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To read the author's abstract of the article, click on the title of the article. Then, to read the full article, click on the full text icon. KEY WORDS: Acne vulgaris, Adolescent, Androgens, Anxiety, Chronic, Cytokines. Depression, Diet, Genetics, Hormones, Inflammation, Propionibacterium acnes, Sebaceous glants. PMID: 21609898. Summary #807.View Post
Posted on by Dr. Gary Pack

subset: commoncrawl


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'super Mom' Series - Part I
17 Things You Never Appreciated About Your Mom Until Your 20s
1. Her food is amazing. Remember before you left the house for college, when you were bored with her homemade eggplant rollatini and whined that you wanted to go to Baja Fresh? Yeah. Now you crave that homecooked food every time you have one of yo...
19 Reasons We're Grateful For Our Moms (Photos)
Our mothers can seem a bit superhuman: They bring us into the world, hug us when we're scared and share wisdom to help us navigate the darkest days. For that we are grateful. This Mother's Day, we're calling attention to the many ways we feel than...
We Can All Agree To Celebrate National Lazy Moms Day
We swear we won't be that annoying friend who only posts updates about our workouts.


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All prices are listed and all payments are charged in USD.
- We're based out of the United States, so all of our products are priced and charged in USD.
- Keep in mind that some international financial institutions or credit card administrators may charge a currency conversion fee when paying with USD!
We accept PayPal.
- You can pay for your purchase through PayPal using your PayPal balance, a credit card, and in most cases, a bank account.
- Many customers choose to load their PayPal account with prepaid cards - this is fine, too!
We accept most major credit cards.
- We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
- We accept most prepaid credit cards from major credit card issuers.
We can't accept cash, checks, or money orders.
- Unfortunately, our ordering system isn't currently able to support these payment methods.
We can't split payments between multiple payment sources.
- Unfortunately, our system requires that payment is submitted in full from a single source. We aren't able to work around this limitation.
We can't delay or defer payment, or set up layaway plans.
- Since our system requires payment in full at the time of purchase, we can't delay payment until an order is completed, we can't begin work on an order until it is paid for, and we can't set up payment over time.


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Welcome to the official website of Lord Buck Entertainment and DJ Lord Buck! Our professionalism, dependability, and competitive prices are why our clients keep returning. Come back often to check out our upcoming shows and events.
70's, 80's, 90,s 00's, 10's!
Hit music from these genres: Top 100, Hip Hop, R&B, Pop, House, Electronic, Breaks,
Neo Soul, Funk, Ska, Reggae and Dancehall.
Upon request, I spin custom playlists, specifically tailored for our client(s) listening atmosphere.
-DJ Lord Buck
"We hired Lord Buck Entertainment last Friday for a "happy hour" at our new restaurant…It was so much fun! Darron is friendly and reads the crowd very well. Our customers seemed to really enjoy the music and seemed to linger longer than usual enjoying dessert and cocktails. We had him back yesterday and had another good time. We hope to use Lord Buck Entertainment on a regular basis."
-Dana (Buffalo Cantina, Fort Worth, Texas), July 9, 2011


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As a vendor, your product is what makes your business work. It is the most valuable piece of your whole operation. In a recent blog, highlighting what to do when a customer what to when a customer files for bankruptcy, we mentioned what to do if your goods were in transit, but what should you do if your product has already been delivered?
How to reclaim your product
The U.S. Bankruptcy code provides language that, under certain circumstances, can allow you to reclaim products after they have been delivered to an insolvent buyer. The code states that you may reclaim goods that were received by the debtor within 45 days of the debtor filling for bankruptcy, assuming those goods were sold in the course of ordinary business. In order to reclaim the goods, you make a formal demand for them within 45 days of the product being received or within 20 days of the bankruptcy filing. While you technically can make this demand orally, having this in writing is a safer alternative and can provide proof later on.
It is important to note that the customer must still be in possession of the product. If they have already sold or used the product, you no longer have any reclamation rights. The burden of proof, in regards to possession of the product, falls on you though. You must be able to prove that the product was in the customers possession at the time the demand was sent.
If a valid reclamation claim is made, the customer must return the product. If they subsequently sell or use the product, you may be given an administrative claim in the bankruptcy proceedings for the value of the goods in question.
It should be noted that all goods sold to the customer within 20 days of their bankruptcy fillings are given an administrative expense priority claim in the bankruptcy proceedings. Essentially giving those vendors priority over others. In this case, no proof of possession is necessary, just proof of a formal reclamation demand.
Dealing with bankruptcy is a natural part of being a vendor, but understanding the law and staying up to date can save you from unnecessary loses. As always, if you believe this situation applies to you, we recommend you seek the advice of a lawyer on how to proceed.


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For your FINAL REFLECTION blog post, please write a response to the prompts below. You may organize the content however you like, just make sure to respond to each prompt and post the response to your Process Blog:
- "Reflection and Growth": Describe how you approached this prompt, and describe the work that you created this quarter. How does this work demonstrate "reflection and growth", and what did you get out of making this?
- Evaluate the result: Are you satisfied with the artwork you made for this unit? Does it exceed or fall short of your expectations? If so, how? What could you do differently to make the piece more successful, in your opinion?
- Describe the imapct of the art program on your work: Try to distill your experience in C-107 down to a few ideas. Describe the artist you have become (or, are becoming) as a result of the time spent in this art program. Is there one single moment or idea or experience that had a significant impact on you?


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Category: Thyroid
Monitor: 25
Objective : Follicular thyroid cancer usually presents as thyroid mass. Distant metastasis as presentation is uncommon. Here, we present a case of aggressive follicular thyroid cancer who presented with shortness of breath, cough and hemoptysis and was mistaken for possible disseminated tuberculosis
Methods : n/a
Results : Clinical case: A 67-year-old female with PMH of DM2 and ulcerative colitis, on azathioprine and infliximab, presented to ER with complaints of shortness of breath, hemoptysis and cough for few months. She was found to be hypoxic. Chest x-ray showed bilateral lung nodules and CT scan revealed multiple nodules in the lungs bilaterally. It also showed heterogenous enlargement of right lobe of thyroid, a low-density lesion in left lobe and lytic lesion at T6 vertebrae. MRI of thoracic spine showed diffuse T6 vertebral body metastatic disease with involvement of the posterior elements causing severe central stenosis and foraminal stenosis at T5-T7. Due to history of use of infliximab for ulcerative colitis and her presentation, she was admitted in isolated room with airborne precaution to rule out disseminated tuberculosis. Three samples of sputum for AFB and PPD test were negative. She was discharged with out-patient follow up. But she developed abdominal pain and leg weakness and readmitted within few days. She, then underwent T5-T7 resection and open biopsy of T6. Biopsy of T6 vertebrae was positive for metastatic carcinoma. Thyroid Ultrasound a 6.3 cm mass in right lobe and 2 cm mass in left lobe. Lab result showed normal TSH, Thyroglobulin was 31,069 ng/ml (2.8 – 40.9), Tg-Ab 2 and Anti Tg Ab was 1.3 iu/ml (<2). FNAs from both lobes came back atypical with Afirma GSC reporting suspicious for malignancy from right mass and benign from other. Initially, she refused to go for thyroidectomy and was treated with XRT for spine lesion. She subsequently underwent total thyroidectomy. Pathology revealed follicular thyroid carcinoma with gross extrathyroidal extension invading subcutaneous soft tissues, larynx, trachea, esophagus. She was treated with 150 mCI of I-131 after surgery.
Discussion : Follicular thyroid carcinoma spreads via hematogenous route and can have distant metastasis in 10 to 15% of cases. It commonly metastasis to bone and lung and less commonly to liver, brain, bladder and skin. It usually presents with goiter and it is uncommon to present as distant metastasis. Our case initially presented with typical features of tuberculosis in the context of infliximab use for ulcerative colitis and was mistaken.
Conclusion :
This case highlights devastating presentation of an occult follicular thyroid carcinoma and can be mistaken for other illness.
ANNAVI BAGHEL– Clinical Fellow, Louisiana State University, Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana
Kamal Bhusal– Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, LSU Health Shreveport
Kalyani Regeti– Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, LSU Health Shreveport
Clinical Fellow
Louisiana State University, Shreveport
Shreveport, Louisiana
Clinical Fellow - Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Louisiana State University, Shreveport, LA, USA.
Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine
LSU Health Shreveport
Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine LSU Health Shreveport, Louisianan, USA. Section of Endocrinology


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Call Now - 01254 390542
In Remembrance of Drummer Lee Rigby
A lovely tribute and vigil was held at Rhyddings Street Cenotaph in Oswaldtwistle on Thursday 11th July 2013 in remembrance of Drummer Lee Rigby. It was lovely to see the townsfolk come out and pay their respects. "A little respect costs nothing!" Barton & Hallworth Funeral Service were proud to be able to donate and produce the Order of Service for this event in Lee's memory.


