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'My teachers were my rock'
Although students at Abu Dhabi's Future Rehabilitation Centre achieve varying degrees of independence after they graduate, the ideal is to land a job.
One such graduate to have achieved this is Eid Al Shamsi, a 21-year-old Emirati who is now working at the Ministry of Interior's human rights department.
When he was a boy, Mr Al Shamsi had initially been enrolled in a private school, where he struggled to keep up with his peers because of autism and learning difficulties.
"I was uncomfortable with the other students in that school," he says.
His parents soon realised that their initial plan wasn't working and pursued other options, which eventually led them to the Future Rehabilitation Centre, formerly called the Future Centre for Special Needs.
It was not long after starting his new school, at the age of 6, that he began to thrive. Mr Al Shamsi explains that it was the teachers who made all the difference.
"If I want to remember something, I have to remember the teacher who taught it to me first," he says.
Soon, he was learning proverbs, reading, writing, mathematics and art. His skills expanded as he grew older, and his areas of study became more complex: using the computer programme Photoshop and speaking in public.
The Future Centre was a safe environment for him to "release" his struggles and problems because he knew he could always count on his teachers.
"Nothing bad ever happened here – only good things. Sometimes you have a bad feeling, or struggle with something. But, if you have problems, you just talk to the teacher and they will fix it."
The 200 children at the centre all have varying degrees of potential. Staff develop and deliver individualised education and therapy plans based on the children's abilities and needs. In Mr Al Shamsi's case, staff realised early on he had great academic potential.
"He was very different when he first came here," says Anjum Jaffer, the centre's head of education.
"He came to us when he was 6 years old and could not speak. It took him a while, but the good thing about Eid is that he wants to learn. He would never say, 'Oh, I can't do it, I'm giving up'. He would not give up.
"He loved playing by himself, and we could have just left him or done one-on-one with him, but we had to include him in the class."
The group Mr Al Shamsi moved into was very academic, and he was the youngest. The centre knew he needed a balance between being pushed and given space. With consistency, repetition and hard work, he soon overcame his difficulties with processing information.
"We have lots of kids who are successful and who are employed and things, but each one has their own strengths. Eid's was his sincerity, and sincerely wanting to be better, and I give credit to his family as well, because they allowed him to grow," said Ms Jaffer.
However, she also sees many families where the parents reject the notion that their special needs child could be best served by studying at a facility devoted especially to them.
"They're happy to have them in a mainstream school, where they're not actually getting what they need."
Mowfaq Mustafa, the director of the Future Rehabilitation Centre, says that the younger that students are enrolled at the centre, the better.
"The most important thing for us, of course, is safety, (then) independence, and to improve their skills as much as we can. There are some students, where if they come to us young, around three or four years old, they will have a chance to go to mainstream school, and they will not need to come back.
"But, if they come to us at 14 or 15 years old, what will they do? Scientifically, the brain after six years does not function as during the first five years."
Some students are partially integrated into mainstream schools, where they can learn socialisation and academic skills while still receiving the care they need at the centre.
Even highly capable students often need access to the centre's 100-strong team of teachers, occupational therapists, psychologists, speech therapists and other specialised help – rather than just subject teachers.
"We know them and they know us," he says. "They trust us."
So far, almost 100 Future Rehabilitation Centre students have been integrated into mainstream schools. These days, however, there are many other many options available to parents, including open schooling, online learning or private study, says Ms Jaffer.
One student at the centre, for example, is privately studying for their GCSEs while training to become a scuba diving instructor.
"I think parents should keep their eyes open and look for what suits their child the best," she says.
Speaking at this year's annual gala dinner, in February, Mr Al Shamsi asked parents to think of their children. He attributes much of his success to his caring and supportive parents, and believes their decision to enrol him in a special needs school was crucial.
"I could do anything in that school – I could play and have fun. This was the only school where I was able to do something. Some things, I couldn't do, but they wanted me to learn.
"My parents wanted me to behave well – like a gentleman. My teachers taught me how to behave and, within one year, [I] improved 100 per cent."
Ms Jaffer says improving behaviour is an early priority. "We know that when a child is young, people can tolerate all kinds of behaviours, but when they grow up with the same behaviours, people will not tolerate them."
One of the ways the centre prepares students for the workforce is through teaching "pre-vocation" skills such as photocopying, ring-binding, organising shelves and filing things away.
Those who are comfortable with computers can also learn to use software like Microsoft Office.
"As of now, the students who've gotten jobs, like Eid, have got jobs on the basis of the skills that they've learned," says Ms Jaffer.
However, it is not just about work, or making students employable. "The skills that our students learn here can be used productively in the community. We really want people to be aware of what these children can do, rather than focus on what they cannot.
"I can tell you that not all of our kids would be able to handle jobs, but those who can, our wish for them is to really go out and work and have a productive life – be part of society."
The centre knew from the time he was 16 that Mr Al Shamsi was capable of working and supported him by finding work placements and internships.
When he was 17, Mr Al Shamsi went on a month-long internship at Mubadala GE Capital. He says: "It was great to meet the other employees, and they invited me to a party. It was really great. I passed the work experience and got a certificate."
It was also around this time that he lost 25 kilogrammes, and learned the value of a balanced diet.
Following this, he studied a six-month Photoshop course, which led to him winning a prize in a skills competition. "I still do Photoshop and work on websites – just doing creative things. It's my hobby. I love being creative," he says with enthusiasm.
Eventually, it came time for Mr Al Shamsi to move on and leave the centre. When his father broke the news, he said he was sad. "Then he told me that I was going to be working at the Ministry of Interior, and I got so excited."
After passing the necessary health checks, he began working in a secretarial role in February 2015.
"I was so happy to finally start working in the human rights department," he says. "I had to learn from my manager – he would be my mentor and teach me what, exactly, I needed to do."
As part of his responsibilities, he sets up conference rooms, takes photos and notes during meetings, writes and delivers documents and reports and prepares PowerPoint presentations. Although he has always learned in English, he can understand Arabic quite well.
"We talk about so many topics during the meetings, and we have to review them for the boss – tell them why we're doing things and what we have said about them, or discussing improvements for the future."
Mr Al Shamsi knows he has come a long way. "When I was little, I was afraid to talk to even six people, but then I learned to give speeches. I had to do an interview with six bosses, who approved my job.
"I'm not afraid of talking to other people anymore – I've gotten used to it."
Leaving the centre was a huge transition, but Mr Al Shamsi has learned to persevere and draw upon his inner strength to overcome whatever challenges lie ahead.
"Life is a challenge, and you have to face that challenge. If you struggle with your words, or have problems – that's called life. When you don't have any teachers around, or friends, you still have yourself.
"You just have to face forward instead of looking at the struggle behind."
Updated: December 22, 2016 04:00 AM


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Gaiam Essentials Yoga Block (Set of 2) – Supportive Latex-Free EVA Foam Soft Non-Slip Surface for Yoga, Pilates, Meditation
Product Features:
Support your stretch with Gaiam yoga blocks. These lightweight foam blocks provide the stability needed for optimal alignment, deeper poses and increased strength. Used under hands, feet or your seat, Gaiam lightweight block ensures proper alignment and safely assists in deepening stretches. If you feel tight, don't risk injury…
Price as on: 2019-02-12 09:07:40

subset: commoncrawl


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It was a romantic day under the blue skies of Gilgara Retreat when Tim and Jodie tied the knot. The couple met at a costume party at only 15, but this was a different kind of dress up day! The Bride, Jodie details Tim's choice of attire and how he ended up in his dapper get up.
Tim had decided from early on that he would like to wear a different jacket to the groomsmen. After looking everywhere, we settled on a light blue slim tailored jacket with a paisley pocket square, crisp white shirt, navy blue chinos, navy blue tie and tan shoes. The engraved cufflinks from our 10 year anniversary were the perfect final touch!
This post features the following wedding vendors. If you've been featured below, we'd love to get to know you. Click here to join Polka Dot Bride.
- Photographer
- Ashleigh Sky Photography
- website


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Handcrafted fabric lampshade available in Extra Small – 6" round, Small - 8" round, or Medium – 10" round
The details – the extra-small, 6" round shade and small 8" round shade both have a clip-on (sometimes called clamp-on) style attachment that fits any standard lightbulb. The extra-small measures 6" across and is usually 5.5 to 5.75" tall. The small measures 8" across, 26" around, and is usually done in a height of 7". The medium, 10" round shade has a washer style attachment for use with any standard harp. It measures 10" across, 34" around, and is usually done in a height of 8". The large, 13" shade has a washer style attachment for use with any standard harp. It measures 13" across, 41" around, and is usually done in a height of 11". I can adjust the height based on your requests. The top and bottom edges are finished with trim using matching fabric or coordinating ribbon that makes the shade even more beautiful! We use heat-resistant styrene in the construction, so you can use 60 to 100 watt bulbs. Clean up is very easy - just use a lint roller or clean, damp cloth.
If you would like a different size/shape please convo me. I will provide you with a quote and create your own custom listing.
Please see separate listings for matching night lights, a variety of lamps (with shades), and map/chart jewelry.
1-2 weeks
Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply. I'm not responsible for delays due to customs.
But please contact me if you have any problems with your order.


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Small cell carcinoma of the bladder
Bladder mass found incidentally on work up for persistent urinary tract infections. Long smoking history.
Patient Data
Age: 70-75Y
Gender: Female
From the case: Small cell carcinoma of the bladder
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Axial C+ portal venous phase
There is an irregular, mildly hypoenhancing 4.7 x 2.1 x 4.2 cm mass along the right bladder wall. No evidence of metastatic disease in the abdomen or pelvis.
Surgical pathology demonstrated muscle-invasive small cell carcinoma arising from invasive high grade urothelial carcinoma.
- 1. Wong-You-Cheong JJ, Woodward PJ, Manning MA et-al. From the Archives of the AFIP: neoplasms of the urinary bladder: radiologic-pathologic correlation. Radiographics. 2006;26 (2): 553-80. doi:10.1148/rg.262055172 - Pubmed citation


text:
Stepanie 95' V6 & Ellis 95' Z28
Stephanie's Bright Red '95 Camaro V6 with T-Tops.
FlowPro muffler with duel '94 Corvette tips
Opened up the stock airbox so it flows better
Ellis's Quasar Blue '95 Z28 Hard Top
Eibach sportline spring kit
Full Poly bushings on the back of the car
Mild shift Kit
2500 stall
Hpp+ reprogramed
MAF Screen removed
GM/SLP Cold air kit
KM Desensitized 25%
Corvette injector covers. (only $20)
3.42 gears. (on 2 series carrier)
160 degree thermostat
1LE Aluminum Drive Shaft
FlowMaster Muffler with Stock Tips (not Catback)
Best Time
13.73@99 1.96 60ft
Mods to come.
Hot Lt4 Cam kit with 1.6 rockers.
97SS Lt4 cast stainless steel headers.
Duel cats.
Stephanie & Ellis


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(a shadorma)
The pounding
surf upon the sand,
serves to drown
out the thoughts
that attempt to keep me from
being who I am.
P. Wanken
Posted for 100 Days of Summer 2014 (Facebook Group): 10 ~ Water.
Author's Note:
Thank you to fellow challenge contributor, Michael Arawn Kjøge, for letting me use your photo in my post.


