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Gotham: Prepping for Season Two

As September 21 rapidly approaches and the season two premiere of Gotham waits to air, it seemed prudent to revisit the back end of season one. Prepping, if you will, for the start of  the second installment of “Rise of the Villains.” Rather interestingly, it seems that the removal of Falcone as the King of Gotham, leaving Penguin to stand on the edge of the pier loudly shouting that “I am the King of Gotham” while surrounded by a thunderstorm, has indeed left the city wide open for this season two of the “big bad” rise.

Looking back at the final few episodes of season one, it is amazing just how much was crammed into the last few episodes.  One serial killer called The Ogre, played with stunning menace and disturbing charm by Milo Ventimiglia, The Dollmaker aka, Dr. Dulmacher, Barbara Kean turning into a homicidal maniac, the return of Fish Mooney, Nygma’s move toward becoming the Riddler and Loeb’s little secret. Of course the big power play for the crown of Gotham underworld ruler changes heads as well.

Dr. Thompkins and Barbara Kean, when trauma counseling sessions go bad…

Crime runs so rampant in the first season of Gotham that even the big guy overseeing all the action in the town, Falcone, tires of the day-to-day struggle and decides to step down.  The return of Jim Gordon, back from his security detail at the Arkham Asylum, saw many things escalate and most of these came to a head in the last five episodes of the season.

Guest stars included Ventimiglia and Jeffrey Combs (who played Dr. Dulmacher’s office manager) and Dash Mihok (who as Detective Arnold Flass gets his comeuppance) but sadly did not have any Diz and the Fam tracks to drop for the show’s soundtrack. The appearance of horror genre favorite Combs was just brilliant.

At one point, the girl/woman Selina Kyle (played by Camren Bicondova) got to “grow up” twice. (Three times if one counts her decision to kill Reggie by pushing Alfred’s old Army chum and attacker out of the shooting gallery window for Bruce.) Once at the Wayne Charity Ball and again after Fish Mooney got hold of her. The latter was quite shocking as suddenly this little vixen was really grown up and carrying a shotgun.

Selina Kyle ALL grown up…

Edward Nygma (Cory Michael Smith) is driven over the edge after the woman he adores is mistreated by her new beau. The future Riddler takes things into his own hands and disposes  of her brutal new boyfriend and as she begins to piece things together Nygma loses his cool.

Cory Michael Smith as Nygma

On top of the side stories; The Ogre, Ed Nygma’s move toward becoming the Riddler and the death of Reggie, as well as Fish Mooney’s escape back to Gotham, there was Bruce Wayne caring for Alfred (Sean Pertwee) and trying to get the goods on Sid Bunderslaw. When young Wayne is caught in Sid’s office, with the empty safe, Bunderslaw has a chat with Bruce and offers him a cookie.

Another Wayne employee,  Lucius Fox (Chris Chalk) comes to escort Bruce back to his tour guide and Fox drops a hint to the young man about his late father, Lucius calls Wayne Sr. a stoic.  This prompts Bruce to search his father’s office at Wayne Manor where he finds, at the very last of the final episode, the entrance to the “bat cave.”

Bruce Wayne and Alfred searching the office…

The biggest moment in season one was the final struggle for control of Gotham’s underworld. A triumphant Fish Mooney springs a trap on Falcone and as she keeps Jim Gordon, Harvey Bullock, Oswald Cobblepot and Falcone captive, Don Marconi comes in to talk sh*t and claim the crown.

Just before Marconi comes in, Fish tells each of her prisoners what their fate will be. Amusingly, Bullock is given a pass. Gordon tries to talk the “new” and grownup Selina into helping them. When Marconi arrives and starts trying to put Mooney into her “rightful” place, it does not take long for her to respond in a very final way.

Fish about to put Marconi in his place…

Once Mooney puts a shot into Marconi’s forehead, things heat up and apparently Selena passed that knife of Falcone’s on to Bullock. He helps everyone get loose and as the two factions, Fish’s troops and Marconi’s, brace each other, Oswald makes his move.

Oswald Cobblepot taking out the competition.

As the first season ends, Penguin roars his triumph (while sending Fish Mooney to an apparent watery grave) and Bruce finds his destiny. Things are now ready for act two of Gotham. The second season airs Monday, September 21. Fans who want to catch up, or prepare for the next offering from FOX should head over to Hulu now before the last five episodes go away.


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January 25, 2020 12:39 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Tokyo Mirage Sessions FE Switch Homescreen

Developer: ATLUS
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Version Reviewed: Digital Version
Category: Role-Playing
No. of Players: 1 player
Release Date: January 17th, 2020 (Worldwide)
Price: $59.99 USD

Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE first released on the Nintendo Wii U in Japan in December 2015. It later released to the rest of the world in June 2016. It is a combination of gameplay, narrative and visual elements from Atlus’ Shin Megami Tensei series and Intelligent System’s Fire Emblem Series.

Due to the commercial failure of the Wii U, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE failed to make a huge impact among the comparatively small fan base of the console. Most people that did buy the game first time around fell in love with it and have been wanting the game to be ported to the Nintendo Switch so that it could have another chance to be a success.

A collective of its fan base including our Editor in chief Jack, have been faithfully promoting the game since it’s Wii U release on Social Media and are more than thrilled that it has been given this second chance as Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore.

Tokyo Mirage Sessions FE (1)

Set in modern-day Tokyo, the game starts with a music concert a young girl is watching her older sister perform on the stage when all of a sudden, the older sister begins to disappear. Everyone else in the room begins to disappear as well, leaving the young girl as the only survivor of the incident. Five years later, we are introduced to the main protagonist, a young man named Itsuki.

Itsuki is meeting up with his friend Touma who is running late for their meet up. He bumps into his other friend Tsubasa who is attending an audition with the hopes to become the next big Idol. The audition goes awry when the host reveals to be possessed and captures Tsubasa with the help of a group of spectral looking beings known as mirages.

Tokyo Mirage Sessions FE (2)

The host takes Tsubasa through a portal into a strange world. Itsuki goes after his friend Tsubasa in the hopes to rescue her. As he journeys through the illusory realm of Daitama, his friend Touma sends Itsuki a message telling him to get out of there and go back through the portal gate.

Ignoring his friend’s words, Itsuki continues his search for Tsubasa and eventually finds her. He is then attacked by a mirage that tries to steal his essence known as ‘Performa’. Something suddenly happens to the Mirage and it awakens from the dark hold on it.

Tokyo Mirage Sessions FE (20)

The Mirage reveals himself to be Chrom (from the Fire Emblem series)  and lends his aid to Itsuki in order to free Tsubasa. After doing so, Itsuki and Tsubasa flee to the exit and are joined by Touma who reveals himself to be a Mirage Master. The three of them get surrounded by mirages and are saved by the pop star sensation and Tsubasa’s idol, Kiria.

Upon escaping the strange world, you are met by the boss of Fortuna Entertainment who proposes that Itsuki and Tsubasa join her Talent company as performers whilst training to become Mirage Masters themselves. After accepting the offer, Itsuki and Tsubasa find themselves being joined by other talented individuals as they pursue who or what is behind all these Mirage attacks whilst maintaining their busy schedules as Idols in the performing arts.

While the main plot itself is very surreal, the focus on friendship and teamwork really drives home their importance. The day to day struggles of the characters is very relatable like dealing with social anxiety, being afraid to open up to others or showing our true selves. You really feel for each character and become emotionally invested in their personal growth as they develop and become better versions of themselves.

Tokyo Mirage Sessions FE (4)

Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore is a JRPG that centers around Japanese Pop Culture like music, TV, and anime. It combines the gameplay of Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emblem with the essence of Persona. You take control of Itsuki, the main protagonist of the game. As Itsuki, you can move freely around the many locations of the game, including the streets of Tokyo like Shibuya and Harajuku and the illusory realms inside the Idolospheres as they become available.

At the start of the game, your party includes only Itsuki, Touma, and Tsubasa. More characters also known as Mirage Masters will join your party as you progress through the game, bringing the total to seven. Only three Mirage Masters can be in your main cast, with the other four as sub cast (support).

Tokyo Mirage Sessions FE (10)

You can swap any character between Main Cast and Sub Cast freely including in combat (except in certain battles that require particular characters), which doesn’t take up a turn. However, Itsuki can not be changed out and must remain in the Main Cast at all times.

Each Mirage Master has their own companion Mirage who helps them in battles by turning into weapons called ‘Carnage’. The Mirages are all characters from the Fire Emblem Series like Chrom, Caeda, and Cain. The carnage represents the weapon most commonly associated with them like Chrom and his Sword, Cain and Caeda with their lances, etc.

Tokyo Mirage Sessions FE (5)

When in battle, you can command each character one at a time in turns. You have the option to straight-up attack, use skills, items, change characters, run from battle or guard. Using Attack will administer a single attack with the character’s default weapon. After you have learned skills, you can use skills to do magical or physical damage to enemies at the cost of EP (Energy Points). If the enemy is weak against the particular attack, you will trigger a session combo that can get other characters to follow up on the attack on the monster.

