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Thoughts on quotes from "Finding God in All Things," an episode on "On Being."
Fr. Martin: Yeah, so, the kind of prayer you're talking about is often called Ignatian contemplation or Ignatius calls it "composition of place." And it's using your imagination to place yourself within a scripture scene and to see what comes up. By way of emotions or feelings or desires. And it can be very transformative. So for example, you take a simple passage like the storm at sea. Jesus calming the storm at sea. You would ask the person, on your own or maybe in a guided meditation, imagine yourself on the boat with Jesus.What do you see, first of all? What's the boat look like? What do the disciples look like? What's Jesus look like? What do you hear? What are the waves like? What do you feel? You feel the cold water on your back? What do you smell? Is there a smell of fish? What do you experience in terms of like what you're wearing? And you basically trust that God's going to be with you, 'cause, you know, God created your imagination and it's an entrée into experiencing God.
And you notice what happens. And, oftentimes, not always, some pretty amazing things can come up. For example, you see Jesus asleep in the boat. And, you start to realize, wow, why is he asleep? Doesn't he care? You might connect it with something in your own life. You know, why is Jesus asleep? Why does God not care about me right now? You see him do the miracle and still the storm, and you say to yourself, wow, that's really beautiful. Are there times in my life where I was worried that God was asleep and things worked out OK? Do I need to have more trust? So, those kinds of feelings can come up.My favorite part of this exchange is where Krista Tippett says about Jesus, "where he was a good boy and did what his mother told him to do." How funny that she thought of that! And how typical of a mom. It really makes Jesus human. Mary, too. And it makes me laugh.
And for Pete's sakes, His first miracle was at a party. A wedding party.
Krista Tippett: Mm-hmm. Where he was a good boy and did what his mother told him to do.
Fr. Martin: (laughs) That's right.
Krista Tippett: ...[laughs] That's what I appreciate about that story.
Fr. Martin: Although he's pretty harsh with his mother. That's a great story.
Krista Tippett: But he did turn the water into wine.
Fr. Martin: He did eventually.
Krista Tippett: If he'd been thinking about his legacy, he might not have had that as his first miracle, but his mother asked him to do it.
Fr. Martin: ...[laughs] I never thought of that. Right? He wanted another first miracle.
Krista Tippett: ...[laughs] I'm doing an Ignatian, you know, I'm being in the story.
Fr. Martin: And you know what's great about that, what you just said? Who knows, that could have been it. I mean, that's one of the things that comes up in Ignatian contemplation. You focus on Mary, and you say...for example, in the wedding feast at Cana what is she thinking? And you can get into the story and say what's going on there? And yeah, who knows? He's a joyful person, and I think if we miss the joy in Christianity, we are missing the point.
This kind of Ignatian contemplation, where we use "our imagination to place yourself within a scripture scene and to see what comes up," sounds intriguing to me. I haven't tried it yet. I love it that Fr. Martin (and Ignatius) says, "God created your imagination and it's an entrée into experiencing God." I had not thought of imagination that way. And it seems to me that often people think Christians are an unimaginative bunch.
I'm going to decide what passage to use to try this. Peter is my fave; maybe I should do a passage he's in. For some reason the fig tree thing keeps coming to my mind. That was an odd one. Anyway, I'll let you know.
Have you ever tried imagining yourself in a passage? What passage did you use? What thoughts and insights came to your mind?
Back to beginning of blog series.


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I'm an assistant professor at the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Concordia University, in Montréal, Québec. My research takes wine as a case for examining how ideas, tastes and consumption practices travel and are adopted in new places. Before starting the PhD, I worked in food writing and taste education for Slow Food (Italy & France) and Voir Communications (Ottawa-Gatineau), among others. These experiences informed my research interests in how culture translates, and in understanding taste formation, with a particular focus on the sensory and embodied aspects of taste. I have also been involved in research projects that examine culinary cosmopolitanism, the role of culture in consumer choices and feminine ideals in food blogs. I am interested in pursuing future research on the construction of expertise in food and wine in the realm of professional and amateur restaurants criticism, as well as deepen my work on the strategies used to shape and transform tastes, and that involve practices and the body-mind dialectic.
Author: sarahcappeliez
Seeking Wine Enthusiasts in the GTA to Interview!
Are you a Toronto wine enthusiast who has sought to deepen your knowledge of wine? Do you love talking about your passion for wine? If so, I'd like to speak with you! As part of my dissertation project, I am researching wine education in Ontario and looking at the role it plays in the wine drinking culture in Ontario. I am seeking interview participants who've sought to deepen their knowledge of wine (through books, wine workshops/courses, winery tours, etc) so that I can better understand why people are drawn to wine and why they might seek to pursue that interest in a deeper manner. By speaking with wine lovers like you, I hope to further understand what draws consumers to engage with learning about wine, as well as how they view their knowledge about wine. If you would like to participate, I would be happy to arrange an interview at a date, time and location that are convenient for you. Please email Sarah Cappeliez at email@example.com to set up an interview, or if you have any questions about the study. **This research has received ethics approval from the University of Toronto.
Welcome to my new blog/website! I will use this space to present aspects of my academic work as I make my way through this crazy adventure that is the PhD. Enjoy!

subset: commoncrawl


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It's funny how a small group of libertarians are rallying 'round the flag of something called "feel-good" libertarianism as the new jingle in the land of the free and the home of self-imposed anarchy.
The new convictions of the happiness collective include never, ever writing anything that can be construed as negative, pessimistic, or a "polemic rant." That leaves out just about any topic of interest to libertarians, such as the crimes of the industrial food machine; the shenanigans of the Federal Reserve and the manipulation of the entire monetary system; the abominations of the militarized police state; the state's numerous wars and killing fields; the longevity (or lack thereof) of the stock market bubble; how ObamaCare will destroy your freedom of choice regarding your own health; and … [fill in almost any topic here]. Unless, of course, you only write about or discuss the positive aspects of escaping the negative aspects of statism and totalitarian rule that we libertarians, apparently, write about far too often.
So when I expose truths, connect dots, and present facts for others to ponder on their own, I am a pessimist and a polemicist – and this goes for all others who write the same, not just me. I get the nasty emails, and also, some friendly folks are kind enough to send along some of the more funny criticisms of me that are, indeed, polemic rants as they stand on their own. This kind of denunciation is nothing more than a colorless blip on my radar map which is usually followed by a … forgetaboutit.
Yet each time I write something positive – especially about what is bubbling up in Detroit – I bring out the Detroit-hating trolls who claim I am ignorant, blinded by the obvious, and sometimes I am just plain stupid. And this criticism comes from people who have never stepped a foot onto Detroit soil, or even folks who have popped in and out of town a few times over the years, which, in their mind, is equated with "I know Detroit." <<eye roll please>>
Today I had one person – who claims the libertarian mantle – posting on my Facebook page that Detroit is a city of "crime, poverty, leftist politicians…" I do not make that up. Exact quote. If that doesn't describe every city in America, as well as just about any plot of land in America, then rub the inside of my ears with jelly and roll me in an anthill. Then I received a follow-up post of the proof that Detroit sucks: yet another tediously conventional, mainstream-garbage article that describes Detroit as "one of the ten worst…." Of course, the positive "10 best" articles, such as this one on FOX, that include Detroit as a "best" are never seen as relevant to the boorish naysayer nabobs of negativism. So yes, I continue to be flabbergasted by the ignorance of people who just want to hate some place they have never been because it makes them feel better about the statist plot of land that they occupy.
Why do they bother? If some topic does not interest you, I would think you would move on to that which does interest you.
So you see folks, it's not always easy to be positive – we get hated for that too. But as far as the Detroit Haters who know absolutely nothing about Detroit other than what they pull off the conventional media behind their laptops: they do nothing to affect me or the fact that I will continue to write about how Detroiters and entrepreneurs who are flocking to Detroit have the grit to keep moving forward with underground and above-ground economies that function and thrive in spite of the fact that we have the same crime, leftist politicians, and poverty that are experienced everywhere else in the U.S., especially the centrally-planned, Marxist-dominated urban areas. Indeed, folks like Jane Jacobs and Edward C. Banfield were on top of this, oh … a mere 40 and 50+ years ago?


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In the extensive primary research process undertaken for this study, the primary sources – industry experts such as CEOs, vice presidents, marketing director, technology & innovation directors, founders and related key executives from various key companies and organizations in the Global Unsaturated Polyester Resins in the industry have been interviewed to obtain and verify both qualitative and quantitative aspects of this research study.
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Our leadership team has over 50 years of combined sign knowledge. Each department leader is responsible for a small group of our team to ensure that every project is completed perfectly. That is just how we do things!
Our front office staff are the ones who greet each & every person that walks in the door & answers each phone call as quickly as possible (We even have contests of who answers the most calls!) Each member of our front office staff is trained extensively on every product we offer, making them a great resource to assist with any questions you may have!
Not only will our sales team be on time... but they will actually SHOW UP for appointments! Our outside sales department has the training not only for the various signage solutions we offer, but they have built relationships with the many cities in the Metro Detroit area. These relationships give us the knowledge of what types & size signage is permitted in each city.


