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Introduction :: Grenada
Carib Indians inhabited Grenada when Christopher COLUMBUS discovered the island in 1498, but it remained uncolonized for more than a century. The French settled Grenada in the 17th century, established sugar estates, and imported large numbers of African slaves. Britain took the island in 1762 and vigorously expanded sugar production. In the 19th century, cacao eventually surpassed sugar as the main export crop; in the 20th century, nutmeg became the leading export. In 1967, Britain gave Grenada autonomy over its internal affairs. Full independence was attained in 1974 making Grenada one of the smallest independent countries in the Western Hemisphere. In 1979, a leftist New Jewel Movement seized power under Maurice BISHOP ushering in the Grenada Revolution. On 19 October 1983, factions within the revolutionary government overthrew and killed BISHOP and members of his party. Six days later the island was invaded by US forces and those of six other Caribbean nations, which quickly captured the ringleaders and their hundreds of Cuban advisers. The rule of law was restored and democratic elections were reinstituted the following year and have continued since then.
Geography :: Grenada
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago12 07 N, 61 40 WCentral America and the Caribbeantotal: 344 sq kmland: 344 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 208twice the size of Washington, DC0 km121 kmterritorial sea: 12 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nmtropical; tempered by northeast trade windsvolcanic in origin with central mountainslowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: Mount Saint Catherine 840 mtimber, tropical fruitagricultural land: 32.3% (2011 est.)arable land: 8.8% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 20.6% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 2.9% (2011 est.)forest: 50% (2011 est.)other: 17.7% (2011 est.)20 sq km (2012)approximately one-third of the population is found in the capital of St. George's; the island's population is concentrated along the coast
lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to November
volcanism: Mount Saint Catherine (840 m) lies on the island of Grenada; Kick 'em Jenny, an active submarine volcano (seamount) on the Caribbean Sea floor, lies about 8 km north of the island of Grenada; these two volcanoes are at the southern end of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends up to the Netherlands dependency of Saba in the northdeforestation causing habitat destruction and species loss; coastal erosion and contamination; pollution and sedimentation; inadequate solid waste managementparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreementsthe administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada
People and Society :: Grenada
113,094 (July 2020 est.)country comparison to the world: 190noun: Grenadian(s)adjective: GrenadianAfrican descent 82.4%, mixed 13.3%, East Indian 2.2%, other 1.3%, unspecified 0.9% (2011 est.)English (official), French patoisProtestant 49.2% (includes Pentecostal 17.2%, Seventh Day Adventist 13.2%, Anglican 8.5%, Baptist 3.2%, Church of God 2.4%, Evangelical 1.9%, Methodist 1.6%, other 1.2%), Roman Catholic 36%, Jehovah's Witness 1.2%, Rastafarian 1.2%, other 5.5%, none 5.7%, unspecified 1.3% (2011 est.)0-14 years: 23.23% (male 13,709/female 12,564)15-24 years: 14.14% (male 8,034/female 7,959)25-54 years: 40.05% (male 23,104/female 22,187)55-64 years: 11.69% (male 6,734/female 6,490)65 years and over: 10.89% (male 5,774/female 6,539) (2020 est.)total dependency ratio: 50.5youth dependency ratio: 35.8elderly dependency ratio: 14.7potential support ratio: 6.8 (2020 est.)total: 33.3 yearsmale: 33.1 yearsfemale: 33.4 years (2020 est.)country comparison to the world: 990.38% (2020 est.)country comparison to the world: 16414.6 births/1,000 population (2020 est.)country comparison to the world: 1258.3 deaths/1,000 population (2020 est.)country comparison to the world: 78-2.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2020 est.)country comparison to the world: 171approximately one-third of the population is found in the capital of St. George's; the island's population is concentrated along the coasturban population: 36.5% of total population (2020)rate of urbanization: 0.76% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)39,000 SAINT GEORGE'S (capital) (2018)at birth: 1.1 male(s)/female0-14 years: 1.09 male(s)/female15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female55-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2020 est.)25 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)country comparison to the world: 122total: 8.9 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 8.6 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 9.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2020 est.)country comparison to the world: 141total population: 75.2 yearsmale: 72.6 yearsfemale: 78.1 years (2020 est.)country comparison to the world: 1191.96 children born/woman (2020 est.)country comparison to the world: 116improved: total: 96.8% of populationunimproved: total: 3.2% of population (2017 est.)4.8% (2017)1.41 physicians/1,000 population (2017)3.6 beds/1,000 population (2017)improved: total: 93.7% of populationunimproved: total: 6.3% of population (2017 est.)0.5% (2018)country comparison to the world: 70<500 (2018)<100 (2018)21.3% (2016)country comparison to the world: 903.2% of GDP (2017)country comparison to the world: 131definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 98.6%male: 98.6%female: 98.6% (2014 est.)total: 17 yearsmale: 16 yearsfemale: 17 years (2017)
Government :: Grenada
conventional long form: noneconventional short form: Grenadaetymology: derivation of the name remains obscure; some sources attribute the designation to Spanish influence (most likely named for the Spanish city of Granada), with subsequent French and English interpretations resulting in the present-day Grenada; in Spanish "granada" means "pomegranate"parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realmname: Saint George'sgeographic coordinates: 12 03 N, 61 45 Wtime difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)etymology: the 1763 Treaty of Paris transferred possession of Grenada from France to Great Britain; the new administration renamed Ville de Fort Royal (Fort Royal Town) to Saint George's Town, after the patron saint of England; eventually the name became simply Saint George's6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou and Petite Martinique*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick7 February 1974 (from the UK)Independence Day, 7 February (1974)history: previous 1967; latest presented 19 December 1973, effective 7 February 1974, suspended 1979 following a revolution but restored in 1983amendments: proposed by either house of Parliament; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by the membership in both houses and assent of the governor general; passage of amendments to constitutional sections, such as personal rights and freedoms, the structure, authorities, and procedures of the branches of government, the delimitation of electoral constituencies, or the procedure for amending the constitution, also requires two-thirds majority approval in a referendum; amended 1991, 1992common law based on English modelhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdictioncitizenship by birth: yescitizenship by descent only: yesdual citizenship recognized: yesresidency requirement for naturalization: 7 years for persons from a non-Caribbean state and 4 years for a person from a Caribbean state18 years of age; universalchief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Cecile LA GRENADE (since 7 May 2013)head of government: Prime Minister Keith MITCHELL (since 20 February 2013)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime ministerelections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the governor generaldescription: bicameral Parliament consists of:
Senate (13 seats; members appointed by the governor general - 10 on the advice of the prime minister and 3 on the advice of the leader of the opposition party; members serve 5-year terms)
House of Representatives (15 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms)elections: Senate - last appointments on 27 April 2018 (next no later than2023)
House of Representatives - last held on 13 March 2018 (next no later than 2023)election results: Senate - percent by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 11, women 2 percent of women 15.4%
House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NNP 58.9%, NDC 40.5%; other 0.6% seats by party - NNP 15; composition - men 8, women 7, percent of women 46.7%; note - total Parliament percent of women 32.1%highest courts: regionally, the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC - headquartered on St. Lucia - consists of the Court of Appeal - headed by the chief justice and 4 judges - and the High Court with 18 judges; the Court of Appeal is itinerant, traveling to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; High Court judges reside in the member states, with 2 in Grenada; appeals beyond the ECSC in civil and criminal matters are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)judge selection and term of office: chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by Her Majesty, Queen ELIZABETH II; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, and independent body of judicial officials; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62subordinate courts: magistrates' courts; Court of Magisterial AppealsNational Democratic Congress or NDC [Nazim BURKE]
New National Party or NNP [Keith MITCHELL]ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTOAmbassador Yolande Yvonne SMITH (since 8 April 2019)chancery: 1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009telephone: [1] (202) 265-2561FAX: [1] (202) 265-2468consulate(s) general: Miamichief of mission: the US does not have an official embassy in Grenada; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Grenadatelephone: [1] (473) 444-1173 through 1176embassy: Lance-aux-Epines Stretch, Saint George's, Grenadamailing address: P. O. Box 54, Saint George'sFAX: [1] (473) 444-4820a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top and bottom) and green triangles (hoist side and outer side), with a red border around the flag; there are seven yellow, five-pointed stars with three centered in the top red border, three centered in the bottom red border, and one on a red disk superimposed at the center of the flag; there is also a symbolic nutmeg pod on the hoist-side triangle (Grenada is a leading nutmeg producer); the seven stars stand for the seven administrative divisions, with the central star denoting the capital, St. George's; yellow represents the sun and the warmth of the people, green stands for vegetation and agriculture, and red symbolizes harmony, unity, and courageGrenada dove, bougainvillea flower; national colors: red, yellow, greenname: Hail Grenadalyrics/music: Irva Merle BAPTISTE/Louis Arnold MASANTO
note: adopted 1974
Economy :: Grenada
Grenada relies on tourism and revenue generated by St. George's University - a private university offering degrees in medicine, veterinary medicine, public health, the health sciences, nursing, arts and sciences, and business - as its main source of foreign exchange. In the past two years the country expanded its sources of revenue, including from selling passports under its citizenship by investment program. These projects produced a resurgence in the construction and manufacturing sectors of the economy.
In 2017, Grenada experienced its fifth consecutive year of growth and the government successfully marked the completion of its five-year structural adjustment program that included among other things austerity measures, increased tax revenue and debt restructuring. Public debt-to-GDP was reduced from 100% of GDP in 2013 to 71.8% in 2017.$1.634 billion (2017 est.)$1.555 billion (2016 est.)$1.5 billion (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollarscountry comparison to the world: 198$1.119 billion (2017 est.)5.1% (2017 est.)3.7% (2016 est.)6.4% (2015 est.)country comparison to the world: 46$15,100 (2017 est.)$14,500 (2016 est.)$14,000 (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollarscountry comparison to the world: 11011.7% of GDP (2017 est.)17% of GDP (2016 est.)13.9% of GDP (2015 est.)country comparison to the world: 153household consumption: 63% (2017 est.)government consumption: 12% (2017 est.)investment in fixed capital: 20% (2017 est.)investment in inventories: -0.1% (2017 est.)exports of goods and services: 60% (2017 est.)imports of goods and services: -55% (2017 est.)agriculture: 6.8% (2017 est.)industry: 15.5% (2017 est.)services: 77.7% (2017 est.)bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, mace, soursop, citrus, avocados, root crops, corn, vegetables, fishfood and beverages, textiles, light assembly operations, tourism, construction, education, call-center operations10% (2017 est.)country comparison to the world: 1655,270 (2017 est.)country comparison to the world: 189agriculture: 11%industry: 20%services: 69% (2008 est.)24% (2017 est.)28.2% (2016 est.)country comparison to the world: 19538% (2008 est.)revenues: 288.4 million (2017 est.)expenditures: 252.3 million (2017 est.)25.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)country comparison to the world: 1163.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)country comparison to the world: 1270.4% of GDP (2017 est.)82% of GDP (2016 est.)country comparison to the world: 50calendar year0.9% (2017 est.)1.7% (2016 est.)country comparison to the world: 45-$77 million (2017 est.)-$34 million (2016 est.)country comparison to the world: 83$39.9 million (2017 est.)$44.2 million (2016 est.)country comparison to the world: 205US 25.3%, Japan 10.1%, Guyana 8.7%, Dominica 6.6%, St. Lucia 6.4%, Netherlands 4.7%, Barbados 4.1%, St. Kitts and Nevis 4% (2017)nutmeg, bananas, cocoa, fruit and vegetables, clothing, mace, chocolate, fish$316 million (2017 est.)$314.7 million (2016 est.)country comparison to the world: 203food, manufactured goods, machinery, chemicals, fuelUS 31.7%, Trinidad and Tobago 24.9%, China 6.7% (2017)$199.1 million (31 December 2017 est.)$198 million (31 December 2015 est.)country comparison to the world: 175$793.5 million (2017 est.)$682.3 million (2016 est.)country comparison to the world: 169East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar -2.7 (2017 est.)2.7 (2016 est.)2.7 (2015 est.)2.7 (2014 est.)2.7 (2013 est.)
Energy :: Grenada
electrification - total population: 92.3% (2016)electrification - urban areas: 92.3% (2016)electrification - rural areas: 92.3% (2016)202.1 million kWh (2016 est.)country comparison to the world: 192185.1 million kWh (2016 est.)country comparison to the world: 1940 kWh (2016 est.)country comparison to the world: 1420 kWh (2016 est.)country comparison to the world: 15451,100 kW (2016 est.)96% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)country comparison to the world: 390% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)country comparison to the world: 1000% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)country comparison to the world: 1744% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)country comparison to the world: 1120 bbl/day (2018 est.)country comparison to the world: 1430 bbl/day (2015 est.)country comparison to the world: 1310 bbl/day (2015 est.)country comparison to the world: 1340 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)country comparison to the world: 1390 bbl/day (2015 est.)country comparison to the world: 1512,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)country comparison to the world: 1940 bbl/day (2015 est.)country comparison to the world: 1601,886 bbl/day (2015 est.)0 cu m (2017 est.)country comparison to the world: 1390 cu m (2017 est.)country comparison to the world: 1520 cu m (2017 est.)country comparison to the world: 1140 cu m (2017 est.)country comparison to the world: 1320 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 141283,600 Mt (2017 est.)country comparison to the world: 193
Communications :: Grenada
total subscriptions: 32,491subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 29 (2017 est.)country comparison to the world: 170total subscriptions: 113,177subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 101 (2017 est.)country comparison to the world: 192general assessment: adequate, island-wide telephone system; lack of local competition, but telecoms are a high contributors to overall GDP; growth sectors include the mobile telephony and data segments (2020)domestic: interisland VHF and UHF radiotelephone links; 29 per 100 for fixed-line and 101 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2018)international: country code - 1-473; landing points for the ECFS, Southern Caribbean Fiber and CARCIP submarine cables with links to 13 Caribbean islands extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad & Tobago including Puerto Rico and Barbados; SHF radiotelephone links to Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Vincent; VHF and UHF radio links to Trinidad (2019)note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderatedmultiple publicly and privately owned television and radio stations; Grenada Information Service (GIS) is government-owned and provides television and radio services; the Grenada Broadcasting Network, jointly owned by the government and the Caribbean Communications Network of Trinidad and Tobago, operates a TV station and 2 radio stations; Meaningful Television (MTV) broadcasts island-wide and is part of a locally-owned media house, Moving Target Company, that also includes an FM radio station and a weekly newspaper; multi-channel cable TV subscription service is provided by Columbus Communications Grenada (FLOW GRENADA) and is available island wide; approximately 25 private radio stations also broadcast throughout the country (2019).gdtotal: 66,281percent of population: 59.07% (July 2018 est.)total: 22,235subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 20 (2017 est.)country comparison to the world: 151
Military and Security :: Grenada
no regular military forces; Royal Grenada Police Force (includes Coast Guard) (2019)
Transportation :: Grenada
number of registered air carriers: 0 (2020)J3 (2016)3 (2013)country comparison to the world: 195total: 3 (2017)2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2017)1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2017)under 914 m: 1 (2017)total: 1,127 km (2017)paved: 902 km (2017)unpaved: 225 km (2017)country comparison to the world: 182total: 6by type: general cargo 3, other 3 (2019)country comparison to the world: 163major seaport(s): Saint George's
Transnational Issues :: Grenada
nonesmall-scale cannabis cultivation; lesser transshipment point for marijuana and cocaine to US


