text:
Yesterday afternoon the sky was a gorgeous blue, and it was just cool enough in the shade that I picked to wear light long sleeves, while my training partner went for short sleeves. We headed out, our legs still feeling a bit heavy. But my new running shoes feel like running on clouds… I'm definitely happy with them! And so we headed out, with a 45 min run planned. Around 2.5 miles, it started to feel comfortable. And by mile 3, we were cruising. Our last 1.5 miles were at about 30 seconds per mile faster than the others had been, and felt a bazillion times easier. And after, we stretched, and when I went to karate last night I felt more flexible than I have lately. The little frustrations during the rest of the work day were nothing… I was still on cloud nine from the run! And it as good.
Archive for November, 2005
cloudy runWednesday, November 30th, 2005
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Q: if a train…Monday, November 28th, 2005
… leaves Ontario at 3:24 pm travelling at 60 mph, and a train leaves Tucson at 1:05 am travellingat 60 mph, what city will they pass in, and at what time?
A: No one freakin' knows.
Let's just say while the train let me avoid airports, lines, and layovers, it definitely isn't a reliable way to travel if you are on a tight schedule. It was nice though to have way more leg room than flying, complete with a leg rest like lazy boy chair style on the seats, and being able to use my phone. But Thanksgiving and Christmas are the only 2 days a year that Union Pacific doesn't run trains, so the day before they are trying to move around tons of junk, and freight gets priority at all intersections.
However, my trip was great (crochet and reading and sleeping on the train, and on the way back had a baby blanket so was less cold!). I got to spend tons of time with my brother Ryan, sister-in-law Jenny, and cutest nephew in the world, Ethan, along with various member's of the family on Jenny's side. Big crowd, yummy food. Ethan is now walking, and damn is he cute!
Friday Ry and Ethan and I went hiking. I call it the "Ethan Challenge 2005" for it was much like an adventure race. Trying to use a poorly made forest service map, and navigating trails with a baby and an off-road jeep baby stroller. Climbing up and over rocks that way, with Ethan in one of Ry's arms, and the front of the stroller in his other hand, as I lift the back of the stroller. It was a nice day of walking though, and soon we stuck to the paved path, but we had our taste of adventure 🙂
Of course there were disturbing moments as well… like when Jenny, holding Eth, said "let's gross out auntie Kylie…" and pulled his diaper down a bit so I could see his tush. "Isn't taht a cute little tush?" "yeah…" I said. "It's just like Ryans!" D'oh! And cute moments… holding Ethan by the fridge, he is pointing at pictures, and I am saying things like "who is that? [pause] Daddy?" And then after "who is that?" on a pic of him he said "ME!" At least I think that's what he said.
Oh and a great idea of Ry and Jenny's… they use signs with Ethan, and have forever. Like the actual sign language ones… for "please", and "thank you", and "more", among others, as they said the word for it. So it means that right now, as he knows what he wants to say, but can't form the words, he mumbles/grunts/says things, but uses some of the signs. So when he wants more, he actually can tell you that is what he means.
It was a nice, long, relaxing weekend. I did much resting, which was great, and much baby-time, which was also great. Damn they are cute 🙂 Oh and I packed my running shoes, and remembered to pack them for the trip home, too! 😉 The benefit though? It's left me wanting to get back out and train, instead of feeling I should.
Today had a nice bike ride, but again the training buddy got a flat. *sigh* He needs to work on his flat tire karma!
Posted in Life Outside of Tris | No Comments »
*ducks*Monday, November 21st, 2005
Now all of you people who live in places with weather might not want to read this…
This weekend was nice and lazy… some karate, and then a bbq at the pool. About 15 or so of us gathered in shorts and tshirts, but still found the shade since as the day was a bit on the warm side.
I spent pretty much the rest of the weekend reading and sleeping. After that and being out sick from work Thursday and Friday, I think I feel better. Just one of those "stuffy, sore throat, need sleep" kind of things.
Oh also ran 6 miles on Thursday, and again on Friday. With my friend Jeremy. Another good thing about moving: he'll be fairly close by.
Posted in Life Outside of Tris, Training Thoughts | No Comments »
sleepy easy week so farWednesday, November 16th, 2005
So tired this week, and since it's also post a 24 hr deal I'm taking it easy. Monday was the official day off (from driving to work and from working out). And last night I was considering running to karate, but I was just too drained. Instead I've been working on some crochet xmas gifts (and a birthday gift… I'm half way and have a day left).
In weeks in which I race for 24+ hours and am totally stressed for most
of it, and during which Stephen (my roommate one, not runner one here =P) asks where I keep vitamin C, and which
find Holly and Jeremy (my roommate-to-be and her boy) taking vitamin C together in the evenings, I
shouldn't be surprised by starting to feel a bit craptacular.
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It's the JourneyTuesday, November 15th, 2005
This last race was, well, quite a learning experience. Warning: this is very long….
It started as a
team built from eCamp — myself, Ryan (another participant), Chris (a
volunteer), and Duncan (a friend of Chris'). First I rolled my foot
(but it is doing mostly better so I still raced), then Duncan got hit
by a car (ok but not able to race) and then Chris' mom got really sick
(so he was out as well). Down to a two person team, we needed a third
to race, and finally the Tuesday or Wednesday before the race I got in
touch with Zach, of the PQ 2006 team, and he was going to be able to
make it. However, maybe we should have heeded some of those warnings…
the following story is very much my own memory and feelings and
opinions on everything. Some parts are a bit harsh, and may not have
been reality anywhere other than in my view. I still think all people
on the team are good people, and what happens during a race happens.
However, they are still events to learn from, and this is my experience
of my least favorite race ever.
Here it is… the long await (and really long) race writeup.
we were to drive up to Northern CA to Modesto for the meeting. I was
glad that for once I wouldn't have to drive, and my car would be spared
some miles. We were to meet at 9, and leave at 10. Although we met a
bit late, we were still ready to leave at the same time. However, Zach
tells us upon arriving that his axel bearings are shot, and his truck
is not reliable. No other vehicle can fit 2 ocean kayaks and 3 bikes,
so we end up needing to take two cars, and yes, I end up getting to
drive. Oh well, you have to get there somehow.
The drive up
was actually pretty good. Zach and I chatted about many things, and I
started feeling more and more comfortable with the PQ team idea. We
talked about why we race, and wanting commitement from the team
members. About the fun of races, and being there for the experience.
Hours later (around 7 I think) we arrived at the meeting place, and I
hung out as the boys made a grocery run. I saw many good race buddies
arrive — the Big Bear team I have raced with — all members there for
racing or support crew, Jorge from Brazil who was also at eCamp, Maitai
(a girl I have seen around racing), Rich (the ubervolunteer), Randy,
and of course some new friendly faces. Randy supplied me with all the
ropes gear I could want (ok all I needed), we got our team checked in,
and enjoyed very yummy pasta!
It was finally meeting time. The
course was all to be done in order, and had 37 checkpoints (CPs)! We
got them onto our map (some already drawn for us, other copied off of
maps at the meeting) and highlighted our planned attack route. We were
just in time, as then the store we were at was going to close up, and
our team drove to the start, where we camped that night. Since it was
going to be a 9:30 am start on Saturday, we left our gear organizing
and packing for the morning. Got up in the cool air, and got everything
together. This was quickly done, race gear on, and we were set for the
day to begin!
It was a kayak start. All the boats lined the
shore, ready to be pushed into the water and jumped into. The water was
nice and chilly (we were at 4700 feet), but we weren't expected to have
to really get soaked. We started on the kayak for 3 points (one
involving a decent trek up a mountain). Our team went with having me
and Zach in the double kayak, and Ryan in the single. We soon figured
out that the double was moving much faster, and ended up having Ryan
paddle in our draft for a while, and then just attached a towline as
well for the final stretch. I jumped out of the boat to grab the first
two points (with the second ending in soaked shoes), and we secured our
boats for the trek up to our third point. This was some fairly thick
bushwacking! I was in trishorts and short sleeves, saving my longer
pants for that night when it would be cold, and not thinking about the
amount of junk on a hillside. My legs now have pretty decorations, or
lots of scrapes, but none that were horrible. It was a tough climb for
me (the boys are just much stronger) and the scrapping I got as they
had pants on while picking the routes wasn't making it easier. I often
had to call out to find where they had gone, as it was hard to see over
some of the taller brush, or at times they'd get just a bit too far
ahead. And we made it to the top, and picked a great route on the way
down. Back into the kayak, 3 of 37 points down. We paddled to where we
had started, which was also CP4 and ACP (assisted check point) 1, where
we had access to our crew: Ryan's dad, Charlie. Into trekking gear,
refuel, dry socks and shoes, I stopped shivering and we head out again.
Right off the bat again I find myself walking in the back. Now
I don't mind sometimes being to the back, but it's mentally draining to
always be the last person, and a decent amount of that time alone. Ryan
would often drop back for a bit, but in general our team was just a bit
spread out. There was also no talking, except about directions really,
or reminders to eat or drink. That again was tough mentally, as it left
you plenty of time to reflect on the pain, frustration, and little
things you wish were different. Finally, when we got way spread out
going up to CP5 I stopped the boys and, already frustrated, told them
it wasn't working for me, that I was tired of constantly having to
either ask them to slow up so that we'd stay together better, or call
out to find them at all. The other problem was that we weren't
communicating well — I was not keeping as up with the map as I should,
and they weren't relaying information as much as they should. I told
them that if I had to keep always asking to slow down, or calling out
to find them, I would soon be done, as it wasn't fun for me nor was it
why I race. They appologized, and said it was tough to pay attention to
all of it, but that they'd try. And we contined back down that hill.
While many teams recrossed the damn towards CP4 at this point, we saw a
dirt road that saved us scramblind down the tall, rocky damn face. This
brought us head of about 3 teams we were near. Mostly jogging, and some
walking, we made it to CP6, which was the rapel. As a rapel, it was
mostly a formality. Not super tall (someone said 60-85 ft), nothing too
spectacular to see, and just walking down the rock (no free hanging
section). Quickly through it, we continued to CP7. Here our
navigational issues started cropping up. There was going to need to be
some more bushwacking, and we were basing how far on crossing a 4×4
trail and then higher up finding a Railroad grade which the CP would be
on. We also knew that from CP6 it should be pretty much south.
pick a spot to start scrambling up the mountain (luckily it was less
scratchy stuff — or at least my long pants made it feel that way). We
crossed a few areas that might have been trails, but nothing we were
sure would appear on this map. Here I remembered something Teddy (of
Big Bear AR) said before the race. He mentioned how they were noticing
tons of off-shoots not on the map, which makes sense in a logging area.
