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Bikes and Bites
Do you need an escape? Join the folks from the American Lung Association and the British Beer Company to learn everything you need to know about the upcoming Autumn Escape Bike Trek. On June 13 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the BBC, folks can learn all about the Autumn Escape trek, which takes place from Sept. 30-Oct. 2. The information session will feature free food, trivia and prizes. For more information visit biketreknewengland.org, or call 781-314-9001.
Road Races
Golf tournaments
Think spring, think golf!
The fourth annual BHS Athletic Hall of Fame Golf Tournament will be held June 18 at the Hyannis Golf Club in Hyannis. The fee is $135 per person for the daylong event, which includes a shotgun tee off, golf, post-match dinner, awards, raffles and an auction. Awards will be presented for longest drive and closest to the pin. Those wishing to attend just the dinner may purchase tickets for $25. Payments must be received by June 5 and may be purchased via the BHS Hall of Fame, c/o Gill Devine, 776 Main St., Hyannis, MA, 02601. Checks should be made out to BHS Athletic Hall of Fame.
Caron-Wood Charity Golf Classic comes to Cape Cod
Join celebrities from the sports world and tee off for a good cause in the Caron-Wood Charity Golf Tournament to benefit The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp and Cape Cod Junior Golf. The event will be held June 26-27 at the Ocean Edge Resort and Golf Club in Brewster and will feature such sports greats as John Havlicek, Mike Eruzione, Jim Rice, Robert DuPuy, Ian Baker Finch, Keith MacWhorter, and Jim Kaat, as well as local golf pros Dennis Hoyce, Pat Fannon, and Mike Ghelfi. A Pairing Party will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. June 26, with golf taking place June 27. Tickets for the Pairing Party are $75, and the event will include live and silent auctions, food, and entertainment. For more information call 774-323-6200.
Latham Centers Charity Golf Classic
Player registration and tournament sponsor opportunities are available for the Second Annual Latham Centers' Charity Golf Classic at the Ocean Edge Resort and Golf Club in Brewster. The Tournament takes place Oct. 17 with an 11 a.m. shotgun start. Proceeds benefit programs for Latham Centers' children and adults. The $175 golf player registration fee ($199 after Sept. 1) includes player gift, box lunch, and 18 holes of golf with cart, followed by a cocktail hour, dinner, raffle, awards ceremony and silent and live auctions in the Linx Pavilion. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required. Players and sponsors may register online at www.lathamcenters.org/events. Raffle and auction donations are also being accepted at this time. For more information, contact Gerry Desautels at firstname.lastname@example.com or call 774-353-9296.
Fishing tournaments
Help reel in funds for Barnstable Youth Hockey
Barnstable youth hockey players and supporters will drop their hockey sticks and pick up their fishing rods June 23 for the second annual Barnstable Youth Hockey Fishing Tournament. The fundraising event will be held at Baxter's Boathouse in Hyannis, and will include a day on the water followed by a weigh-in and awards ceremony at Baxter's. All funds will benefit the Barnstable Youth Hockey Association. The tournament is open to everyone in the community. The cost to participate is $300 per boat, which includes four anglers. Each additional adult angler is $50 and each additional junior angler (under 15) is $25. Sponsors and donations are also being sought from the business community. The presenting sponsor is E.J. Jaxtimer Builder, Inc. For more information or to register, call 508-776-0923 or email email@example.com.
Save the date for the Nantucket Slam
The eighth annual Nantucket Slam fishing tournament to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will be held Sept. 11-13 on Nantucket. Captains and anglers interested in helping "Catch the Cure" can seek additional information at www.cff.org/chapters/mass-ri, or by calling 1-800-966-0444.
Takin' it to the street
The Hyannis Youth and Community Center is looking to form Street Hockey Leagues in divisions of Elementary School to Adult. The leagues will be held Monday and Wednesday evenings beginning June 6 through July 26. The cost is $75 per person for elementary, and $100 per person middle through adult, and includes jersey, officials, scorekeepers and trophies. This is a no-checking league. For more information contact George Noonan, rink manager, at 508-790-6345 or via email at email@example.com.


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I'm in the throes of unpacking at the new house, but I never got a chance to share the rest of our Hilton Head trip last week (which, at this point, seems like a lifetime ago). I think I may need another vacation next week after I finish unpacking 🙂
Thanks to Cousin Beth for taking these shots so I could enjoy the moments.
JM l.o.v.e.d. the fountains at Coligny Plaza. He wasn't afraid of the unpredictable spouts or all the older kids running around. He stuck his hands into the spouting water, and then his face. This boy has no fear. I can't wait to get a sprinkler for him to play in this summer. I think a normal pool may just be too boring.
Big mama; little baby. Enough said.
Cutest sand footprint ever.
This is my most favorite photo from the whole trip. It totally encapsulates little James Michael. He runs all the time, with his little arms flailing out by his sides.
He met a friend on the beach at dusk one night, and they were both equally enamored with each other. JM truly thinks he's years older than he is.
He did some boogie boarding in the wake. How can it not be fun when someone else is doing all the work?
JM absolutely loved vacation. He loved waking up to a house full of people and being the favorite of everyone. He loved all the outdoor time and rarely being stuck in the car. This mama loved having an abundance of help throughout the week. I even snuck in a couple peaceful hours alone on the beach reading my Kindle one morning. I'll miss the good food and family, but I crave routine so it's nice to be back.
So long Hilton Head…until we meet again next year, when JM won't be getting all the attention thanks to little Beau and my sister's baby due in December. We've already found the perfect 5-bedroom rental to ensure everyone fits next August.

subset: commoncrawl


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To order images and/or obtain permission to use them commercially, please contact the KSHS Reference Desk at firstname.lastname@example.com or 785-272-8681, ext. 117.
For more information see the Copyright and Permission FAQ.
Bruce was inducted into the Army (Air Force) in 1941 and served until 1945 in the 5th Army. Interviewed by Marian Poe on Mar 2, 2007, Bruce talked about military experiences in the Second World War. The 2005 Kansas Legislature passed a bill funding the WWII Veterans Oral History grant program. This transcript is from one of the community institutions receiving grants. The transcript of the interview is presented here; the original video copy of the interview is available through the Rice County Historical Society (Lyons) and through the Kansas State Historical Society.
Creator: Bruce, Harlond D.
Date: March 2, 2007
Item Number: 212238
Call Number: World War II Oral Histories Project
KSHS Identifier: DaRT ID: 212238
Collections - Oral History - Kansas Veterans of World War II - Rice County Historical Society, Lyons, KS
Date - 2000s - 2007
Military - Service - Air Force
Military - Wars - World War II
Objects and Artifacts - Communication Artifacts - Documentary Artifact - Film
Places - Cities and towns - Pretty Prairie
Places - Counties - Reno
Thematic Time Period - World War II, 1939 - 1945
Type of Material - Film and video


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A Prayer for a Strong Marriage - Your Daily Prayer - August 9
Christian News
The latest news and hot topics trending among Christian music, entertainment and faith life.
These 9 Christian NFL Players Are Using Their Football Careers To Further God's Kingdom
We often admire NFL players for their awesome maneuvers on the field. We admire their physique, wealth, and fame. We're used to hearing them yell, "Hut! Hut!" during plays, and know them less for yelling, "Hallelujah." However, there are current and former NFL players who believe in Jesus. In fact, they are using their football careers in very Christian ways.


