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Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Insert Paranoid Alien Hunter Here

Rhia's communicator beeped at her hip. She looked down at the blinking, modified cell phone at her hip, and then up at the two pans in her hands and the third she needed to move on the stove. Frustration mounted as she couldn't put either pan down, or pick up the call on her communicator.

She growled, sighed in defeat and put a pan down on a pot holder where hopefully it wouldn't sear a dark brown ring into her countertop.

She wedged the communicator between her shoulder and ear. "Rhia here. What's up?" She took the third pan and moved it to a cool element to simmer down.

Alice's voice squeaked over the speakers. "Uhm, Rhia, could you come down to the monitor room? There's a fandom that's popped up and I don't recognize it."

"Erm... maybe?" She glanced between all three pans, metaphorically throwing her hands up, and just shoved all three into her stasis cabinet. "Yeah, sure, I'll be there in a minute. I just have to turn a few things off first. I wish Jess wasn't busy at the moment, I'd just call her in to finish things."

Giggles sounded through the communicator. "Yeah... she kinda somewhat kidnapped another band member from Nightwish. She's... still busy I think. Leonard's not happy."

"When is he ever happy?" Rhia rolled her eyes. "Get him a meat-lovers or stick him in front of Shirley and he should be satisfied for a little while." She clicked off the light and closed the door behind her. "I'm on my way now. Anything you can tell me to help identify the fandom?"

"A little green thing with big red eyes and antennae?"

"Uhm... Anything else?"

"Yes, but I don't think I could describe it very well. It's a cartoon, if that helps."

Rhia's eyes went wide. "Yes... that helps... I'll pick up my pace a bit."

The door to the Monitor room slammed open and bounced against the wall, nearly hitting Rhia in the face as she walked through. "Has the door always been like that, Alice?"

"I dunno." She shrugged. "It's been like that since I started my shift. I don't think it likes me."

"Ah. Sorry about that, then. What's the fandom?"

The older Brit turned a screen and keyboard towards Rhia. "Here's the first thing that showed up when the alarms went off."

Rhia took one glance at the screen and face-palmed, and then slowly dragged her hand down her face in exasperation. "You. Have got. To be kidding me."

"What? What's so bad about this fandom? For one thing, what is this fandom?"

"You've never heard of Invader Zim?"

"Be glad you haven't. Be very, very glad."

Alice blinked. "Why?" And then blinked again when she saw Rhia's face. "I don't want to know, do I?"

"No. Not really. Not unless you have a large shipment of Brain Bleach coming in. And from what I've heard from Nixie, this week's shipment is late."

"That bad?"

"Depends if you like crack or not. And gratuitous violence."

"Ah." Alice nodded in not-quite-comprehension and typed a little bit more on her keyboard. Rhia joined her.

"What level sue do we have? And how the heck would a sue manipulate Invader Zim? That world is so full of crack it would reject any changes a sue would make."

"It's a low level sue..." More typing. "Nothing higher than four, I think. She may be hiding, and waiting to gather strength."

Rhia snorted. "Well, she sure isn't going to be able to do it in that fandom."

"It's Invader Zim. There is very little in the way of logic in that fandom." The chef paused and a smirk grew on her face. "Oh, I'm looking forward to this now. I just need a few things."

Alice tilted her head to the left. "What do you need that's out of the normal?"

"Oh, well, my frying pan will be the only weapon I'll need, but I'll need to grab some Firebrand Whiskey from Ben."

"Really? Isn't that overly dosed with sugar?" Alice asked, an eyebrow quirking up.

"Yeah. 'S the only way I'll get out of that fandom sane…"

"Ooooh." Alice nodded in comprehension. "Have fun!"

The first thing that caught Rhia's attention in the Invader Zim fandom was her reflection.

"Oh, you have got to be kidding me." Besides the frying pan slung on her back, Prohibitor at her right hip and bottle of Firebrand Whiskey at her left, the agent didn't have any new additions. But it was the way she was portrayed that displeased her.

Simplistic and exaggerated, Rhia's head was the biggest thing on her. In general, she looked like a grown-up Gaz with brown hair and Dib's glasses.

It irked her.

Enough for an eye-twitch.

She turned away from her reflection in a store window and unscrewed the cap from the Firebrand Whiskey she borrowed from Ben. She was surprised by the taste. 'No wonder Ben loves this stuff so much.'

She shrugged and started her walk through the city to Dib's house. She figured that was the best place to start. She took another sip of Ben's overly-sugared iced tea.

"Now… how to get Dib to not shoot me on sight…."

"Gaz, get the door!" Dib's voice came from upstairs.

Gaz, lounging on the couch with a video game in hand asked wryly, "Why should I, big head?"

Dib rolled his eyes. "Because I said so!" A beat. "My head's not big!"

"Mmmm… Yes it is, and how about this?" Gaz mimed thinking, a hand on her cheek and eyes towards the ceiling. "NO!"

"Fine." Dib grumbled and stomped down the stairs, interrupted from going over what little footage he had of Zim. It was mostly static.

He opened the front door and was greeted with the sight of a teen girl. This immediately confused him.

"Agent Mothman?"

His confusion only lessened a little. "Yes?" He narrowed his eyes.

"Agent Frying Pan. Nice to meet you." She held her hand out to him. He didn't take it. "Ah."

"What are you doing here?" He gave her a small glare, most of the other agents at the Swollen Eyeball Network didn't much like him, and he doubted that they would send an agent to help him with Zim.

"Aaaah… Can we talk somewhere more…" She pointedly looked to Gaz. "More private?"

Dib huffed. "Fine. C'mon." He led her to his room and shut the door. "What are you doing here?" he hissed.

"Hey! Hey!" Frying Pan held out her hands in supplication. "Calm down! I was investigating something and a lead brought me here. I thought I would link up with another agent."

"Uh-huh. And why haven't I heard of you before?"

She looked down at her feet. "New agent."

"Oh. Welcome."

Dib hopped into the chair at his desk and spun around. "So, what are you here for?"

She leaned against the door jam. "I'm hunting down rumors of a being that can warp reality as we know it and cause complete and total mind control over time. Has anything new come in on your end?"

Dib turned to his laptop and started typing frantically. "No… not that I can tell."

"All right. Guess I'll have to hit the streets." She took a swig of something from a flask at her hip.

"I've got a question."

"Agent Frying Pan?"

She sighed and brought said object from behind her. "My signature weapon. More effective than a rubber mallet could ever be!" She grinned and held it out proudly.

"Yes, Master?" GIR scampered up to Zim, chomping on a cupcake.

He looked down at the robot. "Why are you eating a filthy cupcake?"

"I like it!" GIR finished it off and rubbed his belly. "Cupcakes are gooood!"

Zim shook his head. "Nevermind. GIR! I have another plan to destroy the Dib-thing and conquer Earth! It is my plan of DOOOOOOM!"

GIR chirped and started bouncing around the lab. "Doom doom doom! Doom-do-do-doom doom doom!"

"GIR! Sing the Doom Song later! Right now we have to get the lasers ready! And the bait! Can't forget the bait!" A human sized test-tube rose out of the floor, a young blonde inside, her arms crossed and a pout on her face. "MUWAHAHAHAHAHAAAA! Dib will not be able to get out of this trap! And then I will CONQUER THE WORLD!"

The blonde tapped on the glass. "My name is Deliha!"

Zim spun. "Be silent! I am having my villain moment. It is good for my self-esteem!" He glared at her for a moment before starting up again. "MUWAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA!"

"Doom doom do-do-doom! Dooooom!" GIR stopped for a moment, clearly deep in thought. "TACOS!"

Zim sighed. "Fine, GIR, we'll get tacos on our way out…"

"Dib! There's a dog at the door for you!"

Dib craned his head over the stair railing. "What? I don't have a dog!"

Gaz rolled her eyes. "I told you! There's a dog at the door for you. Now get down here, big head!"

"My head's not big!" Dib stomped down the stairs, Agent Frying Pan following after him. Dib opened the door and looked down, only to spazz out and point dramatically. "GIR! What are you doing here?"

Frying Pan peered over Dib's shoulder and saw a small green dog standing on its hind legs, snacking on a taco. The dog shrugged and waved with his free hand. "Hello!"

Dib glared. "What are you doing here?"

GIR shoved the rest of the taco into his mouth. "Master wanted me to come get you."

Dib blinked. "He did?"

"Uh-huh!" GIR smiled and his tail wagged.

"Um. Okay. Let me go get a couple things…" Dib dashed back up the stairs to his room.

Frying Pan knelt and met GIR's eyes. "So you're GIR. I've heard a lot about you. Can I tell you something?

GIR's head bobbled as he nodded enthusiastically.

"You're adorable!" She let out a high-pitched fan-girl squeal and grabbed GIR in a hug before he knew what was happening. Not that he minded. In fact, he hugged her right back.

"GIR loves hugs!"

