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2nd Million for TU Media - 2nd country for SK Telecom - Citi JV

June 25, 2009 ? Apparently a good day for SK Telecom PR :
- subsidiary TU Media signs its 2,000,000 th customer
- JV with Citigroup launches mobile banking services in the Philippines, a few months after Hong Kong

The SK Telecom - Citibank Philippines JV (Mobile Money Ventures LLC) is definitely good news : in Hong-Kong, services were more about portfolio management than actual personal banking and transactions - what Citi Mobile Banking (CMB) is all about in the Philippines. These browser-based services shall soon be implemented in other countries, and confirm the operator's international ambitions in mobile finance (see recently "
SK Telecom's Wild Hana Card").

But is TU Media really a success ?

Many European players would love to boast 2 M mobile TV paid users, but 2 M is not even equivalent to 10% of SK Telecom's customer base and for this operator, a 10% penetration after 4 years doesn't seem very impressive.

Besides, to claim its second million customers, SKT's S-DMB unit took more time than it did for the first : TU Media was launched in May 2005 and reached the 1 M mark in December 2006.

Indeed, TU Media was in a very poor condition last year, both financially (mounting debts) and commercially (it claimed only 1.3 M subs in June 2008, a gain of 300,000 in 1.5 years). The 700k customers gained over the past 12 months are the result of what appears to be a make or break move by the owner : SKT went up in the company, injected KRW 55 bn more, and offered massive discounts to its own mobile subscribers... to the point that an undisclosed proportion of its "paid subscribers" don't have to pay to enjoy the service* !

As a consequence :

=> TU Media becomes more competitive with terrestrial accesses (T-DMB), which have been free since the beginning (launched in December 2005) : as we saw ("
3M DMB subs - SBSM on its way"), that's the reason why they are much more popular. T-DMB claims the bulk of Korea's 20M+ DMB-enabled devices (every other handset is OK for mobile TV).

=> At the corporate level, TU Media is now more a MNO's Business Unit than the initial stand alone operator. The very few people who didn't use SKT as their mobile phone operator are encouraged to join the leader, and for the rest, TU Media looks almost like an option among others.

=> TU Media has been burning a lot of cash, and a sustainable TU Media requires more differenciation, and even greater efforts :

- Technological differenciation is not necessarily positive : in covered areas, terrestrial has theoretically an edge over satellite for indoor. SKT does enjoy a truly nationwide coverage, and propose an in-car access offer (TU Rideon - KRW 11,000 / mo - 3 yrs offered for Basic) as well as a real time traffic service (TU TPEG - KRW 3,000 / mo), but T-DMB is very popular for buses and coaches.

- Content and added value services remain key, and SKT will not always surf on such events as the Beijing Olympics, a major boost for subscriptions last year (the whole population was hooked and literally always on one way / media or another)... but not very differentiating since several broadcasters offered the same images (
SBS clinched the exclusive TV rights for the next Olympic Games). The only "paid service" operator could try and lock some key rights to pimp up its own premium channels TU Entertainment and TU Sports (both available through the TU Select service : 1 channel for KRW 2,000 / mo, 2 for 3,000, 3 for 4,000). Other premium services feature TUBOX (movies PPV for krw 1,000 or 1,500 apiece) and PREMIUM 19+ (adult for krw 3,000 / mo or 1,200 for 2 days).

Still now, SKT seems to be as much pushing the service as trying to pull it out of a ditch. The technological landscape keeps evolving and in 2012, fixed and mobile broadband will reach respectly 1 Gbps and 10 Mbps. Typically, SKT is investing massively in optic cabling (from 5,000 km to 88,000 km) through SK Networks.

But mobile TV has found a public anyway, and SK Telecom is not the kind of player to abandon leadership easily. Particularily in such a key vertical.

So it brought along TU Media in its trials in Thailand, so...

... not to be discontinued yet.

But stay tuned.

* With TU Media, you pay only for subscription charges. Neither for traffic nor for content, except for movies on demand (NB: these days, KRW 1,000 is about USD 0.78) :
- Basic rates are KRW 6,000 for TU Slim (9 TV channels + 16 audio), idem for TU English (10 TV + 16), and KRW 11,000 for TU Basic (unlimited 21 TV + 16 audio)
- SKT customers enjoy a 6,000 discount on basic rates, which sets Basic at 5,000... and Slim and English services at zero

Google Streetview : Beijing and Tehran want the Groningen killer app

Dutch twins stole a 14-year-old boy's mobile phone and 165 euros in cash last September in Groningen. The victim recognized himself and his assailants on a Google Streetview* taken seconds before the crime, which led to their arrest.

A Minority Report - style Precog / postcog crime unit ? Not yet, but a not so positive piece of news for this already controversial service (images taken and broadcasted without propper authorisations).

Lately, such social networking services as Facebook or Twitter have been censored in Iran following
rigged presidential elections.

Tehran remains in damage control, but
as we recently saw, Beijing is already one step ahead in the control of web usages. And Google already contributed to arrestations there... but not the kind to be proud of.

Chinese authorities don't need Google Streetview : the police already monitor unrests by systematically and openly filming people who dare demonstrate any kind of defiance to the regime.

But would be certainly interested in digging any large image database exposing "unhealthy" activities at home or abroad.

But mining can be dangerous, even in China, and particularily in China : when you go too far, things tend to collapse on you.

* "
Dutch muggers caught on Google street view camera" (Reuters 20090619)

Samsung's power grip

I haven't been very kind to Samsung Electronics Co. recently for their "Samsung Crest Solar" : to me, solar panels are not necessarily the best solution for devices which may suffer from excessive heat.

But the same company announced today a new metallic material, easy to produce, which can turn temperature differences into electricity, improving efficiency by 80%.

Now this could be a disruptive technology for small devices as well as for construction and all industries. Provided it works at a relatively low temperature, naturally.

Find My iPhone for Apple MobileMe

Let's face it : for many people, losing one's mobile phone sounds scarier than say losing a kid. Heck - they may even have just found the NY toddler disappeared back in 1955!

iPhone 3.0 MobileMe subscribers can activate new features : Find My Phone to locate the missing treasure and activate the hunt, Remote Wipe to delete the content (previously secured in Apple vaults) in case it fell into the wrong hands. The culprit will then deal with an amnesic device unable to tell him his name, where his parents leave, nor their bank account numbers.

Who knows, you may recover your personal time capsule in the year 2063. Even in unchanged shape, a total stranger with a strange look, a strange brand, and probably an even stranger OS.

Now. We'll soon be able to tell if the application is a popular success : will Iranian authorities ban it ?

Welcome to my Personal Area Network - here are a few useful links (thank you for your suggestions or for reporting broken links) :

Virgin Media Universal Music Unlimited

UGC certainly boosted movie theater frequentation in France with their unlimited movie service. Back then, preventing piracy was less the issue but somehow, it hooked a new generation to the going-out-for-a-movie experience... and broadcasters to the idea that the movie industry was still able to produce blockbusters.

This time, mother company Vivendi is more directly coping with illegal music download. The answer : legal but unlimited music download for Virgin Media customers (for GBP 10 to 15 per month according to Reuters).

The innovation in the concept comes from the pledge made by the ISP : Virgin will fight piracy and even suspend temporarily the lines of offenders.

The partners can expect positive peer pressure : UMG rivals to join the Virgin initiative, and Virgin competitors to follow the scheme.

A win-win proposition which could - at last - help legal streams become mainstream.

The Green Damned of China - Learning Censorship The Hardware

Beijing's idea of fighting porn is to launch a "youth escort".

Announced last month, the Green Dam-Youth Escort system will be implemented starting July 1st, 2009.

Basically, all computers will come with a software preventing web surfers from coming across unhealthy content as defined by the regime. Potentially : pornography, violence, democracy, human rights, resistance against State propaganda and revisionism...

Theoretically, you can switch it off. But the moment this Government plants a troyan horse in every computer, all your own dams break loose.

This pushes the Golden Shield Project (A.K.A. the Great Firewall of China) up one notch on the totalitarian scale. Instead of just controlling the access to specific sites, Beijing may monitor all the traffic and beyond, all usages and every individual from every computer. It would just take a few transparent updates in the "service".

This is about tracking minds, preventing "negative" buzz from spreading, spotting "rebel" patterns, and anticipating potential disruptions. Zombie computers for a zombie people.

US manufacturers see the trap : they would join Google or Yahoo!, regularily blamed as collaborators by human rights groups.

I presume Chinese Authorities consider this as an inoffensive technology transfer from regular NSA partners...

Addendum 20090613
I mentioned "technology transfer" and it seems to be the entry point for a US counter attack : "Solid Oak Software Inc said it found pieces of its CyberSitter Internet-filtering software in the Chinese program, including a list of terms to be blocked and instructions for updating the software" (see "U.S. company accuses China of stealing software" - Reuters 20090613).
initially published on blogules (also in VF)

SK Telecom's Wild Hana Card

Since their coming out as an item on May 22, SK Telecom and Hana Bank have been advancing on their JV project (Korea's leading MNO taking 49% of Hana Card, the credit card unit of Korea's #4 financial group).

SKT seems to be seizing a great opportunity : Hana is lagging in the card business, and regulations were eased after the crash last autumn : big non financial groups, previously forced out, were ripe with cash. But even without Hana, SKT is not a small player in cards and financial services.

