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We know from Nick Paine's petition to the Liberal Party [real-time count] that getting a good NBN is still a hot-button issue for many voters, even post election.
Australian voters don't like candidates whom they feel have let them down or taken them for granted: witness push-back against Liberals James Diaz and Sophie Mirabella and the collapse of Bob Katter's personal vote.
Long term, Australian voters remember. The demise of the Australian Democrats was started with the defection of Cheryl Kernot, who lost her seat, and finalised by Meg Lees "flipping" on the GST.
Here's what Turnbull didn't tell, in fact hid from the electorate, what's NOT been said in "Cheaper, Sooner, more Affordable" - the reality is a very far cry from his claims and slogan:
- Cheaper, by 10% or $4 billion, but not if you take everything into account. In fact the opposite: fully costed, an FTTN then FTTP is more expensive.
- Sooner, by one year, after creating the problem by doing nothing for more than a decade.
- more Affordable, isn't possible when the Government don't set the retail prices. Even if they knock 33% off the wholesale price ($16 vs $24), why would any ISP pass-on the whole saving, not just follow the banks' example and pocket it?
- What will the NBN cost the taxpayer? It isn't any number you've been told.
- $12.5 billion in interest payments to 2033, mainly from 2018, until the loan is paid off.
- Then, over the next 7 years to 2040, the NBN returns $40-$45 billion. The taxpayer is better off by $30 billion at least.
- NBN Co is already 12-18 months ahead of financial forecasts. Keep up these early wins and it's like a house mortgage, small payments early on result in massive gains later. Because paying off the loans are NBN Co's highest cost, just like a house.
- How much PROFIT will "NBN Lite" generate? NONE, it makes a $10 billion loss over 20 years.
- Turnbull acknowledges it costs more to operate and maintain the Copper/VDSL network, but artfully hides just how this destroys the business.
- If NBN Lite charges $16 wholesale per line, they can just cover interest and maintenance and be "cashflow positive", but they can't pay-off the loans or cover depreciation.
- In 20 years "NBN Lite" will not only cost the taxpayer $40 billion in interest, they will still have to payback the $30 billion in loans.
- Turnbull's "NBN Lite" plan will cost the taxpayer $70 billion by 2040, not leave them $30 billion better off. There is a $100 billion difference, but not the way Turnbull calls it.
One of the central criticisms of the current NBN by Turnbull is the "cost". It's NOT the cost to taxpayers he discusses, but the Budget of NBN Co, they're very different to begin with. Taxpayers don't have to meet ANY of the NBN expenses, only pay the interest on the loans to fund the business.
It's the difference between paying for a house in cash or taking out a mortgage and paying off the loan over 25 years. That's a massive difference, as every home-owner can tell you, but reality doesn't fit with the Coalition confabulated narrative.
The ALP did not create the NBN Co Corporate Plan. NBN Co is a business staffed with subject-area experts. They will be held accountable to their management and ultimately the NBN Co Board, for meeting their forecasts. These are industry professionals, experts in their field, doing their best work. They don't just make up numbers or parrot what their ALP overlords dictate to them. The Labor government set their maximum equity contribution, gave the design rules and stood back.
Turnbull would like people to think he knows more than the highly-experienced, expert professionals in every field of NBN Co, and that magically and mysteriously, they've overlooked risk factors that will blow out their project costs by a shattering 2-3 times.
That just doesn't happen with professionally run big civil projects. If unforeseen events occur, the project halts and is rebudgeted, redesigned or, if necessary, scaled-back or cancelled. No Professional is stupid enough to overspend a well run Engineering projects by 200%, it's a "strawman" argument at very best.
NBN Co has anticipated real risks to the project. They are well documented and included in the current Corporate Plan. They even have a 10% contingency set aside, as is good industry practice.
Who are you going to trust for accurate figures: a small bunch of faceless, self-serving, politically motivated non-experts surrounding Turnbull, or the multitude of highly experienced, professional experts within NBN Co?