Frying Pan giggled. "So do I. My name's Rhia, but not that I can tell Dib that… for some dumb reason." She sighed.

Dib came halfway down the stairs and nearly face-planted into the last half when he saw Frying Pan hugging GIR. "WHAT are you DOING?"

She blinked innocently at him. "I'm hugging him. He's adorable. I can't help it."

"He's my archrival's henchman! How can you hug him?"

Frying Pan just kept giving him an innocent look.

He sighed and slumped his shoulders. "Oh, all right. Let's go."

They both cheered. "Yay!"

Zim stood at the end of a street a couple of blocks away, laser gun that was nearly as big as he was in his hand and what counted for his hip (more likely his squidely-splootch) jutted out at an angle, all attitude and cocky confidence.

"YOOOOOoooou! Dib-thing! Today is the day that you meet your doooom! And then I will take over this disgusting planet!"

Dib whipped out his own laser gun and aimed it at Zim. "In your dreams, Zim!"

Zim smirked. "Them my dreams are about to become reality! MUWAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!"

He brought a remote control out of nowhere, and jammed the big red button on it. The pavement under them rumbled and shook and then broke apart systematically, walls coming up to surround them and runner lights lining the bottom.

Zim's voice came out of nowhere, surrounding them. "Hahahaha! Welcome to my Laser Tag Maze of Doooom! I assume you know the rules of Laser Tag, Dib-thing, so I'll skip right to the chase! Look up! If you win, you get to save this girl-thing that I kidnapped earlier!"

Above the maze, suspended in a cage was a blonde girl. Dib's eyes widened at the sight of her. "Let her go, now!"

Rhia blinked. 'Oh dear. I think I found the sue.'

Dib yelled up at the girl in the cage. "I'll get you out of there, I swear!"

She sighed. 'Yeap, that's the sue all right. Dib usually ignores everything else if Zim's around… Oh well.'

Rhia turned and smacked a copyright on the back of Dib's head. "Snap out of it! Zim's your goal here, not her!"

He shook his head hard, and nodded at her. "Right. Thanks."

"Hm. GIR?" The robot in question looked up.

"Take us to Zim? I need to talk to him… that girl isn't as helpless as she looks."

He nodded. "Okay! But only if you get me more tacos afterward."

Rhia grinned. "Sure. I'll even make'em myself. Ever had homemade tacos, GIR?"

The robot shook his head and nearly went off like a shot, excited to get homemade tacos. Dib and Rhia were hard-pressed to keep up with him.

GIR ran cheering to his master, crowing about homemade tacos. "Tacos! Master! Rhia offered to make me tacos! She's nice! Can we keep her? Pleaseeeee?"

Dib blinked. "Rhia?"

"My real name."

Zim blinked, and then peered up in annoyed confusion at the female agent. "Who are YOU?"

She grinned and pulled out her frying pan, squeezing the handle. "I am agent Rhia of the Anti-Cliché and Mary-Sue Elimination Society! And I am here to arrest…."She trailed off and looked up at the sue in the cage. "Hey, sue, what's your name?"

"Deliha Brightflower! And there's no way you'll get me! Dib won't let you! Right, Dib?" She smiled at him. Dib just shrugged it off.

Rhia coughed to get attention. "Excuse me. I am here to arrest Deliha Brightflower on charges of attempted fandom manipulation. Deliha, you really shouldn't have picked Invader Zim to hide in. The crack makes you stand out like a sore thumb."

Zim growled at the mention of his name. "This is my take-over-the-world plan! You can't have it! Gooo Awaaaaay!" He stomped his foot.

Rhia rolled her eyes. "Oh, shush. You can have the next one. I need to deal with this." She took her frying pan and bounced Zim like a paddle and ball, and then when he bounced high enough she wound up her arm and sent Zim flying over the maze and into the horizon, him screaming all the way.

She sighed. "That's dealt with."

Dib's eyes went wider than normal. Rhia giggled.

"See, I told you. Frying pans make wonderful weapons."

"Um…yeah. Okay. Thanks." He scratched his head. "I gotta go after him now. You got everything here?"

She nodded. "Yeah, I'm good."

"Right. See you!"

Rhia watched Dib and GIR leave the maze, going out the way they came, and then looked for a button to lower the sue out of the cage so she could Prohibit her.

"Zim is short… so his button would be low to the ground…."

Alarms blared in the Monitor room as scanners picked up an influx of Sue energy entering Invader Zim. Alice felt panic running up her spine as she spotted the read-outs.

"Oh Crap Sticks…" She reached over and smacked a big red button on a side panel, sending alarms blaring throughout the Library. She flipped open her comm. "Adrian, there's a Sovereign in the Invader Zim fandom, and Rhia's in there!"

"All right. Stay calm. I'll be there in a moment. Keep a track on Rhia so we can pull her out."

"I am, but it's getting weak. I think the Sovereign's shutting down our connection with that fandom. Crap crap crap…"

Adrian stormed through the door, Phoenixia, Tash, and Cristoph on his heels. This time the door behaved and did not bounce back to hit anyone in the face. "What's the situation, Alice?"

Alice's fingers nearly slammed into the keyboard. "I tried getting a hold of Rhia with her comm. No luck. At this point in time, we've got visual camera feed. Nothing else."

Adrian's eyes narrowed. "This Sovereign wants us to watch."

Cristoph growled at the screen, where it seemed Rhia still had no idea there was a Sovereign in the fandom with her. "Can't you do anything, Lord Adrian?" His eyes were cold, and hard as steel.

"I can sure as hell try." He turned the keyboard that Alice freely gave up. "Phoenixia?"

"Gotcha." She was already typing frantically at one keyboard, and another screen on the other side of the room looked like information was being added to it by a ghost—Phoenixia's work.

Tash put a hand on Cristoph's shoulder. "It'll be okay."

"I hope so, Lady Tash."

Rhia was watching the cage holding Deliha descend with a mechanical whine when she felt a very, very strong presence behind her. She whirled, fist flying and had a fleeting wish that she had brought her knives. She blinked and the person wasn't where her fist was aimed anymore. She jerked her head and saw a blue-eyed, brown haired late teen/twenty-something leaning against the maze wall, jean-clad legs crossed at the ankles and arms folded over his chest. His hair was a little messy and felt a bit over his eyes. His gamer T-shirt was a little wrinkled but clean, and he was smiling at Rhia.

"Hey!" He grinned and jumped off the wall, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "My name's Passion and I know who you are, Agent Rhia." He said when she opened her mouth. "Yeah, I'm a Sovereign, but I've heard some cool things about the Society. I've even heard a couple things about you!" He grinned again and moved around like he couldn't stand still. It was like watching an extra large five-year-old high on sugar. "I've heard you're a gamer. So, do you wanna play a game?" He smiled at her then, like his suggestion was the best thing in the world, and he had just offered it to her.

He frowned and then looked down, scuffing at the ground with his foot. "'Course, if you don't want to, I guess things could get a little messy." He immediately perked up. "But I'm sure that won't happen!"

Rhia nodded and forced a smile on her face. "Sure, I'll play a game." Dread was building at the pit of her stomach.

He jumped and clapped his hands. "Fantastic! Stay right there! I'll get your opponent." And he dashed off to the cage that was still holding Deliha.

It only took him a minute and then both Deliha and Rhia were standing, facing Passion with Laser pistols in their hands.

He grinned again. "You two are gonna play Laser Tag! Just like Zim wanted but didn't quite get the chance to do. Great use of a frying pan, by the way, Rhia."

"So. Winner gets to leave the fandom free and completely unharmed. Deliha, could you shoot in that corner please?"

The sue aimed and quickly squeezed and released the trigger. A bright red laser came shooting out and left a small crater in the cement. Both the sue and Rhia swallowed at the sight.

Passion nodded. "Thanks, Deliha. Your goal is to take out your opponent. Unconscious, dead, no longer have their hands because you lasered them off… doesn't matter to me. The rules. No leaping over maze walls. Pretend there's a ceiling at the top of those walls. Neither of you can go through walls so neither of you can be on top of them." Passion thought for a second. "Aaaand… that's about it for rules." He nodded. "I'll take Deliha to the other side of the maze, give you two a couple minutes to collect yourselves, get yourselves psyched, and then I'll sound the buzzer and start the game. May the best sharp-shooter win!" He grinned at them both and led Deliha to the other end of the maze.

Rhia watched him go and waited until he was out of sight to pull out her comm. "Alice? Alice, come in!" Nothing but static. Not good. Rhia swallowed again, put her comm. away and started examining the pistol. Light, easy to hold, simple to use. And what looked like a very large battery. She wouldn't be running out of ammo any time soon.

She raised her head and took stock of her surroundings. Plenty of corners, but plenty of intersections that made those corners vulnerable too. This wasn't going to be easy.

She swallowed again and wished her mouth wasn't so dry. She reached for the flask at her hip and nearly whimpered when she shook it and found it empty.

