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June 8, 2000
SPECIAL REPORT: Muddy waters in Elk River
Debate over tobacco cash
Suit filed over Klamath flows
Steelhead trout listed
PIC to become WIB
Hepatitis B shots required
Free lunches to low-income
Youth council members sought
SPECIAL REPORT: Muddy waters in Elk River
The April meeting of the North Coast Regional Water Control Board in the Eureka City Council chambers was a lively one.
Water board staffers testified that Pacific Lumber Co.'s methods and rate of extracting timber may have caused damage to the North Fork of the Elk River's watershed. Citing a study from 1998, they said removal of trees and construction of roads was contributing to erosion and increased silt in the river, that the amount of debris released by landslides in the watershed in the last 15 years was 13 times greater than it had been in the period before, and as the dirt from those landslides enters the river, it is carried downstream as silt. The increase in landslide rate points to a strong connection between the PL's increased timber harvesting and increased amounts of silt in the river.
A few residents of the North Fork of the Elk River also testified that the PL was causing the stream to fill with silt. PL biologist Jeffery Barrett roundly denounced the findings of the water board staff and the suspicions of the residents. The silt was coming from other sources, Barrett said.
After the battle of laser pointers and statistics, no action was taken and everybody went home.
Miles away, the north fork of Elk River, the color of coffee with cream and about as transparent, continued to wind its quiet way through the watershed. It passed clearcuts, landslides -- and finally Paulette Kallo's house.
"I thought I was going to get back to nature, drawing water from this river," said Kallo, who moved to Humboldt County from Massachusetts three years ago. Sitting in the front room of her house, surrounded by lush grass and beautiful trees, it looks as if she has.
But the brown water is not just an aesthetic issue for Kallo; the river used to be her water supply. Today, she is dependent on a tanker-truck that pulls up to fill a 1,350-gallon black plastic tank in the yard.
Kallo, like at least nine other residents on the north fork of the Elk River, have what are called riparian water rights -- the legal right to pull water from the river, filter it and use it for all domestic purposes.
Residents who have lived there longer than Kallo say about 1993 they began noticing a decrease in water quality. It tasted different, wasn't as clear and caused increased wear and tear on purification equipment and water heaters. The immediate source of the problem was easy enough to identify: Increased amounts of silt were being carried down the stream.
"When I was young there were deep pools and rock on the bottom," said Kristi Wrigley, whose family has lived on the north fork since 1903. "It remained that way until about 1990," she said, when the water started to change. She would go fishing with her son and find "this muck between the rocks." Years of "incessant logging" followed, and the situation gradually worsened until the river became what it is today.
Kristi Wrigley points out siltation in the
Wrigley and Kallo both point to Pacific Lumber Co, owner of 92 percent of the north fork's watershed. From 1974 to 1987, approximately 72 acres of the 14,600-acre watershed were harvested per year. But in the years from 1987 to 1997, that rate increased to 458 acres per year.
That made the case against PL strong enough for the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board to step in. In an order dated Sept. 22, 1997, PL was forced to replace the residents' water that the water board staff believes was damaged by harvesting. After some negotiations, an agreement was reached, and in early 1999 PL started paying for water to be delivered to residents.
Kallo is still not happy. She wants her permanent water source -- the river -- to be restored.
Wrigley agreed, saying, "We want the water source to be the river."
Alternative water sources aren't very appealing. The cost to connect residents to the closest municipal water supply is prohibitive. According to water quality documents, well water in that area tends to be excessively high in iron and manganese. And rainwater collection systems don't gather enough to supply a household. That leaves only the river or the truck.
A permanent solution is not likely to come soon, said Frank Reichmuth, senior water resource control engineer for the water board. Documents indicate that there are 228,656 cubic yards of sediment waiting to enter the stream from logging roads already in existence. Reichmuth estimated it would take "at least a decade and as long as 50 years" for the stream to cleanse itself of silt.
That's if PL were to cease logging in the watershed tomorrow and that's not likely. PL has already proposed further harvests, although the plans will not be approved or denied until further study has been carried out.
Mary Bullwinkle, spokeswoman for the company, denies PL is at fault for the siltation. She said that PL hopes the watershed analysis that will be done for the north fork will clear up the issue of blame. "I don't think that there has been a specific determination of what the causes are," she said.
For the residents weary of poor water quality, the answer may finally come in the form of a court decision. The 20 residents who have signed on to a lawsuit against PL are seeking damages for loss of water supply and increased flooding due to PL's harvest practices.
The suit, which is in the discovery process, is far from a sure bet. Half of the charges in a similar suit filed by residents of the town of Stafford were dismissed April 26. Whether or not north fork residents win their case, one thing is certain: the north fork will continue on its muddy way for years to come.
-- reported by Arno Holschuh
When big tobacco and the attorneys general of several states settled out of court in November 1998, the agreement stipulated that cigarette companies would pay big bucks to state and local governments. The money was slated for "the advancement of public health" and "the implementation of important tobacco-related health measures."
But with a decision about how to spend the first installment of that money coming up on the June 13 Board of Supervisors agenda, local anti-tobacco advocates are up in arms over a proposal from county officials to use it on regular county business.
The North Coast Tobacco Prevention Network, the Tobacco Education Network and local chapters of the American Lung Association and American Cancer Society among others back a proposal to spend 100 percent of the money on health, of which 25 percent would be spent on tobacco-use prevention and cessation programs.
The cash-strapped county may have little choice but to use the money for non-tobacco related purposes, said Assistant County Administrative Officer Karen Suiker. Suiker said that while county staff "doesn't necessarily disagree with the importance" of health and anti-tobacco programs, "There are simply other needs," including additional personnel and infrastructure maintenance that has had to be delayed because of tight budgets in recent years.
"Our budget is already out of balance by $2.6 million-$2.9 million," said Chief Administrative Officer John Murray. He said spending the money on health and tobacco-related programs is "a good idea, but we can't afford it."
"The situation is still too fluid" for the board to make a final decision, said 3rd District Supervisor John Woolley, because the county is still unsure how much money the as-yet unfinished state budget will include for local government.
Anti-tobacco activists argue that dollars spent on tobacco prevention save the county money because of the cost of tobacco-related illness to health programs and the economy.
"That may well be the case, but we have today's financial difficulties to deal with," Suiker said.
California counties have varied widely in how they spent the money. Napa, Butte and Lake counties all plan on spending the lion's share of the money on regular county business, and Del Norte County has already funneled all of its settlement money into the general fund. On the other end of the spectrum, Santa Barbara, San Diego and Alameda counties have allocated 100 percent of the settlement funds to health and tobacco-related programs.
The first shot has been fired in a legal battle over the amount of water irrigators should be allowed to siphon out of the Klamath River -- and how much will be left for the salmon to swim in.
A coalition of fishermen and conservation groups filed a lawsuit last week against the federal Bureau of Reclamation, claiming that its plans to provide the full amount of water to farmers during a dry year will have disastrous environmental effects on endangered fish in the Klamath River. Coho salmon and the recently listed steelhead trout both use the Klamath and low river flows can cause the water to become too warm or polluted for fish to survive.
The suit alleges that in planning to let so little water through its dams, the bureau has violated the National Environmental Protection Act, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and the Endangered Species Act. The plaintiffs are asking for injunctive relief, meaning that, rather than asking for money, they want the judge to stop the Bureau of Reclamation from executing its plans.
"We developed a plan that we believed was sufficiently protective of coho and other anadromous species," said Bureau of Reclamation Area Manager Karl Wirkus. Anadromous fish like the coho and the steelhead spend much of their lives in the ocean but spawn in freshwater streams.
The California Department of Fish and Game has stated that the proposed river flows would result in serious damage to young anadromous fish and has proposed significantly higher flow rates. In a May 18 letter Fish and Game's Klamath River coordinator Michael Rode said that even his department's compromise flow recommendations will not maintain anadromous fish in good condition, but "They will avoid some of the more serious impacts."
Rode states that the ideal flow rates are those proposed by the Hardy Phase I Study, prepared by Professor Thom Hardy of Utah State University for the Department of the Interior, the bureau's parent agency. The study proposes flow rates significantly greater -- in some periods double -- those planned by the bureau.
Wirkus said that the Hardy study "was not intended to develop a firm floor of minimum stream flow."
But the introduction to the report states that the recommendations it makes are the "minimum required to support the ecological needs of aquatic resources, particularly anadromous fish."
The bureau has also not obtained a biological opinion from the National Marine Fisheries Service. The plaintiffs in the suit, including the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, the Klamath Forest Alliance and the Northcoast Environmental Center, claim that such an opinion is necessary under the Endangered Species Act. Wirkus said that his organization had already incorporated NMFS into the design process and therefore did not need to have an official biological opinion.
"There are many facets to the Endangered Species Act, and we believe we are in compliance," Wirkus said.
In a related story, the National Marine Fisheries Service listed steelhead trout as threatened under the Endangered Species Act for Northern California last week. The listing, which will take effect within 70 days, will make it illegal to cause the "take," or killing, of steelhead.
The listing will have less impact on land use than the first listings of anadromous fishes in the area in October 1999. That's because most of the river habitats used by steelhead trout are also used by the already-protected coho salmon.
"It will matter because steelhead can use smaller streams than the coho," said Tim McKay, executive director of the Northcoast Environmental Center. The NEC is also one of several organizations suing the Board of Forestry, claiming it has not sufficiently protected coho habitat.
As of July 1 the Private Industry Council, a panel of business representatives who have helped steer government-assisted job creation for the past two decades, will cease to exist. In its place will be the new Workforce Investment Board which will help implement the Workforce Investment Act.
Input from the private sector has been invaluable in allocating resources and manpower, said Farrel Starr, PIC executive director. Even though government analysts can identify problems, "It's not as good as someone from the private sector telling us."
How will the new board be different?
Starr said the scope of duties will be much broader and include economic development, not just job development.
"Prevention is definitely the key with viral hepatitis," said Public Health Nurse Jennifer Richmond. Once you have the virus, it may never go away.
The Humboldt County Public Health Department is fighting the disease with two prevention programs -- one requiring immunizations for hepatitis B and the other offering protection against hepatitis A at a reduced cost.
Students entering the seventh grade are required by law to be immunized for hepatitis B, which is spread by infected blood or sexual contact and can become a permanent disease in some cases. Richmond said that seventh grade is a logical time to require the immunizations because it is the time when many adolescents begin to put themselves at risk for exposure.
"As much as parents don't like to think about their kids being involved in high-risk behavior, they are," she said.
Hepatitis A immunizations are not required, but it's a good idea to have your child immunized anyway, Richmond said. Hepatitis A is spread through contaminated food and water or, less frequently, personal contact.
Call your doctor or the health department at 268-2108 for more information.
"Often, families have a hard time replacing the free meals their kids get at school," said Jennifer Rishel, summer food coordinator for Food for People.
Her organization is one of several getting ready to provide free lunches to low-income children through a federal child nutrition program. The Humboldt County Summer Lunch Program provides nutritious lunches to help replace the free or reduced-cost lunches that more than 9,000 children in Humboldt County are eligible to receive at school during the educational year.
There are several new sites for the children to get their lunches this year, including Fortuna, Rio Dell and Manila. Rishel said that's important, because "during the school year ... kids can receive up to 75 percent of their daily allowances" of nutrients through free lunch and breakfast programs.
"This is one way to help stretch the family food budget through the summer."
The city of Eureka Youth Council has announced that it is now accepting applications from Eureka youth age 14 to 18. The Youth Council advises the City Council on youth-related issues and organizes activities for children, including registering bikes and helping to educate parents about children's car seats.
"They're really dedicated and into being a voice for teens," said Suzie Owsley, the council's adviser. Teens interested in applying should contact Owsley at 441-4321. The deadline for applications is June 23
Comments? E-mail the Journal: email@example.com
© Copyright 2000, North Coast Journal, Inc.


