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Filed under: Art, Industry Change, Interview, Support Independents | Tags: Bank Vault, Book Publishing, Brussel Sprouts, Brussel Sprouts and Unicorns, Codex, DIY Publishing, Do it yourself Publishing, Hand made books, Independent Publishing, Library Editions, RBC Vault, Robert Chaplin, Royal Bank of Canada, Ten Counting Cat, Unicorns, Vancouver, Vancouver Artist
In the vault with Rob Chaplin: to listen to our conversation click this link.
I've known Rob Chaplin for a few years. Ever since he walked into Sophia Books – back when I was buyer there for art books & graphic weirdness – and asked me to take a few copies of Ten Counting Cat into stock for general sale.
No problem. After all, the writing was funny, the drawings were great and the design was bang-on.
It had everything that I wanted from a book: independent spirit, unique and well realized vision and a sense of humor.
So we took the books, put them in the shelves and displayed them in the window. It didn't take long for them to sell.
Part of the magic of Robert's books is that he does all the work himself. He writes, illustrates and designs each of his books. Then he sends the files to Friesens in Winnipeg and they send him a couple thousand books a few weeks later that he then sells to people, bookstores, libraries, whomever. It's an act of fine art, true dedication to his vision and more than a little wariness toward the entanglements of the standard book publishing process.
Robert and I have a tendency to bump into each other a couple of times a year at various speakeasy establishments and nocturnal gathering places where we'll sketch out plans for global conquest on napkins on the bartop.
When I was helping to plan Bookcamp Vancouver I knew that I had to include Robert in the program somehow.
He showed up in his trademark sweater with a backpack full of books.
Every time I turned a corner Robert was singing the rhymes of the Brussel Sprout or leading small groups of confused conference goers in the Oath Regarding the Existence of Unicorns.
It was hilarious.
I really like Rob's energy, his enthusiasm and his desire to demonstrate his independent approach. He's out there slinging funny rhymes, perpetrating great design and generating new ideas every day.
I just can't argue with that kind of dedication.
I'm really happy to be able to share this interview because we really get a chance to hear the fundamental breakdown of how Rob sees the creative/publishing process. It should be like manna from heaven for anyone out there looking for inspiration or help in their own DIY book projects.
For more information on Robert Chaplin, Library Editions and sterling silver brussel sprouts check out his website.
Filed under: Art, Enthusiasms, Imagination, Support Independents | Tags: Angels in the Angles, Art in Vancouver, Bachelor Machines, Christian Bok, Concrete Poetry, Donato Mancini, Gallery Atsui, Marina Roy, Mechanical Brides, Steve Calvert, Vancouver
I went down to the Gallery Atsui last night to check out the opening for the Angels in the Angles exhibition of concrete poetry. It's been guest curated by my friend Steve Calvert and he's done a great job conceptualizing and showcasing the work of Donato Mancini, Christian Bok and Marina Roy.
When I arrived at the Gallery I was impressed to see so many people crowded into the two rooms and spilling out the back door into the parking lot. A warm and convivial crowd, as they say. I met some cool people and made new friends and it was a really refreshing atmosphere. I think that the show will be a huge success.
The exhibition runs until the beginning of November so there's lots of time to check it out.
Steve will be haunting the gallery space on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 1-5 if you want to drop by for some added insight into the show and the artists' other works.
For more information about the ridiculously strong conceptualization for this show please check out Steve's intense "introduction" to the show on the Mechanical Brides website. Also includes artist bios and info on purchasing prints.
Books on the Radio will be rocking an interview with Steve in the next week or so for broadcast on CJSF 90.1 FM.
Filed under: Imagination, Support Independents | Tags: Ernesto Priego, Geof Huth, Never Neutral, Poetry, Video Poetry, Visual Poetry, YouTube, YouTube Poetry
I only know about this great poem because I follow him, Ernesto Priego, on twitter. Further evidence that twitter is not a vacuous hole of suburban non-sense (all the time).
Check out Ernesto's blog, Never Neutral, for more poetic experiments involving technology, text and comix.
The visual poet is the person who sees text where others see words, the visual poet is the one for whom words are not invisible portals toward meaning but concrete structures that harbor meaning, the visual poet is the person who loves the letter and the structures of sequences of letters over the word.
Filed under: Industry Change, Interview, Support Independents | Tags: 48 Hour Interview, Amy Logan Holmes, Book Oven, Book Publishing, BookCamp Toronto, BookCamp Vancouver, Clelia Scala, DRM, Fall Magazine, File Sharing, Future of Publishing, Hugh McGuire, Librivox, Librivox.org, Montreal, Open Book Toronto Magazine, Open Book: Toronto, P2P, P2P File Sharing Networks, Piracy, Publishing, Sean Cranbury, Toronto, Vancouver
Sometime around the middle of August I got an email from Amy Logan-Holmes at Open Book: Toronto asking whether I would be interested in participating in something called the 48 Hour Interview that would run in their Fall Issue.
She described it as an email exchange or co-interview between two people working within the books/publishing industry. The participants are free to discuss whatever they like provided that the 'interview' occurs within 48 consecutive hours and, I suppose, is at least tangentially related to the business at hand.
So I'm thinking, "Ok, that sounds doable. I wonder who she's going to pair me up with?"
And, of course, it was Hugh McGuire, co-creator of Book Oven and Librivox.org. Organizer of BookCamp Toronto and well-coiffed confidante of the Digital Literati.
No pressure, right?
It was a great, if somewhat long, interview that really dug into some key issues facing the evolving – convulsing? – book publishing industry today.
The whole thing was edited and punched into shape by the very talented Clelia Scala. Many thanks to Hugh and everyone at Open Book: Toronto.
For an example of something that I wrote for the interview that may or may not be interesting, please click the little red (more…) button below.
Filed under: Music, Support Independents | Tags: Chris Walter, Cobalt, Cobalt Tavern, GFY Press, Punch the Boss, Punk, Punk Books, Subhumans, Vancouver, Vancouver writer
Come celebrate the launch of Chris Walter's new book, Punch the Boss, on the final night for the legendary Cobalt, Vancouver's finest current punk venue.
September 26th featuring the Subhumans, Alcoholic White Trash and Speckled Jim. The Books on the Radio crew will be there!
If you don't know where the Cobalt is… ask around.
Filed under: Art, Imagination, Support Independents | Tags: Angels in the Angles, Art Exhibition, Atsui Gallery, Bachelor Machines, Christian Bok, Concrete Poetry, Donato Mancini, Marina Roy, Mechanical Brides, Poetry, Poets, Steve Calvert
Books on the Radio is happy to support this amazing exhibition of concrete poetry curated by Steve Calvert.
Featuring the incredible & beautiful work of Donato Mancini, Christian Bok and Marina Roy you can check out the exhibition at the Atsui Gallery from October 9 – November 3.
Check out the Bachelor Machines/Mechanical Brides site for more details.
As artists adapt to the growing insecurity of our national institutions, creative communities are presured to galvanize and grow stronger, more independent, industrious, and interdependent, developing means of production and trading networks in cultural and cosmopolitan pockets far and wide. In the absence of federal support, producing autonomously, even anonomously, we work for a future milieu which does not yet exist. Rushing in to fill the vacuum, exchanging ideas with a non-linear, open source, transhistorical temperment, we braid our conceptualizations beyond translation, openly hostile to that trust which has forsaken us… this utopia has been dreamed before.


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A Willingness to Change Opens the Door to Happiness
Score yourself on a Happiness Scale of 1 to 7
(1 means "not at all happy/satisfied with my life" and 7 means "completely happy/satisfied with my life").
The people on Forbes magazine's list of the 400 Richest Americans average 5.8
The Inuit people in Greenland and the cattle-herding Masai of Kenya, who live in dung huts with no electricity or running water averaged 5.8 the same as the 400 Richest Americans! How can this be?
Calcutta's slum dwellers score only a little lower, at 4.6!
Score yourself before and after you answer the 17 question below. How Happy/Satisfied Are You Right Now? What is your score? _____________ (1 2 3 4 5 6 7) Happiness Starts with a Willingness to Be Happy!
What is your Total Score Now? ______________
Track your before and after scores for 30 days on the chart below. INSTRUCTIONS:nbsp;This means that each day you will score your self on the Happiness/Satisfied scale.
Then you will read/answer the 17 Questions ABOVE.
Then you will score yourself again on the Happiness/Satisfied scale from 1 – 7.
That is It. The very fact that you focus your attention on Happiness and set an intention to Be Happy actually produces a change. Try It for 30 days and SEE for yourself.
|Today I Set an Intention to Be Happy: Yes or No
|Before Score
|After Score

