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Love and war. I finally figured out why those two words relate.
I love. I am a person who loves. And I am a person who is loved. I think I fell in love once…I can't be sure. I have so much love to give, I am almost over flowing with love and the desire to share it with someone, but the one time I was given the opportunity to let someone see all my love I couldn't do it. I found myself scared and unable to trust that someone could actually love me. Rationally I knew that he cared for me and had no intention of hurting me, but emotionally and unconsciously I thought otherwise. After nine months of trying to prove to me that he loved me and wanted to be in my life, that he wanted to play an active supportive loving role in my life it disintegrated. I had sabotaged myself because I didn't believe that someone could love me. I consistently pushed him away and blocked his attempts at breaking down my protective walls…and there are many walls that guard my heart. Too many walls.
I regret those nine months of being constantly on guard. It's exhausting always thinking you have to guard your actions and thoughts…like being at war with yourself. I have begun to figure out why I wage war on myself whenever someone wants to see my heart. I would rather actively persuade them that I am entirely the wrong person for them after a short period of time than allow them the opportunity to hurt me. It makes sense. If I find myself attracted to someone and it is reciprocated then at first I let myself fall wondrously into the idea of being with them, or waking up next to them. I build castles in the air where I see us walking together, I call him whenever I want about the most trivial or the most important things happening in my life. I sometimes even see a dress. And then the soldiers march out. I become distant and start to avoid being alone together. I make endless excuses not to meet up. I declare war. Ostensibly on the other person, but actually it's on myself.
I figure that it is less painful not getting involved with someone than taking the plunge and risking it all.
For the longest time I wasn't aware of the soldiers surrounding my heart, for every protective wall there is a battalion of soldiers ready to defend that space. I sometimes wonder if they're not defending an empty space. That nine month gestation period romance had scared me, I blamed him for hurting me, for destroying any sense of self I thought I had. But it was me all along, it was my fear of being abandoned that had caused it to die. Not that he was blameless, but he tried so hard to make it work.
Someone left my life the day I was born. For my entire life I thought it was my fault. I built castles in the air with all of us together. My emotions were like a pendulum swinging between desperately longing for that person to want me, to acknowledge me, to want to be in my life and not wanting anything to do with them, not even wanting to believe that they were a part of me. For many years I actively refused to give this person any thought…I didn't think they deserved airtime. I didn't make the connection between their absence and the steady army being built to protect my heart.
Last year (2009), I met that person. I arranged a meeting, I decided it was time to acknowledge each other. At the time I thought it was the most painful thing I had ever experienced (subsequently my heart has been chipped and broken by loss, the pain is unbearable and this time there were no soldiers to protect me, this loss happened without my having any say in the matter). After that meeting I realized that I was amazing. That I had achieved so much in my life and that by not having this person in my life it was only them had that missed out. I had not let his absence destroy me. But his absence did play a role in the private army I had amassed.
Once I had made the connection between him and the army I knew that I had the strength to begin getting rid of the army. I had taken a risk asking for the meeting and it had been the best decision I had ever made. And I had survived. I proved to myself that I am stronger than I thought I was. Which is not to say that it didn't take its toll on me…but I survived and it made me able to see myself more clearly. It was worth the pain.
I have begun dismantling the army. I have met someone…and it is thrilling. I am scared stiff, but I am consciously making an effort not to sabotage it this time. I am taking a risk and I am enjoying the free fall. Even if it causes pain I think it will be worth it. I hope so.


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PRAGUE — The United States and Russia opened what they called a new era in their tumultuous relationship on Thursday as they signed an arms control treaty and presented a largely united front against Iran's nuclear program, marking a sharp change since they broke over the Georgia war two years ago.
In a ceremony filled with flourish and the echoes of history, President Obama and President Dmitri A. Medvedev put aside the tensions of recent years to seal the New Start pact paring back their nuclear arsenals. The two leaders used the moment to showcase their growing personal relationship and a mutual commitment to cooperation on a host of issues.
The celebratory mood in the majestic, gilded hall of Prague Castle masked stubborn divisions on matters like missile defense and European security. Mr. Obama avoided any public criticism of Russia's human rights record. And while they resolved to seek even deeper cuts in nuclear weapons, such an agreement would be much harder to reach than the one they signed Thursday.
The overthrow of the government in Kyrgyzstan likewise could quickly test the new bonds proclaimed in Prague given that the two countries have vied for influence there in recent years. As both sides struggled to figure out what the violent uprising would mean, the United States took a cautious approach while Russia embraced the new government and a senior official in Mr. Medvedev's delegation told reporters that Moscow still wanted an American base in Kyrgyzstan closed.
But harmony was the message of the day. "When the United States and Russia are not able to work together on big issues, it's not good for either of our nations, nor is it good for the world," Mr. Obama said. "Together, we've stopped that drift, and proven the benefits of cooperation. Today is an important milestone for nuclear security and nonproliferation, and for U.S.-Russia relations."
Mr. Medvedev called the treaty "a truly historic event" that would "open a new page" in Russian-American relations. "What matters most is that this is a win-win situation," he said. "No one stands to lose from this agreement. I believe that this is a typical feature of our cooperation. Both parties have won."
The Russian signaled support for the American-led drive to impose new sanctions on Iran, saying that Tehran's nuclear program had flouted international rules. "We cannot turn a blind eye to this," Mr. Medvedev said, while adding that sanctions "should be smart" and avoid hardship for the Iranian people.
Mr. Medvedev said he "outlined our limits for such sanctions" to Mr. Obama in their private talks, without elaborating. Sergei Ryabkov, the deputy Russian foreign minister, said later that Mr. Medvedev supported sanctions "that are targeted, that are tailored," and opposed an embargo on refined oil products because it would be "a huge shock for the whole society."
The friendly tone stood in contrast to the rupture between Washington and Moscow after Russia's war with its tiny neighbor of Georgia in 2008, when President George W. Bush shelved a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement in protest and supplied financial aid to the Georgians. Neither president mentioned Georgia in public on Thursday or the broader issue of Russia's assertiveness with its neighbors.
The two played down their quarrel over American plans to build missile defense in Europe, despite recent comments by Russian officials threatening to withdraw from the treaty if the United States pressed too far. And Mr. Obama expressed no public concern about Russian authoritarianism, a topic that routinely flavored discussions during Mr. Bush's presidency, and even he was sometimes criticized for not raising it more strenuously.
Mr. Obama and Mr. Medvedev smiled and whispered with each other as they sat side by side signing the treaty. Mr. Obama called his counterpart a "friend and partner" and said "without his personal efforts and strong leadership, we would not be here today." For his part, Mr. Medvedev said the two had developed a "very good personal relationship and a very good personal chemistry, as they say."
White House officials described the relationship in effusive terms. "We're having a real conversation," said Michael McFaul, the president's Russia adviser. "We're not reading talking points." Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary, said Mr. Obama "genuinely feels like they can sit down and call each other and work through a series of issues in a very frank and honest way."
Russian officials likewise expressed optimism that was absent from such meetings not long ago. "Our mutual trust was below zero," said Mikhail Margelov, chairman of the foreign affairs committee in the upper house of Parliament. "Now we have to correct the mistakes of the past and move forward."
Under the treaty, if ratified, each side within seven years would be barred from deploying more than 1,550 strategic warheads or 700 launchers. Because of counting rules and past reductions, neither side would have to eliminate large numbers of weapons to meet the new limits. But the treaty re-establishes an inspection regime that lapsed in December and could serve as a foundation for deeper reductions later.
The rapprochement worries many in a region once dominated by Moscow. The cover of the influential Czech weekly Reflex showed Mr. Obama kissing Leonid Brezhnev, along with the warning, "dangerous kisses with Moscow." The leading Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza ran a snide commentary titled "Obama is coming, but it's no longer our Obama."
Lubos Dobrovsky, a former Czech defense minister who presided over the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact, said he feared that Mr. Obama was appeasing Russia. "This treaty is a diplomatic and military victory for Moscow," he said in an interview, "and I am not happy that this American defeat is being showcased in Prague."
Hoping to soothe such concerns, Mr. Obama spoke by phone with President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia before leaving Washington and then hosted 11 leaders from the region here for a dinner of devil's fish, scallops and California wine.
"He gave us reassurances that we are not in a vacuum, that we are anchored in Europe and NATO, that we belong somewhere," Prime Minister Jan Fischer of the Czech Republic said in an interview afterward. But history is hard to ignore, he added. "The people of the Czech Republic will be viewing relations with Russia through the rear view mirror, but we need to look through the front screen, which is much larger."
Prime Minister Donald Tusk of Poland told reporters that he asked Mr. Obama directly how the renewed Russian-American ties "may affect the security of countries in the region," and added that "we received assurances on the part of the United States" that its commitment to its partners here remained undiminished.

subset: commoncrawl


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I had expected, Betsan, Vaughan, Peter , Bethan or Leighton to pick up on this one, but as they haven't I shall tell the story :-)
During Questions to the First Minister this afternoon, Eleanor Burnham started her question to Rhodri with a complaint about the dastardly way in which she was treated by Carwyn Jones last week.
Carwyn had made a joke that Eleanor didn't think was very funny, about never wishing to travel with Eleanor given the misfortunes that appear to beset all of her journeys. Full details here, HT David Cornock.
As Eleanor told the First Minister travel in Wales is no laughing matter.
Hear, hear!!!
Unfortunately Eleanor ended her question by making a Freudian slip. Rather than telling the FM its time you got your act together she said its time you got your arse together.
Result - rather than just Carwyn laughing at her - the whole chamber was bent double.
Da Iawn Eli! :~)


