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Metal Chick of the Month – Fallon Bowman

Then we lay there… Embracing our last stare… On a moonlit afternoon…

As The Headbanging Moose is based in Toronto, Canada, probably the most multi-cultural city in the world, there’s nothing better than having as our last metal chick of the year of 2017 a woman of Dutch and Indonesian descent that was born in Cape Town, South Africa, but that currently resides here in Toronto, playing an also diverse range of musical styles such as Alternative Metal, Nu Metal, Rock, Industrial and even Electronica. This woman, who’s a skillful vocalist and guitarist, goes by the name of Fallon Bowman, known for her involvement with the bands Kittie, Pigface and Amphibious Assault, as well as a solo career which she’s been pursuing since around 2011. Having said that, are you ready to bang your head to the electrifying music by the exotic Fallon?

Born on November 16, 1983 in Cape Town, a port city on South Africa’s southwest coast, on a peninsula beneath the imposing Table Mountain, Fallon has been active in the world of alternative and heavy music since 1996, when at the age of fourteen years old she helped to form Canadian Alternative Metal act Kittie with classmate Mercedes Lander and Mercedes’ sister, Morgan Lander, playing guitar and performing backing vocals for the band from their inception in 1996 until August 2001, when she left the band. As a matter of fact, her passion for music actually started a few years before Kittie, when she was around 10 years old, when she was fascinated with a guitar her grandfather had at his home in South Africa. However, she mentioned the guitar was not her first choice, as at first she wanted to be a drummer when she was around 12, but her parents were against it and she ended up getting a guitar from them after they saw her performance playing the song Violet, by Hole, at a school assembly with a friend using a friend’s guitar. Getting back to Kittie, Fallon has already explained several times in different interviews why she left the band, saying she was unhappy with some things in the band so she felt that maybe it was time for her to depart. Our dauntless guitarist recorded two albums with Kittie, those being the full-length Spit, in 1999, and the EP Paperdoll, in 2000, comprised of a remix of Spit’s song Paperdoll and five songs from Spit recorded live on June 15, 2000 at the Hultsfred Festival in Sweden.

Regarding the writing and meaning of the song Choke in Spit, Fallon said that it is “about someone telling you that they love you so much, and they put you up on a pedestal and make you feel great, then they turn around and say “screw you”, and you can sense that feeling while listening to the song (which you can do HERE). Furthermore, just to give you an idea of the impact of the release of Spit, right after that Kittie went on tours with bands such as Chevelle, Slipknot, Suicidal Tendencies, and Shuvel, also performing at Ozzfest and at the 2001 SnoCore festival. Hence, if you want to listen to Fallon playing her flammable guitar with Kittie, I recommend the songs Brackish and Charlotte, both taken from Spit.

Right after her departure from Kittie, Fallon experienced a period of stress due to splitting up with her friends from the band, but she managed to overcome that difficult situation after a while and got involved with her two next endeavors, the distinct bands Pigface and Amphibious Assault. Pigface is an industrial music supergroup formed in 1990 by Martin Atkins (Ministry, Killing Joke) and William Rieflin (Ministry, KMFDM, R.E.M., King Crimson), featuring tons of guest musicians such as our metal babe Fallon. She ended up recording several tracks with Pigface for their 2003 album Easy Listening…, which led her to begin writing music again due to the enjoyment she had during the recording process. She then purchased a sequencer and began exploring the industrial music genre that she admired but had never actively pursued, also filling her basement in the following months with drum machines and synthesizers, which in the end led to the writing of the songs for District Six, the debut album by her upcoming industrial project Amphibious Assault, mixing lots of heavy elements and aspects with her passion for industrial music. The name of the project was chosen during a flight from Toronto to New Jersey, when Bowman, at the age of seventeen, was skimming through a Tom Clancy novel when she came upon the term “amphibious assault”, with the whole project being, according to our talented musician herself, her personal “homage” to her KMFDM days, when she was obsessed with them. Amphibious Assault went on for a few years, from 2003 until 2007, with two full-length albums released, the aforementioned District Six in 2003 and On Better Days and Sin-Eating in 2006. If you want to take a listen at this more electronic side of Fallon, I recommend you check the songs Tears In Rain, District 6, The Importance Of Finding Narcissism, Mistakes, Breaks, Way Too Lates, and Benedictine, among many others.

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After the end of Amphibious Assault, Fallon mentioned that a new project was about to become a reality, tentatively named “Oh No, Torpedo!”, but that in the end became her solo project Fallon Bowman & The Grace Dynasty (with The Grace Dynasty being a five-piece band that included Rhim of The Birthday Massacre on drums), playing a series of live shows before announcing their forthcoming debut album, titled Human, Conditional, from 2011. However, right after the recording of the album was done, it was decided that the project would drop “The Grace Dynasty” from its name, being then just known as Fallon Bowman. You can take a detailed listen at Human, Conditional at Bowman’s own BandCamp page, with songs like the title-track Human, Conditional and Rio de Janeiro being a good sample of how her latest project sounds like.

Regarding her vocal range and her skills as a musician, Fallon mentioned in one of her interviews she’s highly influenced by R&B (thanks to her sister and parents), which allows her to do more than “just” scream and yell while singing, and that she hadn’t taken any singing lesson until she left Kittie. She said that her vocal teacher taught her all sorts of essential lessons about maintaining pitch while moving, and that she incorporated those into her performances to give it a more theatrical vibe. In addition, she also mentioned the emotion she transpires during her live performances is something that just happens, it’s very organic and it arises from the same place her lyrics and pain come from. And even in the middle of that sea of emotions, Fallon has time to sharpen her playing skills, being able to play guitar, keyboards, bass and sing (and getting there in regards to the piano), all helping her become a better composer. And did you know she has a degree in archeology? Well, that’s something almost no one actually knew until she was the subject of a prank for an episode of the short-lived Animal Planet series Freak Encounters a few years ago.

Fallon’s influences in music are just as diverse as her own background, with our talented multi-instrumentalist being highly influenced by R&B when it comes to her vocal style, but of course she also draws a lot of inspiration from electronic and rock music, saying that she loves the contrast between angelic singing and harder music. In terms of names, she said her taste for music varies from Whitney Houston to Deftones, from Calvin Harris to VNV Nation to Nirvana, and so on, mentioning that there’s beauty in all types of music. When asked about a band that she would have loved to tour with from the past, she promptly mentioned Nirvana, saying that meeting Kurt Cobain would have been a mind-blowing experience and that Nirvana, alongside with Hole, were the bands that made her want to be a musician. Furthermore, Fallon still had time to create her own dream band, that being David Gahan from Depeche Mode on vocals, Danny Carey from Tool on drums, Ryan from Mudvayne on bass, and Jimi Hendrix on guitar. How awesome do you think that supergroup would sound?

When asked about all changes that have impacted the music industry since she started her career back in 1996, she said when Kittie started they had almost no focus on the internet, as there wasn’t Facebook or anything like that at that time, saying it was all about street teams made up of fans that would spread the word about each band, something that doesn’t happen anymore nowadays. Fallon has been trying to learn about new apps and platforms to promote her music, and you can find her in several places, as for example you can buy her music on BandCamp, something that didn’t exist at all in the 90’s. Well, she’s also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube, so let’s say she has adapted to this new reality in the music business as much as her taste in music has changed and evolved, right? Well, now let’s wait and see what the future holds for this young and restless musician, hoping that she keeps “invading” all current and new types of social media sites and music apps with her uniqueness and electricity.

Fallon Bowman’s Official Facebook page
Fallon Bowman’s Official Twitter
Fallon Bowman’s Official Instagram
Fallon Bowman’s Official YouTube channel
Fallon Bowman’s Official BandCamp

“I didn’t consciously think of what I was doing as a step for me as a woman of colour – it was more simple than that – being a teenager wanting to be a rockstar. In retrospect however, no one besides maybe Skin was doing that style of music and was also a woman of colour. It’s a bit mind blowing really. There was really no one else doing that at that level.” – Fallon Bowman

Metal Chick of the Month – Samantha Maloney

Samantha kick-starting our hearts!

Everyone knows that most heavy music drummers simply hate studio sessions: they feel a billion times better when they’re able to pound their drums in front of a live audience. However, when the drummer is not just a regular guy but an unstoppable woman who has absolutely no mercy for her drum kit, things get even more exciting, which is exactly the case with our Metal Chick of the Month, the always fired up American Hard Rock drummer Samantha Maloney.

This blonde bombshell, who was born on December 11, 1975 in New York City, New York, but currently living in Valley Village, California, got her first drum set when she was only five years old, and I guess I don’t need to say how important that milestone was for the rest of her life and career. During part of her teenage years, Samantha studied percussion at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York City right before joining her first band, American Post-Hardcore Shift, with whom she recorded the EP Pathos (1994) and the full-length albums Spacesuit (1995) and Get In (1997). You can check her work with Shift on YouTube, as for example the good song Trudge.

It was after Shift that she became truly famous in the world of heavy and alternative music, when in 1998 she joined American Alternative Rock band Hole, from the always controversial Courtney Love, and started touring the whole world, including countries such as Japan and the UK, and appearing on TV, magazines, music videos and interviews. However, things got even more exciting for our hardcore lady in 2000, when she became the official drummer for American Hard Rock legends Motley Crüe and recorded with them their 2002 Lewd, Crüed & Tattooed DVD from the New Tattoo tour. This is where you can see Samantha Malone at her best in total synchronicity with Vince Neil, Mick Mars and Nikki Sixx playing classics like Kickstart My Heart, Girls, Girls, Girls, Home Sweet Home, Live Wire and Shout At The Devil, proving why the band chose her to join them at that time.

