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11 Modest Lessons In Living From 2013

Today is the first contribution to the blog from my dear brother Stephen. Steve helped co-write the Get The Guy book (which went on to become a New York Times Bestseller in its very first week!), and is a wealth of knowledge on dating and relationships.

It’s our mission to deliver as much value as we possibly can to you in 2014. I couldn’t be more excited to have him on board writing articles here for you.

Be sure to give him all your love and a big warm welcome. I can’t wait to hear what you think in the comments!

Enter Steve

I wish I had kept more of a diary last year. Just as I wish I had every year before.

These were the first regrets that struck me when I thumbed through the two notebooks that comprised my hand-written output from 2013.

In the absence though of a chronicle of my hilarious life stories, I did manage to record many of my new favourite life lessons as I learnt them throughout the year. At the risk of dispensing half-baked aphorisms and pompous generalisations, I’ve listed the best ones here.

I really enjoyed this exercise and got a lot out of it. I urge you try it now, while you can still chart the events of 2013 clearly in your mind.

Scan your memory of the last year and dig out about 5-10 of the best lessons you learnt. Look at the successes, and more importantly, the mistakes.

You’ll be surprised with what you produce. No doubt the results will be highly subjective and specific to you – but that’s the point. Think of it as a modest exercise in self-understanding rather than the discovery of universal laws.

What’s more, it will be tapped from that ever-abundant source of hard won experience:

“Experience: that most brutal of teachers. But you learn, my God do you learn.” – C.S. Lewis

Many of my favourite lessons are highly personal, and may seem trivial to those who have ingrained them already. Others may strike you as the brilliant revelations they were to me.

Some lessons I think I knew on an intellectual level, but never internalised them because I hadn’t had the sting of experience to slap the moral deep into my precious face. Some aren’t even gleaned from my own experiences, but the experiences of people close to me.

Whomever the source, I assure you, like the best lessons, they were all learnt the hard way…

1. The measure of progress in life and love isn’t the absence of problems, but the presence of better quality problems

Just because things still feel difficult, doesn’t mean you haven’t come a long way. You might just have better quality problems now, e.g. One problem – I don’t know how to talk to people I’m attracted to. A better quality problem – I get lots of dates but he/she never calls back. An even better problem – I have good relationships but I want an extraordinary one.

If you have problems, ask yourself: Are these better quality problems than last year? If the answer is yes – relax, that’s progress.

2. Praise wears off quickly, so does criticism

Both are false motivators. Excessive seeking after praise leads us to do the wrong things in the hope of gaining approval, and excessive avoidance of criticism makes us play it safe to quell the opinions of those who don’t matter anyway.

3. If in doubt when it comes to old friends, be the one who re-initiates contact

Pride is overrated and life is short. Forget who last called whom and be the person to make contact. A quick catch up with an old friend who’s in town can be all it needs to maintain the relationship.

4. Networking is overrated; providing value is underrated

The oldest cliché about success is “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” – this leads to a belief that networking will cover up for a lack of value. It doesn’t. The best networking you can do is hard work on making yourself an irreplaceable commodity to others.

This also applies to our love lives. Although meeting lots of new people is an absolute must, it’s also not enough. Meeting people and networking will only yield results if we invest just as much time into increasing the value we bring to a relationship.

5. Handing in your homework on time is still the best lesson school ever taught me (or tried to teach me)

People need things done and they need them on time. You can get far in life just by delivering what’s required on schedule.

6. A question to reflect on for any friendship/family/relationship: How hard is it for me to get my needs met with this person?

Is it easy or excessively difficult? If it’s difficult, you can either (a) withdraw from that person, or (b) change your expectations of them. Both solutions are called for at different times.

7. Somebody else’s version of ‘good’ won’t be right for you

Conform to your own standards. Don’t become overly attached to a situation just because everyone tells you it’s a ‘good thing’, or because it’s something you ‘should’ want.

8. Your energy in any given day is finite; guard it like a precious jewel

(Credit to Matt and his many brotherly pep talks for this one).

9. Learning to cut out unnecessary drains on time is easier and more fulfilling than trying to cram more productivity in

Why try to do everything if it just makes you miserable doing it? It’s much more enjoyable to cut out those activities that don’t really fulfill you and spend more time on things that do.

10. Only do things to improve your love life that you would want to do anyway. Otherwise, you’ll resent doing them

This is one I learnt more from watching others. Whether it’s online dating, going to singles events, or even working out – only engage in improvement activities that you enjoy for their own sake, or else the resentment you feel for having to do them will make it impossible to keep up the habit.

11. One source of my procrastination = an excess of pride

Wrapping too much ego in the finished product, or not being humble enough to accept that the result might not be right the first time – both of these things make starting a task difficult. Reduce the ego, reduce the delay in starting.

Bonus lesson: No-one cares about your dreams (and that’s a good thing!)

Doing anything for approval, because you want to be envied, because you want to be noticed, or hoping that someone will constantly cheer on your dreams is a recipe for chronic dissatisfaction. YOU ARE THE ONLY PERSON WHO CARES ABOUT YOUR DREAMS.

That doesn’t mean that people won’t support you, or that anyone can make it alone, it just means that ultimately, people aren’t spending much time thinking about your quest for accomplishment.

Do it because you love it or don’t bother at all – everyone else is too busy thinking about their own lives to notice whether you make it or not. I find this extremely encouraging.

That’s all for today.

Happy January Everyone!

Here’s to the many mistakes others make, so we don’t have to.

Question Of The Day:

What are the three most important lessons you learnt last year? Good, bad and ridiculous, leave your best ones below.

*Photo Credit: Fabrizio Sciami

9 Texts No Man Can Resist

65 Responses to 11 Modest Lessons In Living From 2013

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  1. Emily says:

    I really love this post. That’s quite a whopping list of life lessons to have learned in a single year! 2, 7 and the bonus lesson are related and incredibly important when you’re trying to achieve goals, but hard to learn until that slap in the face happens. I think actually they present a good way to find out whether what you’re doing is REALLY important and really what you need to be doing. If you tell someone about your dream and their reaction makes you question it, then maybe your plan is something you’re doing for “face” or for someone else, or because you think society wants you to. But if you tell someone your dream, they react with mockery or discouragement or a dismissal, and you think **** you, I’m doing it anyway! then you and your dream stand a better chance of sticking by each other.

  2. kobbs says:

    Welcome Stephen! Good thoughts – thank you for the reminders!
    I learned a new life motto in 2013: Live Aware, Live Responsively, Live Responsibly. I hope to walk worthy of that.

  3. Elizabeth says:

    Another Hussey to follow! Wonderful and insightful writing Stephen! Is it just the Hussey genes or is it that all British men are so introspective and intelligent?

  4. Stefanie says:

    Hello Stephen :) I truly enjoyed reading your article, looking forward for more.

    I feel like I can’t find lessons as profound as others, but I learned lots of stuff anyway. Sometimes the hard(est) way.

    Lesson #1 If someone treats you like shit, run for the hills! They won’t stop. And just because they’re nice for a second when they fear losing you doesn’t make them any better. They will act shitty again soon. So run! (This is about people who were kinda nice in the beginning and then they just stopped.)

    Lesson #2 There are people out there who will be there when you need someone. Even if you haven’t talked to them in a while. But you gotta call and ask for help! If you don’t, you’ll probably talk about what you went through later. And you’ll find out whom you should’ve called. Remember them. For next time. (And call them during the good times too, of course)

    Lesson #3 Workout several times a weak leads to an enormous level of satisfaction plus a great body plus cheerfulness. You feel better, you look better, you smile a hell of a lot more – which makes you so much more attractive to others. Just because of your pretty smile!

    And may I add another one?
    Lesson #4 You want it? Do it! If it’s something that can’t be done right now, work towards it. Now.

  5. Jessica Branham says:

    Steve’s writing is spectacular… it opens new perspectives in my head that very much needed opening. Even just the very first bit about how “The measure of progress in life and love isn’t the absence of problems, but the presence of better quality problems” spoke to me, like it was a key to a rusty and stubborn lock in my mind that I couldn’t get open. The different styles of both you brothers speak in different ways that make the message more effectively accepted and understood by the reader. Keep going, Matt and Steve, it is truly spectacular.

  6. Rachel says:

    I enjoyed reading this. Thanks!

    My 2013 lessons learned

    #1- Hurt and dissapontment bring growth. Learning to be thankful for the bad experiences helps move past it.

    #2. Catering to someone else’s hurt and tip toeing around insecurities doesn’t help them heal or get more confident. I’ve realised it just makes them dwell on it more. A problems not a problem until you treat it like a problem.

    #3. If you don’t take time for yourself to “refuel” you don’t have anything to give. It’s not selfish to do something for yourself even daily. People around you benefit when your happier and energised.

  7. E says:

    Thanks, enjoyed that! It was fun and sort of interesting to read something from you. I really liked the one about the different versions of good. So so true!!

    I’m 25, and 2013 was a year of transition, with both personal and professional challenges for me. Here’s what I’ve gleaned:

    -the moments when you feel down, and reality feels heavy, and your blueprint seems impossible, and your dreams seem silly and out of reach…

    Is really not reality. It’s a mental cold. And that’s when it’s hardest to see it for that- because you are down. But it’s just a cold, and must’nt buy into it, and you must’nt let it fester. Seek to remedy as soon as possible, lest it burrow too deeply in your brain.

    -keep the big picture (the person you wish to become) in mind in all situations- act in the way the best version of you would act. Because: This too shall pass, and you’ll still have to live with you.

    -things change, make friends with freedom and uncertainty

    -life won’t go as planned… But that isn’t a bad thing. You didn’t know what you should’ve been counting on when you came up with that plan way back then.

    -you’ll get out of it what you put into it

  8. LLT says:

    As for my top 3 lessons:

    1. Your life can turn upside down any moment. Security is only an illusion. It’s important to value every moment in your life and give your best to yourself, the ones you love, and the people you encounter.