Of course, this is only possible if the other characters have session skills that correspond with your skill. In the beginning, it can be a bit difficult to string long combos together but once you get further into the game, you will be able to do crazy damage and combos that involve your whole party, not just those in the main cast.

Tokyo Mirage Sessions FE (9)

The classic Fire Emblem weapon triangle is integrated into the combat (Sword beats Axe, Axe beats Lance, Lance beats Sword) as well as magical elemental attacks like fire, ice, wind and electric. Each opponent that you come across will have different weaknesses and resistances towards certain attacks, knowing which attacks to use is essential in defeating enemies swiftly before they can return a hurtful favor as they to can perform Session combos if they attack a character who has a weakness against the attack.

As well as Session combos, you can also perform Special Performances that can help do heavy damage against your opponents that can also trigger Sessions that can sometimes disregard resistances for maximum damage. You have to fill up your special gauge in order to perform Special Performances and the cost is different for each special attack.

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If you find yourself in a bit of a pickle with not having the skills to take foes, you can use items that the enemy may be weak against like Dart (Arrow), Hatchet (Axe) or Javelin (Lance). This also includes elemental items as well as Mabufu Stone, Mazan Stone or Maragi Stone. Using such items in this way can also initiate a Session so it is always handy to have some in your inventory just in case a situation calls for them.

Some attacks and items can also cause ailments like poison, charm, seal or confusion. These can be cured by using skills or items and it is not wise to let the effects go untreated. Failing to treat ailments will only hinder you in the long run and will limit what you can do on later turns.

Tokyo Mirage Sessions FE (18)

As much fun as it is to explore the streets of Tokyo, your main priority is to venture inside Idolospheres and take on the big bad boss that awaits for you there. The Idolospheres work like dungeons in that there are several floors and rooms for you to explore and puzzles to solve. It can take a while working out where to go but at certain points, you will find warp points that can help you traverse through the dungeon much easier (once you find them first, that is).

There is a gradual increase in enemy levels as you venture deeper and deeper into each Idolosphere. While it isn’t completely essential to slay every single monster in your path, you do need to grind on them in order to increase your own characters’ levels. Your cast of characters earn experience as well as mastery of weapon skills and improve their Stage Rank by taking part in battles. This allows them to become stronger and use special skills that can trigger the aforementioned Session combos and do more damage to enemies.

Tokyo Mirage Sessions FE (7)

As you progress through the side stories and main story, you will learn Ab-lib performances for your characters that activate randomly during combat. It can make your standard skill more powerful and can attack multiple opponents. Whilst Session Combos can stem on from Ab-Lib performances as well, they can activate regardless of a follow-on attack.

Later on, players will also be treated to Duo Arts. These are special performances that can randomly become available during Session Combos. These can do heavy damage, heal your party and/or cause Status ailments on the enemy. By pressing L or R after given the prompt, the Duo-Art will activate at the end of the current Session Combo. The combo can sometimes carry on after the Duo-Art and if players are really lucky, they might get another Duo-Art Prompt to further rack up their combo. My record to date is a Session Combo of 26 of which the current record is 27.

Tokyo Mirage Sessions FE (14)

Being a JRPG, there is quite a lot to sink your teeth into. Whilst the Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore is considered to be on the short side in comparison to other Shin Megami Tensei titles, there are around 50 hours of gameplay to be had, including the main story, side stories, requests, and the EX content.

I spoke of Skills, Carnage, and Performa earlier and now I shall talk more about them. All the weapons in the game are called Carnage and can be forged by Tiki via Carnage Unity in the Bloom Palace. In order to create these weapons, essences known as Performa has to be required from other Mirages (enemies) and Prestige (which is also obtainable after slaying Mirages).

Tokyo Mirage Sessions FE (15)

New weapons allow your characters to learn new skills. There are four skills that can be learned from each weapon and can be any one of three types: Command Skills, Session Skills, and Passive Skills. Command Skills are active attacks that you can choose to afflict on your enemies. Session Skills allow another character to follow up on a particular Command Skill by one of their comrades. The more variety of Session Skills that each character has can influence how large a Session combo you can rack up.

Passive Skills, on the other hand, can provide a resistance to a particular status ailment, an increase in weapon expertise or evasion and even stat increases in Strength, Defence, Skill, etc. Each character has 6 slots in each Skill type. In the beginning, it is not too much of an issue to fill them all up but around Mid-game, you will find yourself improving on skills you have learned or swapping out some skills for better ones.

Tokyo Mirage Sessions FE (3)

As well as these types of skills available through Carnage Unity, every character has another set of skills, that can be obtained via Radiant Unity. These skills include permanent buffs to your characters like HP gain, Increase in Strength, lower you EP, a better chance at Critical hits, as well as other perks. These can’t be obtained with Mirage Performa though. These skills require special Performa that can be radiated from each character by completing Side Stories or found in hidden treasure boxes inside Idolospheres. You will also need Prestige in order to obtain them so you may need to wail on some enemy Mirages to grind for them.

As well as Carnage Unity and Radiant Unity, Tiki can also perform Class Changes to your own Mirage companions. This is late game stuff though but it allows you to make your characters even stronger. Each Mirage has two classes to choose from with different perks and can give you access to select weapons only available to their class.

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The previous DLC for the Wii U was included in Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore with the exception of certain content that was not included thanks to censorship. This content allows players to further strengthen their characters with additional Idolosphere Dungeons inside the Bloom Palace and outfits for them to wear.

The inclusion is a welcome one nonetheless as it adds a bit more gameplay as players have another way to level up their characters and learn skills quicker. Should game difficulty be an issue however, you can lower the difficulty at any time in the settings menu. You can even increase the difficulty if you feel like you want more challenge.

Tokyo Mirage Sessions FE (16)

During your free-roaming time, you can engage with some NPC’s that have requests and need your help. You can take these on as soon as they are available and they don’t interfere with the main story. Side stories, on the other hand, involve the main characters of the game and can help you learn new abilities with them and special performances. The one drawback is that you can only take on one side quest at a time.

When taking on requests or side quests, you will be interacting with multiple characters and may have to travel to different places on the map. This may be to find and pick up certain items, talk to certain characters and even to battle a certain number of enemies. You will sometimes have multiple-choice responses to choose from in conversations with particular characters but your responses don’t seem to have much of a consequence that affects later story development.

Tokyo Mirage Sessions FE (12)

To keep up with story developments, all the characters maintain contact with each other using an Instant Messaging system called Topic. Main Story and Side Story objectives can be found here and can help direct you to where you need to go. You can also receive messages that are not essential to the main plot but serve as reminders of what you should be doing.

Topic can also notify you of when a Carnage Unity or Radiant Unity is now available as well. It also grants access to the map section when you are having trouble pinpointing where you are. You don’t just have access to a map of where you are but of everywhere you have been. It can be a bit fiddly at times because it doesn’t bring up the map of where you are automatically. Instead, it shows the last map you were looking at last, which can be confusing at times.

Tokyo Mirage Sessions FE (17)

When out and about, there are a number of shops that you can visit in order to purchase items, food, clothing, and accessories. It is always handy to stop by these places when you can so you can be prepared for whatever may be thrown at you. Accessories bought from Chimbuya Jewellery help raise different stats when equipped to your characters. Food from the restaurants, café, and vending machines can heal your party and relieve them of their ailments.

Outfits, on the other hand, are purely cosmetic and don’t affect your armor or stats. This allows you to dress up your characters however you like without worrying about how it will affect their stats. Outfits can be earned three ways; being bought at the Anzu clothing store, found inside the Area of Aspiration and automatically throughout the game. Some extra outfits were added to the Switch version and include the likes of Joker from Persona 5 and the Officer’s Uniform from Fire Emblem: Three Houses.

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Okay, so where do I start with the audio of this game? Well firstly, the soundtrack itself is just sublime. It really encaptures the heart and spirit of Japanese Pop culture. The light orchestral tunes that you hear as you scurry around Shibuya and Harajuku are relaxing and charming. The music takes a more energetic approach as you enter the Idolospheres and during combat, you are welcomed with Pop Rock background M¡music to get really get the adrenaline going.

All Cutscenes and Character interactions are voiced in Japanese and while I could only understand what they were saying thanks to the English subtitles, I could feel that the Voices actors gave their all in this game. The characters didn’t sound forced or unenthused like someone simply reading their lines. The Voice actors really gave soul and personality of the characters.

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The visuals for this game truly are stunning. They are funky, colorful and vibrant. The art style that the developers have gone for is quite interesting as well. Crowds of people are shown as colored Silhouettes with NPC’s here and there that you can interact with as fully rendered people and creatures.

The Anime cutscenes are incredible to watch and extremely well done. There are few and far between and normally reserved for particular musical performances from certain characters. I would have loved to have seen more cutscenes in this style but at least there is an option to replay cutscenes back at the Fortuna Office when I want to watch them again.

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The character animations are very expressive with that enthusiastic flair that is quite common in Japanese Video Games, TV, Anime and other media. The way the characters behave and interact with each other is super exaggerated yet somewhat endearing and that you do feel like you are watching a Japanese Anime at times.