Despite his claims of being unchallenged, Turnbull's wildly exaggerated "Stress tests" (my term) have been questioned and refuted in the media many times over and were never taken seriously by any Telecommunications Engineers, Accountants, Financiers or Economists. They don't make sense and never have made sense.
The on-budget, direct cost to the taxpayer is solely the interest on the loans taken by the Government to contribute equity to NBN Co.
The NBN Co Budget is something entirely different and includes loans it arranges for itself. Both the Coalition and Labor have never separated the two. The NBN Co Budget, be it $20.5 billion, $44.1 billion or something else is NOT what comes out of the taxpayer's pocket.
"NBN Lite" is identical to the current plan except for ONE change: 75% of Fibre services, 8.968M lines, will be replaced by FTTN (Fibre to the Node) using VDSL2.
That part of the NBN Budget is just $12 billion and Turnbull estimates $8.1 billion to build his FTTN at $900/line. This can be at most a $4 billion saving, 10% of the whole budget. A far cry from the oft-repeated claim "VDSL only costs one quarter of Fibre". (It does, if you ignore the majority of costs!)
Somehow, Turnbull saves $17 billion out of a $12 billion budget. That is a trick he has never explained.
But there are two BIG ticket items that Turnbull has craftily hidden away in his "NBN Lite" plan:
- For FTTN, he isn't going to provide the CPE (Customer Premises Equipment) which NBN call an NTD (Network Termination Device). For the other three networks, Fibre, Wireless and Satellite, NTD's are included. It's like making the inside of a car "optional".
- In Dec 2008, Telstra at their NBN Demonstration said "VDSL is much harder than you think" and specifically included a VDSL NTD with an integrated Central Splitter in their design, warning that without it, services would NOT be of an acceptable standard. [Full Telstra doc]
- No NTD option is offered for FTTN/VDSL in "NBN Lite".
- "NBN Lite" transfers all CPE capital and maintenance costs onto the subscribers. Over 20 years, this is upwards of $1,000 per customer, or $5-10 billion extra that's just ignored.
- "NBN Lite" makes allowance for wastage, not all the money spent on FTTN will be useful for a final Fibre to the Premises network.
- This deliberate wastage was the reason why the Expert Panel rejected all FTTN proposals in 2008 and recommended jumping straight to full Fibre.
- Turnbull puts this figure at half the cost of his FTTN build ("50% CapEx Reuse"), but doesn't include this charge against his project:
- "NBN Lite" costs an additional $4 billion in wasted investment on FTTN.
Instead, at most it can save $4 billion, while adding $5+ billion in costs only borne by VDSL customers AND ignoring $4 billion in deliberate wastage.
"NBN Lite" costs the same, or 10% more, than the current plan. Why would anyone think an inferior service, that is designed to be thrown away, for the same price would be a good idea?
In 2002, Telstra was under financial pressure as it's main source of revenue, the PSTN (telephone network) was in 2005 described by Sol Trujillo as being "in meltdown".
Leading up to then, the explosive growth in both Internet use and mobile phones was well known inside Telstra and broadly within the Industry. From 1997 onwards, it was a matter of when, not if, Telstra would get into serious financial trouble and a new digital-from-scratch broadband network was necessary.
Yet the Howard Government did nothing about creating a strong, viable 21st Century network for Australia for a decade. There were many studies, recommendations and even the odd billion dollars dropped on the problem, but by 2007, we were still in a digital backwater.
In 2005, the new Telstra CEO created a table-thumping presentation about the need to reform the business and build Broadband. The Liberals ignored it then and in 2007, contributing to their electoral loss. They backed up to the 2010 election with an inadequate NBN plan and again, failed to carry the day.
From 1997 onwards when the Coalition was in control, Telstra could have been structurally separated easily AND a good broadband network could have have been built with no Government funding, if they'd been allowed.
For more than a decade the Liberal/Nationals did not act when they needed to and could have, and then they continued this policy for another 5 years! This antipathy to Broadband runs deep.
