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Despite the fact that Mr. Wilson's play takes place in the wake of the Civil Rights Movement it takes special care to avoid the major events and sacred lions that helped to define the era. The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is mentioned only once and the march on Washington, Black Panthers, Vietnam, and Watts are never mentioned. From their perch at Memphis' restaurant the inhabitants are too far removed from any semblance of justice that this period provided the African-American community. Instead, they put their hopes in playing the numbers, and not in political or cultural leaders planting seeds of change that they feel they may never reap.
Deftly staged by Penumbra Theatre founder and Artistic Director Lou Bellamy with a tightly cohesive, notably affective cast, and a pitch-perfect physical production to match, Two Trains Running represents part of Penumbra Theatre's commitment to stage all ten of Mr. Wilson's plays from his 20th Century Cycle. This play soars on the savory talk that has become Mr. Wilson's signature. The magnificent storytelling not only paints a colorful portrait, but provides an in-depth study of a world veiled to those outside of it. Much of the talk is instigated by two deaths that infiltrate Memphis Lee's restaurant.
Buoyed by the commanding performance of long-time Penumbra Company member James Craven as Memphis who is in the process of negotiating a price for the city's demolition of his restaurant, he refuses to take anything less than his asking price. The incredible Abdul Salaam El Razzac, a founding member of Penumbra, is electrifying as Holloway, the retired house painter and armchair philosopher who waxes eloquent on the scourge of the white man exploiting black labor and the fallacy of the lazy Negro. "If it wasn't for you the white man would be poor. Every little bit he got he got standing on top of you." Anyone with an ax to grind he sends to the vivid and mysterious 322-year-old Aunt Ester, the mythic inhabitant of 1839 Wylie Avenue who is a spiritual healer who has a crucial but offstage impact on three lives in this play. West, played by Penumbra Company member Dennis W. Spears, is wonderful as the undertaker whose no-nonsense view of death has not only granted him keen observations when it comes to the machinations of the community, but it has also made him a wealthy businessman. These three are members of an older generation who've weathered life with skepticism.
Rounding out the men in this cast is the wonderful James T. Alfred as Sterling, a man "born with bad luck" who is sincerely looking to piece his post-penitentiary life back together brick by brick, but his efforts are constantly foiled, Penumbra Company members Kevin D. West as Wolf, the numbers runner, and Ahanti Young as the mentally disturbed Hambone, are sublime as Mr. Wilson's unsung men.
The sole waitress, Risa, played with an exquisite blend of fire and ice by Crystal Fox, grieves for the recently deceased local evangelist Prophet Samuel, whose huge flock of followers is viewing his open casket across the street at West's Funeral Home. Thematically, she is beguiling as the lone woman floating in this choppy sea of men in which she inexplicably bears self-inflicted razor scars.
Two Trains Running honors the vivid portrait of everyday lives shadowed by great events. The monologues, which are musical in language, are quintessential Mr. Wilson and tackle the noose of poverty and disenfranchisement that hangs around the neck of the Hill District. He seems to wrestle with the question as to who has the salve for a community on the verge of destruction: the secular or the religious? Beautifully designed by Vicki Smith (sets), Matthew J. LeFebvre (costumes), Martin Gwinup (sound), and Michelle Habeck (lighting), it is played to perfection by Mr. Bellamy's cast.
Two Trains Running encapsulates a racially dividing country as a brutal future looms just around the corner.
The play runs approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes with one 15-minute intermission. Recommended.


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JERSEY CITY, N.J. — A Navy SEAL who fell to his death when his parachute failed to open during a Fleet Week demonstration over the Hudson River has been identified as a 27-year-old Colorado man.
The accident that killed Remington J. Peters occurred Sunday at Liberty State Park, a large New Jersey park across from Manhattan where people catch ferries to see the Statue of Liberty.
Peters, a member of an elite Navy parachute team called the Leap Frogs, was registered to vote in Mesa County at an address in Grand Junction. The cause of the parachute malfunction that killed him is under investigation.
Peters was among four parachutists who drifted down from two helicopters. The Navy says he was pulled from the water by the U.S. Coast Guard. His parachute landed in a parking lot.
In a release, the Navy said the parachutist was rescued immediately from the water by U.S. Coast Guard personnel who were standing by in vessels to support the aerial demonstration that featured the coordinated parachute jump. Local fire department personnel who were also on standby responded as well. The Navy said the parachutist was pronounced dead at Jersey City Medical Center at 1:10 p.m.

subset: commoncrawl


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A friend of mine from San Diego has been working as a maître d at Thomas Keller's celebrated restaurant in Per Se in New York for some years now.
Knowing that I have been working with the Franciacorta consortium, he recently told me about how Franciacorta consortium president Maurizio Zanella visited the restaurant for dinner earlier this year.
He met Maurizio back in 2008 when I was living in San Diego and he and I had dinner together with some food writers at Jaynes Gastropub, where my friend was working at the time. And so he recognized him.
He pointed out to me that the restaurant's wine list currently includes Maurizio's Franciacorta Annamaria Clementi Riserva Rosé 2005.
I had the chance to taste the wine at the Ca' del Bosco winery in August when I was visiting the appellation (above).
Because I was visiting with a noted wine writer, Maurizio started off our tasting with a 1979 Franciacorta disgorged à la volée and he reminded me that 79 was his second vintage.
From 1979 to 2005 to 2015, I thought to myself at the time. Franciacorta as we know it today is a very young appellation. The earliest classic method wines were made there in the 1960s and Ca' del Bosco, the appellation's most visible estate, only began producing wines with the 1978 harvest.
But even in that short span of time, Franciacorta has managed to reach the highest peaks of fine dining throughout the world. The fact that Maurizio's wine is on the list at Per Se is just one example.
It's also an example of Franciacorta's immense potential in a world increasingly crowded with sparkling wine.
Franciacorta, you've come a long way, baby!