subset: commoncrawl


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Merlin is the seductive puzzle, the druid trickster, the bearded mentor of young kings, the pawn of priestesses and faeries. Merlin steals the story as Gandalf, Yoda, Dumbledore and other reincarnations of the powerful, aphoristic sage. But the Merlin we think we know is a mere shade of the many Merlin's captured in literature from ancient times. Merlin: Priest of Nature, by the Celtic scholar Jean Markale, traces this Merlin backwards through time and tomes to a 12th century tale in verse called Vita Merlini by Geoffrey of Monmouth. That story came from ancient bardic myths and legends about a woods hermit and wild man called Myrddin Wyllt and a mash-up with a warrior chief named Aurelius Ambrosius (Merlinus Ambrosius), both figures that pre-dated Geoffrey's work and had nothing or little to do with Arthur and Excalibur. Geoffrey also developed a Merlin in his well-known Historia Regum Britanniae, and in his Prophetiae Merlini (Merlin's Prohecies).
Markale spins his Merlin story from etymological threads. There are amusing observations, like the probability that Merlinus was a more acceptable latinization of Myrddin than Merdinus, which comes uncomfortably close to the French merde. Geoffrey's audience was the educated class of Britain and Normandy and they would have known the French word to the detriment of the character. The Welsh, Celtic, Roman, Irish, Anglo-Saxon and other influences in the British Isles and along the Norman coast all serve to clarify the myriad bits that coalesce into a Merlin we accept today. If you enjoy getting lost in the etymological notes of the Oxford English Dictionary, as I do, you will be fascinated by the various permutations of Vivian, Niniane, Nimue, Gwendydd, Ganieda, Mordret, Medrawt, Morgan and more.
But, if that's too wonky for you, Merlin the enchanter is intriguing and ambiguous, as much myth as historical person. He may have been a wild woods-hermit, a bard, a sage, a magician who engineered Arthur's birth and set in motion a legend treasured for a thousand years, a madman besotted with the charms of the Lady of the Lake who immured him under a rock and tricked him into giving her his power. Markale makes the case that Merlin was an heir to druids, a prophet, a master of the natural world, a madman–above all, a literary construct borrowed from appealing narratives and emerging as a powerful and enduring celebrity.
Robert De Boron, a court cleric, added Merlin to a grail history and may have written Lancelot in Prose that firmly fixes Merlin in the story of Arthur. That Merlin goes on to meddle spectacularly with history and ultimately retires to the forest in isolated, divine madness. Sir Thomas Malory wrote a great Merlin character in his thousand-page epic Le Morte D'Arthur, which I keep taking off the bookshelf and then regretfully slipping back when I realize I still don't have time to finish it. Merlin's literary evolution is as interesting as the wizard himself.
Merlin: Priest of Nature is a read for those who like to unravel language, or anyone obsessed with the idea of Merlin, flawed bard, outsider, prophet and magician. Markale has included a prodigious amount of scholarship and reference material that would be a good jumping-off point for an in-depth study of Myrddin-Merlin, whoever he was or whatever we would make of him.
Merlin: Priest of Nature Jean Markale Inner Traditions 1995


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MSPA's mission is to provide school psychologists with leadership, support, legislative advocacy, and professional training to meet the needs of Minnesota children and youth. Within our vision, we focus on partnering with other school employed professionals to serve as effective leaders in supporting the learning, mental health, and well-being of children and youth through advocacy in action.
2018-2020 MSPA President
Dr. Julene Nolan
Upcoming events
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"Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community." – Anthony Burgess
Anderson's Septic and Sewer
Our roots in Nevada County run deep – the Anderson family has been living, working, and playing in Nevada County for five generations. We love this community and are proud to do business with you. We believe that the customer is the most important part of any business.
We welcome your feedback because it is a chance for us to continually improve. If you have had a great experience with us, please share it on our "Reviews" page. If your experience with us stunk, (and you're sure it wasn't the sewer smell) please call us and we will go the extra mile to make it right!
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here is a photo to show you what we like to do when we are not servicing your septic needs.
This is Big Red, a bull we raised on the ranch. He is seen here getting his annual checkup at UC Davis.


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About Bureau Local
The Bureau Local is a collaborative, investigative network revealing stories that matter to communities across the UK.
Launched in March 2017, we have built a network across the UK whose members include regional and national news outlets, local reporters, hyperlocal bloggers, technologists, community-minded citizens and specialist contributors.
We join forces on investigations with the aim of holding power to account at both a local and national level.
With each investigation, we make relevant information accessible to everyone in the network and help members find out how the issue plays out in their area. As reporting takes place across the country, we then connect the dots to create a national picture.
This collective reporting method produces broader and deeper investigations than would be possible by any individual newsroom, allowing us to shine a light on systemic issues and hold those in power to account.
The Bureau Local has been called "one of the most positive and effective interventions in local journalism in the UK for some time" and has won multiple awards, including the Innovation prize at both the British Journalism Awards (2017) and the European Press Prize (2018).
The Bureau Local was set up with funding from Google's Digital News Initiative and Open Society Foundations.
We believe that holding power to account, both locally and nationally, is crucial for a just and equitable society. And we believe local journalism is integral to this accountability.
But local investigative reporting is under threat.
The traditional commercial model for local news is collapsing and as a result, scrutiny of power at a local level is in a critical state.
This comes at a time when information about every area of public and private life which was previously found on paper now exists on computers. That means there is far more of it stored and often in ways that are inaccessible to the average person. Important stories often become hidden, too time-consuming or technologically complex to be done by individuals alone.
The age of the internet also means the way people access information is changing and so is the trust people have in the news.
We believe new models are needed to tackle these challenges and safeguard the future of quality news reporting. The Bureau Local wants to be one positive part of this change.
Our mission is to support, reinvigorate and innovate accountability reporting in the UK.
We collaborate across organisation and industry lines
We believe that by building a community of journalists, techies, designers, concerned citizens and people with specialist knowledge that contribute to investigative reporting, all of us will benefit from new 'acts of journalism'.
We collaborate with journalists from all backgrounds, platforms and sizes but also work with people outside the news industry.
We have already seen this play out in powerful ways in our network.
Coders help journalists with tech tasks; designers build visualisations for newsrooms; members of the public crowdsource information; experts bring forward contacts and insider knowledge: all with the common goal of shining a light on the truth. You can join the network here.
We apply our collaborative approach to all that we do and to each role within the Bureau Local team. Our data journalists contribute to the wider journalism ecosystem, our community organisers run a knowledge sharing meetup for those in the organising community and our director helps advise organisations who are setting up Bureau Local-inspired initiatives.
We rigorously investigate - from local stories to national issues
The Bureau Local's ability to pull together local experiences and reveal the national picture has led to calls from MPs across the country for change to immigration spot checks, a parliamentary debate, citations in a House of Commons Library report and a government consultation on domestic violence and new government guidance on homeless deaths.
We also support local reporters and storytellers to shine a light on untold stories in their communities through our Local Reporting Fund.
We make the investigative process open and accessible
We see data as more than numbers on a spreadsheet. To us, it is a vital insight into communities and an ever-growing wealth of evidence to drive local and national accountability. We believe data should be accessible for everyone.
So when we investigate an issue, we do the heavy lifting to harness data centrally and simplify the investigative process for journalists and the public.
We use technology to access, analyse and find stories in data and then combine it with local knowledge, research and reporting to tell the stories of the people the data represents.
We then open up our data, code and methodologies, and write reporting guides to make it easy for anyone to follow or expand on our investigations. You can access all our open resources, here.
We reach and include audiences in new ways
We believe that if our aim is to inform communities, we must work hard to reach them. And not just the narrow and traditional pool of news readers. As people access information in new ways, we must change the way we tell stories and ensure our work is inclusive and accessible.
Our Community Organiser role is focused on ensuring we report with, not just on, the communities we cover and mobilise communities around our journalism.
To do this we are experimenting with new ways to tell stories and build trust with communities.
We have run community forums, meetups and live journalism events around the country - including our general election and council budget 'collaborative reporting days'.
We also took our domestic violence investigation on the road, with the theatre show Refuge Woman. This one woman show was written and performed by a collaborator who had worked with us on the investigation. Her performance shed a light on her own lived experience. We took the show to eight locations across the UK: the cities and towns where local journalists worked with us on the collaborative investigation. Regional journalists and those working in the sector came on stage after each performance to discuss the issue in each local area.