So finally in 2013, after deliberately and consciously creating the current situation, they now want to claim that speed is of the essence.
Why the urgency for "NBN Lite"? Turnbull has never offered a good explanation.
The actual "NBN Lite" end date is 2020, or 2019. A one year improvement over the current 2021 end-date. So why is a one year speed-up so important after 15 years of inaction and resistance?
More Affordable
As said above, NBN Co can set wholesale prices, but the ISP's can set any retail price they like.
But the real story is "if you charge one third less and it costs you four times as much to deliver the service, how can you still make a profit?".
The Government does NOT and cannot control retail NBN pricing. Why would the ISP's, especially Telstra, pass on, even in part, any savings?
It's not sophistry, there's a serious marketing point here. Customers are very tired of battling with incredibly complex and difficult "rate cards" from Telcos, especially with mobiles and smartphones.
ISP's, especially Telstra, are likely to offer simple NBN pricing, with a single price for each service speed. The entry level, 12/1Mbps services are likely to be the same just like now, with NO difference depending on Network: Fibre, Wireless or Satellite.
If the ISP's supply and maintain the missing VDSL NTD and Central Splitter for FTTN customers, they will be justified in charging both a service connection fee and not passing on any savings.
Customers on VDSL will not see any savings compared to Fibre, rather they will face higher "out of pocket" and connection charges and on-going maintenance, over and above what other NBN customers pay for in home connections.
Media Coverage, Costings and the PBO (Parliamentary Budget Office)
The greatest coup of the Turnbull disinformation campaign was having Alan Kohler, doyen of the Business Media, come out the day after the Policy launch (10 April) and declare "NBN Lite" was good enough.
Without costings, without financial forecasts, without charges or costs, without on going debt & equity figures, without a payback period or Rate of Return, in fact without ANY financial data necessary for a $30 thousand, let alone $30 billion investment.
Rather than attempt to analyse the Coalition Policy, question them and dig out the numbers, the Media quietly walked away from it, choosing to quote, as fact, the unverified project cost figures given by the Coalition
The PBO did not review the Coalition NBN Policy costings, nor was anything offered them.
They don't seem to understand the basic rules of accounting either: if it's not under your control, then it's NOT on your balance sheet and it does not affect you.
The PBO would've taken less than an hour to check both the ALP and Liberal Party on-budget costs, interest payments, if they'd been given the forecast Equity figures. It's that simple.
So why haven't any of the media reported on this or asked the Coalition for that information?
Especially after the election, does the public have a right to know what it is now committed to paying from its taxes?
Other Myths
The proponents of slower, inferior Broadband ask "Who needs higher speeds?"
That's easy: anyone who puts a monetary value on their time.
48%-49% of ISP connections are current "Business/Government", according to the ABS.
They value their time, currently around $120/hr to keep an average employee, and can work out what it's worth to save download time.
This is why NBN Co has sold 31% of services at 100/40 Mbps, the highest current speed, not the 18% forecast. This increases their AVC (access charges) by an easy 10% over the forecast.
Later this year, they're scheduled to turn on 3 higher speeds (250, 500 and 1000), and increase their income from access charges by another 10%-20%. This extra service speed doesn't cost NBN Co anything.
What's going on here? It's why NBN Co is going to be immensely profitable and what Turnbull has tried desperately to hide from the electorate: NBN Co can sell exactly the same physical Fibre connection for anything from $24 to $150, AND have all customers very happy with what they pay.
In Economics, it's called "removing consumer surplus". Current ISP ADSL pricing plans, which Turnbull hasn't said he will or won't continue with, are "One size, one price Fits All". This makes most customers unhappy, either because they get charged more or they can't get a fast enough service.
We know from a report in 2009 that includes a detailed economic model of the NBN done by the current NBN Chief of Pricing, that a "one price fits all" regime would charge the majority entry-level plans more than 3 times the current $50/mth of iiNet, or 2.5 to 8 times if uniform charging is also abandoned.