    I realized this when (it sounds cliche) – I was almost killed on the highway when my car due to a freak incident, I was going to lose my job due to an announcement in layoffs, and my ex-boyfriend dumped me a few days before going off on a romantic getaway he had planned for us. This happened all within 24 hours. Talk about a scene from a movie clip hhaha

    2. When it comes to dating, rules and expectations of how men (and people in general) should act only limit you from truly getting to know them. Go by your principles, and you will have a better time of filtering out the people wrong for you.

    3. Confidence is just as important as competence. My employers know I’m extremely competent at what I do…but I’m always evaluating my performance and come across as unsure. I got feedback from others and have worked on my confidence…now I’m thriving at work and my employers like me even more when I am confident in showing what I do…mostly because it makes them look great lol

    That was a great exercise…ahhhhh! I especially loved #4, #8, and your bonus lesson. Thanks Steve! Looking forward to more of your posts :)

  9. Jasmine Che says:

    I love how you’ve made this a topic for the public in general, but quite personal also, so that we can see snippets of who you are as a person, whether it be disciplined or a life lover.
    I hope you’re here to stay, and I really liked your article. :)
    Thank you xxx

  10. Angela K says:

    Hello Stephen,

    I really enjoyed your first article on here, a great start to your career on here ! I’m definitely going to put your advice into practice as it makes so much sense.
    I’m guessing that you are young, early twenties ? You are very blessed to have such great insight and knowledge of life. I didn’t get that until I was 30 (three years ago).
    I feel like I’ve wasted a lot of my time and life concerned with what others think of me and what they think I should be doing….but no more! Look forward to your next article,

    Angela K

  11. Melanie says:

    Loved reading them, it’s always nice to have reminders just as you need them, a little bit cosmic too! For me, I don’t think it’s a lesson but it’s my thing; Having a laugh. I think that’s why I love Matthews videos, if he was just talking I’d have droned off ages ago. I think it’s a great spiritual practice too, they say Eckhart Tolle loves a good joke!

  12. Kathryn Green says:

    Hi Stephen,
    Really good article.
    To be on time, not late, and thereby value other peoples and my time.
    To think before I open my mouth and try to add value, not be thoughtless or insensitive.
    To not just support someone in their dreams and ambitions, goals but to actually do something productive showing tangible support.
    Lovely to have you AND your brother helping us through life.
    Kathryn : )

    • Stephen Hussey says:

      Glad to be here – These suggestions are very cool Kathryn. I like your second one about thinking before you say things. I’ve heard of a great challenge where you try and go 30 days without saying anything negative about others or yourself. Could be cool. x

  13. Alyssis says:

    Three most important lessons I learnt last year:

    1.Life is not about getting to a destination or an event that we define as success, it is about enjoying, to the best of our ability, the only moment we will ever have. Now (Bashar)

    2. It is important to identify my strengths and weaknesses, so I can improve on and focus playing to my strengths, while neutralising my weaknesses. (Marcus Buckingham)

    3. If you have the courage and strength to endure and go through the pain you are in, you will get through it, and once you do you will never hurt that way again.

  14. Jess says:

    “Here’s to the many mistakes that others make so we don’t have too”

    This was a great read.! Thank you for sharing Steve.. I love all of the comments below.

    My three lessons:

    1. Self worth is greater than net worth

    2. Just because you love someone doesn’t mean it’s meant to be

    3. Socializing, working, working out , having fun, learning, mourning, time with family, worshiping, relaxing…. There is a balance for all of the things in our lives- too much of some things can be a bad thing . Find your balance.19

    Short but sweet..

    Now that we have covered the past, how about goals for the future??

    Cheers to an amazing 2014.

    <3 Jess

  15. Marie says:

    Thank you for an inspiring article! I suppose the things i learnt are more personal to me than many of the others here, but I want to share them regardless.

    1. There is virtually no point in fighting with your parents. Treat them niceley and they’ll give you more freedom as they learn that you’ve become more responsible. (I’m 17)

    2. Try to the best of your ability not to let bad things that happen ruin your mood. There will always come unexpected negative things and by being sad and upset about them (even if it is our fault) does not result in anything productive. Saying that ‘this won’t matter in a year (or x amount of time)’and reminding yourself that you’ll learn from this experience also helps

    3. I’m beautiful. Okay, that might sound weird, but I have learnt to really love myself. By not loving yourself you’re setting limitations to what you can do and achieve in life. Because, let’s face it, your body is not stopping you from going to the beach, you are. Missing out on life because you’re not happy with yourself is such a waste.

  16. angela says:

    Hi Stephen!
    It was quite an input what you wrote….especially about the BONUS.
    1. If I am not for myself, who will be for me?! and if not NOW…then WHEN?!

    2. It is not age that makes people wiser, but the activ searching to grow.
    Matthew is an inspiration in this….maybe also you…will see:-)

    In any case my compliment and respect for the ”get the guy” project, which is much more than find your love…but more to find your life.

    thank you!

  17. Barbara says:

    I really have improved pretty much .. I suppose there are a few lessons.. but I don’t know exactly when I’ve learned them. It’s a steady progress

    1. Nobody whom you don’t know cares about what you do. At all.
    Doing crazy stuff makes you comfortable doing stuff.
    “those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind” is to be learned through that.

    2. You can be content and happy with anything.
    Happiness is not a state, it is nothing any material can give you. It is a mindset.

    3. The subconscious mind effects you greatly.
    You train yourself to rest in certain places/events, to work in certain places, to enjoy certain places/events and to dislike certain places/events.
    However, (especially in terms of place)you can also train yourself to do something different. To feel different. Do something incredibly fun where you usually don’t and the whole place will feel different, you’ll feel more comfortable, too.

    And I’ve already learned a few things in the new year for myself.

    Most important would be that motivation is (usually) not a starter, motivation emerges when you actually do something

    Keep up the good work.
    I love how you inspire people to think for themselves about this stuff. I’ve come to view new year goals quite differently, for example.

    • Stephen Hussey says:

      “motivation is (usually) not a starter, motivation emerges when you actually do something” – Love that! That’s really interesting and insightful Barbara, thanks for sharing. x

  18. Ruthie says:

    Hey Stephen!

    I think that all of these lessons mentioned above are absolutely incredible!

    I have a question regarding striking up conversations with strangers. How to do it in a society where people are incredibly reserved, closed and really not friendly.

    I personally am rather talkative, enthusiastic, emotional, passionate, curious of life and I love striking conversations anywhere, but how to actually do it without being shot down immediately ?

    I have tried to start conversations on the bus or in the library…Well the situation can be easily illustrated by that GIF… A moment you start a conversation with a stranger during a daytime when they’re not under the influence of an alcohol: http://imgur.com/7r4Ay0D

    I don’t drink and don’t like going to bars/ clubs. My favorite night out actually contains definitely of seeing a play, a ballet or a musical in a theatre and a late night dinner/cup of tea along with a really elaborate conversations regarding the show seen previously and life in general. I actually absolutely love talking about emotions and love… Unfortunately it seems that most of the people around my age(I am turning 25 in the matter of few months)rather still prefer going to clubs/ bars and getting ridiculously drunk. They actually are able to express their thoughts in that condition and open their souls up a bit, but…

    How to get new connections and get involved in interesting conversations with random people at daytime without getting treated as a weirdo or getting ignored?

    The unwillingness of my co-citizens to have a great communication through elaborate and meaningful or even small-talk conversations is an issue that both I and foreign students are struggling a lot with.
    I used to live in France for a while and I actually absolutely loved the fact that even the regular street market was considered as an awesome place for interesting socialization with strangers.

    Thank you!
    Love and courage,

    PS! Life lesson that I learned in 2013 is that you should always be proud of the real you. :)

    • Barbara says:

      The thing is, talking to strangers in this case is “not a thing to do”, however, that does not mean that people may not appreciate a random conversation. (it’s not as bad here in Germany, but a little bit like that)
      I used to never once think that others might think the same, but many do.

      How do you strike up a conversation?
      In such atmosphere, something with less impact would be a good thing to start.
      Start greeting people when you enter a room (any contact makes any further contact MUCH MUCH more easier)
      Greet the cashier, conductor, bus driver and so. (when you like to, of course) That alone makes further conversation easier – that way, you already made contact without being forceful and even if you did not greet the person you want to talk to, they’ve already heard your voice and noticed your presence.

      Can’t recommend much more which you wouldn’t know already I suppose.
      Good luck! And have fun talking to people ;)

      • Ruthie says:

        Thank you!
        I get that conversations aren’t ‘things to do’, but it is really interesting how the communication works differently in different cultures and countries. The weird thing that I never had problems with having random chats with random people in random places in France or even here within a group of foreign students, but I seriously struggle with other Estonians.
        I actually always greet people in a nice way! I ALWAYS say hello and smile at them. This is just a pure politeness and common sense. A majority of people rarely ever smile or greet back. When I smile at people they just frown at me or look as if I am crazy. This is just really frustrating and discouraging!
        Oh and Barbara, in my opinion German people are great conversationalists. The German guys I know always politely greet me first(or respond to my hello), they always smile or wave. Two of my really good friends are actually from München.
        But thank you!

        • Ruthie says:

          Oh and even though I feel discouraged at many times, I will NEVER stop greeting people with kind words and smiles. I will never stop giving compliments. That is just who I am. It’s never fake, because I think it’s only right to treat people like that. It is actually the only way in my mind. But it sucks that others don’t appreciate being friendly and the power of smiling. When I read a chapter from Matt’s book about having chats with serving staff and other people around you, I knew instantly that doesn’t work in our society even though I really would like it to work. This is a cultural issue that bothers me a lot. But thank you Barbara! :)

          • Barbara says:

            That’s a great attitude to have! :)

            But you’re right, people here DO respond (although they rarely initiate without additional approachability [eye contact and so on] or a greeting) .. I actually had a really nice conversation with a cute guy at the Citizen Registration Office, but I didn’t make more out of it (he wasn’t alone, either) .. well, he does live here.

