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There are times in life when you have to eat cake – one of those times is your birthday, right? Does that mean your blood glucose has to get out of whack? Not long ago I would have said, "Yes – yes it does." Now I've found a great recipe for chocolate cake that serves two people – and takes just three minutes to whip up! Perfect for a couple like my husband and myself.
Makes 2 servings – 9 carbs – 4 net carbs
1/4 C. almond flour
1 Tbs. cocoa
1/4 tsp. baking powder
3 Tbs. plus 1 tsp. Splenda
2 Tbs. butter, melted
1 Tbs. water
1 egg
Mix flour, cocoa, baking powder and Splenda in a 2 cup glass measuring cup. Stir in butter, water and egg. Mix well. Scrape batter down evenly with a rubber spatula. Cover with plastic wrap and vent by cutting a small slit in the center. Microwave on HIGH for 1 minute until set but still a little moist on top. Cool slightly and serve warm with Reddi Whip.
If you are used to eating wedding cake with butter cream frosting, this will probably not taste wonderful to you, but if you're like most of us and haven't eaten wedding cake for years – and you avoid sweets as a general rule – you will notice that almond flour has a sort of "mealy" consistency, but if you can get past that, and appreciate that this cake will not cause your blood glucose to spike, you may find yourself yelling YEE-HAW because hey – this is the closest thing to chocolate cake you've eaten in a long time!
Almond flour is also much more expensive than all-purpose flour. I rationalize spending the extra money by thinking of how much it cost to buy insulin every month. My Levemir was costing about $400 a month. A small sack of almond flour costs about $7. I won't eat too many things with it – but once in a while I want some pancakes or waffles – or some chocolate cake for a birthday celebration.
Isn't it fantastic that we can eat a low carb diet that sometimes includes cocoa – and more to the point, know that our blood glucose will be happy? I'm just so tickled with this discovery!


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Best Western Hotels Compromise: 8 Million Victims in World's Biggest Cyber Heist - UPDATE
Iain S. Bruce writes on The Sunday Herald:
An international criminal gang has pulled off one of the most audacious cyber-crimes ever and stolen the identities of an estimated eight million people in a hacking raid that could ultimately net more than £2.8billion in illegal funds.More here.
A Sunday Herald investigation has discovered that late on Thursday night, a previously unknown Indian hacker successfully breached the IT defences of the Best Western Hotel group's online booking system and sold details of how to access it through an underground network operated by the Russian mafia.
It is a move that has been dubbed the greatest cyber-heist in world history. The attack scooped up the personal details of every single customer that has booked into one of Best Western's 1312 continental hotels since 2007.
Amounting to a complete identity-theft kit, the stolen data includes a range of private information including home addresses, telephone numbers, credit card details and place of employment.
Note: Of course, this isn't the "biggest" cyber theft incident -- that would be the TJX thefts with roughly 100 million credit cards stolen. -ferg
UPDATE: 20:27 PDT, 24 August 2008: Best Western Hotels has issued a statement saying that the claims their systems have been compromised is unsubstantiated. -ferg

subset: commoncrawl


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A few of our forum members here on Bearville Insider were lucky enough to get an order in for a Facebook Exclusive (and apparently limited edition) Darling Dot Apatosaurus. The bear was unveiled to fans of BuildABear's Facebook page and was only available for purchase until midnight last evening. Thanks to chantellefursion for letting us know about it and also congratulations to her for getting her hands on one!
Related posts:


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My rating: 5 of 5 genies
Published: November 15, 2011 by Harper/Harper Collins
Pages: 352
Source: Library Loan
Format: Hardcover
Purchase At: The BookDepository.com or Amazon.com
Goodreads Summary
Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now. Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.
My Thoughts
Wow, I think I should have officially finished this yesterday? But I never wanted to, so I made myself read slower on purpose, so my time with the fabulous characters and their heartbreaking stories could be lengthened. I love Juliette and I love Adam. Goodness, I have never felt so protective over a YA female protagonist before; nothing can happen to this girl, I love her story and I love her. She is broken and she is beautiful and Mafi is absolutely brilliant for having created her. I am a huge fan of these women both!
There have been a lot of comparisons to this and X-men; it becomes clearer why so closer to the end of the book, but I'd thought to say something in regards to the matter. I have long since had an on-going love affair with Gambit from X-men. He is my love and the sole reason I and Rogue never clicked, because she was the one thing standing in my way. That and reality of course, but leave a girl to her dreams! There have been many others since then, and since the barrier prevents us from being together, I have let Gambit slowly go. There will always be love in my heart for him, I will just never touch him.
*Sniffles* And where am I going with this, you might ask? Well, Shatter Me is kind of like X-men lite/rebooted; or at least it was very much this way in the first book, minus the Gambit-goodness. (HOW COOL IS IT THAT THIS IS A TRILOGY BTW?! BOOO-YAH!) Anywhosezen, Juliette is special. Not because she's incredibly sweet by any standards and just a great person. People have treated her like crap for years because whenever she touches someone, they go through this intense trauma - it really wasn't explained how it feels for afflicted individuals - but basically as long as contact between her and that person remains, they consistently weaken until death. Yikes, I know! Her parents won't hold her, kids stay far away, and after she kills someone unintentionally, Juliette is banished even farther so that she will never hurt anyone again.
Seems pretty straight forward, right? Nope. I came in expecting a lot of things - for Juliette to be angsty, bitter and hardened - my expectations were not met, they were destroyed completely and blown out the window. Allow me to repeat myself, this girl is so nice! Dang, I dealt with a mean Queen B. the other day and now all I want to do is go back and hug the broad and be like, "You know what? It's alright, because I don't care. Go ahead and be mean but all I know is that I'mma hug you like Juliette would if she could."
A little much? Eh. I love the girl, she's golden in my books. She's called a freak for most of her life and then locked away in an asylum, forced to eat minimum and sludge at best, bathe with slimy soap and listen to the screams of everyone else in the institution. That would break me I think and when I come out I'd be like, "screw this world, I'mma drop it!" But she didn't do that, even though she could.
That, folks, is something.
The setting is dystopian and very near-future in that it deals with portraying the world after our excesses have taken its toll and we're left with grey clouds, dying animals, unbearable heat and deceased people. It struck so close to home, I think I got chills. This is entirely possible; a world where everything once taken for granted vanishes and we are left with less than the minimal, we must do everything to stop this from happening. But of course a post-apocalyptic world never could be complete without a villain.
If I love Juliette, then I melt for Adam. He is very much so beyond words, actually. The two of them together was just magic to behold because she's never been touched before and he's so...electric. Haha, no pun intended! I love that their connection has history and that they knew a great deal about each other before falling in love. I really appreciated the back-story. Honestly, I just absorbed the pages with them together, lapped everything up; I wanted more and more. Mafi is a very gifted story-teller. Her words are always metaphors but consistently beautiful.
Whether it be for Juliette and Adam, or Mafi's brilliant writing alone, come this September I am picking up the next book! Cannot wait!


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Gochujang Skirt Steak from HERO DINNERS: Complete One-Pan Meals That Save the Day
Even if you love to cook, the last thing you want to do at the end of a long day is wash a sink full of pots and pans. Hero Dinners gives you the superpower to make delicious, well-balanced meals using fresh, wholesome ingredients—all in just one sheetpan or skillet. The wizardry behind these complete meals is in super smart, innovative— and simple!—techniques that ensure you won't end up with muddled flavors and textures. With these inventive recipes, you'll maximize the impact of each and every ingredient and flavor. And every recipe truly makes a complete meal, including protein and a vegetable or grain—and usually both. Check out this unique recipe made in just a sheet-pan.
Gochujang Skirt Steak: Scallion Polenta + Broccoli
You might know gochujang as the fire engine–red sauce served at Korean restaurants. The paste, made from chiles, sticky rice, fermented soybeans, and plenty of salt, has gone from relative obscurity to being a presence on grocery store shelves nearly overnight. Its aggressive, earthy, and slightly sweet flavor is especially good with red meat.
The combination of polenta and Korean-flavored steak might seem odd, but it works quite well. Sweet, nutty polenta slices topped with scallions and soy sauce are a natural with the chewy, juicy steak. We cook the steak on a wire rack above the polenta and broccoli; as it cooks, the juices drip onto the polenta, which happily absorbs it.
- 3 tablespoons gochujang paste
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon seasoned rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 3 garlic cloves, grated on a Microplane
- 2 tablespoons lower-sodium soy sauce, divided
- 4 teaspoons toasted sesame oil, divided
- 1 1/2 pounds skirt steak, trimmed
- 6 cups broccoli florets (about 1 1/4 pounds)
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 (18-ounce) tube precooked polenta, cut across into 8 slices
- 2 scallions, cut diagonally into thin strips (about 1/3 cup)
- Combine the gochujang paste, honey, vinegar, ginger, garlic, 1 tablespoon of the soy sauce, and 2 teaspoons of the sesame oil in a large bowl. Add the skirt steak and turn to completely coat it in the marinade. Let it stand at room temperature for up to 30 minutes, or refrigerate it for up to 2 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. Coat a sheet pan with cooking spray.
- Combine the broccoli, canola oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Place the broccoli on the sheet pan in a single uncrowded layer and roast until it just begins to get tender, about 10 minutes.
- Brush the polenta slices with the remaining 2 teaspoons sesame oil. Slide the broccoli to one side of the pan and set the polenta disks in a single layer on the cleared space. Place a wire rack over the broccoli and polenta.
- Remove the steak from the bowl and use your fingers to wipe off the excess marinade. Set the steak on the rack and roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the steak registers 130°F for medium-rare, 10 to 11 minutes. Let the steak rest for 5 minutes and cut it into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Toss the scallions with the remaining 1 tablespoon soy sauce and spoon over the polenta.
Learn more about Hero Dinners: Complete One-Pan Meals That Save the Day here: https://bit.ly/2ulGR1a


