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Jun 2, 2016

Voice of Merrill Daughter, Sierra Interviews Joe Nelson of SanDiegoRadio.org

from sandiegoradio.org.........

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

SanDiegoRadio is Interviewed

By Joe Nelson
   I have interviewed many people in the radio and TV industry over the years. Tuesday I was on the other side
for the first time.

   By now I think everyone knows for the last year my daughter & I have been living with Iheart's Chris Merrill
and his wife, "Mrs. Voice of Merrill" LuAnn. Also their daughter Sierra and dog Dutch as well as newcomer
Milli the puppy.

   Sierra is a senior and was to interview someone 'with a passion'. She came to me and of course I had to accept.

   At the end of July we will be moving our separate ways but this has easily been one of the most enjoyable years
of my life, not to mention how much confidence my daughter Katie has gained through the guidance and
mentoring the Merrills have provided. This is a GREAT family!

(Chris can now be heard on KFYI in Phoenix via the Iheart app Mon-Fri)

And now, the interview:

Sierra Jones

Show Me the Passion

Joe Nelson is the Editor-in-Chief of SanDiegoRadio.org. He is someone that I look up to
because he is so passionate about everything he does, especially radio. Joe has been a close
family friend for almost five years now, so really he is more family than a friend. Being
editor-in-chief Joe has several responsibilities; photographing, interviewing, writing and
researching. He has been working on SanDiegoRadio.org for five years, it was his experience
and opportunities to get involved in radio that got him involved and kept him interested
ever since. Joe puts in at least 20 hours into his work every week, but that isn’t much
considering how much he enjoys what he does. Meeting people, socializing, and everything
that he learns on a daily basis are some of the things he enjoys the most.

Joe says; “People have jobs and careers, but when you truly find something that touches you
deeply it becomes a passion and not a job.” He is thankful that he has found his passion in
his life. Even if he won a $100 million lottery, he would continue doing what he is doing
because it has been his passion for many years. In the past Joe saw himself as a baseball
player but he knew he had a knack for writing and radio so he made something out of it.
There are very few things that Joe does not enjoy about his job. But there are challenges
and lessons to be learned from every career. Joe occasionally receives information about
a person's’ fate, such as if they are going to lose their job, even before they are aware.
He has to make the difficult decision to either keep this information to himself or publishing
it for fear of hurting other people. Besides that Joe loves what he does, he hopes to continue
this career because of how rewarding it is.

There have been many people in Joe’s life that have inspired him.

Firstly Jim Ladds’ book, Radio Waves has inspired his life he carries this book with him
almost everywhere. His daughter also plays a huge role inspiring and helping move forward
his career. She has been there from the start, she is always a huge help and it has produced
some great father-daughter bonding time. Joe has met a lot of people from his career,
people who have become life-long friends. People such as Shotgun Tom Kelly and Dave Rickards.

Meeting these people have been the highlight of Joe’s career. Growing up Joe's role models
were his parents, as he got older everyone he met and worked with in his job became
important role models because of the positive influence they had in his life. Now everyone
that is in local radio or TV are his role models because of the close relationships that
he has made with them and the impact they have had on his radio career.

Joe is the only mediawriter in San Diego. He has created something that is entirely his own
and the impact is great on the community because it is his own voice. Joes’ advice to a
high school student preparing for the future? “If you find your passion, go at it 100% and
your heart will always thank you.”

-It's not surprising that she is wearing swim goggles or that there is an Amazon box on the porch.

That's the crazy we love with, and love-

Joe Enjoys long walks on the beach, Disneyland, and mexican food.

You can find him frequently at Cafe Coyote in Old Town. If Joe wasn’t doing radio
he would be building sets for Hollywood movies. And if he were a dog, he would be
the president's dog so he could protect the leader of this great nation.

Love this story as I am passionate about radio, as well.  It is nice that there is a blog about San Diego Radio.  So outraged, in the past, by some things that were said on the radio here in San Diego in the morning.  Not believing the words going over the air waves for everyone's consumption this blog lady was forced to write about it--even starting their own blog.

Here is the crazy thing about the radio......

Unless it is Dr. Laura or Rush Limbaugh it seems like the radio personality is preaching to the choir.  In other words, no matter what they say and how obnoxious it is, no one cares.  It that because of ratings, or what?

Still have not quite figured it out but unless major sponsors are backing out of the deal, as in the case of Dr. Laura and Motel 6 re: her racist comments, the folks on the radio can get away with anything.

Right or wrong?  What do you think?

There is really not any blog or Internet newspaper that pertains to local radio that I could find and I looked extensively at one time.

Well, still do not completely understand what actually makes the radio tick--particularly local talk radio.

So one day at the dog park in a conversation with a local radio personality one tried to work these points into the conversation.  It was said that it was only entertainment, not really a call in talk show as touted, and one could simply change the station or turn the radio off if they were offended.  Really....not to this blog person.
Grape St Dog Park San

You had said earlier that you no longer wanted to have comments as your interest was not other people's opinion in writing your blog, but personally, We are lucky to have your blog even though it is more geared to jobs as opposed to one's opinions about certain shows.

But where does one talk about a show if they have an idea or different view or a complaint.  Does anyone actually care about local right wing talk radio--does anyone really listen to it with a different view?

Love Merrill and miss listening to him in the evening but I like Ernie Brown, also.
Baby owls at the Grape St dog Park

Ladona and Ted Garcia are the best incarnation of KOGO's morning drive and they also have great interviews.

Thank you for your good information.

Chloelouise, The Ronnie Republic

If you do not mind I will put your interview in my blog because I like to write about San Diego Radio, also.

Yes, I love to write about food, too.
Have you tried Desert Donuts in Phoenix--It is worth the trip.


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What Do Christians Think Of Heavy Metal Music?

The Metal Bible

Dear Pastor Andy, what do you and other Christians think of Heavy Metal music? And I don’t mean the new stuff they call heavy metal…I mean like Judas Priest, Kiss, Dio, Iron Maiden, Motorhead, Megadeth, Venom, and Slayer (I would have included Metallica but they went down hill after the first 3 albums).

My Reply: What do I think of Heavy Metal? Dude, I LOVE it! (Bet you weren’t expecting that, eh?)

I DJ’d and have been with a (non-Christian) heavy metal radio station since 1996, and still love it!

Now granted, some Christians choose not to listen to heavy metal because of the messages in the songs, and sometimes they did but don’t anymore because it reminds them of who they were in the days before they knew the Lord. So they stop listening to it to keep themselves from any chance of falling backwards in their faith. That’s fine, and I totally encourage them to keep with what they feel they need to do.

And Honestly, I won’t listen to all metal songs, especially if they blaspheme the Lord, and there are a LOT of bands out there who are truly against God, and whether they know it or not, are actually promoting Satan.

I think it’s also important though to realize that not all heavy metal bands who don’t promote God are actually to be considered as evil. In fact, for some, if you really pay attention, you’ll find that many of their songs aren’t so much against God as they are about their misunderstandings about God, the Church, and the Bible. Actually, many of those bands today (and some of those you mentioned above) have in fact come to know Jesus personally since those days (Dave Mustaine of Megadeth, Blackie Lawless from WASP, and Alice Cooper, for instance). And with Megadeth, I love listening to the lyrics and different albums because it sort of gives the story of Dave’s struggles and his coming to know Jesus.

If you check though, you will find that there are a whole bunch of great Christian metal bands out there today, that I would suggest you check out. Some sound just as great as the non-Christian bands, and some even sound better, depending on who you’re comparing them to. For example, if you like Iron Maiden and old Metallica, then I suggest you check out some old “Deliverance“. Some other Christian metal bands you may also like are: X-Sinner, Tourniquet, Bloodgood, “Whitecross”, Mortification, Barren Cross, Bride, “The Crucified”, Precious Death, Jacob’s Dream, Demon HunterTheocracy, Salvation X…just to name a few of my favorites.

If you’re on Facebook, check out the group “Christian Metalheads International“. You may also want to check out something that has been out in Sweden and Germany for a bit, but is just now recently available in English, “The Metal Bible” (see above). It’s basically the New Testament of the Bible in the New Living Translation, but in the front, you’ll read Christian testimonies from metal artists, such as Nicko McBrain from Iron Maiden, Dave Ellefson from Megadeth, Peter Baltes of Accept, Brian “Head” Welch of Korn, and many others.

—Pastor Andy G.

  1. Tom Araya (Slayer) is a devoted catholic, also, Pete Sandoval (Morbid Angel) had just recently left the band due to his new found faith

    • Yes, I just read about Pete Sandoval, and that’s awesome! I didn’t know about Tom Araya from Slayer though. Thanks for sharing that news! 🙂

      Anybody else know of any Metal artists who have come to know and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior? Please share!

  2. Revelation 19:6–“Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, ‘Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns'”. Speaking of Christians and heavy metal, I just thought I’d share that in Heaven, not only will the music be loud, but the streets will be made of precious metal (Revelation 21)!

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More programs, more candles, more light.

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Follow the the scent of success

with Nobel Laureate Richard Axel

37 minutes
Richard Axel

Richard Axel is a neuroscientist who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2004 with Linda Buck for his work on the olfactory system. He is currently University Professor and Professor of Biochemistry, Molecular Biophysics, and Pathology at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons, as well as an Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.


