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We update our blog several times a week, with news and comment on ministry, theology, the Bible, liturgy and issues of the day.
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When good musicians can't be found
Posted by Chris Edwards, 12 Jun 2018
Chris Edwards offers some practical suggestions for churches without suitable musicians.
Music in churches can be hard work at the best of times. For a start, everyone has an opinion, and it's remarkable how the same piece of music can be simultaneously too loud, too quiet, too fast and too slow! And then there are the multitude of vested interests. (The band that has played together for fifteen years and "clearly" can't be redeployed without grieving the Holy Spirit. The choir that fights incessantly for its rights. The flautist who absolutely must play on a Sunday morning because "that's how she worships".)
But if musicians can be hard work, then being short of them can be hard work too. Many churches in that situation simply feel trapped. The hardworking musicians feel trapped by a sense of impending burnout, conscious that if they're ever away for a weekend then everyone is left in the lurch. The church family feel trapped: perhaps they'd love to sing some more contemporary music but they don't have anyone to lead it well…and how will they ever attract the kind of musicians who could lead it, when their music is like it is at the moment? And the minister feels trapped, especially if he is not himself the musical type. He knows the musicians are doing their best, but he also knows the reality that the church's music is off-putting for visitors and not serving the congregation well. What can be done?
Consider your options.
A few conversations around the pews may reveal musical gifts hidden in the woodwork. Be aware that the musical status quo can make it difficult for people to volunteer their services: they don't want to tread on toes, they're not sure they'd be welcome, and they definitely don't want to get lumbered with a headache! But if there is a sense of a fresh start, they may be much more willing. And remember that this is about quality, not quantity. Far better to have one or two people at the front who can sing and play well (and are doing it for the right reasons) than five or six who don't know what they're doing.
What about backing tracks? Many digital organs can be loaded up with pre-recorded hymns, and you can buy various packages of instrumental accompaniments online. Some will make you cringe, but others are musically highly respectable and run very straightforwardly from an app or computer. Alternatively you can build your own collection: for example, Sovereign Grace Music sell their album tracks with the vocals removed (visit their Bandcamp site).
But before you assume backing tracks are the bright new future, just a word of caution. First, a backing track will only sound as good as your PA system. Second, you still want someone leading singing at the front - someone who knows the track inside out. Third, consider what you stand to lose. Probably a big slice of good repertoire, for starters. And the ability to lead a song differently according to its place in the service, or what's going on in your church family. The backing track doesn't know about the family tragedy a few days ago which makes In Christ Alone especially poignant, for example.
Moreover, beware of buying into the myth that good church music is all about having flawless musical execution up at the front. Your church is actually already full of musical instruments: as many instruments as you have members. Each person brings their own voice; and those are the most important instruments in the church. It was John Piper who said that he wants people's abiding memory of the music in their (mega)church to be the sound of their congregation singing. We must cherish the Ephesians 5 picture of music sung by the congregation, both 'horizontally' (to each other), and 'vertically' (to the Lord).
So, backing tracks may be your perfect solution - at least temporarily. But perhaps you could also sing a cappella - at least some of the time. Of course, this suits some styles of music better than others. And it really helps if you have some decent voices to lead. But singing a hymn well can sometimes be easier unaccompanied than with an organist who is clearly struggling.
Keep the main thing central.
There is a great danger that, in a panic to get "better" music, the most important things get lost. Yes, your church wants skilful musicians. But far more than that, I hope it wants musicians who love the Lord Jesus and have a biblical view of what church music exists to do. Aim first and foremost for that. Don't put the wrong people up front, or you'll just store up problems for later.
In our music-saturated world, wise ministers will regularly be teaching the whole church family what God thinks about music. And, finally, they will:
Invest in training.
When the problems of next Sunday's music seem so urgent, don't underestimate what God might bring about in 5 years' time, if you pray hard, plan well, and keep plodding in the right direction. Make sure everyone involved in music is getting regular training, for example at the conferences organised by Music Ministry.
All church musicians need love and encouragement. Some will benefit from the specific loving encouragement to get some lessons. Decent vocal coaching can work wonders relatively quickly. Perhaps your church's 5 year musical plan needs to include young teenagers, whom you can encourage to learn an instrument for the glory of God, and steadily disciple as Christian musicians of the future.
Yes: church music can be hard work! But it's also one of the Lord's greatest gifts to his people. It's well worth investing in.
And don't go it alone. If there's a larger church nearby whose ministry you respect, don't be afraid to ask them for help. And not just for the loan of musicians to save your Sunday! Rather, seek out a longer-term partnership of training and support that will steadily help get your church's music flourishing, to the glory of God.
Chris Edwards is a final year ordinand at Oak Hill College. Before that, he worked in music ministry at All Saints, Crowborough, and Jesmond Parish Church, Newcastle upon Tyne.
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J&B, TT, TdF, RFP (a.k.a. the acronym post)
Well, this update has sure been a long time coming! Despite (because of?) how much has been going on I'll keep this short and sweet.
Yesterday, Steve, Ian and I did the 'Scotch Run" – a 120km ride from Merrickville to Carolin's family cottage, where we met her dad for a couple of ounces of J&B. At 10am. It ended up being a fantastic ride and will hopefully become a bit of a tradition (I mean.. what more could you ask for?) I was feeling kind of crappy on the ride out, but after the scotch and a bit of a break, I was ready to rock. The return trip was much faster, bumping our average speed for the 126km ride to 32km/hr. Nice! I love riding on 'new' (to me at least) roads–especially when they are as nice as these ones!
Last Tuesday, I once again did the Almonte Bicycle Club 15km TT on Tatlock Rd. I took one whole second off of my time from last time, for a total time of 22 minutes on the dot. However, it was a bit windier, so I'll take it :) August 8 (one week from today!) we'll see if I can maintain that speed for a 40km TT. I need to shave 1:14 off of my last attempt's time. The TT bike is ready to roll again, and my parents will be there to cheer me on. Wish me luck!
Le Tour de France is over, and I'm suffering withdrawal :( I am annoyed that the best man did not win this year, but am prepared to live with it, as long as it gives Andy the killer instinct he needs to crush Contador from now on. Hup Hup Baby Schleck!
Work is insane right now, with an RFP response taking up hours of my week and now long weekend. What can ya do?
Posted: August 1st, 2010 under Cycling.
Pingback from DARREN COPE » Summer is Here
Time June 22, 2011 at 7:45 pm
[…] Saturday, Steve, Ian, Yves, Jeff and I did a Scotch Run, and as always it was fantastic! A slightly different route lead to 125kms for the […]

subset: commoncrawl


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Strategies for Exit
Sorry you missed it!
This event has now passed. Click below to see what else we have coming up.
This dinner is aimed specifically at members who may be considering an exit in the future.
Whether you are planning to exit in the next 12 months, or the next 5 years, this event will explore what needs to happen from the moment you consider an exit, to the moment you leave the business.
We will be bringing together members who are looking to learn more about the exit process and what to expect, as well as those who have successfully sold their business to share their experiences.
This dinner will look to explore, but will not be limited to:
- Personal sales expectations and are they realistic
- Aligning your personal plan with your plan for the business
- Identifying what needs to be put in place in the business before the process begins
- Understanding exactly what the exit process entails and how it differs depending on the type of sale
- Knowing who should be involved in the process – a NED, a FD or others
- Explore how much involvement you, as the entrepreneur, will have in the process
- Exploring how open you should be with your team and how best to manage their perceptions and expectations
Please note that our venues are subject to change; always refer to email reminders one week before the event and the text message reminder the day before the event for the correct venue. Our website will also be updated in the event of a venue change.


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|May 28, 2019
|3763 West Center Park Drive
|Wiseguys Comedy Club
!!!ONE NIGHT/ONE SHOW ONLY!!! Comedian/impressionist Marcus (NBC's Last Comic Standing) and comedian/musician Guy Seidel (winner of Utah's Funniest Person) are a comedy duo unlike any other. Both nationally touring headlining comics, the two friends have come together to combine their talents into an unbelievable, award-winning Musical Impression comedy show that literally has to be heard to be believed. Spanning decades, this incredible show pays tribute to the best voices, songs and artists from all genres from the last 50 years and can performed at any rating level from squeaky clean on up!! The two comics conceived and wrote the show because of their love for all music and have toured both nationally and internatioanlly for the last five years performing in front of thousands of people at private and corporate events, clubs and theaters. Their show is unique, interactive, hilarious and will have you singing along and laughing for weeks afterwards, so DO NOT MISS out on your chance to see the amazing experience that is The Marcus and Guy Show!!!


