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Tag Archives: wooden clothes pins

Wreath Mania

I like to make wreaths for my door. Remember when I talked about being sad I didnt have a wreath after christmas so I made a valentines wreath? Well this year was worse becuase I had a wreath on my door from October until the end of Febuary. So I made a St Patricks day wreath with green tulle and ribbons.  After that I couldn’t handle Apirl coming and my door being naked! So I made a spring wreath.

St. Patty's Day wreath

St. Patty’s Day wreath

The spring wreath

The spring wreath

THAT’S when it all went downhill! After my spring wreath had been up for a week or two my neighbor catches me one morning on my way out the door  and she starts telling me how she loves my wreaths, they make her so happy, and she can’t wait for the NEXT one. Crap!! I needed a next one for her (or and maybe for me, but I couldn’t let my fans down!!) So I went to Pintrest and found tons and tons of wreath ideas and a bunch for 4th of July/paricotic wreaths.  I found the PERFECT one! A wreath made out of old wooden clothes pins painted like the flag. Easy enough! I got my mom and  sister involved over Memorial day weekend to help me make my wreath.  It was instant love and I couldn’t wait to show it off!!

Showing off the finished goods with my mom and sister

Showing off the finished goods with my mom and sister

It was super easy (a little time consuming) and very festive! Here are the steps to make yours!

54 Wooden Clothes Pins (The Pinching Kind)

Craft Paint in Blue, Red, and White

3 Foam Paint Brushes

Wooden stars (I used foam sparkle star stickers)

A 12″ Wire Wreath Form

1) Divide the wooden clothes pins into 3 stacks of 18.

2) With the first stack of wooden clothes pins paint all sides blue.  Don’t forget to paint the inside as well since you will be able to see it.

3) Repeat step 2 using red and white paint.

4) Once the clothes pins are dry, start with the blue pins and clip them one to the wreath form.  The first pin clips onto the 3 wire while the second clips onto the 2nd wire. Alternate the clothes pins until all 18 blue pins are on the form.

5) Then starting with the white, fasten 3 white pins in the same fashion as the blue. Then add 3 red pins. Repeat the process until all the remaining clothes pins are attached to the wreath

6) Now attach the stars to the wreath.  If you went with wooden stars, paint them a fun sparkly color and glue onto the blue pins.

7) Hang and enjoy!

Hanging on my door waiting for my neighbor to walk by.

Hanging on my door waiting for my neighbor to walk by.


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The New Armed Forces Community Healthcare Project has launched!

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Birmingham Community Healthcare Trust (BCHC) aims to become an 'Armed Forces Community Friendly Trust', where we are better able to meet the expectations of Armed Forces personnel, veterans and their families.

Our vision, in line with the armed forces covenant, the NHS Constitution and the current draft of the NHS England armed forces health - five year strategy 2014-2019, is to provide high quality, accessible, effective and responsive community healthcare services that meet the needs and expectations of our armed forces community throughout their transition and beyond.

Are you currently/have been in contact with the Armed Forces Community? Want to share your experiences? Or want to find out more about this project? Any upcoming events/training opportunities? Or simply how you could help?

Then we would love to hear from you!

Did you know?

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) is offering all health care professionals a free e-learning resource on Veterans Health in General Practice.

This course covers the psychological and physical issues commonly faced by veterans and their families and outlines some of the resources which are available to help them. To access this e-learning package and discover more about Veterans Healthcare needs click here:

**Upcoming Event**

The Armed Forces Community Team would also like to cordially invite you to our free staff engagement event on the 11th of November, from 10.30-1pm at Faraday Wharf, Birmingham (lunch provided). The event is aimed at those who are current/ex-service personnel, reservists and their close family members. Those who work closely with the armed forces community are also most welcomed.

To receive further details and/or to book a place, please do get in touch!

Armed Forces Community Healthcare Project Team

Tel: 0121-466-7245/7295   Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 Be part of our journey in helping our armed forces community transition into civilian life, Birmingham communities and beyond...

Download the Armed Forces Community Healthcare Project Poster here

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Serviced Apartments in Singapore

Looking to stay in Singapore? It is actually society wealthy in culture and diversity. In Singapore, it is possible to obtain people today of several races that consist of Chinese, Malaysian, European and Indian. As well as the wealthy culture and ethnicity, there is certainly a wide selection of cuisine to divulge in as well. If you’re wanting to keep in Singapore for an extended level of time, you’ll love staying in their out there Apartment in singapore .

Redwood Central Serviced Apartments

One particular sort of serviced apartments that you can elect to stay in will be the Redwood Central Serviced Apartments. For anyone who is in search of luxury, then these apartments can supply you such. The Redwood Central Serviced Apartments are eight stories and are located next for the Paya Lebar station. You can opt for amongst 20 different apartments to keep in. Guests might opt for apartments that offer 1 to two bedrooms or those that have 3 to 4 bedrooms. The apartments happen to be decorated with a mix of antique and old planet furnishings in conjunction with sophisticated and contemporary style sorts too. Guests are never as well far away from buying as they’re only minutes away in the principal purchasing and financial district. Facilities and services available contain maid and laundry service, 24-hour reception, security and upkeep as well as a fitness center. Guests may stay a minimum of seven days in the Redwood Central Apartment in singapore .

Shangri-La Apartments

Shangri-La Apartments are amongst essentially the most desired place to keep for each men and women and households. It is actually recognized to supply a number of the best hospitality. The ceilings are higher and decorated with attractive chandeliers. Also inside the apartment complex is definitely an award-winning restaurant and bar. The Shangri La Apartments are located along the island bringing a sense of calmness and serenity to its atmosphere. Guests are just a stroll away from buying and entertainment places. When selecting an apartment, guests could choose either a one, two or three bedrooms. The apartments are completely furnished and have no less than a single bathroom. The three-bedroom apartments have 3 bathrooms offered. Shangri La Apartments offer accommodations for instance maid service, an outside swimming pool, a sauna space, tennis court, fitness center, room delivery service, laundry and dry cleaning service, Web and Wi-Fi access, baby-sitting services, 24-hour safety program, indoor parking and shuttle service. Guests will have to stay as much as a minimum of seven days to “rent” the apartments.

The Club at Capella Singapore

Should you be bringing your family members along, this is the best spot to stay. You’ll find 72 suites which face the sea and 9 stand-alone manors which have private pools. Guests may perhaps book a place to remain for either months at a time or even for a couple of years. Every single apartment has a totally equipped kitchen and also a state of your art full solution entertainment center. The club is 25 minutes away in the airport and also five minutes away from the largest shopping mall. Households can pick involving one particular to 4 bedroom apartments. The 4 bedroom apartments have four bathrooms. A number of the service and facilities readily available include things like WI-FI internet access, laundry and maid service, breakfast, a pool room, outdoor swimming, a children’s space, a restaurant, baby-sitting service, everyday maid cleaning solutions, a gym, guest programs and several other accessible solutions.

Should you be looking to enrich oneself using the culture and diversity of Singapore, you can find many different apartments for you to remain in. Whether or not you determine to stay for a week, month and even a year or two, you are able to be comforted to understand that you will have a location to get in touch with house that’s hunting forward to service you.

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TCs. Another rant.

July 9, 2012

Yawning or yelling. TCs make me want to do both

Teleconferences (TCs)  seem to be ever more frequent in these days of ‘virtual’ teams. I am not sure it is actually possible to be a team if you never meet. Human eyeball to eyeball connection. It may be possible for two people to work well together without ever meeting, but that;’s a double act not a team. More than two and I fear it is a sham. However, they do make TCs ever more neccessary.

Pointless, rambling meetings get my goat, but teleconferences bad are probably even worse. They are rarely engaging or informative and are used when the subject is not considered important enough to insist on a face to face meeting. I know no one who has not ‘been on a TC’ when they are in fact doing their emails/having instant messaging conversations with others/going off to make a cup of tea. Yet at the end of the meeting the poor host can tick the ‘I informed them of XY and Z’ and cover their arse.

So I give you my

Top Ten Tips for Making TCs Productive (or Not)

  1. If you are the host, don’t dial in first. Let everyone waste a good 5 minutes with that irritating music to reduce their stress levels
  2. If you dial in late, do bore everyone with your elaborate excuse and  ask questions about what you have missed. Everyone will be eager to hear exactly the same thing over again
  3. If you are dialing in from a noisy, public area, do not mute your phone. It makes it fun for the participants to guess where you are by the background sounds.
  4. If you are using a headset, try to get the microphone as close to your nose as possible so everyone can hear your heavy breathing and constant sniffing.
  5. If you are asked a question directly, never admit you weren’t listening. Make up a crass excuse like the’ line went faint’, or you ‘didn’t catch the end of that’ or your ‘reception in this area is terrible’.
  6. If you are asked a question that you don’t know the answer to, again don’t admit it, but simply state that you’d ‘be interested to hear Steve’s take on that’ or similar.
  7. If you are in a group TC, make derogatory gestures and pull faces when other participants are talking
  8.  Place any papers as close to the telephone as possible and shuffle through them as critical pieces of information are being relayed.
  9. Play bullshit bingo openly in a group TC and shout ‘House’ when you reach five of the pre-determined words.
  10. Never introduce yourself on a TC, especially if it is with a large group of people you barely know. It is fun for them to try and guess who that tosser mouthing off is.

8 Responses to “TCs. Another rant.”

  1. Jess Says:

    Love your list Sarah! Here’s a couple!

