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"Feel your feelings." Sit in on a couple of recovery meetings and this is one of the buzz phrases that you often hear.
Seasoned members have learned that one of the biggest mistakes we can make as we move through recovery is to deny the emotional place in which we find ourselves. Convinced that our feelings and emotions are less important than our actions, or that they are unjustified, unreasonable, or unspeakable, we ignore, avoid or stuff them.
When we dismiss our emotions and feelings as silly, unfounded or not worth engaging we don't get rid of them. We simply move them to a place where they can come back to haunt us when we least expect it.
It is true that emotions cannot be our rulers, but it is also true that moving from a life of addiction — with all of its established characteristics and predictable outcomes — to a life of sobriety is going to produce some emotions and some feelings. We will do well to look at these feelings honestly and give ourselves space and time to sort them out.
Giving up addictions
When you give up an addiction, you give up more than a substance; you give up a friend and confidant, a constant companion and comfort, and a means of navigating — however ineffectively — life. Naturally there may be some feelings of loss involved in the process. Though much good is to come, and though you may already be feeling better about your decision to become sober, you are not alone if you also feel loss and sadness.
What we find is that it is better to recognize and confront these normal feelings than to let them drag us into the kind of depression that may also drag us out of sobriety. Moving through loss and grief is a process. Rather than deny the process, we can engage it in a healthy way and work to bring effective closure to our life of addiction and unhealthy dependence.
It would not be off-base to view the death of an addiction as we might view the death of a close friend or spouse. Our relationship to our substance or behavior really is that deep, intimate and entangled. When we acknowledge our very real sense of loss, we can deal with our feelings in a healthy way. We can make peace and we can bring about the kind of closure we need in order to start our new lives without a lot of baggage, unfinished business or stuffed emotions.
Tools for recovery
We all experience loss a little differently, but ultimately in a fairly universal way. Therefore, some of the tools that help people understand and move through the loss of a relative or close friend, and come to a place of closure, can also help us as we heal from the loss of our addiction.
The amount of time you spend in each phase will be unique to you. But take heart, you will move through this. There is not a specific order or time frame, and the stages of grief are not always experienced finitely — you may go through more than one at the same time. Be patient with yourself, be honest, and stay sober as you progress toward the final chapter in your relationship with alcohol.
The stages of grief
1. Denial, Isolation
At some point, we will be tempted to deny that we have an addiction, that we need recovery, or that our new found sobriety is affecting us emotionally. We don't want to feel what we're feeling or acknowledge the truth of our condition, let alone confess it to others, so we isolate and pretend there isn't a problem.
2. Anger
This is where we're angry and asking "Why me?"
Addicts have two anger modes; either we are rage-filled, perpetually angry people, or we're emotional stuffers who pretend we never get angry. Giving up alcohol and facing the reality that there is no other option can inspire feelings of anger in even the meekest among us. Ultimately we have always been people who wanted our own way and were willing to do whatever it took to get it. For some it was rule by force and fear and for others it was calm, subtle manipulation. Either way, when we give up alcohol, a period of anger is unavoidable.
3. Bargaining
Many of us have been bargaining throughout our entire drinking careers as we sought to find some way in which we could control our drinking and become "normal." We may continue this pattern even into our early recovery as we seek the magic loophole that would allow us to drink and not destroy ourselves.
4. Depression
Deep sadness coupled with feelings of dejection or hopelessness is normal as the addict goes through separation from alcohol. Fear of the future or a sense that life is no longer worth living drive us deeper into depression and despair. This is a phase in the journey and it will not last forever. Honesty and openness about these feelings with other fellows in recovery or with a professional will help you to see that what you are feeling is normal.
5. Acceptance
Eventually we come to a place of being able to accept that we are alcoholics and that we will never be able to drink again. As we become sober, things are starting to look up. We are meeting people who are living successfully and joyfully in sobriety. We accept our condition honestly and begin to learn how to live peacefully without alcohol in our lives. We aren't fighting — we are choosing to do what we know is right for us.


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Parts & Service FAQs:
Auto Parts & Service | Frequently Asked Questions
Hey, we can't all be mechanics, so if you're out in Ballwin, Kirkwood, Affton, or another St. Louis area borough and you've got a few questions about the service and maintenance of your Hyundai vehicle, including how to program HomeLink® or when to rotate tires, check out our FAQ below to see if we answered it, and if not, give a technician a call at 877-735-6774!
Service & Parts FAQs:
- Q-Do I need an
appointment to get service at Suntrup Hyundai South?
A-Here at Suntrup Hyundai South, we're proud to offer Suntrup Express Maintenance; it's no-appointment-necessary, and we do our best to have you in and out in 30 minutes or less!
- Q-What if I need or want an
A-We understand; for services that take more than 30 minutes or for those St. Louis drivers who would rather have something penciled-in, we're making it easier than ever to schedule your appointment online and get the professional service you deserve.
- Q-How often should I have my oil
A-Conventional wisdom used to say, every 3,000 miles, no matter what. Well, things have changed quite a bit, and now some engines can go up to 7,500 miles without a change. Your individual oil-change interval will depend on a lot of different factors, including which Hyundai model you're driving. Other factors include how you drive, what conditions you drive in, and what type of oil you use. A quick consultation of your Hyundai Owners' Manual should give you the individual recommended oil-change interval for your particular model. Lost your manual or want a second opinion? Our talented techs are happy to help!
- Q-Are there any signs I can look for that indicate my brake
pads need work?
A-Your brakes are obviously pretty important, so you want to be vigilant about their health. Here are some signs you can look out for that may indicate brake trouble or the need for a brake-pad replacement: when you press the brake, it feels "spongey" and less-responsive than usual; if you press the brake and hear a squeal or squeaking sound; or here's a biggie: if your brake light illuminates on the dashboard-all of these mean it's time to get your brakes checked out by a professional.
- Q-Are genuine OEM Hyundai Parts actually
A-They sure are! Most OEM parts come with a warranty of their own, so not only were the designed to fit with your Hyundai model and the overall-Hyundai systems, it also comes backed by the peace of mind of a warranty.

subset: commoncrawl


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- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Mark Topic as New
- Mark Topic as Read
- Float this Topic for Current User
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
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Optimizely & classic GA through GTM
Optimizely & classic GA through GTM
Hi there!
I could use a little help with my current Optimizely/GA set-up as I'm currently not receiving any data in Google Analytics. My website uses classic Google Analytics, deployed through GTM. The snippet for Optimizely is at the top of the <head> with the snippet for GTM being in the right place as well. New experiments are integrated with GA through the option in the editor, and the custom var slot isn't being used by anything else.
However I've been unable to get my data into Google Analytics. I've run through all the troubleshooting in the databasae, but the solutions either have to do with the placement of the snippet or activating the integration for the experiments: both things we're doing correctly.
I'd love any and all ideas for possible fixes for this issue!
Solved! Go to Solution.
Re: Optimizely & classic GA through GTM[ Edited ]
Hey Eva, I'd be happy to look into this for you! I am going to open a ticket for you as this will require some troubleshooting. Please look out for an email from optimizely support.
Teja Shah
Technical Support Representative
Re: Optimizely & classic GA through GTM
Within the experiment you want to shoot GA data off of, have you gone to the integration section and set the custom dimension you're using in GA along with the account name?
In addition, you probably want to create a report in the custom reports section of your GA. It would go something like this:
- Set your metrics (bounce rate, % exit, etc.)
- For dimension drilldowns, do Page > the dimension your experiment is set on
- Filter > include the dimension your experiment is set on (Regex by experiment ID)
Re: Optimizely & classic GA through GTM[ Edited ]
Thank you for your help Amara & Robertchan! The problem is fixed! The issue was the fact that I didn't have the tracker name box checked in GTM. Once I did that the data came flooding into my reports.


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I have several unpublished short stories by Frances Donaldson and I am going to put them here – as I get them transcribed from typewritten to digital prose. Here are the first two:
1). My Day. Thoughts on writing as a discipline/occupation
2) The Last of the Peasants, a story about our cleaning lady in rural Gloucestershire just after the war, and her brother, a traditional miser.
I also plan to put a few of the interesting war letters of my father, Jack Donaldson
There is an item called 'A Soldier's Reading'. He read voraciously and often commented on what he was reading. Leonora Cazalet sent him a Christmas present of 40 Penguin books on one occasion. The wartime postal services seemed to cope quite easily with this, although I am not sure by what method they were despatched.
I may expand some of the interesting topics to give more background and detail. For instance the Peckham Health Centre, a bit more about Gropius, possibly some of the characters who were well-known names at the time but not so well-known now.
So, Watch this space. I will do it all as soon as possible – after the trauma of self-publishing that is so time-consuming and all-absorbing.