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Toilers of the Sea
Toilers of the Sea
The Toilers of the Sea should have been a chapter in Les Miserables--an episode in the life of Jean Valjean, a few strokes of the pen would have made the necessary alterations, since the similarity between the characters of the two men, the convict and the fisherman, is so marked that the one immediately suggests the other. The same herculean strength, the same melancholy amounting to misanthropy, the same manner of life so far as circumstances would permit, the same singleness of purpose thwarted by no self-sacrifice however great, the same kindness of heart, whether exhibited in the princely benevolence of the wealthy manufacturer or in the humble endeavors of the Guernsey fisherman to rescue from the cruel boys the nest homes of the birds of the cliff".
Book Excerpt
that Christmas morning, the road which skirts the seashore from St. Peter's Port to the Vale was clothed in white. From midnight till the break of day the snow had been falling. Towards nine o'clock, a little after the rising of the wintry sun, as it was too early yet for the Church of England folks to go to St. Sampson's, or for the Wesleyans to repair to Eldad Chapel, the road was almost deserted. Throughout that portion of the highway which separates the first from the second tower, only three foot-passengers could be seen. These were a child, a man, and a woman. Walking at a distance from each other, these wayfarers had no visible connection. The child, a boy of about eight years old, had stopped, and was looking curiously at the wintry scene. The man walked behind the woman, at a distance of about a hundred paces. Like her he was coming from the direction of the church of St. Sampson. The appearance of the man, who was still young, was something between that of a workman and a sailor. He wore his workin
Popular books in Fiction and Literature, Nautical
Readers reviews
A great, great adventure. The hero Gilliat sacrifices all for love in this story of ingenuity and resourcefulness in the face of terrible adversity. OK, so Hugo was not an expert on the octopus (nor was he apparently aware of the phenomenon of hypothermia), but you will be entertained every second of this wonderful book.


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The new kids on the block have arrived and damaging for me………. Wait for it…. they are located right across the street from me. (Will power to stay away from the pinot grigio has completely gone out the window, literally) Anyway, The Earlsfield opened up to the lovely public on Wednesday, 17th September after months of rumors, humming and hawwing and just the standard living of Earlsfield curiosity. What's more exciting is that they are run by Cattle Grid owners. SCORE. JOB. WOOHOO.
I was fully certain that I would not be tempted to pop over before I headed away on my holidays (today) but OH NO, the first night of opening up to the public and at around 10pm I practically jumped out of my window…. That would have been a funny sight! I just couldn't resist it any longer and darted over with a friend for a nose and obviously a glass of wine. Sure it was Wine Wednesday after all. And how glad I am I went as I was super impressed.. I hope nobody noticed but I was wandering around like a little kid in Hamleys! I love the fact that it has 3 dimensions to the whole earlsfield experience – So in my opinion, we've got the Quiet zone, (calm neutral colours), the Happening zone (main bar, lots of space, good view of the kitchen) and the Travelling zone (which connects on to view of Earlsfield railway station and is the main eating area).
It was lovely taking in all the surroundings and the bar staff seemed nice and friendly….. Ok, Book us a table for the following night then :). We had a birds eye view of the kitchen and the food that was coming out just looked absolutely mouth watering.
Fast forward 24 hours and I am back in same place… treating myself to.. What was that?..another glass of Pinot Grigio (Oh screw it, I am nearly on my holidays) and this time we are indulging the food menu too. OH MY DELICIOUSLY GOD……….Ok so here is what we had between 3 of us:
Starter: Vegetable Samosa
Main Courses: Tuna Nicoise, Crispy 5 spice belly of lamb (both salads) and half rack of ribs
Desserts: Sticky Toffee Pudding and Spit roasted caramelised pineapple pavlova
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Seriously, I hadnt been this food happy in months – it was absolutely scrumptious! Even on their second night of service, it was pretty
much flawless, you can tell there is a system already in place. Staff were lovely and atmostphere was so relaxing and I have to admit, pretty reasonable prices for top quality food with a twist! We stayed until close as the atmosphere was so relaxing and we were nattering away! I am definitely coming back to celebrate my very late birthday…Any excuse eh?
But for now, I've got to catch a flight, off to the station.. Which way Earlie~Girl?


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Restaurants, clubs and beer gardens
Enjoy Munich
The taste of the Bavarian city
From sophisticated award-winning cuisine for the most exacting palates to hearty Bavarian delicacies – in Munich, no wish goes unsatisfied. Be it a draught Helles in the pub on the corner, a gin and tonic in Schumann's or a glass of champagne in the Nobel Club. Munich life both during the day and at night is as vibrant and diverse as Munich itself. From the Nikolai Hotel, you can reach the tradition-steeped Café Reitschule by foot, as well as the welcoming Wirtshaus zur Brez'n and Bachmaier, for example – both are right on Leopoldstrasse. You can reach the renowned beer garden at the Chinese Tower just as quickly. A little further is the much-loved Seehaus, where, along with your beer and roast pork, you can also enjoy fantastic sunsets.


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Here's the latest article from the Pop Music site at BellaOnline.com.
What Is The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)?
This association is one of the most important in the music industry. They certify CDs with awards that are tracked using sales figures. However, you might be surprised as to which sales figures they use.
Please visit popmusic.bellaonline.com for even more great content about Pop Music.
To participate in free, fun online discussions, this site has a community forum all about Pop Music located here -
I hope to hear from you sometime soon, either in the forum or in response to this email message. I thrive on your feedback!
Have fun passing this message along to family and friends, because we all love free knowledge!
Michelle Anne Cope, Pop Music Editor
One of hundreds of sites at BellaOnline.com


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Pay panel may recommend Rs 16,000 as minimum salary
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Pay Revision Commission is likely to recommend Rs 16,000 as the minimum salary and Rs 1 lakh as the maximum for state government employees. Salaries will go up 13 per cent when the dearness allowance of 80 per cent is merged into it. There was a 12 per cent increase in the previous pay revision.
The previous pay commission had recommended a minimum salary of Rs 8,500 and a maximum of Rs 59,840.
The 10th pay commission, headed by Justice N. Ramachandran Nair, is also likely to include measures to increase efficiency in proportion to the pay rise. The commission may submit its report before June 30, when its term ends.
The commission will base its recommendations on the increase in everyday essential commodities and the Consumer Price Index in the last five years. The pay rise, however, will be limited by the budgetary allocation of Rs 6,000 crore. The state government budget was strained by Rs 3,000 crore with the previous pay revision.
The report is also expected to have a recommendation for providing medical insurance for government employees in association with public sector insurance companies, in place of the current system where the government is paying the bill.
The commission's recommendations would affect employees of the state government and local self-government bodies, teachers in government and government-aided schools and colleges and university employees.
Kerala government is spending about 75 per cent of its revenue on salaries and pensions, on an average.
Read more at: http://english.manoramaonline.com/


text: UFDC Home | Help | RSS Title: 1988 Annual FPA Meeting, Marco Island CITATION ZOOMABLE PAGE IMAGE Full Citation STANDARD VIEW MARC VIEW Permanent Link: http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UFHSC03659/00001 Material Information Title: 1988 Annual FPA Meeting, Marco Island Physical Description: Photograph Affiliation: College of Pharmacy Publication Date: 1988 Subjects Spatial Coverage: United States of America -- Florida -- Gainesville -- Marco Island Notes General Note: L-Max Lemberger General Note: FPA Annual Meeting General Note: Color General Note: Lemberger, Max Record Information Bibliographic ID: UFHSC03659 Volume ID: VID00001 Source Institution: University of Florida Holding Location: University of Florida Rights Management: All rights reserved by the source institution and holding location. Resource Identifier: 615 Contact Us | Permissions | Preferences | Technical Aspects | Statistics | Internal | Privacy Policy © 2004 - 2010 University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries.All rights reserved. Acceptable Use, Copyright, and Disclaimer Statement Last updated October 10, 2010 - - mvs


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West Brom supporters were in fine voice indeed at the KCOM Stadium on Saturday.
Over 1,000 supporters made the exhaustive trip to Humberside to watch their Baggies side battle for a point in the 1-1 draw.
There was plenty of noise from the away end throughout, and plenty of chants towards the stars in stripes, not least of all Allan Nyom and Hal Robson-Kanu.
Amid all of the new songs being sung, including a Bob Marley classic and Albion's very own version of Glad All Over, the visiting supporters were always likely to belt out a traditional anthem.
They duly obliged when Gareth McAuley headed them into the lead, cracking out a rendition of The Lord's My Shepherd.
The clip below is from the away end.
Bravo, Baggies!