    15. Be clumsy with time zones. “Good morning – oh – is it good evening over there? What, 2am – wow, thanks for staying up so late. Haha yes, know what it’s like it’s early here. Good thing people can’t see me, I’m sitting here in my bathrobe. What? Yes, well, a kind of lime green really.”

    Then there was the one that my former boss actually used..

    16. Arrange a massage at the time of your call. Plug in headset and proceed. Intersperse your contribution with low-voice comments and guidance to the masseur. “Mmm – good. Yes, could you just…. do there, please, ah, ooh, gooood (deep breath in and out). SO – where were we?”.

    Can you tell I do too many TCs?
    Jxx (see you soon 🙂 )

    • yeuch – I really wouldn’t want to be on the other end of a TC where someone is having a massage. Or in the bathroom for that matter. The mind boggles.
      But I have been guilty of the time zone faux pas I’m sure – (even tho I know how annoying it is when on the receiving end and it is a godforsaken hour – the least people can do is acknowledge the inconvenience.).
      And looking forward to seeing you in November! xx

  2. Kevin grainger Says:

    Hi Sarah, I think we ought to have a tC to discuss this in more details and formulate and action plan.
    Kevin Grainger

  3. Reena Says:

    I absolutely love this spout!!!! Definitely spot on!
    I would add a few more though:
    11. Keep typing while on the TC so everyone knows you really don’t care about what is being discussed
    12. Yawning, burping and snoring whilst dialed in are the most amusing things for others to hear (believe me when I say I have actually heard these whilst on a TC)
    13. Repeat what the person ahead of you just said. It was interesting the first time wasn’t it?
    14. When the moderator says they would like it to be a forum for discussion don’t speak. They can’t see you so it doesn’t matter that you don’t contribute. Silence means they will forget you exist…
    The wonders of TC’s!!!! 🙂

  4. gitchorama Says:

    Awesome! But how did you get your hands on my “Telecon Conduct Manual”???

    • Haha.
      It’s funny thinking that I heard your voice on TCs for years before I met you. Although of course I have no idea if you and Saul were playing bullshit bingo whilst I spoke……..

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Writer’s Block…Gasp!

Writer’s Block. A frightening concept for any writer, and something that most of them will tell you they have had personal experience with. So what is it? How can this crippling occurrence happen with all of the information coming at us through the internet, daily interactions and social media? Wouldn’t those things provide someone with… Continue reading Writer’s Block…Gasp!


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SUV/Truck Reviews

GMC Terrain SLT, GMC review, truck review, car review, Terrain review, 2012 GMC TerrainGMC Terrain: When I drove a GMC Terrain a couple years back I was impressed by its fit, finish and good value in the small sport-ute or crossover market. Not much has changed in a couple years and mostly that’s good. Read on.

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Summit, SUV reviews, savageonwheelsJeep Grand Cherokee: While Wrangler is Jeep’s real Type A personality, it’s more sophisticated brother, the Grand Cherokee is no shy guy. Take the Limited model for example. Read the review

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5 thoughts on “SUV/Truck Reviews”

    1. Thanks for the kind words. Hope you’ll come back often to see the new reviews, which will appear weekly, sometimes more often as I continue to post earlier reviews I’ve done of popular cars and trucks.

  1. Thank you a lot for sharing this with all folks you actually know what you are talking about! Bookmarked. Please also discuss with my website =). We could have a hyperlink change arrangement among us!

  2. I have been exploring for a little bit for any high-quality articles or weblog posts in this kind of space . Exploring in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this site. Reading this info So i am satisfied to exhibit that I have an incredibly excellent uncanny feeling I found out just what I needed. I most undoubtedly will make certain to do not disregard this site and give it a glance regularly.

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Thread: Help! Can't lose the scratches!

  1. #1

    Help! Can't lose the scratches!

    Let me be the first to say that I don't have an eighth of the woodworking skills you folks have. I've been working on this myrtlewood bandsaw box and fighting the finish for several days.

    I can't get the scratches out. I'm sanding with 400 between coats of poly. The scratches were much more pronounced with the Minwax PolyGloss wipe on. I switched to a wiping finish of 50 % poly/mineral spirit and the finish is much better. I've tried not random orbit, hand sanding and steel wool. I still have visible scratches.

    Disreguard the dates on the photos, I'm no better at camera work than finish work!
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Atlanta, GA
    I assume the scratches are in the finish, not the wood.

    One of the experts will hopefully chime in here but.........you have to let poly cure for a long while before you go after it with sandpaper. I have rubbed out Minwax wipe-on poly with great success [on a blanket chest for teenagers - hence the poly], and IIRC, I waited a week - maybe longer. This was a couple years ago, so memory is fuzzy.

    Plus - at 400g, you're just getting started. You've gotta go to - I dunno - 1200? 1500? - depending on the final gloss you want.

  3. #3
    Thanks, Kent. I assume it is in just the finish because I never saw it on the previous coats of poly. I will let it dry longer and then do a much finer sanding.

  4. #4
    Kent, you saved the day. Hit it with some 1200 and 4400 I found lurking in my sandpaper drawer and voila it was perfect! With a little wax it turned out perfect! You saved Christmas...thank you!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Atlanta, GA
    Quote Originally Posted by Biff Johnson View Post
    You saved Christmas...thank you!
    Sounds like something out of a Dr Seuss book.......

    My work here is done.

  6. #6
    That's a neat little box. Have you been working on it since 2007?

  7. #7
    No, my dumb digital camera defaults to that date for some reason. I recently discovered bandsaw box making and I've gone a bit wild with them! Then my wife and daughter got hooked so I can hardly get to the bandsaw now!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Southport, NC
    I bet the scratches are in the wood underneath the finish. If so, no amount of between coat sanding is going to have any effect. You will have to strip off the finish you have applied so far and then more carefully re-sand the wood itself.

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The Fox Effect

The Fox Effect

How Roger Ailes Turned A Network Into A Propaganda Machine

Book - 2012
Average Rating:
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Reveals how FoxNews has evolved into an aggressive partisan advocate for the Republican party, citing the roles of Roger Ailes and Rupert Murdoch in promoting agendas that contrast with traditional standards of fairness and objectivity.
Publisher: New York : Anchor Books, c2012
ISBN: 9780307947680
Branch Call Number: 791.4509 BROCK
Characteristics: vi, 329 p. : ill. ; 21 cm
Additional Contributors: Rabin-Havt, Ari

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Jul 15, 2013

If you have no problem with MSNBC doing the same thing for the Democratic Party then shut up about FOX. Just saying.

voisjoe1 May 16, 2012

In the Fox Effect, Brock and Rabin-Havt describe how Roger Ailes, a former Republican aide, turned Fox News from a news organization into a right-wing propaganda machine. The heart of the book, gives examples of Fox's six step method in the attempt to destroy organizations or people that work for the middle-class and the poor.

Some of steps are to introduce a lie, spread the lie with massive, coordinated coverage, shame the main media for ignoring the story, and then Fox getting praise for the "discovery" before the main media figures out that there is no basis in reality for the lie.

Examples would be Obama attended madrassas, Obama was not born in America, Acorn was helping to steal elections, climate change science is a hoax, and the Affordable Care Act contained "death panels".

The sad fact is that the lies are repeated so often before they are debunked, that massive numbers of people do not realize they've been hoodwinked. Because of this, America is not addressing some the most serious problems.

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The Vermont Connection

Deeply personal challenges confront all new students when they arrive at their college or university. Some of their core questions include: “Are we part of things; do we belong; are we central or marginal? Do we make a difference; do others care about us and make us feel we matter?” (Schlossberg, 1989, p. 6). For international students who may be marginalized by race, ethnicity, nationality, socioeconomic background or language, these questions can be particularly painful. This article recommends a new foundation for working with international students: mattering. It provides a theoretical background for the constructs of marginalization and mattering, examines their relevancy in the context of the experiences of international students, and begins to define strategies for colleges and universities to make international students feel that they do indeed matter.


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[History] One Hundred Year ago, when America was a haven for refugees…..the story of Abraham Haroutounian

With all these breaking news, I needed to clear my mind and went through my photo library. During my first visit in New York City during the summer 2008, I had a chance to hop in to attend the Ellis Island Immigration Museum and I still remember that travel document (see picture).
This is a document that resonate as today. This document tells the story of another Abraham. Abraham Haroutounian. By the name, you can recognize the Armenian origin of Abraham. Abraham was another refugee from another genocide. Abraham was Turkish citizen and Armenian national. Abraham was born in Marash (renamed Kahramanmaras), a village of Anatolia and lived through the Armenian genocide that took place from 1915 until 1923. We can speculate that following the march through Syria, Abraham found refuge in Aleppo.
After the World War I and the fall of the Ottoman Empire, Abraham likely settled, got married and founded a family. But Abraham was not anymore welcomed in his country and was surely considered a “guest” inside the newly formed Syrian state, a French protectorate. Abraham surely could not forget the horrible genocide he may have witnessed and felt no more secure in this land and seek refuge.
Abraham obtained a immigration visa to the US, with the aim to settle in New York. After obtaining his travel document from the French Administration taking care of Syria, Abraham and his family traveled by boat and landed in Ellis Island, waiting like many other immigrant his clearance and his first step in the United States. I try to imagine what this other Abraham felt when he arrived here in the US, staring at the Statue of the Liberty welcoming new comers as a symbol of democracy, freedom and justice for all.
But I also felt it, when I first came in the US over 7 years ago, with my carry-on, my check-in bag and my cardboard package in which I meticulously packed essential items to survive by my own (pair of sheets, some books, some kitchenwares and a pillow).
Now imagine if Abraham was planning to do the same. As today, Abraham would have been arriving by plane at JFK airport under an immigrant visa. Abraham however would have never leaved his American dream as by now he and his family would have denied entry into the US, on the motive of his Syrian origin.
Whenever you have a chance to visit New York, skip the line for the Statue of Liberty, instead hope in to the ferry taking you to Ellis Island and have a lesson of history. It is a great reminder that those pushing on the travel ban to refugees were also once a son or a daughter of a refugee or immigrant. Remember that any single President of the United States was a son of an immigrant that came in this country with a dream and reaped fruits of hard labor.