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Wednesday, March 18, 2009
An Acquaintance With DyingPosted by Rebecca at 8:57 PM
Death is no stranger to me. That is to say,I have lost many loved ones to death, most within in the past two years. I know death well in its loss and sadness, and for that I hate death. I also know death in its belief of something more and better, and because of that I accept death. Death is no stranger to me. Dying, on the other hand, has never really moved past the stage of acquaintance with me. Mostly I think that is because dying scares me. But dying has been "hanging around" lately, in a manner of speaking, and so I have been making an effort to get to understand it a little better.
In the past year I have sat with two dying friends, Liz and Cathy. Liz, when I was with her last, had about a month of her life left. Cathy, when I last saw her, only had a week. Both dear friends knew that they were dying soon and both, though they might not have realized it, taught me lessons in dying. Liz, when I went to visit her and her husband in Maine last year, was in the last stages of cancer. I knew that when I went to see her, it is why I went to visit when I did, and still my mind fought against the idea of dying. I couldn't wrap my mind around the idea of losing Liz, and so the lessons seeped in but waited quietly until I was more ready to hear them. Liz and I talked a lot in the few days that I visited, or more accurately, Liz did a lot of talking and I did a lot of listening, and that's the way it needed to be, the way it was supposed to be. We talked about everything. The peace she had in her faith. The anxiety she had over leaving her husband and children. The ways she wanted to be remembered. Even the ways that she could feel her body dying. And, of course, there was happy talk to. Memories, stories, and shared experiences. And when I hugged Liz before I left I knew that I was hugging her for the last time, but my mind didn't allow the reality or poignancy of that moment to seep in until much later... until now, after Cathy's death.
Cathy, like Liz, had been suffering from a major (but different) illness for quite awhile, but unlike Liz, Cathy lived near to me and thus afforded me more opportunities to spend time with her. With Cathy the talking about her dying came over a longer period of time and in smaller ways. She, like Liz, also had great peace in her faith and concerns for her family. She also had ways she wanted to be remembered and observations about physical changes in her health. But all of that came dilluted over more time and wrapped in happy memories. And with Cathy it seemed that we had a more sure idea of when she was going to die. I knew, with more confidence than I did with Liz, that my last visit to her was my last, and Cathy knew too. Cathy came home from the hospital to die in her home. She came home with purpose and sent out word that she wanted everyone to come say good-bye. When I hugged Cathy for the last time the reality was all there and while I didn't want to accept it, somehow I could and knew it was okay. And that being okay somehow made Liz's death okay. I can't seem to find the right words to explain it. It is almost as though Cathy's peace and acceptance of her death combined with Liz's different kind of peace and acceptance and somehow the combination has given me some peace and acceptance. I am heartbroken, but have a new peace. A peace and a little bit better understanding of dying.
Dying is only a little bit more than just an acquaintance to me, and I'm okay with that. I'm not sure I want to understand dying too well. But I have sat with dying, listened to it, let it sit with me, and have less fear of it now. And that is something... though I must say, it doesn't seem like much when you are left still grieving, but it is something none the less.
And so, even on the rainiest day, there is peace and understanding if you allow yourself to sit with some sorrow.


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Join us for an incredible seminar that covers the life of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) from His birth to His status as a husband, father and leader of the Ummah!
The seminar will be delivered by the world renowned Shaykh Riad Ourzazi (canada), hosted by the brilliant Faraz Yousufzai with nasheeds from our talented brother Faisal Salah.
The topics we will cover during the seminar are:
- Why we should love him
- his birth
- his merit
- as a role model
- as a prophet
- as a husband
- as a father
- his diet
- his description [Shamaail]
We want everyone to benefit from this in depth and exciting seminar so please share the poster and booking link with your family.
Note: each of these events will be segregated with seperate seating sections for male and female guests. The organisers have the right to refuse any member of the public entry to the event venue regardless of if they have a ticket or have registered for any reason that they see fit and no explenation needs to be given. Children are welcome however if possible, please try to arrange for a baby sitter so you can focus on the seminar. If you do bring your children with you, we kindly ask that you ensure they are seated with you at all times and no more than a meter away from you. If your child/children become restless, we kindly request that you attend to them immediately and take them outside of the main hall to calm them down. We appreciate that this isn't always easy, if you require any help from our volunteers please simply ask and we will do all that we can to make your time enjoyable and benifical.


text:
News & Articles
BP Lawyers Prides Itself On
Best Practice - Best Practitioners - Best Performance
BP Lawyers is a law firm based in Melbourne with a national reach. We work in all States across Australia.
With our years of experience, we know how to deliver for our clients.
We listen to you, provide best advice and we achieve cost effective results for you.
Contact Us
We always welcome the opportunity to discuss how we can help you with your legal requirements. Call us now or send us a message and we will respond shortly.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation


text:
The DermaLift® Non-Surgical Face Lift is Dr. Dominguez's patent pending process combining a variety of the following: fat - stem cells - growth factors - inflammatory agents to achieve the maximal results in wrinkle reduction, collagen rejuvenation, and silky soft younger looking skin.
Still have questions? Please contact us anytime! We look forward to hearing from you.
Serving Ventura, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, and the Inland Empire.
Airports: LAX, John Wayne, Ontario, San Diego.
Hotel info available.
Copyright 2010-2016 Bella Milagros Institute. All rights reserved.


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- This event has passed.
Event Navigation
Featured Events
Blessing of the Backpacks
Youth and adults alike are invited to bring their backpacks and briefcases for a blessing at the start of the new school and work year at the 10 am service on Sunday, August 26.
Donations of backpacks and other school supplies to contribute to Interfaith Works' annual school supplies drive will also be gratefully accepted. Interfaith Works aims to equip 3,000 students in need for their academic year! New materials only, please.
Top Items Needed:
- Backpacks for Grades K-12
- Binders – 2-inch, three-ring
- Filler Paper
- Dividers
- Scissors
- Erasers
- Glue Sticks and Bottles
- Colored Pencils
- Pencil Boxes and Pouches
- Rulers
- Spiral Notebooks
- Two-Pocket Folders
For more information, please visit Interfaith Works' website.
Thanks in advance for your generosity!


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The Houston Dynamo and Portland Timbers played to a scoreless draw in the first leg of the Western Conference semifinal Monday evening at BBVA Compass Stadium.
The Dynamo had an apparent penalty kick opportunity overturned in the 31st minute when referee Robert Sibiga turned to Video Review to look at an apparent foul on Portland defender Larrys Mabiala on forward Alberth Elis inside the penalty area. Upon review, the penalty kick awarded to the Dynamo was overturned due to no foul having been committed. It marked the first usage of the Video Review system in a playoff game in Major League Soccer history.
Portland created the first dangerous chance of the night when midfielder Diego Valeri slipped a ball in to fellow midfielder Darlington Nagbe at the penalty spot in the sixth minute. The U.S. international attempted a right-footed shot under pressure, but put his effort wide of the goal.
Houston's first threat came in the 21st minute from a counter attack that began off of a Portland corner kick. Elis picked up the loose ball after the corner and raced into the Portland end of the field before crossing for forward Mauro Manotas. Manotas laid off to midfielder Tomás Martínez, who whipped in a left-footed cross to forward Romell Quioto six yards from the goal. The Honduran international's headed shot missed just wide of the far post.
Elis nearly had another look at goal in the 50th minute when Martínez slipped a pass to the Honduran international behind the Portland back line. Elis raced for the ball, but was just beaten to it by goalkeeper Jeff Attinella, who swept it away.
Martínez had his own dangerous chance in the 56th when he drew a foul just outside the penalty area on the right side. His left-footed free kick was on its way to the net when Portland defender Vytas headed it over the bar. The ensuing corner kick from Martínez found the head of defender Philippe Senderos and would have gone in but for a leaping save from Attinella.
Portland threatened in the 61st minute when midfielder Diego Valeri got free on the left side of Houston's penalty area and played a square pass into the path of forward Darren Mattocks. The Jamaican's shot forced a save from Houston goalkeeper Tyler Deric.
Forwards Vicente Sánchez and Mauro Manotas combined for a dangerous shooting opportunity in the 72nd minute when Sánchez deftly controlled a long ball and dropped it into the path of Manotas, who blasted a low right-footed shot that was saved by Attinella.
Houston will resume its participation in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs this weekend when the club travels to the Pacific Northwest on Sunday for the second leg of the semifinal at Providence Park.
Houston Dynamo (13-10-11; 1-0-1) 0-0 Portland Timbers (15-11-8; 0-0-1)
Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs – Western Conference Semifinal Leg 1
Monday, Oct. 30, 2017 – BBVA Compass Stadium – Houston, Texas
Attendance: 15,169
Houston Dynamo: Tyler Deric; Jalil Anibaba, Adolfo Machado, Philippe Senderos, DaMarcus Beasley ©; Juan David Cabezas, Eric Alexander, Tomás Martínez (Vicente Sánchez 60); Alberth Elis, Mauro Manotas (Erick Torres 76), Romell Quioto (Alex 70)
Unused Substitutes: Joe Willis, Ricardo Clark, Kevin Garcia, Andrew Wenger
Total shots: 9 (Mauro Manotas 4); Shots on goal: 2 (Philippe Senderos and Mauro Manotas tied with 1); Fouls: 11 (Alberth Elis 3); Offside: 1 (Mauro Manotas 1); Corner kicks: 3 (Tomás Martínez 3); Saves: 2 (Tyler Deric)
Portland Timbers: Jeff Attinella; Alvas Powell, Larrys Mabiala (Roy Miller 45+1), Liam Ridgewell ©, Vytas Andriuskevicius; Lawrence Olum, Diego Chara (Amobi Okugo 46); Dairon Asprilla, Diego Valeri, Darlington Nagbe (Jeremy Ebobisse 60); Darren Mattocks
Unused Substitutes: Jake Gleeson, Victor Arboleda, Jack Barmby, Zarek Valentin
Total shots: 9 (Diego Valeri 2); Shots on goal: 2 (Vytautas Andriuskevicius and Jeremy Ebobisse tied with 1); Fouls: 15 (Dairon Asprilla 4); Offside: 5 (Darren Mattocks 4); Corner kicks: 5 (Diego Valeri 5); Saves: 2 (Jeff Attinella)
POR: Alvas Powell (caution; foul) 24
POR: Larrys Mabiala (caution; foul) 45
Referee: Robert Sibiga
Assistant Referee 1: Jeff Muschik
Assistant Referee 2: Jason White
4th Official: Sorin Stoica
VAR: Chris Penso


