text:
Monday, April 18, 2011

Collateral Damage

Now that the kitchen is mostly finished, we were able to turn our attention to a couple other rooms. The new room behind the kitchen, used for our homeschool room, was the first order of business. A set of book cases from IKEA, including one that will mount the TV, was installed along one wall. We moved the couch and the computer table from the living room in as well. One of our goals was to reclaim the living room, which had been the homeschool room for the last eight years. After moving some of the furniture out, the living room began to take on a larger, empty look. One of the casualties of all this was the entertainment center, which has graced our living room for the last 25 years. Since the TV was no longer in it, it was now a rather superfluous piece of furniture, and was no longer needed.

We just had one problem. What do you do with a 25-year old entertainment center that will not fit modern flat-screen televisions?

A year or so ago, when our old 19-inch tube died, we broke down and bought a flat screen. This started the whole problem, because it would not fit in our entertainment center. So we listed it for sale on craigslist. Cheap.

We didn't get a single inquiry. We found out that the thrift stores are lined with old entertainment centers, along with the old TVs that used to fit in them. The demand for them is zero. Even the nice ones, like ours. It was quite a purchase back then, and was still in great shape today.

I couldn't bear to reduce such a nice piece to kindling wood, so I cut out the interior center wall and re-hinged the doors so that it now fit the TV. Problem solved, for now.

Fast forward to today, when it no longer contains a TV at all. The craigslist route still yielded no hits, even though it was listed as being able to fit up to a 50 inch screen. It was still a shame to heat the home with such a nice piece of furniture, so I again took the saw to it, this time doing a little bit more major surgery. I disassembled the entire cabinet, removed the TV portion of it, and re-assembled what was left, leaving a tall, narrow cabinet that could still be used to house electronics, or could be used as a nice curio cabinet. It turned out rather well, as the pictures below show:

Before: The piece that nobody wanted

After: Entertainment center on a diet.

One other benefit: This one will actually move. The original entertainment center was so large and heavy that the people that helped us move it 20 years ago told us they would not help us move again if we still had it. It has sat in the same spot for all of those 20 years.

Our kitchen and addition area is already getting good use, even before it is fully finished. David had a few friends over last night. At least what we thought were a few. They just kept streaming in and all gathered in the kitchen. We lost count at 16. They all piled into the homeschool room and watched a movie. It sort-of reminded me of those how-many-people-will-fit-into-the-back-of-a-volkswagen challenges, only this time it was my furniture under all that humanity.

No comments:


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Sunday, November 27, 2016

My Favorite Pen Dealers

by Tony Thomas

As many of us look for places to shop for gifts this holiday season, I thought I would take a few minutes and share some of my favorite pen dealers:

The Goulet Pen Company: I have followed Brian and Rachel since they were selling fountain pens, paper, and ink out of their house. In recent years, Goulet has grown become the one of the premier fountain pen dealers in the United States, with a strong emphasis on customer service and education. They have a You Tube channel with an exhaustive library of videos on fountain pens, ink, paper, accessories and tips. Goulet also has one of the broadest ranges of products of any fountain pen dealer.  Their website is top notch with plenty of custom tools to help you find the best pens, paper and ink for your needs.  In addition, they offer great service with a personal touch.
I only wish they offered free shipping options and faster fulfillment when they are backed up with orders.

Jet Pens: Jet Pens is another great dealer that offers all kinds of writing instruments (fountain pens, ball points, roller balls, dip pens, pencils, etc.) as well as paper, ink and more. Most of their products come from Japan, and I have a great affection for Japanese products. I love the fact that they offer free shipping for all orders over $25. I also really like their online product guides and have found them to be helpful. Jet Pens offers prompt shipping and most of my orders ship the same day or the next.

iPen Store: I have probably done business with iPen Store longer than any other dealer. They sell a wide variety of writing instruments, including ballpoints, rollerballs and mechanical pencils. Aside from the brand names, they also sell their own line of quality pens under the "Rosetta" brand name. IPS has an ebay store under the name "Streetfair" and I believe that is where I bought my first Lamy Safari many years ago. As they are in the next state (MI) and they ship First Class USPS, I have found them to be a quick and reliable source.

Pen Chalet: Pen Chalet has also become one of my go to dealers for fountain pens, although they also sell rollerballs, ball points and mechanical pencils. Their web site is easy to navigate, their prices are very competitive and they offer fast and friendly service.

Anderson's Pens: I have only placed one or two orders with Anderson's, but Brian and Lisa are well known and respected in the fountain pen community. They have a brick and mortar store in Appleton, WI with a wide range of products and I have found their customer service and shipping speed to be exceptional. They also have a lot of knowledge about vintage pens, especially Esterbrook.

I hope you will check out these dealers and give them a try.

Happy shopping!

  1. Great summary! Thanks for doing this

  2. I just finished this book on my Kindle. I really enjoyed it. I am new to fountain pen collecting. The information was very helpful.

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[08/01/11 - 07:04 AM]
Sean Kingston Breaks the Silence About His Near Fatal Jet Ski Accident, Recovery and Comeback During "MTV First: Sean Kingston" Tuesday, August 2 at 7:58pm ET on MTV and MTV.com
The interview will begin at 7:58pm ET on MTV and then continue for thirty minutes on MTV.com.

[via press release from MTV]

Sean Kingston Breaks the Silence About His Near Fatal Jet Ski Accident, Recovery and Comeback During "MTV First: Sean Kingston" Tuesday, August 2 at 7:58pm ET on MTV and MTV.com

Kingston's First Interview Since Jet Ski Accident in May

Answers Fan Questions LIVE

New York, NY (August 01, 2011) - MTV today announced that Sean Kingston will exclusively sit down with MTV News' Sway Calloway on Tuesday, August 2 at 7:58pm ET during "MTV First: Sean Kingston" where for the first time he will discuss his near fatal Jet Ski accident, the subsequent recovery, and how he's gearing up to return to the stage and the recording studio.

The interview will begin at 7:58pm ET on MTV and then continue for thirty minutes on MTV.com. Fans can get in on the action and submit questions beginning today through MTV.com or via Twitter (using @MTVNews / hash-tag #AskSean).

For the first time, Kingston will set the record straight about what caused the accident, discuss the extent of his injuries and detail his various medical procedures. In addition, he'll reveal how the accident has inspired him to live a healthier lifestyle, discuss his weight loss, and share his preparations for returning to the stage and the studio.

Kingston's discovery includes the hit albums, "Sean Kingston" and "Tomorrow," the #1 worldwide smash, "Beautiful Girls," and the top 10 hits, "Take You There," and "Fire Burning." Kingston has worked with an eclectic mix of artists including Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj, Wyclef Jean, Three 6 Mafia and Good Charlotte.

About MTV:

MTV is the world's premier youth entertainment brand. With a global reach of more than a half-billion households, MTV is the cultural home of the millennial generation, music fans and artists, and a pioneer in creating innovative programming for young people. MTV reflects and creates pop culture with its Emmy�, Grammy� and Peabody� award-winning content built around compelling storytelling, music discovery and activism across TV, online and mobile. MTV's sibling networks MTV2 and mtvU each deliver unparalleled customized content for young males, music fans and college students, and its online hub MTV.com is the leading destination for music, news and pop culture. MTV is part of MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.

  [august 2011]

(series past and present)
(series in development)
(tv movies and mini-series)

[05/25/18 - 08:01 AM]
Alyson Hannigan, Connie Ray, Todd Stashwick, Taylor Ortega, Ciara Wilson And Erika Tham Join The Cast Of The Live-Action "Kim Possible" Disney Channel Original Movie
Hannigan will play the role of brain surgeon Dr. Ann Possible (aka Mom Possible) and Ray will play grandmother Nana Possible.

[05/25/18 - 07:40 AM]
Keith Olbermann to Expand Multi-Faceted ESPN Role
Olbermann will combine select studio assignments with on-site opportunities, including calling the radio play-by-play with analyst Jim Bowden for Astros at Yankees on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN Radio.

[05/25/18 - 05:51 AM]
Red Nose Day Raises Over $42 Million to End Child Poverty, Top Talent Turns It on for NBC's Night of Themed Programming & Live Special
The campaign has now raised over $42 million for children who need it most in America and around the world - totaling more than $145 million in the campaign's first four years in the U.S.

[05/24/18 - 03:42 PM]
MTV Heats Up Summer with the Return of "Floribama Shore"
The 14-episode run will feature original cast members Jeremiah Buoni, Codi Butts, Kortni Gilson, Aimee Hall, Kirk Medas, Nilsa Prowant, Candace Rice and Gus Smyrnios.

[05/24/18 - 02:40 PM]
ABC Moves Up to No. 2 in 2017-18 for Its Most Competitive Season in 10 Years
ABC further spins the numbers for the season to date.

[05/24/18 - 02:36 PM]
Shining, Gleaming, Streaming, Flaxen, Waxen "Hair Live!" Is NBC's Next Musical Event
Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, who have executive produced each of NBC's live musicals since "The Sound of Music" revived this innovative programming genre, will executive produce the telecast.

[05/24/18 - 01:12 PM]
Netflix Re-Teaming with Dee Rees for "The Last Thing He Wanted"
The story is based on the 1996 novel by Joan Didion and centers on hardscrabble journalist Elena McMahon who finds herself on dangerous ground as the Iran Contra Affair's arms for drugs plot reaches its tipping point.

[05/24/18 - 12:31 PM]
NBC Entertainment Podcast Network Debuts with Fan Favorites "American Ninja Warrior" and "The Good Place"
Hosted by "The Good Place" guest-star Marc Evan Jackson, "The Good Place - The Podcast" debuts Friday, June 1.

[05/24/18 - 12:30 PM]
"Young & Hungry" Returns for "The Last Bite" with a Two Episode Season Premiere, on Wednesday, June 20
The final season sees Gabi and Josh happily together and in love, but now navigating their new status as a full-fledged couple.

[05/24/18 - 11:54 AM]
CBS Is America's Most-Watched Network in 2017-2018 Across Primetime, Daytime and Late Night
CBS further spins the numbers for the season to date.