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– Contributed by Wee C
I fell in love early. Eleven years and a lifetime of growing up ago. We were already friends, so the courtship was short…but the "I'm going to spend every waking moment with you and hate you when you're doing anything else but spending time with me" timeframe was a wee bit long. Like five years too long. And suffocating. And downright crazy town. But when you're 19 and in the throngs of dedicating every.single.moment to your beloved, well, any behaviour other than senseless passion and commitment just seems hollow, doesn't it? Doesn't it?
Before I go on, let me be perfectly and abundantly clear. I adore and love my husband. Really, truly love and adore him. I'm more smitten today than I was when we first started dating. But for the first five of the past 11 years, I didn't do anything social alone. I all but wrote off my friends (you all thought I didn't know, right?). And I gave up my independence for the greater good of our little world of two. Explains a bit about what happened to my 20s, eh? So part of my 30 Things was about regaining my ability to be OK to be alone…well, alone in a crowd of people my own age, socializing in the way that people my own age tend to do. You know, like a Nell-esque re-entry into society. Only with clean hair and real words.
On June 22 (that's my birthday), I boldly stated that I was embarking on a journey to take me into 30. "I'm going to do 30 new things that I've never done before," I chirped. What I really meant was "Aren't I endearing and fascinating? Shouldn't I write a book about this wonderful idea?" Chirp, chirp. On June 27, the world called my bluff.
I'm in the business of managing expectations, so I feel the need to do so now: for all of you normally functioning 20-somethings, my first "30 thing" will seem nothing short of underwhelming. Boy, that was a great sell-job to encourage you to keep reading, yes? But, based on what you've read about me above (and elsewhere), you'll come to understand why the first thing on my list truly set the standard.
On June 27, I attended my friend's Hindu wedding. Alone. Without my handsome crutch. I went alone not knowing what to expect, not realizing that the groom would ride in on horseback (seems Halifax was fresh out of elephants that day) and his soon-to-be-in-laws would steal his shoes…repeatedly. I went alone not knowing how long the ceremony would be or what it would entail. I went alone knowing that there would be dinner and…gasp…dancing, of which I will normally have no part of. All of this added up to a particularly unknown situation; the likes of which I would normally just say no to.
But, here's the next thing you need to know about 30 Things. There is no pre-existing list. 30 Things is not a bucket list. C'mon, why would a girl who has too much stress in her life create a list of things she needs to check off in order to help herself chill out? A bit counter-productive, eh? No, 30 Things is 80 per cent about saying yes to things I would normally say no to. And going to a Hindu wedding by myself was most definitely something I would normally say no to. Hence, as the first item on my list, the world had indeed called my bluff.
The day and night…and morning…turned out to be the most fun I had in years. I caught up with old high-school friends that I hadn't seen since I was 18. I laughed and danced and danced some more. I was at the Casino AT 3 IN THE MORNING! And took a cab home at 4 am. That night, was most definitely the epitome of being comfortably uncomfortable. Nothing felt normal or comfortable to me. At least not to the me I had become. But the younger version of me – the one who existed before I became completely obsessed with being a grown up – she remembered what it was like to have fun, be silly, and let her hair down. She was pretty comfortable in that uncomfortable situation. And me? I thought she was pretty cool, so I asked her to stay. Turns out, she was quite agreeable to sticking around.


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Booking Procedure
If you are a new patient please either:-
1. Phone the clinic to make your appointment on (03) 9431 5773
2. contact us via email, requesting a date and time.
* Unfortunately we only allow existing patients to use our online booking system.
If you don't have, or have forgotten your login detail and password, please contact the clinic via phone or email to retrieve it.
Online Booking Procedure Osteopathy:
1. Click this link "Book Osteopathy"
2. Log in using your username or email and your password
3. Select the practitioner you wish to see
4. Select the type of appointment you require
5. Select the date and time from the calendar.
Cancelling and Moving appointments online:
You can cancel and move your appointment online as long as it is 2 days prior to your appointment. If you need to make changes the day before or on the same day as your appointment you will be required to call the clinic on (03) 9431 5773.
Cancellation Policy:
24hrs notice of cancellation or moving an appointment is required or the cancellation fee will be charged.
It is important to give the clinic as much notice as possible as we have many patients in pain who urgently require appointments.


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Proprietor Club
Currently a Customer? Login Here
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Club Benefits
You will receive 48 bottles per year, split into four 12 bottle quarterly shipments. Each shipment will be delivered to your door or you can choose to pick it up at our tasting room. The wine selection will include red, and white wines in every order, tailored to the season.
You will also receive:
*20% discount on all additional online orders, all merchandise and wine from our tasting room
*Invitation to exclusive quarterly pick-up parties
*First dibs at our newest releases
*Free wine tastings at our tasting room
*Waived or reduced fees for most winery events and more
*Annual holiday gift free with fourth quarter shipment
*One free private vineyard tour party for club member and 10 friends per year


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Middle School Lesson Plan on the Human Brain: Neurons in the Brain
Billions of Neurons in the Brain
When teaching brain anatomy, it is essential to go over the neuron — the cells of the nervous system. Explain to students that the brain has over 100 billion neurons, according to the University of Washington. Point out that neurons are similar to other types of cells because they perform basic cellular functions and have the same components, like a nucleus, cell membrane and other organelles; but they have a different structure and function than other cells. Students can refer to the accompanying study guide for further help.
Diagram of a Neuron
When teaching the neuron, start by going the parts of a neuron. Use an image of the neuron with labels for each of the major parts, such as the image on the left. Next to the number, write down the name of the part next to the neuron diagram. For example, it should look like:
- Dendrite
- Axon
- Nodes of Ranvier
- Axon Terminals
- Myelin Sheath
- Cell Body (Soma)
- Nucleus
Give students handouts and ask them to fill in the blanks. Encourage students to write down the functions of each part next to the name when studying.
After the different parts of a neuron has been covered, move on to the function of a neuron. Explain that the neuron passes the signal along, which is essential for brain communication. When explaining the function, use the image to illustrate.
Explain to students that the signal comes to the neuron through the dendrites at the top of the neuron, passes down the axon, and travels on to the next neuron. Point out that the myelin sheath protects the axon and helps send the signal on. At this point, introduce the action potential, and how the transportation of electrical signals down the neuron is involved. Before moving on, make sure that the students understand the concepts.
For this part of the lesson, divide the types of neurons into two groups: by function and by extension number. When teaching the functional types, explain to students that there are three types: sensory neurons, motor neurons and interneurons. Point out that the sensory neurons send information towards the central nervous system, the motor neurons send information away from the central nervous system, and the interneurons relay messages between the sensory and motor neurons. Do an exercise: write out one function per flash card, and pass them out to students. Have them read the flashcards out loud, and ask other students to answer what type of neuron it is.
For the second categorization group, draw each one on the blackboard or use a printed image. Explain to students that bipolar neurons have two extensions from the cell body; pseudounipolar neurons have two axons; and multipolar neurons have multiple extensions, but only one axon. Pass out a worksheet for students to review the different types of neurons.
- University of Washington: Types of Neurons, http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/cells.html
- Image Credit: Neuron by NickGorton under CC by -SA 3.0
- University of Washington: Action Potential, http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/ap.html


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I've already paid a visit to the Twain House in Hartford, but one of these days, I need to get myself out to Hannibal, Missouri. Obviously, this is because it was the hometown of one Samuel Langhorne Clemens. And I know if I ever make it there, I'll be staying at the historic Garth House bed & breakfast.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has a profile today of this historic B&B, voted number-one in the entire Show-Me State. Once owned by John Garth, schoolmate of Clemens and the purported inspiration for Tom Sawyer, the building sheltered Twain during his 1882 and 1902 returns to Hannibal. In fact, a letter from Twain commemorating his childhood friend, who had passed in '02, now hangs framed in the second-floor hallway.
If you're inclined to stay there, first of all, I envy you. Second of all, pay a visit to www.garthmansion.com.
You Oughta Be in Pictures
1 year ago


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Upcoming events
What is Advocacy Action Network?
Advocacy Action Network is a group dedicated to promoting mental health and disability rights through coalitions.
The 874K Disabilities Coalition represents the over 874,000 Kentuckians with disabilities. We gather together in Frankfort once per year to advocate with legislators and remind them "We Vote. We Matter."
The Kentucky Mental Health Coalition represents the mental health community in Kentucky. We meet several times a year to share advocacy efforts and updates.


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Ruth Campau – WALL AND FLOOR
Danish artist Ruth Campau can be seen at two different exhibitions at the moment and a new catalog containing a selection of her works has just been published.
"In her art works, Ruth Campau manages to bring forth a new form of unity between traditional antipoles like line and color, standstill and motion, body and intellect.
For this reason, there are at least always two ways of relating to her works, corresponding precisely with the manner in which the works themselves are incessantly unfolding themselves and redoubling.
On the one side, we have the linear course, rigorous and most often monochrome, on the other, we have the tactile, present and surprising."
The paragraph is taken from the catalog "WALL AND FLOOR" by Ruth Campau.
The text in the book is written by art historian and art critic Trine Ross, and the book is edited by Michael Jensen and the artist herself.
The catalog shows an extract of Campaus work with acrylic materias, and also shows the building- integrated decoration that she made for a housing complex at Amerika Plads in Copenhagen in 2006.
Ruth Campaus works can currently be viewed at the exhibition "Baltic Sea Record 2013" at Stadtgalerie Kiel until the 5th of September, and at the exhibition " Form Signage" at Sophienholm, which will continue until the 15th of September.
For more information, click here