After leaving Motley Crüe in 2004, she formed a supergroup called The Chelsea with Melissa Auf der Maur (The Smashing Pumpkins, Hole), Paz Lenchantin (A Perfect Circle), and Radio Sloan (The Need), but they mysteriously played only one concert together before splitting the band, and also recorded the drums for Courtney Love’s debut solo album America’s Sweetheart, which I personally consider pretty decent musically speaking if you take into account all the complex and sometimes unbelievable issues Courtney has always had in her life and career.

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Although America’s Sweetheart was the last full-length album with Samantha on drums, she recorded lots of other songs and singles with a huge variety of artists. For instance, in 2006 she was a guest musician in the album Impeach My Bush, by Electroclash punk artist Peaches, with whom she ended up touring in support of the album; in 2007, she released the single Happy For You with a project called The Ingenues; and in 2010, together with Billy Ray Cyrus, they formed a band named Brother Clyde, recording the single Lately. Besides that, she was also involved in numerous projects with artists such as Daryl Hannah, Eagles of Death Metal and Scott Ian (Anthrax), and managed for a period of time a Los Angeles-based all-girl teenage rock group called Cherri Bomb.

In addition to all that, Maloney has also a career as an actress: in 2008, she guest starred as “Sam”, Lou Ashby’s chauffeur on three episodes of the Showtime series “Californication”, and in 2006 she played the part of Maureen Tucker in the movie “Factory Girl”, not to mention she also added live drums to the score for the film Black Hawk Down in 2003 and is currently involved with a TV series called Next Great Family Band.

Among her biggest influences in music, we can find huge names such as John Bonham, Phil Collins, Neil Peart and Tommy Lee, and probably due to all the talent and energy those guys emanate while behind their drum kits Samantha decided to continue drumming instead of pursuing a serious basketball career with her college back in 1993. Fortunately, for the fans of good music, her biggest idols in life were not guys like Magic Johnson or Larry Bird, right?

Lastly, Samantha is a huge advocate of drummers, especially when a girl wants to follow this path. However, she said once that only being a good drummer is not enough: you must also have good business perspicacity to draw the attention of those who are looking for a drummer for their bands or projects. In order to do so, Samantha created a “list” of tips to help any drummer that’s starting his or her career, including creating a press kit so the others can actually see how the drummer sounds like; establishing a decent network with everyone that’s somehow related to the world of music, like employees from music stores, pubs and, of course, other musicians; and making it public that you’re available and what type of music you want to play, if you want to tour, among other details. These might seem very simple or basic tips for most of us, but if a successful drummer like Samantha is saying so, don’t waste your time and go invest in your career!

Samantha Maloney’s Official Facebook page

“Times are changing. There are more girls that are playing. I just think it’s ridiculous. Either you’re talented or you’re not. Either you’ve got it or you don’t. Either you’re a great drummer or you’re a good drummer. Whether you’re a guy or a girl….you’re good or you’re not. What gender you are? Who cares?” – Samantha Maloney


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The Homework EP

Featuring the songs “Get Back to the Sea,” “Coconut Shuffle,” and “Can We Dance,” “The Homework EP” was The Helmsmen’s first venture into original music. It was recorded entirely at the Helm House, a home studio that serves as the band’s headquarters. The band held a release party at Maxi’s Lineup, a favorite music venue in the local Jupiter, FL scene.

Released one year after 2015’s The Homework EP, The Helmsmen’s “Midterm” is a 6-song project featuring the singles “Rollercoaster” and “Ankles.” It was recorded at the Helm House and Rojo Studio and was produced by Jordan Wragg (Atlas Audio Factory). The band promoted the record with a release show at the Kelsey Theater in Lake Park, FL, and a statewide tour over the summer.

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Cooker - Responsive Online Restaurant, Cafe Bar

Cooker - Responsive Online Restaurant, Cafe Bar

Cooker v3 is here!

Make sure to get our latest update, coming up with some new features and design updates! It comes up with the awesome Live Composer Page Builder, which give us a drag&drop interface for creating pages on the Front-end. There are many components and templates included + unlimited possibilities for building your own.

Page Builder

go to HTML Version

Cooker is great template excellent for restaurant, bar, pub or bistro. Clear code and perfectly organized in sets PSD files make everything clear and easy to find.

You can use it as a Blog; online store; to present your restaurant, pub or just to show your cooking skills to the world.

It is working on both DESKTOP & MOBILE devices. There is no mobile version; on mobile device it looks like on desktop.

Bonus – you receive cleared background images. It makes it very easy to set up your flying things.
The theme is using:
  • WooCommerce
  • Option Tree
  • Contact Form 7
  • Social Media Integration
  • Live Composer Page Builder

Video Fast Installation:
I made one fast installation video for the theme. It is not perfect and not every options are shown but I hope it will be helpful. Here is the link.

Video Link

Version 2.0:

Adding responsive design. Before you update make sure that you have backup files. This version change the entire theme

Version 1.3:

Fix the changes which Woocommerce 2.1 is bringing to the API.

Files which were changed: css/style.css, header.php, functions.php, index.php and most of the files in folder /woocommerce/

Version 1.2.1:

Fix if you use the theme without WooCommerce. The fix is for the two sliders on the home page.

Version 1.2:
This update is big. It’s fixing the changes which WooCommerce 2 brought. If you will update from 1.1 or earlier to 1.2 please back up your site. Some more thing have been fixed such as AJAX functionality in backend, front sliders and CSS fixes.

Version 1.1:
  • User Friendly Slider Adding
  • Slider Position Control
  • Custom Slider Image
  • CSS fix

Version 1.0.1:

Css fixes and Documentation update.


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You’re going again??

That’s the question we used to get from just about everyone – except our fellow Disney-nerd friends.  From them of course it was, “that’s nice – we just got back”!  Our family has been discussing whether its a regional tradition to vacation to the same place every year or wether its just personal taste?  Our extended family is from the south.  Hence, my husband and I both grew up vacationing at Disney regularly – not every year – but regular enough to be very familiar with it.  There were of course gaps in our vacationing to WDW – going to college, getting married – “starting out” in life as an adult etc.  Sometimes it just wasn’t in the budget.  After we sort of got our feet on the ground with our new little family though – we picked up the Disney bug again from my husband’s family and it has stuck with us.  We have gone every year since 1999.  Our trip is different every year especially now that we have children who are (obviously) different every year.  What was originally our couples getaway has now become our yearly family vacation and yet we still do not tire of it.  In fact I can’t think of a single place better equipped to visit with your children of any age than WDW.  Maybe its a personality trait that causes us to love WDW so much.  I’m not sure, but I do know that we have even given some thought to going twice a year as a regular occurrence.  Right now we go twice a year every OTHER year – once in the spring as our family vacation and once in the fall to the Food & Wine Festival and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.  And we love it!  It is a wonderful couples getaway and we have the time and opportunity to do all of the things that sometimes we aren’t able to with 3 children + other family members in tow.  We have special evenings out at the Top of the World bar at Bay Lake Towers where the view is not less than spectacular especially for fireworks.  The drinks aren’t bad either – I had a delightfully refreshing raspberry mojito!  Yum!  We stand in line at leisure at any ride we please regardless of height restrictions, we lounge at the pool and have late night dinners and tipsy forays into the candy stores after to much wine.  I miss it already.

For me, there is something comforting about coming to the same place every year.  Our children will grow up with common memories about a place and our time together there over the years.  I think this is so very special.  I cherish those times and the pictures of the children 1 year older each time.  We brought all of them when they were less than a year old.  Our oldest went at 5 months old, our middle child when he was 9 months old and our youngest when she was 3 months old.  As we have mentioned in previous posts – for us its not about the excitement of the rides or getting to each and every attraction every trip.  Its about creating unique memories with our family and when we can – getting away with just the two of us to enjoy what we love about Disney.  (Honestly there is a mexican beef stew at San Angel Inn with my name on it!!)  I digress…  maybe its the Hamptons for some families, the beach for others, the lake, a particular cabin, but for my family its WDW and I’m so very glad that it is.

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One Response to You’re going again??

  1. prttynpnk says:

    People who know us well just say “whens Disney?” Instead of where are you going!

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To the Therapist Who Told Me to 'Just Stop It'

Dear old therapist,

It’s me — the one who has struggled with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) for her entire life and desperately wants help.

You were never very good at listening to me, but I hope you will listen now. I often felt like you treated me like a child. I left every session feeling out of control and so, so alone — because how could a professional like you not understand? The last time I saw you, I was too upset to say what I wanted to. Now I can say it, and I hope you will listen, just for a moment.

The last time I saw you, we were discussing the obsessions behind my compulsions. One of my compulsions is to tap something four times whenever I touch it — or, if anyone is around, to count to four inside my head so they don’t notice my behavior. I don’t know why I do this. I don’t think it will stop my parents from dying or me from getting sick or anything like that. It simply doesn’t feel right if I don’t do it — which, by the way, is just as valid a symptom of OCD as fearing any of those things I just mentioned.