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Justice Out of Stock, Imran Khan
ISLAMABAD- Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on Friday claimed that the Election Commission, former Chief Justice and caretaker government were involved in the alleged rigging in general elections 2013 as reported by NNI.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the PTI chief claimed that over 5.5 million additional ballot papers were published with the blessing of the Election Commission and the caretaker government.
He said he had to resort to the sit-in protest when the doors of all the institutions responsible for providing justice were closed.
Those who stole people's mandate should be tried for high treason, he said. How someone who won election through rigging can become honest after coming into the assembly, he asked. He said those who were responsible for publishing of 5.5 million additional ballot papers have harmed the democracy, adding that everyone is now conspiring to stop the process of accountability. "We knocked every door for justice but found relief nowhere", he said.
Khan said this is the first election in the history where both the winners and losers are saying the elections were rigged. He said the rigged elections are of no use and that the competition in the next election would be between justice and rigging. PTI chief said that the rigged government is no different than dictatorship, adding that those who stole people's mandate should be tried for high treason.
He said the 'third umpire' is God because, he said, the number of days the sit-in has been going on wasn't possible with 'earthly umpire'. Khan claimed that the political parties placed their umpires in the caretaker government and that the real rigging took place post polling.


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Today, the monastic chapter (the solemnly professed monks) of Glastonbury Abbey (Hingham, MA) met to elect the third abbot of the abbey.
The election of an abbot brings greater normalcy, according to the Rule of Saint Benedict and tradition, to the monastic life after several years of having a prior administrator. Having an administrator was requested by the monks of the Abbey for a transition period.
The 10 monks gathered under the presidency of Abbot Vincent de Paul Bataille, Abbot President of the Swiss American Congregation. Abbot Vincent confirmed the election. The monks of the Congregation number about 511 in 18 monasteries and priories in the USA, Central America and Canada.
Benedictine Father Thomas O'Connor, 62, was elected the Third Abbot of the community.
Abbot Thomas' abbatial blessing will be bestowed by Sean Cardinal O'Malley, OFM Cap on 11 August.
Glastonbury Abbey was founded in 1954 from Saint Benedict's Abbey, Benet Lake, WI. It is situated in the Archdiocese of Boston and is located in the historic south shore of Boston.
Father Edward Campbell was elected the first abbot (1973-1986) and Father Nicholas Morcone served as the second abbot (1986-2008).
May God grant Abbot Thomas many years of faithful and fruitful service.
Our Lady of Glastonbury, pray for us.
Saints Benedict and Scholastica, pray for us.
Saint Hildegard, pray for us.


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Palmetto Tree & Moon
Moon and palm tree are a perfect addition to the car window. The printing process involves UV rated ink on clear outdoor rated vinyl that is contour cut to follow the curves of the artwork. This palmetto tree and moon sticker will not fade for years, even in the harshest climates. Easy peel and stick application and clean removal.
- Ships in 1 to 2 business days
- Palmetto Tree & Moon car sticker
- Outdoor rated moon and tree decal adheres to any flat surface
- Sizes vary from: 2 3/4 "w x 4 "h to 1 3/4 "w x 1 3/4 "h
- Application and removal is simple


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Hello my lovely readers!
I am so terribly sorry it has been so long since I have written. I had a pretty rough pregnancy and am now a momma to my beautiful 5 month old baby boy! I had no idea the site was still receiving quite a bit of traffic considering there have been no new posts.
Now that I am a stay at home mom, I have a bit more time to do some writing so look forward to some new pieces in the weeks ahead! I hope everyone has been well and is ready for some new content!
Until next time,
Be Well!


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After watching lots of Minecraft videos and animations on YouTube, I started making my own animations with Mine-imator. It's why I will add here my own tutorials to learn how to make Minecraft animations with Mine-imator for beginners.
The tutorials in the Minecraft Animation Maker Series are very easy because the goal is to explain to beginners the basic concepts and to show how fast you can make an animation with this easy-to-use and free program. It is the secret for a successful learning: staying motivated because you can make easy Minecraft animations quickly.
Mine-imator is very user friendly and it's super easy to jump into the program and get started with it. But don't think that Mine-imator is a program that allows you to make only very easy animations. For example, Legend of the Harbinger (see Hall of Fame) is made with Mine-imator and demonstrates how powerful the program is.
If you want to go deeper and learn more to improve your animation skills, Online Animation Courses are my selection of the best animation courses for beginners.
You can also find links to the best Minecraft animations in my opinion. The animations are grouped in 3 selections: Hall of Fame, Top Funny Animations and Best of the Year.
You can add any comments at the end of the page. Enjoy Minecraft and animations.
This website is not affiliated with the game Minecraft, Mojang AB or Microsoft.


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I have been to Boston a few times before but the trip I took during in September 2017 was the best one. I had a great time with family and friends, and even had enough time to rest, relax, complete 1 hour+ runs/jogs along the beach and I even managed to fit in a tour the city because I was there for a whole week. That's the longest and best time I have ever stayed in Boston. It pays to give yourself enough time to stick around when visiting a major city, town of country so you can see and enjoy all that it has to offer. Check it out; amazing pictures and videos below. Boston has become one of my favorite vacation spots in the USA.
On a cruise around Boston! See video below!
The Boston harbor is beautiful! We took the cruise downtown Boston. The scenery was beautiful and therapeutic. The tour guide share the interesting history of Boston during our cruise. I highly recommend doing cruise tour of Boston.
I live by the motto, work hard, play hard! I love the beach and being in that perfect world with no cares and worries. Boston beaches are beautiful. The weather was amazing that week. I woke up every morning to go for an hour run nonstop along the beach. Running puts me in a happy zone where I shut the whole world out and make it all about me. See beach video below:
I managed to take the popular Boston Duck Tours so learn about Boston from land and river. Quack-Quack! This was fun, check it out!
The food was amazing! I remember one particular brunch I had near the harbor. It was too good. I can't remember the restaurant but it was a deli right the subway station downtown Boston. It wasn't the most healthy good but it was oh so delicious! I jogged it off the next day though… :
And of course, I proudly flew American to Boston and back home to Washington, DC! 🙂
I hope you get a chance to visit Boston and if you have been before, and haven't taken the tours, I hope you will! See more pictures here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsm4PryRj


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Red Zinnia
enameled glass mosaic
9 x 16 inches
enameled glass mosaic
9 x 16 inches
Art glass brings a fresh sparkling dimension to Angela's work. She sees the mysterious quality of nature captured in the iridescence and saturated color of the glass. This medium allows her to push the limits of reality by juxtaposing the real -- expressed by her expertly rendered enamel on glass kiln fired portraits, patterns and flowers -- with the surreal, in the form of complex background patterns and heavily iridized and textured glass. Vivid colors cause an emotional reaction, and the carefully crafted bead and quill work details create the impression of a painting. These incongruities make the work interesting, unique and multifaceted.
Angela Babby received her BFA in 1990 from MT State University in Billings with an emphasis in painting. Her preferred medium is enamel on glass which is then kiln fired. Ms. Babby is Oglala Lakota from Pine Ridge, South Dakota and shares a grandfather with Chief Red Cloud. Her most recent awards include; winner of Best of Classification: Paintings, Drawings, Graphics & Photography, 1st Place of Division Representational Painting; 1st Place Mixed Media 2-D Santa Fe Indian Art Market 2012.


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Healthy Travel Foods
Breanne's pant size saving snacks for on the go.
These are my favorite go to snacks for myself and clients when traveling. For most of us – this means decreased activity. We are most likely not going to be hitting the gym for an hour everyday on vacation(or work trips), and we are probably going to find ourselves indulging in some added treats throughout the day. So – to keep you from undoing all the hard work you put in the week before: Take these great snacks along with you. You will regret it if you don't – Trust Me! If you can – prep up some snacks and breakfast go-to's at home before your trip. Taking 1 hour to make these will save you a lot of grief and pounds! Plus – you'll save money !
1. Homemade Granola
Double this and take some for travels. Any coffee stand can give you a tall cup of milk to add the granola and some fruit too. Boxed cereals have more sugar, less protein and more carbs = hello tight pants!
Healthy Snacks For Work
Dry Roasted Edamame with Cranberries – delicious and nutritious, packs a protein and anti-inflammatory kick to your day!
Get more delicious snack ideas @ http://www.wholeliving.com/136112/best-snacks-take-work/@center/136761/healthy-snacks
Ever noticed that when an urgent project at work comes up, so do cravings? Reach for one of these healthy options rather than those M&M's in the conference room, undoing your morning workout.
Learn more belly and health saving tips from the Pro's! Check out the COVER SHOT – your health magazine in real life!
email Breanne for more info : email@example.com
FYI: Anger, Stress and Anxious feelings increase your metabolism and cause hunger. Sadness and Fear decrease metabolism and lowers hunger.
Can Eating Nuts Lower Cholesterol?
Nuts may be the healthiest snack food around
For many years, nuts got a bad rap: they're full of fat and calories, the story went, and are often served coated with sugar or salt. But research has saved walnuts, almonds, pecans and other nuts from the junk food aisle, because doctors now know that nuts are healthy foods that can help lower cholesterol.
In 2010, the Archives of Internal Medicine published a report that analyzed 25 different studies from seven countries involving almost 600 men and women. The results showed, in essence, that nuts are good for you.
People of normal weights who ate about 67 grams (roughly two handfuls) of nuts a day, according to the study, had healthier cholesterol profiles than people who didn't eat nuts. Specifically, a diet that included nuts was linked to lower total cholesterol, lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol and lower triglyceride levels in those with previously high triglycerides. The study also found that the more nuts a person ate, the more benefits they derived.
Other studies have substantiated the fact that nuts are good food: though they contain fats, most nuts have high levels of healthy unsaturated fats. Nuts also contain protein, fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, making them an ideal snack food. In addition, nuts are rich in plant sterols, which may be one reason they lower cholesterol. Research also suggests nuts improve heart health in other ways.