She closed her eyes and took a breath. She could do this. She was one of the best snipers in the Society. This would be a piece of cake.

She opened her eyes again just in time for the buzzer and Passion's shout of "Game start!"

Rhia slammed her back to a wall, pistol up and scanning for her target.

She made her way slowly through the maze, taking each corner one at a time, nerves building as time passed and there was no sign of Deliha. She had to make an appearance sometime…

Rhia turned halfway around the next corner and saw Deliha. Actually, she nearly ran right into her. They both jerked back from each other and fired, Deliha's shot going slightly wide and Rhia's shot skimming her shoulder. She hissed and retreated around a corner. Rhia let her so she could catch her breath.

'Okay. There she is.' Her eyes narrowed. 'Go get her.'

Rhia jerked sharply around the corner, gun in front and already firing, aiming for Deliha's center mass. Deliha "eeeped" and dived behind another wall further back, cutting off Rhia's line of sight. Rhia almost growled.

A blast of red light shot across Rhia's vision and she jumped, and saw Deliha had crept back up and was shooting at her. She dive rolled for another wall and made it halfway there when Deliha got a lucky shot in and scored on Rhia's left shoulder.

Rhia tumbled into her temporary cover and clutched at her burned shoulder. The shirt was completely burned away and the skin was smoking. A short visit to the med ward, that was for sure. She gritted her teeth and blocked out the pain as best she could. She didn't need her left arm to shoot. She could do this.

She peeked out from the edge of the wall and scanned the area. Deliha wasn't hiding anywhere nearby. Rhia ducked and ran to another corner to her right and leaned against the wall. It was getting hard to concentrate. She couldn't hear anything but her heartbeat pounding in her ears. It jacked up her nerves even more.

She took another deep breath and turned the corner, only to see Deliha running for another hiding spot. She quickly took aim and hit her on the thigh, causing Deliha to cry out and fall forward, and scramble to cover.

Rhia leaned back against her wall and breathed. Just a couple more shots and this would be over. Yeah, she could do that. She went to look around the corner one last time when a voice came from over her head.

"Heh. Got you."

Rhia looked up and saw Deliha, balanced rather precariously with one leg useless, on top of the maze wall. Rhia swallowed.

Deliha's finger started to squeeze the trigger when a blur appeared on the wall next to Deliha and pushed her down and through three other maze walls.

It was Passion, and he was pissed. "NO CHEATING!" He growled audibly and stalked up to Deliha, who was groaning, half conscious in the rubble. "Cheaters get disqualified." He snarled again and threw her through another wall, knocking her completely unconscious.

Passion picked the sue up by her collar and dropped her at Rhia's feet. He gave her a small smile. "You win. Congrats. Your reward," He gestured to the sue. "And you can go home now. I think your friends are worrying." He gave her a smile and started to walk off. "It was nice playing with you!" He vanished into a plothole.

Rhia flopped to the ground and shivered. The adrenalin was wearing off fast, and the pain in her shoulder was making itself very well known.

She only realized she'd bowed her head when she looked up again to another plot hole opening in front of her. She stared at the swirling lights until a figure formed and exited.

Cristoph dropped to his knees at Rhia's side, already pulling out a medical wipe and some bandages. "Rhiannon, are you all right?" He started dabbing at the wound on her shoulder.

"Y-yeah, I'm okay…" She swallowed again and hissed at the sting of the disinfectant. "Just a bit shaky."

Cristoph nodded and the corners of his eyes crinkled. He was smiling. "You did well." He stroked her cheek gently.

"Yeah…" She stared at Cristoph as he wrapped her shoulder. "Cristoph?"

"Hmmm?" He finished off tying the bandage, tucking the end into the wrappings. "Yes, mil—Mmnph!"

Rhia had quickly tugged down his cowl and kissed him hard. She broke it after a long minute and leaned into him, her body shaking as it came down the sugar and adrenalin high. He wrapped an arm around her.

"Let's go home."

She nodded.

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 UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS, Office of the High Commissioner South America

Photo: government of Paraguay

Paraguay must prioritize children in fight against modern slavery – UN rights expert

24 de July, 2017

Photo: government of ParaguayASUNCIÓN / GENEVA (24 July 2017) – United Nations human rights expert Urmila Bhoola today called on the Government of Paraguay to prioritize children in the fight against exploitation, after hearing evidence they were still working as domestic servants and forced beggars.

During an eight-day official visit, the Special Rapporteur heard reports of exploitation that she believes constitute contemporary forms of slavery, or place people at risk of being victimized.

“These concerning situations include child domestic servitude, forced begging, other forms of child labour, forced and bonded labour and the potential for servitude amongst domestic workers,” Ms. Bhoola told journalists at the end of her fact-finding mission.

“I noticed again and again the heightened vulnerability of children to contemporary forms of slavery and urge the Government to continue to build a comprehensive system of child protection.”

She added: “Other groups including indigenous peoples, women and people living in rural areas are also at heightened risk of extreme exploitation. The Government must also prioritize steps to address their vulnerability.”

The Special Rapporteur praised the Government for overcoming challenges and budget restraints to make progress on a number of issues, such as ratifying international instruments and introducing strong legal provisions.

She also hailed work to raise people’s awareness of exploitation, improve social support programmes, build a comprehensive child protection system and increase the number of labour inspectors.

“I was heartened to hear about cultural shifts which are making exploitation less socially acceptable, and about reductions in the number of children in the worst forms of child labour and domestic servitude,” Ms. Bhoola said.

“To build on this progress and to protect the human rights of all those vulnerable to contemporary forms of slavery, the Government of Paraguay and other relevant groups must take further steps to build a comprehensive programme against such abject exploitation,” the Special Rapporteur underscored.

During the mission – her visit official visit to the country – Ms. Bhoola visited Asunción, Filadelfia and Neuland, where she held talks with Government officials, the Human Rights Ombudsman, coordination bodies, Congress and Supreme Court representatives, as well as UN officials.

Meetings were also held with NGOs, trade unions, private sector representatives and people affected by contemporary forms of slavery.

The Special Rapporteur will present a report containing her full conclusions and recommendations to the UN Human Rights Council in September 2018.

Ms. Urmila Bhoola (South Africa) assumed her mandate as Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences, on 2 June 2014. Ms. Bhoola is a human rights lawyer working in the Asia Pacific region on international human rights, gender equality and labour law. She has 20 years of experience as a labour and human rights lawyer in South Africa and served as a Judge of the South African Labour Court for five years.

The Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent human rights monitoring mechanisms. Special Procedures mandate-holders are independent human rights experts appointed by the Council to address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. The experts are not UN staff and are independent from any government or organization. They serve in their individual capacity and do not receive a salary for their work.

UN Human Rights, country page: Paraguay

For more information and media enquiries, please contact Eleanor Robb +41 22 917 9800 / erobb@ohchr.org or write to srslavery@ohchr.org

For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts:
Xabier Celaya – Media Unit (+ 41 22 917 9383 / xcelaya@ohchr.org)

Concerned about the world we live in? Then STAND UP for someone’s rights today.  #Standup4humanrights and visit the web page at http://www.standup4humanrights.org

Address > Av. Dag Hammarskjöld 3269, Vitacura, Santiago de Chile

Telephone > (56 2) 2210-2970

Fax > (56 2) 2321-7750

Email > ohchr-santiago@ohchr.org

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Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Minnie Pillowcase Dress

Well, I've got it...the sewing bug.  I finished a cute little pillowcase dress for Bug-A-Boo and I really like how it turned out.  It took me a while and I had to get some special instruction from a girl who worked at Joann's but I did it.

Unfortunately, Bug-A-Boo did not like it.  I told her I made it for her to wear at Disney World and she said she didn't want to wear it and she didn't like it.  I was crushed.  I asked her if we should give it to someone else and she said, "yes."  My heart was broken.  I felt crazy for feeling so upset about it.

I found out later that she thought that it was her Halloween costume.  She really wants to be Jasmine for halloween this year and that is why she didn't like it.  We shall see.  I think next time I'll let her pick out the fabric.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Must have this...

...beautiful doll from Disney's new Designer Princess collection.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Rapunzel Hair Clip Organizer

Last year when the movie Tangled came out I remember seeing a craft from Disney's Family Fun Magazine's website.  It was a Rapunzel Hair Clip organizer.  It was so cute and looked so easy to make but  Bug-A-Boo didn't have a lot of hair clips so I filed it away under craft ideas.

Fast forward to August 2011.  Bug-A-Boo decided to take scissors and give herself a haircut.

After an emergency call and appointment to our hairstylist, Renee, she has the cutest little pixie cut ever and we went shopping for hair accessories.

Now that we have all these cute little hair bows, flowers, butterflies and other clips we need a place to put them so they don't get lost.  I remembered the Rapunzel Hair Clip organizer.

I went to Michael's and got my materials and looked up the directions on how to make it.