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Oops, looks like two of the world's most famous celebrity chefs have been burned. Both Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver have been fighting big public fights to save endangered fish, but both were found to be serving them on menus in their restaurants. Sounds fishy, no?
According to the Daily Telegraph, Oliver, who just last week appeared in a television series titled Big Fish Fight touting the importance of sustainable seafood, was busted for serving eel at his restaurant Fifteen.
Ramsay was also found to be serving up eel at two of his restaurants -- Maze in London and La Veranda, in Versailles. But sharks, those he defends. In a television special titled Gordon Ramsay Shark Bait, he said of shark fin soup: "The bland fin doesn't deliver. They eat it because it is a symbol of status. It is f**king mad." And people eat eel because ... ?
Tsk, tsk. According to the paper, European eel was named an endangered species in 2008 by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature after it "experienced a 90 percent drop in its population over the previous 30 years."
After being contacted by The Sunday Times, both chefs said they have removed eel from their menus ... for now. Apparently there's some discrepancy as to if it's really endangered or not, but shouldn't such fish-friendly guys know that before serving it up in their restaurants? Makes one wonder just how involved they are in their actual restaurants beyond their name on the door.
Oliver isn't faring so well in his fight to improve school foods either. After moving to Los Angeles with dreams of bringing his show Food Revolution to schools there, he's being shot down by the system
"Reality TV has a formula," Robert Alaniz, L.A. Unified spokesman, told the Los Angeles Times. "You either have to have drama or create conflict to be successful. We're not interested in either."
As for Ramsay, besides his recent hair transplant, he's been served up some bad press for not paying winners of the show Hell's Kitchen as promised, as well as facing his own financial problems.
This whole eel deal certainly isn't going to help either.
Have you ever eaten eel? Would you?
Image via gordonramsaysubmissions/Flickr


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Thursday, November 27, 2008
Sleaford Town 2 Holbeach United 1
It's Sunday morning and tipping it down with rain. Sticky junior's fancy feet are dancing down the wing, bamboozling the north Notts full back. I've pressed all the right buttons today; he is fully wound up. His team are a bunch of pretty boys. They all wear gel and look in the mirror too much. Life is too comfortable. Today is different though. There's no bawling or yawping from the sidelines, for a change. The boys play with belief and style. They are allowed to express themselves, the transformation is astounding. Bagthorpe are passed off the park. We win 4-1. I'm made up for them. Attack is the best form of defence.
I steal away from the game before its finale. I've a big junior game to watch in town. A manager has tried to put me off saying the match might be off due to a waterlogged pitch. They always say that when they're hiding a player. First rule of scouting: trust no-one. He turns out to be a beauty. I'll go for a second viewing next Sunday.
The Taxman is back after a long lay- off. He had the mother of all Saturday's last weekend. His lad got injured playing football and ended up in casualty. He then trooped down The City Ground and watched another miserable performance by the Tricky Trees against a ten man Canaries. To cap it all off, some low life put a screwdriver through his car door and broke in.
The Taxlady (they're like coppers, they marry each other) is fed up with him getting under her feet, and has enrolled him on an art class, at a school, out in the Vale of Belvoir somewhere. He was late for his first lesson and had to stand outside the head teacher's office at break time. But as you can see from the above picture, his painting is coming on a treat.
I didn't realise that Sleaford was more than 20 miles from Newark. The ground is a piece of cake to find though, thanks to Sleaford Town's secretary. Chris Jones' superb instructions. Eslaforde Park is only a year old, and lies on the edge of the town.
Sleaford is in the North Kesteven district of Lincolnshire and has a population of 15,000. It once supported many of the major seed companies. The RAF airfields in the vicinity played a vital part in securing victory in the Battle of Britain, during the Second World War. Plastic surgery was pioneered in Sleaford back in the 1940s.
Famous people born in the area include: Magic Roundabout narrator Eric Thompson, Elton John's songwriter Bernie Taupin, actress and comedian Jennifer Saunders, former Leicester City goalkeeper Mark Wallington and Brian Clough's favourite gardener and plumber Gary 'Bing' Crosby. Serial maneater Abi Titmuss was also born close to the town.
I noticed on the Sleaford website that a Lincoln City fan penned a ground review for his blog on Eslaforde Park. He basically slagged the place off, very harshly in my opinion. He makes cheap jibes at the wooden fencing and modern clubhouse. He's got some nerve; Sincil Bank is hardly the Mecca of football grounds. I support Lincoln by the way.
The Taxman and I are both impressed. It's £5 admission and £1 for a good standard programme. There's a column from both the manager and chairman, and also match reports from first team and youth team games.
White Van Man has failed to make the team bus tonight. He's got his oven on gas mark 6 for thirty minutes, cooking another steak and kidney pie. Villarreal are playing his favourite team in the Champions League. Yawn yawn.
I shout the teas up. Disappointingly, a tea bag is thrown into a polystyrene cup with boiling water poured onto it from an urn. We help ourselves to milk. We mark it with a five, although it does warm the body from the biting chill blowing in from the North Sea.
The music from the PA hut is fairly random. I'd put the DJ as an over 55. He plays the Scissor Sisters. Abba and the Beach Boys.
Tonight's visitors Holbeach are from 20 miles down the road. They have played the hosts twice already in the league this season and hold the upper hand. This evening is a County Trophy Quarter Final tie.
It's a feisty opening five minutes. The visitors are running Sleaford ragged. Nimmo is sent crashing into the advertising hoardings by Sleaford skipper Paul Ward. The Holbeach front two are electric. Treacher pounces onto a poor back pass and finishes with ease.
The goalkeeper boots the ball away in disgust, narrowly missing my cup of tea, as I'm on the phone to Bilborough Pelican legend and Nottinghamshire's number one groundsman: Swifty. He's cooking a corned beef stew for him and his cat. Well there was someone meowing in the background. He hears Holbeach's goal live and exclusive from The Groundhopper.
They could have extended their lead, but poor refereeing sees a free-kick awarded, instead of advantage being played.
Holbeach pay the price on 5 minutes, Lunn sends Dunn scurrying away down the left wing, his inch perfect cross is headed home by Shaw.
It's a pulsating game of football, being played at a furious pace. Old scores are being settled. There's no love lost. Sleaford's 'keeper Andy Scott keeps his side in the game with two magnificent saves from Treacher and Nimmo as Holbeach begin to run riot.
The Sleaford captain is the grey haired 43 year old Paul Ward. Apparently he got 100%in his referees' exam. Well you'd have thought so the way he has tried to undermine the official. He'd have been more use donning the black outfit tonight, as his performance as a player is a joke in the first period. Treacher and Nimmo are taking the mick. He's fortunate to still be on the field of play at the break as he constantly barracks the official.
A lady is walking around the ground selling raffle tickets, as always I oblige. We get chatting. She tells me she used to live in Melton Mowbray. It's The Taxman's old stomping ground. He's terrorised many a small business in the town. It's a small old world. It turns out her son used to play for my village team and ended up at Sheffield United.
Shaw goes close again, his shot smashing against the crossbar. Sutton heads the rebound over the bar.
The Taxman and I are turning blue by now; it's perishing cold. I must nip on the IRA website and order a balaclava.
The clubhouse is grand. It's carpeted and has a good vibe. There are not many goals about in the Champions (?) League. Ha ha ha. There are plenty of photos on the wall and a signed Sheffield United shirt is in a frame.
The players trot out to 'Yummy Yummy Yummy' by Ohio Express: Hells teeth Carruthers.
Sleaford are awarded a penalty when the Holbeach 'keeper upends Shaw en-route to goal. Lunn makes no mistake from the spot.
The game has had an edge since the kick-off. It all boils over on the hour. Holbeach's best player the wonderfully named Tommy Treacher leaves his studs down someone's ankles. The referee has no alternative but to brandish a red one.
It kills the game stone dead. Gaps appear that Sleaford fail to exploit. Holbeach still manage to work Sleaford 'keeper Scott, but without reward.
Things perk up on 74 minutes with a text from Mrs P asking me if I fancy Sunday roast at the mother-in-laws? Mrs P is down 'the smoke' this weekend. I reply with a 'yes.'
Another person letting his mouth run away with him is Holbeach player manager Shaun Keeble. He's sent to the stands by the referee. It says on his profile that he enjoys watching his sons playing football, well he'll have plenty of time for that, but the bad news is kids that Santa's sack will be a little lighter this year as dad has a hefty fine to pay.
I've missed out on the raffle by three tickets, but hey, who cares. What a lovely family club Sleaford Town is. A change of skipper wouldn't go amiss though.
A pint of Jennings, sat by an open fire, ends a perfect evening.
7 comments:
When writing this latest instalment don't forget to have a pop at Notts County fella.
- November 27, 2008 at 8:27 PM
Anonymous things
- November 28, 2008 at 5:14 PM
'About 1130, Bishop Alexander of Lincoln built a castle just southwest of the town Sleaford'. Was this a relation of King Keith Alexander ?
- November 28, 2008 at 5:18 PM
Life is full of disappointment. Mrs B has nipped out and I decided to take the opportunity to read the report on the Sleaford match before I make I watch Calderwood's last game in charge of the once mighty reds. I switched on the computer and entered the world of The Groundhopper. To my surprise and disappointment the Groundhopper's self imposed deadline had been missed the Sleaford report was nowhere to be found.
- November 29, 2008 at 12:10 PM
- November 29, 2008 at 12:12 PM
It's alright for you two tossing it off, I've got it all on here. Dropping Mrs P off at the station, cleaning up and scouting. Two kids to look after.
This one parent family malarkey is well over-rated. I'm bushed fellas.
Report up 8pm Saturday night.
- November 29, 2008 at 12:31 PM
- Nidge said...
Dont forget mate..big game 12.30 sunday 30th at George v park gedling road. Arnold v the mighty Pelican. xx
- November 30, 2008 at 9:22 AM


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Link to this post!


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The couple should approach their parish priest, and arrange with him for their marriage to be witnessed, celebrated, and registered in the Church. This is a step which is strongly encouraged.
In publicly witnessing to Christian marriage as an indissoluble and faithful covenant that is open to children, such couples assist in evangelising the wider culture. In making such a declaration before God and his Church, couples invoke the grace they need to live their vocation and publicly profess not only their love, but also their faith and hope.
If a couple has married outside the Church, and at least one spouse has been married before, they will need to determine with the help of their parish priest, or of a Church tribunal, whether it is possible for their marriage to be blessed by the Church. In some cases the process will be straightforward, in others it may take longer.
In both of these situations, a word of caution is in order. It is not uncommon for couples to seek to have their marriages recognised by the Church, right at the time when they are experiencing difficulties in their marriage. The Church's blessing can seem to offer a quick fix for the strains in a relationship.
A priest should therefore take time with the couple to ensure that a sacramental marriage in the Church, with all its implications, really is the right step for them to take at this time. There may be a need for a sensitive pastoral response involving further spiritual and catechetical formation pertaining to the understanding of marriage and of its true vocation and mission.