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Open as of June 1, 2018
The Zigbee Alliance has opened a new Certification Program that makes it easier for companies to join the Zigbee Alliance ecosystem of Certified Products. The program enables Zigbee Alliance Participant and Promoter members to offer their Certified Products to customers for re-branding and non-functional modification while maintaining those products' Certified status.
Program Value
For existing members
Participants and Promoters can now transfer a product to a customer, and allow them re-certify the product under their company name. This makes it easy for customers to enter the IoT marketplace, and increases distribution and sales channels by leveraging existing Certified Products.
Participants and Promoters are also eligible to receive a Certification Transfer.
Adopters are eligible to receive a Certification Transfer on a product from a Participant or Promoter company, and re-certify the products under their company name. Approved products can then carry the Certified logo under the new company name.
For new companies
New companies can now easily and affordably implement Certified Products from Alliance Participant and Promoter member companies, and re-certify these products under their company name. Approved products can then carry the Certified logo under the new company name.
Criteria for non-member companies who wish to take advantage of the Certification Transfer Program:
How the program works
Participant and Promoter companies are capable of offering products for certification transfer.
Products for certification transfer must:
Eligible companies can then apply to re-certify products under a different company name, as long as the product:
Benefits of completing a Certification Transfer
Benefits of enrolling devices in the Certification Transfer Program
How to join this program and certify a device
Existing members can enroll products in the program and apply for a Certification Transfer using the Certification Web Tool.
For new companies that are not Alliance members, please complete the following:
1. Review:
2. Register your company and apply for product re-certification on the Alliance Certification Transfer tool. Click here to access the Certification Transfer tool.
3. Submit $500 certification listing fee per device transferred.
For questions about the process, please contact [email protected].
Certification Transfer Program: FAQs
What are the company qualifications to join the program?
To submit a product to be transferred, you must be from a Participant or Promoter company in good standing.
To receive a Certification Transfer, you must be either a Zigbee Alliance Member in good standing, or be a new company who has never been an Alliance member. New companies are limited to ten (10) certifications per calendar year.
Which products qualify for the transfer program?
What changes to the previously certified product are allowed as part of the program?
Which companies can my company transfer products from?
Only Participant and Promoter members of the Zigbee Alliance are able to register their certified products to be part of the Certification Transfer Program. Once registered, you will see a full list of products available to transfer when you are entering an application for certification.
Will my product be listed on the Zigbee Alliance Certified Products page?
Yes, once the transfer is approved, your product will be listed on the Alliance Certified Products page here: https://zigbee.org/zigbee-products-2/
If you have a Zigbee 3.0 Product that was Certified before the launch of the program (June 1, 2018), can it be enrolled in the Certification Transfer Program?
Yes. Any Certified Product can be enrolled in the program as long as it is an end device.
Can Promoter/Participant members enroll their Zigbee 3.0 Certified Products for Certification Transfer program and then decide later based on the requests received whether they want to sell such product to the requester?
Yes. Promoter/Participants will be contacted by the Alliance to authorize the use of their product as the basis for a Certification Transfer application.
Is there a limitation on how many products a Participant or Promoter can enroll for Certification Transfer Program?
No. Participant and Promoter members can enroll as many eligible products as they'd like.
If a Participant downgrades to Adopter member status, will it affect the products they already enrolled in the program?
Yes. The products will no longer be eligible to be transferred. Only current Promoter and Participant companies can enroll and have active products in the program.
Will the certificates for products that have obtained their certification by the transfer program be marked in any way to allow them to be identified as having used the program?
No. Products that successfully complete the program will be marked in the same way as any other Zigbee Alliance Certified product.
Can a certified module or platform be integrated by another company and still receive Certification Transfer if the Zigbee hardware and firmware have not changed?
No. Some hardware and firmware changes have the potential to alter Zigbee performance. To confidently deliver on our promise of interoperability, these Certification Transfers are not permitted.
If a product is certified with a set of attributes for the basic cluster, are you allowed to change attributes such as application version, hardware version, model identifier, etc.?
No. Similar to the previous answer, these changes have the potential to alter Zigbee performance. To confidently deliver on our promise of interoperability, these Certification Transfers are not permitted.
What happens to the manufacturer ID when the product is transferred? Does the original certifying company's ID display on the product, or the transferee?
Manufacturer IDs are only issued to member companies. If the company receiving the transfer is not a member, they won't get their own manufacturer ID and will have to use that of the original certifying company. However, if the company is a member, they can note on their application that they would like to use their own Manufacture ID.
Can a certified module or platform be integrated by another company and still receive Certification Transfer if the Zigbee hardware and firmware have not changed?
No. Some hardware and firmware changes have the potential to alter Zigbee performance. To confidently deliver on our promise of interoperability, these Certification Transfers are not permitted.
What kinds of product changes are acceptable for the program?
|Type of change
|Not acceptable
|Product appearance
|Product packaging (color, shape, etc)
|Changes to product color or brand name
|User interface
|Changes to display screen (color vs. monochrome, language, etc.)
|Buttons (push button switch vs. paddle switch)
|Hardware configuration
|Changing location of buttons, switches, etc.
|Changing any hardware that interferes with our alters Zigbee functionality
|Changing the device type from the originally certified product
|Changing Certification type from the originally Certified Product
|Adding/removing supported clusters from the originally Certified Product
Have more questions? Please contact us at [email protected].
|The Zigbee Alliance is the foundation and future of the IoT. Established in 2002, our wide-ranging global membership collaborates to create and evolve universal open standards for the products transforming the way we live, work, and play. With our members' deep and diverse expertise, robust certification programs, and a full suite of open IoT solutions, we are leading the movement toward a more intuitive, imaginative, and useful world.


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Welcome to the webpage for the Lower Makefield Township Seniors.
Welcome to the webpage for the Lower Makefield Township Seniors.
The purpose of this organization shall be to promote the educational, physical, cultural, emotional and social well being of persons 55 years of age or older in a community based setting.
John LaBar
Eleanor Hammill
Vice President
Milton Silverstein
Gloria Asterino
Frank Fazzalore
Sally Garofano
Margaret McLaughlin
Peggy Miller
Sally Sargent
LMT has a variety of activities for our senior community. Click the button below to view a list of activities and contact information for the coordinators for each activity.
Seniors Election November 12, 2019 – Click here for information on candidates running for office.
The new Community Center is now open and located around the corner from the Township building at 1550 Oxford Valley Road, next to the Fred Allan Softball Fields. The building is located on the Samost Tract, which is on Oxford Valley Road between Edgewood and Roelofs Road. This location is perfect for the Seniors and the Community because it is centrally located, near the pool, library, police, ambulance, and the tax office, which will enhance the "community" feel. The Center will provide social opportunities for Seniors to rekindle acquaintances and friendships and make new friends, a meeting place sorely needed and long anticipated.
We will be continuing our activities (as listed above), doing a poll of our members for new ones, adding monthly trips, and continuing free AARP tax preparation. We are always looking for members to volunteer for new or current activities. All seniors (55+) are welcome to join. We always look forward to new members. If you have any questions, please call John LaBar (215-736-8971) or Ellie Hammill (215-321-1763).
After an extended site study, option #3 of the proposed community center was selected. Click below to view.
Shawnee Playhouse Flyer – December 6, 2019
Holiday Luncheon Flyer – December 11, 2019
Meet & Greet
Our Monthly Meet & Greet is held the second Tuesday of Every month, with the exception of July, August and December) at 10:00 am in the Lower Makefield Community Center. We have a short meeting and guest speaker or program, followed by a light lunch. Please join us.
Give to the Community Activities
Aileen Koopman, 215 295-9140, is once again organizing our Annual Caps for Kids Project. Hats, mittens, gloves and scarves, purchased or handmade, are collected and donated to the Headstart Program in Morrisville.
In addition to list of senior activities, we offer the following:
1100 Edgewood Rd, Yardley, PA 19067
Phone: 267.274.1100
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Non-emergency: (215) 493-4011
Records / Admin: (215) 493-4055
1100 Edgewood Road, Yardley, PA 19067


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Careers with Eden Private Staff
Are you considering a career in Private Staff Recruitment?
Work for Eden…
Leading the way in the private household market, Eden Private Staff aims to be the biggest, the best and the most effective at selecting staff for our clients. We also have a significant global presence within the private & corporate security market.
We have been hand picking the highest calibre of private staff for more than 10 years on behalf of discerning families who require impeccable standards of service, integrity, reliability and discretion. Our range of services can be used during the whole lifetime of our clients.
What we look for in a consultant:
- Honesty, reliability, discretion
- Ability to work as part of a team and support fellow staff
- Flexibility
- Professionalism
- Eagerness to develop your career
Eden Private Staff recruits both experienced consultants and enthusiastic and hardworking individuals wishing to develop. Our culture is a focused, but eclectic community of professionals who embrace our team ethics. This creates a collaborative working environment that invigorates our businesses and inspires confidence in our clients and candidates.
We value good listeners prepared to help make our vision into a reality. We want consultants to treat their work as their own business. Career progression will depend on how quickly and effectively you can grow your company.
We are looking for:
- individuals experienced in a particular sector and looking for their next step
- people who appreciate our philosophy who we can help to nurture
- individuals on the start of their career path who we can help to succeed
Being well established within the marketplace, we don't cold call as we are recommended by our clients. We also source clients through our own marketing initiatives and rarely need to use print marketing.
Our candidates approach us directly rather than coming through an agency and as part of Eden Private Staff you would be working in a global marketplace.
We will consider applicants from:
- London
- Somerset
- Scotland
- Cheshire
- France
- Switzerland
- Hong Kong
If you would like to establish yourself as a key player within this rapidly expanding market sector, please write to us enclosing your CV and a covering letter labelled Private & Confidential and post to 20-21 Falkland Square, Somerset TA18 5JS or email for the attention of HR to [email protected] all our active vacancies can be found here