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Thursday, 26 January 2012
Potter's Museum of Curiosities
A friend of mine posted this video up yesterday and I loved it so much I had to share it! Watching this led me into a whole world of taxidermied fun. I spent rather too much time looking at squirrels in waistcoats...expect more curiosities soon.
Posted by Nell at 16:00 No comments:
Labels: animals, anthropomorphism, bramber, curiosities, pathé, potter's museum, taxidermy
Sunday, 22 January 2012
A few little changes...
I've been doing quite a lot of updating of all my online bits and pieces, trying to get some continuity going! So, on this blog I've finally updated the text so it's all the same and revamped my banner. I've rephotographed at lot of my products, including this Cuddly Koala hat, which was one of my best sellers over Christmas!
It's available over on my website here and I'm posting one along with a matching t-shirt to San Francisco tomorrow!
It's available over on my website here and I'm posting one along with a matching t-shirt to San Francisco tomorrow!
Posted by Nell at 18:13 No comments:
Monday, 2 January 2012
Happy New Year!
Hello 2012! I always get excited at New Year, I love the thought of making a fresh start, positive vibes and lots and lots of planning! I got my felt tips out and made a multi-coloured list of my goals for the year. They mostly involve work-based ambitions, but I'd like to do more traveling this year too - I dream of cycling around the streets of Copenhagen with my sweetheart. I've been finding pictures of places I want to go and adding them to my Pinterest as a visual reminder. I'm trying to be better at using it as I always find millions of images I like online then forget all about them, Pinterest is great for keeping them all together.
Some other things I'd like to do this year are: go wild swimming in Padley Gorge; visit the Pitt Rivers museum, Oxford; go back to life drawing classes; buy a new bike; improve my website and get up earlier! What are your goals/resolutions for the year? Whatever they are, have a magical 2012! xx
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Remove System Notifier adware (Removal Guide) - Free Instructions
System Notifier is a browser extension that might start slowing your computer or hijack your browser
System notifier adware is a potentially unwanted program that will most likely do more harm than use.
System Notifier is a browser plug-in that we recommend removing. Don't worry – it's not a serious computer infection. However, it is capable of hijacking web browsers (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer) and causing them to work slower than it used to. By the way, it may be set to display commercial advertisements and collect information about your browsing habits. Therefore, it goes without saying that System Notifier is an adware or a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that is not recommended keeping.
Most of the users have been tricked into installing it believing that it will notify them about suspicious programs on their computer. However, instead of promised alerts, System Notifier virus may start initiating commercial advertisements (pop-ups, pop-unders, banners, in-text links, full-page ads). They may be filled with various deals, offers, discounts, promo codes, and similar things. Despite their appealing and trustworthy look, 'Ads by System Notifier' should not be trusted because they may redirect you to questionable or even unsafe websites.
Even more, you may receive fake update alerts brought by System-notifier.com domain. These ads may offer you to update Java, Flash Player, Media Player, or another popular software or may inform you about issues on your computer and offer to call for remote tech support.
Be careful and do not fall for that because System Notifier pop-up ads may trick you into installing other potentially unwanted programs, such as Hit the Lights, Go HD, ZoomIt, MetaSearch, or you may subscribe suspicious service unconsciously and may receive an increased telephone bill. Fortunately, you can stop suspicious ads from appearing. For that, we recommend installing Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego and remove System Notifier virus damage with its help.
System Notifier might hijack your computer after it's installed with some free software
We haven't found any download websites where System Notifier virus would be promoted on its own. Therefore, it's obvious that its users installed it bundled with other freeware and shareware. Probably you are already aware of 'bundling' distribution method. However, we will shortly remind you that 'bundling' enables freeware developers to monetize their products by filling them with third-party apps, such as browser add-ons, plug-ins, toolbars, and extensions.
Unfortunately, 'optional components' usually appear to be adware or browser hijackers that once installed cause various inconveniences during browsing. If you want to prevent installing 'optional downloads', first of all you should avoid third-party installers, such as Installrex, Vittalia, Amonetize, Softonic, Soft32, etc. because they are most commonly bundled with freeware.
Besides, you should always select Advanced or Custom installation option and uncheck ticks claiming that you agree to install optional downloads. Otherwise, you may start experiencing System Notifier redirects to questionable websites and may be tricked into installing other potentially unwanted programs.
If you are going through this experience right now, you should not waste your time anymore and get rid of suspicious adware right away.
System Notifier adware is recommended to be removed and the computer should be repaired after removal.
Remove System Notifier virus manually or with the help of trusted antispyware programs
System Notifier removal can be accomplished manually or automatically. Our security experts have prepared the guide that you can find below. However, we highly recommend you to install a reputable anti-spyware and keep it up-to-date because it will eliminate all suspicious entries and keep your computer protected in the future.
In case you have already ran a full scan and eliminated the virus, but the system still does not work properly, try using Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego to remove the virus damage and repair all your work.
You may remove virus damage with a help of Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
To remove System Notifier adware, follow these steps:
Erase System Notifier from Windows systems
- Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- If you are Windows 10 / Windows 8 user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel and Uninstall a Program.
Uninstall System Notifier and related programs
Here, look for System Notifier or any other recently installed suspicious programs.
- Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
Get rid of System Notifier from Mac OS X system
- If you are using OS X, click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications.
- Wait until you see Applications folder and look for System Notifier or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Remove System Notifier from Internet Explorer (IE)
Remove dangerous add-ons
Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top right corner of the browser and choose Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for System Notifier and other suspicious plugins. Disable these entries by clicking Disable:
Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Click on the gear icon (menu) on the top right corner of the browser and select Internet Options. Stay in General tab.
- Here, remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Click Apply to save changes.
Reset Internet Explorer
Click on the gear icon (menu) again and select Internet options. Go to Advanced tab.
- Here, select Reset.
- When in the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete System Notifier removal.
Delete System Notifier adware from Microsoft Edge
Reset Microsoft Edge settings (Method 1):
- Launch Microsoft Edge app and click More (three dots at the top right corner of the screen).
- Click Settings to open more options.
- Once Settings window shows up, click Choose what to clear button under Clear browsing data option.
- Here, select all what you want to remove and click Clear.
- Now you should right-click on the Start button (Windows logo). Here, select Task Manager.
- When in Processes tab, search for Microsoft Edge.
- Right-click on it and choose Go to details option. If can't see Go to details option, click More details and repeat previous steps.
- When Details tab shows up, find every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right click on each of them and select End Task to end these entries.
Resetting Microsoft Edge browser (Method 2):
If Method 1 failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method.
- Note: you need to backup your data before using this method.
- Find this folder on your computer:
- Select every entry which is saved on it and right click with your mouse. Then Delete option.
- Click the Start button (Windows logo) and type in window power in Search my stuff line.
- Right-click the Windows PowerShell entry and choose Run as administrator.
- Once Administrator: Windows PowerShell window shows up, paste this command line after PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> and press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml -Verbose}
Once these steps are finished, System Notifier should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
Uninstall System Notifier from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Remove dangerous extensions
Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions.
- Here, select System Notifier and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries.
Reset Mozilla Firefox
Click on the Firefox menu on the top left and click on the question mark. Here, choose Troubleshooting Information.
- Now you will see Reset Firefox to its default state message with Reset Firefox button. Click this button for several times and complete System Notifier removal.
Eliminate System Notifier from Google Chrome
Delete malicious plugins
Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions.
- Here, select System Notifier and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries.
- Click on menu icon again and choose Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section.
- When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search sites. You should leave only Google or your preferred domain name.
Reset Google Chrome
Click on menu icon on the top right of your Google Chrome and select Settings.
- Scroll down to the end of the page and click on Reset browser settings.
- Click Reset to confirm this action and complete System Notifier removal.
Erase System Notifier from Safari
Remove dangerous extensions
Open Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu at the top left of the screen. Once you do this, select Preferences.
- Here, select Extensions and look for System Notifier or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them.
Reset Safari
Open Safari browser and click on Safari in menu section at the top left of the screen. Here, select Reset Safari....
- Now you will see a detailed dialog window filled with reset options. All of those options are usually checked, but you can specify which of them you want to reset. Click the Reset button to complete System Notifier removal process.
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text: The House Select Committee on Benghazi released an 800-page report on Tuesday that is filled with new criticism of Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of State who is now the presumptive Democratic nominee for president. The report, after more than two years of work and $7 million in expense, does not fundamentally alter the public's understanding of the attacks, which left four Americans dead and has stirred controversy throughout President Obama's time in office. But the analysis includes new facts sure to be seized upon by the administration's critics and which are likely to serve as points of attack against Clinton during the general election.Clinton herself is chided more for her actions before and after the night of the attack, rather than in the heat of the moment itself. Will Killary get arrested over this somewhat bit of truth probably not, but the good thing is maybe this will wake some people up to the fact her leadership is disqualified. So far today Clinton has called this report based in conspiracy theories. The elite criminals of the world sure love to use the term conspiracy theory when they literally have nothing to cover themselves up with but that expression. This literally does prove Hillary Clinton is responsible for the death of the Benghazi four due to not taking action to back them up. Then again it's not the only Americans on her kill list.


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ajberlin avait besoin d'un nouveau design de logo et a lancé un concours sur 99designs.
Un gagnant a été sélectionné de 81 designs proposés par 23 designers freelance.
We're starting a global trading technology company that is going to focus on providing the fastest quotes and order execution in the marketplace today. We need a logo that conveys that vision.
The company will offer trading through a GUI application and their web site. The target customer base is very active traders and algorithmic traders who need the fastest quotes and order executions possible to trade their strategies. We'd like a very simple logo that conveys speed, global executions, and next generation technology.
Savoir comment fonctionne un concours de design ou en savoir plus sur nos services de design de logo.


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Lucky for his tux, Mark Ruffalo didn't turn into the Hulk when he lost in the Best Supporting Actor category at last night's Oscars.
However, Ruffalo did attempt to commit a crime — stealing a large Oscar statue.
See also: Oscars 2016: And the winners are…
Unfortunately for Ruffalo, security thwarted his attempt
Shake it off, Mark. There's always next year.
Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments. Read more…
More about Entertainment, Oscars, Academy Awards, Instagram, and Film


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When I was ten years old there was a book in my school library that caught my eye. I don't remember the cover now, but the name will always stick out in my memory: Interstellar Pig by William Sleator.
The story involves a board game in which your goal is to hold on the the pig card by the end. By doing so, you can save your planet. However, it turns out to be more than just a board game and the characters themselves are caught up in it.
The book was fascinating to my young mind, with a fantastical story of aliens and an interstellar game played on a huge scale. The features of the game lent itself to interesting action sequences. The fact that it started as a board game, in the story, meant that the rules and motivations could be explained.
I may not be remembering certain elements correctly, but I still look back on that book with fondness.


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New post up on the new blog! Read it here.
We've Moved!
Garden Sketches has moved to new location.
As of March 14, 2015, You can find us at blueheronlandscapes.com/gardensketches
I hope to see you all there!
Wordless Wednesday 3.11.15 – It's coming!
We need the sweet pain of anticipation to tell us we are really alive.
― Albert Camus
Every year about this time I begin to think ahead to spring. My mind imagines those warm morning breezes with a faint a scent of earthiness that come as each day reveals new surprises in the garden. But alas, February, a brief month with short days, is long with anticipation. Snowy, cold, and devoid of vegetation, it's beauty lies in a crisp, stark, landscape covered in snow and ice, a contrast of light and dark, of snow and structure.
It's easy to overlook the beauty of winter in the garden, but it's just as easy to overlook the insight winter provides. A walk in the garden in winter, reveals useful information as we look ahead to and begin planning the coming garden season. Our friend Christine Darnell touched on this nicely in a recent article she wrote for The Shoreline Times. You can read Christine's article here, and after you do, make sure to come back and tell us what plans you have for your landscape this year, and how the winter landscape inspired you.
Yes, February is filled with the sweet pain of anticipation, as Mr. Camus states. But, remember to thank February for the gifts it brings to those of us that will venture out into the drifts and gain insight. Spring will come, but today is full of opportunity.
And on that note, I will leave you with these lyrics from Carly Simon, who gave us some very memorable thoughts on Anticipation.
I'm no prophet, I don't know nature's way
So I'll try to see into your eyes right now
And stay right here, 'cause these are the good old days.
All the best my friends, stay warm!
Wordless Wednesday 2.4.15 – 'Oranges and Lemons' and Thoughts of Summer!
Learn more Gaillardia aristata 'Oranges & Lemons'


text: Monthly Archives: December, 2008 Ringing in the New Year in Canada December 31, 2008 Best Red Sox Players in History-Your Opinion? December 29, 2008 A Year in Review December 27, 2008 A Very Merry Christmas In NY Indeed- Mark Teixeira to the Yankees December 24, 2008 Manny Ramirez to the Yankees? December 23, 2008 The Sox are out of the Mark Teixeria Sweepstakes December 20, 2008 I'm Back- Thoughts on the Latest News in Baseball December 18, 2008 Older Posts