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NEW YORK (Nov. 1, 2010) – Two fights have been added to an exciting STRIKEFORCE Challengers event Friday, Nov. 19, at Jackson Convention Complex in Jackson, Miss., live on SHOWTIME® at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
STRIKEFORCE formally announced today that power-punching Jan "Cuddles'' Finney (8-8) of Springfield, Ohio, will be opposed by unbeaten Liz "Girl-Rilla'' Carmouche (4-0) of San Diego, Calif., in a key women's match at 135 pounds (welterweight) and Caros "The Future" Fodor (6-2) of Seattle, Wash., will throw down with Derek "The Pretzel'' Getzel (2-1) of Andover, Minn., at lightweight (155 pounds).
In the main event, lightweight star and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro (20-4) will take on Justin "The Silverback" Wilcox (9-3) of Cincinnati. Another televised fight will feature former University of Tennessee linebacker Ovince St. Preux (7-4), of Knoxville, Tenn., who will be seeking his fifth consecutive conquest inside the distance when he faces Antwain "The Juggernaut'' Britt'' (11-4) of Virginia Beach, Va., in a light heavyweight (205 pounds) scrap.
The MMA fight card is presented by Rockstar Energy Drink and will mark STRIKEFORCE's initial foray into the state of Mississippi.
Tickets are on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets, including the Coliseum box office and Be-Bop Record Shops, by phone at 800-745-3000 and online at Ticketmaster.com and www.STRIKEFORCE.com.
The winner in what will be an excellent women's fight stays alive for a world title shot in STRIKEFORCE's wide-open, contentious 135-pound division. The STRIKEFORCE champion, Marloes Coenen, is scheduled to make her first defense against No. 1 contender Miesha Tate in 2011.
Finney's nickname belies her attitude and fighting style. "I'm far from cuddly. I'm more like a bull in a china shop,'' she said.
This will mark Finney's return to her natural weight of 135 pounds. In her last start, the strong striker and one of MMA's most determined practitioners lost a toe-to-toe-slugfest with STRIKEFORCE Middleweight (145 pounds) World Champion and the No. 1 female fighter in MMA, Cris Cyborg, last June 26.

subset: commoncrawl


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Gear Review: Mammut Togir/Togira Light Climbing Harness
The Swiss are world leaders in fondue, watches—and lightning-fast alpine ascents. It's logical, then, that Swiss manufacturer Mammut would crank out our favorite alpine harness of the year. The stripped-down Togir Light (Togira Light is the women's model) has all of the essentials with none of the fluff: four easy-to-rack gear loops, two attachments for ice screw clippers, and a quick-release leg-loop buckle for dropping your drawers.
A simple piece of plastic protects the high-wear leg-loop connection from abrasion. The Togir Light shaves ounces in padding, but was still plenty comfortable for sport-climbing falls at Shelf Road, Colorado. "I fell on many climbs and never felt a pinch," says our tester.
One caveat: The leg loops are elasticized for stretch but aren't adjustable, so this isn't the harness for expeditions where clothing changes are common. But for one-day alpine routes or for rock climbers with alpine aspirations, this harness is an ultralight all-arounder.
12 oz. (size M)


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Edwards vowed to tunnel his way into the White House by 2008.
John Edwards is back. Who's excited? The former senator from North Carolina made his announcement in New Orleans, after shoveling muck from the yard of a homeowner who told Bloomberg she hoped he wasn't doing it for the publicity. Hmm.
"New Orleans, in so many ways, shows the two Americas that I have talked about in the past," Edwards, a former Democratic senator from North Carolina, said. "It also exemplifies something I've learned since the last election: It's great to see a problem and understand; it's more important to take action and do something about it."
The blog doesn't recall Edwards helping out in New Orleans before now, but maybe we were tied up with other things. We are aware that Brad Pitt's been to town.
Edwards admitted that his vote authorizing the war as a senator in 2002 was a "mistake" and that the U.S. should immediately withdraw 50,000 troops from the country.
"We need to make it clear that we intend to leave Iraq and turn over the responsibility of Iraq to the Iraqi people," he said.
During the 2004 Kerry-Edwards campaign, the "Two Americas" sometimes meant the cushy front of the campaign plane where the candidates, their staff and Jon Bon Jovi sat, and the back of the plane where the rest of us were.
Still, we dig that the campaign is starting up so early. Hillary and Obama can't expect all the attention. Later today, Edwards is off to Iowa. Fun!