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by Amy Lignor
It is an absolute truth that right now there are huge projects going on across the country in the areas of renewable energy sources; building grand solar power and wind power facilities to help taxpayers save money and help ecosystems thrive. There are water projects, wastewater management services – and the list goes on. But what about the small stuff that's ruining everything?
It was just this past weekend that this writer was struck unaware and completely sickened when she walked through one of the largest cities in this, our United States, and only saw litter, garbage and trash everywhere the eye could see.
Downtown Los Angeles is referred to as the Financial District by some. This, most likely, gives an Easterner the belief that you're walking 'Wall Street West.' This is beyond untrue. There are some huge department stores and swanky, high-priced nightclubs, as well as beautiful historic hotels, the STAPLES center, the USC campus, the Rose Garden – some truly beautiful things. However, these beautiful things go straight down the tubes as you do walk by to enjoy all they have to offer and only see the bulk of children and adults throwing their trash in the street (not to mention, straight into The Rose Garden bushes and other areas without even thinking twice.)
I won't even get into the 'down-and-out' sitting outside almost every building begging for handouts, or screaming for you to give them a cigarette, etc.. This is not an article to whine and moan about people needing jobs. But the complete impoliteness when it comes to everyone you pass – natives, mostly, because the tourists are actually still interested in bringing their politeness with them if they've come from such a place – and the constant watching of cups, plastic, napkins, you name it – being tossed without a thought in the world as to whether or not they could have hit one of the gazillion garbage cans that are offered on almost every corner, all adds up to nothing but a gross, disgusting trip.
There are better areas of the city, I grant you. And there is also 'Skid Row,' I grant you that. But when it comes to a tourist area…Hello??? Lists are out there across the internet; easy suggestions on how you can stop littering and help make your community cleaner – no matter what city your neighborhood happens to be located in.
The largest suggestion for me is to set an example by not littering yourself. Just like it is with people complaining about their children being on their cell phones or Facebook every five minutes, only to then see the parents pull out the cell phone and stay on Facebook for hours – the children I saw littering were basically following suit. Men and women my age would simply throw everything they had out on the ground, or leave it on an outside table for it to float away into the natural environment.
Picking up litter from your street – or even in front of your business – is yet another easy one. In smaller neighborhoods where people actually still speak with one another, asking neighbors to properly dispose of their trash is also something that can be done. You can carry a litter bag in your car – especially on long trips to L.A. where you build up your own pile of garbage and do not wish to simply heave it out the door.
As it is with The Rose Garden and other stunning locales, you could ask people to help, or at least show them what the difference is between a clean area and a gross one by doing it yourself.
I already know the answer to the last one. "Why bother? These people don't care." Maybe you're right. Maybe they've lived in such a world so long it simply doesn't matter anymore. However, one person can make another one do something; they can spread a message instead of spreading a line of garbage and litter wherever they go.
Most all business's I saw, as well as the historic areas had trash cans out front, as well as ashtrays in order to help people stop littering. There were signs about the environment, etcetera. Yet the people who don't care and litter anyway are also standing in the same line as others who are complaining that the environment is falling apart because people don't care anymore.
According to a California taxpayer, they each pay about $1,000+ per year just to have trash picked up; which does not count monthly trash collection. What's the total cost of litter pickup? It's pretty astounding when you look at the fact that Roadside Litter Pickup does not include: Lost tourist revenues (which they will continue to have because the city is becoming something out of one of the hideous/broken-down movie scenes they shoot there; recycling fees, lost business revenues because tourists do not want to stay in these areas, and more.
Perhaps talking isn't enough anymore to get people to see the light. Perhaps it is time to simply reject areas until they realize that they need to get it together in order for anyone to ever want to visit their city, neighborhood or community again.
Until Next Time, Everybody,


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...little kids you've ever seen?
Two kids sessions today, a fun break from all the seniors I've been shootin lately.
We have a TON of new kids images to post and I hope to get to them in the next week or so. I started getting a few of the images of the cutie patooties together but ran out of time and couldn't post them tonight.
The first cutie posted above got a little preferential treatment (That's my little baby! I just shot her 9 month pictures tonight but I'm a couple weeks late. My wife forgot to call and schedule an appointment and I've been booked solid so what's a few extra weeks. Paying customers first right!)
The other was from a session this afternoon. Those eyes just reach out and grab you, very captivating and a real cutie too!
I also have some new senior images to post from last week and some I'm shooting this week.
Stop back soon to see the new stuff.
The new studio is coming along nicely. I need to get some progress pictures posted, can you buy time on ebay? I need more of it.
That's it for now, me sleep.
Rock On,
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
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Review of Game #16 – Browns @ Steelers
Another horrible way to end the Browns' season – a loss the Steelers, a 4 – 12 record, and rumors swirling around yet another coaching change. Thankfully, this year is now behind all of us – there's no reason to believe anything will change in 2014, but for now the process begins. Before the draft, free agency, scouting combine, etc. commence let's take a look at the regular season finale.
Offense: Jason Campbell had a suspect game by quarterback standards, the norm by his. The quarterback went twenty-three of forty-one for 240 yards and a touchdown. However, he also lost a fumble, was sacked three times, and tossed a costly interception. If he could have made a play here or there, the result may have been differently – but alas that is moot. Campbell's future is unknown but he is likely on the way out – I wish him luck, as he played slightly better than I expected but not good enough to take the starting job.
On just eighteen carries, Edwin Baker led the squad with sixty-nine yards. I hope he sticks around with this franchise, as he can be an exceptional, complementary back. On Sunday though, he was unable to get into the end zone, something that occurred regularly over the past few weeks. In 2014, the Browns must get the right backs for the right system and utilize them better – I understand it will not be thirty-five carries, but at least 120 yards total as a team should be a weekly goal.
Tell me if you've heard this one before – Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron had solid contests while the other options were pedestrian. The duo combined for twelve grabs and 151 yards; these integral parts will be looking for reliable teammates who can advance the ball from the quarterback (whoever that will be). Josh Cooper had five catches for thirty-four yards, but was also a victim of a huge drop on fourth down. I would like for him to stick around, but it's too soon the tell. As far as the rest of the guys go, expect a gigantic overhaul – including the releases (or trades, if possible) of Davone Bess and Greg Little and acquisitions of wide outs via the draft and free agency.
The offensive line consisting of Garrett Gilkey and Oniel Cousins (following the injury to John Greco) played no worse than the starting unit. The Browns surrendered three sacks and were average in opening holes for Edwin Baker. The status of free agent-to-be Alex Mack looms large; if he departs, this group could see up to four new starters next season. Mitchell Schwartz is also another wild card. Will he remain at right tackle? Or will the former second round pick slide inside and become a guard? Finally, will he be playing for another team next year? Many questions remain for the offensive line going forward.
Defense: On the bright side, the Browns did not allow a 100-yard rusher for the first time in three weeks. However, the combination of Le'Veon Bell, Felix Jones, and Jonathan Dwyer eclipsed 120 yards on the ground – not particularly acceptable by the defensive line. Billy Winn and Ishmaa'ily Kitchen paved the way for the group with a combined seven tackles and a sack. The rest of the guys upfront really amounted to nothing, unfortunately. Phil Taylor was invisible and Ahytba Rubin was only able to muster a single tackle. As injuries and atrophy mounted this season, the defensive line obviously weakened. They need to continue to build depth in the offseason.
The linebackers definitely came to play on Sunday. D'Qwell Jackson (in his possible last game as a member of the Browns) had nine stops, while Craig Robertson finished with six tackles and secured an interception. On the outside, Paul Kruger was able to accrue seven takedowns and Jabaal Sheard had four tackles and a pass defended. Despite this production, the group does not feature a dynamic athlete who the opposition has to prepare for. That includes Barkevious Mingo (at least up to this point), as the rookie only made a pair of stops. Like many positional groups, changes will be made here – but this area is harder to predict.
Without the services of Joe Haden, the secondary played a little better than I would have thought. The opponent passed for less than 200 yards, and never hit on "the big play". The safeties of T.J. Ward and Tashaun Gipson had eight and six tackles, respectively, while the latter also had an interception. Given an opportunity to shine, rookie Leon McFadden defended a pass and had five tackles. The injury to Buster Skrine allowed Julian Posey and Jordan Poyer to see more action with the defense. The duo were adequate, finishing with three tackles each and preventing the Steelers from completing a deep pass. I'm intrigued to see the changes that will be made here next season (especially with T.J. Ward's contract expiring), and we could find out sooner rather than later.
Special Teams: As anticipated, the special teams battle was not the difference in the contest. Outside of a fine Jordan Poyer punt return, the statistics between the two squads were similar. I hope a few playmakers stay healthy next season and the Browns can get back to dominating this part of games – the way they used to.
Coaching: Maybe Chud knew his job was on the line and he wanted to prove his aggressiveness, but the coach went for it three times on fourth down (and was not successful once). And now the franchise is looking for a new head coach. The Browns' management has seen an entire calendar year at the helm; hopefully the correct changes are made in the coming months.