Performance-wise, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore is a much smoother and faster experience than the Wii U version. Startup and loading is far quicker as well as transitions between open world and combat. Combat animations are exceptionally smooth as well and I have yet to experience any noticeable lag or drops in frame rate.

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Now, I have never been really into JRPGs and when this game first came out on Wii U, I thought it was some kind of rhythm game with Pop Stars and Fire Emblem characters. I gave it a bit of a wide berth and never thought much of it. This may sound surprising to some of you as you know that Miketendo64 has prominently supported it on Social Media. This, of course, was due to our Editor-in-Chief Jack Longman who is a strong advocate for Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE.

When I learned that the game was coming to the Switch and the hype began to build up around it as well. I researched why this game is so important to others and when an opportunity came to review it, I decided it was time to give the game a second chance. I realized that I had made a huge mistake. A mistake in not playing it sooner as I am completely in love with this game.

Tokyo Mirage Sessions FE (24)

I was not into the whole Pop Idol thing, to begin with, and the first hour of the game didn’t wow me over. As I pressed on though, for the sake of my review, I became more interested in the characters, their relationships, how they face each hardship. I started to enjoy the gameplay and pulling off these crazy combos. I started to appreciate the effort and energy that went into making this game and realized why it meant so much to its fan base and why it needed a second chance on Switch.

The game is by no means perfect though. After exhausting every Side Story and Request, I found myself wanting more. Once the main story is beaten, there is no post-game content to keep players engaged. Maybe, if the game is successful on the Switch, it may get some additional DLC to stoke the flames a little longer but maybe, just maybe, we might get a sequel to follow up the events of the game with a new threat to face. Who Knows?

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Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore truly deserved its second debut. It is the best fun I have had in an JRPG in ages. It’s over-the-top, charming characters and addictive gameplay had me coming back again and again.

*A Digital code was provided by the Publisher for the purposes of this review

To check out more reviews by the Miketendo64 Review Team, feel free to click here.

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VINCENT AND THE NIGHT Dial Publishing, PenguinRandomHouse.

Friday, October 5, 2012

Big In Japan, SINCE 2010: The Original Nezo Art

Are you going to eat me?
 I haven't done this kind of daydream photos with Vincent since he's not as sound sleeper as Mila was, and as you can see, he has some skin problems too. His well-being is of course my priority. I'm having other creative things going around now, just wait for it ;)

( And of course I still have my new Fairy Tales -inspired When My Baby Dreams -book coming 2013!)

Today I found out about this new Nezo Art craze over Japan.
I gave first interviews to Japan in 2010, and here you can see Mila's daydreams featured in Japanese VOGUE 2011. So may I call myself creator of this new art scene?

Mila reading about her illustrated dreams.

  1. Inspiring the nations! Way to go adele. Especially me at

  2. He is adorable and you still have it my gorgeous friend.

  3. ///////So may I call myself creator of this new art scene?/////////
    yes, it is so.
    Good luck, Adele! Thanks for your idea! Now a also make photos with my children like you.

  4. Dear Adele! Please, see at my photoalbum @FAIRY SPACES@ on this site! I am from Russia, and I so thankful for your idea! I use paper figures, not woven things.

  5. Still a baby and reading Vouge, I think that's gonna be a problem when she grow up. Make her friend me in Facebook so we can go shopping. :)

  6. Cute meets funny (meets styling). :)

  7. Wow! I love the kid on a sushi. Nice effect. haha.

    Baby Trend Stroller

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text:
Miller Hull

Miller Hull Seattle Studio Renovation

Seattle, WA
In "walking the walk" we can share from our own experience designing an environmentally-minded contemporary work environment
Client The Miller Hull Partnership
Certifications Living Building Petal Certified (for Place, Materials, Equity and Beauty)
Size 14,000 SF
Completion 2016

After 13 years in the same place, we decided to rethink our Seattle studio work space. Overarching goals of renovation included a flexible, open environment reflective of who we are as design professionals:

  • Inspired by site—celebrating unparalleled views of the city, Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains
  • Programmatically innovative—providing engaging collaborative spaces that inspire our people without following trends
  • Stewards of our environment—Petal Certification achieved under the International Living Future Living Building Challenge program

To stay in the Pioneer Square location we love and accommodate growth without adding square footage, it was necessary to reduce individual work space, balanced by a range of meeting and pin-up spaces. Outstanding features are enhanced and benefit from the open plan; unobstructed perimeters preserve views and natural light contributing to well being and productivity for all, skylights illuminate center spaces, existing heavy timber structure and salvaged wood floors ground the space in nature and provide a neutral backdrop that does not compete for attention. A new kitchen relocated to the perimeter maximizes views in an energizing space to dine and mingle. Healthy habits are reinforced by providing alternative places to work that encourage people to move around. The design is simple, steering clear of “on trend” large-scale gestures, playful lounge zones, or ad hoc décor.

This renovation of a single floor in the historic Polson Building has achieved Petal certification under the Living Building Challenge for Place, Materials, Equity and Beauty petals. We are the first architecture firm to have achieved this for its own work space, as well as the only firm to have designed both a Petal certified project and an entire LBC certified building. This design effort informs and exemplifies the strength of our commitment to restorative design principles at any scale.

For more information regarding the Challenge:

Imperative:  Habitat Exchange
When selecting a piece of land for the Habitat Exchange, we had three chief requirements: work with an approved Land Trust Miller Hull supports, on local land–ideally public property–that our staff can visit. Through Forterra, an organization we support through our financial constructions and volunteer work, we found a piece of undeveloped shoreline on Anderson Island in Puget Sound.  Our exchange enabled Forterra to secure 18-acres of land supporting a delicate ecosystem of publically accessible marine forest with trails that is home to wildlife and fish including salmon, marine mammals and shellfish.

Imperative:  Red List
The Materials Petal is always challenging and although our team has experience with these Imperatives from previous Living Building Challenge certified projects, each project requires new energy and ingenuity.   Materials used are Red List free where possible.  Two key design requirements helped with these requirements.  First, we had reused building products and furnitureincluding wood flooring, ductwork, some furniture and equipment.  Second, our design aesthetic reduced finish materials.

In recent years there has been significant transformation from where it was during our first Living Building Challenge work. When Red List ingredients were discovered on our project, several manufacturers were willing to work with us to find safer alternatives. We also went to great lengths to avoid Red List ingredients in furniture including the commitment to custom design and fabricate all furniture, eliminating the need for any laminates.  Through this process, we educated many craftspeople and suppliers that had never heard of the Red List or considered its ingredients in their products.  We consider this a great success

Imperative:  Embodied Carbon Footprint
The renovation was designed to reuse major existing components including the salvaged wood flooring, existing structure and most of the ductwork and even window shades. In addition to reuse, superfluous materials such as ceilings, partitions and more were eliminated. Materials used were kept to a minimum with more than 66%, originating within 310 miles of our office. Apart from a few unavoidable metal studs, the majority of our structural members are extremely low-carbon glue-laminated beams or columns.  Minimal use of gypsum board and other finishes ensured an overall low carbon footprint.  Our calculation in the Athena Impact Estimator concluded less than 10 tons of CO2, offset through a partnership with 3Degrees.

Imperative: Responsible Industry
As an interior renovation project, primary interaction with this Imperative was through the FSC-certified lumber. All wood used in the project from structure to furniture is FSC-certified.

 Imperative:  Living Sourcing Economy
More than 66% of the materials used on our project came from within 310 miles of our site. Some of the most notable are glulam beams and columns, skylights, gypsum board, lighting and custom-fabricated furniture.  Additionally, several reused items included wood flooring and some wall panels.

Imperative: Equitable Investment
Miller Hull supports our community and issues through charitable and volunteer contributions. See our CONNECT page for more information.

Imperative: JUST Organization
The Miller Hull Partnership is a JUST organization. More information about how are firm meets program criteria can be found here:

Imperative: Beauty & Spirit
The goal of the renovation was to create a flexible open workplace that fosters collaboration and innovation, reflects the highest environmental design standards, highlights the site’s unique attributes, is timeless, and provides a place where our diverse clientele can be inspired to create with us unique solutions that are specific to their needs and a reflection of who they are. The design enhances outstanding features of the space. Open perimeter workstations preserve spectacular, unobstructed views of Elliott Bay, Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains while welcoming abundant natural light.

Also included is artwork made by founding partner, Bob Hull.  Bob was so creative–always drawing and making things.  He had an amazing way of balancing serious architecture without being too serious.  Many of the things he made were fun and are included to remind us of the easy-going spirit he brought to office culture.


text:
More about us and Mind42

Mind42 is built on top of many different open-source projects, services and orgnaizations. Without them, projects like this would not be possible. Following is a list of the most important projects and I'm sure we missed some (please forgive us). We sincerely thank the following projects:

Company info

You can contact us by writing an e-mail to

Mind42 is provided by Stefan Schuster -

Stefan Schuster
Kaltenbäckgasse 1/8
1140 Wien

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text:
Mindwrap Releases Optix® Server Version 7

Mindwrap, inc. – a leading provider of document management and workflow solutions - today announced version 7 of their Optix Server. Optix 7 includes several enhancements, including major performance improvements and convenience features, which strengthen core Optix components. mindwrap plans to demonstrate the new functionality at the upcoming Macworld Conference and Exposition, January 11-14, 2005, at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, CA in booth #1448.

