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May 1, 2013

CSTA Conference Coming Up!

CS13_logo-bigThe 2013 CSTA Annual Conference (click here for conference link) is fast approaching. This lively get-together provides professional development opportunities for K-12 computer science and computer applications teachers who need practical, relevant information to help them prepare students for the future.

Here are some details you’ll want to know:

Dates: July 15-16, 2013
Location: Quincy, Massachusetts, USA

Conference Hashtag: #CSTA13

Important Dates:

Registration: Opens February 25th, 2013
Registration: Closes June 16, 2013
Housing: Opens February 1st, 2013
Housing: Closes June 10, 2013

July 15: Hands-on Workshops
July 16: Keynotes and Breakouts

I confess–this will be my first year attending and I don’t know what to expect. So, I asked my good efriend, Patrice Gans, teacher/Library-Media Specialist at Fraser-Woods School in Connecticut, Connecticut Educators Computer Association Chair, and CSTA K8 Task Force Chair, if she could share her thoughts on this stellar conference:

This past March, I had the good fortune to attend my first SIGCSE conference (Association of Computing Machinery’s Special Interest Group in Computer Science Education). Dr. Margolis, a senior researcher at Center X in the Graduate School of Education & Information Studies at UCLA, presented the closing keynote address. In her address, Professor Margolis affirmed that computer science (CS) education is essential for all students and that early exposure is key. I knew that, as a K-8 computer science educator, my role was more important than ever. Validation that a CS education needs to start pre-college, and that K-8 teachers are an important part of the discussion, is gradually gaining support. But in order for K-8 teachers, or for that matter, any teacher, to be successful, proper professional development is essential.

To create quality lessons, computer science teachers can obtain training and access to professional learning communities by joining an organization that focuses on computer science education. CSTA (Computer Science Teachers Association) does just that.

CSTA, under the auspices of the Association for Computing Machinery, was founded in 2005 with the primary goal of promoting the teaching of computer science and other computing disciplines. Over the years, CSTA has helped to build a strong educational community united behind the goal of supporting and improving computer science education at all levels.

Research shows teachers’ participation in a professional community provides them with important knowledge and psychological support. (Inos & Quigley, 1995). On a more personal level members in CSTA offers individual teachers:

  • a strong community of computer science educators who share their knowledge.
  • advocacy at all levels for a comprehensive computer science curricula.
  • a say in the development of critical policies concerning computer science curriculum, standards, and certification.
  • preferred access to vital professional development opportunities, such as national symposia and workshops.
  • access to more relevant resources, including instructional materials.
  • access to cutting-edge research about current teaching practices and technologies
  • membership in CSTA makes you part of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) family of 80,000 educators, researchers, and professionals world-wide

This coming July 15th and 16th, CSTA will host its annual conference in Quincy Massachusetts, at the Boston Marriott Quincy. This gathering, with topics ranging from pedagogy, curriculum, and equity for students of all ages, along with important developments in mobile applications and robotics, is the ideal opportunity for K-12 computer science and computer applications teachers who need practical, relevant information to help them prepare their students for the future. The event will feature hands-on workshops, break-out sessions, and two amazing keynote speakers, Hadi Patrovi, co-founder of, and Selena Deckelmann. As the co-founder of, Hadi Patrovi’s vision is to fill the world with computer programmers. is a non-profit dedicated to expanding computer programming education. Selena Deckelmann is a woman who knows what it is like to be a woman in high tech. She is a major contributor to (PostgreSQL) [] and a data architect at (Mozilla) [], maker of the Firefox web browser. She speaks internationally about open source, databases and community. Don’t let this wonderful opportunity pass you by. Workshops are filling up fast.

Now is the perfect time to start planning for the next school year. Join CSTA and become part of a community of educational professionals who all share a common goal – computer science education for all. What are you waiting for?

Patrice Gans, Chair CSTA K8 Task Force

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Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-8 technology for 15 years. She is the editor of a K-8 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum, and creator of technology training books for how to integrate technology in education. She is webmaster for six blogs, CSG Master Teacher, an Amazon Vine Voice book reviewer, Editorial Review Board member for Journal for Computing Teachers, Cisco guest blogger, a columnist for, featured blogger for Technology in Education, IMS tech expert, and a monthly contributor to TeachHUB. Currently, she’s editing a techno-thriller that should be out to publishers next summer. Contact Jacqui at her writing office or her tech lab, Ask a Tech Teacher.


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Fitness, Hike, Travel

Takbo: Mt. Talinis Mountain Ultra Marathon 2019

Saturday to Sunday
October 5-6, 2019

Being born and raised in Negros Occidental, Dumaguete City is a familiar place that always gets mentioned by my family and friends. It serves as the Negros Oriental counterpart to our Bacolod City, but I didn’t know much about Mt. Talinis until about a year ago.

The tallest mountain (technically Volcano) in the region, and the 2nd tallest on Negros island after Mt. Kanlaon, Mt. Talinis is also known as Cuernos de Negros (horns of Negros) for its unique shape. This mountain is the venue for the Mt. Talinis Mountain Ultra Marathon and I was able to be attend its second edition. Here is my experience and review.

Continue reading “Takbo: Mt. Talinis Mountain Ultra Marathon 2019”

Fitness, Hike, Travel

Takbo: Conquer Assault 55k Maragondon Trio

Saturday to Sunday
September 21-22, 2019

Hello everyone, it’s me! I’m back after a long hiatus from blogging. Life happened, and by that, I mean that I was busy playing Minecraft. But nature calls and I must answer. This is the account of my first long distance race for the second half of 2019.

Continue reading “Takbo: Conquer Assault 55k Maragondon Trio”

Hike, Travel

Akyat: Mt. 387 + Aloha Falls Traverse

June 23, 2019

Because bebelabs is finishing her Asia Trail Master Grandmaster quest in Malaysia with the Penang Eco 100, I had a free weekend where I didn’t have anything planned. So I used it to finally hike a mountain I haven’t been to before, Mt. 387. This is my hike account.

Continue reading “Akyat: Mt. 387 + Aloha Falls Traverse”

Fitness, Hike, Travel

Takbo: Survivor 50 | SandRoadTrail2019

May 26, 2019

After my first DNF at the Salomon Xtrail, I lost the will to live. Char. I tried my luck at the next 50 kilometer race which was the Survivor 50 | SandRoadTrail2019. This is the account of my adventure in the province of Sariaya, Quezon.

Continue reading “Takbo: Survivor 50 | SandRoadTrail2019”

Fitness, Hike, Travel

Takbo: Arriba Makariba 2019

May 5, 2019

It’s been a while since my last race report. After finishing the Mt. Apo Sky and Vertical race last month, I was ready to get some rest and relaxation away from the trails. But circumstances found me still out on the trails during the weekend. Not that I’m complaining! Here is a brief account of my experience in the recent Arriba Makariba 2019.

Continue reading “Takbo: Arriba Makariba 2019”

Creatives, Fitness, Hike, Travel

Likha: Sandugo Road to Trail 2019

I was fortunate enough to be given another creative project related to trail running. This time, it was for a big local brand’s race event. Here’s how I designed the Sandugo Road to Trail Challenge 2019.

Continue reading “Likha: Sandugo Road to Trail 2019”


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The Whitlingham Bird Report 2020 is available now (click here)

For previous years (2012-2019) see the links on the Whitlingham Bird List page.

NORTH-WEST NORFOLK: Holme fungi extravaganza

26th October 2014

At the start of the year when I was coming up with my target species for the year there were quite a few fungi, and in the end I settled up with a few either/or species. Several of the ones that I hadn't seen can be found at Holme Dunes NWT reserve, where this year Rob Smith and a group of local naturalists have been putting in a concerted recording effort. So far they have recorded over 2000 species between them, and the blog of their exploits is well worth a read - it can be found here. Anyway, Rob had very kindly offered to show me some of the dune specialties that I hadn't seen, and in return I hoped to identify some new species for their list.