The roads are constantly changing, and an altimeter is going to be key.
Here I was wishing for an altimeter, as we finally came to a road that
looked like it would be on the map. Now, was it the 4×4 trail
(supposedly single track) or the RR grade (wider, flat)? Without an
altimeter, it was hard to know. So we took it. Yet soon I felt we were
going too far east. How could we tell? Here I had a nav idea (rare for
me) and took a bearing to a mountain. We knew what mountain it was as
we could also still see the rapel point. The bearing to it was at this
point just about exactly what it should be for CP7! Yet we saw nothing.
After some debate, it was decided to continue on the trail we were on.
Howeve, we continued for too long. We should have remembered also that
the bearing mean we should be close. I think the main problem with our
nav was the lack of compass use. I used mine a few times, but don't
think Zach did much, and am not sure about Ryan. I think Zach (and as a
result the team, as we could have spoken up) relied way too much on the
way the roads should go, as based off the map. I didn't even see how
big of an issue this really was until between CPs 11 and 12 some hours
later, when I realized I could find simliar bends in tons of roads, as
well as earlier and later on the right road. However, that comes later
in this story. We finally turn back, and find CP7. The person manning
it had seen us go by, saw us check maps and discuss if we were on the
right road, and continue. At that time, the 7th place team was with
him. But the time we got there, we were down in 12th! Yet CP8 was
rightalong that same road, and was also ACP2, where we'd pick up our
bikes. So down the road we continued.
By the time we arrived I
was already a bit upset. I still felt Zach was constantly walking ahead
of me, or me and Ryan at times. I didn't feel there was much team
effort going in, and was starting to feel not part of a team. That's
never a good sign that early in an AR! It was still light out! CP8, and
on our bikes, we head out again. Again using bends in the roads throws
us off at CP9, as we pick a hill too soon to start looking, as it had
the same kinds of turns before it. We find the point, and end up
meeting up with another team here (I believe My Three Dads, if that is
really the name of Jeff and Michael's team). They have their own issue
when we all reach CP9: they can't find their passport. We have ours,
get it punched, and continue. Here was a big low. We head out to 10,
which is (it turns out) and out and back. However, I don't know this,
and am not sure if we are yet on the road to 10 or still have turns
before it. It's now definitely dark, and we are biking up a dirt road.
We start getting spread out, and Ryan asks how I'm doing. Good, I say,
but this pace is about all I can do. And we continue. I don't ask for
tow, but one is also not offered, and the boys continue up the hill,
around a bend, and out of site. I pedal a bit longer, and then just
stop, completely frustrated. I can't see them, don't know for sure
where I am headed, and it's just like that trek issue all over again.
As I'm stopped and just standing on the trail, the team we'd just seen
comes by. They ask if I'm ok, and clearly I'm not. They ask where my
team is, and I don't know. So they tell me to just bike with them, and
enjoy the ride (as I know them, and they know that I like AR for the
fun aspect). I continue with them, behind a few of them. As those in
front of me turn a corner I hear one of the boys on my team say "Kylie?
Where were you?" and the person answer that he wasn't me, but that I
was with them. I get up there and just tell the boys what I'm thinking.
About being tired of being dropped. About being tired of Zach always
staying ahead. About not having fun, about not feeling I'm on a team,
about how another team was nice enough to make sure I was ok, and bring
me into their group. About being done with the race (not all such nice
words were used, either). They say sorry, and that I need to say
something. To which I say I did, on the trek. That it was exactly what
I was talking about there. Zach replies that things have changed and we
are on bikes now, he didn't know. And I (very sarcastically) respond
"oh right! I forgot! I *like* biking up hills in the dark by myself
when I'm not sure where I'm going!" He replied that he is also sick of
my sh**, and soon that he is also done. Ryan sorta stands there during
this, and I felt sorry for him. Yes, he was doing a decent job of
making sure things were going ok for me, but if one person gives me a
non-team feeling, it can carry unless it is stopped. We end up just
continuing, as there is nothing else we could really do at this point.
passes fairly uneventfully (with us and the other team still basically
together), and we proceed to CP12. Here our nav by road turns bit us
badly. We found one intersection, and continued on our merry way,
missing a sharp turn. However, we went a good 5-8 miles out of the way.
On paved roads, but still climbing a lot. We finally figured it out
when another team passed us, and said that CP12 was about 5 miles back,
and up a hill. And I have a hard time eating on the bike. Although I
did ok, that was way too bug of an energy drain for me. We ended up
figuring out that we were one road west on the map of where we wanted
to be (with the help of some nicely drunk campers), and that going back
down and to the right road was the best way. We went back, and climbed
and climbed and climbed up to 12. Part of the time I was towed, parts I
just rode. We reached 12, and continued. We came to a stream, and Zach
tried to ride it. It didn't work, and he ended up with wet feet. But
was across. Ryan walked his bike across on some slippery rocks, and
made it. He turned to come back and help me with my bike, but in the
process he slipped, ending up with wet shoes and a wet glove. So he
ended up just giving me a piggyback across, while walking my bike. It
takes me longest to get warm of the 3 of us, and I get cold the
easiest, but it still would have been nice if we were all more dry. We
missed another turn, and as a result got to cross, and then recross,
another creek. This one had a fairly flat path through, and wasn't
quite as deep, so we just rode it. Of course, this also means that now
all our feet were soaked.
We soon hit the main road, which
we'd follow to CP13. Keep in mind that it is now definitely dark
(around 11 at night) and we are at 5000 ft. It was around 35 degrees
out, and that was before windchill. On the bikes, it was a paved
section where we were going to drop down to 4200 feet. Add in the wind
of our bikes flying down the hill, and the wet shoes, and our feet were
numb! Passing through ACP3/CP14 (and not checking in), we drop our
bikes, and climb out to CP13, on a hill behind the ACP. We figure out
where it is, and when almost there Zach realizes the map, and our
passport, are gone. They came unclipped from around his neck, and only
the string remains. He and Ryan run off, retracing steps to find them,
and having me wait since they can climb faster. Somehow, they found the
maps and passport laying under a bush, and we get CP13 and proceed back
to CP14/ACP3, checking in, and then checking out and continuing on our
way to CP15/ACP3B.
At CP15/ACP3B, we were to drop our bikes
and any bike gear we wanted, and then continue on our way. We could
pick up no gear, and we could not have contact with our crew guy (as he
should have shown up after we were gone). However, to save a shoe
change, we had biked there in our trekking shoes (as we'd be continuing
with a trek, or so we though). This ended up going not great, as I
found that my foot which had been rolled some time before got lots more
stress on it trying to pedal without the stiff-soled bike shoe, and
that all the pressure was right along the injury. So I ended up walking
sections there, hoping not to set off my foot. At CP15/ACP3B, we found
we were far enough behind that we had a short course option: we could
hit as many or as few of the trekking CPs as we wanted (16-21), and
then a bike pick up with no crew assistance at 22, and bike to 24. We
could even just bike straight to CP24, which was also ACP4, and along
that same main road. Tired, and mentally done with the race, our team
opted to go straight to ACP4/CP24.
We dropped a bit more
elevation, and then started climbing, and kept climbing. Mentally not
into the race, and over the whole idea of being our fastest, combined
with not getting in enough cals on the bike in the previous section, I
just couldn't climb all of it. Ryan towed me for a while, but even that
soon didn't work, as my legs just didn't want to pedal. I had to walk
some, and zoned out while doing so, going through motions but not
really there. This was probably my personal low point physically in the
race. We climb and climb, and soon Zach turns. "Do you guys even plan
to finish this?" he askes. Yes, we answer. "When? Noon tomorrow? We are
walking a f***ing paved road!". "I'm trying my best" I say (not quite
true, and I knew it, but it was the best that I could give to that
team, as the fire and mental drive to get to 110% was completely out,
and I was already debating ever racing with Zach again). He repeats how
it is a paved road, and goes on to say how I said I know how to do AR,
and how I've done 24 hour races, and I'm not as good at them as I claim
to be (I've never claimed that, I've just told him I've finished ones
that were tough for me, and that I just keep going). He asked if I knew
what I was getting into when I signed up for this race. I've never
before had a teammate make a low worse, or ever in AR been told things
like that. All other people I've talked to have encouraged me, and
non-AR people have found interest in it just from my stories, and the
enthusiasm I get from races. Here I knew: I would never race with Zach
again. Including PQ2006. And I became glad I learned this in a 24 hour
race, instead of a 5-10 day one. This was about 15 hours into a race,
and yes, we were tired, and not moving as fast as we'd like. Yes, I was
contributing to that speed. However, so did our nav errors. Looking
back, it's almost as if he took all the frustration from the race not
going perfectly, and made it all my fault in his head, and took it all
out on me. Yes, I contributed by not being as strong a racer as he
thought I could be, but lots of factors had drained my strength that
day. Right after this, I tell Ryan let's try again, and we climb on the
bikes, but Zach doesn't, as he can see transition around the corner,
and says we might as well walk it in since that's what we've been doing
anyways. We get there, and the person we check in with can tell we are
not doing well, and I tell him that apparently I'm not good enough for
some people on the team. And yes, I shouldn't have said anything, but
after that I didn't care about other people knowing the issues within
our team. I was completely over the race.
Walking into ACP4,
Donny (of Big Bear, who was crewing, and who I raced Baja with) was
near the entrance. I stop at him, and give him a huge hug, telling him
what is going on and being very upset, hurt, and drained. He tells me
to keep strong, that I can do it, and talking to him makes me know I
will finish this race. I will keep going, until either timed-out or
done. I don't care how many points we skip on our way to the final CP,
but I will get there. Even if other teammates decide it isn't worth it,
I will continue unranked. It is a race, and people say things they
don't mean (Donny was great and talked to me again after the race,
emphasizing how it means not that someone is a bad person, but can mean
you should never race with them again — thanks Donny). I get to our
crew spot, and just stand there with my bike. Ryan's dad ends up taking
it, and soon tells me to come sit down. So I do. Ryan says maybe we
should grab a 25 minute nap. I have no opinion on it, either way works
for me. We end up taking on, and it ends up taking about 2 hours. But
we finally get up and back on the road: on our feet looking for CP25.
never did find it, and 1.5 hours later give up, go back through CP24 to
the main road, which we know will take us to CP26. Getting there is
uneventful, and we are told from there we can do whatever we want. We
can hit every remaining point, or even just continue down the same road
straight for the finish. So we skip 27, 28, and 29 (offroad mtb
section) and head to 30, where we skip 31,32, and 33 (a small mtb
loop). We hit point 34 (on the main road) where we drop our bikes, trek
through 35 (simply because getting or skipping it would be about the
same distance and time, and to 36 (again on the main road) where we get
our bikes back. From there, it's just straight on the road to the
finish, and after passing the turn into it (it was hard to see) we made
it. We were done.