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Thursday, 31 July 2014

Entombed A.D. - Back To The Front (Album Review)

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 4/8/2014
Label: Century Media

‘Back To The Front’ CD/DD/LP track listing

01. Kill To Live (04:43)
02. Bedlam Attack (04:44)
03. Pandemic Rage (04:02)
04. Second To None (04:27)
05. Bait And Bleed (04:37)
06. Waiting For Death (02:57)
07. Eternal Woe (05:08)
08. Digitus Medius (06:00)
09. Vulture And The Traitor (04:45)
10. The Underminer (02:57)
11. Soldier Of No Fortune (06:48)
12. Gospel Of The Horns (04:34)*

* Bonus Track available on Limited Edition Mediabook

The Band:
L-G Petrov | Vocals
Nico Elgstrand | Guitars
Olle Dahlstedt | Drums
Victor Brandt | Bass

Entombed are, without a doubt, one of the most important bands in extreme metal. Anyone who has ever heard ‘Left Hand Path’ or ‘Wolverine Blues’ will tell you that is the truth. They created Death and Roll, defined a genre's guitar sound and rocked harder than anyone this side of Motorhead for most of their records. Conversely, they have also confounded fans with albums such as “Same Difference”, nearly made it very big in the mid 90's with a major label deal and- more recently- lost all their members barring iron throated front man LG Petrov. It is with some interest and consternation that I approach this album, then. With no Alex Hellid and no one else you would recognise from the glory days, this is a different band. Let's make it clear this is NOT Entombed- it is Entombed AD and I will treat it as such; kind of an extension to the original form. Comparisons are, however, inevitable.

‘Kill To Live’ opens things. Not death metal, certainly- this is more akin to Entombed mid to late 90's work and sets us up for what follows. ‘Bedlam Attack’ is again not exactly ferocious but is well structured and stomps out of the speakers with some purpose and some speedy bits here and there. If you were disappointed with Entombed's return to more death-y territory on Serpent Saints, this album may satisfy your craving To Ride, Shoot straight and so on.

‘Pandemic Rage’ opens with violins and guitar (not like Rhapsody or something- it's an intro!). The band then swaggers for the first time. That swinging groove is present until the thrash beats kick in. The best track so far, on first listen- compete with leads! ‘Second To None’ features a half stepping riff- a little like ‘Say it in Slugs’ (what a track that is!) and again swaggers and grooves like it is roughly 1995. Good stuff.

‘Bait and Bleed’ features a pretty cool title, a clean strummed intro and then a slower burning track than you might expect. The pace does pick up, of course, but it marks a more unusual side to the band. Petrov's voice remains intact and is as beastly as ever. Great front man and in possession of a unique voice- being as it is both brutal and clear at the same time.  ‘Waiting for Death’ pushes the record over the half way point with a track of more straightforward thrash/death. Again, though, it is not warp speed and not overly brutal. The chorus will stick in your head- good writing- and lifts the track above other bands who do this kind of thing.  Short and sharp this is a good song and perhaps one to listen to if you were unsure about whether to check the record out.

‘Eternal Woe’ has the guitar sound and tone to the riff that we know and love and allows the band to chug along like a diesel engine while ‘Digitus Medius’ throws in a rather death metal intro before the song lays down a rumbling groove reminiscent of Entombed's work on the “Inferno” album. The riffing is good here and makes the track something of a stand out- along with some memorable lyrics, too. ‘Vulture and The Traitor’ echoes the rhythms found on “Wolverine Blues” to an extent, but it doesn't have the bite of the songs contained on that record- that is not to say it's a bad thing; just different.

‘The Underminer’ puts the pedal to the metal with some blast beat action (!) and quick picking to boot. Again, it is short and sharp and one of the more aggressive tracks on offer here. Despite an acoustic guitar overdub (listen out) this is thunderous stuff! ‘Soldier of No Fortune’ actually features an acoustic guitar to open and a piano (not unprecedented on Entombed's albums) and is a slow burner of nearly seven minutes playing time. It features a triplet groove that works well for the main riff sections and the band again display good groove.

The verdict? This is a good album. It is not “Left Hand Path” or “Clandestine”, by any means, but neither is it “Same Difference.” I am enjoying it more than Serpent Saints (if that is of any contextual help, which I doubt). Entombed A.D. are essentially a more polite version of the Entombed of 15-20 years ago. If you enjoy Petrov's vocals and mid to late period Entombed, there is much to love here. If you want pure Swedish death metal, this is not the album for you. Get hold of Dismember's latter day releases instead. A light still burns here, but not as intensely as it once did.

Words by: Richard Maw

You can pick up a copy here

For more information:

Dust Bolt - Awake The Riot (Album Review)

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 2/6/2014
Label: Napalm Records

‘Awake the Riot’ CD/DD/LP track listing:

01. Living Hell
02. Soul Erazor
03. Beneath The Earth
04. You Lost Sight
05. Agent Thrash
06. Living A Lie
07. Awake The Riot - The Final War
08. Eternal Waste
09. Drowned In Blind Faith
10. Worlds Built To Deceive
11. The Monotonous - Distant Scream
12. Future Shock (EVIL DEAD cover)

The Band:

Lenny B. | Vocals, Guitars
Flo D.  | Guitars
Nico R. | Drums
Bene M. | Bass, Vocals

German thrash warriors Dust Bolt return- straight from the heart of Bavaria! This is straight up thrash (OK, maybe with a little punk/hardcore snottiness). OpenerLiving Hell’ sets the stall out. Riffs, pace and vocals that are not clean exactly, but not growls either. There are frantic leads, half time and double times and so on. ‘Soul Erazor’ carries on the carnage- with shouted backing vocals and a touch of Exodus in the vibe. ‘Beneath the Earth’ is a little more measured, but still slays and has a breakdown section. 'You lost sight' has elements of melody in the riffing (in the way that latter day Kreator does- don't worry) and keeps the tempo high.

‘Agent Thrash’ is exactly what you would expect with a title like that. It is a shame that the drummer's right hand (or cymbal hand) is not working at full pelt, though- I prefer my thrash to be played with a fast hand playing all four beats as it gives it an extra element of feel. That said, it is none of my business and the groove is there- propelling the track long nicely- with the right hand gainfully employed in the breakdown section, too.  ‘Living a Lie’ is tremendously entertaining, throwing as it does some great riffs into the mix. Indeed, the whole record is good, friendly, violent fun (to borrow a phrase).

The title track is up next and does not disappoint- employing a kind of rolling Priest-esque groove to start before... settling into a mid pace (that's thrash mid pace) chug and then full thrash. 'Eternal Waste' boasts a cool drum intro (great sound) and then a cooler main riff. Fantastic stuff. There is an almost Suicidal Tendencies (thrash era) approach to this one. Cool!

‘Drowned in Blind Faith’ is the sound of the band spreading their wings a little- an atmospheric and noodling intro prefaces the thrash riffing this time- again with a little more melody here and there. Short and sweet, the track delivers the goods effectively. ‘Worlds Built to Deceive’ makes good use of the two guitar set up as tasteful riffing abounds. ‘The Monotonous Distant Scream’ boasts a clean intro to go with the slow burning bulk of this lengthy and impressive track. ‘Future Shock’ gives us nigh on five minutes of carnage, then a gap ensues before a cool outro that bookends the album nicely. Guitars wail triumphantly- as well they should. This is a great thrash album that is modern but with respectful nods to the past- and not necessarily the bands you might think either. Think Nuclear Assault, ST and to a lesser extent the Teutonic trio of thrash, rather then any of the big four. A good album that is well worth checking out.

Words by: Richard Maw

Fallujah - The Flesh Prevails (Album Review)

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 22/7/2014
Label: Unique Leader Records

‘The Flesh Prevails’ CD/DD track listing:

1). Starlit Path 05:27
2). Carved From Stone 04:23
3). The Night Reveals 04:17
4). The Flesh Prevails 03:22
5). Levitation 05:29
6). Alone With You 03:02
7). Allure 04:08
8). Sapphire 05:30
9). Chemical Cave 05:54

San Francisco atmospheric death metal unit, FALLUJAH, is very pleased to announce their forthcoming new full-length, The Flesh Prevails. The follow-up to 2011’s critically adored The Harvest Wombs and 2013’s subsequent Nomadic EP was mixed, mastered and engineered by sound savior Zack Ohren (Animosity, Suffocation, All Shall Perish) at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, California, The Flesh Prevails boasts guest appearances from guitarist Christian Muenzner (Obscura, Necrophagist), the chilling voice of Roniit Alkayam and serves as the band’s most intricately arranged, methodically executed and cerebrally consuming offering to date. A true master work of progressively tinged, otherworldly death metal.
Notes MetalSucks upon previewing eighth track, "Sapphire," “The Flesh Prevails comes with great anticipation: can FALLUJAH take what they did on Nomadic and extrapolate it into an entire album? Will they continue their evolution into modern proggy death metal heroes? If ‘Sapphire’ is any indication, the answer is a hearty ‘yes’ to all of the above. There’s so much going on here that it’ll take a few listens to really sink in; ambient keyboards, layered background vocals, meaty riffs, expertly crafted leads, and incredibly strong melodies all mashed into one dynamic, absolute beast of a song.”

