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Alarm system plans

Securetek has the solution for you. We can a design security solutions especially tailored to suit your needs. This means we can provide the best possible protection specially for your business, family and home.

Securetek consultants have the experience and expertise to ensure you get the best system for your requirements and budgets. Just have a look at the sample below.

full range of alarm alert options

  • A monitored audible alarm system helping to keep your home protected from unwanted intruders and burglars.
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Latest Alarm panels enable you to securely access your panel remotely via the internet network or directly to your smartphone to activate or deactivate the system or specific zones. This ability gives you full control of your security wherever you are 24hours a day, 7 days, 365 days a year.

Securetek uses only quality equipment that you can depend on for reliable operation. The Security installation team are experts at installing security equipment to comply with Australian Standards for a job you can depend on. All Systems are installed and maintained to the latest Australian Standards. Our systems are deigned to meet the needs of all insurance companies.

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Crown Electronic

Crown Electronic Variable Auto Transformer 20A (Phase-Single)

Enter pincode for exact delivery dates and charge
Safe and Secure payments.100% Authentic products
PhaseSingle BrandCrown Electronic TypeVariable Auto Transformer Primary Winding Voltage V230V AC + 10%Secondry Winding Voltage V0 - 270V ACSkuEL.TR1.592144Power Rating Va20AMPDescriptionVariable Transformers excellent power regulation with negligible variation in output voltage from no-load to full-load current. Supply voltage adjustment, boosting of low lines and line voltage stabilization, either manually or automatically in automatic voltage stabilizers. The primary and secondary circuits therefore have a number of windings turns in common. Since the volts-per-turn is the same in both windings, each develops a voltage in proportion to its number of turns. In an autotransformer part of the current flows directly from the input to the output. Feature:- Power Rating - 20VA, Single Phase.

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Title pic

Title pic

Thursday, November 2, 2017

Release Blitz with Review

By Logan Chance

Cover design: Perfect Pear Creative Covers
#Now Live #BookerBoyfriend

#99cents or #free with #KU

They call me a heartbreaker.

I’ve constructed the exact type of life I want for myself--isolated from feelings, and numb to the world around me.

Running from my own fears.
Pretending I own the world.

I get paid to be an a$$hole. Easiest money I’ve ever made.
Until I get paid to be one to her.

She’s the one person who digs beneath the layers to see the truth hiding there.
Being paid to break her heart may be the hardest job I’ve ever done.

Why’d she have to be so pretty? Why do I need her so bad?
Why can’t I just let her go?

They call me a heartbreaker, but little do they know my heart is the one that lies bleeding.

Add to your Goodreads:

This book is what I like to term as a page turner! Meaning once you start reading you can’t stop til you’ve turned the last page. It is very well written: it has humor, suspense and romance wrapped up with moments of joy and sadness. As for the characters, they are so down to earth that you just want ring them up and invite them over to chit chat (especially Cooper with two O’s - I just adored him).

I will admit when the book first started I wanted to just bop Booker. What a jerk. He seems to hate the world including himself. As for Cat, well she was all smiles and sunshine refusing to let the world get her down (and trust me in her shoes it would of been so easy to do). But as the storyline progresses and the reader gets a really good look into these two characters, I’ll simply say WOW (sorry I don’t do spoilers).
The Author proceeds to take you on this amazing journey that will having you smiling, laughing, tearing up and drooling with amazing highs and “heartbreaking” lows.

2 Thumbs Up for this awesome story that I highly recommend. It’s bound to touch your heart and leave you excited and anxious for the next book about this wonderful circle of friends.

About The Author:

Sign up for Logan's Newsletter, for insights into his writing, games, and awesome giveaways and bonus content: http://eepurl.com/c6RQ2D

Logan Chance enjoys the simple things in life. Star Wars, music, and pretty girls.
He loves to have fun and enjoys writing romantic comedies. Although he will churn out a heartfelt romance love story every now and again.
His works include, Playboy, Like A Boss, Love A Boss, Date Me, Study Me, Save Me, and Break Me.

#ReleaseBlitz #HEArtBreaker #LoganChance #NowLive #OneClick #ChancePromotions

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Mar 30, 2012

Spring Bloom Beads Giveaway

A friend of mine, Skye, over at Creative Chaos if giving away some bead soup.  Be sure to click here to find out more.  After all what girl can be without her beads?

Post a Comment

What's on your mind? Let's chat...


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Friday, September 4, 2009

Locavore 100-Mile Challenge - Observations and Aftermath

Note: Please keep in mind that even though some of my comments could be considered critical of buying local, I am writing primarily about this week's experience as constrained by the rules of the challenge.

* Physical: In the beginning I was a little concerned that my diet change would affect my energy levels. I ride my bike to work and treat it like a twice daily 40-minute workout. (In addition I normally run 2-3 times a week but didn't this week because of a sore foot.) As it happened, there was nothing to be concerned about. I felt hungry a lot of the time but my energy levels were pretty much the same. And I'm five pounds lighter which seems impossible considering how much food I was eating. Kathy was concerned that the lack of salt would somehow affect my health. I'm not going to get into the salt issue since it was addressed sufficiently by the other challengers.

* Economic: I can't complain about the price of fruits and vegetables. They don't seem that unreasonable. Locally grown meat--which made up my greatest expenditure--can really set you back if you're buying individual cuts or packages. Now don't take that to mean meat prices are unreasonable. It does cost more but you're better off buying in bulk. Of course that requires freezer space as well as a single large payment so there's that. We've purchased a half of a beef before and found it well worth it. It tastes so much better than the industry-raised, grain-fed stuff. Even Kathy, who's not much of a meat eater, noticed how the grass-fed beef had a better taste and texture. Local milk is way more expensive. I'm ambivalent about the various milk arguments so when we go through a gallon every day I'm concerned with balancing cost with nutrition.

* Availability: Fruits and vegetables are great when they're in season. If you don't know how (or can't afford it) to can, then you're at the mercy of the seasons. Or you can buy those apples shipped here from Chile. In the not-too-distant past--okay maybe more distant for you than me--people had root cellars for storing their food. Some of that knowledge is not so common any more but it hasn't completely disappeared. I still have some of that in my set of Foxfire books. I should peruse them some time. The farmers markets are great, but you're limited by your available transportation and the day/hours the market is open, especially if it's while you're working.

* Experience: Emmer and comfrey? Never heard of 'em. But I have now. I enjoyed the creativity of the other challengers. Some of their dishes looked amazing. And some not. Same with mine. Making my own butter was a fun and interesting experience.

As far as my family went, Stephanie took the greatest interest. Although she occasionally added salt, pepper or butter, she also tried new foods and liked most of them. Tomorrow we pick up some blue potatoes with which to make blue mashed potatoes. Will the butter turn them green? Josh has always been a go-with-the-tried-and-true-foods kind of guy. Anything other than beef/chicken, potatoes and corn is "gross". He was not about to try the lamb or yellow squash but he does like that local beef. Kathy loved the vegetables, but then she always has.

The home grown vegetables provided the greatest satisfaction for me. Plucking that plump tomato off the vine, revealing a meaty interior with a sharp knife, and getting that rush of juicy freshness the taste buds with each bite is the best.

Everyone else said enough about salt so I don't need to delve into that other than to say I sorely missed seasoning. I also missed ice cream and beer--though not necessarily together.

Overall, this was a valuable and worthwhile experience. And it was fun. Except for the lack of salt. But there's already been enough said about that.

Pat S said...

Great to hear your observations. Although I've wondered how it went without salt and noticed that you didn't really talk about it.

Carrie Oliver said...

Curious what farm/ranch the beef came from? I'm always looking for folks who raise/age great tasting beef, especially grass-fed and finished. Thanks!

Hank Greer said...

If you're asking about the half of beef I mentioned, it was from a friend who raised just a few beef a year. He no longer does that.

You're killin' me, man. :-)

Geneva said...

Hi Hank,

If you email your address to the SpokaneFoodBlog contact email in the upper right corner on the blog, I can mail you your prize!


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Sherpa Khumbiyila Adventure

Kathmandu, Nepal Phone: +977-9841-535234 Email:
Sherpa Khumbiyila Adventure

Travel and Tools

Sherpa Khumbiyila Adventures Pvt. Ltd.

Manmohan Marg, 4 Dhumbarahi, Kathmandu.
Office +977-1-4373406
Mobile: +977-9818261003
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Home » Peak Climbing » Lobuche Peak (6119 m.) Cost USD $ 2245.00 P.P

Lobuche Peak (6119 m.) Cost USD $ 2245.00 P.P

Lobuche (6119 m.) is an attractive peak located in Khumbu region, which offers various existing routes and also a potential for new ones. The dark triangle of its rocky East face rises over the moraines of the Khumbu Glacier to a spectacular skyline, forming the south ridge.

The Lobuche Peak consists of two different summits, which are East and West with heights of 6,119 m and 6,145 m respectively. A continuous ridge connects them but there is still a sharp gap and a considerable distance between them. The East Peak is recognized as a trekking peak, whereas the West is known as an Expedition Peak.

