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Boundaries, Build Your Bubble

Establishing boundaries for yourself is to build healthy walls between you and the rest of the world. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed in a crowd or drained after an interaction, you will especially benefit from boundaries.

Since we are energetic beings, I imagine some of that energy emanating a bubble around us about as far from us as our limbs extend. Just as we bump into someone else on the street, our bubbles are bumped all the time. You know when someone has invaded your personal space. Prior to practicing social distancing, most of us had had to accept that our energy fields would be poked occasionally whether on public transport, Black Friday queues, or inching towards the stage at a concert. Boundaries apply to more than just physical space and the assumed social boundaries usually applied between, say, service providers and clients. They are for emotional and mental wellbeing as well.

Establishing boundaries is about choosing what you take in. Consciously and unconsciously we take in all sorts of things all the time just as we give and react. We choose what to physically consume, three slices of pizza versus one slice and salad, tofu versus chicken, etc., so we can choose what to consume emotionally like filtering social media news feeds. Before interacting with others, set the intention to only carry your own energy or “vibes.” When you commit to releasing all that isn’t yours, you may notice you feel much lighter. When you interact with someone who is “bringing you down,” you are not only taking on that energy they emit, but they may be unknowingly sucking from you any uplifting or caring energy you emit because they need it. Same vice versa; we are constantly exchanging energy. But to be empathetic and understanding of others you have to try to feel what they feel and spread some of your nurturing support right? No. You can still be compassionate, helpful, and offer support to others while maintaining your own energy. In fact, filtering for your own energy is more effective for giving your love, compassion, and support. It is also a good idea be aware of what you drain from others with your needs and feelings. This is not to suddenly feel untrusting, blame, or fear of being around others! Believe it or not, boundaries help you to be more open.

Choosing what you take in means to sometimes say no. When I was first aware of the necessity for boundaries in my life, I felt like I was about to selfishly rip myself away from everyone I was emotionally invested, but this is not the case. With boundaries, I recognize that I’m not Wonder Woman (limitless), but then I start to feel a lot like her (strong). No boundaries=spreading yourself too thin, a spoonful of frosting for a whole cake. When I choose where I want to exert my energy and for whom, I have so much more to give. Having limits also sends out unspoken sonar that you have respect for yourself, and others will be less likely to take advantage. There is so much “seize the day,” “live your best life” motivation that inspires us all to “say YES”, but I’m telling you that sometimes it’s okay to say no, and you need to learn how to say no. If you don’t say no, your ability to say yes will run out much quicker. Something I’ve learned is that saying no more often appears unclear as opposed to saying yes. It’s unacceptable—nobody really likes it! It’s closed, angry, rejection, and un-fun. Instead, think of your no’s as saying yes to something else: to rest, to balance, etc. Be honest, clear, and show that you believe in your decision. Honor yourself, your time, your space.

Helpful visuals and practices for setting boundaries:

In my home or in my personal space I like to burn white sage to clear/cleanse and sweetgrass to manifest/welcome.  Sometimes I think of my energy field as threads rising from static electricity. When it feels like they are tangled with other people’s threads, I set the intention to form boundaries by envisioning the threads being snipped. At each snip I am liberated, and I send the other person love and light. Before interactions I may imagine an impenetrable shield of light around me. I zip it up like I’m cocooned in a sleeping bag. After interactions I may imagine a vacuum hose sucking any energy that is not mine or does not serve me.

We need more or less space at one point or another. Taking time to myself and imagining a circle of space around me is highly supportive. Usually a hula-hoop sized ring feels good enough for me, while other times a swimming pool size suffices as safe. My visuals guide my intentions to be protected and free. They are a quick and private way to ensure that I have a choice about what I let in and when. Keeping light in my visuals ensures that everything else “out there” is unharmed by my conscious detachment. When I support myself in this way, I can support others and foster healthy relations.

Go support yourself in rings of light, and if you like this page, please share it!

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Words Of Wisdom Wednesday; Slow Down

While out on my walk yesterday I was wracking my brain trying to come up with some inspirational words of wisdom for today’s post. I usually have an idea in my mind of what I am going to write and prepare it ahead of time but this time, nothing. My mind was not only on the blog, it was also on what I was going to buy at the grocery store later on and what I should make for supper. Then it was on to Autumn’s piano lessons and Kesa’a birthday (which is in 11 days) and the cake that I am going to make.

I missed out on more than half of my walk, the beautiful beaming sunshine and all the freshly green trees that surrounded me by keeping all of my thoughts on things that weren’t even happening yet. These thoughts of mine were all on the future and I realized that I was not present. I didn’t even feel like I was walking because my mind was not there at all. Then I realized how fast I was going and a thought came to me slow down.

I thought “That’s it! Those two simple words. Those are my words of wisdom!” Two simple words that can make a huge impact on anybody’s life. Just slow down.

I thought that if I don’t slow down to enjoy this walk, soon it will be over and I will have totally missed it by not calming my thoughts and just being here now. I made a deal with myself that if I just relaxed and let all of those thoughts go for the last part of my walk, I could worry for the rest of the day. The surprising thing is that once I did take the time to slow down and be mindful, all of those worries just melted away. With each mindful step I felt peace and was able to really appreciate each beautiful moment that had been given to me.

If we never take the time to just slow down and see the beauty in all of the things that surround us in our every day lives, we will miss out on more than just an hour long walk. We could even miss our whole lives and “The most important thing to do before you die is live!”

After I got back from my walk I didn’t rush into doing the many things that my mind had planned. I prepared us a lunch of peanut butter sandwiches and apple slices and we had a picnic on the grass. We read some books under the big tree and then walked hand-in-hand into town. I did my errands and then went home to prepare a beautiful supper for the family. All of those things felt so much better when I was actually there doing them. I felt like I really got to enjoy my day by just slowing down and being mindful.

So those are my two simple words of wisdom for you all today! SLOW DOWN.

I thought that I would also add the lyrics to a Jack Johnson song that I love and is very fitting to what this post has to say.

Slow down everyone
You’re moving too fast
Frames can’t catch you when
You’re moving like that

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“2020 – A year of change”

“Change is the law of life, and those who look only to the past and present are certain to miss the future” -John F. Kennedy

I remember ringing in the new year full of hope.“It was going to be a great year”, I thought. After all, Halloween was going to fall on a Saturday. New Years and Christmas both were going to be on Fridays. July fourth was on a Saturday, and Cinco de Mayo was on “Taco Tuesday”! Jackpot! We had just finished completing all the vigorous requirements needed to send my daughter off to an experience of a life time – studying abroad in Florence, Italy. We had also just loaded the last box into the moving truck for my mother. She just sold her house and was ready to start her new life with a move to Florida to be with her new-found love. We had purchased airline tickets to visit both my mother and daughter to witness their new adventures. We had a group trip, that included twenty-five people, planned to go to Australia and New Zealand. I was the organizer of this “trip of a lifetime”. What could possibly go wrong?

I don’t have to tell you the disappointing story. You all know it and have lived it yourselves. What I do want to tell you is that, although none of what I was looking forward to actually played out the way I had hoped, it was not a lost year. There were still healthy babies being born into loving families, there were still seniors getting their diplomas, there were still people marrying their soul mates, and there was more time spent at home with loved ones than any other year that I can remember. Yes, it was undoubtedly a year of profound loss, hardship, and anxiety as well.

  The year 2020 was a year of extraordinary changes. Living though this time in history will change all of us. What we value and appreciate has shifted. Our daily habits and routines have been altered. The way we think about our future is now different. We have all been forced to grow a little and find inner strength as we were given front row seats to just how quickly our lives can change without our consent. It’s life’s way of giving us a little tough love.

We have all been embracing change since a young age as we navigate through the stages of lifespan development. The concept of change can be unsettling. As Benjamin Disraeli says ““Change is inevitable; change is constant”. We have no choice or opinion in this aspect of life. We must embrace it. Those who are able to seek out change and actively embrace it will thrive. Surely, nobody sought out the kind of changes that the year 2020 has brought into our lives but we can all embrace these changes and thrive.

I challenge you to notice the ways this year has changed your life. Take a moment and feel those feelings. Don’t dwell in them, but feel them. Acknowledge these changes. Ask yourself what you have control over in your life. Check in with your sense of empowerment. Separate yourself from the negative thoughts and remember that your life is not defined by one year. Look ahead at your future and focus on resilience.