                Yellow worsted-weight yarn
                4-inch embroidery hoop (available for about $1.50 at craft stores)

  1. Instructions

    Rapunzel Hair Clip Organizer Craft Step 11.  Measure and cut 64 (3-yard) strands of the yarn. Tie a short piece of yarn around the center of the strands to bundle them.
  2. Rapunzel Hair Clip Organizer Craft Step 22.  Lay the center of the bundle on the inner ring of a 6-inch embroidery hoop, spreading out the yarn so that it covers most of the ring (A).
  3. Rapunzel Hair Clip Organizer Craft Step 33.  Fit the loosened outer ring over the inner ring to secure the yarn (B), and tighten the hoop's screw.
  4. 4.  Flip the hoop over and let the yarn cascade over the hoop, hiding it (C). Braid the entire length of the yarn. Tie ribbons around the yarn at the base of the hoop and the end of the braid. Hang the hoop from its tightening screw and add your hair accessories.

    I think it came out pretty cute and I hope that Bug-A-Boo likes it.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Swap-Bot.com Disney Animated Film ATC's

Several months ago I found out about a fun website, Swap-bot.com.  It is an online service that organizes group swaps and a community of creative individuals.  Swap-bot takes the hassle out of participation in group swaps by organizing all of the participant information and doing all of the partner assignments.

I've participated in a few swaps in the past and really enjoyed them but during the holidays I was so busy I didn't really check out the site.  Periodically, since then I would check it out but didn't see anything that appealed to me.  It seemed like everything was an ATC (Artist Trading Card), which I don't collect and have never even really seen.

Apparently ATC's are miniature pieces of art that are traded around the world. Artists create, trade and collect art at organized “swap” events or through the mail, in person or online. The only official rule for ATCs is the size: 2.5″ x 3.5″.  As a general rule, swaps are open to any media, materials or techniques as long as the card fits into a standard trading card sleeve.  As I looked around Swap-bot to see if there was anything I was interested in I stumbled upon a Disney Animated Film ATC #1 - Snow White swap.  I read the description and it sounded interesting.
I want to celebrate all of Disneys Animated Films in a series of swaps. The first one will be Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It was released in 1937.
You will make 3 ATCs for 1 partner. 1 will be for the hero/heroine, 1 will be for the villian and 1 will be for the "little guy" because sometimes the "little guy" makes the movie.
You can draw, collage, paint, mixed media, embellish and even stitch your cards. Anything goes but please don't slap a sticker on it and call it an ATC.
ATCs are 2.5 in by 3.5 in.
I immediately thought of the cool picture I had of the Evil Queen that I took when we were at World of Disney at Downtown Disney in Disney World this past February.   In about 10 seconds I had an idea for all three cards and I signed up for the swap.

Today was the last day to sign up and the cards have to be mailed to my partner by August 18th, which won't be a problem seeing as how I finished all three today during nap time.

I am absolutely loving these cards and almost want to keep them for myself.

The Villain
(Photo by Crafty Chick, Cricut Cartridge:  Opposites Attract)
Here is the finished card that inspired me to do the swap in the first place.  Piecing the little strips of paper together took awhile, but I think it turned out pretty good.

The Little Guy
(Cricut Cartridge:  Disney's Princess-Happily Ever After)
This was the most difficult of the cards.  Not in the actual putting it together but what I wanted to do.  At first I knew that "the little guy" had to be Dopey but then I thought that Grumpy was a favorite as well.  I thought about doing a card that had both of them on it but that was proving to be to difficult and time consuming.  I settled on just doing Dopey.  I cut out the paper piecing using my Cricut and adhered it to the card using small pop dots so that he is raised up off the card a little giving him some dimension.  It was cute but it was missing something.  There wasn't much room to do anything else.  Then I saw my purple bell jar and the sparkly purple flowers.  I attached them with some embroidery thread and viola!

My favorite is the Snow White card.

The Heroine
(Cricut Cartridge:  Disney's Princess Happily Ever After)
I absolutely love this card.  The paper piecing is so easy to put together and I just think that graphically it is pretty darn good (if I may say so myself).  I do believe I will be making a duplicate for myself.

I just checked Swap-bot tonight to see if I had been assigned a partner yet and I haven't but I did see that the Disney Animated Film ATC #2 has been released and it is Pinocchio.  I wonder if the organizer plans on doing all 50 animated films.  I don't think I could do all 50 but you never know.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

To sew or not to sew?

Being a Crafty Chick I have dabbled in a lot of different disciplines, scrapbooking, card making, quilting, candle making, soap making, painting/drawing, ceramics and knitting.  You name it, I've probably tried it.  Obviously, some things have stuck (scrapbooking mostly) and others have not (just couldn't get into knitting).  The only thing I never really tried was sewing.

I've always thought I might want to try it.  The closest I've gotten is making some window treatments, pillowcases and snack bags but I never really considered that sewing.  There was no pattern needed and it was pretty basic.  When I think of sewing I think of what my grandmother did.  Make clothes for the family.

Recently, a friend of mine started making skirts for her daughter and they are the cutest thing.  Every time I would see them I would think how I wanted to do that for Bug-A-Boo.  I bought some patterns but they have been sitting in a cabinet for a couple of months now.  Finally, I realized that we only have a month and a half before we leave for Disney World and I really want to make Bug-A-Boo a pillowcase dress.

I went to Joann to buy the fabric for the pattern that I have.  To my surprise I found out that in a couple of weeks they are teaching a class on how to make a pillowcase dress from the pattern I have.  With the help of a wonderful Joann Associate I purchased all of the supplies and was told that I should practice using my sewing machine before the class.  She also told me that the pattern and instructions for making the capri pants was very easy.

Instead of even thinking about the pants I saw an apron kit on clearance so I got that instead.

It was so easy to make.  The "design" was already printed on the fabric and the instructions were basically, "cut out panels", sew together like the picture.  Well, a half hour later I had a really cute apron.

This easy-peasy project was not enough for me though.  I kept thinking about the challenge of figuring out the pattern thing for myself.

A couple days went by and I was having Bug-A-Boo try on some clothes to see if they still fit her.  One of the things she tried on was a sundress that we bought while at Disney World in February.  We got it at the Polynesian with the sole purpose that she could wear it in September when we went to the Spirit of Aloha Luau.  Well, she tried it on and needless to say...she grew.  She grew a lot and the dress was way to short to be a dress anymore.  At this moment my wheels started turning.  I remember the pattern with the cute capris.  I thought about how I could cut the dress down into a shirt and use the extra fabric for the contrasting band on the the legs of the capris.

I was so excited.  I decided to do it.  I was going to sew.  Really sew.  Clothes.

I went back to Joann, found the same helpful associate and got my materials.  I came home and read the pattern and instructions.  After about 5 hours and several take-aparts (4 to be exact) and re-tries I did it!

I can't wait to make that dress.  Definitely...to sew!


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Related to PLEXUS: choroid plexus
PLEXUSPhillips Laboratory Expert User System
References in periodicals archive ?
We will also have a free pre-release webinar of Plexus Design, a Plexus module for library enumeration and characterization on Thursday, 12th February, 10 am EST.
Figure 1 The probability (p) of an obstetrical brachial plexus palsy (obpp) is directly proportinal to the magnitude (m) and acceleration (a) of the stretching force, and the cosine formed by the vector of the stretching force and the axis of the most vulnerable brachial plexus merve bundle (cos of [theta] @ bp); and inversely proportional to the resistance (r) of the most vulnerable brachial plexus nerve bundle (n) and of the shoulder girdle muscles (mu), joints and bones (b) p of obpp = m * a * cos theta @ bp/r (n+mu+j+b)
Transmeta Corporation (Nasdaq:TMTA), the leader in efficient computing, today announced that Plexus Corp.
Plexus specializes in customer programs that require flexibility, scalability, technology and quality.
Our wireline customers have the Plexus 9000's Local Number Portability feature deployed in their networks today.
Plexus Systems welcomes technology and manufacturing professionals to attend the conference.
In addition, Telica will display their PlexView(R) Element Management System (EMS) which provides a powerful tool for provisioning, monitoring, and troubleshooting a network of Plexus 9000 switches.
Gillespie and Plexus Systems' growing Sales team will pursue new successes among manufacturers in the medical device, aerospace and defense industries, while maintaining a strong presence in automotive manufacturing, where the company has defined the emerging market for manufacturing performance systems.
The method (previously used to identify novel HIV antigens) is exclusively licensed to Plexus Vaccine Inc by the inventors.
Plexus Systems recorded revenue of approximately $22 million for the calendar year 2006.
Plexus Systems is driving widespread adoption of Plexus Online among the growing number of manufacturers based in the Southern and Midwestern regions.
Combined, SIGA and Plexus have the potential for becoming a significant force in the discovery of vaccine and pharmaceutical agents to fight emerging pathogens.