I arrived at Holme just before 10:30 to find Rob, Andy and Adrian waiting for me at the visitors centre. After introductions we headed off for the pines to see what we could find. My first target was Scaly Stalkball, a relative of the Winter Stalkball that I had seen in February. On the way we stopped to admire an array of Collared Earthstars (Geastrum triplex), lots of Milky Bonnets (Hemimycena lactea) and a Hare's Ear (Otidea onotica). Emerging from the pines we puzzled over a couple of interesting bracket fungi and saw Snowy, Dune and Blackening Waxcaps (Hygrocybe virginea, conicoides and conica). Before moving on we inspected some Rabbit pellets for nail fungi without success, before arriving at the Scaly Stalkballs (Tulostoma melanocyclum).

Now into the dunes, we were looking for Dune Stinkhorn (Phallus hadriani). A stick marked the spot, but where was the fungus? It was still there, but it had been completely dessicated ("well it is a cold day" was muttered!) We carried on, seeing many more Dune Waxcaps and then another couple of sand specialists, Dune Cavalier (Melanoleuca cinerifolia) and Dune Brittlestem (Psathyrella ammophila) before heading back to the pines. Here we met Karla, who had just photographed a coral fungus. She offered to show us, and we went and had a look. It was small and beige, beneath the pines and the tips discoloured a blue/green, which I believe makes it Ramaria abietina. Nearby we also saw a few Sessile Earthstars and some Liver Milkcaps (Lactarius hepaticus), the milk of which discoloured bright yellow on white tissue.

After a quick bite to eat we went out into the west dunes, walking past a clump of Inocybe sp. We soon located the other species I had particularly wanted to see, Sea Buckthorn Bracket (Phellinus hippophaeicola). Several other species were seen along the path, including a rather out-of-place Collared Earthstar, before I spotted another species of Coral sp. growing amongst the short-cut grass. There were no nearby trees, and this one had brown tips to the branches. A couple of Blackening Waxcaps that were completely black were nice to see, and we also saw a numerous yellowy 'toadstool' type growing in marshy grassland that we couldn't identify. The last fungus of the day was a new one for me - Field Bird's Nest (Cyathus olla) - previously I had only seen Common Bird's Nest.

Many thanks to Rob, Andy, Adrian and Karla for the time, company and local knowledge, which contributed to an excellent days mycology.

  1. Thanks David, was lucky enough to see lots of photo-worthy subjects!


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Thank you for reading my latest blog post. I hesitated, wanting to rename the series “Unmasking the Truth”, but then decided: that was perhaps too melodramatic. Here, below, I have copied the intro to NCS51: which stands for New California State #51. The intro can be found on Twitch, and the link is provided.

Although I am not affiliated with the New California State movement in any manner, I do support what they are doing, in trying to regain control of the governance of California, long the victim of its own dysfunctional politics, by forming a new state in a completely peaceful and constitutional manner. So much to learn…so little time. – Jim 5-04-2021 – The Principal of Texas Travel and Leisure

link to twitch DOT tv – ncs51 – As people living under the bonds of tyranny, we demand a restoration of our Constitutional right to a form of government that functions as a Republic. We strive for a return to integrity in elections, a business-friendly environment, and the return of our individual and corporate liberties.

link to Fascist Biden Seeks to Circumvent the 4th Amendment by Privatizing Spying on US Citizens

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Amateur writer, pianist, denizen of Houston and part-time GLBT activist. Email: james.legare.CEO@jameslegare.us -> I would be delighted to hear from you!

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Publication: Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 5 Issue: 153

Not surprisingly, criticism in the Russian media of Russia’s military actions in South Ossetia and the rest of Georgia, to the degree that there has been any criticism at all, has been muted. Clearly, this is partly due to the fact that the lion’s share of Russian television broadcasting is controlled by the state. As the Moscow Times noted, Russian television has been “flush with footage of misery left by the Georgian assault in the separatist district of South Ossetia; but few, if any, reports mention Russia’s bombing of Georgia” (Moscow Times, August 11).

State manipulation or censorship of the press is, however, only a partial explanation: indeed, the high level of nationalist and anti-Georgian sentiment in Russian society, combined with the Georgian military’s assault on the capital of the breakaway Georgian region of South Ossetia, Tskhinvali, regardless of whether it was provoked, has meant that even many Russian liberals, who represent a small percentage of the entire Russian population ideologically, have been supportive of the Russian attack on Georgia, although not all of them unconditionally so.

One example is Alexei Malashenko, a Caucasus analyst with the Carnegie Moscow Center, who was quoted as saying that while he was “not delighted” by Russian foreign policy, particularly in the Caucasus, Russia was “put in a position where it had to respond” to the events in South Ossetia. Russia, he said, “did not have the right to demonstrate weakness” and had to intervene in response to a Georgian military “Blitzkrieg.”

Malashenko added, however, that he suspected Russia has already gone beyond simply upholding its “self-respect” and “protecting South Ossetia.” If reports “that the Russian fleet is located on the borders of Georgia [and] that Russian aviation is bombing Georgian soil represent the facts,” he said “then it is already a Russian-Georgian war that has exceeded the bounds of the problem of Ossetian and Abkhazian separatism” and “will have to be halted” (Novye izvestia, August 11).

An even more consistent critic of both Vladimir Putin’s foreign and domestic policy during his eight years in the Kremlin, Vitaly Portnikov, equated Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili’s bid to bring South Ossetia’s separatist government to heel with Vladimir Putin’s bid to “restore constitutional order” in Chechnya in 1999. “The Georgians also talk about restoring constitutional order,” he wrote. “It was precisely this kind of restoration that [Mikheil] Saakashvili was preparing for since his first day he came to power, because he desperately wants to resemble Vladimir Putin. And if anyone can blame the Georgian president for this, it is his Western friends. But we in the post-Soviet space now: the society here adores the victor with his bloody saber bared; experienced diplomats who have devoted their lives to the negotiating process are out of favor here. And if for [Mikheil] Saakashvili it became a point of honor and the point of life to retain power in Georgia, then he could not have come up with anything better than a new war on the Russian model” (, August 8).

Some veteran Russian human rights activists have criticized Russia’s attack on Georgia unequivocally. A group including former Russian Human Rights Commissioner Sergei Kovalyov and For Human Rights movement head Lev Ponomarev, among others, signed a statement calling for Russia to be expelled from the Group of Eight and calling on the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to impose sanctions on Russia. “Russia lost the moral right for peacekeeping in Abkhazia and South Ossetia when, circumventing the leadership of sovereign Georgia, it became close friends with the de facto organs of power of these self-declared entities,” the group’s statement read. “Now, casting aside any decency, bringing landing units into Georgia, bombing territory that isn’t even part of the former South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast, Russia … has become a party to an armed conflict.” Likewise, Yelena Bonner, the veteran human rights campaigner and widow of Andrei Sakharov, called on the United Nations to withdraw Russia’s peacekeeping mandate and called on the UN or NATO to send peacekeepers to the region (, August 10).

Several other observers predicted that the Russian-Georgian war would give Russia’s siloviki hardliners the upper hand in the country’s domestic politics. “Even a short ‘peace-keeping’ war will not only provoke a growth in enmity toward Russia on the part of Western countries, but also–and this is more important for us–will confirm [Russian] society in the opinion that over there, in the West, there are not only arrogant, rather stupid pindosy [a derogatory term for Americans], but an enemy who will not yield,” wrote Dmitry Volkov. “There are no real doubts about how Western countries will view the Russian attack. This will allow President Medvedev to be put in the unambiguous position of a ‘strong national leader’ completely dependent on the power structures” (, August 9).

If Russia “gets involved in a war” with Georgia, this will solidify “what the Russian siloviki have achieved [over] the last several months,” wrote the commentator Yulia Latynina. “At the same time, it is completely unimportant who wins this war and who will be its victims. The very fact of such a war means that control over Russia will be retained by the siloviki, the special services, and Putin. The siloviki [would] even profit from the disgrace of Russia; in that case, there will be a bigger outcry, hysteria and money” (, August 8).


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Here Piggy, Piggy: Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year this year goes from February 5th – March 5th. I will be posting 9 of my favorite fictional pigs from film and books.

Years of the Pigs are 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, and 2031. Pigs are realistic, treat themselves well, they are a bit materialistic, hard workers, energetic, and enthusiastic.