When I told you about this compulsion and said I wasn’t sure what obsession caused it, I wish you had let me go on to tell you that it didn’t feel right if I didn’t carry it out. However, you did not ask me to elaborate. You did not pause and let me continue. You did not try to figure out what might be causing it when I told you I didn’t know. You simply looked straight at me and bluntly said, “Then just stop it.”

Now, old therapist, I’m not sure you understand what that means to someone with OCD. OCD, as you should know, is characterized by uncontrollable obsessions and compulsions. I’m unable to control them, and I am shocked that a professional such as yourself did not realize this. I am shocked that you, someone who has seen a number of others with this disorder, would think it was OK to tell me to “just stop it.” Because I can’t.

If I could control my OCD, I wouldn’t be taking an anxiety medication that clouds my mind in sleepiness and confusion. I wouldn’t be in the middle of the long, frustrating process of trying to find an SSRI medication to treat my disorder.

If I could control my OCD, I would be at home writing, drawing, or reading — things I am unable to do now because of my OCD — rather than sitting here in your office.

If I could control my OCD, I wouldn’t need your help.

The problem is, without proper treatment, I can’t control it. It has controlled me for as much of my life as I can remember. I have worried about millions of incredibly distressing things, including going to hell, my sexuality, my faith, whether or not my intrusive thoughts somehow caused a family member to get sick, getting sick myself, throwing up, friendships, social situations, the safety of my dog, the safety of people I don’t even know, whether or not anyone loves me, whether or not I’m a good enough daughter and sister, whether or not I am safe. I have had to constantly pray, to constantly check my body for signs of sickness, to ask my parents dozens of times a day if they’re angry at me, to apologize, to experience panic attacks, to wash my hands until they’re cracked and bleeding, to make sure everyone is safe, and yes, to tap or count every time I touch anything. I have listened to a youth pastor tell my class that using the label of mental illness was just a way to avoid taking responsibility for a spiritual problem. I have listened to another counselor tell me I look fine. I have listened to my own brain berate me for these uncontrollable symptoms I desperately want to go away.

I want help. I need help.

Dear therapist, I don’t know why you couldn’t understand. I don’t know why you told me to “just stop it.” I don’t know why you thought that was in any way appropriate. I am thankful for my family and their support, as your words were damaging and might have had terrible consequences if I hadn’t had anyone to turn to for the support I wanted from you.

While I am angry you said those words to me, I am also thankful, because now I know with utmost certainty that leaving you was the right decision. However, I am fearful you will say those words to someone else who may not have support within their family. I am fearful you will say those words, and that they will cause someone to feel even more alone. Because if you can’t understand, dear therapist, who will?

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Campbell’s Bliss

October 29, 2015

Read new flash fiction from Bonnie Jo Campbell in Pank Magazine. Peek behind the page in our interview with the author.

is an intern for The Millions. She is the managing editor of Concrete Literary Magazine at Emerson College, where she is pursuing a BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing. She tweets at @Cara_DuBois.

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Teens and Drugs

Over the past several years there has been a war on teens using drugs. It’s not just drugs either. Smoking, drugs, drinking are all being used. A study showed that 8th-12th graders usage of drugs has increased over 24% since 2016. These are the results from last years (2016) test. Over 40% of American 12th graders are proven to use drugs and 55.7% have used alcohol. Tenth graders have used 28% of some type of drug and 37.7% have experience with alcohol. For 8th, 9th, and 11th statistics show that 12.9% have tried drugs and 18.2% are victims of underage drinking. This study was taken from 45,000 students from 380 public and private schools all across America. Marijuana is the main drug to have been increased. Less and less teens find it dangerous everyday. Todays test results are lower than they were in 1997 it is slowly rising. 12th graders in 2016 who disapproved of this cancerous drug was 68.5% today in 2017 it has become 64.7%. It has been proven that teens between 13-18 prefer weed over normal cigarettes. Vaping is becoming less common over the prefered drug of Marijuana. So parents check in with your kids that they know the dangers of drinking and illicit drugs. To you teens make sure you know the harmful effects of what you choose to use.

Cited source: cnn.com

picture credit: http://www.raptureready.com/timelines-drugs/

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Recently Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a conference and talked about the terrorism in our country, just a few our after the US President Donald Trump’s comment on the bilateral relation between India and America. Both the PM and the US president are on the same path of administration against Anti-terrorism. According to Prime Minister Modi- attacking humanity in the name of religion is against the religion actually.

Not only, PM Modi, Mr. King Abdullah was also present at the conference. He also draws the attention by supporting Modi’s comment and gave some speech on Islamic heritage.

Today the conference was arranged in New Delhi to promote Understanding and Moderation on the theme of protecting Islamic Heritage. In the campaign, Prime Minister said that the campaign is against the extremism and terrorism. It has arranged not to aim at any religion, it has been arranged against a mindset that is continuously misleading our youth to harm innocent people.

According to Narendra Modi, the people who attacked humanity in the name of their religion, actually don’t understand their religion’s motto. Harming innocent people is actually against any religion.  Mr. Jordan King Abdullah recently landed in New Delhi only to attend the campaign. Both of them, Mr. Abdullah and PM Modi are of the same opinion that India had been a cradle of all religion since very long time and that peace is in our spirit.

Prime Minister Modi actually emphasized on the need of technology and religion both in youth to maintain the heritage of their our nation. According to PM Modi, the Muslims in India have Quran in one hand and computer in another hand. Using both the holy book and technology youth can easily fight against terrorism and violence against innocent people.

After PM Modi speech, Mr. Abdullah has taken forward Modi’s speech. He said that fight against terrorism and bad people is not against Muslims or any religion but against hate. According to his speech ideologies of hate actually, distort the goodness of people and distorted the meaning of ‘God’ word.

As per the Jordanian rule- it is the duty of every Muslim to help those in need, not to harm anyone and not to hate anyone. Mr. Abdullah also mentioned that the importance of inclusion as a path to co-existence that the world needs. He added that we should protect strangers just as like as we protect our own people. We should make the enormous effort for upholding peace. We should not allow our youth to be left without any hope especially when we do have the power to make a better nation

Mr. Abdullah, the Jordanian King has visited our country after PM Modi’s travel to Jordan just 3 weeks ago.  The visit of PM Modi was a part of his West Asian tour which included Palestine also. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Jordanian King Mr. Abdullah will hold detail talk on the matter again for upholding peace and against terrorism.


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Rotten Apples: AT&T flexed, Apple caved and customers should be concerned

Rotten Apples: AT&T flexed, Apple caved and customers should be concerned

It’s true, today I’m disappointed in Apple. Not because of the iPad thing. I’m pretty impressed with what the company announced today. My disappointment is a matter of something deeper – a sign that Apple gave in to a carrier, rather than standing up for the customers. Anyone with iOS 5.1 and an AT&T iPhone 4S will now see a 4G symbol in certain areas. The only problem? It’s not really 4G, it’s marketing BS from AT&T.

Let’s lay out the definitions real fast, so that the basis of my argument is clear. The 4G moniker is widely understood to mean LTE or WiMax. These are defined standards, and I think Anandtech states the importance well:

“UMTS standards are defined by an organization known as the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), which is a body comprised of partners like telecommunications companies, wireless carriers, and cellular hardware manufacturers. Standards are important, and their formation requires collaboration and discussion. Major revisions are finalized, synchronized, and become “releases.” For example the first releases define GSM, release 99 defines UMTS, release 5 defines HSDPA, 6 defines HSUPA, 7 – HSPA+, 8 – LTE, and 10 – LTE Advanced.”

But AT&T’s LTE network isn’t what’s being referenced here. The iPhone didn’t suddenly become an LTE-capable capable device by simply upgrading the version of iOS that it’s running. AT&T is defining its HSPA+ network as 4G, but by the very definition of HSPA+, theoretical speeds aside, it doesn’t qualify as 4G.

This is clearly, without any doubt, a continued marketing ploy by AT&T and Apple has allowed the carrier to dupe consumers. Yes, our trusty friend in Cupertino has caved, allowing AT&T to dictate via marketing what is set up as a standard. The question that arises is also the potential danger — What will Apple allow the carriers to do next?

Apologists for Customers of AT&T are speaking loudly in the comments to a Cult of Mac article, stating that they’re happy to have an indicator showing when they’re in HSPA+ service areas. Previosly there was no way to tell the difference between its slower 3G and the much-improved speeds of HSPA+. But the nature of the beast is a dangerous one and when carriers get to dictate what is and isn’t considered a standard, the customer stands to do nothing but lose.

Worse yet, Apple is allowing the waters to be muddied for its own devices. The company, just today, announced the imminent release of its LTE-enabled iPads for both AT&T as well as Verizon. True 4G devices. Along with these devices comes the ability (if the carriers so choose) to have them serve as LTE hotspots, a definite selling point for those people who are perhaps using a tethering plan on their existing smartphones. It’s not yet known whether iOS 5.1 on the iPad will show HSPA+ as 4G, but if it does then it’s doing nothing more than crippling a potentially huge marketing point for Apple.

My concern here is, as I stated before, a question of what’s next. Apple has been famous (notorious?) for telling customers what they’ll want, rather than relying on more traditional factors for business decisions. Part of the iPhone’s popularity has been due to the fact that it was controlled in its entirety by Apple, rather than the carriers. What are the consequences of allowing carrier intervention, especially when Apple doesn’t have to?