[Junk Sciences] About that Nutella causes cancer news article…..a cautionary tale on credible science stretched into fake news

You have heard this sensational news about “Nutella causes cancer according to a study”. It initially came into my news feed from the Independent through an article with a “clickbait” headline such as “Nutella removed from shelves as it causes cancer”. The article was fairly alarmist, claiming a study linked contaminant in Nutella in causing cancer in children, such claims built on a EFSA (European Food Safety Agency) study but yet failed to specify a direct link to the official press release.  The original article has been removed or edited within hours and replaced with a more nuanced and realistic although the original HTML link still keep on the headlines (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/nutella-causes-cancer-palm-oil-supermarket-ban-italy-cadburys-a7522291.html).
That was not only bad science reporting but also bad journalism ethic, spinning an old press release into a twisted fake news that was surely attractive enough to call it “clickbait”.

1. What is all about Nutella causes cancer?

It all comes back to an press release from EFSA published on May 3, 2016, seven months before the #Nutellagate and available here: (https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/160503a). If you read the press release, it involves any vegetable oils and any oils used in food processing. The release focused on certain oil byproducts called glycidyl fatty ester (GE), 2- and 3-monocholoroproanediol (2-MCPD and 3-MCPD) formed by heating process (200ºC). These compounds are classified as  “contaminants” (that means trace of these compounds were found in oils) and palm oil was among the different oils tested as one containing the highest amount of these contaminants. There are indication about a possible carcinogenicity of these compounds in rodents, in particular some form of kidney cancer in rats. The EFSA considers that is no safe levels of these contaminants. Yet, it is important to note that EFSA also noted the limitations of the current literature and further toxicity studies are needed. I don’t blame the EFSA of being overreactive, but also it is important than EFSA provides a clear picture and clearly establish an exhaustive “dose makes the poison” issue.
Now it is surprising that it took more than 7 months to associate that report with Nutella, considering that the report clearly and only mentioned “and in some cases ‘Chocolate spreads and similar’” (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2016.4426/full). Does it means it is only the main source? Hell no but surprisingly, other food sources went under the rug. This is one of the most relevant paragraph:
For ‘Infants’, the food groups ‘Infant and follow-on formulae’, ‘Vegetable fats and oils’ and ‘Cookies’ were the major contributors to 3- and 2-MCPD and glycidol exposure. For ‘Toddlers’, the food groups ‘Vegetable fats and oils’, ‘Cookies’ and ‘Pastries and cakes’ were the major contributors to 3- and 2-MCPD and glycidol exposure. ‘Infant formula’ and follow-on formula’ were also important contributors to 3- and 2-MCPD exposure. For ‘Other children’, the food groups with highest contribution to exposure to 3- and 2-MCPD and glycidol were ‘Pastries and cakes’, ‘Margarine and similar’ and ‘Cookies’. For glycidol, ‘Fried or roast meat’ was an additional relevant contributor. ‘Vegetable fats and oils’ also contributed to 3- and 2-MCPD, and glycidol exposure. For ‘Adolescents’, ‘Adults’, ‘Elderly’ and ‘Very elderly’, the major sources of 3- and 2-MCPD and glycidol were ‘Margarine and similar’ and ‘Pastries and cakes’. Additionally, ‘Fried or baked potato products’ were important contributors to 3- and 2-MCPD exposure while ‘Fried or roast meat’ and in some cases ‘Chocolate spreads and similar’ were important contributors to glycidol exposure.”
Basically anything that contain vegetable oil is at possible danger of containing these compounds. However, the original source considering cherry-picking facts and falsely restricting to one food product highly popular in Europe was sounding like a nice way to generate traffic and revenues.
In this one they used a classical argument fallacy trope to build their narrative:
If A tells “palm oil contain carcinogens” and B tells “Nutella contains palm oil” we ended up with “Nutella contain carcinogens”.
Thats the goal of any “clickbait” article: to make revenues by generating high traffic to the link. Most of the time, these articles care little about facts and either use deceptive headlines, use far-stretched narrative, if not “fake news” as their claims are not based on verified information. Now, I expect a journalist to follow ethical rules that applies to academic publishing.
If I publish an article and I have noticed a mistake in my article, I can only fix it by notifying the editor and publishing an erratum in a follow up issue. In the case of an online  article, publishing an [Update] on top of the original article would also make the job. The Independent in my opinion showed some unethical journalism by just erasing their old stuff and replacing with the new stuff. Of course the damage is done and that was enough to spark some conspiracy theories.

2. So does it mean I can keep on splurging my Nutella jar?
Put down that tablespoon and  wait a minute. Lets look at the nutrition facts (https://www.nutella.com/en/uk/range).

Nutella is like any other spread, even a bit healthier than a tablespoon of peanut butter spread (190kcal)  but still much much than a strawberry jam spread (36kcal).
The problem of course comes from the amount of fat and sugar. They are both known to be important risk factors for obesity, Type II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Therefore, your main concern should be amount consuming in moderation. Moderation is key, even for a treat like Nutella.

[Metal] Therion – Gothic Kabbalah 10th Anniversary

Today is my birthday (turning 38, Yikes!), including some other celebs such as Rob Zombie. It also turns out this day marks the 10th Anniversary of Therion thirteenth album “Gothic Kabbalah”.
The interesting thing with Therion is their ability to scramble paths and make unexpected moves. You cannot simply expect to hear the same tunes and melodics over and over, ending you discovering the band with every single albums.
This is also the case with “Gothic Kabbalah”, a 2-CD release, with 17 titles and totaling a bit more of 83 minutes.
The album is a clear departure from their previous releases, leaving the symphonic and orchestral tones of “Vovin” and “Secrets of The Rune”, navigating more into a progressive and even incorporating heavy metal tones.
It starts with “Der Mitternachtsloewe” setting the artistic tone and guesting Hannah Holgersson. It is seamlessly followed by “Gothic Kabbalah”, “The Perennial Sophia”, “Wisdom of the Cage”. “Son of The Staves of Time” is one of the official videos from the album, allowing me to share and let you appreciate the tone of the album whereas “Tuna 1603″and “Trul” failed to inspire me.

The second CD starts with “Wand of Abaris” is really sounding like a gothic metal song and that why this is one of my favorite of the album. “Three Treasure” brings on the operatics that was the trademark of their previous releases. “Path To Arcady” has this heavy-metal tone blending nicely with the tenor and sopranos lead vocals, making another one of my favorite. “TOF – The Trinity” gets more into classical metal, nice but not more. “Chain of Minerva” brings on more a Therion-like track, whereas “The Falling Stone” brings up something faster in its pace, almost inspired by some power metal songs. “Adulruna Rediviva” is another masterpiece, some Therion safe bet. A 13:38 track that makes what Therion is Therion. The two last tracks are live performance of “Seven Secrets of the Sphinx” and “To Mega Therion”.