[05/24/18 - 10:30 AM]
"Baskets" Renewed for a Fourth Season on FX
"'Baskets' continues to deliver thanks to the dream creative team led by Jonathan Krisel and Zach Galifianakis, and we couldn't be happier to order a fourth season to air next year," Eric Schrier said.

[05/24/18 - 10:03 AM]
Showtime(R) to Air Uninterrupted "Twin Peaks" Emmy(R) FYC Marathon on Saturday, June 2
In addition, all parts are also available to subscribers on multiple television and streaming providers' devices, websites and applications and their free On Demand channels.

[05/24/18 - 10:00 AM]
Ben Stiller, Lauren Graham, Anne Hathaway, Connie Britton, Minnie Driver, Olivia Munn and Retta Join "The Red Nose Day Special"
As previously announced, Jack Black, Jennifer Garner, Kristen Bell, Kelly Clarkson, Julia Roberts, Ed Sheeran, Marlon Wayans, Sean Hayes, Zooey Deschanel, Tony Hale, Sasheer Zamata, Jane Lynch, Akbar Gbajabiamila, Matt Iseman and Jack McBrayer will also participate in the special.

[05/24/18 - 09:29 AM]
CMT Reveals New Summer Programming Slate
"Bachelorette Weekend," premiering Thursday, August 2, follows the staff of Bach Weekend, a Nashville-based company specializing in creating once-in-a-lifetime bachelor/bachelorette experiences for would-be brides and grooms celebrating their final fling before the ring.

[05/24/18 - 09:05 AM]
Pop Superstar Meghan Trainor to Perform on The 2018 Radio Disney Music Awards
Trainor joins the RDMA line-up of previously announced performers Charlie Puth and Maddie Poppe.


text:
[05/16/13 - 06:01 AM]
The CW and Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Announce Multi-Year Broadcast Agreement for the iHeartRadio Music Festival
The three-year agreement begins with The CW's broadcast of the iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party on Monday, July 15.

[via press release from The CW]

The CW Network will be the Exclusive Broadcast Home of the iHeartRadio Music Festival, iHeartRadio's Holiday Jingle Ball and the iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party

The CW Also to Broadcast Album Release Parties and Other Concert Specials

Partnership Kicks Off with The CW's Broadcast of the iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party, July 15, 2013, 8-10 pm

May 16, 2013 (New York, NY) - The CW Network and Clear Channel Media and Entertainment today announced a multi-year partnership making The CW the exclusive television broadcaster of the two-day, star-studded iHeartRadio Music Festival. The CW will also be the exclusive broadcast home of iHeartRadio's holiday Jingle Ball concert, the iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party, album release parties and other concert specials. The agreement also gives the CW exclusive streaming rights to the television specials on CWTV.com following the broadcasts. The three-year agreement, beginning with The CW's broadcast of the iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party in July, was announced today by Mark Pedowitz, President, The CW, and John Sykes, President of Clear Channel Entertainment Enterprises.

"The CW is synonymous with what's now and what's next, and that includes music," said Pedowitz. "We have always been known for using the hottest, most of-the-moment music, both on our shows and in our marketing campaigns. Partnering with Clear Channel to present the biggest concert events of the year for our viewers is a natural fit for us, and also gives us more original event programming throughout the year."

"This is an ideal opportunity to take the original content that we create at Clear Channel to new platforms and audiences," said Sykes. "We chose The CW as our partner because we share the same powerful connection to a highly influential young demographic."

The CW will broadcast:

· The iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party, Monday, July 15, 8-10 pm ET/PT. The iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool party is a two-day musical weekend event at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, June 28-29, 2013, as part of the Fontainebleau's BleauLive concert series, and will feature performances by popular recording artists Pitbull, Ke$ha, Afrojack, Icona Pop and Krewella.

· The iHeartRadio Music Festival, the two-day, start-studded music event returning to MGM Grand in Las Vegas on September 20 and 21, 2013. Artist lineup and a broadcast date will be announced in July.

· iHeartRadio's Jingle Ball, Clear Channel's long-standing holiday concert franchise featuring the biggest names of the year in music with surprise superstar guests. Artist line-up and a broadcast date will be announced in the Fall.

· iHeartRadio album release parties, Clear Channel's new, breakout live music series featuring superstar artists performing their new music in front of a live audience and sharing behind-the-scenes stories on the eve of their album releases, and other concert events throughout the year.

About The CW

THE CW TELEVISION NETWORK, a joint venture between Warner Bros. Entertainment and CBS Corporation, made its debut on September 20, 2006 as America's fifth broadcast network and is the only network specifically targeting viewers ages 18-34, a demographic highly sought after by advertisers. Delivering a total of 30 hours of programming a week, The CW offers a five-night, 10-hour primetime lineup that runs Monday through Friday. In daytime, The CW broadcasts a Monday through Friday afternoon block, and a five-hour Saturday morning block. For more information, visit www.cwtv.com

About Clear Channel Media and Entertainment

With 243 million monthly listeners in the U.S., Clear Channel Media and Entertainment has the largest reach of any radio or television outlet in America. Clear Channel Media and Entertainment serves 150 cities through 850 owned radio stations. The company's radio stations and content can be heard on AM/FM stations, HD digital radio channels, Sirius XM satellite radio, on the Internet at iHeartRadio.com and on the company's radio station websites, on the iHeartRadio mobile application on iPads and smartphones, and via navigation systems including TomTom, Garmin and others.

The company's operations include radio broadcasting, online and mobile services and products, live concerts and events, syndication, music research services and independent media representation. Clear Channel Media and Entertainment is a division of CC Media Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: CCMO), a leading global media and entertainment company. More information on the company can be found at ClearChannel.com.

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/iHeartRadio

Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/iHeartRadio

  [may 2013]

(series past and present)
(series in development)
(tv movies and mini-series)

[05/25/18 - 08:01 AM]
Alyson Hannigan, Connie Ray, Todd Stashwick, Taylor Ortega, Ciara Wilson And Erika Tham Join The Cast Of The Live-Action "Kim Possible" Disney Channel Original Movie
Hannigan will play the role of brain surgeon Dr. Ann Possible (aka Mom Possible) and Ray will play grandmother Nana Possible.

[05/25/18 - 07:40 AM]
Keith Olbermann to Expand Multi-Faceted ESPN Role
Olbermann will combine select studio assignments with on-site opportunities, including calling the radio play-by-play with analyst Jim Bowden for Astros at Yankees on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN Radio.

[05/25/18 - 05:51 AM]
Red Nose Day Raises Over $42 Million to End Child Poverty, Top Talent Turns It on for NBC's Night of Themed Programming & Live Special
The campaign has now raised over $42 million for children who need it most in America and around the world - totaling more than $145 million in the campaign's first four years in the U.S.

[05/24/18 - 03:42 PM]
MTV Heats Up Summer with the Return of "Floribama Shore"
The 14-episode run will feature original cast members Jeremiah Buoni, Codi Butts, Kortni Gilson, Aimee Hall, Kirk Medas, Nilsa Prowant, Candace Rice and Gus Smyrnios.

[05/24/18 - 02:40 PM]
ABC Moves Up to No. 2 in 2017-18 for Its Most Competitive Season in 10 Years
ABC further spins the numbers for the season to date.

[05/24/18 - 02:36 PM]
Shining, Gleaming, Streaming, Flaxen, Waxen "Hair Live!" Is NBC's Next Musical Event
Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, who have executive produced each of NBC's live musicals since "The Sound of Music" revived this innovative programming genre, will executive produce the telecast.

[05/24/18 - 01:12 PM]
Netflix Re-Teaming with Dee Rees for "The Last Thing He Wanted"
The story is based on the 1996 novel by Joan Didion and centers on hardscrabble journalist Elena McMahon who finds herself on dangerous ground as the Iran Contra Affair's arms for drugs plot reaches its tipping point.

[05/24/18 - 12:31 PM]
NBC Entertainment Podcast Network Debuts with Fan Favorites "American Ninja Warrior" and "The Good Place"
Hosted by "The Good Place" guest-star Marc Evan Jackson, "The Good Place - The Podcast" debuts Friday, June 1.

[05/24/18 - 12:30 PM]
"Young & Hungry" Returns for "The Last Bite" with a Two Episode Season Premiere, on Wednesday, June 20
The final season sees Gabi and Josh happily together and in love, but now navigating their new status as a full-fledged couple.

[05/24/18 - 11:54 AM]
CBS Is America's Most-Watched Network in 2017-2018 Across Primetime, Daytime and Late Night
CBS further spins the numbers for the season to date.

[05/24/18 - 10:30 AM]
"Baskets" Renewed for a Fourth Season on FX
"'Baskets' continues to deliver thanks to the dream creative team led by Jonathan Krisel and Zach Galifianakis, and we couldn't be happier to order a fourth season to air next year," Eric Schrier said.

[05/24/18 - 10:03 AM]
Showtime(R) to Air Uninterrupted "Twin Peaks" Emmy(R) FYC Marathon on Saturday, June 2
In addition, all parts are also available to subscribers on multiple television and streaming providers' devices, websites and applications and their free On Demand channels.

[05/24/18 - 10:00 AM]
Ben Stiller, Lauren Graham, Anne Hathaway, Connie Britton, Minnie Driver, Olivia Munn and Retta Join "The Red Nose Day Special"
As previously announced, Jack Black, Jennifer Garner, Kristen Bell, Kelly Clarkson, Julia Roberts, Ed Sheeran, Marlon Wayans, Sean Hayes, Zooey Deschanel, Tony Hale, Sasheer Zamata, Jane Lynch, Akbar Gbajabiamila, Matt Iseman and Jack McBrayer will also participate in the special.

[05/24/18 - 09:29 AM]
CMT Reveals New Summer Programming Slate
"Bachelorette Weekend," premiering Thursday, August 2, follows the staff of Bach Weekend, a Nashville-based company specializing in creating once-in-a-lifetime bachelor/bachelorette experiences for would-be brides and grooms celebrating their final fling before the ring.

[05/24/18 - 09:05 AM]
Pop Superstar Meghan Trainor to Perform on The 2018 Radio Disney Music Awards
Trainor joins the RDMA line-up of previously announced performers Charlie Puth and Maddie Poppe.


text:
From the "she makes this looks easier than it is" department comes this gem from a pizza parlor employee.

