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Cam Winton has brought a no-nonsense style to the Minneapolis mayoral race.
At debates, he needles the other candidates, often calling them out for changing their stance in front of different audiences. "This is not a Minnesota Nice debate," the moderator declared after he zinged a rival recently.
At his news conferences, he uses catchy props to get his ideas across and doesn't hesitate to criticize city policies. He has stood in a pothole, ridden in a rented garbage truck and even used a tortoise and a pair of hares to make a point about city zoning and development regulation.
Winton's strategy is to set himself apart in the crowded field as a fresh face who hasn't held public office. He says his remarks are meant to cut through what he describes as a fluff of self-congratulation in the city to focus attention on where it falls short.
"I have found it necessary to speak very plainly," said Winton, 34, an attorney whose Fulton area household includes his wife, also a lawyer, two toddlers and a rambunctious Goldendoodle.
Born and raised in a suburb of Philadelphia, he comes to the race as a Democrat-turned-Republican who's running as an independent, fiscally restrained but socially moderate on such issues as marriage equality and global warming.
"In this race, I'm the outsider," he said in an interview. "I wasn't born here but I got here as soon as I could. I love this city."
His platform keys on three priorities: growing jobs by easing red tape at City Hall to make doing business easier, pushing for better school results, and focusing on doing basic city services better. He said he'd make getting part of his salary dependent on making progress on those priorities.
That streetcar plan that's rolling down the track? He'd derail it for bus improvements. The city's marketing campaign for its tap water? Not in a Winton administration. Most business licenses? Building permits for small projects? He'd junk them.
But his ideas — including longer school days and school year and improving roads via more paving — have hefty price tags. Winton said he'd offset this largely by savings from consolidating back-office operations with Hennepin County in such areas as personnel, technology, finance and procurement.
The city's last Republican mayor left office in 1961. David Schultz, a Hamline professor and political analyst, said Winton needs a perfect storm to win. His DFL opponents need to chew up each other and he has to augment his conservative base with enough DFLers willing to award him their second- or third-place votes. "I think he needs to have everything come together," Schultz said.
Shaped by African trip
Asked how he'd approach City Hall if elected, Winton hearkens to the summer between his first two years of law school, when he worked in Botswana on an AIDS drug distribution program.
Living in southern Africa, Winton saw countries where the privileged lived behind walls topped with barbed wire, while many lived in squalor. He said that helped to shape his view that government should provide basic services while striving to offer job-creating opportunities for left-behind residents to improve lives. After encountering street children on a side trip to Zimbabwe, he raised thousands of dollars to help feed, house and teach them.
Although he remained a Democrat until 2011, Winton worked for a Republican in the 1999 Philadelphia mayoral campaign in an uphill battle that was lost by a slim margin. Winton worked with college roommate Theo LeCompte, who oversaw logistics on the 2008 Democratic National Convention, and he served as treasurer for Ashwin Madia's Democratic bid for Congress that year.
But by early 2011, he became a Republican. One factor was moving from a law firm to work for Outland Energy Services, where he said he saw the impact of taxation and regulation on business decisions. The other was the arrival of his first child, and what he said was a realization of the public debt being passed to her generation.
He then helped sell the company to Duke Energy, where he now works as senior counsel for a subsidiary. Associates credit him for working to make sure that employees kept their jobs and got a payout for a portion of the sale.
Opinions came early
Winton's outspoken activism started early. When the Philadelphia Inquirer would arrive during their boyhood, "He always got the editorial page. For me, it was the comics," said brother Jeb.
But friends say he's also the rah-rah teammate in the subzero broomball games, the karaoke aficionado with the bitter rocking "You Oughta Know" by Alanis Morissette as his signature, the first guy to get to know everybody in the room. That quality may grow out of his success in student government, starting in middle school and culminating in election as freshman class president at the Ivy League's University of Pennsylvania.
He can also be persistent. He met his future wife when both attended the London School of Economics. She was tending bar in the pub in their dorm, but it took him months to wear down her reserve. They married in 2006, the same year he finished and she started law school.
Winton's combination of analytic smarts and affability has impressed some unlikely supporters.
Next-door neighbor Larry Forsman said at age 62, he's voted Republican only once but he's supporting Winton.
"He's a smart guy. He's not a career politician. He doesn't need the job."
Twitter: @brandtstrib


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15 Days of Screenshots - Day 12 Inspiring Imagery
This post is part of my series in participation of Saz's Through your Interface 15 day screenshot challenge.
Day 12: Inspiring Imagery
Show us something that inspires you within World of Warcraft. This can be a character, a person, scenery that leaves you in aw, or whatever it is that strikes a cord in you. The inspiration it creates can be anything as well: Has this character inspired you to roll a certain class? Does a certain zone make you long to write a story about your character adventuring through that particular area?
I have always been fascinated by Lady Sylvanas Windrunner. The leader of the undead, she underwent a makeover in WotLK and looks infinitely more hot. I love her new model, and wish I could have a toon that looked like her!
What is so special about her? Where do I start?
"We are the Forsaken. We will slaughter anyone who stands in our way."
|Artist: Wei Wang
"What joy is there in this curse?"
I try to imagine, what would I do in her place? Ressurected to be a puppet, clawing back your sense of self, only to find that life - or rather, undeath - is not living. You have lost your connection to nature, you cannot procreate, your being is filled with hate, anger, revenge. You are the leader of a people who are an abomination to your enemies and your allies, and with each undead that falls, your numbers and armies dwindle. Your family is gone, all you have left are your people, and your allies, your burning desire to destroy the Lich King. What happens when your object of revenge is vanquished? What now do you do with your life/undeath? Do you live out the remainder of your days waiting for death to claim you again?
"So, it is done.
I had not dared to trust my senses - too many times has the Lich King made me to be a fool.
Finally, he has been made to pay for the atrocities he imposed upon my people.
May Azeroth never fail to remember the terrible price we paid for our weakness... for our pride.
But what now, hero? What of those freed from his grasp, but still shackled to their mortal coils? Leave me. I have much to ponder."
|Artist: Hujianing
And yes, before I hear more, I know all about her using Blight to make more Forsaken but what do you expect? Dead people can't procreate, but there are lots of dead people around, why not breathe some life into them? However, making them into mindless zombies that serve only you is not exactly my idea of "afterlife", but hey, someone's got to defend the place.
Garrosh Hellscream: "What difference is there between you and the Lich King now?"
Lady Sylvanas Windrunner: "Isn't it obvious, Warchief? I serve the Horde."
Garrosh Hellscream: "Watch your clever mouth, bitch."

subset: commoncrawl


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Only 60 miles from Anchorage, Whittier beckons with all the beauty of Prince William Sound – a place where you learn the real meaning of the word "fjord". The Sound is made up of many deep fjords with tidewater glaciers that calve before your eyes, and islands around every turn.
Whittier is also surrounded by the Chugach National Forest, the second largest in the United States and a vast wilderness.
Visit Whittier and see wildlife, beach comb and pick berries while walking along the harbor or hiking the Portage Pass, Salmon Run or Horse Tail Falls trails.
Whittier businesses are the starting point for your Prince William Sound adventure offering a variety of water-related recreation including day cruises, fishing charters, kayak tours and scuba diving. Winter activities include snow shoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
Fishing is a popular sport for all ages. The annual silver salmon run in late August or September is a favorite with anglers. The Greater Whittier Chamber of Commerce is also hosting salmon and halibut derbies this summer.
Birds are also in abundance. Watch eagles soar or see thousands of seabirds gather in their nesting grounds at the kittiwake rookery just across Passage Canal from Whittier.
To reach Whittier, you'll drive through North America's longest vehicle tunnel – the 2.5-mile Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. The World War II-era train tunnel was converted into a unique railroad and vehicle tunnel in 2000. Visit the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel website for a schedule and additional information.
Whittier has a mild maritime climate, but be prepared for cool wet weather. Rain jackets are essential and casual comfortable clothing is the rule.
Weather Underground | National Weather Service


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Landowner of the Year 2005 - Dale Rich
Dale Rich, of Tulsa, was recently named the 2005 Landowner of the Year by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
For 15 years, Rich, along with his family and friends, have
worked to improve wildlife habitat on his 3,000-acre property in
Okfuskee County.
"Ever since he has owned this property, Dale has been enthusiastic and committed to do everything he can to improve the wildlife habitat on his land. His hard work has paid off. Today, the area is a showcase for what private landowners can accomplish with hard work and dedication for wildlife habitat," said John Hendrix, private lands biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
"I truly appreciate the honor, but the real thanks should go to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Their knowledge and technical assistance was just invaluable," Rich said.
According to Hendrix, one of the most effective land management practices Rich has used has been prescribed fire.
"When Mr. Rich first purchased the property it had been neglected for some time. Many of the fields were very overgrown and many of the wooded areas had completely closed canopies which provided limited wildlife benefits," Hendrix said.
Rich initiated a strategic prescribed fire plan that included creating eight miles of fire guards and 16 separate fire units. Prescribed burning has benefited a wide variety of species including deer, quail and perhaps most dramatically, turkeys. Now abundant year round, turkeys rarely, if ever, inhabited the property a decade ago.
Additionally, Rich has planted trees to stabilize a river bank, constructed a large pond, and conducted many other management practices designed to revive the wildlife habitat on the property, near the North Canadian River.
In addition to improving wildlife habitat, Rich has also made a commitment to sharing the hunting heritage with the next generation. More than 40 kids have harvested their first deer on the property.
"Dale has a real passion for sharing his love of wildlife with friends and family, and particularly with kids. There's a reason why there are no TVs or video games in the cabin on the property. He wants kids to get outside, go fishing, go hunting and develop their own love for the outdoors," Hendrix said.
For years the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation has worked closely with landowners by providing technical assistance and in some cases financial support for land practices that benefit wildlife. Projects may include fencing, tree planting, timber thinning, wetland restoration and more.