text:
There is that wisdom from below
That says, 'There is No God you know"
There is the wisdom from above
That says, 'There is a God of love'
'So take your choice' the world does say
'For both mean nothing anyway'
I took my choice and this I know
Wrong wisdom comes from down below,
For if there is 'No God above'
Why is it that I know His love ?
So be careful which you choose
Make it sure you do not loose,
The wisdom from above is true
But the final choice is up to you.
Joshua 24:15


text:
Our Differences & OutStandings
1. Asian Dragon, The Exclusive IT Consulting & IT HeadHunter Company in Vietnam, provides solely IT Solutions & Candidates to our Valued Customers (multinational companies, private sectors and government owned bodies).
2. Our niche market is only with IT and Telecommunication.
3. We are the first and the only one who is "Expert in providing IT Experts"
4. Our Management Board are also with the ICT and Human Resources industry for more than 14 years, therefore we fully understand every single difficulty that a business might face from the IT & HR points of view.
5. Asian Dragon possesses Huge Extensive Networks with our ICT candidates, ICT organizations, ICT Training & Education centers as well as domestic and International Universities in Vietnam. We are always online with the IT communities and limited famous IT resources throughout our special network contacts.
6. We manually tailor to our Valued Customer needs to better understand its business and demand.
=> As the result, we can provide you the best & appropriate candidates timely to your specific IT needs as well as to your prefered "IT working style" and "Company Culture"
Our Approach
As we do really focus on top, senior and mostly sensitive positions for our big customers and mainly deal with their long-term IT staffing strategies, we do therefore, normally NOT host our employer name(s) neither the Job vacancies on this website.
Any further references can be dealt directly to our Senior Executive to secure the highest confidentiality to our clients. Meanwhile, a list of the Exposureable Job Vacancies can be retrieved at Our Job Bank.
Please do contact us via email or direct phone (at the footer below) so that we can tailor exactly to your needs to provide you with the correct profile, both from the IT competency and from the people soft-skills.
Send mail to email@example.com
or call to our Hotline: +84-914 111 361 with questions or comments
about this web site.


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Wednesday's Carjackers had a truly big task on its hands: to pimp someone's ride into the Ghostbusters Ecto-1 (yes, as in the car from the films, with the ladders and the sirens and... yes, that one) and make it so cool, it would attract women for its owner Patrick.
Patrick's brother Dominic - the pair dubbed "budget Ant and Dec" by the show's hilarious narrator - stole the van. But it was so past it, it broke down on the way there and couldn't even make it to the Carjackers garage.
The before picture of Patrick's van
The whole thing made poor Patrick so frantic, he rang the council.
No, not the police. The council.
But after Dominic revealed that he was behind the carjacking, he took his lady-killer brother to the Carjackers garage to reveal the big makeover.
"I'm hoping you're going to have done something which will help me attract the ladies," Patrick said as his brother smirked.
Well, er, not quite.
The result: Patrick's new Ghostbusters car
And so it was revealed, of course to that iconic soundtrack: the Carjackers team turned Patrick's 30-year-old yellow Sherpa van into a full-on replica of the very same Ecto-1 that the Ghostbusters used to fight those ghosts.
Thankfully, the Sunderland girl-magnet loved it, even taking over the car's intercom system to holler that classic pick-up line: "That's a nice blouse!"
Carjackers airs on E4.
Want up-to-the-minute entertainment and tech news? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @digitalspy Twitter account and you're all set.


text: The designers: Hailing from Los Angeles, Stephanie Danan and Justin Kern design with an emphasis on ease and practicality, seen through a luxury lens. This season it's about: Clothes that move. (The lookbook was shot on ballerinas.) The Forties silhouettes felt timely and the full skirted silhouettes registered the perfect amount of "lady".


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Award-winning in several national and international competitions, among the others the "Concours International d'Exécution Musicale (CIEM)" in Geneva (1995), Luigi Attademo was pupil of the guitarist-composer Angelo Gilardino. He has been invited as a guest in several festivals and he has given the first performance of many contemporary works of important composers, like Angelo Gilardino, Alvaro Company, Dusan Bogdanovic, Alessandro Solbiati, Giorgio Gaslini, Michele Tadini, Sofia Gubaidulina and others. Among his teachers, Julius Kalmar (conduction), composers as Giovanni Guanti, Alessandro Solbiati, and the harpsichord player Emilia Fadini (Baroque music). Doctorate in Philosophy with a dissertation on the musical interpretation, he published a book about this subject. He has been contributor to several specialized magazines, like the Italians "Giornale della Musica" "Seicorde" "il Fronimo", the Spanish guitar magazine "Roseta", "Soundboard" (USA) and "Schweitzer Musikzeitung."
He worked in the Archive of the Andrés Segovia's Foundation (Linares-Spain), to catalogue its manuscripts (catalogue published on the Spanish musicological magazine "The Roseta"), and he discovered some unknown manuscripts of important composers, such as Jaume Pahissa, Alexandre Tansman, Gaspar Cassadò and others, after published by A. Gilardino in the Segovia Archive Collection (Berben Edition).
He gave concerts in Europe, Australia, Argentina, USA, India ecc. performing Italian music and chamber music; in 2011 he played around the world (New York, Wien, London, Warsaw, Guitar Foundation of America, etc.) a new program on Paganini and Italian contemporary works, written specifically for him, which have been published by the Sinfonica Editions in 2013 (a book and a CD).
He recorded several CDs, from Baroque music to Segovia Repertoire. In the 2007, the American magazine "Guitar Review" dedicated him an interview and a CD with his recent recordings.
After the cd dedicated to Scarlatti's Sonatas (Brilliant, 2009), he recorded a double cd dedicated to Bach music for lute, published by Brilliant Classics (2011).
He recorded the complete works for guitar solo by Niccolò Paganini, released by Brilliant Classics in 2013, on an original guitar from that period (a Gaetano Guadagnini, 1851).
In 2014 the Italian magazine Amadeus dedicated him the cover and published his CD on Fernando Sor Masterworks, another time played on original instrument (Lacôte 1830).
During these years he started to play with the violist Simone Gramaglia (viola of the Quartetto di Cremona) and he published with him a new CD dedicated to Paganini music for guitar and viola (Brilliant, 2015); in the same year, he dedicate a programme to Boccherini Quintets, playing with Quartetto di Cremona and Cuarteto Casals (last concert at the prestigious Haydnsaal in Eisenstadt).
In that year he realized also a project -with the support by the Ernst Von Siemens Foundation - dedicated to Hans Werner Henze music and his masterwork El Cimarrón.
In 2016 he was the first performer of the Alessando Solbiati's new work for guitar and 15 instruments, that he will record next year.
In the same year he has released a new Cd devoted to 19th century repertoire played on original instruments, using six different historical guitars. This year he worked to a project dedicated to Antonio Torres, and he is giving many concerts playing original guitars by Torres. He is also the curator of the Exhibition dedicated to Torres by the Museo del Violino in Cremona (15of Sept. 2017-14th of Jan.2018)
He teaches at ISSM Gaetano Donizetti in Bergamo (Italy), where he holds the post of Head of the Strings Department. He is often invited as expert at the Geneva and Lausanne Conservatories, and from 2010, he is regularly invited to give lecture/recitals at Royal Academy of Music of London. He has been also juror in many international competitions (Alessandria, Mottola, GFA...)


text:
BANGKOK • Thai badminton star Ratchanok Intanon broke down in tears and spoke of her relief yesterday after being cleared of doping, ending fears that her Olympic dreams had been scuppered.
The 21-year-old shuttler, who is beloved in Thailand and remains the kingdom's best chance for a medal in Rio, tested positive for a banned substance during the Uber Cup tournament in China in May.
But the Badminton World Federation (BWF) yesterday cleared her after ruling that the substance had been administered to treat a tendon injury and was allowed.
"I was confident in my innocence and I am glad that I received justice. I will practise and hope to bring a medal back for the Thai people," she told reporters at a press conference in Bangkok.
"The Olympics is my dream," she added, before bursting into tears.
I was confident in my innocence and I am glad that I received justice. I will practise and hope to bring a medal back for the Thai people.
RATCHANOK INTANON, who has not let the doping allegations get to her, on her Olympic target.
Rumours of the positive test result first surfaced in the Thai media last week, leaving fans on tenterhooks.
In a statement published yesterday, the BWF said Ratchanok tested positive for triamcinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid which is banned in most circumstances.
However, if administered directly into a muscle tendon for medical reasons it is allowed under the BWF's rules.
"The panel concluded that because the route of administration of the substance in the medical treatment process was intratendinous - an authorised administration route - no violation of the regulations was committed," the BWF said.
Patama Leeswadtrakul, president of the Badminton Association of Thailand, said doctors had been treating Ratchanok for pain in her right hand and back. "We said it was used honestly to cure her injuries," she told reporters.
Ratchanok has charmed the Thai public - who affectionately call her Nong May - with her girl-next-door demeanour despite the fame and riches of sporting success.
In 2013, she became the youngest-ever world champion. She was briefly ranked No. 1 after winning the Singapore Open in April but has since slipped to fourth.
A medal favourite in Rio, she will carry the Olympic hopes of a country with few top-class athletes. She will also be one of the chief threats to China's chances of another sweep of all five badminton titles.
The shuttler has caught the imagination of the Thais as much for her rags-to-riches back story as on-court heroics.
Her parents are migrants to Bangkok from the country's poor north-east who worked in menial jobs at a badminton centre on the outskirts of the city.
While they worked, Ratchanok played badminton, unlocking her talent at the age of six.
In a recent interview with AFP in Bangkok, she said she was "100 per cent confident" of bringing home a medal from the Rio Olympics.
Fans congratulated Ratchanok on her Instagram account, where she had recently posted a picture of the stars with the cryptic caption "I'm faded" as the doping rumours swirled last week.
"The sky after a storm always shines," one fan wrote.
Another added: "You're not faded, you are now brighter."