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When the day is long and the night shortest
Summer the solstice of the sun, solar has come the veils disappear
The solar peaks with its zenith, heady desire enflames the sun's strength
Tis the power of the shining King, the Rite of solstice his carnal desire
He is the Sun by the day and light his ultimate power
Litha, the Solstice of the longest sun, Midsummer passions consummated
Exchanged by the Goddess, bequeathed now to the reign of the darkened King
The goddess now satiated by the dark and light, battle for supremacy over
Twas the Great Mother, burned by the flames and heat of the sun
Her resulted pleasure, nourishes and becomes the annual summer death
As the silver wheel turns, so can He be reborn once more
He is now not the sun full and gold, the light of the sun
Tis the stars of the night, the light which makes this King shine so bright
Dark and Night tis the Hunter, He who sees the path clearly with nighted eyes
Tis this light the bright of this King, renewed intensity bestowed from the sun
By thy eyes shining, He is now the keeper of the night clear and bright
Lighted eyes of the Hunter Wild, Keeper of the Woods who shines the way
By the light of Dark and dark of Light, ruled by the sun and lived by the moon
Drawn to the sun he faces its death, by this light he dies
Once reborn, the time of the sun King and the great mother are done
Abundance and Life grow from the exchanging of Kings
The annual solstice, the suns power and delight
Will again return and once more the dark and light
Thus always tis the Great Mother who ends this declaration of war and love
Seasons now change, Kings exchange, Solstice power buried and done
Midsummer magick declared, spirits and faeries been and gone
Renewed by the light, another time of season has begun
Oak and Holly, the Sun King arises tis not his time anymore
The wheel will be turned, he now faces his back towards the sun
Listen tis the forest, the sound is a magickal entrapment
Tis not the breeze that whispers the songs of nymphs entrancements
The song that sounds is Pan upon his magickal flute
Frivolities of pleasures and wonderful things the sweetest tune he plays
Unawares of the lure of the satyr, hearing Pan and his song
Beware those made from innocence and delight, sweetly to these he will court
Follow you dare behind the Pan, maddened by dance are those lost and found.
Tis now the Drums the heartbeat of the forest, the sound now a foreshadow
A consummation of marriage, tis the king and queens blessing
Destroyed by the Rite and the greatest ecstasy
He is now the Hunter, both nourished and destroyed by the Dark and Night
Dead and resurrected, light has fallen and darkness awakes
Within the Dark of the Night, a Hunters senses become more keened
What is unseen by the brightest light of sun, can be seen with nighted eyes
What can not be seen in the dark before the wheel has turned
Can be seen by the light once the wheel has turned
To once more be unseen, thus it goes around
Two halves are the whole, light and dark are both required
Hunter of the woods, King of the wild and free
Herne is thy name.. Robbing the Hood is for thee
Cernunnos, Green Man. He is Pan, Dionysus and King of the Wild Hunt
He who is both the Sun and the Night, He who is both Light and Dark
Wars with Love and Loves with War, the destruction and giver of Life
Tis the Midsummer Eve, veils have parted to greet the sun
Tales woven and remembered, the Otherkin remnants of a time once before
Solar of the solstice, a calendar and date that time has not forgot
When the Tuatha Da Danann rode the sun for three long days
Crossed the sky, over the oceans and found magick in the Land
Creationists and Dreamers, a new home it was these people needed
Diplomacy and knowledge twas with tact they spake
Growth, new skills and wisdoms they bore as gifts
Almed with prose, the written word theyr weapon of choice
Poetic justice, a valour for love of convictions masters the battle
These very gifts matter naught when the truth is discarded
War for Evolution and the people was soon declared.
Poetic justice, a war fought for the love of valour
A yearning is strong when many are taught theyr is indeed more
Twas knowledge more than swords that won the battle that day
Theyr ghosts still tell these ancient battle tales
Til this story is heard and told, a deathly wail breaks the veil door
The shortest night means it tis you they may wish to find
Or, if one is the bravest spirit and faery seeker
Three lines crossed tis the safest spot, a running stream if not
For I am brave.. mythos and mysteries..faeries, dragons and spirits I seek
Riddles told with cold breath of the dead, although do watch out..
A trick can be a quest, a quest a trick.. Tis the Tuatha Da Danann way!
Four treasures kept apart but always together, tis a minor detail and thing if they are... four is more complete and together than just one.
Virtuous are the teachers and students of Nature, the truth is simple and easy to use: All are but one and the same; thus the Law of the Land is the ultimate caretakers Law. It tis they who build theyr mind like the strongest stone that will survive over the course of nature and time. If one is not virtuous and noble in theyr dealings, nor skilled in knowledge forms a weakly built idea. Still it shall create the form of a castle, but one of sand not with stone. Stones are forever, nature builds over time with patience and pressure. Tis the noble and virtuous teachers and learners who never Fail, for they have learnt castles made of and from the sand man are another's dreamed sleepy desires. Tis only the Lie that Fails, everything else remains. Tides are forever a constant Law of Nature, this never Lies only they who fail and not have knowledge with this treasure.. Tis the dark of humans psyche and not nature's to know how to lie and therefore a way to fail, this is learned, not always taught. Tis the light of human nature and dreams that creates visions of Destiny. We have built within us a drive to succeed which nature does not have; thus nature does not know or have a new vision for creation, visions are uncreated dreams and unmade destinies. If we learn and are taught correctly, destiny is also a changeable vision. Untruths taught without these simple truths and enforced to be followed, creates an imbalance which requires rebalance eventually (nature does not judge but holds the balance) Learnt over time we have discovered nature is a constant, regardless how chaotic.. Tis your destiny set in stone, knowledge and learning tells us now, even a stone has a song, likely one the ancient Druids knew and sung. Music from a stone, set beneath the true King; a stone cannot sing if it is indeed not the true King. Thus, the stone sings of a destiny, destiny a thing it cannot have so a mournful sorrow weeps and is heard within the joy for the King. A word of warn for pretenders or unbelievers, terrible screeching ensues those who Fail, a surety to know a liar.


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My eyes have always been terrible and progressively gotten worse as I've become older, it was -5.50 approx in both eyes, short sighted and I would always wear glasses and contacts which I wasn't comfortable with.
I received the email telling me I had won and I was very pleased, booked the consultation on the phone. The people at Optimax in Manchester were very friendly and helpful, offered me a drink and explained everything to me. I had time to decide whether or not I would go through with the surgery, I wasn't nervous at all and booked to have the surgery done after the New Year.
I had LASEK eye surgery and could see much clearer straight after having it done, I just had to wear shades from being sensitive to light and wait to fully recover.
The surgery and recovery was PAINLESS.
The best way to describe it is its slightly uncomfortable for a while and it takes time for you to adjust to your new eyes (particularly with LASEK surgery as opposed to LASIK).
I was taking a few different antibiotics / eye drops which helped me during recovery. The times I went back to Optimax my eyes had improved and right now I can see extremely clear and have no problems.
Now I'm much more confident in general and happier, anyone who is interested in getting Laser Eye Surgery I would say go for it. I'm very happy with the treatment overall and especially cancelling my Specs-Savers direct debit.
Optimax' Blog:
You can enter to win yourself here:
Thank you Optimax!
If you are a company who would like to be featured then contact me at: email@example.com or follow and Direct Message me through Twitter: @ChrisHughesy


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This weekend was magical. Scones were involved, for one. Lovingly made with lowbush cranberries handpicked here in the valley forest. Even the rain held off long enough for us to get outside for a delightful walk through the damp woods. Heavily scented with tart and pungent highbush cranberries and the unmistakable aroma of yellowing leaves.
Autumn light is decidedly the most beautiful light of the entire year and is not to be squandered. I think my friend Nate really said it best.
We even encountered a sleepy bunny friend on the trail. Don't worry bunny, you're safe with us.
Regarding scone and muffin making, I only ever consult one source. America's Test Kitchen. Those folks know their stuff and scones are not to be trifled with. My recipe is veganized and adapted from their blueberry scone recipe.
I have a love/hate relationship with baking. Making these scones was no exception. Tortured with fits of frustration from holes in my dough...being a perfectionist can be burdensome when it comes to making pastries. However, even with a couple openings where tiny cranberries menacingly dared to escape, these scones turned out wonderfully. They're really quite easy and I wouldn't say they take more patience than any other scone recipe.
- 9 Tbsp. vegan butter (1 stick + 1 Tbsp. ), frozen
- ½ cup coconut or soy milk
- ½ cup vegan sour cream
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus additional for working (10 oz.)
- ½ cup vegan sugar, plus additional for sprinkling (3 ½ oz.)
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. grated lemon zest
- ½ tsp. table salt
- ¼ tsp. baking soda
- scant ¼ cup fresh mint, minced
- 1 ½ cup fresh cranberries (7 ½ oz.)
I adore Bailey's spotted mouth! We rang in Autumn, officially, with this Alaskan pumpkin porter on our playful walk.
German Word of The Day
Scones --> Teegebäck (tea-geh-beck)
Good Deed of The Day
Beyond Meat is offering a free pallet of their brand new Beast Burgers to burger joints that agree to offer them. You can ask your local or national burger chain to serve them by tweeting #beastme at them! Pretty cool huh? It'd be great to see more (or any) vegan burger options around!