[Junk Sciences] About that Dr. Neides article published in Cleveland.com

I am sure you have now heard about the infamous opinion article published by Dr. Daniel Neides, MD (Cleveland Clinic) titled “Make 2017 the year to avoid toxins (good luck) and master your domain: Words on Wellness” and published in Cleveland.com, the online site of “The Plain Dealer”, a local newspaper (http://www.cleveland.com/lyndhurst-south-euclid/index.ssf/2017/01/make_2017_the_year_to_avoid_to.html).
What was sounding first as a silly title just in time for the post-holiday “detox diets” and other scientific fallacy, quickly spinned into a conspiracy nightmare. I would not have been surprised if it came from some quack doctors that make a living on selling supplements, books and other premium services.
What was the most concerning was this article came from a medical director from a highly regarded US Health Institute, as the article was signed as “Dr. Daniel Neides is the Medical Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute.
You can check for yourself but the content of this opinion article was simply frightening (I am commenting on the article as it was published on 1/8/17 at 10:52AM.
LYNDHURST, Ohio–I am tired of all the nonsense we as American citizens are being fed while big business – and the government – continue to ignore the health and well-being of the fine people in this country. Why am I all fired up, you ask?
I, like everyone else, took the advice of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) – the government – and received a flu shot. I chose to receive the preservative free vaccine, thinking I did not want any thimerasol (i.e. mercury) that the “regular” flu vaccine contains.
Makes sense, right? Why would any of us want to be injected with mercury if it can potentially cause harm? However, what I did not realize is that the preservative-free vaccine contains formaldehyde.”
The article first sentence just set the tone: Dr. Neides has a grief about Big Gov and Big Business in general. I am mad on the government too, but not for the same reasons. We have been facing one of the most polarized election with the two parties trenched into their ideological trenches, with the average Joe in the cross-fire. We cannot have a ruling government without having a bipartisan consensus that help find a common ground to move on.
Then things gets sour as he is fingerpointing on the CDC, again using the allusion of Big Gov for his grief on this institution. It quickly turns into a anti-vaccine diatribe, with spelling errors (it is “thimerosal/thiomersal” not “thimerasol”). Not only Dr.Neides fail to name his grief correctly (and you cannot blame autocorrect on that one) but also makes a scientifically fallacy by associating “thimerasol” as mercury. As previously mentioned in my blog, there is a huge difference between mercury as an element (Hg) and the organomercury compounds such as methylmercury (CH3Hg) and ethylmercury (CH3CH2Hg). Considering organic chemistry part of the pre-requisite courses for any medical school, this type of mistake is not acceptable.
In a common anti-vaccine move, Dr. Neides quickly played the “goalpost moving” tactic. If you first argument failed following its refutation by facts, move to another target and play the same spiel. If it is not thimerosal, then it is the formaldehyde. If it is not the formaldehyde, then it is the aluminum……..
We are not yet at the end of the first paragraph and already Dr. Neides has taken a dangerous slippery slope in pseudoscientific claims. He will continue into the “appeal to authority” fallacy, claiming the government is condoning the global population health. This is why the government has agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Center of Diseases Control (CDC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They have doing their job, could be better but it could be worse. Considering our next government line-up, we will likely soon regret how “red tapes” is sometimes needed.
But lets go to the second part of his article with this very interesting quote:
We live in a toxic soup. There are over 80,000 chemicals used in various industries country-wide. There are over 2,000 new chemicals being introduced annually. We breathe in these chemicals through exhaust, eat them in our processed foods ( just look at the labels that have 20 or 30 ingredients and good luck pronouncing their names), textiles (clothing, bedding, furniture), and personal care products, including make-up, deodorant, shampoos, and soaps.“.
Of course we are living in a chemical soup, but not all of them are toxic. There are some that are neutral, some are toxic (this is what we refer as poisons and toxins and are extensively studied by a discipline called toxicology) and some are even beneficial (these are identified by a a discipline called pharmacology).
Authorities are constantly testing these chemicals for 40 years now and there is a huge effort from international agencies to provide a formidable toxicological database to document the toxicity of any existing chemical inventoried.
A side-note, the quote “good luck pronouncing their names” sounds eerily familiar to a quote from a certain Babe “If a third grader can’t pronounce it, don’t eat it“. I am guessing I should ditch the addition of “alpha-D-glucopyrannosyl-1,4-alpha-D-fructofurannoside” from my morning cup of Joe. Thats by the way the biochemical name for sugar.
It is followed by a mishmash of different terms that just sound like a nightmare for anyone teaching pharmacokinetics to healthcare professional.
Toxins accumulate in our fat cells if they are not eliminated and interrupt normal bodily functions. Your body should be a finely tuned machine with all of the organ systems working in concert together. But when toxins disrupt normal function, problems can occur. Those problems include cancers, auto-immune diseases, neurologic problems like autism, ADHD, and Parkinson’s disease, and the most prevalent chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease (note: so high blood pressure is not a chronic disease, then?).
Why are we so sick in 2017 despite the best access to healthcare? The body has wonderful built-in systems to help us detoxify. The liver and kidneys try to do an exceptional job keeping up with filtering out the “stuff” (toxins included) we don’t need. Our skin – the largest organ in the body – will release toxins in the form of perspiration (what did they teach you in med school? How did you graduated from your biochemistry class?). Our breath will release toxins with each exhalation (same “boingboing” moment). When our gut is healthy and our microbiome (100 trillion organisms that live in our intestinal tract, within our airway, and on our skin) intact, our bowel movements help rid unwanted toxins.
I like to think of our detoxification system as a big bucket. As long as the toxic soup stays within the bucket, our body can naturally eliminate what we don’t need and help us live at the highest quality of life. But what happens when the bucket starts to overflow – which is exactly what many of us have been facing our entire lives? The body may not have the capacity to eliminate our current exposures and THAT IS WHEN BAD THINGS START TO OCCUR.”
We, as animals, have evolved to deal with many chemicals in nature that can have a possible threat to use. In pharmacokinetics, we refer to ADME for Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Elimination.
Absorption of compounds is limited for water-soluble compounds, they need a special door (called solute carriers) to enter inside your body. Now some (and many drugs in general) are fat-soluble (we call them lipophilic compounds) and can diffuse passively through the intestinal barrier and get into the bloodstream. Even if these drugs can make it through the gut, they have to face a firs-pass metabolism by the liver (we will discuss later about it) and deactivate some if not all of them. Those who were not affected by the first-pass are ongoing a distribution phase. Distribution occurs by the spread of the compounds throughout the central compartment (blood circulation). From this compartment, compounds can diffuse into peripheral (tissue) compartments. One of this compartment is named the “deep storage compartment” (a nice word for your fat tissue) that can retain some lipophilic drugs. As long as you ingest them, you can accumulate these compounds. Once you stop, these compounds move from the periphery back into the central compartment. We know which compounds can store (the lipophilic ones) and such feature is considered in toxicological studies to define if a compound is toxic or not. After circulating, compounds are perfusing through the liver and undergo of series of chemical reactions called metabolism. Metabolism is ensured by a series of enzymes grouped into two phases: Phase I enzymes (called cytochrome P450s or CYPs) and Phase II (conjugating) enzymes. Phase I enzymes transform compounds from a fat-soluble into a water-soluble compounds. Phase II enzymes tag these compounds to ease their elimination. Finally, the elimination phase is the one by which the body get rid of these compounds. There are two major routes: hepatobiliary (liver via the bile duct and eliminated via feces) and renal (kidneys).
Again, the fallacious claim that skin and respiration are considered as major elimination routes is simply outrageously wrong, especially considering from a healthcare professional.
The third part is directly playing the classical anti vaccine tropes “vaccines cause autism” that have debunked again and again.  I will not into it, there are great resources about what this claim is purely wrong and not supported by science.
But I just wanted to add my take on Hepatitis B (HepB) and newborns vaccination. The general public has a global misconception about HepB being only an STD. Indeed it is not. HepB is the same type of virus than HIV when we talk about mode of transmission: a blood-borne pathogen (in addition to its sexual transmission). This is a vaccine we highly recommend to any staff working in lab research and handling any blood or blood-based products. Because there is always a risk of HepB transmission via accidental cut and exposure to blood, this is even supported by being an “healthy carrier” (you have circulating HepB in your blood but you are not having any liver condition). it is better safe than sorry, considering than HepB can lead to severe liver pathology such as cirrhosis.
Finally the fourth part was fairly alarming. You may have heard about Orac, a seasoned MD and oncologist that is doing a great job in his website “www.sciencebasedmedicine.org“. Orac has been raising his concern that pseudoscience and quackery has been percolating inside mainstream medicine, using names like “functional medicine”, “integrative medicine” or “holistic medicine” as a wolf with a sheep cloth, appearing harmless.
He cites then a quote from a colleague named Jessica Hutchins, MD and IFM-certified (certification from a certain Institute of Functional Medicine) as described as the following:
In a 2015 article in U.S. News and World Report (Link to her article), Jessica Hutchins, M.D., IFM certified practitioner, states , “Information on eating toxin-free food and pushing food manufacturers to stop using harmful ingredients can be found at foodbabe.com. When we vote with our dollars by choosing to buy products that are sustainably produced and chemical-free, we actively shape the market place. Help change the way [loved ones] nourish their precious bodies, starting with yourself as an example.
Using Vani Hari (aka the FoodBabe) as a source of information and as a reference for health advices, from an MD, is simply insane! “What did they teach you at the IFM?”. At first glance, the certification program provided by the IFM seems legitimate (https://www.functionalmedicine.org/certification_program/About/) however one single item appear intriguing:
Comprehensive assessment of the fundamental physiological systems that organize the key clinical imbalances and are affected by the mental-emotional-spiritual core: Assimilation, Communication, Defense and repair, Transport, Energy, Structural Integrity, Biotransformation and elimination
Until now, we have little or no evidence of prayers and thoughts work in healing someone, lesser than any evidence faith healer healed someone solely on their spiritual powers. Also the presence of chiropractors as instructors (and we know how well chiropractors have a scientific training) is also disturbing.

In conclusion, 2017 comes in with a bang as I feared: a year in which evidence, facts are discredited by gut-feeling, smooth talks and snake oil sellers.

Post-scriptum: when you have woo peddlers lauding your article, you know that our article is a complete #NaturalNonSense (courtesy: Chow Babe).

[Neurosciences/Alzheimer] Structural variation in amyloid-β fibrils from Alzheimer’s disease clinical subtypes

Interesting study published in Nature about how differences in Abeta fibrils have an implication on the clinical symptoms.
A quick refresher for those not much familiar (it is also a bit of a headache as I just dive in the Alzheimer’s research). Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the formation of senile plaques and tangles, such structures have been considered as the causative agents in neuronal cell death.
These plaques are clumps of a peptide called Abeta (for amyloid beta) peptides. We know how these peptides are formed (by cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein or APP) and we know there are different “flavors” of Abeta that have been described: Abeta 1-40, Abeta 1-42…..
We also know that these peptides are “sticky”. They are released as monomers (single peptide) and because they are hydrophobic (hates water, like oil hates water) they will try to bind together and form oligomers (think about little sticky balls). These oligomers then can form fibrils.
It is a very “dry” study because it is heavy on structural biology and computational biology but in the same time very interesting.
It shows us that plaque formation is not a linear processes, there are different combinations possible (imagine like comparing snowflakes) that have a direct impact on the clinical presentation and outcomes in patients.
That’s maybe providing another way of thinking in targeting Abeta that can help us learn from the failure of previous clinical trials.