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Canada Makes, in partnership with NRC-IRAP, successfully completed the program Metal Additive Manufacturing (AM) Demonstration Projects. This Canada Makes led project assisted 18 small- to medium-sized (SME) companies in increasing their understanding of the advantages of the metal laser additive manufacturing (AM) technology. This program provided companies with a better understanding of the advantages and business opportunities both in terms of cost savings and efficiency of adopting AM technology and processes, as well as introducing never before considered options to their clients.
"CME is very pleased with the results of the first round of the project. The objectives called for the engagement of up to 10 NRC-IRAP eligible companies; we did 18" said Martin Lavoie, Director of Innovation with Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters. "The knowledge gained by all involved can only benefit Canada's competitive edge in the innovation of new products."
A working group of metal AM service providers from across Canada, comprising both private and academic institutions, was created to assist in delivering this program. The group comprised the following: Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), FusiA in Quebec, Mohawk College's Advanced Manufacturing Centre in Hamilton, Burloak Technologies Inc., Renishaw Canada, NRC-London and the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Edmonton.
Participating companies would choose an item/tool they thought would be a good candidate for metal 3D printing and then submit both a CAD file and a short summary of their requirements. Once a review of the submission was completed, a meeting to discuss its feasibility was held. One overriding consideration during the review process is if the candidate item is economically viable for metal AM. Sometimes a part may seem like a good fit for AM but is actually better suited for traditional manufacturing methods.
Valiant Corporation, a program participant, saw certain advantages in adopting metal AM to produce high-pressure nozzles for their ValueFlex Washer. "When exploring relatively new technologies, using the most suitable approach is paramount for project success. Ours was to identify the significant criteria that makes a part the perfect candidate for 3D Metal Printing" said Sorin Cerghet, Sr. Project Engineer Advanced Technology with Valiant. "It's a simple statement, but it's encompassing for a lot of areas, not just from a technological standpoint, but from a business perspective as well."
Richard Janik, Vice President, J&C Tool & Die Limited had this to say about the program, "In continually improving our capabilities in production tooling, the NRC Metal Additive Manufacturing Demonstration Program has provided us a valuable opportunity to evaluate processes and materials for the manufacture of complex components."
The experience gained through the delivery of this program was a two way street. Both the service providers and participating companies gained pertinent knowledge that only hands-on projects like this can offer. "This project was an opportunity to use our new technology to advance the R&D in a Canadian company while also learning more about the capability of our system" said Neil Wenger, Technology Coordinator at NAIT. "When I took the newly printed part to the NAIT Machinist Program to help with some finishing, it gathered a great deal of interest from the instructors. This project was a chance to see an example of what kind of work is being done in industry. Collaboration expands the circle of knowledge."
Mark Kirby, Additive Manufacturing Business Manager with Renishaw Canada said this about the program, "The CME program has fostered early and effective engagement with potential customers who have new product or process ideas. The program has delivered both process knowledge transfer via collaborative design reviews and valuable proof of concept parts for testing and evaluation."
With the cost of manufacturing in Asia steadily climbing and re-shoring now a legitimate option, the idea of incorporating additive manufacturing makes more and more sense. The advantages AM offers in cost savings and innovation makes this program a potential game changer for Canadian manufacturers and exporters. Lavoie added, "CME's Canada Makes will continue to explore ways to help manufacturers stay competitive through the adoption of additive manufacturing, and a new and expanded version of this program is just one of our upcoming initiatives."


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Wedding & portrait photographer working throughout Yorkshire & North East
Use the email link or telephone number below or the form on the right to contact me with any questions you may have.
I will get back to you shortly.
Ways to contact
Email: sharon( at )sharonharrisonphotography.co.uk
Telephone: 07886 794074
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© 2020 Sharon Harrison Photography


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Our locations in gurgaon : Call at +9953076985, Landline : 0124-4832254 for appointment
Sector 31 Location
Grace Medical and dental Clinic
H.no 1298, Sector 31
Opp. Ajanta Public School, Gurgaon
Call +91-9953076985
landline: 0124-4832254
Opening Hours: 10AM to 9 PM
Sector 4 Location
Grace Medical and Dental Clinic
Shop No.167, Sector 4 market
behind ICICI bank, Gurgaon
Call +91-9953076985
Opening Hours 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM,
Also See :Flexible Denture:
A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. Two types of dentures are available -- complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain.
Complete Dentures Partial Dentures
How much does complete set of dentures Costs?
Depending upon material of choice it may range from 6,000 INR to 12,000 INR.
Flexible Dentures may cost a little extra.
Are There Alternatives to Dentures?
Yes, dental implants can be used to support permanently cemented bridges, eliminating the need for a denture. The cost is usually greater, but the implants and bridges more closely resemble the feel of real teeth. Dental implants are becoming the alternative to dentures but not everyone is a candidate for implants.
How Are Dentures Made?
The denture development process takes about five to ten days and several appointments. Once your dentist odetermines what type of appliance is best for you, the general steps are to:
- First Visit :Make a series of impressions of your jaw and take measurements of how your jaws relate to one another and how much space is between them.
- Second Visit: Create models, wax forms, and/or plastic patterns in the exact shape and position of the denture to be made. You will "try in" this model several times and the denture will be assessed for color, shape, and fit before the final denture is cast.
- Third Visit: Cast a final denture
- Final Visit: Adjustments will be made as necessary
What Do New Dentures Feel Like?
New dentures may feel a little odd or loose for a few weeks until the muscles of the cheeks and tongue learn to keep them in place and you get comfortable inserting and removing them. Also, it is not unusual for minor irritation or soreness to occur and for saliva flow to increase when you first start wearing dentures, but these problems will diminish as the mouth adjusts.
Will Dentures Make Me Look Different?
Dentures are made to closely resemble your natural teeth so there should be no noticeable change in appearance. In fact, dentures may even improve your smile and fill out your facial appearance.
Will Eating With New Dentures Be Difficult?
Eating with new dentures will take a little practice and may be uncomfortable for some wearers for a few weeks. To get used to the new denture, start with soft foods cut into small pieces. Chew slowly using both sides of your mouth. As you get used to new dentures, add other foods until you return to a normal diet. Be cautious with hot or hard foods and sharp-edged bones or shells. And, avoid foods that are extremely sticky or hard. You may want to avoid chewing gum while you adjust to the denture. Also, don't use toothpicks while wearing dentures.
Will Dentures Change How I Speak?
After getting dentures, you may have difficulty pronouncing certain words. If so, practice by saying the difficult words out loud. With practice and with time you will become accustomed to speaking properly with dentures.
Are Dentures Worn 24 Hours a Day?
During the first several days after receiving your denture, you may be asked to wear it all the time, including while you sleep. Although this may be temporarily uncomfortable, it is the quickest way to identify the areas on the denture that may need adjustment. Once adjustments are made, you should remove dentures before going to bed. This allows gum tissues to rest and allows normal stimulation and cleansing by the tongue and saliva. The denture can be put back in the mouth in the morning.
To book an appointment at Grace dental clinic, Gurgaon call:9953076985
Partial Dentures
For many years, partial dentures have been used to replace groups of teeth or a few teeth scattered across the lower or upper jaw. There are a variety of removable partial dentures available to patients and each one comes with its own set of benefits and disadvantages. All partial dentures attach to remaining teeth and have a gum-colored portion meant to blend into the existing gum, with prosthetic teeth to replace the missing teeth.
Full Dentures
Full dentures are similar to partial dentures in that they are prosthetic teeth and gums used to replace missing teeth. The main difference between full and partial dentures is that full dentures are a total replacement system for either upper or lower teeth and, in some cases, both.
OverdenturesOverdentures are a newer alternative to dentures,combining traditional denture technology with modern advancements in dental implants.
By establishing two implanted attachments to the lower jaw, an overdenture is able to sit securely in place to instantly increase retention, stability, and comfort. This is especially important in lower-jaw full-denture situations where traditional dentures tend to have less adhesion due to a limited foundation and the tongue muscle dislodging the prosthetic teeth.
Another benefit of overdentures compared to traditional dentures is the limited amount of bone loss where the implants are placed, making the procedure more successful in the long run and helping to preserve facial structural integrity.
Overall, when considering full dentures for the lower jaw, an overdenture should be discussed with your dental professional as it can provide the most effective, satisfying, and longest-lasting alternative. Traditional full and partial denture options should be explored, weighing their benefits and pitfalls carefully to find the right dentures for your tooth loss.
Contact Us
Grace Dental Clinic, Resi. cum clinic, H.No 1298 Sector 31, Opp. Ajanta public School , Gurgaon
Opening Hours 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, +91124- 4832254, 9953076985
Grace Dental Clinic, Orthodontic and implant center
Shop. no 167 Sector 4 Market, Behind ICICI Bank, Gurgaon-122001
M +91-9953076985, email@example.com
Opening Hours , 5:00PM to 9:00PM, Sunday Evening Closed نعمة عيادة الأسنان