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Hey, everyone. It's Veganarchy here for the first time in eight months! A lot has happened during that time, and I'm coming back to this website and forum for support from people who share similar interests as me and might have gone through similar life events.
Looking back on those six or seven months or so of exercising so intensely, I can say that I am really proud of myself for having pushed myself so hard. I gleamed a lot of knowledge from being so disciplined, but especially from working so hard while weight lifting. I learned that weight lifting is a powerful tool to work through the mental blocks, those that tell us it's not possible to go any further, or to improve any more. Unfortunately for me, when the weight lifting stopped, so did my application of my insights into the human potential.
I stopped lifting because I got very sick. It was not a physical sickness -- I was mentally disoriented and was placed in a hospital for a long time, on and off for three months. During this time, I was fed sub-par hospital food and for some reason I fell off of the vegan bandwagon (I think due to lack of knowledge. I have since ready Kathy Freston's Veganist and parts of The Ethics of What We Eat.). I started to eat emotionally and didn't inhibit myself from going for the fatty desserts and eating three peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches a day, in addition to three meals. When I left the hospital for the final time, I ended up weighing about 140 lbs, a huge leap from my 118.
But the eating didn't stop after I left the hospital. I went to a group home for two weeks and even though the food there was god-awful, I at my fill and more. And then, even after I left the group home, I ate as much as I wanted without inhibition. I ended up looking like this (this past summer) to looking like this (current).
I fit into a size zero pant and am now wearing a size four. Of course, the discouragement is insurmountable. All of that hard work for what? Last winter I weight in at 135 and got lean and mean to a weight of almost 115, and now I weigh even more than I did when I be can exercising diligently.
So is it possible to get back into the shape I was in at the end of this past summer?
Of course it is.
I have signed up for a small group training program that meets two times a week, and classes are only 6-8 people. That, in addition to other classes that are available at my school gym, and going to yoga classes frequently should all help in getting myself back to my ideal shape and weight. Yoga especially, can help my mental and spiritual (as long as my physical) well being.
Okay, off to my "Tone and Tighten" class! I might edit this later.
Oh, and I need all the support I can get from you folks out there who have possibly gone through similar life events! Or even if you just have a few words of encouragement, that would be great.
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Function and flair come to life with our range of round side tables. Whether you opt for wood or metal, selecting will be a breeze with our different styles, sets and materials available. You won't ever run out of places to put your beverage or even use as storage! Drawer or no drawer, we've chosen the best round end tables for every type of interior.
View them in our Abbotsford showroom in Melbourne and you may even find a matching coffee table or a comfy Danish sofa to match. We'd be glad to help you in choosing which piece to buy! Look through our website for other great finds like planters to complete your whole look. We'll deliver straight to your door!


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Sleep isn't just "time out" from daily life. It is an active state important for renewing our mental and physical health each day. Listed below are top reasons people regularly fail to get a good night's sleep:
1. "Catching up" on Sleep
Though you may feel more rested on Monday morning after sleeping in all weekend, that extra shut-eye doesn't erase all of the drawbacks from not getting enough sleep during the week. While extra weekend sleep does help reduce daytime sleepiness and stress, your ability to focus and pay attention will still be reduced. It can also throw off your internal body clock (also known as your circadian rhythm) and lead to Sunday night insomnia.
2. Caffeine
When it comes to sleep, caffeine has the power to interfere with regular sleep patterns, as well as help hide existing sleep deprivation, which can, in turn, lead to issues like insufficient sleep disorder. To avoid caffeine-related sleep problems, stop intake of the substance—whether through coffee, soda, chocolate, or any other form—for at least four to six hours before going to sleep. Doing so is one step toward creating good sleep hygiene habits. And remember: caffeine can stay in your system for up to 12 hours, so if you're a person who is highly susceptible to caffeine-related side effects, it's best to avoid having caffeine any time after lunch.
Solution: Give yourself three good night's sleep to get back to a normal routine after serious sleep deprivation.
3. Hitting The Snooze Button
The extra sleep that you can get by hitting snooze comes in small chunks and isn't good quality—and it can actually do you some harm. Since the snooze session doesn't last long enough for you to finish a complete sleep cycle, you could end up feeling super groggy for the first hour and a half of your day.
Solution: Set your alarm for when you actually need to get up. Try to set it for the same time every day (even on the weekends). This regularity can help you wake up without the need for an alarm in the long run.
4. Alcohol
Drinking actually increases deep sleep during the first part of the night. Although this is true, you aren't actually getting the rest your body needs. Here's why: during the second half of the night, this sleepy effect wears off and you'll be more likely to wake up or toss and turn, reducing your overall time spent asleep. In addition, REM sleep (the deepest stage of sleep, during which you dream) is negatively affected by booze. This is the stage of sleep that helps boost memory, concentration, and learning, so paying attention at work may feel a tad challenging after a night of one too many drinks.
Solution: Avoid drinking alcohol just before you go to bed. On average, it takes an hour for the body to process one unit of alcohol. Instead, opt for herbal teas, such as chamomile or sleepy time tea.
5. Technology
It may seem harmless to knock out a few emails before bed or unwind with a favorite movie, but by keeping your mind engaged, technology can trick your brain into thinking that it needs to stay awake. And if you're surfing the web, seeing something exciting on Facebook, or reading a negative email, those experiences can make it hard to relax and settle into slumber. After spending an entire day surrounded by technology, your mind needs time to unwind.
Solution: Give yourself a tech curfew, move your electronics out of the bedroom if needed.
The quality of your sleep directly affects your mental and physical health and the quality of your waking life, including your productivity, emotional balance, brain and heart health, immune system, creativity, vitality, and even your weight. No other activity delivers so many benefits with so little effort.
Sleep isn't just a "time out" from daily life. It is an active state important for renewing our mental and physical health each day. If you're failing to get a good night's sleep, contact us to schedule an appointment or answer any questions.
(Some information provided by Sleep.org)


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Property Location
With a stay at Hôtel Keppler in Paris (Trocadero), you'll be minutes from Baccarat Museum and Arc de Triomphe. This 4-star hotel is close to Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum.
Make yourself at home in one of the 39 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and minibars. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms have complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include safes and complimentary newspapers, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Rec, Spa, Premium Amenities
Take advantage of recreational opportunities offered, including a sauna, a steam room, and a fitness center. Additional amenities include babysitting/childcare and a fireplace in the lobby.
Take advantage of the hotel's room service (during limited hours). Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at a bar/lounge.
Business, Other Amenities
Featured amenities include a business center, limo/town car service, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby. Event facilities at this hotel consist of conference space and meeting rooms. Guests may use a roundtrip airport shuttle for a surcharge, and self parking (subject to charges) is available onsite.
Are you affiliated with Hotel Keppler? Apply to the Hotel WiFi Connect program to take control of your account, improve your hotel's confidence score and ranking.
© 2013-2016 Hotel WiFi Test Inc.


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South Bank Restaurant Guide
We've highlighted the top South Bank restaurants where you can truly indulge your taste buds.... and your waistband!
We've highlighted the top South Bank restaurants where you can truly indulge your taste buds.... and your waistband!
When dining at Gillray's you'll feel like you're in a Richard Curtis movie, so quintessentially English are your surroundings and the food! Wood panelled walls frame the windows through which you can enjoy panoramas of the River Thames and vistas across to the House of Parliament and Big Ben. Raised in Yorkshire, their beef is about as British as it gets. You can enjoy sirloin, skirt, rib-eye or T-bone, complimented by some special extras such as baked bone marrow or Cornish oyster fritters.
Specially for London Restaurant Festival, Gillray's Executive Chef Jamie Welch has challenged his team's skills and talents in an inspirational competition.
By picking names out of a hat, each chef came up with a dish to test their creativity and passion for food. Under Jamie's guidance, they have created an impressive, mouth-watering menu sourced from local British produce. The winning dishes, chosen by guests will feature in the new a la carte menu.
Art Yard is a new all-day dining restaurant and bar from restaurant consultants Montana Fogg. The kitchen is led by Head Chef Lee Streeton, formerly of 45 Jermyn Street, Browns Hotel and Caprice Holdings.
Lee has developed a menu that will celebrate the abundance of British produce through the seasons, whilst also drawing inspiration from European cuisines and cultures. Signature dishes include 'Chargrilled Cuttlefish with Black Rice and Chorizo', 'Baked Bone Marrow with Curry Sauce' and a 'Cataplana of Monkfish, Shellfish, Saffron and Potato' designed for two to share and cooked in the restaurant's distinct wood-fire oven.
An enticing cocktail and drinks menu centred around reflection and rejuvenation explores the people, places and produce from the Bankside tapestry, offering drinks for every time of day.
Book now.
Spiritland Royal Festival Hall is a 180-cover restaurant – an early morning to late night celebration of food, drink and music – on the ground floor of Royal Festival Hall.
From an open kitchen with imposing grill, the restaurant offers a bold, international menu of sharing plates and unapologetic twists on classic favourites, complemented by a 110-strong wine list and oyster bar. Alternatively, just drop in for just a casual pre-show cocktail and bite to start your evening. The restaurant nods to the performing arts with a theatrical interior intended to comfort diners well into the small hours. Bespoke velvet curtains, marble bar and rounded booths upholstered in leather all enhance the world-class offering of food, drink and music across genres on the unique Spiritland sound system. With a 2am licence, guest DJs play the cream of their collections from Thursday through Saturday nights.
Whether you're after early morning coffee, casual lunch, pre/post show dinner or late-night lounging, you'll find the warmest of welcomes at Spiritland Royal Festival Hall.
Inspired by the Golden Age of transatlantic travel and designed under the creative direction of visionary Tom Dixon, Sea Containers London brings the best of American and British cuisine to the South Bank, offering a modern yet casual dining experience in an informal setting alongside the River Thames.
Seasonal dishes include blistered Padrón peppers and roasted eggplant for starters, and Dry Aged Beef Striploin with Confit White Onion and Beef Jus, Hot - Smoked Salmon with Baby Plum, Pickled Tomato and Lemon & Oregano Puree or Rump of Organic Welsh Lamb for mains, with the likes of Chocolate Lava Cake, strawberry ice cream sandwiches and Honeycomb Pannacotta as dessert. The restaurant's stance is to champion farm-to-table dining and support local British suppliers with a constantly evolving and seasonally varied British/American menu – and we applaud them for it.
For more information and to book, click here.
We feel it's our duty to shout out loud about House Restaurant, the National Theatre's in-house restaurant. Not everyone knows about it, or how good - and affordable (!) the food there is.
House serves a contemporary take on classic restaurant dishes in stylish surroundings, perfect for pre or post-show dining. Their mains are a tantalising mix of dishes such as bream fillet with fennel and tomatoes, rump cap on grilled sourdough or smoked bone marrow with pickled chillies. The restaurant also has an entire vegan menu, with delicious and inventive dishes such as vegan ravioli with cashew cheese and mushrooms.
Really throw caution to the wind and the diet out of the window by trying the chocolate mousse, hazelnut cake, chocolate & cherry ice cream, or vegan sticky toffee pudding. If you're seeing a show, they even offer you the option to order your dessert to be served to your table during the interval – does it get much more dedicated than that?
For more information and to book, click here.
The food and service at Brasserie Joël has been awarded 9/10 by renowned Times food critic Giles Coren. If you don't trust his hallowed opinion, a quick glance at the menu will have you convinced. Dine en français, sampling dishes such as boeuf Bourguignon with buttered potato purée, or a baked Normandie camanbert. For dessert, there are French classics like apple tarte tatin. You'll think you're in the centre of Paris, not the centre of London. Zut alors! We're sold!
Skylon is the bright and airy restaurant located within Royal Festival Hall at the Southbank Centre and boasts fantastic views onto the river Thames. Helena Puolakka, originally from the south-west coast of Finland is the new Executive Chef and brings a Finnish and French twist to the modern British menu.
The restaurant offers both vegan and vegetarian menus, which are fresh, inventive and delicious, as well as a fantastic Sunday brunch with unlimited Prosecco. The main a la carte menu includes (fittingly for October) pumpkin tortellini, slow-cooked partridge with sauerkraut and cured Var salmon. For dessert, there's baked chocolate custard, marzipan with pickled apple or brioche with mandarin jam. A beautifully balanced menu full of options, each sounding as delicious as the next.
We recommend starting your meal right, with a glass of something nice at their central bar, often adorned with seasonally picked flowers. Touché!
On the eighth floor of the OXO Tower, OXO Tower Restaurant, Bar & Brasserie's spectacular 250-foot terrace offers breath-taking views of the city, which complement the finest modern British cuisine.
Throughout October, especially for London restaurant festival, OXO will be offering two brand new set menus in the Restaurant and Brasserie.
OXO Tower Restaurant
3 courses and a glass of Champagne for £39
OXO Tower Brasserie
3 courses and a glass of Prosecco for £33
For more information and to book, click here.
London County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB
Learn More
Bankside Hotel 2 Blackfriars Rd London UK SE1 9JULearn More
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, Lambeth, London SE1 8XXLearn More
Mondrian at Sea Containers
20 Upper Ground
London, SE1 9PD
National Theatre
Upper Ground
South Bank
London SE1 9PX
Brasserie Joël, Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London, SE1 7UTLearn More
Royal Festival Hall
Belvedere Road
London SE1 8XX
Oxo Tower, Barge House St, London SE1 9PHLearn More


