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Margin Call's opening does nothing to dispel the long held public view of capitalist greed or reassign blame for the "shit-storm" of 2008's financial meltdown.
The opening act dominated by Stanley Tucci's cold culling, comes in the way expected, much in comparison to the dispassionate handling by Clooney's hatchet in Up in the air.
It's a dismissal straight from a template were nineteen years of service is summarily placed in a bankers box. It's a downsizing were a company protects its future by dispensing with the individual and quickly moves on with Kevin Spacey's entry to rally the troops and focus on regaining. Without lamenting for colleagues lost the capitalist machine fires up once more.
But as Paul Bettany's latterly made succinct re-balancing speech maintains the true reality, any peripheral view would be deemed dogmatic when looking in on a world far removed and alien to Joe Public whose pockets ultimately became shallowest.
Greed isn't good and the routine assigning of blame of fat cats may just be in need of a rethink when Bettany reversely blames a culture demanding fast credit, making capitalism necessary.
It's an argument to many other counter arguments that makes director J.C. Chandor's staging of events within a large investment bank, rubber stamping the crashing wave of the meltdown, so captivating.
Those events set over the course of two days and one atmospheric sandwiched night works hard to dramatize a familiar celluloid environment of projections and intricacies as Zach Quinto's genius risk assessor uncovers the departed Tucci's final legacy, an analysis of a business strategy doomed to fail. Some late night computing and factorisation conclude the undeniable prediction of financial meltdown.
With financial apocalypse imminent, a plan is devised to save the company and unquestionably send a virus out into the financial world that will bring global market crash.
And it's the moral dilemma of this action that makes this insular study of the complexities of the market and the people operating in it so compelling, not all are greedy and without conscience as first thought when ordering a fire-sale of toxic assets.
A rightly Oscar nominated screenplay just manages to bust all the jargon, laying out dialogue of quality that doesn't try to be too clever in conveying the enormity of events.
But it's not easy to always remain compelling with an equal pace throughout and few upsurges in drama making it a more measured procession towards fiscal doom.
The stimulus needed comes from an ensemble of some of the finest, delivering that play with clear gusto, understanding the significance, adding to the tension of the tight timescale of action.
Kevin Spacey reprises the similar corporate roles of Glengarry Glen Ross and slightly comparatively his comic turn in Horrible Bosses as the office trading manager whose personal journey procures some sympathy; detached in the first day of redundancies but later conflicted about the chosen course, fully mindful of the consequences.
Bettany has a bullish presence as a fellow office manager, equally brutal and considerate to the effects of meltdown to his protégés Zach Quinto and Penn Badgley and the world beyond 'the street'; and too providing answers as to why brokers get paid so much and where it all goes, cementing the long held belief that whether rich or poor we all live to our means.
Quinto's former rocket scientist brings a commentary forwards that the real important and rewarding roles in the working world lye outside the glass halls of capitalism, but greed and gain draw on his genius when revealing his own motivations to choose this less rewarding but vastly better remunerating role; with his inquisitive nature revealing even more alarmingly for the outside world, that the ripples of meltdown are already in place, and have been for some time.
Ripples seemingly known to bigger bosses Demi Moore and Simon Baker whose egotistical battling highlights that's its even tougher at the top; Baker the most hardened and uncaring to colleague and global ramifications and perhaps the least developed protagonist.
But not so Jeremy Irons' stupendous uber boss, at first an intimidating lamens man dealing only in direct talk, used to getting his own way, repaying of loyalty and portraying that even at the removed top slim morality still exists, but ultimately decisive when pulling the pin of the toxic economic hand grenade.
Tucci bookends brilliantly, latterly in a revealing doorstep discourse about his bridge building past as a civil engineer , presenting a man of dignity in what is often portrayed (not just here) as an undignified working world; far prouder of his taken for granted legacy of service to time saving and weary of his part in the global greed machine.
Overall it's an exceptional and well-cast ensemble, essentially given stereotypical beasts to play, all expertly deliver fine dialogue without overplay while true to form.
With no shortage of visual flair, Margin Call's potentially mundane subject is directed with steady pace and purpose but inevitably falls (only) momentarily to the nature of such seemingly un-dramatic passages.
High rise panoramas give a rarefied view of the world below, as if the financial gods look down all powerful from on high, which may well be acutely true. The cool, glass metallic capture of office and high rise structures serves to convey the hard and cold world of broking.
The fire-sale finale is highly disturbing as the bait is cast and routinely gobbled up by the sharks in the wider financial market, again demonstrating the greedy, opportunistic culture of capitalism that means that this isn't the first time and likely won't be the last that the backside falls out of the boom = crash!
Media and governments tell us much of what happened, what caused the shit-storm of 2008, here, a perhaps truer account of what did happen is presented, while portraying the fat cats in many of the expected conventions that demonise, but on balance providing some of the rarer seen humanistic qualities that not all are unscrupulous. It may at least allow further food for thought when making your own margin call when deciding who to blame.


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Added on 18-Oct-2013
On Saturday 13th July 1985 nearly two billion people woke up knowing they were going to watch, listen to, or attend Live Aid.
GQ Editor Dylan Jones' 'The Eighties: One Day, One Decade' brilliantly evokes the excitement of that extraordinary day, which he argues, changed Britain for ever. He joins the Queen guitarist Brian May, and the musician and co-founder of Live Aid Midge Ure to share their behind-the-scenes insights into the day that rocked the world, and discuss the Live Aid legacy.
Friday October 4th 2013 - for tickets and more information click here.
Submitted by:
Queenzone Ghost

subset: commoncrawl


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News : Middle East
Iran furious that Saudi Arabia could destroy its ties to Asian countries
- Details
- Published: Tuesday, 26 February 2019
By INU Staff
INU- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has recently engaged in a tour of Pakistan, India and China with the goal of reducing Iran's economic opportunities within those Asian countries.
It is clear from the mullahs' statements that the Iranian Regime is furious about the chance that Iran's economic isolation could increase if those three countries want to boost their economic and political cooperation with Saudi Arabia.
Five agreements and memoranda of understanding worth $18.5 billion in oil refining, renewable energy, petrochemicals and mining projects were signed during Crown Prince Mohammed's Pakistan visit, which concluded on February 19.
It should not be surprising that the Saudi crown prince's visit to Pakistan has increased the divide between Pakistan and Iran. After all, the two nations were already competing to build ports connecting Central Asian countries with an outlet on the Arabian Sea. And now that Saudi Arabia has agreed to provide the money for Pakistan to build a giant oil refinery at Gwadar port, the Iranian port of Chabahar is less likely to be developed.
India had previously been investing in Chabahar, but if it wants to get Saudi investment, especially with increased US pressure, it may have to withdraw its support. Of course, data indicates that India had already been doing this, with sales of Iranian crude oil to India declining 45% in January, even though India received a US sanctions waiver.
Another reason why Saudi investment in Gwadar is so important is that China has already invested more than $60 billion in order to secure this as its outlet to the Arabian Sea
Iran sees all of this as a major threat to its financial security, something already under threat, so the Regime sent out statements attacking Pakistan for allying with Saudi Arabia against Iran.
This indicates that the Saudi investment and US sanctions are likely to cut off Iran's economic ties to the three countries, but also reduce the number of countries and businesses who wish to trade through Chabahar.
According to observers familiar with the situation, Indian, Chinese and Pakistani interests with Saudi Arabia are much more important, profitable, and safe, than the relations, the Asian nations currently have with Iran.
After all, Iran is a country facing widespread domestic protest and the likelihood of regime overthrow soon. It is also facing huge international pressure and the deals may not be worth the paper they're printed on.
- Rouhani's Trip to Iraq Raises Questions about US Containment of Iranian Influence
- Next:Iran Regime Terrified of Mid-East Peace Conference


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After a life-threatening car accident forced him to take an extended break, guitarist extraordinaire Jeff Beck re-emerged in 1971 with a new band, a new album (Rough and Ready), and an attempt to merge a soulful Memphis sound with hard rock. 1972's Jeff Beck Group shows that Beck was already moving beyond his soul-rock hybrid and sowing the seeds for his exceptional mid-'70s jazz/rock fusion work.
Jeff Beck Group also served as a precursor to Beck's next project, the blues-soul-rock trio Beck, Bogart & Appice. Produced by Booker T. & the M.G.'s guitarist Steve Cropper, Jeff Beck Group contains "Going Down," one of Beck's best-known tracks and a perennial concert favorite, as well as the album-opening highlight "Ice Cream Cakes." An important, transitional album in the career of this stylistically adventurous guitarist.


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Flying the "Friendly Skies" in ID Sparks Calls for an Investigation
Boise, ID – Flying the "friendly skies" in Idaho may be worth a closer look by the Idaho Attorney General. Campaign finance reform advocates are asking for an investigation after several state legislators hopped on private, chartered flights last week to attend a Republican Party event. The flights were paid for by the executive of health products company Melaleuca, which is pushing legislation at the Statehouse.
Jim Hansen, with United Vision for Idaho, is a former state lawmaker who says those types of actions undermine the public's trust.
"Public officials have blurred the lines between their public responsibility and serving the private interests of lobbyists."
Hansen notes that it's the time of year when people can file to run for office, and he hopes stories like these inspire candidates who want to draw clearer lines between corporate lobbyists and public officials.
"They've gotten into this practice of interacting, almost like these private lobbyists are their friends, and they accept things from their friends."
According to state law, legislators are supposed to report such "gifts" on campaign finance forms or pay for the flights out of their own pockets. Hansen reports some legislators who were asked how they were going to account for the freebie didn't seem familiar with the law, although some said they intend to report the trip as an in-kind gift.