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December 5, 2012
Amber Anderton, owner of Wagg'n Tails Day Spa, uses a couple of her dogs to model the Christmas apparel she offers.
Stories this photo appears in:
Local gifts for all on your list
With Christmas only a couple of weeks away, there are no doubt some last-minute shoppers in town.
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Get DVD Talk Feeds
Movie: Maid of Honor stars Patrick Dempsey as Tom Bailey, a sleaze ball guy that beds women using a set of restrictive rules he established back in college during 1998. Moving from women like a fickle child searching for his candy bar choice of the day, Tom has what amounts to the perfect life, bedding all sorts of attractive ladies but getting to spend most of his quality time with his best buddy Hannah (Michelle Monaghan). They met in college where she was a bookworm roommate of a promiscuous hotty (Busy Philipps as Melissa), a misunderstanding where he jumped into bed with her on a Halloween night resulting in them forming ties that grew with time. Hannah, on the other hand, has been busy with her career as a buyer for an art museum and seemingly formed a sort of codependent bond with Tom, getting all she really needed in her two dimensional life out of him except for the sex since they have never paired off that way. They are so clearly a couple in all other senses of the word that their parents recognize them as such and on surface value, they are all but married despite Tom's grabbing numbers from flirtatious ladies they run across with impunity.
Their routine is disturbed one day when Hannah goes off to Scotland on a professional buying trip, ending up engaged to a wealthy noble that came to her rescue when she was stranded on the moors. Tall, dashing, charming and rich, Colin McMurray (Kevin McKidd) is everything any woman could hope for having won medals for bravery, athletics, and is still a nice guy to boot. She brings him back to meet her friends and family, making Tom's life a living hell as he realizes that he truly loves her despite the manner in which he has taken advantage of her for so many years. Both are seen to scoff at the notion of their deeper relationship and Tom's biggest claim to fame (and source of wealth) is having invented the coffee cup holder which finances his lavish lifestyle more than his meager attempts at working with Hannah at the museum. His father, Thomas Sr. (Sydney Pollack in his last role), is on his 6th wife Christie (Kelly Clarkson), a gold digging wench if ever one existed with her prenuptial agreement amounting to a contract for prostitution, and it is clear that the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree. Dad does spout off some relationship wisdom to the lad and supported by his pals, Tom accepts Hannah's offer for him to be her maid of honor (as much to piss off Melissa as anything) in order to sabotage the wedding from within.
Tom tends his duties in the roll as fervently as possible in an attempt to be the best "MO" that ever lived, meeting with Hannah and her priest to go over such mundane things as wedding vows, picking out china patterns, and even throwing a lavish party at his penthouse suite, with semi-predictable results. See, Tom is also a jerk when it comes to fluffing off responsibility for his own choices and blaming the hateful Melissa after things go wrong just accelerates the spiral he is in. The movie then moves to beautiful Scotland to show Tom competing against Colin in some highland games, faring well compared to their spirited basketball antics in the states but hardly a match for the perfect man. Just before the wedding Tom catches Hannah in the midst of a wedding ritual allowing anyone to kiss the bride to be, resulting in them coming to the realization that others had already had about how they were supposed to be together. Weepy confrontations ensue and Tom departs only to decide once more to fight for her on the wedding day, resulting in a mad dash to stop her at the altar where the predictable comedy continues to impart an unlikely ending.
Okay, I know that the ladies are supposed to look at Tom and swoon, forgetting his whole life and nailing broads while treating them like shit. They are also supposed to dismiss Hannah's supposed intelligence being willing to overlook all of Tom's many character traits and believe she isn't a gold digger (just like Christie though not as obvious) when she jets off to marry wealthy Colin. Further, while actress Monaghan is marginally able to pull off the age of her character, Dempsey looked too old to fit the opening portion of the role (he's ~10 years older than her) and that limited the chemistry so important to such a movie. I appreciated that Monaghan looked very much like an older version of hotty Stoya (a performance artist highly praised in the adult industry these days) but little was done to make her realistic as the movie revolved around Tom's desire to win her back. The otherwise capable performances were cookie cutter from start to finish and all of this has been done, and done better, before in numerous movies, most notably My Best Friend's Wedding (with nods to Four Weddings and a Funeral, The Heartbreak Kid, Meet the Parents, How To Marry a Millionaire, One More Chance and about a million others). If you like this kind of lightweight fluff piece, you will love the movie but the rest of the world should consider it to be a Rent It at best.
Picture: Maid of Honor was presented with a 1080p widescreen color image as shot by director Paul Weiland for this AVC encoded release in the original aspect ratio of 2.40:1. The video bitrate seemed to hover around the 25 Mbps mark whenever I paid any attention to it but this widely varied with the material (ranging from the teens to the 30's) and never seemed to be an issue with regard to the presentation. The images were crisp and clear, with all sorts of detail present thanks to the upgraded resolution. The blacks were deep and I saw no compression artifacts or moiré, the minimal amount of edge enhancement hardly worth mentioning. In terms of the content of the shots, a lot of sweeping views of the Scottish landscape, Central Park, and the view from the penthouse were added in alongside the more intimate settings of Hannah's bedroom, the pub, and dorm, all with the relationship dynamic in mind (the commentary proudly pointed these out). In terms of fleshtones, colors, and depth, the movie really did look appealing even if the content was suspect.
Sound: The audio was presented with numerous choices including 5.1 TrueHD in English, French, and Portuguese, or 5.1 Surround in Thai and Spanish, each with optional subtitles in English (both regular and SDH), French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese (simplified or traditional), Thai, Korean, Hindi, and Indonesian. For this review, I focused on the English track and while it was not up to par with the visual presentation, it was a decent offering sonically. The front speakers, particularly the center speaker, provided the majority of the aural experience, with pleasing separation and dynamic range. The audio bitrate was variable but seemed to be around 3 Mbps most of the time I paid any attention to it, the standardized 48 kHz sampling rate expected. The vocals were the most important thing here but the soundtrack had ample opportunity to use popular songs in support of the thematic material if you pay any attention to them (some not so subtle by the way) and only the overly loud early wedding party showing any distortion. The surrounds were deployed in limited fashion here as they gave some ambient background at times but rarely enough to register with me other than during the Scottish games or the ending "chase" scene but this is hardly the kind of movie that needs extensive use of them or deep bass (which was also limited).
Extras: The best extra for me was the feature called Save the Date; a behind the scenes offering lasting a dozen or so minutes and giving the chance for the cast and crew to provide minor insights despite it being a fluff piece. There were also some deleted scenes but they really didn't amount to much and the design feature called Three Weddings and a Skyline wasn't worth watching twice as it spent too much time with talking heads describing problems rather than showing them as they unfolded. There were also some trailers that I liked but just for the heck of it, I listened to the director commentary last night too, mostly while writing down notes to write the review. Director Paul Weiland was by himself, a bad move, and he dryly provided some comments that did little more than show him as the cheerleader of the day. He seemed to believe in what he was saying and he offered some anecdotes that amused me more than the movie did most of the time, but it would have greatly helped to have someone else helping him. I tried to access the BD Live content yesterday (Saturday) at a friend's house but none was working at this writing, the movie coming out in the middle of next month giving the company ample time to come up with something if Hurricane Gustav doesn't interfere with anything. In all, it was a fair package of extras but nothing one wouldn't find in an SD version as standard.
Final Thoughts: Maid of Honor is exactly the type of movie that Hollywood is infamous for providing, catering to the lowest common denominator all too readily. It treads familiar ground with established formulas that genre fans seem to appreciate more than the rest of us so if you're looking for a date movie (a "chick flick") where you will look good compared to the protagonist, you may enjoy it more than I did. The characters were shallow and uninteresting to me and despite the attitudes displayed throughout the movie, it wallowed in sentimental truisms that few people seem to accept as believable. Still, the technical aspects of Maid of Honor combined with a plate of extras still not considered as standard for blu-ray releases made it the kind of new release that some of you will enjoy as a guilty pleasure. If you are wise enough to turn your brain to "neutral" you may find that the occasional laugh is worth the effort but don't think it has much replay value given the comedic aspects were driven by the surprise elements more than clever dialogue, forcing it to the "been there, done that" pile.


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Sumatran Muntjac
This depiction of what is probably Muntiacus muntjak muntjak or Muntiacus muntjak montanus (the Sumatran muntjac) is from a set of 27 drawings on 15 sheets that was discovered in 1986 in the National Library of South Africa. The drawings are important for presenting the earliest realistic depictions of the Khoikhoi people, the original inhabitants of the Western Cape. The artist most likely was a Dutchman, born in the 17th century, who was attached in some capacity to the Dutch East India Company and possibly en route to the Dutch East Indies or on his way back to the Netherlands when he visited the Cape. Evidence suggests that the drawings were made no later than 1713, and possibly a good deal earlier. Most of the drawings have annotations, in Dutch, which were made by another person, also unidentified, after 1730. The muntjac is a species of browsing forest deer found in Sumatra and Java. The notation on the drawing gives information about its size, color, and other features. The artist would have seen the animal in Asia.
Date Created
Subject Date
Type of Item
Physical Description
1 drawing : pen and black ink on paper ; 12 x 45 centimeters
- Presented as Plate 24 in The Khoikhoi at the Cape of Good Hope: Seventeenth-century drawings in the South African Library / text by Andrew B. Smith, from which this description is adapted. On verso of Settlement in the East Indies (INIL 6258); number 6258v of a set: INIL 6250-6264.
IIIF Manifest Help
Last updated: July 2, 2015


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With 365 days per year to choose from, nearly half of all marriage proposals happen over the course of two days. This 48 hour period contains more nervous presentations of diamond engagement rings and life changing questions than any other time of year, according to researchers. Do you know when they are?
If you guessed Christmas and Christmas Eve, you're absolutely right. We're not sure if it's the magic of the season at work here, but December 24th and 25th are hands down the most popular time to pop the question. The holiday season is a very emotionally significant time on its own, and many public and private venues are decorated to be their most beautiful during this time period. As an added bonus, it makes it almost impossible to forget exactly when you proposed – every time the holidays roll around, you'll be reminded of this life changing moment!
The Ultimate Christmas Engagement Ring
Stunningly beautiful 14K White Gold Engagement Ring sparkles with 1.32 ct round diamond, semi-mount. A gorgeous ring. See it now at The Jewelry Box of Lake Forest!