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The Name | Demography and Geography | Environment, Economy and Natural Resources | Mythology and History | The Language | Society: Social Events, Attitudes, Customs and Traditions | Marriage | Birth | Naming | Divorce | Relationships | Death | Social and Political Organisation, Traditional Authority, etc. | Spirituality, Belief and Customs | Culture: Arts, Music, Literature, Handicraft | Neighbours and Relationships | Latest Developments | Diaspora
The people refer to themselves as Kara. It is not clear whether this name, due to its Arabic connotation, was given to them by the slave raiders.
The Kara form the bulk of the population in eastern Dar Kouti, thus called 'Dar Kara' in Raga district, western Bahr el Ghazal. Due to mixing, movement of the population, it is difficult to quantify the numbers of Kara.
The Kara are believed to have originated from the east and lived between 1600 and 1700 in Sennar, near the Ethiopian border. Around 1750, they left their cradle-land under the leadership of a certain 'Jukudu', otherwise called Koko, and settled at Jebel Mara from where they finally migrated to Jebel Senghon, to the west of the River Yata, about 40 kilometres from Birao, gradually occupying the land that lay uninhabited before them.
The Kara were under the high suzerainty of the Sultan of Dar Fur until Hussein was defeated and killed by Zubeir. Zubeir's representative, the ill-famed Nur Angara, founded his station at Jebel Gounga where he collected taxes, consisting mainly of animal skins, ivory, young men and girls.
Djerkomo showed such zeal in fulfilling this duty, that his subjects began to hate him and eventually murdered him in 1878. At this time, Nur Angara was called by Zubeir to el Fasher and never returned, thus giving the Kara the opportunity to resettle in their old sites, from which they had been gathered around the slave trader's residence.
In the meantime, a number of tribesmen who had dispersed during the previous wars and Djerkomo's cruel rule, had gathered near Dara, where Sabun, a Kara man, had gained a high rank in the army of the Mahdist governor Mohammed Zughal.
However, sometime after 1885 Sabun fled with his Kara and other followers to his native country, which he occupied, unopposed, with his 400 Remingtons. Zughal sent troops in his pursuit and in the fights that ensued Sabun and one of Zughal's two captains were killed. After this encounter and defeat the Mahdists returned to Dara with the foreigners leaving the Kara in their home.
During the subsequent period up to 1899, the moral head of the tribe was a certain Rebouka but Abdullah Ndaka, Sabun's aide-de-camp, secured for himself the power with the help of the Daju of Dar Sila, who waged a bloody war against Abdullah's opponents.
In 1899 a powerful enemy Arabi Dafa Allah appeared at Mandoa on Sudan – Chad border. Arabi who had fled from Rejaf with some 3,000 men, mostly Taaisha, after having been defeated by the Belgians (1897-98) refused to surrender to the Condominium government.
He therefore established himself as the absolute lord of Dar Runga, raiding and plundering the weak neighbouring tribes. After a time, probably for strategic reasons, be moved his head-quarters to Durdur in the heart of Dar Kara, who prompted by their hatred against their chief and the Daju, readily surrendered to Arabi.
In 1902 Arabi Dafa Allah surrendered to Sultan Ali Dinar, and in 1904 Sanusi undertook the conquest of Dar Kara. The tribesmen who were not killed were all convoyed to Ndele, Sanusi's residence, where they remained up to his defeat and death. Thereafter, thy resettled in their old homes.
The information about the Kara is very sketchy, more research needs to be undertaken.
People who hail from this nationality are kindly requested to contribute to building a more comprehensive socio-political work on the nationality.
Adio (Makaraka)
Anyuak (Anyuaa)
Atuot (Reel)
Dinka (Jieng)
Jur (Beli & Modo)
Jurchol (Luo)
Larim (Boya)


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Good question, the answer is "yes". One guy was using them in French and having such success that he offered to translate the whole book for me. So now I have a French language version:
Hypnotism works in all languages.
Phil Billitz
Sent: Thursday, January 02, 2014 6:41 AM
To: Phil
Subject: Re: [Unfair advantage] nlp seduction article
Thanks a lot!!
I wonder if the poems keep the same effect if
you translate it to a different language?
Skickat från min iPhone
11 dec 2011 kl. 01:21 skrev "Phil" <email@example.com>:
Hi anders
Just a quick note to let you know about a short new article for you.
This is for anyone who wants to GET the BIG Picture of using NLP for Persuasion and Seduction:
BTW, one of the best things about what I do is the connection I have built with people like you.
So, leave a comment on the article - even if it is just to say hi.
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text: Smart Electronics is the Best place for those who want to buy Electronics. We are located in the center of Colombo and We have selected the Best Products for your Home and Office at Amazing and unbeatable Prices within a Well Structured, Unique and Latest Products Stocks and Retail. All products are Imported from around the world. We have Electronics of various Categories to choose from.


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The first appointment consists of an in-depth assessment by our team to evaluate your wound and your general health. They will review your medical history and possibly order blood tests and/or specialized tests to measure blood flow and oxygen delivery in the wound area. It is very important that you bring the following to your first appointment.
You will have to fill out new patient paperwork at your first visit. We may also do some tests to identify exactly what type of wound you have. Your first visit may take some time so plan accordingly.
After we receive your test results, we'll put together a treatment program based on your special needs. This program will include regular visits to the Wound Care Center so that we can provide treatment, evaluate your progress and adjust your care plan as necessary. You (or your caregiver) will be given detailed instructions for home care including dressing (bandage) changes and ways to protect the wound from further injury.
You are a vital part of the program and much of your treatment's success depends on you. Here are the things you can do to help yourself in the healing process:
Working together, we can help you get back on your feet and back to the things you love.
Remember, anytime you or your family members have questions, our staff is available to answer them. In fact, we encourage you to ask questions! If wound care questions occur to you after your appointment, just call the Wound Care Center at 404.501.7455.
The Wound Care Center coordinates with your personal physician, just like any other medical specialist. We'll discuss your treatment program and keep him or her updated on your progress, unless instructed otherwise. Remember, you'll need to keep seeing your doctor for routine medical care.
Many health plans cover Wound Care Center treatments. We can help you determine what your specific plan covers.
If you have been struggling with a wound that won't heal, the Emory Decatur Hospital Comprehensive Wound Care Center can help. Call 404.501.7455 today to get quality wound care information and get started on the path to healing.


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Much like my reaction to Christmas music on the radio on December 24th, I'm having a mild backlash against pumpkin-everything year. The next person who offers me a pumpkin muffin, latte, snickerdoodle, risotto, soup, or lasanga is likely to get the stink-eye. (Actually, I might just try making a dairy-free version of the last recipe.)
Instead, I'd like to focus on a different fall food – one that doesn't get as much attention, because it's usually relegated to the supporting condiment role. I'm talking about cranberries! I love the sweet-tangy flair they add to foods, don't you?
In this recipe, I've paired them with walnuts, celery, and chickpeas for a satisfying salad. Serve it on a sandwich, on a bed of lettuce, or simply eat it out of the bowl with a spoon. A bit of chopped avocado on top is also a nice splurge.
Cranberry-Walnut-Chickpea Salad
3 cups cooked or 2 cans garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup celery, diced
1/2 cup dried cranberries (chopped fresh would be great too)
1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
1/2 cup scallions (green onions), thinly sliced, white & green parts
6 tablespoons tahini
4 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
In a medium to large bowl, add the garbanzo beans, celery, cranberries, nuts, scallions, and stir to combine.
In a small bowl combine tahini, vinegar, water and maple syrup. (This can be made a day or two ahead and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use. Add a tad more water, or vinegar if you're a vinegar lover, to thin out dressing as desired.) Toss dressing with garbanzo mixture.
Serve at room temp or let chill in the refrigerator for an hour before serving.
Change up the walnuts, using pecans, almonds, sunflower seeds, etc. If using sunflower seeds, use half the amount called for.
If you are planning on eating this on a sandwich, mash the chickpeas slightly before adding the remaining ingredients. This will make it easier to assemble and eat.
Photo: Mad Manchegan


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Did you know the City of Greeley and Moriya, Japan, have been celebrating and fostering a Sister City relationship for more than 20 years?
During the summer of every odd year, such as in 2019, the City of Greeley organizes approximately ten high school students to visit Moriya, Japan, for a week or two, as part of a student exchange program. During even years, such as in 2020, Greeley families host Moriya students.
The Sister City Student Exchange Program is a wonderful opportunity for students from both cities to explore each other's countries and learn more about their cultures, traditions, and ways of life.
If you excel in academics, are a Greeley resident, are interested in fun and adventure, and are excited about the possibility of developing life-long friendships with people from across the Pacific Ocean, then a trip to Moriya, Japan is perfect for you!
Students living in Greeley, in grades 9 through 12 (ages 14-18) during the 2019-2020 school year are encouraged to speak with their school counselor. Applications are due January 21, 2019. Applications and instructions can be found at greeleygov.com/activities/sister-city. Call Cultural Affairs Manager Jason Evenson at 970-350-9482 for more information.