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ANIMAL KINGDOM – Team Valor International's Animal Kingdom galloped a mile and a half at 7:15 Friday morning, a little more than an hour earlier than the time reserved for Derby and Oaks horses.
Trainer Graham Motion said he couldn't get Animal Kingdom and Team Valor International's Kentucky Oaks candidate Summer Soiree out at the same time during the Derby-Oaks break so the Leroidesanimaux colt went out during the busier period.
"She's quite strong and it was more important for her to have the quiet track," Motion said. "Actually, I thought it would be better for him to have plenty of activity out there for him to look at."
Motion said that jockey Robby Albarado, who will ride Animal Kingdom in the Derby, will be up for a scheduled breeze Saturday morning, probably after the renovation break. The work will either be five-eighths or three-quarters of a mile. It is the first breeze since the Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes (GIII) winner covered five furlongs in 1:02.80 on April 23. Motion noted that the Keeneland breeze didn't go as planned because the workmate didn't move along as quickly as expected.
"I would rather that he had done a little more in his work last week, but it's not the end of the world. He'll get a decent work here (on Saturday)." Motion said.
Motion will fly back to Maryland Saturday afternoon so he can oversee a work by his other Derby horse, Toby's Corner, Sunday morning at the Fair Hill training center in Elkton, Md. Toby's Corner, winner of the Wood Memorial (GI), is scheduled to be shipped by van from Fair Hill to Churchill Downs on Monday.
Eddie Castro will ride Toby's Corner in the Derby.
ARCHARCHARCH – Robert Yagos' Archarcharch indicated his readiness for Kentucky Derby 137 by working a bullet five furlongs in :59.40 under jockey Jon Court after the renovation break Friday morning.
Working in company with Supreme Ruler, Archarcharch broke off a length behind his workmate, quickly drew on even terms and finished seven lengths clear.
Fractions for the work were :11.60, :23, :35, :47.60 and out six furlongs in 1:12.80. The time was the fastest of 58 at the distance, sharing the bullet for the morning with Arienza.
"I thought the work went very well," trainer Jinks Fires said. "Jon asked him to go and he went. He's just a fast horse, Han awesome kind of horse and a horse like that makes you excited to get up in the morning."
Fires said that the Friday work would be the last for Archarcharch before the Derby.
"He will gallop up to the race," Fires said. "I was waiting all week to work and just waiting on Mother Nature."
Archarcharch comes into the Runs for the Roses off a win in the Arkansas Derby (GI) on April 16.
"I feel that he has gotten better since the Arkansas Derby and Jon feels that way, too," Fires said. "I've felt good about him all along since the first time we worked him. We are just hoping for a good trip for him and hope that happens."
BRILLIANT SPEED – Live Oak Plantation's Brilliant Speed arrived at Churchill Downs Friday following a van ride from Keeneland. Brilliant Speed, who arrived at 2:15 p.m. (EDT), is stabled in Barn 42.
Trained by Tom Albertrani, Brilliant Speed earned his ticket to Kentucky Derby 137 with a nose victory in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (GI) on April 16. Albertrani said the colt would work Monday.
DECISIVE MOMENT – Trainer Juan Arias sent Just For Fun Stable's Decisive Moment to the Churchill Downs track Friday for a five-furlong work, completed in 1:01.40 under jockey Jesus Castanon.
"He did excellent. That's what I wanted him to do. I told Jesus, 'Last time we worked we worked a bullet, so you don't need to go that fast this time,' '' said Arias, whose colt turned in splits of :12.60, :25.20, :37, :49.20 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:15. "We aimed for between 1:01 and 1:02, so it was right on the money."
Decisive Moment, whose second-place finishes in the Delta Jackpot (GIII) in late November and Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes (GIII) at Turfway Park in his most recent start gave him the graded earnings to make the Derby field, was the first Kentucky Derby contender to arrive at Churchill Downs on March 28.
"He loves this atmosphere. He got here early enough that he got acclimated to the weather. By being here early I think it helps a lot," said Arias, a Calder Race Course-based trainer. "He just loves Churchill Downs. He feels ready to party; he's ready to dance to any kind of music. He can dance."
The stretch of rainy weather during his extended stay at Churchill has not dampened Arias' enthusiasm over his Derby experience. In fact, the less-than-ideal conditions have bolstered his confidence in his Florida-bred colt.
"I came early enough that I've been able to train him over different type of conditions on this track," he said. "He's adjusted to every one of them excellent.
Arias never has saddled a Derby starter and is intent on enjoying the experience to the fullest.
"This is what you get up for every day. You get up; do your job; do the best you can with the stock that you have; rotate horses until you get the chance to run into a horse like Decisive Moment," the native Panamanian said. "This is very exciting. This is a world class race."
MASTER OF HOUNDS – Tony Matos, agent for jockey Garrett Gomez, said Friday morning that Gomez has been confirmed to ride Mrs. John Magnier's Master of Hounds in Kentucky Derby 137.
Sixth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (GII) here last fall under John Murtagh and runner-up in the UAE Derby (GII) in his lone 2011 start under Ryan Moore, Master of Hounds is scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs on Tuesday.
MIDNIGHT INTERLUDE – Arnold Zetcher's Midnight Interlude, galloped a mile and a half after the renovation break under exercise rider Dana Barnes.
The Santa Anita Derby (GI) winner trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert will work again, possibly on Monday, but Baffert said the decision on when to train will be based on the weather.
Victor Espinoza, who rode War Emblem to victory in the 2002 Kentucky Derby, the most recent of Baffert's three Derby wins, will ride Midnight Interlude in the Kentucky Derby.
MUCHO MACHO MAN – Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Dream Team One Racing Stable's Mucho Macho Man schooled in the Churchill Downs paddock Friday after his morning gallop.
"He backed up to the wire and galloped two miles. He pulled up and went back to the paddock and schooled," trainer Kathy Ritvo said. "He was good."
She plans to work Mucho Macho Man either Saturday or Sunday.
"I'm not sure. I'm going to look at the weather. I want to try to work him on a dry track, so we'll do whatever we can to work on a dry track," said Ritvo, whose Derby candidate worked seven furlongs over a sloppy Churchill Downs track last Sunday. "I probably would like to work on Sunday. But if Saturday is the only day the track is dry, I'll work Saturday."
Ritvo has been pleased with her Florida-bred colt's handling of the Churchill surface during his gallops and his workout.
"He's been going perfect. Even in the mud, he galloped perfect and he worked good in the mud," she said. "He galloped today good."
The South Florida-based trainer said Mucho Macho Man was responding well to the cooler temperatures in Louisville.
"It's good for the horse. I don't know about Kathy though," Ritvo quipped while clutching at the ends of her jacket collar. "I hadn't seen the sun in days."
Mucho Macho Man, who'll be ridden by Rajiv Maragh, hasn't raced since March 26 in the Louisiana Derby (GII), in which he finished a close third after losing a shoe shortly after the start.
"I think he's done really well. He has really good consistent works, long works. He's galloped out well after all of his works. What we're interested in are the next three races, so we wanted him to come into this race as a fresh horse," Ritvo said.
NEHRO – Zayat Stable's Nehro continued his preparations for Kentucky Derby 137 with a one-mile gallop over a "fast" track on Friday at Churchill Downs.
Regular exercise rider Carlos Rosas was in the saddle aboard the Steve Asmussen-trained son of Mineshaft when he went to the track around 6:15 a.m. (EDT).
Nehro's final pre-Derby work is set for Monday, May 2. Assistant Scott Blasi said the colt would probably work in one of Asmussen's early sets, but that could change if weather becomes a factor.
PANTS ON FIRE – George and Lori Hall's Louisiana Derby (GII) winner Pants On Fire galloped a little less than a mile and a half after the renovation break under exercise rider Juan Pizarro.
Trainer Kelly Breen is keeping a close eye on the weather to determine whether the Louisiana Derby (GII) winner would work Saturday or Sunday.
"I'd rather work Sunday and give the track another day to dry out," Breen said.
Rosie Napravnik, who will have the mount in Derby 137, is scheduled to be aboard for the work.
SANTIVA – Tom Walters' Santiva galloped a mile and a half following the renovation break.
Trainer Eddie Kenneally said the Giant's Causeway colt is doing well and may have a light breeze on Monday or Tuesday, depending on the weather.
Shaun Bridgmohan has the mount on Santiva in the Derby
SHACKLEFORD – Michael Lauffer and W.D. Cubbedge's Shackleford galloped a mile and a half after the renovation break under exercise rider Faustino Ramos.
Trainer Dale Romans said the Florida Derby (GI) runner-up would work in the morning after the renovation break with Tammy Fox aboard for the move as she was last week when Shackleford worked a bullet five furlongs in 1:00.20.
Jesus Castanon has the Derby mount.
STAY THIRSTY/UNCLE MO – Repole Stable's double-barreled Kentucky Derby entry of Uncle Mo and Stay Thirsty galloped a mile and a half after the renovation break for trainer Todd Pletcher.
Hector Ramos was aboard Uncle Mo, and Fernando Espinoza was aboard Stay Thirsty. Mike Repole's Derby contenders are expected to work together in their final pre-Derby training move on Sunday.
TWICE THE APPEAL/SWAY AWAY – Edward Brown Jr., Victor Flores and Henry Hernandez's Sunland Derby (GIII) winner Twice the Appeal jogged before the renovation break under exercise rider Nate Quinonez.
Trained by Jeff Bonde, Twice the Appeal is scheduled to work Saturday morning at 6:05 under Calvin Borel.
Bonde's other Kentucky Derby hopeful, Batman Stable, Philip Lebherz, Cindy Olsen, Janet Sharp and Glen Wallace et al's Sway Away also jogged and is scheduled to work Saturday. Sway Away is 24th on the list of potential Kentucky Derby entrants for a field that is limited to the top 20 graded stakes earners.
TWINSPIRED/DERBY KITTEN – Alpha Stables, Skychai Racing and Sand Dollar Stable's Twinspired galloped a mile and a half at the Trackside Training Center under exercise rider Derrick Smith for trainer Mike Maker.
Maker plans to work the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (GI) runner-up around 8:30 Saturday morning at Trackside.
Also galloping at Trackside Friday morning was Ken and Sarah Ramsey's Coolmore Lexington (GIII) winner Derby Kitten, who sits 22nd on the list of graded stakes earners considering a Derby run.
WATCH ME GO – Gilbert Campbell's Watch Me Go galloped 1 ½ miles under exercise rider Louie Feliciano following the renovation break Friday morning at Churchill Downs.
Groom Lucy Pompell reported that Campbell's homebred colt has settled in nicely at Barn 41 since arriving on Tuesday.
"He's nice and relaxed. I think he likes the scenery and the nice green grass," Pompell said.
Pompell expressed excitement about her first involvement with a Derby horse.
"I'm a winner already, you know," she said.
Trainer Kathleen O'Connell was scheduled to arrive in Louisville Friday afternoon and will supervise a workout Saturday or Sunday for Watch Me Go.
No rider has been confirmed for Watch Me Go.