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Intel Skylake owners will need to upgrade to Windows 10 by July 2017
Microsoft will cut support for Skylake-based processors in Windows 7/8.1, starting in July 2017
An interesting story has floated to the surface of the Internet over the weekend, where Microsoft has announced it will not support older operating systems on new platforms, in the very near future.
The company wrote: "Through July 17, 2017, Skylake devices on the supported list will also be supported with Windows 7 and 8.1. During the 18-month support period, these systems should be upgraded to Windows 10 to continue receiving support after the period ends. After July 2017, the most critical Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 security updates will be addressed for these configurations, and will be released if the update does not risk the reliability or compatibility of the Windows 7/8.1 platform on other devices".
Considering Intel's Skylake architecture isn't that old at all, it's concerning that Microsoft will drop support for Skylake processors in Windows 7/8.1 next July. The Redmond-based OS giant has added that operating systems like Windows 7 were never designed for the latest and greatest technological advances we have on PC.
Microsoft added: "Windows 7 was designed nearly 10 years ago before any x86/x64 SOCs existed. For Windows 7 to run on any modern silicon, device drivers and firmware need to emulate Windows 7's expectations for interrupt processing, bus support, and power states- which is challenging for Wi-Fi, graphics, security, and more. As partners make customizations to legacy device drivers, services, and firmware settings, customers are likely to see regressions with Windows 7 ongoing servicing".
Last updated: Apr 6, 2020 at 04:57 pm CDT
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text: By Mujlisul Ulama Some of the Western-educated clogmatize that Islamic jurisprudence does not fit in with our modern age. But, they do not give any specific reasons for such an allegation. Had they said that some particular principle or principles are not adaptable to our era for one reason or another, their claim might possess some merit, as it would then have been possible to discuss and show the error of their contentions. But, to stop at saying that the whole body of Islamic jurisprudence is unfit for our times, without giving any valid reason, is a statement entirely unacceptable to any logical and rational mind. Yet, having known that the exponents of such notions are, relative to Islamic jurisprudence, the most ignorant among the educated, one cannot escape the conclusion that their views are predicated upon ignorance and prevarication. The adaptability of jurisprudence should be decided on the grounds of the intrinsic sufficiency of its principles. There is not a single one of even the lesser principles of Islamic jurisprudence that may be substantiated as unfit or irrelevant, and a perusal of the more salient principles reveals to what extent some Muslims have been carried down the dark alleyways of deviation by their own- ignorance. Islamic jurisprudence inscribed unconditional equality between people. The Quran says: "O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that you may despise each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of God is The who is) the most righteous of you." [Qur'an 49:13] And Rasulullah (sallahualaihi-wasallam) said: "People are equal (on the same footing) like the dents of a comb; no Arab has an advantage over a non-Arab except by virtue of righteousness and piety." This principle of equality was inscribed thirteen centuries ago, whereas the man-made laws in which our ignorant friends take pride did not acknowledge -such equality until late in the eighteenth century! Even today, most European countries and the United States impose debilitating restrictions on their application of this principle. There is also the outstanding principle of liberty (freedom) which had been established since the early days as an integral part of Islamic jurisprudence. Under it, freedom of thought, freedom of belief, and freedom and expression are well recognized and even enjoined by manyQur'anic verses, from which we may cite a part: Say, 'Behold all that is in the heavens and on earth'." "… and none will grasp the message except men of understanding." "Let there be no compulsion in Religion." "Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong." The principle of liberty (freedom) with its three divisions was not recognized by man-made laws until the French Revolution, though the ignorant deny the Islamic jurisprudence the virtue of such precedents and attribute it all to European law. Absolute justice is one of the basic principles of Islamic jurisprudence. The Quran says: ".. And when ye judge between man and man, that ye judge with justice." "..Stand out firmly for justice…" ". . . Stand out firmly for God, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice." This principle was also registered by Islamic jurisprudence from its very inception and was not recognized by man-made laws till the last decades of the eighteenth century. Such are the three preeminent principles on which modern law is founded, and which our jurisprudence had firmly established more than eleven centuries ago. How then can it be said that manmade laws are "relevant" to our modern age while Islamic jurisprudence, which advocates the same principles and framework, is not? Again, Islam had enjoined application of the principle of mutual consultation from the time the Revelation was sent down. God says: "…who conduct their affairs by mutual consultation." "… and consult them in affairs (of moment)." Therefore, Islamic jurisprudence preceded man-made law about eleven centuries in establishing this ideal — except in the case of England, where it was recognized ten centuries after Islam. But the European law did not introduce a novelty when it provided for parliamentary representation (as an example of applying the principle of mutual consultation); they merely took their impetus from where Islamic jurisprudence ended. Further, Islam since its early revelation, had restricted the powers of the chief of state, characterizing him as duty bound to represent the public and responsible for his wrong actions. Accordingly, both the rulers and the ruled are equal before its provisions. Because the first are limited in their actions by these provisions they have no inequitable advantages over the latter. Both are on the same footing in accordance with the principle of equality. Since Islamic jurisprudence comprised all these principles eleven centuries in advance of European law, how can it be alleged that this jurisprudence is incompatible with our present age?! Besides, Islamic jurisprudence prohibited the drinking of alcohol and permitted divorce. God declares: "O ye who believe, intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of) stones and (divination by) arrows are an abomination of Satan's hand i work : eschew such (abomination) that-ye may prosper." "A divorce is only permissible twice: after that, the parties should either holdtogether on equitable terms or separate with kindness." Man-made legislation never recognized the benefits accruing from the permission of divorce and prohibition of intoxicants except in the course of the present century. Some of these laws completely prohibit intoxicants, others impose partial prohibition on them. How, then, could these laws deriving from jurisprudence be considered fit while jurisprudence itself is considered unfit? Islamic jurisprudence is the first system of legislation that established viably the theories of social cooperation and social solidarity. God says: "…Help ye one another in -righteousness and piety. But help ye not one another in sin and rancor." ".. and those in whose wealth is a recognized right for the (needy) who asks and him whois deprived." "Of their goods take alms, that so thou mightest purify and sanctify them." "Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer the (funds), for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to Truth), for those in bondageand in debt, in the cause of God, and for the wayfarer: (Thus is it) ordained by God, and God is full of knowledge and wisdom. "What God has bestowed on His Apostle (and taken away) from the people of thetownships, belongs to God, to His Apostle and to kindred and orphans, the needy and the wayfarer, in order that it may not (merely) make a circuit between the wealthy among you." The two above-mentioned concepts have been known by our jurisprudence for more than thirteen centuries, whereas the non-Muslim world was hardly aware of them till the present century, and they are yet but partially applied therein. Islamic jurisprudence prohibits monopolistic practices, exploitation of authority, bribery and corruption. The Prophet has said, "The monopolizer is surely a sinner.' And Allah says: "And do not eat up your property among yourselves for vanities, nor use it as bait for the judges, with intent that ye may eat up wrongfully and knowingly a little of (other) people's property." These lofty ideas were not accredited by man-made laws except very lately. Islamic jurisprudence strongly prohibits the commission of felonies and shameful vices whether in public or in secret, sinning and harassment beyond all bounds. God says: "Say: My Lord hath indeed forbidden shameful deeds, whether open or secret, sins and trespasses against truth at reason." At the same time, jurisprudence approves of exhortation to good deeds, enforcing what is right and forbidding what is wrong. "Let there arise out of a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong." Such principles as these, long embodied in Islamic jurisprudence, are the ideal that humanity searches for and dreams of achieving. How could the one code of legislation whose principles enshrine the very ideal which contemporary humankind earnestly seeks fail to be relevant to our era? If- we peer into the humanitarian, social and legal conventions prevailing in our age and of which people are proud, we find each and every one of these principles included in the best possible manner in the Islamic jurisprudence. From the above, it becomes evident that the allegation that Islamic jurisprudence is inappropriate for these times is an assumption founded on and caused by profound ignorance of that jurisprudence, and has no support in fact. The only excuse one may seek for the exponents of this charge is that they have been taught that old laws and legislation were based on obsolete principles which are unacceptable to our modern age. They have taken this ambiguous statement for a general rule, applicable also to Islamic jurisprudence, which they consider to be an "old" law and an "old" legislation. They have never attempted to appreciate' the substantial difference between Islamic jurisprudence and man-made law.


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The Strad Issue: January 2010
Musicians: Pieter Wispelwey (cello) Flanders Symphony Orchestra/Seikyo Kim
Composer: Britten
Britten's Cello Symphony makes a timely addition to the suites and Solo Sonata already committed to disc by Wispelwey. Although in the booklet he writes of it as a concerto, his interpretation suggests the subtle difference that Britten intended, drawing out the introspective character of the solo line and never pushing the sound.
The initial cello entry over brooding orchestra is brutal and uncompromising, but as the movement progresses it is the tender, hesitant speech-like comments that are most movingly characterised. Wispelwey momentarily puts on the heroic mantle at the beginning of the Adagio with some impassioned playing, but later declamatory passages lack dramatic impact. Balance is well controlled by Seikyo Kim and the recorded sound quality is excellent. Only a cough at the beginning of the Passacaglia reminds us that this is a live performance.
In Wispelwey's superlative performance of the First Suite the Cantos, beautifully resonant on his 1760 Guadagnini, sound devout, with infinitely long double-stops for the pauses. He explores a large palette of pizzicato sounds for the Serenata, whose final chromatic scale vanishes upwards into mere skin and string. After a suitably terrifying Bordone, the Moto perpetuo is a tour de force of breathtakingly fast semiquavers, plunging down into the Canto reminiscences as if into cool water.