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Just as fine as the chocolate are the ingredients the patissiers at William Curley use to fill these giant, 12-ounce Easter Eggs. The result: more than a half-dozen varieties, including milk chocolate with Gianduja almonds and orangette stick (pictured), and dark chocolate with apricot and heather honey truffles.
Don't let the life-sized dimension confuse you: These hollow eggs are made of chocolate. Yes, really. Dark or white. And because they're all handcrafted and individually painted, each is truly a one-of-a-kind work of chocolate art.
Each year, world-renowned French chocolatier La Maison du Chocolat unveils a limited "prestige" line of Easter-themed figurines. This year's collection—the brainchild of in-house master chef Nicolas Cloiseau—channels a pastoral meadow, where chocolate sheep Frisoton (dark) and Frisette (milk, pictured) "leapfrog over fences and pastures, into the patch of daisies and onto the hills of chocolate."
Not much has changed about the Peep, everyone's favorite marshmallow candy, since they made their neon-colored debut in 1954. Until Jacques Torres decided to make one sweet and simple tweak: dip them in the finest Belgian chocolate (milk or dark).
What do chocolate bunnies eat? From the looks of Lake Champlain Chocolates' lineup of holiday treats, we're guessing chocolate carrots. These 6.25-inch-tall solid treats are available in milk or dark chocolate.
When it comes to chocolate Easter eggs, your choices are usually limited to dark, milk, or white—unless you're shopping at Norman Love Confections. Each Easter, the Florida-based chocolatier handcrafts eight limited-edition Easter eggs which—with their pastel polka dots—are as lovely to look at as they are delicious to eat. This year's roster includes butterscotch, caramel crunch, creamy peanut butter, lemon drop, strawberry shortcake, and vanilla pudding.
Three of Easter's most popular traditions—eggs, chocolate, and brunch—come together in this Bacon & Eggs version of Vosges' Golden Egg. Served in straw-filled boxes of five, these dark chocolate eggs are filled with a buttery bacon caramel that epitomizes the idea of salty-sweet.
La Cocotte, Belgian bean-to-bar artisan Benoît Nihant's abstract chocolate hen—which comes in milk or dark chocolate varieties—is literally almost too pretty to eat…until you learn that it's filled with marzipan and praline.
Typically, we wouldn't want to know the names of the creatures we're about to consume. But we'll make an exception for this 156-year-old Belgian chocolatier, who has created a seasonal hit with its hollow chocolate chicken family. Meet Lola (a hen), John (the rooster), and Lulu (their newborn baby chick).
There's a lot going on in L.A. Burdick's Rocher Nest, a dark chocolate nest covered in caramelized (and chocolate-covered) almond slivers, then filled with chocolate truffles, marzipan eggs, and a hand-piped white chocolate bunny.
More great desserts around the world:
The International Desserts You Can't Miss on Your Next Trip


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SPOTLIGHT: Sat., Sept. 12 — Dance
Since 1993, the Dancers' Trust Fund has helped retired Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre dancers transition to life after the stage. Founded by former PBT dancer Ernest Tolentino and friends of PBT, the Fund offers tuition assistance and other services to a number of former dancers. The annual Dancers Trust production serves as its largest fundraiser. This year's production, Sept. 12 and 13 at Point Park University's George Rowland White Performance Studio, features the dancing and choreographic talents of several current PBT company members along with guest artists from Texture Contemporary Ballet and Point Park's Conservatory Dance Company. The eight works include an excerpt from Texture artistic director Alan Obuzor's "Life, Love & Jazz"; the ballet classic "Diana and Actaeon Pas de Deux"; and Garfield Lemonius' tour de force "Flight." Also on the program are new ballets from PBT dancers Cooper Verona, Yoshiaki Nakano (pictured), Jessica McCann, Julia Erickson and Alejandro Diaz. And PBT dancers Diana Yohe and Corey Bourbonniere's "If You Don't Wanna Love Me" is set to music of the same name by English singer-songwriter James Morrison. Says Yohe: "We tell a story about the ups and downs in a relationship and how even through it all, we are drawn to each other." Steve Sucato 8 p.m. Sat., Sept. 12, and 2 p.m. Sun., Sept. 13. 201 Wood St., Downtown. $15-25. 412-392-8000 or www.pittsburghplayhouse.com
Thu., Sept. 10 — Words
With baseball's regular season winding down, and the Pirates in the hunt, it's a fine time for Philip Beard to discuss Swing (Van Buren Books). The Pittsburgh-based novelist's latest (now out in paperback) depicts a lifelong friendship between a legless Korean War veteran and a fatherless 10-year-old boy that's cemented by their mutual love for the 1971 Pirates. Beard appears tonight at the Mount Lebanon Public Library. BO 7:30 p.m. 16 Castle Shannon Blvd., Mount Lebanon. Free. 412-531-1912 or www.mtlebanonlibrary.org
Thu, Sept. 10 — Comedy
Jim Jefferies is particularly impatient with gun-owners who say guns are all about personal security. "None of you are reading Padlock Monthly!" he says. "None of you have a Facebook picture of you behind a secure door going, 'Fucking yeah!'" The Australian-born, Los Angeles-based comic tours internationally. His Freedumb Tour brings his cheerfully rude style to the Carneige Music Hall of Oakland tonight. BO 8 p.m. 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland. $39.50. 877-435-9849 or www.ticketmaster.com
Fri., Sept. 11 — Body Art
M.O.M. Productions and Pinnacle Tattoo present the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Marked – Tattoo, History & Arts Expo at the Monroeville Convention Center this weekend. Enthusiasts can get tattooed on site by one of the nearly 120 tattoo artists from all over the world; view tattoo antiques and collectibles from Mike Skivers' Tattoo History Museum; and attend a Q&A and storytelling session with veteran artists. Kelechi Urama Noon-10 p.m. Also noon-10 p.m. Sat., Sept. 12, and noon-7 p.m. Sun., Sept. 13. 209 Mall Plaza Blvd., Monroeville. $15 (free for children 14 and under). 412-531-5319 or www.meetingofthemarked.com
Sat., Sept. 12 — Exhibit
In the mid-20th century, when "modern" Pittsburgh was taking shape, who were the thinkers influencing this "urban revitalization"? Planning giant Robert Moses and Jane Jacobs — an influential critic of large-scale, pro-highway schemes like Moses' — are the two big names checked in press materials for HACLab Pittsburgh: Imagining the Modern. The new Carnegie Museum of Art show incorporates archival materials, a salon-style discussion space and contributions from architects-in-residence over,under to explore the historical debate about what a city should be. The show opens today. BO 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland. $11.95-19.95. 412-622-3212 or www.cmoa.org
Sat., Sept. 12 — Music and Poetry
With a wink, City of Asylum calls its 11th annual Jazz Poetry concert "MacArthurs in the Park": It's apparently the first time three recipients of the MacArthur Foundation's "genius grants" have taken the same stage. Those would be jazz pianist and composer Vijay Iyer; poet Heather McHugh; and Pittsburgh-based poet Terrance Hayes. After a set with his Vijay Iyer Trio, Iyer (see interview, page ???) will perform in collaboration with the poets (including Pakistan's Harris Khalique and Belgian graphic novelist Shamisa Delaunay) and famed saxophonist and Jazz Poetry stalwart Oliver Lake. And the park? That's West Park, where last year COA first hoisted a huge tent to host some 800 guests for this free event. Reservations are suggested. BO 7:45 p.m. West Park (off East North Avenue), North Side. Free. 412-323-0278 or www.cityofasylumpittsburgh.org
Sun., Sept. 13 — Flea
In its second May-to-October season, the Neighborhood Flea continues livening up the Strip District on the second Sunday of the month. This flea market specializes in fashion (including vintage stuff), handcrafted goods (from soap to jewelry), housewares and furniture. Also expect local food vendors, live artmaking, pop-up fitness and more. The happening even encompasses neighboring businesses Marty's Market and Wigle Whiskey — and street parking is free on Sundays. BO 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 2300 Penn Ave., Strip District. www.neighborhoodflea.com
Sun., Sept. 13 — Tour
The Mexican War Streets House & Garden Tour claims to be "the oldest and finest house tour in the city of Pittsburgh," and it's hard to argue on either count. In its 46th year, the tour predates most of the city's contemporary neighborhood-revitalization efforts, and its stock of lovingly restored 19th-century domiciles — and their often fabulous hidden-from-the-street gardens — is perhaps unrivaled in town. The day-long self-guided tour of 11 houses and gardens includes a food-truck midway. BO 11 a.m.-5 p.m. North Side $18 (online) or $20 (Monterey Street ticket booth, at West North). www.mexicanwarstreets.org
Sun., Sept. 13 — Screen
Lately, we've heard more about the "death of coal" than about the inestimable damage that mining and burning coal cause to people and the land. Part of that destruction is from mountaintop-removal mining, widely practiced in states including West Virginia, and the subject of Black Diamonds, West Virginia-based Catherine Pancake's 2006 documentary that's been called "riveting" (The Washington Post) and "searing" (Village Voice). It screens tonight at Chatham University, courtesy of the Environmental Justice Film Series and Sembene — The Film & Arts Festival. BO 6 p.m. Sanger Lecture Hall, Chatham campus, Shadyside. Free. www.sembenefilmfestival.org
Tue., Sept. 15 — Talk
She Who Tells a Story, now at the Carnegie Museum of Art, is a lauded touring exhibit of work by women photographers from Iran and the Arab world. Its highlights include A Girl in Her Room, Rania Matar's series depicting teenage girls at home. Matar, born in Lebanon, came to the U.S. in 1984 but has since taught photography to teenage girls in Lebanese refugee camps. She visits today, courtesy of the museum and the Carnegie Mellon University School of Art Lecture Series, for a free talk on A Girl in Her Room at Carnegie Lecture Hall. BO 6 p.m. 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland. Free. 412-268-2409 or www.cmu.edu/art/lectures
Thu., Sept. 17 — Contest
If they're not careful, it could turn into Pittsburgh's twist on Drunk History: The ACLU's Pittsburgh branch hosts Civil Li-BEER-ties: A Constitution Day Pub Quiz, at East End Brewing Co. Compete for prizes based on your knowledge of the Bill of Rights, the Constitution and civil liberties in general. There will be two rounds of 15 to 20 questions each, and prizes. Hint: You probably should bone up on the 18th and 21st amendments. BO 7-9 p.m. 147 Julius St., Larimer. Free. 412-681-7736 or email@example.com
Thu., Sept. 17 — Music
Receptionist-turned-opera-singer Amanda Van Story Lewis makes her Pittsburgh debut tonight at Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall. Lewis trained at Howard University (home of renowned dramatic soprano Jessye Norman) before moving to Pittsburgh and taking a variety of odd jobs, including a stint as Mayor Peduto's receptionist. Now, the soprano is pursuing her dream with a performance of Mozart, Schubert, Debussy, Negro spirituals and more. Guests are invited to a dessert reception with Lewis after the performance. KU 7:30 p.m. 300 Beechwood Ave., Carnegie. $10-12. 800-838-3006 x1 or www.carnegiecarnegie.com
Thu., Sept. 17 — Screen
If seeing unaired episodes of shows like Robot Chicken, Squidbillies, Mike Tyson Mysteries, Tim and Eric's Bedtime Stories and Black Jesus outdoors, on a big screen, is your thing, you're in luck. The 2015 Adult Swim Drive-In begins its 15-city national tour in (of all places) the parking lot of the Pittsburgh Zoo. The 18-and-over show, with its 40-foot inflatable screen, includes food trucks, trivia contests, prizes and more. Expect on-site tie-ins from corporate sponsors including Cricket Wireless and Paramount Pictures. BO 8:30 p.m. Zoo Parking Lot Road, Highland Park. Free. RSVP required at www.adultswimpresents.com.