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During the last few weeks, I have announced a new relationship and I'm already talking about a future with a man that lives over an hour away. (I know it sounds crazy.) Yet our bond is so strong, so undeniably unmistakably remarkable, that he has already made plans to move closer.
In other words: Yes, it's serious and yes, I'm happy.
Everyone we run into together can see it on both our faces... we are ecstatic about finding each other.
I am at a loss at trying to explain it. We stopped trying to understand it on the second day of our incredible discovery. A discovery that you can feel so much for one person and find yourself so caught up in your own emotions, you think you are a teenager all over again... and then you start to question this magical, amazing relationship that is blooming in front of your eyes like a dream come true. Because you want to try to find the logic in it.
But all these weeks later, we are still there. Frozen in our emotions, yet moving forward with our future plans, together. Plans that include making this a journey as one couple...someday.
Here is what he wrote last night in the wee hours of the morning, just for me:
When I First,When I first heard your voice,It was thick and sweet as honeyIt called to me like a siren calls a sailorListening wasn't enoughI wanted to wrap that voice around meUse it as a blanket when I was coldWhen I first saw your face,I knew what Angels looked likeYour eyes captured mine with just a blinkYour hair floated on the breezeYour smile brighter than the evening sunMelted any doubts that might have lingeredWhen we first touched,There was a current flowing from your body to mineTouching you was like running my fingers through strands of silkHolding your trembling body brought strength to my resolveTouching your cheek was like touching heaven's cloudsHolding your hand was like grasping a fistful of rose petalsWhen I first kissed your lips,My heart was set on fireLips so soft and full that they melted my lonelinessLips that were refreshing as a glass of ice waterLips that were as hot as a steel forgeLips that thawed the desires of my soulWhen I first heard you say "I love you",My heart stopped beatingMy chest felt like tighter than a viseMy breath caught in my throatYour expression the most beautiful sight in my lifeThe use of my name left me soaring to heights unknownWhen I first realized you had become my best friend,I wanted to tell my deepest desiresListen to your deepest desiresTake away any pain you feelTake your hand for all to seeHold you close and wipe away your tears.....
By: Chadwick Clark for Kathy Shinault
So, what am I saying?
We are in love. It feels so wonderful.
We are happy and yes, this is serious.
True love...
Find yourself...keeping it real.


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Pottstown Hospital: 610-327-7000
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: Tower Health is re-opening safely for your health. Visit our re-opening page to learn more.
Rehabilitation & Therapy | Pottstown Hospital | Pottstown, PA
Home > Services > Orthopedic Services > Rehabilitation & Therapy
Whether you've suffered an injury at work or on the field, are recovering from surgery or just want to better manage your pain, Pottstown Hospital can help.
The rehabilitation program features physical and occupational therapists who provide care on an inpatient and outpatient basis. Working closely with you and your primary physician, we'll design a tailor-made plan to treat your pain and restore movement, balance and strength. And we place special focus on education, arming you with strategies to help keep pain in check and prevent re-injury.
Rehabilitation specialties at Pottstown include:
Pottstown Hospital offers four outpatient rehabilitation centers, conveniently located throughout Montgomery County. We're open five days a week, with appointments available outside regular hours upon request.
For more information about our comprehensive services, or to request an appointment, please contact a center below:
296 West Ridge PikeLimerick, Pa 19468(484) 961-8833
81 Robinson St.Pottstown, PA 19464(610) 970-1600
23 N. Walnut St.Boyertown, PA 19512(610) 367-8844
*Patients must meet eligibility requirements


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There is no better gift than the gift of a memory! I've been giving pictures to my family for years and years as gifts and it's one present that they never get tired of receiving. I was so happy to … Continue reading
Category Archives: Birthday
Birthday Princess | Connecticut Family Portrait Photographer | Karie Peterson Photography
I have had the pleasure of photographing this little beauty for 3 years now. Every year we get together and celebrate her birthday and capture her Holiday Portraits all at the same time. Her Birthday portraits are filled with such wonder and happiness. I want to blow this image up huge and hang it on my wall in my office, it makes me happy every time I look at it. I can feel the pure positive energy just pouring from this babies heart into her images and into our memories forever.


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L-Acoustics are holding a K System: KARA Module Seminar at ADLIB.
Contents–K System: KARA Module.For full details of course content please click here.
Location–ADLIBAdlib HouseFleming RoadLiverpoolL24 9LS
Cost–€150 (€125 ex VAT)
(c) Association of Sound Designers 2020
The ASD is a registered charity in the UK | Registered Charity No. 1165633 | Terms, conditions & privacy policy


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A conch is one of a number of different species of medium-sized to large saltwater snails and their shells. True conchs are marine gastropod mollusks in the family Strombidae, and the most well known species is the "Strombus gigas or "Queen Conch". The pearls they produce are calcareous concretions—that is they are non-nacreous and are made up of calcium carbonate (rather than aragonite which is the composition of nacreous pearls). Several thousand snails would have to be found in order to recover a pearl as fine—and as large—as this one. Of ovoid form, with deep rose color, the present lustrous pearl has an excellent flame pattern iridescence. Weighing 7.70 carats and measuring 11.5 x 9.2 x 7.5mm. Sold for US$ 10,625 (€7,941)
Date de cette photo : 1 août 2014 - 13:04
Envoyé par : Alain Truong


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Monday, May 16, 2011
Magnolia-licious Design Team Wedding March Hop!!
Welcome to our monthly blog hop for the Magnolia-licious Design Team, sponsored by the generous and fabulous Diana! If you've arrived here after visiting my talented DT sistah Patti Jo, then you're on the right track! If not, you might want to head back to the very beginning at the Magnolia-licious Highlites blog. You don't want to miss any of the fabulous projects and there just might be some yummy candy along the way too! This month our theme is the Wedding March Hop!! So the projects are all to be wedding themed and contain a gift or package created using the fabulous Scor Pal. I really had a fun time making this one! For my project, I made the "wine tote". I think I made the handle a little wide to be able to get a bottle of wine into it, so I think I would put a couple champagne flutes inside instead. Wouldn't that be a wonderful wedding or anniversary gift? I think if I really wanted it to be for a bottle of wine, I would attach the handles with brads so it would swing down for clearance.
For the wine tote, I used Bazzill cardstock along with Best Creation DP. I used the #1 Vintage Tag Doohickey Die, but I wanted a shadow for it. So I just glued it onto some black cardstock and cut it out myself. I also used #18 Rose Leaf, the flourish die which I don't see in stock right now, and #411 Elegant Heart stamp (which I adore!!) Unfortunately, this set didn't photograph very well. I think it's actually much prettier in person.
For my card, I used #168 Loving Bridal Couple. Aren't they beautiful?! I used colors that I think would work for someone getting married for the second time, or even an anniversary (especially a silver anniversary). Along with the beautiful couple, I used #411 Elegant Heart Stamp again. Together Forever is a Verve stamp. The lace trim as well as the ros on the bag are from Wild Orchid Crafts and the black paper doily was cut using a Cheery Lynn Designs doily die. The bow (of course) was made using May Arts Silk Ribbon from Stamp and Create.
I colored the images using Copic markers (E50, 53 for her dress, and T series for his slacks) and then I cut them out and popped them up for dimension. They are put on a frame made using a Martha Stewart PATP set.
One of the fun things about a blog hop is blog candy! So if you would like to win a special packet of goodies from me, please be sure and leave a comment on this post before midnight Pacific Sunday night, May 23rd. One entry per person please. Next stop on the hop is my friend and fabulously talented Barb! Thanks so much for joining in our blog hop today and hope to see you back again soon! Hugs!
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Meet Poppy
Poppy was found as a tiny puppy in a municipal park being pelted by stones by some cruel children, she was terrified.
When Poppy was rescued by Peter & Jean she was in a right state, full of fleas and worms. After treatment and a lot of TLC, Poppy began to look and feel better. Poppy is now around 2years old.
Poppy was rehomed but sadly her new Dad passed away so she returned to Peter & Jean. Poppy was sad on her return and became a little bit naughty but then soon became her old self and settled back in again.
Poppy is good with dogs, cats and even kids, despite her past. Poppy would need a home that would continue her training, and maintain her exercise, she is very affectionate and has a very soft & gentle nature.
If you are interested in rehoming Poppy or would like any further information, please complete the enquiry form or download the attached.


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We offer competitive rates!
It's hard to keep your business looking professional when you have mice or ants crawling around the floors and behind the desks, and if you are a landlord or own apartment buildings, this can be an even bigger problem -- no one wants to live in a roach infested apartment. Call us today and we will help you get rid of your commercial pest problem right away!
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Along with individual treatments, we are also available for scheduled maintenance on a monthly, semi-monthly, and yearly basis.