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Yes, the ever fashion-forward singer has pulled a Miley and chopped off her locks in advance of the MTV Video Music Awards. X17 Online has photos of the 24-year-old "We Found Love" singer rocking her new short-and-sweet hairdo outside of the Staples Center in Los Angeles, where she was rehearsing for tonight's show.
RiRi's scheduled VMA performance is the first after a much-documented summer of partying and yachting in ritzy St. Tropez; she is rumored to be performing with ex-flame Chris Brown.
For more photos of Rihanna's new 'do, click through to x17online.com.
Rihanna's Hot Bod
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Sign up for membership to become a founding member and help shape HuffPost's next chapter


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Sunday, 14 July 2013
IARU HF World Championships
Apparently the Gods were totally against me. The S31 went up in the air, the radials were laid out, 4:1 balun hooked up, a brand new 100' of RG-213 was connected, and.......the antenna tuned every band but 15m...... !! Now, it's not like I haven't put up a 31' vertical antenna before, in fact I use a homebrewed version of the S31 when I operate portable, and it works great.
The other interesting fact is when comparing signals between the vertical and the dipole, there was a huge difference. An S9+20 signal on 40m using the dipole was a measly S1 on the vertical....and it was that way over every band when I compared the antennas to each other.
So, over the course of three days I changed every part of the antenna, the coax, and added many more radials. Nothing changed, it was a crap antenna. Several emails went to Bob, VA3QV, who has this type of vertical looking for advice, but Bob couldn't understand what was going on either.
In the end I used my 66' long wire, 9:1 Balun, and two 31' radials and worked a good portion of the world with it.
Band conditions were not that good, we had very deep QSB for most of Saturday afternoon which made things difficult. My first five contacts were Iceland, Russia, Hawaii, Greenland, and Moldova....after that the DX disappeared and only US stations were heard until very late afternoon.
It was a lot of fun but a tough slog, but in the end I put 122 contacts in the log, including a new one for me, TC3HQ in Turkey.
Oh yeah, the S31 vertical.......apparently the issue was a broken, but brand new, right out of the box, MFJ RF Isolator that I had put in line......I've removed it from the run of coax and ....the antenna works fine now, as advertised, because the contest is over !!
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"If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake baked a cake, baked a cake If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake Howd-ya do, howd-ya do, howd-ya do" I couldn't think of a better way to launch this site than with a fabulous four layer topsy turvy cake. The zip file download includes the deely-bopper-topper cake and the no-topper cake in both jpg and png (transparent) formats. Click to Download: Topsy Turvy Cake Digi Stamps UPDATE: Previously…
- Animal Digital Stamps
- Buildings Digital Stamps
- Fantasy
- Food Digital Stamps
- Holiday Digital Stamps
- Household
- Ornamental Digi Stamps
- Special Occasion Digital Stamps
- Water Creatures
- Website Housekeeping


text: Fab You Bliss, Simply Sweet Photography, Blue Valentine 21 Enter your email here: Or, get updates via Facebook Twitter Iinstagram Google+ RSS Pinterest StumbleUpon DID YOU ENJOY THIS POST? There is always plenty more to come - subscribe now and never miss a thing! Whimsical & Romantic Cinderella Bridal Inspiration


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This essay was sent out with my Christmas cards. I meant to post it for you not long after and here it is almost May…
When the kids were little, and they got bossy and demanding, we'd tell them, "Sorry but the servants are off today." Of course, the DH and I would declare that to each other as well, embellishing whenever possible. "That scullery maid! Last I saw she was on her way to Brighton, she was. I don't think she'll be back," we'd exclaim, in our best Monty Python delivery.
Sad to say, every once in a while the rejoinder was not comically rendered. Instead, it would come out with the full despair of one who has washed a zillion dishes, a billion loads of laundry, and too many floors. "Servants?" we'd say, "You want servants? Well don't we all."
One day it got serious. "I am NOT a servant," was to be heard…loudly, imbued with years of pent up indignation. "Well of course not," came the immediate reply. "If you were a servant you would be getting paid. What you are is a volunteer."
We haven't stopped laughing yet.
"Is there a volunteer?" has quickly become the most frequently asked question around here, and "No, I am not volunteering" the most frequent response.
Which brings us to Dude, the cat in the picture. When we bought our home five years ago, we would sometimes see him lurking in the backyard. Our cat Pooh did not like him there and chased him away while he was still fit enough to do so.
After Pooh passed on, Dude (because that's what you call someone when you don't know their name) started lurking again. We didn't pay him much attention, especially since the DH had vowed we'd never have another cat and we assumed he lived near by. We enjoyed him from afar until one fateful day when the DH fed him… and before we knew it, that cat was volunteering to be our cat.
We believe he was abandoned, although it's possible he's severely neglected and likes us better. While he isn't feral, he is a bit wild and he doesn't use a cat box. A great hunter, we don't need to feed him (or at least not so much–he's put on several pounds).
It's no surprise that he likes having servants–especially someone to open and close the sliding glass door whenever he wants. Because he doesn't use a cat box, it's rather imperative that someone do so, even if it's 2am, a situation that existed for several months before the servants got so tired they decided they had to do something.
Something turned out to be a sequence of cat doors that led from the kitchen to the garage then out of the house (and back in again), which is handy for when it's raining or we're gone. The new doors required a nose-push to get through, and for that, someone had to be trained with kitty treats.
But, like the servant thing (and the volunteer thing), it turns out it wasn't Dude who got trained. While he quickly learned how to manipulate his new doors, these days his devoted slaves can be seen dispensing treats on demand as well as opening the sliding-glass door even though he has two perfectly good cat doors that only he can fit through.


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Our Ready Made Curtain Range are available in various styles, colours and headings:
Chocolate Faux Suede
Faux Suede Ready Made Curtains are fully lined Curtains. This fully lined curtain have an Eyelet heading for a contemporary finish.
- Eyelet Heading: (Silver as standard but can be changed at additional cost)
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Available in 4 Colours & 7 Sizes. Matching Tiebacks & Cushion Covers also available.
Supplied: 1x Pair.
Tiebacks supplied in Pairs
Knife Edge Cushion covers Supplied in Pairs
We also offer a made to measure service Free of Charge: Please allow 3 weeks for this:
Message us with your sizes when purchasing.


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Giselle 7:00 pm
Giselle @ Grand Park in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin
Oct 14 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The Northwest Florida Ballet takes the stage at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 14 at Grand Park in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin to perform Giselle, one of the oldest continually performed ballets dating back to Paris in 1841. Giselle is a free, outdoor performance presented as part of Grand Boulevard's Coastal Culture series, made possible by the Grand Boulevard Arts ... Read More
Charming Charlie Fundraiser 10:00 am
Charming Charlie Fundraiser @ Charming Charlie - Destin Commons
Oct 21 @ 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Join us at Charming Charlie (behind Uncle Buck's Fish Bowl) in Destin Commons on Sat., Oct. 21 from 10am until 9pm to start your holiday shopping and give back to NFB at the same time. This is the perfect time to get your holiday accessories and gifts while supporting our organization. CLICK HERE to download the flyer to print or show ... Read More
Community School Parent Observation 3:00 pm
Community School Parent Observation @ Northwest Florida Ballet
Oct 23 @ 3:00 pm – Oct 27 @ 7:00 pm
Parents of Community School Students are invited to come observe their children during their dance classes for the last 15 minutes of class. Call the NFB Offices for more information!
2017 Vintij Wine Dinner 6:00 pm
2017 Vintij Wine Dinner @ Vintij Wine Boutique
Oct 29 @ 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Tickets are on sale now for the Northwest Florida Ballet "Fall Into Dance" four-course wine dinner at Vin'tij Wine Boutique on Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. to benefit the NFB Live Music Fund. Tickets are $100 per person or $175 per couple (excluding gratuity). Seating for the event is limited. Vin'tij Chef John Jacob's menu features seasonal delights that dance with the ... Read More


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Mr WINGARD (Mitchell) (16:01:14): I rise today to speak about some key transport issues in my local community. Moving from the shadow responsibility for transport and road safety, I just want my community to know that these issues are still very dear to my heart, and I will still be working very hard to get an outcome for our community.
It has been an interesting time recently. Having been in the transport portfolio for quite a while, I did really enjoy that portfolio and working with a lot of people in our local area. We raised a number of issues and we did our very best to hold the government to account. Again, as I stressed, I will continue to do that throughout my time in this place.
Of particular interest to me as the shadow minister were the great people I met. In particular, there were a lot of people who were very passionate about trains. One such person was Michael Kohler, who shared a lot of knowledge with me about trains along the way, and would often ring and have a chat. In the past few months, he would ring to tell me a few things. Often, by the end of the conversation, I would inform him of more things than he would inform me, which meant that I was getting a very good understanding of trains and transport. It was a great time.
Of course, in my electorate we arguably have the key train issue across the state, and that is the Oaklands crossing. We have mounted a campaign to find a solution and get a fix for this. We have been questioning the government and the minister, and have asked him to come down to the Oaklands crossing and look at the problem—a problem that has been ongoing for 30, 40, and even 50 years, as I am often reminded by people in my electorate and the community.
We have inquired with the government and put in a few freedom of information requests to find out some information about what the government is doing. We asked them to let our community know what is happening, and unfortunately we have been denied access. We are still fighting to get this information.
We know that the government is looking at the issue, but we have to know the plan and the strategy to get this crossing fixed. A great team of people called the Oaklands Crossing Champions have come out and helped us campaign to get this crossing fixed. We will continue with that work. It has been great to see the people who have come out and supported that campaign.
I want to raise Darlington as well. We know the project that is going on there. As we count the launches the state government had to unveil this project, we got up to 5.0, which is good if you are in iPhone, but not so good if you are doing a project that involves a road campaign. The government sold it five times before they finally got moving on it.
I know there are some ongoing issues with land acquisition. Some businesses are having difficulty in getting clarification and closure on the land acquisition and the destruction of their businesses along that strip. In fact, I was dealing with one business today, Bedford Park Crash Repairs, which is having all sorts of trouble dealing with the government and facing a lot of frustration as far as that is concerned.
A number of other businesses along the way include: Bloomers Florist, Hair Like That, Flinders Computer Systems, Specialty Trophies, Sea Blue Thai Massage, a deli up there, and the Sahara Pizza and Kebab House. I know the member for Davenport has worked with these people as well, and the way they have been dealt with really has left a lot to be desired. We understand the need to acquire the property to do a project. There is not an issue there; it is just that the manner in which these people have been dealt with has, as I said, left a lot to be desired. We will keep a close eye on the Darlington project.
In the light of the fact that the Darlington project is going on, the Sturt Road/Marion Road intersection touches on the boundaries almost of the seats of Elder, Davenport and also Mitchell, and I have had a lot of people contact me about that intersection. Work is being done there to improve that intersection before the real work begins up at the Darlington intersection where South Road meets Sturt Road. One of the key factors about this upgrade of the Sturt Road/Marion Road intersection that has been raised with me by a lot of people in my community is that it will congest the area down towards Diagonal Road and Sturt Road.
I asked the minister just before Christmas how that was going to play out. The acting minister for transport at the time sent me a response that said that the work they had done showed that there would not be any impact on that intersection, the Sturt Road/Diagonal Road intersection, nor any impact flowing down to the Oaklands crossing.
The people in my community are not so sure about that, and we will be keeping a very close eye on it. In fact, to quote the acting minister for transport:
I am advised by DPTI it is not expected that there will be any direct flow-on impacts to the Sturt Road/Diagonal Road intersection and subsequent downstream locations during the Marion Road/Sturt Road construction , nor during the im plementation of the Darlington U pgrade project construction.
I will be keeping a very close eye on that, because there are concerns that the ongoing Oaklands crossing could be made worse in weeks and months to come, and potentially longer. That is another key issue.
Time expired.