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Ricky Martin is a Puerto Rican singer, actor and author who made his debut to fame at the age of twelve with the pop group Menudo.
"Every day begins like a blank chalkboard, on white each one of us can write the poem of our present and our dreams for the future."-Ricky Martin


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When you try to print or view the print preview of a PaycheckCity calculation or report in Internet Explorer, the webpage may not print or preview correctly and you may receive a script error.
There are a number of reasons why this may be happening:
- Your printer driver could be outdated or corrupt.
- You may not have printer permissions assigned.
- Protected Mode is enabled for the Internet security zone of the web page.
- There is an issue with temporary folders on your user account and and the low folder under the %TEMP% location has been deleted.
To solve the print issue, try the following methods in order:
- Troubleshoot issues with your printer and update your drivers to the latest version. Microsoft offers the following tutorial to help you identify and fix common printer problems in Windows.
- Try printing the webpage running Internet Explorer as an Administrator to determine if there is a permissions issue.
- Try printing after disabling Protected Mode from the Security tab under Tools.
- Recreate the missing Temp folder by closing all instances of Internet Explorer, searching for the "%TEMP%" folder, clicking "New Folder," naming the new folder "Low," and then starting Internet Explorer again and printing a webpage.
- Reset low integrity level on the Low folder by going to the Start menu, All Programs, Accessories, right-clicking "Command Prompt" and then clicking "Run as administrator." Type the following command and press enter: ICACLS "%userprofile%\AppData\Local\Temp\Low" /setintegritylevel (OI)(CI)low Then restart the computer before printing the webpage.


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Not sure what to expect? Look below at some of our most frequent questions!
What can I expect from my Character Performer?
Each Character has training working with children of all ages, has musical background, and is of the highest quality not only in entertainment, but making sure your event goes as SMOOTHLY as possible!
When should my Character Performer arrive?
The character(s) you choose for your event arrives PROMPTLY 30 minutes after your party starts, just in case of any late arrivals for the special occasion. As soon as they arrive, the Character will take charge in all things magic until the time they leave! You can review all of the party package options here.
What characters can come to my event?
To see a full list of characters offered, click here!
What do I do if I want a Character you don't have listed?
We are always looking to expand our character options! If you have a request, we are more than happy to try our best to accommodate!
Which areas near Bryan/College Station, Texas and Austin, Texas do you service?
My Magical Memory services all areas surrounding BCS. However, please note you may be subject to an additional mileage fee depending on the exact location you are from the party performer.
How do I Book AND Pay for my event?
You can either fill out the form on the Contact Us page, give us a call, or send us a separate email! To reserve the date, time and character for your event, a $50-100 deposit is required. A deposit invoice will be sent to the email you provide, and once we receive payment, you have officially booked your Character Performer! If paying by Credit Card via online invoice, the remaining balance is due 2 DAYS before the event. If you are paying in cash/check, please have it ready in an envelope to give to the Character at the door when they are leaving the event.
Can I tip my Character Performer?
If you believe the performer has exceeded your expectations, then feel free to tip! Gratuity, is not expected, but GREATLY appreciated.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, check, or credit card (via online invoice email billing).
How will I receive confirmation of my event?
Once a party is booked, an email confirmation will provide in full detail the itinerary for your event!
Is it possible to reschedule my event?
Things happen that can be out of our control! But don't fret: If your child gets sick, or there is another emergency/situation, we would love to reschedule your party for another date and time. However, if you cancel after booking, your deposit will not be refunded.
What am I still responsible/liable for at my event?
Since our performers are not caretakers or babysitters, strictly just entertainment, we must ask you that ALL CHILDREN need to be supervised by a parent adult at all times. My Magical Memory cannot be held responsible for any injuries/illnesses that may occur while the performer is at your home or on public property.
Your question STILL not answered? Please Contact Us, and we will be happy to provide you with any additional information to make your event as seamless & magical as possible!
My Magical Memory is not affiliated with any copyrighted entities; all characters and costumes are generic derivatives of fairytale stories.


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ITU President's Update: 16 July 2009
By ITU Admin on 16/07/09 at 12:01 am
Hola amigos
I hope this will be the first issue of a regular Presidents report intended to keep all national federations, continental confederations, committees and commissions informed about all of the work being done behind the scenes.
Why have I decided to start this update now?
Perhaps it is because I have found a few moments to relax and reflect after many intense weeks full of activities, meetings and events.
Maybe it is because we have arrived at the peak of our season.
Or maybe it is because after six months as the President of ITU, I just want to tell you how much I am enjoying my position now that my mind is clear.
And maybe I think it is about time, and want to apologise for the delay.
I will only refer to the recent past and give a more detailed report to all of you on a monthly basis as we go forward.
1.Meeting with IOC President: 30 June Olympic Congress. Copenhagen October 5th: I have been invited by President Rogge to talk about one of their themes, The Digital Revolution, and a new management of sport rights. I will have professional advice from Patrice Cholley, who is coordinating the 2009 IOC Congress on behalf of the IOC Presidents Office; and from Brian Mahony and the ITU Media team as well. Our in-house media and television has put us in a very good light within the Olympic family.
I also discussed general triathlon matters with Dr. Rogge, as well as our new Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series and our relationship with Lagardre Sport. Dr. Rogge is confident in the direction that ITU is taking.
2.ITU Office in Lausanne: We have been working with Sabrina Tramparulo at Maison du Sport in Lausanne to explore the possibilities of renting an office for ITU in the fourth phase of the sport complex when it opens in the fall of 2010. The Executive Board and I have agreed that this is a very positive strategic move for the future of ITU and our position within the Olympic family. The office will have the ITU Presidents office plus our Sport Development staff. A close working relationship with the IOC, other International Federations and Olympic Solidarity will have a significant impact on the development of our sport.
It is our intention that by establishing an office in Lausanne, with staff who are for the most part already based in Europe, this will benefit the overall organisation. The ITU HQ in Vancouver will concentrate on the operational side of the business, and it will be possible for ITU to increase, if possible, the efficiency of ITU Staff working practice.
The agreement with Maison du Sport was signed this week.
3.ATU (Africa Triathlon Union) Congress and Championship: Held on 3 to 5 July, the same dates as the ETU Congress and Championships, ITU was represented by Mario Rodriguez. I met Mario at Madrid airport on his way to South Africa and I asked him as a specialist on the PATCO strategic plan to use part of his time to work with Liesbeth Stoltz and Libby Burrel on the development of the African strategic plan.
Marios report was very positive. I think we must take special care of our development in Africa, especially on the events side, as the championships had challenges in the key area of safety. I hope that the upcoming Sport Development and Technical Seminar in Nigeria we will be able to solve some of these problems.
4.ETU (European Triathlon Union) Congress and Championship: We celebrated the 25th anniversary of the European Championship at a very well organized event in Holten in the Netherlands. The Congress was held in the Secondary School of the beautiful city of Holten. We also celebrated the renovation of the ETU Board, and I am very pleased with the outcome. I want to congratulate all members of the new board, but especially Emilio di Toro, the new ETU President.
In my role of ITU President, a number of European NFs expressed concerns about calendar matters, uniforms rules and ITU relations with elite athletes (particularly the gold group in World Championship Series).
The ETU office will move to Great Britain, with Zita Csovelyak continuing to work until the end of August to help with the transition. I am sure there will be more information on this coming shortly.
5.Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series: The launch of the new series has surpassed all of our expectations. It has not been without many challenges, and I want to stress my thanks to Paul Coleman, WCS Series Manager, for the fantastic job he is doing on behalf of ITU. I will get a more direct update to you before we meet at the ITU Congress in September.
6.Other matters for the next update:
a)Bid conditions for Multisport and World Cup: you should have received the bid criteria for the years 2010 to 2012. We will be sending you a draft calendar for 2010 in the coming days.
b)Constitution Review: I will be working with the Executive Board and the Constitution Committee to review the constitution and remove some of the confusion. Please send me any comments you have in this matter.
c)The audit of the finances are complete, and we hope to send the Financial Statements to you along with the Congress resolutions and nominations on 27 July, 2009.
d)Winter Triathlon: Kre J Grtta, Chair of the Winter Triathlon Commission, along with Sarah Springman, ITU Executive Board Liaison to Winter Triathlon have been working hard on the calendar. Queenstown, NZL will host the first event in the coming series. More information about this shortly.
e)Lesley Buchanan, ITU Anti-Doping Director, has recently provided me with the latest information, which is very helpful.
f)Future Medical and Research Symposium: I have been in contact with the University of Alicante on a common project: Triathlon and Science. There will be more information on this in the coming months.
g)Court of Arbitration: Dates have been later this month for the arbitration hearing around the results of the 2008 ITU Duathlon World Championship.
I hope you found this information helpful, and I hope to see all of you at our Congress, in the Gold Coast in September.
Marisol Casado, ITU President


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What a great combo….I definitely wasn't a big fan of the album but I fell head over heels for this song. I wasn't in the best mood when seeing this video but it definitely caught my attention.
Category Archives: Kid Cudi
So I have some good news guys….I got picked for a Black Collection Commercial Shoot. I am excited. Not sure what doors this is going to open for me….not really sure, but I am down for the cause. This clothing line is great…if you've never heard of it, check out…
On another note of fashion….I am in a fashion show called Art is Life Movement on May 31st……this show is going to be full of talents, modeling, creativity, and body art….it will be going down in DC…..anyone want more info comment under this entry or send me a message….
A hot song that gets me hype….some new ish with KID CuDi and WaLe…what you know about this…
Playing in my MIX as you READ MY BLOG =)


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On Monday, Dancing With the Stars contestant Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi told People that she could score higher than a six on the reality dancing competition...and she was right!
Last week, a less-than-stellar rumba performance earned the reality TV star a six and two sevens from the judges. The reality star was deteremined she could do better.
"I'm really excited!" she said, "This [week's] dance is so fast and happy, and I'm all about being happy...I can't wait to show the judges that we are stepping up our game and can do better than a 6!"
See what song she danced to and her style on page 2 >>


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Gum Ball Tassel Garland - Multi
Handcrafted garland with soft, multi-colored pom poms and shiny, metallic gold tassels. Twisted brown cord hanging loops on each end for convenient display. Please note: This item is for decorative purposes only. It is not a toy and is not suitable for children.
Dimensions: 66" L overall; 12" L ties
- Artforms
- Artisans
- Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
We charge a flat-rate of $5 to ship any order. And if you spend more than $50, shipping is free! Once your order is received, we'll ship it within 2-3 business days. To return a purchase, visit our returns page (link in footer below) to request a return within 30 days of your purchase. We will provide a prepaid mailing label for item return. Once we receive and process your return, we will deduct the cost of the prepaid label from your refund and return the remaining amount of your original merchandise cost back to the purchase credit card. Original shipping charges will not be refunded.