The Band:

Rob Morey | Bass
Alex Hofman | Vocals
Scott Carstairs | Guitars
Andrew Baird | Drums
Brian James | Guitars

I’ve been trying to write this review for a while now. I really wanted to sit on this album for some time so I could allow it to make an impact, because it’s not easy writing reviews of things that have A; such anticipation/ hype and B: an overwhelming amount of positive reviews so far. As someone who has vicariously witnessed this albums triumphs from the initial album announcement, to final release, I felt it was only fair to give this one an unusually high amount of listens to ensure my fair and honest judgement.

Fallujah’s 6th release and second full-length album ‘The Flesh Prevails’ was released July 22nd on Unique Leader Records, a huge player in the extreme metal scene. It is quite the stand out album in death metal, combining elements of the different sub genres within the umbrella of death metal such as melodic and technical death, ambience and a bucket load of slams too, it sound huge and played out all within 42 minutes of insane instrumental work. It surprises and confronts stereotypes in the genre and is generally considered a masterpiece.

My experience of the album is this.  I listen to albums mostly on my commute to work; this gives me time to listen to albums from beginning to end, sometimes a few times a day. I can honestly say, I can’t remember a specific moment from the whole album. There is not one day I found myself humming along or caught myself singing a little melody later in the day.

It’s just that there is so much going on, so many layers, so much technicality and background ambient string bends and synth pads that I found myself trying so hard to find a riff after the introductions that I could hold on too. Maybe it’s just my taste, but with the amount of stuff firing off in all directions it seems to lose something. The drums for one are excruciatingly quiet. This band must have one of the most insane drummers to pull off blast beats that fast, I mean he sounds like he’s about to spontaneously combust, but it’s just such a shame they are so buried in the mix sometimes. If I had to really say whether I liked this album though, I would say yes. It does so much for death metal as a whole and opens a variety of new doors combining elements of shoegaze in a similar way to black metal and ditches the ambience of symphonic music typically used in death metal to the same effect. It have also got that rare combination of having perfectly matched vocals for the style and speed of music. They are rhythmic and embedded into the nutty riff work so well, I cant imagine what a time the lyricist had writing them.

All the songs have very similar build up periods to get to their climaxes. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, just something that made me feel again that I couldn’t pick out a defining moment in the album. Musically it uses a scale rarely heard in this kind of music and very little harmonic minor. Harmonic minor is that typical breakdown section thing you hear, but to my ears, this album doesn’t use it nearly enough. I sometimes have moments where I want it to go into something really evil, but it just seems to get more and more dreamy as the songs progress.

I feel this album is very much music for musicians, it has so much crazy precise guitar work that all shredders will be left in awe. It is certainly not chaotic, as chaos insinuates disorganisation or a lack of order. The music is sniper precise. It’s their opus, their defining moment in their musical lives. It breaks so many barriers and cements itself so firmly in Fallujah’s career that it can and will be seen by many as one of the best death metal, if not the best metal album as a whole, this year. What remains to be seen now, is what they do with it though. I’m struggling to think of how they can pull it off live without having a massive amount of backing tracks going on. I want to know where they will go from here. Surely writing another album of this magnitude is no easy task, can they pull it off again?

‘The Flesh Prevails’ is already out, go pick yourself up a copy and see what you think. Does it live up to the hype? Thanks for reading Y’all!

Words by: Asher G. Alexander.

Tuesday, 29 July 2014

Ommadon - V (Album Review)

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 4/8/2014
Label: Burning World,
Domestic Genocide,
Dry Cough Records

‘V’ DD/LP, track listing:

1). V1 47:15
2). V2 39:24

Ommadon record heavy doom by ourselves in the forest in the highlands of Scotland - all live, no overdubs, no bullshit, just pure doom. Split across 4 sides of vinyl, the double LP was mastered by Billy Anderson (Sleep, Eyehategod, High on Fire, etc).

V will be released as a 180gram double-vinyl (gatefold) on August 4th but is available for pre-order now from Dry Cough Records (UK), Burning World Records (Netherlands), and Domestic Genocide Records (USA)

The Band:

David Tobin | Guitar
Ewan Mackenzie | Drums, keyboards

Ommadon’s ‘V’ is a massive album in just about any way that you might want to measure an album. Sonically, it’s gargantuan and weighing in at an hour and twenty six minutes, it’s also a colossal time investment. The obvious question would be: is it worth it? I would have to imagine that the range of experiences that people will have with this album are going be all over the spectrum. I could envision someone being infuriated by the length of an album with such a narrow direction. I could also see someone enjoying the challenge of trying to sync themselves with the seemingly structureless nature of the album. It’s easy to get lost in an album like this unless you prepare yourself for what you’re getting into.

The omnipresent elements of ‘V’ are always the same: crashing downbeats, heavy chords sustained for long periods of time and woozy guitar sliding occasionally found in the interim. There are some moments of respite; most notably in the second half of “Side B” leading into the opening third of “Side C”. Guitar drone and noise take center stage before coming back to the deliberate bludgeoning characterised during the album’s earlier stages. Because of its length, there might be an inclination to call ‘V’ epic, but I feel like that would be a bit misleading. Rather than taking you on some vast musical journey, Ommadon seems content to stay in one place and crack your ribs with a sledge hammer over and over again. I don’t mean that as an insult, either. They’re dealing in a very confined musical space, and yet they’ve gotten so much out of it. It’s really pretty remarkable in that way.

In a sense, Ommadon have released one of the least commercial albums I’ve ever heard. There aren't any drum beats sustained for any real length of time until you get into the second half of Side C, so for the most part there isn't any groove to get into. Even when the more traditional drumbeats do show up; they usually just collapse into to a crawl when they started out walking. This album is perfectly happy giving you a series of aural stab wounds for the majority of ninety minutes.  It’s too repetitive to just be doom and it’s way too jarring to be drone. There are no vocals or lyrics communicating a message for you to hold on to or to take with you. You’re there to take its beating, and that is it. I know it really sounds like I’m writing a negative review; but I’m not.

If you want some reference points based on other albums, I can give you a couple. Imagine an album where the overall production sounds like an updated version of Thorr’s Hammer’s ‘Dommedagsnatt’, but was musically more like a completely derailed ‘Rampton’ from Teeth of the Lions Rule the Divine. It’s like that, except there are likely hundreds more downbeats on this album. I feel like I need to reiterate that I actually love this album. I love this album because it’s so preposterously barbaric and for such an extended period of time and it’s beyond excessive. It’s an absolute endurance test, and by the end of it I was not the same as I’d come into it. There aren't a lot of albums you can say that about.

Words by: Daniel Jackson

Pre-Order or buy the LP the links below.  Digital copy if available for free here

Burning World:

Dry Cough:

Domestic Genocide:

For more information:

Heavy Metal Movies by Mike "McBeardo" McPadden (Book Review)

Format: Book
Date Released: Now
Publisher: Bazillion Points Publishing

Book Information

HEAVY METAL MOVIES, by Mike McBeardo" McPadden. It's an in-depth investigation of the unholy marriage between metal and films. A compelling alternate history of heavy metal, told through the sights and scenes that shaped its visions, an exhaustive and hilarious look for origins behind the silver screen instead of the buzzing amplifier.

Author Bio

McBeardo is the defining moniker of the Brooklyn-born miscreant occasionally still known as Mike McPadden and Selwyn Harris. Mr. McBeardo’s ongoing rampage through the most gloriously ignoble gutter-rungs of show business began with his early-’90s sleaze-zine HAPPYLAND, followed by a stint as Entertainment Editor at Hustler, and gigs at numerous subsequent slap-mags, mo(i)st notably, Celebrity Skin.

As a screenwriter, McBeardo gave us the softcore epic Animal Instincts 3: The Seductress (1995), as well as the XXX-rated milestones Devil in Miss Jones 5: The Inferno (1994), Sex Freaks (1995), Gregory Dark’s Flesh (1996), and at least one more he can’t remember.

For two weeks in the late ’90s, McBeardo labored for Troma Films. Unpaid. Plus Mike is the head writer for celeb nude site – Mr Skin.

Review: Heavy Metal Movies: Guitar Barbarians, Mutant Bimbos & Cult Zombies Amok in the 666 Most Ear- and Eye-Ripping Big-Scream Films Ever!

How close have Films and Heavy Metal music been linked over the past 50 years or so? It was never really a question I thought about until now. It seems that both of these mediums have influenced each other in a big way.

Remember those big encyclopaedia books of film reviews from the 70s/80s that offered a personal review of 1000’s different films. They were used religiously by film fanatics to compare different films against. The books themselves held mini reviews, which offered a brief synopsis of the plot, and the reviewers own personal thoughts of the film. Some of the reviews usually pointed out some fun film facts.

Now we have things like IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes to fill that role where everyone can be a critic and explain why this film is so lauded or hated in equal measure. In addition, that brings me onto my book review of – Heavy Metal Movies. A forthright and downright hilarious disturbing book outlining 666 reviews of the most insane Heavy Metal movies around. Now these reviews are not all about proper Heavy Metal Movies. Mike offers his critical eye over films such as Star Wars & Twilight. You should read why he feels these movies should be classed as Heavy Metal movies. The Star Wars review had me laughing out loud for hours. Have a read yourself.