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Providing Superior Quality Service Since 1949
Murf's Guns, a gun store located in Southwest Oklahoma, started as a grocery store in 1949 by two Murphree brothers, Clinton and Haskell. As the grocery business grew, they started selling guns and it took off and Murf's Guns was founded. Murf's Guns is now owned and operated by third generation owner Kale Murphree. Murf's Guns has a great selection of rifles, shotguns, handguns, archery, reloading equipment and more! When you're in Duncan come on by, we bet you'll tell us, "you heard about this place and decided to check it out!"
This is for a size medium!
Order your shirt today "Where you get the most bang for your buck"!!(Shirts will ship within 5-7 business days)


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Places you must see
The second largest barock style Palace of the world, the magical former Palace of Queen Elisabeth.
During the private tour your guide will tell you about the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the life of Sisi. Discover the secrets of the Palace and take a pleasant walk in its beautiful Garden and have a Coffe and cake in the Palace Cafe!
You are welcome to take a private tour to the world-famous capital, which is only 2,5 hours' drive from Budapest.
This tour will give you a comprehensive impression of the most important historical sights of Vienna, such as the Ring (Boulevard), Urania District, the downtown with the Museum of Applied Arts, City Park, the State Opera House, Hofburg, Parliament, Town Hall, Burgtheater, Universities, Votiv Church, Graben and the Stephan's Cathedral.
Stroll through the charming Baroque streets of Szentendre, one of the most picturesque towns in Hungary.
This half-day private tour takes you to the enchanting town of Szentendre on the Danube Bend. Located just 20 minutes north of Budapest you will drive by air-conditioned vehicle to the artistic enclave and have time to stroll along the Baroque streets.
Individual wine-tasting tour of Budapest with no rush and with flexible itinerary.
Your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel and then will take you on a casual walk through the most atmospheric streets of the downtown of Pest. This tour is the best opportunity to have great wine-tasting experiences and see some impressive sights of the city.
Our Tours
- Private wine tours in and out of Budapest
- Private tours in Budapest
- Exclusive & Exciting
- Trips outside of Budapest
Looking for
holiday in Hungary?
Make your vacation to Hungary special with us!
We provide customized private guided sightseeing tours of Budapest and to the countryside of Hungary with professional, flexible and entertaining tour guides and comfortable, modern, air-conditioned vehicles!
Whatever you are interested in, from culinary arts to architecture, history, churches, or shopping, we will create an itinerary for you and offer unique ideas to exceed your expectations! Simply the best way to discover Hungary!


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Which Church?
Which Church?
This mission does not represent a uniform church or an organization, but joins together with all the large Christian communities in theirs proclamation of Jesus as the Savior for the world. Christians from all societies that believe in Jesus are my brothers and sisters.
The real church is in fact not a visible church that you can see with your eyes. The real church is invisible and lives inside all those who believe in Jesus as their Savior. In this church there are many Protestants, Evangelicals, Anglicans, Catholics, Orthodox etc. and even members that do not belong to any Christian community at all. The invisible church is Gods kingdom on Earth and the Holy Spirit of God lives in the heart of those who are part of this church, according to the Bible.
Jesus said: "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, See here! or See there! For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17, 20-21)
It should however be highly recommended for all Christians to also be part of a good Christian congregation/church; to share fellowship with other Christians, sharing the word of God, Communion etc.
This mission strongly dissociates from any sectarian Church community that adds or takes away from the words in the Gospels of the Bible and denies that Jesus alone is the only way to God.


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Our Studio
Architecture Belgique Inc, is a full service firm specializing in multi-family developments as well as having extensive experience in commercial and residential design. Since our establishment in 2003, we have enjoyed the opportunity to team up with clients to help realize their own unique vision, and we have taken great pride in seeing those visions become reality. We designed our own studio in historic downtown Midvale, Utah, to facilitate an open, collaborative working environment, and we encourage our clients to participate in the entire creative process.
Creating Communities
There is more to great architecture than what a building looks like. For us, the human element is paramount. How people interact and experience life is our primary focus when we plan shared, communal spaces. Our design concepts are continually evolving as we fuse input from our clients with our own extensive experience. Whether we are designing for large, multi-family unit developments, commercial or retail spaces, or individual homes, the ultimate aim is to bring people together in an environment that serves to enhance and elevate the standard of living.
Our award winning multi-family designs include 5-star luxury hotels, market rate class A apartments, as well as low income housing developments.
We are experienced in a diverse range of commercial architectural design including retail spaces, office buildings, houses of worship, medical facilities, and industrial type facilities.
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Mark 12:30 KJV – "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment."
We were challenged this weekend to love God with all that we are. Easy concept, right? Umm, no. Not so much. Not when you really take a good hard look at yourself. And that, my friend, is no fun.
The challenge began with "Who is #1 in your life?" Well, I'm at church, on a Sunday night. The Sunday school answer is "God", right? But when the question was asked again at the end of the challenge…the answer wasn't God, if I was being honest with myself. And that is tough stuff right there.
Love God with all my heart. What does that mean? As I have thought about it, I see it as loving God with all my emotion. Our heart is the center of our emotional state. When I love God with all my emotion, I make everything about Him. I choose to see His hand at work in my life. I allow Him to change and mold my attitude. Now, does that mean that I go around gushing and acting all cheesy? No. I believe that you can love God with all your heart by acknowledging Him every opportunity you get. You are deferring your emotion to Him. You are choosing to allow Him to guard and guide how you feel and respond. Loving God with all my heart.
Love God with all my soul. I think about this in this way – loving God with my eternity. My soul is something I can't see; I can't touch; but it is something I can give. I can give my soul back to it's Creator by choosing Jesus as my Savior. I can allow God to have control over my eternity. Loving God with all my soul.
Love God with all my mind. Some days, I do okay with this and others days, it's just plain ugly. In my way of thinking, this is loving God with thoughts. This is allowing God to control my thoughts. This is choosing to see things in the scope of eternity. "What would Jesus do?" It's not wearing your heart on your shirt sleeve but rather seeing all things in the light of the love of Christ. Letting Jesus control my thoughts. Loving God with all my mind.
Love God with all my strength. To me, this is my actions. These are the things that I do or don't do on a daily basis. This is reading my Bible. This is going to church when the doors are open. This is preparing for VBS. This is the physical action of the group. This is loving God with all my strength.
There are times when I get parts of this challenge spot on and there are times when I fail miserably. But you know what, God wants me to try my hardest. He wants me to make the choices to do things right and to seek Him daily. He knows when I am doing the best I can and when I am doing just enough to get by. This is where grace and mercy come into play. This is where I really need grace and mercy. And praise God, they never run out.
So this week, ask yourself "Who is #1 in my life?" And don't just give the Sunday school answer. Really look hard at yourself. Ponder where your priorities really are. Happy Tuesday.


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Lady Saints Set Up Showdown with 21st Straight Win
Brock Kappelmann - February 21, 2019 7:10 am
LIBERAL, Kan. – Every Lady Saint scored at least two points as the Seward County Community College women's basketball team routed the Northwest Tech Mavericks, 108-63, to extend its winning streak to 21 games.
The Lady Saints improved to 19-1 in conference play and 27-2 overall. Earlier in the day, Seward moved up to four places in the National Junior College Athletic Association poll to the number two position. The victory sets up a winner-take-all showdown for the Jayhawk West title against the Hutchinson Blue Dragons Saturday at home.
Every Seward starter hit double figures in scoring. Carla Covane had 20 points, Aquila Mucubaquire added 15 points, Karolina Szydlowska and Silvia Veloso netted 13 points each and Lexi Hernandez chipped in with 10 points for Seward, which hit 48.8 percent from the field and scored a season-high 108 points. Kalen Green also added a double-digit effort in scoring with 15 points off the bench.
Northwest Tech kept it close early, but the feeling was that it was just a matter of time before Lady Saints would pull away. After leading only 23-20 after the first quarter, Seward opened a 10-point advantage at the half. The second half was all Lady Saints, outscoring the Mavericks, 57-22, in the second half. Northwest Tech was held to just nine points in the final quarter.
N'Dea Flye had 25 points and Kiara Tharpe scored 18 for Northwest Tech, which fell to 2-18 in conference play and 2-26 overall.
Seward hosts Hutchinson for Sophomore Night at 6 p.m. on Saturday at the Greenhouse.