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We try to make it as convenient as possible to book or cancel class reservations. Your options are as follows
- Book reservation on the web (See Part A below for instructions)
- Book reservation via the MindBody app (See Part B below for instructions)
- Text us 24 x 7 at (914) 230-0568 include your name and the class you want to enter or exit
- Call us at (914) 579 2888 during our business hours
- Talk to the front desk
PART A: Signing up for Classes Online
1. How to get your MindBody ID
- Go to https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/home?studioid=291879
- Under "New to our site?" type in your first and last name, click "next"
- Click on "This is me!" if you find yourself among the list, if not, make sure you used the first and last name we have on file in step 2.
- Enter the email or phone number we have on file, click "next"
- Create your Login, click "submit"
- Go to the tab "Group Classes" and you can sign up for your classes by clicking "sign up now".
2. How to sign up for classes online
- Follow the instructions in Step 1 above to create a MindBody ID
- Go to https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/home?studioid=291879
- Under "Been here before?" type in the user name and password you created in Part A.
- Go to the tab "Group Classes" and you can sign up for your classes by clicking "sign up now"
PART B: Signing up for Classes on Mobile Device
Note: Please make sure you have created an online account in Part A before proceeding to use the app.
1. How to download MindBody App
- Download the MindBody App.
- From the app home screen click "or continue with email"
- Type in the email you have on file with us
- Create a MindBody app password
- Enter your first and last name and country
- Go to the email account provided to find your verification email. Follow the instructions provided in the email.
- Once verified, go back to the app, it should proceed to the home screen.
2. How to find The Partners Gym in MindBody App
- You can search for "The Partners Gym" on the top search bar. Please note that the search is location specific. Click on My Location and use zip code 10594
- You should see "The Partners Gym" in your search results
- Click the heart symbol next to "The Partners Gym" so you can find us in the future
3. Schedule Classes in MindBody App
- Starting from the home screen in the MindBody app
- Click on "Favorites"
- There you should find "The Partners Gym"
- Click on "Schedule"
- Beside each class there will be a link "Book", this will allow you to book a session. If you see "Call" instead of "Book" please call to ask about your membership status.


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The Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation and Fantasy was founded in 1970 by the donation of science fiction editor and writer Judith Merril's personal collection.
Since that time, the Merril Collection holdings have been broadened to include original science fiction and fantasy art. The colourful cover illustrations of pulp magazines and the action-packed covers of science fiction and fantasy paperbacks have attracted generations of readers.
The Merril Collection holdings include art by some of the most gifted artists in the field: Frank Kelly Freas, Leo and Diane Dillon, Stephen Hickman, Ron Lightburn, Ed Emshwiller, and Virgil Finlay.
Original art is sometimes displayed in the Merril Collection reading room on the 3rd floor of the Lillian Smith building. Art may also be used as part of a lecture or tour upon request.


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Winter 2016
By K.J. Quinn
Remember when much was written and said about how certain floor coverings contributed to "sick building syndrome" in healthcare? It took about 25 years to dispel these notions, but the industry completed a 180-degree turn as research studies indicate soft and hard surfaces actually contribute to improving wellness outcomes for patients while positively impacting the general health of medical facility staff.
"Selecting appropriate materials for a facility is very important," noted Jim Bistolas, national healthcare segment director, Gerflor USA. "A critical part of that selection process is to evaluate evidence that supports these decisions."
A mountain of evidence from research studies describes how interior finishes can influence medical outcomes, and reduce errors and waste within healthcare spaces. Fueling significant changes in these selections is the adoption of evidence-based design (EBD), the process of basing design decisions on the built environment and credible research to achieve the best possible outcomes. "Health and wellness, in general, is a huge trend in design now," said Sara Cederberg, technical director, LEED, at U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC; Washington). "We are getting more evidence-based data — especially in healthcare environments — on how flooring designs can help create a more calming and relaxed environment."
It would be an understatement to say the impact patients have on hospitals and medical centers is growing significantly. For starters, satisfaction surveys reportedly drive reimbursements and future decisions a healthcare facility may make. "Facility managers and healthcare executives are relying on designers to choose products and plans that will optimize the patient experience," noted James Johnson, commercial segment manager, Armstrong Flooring. "These decisions help produce revenue not only through government reimbursements but also patient turnover."
An aging U.S. population is a contributing factor as nearly two-thirds receiving care in emergency departments, hospitals and outpatient settings are age 65-plus, noted Jane Rhode, principal, JSR Associates, Ellicott City, Md. "As a result, facility managers are challenged with budget constraints, reducing risk and promoting safety, as well as a higher awareness of the growing population that needs care."
Further driving changes in healthcare design are HCAHPS Scores, a national, standardized, publicly reported survey of patients' perspectives of hospital care. "Designers are more tuned into this than ever," said Kathy Griffel, director of healthcare, Mannington Commercial. "And the right floor can contribute positively to these scores, particularly around the cleanliness and perceived quietness of the space."
Patients and their families are much more aware of their surroundings and take this into consideration when choosing facilities for treatment, especially for long-term care. "If healthcare doesn't adapt to the fact they are a business with clients who chose their respective facilities, then they won't have any patients," said Aneetha M. McLellan, NCIDQ, LEED AP BD+C, DLR Group, Omaha, Neb. "By improving the environments in which patient and families operate, the better the outcomes are."
To that end, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) follows Patient Centered Care (PCC) principles in the design of spaces throughout its medical facilities. "VHA plans and supports the overall design of the space to include more natural elements and materials — physical and visual access through materials and finishes," said Christine Emanuelson Johnson, EPS program manager, interior design. "These elements can play a role in decreasing stress in the patient and family." VHA reports going to a Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) design model, which means the patient is the focus of all care and spaces are designed to support VHA care-giver staff.
The impact of flooring decisions has tremendous influence in creating healthcare facilities that are inviting, meet IAQ requirements, support ambulatory and mobility, and reduce noise levels — all of which assist in creating a healing environment. "Safety is primary," Mannington's Griffel pointed out. "Not just slip and fall, but also security and comfort underfoot." Gloss level, for instance, is a key consideration relative to eye fatigue of employees and elderly patients.
Mark Huxta, director of healthcare sales for Ecore, noted research is under way to combat this very issue — how flooring may reduce the risk of injury from patient falls. "The design community has focused a great deal of time and attention on effectively reducing the number of falls, but it is quite clear falls continue to happen," he said. "The providers recognize this and are looking for products that can reduce the risk of injury from patient falls." Ecore's Galaxy rx flooring features a 2-mm vulcanized surface fusion bonded to a recycled rubber backing which not only provides foot fall reductions, but can also significantly reduce fall impact.
Additionally, flooring can impact patient outcomes is by helping reduce acoustic levels inside a facility. Studies show that sleep is critical to patients, especially those struggling to get well. "Designing and building healthcare spaces to provide a soothing, quiet environment has proven to help patients heal faster," Gerflor's Bistolas said. "This results in better patient review scores for a facility, which directly impacts their bottom line." Modular carpet and certain resilient flooring are considered good choices in these public spaces due to their sound control properties.
Facility managers and healthcare administrators have always focused on materials that work well with their maintenance and infection control programs, as cleaning protocols can also affect patient health. For this reason, reducing chemical use is important in all areas. "When an environment doesn't look maintained, it appears that the facility does not have good care," DLR Group's McLellan said. "So maintaining environments have a direct correlation to the quality of care."
For example, using no-wax products can support the healing process. "Eliminating wax on the floor helps remove harmful VOCs from the environment where immuno-compromised patients reside," explained Lisa Bonnet, NCIDQ, IIDA, LEED AP, senior interior designer, E4H Architecture, Boston. "The Healthy Hospitals Initiative promotes the use of non-wax flooring products due to the improved indoor air quality they provide."
VHA considers specifying materials that can be properly cleaned with the least amount of disruption to patients and their caregivers. "Products with longer life cycle costs decrease the need for replacement," Orest Burdiak, CFM principal interior designer, pointed out. "VHA benchmarks with similar private sector healthcare organizations when considering the master construction specifications for its facilities."
While durability, maintenance and budget are still important when specifying flooring for a healthcare project, the industry is entering a new age where expectations for interior finishes are changing. "It now needs to be about people and not about product," Ecore's Huxta said. "It should be about how flooring can enhance the lives of patients, residents and staff."
Understanding the population whom facility managers are providing care is critical. Flooring solutions, as well as all other design decisions, must respond to the function, safety, lifestyle and values of this demographic. "In senior living residences, for example, social and programmatic areas can no longer be 'institutional,' but rather must reflect the needs of the residents," noted Carol Tobin, principal, Tobin Parnes Design, New York. "Providing environments with material specifications that present a blend of color, texture, patterns and correct lighting can increase the residents' sense of wellness."
To that end designers are reportedly fusing functionality and sustainability to create environments designed for comfort, convenience and safety. "When it comes to evaluating products and materials, including flooring, we're focusing on what's in the product, how it's made and the manufacturing process," USGBC's Cederberg said. "So we're using tools like life cycle assessment to understand how much energy and water are used to make the product, does it emit VOCs when in use, has it gone through third-party testing, and are manufacturers transparent about the ingredients in the flooring."
The VHA Office of Construction & Facilities Management provides master construction standards which are continuously updated with new products and research. For example, "the contents of PG-18-14 are determined by best practices of both private and governmental major healthcare systems," Burdiak said. "Consideration is given to renewable energy, least disruption to patient care, pre- and post-consumer recycled content, and life cycle costs."
In short, industry research supports the idea that floor design contributes to the calming atmosphere of a space and promotes healing. Said USGBC's Cederberg: "How flooring choices can relate to other materials in a space, how they help ensure safety and beauty at the same time, and how they measure those impacts on healing time, is an emerging topic and one that people are trying to understand better."
While there are commercial floors with a proven track record in healthcare, innovations across all product types are meeting the needs of this forward-thinking healing design movement.
"Vinyl, particularly of the LVT variety, has evolved to create a resilient solution that does an excellent job at mimicking natural flooring options typically found in residential and hospitality settings, at an affordable cost," Tobin Parnes Design's Tobin said.
Indeed, many healthcare facilities are striving to create an atmosphere that's more home-like and moving away from stark institutional looks, in part due to feedback from their HCAHPS scores. Floor coverings support this trend. "Patients prefer a comforting aesthetic and facilities are feeling the pressure to stay on the forefront of design to remain competitive in their markets," E4H's Bonnet said. "We see quite a few of the wood-look visuals. But, the market is being flooded with products that replicate other organic elements, such as stone or fabric as well."
While natural and organic looks are trending in patient and resident areas, a contemporary spin on design is more requested than a traditional look. "Our audience is much more equipped with a higher design sense today than in the past," DLR Group's McLellan explained. "Patients continually see high design environments, and expect the same from their care facilities."
The appearance of healthcare spaces can also be influenced by geography and culture of the local population. "VHA understands the unique population of our patients," Johnson said. "Spaces are designed that respect the veterans' values, preferences and needs."