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Not Even the Worst Traffic Can Get These Hyundai Drivers Down, in Cute Sonata Ad
Aaron Stoller Directs a Feelgood Ad for Innocean
Editor's Pick
Even hellish traffic can't stress out the happy folks who drive a Hyundai Sonata in the brand's latest ad.
The spot features a guy in gridlock who turns up the radio and sings along to "Sweet Caroline" as he moves slowly along in the bumper-to-bumper jam. All his fellow commuters look stressed and annoyed, except one -- a fellow Sonata driver who joins in. It's not quite the opening scenes of "LaLa Land," but it's a cute and feelgood scenario.
"The new Sonata makes every mile a little better," said Dean Evans, chief marketing officer, Hyundai Motor America, in a statement. "We fully recognize that the road of life is hectic enough already. While we can't control what other drivers do, or change your crazy commute, we've done everything possible to make that daily drive more enjoyable, as this new spot demonstrates in a fun, lighthearted way. The new Sonata may not shorten your commute, but it can certainly help make it sweeter."
The ad, by Innocean and directed by Aaron Stoller at Biscuit, began airing on U.S. national and regional TV, and digital platforms this week.
- Date
- Jul 27, 2017
- Brand:
- Hyundai
- Client:
- Hyundai
- Agency:
- Innocean
- Chief Creative Officer:
- Eric Springer
- Group Creative Director:
- Barney Goldberg
- Group Creative Director:
- Jeff Bossin
- Associate Creative Director, Art Director:
- Kiran Koshy
- Associate Creative Director, Copywriter:
- Will Gorman
- Vice President, Group Account Director:
- Mike Braue
- Account Director:
- Christy Ferguson
- Account Supervisor:
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- Account Executive:
- Alison O'Neill
- Assistant Account Executive:
- Corissa Heins
- Director, Product Information:
- Brian Bittker
- Product Information Specialist:
- Lawrence Chow
- Vice President, Planning Director:
- Tim Anderson
- Vice President, Media Planning:
- Ben Gogley
- Media Director:
- Sean Gilpin
- Executive Producer:
- Nicolette Spencer
- Content Producer:
- Melissa Moore
- Business Affairs Director:
- Ann Davis
- Business Affairs Associate Director:
- Lisa Nichols
- Broadcast Traffic Supervisor:
- Theresa Artaserse
- Broadcast Traffic Manager:
- Valerie Neibel
- Content Manager:
- Rachel Werner
- Project Management Supervisor:
- Darin Schnitzer
- Project Manager:
- Jason Reneman
- Production Company:
- Biscuit Filmworks
- Director:
- Aaron Stoller
- Director, Photography:
- Peter Donahue
- Executive Producer:
- Holly Vega
- Producer:
- Mala Vasan
- Production Manager:
- Brian Taravella
- Casting Agent:
- Francene Selkirk
- Color Correction:
- Company 3
- Color Producer:
- Natasha Uppal
- Colorist:
- Dave Hussey
- Voiceover Record Studio:
- Lime
- Edit House:
- No6
Need a credit fix? Contact the Creativity Editors


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1. Though Jeanne Marie expresses some wry shame over raising her children on a ramshackle farm, what actually makes this the ideal setting for a family? What discoveries about life do her children make at Sweetwater Farm that they would never know if they lived in suburbia?
2. What universal fears and adjustments, experienced by most parents, are captured in Jeanne Marie's first encounters with Sasha?
3. Discuss Anna's attachment to Birthday and the other chickens. Did you have a similar cluster of "playmates" when you were a child? What do these imaginary worlds of childhood predict about our personalities?
4. What do Sasha's language challenges reveal about the concept of language and communication in general? To what extent does every family create its own vocabulary–even a nonverbal one?
5. What does the story of Luna the Sheepdog indicate about Alex and Jeanne Marie, and the world of livestock rules in general? Do farmers and ranchers have to follow these rules, particularly the ones regarding emotional detachment, in order to be successful?
6. Have you ever had a period of silence with a friend or neighbor like the one Alex had with George?
7. How did you react to the issues of mothering raised in "Fossils"? What portrait of family is offered in the haunting initial paragraphs of this chapter? What accounts for the competitive, expensive expectations of contemporary mothers described in Jeanne Marie's Valentine's Day memory?
8. What non-material aspects of life and love do Jeanne Marie and Alex emphasize with their children? Are twenty-first-century families more materialistic than those of your parents' generation? What determines whether a family becomes materialistic?
9. In "A Day at the Mall," the author encounters the phrase "transracial abduction" and discusses the controversy over her decision to adopt children from China. Why has this topic become controversial in some circles? How would you respond to those who disapprove of Jeanne Marie's family?
10. In what ways do Jeanne Marie and Alex try to honor their children's birth families and ancestry while making them feel secure in their adoptive families? What do their attempts to learn Chinese with their daughters indicate about the way identities are shaped?
11. What are Jeanne Marie's strategies for juggling life as a working mother? Have you ever had an experience similar to her gas-pump extraction story? What is the best way to prevent burnout? Is being a parent also in some ways the ultimate energizer?
12. What experiences of loss and maternal love were illustrated in the powerful closing scene of "Killing a Sheep"? In what ways does the animal world of Sweetwater Farm underscore the cycles of life in the human world?
13. In "The Foggiest Notion," a farrier derides the author and her husband for using horses as "expensive lawn ornaments." What should the appropriate role of animals be in our lives? How did we develop our notions of which animals should serve as pets and which ones should be put to work?
14. What is unique about the process of growing a girl? As their skills and traits emerged, how did Sasha and Anna also develop their sense of what it means to be a girl–especially an American girl?
15. In her closing lines, Jeanne Marie tells us that motherhood rescued her. How did this prove to be true throughout her memoir? In what ways do children rescue us?
16. How has the author's outlook on life changed over the course of her three books, which include her debut, Forty Acres and a Poodle, and The Exact Same Moon? How do her current notions of family compare to the days before she had become a mother?