It is believed that the rocky outliners of the peak were first climbed by the Swiss in 1952. Subsequent attempts fell short of the actual summit, soaring above a profound notch at the far end of its long north-west/south-east ridge, finally climbed in 1984.

Solukhumbu is justifiably famous, not only for its proximity to the world's highest mountain (8848 meters), but also for its Sherpa villages and monasteries. The primary goal of an Everest trek is the Everest base camp at an elevation of about 5340 meters. But you cannot see Everest from the base camp, so most trekkers climb Kala Pattar, an unassuming 5545-metre bump on the southern flank of Pumori (7145 meters).

Facts about Lobuche Peak

Peak's Name Lobuche peak
Max. Altitude: 6119 m.
Trip Duration: 18 days
Trek Grade: Strenuous Plus
Accommodation: Teahouse and camping
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & Dinner
Transportation: Car / Van / Plane
Best Time: Jan, Feb, March, April, May, Oct, Nov, Dec.

Cost: USD $ 2245.00 P.P

Day To Day Itinerary:

Day 1 Arrival in kathmandu
Day 2 Free day in Kanthmandu
Day 3 Schedule flight to Lukla (2840m). Trek to Phakding. (2610m)
Day 4 Phakding to Namche Bazar (3440m)
Day 5 Hiking from Namche to Khumjung (3780m) for acclimatization and back to Namche
Day 6 Namche to Tengboche (3860m)
Day 7 Tengboche to Dingboche(4410m)
Day 8 Rest in Dingboche for acclimatization
Day 9 Dingboche to Lobuche (4910m)
Day 10 Lobuche ( early morning hiking to Kala Pathar (5550m) to view Mt. Everest and descend to Lobuche
Day 11 Lobuche to Lobuche base camp (4200m.)
Day 12 Lobuche Base camp to High camp (5200 m.)
Day 13 Summit (6119m.) and back to base camp
Day 14 Extra day for climbing if the weather is not favorable.
Day 15 Base camp to Pangboche
Day 16 Pangboche to Namche
Day 17 Namche to Phakding
Day 18 Phakding to Lukla
Day 19 Fly back to Kathmandu
Day 20 Depature

ü  Arrival and Departure transfer as per itinerary including domestic flights.

ü  3 Nights Hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast (2 nights before the trip and 1 nights after).

ü  Domestic flight KTM-LUK-KTM.

ü  All three time meals and teahouse accommodation while on trekking and camping facilities during

       Lobuche  Peak climbing.

ü  An Experienced trekking Guide and necessary porters for the trekking part.

ü  An Experienced Sherpa climbing guide to support during climbing Island  peak.

ü  Common climbing gears like ropes, snow bars, ice screws, Carabineers etc. provided.

ü  All staff wages.

ü   Insurance of the trekking and climbing staffs.

ü  All necessary tents for members and staff.

ü  All necessary kitchen utensils and equipments.

ü  National Park fee.

ü  Peak Permit Fee and Trekking permit.

ü  SKA T-Shirt and (Duffel bag for use).

ü  Farewell Dinner with cultural show.

û  International Airfare.

û  Nepal visa fee.

û  Lunch & Dinner during your stay in Kathmandu.

û  Extra nights Hotel in Kathmandu.

û  Personal equipment (your personal clothing and climbing gears).

û  Medical insurance (high altitude coverage and emergency evacuation) and Travel insurance.

û  All kind of bottle beverages & telephone calls and internet usage.

û  Emergency rescue evacuation if needed.

û  Kathmandu Heritage site entrance fee during Sightseeing.

û  Tips to the staffs.

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September 5, 2011

Trapped in a whirlpool below The Strid on the River Wharfe, a submerged camera records a world of violent movement and intense colour beyond the limits of normal vision.

Undertow300dpi _website

Watch the film Here

Selected for:
• Holmfirth Arts Festival 2011
Evolution experimental film festival, Leeds Art Gallery 2006
Futuresonic film festival, Manchester 2005

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Step Up Your Running With Pro Tips From The SMACKANISTAS!

Natasha 11037480_908100603350_4574523399478344996_n

We love that running is such a simple sport–you can simply lace up your shoes and GO! But there is always room for improvement, and thankfully we have pro runners Natasha, Morgan and Joanna at SMACK! Media to keep us on the pulse of the latest training tips and trends that can help us move closer to our goals, whether it’s to improve our personal best time, qualifying for the Olympics or enjoying injury-free runs!

Natasha and Morgan both lend their professional running experience to Competitor this month, sharing tips that you can implement to STEP UP your run training!

Screen shot 2015-11-12 at 3.56.23 PM

Running Form Drill: Straight-Leg Runs

Running coach and author Mario Fraioli utilizes the expert form of Natasha and husband Marco to demonstrate this key running drill to improve your form. (Photo by Scott Draper) See the full piece here.

How To Do It:

Step 1: Find a flat stretch of road, trail or grass with trustworthy footing.

Step 2: Keeping your legs straight and your ankles dorsiflexed (toes pointing upward), run forward for 50 to 75 meters, landing on your mid-foot while not allowing your feet to come too high off the ground. Keep your torso straight, swing your arms to build speed and momentum, and focus on running with a quick turnover.

Step 3: Following your first repetition, recover for 30 seconds before heading back in the opposite direction. Perform two 50-meter reps, progressing to four as you build coordination.

Do this drill twice a week after easy runs and as part of a comprehensive warm-up routine before workouts and races.

Do You Need Insoles?

Prior to SMACK! Media, Morgan worked at a specialty running store where she diligently studied and learned the intricate details of running shoe and insoles for runners of all abilities. Her recent piece featured in Competitor and Women’s Running discusses the latest insole science and technology while helping runners determine if adding a running insole is right for them. Read the full article here.

The insole market is multi-million dollar industry in the U.S., and with more options available than ever (from over-the-counter versions at your specialty running store to expensive custom orthotics), the two questions many runners ask themselves are: 1) What type of insoles are right for me and 2) Do I even need insoles at all?

What is an insole?

When you purchase running shoes, they come with a sock liner designed to enhance the comfort of that pair of shoes. Carson Caprara, the Brooks senior manager of global footwear product line management, explains, “The sock liner is the closest thing to the foot in a running shoe. Therefore, it is important to take into account the functionality of this component. Our goal is for the sock liner to enhance the overall comfort of our shoes. We mold most of our sock liners with a 3D shape that matches the natural contours of the bottom of the foot. This helps to reduce the negative space between the foot and the shoe, and cradles the heel and arch so they feel secure during the run.”

Insole myth: All insoles are designed to correct overpronation and “fix” the way you run to prevent running-related injury.

Fact: While some insoles intend to address pronation, the latest insoles designed upon current research, are built to enhance comfort, which according to the latest studies, is the key (and only proven) method for preventing running injuries! (This comes from legendary biomechanist Benno Nigg’s study from the University of Calgary.)

Who needs insoles?

Based on the latest science, anyone looking to enhance the comfort of their running shoes may want to consider trying a running-specific insole with a dynamic design to improve pressure distribution. This can range from someone dealing with an injury, to an elite athlete looking to gain a legal performance edge during workouts and races.

Who does not need insoles?

If you do not find the insoles you try to be more comfortable or comparable to your shoes with the original sock liner, then they may not be for you.

Look for: A running specific insole designed for the unique motion patterns of running (not all insoles sold to runners have this design in mind). Comfort is king (pain does NOT equal gain here). A zero mm drop is ideal so they will not interfere with your running shoe’s design.

Best bet: Visit your local specialty running retailer to try several options available and discuss how the varied designs will affect how your favorite running shoes perform.

A pro marathoner’s experience: Becky Wade, a 2:30 marathoner and Olympic hopeful, has experience wearing custom orthotics and over-the-counter insoles for running. Her focus for both ends of the insole spectrum has always been on comfort. “I don’t think that orthotics are necessary for everyone. I now wear the currexSole RUNPRO which creates a comfortable, supportive feel.”

Bottom line: The latest insole designs are lighter and more specific to running than ever! The most recent biomechanics research for running specific insoles performed at the University of Calgary and Cologne highlights that comfort is a key factor to consider when selecting an insole both for injury prevention and performance.


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Due to the unprecedented events related to COVID-19 we are suspending all public meetings and events, including Crestview Star Parties until further notice.  You can receive email notices about the status of these and other SMCAS events by selecting the link below or going to https://groups.io/g/SMCASnews and joining the group.

For Current Members

GroupsIO email Groups for SMCAS notices & News

Announcements are sent to members using email through the SMCAS GroupsIO email group.  This group also contains SMCAS files and historical documents of interest to members.  We also have an SMCASNews GroupsIO group for members and non-members that will have notices of events open to the general public.

To access these groups, you can join online and be approved or respond to an invitation to join.  To get access to this group, go to: https://groups.io/register and create an account,  then search for Groups SMCAS and SMCASNews and ask to join.    Or send an email note to EPieret@comcast.com and request an invitation.