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Considering it all, it's fitting that the day she's to return to Pittsburgh exactly matches the day she left–cold, dreary, rainy, gray.
Archive for the 'heartbroken' Category
Legacy of a Year
Posted in heartbroken on April 1, 2017| Leave a Comment »
Peter Brant West – March 6, 2001.
Posted in heartbroken, Motherhood, the life that wasn't on March 6, 2017| Leave a Comment »
Tonight I'm lying alone in my bed, much as I was 16 years ago, with a minor ache or soreness around the right side of my rib cage. Then, it was his feet or his back, maybe. I don't actually know. Some part of his tiny self always lodged under the right side of my ribs.
I constantly had to stretch and arch back while using my hands to massage and nudge him down and over to a different spot. He would flip-flop and roll around and I would see belly waves of protest as he repositioned discovering yet another pokey tiny baby part to jam under my right ribs. I'll never know why that was his spot.
Sixteen years ago tonight was pure raw pain and panic. Memories morph between foggy shapes and colors, voices coming and going. There are deafening mechanical beeps and whirs from all the machines attached to me. Nurses in the hallway shout and cackle to one another, oblivious, yet somehow still unable to drown out the loudest, most unnerving of the sounds. The absence of a sound. The vacancy where I should have heard the swift swoosh, swoosh, swoosh, swoosh of a thriving neonatal heartbeat.
I don't know whether it's true or not, but in my memory the morphine drip has a distinct odor. It smells like chemical death as I lay there pressing the button again and again and again praying for the IV cocktail to release me from the horror of my present reality.
It didn't.
But even through my drug and grief induced stupor, sometimes the vividness of a moment rises through the haze. I can close my eyes and I'm back in that cavernous hospital room. The blood pressure cuff is rhythmically crushing my right arm to the point that my fingers purple and bulge. Somewhere nearby there's a new-for-the-occasion, terry cloth, powder blue robe that still hangs lifeless on the back of my bedroom door all these years later. Artificially induced labor contracts my body all night long preventing sleep–despite the gallons of morphine I must have absorbed. It's not enough to soothe the screaming chasm of a broken heart.
No drug would ever be enough for that.
Tonight's minor ache is a deliberate pain invoked as an outward, visible commemoration of that indelible internal scar. Tonight's pain is nothing by comparison, yet it's a poignant and bittersweet reminder. It's a necessary connection.
Pain is interesting. Usually we want to dull the pain. Or hide it. Or forget it. Tonight I'm grateful for pain. I'm grateful for pain that connects and reminds and softens. The discomfort of his tiny body ramming into the same spot of my ribs all day every day for nine months is now one of my most cherished, and painful, memories.
Thus, I have honored him with an outward symbol of the major memory that unites us.
We are encircled by snowdrop flowers that bloom every year around his birthday.
The Three of Me
Posted in heartbroken on February 18, 2017| Leave a Comment »
The Three of Me by William Bell.
When I first heard this song several months ago, I didn't get it. I thought it was weird and overly simple.
But now I get it. Worth a listen. Heartbreaking. Simple. True.
My Ambivalent Valentine
Posted in heartbroken, Learning, the life that wasn't on February 15, 2017| Leave a Comment »
Thankfully I've never cared much for Valentine's Day so today wasn't as hard as it could have been. In 36 years I've only "celebrated" or observed it 6 times–all of them with her–so it's not like there's a long tradition there to uphold or miss.
It's just any other day. The same as all the others that have now been abandoned. And thankfully now the pressure's off to appear to give a shit about such an overblown day.
That being said, I remember the exact moment I fell in love with her. And that's all I could think about all day. I wish I could rewind the years back to that spot and just relive those couple of hours at her apartment eight or nine years ago when she cooked me steak and zucchini with onions and we talked about writing and books and her stories. She vibrated with life when she talked about writing; her hands and voice literally shook with her passion for the stories and worlds and lives she had created. And she shared them with me. It was the most beautiful thing I'd seen in my life at that point.
I would live in that moment for the rest of my life–even if nothing ever advanced, even if it meant we never had a relationship–just to see her so alive, just to know she was happy and sharing something that brought her so much joy with someone who truly loved her talent and dedication to her art. I think it was the happiest I've ever seen her–except for the day my youngest son love-tackled her in the back yard and snuggled on top of her beside our buckets of tomato plants.
My perfect Valentine's Day–my perfect any day–would be to have those moments all over again.
But mostly I wish we could go back to then so she could be that happy, that much herself and alive again.
My perfect Valentine's Day–my perfect any day–would be to know that she's found that passion and happiness again.
Even if it's without me.
A Month
Posted in heartbroken on February 8, 2017| Leave a Comment »
A month into the new job. It's good. People are all nice and helpful and pleasant to work with.
It can be tedious and repetitive, but it's a paycheck and fullfilling my current needs, so I'll take it.
Forty hours a week, plus parenting two teenagers and a pre-teen (one of which is having serious medical/neurological needs at the moment and missing tons of school), plus 16 hours a week at the part-time job, plus trying to complete all the course work from last semester, plus, plus, plus…it's exhausting.
I have little expectation of actually completely the course work from last semester under the present conditions, so that's $9k I just added to my student loans with nothing to show for it. I think it's time to put that dream of an English/Writing degree and becoming an editor to bed for good. I've been wasting too much energy on what could be or what might be or what I'm hoping for instead of directing my energy and focus on what is.
It's time to be present in right now and put away all the distracting and wasteful wishes.
Words of Affirmation
Posted in heartbroken, Learning, Life and Times, the life that wasn't on February 5, 2017| Leave a Comment »
This past fall I read The 5 Love Languages: The Military Edition. I typically don't buy into relationship books like that because I'm a bit of a cynic and sometimes a snob. I work in a bookstore and often stock the shelves with the various editions of The 5 Love Languages franchise, and I'm always equally as intrigued by their claims to restore and save marriages as I am skeptical of those claims considering how broadly and generally those claims sweep. "Reading this one book will change your whole life," and "Contained within these pages is the secret to relationship longevity." These are the kind of statements that make me smirk, roll my eyes, and stuff the book back on the shelf.
I take issue with the idea that one book, one person's words, contains all the truth I need to get through life and relationships successfully. I think it's an arrogant assertion to suggest that in all the time of human history, this one man holds the secret to relationship success and happiness.
The fact that these are shelved in the Christian Living section didn't make it any easier for me to spend the cash on it. (Not because I have a general distaste for Christian books; but rather because of my very specific history with Christianity.) Of course, I'm someone who believes in accepting truth wherever I might find it, even if it did manage to blunder its way through a religious patriarch.
But I'd been intrigued by this particular edition, the military edition, for so long–every time I'd shelve in that section, I'd pick it up and flip through and read a few lines–that I started reading it on my break one day. Without even realizing what I was doing, I started underlining parts that resonated with me and writing notes in the margins. Couldn't very well put it back on the shelf after that, so it came home with me.
I have plenty of criticisms of the book–The 5 Love Languages in general, not just the military edition. There's too much god-ness for me. It's stiflingly heteronormative and traditional in approach to gender roles, and doesn't use or seem to know language that encompasses a variety of long-term, committed relationships, not just Christian marriages between a man and a woman. That being said, if you're willing to mentally edit the overly-religious parts and to interchange pronouns to suit your circumstances, it's truly an insightful and useful little book.
There's plenty of truth and sound advice and experiential wisdom in there. I learned that my love language is not what I thought it was; or maybe it's more accurate to say, I learned that my love language is more than I thought it was. I've always known, even before the phrase "love language" existed, that I feel loved and secure and confident in a relationship–no matter what kind it is–through acts, demonstrations, cooperation in tasks/chores, teamwork. Doing. Being on the receiving end of Doing is what has always felt like love to me. The 5 Love Languages calls it Acts of Service.
As it turns out, while that's still true, what's more true is that even when someone is doing and is a person of action in the relationship, I can still feel a lack. A distance, an insecurity in whether or not they truly love me. I realized through reading this book that a possible reason I could feel that lack or insecurity is because my love needs were in fact not being fully met. Yes, acts of service are absolutely vital for me to be a partner in sustaining a healthy, loving relationship; but also, I need words. Words of Affirmation according to The 5 Love Languages. My Words of Affirmation score was even higher than my Acts of Service score. I found this fascinating because I'm a firm, lifelong believer in walking the walk. Anybody can say the right words, but those words need to be backed up by action. That's always been my philosophy, and still is. But it's also my philosophy that solid actions need to be supported and enhanced by the right words.
Posted in heartbroken, the life that wasn't on February 2, 2017| Leave a Comment »
It's as hard and time-consuming and soul-flattening as expected. Separating our stuff; packing hers; daily encountering the now vacant spaces all around me that were once crowded by her presence and influence. Logically, I'd expected to face fewer painful memories by removing the things around me that elicited those memories. That maybe by cutting out the physical reminders, I'd have a chance at moving on.
I had no idea the shadows would be worse. The places now where she isn't, where her stuff isn't, where her presence isn't, those places are now somehow alive with memories where previously there simply sat inanimate objects that represented her. With those removed, it's like the memories suddenly have room to breathe and move. Everywhere I turn I am haunted by the empty, the lack, the absence. The nothing.
To expunge is vital. Eliminate. Erase. To treat as though it never happened. Deep-six.
As much as that's what's needed under the circumstances, it's impossible to carry out from a practicality standpoint. At least for the time-being. I mean, how do you carry on as though someone never happened to you when she's still paying some of your bills, and when her army family readiness group can't manage to remove your email address from their mailing list despite having been asked several times? Reading the excitement and anticipation of all those other family members who get to be thrilled now that the half-way point has come and gone, now that it's even close enough to start counting down the weeks until they're home…it's just cruel. I thought I had earned that celebration too, and it would be more tolerable to swallow that I'm no longer part of that if I didn't keep getting weekly status updates.
No. That's a lie. It would never be more tolerable to swallow.
It's kinda like when you're in high school and everyone is talking about how great the party will be that you're not invited to. It's just hateful.
But we're still too entangled which is what I'm working on solving.


text: Steve Sommers loves his leather and big daddy bear Jack Stafford loves taking cock. It's a perfect match! Except we didn't know just how much of a great fit these two were going to be until they met. Watch as these two hit it off and get nasty in this very verbal, dirty, trash talking scene. Bald Jack worships Steve's thick dick and gets his hole rimmed before getting filled and plowed by his hairy hookup's hard man-meat. Steve pounds away at Jack's slick wet hole and he loves watching Big Daddy's bubble butt bounce and jiggle with every thrust. When Steve is finally ready to dump his load, Jack is all too eager to suck him dry and lick his cock clean. These big raunchy bears truly know how to put on a show!