Most worrisome of all is the fact that it happened with AT&T, a company that is almost universally hated by its customers. Apple, conversely, is nearly universally loved by the ones who choose its brand. What is the middle ground? Apparently it’s when Apple becomes the liar’s mouthpiece for AT&T.

Missed today’s events? You can catch our roundup with everything you need to know by clicking here.

This post is part of our contributor series. The views expressed are the author's own and not necessarily shared by TNW.

Read next: Apple's new TV commercial for the iPad is all about the Retina display


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Willard? Meet Your Waterloo….

Iowa State Fair, August 13 (OFA)

The Waterloo Center for the Arts, Iowa, August 14

President Obama at the Iowa State Fair, Aug. 13

Cole Nelson, nine months, held by his mother Deborah Nelson, inspects President Obama’s face during a visit to the Iowa State Fair, Aug. 13

… with Joy Dannelly, Iowa State Fair

Bayliss Park, Monday, Aug. 13

Denison, Iowa, on August 13

Boone, Iowa, August 13

Council Bluffs, Iowa, August 13 (OFA)

The completely brilliant photographer Scout Tufankjian is back working for the campaign, check out more of her photos on Flickr

137 Responses to “Willard? Meet Your Waterloo….”

  1. 1 Proud Former White House Intern
    August 14, 2012 at 11:04 pm

    Beautiful day, can’t wait until tomorrow.

  2. 3 ourmanflint
    August 14, 2012 at 11:06 pm

    Saw Chips. With the hot chicks for Obama button!!! Wooot

  3. 6 hopefruit2
    August 14, 2012 at 11:07 pm

    Beautiful, amazing pictures that tell the whole story.

    Congratulations PFWHI on # 1!

  4. August 14, 2012 at 11:09 pm

    Hi DesertFlower,

    You had made a request 2 threads back and I answered it – very late in doing so – 1 thread back. Just to be sure you see it.

    Per your request in the previous thread, df:

    Relevant article about #BainMitt & #CouponRyan’s ‘values’:

    Related article:

    & h/t to @joy31608

  5. 12 amk for obama
    August 14, 2012 at 11:09 pm

    whatever happened to the mittbot’s stratergy of we’re gonna follow obama around on the campaign trail?

  6. 20 hopefruit2
    August 14, 2012 at 11:09 pm

    I’ve never seen little children quite so interested in a politician…

  7. 22 desertflower
    August 14, 2012 at 11:10 pm

    Thank you, Chips! That was some fabulousness right there!

  8. August 14, 2012 at 11:12 pm

    Chips, as many have told you, many times, but it needs to be said again and again – THANK YOU for bringing all these magnificent pictures to us.

  9. 54 hopefruit2
    August 14, 2012 at 11:12 pm

    My President probably can’t wait for FLOTUS to be at his side campaigning. Then they go off together in AF1 back home 🙂

  10. 55 dotster3
    August 14, 2012 at 11:14 pm

    Top photo is a gem—-just adorable kids and an adorable pres. Love the hot chicks for Obama girl too with the blue bubblegum attractively peeking out of her hot chick mouth.

  11. August 14, 2012 at 11:15 pm

    It’s #CouponRyan …

    Let’s be clear, it’s #CouponRyan. Forget ‘voucher.’ This guy & his bud #BainMitt are hawking coupons worth SQUAT at the Doc.

  12. 58 LunarSea
    August 14, 2012 at 11:20 pm

    PBO looks like he’s really enjoying being out of the DC bubble. The last time he attended a state fair was during the summer of 2008. He always says he like to get out among people. Good for him but I hold my breath the whole time. I’m sure it drives the SS nuts. ha!

    I can’t believe I missed that last speech. I’m setting an alarm on my phone for tomorrow with FLOTUS. Really don’t want to miss another.

    Thanks for the pics ChipsChica and all the comments from everyone here. It makes me feel like I was there.

  13. 59 lamh35
    August 14, 2012 at 11:20 pm

    lovely pics Chips

  14. 60 lamh35
    August 14, 2012 at 11:24 pm

    I’m telling you guys, the Romney camp is slowly coming more and more unhinged.

    I know there has been a article about Obama personally not liking Mittens, but its with good reason, since ending the primary and even during them, Mittens camp lied and still blatantly lying on the stump, in interviews, and in paid advertising and actually boasting that they are indeed “misquoting” Obama.

    Although I never notice any real dislike toward Obama on the surface, Obama unlike Romney tends to actually try to keep his supporters civil and tries to keep is comments above the petty, but Romney of course never does the same.

    Mittens apparent disdain for Obama I just don’t understand the root of it even before Obama got into “campaign mode”. I know the usual suspects will say it’s because Obama a Dem, but reading what I’ve read about Mormons and African Americans I’m beginning to think it more nefarious.

    Anyway, I don’t recall, Obama making any seemingly personal gibes at Mittens, but I don’t think the same can be said of Mittens.

    Here’s his latest:
    Romney Personally Slams Obama

    “Angry and Desperate” hmm interesting choice of words doncha think?

    I remember once saying that I hated Sarah Palin, but that’s not true, I did however have a strong dislike of her. I’m sorry, but I can honestly say that I cannot stand Mitt Romney. He has actually replaced my Sarah Pay-pay hatred.

    • 61 LaDLove
      August 15, 2012 at 11:20 am

      I think the PBO campaign spokesman nailed it when he characterized Mittens reaction as “unhinged”. Perfect.

  15. 62 amk for obama
    August 14, 2012 at 11:26 pm

    Dude to needs to downsize his half-sleeves by two sizes or go for full sleeves.

    /ducks and runs

  16. August 14, 2012 at 11:29 pm

  17. August 14, 2012 at 11:29 pm

    Remember McCain called his Bus, the Straight talk express?
    Me thinks, Robney should name his bus, the Ayn Rand Express.

  18. August 14, 2012 at 11:39 pm

    Time to start running ads again, go back on offense. I would say by the Morning, the ad wars will not be so Robney tilted. This week, their Team has outspent us 26 million, to 11 million.
    That cannot continue. Just saying.

    • 75 desertflower
      August 14, 2012 at 11:43 pm

      I’m not sure it’s the quantity, but the QUALITY that counts. Hard hitting, mince no words, make no mistake facts beat BULLSHIT NOTHINGNESS any day!

    • 76 lamh35
      August 14, 2012 at 11:49 pm

      It’s def quality.

      Case in point, that Joe Spotsik (sp?) from Priorities USA was never actually put into ad rotation right, it was seen more online and in free media than paid media.

      The best thing about the O-camp is that they rarely if ever miss on their ads and they like to get the biggest bang for their buck. So I suspect that the ads will come, but only when they are perfected.

  19. 83 Claire
    August 15, 2012 at 12:07 am

    meghan mccain bashing the VPOTUS for the chains comment. Where was her outrage last summer?

    “Rick Santorum invoked chains last summer to warn Iowa voters that health care reform would lull citizens into government dependency. “They will put you in chains called ‘Obamacare,’ and you will never break away,” Santorum said.”

    • 84 amk for obama
      August 15, 2012 at 12:23 am

      mehghan. who cares?

      • 85 HZ
        August 15, 2012 at 1:21 am

        I am with you amk. MMc needs to take her little arse and go a long ways to meet up with a nice cocktail and STHU. Sick of her comments about our POTUS and VPOTUS. My wine and meds are kicking in. My meeting was short and nice, but much to work on. Red towns , I have to be careful because I can’t afford to call my love ones to come out and bail me out. Pray for me to keep my tongue. HZ

  20. 86 desertflower
    August 15, 2012 at 1:03 am

  21. 88 desertflower
    August 15, 2012 at 1:10 am

    I especially liked this comment:

    We need to use this fact: that about 8 of 10 elderly people in nursing homes are on Medicaid and that the Ryan Budget cuts to Medicaid will throw most of them out of the nursing home . Need to nail the stinking carcass of the GOP to the wall and leave it there until it disintegrates. Maybe then it will reincarnate as something approaching human instead cannibals on the bodies of the poor & weak.

    • 89 57andFemale
      August 15, 2012 at 7:29 am

      The Medicaid issue and seniors is EXTREMELY important, because that seriously impacts younger voters who might fall for the R&R b.s. about ‘saving’ Medicare for them.

      Without federal support and requirements for Medicaid, the states are given their famous ‘choice’ and can make life a living hell for seniors AND THEIR CHILDREN who will have to decide between sending their children to college, buying a home, or taking care of their elderly parents. It’s a huge part of this story and the horrors of R&R&R (Republicans/Romney/Ryan).

  22. 90 desertflower
    August 15, 2012 at 1:14 am

    And THIS!! This goes for ALL those SOB’s screaming about govt and intrusion and the middle class getting MORE than they should! F them all with a red hot poker. Seriously. I’m so over this BS, I can hardly contain myself…the hypocricy is stunning!

    • 91 HZ
      August 15, 2012 at 1:27 am

      Desertflower, that was one of the conversations that I had with a person in a group tonight. Medicaid. They almost worked my nerves to the brink tonight. May seriously have to rethink my future appearances in that locale.