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As the notorious Midwest combination of heat and humidity begins to take root at Arrowhead Stadium, the Kansas City Wizards are feeling some heat from their mild position in the standings.
However, their next two matches may provide a refreshing respite from the 90-degree heat, the 60 percent humidity, and their current fifth-place Eastern Conference status.
To midfielder Sasha Victorine, the heat is nothing new, as he got plenty of that growing up in California and playing with UCLA and the Los Angeles Galaxy. The humidity is another matter.
"I'm not used to the humidity, and the humidity is what's more draining," he said. "In the humidity I think it's different, you don't get those second and third winds like you did as much. It takes its toll."
Even for the initiated, like Wizards forward Davy Arnaud, Kansas City's weather is an obstacle.
"I grew up playing down by Houston. It's like a sauna down there. I know people say it gets humid here, but it gets really humid back home. We used to take a break halfway through a half because we just couldn't play because it was so hot," said Arnaud. "It gets hot here too, though. Once the summer gets going and you get used to playing in it, it's a little easier. At first, for me anyway, it's pretty tough."
Summer's unrelenting oppression will have all too long a stay, but the Wizards are confident their out of the playoffs if the season ended now standing will not.
"That's a silly premise. You've got not only 19 games to go; you've got 12 against the folks that are vying for those positions. We've got three against two of them and two against three of them, so that's 12 six-point games. Those are the mathematical facts," said Kansas City head coach Bob Gansler.
The Wizards will welcome Chivas USA and the Columbus Crew to their Arrowhead home Saturday and Wednesday in the coming week, two teams that sit in last place of their respective conferences. If the Wizards do what Gansler is pushing for, they should pull themselves up the ladder.
"What you concentrate on here is performance, getting our game up so we can perform, not for 45 minutes, but for 90 so we can defend well at home and score goals. In the last game we defended OK, but we didn't score goals," said Gansler, whose squad is third in scoring and eighth in goals allowed in MLS.
"In our away games of late, we have been the better team in the second half, which is not the way it is according to the book. And we're closer to the victory than the home side. But that's not good enough because we only did our stuff for 45 minutes. We can look at the math of it, but it's not about the quantity, it's about the quality of our performance. And that's what we have to get straight."
The Wizards' 2-0 loss at Arrowhead Stadium to the New England Revolution on June 18 ended what was a 15-home game undefeated streak in all competitions for the Wizards. Forward Davy Arnaud would like to start another string.
"We want to win at home anytime, but especially with the position we're in now. We're in fifth place, but then again we're only seven points out of first. If we can get two wins, in two weeks we might be talking about something different. If we have a lot of fan support, that will help us win for sure," Arnaud said.
A third source of heat has radiated lately as two central figures in the Wizards scheme will be absent for possibly the whole of July to play for the United States national team in the CONCACAF Gold Cup -- striker Josh Wolff and center back Jimmy Conrad.
Arnaud agrees the possibility intensifies the need for success in these last two matches of June for Kansas City.
"When you lose those guys, it's tough, especially when you have everybody here and healthy like we do right now and we're playing two games at home. We need to take advantage of it," said the Texas native who turns 25 on June 22.
Added Victorine: "It's disappointing right now where we're at. If you look at the [Eastern Conference] the last two years, it's come down to the last game to see who is in the playoffs, so I wouldn't be surprised if it happens again this year. It's one of those things where you've got to find your game. Once you find you're rhythm, you'll be all right."
Like Victorine's estimation of the weather -- "it seems like here once it gets hot, it just stays hot" -- the Wizards are looking to put themselves atop a heated battle for first in the conference instead of just a playoff spot. That would be refreshing.
Robert Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.


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Ohio Primary Care Physicians Release Why Ohioans Deserve a Medical Home
The member organizations of the Ohio Coalition of Primary Care Physicians have released a four-page color brochure outlining the concepts of a medical home. Why Ohioans Deserve a Medical Home will be distributed to all newly elected state and federal legislators.
The publication notes that healthcare reform is vital to Ohio and that the patient-centered medical home model is essential to successful healthcare reform. Why Ohioans Deserve a Medical Home provides information for legislators as they work on this important issue, as it details the current healthcare system in crisis, what every Ohioan would have with a personal medical home, and the Patient-centered Primary Care Collaborative definition of what constitutes a medical home. It also includes patients' stories.
Representing more than 15,000 current and future primary care physicians who serve on the front lines of medicine providing care to the citizens of Ohio, the Coalition includes the OOA, Ohio ACOFP, Ohio Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics-Ohio Chapter, and Ohio Chapter of the American College of Physicians.
Download the publication: www.ooanet.org/pdf/Medical_Home_FINAL_PUBLICATION.pdf
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- Chance to win $100 Visa Gift Card
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to schedule a complimentary practice consultation.
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Once upon a time,
a formidable international collaboration was born between america & europe.
One fine day at the turn of this millenium, Richard King, a scientist with the U.S. Department of Energy, imagined a world where architects & engineers would play
a role as the hero in innovation & sustainability. He believed that they could help lead the way toward conscientious living & long-lasting responses to our homes, habitats & communities. Richard foresaw our roles in creating affordable & available clean-energy living solutions for us on this planet.
The Solar Decathlon (SD) was launched in 2000 as a challenge to university teams
to design, build & operate highly energy-efficient & completely solar-powered homes. By generating widespread media coverage to reach millions of people, SD generated parallel power to educate the public on the benefits, affordability & availability of clean energy solutions. This first SD edition welcomed over 200,000 visitors
on the nation's stage, the National Mall, in Washington D.C.
The next SD competition in 2005 was equally successful. This event included
the first international teams from Canada and Spain. 2007 & 2009 saw even more international participation; Germany was represented by TU Darmstadt, winning both times among teams from the U.S., Canada & Spain. The SD 2011 saw record international participation with teams from Belgium, Canada, China& New Zealand. Gaining momentum for sure!
Continued European interest & involvement led to a 2008 Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) between the U.S. & Spain. Spanish governmental officials sigwwned on to host the Solar Decathlon Europe, first Solar Decathlon beyond american borders. The first SDE took place in the summer of 2010, in Madrid.
It was the most international event to date, with teams coming from eight countries.
After european 'wins' in the 2007 & 2009 U.S. SD editions, the U.S. won the inaugural European event, creating the climate of energetic exchange & shared knowlege
for an international Solar Decathlon community on the go.
The SDE success in Spain led to a renewed MOU & a second SDE in Madrid.
In 2012, teams from eleven countries, including Asia & South America, competed
for the ultimate best scores in the ten contests. The SD in Europe has since become
a springboard for international participation in the Solar Decathlon phenomenon.
The european movement has gained traction. In 2012, the French government signed an MOU with the U.S. DOE to host the SDE in 2014. Versailles, historical platform of peace treaties at the end of WW1, was chosen as the site for the 'Villa Solar'. The SDE14 in Versailles was truly international in nature. Teams from 16 nations & 4 continents participated in a naturally charged & exciting french hub. Focusing on local urban issues & emphasising streamlined communications,
the revised SDE14 rules incorporated a focus on local urban issues & an emphasis on streamlined communications actions. The Speed Peer Review Bonanza kicked off the competition, which showcased the most ambitious houses yet in the SD story.
International in fact & in spirit, this european version of the SD competition has propelled former organizers & participants to ensure the long-term impact & vitality of the Solar Decathlon in Europe. This mandate is being supported by the Energy Endeavour Foundation and the SDE Council of Experts, who are working toward
a successful SDE 2019.
Find more information on the SDE Council of Experts here: SDE Council of Experts.