Having left my car (with both kayaks) at the
start, Charlie and I soon drove up to get them. I figured it would be
easier then than waiting til the adrenaline wore off, and didn't really
want to sit around with the team quite yet. So we got it (it took about
1-1.5 hours total to get to it and then to return). We ate food, I won
a shirt at the raffle, and we sorted gear and got the cars repacked.
The good thing about having driven was that I changed my route home,
going through Claremont (and ended up crashing there that night). It
meant I didn't get to head back with my teammates, which was ok as I
really needed some time to sort thoughts and really be calm before
talking to Zach. It also worked out well as Rich needed to get to the
same area, so I still had company for the ride home, helping me stay
awake and even driving one section. By doing this, I got to people who
I needed to be around after such a mentally tough weekend — Mike
cooked pasta for us all, and I got to be with him, Holly, and Jeremy.
Good soothing medicine.
Lessons learned:
- Get better at eating on the bike.
- I do best with a team that is focused, but still chats and enjoys the journey.
- Words of race reasons won't always match actions. Only way to learn
that is to race with someone, and then move on if it is time to do so.
A great training partner might be an awful race teammate. I'm there for
the race as an experience, not the winning and being the best as the
experience (although they can be a nice bonus).
- Sacrifice
races that look cool if there is a chance you'll be left with a bad
taste in your mouth. I will not be racing PQ 2006 with that team, as no
matter how cool the race might be, it just wouldn't be worth it. This
was a tough decision, no matter how clear it seems on the mountain.
- Improve nav, to have a better idea when I think we are on the wrong
path which wrong path it is, so that I can give more help with
navigation and also give my ideas with more confidence.
- Altimeters are good!
- I have the best support in my friends and family, and people who don't know me can just be wrong.
our race bags there were Lance-style bracelets that say "It's the
Journey". I found it rather fitting, especially after the race. It is
why I am there. Yes, going fast is good, and I would love to get faster
and I work on doing so. But it's not my only or primary goal. A good
time, an experience that makes me grin. That is why I'm there.
"I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move." Robert Louis Stevenson (my quote of the day for Sunday… very apropriate)
Posted in adventure racing, General, mountain biking, Race Tales | No Comments »
Back to the Past in the FutureMonday, November 7th, 2005
Sunday Holly and I signed a lease! We got the cute little duplex right near the Claremont Village (town center). It's adorable, and all will be invited to our housewarming 😉 Oh, and this is the town I went to college in… so that explains the topic line of this post.
I also got in some fun workout time this weekend, among the lots of driving and seeing of fun people. Saturday did karate for a hour, yogo for an hour, and swam about a mile before heading to a party. Sunday I ran 10 miles before heading to a brunch, and then later dinner with friends. Umm… ow? The run that is… I was planning a shorter run (6-8ish) but was feeling good… however, it meant I wore shorts I know rub and no bodyglide. Yes, I'm paying for it today. Oops. But lots and lots of yummy food! We went to a Costa Rican place for dinner, and it was great!
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movin' aboutFriday, November 4th, 2005
Today is so far a better day than much of this week has been (concert excepted). Although my horoscope has some issues.
It's telling me to think about starting an exercise program, and to
consider walking and yoga. Yoga is cool, but I don't know if I really
need to start an exercise program. If so, what is what I spend all my
free time doing called?
about 6 miles (leaving out my favorite hill) and then did karate this
morning. The foot was a bit sore for
basics (that whole sideways pressure) but I was able to modify most of
it to fix that.
Talked to my mom last night. Wait back up a sec…
first last night Holly and I checked out another place in Claremont. A bit more $$
than I was hoping to find a place for, but we won't find a better one.
2 bed, one bath, just redone kitchen and parts of the bathroom, nice
big living room, little dining nook, laundry (coin-style) across from
our door, a cat is ok, tons of storage in the place and a garage, and
room for 3 cars. It's about 2 blocks from where she lives now. I really
like it, and it's also a lot nicer than we expected to find in our
price range. Oh and the landlord was awesome. Talked about helping rig up some
system to make it easy to store a kayak out of the way of parking in
the garage (just to make it easier) and upgrading lights and working
with us about a pet and everything.
So… it's hard. I really didn't know. But talked
to my mom last night. About the 1-1.5 hours I'd save on commute time
each day, and how I'd be able to use metrolink (she said she'd be happy
to have me driving less, I didn't mention too much how I'd be biking
around cars more). About worries that it would be hard on my friendship
with Holly, as we do have slightly different living styles (but both
respect common areas, have slightly different schedules to where we'd
still get alone time, and slightly different friends groups/activities
so all our time wouldn't be together, and we have talked about all
that). About how Stephen is about the perfect roommate for me, and how
I'd miss him, and how I worry I won't see him and Andy as much (and she
made a good point about living where it is best to live, and visiting
people you like). And about how the karate school will still be in
Irvine for training, and I'll just have to visit Andy and Stephen when I go there for
karate stuff. Kinda like switching from crashing at Holly's
occasionally and living in Irvine to crashing in Irvine sometimes and
living with Holly. About how even if Holly and J end up leaving the
area, that's months away, and I can always move again, and find new
people to live with. And how there are other Claremont area people I
like, and I will get to see more of them, too. It's an odd transition
to me though… as I'm at the karate studio less, I'm finally moving
back close to it.
My mom has this way of knowing with some
decisions what I want, and what would be best for me, and making sure I
have considered all options and reminding me of those I haven't, and
being able to tell from talking to me which answer I need to be (or
should be) convinced of. And she is good at doing just that. Soooo… I
think it's time to move on. To become a metrolink rider and bike
commuter. To spending time with people I care about without having to
live right with all of them.
Posted in Life Outside of Tris | No Comments »
preconcert workouts and U2Wednesday, November 2nd, 2005
Yesterday's workouts were pretty good. Swim about 1650 yds. 3×500 (10 min, 9:45, and like 9:20ish) and a 150yd pull to cooldown. So I was happy with that. Was a bit annoyed though… there were 2 of us sharing a lane, doing our thing. With like 100yds to go in my second 500 some girl jumps in and starts swimmingweaving about in our lane "to avoid us" as she said. But this confused us, and the other guy ended up almost swimming directly into me. So I stopped her and was like dude, you need to let people know when you are joining and not jump in when they are in the middle of sets. And she made tons of excuses about how she hasn't swam with people in a while and I was like yeah, so let 'em know you want to get in, and wait for a finished set. And then we swam circles, after making sure all 3 of us knew what was up, which was fine. But she wanted to talk about how far was just swam, and how long it had been since she swam during my rests between sets. And I wanted to be in my zone, enjoying the feel of the water. So it threw off the feeling a bit. Probably the last time I jump in the water around 2 in an attempt to avoid crowds! It was busier than I've seen the pool in a while (this was at Lisa's pool).
After the swim got in a nice 3.3 miler just running on roads around the gym. Heartrate was a bit higher than I wanted, but that's what I get for going hard in the swim immediately before. Was the first real run after a week and a few days off for my foot, and it felt great mentally, alright physically. Foot was a bit achey, but nothing big.
And now for the complete U2 story…
Monday night Holly calls me. "Did you get Mike's message?" Oooh… I remember. That's right! I had been juggling a bazillion calls in the car, and my phone had stopped reminding me I had voice mail as a result. So I check it. He has an extra ticket to U2… for the following night. I waver… on one hand, it would be fun to spend time with him, and U2 would probably be fun as well. However, I was really looking forward to swimming and yoga that night, and am not a huge fan of concerts. Especially with 2.5 million (or ok, 20,000) people. I call him back, no answer, and end up leaving a non-commital message. He calls back around 11:30, and his excitment is kinda contagious so I decide to go. Yes, Kylie went on an actual date which did not involve exercise, and involved wearing real clothes. Kinda weird!
Last night I met him at his place in Claremont and we headed to LA. We made good time — got there by about 5:45. Parking was easy, and traffic wasn't really bad at all around the Staples Center, which was a nice surprise. We found our seats, and just chilled and talked, waiting for Jeannie (from Village Grill) and Scott, and watching people. Out seats were pretty much the best in the place. Exactly center, and up just high enough. Oh, and no one in front of us at all, but still a bar so my feet had a place to let me sit funny.
Soon Jeannie and Scott arrived, and the opening band began. It was reggae by some Marley relative, and definitely enjoyable. Then… yes, it was time: U2. They were pretty damn cool. Played a number of songs I like, plus a few I didn't know but still liked. As much as I enjoyed the music, I think I enjoyed their little comentary and such just as much, if not more. Of course he talked about the "ONE" campaign, and other political stuff. Pulled a girl out of the audience and sang "With or Without You" hugging her and rubbing her hair. But one of my favorite parts was that it was the drummer's birthday. So they wore shirts that said "the Larry Mullen band" and sang him happy birthday. They also read posters that people in the standing area had, and one was "professor for hire" and they asked what he would teach, and he gave Bono books. Bono was like "great, I get the books, Edge gets the girls, [some band member gets something I don't remember] and… Larry has the giant penis". Later after one of the few encores he walked out and was like "hey, there was a group with posters saying guitar player, singer, etc. Where are you?" It was a group of four youngish girls, and he pulled them up. "Well, it's Larry's birthday and Larry would totally get a girl band. What are you going to play?" And play they did… the drummergirl was pretty damn fun to watch, the guitar girl I could see also just had fun. The singer? Waaaay nervous, esp when Bono shared the mic with her and sang with her! But it was way cool, and the audience loved 'em.
At the end, Larry thanked us for coming to his birthday party, and was all cute and such. And we headed out. Again no traffic, and it was a very easy drive home (after we got through the spooky horror movie area we had to go through). Back to Holly's, and wooo sleep!
Posted in Life Outside of Tris, Training Thoughts | No Comments »
U2, slacker!Tuesday, November 1st, 2005
It was a fun weekend… mtn biking, tons of road biking, kayaking (almost 10 miles!), parties… mmm 🙂 And Halloween was fun, 'cause I got new running shoes! They are shiney and purple! It's great!