text: On Tue, 15 Aug 2006 11:30:26 +0100, Joel Reymont wrote: > It's crashing on this apparently. > > 0x000a4702 <hipe_bifs_get_hrvtime_0+74>: movapd %xmm0,-56(%ebp) > > According to the movapd description: > > 66 0F 28 /r MOVAPD xmm1, xmm2/m128 > Move packed double-precision floating-point values from xmm2/m128 to > xmm1. > > 66 0F 29 /r MOVAPD xmm2/m128, xmm1 > Move packed double-precision floating-point values from xmm1 to xmm2/ > m128. > > So unless I'm mistaken, movapd shouldn't have been used with -56(% > ebp), correct? Incorrect. xmm2/m128 means xmm register or 128-bit memory location. These instructions move values between registers or between registers and memory. > Is there something wrong with HiPE code generation? This is in the runtime system, compiled from C and assembly code. > Program received signal EXC_BAD_INSTRUCTION, Illegal instruction/ > operand. > 0x000a4702 in hipe_bifs_get_hrvtime_0 (A__p=0x12dbc94) at hipe/ > hipe_bif1.c:893 > 893 f.fd = get_hrvtime(); > (gdb) disas > Dump of assembler code for function hipe_bifs_get_hrvtime_0: > 0x000a46b8 <hipe_bifs_get_hrvtime_0+0>: push %ebp > 0x000a46b9 <hipe_bifs_get_hrvtime_0+1>: mov %esp,%ebp > 0x000a46bb <hipe_bifs_get_hrvtime_0+3>: push %ebx > 0x000a46bc <hipe_bifs_get_hrvtime_0+4>: sub $0x44,%esp > 0x000a46bf <hipe_bifs_get_hrvtime_0+7>: mov 8(%ebp),%ebx > 0x000a46c2 <hipe_bifs_get_hrvtime_0+10>: movl $0x0,12(%esp) > 0x000a46ca <hipe_bifs_get_hrvtime_0+18>: movl $0x0,8(%esp) > 0x000a46d2 <hipe_bifs_get_hrvtime_0+26>: movl $0x0,4(%esp) > 0x000a46da <hipe_bifs_get_hrvtime_0+34>: lea -12(%ebp),%eax > 0x000a46dd <hipe_bifs_get_hrvtime_0+37>: mov %eax,(%esp) > 0x000a46e0 <hipe_bifs_get_hrvtime_0+40>: call 0x45669 > <elapsed_time_both> > 0x000a46e5 <hipe_bifs_get_hrvtime_0+45>: movd -12(%ebp),%xmm1 > 0x000a46ea <hipe_bifs_get_hrvtime_0+50>: pxor %xmm0,%xmm0 > 0x000a46ee <hipe_bifs_get_hrvtime_0+54>: punpckldq %xmm1,%xmm0 > 0x000a46f2 <hipe_bifs_get_hrvtime_0+58>: punpckldq 903040,%xmm0 > 0x000a46fa <hipe_bifs_get_hrvtime_0+66>: subpd 903056,%xmm0 > 0x000a4702 <hipe_bifs_get_hrvtime_0+74>: movapd %xmm0,-56(%ebp) However, modapd will fail with a general protection fault if the memory operand isn't 16-byte aligned. Here's my theory: since this is x86-32, and x86-32 hasn't supported SSE2 until now, we haven't even attempted to make the C runtime stack 16-byte aligned. On x86-64 we do this in hipe_amd64_glue.S. The BIF wrappers in hipe_amd64_bifs.m4 haven't had to care because on x86-64 we pass all BIF parameters in registers, so calling a BIF doesn't affect the C stack's alignment. On x86-32 things are more difficult. It does not suffice to 16-byte align the C stack in hipe_x86_glue.S, because the BIF wrappers will push varying number of parameters on it, causing it to become misaligned. It's difficult to know in advance if a BIF will require 16-byte alignment or not, so we need a general solution. One solution could be to change every BIF wrapper to start by adjusting ESP so that the final ESP after pushing the parameters is 16-byte aligned. This would however add one instruction to most BIF wrappers. Another solution is to change hipe_x86_glue.S to create an aligned C stack frame with a suitably large parameter area preallocated at the bottom of the frame. Then the BIF wrappers can be rewritten to MOVE the parameters to the bottom of the frame instead of PUSHing the parameters, and to omit the ESP adjustment to POP the parameters after the call. This approach also has the advantage of allowing more instruction-level parallelism, is a recommended practice in AMD's optimisation manual. All in all I think this is the best solution. For now, just hack hipe_bifs_get_hrvtime_0 to return make_small(0) instead of calling get_hrvtime().

subset: commoncrawl


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In the event you're tying the knot at the center of a field, ensure your guests have some cover by offering up "Just Married" parasols.
Add laser-cut buntings (or papel picado) to your space to make the atmosphere more joyous.
Get creative with balloons and decorate them with thread to mimic the appearance of whimsical hot air balloons.
Keep things uncomplicated and sweet for your yard service with unkempt greenery as aisle decor.
8/27/2017 11:00:06 pm
thank you for the information you provide, the outdoor marriage may be very interesting that will be the best moment for the bride.
Leave a Reply.


text:
Important Changes to Java, and Oracle Solaris Certifications
Android Threats Getting Steamy
Backward Pulling Force from a Forward Propagating Beam
Convert Adobe Flash FLA files into HTML and reach more devices
Profile Your Applications with Java VisualVM | Javalobby
When you need to discover what part of an application is consuming more CPU or memory, you need to use a profiler. One profiler, packed by default with the Sun JDK is Java VisualVM.
How Can Oracle Make JavaFX More Popular? | Javalobby
A nice reflection (especially in comments) about this Oracle/Sun technology.
Patterns For Better Unit Testing With JPA | Javalobby
An example on hot handle Unit Tests and generally TDD for applications that highly interact with a database.
Steve On Java » Open Source JavaFX Petition
A petition for asking Oracle to make JavaFX open source.
A nice and concise explanation on how to convert java object into XML.


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The first thing one wants to do after upgrading the environment to a newer ESX version, is to upgrade VMware tools on all VMs. If the environment has a large number of machines, this could be a tedious and time-consuming process. This is where the ability to upgrade a bunch of machines automatically comes in very handy. It allows you to select a number of machines and kick off VMware tools upgrade for all of them simultaneously. There is one problem though: VMware tools require a reboot after install and when a number of them are done together, there is no control over install completion and therefore, over reboots.
While in most environments, you won't be able to get away with rebooting all VMs without notice, manageable chunks can always be identified where rebooting the whole set at a certain time can be agreed with users in advance. This is still better than logging into each machine to upgrade the tools.
All that said, I would like to share some tips and dispel some myths as automatic upgrade of a bunch of machines, doesn't always work as expected. Sometimes it misses machines or doesn't even start. Knowing these will hopefully make troubleshooting of such incidents easier. So, here goes:
- Tip: Select as many machines that can be rebooted without notice and see how many get the tools upgraded successfully. Note down the ones that didn't upgrade and upgrade them at the end.
- Tip: VMs that started life as physical boxes but were imported into the environment, might have an issue in upgrade tools. Log into that VM and upgrade manually by clicking "Update Tools" in VMware Tools applet.
- Myth: An administrative login session must be running on the VM for it to get its tools upgraded – Not True! If the VM has a supported OS and has VMware Tools installed, it will upgrade without a logged in user.
- Myth: All VMs from the set must have the same family of OS for it to have automatic upgrading – Not True! VMs with a mix of OSes can be selected together to have their tools upgraded.
- Tip: Sometimes, a VM can get confused about it's OS, which affects VMware tools installs. It happens because the VM is not quite sure of the OS and it generally when a machine has been imported from an older OS, previously running on a physical box. To fix this, browse to the datastore then to VMImages and select the VMware Tools ISO for the OS you believe it has. This time, it should work.
- Myth: Linux machines can't participate in automatic upgrades – Not True! If the VM is running a supported version of Linux then it should be upgradable in the usual fashion.
- Tip: You might find that certain Linux machines don't let their tools upgraded – In most cases, it's because the kernel had been recompiled and is so far away from the original in terms of configuration. In such cases, use the manual upgrade method to upgrade tools on the box.
That's it for now. Hope these Tips and Myths will make it easier to diagnose issues while upgrading VMware tools automatically!