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Hurricane Maria which was formed in the Caribbean was one of the most powerful storms in a decade causing damage to tens of billions and literally wiping out entire islands. Now Maria is headed for Europe.
Already having been weakened, meteorologists are reporting the first snow in the Czech Republic this Friday. "It seems that the first snow could fall in the mountains on Friday. The weather will be the same for the weekend. Groundwater frosts will also appear," meteorologist Dagmar Honsová said.
By Thursday, temperatures up to 20 degrees Celsius are predicted, but on Friday they will fall by almost ten degrees.


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…Pretty surprising, actually. Especially Numero Uno. Then again, the fact that the very same film was Number One at the box office is also a shock:
Our thanks to TorrentFreak for this chart. And for proving, once again, that there ain't no reason in the world to go to the movies unless you like pigging out on fake popcorn and pseudo butter that clogs your arteries and turns your heart to sludge, making you into the #2 most-pirated film of the week, DEAD MAN DOWN.
Admit it. You love us for our subtlety. Right? Right…?


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Hi, it's Sereknitty again.
It's been awhile since we posted. We've been slogging through the end of winter, in that weird in between place we call "Sprinter". Lovely and warm one day, snowing and cold the next. It's a time when everybody is a bit crabby. We're all sick of winter and all that it entails: scraping snow and ice off the car, dark long days, winter coats, ice on the roads. Even warm comfort foods. We want fresh veggies from the farmer's market and to peel off a couple layers of clothing. We're almost there, but we can't quite get our hopes up yet. The end of winter always has a few surprises for us.
Everybody has their own way of surviving until Spring. Not surprisingly, I knit. As LoloKnits announced the other day, "Knitting is my default." And that pretty much is all I have been doing every single spare second of my days. As you would expect, I've been getting quite a lot done. Here are a few of my projects:
I knit this adorable giraffe for my boss for her birthday last month
I'm also working on a pair of socks for my BIL, two pairs of socks for me, a scarf for a recently retired co-worker, a cozy for my coffee press (it's a KAL!), my second End Paper Mitt, a Holden Shawlette (my first ever lace shawl and a KAL!), and I've nearly finished my Cloisonne Jacket. As you can tell, I am quite busy. I haven't been doing much for our Etsy shop, but I've got some hand-dyed roving that I need to spin up. Since LoloKnits and I are going to have a table at a craft booth in August, I really need to start working on some projects for that. I have several in mind. We'll see how they go. I know she's knit quite a few wash cloths already! I'm just hoping to get a few projects finished soon so I can dedicate more time to that. As I'm not working OT anymore, that gives me more time to knit. And catch up housework. Or knit. :)
I promise to update my Yarn Diet status at the end of the month. Hopefully Cloisonne will be done by then; that'll add quite a bit to my monthly total!
Happy Knitting!


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Monday, April 30, 2007
More & More
UPDATE: Our Washington Nationals Designated D'Angelo Jimenez Today and Offically Recalled Kory Casto. Not Surprising in the least.
All spring long, the focus of Our Washington Nationals has rested nearly exclusively on The Starting Pitching. Game after Game during the first two weeks of the 2007 season, The Nationals never had a legitimate shot to win. Undependable Starting Pitching killing the team, putting Washington in early deficits, holes dug so deep, virtually no team in baseball could have clawed themselves out. Now, just as slowly as the weather has finally changed from bitter cold to expected spring warmth, Our Starting Pitching is warming up as well. More and More, Our Washington Nationals are competitive. Are they great?--by no means. But, they are better.
Shawn Hill has been Our Ace from the get go. Jason Bergmann has been a pleasant surprise. Matt Chico, a work in progress. Number 47 hangs in there though, even without his best stuff. Matt is making strides during his Major League ON THE JOB Training Program. Even Jerome Williams somehow pulled it out last Friday night against The Mets. Its a good thing he did, Jerome was heading to the Waiver Wire, now he's resting on The Disabled List. Only our supposed BEST PITCHER, John Patterson, has yet to show his expected promise.
And when your starting pitching holds up, MORE & MORE, the games become competitive. The closer the games, MORE & MORE, Our Manager Manny Acta must rely on strategy. Which ultimately means, MORE & MORE--Manny must rely on his bench players.
And, that's the subject of today's post.
MORE & MORE, Our Manager must realize--Our Washington Nationals DO NOT HAVE A BENCH.
On any given gameday, The Nationals bench players consist of Jesus Flores, Robert Fick, D'Angelo Jimenez, Josh Wilson and either Michael Restovich or Chris Snelling. That's it. That's Terrible.
Flores is a TERRIFIC YOUNG PLAYER. The Rule V Draftee must stay on The Major League Roster all year. That's fine with me. The more Jesus Plays, the better I like him. Number 3 is struggling at the plate, but is going to break out, sooner, rather than later. He just doesn't have experience.
After Jesus, those left sitting on the pine have been virtually unhelpful, some would say: USELESS.
No One to reliably trust to get a key hit. No One to provide Pop in the Bat for some late inning heroics. And, NOT A SINGLE PERSON THAT CAN BUNT. In fact, Jimenez and Wilson are not even trusted to play the field defensively. What kind of a bench is that? Would not even Bernie Castro be a better choice over Jimenez?
Our Manager, Manny Acta has few choices to counteract an opposing Manager's Moves. The Chess Match, so crucial to National League Baseball, is barely possible with Our Washington Nationals. Manny can ONLY HOPE Fick, Jimenez, Wilson, Restovich/Snelling or Flores can get the job done. So far this season, Manny Acta can only cross his fingers, wishing for luck, then long for a fluke. Not a way to Manage a Major League Team.
What a far cry from the first two season's of Nationals Baseball. Jamey Carroll, Ryan Church, Marlon Anderson, Daryle Ward, Brendan Harris, Marlon Byrd, Alex Escobar, Bernie Castro and, of course, Carlos Baerga (only because We LOVE CARLOS BAERGA in Section 320, the man provided so much enjoyment in 2005). Not any great players there, but some serviceable talent. Skill Frank Robinson could depend on late in the game to give Our Washington Nationals an opportunity to get back into or over the top in a tight match.
A Lost Moment Now, when Jimenez and Wilson are sent to the plate by Manny. Neither decent sticks. Fick, not much better. Number 13 can play first base decently, is the emergency third catcher--but has struggled MIGHTILY at the plate. Time and Time again early this season, Our Manager has sent Robert up to provide that veteran spark off the bench. He has failed, repeatedly--in the clutch.
Help may well be on the way though. Although the move is not official, some reports have Kory Casto joining The Nationals in San Diego tonight. No corresponding roster move. Cristian Guzman and Nook Logan are days away from returning. Jimenez has to be gone. Wilson next. "The Guz" & Logan, nor Casto are going to provide much power. But this trio does give Manny Acta maneuvering space late in games. Stratagem Our Manager has no power over currently.
Yeah, I understand a $35 Million Payroll limits growth possibilities off the bench, but it doesn't mean Our Washington Nationals progess is limited, right now. Ronnie Belliard would be a terrific platoon/late inning replacement if Guzman returns to short, FLop to second. Clearly, Cristian has to help also, not return to his 2005 form. Snelling is a helpful player, a gamer. Logan a perfect 4th Outfielder, late inning replacement. And, what in world has happened to ALEX ESCOBAR? The King Of Injury has disappeared off the radar screen for Our Washington Nationals. How is it possible for a player to dislocate his shoulder last September, AND STILL NOT BE ABLE TO THROW THE BASEBALL?
Alex Escobar is a FIVE TOOL TALENT, arguably one of the most thrilling players on The 2006 Version of The Nationals. If healthy, how decent would a Church, Escobar, Kearns outfield look? Logan, Snelling, Belliard, Flores and most likely still Fick off the bench. That's LIGHT YEARS from where we stand right now. And, I haven't even mentioned Nick Johnson, he's still a few months away.
More & More, I would LOVE TO SEE THAT BENCH. Manny might work miracles with THAT BENCH. Better Competitors, ready at a moments notice. WITH THAT BENCH, Our Washington Nationals would be a far better team, than today.
11 comments:
- JayB said...
What harm is there in replacing Fick with a proven bat.
Remember we had Vidro and we are still paying part of his paycheck. He would have been a nice bat off the bench and I am sure he could have played 1B too.
Oh well to late for that and I understand we got pitchers for down the road but we should buy a bat and up the payrole to $37 Million and win some of these games.
Dream on with Guzman and Escobar. One does not want to play and one can't due to real injuries.
- Chris Needham said...
Good post.
One thing to remember, though, is that if you take away the Hamburglar persona, Carlos Baerga was pretty worthless in '05, and that bench was pathetic. Tony Blanco led the team in PH ABs, and there were games that he was legitimately the best choice.
We got spoiled last year, as Daryle Ward had an incredible year.
Regardless of that, you're right about this year. 3/4 of them can't hit OR field. What's the point of them?
I'm glad to hear Casto is being recalled. I really want to see a full season of him up in DC before I past judgement on whether or not he is a cornerstone in the OF.
Guzman should be cut, I rather Bowden eat whats left on his contract then play him. Belliard is hitting really well and I think if he keeps this up we could get a decent (3,4,5) starter for him in a trade.
Bernie Castro would be better then Wilson and Jimenez. They are terrible. What about Frank Diaz?? I thought he was supposed to have a good bat, is he big league ready?
I will say this and this might upset people but I really did think we should have traded Chad Cordero when we had the shot with Boston. He can not be blowing save (3 or 4) oppurtunies like that, esp since we arn't expected to win any games. I think we could have gotten Bowdens Willy Mo (I do not know why he loves him so much) for Chad.
- Screech's Best Friend said...
Chris: The Baerga Comment WAS A JOKE. We just loved how he couldn't play anymore, definitely could not run and was error prone galore. What a sight on the ballfield.
And, its true. There is NO REASON for Jimenez and Wilson. There has got to be better players available even in The Nationals System. Why not give them a try?
JayB. Until we have a backup first baseman and a number 3 catcher, unfortunately, Fick Sticks. Those are the breaks of our current set up.
- JayB said...
How about Gary Bennett at catcher/1st B.....we had him too and he is much better than Fick.....when does the bill come due for all these poor moves for Jimbo?
- Screech's Best Friend said...
VCUKyle: Diaz is actually strugging in the minors. If there is any other outfielder that might get a call up, Abraham Nunez would be next. He almost made the team out of spring training as a 5th outfielder. They are going to stick with Cordero. They have to. No way they attempt to move him, on a down cycle. Remember every move this season is based on positioning for something else farther down the line. As frustrating as that might be for many, it is what The Nationals are giving us. Thanks.
For people to say NOW that the Nats should have moved Chad Cordero is a little much. I know it's Monday and everything...
SBF: What do you think about bringing up Tony Batista, a career .250 hitter with 219 home runs? He is hitting .282 with 2 homers out at Columbus. Sure beats Wilson or Fick or Jimenez when you are looking to drive one into the gap in the late innings. He certainly has the experience.
- Screech's Best Friend said...
Batista to Jim Bowden represents VALUE. I have no doubt that Our General Manager is looking for the right opportunity to bring Tony Up. He was told at Spring Training he was an emergency opportunity option only. But, considering the lost pop off our bench, I would have to believe Batista is being considered as the ever changing makeup of Our Team Transforms. I would not be surprised to see him here, soon.
As a side note, during Spring Training, everyone, not just The African Queen and I, but EVERY SINGLE BEAT WRITER was STUNNED at how easy Tony Batista swung and knocked the ball out of the park during BATTING PRACTICE. It was impressive, and did not go unnoticed.
Despite his critics, Bowden does understand under valued journeyman and the opportunity for them to get hot, then trade them off for something of more value. Jimbo going to use him, to his best advantage. And, if that means bringing him up next week or next month, expect to see Tony Batista in a Nationals Uniform.
Good question by the way.
Thanks...Batista just hit HR #3 for Columbus tonite by the way.
Batista 3 for 3, now hitting .309 Regardless where he might play in the field, we need that bat in key pinch-hit situations.