Pigs are most compatible with Tigers, as they provide protection and security. They also do well with Rabbits and Goats.

So now onto the countdown.

9) Pigling Bland from The Tale of Pigling Bland by Beatrix Potter

Pigling Bland is sent away from home when there are too many piglets to feed. He and his brother Alexander are headed to market, but Alexander loses his papers and is sent back to the farm. Pigling finds them afterwards and tries to go after him. He ends up running into a farmer who invites him to stay the night at his home. Pigling agrees but is unsure to trust him. After the farmer goes to bed, Pigling discovers another pig there and the two try to escape over the ill anf far away.

***Pigling Bland***

Pigling is a stickler to the rules, kind, caring, intelligent, and all he wanrs os the simple life. He aids Pigwig in her freedom and uses his wits to save the two and escape tp freedom.

For more on Beatrix Potter, go to Bookish Thank You

8) Madmartigan Turns into a Pig from Willow

A prophecy states that a child born with a birthmark will dethrone the evil sorceress, Queen Bavmorda. To stop it from coming to pass she imprisons all pregnant woman to kill them and their children. One child is born and smuggled out, ending up in a village of dwarves. She is found by Willow Ufgood who goes on a quest to try and bring the child to humans to raised by them.

When we first meet the handsome, mercenary Madmartigan, played by Val Kilmer, he is a metaphorical pig. He only cares about himself, is after woman, and just looking for that next pleasurable thing (and freedom from the raven’s cage they put him in.) But as he goes with Willow, we see him change to be a better person. And then the evil sorceress tries to turn him into a pig, but our hero isn’t out for long. He’s saved in the end by Willow, and then takes the baby to raise and care for.

7) Wilbur from Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

Fern saves the runt of the litter from being made into morning’s breakfast and is given him, Wilbur, to take care of, him staying at her uncle’s farm. She loves her pig, but soon grows up and doesn’t seem to care for the pig anymore. Fern’s uncle and aunt decide it is time for him to be made into dinner, but poor Wilbur doesn’t want to die. He has befriended an amazing spider named Charlotte and she sets out on a plan to save him.

Wilbur is an adorable pig and friend. He’s there for Charlotte and even after her death, cares for her spiders and the generations to come.

6) Henwen from The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander and film The Black Cauldron

In The Book of Three, Taran is a young boy who wishes to be a knight and fight for his country. He is an orphan that has been raised with former sorceror Dalbean and knight Coll. His job is to be the assistant pig-keeper and care for Hen Wen. But to his chagrin, there is more than meets the eye. Hen Wen is an oracular pig and needs protection from the evil Horned King. When he shirks his duties, she is kidnapped and he sets out to save her, meeting a whole cast of other characters.

***Hen Wen***

Hen Wen is a sweet pig that has an amazing power to see the future and reveal where the black cauldron is hidden, the very thing the Horned King desires. She also is fundamental in helping Taran become a man, him learning a lot of humility, responsibility, and that actions-or lack of them-can have serious consequences.

For more on Hen Wen, go to A Hidden Wonder

5) Piglet from Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne

In the Hundred Acre Woods, Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, Rabbit, Gopher, and Owl go on all kinds of adventures with their boy, Christopher Robin.

Piglet is Pooh’s best friend and always there for anyone. He is scared of a lot of things, but his fear doesn’t keep him from being the most loyal creature in the woods. Even when Owl tries to take his house for Eeyore, Piglet doesn’t stop them-but is willing to give it up for his pal. From taking part in Pooh’s schemes to being there for all-he’s a wonderful pig.

For more on Winnie the Pooh and Piglet, go to 25 More Films of Christmas

4) Porky Pig from Looney Tunes

Looney Tunes is a collection of silly shorts and fun cartoons.

***Porky Pig***

Such a big part of my childhood, he had to go on her. I can’t remember what it would be like without the stuttering-that’s all folks.

For more Looney Tunes, go to Nobody calls me Chicken: Chinese New Year

3) Lester from Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s Magic by Betty MacDonald

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle-eccentric, childcaretaker, pirate bride-is back with her upside down house, more animal friends, and more tonics and cure-alls for children’s bad behavior. Yes, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle knows kids and has a chest full of all kinds of tonics and cures for bad behavior such as: I-THOUGHT-YOU-SAIDERS, TATTLETALERS, BAD TABLE MANNERS, INTERRUPTERS, HEEDLESS BREAKERS, I-NEVER-WANT-TO-GO-TO-SCHOOLERS, and WADDLE-I-DOERSThese are amazing books that I grew up read and just LOVE!

Lester is Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s pet pig and he is adorable, sweet, kind, caring, and has the best table manners. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle lends him out to families who’s kids are awful eaters. He is polite, clean, charming, and helps with household chores. Once you have him in your house you won’t want him to leave!

2) Hamm from the Toy Story Series

I’m sure all of you know the plot to this, but just in case…When you were a kid did you ever think that your toys came to life when you were gone and moved around on their own? Well in Toy Story they address the question that every kid was wondering and say, “yes, they do”.

Whenever Andy leaves his room his toys come to life. These toys are lead by a cowboy named Woody (Tom Hanks). As the family is moving, Andy’s birthday party is moved up and he gets lots of space type things, including a new space toy, Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen). Woody becomes jealous as he is demoted from Andy’s favorite toy, and everyone in the toy chest is going ga-ga over Buzz. One day Woody accidentally knocks Buzz outside Andy’s window. He and the other toys believe that Woody killed him, the other toys believing he did it on purpose. Woody is saved when Andy takes him along on his family’s trip to dinner. While his mom is filling up the tank who should show up? A very angry Buzz seeking revenge. Buzz survived the fall and snuck into the car. As the two fight, Andy and his mom leave for the resturant. Woody hatches a plan to get them there as well,  but they are unfortunately picked up by Andy’s next door neighbor Sid, a sadistic toy torturer. During this time period Buzz has a breakdown as he realizes that he is not a real spaceman, but just a toy. Now it is up to Woody to pull Buzz together and for the two of them to figure out a way to get back to Andy before he moves and is gone forever.

This wisecracking, sarcastic, tough piggy bank was one of my favorite characters. I loved it so much that I got my own Hamm piggy bank and still use it. He hilarious, fun, and such a childhood and adulthood favorite.

For more Toy Story, go to Well I Feel Sheepish: Chinese New Year

1) Miss Piggy from The Muppets

The Muppets were a variety show with a colorful cast of characters.

***Miss Piggy***

Miss Piggy was the best. She was my ultimate favorite character as a child. Beautiful, charming, forceful, powerful-and won’t let anyone treat her bad. I have to admit I loved when she would karate chop someone and “hiya-ed” more than I probably should have. She was such an influence on me and my personality. The best!

For more on The Muppets, go to T.N.T.

For the 2018 post, go to A Dog’s Life: Chinese New Year

For the 2017 post, go to Nobody calls me Chicken: Chinese New Year

For the 2016 post, go to A Little Monkey Business: Chinese New Year

For the 2015 post, go to Well I Feel Sheepish: Chinese New Year

For the 2014 post, go to A Horse’s Tale: Chinese New Year

For the 2013 list, go to Snakes on a Post: Chinese New Year


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The Japan Intercultural Institute (JII) is a member-run, non-profit organization based in Japan. It is not necessary to be a JII member to join in our educational events or projects.

JII is run by a small group of highly dedicated members — an intercultural family of sorts. We invite others who are interested in the work we do to join a JII event, and if you want to contribute more, to become a member. The core value that unites JII members is a commitment to the learning that comes from intercultural experiences. The benefits of membership are:

— You support the important educational work that JII does.

— You can participate in members-only events.

— You become a more active part of the JII community.

Membership fee: 5,000 yen (€40/$45) per year

To join/more info

To join or for more information contact us  . We’ll send you a link to the membership application form and payment options.


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Parkland Sling Pack

Regular price $63.00
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A sling pack designed to carry over your shoulder or cross-body, with its flap cover on front for added storage and signature look. As part of the Parkland Series, every detail has been designed to give it its western, rustic style with modern use in mind.