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Obituary of Mary Lucy Swingle
BATAVIA - Mary Lucy Swingle, 89, of Batavia, passed away Saturday, January 19, 2019, at United Memorial Medical Center.
Mary was born August 20, 1929, in Batavia, the daughter of the late Louis C. and Leora Ann (Schultz) Warren.
She was a Sales Clerk for JC Penney's in Batavia, and member of the 1st Baptist Church. She was the Chairman of the Tenant's Relations Committee for Birchwood Village for many years.
Survivors include a son, Deacon Fredrick G. (Guadalupe) Swingle of Chula Vista CA; a daughter, Laurie (Sidney) Bennett of Batavia; 6 grandchildren, Valerie (John) Schlaggel of FL, Jonathan Bennett of North Tonawanda, Mary Beth (Derek) Robinson of Alden, Fredrick G. (Marjorie) Swingle, IV, and Michael A. Swingle; 4 great-grandchildren, Maxwell Schlaggel, Samantha Schlaggel, Fredrick G. Swingle V and Madelyn Swingle; and a sisters-in-law, Laura Warren of Cheektowaga and Norma Swingle of PA.
She was predeceased by her brothers, Augustus C. Warren, Donald L. Warren and Leonard Warren.
Friends may call from 1 - 4 pm on Friday at the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 E. Main St. in Batavia immediately follow by her funeral service 4 pm. with Pastor Galen Purpura officiating.


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Tacloban City: The View from Above
Even for a native Taclobanon, viewing Tacloban City above for the first time as you fly low in circles around the city on a photoshoot can be a bit disorienting. You take stock of your bearings by locating a landmark and from there establish your position as your mind shifts to high gear resolving the issue between what you're seeing with your eyes and what the road map in your mind tells you to see.
The whole experience, no doubt, is exhilarating. 🙂
Tacloban City viewed from the east with the Sto. Niño Church at the center foreground and the San Juanico Bridge in the far horizon to the right of center (click to enlarge).
Tacloban City Hall area with Mt. Danglay looming at the back.
Coca-Cola rotunda
Port of Tacloban City with the Leyte Capitol Building in the upper right
Tacloban Port showing Tacloban Public Market at the foreground, MacDo and the Tacloban Shopping Center
Real St with Sto. Niño Church off center
St. Paul's Hospital at the foreground with a portion of downtown area and Anibong district
The former Divine Word University-Tacloban
St. Paul's Hospital
Tacloban downtown area showing the Tacloban Pier
Justice Romualdez St.
Downtown Tacloban
View more aerial photos of Tacloban and its newest landmark, the Tacloban Convention Center (Astrodome).
63 Responses to "Tacloban City: The View from Above"
our native hometown, Tacloban City.
Awesome shots! Good angle, getting the bridge and the city.
Great shots, Gerry! I'm seeing these angles of the hometown for the very first time. There is a unique beauty to the layout of the city.
Nice pics – enjoyed seeing them and thank you for sharing
Hi Gerry,
Once again great pictures man.. makes me prouder.:).. Just a thought how about picture of or from Victor's Peak ??.. it's this distinctive mountain you would see in front of you when you are coming from USA ( Utap-Sampaguita-Apitong) going to diversion road.. Just to inform you for its relevance is that this mountain is said to be the training ground or sometimes "warm-up mountain" for climbers before going to a major climb… I also had climbed on this mountain a couple of times before & im so anxious to see how the city looks like now from above there or from that angle at least. 🙂 Thank you Gerry you are the man.. Cheers!!! 🙂
the nicest pic for me here is the coca-cola rotunda. it looks nice… parang 'di sa tacloban. ^^,
Thanks for sharing your photos, Gerry. I see Tacloban has changed a lot since I left…
"Santo Niño bendisyuni an am minahal nga bungto!" Made me wanna sing this song when I saw these photos. Tacloban is just so picturesque!
Kudos to the photographer!
once again, a very impressive aerial shots of my old hometown.. sireng pa man.. "MAKARIT NGA KODAKER!!"… how about some aerial shots of the sorrounding baranggays.. esp. the diff. "villages"..like V&G subd., Kassel, Imelda(??) Village..etc.. balitaw.. napa mingaw man ine nga imo mga litrato..
mabuhay ka!! ka gerry..
makaru-ruyag nga kirita-un. thanks a lot for the update of the development and the present look of Tacloban City. more power to you, nice job Sir Gerry,,,
wow!!! it seems the city looks like one of the cities in the U.S.. so clean… but, in 2005 when i was strolling in front of the old DWU building the street was so dirty – garbage on the sides … i hope to see the city where i had lots of memories next month and it is as clean as in these photos … very nice pictures …good job!!!
Love your photos! Bring back childhood memories in a pleasent way. Never realized Tacloban looks so nice now from above. We see tremendous progress, thanks to Mayor Alfred Romualdez. Thank you for sharing and more power to you, Mr. Ruiz.
whatever happen to dwu – nag-reopen na ba ito? by the way i'm from cagayan de oro but i spent a year of my college at dwu. i was really upset when it closed due to labor problems…
DWU was very nice. My Dad graduated from there!
got a picture of the big she at the park? coz we have one here in surigao with the same design/structure
How's it going? Sorry to bug you but am sure you could help me out on my query. I am planning to visit Tacloban by next year 2009 & am just wondering if there is a flight from Tacloban to Boracay without stopping Manila. Please give me a hint on what's the best way to do. I want to see the great scenery in Boracay; I have a couple of friends who went to visit this place. I'm from Ohio, USA. Thanks.
I feel really great to see the town I grew up in changed the way it is now. Coca Cola rotunda used to be our hang-out when I was growing up, it did not look like it is now but it sure brings a lot of good memories. I feel really happy to see these pictures of the precious city where I grew up. Thank you so much, Gerry for sharing your pictures with all of us from Tacloban City.
Thank you so much for sharing these pictures. I was born and raised at Torres Street (near the Supermarket) in Tacloban City. I graduated from the elementary school at DWU. It is nice to see how beautiful this city has evolved into. I look forward to going back home sometime soon. More power to you.
Thanks for the pictures and wealth of information about sweet home, TACLOBAN. I love your artistry, and I commend your kindness for sharing your pictures and talent. You are truly gifted – I thank the Lord for people like you. KEEP GOING!!!
i was looking at the images again when I noticed that the "GRAND HOTEL" of the Maceda family is still an unfinished hulk of concrete. I guess my old DWU engineering college classmate ("Engr. Tingay") never got to finish it. It was an unfinished eyesore in 1986 when I left for the US, and still an eyesore the last time I was home in 1992.. and now in Gerry's latest images.. it is still an eyesore in the port area of the city.. I also noticed that the old historic MARITIMA building is still around but looks about ready to fall apart.
Nice photo's. Good photography. Great job! It sure brings back memories. I enjoyed browsing through your takes and couldn't help feel a bit homesick. Hope to see more in the future. Thank you!
i admit tacloban is now blooming compared to 10yrs ago… keep up the good work… USWAG TACLOBAN!!!
keep up the good work!! i'm impressed but na bitin me hahaha… just a joke. hope australia is closerrrrrr! thanks, gerry, hope we meet one day!
A lot of changes from the aerial view that you've shared with us, Gerry. I remember Coca-Cola Plant at a time when my mother & I happened to stop by waiting for a jeepney bound for Tac proper. I was a little boy then and I was amazed by the moving bottles being filled with coke! Wow… coke… coke… coke… TY again, Gerry. Wish you all the luck. God bless, bro.
wow! a nice place to go….
Thank you so much for posting those pics, brought back a lot of memories. Graduated from DWU (medicine) and loved it there. The people were exceptional, I've never been prouder. Great shots of the Hospital too. I learned so much.
Any idea on how to get our transcripts now? I know they reopened but who has all the records? Thank you in advance.
Nice pics, it's nice to see an aerial view of DWU. I've just been to Tacloban last December. It is a good feeling to see a photo of DWU where my girlfriend and I strolled by just weeks ago. 🙂
nice view, i'm home sick, trying to retire soon
What a big difference from 1964 when I worked there. It is more beautiful than ever. What a treat to see these pictures .
It would be great to hear from old friends who are still there.
gerry, good job. nice pictures, it reminds me of the good old days while i was studying in tacloban. lots of memories and experiences to remember.
Very nice pictures indeed. Keep up the good work and hoping to have more pictures of Tacloban. Cheers
amazing photos, gerry! this is an entirely fresh view of the city we both love.
Nicely taken pictures of the city where I was born.
Nice pics! I was at the grand opening (dry run) as a guest of Mayor Rumaldez. I own a pier down along the bay going to the Coke plant…
ei gerry…nice pix..first time ko nakita ini na imo site when i searched for SOHOTON CAVE in SAMAR…wondeful..gusto ko tuloy mag-enroll imo photography workshop kon mayda ka hiton…maupay gud imo mga px…i love picture..i love photography…meticulous kc ako pagdating hit pix..maarte ba..pero na-appreciate ko talaga ini na imo site…everyday ko na ini guin-visit..atleast bisan deri ako nakauli ha tacloban pirmi thru this site napapawi akon pagkamingaw…nice job…more pix pa ha..
i love tacloban city… so nice and urbanized…
Hello! Nice pix ha. Maupay kay na share mo kadam-an an am lugar. Salamat hin madamo. Keep up the good work and God Bless!
i feel homesick. nice pix, keep up the good work… i never thought this is how it looks like, the place where i graduated from – at leyte high and college in dwu.
Hi, am a friend of Hazel. are you related?
Just like they say, your pictures paint a thousand words…
am getting homesick… please do some more shots of its surrounding subdivisions. it's exciting scanning your rooftops and your neighbors… Kudos and KEEP AIMING AND SHOOTING, MAN…
wow! good job… u have great shots… thnx! u have gr8 talent… u have unique shots compared to others i've seen. i really miss my hometown; i get homesick whenever i view your photos. mabuhay ka, kabayan! keep it up!!!
dude! i like your pics of tacloban city…. I'll grab some and paste it on my networking profile, i kinda boast it to my friends…
i miss my hometown!!!
i'm very much proud for being a waray! even though they always tease us for having a hard tongue in speaking tagalog… i'm still "PROUD TO BE WARAY!!!"
Left Tacloban in 67 with the Leyte Filipiana Dance Troupe bound for the USA tour. Never been back for a long stay since. Got married the first time at Redemptorist. My Grandmother's was accross Sto Nino on Real. The city has definitely evolved. Thanks for the pix
Thanks for the pictures. Napahidlaw bawo. Dida ako dako ha Tac. Is it ok you take pictures of Leyte High School? Nag 1st & 2nd yr ako dida in '67-'68. Every time kami na-agui ha Tacloban na-stay ako 2days para mamasyada la ngan pamiling han mga kasangkayan. Tapos punta na sa Samar. Taga California ako sanglet ipakikita ko itong pictures mo sa mga sisters ko sa L.A. Damo nga salamat.
agoi kaupay la pagkinita-on it tacloban. san-o daw la ak maka-uli ngada. tnx imo mga pictures, napa-aghat pag-uli hehe miss ko na tam tindahan ha merkado 🙂
wew nice pics..
kaso waray ngada an iba pa nga mga school ha tacloban
pero the rest is good… especially the coca-cola area.
it looks beautiful and clean.
Ma-upay gud an syudad han Tacloban. Diri ak Waray kay Bisaya man ako pero 5 years na kami na-ukoy didi ha Tacloban. Rising city talaga an Tacloban ha Pilipinas. Bangin ngani ha sunod nga mga tuig mas duro-dako pa an Syudad han Tacloban kumpara han iba nga syudad ha Pilipinas nga mas-dako pa ha Tacloban ha pagkayana. Kay may potential man gud an Tacloban to become a great city… basta upayon la it pagdara han mga may katungdanan.
You've captured the beauty of Tacloban in these aerial photos. You did an excellent job.
nys talaga tacloban!!sana mag improve pa ang inyong lugar!!!jarwin orais from st.bernard.
kahapon naka punta aku jan andami talagang magaganda…ayus!!!heheheh…..proud aku sa tacloban kahit hindi aku taga riyan…i love tacloban!!!
amazing! this is my first time to view photos of tacloban's downtown area… super like these… nice pics!