Abstract and link to the original paper

Aggregation of amyloid-β peptides into fibrils or other self-assembled states is central to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. Fibrils formed in vitro by 40- and 42-residue amyloid-β peptides (Aβ40 and Aβ42) are polymorphic, with variations in molecular structure that depend on fibril growth conditions. Recent experiments suggest that variations in amyloid-β fibril structure in vivo may correlate with variations in Alzheimer’s disease phenotype, in analogy to distinct prion strains that are associated with different clinical and pathological phenotypes. Here we investigate correlations between structural variation and Alzheimer’s disease phenotype using solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) measurements on Aβ40 and Aβ42 fibrils prepared by seeded growth from extracts of Alzheimer’s disease brain cortex. We compared two atypical Alzheimer’s disease clinical subtypes—the rapidly progressive form (r-AD) and the posterior cortical atrophy variant (PCA-AD)—with a typical prolonged-duration form (t-AD). On the basis of ssNMR data from 37 cortical tissue samples from 18 individuals, we find that a single Aβ40 fibril structure is most abundant in samples from patients with t-AD and PCA-AD, whereas Aβ40 fibrils from r-AD samples exhibit a significantly greater proportion of additional structures. Data for Aβ42 fibrils indicate structural heterogeneity in most samples from all patient categories, with at least two prevalent structures. These results demonstrate the existence of a specific predominant Aβ40 fibril structure in t-AD and PCA-AD, suggest that r-AD may relate to additional fibril structures and indicate that there is a qualitative difference between Aβ40 and Aβ42 aggregates in the brain tissue of patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

Source: Structural variation in amyloid-β fibrils from Alzheimer’s disease clinical subtypes : Nature : Nature Research


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Friday, April 28, 2017

NEW Peachy Keen Stamps Release!

Hello! It's an exciting day for Peachy Keen Stamps fans!!! The new On The Pond release is live! And the extra special news is that PKS has decided to release a limited number of "physical stamps" in addition to the digi release! YAY! So if digi's scare you {I know they do some of you}, you're in luck! :) Anyhoo...I used the On The Pond Digi Bundle for my sweet ducky and greeting. I colored her with Copic markers. I used distress inks, masking, and a stencil for the background. And here's another card with the new release...

Eek! Can you stand how cute this sweet turtle is? Swoon. I again used the new On The Pond Digi Bundle for the turtle and the greeting. I colored the turtle and the scene with Copics.

Pop over to PeachyKeenStamps to shop the new On The Pond release!

♥ Nikki ♥

p.s. I can't be the only one excited to smell fresh Peachies again?! ;) Happy shopping!

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thank you so much for stopping by my little corner of the crafty blogosphere! i LOVE comments!


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gratitude (a sigh of relief)

Ginny is staying put for now.

That is what I am profoundly grateful for this week.

At only 31 weeks and a day old it was still too early for Ginny to consider being born yet, but for some reason she wanted to have an argument about it.

She insisted that she really did want to come early and the doctors insisted that she really needs to sit still a little while longer. Children don’t like to sit still apparently.

I don’t know if she is pouting or not about it, but Martin and I are very very grateful.

So thank you Lord, for the doctor’s that did right by mama-Mel and baby Ginny.

Thank you for sending her a doctor that is treating her with respect and tenderness.

Please be with mama-Mel as she learns to stay off her feet in the coming weeks. Send friends to her doorstep and give her sweet hubby Steve the patience to help her without making her feel helpless. Bless all the members of our weird, extended, crazy family as we wait for “the time to be accomplished” for Ginny to be delivered to us. Healthy, whole and happy.

2 thoughts on “gratitude (a sigh of relief)

  1. I’ve been off-line for several days and I”m glad to see both the original and the update at the same time! I’m glad she’s staying put! I went into labor with my first at 32 weeks. The doctor drugged me and put me on bed rest until week 36. My little darling had to be induced the week of her due date..those little people have minds of their own even before we meet them! Nursery looks good!

    Welcome back to the www. and yes, they do have a mind of their own. But God is good and HE can talk Ginny into doing what is best for her. No matter what havock it’s gonna wreck on my schedule. 😉

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Spider-Man fans know all about Gwen Stacy. As Peter Parker’s first love, Gwen died during one of Spider-Man’s battles, and Peter blamed himself. For forty years, her comic book death tugged at the heartstrings of Spidey fans. In 2015, Gwen Stacy returned to Marvel comics in a big way – as a hero in her own series.

Writer Jason Latour and artist Robbi Rodriguez asked the question: what if Gwen was the one to get the spider bite instead of Peter?

Gwen Stacy became Spider-Gwen, a whole new Spider-powered hero from a whole new universe. Her real heroic codename was Spider-Woman, but when Spider-Gwen is as unique as the costume she sports, why would anyone else use her formal name? Those who know her secret identity can have as much fun as the editors with the word play.

Since her debut, Gwen traveled to multiple universes and met dozens of other Spider-heroes, lost her powers, learned the truth about how she got those powers, and even become a version of Venom. She’s worked with Jessica Drew, Cindy Moon, Miles Morales, and even, yes, Peter Parker, learning all about the Spider-legacy across the universe.

As a result of her solo series, Gwen Stacy is no longer just Spider-Man’s fridged love interest. She’s a complex hero in her own right with legions of brand new fans.

We’ve got the lowdown on all the Gwen details you need with 15 Things You Didn’t Know About Spider-Gwen.

15. Peter Parker Was Her First Major Villain

Death of Peter Parker in Spider Gwen Issue 4 15 Things You Didn’t Know About Spider Gwen

In a surprising turn for comic book readers familiar with the original Spider-Man stories, Peter Parker wasn’t a hero in Gwen’s world, but an accidental villain.

Peter, inspired by what he saw of Spider-Woman, wanted to be a hero as well. His goal was actually to take on those who bullied him in high school and teach them a lesson.

He worked with the serum originally created by Dr. Curt Connors that featured reptilian traits to boost his strength. Just as it did for Connors, it turned Peter into the Lizard.

Peter and Gwen came into conflict a few times before Gwen discovered who the Lizard really was. Once she knew the truth, she attempted to save him, but she pushed him too far during their final fight, and he ended up dead as a result.

Her confrontation with Peter led many to think Spider-Woman was a murderer.

14. She Can Travel Between Dimensions

Spider Gwen and Ultimate Spider Man travel between worlds 15 Things You Didn’t Know About Spider Gwen

Following her time as part of the Spider-Verse story, Gwen didn’t stop traveling across the multiverse. She had a special watch-like device to allow her to travel.

Gwen’s travel-watch lets her to open a gateway between worlds to provide her a quick jump point. It’s not unlike the way teleporters are able to travel between realities in Marvel comics.

She put it to use when Jessica Drew (Spider-Woman) and Cindy Moon (Silk) came to her Earth on a mission. The three women joined up for another event series when Gwen’s watch was stolen by an enemy.

Gwen also got the chance to see other worlds when the Ultimate Spider-Man Miles Morales paid hers a visit, looking for his father. The two visited yet another alternate universe before Miles was able to make his way home.

13. She Married Spider-Man

Gwen Stacy And Miles Morales 15 Things You Didn’t Know About Spider Gwen

Gwen Stacy might have died before her romance with Peter Parker could go very far in the normal continuity, but in another dimension, Gwen Stacy ended up finding love with another version of Spider-Man.

While Gwen and Miles Morales worked together to find his father’s double, they traveled to another dimension where they visited Earth-8.

While there, they discovered their counterparts on that Earth wound up married with two children. Their kids, Charlotte and Max, had Spider-related powers as well.

Gwen and Miles also had a brief romance of their own, but the two were from very different places with very busy lives, and they parted ways as friends. Some fans still hold out hope that they’ll end up together in another reality as well.

12. Her Powers Come From An Alien Spider

Cindy Moon of Earth 65 Created The Spider that Gave Spider Gwen Abilities 15 Things You Didn’t Know About Spider Gwen

Unlike Peter Parker’s 616 version, Gwen didn’t get bit by a radioactive spider. The spider that came after her was actually extraterrestrial in origin.

Gwen discovered that receiving the spider bite was all orchestrated by someone else: Cindy Moon. The Cindy of Gwen’s Earth was actually a villain instead of a hero. The owner of a multi-billion-dollar corporation, Cindy loved to experiment.

Cindy discovered a spider-like creature from another planet and experimented with its genetic material. Not wanting to use it on herself in case there were dangerous side effects, or in case her experiment was a failure, Cindy set the spider on Gwen.

When Cindy revealed all of this to Gwen, she also revealed something else: a new experimental serum that stripped Gwen of her Spider-powers.

11. She First Debuted In Edge Of Spider-Verse

Gwen Stacy as Spider Woman in Edge of Spider Verse Issue 2 15 Things You Didn’t Know About Spider Gwen

Marvel’s Edge of Spider-Verse event series hit comic book stores in 2014 with a large cast of characters imbued with Spider-related powers. Gwen Stacy made her comic book debut as Spider-Woman in the second issue.

Gwen was one of several Spider-powered heroes recruited by Spider-UK to help protect other heroes across the multiverse. The storyline united characters like Gwen with the normal continuity’s Peter Parker, Anya Corazon, and Spider-Man of India to battle a very large villain.