            The up-side of being friendly and greeting in that way is that you can actually scan people beforehand .. those who don’t want to talk will show it immediately. Their bad if they don’t want to have a great talk. Ever got a conversation out of those who smiled or greeted back?

            And I know the problem with clubs and parties, if all people do is get drunk there’s no point in even bothering.

            Perhaps more comfortable places could help, too.
            Frequenting cafés or little shops, I’ve met many people due to one I’m a regular at

          • Stephen Hussey says:

            It’s not about how other people react Ruthie – It’s about being the kind of character you want to be. Keep at it! x

  19. Vanessa says:

    Such a thought-provoking and well-written article. The 3 most important lessons I learnt from last year is to not care what others think about you as their opinion doesn’t matter, to have more confidence in myself, and to not waste time feeling unhappy in life as life is just is to short.

  20. stacy katz says:

    This is such potent wisdom and exemplifies how the Hussey’s content is unique and special. Whether you are new or old to this site, why I look forward to each post is that under the guise of helping your love life, every aspect of your life will benefit and flourish if you apply the wealth of information here (trust me, I’m a 5 day retreat graduate). Stephen, thanks for investing in this community. And to both you and Matt, keep rocking the awesomeness!

  21. Shaina says:

    Okay Stephen,
    I think it is safe to say that most of us who follow Matt’s blog put a fair amount of faith in him; he says that you have a wealth of relationship and dating knowledge…now, as much as I trust that just by being a Hussey man you have been imparted with a certain amount of profound life wisdom. BUT, that’s not enough…we are going to need your credentials ;)…or at least a couple of amusing anecdotes to demonstrate how this ” wealth” has been gleaned :P. Come on Steve, bring it on :).

  22. A. says:

    1. It’s really easy to meet people, but those people may be transient in your life.

    2. Low expectations isn’t the key to happiness, per se, but it is freeing.

    3. Don’t chase. Anything. Job, relationship, anything. Work hard, but don’t chase until you drop. You know what I mean. That sort of intensity rarely works and if it does work, not for long.

    I feel like a fortune cookie!

  23. A. says:

    Hi Steven! Welcome aboard and thanks for helping to write the Get The Guy book.

    NUMBER 10.

    I struggle with this because the stuff I love, absolutely love to do are very female-centered. I want to cook and sew. I do! I love to talk and be introspective. I like yoga. Not many young men at these things! (Really, like 0-1.)

    I decided to take some cooking classes. Screw it. So I won’t meet men. But you are so right, I was starting to resent the singles crap and bars. LOTS of men there, but it’s just starting to make me annoyed.

  24. Ariana says:

    I was directed to this blog by a good friend of mine, & your article is the very first one I’ve had the pleasure of reading so far. Loved it! Wrote down your first lesson for future inspiration, as I seem to keep making a variation of the same mistakes in my love life… but looking back on 2013 the mistakes apparently are better quality ones :)

    Lessons learned from mistakes:
    1. Life is too short to stay in a mediocre relationship as comfortable as it may be.
    2. Having a “type” can keep you from meeting truly incredible men.
    3. Have more than one social circle, you are introduced to a whole new world & perspective with every person or group of people you are open to exposing yourself to.

    Just got my ticket, can’t wait to learn more when your brother is in Chicago!! Txs for a great article!

    • Stephen Hussey says:

      That’s so kind of you Ariana, welcome! Your lessons are so good, I wish we could impart them automatically to every woman (or man) dating at the moment.

  25. Stella says:

    I learned
    1) that my time and energy are very valuable and it is necessary to spend them on only things I absolutely LOVE
    2) there are beautiful people in the world and listening to my heart when it is calling to travel, is very pleasant
    3) meditating and yoga every day helps me to keep balance and energy level high

    One of the best things what happened, was also getting to know your teachings, Matt, it has raised my level of understanding of life soo much! Thank you!

  26. Karen says:

    Hi Steve,
    Great to see you on the blog.
    All good points, but one must always keep in mind the “Bonus”. Never let anyone take your dreams.
    I would say my worse sin is procrastination, but pride usually does not apply.

    • Stephen Hussey says:

      Yea, when I procrastinate it’s also for many different reasons, but that was one that stuck out to me lately. I realised that often, I run from a task when I demand too much of myself on the first go, so I end up putting it off in case what I produce doesn’t live up to what I was hoping for. But you’re right, there are tons of other causes of procrastination.

  27. kerly says:

    *Learned that even if you are really certain in something, it may still fall apart
    *Learned not to make my plans after a man and always have a plan B
    *learned how to start conversations from a scratch with anyone in any given moment
    *learned that some things really do take time
    *learned how much i really like being loved and how good it feels
    *learned what i need more out of a relationship and that there are still some good guys left out there
    *to see things differently you sometimes have to go to a different environment
    *and to appreciate a place or a person sometimes you have to be away from it

    • Stephen Hussey says:

      “learned that some things really do take time” – Yes, me too (that’s a hard one to learn when you’re ambitious and impatient!)

      “learned how much i really like being loved and how good it feels” – Yes!

      “that there are still some good guys left out there” – Yea, you just have to find us, but we’re still around ;)

  28. Francis says:

    Hi Steve,

    First, welcome to the light  and thank you for sharing.

    To me, lesson number “7” “Somebody else’s version of ‘good’ won’t be right for you” resonates the most because I have always had a vision of what I wanted to do with my professional life but because “it is not the proper environment for a woman” I steered away from that path. This is something that I am currently working on changing.

    The three most important lessons I learned in 2013 were:

    1. Talking to people (read between the lines: handsome men): Now, I can now go up to anyone and speak to that person without being tongue-tied. Thanks, Matt!!!  AND the second part to that equation is that I just need to relax and be myself. If the person does not like it, then c’est domage – NEXT!!  Thanks for that one, Steve.

    2. Take risks because they are worth it: In order to find love and extraordinary relationships (in all their forms), I must be open to them – ready, willing and able to take a risk and accept people into my life.

    3. 1% shifts: Life is about making many small changes that will ultimately help us reach our goals.

    I look forward to reading more of your blog.

    Take care, Francis (and, yes, I like scotch)

    • Stephen Hussey says:

      Thanks for the encouragement Francis. Sounds like your 2013 was a valuable year to live through. Totally with you on all of your lessons. I’ve got something I’ve wanted to write about taking small risks for a while so I’ll definitely get on it now you’ve mentioned it. x

  29. Manon says:

    I salute you Stephen!

    What you have just brought to us is so wonderful that I shall have it printed out and put to my notebooks. (right next to Matts’ quotes, it is that good ; )
    “Some lessons I think I knew on an intellectual level, but never internalised them because I hadn’t had the sting of experience to slap the moral deep into my precious face.” Elegant brilliancy right there!

    Regarding the question:
    You are making me scroll wayyy down for my notes… Last year was a big one but I’ll go for… [15 minutes later] these ones, today:

    1) To fail is to miss for greater. (And oh my God have I failed in 2011!)
    2) Fly too low and you will trip. Fly too high and you will dip. (Be realistically imaginative)
    3) Boeing7R13ND5.com BUY your tickets wisely: See it as if Happiness/Success/Love/Respect etc., was a destination. Who would you pay a ticket for to go with you on that trip? And don’t forget to check their luggage.

    Last but not least, referring back to my first point: ‘Sometimes you win. Sometimes you learn’[how to win at last].

  30. Travelista says:

    I wish I would have been reminded of the “BONUS” late last year! But these are all great and I look forward to hearing more! Motivation is what people need!

  31. Irene says:

    Hi Steve,

    Number 5 is killing me. I tend to overload myself with tasks and then find myself fighting for air. That’s nuts. I know where I’m wrong and still keep on doing it. Due to this situation I rather make sure I get the things done from last week and this week than make time for other things, enjoyable things that make me happy. This hole story started about 2 or 3 years ago. It’s frustrating.

    I really enjoyed reading your blog. bonus lesson is the icing on the cake!

  32. Emilia says:

    oh, that’s a good one: 3 lessons of the 2013.
    a) there is a great energy in the interaction with people; mainly with friends. It might not be such a groundbreaking discovery but one should not underestimate the power of meeting people.
    b) instead of planing your future, focus on today’s tasks. Silly though it may sound, it held me back and made me realise how precious everyday single is.
    and my favourite one c) similies does not exist; like faries. That’s acctualy what I’ve learn on my writing class and I find it truely groundbreaking.

    Thank you for this brief moment of reflection on the passing year. I am looking forward to the upcoming posts.

    PS- I really like your lesson number 10. I would like to apply it to my own life.

    • Stephen Hussey says:

      Thank you Emilia – I really like the one about meeting people. I’m also always overwhelmed at how much can happen when you take chances to meet a new person – it’s severely underrated how life-changing that one lesson can be.

  33. Shaina says:

    Hi there Steve,
    Welcome to this awesome community which Matt has facilitated! Thank you for your contribution :). I certainly resonated with your #10 which I feel is such an important life principal. The best piece of parental advice I received growing up was from my father, in regards to career, he told my siblings and I to pursue a field that we would wake up and do every day of our lives even if we weren’t being payed to do it. Following that advice has brought me great joy in my career life and has been applied to every aspect of my life. Do it for the love and passion of it, and it will always be fulfilling. When obstacles arise, they are easily thwarted when motivated by a genuine passion for what is being pursued.
    As for your question of things learned- this has been a year of extreme growth, and I feel that most of the lessons for me boiled down to a root understanding that I am enough :).
    Wishing you an amazing week!

    • Stephen Hussey says:

      Thanks for the warm welcome Shaina, your father sounds wise!

      • Shaina says:

        He IS indeed quite sage ;). He is a terrific mix of personality traits. When I come to town to visit, we begin with some deep life conversation, and then go climb trees together or go to a park and run through sprinklers as if we were 5 yrs old all the while laughing as if our lives depended on it :D.