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Nematodes, microscopic worms, are so small that one handful of soil may contain thousands. While some types of nematodes in the soil are beneficial, such as those that feed on fungi, others are plant parasites. Soil solarization is the only way to kill nematodes, but there are numerous ways to decrease the population in the soil.
Harness the Sun's Power
Soil solarization is a method of heating the soil to temperatures that kill certain nematodes. A soil temperature of 125 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes, for example, kills root knot nematodes and their eggs. Solarization, which you need to do in summer, also kills weed seeds and many types of fungi and bacteria. To get started, remove any debris from the planting area, including weeds, rocks and roots -- the soil should be completely level. Water the area to a depth of 12 inches and use a rake to make sure the bed is level. Cover the area with clear "painter's plastic" with a thickness between 1 and 4 mil. The plastic must remain tight against the ground, so shovel soil over the edges to keep it in place. Allow the plastic to remain on the soil for up to six weeks -- longer if you live in a region with cool summers.
Bare the Soil
Leaving the soil unplanted and bare is known as fallowing. The problem with using this technique to rid the soil of nematodes is that it takes an entire year and still some nematodes will remain. In two years, you'll have fewer nematodes. During the fallow period, keep the soil moist and the area free of weeds. Fallowing requires repeating every other year. One way to manage this is to divide the garden into thirds and rotate the fallow area every year.
Cover Crops
Cover crops are plants that are grown between seasons. For example, farm land that appears to be covered in weeds may be growing cover crops. Farmers grow these crops to help boost soil fertility or reduce erosion. Cover crops that are resistant to nematodes work to keep their population in check. If there is nothing for the pests to eat, many will die. You can use this same technique in your yard. The problem with using cover crops is that crop resistance is specific to nematode species, so you'll need to know exactly which nematode you're dealing with. For example, rye (Secale cereal), an annual grass, resists root knot nematodes but not sting nematodes.
Organics Matter
Organic matter, including compost, grass clippings and leaves, can be added to the soil to boost your plants' ability to resist nematode damage. When nematodes munch on a plant's roots, the plant has difficulty absorbing water and nutrients from the soil. If the soil is rich in organic material, it is better able to hold water and nutrients for the plant to access. While adding organic matter to the soil doesn't kill nematodes, it does help a plant resist the damage they can cause.
Related Articles
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln: What Is a Nematode?
- University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program: Nematodes
- University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program: Soil Solarization for Gardens & Landscapes
- United States Department of Agriculture: Bermudagrass
- University of California, Alameda County Master Gardeners: Cover Crops in Vegetable Gardening


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Last night in New York City, celebrities gathered to celebrate the 20th annual Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Media Awards. Several lesbians were honored as part of the ceremony.
Suze Orman with T.R. Knight
The lesbian financial guru was recognized with the Vito Russo Award, which is presented to "an openly lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for the LGBT community."
In her acceptance speech, Orman said she wants the LGBT community to take note of the corporations that put their "time and money" behind us:
Kate Clinton
The lesbian comedian hosted the show.
Cherry Jones with Phil Donahue
The 24 actress presented Donahue with a a Special Recognition Award for his television work.
Others in attendance include:
Jane Velez-Mitchell
Fringe's Jasika Nicole with Jay Manuel
Heather Matarazzo with Michelle Clunie and GLAAD president Neil G. Giulliano
Some other notable winners of the evening include k.d. lang for Outstanding Music Artist and Buffy the Vampire Slayer for Outstanding Comic Book. MSNBC commentator Keith Olbermann won for Outstanding TV Journalism Segment for his Prop 8 segment, "Special Comment: Gay Marriage is a Question of Love" on Coutndown earlier this year.
Read the full-list of winners and see more photos from the event at the GLAAD website. Additional awards will be presented in Los Angeles on April 18 at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live, and in San Francisco on May 9 at the Hilton San Francisco, including special recognition of Kathy Griffin and The L Word.


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This post was co-authored with Bob Moesta, Managing Partner of The Re-Wired Group in Detroit. While it's written from my perspective, he was central to the development of the idea.
"How's your book launch coming?" Bob asked me.
"Ugh. I don't want to talk about my book. Can't we just dive into working on another post about progress?" I said, trying to avoid my towering pre-publication checklist.
"Sure, Whitney. But if you're going to write about progress, you might want to make some."
Okay. Bob didn't actually say that, but he could have. Six months before publication, I found myself skittering off to new ideas rather than attending to the task right in front of me. Why was I procrastinating?, I wondered. Writing a book has been on my bucket list for years. I knew how important it was to have a successful launch, yet here I was doing nothing.
So with Bob's help, I started to analyze what was happening within the framework of our theoretical Equation of Progress. We would examine my stalled plans in order to better understand how people make progress, and more specifically, what leads us to innovate.
We had hypothesized that progress could only be made if the push of a situation (a frustration or problem to be solved) and the pull of an enticing new idea were greater than the forces holding us back — our allegiance to past behavior (the status quo) and anxiety.
Certainly, I had experienced a "pull" to write the book. Dare, Dream, Do was inspired by my interactions with people who weren't sure they had a dream, or worse, who didn't believe it was their privilege to dream. And there was obviously a "push" because I finished writing the book. Deadlines are good that way.
But the prospect of now tackling a lengthy punch list — build a website, create a speaker's sheet, film a speaker's reel, record an audio Q&A, finalize/plead for blurbs, finalize copy edits, write an e-book to accompany the book — obscured my vision of a future where readers would hold the book in their hands and be inspired to dream. The eventual payoff of completing these tasks wasn't immediately enticing enough to overcome my present inertia, i.e. allegiance to the status quo. No wonder I wasn't making progress.
That all changed when anxiety kicked in about at four months to pub date. I had always thought of procrastination as a bad actor, anxiety even worse. But in analyzing what I thought were merely stall tactics, I've come to realize that the anxiety caused by procrastination is actually a critical component to innovation. Research supports this. Anxiety, in the right quantities, can propel us forward.
According to the Journal of Management, NASA scientists and engineers found that performance increases as deadlines shorten, but when the deadlines became too short, performance declined. Dr. Ellen F. Weber, award-winning founder of Mita Brain Center, states: "while frustration or fear can flood the brain with cortisol, if anxiety is managed properly, anticipation can produce that feel-good dopamine that primes the pump of progress, or innovation." In other words, as the deadline neared, my apprehension around the to-do list actually wasn't just outweighed by the pull of the commitments I'd made to my editor, publicist, and to myself, the anxiety per se helped increase the pull.
The innovations, or newly introduced ideas and methods, that have emerged from my anxiety around the book launch include:
1) View the book as a product. I realized my anxiety was caused, in part, by the unfamiliar experience of launching a book. By reframing it as being analogous to launching a business, I talked myself down. I've never published a book before, but I have incubated businesses. When you're overwhelmed by a new project, look to your past for similar problems you've already solved. Just as a business model is required to maximize the reach of a simplifying technology, so too is a business model required to maximize the reach of a book. Looking at the book as a product has helped me lock into great ideas and energized my efforts.
2) Write my way through the launch. Just as scientists meticulously record daily findings to ensure that each experiment is replicable and accurate conclusions are drawn, I realized I could write about my experience of publishing a book. Dissecting the process and hoping that my experience may be helpful to others has turned out to be powerful motivator (and a source of content for my blog). When you can zoom out and view your experience in the abstract, you create the necessary distance to be objective about your own performance. In essence, you give yourself a general's panorama of the battlefield rather than the limited view of a foot solider. Vision is essential for innovation.
3) Collaborate — and accept the help of others. Though I've written about the importance of collaboration, I struggle to do it well, and even more so to receive help. The anxiety factor has pushed me to reach out, something I might not have been willing to do previously. I've found fantastic partners who have enriched my efforts with their resources and granted me access to specialized knowledge that will strengthen my "product." Sometimes anxiety can be the tool that forces us past imagined boundaries into a brave new world of possibility.
As I have begun to innovate, to introduce new ideas and ways of doing things, frustration and anxiety have given way to the anticipation of my book selling. In hindsight, it's easy to think that progress is a simple left to right beeline, rather than something approximating a Wild West duel between you, and you. It's also tempting to glorify "push" (the problem to be solved) and "pull" (the exciting new idea) as the forces of progress we laud in entrepreneurs. But sometimes your weaknesses (procrastination and anxiety) may actually be the "red-hot coal stuck in the throat" that summons your superpowers. Or as Bob Moesta writes, "The moment of struggle is the defining act of innovation." So, the next time you want to move your business or you forward, consider the role all four variables play, but then look to the bottom line: put your anxiety to work and innovate.
To think more about the four variables involved in progress, consider reading:
Why I'm Glad Sheryl Sandberg Isn't On Facebook's Board
The Essence of a Great Presentation
Allegiance to the Past
Battling Entitlement, the Innovation Killer
The Long of Coming Up Short
This post originally appeared at Harvard Business Review.