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Registered Name: Sutter Buttes Cowboy Boots & Lace
Sex: Female
Sire: Manor Lake's Rustic Hunk at ASD
Dam: Sutter Buttes My Funny Valentine
Color: Red with White mis-mark
Coat: Wavy Fleece (non-shedding)
Size: mini/medium
Weight: 24 pounds
Height: 15 inches (est)
Health Testing: OFA Hips & Elbows, CERF, CBC, Cardiac check
Lacey is a gorgeous girl with beautiful coat pattern coloration and amber colored eyes that will melt your heart. Living in her guardian home that has worked with SBL for many years, she is a constant companion to a household of children. Lacey is loving and loyal…playful yet gentle. We love this girl!


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Originally circulated to the Colwall Car Club:
The following has come to my attention, a new PriceWaterhouseCooper report shows the extremely serious extent of the climate change problem. PwC are usually considered a very trustworthy source by Government and Business and in my experience are not prone to scare mongering. I think this report needs wide circulation to help people see the urgency of the task ahead and the exceptional effort that is now needed, the year's of half hearted effort are making the possibility of successful resolution move from extremely difficult to almost impossible. The unpredictable weather events we/the world is already getting at 1 degree warming is very minor compared to what will happen if we go over 2 degrees.
A few numbers, by way of summary:
- PWC estimates the required annual improvement in 'global carbon intensity' to meet a 2°C warming target has risen this year, to 5.1% each year, from now to 2050.
- The 2011 rate of improvement in carbon intensity was 0.7%, giving an average rate of decarbonisation of 0.8% a year since 2000. If the world continues to decarbonise at the rate since the turn of the millennium, there will be an emissions gap of approximately 12 GtCO2 by 2020, 30GtCO2 by 2030 and nearly 70GtCO2 by 2050, as compared to PWC's 2-degree scenario.
- Even doubling our current rate of decarbonisation would lead to emissions consistent with 6 degrees of warming by the end of the century. To give ourselves a more than 50% chance of avoiding 2 degrees will require a six-fold improvement in our rate of decarbonisation.
- Businesses, governments and communities across the world need to plan for a warming world – not just 2°C, but 4°C, or even 6°C.
If you are shocked and what to find a way of upping your contribution to helping reduce your (or others) Carbon Footprint get in touch.


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Deluxe Water Clarifier by Swim Clear - 1 Quart
Description: Cloudy swimming pool water is an unwanted nuisance that can be difficult to remove. Deluxe Water Clarifier by Swim Clear contains a powerful formula that attaches to smaller organic debris and dirt particles, allowing these unwanted agents to be grabbed by the regular swimming pool filter.
Function: Small pieces of organic matter, dirt and debris can be too small for the typical pool filter. This special clarifier attaches to these particles and compounds so the pool filter and vacuum can easily remove the cloudiness, granting you crystal clear water!
- Easy To Use
- Polymeric Flocculent
- Improves Filter Efficiency
- Removes Cloudiness In Under 3 Hours
- Compatible With All Sanitizers & Pool Surfaces
- Maintenance dosage is 4 oz. per 10,000 gallons of water once a month.
- For cloudy water add 16 oz. per 10,000 gallons of water.
- Run filter and pour directly through the skimmer or around the pool perimeter.
- Wait three (3) hours and vacuum the left-over debris on the bottom of the swimming pool that fails to reach the filter.
- Contains cationic polymer
Size 1 Quart
Free Shipping
For online orders over $40 (before tax), shipping and handling is FREE. Orders that are under $40 will have a $5.99 shipping fee added. Most pool supplies ship via Fed Ex and delivery times within the Continental U.S range from 2-5 days. All orders received before noon will ship that SAME DAY.
Shipping Details & Conditions.


text: Cammack Village is located on land originally owned by Wiley Dan Cammack. During the 1930s, Cammack allowed the land to be used for a Works Progress Administration roads project. Sometime before 1943, Cammack attempted to have the land annexed by the city of Little Rock but the city demurred, stating the land was "too far west". Thereafter, Cammack turned the land over to a federally subsidized housing project designed to alleviate housing shortages at Camp Joseph T. Robinson, Little Rock's primary National Guard base. The houses were laid out in rows and built with 870 square feet (81 m2) per unit, according to U.S. Army specifications for family housing. In order to provide for police and fire protection, Cammack pushed for the incorporation of the new neighborhood, which occurred on April 5, 1943.


text: In the last post we talked about loving your body and showing off your best assets. Today I wanted to share with you a story about how I learned to love my body. Now let me state that this "learning to love my body" thing is an ongoing process and there are still things I don't love as much. But I wanted to share a story how I turned what I perceived as a flaw and realized it was an asset.


text: Toughbook CF-U1 looks mighty novel, is it really worth the cost to have it added to your gadget collection? For those who've never quite been able to wrap their noodle around the whole UMPC concept, TrustedReviews bets that you'll be able to overlook this one without losing any sleep. All in all, the CF-U1 seemed to make the best of an awkward situation by excelling at tasks that would likely take place in everyday field work, but the average joe / jane may want to see one in person before buying blind. Yeah, hot-swappable batteries, an Atom CPU and a full QWERTY keypad are lovely additions, but if you've never needed a UMPC before (let alone one built for extreme scenarios), you aren't apt to gain a whole lot from owning this one. Hit the read link for the full spill.


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Visual Art - Mark Luo, Singapore
About Me
- Name: Mark Luo
- Location: Singapore
"As I encounter and assimilate the elements of daily life, my mind and heart intuitively respond in synergy towards my artworks. It is often a creative suggestion that ignite my spontaneity as it frees my imagination into inventiveness whilst I express my luxuriant escapade through self-discovery and my indulgent passion for colors. At times, my works are noisy, intense or even complex. Otherwise, it reflects an oasis of calm, hovering over an introspective retreat. My works are intended for the viewers to participate and interpret so that they themselves will eventually emerge with evolving views."


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Acccreate 1.75mm PLA Filament 1kg Spool
$45.00 – $50.00
After having comprehensively trialled numerous brands of filament on a variety of printers over a span of 8 months, we have decided to bring you Accreate PLA filament.
Because at 3DHUT, we do the testing so that you don't need to.
Packaging Details:
- 1kg/spool
- Diameter: 1.75mm
- Full compliance with RoHS regulation
- Each spool has been vacuum sealed with a packet of and protected by a plastic film to keep it moisture-free.
- Each spool is individually packed in a box to protect the product.
- A low cost, highly durable PLA filament for 3d printing
- Manufactured to precise standards: 1.75mm +/- 0.10mm
- Individually wrapped vacuum-sealed spool packed with desiccant to keep out moisture-free
- ROHs, Reach and PAHs compliant/ certified
- Compatible with all 3D printers which use 1.75mm filament and operate within 210℃ to 250℃ extruder temperature range
- This includes mainstream 3D printers such as MakerBot, UP!, RepRap, Afina, Ultimaker, IdeaWerk, Solidoodle. Flashmaker, Reprap, Afina
Reliability/ Performance / Assurance
- Consistently round diameter ensures smooth feeds through extruder nozzle
- Machine wound, high visibility, specially-designed spool for easy quantifying
- Consistently even, vivid colours
- 16 colour options including special Glow in the Dark Blue and Green.