No one knows for sure if COVID-19 will become endemic, but we can be certain that experts will continue to fight until they develop the tools needed to gain control and lessen the threat of the virus that has changed all of our lives. Life will get back to normal.  We will still have promising futures ahead of us. We are destined to enjoy this precious life we have been blessed with.

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The Primeval Adventures Of My Youth.

The deep forests are an easy place to get lost. You start out on a dirt road and you just keep walking when you run out of gravel. Eventually the mud transitions into leaf litter. The moss grows thick and the gnarled undergrowth fills every available space. Just beyond these trees are the cliffs I used to play on as a kid. There’s a rocky ledge with a large overhang that one can sit on and observe the forest floor below. I’m guessing that it’s only about twenty or maybe thirty feet in hight but to a young man in his early teens it may as well had been the edge of the world. I would get all garbed up to the point where it looked like I was going on a major expedition down the Amazon. I carried a large Bowie Knife on my belt for survival. The only thing I ever used it for was to mark trees by cutting out a patch of the outer bark and being careful not to damage the live bark underneath. (If done right it in no way harms the tree). I would sometimes take a slingshot along. ( called a catapult by many of my international friends). I would try to pick off individual leaves with a small stone. The stones are not nice and consistent like the fancy ammo in the stores today. That made hitting anything consistently quite a challenge. Sometimes I would pick up acorns or hickory nuts for slingshot ammo which was better for accuracy but didn’t really impart much impact to the target. I’d bet that if I made my way to the ledge today I’d find a pile of small stones in the back of ledge waiting to be used during the zombie apocalypse. Other days I would trek down into the valley below. I would pick out a sapling to craft into spear. There was a particular rotten stump below the cliff that was just the right consistency to allow the spear to stick. I was actually better at throwing the spear than I was with the slingshot.

The road in the feature image was one of my favorite childhood memories and a way of escape from the mundane world and a gateway to a primeval adventure.

5 thoughts on “The Primeval Adventures Of My Youth.

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Credit Card Debt Consolidation with Bad Credit Home Loans

Misconceptions of debt consolidation?
May 18, 2020
What happens if my debt agreement is terminated?
May 20, 2020

Credit Cards used for general expenses

More and more often these days, we are seeing clients needing credit card debt consolidation. Certainly, credit cards are useful however, they can also be a problem. As a matter of fact, we see an over-dependence on credit cards to pay for high household expenditure.

New lending policies with credit card debt

New lending policies are being released weekly. As such, one of the recent changes is related to credit card debt and credit card payments.

Previous payment calculations were calculated at 2.5-3% of the outstanding balance. Accordingly, this amount will increase to allow the credit card to be paid off within three years. Consequently, reducing your borrowing power on bad credit home loans finance.

Paying off credit card debt

There are some simple ways to pay off credit card

  1. Initially, increasing payments above the minimum required to allow paying off within six months.
  2. Secondly, funds transfer to a 0% interest credit card. Then, 100% of your payments are applied to reduce the balance.
  3. Thirdly, consolidate credit card debt into a lower interest loan with a 1, 2, 3 or even 4 or 5-year terms.
  4. Finally, debt consolidation home loan to pay the credit card debt.

How do I know my credit cards need consolidation?

  1. Firstly, credit card balances are consistently above the card limit.
  2. Secondly, you can see you will be missing payments shortly.
  3. Your credit balances are increasing even if you are making payments.
  4. Also, you are using credit cards to top up your monthly budget.
  5. Finally, your account is in collections.

If you experience any of these issues, please call  Loan Saver on 1300 796 850.  In this situation, we will advise if a debt consolidation home loan is the best solution for you


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Safeway Grocery Delivery & PickUp
El Camino Real

Online Shopping Information

150 E El Camino Real
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
Online Shopping Phone:
Safeway Store Front Picture - 150 E El Camino Real in Sunnyvale CA

Delivery Hours

Day of the WeekHours
Monday8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Day of the WeekHours
Mon8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tue8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wed8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thu8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Fri8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sat8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sun8:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Drive Up and Go Hours

Maximize your savings with the Safeway Deals & Delivery app! Get all your deals, coupons and rewards in one easy place with up to $300 in weekly discounts. One app for all your shopping needs from planning your next store run, to ordering DriveUp and Go™ or letting us deliver for you. Download and register to start saving.
Download on the App Store - safeway Mobile AppGet it on Google Play - safeway Mobile App

Featured Services

  • new fresh pass Safeway

    Get Unlimited Free Delivery with FreshPass™

    Get more from your store! With FreshPass subscriptions delivery, you can order online anytime, and we’ll deliver your groceries right to your door. It’s that easy! Plus, enjoy these added subscription perks:
    - Exclusive monthly Starbucks Café Perks
    - Rewards that don’t expire
    - VIP customer phone line
    - Save 5% on O Organics and Open Nature®
    - $5 monthly credit every month until Dec. 31, 2021
    *Terms and conditions apply. For program, details check the Sign-Up button.

Grocery Delivery

Save time and simplify shopping with groceries ordered at the tap of a finger with Safeway Grocery Delivery. Use promo code SAVE20 at online checkout to receive $20 off plus free delivery on your first online order

Order Ahead

From custom cakes to versatile deli trays, ordering from Safeway is easy! Place your order online and Safeway will create the perfect party spread, making your next event effortless!
Map of 150 E El Camino Real in Sunnyvale

About Safeway Grocery Delivery & PickUp El Camino Real

Utilize our convenient Safeway website and skip the line every time! Shop Safeway Online Grocery Delivery or DriveUp & Go™ PickUp service and begin adding to your cart immediately. Let our professional shopper’s do the work for you! From our fresh deli, bakery, meat and produce sections to all of your grocery essentials, we've got you covered! Choose from our Same Day Delivery or select the date and time window that works best for you.

Visit our online bakery and deli featuring customizable cakes, cupcakes and many additional bakery goods, or order from several of our deli party trays for your family gatherings, business meetings, or special occasions.

Safeway is dedicated to being your one-stop-shop! Check out our online Weekly Ad for store savings, earn Gas Rewards with purchases and download our Safeway Grocery Delivery & PickUp app. Our service will make Safeway your favorite local supermarket!
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Meet your local Home Care Representative

Nicole has a Bachelor of Economics and over 20 years’ experience in the healthcare industry, having worked professionally with Medical specialists, GP’s, Nurses, and Pharmacists, covering a variety of medical conditions.

She can assist you in finding therapists and services that meet your specific needs and personal goals, and making Home Care management simple and effective.

headshot nicole martin - home care packages advisor northern beaches

Home Care in Sydney - Northern Beaches

The Northern Beaches is a region within Northern Sydney. Geographically the area extends south to the entrance of Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour), west to Middle Harbour and north to the entrance of Broken Bay. The area was formerly inhabited by the Garigal or Caregal people in a region known as Guringai country.

The area includes popular suburbs including Manly, Brookvale, Dee Why, Narrabeen, Mona Vale. Newport and Palm Beach.

Aged Care Assessment – Northern Beaches

ACAT assessment is an eligibility requirement to access Commonwealth-funded residential aged care, residential respite care, transition care and home care packages.

ACAT undertakes a comprehensive assessment of care needs for older people needing access to residential and/or home (community) care, and helps the elderly and their carers to determine what kind of support will best meet their needs.

Target group are older people, typically over the age of 65 or for indigenous Australians, people over the age of 50, or people who have an age related condition.

Often comprises of a doctor, nurse, social worker and occupational therapist, the team will recommend services deemed to be the most appropriate to meet care needs through a series of questions, and with the client’s consent will liaise with families/carers and health care providers.

Referral Procedure, by care recipient themselves or others:

  • The care recipient, carer, family must be aware of and consent to the referral
  • All referrals are to be made via MyAgedCare: 1800 200 422

Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) – Northern Beaches, Sydney

Address: Mona Vale Hospital, 18 Coronation Street, MONA VALE

Phone: 02 9998 0356

More information

Aged Care Services on the Northern Beaches of Sydney

Health Direct – A government-funded service, providing free quality, approved health information and advice via a 24 hour health line.