Important Notice to Members

All memberships expire on December 31st each year unless you joined after June 30th.   If you haven't done so already, please renew at the next meeting or by clicking the Renewal button below.

This page Lists important announcements and member only events for exclusively for current members of SMCAS


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Category: Arts:Food

Join Justin and Andy as they break up the monotony of their 30’s with conversation and food. We’re talking low-prep, no-prep libation and grub, paired with easy listening.

Ethiopian and Eritrean Edibles

October 9, 2020

Join Justin and Andy as they take a step into Africa with Ethiopian and Eritrean food! Grab some Injera, an entree, and a cup of coffee and join us on our maiden voyage of African cuisine.

Thanks for taking the time to listen! We appreciate every one of you!

You can follow us on InstagramFacebook, or Reddit , and Patreon . Also, check out our YouTube page! Call our voicemail and leave us a message at: 315-313-5456

Music: Surf Shimmy by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/


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When it comes to sniping in the US Military, the USMC is usually the first branch of the military that comes to mind, and rightly so. Without questions, the Marines have lead the way for the development of sniping in the United States. But the US Army has made great strides in their incorporation, equipping, training and use of snipers over the past several decades. They have progressed to the point where today, along with the Marines, they are considered to have some of the best snipers in the world. That certainly was not always been the case. A large part of this recent excellent reputation is due to the US Army Sniper School located at Ft. Benning Georgia. We wanted to take the opportunity to provide some of our own commentary based on our experiences with the US Army sniper school.

You will not see a lot of photos in this write-up primarily because I did not take any photos while I attended the school for fear I would jinx the course and fail. The failure rate was so high that you were never really sure if you were going to pass or not. The pictures you see here were ones lifted from the internet that show a little of what it was like when I attended.

Snipers in the Army

Sniper Central Ballistic Cards

It has been well documented by many sources on how snipers were never really considered a permanent, or necessary, part of the US Military in the first half of the 20th century. But as the need for snipers kept manifesting itself each time the United States found itself in some sort of conflict, the various branches began to change their view on incorporating snipers permanently. During the Vietnam War the 9th Infantry Division Sniper School located in Vietnam went a long way to providing a foundation on which the US Army could build their program. Unfortunately, snipers were once again discarded after the war ended and their M21 sniper rifles were packed away. This time though, the USMC finally took the initiative and started a permanent sniper program after the Vietnam War, and the US Army was watching. The use of USMC snipers proved effective in low intensity conflicts in the 70’s and 80’s, and the US Army finally caught on and in the second half of the 1980s they decided to start their own permanent sniper program.

The use of snipers was viewed differently in the Army than it was in the USMC. In the heart of the cold war, the Army considered their armored battalions their main source of power and their view of snipers was just a way of enhancing the effectiveness of their dismounted squads, almost like the Designated Marksmen role. Fortunately, there were some true believers in the light infantry concept and the need for flexible infantry battalions that were not mechanized. Those units really took the benefits of snipers to heart and used them to their full potential. In the 1990s, the organization of snipers in a Mechanized unit consisted of a single two man sniper team per Company that was attached as a part of the HQ Platoon. It worked okay. The light infantry units did it differently, they had a squad of snipers as a part of a Battalion Scout Platoon. This proved to be the more effective and flexible way of organizing them.

As the global War on Terror took over, the need for effective light infantry units and flexible sniper teams became very apparent and where possible, the Mechanized units switched over to the same type of organization of their snipers as the light infantry units. With the effective use of snipers becoming much more common, the Army has advanced their doctrines forward and are now utilizing their snipers properly versus their old way of thinking that originated from the tanker mentality of the Cold War.

This is the new sign, this did not exist at the old facility

History of the US Army Sniper School

As the Army began their incorporation of snipers as a fixed part of their infantry units, they not only had to come up with a new sniper weapon system, the M24, but they had to devise a means of training their new sniper corp. The doors opened on the newly formed United States Army Sniper School in 1987 at Fort Benning Georgia. Ft. Benning is known as “The Home of the Infantry” and is where nearly all of the infantry specific schools are located, so it was a natural place for the Sniper School. The school initially was located at Harmony Church and it still was when I went through it in 1997. This is near where the 4th Ranger Training Brigade (RTB) is located and the school shared the chow hall with all the Ranger School students.

Initially the US Army Sniper School (USASS) was only three weeks long and taught the curriculum out of TC23-14 (TC = Training Circular). It was a lot to try and cram the basics of sniping into a three week school, but they did the best they could. Enrollment was limited to 11 series Military Occupational Specialties (MOS), which was the infantry, and 18 series (Special Forces). If you were not infantry or SF, you could not attend the school. To qualify for entrance, a soldier had to have qualified expert with the M16, score a 210 (with a 70 in each of the three events) on the PT test, pass a psyche evaluation, have scored a 110 on the GT portion of the ASVAAB, not be color blind, have correctable 20/20 vision, and be at least an E-3 promotable (typically E-4) or higher rank. If a student graduated, they received the coveted B4 identifier on their MOS which signified them as a trained and qualified sniper. The Marines refer to this as a HOG, or Hunter Of Gunmen. This had not yet caught on in the Army when I was in.

As the school progressed through those early years and the training evolved, it became evident that 3 weeks was not enough time and the school was lengthened in the mid 1990’s to 5 weeks. Additionally, sometime during these early years a new sniper manual was written and published by the US Army. This manual was FM23-10 (FM = Field Manual) and it greatly expanded on the basics of TC23-14 and included sections on the M24. With the school now 5 weeks long it allowed them to cover most, if not all, of the same material as what the USMC schools taught and many of the USASS instructors went through the USMC Sniper Instructors course during these years, and likely still do.

Finally, the last major change happened to the USASS in the early 2000s when the global War on Terror was in full swing (it still is) and there was a discovered need for much more elaborate training on urban (MOUT) sniper operations. An additional two weeks were added again, making the school 7 weeks long now. Additionally, the MOS 19D (Cavalry Scout) was now allowed to attend, and yes another new field manual was published, refined even further and with restricted in distribution (finally), and is known as FM 3-22.

Still to this day, the B4 is awarded only to graduates of the USASS and it is one of the hardest classes to pass in the US Army. The average pass rate for the USASS is about 40% and the school is known to produce excellent snipers.

Our Commentary

I went through the US Army Sniper School at Ft. Benning in 1997 when the school was five weeks long. At that period of time there were only about 6 classes a year with around 24 students per class, so the number of sniper grads, considering the 40% graduation rate, was small. The classes tended to fill up fast and we had to reserve my slot about a 9 month ahead of time. The class I attended was held in August and September of 1997… and as is the norm for Ft. Benning, it was hot and humid.

Because the standards are high and the class difficult, there was no gentle indoctrination. All of your paperwork had to be complete and correct when you got there and on Day 0 there was a PT Test. You scored a 70+ in each of the three categories, or you went home. It was always a shock to the system going from cool and crisp Montana air to the hot and muggy Georgia jungle. After a brief scare during the 2 mile run, I passed and the class begun in earnest, and I mean in earnest! That first week was unbelievably busy.

That first week of class set the tone for the rest of the school. The classroom work began on the first day and carried through the entire week, covering topics such as the M24, different types of ballistics, firing positions, and many more of the basic fieldcraft and marksmanship topics. But it was not just classroom work. Time on the range began with verifying known distance data versus what was on our BDC knobs on the Leupold M3A scope as well as continued long range marksmanship training. The thing that really killed us that first week was the knowledge that we had a ghillie suit inspection on Friday morning. The problem was, there was NO allotted time for ghillie suit construction. There was just not enough time in those 5 weeks to cover the required instruction AND provide time for ghillie construction. Another assumed reason for no allotted time was to introduce more stress in the school.

With the days filled with classroom work, shooting and other training, the only time left to work on the ghillie was after evening chow through wakeup the next morning at 5am. Building a ghillie for the first time meant we were slower than normal as we learned the ins and outs, and sleep deprivation was real. Most students probably averaged about 2 hours of sleep per night that first week until that Friday morning ghillie inspection. The inspection itself was real fun, or not. It happened on the morning of our first stalking exercise, and to drive the point home they pointed out flaws in our ghillie suits by using florescent orange spray paint. It worked.

That Friday started the stalking phase of the school. The school consisted of four main skills that were tested and and considered critical skills. Marksmanship, Stalking, Range Estimation and Target Detection. Those four main skills were tested extensively with mandatory minimums and overall averages are required. The US Army school was patterned after the USMC school and much of the same training and testing was conducted. As mentioned already, the training cadre routinely would go through the USMC Scout Sniper School as well as their Sniper Instructor course to insure standards and techniques were kept current.