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Richard Russell and the Importance of Remembering the Past
Why Democratic Selection of Judges Is Better than Self-Selection
James Whitman, a Yale law professor, has used a European Commission statement disapproving Poland's recent law restructuring its judiciary to attack the American judicial selection process.
The New Left's Dangerous Old Antitrust Ideas
The course of antitrust law in American history has proved a barometer of good governance. In the New Deal, the Roosevelt administration lurched from one policy to another, united only by the injury they did to the economy. Sometimes that administration broke up companies simply on account of size and at other times permitted actual collusion by competitors on prices. In the Warren Court era, both the Department of Justice and the Court itself prevented mergers, even though they were economically beneficial. In Brown Shoe, the nadir of all antitrust law, Chief Justice Earl Warren invalidated a merger between two relatively small shoe companies in an extremely competitive market because he concluded that it might become part of a merger trend and because it would make the companies more efficient at selling shoes!
In contrast, since the Chicago School revolution in antitrust was empowered by the Reagan administration and sustained by its successors, antitrust law has become quite sensible. It has intervened only when needed to protect the welfare of consumers, preventing collusion or mergers that would likely keep prices higher than in a free market. The consumer welfare standard of modern antitrust has also offered relatively clear rules of conduct derived from microeconomics, thus protecting the rule of law and curbing government discretion over business.
But ideas percolating on the left threaten this sound consensus and an oped in the New York Times yesterday exemplifies the danger. Lina Khan, who was the policy director for Zephyr Teachout, the radical Democratic candidate for New York Governor in 2014, complained about Amazon's recent purchase of Whole Foods.
Retro Commie Chic Tailored to This Year's Campaign
What made Franklin Roosevelt and the Greatest Generation great? Others may tell you it was defeating Nazism in a worldwide war. But Harvey J. Kaye, Professor of Democracy and Justice Studies at the University of Wisconsin, maintains that its heart and soul was none other than the Popular Front.
Barack Obama's Yalta
In February of 1945, Franklin D. Roosevelt traveled to Yalta and ceded geopolitical control of Eastern Europe to Joseph Stalin. At the conference, Winston Churchill could do nothing. In return for the Soviet dictator's promise of allowing Poland to hold elections to set its postwar political course (and a vague assurance of democratic elections in the other countries occupied by Red Army troops at the close of World War II), the allies let him keep possession of the eastern part of Poland. This was, in effect, ratification of Stalin's 1939-1941 territorial gains as the ally of Adolf Hitler.
Churchill had consistently attempted to block Stalin's expansionism, but with the American President distancing himself from Britain, Stalin had little trouble setting himself up for a postwar empire taking in not only Eastern but parts of Central Europe.
Today, with the "framework of understanding" between the United States and Iran on Iran's nuclear ambitions, Barack Obama has devised his own Yalta.
The Triumph of His Will
President Obama's State of the Union Address makes blogging colleague Greg Weiner's suggestion to abolish it look pretty good. Of the constitutional clause requiring that he address Congress, Greg observes: "If anything, modern Presidents ought to view its opening phrase—'from time to time'—as a limit rather than a license." I am even more \ drawn to Frank Buckley's devastating critique of contemporary presidential government, The Once and Future King: The Rise of Crown Government in America.
I would have thought that Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) of all pols would not have conceded victory to Obama when he attacked Obama's "class warfare" proposals—which is exactly the way Obama wants them viewed. Or that the congressman characterized the speech as not as extreme as he feared it would be.
We Are All Dangerous and We All Have Rights
In his sane and thought-provoking Liberty Forum essay about immigration, Richard Samuelson argues that "America's very essence" may well be "at risk" because of "two challenges to our status as a nation of immigrants." They are "the rise of the mega-state" favored by Progressives, and "the rise of a post-national ideal" that "threatens to undermine the understandings that have made assimilation a duty and an obligation."
The Imperial Mount Rushmore
Though it's been a few weeks since it appeared, I would be remiss if I didn't mention Stephen Knott's excellent piece on whether Woodrow Wilson destroyed the office of the presidency. The clamor about the imperial presidency is on the rise with many commentators (such as George Will) and Knott's article gives us a better understanding of its rise, as well as its implications. Knott describes the "expectations gap" that has arisen due to modern conceptions of the presidency, where we expect the president to heal the planet, rather than work to enact reforms within the institutions of constitutional government.
In response to Professor Knott I would only mention that I think Woodrow Wilson may not even deserve top billing in terms of producing the rise of presidential power.
Crusading Against Collectivism: A Lost Memoir by Herbert Hoover is Published
In 1964 Herbert Hoover died at the age of ninety. He had lived a phenomenally productive life, including more than half a century in one form or another of public service. It was a record that in sheer scope and duration may be without parallel in American history.
His life had begun in humble circumstances in 1874 in a little Iowa farming community, as the son of the village blacksmith. Orphaned before he was ten, Hoover managed to enter Stanford University when it opened its doors in 1891. Four years later he graduated with a degree in geology and a determination to become a mining engineer.
From then on, Hoover's rise in the world was meteoric.


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The Closer Review: For the Greater GoodCarissa Pavlica at .
This federal lawsuit on The Closer is a pain in the neck. It requires the "Necessary Evil" of Captain Raydor documenting, ensuring and logging every blasted minute of the crimes Brenda's team is investigating. We have Raydor walking behind the unit, wasting time and taking members' minds off their jobs to jot down their movements and then lambasting them with questions that seem irrelevant.
At the very least, Raydor hates the position she's in, feeling like a hall monitor and not thinking she;s adding anything to the federal investigation. We are officially on the path of Raydor's redemption.
Raydor Drops a Bomb
After she let Pope and Taylor know what she thought of the constant pursuit of Chief Johnson's investigations, she let loose the bombshell: She's been made an offer she cannot refuse. Even after Pope promised her a promotion to commander if she stayed and helped with the lawsuit, she resisted. It was at that moment that I determined either Pope or Taylor is the leak. They are both incredibly shady and have never had the full trust of the viewers.
Mary McDonnell has had some extraordinary performances in her career, but her job in The Closer is very nuanced. She walks a tight line between being loved and loathed, and she pulls it off very well. Even when you want to dislike her, something draws you near.
Raydor had an ace up her sleeve. With no intention of retiring or taking a new job, she was leading the lamb to slaughter. By the end of the episode, opposing counsel Peter Goldman knew all about her little talk with Pope and Taylor. Most likely even before Brenda. This should get very interesting.
Particularly enjoyable was the scene when Brenda took the long way around to thanking Raydor for having her back, and for how hard she is working to make things right. It's very important that their relationship continue to look hostile in order for Raydor to catch her prey.
The Convoluted Case
I had no idea what was going on with the case of the week. So many suspects, some right out of the woodwork. It was all about a bunch of athletic students, a coach and principal. That schools focus so much more on sports rather than education has always been an enigma to me, and this case didn't shed any light on my ability to understand.
It did make me think about how many kids get the shaft from their parents, and how messed up our society has become that helping someone without government "permission" immediately makes you suspect of horrific acts like pedophilia. Where does that leave us and the children who have no one else to protect them? Very sad.
The first of the last 11 episodes didn't have the regular tension or humor found in many of The Closer airings, but it took us one step closer toward the reveal of the leak, what will most likely be the ultimate implosion of Major Crimes as it stands now and Brenda's eventual leave. Call me silly, but that makes me a bit melancholy.
Carissa Pavlica is the managing editor and a staff writer and critic for TV Fanatic. She's a member of the Critic's Choice Association, enjoys mentoring writers, cats, and passionately discussing the nuances of television and film. Follow her on Twitter and email her here at TV Fanatic.