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scucca, m.n: a devil, demon; Satan, Beelzebub. Possible origin for ModE "shuck". ("shuck-kah")
23 Oct 2015:
Yesterday I got this response from one of my followers on Twitter:
I thought this was a particularly interesting idea because I'd always thought of shucks as a more polite way of saying sh*t. So I've done a bit of research.
The definition the Oxford English Dictionary gives for this particular use of shucks is for shuck (n. 2):
This definition is listed under shuck (n. 2):
As you can see, the etymology is (inconveniently) unknown, but the noun was used as early as the 17th century to mean the husk/pod/shell on corn or nuts. In the 19th century it was used to mean something that was worthless (like a corn husk). It was also used in the phrase "not worth shucks" to mean "good for nothing". Churchill's quotation in part b indicates that this was said in my home state of Missouri (and the OED does describe this word as "Chiefly dial. and U.S.").
If you look back up at definition 3, you see that shucks was used by the famous Missouri writer Mark Twain:
So all of this goes back to corn husks, not Satan, which is a bit disappointing, although the etymology of this shuck is still enigmatically "unknown".
I also found a theory about shuck being a combination of sh*t and f*ck, but this idea (while appealing) is unsupported.
In any case, the word shuck that derives from OE scucca (shuck, n. 1, in the OED):
As you can see, the use of the word to mean "devil" became obsolete by the end of the Middle Ages, but the modern dialectal use of the word to mean a kind of ghost hound is first cited in the mid-19th century.
So unfortunately the expression "aw, shucks" doesn't seem to be related to the devil, so by saying it you are not in fact calling on Satan. Unless of course that "unknown" etymology really does somehow meander its way back to the early medieval definition.
Bodily function curses (sh*t, f*ck) are considered far worse in modern English than religious curses ("Oh my god", "bloody hell"), but in the Middle Ages the opposite was true, as Melissa Mohr explains in her fascinating book Holy Sh*t: A Brief History of Swearing. Wouldn't it be interesting if the word we use to replace sh*t and f*ck had something to do with the devil after all?
To end, here's a really cool image of the ghost dog Shuck.


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- Home
- Poker Chips
- Roll of 25
- 25 Gold Foil Stamped Tournament 12.5gm Poker Chips - Choose Chips!
Product Description
Both professional and amateur tournament event organizers will love these tournament poker chips! Molded with a tough, durable composite and etched with each of the four suits, your players will love the texture, feel and weight these chips offer. Hot stamped with a custom tournament design on the popular diamond suited 12.5 gram poker chip and currently available in 8 different denominations, these chips will lend a degree of casino-styled authenticity and professionalism to your next tournament. Additional denominations are available. These chips are available in 8 different denominations: Red $5, Blue $10, Green $25, Black $100, Purple $500, Yellow $1000, Pink $5000 and Orange $10,000. NOTE: YOU WILL RECEIVE A ROLL OF 25 NEW CHIPS PER ORDER. PLEASE CHOOSE COLORS. SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY.


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The Midwest is a vast place offering visitors and locals alike plenty of activities. Here are the top five things to do in the Midwest.
Itasca State Park: This is an amazing and beautiful lake in the majestic state of Minnesota. True to form, this lake offers visitors everything from water skiing to fishing.
Indiana Dunes State Park: This state park offers visitors a chance to enjoy the beach while in Indiana. Without a doubt, this is a perfect place to spend a weekend enjoying the sun and sand.
Cathedral Canyon: When looking for a gorge hike, one should head to Cathedral Canyon in Missouri. Visitors who make the trek will enjoy spectacular views and a fabulous workout.
Clark Lake: In Clark Lake, one can enjoy an old growth forest and a massive lake. When visiting this area, most people want to stay all summer as they fall in love with the surroundings and friendly people who live in the area.
Penokee Range: When looking to escape the city life, one should head to Penokee Range. In this park, one can enjoy the solitude and natural beauty.
The Midwest has plenty of outdoor places for all activity levels and interests.


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Putting TRAC to Work
News Organizations
The American Independent
January 5, 2012
ICE detains and deports U.S. citizens
By Teddy Wilson
The deportation of citizens due to improper processing of paperwork may not be the only administrative problem within ICE. A recent study by Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) at Syracuse University shows a 34 percent discrepancy between the number of people ICE claimed to have removed and those it can document as being removed.
External Link
Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, Syracuse University
Copyright 2012


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Hefty refinancing charges contributed to the company's first quarter net loss, the New York-based cosmetics company said Thursday.
The parent of Gucci and Bottega Veneta on Thursday reported sales in its luxury division climbed 4.5 percent in the three months ended March 31.
A grand opening of the 1,200-square-foot space is planned for May 22.
The body and home fragrance brand is setting sail this year in Europe and the U.S.
The limited-edition Hypnôse Show line, which includes mascaras, eye palettes and false eyelashes, is due to hit counters worldwide on June 15.
A strong showing of starlets and socials turned out for the yearly event.
The scent, making its debut in May, is the fifth installment in the men's line inspired by the sports brand's iconic polo shirt.
For her part, Putman colored the doves on the stopper blue and gave the flacon's ridges the same hue.
The acclaimed director discusses her adaptation of Salman Rushdie's famed novel.
Investor takes 7.9 percent stake in ailing retailer.
The film, released by HBO Documentary Films, will air on the cable network in December coinciding with World AIDS Day.
Jurors in the criminal trial reached a verdict after less than four-and-a-half hours of deliberation.
Subtle silver embroideries add an extra dose of princess to spring's wedding dresses.
As the death toll mounted from the building collapse at Rana Plaza in Savar, the outcry locally and around the world got louder on Thursday.
The initial collection includes colors inspired by different types of diamonds, including black, red, pink, champagne, blue, green and canary.
The new one-woman play "I'll Eat You Last" is a portrait of the late superagent, played by Bette Midler.
Thirty-six outfits from current and past collections took to the runway, including iconic pieces spanning much of the designer's career.
At one point he was spotted chatting with his pal Sir Philip Green in the lobby of the Dorchester Hotel, while at another, he was at Claridge's.
The organization honored party photographer Patrick McMullan along with Betsy Pitts and Claudia Overstrom of the Eponymous handbag line.
The $25,000 prize, which was funded by vogue.com, went to Meera Menon, whose film "Farah Goes Bang" is a road trip comedy.
Decades after the he learned the ropes as a Studio 54 busboy, the Nobu cofounder is still working the fashion crowd.


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The Policing Family……
I haven't blogged for a while, the reason being that I have been ill and have been off work for a while. It has got me thinking about the policing family and just what happens when you are not at work. I have been fortunate in that since I have been off I have had … Continue reading
GPS for dementia patients…. Right or wrong?
Sussex Police have purchased six GPS devices to assist with helping track missing persons with dementia. This has mixed reviews. The National Pensioners Convention described the introduction of the devices as "barbaric" and suggested people could be stigmatised and made to feel like criminals. Dot Gibson, the pensioners convention general secretary, said: "I think they … Continue reading
Policing with the National health….
I am not entirely sure when I first started to notice a difference, but lately I had just been flabbergasted just how much the Ambulance Service and the NHS makes our work as Police officers more frustratingly difficult. Let's make it clear – this is not about the persons on the ground, before I get … Continue reading