A villain known as Morlun targeted those with Spider-powers (the Spider-Totems) across the multiverse. The group hopped between realities to stop him before landing in Battleworld, a major Marvel storyline that saw the multiverse cease to exist as worlds collided.

Not all of the new Spider-characters introduced were popular, but Gwen was a standout and got her own solo series a year later.

10. She Is From Earth-65

Spider Gwen and Captain America Samantha Wilson on Earth 65 15 Things You Didn’t Know About Spider Gwen

The main continuity for Marvel comics is known as Earth-616. Over the years, the comics introduced many other realities as part of the multiverse. The Gwen Stacy of Earth-65 became Spider-Woman.

This Gwen didn’t die at the hands of a villain after Peter Parker got a radioactive spider bite. Instead, Gwen got the bite, only knew Peter as a friend, and used her abilities to have a little fun.

It wasn’t until her father told her that Spider-Woman could really do some good in the world that she became a hero.

In Gwen’s world, Matt Murdock isn’t the Daredevil, but the Kingpin. Frank Castle is a detective known as the Punisher. Captain America is a woman named Samantha Wilson. Readers familiar with the 616 universe will find plenty of nods to it.

9. Dan Slott Had A Different Look In Mind

Spider Man the Death of Gwen Stacy 15 Things You Didn’t Know About Spider Gwen

Though longtime Spider-Man comic book writer Dan Slott isn’t the name on the pages of Spider-Gwen, he did provide the jumping off point for the character.

Slott suggested the idea of a version of Gwen Stacy with Spider-powers for a crossover event to Spider-Man editor Nick Lowe. Lowe liked the idea and brought it to Jason Latour, who was then tasked with writing a series for the character.

It was Latour who brought artist Robbi Rodriguez on to design Gwen’s look, though Slott already had a look in mind.

Inspired by Gwen Stacy’s iconic death scene, Slott believed her costume should reflect that moment. Gwen died while wearing a large trench coat, and Slott wanted her to wear a red trench coat with spider webs across it in homage.

Spider-Gwen’s look became something completely different in the hands of Rodriguez – and one of the most often cosplayed Spider-heroes.

8. She’s A Drummer

Gwen Stacy is the drummer for the Mary Janes 15 Things You Didn’t Know About Spider Gwen

Though Gwen Stacy appears to have a lot of similar traits to the main continuity’s Spider-Man, she doesn’t embrace his affinity for science. Instead, Gwen has a more creative than analytical side.

Gwen Stacy, along with other Spider-staples Betty Brant and Mary Jane Watson, is a member of a band called the Mary Janes, named for their lead singer. Her name might not be on the drum kit, but Gwen provides the foundation for the group as a drummer.

It’s Gwen who keeps their timing and provides them with the rhythm to sing to. That’s why becoming Spider-Woman creates such a conflict for the group. Gwen goes missing in action several times when the band has gigs, almost costing her a spot in the band.

Even though she focuses on her creative side, she does know her way around a crime scene and police procedures thanks to her analytical detective father.

7. Another Hero Made Her Web Shooters

Janet Van Dyne Created Web Shooters For Spider Gwen 15 Things You Didn’t Know About Spider Gwen

Like many Spider-heroes, Gwen’s web shooters don’t involve organic webbing. One of her many abilities does not include making her own webs, but luckily, she had another hero to help her create them and the shooters to hold them.

Janet Van Dyne, who readers know as the Avenger the Wasp, is a scientist and inventor in Spider-Gwen’s reality. She worked closely with Gwen to help her master her abilities and make fighting crime easier.

It was Janet who created web shooters for Gwen. They are designed to pull moisture from the air instead of relying on a specially formulated fluid to work.

As long as Gwen is in an area with any kind of humidity, she can use her web shooters to create lines to swing from, globs to throw at her enemies, and webs to trap people.

6. Her Skills Come From Movies

Spider Gwen With Captain Americas Shield 15 Things You Didn’t Know About Spider Gwen

Gwen isn’t a natural born fighter. She also doesn’t have the training of a spy organization or a master ninja behind her. Instead, Gwen picked up on fighting technique all on her own.

She never outright confirms it, but the first issue of her second solo series featured a fact file for comic book fans.

In it, the writers confirmed that Gwen Stacy learned her best fight moves from martial arts movies. She might not be able to exactly duplicate a move after seeing it once, like some heroes, but she’s got plenty of skills thanks to her love of cinema and pop culture.

Of course, movies are not the best place to learn how to fight. As Cindy Moon points out after working with Gwen, the latter doesn’t even know how to throw a proper punch. Training is a better idea than imitation when you’re in the superhero game.

5. She Has Specific Taste In Music

Spider Gwen Dislikes Eminem in Spider Woman Volume 5 Issue 4 15 Things You Didn’t Know About Spider Gwen

Given that Gwen is a member of an all female rock band, it’s not a surprise that she has a lot of opinions about music. Usually those opinions are showcased through song lyrics in the pages of comics.

Gwen is actually a big Taylor Swift fan, though it’s not clear if the Taylor Swift of Earth-65 is the same we know here. Gwen is such a big fan that she has some of Swift’s music on vinyl. Jessica Drew, aka Spider-Woman of Earth-616, doesn’t approve.

Other Spider-Women are a big fan of Eminem’s early music; Cindy Moon and Anya Corazon even quoted him, teasing Gwen in an issue of Spider-Woman.

Gwen doesn’t find their enjoyment of Eminem amusing, proving herself not a fan of his. Maybe she’s really more of a pop-rock girl than she lets on.

4. Gwenom

Spider Gwen and Venom create Gwenom 15 Things You Didn’t Know About Spider Gwen

Without her super powers after her confrontation with Cindy Moon, Gwen found it difficult to keep up heroic appearances. Gwen could no longer heal as quickly, couldn’t climb walls, and didn’t have the same strength or agility.

Gwen still worked at being a hero with isotopes created to give her temporary abilities. An opportunity arose to give her similar, if not the same, kinds of powers she had as Spider-Woman.

The Kingpin and a scientist working for him discovered that the isotopes Gwen used for her powers and the DNA of those using the Lizard serum could be combined to create a symbiote.

Gwen was supposed to gain access to the symbiote for Kingpin, but she turned on him, only creating the symbiote when she had to fight her friend Harry Osborn with the Lizard serum in his veins.

Gwen became Gwenom, struggling to keep the symbiote under control.

3. Dove Cameron Is Spider-Gwen

Dove Cameron Voices Spider Gwen for Marvel Animated Projects 15 Things You Didn’t Know About Spider Gwen

Dove Cameron made a name for herself on the Disney Channel in the series Liv and Maddie and the TV movie Descendants, but she also recently entered the world of Marvel.

Cameron lent her voice talents to Marvel’s Spider-Man as Spider-Gwen for a handful of episodes already, but she was also cast as Gwen for an upcoming animated movie.

Cameron will appear as the “Ghost-Spider” version of Gwen for Marvel’s Secret Warriors animated project alongside Tyler Posey as Inferno, Chloe Bennet as Quake, Cierra Ramirez as America, and more.

That’s not all though! In addition to her role as Gwen, Cameron also has a top secret role in season five of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Fans shouldn’t get their hopes up for a Spider-Gwen cameo in live action though. Cameron has made it clear on twitter that the animated and live action worlds are two different characters.

2. A Spider-Gwen Variant Created Gwenpool

Gwenpool First Variant Cover 15 Things You Didn’t Know About Spider Gwen

When the Spider-Gwen solo series debuted, it hit comic book stands with a flurry of promotions. Some of those promotions included Gwen Stacy as other heroes on variant comic book covers.

Hands down the most popular comic book variant to release featured Gwen as Deadpool. In pink and white instead of Deadpool’s usual red and black, fans were intrigued.

Fans were so intrigued by the idea of Gwenpool that she became one of the most popular cosplays over the next few months.

The popularity of the character led to Gwenpool getting her own series in 2016 (which ends this month). Gwenpool was eventually revealed to not actually be Gwen Stacy in her own version of a Deadpool costume. Instead, she’s Gwen Poole, her very own entity.

1. She’s A Best Seller

Spider Gwen First Issue e1514144940374 15 Things You Didn’t Know About Spider Gwen

Spider-Gwen was already a popular character before her solo series debuted. She was one of the most popular cosplays for the months right before the series dropped, so expectations for sales were high, but the reality blew those out of the water.

The first issue landed in comic book stores for February 2015 – and promptly old out. Marvel had to send it to a second printing, and then another, until copies sold out for five printings of the issue. All in all, 250,000 copies of Spider-Gwen #1 were sold at comic shops, making the issue the third top comic of February 2015.

The only comics to outrank Spider-Gwen that month were a couple of other #1s. The first issue of the Darth Vader solo series (also printed by Marvel) landed at number two. The surprising comic in the number one slot? IDW Publishing’s first issue of Orphan Black.

Did you learn something new about Spider-Gwen? Or did we leave out something new fans should know? Let us know in the comments!

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Monday, December 5, 2011

Headline Shirts Review and Giveaway [CLOSED]

I had a half day off from work today, which means I was home to get the mail. I'm glad I was, because I had two packages delivered today! One of them was my tshirt to review from Headline Shirts (the other was my Larson Farms Naturals soaps--more on them tomorrow).

Headline Shirts had emailed me to inquire about me hosting a giveaway and I happily agreed! I had heard of them before and really enjoy their witty, offbeat shirts. They really suit my sense of humor. They offered me a free shirt to review, so I chose the No Regrets design.