text:
A fun and imaginative name derived from the combination of the words "party" and "nirvana." Ideal for companies specializing in entertainment, social networking, games, or even design.
- Trendy and progressive
- Fun and amusing
- Artistic and visionary
- Elevated diction
We sent you an auto response. We will be in touch as soon as possible!
Please check your spam or trash folder for our email if it does not appear in your inbox. You can also add firstname.lastname@example.com as a contact to make sure our response is delivered to your inbox.
Most Common Questions
We understand that the process of creating a brand identity can be overwhelming. The most important thing you need to know is that Brandroot provides individual customer service with every order to 100% satisfaction. We believe in creating mutually beneficial partnerships with our customers; we do not forget about you after the sale has been made. You will have full access to our live chat system, or your can utilize our email service or toll-free number with any questions or concerns.
At Brandroot, you are purchasing more than just a name – you are purchasing an identity. To that end, we pride ourselves on providing everything you need to get your new website up and running. First and foremost, your purchase includes the original .com address (or domain name) and the logo that has been individually designed for that name. In some cases, we can provide logo modification service at no additional cost to you.
We are also more than willing to help you get started with your new web presence. If necessary, Brandroot will assist you in the basic setup of your newly purchased domain, including ensuring a fast and effortless transfer of the domain into your name, assisting you with forwarding your domain to a current website.
We do not consider a job complete until you are up and running with your new business name. That is the Brandroot commitment.
Starting a company is hard. Purchasing a name doesn't have to be. We have attempted to make the buying process as simple as possible. If you are interested in purchasing a specific name, simply click the "Buy Now" button. If you are on the domains sales page, click the same button. This action will take you to the secure checkout screen where you will have the option of making your purchase using PayPal or a credit card.
Once your purchase is made, you will receive an email confirming the transaction. Within 24 hours, you will receive a second email from a Brandroot representative detailing how to prepare for the transfer of your domain name. This transfer process is detailed below:
- For a quick transfer, we will ask that you create a free account at the registrar where your purchased domain is registered. You may also choose to have the domain transferred to a different registrar. This process, however, typically takes about 5 days to complete.
- Once we have received the required account information for the transfer, we will contact the current domain owner and ask that he/she initiate the transfer immediately.
- When the transfer is initiated, you will receive an email notification from the receiving registrar with instructions on how to confirm the transfer.
There is not much to transferring a domain and if the domain is being transferred to the same registrar it can be done in 5 minutes or less. If you have any further questions feel free to send us a message through the contact page!
For the most part, all of our domains are open for negotiation. Please keep in mind, however, that many of the names you see listed are owned by one of our sellers. We cannot negotiate on their behalf or make any promises. Nevertheless, we are able to assist you with the process and would be happy to do so. If you would like to submit an offer, send us a confidential email and we will reach out to the owner on your behalf. We will then forward his/her response to you in a timely manner. Our ultimate goal is to help both you and the seller reach an agreement that is mutually beneficial. When everyone is satisfied, everyone wins.
Brandroot serves as a third-party marketplace and escrow agent for domain names. Although we will do everything possible to ensure your satisfaction during the purchase process, we are unable to provide refunds and exchanges after an order has been placed. The only exception to this policy is if the domain seller fails to initiate the domain name transfer within 10 business days from the time of purchase. To avoid an unsatisfactory situation, we recommend that the highest level of diligence be performed prior to placing an order. We are here to answer any and all questions that arise during this process.
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Announcing new 12.04.1 and 12.10 Image availability
We are pleased to announce the immediate availability of the latest 12.04.1 (Precise Pangolin) and 12.10 (Quantal Quetzal) Cloud Images on Windows Azure. These images are named:
- 12.04.1: Ubuntu-12_04_1-LTS-amd64-20121218-en-us-30GB
- 12.10: Ubuntu-12_10-amd64-20121218-1-en-us-30GB
Please note, that due to the way that Windows Azure Gallery works, we will not be able to maintain older images on the gallery. As new images become available, we will be expiring old images. If you need a specific version/serial of a Ubuntu Cloud Image, we strongly suggest that you snapshot and use that version.
Action required: Updates for Existing Images
ACTION REQUIRED: Update existing 12.04.1 or 12.10 images
Over the last year, its been our pleasure to work with Microsoft to build the Ubuntu Cloud Images for Windows Azure. As the platform has matured, Microsoft had to introduce a few breaking changes that will require the attention of our users. These changes were introduced in the Virtualization layer of the platform and improve performance, and most importantly, stability. However, these changes require that users either use an updated image or update their existing images to support the changes.
To learn more about the changes that Microsoft has implemented, please see Microsoft's announcement.
All Ubuntu users who have instances running on Windows Azure need to make sure that they take action BEFORE January 20,2013 (else, they might find the Mayan prophecy 30 days late, as far as their instances are concerned).
If, however, you want to update existing images, then we present to you, utlemming's tl;dr update guide (or you can use Microsoft's guide, which does the same stuff, just with more explicit commands).
utlemming's tl;dr update guide
From a Ubuntu perspective the changes required for 12.04 and 12.10 are:
- CHANGE the current archive mirrors to the on-site Azure mirrors. Canonical has worked to build fast and stable regional mirrors which are co-located in each Azure region. To reduce your bandwidth costs and improve the experience of installing software, all users should update to the new mirrors.
- CHANGE bootloader configuration to include kernel parameters of "rootdelay=300 console=ttyS0″
- ADD hv-kvp-daemon-init, which facilitates the start of the hv-kvp-daemon and supporting scripts. The hv-kvp-daemon handles hyper-visor-to-Ubuntu communication channels.
- ADD linux-backports-hv-{precise,quantal}-virtual (lbm module). The lbm module backports the 3.7 HV stack to support new hypervisor features, as well as increase performance and stability.
- UPDATE walinuxagent to version 1.2. Microsoft has introduced some bug fixes to the way that provisioning of Linux images work. This updated agent will reduce provisioning failures.
Update Ubuntu 12.04 and 12.04.1
For those running 12.04 and 12.04.1, the following steps are needed to fully update Ubuntu to Windows Azure compatibility:
- sudo sed -i "s,archive.ubuntu.com,azure.archive.ubuntu.com,g" /etc/apt/sources.list
- sudo apt-add-repository 'http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu precise-backports main'
- sudo apt-get update
- sudo apt-get install hv-kvp-daemon-init walinuxagent linux-backports-modules-hv-precise-virtual
- (recommended) sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
- sudo reboot
Update Ubuntu 12.10
For those running 12.10, the following steps are needed to fully update Ubuntu to Windows Azure compatibility:
- sudo sed -i "s,archive.ubuntu.com,azure.archive.ubuntu.com,g" /etc/apt/sources.list
- sudo apt-add-repository 'http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu quantal-backports main'
- sudo apt-get update
- sudo apt-get install hv-kvp-daemon-init walinuxagent linux-backports-modules-hv-precise-virtual
- (recommended) sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
- sudo reboot
Update the Boot Loader Configuration
Ubuntu instances running on Windows Azure need to be configured for a long root delay (how long will Ubuntu wait for the root device to appear) and to output kernel messages to the serial console.
Edit /etc/default/grub and make sure that the
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT has "
console=ttyS0 rootdelay=300" in it. For example:
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="console=ttyS0 rootdelay=300"
Then run the following:
- sudo update-grub
- (optional) sudo reboot
Bring-your-own-Ubuntu (BYOU)
Obviously, we would love for you to use the images that Canonical builds. After all, we have a team that has put in countless hours building, perfecting and QA'ing. But, if for some reason you can't, then can we suggest that you start with our base images? You can find them here:
- 12.04.1: http://cloud-images.ubuntu.com/azure/precise/20121218/
- 12.10: http://cloud-images.ubuntu.com/azure/quantal/20121218/
These VHD files are the exact base-bits that have been uploaded and registered in the Windows Azure environment. Even better, these are based on the 20121218 Amazon AWS EC2 official images with the same package version and set (except there are a few more packages to support Windows Azure).
TIP: If you use the VHD files for BYOU, cloud-init is installed. Cloud-init is the magic sauce in the Ubuntu Cloud Images that gives each instance of Ubuntu running in the cloud a personaility; for Windows Azure, Cloud-Init and WALinuxAgent work side-by-side to offer the best Ubuntu experience. We have configured cloud-init for NoDataSource, which means that it will look for user-data in /var/lib/cloud/seed/nocloud-net/user-data. Simply drop your user-data script in there, and at boot time, it will be run. Also, you can edit /etc/cloud/cloud.cfg as well to use different mirrors, add SSH keys, etc. You can read more about cloud-init here: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/CloudInit
For the adventurous that like to spin their own bits, please make sure that you have the following packages installed.
- hv-kvp-daemon-init: handles hypervisor communication with Ubuntu
- walinuxagent: Windows Azure Linux provisioning agent and Azure fabric registration agent
- A kernel based on 3.7 or backports of the HV stack Ubuntu 13.04 kernels support the HV stack normally.
- Install the linux-tools-common package.
- 12.04 and 12.10 Ubuntu kernels will need the linux-backports-hv-{precise,quantal}-virtual package installed. This package is a complete backport of the _entire_ HV stack from Ubuntu 13.04.
- Set /etc/apt/sources.list to use the in-Azure (http://azure.archive.ubuntu.com), which will use the speedy mirrors in Ubuntu. WARNING: these mirrors are dreadfully slow outside Azure.
Follow the Windows Azure recommendations for publication.
NOTE: It is very hard to generate a VHD file that is compatible with Windows Azure using open-source tools without playing a very annoying and disk-space intensive dance. For this reason we strongly recommend using the VHD files above, or using the in-Azure images and taking a snapshot.
Special thanks
The Ubuntu Cloud Image team recognizes that the success on Windows Azure would not be possible if not for the amazing help and special talents of Adam Conrad (infinity), Andy Whitcroft (apw) and the QA and Certification staff, as well as our fine colleges at Microsoft.Read more