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It is a wise father that knows his own child.
With the birth of your child, the stuff you are made of passes into the next generation. From a purely genetic perspective your life is deemed successful simply by passing on your DNA, but as a human father, you have deep drives to be an active force in the rearing of your child. More than ever before there is the need and the opportunity for dads to be essential participants in the parenting of healthy and happy children.
You may or may not have had good modeling for an engaged father as you were growing up, but as the late Dr. Benjamin Spock once said, "The more people have studied different methods of bringing up children the more they have come to the conclusion that what good mothers and fathers instinctively feel like doing for their babies is the best after all." In other words, if you are tuned into your inner voice, you will be a good parent to your children.
From the moment you learn that your wife is pregnant, your life begins transforming. As more and more of her attention goes inward to her developing baby, your role as nurturer and supporter expands. The rapidity of physical, emotional, and spiritual changes your wife goes through during pregnancy is on a different scale than most men will ever experience in their own bodies and minds. At times the ride is exhilarating and at times daunting, but be assured that since the beginning of humanity, the course of the next nine months has been successfully traversed by generations of men before you.
Over the next nine months the focus of your life will be on your wife and your developing baby. The promise of a new child rallies the love and attention of people in your life. Intense feelings are the norm rather than the exception for both you and your wife during this initial period, and you need to expect ups and downs as you navigate this new experience together. Let's focus on what you can do physically, emotionally, and spiritually to maintain your balance as your world changes.
Caring for Your Body
It is nearly as important for you to care for yourself as it is for the mother of your child-to-be. Successful parenting requires stamina, and taking care of your own health will enable you to be in a better position to support your wife and your baby. Pay attention to the basics:
• good nutrition
• regular exercise
• stress management
• sound sleep
Feed your body with nourishing food. Balanced nutrition does not have to be complex, but you do need to put attention on ingesting a wide variety of foods to receive the nutrients that keep you healthy and vital. Following a diet rich in six tastes and seven colors enables you to metabo-lize the health-promoting intelligence of nature into the healthy chemistry and physiology of your body. To cover your nutritional bases, we also encourage you to take a high-potency multiple vitamin for its long-term health promoting benefits.
If you are not already accomplished at cooking, this is a good time to learn. Learning to cook will enhance your sense of self-sufficiency and provide another opportunity for you to support your wife and baby. Pick up a couple of cookbooks and practice preparing some wholesome recipes. Being able to multitask will be good for the entire family.
You need to maintain your physical fitness. The benefits of exercise are on multiple levels, ranging from reducing stress to improving sleep. Although exercise time is often one of the first things to be left out when life becomes demanding, we encourage you to make it a high priority.
There are three primary components to a balanced exercise program: flexibility, strength training, and cardiovascular conditioning. Each of these approaches enhances both physical and emotional well-being. Many studies support the value of exercise in lowering anxiety levels, raising the production of natural antidepressants, and reducing anger and irritability. In addition to feeling stronger and having better aerobic capacity, the mood-stabilizing benefits of exercise will serve you well over the next nine months.
Set your fitness regimen and stick with it. If possible, do something physical every day. An ideal program would be to perform ten minutes of yoga or other stretching exercise followed by strength training for twenty minutes three days per week and cardiovascular conditioning for twenty minutes three days per week. On the seventh day, take a leisurely walk with your spouse.
It's natural to feel some anxiety when a new baby is on the way. Your life is undergoing changes over which you have very limited control. The added financial responsibilities of a new member of the family may naturally create some concern. Learning to manage your stress will help you make the most successful decisions to maintain your balance.
Take time to quiet your mind in meditation daily. Practice a mindfulness technique, learn a mantra, or listen to meditation tapes. For over thirty years, studies have shown that people who experience restful awareness through meditation regularly are emotionally and physically healthier. Remember, you are of greatest benefit to your family when you are coming from a centered and calm place within yourself.
Your body needs sleep to rejuvenate. If you do not get the rest you need each night, you accumulate fatigue, which impairs your ability to stay centered in the midst of challenges. Studies have shown that inadequate rest results in immune weakness, lowered pain thresholds, impaired concentration, and poorer memory recall. According to Ayurveda, sleep is the nursemaid to humanity and one of the pillars of health.
To the best of your ability, try to follow an ideal daily routine that includes rising with the sun, meditating in the morning, exercising for half an hour, taking time at midday to eat a nourishing lunch, meditating a second time before your lighter evening meal, and getting to bed no later than 10:30 p.m. If you are having trouble falling asleep because you have too much on your mind, try the following simple sleep routine.
• Run a hot bath an hour before bedtime, adding a few drops of calming aromatherapy oil such as lavender, sandalwood, or vanilla to the water.
• Perform a slow oil massage on yourself while the bath is running. (See the massage description in Chapter 2, page 54.)
• After your massage, soak in the warm tub for ten to fifteen minutes.
• After your bath, drink a cup of warm milk with nutmeg and honey, or some chamomile or valerian root tea.
• Journal for a few minutes before bed, "downloading" your concerns so you are not ruminating about them when you shut your eyes.
• Read mind-quieting literature for a few minutes before bed, avoiding dramatic novels or distressing material.
• Avoid watching television or doing mind-activating work in bed.
• Once in bed, close your eyes and bring your attention into your body. Wherever you notice tension, consciously relax that area, then simply watch your slow, easy breathing until you fall asleep.
If you are lying still in bed quietly observing your breath, your metabolic activity is nearly as low as if you were in deep sleep. Even if your mind is still awake, your body is getting the rest it needs. Therefore, do not worry if you are not immediately falling asleep, and by not worrying, you will quickly drift off into a deep slumber.
Overcoming Emotional Turbulence
As a father-to-be you need to acknowledge that you cannot fully understand or appreciate what your pregnant wife or partner is going through. Her body is changing on a daily basis and the hormonal fluxes that are occurring inside her can contribute to rapid emotional shifts. Add these physiological and biochemical changes to her natural anxieties about pregnancy, birth, and mothering and you have the recipe for an occasional emotional meltdown. Compassion for your spouse is a useful quality to mobilize when occasionally she does not seem like her usual stable self. It's important that you not take her emotional perturbations too personally, but, rather, look for opportunities to provide support and balance.
Your spouse wants and needs your unconditional love and nurturing as she experiences the physical and emotional turbulence of pregnancy. This means being willing to relinquish your attachment to rigid ideas about what you believe she should think or feel about her changing world. Intellectual analysis will usually not be of much help in navigating the emotional turbulence of pregnancy. Pregnancy is an opportunity to be a true spiritual warrior, cultivating flexibility without weakness, patience without negligence, and acceptance without resignation.
When your spouse is upset, remember that her distress is the result of a need that is not being met. Whether or not she is expressing her need in a fully conscious way, see if you can look beyond the emotion to the implied request. Sometimes you will be capable of meeting her needs, and other times you won't, but the more centered you remain, the better you'll be able to help her regain her balance. No one is expected to be perfect—neither you nor your partner—but try to seek creative solutions to the inevitable challenges that arise.
Review the principles of conscious communication developed in Chapter 6. Although ideally both partners consistently differentiate their observations and feelings from their judgments and interpretations, it is easy to fall back into a pattern of holding the other person responsible for your feelings during periods of emotional turbulence. Resist becoming engaged in emotional battles of attack and defend. Rather, identify what it is that actually happened, acknowledge the feelings that were triggered by the situation, uncover the need that was not met, and offer the behavior that will fulfill the need.
Your role as a supporting spouse is to maximize the safety, security, and stability in your wife's life, knowing that this is the greatest value you can provide to your unborn child. Before engaging in conflict and confrontation, consider that your unborn baby is on the receiving end of the strong uncomfortable feelings that are generated. You wouldn't have a heated argument with your newborn baby, so do your best to avoid one with your wife.
If despite your best efforts, the immediate stresses lead to an emotionally charged encounter, try to dissipate the strong feelings and resolve the conflict as quickly as possible. When you feel yourself getting emotionally overloaded and losing your center, practice the seven steps of emotional processing to regain your composure. Let's take an example of a common scenario to see how this might work.
Driving home from a day at the office you get caught in rush-hour traffic and arrive at your house twenty minutes later than you had planned. Unfortunately, you forgot that your wife had a pregnancy yoga class she wanted to attend. Because you were supposed to be home in time to watch your three-year-old son, she is now at risk of missing her class. She is irritated and unloads on you about how selfish and irresponsible you are.
This encounter could easily go one way or the other. On one hand, it would not take much for you to react to her attack by taking out your frustrations on her over your stressful day and challenging commute home. However, engaging in a reactive response will only lead to more hurt feelings on both sides and possibly prolong the period before reconciliation, an approach that is not best for you, your spouse, or your unborn baby.
Alternatively, we encourage you to try a different tactic. Instead of mobilizing your psychological defenses, recognize that as a result of the discrepancy between the time you were expected to arrive and the time you showed up, your wife experienced strong feelings of frustration, disappointment, irritation, and anxiety. She has a need to attend her class, and the fulfillment of that need is in jeopardy. Rather than reacting to her reaction, simply say, "I'm really sorry I'm late. I didn't leave enough time to account for the terrible traffic. I promise from now on when you want to go to your class, I will allow for extra time to drive home. Why don't you leave right now for your class, and we can talk more about this later?"
Both your wife's and your upset feelings are legitimate. However, at this time in her life it is especially important not to engage in a vehement argument. Once she is on her way to her class, sit for a few minutes and tune into the sensations in your body. Allow yourself to feel the strong emotions that have been generated and breathe into them. See if you can identify your feelings without using language that puts you into the role of a victim. Then do something active to release the pressure in your body that your feelings are creating: put your three-year-old into a jogging stroller and go for a twenty-minute run; put on some rock and roll music and vigorously straighten up the house; move your body with the intention to release the impulse to fight or run.
By the time your wife arrives home, you'll be in a much better state of mind to discuss the incident without escalating the issue to an argument. Your commitment to minimizing the violence in your life is good for you, your partner, and your baby-to-be. Developing these healthy patterns will serve you well as your family grows. Your children's style of communication is shaped long before they are capable of intellectually analyzing how they relate to the world. Help them establish healthy principles early on that will help them meet their emotional needs throughout their lives.
