Later Tara confesses:
Tara: …that man told us you were bad people. I know it's not true. I can see it's not, so what we did… what I did… I'm a piece of sh*t. Why would you want my help?
Glenn: I don't want it. I need it.
The dialogue seemed very authentic in this scene. Tara is experience an insane amount of guilt, and Glenn is showing grace, mixed with the simple need to survive, and he knows his chances are better with Tara then on his own.
I don't know about you, but I've done some pretty stupid things in my lifetime and I've felt some pretty intense guilt. I've begged for forgiveness before. I've felt like… well… what Tara said.
How about you?
1. Why do you think Tara wasn't making any effort to rescue herself at the prison?
2. Do you think Glenn truly forgave her for being part of the Governor's group?
3. Is Tara right to feel the guilt she feels?
4. Should Glenn and the others forgive her? Is "I'm sorry" enough?
Read the following passage of scripture:
23 So if you are presenting a gift at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your gift there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. (Matthew 5:23-24, NLT)
5. What is so important to the person in these verses, that he must leave his gift at the altar?
6. Why is it so important that we reconcile with someone before worshipping?
7. Why is forgiveness so important to God?
8. Does Glenn need to forgive Tara? Explain.
9. Tara was pretty hard on herself. Does she need to forgive herself? Explain.
Author Lewis Smedes said this:
"To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you."
Let's be silent and pray for a moment. As you are silent, think about your relationships, and especially if you are a prisoner that needs to be set free tonight. If you are holding a grudge against anyone, then now is the time to make that right. Pray and ask God to give you the strength to forgive.


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Boozestorming in STL's first Suburb
Old North St. Louis is the city's first official suburb and is located just outside of downtown. Boozestormers meet in a house built in 1899. Like well-aged bourbon, this home will keep you warm and propel you to new levels of creativity. When the weather permits, the group meets in the backyard. During the winter months, everyone huddles inside. Regardless, Boozestorming in Old North STL happens every month. See the session details and get ready to join the fun.
Travis Sheridan
Community Host
Travis is the founder of Boozestorming and currently works as the executive director of Venture Café – St. Louis. His journey to that role included way too much education, working in positions for which he wasn't entirely qualified, spending three years doing standup comedy, and the decision to throw away 15 years of personal brand equity for the opportunity to bail on California and establish roots in St. Louis. Travis likes to create situations that result in serendipitous collisions hosting monthly Boozestorming sessions do just that. Peek inside his brain at TravisSheridan.com.
Old North STL Community Blog
Boozestorming is getting specific in Old North STLIt is finally time. Sure, some people have heard this before, but this time it's for real. When I launched Boozestorning in STL, I was living in a swanky downtown loft. Now that Gina and I live in Old North, Boozestorming has been a great way to show off the neighborhood we both love to death. Also, I don't host Boozestorming for the entire city. Other people can finally do that. This Boozestorming community is now known as Old North STL Boozestorming Community. We have a community page and community-specific events. Soon there will be even more Boozestorming Communities around the country (maybe around the... read more
Session Details
Frequency: 1st Monday of each month
Time: 6:30PM to 9:00PM
RSVP Required: Yes
Maximum Boozestormers at each session: 25


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Robert Bosch Fellowships (2007 - 2009)
This fellowship program, funded by the Robert Bosch Foundation, supported young scholars and academics from Western Balkan countries, offering them the opportunity to spend a term at the New Europe College and devote to their research work. Fellows in this program received a monthly stipend, and funds for a one-month study trip to a university/research center in Germany.
Ana HOFMAN (Serbia)
Visiting Researcher, Scientific Research Center of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Ljubljana
Nostalgia or Subversion? Rural Culture Practices in Post-socialist Serbia
Jelena GRUJIĆ (Serbia)
Journalist, Vreme Weekly Magazine
Political Framing of Refugees in Former Yugoslavia: 1990's and the Post-Conflict Democracies


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Sunday School – 10:00 am
Worship Service – 11:00 am
Bible Study – 12:15 pm
Wednesday Bible Study - 6:30 pm
12859 Martin Road Spur
Northport, AL 35473
--Our weekly article in the Northport Gazette.