SKT's mother company, SK Group, boasts 30M OK Cashbag card members. The operator's own loyalty card is used by 40% of its 23M customers, and Moneta, its mobile finance / mobile payment platform, is already one of the most advanced on earth : wired and wireless, Mifare contactless payments for subway, hundreds of thousands of dongles across the country, 3G USIM / EMV Over-The-Air, T Cash / Mobile T-money - a partnership with T money... SK Telecom is the closest thing to a bank you can get in the MNO world.

Financially, the partnership could secure the MNO's business model in the long term at the national level, and facilitate the internationalization of its platforms.*

Hana doesn't bring much of a customer base, nor even disruptive solutions, but certainly new marketing opportunities. A more comprehensive understanding of customers would come handily for a mobile leader who tended to loose his fabled mojo.**

* see "SK Telecom's Semestrus Horribilis"
** see "KT-NTT Venture Forum". Well. The integration of Hanaro Telecom by SKT and KTF by KT didn't inspire much both leaders : triple and quad-play promotions badly lack imagination and appeal.

Samsung Crest Solar

If you leave your Samsung E1107 Crest Solar, turned off, under a sunlight of 80,000 Lux for one hour, the solar panel covering its back will charge it for the equivalent of a 5 to 10 minute conversation.

Much less if you use the torch light or FM radio features...

... or if the said phone is baked after a severe sunburn. There's a reason why $100 laptop projects chose the low-tech, man-powered, hand-crank system...

You may also use the airtime for a Fake Call. That's a killer no-killer application : say you are in a cab, and the driver gently caresses a necklace of human ears while staring a lunatic stare at you in the mirror... you can pretend to receive a call, forge a rescue, and live to see another sunrise.

You can even pretend to receive a call from God. That's probably the reason why they dubbed the device "Samsung Crest Guru" in India.

This dual band 900/1800 MHz GSM handset sells for INR 2,799 (about $60). A more advanced European version is expected later this year : touch screen and Bluetooth enabled, the gently curved Blue Earth is made with recycled plastic.

iPhone, Pre-Price War

From iPhone 3G to iPhone 3G S you get a yawn, from $199 iPhone to $99 iPhone more buzz.

When the main innovations come from pricing, you know commoditization is under way.

And commodities is not what Apple is into.

Apple is hurting Palm because this competitor will never reach the same volumes with its Tre. Apple is hurting Samsung and LG. Apple is hurting Nokia. Apple is hurting the iPod Touch but who cares.

Apple targets the feature phone market : Apple wants to smarten it up because that's the only way to increase volumes.

Smartphone penetration is bound to accelerate, and it's always better to start first in the race. Provided you're profiled to thrive in this kind of environment.

The industrial challenge requires the ability to deliver much bigger volumes (no problemo), but furthermore to become even more reactive, to cope with shorter product cycles and wider ranges, to innovate constantly...

You want to see how competition fares in the app stores arena.

Sony Aino, Satio, Yari : PlayNow, twist, tilt, turn, smash... buzz ?

May 28, 2009 : Sony Ericsson decides to wake up, launch a new campaign, and issue a series of emphatic press clips announcing 3 new devices and one proprietary movie download platform. The message : believe it or not, we've got some Sony in our DNA and we ain't gonna let competitors claim the entertainment arena for themselves.

PlayNow™ arena intends to do with movies what iTunes did for iPod and iPhone with music. The user experience does seem as un-seamless as with the Apple platform in its early stage... but with a very small and short-lived catalogue :

"- Download movies to your computer from www.playnow-arena.com/movies
- Transfer them to your Sony Ericsson phone by ‘side loading’ them from your computer to your phone using your USB device
- Watch them as often as you like for up to 90 days. The specially formatted movies are not playable on any other device
- Choose from a selection of around 15 movies at any one time, with approximately four additional titles being added to the catalogue each month to replace outgoing content
- A total of up to 60 movies can be downloaded during a twelve month period
- The available movie catalogue will be a country-specific mix of classics and newer titles"
("PlayNow™ arena with movies brings feature films to mobile phones" - SonyEricsson PR 20090528)

Kick off : this June across Europe (UK, Germany, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands) with the W995 Walkman™. Besides, two of the tree devices introduced the same day support the new platform : the Aino and the Satio.

The Sony Ericsson Satio replaces the Sony Ericsson Idou exposed in Barcelona (a doomed brand if I ever saw one). It focuses on image : a 12 M pixel camera and a big fat memory.("Visual communication like never before with the Sony Ericsson Satio" - SonyEricsson PR 20090528)

The Sony Ericsson Aino focuses on "sound and vision". Don't misinterpret the "Remote Play for PLAYSTATION®3" feature as a Nintendo Wii remote copycat : you can mostly pair it with your console. PSP next gen becomes PSP Go, and Media Go™ / Media Home "helps you transfer, play and organise all your music, photos, videos and podcasts from your PC simply and effortlessly to enjoy directly on Aino via Wi-Fi™. No more wires, no more searching – always the latest fun." ("Sound and vision set free with the Sony Ericsson Aino" - SonyEricsson PR 20090528)

The Sony Ericsson Yari goes beyond the Aino, more into Wii territory : "Yari debuts Gesture gaming – forget about pushing buttons, with Gesture gaming you make the moves in front of the screen to get right in the middle of the action!" ("Twist, tilt, turn, smash - gesture gaming is here with the Sony Ericsson Yari" - SonyEricsson PR 20090528)

I can't see much disruption there. Except maybe for my eardrums.

Tetris turning 25... now that's distressing.

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Starting Over Is Not Easy ... Mother Baby Child Blog

I was over 35 when I gave birth to Baby Max. My younger son was 11 years old and my older son had just turned seventeen. It wasn't easy starting over again ... Mother Baby Child is a blog to share parenting experiences, as well as what marriage is like after being a single mom for so many years. Get info on having a baby, raising children, babies, tweens, teens, homeschooling, mom blogs, work at home mom. business marketing, Christian and celebrity moms blog posts.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. ~ Philippians 4:13 (KJV)
Meet The Mom Blogger | Baby Videos | Freebies / Giveaways | Daily Blog Hops
WAHM Business | Mom Blog Marketing | Google + Moms Community

9 Months Old | Baby On The Go

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9 months Old Baby Milestones, Mother Baby Child @ Blogspot
9 months old is such an incredible age. I am praising God for blessing me
with 3 sons and for not having to be a single mother this time around.

Nine month old babies are so active and personable that you would think they are toddlers, but they are not. At 9 months old, these babies are still infants with developmental needs that keep them our sweet, cuddly, little babies for months longer. I thank God because it is so hard to watch them grow up so quickly. We so enjoyed our baby's 8th month, but this blog post is to share some of the developmental milestones that our baby had during his 9th month; I am posting this information for other moms to use as a guide, as well as in comparison to the 9 month baby milestones that the baby experts give us. I have included our daily schedule in hope this will be helpful.

See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. ~ Matthew 18:10

Max did Yoga with Nina (Sprout's Goodnight Show)
The highlight of this 9th month occurred on October 5th, 2011 when our 9 month old baby lifted his arms for the yoga stretch with Nina (on Sprout's Goodnight Show). He did it twice when she instructed and we could not believe it! I made such a "whoop-ti-do" that our baby crawled to me, right afterwards, and excitedly stood up so that I could put him in my lap. I think that he was proud of himself, too, but maybe he was proud of me for noticing - LOL. It is so exciting to know that he understands what to do when he watches that stretching / yoga segment. I really struggle with his watching TV, but know that it helps with certain things as well.

Babbling / Repeating / Talking
  • Would you believe that our 9 month old baby started talking to me this month He tugged his ear and said eeeeaaaaaaah a few times. My heart melted while realizing that he was talking to me. It took a few second before I realized that he was on a roll. He clumbsily touched his face and said "eyes" and "nose". It was mushy but I knew this was what he was saying because the exaggerated tone was just like when I teach him these things, therefore I touched his nose and said "Noooose" and touched my eye and said "Eye" ... He got extremely excited and kissed me as if he was rewarding me for understanding what he was talking about.

  • On October 14th, our 9 month old baby said "hello" on prompt at the harvest fest at our church. It was so cute because he looked down shyly and said it just once. He is not much on saying "hello" or "hi" when we ask him to; just when he wants, therefore this was a big deal for us.

  • Our baby starting singing to himself at 9 months and it was the sweetest sound that I've ever heard in my life because I love to sing (my other two boys did not do this) ... Max has a very raspy / horse voice. He sang "OOOOOOOOOOOOOh, AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAh". It had different tones. He made facial expressions and sometimes rocked his body back and forth as he sang. Sometimes, he shoke his head and started laughing while singing. It was almost as if he was laughing as he caught himself singing because he would stop after the head shaking part. It was so innocent and instinctive that I would stop doing anything that I was doing to watch him sing and dance.

Watching / Noticing More Things & Sense Of Humor

  • Our baby found his belly button on 9/9/2011. The funny thing is that he found mine a few days earlier while we were laying in bed (we had just finished nursing). He giggled both times (probably because of my reaction). It was too cute :)

  • He laughs and growls at his own fart (we call them toots).

  • He loves Moose and Zee puzzles / matching games on Nick Jr. He has certain shows that he watches and likes a lot. This 9th month, he started getting cranky (sometimes growling) if we talked during his shows.