As is the case in perhaps all of the main military sniper schools, stalking tends to be the number one event that fails the most students, and for good reason. It is difficult. At the US Army school, the second leading cause of failure is target detection. For me personally, target detection was a challenge, but stalking was quiet fun and I was able to pick it up quickly due to a couple of tidbits some of the instructors gave me on our first practice stalk. From there, it came naturally and I came from Montana where hunting is a part of life. That certainly helps, but stalking can be taught and learned, and often it is. The stalking was actually a break for me. It gave us 4 or more hours of quiet time! You see, the USMC and US Army share the same view that sniper school is NOT a gentleman’s course and you are routinely smoked and punished for legitimate reasons, and then of course for dumb reasons. The idea is to put as much stress on the students as possible to insure they can perform when the going gets tough, and they made it tough.

I do not believe they have changed this philosophy and it is still used today. Some of the instructors actually told us they believed it should be a gentleman’s course because learning it was so darn difficult. Several of the very elite Special Operations sniper schools are gentleman’s courses, and it is likely a wise choice, especially in the special operations groups as those guys are legit and do not need any more smoking. They have proved themselves in operations, BUD/S, Q-Course, Ranger School and others. But for the grunt sniper schools, I can see the argument both ways, I just know it wasn’t very fun going through it and they incorporated smoking us into everything! KIMS games were a constant smoke session that I would prefer not to remember.

The graded portion of marksmanship included unknown distance shooting from 300-1000 meters and moving targets from 300-700 yards. Because the known distance shooting was done on old establish ranges, the movers were in yards. The newer sniper ranges were all in meters, as were our scopes. We also did stress fires that included lots of running and exercise as well as lots of smoke, flash bangs and other good stuff. We did unconventional shooting positions and familiarization with night vision and the M107A1 SASR (Barrett .50 BMG), though it was an M82 back then and not yet officially adopted.

The instructor cadre, like most every school, was a mixed bag. There were many good instructors, a few horrible instructors, and a few fantastic instructors. As a whole, they were very good and they knew their material very well. There were two instructors that I would say were some of the best I have ever had in any school. They genuinely wanted you to succeed and they would spend extra time with struggling students to help. Most of the instructors provided good feedback during training and testing, but the great ones did even more. They were also the ones that you could tell were enthusiasts and master snipers. They lived and breathed the stuff and were always doing what they could to make the training and the school better.

The facilities at the school, at least when I went through, were also a mixed bag. The ranges were great. There were several different lanes on the unknown distance ranges with targets beyond 1000 meters, even out to nearly 1200. The known distance ranges were quality competition ranges from 100-1000 yards. The classroom was old school and the barracks were REALLY old school and run down, but it all worked. They have since moved into their own newer facility and have torn down all those old barracks. As I understand it, the new facilities are much nicer, though I have not had the opportunity to visit in person as of yet. I believe it is still near the 4th RTB and Harmony Church, but I am not positive.

The class culminated with a three day FTX that involved everything we learned through the five week school. We had to covertly move to an objective, stalk, engage a target with live rounds as a team, perform observations with a log and sketch, and many other sniper related tasks. During the five week school we had many other classes that were taught about various topics and we used all of that training during the FTX. These classes included topics such as tracking, E&E, sketches, patrol logs, survival, urban sniper operations and others. They did not teach some of the basic soldiering fundamentals that are taught in other schools and training as you are expected to know them as a standard E-4 infantryman. These were things like call for fire, operation orders, and those types of skills. They taught you the sniping skills and you were expected to go back and sure up your basic infantry skills to complement what was needed for being an effective sniper team. I liked that approach.

At the end of the FTX is the dreaded final shot. This consisted of an unknown distance engagement typically from 600-800 meters (655-875 yards). This shot is done without the aid of your spotter and you had to make the range estimation, wind call, weather call… essentially everything. You had two shots to hit the target, or you failed the entire school. No re-fires. And you only had 2 minutes. Did I mention that they try to put pressure on you during the school? If you missed with your first round, the instructor who was spotting would tell you where you missed, and that was it. I ranged my target at 680 meters (743 yards) using the mil-dots and dialed in 3 MOA of left wind. (Yep, I still remember the details, stress will do that). My first round went over his left shoulder (meaning I was up and right slightly). I came down two MOA and left another one. Second round gut shot him. I passed.

Sniper School for me was one of those things that was miserable when experiencing it, but then once you passed it and are heading home, you think “Yeah, that was pretty legit.” Of the 25 students we started with, 14 of us passed. Slightly more than 50% and better than average. We had eight guys from Ranger Battalions and a RIP instructor as well as guys from 10th Mountain, 25th Light, and other high speed units. As is normal in difficult schools, camaraderie and brotherhood typically form fast and we did what we could to help each other out. I was the only National Guard guy in the school, perhaps my weakness, but I had a degree in Mathematics so I was able to help a lot of guys out with the technical stuff like range-e and the ballistics. By the end, I was just one of the guys and felt accepted, guess I earned it?

Some do not hold the US Army school in as high of regard as the USMC school, and I understand why. But the Army school is patterned after the USMC school and the standards are just as high and it has produced some excellent snipers. Now the school is two weeks longer than when I went through and includes some of its own unique aspects including an in depth portion on urban operations, something that we only got a single day of instruction on. I consider the school to be in the upper tier of military sniper schools and it holds its own when compared to the others. It obviously is not on par with the special operations schools that are out there, as that is not the purpose or goal of the school. All in all, a great school and I am honored to have attended, and grateful I passed!

Sniper Central

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Passing it on – will I have alcoholic children?

My biggest fear in life is that my kids will become alcoholics. This potential strikes me to the core and nags at me constantly. I recall a “talk” my dad had with me and my brother one day in the backyard – I was in high school. He was crying, telling us how he didn’t want us to end up like him. It was a pretty intense moment that left a huge gouge on my heart. I remember thinking how bad I felt for him, that he was so worried, but was impervious to his degree of fear. I was pretty damn sure we could handle ourselves and weren’t going to follow in his footsteps.

I can now relate to him in a fierce way and it scares the hell out of me. I’m desperate to control this outcome, however I realize I have NO CONTROL over much of anything in this world – except for one thing for sure – my sobriety. What I must focus on is staying sober, and then positively influencing my kids without being a freak about it. I have to somehow let go of this paralyzing fear and change gears. Having a plan certainly won’t erode my fears, but maybe it’ll decrease some of my anxiety about it all and better prepare us as parents for the road ahead. How depressing is it that I have to do this? It’s also infuriating, but a reality I just have to accept.

Alcoholic Genes

Are my kids destined to become alcoholics? Not necessarily, but their genetic risk is increased considerably, according to research. I have some close friends and family who have somehow managed to break that chain, even though it’s “in their blood” and has been a part of their lives since childhood. Research hasn’t given us solid answers, but alcoholism “experts” are agreeing that genes are responsible for about half of the potential alcoholic equation*. So, as I understand it, genes influence how a person metabolizes alcohol, as well as their temperament – which can make them more vulnerable toward alcoholism. How one’s brain reacts to alcohol and their personality traits aren’t really things we can change, anyway. Alcoholism has been known to run in families and children of alcoholics could very well be genetically pre-disposed, more vulnerable. BUT all of this genetic talk is about RISK, not impending doom. (I must repeat this over and over and over…)

In my opinion, at least half of the RISK equation of addiction exists because of poor coping skills and learned behavior – and is where I can make a difference as a parent.

Role Models

My alcoholic family
Typical family gathering at my Grandma’s house

Kids subconsciously model their parents’ and adults’ behavior. If their parents or close adults are frequent drinkers/partiers, they learn to model that lifestyle. Simple as that. It’s what they know. My parents and their family and friends were always drinking at every occasion, so it was the norm to me.

My little brother sampling some red beer...
My little brother sampling some red beer…

I got to taste my dad’s beer a lot when I was little. I really liked it. Some say that the age alcoholics get exposed to booze is a cause. I don’t know if that’s true, but either way I am uncomfortable with my kids tasting it at this point. My son has no business trying Daddy’s beer at 2 ½ (the other kid is a bun in the oven). When I’m faced with that possibility, the alcohol takes on even more of a personality and taunts me like a poison. I don’t know what age would seem right to let them try a sip. I certainly don’t want to forbid it forever, that doesn’t seem like a healthy approach. Plus, if I take my emotion out of it, realistically a taste won’t kill them. But that’s impossible to take the emotion away when my relationship with alcohol has altered my world in such a way. Obviously my husband and I need to further discuss this and figure out our approach, since he does have a few beers or a glass of wine regularly at home. Currently, it’s off limits to the kid and my husband completely supports my wishes. See – I’m already protecting my children with a different environment to grow up in…

The relationship between my mom and dad growing up was not always loving and harmonious. At times our home life presented us with underlying tension, anger and sadness – you can bet we picked up on it. Don’t get me wrong, we were pretty happy kids – it wasn’t THAT bad and we knew our parents loved us to the moon and back. But for many years my dad hid his alcohol, which was even worse because we all knew about it, but didn’t say anything – the shit that goes on with an alcoholic isn’t easily hidden – it’s like a silent scream. I know I’ll screw my kids up in some way, but I rest easier at night knowing they won’t be at greater risk for emotional and coping problems because I am no longer a “practicing” alcoholic. Our home environment is positive, supportive and nurturing (most of the time, we ARE real people!). Self-esteem, self-reliance, communication and trust are what we practice. We are providing a secure and stable home where our kids will hopefully be more selective about the choices they make and who they invite into their lives as they grow. They will know that their opinions and decisions matter to us all.