text:
….The gnarliest bike race on the planet?
Maybe so, maybe not, but it is fucking tough. I was certain it wasn't going to be easy, but 'prepared' for what was to come certainly wasn't accurate either.
I seemed to be the only one anxious to leave the border and head north. Chip was a little more seasoned than myself and didn't see the 10 minute delay as important…definitely wasn't.
As Chip and I pedaled away from Arno, who was still putting together his rig, a wind kicked up from the south, stiffly, and we were off. I started out in a 36-22 gear times 1.65 with the 2 speed Schlumpf drive gave me a full 78 gear inches which allowed me to keep up with Chip despite my abbreviated drivetrain (even with a tail wind on pavement).
Chip and I stopped in Hachita to fill up on H2O, I again felt myself anxious to move north. Shortly after hitting the road our favorable winds wavered a bit and I ever so slowly gapped my new friend Chip. It was weird to not say goodbye and just slowly ride away but I would see him again.
A quick in and out at the highway-side Separ store, looking over my shoulder the whole time. Tortoise and the hare for sure. It was exciting to leave noise and well traveled roads for ones were I wouldn't see anything for a while. I quickly learned how handy the GPS was for navigation. I was following the cues I had as closely as I could but the GPS proved an invaluable resource. I had known how to turn it on but past that I hadn't realized what a powerful aid it really was. Along with the GPS, my entire kit was almost totally untested. The first time I had it fully assembled was a few days prior at Gila Hike and Bike in Silver City. I had about a week's riding the bike itself in Moab, UT but never with bags. Probably not to prudent, but that's pretty much my style.
The luggage was all built by me just before leaving for Costa Rica. Heavier cuban fiber fabric was used. I think the front bag come out to an ounce and a half, the seat bag – 3 oz and 8 oz for the more technical gas tank. The gravel from I-10 to Silver City was really their first test…pass.
Saw a Mexican man with a pickup sporting Sonora plates…thought I left there? He offered me agua and was surprised to carry on a short exchange in spanish. I politely declined his offer and pedaled on. It wasn't much farther and I started to cramp like I hadn't cramped before.
The cramps came on suddenly. The first one's were the type I could stretch out on the bike but the subsequent ones were so severe that I had trouble alleviating them even off the bike in a full stretch. I was a bit puzzled because the day hadn't been nearly as hot as some I had experienced riding through Central America/Northern Mexico just before – 0 cramps. I was also pretty sure I had nailed my nutrition for that day with the pound of bacon I had packed out from the Howard Johnson that morning. Couldn't get enough salt I guess.
The cramps were slow to subside but I was happy to be able to spin again when they did.
A gingerly in and out through Silver City. It was in the grocery store that I realized how limited the data I was carrying really was. In the south my best resource was Chip. We had a few days in Silver City where he was happy to sit down with my less-than-optimally-prepared ass and give some resupply and water info for the south. What I carried with me now was little help for judging the amount of food I needed to carry. I carried:
-GPS with full track and TOPOs for the areas to be traveled in. Super easy to use…turn on…'Does my triangle land on the green line?'…yes?-proceed…no?-figure it out
-Custom cues printed and laminated in Silver City. Chip had done the work of simplifying the stock cues to only include the ones that required a turn and change around the wording for those traveling north-bound. (R's for L's…etc) Life saver really. Something that I'm sure took him a good amount of time to prepare, which he was more than willing to share with me. Classy dude
Things I didn't carry:
-ACA's maps. Would have helped a great deal with efficiency in towns. Resupply was always a shot in the dark. Just carried a standard amount of food, never really knowing when the next time I would find some. Making around 150 miles a day help mitigate errors in resupply. The GPS was little help as towns only appeared when zoomed in a great deal making identifying them from a great distance away too difficult. It also represented towns that had nothing equal to towns of great resource…ie: Summitville was represented by the same size dot as Del Norte, the former having nothing, the ladder having all services needed. A simple town list with resources would have helped a great deal.
-Water info past what Chip had let me know. The critical carries Chip had given me the heads up until S.C. but beyond that I just carried a standard 2 bottles. I drank ground water the whole way so this was never really an issue.
Under-prepared? Sure, but not to an unsafe degree, just not quite as efficient as possible. Part of the adventure.
Matthew Lee had contacted me about the reroutes concerning the fires in the Gila Wilderness. Originally they were trying to find a way through that wasn't closed and would still include a lot of the technical riding but the expanse of the fires was too great, so a total pavement circumnavigate was prescribed.
I remember chatting the Matt on the phone and he had mentioned that I might consider sneaking though the official route at night which I thought was funny but now understand why. At the time I had no idea why it was important for some to ride the entire route unmodified, without reroute. For the purpose of qualifying for the Grand Classification. Looking back on the ride, I guess I didn't even qualify to have my time compared to those who came southbound as I was rerouted and they were not. It comes back to a more fundamental question of why it all matters anyway. The ride is half-tour half-race. If you make it 100% race I believe it makes it much harder to enjoy. A balance must be struck and for me if there was a reroute around a fire, no biggie.
I put another 30 miles on the pavement reroute before calling it a night on the side of the road. An annoying dog barked at me all night while I slept with a direct view of the mountains burning above me. A lot of visible orange flames.
Caught a breakfast at a roadside greasy spoon. After grabbing the most expensive items on the menu and conducting myself as politely as possible one the grumpy patrons scolded me for washing up outside the hole-in-the-wall cafe citing that it was a 'business'. Put a damper on what was a good morning. Spent the next few hours thinking of things i should have said, about running a 'business'. I hope you existence isn't quite as miserable as it seems you fat jerk.
Made it back to the original route where I met a couple on matching Surley Ogres. They had ridden up from El Paso for flight reasons which seemed like a popular thing to do. The first cyclists I had seem since Chip. They were cooking a mid-day meal of pasta and sitting of the deck of the church there. I was jealous of their leisure as I rode away.
Some rough roads from the church to Pie Town. I arrived to Pie Town quite early…maybe ~300 miles from A.W. I knew I could clean up at toaster house, eat and do laundry so I chose to shut it down for the day, deciding that I would wake very early and take off the next morning. It was a very nice stop.
Sometime in the middle of the night I was awoken by someone coming the the front door of the Toaster House…It was Chip! That son-of-a-bitch caught up by pedaling into the night because he knew how key the pie-town stop was. We didn't talk much as I was mid-REM sleep but I was surprised to see that old bastard. I don't remember exactly what was said but it was probably along the lines of.."Oh hey Cjell, surprised to see you here you big pussy. You look tired. The riding too hard for you, you little girl." It was fun to see him one last time but i knew I had better get my ass in gear. Inefficient stops like Pie Town were really where I lost all my time, oh well.
True to plan I got on the bike at 3 in the morning and left Pie Town. Cold, but a good move. Made it to Grants to catch a McD's breakfast and talk to another TD bike tourist. He was rolling a fully loaded Surley LHT which we discussed to be slightly less then optimal but passable. Every technical section from there on out I thought about my friend on a full rigid 4 pannier set-up…mind boggling.
Out of Grants I took the pavement alternate as was suggested by M.L. the godfather. Who was I to argue? Had some less than favorable winds which made it a long stretch but around halfway in I ate my reserve special brownie witch got my mind off of things.
Hit the gas station on the reservation for some treats and hauled it the rest of the way into Cuba. Destroyed a Subway and grabbed some grub for the next leg. Of coarse I had no idea at the time but it would be one of the toughest bits of the entire route.
Left Cuba into the night to make sure I made 200 miles that day. The first double century of my short life.
Made it up and over whatever the name of that next gnarly section is cursing my fully rigid bike on the decent. Spent and inordinate amount of time at Bode's Store in Abique thinking about how late in the day it was for only making it just over 70 miles.
Shot out of Bode's and flew through the next couple towns… stopping in Canyon Plaza as it seemed obligatory after viewing Ride the Divide. The lady there…can't remember her name…selena, celest, serina?..kept asking about Mathew and if he was riding this year. Was a theme among many of the ladies along the route…Matt, you dog.
Camped into the woods a ways. Set up my tent for the first time but no rain.
Can't remember the name of the next technical ridge section but i remember wanting to let the SoBo's know that I had cleaned the entire thing in my aero bars which shall remain as truth because I am saying here, center for all truth, the internet.
I hit 47 mph on La Mangas Pass coming down into Horca, CO. Stopped there for a bite and then after ~20 (memory is fuzzy) very annoying miles ate again at Platoro. Had an awesome reuben with complementary cantaloupe to boot. Little cantaloupe for the Mantelope. BooYa. Sweet people in Platoro.
Rode out of Platoro into the evening with Henrick (?) from the netherlands. Super loaded pushing out centuries. Gnarly dude.
Pedaled up to Indiana Pass into the evening. Last bit of twilight around Summitville…crazy superfund site. Summited to see a bright starlit sky and started descending to find a place to bed down. Found a spot around 10 miles outside of Del Norte…leaving a little riding for the morning before establishments opened.
Crushed a cafe and bought some grub. Outside of Del Norte were 1 or 2 of the only signs for the Divide route on its entire length. Very official looking too. Found them odd yet encouraging.
Passed another touring cyclist breaking camp. Super loaded on a full sus rig. Nice dude, snapped a shot of me lubing and switching the gear ratio.
The BlackSheep SnowSalamander ran like a dream. Set up with a Schlumpf 2 speed BB and and no derailleurs meant lubing the chain every couple days and that was it. One set of Maxxis Icons rotated in Steamboat and that about did it. Didn't think about the machine at all the entire way to Banff. Bike probably weighed around 23 lbs plus around 8-9 lbs of gear. Matthew Lee lifted it up and was less than impressed but he's a butthole anyway and doesn't really know what he's talking about. More on the bike and gear in the 'Gear' section coming soon.
There are a couple of mellow passes out of Del Norte. I found myself in a bit of a water situation as it was hot and dry. On the decent of the second pass there were a couple switch backs and I saw a blaze for the Colorado Trail out of the corner of my eye. I lifted my head and realized I had been to this place before. The summer before I had hiked the Colorado Trail and vividly remembered the spot. What's more…i remembered a spring, next to the road! Hopped the cattle fence and filled my bottles. BooYa!
Pounded a few more miles to the base of Marshal Pass, Sargents. Stopped for a sec and then headed up the pass. I was eager to arrive in Salida before night so I kicked it up a notch to 2. Averaged 11 miles an hour climbing Marshall. Smooth and graded just the way I like it.
I saw some of the most extraordinary things of the entire ride on that pass. On two separate occasions I snuck up on beautiful foxes with big bushy tails. A big daddy elk with full rack. Tons of deer and a bear. All of the wildlife took a backseat to the most remarkable sighting of all….
A family of 4 pedaling the entire Divide. I caught up to them halfway up the pass where they had made camp for the night. I quickly calculated that beween body weight and the much of the kid's gear dad was humping over 450 EL BEES! They were a gas to hear that I had only begun a few days prior but I voted them as the more gnarly of us bringing the entire family along for the ride. They still get my vote for gnarliest divide riders. Second would be Chip and 3rd would be anyone riding an LHT. A very sweet family. I did a wheelie for them as I finished speeding up the pass.
Coming down Marshal pass on the road is a major bummer as I have ridden some unreal single track from there down to Poncha Springs. Would be a nice trade to route the NoBo's on some single track there as a trade for the SoBo's golddust boreas pass reroute. Just a thought.
Cleaned up and stayed at the hostel in Salida. Had a nice dinner.
Rose early and was met by one of the hardest climbs on the entire route. Paved but S T E E P. Rode miles a top the plateau. Wide and washboarded made for some slow miles. I was happy to finally meet a road grader but I knew it meant that my washboard woes would not be experienced by those coming from Canada.
In Hartsel I was lucky to meet the sweet old lady that runs the Mercantile there. I let her know there were quite a number of SoBo's headed her way and as was customary, she asked about Matthew. What are you doing to these ladies Matt Lee?
Blew through Como which was seemingly a mistake as Breckenridge is a shitshow in the summer. Also have since heard about the nice dude that runs the store there. Oh well, next year. I couldn't leave Summit County quickly enough. Between Breckenridge and Frisco there isn't a bike shop that welcomes TD riders, that should say something. Not sure why I am so filled with hate (exaggerating for effect i guess) but Summit may be a good place to resupply on green buds and little else. Of coarse I am from Vail, so take it for what it's worth.
Hustled out of Summit and found myself outside of Kremmling, I am told that is where Fixie Dave was when I passed him. To tell the truth I wasn't sure what I was looking at from the route looking over into Kremmling, so I blew it off. Probably a mistake being that Radium has no services and The Boat is a far ways off. Again, a little better data would have helped.
Was delirious trying to ride down into the Colorado River basin. My lights only acted to hypnotize me. Dire need of water i pushed on into the night to get to Radium which at least had H2O. Stopped short at a small camping area when I heard a creek running near by. Guzzled creek water and passed out. Just before putting my head down I noticed a tent not more than 20 feet from where I lay. Also saw a bike just outside the tent…conviced it was Fixie Dave I contemplated calling out to him.
Rose early and rolled into Radium on the CO River. Had a look at the tent next to where I laid down the night before. 1- not fixie dave 2-big camping area and i laid down almost in their camp site. 3- Woke up at 4 and took off. Fucking weirdo (me). whoops.
Spent the morning climbing out of the Colorado river gorge. Toughest climb of the ride. Did I say that already? One of the first times I walked. Spinning a 33-22 felt so much harder than walking…probably about equal in speed.
NERD ALERT: next 4 paragraphs
33-22 was the other ratio I carried in my dingle….the easiest of the 4 cogs on the bike and I didn't change for most of the remainder of the ride. Once for a short bit in Canada but that was it. That ratio combined with the 2 speed BB planetary gear was the money. It also happened to be the easiest gear I carried…go figure.
For those of you who don't know, a Dingle, or dingle speed, is a double-single speed bike. It basically a single speed bike that carries two gear options. The magic of the dingle is that the gears have and equal number of total teeth. That is, (in my case) 3 tooth difference in chain rings and three tooth difference in cogs so that by simply removing the rear wheel and switching the chain from one cog/chainring to the other I have another gear option, same number of teeth means no retensioning. The boys at BlackSheep are the ones that got me hooked. Does this disqualify me from the single speed catagory? YES. Most certainly.
On top of the dingle I carried two rear wheels because the bike is a snowbike with spacing in the front fork for another rear-spaced wheel. On that wheel I carried another set of 2 cogs with a 3 tooth gap between them. They were more practical single speed gears but were unused the entire ride because combined with the 1.65 rise of the 2-speed Schlumpf bottom bracket, overdrive was wholly unusable. Better cogs could certainly have been chosen.
I would say the dingles add little advantage over those running single speed bikes as I only shifted it a few times on the entire ride but the 2-speed schlumpf allowed me to run a much easier gear that would be practical had I not had overdrive to compensate on the high end. I shifted the BB hundreds of times a day. My shoes have the holes to prove it. (shifter button is on the bottom bracket spindle itself) My opinion, don't DQ yourself on the SS catagory just to run a Dingle. The Schlumpf however, is worth it. Wheehw, NERD ALERT- over.
Hungry. Next stop, The Boat. Best town stop on the ride.
Being the first Divide racer to arrive at all towns south of Rawlins, I tended to catch all shops/ TD aware establishments off guard.
I started my Steamboat stop off with a visit to the famous Orange Peel Cycles. I pulled in and milled around for a second. I figured instead of unseating my tubeless wheels (which I was having splendid luck) I would just switch them from front to back and change the cogs around. I know shops can be picky about borrowing tools but once Assam figured out I was his years first divide racer he gave me the royal treatment. Borrowing tools was understood. He also put me onto a coyboy hat so I could arrive to Brush Mountain in style, Made a call to Big Agnes (based in steamboat) to help fix a busted seam in my seat bag, called Ace Hardware to ensure I could scoop $50 worth of lithiums on the way out of town. He really went out of his way to provide outstanding service. Can't wait to get back to The Boat and rip some single track with those fools.
Was interviewed by a nice gentlemen there for Mountain Magazine. Article can be found here. Facts a little bunk but a nice article. Pounded an unprecedented 2 azteca burritos and started out to Brush Mountain, not before stopping by Big Ag for bag repairs and Moots just cause. Lengthy town stop, but worth it.
Hustled out to Brush Mountain Lodge. Fun bit of riding between Steamboat and there. I had planned on showing up with a ciggy in my mouth rocking the cowboy hat like I had been doing it since the border. Forgot to buy the cancer sticks in steamboat but ended up finding on unlit, seemingly untouched one the side of the road. How serendipitous!
Warm welcome from Katie, Henry, Alma and of coarse, Matthew Lee himself. Matthew dumped a generous amount of salt on my burger, rice, taters, and dal telling me I needed it. Drank a couple beers and had a shot. Saboteur?
Katie, made me a turkey Reuben with a bit of chicken and cookie on the side – To Go. Shared my time there with a couple single speed riders who weren't racing but could have been by the looks of their kits and 90 mile daily average. The lady said her boyfriend cleaned the climb out of radium…SHUT UP.
Matthew understood my decision to ride into the night because between steamboat and Brush Mtn, the day's mileage was looking a little less than braggable. With a healthy buzz, and a few cups of Matt's special extra diesely coffee (the first caffine of the ride) Matt and I rode a mile into the darkness. Matthew then turned back to the lodge and I swerved my way down from Brush Mtn. Did that just happen?
At the bottom of the hill below Brush Mountain I felt like there was something rubbing. I can now tell you that the culprit for the slowed progress is a slight incline at night where the grade is only perceptible though your slow progress. When you don't have your vision to confirm it you don't know what's slowing you down. At the time I was convinced I had some intense brake rub. Got off the bike. Spun the wheels, all good. Rode a bit more. Spun the wheels again, all good. Wait, I can almost hear something in the wheel. Sure as shit, something is bouncing around in my wheel. Wheel off…shaken, confirmed. First thought. Matt Lee snuck a bouncy ball in my front tire. Really? He was messing with tire pressure. You son of a bitch. Something certainly was slowing me down. A dastardly prank. Late night. Tired as shit. Have to get that bouncy ball. Unseat lucky tubeless…
Stans ball. Big one. Fuck me. Make a good college try and seating the bead with my handpump…laughable. Tube'd it and passed out.
Tough miles into Rawlins, but I ground them out. Mornings were by far the toughest miles for me. I would often take 5 minute cat naps on the side of whatever path I was riding on.
Got a bike escort from a local Rawlins man around 15 miles back into town. I was certain it was Ollie or Craig…bet I looked like a kook raising my arms and hollering as he approached. Decidedly not a spot stalker although he was somewhat familiar with the ride itself.
Destroyed a chinese buffet and hustled through the grocery store adding 3 extra liters of water storage to the SnowSalamander. My platypus that I had carried from Mexico had conveniently fallen off the bike that morning. One liter on to of the front bag, one on the seat post, and one extra strapped below the downtube. 110 miles without water. Fuck Me.