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Bonsai Banter is a companion newsletter to www.BonsaiMary.com
Once a month, I send out bonsai news, comments, stories and ˜What's New" on my site. If you know someone who may enjoy this addition, please let them know they can sign up on my
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Or just send them a copy. If someone sent you this issue, and you like what you see, please join us by subscribing.
I have recently discovered, there is nothing like a small town Christmas (even without snow.)
'Light-up Mt. Dora' drew thousands of people into the closed streets and parks of downtown.
We watched as over two million lights sparkled at once on tree branches, light poles, store fronts and historic homes.
After living in the Miami area for over forty years, I'm fully enjoying the new culture shock!
Long time subscribers to Bonsai Banter will recognize this next message. It's pretty much the same every year.
If you're even thinking about bonsai trees as gifts for friends and family, don't!
If you insist, consider a " house plant type," introductory "indoor bonsai" and give simple houseplant
If they have a green thumb, a nice Ficus variety or Chinese elm could be perfect.
Otherwise, a "dwarf umbrella tree" may be your best bet.
If the plant is still alive next year, perhaps your friend is ready for a bonsai upgrade!
My favorite bonsai gift is still a picture book.
Unless the person really wants to know, forget the how-to-do-bonsai type.
This year, one of the books highly recommended by Wayne Schoech at Stone Lantern is:
Bonsai Gallery, 1st U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition.
Wayne says "Everything about it is perfect: the quality of the bonsai trees, design, production, everything ... the next best thing to actually going to the show."
Great price too!)
I recently met Ken To, on Facebook. I was fascinated with his
wire bonsai tree sculptures.
I thought you may also enjoy them, so I added another page.
Now that winter is settling in -- while you're trying to stay warm -- how about some good reading?
If you haven't read these articles, you may find some surprises on the
Bonsai Articles Page .
Many thanks to everyone who has shared, encouraged and contributed to the Bonsai-Mary site this year.
Your interviews, pictures, articles and comments have helped my number of visitors to more than double.
See you here next year, in the meantime ...
Joyful Holiday Wishes to You and Yours!
Most sincerely,
Mary Miller
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Lance-Corporal Paul Burns, who has died aged 52, survived the Warrenpoint massacre, the deadliest IRA attack of the Troubles, overcoming the loss of both legs to take a highly active leading role in charitable events that raised money for fellow wounded servicemen.
Newly recruited to the Parachute Regiment, Burns was only 18 years old when, on August 27 1979, a lorry containing a 500lb bomb exploded at Narrow Water near Warrenpoint, Co Down. The four-ton truck in which Burns was travelling took the brunt of the blast. Six of the eight men on board died. A second explosion killed a further 12 soldiers.
Burns had no memory of the bombing, or of the seven weeks that followed. He was taken to hospital in Northern Ireland and then flown to England, where his left leg was amputated below the knee. His right leg was also severely injured (it too was eventually amputated in 2012). A year passed before he was well enough to leave hospital. "I didn't wake up for weeks, I should have been dead," he said. "I went down to five stone, I couldn't eat and had drips on both arms. I had tremendous guilt about being alive
Rejoining his battalion after a year's rehabilitation, he continued to serve with the Army until 1991, working as a rigger for the Joint Services Parachute Centre. He completed more than 1,000 parachute jumps, even joining the Red Devils display team. In the same period he joined the British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (BLESMA) and learnt how to sail, also qualifying as a ski instructor.
He continued his work with BLESMA even after leaving the Army, working as a mentor to other soldiers who had been wounded in action and raising money through ventures such as driving a horse-drawn First World War ambulance from Land's End to John O'Groats.
His thirst for the active life in 1996 led him to compete in the BT Global Challenge as a member of the first all-disabled crew to circumnavigate the world; he also began a career as a stunt double, appearing in such films as Gladiator (2000).
Four years later he developed this by helping to found Amputees in Action, a stunt agency exclusively for amputees. Their services were particularly in demand by studios seeking a realistic edge – in battle scenes for example – that computer graphics could not provide.
Yet returning to the battlefield – even on a television set – aroused mixed emotions for Burns. War dramas in which he featured, such as Band of Brothers, provided a vivid reminder of his own time in Northern Ireland, and of the losses suffered by his battalion. But there was enjoyment to be had as well. He recalled preparing for one stunt : "This bloke started drilling into my foot to make sure the false leg stayed in place. I started screaming for a laugh and he thought he'd got the wrong foot."
Paul Burns was born on March 25 1961 at Toton, Nottingham, the youngest of four children. His father, Matt, an area manager for the television company Rediffusion, died in 1965 after a heart attack and stroke, and the family relocated to a smaller house near Chilwell Depot — then in use as an Army training camp.
Paul was soon fascinated by the military life on display, and joined the Army Cadet Force at the age of 11. Five years later he enlisted with 30 Platoon, Junior Parachute Company, at Browning Barracks in Aldershot. In September 1978 he became a member of 448 Platoon, Recruit Company, at Depot. After training he was posted to 2 Para in Berlin, and then to Northern Ireland.
After leaving the Army in 1991 Burns worked in research and development for the parachute industry until his early retirement on health grounds. He continued to serve on the British Parachute Association's Rigger Committee and was a trustee of the Gwennili Trust, which provides sailing opportunities for young disabled people.
His autobiography, A Fighting Spirit, was published in 2010, after winning a national competition, run by the BBC, to find the most inspirational true life story. The following year he skippered BLESMA's 65ft yacht, Spirit of Juno, in the Fastnet Race .
Though his right leg was also amputated in January 2012, Burns recovered sufficiently to join the Diamond Jubilee Pageant on June 3 of that year, paddling a kayak in front of the Queen's barge as part of a team assembled by BLESMA. Two months later he performed as an aerial trapeze artist for the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games.
In March 2013 he received the Bowman Award from the Soldiering On Through Life Trust, which recognises the achievements of injured Service personnel nominated by all the country's military charities.
Paul Burns died in hospital in Reading, where he had been recovering from an accident sustained while bicycling in a charity event. He is survived by three children.
An inspiration to all.
Thoughts with his family.
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Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is currently facing a growing political and economic crisis. Protests started there at the end of the summer over public employees not being paid, and then Regional President Massoud Barzani refused to step down from office when his term expired in August. These two issues converged in October in a series of violent demonstrations which resulted in Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) offices being sacked and burned, crowds being dispersed by force, and the KDP unilaterally declaring the Gorran (Change) Party expelled from the government in what some called a political coup. To help explain these events is journalist and co-founder of Pasewan.com Kamal Chomani. Chomani can be followed on Twitter
1. The current crisis in the KRG began with a series of protests in Sulaymaniya province over public workers such as teachers not being paid. That governorate has seen a series of demonstrations over the last few years, but hardly any ever occur in Dohuk or Irbil. What's the cause of that difference?
There are different reasons why protests can be easily organized in Slemani against corruption and undemocratic rule of the KRG. First of all, Slemani has been the center of Kurdish uprisings during the history of Kurdish nationalism in the 20th century. Ever since, Slemani has seen different uprisings, demonstrations and protests against the former Iraqi regimes, including the most brutal regime, Saddam Hussein. It is not a surprise that even in 1991 the Kurdistan Uprising that led to establishing the Kurdistan Region started in Slemani. If not for Slemani, the Kurdistan Region would not have been liberated so easily when they started attacking Saddam's regime, then their morale would have been defeated in every part of Kurdistan. Slemani has been a political, cultural and historical city since the beginning of the 19th century.
In Kurdish modern history, or let's say after 1996 when Erbil was controlled by the KDP with the help of Saddam Hussein, Slemani enjoyed a more liberal reign as compare to the KDP. Like it or not, the PUK has been different from the KDP from its foundation as the PUK was an umbrella for different political ideologies, Maoists, socialists, Marxist-Leninists and ordinary nationalists. Slemani has been a stronghold province of the PUK after the fall of the Aylul revolution, led by Mullah Mustafa Barzani.
The PUK dynamics have affected Slemani, and vice versa. After 1996 Slemani became the PUK zone, and Erbil & Duhok the KDP zone, this divided Kurdistan into an active Slemani and somehow passive KDP zone in terms of civil society and free media. In 2000, the first Kurdish independent free media appeared in Slemani, following Hawlati, then other media outlets appeared. Hitherto, Erbil has never experienced a successful free media outlet, whereas Slemani has enjoyed free media outlets since 2000. After the fall of Saddam, again, Slemani experienced golden days of radical protests in the whole area that resulted in a student movement and civil rights quasi violent movements.
The PUK reform wing which eventually split from the party and announced the Gorran Movement were active enough to prevent the PUK from being a totalitarian party. Despite the fact the PUK's leader has always been Jalal Talabani, some leaders questioned his powers in 2006. That would never happen in the KDP. The differences in the reform wing of the Talabani party led to a split in 2009 that eventually led to Gorran appearing. With the foundation of Gorran, the Kurdistan Region stepped into a new era, the era of dreaming about a democracy. All these developments have happened in Slemani, but in the KDP zone nothing was developing, let alone with the iron fist of the KDP facing political dissent.
2. The other issue that was going on in the region was the presidency of Massoud Barzani whose term ended in August, but who remains in office. The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Gorran (Change), the Kurdistan Islamic Union and the Kurdistan Islamic Group offered a number of proposals to limit the president's powers in return for acquiescing to Barzani remaining in office, but the KDP was adamant that it wanted to maintain the status quo. Given the current situation are those parties going to have to give up on their reforms and just think about the next Kurdish elections in 2017? And more importantly will those elections even offer the chance to change the KRG's political system?
The KDP doesn't understand that its power has been limited and people are fed up with the system. The PUK has successfully diverted media and people's attention from them even though they are a part of corruption and no different from the KDP with regards to their monopolistic history and culture. If elections were held and the PUK & Gorran joined in a united fraction, then changes in the KRG's political system would happen, but if the KDP remains the number one party, then elections may not bring any hope, and people already know what's going to happen.
This time, the people are on the streets because their economic situation is terrible. More than 50% of employees now are under the poverty threshold as they are not paid regularly. An ordinary employee gets less than $500USD whereas house rent is more than $300USD in the center of cities. There are no jobs in the KRG. Recently the Higher Electoral Commission announced 435 jobs, and more than 100,000 applicants applied for the job. Every year thousands of students are graduating without having any jobs. The financial crisis has made more than 500,000 workers jobless. In the oil sector, more than 2500 people have lost their jobs. And there's no reforms in the horizon. Nechirvan Barzani recently disappointed people when he said the government doesn't have any reform plans. Corruption is at its peak. According to the latest research compiled by the [international] non-governmental organization Transparency International Iraq enjoys the rank of 170 in the list of most corrupt countries. If Iraq is one of the most corrupt countries in the world, then the KRG is even more corrupt as Iraq still has institution, but we lack any national institutions. To give an example, Iraq's oil sector is managed by the government, but here [in the KRG it] is managed by the KDP, and within the KDP mostly by Nechirvan Barzani the current PM. In Iraq, SOMO [State Organization for Marketing Oil] announces every single dollar that Iraq gains from oil sales, but in the KRG even though almost 900,000 barrels per day are exported, even Finance Minsiter Rebaz Hamlan from the Gorran Movement is not aware of the revenues, and there's no institutions for managing oil revenues apart from Ashti Hawrami, the Natural Resources minister.
3. The KDP immediately blamed Gorran for the attacks upon its headquarters in Sulaymaniya province, banned its members from entering Irbil the regional capital, and then unilaterally dismissed its ministers from the government. Some called this a coup. Even if this crisis is eventually averted through some type of deal what will be the lasting effects upon the relations between the Kurdish ruling parties?
The main issue in the Kurdistan Region now is the Presidency issue which there are two fronts. One is led by the KDP that refutes any projects apart from maintaining Masoud Barzani for another two years, a fully presidential system and does not accept any radical reforms. On the other front, there's the PUK, Gorran, Yekgirtu and Komall. After the denial of the Speaker entry to the capital city, there was a shock within those four parties as they were not as united as before. I believe the four parties will insist on their demands, which the most important one is to amend the Presidency law that the KDP has been standing against totally. I believe the KDP and Gorran won't easily work together as the KDP not only refutes Gorran's demands now, but has more demands [of its own]. The most difficult KDP demand is that they do not accept the Speaker. We have already reached a deadlock. The US and UK must put pressures on all the sides, in particular the KDP, otherwise they won't reach a consensus. And if they don't, then civil unrest may resume again as there'll be no chance for Gorran to manifest itself apart from using protests as a tool.
All in all, I do believe the current cabinet cannot continue, therefore; there should be a caretaker government for less than 6 months and during this 6 months, general elections must be held.
4. The KDP's main backer is Turkey. The PUK is supported by Iran, and the U.S. has good relations with both. Can these outside powers play a positive role in trying to resolve this crisis, will they stay on the sidelines or even play spoilers?
Iran and Turkey want the current status quo to remain, but the US seems to want to see radical reforms, in particular with regard to corruption. But the problem with the US is that still they use the old political approach which is stability before democracy, but Kurdistan is different from other parts GCC countries. The US and international community must understand that in Kurdistan stability won't be achieved if there is no democracy.
Iran has recently told PM Barzani to visit PM Al-Abbadi to resolve the problems with Baghdad. Iran does not want to see any changes in the old guardians of the system. For Turkey, too, they want the status quo to remain as most of the Turkish companies are working in the KDP zone and have shares with the KDP top leaders. For Turkey it is important Nechirvan Barzani remain. But Turkey cannot do anything until 1st November, then we'll see if Erdogan's AKP can win a major victory or not. The problem with these forces is each of them wants stability not democracy. Democracy has never been a problem for Iran.
5. Finally, what does the situation say about the development of Kurdistan's institutions and rule of law?
After 2003, the KRG, in particular Nechirvan Barzani started local and international campaigns, spending millions of dollars in international media, academia and think-tanks so as to propagate "the other Iraq." But now things have turned. Whereas the Prime Minister Al-Abbadi is working to carry out radical reforms and fired some corrupt officials, the Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani and his KDP is firing those who had reform plans within the KRG. The KRG at the moment is under no legal rules. The presidency is illegal, parliament can't hold any sessions and the government is off.
Let me explain the political situation more as there might be some people that yet do not know what's going on. The political crises in Iraqi Kurdistan has always been there but the political leadership has always been able to cover passing crises with new crises. They have never been able to settle the political crises and address the demands of the public, opposition parties and media.
The recent political crisis is the results of the 24 years of authoritarian, corrupt and undemocratic rule of the two ruling parties, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) led by the illegal president Masoud Barzani, and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) led by ailing former Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. After the 1991 Kurdish Uprising, the two ruling parties were not able to form a united, prosperous, democratic and accountable government and they soon started a civil war. After 2003, even though the KRG united practically the KRG has always been two-administrations, in particular with regard to the security forces and Peshmerge. The two ruling parties have kept their militia forces and monopolized every part of business and government. In 2009 an opposition party emerged, but their demands were not met. That led to civil unrest in February 2011. Even though people protested for more than 60 days, and Parliament issued a statement that was voted on by the whole Parliament, which included 17 points of the people's demands, none of the demands were ever addressed. After the 2013 elections, opposition parties joined the government in the hopes that some changes would happen, but when the Presidency issue came on the table, the KDP clearly revealed its true face that it did not accept any changes in the political and administrative systems. Masoud Barzani's term was illegally extended in June 30, 2013 for two years. His two extended years expired on August 19, 2015. The Gorran Movement led by Nawshirwan Mustafa, the PUK, the Islamic Union and the Islamic Group jointly proposed two options for the KDP, but the KDP refuted both as they wanted Barzani to remain in power without any compromises. The four parties asked for a parliamentary system but the KDP refused it. That has brought the KRG to a political deadlock which eventually fueled the masses to come onto streets. Even though the current political crisis has been intensified by the Presidency issue, people have been fed up with the system for a long time, and they have told the KRG leadership on different occasions that they cannot accept the current system.
The corruption is the main reason for the political crisis and civil unrest in Kurdistan, and I am sure if people's demands aren't met, then it will lead to more violence that no one can anticipate the future of.
All in all, there are two fronts in the KRG; one wants to turn the KRG into a Saudi Arabia model whereas the other wants to prevent this from happening and is struggling for a democratic region in which the rule of law is experienced.