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In the News
Press Release: Fresno Court to Decide Whether to Count or Destroy Farm Worker Votes
To download official press release click here:
Feds slap a huge fine on UFW radio broadcaster
"The Federal Communications Commission has levied a record fine" against the UFW's hundred million-dollar social service affiliate that broadcasts farmworker radio stations in California and Arizona, the Los Angeles Times reports.
ALRB makes UFW tell Gerawan workers they have a right not to be in union
In another Christmas present for California farmworkers, the ALRB has ordered the UFW to inform Gerawan workers that they have a right to de-certify the UFW.
UFW is ordered to tell Gerawan workers that it broke the law
The ALRB has ordered the UFW to sign a written notice admitting that it broke the law in harassing the Gerawan workers and lying to security officers to prevent the workers from being heard. The order, issued by ALRB Administrative Law Judge Mark R. Soble, directed the UFW to:
ALRB says UFW broke the law & committed 'very serious unfair labor practice'
In a stunning development, the state Agricultural Labor Relations Board ruled that the UFW broke the law when it lied to security guards to prevent Pick Justice members from attending a public meeting.
Employer Gerawan encourages workers to fight for their rights
It isn't often in California that an employer encourages workers to fight for their rights.
But that's what Dan Gerawan did two weeks ago.
Newspaper editorial board stands with us: State shouldn't help UFW pick our pockets
The recent California Supreme Court ruling "isn't fair to anyone except union leaders who stand to collect 3 percent of the pay from workers who may not wish to be represented by the UFW at all. The last thing courts should do is pick the pockets of the people who pick the fruit." That's what the Orange County Register editors concluded in a rebuke of the state's high court.
California Supreme Court affirms State power to force UFW contracts on workers
PICK JUSTICE NEWS RELEASE / FRESNO – The California Supreme Court didn't surprise anyone when it overturned a lower court's ruling that state agencies cannot coerce farmworkers into United Farm Workers contracts. But the justices did uphold the right of workers to choose whether or not they wanted UFW representation.
La Suprema Corte de California niega el derecho a los trabajadores campesinos a elegir contratos forzados
FRESNO – La Suprema Corte de California, no sorprendió a nadie cuando revocó la decisión de un tribunal inferior, quien dijo que las agencias estatales no pueden forzar a los trabajadores campesinos a contratos con la Unión de Campesinos (UFW). Pero los jueces defendieron el derecho de los trabajadores a elegir si querían o no la representación de la UFW.
Supreme Court hands us a forced contract setback – but still lets us de-certify UFW
The California Supreme Court didn't surprise anyone when it overturned a lower court's ruling that state agencies cannot coerce farmworkers into United Farm Workers contracts. But the justices did uphold the right of workers to choose whether or not they wanted UFW representation.


text: Spring has been slow to arrive in my part of the world. Just the barest hint of buds on the trees, pale sunshine, and slightly warmer temps hint that it will be here soon. In the meantime, I've been getting my Spring-time inspiration from beautiful mood boards like this series featured at Pocketful of Dreams. The lovely board shown above is just one of 8 inspired by everything Spring from the venue, to clothing, to food and drink, paper and signage, details and so much more!


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The Tuscany region of Italy is a dream destination for visitors on day trips. Florence, the capital of Tuscany, is a picturesque city whose beauty is on full display in Under the Tuscan Sun. Like the main character in that story, you'll fall in love with the Tuscan scenery and find plenty to do. Here's the best way to spend a day in Florence.
Early Morning: Splurge with a Breakfast Buffet
You'll need a lot of protein to fuel you during a fast-paced day in Florence. The maxim of "when in Rome…" applies to this Italian city as well. You want to eat like the locals. Your destination is Piazza della Repubblica, where the Hotel Savoy offers the finest breakfast at the square.
This five-star hotel costs 600 Euros a night, which means you'll find cheaper room options. Its restaurant, Irene Firenze, serves delicious breakfast food that's worth a splurge. Since you're visiting a breakfast buffet, eat lots of protein. Several of the dishes here feature Italian ricotta cheese, so prioritize those.
Late Morning: Experience Art and History in Oltrarno
Your next destination is the Oltrarno, south of the River Arno. While it's several miles away from Hotel Savoy, as the historic and artistic heart of Florence it's well worth the trip. As a mid-sized city with a booming tourist industry, it won't be difficult to hail a taxi or an uber.
You could spend all day in Oltrarno, but you'll only have time to visit a few spots. You'll want to walk through the Pitti Palace art museum, paying special attention to the Palatine Gallery. The museum houses many paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries, including works from the famed Renaissance painter Raphael.
Afterward, walk over to Boboli Gardens to relax in the park for a while. Technically an open air museum, the garden is home to many spectacular, centuries-old sculptures. Don't miss the ampitheatre on your walk. With the incredible architecture and adornments, you're unlikely to.
Finally, treat yourself to the best view of Florence. Climb to the top of Church of San Miniato al Monte, located just behind the Piazzale Michelangelo. You'll be treated to a breathtaking view of city.
Lunch: Eat Like a Tuscan
For lunch, your best option is Rifrullo. This popular eatery has two locations in the city. Conveniently, one of them is at the Oltrarno. You can simply walk instead of taking an Uber. You also need the exercise beforehand, because you're going to eat a lot.
Rifrullo serves a Tuscan buffet for lunch. For modest cost of 10 Euros, you will enjoy delicious cuisine in a friendly, comfortable setting. If you're not up for the second buffet of the day, Rifrullo also has a creative menu that the chef changes daily. Many of the patrons at this eatery are locals, and they're notoriously kind to guests. You may need to brush up on your Italian before starting any conversations, though.
This restaurant was the first one in the city to feature an American menu when it opened in 1981. For nearly forty years, it has melded Italian cooking with western recipes to craft inimitable flavors. Don't freak out when you see the line to eat here. That's merely a sign of the food quality.
Afternoon: Visit Saint Mary's Cathedral
Tuscan culture exemplifies everything majestic about Italy, and one of Florence's most popular attractions is the Duomo di Firenze. This Gothic-style building dates back to the 1200's, but its world-famous dome didn't come until later. You can admire the work of Filippo Brunelleschi as you look up at one of the architectural triumphs of the 15th century. Then, you should climb to the top of the cupola to enjoy another spectacular view of the city.
Dinnertime: Eat the Best Food in Florence
If you thought you were treating yourself during breakfast and lunch, get ready for dinner. You're going to Il Vivandiere, a small rustic restaurant with a reputation as one of the best restaurants in all of Europe.
Offering high-end takes on traditional peasant food, this place will fill you with the warmth of delicious comfort food without breaking your budget. Order the carpaccio with goat cheese and a lush wine pairing. You'll feel like you've enjoyed your Tuscan dream meal.
Evening: Head Back to Piazzale Michelangelo
Florence is an entirely different city at night. Many residents sit at exterior tables, talking and dancing away the night. At Piazzale Michelangelo, you can mingle with strangers, sharing stories about your lives and the time you've spent in Italy. It's an amazing communal experience, one you'll never forget.


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Family Copayment Contribution
The law requires most CCDF families to make a contribution to the cost of care through a copayment. Lead Agencies must establish and periodically revise a sliding fee scale (based on family size and income) that provides for cost-sharing for families receiving a subsidy. Family copayment contributions can also vary on the basis of additional factors established at the Lead Agency's discretion, such as the number of children in care and whether the care is full- or part-time; however, states may not use the cost of care or amount of subsidy payment when determining copayments. Additionally, states should ensure that family copayments are not a barrier to families receiving assistance. States have flexibility in establishing their sliding fee scales and determining what constitutes a cost barrier for families. A recommended benchmark is 7 percent of a family's income.[2]
At the Lead Agency's discretion, copayments may be waived in three circumstances: 1) for families at or below the poverty level; 2) on a case-by-case basis for families receiving or at risk of receiving protective services; and 3) for families that meet other criteria established by the Lead Agency.
[1] CCDBG Act of 2014 658E(c)(5); Child Care and Development Fund, 45 C.F.R. § 98.45(k) (2016).
[2] Office of Child Care, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2016). Child Care and Development Fund final rule frequently asked questions. Retrieved from https://www.acf.hhs.gov/occ/resource/ccdf-final-rule-faq


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Get Caught Driving with Expired Registration in California?
If you were driving with expired registration in California, whether intentionally or unintentionally, you were probably issued a citation under VC 4000(a).
This is usually not a serious offense and can be remedied quite easily:
- You have to get your registration valid; and
- You have to show proof of this to the court.
Many drivers are good at getting step one above completed (or they already had their registration valid but just were unable to show proof of registration to the officer at the time of being pulled over).
It's the second step that drivers forget about, or didn't realize they had to complete: you have to tell the court your registration is now valid!
What Happens if I Forgot to Tell the Court My Registration is Valid?
When you get a ticket for driving with expired registration and you fail to inform the court that your registration is indeed valid, you will be charged with a failure to appear in court.
In Southern California, particularly in Los Angeles County where I handle traffic tickets for my clients, if you've failed to appear in court your case will be sent to GC Services, a collection agency.
Getting My Expired Registration Ticket out of GC Services
Once your ticket goes to GC Services, a whole host of problems will occur:
- A hold will be placed on your driver's license, which may turn into a license suspension;
- Your fines will substantially increase;
- You will be prevented from renewing or obtaining a driver's license;
- You will get harassed by GC Services;
- You may get a huge headache.
All hope is not lost, however. For a free consultation to learn more about how I can help you with your case, you can reach me by clicking below.