- 1 pocket on front panel covered with signature lid with buckle closure.
- Tablet sleeve inside to fit an iPad Mini®.
- Padded air mesh rear panel.
- Adjustable shoulder strap to both right or left sides.
- Logo embossed D-ring and stitch works for added design elements.

W:7" x H:11" x D:3"

We have a 14-day return policy, which means you have 14 days after receiving your item to request a return.

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Clinical Characteristics of Lower Extremity Surgical Site Infections in Dermatologic Surgery Based Upon 24-Month Retrospective Review

July 2018 | Volume 17 | Issue 7 | Original Article | 766 | Copyright © July 2018

Omar Bari BA,a Robert E. Eilers Jr. MD,b Ashley G. Rubin MD,c Shang I Brian Jiang MDa

aUniversity of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA bRiverchase Dermatology, Naples, FL cCarlsbad and Vista Dermatology, Vista, CA

Dermatologic surgery performed on the lower extremities has an increased risk for surgical site infections (SSI). Our objective was to evaluate the clinical characteristics associated with SSI following Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) and wide local excisions (WLE) performed below the knee. We performed a single-center retrospective chart review of patients (n=271) that underwent these procedures. Within 14 days of the lower extremity procedure, four of 175 MMS patients (2.3%) developed SSI compared to eight of 96 WLE patients (8.3%; P=0.029). Subcuticular sutures and vertical mattress sutures as a group were associated with reduced 30-day infection rate when compared to other suture methods (P=0.006). Comparison of patients on prophylactic antibiotics to control patients without antibiotics did not reveal a statistically significant difference in infection rate. MMS infection rates trended lower as compared to WLE in the 14-day post-operative window. Doxycycline prophylaxis did not produce a statistically significantly lower rate of SSI, though results approached significance. A prospective study may be warranted to further compare cephalexin and doxycycline for dermatologic surgery below the knee. Subcuticular or vertical mattress sutures may be preferred when closing wounds due to their association with reduced infection rate. J Drugs Dermatol. 2018;17(7):766-771.

Dermatologic surgery, including Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) and wide local excision (WLE), is associated with low rates of intraoperative and postoperative adverse effects. Futoryan and Grande found a combined infection rate of 2.3% when analyzing over 1,000 cases of both MMS and cutaneous excisions in 1995.1 A 2013 multicenter, prospective cohort study evaluating over 20,000 MMS procedures reported an adverse event incidence rate of 0.72%, with surgical site infections (SSI) being the most common adverse event reported.2There is an increased risk of SSI following dermatologic surgery on the lower extremities; an analysis of over 5,000 dermatologic surgery cases found a below the knee infection rate of 6.9%.3 Because of the increased SSI rate in the lower extremities, dermatologic surgeons routinely recommended the use of prophylactic antibiotics in patients undergoing dermatologic surgery below the knee.3 An advisory statement in 2008 reinforced this notion, urging surgeons to adopt prophylactic cephalexin.4 A 2012 review of antibiotic prophylaxis in dermatologic surgery echoed this appeal for prophylactic cephalexin in below the knee procedures.5To our knowledge, there are no studies investigating whether prophylaxis with doxycycline is superior to prophylaxis with cephalexin in the prevention of SSI on the lower extremities following dermatologic surgery. The choice of which prophylactic antibiotic to use, if any, is still largely left to the surgeon and is often determined on a case by case basis.5-7The objective of this study was to identify the clinical characteristics associated with SSI following dermatologic surgery below the knee. The type of procedure was examined to gauge if MMS or WLE were associated with differing infection rates. Additionally, the type of suturing method used was reviewed given the theoretic potential that running suture techniques may decrease perfusion to the skin. It is the surgeon’s choice which cutaneous suturing method to use, and the considerations include: tension, anatomical location, need for eversion and/or hemostasis, cosmesis, and time required to suture. Other clinical characteristics included patient comorbidities, as higher infection rates have previously been found in diabetic patients, immunosuppressed patients, smokers, and patients on anticoagulant medications.8-10

This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Using the Epic electronic medical record system, the authors reviewed the


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Jefferson, New Hampshire

Jefferson, New Hampshire Town Seal
Town Meeting
Tuesday, May 4, 2021 • 7:00 p.m.
more info → [136 KB pdf]

Notice to the Voters
The Supervisors of the Checklist for the Town of Jefferson will hold two sessions for re-registering voters who have not voted since April 1, 2017
more info → [74 KB pdf]

Job Posting
Building & Grounds Maintenance Worker || more info → [53 KB pdf]

New Select Board
Select Board's weekly meeting agenda: Download PDF [105 KB pdf]

The Select Board meets every Monday evening at 7:00 p.m.
Town of Jefferson is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
How to particpate →
2021 Proposed Budget Draft
[2.2 MB pdf]
Warrant 2021 Town Meeting
[1.2 MB pdf]
Wanted: Volunteers
[71 KB pdf]
Job Posting
[53 KB pdf]
Coronavirus: Frequently Asked Questions →
970 KB pdf

Set amid the quiet farms and forests of northern New Hampshire and the grandeur of the White Mountains, Jefferson is a paradise of fresh air and incredible scenery. No matter the season, there's plenty of fun to be had in and around town, from hiking, skiing and quiet paddles along local lakes and rivers to thrilling rides via snowmobile, dogsled, or rollercoaster.

Home to the remarkably beautiful Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge, the oldest 18-hole golf course in the state, two of New England's oldest and best loved amusement parks, endless miles of trails, and panoramic views of the Presidential Mountains, Jefferson offers something for everyone. Join us this season and see for yourself!

Jefferson Master Plan Community Survey

Jefferson Residents - the results of the Jefferson Master Plan Community Survey are here! An in-person presentation of the results was planned, but after tracking Covid-19 since June 9th, when the presentation was completed, we have decided that for now, we would at least post the results for you to see on the website and the Jefferson Facebook page! Please click here [1.75 MB pdf] to see the presentation. If you would also like to read the "vision" comments, please click here [195 KB pdf]. For those who prefer to read a printed version, please stop by the Town Offices to pick up a copy!

We are continuing our work on the Master Plan and hope that we can provide a presentation in the future. In the meantime, please let us know if you have any questions or would like to participate in the writing process! Stay safe & well, June Garneau, Mapping and Planning Solutions,

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Category Archives: Regulation

Employer Escape From Green Energy Costs Blocked

Virginia’s major energy-intensive industries will not get a requested path to avoid some of the coming cost shock from the 2020 Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA). The bill that sought them a lifeline was tied to an anvil and sunk in a … Continue reading

Posted in Economy, Energy, Environment, Regulation | Leave a comment

Train Regulation Threatens to Derail Family Finances in Virginia

Until recently, the Commonwealth of Virginia was a refuge from the high tax and regulatory boondoggles that have stymied the growth of neighboring states such as Maryland, West Virginia, and North Carolina. But Virginia’s low-cost gravy train will screech to … Continue reading

Posted in Regulation, Transportation | Leave a comment

A Growing Economy Needs Regional Bank De-Regulation

Following the shock of the recent Great Recession, Congress took actions to “save us” from such future threats. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act were supposed to prevent another recession by imposing greater regulations on our banks. … Continue reading

Posted in Economy, Regulation | Leave a comment

Framing Net Neutrality Standards We Can Agree Upon

By now, you’ve probably heard about net neutrality, the principle that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) should not favor some online traffic and data over others. It shouldn’t really be a controversial matter because virtually everyone agrees on the basics, and … Continue reading

Posted in Regulation, Technology | Leave a comment

Internet Privacy – Careful How we Ask for It

In another life, I founded and built a direct marketing company.  We contacted folks using names acquired from “list companies” that offered to rent to us the names of those people with similar backgrounds.   These lists were developed by companies … Continue reading

Posted in Media, Regulation | Leave a comment


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MIA— Compassion and Respect

I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

I am an Air Force Veteran. I am a woman. These two things should not be opposite sides of the time-in-voluntary-service, but unfortunately they are.

There are so many variants that shaped my personal military adventure. No two experiences are alike, but if I were standing next to my also Veteran, retired, husband— he is the one attention would shift to in interest.

I know this, because I have experienced this 99% of the time. We both can mention our enlistments, and mine is treated like it’s no biggie, but my husband— “Really! Thank you for your service!” with maybe a nod in my direction.