  • We had to child proof a few months ago, but this month he started going for things like dirt in a crack on the ground, we patched a piece of the wall for painting and he noticed (I caught him standing at the wall picking it with his finger) and if I forgot to sweep the tile, he would spot /try to pick up anything. He swooped quickly as if he were playing Jacks.

Physical Development

  • Max stood for the first time - without holding on to anything - on October 16. He is walking with the aid of furniture, legs and his walker, but has not starting walking yet (as of 10/31/2011). It looks like it will be soon.

  • In addition to lifting his arms during Yoga time, he will sometimes lift his arms for "UP" when he wants us to pick him up from the high chair, crib or play area. We are trying to teach him to do this w/out fussing / crying, too.

  • He waved "Hi" on prompt, but ignores us about this too. (I think we got on his nerves).

  • On October 17, he started clapping on his own (without us telling him to) - saying "glaaa glaaa" (clap clap) - when he does it.

  • He loves to sing and dance (rock back and forth on his own). All 3 of us (mom, dad, brother) clapped and danced with Maxwell. It was great. While dancing, he clapped when we clapped and bounced his bottom on the floor and rocked to the music. Unlike saying "hello", he will clap upon request sometimes because he loves music and dancing so much.

  • At 9 months, he spends even longer periods of time in his walker and has excellent back up, side and forward control. He has an awesome 3 point turn at this age :)

  • He fought us each time we changed his diaper. He has actually been doing this for months, but we started giving him his tooth brush so that he does not take off like before. He started grabbing his private area every time I changed his diaper. I was as non challant as possible but he would growl and / or laugh when I asked him to move his hand so I could close the diaper. This was not a lot of fun when he had a poopy diaper :(

  • He sat nicely in his playpen / pack n play and matted play area. Every once in a while, he throws a fit to get out, but can lay alone for over an hour sometimes.

Food / Eating / Drinking

Our 9 month baby has stopped eating green beans (he even refused them even when mixed with some chopped up french cut green beans). That is one baby food down. On the contrary, he has developed a HUGE appetite for spaghetti, crackers, water in a sippy cup and just about everything he can get his hands on around the house. He tried to use his spoon at 9 months, though still preferred that we feed him. He does still nurse (mostly first thing in the morning, if he wakes at night and once or twice a day if he gets really cranky and digs my shirt), but he likes Soy formula and drinks water in his sippy cup.

Daytime Schedule / Night time Schedule

Since he finally started sleeping through the night, a decent schedule was developed by 9 months. He sometimes gets up for a bottle or to nurse around 4 or 5:00 a.m. but could sleep through the night until around 7:00am if I put him to bed around 10:00 or 11:00 p.m.

Our typical daily schedule:

  • Get up between 6:30 and 8:00 (typically around 7:00 a.m.).

  • He likes to watch Baby Einstein (Disney Channel) or The Sunny Side Up Show on the Channel. He likes Barney if we start later. He sometimes wants a bottle at this time if he did not want to nurse as soon as he woke up; other times he just wants to relax alone and watch this show.

  • After this time he is ready to eat and start playing. He has usually pooped just before or right after breakfast). He plays hard for hours. He plays well alone and with us. He is extremely physical during this time, therefore he uses the walker, crawls out of his pack and play or matted play area, walks along furniture and I sometimes walk him outside.

  • He is ready for a nap between 11:00 a.m and 12:00pm (usually after Sesame Street on PBS and / or Sprout). He typically wants rocked to sleep.

  • He gets up between 1:00pm and 2:00pm, and is very pleasant.

  • He likes to play or watch TV again before he eats. This is not long because he is usually ready to eat lunch soon after waking up.

  • After lunch, we will play for hours. He reads with me for short periods of time, he is very physical, so he uses his walker and likes crawling, walking along furniture and sitting to play with electronic toys. Max enjoys walks in his stroller or just sitting outside and watching cars.

  • He usually naps again between 3:45 p.m. and 5:30pm. This is usually not a long nap (about an hour; sometimes two hours). Diaper change again.

  • He is ready to eat and play again. I keep him up until 10:00pm - 11:00pm (sometimes 9:30pm), so that we have a better possibility that he will sleep through the night. I found that it helps if I take a bottle to bed. He will sometimes take that instead of wanting to nurse again (anywhere between 3:35 and 5:00pm). He will go back to sleep and is up for the day around 7:00 a.m.

OK, so there you have it. This was what our baby did at 9 months old.

At 9 months old, our baby was an energetic bundle of joy that kept us busy daily. Although my husband and I work from home, my husband picked up a temporary job to supplement our income, so that I was not stressed about the holidays and needing to increase work. With our 9 month baby being so active, I was not able to take on any more clients these past few months; just retain and maintain the accounts that I had. This was great for my existing clients because they got all of my extra work time. I knew that it would be like this because I've had children before, therefore I did eliminate some inconsistent accounts a few months ago. Yet, I really appreciate that my husband wanted to make sure that we would not struggle during Christmas, New Year and Tax season because we will travel to see family / friends during these times. It is likely they will visit us, too. I never had this type of support or potential for a "cushion" when I was a single mother, therefore I work my business diligently during the times that Max is napping and / or playing well alone, as well as when my husband is home from work.

I praise God for making all things possible that I never could have imagined nor believed that I wanted in life (a husband, another baby, living in a new state, homeschooling, etc). I hope that you enjoyed this blog post and that it is helpful to moms that are looking forward to their 9 months baby milestones. Please feel free to share your experiences and comment below :)

In Motherly Love,
Mother Baby Child

Pictures of Mariah Carey Babies | Baby Twins Roc & Roe | Abc News 20/20 Interview and - #dembabies

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Mariah Carey's Baby Twins Pictures, Roc & Roe, #dembabies pictures

All I can say is "Thank you, Barbara Walters" for the awesome interview with Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon. It's about time! Alyssa Milano, Tori Spelling, Christina Applegate and other Over 35 celebrity moms did not wait this long to let us see their little angels ... I know that celebrity moms are just as protective of their children as we are (probably more), but #DemBabies are 6 months now and, aside of my beautiful Baby Max (big smile), the Carey-Cannon twins) are some of the cutest babies I've seen this year. I am thinking that Mariah probably wanted to take off some of the baby weight first because this is exactly what I would want to do, too. Anyways, here's the 20/20 interview with Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon, Roc, Roe and Barbara Walters. Mariah Carey shares how difficult it was to lose their first baby by miscarriage and then the challenges of getting pregnant through fertility hormone therapy and then staying pregnant with twins because it was hard on her body. Lets face it, pregnant with twins at 41 years old is not the norm nor easy on a body, but the Lord continues to bless Mariah Carey abundantly; this time with a boy and girl baby twins. Praise God!!! It is just incredible and so exciting to see how the celebrity couple are enjoying their twin babies:

Wait! It gets better ... Nich Cannon and Mariah Carey launched a website of the babies - and it has a ton of adorable pictures of Mariah Carey's twins. Check it out! I could not put on this site because the publish rights are for sale and funds contributed to Fresh Air Fund's Camp Mariah that helps inner city kids explore career / educational options while in a fun filled camp environment. It looks like a really nice program.

Congrats again to Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon on #dembabies. Your twins are adorable. I look forward to watching how they develop and what talents they will share with the world.

In Motherly Love,
Mother Baby Child

Wang Yue / YueYue Has Died | China Beyond

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2 year old Wang Yue died October 21, 2011

"Beyond" for Five Minute Friday Blog Post

Beyond the refuge of my little life, is a family that is mourning the loss of their child because of negligence, lack of empathy and honor. 2 year old Wang Yue / YueYue died today. Her poor little body to weak to fight; her brain dead from the traumatic incident of being run over by 2 vehicles and left for dead by 18 people that were afraid to help the child.

Afraid to help a child .. WHY ???

Her body laid there until one compassionate old woman stepped up and did what was right for that child. My heart is so burdened and my thoughts are far beyond my daily activities as all I can think about how devastated her mother and father must feel exactly at those times that I am thinking of this situation.

I watched the video and my heart broke. I hugged my little baby and wondered why the Chinese people live in such fear that they will not help an innocent child ... a toddler ... someone's baby girl abused and left out in the street?

I cried. I prayed. I blogged.

Others cried. Others prayed. Others blogged.

God's wisdom puts me at a loss for words when I understand that this is just one example of how people - all over the world - neglect their social responsibilities - spiritual responsibilities - humanitarian responsibilities - all of the time.

The "lack of morals in modern society" that the Chinese people feel they've lost, because of fear, is not far from where the United States and other countries have been for years as well. The difference is that they were noted for their Chinese honor code where our morale fiber has never meant much to the rest of the world.

Will we all ever get beyond this shame?

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." Luke 6:37 (NIV)

In Motherly Love,
Mother Baby Child

Five Minute Friday
This blog post was inspired by
Five Minute Friday: Beyond

Wang Yue "Yue Yue" | Wordless Wednesday

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2 Year Old Chinese Baby Hit By Two Cars & Left To Die

Are you here for Wordless Wednesday? Great! Please comment here and not on the Prayer & Thoughts page. Thank you so much!

"Why this picture?" Join the discussion started on the Prayers & Thoughts blog post.