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Computing & IT >> Qualification Abbreviations

Look through 582 acronyms and abbreviations related to Qualification:

AAH Associate in Allied Health
AAN Associate of Arts in Nursing
AARCF American Association for Respiratory Care Fellow
AAS Associate in Applied Science
AAT Associate of Arts in Teaching
AAT Associate of Applied Technology
AB Bachelor of Arts
ACIArb Associate of the Chartered Institutetute of Arbitrators
ACIB Associate of the Chartered Institutetute of Bankers
ACIBS Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland
ACIBSE Associate of the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers
ACIM Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing
ACIOB Associate of the Chartered Institute of Building
ACP Applied Cognitive Psychology
ACRN AIDS Certified Registered Nurse
ADN Associate Degree in Nursing
AEMSN Alternate Entry Master of Science in Nursing
ALA Associate of the Library Association
AM Master of Arts
AMCT Associate Member of the Association of Corporationrate Treasurers
AMIMA Associate Member of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications
AMSc Associate in Medical Science
AMSE Associate Member of the Society of Engineers
ANP Adult Nurse Practitioner
AOCN Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse
AOCN American Oncology Certified Nurse
AOCNP Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner
APMC Advanced Project Management Certification
APN Advanced Practice Nurse
APNP Advanced Practice Nurse Prescriber
APRN Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
ARAD Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance
ARCO Associate of the Royal College of Organists
ARNP Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
ARRT American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
ART Accredited Record Technologist
ASCP American Society for Clinical Pathology
ASN Associate of Science in Nursing
ASNC American Society of Nuclear Cardiology
ASPO American Society for Psychoprophylaxis in Obstetrics
ATC Athletic Trainer, Certified
BA Bachelor of Arts
BAdmin Bachelor of Administration
BAGR Bachelor of Agriculture
BAgrSc Bachelor of Agricultural Science
BAI Bachelor of Engineering
BAO Bachelor of Obstetrics
BAppSc Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy
BArch Bachelor of Architecture
BASC Bachelor of Applied Science


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Join the Force for lung health

November 4 LUNG FORCE Walk - Bakersfield, California

Register Donate

November 4, 2017 7:30 AM (PT)

Yokuts Park | Bakersfield, California

LUNG FORCE Walk - Bakersfield

Welcome to LUNG FORCE Walk - Bakersfield

Join us as we walk together to raise awareness and funds to defeat lung cancer and raise our voices for lung health. Together, we are a FORCE to be reckoned with! We encourage you to form a team, register as an individual or participate virtually.

Why Do We Walk?

  • Lung cancer is the #1 cancer killer of women.
  • Anyone can get it – if you have lungs, you can get lung cancer, and it's on the rise in women.
  • More than 32 million Americans suffer from asthma, COPD (which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis), and other lung diseases.

By joining our LUNG FORCE Walk and raising funds, you can help make a difference in lives that desperately need it. Now is the time to raise our voices against lung cancer—and for lung health.

Join us for the LUNG FORCE Walk - Bakersfield on November 4, 2017 at 7:30 AM (PT).

Yokuts Park
4200 Empire Drive
Bakersfield, CA 93301

Register now

A Look Back at Last Year's LUNG FORCE Walk

Click the image to view a video of last year's Walk.

Click here to view photos from last year's Walk.

  • Our Progress
  • Our Goal $100,000.00
  • Together, We've Raised

Top Teams

    1. Team NoOzone - $300.00
    2. WhooshForACause - $190.00
    3. Interim HealthCare - $95.00
    4. CSUB Nursing - $60.00
    5. Team Prince - $40.00
    6. UEI-Life Changers - $33.00

    Top Participants

      1. Self-donation Tony Moreno - $300.00
      2. Self-donation Judy Snyder - $50.00
      3. Self-donation Robyn Potter - $45.00
      4. Self-donation Tameka Jones - $33.00

      Thank You to Our Local Sponsors

      Premium Sponsors

      Contributing Sponsors

      Nationally Presented by

      CVS Health

      National Signature Sponsor

      Lilly Oncology

      Financial support for LUNG FORCE Heroes provided by Lilly Oncology.

      National Corporate Team Partner


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Soap Opera Actor - Actress - , Alaska

Find Soap Opera Actor Jobs - New Job Openings

If you need help finding soap opera actor jobs in Alaska we can help. We use multiple sources to post new Help Wanted listings and job openings as they become available by employers. There are plenty of soap opera actor job openings in Alaska, and it's just a matter of finding the best one for you. Every person looking for a job has a different set of circumstances, and your needs are probably different than the next person's. It's the same way for companies who are hiring. Different employers have different needs. Your best bet is to reach out to as many potential employers as possible, apply for all the soap opera actor jobs you are interested in, and then be prepared if you get called in for an interview. It's always a good idea to have a resume on hand with your past work experience, skill set, education, and previous employer references. Our job listings are updated daily so be sure to check back often for new job openings as they become available.

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The Martian (You Might As Well Buy The Book)

My last post listed some drawbacks to the movie The Martians (including Matt Damon’s rugged good looks and marketers that infect movies like barnacles on a speedboat). However, that’s overstating diddly little shit. The main point is you ought to see it (you probably already have since I’m usually the last to pick up on such things).

It occurs to me:

  1. The book is probably as good as the movie.
  2. Winter is coming.(1)

So, you might as well buy the book now. You know you’re going to want it. I have already ordered mine. You have two choices The Martian on kindle for $8.99 and The Martian on paperback for $9.00. (Those two prices tell me a lot about why traditional paper based publishing is toast.)

Just buy it. You know you're going to read it sooner or later so quit pretending.

Just buy it. You know you’re going to read it sooner or later so quit pretending.

  1. Winter is the time for peacefully reading by a warm fire. Duh!

About AdaptiveCurmudgeon

Adaptive Curmudgeon is handsome, brave, and wise.
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0 Responses to The Martian (You Might As Well Buy The Book)

  1. Kurt says:

    Traditional publishing (IMHO) isn’t toast. Among other things, the Wall Street Journal had a story about so-called millenials who prefer to read books vs. stare at a screen. Sales of ebooks have leveled off, and so have regular books.

    Several reasons why traditional (hardback) publishing is unlikely to disappear:
    o- ebooks require batteries
    o- ebooks can be much more easily censored/recalled
    o- paperbacks tend not to be printed on acid-free paper, and use shoddy bindings, using glue, etc.

    Hardbacks tend to avoid these problems. I don’t buy paperbacks anymore, except for technical works that will age out fairly quickly. I have tried buying some ebooks for technical subjects, and just can’t stand reading them that way.

    I’m old – get off my lawn.

  2. Ed Skinner says:

    Do both. They’re each good but in different ways. You’ll enjoy it twice.

  3. Southern Man says:

    I like to read hardbacks. The low cost of e-books is driving the cost of hardbacks down. I’m happy.

  4. ASM826 says:

    If I buy it on paperback and like it, when I am done I can legally share it with someone else. It would be a felony to do that with an e-copy.

  5. Bruce says:

    Loved The Martian. Mostly read Kindle books. My life is just too hard on paper these days. I have no idea why people wouldn’t keep at least one book on their phone these days. I love being able to learn things in those waiting moments of the day.

  6. BK says:

    The similar prices between e-Book and printed book make you think traditional publishing is toast? I got the exact opposite – If I have a choice between paying the same amount of money for a THING, A physical thing that I can have, and store, and use, and loan or sell, as opposed to a piece of impermanent digital media that may or may not be there tomorrow, then I choose the Thing hands down, every time.

  7. Tennessee Budd says:

    I’m with BK. Give me a book I can hold, pages I can feel as I turn them. Not to mention, it’s a more useful thing to hurl (I have cats).
    Been meaning to turn an old laptop into a garage computer. Load it with bike manuals, parts breakdowns, schematics, etc. Not sure how well it’d work.

  8. Old Goat Patrol says:

    You can find an .epub of .mobi copy for free on Google.

  9. GI-had Joe says:

    Unless you live in Kalifornia and the BAAQMD has forbade fires every damn day of winter. Then you can read by the warm glow of Chinese manufactured, govt mandated compact fluorescents. I can hardly wait to turn the cover.

Leave a Reply


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And This Is How It All Began...

Robby and I are both from upper middle class working families. Robby grew up in town, while I was raised in the country. When we married, we didn't have much of anything (except love) or jobs with salaries that paid very much. So, on a search for living quarters, we came upon a little one-bedroom, government subsidised apartment. And with hand-me-down and bump and dent furnishings, we moved into our first place.