... for the most likely estimate of $170 per month, unit costs in metropolitan areas are of $133 per month, while those in non-metropolitan areas are just under $380.For "NBN Lite" to not include their charges or clarify their pricing model can only mean bad news for consumers. Politicians always proclaim good news from the highest points.
The reality of a "one speed, one price" VDSL model for "NBN Lite" is entry-level charges need to increase by 50%-100%, while high-end charges reduce, those users would rather pay more to swap their money for time and make massive savings in wage costs. It's incredibly strange that the party that's "open again for business" doesn't understand how businesses look to reduce their total expenditures.
The world isn't well ordered, all the people wanting fast access rates aren't clustered together, around what will be decided as a "Node". Nor are all businesses located in business parks etc. The whole point of running out the ONE system, everywhere, is that anybody who needs faster access can do so without delay, cost or impediment. This is lost with FTTN/VDSL.
This leads to the next point: Who pays for the NBN? The low-volume users or speed hogs?
The entire profits of the Fibre NBN come from the top 25% of users, the rest of us either get NBN services at cost or below.
This is because the use of the internet is very uneven, it's an exponential, in fact.
The top 1% of users consume half-as-much data again as the low 50% of users: the top 1% account for 10% of downloads and the bottom half 6.24%.
The Fibre NBN is the best deal any of us are ever likely to be offered in our lifetimes. If we want speed, we can have it, if we don't then others pay for us.
If you remember the claim of "tripling of charges" by the Coalition, it's another upside-down argument. Yes, NBN Co are forecasting an Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) of $110 in 2040, but that's because customers who value the service will want to pay for it AND download large volumes, mostly for their businesses.
Neither has the media reported that NBN Co revenues are 12-18 months in advance of forecasts on all fronts. This is really important, it proves the Corporate Plan is conservative and that the reality will be far, far better than people expect. It's not unreasonable for a Fibre NBN Co to cost under $30 billion and return over 15%, simply because there is such large "pent-up demand" from a decade of inaction by the Coalition.
The NBN is about Business, Productivity Growth, Efficiency and reducing drags on our Economy. That it will be used, in very small part, for Entertainment, even Adult content, is an irrelevance. It's like banning ALL glossy magazines because there's a very small number with X-rated content. Adult content is a fact of life, it's still commerce and it's largely an irrelevance.
The Internet grew up in the 15 years the Coalition weren't watching, it's now about Business and the Economy.
"NBN Lite" is the OPPOSITE of how it's been portrayed in the media: giving us better Broadband but for less.
- It's an inferior service that will cost the same, or more, to build and operate.
- It will cost taxpayers $70 billion or more by 2040, NOT make them $30 billion or more by then.
- Fibre NBN doesn't just make money, it matches need and service, making everyone happy.
- Tiered pricing reduces costs to the majority, while allowing those who put a high monetary value on their time, to swap money for time. That's real consumer choice.
- The Fibre NBN profits all come from the top 25% of users, the rest of us get a free-ride.


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Earlier this year some of our staff journeyed to the Mohawki Village in Norther, home to a Karen Hill Tribe that is working diligently to preserve their culture through education. The school in this Hill Tribe is not government funded like most of the schools in rural Thailand. The Karen people are dedicated to keeping the unique aspects of their culture alive, so they are teaching their youth the language and cultural components they have cherished for centuries.
Since the school's survival depends on Non-Governmental donations, our Ethnic Lanna Helps Foundation (ELH) has chosen to support this community's growth. On our most recent trip, we donated clothing and school supplies to gracious students. We also bridged the donation of one or our wholesale customers, and on their behalf donated 4 clean water tanks for the school. Supporting a community with such a rich appreciation for culture and education is something we cherish!
With Ethnic Lanna Helps, you donate and we give! If you would like to contribute to an important cause here in Northern Thailand, you can make donations at http://ethniclannahelps.com/ and we will use those funds to provide tangible support for communities that are in need.