The new release features significant upgrades to Optix Workflow to improve metadata handling and to streamline work lists. Optix 7 also includes server logging enhancements which provide an automated mechanism for maintaining long-term logs for reporting and auditing. In addition, the new release will boost the power of Optix Web by reducing reliance on client-side Java to allow even easier deployment. Plus, Optix 7 adds useful convenience features, such as a “recently used” folder for users.

According to Jim Small, mindwrap President “With Optix 7, our current customers – especially larger enterprises – will enjoy critical performance gains, including a faster workflow engine, support for larger work lists, improved log management, and shortcuts to quickly access recently retrieved and stored files and folders. Plus, the new release makes our popular Optix suite even more attractive to prospective customers. These functionality improvements ensure that Optix is keeping pace with the demands of today’s sophisticated document management and workflow users.”

Optix 7 is the latest version of mindwrap’s world-class Optix solution, which is in place at top-name educational, commercial, and government organizations. Optix is renowned for its unrivalled support for Macintosh and Windows platforms, rich functionality, ease of use, and rapid deployment. Installation and training times for Optix are usually measured in days instead of months. Optix empowers system administrators and end users with a powerful set of intuitive tools to quickly create and deploy new, secure applications. Optional modules support web-based query, viewing, and workflow operations.

Optix 8


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Either an entire building briefly vanished, or I just wasn't looking hard enough. It was probably the latter.

Yesterday I had to mail out a package and run to the bank before hitting up the gym. Typically I'm a Sauk Rapids Post Office kind of person, but with my bank stop also on the to-do list, I figured it would be easier to go to the Sartell location. I knew the general location of the post office, and a quick Google search told me it was across from the bowling alley. Easy enough to find, or so I thought.

I was driving across the bridge, past Kwik Trip, and suddenly I'm past the bowling alley and Winners, totally missing the post office.

Where was that burnt red building I was looking for?

Since I had already passed where I KNEW the building was located, I just carried on and went to the bank and the gym. I wasn't in the mood to turn around, so I just carried on and went to the Sauk Rapids post office on my way home.

I'm well aware that this is the biggest blonde moment ever. Believe me, I'm embarrassed to my core that I mapped out my afternoon based on a post office on a main road I've driven hundreds of times, that I somehow couldn't find.

The point of sharing this story is just to put it out there. We all have those days. It's OK. We're all human, and we will find that post office next time.

Also, a big shout out to all postal workers. Everyone that I have ever met has always been so kind. You guys have busy jobs this time of year and deserve recognition for your hard work!

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Quick Answer: What Country Has The Lowest Birth Rate?

Which country has the youngest population in the world?

NigerNiger, in Western Africa, has the world’s youngest population.

Half of Niger’s population is 14 or younger, and the median age is 15.

Niger is one of the world’s poorest countries and ranks last on the UN Human Development Index..

What race has the lowest sperm count?

Black men had significantly lower semen volume, sperm concentration and total motile sperm counts than White and Hispanic/Latino men. Semen parameters were marginally higher in men who achieved pregnancy more quickly but differences were small and not statistically significant.

What are the 3 human races?

The main human races are Caucasoid, Mongoloids (including Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, and American Indians, etc.), and Negroid. Khoisanoids or Capoids (Bushmen and Hottentots) and Pacific races (Australian aborigines, Polynesians, Melanesians, and Indonesians) may also be distinguished.

How many babies are born every day in China?

The number of births decreased from 15.23 million in 2018 and 17.23 million in 2017. Although the Chinese population has been growing for decades and is still growing at a slow pace, the annual number of births in China has been nearly stable for two decades now, ranging at around 16 million births per year since 2002.

Which country has the lowest birth rate 2019?

Countries with the highest total fertility rates are Niger (7.0 average births for each woman), Chad (6.0), and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (6.0). The lowest total fertility rates are in South Korea (1.0), Singapore (1.1), and Taiwan (1.1).

Which country is losing the most population?

India is expected to overtake China as the most populous country in the world by 2100, according to the new study. This is despite the fact that the size of its population is expected to decline from today’s numbers – dropping from 1.3 billion in 2017 to less than 1.1 billion at the end of the century, researchers say.

What age is the most fertile?

A woman’s best reproductive years are in her 20s. Fertility gradually declines in the 30s, particularly after age 35. Each month that she tries, a healthy, fertile 30-year-old woman has a 20% chance of getting pregnant.

How many babies are born every minute?

250 babiesThere are on average about 250 babies born every minute – more than 130 million in a year. It is projected that there will be 11 billion people by 2100.

Are birth rates going down?

The U.S. birth rate – which measures the number of births per 1,000 women and girls between the ages of 15 and 44 in a given year – sat at 58.2 in 2019 for another record low, according to the report. Its continual decline has been driven in part by a 73% plummet in the teen birth rate since 1991.

What is the fastest shrinking country in the world?

The UN Population Division projects that Bulgaria will lose 23% of its population by 2050 – a projection so high that the country is neck-and-neck with Lithuania for the fastest shrinking population in the world.

How many babies are born in each country?

List of countries by number of birthsRankCountryNumber of births (in thousands) 2015–20201India126,1202China81,7303Nigeria36,9064Pakistan27,226159 more rows

Which countries need immigrants?

A global survey released in 2016 ranked Sweden as the best country to be an economic immigrant.Countries That Accept the Most Migrants. … Sweden. … The Netherlands. … Italy. … Australia. … France. … Canada. … Spain.More items…

Which country has the highest death rate 2019?

LesothoSecondary NavigationRankCountry(DEATHS/1,000 POPULATION)1Lesotho15.002Lithuania14.603Bulgaria14.504Latvia14.5088 more rows

Which country in Europe has the lowest birth rate?

GermanyGermany has the lowest birth rate in Europe with 8.221 births per thousand people per year.

What is the poorest country in the Europe?

Financial and social rankings of sovereign states in EuropeLuxembourg is home to an established financial sector as well as one of Europe’s richest populations.Despite having the highest GDP growth rate in Europe, Moldova is among its poorest states, and also has Europe’s smallest GDP per capita.More items…

What race is the most fertile?

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander women had the highest fertility rate of any ethnicity in the United States in 2018, with about 2,106.5 births per 1,000 women. The fertility rate for all ethnicities in the U.S. was 1,729.5 births per 1,000 women.

What country has the oldest population?

JapanThe Top 50 Countries With the Largest Percentage of Older AdultsRankCountry# total population (in millions)1Japan126.182Italy60.343Finland5.524Portugal10.2746 more rows•Mar 23, 2020

Why are birth rates so low in Europe?

Several factors are thought to be driving that decline in Western Europe: socioeconomic incentives to delay childbearing; a decline in the desired number of children; and institutional factors, such as labor market rigidities, lack of child care, and changing gender roles. …

Are birth rates decreasing?

The U.S. birth rate declined to 11.59 births per 1,000 women in 2018.

Which country has the lowest birth rate 2018?

TaiwanAccording to the CIA’s The World Factbook, the country with the highest birth rate is Niger at 6.49 children born per woman and the country with the lowest birth rate is Taiwan, at 1.13 children born per woman.

Which country has the most birth rate?

NigerIn 2017, the fertility rate in Niger was estimated to be 6.49 children per woman. With a fertility rate of almost 7 children per woman, Niger is the country with the highest fertility rate in the world followed by Mali.


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Gun Ownership: The 2013 Numbers Are In

In the July 2014 edition of the Michigan Open Carry Newsletter I presented a detailed analysis of private firearms ownership in the United States.  I estimated that, as of a year ago, conservatively we probably have well over 350 million guns in this country.  That prediction was based on my estimate of 15 million firearms being manufactured/imported/sold in the United States in 2013.

Well, the official 2013 numbers are now in.  (The ATF is always one year behind, and this year they were very late).  Not only did the numbers meet my expectation, they exceeded it by a good margin.  I expected at least 15 million new guns in 2013, and in fact there were nearly 16.4 million.  (If you read the report from the ATF will might think there were more than 16.4 million, but the report has an addition error in it.  Either that or one of the numbers is transcribed incorrectly. Yes, I do the math so you don't have to).

So how do the numbers turn out?

Between 2008 and 2013 Americans manufactured, imported, and for all practical purposes purchased over 64 million guns.  If you add the estimated 2014 numbers in, we’re at about 80 million new guns just in the last six years alone.  If you look at what’s happened since Barack Obama took office in January 2009, you can see how the numbers have skyrocketed.