I knew absolutely NOTHING about "keeping house". Case in point...I had 2 items in my "cooking repertoire"; corn dogs and spaghetti. To this day, Robby cringes whenever I mention cooking spaghetti for dinner (that's the only 2 things he ate for our entire first year of marriage). The other thing that definitely was not my forte' was laundry. How could it be? I was never required to even learn how to operate a washing machine while growing up. I KNOW...this sounds odd even to me, because I required all of my own children to learn how to do this during their high school years. I actually typed and printed up a step-by-step instruction sheet of "How To Wash Clothes". It was posted in the washroom and it described in detail EXACTLY how to separate and wash clothes; including which cycle to wash them on and the appropriate water temperature to be used. I would send them out into the world with a little more knowledge that I was sent out with. So, when the "dirty clothes closet" became filled to overflowing, Robby asked, "When do you think you're going to wash clothes?" This was not said with sarcasm or in a derogatory was just an informational question. Hmmm...I actually hadn't thought of "washing" the clothes that were in there, so I replied, "Well, I guess I'll have to call my mother and ask her HOW to wash them." If he appeared surprised, I didn't notice. He just nodded, said OK and went about his way. I DID call my mother and wrote down the instructions, which I took along with numerous loads of dirty clothes and rolls of quarters to the laundry mat. Ahhh...married life! Another skill learned. I had the ability to not only prepare 2 staple dishes, but now I could wash clothes as well.

There was another "little surprise" at our first home that I hadn't counted on either. Now, although I had grown up in the country, I had NEVER seen a mouse or rodent of any kind in my childhood home ( I suppose it hadn't occurred to me that perhaps my mother had some sort of pest control service that made this possible), so, you can imagine my surprise when leisurely walking to the kitchen one morning, a mouse ran across my path. "EEEK!", I squealed as I jumped up in the sink (isn't this what they did in the cartoons?). Robby came running to see what all of the commotion was about. I told him that I had seen a mouse run across the room and although he sort of rolled his eyes, he DID look behind the refrigerator where I told him I saw it retreat (he did this only to appease me, I'm quite sure). He didn't seem too concerned with our new roommate, when I mentioned that we should seek to remove his presence. I told him that I would go to the store that day and buy a mouse trap and put a piece of cheese in it to catch the culprit (hey...that's what they did in the cartoons, didn't they?). Laughing at me, he said, "You'll NEVER catch a mouse that way." Not deterred by his lack of confidence in me, I set out to prove him wrong. I got my trap and my cheese and then set it in the path where I had previously seen our little rodent run. The next morning while Robby was showering, I went in the kitchen to check the progress of "project catch a mouse". Pulling a rolling cart away from the wall, there I found the smashed remainder of Mr. Mouse...Success! "Robby!", I shouted..."Come here!" He came around the corner again (I'm sure thinking he would again find me in the sink) and to his astonishment he saw that I had indeed caught the mouse with a trap and small piece of cheese.

Thinking back on this first place of ours...and many other subsequent homes, I have come to realize something. It was never the "place" where we lived that made us happy. No matter where I have lived over the years, I can honestly say that I have been content there. The structure or the items that you put in it do not create happiness; it is the people and the relationships that do that. So, my advice to newly weds? Embrace each other and enjoy all of your experiences together. These are the things that you take with you wherever you go...your memories.

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Some Interesting, Yet Confusing Observations Concerning PUBLIC RESTROOMS...

There are many thing that one could observe concerning PUBLIC RESTROOMS.  First, I am absolutely amazed at the apparent size of a woman's bladder compared to a man's.  Have you EVER seen a line outside a men's restroom?  I have often wondered about that line phenomenon (or lack there of for the men's room...), while myself waiting and crossing my legs in MY outrageously long one.  To take my mind off of tinkling in my pants, I find my mind wandering, pondering other observations I could also make about PUBLIC RESTROOMS, in general.

My husband has commented many times over the years that I must have a bladder the size of a pea or either I am on a mission to visit every public restroom in the country.  Well, I may indeed have a bladder the size of a pea...OR perhaps it is merely the after effects of being pregnant with four children and having them press down upon said bladder, thus making it not quite as efficient as once before.  Whatever the reason may be, I will agree that I have visited probably hundreds of public restrooms over the span of my life.  It is not that I enjoy visiting them; it is just that the prospect of NOT visiting them is even more undesirable.  So, I thought that I would share some of MY observations and employ all of you to chime in with your own...HERE GOES!

Bathrooms, in general, are sort of a pet peeve of mine.  I like my bathrooms at home to be clean.  For me, that means, no toilet rings, no dirt around the baseboards, no hair around the sink and a shower and tub free of mold and mildew.  I'm sorry, but a bathroom is a place where people go to get clean.  I just don't think one can get clean in a dirty place.  Taking all of this into consideration, I'm sure you can only IMAGINE how public restrooms tend to DRIVE ME CRAZY!  I never know what I might find waiting within the confines.  Since in my experience only a small percentage can be found "acceptable"...I gird myself for the inevitable before making my entrance.

One's first impression is made upon the entry of the restroom.  It comes in the form of...SMELL.  I KNOW that is gross, but I don't know any other way to put it.  When you open a public restroom door and the smell hits you in the face, you KNOW it is not going to be good.  Therefore, to prepare myself for the possibility that the smell will potentially be terrible, but the bathroom could actually be physically clean, I just take a deep breath before entering.  FYI, people...There are such things are room deodorizers that hang on the wall and intermittently spray a mist every few minutes...INVEST IN ONE!

The second and third observations go hand in hand and BOTH confuse me greatly.  It is the fact that many times, public restrooms have toilet paper all over the floor...AND unflushed toilets!, I would just like to know WHO IN THE WORLD does this sort of thing in their own home?!  SURELY no one.  There is just nothing worse than walking into a stall where the toilet has not been flushed.  And my question would be..."Why not flush the toilet after you use it?"  I cannot even imagine any human doing this in their own home.  And who simply wipes and then throws the paper on the floor?  Again...WHY would a person do this in a public restroom?  I cannot bring myself to believe that anyone does that sort of thing in their home either.  Just observations...just valid questions.

I realize that this may appear to be an odd subject to broach, but I have griped and complained and commented on this phenomenon for years.  Come on, "ladies" (and the fact that WOMEN do this confuses me even further...) show a little respect.  Even for those of you who are not as "picky" about keeping a "clean" bathroom at home as I am...I'm SURE you don't throw toilet paper on the floor or fail to flush the toilet all day long (At least I HOPE not...)., now I think I may know WHY the line to the women's restroom is so long.  Once a woman enters the stall, the cleaning begins.  She immediately takes notice of what needs to be done first.  If there is a line, she MUST enter the next available stall; even if it is not up to her standards.  Taking stock to see if the toilet has not been flushed, she MUST do THAT first. Removing the hand sanitizer from her purse, she squirts a generous portion out on the seat and begins cleaning it off with toilet paper.  FINALLY, she gets to sit down and actually USE the toilet.  All of this takes time, thus explaining the back-up of the women's restroom line. WHEW!  How exhausting to even have to navigate public restrooms these days.  BUT, as they say, "When ya gotta go...Ya gotta go!"  Unfortunately, SOME people "Go" like they're in the woods!

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01.06.2012 - 11h49 - Happy 1st of June

I get very excited when a new month arrives as I then get to sit back with a cup of coffee and read my in-depth monthly astrology report... BUT THE SITE IS DOWN :( Bugger

On a more positive note... I got a new hair straightener! - within 24 hours of posting my "ad". How would I ever live without Facebook and friends... thanks Kerryn!! (me and the old drunk men at Jolly thank you) xoox

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Sunday, 19 June 2016

Interview with Rick Ramage

Rick Ramage is a writer, director and producer. During his twenty-five year career as a screenwriter, he has set up or sold over forty scripts in Hollywood. He is best known for the movie Stigmata, but also wrote The Proposition, co-created and co-executive produced the supernatural drama Haunted, co-created and executive produced the western series Peacemakers, and wrote, produced, and directed the film Ichabod! The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

Rick is currently preparing a 10-part series on screenwriting and storytelling called The Screenplay Show, which will be made available for purchase
 as a web series.

Where were you born, and where did you grow up?

I was born in Fargo, North Dakota, but I’ve lived in Denver most of my life.

What kind of a family did you grow up with?

I had a fairly “normal” middle class upbringing. My dad owned a tractor dealership, and I worked for him.

Where did you go to school?

Right after high school, I went to Metropolitan State University in Denver for about a year. The truth is, at my age, I was already making too much money in sales to take marketing classes that didn’t interest me. I also thought I would one day take over the family business. But the best-laid plans can go awry. Within ten years I regretted leaving school big time. I did end up going to the American Film Institute in L.A.

What was your first paying job (in any field)?

Since I was involved in a family business, I pretty much did every job. But if it’s the very first job that paid, I spent summers cutting weeds and cleaning the shop at my dad’s business.

You started out as a college dropout, then tractor salesman, then screenwriter. What was the spark that took you from the plow to the pen?