Awakening Your Spirit
According to Ayurveda, human beings have four basic needs in life: artha, kama, dharma, and moksha. Becoming a parent provides motivation and opportunity for you to meet each of these needs.
Artha means "things." People naturally aspire to own things and derive pleasure from a healthy measure of material abundance. When you have children, it is natural to desire a comfortable home, a safe automobile, and adequate resources to provide for your children's needs. On the other hand, if you expend all your energy on the acquisition of wealth, your financial assets may increase, but the other important components of your life will suffer. Manage your resources responsibly, strive for abundance, but never let it alienate you from your loved ones. No one at the time of their death ever regrets that they did not go into work earlier or stay later at the office.
Kama refers to love in all its expressions, including sensual love. We have an inherent need to connect intimately with people in our lives. Nourishing relationships are essential to healthy and fulfilling lives. A basic theme of this book has been to encourage you to make nurturing relationships the highest priority in your family. If your relationships are loving, you can weather all challenges in your life. Practice love in your life and teach love to your children. It is one of the most important responsibilities you have to maximize their potential for happy and successful lives.
Dharma means living in accordance with the laws of nature. According to the law of dharma, people are born with a unique set of talents, which when developed enables them to make a contribution to their community, while generating the artha, or material abundance they require to live comfortably. One of the most important roles that parents play is to help their children cultivate their special talents. Expose your children to as wide a range of experiences as possible and observe those opportunities to which they are naturally attracted or in which they excel. If your child shows talent in an area, encourage and support him, rather than imposing your idea about how he should be living his life. When people are in their dharma, they tend to lose track of time. Timeless awareness is one of the best signs that a person is living in accordance with their soul's purpose in life.
Finally, moksha means "liberation." According to Ayurveda the ultimate goal of life is liberating your soul through the transformation of your internal reference point from ego to spirit. Moksha implies that your self-identity expands in widening circles, so that you identify yourself less and less with your country, religion, ethnic background, or occupation, and increasingly as a sentient, spiritual being. As you expand your identity from local to nonlocal, your capacity for compassion also expands. Your actions become increasingly evolutionary and it becomes impossible to harm another being. Synchronicity and spontaneous fulfillment of your desires become commonplace, while your very presence generates peace, harmony, laughter, and love in those around you. Teaching your children these spiritual principles is our best chance for creating a world that is fit for them to live in.
Stand by Your Woman
While in most situations we are enthusiastic proponents of relationships based upon equality, during pregnancy the equation indisputably shifts in favor of your wife's needs over your own. From the moment you discover she is pregnant until months after birth, we encourage you to be there for her, even when it means deferring gratification of your own needs. There are several important milestone events during the pregnancy when your support is critical and your presence should be your highest priority. At a minimum these include:
• the performance of the pregnancy test
• the first several health care provider visits
• any and all ultrasound studies
• any health care provider visit when there is a concern
• all birth-education classes
• preliminary visits to the hospital or birthing center
• any test procedures
• any health care provider visit when the results of tests are discussed
• the birth
Be intimately involved in the pregnancy and birth of your baby. Your participation at significant moments will deepen your connection to your wife and your unborn child. These events are important and fleeting; if you miss them, you miss a precious opportunity to share in the development and birth of your child. You will never regret the time you take to be deeply engaged in this wondrous process.
Dos and Don'ts
For the sake of peace and harmony in your household, we offer a few suggestions that will serve any potential father well. Remember that your wife or partner is a somewhat different person than she was before becoming pregnant. There are now two people living in her body, and her reactions to you may be different than they have been in the past. People respond differently under stress than they do when they feel completely safe and secure. Stress is common during times of rapid change, and there are few periods in life where change occurs as rapidly as during the nine months of pregnancy.
• Avoid expressing concerns about your wife's changing body shape. Saying anything approaching "Do you think you should be gaining this much weight?" is treading on dangerous ground. Trust that your wife's body is going through the important changes it needs to in order to support your unborn child. In time, after birth, she will return to the shape you remember. Enjoy her voluptuousness now and look for every opportunity to express your appreciation for her beautiful pregnant body.
• If your wife expresses concerns about the appearance of her body, be supportive but do not suggest that you have been worrying about the same thing. If she wonders out loud if the stretch marks are going to be permanent, simply reassure her that they will improve after the baby is born. If she expresses anxiety about whether her belly or breasts will be permanently changed by the pregnancy, reassure her that her body will recover its prior shape in time. Do not say, "I've been wondering the same thing," if you want to preserve peace in your household. Remember, your most important role now is to help reduce, not compound, her worries.
• Be prepared for fluctuations in your wife's sexual appetite. Pregnant women often find their sexual desire ebbing and flowing. It is not uncommon for women to have little desire during the first trimester due to a combination of physical and emotional factors. If your wife is struggling with morning sickness, it shouldn't surprise you that her interest in passionate love making moves to the back burner.
During the second trimester, women often experience the return of a healthy sexual appetite. The blood engorgement in your partner's sexual organs enhances her sensitivity and pleasure. This is an opportunity to experiment with different positions that do not place uncomfortable pressure on her expanding womb.
By the time she is in her third trimester, your partner's sexual enthusiasm will probably be waning. Carrying an enlarging baby is increasingly hard work and it is difficult for her to feel comfortable in her body. It is certainly possible to enjoy safe and pleasurable sex at this stage; you'll simply need to be more sensitive and creative. Remember, even if you are not engaging in intercourse, you can still be affectionate and sensual with each other. Follow her lead and try not to take her lack of sexual passion personally.
• Make your choices bearing in mind the possibility that everything may not unfold exactly as planned. When it is time to go to a pregnancy checkup with her, leave enough time so you are not late due to unanticipated delays. Allow enough time until your next professional appointment so you will not feel pressure if the visit runs later than expected. Do not plan a business trip out of town within one month of her due date. Do everything in your power to avoid contributing to her anxiety. Letting your spouse know that being there for her is your highest priority will avoid unnecessary conflict.
• Identify someone with whom you can communicate, when it is clear that your issues and concerns are best not brought to the attention of your wife. Your father, brother, or best friend might be a good choice. Establish your own relationship with your wife's doctor or pregnancy advisor and ask him or her the questions that are on your mind. Reassurance that your concerns are normal and easily addressed will keep you in your centered state of being, in which you are of greatest value to your partner and unborn baby.
First Impressions
There is no joy in the world that compares with meeting your child for the first time. Increasingly, fathers are given the opportunity to receive the baby as it emerges from the birth canal. After handing him to your wife, you may also be given the opportunity to cut the umbilical cord. If you have been taking pictures during labor and birth, ask someone else to hold the camera during the final moments of birthing so you can be fully present as your child enters the world. Life can be challenging, but holding your newborn baby at the very beginning of his life makes everything worthwhile at that sacred moment.
There is usually a period after birth—during which the placenta is delivered or tears may need suturing—that you can use to bond with your new baby. The child is often in a state of quiet alertness in which he will be very receptive. Speak to him; sing to him; welcome him into your family and into your heart. This is the beginning of a life-long love affair. You are your baby's father. It is one of the most important and potentially rewarding roles you will ever play. Savor it from the magical beginning.
Enliven Through Your Attention
• Take care of your own body, mind, and spirit so you can be more available to your wife and new child.
• Flow with the inevitable emotional and physical changes your partner is going through during the pregnancy. Look for opportunities to provide your support.
• Identify your own support systems that you can rely on when you are feeling depleted or overwhelmed.
• Place your hands on your belly a few times throughout the day and send loving thoughts to your unborn baby.
• Journal each day about your experiences.
• Early in your pregnancy, plant a tree or flowering bush to symbolize the growth of your baby in the womb. After your child is born, you can take care of the plant together.
• Read enchanting stories and heartfelt poetry aloud to your baby and listen to beautiful, relaxing music each day.
• Perform a daily oil massage on yourself before you bathe or shower.
• Diffuse an aroma while listening to music, while soaking in a tub, or while meditating to create the association between the fragrance and the relaxed state of awareness.
• Ensure that you have all six tastes available during your meals throughout the day.
• Choose to eat meals that are rich in color, aroma, and texture.
• Be mindful as you eat your meals. Eat at least one meal each week in silence with your full awareness.
• Practice meditation for twenty to thirty minutes twice daily.
• Pay attention to signals of stress that you experience during the day and employ stress-reducing behaviors to minimize the harmful effects of stress on you and your unborn baby.
• Perform yoga postures with awareness on a regular basis, being gentle and respectful of your body.
• Embrace your pregnancy as an opportunity to experience more natural healing approaches to common minor health concerns.
• Whenever an uncomfortable symptom arises, go through a mental checklist to ensure that you are taking time to relax, eating properly, drinking enough fluids, and exercising regularly.
• Develop an open line of communication with your health care provider and have a low threshold for calling about any emotional or physical concern that may arise.
• Commit to improving your conscious communication skills. When you are feeling upset, determine what you really need and ask for the behavior that will fulfill your need.
• Practice the seven steps for emotional clearing when you are experiencing emotional turbulence. Notice how empowering the process can be when you take responsibility for your feelings.
• Whenever you are finding it difficult to communicate with your partner about your feelings, create the opportunity to practice conscious listening.
• Become familiar with the stages and phases of labor and birth. Knowing the map will increase the likelihood that you get to where you want to go.
• Practice your breathing exercises so you can draw upon a wide range of centering techniques during labor.
• Explore with your birthing partner various massage, pressure, and breathing practices so you can build confidence that he will be there for you when you need his assistance.
• Commit to taking it very easy for the first few weeks after birthing your baby. Make bonding with your newborn your highest priority.
• Take care of your perineum and bottom, using sitz baths and herbal packs to reduce swelling and discomfort.
• Use all five senses to connect with your baby and create a nurturing environment for both of you.