Everybody Else

At some point, all kids get exposed to drinking – as pre-teens or even earlier. If not at home, they’ll see it in commercials, movies, Web sites, phone apps, Facebook (half the shit on there is about partying) and hear about it in songs and at school, etc. – social media and entertainment are clearly targeting young people and doing a great job at it. So, how does one figure what’s real and what isn‘t – especially a kid? Is everyone really doing it? In elementary school, I somehow was under the impression that D.A.R.E wasn’t “cool” – WTF? This is where parenting steps in with consistent, positive, open communication. I don’t want to bad mouth alcohol, but I do want my kids to know their risks and to grow up knowing that what you see isn’t always what you get or what you should want.

PLEASE NOTE: I want to make it clear that my parents did the best with what they knew back then and I am grateful every day for my mom and dad. I don’t carry resentment toward either one of them for a damn thing – I have learned from some of their mistakes and will surely make my own.

The Hype

Is drinking fun? Hell yeah, it is! Why do you think so many people do it? Alcohol is amazing – it’s so easy to instantly bond with people, like you’re part of a cool club. It helps you relax and it takes you to a silly, warm place where inhibitions are low and the fun factor is high. What I wouldn’t give for a day of mental shut-down, sitting in a lawn chair in a river with the heat of the sun, a case of ice-cold beer and a bottle of my grandpa’s home-made “apple pie” (Everclear – like liquid apple pie – dangerous and oh, so delish). I get why it’s such a focal point, but I think that needs to change a bit – somehow. Along with the fun alcohol brings, there’s an even bigger dark side. The darkest of which is alcoholism, the number one drug problem in America with more than 20 million alcoholics**. It’s a HUGE issue in our society. We need more awareness and education out there so we can change the stigma and shame associated with it and be better able to recognize whether we are on that path – to make changes before things get a lot worse.

Bitter…party of one…

Whenever I hear people reminiscing together about their drunken moments or hangovers from hell, I become enraged inside. It no longer entertains or makes me laugh. There’s nothing funny about passing out on a germ-infested, pube-ridden bathroom floor after you’ve heaved for hours. There’s nothing funny about getting goofy, slurring, saying stupid shit or falling down in public, nor do I want to hear people brag about blacking out. Also, those Facebook and Instagram pictures showing friends taking shots, playing their 100th game of beer pong and getting shit-faced in general are really getting old – get over it and get back to freaking life, you idiots. I’m justified to feel that way now because I was one of them – my goal sometimes would actually be to blackout – and I thought I was cool because of it! My, how I’ve grown – still bitter, but I’ve grown. The general population of America is ignorant about the dangers of alcohol and alcoholism. I think a lot of it is because recovering alcoholics aren’t living out loud. By living out loud, I’m not necessarily telling people they can’t be “anonymous,” I’m just meaning to highlight that anyone can reach out, connect, learn, get sober and/or be effective on any level. And that’s my mission. I’m not claiming to know everything, but I’m dedicated to challenging the stigma, increasing awareness, and as always, connecting with people so I don’t feel so isolated all the time.

american-flag-drunkAmerican society

This country’s legislation approaches alcohol with fear, and the most destructive law in my opinion, seems to be the age requirement of 21. A man can defend and potentially die for his country, but we’ll go right ahead and arrest him for an MIP?! Woo! ‘merica! Something isn’t quite matching up there. Forbidding it isn’t the answer. I don’t know anyone that drinks, who didn’t drink before they turned 21. In fact, most of them drank well before I did around 13 or so! Yet, the 21-run is a major coming-of-age celebration. I remember the beginning of my 21-run…I spilled a shot on the table and sucked it up with a straw. Made it to 21 drinks, too. Only 3 were beers. That shit just isn’t necessary – where did we get the idea that it is? I know so many “problem drinkers” who are likely on alcoholism’s path and all I can do is watch. I think. They are as I was, programmed to believe that they don’t have a problem because they still have their jobs, family, friends – life is “normal.” Plus, everybody else is doing the same thing. This is where awareness about early stages of alcoholism needs to happen. And realistically, every person has the chance to become an alcoholic.

My husband insists that our kids partake in his “English heritage” and go to a pub for dinner, where they can have a beer when they’re 16 or so if they want. English pubs do feel completely different from American bars – families with kids and the general attitude give it a much more relaxed vibe. We went to the Matador (in America) the other night for some decent food and a beer for my husband, but they wouldn’t let our toddler in because technically the entire place was a bar. I don’t get it. Are we not trusted? Maybe we should pass a few more laws to control our people since they obviously can’t make decisions for themselves. Anyway, I get where my husband is coming from. I’m more concerned about my kids seeing either of our families drinking in excess and celebrating it – but I think we’ll be ok. I don’t think his family really “focusses” on drinking when they let loose, nor does mine (although I’ve had to decrease my exposure to much of my extended family to make that a possibility). We just can’t escape that societal push toward drinking to have fun. And it’s a myth that starting younger encourages moderation with alcohol. That said, a young person in a pub is exposed to that comfortable type of environment with a positive and healthy approach, I suppose. I’m curious about the “place” I’ll be in by the time that opportunity rolls around.

make better mistakes tomorrowMy Plan

My plan is to continuously communicate with my husband and come up with some rules for early childhood that we both feel comfortable with. We can graze over the pre-teen and teen years, but who knows how much that will change within the next 10-15 years within society, as well as research. The point is that we are both on the same page and focused on being better parents every day.

In the future I do intend to connect with my children’s friends and their friends’ parents and decide who I “trust,” never allow them to go to an unsupervised home or party and get them involved in extracurricular stuff – sports/music/whatever they want to do. It’s amazingly fulfilling being a parent, but it’s hard and I can bet it won’t get any easier.

I guess for now I’m ok. This cloud still follows me around, but I’ve got some great tools, a fab husband and a bright future in store for all of us. Day by day we shall go.

Thanks for your support, friends. I’m grateful to have this outlet and your ears.

** (from 2004…I’m betting the # is much higher, as there are so many in denial)

Tagged : / / / / / / / / / / / /


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Southern Cross Alpine Lodge

Provisional Vacancies last updated 21 October 2020

Due to the uncertainties arising from COVID-19, 2020 Booking Allocations were modified per
The 2020 snow season ended on 5 October 2020 and Southern Cross is currently closed.
Southern Cross expects to be open full catered from Sunday 27 December 2020 afternoon till at least Saturday 9 January 2021, with availability depending on whether our COVID-19 restrictions can be eased.
We are probably already full till Saturday 01 January 2021 morning.
NSW School Holiday Fri 2 April to Fri 16 April availability including possible catering is under review.
There is likely to be a working bee Fri 16 to Sat 18 April (sorry no children).
Subject to COVID-19 restrictions, Southern Cross may be available at other times to approved small groups
on a self-catered basis.
2021 Snow Season booking conditions and booking allocation processes are currently under review, subject to ongoing COVID-19 developments.
Submit your booking requests via
We are keeping the above vacancies details updated as best we can.


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The afternoon after: Heel the world – Giants deep everywhere but QB

Here are my usual post-Sunday thoughts. More a Ã¢â‚¬Å“late-night afterÃ¢â‚¬Â than afternoon today. IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ll reiterate that football isnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t my thing, but IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ll give it a shot as usual.

Eli gets it off (for a touchdown); Carr in his usual position

  • The Giants have a deep and talented team, particularly on defense. Steve Smith is open every time you look up. They gave the Chiefs fits on Sunday. I do believe theyÃ¢â‚¬â„¢re the best team in football, but their huge weakness was exposed when Eli Manning somehow hurt his foot. The Ã¢â‚¬Å“bruised heelÃ¢â‚¬Â diagnosis was shady at best, as I simply view such an injury as impossible under those circumstances. I get injured all the time, so IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢m sort of a self-proclaimed expert; the first thing I thought was that he messed up his AchillesÃ¢â‚¬â„¢. Now IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢m hearing that it may be plantar fasciitis, which would be far from a best-case scenario, but at least it wouldnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t be his AchillesÃ¢â‚¬â„¢. Regardless, I believe Eli Ã¢â‚¬â€œ whoÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s far tougher than he looks Ã¢â‚¬â€œ wonÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t miss a whole lot of time with this. IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ve had plantar fasciitis, and though itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s no picnic, itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s at least manageable. With the horrible Raiders coming to town, they may choose to sit him until the following week in a huge showdown in New Orleans. But David Carr isnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t suitable to play quarterback in this, or any, league. And as deep as the Giants are at most positions Ã¢â‚¬â€œ including running back, where Ahmad Bradshaw has been at least the equal of Brandon Jacobs thus far Ã¢â‚¬â€œ David Carr simply is not an NFL quarterback, having been permanently ruined by years of playing behind a sieve-like offensive line in Houston. I believe the Giants are very good, and potentially dominant, but until Eli plays a whole game and shows no ill effects, you have to temper your enthusiasm.