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Friday, August 31, 2012
One week left to get your Lunar Colony costume!
The bad news? The limited-edition "Zaggy Moondust" costume will no longer be available after that date! The only way to get the costume -- not to mention the Moon Rock and Alien Archaelogy power -- is to become a Member today. You'll get Early Access to Lunar Colony, access to the Lunar Colony bonus quest, and these three Members-only items.
So what are you waiting for? Find out how to become a Poptropica Member today!
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Chillin' like a super villain
You wanted more information about Super Villain Island? You got it! Our Super Villain Island info page is now available. It's your first look at some of the secrets that await you on the next Poptropica Island.
Also, on that page you can download a free desktop wallpaper and printable poster. What are you waiting for? Check it out!
Labels: Black Widow, Super Villain Island
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
First impressions of earth
On the newest Poptropica Island, Lunar Colony, you can see this image of Poptropica when you're on the surface of the moon.
That's not the only famous picture of earth. Take a look at this one.
Want to go even further out into space? How about an image that was taken by the unmanned Voyager space probe as it was passing the planet Saturn?
To explore more mysteries of the cosmos, visit Poptropica and play Lunar Colony today!
That's not the only famous picture of earth. Take a look at this one.
Want to go even further out into space? How about an image that was taken by the unmanned Voyager space probe as it was passing the planet Saturn?
To explore more mysteries of the cosmos, visit Poptropica and play Lunar Colony today!
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
A hare-y situation
Want to find out how a mad scientist in a pink bunny suit held Poptropica in the fuzzy clutches of fear? All you need to do is visit Poptropica and play 24 Carrot Island.
This was one of our earliest Islands, and still one of the best. And, like most everything on Poptropica, it's free to play!
Labels: 24 Carrot Island, Dr. Hare, Super Villain Island
Monday, August 27, 2012
Neil Armstrong, 1930-2012
The crew of the Apollo 11: Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz AldrinTonight, step outside and take a look at the moon. Imagine knowing that a human being is walking around up there. For most Poptropicans, and even their parents, that's all we can do: imagine it. It's never happened in our lives. But the dream became a reality for everybody on planet Earth back on July 21, 1969, when Neil Armstrong became the first person ever to walk on the moon.
Upon setting foot on the lunar surface, Commander Armstrong said, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." (He meant to say "one small step for a man," but as the story goes, he was so overcome by emotion that he botched the line!) It was a moment of hope and optimism for the entire human race. When they returned for home, the astronauts left behind a plaque that said: "Here Men From The Planet Earth First Set Foot Upon the Moon, July 1969 A.D. We Came in Peace For All Mankind." The plaque is still there.
Neil Armstrong passed away this weekend at the age of 82. His courage continues to inspire millions of people around the globe. Still, you have to wonder: will anybody ever walk on the moon again? What about Mars? I sure hope so.
The next time you look up at the night sky, take a minute to remember the bravery of Neil Armstrong and all the other people who made the risky voyage into outer space. Those first few steps we took into the solar system, we took in the spirit of peace for all mankind -- and for whatever else might be out there. Let's keep exploring!
Labels: Captain Crawfish
Friday, August 24, 2012
Announcing the next Poptropica Island!
What sort of evil schemes are they dreaming of? We'll have a lot more information about Super Villain Island soon!
In the meantime, Poptropica's newest Island, Lunar Colony, is available for Members to play! This is one of our favorites, and we hope you all enjoy it as much as we do. If you're not a Member, you can still play a limited demo. Either way, visit Poptropica now to play!
Labels: Captain Crawfish, Super Villain Island
Thursday, August 23, 2012
This fall, evil is in
Fear not, for we will soon be giving you a hint when we reveal the name of Poptropica's next Island!
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Another piece of the puzzle
Labels: Binary Bard
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
The race to erase
Monday, August 20, 2012
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water
Labels: Captain Crawfish
Friday, August 17, 2012
Congratulations to the first 10 finishers of Lunar Colony!
Poptropica Members are unlocking the secrets of the cosmos in Lunar Colony. These 10 Poptropicans were the first to do it.
Congratulations to you all!
1. Gentle Starfish
2. Scary Star
3. Blue Scorpion
4. Scary Typhoon
5. Shaky Typhoon
6. Magic Fish
7. Friendly Cheetah
8. Silver Ninja
9. Shoeless Eagle
10. Zippy Dragon
Congratulations to you all!
Labels: Binary Bard, Lunar Colony
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Lunar Colony is now available for Poptropica Members!
Not a Member? Find out how to get Membership so you can play Lunar Colony today!
Labels: Black Widow, Lunar Colony
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
The eternal question...
To answer a pop quiz question honestly?
Labels: Captain Crawfish, Poptropica Friends
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
It's the final countdown
Lunar Colony will be available this Thursday for Poptropica Members. Don't forget your space helmet!
Monday, August 13, 2012
Friday, August 10, 2012
Lunar Colony is coming next Thursday!
The wait is almost over. Lunar Colony will be available next Thursday, August 16, for Poptropica Members.
Visit the Poptropica homepage to follow along with the second-by-second countdown until liftoff!
Thursday, August 9, 2012
How an island is born
*sniff* They grow up so fast...
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Under construction
We're putting the finishing touches on Lunar Colony. It will be available very soon!
Labels: Lunar Colony
Monday, August 6, 2012
The doctor is in... again?
Mystery of the Map Poptropica Graphic Novel Poptropica Previews Poptropica Costumes Poptropolis Games Comics Virus Hunter Island New Islands Gold Cards PoptropiCon Shrink Ray Island Tips and Tricks Early Access Islands of the Month Books Dr. Hare Membership Arabian Nights Great Pumpkin Island Poptropica Shop Skullduggery Island Zomberry Island Cryptids Island Monster Carnival Poptropica Realms Create Your Dream Island Lunar Colony Galactic Hot Dogs Mission Atlantis Mocktropica Behind the scenes MonthlyMemberGift