  34. Kasia says:

    Most important lessons? Wow, I must admit that 2013 was pretty enlightening for me. I learnt so much about myself and what I want from life that it’s hard to pin point the biggest lessons. I feel like revelations and breakthroughs were constantly flowing and integrating too! But I think realising that I myself am the most important person (to me) and the only person I should be focusing on pleasing was a big one. I learnt that I should never compromise/settle for less and be people pleasing because they will not respect me and I will certainly not get what I want from them/situation.
    I also learnt to ask others for help, or rather became more relaxed about it. This is something huge for me as I am quite independent naturally. But I slowly become comfortable when asking and accepting help from others and I am enjoying the benefits! I think the turning point was when Matthew (or someone else, can’t remember now sorry!) once mentioned that psychologically people like us more if they can do small favor for us. I thought to myself: that’s interesting, let’s try this out! And it’s true!
    Another good one is that I realised that I am investing (both emotionally and physically) too much too soon with the guys! I am now much more cautious and scrutinizing (and that’s a good thing!)and don’t let myself fall for the ideal. The guys have to prove themselves to me first. I may be waiting a long time for the one that has it all but boy am I enjoying the ride! :)
    The list can go on and on really. Majority of the lessons are small and personal to me. Thanks for the article! You inspired me to do something exciting this year! Every time I will do something different, or challenging, I will have a funny moment, or important or proud moment, any situation that had some significance to me, I will write down on a piece of paper and put in a jar. At the end of 2014 I will open the jar and read all of the notes and have a massive laugh and celebrate my personal growth! Thank you once more!

    • Stephen Hussey says:

      Do it Kasia! It’s a great feeling to look at all the lessons at the end of the year. Thanks for the encouragement, glad you enjoyed it x

  35. Taime says:

    Great article, Steve! I really like 1, 4, & 9. Thanks so much for sharing!

    My top 3 last year were:

    1. Spend less time consuming, and more time creating.

    2. Strike up conversations with strangers. The results are more rewarding than you think.

    3. If someone acts like a joke, treat them as a joke. (This one really stopped a lot of my worries and self-doubt induced by someone else’s ridiculous behaviors.)

    • Stephen Hussey says:

      Wow, your suggestions are excellent! I love them all! Number 3 might become my new mantra for keeping composure in some situations. Thanks for the comment.

  36. Rumors says:

    Nice to meet you Steve!

    About the question here are the three most important lessons I learnt last year:

    1. Fealure depends on your point of view. Sometimes the more valuable things are the ones cover in the the costume of failure.

    2. Sometimes the worse of our enemies is ourselves.

    3. Sometimes you just have to let the life flow, sometimes you have to take control. The difficult thing is to know when to do one thing or another.

    Now let´s talk about a interesting topic: Tell us all the embarrassing stories of Matt when he was little.

  37. Sheila says:

    I liked the bonus lesson. Same goes for getting approval of yourself. The only opinion that matters is what YOU think of you. Keep up the great work!

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How To Avoid Awkward Silences

The Get The Guy Tour is underway! We're two events down. I had an incredible time in both Toronto and...


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11/10/2012 13:51 BST | Updated 11/10/2012 16:09 BST

Do You Know The Difference Between Teasing And Sexual Harassment? (PICTURES)

As broadcasters, hospital workers and members of the public line up to voice their concerns about TV presenter Jimmy Savile's behaviour towards vulnerable young women, other suppressed memories about worrying workplace behaviour in recent decades are also beginning to surface.

Last week, radio presenter Sandi Toksvig revealed that she had been groped while on air by a "famous individual" 30 years ago.

"Things were different then," she told the BBC's Andrew Marr. "There was a sort of 'shrugged shoulder' approach to the whole thing."

But have attitudes changed enough?

A website set up by Huff Post blogger Laura Bates to collate instances of sexism, called Everyday Sexism, suggests that many men have still not got the message -- according to their female colleagues.

As the comments show, sexual harassment is alive and well in modern offices. But is it always clear to both sexes where teasing office banter ends and hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive behaviour begins?

Examples from Everyday Sexism..

Where Do We Draw The Line?

Attitudes towards professional women have changed dramatically in the past three decades. Yet, as recently as 2005, amendments were made to the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 to give women better protection from sexual harassment.

According to the TUC, the new regulations mean that if, for example, a colleague persists in making remarks about what nice legs a female employee has, or women have to do their jobs in a workspace where the walls are plastered with the pictures of topless models, they should be able to claim this is sexual harassment.

In Canada, an app was recently developed to give advice on how to deal with sexual harassment in a variety of social settings.

Developed by the Toronto-based Metropolitan Action Committee on Violence Against Women and Children (METRAC), Not Your Baby is designed to provide a range of tailored advice to suit users needs, depending on their situation.

Where Do We Draw The Line?

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26/04/2017 10:54 BST

Badass 101-Year-Old Woman Runs 100m Race (And Wins A Gold Medal)

The video is incredible 🙌

Man Kaur is 101 years old, but that didn’t stop her from taking part in an athletics competition recently (and leaving with a medal).

Kaur, from Punjab, India, took home a gold medal at the 2017 World Masters Games in New Zealand on Monday after competing in the women’s 100m dash.

Kaur may have been the only competitor in the 100+ age category, but that doesn’t make her achievement any less impressive.

MICHAEL BRADLEY via Getty Images

Kaur didn’t start to run until she was 94 years old and is living proof you’re never too old to take up fitness.

The centenarian completed the race in 74 seconds which is no mean feat, considering the average adult woman reportedly takes around 34 seconds to jog the distance.

Kaur hopes to inspire other women to follow in her footsteps. She’s certainly left us reaching for our trainers.

Six People Over 80 Giving Us Serious Fitness Goals


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What Doesn’t Kill You by Simon Wilson – Interview

Welcome to Author Simon Wilson

If you could travel in a Time Machine would you go back to the past or into the future?

Back to my school days.  Life was so disciplined at preparatory school and if I could return with the knowledge that I have now, I could have the greatest time ever.
If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?
Books, Sun tan lotion, Occasional shipwrecks to stock up on luxuries
What is one book everyone should read?
A Clockwork Orange – Anthony Burgess
If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
Time travel
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
If you could meet one person who has died who would you choose?
It would have to be the matron from my preparatory school.  She was one mean person and I’d love to know what made her that way.  I guess she’s sharing pies with Hitler and sneering at me as I write this.
What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?
Full English breakfast.  Accept no healthy substitutes!
Night owl, or early bird?
Night owl.  I can’t go to bed until my wife says I have to.
One food you would never eat?
There’s just too many.  Okay, just one.  It has to be beetroot.  Since I was made to eat it at boarding school I’ve never been able to touch it since.  It’s psychological now and would take years of therapy to resolve.
Pet Peeves?
Pretentious people.  Who do they think they are?
Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.
It’s worryingly true, and fascinating all in one.
Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?
A sequel documenting the four years following my first year memoir.
What inspired you to want to become a writer?
To share my exploits with others, and to hopefully entertain them at the same time.
Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.
Just knowing that I put something out there and people are actually reading it.
Is there a song you could list as the theme song for your book or any of your characters?
Tubthumping by Chumbawamba
What’s one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?
Don’t give up your day job just yet.
If you could choose only one time period and place to live, when and where would you live and why?
The seventies man.  You don’t appreciate the peace movement until you’re too old to enjoy it.  Where’s that damn time machine?
When you were little, what did you want to be when you “grew up”?
A lion tamer.  I ended up with a ferocious wife, which is the next best thing but I can’t get my head in her mouth because she just won’t let me.
How did you know you should become an author?
It’s the only job I’ve ever really enjoyed.  If only it paid a salary!
Favorite Food?
Lamb Madras.
Favorite Candy?
I used to get these sticks of candy from the tuck shop at school.  It must have been around 1978 or 79.  I think they were called ‘Bendy Pencils’ and were made by a company called Dunhill.  I have never seen them since but I’ll never forget them.
How do you react to a bad review?
I had a one star review on Amazon for a Kindle copy of my book that stated: ‘I ordered this three weeks ago and it still hasn’t arrived.  I expect DHL have lost it.  Do not buy.’ Thankfully Amazon took it down or it wouldn’t have been funny.
You have won one million dollars what is the first thing that you would buy?
My wife and son anything they wanted.
If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the title be?
Finally he gets it.
What’s your favorite season/weather?
Summer.  It’s a no brainer, right?
Who or what inspired you to become an author?
I think that it’s a calling that doesn’t require inspiration.  One day you start writing/typing stuff down for no particular reason and after that you can’t stop.  Help me somebody!
How did you celebrate the sale of your first book?
With incredulous relief.

What Doesn’t Kill You by Simon Wilson

I was sent away. I was scared. I was eight years old.

‘What Doesn’t Kill You’ is a sometimes sad, sometimes horrific and sometimes humorous account of my first year at boarding school beginning in September 1971.

In the days before the abolishment of corporal punishment, this expensive school found many opportunities to wield slippers, canes, plimsolls or just hard flat hands for the slightest of reasons. By today’s standards it would be called barbaric. Did we suffer? – Yes we did. Did we behave? – Mostly. Did we learn? – You bet we did!

This was a strict regime where if you didn’t have friends, your life was a living hell; where telling tales would get your lights punched out; where talking after lights out resulted in six of the best on your bare behind with a hard-soled slipper; where talking back to teachers meant you couldn’t sit down for hours. This was my home.

The food was bad. Bullying was rife. Beatings were the norm.

Welcome to boarding school!


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Call For Workshops (pdf)

The conference will feature a pre-conference program of workshops. IBERAMIA 2018 will welcome workshops proposals in all areas of AI.

Proposals should be a maximum of five pages in length, and should contain the following information:

  • Title of the workshop
  • A brief description of the workshop, specifying the workshop goals, the technical issues addressed and the relevance of the workshop to the Iberamia Conference. Proposals of workshops with open discussions on specific topics are welcome.
  • Specific information regarding the organizers: names, affiliations, postal addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and expertise in the topic of the workshop. The organization committee should include at least two members.
  • Description of the paper review process and acceptance standards, including a preliminary list of the workshop program committee with names, titles and affiliations.
  • Expected duration of the workshop.