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Modernized European Quarter
Feb 11, 2015पर 07:50 AM
Modernized European Quarter is a charm of Strasbourg where people love to go with their loved ones. This picture is of the delightful Roofless Cruise Boat in the stream of Strasbourg. The Roofless Cruise Boat is the best choice to investigate the excellence of the city Strasbourg. To go in Roofless Cruise Boat is most ideal approach to explore the excellence of the city Strasbourg. Modernized European Quarter is places near a river where traveler use to do water ride as clear in this image. Distinctive sort of Cruise Boat keeps running over the city waterways. Alsace - Lorraine freight boat visit Cruise Boat will offer you to the high focuses and staggering cruising on a course near to the Black Forest and the Vosges Mountains. Visit Cruise Boat the waterways and trenches of northern piece of France broadly a 12-traveler freight ship lodging. Cruising through Alsace and Lorraine, is a standout amongst the most appealing locales in France, is a voyage of unending investigating of workmanship and building design, additionally sustenance and wine, custom and society .By going in visit pontoon journey there you can see the intriguing mix of French and German societies, both France and German is firmly obvious in this current area's one of a kind legacy. Roofless Cruise Boat of France, Alsace-Lorraine on Barge La Nouvelle Etoile included of 6 evenings/7 days in a private lodge. Journey Rate does exclude Airfare from France, transportation to the voyage course. Alsace-Lorraine is one of our most loved locales in France. Customized travels are likewise offers. The Roofless Cruise Boat offices are wonderful and flawless, it not lavish however. Modernized European Quarter is one of the best and top spots of the city where you can gain your knowledge. You can enjoy every thing of the city especially with at the time of night. If we talk about the night life of the city then you will be surprised to know that this city seems amazing and delightful at nights. This city is really very awesome and you will definitely feel amazing during your trip for crazy memories.
European Quarter
Dec 06, 2014पर 10:53 PM
This is the picture of a decision gold star bulletin on the glass external dividers of the European quarter in the city of Strasbourg. The star shape bulletin in yellow shading is looking dazzling and appeal. The structural planning of the building in Beautiful Strasbourg is genuinely exceptional and one of the city most critical qualities. Alsace is the fifth-littlest of the 27 locales of France in area range. It is one of the seventh-most thickly packed districts in France; the construction modeling of the city Beautiful Strasbourg is great. Election Europeennes gold star placard of European Quarter is unique and also amazing as you can see in this image. The political status of Alsace has been purposely enlivened by recorded choices, wars, and significant governmental issues. The building of European Quarter is very attractive as clear in the picture. Conventional timber encircling is the strategy for making the building utilizing overwhelming squared-off and painstakingly fitted and joined timbers with joints secured by expansive wooden pegs. Building design of half-timbering was found to raise the danger of flame. In past times, villagers started to paint the rendering white in taking after with Beaux-Arts developments. To discourage this Alsatian building construction modeling, the district's powers gave money related awards to the tenants to paint the rendering in different hues, keeping in mind the end goal to come back to the first style. Every building in Beautiful Strasbourg city had an own uniqueness in the city of Strasbourg. MEPs have voted more than once for a solitary seat yet never in a shape that would be tying on the Parliament's initiative or on the Council of Ministers. The Strasbourg likewise had a sure military significance. Passage to the city was monitored by four enormous towers associated by scaffolds over the River Ill. The towers were secured by wooden shades to ensure the fighters. In 1686, military engineer Vauban, who considered the time's guards to be lacking, assembled the eponymous dam, which kept assaults from along the stream. An additional level was added to the structure in 1865, and in 1966, it was transformed into an all-encompassing porch, offering the finest perspective of the Petite Franc ...
European Quarter 1
Jan 27, 2015पर 04:42 PM
The picture of European Quarter is very attractive and stunning. During the informative and bold stream vessel journey, we passed numerous renowned Beautiful Scenery and vacation destinations by the riverside. The Beautiful Scenery in Strasbourg Grande Ile is wonderful thus photogenic, it was outlandish not to pause a minute and value the magnificence. Enormous trees are for the most part planted around the side of the stream that makes the city Strasbourg extraordinary and appealing. From this picture of European Quarter you can imagine the loveliness and creativity of the city. The Strasbourg Petite France zone is a standout amongst the most wonderful and beautiful view in the city. Strasbourg petite region was made around the channels of the River Ill, River Ille is one of the renowned streams in Strasbourg. While in Petite France, you can watch the workings of the trench locks, eat at a bistro, or basically simply stroll around and appreciate the excellent perspective of the view of the city Strasbourg. An excellent Timber confining and post-and-bar are development close to the waterway bank of Ill in city of Strasbourg. The comfy and commonplace landscape of Alsace, with captivating and enchanting little avenues, all with delightful and enlivened stores and eatery arrive around the range stream bank in Strasbourg. Just go and appreciate the most delightful Scenery in Strasbourg, Strasbourg's memorable downtown area is on an island and hence is near to water. The point of view of Strasbourg Petite France zone is a loveliest attraction amongst the most brilliant and dazzling viewpoint in the city. While in Petite France, you can watch the trench's workings locks, eat at a bistro. The recorded milestone and the purposes of hobby is the most engaging in the city Strasbourg. The lawmaking body of the city Strasbourg is surrendered to use Different Languages they could call their own particular choice in an impartial country. Not just Creative European Quarter there are numerous different charms in this city which are completely stunning and alluring. You can make a trek to France where you will feel extremely unique due to its exceptional spots. This spot is as indicated by each kind of individuals or you can say everybody can appreciate the ...
Creative European Quarter
Dec 27, 2014पर 08:23 AM
If you want to go a lovely attraction of city then you must go for Creative European Quarter also. And you can see Creative European Quarter in this image, it seems to be very lovely. You can see the lovely view of this structure and can imagine the amazingness as well. The administration of European conceded to utilize Different Languages in the race period. Amid the race period, the administration makes it known not open that it is their decision in this law based nation in each dialect. It is not obligatory to utilize one dialect in the city; the national of the Strasbourg is allowed to utilize Different Languages as indicated by their decision. It is one of the seventh-most thickly jammed areas in France; the structural planning of the city Beautiful Strasbourg is great. The political status of Alsace has been purposely enlivened by recorded choices, wars, and essential legislative issues. The city is the seat of a few universal associations. The greater part of the parliament's work is done at its gigantic complex of workplaces and debating chambers in Brussels, yet once every month 766 MEPs, 3,000 staff and 25 trucks conveying records and hardware all desert to Strasbourg to stay there for three days. The city of Strasbourg is a standout amongst the most vacationer destinations in France, situated at the south west of the island that makes the city heart of Strasbourg. The perspective of Strasbourg Petite France zone is a standout amongst the most wonderful and stunning perspective in the city. While in Petite France, you can watch the workings of the trench locks, eat at a bistro. The recorded landmark and the points of interest is the most appealing in the city Strasbourg. The legislature of the city Strasbourg is conceded to utilize Different Languages they could call their own decision in an equitable nation. Not only Creative European Quarter there are many other charms in this city which are fully amazing and attractive. You can make a trip to France where you will feel very special because of its special places. This place is according to every type of people or you can say everyone can enjoy ther ...
European Quarter 2
Dec 09, 2014पर 07:25 AM
If you want to see an amazing and lovely spot then see this picture of European Quarter. This picture predicts the beauty of this city and seems to be very lovely as clear in the picture. Modern Glass Architecture building situated on the river bank in the city Strasbourg is splendid and stunning. The architecture in the city is too high unlike the other city in France. The city is rich for both building architecture and for fashion as well as you can see in this picture. The Modern Glass Architecture of European Quarter building is surrounded by natural beauty scenery. The European district of Strasbourg is no longer located on the Main Island where Petite France is, but is a more modernized area for tourists to explore and witness for a change of architecture style. The architecture of the building in Beautiful Strasbourg is truly remarkable and one of the city most important attributes. Alsace is the fifth-smallest of the 27 regions of France in land area. It is one of the seventh-most densely crowded regions in France; the architecture of the lovely city Strasbourg is impressive. The political status of Alsace has been deliberately inspired by historical decisions, wars, and crucial politics. The city is the seat of several international organizations. The beautiful building is mainly located at the side of the river in Strasbourg. The image is a building of the European quarter monument surrounded by nature on the river European Quarter is just an example of this city because there are many other attractions which are fully creative and stunning. If you are in a mood to make a trip plan then do it fast as soon as possible for you and your friends and family. Loveliness is always predict by the famous places of city. You can imagine the other attractions of lovely city because there is never a lack of charms to offer you about the city. So city is amazing and attractive not for only one charm but for many other attractions which are fully awesome. You must and must go there with your best buddies for some crazy memorie ...