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HAMPSHIRE'S community champions have today been honoured for doing their bit to help others.
They join celebrities, sports people and professionals who have been rewarded in the New Year Honours out today.
Among them is Second World War veteran Bill Edwardes honoured for his community work and volunteering over the years with a BEM.
Bill joined the Army aged 16 as a stretcher bearer in 1943 and in later years set up and run the 43 Wessex Regimental Association aimed at maintaining and preserving memorials of those who gave their lives in the conflict.
An active member of his church and Rotary he and his wife Jean have set up a mentoring programme at Woodlands Community College in Southampton to help children with their reading and writing.
He said: "It is very humbling to think that people think enough of you to make the effort to make a recommendation."
- Also receiving a BEM is Andrea Finn who led a campaign to save her village shop.
Andrea and fellow residents – Sue Allpress, above left, and Meryl Corby, above right, – rescued the only store in Woodgreen, near Fordingbridge, which was set to close.
They formed a community association that ran it and then raised £350,000 to fund a larger store nearby.
Andrea, 72, said: "The new shop has a coffee area and is the social centre of the village. A lot of elderly people come in for a chat."
- Scout leader Carolyn Darbyshire, becomes an MBE after spending three decades overseeing Scout groups in Chandler's Ford, and is currently district commissioner.
The 66-year-old, who was also a nurse for more than 45 years, has helped organise countless community events and Scouting activities over 30 years.
She said: "It is completely overwhelming – just amazing.
When I found out it was just a feeling of complete disbelief."
- A BEM goes to Hermione Goulding, from Winchester, for services to charity.
Mrs Goulding, 76, worked as a support worker for the Winchester Alliance for Mental Health, befriending service.
She said: "I feel embarrassed by this because there are so many other people who do much more than I do and I just happen to have been picked out."
- Naomi House fundraiser Lucie- Jane Lewis, becomes a MBE for her services to the Sutton Scotney hospice.
Mrs Lewis, who lives in Sway, near Lymington, joined the charity's New Forest Committee 16-years-ago and has helped raise thousands of pounds to keep the hospice for life-limited children running.
A graphic designer, Mrs Lewis added: "I'm proud to be doing something so unbelievably worthwhile."
- Meanwhile John Underhill, also becomes a MBE for voluntary services to the Royal British Legion in Hampshire after organising 40 cathedral concerts across the country and in Gibraltar and the Falklands for its 90th anniversary celebrations in 2011.
Mr Underhill, of Damerham, near Fordingbridge, said: "Although I was the project manager it was the people on the ground who helped me organise it and in a sense I accept this for them."
- Also honoured is Jacqueline Rowley who is made BEM for services to Eastleigh Friends of People with a Learning Disability.
The social support group helps families and carers with a son or daughter with a learning disability living at home or in supported living within Eastleigh.
- Consultant nurse David Ferguson has been made an MBE for dedicating his career to improving care for mentally ill patients with learning disabilities.
The 55- year-old from Bishopstoke, who is due to take early retirement from his role at Southern Health in March, has been working in the field for more than 30 years.
During that time one of his major achievements was working with universities across the country to develop a foundation degree for health care support workers.
"I was totally taken by surprise and it was huge honour for just doing my job. I'm very proud to be recognised for the work that I have done," he said.
- Dr Steve Connor, chief executive and founder of the national Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV), has been honoured with an OBE for services to victims of domestic violence.
Dr Connor, 38, from Alton, founded the NCDV in 2002, the then London Centre for Domestic Violence, and has since worked tirelessly to ensure its continued growth, which has seen it become a national organisation helping more than 10,000 victims a year to take out injunctions against their partners.
- Hampshire police inspector Julie Fry, becomes an MBE for her work in ensuring increased reporting of hate crime and improved confidence in policing from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
A member of the Gay Police Association, Inspector Fry recognised the need to form a group supporting LGBT staff working for Hampshire Constabulary.
Throughout her 21 years of service she also provided increased support to members of the LGBT community and as a result of her work, victims of crime from these communities are offered support from specially trained Lesbian and Gay Liaison Officers.
- The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) based in Southampton is celebrating after Richard Wootton, the MCA's communications infrastructure manager, has become a MBE for his services to the sevice over 15 years.
The 57-year-old, from Gosport, has been instrumental in work to improve the communications infrastructure as part of a programme to modernise the service.
- Tracey McAdam, manager of Eastleigh College House, which caters for people with moderate learning disabilities.
has been made MBE for her services to education.
Last year, the facility was judged 'outstanding' in all four Ofsted categories following a snap inspection.
- Also honoured for her work in education is Pat Usher, who worked for Southampton university for almost 40 years, and has been made an MBE for services to education.
Now retired the 64-year-old Bitterne woman, has championed equality for women, disabled students, ethnic minorities and international students in her role as university administrator.
- Businessman Michael Wells, founder of Lochs and Glens Holidays, receives an OBE for services to tourism and charity.
Mr Wells, 74, of Beaulieu, started Lochs and Glens Holidays specialising in coach trips to Scotland and owns seven hotels in the Highlands, in 1979.


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Sitting just up the road from Stitch, Mojo Record Bar and Spooning Goats, Uncle Ming's is the newest player on the (who would have ever thought) York Street small bar strip. But this one's a little different, and with its swish fit out and interesting drinks list, a visit to Uncle Ming's is a must.
Descend the stairs (ignoring the fact that you seem headed for a suit shop) and you'll leave uneventful old York Street and find that tunnel to China. The air is fragrant with wafting incense as the nooks and crannies of the room reveal themselves. There's terracotta warrior lamps, tea light candles twinkling through the dark and walls papered with pictures of old-time Asian pin-up girls.
The bar dishes out an exotic list of Asian drinks. Tsingtao stout, Yebisu dark ale and the extremely tasty Hitachino Nest beer from Japan are all worth a try. After that, you'd do well to sample the Japanese whiskey, plum wine or the terrific selection of shochu and sake. If you're in the mood, try the Peanut Chong, made with tequila, Thai basil, chilli paste, soda and lime. Food consists of seven different types of dumplings. Din Tai Fung quality they ain't, but they're good drinking food just the same.
Uncle Ming's ploughs headlong into its theme, but you don't feel silly being a part of it. Instead, the wonderful design and cheerful service ensure it's a place to linger, even after the novelty wears off. With our city's demographic, why an Asian-themed bar took so long to appear is strange. But be glad it finally did.
Uncle Ming's
Lower Ground, 55 York Street, Sydney
Mon to Sat 4pm–midnight