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Ben Forster has been on a bit of a roll lately. In September, he reprised the role of Brad Majors in The Rocky Horror Show for its brief West End return at the Playhouse Theatre that was also live-screened into cinemas around the country, working alongside the show's creator, Richard O'Brien, and Stephen Fry.
He is currently stepping back into another part – the title role of Elf that he first played in Plymouth last Christmas and is now appearing in at the Dominion Theatre, London. And last but not least, in February, he takes over an iconic title role when he joins the London cast of The Phantom of the Opera.
He's building on an association with Andrew Lloyd Webber that began for him professionally when he won the title role in Jesus Christ Superstar, via the reality ITV casting show, Superstar.
But personally, he tells me when we meet in his large star dressing room backstage at the Dominion, the connection goes back even further.
Growing up in a working-class community in Sunderland, he says, "My auntie gave me a cassette tape of Andrew Lloyd Webber music, and I remember I would listen to it on my Walkman in bed. I love Starlight Express and The Phantom of the Opera."
His own professional life story sounds like a mixture of A Chorus Line and Billy Elliot.
"My sister, who is six years older, was taken to ballet on Saturdays, and I'd watch her do pantomimes at Sunderland Empire as she grew up. We joined the local amateur dramatic society as a family to support her, but we all got roped in. I remember that, when I was five-and-a-half-years-old, I did my first show at a coalminer workmen's club hall, and I had a childhood lisp, so I was singing 'thzipp a dee-doo-dah, thzipp a dee-a'."
But it was someone he credits as "an amazing music teacher" at his comprehensive school in Sunderland, who, he says, "really changed my life".
Her name was Mrs Bennett and he is still in touch with her today. "She gave me an hour or two after school every day, training and encouraging me. She told me about the National Youth Music Theatre and got me to apply. Everyone in the workmen's club put together £300 for me to go, and I joined them to do a show called Warchild. In Sunderland in the 1980s and early 1990s, there was this air of desperation after the miners' strike, and men were men and women were women and no one could dream. But my mum has always been very positive, and said you can do anything you want."
He recalls that when his family first saw the film version of Billy Elliot, even his mother, he says, noticed the similarities with her son's own story. "She said: 'Have you been talking to someone on a train and they've overheard your story and made a movie?' The only difference is that my mam is still alive – I've even got a bit of a crazy gran."
At the NYMT, he met people with a similar passion to his: "That was the first time I met another 13-year-old boy who was the same as me. And they were all talking about where they wanted to go next: some mentioned Laine [Theatre Arts], others Italia Conti [Academy of Theatre Arts]. I'd never even heard of them. But they told me to look in The Stage, and I remember getting the paper – we didn't have the internet everywhere then – and I saw an ad for Italia Conti, and I decided that's where I needed to go – it looked the most fun."
So he duly auditioned, and says now: "The audition scene from Billy Elliot is virtually word for word what happened to me when I had mine at Italia Conti."
He was 17 when he started there, but he left after a year and a half when, halfway through his second year, he got his first West End job in a show called La Cava that opened at the Victoria Palace and subsequently transferred to the Piccadilly Theatre. "It's when you're working that you learn the most – working with talented people, getting inspired by them and learning the business."
His next job taught him about being in a show that began with a great buzz around it, but that he and his fellow cast members soon realised during rehearsals was doomed. It was a Beatles revue called All You Need Is Love, and he appeared in it with Hannah Jane Fox and Adrian Hansel in 2001.
"I was only 20 at the time, and I remember Hannah saying to Adrian when we were on a rehearsal break: 'Is this show really shit?' and Adrian replying: 'I think it is!' We hoped it wouldn't be a flop, but we knew it was."
Meanwhile, he was trying to break into the music world as a singer-songwriter, and took some time out from the theatre to do so: "I was just doing commercials to keep me in money – I was quite good at commercial castings, because I have a bendy face and I look like the boy next door, so I did alright with commercials."
But the music career never really took off. "I was being managed by the same person as Paloma Faith and Amy Winehouse, but it didn't happen. Looking back, I know I wasn't that good, though I thought I was brilliant at the time," he says honestly. "I'm an okay songwriter, but I was always trying to fulfil a brief. I would go into the studio and be told to do things like John Legend or James Morrison, but you can't be someone else. You have to be yourself – and that's what I should have done, and might do in the future if I do it again: write music I love. You can't be dishonest about it; that's probably why it didn't work."
Instead, he joined the original London cast of Thriller Live in 2009 as one of its original lead singers, a show he admires to this day for the fact that it keeps reinventing itself: "They keep putting new numbers in, so you can see it 10 times and see 10 different shows." He stayed for a few years, including a world tour, of which he says: "I've been to so many places. I've been blessed."
He found his own career, however, was stalling: "I don't know what it was, but it was hard. I don't think it was my agent – I had a good one – but I wasn't being seen for things that I thought I would be okay to be seen for, like Hairspray when it came to London or to work at Chichester [Festival Theatre], which I've still never been seen for. Casting directors are just human beings, and they have their favourites – people they know or have seen in loads of different things. And I'd had that massive break of three or four years when I was doing music."
But then came Jesus Christ Superstar, and his fortunes turned around. "People think I fabricate this story, but it's really true. In January 2012, I was asked to go back into Thriller Live for a month. I'd started to develop property interests in 2009 and 2010, and it was going okay and I was doing alright. And I thought: 'I don't think I'm going to get what I want', so in my head I started to say: 'I think I'm done [with performing]'. My family had seen me in a lead in the West End and I'd toured around the world and done stadiums. It was a great experience and I'd really loved it, but it was time to give it up. Then my agent rang and told me about the Superstar programme. I remember thinking back in the day when they did the Joseph and Maria casting shows that I'd never do one of them, unless it was a Jesus Christ Superstar one. And because I'd said that, when one came up, I just knew I had to do it. It's such an epic role that it really does get to showcase the winner, and give them some sort of credibility."
At that point, there was also a growing recognition among professional working actors that there was no shame in participating in these programmes, and they afforded their participants real exposure; his fellow contestants in the Superstar competition included Alex Gaumond, Oliver Tompsett and his Thriller Live co-star Roger Wright.
When Forster turned up for the show's bootcamp in Majorca and saw Tompsett and Gaumond there, he says: "I thought I should just go home. I knew Ollie a bit and he has those amazing locks of hair and a Jesus face; and Alex was already a West End star [he'd had a featured role in Legally Blonde]. But it was the way things were going – if you couldn't beat them, you had to join them, and it could open doors."
But Forster very nearly pulled out during the competition. "I really hurt my back during a dance call, and thought I'd have to go home as I couldn't move. But Ollie told me I couldn't – I was down to the last 30 so I had to stay – and he came to my room and spent two hours rubbing my back, doing the best impression of a physio you could ever see."
Even now, he is touched by the generosity of the gesture: "He could have wiped out a bit of the competition, but he didn't."
The TV contest itself, he recalls now, was "terrifying", not least because it went out on live television and amounted to a public popularity contest, voted for by the great British public. "I wouldn't be able to do it again, knowing what I know now. The only way you can get through it is when you don't know what is around the next corner, like the stuff they threw at us when we came down to the last five and they suddenly changed my song the night before the show and I had to go home and learn it and be ready for the camera rehearsal the next morning."
He won it, of course, and it did indeed open doors to some big opportunities. He mentions going on the arena tour, which began at London's biggest arena, the O2, and tells me that Ricky Wilson from the Kaiser Chiefs had recently told him that he'd appeared there earlier this year and revealed: "Do you know that outside the dressing room there's a massive picture of you?"
He was humbled by appearing there: "Anyone who has a desire or love of entertainment wants to appear there. It will, I'm sure, be the best moment of my life." Also life-changing in other ways was appearing with Melanie Chisholm [former Spice Girl Mel C], who had been a judge on the programme and then joined the cast as Mary Magdalene: "We clicked immediately – she was the judge who was gunning for me, and then the most lovely co-star, too. She's changed my life in a number of ways, even my personal life in ways that no one would know."
In 2013, he joined Chisholm and Tim Minchin, the London Judas, on an Australian arena tour of the show. The next year, it was due to embark on a US tour in the summer. "We were in New Orleans, which was the first date, and I was in a rehearsal with Laurence Connor [who directed it] and Brandon Boyd from Incubus, who was going to be Judas. It was five days before the tour was due to start, when Steve Nixon, who was the show's general manager, came in. I'd never seen a look on his face like it – and though no one else clocked on, I just knew what it was about."
The news was bad; the tour was suddenly entirely cancelled. "It was the most surreal day of my life. John Lydon, who used to be Johnny Rotten, was supposed to be King Herod, and he'd been a bit of a nightmare, outrageous and crazy, and I hadn't been sure I'd be able to share a tour bus with him. But we had clicked a few days before and were getting on, and he was devastated. I've never seen a grown man that upset. He told me that it had all meant so much to him, and he'd really loved being there with me and learnt so much from rehearsing with me."
Forster may also have been left reeling, but he comes from the school of hard knocks and wasn't about to let this defeat him. "I'd been brought up to be positive, and I went out and walked around New Orleans. I honestly don't think I could have found out that news anywhere better, because on every corner there's someone incredibly talented who is playing music. I walked around and saw a Chinese woman playing a violin, and another woman joined her with a guitar and they drew such a crowd. It was so beautiful, I stood there for an hour crying and thought: 'That's what it is all about. I don't need to do Madison Square Gardens or need the paycheck I was about to get. I could just move to New Orleans and sing on a street corner.' When I was trying to get my recording career going, I used to perform in pubs up and down Marylebone High Street, in Fitzrovia and Trafalgar Square. That's how I made my living. So I could do it again. It was what I was used to. And I thought, I'd had these amazing couple of years, and if this was the end, if nothing more was going to happen to me, I'd just move to New Orleans and be a singer."
What was your first job? When I first moved to London, I spent two months at the Lyceum Theatre as front-of-house – I was at the opening night of The Lion King, selling cuddly toys. My West End debut was in La Cava (Victoria Palace and Piccadilly Theatre).
What is your next job? The title role in The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theatre, London, from February 1.
What do you wish someone had told you when you were starting out? To not be so self-conscious and just to be myself. I wasn't successful until I lost my self-consciousness.
Who or what was your biggest influence? Andrew Lloyd Webber, and not just for me: look at how instrumental he has been and how much he has changed the business.
What's your best advice for auditions? Just be yourself – don't act really confident, don't act demure, or posh, or funny. I've helped out a friend who is a casting director and sat in on auditions. Those who were themselves were always the best.
If you hadn't been an actor, what would you have been? When I was a teenager, marine biology and wildlife photography were massive passions, so I might have done that; I was also obsessed with property, even as a kid, and it is still a hobby now.
Do you have any theatrical superstitions? A gazillion – everything has a ritual attached to it.
In fact, when he got home to England, he got a different call: as so often when the chips are down for people, it came from Bill Kenwright. He wanted him for the tour of Jesus Christ Superstar he was doing in the UK. "I didn't want to do it really, but I didn't want to say that – I respect him too much, so I suggested we had a cup of tea, and I told him then that I didn't want to revisit it yet. And then he said: 'How about doing Magaldi in Evita – I can guest-star you in that when I bring it to the Dominion Theatre?'"
It would prove to be extremely fortuitous. "The whole TV contest was based around me being a rock singer, but I've got a more versatile voice than that. And when Andrew Lloyd Webber saw me doing Evita, it opened his eyes to something different in me – and he said: 'You need to be Phantom'."
And that dream is now about to become a reality, when he steps into the famous shoes (and mask) of the Phantom from February 1. "It's a big step for me – a big boy's part. And that's a gift."
The contrast with the current role that has brought him back to the Dominion for a Christmas run in Elf (running until January 2) couldn't be greater, which is a little boy's part in every sense. "But then Michael Crawford went from being Frank Spencer [in BBC's Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em] to the Phantom, so I'm not breaking any big ground."
He originated the title role in the British premiere of Elf at Plymouth's Theatre Royal last Christmas, and says it was "a lovely, lovely experience". For the first time in his career, he was in a place where the show was being built in-house, as they were rehearsing it at the Theatre Royal. "We'd be creating the show in one room, and then the big double doors would open and we'd see the set being built, and walk down the corridor and see the costumes being made. Usually, you go into tech and the costumes are all there. Seeing them being hand-sewn was magical."
The production ignited some controversy when it was announced that premium tickets for the London run were being sold at up to £240 each. When I say that one of my objections to it is that the actors won't see any of that sort of money themselves, he pragmatically (and diplomatically) replies: "That's no one's argument but Equity's. And all actors and people taking that argument need to make sure that they are paying their Equity subs, so that it can be a powerful and popular union. I kept paying my subs even when I was taking a break from acting. Nothing will change unless we have power like the American Actors' Equity has."
Forster has earned his dues. And suggests, tactfully, that actors pay them, too.
Born: 1981, SunderlandTraining: Italia Conti
Landmark productions: Thriller Live (2009), Jesus Christ Superstar (2012-13), Evita (2014), The Rocky Horror Show (2013 and 2015), Elf (2015)
Awards: Winner of ITV's Superstar television reality show, 2012
Agent: Hilary Shaw at Shaw Thing Management, and William Morris in New York
Elf runs at the Dominion Theatre, London, until January 2
Ben Forster will join The Phantom of the Opera in the title role at Her Majesty's Theatre, London, from February 1