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I shared a version of this with my mom via email today, and as I re-read it, I felt like it might serve you in some way, so I made you a plate. See if it feeds you…
So, I woke up in a panic this morning.
The kind that comes as a result of yet another dream of feeling trapped.
I've been having those dreams almost nightly, since our return from Jamaica.
Those dreams bring with them feelings of failure and a strong sense of lack.
But I always come back to mySelf; that Higher Self who knows how to use
what she is feeling to fuel what she knows is hers–a fulfilled life.
I spoke to Kris about my anxiety,
got some sunshine,
gulped down some water,
ate a banana,
went through some asanas,
brought my awareness to my breath more,
and eventually calmed myself.
When I felt calmer, I sat first in prayer and then in meditation.
I do that often in efforts to lean in on my feelings and see what they need from me,
and also what they have for me.
As always, when I get quiet and observe my thoughts
instead of taking them on as my only reality
I hear things clearly.
I used what I heard to refine my goals for the week,
so that they could be more aligned with what I feel is missing in my Now.
One of the things I heard was this:
Thoughts become things, but they don't have to.
They can start and end as thoughts.
Them coming to me, doesn't mean that I am
obligated to attach myself to them.
I have the right to apply compassionate detachment to my own thoughts
I can observe what I am thinking and feeling,
and I can observe what I am thinking and feeling,
and I can observe what I am thinking and feeling.
I use the practice (I believe it's a Buddhist principle) often in my coaching and with friends and family, but the lesson I received today is that I can also use that principle within my own Self. My thoughts are not all there for me to embrace and act upon, but oftentimes there for me to observe as part of my experience, and then to consciously decide if/how those thoughts serve me.
If you ever feel like a victim of your thoughts, consider using compassionate detachment to give yourself space to see yourself as the primary focus. Try (and try again) to see yourself as the person having the thought, and not the person upon which the result of that thought might be inflicted.
For me, that meant recognizing that these feelings of lack and of failure are not realities in my life, but fears that I have about my life. Big ass difference there–HUGE! Eckhart Tolle writes about this in his book, Stillness Speaks, and I recommend it as an awesome Life Design resource for you!
So, I successfully shifted my focus, not on the thoughts I had, but on to the person that I am. Then the thoughts became experiences, much like looking out the window in your car and seeing the images pass by as you move on.
Try that out, okay? Then sit with how you feel. And then of course, ask yourself the question I believe we all need to be asking ourselves several times per day…


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Sunday, April 26, 2015
Let Us Now Praise Formula X Enigma
(FYI, though Sephora claims that the Formula X brand is cruelty-free, it does appear to be sold in China. Whether or not that destroys its cruelty-free status depends on your personal stance on the issue.)
I have no idea how this polish got its name, and I wouldn't be surprised if it resulted from an intern picking sexy-sounding nouns out of a hat, but there really is something enigmatic about Enigma. In some lights, it's a bright, juicy color; in others, it's more subdued. In natural light and in photos, it leans more blue; in artificial light, it leans more green. Like its owner, it's perpetually suspended between Ravenclaw and Slytherin.
I expected a color this bold to be powerfully pigmented, so I was dismayed when the first coat of Enigma revealed a semi-sheer jelly texture. It was a dream to apply, though: self-leveling and quick-drying. Two coats produced near-total coverage, but being a stickler for opacity, I applied three.
These photos make the color look a bit softer than it actually appears. Try as I might, I couldn't capture the brightness that Enigma takes on in natural light. Equally enigmatic was Enigma's ability to draw other teal objects into its orbit. R. C. Bald's biography of John Donne, for instance:
And the rental car that my friend Megan and I used to go grocery shopping:
I'm afraid I didn't think to take a classic fingers-wrapped-around-bottle blogger shot of Enigma, but I can testify that the color doesn't change from bottle to nails, as other polishes occasionally do.
What really impressed me about Enigma was its longevity. I applied it on Monday evening, and it didn't chip until Friday afternoon. There was some very minor tipwear before then, but nothing noticeable at a glance. By my standards, this is insanely good. I've mentioned before that polishes usually chip on me within two days, so wearing a polish that lasted twice as long was a revelation. Is this how normal people experience nail polish? Because it's pretty great. (By the way, I've noticed that my deep blue polishes tend to be longer-lasting: Zoya Neve and OPI Eurso Euro also have good wear time. I wonder if this is a coincidence, or if some component of the blue pigment contributes to the longevity of the formula?)
Enigma is my first Formula X polish, and I'm happy to report that it lived up to the brand's good reputation. Will I branch out into teal eyeshadow next? I confess, I'm tempted.
10 comments:
'perpetually suspended between Ravenclaw and Slytherin'ReplyDelete
May I just take a moment to say how much I appreciate your posts and how much they consistently contain kernels of great truth to my own existence?
On a vaguely related note, I bought a polish from the pharmacy last week exclusively because it was called 'Berry Potter and Plumbledore': irrespective of how infrequently I'm likely to wear the colour, my powers of makeup resistance crumbled in the face of a good pun and one of my favourite fandoms.
Proposed new polish naming protocol: provide the intern with two hats- one filled with colours, the other popular fandoms- and demand said intern produce a pun with the combination.Replies
I'm glad you appreciate my ambivalence re: Hogwarts houses! I recently came across a tumblr post that read "Do you ever get frustrated with someone because their understanding of Hogwarts houses is not as nuanced as yours," and I was like, yeah. IT'S VERY COMPLICATED, OKAY.Delete
The brand that made that polish clearly went to great lengths to avoid charges of copyright infringement, and I applaud them.
lovely! I love the color and the finish. I will surely check on this one.....ReplyDeleteReplies
Thanks! It's a good one.Delete
I'm fond of the Formula X nail polishes that I own. I've found they're pretty strong across the board so far as the ease of application. I'm afraid I don't really pay a whole lot of attention to longevity, because nail polishes just don't last long on me and I get bored easy so they come off within a day or two anyway. That is a really pretty color though, and leads me to wonder if I have room in my collection for another blue/teal nail polish.ReplyDelete
As for eyes, I find teal is easier to wear in liner form then it is in eye shadow form. I'm rather fond of lining my lower water line with a bright teal liner as a finishing for a neutrally eye. It's subtle but boy do my eyes pop. I look forward to seeing your attempts with teal eye make up.Replies
I actually bought a teal eyeliner last year--one of those Rimmel shadow/liner sticks. Unfortunately, it was so unblendable and so hard to remove that I didn't wear it more than once. Are there any teal liners that you'd recommend?Delete
I was reading this so intently that I missed my bus stop!ReplyDelete
The colour is enigmatic indeed. I find that I'm often drawn to colours that straddle the line between this and that. It provides endless entertainment when I'm sitting on public transport and have run out of things to read. Back home in NZ I had Butter London Artful Dodger in my collection, and it was one of my favourites -- a darker version of Enigma, and maybe leaning more green.Replies
Oh no, I'm sorry to have made you miss your stop! Though that's very flattering, of course. :D And yes, enigmatic nail colors like teal are excellent distractions during bus and train rides. Chartreuse, coral, and mauve also fall into that category, I think...Delete
Enigma looks beautiful on you.ReplyDelete
I haven't paid attention to this Sephora Formula X since I was very disappointed with the OPI Sephora nail polish collaboration. I guess Sephora is better on its own! ;)
Teal is my "cheat" color for St. Patricks day. I like it as long as it's not a bridesmaid's dress. ;pReplies
I hadn't heard about the Sephora/OPI collaboration! But yes, I've been impressed with all the Sephora-brand products I've tried so far. You wouldn't expect them to be as good as they are...or maybe you would, I don't know.Delete


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On the surface, probably the more obvious answer is yes. I mean it's Aaron Smith after all. The most underrated defensive lineman in the modern era of the NFL. Smith is big reason our defense has been so good against the run for all these years. I've been a fan of his since he came into the league. When you watch him just stand fast and hold his blockers, tying up 2 lineman on a regular basis and giving no ground at all, it's just amazing. He is extremely intelligent and can diagnose the play usually before it's even snapped. Lebeau thinks the world of him and with good reason.
Now, having said that, a certain Ziggy Hood has quietly put together a really good year. He had a great camp, but early on he did seem to get lost and manhandled. We all wondered if this kid was really going to pan out. Then by mid season he started finding his stride. He became a regular member of the opposing teams backfield and if you watch him he was improving each week in every phase of his game. Teams could no longer just stick a tight end on him, or let him alone with the RT and call it a day. I noticed that Hood was learning how to shed blocks, shoot the gap, use his power and speed to penetrate and blow up the play. He didn't have great stats, but as a defensive lineman in the 34, you never do. Clearly the Steelers defense had it's best statistical year vs the run in the modern era of football. Hood was as much a part of that success as Hampton, Keisel, or anyone else.
So I say, Smith getting his job back full time may not be a done deal. If I'm Lebeau, given Smith's injury history the last few years, I use a generous rotation of both guys right from the get go next season.


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The paradigm of their hopes and dreams-the wave of wonder they had ridden into the city days before, to the rhythm of "Hosanna" - had shifted, shattered, and their hearts were pierced by the fragments of their broken dreams.
If they heard, "It is finished," they didn't grasp the meaning dripping from that marred mouth. They only knew their own terrible loss.
It was finished. He was gone.
Life as they had hoped it would be faded to black.
Only one sentence in Luke 23:56 describes that Saturday, "On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment..." and even this verse seems to to be describing the women who were waiting for their chance to live their love for Him one more time by spice and ointment lovingly applied.
The silence regarding the other followers, "the Twelve," is deafening. Perhaps it was for them a day even darker than the one before, if that were possible. As they rested, the reality of Friday's darkness must have settled over them like a shroud.
In many "Christian circles," the Saturday of Easter weekend has become a day of reprieve from the gloom of "Good Friday" if we have even paused to consider the depth of that dark day. When Saturday dawns, with golden sunrise and spring green glory blanketing the warming hills, our minds turn to Sunday, because we know what is next. We hear the phrase, "It's Friday, but Sunday's coming."
I think if we want to live in the audacious reality of Jesus resurrection, -really live in it!- we might need to linger a bit longer in the truth of what life without Jesus looks like.
I think Saddest Sabbath Saturday is a holy day worth considering.
Look back to the darkness of Good Friday.
Dare to inhale the fear and pain and abandonment of that terrible day.
Be fully present in this saddest Sabbath Saturday.