Since the release of Star Wars on May 25 1977, no aspect of human existence has gone untouched by the movie, especially not heavy metal. But which came first, the effect of Star Wars on heavy metal or heavy metal's effect on Star Wars? Consider, below, how each can be seen as interlocked with one another.

The opening crawl is symphonic metal. The Death Star is drone metal, The Jawas are doom metal. The Tusken Raiders are crust punk. The land speeder is 70s van rock. The Max Rebo band is groove metal. Han Solo is thrash. Han Solo shooting Greedo first is death metal.

Chewbacca is stoner rock. Obi-Wan Kenobi is prog metal. The Force is pagan metal. C-3PO is mathcore. R2-D2 is Nintendo-core. The Empire is black metal ,with more than a few particular nods to NSBM. Grand Moff Tarkin is New Wave of British Heavy Metal. The giant eel in the garbage compactor is sludge metal. Luke and Leia's incestuous kiss is that weird corner of metal occupied by Anal Cunt, the Melvins, the Mentors and the Butthole Surfers. The aerial dog-fight between the X-wings and the TIE fighters is power metal. The big ceremony at the end where everybody gets a medal is Viking Metal.

And Darth Vader, of course, is all aspects of all forms of heavy metal in every possible permutation. Only perpetually heavier. And perpetually more metal, as proven by the awesome Polish Death Metal band Vader.

Star Wars. That's all. It's Star Wars.”

Mike has had a passion for movies and Heavy Metal music for the best part of 35 years or so. He has seen, breathed and lived through almost every terrible film imaginable. He offers a deep hysterical insight on his youth and how he became a fan of certain genres and music. Mike has even included a section by Alice Cooper describing his very own Heavy Metal Movies. How cool is that. Alice Cooper discussing his own work. You don't see that on IMDB or Rotten Tomatoes.

The book goes through an A to Z format of reviews featuring different genres of films you know and love. Mike even includes movies you may hate with a passion or never even heard of. It is to Mike’s credit that he offers a thrilling historical insight into some of the movies featured. I discovered a ton of great facts from reading this book as Mike has definitely done his homework here.

The book can be quite disturbing at times as Mike points some of the most horrific and disturbing scenes from classic horror and science fiction movies. Though Mike does feature proper heavy metal movies from such well-known artists as: Kiss, Lamb of God, Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath and Blue Oyster Cult. Nearly all widely praised and derided if Mike feels the mood calls for it.

Heavy Metal Movies truly comes alive when Mike lets rip on a “so bad it’s good” classic movie as he gives the movie both barrels with a string of insults. That happens quite a lot as Mike has picked a few B and Z listed movies to check out. Mike even criticizes his own invaluable contributions to movies. Wonder if he will allow me to say which movies he has been involved in. I will state one. Animal Instincts 3. Another one the book's stand-out reviews.

The best part of each review is why Mike thinks this movie should be classed as Heavy Metal and the reasons for. He name checks all of your favourite metal/hard rock bands from a whole range of different genres. Thrash, Noise, Stoner, Sludge, Doom, You get the point. I may disagree with a few of the film choices he has included here. Twilight. Mike – that film series will never be Heavy Metal, no matter how funny and fantastic your mini review is.

Heavy Metal Movies has a lot of pages devoted to the fantastic posters from the films featured in the book. Some are very disturbing indeed. Some you may recognise and some you will not. Heavy Metal Movies is a brilliant read from start to finish. Mike has written a hilarious, heartfelt, disturbing and in-depth book that is a must have book even if you are a Heavy Metal Movie fan or not.

I hope Mike writes another instalment of Heavy Metal Movies as I think he is onto a winner here.

Thanks to Magnus at Bazillion Points Publishing for sending me a copy to review. Heavy Metal Movies is available to buy now.

Written by Steve Howe

Witch Charmer - The Great Depression (Album Review)

Album Type: Album
Date Released: September 1st 2014
Label: Argonatua Records

The Great Depression - track listing:

The Cull
A Watching Of Wolves
To Death (I'll Drink)
Stare Into The Sun

A hard-rockin', groove-laden, doom soaked audio assault voicing tales of disdain and suffering about this world gone mad.

Band Members

Kate McKeown - Vocals
Dave McQuillan - Drums & Vocals
Len Lennox - Guitar & Vocals
Adam Clarke - Guitar & Vocals
Richard Maher - Bass

Witch Charmer released a superb and well received EP earlier this year. It’s style of dark brooding Occult based Doom/Stoner Metal won them a lot of fans within the Doom/Stoner Metal community. Witch Charmer are ready to unleash their highly anticipated debut album – The Great Depression.

So what makes Witch Charmer different to all of the other Occult Rock/Doom/Stoner Metal bands currently out there? For a start, they have a great lead vocalist in Kate who oozes style, grace, confidence with her deliciously dark doom tinged vocals. Though Witch Charmer boast 4 band members who provide vocals at different times on the album. It is a strange and wonderful setup as the vocals can be very deafening at times to match the atmospheric doom and gloom riffs that await you.

First track – Suffer – proves their debut EP – Euphoric Curse – was only a sign of things to come as Witch Charmer set the scene for a dark gathering that packs a lot of groove into the mix. The guitars are primed and ready to unleash some magical riffs to get you into a hard-rocking dark mood. The dual vocals of Kate and Len (I think it’s Len. But it’s hard to tell when the band has 3 male vocalists to choose from) offer a contrasting style to each other as Len feels he is from a legendary 70s Hard Rock band who has seen it all. While Kate is the newcomer aiming to prove, she can sing with the best of them. Witch Charmer seductively blends the different genres for one captivating tale where the mood has a slight dangerous vibe to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Suffer is the perfect track to open the album with as it shows you what Witch Charmer is all about. The other tracks follow the same template mainly spellbinding vocals from Kate and other members of the band coming in with grizzled vocals of their own. The instrumental work ventures from Pure 70s based Doom to the more riffier modern based Stoner Metal vibes that the band excels at. Tracks such as The Cull and A Watching of Wolves prove Witch Charmer are master storytellers with their bewitching tales of doom and terror. The album has a hidden addictive quality to it as the band make you feel part of their dark world. Things become very sinister indeed on the second half of the album as the riffs become ever more heavier and the vocals slightly more disturbing.

The Great Depression ends on a fantastic note with the 14-minute epic – Stare Into the Sun – that sees the band venture more into the Doom Metal side of their music. It is a dark captivating tale that feels influenced by legendary bands such as Black Sabbath, Saint Vitus and Pentagram. The Stoner Metal riffs are not too far behind to bring this track kicking and screaming into the 21st century.

Witch Charmer deserve credit in getting Mos Generator main man – Tony Reed – to mix and master the entire album as it’s sounds loud as heck from the word go. As he gives the album, a more richer and heavier sound compared to their EP. The Great Depression is an outstanding album on all levels. Witch Charmer may have the potential to be one of the UK’s leading Occult Rock/Doom/Stoner Metal bands.

Thanks To Argonauta Records and Witch Charmer for sending me a promo to review. The Great Depression is out to buy from Sept 1st 2014 on Argonauta Records.

Check the Band from Links Below

Written by Steve Howe

Haikai No Ku - Ultra High Dimensionality (Album Review)

Album Type: Album
Date Released: August 20th 2014
Label: Box Records

Ultra High Dimensionality - track listing:

I. Dead In The Temple (09:24)
II. Strung Out Beyond The Rim (09:23)
IV. Blue At Noon (09:02)
V. Void In Aimless Flight (07:52)
VI. Unbroken Reign Of The Violent Yagu (04:16)

Album Info:

Box Records is proud to present the second full length album from Newcastle, UK brain-melters Haikai No Ku. Following last years outstanding début 'Sick On My Journey' on Burning World Records the three piece stepped into Blank Studios to record their follow up, a 40 minute pilgrimage through 5 mind-altering tracks.

By now avid fans of doom and psychedelia will be familiar with Mike Vest's (Bong, 11Paranoias, Blown Out) patented hyper fuzz guitar shrieks and damaged feedback. In Haikai No Ku he is joined by Jerome Smith (Female Borstal, Charles Dexter Ward) on bass and Sam Booth (Foot Hair, Bin, Obey) on drums to deliver a burgeoning psychedelic doom trip of the highest grade.

Band Members

Jerome Smith – Bass
Mike Vest - Feedbacker Guitars
Sam Booth – Drums

Haikai No Ku released one of the best if not the best début Noise Rock/Psychedelic Rock albums of 2013 with Sick On My Journey. The album truly pulverized me with it’s style of Noise, Doom, Drone and Psychedelic Rock overtones being played at a loud violent level for 45 mins or so.

Well 12 months on, Haikai No Ku are back to continue that journey with their 2nd full-length record – Ultra High Dimensionality. 39 minutes of even more twisted Doom, Drone, Psychedelic Noise Rock riffs to prove why Haikai No Ku are masters of nightmarish noisy based feedback that would have BORIS or Mainliner running for cover. This album should come with a Government Health Warning to advise people how violently loud the mood becomes.

First track – Read In The Temple – once again sees the band playing by their own rules with each band member trying to play the lead role within this dangerous power trio. Mike on lead guitar is on fire as he lays down a barrage of spectacular noisy guitar riffs that Jerome and Sam match on bass and drums respectively. The album walks a fine line between drone based doom metal vibes and distorted slabs of heavy heart-pounding noise with enough power to shatter your body to dust.