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What's Next for Foreign Investment?
- By
- May 06, 2015
By Anthony La Malfa, Partner, Real Estate & Hospitality Services, BDO USA
As a whole, foreign investment in U.S. commercial real estate is on the rise, totaling $45 billion in 2014, according to research firm Real Capital Analytics. This marks the highest level of investment in the industry since 2007. Even despite low oil prices and a strong U.S. dollar that has hurt exports in other industries, foreign investment in commercial real estate is only expected to grow throughout this year as international investors continue to be attracted by the stability real estate assets offer. According to the United Realty/Zogby Real Estate Confidence Index for the fourth quarter of 2014, about 60 percent of 113 institutional real-estate professionals surveyed said they anticipate a significant increase in foreign investment.
Who Are the Leaders of the Foreign Commercial Real Estate Investment Pack?
Investments from Canada, Norway and China have been most significant, reports World Property Journal. While we've seen investment from nations across the globe, including emerging markets like Singapore and some Middle Eastern nations, these three players are currently pumping the most capital into U.S. commercial real estate and REITs. Canada was the largest buyer of U.S. real estate in 2014 with 26 percent of direct foreign investment, followed by Norway and China, with 12 percent and 10 percent, respectively.
Their dollars are primarily being allocated towards "trophy assets," as well as "gateway" markets. For example, the Government Pension Fund of Norway, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds in the world, recently closed on its purchase of a 45 percent stake in a 40-story skyscraper at 11 Times Square in Manhattan for $401.9 million, a deal that valued the 1.1 million square foot property at $1,273 a square foot, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal.
Strong Demand for "Safe" Investments
Despite a stronger dollar, foreign investors are not shying away from U.S. commercial real estate as they continue to have an appetite for these hard assets thanks to low interest rates and strengthening property fundamentals. Foreign investors are attracted to the safety U.S. properties afford, especially when they might be experiencing financial distress in their own countries coupled with a weakening of currency.
Especially appealing to foreign investors are traditional "gateway" markets, like New York, Washington, Southern California, and Southern Florida. "Trophy assets" in these markets often come with consistent rent rolls and predictable streams of net cash flow. They are also considered more secure because the market is large, relatively liquid, and consistent over time. From a liquidity perspective, assets in these markets are easier to sell, which is beneficial for the foreign investor who is typically interested in the long-term holding versus the immediate return.
Foreign investors are also demonstrating an interest in secondary U.S. markets, such as Atlanta, Seattle, and San Diego. For example, Bahrain-based Investcorp acquired a portfolio of multi-family communities in the metropolitan areas of Washington, Orlando, San Diego and Baltimore for $300 million. While these markets may not always be considered as safe as gateway markets, they offer investors an alternative with potentially higher returns than the gateway markets in which availability is limited due to high demand.
Investment in Central Business Spaces Indicates Strength in Office Real Estate Market
Foreign capital acquired $17 billion in U.S. office space assets in 2014, making up 45 percent of all foreign investment in U.S. commercial real estate, and this trend could continue throughout 2015. Of these investments, most were in central business district (CBD) spaces. And New York and Boston are the leading markets for foreign office investment. Testament to this is that in January, the Canadian investment firm Ivanhoe Cambridge bought the office building 3 Bryant Park from Blackstone for $2.2 billion.
As in 2014, the first quarter of 2015 experienced year-over-year increases in both net absorption and rental rates for CBD office space, although the increases were somewhat subdued. The slower increases were partially due to seasonality and, with respect to absorption, partially due to new available space. As companies try to cater to the growing numbers of millennials in the workforce, the lack of demand for suburban office space has contributed to the strong performance of CBD office space. Therefore, it is noteworthy that the end of 2014 saw an uptick in foreign investment in suburban office space as well, indicating interest in office properties across the board, despite the trend toward centralized business space.
Foreign Investors Getting in On Ground-Floor Of Major Development Projects
The development landscapes of primary markets in the U.S. have long been dominated by local players, such as private-equity funds or pension funds. Wealthy foreign investors, including sovereign funds looking to shift funds away from oil markets, are now outbidding these traditional players, according to the Wall Street Journal.
They're drawn by the potential for higher investment returns compared to an existing property and are less risk-averse than traditional players. While established, fully-leased commercial real estate properties are safe investments and appealing, many foreign investors are enticed by potential for higher returns. There has been an onslaught of major towers in large metropolitan markets like Boston, New York and Washington, D.C., funded by newcomer foreign backers.
Foreign Investment Helps Pave Way For Brighter Industry Outlook
As international capital flows into domestic real estate markets, there could be investment across the board in domestic markets large and small. According to CoStar, the cross-border flow of investment dollars into the U.S. commercial real estate appears to be gaining strength this year as foreign investors cast a wider net to cover markets outside the core gateway cities. Couple the influx of foreign investment across markets with a strengthening economy, and the future for commercial real estate looks bright.


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The maiden voyage of Floyd's yacht.
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The maiden voyage of Floyd's yacht.
He said he would send photos .. and he did.
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EDMONTON - Chinese ownership in the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline is a "red herring" and should not be discussed at federal review panel hearings, argues Enbridge, the company proposing the $6-billion pipeline to take Alberta bitumen to the West Coast for shipment to China.
But Calgary lawyer Barry Robinson, acting for three environmental groups from British Columbia, pushed Enbridge at Saturday hearings in Edmonton on the extent of Chinese ownership — not known at this time — and whether it was possible that China might try to take controlling interest in the proposed pipeline.
Robinson noted that China already has purchased a stake in Alberta's oilsands deposits. Also, Chinese state-owned companies own the refineries in China that would handle the Alberta bitumen.
"Have you ever considered the scenario that China might want to close the loop and take a run at commercial control of the pipeline?" said Robinson, in questions directed to Enbridge officials at the federal Joint Review Panel hearings.
Enbridge vice-president Paul Fisher replied emphatically: "Absolutely not."
Fisher also stressed that the nationality of any of the companies involved is not relevant to the regulatory hearing. He said it is more appropriately a policy consideration for the federal or provincial governments.
The proposed pipeline would be built by a new company, Northern Gateway Pipelines, to be jointly owned by oilpatch giant Enbridge Inc. and 10 other partners, including Sinopec, a Chinese state-owned company. Other "funding partners" in the new company are French oil giant Total, Suncor, MEG, Cenovus and Nexen which is currently under purchase bid by CNOOC, a Chinese national oil company. Four other partners have not been publicly identified.
Enbridge aims to hold 50 per cent of the new company, said John Carruthers, president of Northern Gateway, though that share could drop below 50 per cent depending on the level of aboriginal ownership in the company. Enbridge will operate the pipeline, he added.
Robinson pressed the company with the contention that stated-owned companies do not always act "like rational free-market companies." Rather they could act to pursue Chinese national policy and thereby distorting the market, said Robinson, who is acting for Forest Ethics Advocacy, Living Oceans Society and Raincoast Conservation Foundation.
But Roland Priddle, an economist for Enbridge, argued that the Chinese presence in the oilsands "is extremely small" even if CNOOC's $15-billion Nexen acquisition goes ahead. The purchase would be China's largest overseas acquisition if it is approved by the federal government and comes with reserves of 14.5 billion barrels.
Outside the hearing, Enbridge spokesman Paul Stanway dismissed questions about China as "fearmongering" and "a red herring."
"Whoever owns this pipeline, it has to run it under Canadian regulations," said Stanway.
In an interview later, Robinson said the public concern is that state-owned companies might not play by free market rules. If that happens, there might be downward pressure on the prices Chinese companies would pay for Alberta bitumen.
"State owned companies don't always act as pure free-market players ... If that happens, the economic benefits to Canada might change. Would that influence the price, for instance?"
Almost all of the estimated $312 billion in economic benefits from the proposed pipeline comes from the higher price for Alberta bitumen that Enbridge says will result from opening new markets in Asia.
Robinson also challenged Enbridge's estimates of the cost of carbon reduction, suggesting the company significantly underestimates the cost of greenhouse gases in the project.
Enbridge studies peg the cost of reducing carbon emissions at $20 a tonne. The last national study put that cost at $50 a tonne. Alberta charges a levy of $15 a tonne on excess greenhouse gas emissions.
Enbridge said it is confident of its figures. The company also noted it has promised to conserve an acre of land for every acre disturbed along the pipeline route and is committed to plant a new tree for every one removed during construction.
Robinsons also asked the company why it did not include costs such as the additional cost of maintaining clean air and water, and the range of services such as new roads needed to meet demands of expanding oilsands production in Alberta.
Enbridge economist Bob Mansell from Calgary said those costs would apply to any economic expansion project and therefore are not directly tied to the proposed pipeline.
The only differences are the greenhouse gas emissions in construction and operation of the pipeline, he added.
The hearings, the final phase of the pipeline review, will resume in Edmonton Sept. 17 and continue until Sept. 28. After that they will move to Prince George, B.C. to deal with pipeline design and spill response and to Prince Rupert, B.C. to deal with marine environmental issues.


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The organiser of the UK's largest B2B low carbon vehicle event for manufacturers, technology providers and fleet operators has confirmed the event venue and dates for its sixth annual national event.
LCV2013 (www.cenex-lcv.co.uk) will take place at Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire on 4 - 5 September. The LCV event has established its unique positioning for the Low Carbon Vehicle community in the UK, combining a technology show with broad B2B focus, along with a ride-and-drive in a test track environment, delegations of international visitors and an extensive seminar programme. It presents an opportunity for all stakeholders in the low carbon vehicle sector to showcase and evaluate current and future technologies and to discuss the issues facing the sector.
The event's organiser, Cenex ' the UK's first Centre of Excellence for low carbon and fuel cell technologies ' partners with a number of Government departments and industry heavyweights to ensure the event offers exhibitors and guests the most comprehensive access to the latest technologies, initiatives and discussions that are driving the UK's low carbon vehicle sector. At this year's LCV2012, MP Michael Fallon gave the opening address, making it clear that the government will continue to support the development and use of low emissions vehicles.
Cenex Chief Executive Officer, Robert Evans said: "This year's LCV2012 event was extremely well received by exhibitors and visitors alike. LCV2013 will follow the same successful formula with a few further exciting innovations and promises to be the most significant yet. This is a really exciting time to be involved in the low carbon vehicle sector and we are proud of the position occupied by the annual event as the industry's key showcasing and networking event.
"Millbrook is the ideal location to hold the LCV event, its combination of permanent and temporary buildings offer versatile space and its unique track facilities provide the perfect environment for showcasing a full range of alternative fuel vehicles."
Managing director of Millbrook Proving Ground, Miguel Fragoso explains: "We are thrilled that Cenex has chosen to host its sixth annual low carbon vehicle event at Millbrook and look forward to welcoming automotive and low carbon experts from all over the world to the 2013 event."
LCV2012 attracted over 1,800 visitors and more than 140 exhibitors, including high-profile vehicle manufacturers such as Jaguar Land Rover, BMW, Ford, Nissan, Toyota and Vauxhall, as well as a host of technology and infrastructure suppliers. To keep up to speed with Cenex's sixth Low Carbon Vehicle event, LCV2013, visit www.cenex-lcv.co.uk.