All proposals should be submitted, by electronic mail, to the Workshop Chair (

Deadline for workshop proposals: 4, June, 2018

The list of accepted IBERAMIA 2018 workshops will be published along with the submission details on the conference’s website. Papers for the workshops can be written in Spanish, Portuguese, or English.


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The next season of NBC's crime-thriller series "The Blacklist" is yet to be officially announced. However, fans are eagerly looking forward to what to expect from the fourth season.

According to recent reports, Alexander Kirk (Ulrich Thomsen) won't be the villain in the upcoming season. In Season 3 finale, Kirk revealed that he is Elizabeth Keen's (Megan Boone) biological father, much to the shock of the fans. However, whether the fact is true or not, will most probably be revealed in the fourth season.

Kirk's claim will surely affect the relationship between Liz and Red (James Spader). Though Kirk's approaches were assumed to be villainous in nature, Movie News Guide has confirmed that he won't be the protagonist in the series.

As stated by Entertainment Weekly, there are several hurdles in Red and Kirk's relationship as both of them don't trust each other. Kirk, a successful businessman, intends to use his power and resources against Red, his longtime rival.

Though Kirk is not the bad guy in the next season, Red is convinced that he is and will do his best to put an end to him.

Talking with Entertainment Weekly, executive producer of the series, John Eisendrath, said: "That's definitely a cliffhanger for next year. It's definitely an, 'Oh my God, who really is this person, what his agenda is and what is going to happen to Liz?' We're left with Red and everyone aware of the fact that Liz is alive, and she's also been abducted."

In the meantime, Liz and Red will be having trust issues in their relationship, as reported by Yibada. Liz will be in a dilemma whether to trust Red or Kirk, who claims to be her father. Parent Herald had previously reported that Red and Liz might get romantically involved too in the fourth season.


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"Austin & Ally", one of the most popular shows on Disney Channel, is coming to an end with the upcoming episodes of Season 4, Episode 19 and Episode 20, titled "Musicals & Moving On" and "Duets & Destiny", respectively. Fans are all hoping the young couple will get back together before we say goodbye for good, and we have a word from the creators regarding what happens in the finale.

Despite being one of the most popular shows, "Austin & Ally" is being cancelled way too soon for our liking, but there has been rumours about a reunion movie that has us all excited. The show's creators, Kevin Kopelow and Heath Seifert, have also claimed they have quite a few ideas if "Austin & Ally" were to ever become a movie.

The tightly-knit cast and crew are also supposedly very excited for any opportunity to work together â€” hopefully they will get a chance to do so. According to the creators they are so co-dependent that despite having wrapped up the series some time ago, they will be watching the finale together, with the exception of Ross Lynch aka Austin, who is touring in Japan.

As expected, they did have a tearful last episode, the creators explained to Variety: "Every day there was a 'last' something â€” 'Oh, this is the last time Ross and Laura will be sitting at a piano together,' 'this is the last performance,' 'this is the last time we'll be in the practice room,' etc. By the time we finished shooting on the last day, nobody wanted to leave. We hung out for hours afterwards".

Hardcore fans of "Austin & Ally" have great Easter Eggs to look forward to in the finale, teased the show runners, adding that many questions and doubts will be answered in "Musicals & Moving On" and "Duets & Destiny". They have also promised that the finale will be "extremely satisfying" for fans, and we are taking that to mean Austin and Ally will get back together, once and for all.

After all, we did see Austin proposing to Ally in a promo for the finale. However, when directly asked if Austin and Ally would still be a couple, the showrunners replied, "Sorry, spoilers. You will have to watch and see what happens. There are still a lot of surprises."

The finale episodes of "Austin & Ally" will be aired at 8 pm (EST) on Sunday, 10 January. You can also live-stream in "Musicals & Moving On" and "Duets & Destiny" via Disney Go!


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These photos show the cramped, filthy conditions onboard two wooden fishing boats used to traffic Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants to Indonesia and Malaysia. Discarded items of clothing are scattered across the deck and hold, along with bowls of rice and water.

It is thought that some of the migrants may have spent three months on rickety vessels like these.

Several thousand migrants, many of them hungry and sick, are adrift in south-east Asian seas in boats that have been abandoned by smugglers following a Thai government crackdown on human trafficking, the United Nations has said.

Thai authorities are enforcing a long-held policy to push boats back. The policy involves offering food, water fuel and medical assistance to migrant boats but preventing them from landing.

There has been a surge in migrants from impoverished Bangladesh and Myanmar to Malaysia and Indonesia following the clampdown in Thailand, usually the first destination in the region's people-smuggling network.

A senior Malaysian maritime official also said that any more boats trying to land would be turned back. "We don't allow them in," said First Admiral Tan Kok Kwee, northern region head of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency. "It's a policy matter."

Indonesia has also turned migrants away, saying the passengers had wanted to go to Malaysia, not Indonesia. They provided food, water and medical supplies to around 500 passengers on a boat off the coast of Aceh on Monday 11 May, before sending the vessel toward Malaysia.

In recent weeks the smugglers have fled wooden trawlers for fear of being caught in a massive regional crackdown on human trafficking syndicates. In the process, they have abandoned their human cargo and set them adrift in the sea.

Jeffrey Savage, from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said: "What we're hearing from these people is that they've been stuck out at sea for weeks and months and then the smugglers just deserted them. They left them with very little food and water, no fuel for the engines and they've been drifting. It's something that is really a massive humanitarian crisis waiting to happen."

Those aboard one boat several kilometres off Malaysia's Langkawi Island sent out a distress call, saying they needed to be rescued after four days without food or water . They reported seeing a patrol boat with flashing lights approach, and then slowly pass them by.

Chris Lewa, director of the non-profit Arakan Project, was on the phone with them when it happened, saying she heard their first hopeful cheers turn into sobs and screams.

In some cases, the Rohingya or Bangladeshis have succeeded in commandeering boats, bringing them as close to land as possible and then swimming the rest of the way.

inside rohingya boat
The captain's cabin of a boat that carried Rohingya migrants for three months is seen in Langkawi island, in Malaysia's northern state of Kedah (Olivia Harris/Reuters)

Many of the arrivals are Rohingya, a stateless Muslim minority from Myanmar described by the United Nations as one of the most persecuted minorities in the world.

In the last three years, attacks on Rohingya have left 280 people dead and forced 140,000 others into crowded camps just outside Sittwe, the capital of Myanmar's Rakhine state, where they live under abysmal, apartheid-like conditions, with little or no opportunities for work.

That has sparked one of the biggest exoduses of boat people the region has seen since the Vietnam War, with an estimated 100,000 men, women and children boarding ships in search of better lives in other countries since June 2012, according to the UN refugee agency.

An estimated 25,000 Bangladeshis and Rohingya boarded rickety smugglers' boats in the first three months of this year, twice as many in the same period of 2014, the UNHCR has said.

Thousands of Rohingya boat people who have left Myanmar in the past several months have yet to reach their destinations, say relatives.


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���� ���

DAWN: 05:22
SUNRISE: 06:54
ZOHR:: 12:14
MAGHRIB: 17:49

News Code: 911

Airports in Japan Becoming Muslim Friendly

International airports in Japan are striving to become friendlier to Muslims amid a steep increase in visitors from the Islamic world following the Japanese government’s relaxation of regulations for issuing visas.

An increase in private prayer rooms for Muslims, who pray five times a day, and availability of meals in compliance with Islamic rules are among efforts taken by airports.

Airport officials stress that they will show the heart of Japanese hospitality at the thresholds into Japan as Tokyo will host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games.

On Dec. 1, Narita Airport in Chiba Prefecture put up a new sign saying “Prayer Room” for Muslims in front of private rooms in its first and second terminals. Each room is covered with a carpet and a direction panel on the ceiling so that Muslims can readily fall to their knees and pray in the direction of their holy place Mecca.

The rooms, called Silence Rooms, could be used for prayer in the past but had no Prayer Room sign.

In the past, there were Muslims who performed prayers on the terminal building floor after arriving at Narita as they did not know of the existence of the private rooms, according to a 35-year-old Muslim in Japan.

Japan relaxed the rules for issuance to visas to visitors from Indonesia, Malaysia and three other Southeast Asian nations in July. Muslims account for an estimated 90% of Indonesia’s 240 million population and 60% of Malaysia’s 29 million.

A total of 28,000 people visited Japan from Indonesia and Malaysia in October, up 40% from a year earlier.

A public relations official at Narita Airport said the operator of the airport near Tokyo should have done more to publicize the presence of prayer rooms for Muslims and make facilities there friendlier to them.

“We will seek to create a user-friendly airport for Muslims and other people who will visit Japan for the Olympic Games,” the official added.

The company has already started taking necessary steps. For example, it will install by January washing equipment in the prayer rooms for Muslims to purify themselves before performing prayers. By next summer, furthermore, two prayer rooms will be built in the area where passengers walk through after embarkation procedures.

Kansai Airport, which created a prayer room in 2006, announced a plan in August to open two more rooms by next spring.

The airport in Osaka has also started joint efforts with tenants in its passenger terminal building to better receive visitors from the Islamic world. Starting this summer, a noodle shop and another restaurant began serving meals prepared in compliance with Islamic cooking rules, called Halal, which include a ban on the use of pork.

Haneda Airport in Tokyo will open a prayer room by next March.

Major airports in Europe, a popular destination of tourists from the Islamic world, have already completed prayer rooms for Muslims, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

Airports in Japan have begun earnest efforts at last to become friendly to Muslims, said Ken Fujita, head of a project at the ASEAN Promotion Center on Trade, Investment and Tourism in Tokyo to provide information on Islam to airports.