Phone: 1800 022 222

Like Family

Locals Caring for Locals. Connecting people in need with locals who care, at a flat rate of $42 an hour.

Phone: 1800 545 332

Catholic Care is the social care and support agency of the Catholic Church providing services to the entire community, regardless of religion, circumstance, ethnicity, economic situation, age, gender or ability. Services include counselling, one off assistance, support coordination, crisis support and more.

Phone: 02 9488 2500

Northern Beaches Council are working to improve the quality of life for our senior’s community by providing access to services, activities and support networks across the Northern Beaches. If you are a senior or carer needing to talk to someone about services and housing or you have an issue or idea that you would like to discuss, please ring the Community Development Team (Aged Services) 02 8495 6618 or email

Northern Beaches Seniors Directory:

The Seniors Directory 2019 – 2020 provides useful information about local services, activities and housing available for our older residents. It includes details on support services and groups, health services, advocacy, complaints, financial and legal information and housing.

The directory is available in hard copy from any of council’s customer service centres, libraries and community centres. They are also distributed to retirement villages, medical centres and senior groups and service provides. Alternatively contact council’s Community Development Team (Seniors) on 9976 1562 or

Community Care Northern Beaches is a not-for-profit organisation providing impartial information, advice and guidance to support people to access health and community services.

Phone: 1300 002 262

Hireup is the largest online network of support workers in Australia.

Phone: 9113 5933

Helpful Phone Numbers

Get help managing your home care funds

We offer lowest management fees in Australia, ensuring you get maximum care hours

View Pricing >

We make the home care experience inexpensive & easy. Here's how:

Your Local Guardians Home Care Representative will:

Be your dedicated Home Care Contact

Who understands your needs and will make sure you’re getting the most from your package.

Manage Your
Home Care Plan

Using world class technology for seamless plan management, on any device.

To suitable providers (we have a database of thousands).

To ensure you get maximum possible care hours from your funding.

Home Care Package Management FAQ's

Getting started is easy, once you’ve been approved for a home care package contact us and we’ll send you our simple, easy to read 4 page agreement. Once this has been completed and returned we’ll process it (generally within 1 business day) and be in touch regarding next steps.

Yes! Switching is easy.

  • you’ll need to agree on an exit date with your existing provider, this might depend on your home care agreement, ie two weeks
  • provide the date to Local Guardians and the contact details of your existing provider to ensure home care package unspent funds can be transferred across

We offer some of the lowest management fees in Australia which means you pay less in fees and get more care hours. See our pricing page for our fees.

Want to know more or sign up for Home Care Package Management?

Complete the form below and we’ll be in touch within 24 hours.


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132/366 The Gosport Society & Books

The Normandie & the Gosport Ferries caught with a long exposure.

The Gosport Society have released a commemorating booklet, celebrating its first fifty years. It has been very active in preserving the heritage of Gosport. The value of the society was proven necessary in respect of the tower blocks that were built in Gosport (here’s a reminder picture for you);

These “system built” flats were modelled on those seen by a visit of town councillors to Moscow (The Gosport Society – The First Fifty Years, P15). I don’t know what the presentation schedule will be for next year, but if they do things correctly, at least the first half will be over Zoom so I intend to stay a member – it;’s only £12, and think the society is worth supporting.

The booklet only had seventy pages, and of course I have finished it. I am back in to my usual dilemma of what to read. Once again, I have three books lined up; The British Pilgrim Pathways, the Hubble Telescope (a more up to date book than the previous attempt) and Street Photography Now – this last one is kind of a partner book to the The Photographer’s Eye (I think the only link is the same publisher). I admit, I’ve been wanting to read this book properly (rather than just picking it up and leafing through it) for several years now. It’s been sat in our bookcase, just waiting for me to commit to it. Given that, I think it has primacy so I am formally announcing this as my next book.

That’ll give me the opportunity to do a few posts about Street Photography – of which I am very interested. So, here we go then; Street Photography Now by Sophie Howarth and Stephen McLaren, here we come!

Published by Bill

I just want to write, but I prefer to stay away from controversial topics like politics. I am happy to confess that at the moment, I am writing for me. If you enjoy my writings, and I hope you do then that is all the better.

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All About Pigeons

A Site Dedicated To Everything Pigeon

Your Ultimate Guide in Learning About Pandas!

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When a mage is sharing what's on his mind. Positivity, Motivation, Life, Success, Love, Friend, Smile, Marketing, Writing, Creativity and Good Ideas.

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Learn how easy it is to save money by going green

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Five Below Oglethorpe Square

10:00 AM - 8:00 PM 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Image shows inside of a five below store.

863 Oglethorpe Highway
Hinesville, Georgia 31313
United States, 31313
near TJ Maxx, Hobby Lobby & Dick's

Store Hours:

Day of the WeekHours
Monday10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

five below Oglethorpe Square

Your local Five Below located at 863 Oglethorpe Highway is a place with unlimited possibilities where tweens, teens and beyond are free to Let Go & Have Fun in a color- popping, music pumping, super-fun shopping experience. You'll find extreme $1-$5 value, plus some incredible finds that go beyond $5at our Oglethorpe Square store, making it easy to say YES and smile big with our tech, tees, sports balls, beauty, candy, remote control toys and SO much more for literally everyone! We're here to bring the WOW, and see how big we can make you smile! Let loose and explore the hundreds of Five Below products that jump, fly, zoom, boom, bounce, float, taste, connect, and pop in eight different worlds: Tech, Style, Room, Play, Create, Party, Candy, and New & Now. Visit us today or call 9123690912!

nearby stores.

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Five Below Union Crossings

10:00 AM - 8:00 PM 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Image shows inside of a five below store.

1417 7th St East
Monticello, Minnesota 55362
United States, 55362

Store Hours:

Day of the WeekHours
Monday10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

five below Union Crossings

Your local Five Below located at 1417 7th St East is a place with unlimited possibilities where tweens, teens and beyond are free to Let Go & Have Fun in a color-popping, music pumping, super-fun shopping experience. You'll find extreme $1-$5 value, plus some incredible finds that go beyond $5 at our Union Crossings store, making it easy to say YES and smile big with our tech, tees, sports balls, beauty, candy, remote control toys and SO much more for literally everyone! We're here to bring the WOW, and see how big we can make you smile! Let loose and explore the hundreds of Five Below products that jump, fly, zoom, boom, bounce, float, taste, connect, and pop in eight different worlds: Tech, Style, Room, Play, Create, Party, Candy, and New & Now. Visit us today or call 7633639896!

nearby stores.

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Why Every Property Manager Needs a Dedicated Locksmith Company

Picking an acknowledged, reliable locksmith business is an essential choice for any Property Manager. Locksmith assistance provides a lot in terms of having an ecosystem that is secure and protected for all.

Different Varieties of Locksmith Services

Likewise, if you have enough understanding of how to repair locks, chances that you might not be able to comprehend when you require a completely distinct kind of assistance from your locksmith. This is because locksmiths give different types of services according to the requirements of their customers. Some instances are key cutting, lock preference, distinct ignition keys, trunk opening, restoring lost keys, and multiplying vehicle keys.

Continue reading “Why Every Property Manager Needs a Dedicated Locksmith Company”

3 Types of Door Locks That Keep Your Home Safe

A home is a place of ultimate safety and security. At all times, we associate “Home” with a sense of belonging. With such connotation, the foremost thing that wants is to protect our homes so that it indeed is a safe abode. Therefore, locks are especially important which has been recommended by Locksmith. It is always advisable to take prudent measures rather than getting yourself in a contrite state.

Types of Door Locks
Continue reading “3 Types of Door Locks That Keep Your Home Safe”

Why Automatic Doors Need Regular Maintenance?

Having an automatic door malfunction means a comprehensive disruption of pedestrian traffic in your building, particularly when it is an entrance door. It is vital to solving any problem fast to circumvent the high cost and inconvenience.

Automatic Doors

When technicians show up late or don’t have the obligatory spare parts in their van, then all the people in your building suffer.

Continue reading “Why Automatic Doors Need Regular Maintenance?”

7 Reasons You Should Invest In Steel Doors.

Doors are the foremost way to gain access into and out of buildings; however, they have always been a most important target for anyone trying to get into a building unlawfully. Most doors are made out of wood or PVC but they are moderately easy to attack and breakthrough.