In Motherly Love,
Mother Baby Child

2 Year Old Chinese Baby Hit By Two Cars & Left To Die | Please Pray For This Little Girl

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Pray for baby Yue Yue - 2 year old hit by 2 cars in China and left for dead

Moms, this blog post is dedicated to prayer for the family of Yueyue (Wang Yue). She is the 2 year old baby, that was hit by a van and truck on October 15, 2011 in Guangzhou Foshan China. Both of the drivers and 18 pedestrians left this toddler to die on the street (well, one pulled her out of the street towards the trash). Unfortunately, her mother was doing laundry in the building and did not get to child until well after these horrible incident occurs. Alas, the 19th person was the one to save Yueyue life. It was an elderly trash collector named Chen Yianmei that came to her aid. Ms. Yianmei could only cry as she explained Yueyue's condition when she found her. This 2 year old is in now in a deep coma and on life support in the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital.

If you are having a hard time understanding the Chinese video, try this YouTube video.

18 people passed this poor little girl on the busy street in Foshan City and did NOTHING to help her. The 3 that stand out the most to me are the following:

1) Man stopped his motorcycle to look at her and drove off without helping.

2) Mother walks past with her child and does not do a thing.

3) Woman from the store pulls the fractured toddler out of the street and leaves her.

It is just heart breaking to watch this poor child brutalized like this, though we need to understand and take note of why these Chinese citizens did not help her. As explained by CNC China video, the Chinese public wanted to know why there was no "empathy from the passersby" and about the "lack of morals in modern society". Many explained that they are due to the many cases where they were accused of hurting elderly people when they were really trying to help them. Some people state that they have “lost their faith in human nature” because of such situations.

What happened to the 2 drivers that hit the little girl?

The truck driver (2nd vehicle) was arrested, but they could not get the license plate number of the van (1st driver) from the surveillance video. The police asked witnesses to help, so this prompted the van driver to call Yueyue’s father and say that he would not turn himself in to the police, but would give the parents money. The driver also explained that his plans were to leave his wife and children, go into hiding for the rest of his life and make less money from jobs out of the city. He was finally arrested yesterday, October 17, 2011.

In Motherly Love,
Mother Baby Child

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day | Candle Lighting | Angel Moms Babies

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October 15 is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. We light a candle in remembrance of Angel Babies and Angel Moms

I have been waiting all week to write this blog, but not my heart is so burdened by the remembrance it will bring that it is a little difficult to share this information on Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.

What is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day?

It is a day of remembrance for those who have lost a baby to death / SIDS as well as for those who have had a miscarriage or stillbirth (pregnancy loss). It is traditionally observed by an International candle lighting at 7:00 pm tonight (October 15) as part of a remembrance ceremony. Some states / organizations choose to host a walk and / or candle lighting. I am sure that you can imagine the devastation caused by any one of these scenarios whether you have lost a child / pregnancy or not. I personally tear up at any serious though of losing one of my children and have spent hours heart broken at these mother's websites. They are so selfless in wanting to educate other moms based on their experiences with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), Diseases and other experiences. This does include women who have lost their dreams of motherhood because of miscarriages and stillbirths.

Please make sure to scroll down the page to see if any moms have commented and visit this PRAYER page to pray for an Angel Mom that is hurting even more today as she lights that candle in remembrance of her Angel Baby.

The following are some websites that I would like to share with you on this day:

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

Angel Moms (those who have lost children)

Remembering Our Babies October 15th ***
You can find schedules by locations and by state on the Activities / Walks page.

First Candles

Millions Mom Challenge

I have met for many moms and read so many blogs by mothers who have lost their children (or have terminally ill children) that this has become quite an emotional subject for me. I ask that you read and support these women when blog hopping (don't just pass by there important messages to help others and buttons).

Please make sure to LIGHT YOUR CANDLE at 7:00pm in remembrance of moms that have lost babies / pregnancies. Do not hesitate to add to the PRAYER list posted on this blog or launch a prayer list on your blog. Thank you for reading this blog post & participating!

In Motherly Love,
Mother Baby Child

Google Friend Connect | Follow Me Blog Hop

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Daily Blog Hop - Google Friend Connect Follow - Weekday, Weekend

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,
as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. - 1 Peter 4:10

Welcome to this Mother Baby Child blog :)

My name is Lea. I am the Christian WAHM to 3 incredible boys (infant, tween and teen) and the wife to one too chatty, though loving hubby. I have been developing on the Internet for more than a decade and it has never become a boring / dead end job to me. I have an extremely long testimony of how God changed my life in this direction so many times; for now, I will let you know that I am grateful that He led in this direction and keeps guiding me. I have had a lot of good times and way too many struggles, but here I have the freedom to do what I love to do (most times) and at the side of my children. This is one of the greatest blessings in my life.

OK, this blog hop is about connecting with one another ...

Lets connect and really get to know one another. It doesn't need to be a "daily thing" unless you really like everything that I am doing and vice versa. On the other hand, it would sure be great to have that choice by connecting though our Google Friend Connect widgets and REALLY keeping in touch :)

Click on the FOLLOW button below to connect with me; let me know that you have connected through this GFC and introduce yourself in the COMMENT section of this blog post. This will let me know to go to your blog and do the same.

Google Friend Connect Blog Hop @ Mother Baby Child
(If you can't see the button on this blog post, click the one on the right hand side of this page)

I know this is something a little different than we've seen with other Blog Hops / Link Ups, but I noticed that some moms don't know about this feature and others mentioned finding it a challenge to make more friends online / increase Google Friend Connect followers. Lets make this the "blog hop" / "link up" for Mother Baby Child.

Mother Baby Child GFC, Comment, Hop

Don't forget check out this Blog Hops / Link Up page.

In Motherly Love,
Mother Baby Child

How To Bake Cookies | Big Cookie For Me & Little Cookie For Dad | Wordless Wednesday

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How To Bake Cookies with Dad. I get the big cookie and Dad gets the little cookie.
Original Nestle® Toll House® Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Wordless Wednesday

Thank you for visiting my blog. I have recently started "blog hopping" and really enjoying meeting moms that blog; learning and sharing based on our interests. This is such a fun way to get to know one another, therefore I added a page with a list of blogs that host Wordless Wednesday and other resources:

Please make sure to grab my button code, so that you can share with moms; become a partner to get more visitors to your Blog Hop / Link Ups / Follows / Resources, too.

In Motherly Love,
Mother Baby Child

Original Nestle® Toll House® Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe | Cooking With Kids

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Cooking-With-Kids, Choolate Chip Cookies
Original Nestle® Toll House® Chocolate Chip Cookies

Prep: 15 mins
Cooking: 9 mins
Level: Easy
Cooling: 15 mins
Yields: 60

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
1 cup chopped nuts

PREHEAT oven to 375° F.

COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

PAN COOKIE VARIATION: Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan. Prepare dough as above. Spread into prepared pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack. Makes 4 dozen bars.

PREPARE dough as above. Divide in half; wrap in waxed paper. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm. Shape each half into 15-inch log; wrap in wax paper. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.* Preheat oven to 375° F. Cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices; place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Makes about 5 dozen cookies.

* May be stored in refrigerator for up to 1 week or in freezer for up to 8 weeks.

FOR HIGH ALTITUDE BAKING (5,200 feet): Increase flour to 2 1/2 cups. Add 2 teaspoons water with flour and reduce both granulated sugar and brown sugar to 2/3 cup each. Bake drop cookies for 8 to 10 minutes and pan cookie for 17 to 19 minutes.

Tori Spelling's Baby Girl Hattie Margaret

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WOW, Tori Spelling is another "over 35" celebrity mom that has just had a baby. Dean McDermott and Tori Spelling gave birth to a baby girl, named Hattie Margaret McDermott, on Monday, October 10, 2011 at 7:08 AM. Baby Hattie weighed 6 pounds 14 ounces and 20 inches long. She posted the baby announcement to her Twitter from Lockerz:

Tori Spelling gives birth to baby girl Hattie Margaret McDermott on 10/10/2011

Today, there was a link to see Hattie's cute little feet on the website. I'm sure baby Hattie will be just as sweet her big brother Liam (4) and big sister Stella (3), but her fans are waiting to see more picture . Tori Spelling will sure have her hands full with 3 little ones, but this 38 year old mommy can handle it. If you've ever seen an episode of the Tori & Dean show, you know what I mean?

Anyways, a HUGE congrats to Tori Spelling and family. May baby Hattie keep you young :)

In Motherly Love,
Mother Baby Child

Proverbs 31:10–31 | Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character, The Virtuous Woman, The Virtuous Wife, Mother & Prayer

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Proverbs 31:10–31: Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character, The Virtuous Woman, The Virtuous Wife

Proverbs 31:10–31 NIV

10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.

16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Lord, I thank you for the life, husband and children that you have given to me. I thank you for the changes that you have made in me. I pray that you please help me to become the woman that you want me to be because it is sometimes hard to believe that I can be more like a Proverbs 31 woman in comparison to the woman that I used to be, but I know that I can by your hands. I know that all is possible through you, Father. I pray for the strength, dignity and wisdom that only you can provide. Please help me make this a home of your love and to become the mother and wife that you want me to be. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

In Motherly Love,
Mother Baby Child

Proverbs 31 and Betond Marraige Course

Follow Friday | Blog Hop, Twitter, Facebook, Google, YouTube | October 6, 2011

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Follow Me, Follow Friday, Blog Hop, Facebook, Google Plus & Twitter Friends
Would you believe that I forgot that it's Friday?