Watering the Tulips
"For I am sure that my Redeemer liveth, and he shall stand the last day on the earth" – Job 19:25
Most Bible scholars believe that Job is the oldest book in the Bible. Some even affirm that Noah had a copy of the Book of Job on the ark. Who knows for sure? There is one thing we can be sure of though; Job was trusting in Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. He believed that Jesus was alive and this before He was ever born. Surely, "In the beginning was that Word, and that Word was with God, and that Word was God" (John 1:1). Jesus has always been the Savior of men.
Some believe Old Testament saints were saved by the Law while we are saved by grace. However, this is not true. The Old Testament saints merely looked forward to the coming of the Redeemer while we look back (and forward to the 2nd coming). The Law has never done anything other than condemn men. Galatians 3:10 says, "For as many as are of the works of the Law, are under the curse: For it is written, Cursed is every man that continueth not in all things, which are written in the book of the Law, to do them." The Law condemns all – those before the coming of Christ and those after. Looking in the mirror of the Law, we can clearly see that, "…we have all been as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness is as filthy cloths…" (Isaiah 64:6).
Job realized he was a sinner. He knew he was dead in his own sins (Ephesians 2:1). He knew he merited eternal damnation on his own. His confidence was in a coming Redeemer. Surely, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law, made a curse for us" (Galatians 3:13)
Do you see your own sinfulness? Or, are you trying to work yourself into fellowship with God. If the Bible is true (and it is), there is not one thing you can do to earn your way into Heaven. The best you have is as "filthy cloths" (Isaiah 64:6). There is only one way into fellowship with the Creator. There is only one way to come to the Father – through the Son (John 14:6). Do you stand with Job in his trust in Christ? Do you believe the words of the old hymn – "Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow"? If you do, thanks be to God. He has saved you by His sovereign grace.
--Watering the Tulips is brought to you by Sovereign Grace Baptist Church in Northport, AL. For more information, please visit www.sovereigngrace.net .


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[Part 1] | [Part 2] | [Part 3] | [Part 4]
49. Spectrum: Terrace Club dining room in Princeton, early 90s. Lots of droning, singular notes that seemed to last for hours. Local legend claims
that Sonic Boom vomited into a garbage can during a pre-show interview
on WPRB. Many years later, I saw them do pretty much the exact same set
at the 2008 All Tomorrow's Parties festival in upstate New York and it
was just as good. [Listen to Spectrum perform live versions of "Transparent Radiation" and "How You Satisfy Me" from last year's Primavera Sound Festival]
50. fIREHOSE: Maxwell's, 1989. I was visiting a friend who went to art school in Manhattan, and we hopped the PATH to Hoboken for what was my first-ever visit to the fabled rock club. This day also
marked my first visit to Pier Platters and Benny Tudino's, so I
definitely got my dollar's worth on the train ride. Antietam opened, and both bands did
two sets. Mike Watt broke a bass string and changed it mid-song while
somehow continuing to play along with his bandmates. Impressive. This was the first club show I'd ever attended where the majority of the crowd didn't seem like criminals. [Listen to fIREHOSE perform "Sometimes" | Picture originally uploaded by Spiralstares. Licensed for re-use by Creative Commons]
51. Hellacopters: They opened for the New Bomb Turks, and are the only band I've ever seen totally cream them. These guys brought a full-throttle, arena rock stage production to teensy, 150 capacity clubs like Maxwell's, and did so at a volume that was as ungodly as it was unprecedented. Lots of cliched rock moves like pointing to the sky ("What's up there? I don't know!"), guitarist/bassist leaning back-to-back while playing, and singer crawling through guitarist's legs, etc. None of their records ever matched the greatness of their live show, but oh, the Hellacopters mix CD I could sequence for you if I felt like it!