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The COMMONS Initiative: Cooperative Measurement and Modeling of Open Networked Systems
Over the past several years, interest in municipal wireless and community networking has increased dramatically. Thus far, these initiatives have generally focused on networking local communities. The next evolution in network-ing involves peering these networks together. Research on broadband service provision is desperately needed to help forge new national telecommunications policies and inspire innovation in networking technologies.
With this goal in mind, the Cooperative Association for Internet Data Analysis (CAIDA) held a workshop to discuss -- and ultimately propose -- collaboration among researchers and networks to simultaneously solve three acute and growing problems facing the Internet. First, there exists a self-reported financial crisis in the Internet infrastructure provider industry that poses a threat to broadband growth and American competitiveness. Second, a data acquisition crisis has stunted the field of network science. Finally, emerging community, municipal, regional, and state networks need additional broadband connectivity but face limited provider, service level, and usage options.
The Cooperative Measurement and Modeling of Open Networked Systems (COMMONS) Initiative proposes to build or partner with a collaborative national backbone to connect participating community, municipal, regional, and state networks to one another and to the global Internet. The COMMONS provides a platform for Internet researchers to study this infrastructure. It also provides a low-cost medium for networks to peer with one another. This approach will provide vital research results for policymakers across the country and around the world.
Part II of this article describes the findings from the initial COMMONS Strategy Workshop held in December 2006. Part III outlines relevant open research problems identified by the participants. Part IV proposes a framework for the end-to-end interconnection of networks at all levels on a national scale. Finally, the article concludes with a discussion of the steps necessary to bring about such a networking arrangement. Further, this section highlights the potential benefits to the scientific community, network operators and developers, key decision makers, and the general public.


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Lili Baehr finally gets her dream picture with Pat Boone, her childhood idol, at his 80th birthday bash
By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries
The dream picture. Lili Baehr (center),
with Shirley and Pat Boone
(Photo: Dan Wooding)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA (ANS) — Lili Baehr, the Argentine-born wife of Dr. Ted Baehr, the founder and chairman of the Christian Film and Television Commission and Movieguide®, a family magazine, radio program and TV show which reviews all movies from a biblical perspective, has had pictures with many Hollywood celebrities during the annual Movieguide® gala.
But on June 1, 2014, Lili was finally able to get me to snap a picture of her with her childhood idol, Pat Boone, during the "Pat Boone 80th Birthday Celebrity Roast" at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, which was held to support Ryan's Reach, named after Pat and Shirley Boone's grandson, Ryan Corbin, who had suffered a terrible accident from which he wasn't expected to live, but amazingly was in attendance.
Lili, who has been suffering and taking oral chemotherapy for about 20 years with Cicatricial Pemphigoid, which her husband once described as an "incurable, devastating disease," bravely battling on with her agonizing problems, suddenly lit up when Pat Boone appeared on the Red Carpet besides her, and I was able to photograph her with Boone and his wife, Shirley.
Afterwards, Lili explained that she, at the age of nine, moved with her family from Argentina to Houston and almost immediately became a huge fan of the teen idol.
"My older sister Marcella became the president of the Pat Boone Fan Club, and I naturally joined up," said Lili. "I've told her that the next time she comes to LA., I will try and introduce her to Pat, which would help fulfill a lifelong dream for her. Mine has just been fulfilled."
She went on to say, "My favorite Pat Boone song was 'April Love,' and that was also my favorite movie in which he starred with Shirley Jones." [Shirley Jones just happened to be at the event to honor Pat Boone.]
I was then joined on the Red Carpet by Dr. Ted Baehr and I asked him why he was at this glittering event.
"Pat's been a close friend of mine for years," said Dr. Baehr. "He also knew that my father, Bob 'Tex' Allen, born I. E. Theodore Baehr, who was who was the original Texas Ranger of the Silver Screen in the 1930s and winner of the prestigious 1936 Box Office Award.
"Pat and I go back so long and I was thrilled when he just told me that the Movieguide® Awards really 'changed Hollywood' and I'm so grateful for his support."
He added, "Pat's lasted so long because he is extremely talented. He graduated Cum Laude from Columbia University and you can see the wisdom in everything he does. Not only is he a dedicated Christian, but he's a man who's probably smarter, wiser, and more knowledgeable, than most people here except for Dan Wooding." [With that he let out a huge laugh.]
"So, Lili and I are here to honor Pat. I'm also here to say, 'Pat, you're wonderful and 80 years is too little.'"
Note: I will like to thank Robin Frost for transcribing these interviews.
See all ASSIST News articles at www.assistnews.net
Do you enjoy articles like this?
Click here to become a monthly partner and receive a movie for free!


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Here you will find a collection of audio lectures that introduce the basic concepts and practices of the ancient, practical spirituality in the heart of all religious and mystical traditions.
All of these lectures were originally given live and unscripted.
Related books: Gazing at the Mystery, The Great Rebellion, Introduction to Gnosis, Karma is Negotiable, Treatise of Revolutionary Psychology
Related lectures: Lectures by Samael Aun Weor
The lectures are also playing continuously on Gnostic Radio:
"Whosoever awakens the consciousness stops dreaming. Whosoever awakens the consciousness becomes a competent investigator of the superior worlds."


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I didn't get to have all the coffee that I want back in Hong Kong but I took note of the interesting cafes that I saw while strolling around the area. Hopefully, they'll be of help for you as well!
Most of these are found at Hong Kong Island – in Sheung Wan, Wan Chai, and Causeway Bay. Hopefully, this list will grow – because I'll definitely go back soon! Maybe a lesson or two from the Coffee Academics… and an overcaffeinated vacation…
Ah! One can dream…
The Coffee Academics
38 Yiu Wa St, Causeway Bay
+852 2156 0313
10am – 11pm
18 Grams Specialty Coffee
77 Wing Lok St, Sheung Wan
8am – 7am (I'm not sure if this is serious tho lol)
VEYGO Coffee
Kai Fung Mansion, 2-24 Jervois St
Sheung Wan
+852 2205 1011
9am – 10pm
85 Jervois St, Sheung Wan
+852 3590 2686
Fetch Coffee
109 Jervois St, Sheung Wan
Backerei Cafe
G/F Western Market, Sheung Wan
Agnes B. Cafe L.P.G.
17-19 Yun Ping Rd, Causeway Bay
Rabbithole Coffee and Roaster
3 Landale St, Wan Chai
+852 2528 0039
7:30am – 8pm
Barista Jam
126-128 Jervois St, Sheung Wan
+852 2854 2211
Cupping Room
LG/F 299 Queen's Road Central
Sheung Wan
+852 2799 3398
Corner Kitchen Cafe
226 Hollywood Rd, Sheung Wan
+852 2547 8008
Caffe Habitu
Hung Hom, near HK Polytechnic Uni