Great question, because the answer is: regret.
   My parents divorced, and the business broke up. Suddenly, I was left with no job and no education. Luckily, I was always a voracious reader, and when I left college, I promised myself that I would be well-read and well-spoken, so I committed to reading one hundred of the classics … I considered it to be an informal education in literature. (BTW, I know lit majors who haven’t read one hundred classics.) I consider that “self-taught” phase of my life the turning point; in that I began to admire the way the storytellers would work the elements in their stories. I was drawn to the writers as much as their actual tales.
   While I was reading, I began to daydream about being a writer. My friends (especially the ones with degrees) told me I was chasing rainbows if I expected to be a writer, because I didn’t have a degree, but I decided to try and write a novel anyway.
   When it was finished, I sent it to someone whose opinion I trusted, and he asked me if I wanted to be a professional writer, or if this was just going to be a hobby? I asked him why he needed to know?

   “Because,” he said, “your answer will determine my review of your book.
   So I said I wanted to be a professional. And that’s when he said, “Good. Then I’m going to treat you like one … and to be honest, your novel isn’t very good.”
   It felt like someone punched me in the gut. But then he said something that changed my life. He said, “But are you ever a good writer. You’re very visual. You should try writing a screenplay.”
   I turned my bad novel into a bad screenplay … but the fuse was lit.

What was the first screenplay you sold?

While I was still in film school, I optioned a script for very little money called Triad. It’s a psychological thriller. But at the time, five thousand bucks felt like a million. It wasn’t the money, but the affirmation of selling something.

What was the first screenplay you sold that got made?

My first major sale came shortly after film school. It was titled Shakespeare’s Sister, which was later retitled, The Proposition. It stars Kenneth Branagh, Madeline Stowe, and William Hurt.

You are currently writer/director/producer of the upcoming “The Screenplay Show”. Lots of screenwriters have written books on the subject, what prompted you to explore it in a web series?

That’s a really good question – because lately I’ve asked myself that same question more than I care to admit right now! (smile)
   Doing an actual show is a mountain of work and a huge commitment. (And we have just started getting the ball rolling with The Screenplay Show as it is currently in pre-production.)
   As for what prompted me to do it: a friend. He’s a writer and an actor and he started the ball rolling a few years ago when he asked me to do a seminar for his writer meet-up group. At first, I said no way. Like most writers, I’m a guy who sits alone in a room most of the time, and the thought of speaking in public filled me with fear and dread … but he was very persistent and finally wore me down. I finally said I would do it.
   That’s when it hit me: how could I possibly put on a seminar and keep other writers interested for 6 hours? I would bore them to death. I started to imagine them walking out! So in an effort to get around a typical “talking head seminar” I asked my editor to help me put together a long list of writing samples and clips covering every element of screenwriting so they could SEE what I was talking about.
   For example, using stills from The Shining I put every moment of Jack’s character arc into a still photo sequence where you can track his descent (or arc) into madness. I then put the page number from the script beside each still. His expressions really tell the story. The audience literally gasped, because it was the first time they had seen a character arc develop beat by beat. I did the same thing for all the other elements of storytelling.
   But one thing really surprised me: the audience had as many questions about the writing experience, as they did about the nuts and bolts. That got me thinking about doing a “seminar” like a narrative, where I could combine my experiences in Hollywood, with the nuts and bolts of screenwriting. After all, working with some of Hollywood’s best directors, producers and story executives has definitely informed and changed my approach to storytelling over the years.
   After twenty-five years, I thought it was time to reach out to new writers and share what I’ve learned from people who were generous to share what they know with me for one purpose – to get the story right.

Who was the writer who had the biggest influence on you?

Actually, there are several. But if I had to pick just one, I’d say it’s William Styron. When the family business was breaking up and I was lost, I read a short story he wrote called A Tidewater Morning. That’s the story that made me want to be a writer. In fact, it affected me so much, when I was in film school (at The American Film Institute in L.A.) I adapted it into a short film with Mrs. Styron’s permission.

    Here’s a bit of trivia for you: When we were casting, we couldn’t find anyone with the chops to play the main character: a boy of twelve whose mother is dying of cancer. It was a heavy role and we must’ve auditioned about thirty kids. But just as we were about to call it a day, a kid walked into the audition and read for us. He was drop-dead amazing. We were speechless when he finished. … He was also good-looking, obviously smart, and confident – in fact he was downright cocky.
    When we finally caught our breath, the director asked him his name, and he answered in a deadpan way. “My name’s Tobey Maguire … Do I get the part or not?”

You choose to live in Denver, rather than L.A. What prompted you to move there, and what challenges has your location thrown up in your dealings with studios?

Even when I was starting out, I always adhered to the philosophy that we work to live, not live to work. Simply put, Denver was a better choice for me when it came to raising my son. The moment I got my first gig as a writer, I got out of Los Angeles.

    My agents were a bit worried about the distance, but it ended up working to my advantage. Since studios had to fly me out, we always knew that meant they were serious. If anything, I’d have to say it did negatively affect the social aspects of networking; I was never really part of ‘the scene’.

What are three things you wish someone had told you about screenwriting when you were starting out?

1) Don’t take notes personally. Ever. People will give you notes – copious notes – and there isn’t a lot you can do about it – especially if they’ve paid for the privilege.

2) Don’t order spaghetti at McDonalds. Or in other words, don’t send a horror script to Hallmark, because you think they may like a change in their menu. Producers and production companies have definite creative tastes and agendas. Doing your research can make a world of difference when it comes to finding the right home – and friendly eyes – for your script.

3) Read the third act as many times as the first act BEFORE you send it off. All too often, writers will tap FADE OUT and assume it’s finished. Let it cool off and concentrate very hard on reading that third act over and over. You’ll be surprised at the things you’ll catch.

If you had to suggest just one screenwriting book to a newbie filmmaker back in Adelaide, which one would it be?

How about, Save The Cat

What are your ten favourite (favourite, not ‘best’) movies of all time?

I think I’ll preface my answer by saying – not mine. I’m much too critical to watch my own films. But some of my favs are (not listed in any certain order):
The Matrix (1999)
Any David Lean film
Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
Unforgiven (2011)
Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
Kubrick’s films … especially 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) and The Shining (1980)
It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)
The Godfather I & II (1972, 1974)
Any Alfonso Cuarón film.

Now, just to round things off, here's an intro to The Screenplay Show.

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Monday, June 1, 2009

click on the photo for a better look!

What else can I say? CUTE!!

1 comment:

  1. He is indeed cute!
    I mailed you a box today with your darling t-shirt and Estelle's sweatshirt. I also put your check in the box so look for it!

    Take care,

    Shawna :)


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Alexa Tomas White Lingerie

By   2016-10-07

Alexa Tomas is ready to turn you on. With her tiny tits, love of lingerie and cute accent, Alexa has all of her lovers eating out of the palm of her hand. Alexa strives to be the best dancer she can be and has traveled the world studying the art of erotic dancing. She loves the freedom to take her job anywhere in the world with her, but one day Alexa hopes to settle down and open her own adult toy shop. She tells us you can expect to see many of her personal favorites pop up in her striptease performances. During her second shooting, Alexa has also made some clips with the pane-glass for testing purpose :)


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The ModZ Blog – TackleModZ at the Suffern Show

Lews Fishing
Strike King
Atlas Jack Plate
Power Pole
Lews Fishing

FermanTackleModZHeaderLocated in the fieldhouse at the Rockland County Community College in Suffern, NY, about 30 minutes drive from the TackleModZ offices; The Suffern Show as it is affectionately called locally is something I look forward to every March. I had planned to spend all four days at the show this year, but nothing changes plans like looking outside in the morning of the first day and seeing more than two inches of snow on the road; especially when it’s falling at a rate of an inch an hour.

So, you can imagine my excitement Friday morning when I woke up to find the roads not only clear but unoccupied. After jumping in the car and making it up there just before the show opened; followed by a quick stop in the show office, I was fully immersed in one of my favorite activities.

The truth is not everyone does tradeshows and expos the same way. Some people use them to buy things, some to browse, others are there to learn or network, and obviously some also attend to teach or sell. Though I’ve found that for some with a sales and marketing background attending tradeshows tends to either be a dreaded necessity or a gift. I happen to be one of those sick people who loves literally every aspect of tradeshows and expos. They are like crack for the marketer and salesman inside me and I look forward to them in ways I frankly don’t think are proper to mention in public.

After missing the first day I was excited to run around and say hi to a number of people, check out the newly modified layout of the show floor and search for some fun stuff to share with you. I anticipate some of those things being the Riot Baits products available for purchase, new innovative packaging from TuffBait, super lightweight a-rigs from Shane’s Baits, Daddy Mac Lures, first year Elite Series professional angler Paul Mueller, and the USO charity drive. So check out the photos and video included in this blog post.

If you are in the Suffern, NY area and looking for something great to do the show is open all weekend. 9:30AM to 7:00PM Saturday & 9:30AM to 5:00PM on Sunday. Forget the cold and head on out to the Rockland Community College Fieldhouse today or tomorrow, I promise it’s nice and toasty warm inside.

Today there will be special seminars by Brandon Paluniak throughout the day. Tonight at 5:00PM there will be special charity hunting & fishing auction to benefit the USO hosted by my friend and Bass University Emcee Bill Decoteau… You are DEFINITELY NOT going to want to miss that!