Yep, someone just reminded me by phone ... She laughed at me because I NEVER know what day it is anymore. It seems that I get lost in my own little world here with family life and work. Deadlines I get by working a head. Bedtimes are according to Sprout shows. I get the news and date by phone. Yet, I never know what day it is anymore ... Alas, it is Friday October 7th, 2011 and I'm ready to hop hop hop.

Is it ever like that for you? Do your days ever run into one another?

I think that is another reason why blogging is so important to me and blog hops are so important to stay at home moms (SAHMs) / work at home moms (WAHM). Yes, we all want people to read or blogs and find them on the Internet, but connecting with other moms and in an organized fashion make quite a difference in this techie though stay at home mom world.

1) Please click the "FOLLOW" button on my Google Friend Connect widget (right hand side of the page), so that we can connect more often.

2) Please leave a comment to let me know that you have connected & I will venture over to your blog to do the same.

3) I also invite you to join me at the following popular networks:

In Motherly Love,
Mother Baby Child

9 Months Old Baby Milestones

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  • Most 9 month old babies can sit well; developed balance.

  • Most 9 month old babies can crawl well; stand by holding onto furniture or your leg; some babies start to walk by this age.

  • Some drink from cups and can feed themselves finger foods and use a spoon with help. They are eating more solid foods at this time; maybe refusing baby foods that are too fine (have no texture or chunks).

  • They can hold toys and move them from hand to hand.

  • Likes to play games with you like peak-a-boo, and might let you read to him / her.

  • 9 month old babies can pick up small things (food, toys, etc) with pointer and thumb.

  • They love music and "dance" to it. NOTE: Our 9 months old baby rocks back and forth to the background music on his Super Why tv show even if it is slight because the characters are speaking. He sings with music and we sometimes hear him singing on his own ("aaaaaaaaaaaa, oooooooooooo").

  • Smiles and responds to his / her name. Recognizes family and friends; may shy or be afraid of strangers.

  • It is common for 9 months babies to have teeth or experience teething during this time.

  • Babbles (makes nose with mouth as if talking) and repeat sounds. NOTE: Don't feel bad if your baby does not repeat! We thought that our baby Max was underdeveloped in this area until one day we were out in public and told him to say hello to a friend. He put his head down and said "hello", but would not say it again when asked. In fact, he repeats when he feels like it, therefore it might be the same with your baby at 9 months old.

Brother Loves Me | Wordless Wednesday

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Beautiful Picture of Brothers Sleeping, Wordless Wednesday

Sleeping Brothers Picture Wordless Wednesday

Big Brother Smiling Lovingly At Baby Brother, Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday: Picture of Baby Brother Pushing Tween Brother

Pre-Teen & Infant Brother Sitting Face To Face, Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Did I comment on your blog this week? Did it mention that I've linked your blog to this Wordless Wednesday post? I had so much fun hopping and meeting moms, that I decided to create a BLOG HOP page for everyone to use. I have added your Wordless Wednesday banners / buttons to this page: - Please make sure to grab my button, so that you can share this blog, too.

In Motherly Love,
Mother Baby Child

Breast Cancer Awareness Month | October | Think Pink & Support | Meaningful Monday

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National Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2011, Mother Baby Child Blog
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October was once a month that made me think of colorful trees, harvest fests, pumpkin patches and preparing for the winter months, as well as their popular holidays (Thanksgiving & Christmas). This all changed for me in 2008 when I met my friend, Sandee. She had joined a work at home business with me and was eager to make her mark in that industry. Her goal was to make money online. I worked with her as much as I could and we became friends. She was such a sweet person. It wasn't until a few months later that she confided in me that she needed to make up for the income that she had lost when she got breast cancer and could no longer work her government job. She was a breast cancer survivor that had gone through radiation therapy and ended up need a mastectomy; she was left with a weakened immune system, very bad diabetes and bills that she needed to pay. She was the only person that shared her fears, experience and detailed information about breast cancer with me.

I was not completely naive to the fears and seriousness of breast cancer. My step father had a lump in his breast, though his tumor was quickly removed due to early detection and never returned. My step-sister is also a breast cancer survivor. I was told that her experience was far worse than my step-father's removal. This was a close to home as breast cancer hit until I started learning more from Sandee. Unfortunately, she found lumps again a little over a year after we met. She actually called to let me know and shared whenever one was almost dissolved or a new one was found. She often shared her test results. Sometimes she would share feelings of sadness with me, but she was a very strong woman that rarely broke down during her experience. She was hopeful and retained her faith during the process (which is hard when your crying because you feel that your body is falling apart and that you are angry about being sick again). Her family lost her to breast cancer Thursday, May 19, 2011. It was asked that all contributions were made to the National Breast Cancer Society or Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Sandee was a mother, wife and grandmother to 3 beautiful children. In fact, her daughter and I were both pregnant with our 3rd children at the same time. It was a blessing that she was able to meet and spend time with her new grandson before breast cancer took her life. I understood that she knew her time was near when I stopped hearing from her as much. She would check in to see how we were doing and give me reports on her health; she mentioned that she was spending even more time with her grandchildren. God bless her soul.

There are a lot of events, observances and holidays in October, but this month means much more to me than the Fall season or preparing for holidays. I see and think pink much more this month and it is no longer just a pretty, girly, color in my world. Now that you have read this short blog post, I want you to take from it that breast cancer is a serious disease that kills about 39,520 women a year. You never know who you're going to meet or who in your family will get diagnosed with breast cancer. I did not know that my step-sister had breast cancer until after she had fought and survived. You need to get checked for breast cancer instead of thinking that you are immune to the disease because you do not know of any family members of friends that have / had it. Over the years, I have met more people online - that have survived or are battling cancer - than I would like to admit. It is obviously more than just a breast or womanly issue ...

"Cancer is the general name for a group of more than 100 diseases in which cells in a part of the body begin to grow out of control. Although there are many kinds of cancer, they all start because abnormal cells grow out of control. Untreated cancers can cause serious illness and even death." (What Is Cancer: American Cancer Society)

"Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, except for skin cancers. The chance of developing invasive breast cancer at some time in a woman's life is a little less than 1 in 8 (12%). The American Cancer Society's most recent estimates for breast cancer in the United States are for 2011: About 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women. About 57,650 new cases of carcinoma in situ (CIS) will be diagnosed (CIS is non-invasive and is the earliest form of breast cancer). About 39,520 women will die from breast cancer" (Key Statistics About Breast Cancer: American Cancer Society)

Yes, October is a month dedicated to increasing the support and awareness of breast cancer, but the breast cancer foundations and breast cancer stores are working year round to help find a cure, educate the public, gain support and donations, as well as campaign to politicians for the needs of people with breast cancer. Please click on the links in this blog post to learn more about what is breast cancer, why you should get checked for breast cancer (mammogram) and how you can help support and increase awareness in your city.

Please do your part to help!

In Motherly Love,
Mother Baby Child

Boy, I Am Not Lois Griffin - Mommy Mama Ma Ma - Take That Game To Your Room!

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I'm not promoting Family Guy, but this little video clip is something that all mothers should see (watch video above) ... Moms, can you relate? I sure can. My baby does this in the mornings while trying to wake us up and sometimes during the day. He gives us a repetitive "da da da da da"and "maaaa maaaa maaaa" ... it is still cute!

This is not the point of my blog post today ...

Babies do this to get our attention because they cannot communicate any differently. They are expressing their need for an adult to help them (pick up, feed, hug, etc.). As boys are maturing, some of them do this same thing to getting a rise out of their mothers (play, show affection, etc.). You have to draw a line and redirect this to the proper verbal and physical actions if you notice that it is happening.

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. ~ Psalm 68:5 (NIV)

I was a single mom with my first two boys (until my second son was 10) and my older son used to do this all of the time. Really! Not at the same annoyance level as this "Mommy Mama Ma Ma Ma Ma" that Stewie Griffin is exemplifying in this video, though he did do it well into his 2nd year of High School. By that time, it was a group of boys, spitting chewing tobacco and laughing when I said "ewe" and that I did not want it in my house, as well as numerous other rebellious scenarios. As I think back to when he was a very little boy, there was a crazy number of "booty booty" pinches I received while climbing the steps ... many farts I have ducked from room to room (gave them back to him, too) ... many burping competitions I attended ... sometimes I even received a soft kick in the buttocks (out of the blue) to "grind my rails". I can now burp, fart, catch and flip a leg faster than the average mom because my older son teased and taunted so much. I just took it as the way he chose to show affection, but that it came to an end when he started wanting to wrestle me in his middle school years and then more challenges came in the early teen years.

My boys are like oil and vinegar, therefore I understand that each child is different. Take what you need from my experiences or share with another mom if this does not apply to your family.

My younger son did not do the same. He did not take to burping, farting and whacking me unless he was trying to chime in with what he thought was play between his brother and me. On the other hand, he did try to show affection like this with his older brother. It was not accepted well by the older sibling and this is how I learned that this was an overall problem in our household. Regardless, my middle son was the child in that video. He used to repeat what he wanted over and over and over and over - throughout a day / week / month - even though I said "NO". He always questioned why he did not get his way. He would question until it started a fight with me. I did get this under control while he was in grade school, for the most part, but he still tries to use this tactic to get his way. I nipped it in the bud by letting him know that I am not going to argue with him and then send him out of the room with me (sometimes it is a case of until he has calmed down). He does not dare try to wrestle with me and only goes but so far in arguing a point. This is how it is right now. I will have to update this once he's in high school.