      Have a beautiful evening, DF, and thanks for all of the great links that you so faithful provide. I hope your love ones are doing great. (((((((( Hugs to you, my dear lovely one))))))))))))HZ

      • 92 desertflower
        August 15, 2012 at 1:52 am

        HELLO, Sweet HZ:)! How are you? Aside from the people that make us crazy because they have no critical thinking skills, or are so damn selfish that we should barely call them human? If you can stand it, I think that you should RETURN to that group and talk some sense to them! They don’t get to have their own set of facts…if it makes you feel better, I had my Monday night phone bank last night. I called a 24 year old guy and asked if he still supported the President. He said, “Actually, no.” Well, that didn’t sit well with me, so I asked him why not….and he went on and on about the economy and he’s not getting anything done…blah, blah, blah. That was all the opening I needed! I asked him if he knew WHY nothing was getting done….and proceeded to explain to him the ways and where fors…basically schooled him on the inept, good for nothing congress….we actually had a great conversation. So much so, in fact, that I spoke to him for 45 minutes and barely made the calls I was supposed to make:) But by the end of the conversation, he thanked me and told me that he had learned a lot that he didn’t know. I shared some website with him (he had been reading World Net Daily for crying out loud!!!!) I told him NEVER to go to that wingnut, conspiracy theory shit trap again! By the end of our talk, I had gotten him to volunteer for PBO and to vote for the President, too:) It CAN be done…teaching one at a time. He was a good kid…

        You’re very welcome for my little stumble upon info…I read about 14 hours a day…now that I’m back at work, I had to cut back to about 10 hrs…but knowledge is power:) Hope that you are feeling well and that things are good for you…think of you often and send good thoughts your way….hugs to you…and consider what I said…:) It’s good to push back if your blood pressure can take it…otherwise, their lies just feed on each other with no pushback.

  23. 95 desertflower
    August 15, 2012 at 1:56 am

    OMG. I love the out of the box thinking! http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/obama-campaign-launches-djs-for-obama-20120814

    In yet another sign that 2012 is truly the year of the DJ, Obama for America has launched a program entitled DJs for Obama – a reelection effort that calls upon top acts to voice their support of the incumbent. “I would never have imagined that my love for hip-hop, my love for music would allow me to get involved like this,” said DJ Cassidy, who was tapped by Barack Obama himself to spin at the President’s inauguration in 2009. “It’s very surreal.”

    Cassidy was one of three particpating artists, including D-Nice and DJ Rashida, who took part in a conference call with journalists on Tuesday to promote the program. DJ Rashida, who has collaborated with the likes of Prince, said that with EDM culture at an all-time high the time is right for DJs to take center stage. “Our platform is to a lot of young people,” she explained. “Knowing myself as a young person, I didn’t really know what the power of my vote was. No one should underestimate the impact they can have.”

    How long before Romney resurrects Lawrence Welk?

  24. August 15, 2012 at 1:57 am

    BTW, Chips, this tweet is to the dude Archer in the video you posted “Obama Bus Tour Blazes …”:

  25. 99 Alycee (@jazziz2)
    August 15, 2012 at 2:13 am

  26. 102 desertflower
    August 15, 2012 at 2:29 am

    My Body, My Choice, My Vote! http://www.cafepress.com/acmefightclub

    • 103 desertflower
      August 15, 2012 at 2:30 am

      From this website: We forget… Here in America… +47 Years ago contraception was illegal in many states. +92 years ago women didn’t have the right to vote. +100 years ago women were not admitted to colleges because they were thought to be intellectually inferior to men. +150 years ago married women were not allowed to own property and today in many parts of the world they are property. +We got those rights… but now we have to defend them again! Stop the War on Women!

      Come on women! Speak loud and proud!!

    • 104 desertflower
      August 15, 2012 at 2:34 am

      I love this! They have it with Obama 2012….check it out.

      • 105 99ts
        August 15, 2012 at 4:15 am

        DF – I’ve been out all day in my world – it’s now 6pm and just wanted to mention that I find you an amazing advocate for your President. Spending 45 min to explain to 1 young man what is truth is wonderful – he will now pass it on to his friends so you have provided many many more votes for your man.

        Outside of the US we are amazed that R & R get any support at all. Little things, like watching President Obama put himself at the same level as the children shows how he understands people – of all shapes, sizes and ages.

        I love reading Chips and looking at all the pictures and links she finds & as my daughter would say “Bobfr is just awesome” – his tweets are amazing – as are those from all the folks on here. I love coming home and checking out how you are all working to keep the world safe – with President Obama in charge, we all can rest easy.

        Trish in Oz

  27. August 15, 2012 at 5:53 am

    A conservative group just went up with a 5 million dollar buy in Florida and Ohio, criticizing what they call death panels in the HC Law.
    They are using the 2010 demagogue crap.
    Better hurry and define them before they define us.
    They are scared, so they are throwing everything they have at the HC law. Again!

    • 107 prettyfoot58
      August 15, 2012 at 7:02 am

      GM Jovie…

      i think as more and more of the ACA rolls out…it will be hard to demagouge….

      • August 15, 2012 at 7:07 am

        I agree, but that is their plan, and in 2010 it worked.
        2010 for me really sucked. We got Governor Scott because those are the only ads he ran down here- death panels.
        Seniors scare easy and the Republicans will say anything to win.
        That said, I would be shocked if the President donations ate not going through the Roof, as a result of this pick.

    • 111 57andFemale
      August 15, 2012 at 7:46 am

      A VERY important thing that people need to know: if outside groups, super PAC’s, etc. (anything other than a campaign) put up lies, they are eligible for libel lawsuits, and so are the media outlets that run those ads. Letters to the local stations that carry those ads can be effective at getting them off the air.

      I will find the website that gives all that information.

    • 114 anniebella
      August 15, 2012 at 9:03 am

      jovie141, the Supreme Court went through the Healthcare Bill, there was nothing about any death panels, so anyone with any sense is going to believe that a right wing leaning SC is going to uphold death panels. Come on.

  28. August 15, 2012 at 6:42 am

    The News Media telling lies about Joe Biden, basically calling Him a Racist for His remarks.
    I still think he is funny. That was funny what he said. Got Robney all unhinged. LOL.
    But, as usual, the MSM comes to Robney defense.

  29. 123 prettyfoot58
    August 15, 2012 at 6:55 am

    Goooooooooood Morning,,,,Ms Chipssssssss…Gm…TOD….

    these are some spectacular picssss….i love them….i love to see him out and about among the people….they love him and he loves them….thank you chips from bringing them to us!

    don’t i wish that he could visit every state…every community…what an event that would be…

    I love this President….don’t think i really ever did before….

  30. August 15, 2012 at 7:02 am

    Joe the Plumber said yesterday, that the Troops on the Arizona border, should open fire.

    Yeah! Why not Drop a Nuclear warhead on the Border? That will teach them!

    Good grief!

    • 125 amk for obama
      August 15, 2012 at 7:27 am

      This thug is from a party whose empty-suit leader of 80’s infamously claimed ‘tear down that wall, mr gorbachev’. Fucking idjits & racist pigs.

    • 127 Linda
      August 15, 2012 at 8:07 am

      Gee, I thought he was in Az to pay his old tickets so he could get his drivers license back..

    • 128 57andFemale
      August 15, 2012 at 8:44 am

      My crazy brother-in-law lives in AZ and visited us last summer. he came into my middle class neighborhood which has a good number of middle class Hispanics and started yelling at his son, the Chicago cop, “If you have a gun, why don’t you use it. Shoot these Mexicans!”

      He’s my husband’s evil twin. He was here about 15 minutes. It broke my husband’s heart to see what Rush Limbaugh and Joe Arpaio has done to the few functioning brain cells he ever had.

  31. 129 Linda
    August 15, 2012 at 8:05 am

    Is the media covering the Mini Dream Act going in to effect today ? Here in Atlanta the lines are long.

  32. 132 hopefruit2
    August 15, 2012 at 8:16 am

  33. 133 hopefruit2
    August 15, 2012 at 8:20 am

    • 134 Lorraine
      August 15, 2012 at 8:35 am

      The better the obsess over 2016 the better it is for President Obama. They know this race is over and President Obama is going to win.

  34. August 15, 2012 at 8:21 am

    I just sent a blistering email to the Bill Press Show. He was talking about Fareed & this mess he’s gotten himself into. Bill went on the say his show was THE most boring show ever. Lynn said she has finally gotten “into” it. Then they said they feel sorry for Howard Kurtz since he follows Fareed. THEN, they both agreed that Candy Crowley has a fabulous show on CNN. I’m betting you all know what my email said. 🙂

  35. 137 hopefruit2
    August 15, 2012 at 8:34 am

    Does anyone have the contact information for Google – an email address, phone number, twitter account or even a snail mail address. I believe they need to be confronted with that extreme pro-Republican bias in search results.

    I typed in “Rick Santorum they will put you in chains called Obamacare” and ALL of the headlines on the first results page are about Joe Biden’s comment, with some articles referencing Santorum’s remarks but no direct links. Not one of the results headlines had Rick Santorum in the headlines.

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Share on:

Celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations between Russia and Singapore

The Russian Embassy hosted a state reception on June 6 at the Shangri-La Hotel Singapore to celebrate Russia’s National Day and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russian and Singapore. At the event, H.E. Andrey Tatarinov, ambassador of the Russian Federation, spoke about bilateral ties between Russia and Singapore.

The event was graced by Khaw Boon Wan, Singapore’s Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and the Minister for Transport. Also present were members of parliament, representatives from Singapore ministries, the business community, diplomatic and consular corps, as well as Russian compatriots.