text:
PARAMUS, N.J. – On the 16th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, police chiefs from throughout Bergen County gathered at the Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus Monday afternoon.
"We're remembering the people that passed and remembering how it brought our country together," Oakland Police Chief Edward J. Kasper, president of the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association, said following the ceremony in front of association's 9/11 memorial on the second floor of the mall.
The memorial dedicated in 2002, reads in part: "We memorialize the resiliency, resolve and loving compassion of the American people…our beacon of hope shining through the darkness."
Every year since the memorial was created, the association has held the ceremony that also serves to honor first responders.
During Monday's ceremony, the Star-Spangled Banner was sung, the Police Pipes and Drums of Bergen County performed Amazing Grace, and Rev. Fr. Thomas J. Norton, Chaplain for Bergen County Police Chiefs Association, offered prayers.
Norton said he has been offering prayers at each ceremony for the past 15 years.
"I am very supportive of all law enforcement and first responders. I try to be a source of strength to them for the difficult things they go through," he said.
Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal and former Hillsdale Police Chief Frank A. Mikulski, who in 2002 served as the president of the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association, also spoke.
"There are no adequate words to describe the horror of what happened on 9/11," Grewal said.
"We have shown our resiliency, our determination to survive, overcome, move forward with compassion," Mikulski said.
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text:
Thank you to my dazzling, loyal and supportive readers, presh Pinners, and lovas that just happen to stumble upon my blog one day while cruising around the web. Every single page view and comment means the world to me. I value + adore your support more than you can ever know. You. Complete. Me. Seriously.
To thank you for your 3 years of bloggy support, I am hosting this swell Glittery Giveaway Rave. Thirty four of the most talented, gracious and supportive women have come together to sponsor this giveaway and I puffy heart them for it.
The Dirty Deets:
I am giving away TWO KITCHENAID MIXERS in your choice of color! HOLLA!
Two different people will win and I am beyond giddy to see who be the lucky ducks.
1 week duration~ 10/18/12, 2:00am EST through 10/25/12, 12:00am EST
Open to US/CANADA ONLY
Giveaway will be run through Rafflecopter.com. You must complete all of the requirements through the Rafflecopter widget at the bottom of this post to enter to win.
Winners to be chosen at random via Rafflecopter once giveaway is closed.
Dazzling Descript: KitchenAid 5-Quart Tilt-Head Artisan Series Stand Mixer
- Tilt-head design allows clear access to the beater and bowl
- 5-Quart Stainless Steel Bowl with Handle
- 10-Speed Solid-State Control
- 325 Watt Heavy-Duty Motor
- 9-Cups Flour Power
- Includes Flat Beater, Dough Hook and Wire Whip
- Multipurpose Attachment Hub with Hinged Hub Cover
- Planetary Mixing Action thoroughly stirs ingredients
- Direct-Drive Transmission
- Includes Pouring Shield
~You know I roll with the Grape Goddess:) Stoked to be able to spread the glam of the Grape.
The chicks who are sponsoring this amazing RAVE:
I am naming names so you can get to know the broads behind the businesses. Fabulous, gracious and talented ladies. Honored.
Amber~ Party On! Designs
Angela~ Hello, Cuteness!
Bethany~ Sweet Georgia Sweet
Bird~ Bird's Party
Catherine~ Serendipity Soiree
Dorangela~ Two Prince Bakery Theater
Ebony~ Sparkling Events & Designs
Eleanor~ Pink Peppermint Paper
Francene~ Monogram Muse & Locate The Lights
Jasmine~ IDEA! Event + Style
Jen~ Blush Printables
Jess~ Let's Get This Party Started
Julie~ Cakes And Kids
Julie~ Sprinkled with Paper
Kristin~ Paige Simple
Kristin~ Meringue Bake Shop + PushCakes
Kristin~ Stamin' Fanatic
Lauren~ ten23 Designs
Lauren~ Capes & Crowns
Lindi~ Love the Day
Linnette~ Paper Glitter
Michele~ Intrigue Design Studio
Michelle~ Sweet Mady
Michelle, Julie + Amy~ Party on Purpose
Michelle~ I DO Invitations
Mindy~ Creative Juice
Staci~ Lizard & Ladybug
Stefani~ Chic Classroom Style + La Belle Parties
Stephanie~ Spaceships and Laser Beams
Tia~ Luv Handles
Toni~ Creative Designs by Toni
Tonya~ Soiree Event Design


text:
card catalognoun
Definition of card catalog
: a catalog (as of books) in which the entries are arranged systematically on cards
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
one that collects or salvages junk
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Love words? Need even more definitions?Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
- The Wayward Cousins of 'Irregardless'
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- Rapping on 'Bad Rap' and 'Bad Rep' (and 'Bad Wrap')
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text:
East Texas Sheriff Arrested on Multiple Charges
The Texas Rangers have arrested an East Texas Sheriff on charges of tampering with government records to defraud or harm abuse of official capacity, and theft by a public servant.
Panola County Sheriff Rob Clinton was taken into custody Thursday, just two months after being sworn into office. He was released from jail on a $50,000 bond.
According to the Panola Watchman, the county courthouse was evacuated late Thursday afternoon before Sheriff Clinton's arrest.
A reporter for the Watchman was at the courthouse working on another story at the time of the Sheriffs arrest and was able to confirm through an anonymous source the courthouse evacuation was planned in anticipation of Sheriff Clinton's arrest.


text:
Listen to this reading and an interview with poet Mary Anne Reese.
Archbishop Romero's Alb Speaks
Alb: A white liturgical tunic worn as prayer for a heart protected from all stain and washed in the Blood of the Lamb.
He is not the only one pierced today.
I hold his body gentle as linen,
surround him in my arms
of flowing cloth: a pietá in fabric
and flesh. I remain with him, faithful,
as I have done since he was young.
Sorrow tears at the fiber of my being. Decades ago when he lay prostrate at the altar,
we two were consecrated, our fates interwoven.
Each day since then, I have dressed him in light
white as the bread he lifted up,
bright as the rays of tropic sun shining
from his golden cup onto the crowds
of campesinos pressing close. Now he lies at the altar once again. I hold him still, but I have failed
to keep him free of stain or cleansed.
We both are soaked in the river of blood
flowing from his heart, his mouth, his ears.
My grief cannot blot out a mortal wound.
I protect, but I am not bullet-proof.
Mary Anne Reese is an attorney who lives in Cincinnati.