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Home Sweet Home!
Its almost been a month now since we moved in to our new place! Still in the decorating phase but its getting there. I'm actually not as scared as I thought I would've been. I do occasionally get that overwhelming feeling but nothing I cant handle. The boyfriend is ALWAYS here which is probably why I don't feel like I'm "alone", and the people who really know me, know that one of my biggest fears is being alone. I know I promised you pix BUT thats gonna wait until the house warming party..... IF we have a house warming party.
Everything is awesome right now, as perfect as life can get. I can cook as much as or as little as I like without hearing "that smell is all over the house! I cant breathe" *rolls eyes*... I'm actually in the mood for cake so I'm about to bake :) Wanted to 'do cupcakes but I still haven't gotten around to getting champagne to make "Champagne Cupcakes" and I refuse to make any other type of cupcakes until I make those!
Like I said before, we're still in the decorating phase. Had to change the lights & mirror above the sink in the bathroom because what was there before was ATROCIOUS! I have a written list of the things I want (mirrors, lamps, etc.) and almost everyday I'm on ikea.com, hgtv.com or some other home - furniture site getting ideas and adding to my wish list. I do often times get tempted to buy shoes, or clothes or some other thing that I really don't need, but I'm getting better at telling myself NO!
HIGHLY anticipating what else is to come. I'm REALLY excited about having company over & entertaining & throw fabulous dinner parties!
Until then, xoxo.


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Pretty substantial one, too.
World of Tanks has just received an update on the Xbox 360, and it's a pretty massive one, adding 28 new tanks for players to mess around with. Said tanks include Foch 155, Renault FT and the AMX 50 100- yep, that's right, folks, French tanks are now officially a go in World of Tanks.
New tanks isn't all that this new update adds to the game, though- it also adds two new maps to the rotation (Karelia and Asia Miao , a.k.a. Pearl River), and introduces a host of gameplay changes, that includes an adjusted Platoon system and raised XP multipliers for Premium vehicles across every tier.
The full list of changes and fixes is even more exhaustive- you can check out the patch notes on the official website to see for yourself what all new things they have introduced to the game.
The update is free to download for all players, so if you're an Xbox Live Gold member, you should go ahead and download it immediately.
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Here We Go Again!Most of my regular visitors have no doubt been surprised that there have been no new posts on this site since 21 June; there're not alone, I am as disappointed and frustrated as they are. The explanation for this sudden pause, however, is probably not a surprise; to make a long story short, a few weeks ago I encountered a set of what I initially thought were minor computer problems. Because I already had several nearly-completed essays scheduled for the start of July, and because I am a firm believer in the old adage that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure", I decided to take my laptop to a repair shop well in advance of the July 4th Holiday weekend with the idea of replacing my increasingly tired hard drive and, since my computer was already going to be on the work bench anyway, of adding a few other upgrades while I was at it. Unfortunately, once the technicians at the computer shop set to work, they discovered that, besides a hard drive that was on its last legs (which I already knew), my laptop also had an insideous and difficult to diagnose "mother board" problem (which I did not know). In short, my computer (with all of its hundreds of document files, etc., etc.) was on the verge of breathing its last! Because of the holiday and the repeated diagnostic tests that had to be run (my computer has recently decided to turn itself off for no apparent reason) all this took two weeks; thus, I only received this dire prognosis yesterday afternoon.
What all this really means, of course, is that, in order for me to resume blogging on a regular basis, I will have to invest in yet another computer; for what it's worth, I have now already burned through two "high end" laptops in six and a half years. In the meantime, I will be able to respond to comments and to generate a few short posts on my wife's machine, but I really have a difficult time writing on her computer because of the way that her keyboard and "mouse" are set up. That being said, it looks like my wife (she's the computer expert in the family) and I will be shopping for a new computer this weekend. Which should mean, with a bit of luck, that I should be able to resume writing by the first of next week (all those software and file transfers, after all). This time around, however, I think that I will turn my attention towards acquiring a bulkier (but more robust) desktop; given my past experiences, laptops just don't seem to be working out that well for me.
Needless-to-say, given my past luck in the "computer department", if any of you, my readers, have any thoughts on this issue, I invite you to comment or to make suggestions: hopefully, of course, before I actually take the plunge and buy another machine!


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Posted on April 18, 2011
A few years ago, we made the decision that we were going to be more conscious about "greening" our home. We started replacing our cleaning supplies with natural alternatives, traded in our paper napkins for cloth, shopped second-hand when possible and vowed to drive the most fuel-efficient vehicles we could.
Then we had kids.
Our perfect vision of efficiently running a perfectly green home as two working parents with two kids under the age of four in the middle of a recession has been… well, a bit of a challenge. I'll admit it; our food scraps are, at times, tossed into the trash rather than into our compost pile, and while we started our parenting careers with every intention of cloth diapering, scrubbing the soiled diapers of a toddler with multiple food allergies was quite enough for us, and we opted for disposable diapers instead.
When time is of the essence, it is really hard to make–and stick with– huge lifestyle changes. It pains me that it is our Earth that pays the price for our hectic lifestyles; from the way we tend our lawns to the way we eat, our lives almost require that we cut corners and take short-cuts. So how do conscientious Unitarian Universalists reconcile the difference between all the things we know we ought to do and the few things that we know are possible to do?
This is a constant struggle for me and, I suspect, many of you. It almost seems unfair that here we are, a family who would love to devote all our time and resources to sustaining our earth and yet, it seems impossible to do that and sustain ourselves as well.
We have often joked about "quitting" society, packing up and moving to an imaginary place where we would live off the land and completely off the grid; where our lives would not revolve around making money to pay the bills to keep the lights on. Of course, it would mean that our lives would completely revolve around other things; like, you know, the weather and the growing season…
But even if this imaginary world were absolutely perfect, "quitting" would fix the problem for no one else but us. We would be able to rest on our laurels knowing that we did something, but it doesn't change our culture so that there is more room in everyone's life to care for our planet. Because, let's face it, if we don't all start making changes to care for our earth, our earth is going to stop taking care of us.
So I think that the necessary question to ask ourselves about "going green" is not only "what can I do to honor the Earth?" but also, "How can we work to weave these changes into the fabric of our society?"
It is sustainability on a whole new level. Yes;we work to sustain our planet in everything we do and work to better ourselves. But a handful of individuals making these changes because they have the means to do so is not enough; we also must work to make these choices more accessible to everyone, everywhere. Being green can no longer be a privilege.
So where do we start?
(For more on this topic, check out this awesome blog post by Jo Paoletti)
Category: Uncategorized Tagged: Earth, Earth Day, Environmentalism, faith development, going green, Unitarian Universalism, UU Resolutions


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According to the latest news from England, Arsenal and Watford has reached an agreement today to sell Kieran Gibbs to Watford in a 7M GBP deal and only personal terms are left between Watford and Gibbs.
Gibbs is set to sign in the coming few hours and leave on a permanent deal.
Gibbs lost his place in the starting 11 and even the bench after Arsenal signed Kolasinac as a left back, which makes Gibbs a third option. Knowing that after Arsene Wenger changed to 3-4-2-1 formation. Having three defenders in the back and having two back wings which Chamberlain which he is performing well in this formation.


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If you've been feeling like you're seeing more ads when you watch 30 Rock online, that's because you are. Long-form online video — like TV shows — included about seven ads on average as of the end of 2011, and that's nearly double the ad load at the start of last year, according to a report releasing today from online video technology provider FreeWheel that analyzed more than 45 billion video views across sites such as ESPN, Discovery, AOL, VEVO and more.
Plus, consumers appear to be tolerating the ads. Long-form videos garnered an 88% completion rate of video ads in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to 82% in the third quarter. More ads being watched is a good thing for marketers and programmers. But are the ads truly being watched? The great unknown remains — have we all just timed up the ads perfectly for a bathroom break or a quick snack, just as we do with live TV? I'm willing to bet that consumer recall of ads in long-form online video could be dwindling. But maybe that's just me. Maybe I'm just so busy grabbing a handful of popcorn that I forgot to see who sponsored the Valentine's episode of Parks & Rec.
More ads being sold is a good thing, too. In the first quarter of 2011 just over half of professional video content of any length had an ad in it; by the end of the year three-quarters did. "Long-form content, most of which is brought over to streaming platforms from broadcast and cable, now features ad loads that are approaching those of television," FreeWheel said. Plus, seven ads per long-form video is still about a third of the ads viewers would see in a TV show on-air.