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chuck (the occidentalist) looks at ron unz's claim that mexican-american iqs have been increasing (rather dramatically) over the last thirty to forty years:
"The differences [between white and mexican/hispanic iqs] ranges from 0.35 SD (GSS) to 0.77 SD (TIMSS grade 8 science). The average of the differences comes out to 0.61 SD or, when averaging PISA, TIMSS, and PIRLS tests scores per year, per grade (e.g., PISA 2009 MAth + Reading), 0.59 SD. This is not largely different from the general intelligence difference reported by Roth et al. (2001), which is notable given what was said about Spearman's hypothesis. On re-analysis, Ron Unz's claim concerning the difference in the GSS sample was upheld; this claim, though, was contradicted by all other samples."
previously: ron unz and iq
(note: comments do not require an email. hi there!)


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Forgetting the relevant Katrina detail, eight years later
How much do Louisiana Republicans dislike President Obama? Many of them blame him for the government's tragic response to Hurricane Katrina – which struck the state more three years before Obama took office.
The latest survey from Democratic-leaning Public Policy Polling, provided exclusively to TPM, showed an eye-popping divide among Republicans in the Bayou State when it comes to accountability for the government's post-Katrina blunders.
Twenty-eight percent said they think former President George W. Bush, who was in office at the time, was more responsible for the poor federal response while 29 percent said Obama, who was still a freshman U.S. Senator when the storm battered the Gulf Coast in 2005, was more responsible. Nearly half of Louisiana Republicans – 44 percent – said they aren't sure who to blame.
I realize that 2005 was a while ago, and among Republicans there's some disagreement about the efficacy of George W. Bush's handling of the crisis, but the PPP results really don't make any sense.
So what explains this? There are a couple of things to keep in mind. First, it's possible that after several years in which the political world described all sorts of different developments as "Obama's Katrina," a lot of folks may have gotten confused and started to connect the words "Obama" and "Katrina" in a mistaken way.
Second, let's not underestimate the scope of reflexive GOP opposition to the president, in Louisiana and elsewhere, and the way in which that leads Republican to blame Obama for just about anything. More Louisiana Republicans blame Obama than Bush for the response to Katrina, which obviously don't make sense, but I imagine if PPP asked, a non-trivial number of Louisiana Republicans would also blame the president for 9/11, Watergate, the Hindenburg disaster, the 1919 White Sox, and the U.S. Civil War.
In other words, Louisiana Republicans may say they blame Obama for the response to Katrina, but what they're really saying is they just hate the president and blame him reflexively for everything.