Why do boys do this to mom? Is it a normal part of their development?

As the stereotypes of what a boy or what man should be (depending on the boy child's age) set into their personalities, boys still want the same loving attention from mom. The problem is that some boys think is a "cool" or "manly" to behave as I have explained because they are immature and because some of us let them. They gravitate towards these behaviors instead of just giving mom a hug or snuggling like when they were younger children. My older son did still hug me and want to lay his head on my arm while watching TV on the couch. This was good, but the other actions came across as signs of affection when they were actually inappropriate and I should have redirect the playful signs of affection to the typical ways instead of burping and farting with him or letting him give me "love taps" as he was developing. It was cute at first, though became REALLY annoying and then led to some challenging situations when he became a teen. I used to laugh at it as harmless play and make sure to let him know when he is getting too hyped up or out of line with what is acceptable to me. I should have not laughed and set boundaries when it continued though grade school. I was a single mother at that time and do think that some of his behavior was his showing "love" to me. On the other hand, most often it was his goal to get a rise out of me; my son was testing his position as a male and also boundaries with me. He has always done the same thing to my mother. It is hard to determine whether or not it would have been this way if his Grandfather was there because my step-father died at the beginning of his Kindergarten year. I can share that my younger son rarely challenges like this and it might be the influence of his step-father in his life.

I wanted to share this experience in case you are noticing similar characteristics in your son(s); especially single moms trying to raise boys on your own. It is not that I did not try to turn my son's behaviors into hugs, kisses, conversations about what upset him, etc. It is just that I did not stick with it and thought that feeding into his behavior and playing back was the way to make him hug, kiss and keep the lines of communication open with me. I now understand that a mother needs to get this behavior "in check" as soon as possible else the boy will carry it over to how he interacts with you later in life. You are also putting girls and other female adults (grandmother, teachers, etc) at risk for the same treatment. Although it appears to be playful and expressions of love, it can become a form of manipulation and the way a little boy attempts to control situations and women as he becomes an adult.

Kindly make your son turn those burps, farts, love taps and temper tantrums into hugs, kisses and respectful conversation. Do not play back with him in this fashion because he does not see it as you intend it to be. Send him out of the room and only permit him back when he apologizes and lets it go on his own. Just remember that "I'm sorry" means that we are regretful for an actions and that we do not intend to do it again. Do not let your little boy keep apologizing for the same behaviors ... get some professional help if you notice that developing pattern.

Do you have advice on this subject or a similar situation to share? Let is know in the comment section of this blog post. You will help another mom raise a better man.

In Motherly Love,
Mother Baby Child
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text:
Jenna met Julia Wexler on campus last week when she spoke at a WWIB event. Her 17 year-old daughter was also in attendance at the event to support her mom during the seminar. Jenna invited both to attend the upcoming Wharton Mother-Daughter Weekend. After participating in the mother-daughter event, Julia tells this touching story about her struggles to attain a close bond with her daughter and some breakthroughs that occurred over the weekend.

Attending a mother-daughter event this weekend was somewhat intimidating for me. We don’t have that picture perfect mother and daughter relationship, and exposing that might even prevent the possibility of having a stronger relationship going forward. Would she hate me, yet again?

I had never known what a strong mother-daughter relationship was supposed to feel like.  My mom and I were not close. In fact, we are so distant that even now as she is in the late stages of dementia, I wonder when I “lost” her because I didn’t ever truly “have” the connection to lose. I was all the more motivated to finally have a mother-daughter bond with my own daughter, but alas, no blueprint to use to build the foundation!

I made mistakes in my over-zealousness and my hyper-eagerness to finally attain what (it seemed like) everyone else had. It’s like eternal exclusion from some ideal sisterhood; and it feels very much like being gipped (as my other friend told me who was also estranged from her mom). It’s a dull heartache that’s always present each time she rolls her eyes at you and walks away. So it took a glass of wine and a bit of courage to attend.

Completing the event questionnaire was illuminating. What DID we do together that we enjoyed other than argue? Ugh! We both love to read and, in fact, I could write a book about menopause and adolescence having their crescendo in the same home in the same span of time . . . and the roof blowing off the home in a bonfire of hormonal rage. This stuff is not easy. In fact, it’s the most painful and deepest heartache a woman can endure from the only person who can truly break her: her other half.

But this weekend, something clicked: we laughed together. My daughter, Jackie, had seen me speak at an event for the very first time. (I might add she was the only member of the audience I was intimidated by). Well, for the first time in her life, I think she may even have respected me a bit.  She helped me; she cheered me on and she saw the non-mom. I also saw her for the powerful, sweet, compassionate young woman she is already becoming at only age 17. Maybe I didn’t completely fail as a mom. Maybe this horrible pattern was ending.

At the Wharton Mother-Daughter Weekend, under the “red tent” of so many other wiser women, a community of mothers and daughters supported us in our own beginning. They smiled knowingly when we described our struggles as if it was simply another speed bump along the way. Mothers and daughters who know each other as only they can, having virtually come from each other.

As my daughter sits beside me filling out her college application today, and I sit beside her hoping she’ll eat a healthy lunch, I have learned a great deal. Respect for her is the lesson from the group this weekend. It changed everything. I’m so grateful we have a chance to make our own history now.

Julia Wexler

Wharton Mother-Daughter Weekend attendees: We’d love to hear your stories too!  Please email us at to share takeaways and lessons learned from your own experience.


text:
Servicing a HT clutch

Discussion in 'Transmission / Drivetrain' started by wrenchin 4 fun, Jun 24, 2016.

  1. wrenchin 4 fun

    wrenchin 4 fun New Member

    Decided to replace the pads on my trusty ole 66 cg. It's a good thing. They were petrified. Cleaned the parts and am ready to reinstall. Do I need to lube the bearings between the flywheel and the clutch gear? I know I need to put a small dab of grease on the gears. Thanks for the info.

  2. skyash

    skyash Active Member

    It might help the Berings but it gets on the pads to then it slips. So probably no


text:
The mission of the public health program is to protect, improve, and promote population health in Southwest and Southside Virginia, the Commonwealth, Central Appalachia, the Nation, and the world by training future public health leaders through learning, discovery, and engagement in public health. The program is grounded in the One Health approach, recognizing the dynamic interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health. One Health encompasses the interdisciplinary efforts of medical, veterinary, and public health professionals to protect, promote, and improve health.

The MPH Program offers two concentrations: public health education and infectious disease.

This is a 42-credit program that requires a two-year plan of study for a full-time student. The program readily accepts part time students and offers flexible plans of study to address the needs of part-time and simultaneous degree students.

On June 8, 2013, the program was granted five-year full accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health.

No. However, this program does require a 300-hour field placement (practicum) and capstone project, which includes an academic deliverable and presentation. Capstone is the final course a student will take prior to graduation.

In addition to our regular MPH students, MPH students enroll as DVM/MPH (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) in the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, MD/MPH (Medical Doctor) in partnership with the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, and MPH/PhD in various programs at Virginia Tech.

Program faculty work with mid career professionals to help them integrate their MPH coursework into the demands of their work environment.

The MPH degree is not an online program. The majority of courses are offered in the classroom, with some offered online. Some distance broadcasting of specific courses may also be available at approved locations.

In the 2013-14 class, the average applicant score on the GRE was 154 (Verbal) and 151 (Quantitative).

In the 2013-14 class, the average applicant GPA was 3.34.

Full-time MPH students begin the program in the fall semester. There is no application process for spring enrollment.

Applicants apply directly to the Virginia Tech Graduate School through its on-line application found. Required materials include the Virginia Tech Grad School on-line application, personal statement, resume/CV, transcripts, GRE scores, TOEFL scores (as applicable), and letters of reference.

Yes, you will need to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) prior to applying to the MPH Program. There is no minimum score for applications to the MPH degree program; however, to ensure competitiveness, students are encouraged to have at least 150 for quantitative and 150 for verbal portions of the GRE.

The MPH Program follows the Graduate School tuition rates and fees, which are available from the University Bursar. The cost of the MPH degree includes regular graduation tuition and fees and additional MPH Program fee of $262.50 per semester for students enrolled full time.

The MPH program periodically holds information sessions on campus throughout the year. Please visit our Info Sessions page for more information. We encourage one-on-one visits and are happy to meet with you. Please contact Hannah Menefee (, 540-231-1861) to schedule your visit.

If you have any additional questions, please contact us by email at or by phone at 540-231-3945.


WARC-Truncated: length

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The Midwestern Regional Climate Center is proud to present a snowfall total climatology for over 1800 stations nationwide! This climatology will answer questions such as:

Data Available

Total number of days and average days per year are available for one-day, two-day and three-day snowfall totals. Seven thresholds are available:

   • 0.1 in (Measurable snowfall)
   • 1.0 in
   • 2.0 in
   • 3.0 in
   • 6.0 in
   • 8.0 in
   • 12.0 in

Several of these thresholds were chosen based on National Weather Service criteria in many central U.S. offices for winter weather advisories and winter storm warnings.

Where do I find specific dates? Station threshold searches that include specific dates can be completed through the
data portal under Station Data>>Daily>>Threshold Search.  Two- and three-day extremes can also be found using the Multi-Day Extremes tool on cli-MATE

The climatology consists of data from the 1960-61 snow year, which began on July 1, 1960, through the most recent snow year. Stations were considered only if they had 90 percent of data available during that time frame. Stations with only some months with more than 90 percent of data were included, provided a majority of the data available came during the winter months. Averages were computed by creating a daily average snowfall value and summing those values for monthly and annual averages. This was done to ameliorate issues with missing data.