Steel Entry Door

Extremely, doors that open inwards are easy to get through as they can reasonably be forced open by being kicked, charged at, or hit with some sort of battering ram that’s why it is always best to have an outward opening door.

Whenever guests come to your home, the first thing people see when they walk up to your home is the entry gate as they can say a lot about your home and how people perceive it. Steel entry doors are more than just an upgrade to your home’s appearance.

Continue reading “7 Reasons You Should Invest In Steel Doors.”

How smart are Smart Locks?

Nowadays, technology is improving and becoming smarter day by day. We are very much dependent on gadgets like lights, thermostats, smoke alarms, doorbells, etc. Over a decade ago, these gadgets entered our world and now they have become a very huge part of it. In one way or the other, these devices have made our lives more efficient, secure, and easier. Opting for smart locks is a smart move that every individual should take in order to protect their loved ones and their possessions.

In this article, we will try to dig deep and find out the answer to your question: How Smart are Smart Locks?

Continue reading “How smart are Smart Locks?”

5 Ways to Maintain Your Commercial Door Lock

Commercial Door Lock Maintenance

Sometimes, we find things around us so easy and manageable that we didn’t think much about the bigger picture. Have you ever given a thought to the security systems of your locks or how secure your locks actually are?

When it comes to big businesses, they usually have multiple locks on their office building. It is important to maintain the commercial doors of a business building and the best way to do that is by installing smart locks. You should check the locks of your building at least twice a year so that the criminals won’t get any chance to break-in in your absence.

Continue reading “5 Ways to Maintain Your Commercial Door Lock”

Can A Locksmith Make A Key From A Lock?

Locks are always useless without keys, but keys are such small objects that we often forget here and there, and then it becomes difficult for us to find them. The only solution that is left in that case is getting a new key made, or you have to break your lock which becomes useless after that. Hence, it is always advised to keep spare keys of your lock as much as you can so that even if you lose one, you have another one already. Getting a spare key made is very easy, you just have to give your original key to the locksmith and he will make a duplicate one with the help of the impression of the first key. These spare keys can be used to give your family members or any guest in your absence.

Professional keys maker for locks

But the question arises that what if you lose the key and you do not have a spare one, or maybe you have a lock at home but you don’t have its key and want to use it. In such cases, you just need to get the key made without having any kind of spare key. It seems really difficult to get this task done practically, but yes, there are solutions to it, with which you can achieve a key without having any kind of impression to duplicate it. These solutions are the best suited in the situations where you lose all your car keys and don’t have a spare one to use, or maybe you lose the key of your house.

There are two ways in which a locksmith can create the keys without using anything to duplicate and help you out.

Code Cracking

The very first Way for getting a key made directly from the lock is to crack the code of the lock. This can be done by disassembling the lock, and once you do that, you get the idea of the code used to create the lock. This code lies in the length and the order of the pins in the keys which makes them different from one another. Hence, it is very easy to create a key without using the duplicate one at all, all you need to do is, disassemble the lock, and just pull the code of the key out of it and then you are completely good to go. This way of making the key directly from the lock is used by a lot of locksmiths and it is said that this method usually proves to be very successful and you get the accurate key as a result.

Impression helps

Locksmith Services

Another method is also to crack the code but this can be also done very smoothly without disassembling the lock. A locksmith can take the impression from inside the lock which easily gives you the code and design of the pins of the key and then you can use it for creating one. This method is usually used by the locksmiths that are extremely professional, they know how to use the key which is blank to take the impression of inside the lock and then use those impressions to create a new one. This method is no less than using the impression of a spare key to make a duplicate one, so it usually turns out to be very successful. But the challenge in this method is, one has to take the impressions, again and again, to get the exact cuts on the blank key, so that nobody faces any mistake after the making of the final one, as locksmiths are extremely skilled, they can do this job very perfectly.

So now after reading the above two methods, now you know that the key can be made just with the lock. Hence, just don’t worry if you have a lock and can’t find its key, just call the nearby locksmiths and ask him to make a spare key for you today In fact, you just can’t rely on any locksmith for making key from a lock, as it requires professional skills. Thus, don’t forget to do proper research and find the best locksmith in your area. And, this way you can easily ensure safety for your premises also.

7 Reasons Why You Need To Call a Locksmith

Calling someone, who is trained to work with keys and locks, seems a lucrative affair when it comes to replacing a lock and repairing the broken one. Whether it is maintenance or repair of broken locks, you might need a locksmith. Modern locksmiths understand your needs well and offer you genuine solutions to deal with residential and commercial lock systems. You can easily meet your security needs with the help of a professional locksmith.

24 hr locksmith services

Since the services of a locksmith is not limited to replacement and maintenance of locks and keys only. You will need a professional locksmith for number of reasons. Here are some reasons why you should call a locksmith:

#1. Your Keys Are Lost or Stolen

The first and foremost reason why people need to call a locksmith is that they lost their keys. Not just business or home, a locksmith can help you in the situation when you have lost your car’s keys also. Whether someone has stolen your keys or you just have dropped them somewhere, you should contact a professional locksmith immediately that can help you make new keys.

#2. Shifting to a New House

If you think that you don’t have to worry about security after shifting to a new home, then you are mistaken. You should definitely call a professional locksmith to replace the entire lock system of your new home. Wondering why you should consider replacing the entire lock system of your new house? This is because you never know how many people already have the copies of the keys. In fact, the builder, who sold this house to you, might have the master key. When it is about the security of your home, you should never take the lock system of your new home for granted.

#3. Broken Keys

The regular use and metal fatigue are the main reasons why your keys undergo wear and tear. Whether the keys break off inside the lock or outside it, you don’t have to remove the lock and install a new one. This is exactly where you should call a professional locksmith. He will work on the lock and make new keys. If in case the lock needs to be replaced, the locksmith will immediately come to your rescue. He will serve you with the best possible solutions.

#4. Damaged Locks

Professional Locksmith Services

Door locks are not always long-lasting and even they are prone to wear and tear. When locks wear out, you will start facing trouble with them. The damaged locks fail to work properly and let thieves gain access to your premises. Damaged locks can cause trouble not only for you but also for your home and business premises. This is why you should call a professional locksmith to remove and install new locks to enhance the security system of your home and office.

#5. You Locked Your Keys in the Car

This is not just a silly reason but also the most common one. Sometimes, we are in rush and forget to take the car keys off. The situation might get complicated to deal with when you locked your keys accidentally in the car. However, you don’t have to panic; as the locksmith will help you unlock your car and overcome the trouble quickly.

#6. You Locked Yourself Out

You would need a locksmith when you accidentally locked yourself. Reasons can be many you may go out to catch the newspaper or you rush to check mails and go outside for a walk on your lawn without bringing your keys. Whatever the reason may be, calling a professional locksmith is indeed the right solution.

#7. Upgrading Home Security

If you are planning to install the new security locks inspired by the latest technology, you need to call a locksmith. He will help you choose the best lock out of the numerous options and assist you to enhance the security in your premises. You can explore the best options with the help of a locksmith and pick the right option according to your preferences.

Many situations are out there when you need to call a professional locksmith. No matter what the reason may be, you should always call a professional and dependable locksmith. Just look for the best option and opt for a reputed locksmith for immediate help.

6 Types of Door Locks Commonly Used On Residential Properties

Baltimore Locksmith Services

Whether you’re updating your home’s security or moving into a new office building, dealing with your security requirements is a vital task that involves some consideration. One of the most pressing issues for property owners is determining which types of locks are better suited to their needs.

Locks for locking homes and businesses come in a variety of styles, ranging from traditional keyed locks to new keyless alternatives. Let’s get an idea of the most commonly used locking system for residential properties.

Because of the design of padlocks, they are sometimes overlooked when choosing on door lock types. Padlocks have a wide range of applications, and the fact that they are compact makes them attractive to many homeowners. These locks are sometimes used as supplemental add-ons to improve the reliability of an existing safety feature. Padlocks, on the other hand, may be used alone or in combination with other locks to have a variety of security benefits. Despite the fact that padlocks have changed significantly over time, they have retained their value as dependable locks. Padlocks and chains are also useful to protect garage and sliding doors.