(Read also: Gourmet food lovers and top tastemakers join G Restaurant Awards 2018 party)


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Solitude, Needlework, Crafts, and Crazy

29 Oct

I do a lot of sh*t. And most of it is executed in solitude.

I write. It doesn’t matter if my writing is read. It matters that I express the mind sludge. There’s lots of mind sludge. It crawls around my brain on its sludgy way to who knows where. It appears there is an attention problem that runs through my family. My son caught it. My daughter was fortunate. So the very act of writing, keeping lists, expressing the sludge is cathartic and in some small way allows me to maintain a very tiny amount of focus.

I build things, occasionally out of necessity. But I love to use my tools. And I love buying tools to use.  I built my kitchen island out of an old cabinet base, a bookcase my father built, and some scraps from our new floor. I had to buy the casters and I’m ready to re-paint it, but I’m rather proud that I re-used items I had and managed to keep my father’ bookcase.

I built my craft desk from the front door we replaced and created shelves from old bookcases of my mom’s. I love the desk. It’s always cluttered with some project or another. Sometimes the mail gets stacked on it until I find the time to recycle. I don’t worry about scratches or spilled paint. It just adds character.

I knit and crochet. I’ve designed a few things over the past 20 years. That’s always an exercise. The last published project (available here) was completed on four weekend trips to St Louis with my daughter. She was taking a Play Therapy course. I went with her so I could lock myself in her hotel room with no other distractions, just me and the knitting.  Unfocused personality meets nothing else to do.

The next knit project will be available on Ravelry soon. As soon as I get around to it.

I make wreaths, create flower arrangements, decorate, redecorate, and sew. I’ve dabbled in cross-stitch, quilting, woodworking, tatting, collage, scrapbooking, and other paper crafts. I’ve even (gasp) done some plastic canvas. At university,  I was a theatre major And now I’m obsessed with acquiring an embroidery machine for play time.

Seeing a pattern here?  Thought so.

The majority of these endeavors are solitary.

Yet on the completion of any given project, I am compelled to share it with someone. My husband and kids usually have the honors. My far-away friends are subjected to pictures. The locals are tortured with in-person flagrant requests for compliments.

I see this compulsion to share in my crafty friends as well. I believe in the sharing we find community. In the sharing we relinquish our solitude and reach out, we teach, we inspire.

The women I know are extroverted, intelligent people who engage with others effortlessly, then retreat to a corner to learn something new, practice a stitch, or hone a technique.

It’s almost schizophrenic! I’m not accusing anyone of mental illness although I have wondered about myself and a few others over the years. But’s it’s freaky. I’ve made excuses to stay home alone and work on some weird little project that captured my attention for five whole minutes.

WTF? Really?? Is there soon to be a new listing in the mental health diagnostic reference guide? CraftAHolic? Not intended as encouragement to counterfeit holy relics.  Knit Junkie? Needle reference is intended. Crochet Crazy? Oops. Crazy is not PC. A new virus? Woodworking Worm? No wood worm harm sustained during the composition of this speculation.

I can see it now. Psych wards will be overrun. Doctors and hospitals will make more gazillions.

But wait. Perhaps we are actually maintaining our mental health by engaging in our favorite hobbies.  A cure for what ails us?  I know I’m a big fan of Zen knitting. Stockinette stitch all the way, baby!

The real silliness is our great- and great-great grandmothers did this sh*t out of…dare I speak the word… necessity. Unless you were wealthy and could hire a seamstress, there weren’t many choices. Nudity was frowned upon. Learn to knit or crochet or seam up a quilt and your family stayed a little warmer in the winter. Spinning and weaving thread and yarn supplemented the family income and allowed the purchase or barter of other necessities. These skills were highly regarded. I know, I know. I’m simplifying the whole thing.

That may be the point.

If you have followed this weird conversation on the perils and pitfalls of hobby-ing, you too may be afflicted by obsessive-manic-compulsive hobby disorder.

There is no known cure. Enjoy the ride.

4 Responses to “Solitude, Needlework, Crafts, and Crazy”

  1. sagedcrone October 29, 2012 at 8:59 pm #

    Reading through some blogs while I work on my current project – and this had me laughing! I will say that my favorite company is when a friend or my sister comes over and we each sit with our projects and visit or put PBS Masterpiece theater on the t.v.
    Even tonight, I sit in bed while Dh is on his game. My idea of a nice quiet evening home 🙂

    • thepolkadotskirt October 29, 2012 at 11:26 pm #

      My favorite as well! That or game night with my best bud and her hubby. But, she’s in South Carolina now. M’other best bud is a knitter extraordinaire. She does the fancy stuff! Tonight…well I was crocheting itty snowman hats for one of this week’s projects. I really need a life!

      • sagedcrone October 30, 2012 at 4:55 am #

        I know how you feel – my big last minute “Storm Prep” for Hurricane Sandy was to write out the instructions of the afghan I’m working on were written out in case the the power went out and we lost the internet.

  2. Sarah Green October 30, 2012 at 3:20 pm #

    You know you have a problem when the cops walk up and tell you “Just drop the knitting needles, lady, and no one has to get hurt here.”

    Me, I just drop the needles and the hook at the chance of reading a good book. Right now, the entrelac scarf and hat are stuffed away while I am engrossed in a book called “Lifeless.” And I just finished the fascinating book titled “A Case for Solomon: Bobby Dunbar and the Kidnapping Case that Haunted a Nation.”

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Why I’m Voting for Trump

Yesterday, Donald Trump was officially nominated to represent the Republican Party in the race for the White House. I wrote this about two weeks ago, and I’ll admit that the goings on of the RNC made me think twice about my vote and publishing this article. But frankly, I’ve chalked it up to another L, and likened it to one of the many L’s that I took throughout my college career, most of which I don’t remember. But I’ve matured and I’m praying that Trump and his campaign will too.

Of all 19 candidates that ran for president during this election cycle, Ted Cruz was by far the most qualified for the job. He wasn’t the most experienced, the most popular or the most personable. He had his flaws as every politician does, but he outmatched every last one of his opponents in his vision and tenacity. While so many other elected officials would say and do whatever they needed to to further their interests, Ted would stand for the American people even when he had to stand alone. He ran a dynamic, honest campaign of dedicated patriots who held strong despite the constant slander and unsubstantiated accusations of “dirty tricks” that were hurled at them. His plan for the country would have easily reminded so many disenchanted citizens that the American Dream was not only alive and well, but within reach. But he lost. We can go back and forth with “what ifs” and “should haves” until 2020 but it won’t change the fact that Donald Trump won the nomination of the Republican Party.

It’s saddens me that eight years of the Obama administration’s incompetent leadership will only be followed by eight more years of incompetent leadership whether that administration is led by Clinton or Trump. It saddens me that the man that is supposed to be fighting for a restricted government, an upheld constitution and a thriving economy is almost entirely ignorant of the principles he’s supposed to be representing. It saddens me that millions of Americans allowed their frustration with Washington to cloud their judgment so severely that they chose a nominee with no conviction, substance or virtue. It saddens me that as voters we have no actual clue about what distinguishes the nominees from one another policy wise, as they have both changed their positions based on political expedience and convenience. Most of all, I’m saddened that a life long liberal that doesn’t know the Declaration of Independence from the Magna Carta has become the face of the Republican Party.

Conservatives and Republicans are more divided than they’ve ever been. #NeverTrump republicans refuse to vote for our nominee for a wide range of reasons, largely revolving around the fact that Donald Trump in no way represents their views or objectives. Many of them say that voting for Trump would be a violation of their principles, and say they will focus their energy down ticket, and try to maintain our majority in the House and Senate.

But the unfortunate fact of the matter is that our chances of maintaining that majority are slim. I like to think positively, but I also like to think realistically, and no matter who is elected in November I can’t imagine a feasible GOP victory in the House or Senate, save public rebuke of the Democratic Party’s kumbaya approach to terrorism and radical Islam. If you think we can afford a gung-ho HRC in the Oval Office passing every last progressive piece of legislation brought to her desk following some of the most miserable leadership this country has ever seen, fine. But I don’t.

#NeverTrump republicans insist that the long term damage that trump will do to conservatism as a brand will handicap us for decades to come. They’re convinced that republicans supporting him as the nominee will legitimize every accusation of bigotry that has been hurled by the left in the last 30 years and that we can kiss the future of our values in this country goodbye. And with all due respect, I can’t help but wonder where these people have been. It could have been Rubio, it could have been Cruz, it could have been Rand or Fiorina, and liberal media would still be calling us the same racist misogynist xenophobic classists that they were in 2012 and 2008. It’s unfortunate, but it’s true. Now isn’t the time for public relations politics, it’s time for saving and restoring the Republic.

As much as this line annoyed me while working on the Cruz campaign, I will be voting for Trump because he’s anti-PC. From the college classroom to foreign policy, political correctness has gone from a mild inconvenience to an enabler of violent terror. As much as conservatives love complaining about political correctness, I think we are forgetting the very real threats posed by this beast and the rapidly changing dynamics of our culture. If we really value our constitutional rights, tackling and defeating political correctness needs to go from a talking point to a priority and of the choices we have, Donald Trump is the best person for the job.

Not to mention, Trump’s accusations of bigotry are categorically manipulative and far fetched. He may not be the most articulate or sensitive person to run for president, but I have yet to be presented with hard evidence demonstrating racism or any other of the big bad phobias he’s been charged with.