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Katy Perry's Vegas outing
Katy Perry's Vegas outing, Mia moretti give love vegas, Katy Perry attends Las Vegas charity event with Markus Molinari. Katy Perry made her first social outing since her break-up with Russell Brand when she accompanied best friend Markus Molinari to a charity event in Las Vegas on Friday.
The lavish bash at the 1 OAK club in the Mirage Hotel was designed to raise money for Givelove.org, an organisation that provides support for victims of the Haiti earthquake.
She looked happy enough as she posed for photos on the red carpet with her jewellery designer pal.
Katy wore a short black cocktail dress, which was embellished with metal studs, and towering high-heeled sandals for the occasion, and livened up her look with blue hair.
Her appearance impressed fellow guest Paris Hilton, who tweeted: '@KatyPerry looking gorgeous across the room. Love her hair & dress! #Stunning!'
The I Kissed A Girl singer was apparently not her normal party-loving self away from the cameras.
A source told People magazine: 'She was really tame. She was really just drinking a few drinks and chilling with her friends.'
Comedian Russell filed for divorce in late December and blamed the end of their 14-month marriage on 'irreconcilable differences'.
It was rumoured Katy harboured hopes of a reconciliation, but they appeared to come to an end after the pair met to discuss the arrangements for their split a fortnight ago.
via: metro


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I've got a question regarding the import of Fluent .dat files. I've run a large transient simulation in Fluent with an automated export to so-called "cfd-post compatible data". This means that Fluent has produced a number of name-xxxx.cas and name-xxxx.cdat files. However, TecPlot doesn't seem to be able to read this stream and gives a message that this is an unsupported file type. .cdat is a reduced .dat file to save space with large transient data amounts.
I have tried to just rename the file to dat. Although the file is loaded in TecPlot, there are no data variables anymore. Only x, y and z position.
I have tried to import the cdat file in Fluent and export it as a normal dat file, and load this into TecPlot: this rendered the file useless as well.
Is there any way to import this .cdat transient data in TecPlot?
If possible, it would be really nice to have some quick reply on this issue. I'm already getting afraid that I will have to rerun the entire simulation.
Kind regards.


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A2 and I read this before bed… nine Eloise Wilkin Golden Books in one volume. After we finished, he was asleep in less than five minutes.
Month: July 2014
Flowers from a Babushka
Happy Independence Day!
Independence Day seems to be a Big Deal for me when I'm overseas. But it is also a Lot of Work for Hubby. He looked dashing when he headed off to his official function in his seersucker suit. The Fourth of July function he attended was at the end of a crazy week, following a crazy month, following a crazy year.
So we stayed low key for our family celebration. We had blueberries and strawberries in yogurt for breakfast. We picnicked on the floor with some of our favorite American foods — southern pork honey and mustard bbq, corn on the cob, deviled eggs, sweet tea, corn bread, greens. . . Our friend Olya joined us. She brought us a Kyivski torte (hazelnut, chocolate and meringue cake.)
The kids and I also went to the American Chamber of Commerce big to-do. We thought there would be fireworks, but were disappointed. Still, it was fun.


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180 Smoke Was Featured On:
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Anatomy of an E-Cigarette
What is E-Liquid or E-Juice?
Fluid that e-cigarettes use to produce vapour.
what's in it?
A combination of a natural and synthetic USP-grade flavourings are used to achieve the perfect flavour balance.
If you choose, nicotine may be included in the e-liquid.
A simple polyol compound that is colourless, odourless and viscous, typically produced from plant oil. Vegetable glycerin is responsible for producing a smooth inhale and visible vapour.
A colourless, nearly odourless thinner liquid with a faintly sweet taste. Propylene glycol is known for carrying flavours and providing a satisfying throat hit.
Battery Safety
How Much Nicotine Should I Use?
Mouth to lung Devices
In mouth to lung devices, where vapor is first drawn into the mouth before being inhaled to the lungs, higher levels of nicotine are required to achieve optimal absorption. These guidelines are based on any pen-style or box e-cigarette device being used between 8-15 watts.
18MG/1.8% Nicotine-full pack of cigarettes per day (25) or more
12MG/1.2% Nicotine-Half pack of cigarettes per day (10-15)
6MG/0.6% Nicotine-Quarter pack of cigarettes per day (5-10)
3MG/0.3% Nicotine-Less than quarter pack of cigarettes per day (<5)
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Direct to lung Devices
The vapour from direct to lung devices is taken directly into the lungs. This devices will procedure a larger volume of vapor per inhale, meaning that the nicotine will be more effectively dispersed into the body. Therefore, lower levels of nicotine can be used to achieve the same effect as mouth-to-lung devices.
18mg/1.8% Nicotine-Not recommended
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Smokers can now switch to vaping without the hassle. Try one of these simple vapes that mimic the experience of smoking but with reduced harm.


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Netherlands' Gemini Offshore Wind Park Operational
The Gemini Offshore Wind Park in the Netherlands' North Sea has been officially opened.
With a 600 MW generating capacity, Gemini is one of the largest offshore wind parks in the world. It will produce 2.6 TWh of sustainable energy every year, reducing the Netherlands' CO? emissions by 1.25 million tons.
To celebrate the opening, a special dome tent was erected in which a 360-degree video allowed visitors to imagine themselves taking a tour of Gemini's wind turbines as they rotate out in the North Sea (above).
Over the next fifteen years Gemini will meet the energy needs of 1.5 million consumers. This is equivalent to the combined energy needs of all the citizens of the Netherlands' three Northern provinces. The reduction in CO? emissions is comparable to the emissions of 50,000 cars that each drive 25,000 kilometers (15,000 miles) a year.
Gemini is invisible from land, located 85 kilometers (53 miles) off the coast of Groningen in the North Sea. This location has some of the highest and most constant wind speeds in the North Sea, with an average wind speed of 36 kilometers (22 miles) per hour. The turbines turn at five to 13 revolutions per minute, and the turbine hubs are 88.5 meters (290 feet) above sea level. Water depths at the site are between 28 and 36 meters (90 and 120 feet).
Gemini covers an area of 68 square kilometers and is comprised of 150 Siemens wind turbines with a capacity of 4.0MW each. This included 450 turbine blades, each weighing 18 tons. The farm has two offshore high-voltage substations, each connected to a land station in Eemshaven by a 110-kilometer export cable. There, the electricity is converted to 380Kv and conveyed to the TenneT power station.
Gemini has licenses to operate the wind farm for 20 years. After this period, the wind farm and everything that has been introduced onto the seabed must be removed. A bank security of €40 million ($44 million) has been made available for this. Economically, and if well-maintained, the wind farm can last much longer, especially if turbines are replaced with new turbines that may be even more efficient. To maintain the wind farm, an average 20 maintenance technicians will be based permanently at sea.
An app to continuously track Gemini's offshore wind speed, the amount of energy produced, and the total CO? reduction was introduced at the grand opening event and is available for free download.
Four companies have an interest in the project: Northland Power (60 percent), Siemens (20 percent), Van Oord (10 percent) and HVC (10 percent). The construction of the wind park required an investment of 2.8 billion euros ($3 billion). The project was financed by 25 banks from Asia, Australia, Europe and North America. To date, Gemini is the largest project financing for an offshore wind park.