text:
Do Superintendents get Lonely?
Staff Attorney Mike Donnelly protects homeschool freedom in Massachusetts. He and his wife homeschool. Read more >>
Do public school superintendents get lonely? Sometimes superintendents go to such lengths to "invite" homeschoolers into their office for unlawful meetings that there seems to be no other explanation.
It all began with an "ominous"-sounding letter to the N. family during the 2011-2012 school year:
Dear Mr. and Mrs. N,
It is my understanding that you are homeschooling your daughter. I would like to meet with you to review your home school plan and your monitoring procedure.
Your superintendent
Having homeschooled for nine years without any such incident previously, Mrs. N was surprised by this sudden demand. Massachusetts law does not require homeschoolers to attend meetings. After being reassured by HSLDA, Mrs. N simply chose not to respond to the letter. But the school did not forget. This school year Mrs. N did not receive her usual and somewhat perfunctory a letter of approval. Instead, she was again asked to attend a meeting. Wishing to avoid the arduous back-and-forth with the school district, Mrs. N contacted HSLDA for assistance.
What the Law Says
The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts set forth the legal procedure for homeschool approval in the case Care and Protection of Charles, 399 Mass. 324, 504 N.E.2d 592 (1987). In Charles, the Court set forth guidelines for superintendents or school committees to approve home instruction plans and enumerated specific areas that the school district may consider. The Court did not, however, grant school districts the authority to require a meeting as a condition of approval and the Court's ruling in Brunelle v. Lynne Public Schools, 702 N.E.2d 1182, 1186 (1998) prohibits the school district officials from visiting families.
HSLDA attorney for Massachusetts member affairs Michael Donnelly wrote to the superintendent explaining the law. He also asserted that he had reviewed the family's homeschool plan to verify that it contained sufficient information for the superintendent to be able to approve the plan. Donnelly requested that the superintendent either approve the plan or submit any concerns or questions in writing. Mrs. N was grateful and happy to receive an approval letter without further incident.
"Thank you so very much for your assistance in this matter. I have been under a great deal of stress," wrote Mrs. N. "I am sure my home school year will run a whole lot smoother and less stressful."
HSLDA has decades of experience dealing with the over 300 public school districts in Massachusetts. In many cases written proposals and responses are sufficient. While there is nothing inherently wrong with parents and school committee representatives meeting to discuss home instruction, for many people this is simply not desirable. Even if it means a lonely superintendent.
Protect Your Family
If you or someone you know is not a member of HSLDA, will you consider taking a moment today to join or recommend us? Your support for our work enables us to defend individual families threatened by government officials and protect homeschooling freedom for all. Join now >>