So I'm a slacker and going to miss yoga and swimming tonight. I'm kinda sad, 'cause I was really looking forward to it. However, I will be going to a U2 concert (a friend has extra tickets, so I just found out last night at like 11:30). That will also be fun, and I might just leave work early and get in a swim and perhaps quick run before we go.
Oh, and my adventure racing team is cursed 🙁 First we train, and I sprain/stress fracture my foot. Then we go to register, and that morning a teammate gets hit by a car. He'll live, but no racing for a while (it was a bad one with reconstructing of muscles and such). So our 4 person team became 3. And now another guy can't make it, as his mom is very sick (cancer) and probably going to die within a week. Of course, missing a race should be of no concern at all, and I'm hoping the best for him and his family. So we are a team of 2. And we have to be 3 or 4 to race. I asked TdB, but he is done, and Randy also wants to be done. I have a few other people I'm waiting to hear from, but I hope the curse ends!
Posted in General, Training Thoughts | No Comments »


text:
Brian Wheatley
Inducted 2017
Brian Wheatley was inducted into the Florida High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017 after building one of the state's top volleyball programs from scratch and turning it into a national powerhouse.
The San Jose, California, native has coached the Venice High School volleyball team for the past 24 seasons, compiling an impressive 596-152 record. Including 17-consecutive 20-win seasons, the former Auburn University volleyball star has coached Venice to five state championships (1998, 2005, 2012, 2014, 2017), 11 regional championships and a staggering 22 district titles. He also finished state runner-up in 1997 and 2004.
Off the court, Wheatley stressed academics as much as athletics, having helped nearly 50 student-athletes receive volleyball scholarships at the collegiate level. In addition, 17 of his former players have gone into the volleyball coaching field. In 2008 and 2009, Venice was named the FHSAA Academic State Champions for their work in the classroom.
In his spare time, Wheatley has served multiple terms on the FHSAA Volleyball Advisory Committee. The 11-time Sarasota Herald Tribune Coach of the Year also volunteered as the District 16 volleyball Chairperson for the Florida Athletic Coaches Association. When he's not promoting the game of volleyball, Wheatley speaks at numerous events, including service clubs such as Rotary and Sertoma.
The three-time Florida Dairy Farmer's Class 7A State Coach of the Year is also a member of the Venice Sports Hall of Fame and the USA Volleyball Florida Region Hall of Fame.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Having listened to some of the new live Smashing Pumpkins material
it would appear at least that Corgan has reverted back to the old Pumpkins sound http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPaOWKfE_fI&feature=related
Still very dubious about if it'll be any good mind
He'll only hurt us again
yeah the reviews from this tour have been "not as terrible"
I was just thinking last night that there hadn't been any Teargarden tracks released for a while.
This sounds not bad.
I gave up on Smashing Pumpkins a long time ago.
After 3rd album, to be precise. Mind you, 3 brilliant albums should be enough for any band!
Like someone once said, mediocrity lasts forever, but genius is perishable...Corgan lost it, and he ain't getting it back.
I love Adore, I think it's an amazing album.
In fact I was quite pissed off when I accidentally broke my copy this week.
It was the last truly great record Corgan did, but I don't think it's their best, by some distance.
Number 4 in the UK album chart and a Grammy nomination
Two of the very best indicators of an album's quality.
Not sure I really need to get a list of albums that have reached 4 in the album chart and received Grammy nominations do I?
I'll just sign off this post with the words Grammy award winning number 1 artist Joss Stone.noise_annoys this'd this
What the Dickens are you on about?
How many absolute cack albums have reached number 4 in the charts? Similarly how many classic indie albums didn't even chart? How much sentimental commercial toss has been nominated for a grammy? How many classic albums and revered artists haven't? It's just a stupid assertion.
I like Adore, for the record. I was mainly poking fun at you for being a bit of a wally, but I'm not sure I even needed to!
I love adore
and I do really like perfect (particuarly live) but the problem with it is that its an attempt to re-write 1979. Also Corgan's totally loves himself by this point.
adore is not their best album
it has loads of filler, is inconsistent (songs like ava adore are so out of place), it lacks jimmy chamberlin so isn't really a proper pumpkins album. I was a big pumpkins fan back in the day, I found quite often people who didnt even like them saying "oh adore is their best album" in a deliberate alternative opinion kind of way it really annoyed me (not saying you are one of those people), but yeah its got some great songs on it but it is more of a billy corgan solo album than a proper pumpkins albumthis'd this
id say it was atleast partially correct
Mainly the bit about chamberlin, id say the pumpkins were 40% chaberlin, an album without him could not be their best by definition
I agree with all of this
Adore is an album I grew to love over the years without actually listening to it. Then I went and ruined my memories of it by actually listening to it. Some great highlights seperated by huge chunks of nothing.
- this'd this
not this at all,
it's a good album, and would be the best album by many bands but not a band who have Gish, Siamese Dream & melon collie in thier back catalogue.DeadJames this'd this
^precisely this
except for the fact that I rate Melon Collie only as equal to Adore.
I used to feel that Siamese Dream was their best,
mostly because I thought Melon Collie had a lot of filler but with a revisit I love what I used to think was filler more. I never liked Adore, thought it was poor in comparison. I was really disappointed when that came out :(
might as well throw this into the hat here.......
but Pisces Iscariot is a better 'album' than Adore also.
Any comments about Adore being better than anything that came before are pure nonsense. I'd suggest that if someone thought that they aren't really a fan of Smashing Pumkins, more just of Adore.noise_annoys this'd this
not at all, I'm suggesting that if someone prefers an album which sounds
reasonably different to a bands other albums (lets pretend Adore came out last week)then they are more of a fan of the album not the band. It has nowt to do with where that album appears in a chronological list. Adore couldn't have been their debut, 2nd or 3rd or 20th album for all I care.
If I were to take it to the extreme, and apply it to someone like say Neil Young, and I really liked 'Trans' and thought it better than early, and later, albums, then I would not think of myself as a Neil Young fan as I would only like that album. Even if I liked some other albums I'd feel the same.
Here, Adore is quite sonically different to what came before, and I can imagine a lot of people who like/don't like that think the opposite of previous stuff (and some just think it's okay)
I honestly don't think I've ever met a pumpkins fan who likes the first 3 albums but thinks Adore is better (it's not a challenge or me being a dick, just true).
Not as much though.
I really liked Melon Collie when it came out, the problem was that I thought it could have been a single album...I now know I was wrong.
I think Where Boys Fear To Tread is my favourite SP song now.
After seeing them live last week, I've found this track going round my head a lot.
Was rather worried by the lack of reviews for the tour last week but i was very glad I grabbed a couple of the new tracks from the archive.org bootlegs else I would have been a bit underwhelmed/confused. Think the new stuff takes a few listens but a couple of the quiet ones (that Pale Horse one, Pinwheels) blew me away after a few goes. So am reservedly excited to hear the album now or at least assemble an album length playlist with the good songs from this and teargarden (sorry to dispute but Freak, Tom Tom, and Owata are at least as good as Machina era Pumpkins).
Certainly wouldn't have enjoyed it at the show as I had some CUNT bellowing "PLAY SIAMESE DREAM! NO ONE CARES!" during every new song. It was 19 years ago, get over it.
- lemonbrickcombo this'd this
<stabs own head repeatedly with fork>
I think Freak is top form Pumpkins
easily part of the post-Siamese Dream cream.
After that Stitch in Time, Widow Wake My Mind and Tom Tom are all pretty decent.
Being a huge fan
of the Pumpkins and pretty much liking 99% of what Billy puts out I personally think Widow Wake My Mind is one of the worst songs he's ever written, almost embarassingly poor. Of the Teargarden songs so far Stitch In Time and Lightening Strikes stand out for me, and from the new batch of songs Pale Horse sounds pretty good.
As far as the latest tour goes, I saw them a couple of times last week (London 1 and Sheffield). The band sounded fantastic and the guitar work was as amazing as ever. The setlist for a 'hardcore' fan was probably the best they've played for years, dusting off some rarely played tracks and b-sides.
However, as has been the case pretty much since the Machina tour, their setlist did seem to lack a bit of balance and cause frustration amongst the crowd on both nights. Everytime they stepped it up a gear and had the audience fully engaged, they then seemed to lose them again by playing a 10 minute new prog song or soloing away for 5 mins at the end of a song. I thought the gigs were great but they could have been amazing with just a few little tweaks. Maybe if they'd dropped a new song or two and come out for the encore and done something like Disarm > Zero > Today > Bullet then Billy would have got the reaction he so obviously craves and a higher percentage of people would have gone away smiling.
It was a shame at the second London show where as soon as the crowd got excited by a flurry of bangers, they'd then throw in something really quite trying.
I don't expect (or want) a greatest hits set, but they've been playing an identical set all tour and you would think they'd have noticed that the people paying £37 each were spending half the show whistling and staring at the ceiling.
I saw them at Reading 95 where they played 6-7 unreleased tracks. But those were future Mellon Collie tracks, a cut above. There's an amazing bootleg of that show online and the energy and excitement of the band is really obvious.
i have that reading bootleg
and yes it is amazing. you were lucky to be there!!!! did u know the new songs were good when you first heard them (at reading)?
I actually only knew Today at that point anyway.
It still stands up as one of the best shows I've ever seen. Which, considering I hadn't previously heard 90% of what they played, really says something about how brilliant they were that night.
LOVE that bootleg
remember downloading it from Napster in about 1999 or so. it's a radio rip so the quality is excellent, and all the Mellon Collie tracks have an extra level of power and speed to them. XYU at the end = woahhhhDeadJames this'd this
I love the version of ...Ruby which was from around this time,
or maybe a bit later. It was at glasto '97, and on various other bootlegs. basically all quiet then a massive wig out. So good.
i saw them on the mellon collie tour in 96 in Brum. Absolutely incredible they were.
Gonna dig out that reading bootleg, sounds great.
there's another really good one from that tour I recommend you seek out
Vancouver GM Place, early 1997, so one of the last MC&TIS tour dates - the entire show was radio broadcast, all 2-odd hours of it, so the quality is top, and the last forty minutes are a massive Aeroplane Flies High -> Silverfuck jam.
I like the sound of that! cheers,
I'll have a look for it when I get home......hopefully a rip'll be available online somewhere?
All my pumpkins bootlegs etc were on tape so in a bag somewhere in Birmingham.........annoying!