This woman is a pro at folding pizza boxes with the kind of speed you wish the DMV offered.

We have a hunch we'd look like a snail compared to her when folding pizza boxes, although who knows how much of a world of good practice would do.

Looks like you can really work up a hunger doing this. Good thing there's pizza within arm's reach.

Interestingly, folding pizza boxes is something of an industry sport. You may recall a Domino's commercial where viewers saw the company's fastest pizza box folder do his thing. If you're really into it, you can catch him vying for the record in the second video below.


text:
Wednesday, January 18, 2012

To my 16-year-old self...

I, by NO means think I know everything (although I believe my husband may disagree on that one). But there are a few things that, if I could, I would LOVE to pass along to myself when I was 16, heck sometimes even 6.

Here are a few:

1. Do (a lot) better in school. Make it more of a priority. Definitely more then those loser "friends" you were so worried about hanging out with.

2. Complete college in the allotted time of age18-21/22 because then, then you have little to no responsibilities. I understand there are people who could not start and/or finish college in the "normal" time because of other circumstances. But I was not one of those. And I am not, by any means, saying this conceitedly. I guess I was not mature enough to understand and grasp the importance of higher education. Many other things were put ahead on my priority list which left school hanging on the bottom. So now I am working full time, taking classes to finish my degree all while trying to be the best mama and wife I can. (and I always feel like I am failing miserably) It's not easy. But I am doing it. And I will be that much the wiser when I done. HA! Yeah right. I wish.

3. That totally cool, hot, BAD punk-ass kid you were infatuated with (that totally will break your heart) is a LOSER! Like in and out of jail, illegitimate kids with multiple (even stupider) girls (then myself), doesn't hold a job, still thinks he is the cool kid in high school LOSER. Don't waste your time - you can (and WILL) do much, much better.

4. You are not fat. Just because you don't look as thin as the "hot girl" in school, does not mean you are fat. She was just way.too.skinny. And if you could see yourself after many years of bad eating and laziness and a baby...well you just don't want to know.

I am sure I will have a few more of these to post. There are many not-so-great things in my life that made me a better person and although they totally and completely SUCKED to go through, I appreciate what I learned.

No comments:


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Obama set the immigration trap, and the GOP walked in

   < < Go Back

from The Gray Area: Mitch McConnell today announced a plan to walk back from the Republicans original plan to stop President Obama’s executive order o immigration by combining it with the Homeland Security funding bill. That was really stupid on the part of the Republicans, as was put forward last week in the LA Times article below.

By Tamar Jacoby,

from LA Times,

On Monday, a federal judge in Texas blocked President Obama’s latest executive actions on immigration. This is a short-term win for Republicans, who rightly believe the president lacked the authority to act unilaterally. But it does nothing to change the underlying political dynamic — Republicans have won a battle, but they’re still at risk of losing the immigration war.

The contrast between Democrats and Republicans is stark and getting starker every day. A Democratic president is fighting to shield unauthorized immigrants from deportation. If it weren’t for the court order, an additional 600,000 Dreamers who came to the U.S. illegally as children could have applied for legal status starting Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Republicans in Congress headed into their sixth week trying to pass a measure that would pave the way for deporting not just the Dreamers, but all 11 million immigrants living illegally in the United States.

It’s a contrast sure to haunt the GOP through November 2016 and beyond.

The irony, particularly bitter for Republicans, is that it’s not an accurate picture of the party. Most GOP representatives in Congress support relief for Dreamers, and many, perhaps most, support legal status for unauthorized immigrants.

But congressional Republicans are caught in a trap. They’re fighting for a policy most of them don’t believe in as a way, they think, to strike back at the president — but in the end they’re hurting themselves more than they could ever hurt Obama.

So how did Republicans get trapped? Obama set the snare, but the GOP walked in of its own free will.

Obama surely knew that the immigration executive orders he issued in November would infuriate Republicans. He could have sent the same proposal up to Capitol Hill as a bill: legal status rather than citizenship for some but not all of those here illegally. That might just have passed if it had come up for a vote last year.

But that would have taken immigration off the table as a wedge issue, leveling the playing field between Republicans and Democrats. So instead, the president acted unilaterally, knowing the GOP would see that as a brazen abuse of authority — a violation the party had to fight, no matter what the consequences.

Republicans are right: The president overreached. But being right isn’t always enough in politics — you also have to win the war of perceptions. And right now, the GOP is losing that war — big time. Americans aren’t hearing the message about the president’s abuse of authority. They’re hearing the GOP say it hates immigrants.

What can Republicans do? How do they get out of the trap?

Turn the tables on Obama. Come together as a party and pass some constructive immigration measures, then send those bills to the president and let him look like the obstacle to progress.

More From LA Times:


text:
Dispensing Happiness

A good cook is like a sorceress who dispenses happiness.-Elsa Schiapirelli

That's me, the magical good cook.

Borrowing from my friend Dexygus, I've created my own food blog.

Read of my exploits in the kitchen! Salivate over the descriptions of fabulous desserts and savory meals I've concocted!

No, seriously...go ahead. It'll make my day.

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Eggs, Sunny-side up!

The full round-up from the June IMBB? are now up; a huge thanks to Viv of Seattle Bon Vivant for hosting, and putting so much time and effort into it!

2 Thoughts for food:

At 12:54 PM, Blogger YoHannah said...

No hablo inglés, pero ese plato se ve muy apetitoso. Felicitaciones.

Un saludo desde Madrid - España

At 1:09 PM, Blogger Stephanie said...

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text:
The Red fox is a small animal of the class 0. It can be hunted in the Hirschfelden Hunting Reserve.

Description Edit

Native to the entire Northern Hemisphere, the red fox is one of the larger species of fox and is characterized by their most typical orange-red fur and large fluffy tail. Red foxes are territorial omnivores, but generelly feed on smaller game such as squirrels, mice and rabbits. They can breed fiercely, and are considered an invasive species in various parts of the world. Males and females often look quite the same, but vixens often weigh less. Males weigh around 10 kg (22 lb). The red fox's smaller size makes it a challenge to hunt at time, as it is hard to spot them.

Features Edit

Behaviour Docile and skittish
Habitat Mix of forests, open fields and mountainious terrain
Senses Excellent vision and very good hearing
Social Typically solitary
Active During dawn and dusk

Weapon Class 0, Predator "Jackrabbit" Caller
Species Vulpes vulpes
Difficulty Easy

Organs and bones Edit

Red fox organs
  1. Skull
  2. Brain
  3. Neckbone 1
  4. Neckbone 2
  5. Neckbone 3
  6. Spine bone 1
  7. Shoulder bone
  8. Spine bone 2
  9. Spine bone 3
  10. Pelvis
  11. Heart
  12. Lungs
  13. Liver
  14. Stomach
  15. Intestines
  16. Body

Hunting Tips Edit

To get 100% Integrity bonus, the fox should be only hunted using either .223 ammo or 300gr Arrows (see Integrity). Because of the difficulties of proper bow hunt (precision over distances, proper aiming etc.), it is recommended to use the .223 ammo because of it's superior precision over distances.

Regarding it's small size and good senses, a red fox can give a hunter a hard time. It can smell and hear a careless hunter from far away and will immediately run away if alarmed and is also nearly impossible to shoot in the woods So the best strategy is to sneak up on them as near as possible and shoot on sight. Here the superior precision of the .223 is usefull to hit the fox properly.

Fur variants Edit

Quests Edit

The Red Fox is involved in following Quests:

  • Mr. Sommers Bow - Travel to Spreeberg; Harvest 1 fox downed with a 60 lb bow


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Ingrid Dinter

DINTER FINE ART opened as an art gallery in October 2004, in the Chelsea art district of New York City, mounting more than 30 exhibitions over the next 5 years (see “” for exhibition history.)  Since that time INGRID DINTER has been working as an independent curator, private art dealer, and in general operating at large as an arts professional.

Recent curatorial projects include the group exhibitions “Consider The Oyster” 2010, James Graham & Sons, New York; “Summer Salt” 2011, The Proposition, New York; and the artist film program titled “Bohemian Nights”, screened at the Gershwin Hotel in 2011 and 2012, as well as at The Emerald Tablet, San Francisco, December 2012, and at The IMC Lab + Gallery, New York, January 2013.

As well, DINTER FINE ART has maintained an online “project room” on it’s website since March 2004, featuring site-specific short works by artists, counting 58 projects to date.

INGRID DINTER is on the faculty of The School of Visual Arts, New York; and a member of the following professional organizations: ArTTable, The Leadership Organization for Professional Women in the Visual Arts; POWarts, Professional Organization of Women in the Arts; NADA, New Art Dealers Alliance.


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Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Under Pressure

Some days, I feel like buckling...

More on this in a bit; I'm not really in the mood for navel gazing. I'm in the mood to vent. I often get to work early. It gives me a chance to have a coffee, catch up on e-mails and generally ease myself into the day.
It also makes one a target for people who say things like "As you're here, would you just..."

Of course, the argument runs, if you don't want to be asked questions, hide. (Or don't go in early..?) Either way, I accept this is going to happen, especially in this business. But I reserve the right to say that I'm not on duty. If the fuckers are going to treat me like shit, they can't expect 110% from me. Which I know isn't very caring, but there you go. We're not talking about life and death shit here.

So, there seem to be two ways a person might approach the early Shroom at work, while he is quite clearly attending to personal business, and not at work.

--- Firstly, you might bid the Shroom good morning and ask if he wouldn't mind reviewing a patient, as the SHO is tied up, and it'll save delays, etc.

Unless I'm in a really bad mood, I'll do it.

--- Secondly, you might march up to the Shroom. Do not say hello, do not introduce yourself. Instead, start moaning about the grief management is handing out about The Situation. Demand to know what Shroom is going to do about it. Look aghast when he explains he's just walked in, and doesn't know anything about The Situation. For extra sympathy, walk off while he's talking to you.

Whatever mood I was in before you started, it's now bad.

Of course this sort of thing could never happen in the NHS. Managers there value their Doctors, and more importantly, their patients as humans, not numbers, or targets. And God forbid that such a situation arose because the Management couldn't get the Department staffed adequately overnight.