52. All: At City Gardens with the Fiendz and some mediocre punk bands opening. Annoying as they are, an appreciation for the Descendents was kind of mandatory for everyone of my generation, even if it was fleeting. I outgrew anything I ever liked about them over the course of 1.5 summers, and promptly unloaded all their records except for the one with "Myage" on it, which I still enjoy hearing about once every five years. All, the band the Descendents turned into after singer Milo departed from the lineup, were sheer folly from the get go. Only dopes liked this band, and as such, only dopes were excited about seeing them perform. I think we went because we were into the Fiendz, who in hindsight were very similar to All, but they were total north Jersey MallPunks, and for that we either felt sorry for them or recognized a peculiar kinship. Anyway, I had penned an enthusiastic review for a Fiendz 45 in my crappy fanzine, and as such, their singer had implored me (via mail) to please come and support their presence on this bill. All's general suckiness has shrouded any recollection I might have kept vis-a-vis the Fiendz performance, but I definitely remember being in one of two cars that departed the club and arrived shortly thereafter at the home of a friend who lived nearby. We all jumped out and for some reason began mock-fighting one another in her front lawn and generally behaving like silly juveniles. Unbeknownst to us, the friend's father was in the middle of taking out the trash (in his pajamas) and, being startled by the sudden appearance of strangers fighting in his yard, hurried back to the safety of his porch light and hissed at us: "Hey! You kids! Get off my lawn!" Thus, a legend was born. Many years later, the circle was closed when Scott and I learned that the Fiendz were playing at the crappy hamburger joint around the corner from WFMU. Some things are only funny if you grew up in New Jersey.
53. Urban Blight: I owned (and hated) a record by these guys, but wound up being dragged to see them with friends who felt otherwise. Those friends aren't around to disagree at the moment, so I'll tell you that what I recall is an evening of medium tempo, white guy reggae. One of my hapless cohorts was beaten up in the bathroom by someone in the opening band. This guy was wearing a turtleneck—as if getting beaten up by someone in a ska band isn't embarrassing enough.
54. Die Kreuzen: The "Century Days" tour, shortly before they broke up.
They were good, but frustrating in that they leaned heavily on all the
slow, metallic stuff from their final record and pretty much ignored
the brilliant "Century Days" and "October File" albums. Jawbox opened,
and I think the Doughboys also played. I distinctly recall talking to
the editor of Trenton's great Stranger fanzine. I introduced him to my girlfriend, and he promptly began hitting on her. [Listen to Die Kreuzen perform Wire's "Pink Flag"]
55. Idaho: We'd interviewed these guys on WPRB that afternoon and they were soooo.... L.A. They talked about tennis. And smoking. And smoking while playing
tennis. Later that night at Maxwell's, they loaded in dozens of
guitars, many of which would only be used for one song (weird tunings
ahoy). I remember noting that there were more unused guitars on stage
than there were living humans in the audience. Nevertheless, we (a
bunch of PRB people) were excited, as Idaho's 45 on the Ringer's
Lactate label was sorta the smash hit single of that moment. (In our
little universe, anyway.) [Listen to Idaho perform "Creep"]
Idaho - Creep
56. William Hooker: The Knitting Factory and also at Terrace Club. I am not a friend, relative, or even vague acquaintance of William Hooker, yet I somehow got roped into helping him load in his drums at both of these shows. This experience lead me to never want to see William Hooker perform again.
57: Dramarama: "Acoustic Seconds" opened, which was the 7 Seconds
singer guy playing acoustic versions of his band's hardcore tunes. If
you've ever wondered what happens when you take hardcore songs and play
them on acoustic guitars, I will tell you. They sound like the crappy
music played by that guy who hangs out in the stairwell of every
college dormitory, strumming away on his acoustic guitar in a dismal
effort to attract girls. Fortunately, Sticks & Stones also played.