Data from the BATFE’s “Firearms Commerce in the United States Annual Statistical Update” and the U.S. International Trade Commission. Graph by author

What is even more interesting, though, is the rapid rise in NFA items being manufactured and purchased by citizens.  For more details, read the report yourself.  In 2015 we are just now beginning to see normalcy return to firearms and ammunition availability and pricing.  But that has only been achieved through the highly elevated output manufacturers have risen to really over the last three years.  Although we don’t have the domestic firearms manufacturing numbers in for 2014 yet, we do have the NICS checks numbers in and they are still running strong.  We may be at a new normalcy of 14 – 16 million new gun sales per year for a while.  Only time will tell.  I still predict that we will easily shatter the 400 million mark well before this decade is out.

If you are interested in a more complete analysis of gun ownership and who is buying guns, please read my original article in the July 2014 issue of the Michigan Open Carry Newsletter.

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Evaluators give speakers positive feedback, encouragement, and suggestions for improvement.

Before the Meeting

  • Contact the speaker and ask their speech topic and title; Path and project title, and personal objectives.  Ask for the Evaluator’s Resource Guide for the speech.
  • Review the project goals and what the speaker or leader hopes to achieve. Evaluation requires careful preparation if the speaker is to benefit. Study the project objectives as well as the evaluation guide. Remember, the purpose of the evaluation is to help people develop their speaking skills in various situations.

During the Meeting

  • When you arrive at the meeting, speak briefly with the general evaluator to let him or her know that you are present.  If you haven’t already done so, give him your introduction.
  • Retrieve the Evaluation Resource Guide from the speaker and ask one last time if he or she has any specific goals in mind.
  • Record your impressions in the Evaluation Resource Guide, along with your answers to the evaluation questions. Be as objective as possible.  By actively listening, providing reinforcement for their strengths and gently offering useful advice, you motivate members to work hard and improve. When you show the way to improvement, you’ve opened the door to strengthening their ability.
  • Remember that good evaluations may give new life to discouraged members and poor evaluations may dishearten members who tried their best.   Always provide specific methods for improving and present them in a positive manner.
  • Take the podium when introduced. Though you may have written lengthy responses to manual evaluation questions, don’t read the questions or your responses. Your verbal evaluation time is limited to 3 minutes. Don’t try to cover too much in your talk; two or three points is plenty.
  • Begin and end your evaluation with a note of encouragement or praise. Commend a successful speech and describe specifically how it was successful. Don’t allow the speaker to remain unaware of a valuable asset such as a smile or a sense of humor. Likewise, don’t permit the speaker to remain ignorant of a serious fault: if it is personal, write it but don’t mention it aloud. Give the speaker deserved praise and tactful suggestions in the manner you would like to receive the

 After the meeting

Return the Evaluation Resource Guide to the speaker. Add another word of encouragement and answer any questions the member may have. By giving feedback, you are personally contributing to your fellow members’ improvement.  Preparing and presenting evaluations is also an opportunity for you to practice your listening, critical thinking, feedback and motivation skills. And when the time comes to receive feedback, you’ll have a better understanding of the process.

People join Toastmasters to improve their speaking and leadership skills, and these skills are improved with the help of evaluations. Members complete projects in Pathways, and you may be asked to evaluate their work. At some point, everyone is asked to participate by providing an evaluation. You will provide both verbal and written evaluations for speakers using the guide in the manual.


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Mises Wire

Politicians' COVID Mania Ravages Maryland

Media and CultureThe Police State

James Bovard reports form Maryland, where the COVID-19 lockdowns have decimated employment and the rules only apply to powerless ordinary people. Cops and politicians can do as they like.

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Police Are Complicit in Politicians' Disregard for the Rule of Law

Police have long shown a preference for enforcing petty laws against petty offenders. After all, real violent criminals fight back. The current COVID-19-induced crackdown on business owners has made things even worse.

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Politicians Have Destroyed Markets and Ignored Human Rights with Alarming Enthusiasm

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Politicians and media have combined with an obedient and frightened electorate to abolish civil liberties and destroy the markets that are so key to fighting poverty.

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Praxeology and Mathematical Logic

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Some argue that praxeology's deductions should be formalized using mathematical logic, but such an approach would be inappropriate for human action, whose axioms are known.

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Preface to Anatomy of the Crash

The FedBusiness Cycles

One of the important aims of the Anatomy of the Crash is to highlight the truly global nature of the monetary policy failings since 2008—not simply critiquing the actions of the Federal Reserve, but their colleagues at the European Central Bank, the Bank of Japan, and elsewhere.

Read More

Price Controls Mean Shortages, Even during Pandemics

Price Controls

Despite many attempts at doing so, governments have never been able to conjure up more goods and services through price controls and other regulations.

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Politicians Have Used This Crisis to Remind Us They're Mostly Wannabe Dictators

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From small villages to Capitol Hill, politicians are using every opportunity to void the Bill of Rights and abolish all limits on their power.

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Politicians Are Calling for Lots of "Bold" Plans. Watch Out.

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With both major political parties seemingly uninterested in the long-term fiscal stability of the United States, the only near-term solution for the spendthrift class in Washington, DC, is to either raise taxes or spend recklessly.

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Wardrobe Wednesday + a Jingle

Two things first:

1) We rented Kung Fu Panda the other night, so, of course, I’ve had “Kung Fu Fighting” bouncing around in my head for two days.

2) You probably know, if you’ve seen any of my other Wardrobe Wednesdays posts, that I have a serious love affair going with Goodwill.  Well, so does my best friend, Mandy (you can see some of her favorite finds in her post here), and as I was toodling around doing dishes to my kicky mental soundtrack this morning (where’s “It’s a Small World” when you need it?), I remembered something she said the other day…

…and I quote: “When I go to Goodwill, I always feel like I’m racing against everybody else in the store who’s my same size.”

And just like that, the real words to Kung Fu Fighting melted away and were replaced by these.

In its inaugural post in the blogosphere, I give you:

Goodwill Fighting

♫ Everybody was Goodwill fighting

You know you gotta be fast as lightning

Although the sweaters are a little bit frightening

The good deals make it worth Goodwill fighting ♫

Yeah…that’s all I’ve got.

And now, for our regularly scheduled program (just for you guys, I brought back the Cuteness herself, Miss Della).

I double-dog-dare you not to smile when you see that face!

Top/Dress: Factory Connection ($9), Jeans: Express/Marshall’s ($17), Shoes: Payless ($8)—oh, and they’re still for sale online in limited sizes here!

TOTAL: $34

Top/Dress: Goodwill ($3), Jeans: Gap outlet ($17), Shoes: Goodwill ($3), Belt: Gap ($3)

TOTAL: $26

Okay, so apparently, I have a thing for wearing dresses over pants…at least when said dresses would otherwise be a wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen without said pants. I did it first here, and I doubt I’ll be stopping anytime soon! So there! See? You can have your cake and wear it too…or something…like that.

Striped orange undershirt: Walmart ($1), Top: Goodwill ($3), Shorts: Gap/Goodwill ($4), Shoes: Old Navy ($6)

TOTAL: $14 (Can you tell it was REEEEALLY bright out when we took these pics?)

This pic is out-of-order, but whatev. This was a rare “night out” for me and Mandy (yes, the same Mandy who prompted my above burst of song-writing) because we have 7 children, ages 7 and under, between us.  Done gasping? Good. This blog was not designed to give anyone a heart attack.

We heard Sheila Walsh speak (she’s funny) at my church and then had dinner at Carino’s. Whaaat? (My husband and anyone else who has ever seen Psych is chuckling right now).

As soon as I sat down, Mandy lifted up the super-long hem of her jeans and revealed yet another reason why we’re such good friends. And no, we neither planned this nor knew beforehand that the other had gotten these shoes. Turns out, she had hers first, but I got mine on bigger clearance. ; )

Honestly, I didn’t love this outfit, but I had approximately 3.5 minutes to throw something together and run out the door before I was late to teach my Body Combat class.  I didn’t even iron it.  My super-sweet, amazingly patient husband did (I love you, baby, and not just because you helped me be wrinkle-free that night!).  Notice the ornery tail of my belt, flailing and practically screaming, “I do NOT approve of this ensemble and am only here because my buckle won’t let me loose!”

But the important thing is that I was clothed (I hear that…okay, enough with the Psych references), and we had a good time!

Top: Beall’s ($5), Skirt: Gap outlet ($7), Belt: Goodwill ($1), Shoes: Payless ($8)

TOTAL: $21

Top: Gap ($6), Shorts: Gap/Goodwill ($3), Belt: Gap ($3) Shoes: Beall’s ($11)

TOTAL: $23

Hope everybody has a superb rest of your Wednesday! Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for Thoughtful Thursday (MORE pics of Della. Yeah, I know. That was shameless).

Oh, and if you feel like a little DIY inspiration, check out the tufted ottoman I posted about yesterday. I’m so proud of it, I’m thinking about naming it and introducing it as my 4th kid.

Linking up with:

pleated poppy

Real Momma, Real Style

0 thoughts on “Wardrobe Wednesday + a Jingle

  1. Great mainly because this particular grew to become a tremendously great post. Finding the time and also exact energy to build superb article… however exactly what do My personal partner and also my partner and i say… My personal partner and also my partner and i in shape things aside an exceptional sum and also don’t be capable of receive just about anything at all completed.