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Common Couples' Credit Woes
When couples apply for a mortgage, they're usually only focused on one new address. Barbara and Gregg Cochran were fixed on several. While applying for a mortgage, the Cochrans learned that their credit reports contained several unpleasant surprises—addresses of homes they never lived in and excess charges from authorized users.
"We had no idea," says Barbara, an administrative assistant based in Seymour, Connecticut. "We thought we were on track [for a mortgage], but we were basically laughed out of the lender's office. My credit score was only 458."
The Cochrans aren't the only couple to receive a fiscal slap in the face. Here's what you can learn from couples who got credit shocked.
Bridge the Gap Together
Working together and seeking knowledge are the only reasons the Cochrans pulled out of their financial slump. While Gregg's score increased remarkably fast, Barbara's score had other dings and took longer to improve.
"One person having a higher credit score than the other is a common problem among couples," says Jason Skinrood, a senior loan officer with Flagship Financial Group mortgage lending and owner of the credit card comparison site PlasticRewards.com. "They can try to get the loan with only one borrower or they can spend some time paying down debt and lowering their utilization ratio."
The most common reason for credit imbalance, says Skinrood, is one partner having a debt utilization ratio over 25 percent. If debt is an issue, Skinrood advises couples to raise their credit by dividing their debt among several cards instead of packing it all on one account.
Share Your Info, Rules Are Changing
Couples without credit dings can get a shock at a lender's table, too. When Angela and Sam Shiromani applied for a mortgage last year, they discovered two delinquent accounts—one that had already been paid off and one for which they hadn't even received their first bill.
"Macy's was sending statements to an address we had not lived at for many years and the other account was [on Sam's report] for items we bought under a no-payment, no-interest-for-one-year plan," says Angela, president of the public relations firm Sinickas Communications, Inc., in Laguna Woods, California.
Despite the fact that the mistakes on Sam's report haven't been removed, the Shiromanis still got a loan based on Angela's score. Few couples will be so lucky, says Bill Sherwood, vice president of eCredit Advisor, the Austin, Texas-based credit repair service that helped the Cochrans get back on their feet.
"The FHA loan-approval model is getting more stringent than it's been in the past six months," says Sherwood. "Instead of being 31 percent, its debt-to income-ratio is now going to be 27 percent. For a lot of borrowers, that 3 percent [difference] is huge."
Don't Be the Weakest Link
Even if both partners qualify for a loan, one partner can still inflict damage on the mortgage.
"If one borrower's score is in the 720s and the other has a score in the low 600s, the lender is going to take the score that's in the 600s," says Skinrood. "That's the score that will determine your interest rate."
If one partner's score is hiking the interest rate up, Juskoo says couples can start leveling the playing field by having the borrower with high credit add the lower-scoring partner to his or her accounts.
"When one partner adds another as an authorized user, that's using the good credit to both partners' advantage," he explains.
Be Prepared
The best way to avoid credit shock is to come prepared.
"A lot of people walk in with their hands in their pockets, wondering if it's possible to get a loan based on what they've heard on the street," says Sherwood. "If you're serious about a mortgage, you need to check your credit report and bring in three months of check stubs, W-2s, or 1099s and three months of bills."
By organizing their paperwork ahead of time, couples can avoid the sinking sensation that comes with losing out on a loan.
"I wish we had known all of this before we started the process," says Angela. "It's a little late when you walk in the lender's door."


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Unfiltered and unfined, there's 65% whole bunch Shiraz here which saw 11 days on skins and nine months in French oak (29% new). 2900 produced.
Lean forward and embrace the funk. Red berries, pan juices, purple flower aromas. Dark berry fruit assume control in the mouth. And then Mulberry compote comes to mind - similar to the one my grandmother used to make. Coupled with blueberries, the mouth is filled with great width. Spices chime in late providing a more than satisfying finish. There's plenty of meat on the bones here yet enough elegance to bring sexy back. Well played Mr Papps.
Drink now to eight years.
Region: Barossa Valley
Source: Sample
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Superb 19th century château on 25 ha with outbuildings only 50kms from Paris
Ref. 19994
2,950,000 €
This exceptional property, situated only 50 kms from Paris, is composed of a 19th century « empire » style château and various outbuildings including a priory. The château (1370m² on 3 levels) is currently used to accommodate receptions with its 3 vast receptions which can hold up to 200 people. It is equipped with a sound system and video surveillance. The outbuildings have been partially refurbished for 5 bed and breakfast rooms, as well as an outbuilding for small reunions or meetings. The 25ha park (with pond) offers a peaceful environment. Lots of potential for development
Energy - Conventional consumption
Energy - Emissions estimate
Les essentiels
- Reference 19994
- Price 2,950,000 €
- Type House
- Area 1370 m²
- Rooms 30
- Bedrooms 21
- Bathrooms -
- Shower rooms 6
- Co-ownership No


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Yep, you read that headline correctly. We bought a foreclosed rental house!
Instead of me simply writing about it, why don't I show it to you? … Check out this 2-minute video in which Will and I show off the house:
(If you're reading this by email and you can't see the video, click "display images." If that doesn't work, go to the Afford Anything website.)
It started thanks to this website.
A woman sent me an email saying she lives in Atlanta, she's a regular Afford Anything reader, she owns two rental properties and she aspires to own more. Would I like to have lunch?
Obviously I said yes. I love meeting my readers, and I love meeting people who are passionate about investing.
We quickly became friends … hanging out through several lunches and dinners. One evening, she told me about a foreclosed house that she thought was a fantastic deal. For a variety of personal reasons, she couldn't buy it herself, but she encouraged me to check it out.
We Checked Out The House …
Will and I toured the house the next day. It's a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, ranch-style home; 1,450 square feet, built in 1985. It needs cosmetic repairs — cabinets, countertops, carpet, drywall, paint, doors, bath vanities, tubs — but it needs zero structural repair.
The garage door, gutters and water heater need to be replaced. Some roof damage needs to be patched. The deck needs to be demolished and replaced. Otherwise, the house is in fairly good condition.
How Much Did It Cost?
At this point, you might be thinking: "Okay, Paula, enough already! Get to the good stuff … how much did it cost?"
First of all, let me just say that at the height of the housing bubble, in the year 2005, this house sold for $97,000, according to public tax records. The house went into foreclosure last year, and ….
(drumroll, please)
… we bought the house for $21,000. That's not a typo. We bought this house for one-fifth of its peak value. We bought it for less than the price of a car!
My concept of "total purchase price" equals the initial purchase cost PLUS the initial repairs needed to make it rent-ready. When I saw the house, my gut reaction was that the upfront repairs would cost roughly $10,000 to make the space habitable. We called in a professional inspector, and he agreed.
In the end, the "total purchase price" (purchase + repairs) will be around $30,000.
Remember when I discussed the "one percent rule of thumb" a few weeks ago? The One Percent Rule states that you should look for properties in which the gross monthly rent equals one percent of the purchase price or more.
One percent of $30,000 is $300. Two percent is $600. I'm fairly certain that I can get three percent, or $900, for this three-bedroom single-family home.
How Do You Afford It?
We paid cash for the house, which sounds impressive — "we bought a house in cash!" — until you consider that a new Toyota Camry costs more than this house. (The Camry starts at $22,000).
We saved that cash last year, in 2011, so I'm not counting the initial purchase cost towards my goal of investing 100 percent of my 2012 income. We saved roughly $28,000 by the end of last year, which we earmarked for some future investment. (We thought we'd use it as a down payment on a rental home … not realizing we'd use it for the entire cash purchase of a house!)
We'll use a combination of do-it-yourself labor plus contractors to carry out the repairs. The most expensive tasks — like installing a new water heater and doing some electrical work — we're going to do ourselves. (Specifically, Will is going to do himself. Don't worry, he used to own an electrical company).
Simple touch-up tasks, like painting the front door, changing out the door hardware, and replacing the switchplate covers, I'll do myself. Time-consuming and frustrating tasks, like installing a new garage door, we'll hire out to contractors.Sign Up for Free Tips on Affording Anything:
Read more posts on Afford Anything »