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In my recent Ad-renaline post, I forgot to mention another overwhelmingly predominant ad this time of year.
Taxes, taxes, taxes
The average Joe's fiscal year is up and it's time to account to the government. But the average Joe needs help with his taxes. Enter the tax prep ads galore! Even the federal government has ads for their e-filing service. Everyone's on the tax band wagon. So, when I heard a rumor that this ad was floating around on the airwaves in my town, I was skeptical because I believe the company (and the ad) is based out of a much more ghetto-tastic town. Until last night.


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Knowledge and understanding empowers people
Knowing how to manage disability and the impact caused by health conditions empowers both employers and employees with the same level of understanding.
For people with newly acquired disability, this helps build confidence. For those with long-term health conditions, it can open doors to fresh opportunities.
From initial assessments to preparing for employment or in work support, MAX delivers a range of health and disability support for individuals and organisations.
Troy's story
Born with a degenerative condition of the front of the eyes, 25 year old Troy is now an asset to the Solomons' team in Cleveland, Queensland
Troy had undergone numerous cornea surgeries and can still only see out of one eye. With the help of MAX, Tory undertook a four week internship at Solomons Security and Blinds in Celeveland, Qld. This gave employer Darrin the confidence to offer Troy a position.
"We keep a small crew and keep them multi-skilled so we can move them around. Just last week Troy was out on site helping the fitters. He's always happy to be here and keen to be working."
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LIKE many considerate boyfriends, Ed Vessel, a cognitive neuroscientist who lives in Brooklyn, bought a toothbrush for his steady girlfriend Diana Adams to keep at his apartment when she sleeps over. While Ms. Adams, a Cornell-educated lawyer, considered this touching, she was less pleased when she noticed the toothbrush that Mr. Vessel had bought for his other steady girlfriend when she slept over.
That Mr. Vessel had a second girlfriend was not the issue. All parties here are committed to polyamory, which for them means maintaining multiple steady relationships, with the knowledge and consent of all involved. The problem was that the other woman's toothbrush was "a really fancy one that says 'Primo' on it, and mine is a junky one that says 'Duane Reade,' " said Ms Adams, 29. For about a month, she was a little miffed every single time she brushed her teeth.
The two eventually talked polyamory involves a lot of talking and they now laugh about it. "I just decided that this was an example of a jealousy that is not warranted," Ms. Adams said.
Polyamory gained a degree of cultural vogue in the sexual revolution of the 1970s, when books like "Open Marriage" made best-seller lists and swingers capitalized on the concept to justify experimentation. But while it failed to survive the era of fern bars for the mainstream population, a small but vocal collection of adherents many borrowing the language of inclusion used in the gay rights movement argues that polyamory can be a workable, responsible way to live.
Within the past year, books like "Open," by Jenny Block, and "Opening Up," by the sex columnist Tristan Taormino, have argued for polyamory. Celebrities like Tilda Swinton and Carla Sarkozy, the first lady of France, have expressed support for open relationships.
This weekend, a group called Polyamorous NYC, with more than 2,000 members, planned to have a three-day Poly Pride Weekend, featuring a picnic and rally in Central Park.
All this does not mean that polyamory has risen above underground status. Edward O. Laumann, a sociology professor at the University of Chicago and a prominent sex researcher, said many sex studies don't treat the practice as a category of its own.
Dr. Laumann said polyamorists are probably "just talking like that because they haven't found somebody special."
But whether it is a movement, or just something a few couples do, there is little debate that polyamory holds a certain risqué interest for those who would never practice it, and that it can make one's life very complicated.
Just ask Mr. Vessel and Ms. Adams, who will be attending this weekend's festival (she serves as the vice president for Polyamorous NYC). As young professionals trying to juggle busy careers with multiple steady romantic partners, their lives provide a window into the freedoms and complications of polyamory.
Toothbrush disputes are the least of it. In the era of safe sex and cellphones, a life that seems to promise boundless sex in fact involves lots of talking. And talking. And talking.
For one thing, they constantly have to explain the way they live.
Ms. Adams, a former Lutheran youth minister, was raised by conservative Christians in upstate New York. She said she was skeptical of monogamy from the time she was a child "I always had this lurking concern: 'How am I going to find a man and be married to him for 60 years?' "
Mr. Vessel, 33, seated with Ms. Adams at her Williamsburg apartment, said he thought monogamy "sold something short" the idea of flexibility even though he grew up in a supportive nuclear family in Colorado.
Ms. Adams and Mr. Vessel consider themselves bisexuals. He has a boyfriend in Texas he sees a few times a year, and she sees two women regularly.
More than half the polyamorists they know, however, engage exclusively in heterosexual relationships. (Straight or bisexual, there are limits to how open some polyamorists feel; Mr. Vessel and Ms. Adams were the only two of the partners involved who would be identified by name.)
Ms. Adams chose this course five years ago, learning about it through a polyamorous married couple (she soon dated the husband). Mr. Vessel came to it a year and a half ago, hearing about it from a friend. The two met at a cocktail party, and Mr. Vessel said he was struck by Ms. Adam's ability to, well, talk.
Communication skills are handy, as basic scheduling requires most parties to coordinate their plans on a shared Google Calendar page.
Mr. Vessel typically sees each girlfriend two or three nights a week, which means he keeps an overnight bag packed because he is often away for four or five nights consecutively. This can cause emotional confusion. "When you haven't seen your partner for four or five days, it can be hard to re-establish a connection," he said.
And with all that running around, this lifestyle is not always about boundless sex. The two said that rules become more important because of the emotional and health hazards involved in having multiple partners. All parties are expected to give full disclosure about whom they are seeing and what they are doing.
Partners, particularly the so-called primary partners, also carry veto power over their partners' new prospects. Last year, Ms. Adams exercised them when Mr. Vessel saw a woman who both concluded was trying to pit one against the other.
Mr. Vessel he didn't want to believe it. "She was hot," Ms. Adams said in a stage-whisper, a note of jealousy in her voice.
Indeed, while Mr. Vessel seems largely "immune to jealousy," Ms. Adams said she is not so lucky. A few weekends ago, she had to rush upstate to see her ailing father. But Mr. Vessel had plans to go to the Jersey Shore with his other girlfriend.
While both found the situation vexing, "the argument is not 'I want to do that,' it's 'How can I make you feel better about that?' " Mr. Vessel said. " 'Perhaps I can check in later that night, and give you a call.' " (They also arranged for friends to accompany her back home.)
And even when partners get things straight between themselves, they still must find a palatable way to present their lifestyle to friends and family. "A lot of the stereotypes I come upon are those of swinging, that we are just being kinky," she said, even though these partners say swinging is not the point.
SOME men are intrigued, said Ms. Adams's financier girlfriend, until they consider how it would feel to have their girlfriends run off with other men.
Mr. Vessel said his parents are growing accustomed to the idea, although they had a hard time understanding why, on a recent trip home, he held one girlfriend's hand while talking about another 1,600 miles away.
And last week, Ms. Adams invited her mother to a rooftop barbecue, where she was introduced to her daughter's circle of partners. "I had to say, 'You know how I'm bisexual,' " Ms. Adams said. " 'Well guess what, I have a girlfriend. In fact, I have two.' "
She added: "My mom's reaction was, 'If these are people that you love, they're family to me.' "