In case you were wondering, the situation here might have been, for example, that waiting times had reached three hours. They hadn't, of course, so I'm sure that wasn't it.

Bohemian Road Nurse... said...

I'll never forget the time I overheard a doctor explaining to a new doctor: "Now whatever you do, DON'T say a damn word to Bo before she's had her first cup of coffee--or else you'll regret it for the rest of the day." It cracked me up because I truly had no idea that I had a "before coffee" personality, heh! (And all I need is one cup... just one little cup....)

sisiphusledge said...

Although at the time you were obviously not amused by the second scenario, you write about it in a very amusing way. It made me chuckle as I have had those experiences and similar afterthoughts in the past. You know the kind that make you wonder whether anyone on this planet is sane or has an ounce of intelligence. Particularly psychological sophistication....no-one seems to have that these days. You have my sympathies.

Cal said...

Haha, I love the way you write. It makes me laugh.

I would say try to avoid getting into work early, but I think we're totally similar that way, and it wouldn't work for me either.

Sounds like the second person has no tact and/or social skills. You don't just walk away from a conversation like that. Jeez.

Patient Anonymous said...

Hi there...I just wanted to drop you a line and let you know that I've migrated to WordPress. I don't know if you've stopped by my blogger blog recently.

You can relink me at patientanonymous.wordpress.com

Hope you're doing okay.


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Friday, October 09, 2009

Knit from your shelf 2009 on hold

I've not had time to work on the sweater I started as I have been busy spinning and knitting for others. And...I may have another knitting gig coming up. These are all paying jobs, so those come first and I come last.

BUT....2010 is my year. The Shetland fleeces and roving is yelling my name from the walk in cedar closet, and all the knitting I've put on hold is calling also.

So. I guess it will end up being Knit from your shelf 2010 for me. I was so hoping to keep up with this. )o:

Your Socks Say You're Alluring

You Are:

- Quite dazzling

- A lively person

- Known as exciting

- Warm and open


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GFriend 여자친구 Group Info

  Tag Category: GFriend

  Fanclub: Buddy

  Active: 3 years 4 months

  Gender: Female

  of Members: 6

  GFriend Group Stats Chart
Stage Name Birth Name Position Birthday Age Height Star Sign C Y Sort descending BT
SinB 신비 Hwang Eunbi Dancer, Visual 19 165 cm or 5'5" Gemini Tiger AB
Umji 엄지 Kim Yewon Sub-vocal, Maknae 19 163 cm or 5'4" Leo Tiger O
Yerin 예린 Jung Yerin Dancer 21 167 cm or 5'5½" Leo Rat O
Eunha 은하 Jung Eunbi Vocal 20 163 cm or 5'4" Gemini Ox O
Yuju 유주 Choi Yuna Vocal 20 169 cm or 5'6½" Libra Ox B
Sowon 소원 Kim Sojung Leader, Rapper 22 172 cm or 5'7½" Sagittarius Pig A
  About GFriend 여자친구

GFriend 여자친구 is a six-member female idol group formed by Source Music in 2015. The group consists of Sowon, Yerin, Eunha, Yuju, SinB, and Umji. They made their debut with the EP Season of Glass on January 16, 2015. GFriend won several 2015 female rookie awards and has garnered momentum since their debut, despite coming from a small company. In 2016, they continued their success with their third EP, Snowflake, and won first place on many music shows with the title song "Rough." They released their first full-length album, LOL, in July 2016.

On January 15, 2015, GFriend released their five-track debut EP Season of Glass. The promotional track "Glass Bead 유리구슬," composed by Seo Yongbae and Iggy, debuted at number twelve on Gaon's weekly chart. The group started promotions for their album on January 16 on KBS's music program "Music Bank." On January 28, 2015, Billboard named GFriend as one of "Top 5 K-Pop Artists to Watch in 2015."

GFriend released their second EP, Flower Bud, and the music video for single "Me Gustas Tu 오늘부터 우리는" on July 23, 2015. GFriend started their group promotions on the same date as the album release, July 23, 2015, on Mnet's "M Countdown."

The group garnered international attention after a fan-taken video of GFriend members continuing and completing a performance of "Me Gustas Tu" despite continuously falling on a slippery stage went viral in September 2015. The group was praised for their professionalism, especially Yuju, who fell a total of eight times and suffered a twisted finger during the performance.

On September 17, 2015, GFriend made headlines again as the only girl group to be nominated in the 2015 MTV Europe Music Awards "Best Korean Act" category, alongside boy groups B1A4, BTS, Got7, and VIXX.

"Me Gustas Tu" was named the longest-charting song on Melon's Top 100 with 63 weeks. "Me Gustas Tu" and "Glass Bead" were also ranked 18th and 44th respectively in the 2015 Bugs Year-End Top 100.

On January 25, 2016, GFriend released their third EP, Snowflake, with the single "Rough 시간을 달려서." "Rough" is the last song to complete GFriend's high school concept trilogy along with "Glass Bead" and "Me Gustas Tu." During their fan meeting after the EP's showcase release, GFriend announced their fandom name to be "Buddy 버디." GFriend started the promotions for Snowflake on January 26 on SBS MTV's music program "The Show." The album debuted at number ten on Billboard's World Albums Chart.

On February 2, GFriend received their first music show win, taking a trophy for "Rough" on "The Show." They subsequently won another fourteen awards on the music shows, including picking up their first triple crowns on "M Countdown," "Music Bank," "Show Champion," and "Inkigayo." With a total of 15 wins, they placed second with the number of wins for girls groups, behind Apink who recorded a total of 17 wins with "Luv." "Rough" was also ranked first in Gaon Chart's First Half of 2016 chart rankings.

On June 15 it was announced that GFriend would star alongside Mamamoo on a new season of "Showtime." On June 29, Source Music started teasing GFriend's first studio album, LOL.  The album's title was meant to signify both "laughing out loud" and "lots of love."  LOL was released on July 11 with the lead track "Navillera" 너 그리고 나, and reportedly had more than 60,000 pre-ordered copies worldwide. On July 19, GFriend earned their first music show win for the album's single "Navillera" on "The Show."

Towards the end of the year, YouTube listed the top 10 Kpop music videos most beloved by South Koreans in 2016. "Rough" and "Navillera" were ranked 2nd and 10th respectively. "Rough" and "Navillera" were also ranked 2nd and 11th respectively in the 2016 Bugs Year-End Top 100. "Rough" was also ranked 13th in Billboard's 20 Best K-Pop Songs of 2016: Critic's Picks. At the end of the year show 2016 KBS Song Festival, the peak viewer ratings for the whole show were recorded during GFriend's "Rough" performance at 10.3%. "Rough" also became the most downloaded song in 2016 according to Gaon Chart's 2016 Year End Download Chart.

  • The age gap between the oldest member, Sowon, and the maknae, Umji, is 2 years, 8 months, and 12 days.
  • Yerin and Umji share a birthday, August 19.  They were born two years apart and they’re both Leos.
  • Both Yerin and Umji are from Incheon.
  • Eunha and SinB are both Geminis.
  • Eunha and Yuju were both born in the Year of the Ox.
  • SinB and Umji were both born in the Year of the Tiger.
  • Yerin, Eunha, and Umji share the blood type O.
  • Yuju and Umji speak English.
  • Sowon and Eunha are from Seoul.
  • Yuju, SinB, and Umji all went to the Seoul School of Performing Arts.


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For you, the dress code is casual.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Fraser River Images

HEY, I TOOK PICTURES! Holy shit! A lot of them! And a bunch were good! Shazam.

I've been dying to hit the river since the fog rolled in a few days ago and picked the perfect timing 'cos I got a schwack of different fog densities, thus a whole range of moods. It feels nice to know I got some nice shots for a change.

This is just a few of the 80 or so I took. There's still some pictures to sort through, too.

I cycled 26 km along the river, which was awesome. I was dying by the end, but got it done. I was freezing, couldn't feel my toes, and was completely spent. My back, however, felt fine. Everything else? I can handle it!

It was SO worth it. I've ALWAYS wanted to do this foggy bike ride and never got around to it until now. I've lived here 9 years! It was great! Was completely frozen when I got home, but fucking thrilled I went.

So... along the Fraser River, South Vancouver.

I've lived here almost a decade and never tire of the tugboats:

You really think I should stop? You sure it's necessary? Bright guys.

Yet another unprotected piece of our industrial heritage on the Fraser, ready to fall down any day now:

Dude, I love the fog for the mood it lends. A little sunshine for conflicting emotions? Gold.

Pilings! We loves pilings. I'm always taking photos of pilings.

Nothing special, but it's pretty enough.

Looks a bit washed out, but another moody pier shot:

Fishing boats. Awesome ones.

Same stretch:


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What is duplicate content? A simple guide for website owners who don’t want to lose their Google rankings

What is duplicate content? Here's a simple guide for website owners who don’t want to lose their Google rankings.

What is duplicate content? Here’s a simple guide for website owners who don’t want to lose their Google rankings.

Remember your schooldays?

All that homework – man that was a chore! Let’s face it, it was just so much more fun to spend your afternoons playing with your buddies than slaving over books and numbers and essays. Ugh!

Worst of all was studying for tests.

Perhaps you didn’t want to cram for the test, or you simply forgot about it.

And then, to try and save the humiliation of a Fail, you tried to copy the answers off the brainbox you’d cunningly sat next to in the exam room.

Except, of course, the teacher noticed what you’re up to, and you got a far greater humiliation than the Fail. Perhaps you were made an example of, or made to stand out in the corridor. Or you had to see the scary Headmaster. And, of course, your parents would be notified – horrors!

You soon learned that copying other kids’ work wasn’t in your best interests.

The same lesson about copying relates to your website

When it comes to your website, copying other people’s content is also a bad idea.

While there’s no teacher to punish you, instead there’s Google. (And a punishment from Google, be it a down-graded ranking or total black-listing, is a lot harder and more difficult to recover than even your teacher’s worst punishment.)

Why does Google punish you for copying?

Let’s look at copying content from Google’s point of view.