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Dr. Shen's Allergy Relief For Airborne Allergies
Unlike many over-the-counter allergy medicines, herbal formulas are safe to take together with any pharmaceutical drug. They are also more effective and safer than similar products imported from China. High efficacy is due to premium quality herbs, rather than the B Grade herbs used to make pills in China. Ours contain only the ingredients listed on the label, whereas many Chinese imports contain pharmaceutical drugs that are not listed on the label.
When to Use Dr. Shen's Allergy Relief
- Airborne allergies
- Pollen
- Dander
- Dust
- Sneezing
- Itchy eyes
- Runny nose
- Itchy throat
3 tablets, every three or four hours; or as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Dr. Shen's Allergy Relief should be used for seasonal airborne allergies. Do not use them for food allergies. Pregnant or nursing women should consult their healthcare provider before taking any supplement.
Traditional Chinese Medicine is powerful and reliable, but it can be complex. Self-diagnosis and self-treatment aren't recommended for chronic, recurring, or serious illness.
Quality Guarantee
At Dr. Shen's, we use the finest grades of herbs. We import all of our herbs whole, rather than as powders, so we can inspect them for authenticity and quality. We screen for mold, metals, and microorganisms. We test tablets for dissolvability and coat them for easy swallowing. Our excipients are minimal, always natural, and always vegetarian. All ingredients are listed on compliant labels.
Angelica Root (Bai Zhi) Angelica
Expels Wind, Releases Surface, Alleviates Pain, Reduces Swelling, Expels Dampness and Alleviates Discharge
Magnolia Bud (Magnolia Flos) Xin Ye Hua
Expels Wind, Relieves Surface, Opens Nasal Passages
Anemarrhena Root (Zhi Mu) Anemarrhena Radix
Clears Heat, Quells Fire, Nurtures Yin, Moistens the Dry
Centipede Plant (Shi Hu Sui) Centepeda Herba
Dissolves Plegm, Expels Wind, Disperses Cold, Removes Damp, Removes Film
Patchouli Plant (Huo Xiang) Agastach Pogostemi
Transforms Dampness, Releases the Exterior, Harmonizes the Center, Expels Dampness
Liquidambar Fruit (Lu Lu Tong) Liquidambar Fructus
Promotes the Flow of Qi and Blood, Unblocks the Channels, Opens the Middle Burner
Cocklebur Fruit (Cang Er Zi) Xanthium Fructus
Opens the Nasal Passages, Disperses Wind, Expels Dampness, Relieves Itching
Sicklepod Seed (Ju Ming Zi) Cassia Torre Sm.
Clears the Vision, Expels Wind Heat, Benefits the Eyes, Clears the Liver
Mint Leaf (Bo He) Herba Mentha
Clears the Head and Eyes, Benefits the Throat, Disperses Wind Heat, Encourages the Flow of Liver Qi
Siler Root (Fang Feng) Ledebouriella Rx.
Releases Exterior, Expels Wind, Alleviates Pain
Hairy Sage (Jing Jie) Hb. Schizonepeta
Releases the Exterior, Expels Wind Heat and Wind Cold, Alleviates Itching
Mulberry Root Bark (Sang Bai Pi) Cortex Mori Albae Radices
Clears Heat, Cools Blood, Invigorates Blood, Reduces Swelling, Clears Ascending Liver Fire
Tree Peony Root Bark (Cortex Moutan Radicis) Mu Dan Pi
Clears Heat, Cools Blood, Invigorates Blood, Reduces Swelling, Clears Ascending Liver Fire
Related Products
A Patient's Guide to Chinese Medicine
A Patient's Guide to Chinese Medicine presents unique treatments for over 50 common diseases and conditions, offering fresh insight and hope to those searching for answers to their health problems. Its simple, straightforward style makes Chinese medicine understandable for most people and usable for everyone.
"…An inspiration as well as a comprehensive and practical guide for all who are drawn to the deep wisdom and enormous health benefits of Chinese traditional medicine."
Efrem Kornold, OMD, LAc, Co-Author of Between Heaven and Earth, a Guide to Chinese Medicine


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Thursday, July 2, 2015
A Week of Magical Thinking...
It is finally here. Our annual family trip to Sanibel Island. We always go around the week of July 4th, as my dad's birthday is July 3rd, so we have a lot to be thankful for and to celebrate. There is pure magic on this island! I know it to be true! This is a place where dreams bubble up and incubate in the warm Florida sun. Our bodies are in motion, riding bikes, playing tennis, frolicing in the sea (for real, this is where frolicing actually takes place!) And our imaginations are in motion as well. Dreaming, planning, and thinking of a future living by the ocean! Life on the island always instructs me to Simplify! To wake up early and go to bed tired from the day. Nature reminds me of her texture and her perfection and her quiet strength. I inquire of my self. I listen. I gain clarity here.
On this island, dreams seem within reach. I want to soak up each delicious moment. With this in mind, rather than walking around with my phone trying to document my feet in the sand (actually I have wanted to toss it into the sea quite a few times already), I'll catch you up on some pretty awesome things that have happened over the past few months...like our Beyond Words show and Myrtle, the PoeTree!
Until next time, Lovebeams to you!
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Mushroom powder spices our tea, milk, porridge and pockets
Friday February 06 2015
On a sunny morning, Francis Silingi is with a group of farmers at the Hamusavi Mushroom Farmers' Cooperative Society in Manyatta, Kakamega County.
Silingi is a member of the society and is explaining to farmers how to grow mushrooms. He says this begins with choosing a substrate (a substance on which mushroom grows).
"Examples of substrates are sawdust and cereal straws," explains Silingi, the manager of the group started in 2003 as a welfare association.
"We do a lot of training here and every farmers' group pays Sh10,000. We train them how to grow mushrooms and also to process them."
The processing, or adding value, puts good money in the group's bank account. But they also sell dry mushrooms at Sh2,000 a kilo, fresh at Sh300 a kilo and seeds at Sh500 a kilo.
Hamusavi members mainly process mushroom powder, which they use to make soup and blend in pawpaw jam, milk, tea, coffee, cake and porridge.
"The main aim of crushing the mushroom into powder is to enable those people who get irritated by its smell to consume the produce," says Silingi, adding that the crop takes only 23 days to mature.
The group starts with sorting the mushrooms soon after harvesting. The good ones, which are those that do not have diseases, are separated from the rest.
"We, thereafter, dry the good mushrooms using a solar drier for two days to a cracking sound. Poor handling of mushroom during drying can lead to loss of nutritional value, flavour and colour."
To make the powder, they crush the dried mushroom in a blender or in case of bulk processing, they use a milling machine.
A kilo of dried mushroom produces a similar quantity of powder. The powder is then blended in pawpaw jam.
To make the jam, they start by extracting the seeds from pawpaw fruit, then crush it into pulp in a blender. "We then mix the pawpaw pulp with stevia, honey and later mushroom powder in different ratios. It's heated and packed in containers of various sizes while still warm to prevent it from condensing," says Silingi, adding that they also blend mushroom powder with millet flour used to make porridge.
Similarly, Silingi explains that to make a blend of mushroom tea, they buy processed tea at Sh400 a kilo from Mudete Tea Factory and add in it mushroom powder.
Coffee is bought at Sh300 a kilo and blended with mushroom.
"We pack mushroom powder in 50g sachets which go for Sh150. On the other hand, 150g pack of porridge flour blended with mushroom goes for Sh150, 150g of coffee and tea at Sh150 each and pawpaw jam (400g) for Sh250. A 50g pack of dried vegetable mixed with mushroom goes for Sh100," explains Silingi, adding that their mushroom powder is certified by Kenya Bureau of Standards.
The group sells their products to individuals and in supermarkets in Kisumu, Eldoret, Trans Nzoia, Vihiga and Busia counties.
Prof Asenath Sigot, a nutrition scientist at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, says mushroom is a good source of protein as it is rich in sodium, calcium, phosphorus and potassium at the same time it contains low cholesterol levels.
"Mushroom helps in digestion because it contains dietary fibres and is ideal for people who want to reduce weight because it has low fat content."
Prof Sigot says adding value to mushroom is important because it aids many people access its nutritional and medicinal value.
"Mushroom is a versatile crop but not many people consume it. Once milled, one expands its use and accessibility."