As with their début album, this will take a few listens to get the overall feel of the album. It is not an easy album to listen to as Haikai No Ku add different styles and ideas that will potentially put many people off. However, that has always been Haikai No Ku’s intent in releasing music that is different to everything else.

Second track – Strung Out Beyond The Rim – carries on the instrumental brutality from the earlier track. Haikai No Ku pound the heck out of their instruments as they turn the noise way up to dangerous levels once again. This takes the listener into a violent psychedelic world where each passing second lasts a lifetime. Haikai No Ku slowly destroy every shred of sanity you may have and turn you into an emotional shivering wreck.

Haikai No Ku unleash more sonic warfare on 3rd track – Blue At Noon. They blend ambient-based noises with psychedelic riffs that even had me feeling dizzy at times. A brutal and uncompromising track unleashes attack after attack of heavy pounding distorted riffs that can be described as deafening and painful at times. However, I still loved every warped and disturbing second of it. Haikai No Ku take no prisoners with this track. Trust me. A loud and violent offering will leave you in a cold sweat questioning what have I just witnessed.

Void In Aimless Flight and Unbroken Reign Of The Violent Yagu draws this album to it’s natural and violent conclusion to prove why Haikai No Ku are in a dangerous league of their own. Ultra High Dimensionality is another excellent album from this demented hard-rocking power trio. If you want an album that challenges you and dares to be different, this is the album for you. Another masterpiece from Haikai No Ku.

Thanks to Matt at Box Records. Ultra High Dimensionality will be available to buy on DD/Vinyl from Box Records on August 20th 2014.

Check The Band From Links Below

Written by Steve Howe

Fórn - The Departure Of Consciousness (Album Review)

Album Type: Album
Date Released: July 22nd 2014
Label: Vendetta Records

The Departure Of Consciousness - track listing:

1.Emergence 04:30
2.Dweller on the Threshold 07:35
3.Gates of the Astral Plane 07:28
4.Alexithymia 06:05
5.Suffering in the Eternal Void 05:12
6.Cereberal Intermission 01:23

Formed in the winter of 2012, Fórn draws inspiration from its predecessors; Grief, Burning Witch and Asunder, while remaining true to natural progression. Blown low end, and gritty leads make Fórn one of the leading sludge bands currently in Boston. Their very first ritual was with highly regarded metal acts, Floor and Thrones (ex-Melvins) and were featured in a write-up Boston's weekly dig. Fórn toured the east coast in July 2013 with fellow Boston local's Finisher.

Band Members

Chris P. - Vocals
Joey - Guitar
Brandon - Guitar
Brian - Bass
Chris D. - Drums

Fórn is a Blackened Sludge/Funeral Doom Metal collective who I originally featured back in 2013 with their stunning debut EP. The guys told me after they were working on their debut full-length record and would be in touch once it was ready. Well true to their word, the guys are back with a vengeance with their bleak as heck debut album – The Departure Of Consciousness.

Fórn bring the HEAVY in a big way, as this album is a bleak atmospheric journey into the vastness of space. It can be very trippy at times with the band showing why they are highly thought of indeed. This is 33 minutes that crushes everything in it’s wake. Violent moods collide as Fórn unleash a barrage of heavy riffs that will leave you in a very dark mood indeed.

Opening track – Emergence – starts with a slow-paced ambient/post-rock vibe before Fórn unleash their identity to the world for one of the heaviest riffs I have heard this year. Shades of Neurosis and ISIS maybe present but it is the blackened sludge metal vibe that fully grabs your attention. My advice – From this point on. Get comfortable, as Fórn are ready to destroy your very existence as The Departure Of Consciousness acts as a portal to the depths of sell itself.

2nd track – Dweller On The Threshold – is your worst nightmares and fears come to life as Fórn bring an indescribable brutal force for you to witness. As the death based growls/vocals tell a chilling tale of what is lurking in the darkness.

Fórn play a highly intelligent mix of Death Metal, Blackened Sludge, Post-Rock, Doom and Psych Metal that has a slightly claustrophobic feel to it. The instrumental work is almost cold, calculated and unflinching as the vocals themselves. This is an album built on violent moods and despair. If you’re not in the mood to be taken to some very dark places I recommend you look elsewhere.

3rd track – Gates Of The Astral Plane – slowly build up the nightmarish atmospherics once more as Fórn venture between slow paced and fast-paced riffs that feels like a heavy pounding hammer coming to wake you up from your eternal slumber. It’s not going to be a pretty sight as the darkness briefly gives way to impressive hazy psychedelic riffs played with a distorted edge. Is that some delicate Post-Rock music that I detect? Yeah it is. But it doesn’t last for long as Fórn return to their bleak based riffs for more soul-destroying punishment.

Alexithymia and Suffering In The Eternal Void both have an icy cold as heck post rock exterior running through their veins. Though as before, nothing is, as it seems as Fórn unleash more destructive riffs and vocals to drown your soul with. By the time the last short track – Cerebral Intermission – has finished, you’re ready for a long rest, as this album has taken you on an exhilarating and punishing journey. Now am I feeling brave enough to experience it once more?

The Departure Of Consciousness is a startling and unflinching album that proves Fórn are an exciting band for the future indeed. Brilliant. End Of.

Thanks to the band for sending me a copy to review. The Departure Of Consciousness is now available to buy on DD from BandCamp and Vinyl from VendettaRecords.

Check The Band From Links Below

Written by Steve Howe


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Meet our Executive Director:  Enrique Zuanetto

A business professional with many years of experience Mr. Zuanetto came to the Soup Kitchen in 1997 as a volunteer.  His manner in dealing with guests and volunteers quickly earned him back the respect he consistently demonstrated to others.  He became Executive Director of the Soup Kitchen in 2000 and has a proven track record in getting things done while engaging others.

Enrique ZuanettoAs the Executive Director of The Soup Kitchen, Mr. Zuanetto has demonstrated an understanding for the operational side of the organization coupled with a genuine interest in the people we serve, our Volunteers and the programs needed to continue addressing the needs of our guests.  Mr. Zuanetto is a patient, caring and compassionate individual who is always looking for opportunities to serve.

You can reach Mr. Zuanetto at:

Work: 561.732.7595,
Cell: 561.239.3173

Supporting Mr. Zuanetto on a part time basis are: Kevin Burgess, Antonio Casas and Consuelo Parra.

We invite you to visit and see for yourself what makes our team so passionate about what they do!


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Strawberry Mango Smoothie

Smoothies in the morning are my favorite part of waking up. I rarely eat the heavy 'traditional' breakfast foods as I find they are difficult to digest and do not give me the energy I need to start my day. Smoothies, on the other hand, are great for the digestive system, supply the fruit I need in my daily dose and leave me perfectly satisfied until lunchtime. I try to drink them with fresh fruit as often as possible but I do keep frozen fruit in my freezer for convenience and for the days I'm in a rush. On the frozen fruit days I let all the ingredients sit in the blender for 10-20 minutes so the frozen fruit can defrost in the juice. I never add ice or milk as I find it takes away from the yummy fruity goodness already in the blender. I always add ground flax seeds, which I grind in my coffee spice grinder, to incorporate essential omegas into my diet.

Strawberry Mango Smoothie

1 mango, peeled and sliced
12 strawberries, green part cut off
2 bananas, peeled and sliced
2 cups of orange juice, fresh if possible
1 tbsp ground flax meal (optional)
1 tbsp soy protein powder (optional)

Add all ingredients to blender and blend until smooth. Adjust orange juice according to thickness desired.

Makes 2 16oz drinks

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The Sports Daily > Metstradamus Blog
9/27/17 Game Preview: Atlanta Braves at New York Mets

The New York Mets (68-90) are trying to end their home schedule on a good note. After dropping two out of three against the Washington Nationals over the weekend, the Mets have rebounded to win two of their first three games against the Atlanta Braves (71-86). Last night’s game was a rare thriller for the home fans as Travis Taijeron picked up a walk off single to secure a 4-3 win. The two teams will wrap up their four game series and the Mets’ home schedule tonight, with first pitch for the finale scheduled for 7:10 pm at Citi Field.

on September 26, 2017 at Citi Field in Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.

The Mets will send right hander Robert Gsellman (7-7, 5.38 ERA) to the mound tonight for his final start. Gsellman was hit hard in his last start, giving up six runs (five earned) in five innings against the Nationals last Friday, but didn’t factor in the decision. The Mets ended up bailing out Gsellman by securing a 7-6 win. The Braves will counter with rookie lefty Sean Newcomb (4-8, 4.26 ERA). Newcomb earned a win in his last start, giving up two runs in 5.1 innings to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies last Friday.

Local Coverage:

Television: SNY

Radio: WOR

New York Mets Lineup:

  1. 2B Jose Reyes
  2. CF Juan Lagares
  3. 3B Asdrubal Cabrera
  4. C Travis d’Arnaud
  5. 1B Kevin Plawecki
  6. LF Brandon Nimmo
  7. RF Travis Taijeron
  8. SS Matt Reynolds
  9. SP Robert Gsellman

Pre-Game Notes:

  • Gsellman is 3-1 with a 3.80 ERA in five appearances (four starts) against the Mets this season.
  • Newcomb is 1-1 with a 1.54 ERA in two starts against the Mets this season.
  • Nori Aoki will get the day off today with a lefty on the mound. Juan Lagares is back in the lineup and will bat second while manning center field.
  • The slumping Dominic Smith, who is in a 3 for 37 slump, will get the night off with a lefty on the mound. Kevin Plawecki will start at first base and bat fifth.
  • Amed Rosario will get a night off tonight. Matt Reynolds will play shortstop and bat eighth.
  • This is the final meeting of the season between the Mets and Braves. The Mets have already won the season series, holding an 11-7 advantage entering play tonight.
  • This is the final Mets’ home game of the season. The Mets are 36-44 at home, their first losing home record since 2014, when they finished 40-41 at Citi Field.