Continued the hustle as to avoid missing the golden spoke moment with the southbound leaders, or having it in a grocery store.
This is almost the exact place where I met Ollie and Craig as they made their way south. Side by each. I spotted them on a rise as they came towards me. I quickly laid down my bike and spread a few water bottles around the pavement (hadn't seen a car for hours). I then laid next to the scene and looked as near death as I could.
When they arrived I said, "waatterr." They looked at each other puzzled. I ended up having to explain who I was and spelled out that it was a joke. They seemed to be aloof to the fact that some riders choose to ride northbound. Either that or they were double punking me. Funnier in my own mind I guess. We chatted for a while about the routes that lie ahead of us. I lit off some fireworks. I guess I was just more unhappy that all the trash talking that I had attempted to communicate to the SoBo's fell on def ears. Wished each other luck and pressed on.
As far as all the debate on the purity or intent of the original rules…don't care. The race will be what it is. Advantageous riding with others? maybe, to each his own i guess. I could see how some old timers might feel a little differently, ie, Jay or Matt because they had done it largely on their own and have more of a connection to the original event and its character but TD will be what it is, and this year it was a tandem (not the bike) ride to NM. No skin off my teeth.
SoBo's Suck IT! That's what I say.
From the time I saw the two of them until around 24 hours past then, the wind in the basin continually picked up until it hit the peak of its mighty crescendo the following afternoon. I found the first day with stiff head winds to be almost nothing compared to the all out armegedon that was to follow the next day.
When I met Eddie Clark, a photographer for Mtn Flyer Magazine he asked me if I had seen Ollie and Craig. He again had no idea who I was or what I was doing. I didn't invent the NoBo effort. What gives?
The guy seemed nice enough though. I traded him some starbursts to snap a couple shots for my ma. Turned out well. You can see the rig with tons of water strapped to it. So I did give him starbursts fair and square but these shots did come from his website. http://www.eddieclarkmedia.com/
That evening I started running into the first of the chasers. Sarge, or Serge. Seemed like a nice dude. Felt bad for him as he seemed to be slightly preoccupied with the guys in front asking questions as to their whereabouts. I can imagine it would make riding more difficult if you were concerning yourself with some other dudes. Looked strong though. Wished him luck.
As I bedded down for the night, early (can't remember why), another group of chasers sped past.
Over the night the stiff wind stiffened and by the time I woke up all of my belongings were strewn all over the place. Got the pleasure of meeting Ester who was killing it with a capital K.
Kept all subsequent visits short in length. If I were to converse with half of the SoBo's for 5 minutes each, that's over 4 hours. And that's only half of them. If it seemed as if they were happy to ride by I was obliged to do the same which a surprising number were. I was most surprised with those at the back of the pack who were hustling to quickly to stop. Figured I wasn't missing much.
Highlights included stops from Beardog, who told me all about his attempt at the triple crown of bikepacking that year. He seemed to have a good attitude. Adam Hale was another one of my favorites. His kit looked classic with some curved top tube steel bike and Brooks-esk canvas luggage. He smoked me out which was another highlight.
Not sure about the exact numbers for the wind that day but I would say 40 MPH would be conservative. I called in from Atlantic City. The report from that phone call was a description of riding downhill, out of the saddle, pedaling with everything I had, hitting 4 mph. FUCK ME! An entire day of that really beat me down. I had just passed all the leaders hoping to make some time up on them and then I was hit with a day where I was barely able to make 100 miles…or even that much?
Ate lunch in Atlantic City. Rejuvenated I figured I would head back out.
Pedaled the few miles over to South Pass City. Took forever. Windy as shit. So very loud. Had my fill of ice cream snickers and gave in. Figured I could be killing myself fighting for miles or sleep and try and make it up at night. Plan worked ok. Slept, grabbed some coffee and filled up my bottle on the way out. Saw a few more NoBo's flying past. Long stretch from south pass city over to boulder on the main highway up to Jackson 191? The wind faded and when I hit the pavement into Boulder the sun had all but left. If I were to make it to Pinedale it would mean waiting until business opening to resupply so I slept just outside of Boulder…side of 191.
Rock Rabbit in Pinedale for some grub. Gas station to restore tubelessness (it's a word, look it up). I'm off. Winds are now in my favor. I crush it. Making hay while the sun shines.
Meet beardog. Lose my phone. Chill with a nice dude on the side of the road…sets me up right. I think that section of road is coincident with another ACA cross country route. Tons of x-country looking folks ride by.
Up and over Towagatee (sp?). Meal at the lodge…the in efficiency continues. Resupply and press on. Bed down at the bottom of the decent. Poach a NF campground.
COLD ass morning. Freezing my fingers. Pull into a resort cafe that is still solidly closed. Sit in porch to warm a bit. Invited in as the proprietor is opening. Coffee and a roll saves my life.
Blast through Teton's gates…not sure if you need to pay but i didn't stick around to find out. Hit this stretch on a holiday and it would undoubtedly be the hariest section of the route. Rental RV's are cyclist's mortal enemy.
Meet up with a group of 3 racers at Flagg Ranch finishing up brecky. One of them appearing to have lost his way on his messenger route in Manhattan. A black dude with cycling cap and associated street garb. Chatted for a second. Brooklyn's rig was a Surly Karate Monkey or 1×1 (ogre now that i think of it) with the same gearing he must have been using on that messenger route. Looked like a 36-12 or something like that. (tall!) Big respect for that guy. Offered to sell me bear spray…chuckled and headed out. Another top finisher in Cjell's gnar list.
Continued to pass a number of 'racers'. Some Bavarian sounding guy with probably the best attitude of anyone on the route taking a photo of a flower. Italian couple…lady had knee probs. We spoke spanish.
A couple of the riders had mentioned the rails-to-trails that lie ahead. Brooklyn had some choice words while Bavaria said it was some of his favorite riding.
I started riding up the hill to the flat sandy rail bed that lie ahead. Not so bad. Ever so gradually the sand got sandier and deeper. Soon 7-8 miles an hour was it. A flat, slow 30 mile paddle. If one wasn't in a hurry…not so bad. If your goal is progress then it will kill you. Either Bavaria was fucking with me or he was truley the most positive divide rider out there.
Passed a few more on the stretch…a number choosing to cruise by which seemed incredible considering their 'race' position. Oh well. One rider was so excited to tell me he had ridden the entire night before pulling a 165 mile day. I congratulated him and paddled on. Would have been a fun stretch on a bike with some float…hmmm…
Island park was welcome. Destroyed a subway and headed out. Pow-wowed with Adam Hale. A top gnar finisher.
Rain threatened, never came. Made it over Red-Indian pass? gorgeous country. Poached another NF campground next to Red Rock Lakes. Really beautiful area.
Pedaled into Lima. Coldest morning of the ride. A mentally testing morning. Cat napped a couple times. Feeling a bit low when I was buzzed by a bald eagle. Life isn't so bad.
Ate 3 breakfasts at the diner. Ressupplied at the gas station. Road out into a nice cruiser section between there and Polaris. I had heard about Russ and High Country Lodge. When a smaller SUV sped towards me and pulled over to snap a couple shots I figured I was he.
Lodge was a killer stop. Russ had all the beta on the race inside and out. TD biggest fan? Laundry, meal, shower…could not be beat! Thank you. Recommended the shit out of that place to anyone who would listen.
Rode into the night out of the lodge. Slept in a picnic cabin that night. Nice spot.
Dropped into Wise River on another very cold morning. Waited 20 minutes for the store to open for no good reason. Bought some ridiculous big fleecy gloves at the store. Was tired of cold hands. Almost seemed comical as I stuffed the overkill gloves into the featherlight cuben bag.
Chip's notes had a 'very steep climb' outside of Wise River. Fleecer Ridge. Kept looking at it in the que's, wondering what exactly ACA classifies as 'very steep'. The last 'very steep climp' was actually a descent…a SoBo que Chip hadn't changed around. Wondered if this was the same case…NOPE.
Again, thought of my tourists on Long Haul Truckers or anyone with over 10lbs of gear. If a SouthBounder asks, I cleaned the whole climb no problem. Actually, I had a tough time walking my bike up the pitch. SUPER STEEP. Here's a video of the pitch, doesn't quite really capture it…at least the dude bails. I would guess anyone with a standard amount of gear has to make multiple trips. Only a quarter or half mile or something. No big.
Up and over the next hill brought me down into Butte, MT. Just before I arrived into town I passed Tracie B. The final SoBo racer I would encounter. She was sitting in the shade of a few trees. Some gear strewn around, pouring over some ACA maps. She was undoubtedly looking at the elevation profile and the climb that lay ahead of her. She made some comments to the effect of skipping ahead to find some lower elevation. I believe Butte is around a mile high like Denver…not sure if there are many places lower than that? I gave her as much encouragement as I could…i let her know that Russ and Wise River lie just ahead. She seemed to be kitted out with her fancy Moots garb and YBB. She couldn't be better kitted to get after one of the world's most beautiful rides…I hope I was encouraging as I could be. She freaked to learn that I was the first of the NoBo's. I understand she made it to AW. Way to go Tracie.
Pedaled the loop into Butte. Didn't really understand what the loop was all about but when I hit the apex in front of the Outdoorsman I got it. Stopped in. Again, milled around for a while until I started chatting with the help. I suppose they figured they were done with TD racers. Rob and, wish like anything I could remember the name of the wrench that lubed my chain, took splendid care of me and the Snowsalamander. On top of being very kind and unassuming, the shop hand was literally lubing and inspecting each individual link in my chain. Gave me a couple sachets of saddle cream which I sorely (wah-wah) needed. Destroyed the nearby chinese buffet which seemed to specialize in chicken done all ways…as long as it was sweet. (honey, tsao's, orange, sesame, sugar, sugar…) Didn't mind a lick. Suprised if they're still in business after my little visit.
Picked up the rig and hopped back on the loop. The only time the GPS track failed me as riding the interstate out of town is quite different than riding it into town (different exits and interchanges etc). Hustled up that interstate corridor and climbed and climbed out. The single track up and over before Helena is gnarly. Thought it to be a bit easier coming from my way as the route seemed only ridable as a descent instead of a climb. Glad to have gotten out of that section and onto real roads before dark. Bedded down in front of a garage.
Quick morning stop in Helena for doughnuts, coffee and a resupply.
Scenic ride to Lincoln. The cues had another 'steep climb'. Turned out to be a descent…a long one…Booya. around 90% of the way down the hill I had maintained a rather high level of success for staying dry by perfectly circumnavigating all puddles and streams. A tedious business but worth it to stay dry. At one point there was a large mud puddle. Like many before it, it had a narrow berm on the side. In the middle of this berm was a large tree branch. I thought I would do my part and remove the branch from the only dry passable path around the puddle. I had my feet planted on a narrow portion of the berm next to my somewhat dry, clean bike. Branch in one hand, bike in the other I tossed the obstruction into the woods. Tangled on other brush it returned to whence in came. Determined to clear the path for future riders I again grabbed the branch and gave it a stronger toss, only this time my feet shuffled on the narrow berm and I began to lose balance. with the bike in one hand, hovering above the mud puddle I instinctively threw one foot out as a counterweight ballast. Bike versus leg, it was a classic scene that belonged in one of those Japanese obstacle coarse shows. At a comically slow rate the bike overpowered the cantilevered leg and pulled me into the puddle, and now, instead of a simple foot drop, it was an all out bail, bike, me, shoes, gear, into the heart of the mud puddle. All for a damn tree branch.
FUCK. FUUUUCCCKK!!!! Exhausted and sleep deprived I pulled together all my energy reserves to curse at the top of my lungs. Not once but repeatedly. 'Losing it' as they say. Wiki that expression and that scene around the mud puddle should come up.
I finished the descent pretty upset but really no worse for the wetness. I hopped in the next stream fully clothed and cleaned up a bit.
Stopped in Lincoln and made a lengthy unneeded stop 40 miles from my last one in Helena. A few bears and one mountain pass later, I again stopped in Ovando. Again, pretty superfluous, but I was having a bit of a tough day…boo hoo, I know.
Ate dinner at the bar there and decided to shut it down. The gentleman spotted me walking around the town center and opened the shop and showed me the old wagon where I could sleep that night. A pathetic time to shut it down, but I made peace with it.
Busted out a remorseful 30 to Seeley Lake the next morning before the sun rose. Richmond Peak was a tough little section, most of it still covered in snow. The small saplings combined with snowy sideslopes makes it pretty annoying. Scenery is the saving grace here. One of the most beautiful section on the entire ride, bar none.
Cruised the maze of backroads until Ferndale? A pretty ineffecient stop there brought me a couple miles out of my way to a biker bar. Had a couple pulled pork specials. Wrapped some to-go.
Stayed glued to the GPS to navigate the paved maze of gridded roads leading into Columbia Falls. Had Whitefish on the brain. It would be another double century. No-Sleep-til-WHITEFISH! was the song I sang at volume. Rode the route to Whitefish into the night. All pavement, no issues.
There was a point were a lady standing on her trailer porch yelled out to me, "watch out, a bear just passed by." Not a couple hundred yards up, I met the bear in question. It ran off thankfully, I was obliged to do the same, thinking the whole time about the pork sandwich I had in my munchbox.
Caught the store nearest to the route in Whitefish before it closed. Bedded down in a baseball dugout in town as lightning was illuminating the western sky.
Out of Whitefish I crossed over my last bit of real snow walking. Can't remember the name of the pass but it was cake compared to Richmond. Probably only a couple miles of snow walking in my estimation. Very pretty area.
Met a single speeder starting his TD attempt on the other side of the pass. Appeared to be well prepared with some nice looking home-made luggage. Chatted for a while and I wished him well.
Part B of the story goes as follows…around 2 weeks later, back in Colorado, a few friends and I were putting in to raft a section of the Colorado River starting in Radium, and who do I see, the same guy as I had met here, north of Whitefish…crazyness.
Made it safely to Eureka. Efficient stop, resupplied and ate some chicken at the grocery store. As I was packing up I pulled out those ridiculous fleece gloves I had bought in Wise River. Hadn't used them since I bought them and now they were soaking wet. With the added water weight they were easily the heaviest item of gear I had. Tossed them out knowing that as soon as I did, I would need them.
Made the short trip to the border. Hadn't really given the crossing much thought, after all it was going to be the 7th border crossing of the journey.
The border Mounty seemed friendly, as was I. His tone seemed to change as he asked me to step into the office. I proceed to explain the race to him which I thought puzzling at first but then realized that those racing south, around 16 days prior, never visit the Canuck side of the crossing. Very few do, hence why they seemed in the dark about Tour Divide. The mounty then sternly explained that my wallet and passport had triggered their alarms for narcotics and/or marijuana. Bummer. They then questioned me further on my intentions in Canada and my job standings in the US. Not putting too much thought into my answers I explained that I wasn't currently employed, but would return to my job in a few weeks…wrong answer. Canada is much more fond of employed visitors. They then proceeded to search through all of my gear. The rear bag is tightened and closed with line tensioners instead of webbing (to save weight) so in the interest of accessing my sleeping bag, tent and kilo of cocaine that they seemed to be certain I was carrying, they ripped my rear bag. I was helpless in the office, left only to watch. All the way from Mexico, held together well, should have made it Mounty proof, oh well. I was then told I needed to prove I had money with a financial statement. They sent me to Canadian Duty Free where I seemed to be the first American to have ever tried to print a bank statement out of the ATM. Unsuccessful I returned to center for all things serious and not fun, Canuck immigration, where they promptly kicked me out of the country. I recapped on my way back into the USA why exactly they didn't allow me in and it calmed me down a bit…
-I smell like hell, full beard, on a bike, unemployed, hundred bucks in the wallet on a so called 'bike race', and…my shit smell like weed. Touche Canada.
Got a statement at USA duty free which proved I was wealthy beyond their wildest exceptions and they let me on in…2 hours and some ripped bags later.
Up and over the next pass then into the famous section of everyone's favorite single track. Again, cleaned in the aero bars.
Slept on the side of whatever logging road that is…have to admit my mind was on bears as I laid there next to my food but my concern was little match for exhaustion.
Road into the Flathead the following day. WATER. 100 yard long streams and lakes had overtaken the route at every corner. After exiting near that crazy coal mine it was tailwinds and downhill to Sparwood. Had my first spot stalker. She was hangin in her truck with dog, Nuntak? Really wish I could remember her name. Very sweet. Did a few off-bike chores as we chatted for a bit. She snapped some shots..
Sparwood came much more quickly than I expected. The A&W was the most expencive underwhelming dining experience I've had in a while. Maybe if I was working 80hrs/wk in the coal mines could I afford to eat here. over $11 for some chicken strips and a non-refillable small rootbeer. Booo.
Resupplied and headed out. Elkford came quickly and I stopped in for some coffee. The miles outside of Elkford came slowly. I probably logged over 20 minutes of stop-time waiting for moose. Easily saw 20 on this stretch…no exaggeration.
Slept 7 or 10 miles short of whatever super-awesome cabin that is before the final pass. Again data would have been nice. Stored my food in the portapotty. Slept on a picnic table through my GPS's shitty alarm due to the noise from the river…lost my phone, remember. Was in a real hurt box the following morning. The work gloves I had picked up in Lordsburg at the truckstop with Wes's Uhaul just weren't cutting it. Lucky I threw those big fleece gloves out in Eureka. FML. That cabin seriously saved my life. Place had coffee tea, firewood, kindling, magazines. Thought about shutting it down at 7 miles on the day but the proximity of Banff was calling me onward. Warmed the hands and feets and took off.
Started raining on the other side of that pass…elk pass? Hovering right around the freezing mark with precip would be a test for anyone. Knowing that I would be sleeping in a bed that night was a big incentive.
Super miserable weather did little to dampen my spirits. I was almost there!
Made a stop at whatever high end lodge that is there before the single track. Started out just using their stoop to layer up but was soon invited inside to some coffee and fruit. Life's not so bad. Was questioning if I was ever going to make it.
Met that crazy kid on a 29er unicycle. He was something like 28 miles outside of Banff after a full day of riding. No thanks. Get radical bro.
Pushed hard right at the end. Probs averaged over 20 mph on that last 10k of double track coming into Banff Springs Hotel.
Can't describe my feeling when I saw my old man getting out of his rental car. Was soaking wet as the cold rain came down but hugged him for a while. Even cried a little (put me in the movie!) My dad had flown in from Minnesota in the nic of time following the birth of my new nephew Tate. Snapped a few photos.
Jason and one of his buddies from Soul Bikes were also there with PBR's in hand, even had some clean dry cloths. My Dad had a little celebration spread. Couldn't have been a better reception. Was expecting to pedal down to the YMCA, this was way better.
Spent the following couple days being a tourist with my father. No biking, just walking.
I apologize for the tardiness of the update.
Summer had been good since. Look for another note coming soon for the 500 mile WA section of the Pacific Crest Trail that Robin and I just crushed.
Divide = Ridden