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This is such a versatile recipe, you could use it to marinate chicken for any type of dish. I decided to make it into a sandwich wrap, you could put it over rice, as a side with bread and dips, over a salad, bbq on skewers ... the options are vast! So use this recipe to help you enjoy it in whatever way you like!
- Skill level: Easy
- Serves: 6 wraps
- Preparation time: 10min - overnight (depending on you)
- Cooking time: 10-15 min
What you will need
2 boneless chicken breasts, each cut into 3 horizontal slices (depends on size of breast and preference)
5 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1 inch ginger, peeled and minced
1/2 tbsp salt
1/4 tbsp black pepper
1/2 tbsp chilli powder
1/2 tbsp red chilli flakes
1/2 tbsp ginger powder
1 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp tandoori masala
1/2 tbsp garlic powder
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp plain yoghurt
1 tbsp hot sauce
juice of half a lemon
handful freshly chopped parsley
1 tbsp olive oil for griddle
How to make:
1) In a bowl, add all the above ingredients (except the final olive oil for griddle). Mix it well, cover and leave in the fridge to marinate (could be half hour or overnight, depending on your time)
2) Heat a griddle over medium high heat, add the olive oil and cook each slice of chicken. Colour the chicken either side (may take at least 3-5 mins), then cover the griddle and allow the chicken to cook through
3) Once cooked through, remove onto a plate and allow the chicken to rest before serving
I decided to make it into a wrap, with added chips, ketchup, lettuce, tomato, pickle and a humus spread. Enjoy :)


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Greetings from Italy my dear friends how are you, we love Italy, it is such a beautiful place to visit and to live in, except for the tiger mosquitoes , to whom I became their favorite target, they love me so much that they keep biting me over and over again :((.
I will show you a few photos we took during our beach day, Evelyn loves it so much, I think it is the first time she realizes the beauty of the sea and beaches, because the previous years she was too young to remember.
I leave you with the photos and promise to come back soon,hope you like them.
Kisses :*
Salutari din frumoasa Italia, un loc minunat, cu o mica exceptie in legatura cu tantarii tigru, care au facut o mare pasiune pentru mine, ma iubesc atat de mult ca nu se mai pot opri din a ma musca :((.
Vreau sa va arat cateva poze pe care le-am facut pe plaja, Evelyn e atat de fericita, cred ca e primul an in care realizeaza si se bucura de frumusetea marii, ma gandesc ca in anii precedenti a fost prea micuta si nu mai tine minte.
Va pup si promit sa revin cat de curand.


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Landstrom live at Kitchen and Table April 22
What about a Sunday concert? We´re playing in Östersund April 22 at Kitchen and Table! We´ll bring a full band including Mattias Sundin, Niclas Rångefors and Manne Franzén. A fantastic combination of food and music. Welcome!
Read more about the event here>>


text: I am an instructor teaching a class and I have a quiz question that I want to regrade. My students section have already taken the quiz. I have seen in the tutorials and youtube videos also that if you edit the question solution a regrade options box will show up. I do that however I don't get any regrade options. Am I missing something? Your help is appreciated.


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Отключить полный экран
Shark Attack is a fun online game about a hungry shark that bites everything that moves. You are a great white shark and you must do what you love. Swim around the ocean and fill your appetite by eating everything you can catch, like birds, fishes, divers and other tasty sea dwellers. Take out fishing boats and start your ultimate attack to upset them as you watch out for hazards that can harm you. Enjoy this free shark game for kids on Silvergames.com!


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Stevie Stone is a member of the Strange Music camp, for those unfamiliar. Following 2015's Malta Bend album, the gritty rapper is returning in June to release a new record, Level Up. It appears to be a requirement of Strange Music camp that you work hard and consistently release music. Strange Music is nothing if not fan-pleasers.
Leading the way for the June 2nd release of Level Up, Stevie Stone hit the studio with none other than producer OG Scott Storch, for the piano-infused "Whippin' Up." Stevie gets some assistance on the hook from DB Bantino on the record, while delivering his own melodic verses over a tremendous string arrangement. Stevie shared a few words with us about the collaboration and getting to work with a legendary producer on it: "Working with Scott was a very dope experience. Being able to vibe with a legend that has made countless smashes for all the greats and me being able to get in there with him, I'm very honored and humbled to of had that opportunity." Storch echoed Stevie's sentiments, telling us, "Stevie Stone has a very unique voice and the track I produced for him goes well with that! I gave him a fresh, new sound that's right now! We added DB Bantino on the hook and it's a smash!!!"
Check it out and let us know what you think. Stay tuned for more details on Level Up, and catch Strange Music's Crew Love segment with us below.


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1 cup peanut butter (any kind, or make your own)
1 cup maple syrup
1 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup coconut flakes (optional)
1/2 cup whole grain nugget cereal
Just mix all the ingredients together, then roll out into little balls any size you prefer.
Warning-- they are extremely rich, but fun to eat. Try substituting other nut butters for the peanut butter, or use a mixture for different flavors. If the mixture is too moist, add a bit more of the last 3 ingredients, if its too dry, more of the first 2.
I sometimes roll the finishe'd balls in a final coating of wheat germ for extra crunch factor.
You can also add raisins or any other finely chopped dried fruit, or chocolate chips. Whatever you think will sound delicious.
You can keep them in an airtight container on the countertop for up to 10 days. Kids love these things, but that doesn't stop me from enjoying them, too. Good lunchbox item.


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Strap featuring a laminate material with a contrasting stripe sewn onto the top. Folded and stitched onto 50mm webbing with 2mm genuine leather ends.
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A French Food 'Cloche' Bell
Stock ID: 10392
A 19th century French blown glass 'cloche', a bell-shaped food cover to keep cheeses and fruit safe from dust and insects, at room temperature. Area of Normandy, circa 1880.
Condition report: In good and original condition.
Dimensions: Diameter 30 cm, height 27 cm.
Status: Sold
SKU: 10392. Categories: Cellar Items, Decorative items, Miscellaneous/ Gifts, Giftware, Wine and Food-Related, Food Related.


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Founded in 1994, we are an award-winning group of communications specialists offering a range of tailor-made coaching programmes. We bring together a diverse team of consultants from the UK, Switzerland, and Brussels, with many years of experience in journalism, issues management, and public relations.
We've been in your shoes and know the challenges you're facing. With over 25 years' experience working with and in multinational organisations around the world, we know our recommendations work.
Our insight, expertise, and passion for approaching things differently means we have successfully advised a wide range of industries – from pharma to fast food – on the best way to tell their story.
Across her career she has worked for a range of companies - from public sector to Fortune 50 multinationals to medtech start-ups. She loves social media, wonderful writing, rugby, and the Archers.
Aside from his consulting role, Christophe regularly trains corporate executives on successful influencing strategies and skills. He loves rolling-up his sleeves with clients and working to achieve tangible results together.
He particularly dislikes corporate jargon and the dominance of process versus outcomes in the corporate world.