  2. The red outfit is my favorite! I found your blog through Design Dazzle and noticed you have an adorable little Della! We have a Della too (short for Delphine) although she has much, much less hair than yours. She is too cute! Where did you get that dress Della is wearing?

  3. OK, thanks! You wear so many cute/pretty nail colors…maybe you could include those in your list of what you are wearing??

  4. I’m so glad I found your blog! I too am a Goodwill-obsessed girl and love all your looks! Yay for cute clothes and GOODWILL!! Happy shopping! 🙂 ps. found you through the Pleated Poppy.

  5. Love your blog! I saw the link to your tufted ottoman. I am a huge huge Goodwill lover! Yea for Goodwill hunting.

  6. I KNOW! Even outside of the modesty issue, there’s the whole practicality issue. I mean, really? You want to sit down on a bench and have nothing between you and the germs? Really? You want everyone seeing everything ever time there’s a slight breeze? I don’t get it either.

  7. I was going to say that it would be really nice if it did (rub off, that is), but then it occurred to me it would only be nice for you because I don’t live near any fashion icons. unless you count Britney Spears from one state over or maybe Carrie Underwood, and I’m not a big fan of pink wigs or really big blonde hair, or exposed underwear, or…no underwear. So yeah, maybe it wouldn’t be such a good thing.

  8. Sadly for me, just living near fashion icons doesn’t mean the ability rubs off. I’m okay with basics but I can’t accessorize.

  9. I hear you on the short dresses over jeans… some friends and I went to Forever21 the other night and I seriously could not believe some of the dresses. I tried one on (thinking it was a shirt) and it seriously did not cover my rear section! Then I saw it was labeled as a dress…
    Awesome post as always!

  10. Stefanie, I am cracking up at the thought that you, the urbane blogger from Brooklyn, wants me, the chick from the E. Texas sticks, to consult on your closet. But, seriously, the answer is: yes. How’s next Thursday for you? : )

  11. I LOVE the way you dress. Can I just borrow your clothes please? I am loving all the teal in these pics. And that is so cute that your bestie and you showed up wearing the same shoes. :0)

  12. I’m watching Psych as I type right now. ; ) Oh, and as far as the prices for everything, I really do remember most of it (believe me, it’s taking up space in my brain that way more important stuff should be), but sometimes I might be off by a dollar or two, and in the case of the Goodwill stuff, they tend to price their things by category, so all their dresses are $6 for the most part, and all skirts are $4, etc.

  13. Ah ha ha! You’re cracking me up, Hannah. Looks like you did figure it out, though. Congratulations! I’m terrible at technological snafus and usually have to go get my husband to help me, sadly enough!
    Oh, and I don’t know about specific days to go to Goodwill, but I do know that the best time to go is early, and it’s important to look at the separate racks (instead of the regular aisles) they have out before they get picked over.

  14. Thanks, Melissa! And how sad not to be able to wear red lipstick?! It’s the bomb! Maybe you just haven’t found the right shade? Though it sounds like you’ve been looking a while, and you wouldn’t definitely know better than I would! Here’s hoping you find your shade someday!

  15. And how in the world do you remember how much you pay for every single item? Are these purchases recent or you just have an amazing memory, even after having 3 kids? Inquiring minds need to know. 😉

  16. I LOVE the Psych reference! It’s one of our all time favorite shows! Beautiful wardrobe, as always. I love wearing dresses with jeans too!

  17. Ok, I’m trying to figure out how to get my husband’s name off my profile. Sorry to be jacking up your comments section, but it’s really bugging me, so I’m trying to post again.

  18. I’m so inspired now to shop at Goodwill!! I’ve always gone there looking for furniture to re-do but have never taken the time to shop for clothes….until now! I was there last Friday and it was reeeeeally crowded. Is that “the day” to go? I’ve always heard people say that each store has a certain day of the week you should shop for the good stuff, but I don’t remember who these people are, so I can’t ask them which day that is for the Tyler Goodwill! Do you know??

  19. love them all, especially the first one!!

    Not hard to see why Della is SO cute, just look at her mama!!

  20. You look amazing in every pic! And that baby of yours…I couldn’t stop smiling. 🙂

  21. You and lil Miss are too adorable! LOVE all your outfits, LOVE that you are thrifty and you look so effortless and stylish doing it! My fave is the $3.00 goodwill dress!

  22. Very cute outfits… I love the turquoise nail polish and your red lipstick… oh how I WISH I could wear red lipstick… I have been trying ever since No Doubt hit the scene wayy back when… yes, for that long.. it just doesn’t work on me. (Wah!) Your accessories are fab as well!

    Following from WIWW.

  23. Um, seriously love all the colors you’ve got going on here. First and second outfits are my faves. Way to go on the GW finds!

    PS. Delia is one of my favorite names ever. It’s the name of the town in Sicily that my grandfather is from so it’s top of the line for first daughter name. 😉

I love hearing from you guys!


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This World

Posted on

This world is a heart
fed from the nuzzle of a mother’s breast.
Its murmur is a father’s gentle song,
one whose arms reach out before a fallen
tear can bury itself in the sand.

Its arteries are our highways, as
opaque as they are to the earth beneath,
without them, are we not pigeons without wings,
moths without a moon?

The blood is love. But blood isn’t love.
No, if we take in one as our own,
it does the same. The world took us in
so long ago.

Join us at dVerse Poets Pub as we imagine our own world.

The sky’s the limit..or is it? It’s my pleasure to be hosting this week’s Poetics.

Doors open at 3 p.m.

14 responses »

  1. I love these beautiful metaphors and evocative images!

  2. We do have to trust the world, but can the world trust us?… sooner or later all mother’s expect its children to have learned something.

  3. If the world is a heart, it must be breaking.

  4. Your descriptions of the parents are so comforting, Mish.

  5. Glenn A. Buttkus

    Nice, you managed to speak of the world without the stigma of revealing the dark side; quite a feat.

  6. yes we must respect those who have nurtured us …

  7. This is such a comforting poem, Mish, with the ‘nuzzle of a mother’s breast’ and ‘a father’s gentle song’. I love the alliteration on ’m’ in the phrase ‘moths without a moon’, as if the world is humming along.

  8. I really enjoyed this Mish. ‘Its arteries are our highways’ I love thinking of it that way. 🙂💕

  9. That last line is so lovely.

  10. Nice description: “moths without a moon”

  11. This is really beautifully written, with such tender metaphors.

  12. It’s fitting that the heart of your exquisite poem is in the beginning line of the opening stanza, my favorite stanza. I love the visuals you used.

  13. The last line wrapped it all up beautifully.

  14. Stunning opening stanza, and photo.

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mucked up

Posted on

you planted me

in richest soils

spoke in sunshine-lies

I smiled through shadows, weeds

naive to your gnarly roots

creeping ’round my garden-heart

I forgave the rain

ripping petals one by one

but God sees your ways

and I will bloom

without you

44 words of poetry including the word “garden”.

We are honoured to have Victoria C. Slotto hosting our Quadrille prompt.

Doors open at 3 p.m. EST.

dVerse Poets Pub

Image credit:

20 responses »

  1. The resilience of every flower is amazing I think… bloom they know how to do despite the rain.

  2. Gnarly roots hiding under the soil is a great way to put it.

  3. You had me at the title, Mish. That is perfect in its own right!

    “I smiled through shadows, weeds
    naive to your gnarly roots
    creeping ’round my garden-heart…”

    I love these fascinating, heartbreaking lines. This whole poem is the perfect analogy on perseverance in spite of the circumstances. That is very powerful and impactful writing entwined in the beauty of your words. Absolutely beautiful writing and a great take on the prompt. I enjoyed it greatly!

  4. Those last three lines really drive home the perseverance and gives it such weight. Beautiful Mish.

  5. Apply this to people and such a profound metaphor. This is a wonderful, well-thought-out poem, Mish. I think the fact that you personified the flower makes it so strong.

  6. Glenn A. Buttkus

    Life finds a way, doesn’t it? Clever, giving the plant the first person. Reminds me of weeds growing up through a crack in concrete.

  7. I read this as an allegory….a person naive to another’s gnarly roots, and the affirming decision to bloom alone.
    On second reading, I’m reminded of the phrase “bloom where ever you are planted.” 🙂

  8. Such a strong and awe inspiring sense of resilience in this one, Mish! 💝💝

  9. I love the resilience and defiance in this one. Blooming despite it all.

  10. I love the images in your sad poem of the tending the heart. Your ending is perfect!

  11. Lovely, working on both levels. I like the resilience of the flower/person.

  12. Strength and determination, important to new growth.

  13. Luv the defiance in your promise of cultivation
    Happy Wednesday

  14. yes persistence in the face of obstacles … we all need that now!
    well composed Mish

  15. woah! that powerful ending made my day. such strength!