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Do you know what a bezzle is? Here is a book which explains the sophisticated financial system.
The economic columnist I most admire is John Kay, who writes regularly for the Financial Times. He taught at various universities, was director of the independent think tank, Institute for Fiscal Studies, and has held a host of other interesting and important jobs. His columns are always well informed, amusingly light while being deep, show excellent judgement and often have stunning illustrations of fundamental ideas. In the intellectually vibrant economic discussion of Britain and, indeed, the North Atlantic he is an outstanding contributor both as a thinker and as someone who connects to the popular audience.
Kay has also written a number of books, but perhaps none is as significant as his latest Other People's Money: The Real Business of Finance, which is probably the best book available on how the financial system currently works.
Essentially the system trades IOUs. To take a simple example, you deposit your IOUs (perhaps a bank deposit or cash) with a finance company, which gives you another IOU in return – perhaps it promises to pay you cash ('interest') at regular intervals and, after a certain time or on demand, return your deposit.
To think about such things start off with peer to peer (P2P) lending with an investor directly funding a mortgage, say, to a property owner (a traditional activity in New Zealand). But you have to choose and monitor the deal while taking the risk on just one property. Instead you put your funds in a bank which does the choosing and monitoring and reduces risk because the deposit is diversified across many investments. (Quite properly, the bank or whatever takes a margin for doing this specialised task; you pay them from some of the return on the investment.)
Your financial investment is not 100 percent safe – as the crashing of finance companies a few years back illustrates; while the institution in which you make the deposit may be fraudulent, never intending you to be able to redeem your IOU. (A lot of regulatory effort is made to minimise such catastrophes for savers, but fundamentally, it is 'caveat emptor' – let the investor beware.)
If New Zealand's financial system is this vanilla one, the dominant international one is more Neopolitan with layers on layers of IOUs of different hues. Think of it as an enormous (cyber)-room in which people frenetically trade increasingly complicated IOUs among themselves. The paper gets churned around but it does not actually do anything (a simplification but fair enough for exposition). Yet at regular intervals the paper-traders take huge salaries and bonuses. Where do their fees come from?
The trick is that some of the IOUs left in the room have no value. Except we do not usually know which ones until they are about to be redeemed. Until that point the depositors of the IOUs which underpin the duds think they are valuable. John Kenneth Galbraith described the phenomenon as the 'bezzle' (after embezzle; sometimes the 'f-bezzle' – i.e. financial-bezzle). It temporarily boosts the economy because some think they are richer than they are. The deceit cannot go on forever, and people eventually find their IOUs are worthless. (Well some are, many are redeemed by the taxpayer.) Their value has been taken off in the salaries and bonuses of the dealers.
Other People's Money elaborates this story with detail and wit. It compares the trading to tailgating on the motorway—a high-risk strategy that works most of the time but occasionally ends in a devastating crash (not only for the tailgater).
You know how when reading a book you sometimes want to underline a phrase or sentence for recall or to share (I resist); I wanted to do so even as often as to every paragraph. To summarise my view of the work: a student in a business faculty who has not read and mastered it does not deserve a degree. The rest of us need to read it if we want to comment on the international financial system.
Not that Kay has all the answers, although implementing his recommendations would be progress. Of course they are resisted by the dealers playing with other people's money, taking their margin in exchange for dud IOUs.
In at least two ways it matters to New Zealanders with their vanilla financial system. First, when the dud IOUs cannot be redeemed the whole world economy suffers. Second, the two great centres of financial activities – London and New York – are issuing dud IOUs to investors outside Britain and the US. So some New Zealanders are being directly impacted – probably those who would appear in the likes of the Panama Papers.
There is however a deeper problem. All of us assume that on the whole we can do our own thing and, subject to a series of caveats, that is in the interests of society. There are a handful of industries we proscribe because they are not in the public interest – such as suppling narcotics. One has an uneasy feeling that the much larger industry of Neopolitan finance belongs in the same basket. John Kay does not say this, although he wants to further regulate and restrict the business. But one closes his book wondering.


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Food special: Make way for a new food truck in Mumbai
From Chicken Nuggets with Aioli Cheese to a deconstructed Kheema Pav, enjoy value-for-money street fare with a gourmet twist by the Bombay Food Truck that will roll onto city streets by this month-end
Thanks to TV shows like Eat Street and movies such as Chef, we've often imagined food trucks as part of our cityscape, dolling out tasty budget meals, at the Marine Drive promenade or post a late-night live gig at Mahalaxmi Race Course.
The co-owners Ashish Sajnani and Juspreet Singh Walia with the chefs on board Bombay Food Truck. Pics/Suresh KK
We found our dream truck when we spotted the fully-equipped 12-food long Bombay Food Truck parked at Lower Parel's Kamala Mills. Freshly coated in red and ready to roll out on the streets by the end of this month, it comes with all the necessary nuts and bolts — grills, fryers, exhaust fans, the works. It will dish out street-style gourmet fare, priced between Rs 100 and Rs 200.
Currently in the process of procuring all the licenses that would allow the truck to move freely across town, the co-owners — Ashish Sajnani and Juspreet Singh Walia (of PDT fame) — will open its windows to patrons with a month-long halt at Kamala Mills. Post that, you can follow the truck's route on Instagram.
Chicken Nuggets with Aioli Cheese, Microgreens and French Fries
Already working towards introducing five more trucks by next March, the owners also plan to use it for brand activation tie-ups, onsite catering as well as at weddings. Plus, home chefs who wish to rustle up exciting fare can also hop on to this truck to curate special menus.
What's on the menu?
With a work-in-progress menu, the truck will offer on-the-go, non-messy options like nuggets, meatballs, nachos, salads, hot dogs, sandwiches and burgers and will also feature kids' section with smaller portion sizes. For beverages, they're sticking to the quintessential nimbu paani. We hope they serve other fresh juices too.
Meatballs with Fresh Tomato Sauce
Packing in bagfuls of flavour and innovative combinations, most of the dishes scored high on our taste meter. Thumbs up to the wholesome portions too. We started with Chicken Nuggets with Blue Cheese Aioli, Micro Greens and French Fries. The sour cheese complemented the crisp nuggets and the fries added to the taste. The Veg FLT (Falafel, Lettuce, Tomato) packed into two portions of pita bread was satiating, though slightly dry.
Twist in the tale
A deconstructed version of its street counterpart, the Kheema Pav Bambaiya Style featured a kadak multi-grain pav (in a bowl-like shape) with minced meat scooped into it. It came topped with a wobbly egg yolk. As told, we stirred the egg yolk into the kheema and took a bite with the pav. With the right amount of crunch and spices, this version of kheema pav was a winner.
Kheema Pav Bambaiya Style was a heavenly take on its street-style counterpart
The Meatballs With Fresh Tomato Sauce (with an overload of French Fries) was of melt-in-the-mouth variety with the tangy sauce cooked to perfection. The Mutton Kheema Hotdog was tasty but slightly cumbersome to eat. Though too full, we couldn't resist the quirky Do Nut Murgi Burger. Featuring grilled chicken and melted cheese packed between a doughnut, we loved this cool form of the burger. We bid adieu to the truck hoping to continue our affair with her on the streets soon.
Time 12 pm onwards, daily
At Bombay Food Truck, Kamala Mills, Lower Parel.
Log on to Instagram/foodtruckbombay
This was a preview, and hence not anonymous. The food truck will be in service from September-end. Check their Instagram feeds for updates.
Watch the chef dish out a recipe on Bombay Food Truck
Sign up for all the latest news, top galleries and trending videos from Mid-day.comSubscribe
This Mumbai restaurant serves food on conveyor belts


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Veronica Crystal Young
One–On–One Coaching
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It's time to get a real watch, and an Apple Watch doesn't count
First off, I'm a bit of a watch nerd. That phrase "you can tell a man by his shoes", I'm like that but with watches. I'm also passionate about technology… See the dilemma? I was excited to see TechCrunch run an article last week featuring actual, real, mechanical watches! Nomos no less. A great German micro brand that doesn't take themselves too seriously. The article was tagged with #gadgets and #computing for some reason... But here in my large metropolitan area I'm definitely seeing a trend.
My local area is home to one of the world's largest mechanical watch companies. Yes, the exciting town of Richardson, TX is home to Fossil (coming in at #4 worldwide), but we are also home to the holding company for Shinola (a personal favorite), as well as upstarts Jack Mason & BREDA. Even though these are not the high-end brands from Switzerland, you'd think with all that watch action we might be predisposed for traditional, mechanical watches.
Informally, I'd guess 20% - 30% of people in my bubble have an Apple Watch. And not just the tech enthusiasts, but just about every other persona you can think of across tech knowledge, age, job, etc... Why? One, because it's a good watch and in my opinion adds a lot of value, and you can now get one at around $269. That's just generally a good price for a watch, let alone one that's a handy micro slice of your $800 phone. When you think about it, do I get the $100 Fossil, or spend a bit more (and for the first time mass consumers are seeing value in spending more than $100 for a watch) and get the Apple Watch?
But, I'm not really here to talk about Apple Watches. I have one, and I find the most value in the following situations:
At home when I don't want to carry my phone around.
When I know I'm going to be in meetings all day and I still want to know what's going on.
When I'm going to meet someone with the word "innovation" in their title, it's expected and an instant bond.
Beach and swimming -- when I can't have my phone.
Traveling, sometimes. The recharging the battery bit is annoying...
Working out, which I don't do enough.
In all of those cases it's useful, and I make the tradeoff of not wearing one of my meticulously hand made, mechanical watches. The poor guys just have to sit there. I really need to get an automatic watch winder to walk them.
But, as a man, watches are one of the key pieces of jewelry I can sport, and while many have no clue what's on my wrist, those that do... well do. And they are investments. Usually good purchases will not only last forever (with a little love and care), but go up or retain most of their value over time. I'm planning on giving mine out to my two boys at different milestones, hoping they remember their old man.
So, when you hit a certain age, when you've climbed a bit of life's ladder, it's time to put something meaningful on your wrist. Something you can pawn for a small car if it came to it.
Where to start... Watches are a black hole for collectors. There are so many brands, shapes, sizes, types, complications it goes on forever... And like a coffee or wine snob, at some point you start taking vacations around watches. Or you could be just looking for that one good piece to wear daily.
Let's talk price ranges... If you're just looking for the one, and feel like you're not going to get bit by the watch collecting bug, then you should be looking to spend around $2k to $5k. Again, this is an investment! And a good place to start might be at the (near) top, Rolex.
I generally don't like Rolex watches. But it's not for good reasons. They're actually the Apple of watches. No really, go read this and come back. It's like one of those Jonny Ive commercials where he's drooling over the metals. Same thing. Why I don't like Rolex is that it's THE watch you buy when you make it. Almost every doctor, dentist, etc... has one, and usually one like this. But, again -- it's the Apple of watches! You should pay for that quality! And while that one is $11k, they have new watches as low as $5k. Throw in a gently used, or vintage, and you could get lower.
So what do I like? I like what I can mostly afford, so leaving out the whales, here are some watches to check out that could be your "one" or the start of your collection:
Nomos — Already mentioned, German made with their own build in-house movements (this means they build everything, some watches buy the "engine" from someone else). They have a ton of good looking watches, I've been eying this one.
Tudor — The brother of Rolex, also starting to use their own in-house movements, they learned a lot from their big brother, and make quality watches. They're also starting to bring back vintage styles which I absolutely love! I'd get this one or this one.
Omega — the watch of James Bond, and THE Moon Watch. You can't go wrong. They've been dipping into vintage styles recently as well. Drool... A Speedmaster? Or a Railmaster?
Sinn — They build watches like a truck. A truck you can run through a brick wall. More common components, but put together really well, and with style! I'd get this one.
IWC — Classic and tough. Known for their pilot watches, but have a wider range that extends from bikers to bankers. I'd go for one like this.
Weiss — Bringing America back, Weiss with only two styles, has a small catalog of good looking, well made, custom watches out of LA,. I have one and it works great -- if I was going for a 2nd I'd get this one.
Shinola — Wanted to give a home town shout out! Now Shinola is the one that doesn't fit with others in the group. They're battery powered. Which means they're more reliable, but according to watch aficionados, they have no soul. They're made with good quality parts, and assembled in Detroit, USA. So while they're cheaper than others on the list, some think they're too much for what they are. They're also attractive, and a good gateway to other quality watches. Maybe go for one of their more iconic looks like this one.