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Guild of One-Name Studies
One-name studies, Genealogy
Study: Denman
Variants: Dinman, Dunman
Category: 1 - A study where research using core genealogical datasets and transcriptions is in its early stages.
DNA website: www.familytreedna.com/groups/denman/about/background
Contact: Liz Craig
I became aware during census searches etc that the surname seemed to have three main centres - Somerset, Nottingham and Sussex. I have always been interested in the history and origin of names, and had registered a surname study with The Guild of One Name Studies.
Collaborator wanted! My own work so far has been mainly concentrated on the Somerset Denman families. The DNA Project is for any male Denman, and through this I am aware of some of the Nottinghamshire and Surrey lines, but my information on them is much more limited. If anyone is actively researching these lines and would like to collaborate on this project, I would be very pleased to hear from you!
A quick look at the distribution of the name using the censuses indicates that the surname is most prevalent in Somerset, Nottinghamshire and Sussex. Early records indicate that the surname was found in the 1300s in Nottinghamshire and Somerset, showing that shortly after surnames were adopted, the Denman name existed at opposite ends of the country simultaneously. Although much further research is necessary, this could point to the surname having at least two points of origin, and early results from the DNA project indicate that the Somerset and Nottinghamshire Denmans are not connected.
I chose to host the Denman DNA Project with Family Tree DNA because (most importantly) they have the biggest gene pool - therefore greater chances of finding matches. Also, they come with an impressive pedigree in the field of DNA testing and are the company of choice for 95% of genealogists. I do not get any financial reward for using them as my testing company, I run the project on a voluntary basis for the benefit of Denman researchers.
Tests ordered through this project are charged at the special group rate which provides a substantial saving on the standard FTDNA price. You can sign up for the discounted rates here. This is a link which gives (in dollars) the group discounted rates.
You may find our other Guild websites of interest:


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Truth time. I have a confession - I hate eating most days. There I said it. I find that I often have no desire to eat and the process of thinking about what I'm going to eat exhausting. It's like it's just another pain in my already hectic day. I get this way sometimes when I'm stressed and disappointed, and there's nothing readily available for me to eat. I keep my trigger options in the house limited because of this.
If you know me or have seen me recently, you might be surprised by that statement. You might be saying, "how can that be, Beth? You have a bit of a tummy on you - wouldn't think that would be the case for someone who hates to eat."
And there lies the rub. The bain of my existence right not is my belly. I'm all about body positivity and self-love, and I do not hold others' body shapes against them. But I do have a problem with loving my own shape and those roots grow deep. I've tried over the years to have that perfect athlete body or six-pack, but I usually end up sabotaging my efforts along the way. One of these methods of self-sabotage that I prefer is the binge.
Here's how it plays out:
I don't feel like eating, and so I don't. Eventually, my body rebels and I get huge hunger pains and it ends in a binge. The starchier and cheezier, the better. If there are Cheez-Its in the house during these times, they aren't there for long. If I'm out doing errands, there's a good chance I'll be pulling through the drive-thru of Taco Bell.
As I noted before, a lot of times this failure to eat initially is brought on by some emotion or stress. When I binge like this it helps to quiet those feelings and turn everything off for a bit. But, then the numb wears off and I feel like crap. I will admit that I have purging habits in my past because of this. They are pretty much under control now, but I have fallen back into them on really tough moments. This is not a proud part of myself, and this is actually the first time that I've written it down on paper. But there it is. It stinks more when you know so much about eating disorders and see that pattern in yourself. I can stop it. I do stop it most of the time, but sometimes I just need that release.
Over the past 15 years, I've worked hard to change these habits. Since realizing that I have a strong empathic nature, I've learned that this habit isn't so uncommon for people like me. If you read the literature "food empaths" are those who numb their emotions with food or alcohol. I do both. I'd say I'm in the moderate category of this group, but when I fall, I fall hard. Food was the beginning even since I was a kid. As I got older, especially in the past 10 years, alcohol has taken its place.
I remember coming home from school which was always difficult for me internally because of trying to fit in. Trying to be the person who was liked and fit the mild of my peers. I've always wanted to be liked, accepted, and cool. I played the game well, and while not on the top of the social pack, I was cheerleader and well-liked. And pretty much miserable, unless I was surrounded by my small circle of close friends or alone. When I got home from school I would usually fix a snack - a box of Kraft Mac & Cheese, make a batch of pancakes or biscuits (loved Bisquick back then). I would eat them all and turn around for dinner just a few hours later. It felt good and calming to eat these and I could deal again. I didn't worry about the health or weight issues of those habits back then, because I never gained any weight. I was young and thin, with a great metabolism.
The habits continued in college, but I no longer hid these. Binging on junk food and carbs is what you did in college. I also have a close group of friends where I felt comfortable and accepted. But, the comfort eating continued - not so much binging (and I should mention that purging was not a factor here), but just eating warm comfort foods. I gained a lot of weight during those first two years. That got my attention.
My junior year was the first time I tried to establish better habits. I joined the crew team at my school. I started eating better - not restricting, but just less junk and obviously more exercise. The weight came off. I was lifting and strong. I was healthy and felt good, but I guess it wasn't good enough. My coach came to me asking if I would want to cut down to Lightweight for the next years. I'd seen the other rowers - Open Weight rowers are very tall (most close to 6-foot) and very strong. At 5'8", I was a mere shadow of them. I was the height of the lightweight rower, but about 15 pounds heavier than the limit of 130 pounds. As I mentioned before, I don't like to disappoint and want the chance to be great. So I agreed. I spent that summer falling away from the healthy habits that I had established. Not it was extreme restriction and exercise. Exercising in layer to sweat. Eating a salad with lemon juice and maybe some soup - not bread!!! Little protein. My college was small and this was the mid-90's, and so we were not giving access to a nutritionist or dietician. I was left on my own to make this goal. And I did. I starved myself. I left my weight training in lieu of the many hours of cardio (in sweats) instead. I would usually be about a pound overweight on regatta day, which led me to run with a Jolly Rancher and spitting the weight off. This was after an evening of little to no food or water. I would make weight, eat as many bagels & peanut butter, bananas, and PowerBars as I could be for my races. I would "refuel" with cranberry juice and more food between races. We would do well. And that night when my team hit the all-you-can-eat buffet on the way home, I would take full advantage of it. The mini muffins were my favorite. I was usually up about five pounds by mid-week when I would start the entire process again. A year of weight cycling. The pictures of me back then are alarming to me - I am pale and gaunt, with a crazed look in my eye.
After that year I never wanted to go through that process again. I was 23. I told myself that I would "take the year off" to let me metabolism recover, but it never did. That one year of extremes did permanent damage to my system, so you can imagine how all of the following years of crazy diets, pill (Ephedra user here), and crazy fitness wreaked havoc on me. In my 20s and 30s the weight would come off for a bit, but always come back. In my 40s, the weight seems to want to keep on creeping on.
And remember all of the emotion that started this story? It just got worse. Turns out the life as an adult is HARD!! There's the job searches and figuring out how to live on your own. The crippling debt and navigating a way out of it. The dating scene!! There's a lot of stress as an adult and I haven't done a great job of dealing with it. Hiding out isn't an option when you have to pay the bills. I think the introduction of alcohol came in here. We went out after work a lot and that was a good excuse to numb and be with people who had the same complaints as I did. Drinking, smoking, and big plates of smothered burritos, chips, and fries. Hangover food the next day while hiding out because of the overwhelm of what an idiot I'd been to night before. Rinse and repeat. Ive never been a day drinker, and so the binging came in during these moments of need, which led to the purging. There was a time when I though if I could only be anorexic it would solve this problem for me. I even looked at the pro-Ana websites. But, as much as I hate to eat at time, my body won't let me go there thank goodness.
I've worked hard over the years to identify that my binges are triggered by stress and negative emotion, and to put other habits in place when these feelings come up. Overall I've done a good job, but we all have setbacks and that's the case for me. As far as my growing belly, well, I can bring that back to a few things. First, yep, my metabolism is a bit jacked due to my choices of my early adulthood. I own that. I am now 45 years old, in the throughs of perimenopause and my body is handle hormones differently. Mine are not balanced right now, which is leading to more belly fat being laid down. That scares the crap out of me, but I'm working on better choices to correct this. And then I think this empath lifestyle I've been leading isn't helping either. I self-isolate and get stuck at home wondering what to do. I'm just now putting those pieces together and working at a healthier plan here as well. Hence, this blog. I'm taking it day-by-day. Working with a coach who is helping me see my own path a little more clearly. I often think of stopping all of the coaching and movement work that I'm doing to simply focus on myself and heal, but that scares me. I don't think I can do that. I don't think I can allow myself to not help others who are asking for the help that I can provide. I know I need to help myself, but the drive to "fix" others is too strong. My family always reffered to me as the "fixer" because I was the one who could moderate the arguments and bring them to a conclusion, and also because of my sports med background to literally "fix" injuries. Maybe that wasn't such a good thing to encourage. Because after I've been encouraged to fix others for 35 years, it looks like I've lost the ability to fix myself. That has to come first.
What past behaviors or habits from your past do you still struggle with? What are they keeping you from? Have you found your own way of warding them off? I'd love to hear about it!