  16. The truth always comes out in the end. A poignant extended metaphor, rich with luscious imagery!

  17. Oh how delightfully contrary is this flower! I adore its defiant sass. Those last three lines nail it. Like humanity in the world of COVID, we’re digging in deep and surviving, so there!

  18. The strength in this gives me hope.

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Tag Archives: tranquility

The Hush

Posted on

It’s the space between steps

hollow of waves curling

gleam of seagull’s wings

  the slow

                  slipping off lips

as clouds collage in peach

and magenta

It’s the wander

without map or path

where trees speak in tongues

of nature lover’s dreams

A Quadrille for

dVerse Poet’s Pub

 Lillian has offered us “tranquility”

to include in our 44 word poems.

You can join in too!

Weekly Photo Challenge: Window

Posted on

Copy of window

“Solace is neither here nor there. You can find it in a quiet corner or a walk through the forest. No window or door can separate you from the beating of your own heart. You only need to listen.”


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Smiling african businessman talking with female colleague while working at his desk. Young business professionals working in office.


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Lesson 1 of 0
In Progress

Performance Tune Up | Matthew Bratsis | EGIA Financial Clearinghouse | Week 11

Joseph Vitalis October 23, 2020

Matthew Bratsis

Matthew Bratsis is the vice president, contractor services for the well-known finance house EGIA. Matthew has an extensive education and experience within the industry. With a background in operations, underwriting, marketing, sales and a distinct focus on educating contractors to use energy efficient equipment, he is a relationship builder that packs a punch. It is vital to develop relationships and partnerships based on the mutual terms of trust and integrity and to incorporate a growth mindset into the equation.


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Leanna Book 3

COPYRIGHT © 2017 Miu

 All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the Author.

This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

All pictures and multimedia used are not the author’s work and doesn’t claim any legal rights.

MATURE CONTENT and VULGAR words not suited for young readers below eighteen (18) years old.

Chapter 7: Shameless

I asked Zoe as she kept staring at me. Specifically, starring at my boobs.

I can see why Cain Fay fell for you,” she murmured.

I smiled and proudly pushed my breasts more. Believe it or not, Cain and I havent had sex yet.”

Zoe looked at me with wide eyes while Estela held her chin and frowned.

You! You! Zoe jabbed a finger at me. Are you even a woman?! Every woman wants to bed Cain Fay, and you still havent?! And you dare call yourself his lover?! You are an enemy to all women!

I flinched at her accusation.

Zoe grabbed her hair in a dramatic portrayal of agony. Agh! Why?! Why?! Why you?!

She grabbed my shoulders and stared me in the eyes. Give Cain Fay to me! Just one night! One night! I will do justice to all women out there!

I couldnt exactly blame her. I knew how strong Cains allure. Especially to women.

At first, I was scared and hesitant from his advances. Thinking that once he got what he wanted from me, he would stop loving me. But when he did stop his advances and took a step back, I felt annoyed and angry instead.

So I thickened my skin and swallowed my shame as I took advantage of him. Even my reason and morals were shouting to rape him.

Thats how deadly his charms are.

*sigh . . .

Women, chased them, and theyd get angry. But stop, and theyd still get mad.

Its not my fault. Cain made a vow only to have sex after were married. There is nothing I can do if the other party doesnt want to do it.”

I didnt know why, but I was comfortable telling these kinds of things to Zoe and Estela maybe because they were very open about their feelings to me.

Zoe took a sharp intake of air. Leanna, there are plenty of ways to get what you wanted even without the consent of the other party.”

Like?I asked.

Zoe snickered evilly. Drug him.”

We jumped from our seat when Estelas palms hit the table, causing the other students to glance in our direction. We were in the school cafeteria eating our lunch, so that explains the many gazes our way.

Outrageous! Youre going to drug my brother?

Estela squinted her eyes at us. She then rubbed her palms together while her big eyes sparkled in delight.

When? Leanna, I have many contacts who can provide you with high-level aphrodisiacs. Even my brother will not be able to sniff them. Just say the magic words.”

Estela snickered darkly. She and Zoe stared at me like a pair of hungry, deprived she-wolves.

We will help you, but in turn, you have to tell us every detail on how Cain Fay is on the bed.” Zoe licked her lips. Her ragged breathing was palpable even from miles away. She was like a starved hyena in the desert.

Estela grabbed my shoulders. Her nails were digging against my flesh. Leanna, I wont ask much after giving you the aphrodisiac. Let me just hide in your room while I spy on you and my brother doing it.”

My eyebrow rose so high it strained my eye muscles.

Alright, outside your room then,” Estela wager.

. . .

. . .

Outside your unit?

Okay, scratch the, they were very open with their feelings to me,’ part, its just because these girls are on the top of shamelessness that Im becoming shameless myself!

Enjoying the Story so far?

Show your love and support by buying the book here

Show your love and support by donating here.

Buy milk or tea to help the Author sleep at night.

Thank you for the love and support.

Or simply share this to your family and friends!

Please SHARE

*Before you comment,

Please take in mind the other person’s feelings.

Like they say, if you have nothing good to say, best keep it to yourself. You can literally save a person’s life.

Depression can  KILL  Make the author Lazy

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Should the Phillies start Cole Hamels in Game 7?

Cole Hamels has clarified his headline-grabbing quotes about wanting the season to be over and last night’s incident with Brett Myers may have just been an attempt at humor, but the left-hander’s 7.58 ERA this postseason still has Phillies fans questioning if he’s the right choice for a potential Game 7 start against CC Sabathia.
Charlie Manuel has already picked Pedro Martinez to start tomorrow, but an alternative would have been to give J.A. Happ the Game 6 nod and save Martinez for Game 7. While the notion of a World Series-deciding Martinez-Sabathia matchup is exciting, the Phillies obviously need to win Game 6 before there can be a Game 7 and holding Pedro back for a start that may never arrive would leave Manuel open to tons of criticism.
In other words, worry first about forcing a Game 7 and then worry about how to win a Game 7. If the Phillies win tomorrow night behind a strong outing from Martinez they can go with either Happ or Hamels in Game 7 while also having basically everyone on the pitching staff available in an all-hands-on-deck situation. That wouldn’t have been true with Happ starting Game 6 and Martinez reserved for Game 7.
Of course, the choice between Hamels or Happ is another issue entirely. Back in spring training the notion of going with Happ over Hamels in a World Series-deciding start would have seemed absolutely absurd, but it’s certainly a legitimate question at this point. During the regular season Happ was 12-4 with a 2.93 ERA compared to Hamels going 10-11 with a 4.32 ERA, and Hamels has allowed 16 runs in 19 postseason innings.
On the other hand Happ hasn’t started since Game 3 of the NLDS way back on October 11, when he gave up three runs while lasting just three innings against the Rockies. Since then he’s been used strictly as a reliever and has pitched sparingly while not being particularly effective, serving up a homer to Nick Swisher in relief of Hamels in Game 3 and allowing four of 11 batters to reach base.
There are certainly reasonable arguments to be made on all sides. However, like Manuel my choice would be Martinez starting Game 6 with everyone available for a possible Game 7 rather than the other way around, and I’d still go with Hamels over Happ with the season on the line against Sabathia. Hamels started the Phillies’ final playoff game last season and he should get a chance to do the same this year.


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Even Suit Shopping is an Event for Conor McGregor

Conor McGregor isn’t quite there yet. He’s not quite a superstar, although he’s quickly approaching that status with a few more high profile wins in the UFC. That doesn’t mean that he isn’t a big deal, oh no, because Conor McGregor is a big deal. How much of a big deal?

This is what his life looks like when he’s going out to buy a new suit:

I got a new suit myself back in May and it was nothing like this. I still spent a lot of money and bought myself a fine suit, but the UFC and BBC weren’t filming the whole thing and treating it like a big deal. That’s what Conor McGregor brings to the table; everything that he does feels important and that it shouldn’t be missed. Just a few more wins and damn, this kid is going to be something special.


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Men’s hockey shows promise, gains split with Denver

Despite a confidence-building 6-2 win Friday, the Gophers still have not won a series this year.

Lou Raguse

When Denver’s men’s hockey team traveled to Minneapolis over the weekend, it hoped to extend its undefeated season.

On Friday, however, the Pioneers ran into a Minnesota hockey puck massacre. Five Gophers scored, ripping apart Denver for six goals.

The next night, though, Mariucci Arena was more inviting for the visitors, and Denver (5-1, 1-1 WCHA) managed to eke out a 4-3 victory and split the series.

In Friday’s 6-2 blowout, Minnesota (2-4, 1-3) looked more like the Gophers of old, something coach Don Lucia hopes to see more of as the WCHA season progresses.

“Our top players played like they are supposed to – Thomas Vanek scored, Matt Koalska scored, Troy Riddle scored and Grant Potulny had two goals,” Lucia said. “The guys that are supposed to be in charge offensively were tonight.”

Prior to Friday, the four players had a combined total of three goals. Potulny changed that early in the first period.

Just 19 seconds after freshman Danny Irmen put the Gophers on top 1-0, Potulny decked left and dropped the easy goal past Adam Berkhoel’s outstretched glove.