But first, a little bit about Headline Shirts: they're based out of San Francisco, and as their website states, "We're obsessed with making intelligently funny tees and apparel." Their Vintageblend™ tees are hand-sewn right at their San Francisco headquarters using a poly/cotton blend. What I really liked is that they also use eco-friendly inks (they even call themselves "West Coast tree-huggers," haha). The bags they ship in are even compostible!

It took me a little while to decide which tee I wanted to try, since so many of the designs made me laugh. I really liked the following designs:

I settled on the "No Regrets" tiger because, well, I don't really know why. I just really liked it for some reason--probably because it makes little to no sense.

These tees are super soft. I ordered a women's medium, and I'm glad I didn't go for the small because it would have been too tight. The medium fits perfectly; it's snug and flattering for a woman's shape, but not too tight. The tiger image is really vibrant, too. I'm sure that the men's styles could be unisex, though, for someone looking for a looser fit.

Bottom Line: I think Headline Shirts are really clever and affordably priced. I would recommend their shirts to anyone who likes intelligent, offbeat humor!
Click behind the read more cut to learn more about the GIVEAWAY!

Even better, the kind folks at Headline Shirts have a great promotion for everyone, and have offered to give one free shirt to one of my readers!

First, if you sign up for the Headline Shirts newsletter you can get $5 off of your order! Click this link to sign up for the newsletter.

In order to enter the giveaway, please use the Rafflecopter form below. *You must complete ALL of the mandatory entries in order for your entries to count!*

*Disclaimer: Headline Shirts provided me with a free tshirt to review, and are also providing one free shirt for the giveaway winner. The honest opinions of my shirt are entirely my own and I was not monetarily compensated for the review.

  1. How fun, thank you for the chance to win. There isn't an extra info line so I will put my choice here, I like the North Pole shirt.

  2. I love the sloth hang in there shirt. All headline shirts are really clever though.

  3. These shirts are so funny! I like the "you're not my type" in different languages shirt.

  4. I love the JFK Jelly Donut shirt. My sister absolutely loves JFK, so that shirt would make a perfect gift!

    siilentii27 at gmail dot com

  5. So hard to choose! I love the wisdom tooth shirt and teh "this shit writes itself" shirt!

  6. SO hard to choose! They are all so funny.. i'm glad you brought them to my attention because I will definitely be buying some stuff from them when I have some extra spending money.. haha. Anyways, since I have to pick one i'd probably say my favorite is the shakespeare "this shit writes itself" shirt :) Haha

    maddieksmith @ gmail . com

  7. I like the Rocky Bicycle shirt.

    Sleepyheadedmom at gmail dot com

  8. My fave is the Shakespeare "This shit writes itself" shirt

  9. These are awesome!! Darth Pinata is my favorite :)

  10. Le King Kong is just priceless.

    untaintedbeauty AT gmail DOT com

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog! I love any and all feedback and I read every comment.


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Friday, April 3, 2015

Marvelash Review

I have short, straight eyelashes and I've always had trouble getting them to hold a curl.  It's a pretty minor complaint in the grand scheme of things, but I love a product that'll help me get longer, lusher lashes and so far Marvelash has done just that!

*Disclaimer: This product was sent to See, Shop, Love! for review purposes.

Marvelash is an eyelash serum that promises longer, thicker, darker lashes.  When products like this started growing in popularity I will admit that I was skeptical, but I am always eager to put them to the test.  Marvelash provides vital nutrients to your lashes with daily application which helps them to grow thicker and stronger.  The formula is clinically tested and the packaging states that lashes appear 54% longer in just a few weeks with regular use.

The instructions say to use this before bedtime after completely cleansing the eye area.  The applicator is a fine tipped brush (see above), making it easy to accurately apply it along your lash lines.  I chose to use this only on my upper lashes, but you can use it on your lower ones as well.  It also says to use it daily for the best results.  I also would recommend following the instructions about using it at night, since you have less of a chance of it getting into your eyes.  I think if you wore it around during the day you'd eventually get some in your eye from just blinking.  I did get a bit in my eyes once and it stung a little, but you can easily wash it out with water.

I have been using Marvelash for about a month and a half and I am pleased with the results!  I do feel that my lashes are longer and I feel that they appear thicker as well.  Now, they aren't noticeably longer without using an eyelash curler, but I have noticed enough of a change to make me want to continue to use it!

I know this photo looks creepy because it's my eye, but I wanted to show you the actual results.  I don't have a "before" shot, but I promise that my lashes have never looked this long before.

Another thing about Marvelash that I like is that it can also be used on your eyebrows.  I over-plucked mine a while ago and I'm still in the process of growing them in, and although I haven't used Marvelash on them yet I have a feeling it will be just as effective as it has been on my lashes.
  • Visit the Marvelash website to learn more and purchase
Bottom Line: I can honestly recommend Marvelash and I think it's made my lashes look longer and fuller!  I especially love how they look with mascara now, but the photo above is without any makeup or alterations whatsoever.  If you're looking to enhance your lashes, I think Marvelash is definitely worth a try.

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SEM Conference » Event Schedule

Event Schedule

Real Estate

The conference’s Real Estate Track is coordinated by GCM Grosvenor’s Real Estate Investments Team. The team focuses on equity and debt investments in primarily US commercial real estate across asset types, including office, multifamily and residential, retail, industrial, as well as more niche asset types such as hospitality, student and senior housing, self-storage, and land.

This year, the Real Estate Team returns with its signature in-depth presentation on the current state of the market, followed by a dynamic three-part fund marketing session.

Women’s Networking Tea

12:00 P.M. – 1:00 P.M.
Gold Room

Presenter: Jill Zucker, Partner, McKinsey & Company

LP Only Session

3:30 P.M. – 4:45 P.M.
Terzo Piano Restaurant – Art Institute of Chicago’s Modern Wing

Emerging Manager Guidebook
This session explores the breadth and depth of the emerging manager landscape across four alternative asset types: private equity, hedge funds, real estate and infrastructure. Using data derived from multiple sources, including meetings with many thousands of fund managers over the past decade, the presentation addresses topics such as how many emerging funds exist, what strategies they pursue, where they come from, and how they are (or not) raising capital. To provide context to the data, we give an overview of the broader alternatives universe and how emerging managers fit, including with respect to institutional investor allocation trends. Finally, the presentation reviews the universe of emerging manager capital and programs, and explores potential trends for the future.

Presenter: Peter Braffman, Managing Director, GCM Grosvenor

LP Only Dinner – Invite Only

5:00 P.M. – 6:15 P.M.
Terzo Piano Restaurant – Art Institute of Chicago’s Modern Wing

General Reception

6:30 P.M. – 9:30 P.M.
Art Institute of Chicago’s Modern Wing

Breakfast & GCM Grosvenor Conference Kick-Off

7:30 A.M. – 8:00 A.M.
Imperial Ballroom

Panel I

8:05 A.M. – 9:50 A.M.
Rouge Room

State of Affairs: The Current State of the Real Estate Emerging Manager Market
As is tradition, we kick things off with a data-filled presentation on trends and activity among real estate emerging managers. Hosted by Peter Braffman, a member of GCM Grosvenor Private Markets Investment Committee and head of Real Estate Investments, the session highlights the strategies, manager types and asset classes that are (and are not) raising capital, the level of institutional appetite, and the latest in fund terms. New this year is a mapping of, and in-depth analysis of the growing number of funds targeting debt and credit strategies. The presentation culminates with our exclusive look at performance, along with extensive analyses of the J-curve and strategies to mitigate the impact of the gross-to-net spread.

Presenter: Peter Braffman, Managing Director, GCM Grosvenor

9:50 A.M. – 10:10 A.M.

Panel II

10:10 A.M. – 11:45 A.M.
Rouge Room and Cuvee Room

Round-Robin: A Three-Track, Interactive Session on Fund Marketing
This new session allows attendees to participate in each of the three presentation/discussion sessions. Led by the KAP Group, a leading fundraising and investor relations provider, and the GCM Grosvenor Real Estate team, discussions include:

  • Fundraising Fallacies: The more meetings, the better…the best meetings are those in which you don’t even open the book… investors will commit to your next fund before you return any capital! Well, no. Fundraising may be an art, but it is also a science. This discussion addresses managers’ mistaken assumptions and shares tips for avoiding common traps.
  • Developing Your Deck: Every firm needs a marketing deck that showcases what makes their platform special. What should yours look like? How long should it be, what content is key, and how should it be constructed? This discussion explores these questions and presents best practices in marketing presentation preparation.
  • Showcasing Your Track Record Effectively: A track record is more than a series of numbers on a page. It is a story that needs to reflect not only what a platform has achieved, but also what it may achieve for investors in the future. This presentation dissects typical track record issues and discusses specific ways to highlight performance and value creation.

Facilitators: Erin Roeder, Principal, KAP Group; Jen Hutter, Chief Executive Officer, KAP Group; Christina Anzel, Project Manager, KAP Group

11:45 P.M. – 12:20 P.M.

Lunch & Keynote Speaker

12:20 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.
Imperial Ballroom

Closing Networking Reception

2:00 P.M. – 3:30 P.M.
International Ballroom Foyer

Please check back regularly for updates to this page, including panel topics and speakers. There is limited capacity for conference events and panel sessions. Registration is subject to a first-come, first-served basis.


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is using 5 services which we detected on its website. The major ones are WEBSITEWELCOME.COM for hosting the website, for DNS management, Go Daddy as Registrar, for email services and WordPress 4.5.3 as software behind the website The site was online when this report was compiled on 17 March 2018 06:16. is hosted in United States .