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The RHS Show Cardiff 2017

Posted on:   Posted by:

Every year in April, thousands upon thousands of flower-lovers everywhere flock to see the Royal Horticultural Society’s display of blooms in Cardiff. Spanning over 3 days, this fun-filled, fabulous festival of flowers is thriving and let me assure you, it’s never been better.

The collection of beautiful blooms on display over the past few days has been astounding; with bright, colourful flowers filling marquees and spreading sunshine into the hearts of Welsh men and women. Luscious Lillies, pretty Peonies, gorgeous Geraniums, darling Dahlias and cute Chrysanthemums are just a few examples of the hundreds of flower types on display this weekend. All of the flowers at this show are well placed and each bring a sweet scent as well as a new and refreshing feel to spring in Wales. This festival is the perfect opportunity to buy some good quality, affordable plants for your loved ones or as a treat for yourself. If only the show had come to Cardiff a bit closer to Mother’s day…

As well as there being a vast collection of flowers shown at this festival of horticulture, a multitude of crafts and artistry is also available for purchase. Floods of different homemade trinkets, decorations and paintings fill the shelves and make you extremely jealous of their maker’s artistic ability. The quality of crafty-goods at this year’s festival has arisen when compared with previous years’, with a much more modern approach to art shining through. I was fortunate enough to come across lots of pretty paintings which were thoroughly to my taste (soon to be my bedroom’s also) and consequently, I can’t help but adore this festival’s thriving, crafting community. There’s a craft for everyone at the RHS’ horticultural festival and, to me, that is extremely endearing.

Another key (and extremely popular) aspect of the RHS’ show in Cardiff has got to be the extraordinary eats available. In my humble opinion, the food is phenomenal at this flower festival and should be praised; for its quality and taste-value is extremely high. From fabulous fudge to perfect pies, the array of delicious delights I’ve had the pleasure of feasting upon today has been jaw dropping. Notably, Alana Spencer, winner of The Apprentice 2016 and creator of the ‘Ridiculously Rich’ bakes, has been frequently spotted at her stall in this year’s festival. Needless to say, if successful and talented chefs are attending the show, you don’t want to miss out on next year’s RHS food stalls.

In general, the Royal Horticultural Society’s flower festival in Cardiff is not something worth missing out on. It’s family-friendly, beautiful and welcoming nature leaves attendees feeling fresh and extremely excited about spring! I highly recommend you attending this flower-filled festival in April next year and marvelling at the delights on display, as I have.

Things To Do

90s Kids Rejoice! Friends Fest Is Back And It’s Coming To A City Near You!

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Education is a huge and important subject.

If you want info on training and apprenticeships, head on over to Work & Training.

Careers Wales covers all those topics, so if you want to dive right in then go for it.

Meic logo for Info section

For more organisations or info about education, check out our database or contact Meic, the advocacy, advice and information helpline for children and young people in Wales — Freephone: 080880 23456 / Text: 84001 / Instant Message

Everything Else

This section covers the things that didn’t quite fit anywhere else… including gap years and other options!

SEN stands for Special Educational Needs. Lots of people need different things in a classroom — find out more here.

The jump from school or college to university can be one of the biggest in your life, don’t go unprepared.

School & College

School, College, Sixth Form… the best years of your life right?

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The Finish of February

Hello friends!  Happy end of February!!

Well, after my last finish, I started on Promise Me - 28 over 1.  I had started it once on 14 count, but my daughter stitched it on 28 over 1 and it made the one on 14 count look humongous, so I restarted.  This one was turning out SO pretty, but I was NOT enjoying it at all.  It is just too small for my eyes and my sore back and shoulders.  Sigh.  So, since I believe cross stitch is supposed to be relaxing and fun, I gave up, packed up the chart and threads and all, and I'll give it to my other DD for her birthday or Christmas.  She's wanted to stitch the chart and it will be a perfect gift for her.  Win.Win!

In its place I worked on Bunny Baby - a sweet chart that I hope to finish for a charity quilt.  I love the colors and I love the 16 count aida.  It is simply a pleasant stitch and makes me smile to work on it.  : )

So want to see what made my wish list for the past two weeks???  I found lots of fun projects to add!!! : )

Wish List

Leather fobs... from Shepherd's Bush Blog... LOVE the Scottie and the Sheep - well, all of them actually!!!!
Chessie and Me - Hope of Spring - I love the colors and the sheep and the bunnies!
SB - Spring Box - It has a sheep! : )
LOL!  As if I need another HAED, but this one is SO pretty!

Aren't these two bags just HAPPY????
Orange Owls Project Bag - Crazy Annies

Polka Dot Coffee Project Bag - Crazy Annies

Shepherd's Bush Count Your Blessings

Take Time to Stitch and Embellishment pack - Gorgeous Fall colors!

Thanks for stopping in and happy stitching!!

Linda said...

I don't blame you for not stitching on 28ct over one, heck, I can't even stitch on it over 2. Love the bunny one.

Vicky L said...

Stitching over 1 is hard. Would it be easier to stitch over 2? Your bunny is cute.

Shirlee said...

You've got some lovely additions to you wish list there : )

Vickie said...

Wowie! You have a big wish list! Pretty cool stuff.

KimM said...

Love your Bunny!! Precious! Your Wish List choices are outstanding. ;)

Brigitte said...

That's a great wish list with such beautiful charts.
That bunny baby is just adorable.

Bekca said...

I agree, stitching should be enjoyable. I'm glad you've found a project you love working on :)
Best wishes.

Julie said...

Your little bunny is adorable.
Lots of lovely things on your wish list.

Mary Ann said...

The baby bunny piece is so cute, and I really enjoyed seeing your wish list items!

Andrea said...

Stitching is supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable, so if it is not doing either of those things then stop! Love your new project. A very nice selection on your wish list.

Carol said...

Yes, stitching is supposed to bring relaxation--not cause stress! You are wise to pass it along to your other daughter (and how lucky are you to have not one, but two daughters who also stitch, Tricia!)... The little baby bunny WIP is adorable--such a sweet face :)

Sally said...

I was going to start something over 1 on 28 count but thought better of it! Lol.

Cute new project!

Nice items added to the wish list. Mine keeps growing too!

Annette-California said...

Oh yes stitching is to be FUN!!! What great items for your wish list:)
love Annette
ps the bunny chart your stitching is by Ellen Maurer-Stroh Have you been to her forum? its

Annette-California said...

I agree that stitching should be FUN! Love what your stitching.
Your darling bunny wip is by Ellen Maurer-Stroh. Have you been to her forum? its

love Annette


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Saturday, February 18, 2006

Diplomacy - Where "Old Europe" Shines....

Well, perhaps not always....
Libya's parliamentary secretariat today suspended the interior minister and referred him for investigation over yesterday's riots that resulted in the deaths of at least 10 people.

Meanwhile, the Italian cabinet minister blamed for sparking the riots has resigned.

* * *

At least 10 people died in a six-hour riot on outside the Italian consulate yesterday, where more than 1,000 demonstrators gathered in an angry protest, apparently in reaction to an Italian cabinet minister wearing a T-shirt printed with the cartoons satirising Prophet Muhammad that have provoked protests across the Muslim world.
Granted, Italian politics are weird. (I wonder what they would have made of it, had the T-shirt been worn by a porn star.) Not that I want to damn Congress with faint praise (although some of its members work hard to leave us with little choice), but at least nobody rioted over the "freedom fries" thing....

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8th Assembly: Lawmakers Warned Against Corruption Pitfalls

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences commission (ICPC), has warned incoming lawmakers to be wary of corruption pitfalls in the areas of oversight functions, contract award and soliciting appointments into public offices for their constituency members.
The ICPC Chairman Mr  Ekpo Nta gave the warnings at the induction certificate course organized for newly elected lawmakers from the Houses of Assembly at the interactive section that took place at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.
According to Nta, some of the lobbying and recommendations from legislators on contract awards and public office appointments constitute abuse of public office for private gain. He noted that award of contracts and appointments are duties of the executive to which there are laws guiding the conduct.
He however clarified that his words were not to issue threats to the newly elected lawmakers but to make them aware of the pitfalls that exist on their way to performing their duties, considering the many requests and much pressure that will come from members of their constituencies.
“As members of the National Assembly, you will be under very severe pressure to undermine all the provisions of the laudable laws you have passed or will pass. Your constituencies will remind you constantly that you are here through their votes and that in return, you must fund all their future marriages, naming ceremonies, burials, provision of scholarships, potable water and electricity, jobs in selected government offices either as your PA or full time employment”.
“All the roads leading to your communities must be tarred, and if already tarred provided with street lights, sponsor medical treatments abroad or locally. How do you intend to fund all these activities? The answer is yours to provide. How you can avoid all these? Hold all the agencies that should provide social services strictly accountable by demanding accountability and openness”, Nta admonished.
When asked what the positon of the ICPC would be if any law maker is suspected of any corruption offence, Nta said that, “it is the position of the law that the lawmakers themselves made and made certain Acts punishable under the law and we are not the one who will punish. We simply present the facts to the court that this is what has happened in this instance, and the court will decide whether we were right or they were right in doing it”.
“What I’m saying is that I’m giving you an advise now, if you take that advise, we will remain friends but if you don’t take that advise and do things which under the law are not correct, we will now have to invite you to come and address us on petitions we have received in respect of an infraction”.