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Hawaii became the 50th State in 1959. And some would like to go back to the old Hawaiian way.
In May of that year we flew to Hawaii from Vancouver on a propeller plane. It took 12 hours to get to Honolulu and we arrived in the night about 10 pm and were greeted as they did then, by a beautiful Hawaiian with a kiss and a fragrant frangipani lei! The warm breeze was memorable. It was truly a land of swaying palms and friendly people.
Our hotel was the Hawaiian Village, all new and shiny and pink, as was everything owned by Henry Kaiser at the time. The Kaiser Hospital was pink, construction cranes working on Henry Kaiser projects were even pink.
We stayed in a thatched roof hut on the grounds as honeymooners.
Each breakfast plate had a small orchid nestled amid your bacon and eggs and at dinner in the open air restaurant, a concertina player strolled with soft melodies. On Sundays, Hawaii Calls was broadcast from the Moana Courtyard, the worlds longest running radio show, played to smiling suntanned visitors. Alfred Apaka sang in his mellifluous voice, and even held a pose for my haole girl while she snapped his picture.
There were only six hotels actually on Waikiki Beach then; The newest Hawaiian Village, the Ala Moana, the Reef, the Princess Kaiulani, The Royal Hawaiian, and the Outrigger I believe. In the evenings Hawaiian beach boys would soak pillow cases, inflate them in the air, and run along the edge of the water to dive onto the pillow for a fun ride into the gentle surf. No technology needed to enjoy the ocean waters.
We rented a jeep with a pink striped canopy and drove around Oahu, even sneaking into a pineapple field to steal a huge ripe one, which we mixed with gin in our pink ice bucket as an edible cocktail. Once out of Waikiki, Hawaii was quaint and serene with a feeling it might never change.
We were thrilled to see Tab Hunter in the lobby, and Sal Mineo at the outdoor bar by the pool. Jimmy the pool caretaker tried to teach Jane to dive instead of plummet.
We met two other May 30th honeymooners, Chuck and Eileen Deering from Boston, who took us to Schofield Barracks Officers` Club for dinner! And Martin Denny played his jungle sounds at the International Market place.
Hawaii was old Hawaii then, and in August of that year, a huge change was about to happen. King Kamehameha would no longer be the alii in charge of the Hawaiian spirit.
A semblance of that time still remains on the East coast of the Big Island today, north of Hilo if you explore side roads. You`ll be back in the innocent forties.
Yet we still have to say, Hawaii no ka oe. Hawaii is the best.
Aloha and muhalo.


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You can click the above link to view, as well as copy and paste the recipe.
Thanks for stopping by, and as always I appreciate your comments!
You can click the above link to view, as well as copy and paste the recipe.
Thanks for stopping by, and as always I appreciate your comments!
Hi, Mari...this looks delicious! I just made some meatballs yesterday to use in Italian wedding soup - I like the combination of hearty meatballs and a relatively light soup. And thank you for creating your secondary blog, because I know a lot of us want to copy your gorgeous recipes!ReplyDelete
oh that looks so good! i was going to skip dinner, now i am craving your soup...
off to check out your link~
This looks fantastic.
Great new feature!
Oh Mary...this soup is an old friend for us too...we love it too!
L ~xoxox..
Love the new feature!
This soup looks great and I am headed over to view the recipe next. I have never seen those dried tortellini's in the stores around here. I will have to look closer next time.
Your gorgeous photos always amaze me!
Definitely a beautiful soup! I've seen those tortellini but never tried them.ReplyDelete
Very beautiful soup & it sounds really good. I just love tortellini soup, it always helps to make it much more hearty.
That looks delicious, Mary..
I will get some of those tortellini, I have only had the refrigerated type..
And that plate is gorgeous!
I will check out the meatball recipe, too, thanks!
A wonderful, hearty soup perfect for these cold winter days. We have snow on the ground this morning.
If I have little meatballs in the freezer and tortellini on the pantry shelf I can put a fantastic soup together in no time.
Thansk, Mari.
Thank you for your comments everyone! If you try it, I hope you like it as much as I do.
Linda, you and I have been making this one for a few years now, yes?! xo~m.
Oh, that soup looks so good.
and....Yay! We can now get your recipes.
Thank you so much for the link/new blog.
It's morning.
I slept in.
I haven't eaten.
You have me famished.
I may make this today.
Mari, I love the plate...where'd you get that? The soup is very colourful and surely a meal for many.ReplyDelete


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802 744-0507
Lynda Bahr's earrings are studies in graphic design, miniature compositions which showcase her use of texture, patterns, and layers to tell a story. And as in all well-written stories, there is a background, built on a framework or structure both powerful and subtle, with the body of the story being either complex or remarkably simple. However, in the end it should all make sense and tie together, otherwise the design or story doesn't work.
Lynda's earrings are a careful balance of all these elements. Framework and space. Complexity and simplicity. Powerful and subtle. Background and layers. Texture and plain. Gold and silver. Contemporary and ancient. Engineered and flowing. These visual, yet highly wearable vignettes truly capture the poetic contradictions that make Lynda's distinctive style so graphically pleasing. Because in the end, it all makes sense.
I find myself turning the ring around and around on my finger in order to enjoy all the complexity of the design.
© 2020 Lynda Bahr Jewelry. All rights reserved.


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How to Use Victory vs. Setback Check in What we say to others and to ourselves is critical. And it's easy to not think too carefully about how we use language. Yet, our self talk helps define how we perceive reality. So after much reflection, we've made improvements in some of our fundamental language in the app. In rTribe you … Read More
November Update: Find Friends Feature is Here! Grow Your Tribe!
November Update: Find Friends Feature is Here! Grow Your Tribe! Hi Tribers, November was truly an exciting month for us at rTribe. This is our monthly update focused entirely on our new feature, Find Friends. We've also got some cool stats to share with you. Read on! Recent Highlights Find Friends is live on both iOS and Android! 285% increase … Read More
October 2016 Update: New Find Friends Feature Announcement
October 2016 Update: New Find Friends Feature Announcement Hi Tribers! In this month's update read about new directions rTribe is taking and new features we are releasing! Recent Highlights Big improvements coming in the next few weeks. We've been hard at work making rTribe better. Soon you'll be able to find others within rTribe. Read on to find out more. iOS 1 … Read More
September 2016 Update: Enabling Better Communication
September 2016 Update: Enabling Better Communication Hi Tribers! First, consider this: intimacy requires exploration. You see, so often in our addiction we have replaced intimacy with intensity. Instead of doing the hard work of pursuing intimacy, we seek out the easy; the quick intensity of our addiction. Whether it is porn, inappropriate sexual behavior, or some other problematic distracting behavior, … Read More
August 2016 Update: What Motivates You?
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Other Transactions
- U.S. stocklisted Accenture acquires Dutch product design and innovation agency VanBerlo
- Acknowledge raises growth capital at Rabobank-backed MGF
- Abovo Media acquires Digital Marketing agency Maxlead
- Belgian Waterland backed Intracto acquires GUC Agency
- Starline Group acquires Poly Products, specialist in fibre-reinforced products
- Company
- SectorIndustry
- ActivityBIPV solar modules
- Date18 May 2018
- CountryNetherlands
EXASUN raises growth capital at ING, ENERGIIQ and ABN AMRO
EXASUN, founded in 2002, is a Dutch developer and producer of high quality solar modules for building integrated applications. It produces unique glass-glass solar modules with a high efficiency and lengthy lifetime. Over the past years, EXASUN has developed its advanced production line in cooperation with suppliers, European research institutes and renowned Dutch machine builders. In addition to the Black Glass module, EXASUN also produces innovative BIPV (building-integrated photovoltaics) modules for, amongst others, a waterproof PV-roof (Black Roof) and for PV facades (Black Facade). EXASUN sells its high-end PV systems to large construction companies like BAM, Sweco and Bouwfonds. but also to private customers like the well-known Dutch astronaut André Kuipers. Moreover, EXASUN is supporting ABN AMRO in making its entire real estate portfolio more sustainable. The firm currently employs ca. 25 people.
The ING Group is a Dutch multinational banking and financial services corporation headquartered in Amsterdam. Its primary businesses are retail banking, direct banking, commercial banking, investment banking, asset management, and insurance services. ING operates in 40 countries in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Its corporate headquarters are in Amsterdam.
ENERGIIQ is the energy innovation fund of the Dutch province Zuid-Holland and offers a wide array of financing instruments for innovative companies that are ready to commercialize their proven energy innovation for CO2 reduction. The €35 million fund was established to speed up the energy transition in the region. ENERGIIQ has a team of experienced investment professionals and an independent investment committee. Moreover, it has access to various industry experts and co-investors.
ABN AMRO is a Dutch bank with headquarters in Amsterdam. ABN AMRO Bank is the third-largest bank in the Netherlands. It serves retail, private and corporate banking clients with a primary focus on the Netherlands and with selective operations internationally. In the Netherlands, clients are offered a comprehensive and full range of products and services through omni-channel distribution including advanced mobile application and internet banking. Internationally, we are active in areas in which we have substantial expertise.
EXASUN anticipates on the huge demand that will arise and already exists for BIPV (building-integrated photovoltaics) modules. The Netherlands are a front-runner in the area of building-integrated solar systems due to strict building regulation. Standard solar panels are unfit for BIPV applications. EXASUN produces small and midsized panel, optionally in colour, that are specifically designed for this application. Moreover, EXASUN strongly believes that the current situation of PV production focusing around Asia will shift to local-for-local production.
EXASUN has raised capital (undisclosed amount) from ING, ENERGIIQ and ABN AMRO in order to further automate and increase capacity of its production facility in The Hague. The firm aspires to increase its production capacity to 100MW/year in 2018.
For more information: EXASUN