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[For a longer piece on my experience on the jury for this tobacco case, go here.]
Hearing what jurors on the Merck case in Texas had to say about why they awarded for the plaintiff even though her husband died of complications that have not been shown to be related to Vioxx reminds me of a jury I served on at the end of 2000.
Warning: those of you who are uncompromisingly against corporations aren't going to like what I am saying here. As you will see, it's my belief that justice has to pertain to the specifics of a case, not to whether the accused is "bad" due to other actions. "They may not have done this, but they did something, so deserve to be punished" doesn't work for me.
The case I served on concerned a RICO charge brought against the tobacco industry by the Manville Trust. It concerned the connection between asbestos and tobacco–and involved a huge amount of money. It lasted two months in the Federal Courthouse in Brooklyn, NY. Witnesses included Julius Richmond, a former Surgeon General of the United States, Jeffrey Wigand, the man on whom the movie The Insider is based, and James Heckman, a Nobel laureate, along with parades of anti-tobacco campaigners and tobacco company loyalists.
The plaintiff wanted us to find that they had been materially damaged by a tobacco-industry conspiracy. But, in terms of the law itself, for us to convict, it would have to be shown that the Manville Trust had been materially damaged–that it had spent extra money–because of fraud perpetrated by the tobacco companies.
"Maybe it was wrong, maybe it was too much, but it was not a fraud," said David Bernick, lead lawyer for Brown & Williamson. And fraud it had to be, if we were to follow the law in finding against the tobacco industry. Yes, Bernick said, his client and its co-defendants had tried to "push back on political pressure, regulatory pressure" to save themselves and their profits. In their public relations campaigns, they had claimed they would conduct research on their product and disease. Yes. In reality, they had done little more than deny a material link to disease. Was that criminal?
I had been hoping it was. For seven weeks, I had listened to argument and testimony surrounding the actions of the tobacco industry. From the beginning, I had wanted to hurt it, to make it pay for all of the suffering its products had caused–I wanted to do what the Merck jury did do. But now, listening to Bernick's summation, I was no longer sure I would be able to decide that fraud had been established and that damages were due the plaintiff.
Early in the trial, Edward Westbrook, the Trust's lead lawyer, had insisted that the tobacco companies should "pay their fair share" for disease caused by the particularly deadly combination of tobacco and asbestos. I had nodded. The Trust, established in the wake of the Johns Manville Corporation bankruptcy, had taken responsibility for paying for asbestos-related disease resulting from Johns Manville products. Because cigarette smoking exacerbates such diseases, the Trust felt that the tobacco companies should shoulder at least a part of the burden. I still think there is a strong moral element to Westbrook's argument–but that is not proof of a crime.
And our charge was to determine whether or not the tobacco industry had violated the very specific RICO regulations.
The Manville Trust was desperate for money. Created out of Johns Manville Corporation bankruptcy proceedings begun 1982 due to overwhelming asbestos disease litigation, it had taken over Johns Manville's liabilities. According to a statement by the Alliance for a Fair Tobacco Settlement to the House Judiciary Committee on 2/5/98:
Asbestos litigation defendants have paid… tens of billions of dollars in compensation to injured asbestos workers…. The asbestos trusts that stand in the shoes of those bankrupt companies pay as little as 10 cents on the dollar for their admitted liability. By contrast, the tobacco companies have paid nothing to asbestos workers injured by smoking.
The '10 cents on the dollar' paid continues to be true for the Manville Trust. Sufferers from asbestos disease are not getting fair compensation, and the Trust wanted to change that by forcing the tobacco companies to chip in.
The Trust claimed, with some justification, that the combination of asbestos exposure and tobacco use created a synergy that made lung cancer much more likely. What they were not able to do, however, was prove that the tobacco industry had acted in an illegal conspiracy that had materially affected them.
What the Trust was hoping for was an outcome like that of the Merck case in Texas. The tobacco industry reputation was deservedly low, and the Trust was hoping we would punish it by finding for the plaintiff, just as the Merck jury did this month.
But the Trust couldn't even make a convincing case that it had paid tobacco's share of the disease it was paying claimants for. I now felt that it surely couldn't be argued that it had been harmed by big tobacco's deceit.
Most of the other jurors agreed with the conclusion I came to, that the burden of proof had not been met by the Trust (in a RICO case, there are quite specific elements of conspiracy that must be proved). Two, however, did not. Or, rather, reacting like the Merck jurors, they felt that the tobacco companies were bad on the face of things, and should be punished. The rest of us felt we had to anchor our discussions in evidence and law, if we were going to reach an honest verdict. These two would not do that. The tobacco companies needed to be punished–and that was that.
"They have to be guilty," said one.
"There was fraud," said the other.
"And what about the destroyed documents?" asked the first. The plaintiff's lawyers had constantly harped on missing tobacco-company documents.
The rest of us explained that the burden of proof lay with the plaintiff, and that, were we to convict, we would have to see that proof.
"Show it to us," we pleaded. "Help us find it." They could not, but would not change their views.
Our attempts to engage the two went on for four frustrating days. We continued to try to get them to debate, even though we all knew that it was futile. They were not going to agree to acquit the tobacco companies, and that was that.
Once, when one of the dissenters finally said that "the tobacco companies should have done something, so should pay," I wrote, in big block letters on a pad on an easel: "Silence: Not A Crime."
But even that did not help. They, like those Merck jurors, wanted to "send a message" to the tobacco companies.
On the fifth and final day of deliberation, discussion got quite tense. We sent a note to the judge, asking him to clarify whether or not silence, in terms of RICO, could be considered a crime. Frustrated and fed up, people were shouting at each other. Finally, as foreperson, I grabbed my pad and pen and wrote. "That's enough," I said. "Let's send this in." I read what I had been writing, and what we had been avoiding for days: "We cannot reach unanimity."
While I was speaking, another juror, suddenly red-faced, yelled in agreement, "If this keeps up, somebody is going to kill someone."
A dissenting juror turned and screamed at him, "Don't you threaten me. Nobody threatens me."
"I didn't threaten you."
The other juror, seeming to ignore him, turned and started writing. "I heard what you said," she muttered. She folded her paper, opened the door, and handed it to the marshal outside.
"Do we all agree with this?" I held up my paper. For the first time, everyone nodded. I relayed my paper, too, to the marshal.
I'll let the Associate Press take it from there:
A judge declared a mistrial Thursday in a high-stakes tobacco trial after being warned that deliberations were so strained that one juror had threatened to kill another.
"I have an obligation to jurors to protect them," U.S. District Judge Jack Weinstein said.
The last of three notes sent to Weinstein on the fifth day of deliberations read, "Juror has made threat against other juror to kill" if they have to be "here much longer."
Juror Maggie Altidor — one of two holdouts in a 10-2 deadlock favoring the tobacco industry — told reporters she wrote the third note after a male juror threatened that if deliberations lasted another day, "one of us would be killed."
For the tobacco companies, the hung jury was as good as a complete victory. For the Trust, well, other avenues to revenue would have to be found. Westbrook said he would seek a retrial, but he never has.
It bothers me that our jury system is used for things it was never meant for (it was meant as a means for determining guilt for specific crimes, of course). Using a jury to "send a message" or to "punish" someone or some entity for crimes other than the specific charges is an abuse of a legal system that, problems though it may have, has protected us for quite some time not.
The Merck jurors may not understand this, but they are making it easier than ever for the jury system to be abused. There's enough of that already, from the OJ jury on. They are making it easier for juries to "play God" and ignore law.
That's not good for any of us.


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The teachings of Mao
Sitong, China
By Carlos Barria
In a remote farming area of China's central province of Henan, kids are roused from their warm beds at 5 a.m. as revolutionary songs play over the loudspeaker system. In the freezing morning they gather around a cement courtyard for their morning exercises.
Mr. Xia Zuhai, principal of the Democracy Elementary and Middle school — where the curriculum stresses the teachings of China's late Chairman Mao Zedong — blows his whistle and encourages the students while they run around in the darkness for 20 minutes.
Then, the children enter a cold classroom where a big portrait of Chairman Mao is seen on the wall, decked out with colorful balloons in preparation for the 120th anniversary of Mao's birth on Dec. 26.
Teacher's aide Xia Jingjing starts the two-hour lecture reciting quotations from Mao Zedong's famed 'Little Red Book' before breakfast.
The school was founded by Mr. Xia, a farmer-turned-educator, in 1994. At its peak in 2005, the school had close to 600 students. The students, who come from poor farming families, receive standard curriculum such as math, chemistry and English. They also have long and intensive classes that involve reciting from Mao's book and watching movies about Mao's life. Xia said he emphasizes Mao's lesson of 'serving the people' above all else.
"Mao is the person who grew the tree, and when the tree produced fruit he was already dead, but we are enjoying the fruits of this tree today," Xia said.
For many in modern China, Mao's ideas and legacy remain sensitive topics. While the ruling Communist Party embraces him as the ultimate leader of Chinese Communist revolution, his radical and controversial policies are seen by many as far removed from today's pro-market economy that has transformed China into the second biggest economy in the world.
But Mr. Xia is a firm believer. "From the basic level, Mao Zedong Thought is for uprightness, kindness, and greatness… Mao Zedong Thought is, in reality, about taking people and liberating them from material desires so they can be free and natural people. This was Chairman Mao's greatest educational point," he said.
In the kitchen, Xia's wife Wang Hui prepares lunch for the students and teachers — a bowl of vegetable broth and a fat white bread bun. Conditions are hard in the Democracy Elementary and Middle school, especially in winter. There is no heating and no indoor plumbing.
But for many of the children, who spend periods of 11 days at the school and three days with their families, this might represent the most affordable schooling option.
We welcome comments that advance the story through relevant opinion, anecdotes, links and data. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters. For more information on our comment policy, see http://blogs.reuters.com/fulldisclosure/2010/09/27/toward-a-more-thoughtful-conversation-on-stories/