Continue Reading

Perspectives on Jordan, Jeter and Ichiro take a back seat

Suffice it to say, I look up to Michael Jordan. I have a poster with the words he speaks in that ad above hanging as the centerpiece of my living room Ã¢â‚¬â€œ along with a framed picture of the Twin Towers.

And I have my own perspective to share on the man as he enters the Hall of Fame. But not on 9/11. I believe they should have moved the induction out of respect for the remembrance of this day, but I guess eight years after the fact, maybe itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s time to just let this be something of just another day.

That said, I want to let the Piazza/9-11 post breathe up there. Look for my thoughts on Jordan sometime during or maybe after the weekend; Derek Jeter and Ichiro for their milestones, too. As great as all three athletes are, I personally still believe they should take a back seat today. Others agree with me; Mike Francesa on WFAN had Ari Fleischer on today and is mostly taking calls about 9/11.

So congratulations to Jordan, Jeter and Ichiro. IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ll get back to you guys in a few days.


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December 7, 2015

A New Series: Pattern Writing by Meadow Mist Designs

I'd like to give you all a heads up about a new blog series starting in January. It's called the Pattern Writing Blog Series written and hosted by Cheryl Brickey of Meadow Mist Designs.

Cheryl will be taking us step by step through the process of writing a quilt pattern starting with design all the way through to a fully developed pattern. She will be working through an actual pattern as she talks about each step in the process with a free pattern at the end of the series. Some of the topics she plans to cover include; design, pattern basics, text, math, illustrations, testing, and finishing.

Along the way she is having several pattern designers join her for a round table discussion about their own pattern writing process. Designers include Amy of 13 Spools, Christa of Christa Quilts, Lorna of Sew Fresh Quilts, Soma of Whims and Fancies, Yvonne of Quilting Jetgirl and myself.

I'm thrilled to be participating and certainly look forward to learning new things from Cheryl and all the other designers.. If you've ever thought of writing your own patterns, or are just curious about what goes into the process, then join Cheryl and learn how it's done. Follow her at Meadow Mist Designs and myself here at Springleaf Studios. Just click the Bloglovin link below or one of the other choices along my sidebar.

There will be giveaways at the end too, so don't miss out.   : )

  1. What a great idea for a blog series! I look forward to learning more from this group (and you!).

  2. Thanks so much Anne for posting this!!

  3. Very good idea! I'll be watching...

  4. I can't tell you how excited I am about this series!!

  5. You probably need to come to QuiltCon after all, so we can talk to the wee hours of the night about this very topic. :)

  6. What an honor for you to be among those offering guidance about pattern writing! Congratulations! Unfortunately, I know of too many quilters who need these lessons! I could name a few right here. But, in the interest of not embarrassing anyone, let me just wish you lots of fun with this. Because I know about pattern-writing from first-hand experience, I know you're biting off an elephant trying to explain it all.

WaHoo!!! You're leaving me a comment. Thanks for stopping by and do come back again. Quilt on, Anne.


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Ohioans Won't Be Able To Get Driver's Licenses, Tattoos Or Haircuts

Mar 18, 2020

Ohioans who need to renew their driver’s license or tags are going to have to wait. So will people want to get their hair cut or get a tattoo. Those businesses are the latest places ordered to close because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine says he’s closing 181 Bureau of Motor Vehicles offices and and the five that will be open will be limited to handling commercial driving licenses.

“All other services will be online, or by mail or they will simply be paused," DeWine says.

DeWine says law enforcement has been told not to ticket anyone driving with an expired license or tag. And the state legislature is being asked to pass a bill to make that change possible. DeWine is also ordering hair salons, barbershops, spas, and tattoo parlors to close their doors at the end of the business day to prevent the spread of COVID19.


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The original St. Louis Real Estate Blog, est 2004 with Darin "Sid" Cameron, CRS.
Understand the St. Louis housing and real estate market better. Sid is a licensed real estate broker in Missouri.
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 St. Louis Real Estate Investor's Club- Tour of ONSL
By: Darin "Sid" Cameron, CRS
Fri, Apr 28th, 2006 4:02 pm

The St. Louis Real Estate Investors Club will be hosting a tour of Old North St. Louis this Friday morning.

Old North St. Louis Restoration Group Headquarters Building
2800 N. 14th Street (14th and St. Louis Ave)
Time: 7:00am, Friday, May 5, 2006
With: Sean Thomas, Executive Director

We have compiled an "Investors Overview" of the area which can be viewed in a PDF format here:

(Editor's Note: This Link has been moved to the bottom of this webpage)

This includes:

- Information about the neighborhood restoration group

- History, Maps, and Facts about the neighborhood

- External Projects to will impact the neighborhood

- Four Areas of Investment Opportunities

- Photo Tours of the Area

- Building Permit Statistics

About the Club:

The Investors Club meetings provide a place for real estate investors to network and discuss opportunities, market trends, and learn from each other's experiences.  Our members are a mixture of "newbies" looking for first-time advice, seasoned professionals who rehab and build multiple properties a year, landlords, and a few select vendors who have been recommended to the group by existing members.

Meetings are open to anyone that is interested in, or is currently active in real estate investing anywhere in the St. Louis metro area.

THERE IS NO CHARGE TO ATTEND, however we do request that you RSVP to Brad at (email removed) so we can get an accurate head count.  Location may change depending on the size of the group.

For more information on the Investors Club, or to RSVP, please visit our NEW website and discussion forum at:

(Editor's Note: These websites are no longer available.)

Kimberly Cameron, Group President

See the attached PDF for more details on Old North St. Louis.

Download or View: ONSL.pdf

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Darin 'Sid' Cameron, CRS

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Darin "Sid" Cameron spent 15 years working in the technology industry which in 1998 relocated him to St. Louis. In 2004 he took over web development tasks for Kimberly's real estate team and later became the full-time Marketing and Operations Director in 2005. In 2011 Sid launched two brokerages, The Realty Store, Inc. and Realty Referral Partners, Inc, while continuing to perform marketing and operations for Kimberly's team. Sid holds a real estate broker's license in Missouri, CRS certification and was the first CyberStar in the St. Louis area.
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Welcome to Krystal Grand Punta Cancun

Krystal Grand Punta Cancun Location This comfortable beach hotel lies in the leisure district of Cancún. It is situated beside the inviting beach and turquoise sea that will definitely bewitch visitors. Links to the public transport network lie just 500 km from the hotel and can easily be reached on foot. There are many shopping venues as well as countless restaurant, diverse bars, pubs, cafés and many more entertainment venues as well as a lively nightlife scene to be found in the vicinity.

Not sure where to go on holidays?

Check out our destinations guides...

They are packed full of info & include images & videos on lots of destinations...

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Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Run to the Sun preview

I'm at Tulalip Casino in Marysville, Washington for the annual Run to the Sun event. Twenty-four other journalists and me will get to drive 25 cars over two days. Although there are small car offerings to drive, such as the above 2012 Fiat 500c, the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle and Eos, and the 2012 Honda Civic Si, there are also some powerhouses. These would be the 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302, Lexus IS-F, Mercedes-Benz CLS63, and Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible, plus a host of other vehicles.

Looking forward to a couple of days of great vehicles on great roads. Of course, I'll post up photos and more. Stay tuned.

1 comment:

CGS intake said...

The event showcased a lot of cool subcompacts. Can't wait to see the update on the photos of them.


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Tremendous, Pure BC

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The Pathways system is an integral and valuable part of Teton County. Whether you walk, bike, run or meander, if you live in or have visited Jackson, chances are you've used a Pathway.

Friends of Pathways promotes a complete pathways system, safer streets, and great trails for Jackson Hole. With projects ranging from the Wyoming Path 22 Bridge over the Snake River to the North 89 Pathway adjacent to the Elk Refuge, Pathways is constantly growing and expanding to meet the needs of the community.


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Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Sprucin' It Up

You may remember that awhile back we switched my two oldest boys from an upstairs room to the basement.  This left a really horrendous starting point for the new guest room.

Here are the shelves that looked pretty cute in a boy's room.  Not what I had pictured for a more neutral guest room though.

Here's the kicker.  There was no money for this spruce up.  NONE.  All of my project money was budgeted for baby stuff.  A new baby is a bit expensive even when you have a lot of hand me downs from previous kids.

I had to decorate on the cheap and mostly with items I already had.

Here's what I came up with.  Keep in mind that it is still a work in progress and may be redone for my toddler in a few months.  My husband and I haven't agreed on where we're putting him when he's kicked out of the crib by the fourth and final kiddo.

The shelves got a nice heirloom white coat of spray paint.

I found some empty frames at the local thrift store and gave them a quick coat of spray paint too.

I added a transformed suitcase side table that I showed you all last week here.

Some bright pillows on the bed give the space a little life.  I had the pillows already and just slip covered them with leftover material and a couple of fat quarters.