The bottom line is that Google wants to give its users a good search experience. And a good search experience means that people can quickly and easily find the information they’re looking for. Google also wants the information you find to be helpful and meaningful.

Website content that’s helpful and meaningful is usually unique: it is a bespoke, one-off article that someone has researched and written.

Conversely, low quality content is not so desirable. And over the years, some website owners have tried to “cheat” the Google ranking system by copying other people’s content. And if the internet is full of copies of people’s work, it all gets a bit tedious, spammy and not a very nice or exciting place to be.

Google hates spammy websites. And it hates spammy webmasters who copy content from other people. Google would much rather point to the original source of material – and penalise those who try to copy it. These penalties come in the form of downgrading the rankings of those sites with copied content, or, worse still, removing a website from its search results altogether.

So what is duplicate content, exactly?

You get the general idea that duplicate content is not a good thing, but defining “what is duplicate content” exactly is a little trickier.

If you refer to Google’s official advice, there are some tips there (albeit quite technical), but it’s still not crystal clear. So let me explain some of the more common duplicate content problems in practical terms.

Before I cover common duplicate content problems, one thing you need to be aware of is that duplicate content doesn’t just apply from one website to another, but it also applies to pages on your own website.

The reason for this is that some spammy webmasters create dozens of pages on the same topic, to try and artificially increase their Google rankings. That doesn’t work any more, because of Google’s dislike of duplicate content.

Does Google say what percentage they consider duplicate content?

There are a number of online tools, such as Page Similarity Check Tools, where you put in two website addresses (URLs) and it tells you how similar the pages are as a percentage.

The problem is that Google doesn’t give a percentage in their guidelines, so these online tools aren’t a whole lot of use!

Rather than worry about percentages and other technicalities, here are some practical suggestions on how you can avoid common duplicate content problems.

Common duplicate content problems – and how to avoid them

On a practical level you need to be very careful with the following types of duplicate content:

  • Mobile versions of your website that have the same content twice. The solution here is for your webmaster to use the ‘noindex’ meta tag so that the duplicated pages aren’t indexed. (Or better still, build your website so that it’s mobile responsive, and doesn’t need recreating for handheld devices.)
  • Printer-only versions of web pages. The printer pages should have the ‘noindex’ tag applied so that these duplicated pages aren’t indexed.
  • Similar content that appears across a number of pages. The solution here is to make the copy, order of information and other content as different as possible.
  • On e-commerce sites, avoid using the manufacturer’s generic blurb. Chances are that every other re-seller is using the exact same copy, so be unique and write your own product descriptions.
  • Syndicate articles carefully. Some people think they’re doing you a favour by ‘promoting’ you on their website by repeating an article. Wrong! Their site could get penalised for duplicate content – but so could yours, if Google hasn’t indexed you as being the original source. The way round this is for the other site to use the ‘noindex’ tag, and to include a link back to your original article. So you can syndicate articles, but do it carefully… and if the other website owner doesn’t know what a ‘noindex’ tag is, or they’re not willing to apply it, then don’t do it. (Note: A bigger problem is that some spammy webmasters use ‘scrapers’ to steal content without your permission. If that happens, you can ask Google to remove the scraped content from their search results.)
  • Avoid cheap copywriters. Not all copywriters create unique content; and if you’re buying an article for $5 from someone in India, there’s a good chance that they might have copied someone else’s work. Or they’ve taken someone else’s work, and then put it through a ‘spinner’ which is an automatic software tool that rewrites content. And yep, Google hates ‘spun’ content! If you use a quality copywriter, the content will not only be unique, but it will reflect your tone of voice; demonstrate your company’s expertise; and compel readers to buy from you or otherwise take action.

Those are some of the main duplicate content issues I’ve come up against. There are others, too (as listed in the Google article I linked to) but they are there for your web developer to action, rather than a copywriting issue.

Ask your website developer to help you

The best advice I can give you is to focus on creating unique content, and that your website developer does their part in the programming. Go through the list of action points in Google’s article point by point.

Don’t assume that your web developer knows all this stuff, or will automatically do it: I’ve come across numerous web developers who have never heard of 301 redirects, or will only do them for an extra fee.

Remember that it’s YOUR website and your business at stake, so you have every right to ask questions of your suppliers.

If you play nicely, you should be fine

Just like schoolteachers punish only the naughty kids, Google only intends to punish those website owners who deliberately engage in deceptive practices. Google doesn’t like people who try to cheat the system and take shortcuts; they’ll be punished, sooner or later.

So if you focus on creating unique, high quality content for your website (and have a web developer on side who’s clued up in this area), you should be absolutely fine. (And if the worst does happen, and your site gets blacklisted by Google, you can submit your site for reconsideration.)

Here are some of the steps you can take so that your website doesn’t suffer from problems with duplicate content:

  • If there is a separate mobile version of your website, ensure that the ‘noindex’ tag is used for them.
  • If your website has printer-only pages, use the ‘noindex’ tag for them.
  • Avoid using similar content across a number of pages.
  • On e-commerce sites, avoid using the manufacturer’s generic blurb and write your own.
  • Syndicate articles carefully, and get the other website to use a ‘noindex’ tag, and also link back to your original article.
  • Avoid cheap copywriters who might steal or ‘spin’ content.
  • Ask your web developer which steps they’ve taken to avoid duplicate content issues. Go through the Google article with them as a starting point.
  • Focus on creating unique, high quality content for your website.

Need unique copy for your website? Discover the ‘Words by Cornelia’ writing service →

This article was originally published by me, Cornelia Luethi, on my copywriting website: http://wordsbycornelia.com/what-is-duplicate-content

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Friday, February 6, 2009

A God Day

Day of the God (Mahana no Atua), 1894 by Paul Gauguin (French, 1848-1903)
Oil on canvas, 26 7/8 x 36 in. (68.3 x 91.5 cm)
Helen Birch Bartlett Memorial Collection, 1926.198 Gallery 246

by Solomon

The gears are all in mesh.
My veins are swollen with confidence.
Today I can skip under
The skin of eternity
And become that galloping horse,
Feel like a king
Who has all things in place.

Any one of today's 86,400 seconds,
I will have lived the best day
Of my life.

You know my number, Lord.
Call my time.

Let someone else move up the queue.
Taste this avalanche of endorphins.

© Solomon 2009

Listen to this poem:

Solomon is a rather private person. He works as a freelance copywriter in KL. He likes writing lines like these, when not thinking communications stuff.

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Mr. Handyman

First thing Saturday morning I decided to fix the washing machine. This decision had not been reached lightly. The cold water pressure was weak so I had checked with two experts at work (i.e., they had both owned washing machines at one time or another) and determined that it was a sticky solenoid. I grabbed my toolbox and told my wife what I was planning.

“It’ll be fixed in ten minutes,” I explain as I head down to the basement. Meanwhile, she is looking up the number of a ‘24 hour emergency plumbing service’ and entering it into the speed-dialing function of the telephone.

“Shouldn’t I call the plumber?” she asks, making it obvious that she doesn’t understand men. Of course, she has her reasons – I’ve had some bad experiences. In fact, I’ve yet to tackle a home improvement project that has actually improved the home.

But today I was feeling confident. I carefully removed every screw from the back of the washing machine only to discover that it still wouldn’t come off. So, using the largest screwdriver I could find as leverage, I applied gentle pressure until suddenly there was a god-awful screech followed by two loud snaps and the back of the washing machine flies off like a cork out of a champagne bottle and smashes against the concrete wall with a thud that shakes the house.

I hear the basement door open above me. “Should I call the plumber?”

“We don’t need a plumber, everything is going according to plan,” I assure her.

Of course, I’m not exactly sure what the plan is. The back of the washing machine is filled with enough wires and hoses to launch the space shuttle and I have absolutely no idea where to begin. So I slowly begin removing parts, looking for anything which might remotely resemble a solenoid, which is a cylindrical object which can be magnetized (I looked it up in the dictionary).

Every hour or so the basement door opens. “Should I call the plumber?”

Finally, with head held low, I humbly tell her, “It’s time to call a plumber.”

Personally, I believe I was on the verge of figuring the whole thing out, but I could tell that she was starting to get nervous. A short time later Mr. Smarty-pants Plumber arrives and views the carnage.

“What the hell happened here?” he asks in disbelief.

I tell him the only thing that pops into my head. “Vandals. We’ve been having some problems in the neighborhood.”

“Must have been a whole gang of them to have caused this much damage,” he suggests and I can only nod my head in agreement.

He continues to review the scene of destruction, occasionally muttering “Hmmm” under his breath. Somehow, I intuitively know that every “hmmm” is costing me an additional fifty dollars.

Finally, Mr. Overpriced Plumber starts putting everything back together again until, like magic, the washing machine is back in one piece and pushed against the wall.

“Exactly what were you trying to do?” Mr. Couldn’t-make-it-as-an-electrician asks as he’s calculating a bill larger than a small country’s gross national product.

I seize the opportunity to show him he’s not dealing with just any goober who walked in off the street. “The cold water pressure was weak,” I explain. “Sticky solenoid.”

“Uh huh,” he responds and reaches behind the machine and twists off a hose. He taps the nozzle against the palm of his hand until a black, gooey glob of sludge oozes out. Then, with a final twist, he reattaches the hose.

“Your filter was clogged.”


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Thursday, June 29, 2006

Ignatieff's Afghan Problem

Peace keeping means what it says. It involves keeping the peace between two identifiable warring factions who want peace and have invited third party in to keep it. It really only has a hope of succeeding when those groups are separated from one another by geography. In this sense Ignatieff is right about the Afghanistan mission and the others dead wrong. Afghanistan is not suited to peace keeping. Furthermore, as guerilla war supplants state on state violence as the dominant form of conflict, peacekeeping missions have become less and less useful. In this sense too Ignatieff is right, albeit for the wrong reasons, and his opponents are wrong. Peace keeping has had it day; it represents a proud chapter in Canada history, but that chapter has been written; let us move on. The question is to what.

Given that he is the only one willing to admit that peace keeping has had its day, it should come as no surprise that Ignatieff is the only candidate is to propose a replacement and for this he deserves still more credit. Ignatieff, however, proposes that the Liberals adopt a Neo Wilsonian doctrine that works in theory, but is a miserable failure in practice. In short, without Ignatieff the Liberals would have remained trapped in the past, but with him the Liberals are trapped between ideology and nostalgia.