text:
Prince – A Remembrance by According2g.com
Photo by G.
April 21, 2016 started off for me as any other day in the dreadful 2016 – 3 months later, I still couldn't believe David Bowie departed the earth in January and like so many fans of the arts, I was finding it hard to go on. But on this day, I pulled myself out of bed to go to the gym at the crack of dawn, not because I wanted to, but because I had recently obtained an unreleased alternate version of one of my favorite Prince songs and I couldn't wait to hear it in my Beats by Dre headphones. Little did I know, that was the last time I would ever hear a Prince song before the terrible news broke several hours later that he was found dead – and of a drug overdose!
As Prince had been a worldwide superstar for 30 + years, it was no surprise that tributes from rock royalty to the President of the United States poured in. I've been a fan of his music since I was 4 years old and though my fandom had reached some tumultuous times in recent years, each day was brimming with the possibility for me that Prince was going to renounce his preachy religion, announce a last minute concert or songs from his legendary vault of unreleased music would come out. Those possibilities and the nervous systems of so many of his hard core fans came to a screeching halt on April 21 when the news broke that Prince was dead. Across the world, so many Prince fans told the same story – "People from all aspects of my life – from elementary school to former co-workers, ex-lovers and friends – got in touch with me to make sure I was OK and to offer their condolences because when they think of Prince, they think of me." Yes, many of us did not know the man personally, but to a lot of us his words broke through to us in places deeper than "1999," "Little Red Corvette," "Let's Go Crazy," "Kiss," "When Doves Cry,"or "Purple Rain," touched the masses. One of the great things about Prince was that you could be a fan at any commitment level and I am about to talk about the different levels of Princefandom I've witnessed in my years of loving his music and I am breaking it down for those who are unaware of the full extent of his artistic greatness.
- The "Greatest Hits" Fans. If you were alive in the 1980s, maybe you loved Prince and maybe you didn't, but one thing is for sure, you were exposed to his music. He was a hit factory for close to 15 years, where nearly every single he released became a huge anthem. Coupled with his unique style, his love of the color purple, his mystique, his ability to seamlessly fuse sex and spirituality in the same breath and the iconic imagery in his music videos, his hits had crossover appeal in the same way that Michael Jackson, Madonna and Bruce Springsteen did even if their style of music wasn't "your thing." However, these types of fans never bothered to dig any deeper than what they heard on the radio or what MTV (a cable TV channel that used to play music videos) used to show. Post 1991 (which was the release year of one of his final commercially successful albums), whenever you'd mention his name, people would ask if he is still making music, to which you'd resoundingly roll your eyes and shame people for not knowing some of the deep album cuts.
- The Die Hards. Being a die hard fan of Prince is different than being a die hard of most artists because of the sheer amount of work that Prince created. The only modern artist that comes close in terms of the amount of recorded songs is Bob Dylan, but Dylan rarely changes genres, whereas Prince could never be nailed down to a certain category – often fusing many of them within the same song! In addition to having a nearly 40 year career, Prince officially released approximately 50 albums of original material in his own name, as well as over 100 music videos and four theatrically released feature films. An impressive feat by itself, but that's just the surface of how much additional music Prince recorded. He wrote and produced full albums for his "proteges" including Sheila E., The Time, Jill Jones, Vanity 6, Apollonia 6, The Family, Madhouse, Bria Valente, Tamar, Judith Hill, Mayte, Carmen Electra, Ingrid Chavez, The New Power Generation (also full length albums by The Flesh, MC Flash and The Rebels have never seen the light of day officially), and he gave away tracks to the likes of The Bangles, Sheena Easton, Patti LaBelle, Madonna, Chaka Khan, No Doubt, Ani Di Franco, Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind and Fire, Kate Bush, Martika, Mavis Staples, George Clinton, Andre Cymone and the list goes on. Being conservative, that would add another 25-30 albums worth of songs, bringing the number of albums of songs he officially released to over 70. But it doesn't just end there! He had so much creative energy that he practically lived in the recording studio making hundreds and possibly thousands of songs (yes, thousands!) that have been locked away in his vault for potential future release. But that's not all! He toured the world endlessly over those 39 years and he wasn't satisfied merely playing to a stadium of people and then going home after the show. He often spent the afternoon of a show day rehearsing new material and then played an after-show of completely different material at a small club after the main show (a cigarette after sex, if you will) and he did that for over 25 years! Not only did he pull out rare songs to perform, but he often tested out new material, performed covers of his favorite songs, performed a song one time (and never went back to it ever again) and drastically changed the arrangements of the songs you already knew, so every time you saw Prince in concert (even if it was 2 nights in a row or twice in the same day), you got to see a dramatically different show each time. Needless to say, people started bootlegging the concerts and nearly every show he performed over these four decades exists in some format, bringing the total number of hours of recorded Prince music to tens of thousands! Because of the vast array of music that exists, the die-hards can be further broken down into these categories:
- The Collectors. These are the people that simply must have every single thing he did from the officially released albums, the extremely shitty quality bootlegs (because the stuff was not officially released, sometimes the master source is a copy of a copy of a copy of a tape or in the case of live recordings, sometimes it sounds like someone was in the parking lot recording the show – but many perfect or damn near perfect quality recordings exist) the protege stuff (which most of it is criminally out of print), to the promotional items released at the time (which often sell for a hefty price tag on sites like E-bay), to the rare fan club only singles, to the merchandise, to the people that scour the internet saving every photo that exists (because he did a ton of photo shoots too, and he was very controlling of his image, so he never looked like anything less than a rock star from another world in each shot). There are other fans who don't collect all these items, but instead travel the world to see Prince. That can put a huge dent in your wallet (or your nervous system as Prince is notorious for announcing shows with less than 24 hours notice). These fans line up all day to be in the front and they are rewarded as Prince makes love to his electric guitar on stage and sets the place on fire with his one of a kind performances. Despite personally going to approximately 50 shows/appearances, I just want as much music as I can get my hands on. To me (and to so many other fans), it's a drug. It's the juiciest steak you've ever eaten. It's your friend. It's your lover. The fast and funky songs make you want to get up and shake your ass in the middle of a business meeting. The ballads seduce you and make you want to take your clothes off in public – no matter who is watching! Most of all, if you are all alone in the world, Prince's music will always have a lyric, a funky riff or a guitar lick that will rock your world and give you a reason to go on. Whether you are hearing the songs for the first time or the 200th, they sound fresh as ever and with every listen, they hit you in that place that Prince excelled in hitting every time. Also, just when you think you "know" Prince, an unreleased song leaks out somehow and the lyrics reveal another side of Prince you never knew existed, thus making him even more amazing and enigmatic that you already thought was possible!
- The Bootleg Collectors. Within the realm of the collectors are the bootleg collectors. As I mentioned above, there are thousands of unreleased songs known to exist and hundreds of them, as of this writing, (enough for SEVERAL full length careers) have leaked out of the vault. The cause of these leaks is unknown but some of the popular theories are: he was careless with his stuff, he was a jerk to the people in the studio – either treating them terribly or not paying them and songs leaked in retaliation to his treatment of them; he leaked the songs himself knowing that the world is not capable of digesting all the music he felt compelled to create and he wanted to give the people who were willing to listen a chance to hear these tracks. Whatever the cause of the leaks are, the songs are traded freely among fans, although there are also shady but enterprising fans who have started their own bootleg record labels and sell the tracks to fans who aren't internet savvy or have no connections. Needless to say, there are levels of rarities out there in the unreleased music realm and despite the limited number of people who are this serious about the music, there are those fans who have access to stuff that "normal diehards" do not have access to and hoard it for reasons unknown. One such track being hoarded is "Wally," a 1986 track that is reportedly the most personal song Prince ever wrote. The fabled backstory says that Prince destroyed the tape after it was recorded because it was too personal. Without going into too much detail, it exists and the upper echelon of Prince die-hards have it, so rest assured that you will probably hear it one day!
- The Purple Kool Aid Drinkers. In his passing, Prince's countless acts of kindness were finally revealed to the public. In his lifetime, he usually wanted to remain anonymous about his generosity. He donated money to help teach music to children and was also a silent activist in the fight for human equality. However, to those in the inner circle, he was not always regarded as such a nice guy. This is a similar story you will hear from other artists who were insanely creative. As I can only speak from stories I've heard, I will not air out these grievances because they are not mine to address, but suffice it to say if these countless stories from numerous associates, former lovers, employees and fans are true, where he excelled in artistic prowess, he often lacked in humanity. Many of these stories are well documented in the community, but this is where the Purple Kool Aid Drinkers come in. They find it impossible that Prince could be anything other than perfect to everyone at all times. After all, most of his songs were about love, peace and tolerance and he seamlessly fused spirituality and sexuality in a way that made it accessible even to those who believe in nothing. If you say anything disparaging about Prince in public or online, get ready because these people will come for you and will show no mercy (despite their acknowledgement of the fact that Prince primarily sings about love and togetherness)! It is impossible for these people to admit that the man did not always practice what he preached (from ruining his mainstream career by protesting his treatment by his record label by writing the word "slave" on his face, despite willingly signing the largest record deal in history at the time to fighting so hard for his artistic freedom to protect his musical legacy but upon his death he left no will, thus not caring at all about the music he spent his lifetime protecting. Also, he was a strong advocate of being anti-drug and in the end, he died of a drug overdose – even if it was as reported "accidental."). There are also levels of Purple Kool Aid Drinkers whereby to non-fans, they will correct any error they hear about Prince not because you want to, but because you have to clear his name and let everyone know just how brilliant he was. They feel (and I agree with this) that it's damned shame that too much of the world only knows the hits when there are hundreds of great songs to rock your world, so the sooner the world catches on, the happier of a place it will be but at the end of the day, I am glad that the music brings me joy, so if you don't feel the same, that's for you to decide. If you're a die-hard Purple Kool Aid drinker, chances are you regale the purple community (or worse, your social media accounts) with your knowledge because you know someone who knows someone in the inner circle, or hell – maybe it is you that was in the inner circle, so you "know for a fact" that [insert Prince myth here] happened. Pix or it didn't happen! The upside to the Purple Kool Aid Drinkers is that if you can just focus on the music, the fans will become some of your best and most loyal friends because for the reasons listed above, his music touches fans in the same way (regardless of race, sexuality or religion).
- The love/haters – It is totally possible to dip your toe into many of these categories (and at the same time!) and I know that I hovered in this category in the years leading up to his death. Because of the reasons above – the amount of music that touched my soul, his strong work ethic, his rejection of failure and his words serving as guidance counselors and teachers, he was my favorite, but in the last decades of his life, he became a Jehovah's Witness and his lifestyle became contrary to the reasons I fell in love with him in the first place. What turned me on (even as a 4 year old) was the fact that I felt like a misfit on this planet and his lyrics reassured me that I am doing nothing wrong and in fact, my differences are something to celebrate and never back away from. For that unapologetic way of thinking, he probably saved more lives than he was even aware of. However, when he became ultra-religious, his formerly open minded way of thinking was replaced by a narrow view of the world that called people out if they didn't believe what he believed. On my first trip to Paisley Park in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2001, within moments of entering Prince's version of Graceland, I wandered into a private room and ran smack dab into the man! Before I could fan girl out, his first words to me were "did you know there is only one God?" This was a subject I am pretty well researched in (because thanks to his music as well as other sources, I had been curious enough to investigate and form my own opinion on the subject) but instead of listening to what I had to say, we got into a shouting match! It was certainly not my intention to argue with one of my idols, but I was not about to be a doormat! I yelled, "you're not even listening to me, Prince!" and he shouted back that I was "wrong" and when I tried talking to him like a rational human being, he just kept repeating over and over that there is only one god (and I remember tripping out that this conversation even existed and in Paisley Park, of all places!), but it did and I lost a ton of respect for him that day. He clearly wanted to be surrounded by "yes men," and I refused to be that, even to someone who was basically my own personal version of a god. Because his music literally saved my life at times where all else was black, I agreed to disagree with him but although I could forgive, I had a hard time forgetting. It was extremely disappointing to me considering how much time, blood, sweat, tears (and money!) I'd invested in Prince for the greater part of my life. It was not helped by the fact that at numerous times in the later years, he sued die-hard fans, put the kibosh on loving artistic tributes to him and was very stubborn about letting new generations discover his art on streaming music services. His magnetic energy is the reason all of us came back even though we felt like scorned ex-lovers and I know that secretly we all hoped that eventually, he would go back to being the open-minded person we all fell in love with in the first place. He didn't need to sing "Sexy MF" or hump the stage anymore, but for the love of Jehovah, we just wanted him to stop using "duck" when we all know what he really wanted to say. Sadly, he did not, but if even one song recorded post 2001 that has the F-word exists in his vault, that will help soften the blow.
- The Post-Death Fans. A whole new generation discovered his music on April 21, 2016 that had previously not been exposed to his work and to those people – WELCOME! Have a look around and sort yourself into one of these categories. If you never get past the hits, you have dozens of tracks that defy genre identification. If you choose to dig beneath the surface, you will find an impressive body of work, one more vast than almost any other recording artist of any era! Hopefully you'll discover some songs that will become your best friends for the rest of your life.
As a life long fan, who has lived and loved with the music and as someone who has witnessed the ups and downs of his career from afar and from the front row and now that we can look back on the entire story, here are a few observations that I've made about the life and work of this remarkable man:
1. He was a bad ass. His sound and fashion sense were unique (from matching his high heeled pumps to the one-of-a-kind outfits he wore to his unique facial hair) and he surrounded himself with bad ass musicians and they had to be because they had to keep up with him.
2. His work ethic is unparalleled. He worked harder than every other popular musician (it's not an opinion – it's a fact. His punishing touring schedule, the number of shows he performed each day while on tour, the hours spent rehearsing and the amount of material that was recorded in the studio make him arguably the most prolific recording artist of the modern age).
3. He did not make mistakes. Somehow, his voice always sounded great (and he regularly played a 2 hour stadium show and then several hours later did a completely different show at a small club), he never hit bad notes and he was not known for canceling shows (showing up extremely fucking late – yes, canceling – no!). It makes me wonder about his drug use, because it has been suggested that he was not a stranger to drugs, but drugs often make people get sloppy, and you can say a lot of things about Prince, but you cannot accuse him of being sloppy (aside from the events of his final week on earth).
4. He never gave less than 100%, looked like a rock star from another world at all times and all the while making music that cast a spell over millions of fans across the globe. He didn't just perform, from the second he stepped onto the stage to the time he left it, he was electrifying! He challenged his audiences to show up as their best selves and in return he gave his. In an era where everyone dresses down, you always went to a Prince show dressed to the 9s and he rewarded you by wearing a sharp tailor made outfit that made the ladies swoon and the guys wishing they had that much charisma and swagger.
5. He chose to set the trend rather than follow it. If he believed in something – no matter how ridiculous, he saw it through, even if it meant alienating fans or even the public at large (when he changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol or suing fans, for example). At times, this found his message being contradictory – but I guess it's possible to change your belief system repeatedly as new epiphanies come in and/or, it was his Gemini nature to be the yin and yang depending on the day? He wasn't afraid to fail. He took risks by discovering and promoting new talent repeatedly throughout his career and if he wrote songs that were not suitable to be released under his own name, he generously gave them away to other artists he felt could capture the sound he was trying to achieve.
6. He changed and grew constantly and could kick your ass musically whether the song – fast or slow – had vocals or was a jazz, rock or funk jam. He never rested on the laurels of the past and was always looking forward and most importantly, he was always living in the moment. This is evidenced by the fact that he recorded a ton of music, put it aside and never stopped making new material or performing (changing the arrangements of his old stuff) until the very end. He didn't worry about the minutiae about how this stuff world be released and in fact, he did not leave a will and to not think of the future is about as living in the moment as you can possibly be – despite it infuriating those he left behind to collectively shake our heads and wonder what the heck he was thinking! His estate is currently in total shambles and in less than one year since his death, his music has already been licensed to streaming networks (something he was fiercely against in his life) and his sanctuary Paisley Park is hosting a "celebration" not on his birthday, but on the anniversary of his death date. It's my opinion that he would not want either of these things, but if you don't write your wishes down, this is what happens.
7. It is really difficult to think of Prince in the past tense. His music is so passionate and alive. His performances have so much energy. In his music he was able to achieve super human things, but at the end of the day, he was a mere mortal. Every time I go to a non-Prince show, I still feel that at any moment, he is going to come out from backstage and jam. At the time, dropping everything at a moment's notice to see him perform could be extremely tiresome, but now we'd give anything just for one more show. It's a shame that the book is closed on that chapter of our lives. But despite all the not so nice things I've said about him throughout this article (it's all part of the duality that was and is Prince), I am eternally grateful for the music he made and for the people that I've met because of his music. Like all geniuses, the man and the music are extremely complicated and it is my wish that even if people don't get obsessed to the level of collecting all the bootlegs and ephemera, that they at least realize what an extremely talented and once-in-a-lifetime original soul was on this planet from 1958 – 2016.
What are some of my highlights of being a fan for over 35 years?
- Dancing on stage with Prince twice. Once in Minneapolis during his 2001 Celebration at the arena near Paisley Park (and if you follow me on social media, you've surely seen the photo!) and once in Los Angeles at a secret show at the Hollywood Palladium. I am told that Madonna and Lenny Kravitz were in the audience that night and they got to see my funky dance moves.
- Working on his double CD "Ultimate Prince." Myself and fellow uber fan Mathieu Bitton were selected to work on a double CD of Prince's greatest hits, which saw the first release on CD of many of Prince's beloved 12″ versions. There was a lot of drama when the cd was first issued, and it was bittersweet that after his death, the CD reached the top 10 in many parts of the world. It warms my heart to know that the love we put into that CD was the first introduction of his music to legions of fans that discovered him after his death.
- The fans! I have met people from all over the world who are some of my great friends and I know for certain that we would not have bonded the way we did without his music. I've met people of all races, genders, religious beliefs, etc. and it makes no difference when it comes to loving each other. I think that is probably the most important thing about Prince's music and in these troubled times, I hope that the love spreads.
- Singing "Play That Funky Music White Boy" with Prince. I was at an after-show in New York at a tiny place called Butter and I was literally inches from Prince the entire night. He covered Wild Cherry's "Play That Funky Music" and the entire night I was groovin' and singing along to every song. When the chorus rolled around, he stuck the microphone in my face and made me sing the chorus. While it was a huge honor, I don't think singing is my strong point (based on a bootleg I've heard of the recording).
- Becoming friends/acquaintances with his a lot of his associates. Though these people may not be household names to the masses, to me they are gods and goddesses! I've worshiped these people alongside of Prince for decades and having some of them support my own artistic endeavors or recognize me when we run into each other is mind blowing and I don't take it for granted either!
- The music. As I've said before, the songs are like long lost friends that you can always turn to when no one else is around. When an unreleased song surfaces, it's like hitting the jackpot and when you listen to a rehearsal or live recording, you hear the feeling of what it's like to create art. I never cease to be blown away.
Prince, if you are out there, please know your fans miss you so much and you have left a void that can never be replaced by anyone. Nothing Compares 2 U. To quote another one of your songs, I speak for all of the fans when I say, "love is too weak to define, just what you mean [to us]." THANK U!