Two- and Three-Day Totals Limitations

Two- and three-day totals are a summation of snowfall over those periods. This could mean that the snowfall came from multiple events. For example, six inches falls on Day 1, zero inches fall on Day 2 and four inches fall on Day 3. The three-day total of ten inches would be considered to be above the threshold of eight inches and would count, despite coming from separate snowfall events. These totals are also counted multiple times if the one or two day threshold is already met. For example eight inches of snow falls in one day and zero inches fell in each of the previous two days and the following two days. The event will be counted three times under the eight inch threshold as three different three-day periods are considered to meet the threshold.

What are ThreadEx Stations?

Stations that are denoted by grey circles are ThreadEx stations. These stations are “threaded” through multiple stations in a city area to create a longer and more complete period of record. Read more about the cautions and limitations of using these stations here.

Point Rendering (in Web Mapping Application)

The bin intervals in the legend are calculated on-the-fly using a natural breaks method.  The use of this method results in a wider variety of colors showing on the map, compared to other classification methods such as equal interval.  This also means that the size of each bin varies, depending on the data values being symbolized.  ESRI provides descriptions of standard classification methods in ArcGIS here.

Specifically, the web mapping application uses the getClassBreaks method of FeatureLayerStatistics to calculate the class break information.

How Often Will This Climatology Be Updated?

The MRCC will update this climatology once per year after the conclusion of the snow year.


text:
Grade levels

Maple Syrup Reading Comprehension

This is a reading comprehension passage and question set on maple syrup, a symbol of the state of Vermont. The passage is 155 words in length and there are five multiple choice questions

More About Maple Syrup

Sea Life
Sea Life

Other Reading Comprehension Exercises


text:
Texas State University Partnership (PREM)

On September 1st, 2012, the Research Triangle MRSEC began a partnership with Texas State University- San Marcos. The initiative is funded by the National Science Foundation's Partnerships for Research and Education in Materials (PREM) program and seeks to broaden participation and increase diversity in materials research and education.

The central goal of Duke University / Texas State University - San Marcos PREM: Interfaces in Materials, is to advance minority participation through integration of research with innovative education and outreach programs.

Dr. William Brittain serves as Principal Investigator for Texas State and is joined by nine other faculty members from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry - Dr. Gary Beall, Dr. Tania Betancourt, Dr. Chad Booth, Dr. Jennifer Irvin, Dr. Benjamin Martin, Dr. Xiaopeng Li, Dr. Steve Whitten, Dr. Christopher Rhodes, and Dr. Shannon Weigum.

For more information, please visit the Texas State University- San Marcos PREM website or the NSF PREM website.


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Friday, October 2, 2009

Day 48 - Halfway home

Wow! Yesterday marked the halfway point in the fall semester. This means that I am a mere 47 days (and 47 blog posts) away from earning this Masters degree. It doesn't seem possible that I can write two major papers along with several shorter writing assignments, a number of exams, 2 major presentations and 6 quizzes in such a short time, and yet, I am confident that I will do that successfully - blogging all the while. The reading and assignments thus far have really kept me hopping, but now the end is in sight.

Along with the fall breeze which blew in today, I am feeling a little more stress in the wind. Of course, it's just me putting way too much pressure on myself. Is is just me or don't we all have this tendency? I'm worried about my two major research assignments, especially the Comprehensive Project. For over a week now, I've been sending out survey invitations to staff, faculty and students on campus - but have received nowhere near the level of response I hoped for - yet. I've encountered a major glitch in the survey distribution ...but I will not give up! I know I can find some way to collect enough relevant data and generate a publishable journal article (my first, and hopefully not my last).

The highlight of the week was my successful presentation to an undergraduate journalism class about the software and the processes I am using in my research. It went well...I think. Standing in front of that class was definitely a new (scary) experience. Another professor from the JMC department who attended said afterwards that I looked remarkably comfortable and sounded like I knew my stuff. That was a surprise. In reality, I could not have been more nervous. My faculty advisor supported the effort and I owe her some thanks for making it possible. After all, my goal is to ultimately teach, so this was a good time to start getting my feet wet. Now, however, I am back to concentrating on the projects themselves.

How much praise do you really need?
I've been thinking a lot this week about whether I seem to need too much outside approval. I realize this is one of my main flaws. The only legitimate approval comes from within - for every one of us. Someone else’s opinion of you says a LOT more about THEM than it does about you. It's true! A common concept in Buddhism is that of “emptiness” - knowing (understanding) that the world is empty of meaning except that which we give it. Think of it as a Rorschach ink test—you know, the one where you look at an ink blot and tell the therapist what you see. Well, what you see has NOTHING to do with the blob on the paper and EVERYTHING to do with you.

It's the same when we lend credence to what others think of us, our work, our performance or personality. It doesn't matter. How someone sees anyone has to do with THEM. Not us. (The same goes for how anyone sees ANYTHING. Rain can make one person dance naked with joy while anther will always curse the terrible weather. It is empty. You get to pick your meaning.)

So, the next time someone appears to be acting mean or hyper-critical of you, just remember, they’re telling you more about their issues than they are you or yours. A more self-actualized person is not shaken by EITHER praise OR blame.

A thought to ponder over the beautiful fall weekend: "It's easy to see the faults of is harder to see our own."

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Thursday, October 29, 2009

Day 75 - Have you noticed what's new about Facebook?

Just over a week ago, Facebook rolled out more changes to its home page that they feel will simplify the Facebook experience by giving you two different ways to view your Home Page News Feed. You’re now able to switch between a summary view (News Feed) and a real-time view (Live Feed). The links show up just above the “What’s on your mind?” box in the center of your screen.

News Feed
When you log into Facebook, you see the most interesting things that happened in the last day in the “News Feed” view. News Feed picks stories that FB thinks you’ll enjoy based on a variety of factors including
how many friends have liked and commented on them and how likely you are to interact with that story.

Live Feed
Once you’ve caught up on what you missed, you can then click over to the “Live Feed” to see what’s happening in the moment. As long as you remain logged into Facebook, you continue to see posts and activity from all your friends in real-time. You can edit what appears to you in this view by clicking on “Edit Options” at the bottom of the home page.

Facebook decided to make these changes after receiving feedback about all the home page changes they made back in March. With this latest change, Facebook is moving what you used to see in the Highlights section on the right hand side of your screen back into the News Feed. As a refresher, here’s what you’ll find noted in your News Feed:

  • anytime your friends are tagged in photos
  • when a friend becomes a Fan of a Page
  • when one RSVPs to an event
  • or joins a group
  • when your friends make new friends

Save up to $80 on Roxio Bundles

Facebook has also made birthdays and events a little easier to see in the right column of the home page. Facebook says it put a lot of thought into these changes to the site and did a lot of testing before releasing anything. They gather feedback by reading emails from users and testing new ideas with small groups of users. After every change, they continue to gather feedback and refine.

I am inclined to think that these recent changes have much more to do with e-commerce than our convenience. When someone sees that a friend has become a Fan of a Page, RSVP’d for an event or joined a group, they are also more likely to click on that page/event/group link and check it out. The goal is clearly to increase the viral growth of these items, many of which are corporate sponsored. In other words, this will be good for businesses that have Fan Pages and Groups. The one thing marketers need to remember is that if they want their content classified as ‘most interesting’ and placed into our News Feed, then they need to provide great content that engages us and makes us want to click the comment or “like” buttons.

Here’s to change - again!
What do you think about the Facebook re-design?

TV Episodes - Now Available on CinemaNow!

Natural Cold and Flu Relief at

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  • Episode 0054

    Sesame Street Plot Oscar bakes a cake; Mr. Hooper invents a 10 machine. Air date January 22...

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    Notes Ken Diego directed this episode., The story Gordon was reading to his friends is "The Tale...

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Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Spooky Nighttime Funeral in Jerusalem

Last night, I attended the funeral of a relative. Unlike the rest of the world, funerals in Israel take place during the day and at night, since kavod hamet (respect for the deceased) requires that the deceased be buried as quickly as possible, even if it requires a funeral at night.

Although I’ve been in Israel for a while and gone to many nighttime funerals, there’s still something very eerie about going to cemeteries after dark. Maybe it’s having watched too many horror movies as a kid, or the midnight showing of Silence of the Lambs …in any event, it's rather creepy.

Before I get to the scary part of this posting, I’m reminded of a true story from my wife’s family. My wife’s cousin worked for the chevra kadisha in an Israeli town…and dug graves. It’s honest, respectable work even if it’s not for everyone.

One day on his way to work, he forgot his lunch at home. When his wife noticed he had forgotten his lunch, she sent it to the cemetery with their 9 year old son. Arriving at the cemetery, the young boy started walking around, calling out “Abba, Abba, where are you?” as he peered into empty graves around the cemetery.

A group of mourners saw this surrealistic scene and were moved to tears…what could be sadder and heart-wrenching than a young boy walking around a cemetery, calling out for his (obviously deceased) father…”Abba, Abba, where are you?

To their shock and horror, a hand suddenly popped out of an open grave and started waving, “Shlomie! Shlomie! I’m over here!!(yes, this is a true story)

Anyway, going back to last night…it’s pitch black…and we’re all milling around waiting for the funeral to start.