Moreover, while Ignatieff "responsibility to protect" doctrine does not piggyback on US foreign policy in theory, it certainly does in practice. No other Western country has the economic, military, political and diplomatic wherewithal to intervene in situations that Ignatieff claims we have a duty to intervene and in the manner in which he advocates. If the US does not intervene, then the West will not intervene and the UN and other international bodies will certainly not intervene.

Ignatieff: "Multilateral solutions to the world's problems are all very well, but they have no teeth unless America bares its fangs." The relationship is not entirely a parasitic one though. The so called "liberal hawks" did much of the intellectual heavy lifting for the Bush administration prior to the Iraq War. If Ignatieff has his way, Canada will fill that role as well as offering token support.

Needless to say, being wedded to US foreign policy has it consequences. If the US attacks a Muslim country, an obvious consequence is an increased risk of terrorism, but more on that latter. Another one was mentioned by Ignatieff following the Iraq war. Motives matter. It is not enough that an intervention be justified on humanitarian grounds. Motives determine policy. As a result, if the motives of the interveners are not in the right spot the desired outcomes will likely not be achieved or worse. Ignatieff claims that he only recognized this with regard to Iraq after the fact. To date, Ignatieff has not, however, mentioned what motivates US policy in Afghanistan and how this might affect outcomes there.

As for Afghanistan, while many people may side with him and admire his past writings, the manner in which Ignatieff has defended the mission has angered people on both sides of the debate. His performance in the first Liberal leadership debate particularly irked people. During the debate Ignatieff claimed that the death of a Canadian soldier meant that if the house did not vote to extend the mission her death would have been in vain and by implication that the mission had merit by virtue of her death. "I supported the extension of the mission because that very day a brave soldier from Shilo, Manitoba, gave her life". Now, no one wants to see someone die for a mistake, but it is incredible that Ignatieff would imply that a mission is validated if soldiers have died carrying it out. That was not the worst of it though. He went to say suggest that voting against an extension meant that one did not “support our troops”. "I couldn't in good conscience stand up in the House of Commons and not vote for the extension of a mission when our soldiers' lives were on the line." The Star's Chantal Herbert rightly called him to task for this:

"Saturday, he said he felt he would have let the Canadian soldiers who had put their lives on the line in Afghanistan down if he had voted differently. The notion that support for our troops should mean support for the government's decisions on the deployment is one of Stephen Harper's most demagogic arguments. In a rebuttal to Ignatieff, Bob Rae was right to point it out."

However bad these talking points are, what threatens to do the most damage to Ignatieff's reputation is his failure to acknowledge the Afghan elephant in the Canadian living room. Namely, Ignatieff has not acknowledged that our presence in Afghanistan greatly increases the chances that Canada will be targeted by terrorists, especially domestic ones. The arrest of the Ontario 17 has certainly driven this point home. According to the crown, Canada's Afghanistan policy was what motivated them. Canada is thus added to the list of countries targeted (Britain, Spain and Australia (the Lodhi case) and the US) by its own citizens because they were angered by their country's foreign policy. If a desire to speak the truth was not motivation enough, then Stephen Harper's denials should have been. Ignaiteff gains nothing by remaining silent. The Canadian people certainly do not believe Harper's propaganda about the Afghan mission making us safer.

"When asked about the likelihood of Canada being a terror target because of its military presence in Afghanistan, 56 per cent said we are more likely to be attacked.

This represents an increase of 18 per cent compared to one year ago. Thirty-four per cent say the military presence has no bearing; while five per cent say having soldiers in Afghanistan make us less susceptible to an attack."

And it is not as if Ignatieff has not acknowledged a connection between foreign policy and terrorism before. For example:

"After 9/11, Islamic terrorism may have metastasized into a cancer of independent terrorist cells that, while claiming inspiration from Al Qaeda, no longer require its direction, finance or advice. These cells have given us Madrid. Before that, they gave us Istanbul, and before that, Bali. There is no shortage of safe places in which they can grow. Where terrorists need covert support, there are Muslim communities, in the diasporas of Europe and North America, that will turn a blind eye to their presence. If they need raw recruits, the Arab rage that makes for martyrs is still incandescent. Palestine is in a state of permanent insurrection. Iraq is in a state of barely subdued civil war. Some of the Bush administration's policies, like telling Ariel Sharon he can keep settlements on the West Bank, may only be fanning the flames."

The longer Ignatieff sits by and lets Stephen Harper echo Bush and claim that Canadian foreign policy plays no role and that "we are a target because of who we are, and how we live, our society are diversity our values” the more damage is done to his strongest asset, viz., his reputation as public intellectual committed to open and honest debate, and the more ammunition he gives to those who claim that he a Republican lap dog. No public intellectual worth his salt, no matter where they stood on the mission, would tolerate Stephen Harper claiming that sending troops to Afghanistan will protect Canadians from domestic terrorists, who have never sat foot in Afghanistan, but who are, according to the crown, motivated to attack Canada because we have sent troops there.

Even Bin Laden has mocked Bush's claim that the reason Al Qaeda attacked the US was because Al Qaeda hate American freedoms.
"Oh American people, my talk to you is about the best way to avoid another Manhattan, about the war, its causes, and results. Security is an important pillar of human life. Free people do not relinquish their security. This is contrary to Bush's claim that we hate freedom. Let him tell us why we did not strike Sweden, for example. It is known that those who hate freedom do not have proud souls, like the souls of the 19 people [killed while perpetrating the 11 September 2001 attacks], may God have mercy on them. We fought you because we are free and do not accept injustice. We want to restore freedom to our nation. Just as you waste our security, we will waste your security." It goes without saying that no Conservative has ever explained why Al Qaeda has singled Canada out, but that is not because they have not said. Al Qaeda has made it clear it is because of our presence in Afghanistan.
"What do your governments want from their alliance with America in attacking us in Afghanistan? I mention in particular Britain, France, Italy, Canada, Germany and Australia. We warned Australia before not to join in the war in Afghanistan, and against its despicable effort to separate East Timor. It ignored the warning until it woke up to the sounds of explosions in Bali.” In Al Qaeda speak, Canada's involvement in Muslim lands makes us part of the "far enemy"; the "near enemy" are the regimes of the Middle East. However much Harper might wish it, Bin Laden's words can wished away with the wave of his neo conservative wand. Bin Laden's words lay out an ideological and strategic Western citizens inspired by Al Qaeda's ramblings and as sure as the sun will set and rise some Canadians will be inspired and will consider carrying out acts terrorism so long as Canada is part of military operation in a Muslim country. Furthermore, pace Rae, Kennedy and Volpe, it likely does not matter what the nature of our military role in such missions is. Sending a "reconstruction team" is just as likely to get us targeted as peace making team. It is foolish to believe that anyone inspired by Al Qaeda would care to make such distinctions; most are too blinded by ideology lies and hate and those that are not will see the strategic reasons for erasing such a distinction.

His support for Afghanistan good harm Ignatieff in yet another way. According to Ignatieff, despite his strong support for war in Iraq, he would not have sent Canadian troops into the country. He gave several reasons. One was that Canadians did not support going to Iraq and public support in a democracy matters. The other was that going to Iraq would have had significant consequences for national unity here at home. Separatists had historically made hay whenever Canada had sent troops abroad and this time would have been no different; it is hard to argue that Ignatieff is wrong in this regard. Iraq would have been a huge boast for them. That said, in trying to distance himself from the Iraq war, Ignatieff created more troubles for himself then he solved. For you see, the sword cuts both ways. As with Iraq, the Canadian people did not support extending the Afghan mission. Furthermore, there is no reason to believe that separatists could not make hay with Afghanistan. Indeed, a terrorist attack, inspired by Canada's presence in Afghanistan, could spilt the country apart, especially if Quebec is the victim. Currently the Afghan mission is opposed by what 60% of Quebecers and huge number opposed the mission's extension. If Quebecers die as a result of us being there, the separatists will use it as a reason why Quebecers need their own country with its own foreign policy. Given what has just transpired in Ontario and the fact that the accused were said to be motivated by Canada's role in Afghanistan, Ignatieff can not very well claim that chances of such an attack or not insignificant.

Indeed for a schoolar who has made a reputation for himself sketching out the possible and actual consqunces of a war on terrorism, Ignatieff has been remarkably silent on what a terrorist attack motivated by Canada's involvment in Afghanistan might mean for the country. A further problem that Ignatieff surely recognizes but cares not to comment on is this.. If Canada is going to avoid a European like demographic meltdown, Canada will have to keep allowing in large numbers of immigrants. If a terrorist attack does occur, this may no longer be politically possible. We may find ourselves in same situation as Europe, namely, badly needing immigrants, but unable to do so because it is not politically possible.

One would think that given such risks, not to mention the costs, that Ignatieff would at least have a convincing argument for why the Afghan mission will succeed and, just as importantly, how success in Afghanistan furthers Canadian interests, but alas no. He has not said a peep. It would thus appear that while Ignatieff the intellectual might be worried about mounting coalition causalities, the introduction of suicide bombings into Afghanistan, riots in Kabul, aid agencies all but abandoning Afghanistan's hinterlands and recent reports that the coalition is loosing the battle for hearts and minds, Ignatieff the politician seriously believes that good intentions somehow guarantee success.

Thankfully not all supporters of the Afghan mission have sold their soul and their brain in the hopes of political glory.

Ahmed Rashid:
"Since 2003 when the Taliban first began to regroup, they have gradually matured and developed with the help of al-Qaeda, which has reorganized and retrained them to use more sophisticated tactics in their military operations. As recently as a year ago, the main Taliban groups were composed of a few dozen fighters; now each group includes hundreds of heavily armed men equipped with motorbikes, cars, and horses. They burn down schools and administrative buildings and kill any Afghan who is even indirectly associated with the government. In the south, they operate with impunity just outside the provincial capitals, which have become like Green Zones. Approximately 1,500 Afghan security guards and civilians were killed by the Taliban last year and some three hundred already this year. There have been forty suicide bombings during the past nine months, compared to five in the preceding five years. ....