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Fear of the Fed PDF Print E-mail
Friday, 19 September 2014 00:56
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Rates will rise fast, India needs to ready itself

During her first outing as Fed chairperson in March, Janet Yellen spooked markets when she diverted from the script and said the Fed would start hiking interest rates six months after it wound down the bond-purchase programme—that it, by around April or May next year. Several outings later, and a lot more Greenspaneque, as one commentator put it, Yellen didn’t spook the markets this time around, but indicated pretty much the same thing. While the Fed’s statement was dovish according to some since it said interest rates would be kept constant for a ‘considerable time’, the dots—the beliefs of Fed members on the time interest rates will rise are shown as dots in the graphic the Fed releases—indicate interest rates will be raised by May or June and, by the end of 2015, the Fed funds rate could be around 1.5% as compared to near zero right now. By all accounts that’s a pretty steep trajectory. If markets have remained relatively calm across the world—the Sensex rose 1.8%—it is because they have probably factored this in, and since the hikes will be data dependent, the Fed can just as easily get it wrong. As compared to even the June meeting, where the US 2015 GDP was estimated at 3-3.2%, the September forecast is a milder 2.6-3%; also the inflation forecast of 1.6-1.9% for 2015 is well below the Fed’s 2% target.

In India’s case, the fear is that the record FII debt flows of $18.7 billion till September—the highest in the last decade—could get affected. Which is why, at the G20 deputies meeting, India’s finance secretary Arvind Mayaram repeated the plea of coordinated action to deal with the exit from QE—India, though, didn’t complain about the benefits of it being introduced. He asked for the IMF to analyse the likely impact of the Fed’s actions and to examine whether precautionary swap lines could be made available to various countries. While the IMF already has such no-stigma lines of credit, India doesn’t qualify under the Flexible Credit Line which is meant for stronger economies. It does qualify under the Precautionary and Liquidity Line and could get $22-44 billion under this—250-500% of India’s IMF quota—but this requires agreeing to some conditionalities on sticking to deficit targets. It is doubtful, though, whether India would ever go to the IMF given this facility was available a year ago when the rupee looked like it was in free-fall—indeed, during this period, India doubled its precautionary swap facility with Japan to $50 billion. So, while RBI needs to continually buy dollars to build a credible defence against an attack on the rupee in the event of funds moving out, the government needs to do its best to convince investors India is a good place to invest in. As a first step, that means ensuring the investments promised by Japan and China start coming in sectors like railways and in new cities; it means coming up with a credible gas pricing policy by the end of the month; it means releasing telecom spectrum quickly, and not challenging the TDSAT’s 3G order ... The government’s first 3 months have seen a reasonable start, the next 6 have to build upon this in a more convincing manner.

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US dollar back to 18 pesos

US dollar

US dollar back to 18 pesos, which are the reasons?

US dollar Exchange rate jumped 30 cents today, which is over 18 pesos per dollar for the first time since March 23rd. These are the factors why the Mexican peso has been lately under pressure.

The oil producers are having a meeting this month in order to have an agreement to output freeze the crude oil. This would help the price; however, the markets doubt on the will to reach an agreement. Mexico, as an oil producer is getting affected by the expectations.

The most recent information is that the Fed will adjust its way on raising the interest rate according to the performance of the US economy, but taking into account the defects that the global weakness might have over the US economy.

As per as the members of the monetary policy committee, there has only been two increases vs. the four that were expected at the end of 2015. This perspective change helped to slow down the US dollar.

Markets are nervous because some of the Fed members are making comments about the possibility on increasing the interest rates before it was expected. The effect is a dollar recovering.

Global Weakness

The last economy data from China has given back a smile to the market as it looks that the manufacturing industry fall has stopped. Also, the government has announced stimulus measure.

Mexican Perspective

SAT has announced to the Congress the perspective for next year, and they anticipated that the situation is not getting better. A growth of 2.6 & 3.6% is expected, a lower oil price and less production in 36 years. Some analysts are saying that maybe the expectations are even too high.

Salomon Juan Marcos Villarreal, as a president of Grupo Denim, a manufacturing company that exports denim jeans to US customers, explained how the US dollar is affecting his company. “We are an export company, and we do get pay in US dollars, but, we are in Mexico and all labor and administrative costs are in pesos; therefore, we do get affected” , said Salomon Juan Marcos Villarreal.

84 thoughts on “US dollar back to 18 pesos

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text:
My Lovely Award

I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to my new bloggy friend Kathy at Three on Food for this lovely award. I appreciate her thinking of me! And now, seven things about me:

1. I love making Thanksgiving Dinner!
2. I am not a picky eater but I have a strong dislike for Oysters, Eggplant, and Liver.
3. I eat way too many Deviled Eggs every Easter!
4. I want to like eating outside but I really don't. I hate having to shoo away flies and bees!
5. Sushi is at the top of my list of favorite foods!
6. When I was a kid I tried a piece of dry dog kibble, it was terrible!
7. I was so excited yesterday when my son asked for a carrot so he could act like Bugs Bunny and he actually ate the whole thing!

I would like to pass this award on to:
Julie @ The Sporadic Cook and Ginger @ Once Upon A Gourmet Gin

Kathy said...

Yay!!! I feel I know you better already!!! What fun :o)

Clare said...

congrats. Yesterday was my award day too! I am right there with ya re oysters and liver. Yuck. Love eggplant though. Have never tried dog kibble. Thanks for the heads up. I once fed cat food to my best friend as a joke. When I saw his face I nearly choked to death on a swig of tea. Call it karma

Sweta said...

Congrats on the award :)
Nice to know a little more about you!!
P.S:I hate eggplant too!

Claudia said...

Deviled eggs - yes! Liver - no! Lovely blog and congrats on the award.

Ryan Ashley Scott said...

Bugs Bunny! That's so cute!

Congrats on your award!

Just A Mom (Call me JAM for short) said...

Congrats on your award! You are very deserving. I love your recipes!

Sooo, I guess I won't be seeing an Eggplant Parmigiana recipe on your blog anytime soon...

teresa said...

Congrats on the award! It's so fun getting to know fellow food bloggers better!

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Mark Forums Read?

Why does this <acronym title="e-cigarette Forum”>ECF function seem not to work? Saw comments from two years ago but nothing recent. What am I not seeing to give me more detail on how this program is to work?

Fatal error: Uncaught Exception: 12: REST API is deprecated for versions v2.1 and higher (12) thrown in /home/thevapes/public_html/wp-content/plugins/seo-facebook-comments/facebook/base_facebook.php on line 1273


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Thursday, 22 June 2017

Young people are neoliberals - they just don't realise it yet so let's help them.

It seems to me that the real issue young people have is feeling excluded from the benefits of our capitalist, neoliberal society not that capitalist, neoliberal society itself. And this seems a reasonable gripe to me. Here's a tweet from lefty journalist John Elledge:

This - perhaps not all that considered - comment tells us a great deal. Mostly that the real irritation of the emerging graduate generation is that they feel unable to afford investment assets like houses. For me this is one of the essential failures of UK government over the last thirty years - the idea of a property owning democracy was ignored as we got ever more excited about the seemingly endless rise in house prices.

Some people want to blame all this on my generation - the boomers - who took advantage of cheap asset prices in the 1970s and 1980s and rode the bubble to the point where the house my Dad bought for £3,250 in 1963 in now 'worth' over £400,000 (Dad sold the house in 1975 for about £14,000). I am absolutely with all those people who feel that they're outside this bubblicious world - not just the young or poor but a whole load of people from 'Up North' who've not seen anything like the gains those 'Down South' have seen.

Add to this that we told young people that the way to get into this bubble world was to get a good degree (in fact any old degree as Blair's enthusiasm for book-learning led to the numbers going to university getting up towards half of 18 and 19 year olds). And because these degrees were the gateway to a world of wealth and power, we told young people they could have a load of (cheap) borrowing that they'd spend half their life paying off so as to get the degree.

Young people don't want to be socialists, they want the entrance fee to our neoliberal world of valuable assets, to that property-owning democracy we were all promised. And this is why they've dumped the capitalists, the people who they think are stopping them from joining the glorious free market rat race. "Have free university tuition". "Here's a subsidised mortgage". "How about a big pay rise". "Or a higher minimum wage". "Free child care". "Discounted rail travel"...

It doesn't matter how much others ask where all this cash is coming from, people aren't listening. Or rather they see those telephone number house prices and say, "y'all can afford to pay for this stuff, get on with it". And Labour offered them everything they were asking for and some things they weren't - no questions asked. Is it any surprise that folk who are outside that wealth bubble flocked to this banner?