Knob Locks

Knob locks are perhaps the most general kind of door lock used on internal doors in homes. Because of their lack of security, knob locks are not suitable for outside use. However, when combined with a deadbolt lock, these locks can be used on exterior doors to have additional protection. A locking system is built into doorknob locks. These door locks have knobs on each side of the handle, depending on whether the door should be locked internally or externally.

Deadbolt locks continue to be one of the most common forms of locks, found in many residential properties around the world, owing to the amount of security protection they provide. There are single-cylinder and double-cylinder deadbolt lock options. Single-cylinder deadbolts are most popular in residential/commercial settings, and double deadbolts are used for additional protection. Deadbolts have more protection against a robbery or break-in. Without the use of a spring, lock bolts are pushed by rotating a knob or key. Deadbolts have a one-of-a-kind locking mechanism that is prone to physical attacks, beating, and boredom. They can’t be opened with any sharp hand tool.

Mortise Lockset

Mortise locksets are most often used in commercial buildings, but they are still standard fixtures in many residences. The majority of homeowners, who have mortise locksets, probably gone to great lengths to buy them or had the lockset mounted already. Old houses often have mortise locksets, and some residents tend to keep these locks rather than letting a locksmith upgrade locks. And there’s nothing unusual with this and there are many advantages of having a mortise lockset. The inclusion of a mortise lock on a property indicates that protection is the primary function of that property.

Euro Cylindrical Locks

These are most widely found in Europe and the United States. This style of lock is ideal for protecting low-profile areas such as patios, decks, swimming pool sections, and other similar areas. Euro cylinder locks are not recommended for outdoor use because they appear to weaken over time. Euro cylinder locks are self-contained systems, making installation much simpler than for most locks. Homeowners feel that a lock is a reasonable choice for their homes, since they have other concerns than security.

Electronic & Smart Lock

Electronic locks and smart locks are now widely used in residential buildings, including both single-family houses and apartment buildings. On a residential home, electronic locks or smart locks are often used where there is an intrinsic need for improved access protection, or simply whether a homeowner wishes to add a lock that seems to be more effective. Electronic and smart locks that use deadbolts, mortise locksets, and even euro cylinders are available. However, owing to their distinct characteristics, these locks must be grouped separately.

Secure your home with “Locksmith on Duty”

Since the world of locks is large and complex, you may have plenty of choices to have a lock for your home, but at the same time, it raises the likelihood of you picking the incorrect door

lock types. However, in order to assist you in selecting the right door lock forms for your residential house, you need professional help from a locksmith.
But with Locksmith on Duty, you do not need to worry! We are ready to help you 24*7. Contact us today or send a quote request through our service portal to set up an appointment and have a secure home!

5 Ways a Locksmith Can Help You Reinforce Your Front Doors

Since your front door is more often to be the first obstacle a home invader meets, it is critical that you reinforce this main entry point. Reinforcing the door would give you a sense of relief by ensuring a well-secured entrance. Here are a few key methods you can perform to secure the front door, as well as how a Auto locksmith can assist you with any of these.

Locksmith Services

Elevated Door Jamb Reinforcement

A more secure door jamb is a great starting point for front door reinforcement. Once we’ve tackled this, we can pass it on to other approaches to strengthen the entrance security. An upgraded security door jamb kit must contain locking side parts of the door jam, hinge protection, set screws, as well as methods for correctly fastening certain items to the jamb. Since reinforced door jambs are so critical for front door protection, it makes sense to spend in having this work done professionally. Hiring a locksmith will help you avoid picking the incorrect jamb reinforcement device. All of these door jamb reinforcements will shield the door from robbers’ kicking and ramming attempts.

Upgraded & Secure Locking System

Auto locksmith services

Picking the right lock for your front door is crucial to enhance the security. Since they are usually made of a strong metal, deadbolts and latches are a common alternative for front doors reinforcement and made them able to handle the force at a certain degree. If someone attempts to enter into your house, they will most likely use intimidation, crack the lock, or twist the handle to force access. In this case, if your front door locks do not work properly, you can’t be sure about security. This is where a locksmith’s experience comes in handy. As a result, we suggest that you employ a reputable locksmith for lock set up or lock upgrades. Key-less entry devices, like smart locks, are now becoming more common on residential buildings as a result of technological advances.

Modified Locks Mechanism

Because of a potential compromise with your door lock, you could need to reinforce your lock earlier instead of later. Luckily, there are quick and inexpensive solutions available, such as rekeying. When it comes to rekeying, a locksmith can disassemble the lock and repair any of the internal components so the existing keys will no longer function. Even anybody having an existing key copy of your front door and seeking a secret entry, they will be frustrated because the old keys will no longer function. Get in touch with a locksmith to see if this strategy is suitable for your case.

Informative Security Upkeep

Consistent upkeep is an excellent way to reinforce all of the investments in front door reinforcement. You must create a checklist to review the devices you’ve implemented and the protective measures you’ve put in place. Things can collapse into disarray if proper care is not performed. Stuff breaks apart and avoids functioning by nature, but regular checking on all these is an easy way to ensure you still have enough front door reinforcement. To know what kind of upkeep can help with your front door reinforcement, a locksmith will really come in handy.

Efficient Product Selection

There are several types of door protection products available on the market. Out of which, some brands have a strong reputation simply due to their popularity. This can confuse the facts about a security product’s efficacy. A locksmith is suitable for assisting you in determining the best form of front door reinforcement. A locksmith is often called upon to replace or repair broken safety devices. Locksmiths have gained a very realistic understanding of the kinds of pressures that such products can tolerate as a result of coping with the loss of these goods. Locksmiths not only know the credibility of brands from first-hand accounts, but they also engage with individuals in related fields on a regular basis.

Lock your security with “Locksmith on Duty”

However, to properly secure your door, the skills and competence of a professional locksmith are ideally needed. One explanation is that professional locksmiths would first allow entry to the door before beginning work in order to decide the best tools and services for the job. If you need support in Baltimore County, the experts at Locksmith on Duty would gladly assist you.

Contact us today or submit a quote request via our support portal to schedule an appointment for your building and enjoy a secure atmosphere!


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Lutherville Timonium

Locksmith Services in Lutherville-Timonium, MD

When you hire a locksmith, you must choose one with great track record and credibility. Locksmith On Duty is a highly renowned and trustworthy family owned and operated business that offers top quality locksmith services in Lutherville-Timonium, MD.

Broad range of finest quality services at most affordable prices

We offer lock installation, replacement and repair services for homes, offices and vehicles in Lutherville-Timonium, MD. Our residential services comprise of latches, padlocks, window security locks, master keys, door hardware, lever handles, deadbolt locks and many more.

Excellent services for commercial clients and vehicle owners

Commercial clients can approach us for lock repair services, rekeying, high security locks and lock hardware installation. Our auto lock repair services in Lutherville-Timonium, MD include car lockout service, car key cutting, duplicate keys, laser cutting, transponder keys, rekeys and other types of vehicle lock repair and installation solutions.

Fastest turnaround time and skilled technicians

Our turnaround time is the fastest in the industry with strong commitment to quality. Our experienced and trained technicians reach your spot within 10 to 20 minutes to fulfill your emergency needs.

Call 410-870-7170 to talk to our customer support team


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In attempt to scare off those who speak the truth about Islam, Muslims and their supporters continually toss out the term “Islamophobia”. The other day a Muslim posted a link to the plan on my site, and I am not exactly sure why he or she did it. Either way it is all layed on the website of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago. One of their goals is to try and equate the term “Islamophobia”, with a hate crime. There are numerous points in their plan that we need to counter.

There are obviously many lies in this list, but I will not bother to refute them all, we need the focus to stay on the actions we must take.

16 Ways You can Fight Cartoons & Islamophobia

1. Remember the Prophet. The Prophet was subject to horrible insults and hate crimes in his lifetime. He remained steadfast, patient and tolerant in the face of this Islamophobia. We must model this same behavior.

Good and Evil deeds are not alike. Requite evil with good, and he who is your enemy will become your dearest friend. But none will attain this save those who endure with fortitude and are greatly favored by God. (Quran 41: 34-35)

Pray that God guides these people who mock His messenger.

2. Keep sending Salam and Durood to the Prophet, which is the main way Muslim demonstrate our love for the Prophet.

3. Make protest more honorable since it is for the love of the Prophet. Perhaps a public recitation of the Quran either voiced or silent will be more powerful and worthy of the Prophet.