text:
SAN JOSE — A 42-year-old man was arrested in the Central Valley city of Ceres over the weekend in connection with a shooting death in a FoodMaxx parking lot.
Robert Eugene Styre of San Jose was identified as the suspect in the Friday afternoon slaying, police said.
Officers were called about 12:40 p.m. for reports of a person found lying in the parking lot, San Jose police Officer Gina Tepoorten said. They arrived to find a man suffering from at least one gunshot wound. He later died at a hospital. His name hasn't been released.
Following the shooting, San Jose police homicide detectives identified Styre as a suspect, learned he had connections to Stanislaus County, and alerted police there about him.
Early Saturday, a police officer in Ceres stopped a car associated with Styre, police said. He was arrested, transferred to the custody of San Jose police, and then booked into the Santa Clara County jail on suspicion of murder. He was being held without bail, according to jail records.
Police said Styre and the victim, who had not been formally identified as of Monday afternoon, were acquaintances who were in argument leading up to the shooting. The precise details of that dispute were not released.
Anyone with information about the case can contact Detective Sgt. Anthony Kilmer or Detective Ted Reckas in the SJPD homicide unit at 408-277-5283 or leave a tip with Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-STOP or at svcrimestoppers.org.


text:
Kingston First was formed in 2005 and has been championing the business community of Kingston town centre ever since.
Details about the result including the declaration can be found on our news page.
Our Renewal Proposal 2020-2024
Through 2018 we conducted extensive consultation with you to find out what matters to you most, which of our projects and services you find most valuable, and what priorities you would like to see addressed over the next five years.
Based on your feedback, we created a Renewal Proposal outlining the continuation of our projects and services to help support your business as well as our ambitions for the town as we head into the 2020s.READ THE BUSINESS PLAN
The Renewal Ballot
Frequently asked questions
Established in 2005, Kingston First is a Business Improvement District (BID); a not-for-profit organisation responsible for delivering a number of initiatives to support the commercial success of the business community in Kingston upon Thames.
Democratically elected by the businesses of the town centre, we deliver projects and services that ensure Kingston is a thriving and attractive environment to do business in, as well as a vibrant and exciting destination for people to visit, shop, learn, work and live in. Businesses and organisations operating in the BID area vote to pay 1% levy on the rateable value of their property to see the projects and services delivered in line with a five-year business plan.
In accordance with UK legislation, Business Improvement Districts operate on fixed term of up to five years and must renew their status at the end of every term.
Kingston First's third five-year term ends in December2019. There will be a legally required vote to secure a fourth term and for our projects and services to continue for another five years.
The ballot will be carried out independently by Electoral Reform Services.
30 May to 27 June 2019. The result of the ballot will be announced on Friday 28 June 2019.
All levy-paying businesses within the Business Improvement District will be posted a ballot paper on 30 May 2019. Completed ballot papers must then be returned via post by 5pm on Thursday 27 June.
The BID area includes the following streets, either whole or in part:
Adams Walk
Alderman Judge Mall
Apple Market
Ashdown Road
Bath Passage
Bishops Hall
Brook Street
Castle Street
Charter Quay
Church Street
Clarence Street
Cromwell Road (to the end of the bus station)
Crown Arcade
Crown Passage
Dolphin Street
Down Hall Road
East Lane
Eden Street
Eden Walk
Emms Passage
Fairfield North
Fairfield Road (to include the Albion)
Fife Road
Griffin Centre
Grove Crescent (to include the University)
Harrow Passage
High Street
Horse Fair
Jerome Place
Kent Road
Kings Passage
Kingston Hall Road
Lady Booth Road
Market Place
Milner Road
Nipper Alley
Old London Road
Penrhyn Road (to the end of the University)
Ram Passage
Richmond Road (to the railway bridge)
Riverside Walk
Skerne Road (upto Henry Macaulay Avenue)
South Lane
St James' Road
Steadfast Road
Thames Side
Thames Street
The Bittoms
Union Street
Vicarage Road
Wadbrook Street
Water Lane
Weston Park
Wheatfield Way
Wood Street
If your business is situated on a named street in the business plan and within the determined boundary area, then you are a levy payer.
Each rateable business property, known as a hereditament, is entitled to one vote per hereditament. Businesses occupying more than one hereditament will get more than one vote.
Replacement ballot papers can be requested from Electoral Reform Services. To help you with this process, please contact Tav on 020 8547 1221 or email email@example.com
The BID ballot will be successful if the following two tests are met:
- A simple majority by number of those voting must vote in favour
- Those voting in favour must represent the majority of rateable value of those voting
Should the ballot fail to gain a positive majority vote, Kingston First will cease to exist on 31 December 2019 and all projects and services funded by the BID will terminate.
There is no replacement body that will deliver the services instead.
Key dates
8 May 2019
30 May 2019
27 June 2019
28 June 2019