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Thursday, June 28, 2007
American Historic Treasure Turned into a Mall Attraction
The following is a News Release from the Campo de Cahuenga Historical Memorial Association, the all-volunteer organization created by the Californians who saved the Campo site in the mid 20th century. What have long been suspected, the integrity of Southern California's MOST IMPORTANT HISTORIC SITE is at stake.
Can you imagine allowing fast food taco stands to be erected at the edge of the Alamo? Is the place where California became part of the United States being relegated to a mall attraction? Read this now. Consider the consequences and contact the Campo with your support.
NEWS RELEASE June 26, 2007
On June 25, 2007, a number of us from the Campo de Cahuenga Historical Memorial Association attended the Universal/Metro (Thomas Properties Group) Scoping Meeting at Van Nuys City Hall. The Project surrounds the Campo de Cahuenga Historical Site.
The proposed development located at the Universal Metro Rail Station will include a 315,000 sq.ft., 5 story Media Center with 4 levels of underground parking; a 24 story, 655,200 sq.ft. Office Tower; 25,000 sq.ft. of retail; and a 245,000 sq.ft. garage, 7 levels above ground and 3 levels below ground all in Phase 1. Phase 2 includes a planned 472,500 sq. ft. Office Building or a 897,600 sq ft., 400 Condos/300 Hotel Rooms Building directly across Lankershim Boulevard from the existing #10 Universal City Plaza and additional Parking Podium of 6 levels of parking above ground and 2 levels of parking below ground.
This Scoping Meeting was conducted by the City's Planning Department to solicit comments on additional issues that should be studied and analyzed in the forthcoming Environment Impact Report (EIR). We were dismayed at the graphics that were displayed by the TPG team. In their attempt to depict the Campo de Cahuenga as a feature in an outdoor office mall, they showed the alteration and removal of "non-historic features" including the concrete block walls at the northern and western edges of the Campo de Cahuenga property and replanting numerous trees and bushes on the property. They referred to the existing adobe as a visitor center, not a museum of historical importance to the United States of America and California
They ignored the protective designation by the National Register of Historic Places granted to the Campo de Cahuenga.
To make matters worse, other graphics showed blinking supergraphics and other large scale animated signs designated for advertising oriented on nearby skyscrapers pointing at the Campo. It reminded those of us that saw the graphics of the worst of the Las Vegas strip at night.
As indicated by TPG's own commissioned researched documents (dated December 14, 2006) the National Register designation includes "boundaries of Los Angeles City Park, including the existing buildings, landscape, and intact remains of the adobe foundation and floors". Included are the surrounding concrete wall around the edge of the property and the large iron gated entrance. There is NO distinction of "Historic or Non-Historic features". In fact, the first formal design for the grounds was prepared in 1927, revised in 1949 by the City's Recreation and Parks Department. It retained the perimeter walls, central water feature, trees, and axial paths dividing areas of lawn. The drawing specified the number and location of plants appropriate to the mission.
What was shown at the Scoping Meeting was not covered in the Initial Study and will destroy the Campo Site. No longer will our association be able to plan fundraisers and other special events. Protection of the site will be impossible. The ambience and serenity as we know it today will be gone forever.
All of us who respect and protect our historic beginnings must SAVE THE CAMPO FOR THE FUTURE GENERATIONS.
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Colin says:
The Finals has a weird feel like a documentary with an improbable ending.
Colin doesn't feel Cleveland's' pain over the Cavs.
If the Cavs trade Kevin Love, they might find his replacement.
Don't destroy Roy Firestone over his O.J interview.
Isiah Thomas – NBA Hall of Famer and Finals MVP, looks ahead to Cavs/Warriors Game 6, excelling on the biggest stage, and comparing NBA eras.
Malcolm Gladwell – Best-selling author of "Blink" and "Outliers" joins the show to take a deeper look at some of the analytical trends in sports, Wilt Chamberlain's free throw dilemma, and why going for it on 4th and 1 is right decision.
Jason Terry – Houston Rockets guard, and NBA Champion, breaks down the NBA Finals, why Steph is struggling, and why he has the Cavs in 7.


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House Finch ( Male )
Stockphoto ID: 675384
File name: housefinch_0001_st_sm.jpg
Format: digital, 3000+ pixels longest side
Property release: no Model release: no
Source: photographer Based in: United States
Description: House Finch ( Male )
Click to show/hide Tags
This image is copyright protected. There is a fee for any use. This website is not a source of free images.


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refridgerator rehab.
so long ugly plastic alphabet letter magnets...hello cutie patootie fabric ones.
giddy up
my pop.
the first time i met my dear pop i was just a few days old... and while some may think this story is wildly inappropriate, it must be told. pop reached out with loving arms to cradle his first granddaughter. i was sitting in his lap and apparently my diaper had a "malfunction." i filled his entire pocket in his brand new wool pants full of "mess". after a good long clean up of both of us and tears of laughter, from that day forward pop called me "stink." Twenty-seven years later and just about 6 months ago, pop's first GREAT granddaughter, LIV (short for little irene vicars) was born. once again, he held liv in his arms and we all held our breath a bit wondering if it ran in the genes... thankfully, my daughter has a little better manners than i did at her age. Pop looked at her with his adoring blue eyes and said, "you're gonna be a stink, just like your momma."
I know this isn't any news flash, but Richard Vicars was without a doubt one of the kindest, loving, sweetest man of intergrity most of us know. If you don't agree, you didn't know my pop. One of my favorite things about pop is how much he loved our mana. soon after i got married, i taught my new husband how to do the "pop & mana kiss." It goes like this..."peck, blow your lips together, peck." In my mind it was one of those secrets to a happy lasting marriage. He loved his "sugarbabe" with all his heart and and he loved his grandkids like "hogs love sour slop." It wasn't until a trip to the farm how much i realized that my pop really really loved me! hogs go NUTS over sour slop...
I also blame Pop for my love for accessories. I vividly remember him coming home from work everyday with his stainless steel thermos and wearing the most fabulous green and white polka dot hat...between all those suspenders and that hat...he was quite the "accessorizer."
I have to admit Mana did most of the talking, but pop could finish her sentences and when he did talk, people listened. Mostly because when Pop spoke, his words were quite profound. Our family has come up with a list of "POP-ISMS":
some other favorite comments: "
"are you working hard or hardly working?"
"you go to the devil for lying same as you do for stealing"
"you're pretty two ways. you're pretty ugly and pretty apt to stay that way."
to show appreciation: "you're a gentleman and a scholar."
referring to his grandsons: "you'll be lucky to keep him outta the pin."
when a toe was stumped:"if you had your shoes on that wouldn't have happened"
when he was full: "im plum foundered"
when asked if he wanted seconds "im satisfactorially satisfied"
when he's saw you putting on make-up "you gotta have something to work with to start..."
when you told him you were thinking about something: "There you go again working without tools."
to the waitress: "Don't let these clothes fool ya, I got money."
to all his grandkids: "you gotta hard head and a stinkin rump."
everytime he'd leave somewhere: "Glad you got to see me."
when you lost something: when you find it, you'll find it all at once and it will be in the last place you looked."
when it was time for bed: "well im gonna go take out all my body parts."
In the last few months of his life, my brother Eric, went late one night to visit him at the hospital. Pop was unable to speak but could write to communicate. Pop grabbed the whiteboard and wrote one word to Eric. He wrote the word, "STRONG." That word symbolizes so much in Pop's life. He was a strong man. He had strong morals. He had a strong walk with the lord. He had a strong relationship with his loved ones. He fought strong these last 5 months. He wants us all to be strong during this time of mourning.
I always try to lead a good life knowing that God is watching me...but there's just something about the fact that now i know Pop is up there looking down on me, i'm going to be extra good. I will strive to be a better person because i would never want to disappoint him and always make him proud.
We miss him with all our hearts but am so glad he's finally at peace. I know he's up in heaven sipping on peach milkshakes with Jesus. and I know when he got to the pearly gates, God said "good to see you Pop." and he replied, "good to be seen." We love you so much Pop. More than a hog loves sour slop.