4. Do not engage in forms protest that are condemned in Islam. This includes burning flags or other symbols that people hold in esteem or insulting other religious groups. Unfortunately, some Iranian newspapers have commissioned the drawing of anti-Semitic cartoons in protest of the offensive Danish ones. This is a disgusting form of retaliation that deserves absolute condemnation. Not only does this contradict Islamic rules of respect for others, it will neither help fight Islamophobia, nor elicit any understanding about why Muslims are upset about the Danish cartoons.

5. Note that incidents of Islamophobia are not isolated. Whether it’s depicting the Prophet as a terrorist, disrespecting the Quran, torturing prisoners, bombing civilians or occupying Muslim lands, these are all signs of Islamophobia.

6. Also note that not all media or all non-Muslims support this type of insulting behavior. Many have been at the forefront of condemning torture, bombing and occupation.

7. Equate racism, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. They all are fruits of the same tree of hate.

Ask them what race Islam is, and let them know Jews were no threat back in the 40s, but there is a a worldwide Sharia movement happening. So the comparison is not valid.

8. Start using the word Islamophobia to describe any kind of hate crime or speech against Islam and Muslims. Doing this will make the term uniform and eventually, an accepted part of the English language the way the term “anti-Semitism” is.

Number 8 clearly shows they just do not want any criticism of Islam. This is the main reason we must get this list to our local representatives. (Contact information will be provided below.)

9. If you are involved in interfaith work, bring up the topic of Islamophobia at your meetings. Stress the urgency and need for people of all faiths to help address and condemn it and all other forms of intolerance publicly. If possible, get the organization to issue a public statement condemning Islamophobia in general, as well as in response to specific incidents like those mentioned above.

Any of us that attend religious functions should print this plan up, and hand it out at our local houses of worship.

10. Sponsor reports on Islamophobia. Unless more documentation and yearly opinion surveys are conducted, people will continue to dismiss Islamophobia as a reality. So far, the UK is the only country which has officially commissioned a report on Islamophobia. The word has yet to become a part of American media.

11. Report any and every incident of Islamophobia you, your family or friends encounter. The FBI collects hate crime statistics. Report Islamophobia to them at your local FBI office. File a report with the Council on American-Islamic Relations at They issue an annual report on Muslim civil rights in the US. Also report the crime to your local police office.

Can it get any clearer than the above statement? When it comes to Islam, they want to make free speech a hate crime.

12. If it’s an election year, make sure your local Congressman or Congresswoman who relies on your vote is aware of Islamophobia. Organize a delegation of Muslims in your constituency if you can and arrange to make a presentation on the topic, as well as a list of clear things you would like your Congressman or Congresswoman to do about Islamophobia if they want your vote.

We must make sure our local politicians know that Muslims are out to end our freedom of speech, in regards to Islam.

13. For every incident of Islamophobia, write a letter to the editor and your local civil rights organization about it.

We need to take the time to write letters to editors of online papers, that use the term “Islamophobia” in their support of Islam. They probably have no idea how far Muslims want to take this.

14. Organize a program at your local mosque or community center about the problem of Islamophobia today. Hold a brainstorming session as part of the program as well to discuss how to solve this problem.

15. Thank those who speak out or act against Islamophobia. For instance, we should thank the US State Department for condemning the publishing of the offensive cartoons in Denmark.

16. Make Dua that Allah guides those who hold Islamophobic views and practice Islamophobia. The Prophet made Dua for the Quraysh, asking for them to be guided because they were ignorant of what they were doing by committing Islamophobic acts and saying wrong things against Islam and the Prophet.

I appreciate you guys taking the time to read my site, but please do more on this post and send a link to this post to your representatives. Just add a quick explanation about how Muslims are attempting to silence all critics of Islam.

The contact information for our local representatives, can be found HERE.

Here is the contact information for some major media outlets.

I figured that I would add some history, on the origin of the word “Islamophobia”.

Islamophobia: The word was created to silence all critics of Islam and the actions that occur under Islam. The word is a contraction to the meaning of the word phobia, as non-Muslims have every right to fear an Islamic takeover.

The notion of “Islamophobia” emerged from the Islamic Republic of Iran following the revolution in 1979. According to Caroline Fourest and Fiammetta Venner, two French journalists who have written extensively on the subject, the Iranian mullahs introduced the idea of a phobia to Islam as a response to international criticism of such practices as the forcing of women to wear headscarves, and persecution of homosexuals and other violators of “Islamic morality”.

Warn the World


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Is Freight Going Underground?

Martijn Graat
Martijn Graat

Boring Freight

Elon Musk is a man of many innovative ideas. Most of them are consumer oriented, but all have great logistics potential. His innovations and ideas focus on two main areas: transportation and sustainable energy. Best known example is probably the Tesla, which is a combination of both. A 100% electrical vehicle. It has been a major push forward for the acceptance of electrical vehicles by the general public.

His latest idea, which he got while being stuck in traffic in LA, has huge logistics potential if you ask me. I also love the name: The Boring Company. The video below explains it:

I’m not sure if people would enjoy moving through tunnels for long distances. I see much more potential for freight and deliveries, especially in dense urban areas. Tunnels would be a great way to distribute goods to (mini) hubs in the city, from where small(er) electric vehicles or bikes can do the last mile. This will work even better when we have self-driving delivery vehicles for that.

Moles in the UK

Moving Freight underground is not a new idea, as you can read at the end of this post. And Musk is not the only one seeing the benefits of tunnels. Take for example Mole Solutions in the UK, who have built a test track of their own tunneling solution. They see possibilities for different industries. For mining companies they can move bulk, for retail companies they can move pallets in and out of cities, and they also have a solution for moving shipping containers. You can see their urban delivery concept in this video:

Swiss Want to go Underground

And on the European mainland there is a Swiss company working on a freight tunneling concept. At the start of 2016 Cargo Sous Terrain (under ground) presented a feasibility study for a 66 km long tunnel connecting 3 cities / logistics centers in Switzerland (Soluthurn, Bern, and Zurich). A tunneling solution makes sense for Switzerland, as the mountainous terrain doesn’t allow for unlimited expansions of their infrastructure. The tunnels come at a cost. 66km of tunnel, 6 meters wide, 50 meters under the ground will set you back about 3.4 billion dollars. Unmanned vehicles would move at a speed of 30km an hour, powered and steered by electromagnetic induction. A video of the concept:

Aaaaaaaaaaand Amazon. Of Course.

And, as with any logistics innovation, Amazon has ideas about this as well. They were recently granted a patent on a system using dedicated tunnels to deliver and distribute goods and packages. From vendors to distribution centers to customers and back.

Amazon tunnel patent

History Repeats

The technology that Musk is using to create his tunnels may be new, but the idea certainly isn’t (for freight that is). Take for example these two companies, that tried something similar at the start of the 20th Century:

The Chicago Tunnel Company built a 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge railway freight tunnel network under the downtown of the city of Chicago. This was regulated by the Interstate Commerce Commission as an interurban despite the fact that it operated entirely under central Chicago, did not carry passengers, and was entirely underground. Source:Wikipedia

The tunnel system was a leftover from the construction of the utility tunnels carrying telephone cables. It served both companies and the public. There actually were 5 pickup and drop off points for packages for private people. As time went by the company struggled to operate on a profit, and eventually the Chicago Tunnel Company went bankrupt in 1959.

A similar project in the UK, inspired by the Chicago Tunnel Company, lasted much longer. It operated from 1927 until 2003

The Post Office Railway, also known as Mail Rail, is a 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge, driverless underground railway in London that was built by the Post Office with assistance from the Underground Electric Railways Company of London, to move mail between sorting offices.

It was shut down, as moving freight through the tunnel system was reportedly 3 to 6 times more expensive than moving it with regular trucks. Maybe the fact that it was only used by the postal company worked against it. Interesting difference with the Chicago project is the fact that it was driverless.

Is Freight Going Underground?

I believe Freight will go underground and people will stay above ground. We will have to wait and see which of the initiatives above will become an actual mode of transport. I also think we need to keep an eye on the various Hyperloop projects. They would combine well with the tunnels. Moving Freight over distances at high speed. Shall we count a tube above ground as a tunnel as well?