It’s like people don’t know how to process my being a woman in the military.

The military began “shaping” me to live in a man-shaped perspective, from day one.

I was 15 pounds under the expected weight-lifting limit to apply for a job I really wanted to do. You and I know it wouldn’t have been difficult for me to build up to that limit— I was determined and in shape to do that— but that was not an option. I believe this was an across-the-board decision, but I also believe that could, and maybe should, be changed.

The mindset of the military is always “military needs”, and volunteers are “property”.

The process for making me a military-minded person began by breaking me down, separating me into a group of 49 other women, limiting things like time to shower, privacy, time to eat, getting mail or calls from home, and dictating every moment of everyday.

Don’t get me wrong, it was an amazing experience, and I am proud of myself for success in making it through that.

But, for me— coming from an abusive past, it was also an emotionally difficult experience.

Additionally, it was a lonely experience— but that wasn’t a new thing for me. I have almost never had someone to talk to, or go through things with me.

That brings me to my point in writing this.

The military comes at everything from a man’s perspective. It just does. Sure there are videos, and training once a year to learn about being professional and demonstrating polite courtesy to not offend women, or make them feel threatened.

I think that is kind of a good thing, but it’s also kind of condescending.

It also does not work. I mean, just look at scandals way at the top concerning sexual harassment towards women.

Here is another perspective:

My personal experiences of working in a man’s career field as a plumber (my 10th flowery-worded choice— Utilities System Specialist), in a man’s-perspective-d world are unique and don’t necessarily reflect or match another woman’s.

I get that.

But, men, and even some high-ranking women, certainly have a long way to go towards mutual respect and fair, rational, understanding and compassionate treatment of women— as individuals that are completely unique and separate from the way men are built.

With all the money poured into “research”, you’d think by now things would have naturally “evolved” from arrogant, chauvinistic, neanderthal-like behavior.

Recently, women have finally been provided with something many have needed all along! It took decades for that to happen! Why?

Because it’s a world based on men’s perspective that women are “allowed” to become part of.

Things are getting better, and yet, the latest response/reaction by civilian men to the mere mention of the newly available maternity flight suit just proves— men have a long way to go.

In the famous words of our current President— “Come on, man!”

You can, and should, do better.

My Dad (A Soggy Account)

Here is my dad David was able to get a picture tod

Well, what can I say about my dad? Where do I start? I guess I will introduce him to you.

He is James Roy Bennett Jr. He is the oldest of 3 children, the only boy, and both his parents have passed away. He’s a musician (plays/played the guitar, sings, and wrote his own songs, including one for me called Jami Michelle). He’s a disabled Vietnam era Veteran. He grew up under tough circumstances, in a tough house. Worse than many, but not as bad as it could have been.

I know 4 sides to my dad. The first side is tender. I remember him singing the song he wrote for me when I was very young, probably about 3. I don’t have many memories before the age of 10, but time, and God I believe, have been kind to me and allowed me to remember some good things that my heart holds valuable.

The second side is angry. While I was growing up, my dad faced so many obstacles, both because of his disability and lack from his own childhood. He didn’t handle things well, and for that reason I hated him for a very long time. He made choices that hurt me, and he was unapproachable.

The 3rd side is hilarious. He told the funniest jokes and usually had us laughing wildly on road trips. We played 20 questions for hours, sang “Jingle Bells” as he beeped it on the car horn through tunnels, and giggled insanely at his playing on words. He could also be crude and inappropriate, which made me so uncomfortable, but the fun stuff made all the traveling worth it.

The 4th side is vulnerable. I have seen my dad at his weakest, and because I was able to forgive him, that caused me to feel protective towards him. I’ve seen him in grave condition with a ventilator helping him stay alive, much like I’m sure he is now. He thumbed his nose at death then. I’m not sure he’ll do that this time.

Listening to others talk about their relationship with their dad has always made me feel cheated and even jealous. I wish I had my dad encouraging me, cheering for me, and playfully interacting with his grandchildren. We have all been robbed. He’s lived in nursing homes and hospital care since 2003. Military life has kept us at quite a physical distance from him while our relationship has kept us at an emotional one. My kids know the fun things about their Grandpa Jim, and a little about his strictness. They don’t know the man I grew up fearing and hating. My daughter has her own tender memories of my dad from when she was 3, but none of the fearful ones I have purposefully shielded her from. I see no purpose is telling his grandchildren the negative things, I won’t pass on my burdens about him to them. They deserve fun, happy memories.

I said my good-byes and made peace in my heart as we traveled back from Okinawa in 2009, not knowing if he would have passed on or clung to life by the time we landed. It’s been in the back of my mind that he will die at some point. So, it surprises me that I am having such a tough time dealing with it now. It surprises me that my heart is broken that he will probably never meet his youngest grandson and get to see his smile light up the room, or get to hear his crazy laughter. My boys won’t have the fun memories that our daughter has, won’t hear his silliness about things like driving over painted warnings, him yelling, “Watch out! A head!”

The “best” of my dad will be passed on as the condensed version, instead of experienced by them firsthand, while the worst will remain in the past, not known by them at all. I think that envelopes the meaning of “honoring your parents in the Lord“.  God didn’t add, “if you think they deserve it” to that commandment.


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Paid in Puke S5E6: Hard Candy

The second half of Series 5 kicks off with Peter Jackson’s 1994 crime drama, Heavenly Creatures, which introduced two phenomenal actors at once: Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey. It’s based on the true story of two mid-century teenagers in New Zealand (Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme) who, lost in their own an imaginary world, enact a murderous plot to stay together against their parents’ wishes.

It’s a very special episode-long Keggers with Kids segment, as we’re joined by 14-year-old Logan G, who shares their masterful powers of perception with us on the nature of the girls’ friendship and who is really “to blame” in this terrible case that rocked a nation.

On the Lunchtime Poll, we talk about Honora almost skipping dessert before she’s “moidered”, and we share what we hope we would have done if we had no tomorrow.

Listen here!

Film Review: This is Not a War Story

There’s a reason that Hollywood movies about the U.S. military can feel like propaganda. It’s because the Department of Defense routinely works with filmmakers to control how they’re depicted on screen. According to Wikipedia, “Directors looking to borrow Army material for their movies need to apply to the DoD, and submit their scripts for vetting. Ultimately, the DoD has a say in virtually every U.S.-made movie that use military resources in their production.” Talia Lugacy’s bold film, This is Not a War Story, points a middle finger at what a character in the film calls, “that ‘good war’ bullshit”.

Lugacy writes, directs, and stars in this effective verité-style drama about the insidiousness of the United States military and the myriad ways in which society fail veterans. Rosario Dawson executive produces Lugacy’s sophomore feature, which lays waste to Hollywood films like Saving Private Ryan and The Hurt Locker for glorifying war and soldiers without telling the whole story. It’s not enough that we dole out painkillers for their injuries and therapy for their PTSD. The civilians who thank vets for their service don’t stop to think what they might be thanking these people for.

Lugacy plays Isabelle, a marine with a limp and an estranged mother (Frances Fisher) to show for her service. She struggles every day with physical and mental anguish. Her brother blames her for her problems. She needs direction and empathy and she is getting none of that from her family. Fortunately, she finds a place to call home in the form of a group of artistic vets who turn their uniforms into paper and then use that paper to work through their issues. Some write poetry, some draw or paint. Some turn them into mixed media sculptures using other war souvenirs. Lugacy populates her film with real vets who each get a chance to tell their story and share their art on screen. It was produced over three years as an ongoing collaboration with the thriving community of veteran artists and papermakers.

Isabelle is immediately draw to Will (Sam Adagoke), a vet around her own age who recently lost a friend and fellow vet to suicide. Isabelle comes at Will with the intensity of Deadwood’s Calamity Jane, swearing up a storm, and wearing her big, raw heart on her sleeve. Will’s grief is more internal. He’s trying to find peace which at first prompts him to keep his distance from Isabelle. He’d been a mentor to Tim, and so he partly blames himself for his friend’s death. Will doubts his ability to help another lost soul.