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The European Conundrum
Posted by Tony Angel in Best Practice, Europe on August 22, 2011
I see that yet more research on workplace changes has now been published, this time in the form of Johnson Controls' Collaboration 2020 report. JCI based their findings upon the responses of some 1,700 people in 7 countries (respondents were from the US, UK, Germany, Australia, India, Canada and China) – not a bad number, and one that should be able to provide a pretty clear indication as to whether expectations are continuing to change as technology becomes increasingly available.
The findings indicate that team working, and the use of collaborative technologies, is on the rise (no surprise there, I guess). At the same time, the demand for traditional meeting spaces is likely to drop, with a decrease of 13% in respect of likely demand for such facilities in 2020 compared to today. Even the ubiquitous desk phone seems set for obsolescence in the not too distant future. Key findings of the survey included:
• Web conference – 19% reported high use currently, with 57% anticipating higher use in 2020
• Two-dimensional video conferencing – 18% to 51%
• Team spaces with incorporated collaborative technologies – 20% to 52%
• Dedicated collaboration room – 18% to 36%
• Instant messaging – 33% to 54%
• Traditional meeting room – 40% to 27%
• Desk phone – 50% to 33%
• Three-dimensional video conferencing – 44% of office workers anticipate high use in 2020.
This all seems like pretty conclusive stuff, but I was struck by one of the quotes from the report that was included within BIFM's summary in FM World Daily:
"Failure to invest in collaborative technologies and updated workspaces will hamper productivity. This has an impact on people designing new workspaces or retrofitting existing ones today."
To my mind, this highlights a deficiency of the report, in that it took its samples from a very limited geographic footprint; in particular, very little from mainland Europe and nothing at all from the central European belt or east thereof.
I've had a fair amount of experience in dealing with both FM outsourcing and office redesign/fit out across Europe, for some of the world's largest corporates. What I've tended to find, though, are two things that hamper the harnessing of efficiencies through intelligent design and sensible utilisation of technology:
1) "Local" management operates with a large degree of autonomy, and is usually adamant that it will "re-engineer" central process and approach to suit.
2) Central REFM functions are unable to insist on a common approach and methodology across geographic boundaries, as to a large extent their role is advisory (less so in terms of acquisition/disposal, admittedly, but certainly in terms of the issues under discussion).
The inevitable consequence is that objectives get diluted, and that – particularly in central and eastern Europe where views tend to be a little more traditional than here in the UK – opportunities to embrace new ways of working are lost. What starts out as an admirable intention to drive the organisation into a new age becomes a whole lot less than that.
I'd be interested to hear the experience of others who have worked across Europe, and have encountered similar difficulties. It's an interesting and challenging issue, but until the large multi-nationals determine to address it I suspect the consequences are inevitable.
A quick update to the Twitter debate…
Posted by Tony Angel in Miscellaneous on August 19, 2011
Yes, I've done it – I've taken the plunge and joined the flock. You can find me here!
An Institute Coming of Age?
Posted by Tony Angel in BIFM on August 16, 2011
Some time ago, my involvement with BIFM was far greater that it's been of late. I spent a couple of interesting years as the corporate representative on Council; was actively involved in the Knowledge and International SIG committees, and well as the Corporate sub-committee; and regularly attended events and conferences in order both to enhance my learning and to network with my peers.
More recently, I've been less involved than I would have liked, but my desire to do anything more that watch from the sidelines was to some extent limited by what I felt was a tendency towards bureaucracy, and a structure & public face that seemed far to entrenched in tradition. That now seems to have changed, and I for one am delighted to see it happen.
I can cite two immediate examples of this (although, bearing in mind that this is a blog, I'd be delighted to hear your views on the subject too). Firstly, the qualification framework – whilst still in relative infancy – is clearly much more fit for purpose that it's predecessor, the BIFM Qual; the latter was to my mind singularly unsuccessful, with limited take-up and suffering from the constraints of being non-accredited. The second example is the introduction of the "Certified" status of CBIFM for individual members. For too long, I believe that members have felt that the focus on corporates has been to the detriment of the individual; however, CBIFM now means that members with tangible knowledge and experience can make themselves known. (As an early adopter and beneficiary of those post-nominals, I would say that, of course!)
Recently, I accepted an invitation to represent the Institute as one of a small number of EuroFM Ambassadors, a role I was delighted to take on in the light of my changing perception of BIFM. I'm looking forward to what will be a more direct involvement than I've had for quite a while, and am happy to give of my time for an organisation that seems to be heading in the right direction.
Social Media – Yay or Nay?
Posted by Tony Angel in Miscellaneous on August 2, 2011
Well, I'm back to the blog after something of a hiatus, and my intention is to post as regularly as possible from this point on. Yes, I know – everyone says that. But we all have demands on our time, be it work related or personal/family commitments, and this brings me nicely on to the point of my post.
There's no question that social media has impacted almost every aspect of our lives; indeed, it's hard to recall the time before Facebook when – if you had some news you wanted to share – you picked up the phone. Well, as an old hand at blogging but not exactly an early adopter so far as other forms of social media are concerned, I'm now seriously considering Twitter as a means of communication. More specifically, as a means of business communication.
The truth is that I can't quite make up my mind… I haven't yet determined where it's benefits lie and to what extent tangible reward will follow the commitment of time and resource that I believe Twitter requires. What I do know is that many of my friends and colleagues in FM have embraced this particular platform wholeheartedly, so if you're one of them I'd really like to hear your views. Of course, you need to bear in mind that if you tweet your response, I won't know about it just yet…
The Cost of Mistakes
Posted by Tony Angel in Best Practice, Partnership on September 28, 2009
It's a while since I've posted on here (I'm nothing if not a master of understatement), not through any deliberate intent on my part but more as the consequence of being particularly busy over the last few months. Generally, I've been content to keep abreast of what's going on within the industry and to discuss developments through the more "traditional" networking channels; occasionally, though, something hits my desk – or the screen of my Mac – which makes me sit up and take slightly more notice; or, indeed, put the figurative pen to paper. One such occasion arose when I read the i-FM report by Elliot Chase published on 23rd September and entitled "Recession drives procurement change".
The subject was addressed at the latest BIFM Fellows' Forum, hosted at Deloitte's City of London HQ, and the main thrust as reported was that the recession has necessitated a shift in the approach to procurement . Attendees heard procurement specialists Martin Laws and Guy Palmer explain the results of both recent research and client experience, which confirmed (unsurprisingly) that cost control was a top priority, and that it would remain so in the foreseeable future. Then came the interesting bit (because, let's face it, the issue around cost control is not exactly news), and I quote from the article itself…
Deloitte… is seeing a clear move towards increased interaction between buyers and suppliers in order to get the best results from a contract appointment. Increasingly tender decisions… are being made on the basis of cost, plus assessment of capability and fit… a maturing of the decision-making process in that it offers a better balance of previous approaches, specifically the technical-led and the procurement-led.
The pressures of recession… have resulted in more questions being asked, both internally and externally, as the procurement process develops. In many cases, this has had the benefit of working against short-termism, in which cost is the only real decision criterion – though there are still plenty of examples of that approach around, too.
Now, I posted an article on this blog about a year ago in which I expressed astonishment at the gulf that apparently existed between the property and FM sectors, and at the audacity of the former to tell the latter how to suck eggs. Once again, I've been left feeling similarly bewildered and bemused at how little understanding there seems to be in the wider world of the most basic of concepts that are the cornerstone of FM. This time, concepts relating to the procurement of FM services.
When I re-launched Edifice at the beginning of 2006, I reckoned that I had a reasonable pipeline based upon clear target clients and some quite decent market knowledge. However, the first company I went to see was one that had invited my previous employer to tender (for a hard services outsource); I'd led the bid but – although we'd been unsuccessful as a consequence of cost – I knew that the fit with the successful tenderer just wasn't right, and that what had ultimately been procured was impossible to deliver within the accepted cost constraints. Sure enough, the new contract had proven to be a complete disaster and I proceeded to work with that client for over a year to provide a solution that met not just the budget constraints but also the organisation's requirements in terms of culture, philosophy and customer focus.
To demonstrate this even further, the processes and systems that have been developed within Edifice to steer clients through the critical path of an outsourcing project effectively isolate cost as just one of a number of factors that should influence any sensible decision-making process. In other words, the question is "Right – given that cost comparison is going to be addressed as a discrete part of the evaluation process, what do you really feel about these suppliers? Can you work with the people you've seen, and have you actually seen the right people? Do their policies on sustainability, CSR and ethical procurement mirror yours? When they say they recognise the importance of training and development, do they put their money where their mouths are? Do they actually harness technology to demonstrably drive efficiency, or just spend money on systems that then has to be recovered from you, the client? And – critically – what do the clients say after working with them for x number of years? (The list could easily have gone on, but presumably the point has been made.)
Some of these questions are client-specific, but there are always a host of key areas that need to be addressed, and once done, the result is a framework within which "fit" can be accurately gauged. If the cost evaluation then suggests a similar solution, all well and good; if it doesn't, then at least the client organisation will have the basis for rational and informed debate. In other words, if a decision is going to be made on cost, than understand the consequences of that decision before making it.
The procurement of facilities services can have a massive impact on an organisation's performance, not just for the term of any contract let but for the additional time it takes to correct a mistake. And getting it wrong can also change the perception of a facilities team, or a procurement department, in the eyes of the end user (or, perhaps, the board). The danger, as I've been known to mention before, is in the "commoditising" of FM and it's a danger that we must all be ever watchful against.
Bullish Noises For Bullish Noises' Sake
Posted by Tony Angel in Best Practice, Customer Service, Partnership, Recession on December 10, 2008
I've written before about the "credit-crunch come recession" (have a read of Recession and the P-Word if you haven't already done so). Whilst I know I'm not alone in doing so, I do sometimes wonder if I am alone in publicly acknowledging the effect that this economic downturn is having (or is likely to have) on our industry. The reason I say that as that (at least until this week) pretty much all I've seen in the media is a series of press releases from service providers talking up the market. Advising us that, actually, a global recession is uniquely good for the FM industry.
Strangely, this week seems to be one for telling it like it is. Firstly, i-FM reports that the cleaning sector is feeling the pinch; recent growth figures have hit 14% per annum but this is expected to slow to 2% for the current year and just 7% over the next 5 years. This tells us nothing of the effect on margin, of course, but we all know that higher turnover doesn't necessarily mean that profits aren't eroded.
Then there's FM World, which also seems to be reflecting the true state of the market now. On the subject of projects and capital spend, we find that "Interior Services Group has reported that many of its corporate clients have delayed or cancelled projects due to start in quarter four of 2008 or next year." No surprise there, and I doubt that it isn't a picture reflected in many, if not all, of that sector's order books. More worryingly perhaps, a report earlier in the week shed some light on what's really happening so far as a response to the present economic climate is concerned: "Businesses across the service sector have reduced investment and spend in their buildings and predict that this will decline even further over the coming months resulting in a spate of job losses across the FM sector. That was the gloomy message from the CBI's quarterly Service Sector Survey…"
"In the three months to November, firms reported steep falls in business volumes and profitability, as well as plans to scale back employment and investment. Firms selling services to businesses saw the volume and value of their business, profitability and numbers employed fall at record rates – the steepest declines since the survey began in 1998. Companies are also cutting investment plans sharply as worries about future demand intensified."
Now there's nothing wrong with being seen to adopt a positive stance in the face of adversity, but that's not the same as making bullish noises for bullish noises' sake. The FM sector, like all other sectors, is being hit hard and the position is unlikely to change as we head into a New Year that might well see a number of established players do well to last the course.
To my mind, I do believe that opportunity exists out there, but I would add a large dose of realism to what I've seen written by others. For client organisations, it's time to go back to basics with a review of FM strategy, a reconsideration of business need both in terms of services and service levels, and – out of that – an appraisal of supply options. From my own experience, this process usually becomes part of a "contract life-cycle" but there's no reason why special circumstances shouldn't result in a different approach and a different timetable. For service providers, it's absolutely imperative not only to be proactive, but also to be innovative. Doing nothing will simply result in margins being eroded or – worse still – contracts being lost as clients align themselves with those organisations demonstrating a commitment to delivering better value. That's "better value", not "lower cost", and the two things are not necessarily the same (although I accept, of course, that they often go hand in hand).
One thing I don't see for 2009, however, is a year of business as usual. Those who pretend that it will be are likely to be the first casualties of the media hype I referred to earlier.
Today Europe, Tomorrow the World
Posted by Tony Angel in Best Practice, Europe, Property on November 6, 2008
Mike Liddle and I were very proud to be re-presented with the EuroFM Partners Across Borders Award 2008 at the PFM Awards held at the Brewery earlier this week. It's always a great night and an opportunity to catch up with old friends as well as to network with new, but having such a personal interest in the proceedings made it extra special. (I well remember Edifice winning the marketing award too, back in 2002… it's frightening how quickly the years go by.)
Anyway, this award was for work we carried out in support of Microsoft's initiative to harmonise the management and delivery of facilities services across EMEA. The project started more than two years ago, and it's interesting to see how the market has changed in that time. It's still evident that a single-source solution across such a diverse geographic area is problematic, but there's no doubt that the market is maturing quickly and that a host of the major players have aspirations to extend their reach well beyond the domestic market here in the UK. Indeed, many have already made major inroads, although in my view there's still a long way to go if we're truly to achieve consistency in terms of service delivery, the advantages of a uniform approach to reporting and information management, and a real benefit from the migration and sharing of best practice.
Another thing that I find particularly interesting is that those who practice within the "traditional" FM sector are finding that the real estate professionals are now muscling in on what is a growing and valuable market. The benefits of a professionally managed real estate portfolio are vast when one takes a pan-European view and big wins are available to those who are ahead of the game. The danger, as I see it, is that with this change comes an inevitable transactional focus; this might be where the headlines are made but – once FM becomes a bi-product of the real driver behind the relationship – the danger is that operational performance will suffer. Once that happens, the cost to a business can be more significant than any headline savings in real estate because, after all, it's the people within a business who deliver the profit. Keeping FM on the agenda in such a scenario will itself be a challenge, but it's a challenge that simply has to be overcome.
I suspect that the next couple of years are going to see a number of large-scale, cross-border contracts coming to the market, and the value of these contracts will inevitably shape the strategy of the more aspirational service providers as a greater and greater number seek to get their hands on a piece of the pie. Such a strategy is fraught with difficulty, with a need to focus on supply chain capability, management structure, training & development, system integration, etc – all across national borders… and that's in addition to the cultural and legal issues that will inevitably arise in any such opportunity.
There's no doubt that these are interesting times, particularly with a global recession adding fuel to the fire, and I feel fortunate indeed to be playing even a small part in navigating a way through the transition.