God I love the Pumkins (well, up to that point in their life anyway!)
cheers man, appreciate that.
tonight has become pumpkins night! May even rinse out Viewphoria
I was a massive fan at the time of reading 95
had been waiting for mellon collie for what felt like forever. very difficult to take in the new tracks hearing them for the first time live interleaved with siamese and gish classics. At the time, the new songs that really stuck were Zero and XYU.
While I'm here, mainly for benefit of Codswallop who seems to be policing the opinion of those who chooses to differ from his own point of view:
Siamese>Mellon Collie>Pisces>Gish>Adore>Machina II>Machina>........>Zeitgeit>...........>Teargarden
And that's no diss of Adore, its a decent album, more a reflection of the other four I rate above it, which are all fucking ace.
Reading '95
was an amazing gig. I do remember the new songs making a very big impression on first listen, especially Porcelina which was epic. Still one of my favourite bootlegs along with Vancouver '97.
can we use this thread to talk about the Gish / Siamese Dream reissues?
I'm sure the bonus discs will be lovely and all, but is anyone a little disappointed? They feel like an exercise in putting as many PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED tracks on there, ignoring previously released material that has been out of print for years.
I have this bootleg that's essentially a flip to Pisces Iscariot - all of the b-sides that didn't make it on there, and it's pretty top. I'd much rather have bonus discs that are comprehensive rundowns of that era's b-sides than alt versions and demo versions of songs that are on the album.
i was listening to Judas O this week
there's a load of previously unreleased songs on there, and whilst some of them are ok, i'm not blown away by them
too many later period ones on there
should've said, really, the bootleg I had is all Gish/Siamese Dream era, all the stuff that didn't make it on to Pisces from those sessions but was released as b-sides or compilation tracks.
this one
all pre-Gish/Gish/SD era except tracks 16&17 (the Starchildren 7") and 18, which is I think from the vinyl version of MC&TIS
I need to hear Pisces again
i had a cassette copy that i got from the library like 15 years ago or something but i've not listened to it in years.
but yeah, it does seem too later era weighted, which is a shame.
anyway i can't wait for the reissue of siamese dream. i've never owned it. i'm slightly hoping the second cd might come on the vinyl download as it did for the refused shape of punk to come reissue download, in which case, i think i agree, having not heard those other tracks of which you speak, they'd probably be better, as they were at least released in some way rather than being just lost until now.
pisces is wonderful
despite being an LP of b-sides and offcuts, the material is all really good and it's sequenced properly. would put it as my third favourite Pumpkins LP behind Siamese Dream and Adore. it's worth picking it up properly, Corgan wrote liner notes for each song and they're a great read.
the cover of Landslide is great
but... hang on... Adore over Gish?
Adore IS better
Gish is good like, but doesn't touch the 3 albums that followed it (and piscies)
never thought much to Gish
songs sound nice live but the recordings suck a lot of the life out of them
While we're talking about em', nobody's mentioned The Aeroplane Flighs High
I'm all ill and incapable today, so I made a playlist of Mellon Collie and all the original tracks from TAFH boxset. Put it on random and you've got the most epic Pumpkins album ever.
i see it has been commented on above
but i've been reminded by the pitchfork review today. soooooooooooooo is anyone buying the re-issues? they're going straight on my christmas list as:
i) there are new liner notes apparently
ii) the dvd live performances i havent seen before
i am excited now :D
- robellovich this'd this


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This year's market activity, including the upheaval earlier this month, has translated into strong business for J. P. Morgan Chase.
Daniel Pinto, the firm's co-president and head of its investment bank, said trading was strong for the first few weeks of this year as clients stepped up amid the rise in volatility. Trading results could get a "high single-digit" boost for the quarter, he said during a question-and-answer session at the bank's annual investor outlook on Tuesday.
Last month, J. P. Morgan reported fourth quarter profit that beat expectations despite a $2.4 billion charge related to tax cuts and a challenging trading environment in its investment bank.
Current economic and business conditions indicate that recession isn't likely around the corner, according to J. P. Morgan Chase CFO Marianne Lake, who also spoke at the meeting.
"Overall, the risk of recession does not seem particularly high," she said.
Last month, J. P. Morgan announced plans to spend $20 billion over five years to raise hourly pay for some workers, add jobs and open 400 branches in new markets.
CEO Jamie Dimon, who is expected to speak later Tuesday morning, has said the tax breaks, reduced regulation and improving business climate are creating opportunities to make these investments.
This is a developing story. Return here for updates.


text:
Cleveland Rock Gym
Regular Hours:
The Cleveland Rock Gym is open to the public:
3pm-10pm on Weekdays: Monday-Friday
12pm-7pm on Weekends: Saturday & Sunday
Members and punch pass holder have additional access to the gym on weekends:
9am-7pm on Weekends: Saturday & Sunday (members and punchpass holders only)
Micro Group:
Best for two people on a tight schedule. A one-hour session for just the two members with one of our staff. They'll take care of equipment and keep you climbing for an hour.
60 minutes of roped climbing
No climbing experience necessary
All ages welcome
Any day of the week
$60 for the group / $30 deposit required at time of booking
Because we'll need to schedule additional staff, we must have at least one week's notice when booking a micro group.
Available weekdays at 4pm, 5pm, 6pm or 7pm; weekends at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm or 3pm.
Cleveland Rock Gym is not affiliated with AmericanTowns Media


text:
Tell us about yourself, your education, background, and current interests.
I am a student at Rowan University of New Jersey studying nutrition and specializing in dietetics. I am in the second year of the program at Rowan and plan to graduate with my BS in Nutrition and Dietetics in spring 2019. I am fortunate that I will be enrolled in a (soon-to-be) accelerated Coordinated Program that allows me to earn my MS degree in Nutrition while completing my supervised practice.
How did you become interested in nutrition and sports nutrition?
I am always looking for different ways to get involved in the field of sports nutrition. Specifically, I am interested in how a plant-based diet can fuel a variety of exercise and sports. I swam competitively for 10 years before becoming a competitive runner, so I am especially interested in endurance sports. Although I do not play sports for my University, I compete in local road races. I am always working towards improving my performance and my nutrition and staying competitive among other age-group athletes.
You have been involved in developing a nutrition program for Rowan athletes. Tell us about that experience and something you learned.
Fortunately, Rowan University has a strong exercise science program and there are many opportunities for me to get involved with the Rowan athletes. For example, over the summer I reached out to a few professors on campus about my interest in sports nutrition and we are now in the process of developing a nutrition program for the Rowan athletes. I have been working closely with my professors to not only develop a sports nutrition program on campus, but also to conduct research in the future. While the program and the potential research opportunities are still very new, it is exciting to have helped light the spark that will ultimately drive the development of these two valuable experiences.
What other experiences have you had in nutrition?
Because I am only in my third semester of the program, my experiences in nutrition are limited. While working to help develop the nutrition program for athletes is the project that I am most passionate about, I am also the treasurer for the Nutrition Care Club. The Nutrition Care Club is a club that I and a small group of other dietetics students worked hard to organize for the past couple of semesters. It has finally become conditionally chartered and we are constantly working on developing professional development opportunities for the dietetics students at Rowan as well as providing activities and information to the community.
What are your professional goals? Once you become a registered dietitian, what kind of work do you want to do?
My ultimate goal is to become a Registered Dietitian, but more specifically a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD). I would love to work with athletes to help fuel their performance. There is a special place in my heart for running so I would truly enjoy working with runners to help fuel their endurance endeavors. While my main goal is to become a Registered Dietitian, I'd like to become a running coach in the future! Being able to educate and support athletes is what drives my academic work every day.
Is there anything else you would like to share with other students?
My main advice to other students is to step outside of your comfort zone! Ever since starting as a student in this program, I have stepped out of my comfort zone every day. All of the opportunities that have come my way are because I have put myself out there, communicated my goals, and worked hard!


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Electronic Recruiting News
Our Rate Card
"Scruffies": The Merits of Messy Employees
(April 24, 2008) Some HR ideas that seem to go without saying deserve examination after all. For example, a lot of companies have "clean-desk" policies that they enforce on their employees. Tidiness is presumed to be next to effectiveness.
But that's not so, according to David Kirsh, cognitive science researcher at the University of California, San Diego. He distinguishes the "scruffies" with messy desks from the "neats" with clean cubicles, but says that either approach to working can be equally efficient. The worker with a cluttered desk is employing an idiosyncratic but useful method of organizing his or her files and papers. A look at the desk of the "scruffy" will reveal much about his or her tasks and priorities. But a manager, looking at the pristine, tidy work-station of a "neat", won't be able to tell if the "neat" is doing good work, bad work, or no work at all.
Kirsh's discoveries are part of the body of evidence for the benefits of "scruffiness" presented in "A Perfect Mess: The Hidden Benefits of Disorder" by Eric Abrahamson and David Freedman (Back Bay Books: 2007) Sloppiness can make work, and the rest of life, better in surprising ways.
The messy desk is emblematic of a larger phenomenon, which the authors describe formally:
"Descriptive complexity theory, a branch of information science that characterizes the sorts of resources required to solve certain problems, dictates that the amount of information that can be represented in a system increases with the randomness of the system." (p. 161)A chaotic cubicle offers lots of clues for the worker to use in prioritizing, and re-prioritizing, his tasks. It also invites him or her to make a rich array of connections among tasks, so that he or she can respond more creatively and flexibly to problems. It might take the "scruffy" more time to locate a given document or file than a "neat" would need. But the "neat" may well be expending much time in maintaining an organizational scheme that adds only marginally, or may be detrimental, to his or her working efficiency.
The authors cite the example of law firms that sometimes must provide vast amounts of documents to opposing lawyers in preparation for trials. The evidence is returned later, often in total disarray. What is the marginal utility of reorganizing the files, at great expense in time and effort? Some lawyers are giving up on re-filing; they'll save time by pawing through the boxes only when they must.
It may seem obvious that alphabetizing files is the most efficient way to order them. But consider how very many key words can be used to identify any particular document. A lot of "neat" filing turns out to be orderly-looking chaos that is almost as hard to sort through as the scattered stuff on a "scruffy's" desk… and it takes more time to maintain.
A sloppy worker can use stochastic resonance to bump up his or her productivity. The book describes in detail the many positive applications of introducing "noise" into physical and social systems. A random, otherwise meaningless signal can "bump up" a meaningful signal so that it can be detected. The authors offer the example of Arnold Schwarzenegger's highly effective yet highly disordered career - or, to be more exact, careers. The governor of the most populous state in the US doesn't keep a schedule, makes few firm appointments, and has no clear legislative philosophy. However one might opine about his politics, if they can be divined at all, nobody can doubt that he gets things done.