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How to decrease body mass and build some nice muscle – Forskolin Fit Pro – EXPIRED
The herbal, weight loss forskolin extract has been used for generations in India's folk medicines and now is a leading extract in supporting lean muscle growth and fat removal in both men and women.
Many forskolin supplements contain only a mere 10% forskolin, which is not enough to initiate any change in the body. ForskolinFit Pro contains 20% PURE forskolin which can give you the results you are looking for.
One solution that proved to be effective for ALL our clients.
A must-have item for every gym goer
Get 300% increase in body sculpturing and muscle growth
A new solution that makes it super easy to get slim & muscular
How to decrease body mass and build some nice muscle


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How to Paint a Tin Can With Tempera Paint
Use tempera paint to jazz up tin cans and use them for various purposes such as storing pencils, pens, and other desk supplies. Paint them in single, solid colours, use splatter methods to make them appear speckled, or mix the paint with some glitter for extra sparkle.
Tempera paint is wonderfully low maintenance and requires no special instructions to use.
Wash the tin can with warm water and vinegar to completely strip the tin of oils, being careful not to cut yourself on any jagged edges on the inside of the can. Dry the can completely with a paper towel and set it on a sheet of newspaper to avoid a mess. Squeeze out small piles of tempera paint on a paper plate, using whatever colours you'd like.
Use a paintbrush to completely cover the tin can in one base colour; the best option is white so that all colours will show up over it later. Wait a few minutes for it to dry slightly before adding another coat, repeating until the base colour completely covers the tin can. Let dry for about 20 minutes. While it dries, use warm water and a dot of dish soap to wash out the paintbrush, drying with a paper towel.
Add any fun decorations to the can that you'd like---hearts, stars, zigzags, polka dots or even stripes. Make sure to wash the brush thoroughly in between each colour. If you want to use the splatter method, gather large dollops of paint on the paintbrush before using a quick and sharp motion to fling the paint over the can. Make sure you have laid out enough newspaper to catch any excess paint. Another option is to mix some glitter into the paint, adding one spoonful at a time and mixing until there is enough sparkle for your liking. Once the tin can is painted to your satisfaction, keep it on the newspaper for at least 30 minutes to allow it to dry completely.


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Brazil, along with the other BRICS, is part of a group of 22 countries responsible for concentrating about 80% of the Tuberculosis cases in the world. In the national scenario, the State of Rio de Janeiro has the highest number of people infected with the disease in absolute numbers with about 70 cases. The Rocinha favela has the highest national tuberculosis index per 100,000 inhabitants. According to the 2013 census, 372 cases were found on the spot with a cure rate close to 80%. The community presents about 300 new cases each year. The great concentration of cases of Tuberculosis in Rocinha occurs, among other factors, by the geographical disposition of the houses that were erected in an overlapping and vertical form. Narrow alleys are the main means of passage of the residents.
According to official data from the Ministry of Health, in 2014, 57.5% of TB cases in the country occurred in the black population. Tuberculosis has social roots that determine the conditions for its development in certain spaces. Alcoholism, malnutrition, poverty, poor hygiene and basic sanitation among other factors drive the spread of the disease.
At certain points in the community, with a great population density and low sunlight, lamps are on 24h. Lack of sunlight and high humidity are two of the main factors that spread the disease. Bacteria expelled during coughing, sneezing or speaking are resistant and can survive scattered in the air for hours if they do not come in contact with sunlight. Today, multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) treatment is done over two years, with up to 20 different pills per day and about eight months of daily injections. Patients are subjected to painful side effects, ranging from permanent deafness and persistent nausea to psychosis.


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If you want to work for a business with many benefits, career and development opportunities with skilled, experienced and supportive co-workers and management, then DCL Engineering is the place for you. Employees are exposed to challenging yet rewarding work in a results-focused and professional environment.
Servicing industry for over 50 years, DCL have built a corporate reputation of trust and reliability, with a high employee rentention rate DCL invites you to be part of an innovative business that is expanding into the future.
Apprenticeship Training Scheme
If you are an enthusiastic young person and in search of a trade in the mechanical engineering industry, contact DCL and enquire about the apprenticeship training scheme. DCL is committed to educate, encourage and support their apprentices and on completion of their apprenticeships our apprentices will be qualified Fitter and Machinists having studied a mechanical engineering trade certificate at a TAFE NSW campus.
Download the Apprenticeship Training Scheme Flyer
Contact DCL Engineering for further information:
DCL Engineering - Apprenticeships
DCL Engineering has vacancies for Apprentices in the following fields:
- Fabrication Engineering Trade
- Mechanical Engineering Trade
Successful applicants will be required to sit a basic Mechanical Engineering knowledge exam. Please forward your cover letter and resume to:
- Fax: 02 9754 1400
DCL Engineering - Machinist (CNC)
DCL Engineering has a position available for a Milling Operator, with experience in Vertical and Horizontal Milling. Must be proactive, reliable and able to work with minimum of supervision. Excellent remuneration and working conditions with regular over time.
To apply for this position, please forward your cover letter and resume to:
- Fax: 02 9754 1400
DCL Engineering - Fitter
DCL Engineering has vacancies for qualified fitters. Strong background in Industrial Gearbox Overhaul & Repair. Must have hand tools.
- Excellent remuneration and working conditions
- Regular over time
To apply for this position, please forward your cover letter and resume to:
- Fax: 02 9754 1400


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Kiss Me I'm Irish Run™
Friday/Saturday March 13/14, 2019
Friday – KILT Run, begins at 6 pm
Saturday – 1/2 marathon, 8K & 4K Run/Walk Begins starting at 7 am
Westgate Entertainment District
6770 North Sunrise Blvd, Glendale 85305
(just east of Loop 101 at Glendale Ave)
It is an Irish weekend in Glendale. We're kicking it off on Friday night trying to break the world record for runners in Kilts – proceeds to support cancer. Then on Saturday morning, there will be a 1/2 marathon, 8k and 4k. Lots of Irish Music, plus food, beverage and medals for all participants. Saturday's festivities are produced in partnership with Arizona Prostate Cancer Center and Prostate On-Site Project, helping to raise awareness of prostate cancer and donating to support prostate cancer screenings.
Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are needed on Friday and Saturday to help out with packet pickup, registration, event setup, food & water distribution and monitoring the course.
Friday volunteers are mainly needed between 4 and 7 pm. Saturday volunteer shifts start as early as 4:30 am through 12:30 pm.
REGISTER ONLINE at Volunteers
DEADLINE: Please sign up online or contact us no later than March 1, 2020. Thanks.


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Technology has aggressively changed the world around us. Businesses are able to understand their target market with a greater ease and at pennies on the dollar. Giant tech corporations have made the most out of understanding, accumulating and establishing a highly intimate connection with the general public. In broader terms making the world a lot smaller than it used be, simultaneously opening up new horizons for scalability of small businesses.
Even though technology has made it easier for humans to coexist and build a stronger more united world, there are adverse effects of it as well. However, that is only relevant for those that let time slip away, and are not able to adapt at the rate that technology brings about innovations and rejuvenates how everyday functions are performed.
There are extensive lists of professions that have been determined to be in the danger zone due to technological advancements and progressions towards independent and self-aware artificially intelligent (AI) systems. A way out does exist, which is to adapt to the changes and be ahead of the game by keeping up to date and utilizing advancements to one's own gain, professionally.
Here are some predictions on the future of the accounting profession.
Cloud Accounting vs Local CPAs
We have discussed about this in earlier blogs as well, where local CPAs were compared with cloud based computing. The future is all but cloud, the life of the hard drive is very limited, since all communications and important data is starting to get stored away in a system called cloud. This will enable the transformation and sharing of data at a much faster and more logistical way.
Small businesses rely heavily on small margins of profits; being a small business owner yourself, you would know this better. Every penny that is not being spent towards any unnecessary expenses can mean enhanced profits. Accountants are an integral part of your business; its well-being and structuration depend on them. However, local accountants can be extremely pricey especially accountants in Houston, Texas area. The point in having cloud based accounting systems in place is to reduce the overall expenses on this core business function, improving on the quality of management, and control that you as a small business owner need.
Corporations such as Monily, handle taxes and bookkeeping at extremely affordable rates all the while helping you focus more on your savings and business's expenses on a reoccurring base at a quarter of the rate at which you would get a single accountant.
For accountants this means that they need to move up from providing just financial advisory services to small businesses, to providing cloud-based solutions that would help their client base save up on accounting expenses and cater to more clients through the integration of technology.
Read Complete Article : Accounting Profession