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Students sat on the floor or huddled around a desk, racing to build the tallest spaghetti tower that would hold a marshmallow on top of it.
The point of the 20-minute activity was to teach the students, high schoolers in the Riverhead district, team-building skills and to have a shared experience, along with the opportunity to learn prototyping. READ


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Big Brother stands as one of the best skate magazines to ever exist. There was nothing like it at the time, and still nothing that compares today. It was so obviously run by skaters with absolutely no censorship or fucks given, running controversial stories and articles that included rip-off schemes like how to make a fake ID, step by step ways to commit suicide, how to make homemade bongs, and how to get away with underage, public drinking.
Big Brother's antics, outrageous moments, and boundary pushing content was the printed epitome of true skate life and culture, and now DC Shoes has partnered with the renowned skateboarding magazine in launching its exclusive spring 2016 capsule collection. DC and Big Brother have teamed up to recount some of the best (and worst) memories in the Big Brother legacy with 'The Big Brother Book' entitled, "Shit".
Skate legend and Big brother writer Sean Cliver says, "Big Brother magazine featured a lot of ridiculous, fly by night advertisers over the years—Black Jesus?—but DC Shoes was with us from the moment the company was founded in 1994 to the very last issue in 2004. And not once did they ever complain about the magazine's content."
The DC x Big Brother capsule collection features both apparel and footwear in the irreverent style of Big Brother, seen in the Sultan S shoe in a Coors Banquet Beer inspired colorway. Additional collection pieces feature classic Big Brother Magazine covers that look back on a time when skateboarding was still considered a sub-culture.
Now....where can we get a pair of those Dave Carnie pro-model shoes?


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Tablets and smartphones are revolutionizing the way we map, record data and communicate. They are relacing field guides, maps, cameras and GPS units. This edition of News from the Alps is all about harnessing the power of new technology for land management. There's a great case study from the ACT where the Collector App is used to map weed operations across the Territory. There's a list of useful apps, plus tips and tricks for newcomers. Technology has the potential to dramatically improve cross border co-operative management. Enjoy.
Category Archives: News
Australian Alps Catchment
The Australian Alps bioregion covers barely 0.2% of mainland Australia and yet is estimated to contribute 29% of average inflows into the Murray Darling basin catchment. We live in the hottest, driest, flattest inhabited continent on the planet and there is no more precious resource than water. The Australian Alps are a virtual dam; they supply reliable, clean, base load water that grows food, generates electricity and supports communities. The health of the Australian Alps is a matter of national economic, social and environmental significance. In this 2011 Summary Report by Graeme Worboys & Roger Good, they discuss catchment conditions, trends in condition, threats and makes policy recommendations.
Alpine Ecology Course 2017
The Research Centre for Applied Alpine Ecology is pleased to announce details of its 2017 Alpine Ecology Course. This is an exciting opportunity to learn about the plants, animals, land-forms and soils that make up alpine ecosystems. The course is designed for people who are involved in natural resource management or conservation activities in alpine and other natural environments. Download an application form here.
News from the Alps: 30th Anniversary Edition
Happy Birthday everyone. It's truly wonderful to see that the Australian Alps nation parks Co-operative Management Program is now marking its 30th year. To celebrate, we've crammed this issue of News from the Alps with stories from every perspective. Discover just how politically challenging it was in 1986 to get a cross border co-operative management program across the line. Skip down memory lane with a few past Program Managers and be inspired by the story of the Australian Alps Walking Track. There's lots to see and enjoy in this souvenir edition, and it all celebrates a visionary decision made three decades ago.
Wild Horse Research Outcomes
Two new reports are released today, May 4th 2016. The reports investigate both the estimated numbers of horse in the Australian Alps and the impacts of these populations of alpine landscapes. A summation of both reports can also be accessed under the Australian Alps Factsheet : Wild Horse management.
Read the reports here:
News from the Alps #54
Enjoy the latest edition of News from the Alps #54 (PDF | 763 KB)


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We've got an in with santa!!
As it turns out he's a member of the North Pole Volunteer Fire Department in his spare time. We're making arrangements to have Santa join us on December 7th and 8th, and 14th and 15th to tour New Milford and deliver Christmas Presents to your kids on a Fire Engine!
Email email@example.com for a registration form
OR call 203.917.0028 for details...


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How can I download all "front pages" found by google?
- User Forums
- Offline Explorer Pro
- How can I download all "front pages" found by google?
|06/08/2004 01:06 pm
Is it possible to download all front pages found by google? I enter a search term e.g.:
and I would like to download all pages that are found, but only the "front pages", only the one pages directly linked from google (not whole site) - e.g:
and not the pages linked from that page. Is it possible? I thought so and my setting was:
Project: Level Limit: unchecked
Url Filters: Server:
Load files only within the starting Server
Load up to 1 links on other servers
Is something like this possible in Offline Explorer Pro? If yes, what`s wrong with my settings?
|06/08/2004 02:22 pm
|Ok, I hope that I found the mistake in my config - I unchecked "Other" in the file filters, when I check it again, it seems to work ok. Sorry for wasting your web space ;)
|06/08/2004 06:08 pm
|Oh, no good, now it download too many pages :(
Where is my mistake? I only want:
a) all result pages from google
b) all pages found by google (only this reffered directly by google, one document, not whole site)
|06/08/2004 07:30 pm
|Ok, I hope the problem was finally resolved (I forgot to exclude "more from this site" link from download... )
BTW: can somebody tell me, if "URL Filters" main section (with description "Disable URLs from downloading") accept wildcards ("*", "?") or not? Thx.
|Oleg Chernavin
|06/09/2004 09:12 am
|I hope that your Project loads exactly what you need now. If not, please let me know what unwanted links does it follow.
Regarding Disabled URLs - no. It doesn`t accept any wildcard. The reason is simple - I added this section for high performance only. Processing keywords takes quite a lot time and Disabled URLs section may include thousands of links. To use keywords, wildcards, etc. please use URL Filters | Filename section - Custom Configuration.
Best regards,
Oleg Chernavin
MP Staff


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1. Parks & Rec is finally back on!
2. THE 5TH WAVE!!! We both finished this recently/quickly. If you're looking for a book to help you through a book hangover or reading slump, then this is the next book you should be reading now ... seriously, right now. Get it. Yancey is a fantastic author and manages to create a thrilling, and creepily plausible, alien invasion story so effectively, through multiple perspectives.
3. Men and cats. Enough said.
4. This awesome Where The Wild Things Are/Avengers crossover.
5. Blog of the Week: Stacy over at Prayers and Piazzas. We recently connected with Stacy and are loving her blog. She's a wonderful writer with a charming personality. Go check out her blog and show some love :)
6. The new Divergent trailer!!! This looks like it's going to be a great book-to-screen adaptation. And with a back like Four's, we wouldn't even mind buying the movie covers of the book ;)
What made you smile this week? Leave it in the comments!
PS - You should totally submit something to our zine :)


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Locals bemoan the lack of maintenance of the Gua Tambun rock art site, despite having been designated as a national heritage site. I recorded the site as part of my MA research several years ago and there was very little or promotion of the site then and it is sad to hear that this is still the case.
National heritage lost to ravages of time and vandals
Malay Mail, 11 April 2015
In another country, a drawing dating back thousands of years ago would have become the pride of the nation, a major tourist attraction and a well-guarded heritage.
Such an artifact would have been flaunted to the extremes, ensuring it would never be lost and continue to generate as much tourist dollars as possible.
But, sadly, that is not the case for the drawings on the walls of a collapsed cave in Tambun, a five-minute drive from the centre of Ipoh town.
Believed to have been discovered by British soldiers in 1959, the drawings are said to be at least 3,000 years old although there have been claims they could even be 12,000 years old.
Full story here.