The aid programs supposed to provide alternative livelihoods to farmers producing poppies or help them grow other lucrative cash crops are derisory when compared to what the drug smugglers offer. The best-functioning programs to help farmers are run by opium traffickers who provide improved varieties of poppy seeds, fertilizer, and better methods of cultivation to increase opium yields and even large-scale employment during the poppy harvest. When we compare Afghanistan's situation today with that of 2001, we see the country now needs to develop an entire alternative economy to replace the drug economy." (The Taliban have recreated themselves as the champion of the opium trade; defending Afghanistan's only viable crop and export from outsiders who only seek to destroy the opium trade, has proved very successful and explains why many experts fill the Taliban is winning the battle for hearts.)

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Friday, 25 May 2018
BBC INTRODUCING in Kent's 9th birthday party!

Sunday 26, March 2017
5:30 PM

Tickets £8.00, Concessions £

As this concert is on Sunday 26th, tickets are now only available by calling 01322 291100 or buying on the door.
BBC introducing in Kent comes to the Mick Jagger Centre to celebrate nine years of championing the best new music from across the county.
Hosted by presenter Abbie McCarthy, the showcase will feature some of the programme’s most exciting discoveries over the last 12 months, including The Bay Rays, Matt Wills and SHELLS.
Headlining the event is Tunbridge Wells trio and Radio 1 THE BAY RAYS, who did a storming headline set on the BBC Introducing stage at Glastonbury Festival last year, their performance is definitely one not to be missed.
Sevenoaks electronic dance producer DRAPER has a mesmerising and energetic live show, his set in the BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage at Reading and Leeds Festival this summer was one of the most talked about of the weekend so we cannot wait for him to grace the stage at our birthday party!
Tenterden singer songwriter MATT WILLS is a true superstar in the making, one with a truly beautiful voice. He's recently been touring the world with Sigala and Bastille so his live show is sounding bigger and better than ever before!
Biddenden’s SHELLS will be bringing her ethereal and cinematic sound to Dartford, hot on the heels of the release of her debut EP ‘Shapes’. This lady’s talent is special – make sure you snap up this opportunity to see her, especially while you can still see her play in an intimate setting.
Opening up the bill is Bexley band GLASS PEAKS with their huge anthemic rock songs. Since forming just over a year ago this four piece have quickly cemented themselves as one of the South East’s hottest talents and their riff-filled, high energy live set is going to kick the event off in the best possible way!

Age restrictions: 14 + and children under 14 to be accompanied by an adult. ...

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What is EVAP?? - Explained

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What is EVAP?? - Explained

Post by admin » Tue Aug 15, 2017 8:17 pm

What Is EVAP??
EVAP Stands for Evaporative control System. The evaporative emissions are the Hydrocarbons which escapes from the vehicles fuel system in the form of vapors adding to the list of harmful emissions. To avoid these HC emissions EVAP is been implemented.
During warm weather the lighter chemicals in the fuel like aldehydes, aromatics, olefins and paraffin's easily evaporate, the evaporated elements react with the atmospheric air forming photo-chemical smog and polluting the environment.To avoid fuel from evaporating and hitting the ambient environment one has to completely seal the fuel tank, which is not possible.The fuel vapor thus formed is fed to a canister which contains charcoal/active carbon.The trapped HC contents of the fuel are let into the intake manifold via a unique valve setup called a purge valve.
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Canister plays a vital role in the EVAP system. Canister is a small rectangular plastic container which contains charcoal which acts as a absorbent absorbing the vapor formed. Once the vehicle is started the purge valve opens and the vapor is sent to the intake.

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Motorcycle Review Contest

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Motorcycle Review Contest

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Greetings to members of TheMotoMech Forum.
We are happy to announce our first contest on this Forum. This is the right place and time to come up with your personal reviews on motorcycles and as a reward for your valuable opinions and reviews you get a chance to win exiting prizes. Shell out your reviews on the newly launched Bajaj Pulsar RS 160. The motorcycle is already available at the dealerships. Grab in your chance to win exiting prizes.

Contest Rules and guidelines:
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Bikestuff B-GL20L Full Fingered Motorcycle Riding Gloves
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*Full fingered gloves. Standard L size
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Minister inspects CBT centres ahead 2018 UTME

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cbt Malam Adamu Adamu

The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu has begun the inspection of Computer Based Test ( CBT ) centres to ascertain its readiness for the 2018 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Adamu, while inspecting the Digital Bridge and the Global Distance Learning centres in Abuja on Friday, told newsmen that he was satisfied with the level of preparedness of the centres.

He called on students to get acquainted with the operations regarding computer usage as this would help them in the examinations.

According to him, there will be no need for guide during the examination if students are computer literate and this would hasten the speed of examinations.

“ We are very happy. I have just been to two centres today and I am just very happy with what I am seeing.

“ I am satisfied just as the students are satisfied. But my message to the students is that they should come and use the facilities here and I hope they are computer literate.

“ If they are, they probably do not need the help of the people they will find there,’’ he said.

Similarly, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, Registrar, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) said he was glad the minister was out to monitor the level of readiness of some of the centres ahead of the examinations.

Read Also: JAMB sells 1.6m 2018 UTME forms

Oloyede said that the board was complying on the instruction of the ministry to get the centres ready for the examinations.

“ The magic behind this is that the minister has given us a mandate and asked us to do the job and we are doing it the way he wanted.’’

JAMB has announced that the 2018 UTME will take place in March.

However, the registrar during a meeting with stakeholders recently in Abuja announced that the examination would be preceded with mock examination.

JAMB, however, had extended registration till midnight, Tuesday, Feb. 6 to enable candidates have ample time to register.


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About Me

This blog is primarily geared toward staff at the zoos, aquariums, museums (ZAMs), and other conservation education organizations that are part of our growing global network. We aim to provide you with cutting edge, challenging, and creative information, ideas, and tools to become as effective as possible at communicating about and for conservation with your visitors and the public.

See our ongoing communications research, or join our growing network, at The Ocean Project's website.

December 22, 2010

SEASons Greetings from The Ocean Project!

It has been an eventful year for the health of our ocean planet. Devastating events such as the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico have reminded us of the vulnerability of our ocean, and our duty to take action and protect it.
At The Ocean Project we continued to provide our Partners with new and meaningful conservation communication insights to help them become more efficient and effective educators and communicators for conservation action. In 2011, we are launching a new three year initiative, which will significantly expand our market research capabilities and help our Partners to fully integrate and utilize these valuable resources and strategic communications tools.

Through an expansion of our market research initiative -- and other activities, such as providing ways to take tangible action focused on a new conservation theme each month -- we plan to engage and mobilize people for conservation action around the United States and in the 75 other countries where are Partners are based. Collectively, we hope to develop more of a conservation consciousness among all members of society.

Thank you for your interest, and your help working for the ocean and the health of our planet! Please consider making a year end ocean donation to The Ocean Project. With our small team, each contribution goes far for positive change! Thank you and have a wonderful holiday season!

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Thursday, October 13, 2011

Are They All Yours?

So with Maggie in the sling and the toddlers strapped into the double stroller, I grabbed Owen's hand and we entered the Kids Festival at the Forks. This was an interesting outing for me and the 4 children. It was crowded and HOT, but we were together and we had fun!

I am always amazed at the looks I get while out, on my own, with all my children. Without a doubt I hear "Wow, you have your hands full.", "Now that's a busy Mom." or "Are they all yours?". Granted the last one is somewhat fair because we do foster a cute little boy, so there is a chance that I could be just a part-time caregiver to at least one. However, my answer is always... "Some days are tough, but they are great children.", "There is certainly no time to be lazy." and "Yes, they are all my little ones."

I think it's something that happens to all mothers of more than two children, yet I wonder if I will ever get used to these comments? They are almost always well intended, but the truth is I don't FEEL busy, or that my hands are too full. On the contrary I feel content and purposeful. I know that every day I am fulfilling God's plan in my life. Not all days are a cake walk and I do loose it from time to time. I don't always feel like the "right one to do the job", but each day is new hope, love and after a cup of coffee, energy.

As a youth, I hated having a full house. My mother always had someone over. I used to think it was because she couldn't handle being alone, but I think now it was more that, in having people and children in her life, it brought her joy and a purpose that so many others just don't have the heart for. I know there were days, weeks or even months when this would drain my Mom and bring her down, but ultimately she was happy being with and serving others. After many years of denial, I have come to accept that I too have this calling. It is not an easy one, but it really is amazing to know that I am investing in the lives of people.

What an honor it is to know that God trusts me enough to give me the lives of these children to love and mold into great adults. Granted it's only with His divine wisdom I can actually achieve any of this, so when the day is done I rest peacefully in the knowledge that I have done my best!


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School begins

Thursday, August 18, 2011
The first day of school for Bailey came and went. It was nearly as uneventful as any regular day of school last year, which I welcomed with open arms. :) She immediately found her seat, greeted a few of her friends from last year, and began working on her morning work. Her teacher, Mrs. B, is super sweet and super tough, both very good things for our talkative and sometimes attention-deprived (haha) daughter.

Much like any normal day of school last year, we also had homework. Mrs. B wastes no time. And, as much as I would love to complain because it is SO much work, I would never breathe a negative word about it. Bailey really enjoys homework and learning... and she didn't really miss a beat in getting back into our after school routine. I was happy to hear that Bailey had Mrs. B when we found out it was her, because she is supposedly an awesome teacher. I also heard that she might be one of the toughest at our school... and tough really means work. If tough and homework equals Bailey excelling in school, well, I am happy to sit and work with her through homework from the very first day. :) I have a feeling Bailey is going to grow exponentially this year.

In other school news, Bailey is enjoying meeting new friends (of course) and was over the moon excited about her classroom having a new student today, who she has claimed as her "newest friend." I translate that into "Mom, I am going to show this girl how to do everything at our new school and introduce her to every person I know." Having moved from school to school more times that I would want to count, I am so happy to know that my daughter is the little girl who is running to make her feel welcome.