Will confesses to Isabelle that he enjoys the paper-making process because it’s forgiving – if you mess up, you can always start over. It’s clear that Will doesn’t feel forgiven for much in his life. Isabelle and Will both perk up when making the paper. The tactile process is soothing to them, and being around other vets is validating, even when they’re not sharing their stories. Just knowing that they’re in a room full of people who are broken in a similar way is a kind of homecoming that they can’t experience in the rest of the world.

Exacerbated by the rejection of her dying mother, Isabelle relentlessly pursues Will’s friendship, following him from Brooklyn to a remote cabin upstate. There, they talk through their struggles, and find common ground. They hike through the woods and exorcise their demons around a campfire.

This is Not a War Story brings us the horrors of war without having to see the war itself. There are no flashback scenes. No shots of our protagonists sobbing over the bodies of their dead friends. Lugacy and Adagoke’s haunted performances convey that pain effectively enough. In a particularly crushing monologue, Will imagines confronting a well-meaning civilian about what they’re really thanking him for. Is it “for blowing up a school or a hospital?” The DoD would likely distance itself from a film that seeks to humanize the enemy or depict soldiers as pawns in the oil business. Will puts it beautifully when he says, “The American Dream is a nightmare for the rest of the world.”

The film also takes the opportunity to highlight other injustices brought on by capitalism and systematic racism. The line “poverty is the new slavery” really resonates in a time when the pandemic serves to further widen the class divide, as does Will’s observation that you would never find an army recruiter on the upper west side. Tim overdoses on a crowded subway car because no one will look at him long enough to see that he is dying.

The film’s opening follows Tim up and down the line, popping pills and napping on a bench as other passengers keep their distance. The song “Luang Prabang” by Dave Van Ronk plays like an internal monologue:

“And now the boys all envy me.
I fought for Christian Democracy
With nothing but air where my balls used to be
Now I’m a fucking hero.

In Luang Prabang there is a spot
Where the corpses of your brothers rot
And every corpse is a patriot
And every corpse is a hero.”

The film’s title could not be more apt. A war story glorifies battle and makes the protagonist a hero. But these soldiers don’t feel like heroes. They feel broken, cheated, used, and forgotten. What good is being a hero when you’re dead or wish you were? A war story paints a picture of bad guys vs. good guys. It’s a fabrication. This is not a war story because it tells the truth. Fuck that “good war” bullshit.

Film Review: Lucky (2020)

Brea Grant (A Ghost Story) wrote and stars in Lucky, a horror allegory that breeds Kafka-esque mystery with the home invasion genre. Natasha Kermani (Imitation Girl) directs this gripping polemic, which somehow manages to be simultaneously overt and enigmatic. It is certainly an indictment of the way society normalizes violence against women and routinely puts the onus on the victim. It’s for sure a delightful skewering of the fecklessness of the police department. I want to believe that it’s also a scathing takedown of white feminism. But if it turns out that we’re meant to wholeheartedly sympathize with the boot-straps touting self-help author/protagonist, that would mean that Lucky suffers from a bit of a perspective problem. Sadly, it’s that lack of clarity that keeps Lucky from being a home run. Instead, it’s just a pretty good hit.

The film opens on May (Grant) meeting with her agent (Leith M. Burke) about the failing sales of her book, “Go It Alone.” His voice falls on her muffled ears. She’s distracted and the news isn’t exactly good. In the parking garage, May notices that one of her fingernails is split and bloody. At home, she discovers a broken plate and shows her blasé husband, Ted (Dhruv Uday Singh), a comically large shard of glass that she found on the coffee table. He remains unmoved when May rouses him in the middle of the night to tell him there’s a masked man with a knife lurking in their backyard. Ted condescendingly responds that it’s only the man who comes every night and tries to kill them (more her than him, if he’s honest). They merely have to fight for their lives now. It’s not a big deal. Ted bludgeons the man with a golf club. The man bleeds out on their floor. May calls the cops, but Ted questions the point (fair). The body is already gone, just like it always is. The cops take some notes and tell May she’s lucky to have survived, BYEEEEEE. This is the most realistic thing that happens in the film…

Read the rest at Hammer to Nail!

Film Review: Clay’s Redemption

Director Carlos Boellinger calls Clay’s Redemption is an “unapologetic midnight movie”. Indeed, it would be fun to end a late night with this neon-drenched action noir fantasy. Shot in the darkest corners of London, Boellinger’s debut feature evokes Blade RunnerThe Matrix, and Cinemax’s American Gods with its lively tale of a Sleeve Walker (a sort of body-hopper) called Clay who helps a group of god-like immortals defeat a power-hungry demon. In exchange, he will earn his freedom and be settle into his final form.

Boellinger wrote the dialogue-light script with Ivo Alexander. A couple of paragraphs on a black screen set the scene for the story. There are 9 living gods who are fighting amongst themselves for the all the power, Highlander-style. Meanwhile, a demon hunts them to steal their power for its own. Sleeve Walkers are convicts forced into indentured servitude, swapping bodies whenever their old ones wear out. When the story kicks off, we meet Clay (Akie Kotabe, TVs The Man in the High Castle), strolling around town in his latest body rental. A couple of stylish immortals hire him for one last job. If he can manage to transport an important woman to safety, he can earn his freedom in a body to call his own. Of course, the enemies are powerful and lurk around every corner, and everyone wants to get their hands on the mysteriously mute Maya (played by UK musician, Nuuxs).

The best thing this film has going for it is the cinematography, also done by Boellinger. Clay’s Redemption was shot guerilla style around London, using only available light. This is clearly a low-budget project, but the seams are well hidden in the visuals. Boellinger has a real eye for composition akin to Nicolas Winding Refn’s stunning, but otherwise lackluster Only God Forgives. It doesn’t hurt that every performer looks like a supermodel. Among those who consulted on the look of the film were production designer Tony Noble (Moon) and designer Charli Cohen.

The lively score, composed by London-based duo TwoTwentyTwo, keeps the viewer engaged, but the film shines during the fight sequences. Kotabe steps out of his CIA IT guy

pigeon hole, into that of formidable leading action man. All-in-all, Clay’s Redemption isn’t an instant classic, but it’s a good showcase for the talents of many involved. If you enjoy cool fight choreography in visually arresting locales, there’s something for you here.

Paid in Puke S5E5: 9 to 5

On today’s episode, we’re working overtime for Colin Higgins’ 1980 comedy 9 to 5, starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton. To help us discuss this timeless feminist farce, we’re joined by the delightfully effervescent Laura Laurence, an honorary Paid in Puke-ette who frequently gets name dropped on the pod!

We touch on how little has changed in terms of workplace gender dynamics, why everyone is so mean to Doralee, and whether or not all children love Dabney Coleman.

On the Lunchtime Poll, we unsurprisingly all have stories about sexism in the workplace!

PiP goes on mid-season hiatus for a couple of weeks. We’ll be back toward the end of March with the second half of Series 5. In the meantime, don’t work too hard!

Paid in Puke S5E4: Blue Valentine

On today’s belated Valentine’s Day episode, we’re getting dark with Derek Cianfrance’s 2010 anti-romantic drama, Blue Valentine, starring Michelle Williams. Cianfrance wrote this film as a way to process his parents’ divorce when he was twenty years old. As bleak as it is, this film promotes two healthy things that are rife with stigma: abortions and divorce. We also touch on the very real emotions Williams brought to the role, the difficulties of changing tax brackets for the better, and how Shel Silverstein’s “The Giving Tree” is actually a rose-colored abusive relationship. The tree was NOT happy.

PS: Get your “The tree was not happy” merch here!

Paid in Puke S5E3: Bridesmaids

On today’s episode, we’re bonding over Paul Feig’s 2011 comedy, Bridesmaids, starring Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Ellie Kemper, and Wendi McLendon-Covey. For a hard-R comedy, it sure has a lot of layers and nuance regarding the feminine experience. For us, it brings up everything from the pressure of wedding culture to pushy boyfriends with a stopover at body grooming stigma. We also pay tribute to our favorite Wiig SNL characters, and call bull on the notion of sacred orifices.

On the Lunchtime Poll, we talk about men we dated who wouldn’t be named in the credits of our lives.