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Introduction: Xmas Tree Stand
Last year I bought an 8 foot Christmas tree, and the stand wasn't "man enough" to hold it upright, meaning that I ended up having to tie it to the banister.
So I thought I would make something a bit heavier and more robust.
Now obviously, having the whole year to do this I left doing anything until the 7th of December, because procrastination etc...............
BTW the green and red one is the wimpy bought one
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Step 1: The "Ingredients"
A 9 litre LPG Gas Bottle (free from a skip)
30 inches of 3mm steel bar (free from scrap bin)
50mm length of steel tube (free from scrap bin)
7 x 12mm x 1.75 coach bolts and 10 nuts 150mm long (from disassembled trailer free)
6 x 8mm x 20mm bolts and nuts (from disassembled shelving free)
3 x 6mm x 70mm bolts and 6 nuts (from "odds and sods" box free)
Total time to make approx. 3 hours (at lunch breaks)
Step 2: The Gas Cylinder
So here it is
This one was condemned as it had rust around the valve, so after ensuring it was empty and unpressurised by pushing in the seal valve in the outlet I removed the top valve assembly and filled with hot water to wash out any residue.
Step 3: Chop That Sucker Up
I only intend using the bottom half (though I will keep the top just in case)
I used a hacksaw to cut the bottle in half, this took about half an hour, tbh I could have probably used a mechanical saw or gas axe but decided safety was better!
Once halved, I cleaned the inside with degreaser
Step 4: Legs
I cut 3 pieces of 3mm thick steel 10 inches long.
This was from the offcuts bin at work and is approx. 50mm wide
I bent the end 3 inches at both ends at 45 degrees giving me a 90 degree turn and positioned at equal intervals around the circumference. I used the sheet metal bending machine at work but this could be done in a vice
Clamped the legs in position, and drilled and bolted the legs on with 8mm bolts.
Step 5: The Trunk Holder
Back into the scrap bin and found a piece of 6 inch gas pipe, so cut off a 50mm slice (I used a mechanical hacksaw at work as I was over sawing stuff by hand!)
I then drilled 6 equally spaced holes and tapped them with a 12mm x 1.75 tap, giving them a screw thread
I also then aligned the inner circle inside the gas cylinder and marked, drilled and tapped 3 equidistant holes in the gas bottle
Step 6: Trunk Holder Continued
I screwed in 3 coach bolts to the inner ring in order to work out the lengths I needed to allow me sufficient clearance to tighten them up when fully assembled, I then cut the bolts to length and sharpened the ends on an a grinding wheel (the longer one is for the base)
I put nuts on to the bolts prior cutting and grinding to allow me to clean the thread in case of any damage from grinding
I then drilled a crossways 6mm hole in the 3 sharpened trunk bolts, just below the bolt head allowing me to insert the 6mm x 75 bolts as handles
Step 7: Assembly
I put the trunk ring inside the bottle and then the 3 positioning long coach bolts were screwed in, these have 2 nuts on each, one on the outside of the cylinder and one on the inside to ensure every thing does up tightly,
A bit of a fiddle about ensured that the trunk ring was accurately centred.
I also put a tack weld on the nuts so they won't shift, however this isn't really necessary.
I also drilled and tapped a hole in the centre of the base for the vertical longer spike that will be in the trunk centre.
Step 8: Painting
Found a half tin of Primer and half tin of black spray paint and painted (I could have looked round for green and red but BLACK--- much more Christmassy!!!!!!! and more METAL
I will add a picture of the tree on it later when I buy one (see more procrastination!)
Tree pic added - the wife thinks I am mental but hey a 10 foot tree was the same price as an 8 foot one, so go big or go home (nearly killed me standing it up though!)
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4 Discussions
This is what I've been looking for! Our current tree stand sucks and has given me problems every christmas.
Then get and make one! It doesn't take that long (especially if you have a workshop full of industrial power tools like where I work! ;-) )
This looks like it will last for decades! Nicely done :)
Thanks, you are right - it will probably outlast me!!


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'America's Got Talent' searching for Sharon Osbourne replacement
HollywoodNews.com: Sharon Osbourne revealed last season that she would be leaving her spot as a judge on 'America's Got Talent.'
Now, the show is reportedly searching for her replacement and has focused in on three different women, states TMZ. The show executives are reportedly considering Shannen Doherty, Carly Simon and LeAnn Rimes.
And considering Howie Mandel and Howard Stern do not yet have contracts for next season, there may be more new judges on the panel.
NBC has spoken out and commented that this list does not exist.
Who do you want to see as a judge on the show?
Follow Hollywood News on Twitter for up-to-date news information.
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A new REACH article entitled, "Use of multiple social media platforms in relation to psychological functioning in emerging adults" is now available online in Emerging Adulthood. Check out more of our publications here!
REACH article available in print!
The REACH article entitled, "Parental problem drinking and emerging adult problem behavior: The moderating role of parental support" is now available in print in the Journal of Child and Family Studies. Check out the publications page for more details!
REACH presentation receives award!
Kelly Nedorostek recently received the Connecticut Academy of Family Practice Award for her poster that she presented based on REACH data at UConn's Medical/Dental Student Scientific Research Day. The PDF of the poster can be found here.
New REACH article accepted in Developmental Psychology!
Laura Finan's dissertation, using REACH data, has just been accepted for publication in Developmental Psychology! The dissertation is entitled, "Trajectories of depressive symptoms from adolescence to emerging adulthood: the influence of parents, peers, and siblings." Please check out the Publications page for the full reference.
SSHD 2017 REACH Presentations
We have just returned from Providence, where we presented our latest REACH findings at the Society for the Study of Human Development conference. Check out our posters on the Presentations page!
New REACH article in press!
Our new REACH article entitled, Using Time-Varying Affect Modeling to examine age-varying gender differences in coping throughout adolescence and emerging adulthood is in press in the Journal of Adolescent Health. For a list of all REACH publications, please visit the Publications page
REACH research project featured in TIME article!
A REACH research article regarding social media use and anxiety levels in emerging adults was recently featured in TIME. Authors Anna Vannucci and Christine McCauley Ohannessian were interviewed for the article.
Click here to read the article.


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"Forty million, five hundred thousand," Bond says. "All in." And he pushes his pile of chips into the centre of the table.
It's the climax of the poker game in Casino Royale: the moment when there are only two options for Bond: he wins, or he loses.
Throughout this year I've compared the entrepreneur's journey to the classical story structure used in literature. The 'inciting incident' when Harry Potter discovers he's a wizard – and the moment our potential entrepreneur pushes his breakfast round his plate and realises something has to change.
Then there's the importance of a mentor figure – Dumbledore or Gandalf or – hopefully for some of you – the Alternative Board.
And then comes the climax. The moment when there are only two possible outcomes, success or failure or – in stories and in the movies – a heroic triumph or certain death. Harry Potter goes through the trapdoor to confront Voldemort: he can succeed, or he can die. There is no other option.
Literally and metaphorically, he's all in.
There's a moment when the entrepreneur realises he's all in as well. But this time it's not the climax of the movie. Instead, it's a staging post on the journey.
There are millions of words written about the decision to start your own business. There are virtually none written about this equally important moment. Let's try and put that right.
I'm talking about the moment you realise that you've found your niche: that you're doing what you were put on the Earth to do – and that you've become unemployable.
This is the moment when the entrepreneur realises there is no going back. He turns around – and the bridge behind him is burning.
For me this 'realisation moment' was triggered by a client. It was early in my TAB York journey and I was just finishing a 1 to 1 with a client. "Thanks, Ed," he said. "I simply couldn't have made these changes without you or my TAB board."
A day later I was in a taxi, travelling home – relatively late at night – after an event. There was a sudden moment of quiet and I thought: 'I like these people. They're great people to work with. And I'm building a community of people like this.'
And then I spoke to one of my old friends from the corporate world. Five minutes on office politics, five minutes on the changes the new MD was bringing in and five minutes on why he was bringing them in – essentially to prove he was different to the old MD.
At that moment I realised I was all in. I couldn't go back to my old life.
I liked my new life too much: I loved the fact that success or failure was entirely down to me. And I knew I could never go back to the office politics, to dancing to someone else's tune.
I've talked to any number of entrepreneurs over the years and they can all recognise the moment. Suddenly you know you're creating something worthwhile: suddenly the business community recognises that you're in it for the long term: suddenly aware that you're building a network of people around you that add something new to your life every day.
That's when you turn around, see that the bridge is burning – and punch the air in celebration. You're all in – and you couldn't be happier.
Twenty years ago I went all in as well. And as this week draws to a close Dav and I will be in Whitby for our 20th wedding anniversary. Whatever I'm achieving with TAB, whatever I'm helping to build, I couldn't have done without her at my side. "All in…"; the best decision I ever made. On the off-chance you read this, thank you.