subset: commoncrawl


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Man, looking at the recently bumped thread about how bad this place has gotten really, well, got me down. I know that I never posted much, or was not here during the sites heyday, but I still have fairly fond memories of this place. So, rather than just say something like this, or do nothing and just forget about this place again, I thought I might try to breathe a tiny bit more life into it, even if I am just making a tiny little topic. It seemed like a positive enough idea for a topic, and simple. Hopefully this will make me post more, and keep me from forgetting about this place (again), and maybe finally get around to actually uploading some content.
Anyways, so, enough rambling. What made you smile today? :3
As for me, the Okami Office Soundtrack that I ordered came in the mail today, and it is just BEAUTIFUL. The music and the packaging. I wish all soundtracks could be like this. It was a little spendy, but totally worth it.


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Eliminate Your Pinterest Frustrations Quickly!
If you think about the most successful people in sports and business, they all have something in common. They use, or have used, a coach at some point in their careers. They do this to improve their game, get feedback and be challenged to sustain high performance. Why don't you?
It is impossible to reach your next level of accomplishment if you keep doing what you're doing.
There is no better or faster way to get your Pinterest problems solved and get on the right track than with a personalized one on one coaching session with a Pinterest expert such as Anna.
What you can expect:
- You email Anna a list of your questions ahead of time.
- Anna answers your questions via a webinar format showing you exactly how to solve your problems while viewing your Pinterest account.
- Investment 2 x 45 mins session $297 USD.
To move forward with your one on one coaching, please purchase the services using the button below. Once you have completed payment we will be notified, and we will contact you directly to collect all the pertinent information we require to deliver the service. Thank you.


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Live Diabetes Chat 1: Blood Glucose Checking & Management
Connecting with each other is one of the most important things for staying well and happy with diabetes. When I first started Diabetes Counselling Online, there was no social media and so I created forums, chat rooms and email buddies, which meant people could communicate and connect – in fact that was the tagline of the organisation because I think it is just that important! Now we do have social media, and live video is so accessible, I am going to be running an ongoing series of live video chats in our Facebook Group here I am also planning some webinars at some stage. This will include guests over time, and a range of topics. New topics will be posted regularly so keep an eye on the page.
You can join us live, or watch in the group later and leave comments, which I will respond to when I can. I will also post the videos here on the blog, so you can check in here and leave comments here too. It will be every Tuesday – Sweet Talk Tuesdays – unless I am sick or busy or away etc! I will try to let people know this in the group.
Please share and also let me know of any topics you would love to see in the live chat sessions. Find all the topics here
This week the topic was about blood glucose checking and management – you can see the live video here. Bear in mind it is a Facebook Live video so the quality is not fantastic and there are comments posted as I chat, so head on over to the group if you want to see those. Hope it is useful!
Helen xx
1 Comment
thank you and thank you for always being there and supporting what I do and my words


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How to Replace a 1997 Saturn SC2 Battery?
If your Saturn SC2 won't start, a faulty or dead battery could be to blame. Battery chemicals can lose the ability to hold a charge, making it impossible to start your car. Save time and money by r...
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How to Remove the Battery From a 1997 Saturn?
Knowing how to remove the battery in your Saturn is important if you do a lot of your own car maintenance. Sometimes the battery needs to be removed in order to access other components that need re...
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How to Replace the Starter in a 1997 Saturn?
Replacing the starter on the 1997 Saturn is not difficult. Crawling under the car to gain access to the starter is the most difficult part. By replacing the starter yourself you can avoid the high...
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How to Replace the Gas Tank in a 1997 Saturn Sl2?
Gasoline is extremely flammable, so take extra precautions when you work on any part of the fuel system. Don't smoke or allow open flames or bare light bulbs near the work area. Do not work in a ga...
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How to Replace the Oil Pan Gasket in a 1997 Saturn?
The oil pan gasket on a 1997 Saturn should be replaced when you notice oil leaking from the gasket area. Over time, the gasket could dry, rot and crack. An oil leak not only makes a mess out of the...