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Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for The Kevin Carter Foundation
Time flies when you're madly in love!
Bachelor Nation fans had a big reason to celebrate this week as Kaitlyn Bristowe and Shawn Booth celebrated a major anniversary. Believe it or not, it's been three years since the couple got engaged on The Bachelorette.
While the franchise may have experienced a few public breakups in recent months, these two are proving lasting relationships can be built once cameras stop rolling. In fact, the couple is more excited than ever before about their future together.
"We don't even know where we see ourselves next week," Kaitlyn joked to E! News exclusively after marking the special day. "We just hope we are healthy and happy. Maybe married. Maybe babies? Ok I'll calm down."
While the pair admitted to not having a wedding date set just yet, Kaitlyn has participated in a few wedding dress shoots. And yes, both the bride and groom-to-be have some predictions about what their special day will include.


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Album Reviews
Zero: Procrastination
What do you get when India's premier rock and roll band come out of slumber to give you a much delayed album?
Answer: The album of your lives!
Zero's long, really long-awaited album 'Procrastination' hits you like Hurricane Katrina on crack. The variety on the album is trademark Mendonsa, with Rajeev's vocals dancing around the riffs. Bobby follows Sid's killer drum patterns around expertly with some really catchy bass lines.
The album opens with what I think should be the country's new national anthem. A live drum track on "PSP 12″" gives it exactly what it missed on 'Hook' — some real feel. With what Warren himself calls "roaring guitars", the chorus comes to life every time you listen to it. Similar treatment has been doled out to "Old Man Sitting On the Back Porch", and I'm sure it would make even the oldest of men sit up and take notice.
The soulful "Cry" and "Her" give the album a bluesy touch with killer vocal harmonies, and some nice lyrics. The guitar solo on "Ayaya" makes you wish that Zero came up with more albums, more frequently. Another break-up song, "Ayaya" forms the ideal mature follow up to "Not My Kind of Girl" from 'Hook'.
The "Everyday Love Song" makes for an ideal single off the album, with its Lynyrd Skynyrd-like treatment, though the tune does remind you of Poison's "Every Rose Has Its Thorn". Rajeev's trippy rap around the riff on "Stop" makes this song about being a junkie too much fun to be true. Bobby Talwar, who was recently nominated for a Young Music Entrepeneur award, shows off his bass-playing skills on songs like "I Ain't Satisfied" and "Lullabye".
Coming to what are the two best tracks on the album, I am lost for words, and that really doesn't happen too often. The arrangement on "Hate In E-Minor" (with Rajeev's girlfriend Nisha screaming "I hate you" in the chorus) is as good as it gets.
The track of the album is, of course, "Mariachi". Probably the only Zero song where you can justifiably headbang, this track is as close to perfection as you can get. With lyrics that relate to a personal hell, Warren's crazy fast picking at the end and Rajeev rapping like he's high, this is one song you'd want to carry everywhere with you and probably play it on repeat on every play list you possibly create.
'Procrastination' has better production values than 'Hook' thanks to the recording being done at the swank Empire Studios. Warren Mendonsa gives us further proof of his reign on all things melodic, with his Jimmy Page inspired overdub work on the album.
The only drawback with the album, as is with Zero's work, is that almost all their songs focus on love and/or break ups. It is interesting that when they do let up from these themes, they come up with absolute gems like "Mariachi" and "Stop". Either way, anybody who tells you they're bored of listening to a Zero album is as bad a liar as you can find.
December 6, 2007, 3:53 am
where can I get my hands on this album in the US?
December 15, 2007, 12:40 am
The album wont be available in the US, and is most probably sold out here too.
December 16, 2007, 11:11 am
While it's clear that the reviewer enjoyed the album a lot, the write-up is lacking in
analysis. Most of the comments are hyperbolic and while there's nothing wrong
in a review being exuberant, this reads like an "O man, that was awesome" conversation
between two friends (from a metro).
December 19, 2007, 1:06 pm
I love the album cover. WTF the album is sold out? Come on get a distribution deal in Bangalore.
December 22, 2007, 7:32 pm
Agree with comments from Anirudh, the reviewer could have been much much more elaborate on the album as a whole considering the perspective of the reader. Anyway, if the album is sold out, why the review ? :P
December 26, 2007, 10:31 pm
Anirudh: I am guilty as charged. It is the best album to come out of the Indian scene.
Secondly, I recommend this album to you, so I have a partner in my gushing. :)
Any lack of analysis here is attributed to the sheer brilliance of Warren Mendonsa.
Prad: The review because it deserves to be on most 'best of' lists everywhere.
April 3, 2008, 10:34 pm
You guys want the album? just ask them. Most of the band is on facebook or orkut.
@ Vineet…"Any lack of analysis here is attributed to the sheer brilliance of Warren Mendonsa."
I totally agree!!
September 28, 2008, 4:03 am
Zero is over. This years Independence Rock was their last gig ever. AND they cut psp midway cuz cops wudnt let them play past 10 pm :|
I cry whenever I see really gay musicians doing good worldwide when a REAL RARE GEMS like ZERO get this..
I have absolutely no doubt in my mind whatsoever that millions of years later when they find our CDs and IPods during excavations of the planet they will learn that Zero was the GOD of music..
There was a gig in Borivali once where zero played lotta post procrastination tracks…. does neone have those tracks? mail me at poddarharsh [at@] hotmail [dot.] com
August 26, 2009, 5:24 pm
Can we expect an official website of the band "ZERO" with all the buzz and lyrics too??


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This tour will take you on a journey to see the Upper and Lower Falls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The ice bridge and deep snow make this a sight you will not forget that only a few visitors ever experience.
Join us as we explore the world famous geological elements – Old Faithful and the Lower and Upper Geyser basins of Yellowstone National Park. Also enjoy the varied wildlife that populate the Madison and Firehole rivers in winter.
Since 1971 we have been leading the way with fun, hassle-free winter vacations. Part of what makes a "Winter in Wonderland" experience so special is our unique mode of over snow transportation – the 'Snowcoach'. We convert our summer touring vans into customized winter snowcoaches by replacing the wheels with tracks and skis. With their large clear viewing windows, spacious seating and headroom, our wide variety of snowcoaches are perfect for any group, small or large. Our local experienced interpretive guides enhance your experience with their knowledge of the Park.
What should I wear?
We recommend you wear winter clothing including snowshoes or walking boots. You will have several opportunities to get out and walk around, however the Coaches are heated and so to remain comfortable you should wear layers.
How long do the tours last?
All tours are full day, departing at 8:30 AM and returning to West Yellowstone around 4:30 PM
Do we need Park Passes?
Yes, everyone over the age of 15 needs a Park Pass and these are NOT INCLUDED in the price of the tour. Pass restrictions are different for commercial tours, for example a National Pass or Senior Pass will admit the holder plus 3 other adults in the same party. A Golden Age pass will only admit the pass holder & spouse. We can issue you with daily, weekly & Snowcoach/Snowmobile combo passes at the Front Desk.
Should we bring a lunch?
Lunch is provided! You may bring your own meals, additional drinks or snacks if you desire.
What ages are snowcoach tour suitable for?
Snowcoaches are perfect for all ages. We make many stops both in and out, but don't worry, you don't have to get out at every one if you don't want to. But why would you not? Young children are required to use a car seat. Please bring your own as we cannot supply these.