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IMDB Rating: 7.7/10 from 10,746 votes
Director: Robert Kirkman
Stars: Patrick Fugit, Philip Glenister, Reg E. Cathey, Wrenn Schmidt
Synopsis: Watch Outcast online free. In Outcast Putlocker Full Episodes, Kyle Barnes has been plagued by possession since he was a child. Now an adult, he embarks on a spiritual journey to find answers, but what he uncovers could mean the end of life on Earth as we know it.


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Paper That Talks Two Ways, The Treaty Signing–2010
40" x 33" Fine Art Masterwork Edition on Canvas
65" x 54" Fine Art Museum Edition on Canvas
"Paper that talks two ways" is an Indian expression that voiced the Native American's impression that treaties always said one thing to the white man and quite another to the native people. In this painting, we see a gathering of Cheyenne and Sioux men intently listening to a man who is a regarded orator among his people. The words of the Peace Commission have been translated to him and he is expressing his distrust of those words. Artist Howard Terpning wanted the entire focus of the painting to be on the native people, so we see only the corner of a table and the shoes of one of the commissioners. The scene depicted here is not a specific treaty signing event, but it is loosely patterned after the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868. Terpning references The Treaty of Fort Laramie because it was one of the last great treaties to be signed between the American Government and the Plains Indians. What it proposed and how it played out were two different things.
The Fort Laramie Treaty
The treaty ended Red Cloud's War (1866-1867), established the boundaries of the Great Sioux Reservation and protected Sioux Hunting Grounds and the Sacred Black Hills from white encroachment. The treaty includes an article intended to "ensure the civilization" of the Lakota, financial incentives for them to farm land and become competitive and stipulations that minors should be provided with an "English education" at a "mission building." To this end, the U.S. government included in the treaty permission for white teachers, blacksmiths, a farmer, a miller, a carpenter, an engineer and a government agent to take up residence within the reservation.
In 1874, General George A. Custer led an expedition into the Black Hills accompanied by miners who were seeking gold. Once gold was found in the Black Hills, miners were soon moving into the Sioux hunting grounds in violation of the treaty. Indians in turn assaulted these gold prospectors, who then demanded protection from the United States Army. War ensued.
In 1876, Custer, leading an army detachment, encountered the encampment of Sioux and Cheyenne at the Little Bighorn River. Custer's detachment was annihilated, but the United States would continue its battle against the Sioux in the Black Hills until the government confiscated the land in 1877. To this day, ownership of the Black Hills remains the subject of a legal dispute between the U.S. government and the Sioux.


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2K Games announced today that LeBron James will grace the cover of the NBA 2K19 20th Anniversary Edition. Still not known who will grace the "Standard Cover."
Trailer feature's rappers 2 Chainz, Rapsody and Jerreau performing a spoken word tribute to LeBron's legacy. My question is what the gameplay and My Player will be like.
The NBA 2K19 20th Anniversary Edition includes the following digital items:
100,000 Virtual Currency;
50,000 MyTEAM points;
20 MyTEAM League Packs;
Sapphire LeBron James MyTEAM Card;
10 MyTEAM "20th Anniversary" Packs;
5 LeBron-themed murals for MyCOURT;
LeBron MyCOURT design;
LeBron Nike apparel capsule: Includes LeBron-themed shirts, hats, socks, jersey, and
LeBron Nike shoe collection: Includes 25 different pairs of LeBron's signature shoes,
including the Lebron 15's and 16's!
Physical Items include:
LeBron NBA 2K19 poster;
NBA 2K sticker sheet;
Custom Wristband featuring LeBron's chosen words
Rumor has it that 2k will be at E3 this year, So will be seeing some gameplay details announced? Hope they get better servers and get rid of the Neighborhood. Time will tell. All aboard the HYPE train has just begun!
Gaming before Gaming was popular. Fighting game enthusiast! I have a passion for gaming that is unmatched!


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I think everyone knows that I'm all about helping other authors. Whether they be new ones coming up the ranks or those that are a little more seasoned than I am. It doesn't really matter because we are all in this together. Today's post is to help my friend Shannon Mayer from Wringing Out Words. As I mentioned in my Beautiful Blogger post, she generally presents with me with challenges. Today is no different. Here is what she has to say:
|Cassidy Jones and Vulcan's Gift
This is a one day only BOOK PUSH for June 6th 2012. Yup, four authors DETERMINED to bring their books to the world AND to see them climb high in Amazon's Ranks. We have a Zombie-ish apocalypse with a splash of romance, a romantic suspense with a dash of humour, a Thriller with a huge helping of action and a YA Paranormal with a mystery blended in.
|Red is an Attitude
And you, my friends, can help. How? Easy peasy. Not only can you help, you can WIN BIG while you're at it.
Here's the run down. Purchase any ONE (1) of the books, and send your receipt to us and you'll be entered in for a grand prize of $50.00 in Amazon Gift Cards! PLUS if you purchase all FOUR (4) books, not only will you have 4 entries, you'll also be in for an additional SECRET DRAW.
|Allegiance The Second Cruz Marquez Thriller
Now, we can't tell you what the draw is, because that would ruin the whole SECRET thing. But we will give you a hint. IT'S FABULOUS!
Okay, you want another hint? Hmm. How about DOUBLING THE GIFT CARDS?! Oh, right. Secret's out.
What are you waiting for?
|A Zombie-ish Apocalypse: Book 1 Sundered
More stuff?
Well, If you insist.
4 randomly drawn entrants will win back their purchases. FREE BOOKS. Crickey!
Send all purchase receipts to firstname.lastname@example.com
Winners will be drawn randomly, announced on June 8th at http://shannonmayer.blogspot.com
For additional information regarding this contest contact firstname.lastname@example.com
Thanks Shannon for yet another challenge. Please help me help Shannon, Derek, Kathy, and Elise get the word out about their books. If you haven't already figured it out...if you click on the name under the picture it will take you to Amazon. It might help too if you clicked the Twitter or Facebook button on the right side under Share It. That should get all this information out to several people within a minute. I just love technology...when it works right...don't you?
Have a great one!
Lynn Hallbrooks


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Arsene Wenger makes his return to football – playing a friendly match in memory of Aldo Platini
Frenchman donned baggy white shorts and a red shirt to dazzle with his footwork on the turf
ARSENE WENGER may have been brutally sacked at Arsenal but he has not lost his love of the Beautiful Game.
The 68-year-old Frenchman played in a charity football match in his homeland and looked pretty sharp speeding down the wing.
The game took place in Nancy, and was to raise money for sick children.
It was also in memory of Aldo Platini, father of French legend Michel, who died in December.
Various photos were shared on social media that show Wenger on the ball in baggy white shorts and a red shirt.
There were also rumours that the former Gunners boss scored in the game, although this has yet to be confirmed.
SunSport has reported how Wenger has dropped the biggest hint yet that he is ready for a return to a high-profile job - after lining up Fenerbahce director of football Damien Comolli to go with him.
Wenger has been taking a break since leaving Arsenal at the end of last season, but has been assembling his backroom staff behind the scenes in preparation for his next management role.
Most Read In Football
Comolli goes back a long way with Wenger - he worked with him at Monaco and also at Arsenal - before moving on to sporting director roles at Tottenham and Liverpool.
Wenger, who has been linked with a number of prestigious positions since leaving Arsenal, wants Comolli by his side in his next role.


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Chocolate Bundt Cake
Categories: Cacao Recipes, Recipes
|Chocolate Bundt Cake
Recipe Type: Dessert
Prep time: 25 mins
Cook time: 45 mins
Total time: 1 hour 10 mins
Serves: 8
This cake gets sweetness and moisture from maple syrup and the darkest of brown sugars and its distinctive chocolate flavor from Tisano's cocoa powder. I can't imagine anything better than eating a slice of this Chocolate Bundt cake with a cup of warm tea.
- Chocolate Bundt Cake:
- 2 cups / 475 ml chocolate porter or stout beer
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for the pan
- 3/4 cup / 75g Tisano's cocoa powder
- 1 cup / 5 oz / 140 g whole wheat flour
- 1 cup / 4.5 oz / 125 g all-purpose flour
- 1 cup / 4.25 oz / 120 g muscovado or dark brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups / 355 ml plain whole yogurt
- 3/4 cup / 180 ml pure maple syrup
- Chocolate Buttermilk Icing:
- 3/4 cup / 2.75 oz / 75 g powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup / 25g Tisano's cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons buttermilk
- flaky sea salt, to serve
- Makes one chocolate bundt cake.
- Preheat oven to 350F / 180C, with a rack in the center.
- Butter and flour (generously) a 11 or 12-cup capacity bundt pan (or equivalent). As I mention up above, you can bake this in other cake pans, just be mindful to avoid filling the pan(s) more than 2/3 – 3/4 full. Adjust the baking time as well – baking until the cake begins to pull away from the sides of the pan, and the center tests clean when you insert a knife.
- In a saucepan simmer the beer down to 1 cup / 240 ml. Remove from heat, add the butter and stir until melted. Stir in the cocoa powder, mixing until smooth, then set aside to cool, stirring occasionally to let off heat.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flours, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, yogurt, and maple syrup. Whisk well, until nicely blended and uniform in appearance. Gradually add the (cooled) stout mixture, stirring all the while. Stir until well blended. Add the flour mixture, folding until just blended, using as few strokes as possible.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and bake for 35 – 45 minutes if using the bundt pan, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. You really don't want to over bake this cake – err on the slightly moist side if anything. Remove from the oven, and turn out onto a cooling rack after seven minutes.
- In the meantime, make the icing by whisking together the powdered sugar, cocoa, and buttermilk. Really go at it for at least a minute. The icing should end up smooth and creamy looking, adjust with a touch of powdered sugar or a few extra drops of buttermilk if you want to tweak the consistency at all.
- When the cake is completely cool, run the icing around the top with an offset spatula and let it set.
For more information visit the original source:


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Full Movie Uncle John Full Movie HD.Full Movie Uncle John Full Movie with duration 114 Min and broadcast on 2015-03-16 and MPAA rating is 0.
- Original Title : Uncle John
- Movie title in your country : Uncle John
- Year of movie : 2015
- Genres of movie : Mystery, Crime, Drama,
- Status of movie : Post Production
- Release date of movie : 2015-03-16
- Companies of movie :
- Countries of movie : United States of America,
- Language of movie : English,
- Durationof movie : 114 Min
- Average vote of movie : 0
- Youtube ID of movie : N9h7y-kPGs0
- Translation of movie : EN,DE,
- Actors of movie :Alex Moffat (Ben), Jenna Lyng (Kate), John Ashton (Uncle John), Ronnie Gene Blevins (Danny)
Movie plot of Uncle John :
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Writer : Erik Crary, Director : Steven Piet, Writer : Steven Piet, Editor : W.T. O'Brien
Sure, now you can watch movie of Uncle John in full length and have the hyperlink to this motion picture Uncle John in best look.
Tags: disappearance,


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The Tiger Catcher by Paullina Simons
I received an advanced copy of this book from its publicists in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own. Explosive love story? A relationship that bends the rules of time as we know it? Mysticism? I heard these about the book and my first thought was "where can…… Continue reading The Tiger Catcher by Paullina Simons


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TW weight talk, obvs. (sometimes I feel like I overuse TW but hey, you can never be too careful.)
(oops this post ended up being mostly about me and not so much about the article. but it's still a good article!!)
As always with Vice articles I would strongly recommend not reading the comments, especially since this is an Alison Stevenson article, although they aren't as bad as they often are.
(Side note: I am really beginning to like Alison Stevenson a lot and I wish she would come write for Jezebel because I would seriously love to be able to discuss her articles with the MP commenters who I like.)
I am having thoughts about this article but it's almost 3 AM so they are not very coherent thoughts. For the most part, I strongly agree with her, although I'm going to have to check out those articles about attraction before I buy that anyone can smell how fertile I am.
I feel all the feels she is describing, but I'm in a bit of a transition point. I've been plus size or borderline plus size the majority of my life, and most of the time I was mostly okay with it. Then, last year, I lost a lot of weight and got down to a size 8. And I was in love with my body.
Sometime in my late teens or early 20s I switched to wearing fairly conservative clothing - low cut, but that's about all the skin I ever showed, and I didn't wear tight stuff on my upper half. I wasn't exactly ashamed about my rolls, but I also kind of was, and that's how I came to terms with it and hid it and dealt with it. You could see my body but I wasn't super uncovered or anything.
Anyway, I got down to a size 8 and bought my first ever pair of shorts. Bought tank tops that I didn't wear with coverups for the first time in I don't know how long. Stopped hiding my arms, stopped hiding my legs. I freaking bought a bikini, although I did use high waisted bottoms because I wasn't THAT comfortable yet.
I stopped being self concious during sex, about what position I was in and if my stomach was pooching out. I stopped feeling like a behemoth who was going to crush someone if I got on top of them. I was way more confident about my looks when all the clothes are off and you can see the real me than I have been... ever?
Then, because it's me (and because I lost the weight for a guy mostly, because.. me), I gained all the weight back. Good news, I didn't have to buy new clothing since I never got rid of my old clothing. Bad news, I was suddenly very unhappy with my body. Where I was okay with it most of the time before I lost weight (just not so much during sexy times because I used clothes as camouflage), I was now pretty fucking unhappy about my size. I avoided looking in mirrors, I didn't want to be naked in front of people, again. Seeing my "thin" clothes in the closet and knowing I couldn't wear them often sent me into a tailspin of self loathing.
This lasted for a while, but ever so recently, I decided I was being silly. If I'm basing my self worth on how attractive I am to other people (which obviously I should not be, but yeah anyway), tons of people have found me attractive. I have never wanted for sexual partners, or even people to date. If I'm basing my self worth on how attractive *I* find myself, I'm being even sillier. Because I've always found myself beautiful. Not to get too self-congratulatory, but I love my breasts, I love my face, and I love my butt. I love my body hair and I love my moles, I love my hands and I love my scars. There are things about my body that I don't like, of course, but I do find myself very attractive. 10/10, would bang.
The insecurity with sexy times never came from my opinion of how I looked (before the weight loss and weight re-gain, anyway) - I could see myself naked in the mirror and love myself. I was just convinced that people would be totally grossed out if they saw my rolls and my fat and everything when we were banging.
So I decided it was time to get over it. I bought tight clothing. I bought shorts. I bought crop tops to wear with those shorts. I stopped looking at myself in the mirror in disgust and started telling myself I was fucking hot, again. I don't hide my body when I'm with sexual partners or doing sexual things where I'm naked. I send nude selfies like an idiot on a regular basis. And... I'm working on it.
I am Faking it till I Make it. Because I still look at myself and am disgusted with how large I am. And it's grossly unfair to myself because I find other women my size fucking gorgeous - I have never been disgusted by another woman's body. It doesn't matter the size to me, unless it's my body. But I see me, and all I see is the fat and the cellulite. I see the rolls, I see the stretch marks.
Fucking hell though, I am trying. Faking confidence has worked for me in the past. I convince myself I love myself. Often it's rather superficial because deep down I am still painfully aware of how flawed I am. But at least I can be superficially happy, and at least I can force myself to look in the mirror and to like what I see. If I lie to myself long enough I'll start believing it deep down.
This post ended up being a lot more about my personal journey than about Alison's article, but that's what triggered it, anyway. I would love to hear anyone else's thoughts about this - about what I said, or about what she wrote, or both!
(Or about ways we can convince her to come write for Jezebel even though she seems to do well at Vice. Join usssss. JOIN USSSSSS.)
Like I actually really would love to discuss what she says about men and their attraction to larger ladies in this article, I just... did not write a post about that at all for some reason. I'm blaming the late night.
ETA: Also I am going to bed because of previously mentioned very late at nightness, but I'll respond to anyone who wants to talk about this when I get up in the afternoon! I'm not ignoring you, I'm just sleeping. :)


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Can Pooping Wrong Cause Hemorrhoids?
There's a good chance you've laughed at a hemorrhoid joke before. It's classic physical comedy. On the other hand, if you've ever had painful hemorrhoids, you might take them a bit more seriously. The truth is that there's a lot of misinformation and misconception surrounding this potentially comical health malady, and you need to learn a few things if you want to avoid having a painful and potentially bloody anus. While there are multiple causes for hemorrhoids, most of them share the same origin. You might not realize it, but you have more control than you realize to avoid the problem, and all of that starts with answering the original question. Can pooping wrong cause hemorrhoids?
The short answer is that pooping wrong can definitely cause hemorrhoids. There you go. You can move on to your next burning question. Or, you might want to stick around and learn the details. After all, what constitutes pooping wrong? What exactly are hemorrhoids? There's a lot to cover, and you're about to learn more than you ever thought possible about the right way to poop and how to deal with hemorrhoids.
So, to finish the summary, pooping wrong can cause hemorrhoids by increasing strain during defecation. We'll get into the specifics in a minute, but you do need to learn more about bowel control if you want to avoid the pain, frustration and embarrassment that can come from hemorrhoids.
What Are Hemorrhoids?
If we're going to be completely technical, hemorrhoids are a natural part of your body. They constitute the blood vessels and accompanying flesh in the lowest part of the rectum. Typically, they're nothing worth thinking about and you can completely ignore them. Occasionally, they become irritated and/or inflamed. This can lead to swelling and protrusion, and these symptoms are what most of us commonly call hemorrhoids.
To make things easy, let's refer to inflamed hemorrhoids as just hemorrhoids. Feel free to be a stickler in the comments. With that out of the way, hemorrhoids come in two forms: internal and external. Internal, as the name suggests, are up inside the rectum. You can't see them (usually), and they are rarely even felt. Most people notice them because they may cause rectal bleeding or difficulty pooping.
External hemorrhoids are the ones you might worry about sometimes. They have a bulge outside the sphincter. While they aren't always painful, it's more likely than with internal hemorrhoids. They can cause a lot more discomfort and make pooping miserable. Perhaps you better learn how to avoid this problem.
Common Causes of Hemorrhoids
Generally speaking, hemorrhoids are caused by persistent or intense strain on the bowels. Specifically, this can come from a lot of sources, so we'll go over the most common ones. First on the block is pregnancy. Sorry, ladies. Pregnancy doesn't guarantee that you'll get them, but it's common enough. Gentlemen, just remember that's one more way you're making a woman's life miserable when you accidentally knock her up.
Obesity can also cause hemorrhoids. In fact, pregnancy and obesity stress the bowels the same way: gravity. Literally, having the extra weight puts more strain on the lower intestine and increased the propensity for inflammation. Even worse, the extra weight can make you more likely to have irregular bowel movements that can include diarrhea and constipation. All of these are big contributors.
Sitting is another big one. A lot of us sit at desks or computers all day for work. Everyone tells you how this is bad for you. Well, you can add hemorrhoids to the list. Thankfully, those little movement breaks everyone is telling you to take can help with the hemorrhoid issue as well. Keep in mind that sitting compounds risks when you have extra weight.
Physical strain is next on the list. Just like bad lifting can lead to a stress-induced hernia, it can cause a similar problem in your bowels. Lifting with good technique helps, but the general rule is to avoid physical strain that makes the vein in your forehead pop. By that same token, rage and mental stress can contribute to hemorrhoids. Worst of all, some physical strain is unavoidable. Intense sneezing, coughing and/or vomiting can all be intense enough to cause a hemorrhoid. That's your own body kicking you when you're down.
How Do You Treat Them?
Sometimes your best efforts fail you. If that involves hemorrhoids, sorry. That can pretty rough. The good news is that most cases are light and don't require a trip to the hospital. You can run to your drug store and get an over-the-counter topical treatment if you're in discomfort. You can also try soaking in a warm bath. That can help relax the inflammation and soften the . . . situation. You also want to avoid dry toilet paper during the outbreak. This is a catch-22 because moist wipes are often terrible for plumbing. You'll have to make your own decision about how to handle the trade-offs. The other thing you can do is take oral pain relievers and anti-inflammatory agents (like ibuprofen).
If the simple stuff doesn't get it done, there are specific hemorrhoid medications, but they may require a prescription.
Is There a Right Way to Poop?
Again, the short answer is yes, but the long answer matters more. The right way to poop involves technique while you're on the pot, but it also relates to some lifestyle choices. Let's discuss technique first.
You've probably heard the rumors that squatting to poop is better than sitting upright on a throne. Those rumors are true. Your posture can actually cause a minor kink in the large intestine that requires more force and strain to push the poop through. It's definitely gross to think about, but here we are. Lifting your legs by using a stool or something similar can help with the strain. When it works, you should feel a little difference, so let that be your guide.
There are two other tricks to how you poop that can help you avert a hemorrhoid crisis. The obvious one is to not strain. You remember when you were a kid and your middle-aged dad would take forever in the bathroom. It turns out he was right. Patience over force is your best friend, especially as you age. The less-obvious trick is to avoid holding it. Sure, sometimes you have to, but when given the choice, pooping sooner is better than pooping later. You see, holding it gives the large intestine more time to drain water, and this leads to drier poop. You should already understand why lubrication is important to sliding things through tight spaces.
Outside of pooping technique, there are two lifestyle/diet tricks that go a long way. You've definitely heard that fiber helps keep you regular. Well, staying regular and eating fiber also helps you avoid hemorrhoids. It's that simple. The other trick is to drink water. We just talked about water being absorbed by the large intestine. Well, if you drink more water, you have more natural moisture to prevent the worst kinds of constipation. Yay science!
What Happens if You Poop Wrong?
We've covered hemorrhoids pretty extensively at this point, but it isn't the only consequence of bad pooping. You can also contribute to constipation or diarrhea when you get lax in your pooping methodology. Worse, bad pooping can lead a range of different inflammations. Inflammation of the colon is something nobody wants, and if you put yourself in that situation enough, it can lead to chronic issues. If that wasn't enough, bad pooping can also contribute to urinary tract infections and inflammation (admittedly more of an issue for women than men). Lastly, bad pooping can cause you to spend too much time on a toilet. If you've had a rough day after a fun night out, you probably already understand that sitting on the toilet can cause your legs to go numb. Worse, this can lead to blood clots and repetitive stress injury. The porcelain throne is kind of like the iron throne, it isn't meant to be comfortable. Try to limit your time (but without straining your bowels!).
Ok. You just learned a lot about pooping, your insides, and hemorrhoids. Hopefully it will prove helpful. If your interest is less cursory and more urgent, let this be the part where you are encouraged to see a doctor. Most hemorrhoids are a minor health issue, but if you're suffering or worried, a doctor is your best friend. Until next time, keep your butts healthy!