I really liked Dramarama before they became the subject of baffling
VH-1 nostalgia TV shows, but don't remember anything about their set. I
fear I may have left before they took the stage, a lasting testament to
just how bad Acoustic Seconds really was. [Listen to Dramarama perform "Last Cigarette"]
58. The Nomads: The legendary Swedish garage band, that is. At a bar
called Kilowatt in San Francisco. Great place. I had no idea they were
even in the country, but the friends I was staying with lived right
around the corner, so off we went. Lots of people standing on tables
for line-of-sight purposes, which is a tactic that I can't imagine
flying at any clubs in NYC. [Listen to the Nomads perform "I Can't Use the Stuff I Used to Use"]
59. Special-Beat Reunion: At City Gardens, maybe 1989? The popularity
of ska music in the late 80s (which revival was that? I lost count)
made it pretty hard to avoid, even if you hated it. Left to chance,
sooner or later you'd find a ska band sharing bills with anyone from
Helios Creed to the Mentors. Suffice to say, I saw a lot of
Bimskalabim, Toasters, and NY Citizens shows as a teenager, but most
fondly remember this night which comprised a melding of English Beat
and Specials members into a solitary unit for songs by both bands.
Nowadays, it's the kind of practice I'd balk at any artists engaging in, but for a teenager who
was pretty much hellbent on aping as much British youth culture as
possible, this was a spectacular evening in Trenton. [Listen to the Specials perform "Ghost Town"]
60. Sebadoh: A band I liked a whole lot when they were new, but I sadly
never experienced a satisfying live set from. The first time I saw
them was in Jon Solomon's living room, and they were mean, aloof, and
seemingly more interested in smoking weed in their van than actually performing. A year or so later,
they played at a bar in South River (which I am apparently supposed to thank John Allen for pulling together), but aside from riding to the show in a BMW convertible (?!) through the dark streets of Jersey, I
remember nothing of the performance. [Listen to Sebadoh perform "Supernatural Force"]
And no, you didn't miss it here, nor in any of the previous posts in this series. I've never seen Sonic Youth. I have tried, three times, over an expanse of years that straddles three different decades, but to no avail. The first attempt came during the Daydream Nation tour, when I successfully entered City Gardens and saw openers STP and Surgery (both of whom were great). Unfortunately, I got bored and left before SY took the stage, effectively discarding untold amounts of street cred in the process. Nearly 15 years later, I wandered through Central Park with Push Bin Lou in a futile attempt to see the band's Summerstage concert, but the line was too long and we eventually gave up. As a consolation prize to ourselves, we went for Mexican food somewhere the Lower East Side and got mid-day hammered on margaritas. Still more years later, in advance of the band's participation in WFMU's 50th anniversary concert in Battery Park, I finally managed to score tickets by waiting in a crazy corkscrew line with Therese, Steff, and a few other pals. During my conversation with them, I jokingly bellowed: "YOU MEAN THIS ISN'T THE TICKET LINE FOR THE MUCKY PUP REUNION CONCERT?!!" which only Therese found funny. Days later, however, alternate plans for my July 4th holiday emerged, and I wound up giving away my tickets.
And really, I'm OK with never having seen Sonic Youth. As good as they may be, the opportunity for them to make a lasting impression on me has long passed. I've also never read On the Road, and have convinced myself that it's too late and that I've missed my window of opportunity to really appreciate it. (I can see myself turning the last page, throwing the book to the ground, and saying something like: "What that young man needs is a good job!")
Anyway, I'm glad this series is done with. I can promise that it has spared you from hundreds of more boring blog posts that would've clouded the future were I to have let this crap fester in my brain any longer. Over, out, and good riddance to this cranial detritus. Just consider yourselves lucky I was never interested in fishing.
[Listen to Sonic Youth perform "Schizophrenia" live in Battery Park 7.4.08. SY photo originally uploaded by Flickr user Charlie Cravero. Licensed for re-use by Creative Commons.]


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Look at that—a kiss! Three even! And those are not the only Kyle/Spooky kisses I have for y'all today. Y'all have continued to be amazing over at the Patreon page. A bunch more of you joined in the past couple weeks, and you've now brought our support to over $6500! That means I'm now less than $500 away from breaking even after paying my artists, rent, etc.
You are superheroes!
And I have a special treat for you! A few months back, I asked Henrique of Inkstand Studios to create a special romantic pin-up involving Kyle and Spooky. He wanted me to come up with an idea, so I said "Let's have them kissing on top of a monster they defeated." Well, he (and Alex Sollazzo who did the colors) just knocked it out of the park!