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Tipperary Sports Partnership is facilitating a 6 week Women's Swimming Programme in Clonmel Swimming Pool and Thurles Leisure Centre. The programme is aimed at women who can swim at least 2 lengths of a pool confidently and wish to improve their technique and increase swimming distance. Please note the programme is not suitable for non-swimmers ie. this programme is not swimming lessons it is for improving a swimmers technique.
The programme designed by Swim Ireland consists of one structured coaching session in lanes weekly with valuable feedback given. A beginners formal workout programme to follow is also provided in order to complete a second session weekly at a time of your choice with the cost of this swim also covered in the price.
The coached session will take place on Tuesday nights starting 18th September at the following times:
Clonmel Swimming Pool
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Thurles Leisure Centre
Time: 8.45-9.45pm
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Nasser Al Attiyah won the Qatar International Rally yesterday after a fascinating battle with the UAE's Sheikh Khalid Al-Qassimi who sounded a clear message that Abu Dhabi Racing has arrived as a major force in the FIA Middle East Rally Championship.
While defending Middle East champion Al-Attiyah secured victory on home territory to take an immediate lead in this year's regional title race, he now knows the size of the threat he faces from Al-Qassimi in the impressive Abu Dhabi Citroën Total World Rally Team DS3 RRC.
Only 15.2 seconds separated the top two seeds before the crucial turning point in the rally when a puncture effectively ended the UAE star's hopes of victory on the tenth of the event's 12 special stages.
Up until then, Al-Qassimi had been well in the hunt in the debut event for the new five-car Abu Dhabi Racing team, which he is leading in the 2013 FIA Middle East Championship.
Al-Attiyah eventually reached the finish in Doha with a winning margin of 55.7 seconds from Al-Qassimi, who had surprised the home favorite by leading the rally at the half way mark, having been out of action for most of last year as he recovered from injury.
Qatari Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari finished third, with fellow countryman Khalid Al-Suwaidi, the UAE's Sheikh Abdulllah Al-Qassimi and Saudi Yazeed Al-Rajhi completing the top six.
Completing a fine debut for Abu Dhabi Racing, Bader Al-Jabri finished runner-up in the championship's new Group N category and was placed eighth overall.
And there was instant success for another of Al-Jabri's Emirati teammates, Mohammed Al-Sahlawi, a complete newcomer to rallying who topped the new two-wheel drive category in his Citroën DS3 R3, and secured a top ten finish in his first event.
There was disappointment for the two other members of the Abu Dhabi Racing team, Majid Al Shamsi and Mohammed Al Mutawaa, who had both impressed on Friday's first leg.
On the second leg's first special stage, first leg two-wheel drive leader Al-Mutawaa, went out after rolling his Citroën DS3 R3, although he was unhurt. Al-Shami, lying second overnight in Group N, suffered a premature exit because of mechanical problems on the same stage.
Initially, at the end of Friday's first leg, Al-Attiyah had been credited with a 4.8 seconds advantage over Al-Qassimi. But later one of Al-Qassimi's special stage times from the opening day was corrected, giving him a lead of 2.2 seconds.
source: www.arabnews.com


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Ava Sambora is the 18-year-old daughter of actress Heather Locklear and rocker Richie Sambora. Ava is now a professional bikini model representing Baes and Bikinis, a swimwear line created by Malibu teen designer, Stephanie Princi. Princi says her swimsuits are inspired by the beaches of Greece, Hawaii and her native Malibu.
Baes and Bikinis' handmade one-of-a-kind, high-end, silky crocheted bikini (as seen in photo) is The Chanel Roal Blue Romper which was originally priced at $599. It's now on sale for $299.


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The time has come. It will be a year unlike any I have seen in my life to date. So full of hope, so full of promise, and with an incredible amount of opportunity. This picture shows one of my favorite places in San Jose. Belgatos Park. It is here on a hill before you reach a San Jose Mountain known as Mt. Umuhnum, you can turn around, and find the beauty that propels you to incredible moments of inward focus.
This is the year my 2nd baby is coming to join my family, and on January 19, I will have the privilege of seeing my wife's scheduled c-section - and bringing my new baby boy into the world. Words cannot express how blessed I have been. I am coming off one of the most successful months of my career in December with 7 staffing placements. It would have been 8, or possibly 9 but I had some fall offs, a gentleman that started and than accepted another offer after working at my client for 1 week. But he was the exception rather than the rule.
It has been a shaky economy, that has retransformed how individuals do their jobs, look to connect with colleagues, and move forward in their careers. Every career has it's dynamic moments, and ups and downs to be certain. But when a person puts forth their best efforts they start to live life with so much more purpose as to start really nailing the obstacles and finding hope within the journey.
Starting in 2007 through 2008, and reaching it's zenith in 2009, the economy has stretched individuals, and families to their limit. These fluctuations, couple with a more competitive business climate than ever before has lent itself to people and individuals reinventing themselves.
It is a time that will be remembered in history for the days it gave individuals challenges, but I know it will be a time where people remember how people overcame the challenges of economic uncertainty, and raised their best selves to become something incredible.
As I view the very picture that was taken from a place where I have made so many important decisions. Where I can look down on the "valley of the heart's delight", where the song - "Do You Know The Way To San Jose?" still rings in my ears. Where the Silicon Valley goliaths of Google, Linkedin, Twitter, Facebook, Cisco, Apple, and many more all have their headquarters. It is the year where the economy is showing a bit of promise, and where staffing will once again be the place to hang one's hat. It is time my fellow staffing professionals, to get the ball rolling, this will be the year to have your Social Networking Web 2.0 presence be the magnet that pulls the right candidate to the forefront. This is going to be a fun year to work at my company netPolarity, we are poised to make a HUGE impact on the scene, and the talent is ripe for making a major contribution to our community and to the nation as we help great candidates rejoin the labor force, and offer great value to our clients.
I am at a stage where the structure of my company's business has transformed - and with great changes, we have already felt the movement of success, moving towards us steadily. This week as my Account Executive who oversees our new team structure, ask us to list our personal goals, and then gave us a challenge to seek out and make a financial goal, to challenge our very inward idea of what success is, and redefine it, reinvent it so that we can shoot for something higher than we previously thought possible.
With so many opportunities, it does appear the likelihood will be we continue to hire both internal staff, but also work hard to fill our client's roles quickly and efficiently.
And so it is a time so unlike any other. With so many opportunities, and an incredible work place it will be a year I will definitely remember. Our time has come as staffing industry professionals to find work for exceptional candidates. In this climate, skill marketing candidates once you have identified talent is a major opportunity.
It is my opinion that the staffing industry is going to be a wonderful place to work, grow, and make a difference. It is an important time to reconnect with your inward drive for greatness, and that will be the ultimate determinant for how we as staffing professionals rise to the challenges.
It trully is going to be a January I will never forget. And it will be a time where I will find success.
May your New Year be bright and full of promise. Let's make every effort to help job seekers find their hope once again. Time to forge ahead and make a difference. It is the year of the recruiter - starting in Silicon Valley and working outward as the economy improves, recruiting/staffing will be at the source of the economic recovery. Cheers to 2011, and Cheers for the most wonderful profession in the world - Staffing and HR.
Views: 48


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As you might know I have an Alice in Wonderland set in my shop. Many requests came in to create the Mad Hatter. Last Monday I started making him. The first doll was much smaller than Alice and the Cheshire Cat, so I started again. I have an almost finished Mad Hatter, but his hat is too small and he looks like a young man. Despite his gray hair. All my dolls have a youthful appearance and this one too. I will work on him a little more and this means he will not be finished before the weekend.
Mad HatterThursday, March 25, 2010
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Cordial Comptroller Candidates
September 2nd, 2009
It probably reflects the nature of the jobs they are running for but, while the candidate for public advocate seem to like to mix it up with one another, encounters between the four Democrats vying for city comptroller are unfailingly polite. Tonight's debate, sponsored by the Citizens Budget Commission and the Baruch College School of Public Affairs, remained unfailingly cordial and largely high minded as Melinda Katz, John Liu, David Weprin and David Yassky discussed how they would deal with the city's budget deficit, invest employee pension funds and run the comptroller's office. Even when the candidates challenged one another — as when Weprin asked Yassky to defend his vote to extend term limits or Liu asked Weprin about his outside income — the tone was measured, voices calm.
The debate did reveal some differences between the candidates, which, while significant, probably do not concern the kind of things likely to send New Yorkers to the barricades.
A few examples after the jump.
–When asked about assessing government services, Yassky said, "You really should be meaning productivity, output per dollar."
His opponents disagreed. "Not everything can be boiled down to unit cost," said Liu, adding that in education in particular, "we have to bring back some humanity."
–The candidates also parted from Yassky on his plan to invest 5 percent of the city's pension fund monies in green technologies, saying that while they supported environmentally friendly enterprises, they did not want to commit to a set figure for investments in them.
–Neither Yassky or Katz would change the current property tax system that puts a greater burden on renters, business owners and residents of co-ops and condos than it does on those with single, two or three family homes. Weprin would try to provide relief to co-op and condo owners without increasing taxes on other homeowners, while Liu said he would put together a plan to "rebalance" the burden that could be phased in "over a period of time."
–Weprin continued to push his plan to set up comptroller's offices in upper Manhattan and the other boroughs. None of his opponents agreed. "The comptroller's office is not the public advocate's office, " Katz said.
Mostly the candidates differed in emphasis. Liu, Katz and Weprin all criticized the running of the school system, particularly the reliance on standardized tests. Yassky did not, although he did not defend it either.
Yassky seemed most open to –although he did not come out and support — reducing pension benefits for new employees, a so-called tier five. The other candidates said they would work out agreements with union on cutting pension costs.
All the candidates said the comptroller could make socially conscious investments — not putting money in companies that do business in Sudan, for example — while still adhering to his or her fiduciary responsibilities. And they would all increase transparency, and encourage the city to use more women and minority owned businesses.
They do, of course, disagree on who should be comptroller.By Gail Robinson on September 2, 2009, 9:10 pm
In category: Electoral Politics,Gotham City,Public Finance | Comments Off on Cordial Comptroller Candidates