I added drapes to the no sew cornice.  The drapes are made out of a $10 drop cloth from Walmart, but I think they give the boring window just a bit more oomph.

Here's another view.  It's coming along but I still need something for above the bed.  I'm thinking about it, but I have a feeling it might be a little while until inspiration strikes.

I'm out of ideas for anything unless it goes along with having a newborn.  Nesting is a condition I'm suffering very badly from right now.

Feel free to help me out!

The room is cleaned up and I'll continue to add to it, I'm sure.  That is unless it gets another makeover for a certain 2 year old.

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  1. the curtains and the pillows are so sweet!

  2. Love your blog-I'm your newest follower-stop over for a visit!!

  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

  4. Wonderful makeover - you transformed this room so well (and I LOVE that you did it with things you already had!)

    Just a thought, but I saw a fabulous DIY paint chip art tutorial... let me find the link... here we go: Ombre Paint Chip Art Tutorial. It was a feature at Remodelaholic from The Lovely Cupboard. The colours instantly reminded me of your guest room.

    Anyhow, excellent job!

    Take care,

  5. Kyra @ caramelpotatoes.comNovember 10, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    Thanks for the great ideas - Love your blog!
    New followers via Somewhat Simple.

    Come by for a visit - i know you'll find something delicious!
    Kyra @ www.caramelpotatoes.com

  6. fabulous ideas, Would luv for my readers to see this awesome idea, will you please join our weekly party at

  7. Hi, Heather! I'm a new follower here. I love your room makeover! I especially love your bedside table. SO CUTE! Thanks for sharing! If you get a chance, plz check out my blog @ bellanest.blogspot.com. Thank you!

  8. Hi, stopping by from Funky Junk Interiors. Your guest room looks very welcoming. Painting the shelves and picture frames really made a big difference as do the fun pops of colour from the pillows you made. Makeovers on little or no budget appeal to me because that is what we often do. Moving stuff around is very common at our place.

  9. It looks lovely. You did a great job transforming it from a boy's room to a guest room. It's amazing how a little white paint could make such a difference.

  10. What a great cozy guest room! I love the pillows.

  11. I think you've done a great job with no budget. The painted items alone make such a difference. I am visiting from the Sundae Scoop and am now following you on Twitter and FB. Vicky from Mess For Less

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Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo rank 15th and 18th among the cheapest destinations in the world respectively, according to the ranking of the 19 cheapest destinations in the world released by the website Business Insider.

download (15)From the total of foreign tourists visiting Brazil, 50% arrive through Rio and São Paulo. Rio alone received 1.5 million visitors in 2015 and expects to host around 300,000 and 500,000 tourists during the Olympic and Paralympic Games alone. São Paulo, which greeted 2 million tourists in 2015, will host some of the football matches during the Olympics.

The Business Insider ranking takes into account the price of accommodations, meals, beverages and taxis. The average expenditures in Rio tops R$420 (USD117) and in São Paulo, R$ 480 (USD 134).


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Strong in Christ

Daily Devotional Podcast. Follow along with blog post.

"For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10). Whoa, another heavy-duty verse, right. It's a verse that reminds us that when we are strong in the Lord, even if we are lacking in the natural, we can withstand the things that come for us. That's right. We can stand strong in the face of adversity, because we know that God is God. So, no matter what is coming at you, you can make it through. You can level up. Yes, you will get to the next level the Lord has for you. Are you willing to weather the storm? Are you willing to continue on despite setbacks? Are you willing to keep trudging until mission accomplished? Well then, you are virtually there -- at least in the spirit you are. Nobody may be able to see where you are now or even where you're going, but you are moving. That's right. There's shifting in the atmosphere. You are making godly moves, because you believe what Hebrews 11:1 says about you. You know that although you do not yet see what God has for you with your natural eyes, you are all over it in the spirit. That means your faith has made you well, which also means, you are standing strong in Christ. And what I will say for that is, good for you, because you are strong in Christ. So be encouraged today everybody. You're going to make it through.
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Daily Devotional Podcast. Follow along with blog post. How are you feeling today? What kind of head space have you been in lately? I ask, because I'm just wondering if anybody feels like me -- free like me. Free as an eagle. Free as can be. That's right, out with doing business the old stale way and in with a fresh new operation. It's a shifting happening in the atmosphere of Sharon's life and I'm moving on to the big and awesome things God has for me. What  do you say for yourself? What are you speaking over your life? What it is for you?
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Alert: Here Are All the Ways to Wear a Fashun Beanie

Images: Imaxtree

During the chilly months, a beanie is as much of an essential as a thick scarf and a cozy coat. As much as we love our floppy hats, they just don’t offer the same warmth as a knit hat. Beanies protect our ears from arctic winds and they also help us master that effortless model-off-duty look. It’s the reason why beanies have become a fashion girl favorite in the winter and beyond.

Rocking your beanie with your favorite puffer jacket is a classic look, but there are so many cute ways to wear a beanie. Dressing it up with some of your fancier pieces is a great way to achieve a mix-and-match style. You don’t have to go quite as dressy as sporting a beanie with your gowns, but that hat can be a great addition to an eveningwear-in-the-day look. Think beyond thick jackets and chunky boots and try your favorite beanie with heels, co-ords, dresses and a fuzzy piece or two. You’ll be surprised by how almost anything works with your hat.

Need some inspiration on just how to wear a beanie this season? Click through the gallery to see some fresh beanie outfits to try stat.


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Saturday, April 9, 2011

Friday Night Footy Round 5

The North Queensland Cowboys continued their impressive revival of form in 2011, with a dominant performance against their struggling Qld brothers, the Gold Coast Titans.The Cowboys were never headed in the game and the final score of 22-12 was closer through a last minute try to the Titans.The Cowboys Gavin Cooper was strong down the left side, and Jonathon Thurston was his usual creative best.

In the other game, the inconsistent Rabbitohs fell to a Benji-inspired Wests Tigers outfit 30-6. The Rabbits scored first, and looked to be the team to beat. But once again, Benji cues the magic and the Tigers won easily in an entertaining game.

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forest calendar

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forest calendar

Post by brittonie » Sun Jan 16, 2011 1:51 pm

I'm not sure if this is the correct place to post this but

i saw there was some sort of forest calender in the past.
We could make another one, proceeds to fundraiser.
I know it's halfway into jan, but we could do all the photos in the next 1.5 weeks and layout is pretty simple.

i can take photos, or we can have drawings.... whatever, suggestion

(if this should be in another forum, please uh, pass it on)
wet, dirty and dangerous.

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Saturday, October 30, 2010

Why I hate Kinect

OK, so "hate" probably is too strong of a word to use in this situation. I can say without hesitation, though, that I'm not a fan of the soon-to-be-released Xbox 360 peripheral.

Why? Honestly, it has nothing to do with me being anti-Microsoft or anti-Xbox 360. (Hell, I plan on buying an Xbox 360 before this generation is over--assuming the system drops below $149 at some point.)

I know I've made fun of Microsoft's "me too" (or maybe I should say "Wii too") Kinect ads and games (Kinect Sports, anyone?), but that's also not what has kept me from getting behind the company's controller-free product.

No, my problems with Kinect are: 1) the peripheral seems to be a buggy work in progress, and 2) the games--with the possible exception of Dance Central--seem boring and uninspired.

Granted, I've yet to go "hands on" with Kinect, so it's possible that both of the above-mentioned "problems" (especially the first one) will be proven to be anything but after it launches on Nov. 4.

See also: 'It's déjà vu all over again' and 'Let's try this again ...'

Friday, October 29, 2010

The best first level ever?

If someone asked you to name the best first level in all of video game-dom, which one would you choose? Nathan over at believes the following is the only answer:

You know what? I agree with him 100 percent, as Super Mario Bros.' World 1-1 does a better job of introducing people to a game's mechanics and rules than any other "first level" I've played.

If you have a minute or two to spare, I'd highly recommend visiting to read Nathan's thoughts on the matter.

I've gotta say, this looks great

When Nintendo of America announced the release of Donkey Kong Country Returns a few months ago, I think I reacted with a shrug and an "eh." (Or maybe it was a "meh.")

Anyway, I wasn't all that interested or impressed, despite the fact that I very much enjoyed the three Donkey Kong Country titles that were released for the SNES way back when.

That said, my cynical attitude toward the game faded somewhat after watching the following trailer:

Actually, it may be more accurate to say my attitude went from "eh" to "hmmm" after watching the trailer above. (I'm an exceptionally emotional person, aren't I?)

It wasn't until I watched the following preview, courtesy of IGN, that the game had my full attention.

Pre-order: Donkey Kong Country Returns

10 video games that made my life gayer (#6): Super Mario 64

Shigeru Miyamoto and his team at Nintendo of Japan sure hit it out of the park when they moved Mario into the third dimension, didn't they?

I remember being absolutely amazed by Super Mario 64 when it was unveiled at Nintendo Space World in 1995. A year later, after receiving a Nintendo 64 and a copy of the game as a birthday gift, I was even more amazed as my college roommate and I played through it during a wintry Thanksgiving weekend.