"He has managed to maintain a malleable public persona and a nimble agenda that's easily adjusted to take advantage of unexpected opportunities and fast-changing, unpredictable situations." (p. 77)Employers, perhaps its time to take a second look at "scruffy" applicants!
by Jim Burklo
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Nicce Mens White Byron Jacket
Sorry, this item is unavailable to buy.
The Nicce Byron Jacket in White/Mint. Designed in an overhead style that sits right on trend for this season. The jacket has a side zip entry and zip neck. Pockets are added to the waist and chest with a Nicce branding placed on the chest pocket flap. A multicoloured colour blocking is used to catch the eye and create a unique look.
- Nicce Byron Jacket
- Overhead Style
- Zip Side & Neck
- Drawcord Hood
- Waist & Chest Pockets
- Printed Nicce Branding
- Adjustabel Waist
- Rear Print
- Colourblock Design
Info & Care
- 100% Polyester
- Cold Wash
- Do Not Tumble Dry
We aim to dispatch all orders placed before 15:30 on the same day, Monday – Friday. Orders placed after 15:30 or placed at weekends/bank holidays will be dispatched on the next working day (working days are classed as Mon-Fri).
Please see the Delivery page for further information.
Masdings offer 7 delivery options across the UK, Europe and Rest of the world, for more details check the delivery page.
Please return the item(s) to us in their original condition complete with labels* within 14 days of receipt in a protective postage bag/box.
For more information please see the Shipping & Returns page.


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Paying homage to the fallen
I write almost exclusively about unknown service men on this blog which pays homage to the veterans and the fallen.
Arthur James Horrell is one of them.
His name is found here.
The new pilots who joined the squadron at Gander (and remained at least a month) included Sgts G. E. Urquhart and P. G. Bockman (November), F/L Gilbertson, Sgts L. B. Foster, D. F. Bridges and W. I. Williams (December), P/O J. Yule (January 43), F/Os F. W. Ward and C. E. Scarlett and P/O G. F. Ockenden (April), P/O A. J. Horrell and F/S J. C. Badgley (May), P/Os S. Bregman and W. A. Aziz, Sgts H. W. Summerfeldt and M. R. Sabourin (June).
On the morning of December 23, 1943, the advance party of No. 129 Squadron arrived to take over No. 127's duties at Dartmouth and a happy band of officers and airmen boarded a…
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Pall Filter Specialists, Inc. CBFP Bag Filter VesselsWhen looking for a cost-effective single-bag filter vessel that is both durable and reliable, look to the FSI CBFP series vessels. Although the standard CBFP series vessels do not carry an ASME Code stamp, you can still realize the benefits of an economic filter vessel that is manufactured to the same high standards and engineering expertise that characterizes all of our other FSI vessels.
Manufacturer's Website


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2018 Rising Stars nominations sought
Nominations are open for the 2018 Generation NEXT: Savannah's Rising Stars of Business.
Now in its eighth year and presented by Business in Savannah, Generation NEXT recognizes the most promising "Under 40" professionals in our community. Nominees should be focused on philanthropy, community service and progress for our area, as well as on generating business success and growth.
The nomination form can be found on businessinsavannah.com. Nominations will be accepted through Friday, Nov. 24.
Winners will be recognized in the January 2018 issue of Business in Savannah.
Business In Savannah is part of the Morning News Media network of publications, including the SavannahMorning News and savannahnow.com owned by GateHouse Media.
Lunch program focuses on digital marketing
Georgia Tech-Savannah's Learners &Lunch program will focus on helping marketers plan for next year.
The lunch program will feature speaker Belinda Baugniet, former head of marketing, Canada, for Yahoo!, and current director of marketing, Canada, at Ebates Inc. Her ability to "speak tech" without "speaking like a techie" helped to augment the Yahoo! brand and develop more effective ways to capture data and present global branded content as part of the international marketing team. Baugniet's experience has provided a deep understanding of the ever-changing online landscape and the best ways to connect with consumers and clients in this space.
Lunch &networking begins at 11:30 a.m.; program runs noon to 1 p.m. at the Savannah Morning News auditorium, 1375 Chatham Parkway. Register at https://pe.gatech.edu/savannah-campus/courses/learning-series.
Dental group plans free service day
Howard Family Dental will offer its annual Free Dental Day Nov. 17.
The staff and dentists at Howard Family Dental will provide one free service for both children and adults; choose a cleaning, filling or extraction. The event is first-come, first-serve and is limited to the first 200 people.
Over the last few years, the event has grown and includes many community organizations. America's Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia and Target Distribution bring food for individuals and families that are suffering with food insecurity. Strickland's Funeral Home and Calvary Assembly of God generously allow parking and many local restaurants offer food donations for their volunteers.
Numbers will be handed out the day of the event, beginning at 6:30 a.m. The event is held at its Pooler location, 91 Brighton Woods Drive, every year the Friday before Thanksgiving to give thanks and appreciation to the community.
Last year, Howard Family Dental Free Dental Day served 225 people and completed $65,000 worth of services.
For more information and directions, go to www.howardfamilydental.com.
Contact Susan Catron, Executive Editor at 912-652-0327 or email@example.com.


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Anime Reporter begins a new type of segment today, offering up thoughts and feelings in real time in response to a variety of films. I'll be starting things off with the Star Wars films, starting, unfortunately, with Episode 01- The Phantom Menace. Here we go!
00:25- I really hope this movie isn't as terrible as I remember.
00:56- Is it a terrible sign when the first in a series of prequels needs floating space-exposition before anything has even happened? I know it's tradition by this point, but I count this as an ominous sign, even if I do already know the outcome.
02:00- Wow… these trade federation aliens really resemble a racist parody of Asian people. Like, really racist.
03:00- So there's another robot identical to C3PO in this scene? Why did I feel like it was supposed to be super impressive that Anakin built C3PO the first time round? Isn't he just a standard model or something?
06:00- Oh my God. These bad guys talking feel like a really bad fan-production.
08:00- Just what Star Wars needed, endless bureaucracy instead of an actual plot.
09:00- How is it that I remember so little of this bilge?
09:30- This council meeting feels like everyone is reading their scripts for the first time.
11:00- Oh no… the lanky CGI doofus has already arrived.
11:30- Jar Jar is already incredibly annoying.
12:30- I know this CGI is 17 years old, but I feel like even if he looked perfect, Jar Jar would still seem entirely out of place and unconvincing in these conversations.
14:30- Jar Jar is so annoying!
17:00- Jar Jar's whole race seems annoying.
20:25- For the second time in five minutes, the Jedi's submarine-thing was chased by a giant fish, which was then eaten by an even bigger fish. Who approved this script?
23:00- I'm not doubting the skills of a Jedi, but phoning in fights thsi much can't be good strategy.
24:00- Every time someone says "Senate" or "chancellor", I can feel my eyes glazing over.
24:30- More incredibly phoned-in lightsaber waving-around.
26:00- How can they even put a blockade on an entire planet? I saw, like a dozen ships in that "blockade". One of the noticeable things about space is that it extends in three dimensions, no way could they enforce this blockade.
28:00- They are bringing a repair droid to the queen to be thanked for doing its basic job of repairing the ship. If it wasn't R2D2 this would never happen.
28:45- The "queen" orders Padme to clean the droid in another room. Since Padme is really the queen in disguise, I feel like her stand-in wants some unsupervised time on the throne, or else Padme discreetly told her to order her out of the throne room so she could do some manual labour instead of attending to her queenly duties? Either way, this is a weird move.
30:00- Now that I think about it, what does "a disturbance in the Force" actually mean? Isn't that super general?
31:15- Jar Jar stepped in poop and the movie gave this moment more attention than it deserved. I feel like I'm supposed to be laughing. I'm not though.
31:45- This alien seems like a super racist stereotype of a Middle Eastern person.
32:00- Oh crap, now the little annoying dweeb is here. I can't for any scene featuring him and Jar Jar.
32:30- "Are you an angel?" *Vomits at dialogue and delivery*
33:20- Padme: "You're a slave?" Anakin: "I'm a person and my name is Anakin!"- he said that as if slaves aren't usually people. Also, (unpopular opinion alert!) this kid cannot act.
34:25- Middle Eastern Alien is super, super racist.
37:00-Anakain Skywalker fails to convince me he has ever had a conversation before.
39:20- Seriously, kid! Not every sentence should have the same inflection.
40:15- Forty minutes in and I still don't care about any of this.
41:00- Anakin and his mother chat very casually to these strangers about being enslaved and fitted with explosive implants.
42:30- Why are these people telling an annoying random 8 year-old confidential details about their covert mission?
43:55- Anakin convinces his mother to let him be in the pod race with one sentence. This means he must be a Jedi because he didn't even manage to convince me he knew what any of his own words meant or how they should fit in a sentence.
46:10- Anakin fails to convicne me he knows how to cross his arms like a person who's used them before.
47:25- Anakin's mother claims that her son has no father and Liam Neeson's character just accepts it.
48:45- Jar Jar's mouth goes numb and he becomes not one iota less annoying.
56:00- The practical effects and alien costumes might not be perfect but at least I believe they're in the scene.
57:00- Jar Jar reacts to a big quasi-camel farting. I loathe everything he brings to this film.
57:20- In the middle of a very public arena, Sebulba tampers with Anakin's racer and everyone, including two powerful and perceptive Jedi, fails to notice.
59:55- Just about an hour in and we finally get to see Professor Flitwick in the audience. Just in time for Quidditch too!
1:03:15- This pod race is… if I'd wanted to be bored out of my mind I could have watched actual sports.
1:05:30- A guy crashed and the announcer said "I don't care what universe you're from, that's gotta hurt!"- Why? Why would anyone who didn't know they were in a sci-fi movie say that?
1:06:30- Every time something in this race goes wrong, Anakin just flicks some switches and fixes it all. I don't know what any of these switches are for. I don't know if he's doing something brilliant or just standard I.T. stuff. Nothing in this race means anything to me.
1:09:35- Anakin's friends fail to pull off a celebration hug/high five as he crosses the finishing line and this matters far more to me than the fact that he won.
1:12:00- Anakin has been freed and he uses the exact same tone of voice as when he talks about everything else. This kid cannot act.
1:15:25- Seriously. This kid cannot act.
1:16:50- Anakin fails to jump to the ground in a way that convinces me he's experienced gravity before.
1:18:00- Liam Neeson cheerily introduces Obi Wan to his future murderer and Anakin to the guy who'll one day dismember him, abandon him on a scalding bit of rock ad kidnap his children, one of whom he'll train against him. It's a surprisingly casual moment.