Quarter Canal
Feb 11, 2015पर 01:31 PM
Quarter canal is one of the most stunning and charming view-point routes of the region, the wine route "Route des Vins", passes through historic cities with paved streets, timber framing houses from medieval period and renaissance fountains. Quarter canals is also one of the famous tourist spot is Strasbourg. The area of the canal also offers interesting architecture and exciting castles. In Alsace, there are various galleries and museums, like the World's largest automobile museum and Europe's largest train museum of Mulhouse, which is definitely worth a visit when you are on holiday in Alsace. Boating amenity also available in the canal of little quarter called The Little Alsace Cruise, you can board your floating villa, and canal boating in Little Quarter Canals Alsace - France immediately enchants you. The name Petite France was given to this section of the Main Island of Strasbourg due to a syphilis disease flare up that was said to be spans by the French. Quarter canals are located in the river Ille. The region all in all has been assigned as a National Historic Landmark, with various contributing structures that are independently esteemed huge. It is a prime vacationer destination in the city, and in addition drawing in nearby inhabitants. In light of its separation from territories where the levee was broken amid Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and additionally the quality and stature of the closest Mississippi River Levees rather than different levees along the trenches and lakefront, it experienced generally light harm floodwater when contrasted with different zones of the city and the more noteworthy area. Absorb the sights, smells and sounds that are exceptional to the French Quarter canal. Gape at intriguing construction modeling, individuals tossing pieces of jewelry of plastic dots from galleries and those walking joyfully with blended beverages close by. Listen to the barkers drawing visitors into Bourbon's dance club, artists playing, trickster's tap moving for tips, and the cut clop of donkeys trudging down the road or the horn of a vessel on the stream. Smell fish bubbling, beignets fricasseeing and blossoms sprouting beyond anyone's ability to see in walled off greenery enclosures just steps awa ...
European Parliament
Feb 18, 2015पर 01:51 AM
Here in the pictures we had seen a Cruise Boat coasting on the waterway, it is truly dazzling and along the edge of the stream there stood a European Parliament building. The point of interest of the waterway is moving and excellent. The given picture is the photo of Cruise vessel conveying numerous travelers and passing the verifiable exhibition hall. Since 1940, Strasbourg has housed the Council of Europe and, now, the European Parliament, with the goal that there is an unmistakable worldwide flavor to the city too. It is dazzling to explore the magnificence of the city by going in Cruise Boat. Alsace - Lorraine scow visit pontoon voyage will offer you to the high focuses and shocking cruising on a course near to the Black Forest and the Vosges Mountains. In this image of European Parliament and a river you can imagine the amazingness of city. Cruising through Alsace and Lorraine, is a standout amongst the most alluring districts in France, is a voyage of perpetual investigating of craftsmanship and structural engineering, likewise sustenance and wine, custom and society .By going in visit pontoon journey there you can see the intriguing mix of French and German societies, both France and German is unequivocally apparent in this present locale's interesting legacies. Alsace-Lorraine is one of our most loved locales in France. Batorama watercraft voyage is a straightforward glass rooftop, it is a for the most part with the end goal of touring in Strasbourg. The configuration of the Cruise Boat is a fun approach to do a "review" voyage through this beguiling city. This city is not only famous for its views but also popular for its amazing structures. Its development is very amazing and well maintained. Just about 1.3 million Europeans have marked an online appeal calling for end to the supposed Strasbourg "voyaging bazaar" however French-drove restriction has so far hindered all endeavors to scrap the game plan. Be that as it may, a report planned for selection by the parliament's sacred undertakings board looks to build up the organization's entitlement to figure out where it holds its gathering ...
European Court
Feb 03, 2015पर 10:20 PM
By seeing this image of European Court you can imagine the loveliness of the city. Here you can see a wonderful Tour Boat on the waterway under the beautiful extension. The encompassing of the waterway is superb. The area is truly decent and chill, and the spot is truly respecting. The historic points and the nature magnificence of the city give a delight for thousand individuals. Vacationer Tour Boat is basically open rooftop or straightforward rooftop. Here you can explore the beauty of city by a water ride. European Court is not only an amazing place for exploration but it is also a place for the human rights. The primary reason of the open vessel is that the traveler or the guest will see the excellence of the city furthermore to have simple exploration of the spot. Alsace - Lorraine freight boat visit watercraft voyage will offer you to the high focuses and dazzling cruising on a course near to the Black Forest and the Vosges Mountains. Excellent Tour Boat Cruise the waterways and channels of northern piece of France generally a 12-traveler scow inn. For gourmets Strasbourg offers an awesome opportunity to taste some great cases of both Alsatian and French food. Cruising through Alsace and Lorraine, is a standout amongst the most alluring districts in France, is a voyage of unending investigating of craftsmanship and construction modeling, additionally nourishment and wine, custom and society. The city can be explore by strolling yet in the event that you need your outing to be astonishing the best and the most energizing is to take a Tourist Tour Boat, by finding the city in a Tour Boat is truly amazing. Additionally it will be your best and most huge excursion in your life. European Court is one of the amazing attractions of the city where you can come and can enjoy the loveliness of the lovely place. Everyone wants to go for a best and amazing place so no need to think too much about the destination you can see this place in this image. You must make a trip to France with you loved ones for some lovely memorie ...
France Quarter
Jan 29, 2015पर 11:17 AM
This is an amazing image4 of a Decorative France Quarter. A beautiful flowers decorated nearby this beautiful river is mesmerizing. Here in the image one can see the Decorative Romantic Atmosphere of the Little France Quarter of Strasbourg, Alsace, France. The Decorative France Quarter is brimming with history, fascinating shops, and incredible eateries!! We see this area as more ""adult" than family; the best way to experience in this beautiful and Decorative France Quarter is by walking. A good approach to start a memorable French Quarter strolling visit is to walk around Royal Street. One square riverside of Bourbon Street, Royal Street is known for adornments and obsolescent stores however it additionally has very much a couple generally noteworthy structures. Visitors from all over the place love to explore this amazing spot. Many people from all over the places come to this beautiful place to experience the beauty and the antique design of this wonderful place. If you are looking for unique and interesting historical and supernatural tours never miss to visit this amazing France Quarter. The landmark of the given image is really amazing and alluring. The lovely river which flow between the beautiful buildings of the Alsatian in the city of Strasbourg is truly inspiring and massive. Here in the city Strasbourg one can find variety of flower, which will make the visitors breathless. Strasbourg flower help you to express your consideration or adoration both for extraordinary and easygoing occasion in France. The nearby Strasbourg flower specialists give new and flawless blossoms in Strasbourg for all the unique events. The neighborhood flower vendors in Strasbourg offer crisp and premium blossoms all over Strasbourg. Strasbourg expert flower specialists take uncommon consideration of all blossom requests to bring on same day or following day. A Strasbourg flower list has finest accumulation of excellent bloom bunches and crisp blossom show accessible for same day in Strasbourg. As opposed to sending blooms to Strasbourg, you can decide to send Plants, Gift crate through on the web as well. Nearby Strasbourg flower specialist bring finest quality blooms and bloom plan the whole way across Strasbourg at low sending char ...
Modern European Qaurter
Dec 18, 2014पर 07:54 PM
Here you can see an amazing view of lovely structure of Modern European Qaurter. This structure is an amazing attraction of the city where you can go with your loved ones.This is the pictures of a delightful Tour Boat cruising before the present day blue European quarter Structure in Strasbourg. The landscape in the pictures is truly appeal and delightful. Here you can see that many travelers enjoying water ride and taking pictures of this huge Modern European Qaurter. The city Strasbourg is the celebrated vacationer attractive city of France. The historic points and the nature magnificence of the city give a joy for thousand individuals. Delightful Tour Boat is for the most part open rooftop or straightforward rooftop. The picture of Modern European Qaurter seems to be very creative and stunning. The fundamental reason of the open vessel is that the traveler or the guest will see the magnificence of the city furthermore to have simple investigation of the spot. Alsace - Lorraine freight boat visit watercraft journey will offer you to the high focuses and staggering cruising on a course near to the Black Forest and the Vosges Mountains. Excellent Tour Boat Cruise the streams and waterways of northern piece of France generally a 12-traveler canal boat inn. Cruising through Alsace and Lorraine, is a standout amongst the most appealing locales in France, is a voyage of perpetual investigating of workmanship and construction modeling, additionally nourishment and wine, custom and society. The city can be investigate by strolling however in the event that you need your trek to be astonishing the best and the most energizing is to take a Beautiful Tour Boat, by finding the city in a Tour Boat is truly awe-inspiring. Likewise it will be your best and most huge trek in your life. Many travelers love to on amazing places and this place is one of them. No need to wait for any occasion when you will plan for a trip. You should only think to make a plan for trip no matter when and how. Really this is an awesome or you can say one of the best places across the worl ...