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- missjayb
- 7 years ago
- Wedding: September 2016 - Santa Barbara Courthouse
I'm officially engaged! We have been talking about getting engaged for months now, but we finally bought the ring and made it offical (together, not a tradtional proposal story) yesterday on my 21st birthday! 🙂 So excited and happy.
She bought the ring second-hand and I am in love with it. It's a more old-fashioned type wedding set; it looks just like my mother's set and my grandmothers set. It's a wedding set, so I might not wear it until after the wedding, but I don't know if i'll be able to hold out…
We're planning a Santa Barbara,CA courthouse wedding for next year in September on our 8th anniversary. 🙂
Here's us: (I'm on the left, doing the kissing lol)
Here's the ring: (Picture doesn't do it justice, of course…)


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Tired Of Fighting Over The Same Thing? Here Is How To Stop
According to The Gottman Institute, "Acknowledging and respecting each other's deepest, most personal hopes and dreams is the key to saving and enriching your marriage." This is based from their empirical research in studying couples. They have done over forty years of research with couples. If you are in a relationship, then you have probably noticed that the same problems come up over and over.
The research suggests that the perpetual conflict in your relationship may symbolize the differences in your lifestyle and personality. Perpetual problems often come from, not feeling understood by your partner or well-known. It's easy in our fast paced world to forget about our dreams or shove them aside. It's even more frustrating when our partner doesn't even know what our dreams are.
More than anything, we want to feel like our partner has our back and really gets us. If you don't feel this way, then you start to drift apart. If you feel like this, you are not alone. Many couples go through this after they have been together for a while.
The good news is you can use The Gottman's Institute research to help overcome the perpetual problems in your relationship. Here are seven helpful tips:
- Keep working on your unresolvable conflicts. Couples that are demanding of their relationships are more likely to have a happy and satisfying relationship, than those that have lower expectations. Ask your partner questions and wait for answers. This will let your partner know that you have a vested interest in the relationship.
- Keep your dreams alive. Allow yourself to contemplate dreams you have buried in your perpetual problems. This will help you understand your feelings and wishes that are not being addressed in the relationship. If you don't know your partner's dreams, then you don't know your partner. It's important to create an environment that is safe enough to share your dreams with one another. Your dreams don't have to match, you just need to be supportive of one another's dreams.
- Complain without blame. Dig deeper and suspend judgment. Come to an understanding that you and your partner have within the conflict. Ask questions and do not attempt to resolve the conflict immediately. This will help set a positive tone on your disagreements.
- Soothe each other. Perpetual problems are stressful. Compliment your partner when they speak to you in a nice tone and use soft start-up. This means, using "I" feel statements and stating what you need from your partner. You don't need to rush. If you feel you are incapable of a productive conversation, then take a break.
- Accept that some problems are unsolvable. Dr. Gottman has stated, the goal is to declaw the issue, to try to remove the hurt so the problem stops being a source of great pain. It's easy to focus on solving the problem, work on understanding one another. Learn to have a dialogue about your perpetual problems that is not painful.
- Define your areas of flexibility. Go into this conversation with a positive attitude. Try to make the areas that you cannot agree on as small as possible. This is where you want to be like Gumby and bend as much as possible. Don't argue to be right or for your point of view. Listen with empathy to your partner.
- Work on a compromise. One where you both feel your dreams are honored. You aren't looking for a quick fix here. Take time and work on steps that will help you both achieve your goals. We've been hearing this since the beginning of time, compromise is key in a relationship. When you don't compromise you create the I win/we lose scenario. What you really want is the we win/we win scenario.
We hope that by taking these steps it will help you manage conflict in your relationship. All couples have conflict, at The Gottman Institute we have found that 69% of problems in a relationship aren't solvable. So, what does this mean, learn to have a dialogue about your problems that is not harmful to one another.
Lianne Avila is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, with extensive training using The Gottman Method for Couples. She specializes in couples and relationship work. You can reach Lianne at (650) 892-0357.


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The Good
Coffee-slinger by day/animal-rescuer by night Damon gets a partner (not a sidekick!) this issue in Jeanette, activist extraordinaire. Together, they're hatching plans to go after some of the worst offenders, including a cruel furrier and a university lab that conducts inhumane animal testing. The stakes are higher now, too -- the arson from last issue made the news, and Jeanette isn't the only one who knows about Damon's extracurricular activities.
LIBERATOR has "thought-provoking" all over it -- it poses that passively being "for" animal welfare isn't enough, and challenges the way we think about following the rules in the face of harmful situations. Jeanette guides us to the notion that protesting isn't effective enough, and her determination in the face of her activist friends' criticism Are we all expected to torch a building or dump acid on a lab's servers? Certainly not; but the extreme examples are there to show us that there is a contrast to apathy or complacency, even if everyone isn't inclined to put on ski masks and get their hands dirty.
But, beyond being a social statement, LIBERATOR is also an interesting comic book with an engaging story. It's populated with characters that have lives, day jobs, relationships, and opinions in addition to their vigilante extracurriculars. It's visually on-point, with a refreshingly realistic take on both "superhero" costumes and destructive action -- no spandex or meta-abilities needed!
The Bad
I find myself wishing that the scenes involving Randy the coffee shop bully were shorter, and that the page space spent on them could go to more Damon-and-Jeanette-being-badass or some of the other plot threads that Miner and Aranda are seeding. I suspect that those exchanges might be building to a bigger moment with Randy, but for now, it feels a bit like eavesdropping on an argument between strangers.
The Verdict
Miner and Aranda continue to balance a socially-conscious message with a tension-loaded vigilante story. Damon and Jeanette aren't playing things safe, because the safe path just doesn't get results, and there are innocent animals at stake. LIBERATOR is as educational as it is engaging; between the story itself and the essays included at the end of each issue, I'm learning a lot about animal welfare, and doing a lot of thinking. I'd like to see more about what happens to the animals after they're rescued -- Damon and Jeanette, as admirable as their intentions may be, can't possibly adopt every single puppy and rabbit that they save, and learning more about the adoption side of animal rescue would be a great way for readers who aren't quite ready for arson or B&E to feel like they can help.


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What is 'sustainable' seafood? What seafood/fish can I eat?
In simple terms, a particular seafood is sustainable if it comes from a fishery with practices that can be maintained indefinitely without reducing the target species' ability to maintain its population and without adversely impacting on other species within the ecosystem by removing their food source, accidentally killing them, or damaging their physical environment.
We go to great lengths to obtain all our fish from sustainable sources
Our Cod and Haddock come from fisheries controlled by the Icelandic, Norwegian, Russian and Faroe governments.
Fish stocks are a vital part of their countries' economies and they have to make sure they get it right.
Our Hake is caught in the nutrient-rich currents that well up from the Antarctic.
Our Pollack is caught off the Alaskan coast.
Both species stocks are rigorously controlled and, very importantly, delicious.
We are proud to hold the MSC chain of custody certificate MEP OLA 010, this proves that fish is sourced from an MSC certified sustainable fishery. www.msc.org
Our menu identifies which fish carry the MSC certification and includes: Cod, Childs Cod, Cod Bites, Homemade fish cake, Hake and Haddock.