1:20:45- Senator Palpatin, eh? That guy who precisely resembles the emperor in voice and appearance? He seems like a good dude to put your trust in.
1:22:25- What the hell is Jar Jar even saying half the time? Does it matter?
1:24:53- Someone finally says "May the Force be with you"- My Irish Catholic upbringing prompts me to expect a response of "And also with you". That programming runs deep.
1:25:25- Liam Neeson says that he thinks Anakin's father is the Force-bacteria stuff and two Jedi councillors look mortified on his behalf.
1:27:00 Big-ass Republic Senate meeting starts and I'm just looking out for all those little ETs I've seen in Youtube videos.
1:29:06- I see some! I see some ETs. Also, there is literally a vote of no-confidence in a senator being proposed in order to put an end to the complications of bureaucracy. Why is this a Star Wars film?
1:31:15- Jar Jar casually walks up to a depressed Queen Padme to ask her if she's thinking about all her people might die because she's failed to convince the Senate to help them. She actually answers him instead of having him decapitated or something.
1:36:25- Liam Neeson reveals that the Force is made of bacteria. Not cool. I remembered this from previous viewings, but still, it's not a proud moment for the series.
1:39:45- Every single thing that Jar Jar says is pointless. He should be removed entirely from the movie, not just for my state of mind, but also from a basic storytelling standpoint.
1:42:42- Anakin fails to say the line "Alright" convincingly.
1:43:45- Padme openly admits to using her new allies as cannon fodder, just moments after forming an alliance based on her not thinking she's better than them.
1:45:00- I'm no filmmaker, but these screen wipes between scenes are not good.
1:46:30- The queen and an untrained child are part of the super covert infiltration mission because…?
1:47:00- While the troops are stealing space-fighters, anakin decides to hide in the cockpit of a space fighter… to stay out of trouble?
1:49:14- Jar Jar's people fighting CGI droids. Nothing is real and I care about none of it.
1:53:00- Anakin is outacted in credibility and personality by R2D2.
1:53:47- Jar Jar is so annoying.
1:54:00- Anakin proclaims "This is tense" in the middle of a space dogfight in exactly the same tone that he used for being excited about being freed from slavery. This. Kid. Cannot. Act.
1:54:06- Oh my God. This kid can't act.
1:55:00- 3 Jedi in a lightsaber fight. Somebody's going to put an eye out if they're not careful. Oh, no, wait, it's fine. They're phoning it in.
1:56:20- Implausible laser shields on timers because….why?
1:58:50- This kid can't act.
2:04:00- Bad CGI Darth Maul falls to his death. Was he the phantom menace? What was the phantom menace? Not the emperor, I hope. I saw that senator dude coming a mile away. So, who?
2:05:45- Racist Alien Parody aliens are defeated and their punishment is… more bureaucracy?
2:07:42- Dozens of people must have died in this mission, but everyone goes to the funeral of just one Jedi. Pays to be a main character, I guess.
2:09:56- What the hell kind of ending is this? Who cares about peace between two planets which we've only experienced through the eyes of their leaders and inept comic relief! I'm honestly getting more drama and suspense from the score of the end credits that I did from the events of this entire film.
Final Verdict: No real surprise here, my big take-away is 'That kid can't act and Jar Jar is annoying.' Still, I recall enjoying Episode 03, so it's not too much longer before Star Wars gets good again. I can do this.


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The right to live freely and to live expressively. There are some believing that they should control others. Slavery was abolished but if individuals choose to allow themselves to become slaves then that's their choice but they should stand up. I'm "refusing" to give in and won't allow the so called dictators to cause my decline. There is a future here and no matter what's said "Tanikka Paulk was chosen and they'll have to drag me=Tanikka Paulk out of the house here in Miami, Florida,
Peace is what I'm seeking and I've obtained they refuse to see me=Tanikka Paulk face to face. Online is where they display their antics I'm courageous. My attitude is adjusted but here's what they don't know is that I"m holding the "proof." Rights are supplied and every person has rights. The rapper "Nas" has rights and he should stand up! I Tanikka Paulk certainly wasn't born in the 60's and wouldn't want to go there. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for the rights of Black People and wanted the unifying of the White race alongside the Black race.
There has been some progress however there seems to be the misconception that Black People only want to bring down their own race. Certainly appears as such but there are many wanting to build perhaps with their friends or associates but at least there is some building. It seems as though there are more tearing down instead of building up but there is still progress and some of the progress is unseen. "People sometimes cause their own declines by projecting their own hatefulness." (Tanikka Paulk). Who do they want Tanikka Paulk to become?
God created Daughter and now they want to convince me=Tanikka Paulk that I'm the un=chosen. No! Scripture entails what they need to know and the documentation is further "proof" of such. There is the desire to proceed confidently. Every move made is under a microscope. Yes, they're watching me! There is quietness here and the neighborhood seems to be filled with the chirping of birds. The cars are steadily passing by. They're wanting to control but my journey consist of "building up." There is the focus to move forwardly.
Progress needs to occur and although there are some wanting to administer distractions. I'm focused on what areas need the attention. There is more than the eyes have seen. I'm for "Them." For the law because they've helped the Police assisted and will continue to perform their duties. Upholding the law is what we should be searching for. Then is any group of People. There are some irritants wanting to use certain words to control others to project hatefulness in order to stop the persons from using the words. I've worked with Police Officers and will continue to do so.
Laws have been broken and what should some face? There should be the consequences however there are some really needing mentoring in order to get on the right track or to remain on the right track. The faces have tried to intimidate but a courageous and brave person will stand up and continue to move ahead confidently. I've held the Bible in my "right" hand and called out to the Lord God the Father of Jesus Christ. There is prayer continuing and meditation. What they're after isn't what I'm going to give to the persons.
More Reads Right Here!
Featured Image Credited to Pixabay
"Haven'[t Convinced Tanikka Paulk that I'm Unworthy the Tricks Won't Prevent the Excelling." (Tanikka Paulk)


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OnePlus has re-entered the market with a new premium smartphone. With its mammoth display and more lenses than before, could it finally have a real hit on its hands?
One of the most understated manufacturers in the smartphone market, OnePlus is known for launching two smartphones a year in its numbered series, and has built up a loyal following among Android users.
Joining the roster is the OnePlus 7 Pro (available from 21 May), its most ostentatious smartphone yet. From the pop-up front-facing camera and triple rear-lens array to promises of lightning-fast charging and a cutting-edge display, the 7 Pro undoubtedly has some head-turning specs. We spent a week with the device to bring you our hands-on verdict. Click through to the review below, or read on for the key features that could make the OnePlus 7 Pro a serious contender.
We also run the rule over OnePlus' other announcements, including the OnePlus 7 (available in June), the Pro 5G (TBC) and the new Bullets Wireless 2.
The OnePlus 7 Pro is a giant, but is it a giant-killer? Read our OnePlus 7 Pro review to find out.
Key features of the OnePlus 7 Pro
OnePlus is taking the challenge seriously this year, and boasts features to rival some of the most expensive models on the market. Here are the highlights:
Pop up 16Mp camera
OnePlus has made the bold decision to opt for a pop-up front-facing camera. This has never been done by the manufacturer, and in fact only a handful of models from the likes of Samsung, Oppo and Xiaomi, have gone to such lengths to give us a full view display experience.
The benefit, of course, is the all-screen display – not a notch or hole-punch in sight. It's a 16Mp lens that should do a fair job as a selfie-cam, and if you want to use it to unlock the phone, OnePlus claims it'll pop up ready for action in only 0.53 seconds.
Triple-lens rear camera with Ultra-wide
Once you're finished tinkering with the front camera, your attention might move to the back of the phone and the triple camera set up. The new rear-camera trio is fronted by a 48Mp main camera sensor, with a f/1.7 aperture. We're no stranger to a 48Mp lens, as seen on the Honor View 20, but we are impressed to see that OnePlus have rallied a 16Mp Ultra-wide angle lens and an 8Mp telephoto lens into the setup as well.
The Ultra-wide angle lens has a 117 degree field of view, which isn't as wide as the Samsung Galaxy S10's 123-degree field of view but may still deliver excellent pictures. The 8Mp telephoto lens has a 10x digital zoom and 3x optical zoom.
Mammoth 6.67-inch Display
The OnePlus 7 Pro is the biggest-screen smartphone that the manufacturer has made to date – a curved 6.67-inch Quad HD AMOLED that boasts a 90Hz refresh rate and supports HDR 10, meaning it can produce brighter picture quality.
OnePlus has never shied away from creating large screen smartphones. Its 2017 OnePlus 5T, came in at 6.01-inches which got bigger the following year with the OnePlus 6T matching other premium competitors at 6.4-inches. Taking the phablet trend to new heights, the 7 Pro is in fact the biggest display we've seen.
Big battery and fast charging
Every manufacturer (and likely every consumer) dreams of a smartphone that charges quickly and lasts for ages. OnePlus has joined the conversation to try and take the crown in this category.
The OnePlus 7 Pro has a 4,000mAh battery, its biggest yet. Using its Warp Charge 30 functionality, the 7 Pro promises to go from 0 to 50% in just 20 minutes. These claims may have once seemed implausible but with the likes of the Oppo RX17 Pro shooting up to 54% after only 15-minutes of charging, we're hopeful that the 7 Pro might be able to achieve its claims in our tests.
Unfortunately, if you're an avid wireless charger you'll be disappointed. The OnePlus 7 Pro doesn't have wireless charging functionality, though if it charges as fast as it claims, this may be a sacrifice you're willing to make.
Streamlined user experience with OxygenOS
OxygenOS is OnePlus' customised Android skin, and its received some updates since the release of its last smartphone. OnePlus has introduced a number of new modes including a gaming mode to mute notifications for an uninterrupted play experience, and a zen mode, which helps you to take a break from your phone by only allowing you to take photos, make and receive calls for a certain amount of time once it's activated.
There's also a new recording feature that allows you to record both internal and external audio, perfect if you're recording a commentary on your phone.
Big screen rivals to the OnePlus 7 Pro
OnePlus has form when it comes to big smartphones. The 6.4-inch OnePlus 6T was big enough, but by increasing this further it clearly believes the market for big-screen smartphones is here to stay. Take a glance at its main rivals:
|OnePlus 7 Pro
|Huawei P30 Pro
|Apple iPhone XS Max
|Samsung Galaxy S10+
|Screen size
|6.67 inches
|6.47 inches
|6.5 inches
|6.4 inches
|162.6 x 76 x 8.8mm
|158 x 73.4 x 8.4mm
|157.5 x 77.4 x 7.7mm
|157.6 x 74.1 x 7.8mm
Is it the biggest phone we've ever seen? Yes. And the thickest, and the heaviest. However, it also has the biggest display, and with the trade off of a massive notch-free panel on which to enjoy content this might be enough for some.