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How to Build a Wood Pallet Wall
Looking for cool pallet projects? If your wall needs a makeover and you don't think paint is the solution, why not make a wood pallet wall? It's takes a bit of work but it's as easy as one-two-three.
I've done so many pallet projects in the past and I still can't get enough of it. Wood pallets are so easy to use once you know a little pallet 101. But needless to say, with wood projects, this is my number one go to.
We've been doing some makeover around the house and I felt that I wanted to go with a rustic feel in the bedroom. I don't want just a splash of new paint, I wanted something different. So my solution, build a pallet wall! It will create an instant rustic feel and it's also easy to make.
If you want to set a divider in house shop or office for room division don't take tension for this. This will become so easy for you with wooden pallets. You can use wooden Pallets for divider in house office or shop it will be added beauty in environment of your office shop or house and you will never need to make this concrete easy to move and easy to create. Just buy wooden pallets and make a wall with these pallets if you have some knowledge about wood works you can easily made it.
What you'll need for your DIY pallet wall:
- pallets
- safety gloves
- nails
- wood glue
- wood stain (optional)
Step 1
Reconstruct your pallet. If you plan on doing it one nail at a time, there's an easier way.
Step 2
Prepare your wall by cleaning it or coating it with a fresh coat of paint first. After you've prepared the wall measure it with how much pallet you need to use.
Step 3
Apply wood glue to one side of your pallet and stick it on your wall.
Step 4
Hammer the nails in to firmly secure it in place. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you've covered your entire wall.
Step 5
Now that you've fully covered your wall with pallets, there might be some spaces in the edges. Measure it with your tape measure and cut your pallets in those sizes. Then time to fill up the gaps.
TIP: If you want a more rustic look, you can also paint it with wood stain.
And you're done! You've made a rustic wood pallet wall with repurposed pallets. Wasn't that an easy wood craft project? You can do it for your bedroom wall as a DIY room decor or on any wall you have around the house!


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Saturday, January 18, 2014
Better Days
4 comments:
Thanks for sharing your story,ReplyDelete
Thank you for sharing. I've dealt with major depression issues most of my life, and have several family members with bipolar (my daughter is on lexapro)..It's so hard, isn't it? But accepting yourself is a big step, and it sounds like you are there.. Sounds like we are opposites on the filter issue. I have tended to filter so much that it's almost impossible to make contact with anyone. If I could send you some filter, I would! I know you get lots of bunny love, but Jensen and Buttercup send extra nose bonks. Hang in there.ReplyDelete
We share a few physical and mental things. (Me so eloquent.)ReplyDelete
I turned into a hermit because I was tired of dealing with people who didn't understand introvert me. Of course, it was an introvert me who was bouncing from anti-depressant to anti-depressant and none of them working, dealing with a douche bag of a GP who was making me suicidal (it was a near thing), and a mental health system that is barse ackwards.
I FINALLY got to see a psychiatrist instead of my very angry/antagonistic/judgmental counsellor (won't her bosses be getting a hell of a letter from me) and within 20 minutes he said "You're not major depressive, you're bipolar. You've been misdiagnosed for 22 years. I'm glad you're still here." He changed my drugs and suddenly .. the whole world changed. Getting OFF both anti-deppresants made my life so much better.
I started group (it was part of getting to see a psychiatrist.) and y'know, I thought it'd be hokey and pointless and stupid. Well, the stuff my counsellor hands out is pretty useless, but sitting in a room with 7 other people who've been up and down this road with me has helped a lot more than I thought it would. I guess the nicest thing to know is you're not alone.
You're not alone. Not by a long shot. There's a lot of us with brain chemicals that make us "not quite right" and sometimes it takes a while to find the "what makes us right" .. or as I like to think, "right enough." because we still want to be us.
And sitting on the floor having completely non-sensical conversations with furry creatures is remarkably theurapudic.
You're a strong, awesome, lady. Stick it to the parking guys in Seattle. They need the spanking!
My son is bi-polar and my daughter suffers from depression and panic attacks and anxiety. Life is not easy. Medication and counseling help. Don't stop.ReplyDelete


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You do get more pages here, as the 128 page count in Carbon is four times beefier than the 32 pages that the app's original editions offered. And if you're a furious note-taker, or would actually fill up that many different pages with sketches and drawings, that one new upgrade could justify the added expense for you.
But then this newest version of myNotebook also introduces the useful ability to export pages as image files to your DSi memory, which can then be accessed in the DSi Camera app. So you can upload them to Facebook. That's how I got this amazing Mario rendering I did off the handheld and onto the Internet.
There are also a handful of other, more subtle touches like some new paper styles and a little clock added up in the corner (to keep you from getting carried away doing too much doodling), but all the extra amenities end up just embellishing on the core concept – it's just a digital notebook. And if all you want is that functionality itself, the 200 Point options could be a better bet.
So in the end, the decision between the two-dollar, 32-page Blue, Red or Green and the five-dollar, 128-page Carbon reminds me of back-to-school shopping as a kid, standing in the stationery aisle of a department store and trying to make the same judgment call. I'm going to give the edge to this newer edition, even though five bucks does feel a bit steep. But I recommend the older, cheaper versions too, if all you need is a few pages to scribble on.
In This Article
myNotebook: Carbon Review


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70% of Americans would answer "No" to that question. Most of us are living paycheck to paycheck which means that if you missed one paycheck you would be in a world of trouble. Bills wouldn't get paid. Dining out would have to be eliminated. And you might be afraid that bill collectors would start calling.
The current government shutdown brings to light the financial plight most Americans face every day. About 800,000 workers have been financially impacted by the longest government shutdown in history. If you don't have savings, deal with lots of debt payments, or otherwise have sloppy financial habits this shutdown could cause major problems in your household. Last night on the news I saw families going to food banks because they couldn't buy groceries like normal. Sometimes you simply aren't in control of what happens to your paycheck. I won't get political on you, but this shutdown is just one more reason you need to gain control over your finances.
Here are 3 reasons you need to take control and do something different:
Now is the time to get rid of debt. The necessity of making debt payments every month forces many to go to a job they don't love, and work more hours than they'd like. If you didn't have so many payments each month you would have options on how you choose to spend your 40 hours per week.
Having money in a savings account reduces stress because it allows you to continue with life as normal if the paychecks are halted by a job loss, this shutdown or some other external issue you weren't in control of. You can think clearly about what you need to do next if you aren't worried about the money.
Finally, having a budget or spending plan, and tracking your money gives you an important look at the health of your financial picture. You know what the priorities are, and you can quickly make decisions about how to proceed when a financial emergency arises.
Since we are still in January and you have the entire year to set and achieve your goals, I encourage you to consider what needs to change so your finances don't run you. Decide today that you will take control, do something different, and finally get a handle on your money.
There are several ways you can help furloughed workers during this time of need as well.
Donate to a food pantry. Let's rally around our fellow Americans to make sure they have the basics by giving out of our own excess. Consider what it would feel like to receive this help if it were you.
Get in touch with lawmakers, Senators and representatives and let them know you stand behind allowing these government employees to return to work. No matter where you stand on the political side, I think we can all agree that this shutdown must end.
Support businesses who are helping these workers with their bills, food, and other resources. There is a ripple effect when we are not paid and businesses who help ease the burden should be supported too.
If you need some help or accountability around your own financial situation maybe it is time for us to talk during a 30-minute Debt-Free Strategy session. Sometimes you just need an extra set of eyes or a new perspective to get you moving in the right direction. Here's to a prosperous New Year!