Bailey also is all about the clothes this year. I don't mind that too much, since I love to get her dressed up, but she is a little bit more obsessed than I expected. She doesn't want to wear anything that she has worn before. Fortunately, I convinced her that she really can't do that, otherwise, she's going to run out of clothes soon. I held my breath in fear that she was going to suggest that we just go buy more. Luckily, she laughed sheepishly and said something to the effect of how silly she was being for thinking that way. Shew. A close one for sure. lol.

Six school days in and we are feeling good (aside from a sniffle and cough here and there after the first two days - eek).

One child down...

... and the other to go. Tomorrow will be Jake's Open House at his new school (which he thought I said Haunted House and kind of freaked out a little - haha). We are very eager to see what he thinks. I am sure that he's going to be nervous and I'm quite honestly dreading next week because of it. I'm sure he will do great, but I know that he's going to have that sweet little nervous face when I get ready to leave. He's going to wring his hands and force a smile after he hugs and kisses me about 5 times. Then, I'm going to get that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach, give him my best forced smile, tell him how much fun he's going to have, and then pray as I walk out the door that he doesn't shed a tear. This will happen for the entire first week, but I'm very hopeful that after that it will go away. Hoping and praying. So, if you are feeling prayerful and want to whisper a quick one for us for next week, I'd really appreciate it!

Pics of Jake's first day, coming soon. :)

  1. Thinking of Jake (and you) today!! Can't wait to hear how it goes. And yay Bailey - but I'd never expect less :)


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Something to think about

Apr 30, 1998 06:07 PM
by Thoa Thi-Kim Tran

Excerpted from an article in the San Francisco Chronicle
By Amy Harmon
New York Times
Bowman, N.D.

For nearly a year, Elisa DeCarlo had been logging on to the Internet daily
to type messages to an online support group about her battle against
alcohol. It did not matter that she did not know where most of the 200 or
so other participants in the group lived, or even their names. All that
mattered was that they were there for her, and she for them, in a fight
that some days sapped all of her strength and sense of humor.

But the morning of Monday, March 23, drinking her usual cup of coffee as
she scrolled through the previous day's e-mail, DeCarlo, a 38-year-old
comedian in New York City, lost faith in her vitual community.

Along with the typical postings from members about their weekends was a
message from a man she knew as Larry. In graphic detail, Larry described
how three years ago he killed his 5-year-old daughter, Amanda, in a North
Dakota town of Bowman.

In the message, posted at 12:50 p.m. on March 22, Larry recounted how,
overcome by a bitter custody dispute with his ex-wife, he had set fire to
his home and trapped his daughter inside.

The e-mail message struck DeCarlo as horrifying, but she grew further
dismayed over the online debate that followed.

While some members of the support group were appalled by Larry's account,
others rushed to his defense, trying to assure him that he was experiencing
a fantasy driven by guilt over his divorce. Others tried to comfort him by
telling him that the crime was long past.

On March 24, in the midst of what is known on the Internet as a flame war,
DeCarlo was one of three members of the support group to notify
law-enforcement officials.

Bowman police said Larry Froistad, a 29-year-old computer programmer in San
Diego, called them March 27 and confessed. Froistad has since been
extradited to Bowman, a town of about 1,800 people, and he is scheduled to
be arraigned on murder charges tomorrow in the courthouse. The courthouse
is a few blocks from a slab of concrete and rusted plumbing where his
daughter died in a fire that was ruled accidental at the time.

Jim Shirk, 59, went to the FBI. When news of Larry's arrest reached the
group, someone called for the squealers to come forward. Shirk, of
Bremerton, Wash., who said he had been sober for 19 years and is a licensed
chemical dependency counselor, sent the person private e-mail explaining
his desire to remain anonymous.

Instead, the person posted the e-mail to the whole list, and sent Shirk
private e-mail back: "Just how big a pervert are you?" it read. "I bet
you really get off talking to the FBI. Wow. Did you ask them if you could
see their guns?"

Experts who study the sociology of cyberspace say the intersection of the
confidentiality ethic of self-help groups and the sometimes illusory
anonymity of online communion can make for particularly sticky situations.

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Theosophy World: Dedicated to the Theosophical Philosophy and its Practical Application


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Monday, 5 April 2010

Get Funky Challenge April

I used an 8x8 white cardstock to make this easel card for this Challenge. The Cloud Paper is from Pink Petticoat but the small umbrellas are from Funky Hand's Wordbook CD - Daisy Chain. I used a Gel Pen to draw the brolly handles. Close up shows sentiment.

This close-up shows different papers for brollies.

  1. Wow this is funky and very true. sandra x

  2. wow another really great card, just love all those umbrellas and the sentiment is so fab.luv coops.xx

  3. wow what a great card Sheila...your brollies are just too cute...thanks for joining in the fun this month with the Get Funky Gang...hugs kath xxxx

  4. Great take on the theme Sheila. Love all the brollies and a great sentiment. Thanks for joining in at Get Funky. :)xx

  5. what a great take on the challenge , fab brollies
    Thanks for playing along at Get funky this month

  6. Great little brollies!! Thanks for entering the Get Funky! Challenge – hope you can join us again next month! Get Funky!

  7. Hi Sheila

    Loving your April Shower creation - cute little brollies!!!

    Thank you for sharing with us at Get Funky! this month.

    Love Jules xx

  8. Gorgeous, funky card Sheila, love the sentiment
    hugs Mandy xx

Thank you so much for visiting my blog and leaving a comment ~ do come back soon.
Wishing you a Happy Day, Sheila:)X


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Monday, September 29, 2008

You sexist pigs

Obviously Matt and Robb are picking on me because they're just jealous that my penis is bigger than both of theirs, and that the only people i've shown it to are the bass players that don't work out. I know they want to see it, but the most they'll get is that bulge down by the bottom hem of my jeans.

Little Book of Scottish Folklore

So, apparently Matt feels that I unfairly made him come across as anti-Scottish when I said on stage that he referred to Scotland as a "colony of retards." I will admit that this was unfair on my part, mostly because I did not give the context under which that statement was made. Matt claims that he wasn't saying he hated Scottish people; rather, he was saying that he hated Paula. So let me give you the entire dialogue as best as I remember it, and let you be the judge:

Paula: There's this documentary out, I don't remember the name, but it's about this isolated colony in the Northern UK that's inhabited by, and entirely run by, handicapped people.

Matt: I heard about that too.

Paula: Oh yeah?

Matt: Yeah, it's called Scotland., as you can see, Matt was clearly taking a shot at Paula and the one-fifth or so of her that is Scottish, and not at Scottish people in general (insert sarcasm here). Needless to say, it still won us a bunch of British fans.

Feel better, Laforest?

On a semi-related note, we have been auditioning bass players lately. In the meantime, our fill-in approach has been working wonderfully. The problem that we have with keeping bass players full-time, however, is that either Matt keeps subjecting them to his "Eau De Wrath" or Paula keeps sleeping with them. So we've decided to audition bassists who my gay-dar tells me aren't into women -- which means we only have to worry about Matt throwing drum sticks and other random bits of machinery at them in rehearsal (oh, and me trying to sleep with them if it's a Sunday).

But seriously though, Matt and I were at a party to launch Ryan Worsley's EchoPlant Studios over the weekend, where Colin Bales, the bassist in Dawntreader, remarked that he thought Paula was, "like a rock groupie who got lucky and actually joined the band." Although I had just finished asking Dawntreader how much longer they were going to replace Matthew Thomas with a male vocalist, Matt (Laforest) and I didn't much appreciate someone in another "band" talking ill of our bandmate. Remember, we can say all we want about one another, but if some outsider cuts us down, well, that's grounds for a monster beating.

So Matt and I dragged Colin's sorry ass down the hill and curbstomped him in front of his wife.

Canadians: remember to vote on October 14.

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

My turn!

Okay, hello my pretties!, as Matt so kindly alluded to, I have been moving lately. Downsizing a little as well; I left with my record collection, guitars, laptop, and alcohol collection. I've been collecting bits of furniture, but nothing significant aside from a mattress and a blanket. I'm going for a very minimalist zen thing these days -- although I certainly make up for it with my diva selection of hair products! Was it not Al Pacino playing Satan in The Devil's Advocate who said, "Vanity: my favourite sin!"... regardless, I spent the long weekend doing a lot of writing! (this in response to Matt's previous post -- wait till we start going Gallagher bros.) -- some song titles in progress so far are:

We Are Not What They Are Wanting to Hear
Go to Sleep

Yes, "Madonna" is an old, old Paint song for the faithful among you, but it's been completely re-written into a much more refined song -- kudos to Matt and Paula for their new energy and musical insight into all things Paint!

...more are being written still, and to reiterate what Matt wrote, they will all be debuted at the September 19th gig -- and don't forget about the radio spots earlier that week, where you can also get previews of the new tunes on radio or "internet podcast land" as Ben Lai at CiTR would say.


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Thursday, March 1

On a Personal Note ~ Best Ribs

I'm not a huge meat person. I don't eat beef and I don't like chicken. My husband on the other hand is like most men and would be a steak and potatoes man if I wasn't trying to turn our family into vegetarians half the time. Last weekend was his birthday and so he requested ribs... probably because he's suffered through too many ruined birthday steaks. Luckily I do ribs really well. They're delicious and fall off the bone and you can make them any time of year. Here's a quick set of directions:

start with pork ribs... some sort of back ribs... like baby back or what have you
then I cut mine into sections (about 4-6 ribs per section)

Steam them. Yep steam them. I have one of those cheap metal steam baskets you put in your pot and I put about 3 inches of water in the pot, then the basket, then the ribs.
Steam them for 2 hours. I will check throughout to make sure I still have water in the pot and will add hot water as needed.
You can let them rest after the steaming but I never do.
I smother them with sauce and put them under the broiler for 5 min and serve.

If you're BBQ'ing then after they've been steamed char them over the BBQ, cover them with sauce and cook on both sides 2-3 min.

For my sauce I just throw these ingredients together until it tastes right:

red wine vinegar (almost as much as the ketchup)
brown sugar (half as much as the ketchup)
liquid smoke (a few shakes)
crushed black pepper
crushed red pepper flakes (not too much)

Sorry I don't have any pictures we ate them before I could even think about it.

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