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Adventures in Sound and Spaces: personal ramblings on Alternative Underground Culture / Politics / Freedoms / Gender / Experimentation / Gurdjieff / Fourth Way / Situationism / Sneering at Music Production
The Dark Room Adventures
So we played live at The Dark Room on Saturday night, upstairs at The Giffard Arms (following a rockin' set by Dru-Amelia) and had an absolutely brilliant time.
It's been a very long time since I've felt so confident and been so sarcastic on stage. I got the impression that we were playing to people that either loved what we were doing, or just didn't understand what we were doing at all. It was brilliant.Very friendly crowd, but obviously a few people that had never heard anything like us before.
We played a 45 minute set, including two songs that are really close to my heart: Fires Made Safe and Heatwave.
Ade (Mutate / Stray Dog City) recorded the gig so we might put out a song or two providing we didn't overload the recording (there was a serious amount of bass pumping out of those speakers).
Chucky Tsch (Crashback) played bass for half the set and did an amazing job considering she'd never touched a bass until a couple of weeks ago. No pressure, it's just that the bass is the lead instrument. No pressure at all.
This meant I could give a lot more energy and attention to the vocals which is always nice.
Ade provided his trademark shards of atomic guitar / sounds:
And then we did some booty-shaking to a few groovy songs and headed on home.
Not bad at all.
What next? Well, we have a plan to something a little different. We'd like to concentrate on our newest project entitled Crashback, a spin-off of the Mekanical Settings, which is intended to focus more on the soft, floaty, electrical, but also somewhat grimy and silly side of home-made noises. Less pounding, more seductive, if you will.
And now a word from Crashback (Sticky Stevens [also known as Milk Milk McKenzie and wanted in several counties for lewdness and smuggery] & The Chucktopus [also known as Manic Chucky Tsch], both pictured below) themselves:
"There are already two songs you can listen to online: The Crashback Song (alternative title: Keepin' it BN2 [or any other postcode that may seem appropriate]) and the Theme for Mr. Stew, an homage to our great hero, comedian (and man) Stewart Lee. We have had ideas for videos for both of these tunes, we just need to pause from eating popcorn for long enough to get them produced. As a teaser, our newest half-finished idea of a song has the working title 'Human Sandwiches'.
Watch this space for the upcoming Crashback manifesto, album, cookery book, car stickers, golf umbrellas, drinking game, cocktail, contraceptive device, etc. etc."
Thanks to Ade Mutate, Ted Wildbillbuttock, DJ Cruel Britannia, Gilbert Lee, Sin, Helen and The Crashback Massive.
The Mekano Set
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George Andrews, of Akron. Ohio, who likes to drive midget racers, wants his son to follow in his footsteps; so he built this "midget midget" for Junior. It isn't powered now, but George plans to mount a Ford starter motor on the rear axle. Eventually, after Junior masters the battery-driven job, a one-cylinder gasoline engine will be employed for power.
TO MEET the growing need for broadcasting from outside points, the National Broadcasting Company, of Chicago, 111., has outfitted a new car with all necessary equipment for this type of work. The vehicle is capable of traveling from place to place at high speeds.
The equipment for this mobile unit consists of two transmitters, three receivers and a gasoline driven generator, all compactly mounted in a specially built touring sedan. Considerable weight reduction was achieved by discarding storage batteries and substituting the generator for the transmitters' power supply.
Immediately in back of the front seat is the control panel and console, which houses the ultra-high frequency receiver and the specially designed four-stage high gain audio amplifier. To the rear, in the space usually occupied by the back seat, is a large compartment containing a fifty-watt transmitter, used for stationary broadcasts. A forty-watt ultra-high frequency transmitter is used for mobile broadcasts. The mobile unit is so designed that one man can drive and broadcast at the same time.
Meet the FORD ATMOS
ONE of the wildest "dream" cars ever to roll out of a Michigan experimental laboratory is the creature shown above, the FX-Atmos—built by Ford and backed up by the determination that "it shall never be built for sale." This, say the engineers, is purely a "car of the future," however
it represents styling concepts that could easily appear in the Fords of a few years from now, if the general public accepts them. The engine design and other mechanical factors were not included in this project. Wheelbase is 105 inches; length: 220.58 inches; height: 48.1 inches.
While this does look fun, it seems like one would want a bus to have a bit more stability. A bus that hurls hurling passengers around would not be that fun to ride on.
Check out the history of mono-wheel vehicles here. (via)
DYNO-WHEEL Drives New MOTOR BUS
Rolling along on a single huge wheel, this motor bus combines safety with high speed.
by VICTOR J. PESEK
PROMISING to revolutionize the field of motor transportation, the new Dyno-Wheel bus operates upon practically the same principle as the tiny "Dynasphere" auto which was successfully built by Dr. J. A. Purves of Taunton, England, some years ago.
A single huge drum wheel supports the car at high speeds. Control wheels on either side are raised or lowered in response to the steering gear, to tip the bus slightly and change the direction of travel. Small fore and aft wheels come into action only when stopping or starting. A stabilizing fin keeps the car level at high speeds.
I'm not really sure what they're trying to say in this ad… I think it's either: "Marvel Oil will blow up your car", or "Marvel oil is made of atomic bombs".
MARVEL Mystery Oil
More than 30 years of scientific research have gone into Marvel Mystery Oil, to meet the lubrication demands of today's high – compression engines. Use in crankcase, gas tank, or top cylinder oiler… the ideal cure for hydraulic valve trouble.
See your dealer or write: EMEROL MANUFACTURING CO., INC.,
Depl 234, 242 West 69th St., New York 23. New York
I love the name "Devil Junk" that he gave his jeep, though it does make it sound like the kid might have a heroin problem.
The midget jeep at the left was built by Valentin Labata. of Leyte. Philippine Islands. He starts his letter by asking, "I wonder if Filipinos are qualified to enter your Workbench Award contest?" They sure are, Val. We base our awards on ability, not nationality. He goes on to say. "A 3-hp. Wisconsin engine drives one rear wheel through a belt, giving 25 m.p.h, top speed and 75 to 80 miles per gallon. The brake works through the other rear wheel. I received help from my father, who donated the engine and the wheels, and two relatives. That's me in the middle. The other two boys are the helpful relatives."
Well, it was apparently street legal in 1962 at least.
In case you had any concerns about reliability; read about these guys driving this kart around the world.
MI's HIGHWAY KART
You don't need a trailer or a station wagon to haul this kart to a track you can drive it there on public roads!
By R. J. Capotosto
DRIVING a kart is a real thrill. Seated on a low-slung frame only inches from the ground, you feel as if you're doing 80 mph when you're doing 20. Yet it's surprisingly safe. The low center of gravity and a width two-thirds the length make it almost impossible to flip a kart in a tight turn. Just about everyone who tries a kart gets the urge to own one—and if you've got that urge, you get a bonus in building the MI Highway Kart.
Since karts are generally driven on special tracks, it is not necessary to register them. However, transporting a kart is often a problem. It can be hauled in a station wagon—if you own a wagon—or it can be towed on a trailer. Either way, the lugging can be quite a nuisance. With this in mind, our model was designed so that registration could be obtained, making it possible to drive the kart to its destination on public roads.
Makes Coffee as You Drive
The young lady is enjoying a cup of coffee made by a German gadget that clamps onto the dash and plugs into the car's electric system. Hot water filters through powdered coffee into a cup. Cimo Sievers, NYC, distributes Paluxette.
"They said we were crazy to try — but we've already traveled 10,000 miles!"
By William Glen Davis
DRIVE a kart around the world?
Man, you're nuts! You'll never make it!"
This was the almost universal reaction that greeted my announced intention to circle the globe on a four-wheeled beetle smaller than many a baby carriage. Now, 10,000 miles later, I like to think the scoffers have been silenced.
My plan was first to drive from Los Angeles to Mexico City and back in order to test the feasibility of a 'round-the-world trip by kart. Then I would head for New York and from there take a boat to Europe. Once in Europe I would work out the details of my itinerary.
What this really reminds me of is the car from The Ambiguously Gay Duo
Jet-Age Custom Car
No flames spout from the tail pipes of a custom-built three-wheeled car, but that is about the only difference between it and a space ship! The engine is a 60-horsepower V8 mounted in the rear. A single front wheel is suspended on a motorcycle fork. The sheet-metal body is welded to the frame. Air scoops on each side of the body ventilate the engine. The 10 tail pipes permit the hot air from the engine to escape. The unusual car was built by Stanley M. Eakin of Grove City, Ohio. It took six years of his spare time. Top speed is about 90 miles per hour.


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The Haining Holiday International Hotel (Haining Jiari Guoji Dajiudian) is located in Haining's commercial center near Xishan park. Beside the hotel are several department stores and convenient access to local transportation puts most city destinations within easy reach.An airport pickup service is available to ensure that guests can arrive with as little hassle as possible.There are 18 private Chinese dining rooms and a large banquet hall, serving dishes from the Haining, Shanghai and Hangzhou culinary traditions.Those looking to arrange business functions can take advantage of variously-sized conference rooms and the hotel's professional staff.Guests will enjoy taking rides in the hotel's sightseeing elevator and can find relaxation in the spa and massage center.
Looking for hotels in Haining? Trip.com is a great place to start. Book hotels in Haining via the Trip.com website or app, it's easy and hassle-free. In Haining, both areas with attractions and the city center are good places to stay. For trips in Haining, you can choose hotels around the city center or accommodations near popular attractions. Haining is not far from Tongxiang and Haiyan. These places can also be included in your itinerary.
There is no civilian airport in this city. You can visit a nearby city first, and then head to Haining using other means of transportation. Travelers from all over the country often take the train to Haining to spend their vacations or attend conferences.
There are 32 hotels in Haining with excellent service. Haining has high quality and low-priced hotels. You can spend one night at a nice hotel for only 43 SGD. There are 5 five-star hotels in Haining at an average price of 89 SGD per night. There are 3 four-star hotels in Haining at an average price of 63 SGD per night. There are 11 three-star hotels in Haining at an average price of 39 SGD per night. There are 12 two-star hotels in Haining at an average price of 28 SGD per night. As a popular tourist city, Haining has many renowned chain hotels. Hangting Hotel is the top choice of many travelers in Haining. Hangting Hotel is the most popular brand among tourists. Langham Place Haining is one of the most popular hotels in Haining. If you're still unsure, Trip.com recommends Kelly Hotel.
There are quite a few famous attractions in downtown Haining, such as Former residence of Zhimo Xu. You can choose attractions in Haining that are perfect for a weekend getaway, such as Shadow Puppet Theatre. You can also visit top-rated attractions like Guanchao Shengdi Park, Jiaxing Yan'guan Site, Yanguan Tide View Scenic Spot. For those interested in the outdoors, attractions like Chang'an Park, Li Shanlan Park, Xishan Park are excellent options.
Average Temperature
• January to March: 8.49°C during the day, 4.94°C at night
• April to June: 21.57°C during the day, 18.12°C at night
• July to September: 28.58°C during the day, 25.32°C at night
• October to December: 14.78°C during the day, 10.6°C at night
Average seasonal Rainfall
• Spring: 87.43 cm
• Summer: 132.83 cm
• Autumn: 146.5 cm
• Winter: 56.47 cm


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Here at the Bournemouth Eye Clinic we understand that people can be frustrated with the need to wear glasses, and later in life this can be more frustrating with the need for several pairs.
We feel that where people have difficulties with their vision it is important that they are given a detailed explanation of their condition and the treatments which are available to help them.
Our surgeon is happy to discuss the options that Laser Eye surgery can offer you and your eyes, to allow you to reduce your dependence on glasses. Laser Eye surgery options include;
Wavefront Guided Laser Eye Surgery
If Laser Eye Surgery is not appropriate for your eyes then our surgeon will let you know. If alternative treatments are more suitable then he will discuss these with you. Our surgeon will only offer you a treatment which he feels is right for you and your eyes.
As our surgeon is also an experienced cataract surgeon, if you have cataracts we can not only treat your cataract but also, at the same time, use the latest lens technology to reduce your dependence on glasses.
If you would like to discuss with our surgeon the options available to you with Laser Eye Surgery, or other forms of refractive surgery, please feel free to book an appointment.