My cousin’s husband comes over to me, and we quietly say hi to each other.

We haven’t seen each other for a while, and it’s always nice to meet up with friends and relatives, even though it’s a bit awkward at unfortunate events like funerals.

Then the spooky part comes…

He quietly says, “Hey, you know people…right?”

I whisper back, “I guess…”

He whispers to me, “Do you know who Jameel at the Muqata is…you know…the blogger?

Getting Blog ID’d… at a nighttime FUNERAL…in the middle of a dark Jerusalem cemetery?!?!

Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael

RR said...

I liked the "Do you know who Jameel is" part, but the "Abba where are you" story is classic! I believe it- you can't make up stuff like that! I think if I'd been there I would have totally freaked out!

Jameel @ The Muqata said...

RR: I blogged this morning on my laptop on my way to work as I wanted my friend to drive (so I could blog). He said exactly the same thing you did, "you can't make up stuff like that!"

Too funny...

Jerusalemcop said...

great stories.

Be very careful tho. if too many people know who Jameel is, you may eventually get surrounded at the Muqata

Ben Bayit said...

I believe that it is minhag Yerushalayim to do burials at night. Other chevrot kadisha will wait until the next day.

I've been at two of these night-time funerals so far - my grandmothers funeral over 15 years ago when I also rode in the chevra kadisha truck together with ten "zebras" chanting and praying in front of shroud wrapped body. I think that added to the "spook factor" about 1,000 times. and another was at a recent funeral of a older relative that died in ths states. He was over 100 when he died. The Admor of a certain chassidic sect in Jerusalem, who is the great-grendson of the rebbe in Poland that this relative used to go to came out to help dig the dirt. He did some spooky prayer stuff over the open grave.

I agree - night funerals are spooky.

Rafi G said...

I have been to a lot of nighttime funerals as well. The last having been my grandmother. They are pretty spooky..
It sometimes feels like you are having a secret gatherign to perform some sort of magic or voodoo...

Jameel @ The Muqata said...

JCop: Surrounded...and then? The suspense is killing me!

BenBayit: Many chevrot around the country also hold of minhag Yerushalahyim, even if the burial isn't in Yerushalayim.

The 3 funerals I attended for my grandparents were all at night...and all spooky. (I missed one since I was too young)

the sabra said...

And I bless you that that incident (Getting Blog ID’d at a nighttime FUNERAL…in the middle of a dark Jerusalem cemetery) should be the scariest incident of your life.
now say amen.

orthomom said...

LOL. Good story.

westbankmama said...

Ok, Jameel, noone else asked this, but is this an Adar story or did it really happen? (Not that I don't trust you and all, but it is that time of year you know...)

Litvshe said...

As someone who, unfortunately, has been to more then one funeral with Jameel, I can attest to the fact he tells the same story every single time. Every time.

Steg (dos iz nit der šteg) said...

Jameel was the scariest one there... :-P

tafka PP said...

Not. Normal!

(But we knew that already)

YMedad said...

My favorite true story of this genre concerns Shaare Zedek's old morgue. When I worked there in the early 1970s (in the hospital's PR department, that is), I knew a fellow who guarded over the bodies at night, saying tehillim and in the morning, preparing all for the funeral. Well, one night he felt sleepy and lay down on one of the benches. Sure enough, the next morning, the relatives entered the room and he awoke with a start. They, in turn, were sure that someone dead had just arisen and lit out back to Meah She'arim that would have done any Olympic sprinter proud.

Sweettooth120 said...

Oh, I am laughing so hard. I can totally visualize that story. I love stories that are based on misunderstandings.

Ezzie said...

Uch - Adar is going to make me not believe almost everything you write.

Did you say it was you?! :)

Yael K said...

That is a classic!!!!

And so DID you say it was you?!

Jameel @ The Muqata said...

Even though it IS Adar, the story WAS 100% true....and I told him it was me.

He was thrilled (and I was rather honored!)

Ezzie: Behold - the Purim/Adar posting is coming soon!

I'm Haaretz, Ph.D. said...

That is funny! Ironic how the more macabre the situation, the funnier the mishap... but then that's exactly what irony means.

yitz said...

There was a story a few years back, I think it was in Yediot, about a phone that was ringing from a grave! Seems that somoene's cellphone fell out of his pocket & was buried with the deceased!

Sabine613 said...

That is a great story, thanks for sharing, I'm going to pass it on to our Chevra person, she loves a good story!

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Friday, August 27, 2010

A real pea-souper, make no mistake...

It was a foggy day in London, and the fog was heavy and dark. Animate London, with smarting eyes and irritated lungs, was blinking, wheezing, and choking; inanimate London was a sooty spectre, divided in purpose between being visible and invisible, and so being wholly neither.

Since getting back from the sauna heat of the US, the weather in London has been nothing but dire. So damp it pervades your bones, skies the colour of dull aluminium, a cool wind shaking leaves from the trees prematurely - autumn in all but name. I couldn't be happier. I love the sun, but I also love to feel a cold blast of air in my face every now and then, and is there a more comforting sound than lying in bed while the rain taps gently yet insistently on your window? In one US cafe I remember mounting a stout defence of the English climate, or what passes for one. 'I'd sure like to experience one of those London fogs,' the lady behind the counter said.

I didn't have the heart to tell her London is no more foggy than LA these days. But it's strange how the idea of London fog has seeped into the US consciousness. Their spiffiest raincoat is called London Fog, after all. One wag over here said it was like Indians paying homage to the Old Country with a very fine brand of sari called Unreliable Plumbing System. Maybe it was all those Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes movies where the fog swirled and curled under gaslit streetlamps, or the works of Charles Dickens, from which the quote above comes.

The fact is, like my patron in the cafe, I'd love to have experienced a real pea-souper, or London Particular as the fog that periodically enveloped the capital became known (in a sort of reverse branding, a brand of pea soup was launched called London Particular...). They were little fun for the city's inhabitants, especially for the infirm, but there is something enticing as well as unsettling about the idea of being in a teeming city of millions where you can't see more than a few yards in front of your face.

The last great pea-souper was in  December 1952, lasting four days, from which all of these remarkable photographs come. It brought the city to the proverbial standstill, even working its way inside. A performance of La Traviata at Sadler's Wells was cancelled because of the audience's incessant coughing. Film theatres closed for the same reason and because no one could see the screen. Dog racing at White City was postponed because the dogs couldn't see the mechanical hare. It got so bad that people couldn't see their own feet, and stumbled around lost, the absence of any kind of visible landmark as a guide rendering them for all purposes blind. The sulphur stink that made its way into every house. It would make a fabulous backdrop to a crime novel (and who knows, it might...)

Of course, with the reduced visibility came choking, thick air. The pea-soupers were no natural phenomenon; they were caused by millions of people and businesses belching acrid, coal-burned smoke into the atmosphere. So many people fell ill the hospitals struggled to cope, not helped by ambulances that clanked and wailed through the fogbound streets, unable to locate the sick and needy to whom they had been summoned. It is estimated 4000 people died. Which is why we don't see them any more. The authorities ushered in various acts banning black smoke and forbade the burning of anything but smokeless fuels. The London air, thankfully for those of us who live here, is probably as clean now as it was 200 years ago, pre-Industrialisation. But am I the only one who doesn't wonder what it must have been like to have felt their way through that impermeable fog?

Dan - Friday

  1. How interesting it would have been to be in London during those days of 1952. And I'm not surprised that we don't see those 4000 people who died!

  2. anna from connecticutAugust 27, 2010 at 9:17 AM

    Hi Dan,

    What a feeling I experienced when I read this article. I can see Nigel walking the streets of London, pondering the past, in a "pea souper". Somehow it just fits in so perfectly with your wonderful, unique way of creating.
    I love to hear your thoughts on your vacation in the US. Have a great day.

  3. LOL

    One of the first ´facts´I learned about London was the eternal smog - and that must have been in the late 1970s. And of course Dickens and Sherlock Holmes reinforced the impression.

  4. Best fog book was Christianna Brand's "Fog of Doubt" (US) aka "London Particular. You could taste it.

  5. Thanks for the comments everyone.

    Laurie, I'll check that out...


text:
How many different ways can you
put a pack of cards in order?

You can arrange these 13 cards
in over 6 billion ways!

This demonstration is taken from the book DO YOU FEEL LUCKY?

The way the numbers arrive is that for one card it's 1. For two cards it's 2x1=2 and for three cards it's 3x2x1=6. The quick way to write 3x2x1 is 3! The ! sign is called a factorial. Some calculators (including the one found on computers) have a special ! button.

Let's move on a bit.

Get ready for the BIG numbers!

So how many ways can you order all the 52 cards in a pack?

The sum is 52x51x50x49x48....x4x3x2x1 and the answer is:

80,658,175,170,943,878,571,660,636, 856,403,766,975,289,505,440, 883,277,824,000,000,000,000

That's roughly the same as an 8 with 67 zeros after it.

To put this in perspective, the dinosaurs died out 65,000,000 years ago, and the age of the earth is just 4,500,000,000 years. Now suppose everybody in the world was to arrange packs of cards at the rate of one per second, it would take 600,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 years to get all the combinations! That's why you're VERY unlikely ever to shuffle a pack of cards the same way twice.

There are more card facts and big numbers at Chances of Card Hands.

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