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This week the weekly photo challenge is "Free Spirit". My first thought was something or someone flying… but that is probably about 85% of you. So as I went through my photos and searched for what popped out at me as free spirit I came across this one. With everything going on with the elections I found it especially fitting. I don't get all political on things but this is more about the spirit and less about a specific point of view (Obama).
"USA." Don't forget that we live in a country that allows us to have a free spirit… and there are reminders of that almost everywhere we look.


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As an avowed wonk about all things spirited, I have a secret shame involving books about cocktails and drinking. I have more than a few, including most of the current "must haves" of the past decade: Wondrich's Imbibe and Punch, Morganthaler's The Bar Book, The PDT Cocktail Book, the Death & Co. book, Beachbum Berry's Sippin' Safari and Potions of the Caribbean…the list goes on. The shame isn't in owning all those books–the shame is that most of them sit on my shelf, awaiting a dose of quality reading time that never seems to come. I do read tons of blogs however, and I've discovered more than a few recipes and stories from Paul Clarke's Cocktail Chronicles blog since the cocktail bug bit me nearly a decade ago. So when I learned that Clarke, editor of Imbibemagazine had his own book coming out, The Cocktail Chronicles: Navigating the Cocktail Renaissance with Jigger, Shaker & Glass, my first thought was, of course, "I need it!" My second thought was, "Will Paul's book befall the same fate as the others on my shelf?"
In the (far too distant) past, I avidly consumed books about technology and programming – I even wrote a fewmyself. But with the advent of a rapidly searchable internet, I've found I prefer the buffet style of learning: It's easy to survey what's available, with a low level of commitment, and I can take as much or as little as desired. Well-written blog posts are often the perfect vehicle for learning — I'll decide later if I want to dig in deeper and read an entire book about rum. (Yes, I have. More than one.) Ditto for a well-written magazine column. When Esquire arrives at my house (Mrs. Wonk will have you know that it's her subscription, and she's been an avid reader and subscriber for—gulp—25 years), the first thing I flip to is David Wondrich's column–no matter who's on the cover, and no matter how scantily clad. On the other extreme, books that are especially heavy on recipes or techniques to the exclusion of background stories get monotonous. Sure, The Savoy Cocktail Bookis an essential piece of cocktail history, but good bedtime reading it's not.
As such, it's important to know what sort of experience you're setting yourself up with when you pick up a book about drinking. The Wondrich and Jeff Berry books are travelogues through a slice of time, painting a detailed picture of a particular era, with the recipes acting mostly as signpost along the way. Other books like Morganthaler's The Bar Book focus on techniques — great for reference, but you need to be pretty devoted to read it cover to cover.
The meat of Paul's book is essentially a series of one-pagers on a wide variety of drinks, spirits, and ingredients. Some warrant several pages, but at no point do you feel as if you're reading a master's thesis. Think of it as a parade of stories about classic drinks such as the Gimlet, Blood and Sand, Old Cuban, and Penicillin. Interspersed frequently between the "feature" recipes are sidebars divided into three categories:
- Cocktail Essentials: Primary spirit categories, e.g. gin, brandy, whiskey, bitters
- A Taste Apart: Accent spirits, e.g. Amer Picon, sherry, Falernum
- Cocktail Style: Categories of drinks, e.g. Tiki, Flips & Fizzes, New Orleans
Within the sidebars are additional recipes related to the topic at hand. While the sidebar recipes are equally compelling, they just don't get their own individual description.
Chapter One, called "Notes from a Renaissance in Progress," starts (as one would think) with an engaging account of the cocktail revolution we've experienced over the past 15 years, including Paul's firsthand account of starting the Cocktail Chronicles blog, and meeting the legendary Murray Stenson for the first time back in 2005 at Zig Zag, long before the Last Word became a cocktail nerd passphrase. The rest of chapter one is a very quick spin through of basic bar techniques and glassware. The brevity of these descriptions are fine, as the book is focused on the recipes – there are plenty of other more detailed references out there on how to shake, express an orange peel, and so forth.
Chapter Two ("Not Forgotten") begins the parade of recipes and sidebars covering classics like the Sazerac and Sidecar. Chapter Three ("Muses & Bridges") spends a bit more time on five classics that are the inspiration for numerous other beloved drinks:
- Daiquiri
- Old Fashioned
- Manhattan
- Martini
- Negroni
Chapter Four ("Staying Power") focuses on more contemporary cocktails–"and a few that just might be built to last," in Clarke's words– including some of my particular favorites, such as the Chartreuse Swizzle, the Old Cuban, and the Single Village Fix. Tiki gets an extended treatment here, including recipes for the Mai Tai, the 1934 Zombie, and the Jungle Bird.
Chapter Five ("Bottles, Tools & Tips") provides a quick rundown on various bar tools as well as name-brand suggestions for recommended representative spirits in each major category. I'd argue that the discussion of glassware from chapter one belongs here in chapter five, but that's a minor quibble. As for the spirit recommendations, I found myself nodding enthusiastically at each category's suggestions: Rum is the spirit nearest and dearest to me, and Clarke's recommendations were spot on. The remainder of the chapter discusses other ingredients (citrus, syrups, etc.) and a list of resources for further cocktail enlightenment.
The writing style is upbeat and engaging – at no point did I feel as if I were slogging through an endless list of only vaguely related topics. Although not over the top, Paul shows some much appreciated attitude at times. Referring to legendary cocktail writer Charles H. Baker Jr., Paul concludes: "Baker's recipes typically suffer one major drawback – the drinks quite often suck." And in the sidebar, "Drinks of Empire, Cocktails that flowed from England's global sprawl," he asserts: "But just as baseball, Hollywood films, and political dumbfuckery have become wildly popular international exports, the cocktail has also found ardent fans – and picked up enduring influence – far from home." You also have to love that a recipe for the oft-lambasted Cosmopolitan is included in his pages: "Yes, I put a goddamn Cosmo recipe in this book." Like Morganthaler, Clarke has no qualms about standing up for a pretty pink vodka drink—well-executed, of course–that he believes in.
Since most of the recipes are classics (or aspiring classics) they (thankfully) don't require a home science lab or three days' advance notice to make wacky ingredients, e.g. Zebrawood-smoked pineapple/chipotle foam. Given my only slightly excessive home bar, I can make just about any recipe in this book. The wackiest thing he suggests making on your own is falernum – a syrup with rum, cloves, lime peel, and a few other ingredients. Seriously, every home bar wonk should make it at least once.
Although there are no photos, only stylized line drawings, The Cocktail Chronicles is otherwise very modern, name-checking the DTO("Daiquiri Time Out") and bars that have risen to prominence in the past five years. Being a Seattleite like myself, Paul isn't afflicted with "anything of significance only happens in New York City" syndrome. There's plenty of love and callouts to west coast bartenders and their recipes. If you've read the Cocktail Chronicles blog and are concerned that the book is just a rehash of Paul's posts, there's no need for concern. I spot-checked a number of drinks in the book, comparing them to what he wrote on the blog, and there was almost zero overlap – the book reads like completely fresh content.
While The Cocktail Chronicles doesn't tread into virgin territory in the pantheon of books about drinking, it's highly readable and especially well-suited to the newly minted craft cocktail home bar enthusiast. If you enjoy David Wondrich's short pieces, such as what he writes for Esquire(and I certainly fall in that camp), it's a good bet you'll enjoy the Paul Clarke's The Cocktail Chronicles as well.


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Lee Tinsley, Red's assistant hitting coach
The grass, the dirt, and the soft green empty seats surrounded all of us standing on the field. For the other six members, this was cool, but didn't have any sentimental value. For me, it was a truly beautiful sight, because the stadium has been a second home for me since 3 months old. Standing on this dirt connected me in a new way to everything I lived through at AT&T Park. Standing so close to the empty dugout, the bullpen, and the batting cage was inspiring and reminded me of my true goal to be a player here one day. When our group continued onto our next tour stop at the batting cages, Lee Tinsley was walking out. Tinsley, the Red's assistant hitting coach, was scouting out the stadium prior to the game, and we had the pleasure of speaking to him. I was personally baffled I got to talk to a coach before a game, and naturally I pounced on the opportunity. I asked him how to fix my timing mechanism in my swing, and he happily showed me a tip. "Now, the trigger is when these [hands] go back, those [feet] go forward," Tinsley explained to me, and I reenacted what he was demonstrating. It was two minutes, but a valuable and unplanned two minutes, and I look forward to meeting Tinsley in the future.