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There's a new finding about some cave paintings in Spain. Turns out that they were painted by Neanderthals. Those are the hillbilly cousins of homo erectus that we don't like to talk about. We're better than them.
Or so we thought. Turns out they were just like us. Mostly.
We wonder why we don't find more art of all types from early humans. There's a bunch of reasons of course.
Stuff gets lost. Gets covered over. Washes away.
But a lot of things don't.
There's a big reason in particular I want to harp on about.
Ancient people only made ancient art when they had the time and the inclination.
In other words, they were rich. Relatively speaking.
If you are an ancient person, but young at heart, and you're hungry or cold or tired or about to be eaten by a tiger, the last thing you're going to think about is making some art.
But if you have some time, you're full, you're not worried about your next meal, and you've got some deep thoughts you've been thinking over for a while, then guess what?
Grab that torch, get some rocks and charcoal, and head for the caves.
Reminds me a bit of the guys who do all that graffiti along the roads in the cities.
So the reason we don't see a whole lot of art from back then is because people weren't fat or happy that often. And that's good to know.
So the next time you see some cave art, think about those fat and happy people. And then try to figure out what they were thinking about. After all, aren't you also happy?


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Dam, Geese, Geese in the Park, Heritage Basket Studio, Swinging Bridge, WILDWOOD PARK- BRIDGEWATER VA
Geese in the Park
The other day I was looking at all the pictures in my Lightroom catalog, and realized that I had forgotten about all the pictures I had taken from June 2016, a beautiful day in which I had spent several hours meandering around throughout the park. I had take over 200 pictures that day! Even if I pick and choose carefully there are too many to put into one post.
I was lucky that day, the Geese were visiting and they too were meandering around the park and seemed very accustomed to being photographed.
As parks go in the Harrisonburg, Dayton, Bridgewater, Virginia area, Wildwood in Bridgewater has the greatest diversity of scenic beauty to offer. It has the South fork of the North River flowing through it, as well as to me the greatest focal feature which is the dam. Beautiful walking paths, flowers and gardens, a swinging bridge, with water lillies underneath. The park is beautiful at any given time of the day!
For myself it is well worth the 25 mile drive to get to, from my home in Elkton, VA. My only regret is that I was not into photography when I lived in Bridgewater, for 17 years, so that I could have went there during the golden hours, morning and evening. I only lived about 1 mile from the park.


text: The South Koreans, a group of church volunteers, have been held since July 20 [AFP] "Dear Mr General-Secretary Ban Ki-moon, please save us... We don't want to die." Medicine drop The authenticity of the call could not be verified. It came as Afghan doctors air dropped medicine intended for the hostages, the head of a private Afghan clinic said. Your Views "I am an Afghan and I am fiercely against a prisoner swap, for the obvious reason that it will encourage others"proud afghan london, kabul, Afghanistan Send us your viewsThe medicine was dropped in an area of desert in the Qarabagh district in Afghanistan's Ghazni province on Sunday, as instructed by the Taliban. Mohammad Hashim Wahaj, the head of the clinic, said that his team had dropped more than $1,200 worth of antibiotics, painkillers, vitamins and heart pills. "It was a big risk, but we had to take the risk because it is a humanitarian issue," he said. Two hostages have been shot dead since the group was seized and the Taliban has said that more captives will be killed unless some of their fighters are released from jail, a demand the government has rejected. The remaining hostages are said to be ill. Shadow over summit The hostage issue is likely to cast a shadow over two days of security talks between Hamid Karzai, the Afghan president, and George Bush, his US counterpart, which began on Sunday. The presidents are also expected to discuss the increasing number of civilian casualties sustained during military operations in Afghanistan, as well as the country's booming poppy trade. A South Korean delegation travelled to Ghazni last week seeking face-to-face meetings with the kidnappers to try to break the deadlock, but there has been no agreement on where to hold direct talks. The South Koreans, a group of church volunteers who were undertaking aid work in Afghanistan, were snatched from a bus in Ghazni province on July 20. SOURCE: Agencies


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Anyone who has worn a kilt for any length of time that wears a kilt pin knows the feeling. Whether its watching a small hole start where the pin goes through the fabric or fraying at the point, it's painful to see. I have found a way that seems to help however, it also helps to prevent holes, fraying, tears caused by kilt pins. It also prevents you from losing the pin if it comes unclasped.
Note this does present its own problems, but I feel the benefits far out weight the risk.
To do this, you simply add a tiny piece of elastic band as shown in the picture below.
@Madadh Also had a similar, good idea.@The Wizard of BC had the following sage advice on this issue.I find a small piece of leather also does the trick, especially for the large safety pins.
I have begun to make all my kilts with extra, 4 inch, wide apron facings to serve as re-inforcment behind the kilt pin.
I then use a piece of wide rubber band, or in this case a piece cut from the disposable tourniquet from a blood lab, to keep the pin in place just in case it comes open.
In the old days, the military would use a piece of canvas, or anything close at hand, as a kilt pin backing.


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This has become a repeat recipe because it's so easy and flavorful. It takes barely any time at all except for the oven-roasting. And I keep all the rub spices in my pantry, so I only have to purchase the actual pork. Here's what to do!
1. Buy a pork loin. I usually get between 2.5 – 5 lb ones and plan to use the leftovers in another meal. Take said pork loin home!
2. Trim pork loin of fat, if you'd like to. Sometimes it's unnecessary because there's not too much, but other times I've cut off lots.
2. Get out a little mixing bowl and a whisk. Combine the following ingredients (I suggest measuring with a tablespoon) and whisk to combine:
1.5 part Garlic Powder
1 part Salt (Kosher is best but regular table salt is fine)
1/2 part Black Pepper (freshly ground is great for rubs)
1.5 parts Paprika
2 parts Cocoa Powder
1 parts Basil
1 parts Thyme
*Red Pepper Flakes (just a dash or two)
*1 part Coffee grounds
*I have done the rub with and without these spices. Red pepper flakes obviously add a bit more spice and heat; the coffee grounds add a neutralizing kind of smoky flavor. (I know that's a bad description, but you just have to try it and trust me!)
3. Using your raw meats cutting board, shake or sprinkle some of that spice mixture onto the pork loin, and use either your hands or a pastry brush to rub it into the meat.
4. Place on a baking sheet lined with foil (for easy clean-up). Cook in a preheated 350º oven for about 1 hour for every 2 lbs. (For my 2.5 lb loin, I baked it at 375º for 1 hour.) Now I never use an internal thermometer… I just use my tongs to 'feel' how done it is. You want to check the middle-most part of the loin. It should be firm, but still 'bounce back' a little. The more you cook this way, the more you'll understand the 'feel' you're looking for.
5. Let it rest for at least 5 minutes, more like 10 if you have a 5 pounder. Slice that bad boy up and serve with applesauce! Great for dipping and especially when you have kids, because it counteracts the spice in the rub.
The general recommendation for home cooks when making pork is that there should be no pink. But really, that's not true – having some pink is not only okay but desirable. If it's white all the way through, it will be dry and chewy.
Hope you and your family enjoy as much as we do!
Have leftovers? Use them up in this comforting, delicious, Double Pork Chili second meal.


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The following was originally posted on my first blog, The Planet Cake Intern, as I learned the art of cake decorating and began putting together the very first pieces of my cake business in Kansas City.
Originally posted August 31, 2008
I traveled to California this fall and got to make the cupcakes for my friend Louisa's wedding. I knew I was going to forget something at home and sure enough I did. Poor Louisa had to drive me all over to get the essential supplies (including the very necessary caffeine jolt I get from diet mountain dew). At least I remembered the recipe! Yummm, batter:
This was by far the most fun I've had making a wedding cake (or in this case, cupcakes) since I left Planet Cake. Friends were everywhere so we had a lot of laughs, made a colossal mess, and everyone jumped in to help without hesitation…it was so much fun!
Robin and Jocelyn sorted the mini m&ms into colors so we could use them as a simple decoration to finish off the top of the cupcakes.
Lou got the cupcake liners ready…
…and the fabulous Amanda took cupcakes out of the pan and set them on wire racks to cool.
And we were finished baking, except for the "secret" top tier. Louisa wanted to keep things simple, so told me she didn't want a cutting cake. However, a cupcake stand does not seem complete without having that cake on top for cutting during the wedding reception! Plus, it's tradition. Jocelyn provided the perfect distraction taking Lou and Eddie away to practice the ceremony, and the rest of us discreetly mixed up another batch of cake and stuck it in the oven. Louisa wanted easy, I wanted perfect…we ended up with the best of both worlds. Ha ha!
There was a bit of extra cake leftover, which was perfect for taste-testing. These cupcakes were what the cupcake trials were for…luckily, Eddie liked the cake!
Time to put together the cupcake stand, covering it with icing and a yellow ribbon surround to match the wedding colors. There was an audience!
After the cupcakes cooled we mixed up the mint-buttercream frosting. I've never baked or decorated with wine in the other hand before, but it was just another thing that added to the fun this time around! If you've never tried it before either, put it on your to-do list. (And don't worry, it won't be a regular thing. I like my piping in straight, even lines, thank you very much. Although now that I think about it, a Madhatter cake might be easier this way. Hmmm…)
The next morning I placed some bright, colorful fresh flowers on the cutting cake. I'd never used fresh flowers before, but tried to take the principles Handi taught me with sugar flowers and apply them to the real thing.
We were going for a fun, spontaneous, loose, garden-type feel (smooth, but not smooth…loose, but not loose…I still hear Handi at times like these!). The look is a bit different from most of the other cakes I've been producing, but it was perfect for Lou and Eddie's wedding.
Time to transport everything (the part that always has me on-edge)! The ceremony and reception were held at Thibodo Park, which was absolutely gorgeous.
The cake set-up:
Lou and Eddie's friends Steve and Nicole are professional photographers (check out their website here), and took all of the photos for the wedding. They were kind enough to share some of them:
Time to eat some cake!
This is my favorite photograph that Steve and Nicole took. The bride and groom both look so happy, and Louisa is completely adorable…what great smiles!