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Thursday, July 8, 2010
Bigger Picture Moments: Nursing me back to life
We hope you'll join us. Take a few moments. Think about your week, and pour however little or much onto a page. Then share. Tell us your moment. Link up this week at Sarah's, grab our button, and share your Bigger Picture Moment. And while you're at it, share the love and check out at least one other participant's moment.
Next week, Melissa will be hosting Bigger Picture Moments. Keep an open mind and heart throughout the week and come back to participate again or for the first time! All are welcome!
I scoop my crawling baby into my arms, cradling his head full of coppery dark hair in the crook of my arm as he signs for milk while making little coughing noises in anticipation of our our nursing session.
Sadly, he's the only one looking forward to it, desiring the time he spends nestled in my arms, at my breast, me nursing him to nourishment and calm.
I'm busy. I'm scrambling around the house throwing things inside our suitcase as warm salty tears escape my eyes.
I'd gotten a call from my sister just 30 minutes before; she'd told me our dad's surgery didn't go as well as the doctors hoped. One specialist said our dad had a 50 percent shot of making it.
I try to swallow the other option, telling myself percentages cannot measure endurance or stubbornness. And certainly our dad had exhibited both in his personal life and professional career. As a captain of his south suburban fire department, I rationalize that he'd been in really hot situations in the past, and he'd always come out on the other side of the flames and billowing smoke. Certainly it'd be like all the other times, I said. Certainly, he'd pull through from an emergency surgery to remove a bowel obstruction.
Baby E. grasps the top of my shirt as he latches on to nurse. His cornflower blue eyes, wide as saucers begin to slowly narrow as the milk starts flowing. The continuous rhythm of suck, suck, suck, swallow, breathe, coo, suck, suck, suck, swallow, breathe, coo becomes the constant sound in my ears in place of my wildly thumping heart, panicky thoughts and rationalizations.
His chubby little hand begins stroking my chest just below my neck, slow, steady, gentle brushes against my skin, bringing my breathing to a slower, steadier rhythm in place of short, gasping breathes. My body sinks into the couch.
My pulse slows as his nursing does ... the rush of the let down has passed and a steady, trickling flow replaces it. Little slivers of blue peak out through drowsy eyelids.
And even though I was in a rush just moments prior, I now want him to nurse just a little longer ... gently sweep his fingers over my skin just a few more times ... I want the peace to last just a little longer. I linger, my half-sleeping, half-nursing baby still cuddled in my arms, wishing I didn't have to move him. I carry him to his car seat, quietly, gingerly strap him in, a new calm washed over my body as we drive to the hospital.
It's moment by the moment, his doctors say.
His kidneys are failing.
His liver is failing.
My dad is fading quickly, but for some reason he's hanging on. His heart is beating strong.
It won't let go. Here's that determination, that characteristic stubbornness at play.
I grip my father's large, olive-complected hands and try to say everything I need to say. But I cannot get everything out through the tears. I finally have to leave his room, escape to the waiting room.
It's been a long week, filled with uncertainty. I've sat in more waiting room chairs than I can count, my heart constantly torn between two places -- his hospital bed and the home that's housing my boys.
My heart is racing, my eyes are brimming with tears, my muscles shrink and tense. As I stumble to the waiting room, I know I need to pump milk for baby E.
I settle in the chair. I have to close my eyes, pretend my baby is really in my arms until the milk flows. And as it quickly begins to plop into the bottle, my baby gifts me with a calm, though he's miles and miles away. It's enough to return to my dad's bed side and finish laying my heart out to him, all while still hoping he pulls through.
My cell phone rings when we're minutes away from my mother's house, minutes away from my boys after spending a long day at the hospital. All I hear is crying and gasps of breathe in between my cousin's words ... He's gone.
My husband pushes the gas pedal, accelarates, and when we arrive at my mom's, I rush into the house and scoop up my baby.
He smiles, coos and signs for milk while nuzzling his head into my soft flesh. I cry heavy tears as he latches on, but again find solace in the rhythmic suck, suck, suck, swallow, breathe, coo, suck, suck, suck, swallow, breathe, coo, suck, suck, suck, swallow, breathe, coo .... suck .... suck ... suck ... swallow ... breathe .... coo.
It's been a long two months since I've last heard my father's voice, live, over the phone or in person. Grief hits me in tsunami-style waves ... unexpected, towering, unbelievable in strength.
I see a little girl place her small hand in her father's large hand while at the park. My heart sinks into my stomach as I smile back tears. Three-year-old G. is playing on the swings and baby E. is happily playing near my feet, eating dandelions and trying to pick individual blades of grass.
He begins quickly crawling to my feet as the grief hits my heart square in fresh scar tissue. He climbs up my legs, saying "ma ma ma ma ma" and signs milk with his free hand as he steadies his weight on his chubby feet.
I scoop my crawling baby into my arms, cradle his head full of coppery dark hair in the crook of my arm as he continues to sign for milk, making little coughing noises in anticipation of our our nursing session.
But this time, we're both looking forward to it, desiring the time he spends nestled in my arms, nursing me back to life.
27 comments:
Oh Hyacynth.ReplyDelete
I'm so sorry, you've expressed your heart cry so sweetly.
I love that bond with baby. I'm glad I was able to bond with my son while I was so far away from Grandma during her last days. Continue to grieve for you father in whatever way your heart needs too. It is a beautiful post.ReplyDelete
Hyacynth - this must have been so hard for you to write. We all seek solace and comfort in different ways don't we?ReplyDelete
While you're nursing, as the life slips from your dad, you nurture and strengthen the life of your little boy - a poignant, tender reminder of the circle of life.
Thank you for sharing this painful, sobering moment with us. May you continue to find the peace you seek in the ordinary and extraordinary of your every day.
so well written. sorry for your loss. but oh my you make me want to go for #5 just to be able to sit in that calm and nurse again. ...sigh.ReplyDelete
I'm so sorry that you lost your father. But I am happy that you have your little one and your nursing time - such a beautiful time. This got me through my grandparent's deaths - it's amazing this gift God has given us. You are in my prayers.ReplyDelete
xo Erin
- AnonymousJuly 8, 2010 at 3:59 PM
This was my first visit to your blog and it most certainly will not be the last. Beautifully written and so poignant. Thanks for making me smile through my tears!ReplyDelete
Oh honey... this was so good. I hope it helped, the writing of it. Putting it out there.ReplyDelete
It's amazing what the magic of nursing will do - for mama and baby. It's such a beautiful thing.
That was beautiful.ReplyDelete
Beautifully written. Thank you for sharing. I am sure it was hard. xxo.ReplyDelete
Oh that tsunami wave of grief, I totally get that, it comes with no warning. What a beautiful way to allow yourself to slow down and relax and process the moment.ReplyDelete
this was just beautiful.ReplyDelete
the loss. the grief.
and love and hope.
Oh the pain of tears...and oh the comfort of a little one so desperately needing his mother...ReplyDelete
Your words are like an open book to my heart...I totally understand...
Love you, sweet "sister"...
You're amazing. I believe that having a child with you during these difficult days of grief is good for the soul. I remember nursing my second son at my father's wake. I sat in an empty room and just cried and cried.ReplyDelete
I've been meaning to leave you a comment for the longest while here since my friend Stephanie Hanes told me to come visit your blog a while back. She just linked to this post on FB, so I decided to come and check it out.ReplyDelete
My heart ached for you as I read this post. You write beautifully and I can so relate to those beautiful nursing moments.
I'll be following along now. :)
a beautiful post. so sorry about your loss.ReplyDelete
Oh, I am so sorry for the loss of your father. This is a beautiful post! I got to the point with nursing where I saw it as a distraction. Then I had to wean for reasons beyond my control, and I grasped at every last chance to spend that special time with my daughter.ReplyDelete
I hope you continue to find comfort from those sweet, quiet moments. God Bless.
this brought tears. I am so sorry for your loss. But I thank you for reminding me of the sweet times I had breastfeeding. It brought me right back.ReplyDelete
Oh my goodness. I clicked onto you link from Julie at Foursons because I loved your guest blog LOI. I didnt expect to find tears, peace, joy, and grief all rolled into one. I am so sorry for your loss, and so grateful you have those peaceful moments with your precious baby to cherish.ReplyDelete
Hyacynth- My heart aches for you and your loss. I hope that writing this helped your wound just a small fraction. I'm sure it is more like a gaping hole. When my husband lost his father it was just likeReplyDelete
"Grief hits me in tsunami-style waves."
I hope you heal in your own time, but you are in my prayers.
You are handling things beautifully. Your Dad is so proud of you.ReplyDelete
Anyone else who reads my comment may think I'm being awfully presumptious, but that's ok. Because I know anyways.
I just don't know what to say. That was such an amazing piece. My heart goes out to you for your loss. The bond with your baby is amazing. I always regret that I wasn't able to nurse my son. :(
Because I am relatively new to your blog, I am new to this mournful news of your father's death. I'm so sorry, my friend.ReplyDelete
My mother died ten years ago and there are still times I'd love to hear her voice on the other end of the telephone.
Grief has a rhythm, like a wave. I will be thinking of you as these emotions toss you about in the coming months. I'm so glad you have your babe to snuggle and find solace for you both.
My love to you today.
Babies have such an amazing way of turning into our needs, and helping us relax and slow down just when we need it, even if we didn't know that we needed it. I'm glad that your baby was able to comfort you in your time of need.ReplyDelete
beautiful. emotional. this is my first time here and i can't say much else right now...the tears have got me.ReplyDelete
Oh God. I'm crying for your pain here and for the comfort you're receiving from your nursling. May God Bless all of you and give you the strength to move forward, baby step by baby step. xoReplyDelete
I didn't know it was possible, but I miss you even more.ReplyDelete
I love you and so very much wish to be able to hug you right now.
oh hyacynth. i'm just reading this now, for the first time, cheeks wet with tears. your writing is exquisite. so much pain and so beautiful, still. love you, friend.ReplyDelete
There's nothing better than good conversation ... but not while talking to myself. Will you play a part in this discussion?
AND will you pretty please have your email linked to your account or leave it for me so I can respond?
Thanks for taking the time to make these thoughts into conversation.