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Posts Tagged 'police'
Transgender and Incarcerated: How do our jails treat some of the most vulnerable prisoners?
http://issuu.com/outwords/docs/outwords_210_may-june_2014 – pages 8-10
Transgender prisoners – particularly women – often face harsh situations in Canada's jails. Without documentation or not having medically transitioned, offenders may face difficult questions when entering the prison system, not the least of which is what their gender is. Those who are non-operative or pre-operative are, by standard practice, sent to the prison that matches their sexed genitalia, said a spokesperson for Manitoba Justice. This is done regardless of how long they have lived as their identified gender.
A famous 2001 Canadian case saw Synthia Kavanagh, a 41-year-old trans woman who had begun hormone therapy and lived as female since she was a teen, placed in a men's prison and given restricted hormone therapy. This resulted in a reversal of the physical changes hormones had provided her. After her requests for gender-reassignment surgery (GRS) were repeatedly denied, Kavanagh attempted to slice off her genitalia out of desperation.
Kavanagh filed a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission and eventually won her case in 2001. She received surgery at a cost of $14,000 and was then moved to a women's prison. This followed several years in segregation after alleged sexual assault and harassment at the hands of male inmates. Kavanagh's case illustrates all too well some of the hardships trans women face in Canada's prison system.
"They're mixed in with the general population, and they're assigned based on whatever sex organs they still have."
The case in Manitoba
In Manitoba, the Human Rights Code prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity in the provision of services. The Commission's website states, "Systemic discrimination is a form of discrimination that is often not intended. It takes place when a policy or practice that seems neutral has a greater negative effect on some people based on their protected characteristic."
Failure to reasonably accommodate a special need that is based on a protected characteristic is also prohibited in Manitoba. The Code has special status over all other laws in the Province of Manitoba.
Factors like self-identification, gender on official ID and any file history about past placements is taken into consideration before placing a transgendered prisoner, said the spokesperson for Manitoba Justice. "Placements also consider the individual's health and safety and any security concerns that could result. As I understand it, a transgender inmate in a correctional facility would likely be placed in an area with either a smaller population of inmates (i.e. not a dorm-style arrangement), or in other areas better suited to protect his or her safety."
The spokesperson said Manitoba Corrections has effectively managed trans offenders in the past and isn't aware of any significant incidents. Of a total inmate population of around 2,600, they estimate that there may be four to six transgender inmates in the provincial system at any time. The spokesperson said trans inmates have access to hormones if they have been taking them before coming in. The official was unable to say whether any pre-operative/non-operative trans women have ever been placed in a women's prison in Manitoba.
Manitoba Corrections does not have policies specific to transgender inmates.
The case for transgender inmates the same across Canada
In addition to provincial facilities, there are three federal penitentiaries in Manitoba. Correctional Service Canada's regional communications manager for the Prairies, Jeff Campbell said in an e-mail interview, "Pre-operative male to female offenders with gender identity disorder shall be held in men's institutions and pre-operative female to male offenders with gender identity disorder shall be held in women's institutions." For all placement decisions, individual assessments are done to ensure those offenders diagnosed with gender identity disorder (GID) have their needs for safety and privacy accommodated, Campbell said. This means that without genital surgery, an offender would be placed in a prison that corresponds with their physical sex, but possibly not with their emotional and psychological well-being.
In order for an inmate to be diagnosed with GID and access trans-specific medical care, they must see a psychiatrist who is a recognized expert in the area. This mirrors the process many trans people outside prison must follow to access healthcare. The process for inmates happens if and when such a psychiatrist is available, according to Correctional Service Canada policy. The policy states inmates with GID diagnosis are the ones who can initiate or continue hormone therapy.
The policy also says, "Sex reassignment surgery shall be considered during incarceration only when: a recognized gender identity specialist has confirmed that the offender has satisfied the real-life test." The real-life test refers to living full-time as one's identified gender for a year in order to qualify for surgery. For inmates, the real-life test must have been completed prior to incarceration. If they are eligible for surgery, Correctional Service Canada foots the bill. This policy amendment was enacted following Kavanagh's human rights victory.
Dealing with misidentification
One source OutWords spoke to has seen some of the effects of these policies on the ground. In a telephone interview, an employee of federal corrections described some of the ways trans women are treated in male penitentiaries and how some of them cope. "They're mixed in with the general population, and they're assigned based on whatever sex organs they still have," the source said. "Even if they've had breast augmentation and have been living fully as female and on hormones." Others could care less if they're in with the males, and "[those ones] only live as female part-time or by choice."
"But there are a couple in particular who live fully as female and identify as female and we call them by their female names… Most of them are forced to work the streets when they're out, and then they come in, and if they really want to affect change it's pretty hard, because they're kind of used as females within the prison," said the source. "In some ways for some of them it gives them a lot of power in the prison, because they have something to barter with. But for others who are sincerely wanting to change, and [who] live their lives as females socially, it's an added struggle for them. I think it's kind of shameful." The source described the situation as psychologically damaging and quite bad. "But I don't know what the other solution is either."
Prisonjustice.ca, an activist organization for trans prisoners, notes the connection between criminal activity, poverty and the isolation and stigmatization many trans people face. Incarceration rates within trans communities are disproportionate, and this is linked to the vulnerability of the trans population.
Moving forward
The federal employee said Manitoba Corrections is looking at work done by the Winnipeg police to help plan an expansion for its own diversity programs. "We're also doing it [federally], because we work with a diversity committee, and we're looking to bring in speakers and stuff from related organizations that have been successful in doing diversity training with their staff."
A guide put together by Joshua Mira Goldberg for the Justice Institute of British Columbia aims to provide criminal justice personnel with the information necessary to respond appropriately to trans people in the criminal justice system. It suggests a case-by-case approach to placing trans prisoners. "In some cases, it may be appropriate to place a prisoner according to their identity (e.g., placing a trans woman in a women's facility). In some locations, it may be possible for trans prisoners to be housed together in a special unit. In some instances, a trans prisoner may request placement in general population or protective custody… There needs to be a framework to guide the assessment."
Australia's model is a three-tiered policy that prioritizes prisoner safety. First, it is asked which facility would be safest for the prisoner. Then, the prisoner's general appearance and what gender they live as are considered. The last consideration is physiology and genital status.
An international academic study that looked at transsexuals within prison systems in North America, Europe and Australia found that only 29 of 64 correctional institutions said they would maintain existing hormone therapy if it had been prescribed prior to imprisonment. Sixty-two of 64 facilities said all inmates must wear the clothing appropriate to the institution regardless of the inmate's gender identity. And only 40 per cent of correctional services had policies addressing issues like hormone treatment.
Published in OutWords Magazine, May/June 2014
–Larkin Schmiedl is a freelance journalist living in Vancouver, B.C. He loves to write about social and environmental justice.
Violence: Domestic abuse in the queer community
An issue beginning to come to light, domestic violence in queer relationships, is misunderstood by many. With rates comparable to violence in straight relationships, yet mired in a homophobic culture, queer people of all stripes who are living with abuse find themselves with fewer resources to draw upon, and fewer people on their side.
Services available for cisgender women are typically well-known, though not always welcoming to queer women. And services for men and trans people are less well-known and sometimes just don't exist. The issues facing the queer community revolve around police misunderstanding and minimizing same-sex relationship violence, making it difficult for queer people to get help.
Providing the only shelter of its kind in Canada, Winnipeg's Men's Resource Centre caters to all men regardless of orientation or gender history. According to Steve Sutherland, therapist and administrator at the centre, it can house men as they leave an abusive relationship and help them get back on their feet.
Dan, who will be identified by his first name only, was a client of the centre earlier this year. After being closeted in an abusive relationship for a number of years, married to a wife he was financially controlled by due to his immigrant status and who he felt he had to marry, Dan made his escape. "I would not have been able to do it without the Men's Resource Centre." The centre signed Dan up for unemployment insurance. It also helped him find low-income housing and spruce up his resumé.
"I didn't have a place to go because of how isolated I had been," he said. "I didn't really know anyone well enough that I could ask them to crash on their couch. The biggest help was [that] they provided shelter." While waiting for his first cheque to arrive, the centre provided meals. And Dan found emotional support. "They made it very easy," he said. "Even as I was dealing emotionally with what I was going through and wasn't able to think straight."
Though resources available for women are more common, they aren't available to all women. The situation for trans women seeking shelter in Winnipeg could be described as dire. Bradley Tyler-West, LGBT* program facilitator at Winnipeg's Sexuality Education Resource Centre (SERC), said, "I have heard of individual experiences of trans women who have gone into shelter and some have had a good experience there getting access to support and services, and some did not – and I think that's really based on their ability to pass or be stealth." He's heard the problems have come from residents at shelters rather than staff. And the trans women he knows of who have gotten help have been in mixed-gender relationships, with violence coming at the hands of male partners. He noted that falls into the heteronormative pattern assumed of domestic violence.
Sutherland refers trans women to Sage House. "They're very LGBT friendly," he said. "But that would be the only shelter I know in Winnipeg that would be providing services to that segment of the population."
Sage House could not be reached for confirmation.
There are resources available for women in lesbian relationships. Yet if shelter is needed, sometimes a lack of sensitivity can limit access. Glenda Dean, executive director of Winnipeg's Alpha House, said she sees a "real gap" in lesbian and bisexual women utilizing shelters. Although she said she doesn't know why that gap exists, she said perhaps shelters have not reached out enough to the community.
According to a workshop for service providers presented by Saskatoon's The Avenue Community Centre for Gender & Sexual Diversity Inc., lesbians often experience a lack of understanding about the seriousness of abuse when violent incidents are reported to therapists, police or doctors. Because of homophobia, queer relationships are sometimes seen to be inherently unstable or unhealthy.
When abuse happens, police will sometimes be called to domestic violence scenes. Both Tyler-West and Sutherland have heard in their work with men about police incidents where violence was minimized or male victims of abuse were even mocked. Myths such as that abuse doesn't happen to men, or for men in relationships with women that it can't happen because the man is bigger or women aren't aggressive, lead police to sometimes misunderstand abusive situations, said Sutherland. He said discrimination can be especially bad in First Nations communities.
But he added that police are making steps, and so is the Province of Manitoba. A GLBTQ* domestic violence working group was launched in November 2012 and began distributing posters and brochures addressing the issue of queer domestic violence last month. Part of the group's mandate is to provide GLBTQ*-sensitivity training to staff at service organizations. According to Beth Ulrich, executive director of Manitoba's Status of Women, who the group is hosted by, shelters are working on some of their issues.
"That's a commitment where I think some shelters are probably more ahead of others perhaps. I think that there's a willingness and an awareness now that 'OK, we need to make sure we're being respectful'," she said.
The Rainbow Resource Centre is another place victims of abuse can receive counselling and support. Located at 170 Scott St., the centre has pamphlets for those who are wondering if their relationship might be abusive and has counsellors trained in helping fill out protection orders. Tyler-West said, "We are hearing more conversations… so that is encouraging—a small light at the end of the very dark tunnel. It's nowhere near where it needs to be, but it is definitely better than it was, say, four or five years ago."
– Larkin Schmiedl is a freelance journalist from Vancouver, B.C. He's an LGBTI contributing editor with rabble.ca, the former host of a queer-issues radio show called Gaydio, and loves to write about social and environmental justice.