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A new study concludes that LGBT workers continue to frequently report discrimination and harassment in the workplace.
The Williams Institute of UCLA Law School, analyzing studies over the past 40 years, concluded that LGBT employees continue to report discrimination, especially those who are out in their workplaces.
According to the study, the 2008 General Social Survey reported that 42 percent of lesbian, gay and bisexual employees had experienced employer discrimination at some point in their careers; 27 percent had experienced it within the five years before the survey.
Rates of discrimination against transgender workers are even higher.
"The devastating results of this discrimination are confirmed by the high rates of poverty and unemployment documented by surveys of the transgender community," said Williams Institute Executive Director Brad Sears.
In related news, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics today released a survey of employee benefits in the United States. Only 33 percent of state and local government workers and 29 percent of private sector workers have access to health care benefits for same-sex couples.
A personal blog by a graying (mostly Anglo with light African-American roots) gay leftist leaning liberal progressive fit married college-educated former Baha'i NPR-listening Professor Emeritus now following the Dharma from California to Minas Gerais, Brasil.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Via JMG: ILLINOIS: Mega-Church Dumps "Ex-Gays" At Exodus International
The Illinois-based mega-church Willow Creek says it is cutting its ties with Exodus International, the infamous group of "ex-gay" liars who promote reparative therapy.
Susan DeLay, director of media relations at the mega-church, says Willow Creek ending its relationship with Exodus does not mean it is any less welcoming to people with same-sex attraction, as "Willow Creek has a whole host of ministries for people dealing with these issues. All we've changed," she continues, "is how we've gone about inviting them into the church, which is the primary issue here." Jeff Buchanan, executive vice president of Exodus International, says his group is disappointed with Willow Creek's decision. "To date, we're still not very clear on the reason why. Our church association is meant to be a referral network of churches that are willing to receive those who are dealing with unwanted same-sex attractions and they're looking for ministry and for help, and that's the sole purpose of their association with us," Buchanan explains. "So, we are still left with questions and a little bit perplexed as to why they have chosen to pull out."
Labels: "ex-gay", bigotry, brainwashing, Exodus International, Illinois, still totally gay, torture
Via JMG: Crazy Eyes: Being Gay Means Being Enslaved To Homosexuality
Yeah, I don't know what that means either - Joe
reposted from Joe
Labels: assholery, bimbos, crazy people, GOP, Michele Bachmann, theocracy
reposted from Joe
Via JMG: The Definition Of "Christian"
"As this is a cultural war, our definition of being a Christian does not necessarily constitute that you are required to have a personal relationship with God or Jesus. Being a Christian can mean many things; That you believe in and want to protect Europe's Christian cultural heritage. The European cultural heritage, our norms (moral codes and social structures included), our traditions and our modern political systems are based on Christianity – Protestantism, Catholicism, Orthodox Christianity and the legacy of the European enlightenment (reason is the primary source and legitimacy for authority). It is not required that you have a personal relationship with God or Jesus in order to fight for our Christian cultural heritage and the European way." - Norwegian terrorist Andrew Breivik, in an excerpt from his manifesto now being cited by the American right as "proof" that Breivik is not a "real Christian."
reposted from Joe
Labels: Christianists, Norway, religion, terrorism
Via JMG: CALIFORNIA: Haters To Begin Petition Drive To Overturn Gay History Bill
Anti-gay forces in California have been granted permission to begin gathering the petition signatures to place a repeal of the LGBT history bill on the June 2012 ballot. Via Karen Ocamb:
SB 48 is a natural extension of Harvey Milk Day, requiring public schools to stop discriminating against LGBT people by rendering the LGBT minority invisible in public education. The bill requires schools to start teaching about LGBT history and contributions starting Jan. 1, 2012. Inclusion in California textbooks has been deferred until 2015 because of the economy. If CRI's "coalition" gathers 504,000 valid signatures by mid-October and does qualify – the initiative would be placed on the June 2012 ballot. That's the date for the Primary in California and CRI's Republican base accounts for 30% of registered voters in California. Theoretically, that means the initiative would have to pass with heavy support from Independents and Democrats.
Labels: California, education, hate groups, LGBT History
Via Lester and Charlie:
Congratulations to all the newlyweds in New York, like Phyllis Siegel and her wife Connie Kopelov, pictured below. Americans shouldn't have to wait for basic rights, but out of respect for those who did and do, we urge our friends to keep fighting.
"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." - Dr. Seuss
Via AmericaBlogGay: In California, homophobes want ballot measure to repeal FAIR Education Act
It's always something with the haters.
From Rex Wockner: Californians may be voting on gay matters again.
This time the target is the law Gov. Jerry Brown signed July 14 that requires public schools to teach about LGBT people's contributions to the state and nation.
Anti-gay activists have submitted the paperwork to launch a voter repeal referendum and have hit the Web with StopSB48.com. Its slogan: "Stop SB 48. It costs too much. It goes too far."
Their next task will be to collect signatures from 504,760 registered California voters before mid-October.
What would these people do if they didn't have the gays to obsess over?
Karen Ocamb has more on the haters behind this latest effort:
The Capitol Resource Institute launched an online campaign to repeal the California FAIR Education Act using a slick new email message and a new campaign website called StopSB48. The campaign also updated the CRI main website, which had not posted anything new since 2010. Their "Action Alert" page is still blank with only the date March 12, 2009.
But their new campaign website has the look of money – such as bought stock photos of generic happy white and black families – and there's someone keeping an eye on the media. In a Capitol Alert story last Friday, July 22 about CRI filing papers to launch a referendum, the end of the story says: "Updated at 2:30 p.m. to add comments by Karen England and Brad Dacus, and to indicate that the referendum drive is being conducted by a coalition of groups." That's Karen England of CRI and Brad Dacus of the right-wing Pacific Justice Institute. But unfortunately, Capitol Alert didn't ask for the names of the other coalition members, which the website identifies as a "coalition of pro-family organizations, parents, students, teachers and more."
Via AmericaBlogGay: ABA bestows highest honor on Olson and Boies
ia press release from the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER), we learn that David Boies and Ted Olson will be receiving a prestigious award from American Bar Association:
Awarded for distinguished service by a lawyer or lawyers to the cause of American jurisprudence, the ABA Medal is given only in years when the ABA Board of Governors determines a nominee has provided exceptional and distinguished service to the law and the legal profession.
Among previous recipients of the ABA Medal are legendary justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, including Oliver Wendell Holmes, Felix Frankfurter, Thurgood Marshall, William J. Brennan Jr., Sandra Day O'Connor and Anthony Kennedy.
The award will be bestowed upon Boies and Olson during the meeting of the ABA House of Delegates at the Association's annual meeting on August 8th, 2011.
Well deserved. Hopefully, this sends a powerful message about the ongoing fight for equality in our legal system.
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WASHINGTON, April 9, 2017 — No, you cannot shout "Fire!" in a crowded movie theater. But the right to freedom of speech still encompasses a great deal, far more in the last twenty years than history would have ever imagined before.
On the most basic level, the constitutional right known as freedom of speech means we can express our opinions and ideas without fear of government retaliation or censorship, or sanctions from society at large. This fundamental right includes any act of seeking, receiving or delivering information or ideas, regardless of the medium used.
The literal act of speaking is a small part of this right. Actions, too, are equally protected forms of free speech, as is the right not to speak, or the right not to act.
Recall Colin Kaepernick, the quarterback of the National Football League San Francisco 49ers, who refused to stand when the National Anthem was played prior to each game. Back in 1943, the Supreme Court decided West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette, authorizing the right not to salute the flag. Both cases involved the right not to "speak" or "act" as protected by the freedom of speech right guaranteed in the Constitution.
In 1969, an earlier controversial act—which occurred when students protesting war wore black armbands to school—was determined to be legal as well. Since Buckley v. Valeo was decided in 1976, even the act of contributing money (under certain circumstances) to political campaigns is a protected form of free speech.
The right to freedom of expression includes the right to take and to publish photographs of strangers in public areas without their permission or knowledge.
Freedom of speech is truly almost universal. It is recognized in international and regional human rights laws. It is seen in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Article 19), the European Convention on Human Rights (Article 10), The American Convention on Human Rights (Article 13), and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' rights (Article 9).
In the United States, the right to free speech is perhaps the single most heralded right in American law and culture. It is described in the First Amendment to the Constitution, which in part says "Congress shall make no law… abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press…"
One of the Supreme Court's most heralded and respected justices, Benjamin N. Cardozo, explained that "freedom of expression is the matrix, the indispensable condition, of nearly every other form of freedom." —Palko v. Connecticut, 1937
The evolution of the right to say or do what you want has evolved, as would be expected over time. Before the world of the Internet, the dissemination of speech and action was slower and often not publicized on a wide scale, particularly if members of the press did not know about the speech in question, or if they otherwise chose not to publish it.
The widespread use of the Internet in the early 1990s figuratively blew open the doors on the subject. Soon enough, the very openness and lack of guidelines that characterized this new communications medium precipitated the passage of the Communications Decency Act (CDA) in 1996.
The CDA was the first major attempt by Congress to regulate pornographic material on the Internet. The following year, in what has been called a landmark case, the Supreme Court decided Reno v. ACLU. In so doing, the CDA was partially overturned, with the ruling essentially saying that limiting speech on the Internet was constitutionally intolerable.
A lower court judge ruling on the case noted that
"…speech on the Internet can be unfiltered, unpolished, and unconventional, even emotionally charged, sexually explicit, and vulgar – in a word, 'indecent' in many communities… my analysis does not deprive the government of all means of protecting children from the dangers of Internet communication… (they) can continue to protect children from pornography… through vigorous enforcement of existing laws criminalizing obscenity and child pornography…"
Freedom of speech rights do not protect speech or actions that would incite harm to others; endorse the right to make or distribute obscene materials; permit students to print articles in a school newspaper over the objections of the school administration; or allow students to advocate illegal drug use at a school-sponsored event.
Obviously, however, there are inherent limits on freedom of speech. Justifications for limiting the right to speech often reference the "harm principle" or the "offense principle." Hence, when speech conflicts with other rights and freedoms, such as in cases of libel, slander, pornography, obscenity, "fighting words," and intellectual property, such speech is not protected. That means the speaker in such cases can be prosecuted in a criminal court for disseminating the offensive words or actions.
The justifications for seeking to prevent certain kinds of speech are not absolute. Like much in the law, the notions of "harm" or "offense" always involve at least two sides with regard to what is meant. Thus, various lawsuits have attempted to resolve and define when speech is harmful or offensive.
How offensive was it to Skokie, Illinois—a community counting many Holocaust survivors— when, in 1978, a neo-Nazi group wanted to march through that city brandishing swastikas? Clearly, the prospect of that event was very offensive to that community.
Nonetheless, the neo-Nazis won their court battle, arguing that freedom of speech laws protected them, much the same way as they protected civil rights marchers in Southern cities during the Civil Rights era when the town leaders there tried to prevent those marches. In the Skokie case, the neo-Nazi group never did march through the city, however, choosing instead to rally at Federal Plaza in downtown Chicago.
Speech can be controversial. The boundaries of what is and what is not protected speech are constantly being pushed.
Napier Fuller, a Wilmington, North Carolina, architect, was arrested at gunpoint this past February, as five deputies interrupted a business meeting and took him to jail in handcuffs. What was his horrible offense? He wanted to weigh in on his views of the bathroom issues for transgender individuals, sending what were termed "annoying" emails to faculty members and students at UNC-Chapel Hill University.
Chelline Carter, of Lafayette, Louisiana, took cellphone photographs of a police vehicle, in the back of which of her son sitting after he was arrested. While she did not interfere with police in any way, police took her phone and deleted the photos, all without a warrant or Ms. Carter's consent.
Marjorie Esman, Executive Director of the Louisiana ACLU, stated
"…everyone has a right to photograph what they see, including actions of the police, as long as they don't interfere… in addition, cellphones are by law private and can't be searched without a warrant. Ms. Carter had every right to take and keep the photos."
In Virginia this month, a Richmond high school student sent an email from his home computer to the admissions staff at Harvard University, telling the school that it had admitted a classmate who had been found guilty of cheating, in violation of the high-school's honor code. The email was not shared with any other student, nor published on social media.
Nonetheless, high school administrators, who were copied on the email, decided to punish the student. The student sued, and a federal judge in Richmond has ruled that the student can maintain his lawsuit against the high school as they violated his First Amendment rights.
College campuses have been considered bastions of free inquiry and robust debate. Perhaps nowhere else are free speech rights been so embraced.
Yet, last month, on March 2, students at Middlebury College in Vermont shouted and protested to prevent Charles Murray from giving a lecture. Murray co-authored The Bell Curve, a controversial book discussing human intelligence, which raised questions regarding its statements on race and its resultant effect on grading at schools.
But on the same day, Flemming Rose, a Danish journalist who, in 2005, published cartoons of the prophet Muhammad (which were then criticized by many Muslim groups), appeared and lectured at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Freedom of speech is often misunderstood, often taken for granted and is constantly on the defensive both inside and outside the government.
May you speak or act? Yes, maybe. No, sometimes. Guidance? None. The law is constantly being pushed and challenged. What was prohibited yesterday may be protected tomorrow. And, there will inevitably be something new somewhere down the road. Today, it is already hard to remember it was only a short time ago that the Internet entered into this ongoing discussion.
Paul A. Samakow is an attorney licensed in Maryland and Virginia, and has been practicing since 1980. He represents injury victims and routinely battles insurance companies and big businesses that will not accept full responsibility for the harms and losses they cause. He can be reached at any time by calling 1-866-SAMAKOW (1-866-726-2569), via email, or through his website.
His book "The 8 Critical Things Your Auto Accident Attorney Won't Tell You" can be instantly downloaded, for free, on his website: http://www.samakowlaw.com/book.
Samakow has now started a small business consulting firm. The website for this business is brand new and Mr. Samakow will be most appreciative of any and all comments. www.thebusinessanswer.com.