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Super Game Squares Board Selection
If you won one of the Super Game Squares spots in our Rewards Club (and check your account to see), here is the selection of the numbers. We'll contact winners on Monday February 4.
Click the image above, then click a second time, to see the full size image. And perhaps just like your office, the guy with the worst scribbling is the one who writes out the board.
You can watch the video below of our selection of numbers. Good luck!
[onescreen item="5010284"]


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In my previous column, I confessed that what I missed most since moving to Vermont from California's Bay Area were sidewalks.
If you asked my husband what he misses most since arriving in Vermont, he'd respond, "Food and produce."
Don't get me wrong: We eat quite well here. There are several large and well-stocked grocery stores, and many restaurants that range from adequate to exceptional. What my husband means is that you can't compare the quality and variety of food and produce in small-town Vermont with what we'd been used to in Berkeley, California.
Berkeley is a city. The Bay Area houses immigrant communities from all over the world. And California, due to its size, topography, and climate, is an agricultural powerhouse where it's possible to grow things like oranges, lemons, artichokes, and avocados virtually year-round. So when we went out to eat, it was easy to find authentic Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, and Afro-Caribbean cuisine. And when we went to the grocery store with the goal of buying seasonal produce, we were greeted by a wide variety of reasonably priced choices.
In contrast, if you're looking for ethnic cuisine in our Vermont town, you'll find one Thai restaurant, one Indian restaurant, and two Chinese restaurants serving Americanized Chinese food (deep-fried and swimming in thick sauces).
And should you enter one of our local grocery stores in search fruits and vegetables that haven't been shipped in from South America or California – then summer and early fall are your best bets for fresh local corn, berries, apples, tomatoes, legumes, and squash. After the first frost, things start to get depressing. During the months when we seemed to subsist entirely on apples and potatoes, I suddenly understood why every local grocery store has a section devoted to canning.
So that's the bad news: My husband misses fresh sushi and year-round strawberries at less than $6 a pint. And because of Vermont's population and topography and climate, it's unlikely that either of those things will change radically.
Now for some good news: If you can make peace with Vermont's sparse ethnic cuisine and dramatic seasonal fluctuations in produce, there are some features of life here that more than compensate for any deficiencies.
1. Proximity to farms.In California we were within walking distance of Peruvian food, but we'd have to drive an hour or more to see an actual farm. Now we have to drive an hour or more for ethnic food, but we're within walking distance of the farm that supplies us with fresh weekly produce for five months of the year. We drive mere minutes to reach our favorite apple orchard and blueberry patch. As a result, our girls know where their food comes from; they know what grows on a bush, a vine, or under the earth, and they can give you an earful on their favorite varieties of apple (Ginger Gold and Honey Crisp).
2. Regional specialties.It's hard to beat Vermont when it comes to maple syrup and dairy products. Having lived here for two years, my daughters are already maple syrup snobs; do NOT tell them that a bottle of Mrs. Butterworth's is "maple syrup" – they'll have none of it.
As for cheese, our family's current favorite is Cabot's Seriously Sharp Cheddar. I've been surprised that our three girls all agree on their love for a cheese which, as its name suggests, is not for the faint of heart. But it seems that my daughters aren't the only Vermont children who like a strong cheese. This winter, while serving lunch to my two-year-old and her friend, I gave them some generic mozzarella string cheese that went untouched. Then I brought out a few slices of the Seriously Sharp Cheddar. "Oh!" exclaimed my daughter's friend, her eyes lighting up in recognition, "CHEESE!"
Sheesh, I thought, guess I can't pass off inferior cheese on these Vermont kids.
3. Food pride. During a single week this spring, two friends shared food-related articles on Facebook that made me proud to be a Vermonter.
The first was an article on the NPR website, announcing that Vermont had placed first in the nation on the 2013 Strolling of the Heifers Locavore index, which rates each state according to the number of its farmers markets, CSA projects, and "food hubs." Vermont may have limited local food options during the winter months, but I'm proud to live in a state that's so committed to supporting its own agriculture.
Next came an article from RT USA, which featured the attention-grabbing headline: "Monsanto threatens to sue the entire state of Vermont" (Facebook comment from a non-Vermonter: "The entire state of Vermont? Isn't that, like, two people?"). Turns out that the agricultural company Monsanto was angry over Vermont's proposed state bill H-722, which would require manufacturers to label products that include genetically modified organisms (GMOs). I know this is a complicated issue, and I'm no expert on GMOs. But back in California I shared an office for several years with a woman who worked for an anti-GMO lobbying group, and I remember her slamming down the phone frequently, followed by angry exclamations that paired "Monsanto" with various unprintable phrases. So you'll understand if I see Monsanto as a bit of an evil empire, and feel proud to live in a little state that would risk making it angry.
I suppose the bottom line is that there's no perfect place to live; you're always forced to make trade-offs. Next week is the second anniversary of our family's move to Vermont, and we agree that we'd happily swap the sushi (and the sidewalks) for the delights of living here.
Faith Gong has worked as an elementary school teacher, a freelance photographer, and a nonprofit manager. Since moving to Addison County in 2011, her work has involved caring for a house in the woods, three young daughters (with another on the way), one anxiety-prone puppy — and writing for her blog, The Pickle Patch.