text:
Poems by
Bob Beveridge
My Bruver Paul
My wee bruver Paul is gone
far away
I felt really sad that day, he went far away
He sent a postcard the other day
From that land so far away
A little tear I shed, over that card, from that land so far away
We spoke at Christmas
We spoke at New Year ( Well slurred at each other)
We spoke at Easter, He's so far away
Teaching English far away
To Japenese people ' ah so' far away
He'll be home some day, from that land far away
How glad I'll be when he's home, from that land so far away.
Return to
Bob's Index page
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A Visit to the Brooklyn Grange
May 30, 2012
It's a slightly slow time at work, and I took the opportunity to accompany Nina on a school trip this morning. Her class visited the Brooklyn Grange, the world's largest commercial rooftop farm, which sits atop a 40,000 square-foot (that's about an acre) roof, in Long Island City, Queens (why the Brooklyn Grange is in Queens is a long story, but the good news is that the farm, which is in its third year, is doing so well, that it is expanding to its namesake borough).
After a forty-five-minute ride to the farm with, let's just say, highly energetic first graders, I was missing my desk job quite a bit (whatever it is they pay teachers, it can't possibly be enough unless it's a function of decibels registered in a school bus full of first graders on the BQE in heavy traffic).
I was even pining for my time in the kitchen that morning, which, let me tell you, was as rushed as ever. Between dropping Nina off and having to return to the school to accompany the trip, I had a half hour, which, I'm proud to say, I used to knock out two pork loins and a batch of Harried Dad's Aloo Gobi (which is becoming more true to its name as both the kids and Santa Maria have started to spurn it. Oh, well.) Doing my cooking in the morning, meant that dinner would be ready when I came home.
Once the bus stopped, we were on a typical street corner in industrial Long Island City, home to a number of the city's auto dealerships and big-box stores.
At the top of a wall of windows of an imposing building...
We came out on a rooftop full of green leaves and growing plants that said to me, "We're not in Kansas anymore." And sure enough we weren't. In Kansas, that is.
The kids were treated to a tour of the farm, and I learned quite a bit. Did you know that there are six parts of a plant, and that humans eat them all?
- Roots (such as potatoes, beets, etc.)
- Stems (celery, for example)
- Leaves (lettuce, kale, and the like)
- Flowers (broccoli and cauliflower)
- Fruits (a.k.a. the vegetable; think eggplant, zucchini, squash)
- Seeds (sunflower seeds, green beans)
The plants are grown in special beds that are full of nutrient-rich lightweight rocks, and the farm composts its own soil. The docent described the towering piles soil in the making as "compost lasagna," featuring layers of food scraps and newspaper and wood chips.
The temperature reaches 180 degrees inside it, as worms chomp through garbage and turn it into a soil so rich that farmers call it "Black Gold."
And they even let the kids play with the soil..
The Brooklyn Grange is a commercial farm, and it sells to restaurants and to the public. You can learn more about it by reading this great article in Nona Brooklyn, or visiting the farm's site. I encourage you to go check it out in person, too. It is well worth the trip.


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UNC announced Wednesday evening that sophomore guard Seventh Woods is out indefinitely with a stress fracture in his left foot.
Woods–who has also been battling plantar fasciitis in the same foot–has missed the Tar Heels' last two games.
In the seven games that he has played in, the South Carolina native is averaging 2.4 points and 1.7 assists in 11 minutes per game.
He joins graduate transfer Cam Johnson on the UNC injury list, as Johnson is expected to miss at least three more weeks with a sprained neck.
Although Woods will not need surgery, a timetable for his return has yet to be established.
The Tar Heels are scheduled to take on Western Carolina at home on Wednesday, then will have a long break before their next game–a road contest at Tennessee on Dec. 17.
Photo via Todd Melet


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Lower limb and knee account for >75% of musculoskeletal injuries in today's military
Osteoarthritis is among the leading causes of disability in the United States, costing billions of dollars each year in lost work hours, treatments and doctor visits, and leaving people sidelined from day-to-day activities.
By Nicole Wetsman, Lower Extremity Review May 2018
That problem is mirrored and amplified in the military, a unique segment of the population that relies heavily on physical fitness and ability. "OA is the leading cause of disability discharge from the military," said Kenneth Cameron PhD MPH ATC FNATA, director of Orthopaedic Research at Keller Army Community Hospital, West Point, NY. Indeed, the lower limb and particularly the knee account for more than 75% of military-related musculoskeletal injuries.
The armed forces are particularly affected by osteoarthritis, and disease often strikes soldiers earlier than it would civilians. However, management and treatment are hampered by the same information gaps as in the general OA population. Despite the urgency of the problem, which increases daily due to multiple deployments, research focused on military-specific osteoarthritis remains underfunded—even though successes in that sphere could translate out into the civilian population.
"We need to do a better job ensuring people can stay in their jobs," Cameron said. "Anything the military does will be relevant to the general population."
|For comparison, the way post-traumatic OA is managed today would be like identifying patients with hypertension and saying that they don't need to come back until they have a heart attack—that is, without intermediary treatment. There are no intermediary treatments for OA.
A military readiness problem
Between 1999 and 2008, 108,266 cases of physician-diagnosed osteoarthritis were documented in the Defense Medical Surveillance System,1 which collects health-care data in the military. Just as in the civilian population, the rate of OA increases as service members get older, according to an analysis published in Arthritis & Rheumatology in 2011,1 and enlisted service members, who have more physically demanding positions, were at a higher risk of the condition. Overall, the military had nearly twice the incidence of OA compared with the general population, making OA a potential threat to military readiness.
The rate of OA remains higher than average among veterans, with 32 % of veterans reporting doctor-diagnosed arthritis, compared with 22 % of non-veterans, according to a 2006 study of nearly 125,000 adults surveyed through the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.2
|Body-borne loads and military osteoarthritis
|Heavy loads, such as body armor, heavy boots, backpacks, and weapons, affect movements of the knee in military service members, and might contribute to injury risk or osteoarthritis (OA), according to several studies represented at the recent 41st Annual Meeting of the American Society for Biomechanics.
Carrying a medium or heavy load (defined as 15% and 30% of bodyweight, respectively) affected knee-joint movements of male soldiers during a run-to-walk task but not during a walk-to-run task.1 The deceleration from run-to-walk caused soldiers who were wearing medium or heavy loads to exhibit significantly increased knee abduction and internal rotation, which might increase risk of injury and knee instability. The authors called for additional research to identify biomechanical strategies that might help soldiers avoid risky movement patterns and protect against injury during deceleration.
Exhibiting varus thrust, a biomechanical feature in which the knee bows out laterally during the weight-bearing portion of a step, puts people at increased risk of knee OA. Adding weight burden, which also increases risk of knee OA, to soldiers with this walking pattern is therefore a potential concern. However, in research discussed at the 2017 American Society for Biomechanics annual meeting, and subsequently published in the Journal of Biomechanics,2 adding a body-borne load actually reduced thrust in 9 military personnel who presented with it initially (one half the study sample). Nine military personnel without vagus thrust, however, adopted a walking pattern that were related to risk of OA, such as thrust and knee abduction, when carrying a load.
Current research underscores the complex relationship between added load and changes in biomechanics, particularly in the knee. Authors on both studies1,2 stressed the need to develop intervention strategies that might reduce movement patterns linked to the development of osteoarthritis for service members.
Earlier interventions needed
Treating OA in the military is no different than the challenge facing civilian clinicians. There simply aren't many treatment options for OA outside pain management and, eventually, joint replacement.
In younger service members, like many soldiers who develop joint problems early, choices are even more limiting and difficult. "You're really trying to navigate, how do I keep working, and manage this best I can, because I'm too young for a joint replacement," said Kelli Allen PhD, health services researcher at the Thurston Arthritis Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "Ideally, you catch it early, and try to aggressively manage it."
Directing research dollars
Although the military is well aware of the problem OA poses to military readiness and has a ready and well-documented population for research, funding dollars from the US Department of Defense for studies on the armed forces are often scarce. Department of Defense funding is distributed by Congress, and the pot of money is open to all researchers—not divided by disease.
"We've only just started to allocate research funding in the last few years," Cameron said. "It's become more of a priority. But it's still a challenge because the dollars are congressionally allocated, and there's no specific funding mechanism for osteoarthritis. We're competing with 40 or 50 other disease categories."
Source Lower Extremity Review
Also see
Post-traumatic OA: Unique implications for the military in Lower Extremity Review
International scientists discuss Soldier physical performance in Army.mil
Keller's SportsMed Fellowship makes strides in research, care in Army.mil


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How New Atrocity-Prevention Steps Can Work
Andrew C. Miller and Paul B. Stares
Council on Foreign Relations
15 August 2011
The following is an analysis of the steps to prevent mass atrocities taken by US President Barack Obama including a Presidential Study Directive to take inventory of existing tools to prevent and halt crimes and the establishment of a new Atrocities Prevention Board.
As the Presidential Study Directive (PSD-10) authorizing the new initiatives more or less acknowledges, the U.S. response to the threat of mass atrocities and genocide often has been too little, too late, and too improvised. (…)
Predicting the outbreak of atrocities with a high degree of confidence is no doubt a difficult task, but scholars have in recent years improved our understanding of telltale risk factors, such as leadership instability and ethnic polarization, which can help with early warning. Helping analysts within the intelligence community or diplomats in the field to raise "red flags" when they detect dangerous signals is another important component.
But without a high-level body of policymakers to receive such early warning information, it is effectively worthless. The new Atrocities Prevention Board, augmented by the recently created National Security Staff directorate for atrocities and war crimes, could serve as that body--one potentially empowered to push for proactive responses. (…)
But greater awareness of atrocity-prevention steps does not guarantee a process that will have lasting effect. Tough questions remain:
First, will the new atrocity-prevention structures and processes become "mainstreamed" within the national security apparatus? Recent history demonstrates that the established bureaucracy can marginalize or eliminate good faith efforts to change the status quo. (…)
Second, will the elevated priority given to atrocity prevention continue with subsequent administrations? (…)
Third, and most importantly, will the American people support what some will doubtless see as altruistic efforts with little bearing on U.S. interests? (…)
See full brief.


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Dear Lina, we talked at one of our seminars in spring 2018. After 3 unsuccessful IVF attempts and 2 unsuccessful egg donations you were losing hope in succeeding with your own eggs. After having looked into your medical history I saw that opportunities with your own eggs are far from being exhausted. I recommended IVF with own eggs and to give you support I have offered to share risk with you — our money back package.
In July 2018, exactly a year ago, you came to us for egg retrieval. After this you wrote to us:
"This is a miracle! 5 blastocysts in one cycle! My fertilization rate was 2/10 previously and only one 2 day embryo survived to transfer out of three IVF cycles. I truly believe that you are magicians!!!"
And look at you today! Here you are, pregnant with your own eggs on the very first attempt with us after 3 unsuccessful IVFs in Denmark and 2 unsuccessful egg donations in Spain!
An amazing pregnant shining beautiful woman with one of 5 blastocysts being 34 weeks by now and 3 still in the freezer!
We wish you healthy and easy remaining weeks of pregnancy, easy and successful delivery and healthy beautiful happy baby!
Photo by Sabina Hannila