More Muslims should visit Japan if the efforts are recognized widely in the Islamic world, he added.
Source: ABNA


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ICAgile Certified Expert in DevOps (ICE-DV)

Today, the Agile industry tends to reserve the “expert” label for people who gain exposure in the community by writing great blogs, speaking at conferences, and publishing agile books. While this is certainly a significant contribution to the community, we believe that there are great agilists within organizations who live agile every day and make exceptional contributions on the ground, where it matters most.

In light of this, ICAgile seeks to provide the industry with two things: (1) a Learning Roadmap for people to acquire knowledge and build capability in agile and (2) a means of recognizing expertise through real-world experience and demonstration of capability. ICAgile offers ICAgile Certified Expert (ICE) level certifications for various disciplines across the Learning Roadmap (e.g., Agile Coaching, Agile Testing, etc.)

The ICE in DevOps (ICE-DV) is still in development. In preparation for this certification, we encourage you to obtain the three prerequisite certifications:

Learn more about the DevOps track and earn the prerequisite certifications with one our Member Training Organizations. Start your journey today by registering for ICAgile-accredited classes.


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Adopt a dog or pup and save a life!

Inyo/Mono County Animal Resources & Education

Post Office Box 76

Bishop, California 93515

Email us!

Inyo County Shelter Dogs for Adoption

Here are a few of the many dogs available for adoption at the Inyo County Animal Shelter on County Road in Big Pine, CA. We encourage potential adopters to visit in person to see the up-to-the-minute selection. For Shelter hours, visit the Adoption Page. Flyers courtesy of Eastern Sierra Dog Rescue.


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Tag Archive | "alec baldwin"

Casting Call: Rock Like It’s 1987! Be Part of ‘Rock of Ages’ Movie!

Casting Call: Rock Like It’s 1987! Be Part of ‘Rock of Ages’ Movie!

Tom Cruise in 'Rock of Ages'

Are you ready to get your faces melted? Director Adam Shankman invites you to the set of New Line Cinema’s arena-rock love story “Rock of Ages,” www.facebook.com/RockofAges who is throwing one head-banging concert party for the upcoming filming of a scene in the Fort Lauderdale area.

Come and bring your friends to all be extras (16 years and older only please), and join us on the “Rock of Ages” set, and rock out like it’s 1987 with our cast to the sounds of such hits as “Wanted: Dead Or Alive” & “Don’t Stop Believin’.”

WHEN: Monday, July 18th

TIME: 1:00 PM

Sun Life Stadium
347 Dan Marino Blvd.
Miami Gardens, FL 33056

Like the 80s! Big hair, make-up, and ALL BLACK rockin’ clothes.

FaceBook event page http://www.facebook.com/RockofAges#!/event.php?eid=238331696186294

Exit 2X (Sun Life Stadium Toll Plaza)
Off of either North Bound or South Bound Florida Turnpike.
After exiting Turnpike, enter stadium through Gate 2 to park
Go to www.sunlifestadium.com for a map and directions.

~ Prize giveaways on set every half an hour~
Please note that no cameras/recording devices of any kind are allowed to be used on the “Rock of Ages” set. No exceptions.

In addition to Tom Cruise, “Rock of Ages” also stars Malin Akerman as Constance, Russell Brand as Lonny, Diego González Boneta as Drew, Alec Baldwin as Dennis, Julianne Hough as Sherrie Christian, Mary J. Blige as Justice, Paul Giamatti as the manager of the rock band, Bryan Cranston as The Mayor and Tony winner Catherine Zeta-Jones as the wife of the mayor.

“Rock Of Ages” hits theaters in June 2012, and will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.

For more information, please visit us at : www.facebook.com/RockofAges

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Director Scott Sanders Talks ‘Black Dynamite’ Film and Animated Series

Director Scott Sanders Talks ‘Black Dynamite’ Film and Animated Series

Writer/director Scott Sanders is preparing to unleash one of the greatest blaxploitation characters of all time in his highly anticipated new film, ‘Black Dynamite’. The film has been generating a huge buzz at film festivals around the world and stars the multifaceted Michael Jai White as the title character. The story is a classic vengeance tale that follows Black Dynamite as he aims to take back the streets from the clutches of “The Man” who has killed his brother and is pumping heroin into local orphanages. Along the way he is forced to hand out heaping helpings of bloody retribution as he follows the trail that leads him all the way to the White House and President Nixon. Taking the audience on a thrill-a-minute fun ride, while giving nods to blaxploitation cinema past, ‘Black Dynamite’ is sure to be the biggest sleeper hit of 2009! Icon Vs. Icon recently caught up with Scott Sanders to discuss the origins the film, the animated series that it will soon spawn and the challenges involved in bringing such a unique film to the masses. Can you dig it?

scott-sanders-3I wanted to give our readers a little background on you, in your own words. What got you started on journey in the entertainment industry?

Film was my major in college. I went to the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. After that, I just came out to Hollywood. I actually ended up working at the United Talent Agency right when it started. I got fired from that job and I started writing a spec script with the money that I got from that job. The script was for a television show. Then they signed me as a client and I was a TV writer for a while, then I did a short film and that lead to me doing a movie called ‘Thick As Thieves’ with Michael Jai White and Alec Baldwin. That was my first movie, ten years ago.

Who were some of your influences directorially?

I think it started off for me with Spike Lee. It has been a real honor to show him ‘Black Dynamite’. He has been extremely supportive, so that has been great! I’d also say the Coen Brothers, who I just love. I can’t wait to see ‘A Serious Man’. Stanley Kubrick is another one.

That is definitely a mixed bag.

For those how don’t know, how did the original concept for ‘Black Dynamite’ come about?

Well, as I mentioned Michael Jai White and I worked together ten years ago on ‘Thick As Thieves’. I was doing some other projects and working on some other things and I had approached him about another movie that I was interested in having him star in. He was really into it and I asked him what he was up to. He showed me a photo shot that he had done of himself with the afro wig, the gun, the nunchucks and the suit that he is wearing in the last scene of the movie. That is when it dawned on me that this would be the best thing to do! [laughs] It just became so obvious! Let’s make a blaxploitation movie, set in the seventies, now. It felt like it would be a blast to do. So we got together and shot a trailer for five hundred dollars, like a fake trailer, where we cut in stock footage with him on the other end. He would shot a bullet and kill somebody from thirty years ago! I showed it to our producer friend, who produced our first film ‘Thick As Thieves’, and he was like “Why are you showing me this old blaxploitation trailer?” I said to him “That’s Mike!” He did not even recognize that it was Mike in the trailer. [laughs] He said “Ok, I can raise the money for this based on the trailer alone.” That is how we raised the money. We didn’t even have a script yet and we had already raised the money for ‘Black Dynamite’. Actually, it was called ‘Superbad’ at the time but another movie took that title away from us. [laughs] So that is how it became ‘Black Dynamite’. It was really funny too, because we had the original trailer posted on a little website just for us to show other people and a Japanese website picked it up and it just spread all over the internet! It was the old trailer that we had just done for promotional purposes and there are still people out there that think that ‘Black Dynamite’ is a remake of that movie!

Oh really?! Wow!

Yeah! I mean, there are people who have written whole articles saying “Why would you remake ‘Black Dynamite’!?!!” [laughs] It’s like… “Ok?!!!”

As a director, what key elements did Michael Jai White bring to the to the role that made it jump of the page and screen?

mjw-3It’s a rare situation where Mike is a born blaxploitation star. If he was old enough to be an actual blaxploitation star, he would be the biggest one! He is built like a football player and has eight black belts in karate. Not even the guys then were like that! He is just as big as those guys. I mean, in ‘Black Dynamite’, we don’t move the camera or anything and he literally jumps ten feet in the air and kicks out a light! All of the blaxploitation stars were football players, except for Jim Kelly who a karate star. The fact that Mike is a combination of both and that he has amazing comic timing really brings it all together.

Was it difficult to balance the elements of those original films while you added you own flavor to it and was there ever a point where you pulled back because you thought something might be going too far?

I think we knew where the lines kinda were. I mean, if we took the worst of blaxploitation movies, it would go way over the top. The worst ones had crazy stuff in it.

If you look back on those films, it is hard to believe that they got made in the 70s!

Yeah! It is amazing! You have a movie, made by a major studio called ‘Boss Nigger’. It is hard to imagine a time where that would ever happen again, ya know! Fred Williamson was “Boss Nigger.” I can’t imagine going into a major studio and saying “Yeah, I’d like to make ‘The Legend of Nigger Charley’.” Ya know!? I think it would be impossible! So, there were lines that we knew that we didn’t want to cross, but the thing is that it does give us license because we are just kinda examining the genre. So with that, we had a license to go farther than most go.

You have been traveling around quite a bit to promote the film. How have audiences been reacting and what has the whole experience been like for you?

It’s been great. It has been something that has been totally unexpected. The fact that it has been so embraced by the film festival circuit has been a joy. I’ve never traveled, so it was great to travel as well. Traveling has been great. My favorite trip has been to the Czech Republic. We had the movie at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. That was the biggest audience that we have ever had. They had 1200 people and they let 100 more people just sit in the aisles. They were all just laughing and having a great time! It was translated in Czech and I guess it was a great translation! It was great! To me, that experience made me very encouraged that the film might be a lot more universal that we had expected.

scott-sanders-1For you personally, what was the biggest challenge in making “Black Dynamite”?

The challenge, but I think made the movie better, was having such a limited amount of time and a short schedule. Everyday we had to put ten pounds into a three pound bag! What is good about that is that’s how those original movies were made. I feel like you can see that energy on the screen.

Did you originally envision ‘Black Dynamite’ as a series of films, and the word is that ‘Black Dynamite’ may soon find his way onto the small screen by way of an animated series. What can you tell us about that?