Young people - and plenty of the not-so-young - want to know when it's their turn to play the free market, asset-owning, property-speculating game. They don't want socialism, they want what their parents and grandparents had - the chance to have a real cash stake in their society, the thing that Margaret Thatcher promised to my generation (and largely delivered). This isn't about nationalisation for all that people tell you the government should run stuff (they always have done by the way even at the height of Maggie's pomp). No, it's about us renewing the promise we made to the post-war generation and to late boomers like me - play your part, work hard, be a good citizen and we'll make sure you can have that real cash stake in Britain.

Right now we're still telling people to play their part, to work hard, to borrow to fund education and to be a good citizen but government has reneged on its side of the bargain, that cash stake in Britain. And the single-minded focus of any new government should be to renew that offer and make it work. Those young people really aren't baby ideologues desperate for some sort of socialist New Jerusalem. They're just like you and I were 30, 40, 50 or 60 years ago - bothered about our own futures, the things we care about, in that thing Adam Smith saw as the driver of a better, richer society: self-interest.

So let's start offering people that chance. Let's free up the planning system so more houses get built were people want to live. Let's revisit the idea of tax relief or other support that backs individual, personal investment in our society. Let's liberate the innovative instincts of property and finance people to meet the aspirations of today's ambitious young people - 21st century capitalists, budding neoliberals every one. And let's do this knowing that the alternative, Labour's market-fixing, price-controlling, 'magic money tree' programme carries in it the seeds of disaster, the crash that socialism always brings.

I'm with you if you want to bash at those folk farming grants and corporate welfare. I'm on your side if you want to try and stop well-funded lobbyists getting government to fix a market or a system to suit their clients. I'm right there if what you want is to stop rent-seekers freeloading on free health, welfare and education. And I agree with you when you say people should pay the taxes they owe - on the nail not just after a long-winded and expensive investigation.

But this isn't about socialism just about getting a free market that works for all of us. It's about setting economic liberty - the idea that, more than anything else, is responsible for the health and wealth nearly all of us enjoy today (even if we can't afford a house) - at the heart of government policy. The more we try to control the market the less liberty we have and the more power we hand to the commissioners, the lobbyists and the corporations protected by the government fix.

What we all want is a real stake in the nation we're a part of - not just a vague notion of citizenship but a real sense of being a part of the place, of having roots. And that means renewing that promise made by Harold MacMillan in the 1950s, by Ted Heath in 1970 and by Margaret Thatcher in 1983 - Britain isn't just land and institutions but its people, all of them. And all of them should have the chance to take a real, solid, tangible stake in their nation.

1 comment:

barnacle bill said...

One of the other measures you should be considering is the ending of "zero hours" contracts of employment.

This would allow for stability of employment for the employees whilst at the same time giving them the chance of obtaining the funds to buy a home.


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Midnight Summer Swing: Harlem Renaissance Orchestra

July 15, 2017 @ 6:00 pm

Harlem Renaissance Orchestra at the Midsummers Night Swing

Always one of the most popular parties of New York City’s summer, Midsummer Night Swing culminates with an evening of all-out swing provided by the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra. The dance will be lead by Margaret Batiuchok who will be teaching the Lindy Hop and Djed by Ryan Swift

Saturday, July 15 at 6:00 pm
Damrosch Park
Dance floor opens at 6:00 pm
Dance lesson at 6:30 pm
Live music at 7:30 pm

Thanks for spreading the word!

July 15, 2017
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Thursday, June 12, 2008

TOP NINE: Things I've learned after a year of performing with VM

One year ago (June 14th to be exact), I passed my final review with the Vocal Majority chorus and became "riser qualified" -- that is, able to perform with the group in public. Hey, rehearsing is fun and amazing by itself, but nothing beats getting in front of an appreciative crowd. And so far, every audience we've had has been extremely appreciative.

So I've now done a full year's worth of show series -- Fall, Christmas, and Spring -- plus many other individual shows; I've been a part of one new CD and will be starting to record the next one tonight; I've sung with the group at an international convention before 9,000 people; and I've had a full year of camaraderie with some of the greatest guys on the planet.

But with time comes experience, and with experience comes wisdom. Theoretically. But wisdom does not lead to this...

From the great minds at the Wombat Institute for Socio-Economic Research and Short-Order Cooking School:

Top Nine things I've learned after a year of performing with the Vocal Majority:

Making up your own harmony line is strongly discouraged.

8. Same with choreography.

7. Collectively the members have so many gold medals, you can regularly find them left in dressing rooms, bathroom stalls, window sills... (The medals, not the members.)

6. Jim Clancy's mantra is true: Hard work is fun when improvement is evident! Seriously, I love how the group is on the top of the world for this type of chorus, yet is never satisfied and always working to get better.

5. Part of the key to performing in a world-class group like this is to look like you always know what you're doing, even if inside you're terrified that you aren't sure of the notes. Or words. Or moves...

4. Body shapes may change over time, but costumes do not always adjust to match. (Lose weight, Brad!)

3. Being in a group like this is just the right amount of "fame" for me -- enough that I occasionally get recognized, or fawned over when people learn I'm in the VM, but not so much that it disrupts my life.

2. There is still NO number two -- not since 1978. (The chorus has won every competition it's been in in the past thirty years -- 31 separate competitions in a row!)

And the number one thing I've learned after a year of performing with the Vocal Majority:

Rookies are the backbone of the organization. I will hold to this belief firmly, until I win my own gold medal and no longer am one.

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Thursday, July 02, 2009

Back on the risers

The morning rehearsal is at once great and tiring.

We go from 9:00 to 11:30, with one five-minute break. Choreographer Cindy Hansen is back, but the changes that are being suggested are minor, minor – a chest lift here, a slightly brighter smile there...

Cindy explains it this way: “What we’re going for here is those extra points: 101, 102, 103… Wouldn’t it be great if a judge looked down at his score sheet at the end of the set and he’d actually given you 107 points, and he had to cross that out and change it to 100?” We laugh.

The confidence and assurance we’re getting from our leaders is amazing. These are not people who praise lightly. We know that because for months we’ve been getting encouragement of a far different sort – exhortation to get better, to put in the work to polish this set to the level it needs to be. Now that has changed – we’re consistently performing where we want to, and it’s refreshing and encouraging to hear that from the performance team.

Not that we relax – the contest isn’t until tomorrow! As Jeff Oxley reminds us, “You haven’t won anything yet!”

Still, Jim Clancy has an amazing word for us, after again telling us that he’s never seen a Vocal Majority perform at this level: “There may be another chorus that can out-perform you. But if there is, I want to be there to see it. That would be one amazing performance.”

Every time we run the contest songs, the performance soars to a higher level. On our last run-through before lunch, it is awesome, awesome, awesome. Our actual score is in the hands of the judges, but I am confident we are doing everything we possibly can to get that gold medal.

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Monday, July 06, 2009

Soarin’ (yeah, I know, Over California)

Once we’ve posed for a few pictures, we move on under the Golden Gate bridge, into Sunshine Plaza.

I’ve seen pictures of the entire park, of course, and I’m enough of a Disney fanatic that I can locate this and any of the other ten Disney parks around the world using Google Earth or Google Maps, zooming into the satellite picture alone, without having roads marked or cities labeled. So naturally I’ve scoured every inch of this park from the aerial photographs.

But nothing can compare to being here, seeing all of the little touches Disney puts on everything. For instance, I’ve seen pictures of the giant sun sculpture dominating the plaza, but I never knew until now that the water in the fountain doesn’t continually flow in front of it, but rather crashes and spills over the edge in various places, irregularly, as if the water came from waves lapping a shoreline. It’s a creative touch.

Since we’re in this park for only one attraction, we won’t be going too much farther. Soarin’ Over California is right around the corner from the front entrance. We walk past some shops which look like railway cars and into the aviation-themed area of the park.

Soarin’ is showing a wait time of five minutes. Five minutes! Man, it’s great to get here at park opening, and on a Monday!

We make sure the ten of us are all together – it’s not always easy staying together with a group our size, especially when we walk at different paces and some tend to wander off and look at things that catch their eye – and in we go. We walk right in, without any queuing outdoors, and straight through the main indoor holding area, right to the CM who directs people to one side or the other. This is awesome!

We’re sent to the left, and only have a minute or so in this corridor before we’re sent to the preshow area. The ten of us are placed together in the center loading zone. I think this means we'll be on the middle row, as opposed to the top or the bottom.

The familiar preshow with Patrick Warburton plays, and then it’s time to enter. Okay, I was wrong, the boarding isn’t from the side like I thought, but from the back of the ride theater, so the middle boarding area loads into the center section of seats. The first row to load gets the top center, the second row gets the middle, and we get the lower center row. Cool.

We’re all loaded onto the ride in a very short time, and before we know it we’re swinging forward and being lifted into the air. And then, well, we’re soaring. Over California. (Hey, so that’s where the name comes from!)

What a spectacular sensation. I find that, even though I’m sitting, just the simple act of putting both arms straight out ahead of me gives me a very realistic “Superman” feeling. This whole ride is incredible. And over way too soon. We might have to find our way back here again sometime.

After we exit Soarin’, there’s a photo-op area across the way with Mater and Lightning from the movie Cars. Fun! A few of us pose for both the official photographer and our own cameras. And then it’s time to leave the park – one ride and we’re outta here!

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