Two awful candidates stand before me. Neither were my first, second or third choice and neither seem to have any regard for our constitution. Trump has some preposterous ideas and policy proposals but given his lack of experience and knowledge of American politics, I’m not particularly worried about him following through on them.

Interestingly enough, one has donated to the other, as well as to many other Democrats and Republicans. I can only speak for myself, but I’m personally I’m more concerned with the accepted contributions of a career politician than the contributions that a private citizen looking out for his company has given.

Trump will never be Ted Cruz. He will never be Marco Rubio. He will never be Rand Paul, and he will never be Carly Fiorina. But he will also never be Hillary Clinton. None of us are perfect, but none of us are naturally as prone to corruption or foul play as the Clintons seem to be. She’s not hated because she’s a woman, or because she’s fighting for us in Washington but because she is so unapologetically evil and is never held accountable. She has the unmitigated gall to lecture law abiding citizens on criminal justice reform and no one being above the law when anyone but her would be in federal prison for what she’s done. She has the audacity to lecture us on income inequality in outfits that cost a year’s worth of tuition, and talks about Donald Trump like some 1% super villain as if they haven’t been in the same circles, at the same events for years. She has the temerity to lecture us on believing all victims of sexual assault despite having silenced, degraded and belittled every last one of Bill’s alleged victims. She pretends to care about our men and women in uniform, despite her refusal to adequately arm and equip our servicemen in Libya, as well as her inaction at the time of the attacks being directly responsible for Benghazi and the lives lost there. She plays us for fools, dabbing, women-carding, and hot-saucing her way to the White House. I, for one, won’t be playing along. As flawed of a candidate as he may be, Donald Trump is a better person than Hillary Clinton will ever be, and will be a better president than she ever could. And thats why I’m voting for him in November.

I wish I lived in an alternate universe with better nominees, or where withholding my vote didn’t directly help Hillary Clinton- who by the way, is desperately trying to woo millions of Bernie’s far left supporters- and didn’t critically threaten the future of this country, but this is the situation we’re in, and we all have a choice to make. We can cover our ears and yell about principles, but I can’t help but wonder how we’ll feel about the “principle over party” argument 5 years down the line entering Clinton’s second term with guns completely outlawed in every state but Texas, the border virtually abolished, a tax for everything you can think of and “hate speech” (see: facts) being punishable 10-12 years in prison. You probably think I’m being dramatic, and to your credit, I probably am- but take a look at the world around you, and the rhetoric becoming policy, and tell me how far fetched what I just described really is.

In my humble opinion, saying the lesser of two evils is still evil to explain not voting for Trump makes about as much sense as comparing a torn ACL to a leg amputation. If I can avoid both of them, I will, but if it’s one or the other, the choice is obvious. And that choice is Donald J. Trump.

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  • Shake shack opened a location near my apartment so I’m just looking at my feet while I can still see them before I gain the inevitable 90 lbs
  • Tbt to the time I searched every floor of union station for a Cinnabon then ended up paying $9 for the most disgusting steak and cheese I’ve ever encountered
  • Is it really Veterans Day if you don’t post a granddaddy pic? It’s easy to get wrapped up in feel good quotes and talking points on Veterans Day — and there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s a day we set aside to celebrate the men and women that decided to put service above self. But if we’re truly going to honor service and sacrifice, we don’t stop at what feels good or what’s easy to talk about — we address veteran homelessness, veteran suicide, post deployment reintegration, VA reform — and most importantly we resist unnecessary war that puts our troops in unnecessary danger. Thank you for coming to my ted talk.
  • My sandwich a lil ugly just like me 😛
  • You, an idiot and a plebe: divided by politics
Us, scholars of noble upbringing: divided by Nicki Minaj vs cardi b
  • No matter what happens tonight, I don’t have to listen to/watch political ads for another year and a half and that’s something to drink to
  • I feel like God makes sure to plop a good sunset in front of me at least once a week so I don’t go postal
  • Friday I had ice cream for breakfast and ate pizza for lunch and dinner because I’m a woman in crisis but im gonna keep telling myself carb addiction beats meth addiction until I need those wheel chair shopping carts at the grocery store 🤷🏾♀
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Thousands Shut Down Trump Rally in Chicago

TRNN speaks to protesters who say they oppose Trump’s racist rhetoric that incites violence like that they witnessed on Friday.

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Story Transcript

JAISAL NOOR, TRNN: Republican party frontrunner Donald Trump canceled a rally Friday night in Chicago after thousands of protesters from a diverse coalition of groups began loudly demonstrating inside the event, with thousands more joining outside. At least 31 were reportedly arrested.

A Trump staffer took the stage half an hour the rally was slated to begin, and told the crowd that the event would be postponed for safety reasons. He did not say when or if it would be rescheduled. After the announcement was made, the crowd began to chant and cheer. Scuffles broke out at this time as signs were ripped from hands, and police moved in to break up areas with the most serious conflicts.

Trump appeared on several national news outlets after the event, and said he canceled it over safety concerns after meeting with local law enforcement.

DONALD TRUMP: And when I met with the various law enforcement agencies, [Greta], I decided it was looking at me–I don’t want to see people get hurt, and I don’t want to see people get hurt or worse. And I decided very strongly to make a decision not to do it.

NOOR: Law enforcement agencies later refuted that claim. This led some Trump critics to allege the event was canceled only to get Trump more publicity ahead of Tuesday’s crucial primaries.

After the event we reached protester Danielle Boachie, a grad student who was inside the rally.

DANIELLE BOACHIE: Obviously he is extremely racist. His white supremacist ideals have no place anywhere, and so I think it’s really important that when he comes to, you know, whatever city he comes to, it’s important to try to come in and disrupt and make sure that he doesn’t have a platform to speak on such, on all of his racism and bigotry.

I witnessed a lot of Trump supporters both inside and outside of the pavilion being very physical, pushing, shoving. I saw a Trump supporter, like, throw a punch. And it was especially, like, jarring or interesting, because like, in the inside once we learned that the rally was canceled, we all, like, rushed out into the pit. And we were singing, and it was very, like, really good vibes because it felt very victorious, like we shut down his rally where he was going to say all these really horrible things. And his supporters obviously very angry. He threw, pushing us around, trying to snatch people’s signs.

NOOR: Mateo Uribe-Rios, a University of Illinois Chicago undergrad, was among the hundreds of students among the diverse student groups representing black Latino undocumented, who came out to oppose Trump.

MATEO URIBE-RIOS: This was a collaborative of UIC students, many students of color, undocumented students, student organizations, that collaborated to make sure that this, their voices were being heard. And we wanted to make sure to address how much of a public safety issue Donald Trump is.

NOOR: The events in Chicago follow another series of violent acts at another Trump rally the same day in St. Louis.

For the Real News, this is Jaisal Noor from Baltimore.

DISCLAIMER: Please note that transcripts for The Real News Network are typed from a recording of the program. TRNN cannot guarantee their complete accuracy.


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Nearly a Pro Golfer!

Nearly a Pro Golfer!

This is a video today. And I had originally posted this in #linkyourlife but I felt that this could go onto my blog too. Seeing that it’s part of my history. Please feel free to join in on the challenge too if it takes your fancy!

I hope you enjoy it 🙂

Show More

Raymond is a Mental Health activist and cryptocurrency enthusiast. He fuels his activism by taking to the web and trying to create core change in the way people interact. As an ex-Community Manager, Raymond has a unique approach to communication and relationships and believes the way forward in life is improving the interactions between one another. Raymond started his blogging activities as a way to heal from a chequered past, and through this, his blog has become something far more empowering than he ever imagined. And thus, The Relationship Blogger Magazine was born.

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LinkedIn Profiles & Personal Branding Services in North Carolina

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BSE : Star Trek Into Darkness

June 13, 2013

The Script - Beat Sheet Edition is a companion to the The Script main podcast.  In the BSE our Script Doctors won't analyze a script, but instead see a major film in the theater and analyze its story in terms of the Blake Snyder Beat Sheet structure (Beat Sheet explanation & Samples are available on our web site).

This week on The Script - Beat Sheet Edition our script doctors David Negrin, Chris Durham, and Alec Pollak analyze Star Trek Into Darkness.  We debate different Star Trek religions, old Khan vs. new Khan and where the true All Is Lost moment lies.  [Spoilers]

Please send any comments, questions, feedback to


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3D Printed Shin Guards Review (Zweikampf)

Yes, 3D-printed shin guards exist and you can buy a pair! They are 100% developed and made in Austria by Zweikampf, a team of creative heads determined to prove that 3D-printed products are ready for the Champions League. The shin guards feature a 3D-printed shell, a unique “Y” structure for diffusing shocks, XRD Technology, and much more.

Keepher Soccer Female Soccer Goalkeeper Gloves

Female Goalkeeper Glove Review (Keepher Nemow)

Unsatisfied with current goalkeeper gloves being based off of a male hand, Keepher took matters into their own hands and created a line of female-specific goalkeeper gloves. The Nemow, their latest glove model, features Contact latex, a hybrid cut, removable fingersaves, and an elastic wrist strap. For about seventy US dollars, it’s a viable game glove option for female goalkeepers.