“It was a relief,” Potulny said. “That’s the thing about hockey; you get chances and chances, but after you get one, it seems to start rolling.”

It was the first game in which the Gophers lit the lamp before their opponent, but even more importantly, Minnesota got a two-goal cushion early in the game – a luxury it has not had in previous games.

“It was nice,” goaltender Kellen Briggs said. “I wouldn’t say you relax, but you know it’s there, and the guys know its there, and you can really put them down when you get up two or three to nothing.”

Minnesota was able to sustain its level of play Saturday, but costly defensive mistakes combined with a sharper Denver team led to the Gophers’ defeat.

“We had our chances, but you just can’t give up four goals,” Lucia said.

Berkhoel, a Woodbury, Minn., native, had a shaky outing Friday, playing only the first 27 minutes and giving up four goals.

“I haven’t had a good game here in four years,” Berkhoel said.

Unfortunately for the Gophers, he had a much better performance Saturday, stopping 31 Minnesota shots in the victory.

Denver went ahead 3-1 in the first period, scoring two goals on power plays and the other on a two-man rush before defenseman Peter Kennedy could reach them.

Vanek brought Minnesota back, scoring his first goal 14:50 into the busy first period on a power play pass from Koalska.

Vanek’s second goal really got the crowd buzzing. Halfway through the second period, Vanek followed his missed slap shot behind the net, where he skated around and attempted a wrap-around shot. When it was deflected, he did the exact same thing – but with success.

“Vanek was outstanding,” Lucia said. “It’s nice to see that competitiveness.”

Vanek was on the ice much of the game’s final period but spent two minutes in the penalty box after being called for a costly high-sticking penalty with 6:11 remaining.

Although the Gophers didn’t get the series sweep they had hoped, Lucia said that he saw improvement at various positions and can see where they still need the work.

“I thought we played better this weekend than we did last weekend,” Lucia said. “We just want to get better position by position, but (at 1-3 in the WCHA) we can’t bury ourselves too much.”


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Davis earns WCHA rookie of the week honors

Nate Gotlieb

After scoring 12 goals in a sweep of Ohio State last weekend, one of the few offensive players that didn’t score a single goal on the weekend has earned WCHA rookie of the week honors.

Freshman Sarah Davis earned WCHA Rookie of the week honors, tallying four assists in the Gophers women’s hockey team’s 8-1 win over Ohio State last Saturday.

Davis, who is tied for third on the team in points, set a career high with four assistsin the game.  She assisted three of the Gophers’ four second-period goals, helping Minnesota take a 7-1 lead after two periods.  Davis and her linemates freshman Kelly Terry and sophomore Becky Kortum recorded nine points in the win.

Davis is tied for second on the team in assists with 16 and is tied for the team lead in multi-point games with seven.

Davis and the Gophers travel to top-ranked Wisconsin this weekend.


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UMN community left uneasy after United Methodist Church’s LGBT decision

The United Methodist Church General Council voted to disallow LGBTQ clergy and same-sex marriages last month.

Rev. Lauren Rheingans, campus minister for the Wesley Foundation, receives communion during a weekly worship service in Coffman Union on Sunday, March 10.

Tony Saunders

Rev. Lauren Rheingans, campus minister for the Wesley Foundation, receives communion during a weekly worship service in Coffman Union on Sunday, March 10.

Dylan Miettinen

The United Methodist Church General Conference decision to disallow LGBTQ individuals within the church last month has caused concern for many in the University of Minnesota’s Methodist community.

Historically, LGBTQ clergy and marriages have not been allowed in the UMC. However, there are wide discrepancies in how to adhere to these rules around the world. The choice of ordination or marriages are often left up to churches individually or by region. United Methodist Churches around the University, including Centennial UMC in St. Anthony Park, have been rocked by the decision, leaving many parishioners questioning the fate of the UMC.

Centennial is a reconciling ministry and queer-affirming church, meaning it supports the membership, ordination and marriages of those in the LGBTQ community.

“We don’t know the way forward for our church, but maybe it’s time for a creative way forward. Maybe it’s time for something new,” said Centennial Pastor Whitney Sheridan.

On Feb. 26, a special session of the UMC General Conference, which hosted more than 800 church delegates from around the world, was held in St. Louis, Missouri to address whether they would recognize same-sex marriages and/or ordain LGBTQ clergy.

Representatives in the UMC voted in support of the Traditional Plan, which they say adheres to the scriptural belief of marriage and sexuality, disallowing LGBTQ clergy and same-sex marriages.

No one is refused communion in the UMC, but there will now be harsher penalties for ordaining LGBTQ clergy, Sheridan said. If she were to officiate a same-sex marriage, she would lose pay for a year; if she officiated another same-sex marriage, she would be defrocked.

University members of the Wesley Foundation, a religious student organization affiliated with Centennial UMC, voiced concerns about the General Conference’s decision.

Fourth-year University student Lily Dunk is co-president of the Wesley Foundation and identifies as lesbian. She said she was disappointed in the General Conference decision, but the decision was a long time coming.

“The UMC has been talking about [LGBTQ rights] since the 1970s. We’ve tried to live together for 50 years, and it hasn’t been working,” Dunk said.

However, Dunk said the UMC’s decision will not impact the Wesley Foundation’s inclusion. “Wesley will not stop being affirming. We will cease to exist before we deny queer students,” she said.

According to Lauren Rheingans, campus minister for the Wesley Foundation, the decision was comparable to the 2016 presidential election because few expected the Traditional Plan to pass.

“What we’re feeling now, with this kind of uncertain time, is a lot of grief around … what we could have been,” Rheingans said. “We’re really, really divided in the world, especially in the U.S. [There] was a lot of the hope [that] this plan would be one step forward in keeping each other in conversation.”

However, Rheingans said she thinks the vote has forced UMC to take a harder stance on LGBTQ rights.

“You might have seen some churches that you might not have noticed before, but that are now looking for the biggest rainbow flags they can find,” Rheingans said.

Though Rheingans said she doesn’t think changes will happen overnight, she also said she doesn’t think there will ever be a wholly united UMC again.

“I’m not interested in being in a church where we are content saying that [LGBTQ] people are really harmed and suffering, and we’re just going to pretend that it’s not happening. I think this is grounds for something new,” she said.


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Facts about depression

As breakthroughs allow the public to understand the causes of depression, and as public figures become more willing to acknowledge their own struggles with the illness, society’s awareness of the condition has increased.
Yet, psychologists say misunderstandings about depression still linger. University counselors and other experts offered these facts and advice about the illness:
ù Depression affects people of all ages and social levels, including children. It most commonly emerges between the ages of 18 and 30 years old.
ù There is no single cause of depression, but reoccurring links come up with perfectionism, unresolved grief, constant self-doubt and loneliness. Every phase of a person’s life has challenges, said University psychologist Rodney Loper.
ù Psychologists increasingly view depression as collaborative mind and body issue. Loper said the notion of a strict separation between the two has fallen out of favor.
ù Others with “shrug it off” or “toughen up” attitudes can actually depress a person further. Depression, emphasized Loper, is the “common cold of mental health.” It hampers productivity and health in the same way as physical diseases.
ù Depressed people tend to blame themselves for situations over which they have little control and dismiss their positive achievements as trivial or unworthy. To combat this habit, Minneapolis 24-hour phone line Crisis Connection director Frank Togas suggested getting depressed people to talk about their thoughts. By doing this, Togas said, people often view their problems more realistically.
ù Signs of depression include excessiveness in one particular area, withdrawal, constant negative comments and unexplained attitude changes. Perhaps the best indication, said University psychologist Glenn Hirsch, is if people find themselves questioning another’s behavior.
ù If a person suspects depression, always let the other person know you are concerned, Hirsch said, because you cannot make the situation any worse. Asking about suicide, he said, won’t trigger harmful actions and often serves as a great relief.
ù Inquire about a depressed person’s mood, thoughts and feelings, and ask them what they are doing to deal with their depression. Encourage them to seek treatment.
ù Though listening is crucial, “don’t reinforce their negative mindset,” Loper cautioned. And make sure another person knows of the situation, he added. The stress of being the sole confidant can be harmful to both you and the depressed person.
ù Both Boynton Health Services and University Counseling and Consulting Services offer services for depression. For emergencies, call the Crisis Connection at (612) 379-6363.

— Compiled by Sam Kean


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Could this very odd-looking electric car convince you to ditch your SUV?

A new electric vehicle called the Canoo, which will launch next year and opened a waitlist for customers on January 21, looks very little like a traditional car…

The basic shape of a car hasn’t really changed over a century, with space for an engine, space for passengers, and space for luggage, all arranged in basically the same configuration. But because powerful electric motors and batteries are smaller than a standard powertrain, the whole shape of the vehicle could transform, if car designers were feeling creative. Canoo designed what it calls a “skateboard,” a thin platform that holds the battery cells, powertrain, and suspension, leaving room for a spacious jelly bean-shaped pod on top. “Inside the vehicle, it is as big as a big Suburban, but the footprint of the vehicle is smaller than a Toyota Prius,” Kranz says.