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|Sen. Ted Cruz speaks at a rally for his re-election campaign that was hosted by President Donald Trump in Houston on Monday. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI
By Nicholas Sakelaris, UPI
IRVING, Texas
One of the most divisive races in the midterm elections is Texas Republican Ted Cruz's fight to beat back a challenge for his Senate seat from Democratic Rep. Beto O'Rourke. The choice could not be starker.
Voters for whom national policy on immigration, healthcare and the economy hit home see it as a choice between supporting the agenda of President Donald Trump, who campaigned Monday night for Cruz -- or supporting Trump's impeachment, as O'Rourke does.
Cruz and the GOP accuse O'Rourke of being "too extreme" for Texas.
O'Rourke is pro-choice on abortion, wants to reform the U.S. immigration system and supports renewable energy and the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment.
"This is great if you're raising money in San Francisco," Cruz said at a debate with O'Rourke on Oct. 16 in San Antonio. "It's terrible if you want to gain support in Texas."
O'Rourke criticizes Cruz for siding with Trump on issues including immigration, healthcare and civil rights -- and for missing key Senate votes while he was running for president in 2015 and 2016.
"We need a senator who will work with the president where we can and stand up against him if we must," O'Rourke said at the debate. "If you have a special relationship with President Trump, where is the result?"
Early voting started Monday in Texas. Recent polls, including the average by RealClear Politics, shows Cruz ahead by as much as 7 points.
Both were elected to Congress in 2012 -- O'Rourke, 46, served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives for his native El Paso, while Cruz, 47, has represented Texas for one term in the Senate.
O'Rourke's campaign has raised $26.8 million -- recently setting a three-month record and more than twice as much as Cruz. Some of his biggest donors include the University of Texas, Google, J. Street, Exxon Mobil, Facebook, Amazon and American Airlines.
Cruz's campaign has raised $11.1 million with some of the biggest contributions coming from the Senate Conservatives Fund, Berkshire Hathaway, Lockheed Martin, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and Goldman Sachs.
Texas hasn't elected a Democrat to the Senate in 30 years, but dissatisfaction with Trump has stoked hopes for a Blue Wave.
"History does not favor the incumbent party in these midterm elections," said Chris Putnam, a Cruz supporter who lives in Colleyville, a Republican stronghold near Fort Worth. "That's expected. The other party has had a really strong reaction to Trump and his policies."
He said Cruz and O'Rourke offer vastly different approaches to policy.
"You can go up and down his policies and there's not an inch of daylight between O'Rourke and [former President Barack] Obama," Putnam said. "What we should be focused on is policy and not personality."
While there are many issues that affect Texans, Putnam believes many of them stem from illegal immigration, which strains resources for healthcare, college tuition programs and other social services in the state.
"There couldn't be a sharper contrast in those policies," Putnam said. "It's not clear at all what Beto's policy actually would be other than relaxing standards. You've got to take away incentives" for illegal immigrants.
Democrats who watched the Oct. 16 debate in Dallas said O'Rourke had a stronger showing than in an earlier debate.
Krystal Johnson said Cruz's campaign relies on fear.
"Beto isn't running a campaign based on fear. He's not running a campaign based on opposition to the incumbent," Johnson said. "He's running a campaign based on hope. And I think that was true throughout the debate."
She also liked the way O'Rourke countered Cruz's statements.
"It's really refreshing to see any political figure call out lies, especially when we live in the culture of social media where you can share things that are lies without citing the truth," Johnson said.
She said the Texas economy isn't booming for everyone like Cruz said it is.
"It's not booming. If it were booming, we would all have healthcare and teachers would be paid a living wage," Johnson said. "The tax cuts for the rich have hurt Texas. It's hurt Americans in general."
O'Rourke's campaign has emphasized the importance of bipartisanship and he cited several examples, including working with Republican Sen. John Cornyn on a bill to increase manpower at ports of entry.
He was also awarded the Prize for Civility in Public Life by Allegheny College in July for his Facebook Live stream with U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, a Republican, as they traveled from San Antonio to Washington D.C.
O'Rourke has also called for Trump to be impeached, which Cruz highlighted more than once in the debate.
"You want to talk about a shutdown? With Congressman O'Rourke leading the way, [it will be] two years of a partisan circus and a witch hunt on the president," Cruz said.
Sam Goldmsith, who is torn between the two candidates, said impeachment is the nuclear option.
"Cruz is right that when you call for the impeachment of the president, there's no going back from that," Goldsmith said. "Beto said, 'I want to work with anyone no matter what side of the aisle they're on.' But when he's called for the impeachment of the president, that's a non-starter. He's not going to be able to work with the other side."
Goldsmith said he liked O'Rourke when he emerged on the scene earlier this year but has seen him move more to the left.
"Beto, in the last month and a half, has been influenced by national politics rather than by Texas," he said.
But Goldsmith, who grew up in a rural town, said he likes that O'Rourke visited all 254 counties in Texas.
"He actually talked to people rather than just talking to the big cities. He talked high-speed Internet in every single town in our state," Goldsmith said. "I grew up in a small town, so that's important to me."
Ryan Roskey, who majored in finance and economics in college, said Cruz's support of Trump's tariffs on China worries him.
"As soon as you screw somebody else over, you always end up screwing yourself over," Roskey said. "It hurts both parties. It's better to always cooperate and that always increasing your profits."
Natalie Genco, a Cruz supporter who lives in Colleyville, said a vote for Cruz is a vote to move forward. She cited the improved economy since the Trump tax cut, which Cruz approved.
"For the Texas economy, Cruz is going to be much better," Genco said. "Ted Cruz is dead-on with fiscal issues that make Texas better for everyone. I know Beto wants to increase taxes. It's been proven that increasing taxes puts brakes on the economy."
San Antonio resident Gigi Lehman has been volunteering for O'Rourke's campaign for almost a year. She's drawn to O'Rourke because he won't accept money from political action committees.
"The more I volunteer, the more I see the implications of that and how important it is," Lehman said. "There's not some big mega-donor PAC coming to the rescue. It's all just regular people. When a candidate sees how many people are giving up their normal lives and making a bunch of small donations, I feel like he's really going to listen to what I say."
She said she's hopeful an O'Rourke victory will inspire other non-politicians to run for office around the country:
"If he can win this race doing it the way he's doing it, then I think we'll have a whole different breed of candidate all over the country."