How to Make Your Soccer Cleats Last Longer

Everyone wants their soccer cleats to last as long as possible, but many players do one thing that can seriously ruin them; wearing them on pavement. Walking from the soccer field to your car, it probably doesn’t cross your mind that you might be doing damage…but as you walk, the pavement is eating away at the plastic studs on the bottom of your cleats. This is how you can prevent it.

Adidas Gloro 16.1 Soccer Cleat Review

A more affordable and modern version of the beloved Copa Mundial, the adidas Gloro 16.1 offers a soft kangaroo leather toe box, a synthetic leather midfoot, and eleven conical studs. Priced around one hundred ten US dollars, it’s a simple yet effective and affordable boot for players in search of a classic look and a comfortable fit.

Which Soccer Shin Guards Should You Buy?

While shin guards may not be fun to wear, they’re just as necessary as soccer cleats or a jersey. After all, they do protect you from painful shin injuries and, depending on the type of shin guard, they may protect you from ankle injuries, too. Today we’re going to be discussing the two main types of shin guards and which model is the best in that category.

Cobra Custom Moldable Shin Guards Review

When you buy a new pair of shin guards, you’re often stuck with the lackluster fit that the pre-molded plastic provides. You no longer have to settle for that pre-determined fit since Cobra Shinguards have created re-moldable shin guards that provide a truly custom, comfortable fit, tailored specifically to your leg shape. In addition to being re-moldable year after year, they also remain stink free due to their closed-cell foam and come with a free pair of Cobra shin guard sleeves that keep your guards sandwiched in place at all times.


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Duckworth meets with HUD inspector general nominee

U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (left), D-Illinois, meets with Rae Oliver Davis, President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General. Oliver Davis is a Metropolis native.

METROPOLIS — President Donald Trump’s pick to serve as the chief monitor of the nation’s multibillion-dollar federal housing programs is a Southern Illinois native.

Last month, the president announced the nomination of Rae Oliver Davis, originally of Metropolis, to serve as the inspector general of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General.

The agency’s independent investigatory arm conducts audits of HUD programs, and investigates allegations of mismanagement and fraud at the federal agency and its thousands of participating public and private partners throughout the country.

Oliver Davis is a graduate of Massac High School. She has reviewed federal programs for more than a decade. In addition to overseeing HUD programs, she previously was assigned to monitor the U.S. Postal Service and the Troubled Asset Relief Program, which was designed to stabilize the country’s financial sector in the run up to the economic crash of the late 2000s.

Her nomination is pending Senate confirmation.

U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, met with Oliver Davis on Wednesday. According to a press release from Duckworth’s office, the two had an extensive conversation about the housing crises in Cairo and Thebes — communities located about an hour from Oliver Davis’ hometown. She now lives in Virginia and works in the nation's capital.

The HUD Office of Inspector General is working on at least two reports requested by Duckworth and others about allegations of mismanagement, negligence and fraud by the Alexander County Housing Authority and HUD oversight failures, according to the news release.

“During our conversation today, Ms. Oliver Davis and I discussed the importance of independence at the agency and ongoing communication to protect families in public housing. I am hopeful that, if confirmed, she will work with me to ensure housing agencies across Illinois and the country remain accountable to the families they serve,” Duckworth said in a statement.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, also met with Oliver Davis, on Thursday. Likewise, he called the loss of public housing in Alexander County "nothing short of a tragedy."

"I urged Ms. Oliver Davis that, if confirmed, she make that her priority as the head of HUD's Office of Inspector General," Durbin said in a statement.

Oliver Davis currently serves as an acting assistant inspector general for the agency. She has previously served as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, from 2002 to 2007, and an assistant attorney general for the state of Tennessee from 1999 to 2002. She received her undergraduate degree from Murray State University in western Kentucky, and her law degree from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School Of Law.

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Molly Parker is general assignment and investigative projects reporter for The Southern Illinoisan.

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And now we are three

At 17:25 on 26 August, Cameron Mervyn Rip was born! He arrived a whole month ahead of schedule yet clocked in at 2.6 kilograms. In order to try and process everything that’s happened in the last 48 hours I thought I’d write about it. Plus I am confined to my bed at the moment so there’s not much else I can do.

The story starts on Saturday. Colin and I were at the shops getting the last items we needed for Cameron’s arrival. On the way home I started having contractions and realised the baby was attempting another prison break. So we fetched my bags (a lesson well learnt from last time) and headed for the hospital.

As I was only 35 weeks pregnant they decided to stop the labour with medication. Having been through this process only a month ago Col and I took for granted that it would work. I started popping the pills and the wait began.

Saturday night’s observation showed that the contractions had subsided. I urged Col to go to his golf game the next morning, which he duly did, leaving for Joburg at 6:30. And then at 08:00 the contractions started up again. The doctor decided to give the meds more time to work and told me we’d reassess in the evening. But by 10:30 they had just become more regular. The suppression wasn’t working and our baby was on his way into the world.

Col and I now had some decisions to make. The doctor was happy to let me try for a natural delivery but warned me that I would have an incredibly long and difficult labour because I was only 35 weeks. After giving it some thought I decided not to put my body through a process that it wasn’t ready for and elected to have a caesarean.

And so at 17:00 I went into theatre. I was incredibly nervous – about the procedure but also about what would happen to Cameron once he’d been delivered. Col was my absolute hero and supported me through it like a champion. Initial checks on our boy showed that he was having a bit of trouble breathing but I was allowed to hold him for a minute or two before they took him to the Neo Natal ICU.

Cameron was put on oxygen and had x-rays taken of his lungs which showed that he might have a mild infection. While Col kept an eye on our son I was stitched up, cleaned up and taken to the maternity ward. The next few hours passed in a blur of smiling grandparents but at about 20:30 they wheeled me into ICU so I could see my baby.

I haven’t been able to see him yet this morning but Col checked in on him before he left for work. They haven’t put him on antibiotics which we assume means he doesn’t have an infection. He is also no longer on oxygen so it’s seems he’s doing superbly. Col says he looks like a giant next to all the other preemies!

That’s all the necessary info at this stage I think. Now I’m going to make the most of this down time and have a nap!

What’s in a name?

With only a few weeks left before Speckle arrives, the question we are being asked most frequently is ‘Have you decided on a name?’ The answer to this is yes, but before you get excited, I am not going to tell you what it is! That happy announcement will only be made when Speckle’s safely made his way into the world. There are a few reasons for this. Firstly, we’ve been pretty open about our journey so far and it’s sort of nice to have a secret for a change. Secondly, my mom changed her mind about my name three days after I was born (I even got cards saying, ‘Welcome to the world Kirin’) and I want to give myself the option of changing my mind when I see our little boy.

So sorry, but you’ll just have to be patient. What I will tell you, however, is a bit about the process we’ve gone through trying to name our son. Let me start off by saying that I got to know an incredibly analytical side to my husband while these discussions were taking place. I adopted a sort of ‘read through the book and see what jumps out at you’ approach, while Col was far more methodical. Potential candidates had to meet the following criteria:

  • Must start with ‘C’ (this because we’ve decided to give Speckle the same initials as Col – CMR).
  • Must be a strong name.
  • Must be a traditional English name.
  • Must not have an Afrikaans equivalent, or the child will spend his life having his name mispronounced as we live in a predominantly Afrikaans city.
  • Must not be the same as anyone who Col went to school with, but whom he did not like.

This last one was by far the hardest to meet as Col went to Pretoria Boys High, meaning there were hundreds of boys in his year. In addition, the irrational side of Col came through here because when I asked why he didn’t like a particular boy, he usually just said, ‘Because.’ Using forceful arguments of association, I managed to get this criteria bumped pretty far down the list (although I think our chosen name does have a previous ‘owner’, but thankfully one who didn’t seem to rub Col up the wrong way).

The name discussions took place way back in May, and the winner was selected before Col left for Scotland in June. As Col and I both tend to be sharers by nature, it’s been tough to keep it under wraps this long so if your innocent query about a name was met with hostility, I do apologise. Put it down to hormones on my part, and fear of my hormones on Col’s!

Pink or blue?

Tomorrow (as in Friday 20 April) we are going for our next scan and hopefully we’ll be able to find out if Speckle is a girl or a boy. Those of you who have a feeling one way or the other – vote in our poll!


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Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone, reprising their Adonis Creed and Rocky Balboa characters, are facing a formidable foe in the first trailer for MGM and Warner Bros.’ “Creed II.”

“You’ve got everything to lose,” Stallone’s Balboa tells Jordan’s Creed. “This guy has nothing to lose. This guy — he’s dangerous.”

Stallone is referring to Florian “Big Nasty” Munteanu’s Viktor Drago, the son of Dolph Lundgren’s Ivan Drago character from “Rocky IV.” Adonis Creed’s father Apollo Creed was killed by an Ivan Drago punch in “Rocky IV.”

The new footage, unveiled Wednesday, reveals that Jordan’s character now has personal obligations with a family, plus the shared legacy with his trainer.

“Creed II” is the continuation of the Rocky franchise and the sequel to 2015’s “Creed,” which earned more than $170 million at the worldwide box office. The new film is being directed by Steven Caple Jr., from an original screenplay written by Stallone.

Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, Wood Harris and Andre Ward are reprising their roles. The film is produced by Irwin Winkler, Charles Winkler, William Chartoff, David Winkler, Kevin King-Templeton and Stallone. “Black Panther” director Ryan Coogler, who directed “Creed,” is executive producing.

“Creed II” hits theaters on Nov. 21. Watch the trailer above.

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