The fact that my roommate played it at all was amazing in its own right, as he was (and still is, I believe) otherwise completely repulsed by the idea of playing video games. (He's a twink, what else would you expect?)

If that doesn't speak to the game's accessibility, I don't know what does.

I didn't include Super Mario 64 on this list because it's accessible, though; I included it on this list because it's enjoyable. In fact, I'd go so far as to say it is one of the most enjoyable games--if not the most enjoyable game--I've ever played.

The aforementioned roommate and I played an awful lot of Super Mario 64 that year, and the next year my new roommates (all five of them) and I played it even more--and all the while we had huge smiles plastered on our faces.

Sure, we liked how the game controlled and looked and sounded (especially that wacky, hillbilly-meets-Mario "Secret Slide Theme"), but what kept us coming back for more (and more and more and more) was that the game was fun with a capital "f."

See also: all of the previous '10 video games that made my life gayer' posts

Thursday, October 28, 2010

On being an anal-retentive game collector

Hello. My name is Bryan, and I'm an anal-retentive game collector. (All together now: "Hi, Bryan!")

I know, that's not as bad as being addicted to drugs or drinking to excess, but it's bad enough. After all, it causes me to spend a lot more money on games and systems than I should.

Take, for instance, the complete-in-box Famicom cartridges (below) that I recently bought. Although I believe I got them at a good price, I certainly paid more for them than I would have had I bought them "loose" (without boxes and manuals).

The same will be true when I finally break down and buy a trio of PC Engine games that I've been eyeing up for some time. If I weren't so anal retentive, I could pick up loose copies of Gekisha Boy, Mizubaku Daibouken *and* Parasol Stars for little more than it would cost me to buy a single PS3/Wii/ Xbox 360 game. Instead, I'll probably end up spending that amount (or more) on each of them individually.

I used to be similarly anal when buying systems, but I've loosened up a bit in recent years--i.e., I no longer automatically turn up my nose at them if they don't come with their original boxes and manuals.

OK, I've owned up to my shameful, anal-retentive ways. How many of you are going to do the same?

Note: this post originally appeared on my other gaming blog,

Fabulous flash game alert: GunBlood

OK, this one isn't for the kids--nor is it for faint-of-heart adults. If you can handle a bit (or a lot) of blood and gore, though, Wolf Games' Western-shootout-themed GunBlood is the flash game for you.

Play it here.

See also: Robot Unicorn Attack, Treadmillasaurus Rex and Winterbells

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Super Mario Meat

Speaking of Mario, the following t-shirt design is up for a vote (here, for the next seven days) at

Lest you should think the shirt was inspired by the meat dress Lady Gaga wore to the recent MTV Video Music Awards show, designer JFish says:

"I get really hungry when I play Super Mario Bros. Sometimes I get so hungry I imagine Mario is made out of my favorite meats. In this example, he’s made out of a t-bone steak, prosciutto, mortadella (with pistachios), bacon, sausage, salami and capicola. His mouth is a small smooth chunk of pimento."

See also: 'Yep, another t-shirt'

'Foret et Fleur'

How would Super Mario World have looked if it had been made by Claude Monet? Artist Mikaël "Orioto" Aguirre believes it would have looked something like this:

For more information on Aguirre's latest piece of digital art, created to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Super Mario Bros., check out his deviantart gallery.

See also: 'I hear a harp above my head'

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Oodles of doodles

The weather in my neck of the woods was absolutely dreadful (as The Real Housewives of Atlanta's Dwight Eubanks would say) this past weekend, so instead of doing anything productive I spent some time doodling.

Some of the doodles I completed were game-related, so I thought I'd share a few of them here.

I know, they're a bit rough (and monochromatic). Hey, I never said I was a real artist :)

Anyway, check out this Flickr set if you want to see a few more of my doodles. (That sounds kind of dirty, doesn't it?)

See also: 'Happy (belated) birthday, Dreamcast!'

RE: Something old or something new?

You know how I mentioned (in this post) that I'm wasting way too much time pondering how I'm going to spend the birthday/Christmas money I'm sure to receive from my parents in the next few months?

Well, I'm pretty sure that I'm going to blow at least part of that presumed windfall on a red Twin Famicom. The reason: I recently bought nine old Famicom games through eBay. (Six of them are showcased in the photo below.)

A Famicom rainbow :)I've been interested in Nintendo's first batch of Famicom games--released on those iconic "Pulse Line" cartridges that can be seen in WarioWare D.I.Y., for instance--ever since I laid eyes on this photo of Donkey Kong Jr., but the high price of many of these titles kept me from buying any of them.

A few weeks ago, though, I came across a pair of auctions on eBay that included nine of these "Pulse Line" Famicom games, each of which came with their original boxes and manuals. Long story short, I ended up winning both auctions for a fraction of what I would have expected to pay for these particular titles.

Anyway, although I'm now the proud owner of nine (of 14) "Pulse Line" games--Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., Donkey Kong 3, Gomokunarabe, Mah-Jong, Mario Bros., Pinball, Popeye and Tennis--I currently can't play any of them. Hence, my decision to pick up a Twin Famicom as soon as possible.

In the meantime, check out my Flickr photostream if you're at all interested in seeing a few more photos of my recent acquisitions.

See also: 'Something old or something new?'

Monday, October 25, 2010

As the baddies in River City Ransom say: BARF!

What's worse than the crew at the Home Shopping Network trying to hock the Kinect? Nothing, if the following video is any indication.

Of course, I'm sure their attempts to sell the Wii and the PlayStation Move (man, I really wish Sony had called it 'Gem' instead) were similarly horrible.

See also: 'Oprah pushes Kinect, audience explodes'

'Tour d' Excitebike'

What do you do when you have more copies of Excitebike than you can possibly play? If you're the guy behind, you take them on a tour of Fukuoka, Japan.

Here, for instance, five Excitebike cartridges climb the walls of Fukuoka Castle:

And here the carts enjoy the views (and vessels) of what I believe is Hakata Bay:

Many more photos from this so-called "Tour d' Excitebike"--along with quite a bit of information about Fukuoka--can be found here.

See also: 'Feeding my Famicom obsession'

Does a game have to be challenging to be enjoyable?

Someone over on NeoGAF posed the question above a few days ago in response to the release of Kirby's Epic Yarn (below), which is, according to a number of folks who have played it thus far, a completely charming but not altogether challenging game.

My first reply to said question was an emphatic "no." After all, some of my favorite games of the last few years have been (basically) challenge-free affairs--games like Animal Crossing: City Folk and Endless Ocean, for instance.

I had to revise that riposte, though, after I remembered my unenthusiastic reaction to playing Super Princess Peach a few years ago. Sure, the game's graphics and tunes were enjoyable enough, but the rest of it was a bore due to its overly accessible (i.e., "so easy a newborn baby could beat it") nature.

Anyway, those are my (barely considered) thoughts on the matter. What are yours?


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Tuesday, January 27, 2015

This Day in New York Yankees History 1/27: Giants play in Yankee Stadium

On this day in 1956 the New York football Giants switch their NFL home games to Yankee Stadium. This fueled tons of speculation that the baseball Giants would also be leaving the Polo Grounds.

The team also signed relief pitcher Chris Leroux on this day in 2014 but I didn’t figure many people cared about or cared for that signing much. Carry on.

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Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)


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Multi Payment Loan Business Loan Underwriting Guidelines Explore our small business financing options and find out how to use small business loans and credit to finance your business needs. Get more information about funding your business with a term loan, SBA loan, secured and unsecured lines of credit and more from Bank of America.Multi-unit homes tend to be more expensive than 1-unit homes, so lending agencies take this into account when setting loan limits. For example, FHA loans in Riverside County, California allow a loan of up to $355,350 on a single-family home, but up to $683,350 on a 4-unit property.

Today, Kansas City cannot attract the five-star segment of visitors because it doesn’t have enough high-end hotel capacity. Unfortunately, those travelers and convention planners have other options.

Nationwide Hotel Financing. As a hotel owner, your mission is to graciously accommodate your guests. Live Oak Bank has the same philosophy when it comes to helping you develop your hotel business. We understand that building and expanding your hotel property portfolio can be stressful. Our goal is to simplify the loan process,

Do you have upcoming hotel financing needs? Whether. Loan Assumability – A loan assumption option allows the borrower to sell the hotel.

Payment Plan Vacations We make it easy for you (and your family) to pick a Payment Plan Vacation that fits your budget, and pay for it later. Our Travel Now Pay Later Credit programs are designed to give people who don’t have the cash or credit card limits to Finance a Vacation now, and take your Pay Later Vacation on Credit using customized vacation financing payment plans over a 12-month period.

Travel Finance FAQs. What are the costs of the loan? An upfront processing fee of 2% of the loam amount is charged by the bank. The loan is repayable in equated monthly installments (EMI) over the loan period. The rates of EMI on a loan of rs. 1 lac for various tenures is.