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Album of the Week 39-2014: Prince & 3rdEyeGirl – PlectrumElectrum
Being a fan of Prince the musician rather than Prince the hit machine or Prince the phenomenon, 'PlectrumElectrum' was an album I looked forward to. Unlike most people, I was particularly fond of the guitar oriented direction of the 'Lotusflow3r' album and the prospect of an album made with his all-female backing trio 3rdEyeGirl seemed to promise the band feeling that characterized the best material of Prince and the New Power Generation. And indeed: 'PlectrumElectrum' might just be the most band driven material Prince has released in a long, long time. Possibly ever.
First things first: Prince and 3rdEyeGirl have an incredible chemistry. It works that the band consists of fantastic musicians. Especially Danish bassist Ida Nielsen, who had been backing Prince for a couple of years already, really shines here. She impressed me at two Prince shows I attended recently already, but her star shines almost as brightly as the purple one himself here. Her fantastic basslines range from beautifully melodic to viciously rocking whilst never forsaking that essential groove. I tend to slightly prefer John Blackwell's grooves to those of Hannah Ford Welton, but she lays down some awesome fills.
What's most important, however, is the songs. Luckily, Prince has delivered his most consistent set of songs since 'Musicology'. The material largely focuses on grooves and guitars. Figuring that this is Prince, the grooves are generally sultry and seductive, but the record rocks surprisingly hard at times as well. When the riffs kick in during the second track 'Pretzelbodylogic', it's obvious that the focus isn't just on Funk and Soul. And that's not where it stops, 'FixUrLifeUp' is one of the album's highlights with it's huge riffs and melodic verses, the killer title track is a jam heavy instrumental that brings to mind Hendrix and Led Zeppelin – not in the last place because the main riff brings to mind 'The Ocean' – and the socially conscious message of 'Marz' is backed up by R'n'R riffs that put Status Quo to shame.
One of the album's finest moments is the fantastic cover of Alice Smith's 'Another Love', which has a monstrous groove, moving vocals and a mind blowing solo section – which seems to be Prince trading off with Donna Grantis – lifting the song to a level the original didn't reach. The rest of the album moves between accessible Rock ('Wow'), pure Funk ('Funknroll', unsurprisingly), balladry ('Whitecaps') and even contemporary R'n'B ('BoyTrouble'). The only misstep is the syrupy 'TicTacToe', which drowns in its own overdose of repetition.
In the recent past, Prince often seemed to favor either composition or performance, based on what his ideas for the songs were. All the material on 'PlectrumElectrum' shows that both directions can mingle and intertwine with fantastic results. Though I really liked 'Lotusflow3r', this album has the consistency that so many critics have accused Prince of having lost. This material just screams for the live environment, like 'Let's Go Crazy', 'Peach', 'Guitar' and 'Colonized Mind' before it. And that's exactly the type of album Prince needed at this point in his carreer.
Recommended tracks: 'AnotherLove', 'FixUrLifeUp', 'PlectrumElectrum'


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The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be held at the normal times and only at the St. Peter site.
The sacrament of Reconciliation (also known as confession) is the act of honestly confessing our sins to a priest and receiving forgiveness through God's mercy which Christ won for us on the cross. Though a priest verbally forgives our sins, he is acting as an intermediary and we believe only God can forgive our sins.
Reconciliation is important because it reconciles and restores us to God's grace and friendship. It heals brokenness and renews our relationships within our Church, home and community.
All baptized Catholics may receive the sacrament of Reconciliation. It is especially necessary for those who have committed serious sin to be reconciled prior to receiving the Holy Eucharist.
Would you like help preparing for Reconciliation? Contact the parish office or fill out our online form to learn more.


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By Joys Tan
While travelling in Indonesia late last year (Aug – Dec 2014), Henrietta and I chanced upon the sale of kopi luwak in various places separately. Here are some pictures taken by us:
1. Central Java
On flight to Indonesia, Henrietta noticed an advertisement of kopi luwak in the magazine. It wasn't unexpected as Indonesia is its place of origin.
2. Bali
Bali has numerous coffee plantations and agro-tourism centred around them are heavily marketed with a seemingly high take-up rate among tourists. Read about the Pearlynn's recount at a kopi luwak farm in Bali early last year here.
What first struck me was the obvious lack of vegetation cover for the civet to hide and lack of branches for the civet to climb or sleep on.The floor was concrete, bare and covered with what appears to be algae. Nearby, a civet was spotted exposed and resting on sparse vegetation cover, with sunlight shining directly onto it. Civets are nocturnal animals and in a natural setting, they would seek out a sheltered place to rest.
Just one of the many sellers, the name 'Smiling Coffee' is pretty ironic.
Kopi luwak is (unfortunately) widely sold in the big supermarket at Ubud and at the airport.
3. Batam
Also in Batam, kopi luwak was spotted in a provision store near the ferry terminal. There are two brands on the shelf: Mandailing Estate Coffee and Gunawan Brother Indonesia.
Mandailing Estate Coffee states that it produces "authentic wild kopi luwak", "certified premium kopi luwak" and "processed naturally in the wild" on its packaging. It even had a 'Certificate of Authenticity' attached. Regardless of how awesome it sounded, I was not convinced at all. After some research, I knew my intuition was right – it is not true at all.. In the campaign document published by Tony Wild, the founder of Kopi Luwak: Cut the Crap, it stated that:


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Well last night I got an idea. I like to checkout the TOR Hidden Services from time to time but it's a pain in the tail just trying to find a link that actually works. So I cooked up the OnionScanner! It's basically just a TOR link checker. But feel free to check it out on the home site or on GitHub and let me know what you think. If you have some ways to improve on it feel free to put in a request. Even if you just want to port it to another language to make it cross-platform I would greatly appreciate it!
Blind Signal Analysis
So here I am just browsing through the electro-magnetic spectrum with gqrx and I come across a signal…a strong signal at that. Obviously this piqued my curiosity so I decided to check it out. I started out by recording just the raw signal with GNURadio and saving it to a file. Afterwards I ran it through a few filters and put it up on the scope sink, and FFT. In the end (with the help of a constellation plot) I was able to figure out it was FSK modulated. I quickly demodulated the signal and through the contents into another file to check out with a hex editor. Continue reading →
Fun with Keyfobs!
Anyways, just like I said I would I got into trying to actually demodulate the signal for that fan remote…well as it turns out, after tons of research it seems like the method I posted about in my last entry was the easiest way to "demod" a PWM signal, just doing it by hand. So I've moved on to other stuff. So, been working on attacks against Keyfobs today (that little button you use to unlock/lock your car) and so far so good. Here's a screenshot of a little program I'm working on to make IDR (intercept, disrupt, replay) attacks on keyfobs a little easier. When it's done it will basically sit there and listen for you to push a button, when you do it will jam the signal and save the signal to a file. Then when you push it again it will jam that signal, save the second one to a file, the replay the first one (causing your vehicle to lock/unlock as expected). Continue reading →
Decoding fan remote RF signal
It's been quite a while since I've last posted here so I figured I'd do a little experiment. I haven't even touched my SDRs in a few months, but I recently purchased a HackRF and WIFI Pineapple (they haven't arrived yet) so I figured I'd pull out my old dongles and brush up some on SDR and DSA. Well, I wanted to start with the simplest thing I could think of so I grabbed a remote control for our ceiling fans and decided I'd try to decode the signal. Continue reading →
Selling on the Unity Asset Store
While working on Forgotten Ones I decided to turn it into a small indie company a while back, we are currently a team of 3-6 (depending on what day of the week it is) but still funding is hard to come by, especially these days early in the process. Nearly everyone works a full-time job and helps out on the project in their off time so we decided to turn our attention to the Unity Asset Store.
Since there seems to be very little information for emerging asset developers I decided I'd write a little a little on our experiences with the Asset Store. Continue reading →
The military prepared me for indie development
It's no secret that I'm a US military vet, but after some reflection I have found out that what the military taught basically prepared me for indie game development, with the exception of the skills. I could get into everything and cover it all in one paragraph but I decided to go ahead and break it down into a few categories. Continue reading →
Storing Sessions in a database
Most common applications and "home-brew" sites use sessions for storing temporary data as well as authentication. However,
sometimes a developer may want the session to span over multiple domains and or servers, and some may just be very security
conscience. It is common knowledge that session data is stored in a text file on the webserver, however if you are using
a shared server (as most cannot afford dedicated hosting or VPS) then any user on that server may see your session files.
To prevent this, and allow your user's sessions to span over multiple domains the answer is easy: store the session data in a
MySQL database! Most of you may not be sure how to do this, or may have even been unaway that this is possible, however it is
very easy. When storing sessions in a database PHP makes the work easy for us with the use of a function called
session_set_save_handler(), this function can control the way that sessions are stored, retrieved, destroyed, etc. Continue reading →
Secure Hashing
Many developers believe in the practice of securing passwords and other financial data using a hash function (a function of turning some kind of data into a small number that may serve as a digital "fingerprint"). However just hashing a password isn't enough it may still be bruteforced and as usernames and passwords are determined by the users not all will meet minimum secure levels so it is up to the developer to pick up where they leave off. Continue reading →
Uploading Files
PHP as you all know is a very powerful and yet fairly loose language, however one of it's very usefully abilities is the ability to upload files. PHP can upload literally any type of file you allow it to. However this can also open up many holes for many exploits, which is why we'll also cover some basic security along with uploading the files. Continue reading →