I’ll be back at the Suffern Show again later today and will be bringing you more coverage of the expo throughout the weekend on social media… Be sure to follow @TackleModZ on twitter and like the FB page to see more!


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Sometimes the Best Adventures Are Unplanned

Photograph by Gunnison Crested Butte Tourism

One of the inalienable truths about outdoor adventures is that things don’t always go as expected. Weather is one of the more fickle factors, with the power to make or break even the best-laid plan. This can be frustrating. But given that the very word “adventure” suggests the unknown, I always try to remain flexible and ready to shift course. You never know—opting for Plan B might open your eyes to a whole new world.

I had such an experience this past weekend. Wanting to squeeze one last camping trip out of summer, I loaded up my tent and mountain bike and headed to my favorite spot in Colorado—Crested Butte. The trails surrounding this quaint mountain hamlet are spectacular. Lush, aspen-filled valleys spiral into town from all directions, while scenic peaks rim the sky in every view.

On the final day, I wanted to do 401, one of my favorite rides. But by the time we’d packed up camp, nasty dark thunderheads were brewing. Given that 401 immediately climbs to 11,400 feet before following an exposed ridgeline, it’s not the place to be in a storm. Believe me, I’ve done this trail in a torrential downpour at a full sprint to escape lightening, and it’s not fun. Best to leave it for a more predictable day.

I was more than a little disappointed and set about figuring out where to go. We chose a place outside of Gunnison called Hartman Rocks. Much to my delight, this place turned out to be really cool. It’s a far cry from the high-alpine rides of Crested Butte, but it sets itself apart in its own special way—with picturesque rock outcroppings punctuating vast sagebrush-covered hills.

We had no idea what we were in for, and slightly underestimated the scale of the place—perhaps because it filled just a couple of pages of the trail book, or that the entire trail system is crammed on a single 11×17-inch brochure. Whatever the reason, we made a slightly overly ambitious plan to ride from the main parking lot all the way to the southern end, then complete a far-out loop before returning via a different set of trails.

We didn’t quite make it the whole way, having to turn back as we started bonking. No big deal. By the end of the day, we had ridden for four hours without hitting the same stretch of trail twice. This isn’t surprising considering that Hartman Rocks boasts 40 miles of singletrack and 33 miles of dirt roads in a tangled labyrinth that fans out across the 8,000-acre property like a spider web. And we saw just a few people, so it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves.

Most of the trails were built specifically for bikes. There’s something to be said for purpose-built trails. They twist and turn and swoop and flow in just the right way to tickle your tires. Clearly the trailbuilders at Hartman had a lot fun. As I was riding, I could picture the giddy designer scouting out the sagebrush hills—an untouched canvas waiting to be painted with ribbons of singletrack. The trailbuilder’s enthusiasm is evident in the artistic and entertaining way the trail weaves among the landscape’s most interesting features—swoopy hills, rock outcroppings, bermed turns, slickrock. Fun!

We finished the ride suitably dusty and exhausted—just what the doctor ordered. So while I started the day slightly demoralized that I couldn’t do the ride in my mind, I ended up discovering a whole new place. The bad-weather consolation prize turned out to be blue-ribbon worthy in its own right. And what a boon it must be for the town of Gunnison, bringing road trippers and providing year-round fun for locals.

The moral of the story is: always be ready to shift course. Change is inevitable. Be open and ready to adapt to life’s ever evolving kaleidoscope of possibilities. Sometimes the best experiences are the ones you never would have planned.

For those who want to go, Hartman Rocks is a combo of city, county and BLM land that is open to mountain bikes, hikers, trail runners, rock climbers, motorcycles, ATVs, horses, target shooters, paintball, snowmobilers and cross-country skiers. Check it out!

Avery Stonich is communications manager for Outdoor Industry Association. Follow us on twitter: @OIA and @averystonich

  1. Susan Alcorn
    San Francisco Bay Area
    September 14, 2012, 5:01 pm

    Fun to read! The one constant in life seems to be change.


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Thursday, July 9, 2009

Prop 2 Clarification Bill Dropped

Lawmaker to drop California bill on hen cages
By Jim Downing
Published: Thursday, Jul. 9, 2009 - 12:00 am Page 6B

A legislative attempt to make peace in the state's chicken-house wars is fizzling, meaning the dispute between California egg farmers and the Humane Society of the United States over the interpretation of Proposition 2 is unlikely to be resolved this year.

This week, both sides announced their opposition to Assembly Bill 1437, which would assign the state Department of Public Health to write rules specifying what living quarters are acceptable for the state's egg-laying hens.

"It appears that I have found the sour spot that both sides don't like," said Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, the bill's author. Huffman's district includes large egg producers as well as an electorate that overwhelmingly supported Proposition 2.

The measure passed by a 27-point margin in November, making California the first state to guarantee its hens enough space to spread their wings.

The measure, which takes effect in 2015, likely prohibits today's standard housing practices, in which eight birds share a cage with roughly 4 square feet of floor space. But it doesn't explicitly ban all hen cages, and egg farmers have been pushing for legislation that would give them the right to use larger enclosures, such as the roughly 60-square-foot structures used on some European farms. Read More

The debacle that is Prop 2 in California continues. The voters passed this proposition without knowing what it says. No one can agree on what the language requires farmers to do. If you think this happened by accident, think again. The language was very intentional on the part of HSUS. The uncertainty will force these family farmers to exit the business, which is exactly what they want. Their ultimate goal of eliminating animal agriculture is being achieved in California.

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Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Barack Obama: It’s about time we have a president with a heart.

When Parade Magazine asked Barack Obama to get personal and tell them what he wants for his children, he shared this touching his letter:

Dear Malia and Sasha,

I know that you’ve both had a lot of fun these last two years on the campaign trail, going to picnics and parades and state fairs, eating all sorts of junk food your mother and I probably shouldn’t have let you have. But I also know that it hasn’t always been easy for you and Mom, and that as excited as you both are about that new puppy, it doesn’t make up for all the time we’ve been apart. I know how much I’ve missed these past two years, and today I want to tell you a little more about why I decided to take our family on this journey.

When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me—about how I’d make my way in the world, become successful, and get the things I want. But then the two of you came into my world with all your curiosity and mischief and those smiles that never fail to fill my heart and light up my day. And suddenly, all my big plans for myself didn’t seem so important anymore. I soon found that the greatest joy in my life was the joy I saw in yours. And I realized that my own life wouldn’t count for much unless I was able to ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfillment in yours. In the end, girls, that’s why I ran for President: because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation.

I want all our children to go to schools worthy of their potential—schools that challenge them, inspire them, and instill in them a sense of wonder about the world around them. I want them to have the chance to go to college—even if their parents aren’t rich. And I want them to get good jobs: jobs that pay well and give them benefits like health care, jobs that let them spend time with their own kids and retire with dignity.

I want us to push the boundaries of discovery so that you’ll live to see new technologies and inventions that improve our lives and make our planet cleaner and safer. And I want us to push our own human boundaries to reach beyond the divides of race and region, gender and religion that keep us from seeing the best in each other.

Sometimes we have to send our young men and women into war and other dangerous situations to protect our country—but when we do, I want to make sure that it is only for a very good reason, that we try our best to settle our differences with others peacefully, and that we do everything possible to keep our servicemen and women safe. And I want every child to understand that the blessings these brave Americans fight for are not free—that with the great privilege of being a citizen of this nation comes great responsibility.

That was the lesson your grandmother tried to teach me when I was your age, reading me the opening lines of the Declaration of Independence and telling me about the men and women who marched for equality because they believed those words put to paper two centuries ago should mean something.

She helped me understand that America is great not because it is perfect but because it can always be made better—and that the unfinished work of perfecting our union falls to each of us. It’s a charge we pass on to our children, coming closer with each new generation to what we know America should be.

I hope both of you will take up that work, righting the wrongs that you see and working to give others the chances you’ve had. Not just because you have an obligation to give something back to this country that has given our family so much—although you do have that obligation. But because you have an obligation to yourself. Because it is only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you will realize your true potential.

These are the things I want for you—to grow up in a world with no limits on your dreams and no achievements beyond your reach, and to grow into compassionate, committed women who will help build that world. And I want every child to have the same chances to learn and dream and grow and thrive that you girls have. That’s why I’ve taken our family on this great adventure.

I am so proud of both of you. I love you more than you can ever know. And I am grateful every day for your patience, poise, grace, and humor as we prepare to start our new life together in the White House.

Love, Dad

It’s about time we have a president with a heart.

Iam Robert said...

True that! And hopefully his policies will enable all black men to get good educations and get good jobs; start good businesses and start investing; marry good black women and have many good black kids; live in a thriving economy and thrive on their contributions; and ultimately display the same poise and grace. “We shall overcome.”

Culturally Cool said...

The first step for America to become culturally cool.

Culturally Cool said...

The first step for America to become culturally cool.