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Group Replication: The Sweet and the Sour
In this blog, we'll look at group replication and how it deals with flow control (FC) and replication lag. Overview In the last few months, we had two main actors in the MySQL ecosystem: ProxySQL and Group-Replication (with the evolution to InnoDB Cluster). While I have extensively covered the first, my last serious work on … Continue reading Group Replication: The Sweet and the Sour
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The Daemons of Devils End (DVD)
THE DAEMONS OF DEVIL S END This special DVD release contains two unique productions. The first is the brand-new drama production WHITE WITCH OF DEVIL S END starring DAMARIS HAYMAN, who reprises her role as Olive Hawthorne from the DOCTOR WHO story THE DAEMONS. With a blend of dramatic monologue enhanced with visualisations and sound design to develop and tell the stories, the drama is an anthology of tales following the magical life of Olive Hawthorne, from childhood to her final days as the protector of Devil s End. Drawing on a rich heritage and appreciation of witchcraft and fokelore, the stories bring Olives history to life, pitting her against vampire, succubus, fae, daemonic influence and more - as Guardian of Devils End, she must do what she must to protect the village ... but what happens when she reaches the end of her life? Who will protect the townsfolk then? The second is the long-awaited DVD release of the classic documentary RETURN TO DEVIL S END . Filmed around the village of Aldbourne in 1992, this marvellous production stars JON PERTWEE (The Third Doctor), NICHOLAS COURTNEY (The Brigadier), RICHARD FRANKLIN (Capt. Yates), JOHN LEVENE (Sgt. Benton) and THE DAEMONS director, CHRISTOPHER BARRY. NICHOLAS BRIGGS (currently the voice of the Daleks in DOCTOR WHO), takes the cast and director on a trip around the locations, deftly gleaning stories and anecdotes about filming the classic DOCTOR WHO series in 1971. Including interviews with villagers and rare archive film and photos ... this documentary is rightly considered one of the best behind-the-scenes look at the making of DOCTOR WHO ever produced. Both discs are packed with bonus features, making this a totally unique production! PLUS! A third bonus disc containing video of conventions held in Aldbourne to celebrate one of DOCTOR WHO s most fondly remembered stories. THE DAEMONS OF DEVIL S END CONTENT,br > Disc 1: White Witch of Devil s End - Drama, Weaving Magic - The Making of ... ,The Scriveners - The writers tell their story, Linzi s Tune - Theme Music singer Linzi Gold Tells her story (inc. music video), Disc 2: Return to Devil s End - Documentary, Recording the Return - Home video of the shoot, Reporting the White Witch - Damaris Hayman & David Simeon interview, Morris Men - A profile of the Headington Quarry Morris Dancers, who featured in The Daemons Disc 3 The Daemons Revisited - Conventions at The Daemons location of Aldbourne village
Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
Release Date: 13 Nov. 2017
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Strangers and Brothers: The Complete Series [DVD]
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Nanni Moretti named as president of Cannes 2012 jury
Italian actor and director, Nanni Moretti, has been named as the president of the jury at the 65th Cannes Film Festival.
Unlike last year's choice of jury president, US actor Robert De Niro, not all of you will have heard of Moretti, but that's not to say that he doesn't know his stuff. Moretti was given recognition by Cannes back in 1994, when he won the award for Best Director for Caro diario (Dear Diary) – a Italian language, semi-autobiographical film, which also starred Moretti in the lead role.
He also won the prestigious Palme d'Or award in 2001 for his drama film, La stanza del figlio (The Son's Room). A festival favourite, he's also had four more of his films shown at Cannes over the years, including last year's religious comedy Habemus Papam (We Have a Pope) – and so really, if you haven't heard of him before, then more fool you.
Moretti served as a jury member at the 50th Cannes Film Festival back in 1997, and the festival organisers have been quoted as saying that Moretti's films "are the incarnation of all the best in cinema over the past 30 years".
Moretti himself has reportedly described being chosen to head up the jury as, "a real joy, an honour and a tremendous responsibility". Other members of the jury are expected to be announced over the coming months.
Other directors to have taken on the role of jury president in the past include Quentin Tarantino, Wong Kai-Wai, Stephen Frears and Sean Penn. It's safe to say that Moretti's films tend to be a little less mainstream than those of De Niro, and it will be interesting just how niche this year winners are – the 2011 jury handed the festival's highest prize, the Palme d'Or, to Terrence Malick's experimental film, The Tree of Life.
The 65th Cannes Film Festival will run from 16th-27th May 2012.


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Family Small Tablet Setbe the first!
Estimate Arrival DateDelays may occur due to COVID-19
Product Description
Make a statement with these tablets. This set offers 2 notepads, each with 100 sheets for a total of 200 sheets. Pads are sized 3" x 5.5", glued on the top. Includes a top line of upper/lowercase text plus up to 10 uppercase names or phrases up the side. Typestyle format only as shown.
Note that names repeat until the space is full. This is dictated by the number of names entered and the number of characters in each name. Sometimes just one name is repeated depending on length of entire imprint. If there is any concern, please contact us prior to ordering for a free email proof we can send based on your personalization.
Sample shown using black imprint color.


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To help clarify, I came up with the following example, which then turned into the banner for my JT's READER CLUB. Now, not only do you know how to pronounce my name, but you can join my Reader Club to extra goodies, freebies, and exclusive stories.
Inevitably, people wonder how to pronounce my name when I meet them. Some call me Jo-Ann, or Jo-Han, and even the occasional Ja-Han. I don't get upset or annoyed with these mispronuciations. Why should I? Their harmless mistakes and I know I've butchered the names of many others myself.
To help clarify, I came up with the following example, which then turned into the banner for my JT's READER CLUB. Now, not only do you know how to pronounce my name, but you can join my Reader Club to extra goodies, freebies, and exclusive stories.
Then I would bring them back as zombies... or perhaps in the case of I AM SLEEPLESS: SIM 299, they would mutate into Splicers.
You might be a redneck if your little kids color paper turkeys, that you shoot with a BB gun, while sitting in camp chairs, in your backyard, on Thanksgiving. #Firstannualfamilyturkeyshoot.
a "studio c" thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Gone Wrong
Awkward Puritan Roommate
Does anyone else feel like Indiana Jones when their playing the role of the tooth fairy? I know I do.
And when that child starts to stir like they are going to wake up, it's feels just like I'm running away from a giant boulder as arrows fly out of the walls in my desperate attempt to escape before being seen.
For 2015, we decided to go for an Avatar the Last Airbender theme. Three of my kids dressed up as characters from the show (Toph, Zuko and Suki). I decided to pick them up at school dressed as Aang (adult version from the Legend of Korra). I thoroughly embarrassed my oldest daughter (YES!) and a few adults who were fans of the show asked to take my picture. Other kids pointed and said "It's the Avatar!" One kid asked if I could air bend, to which I replied, "Yes. Yes I can."
Elsa and a mini sheriff joined team Avatar as well. They were the perfect additions!
Here are some more pictures from Halloween past.
In celebration of Halloween, here is a spooky excerpt from my soon to be released YA Science Fiction novel, I AM SLEEPLESS: SIM 299.
This is the "scariest" thing I've written so far, but not reminiscent of the whole book, it's just a suspenseful scene fitting for Halloween.
You can download/read my spooky excerpt below as my Halloween treat to you. Enjoy...MUAHAHAHAHA!
And remember to check your candy!
(See video below)
How To Spot Suspicious Halloween Treats
(You can also read the chapter 1-4 sampler.)
I saw this picture making the rounds on Facebook and had to share it. Although Scorpion Petting sounds exciting, I don't suggest it.
With that said, I often hear other authors giving the advice to never read the reviews for your books. I agree with this, if you have thin skin, can't handle rejection, or have thousands of reviews and not enough time to read them all (which would be an awesome problem to have).
But if you can handle the bad reviews and occasional trolls, without falling into a deep depression that requires a healthy dose of Prozac, I find reading reviews to be very informative and helpful in discovering my strengths and weaknesses as an author. I won't agree with everything left in a review, and that's okay because I understand you can't please everyone and you are writing to please yourself (it's your book!), but if there is a running theme throughout negative reviews on a book, then you can the identify weak spots, and vice versus for the positive reviews. This knowledge can help me improve my craft and become a better storyteller.
Did you know, that on average, only 1 review is left for every 100 sales on Amazon? So, seriously, if you like a book, PLEASE LEAVE A NICE REVIEW! That is all.
Image sources www.debbieohi.com and www.lianabrooks.com
"Going to the grocery store just isn't a priority when the fate of a fictional character is hanging in the balance."
I saw this picture on the interweb today and a new book idea came to mind. The Adventures of Chuck Morris. Oh, think of the parody potential and all of the Chuck Norrisisms put into awesome action-adventure comedies. I'll add this as number 35 on my growing list of book ideas. If only I could write full-time.
(SIDENOTE: Chuck Norris was actually born March 10, 1940 according to Wikipedia, but who knows, it could all be a conspiracy.)
So there I was at the book signing for all the authors/instructors at the convention and I look up to see Brandon Sanderson walk in the door. I had no idea he was going to be at the book signing since he had not been an instructor at the convention. If I had known he would be there, I would have lugged my 2-ton hardback copy of Words of Radiance with me on the airplane from Dallas. I may have needed to check an extra bag just to carry the 1,100 page book, but it would of been worth it.
I sheepishly stood in line, without a book in hand, at his book signing table. When it was my turn I told him how much my wife and I enjoyed his books and that if I had known he was going to be there I would have brought some with me for him to sign.
"No problem," he said. "Would you like a signed bookplate?"
So here it is, my signed bookplate. Proof I met the man, the myth and the legend knows as Brandon Sanderson. It sits safely tucked in my tome of Words of Radiance.
I was going to ask to take a picture with him, but after watching a few people in front of me practically hop on his back for a piggyback ride while they took a picture, I opted to give the man some space. Literally, some of the fans looked like they were monkeys digging through the his hair with their hands and faces. He visibly flinched a few times because people were a little too close.
C'mon people, personal space! It's a sacred thing.
Action Verb Man v. Action Verb Man
I attended the LDStorymakers Conference in May and one of my favorite breakout sessions was Verb Fu, presented by Courtney Alameda.
Courtney shared a video by Grammaropolis that had me laughing and cringing at the same time. I want all of you laugh and cringe with me, so without further adieu I present to you Action Verb Man v. Action Verb Man! (If you can last to the end of the first video, Action Verb Man finds true love with a pronoun. Hey, even Action Verb Man deserves true love.)
And not to be outdone by the original, here is the School House Rocks version.
Have you ever wanted to write a novel, but don't know where to start? You think all of the great ideas have been taken and wonder "what can I possibly write that will be different?"
Well take a trip with me to Teddy's Story Joint. It's where I go to get all my great ideas. Plus, we can grab some lunch and a refill of Pirates of the Caribbean.
April 2019