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Tibetan Culture
As a member of the great family of the Chinese nation, the Tibetan people have created and developed a distinctive culture in the long history of continuous exchange and mutual absorption from the culture of other ethnic groups. The Tibetan culture has always been a pearl both in the Chinese culture and world culture. The Tibetan culture was formed gradually by the integration of the Turk culture in the Yarlung Zangbo River basins and ancient Xiangxiong culture in the west region of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
In the 7th century, Buddhism was introduced into Tibet from mainland China, India and Nepal, and gradually developed into a distinctive Tibetan Buddhism. At the same time, the India and Nepal culture of South Asia, Persian culture and Arab culture in West Asia also influenced Tibetan culture in a significant way. Due to the profound influence of Buddhism, the 14th Dalai Lama always describes Tibetan culture as Tibetan Buddhism culture.
After a long period of development, Tibetan architecture, sculpture, painting, opera, language, writing, and medicine achieved a high level.
Tibetan Tea
Tea in Tibet is said to have been brought by Princess Wencheng as a dowry. Throughout history, the people here have developed a Tibetan diet, among which butter tea is a wholesome drink known for its nutrition and unique making method. Butter tea can produce high calories, which can prevent cold in elevated regions. It is a very suitable tea in Tibet. Until now, the tea culture on the Tibetan Plateau has developed over one thousand years.
Butter tea, with unique Tibetan ethnic characteristics, has been integrated into the social customs, etiquette, and daily life. Drinking a bottle of tea is an indispensable part of Tibetan social life. Tibetan people will serve up a cup of butter tea to guests from far away, which is a custom in Tibet and shows respectful, harmonious, and peaceful relief in their life. In the hall of the railway station or airport, it is common to find people carrying warm water bottles filled with butter tea to see their relatives or friends off. To celebrate the new birth of a baby, friends, or family will bring the butter tea as a gift. In the hospital, a bottle of butter tea can comfort a patient much. >>Read more
Tibetan Opera
Due to the differences in natural conditions, customs, cultural traditions, and dialects across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Tibetan Opera has developed into several varieties and schools. Tibetan Opera originated from 600 years ago, 400 years earlier than Beijing Opera, so it's been called the living fossil. The art of Tibetan opera was derived from Tibetan opera, which is spread by the monks and pilgrims to the Tibetan areas in Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan, and Yunnan. It's also been circulated to India and Bhutan.
There are many kinds of Tibetan Opera, and the mainstream is the blue mask opera. The traditional performance of this blue mask opera is divided into three parts. The first part is the open ceremony called "Dun", actors performing the sacrificial songs and dances. The second part is called "Xiong", actors playing the history story or legend. The third part is a greeting part called "Taxi" which means blessing. The actors never make up, and they only wear a mask to perform from the beginning to the end.
Under the restrictions of religion, Tibetan culture has been less influenced by the mainland and keeps its original features. You can enjoy the Tibetan Opera during festivals and celebrations.
Prayer Flag
Prayer flags were used as talismans to protect Tibetans during the war, starting from Bon religion. It's printed with the Buddhist scriptures. The locals believe every time the prayer flags blowing in the wind; it means chanting sutras once and conveying good wishes. For this reason, long prayer flags are tied to windy places, such as high passes and riverside; short prayer flags are tied on the branches of trees in the front of squares and monasteries.
They decorated the images of snow lion, dragon, and tiger on the flag. Gradually, prayer flags become one of the parts of Tibetan Buddhism and add prayers or messages of hope and peace. There are five different colors of Tibetan prayers flags with different significant meanings, blue standing for wind, white for air, red for fire, green for water, and yellow for earth. Prayer flags should be updated every year, and the date to change the prayer flags is based on the Tibetan Calendar. >> Read more
Sky Burial
Sky burial is a traditional way of burial in Tibet. After death, the body will be dismembered and taken to a particular place to feed vultures (or other birds, animals, etc.). It is not the only kind of burial, but it is the most popular way to dispatch the dead in Tibet.
Tibetans are devoted their lives to Buddhism and believe that death only separates the body and the immortal soul. The core of the sky burial is immortality and reincarnation. Sky burial is highly regarded by Tibetans, as they believe that feeding vultures with the discarded body is the most honorable almsgiving, reflecting the highest realm of Mahayana Buddhism - devoting. It's not like some tourism guide book mentioned that sky burial's a way to send the soul-spirit to heaven. There's no such saying in Tibetan Buddhism. >>Read more
Sand Mandala
Sand Mandala, དཀྱིལ་འཁོར། in Tibetan, is the most exquisite Buddhist art in Tibet. The monks in the monastery use colorful sand to paint their ideal Buddhist world in significant religious events. They may paint it for several days or even months.
However, the masterpiece with monks' great efforts is not used to show off their beauty to people. The Buddhist world painted by sand will be swept away once it's finished without any hesitation. Colorful sand will be put into bottles and dumped into the river.
Some explain that the theme of Sand Mandala is to show the illusion of the world. For Lama, they only destroy the external paintings and firmly keep their inner Mandala. It also shows the transience of life. >>Read more


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By Rosa Sanchez, RadarOnline.com
Porn star Olivia Nova has died at just 20 years old, RadarOnline.com has learned. The young adult film actress passed away of unknown causes on January 7 after publicizing her troubles on social media.
Her sudden passing follows the deaths of three other porn stars, including August Ames, Yuri Luv and Shyla Stylez.
While her agency claimed they had no idea what could've killed the young actress, Nova's Twitter account suggests she suffered from anxiety, OCD and possibly a drinking habit.
"I like wine so don't try and stop me" she wrote on her Twitter bio.https://twitter.com/olivianovaxxx/status/939640103294652417
"If I even get close to getting a dry skin bump I sit there and pick at it for like a month and it never goes away. My OCD will be the end of my career. #shootcancelled," Nova recently added.https://twitter.com/olivianovaxxx/status/943659872775675904
She also reportedly spent the Holidays alone, and wrote to Twitter fans that giving one of them a call would "lift [her] spirits"https://twitter.com/olivianovaxxx/status/945163658128060419
LA Direct Models said they were "beyond shocked by the sudden death," according to The Mirror, adding that "while only represented by Direct Models for a short period of time, we came to know Olivia as a beautiful girl with a very sweet and gentle personality."https://twitter.com/olivianovaxxx/status/940532667317092352
"The Las Vegas coroner's office confirmed that they received [Nova] into their facility at 12 Noon on Jan 7. A post mortem examination will be carried out by that office the results of which will not be known for 6-8 weeks they advised.
"It is understood that next of kin have been informed," according to the agency's statement this Monday.
Speaking of the deaths of Ames, 23, Luv, 31 and Stylez, 35, the agency continued: "Another one, way too young, we are beyond shocked and most certainly, it was completely out of the blue. Rest in peace, sweet angel."


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Loving this quote from timeless beauty Sophia Loren.
"Nothing makes a woman more beautiful
than the belief that she is beautiful"
~ Sophia Loren
[Quote source Vogue UK. Pinterest image via Google]
Great quote - surprising what confidence can do. Sophia Loren is stunning in that photo.
I adore her (and the quote) xReplyDelete
Gorgeous and iconic, Sophia's still got it! Love this quote too!
very true, French women are masters at that and (my joke: even if they don't shave their armpits, they are still desired by everyone!) and the confidence is so "sexy" in a woman or a man, right? Well, Italian women are obviously ridiculously good at this ((:
xo Z