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By Mark Price, Ph.D.
Economist and Interim Research Director, Keystone Research Center and the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center
York Dispatch
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Thursday that Pennsylvania created 66,500 jobs in the last 12 months. At 1.1 percent, that's the fastest year-over-year job growth reported in any July since 2005. Relative to the 50 states, that's the 34th fastest pace in the country and the best Pennsylvania has ranked since July 2011 when it was in 26th place.
July 2011 is of note because former Gov. Tom Corbett's first budget was signed shortly before the stroke of midnight on June 30, 2011. While on time, the budget was even more remarkable because it cut $1 billion from education funding and set off a wave of school district layoffs that, as of the end of the last school year, tallied to 33,000 jobs.
Not surprisingly, layoffs on that scale delivered a body blow to a state economy still recovering from the worst recession since the Great Depression. The body blow dropped Pennsylvania's job growth ranking within a year to 44th and by July 2013 to 48th.
So what we learned this Aug. 20 is that job growth in the commonwealth is finally back to normal — Pennsylvania has ranked, on average, 35th for job growth since 1990. The future of the Pennsylvania labor market, however, is cloudier than it should be thanks to deadlock over this year's state budget.
Full Story: OP-ED: Pa. needs sensible budget compromises, by Mark Price, Ph.D. of the Keystone Research Center and the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center for York Dispatch, 08/26/15


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Today, we are excited to announce that nearly 250,000 aerial photos of Maryland are now available to search and view online. Maryland is often referred to as "Little America" and a great deal of our early history as a nation took place right here. In 1696 the King Williams School opened which was the first school in the United States. During revolutionary times Rockville was known as "Hungerford's Tavern" the name of its most familiar landmark. One of the first calls to freedom from British rule was heard at the tavern in 1774. Maryland is one of two states which gave up some of its lands to help build the nation's capital of Washington, D.C in 1790. Throughout the years there were a plethora of stories that directly contributed to forging a nation free from British rule. This is one of my favorites, On the morning of August 10th, 1813 residents of Saint Michaels having been forewarned of a British attack, hoisted lanterns to the masts of ships and in the tops of the trees. The height of light caused cannons to overshoot the town. This first known "blackout" was effective and only one house was struck and is now known as the "Cannonball House." One year later America's national anthem was written by Francis Scott Key. It is believed Key wrote the anthem on September 14th, 1814 while watching the bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor.
Maryland's little-known nickname, "America in Miniature" comes from its agriculture being as diverse as that of the nation itself. As the state has grown in population, traditional dairy, grain, and livestock production, while still active, have given way to products more directly related to consumers. Poultry, nursery and turf production, seafood, dairy, corn, soybeans, racing and pleasure horse industries now dominate Maryland agriculture. 40% of its land is in agriculture covering over 2 million acres. This area is split into nearly 13,000 farms averaging about 160 acres each. Approximately 350,000 people, including nearly 6,000 full-time farmers, are employed in some aspect of agriculture, making it the largest commercial industry in Maryland. This agricultural industry contributes more than $17 billion in revenue annually. Many of these farms, home, and businesses that have contributed so much to Marylands economy and culture have been preserved in our collection.
We invite you to come and take a look at these homes and farms in our nearly 250,000 aerial photos of this great state. Home is the place where you became you. Find your way back!


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It was just a couple weeks ago that my husband and I left our boys, who are 8 and 6 years old, in the truck while we made a quick grocery stop. It was a cool rainy day, we were gone for maybe five minutes, our kids had fun chatting about Minecraft while my husband and I enjoyed a brief moment of adult time.
I don't leave them in the car a lot, but I've certainly done it. On weather-appropriate days, in a locked vehicle, when I'm going to be gone for the amount of time it takes to microwave a bag of popcorn? Frankly, I don't see anything wrong with it. But I won't be leaving them on their own again for a long, long time -- and the reason is both sad and infuriating.
I decided the car is officially off-limits for a kid on their own when I read this powerful Salon essay, "The Day I Left My Son in the Car." In it, author Kim Brooks details what happened after she left her 4-year-old son for a few minutes while she bought a pair of child headphones for an upcoming flight: A "Good Samaritan" (this is me doing exaggerated air quotes) captured video of her son on their cellphone camera and called the police. Brooks was eventually charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor -- a strange-sounding charge that was the result of what her lawyer described as a legal gray area -- resulting in legal fees, 100 hours of community service, and court-required parenting education classes.
More from The Stir: Homeless Mom Arrested for 'Child Abuse' Is Really a Hero to Her Family
Her experience is nightmarish to read about and prompted me to research the laws in my own state of Oregon. As it turns out, ORS 163.545 states that leaving a child under the age of 10 unattended "in or at any place for such period of time as may be likely to endanger the health or welfare of such child" is a misdemeanor crime: child neglect in the second degree.
Hol. Ee. Shit.
Oregon's law is vague enough for police to make their own judgment calls, which is ... scary. Officer Sara McClurg with the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office crime prevention unit went on record saying that being charged with neglect for leaving a child in the car is "definitely a possibility." She added,
There could be a sexual predator watching that mom. That's all it takes.
McClurg tells parents to "imagine the worst-case scenario" when they're trying to decide whether to leave their kid. Imagine the worst-case scenario. That's how we're supposed to live our lives these days.
This is exactly the mentality Kim Brooks talks about in her essay -- the culture of fearmongering we live in. She asks why with crime rates lower than they were a generation ago, activities we once viewed as harmless (kids heading out to play by themselves, or briefly waiting in a car) are now not only socially taboo, but illegal. She talks about sabotaging ourselves with impossible parenting standards and living in chronic terror that something will happen to our children:
Anything could happen, is a common refrain voiced by such parents. And I know what they mean. We've seen the television movies about abducted children. We've heard the heart-rending stories of kids injured in carjackings, or forgotten in sweltering cars. And once you imagine something, imagine what it must have been like for that parent or child who suffered it, it's not a great leap to imagine it happening to you or your child, and then, if you're like most parents, you will do anything in your power to prevent it. It's not a matter of likelihood or statistical significance, but the terrible power of our imagination.
I remember the terrible power of my imagination nearly smothering me when my children were babies. Dangers lurked around every corner: every bumped head was a fractured skull, every sniffle was a fatal disease. Now that they're older I don't feel quite so panicked by their frailty, but I worry about their education, their happiness, their future, and their ability to make it through the school years without being shot by a classmate.
If I indulged my ability to imagine the worst-case scenario in any given situation, I would eventually need to be medicated and locked up. The worst-case scenarios are that my children will get in a car accident on the way to the store and die, they'll trip over something in the parking lot and die, they'll eat contaminated food and die, they'll be diagnosed with cancer and die, they'll be murdered in their sleep while my husband and I aren't watching them for, oh my god, eight full hours.
Is this what we want to teach our children? That they should constantly be thinking of the worst that could possibly happen? Then, my god, why do we do this to ourselves? Because we can't control the world. We can't always stop our children from being hurt. To believe that everything is within our power, that it's our constant never-wavering vigilance that keeps our children breathing, is the surest path to ensure that everything good in our lives is replaced by soul-crushing anxiety.
If there is a law that says my children aren't allowed to be alone in the car until they're 10, so be it. I will abide by that law. But it's a fucked-up symptom of a creeping sickness in our society, one that's not just aimed at parents. It tells us we aren't in charge, it tells us to second-guess our choices, and above all, it tells us to always, always, always be afraid.
Do you think it should be illegal for older kids to be left in a car? (I hope it's obvious I'm not talking about days when the heat is dangerous.)
Image via Karlis Dambrans/Flickr