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I've posted previously about Bud's unique speech patterns, and his ability to retrieve sentences from his vast store of tv/ video/ computer scripts, change all appropriate nouns, and slide the adapted scripts into "conversation." He has really honed this particular talent to the point that he can often "pass," and even impress his teachers at school.
"It was so sweet," a teacher will tell me at pick-up time. "Today he told me that I could be his mystery friend and he likes my brown hair."
"Mmm-hmm," I'll reply. "Sesame Street Computer Caper."
Or, they'll meet me at the door with "He did a great job letting me know how he felt. He said his throat is sore and he thinks he needs his medicine."
"Yes," I'll say. "Caillou had the same problem this morning."
But sometimes he uses language that really impresses me and shows me that he is definitely making progress. This weekend we were pitching a tent in the living room and, as he tends to do when he's enjoying an activity, he asked me about it in a "pinch-me-so-I-know-this-is-real" sort of way.
"Mama," he asked with a big grin. "What we are set upping?"
My heart swelled. "What we are set upping?" A phrase never uttered by Elmo or Arthur. A real, honest-to-goodness constructed sentence with a mistake that proves without question that Bud recognizes that there are rules that govern language, and that he is learning to apply them.
"We are setting up the tent!" I announced.
"We are setting up the tent!" he echoed.
We continued our work, and his enthusiasm grew.
"Yes, Bud?"
"What are we setting up?"
On raising a son on the autism spectrum, progressive politics, pop culture, and coffee addiction.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
We love us the bad grammar
Posted by MOM-NOS on 10/06/2005
5 comments:
- Mom to Mr. Handsome said...
He's on his way :o)
- October 07, 2005 9:04 PM
- mommyguilt said...
Way to go, Bud!
- October 11, 2005 11:02 AM
- ronnie said...
Way to go Bud.
- January 04, 2006 7:49 AM
Can you imagine? He probably thought to himself, "What are we up-setting?" and then thought, "No, that's not what I mean...." Smart little boy you got there.
- April 25, 2006 2:51 AM
OMG! I can't wait until my Liam asks me a question like this. Thank you for your blog. It gives me hope.
- December 09, 2011 4:40 PM
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bella ross, Blog Tour, Desire, exotic playgrounds, giveaway, glamorous capitals, Lust, Passion, poll, Promo, wanderlust series
My Wanderlust blog tours & giveaway started this week (so excited) with a GRAND PRIZE of: $25.00 Amazon Gift Card and one ebook from the series. You can follow the tour and enter the rafflecopter for your chance to win. I'd like to say a huge 'thank you' to all the bloggers who signed up. The tour will run until February 2nd, 2014.
Okay, so with any promo tour there's bound to be comments and this time around the comments have been interesting – many of you, to my great delight, revealed your Wanderlust – the places where you'd want to be swept up in desire passion & lust. I thought it would be fun to share them with all of you. Here they are:
Exotic Playgrounds:
Bali (√ – coming soon – Seduced in Bali)
Bahamas (√ – its on my radar for my new 'Club Pluto' series)
Bermuda (hmmm…definitely a beautiful place)
Cook Islands
Maldives (√ check – on my radar too)
St. Lucia
Tahiti (√ check – coming soon – Tempted in Tahiti)
Glamorous Capitals:
Germany (I foresee a romantic suspense in Berlin)
Italy (√ check – Surrender in Rome)
Istanbul (√ check – coming soon – Magic in Istanbul)
New York – (√ – its on my radar for my new 'Club Pluto' series)
Paris (√ check – Passion in Paris)
Spain (√ check – coming soon – Fate in Spain)
Tuscany (Oh a favorite of mine and its in the works)
Tempting, right? So here's my question to the rest of you: Which capital or playground would you most like to be swept up in desire passion & lust? Take the poll and let me know. If you do not see your choice listed in the poll, let me know either here on my blog or on Facebook. I will definitely use your favorites as the backdrop for one of my upcoming books in the Wanderlust series.
Have fun,


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By Mark Paulette
Several weeks ago, I took to this very blog to spread encouragement at the thought of the New England Patriots and a 19-0 season. An idea many treated as they would a leper, avoiding all contact with the notion. I believed it was not only the Patriots' rite, it was the lone remaining crusade in a two-decade conquest of the NFL.
I was so confident in this fact, that I looked past the injury to Julian Edelman and ignored the red flags which cropped up throughout camp on the defensive side of the ball. This was the team of destiny. A team leagues ahead of any other.
Never for a second did I let the thought of an opening night loss to the Kansas City Chiefs creep into the darkest depths of my mind. The Pats would pass their first test with flying colors, no matter the enthusiastic warnings of ex-Chief, Mike DeVito. My confidence grew to such heights that I offered to tattoo the arrowhead logo on an unspeakable part of my body should KC have pulled the upset. All Mike had to do in return was ink a simple "TB12" on his bicep. (Luckily, his wife promptly vetoed the idea).
Like many, I sat silent as Kansas City scored the opener's final 21 points to hand New England one of the most embarrassing home losses of the Brady/Belichick era. Yet as shock set in and the cathedral of 19-0 came crashing down, a pattern emerged in the ruins.
2001…2003…2014. Lose the season opener…win the Super Bowl. Lose the opener…win the Super Bowl. Lose the opener…plus get trounced in an eerily similar game to the Chiefs on a Monday night in 2014, only to have the football world proclaim your demise…win the Super Bowl.
We've seen this movie before and we know how it ends.
Whether it was an 0-2 start and a Drew Bledsoe punctured lung which opened the door for some gangly quarterback named Tom Brady, or being shut out by a Buffalo team constructed of Patriots' cast-offs, or that four game stretch which made us question the unquestionable. A theme of early-season redemption has been a constant in Belichick's championship squads. Even last year the team was required to make-do without Brady for four games thanks to an injustice which shall not be referred to by name.
While on the surface it may have seemed like Kansas City exploited fatal flaws in the Patriots' system, the Chiefs provided New England a bigger favor than if they had rolled over and played dead. And they just may have doomed the rest of the league in doing so.
"Hell hath no fury like a pissed off Brady and Belichick," was what DeVito told me after the game. A man who was part of the '14 Chiefs team which unseated the Patriots, only to see them march on to a fourth Lombardi trophy.
To become the greatest at your craft, it requires a borderline diagnosable drive towards perfection. A trait that's presence is well documented in Brady and Belichick. Now, thanks to last Thursday's ignominious defeat, the pair have been left to stew in the halls of Gillette, replaying their every mistake. That is a thought that should terrify the other 31 teams in the league.
To steal a popular saying from HBO's hit series, Game of Thrones; winter has come for the NFL. And while predictions of the initial storm proved futile, we know how this story ends.
Mark Paulette is the Senior Producer of The Drive, weekdays 4pm to 6pm on 92.9fm The Ticket and streaming live at DriveShowMaine.com. Follow us on Twitter, @DriveShowMaine and "Like Us" on Facebook, Drive Show Maine.


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The cat is on a roll as he takes the rhymes for a stroll. But then stupid Pat bothers me and oops the idea decides to flee. Doesn't that suck? When you are just strat out of luck? With a simple what was that your idea can go adios and leave you flat.
That fell over,
Thanks to rover.
There goes your plan,
Some best friend of man.
A car horn honks away,
Making you a gawker at your bay.
Only a road raged nut,
Oops, your idea is as dead as King Tut.
Wake up with one,
Will remember such a run.
Damn, fell back asleep.
The idea is lost in the deep.
Gasp, best idea ever.
You are so clever.
Whoops, maybe not.
Guess it wasn't too hot.
Shouldn't have answered the phone,
Listened to the walls groan.
Hint, it's not really the wall.
Follow the bouncy ball(s).
Thinking of your gut,
Also leaves you in a rut.
Of getting ever so large,
While your idea drifts away on a barge.
At least you took out the trash,
Watched an episode of Mash,
And rested your pretty little head.
Sadly, the idea is still dead.
But don't jump in a lake.
An idea is easy to fake.
Just remember the rhyme,
And you can at least top a rotten mime.
For oh I remember now,
Could lead you to "How to milk a cow."
That is something all want to know,
So let the writing flow.
First you do this,
Make sure not to cause it bliss.
Watch for the feet.
Attack of the killer meat.
See wasn't that easy?
Now how to eat a freezie.
Damn, an idea from no idea at all.
Don't say I'm not helpful at my hall.
See when the idea goes flat just do like the cat. Rant about the idea going flat and then go eat a nice juicy rat. Or at least the first part if you can't take the second to heart. All the more for me and oh an idea is always had at my sea. But when you are so far ahead using them all just causes you dread. Looking at 90 posts waiting to show maybe I should go chase down a crow? Or go and catch another bass. Bah I will just be the same old little rhyming ass.
Enjoy your winter, smash a printer.