Paid in Puke S5E2: Showgirls

On this episode, we’re keeping it sleazy with Paul Verhoeven’s 1995 accidental camp classic, Showgirls, starring Elizabeth Berkeley and Gina Gershon. This movie is quite figuratively one long Hot Prob with one or two Not Probs of note, contributed by the talented cast.

To get to the bottom of things, we’re joined by a very special guest: the oft-referenced Baxter BFF, Faye Hoerauf!

You’ll laugh! You’ll cry! You’ll flail! You’ll puke!

On the Lunchtime Poll, we discuss possible interpretations of the Doggy Chow scene and reveal weird things we ate as a kid.

Paid in Puke S5E1: Promising Young Woman

On our Series 5 premiere, we’re gaga for Emerald Fennell’s 2020 debut feature, Promising Young Woman, starring Carey Mulligan, Laverne Cox, Alison Brie, and Jennifer Coolidge.

This film blew us away with it’s stylized look, DEEP subtext, and pitch-perfect performance. So much so, that the episode is a little longer than usual, but we hope you’ll find it’s worth it. If you haven’t seen the film, please rectify that immediately and then come back and listen to this episode.

In Keggers with Kids, 13-year-old Logan joins us to give their youthful insight, and on the Lunchtime Poll, we reveal silly songs that are meaningful to us.

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discussed sexual assault and rape culture at length.

Film Review: Busman’s Holiday

Busman’s Holiday

A “Busman’s Holiday” refers to spending one’s vacation days much the same as you do your vocation days (i.e. a lifeguard relaxing at the beach). That’s not exactly what’s happening in Austin Smithard’s sophomore narrative feature. But when retired NYC cop Michael Busman (Jamie McShane) has no reason to decline a free trip around the world in pursuit of a missing teenaged relation, it’s not long before he finds himself outside of both his time zone and his comfort zone. Smithard’s script is an engaging existential meditation on life, love, travel, unfulfilled dreams, and forgiveness. But it doubles as a virtual field trip for anyone who has missed getting on a plane and waking up somewhere new.

Michael Busman doesn’t even want to even leave his bed let alone the country. But his cousin, Warren, knows that Michael doesn’t have much going on in his life he needs a big favor. Their distant uncle’s 19-year-old daughter, Suzi, didn’t return from her worldwide trek. Local law enforcement say they have no reason to suspect foul play, but the parents just know something is wrong. Busman is reticent to take on the search, but since his wife has recently split, he realizes it’s actually a good time for him to get out of Dodge. He soon finds himself in Ireland, interviewing his distraught relations, Brendan and Joan. Suzi sent postcards from every destination, but the last one they received says she was going to double back to some of the places she’d already visited. That was 2 months ago and they haven’t heard from her since. She’s not using the credit card, her phone is disconnected, and she’s gone dark on the socials. Michael decides that the best way to find her is to retrace her steps as closely as possible, which means traversing thousands of miles across the likes of Norway, India, Tanzania, and Italy.

This film unfolds like a TV drama bottle episode featuring a supporting character. Indeed, McShane is known for such roles on Bloodline, Bosch, and Southland. He plays Busman as a man in transition. He thought he had the rest of his life mapped out. But his wife’s departure threw his whole worldview into turmoil. While Michael is searching for a missing girl, he finds himself along the way. Cheesy though that sounds, it plays out subtly in the film. Michael begins to see the journey through Suzi’s eyes as he meets the people who will never forget her. Reluctant though he may be to move forward with the rest of his life, his search for Suzi forces him to let go of his past and embrace the present. Suzi narrates from some omniscient source that’s too detailed and confessional to be the brief postcards she sent to her parents. We never see how Busman reacts to her thoughts, though we can’t help but contrast her lust for life with his more jaded view.

Suzi’s spirit haunts every scene, though we barely get a glimpse of the girl herself. We can make out a shadow from the voiceover and the wistful looks in the eyes of those she touched in her travels. You never forget that this story is really about someone else. Someone we don’t see. Not even in photographs, really. She’s just vanished, but she’s memorable enough to have touched the lives of the people she met, even though they all seem certain their chapter in her life is over. Personally, I would have preferred to see the story from Suzi’s point of view, but I get that this was the story Smithard wanted to tell and the way that he felt he could tell it most effectively. It’s probably for the best when middle-aged men stick to what they know rather than try to speak for young women. I just get a little tired of stories about missing/dead girls as catalysts to male growth. Nothing against Smithard and his script. I can see this film, and especially McShane’s performance resonating with a demographic that more closely resembles Busman, rather than Suzi.

Shot on location before the world shut down, Busman’s Holiday offers a rare glimpse at some of the world’s most beautiful and remote places. It’s filmed like a travelogue with postcard-perfect cinematography. The really nice postcards that your mom would want to buy and frame. Smithard worked and studied alongside Steven Spielberg before making this film that he has deemed his cinematic swan song. As far as magnum opuses are concerned, this is a noble effort.


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Monday, March 26, 2007

PowerTracker died

I don't know if anyone else uses PowerTracker, but I got the program as a limited version when I ordered a writing magazine a few years ago. I popped it and got hooked. I've been using that limited version for a couple of years and when my computer malfunctioned about 4 months ago, (Thank God for Gateway customer service!) I was no longer able to reload PowerTracker onto the computer so I had to store all of my data on the CD. For those of you who aren't familiar with PT, it keeps track of every query, article, agent query, idea, partial, etc that you write and/or send out. It stores the editor's names, addresses, the date the piece of writing was sent, alerts you when it's time for a follow up and does many other wonderful things. Anyway, this morning I inserted my PT CD and it wouldnt' work. It skipped and skipped and refused to load. I cried, threatened, screamed and begged the CD to work. Yes, it's all my fault for not backing up this data. I know, it's stupid.

I tried the CD a dozen times and a little while ago, by some miracle, it worked. I saved all of the data and ejected the CD. I tried it again to see what would happen and it now will not work. I'm thanking my lucky stars that I was able to get my info off the CD. I would have lost so much data and I'd probably send magazines queries I've already sent just because I can't remember all of the queries I send. So, the moral of the story: I need a new PT and I promise to back up my data at least once a week. I always backup my book and articles, but I never thought about that data. Scary.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Ooh, I'm sorry to hear about the power tracker. I don't have one, but I DO know what it's like to have your hard drive go kaput, when you haven't saved anything and so you sob and throw it into the floor and crush it under your heel and... erm, well, yes, all I mean to say is I sympathize. :)

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Academy of Fashion & Design

Academy of Fashion & Design

Academy of Fashion & Design was established in 1999.  The vision of this college is to constantly improve, improvise , evolve and innovate to meet the requirements of the global education Industry.

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How to Pest Proof Your Home

Unwanted pests such as bugs, creepy crawlies and rodents occasionally invite themselves into our homes, wreaking havoc and leaving us feeling like our home isn’t quite as clean and secure as we’d like it to be. But, many of us struggle to know how to deal with a pest problem, particularly if traditional measures don’t sit well with your values or could compromise your family’s safety. So, read on to find out how to pest proof your home without using traps or harsh chemicals…

Pest proofing your garden

Slugs are a real problem in the garden, creeping up in the middle of the night to devour your vegetable patch. But, rather than using chemicals, why not try wrapping decorative copper tape around your potted plants? Slugs and snails hate copper, so consider buying copper sheeting, mesh or wire and leaving it over the top your plants to ward off those hungry invertebrates! If you’re not able to get your hands on any in a hurry, use human hair in the mean time. Slugs don’t like crawling across it, and better yet the hair will add nitrogen to the soil to act as a fertiliser.

Another common garden pest is the common squirrel. They’re cute and fluffy, but menaces when it comes to bird feeders, stealing nuts and seeds and taking over your garden as if it’s their very own territory. The most humane way to rid yourself of this problem is to simply stop providing them with food, so temporarily take away the bird seed and watch their numbers reduce.

Then, take a look at anti squirrel feeders and see which design is suitable for you: some are weight activated and will shut when a squirrel or similarly sized animal lands upon it, others protect seed with a fine layer of mesh that squirrels can’t get through, while other designs ‘baffle’ squirrels by making it hard for them crawl on. Buying a squirrel proof feeder will make them give up using your garden for food and they’ll move on to someone else’s patch in no time.