Comments from Patrons have included: "VICTORY KISS. I'm loving this. One of my fave 'extra art' so far. This IS a hoot. This is sexy and funny.", "What a Great 'pin-up'. This is another great piece of art in The Young Protectors series!", and "This is awesome! The colors, the details, the expressions…everything is wonderful. But what I mostly love, is that in that moment, surrounded by smoke, dead monsters, falling buildings, firefighters, etc., they only have eyes for each other. This might be my favorite drawing to date!"
Here's a sneak preview:
$5+ Patrons can download the full Safe-For-Work pin-up immediately. And $10+ Patrons will be sent a high-res version with over double the resolution on the 10th of October!
There are lots of great benefits to being a Patron (you can see them all here along with an explanation of what the heck Patreon is), and you'd really be helping me out if you became one too. If you're enjoying our work here and would like to see it continue (and would like to get access to all kinds of special benefits),
please take a moment to watch the video on my Patreon page and consider becoming a Patron.
So! Kyle's response to Spooky's question was to pull his friend into a big kiss! And then Spooky kissed back! Where's this going to go? Will there be more kissing? More talking? A sudden alien attack? (Or ninja robots! Please let there be ninja robots!)
Tune in this Wednesday to find out! Hope to see you there! 😀


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Read this tip to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Laminate Flooring Tips and other Flooring topics.
If you are looking for a way to add serious value to your house without spending a serious amount of money, you should think about installing your own self-locking laminate flooring. Anyone can install this type of laminate flooring. As long as you have a good saw and some kneepads, you can make this a fun do it yourself project that the whole family can participate in.
Self locking laminate flooring is a great do it yourself project for one reason, it is super easy. The edges of each plank of flooring are made with a locking system that fits as snug as your tightest pair of jeans. With a rubber mallet, you can get an entire floor covered in less than a day.
A true home improvement project, adding laminate flooring will give future prospective buyers something to catch their eye… under their feet.
|Guru Spotlight
|Jennifer Mathes, Ph.D.


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We welcome teenagers between the ages of 16-18 to join our Cleaning and Greening program.
Program Highlights
Designed especially for teens, the Cleaning and Greening (C+G) program offers a summer of service in our nation's most beautiful and iconic landscapes.
In addition to learning about the natural forces that have shaped the biodiversity of our national parks, C+G students stay overnight in park facilities and work alongside rangers to improve wildlife habitat and clean up public access points like trailheads and campgrounds.
The Cleaning and Greening program is available at 6 national parks across the country. Each summer session runs from June to August, starting with program-wide rally and training in Jackson, Wyoming. See our contact information below to learn more and register today.
Spend Your Summer With Nature Knowledge
Between the ages of 16 and 18? Learn about biodiversity and conservation by working alongside our rangers for a whole summer. To apply for a session, select "Cleaning and Greening" within our application form.
Contact Us
If you're interested in learning more about our Cleaning and Greening program or would like to sign up for a session near you, call Dane Director at (555) 555-5555 or email him at email@example.com.


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Ignite Synergy can solve your organization's workflow challenges using Google's technologies, App Maker and Machine Learning.
What We Do for Your Success
Most organizations struggle to find affordable and scalable solutions for their business and workflow challenges. Because operations and workflow play an important role in every organization's success, the longer theses challenges go unsolved the more it costs to do so. We work hand-in-hand with organizations to create innovative solutions, reimagining the old desktop software and work processes into a cohesive, collaborative and massively powerful business growth machines.
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Need a quick solution for a common business challenge? In our template gallery, you'll find ready to go Google App Maker applications pre-built by AMU, Google, and community developers.
App Maker University™
Want to learn how to build your own app using Google App Maker? Our training product, App Maker University™, can take you through a Video Bootcamp or get you into an Instructor-led course.
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Need help building a custom app? If you don't have time to learn Google App Maker, our expert team can come in to develop and build your app. Fill out the form below for more info.