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Thomas Allen takes classic books front the 40s and 50s and gives them a new life by turning their tired covers into sculptures. Haunted Lady, I Married a Dead Man, Don't Crowd Me and Timbal Gulch Trail are some of the old classics that have been re-appropriated by Allen and now shine under a new light.
By creating these mini dioramas, Allen allows the characters to interact with each other, whether they belong to the same book or not. An original way to give obsolete vintage classics a new exciting life, Allen's work offers a welcome break from computer screens and kindles. The artist do not sell his work directly, although it is available from New York's Foley Gallery and Seattle's G. Gibson Gallery.


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A metaphor is a literary device that makes an implicit, implied or hidden comparison between two things that are unrelated but share some common characteristics. Metaphors are commonly used in poetry to create evocative imagery. Your challenge this week is to use a flower, or flowers of your choice as a metaphor in your work.
If you would like to see examples of poems written about this prompt than simply search the hashtag #heartwrds on Instagram, or visit our community here.


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Thursday, April 28, 2016
Vortec V8 Swap: 1979 Jeep Wagoneer
To this day, you will still find a certain segment of the East coast upper class who keep these things on the road at considerable maintenance cost, but they were nice cars when new. Times change, and the AMC 360 V8 that would have originally powered this Wagoneer just doesn't offer the power/fuel economy that Tesla drivers expect-- time for an LS swap.
This Wagoneer lost a few cubes when the engine was changed to a small block GenIII 5.3 liter Vortec V8 from some GM product, but the 275ish horsepower should be a significant upgrade. It is mated to a 4L60E and twin sticked Dana 300 transfer case and Dana 44 rear axle with locker. TL;DR version-- this thing can now climb hills.
The interior features nice seats, a clean dash, gauges that work, and functioning AC -- it will be very interesting to see what the reserve is on this beast.
See another giant green machine for sale? firstname.lastname@example.com
4 comments:
I saw one of these powered by a V12 Ferrari engine at the Harrah's museum in Reno. Looked just great.ReplyDelete
My dad had one of these, just before they started going up in price. I worked for skip barber for a year and the craziest ride i ever had was in that wagoneer. Lived on a steep somewhat twisty road. Backed out of the driveway, and before he even had his foot off the brake to pull forward we start sliding. Ive never seen an entire road glare ice like this. Youd have to know the road to appreciate the lunacy of the ride we took but it involves a audi tt on a side road with the driver waving for us to stop as we slide past. Sawing at the wheel from full lock one way all the way to the other over and over. Mentally planning ensuing crash at the bottom of the steepest part where the road turns, picturing jumping the culvert, going through a fence and stoping in a horse pasture. As long as we left the road straight hopefully we wont roll and we will be ok. It didnt occur to me we would make the turn. But we did. Then coming around the bend sideways we find a new suburban nosed into the ditch blocking half the road. Finally getting to the flat part of the road and one final sharp right and were clear. It was probably about 1/2 a mile slide and at the end dad look at me, hold up the coffee mug thats been in his right hand the whole time and proudly says, "didnt spill a drop."ReplyDelete
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