After checking the site records, we found that it is 2 years old and will expire on 19 March 2017. For more registration details, refer to this section. The site uses a SSL Certificate issued by Comodo Group to protect the privacy of its users. Homepage is in English and contain 5 external links.

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Complete registration information text

   Registrar: GODADDY.COM, LLC
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Being paranoid doesn’t mean…

If you’ve been following the blog for the last couple of days, you’ve seen an evolving position on my part re: the Winter Soldiers panel and discussion on campus tonight.  I say “evolving,” while others might say “shifting,” or “slippery,” because I’ve continued to change my mind about what’s happening as I learn more.  If you think I’m being disingenuine or I’m retreating from my position, that’s likely because you’re the kind of person who imagines arguments and debates as win/lose propositions.

Maybe the reason the left struggles in contemporary US political discourse is that we don’t really believe in winning and losing in the same way the right does, which allows them to keep making and changing the rules.

Anyhow, what’s become clear in the last couple of days is that the vast conspiracy I imagined behind Karen P’s disinvitation from the Winter Soldiers event was just that–imagination.  That doesn’t mean there’s nothing to it; it means I don’t have good evidence of it.  And frankly, unless the members of that imagined conspiracy continue to press the luck I only imagine they have, it’s not worth wracking my brain over any more.

Kyle Smith, President of the WCU College Republicans, probably made the point most directly about his own group’s involvement in the flap–this comment may have made me respect him more than anything else he said–when he said (quoted almost exactly–forgive me, Kyle, if I’m misquoting too badly), “I wish we had that kind of power.”  He makes no bones about the way he wants to see things.

As I reflect on the way this has all shaken out, what I see first and foremost is the paranoid assumption on my part that groups outside the university stuck their noses where they don’t belong.  I saw Students for Academic Freedom and the Gathering of Eagles/CCVM getting involved with an issue that isn’t theirs.  Why would I beileve that?  Because I’ve seen it happen just enough times to recognize their tactics and lines of argument.  But they’re not the only groups that deploy those tactics and lines of argument.  Neither is there a neo-conservative behind every tree, although it generally feels safer to assume there is.

All of which leads me in contrary directions.  On the one hand, it makes me more sympathetic to those who believe we’re occupying and killing people in Iraq, and costing the lives of US soldiers, to keep terrorists from coming to the US again.  If that connection seems opaque to you, I’m not surprised.  From my point of view, terrorism is successful (for its proponents, which I’m not) when an occasional act of violence creates fear that can get ramped up again at any time afterwards.  For example, Al Qaeda doesn’t have to attack the US again; all they have to do is release a recording making it sound like they might, and we all get freaked out again.  Likewise, given the nasty neo-conservative tactics of SAF and GoE, all I have to hear is a slight echo of their rhetoric and I see another attack.

On the other hand (really the same hand, maybe just a different finger), I believe SAF and GoE use those kinds of tactics because they know they work.  How do they know?  Because they’ve seen terrorists world-wide use them for decades.  All GoE has to do is threaten to make trouble on a campus, and people like me get all riled up.

Am I accusing SAF and GoE of being terrorists?  No.  But neither do I think it’s any coincidence that they’ve predicated their existence on fear mongering because they recognize its power.  The essential difference is that SAF and GoE don’t kill people to create their spectacles (thank goodness), so there’s a huge difference in magnitude.  But the tactics share a common root.  I really hope members of those organizations recognize themselves in that commonality and learn how to do their thing without acting exactly like the people they say they oppose.

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Old Lady

This afternoon I turned on the TV waiting for the NCAA National Championship game and to kill time while I was cooking dinner I flipped on Law and Order, SVU. An “old lady” is raped and people are wondering why anyone would want to rape an old lady.  While looking for evidence, one of the detectives asked the age of the old lady. Well, she was 72. Now this is also my age and I’ve never thought of myself as an old lady. But, it did get me thinking about aging and what it means to each of us. I have certainly noticed several changes in my body. Things are starting to go south, my hair is getting very thin and getting silvery. I’m discovering age spots on my legs and arms from spending way too much fun in the sun as a girl. I spend a lot of time bending over my sewing machine and I spent many years taking notes on a laptop computer at work so my back is getting a curvature it never had before. It’s more difficult to get up off the ground when I sit on it to put grommets into my hula implement bags.

On the good side I still have a lot of energy. I take four classes of dance a week with extra practices here and there. I still have enough balance to work out on my Simply Fit Board which helps keep the heart rate up, the waist trimmed. I’ve kept my weight down at 125-128. I sleep well and eat well. I enjoy cooking healthy and seldom eat out. I can still mow my yard although the huge buffalo grass has me whipped. I keep my mind from atrophy by trying to keep up with current events which unfortunately also makes my blood pressure rise, but since it’s always been very low, I’m not worried. Although I didn’t grow up with computers and Smart Phones, I can usually manage to use them without a lot of problems except for Windows 10, which I loathe. I have a lovely relationship with my youngest son who calls me every week just to talk. We always seem to find so much to talk about. And, I’m happy that both my sons are doing well and have very special women in their lives.

So, though I might be considered an “old lady” by some standards, by my standards I may be getting older, but I’m not feeling my age. I’m anxiously awaiting what is in store for me in the future…number one wish–a partner that dances!


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Women killed in Highway 1 crash identified

Two women who died after the car they were in collided with a truck on state Highway 1 near Pescadero on Saturday afternoon have been identified as 22-year-old Audrey Jimenez and 22-year-old Madeline Halluin, according to the San Mateo County coroner’s office.

Jimenez, a San Jose resident, and Halluin, a Campbell resident, were both pronounced dead at the scene following the collision, California Highway Patrol officials said.

The collision was reported around 4 p.m. on Highway 1 at Pigeon Point Road in unincorporated San Mateo County, according to the CHP.

A Dodge pickup truck was traveling south on Highway 1 when a Mazda CX-5, occupied by Halluin and Jimenez, tried to pull out onto the highway from Pigeon Point Road. The Mazda, however, came right into the path of the Dodge and the two vehicles collided, CHP officials said.

No one inside the Dodge was injured, according to the CHP.

Drugs or alcohol do not appear to be a factor in the crash, CHP officials said.


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It is summer vacation part 2 and it is not even summer anymore. Rain would fall almost every single day and the sun would shine only for a couple of hours before getting covered by those thick heavy clouds I’m so tired of seeing.

The 6 weeks of summer school had gone by so fast: 3 classes with a normal semester’s worth of information and knowledge stuffed into just a few weeks. It was pretty ambitious but hey, we all did it and made it. In fact, grades came out yesterday and I didn’t do so bad, I mean, I could’ve obviously done better but still: I DID NOT FAIL.

So the first week out of three weeks is just about to end and I’ve been trying to keep myself occupied. So far, I’ve gone out a couple of times with friends from high school, I’ve been to the gym several times, I ran, I “blogged”, cooked, visited my grandparents and watched a bunch of series and movies.

One might think, “Damn, Shai, you’ve got such a boring life”. But in all honesty, I enjoy this. I enjoy just ‘chilling’. I must admit, I do have those few moments  where I’d wish I was exploring or even chilling in another place, but when you’re rarely home, you appreciate just not doing anything.

At home, I am able to just relax and not stress about life as a whole. It is during these times all my creative juices are squeezed out of me and I am able to write, draw, bake, and cook!

This isn’t a healthy lifestyle to live EVERY SINGLE DAY because of course, everyone should get out there.  But for a person who’s rarely home just like me, this isn’t so bad at all


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Ian'S Pizza

This weekend’s Street Eats food and beer truck event in Milwaukee’s Third Ward will have an Irish theme. more

Jul 25, 2017 1:50 PM Short Order

Last night, Landmark Lanes celebrated its 90th anniversaryon Milwaukee’s East Side. In a time when a number of bars and restaurants areclosing in the area and the neighborhood is evolving at a rapid pace, Landmark,along with its neighbor.. more

May 18, 2017 4:51 PM Around MKE

A guide to some of the Milwaukee area’s finest pizzerias. more

Aug 30, 2016 2:51 PM Dining Out

Gluten-free pizza crust is a saving grace for those with Celiac disease, a concern about GMOs in commercial farming or a desire to avoid “wheat belly.” Among the Milwaukee pizzerias offering this option are Transfer Pizzeria Café, Ian’s ... more

Aug 30, 2016 2:28 PM Dining Out

After three years on the East Side, the Le Freak dance party has found a new home at Company Brewing. more

Nov 24, 2015 7:08 PM Music Feature

Milwaukee rapper WebsterX and producer Q The Sun aren't the first rap acts to sample Radiohead. The Roots have done it. So have Lupe Fiasco and Joe Budden—hell, even Lloyd Banks has. But few have immersed themselves quite as deeply in the band's v.. more

Nov 17, 2015 9:00 PM On Music

A traveling exhibit featuring pottery and other functional decorative objects molded from clay comes to the Milwaukee Art Museum (MAM) in “Art in Clay: Masterworks of North Carolina Earthenware.” The exhibition focuses on the work more

Jan 25, 2011 12:00 AM Today in Milwaukee

Milwaukee’s ‘rock & roll nouveau’ quartet 2morrow Evr After got a nice taste of national exposure when they heard their “U Can’t Buy This” on Little Steven’s Underground Garage program on Sirius XM Radio. High on more

Sep 18, 2010 12:00 AM Today in Milwaukee 1 Comments