It is pretty much all systems go on the animated series, which is great. That is kinda the first byproduct of the film. It’s going to be on Adult Swim on The Cartoon Network. Carl Jones, who worked on ‘The Boondocks’ is going to run the show. He is hilarious and really gets it, so that is a really fun thing that we are going to do. So yeah, I definitely want to do more! It would be hard to come up with a directing job that is more fun than ‘Black Dynamite’. Just going through the stock footage from the stock footage houses and saying “What scene are we going to work around?” It just feels so loose. My editor goes “Here is some footage I have of a chopper picking up a 1972 Chevette Caprice with a giant magnet!” Then we just work that into the story! It is just so much fun!

Is there any date that we can expect to see the animated series? And I would assume that Michael Jai White will be back to do the voice of Black Dynamite?

We are just working on the pilot right now and I am really bad with cartoon lead time. I just don’t know where they do it or how they do it but it is all moving forward fairly quickly, so that is exciting.

mjw-2I know the movie is just being released theatrically but do you have anything special that you are preparing for a DVD release?

Absolutely! The great thing is that we have never stopped making viral videos, there is a lot of stuff on the internet and it will be great to have it all in one place. There are a lot of great outtakes and a lot of funny stuff with Richard Nixon in it, because he was a method actor and never stopped acting. There is some really crazy stuff with him!

What is the best piece of advice that you can give to aspiring filmmakers?

There is some good and bad going on right now. Right now, it is very, very difficult to go through the studio system and get things done. It is just difficult. The upside is that if you have a good idea and you are entrepreneurial, the world really can be your oyster. You have to do things, you have to make things. You have to make things that you feel are going to bring attention to yourself. You have to just do it. With us, it started off with five hundred dollars and a trailer and led to all of these things. It started very, very small. You just have to get out there and do it. I don’t think the rewards are as far off as people think that they are.

Obviously you have a lot on your plate with the release of ‘Black Dynamite’ and the animated series on the way, but what other projects are on the horizon for you?

I’d like to stay in this kind of world. I like doing things that are genre based but have an independent spirit minded thing to it. There is some stuff that is pretty much in the early stages but I can say something like ‘Black Dynamite’ or ‘District 9’, I am kinda into that sort of thing.

Cool. It sounds like we will see you behind the camera again sooner rather than later, right?

Yeah. I was thinking about staying on the “ten year plan”, doing two more films and then dying but now I think I need to do them a little bit quicker! [laughs]

scott-sanders-2Looking back on making the film, what is you fondest memory of the project?

I have one that really stands out, because all of these things are such little wars. It was when we were getting all of the production design together, which is difficult for a movie like this where you are trying to get all of this period stuff. When I got to the neighborhood of Ladera Heights, we were literally walking through the neighborhood and knocked on a door. There was an old reverend there and he let us in his house. It looked like perfect 1970s house for a brothel! [laughs] That was a moment of relief! We barely dressed that house and it looked perfect.

Anything that you would like to say to the fans before I let you go?

Just that I hope that they come out to see the film on October 16th. I hope that they really enjoy it in the spirit that it was meant to be enjoyed in!

Thanks for your time and we will be spreading the word about the film!

Ok, thank you very much!

– –

For all the latest information on ‘Black Dynamite’, visit the official site for the film at www.blackdynamitemovie.com. Be sure to check out the official trailer for the film below.

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• Project Data

    European FP7 Project
    The CONVERGENCE project is funded by the European Union's 7th Framework Programme
    Collaborative Project
    Grant agreement n. FP7-257123

    CNIT (Consorzio Interuniversitario per le Telecomunicazioni)
    Prof. Nicola Blefari Melazzi

    Community contribution to the project
    2,989,140 Euro

    Project start date
    June, 1, 2010

    Project end date
    May, 31, 2013

foto barbara Barbara Benincasa

Barbara Benincasa has worked in Xiwrite since 2001. She holds a degree in psychology from Rome University (La Sapienza) and is a certified psychologist with a specialist qualification in evaluation methodology. From 2001-2010 she worked first as a junior and then as a senior Project Manager in Xiwrite. In 2002-3 she led the data analysis for two evaluations of the outcomes of FADOL – Italy’s national program of distance learning for vocational education. In 2003 she coordinated a major Xiwrite project for ISFOL (the Italian national training agency) to develop a methodology for the evaluation of educational software From 2005-7 she was Xiwrite’s project coordinator for the European SISINE project (part of the Leonardo Program). She is currently providing consultancy to a number of projects in the Life Long Learning Programme and leading Xiwrite’s contribution in the OPTIMI and Neuromed projects. In February 2010, Ms. Benincasa became Managing Director of Xiwrite.

Relevant Publications:

  1. Miglino, O., Di Ferdinando, A., Rega, A., and Benincasa, B. (2008). Eutopia: Teaching through a Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (EEE5063). The 2008 International Conference on e-Learning, e-Business, Enterprise – Information Systems, and e-Government (EEE’08: July 14-17, 2008) has been accepted as a Regular Research Paper (RRP).
  2. Miglino O., Di Ferdinando A., Rega A. & Benincasa B. (2007). SISINE: teaching negotiation through a Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game. In D. Remenyi (Ed.), Proceedings of the 6th European Conference on e-Learning, pp. 439-448, Academic Conferences Limited, Reading (UK)
  3. Miglino O., Di Ferdinando A., Rega A., Benincasa B., Deplano V. (2007). SISINE: un mondo virtuale per piccole comunità di apprendimento on-line. In: D. Giuli, N. Lettieri, N. Palazzolo, O. Roselli (Eds.), Simulazioni interattive per la formazione giuridica. Didattica del diritto, tecnologie dell’informazione, nuovi modelli di apprendimento, pp. 113-117, ESI, Napoli.

image Richard Walker
Senior Consultant

Richard Walker founded Xiwrite in 2000 and was the company’s Managing Director from then until February 2010. Originally an economist, he has worked many years in IT, first as a manager in Unisys and in the Telecom Italia group and then as an academic and as a consultant specialized in collaborative research. From 2006-2009 he led Xiwrite efforts in the SMS, PASION and Neurovers-IT projects. From 2004-5 he was personal assistant to the Coordinator in the Simplicity Project. From 2003-5 he was scientific coordinator of the European funded I-Learning Project. In parallel with this work he has maintained a strong interest in IT. From 1999 to 2003 he was a lecturer at the Faculty of Psychology at Università di Napoli II, teaching courses on “Artificial Intelligence” and “Data Analysis”. In 2005 he was guest professor at University of Cologne. In February 2010 he left his position as Managing Director to take on a a Senior Consultant position. He maintain’s his position as the company’s legal representative.

Relevant Publications:

  1. Walker R. , Preserving Personal Autonomy in a World of “Augmented Communications”: Technology, Law and Personal Behavior, Ethics and Information Technology (in print), 2010
  2. Walker R., Gamberini L., Spagnolli, A, Editorial Preface to Psychonology Journal 7:1, special issue on “Ethics in Presence and Social Presence Technologies”, 2009.
  3. Bartolomeo G., Blefari Melazzi N., Salsano S., Walker R.: “Design and Implementation of Mobile Electronic Memos: a tool to capture and share information in mobile environments”, ICT-MobileSummit 2009, 10 – 12 June 2009, Santander, Spain.
  4. De Sanctis, M., Werner M., Walker R., Boutroux V. , Patesti M. “Business Models and charging for mobile services in the air travel value chain”, 16th IST Mobile & Wireless Communications Summit 2007, Budapest, Hungary, 1-5 July, 2007
  5. Broll G., Walker R., Patesti M., Boring S., “Acceptance and Use of Simple Mobile Services – Preliminary Results and Perspectives“, Workshop MobileInternetUX, in conjunction with the 9th International Conference on Human Computer Interaction with Mobile Devices and Services (MobileHCI) 2007, Singapore, September 9, 2007.

14413c0 Andrea Pede
Senior Consultant

He graduated in electronic engineering in the University of Rome “Tor Vergata”. He worked as technical director in several European research projects (RTS and FET in the 5th and 6th framework programmes) for Telecom Italia and Rome International University. Activities of his research focused the use of distributed sensor networks for environmental applications, the application of advanced data analysis like neural networks and ruled based systems for gas and liquid analysis. He leads several industrial projects for private IT companies: the most relevant was the design, development and implementation of a system for the analysis of flux of alarms in a broadband supply control system for TeleMediaInternational SpA (Telecom Italia Group). Since 2007 he has been a founding partner, CEO of Ecosens s.r.l. technological spinoff of University of Rome “Tor Vergata” and recently joined Xiwrite as technological consultant.

Relevant Publications:

  1. L.Lvova, A.Pede, R.Paolesse, C.Di Natale, A.D’Amico.: Electronic tongue based on an array of metallic potentiometric sensors, Proceedings of IEEE Sensors 1, art. no. M3L-C.4, pp. 233-235
  2. L.Lvova, A.Pede, R.Paolesse, C.Di Natale, A.D’Amico : An ‘electronic tongue’ system based on an array of metallic potentiometric sensors, Talanta – Volume 70, Issue 4, 15 November 2006, Pages 833-839
  3. M. Andersson, A. Colosimo, A D’Amico, F. Davide, C. Di Natale, A. Pede, A. Tibuzzi: “A.Angelo evaluation: Application of a multisensor system for psycho-physiological stress detection in working environments” Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Electronics, Circuits, and Systems 3, art. no. 957501, pp. 1509-1512


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Breaking News

Billiat FC via Sundowns is nothing without Khama

Billiat is a fantastic professional footballer. He’s definitely the kind of player every coach would like to have in his team,” the former Kaizer Chiefs coach said.

Everyone can see that he’s responsible for a huge amount of Sundowns’ success story so far. He’s a team player, not just an individual, which is something very important in this game.
Sphamandla Ntshokotsha

Sphamandla Ntshokotsha

Staff writter

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Founded in 2015, iFastime creates expert multimedia software applications that help consumers access, transfer and share their digital content across different devices that range from PC, Mac, tablets, smartphones to HD media players, game consoles and home theatre systems.

On the basis of computer OS, iFastime products are divided into two categories – Windows solutions and Mac solutions, spanning across video converting, editing and enhancing.