Pest proofing your pantry and food cupboards

Pests will enter your house if they’re on the hunt for food, so pest proof your kitchen by making it hard for them to find. Sweep and hoover the floors every day to remove traces of crumbs and other food debris, and keep food and food containers off the floor – this will deter ants from visiting your kitchen throughout the summer.

Cereal ought to be stored in plastic containers rather than in the cardboard boxes you buy them in, as rodents can easily chew through cardboard, and it’s also a good idea to cover up any entry points with vents and make sure that cat flaps are kept shut if you’ve already noticed a problem with mice and rats.

Pest proofing the rest of your house

Pests will enter your home looking for food or shelter, so once you’ve worked on the tips above, turn your attention to tackling the ‘shelter’ motivation. Check all your doors, door frames, windows and window frames to make sure that the seals are tight, and that there aren’t any gaps or holes or cracks that pests can enter through.

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Finally, clear up the clutter. Some pests will make nests out of your stash of old newspapers or piles of clothing, so put everything away and eliminate the possibility of animals setting up camp in your home.

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When I was pregnant with P1 I was expecting to have her in February 2009. She had other plans. Eager to meet her family and be introduced into the very scary world, P1 arrived in December 2008 just in time for Christmas, Christmas Eve! She weighed 4lbs 13oz which was a really good weight considering she was nearly two months …

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Yes, “Die Hard” Is A Christmas Movie! Here Is The “Ho Ho Ho” Die Hard Trivia You Need This Holiday Season!

Time to celebrate the “Citizen Kane” of action movies – and one of the greatest Christmas movies as well!

You all know the plot: New York City Detective John McClane arrives in Los Angeles to spend Christmas with his wife. Unfortunately, a group of terrorists, led by Hans Gruber, is holding his wife and her co-workers hostage in the Nakatomi Plaza building. Only John McClane can save them….check out the holiday trailer:

As you can see from the poster, this Christmas movie was released in July!

That said, all of the action takes place on Christmas Eve – so it’s a holiday film. And I love that the internet still argues this: Here is some great “Die Hard” trivia to “WOW” your guests at your holiday party:

“Die Hard” Turned Bruce Willis Into An Action Hero – and Alan Rickman Into A Villain!

Yes, this was the movie that made Bruce Willis a star!

In the film, when Deputy Chief Robinson says that John McClane “could be a fucking bartender for all we know”, it’s an inside joke, because Willis started in Hollywood as a bartender!

Bruce Willis was in the TV series “Moonlighting”, but this was the film that made him a movie star…he is perfect as the rogue Cop who is fighting against an army of bad guys…including Hans Gruber, played to perfection by the late Alan Rickman.

This is a key reason the film works: Rickman’s villain is funny, droll and very evil – he was far more than a one note “bad guy” – sadly, this great Actor died in 2016 – here is a look at his career:

The script for “Die Hard” allowed Rickman plenty of room to give a nuanced, subtle performance as a truly “bad guy” – which is a great balance to Willis and his “bad ass cop” – the film captures their “battle of wits” very well, as when Gruber discovers that McClane is on his walkie talkie channel, so they have a memorable chat…

Hans Gruber: [on the radio] Mr. Mystery Guest? Are you still there?
John McClane: Yeah, I’m still here. Unless you wanna open the front door for me.
Hans Gruber: Uh, no, I’m afraid not. But, you have me at a loss. You know my name but who are you? Just another American who saw too many movies as a child? Another orphan of a bankrupt culture who thinks he’s John Wayne? Rambo? Marshal Dillon?
John McClane: Was always kinda partial to Roy Rogers actually. I really like those sequined shirts.
Hans Gruber: Do you really think you have a chance against us, Mr. Cowboy?
John McClane: Yippee-ki-yay, motherfucker.

Die Hard’s Classic “Yippee-Ki-Yay!”

Another reason that “Die Hard” is so classic is the dialogue! Throughout the entire film, Willis and Rickman have a series of conversations that are funny and pointed.

The line “Yippee-ki-yay, motherfucker!” became an immediately catchphrase – an iconic line that shows just how “bad ass” McClane is – the line has been named one of the greatest in movie history…

In fact, the film is full of great character moments, funny one liners, and great twists on action-film convention….like these guys:

“This is Agent Johnson. No, the other one.”

Two Agents. One last name. One black, one white. These two FBI agents show up at the hostage scene and immediately alienate everyone on site. They are gruff, profane, and hilarious….and as it turns out one Johnson doesn’t really even like the other Johnson!

After annoying everyone on the ground, they jump in a helicopter and Robert Davi’s Johnson says, “Just like fuckin’ Saigon, eh, Slick?”

Grand L. Bush’s Johnson replies, “I was in junior high, dick-head.”

Being in the helicopter leads to the third reason this is such a great holiday classic!

Let’s Not Forget The Best Character In The Movie: Nakitomi Plaza!

Yes, this REAL office tower in West Los Angeles is visible – and iconic – and it’s also vital to the film’s success – it’s even in the movie’s poster! Of course, the is no such place as “Nakatomi Plaza”, but everyone in LA calls it that, and it’s crucial to the success of the film!

The role of the building begins to take shape as Willis crawls through the air ducts…he uses the building itself as a weapon against the bad guys, who then do the same.

At one point, Hans Gruber knows where McClane is hiding, and sees that he has no shoes on…so he comes up with a way to use the building against him…

Hans Gruber: “Karl, schieß dem Fenster!”
Karl gives Hans a puzzled look. Exasperated, Hans repeats it in English: “Shoot the glass!”

That leads to a very bloody escape for Willis, as his feet are torn to shreds on the broken glass.

As IMDB points out:

“In the scenes where John McClane runs through glass shards in his ‘bare’ feet after glass partitions in the computer room are shattered, Willis is in fact wearing special ‘rubber’ shoes designed to look like his own bare feet. Look closely as his feet appear quite unnaturally large in some of these crucial ‘barefoot’ scenes.”

From then on, Willis must use every part of the building in his fight back against Gruber’s gang.

Thus begins the utter destruction of Nakitomi Plaza from inside and out!

This iconic office building is actually a 20th Century Fox office tower in Century City – it’s visible for miles and is now called “Nakatomi Plaza” by everyone!

In the film, McClane literally “blows out” an entire floor of the building by dropping a chair down an elevator shaft, wrapped in explosives!

When the bomb in the elevator shaft blows out the side of the building, the effect is amazing. Here is how that effect was accomplished:

The filmmakers collected every camera flashbulb of a particularly powerful type in the Los Angeles area and wired them to the outside of the actual building to simulate the flash, and then superimposed a shot of an actual explosive blowing a hole in the wall of an all-black miniature of the building!

Nakitomi Plaza has become a tourist spot in LA – you can even buy special replicas of the building as well!

There are SO many reasons that “Die Hard” is a classic action film – any time of year, but it also rules the holiday movie season!

OK Buddy, relax! There are a lot of great holiday classics – so many great holiday films to enjoy!

Here are nine more holiday movies I love as well – everything from “Love Actually” to “Scrooged”, “Elf”, “Bad Santa” and more – check them out:

Let me know your favorite holiday films!

Categories: Action Films, Art, British Cinema, Comedy Movies, Cult Movies, Great Films, Hollywood, London, Los Angeles, Movies, Obscure Movies, Pop Culture, Talent/Celebrities, Uncategorized

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7 replies

  1. I FIRMLY support this film having two genre classifications (Action/Holiday). It’s the best of all possible worlds and absolute required annual viewing between Thanksgiving & Christmas. Glad this movement is gaining steam. #ComeOutToTheCoastWellGetTogetherHaveAFewLaughs

    Liked by 1 person

  2. It’s undoubtedly the ‘best’ Christmas film, John. It saves the sentiment, until after the action. And it doesn’t matter how many times we see it, it’s always great! 🙂
    Best wishes, Pete.

  3. Yay!! You know I agree this is the best Christmas movie! 😉

  4. We had a family/friend get together last night and screened this! Always a blast. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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