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How to Get Started with iBooks for iPad
To start reading electronic books (e-books, or iBooks) on your iPad, you have to fetch the iBooks app in the App Store. As you might imagine, the app is free, and it comes with access to Apple's iBookstore. For now, just know that iBookstore is an inviting place to browse and shop for books 24 hours a day.
All the books you end up purchasing for your iPad library turn up on the handsome wooden bookshelf, as shown in this figure. The following basics help you navigate the iBooks main screen:
Change the view: If you prefer to view a list of your books rather than use this Bookshelf view, tap the button toward the upper-right corner of the screen (labeled in the figure). In this view, you can sort the list by title, author, or category, or you can rearrange where books appear on the bookshelf.
Rearrange books in Bookshelf view: Hold your finger on the book you want to move. Wait a second or two and it will increase in size slightly to let you know it's now moveable. Without lifting your finger, drag the book to its new location and then release.
Rearrange books in List view: Tap Edit (in the upper-right corner) and then press on the three horizontal lines to the right of the book you want to move. Now drag the book up or down the list.
Remove a book from the bookshelf: In either view, tap Edit and then tap the book(s) you want to remove. Each book you tap displays a check mark; tap the book again to remove the check mark and thus deselect the book. When all the books you want to delete have check marks tap the red Delete button at top left.
As with other content you purchase from Apple, you can restore (download) any book you've purchased from the Purchased tab of the iBookstore.
Organize books by collections: If you have a vast library of e-books, you might want to organize titles by genre or subject by creating collections of like-minded works. You might have collections of mysteries, classics, biographies, children's books, how-to's, textbooks, and even all the For Dummies books you own.
Apple has already created two collections on your behalf: Books for all titles and PDFs for the Adobe PDF files you may have on your iPad. (Apple doesn't let you edit or remove the premade Books or PDFs collections.) To create, rename, or remove a collection of your own, tap the Collections button to show off your current list of collections and choose from the following options:
Tap New to add a new collection.
Tap Edit and the red circle with the white dash to delete a collection. Tap Delete to finish the job.
If the collection has books in it, you're asked if you want to remove the contents of this collection from your iPad. If you choose not to remove them they're returned to their original collections (Books, PDFs, or any other collection).
If you want to change the name of a collection, tap its name.
If you want to move a book or PDF to a collection, go to the bookshelf, tap each work you want to move, and then tap Move. Select the new collection for these titles.
A book can reside only in one collection at a time.


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Affiliate marketing has always been a difficult industry and of recent it is becoming even harder to become successful within it, but this is only if you're choosing to operate by yourself.
As with anything, it's easier to achieve goals if you function in a group who share the same interests and have similar drives. Today, there are even more applications that can block your landing pages and reveal your best-converting campaigns to competitors.
This is where the benefit of learning affiliate techniques with others come in: you can share ideas with people who are different, who think differently and can provide different angles that you can all benefit from.
In this industry you spend many hours working by yourself, especially if you're just starting out, but as you progress the benefits of groups and networking should become clear, and if it isn't already then hopefully this post will make you realise it is.
In the affiliate industry, groups of affiliates getting together and learning together is called masterminding. The benefit of these is everything I said above, and it also makes it easier for everyone involved as you can collectively cut through all the useless information there is regarding affiliate marketing out there.
Still, when a large group of people get together it's very easy to lose track and control on the topic(s) you're all meant to be discussing. To make sure your get together, gatherings or mastermind is successful you should
• Give as much as you take. That means contribute. Don't be afraid that any piece of information share means it'll damage your chances of making money. If anything, it will inspire others to contribute more. Affiliates are competitive about anything.
• Don't share information outside of the group. That defeats the whole purpose of the Mastermind.
• Although it's alright to discuss other things that might not be related to the mastermind try to always stay on point. I advise making your group about one particular thing as Affiliate marketing is a big industry, so narrowing it down will make your mastermind more successful.
• Smaller groups are easier to maintain. You can learn more and they last longer. As well as this, with less people you'll connect with each other more
• There's nothing wrong with being part of more than one Mastermind. Different groups will be about different things, so learn as much as you can.
• If you have the opportunity to meet any of them in person take it. This could be at a conference. Get together in person and work.
• Don't be afraid to call out anyone who isn't bringing any knowledge to the group. If you feel like someone's slacking. Let them know. If they continue, then they need to leave.
• If you feel like the group isn't benefiting you then move on.
• Make sure just not anyone can join your group: screen them so that the members are more or less all on the same level. This will make things work faster if you're all on the same level of expertise. Another way of screening is to make sure you only have members who are absolutely 110% serious about succeeding by adding a barrier to entry, similar to what I have done with the Mobile Immersion Mastermind Group by only letting Gold Mobile Immersion Members join.
It's also important to set dates and times that you can all meet, and make sure everyone sticks to them.
There are plenty of affiliates out there, but you don't let everyone in your group. Find people in forums, conferences (which is the whole point in conferences: networking). If there are any affiliates meeting up in your area or near it then make sure you attend and network. If you have an affiliate manger be sure if they anyone that would like to create a mastermind group with you, if so then be sure to ask to be introduced.


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Well, it seems like I've been away for a long time and that its been a crazy couple of weeks. Between the earthquake, Hurricane Irene, the end of summer, and some traveling it's felt like a whirlwind. I haven't been able to blog as much as I'd like lately and I've missed it terribly but I'm excited to be back and entering this new season which is my absolute favorite time of the year. Ask anyone who knows me, but I am an absolute nut about fall-- sweaters, spiced cider, pumpkin bread (my friend Erin has the best recipe), fall leaves, apple picking, cool weather-- I just love it.
Since I met my husband, the first official kick-off of fall is his family reunion in western Pennsylvania which we just returned from this week. Its always a great time- great family, lots of laughing, and you guessed it-- great food. I have to say, I was very disappointed there were no bear sightings this year but I guess these things aren't controlled by us. :) I did my best to round up some recipes from his side of the family which I hope will appear in future blog posts as there are some good cooks on that side of the family!
As for these cupcakes-- they are a great way to start your fall baking. I sent them to my husband's office and they were a huge hit. The addition of the wheat flour to the batter give the cake a little bulk without making it taste too much like a muffin and the cinnamon cream cheese icing is a perfect offset. I loved how the cupcake was full of bites of apple and toasted pecan, although if you don't like nuts or are worried about allergies, this would taste great without the nuts as well.
Apple Pecan Cake
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup whole-wheat flour (I used white whole-wheat flour) *
1 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
2 cups sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
3 cups, golden delicious or granny smith apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans, toasted
2 tsp. vanilla extract
* White whole-wheat flour can be found at larger grocery store chains and specialty stores on the baking aisle. I buy mine at Kroger or Trader Joes. Its milled from white spring wheat instead from red wheat which gives it its lighter color.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coarsely chop the pecans and spread on a baking sheet. Toast until golden brown and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes, being careful not to burn. Remove and allow pecans to cool slightly.
Lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees F. Line 2 12-cup muffin tins with paper liners.
In a large bowl, sift together the flours, cinnamon, baking soda, and the salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, beat the oil with the sugar until smooth, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until light, about 1 or 2 minutes. Add the dry ingredients in thirds, beating after each addition until smooth. The batter will be very thick and doughlike. Add the apples, pecans, and vanilla and mix until just combined. Divide the batter evenly into the muffin tins and bake for 20-25 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. This cake is extremely moist so you may need to add additional cooking time. Allow muffin pans to cool on a wire rack before frosting.
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
1 pound (2 eight oz. packages) cream cheese, softened slightly, cut into pieces.
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened slightly, cut into pieces
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
5 cups sifted powdered sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
In a medium-size bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and the butter until smooth, about 3 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and beat. Gradually add the powdered sugar and cinnamon and beat until well incorporated.
Allow icing to thicken slightly in the refrigerator before frosting cupcakes. I use an 18-inch pastry bag and a large pastry tip to decorate my cupcakes. In this case, I used a large closed star tip to get this swirled effect.
Cake and Icing adapted from The Magnolia Bakery Cookbook


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Kreutz in 6th Pro Bowl
Advertiser Staff
Advertiser Staff
Two players with Hawai'i ties former Saint Louis School lineman Olin Kreutz and former University of Hawai'i punter Mat McBriar were named to the Pro Bowl teams yesterday.
It was the first Pro Bowl selection for McBriar, a free-agent pickup for the Dallas Cowboys.
McBriar was an all-Western Athletic Conference punter in 2002.
"This is an honor that I wasn't really expecting," McBriar said on the Cowboys Web site. "I'm happy for all of the guys who made it and for the success that our team has had thus far this year. I am excited about going back to Hawai'i."
McBriar leads the NFL in punting with a 48.3-yard average, which includes one punt of 75 yards.
Kreutz, a Chicago Bears center who played for the University of Washington, was named to his sixth Pro Bowl.
Both will play for the National Football Conference All-Stars that will face the American Football Conference All-Stars in the 2007 Pro Bowl on Feb. 10 at 3 p.m. at Aloha Stadium.
The AFC and NFC squads are made up of the consensus votes of fans, players and coaches. Each group's vote counts one-third toward determining the 43-man rosters that represent each conference. The NFL is the only sports league that combines voting by fans, coaches and players to determine its all-star teams. It was the first professional sports league to offer online all-star voting in 1995.
There were 69.8 million votes cast on NFL.com and via the Sprint and Nextel wireless service. Included in the tally was a record 2.35 million mobile votes via Sprint and Nextel wireless 400,000 more mobile votes cast than last year.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning received 1,183,468 votes to lead in fan balloting. San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson (1,111,684 votes) ranked second and New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (907,656) third.
The Bears placed a conference-high seven players on the NFC squad.
Thirteen NFC players will participate in their first Pro Bowl, including Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, who has won six of his first eight career starts in guiding the team to a playoff berth.
The Chargers had a league-high nine players on the AFC squad the most in franchise history.
Nine players on the AFC roster are first-time All-Stars, including Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, in his first year as a starter, and three of his San Diego teammates. The Chargers own the conference's best record at 12-2.
For ticket information, go to www.nfl.com.


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