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I am using the blog to release case studies in the musculoskeletal evaluation and intervention course that I teach in the occupational therapy program at CSU.
Sam is a 60 year old man who arrives at an outpatient clinic with a prescription from his doctor for OT services. He is having extreme pain in his right arm following an incident at work where a heavy door fell on him. AROM for elbow flexion is less than 45 degrees, he has trace movement in forearm pronation and supination, and AROM in wrist flexion is less than 10 degrees. He has no active wrist extension. The OTR is unable to complete PROM due to the pain. Left upper extremity is WFLs. Sam is worried about returning to work because he is the sole breadwinner in his family. He also has an adult son with a developmental disability who lives with his wife and him. His son requires 24 hour support for all ADLs. His wife provides that support during the days, but he helps in the evenings and on weekends. Sam does not have a lot of leisure time, but when he does, he likes to play golf and watch sports on TV or at the local bar with friends. Sam is having difficulty concentrating and sequencing due to his pain and he is getting frustrated as evidenced by decreased motivation with therapy – he thinks it is taking too long to get better. He has impaired sleep because "he can't turn off his mind".
Frank is a 35 year old man who was in a motorcycle accident 3 months ago. He was driving home from a family reunion in North Carolina when he had to maneuver around a deer that got in his way. Luckily, he was only traveling at 35mph and was wearing all his safety gear. He walked away from the accident with a broken left collarbone which needed to be pinned. All his upper extremity ROM is WFLs. His right upper extremity strength is 5/5 throughout with grip strength via dynamometer at 75 kg. His left shoulder strength in flexion is 3+/5, shoulder abduction is 3+/5, shoulder internal rotation is 5/5, and shoulder elevation is 4/5. His left elbow flexors are 5/5 while his elbow extensors are 4/5. His grip strength is 45 kg. He continues to have some difficulty with work tasks. He is a construction worker, mainly doing home remodeling projects – tearing out bathrooms, replacing tubs, sinks, and toilets, tiling, etc. When he is not working, he likes to stay active: mountain biking, kayaking, rock climbing, etc. He is getting frustrated because all of his activity is impacted by the collarbone injury. Frank has poor frustration tolerance and it is impacting his ability to participate in therapy. He has been yelling at the therapist while she is trying to complete passive range of motion exercises with him – "This doesn't help!!".
Kim is a 19 year old university student. Four weeks ago, she was walking to class and tripped going up the steps to the student center. She sustained a left radial head fracture. She is unable to actively move her left wrist or pronate or supinate her right forearm at this point in time. She has 75% AROM in her left hand fingers. She is unable to oppose her thumb to her fingers and she has limited thumb MCP and CMC motion (<50%). Thumb IP motion is approximately 45 degrees of AROM. The OTR assumes PROM to be WNLs at this point, but she is unable to get accurate measurements, due to Kim's complaints of pain during all assessment procedures. Kim is also having difficulty with left elbow flexion – AROM into flexion from 25/100. She has difficulty with left AROM in shoulder flexion 0/75 and shoulder abduction 0/80. Right side AROM is all WNLs and right upper extremity strength is 5/5. Prior to her fall, Kim was volunteering with a student group to serve food at a homeless shelter on the weekends. She was also going to run for office on student government. Outside of school, she helps take care of her grandmother, who lives with her family. Her grandmother needs help with all ADLs – dressing, bathing, toileting, etc. In high school, she was very active and exercised daily by doing yoga and running with her friends. Kim wants to return to her previous level of activity but it has been challenging for her – she feels tired all the time and is having difficulty at school because she has decreased memory and attention. She has good motivation and realized that this is just "a bump in the road".
Ginny is 95 years old and was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia. She has 5 children and her husband has been deceased for 20 years. Ginny grew up on a farm and she is a retired hospital volunteer. She is proud to tell the OTR that she is a great-grandmother to 15 grandchildren ranging in age from 1-8. She is active at her church where she helps recent immigrants find work. Ginny has difficulty with both her shoulders – AROM and PROM approximately 90 degrees of shoulder flexion. She has noticeable arthritic changes throughout her upper extremity, limiting her strength. Bilaterally in upper extremity joints, she is 3+/5. She wants to return home with her granddaughter and her granddaughter's family who have been taking care of her for a few years. She uses a straight cane to walk. She is able to walk community distances, but needs to have someone walk with her. It tires her out, so she has to be careful about what she plans to avoid becoming overly fatigued. Ginny has good attention, memory, and thought. However, she has become labile due to the new disability that she is facing. She continues to have good motivation for therapy but the OT notices that she complains of decreased sleep and asks "Will I ever get back to where I was at before? I want to play with my grandchildren again!".
Wanda is a 57 year old female who is a long term resident of a nursing home. She was in a car accident when she was 24 which left her cognitively impaired. Her parents were taking care of her until they had to stop, due to health problems. None of her siblings were able to provide the type of care that she needed. While walking back from BINGO activities at the nursing home, Wanda tripped over her untied shoe, fell and broke her right humerus. It has been 6 weeks and her arm is healing well. She continues to have decreased AROM in right shoulder flexion to 100 degrees, shoulder abduction to 90 degrees, and internal rotation to 25 degrees. She has full PROM in all these planes of motion and her left upper extremity is WFLs for PROM and AROM. Left upper extremity strength is 4/5. Prior to the car accident, Wanda was in university for architecture. She really likes to draw and participate in creative tasks, according to the activities director. She also loves to take care of the community parakeets that live on her unit, per nursing staff. Wanda has impaired memory and attention due to the remote motor vehicle accident. She is oriented to herself and place only (not time). She needs 24 hour supervision because she is unable to manage safety concerns in her environment and has difficulty sequencing simple ADL tasks. She is motivated by the parakeets and social activities within the nursing home.