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A little blog about life, family, food, and living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Household Organizers Unite! - Springtime cleaning, clearing, and closeting!
And, while purging will be one component to insure success, a big part of my plan needs to include what I call "storage for items to be used again". For example, keeping an older child's clothes to be used again by a younger child. So many organizing books and tips call for complete purging, and while that's fine for some folks, there are those of us out there that do make use of hand-me-downs. There is a 3 ¾ year gap between my girls, and I like to hold onto the older gal's clothes for re-use to the little one. My littlest gal LOVES hand me downs, even to the point where she likes to help pick out her older sister's clothes knowing that she'll get them someday. Works for me. Works for her. And, works for her sister. What doesn't work, is figuring out how to store this stuff with the limited space we've got. Ideas? Please, ideas? Someone please help me! Save me!
Plus, as my kids get older, their clothes take up more space. And I don't mean that they have more clothes, I mean the clothes themselves are bigger and require more space. For example, my son is 5'10" and weighs around 170 lbs, and wears a size 13 ½ shoe. I'll let you envision how much space a couple pairs of jeans and shoes takes up.
I went into my girls rooms to snap a couple picks of their closet and drawers, but just couldn't do it because 1) it didn't feel right doing that without their consent (my goal would not be to embarrass them ... they are getting older and as such are a little more private about their stuff), and 2) I couldn't figure out where to begin. We cleaned out their drawers this weekend and sorted clothes to give away and clothes to keep. There's just still so much "stuff" that needs cleaned out and organized in there. (See Duckie, I like whimsical critters, too!) I did, though, snap a photo of the mural I painted on the walls of their room a few years ago. The girls did warm my heart this past weekend when we were sorting stuff in their room. They were talking about rearrarranging their room, and I asked if they wanted to repaint the walls. They both said an emphatic "NO!" that they like the flowers and bunny and tree I painted. Now I know that they will most likely change their mind sometime soon, but it's great to know that they like their space. Of course, their big thing is that they want their own rooms. Can't say as that I blame them, but the old magic wand isn't working so they'll have to make do.ANYWAY ... the one thing I did get my homeschooling stuff organized. This is one of two of our bookshelves. Isn't it lovely? At one point, I homeschooled all three of my offspring; now I just teach my son. We finished up on Monday! Woowho!!! I've packed up all the materials and reshelved all the books. I love this shelf. It's chock full of reference materials and guide books that make homeschooling a snap and makes homework time for my girls much easier. I'm a book fanatic. While I love the internet and it's wonderful usefulness in doing research, there's something magical for me in looking things up in an actual book.
Alrighty then. Who wants to join me in getting organized this Spring/Summer? I figure I'll take it week by week, spread out from now until then end of July. I saw a book yesterday that broke down getting your entire house organized in 20 weeks. It was ridiculously expensive priced at $29 and I did NOT get it. I figured between my determination and your suggestions, I'll be able to figure this out.
Here's my first pass list:
Kitchen – organized all cupboards, drawers, counters, fridge. Sort out all pantry stock. Sort out all dishes, cookware, utensils, plates, bowls, cups, etc. Donate unwanted items (or label for garage sale).
Laundry Room – organize all cupboards and supplies. Sort games (we had a game cupboard in our laundry room). Donate unwanted items.
Downstairs Bath – organize all cupboards.
Downstairs Hall Closet – Just cleaned this out. Donate unwanted coats, backpacks, etc.
Family Room: Clean out wall units. Sort through games, crafts, videos, and cd's. Donate unwanted items or label for garage sale.
Master Bedroom: Sort through dresser drawers, and donate unwanted clothes. Accept that I won't fit into those clothes anymore and be done with it. *sigh* Get hubby to go through his clothes. Lordy, he has stuff that hasn't been worn for years (thank God) in there.
Master Bath and Closet: Pray for guidance and advise other family members to send out a search party if I don't resurface in an hour or so. Note of explanation. The master closet has been used as a storage closet.
Upstairs hall closet. Sort through all towels, sheets, etc. and donate what is not longer used. Salvage old sheets by turning them into dust cloths; old thin towels can be used as yard/vehicle towels.
Son's room: Sort drawers and closet. Remove all items that don't belong to son (husband's old records). See if son will part with any of his junk, I mean stuff. (Actually, son keeps his room pretty tidy. The girls, well, not so much.)
Girls' room: Take a multivitamin and perhaps ingest something with caffeine. Insist that girls part with things from days gone by. We really don't need to hold onto EVERY little, itty, bitty, thing from our lives, now, do we? Can you hear their ... "OOOOOhhhh, but I LOVE that. I got it when I was 3. It was a Thursday, at 2:20 pm and we ... blah, blah, blah."
Upstairs bath: Via con Dios. While all three of the kids use this bathroom as their main lavatory, this is my youngest child's domain. She actually requests that I don't clean in there because she prefers to clean it. She does a good job, too. It's just that it's time to say goodbye to the bazillion bottles of dried up nail polish, etc. that are lurking in the cabinet drawers. This room needs to be purged.
Garage: This area is actually pretty good. We do a MAJOR clean out every Fall for our big Halloween party, so this just needs a good sweeping. The kids can tackle that.So, what do you think? Care to join me in getting organized week by week? I figure if I break it down, I won't feel so overwhelmed. Send me your suggestions. What's your tips and tricks for getting organized? We could pick a day of the week to post our organization/clean out tips and progress. Now that I've posted about it, I'll HAVE to do it! You know, if we do it together, we'll have a greater chance of sticking to it and gaining success. Does it sound like I'm beggin? I am. Shamelessly. I'm bad that way. Baaaaad. Baaaad girl. So, save me from myself, and join me (and send me your ideas) in The Great 2009 Organizers Unite!
Stay tuned for more food posts, too! I've got some new goodies I'll be sharing with you soon including a delightful chicken salad lettuce cup to enjoy on hot summer days, a lovely cheese strata to savor for outdoor breakfasts, an amazing crab or lobster salad that will make you weak in the knees, and more!
16 comments:
- Marjie said...
There are rules in the kitchen. There is an order for the flatware in the dishwasher, and woe betide the disobedient! Boxed stuff in the cupboard must be placed like with like, all labels must face the same way, etc. Hubby's sister accused me of being a Stepford Wife the first time she poked through my cupboard. Organizing hubby? *Snort* He piles everything, then sets his piles up carefully. That's the disgraceful background you see in my pictures. Since my house is 80 years old, I have a cedar closet in my attic, and hand me downs go there to await re-use. Sorry I can't help with that. Everything the bigger kids no longer want goes to Goodwill. Ruthlessly. I took a truckload (literally) in March. Toys? Well....let's not go there, shall we? Books? They never leave. Each boy has his Calvert books in a special shelf in his room, and the manuals are headed to a bookshelf to be kept for reference, along with my myriad sets of encyclopedias. BTW, at the last used book sale I attended, they had a 2000 set of encyclopedias. I almost bought them for you for $50, then I thought I should call you first, then I thought that you'd not appreciate it at 6 or 7AM on a Saturday, then i realized I don't have your phone number anyway...ramble, ramble, ramble.
- June 4, 2009 at 1:42 PM
- Mrs. L said...
Though I would love to join you (yes, my house is clean but too much stuff) my weekends this summer will be spent going through my moms storage to try to help her get rid of stuff.
For old clothes that I want to save, I keep saying I need to get those "space bags" where you vacuum out the air to save space and keep the clothes clean. That way I can store them in the garage without worrying about them getting dirty.
- June 4, 2009 at 2:38 PM
- Aggie said...
I have a couple of scary closets I'm working on...its been on my mind all week! It's such a hard step to even get started!! I'm working on getting all my craft related items in containers...stuff is all over the place and with summer coming I know I am going to need to keep the kids entertained on rainy afternoons. I'm with you on the organizing wagon...
- June 4, 2009 at 4:04 PM
- The Blonde Duck said...
I never doubted your love of whimsical critters!
Though I do doubt my organizational skills...Ben is the organizing commander of the Pond!
I just twirl.
- June 4, 2009 at 5:58 PM
- Marjie said...
I meant to compliment you on your daughters' room paintings. Twice. Sorry! They're great!
- June 4, 2009 at 6:43 PM
- Lo said...
...but, Paula... but, but... Yes, I'm shaking my head, nodding in agreement with you. And wondering if I should take you up on this challenge :)
I'm the woman with the tiny kitchen and TOO TOO much stuff, after all :)
- June 4, 2009 at 6:52 PM
- Pam said...
I am pretty organized although I do have a junk closet and a junk drawer that I try to clean up every few months. Good luck - just think how good you will feel when you finish!
- June 4, 2009 at 8:44 PM
- Manggy said...
I tend to go through my organizing extreeeemely slowly. And then something comes up (can't find something important/new furniture arrives or old furniture leaves) and then I have to become like this magical tornado and whip everything into order in a few hours :)
O-kay! Your son has just reminded me how wee I am. I'm nearly 28 and I'm 4 inches shorter, 35 pounds lighter, and my feet are nearly half as big! :O
I'm not sure I can help with the clothes dilemma, but I used to watch "Clean House" on the Style Network and they love their stackable containers and hanging shelves :)
- June 4, 2009 at 9:50 PM
- Robynn's Ravings said...
YOUR HOUSE LOOKS GREAT!!!! Good job! Doesn't that feel amazing? I always wonder, AFTER I do it, "Why don't I live like this all the time?!" I love organization and cannot seem to maintain it, like some people can. But right now so much is good I'm almost dying to get to my cupboards. Almost. :)
- June 4, 2009 at 11:51 PM
- Mediterranean kiwi said...
i wish i could be as organised as you are, but i know i never can be, or at least i think i can if i can sedn the children away with their dad (where??) for a couple of weeks.
i love looking into your kitchen - i am writing a post about kitchen storage, so i must remember this post of yours!
- June 5, 2009 at 7:14 AM
- Cathy said...
Reading your list pooped me out. I had to sit down for awhile and read.
Seriously, it always feels so darn good to have a tidy house. I just can't seem to give things away.
- June 5, 2009 at 2:33 PM
- Pam said...
I'm with you. Though I don't know if I can be so structured. I kind of have to go with what sounds good at the moment. Yesterday, I labeled and organized all my spice jars. Now, I keep going to my pantry to look at them. Next up is the dreaded corner of the living room.
- June 5, 2009 at 7:28 PM
- noble pig said...
How fun. I love to be organized and I can't wait to see your progress.
- June 7, 2009 at 7:47 AM
- Cheryl said...
Good for you! I am pretty organized and my thing is if you dont use it for a year throw it out or donate it. There is lots of storage under your bed, I buy those rubbermaid storage things that fit under the bed, they hold a ton of stuff. Thats about my only tip!
- June 7, 2009 at 2:10 PM
- Jan said...
My best advice is, don't accumulate too much stuff. Having left behind a lifetime of stuff in England, and having moved so many times since living in the US, I have learnt that "stuff" doesn't matter. One becomes quite ruthless in donating or throwing things away.
My office is the worst room in my house - it should carry a goverment health warning - though I have been trying to sort it out.
Oh, and I guess my kitchen could use work.
Okay, I'll get my coat. :-)
Good luck!
- June 9, 2009 at 9:38 PM
- Jan said...
BTW, lovely bunny picture. I'm impressed, you are very creative.
- June 9, 2009 at 9:40 PM


text:
Facts about alcohol in Denmark
Alcohol laws in Denmark are different for spirits compared to beer and wine. The age limit for buying beer and wine in Denmark is 16 years in shops and 18 years in bars and restaurants. For buying alcohol with a percentage higher than 16.5%, the legal age in Denmark is 18 everywhere. You can buy alcohol in many convenience stores and supermarkets in Denmark.
Smoking laws and buying tobacco
Tobacco and cigarettes are only sold to people 18 years or older. You can buy cigarettes in convenience stores and supermarkets in Denmark.
Further reading
Read about smoking restrictions in Denmark.
Read more about Shopping in Denmark.