We've already spent a week with the new phone and you can read our hands-on review of the OnePlus 7 Pro to find out what we thought. It's also working its way through our tough test lab, so check back soon for the full verdict to see if it's a serious rival to some of the biggest smartphones on the market.
OnePlus 7 – from £499
All eyes might be on the OnePlus 7 Pro but a less domineering model is also available in the form of the OnePlus 7. Here to take over from the OnePlus 6, the 7 showcases a number of improvements, starting with an upgrade from Snapdragon 845 to Snapdragon 855 and a rear camera setup with more than twice the megapixels. The 6T houses a dual rear camera (16Mp and 20Mp) but the 7 goes much further to match the OnePlus 7 Pro's 48Mp rear camera as a dual lens. You won't be gifted with the same wide-angle lens found on the 7 Pro but OnePlus promises that the OnePlus 7 will impress, and produce pictures which are both 'accurate' and 'true to life'.
The OnePlus 7 will feature the same streamlined OxygenOS experience plus in-screen fingerprint scanner – which is said to be 36% bigger than the previous iteration – and 3,7000mAh battery that we saw in the OnePlus 6T.
OnePlus 7 Pro 5G – £TBC
OnePlus also unveiled the 5G version of its 7 Pro, but much like Samsung's Galaxy S10 5G, it won't be available for a little while. It is confirmed that it will be exclusively available through EE but very little else has been revealed as to when we can expect it on the shelves. Stay tuned for an update when we have more information.
OnePlus Bullets Wireless 2 – £99
To replace the first iteration of the Bullets Wireless headphones, the Bullets Wireless 2 has the same design but has been refreshed with some big changes. The necklace itself is slightly bigger – this has been done intentionally to accommodate a larger battery, to boost time between charges.
Notably, OnePlus has claimed that just 10 minutes of charge will give you an incredible 10 hours of use, while a full charge will last up to 14 hours. It has also managed to boost the number of sound drivers since the last model from 1 to 3, to allow the headphones to handle a wider range of frequencies and produce clearer treble.
OnePlus will be hoping it makes its way into our list of the very best smartphones.


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Zoroark is a Dark-type Pokémon from Generation V. It evolves from Zorua at Level 30.
Zoroark is a fox-like Pokémon covered mainly in dark grayish fur. It has a pointed muzzle, red lining around its eyes and mouth, teal eyes, a fluffy black ruff of fur around its neck, and a long, voluminous crimson red spiky mane with gray tips. A teal-colored band encircles the bottom part of Zoroark's mane like a ponytail. It has three sharp red claws on both its hands and feet.
Zoroark is able to stand upright on two legs like a biped, but it usually runs upon its forelimbs.
Zoroark are mysterious and sometimes mischievous Pokémon, although they are generally more serious than their pre-evolution Zorua. They are very protective of their homes and their family. They will use illusions to trick enemies and prevent them from entering their lair.
Special abilities
Zoroark can create incredibly realistic illusions. They can transform into both people and other Pokémon. They use their illusory powers to protect their lair and their pack. They have the ability to fool a large group of people simultaneously with their illusion-generating powers.
Zoroark is the evolved form of Zorua as of level 30.
Game Info
Game locations
|Lostlorn Forest
|Black 2/White 2
|Evolve Zorua
|Winding Woods, Pokémon Village
|Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire
|Evolve Zorua
|Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon
|Poni Grove
A female Zoroark appears the in the Pokémon movie Zoroark: Master of Illusions. In the movie, Zorua called Zoroark "Meema" (Pronounced Mee-Mah) throughout. "Meema" was Zorua's way of calling Zoroark his mom.
- Zoroark is the first Unova Pokémon ever seen in the anime; specifically, in the movie Zoroark: Master of Illusions.
- In Black 2/White 2, a Backpacker talks to you about Zoroark and a new TM you received. The hiker is later revealed to be a Zoroark under disguise of a Backpacker, then you notice it escaped.
- Despite getting N's Zorua from the house in Driftveil City in Pokémon Black 2/White 2, N still appears to have a Zoroark, which leads you to N's Castle.
- Zoroark, Zorua and Ditto are the only Pokémon that can transform into humans and other Pokémon in the games; however, in the movie Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias, Latias was also shown to have that ability.
Zoroark is likely to be based on the kitsune of Japanese folklore; a shape-shifting, mythical fox that would trick unsuspecting travelers for fun. This is similar to Ninetales, another Pokémon based on the kitsune, although Zoroark is based on the darker variant.
Zoroark's name comes from zorro, which is Spanish for "fox", and "dark".


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Perhaps you'll dine with your beloved accompanied with a view of Snowdonia, or a roaring fire? Or maybe with a view over the beach dunes? Well, that's what Park Leisure's collection of on-park restaurants is offering to Valentine's couples this year - with a carefully-crafted, reasonably-priced menu to boot!
Oh, and don't forget that glass of prosecco upon arrival, too.
Let's be honest, no-one wants to be responsible for making the wrong choice for a romantic Valentine's meal. So, if you're looking for the perfect way to say 'I love you' with food, you'll be guaranteed to leave your special someone absolutely thrilled by dining at any of our 5-Star restaurants over the Valentine's period.
For an unforgettable dining experience that is guaranteed to impress, try The Old Boat House at Brynteg. The bistro has picturesque views and an irresistible, delectable menu packed with carefully-sourced seasonal produce. Three courses, stunning scenery and a glass of bubbly - for only £20! Do note, however, that unlike our other restaurants, The Old Boat House is open to owners and holiday-makers only.
At The Old Storehouse, Amble Links, the team are proud to have scoured the North East to create dishes full of high-quality, locally-sourced produce. As if three, delicious course weren't enough, how does a fourth course of chocolates and coffee - along with a glass of prosecco - sound? Especially for only £25? Don't miss out on a romantic, luxury dinner at an unbelievable price… get in touch with their team and book now!
At The Old Barnhouse at Malvern View, a romantic, three-course meal awaits in rustic, cosy setting. Traditional with a contemporary twist, the restaurant's timber-framed barn setting promises a divine dining experience, with a luxury menu that has something for everyone.
Treat your Valentine to a little slice of Italy on the beautiful Cornish coast - with stunning views over Par Sands beach. The team at Milo's are cooking up an absolute treat and can't wait to welcome you and your special someone for a romantic, luxurious three-course meal.
Perhaps you'd like to dine in style at The Pheasant, Allerthorpe? Their new, stunning surroundings ooze style - and their ingredients boast the best of Yorkshire. No better way of expressing your undying love than by taking your beloved here, we'd say.
Last, but certainly not least, The New Inn at Oyster Bay. The expert chefs at this coastal restaurant have curated one of the most imaginative menus you could imagine - perfect for tantalising the taste buds of your Valentine!
16th June 2020
Cook up your favorite food, grab your blanket and head to your favorite park for a picnic.
16th June 2020
Take the next week to do something for you each day. Do an activity you enjoy, call a friend or finally read that book.
3rd June 2020
Keep active on your bike and find out to join in with national bike week.
N.B. All holiday home images are for visual purposes only. All holiday homes will be provided according to the grade booked, however the holiday home model may vary upon arrival.


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First Look // Air Jordan 11 "Platinum"
It's Jordan 11 SZN.
The holiday season is owned by the Air Jordan 11, and thankfully, we're closing in on the silly season. So prepare yourself (and your finances), because Jordan 11 season is almost upon us.
Added to the roster this year is a Platinum Tint colorway, which brings with it some Chicago-inspired colors. While it sounds clean on paper, it looks kinda dirty. But let's not jump to conclusions straight away (try telling that to my ex!). Let's wait on more images to surface before we make the call.
The Air Jordan 11 "Platinum Tint" releases this October, at select Jordan Brand retailers and of course on Nike.com for 220 bones.
Air Jordan 11
Color: Platinum Tint/Sail-University Red
Style Code: 378037-016
Release Date: October 2018
Price: $220
Where to Buy: Nike.com


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Determining whether to purchase a wooden breadbox or stainless steel breadbox is a personal preference, but consider other factors. Picking the breadbox that goes best with the kitchen design or how much bread you use can also determine which bread box you need. Both types of bread boxes have their advantages, even though one may be better than the other for the purpose you intend.
Wood Breadbox
A wooden breadbox has been a storage container found in the kitchen of most homes for hundreds of years. The box helps keep the bread from going stale, but is made of a material that can decay. As the wooden breadbox ages, the wood can collect moisture and begin to deteriorate. Very few vintage wooden breadboxes can be found because of this reason. Damage to a wooden breadbox occurs more easily than other breadboxes on the market.
Stainless Steel Breadbox
The stainless steel breadbox is a more durable material than the wooden boxes. A box made of this material keeps the bread fresh longer than the wooden box. The wooden breadbox does not provide the same amount of seal from outside elements as the stainless steel breadbox, so the bread will last longer. The lid of a stainless steel bread box can slide through a plastic track that seals the lids better than the lid found on the wooden design.
A lot of homeowners prefer the wooden breadbox because of the cosmetic feature it provides with their wooden cabinets. A stainless steel breadbox is generally found in homes that also have stainless steel appliances, such as the refrigerator or stove. Each box protects the bread from the elements, but the design of the kitchen can also determine the type of box you purchase.
One of the major differences between a wooden breadbox and a stainless steel breadbox is the ability to clean each type. Cleaning the wooden breadbox is much more difficult than cleaning the stainless steel breadbox. The stainless steel does not allow liquids or bread particles to penetrate the surface, while wooden boxes can become stained or allow bread particles to remain in the cracks of the wood grain.
Insects can gain access to a wooden breadbox more easily than a stainless steel breadbox. The sealing techniques available for the stainless steel breadbox is better than the sealing agents for the wooden breadbox. The wooden box is spliced together and has a joint at every corner of the box, where the stainless steel box can be welded together at each corner or have an airtight seal.
Mitchell Brock
Mitchell Brock has been writing since 1980. His work includes media relations and copywriting technical manuals for Johnson & Johnson, HSBC, FOX and Phillip Morris. Brock graduated from the University of Southern California in 1980, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English.