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Rangel is one of the most senior Democrats in the House; he chairs the Ways & Means committee.
And he's a slimy crook.
Pelosi won't ask him to step aside - even though she and Harry Reid PROMISED us the most ethical Congress ever.
Therefore, Obama MUST.
Obama is the chief of the party, now.
If he fails to ask Rangel to step aside, then he's admitting he's a slimy crook, too.


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What do you enjoy most about working for MedComm?
Where to start? I enjoy everything about my job, but if I had to pick what I enjoy most, it would have to be the people. From management on down through the files and ranks, I don't think you could find a more friendly, easygoing, productive, and professional group of associates on the planet. Knowing I get to come in each day and work with such a superb group makes working here a joy.
How does MedComm make you feel valued as an employee?
From the competitive wages, to the company outings and functions, to quarterly bonus earnings, to the potential for furthering education and advancement, to excellent benefits packages; and to the positive attitudes of leads, supervisors, and managers; and their willingness to educate and share information and insight . . . it all rolls into one. I feel more valued (and more valuable) here than anywhere else that I have been employed. It's often the sum of all the little things that MedComm does right.
How long have you been working at MedComm?
This June will mark my three-year anniversary with MedComm. Three outstandingly wonderful years, and I look forward to many more.
What professional values are most important to you?
Attention to details, all details. And an even temperament when dealing not only with coworkers and clients, but with frustrating tasks and issues. Pay attention to the details, keep a level-head, and everything else falls into place.
During your tenure with MedComm, how have you developed in your career?
Although three years is a relatively short time in the big scheme of things, I feel I have developed tremendously since I started here, most notably, in focus and efficiency. In past jobs, I had many tasks to juggle and often got out of focus and overwhelmed, causing me to be less accurate and more disorganized. Working here has taught me to focus and manage my time in a much better way now, even though I still have many tasks to accomplish. Staying focused and organized keeps me accurate and efficient. My multitasking skills seem to have improved as well, and my good relationships with coworkers keep me on an even keel with a positive attitude. I certainly hope to continue this growth and improvement as my skills and tenure grow.
During your tenure with MedComm, what are three career lessons you have learned?
It may sound oversimplified, but it has certainly been true and workable for me, so we'll keep this one short and sweet and say; three important career lessons I have learned here are: a) Don't take anything for granted; b) Don't try to do too much You're not Superman; and c) Don't become so comfortable or complacent that you try to do too little.
What is the most important aspect of your job?
As with any job, respect for your job and those you work with are always at the top of the list. As for my specific job and tasks here, I would say being efficient and accurate would be the most important, because a lot of my tasks directly affect others I work with, as well, as patients and clients. If I do not accomplish my tasks in a timely manner with little to no errors, the effects could easily snowball, and we could have angry customers and upset employees.
What is your personal mantra?
Woo hoo! Another easy one – Don't sweat the small stuff . . . and it's ALL small stuff. Just coming in to work with such excellent people keeps me positive and focused on my job at hand. I give my best every single day. Although I may make errors or have bad days or experience bumps in the road, I've learned not to sweat those things, to shake them off, learn from errors, and move on.
You are happiest when . . .?
I could oversimplify here also and say, 'When I have a hot cup of coffee, a full plate of biscuits and gravy, and I'm being super productive,' which would be true. But I'll take the sentimental road here and say what truly makes me happy at work is making the people around me happy; and when they take an interest in me or my work. After all, your co-workers are people you spend almost one third of your life with. I've come to love them all like family. And with any luck, the same sentiments resound from them to me also.
Name three interesting things about you that your co-workers might now know.
Another one to keep short and sweet, so here goes.
a. I was adopted as a newborn, well 2 weeks old anyway, and have never had a desire to search for or know my biological parents.
b. I have never been able to blow a bubble with any kind or quantity of gum.
c. Although I seem silly and aloof quite a bit at work and [I] am always looking for smiles and laughs, I take my job very seriously even though it might now look that way. After all, just like my personal mantra says, "Don't sweat the small stuff, and it's all small stuff". Stevenator over and out!


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McQUEEN's labor of lovE
I first watched Le Mans when I was eight
or nine, but I bought a copy of the
re-mastered version when I was racing
out in the States in the noughties. When I
sat down and watched it again, I realized
that I had forgotten most of it. But having
done the 24 Hours of Le Mans several
times by then, I understood what an
accurate depiction of the race it was.
There are so many things that strike a
chord with me. There are many visual
references that are very familiar to me,
like the grandstands on the left as you
exit the Ford Chicane. They haven't
changed much since 1970. Even the
entry to Dunlop Curve was almost
identical to how it is in the film the first
time I raced there, in Formula 3000 in
1991, apart from what was a little
chicane in those days.
The film does a great job of capturing
the ambience of the place and of
portraying the emotions of racing there.
Le Mans is a race that makes grown men
cry. It shows the many sides of Le Mans,
things that you might not see if you
a T
go there only once.
I watched Top Gun and thought it was
pretty good. Then, I saw Days of Thunder
and thought it was rubbish because it was
so unrealistic. I'm sure there are fighter
pilots out there who think Top Gun isn't
particularly realistic.
So many motor racing films aren't
particularly realistic, but Le Mans is as
close to reality as it gets. Real racing
drivers were doing the driving, after all.
I could sit down and watch Le Mans
Allan McNish
(BELOW) Allan McNish
raced to a third overall
victory in the 2013
24 Hours of Le Mans.
Sharing the Audi R18
e-tron quattro with the
Scot were first-time
winner Loic Duval and
Tom Kristensen, who
took a record-extending
ninth win at La Sarthe.
over and over again. I reckon I watch it at
least once every couple of years. It's just
a good watch on many different levels.
That era is arguably the sexiest in
sports car racing, and I think the film has
a lot to do with that.
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From last-minute shopping trips to visits from the in-laws, guest blogger Chloe Brotheridge shares how to avoid the strains of Christmas, for the most enjoyable festive season ever.
It's the most magical time of the year, right? Well, not always.
As many of us know, it can also be the most stressful, with its added social events, shopping trips and extended-family to host. Getting people together can be really special but it can also create additional pressure and a to-do list that seems endless.
So, whether it's your turn to cook this year, you're having a last-minute dash around the shops, or your in-laws are pushing you to the brink of a Yuletide meltdown, try these tips for having the most relaxing and enjoyable Christmas ever.
1. Forget about perfect
We're all guilty of it. We'd love to be serenely prepping the potatoes while the children quietly amuse themselves in a perfectly tidy house, as a light dusting of snow falls outside. But the reality is often very different. That's because – as much as we might like things to be perfect – unfortunately, nothing in life is. If you're pushing for perfection you're trying to manage things that are outside of your control – like other people, the weather, and that temperamental oven. It's never a good thing for your stress levels. Aim to accept the things that you can't control and trust that your best is all you can do and will always be enough.
2. The power of scent
Evidence has suggested that essentials oils, such as lavender, can have a positive effect on our nervous systems, helping with things like sleep and anxiety. Try lighting a scented candle at home, or adding a few drops of essential oil to your bath or your pillow to help you unwind.
3. Embrace Hygge
Pronounced 'hoo-gah' – this Danish concept describes the cosiness, comfort, and pleasure that we all seek at this time of year. To banish stress levels the Scandinavian way, pull on some cashmere socks and a luxury robe, and snuggle up with a hot chocolate. Indulging your senses can be incredibly calming, and cocoa powder contains magnesium, which is known as a relaxation mineral.
4. Prioritise
When your Christmas to-do list feels like your own personal Everest, don't despair. When we're faced with lots to do, it's easy to want to do the small, easy things first and then build up to the more challenging stuff. However, as productivity expert Brian Tracy says in his book Eat That Frog, prioritising the hardest or most important things first will lead to a boost of motivation that will make everything else a breeze.
5. Make time for that walk
Increasingly, 'ecotherapy' (or getting out in nature, to you and me) is recognised as an effective way to combat stress and anxiety. Something about the fresh air, trees and natural sunlight helps us to feel more at ease. Although it might be tempting to stay in watching TV and eating chocolates, make a point of getting out each day during the Christmas season and stretching your legs.
6. And breathe
When we're busy and tense, many of us have a tendency to take shallow breaths, holding on to tension in our stomachs and shoulders. Try to check in with yourself at various points during the day; consciously relax your stomach muscles and let your shoulders drop down, away from your ears. Take a few deep breaths, expanding your tummy as you breathe in and letting your tummy go in again as you exhale.
7. Blessed, not stressed
When we're feeling stressed, it's easy to zone in on all that's going wrong (or what has the potential to). Instead, take a few moments to practise some gratitude. Make a note of 5 specific things that you're grateful for – either mentally, or down on paper. Perhaps you're grateful to have a week off work, or for your partner's fabulous cooking, or for that delicious glass of wine you're about to enjoy. It might sound airy-fairy, but doing this creates a sense of wellbeing and could lower stress levels and even boost your immune system.
8. Take care of you
If you're rushing from place to place, trying to get everything sorted for the big day, sometimes taking care of yourself can be put on the back burner. But the truth is, self-care is far from selfish. The more you take care of yourself, the more you'll have to give to other people. Schedule in time to take a break; have that bath, read that book and ask others for help, rather than trying to do it all yourself. Self-care is important.
Chloe Brotheridge is a stress and anxiety expert and hypnotherapist. To get your free relaxation MP3 for Christmas calm visit: calmer-you.com/free.