text:
What is CMA (USA)?
Offered by Institute of Management Accountants(IMA), CMA (Certified Management Accountant) certification has been the global benchmark for management accountants and financial professionals. It is a US-based worldwide association of accountants and finance professionals in the field of business.
One is required to complete just 400 hours of study in 6- 8 months and clear only two exams named Financial Planning Performance and Control and Financial Decision Making thus making this an efficient and effective choice for those looking to speed up their careers.
CMA Course Eligibility
Any person with the qualification of class 12th or above can join the course. But to get the CMA (USA) membership, fulfilling certain criteria is must which are:
• Membership of IMA
• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited university
• Two years of relevant experience
• Passed both the parts of CMA Exams
The course is highly recommended for the graduates with work experience but having no professional degree as it is a short term course which can be completed in 6-8 months.
CMA Course Benefits
CMA(USA) is most sought after qualification in the corporate accounting world. As per the studies, the management accounting knowledge and skill is more useful in corporate world. Here are few major benefits of doing CMA(USA) course:
Global recognition: While a college degree is certainly an important step on the way to a successful career, it is most certainly not enough. In the wake of globalisation, employers often prefer global certification , meaning your college degree might not be sufficient. on the other hand, CMA(USA) qualification is recognised globally.
Higher earnings: As per the recent survey, CMA professionals earn 60% more than the peers with no professional qualification.
Flexibility: The course is consist of only 2 parts which can be completed with in 6-8 month. Hence, making it ideal for those who wants to speed up their career in a short time.
Career prospect: CMA professionals are highly preferred in public or corporate accounting, and can fill positions as analysts, planners, auditors, managers, and accountants.
CMA Course Syllabus
CMA USA course consist of 2 parts namely part 1 and part 2
|Part 1: Financial Planning, Performance, and Analytics
|Part 2: Strategic Financial Management
• External Financial Reporting and Decisions
• Technology and Analytics
|• Financial Statement Analysis
• Corporate Finance
• Decision Analysis
• Risk Management
• Investment Decisions
• Professional Ethics
CMA Exam Details
Duration: 4 Hours/ paper (3 hours for objective type + 1 hour for essay type)
• For professionals: $800- $850
• For students: $500- $600
Exam pattern: 75% objective 25% essay type
Pass rates
Employment Opportunities
CMA professionals are offered lot of opportunities in India as well as the global market. It will help you develop financial and management skill in you which makes them preferred choice of employers worldwide. CMA professionals are highly preferred in the roles of finance analyst, managers, controller, chief financial officer , financial director etc.
Once a candidate clears both parts along with other eligibility criteria of the course they will be able to claim CMA(USA) membership.
CMA USA Course Training with Saraf Academy
Saraf Academy offers the best quality online live interactive classes with world-class study resources. At the Academy, we provide:
• Best In Class Training Classes
• Video Lectures- Live & Recorded
• Mock exams
• Comprehensive Progress Tests
• Exam Tips
• Study Planner
• 360 degree support


text:
watch 01:39
The Loop (TV)
Do you like this video?
In this bumper, Dot looks at the bowl of bananas, then she's thinking for a banana to be a car (but it's wrong), a banana to be in the fishbowl (but it's wrong also), and finally got idea to making a banana cream pie. While Dot is making a pie, Dash walks around before he saws a banana peel and another one. Now, the scene cuts to Dot, who is finished for warming the pie in the oven, she's walking then her foot slips by a banana peel and throw her pie to the screen. Dot cleans the banana cream and lick it, then the PBS Kids logo with Dot appears in the purple background. However, this bumper was lost.
UPDATE: 16/12/17: Peeebs has already found the bumper on his YouTube channel.
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.


text:
GCN Insider | Sun Microsystems has suite of programs, services to help IT managers construct more energy-efficient data centers
About the Author
Rutrell Yasin is is a freelance technology writer for GCN.
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