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text:
Two sizes of Garden Bag to choose from!
Unique free-standing, multi-purpose garden utility bags.
Endless uses around the home, garden and workplace. Constructed of weatherproof fabric with strong outdoor thread for strength and durability.
Easy to clean – just wipe out or hose clean and hang to dry.
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Model Dimensions
- Veggie Harvester: 15" x 14" high
- Garden Tote: 18" x 18" high


text:
Interview #1 – Constance Coventry
April 28, 2009
Residence: Park Avenue and 88th Street, New York, NY (Upper East Side)
Incident Location: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir in Central Park
Age: 86
Gender: Female
Injury or Fatality: Yes
Other Witnesses: Yes – Attorney Louis Goldberg
Captain Cousteau: Hello Constance! Thank you for meeting with me. Please recount your sewergator encounter with as much detail as possible…
Constance Coventry: I'm a social person. I'm often referred to as a socialite or Grande Dame of New York philanthropy. While these I enjoy these titles, I much prefer my quiet mornings in Central Park and spending time with my dog, Pollock, a descendant of Peggy Guggenheim's brood of Lhasa Apsos (hence the name Pollock, for Jackson Pollock, to whom Peggy gave his first four one-man shows). Like me, Peggy's most successful relationships were with animals and works of art. I rarely see my only living relative, my son William, and so my lawyer, Louis Goldberg, has assumed my guardianship.
I was a longtime fixture on the New York social scene after inheriting my husband's real estate fortune. These days, I rarely attend afternoon lunches or evening parties, preferring to wake up early, before the pads of my feet begin to hurt and prevent me from walking Pollock. My son prefers to keep me shut up in my apartment, saying I should not walk Pollock any longer. But Louis understands and often joins us as we tour 88th Street on our way to 5th Avenue.
I refuse to use a cane, although my doctor recommends it. Because my walks are now the highlight of my day I often wake up early, around 6 AM, to bathe and wash my hair. My mother always said that it was unnecessary to shampoo your hair every day, but I like it to look fresh. I often comb my chin-length hair off my face and, once dry, use a curling iron to add waves around my face. My hair is thinner now and it is difficult to tease out volume. I powder my face and rub on some color—but not too much! I carefully apply a dark red lipstick in a way that defines both lips, clearly separating them from the rest of my face. My eyebrows are always becoming lighter, so I pencil on some definition, an earthy brown. I still wear dresses and thick nude tights. I wear a sturdy black leather shoe with a flat sole. I often have difficulty zipping the back of my dress and bending over to tie my shoes. The laces slip through my fingers like wet spaghetti and my knuckles throb as I work my way through tying a bow.
I am usually thirty minutes late for my appointment with Louis, but he doesn't mind. By the time I slip on Pollock's collar and board the elevator to the ground floor, Louis has comfortably tucked himself away in a large leather lounge chair in the first floor lobby and dozed off. When the elevator doors open I drop Pollock's leash and he runs to Louis to give him a good morning greeting. Louis stands immediately, but as though in the middle of a dream, wiping the sleep from his eyes, and begins pulling biscuits from his pockets for Pollock to enjoy. Pollock takes dainty nibbles, refusing to lick the smaller crumbs from the lobby carpet. After we leave, the doorman will remove a handheld vacuum from behind his desk sweep up any remaining biscuit.
Louis offers his arm as we step out of the building and under the big green awning that stretches across the sidewalk to the street. I hand him Pollock's leash as I dig through my purse for sunglasses. We glide softly down the pavement, stopping only as a precaution when we meet an unusually large crack in the sidewalk. There are now three of these crevices on our stretch of 88th Street. I walk cautiously now, much less assured of my footing than in the past. Once I would prance down the sidewalk click-click-clicking in patent leather pumps. That day has passed.
Louis asks me about the weather and I respond that it's much too hot. He agrees.
We pass Peggy's museum on our way to the reservoir and I stop to balk at what a truly ugly structure it is. "Shame on you, Mr. Wright," I mumble under my breath. Pollock barks loudly at the traffic on 5th Avenue and a taxi driver beeps in response. We wait for the light to change and then Louis steps off the curb and offers me both hands as I step into the street. Pollock can already smell the dogs in the Park. He tugs on his leash and nearly pulls me over. Louis picks him up and carries him safely to the other sidewalk. Pollock's ears perk up as we get closer to the park's entrance and he whines softly between pants. This air is thick and muggy, uncomfortable for a dog with such long hair. His tiny pink tongue hangs from his jaw as he struggles to catch his breath. I too am walking more slowly now as I putter forward through the humidity. Pollock breathes harder as his excitement grows. We walk in the Park, up a rise in the path, over the crest and down an incline toward the reservoir track. Young men and women in shorts and tight shirts run past at lightning speed. Pollock wishes he could join them. Louis holds the dog tightly to prevent him from slipping away.
The placid water perfectly reflects the tall buildings running along the Park's western edge, creating a carbon-copy skyline in the reservoir. I wait until a group of runners have passed, then step onto the gravel path and let go of Louis's arm. He continues to struggle with Pollock, who has become fussy and wants to be let down. I cross the path and reach out for the cast-iron fence and pull myself closer to the water. Turtles are sunning themselves on the rocks below and a pair of Canadian geese swim by. The sky is blue and the water is blue and the sun is bright and I am still happy to be alive.
Louis has taken the dog off the path to do his business. He curbs Pollock against a cement light post, then removes a plastic bag from his pocket to dispose of the waste. As Louis marches Pollock to the nearest trash receptacle, I begin walking north toward the pump house. I like to see both skylines before I return home. By walking north, then west around the track, I'll soon be able to see my building.
The gravel is softer than pavement, and I enjoy rubbing the soles of my shoes on the uneven pebbles. I hold onto the iron fence just as I held onto Louis and begin walking more freely. The water smells fresh, and wet, and cool and I dream of striping naked and diving in. I dream of paddling deeper and deeper in my murky little sea, diving toward the bottom, but never finding it.
Pollock has gotten loose and is running zigzags around Louis. The man waves his arms after the dog. Pollock continues dodging on and off the track. The dog wiggles through the iron gate. Stepping down the rocky incline toward the water, Louis becomes frustrated and begins shouting at the dog, "Stop it! Stay still! Come here!" Unable to mount the gate due to his rotund stomach, Louis squats and reaches through the fence toward the dog. The dog turns his head to the side. His paws are in the water. He doesn't understand Louis's demands. Louis abruptly changes tactics. He begins to toss small rocks in the water behind Pollock hoping to move the dog away from the reservoir. Pollock thinks it is a game. He turns toward the water and readies himself to pounce toward the next rock as if it were a rubber ball. I have a clear view of this standoff and laugh at Louis's attempts to subdue the rowdy dog.
Suddenly a large brown log to Pollock's left springs to life and snaps up the dog. Pollock is surprised and lets out a muffled yelp before being drug into the water. Louis stands erect and steps away from the water's edge. He realizes, as I do, that the moving log is not a log at all. Louis struggles to steady himself, not knowing whether to run away or assist Pollock. Louis looks at the dissipating ripples spreading over the surface of the water. Then he looks at me. I also look for Pollock, then spot Louis's beet-red face. The dog is gone.
Forgetting Louis, I replay the incident in my head. There were no teeth. No biting or chomping. No blood or scales. It wasn't even green. The beast simply secured Pollock in his jaw and lowered him into the water. His movement was swift and his jaw clamped tightly, but the encounter was not violent. The creature moved into the water in a zig-zag pattern, uncertain at first where to enjoy his tasty snack. The beast was dark and fluid and slipped away from the shallows. Only after sinking into deeper water would he swallow the dog whole.
I walked slowly to Louis, who held his head in his hands. Keeping an eye on the water I waited for Pollock to re-emerge, but the dog never came back up.
"Should we call the police?" Louis asked.
"No," I responded. "But let's wait a little while longer."
Fifteen minutes passed, then thirty, and sweat ran down Louis's face as he stared blankly as the water's edge. He handed me Pollock's leash, which had slipped off the dog during the scuffle. "What am I supposed to do with this?" I asked. Louis shrugged and tossed the leash into the water where it sunk slowly in search of poor Pollock. Louis was exasperated and exhausted.
I took to the unusual task of ushering him home, down the street I'd never need to walk again. Why would an old woman go to the park without a dog to walk? I said goodbye to 88th street as we turned onto Park Avenue, and then entered the lobby making note of the impeccably clean carpet.
Photos of Incident Location:
Photo of Sewergator Victim: Pollock Coventry
Photo of Sewergator: None
Tagged: 5th Avenue, 88th Street, Alligator, animal, Attorney, biscuit, building, Captain, carpet, Central Park, Constance, Constance Coventry, Cousteau, Coventry, croc, crock, dog, doorman, dress, elderly, Fatality, female, fence, frank lloyd wright, gate, Gator, geese, grande dame, guardian, Guggenheim, hot, humid, Incident, Injury, interview, Jackson Pollock, jacque, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Jacques Cousteau, Jacques-Yves Cousteau, lake, Law, Lawyer, leash, Lhasa Apsos, lizard, lobby, Location, log, Louis Goldberg, museum, New York, New York City, NY, NYC, park, Park Avenue, paws, Peggy Guggenheim, philantrophy, Police, Pollock, pond, pump, puppy, recording, Reservoir, sewergator, shoes, sky, skyline, social, social scene, swallow, taxi, track, turtle, Upper East Side, usher, vacuum, violent, walk, warm, water, wealthy, weather, witness, wright


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The Radio: "Traffic is brought to you by Walgreens."
The Boy: "Nice going, Walgreens. Now we're going to be late."
The Radio: "Traffic is brought to you by Walgreens."
The Boy: "Nice going, Walgreens. Now we're going to be late."
The Boy: "I like baths better than showers."
Me: "Yeah? How come?"
The Boy: "It's kind of nice to lay in your own filth."
The Boy: "You know who invented school? I'll tell you who… Some deranged parent who had a bad childhood."
I love this song by Need to Breathe. It's my go-to song when I need to remind myself that things will get better – that there's always Something Beautiful just around the corner. I play it in the car quite often & The Kids have gotten to know it. I heard The Girl singing along today…
Actual lyrics: "I know that I'm in reach 'cause I am down on my knees."
Lyrics according to The Girl: "I know that I'm married 'cause I am out of money."
Me: "Dad's birthday is in a few weeks. You guys need to start thinking about what you'd like to do for it."
The Boy: "How old is he going to be?"
Me: "50."
The Boy: "Thousand?"
I admit I'm not the world's greatest cook. I'm not even the world's most mediocre cook. Sometimes this fact is pointed out to me.
Me: "Guys. Come get dinner."
The Boy: "What are we having tonight? Hopelessness with a side of despair?"
It's almost over.
Radiation is done and I didn't even have to lose my hair. (Well, except the hair under my left armpit but I'll just count that as less shaving to be done. Bonus considering I'm heading to Florida in 29 days but who's counting.)
30 trips to the Cancer Center. 30 leave work, drive like crazy, park, run in, change, fight with myriad strings on johnnies, give name & birth date, give name & birth date again, get on table, line up tattoos, 97.6 on the lat, 100.3 on the vert, SSD 90.4, microwave my left breast from both sides, put clothes back on, make sure shirt isn't inside out, drive back to work while shoving crackers & peanut butter in my face, try to get on with my day even though this is a tired like I've never felt before, fail miserably, go to office with coffee & cookies & pretend to read email.
Six weeks.
And now I'm only one mammogram, one meeting with the surgeon, and one meeting with the oncologist away from being declared cancer free.
It will never be truly over.
This has now become my life. This is now what I will have to do every six months. Mammogram. Oncologist. Mammogram. Oncologist.
I have never, throughout this process, asked "Why me?" because frankly, why not me? It can happen to anyone. It just happened to hit me. What I did ask was "Why my kids?" Why do they have to have one more thing piled onto their young plates when they've already dealt with so much.
But now I'm faced with the six month follow-up and this is where I think "Why me?". Like having to go to the dentist every six months. Because to be perfectly honest… I suck at keeping those appointments. I get the reminder call the day before & realize there is no way I will make it & have to call to reschedule. (My experiences with Bitchy McSnipe, Dental Receptionist are fodder for a future post.)
I can't do that with this. I HAVE to go. I HAVE to stay vigilant. No choice.
So while it's just about over, it will never be entirely over. It's a specter that I will live with for pretty much the rest of my life. (I said "pretty much" because "for the rest of my life" sounded way too dramatic.)
Please say a prayer or wish me luck or send good vibes – whatever is your inclination. And if I could ask a favor… Remind me about my appointments.
The Girl: "Who is this?"
Me: "Adele."
The Girl: "Oh. I started to guess Lady Gaga but then I thought there's no way she could do something this good."
As I sat on The Girl's bed to give her a
shove gentle nudge to wake up, I inadvertently sat on her pinky toe.
Me: "I'm sorry! Is your toe okay?"
The Girl: "Yeah. It just has a case of Fat-mommy-itis."