Photo by Mathew Schwartz on Unsplash

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IRC channel logs

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<davexunit>development environments made easy, with guix!
*davexunit thinks about write a guix environment for guix :P
<davexunit>I've been using this channel as my personal microblog today, apparently
<davexunit>so here's more: I was able to use guix environment to debug test suite issues with guile-sdl :)
<Steap>davexunit: looks cool
<Steap>must be even better than guix build -K
<davexunit>Steap: yes, I found it to be.
<davexunit>helped me track down the problem pretty quick :)
<davexunit>funny, I didn't even think of this use-case when I wrote it.
<davexunit>if anyone is interested, I decided to write a new blog post to elaborate on why guix environment is cool:
<jmd>What does and=> mean ?
<jmd>I can't find a mention of it in any Guix, Guile or Scheme manual.
<alezost>jmd: it is documented in Guile manual: (info "(guile) Higher-Order Functions")
<alezost> -- Scheme Procedure: and=> value proc When VALUE is ‘#f’, return ‘#f’. Otherwise, return ‘(PROC VALUE)’.
<jmd>So its the same as (and value (proc value)) then?
<alezost>jmd: almost, it's just a sugar. If VALUE is an expression, you'll have to do (let ((v (<some-expr>))) (and v (proc v))) or just (and=> (<some-expr>) proc)
<jmd>Another scheme question: If I do (and expr1 expr2) is there any particular order in which expr1 and expr2 are evaluated?
<alezost>jmd: expressions in ‘and’ are evaluated consecutively (expr1 first) and if one is failed then the rest are not evaluated
<jmd>ok thanks.
<roptat>hello again! I would like to modify /etc/profile to have some system-wide configuration there. Can I go ahead and edit the file it points to, or is there another prefered way?
<alezost>roptat: If it's a link to /gnu/store/…, then you shouldn't modify that file. (I don't know about the preferable way though)
<roptat>yes, it is a link to /gnu/store/*-bashrc
<alezost>roptat: everything that is placed in the store should be untouched
<roptat>I thought so...
<alezost>roptat: I can't help with your question as I hadn't tried a stand alone system yet. You may ask later on this channel or ask at <>
<roptat>have to go. Bye :)
***tschwing_ is now known as tschwinge
*davexunit is brainstorming titles for his libreplanet talk proposal
<davexunit>"gnu guix - blanky blank blank"
<agumonkey>I got gnu-usb-install-0.7.x86_64.xz and thought that the decompressed data would be an .iso image
<agumonkey>to be fed to virtualbox as a bootable device
<agumonkey>I was wondering if you knew a way to convert
<davexunit>it's a raw disk image. can virtualbox not handle that?
<davexunit>people occasionally ask about isos, but we can't see a good reason for them as they are quite outdated.
<agumonkey>davexunit: it seems that vbox needs explicit conversion
<agumonkey>unfortunately a typo under the wrong account erased the vbox convert tool. #fail
<davexunit>you could use qemu instead, if that's an option for you.
<agumonkey>Ill try that as a fallback thanks. Reboot time
<davexunit>there are some caveats that come with the 0.7 release image, fyi. our upcoming 0.8 release should have less gotchas.
<agumonkey>hi back
<agumonkey>ok, dd image converted into vbox .vdi, and running. Time for install/rtfm
<davexunit>one important thing to note is that the 0.7 installer will install guix 0.6
<agumonkey>the host system is pretty .. raw
<davexunit>yes it is
<agumonkey>it needs to have emacs-nox with geiser mode
<agumonkey>that's the least it can do
<davexunit>you can install that
<davexunit>and you can easily tweak the install os to have that.
<agumonkey>guix build $pkg right ?
<davexunit>guix package -i emacs
<davexunit>guix package -i emacs geiser
<davexunit>it would of course be better to write your own os config with these packages so that you don't have to install to ramdisk each time
<davexunit>we opted to ship a very minimal image to conserve resources
<agumonkey>I understand
<davexunit>it's also the first bootable image for real hardware
<agumonkey>but a guile based system needs a paredit-like editor
<davexunit>guix package -i paredit # :P
<davexunit>the system is what you make of it :)
<davexunit>it's super easy to roll your own OS config
<agumonkey>I'm about to do that
<agumonkey>you're running a guix based system ?
<davexunit>running debian right now
<agumonkey>(shame (on you))
<davexunit>I test full systems sometimes.
<davexunit>I don't really have hardware to spare for an experimental system.
<agumonkey>not long ago I used an archlinux script to compile a livecd with base, emacs, guile and such
<agumonkey>arch is great, but nix is pretty awesome so Ill redo that in guix
<davexunit>cool, that would be fun.
<davexunit>I hope that we'll have an ARM port soon enough, and then I'll have a system to run guix standalone.
<davexunit>I've focused a lot of my time working on development workflows using guix
<davexunit>which doesn't require the full system, it's easy to run guix on any distro.
<davexunit>now, I want to make it easy to hack on guix... when using guix.
<agumonkey>you're speaking about arm based single board computer ?
<agumonkey>I have two, a rpi and a parallela, the former is too slow, the latter might be able to run guix normally
<davexunit>the novena, actually.
<agumonkey>you have one ?
<agumonkey>you're part of the team ?
<davexunit>I ordered one.
<agumonkey>oh ok
<agumonkey>I wasn't sure the project was finished
<davexunit>I want it to run guix
<agumonkey>awesome work
<agumonkey>yeah that would fit the spirit
<agumonkey>I don't have a novena, but I have the thinkpad keyboard bunnie uses for it's prototype :D
<agumonkey>aight, after some parenthesis balancing
<agumonkey>guix system init is filling the guest FS
<davexunit>if it installs successfully, you'll want to update guix on the new system by using a fresh git checkout of master
<agumonkey>editing s-exps outside of emacs really is a challenge
<davexunit>paredit is amazing
<agumonkey>it is, I was recently browsing it's author just because I never really read about him even though paredit is one of my favorite things ever
<agumonkey>ha.. rebooted the new system but I don't have a NIC (ifconfig -a only lists localhost)
<davexunit>if you can figure out the kernel module you need, then you can add that to your initrd, I think.
<davexunit>someone else could probably help you better than that.
*davexunit has to go
<alirio>agumonkey: I have some links about adding modules to initrd:,,,,
<agumonkey>alirio: just when I need it
<agumonkey>I'm having unbound variable issues, the docs are fairly light
<agumonkey>oh cut is from srfi
<agumonkey>trying (initrd (cut base-initrd <> #:extra-modules '("libahci.ko" "ahci.ko" "e1000.ko" "e1000e.ko")))
<civodul>Hello Guix!
<alirio>civodul: about, .bashrc is executed when you launch a new shell, .bash_profile is executed when you make login so if you use a dm, .bash_profile is useless
<agumonkey>damn base-initrd.drv fails
<agumonkey>guix is cute but as cryptic as standard gnu tools ~_~
<civodul>agumonkey: how does it fail exactly?
<civodul>alirio: so would it help to move env var definitions to /etc/profile?
<alirio>civodul: if using dm, no; .bash_profile and /etc/profile are a user/system distinction
<civodul>i've read that section of the Bash manual a couple of times, but somehow i fail to "integrate" it
<alirio>civodul: we can use $SHLVL for conditional setting...
<alirio>civodul: 'bash --norc' instead of 'sh' would be another option
<civodul>alirio: SHVL?
<civodul>oh SHLVL, i see
<civodul>didn't know that one!
<alirio>I cloned the repository yesterday, 'make check' pass all tests, but I get this: '/gnu/store/ line 8: 5 Segmentation fault $out/bin/guile --version', executing manually: '/gnu/store/jfahjwwad516il2bdycw0zfygskvfdrc-guile-bootstrap-2.0/bin/guile --version' works as it should
<civodul>alirio: that's on i686?
<civodul>and you get this while trying to build something, like "guix build hello"?
<alirio>yes, and './pre-inst-env guix package --no-substitutes -i hello'
<civodul>does "env -i /gnu/store/jfahjwwad516il2bdycw0zfygskvfdrc-guile-bootstrap-2.0/bin/guile --version" work?