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Paddy Power Column: West Brom to continue impressive run
Hidden Cyclone rewarded myself and my followers on Saturday with a great win at Gowran Park where he proved four and a quarter lengths too powerful for a good horse in Call The Police.
But it wasn't the fact that I tipped him, although it helps, as his starting price of 11-10 favourite probably didn't make any of us rich but it was the manner of his victory that was so highly impressive.
He jumped like a buck, making virtually all, including one of the most impressive jumps I've ever seen at the sixth obstacle and came home a comfortable winner in almost glorious isolation.
As I've said Call The Police is a decent performer but it will be his next test, probably in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, which will tell us if he is a genuine Cheltenham Gold Cup performer. Our lads cut him to 25-1 from 33 and I think that currently is a very good each-way bet.
his Sunday Fairyhouse hosts a bumper card featuring three Grade 1 events in the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle, Drinmore Novices' Chase and the Hatton's Grace Hurdle and I fancy Noel Meade's Monksland to land the latter.
This fellow was third to Simonsig in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at this year's Cheltenham Festival and while I feel he could still be absolutely top class, even if he isn't there are still plenty of nice races for him to compete in including this one.
He was a comfortable winner of a Grade 2 hurdle on his reappearance at Down Royal and despite the fact that he made a bit of a hash of the last, when he may have been getting a bit tired, he had really motored down the straight like a good one and he'll take a bit of beating here.
That last race was over two miles and he steps up another half mile here but I feel that can only suit and it could be his best distance. If he wins a couple of Grade 1s over hurdles, Meade might find himself in a hard place come Cheltenham Festival time as the Champion Hurdle over two could be too short, while the World Hurdle over three too far.
But I guess he won't be worrying too much about that if he picks up a few of these along the way and he has the potential to become one of the best hurdlers in Ireland.
Tony Martin landed last year's Drinmore with Bog Warrior and I'm hoping he attempts to follow up with Dedigout.
The Bob Back gelding was top-class over hurdles and won his first start over fences very easily at Punchestown earlier in November.
He has reportedly come out of that race very well indeed and the ground should be absolutely fine on Sunday. Funnily enough other than a bumper defeat on his debut, the only other race that he's ever lost under rules was behind my other selection Monksland in this year's Slaney Novice Hurdle which could prove the race of the year if both my fancies prevail!
Looking at the footy West Brom are the team in form having won their last four games, including beating Chelsea at home, and I feel they're a rattling good bet to master Stoke at home on Saturday at odds of 10-11.
Saturday's win at Sunderland took the Baggies to an amazing third in the Premier League after their best start to a campaign since 1953 although manager Steve Clarke has attempted to keep his players feet on the ground by telling them they'll consider a European challenge in January.
Stoke haven't lost in three but I feel that run will come to an end.
Saturday West Brom to beat Stoke
Sunday Fairyhouse 1.35pm Dedigout
Sunday Fairyhouse 2.40pm Monksland


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Ive got some preliminary brackets designed for the rear calipers (this is driver side modeled, but the bracket will work on either side):
Johnny Roadkill wrote:don't have a clue where you find the time to make the progress you have so quickly
Johnny Roadkill wrote:Hi yitzac1990,
just want to say thanks for taking the time to keep us all in the loop with your build thread - don't have a clue where you find the time to make the progress you have so quickly but it's a great read and both informative and inspiring too - you're making it look all too easy !
Looking forward to the next installment, please keep it coming...
yitzac1990 wrote:Starting to rethink my steering arm setup.....
Does anyone know if the studs at the top of the steering knuckle are removed easily? Are they simply threaded in? I am thinking of taking the cap off, removing the studs, and using longer studs so I can attach a high steer arm in this location.
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The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) asks for your assistance in reaching individuals to provide an opportunity to comment on the adult day health settings being submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for review to determine compliance with the home and community-based settings requirements.
- You may also refer individuals to the Ohio Department of Aging (1-855-926-0994) to request a paper copy of the posting and associated documents.
We greatly appreciate your assistance in helping us to reach individuals who may not otherwise be aware of the opportunity to provide public comment on the Statewide Transition Plan and adult day settings.
Please click on the following links to view.
Public Notice and Request for Comment


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I have a pattern that I've existed as that my partner of almost 21 years has patiently been aware of. It's how I run, not walk to the rescue of my youngest child, my daughter. The interesting thing is how in my running, I'm actually seeking to validate me as my mind, and in the seeking, I hide deeper within myself within my unconscious and subconscious mind. Then, I've used appreciation to validate and fuel the ongoing construct within a pattern that I've accepted direction from.
I'm here to through self-forgiveness stop the pattern and begin to re-design myself in self-honesty for/as and equal to all life.
I forgive myself that I haven't realized the fear and sadness within me because I've hidden and forgotten me in my self-interest fueled life of seeking.
I forgive myself that I haven't realized how I have feared being in the presence of me.
I forgive myself that I've accepted and allowed myself to run to my daughter's rescue at the first mention of and/or the first sign of her having the slightest problem in her life.
I forgive myself that I've accepted and allowed myself to rescue my daughter from financial problems even when I couldn't really afford to because I told myself that it was my responsibility, when in fact I was seeking validation for my own self-interest in validating my ego and enslaving us all further into our abusive current money system.
I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to hide from taking responsibility for the atrocities that exist within this world because I've enjoyed the chase, the high of looking like the perfect mom by running to the aid of my daughter.
I forgive myself for not being a living example of responsibility for my children and thus when my youngest child struggles with surviving in this world wherein she gets her paycheck and after rent and utility bills are paid the little money left barely buys food so she has nothing left and can't afford to fuel her car for the following work week so when she calls and tells me I feel guilty for not pushing her more to be responsible because I'm only now grasping what self-responsibility is, so I rescue her by giving her money.
I forgive myself that I've accepted and allowed myself to see it as my life's call to swoop in and save my youngest daughter when her car breaks down and she can't afford to pay for the repairs because she barely makes enough money for rent, utility bills, food and clothes for herself and her baby – instead of allowing her to face her own fears within seeing what she's accepted and allowed so to be responsible for all that's here in standing up in support of an Equal Money system so that all suffering ends within our world.
I forgive myself that I've accepted and allowed myself to blame myself for the daily struggles my children face in trying to survive within a money system that values profit over life because I willingly accepted and have supported our current capitalistic money system where the rich are rich and famous because and while the poor are struggling, starving and dying.
I forgive myself for accepting and allowing myself to take money for granted when my children were young wherein I spent money frivolously for household items to impress people who came to visit and as such I overextended myself and my partner where we sunk further in debt while still managing to provide an impression to my children that I could afford whatever they desired and in doing so I was teaching them to that it's ok to live by impulses and consumerism instead of teaching them the dangers to life in how our current money system exists.
I forgive myself that I haven't allowed myself to realize that the desire, want and need to rescue my children is best defined as the religion of self and is me existing in separation from me – instead of me standing up and facing and directing me in self-honesty.
I forgive myself for feeling bad toward myself for what I see is me existing in the pattern of 'finding myself wanting', which is a pattern I have longed feared and judged wherein self is existing in the very essence of self-interest to gratify and satisfy my own wants, needs and desires related to things of this world and further supports myself in separation of all that exist.
When and as I see myself in a position of wanting and desiring to rescue my daughter/children from a situation that was preventable and isn't life threatening – I stop. I Breathe. I realize I've walked this point over and over and have created situations in order to continue fueling my mind as consciousness. Instead I direct myself within common sense. I slow myself down and breathe. I begin by accepting and allowing my daughter/children the opportunity to be self-honest and self-responsible – to see and realize for themselves that life is suppose to be more than just struggling to survive.
I commit myself to begin by stopping in my abusing and using my children as a way to hide from myself within my subconscious and unconscious mind as I stand and face me in self-honesty in pushing through the resistance of facing and forgiving me as my unconscious and subconscious mind.
I commit myself to walking the process of self-forgiveness, breathing and taking responsibility for the creation of and as me as the mind/energy within and as this world system/money in no longer accepting and allowing that which has been created/manifested as consequences of and in separation from myself and all – instead I stand and begin here with me – to change/transform the mind system into a world that is best for all.
I commit myself with patience and kindness to and toward myself as I breathe and support myself to forgive myself and begin to face who I am as my conscious, subconscious and unconscious mind so that I am able to direct myself effectively to support all living beings in bringing forth a world where all life is cherished equally.


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LocationToy Hauler Depot
2581 E Central Ave
Fresno, CA 93725
Used 2015 Forest River RV Vengeance Touring Edition 38L12
The Vengeance Touring Edition 38L12 toy hauler fifth wheel by Forest River offers triple slide and a large cargo area.
In the cargo area you will find a ramp door with patio, an electric bed lift with bottom sofas.
Proceeding toward the main living area you will find a Jack & Jill loft and an entertainment center.
In the main living area there are two slides. One slide has theater seating. Diagonal from the theater seating you will find an entertainment center and fireplace. In the middle of the kitchen there is a kitchen island with a double kitchen sink and extra counter space. The other slide has a pantry and a refrigerator. Next to the slide you will find a three burner range and a microwave.
Off of the kitchen area you will find a convenient half bath.
As you step up the stairs, the bathroom is on the left. Inside the bathroom there is a toilet, shower with seat, linen cabinet and a sink.
In the front bedroom you can relax on the king bed slide. Across from the bed there is a dresser and TV. Along the front wall you will enjoy all of the storage that the wardrobe provides.
Stock# 27291A
|Ext Width
|8 ft 6 in
|Ext Height
|13 ft 4 in
|Hitch Weight
|3308 lbs
|Gross Weight
|18000 lbs
|Dry Weight
|14454 lbs
|Cargo Weight
|3127 lbs
|Fresh Water Capacity
|100 gals
|Grey Water Capacity
|80 gals
|Black Water Capacity
|80 gals
|Furnace BTU
|42000 btu
In 1996, Forest River founder Peter Liegl had a vision. He foresaw an RV company dedicated to helping people experience the joy of the outdoors by building better recreational vehicles. Today, we have grown to become one of the largest RV manufacturers in North America, producing class A and C motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers, camping trailers and destination trailers. From the new family just starting out in the world of RVing to the experienced full-timer, we offer something for everyone.
Forest River RV is a division of Forest River, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company, which produces recreational vehicles, pontoons, park models, buses, cargo trailers and commercial trucks. The diversity of Forest River, Inc., enables us to approach the RV industry with a unique perspective, incorporating lessons learned at each one of our divisions. Operating with openness across a wide range of products is what makes us stand apart from the competition. At Forest River, Inc., quality and dependability are a necessity in everything we make.