With creativity, expert knowledge as well as cutting-edge technology, iFastime helps consumers throughout the world enjoy more in a digitally connected audio-visual world.

Our Vision

Personal audio-visual feast of digital world, brighten your digital life.

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To be a world pioneer and leader in the field of digital entertainment and multimedia solutions, and deliver the first class products & services to customers throughout the world.

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As a multimedia software provider, we value honesty, openness, integrity, mutual respect, continual improvement, initiative, and cooperation. We are committed to all of our customers and partners. We have never-ending passion for digital technology as well as patience for suggestion and criticism from each of our customer and feel honored to get them through. We take challenges as well as making best of every opportunity for self improvement for products and service of the highest quality.


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About - IHRIM Atlanta

Who We Are

About IHRIM Atlanta

Effective April 1, 2009, the Atlanta chapter of the IHRIM Association became its own legal entity, formally known as IHRIM ATLANTA. While still closely affiliated with the IHRIM Association, IHRIM Atlanta will have more flexibility in its governance, educational programs, as well as other activities in which the group wants to engage in.

What does this mean to IHRIM Atlanta members? More choice locally! Members can also join the local organization (IHRIM Atlanta/SE), the national organization (IHRIM Association) or both.

Would you like to join IHRIM Atlanta?    Membership is free!  Click here to join.

Do you have any questions?    Please contact us at: ihrimadmin@ihrimatlanta.org

Formed in 1980 from informal gatherings when HR and IT professionals found themselves needing mediators, IHRIM has become the world’s leading clearinghouse for the HRIM (Human Resource Information Management) industry. Today, IHRIM is a community of experts – a dynamic group of practitioners, vendors, consultants, students, and faculty that continues to grow, not just in numbers, but in its scope of knowledge and information.

Each IHRIM event, publication, product or service supports its mission to be the leading professional association for knowledge, education and solutions supporting human capital management.

To meet the needs of our members and the HRMS industry, IHRIM provides: •An annual conference and technology exposition •Timely periodicals and e-newsletters •Top-notch educational courses - online, in person and in-house •Affinity Group membership and events •A cornucopia of online resources, research and articles •Unparalleled books and guides •Excellent networking and leadership opportunities

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Monday, November 21, 2011

One Yard Wonders Book Launch!

Last Saturday was the release of the new Fabric-by-Fabric One Yard Wonders book!

There was a launch party at The Crafty Planet in Minneapolis, MN - well within driving distance - so I went. Several reasons - one, to meet the authors, and put faces to the very fun personas behind the volleys of emails we'd sent back and forth. Two, to finally see this book I'd been waiting for, for almost two years. Three, to see - and touch - all the 101 projects in person. Four, to meet Pig again, whom I'd handed over for adoption by the good folks therein. See- there she is, on the back cover:

And five, I was on assignment to take photos for my good friend Jen, (who did the Drafting Series with me) who's also in the book, but who lives on the other side of the planet and wanted in on the fun, too.

See- here's her Mandarin dress:

- so gorgeous:

ye olde piggy

and her babies:

and that camel and chocolate skirt, which looks cuter on the model than it ever did on me:

Look at all those patterns!

I promised I'd do a review of the book later, and I will, so these are the merely preliminary photos of the launch party, just for fun (and for you, Jen!).

Now, after going all October and half of November with not a single flake of snow, that Saturday would be the day the skies chose to finally unleash their first official Twin Cities snowfall. I had to think very hard to remember all the snow-driving tips because one very quickly forgets all this slip-sliding nastiness in the summer when the land is green and warm. Having lived most of my life on a tropical island, whose worst weather threat is floods, I still think of snow and ice as deadly road hazards, albeit in different ways. And driving in a blizzard, even to the gas station, is to me a feat of courage of Olympic proportions. Although, now that I've driven in both blizzards and floods, maaaaaaybe I'd pick snow over floods.

It's fun to talk about the weather, isn't it? Snort. Well, what's a person to do, living in Minnesota?

But let's get back to the fun stuff!

So here's the fabulous little fabric store where the launch party was held.

You all know I'm not a quilting cotton fan, but on Saturday I was. Look!

Halfway through the book-signing and meet-the-everyones, I excused myself and ran off to buy fabric. Rude, I know, but I couldn't help it, I was so overcome by covetousness.

Here's Trish, one of the co-authors. And that's Rebecca's (other co-author) husband Gene, signing books.

Here I am with Rebecca and Trish! They are both such fun people in person. And Rebecca is wearing the bolero she designed for the book!

And here are some of the projects!

Look, Jen, there's your dress!

Incidentally, I'd warned Jen that I might be moved to tears to actually touch a thing she'd made with her own hands, and that came all the way from her sewing room halfway across the world in Malaysia. We both still think it's awful that we live so far apart and have to resort to discussing sewing by email and scanned photos, and getting ourselves in a book, for Pete's sake, to finally get together.

Jen, you wouldn't believe it, but this is the first thing I saw when I stepped into the display area:
I swear I didn't put them side-by-side. They were just hanging there, daring me to weep and overreact. I didn't, incidentally, but only because I was heavily distracted by what fabric I was going to buy when no one was looking.

I so enjoyed seeing all the things everyone made for the book - there was a wonderful variety - household items, clothes for people of all ages and types, some awesome bags, furniture, toys....

Speaking of toys, I spotted Pig and you know how they talk about your eyes meeting across a crowded room? Well, our eyes met, even though hers were sort of fibrous and vacant. I mosied up to her, drawled, "So..... come here often?"

and we had a nice chat about stuff we both knew a lot about - babies, birth stories, nursing, how our bodies have never been the same since - things like that.
It was good to catch up.

Here are some of my favorite projects -

Katie's umbrella -

Becka's Knight in Shining Armor Costume -

And this next one blew me away. It's a bag, and I'm partial to bags, especially bags with piping, and this one was just fabulous.

Perfect top-stitching, perfect finishing, perfect piping, perfect inside, and so incredibly cool.

I got to meet the designer himself, Nate Van Hofwegen. It was hard not to gush.

It was hard not to gush at everything, really, but I'm going to stop now and catch my breath. I'm going to slowly peruse the book over the Thanksgiving weekend, and review it for you later. From what I've seen so far, it's a work of art, and projects aside, it's also filled with extremely useful information and tips for working with all those different fabrics. I am proud to be a part of it.

  1. It looks amazing!! Congratulations on all your great projects being published.

  2. HOLY SMOKES!! Your stuff looks amazing, LiEr, and that pig just kills me every time I see her. Clearly I need to get my hands on a copy of this book. Loved this post. You crack me up.

  3. Wow, you had quite a day! AWESOME! Congratulations on your projects in the book! What a thrill! And so deserved!

  4. Looks like a fun book...and that you had fun at the launch. I'd love to see it!

  5. Beautiful post, congratulations LiEr and Jen. I love how you are kept together around the world by stitches and a whole lotta love. I look forward to getting my hands on this book, I really enjoyed the first one.

  6. Congrats! I had no idea I would be seeing your wonderful Momma pigs and piglets in print near me! (The Xmas list has just gotten longer...) Best wishes to you....and that next year you and Jen meet up in real life!

  7. I really wish I lived a little closer to the cities! This book looks so nice!!

  8. But! But! You didn't show us what quilting cotton seduced you to the dark side, and managed to make its way home with you!!

    (I have that turquoise with the oranges, btw. and the blue one with apples and pears. delish.)

  9. @Em
    Em - it was ALL of it. I am so ashamed.

  10. Lovely post! Thanks so much for coming and we were absolutely thrilled to finally meet you in person! You are an incredible crafter, and that's a bit of an understatement. Stay in touch!

  11. Looks like a great book :-) I might even buy it for myself despite having no need at all for piggies or kiddie dresses.

  12. Hi there! I came to your blog today because I was on the lookout for a review of this book. I have the first one and I love it! All the projects look fantastic! Thanks for sharing your fun photos. I'll be back to read your review :)

  13. This book sounds amazing! I didn't realize your pig was so big! Makes sense, if you have to fit piggies inside...

    The launch sounds like fun, and I love those prints! Someday I will live near a fabric store that is not JoAnn Fabrics...

  14. Looks like a wonderful book. Oh, and that pig, that pig! I may have to buy the book just so I can make a pig!!! Love it..............

  15. ooh I had not heard of this book but now I must have it. I try to keep my fabric addiction in control by buying only 1 yard of pretty prints (equal opportunity -- quilting cotton, corduroy, home dec/curtain, jersey knits, fleece) but often have no idea what to do with them. And included patterns too!
    Thanks for the review, I love how your and Jen's dresses gravitated toward each other.

  16. looks like a great book! Congrats to you. . . and I'm sorry you're not physically closer to your dear friend.

Thank you for talking to me! If you have a question, I might reply to it here in the comments or in an email.


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Monday, March 12, 2012

Mothers against Daylight Savings time.

George Vernon Hudson can suck it.  Apparently he's the one to blame for this whole time change thing.  Or at least that's who Wikipedia tells me to blame.

I used to love the time change.  It was nice to shake things up a bit with "spring forward" and "fall back".  The most it affected me was to make sure I wasn't working the night of "fall back" when I'd be helping catch babies for a looooong thirteen hours instead of a manageable twelve.

Then I had children.  And I became a schedule-loving mama.  And realized why the moms I worked with dreaded "spring forward" when I was all, "Hey, we're at work for only eleven hours!  And then we get nice light evenings and it's still dark when we get home and go to bed!  Yippee!!"

I've worked So.F-ing.Hard. these past few weeks to get the twins (ahem, Beckett) to sleep on a schedule.  And I FINALLY succeeded.  For about 3 days.  And then, George Vernon Hudson had this great idea to skip 2a.m. and throw off the beauty that was our schedule.  And the twins are cranky and Brennan is confused and I'm in the corner in the fetal position.

I can only hope that it's a minor wrench in the plan and that they'll happily get back on track soon.  Two steps forward, one step back?

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