<civodul>and "chroot /gnu/store/jfahjwwad516il2bdycw0zfygskvfdrc-guile-bootstrap-2.0 /bin/guile --version"?
<alirio>it gives 'GC Warning: pthread_getattr_np or pthread_attr_getstack failed for main thread
<alirio>GC Warning: Couldn't read /proc/stat' above the normal output
<civodul>and does it segfault?
<civodul>these warnings are fine
<civodul>"./pre-inst-env guix build guile-bootstrap -s i686-linux --no-substitutes" on my x86_64 box
<civodul>it's the same binary, running in 32-bit mode, but then it's not a "real" 32-bit box
<civodul>i'll try on a real one
<civodul>i've copied the tree to a real i686 machine, and "sudo env -i /usr/sbin/chroot ./jfahjwwad516il2bdycw0zfygskvfdrc-guile-bootstrap-2.0 /bin/guile --version" runs well there
<civodul>alirio: is it 100% reproducible?
<civodul>nothing special about the guix-daemon setup?
<alirio>'sudo env -i /usr/sbin/chroot /gnu/store/jfahjwwad516il2bdycw0zfygskvfdrc-guile-bootstrap-2.0 /bin/guile --version' works here too
<alirio>I'm using trisquel 7 liveiso, and I have the script to reproduce it...
*jmd officially gives up trying to get an arm compiler working
<civodul>jmd: please post your findings/issues!
<civodul>jmd: are you on i686, BTW?
<civodul>too bad
<jmd>Actually it seems to be an issue with gcc-4.9
<civodul>alirio: "liveiso" means it's a live distro?
*civodul goes afk for a moment
<jmd>I keep getting warnings, and then "Warnings treated as errors" even though I have passes --disable-werror
<alirio>yes, and grub is booting directly from the iso
<DusXMT>jmd: Hmm, I also had problems with compiling gcc (was attempting to do an arm LFS) on my phone with gcc...
<mark_weaver>alirio, civodul: regarding .bash_profile not being sourced when using a window manager: my solution to that is to source .bash_profile from .xsessionrc or whatever it's called (I don't have that computer in front of me right now)
<mark_weaver>jmd: I'll work on the
<mark_weaver>jmd: I'll work on the ARM port for Guix when my Novena board arrives. I should have it within a month or so.
<jmd>The thing is, gcc 4.8.3 doesn't seem to support my CPU
<mark_weaver>doesn't support what CPU? the ARM?
<jmd>Well not with the options I wanted. The hard-float particularly.
<mark_weaver>hmm, that's surprising.
<mark_weaver>I would look at Debian's toolchain packages for armhf, especially the way they configure gcc/binutils/glibc and any patches they've applied.
<jmd>The annoying thing about Guix, is that if you have to touch something that low in the dependency tree, then building takes about 19 hours then you get an error, saying that this set of options is unsupported, try a different set.
<mark_weaver>sometimes, with difficult packages on a minority architecture, I've started by building the software "manually".
<mark_weaver>"guix environment" might be helpful for setting up a semi-restricted build environment when doing those tests.
<mark_weaver>civodul: maybe it's time to update the "800+ packages" on ?
<alirio>mark_weaver: from gnu/services/xorg.scm, seem slim calls .xinitrc which calls .xsession
<mark_weaver>alirio: ah yes, .xsession is the one I meant
<mark_weaver>I have a vague recollection that, at least on Debian, some display managers don't call .xinitrc but do call .xsession.
<mark_weaver>but I might be misremembering
<jmd>Do we have R packaged ??
<jmd>mark_weaver: .xinitrc is called only when you select "System Default" as the session type.
<alirio>mark_weaver, jmd: there's a executable called xinit, .xinitrc is it's configuration file, display managers shouldn't use it
<jmd>alirio: I guess that is an opinion which is not universally accepted then.
<agumonkey>hey back
<agumonkey>emacs/znc crapped on me
<agumonkey>is 1GB too short to use guix ?
<jmd>I don't see much sense in guix package --list-available=regexp having rexep match the package name.
<jmd>The description might be more useful.
*alezost uses both variants: "M-x guix-search-by-regexp" (bound to a key) to search by regexp in "name+synopsis+description" and another command based on ‘guix-search-by-regexp’ to search by regexp in "name" only
<civodul>hey, mark_weaver
<mark_weaver>hi civodul!
<civodul>mark_weaver: i've updated the number of packages in guix.html \\o/
<mark_weaver>excellent, thanks!
<civodul>jmd: you can use --search, then
<jmd>civodul: That option produces an ERROR:
<jmd>ERROR: In procedure gettext:
<jmd>ERROR: Wrong type (expecting string): #<<license> name: "X11-style" uri: "" comment: "This is an X11-style, non-copyleft free software license. Check the URI for details. ">
<mark_weaver>jmd: what's the exact command that produced that error?
<mark_weaver>guix package --search=emacs works for me.
<jmd>Maybe I messed something up then. I have some local hacks ATM.
<civodul>jmd: you mean need to recompile, due to the ABI change last week or so
<mark_weaver>or maybe it's specific to the search you did
<civodul>either "make clean-go && make", or rebuild .go files from $GUIX_PACKAGE_PATH
<jmd>I probably need to do "git reset --hard" too.
<ph4nt0mas>jmd: it's the same problem I was telling civodul somedays ago
<ph4nt0mas>make clean-go doesn't seem to fix it
<mark_weaver>it would be nice if we had a specific example of a command that produces that error
<ph4nt0mas>guix package -s "anything"
<ph4nt0mas>if I try to search any package I just get the error
<jmd>"./pre-inst-env guix package --search=pdf"
<mark_weaver>jmd: thanks. alas, the command works for me.
<mark_weaver>although I'm testing on a machine that's not quite up to date. let me try updating.
<civodul>ph4nt0mas: did you try "rm -rf ~/.cache/guile" or similar?
<civodul>it's clearly an ABI issue, and that can happen if there are stale .go files
<ph4nt0mas>just tried, still the same
<ph4nt0mas>well everything else works , tomorrow I will find some time to investigate and see where those .go files are hiding from me
<civodul>could you try "strace -o log guix package -s foo"?
<civodul>to see which .go file is loaded last
<ph4nt0mas>deleted ccache there
<jmd>I think we should remove all the superlative adjectives (such as "powerful") from package descriptions.
<alirio>jmd: a superlative would be "most powerful"
<jmd>removing all .go files and running "make" seemed to do the trcik for me.
<civodul>jmd: agreed!
<ijp>I call them "manipulative names"
<civodul>yeah it's subjective and vague
<civodul>of course it's hard to determine the degree of objectivity of any given phrase
<jmd>true. But some are blatently POV.
<civodul>yes, definitely
<civodul>i'm not sure if this can be formalized as a lint rule :-)
<alirio>a check for "most" or "est" doesn't seem hard
<mark_weaver>yeah, but I don't think superlatives are the thing we should be checking for
<mark_weaver>rather, we should be looking for "marketing-speak", or something to that effect
<jmd>but a quick grep for some buzzwords will pick out some of them.
<mark_weaver>e.g. suppose there's a package that computes shortest paths through a graph.
<civodul>alirio: "most" can be used in other contexts, like "most of the time", etc.
<mark_weaver>hmm, guix.texi now requires texinfo 5, because of the use of indentedblock.
<mark_weaver>(or that's my guess. anyway, it now fails to work with texinfo 4)
<civodul>oh, i didn't know it was new
<civodul>could be that
<mark_weaver>civodul: attempting to compile guix with texinfo 4.13 now fails with the message: "./doc/guix.texi:4332: Unknown command `indentedblock'."
<mark_weaver>I'm using texinfo 4.13 on my Yeeloong, because texinfo 5 takes over 10 minutes to compile guile.texi
<mark_weaver>(where texinfo 4 takes on the order of tens of seconds)
<mark_weaver>yeeloong users aren't numerous enough to cater to, but it'll be a while before texinfo 5 is widely available among users of debian derivatives, anyway.
<alirio>mark_weaver: trisquel 7 has it:
<mark_weaver>alirio: ah, okay. well, debian wheezy doesn't, anyway
<mark_weaver>anyway, I don't feel strongly about it.
<civodul>okay, we can try to avoid @indentedblock, lemme see
<civodul>mark_weaver: does @quotation work with Texinfo 4?
*mark_weaver tries
<mark_weaver>civodul: yes, it does
*civodul patches
<civodul>good night/day!