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Friday, September 30, 2011
Track and Field days
It's hard to believe almost 10 years old now. Yep, they'll be in the double digits next February.
Posted by GailM. at 5:43 PM No comments: Links to this post
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Another Peek-a-Boo Stitching bag
I made another little peek-a-boo prototype bag to carry my hand stitching. But since I made this bag, I discovered another zipper application that might work better, so I'll try it in another prototype later this week.
As you have probably noticed, I have been enjoying my embroidery machine recently. Isn't this a sweet and perfect embroidery to put on a little stitchery tote? It's from the Bayberry collection. This design with the scissors has a silver thread overlay, that gives the embroidery some sparkle. It's so cute.
Posted by GailM. at 6:04 AM 2 comments: Links to this post
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
A Baby Laundry Bag
I've been full of energy this week. I have been working on baby things for my niece's little baby who is coming next month. I wonder if she knows that laundry will become a major activity in their household.
For when they travel or visit, I've made this little laundry bag to carry with them. It's made from waffle weave cotton fabric, with a cute little blue drawstring.
I machine embroidered " Baby Boy - Bundle of Joy" on the bag.. so there's no mistaking whose laundry it is.
Posted by GailM. at 12:41 PM No comments: Links to this post
Friday, September 23, 2011
A Stitcher's Lairiat
I'm totally off track this week. I really wanted to finish my church quilt for tomorrow's unveiling. But it was not meant to be. I'm using jet lag fog as my excuse and I've moved on. I told the quilters we would put the new quilt on the frame after our Thanksgiving. So that gives me a new goal of October 12th. I know I'll be able to have it done by then. I have 110 of the required 128 blocks now done. I just need a bit of a break...
That doesn't mean that I didn't sew today. In fact, I was thinking of some small no or low cost gifts that I could make and use as prizes for an upcoming class that I will be teaching.
So, this is what I came up with this afternoon. I'm calling it a stitcher's lariat. Not quite original, but I think they're cute. I find that I'm always carrying scissors with me now a days, so for around the house, I think I'll use this.
Here's how I made it. I sewed a bunch of random lengths of 1.5" strips together. I then ironed in half, and folded the edges into the half and ironed again. Just like I was making a long narrow binding. I stitched the folded edge, what seemed for a mile...
That doesn't mean that I didn't sew today. In fact, I was thinking of some small no or low cost gifts that I could make and use as prizes for an upcoming class that I will be teaching.
So, this is what I came up with this afternoon. I'm calling it a stitcher's lariat. Not quite original, but I think they're cute. I find that I'm always carrying scissors with me now a days, so for around the house, I think I'll use this.
Here's how I made it. I sewed a bunch of random lengths of 1.5" strips together. I then ironed in half, and folded the edges into the half and ironed again. Just like I was making a long narrow binding. I stitched the folded edge, what seemed for a mile...
I cut the long strip into 48" lengths and fold up each end about 1-1/2". Next take a 1.5" standard width piece of velcro, and cut it in half longways. This piece of velcro will do two lariats.
Apply a hook section to one side and a loop section to the other side while enclosing a ring and a clip to each end. Notice that I off-set the folded ends so the clip hangs a bit lower than the ring. I think this gives a nicer layering of the two metal items
I know scissors can be put on the clip, and I'm not sure what could be put on the ring. Can you think of anything that could be attached to the ring?
Posted by GailM. at 3:46 PM No comments: Links to this post
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Can soup help you sew?
Every once in a while, I tackle a project were I need an extra set of hands. And sometimes those hands are available, but today, they were off golfing and I was left to my own devices.
I was doing some pinning and prep work getting ready to sew up a pair of lined curtains and needed some hands to hold one side of the drapes steady, so I could finish the prep on the other side of the panel.
Do you do have any secret sewing tools in your pantry?
Posted by GailM. at 12:49 PM 5 comments: Links to this post
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Making a Tim Hortons Coffee Cozy
While I was in Vancouver a couple of weeks ago, I was surprized to see that they had these cardboard sleeves to hold your hot cup of Timmy's coffee. Here, in the east, if you need insulation, you just ask for another cup.
Already on this trip I had saved a Starbucks sleeve with the intent to see if it fit the Tim cups, but now that I have a Tim sleeve which is slightly a different size, I'll use it instead.
I'll let you know how it works out. If my prototype works, I'll make a template and share with you.
Posted by GailM. at 6:05 AM 2 comments: Links to this post
Monday, September 19, 2011
Winter Wonderland - Block Update
I took a couple of my Winter Wonderland blocks and all my supplies with me to work on while travelling.
So that I would be organized, I made my little peek-a-boo pouch to take with me a few weeks ago. If you recall it had a see-through part so that I could see what was in the pouch without opening it up.
After posting on my blog about air travel with scissors, I found out that rules have changed and small scissors are allowed in your carry-on.
My little see-through pouch did come in handy while going through security at the airports. When I put my coat in the security bin to send through the scanner, I set my pouch on top of my coat, apart from purse, so that there was no chance of them thinking that I was trying to hide my little scissors. I just sent the bin through the scanner with the scissors showing and didn't say anything.
Next thing I hear as I was going to the end of the line to collect my stuff, is the security officer yell out - CHECK THOSE SCISSORS. The hair on the back of my neck stood up...oh, darn, how embarrassing. What would I say.. Well, the officer at the end of the line, picked up my pouch gave it a quick look, and without even unzipping the bag, she said. "Cute" and sent me along my way. So I left with a smile on my face, and wondering if she thought my scissors were cute, or the peek-a-boo bag.
In a few weeks, as people are getting geared up in blog land to make small projects as Christmas gifts, I am going to make a simple tutorial on making this see-through pouch. I think I may use the machine embroidered block that I made a few weeks ago as my base, then go from there.
So, back to the subject...the big question is... Did I get any Winter Wonder blocks stitched while I was away? Well, of the two blocks that I brought with me, I got one of them done. I think it's called Snow Family. And I have a healthy start on the next one. I'm quite pleased to have it done and I only have three left to do.
Posted by GailM. at 6:20 AM 2 comments: Links to this post
Sunday, September 18, 2011
I'm back from Alaska
Well, Alaska was amazing. I came across this quilt on our last day in Alaska. It was lone quilt, that featured in the Welcome Center. It really was a beautiful quilt. Each block was different and made from wedges to give a spiral look to each block. Looking at the quilt made me start to think about getting home and back to sewing.
It all seems surreal now that we're back for a whole day. It really feels like home not only because I slept in my own bed last night, but also because I spent a bit time today at the sewing machine and ironing board.
This week, both quilt guilds that I belong to have their September start-up meetings. To me, that's a sign that Fall is here and I am really looking forward to seeing what everyone has been up to this summer.
This week, I'm going to buckle down and work hard on my church raffle quilt this week. Before I left, I had 99 blocks done. I need a total of 128 before I start putting the top together. So I'm counting on getting those 29 done in the next few days. Then the rest of the week will be spent assembling the quilt top. It will be set up in a display at the church this coming weekend, in hopes of getting a few more hand quilters to work on another raffle quilt this winter.
Posted by GailM. at 7:27 PM 1 comment: Links to this post
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Denali National Park
We're in Denali National Park. We've seen spectacular mountain vistas all day from our glass top-deck train ride into the Denali National Forest. We're awestruck by the beauty of the mountains and the wilderness. We're at the lodge and are enjoying a nice walk around the lodge resort grounds.
|Scenery from the Train ride to Denali
|WHAT - they make chili out of Reindeer in Alaska!!!
|or how about Reindeer Mac and Cheese. NO WAY!! Santa would be disappointed at this!
|This is where the Ididerod starts from.
|A view of snow capped Mt. McKinnley - highest Mountain in north America
Posted by GailM. at 2:10 AM 2 comments: Links to this post
Sunday, September 11, 2011
A Whale of a Tale
Actually, this blogpost is about tails of whales. I was so moved to see so many humpback whales when we went through Snow Pass, Alaska on the cruise ship. The naturist speaker was narrating as we cruised at a snails pace through a narrow pass. It was the best viewing of whales all summer said the naturist. He was so excited.. The whales were bubble feeding on herring which is rare to see.
First, the naturist told us to watch for blows. That pinpoints the location of the whales. Then after two or three blows, the whale dives and shows his fluke.
It was beautiful to see all the blows, even from far away. Getting pictures of the flukes was tricky since they only showed for about a second and a half. but I did get a few.
First, the naturist told us to watch for blows. That pinpoints the location of the whales. Then after two or three blows, the whale dives and shows his fluke.
It was beautiful to see all the blows, even from far away. Getting pictures of the flukes was tricky since they only showed for about a second and a half. but I did get a few.
Posted by GailM. at 4:56 PM 4 comments: Links to this post
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Vancouver to Alaska
Today we board our Princess Cruise and will spend the next 7 days cruising up the west coast stopping in many ports like Ketchikan, Skagway, and Anchorage. We'll see many glaciers.Then we're taking a side trip for 3 days to the wilderness of Denali National Park.
I'll be back to my sewing machine in 10 days.
Posted by GailM. at 2:55 PM 4 comments: Links to this post
Thursday, September 1, 2011
A Cute Cute Embroidery Design
I've had my embroidery machine for a long time now. It was a phase for me. I still do the occasional quilt label for a raffle quilt but not much else. But this week I came on a really cute "pack" of embroidery files that are sweet for quilters and sewers. I bought the pack yesterday and it was a great excuse to get out the embroidery computer and hook it all up.
When I opened the zipped pack, and picked out the design I wanted to stitch, I near fell over when I learned that it required 23 different threads. I thought about not doing it... what a pain. I have tons of colors of thread, but it was the time to sit at the machine to wait for the thread change prompts. Oh, what to do.... But once I gathered all the threads that I needed, I was anxious to start. I used a heavier scrap of tafata type fabric to stitch out my sample on.
Over the span of a couple of hours, while I was sewing on my other machine, I tended to the thread changes, and enjoyed watching the sweet design appear. It was a little over half done and all that was left to do was the center. I couldn't stop now. I had to continue.
Ta da. Some 23 thread changes later, and I have a sweet 5" x 7" embroidery to make something with. It's done and I'm so pleased with it. It started out as a sample stitchout, but it's perfect, so I'm thinking that this would a sweet book cover? or mabey a cute bag to put sewing notions in? I'll think about it and decide later..
Posted by GailM. at 3:48 PM 4 comments: Links to this post
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Block Right Clicks
Block right-clicks on your ProofBuddy images with a bit of JavaScript
Give your clients coupon codes to get discounts off of their orders.
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New order notifications sent to your phone as a text message.
Transparent Overlay
Makes it more difficult for visitors to save your images by putting them behind a transparent image
Plugin to easily add watermarks to your images to make them a bit safer on the internet.