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- Creative
- Animation
- Film Production
- Fine Art
- Graphic Design
- Illustration
- Music Production
- Photography
- UI/UX Design
- Writing
I started by choosing my loaction wich was Folosm Lake. Northern CA is in a drought right now, so our lake looks more like a desert. Then I decided who I was going to shoot. My freind Michael has a modelesque look to him and I new he would have the attire I wnated to capture in my shoot. I then made a pinterest board with a few images that showed the feel I was going for.
We drove our car out onto the lake. Then started roamimg and came across some awesome dreind up trees. Micheal was even adventurous enough to climb one.
We weren't able to make it out there at a decent lighitng time. So it was pretty bright out and a bit of a challenge working with harsh shadows but a good challenge at that :)
My freind Renee decided to come along for the ride and I made her get in a few shots too.


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Jin Young Yu, solo | Art Opening / Exhibition – Art Merge Lab
Date(s) - 09/19/2015
6:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Art Merge Lab
Add This Event to Your Calendar
Art Merge Lab's First Ever Popup Exhibition is excited to present MYSELF / THEM, the debut solo exhibition in the United States of South Korea-based artist Jin Young Yu.
After Party: Sept 19, 8:00pm – 11:00pm featuring DJ Mr.NumberOnederful
Exhibition: Sept 19 – Oct 17, 2015
MYSELF / THEM brings together over twenty of Jin Young Yu's hauntingly beautiful doll-like sculptures from two major bodies of work, "Me & Myself" and her latest series "Me & Them." Through the artist's masterful renderings of emotionally complex individuals, she dramatizes the pressures in contemporary life between how we are expected to behave versus how we really feel. Most of the artist's highly personal character studies have never been exhibited together, and many works from both series are being shown in public for the first time.


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Les Rêves d'Anaïs - Rattle Rabbit Rose Flow
Regular price €13,95
Les Rêves d'Anaïs captures the innocence and beauty of a newborn with a refined range of bedding and nursery products. The brand breaths an enchanting elegance that can be found in every single detail. Les Rêves d'anais is characterised by its unique offer of collections. The beautiful series of classic uni collections are enriched with collections that have a subtle, delicate print. Together they provide a refreshing touch to the classical segment.
The classic rabbit rattles and squeaks along when your little one is pushing it. It's long neck is also perfect for those little grab-happy fingers. Plus, it's a lovely baby gift!
Rattle Rabbit
size: 27 x 9 x 4 cm
color: Rose Flow
More from: Les rêves d'Anaïs
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Residence Inn by Marriott Pensacola Downtown Hotel
Your First Choice Among Downtown Pensacola Hotels
As an outstanding and newly renovated all-suite hotel in downtown Pensacola, the Residence Inn by Marriott Pensacola Downtown combines the welcome comforts of home with the luxurious services associated with the Marriott brand. You'll surely be impressed with the hotel's tasteful, designer renovation, highlighted by stylish guest suites that combine clean-lined contemporary furnishings, understated elegance and home-like comforts—a high-style experience at a most affordable rate.
Located in lovely, historic downtown Pensacola, the hotel is scenically situated along beautiful Pensacola Bay. More importantly, the Residence Inn by Marriott Pensacola Downtown hotel is located conveniently close to area attractions and local businesses, including:
- Pensacola Beach
- Pensacola Bay Center
- Cordova Mall
- Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce
- Seville Square
- Pensacola Saenger Theatre
Our downtown Pensacola hotel offers separate living and sleeping areas, fully equipped kitchens, complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access and plenty of room for working, entertaining and just relaxing. Join us for our hot complimentary breakfast buffet and our evening social including complimentary beer and wine, offered Monday-Wednesday.
Whether you're choosing a hotel for an extended training session, important business trip, or simply a well-deserved vacation, the Residence Inn Pensacola Downtown is your home away from home!


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Poultry producer Moy Park has invested over £18 million across a number of its sites in Lincolnshire.
The investment is part of a wider programme focussed on enhancing operations across its agriculture and processing facilities, boosting production to a record 6 million birds per week in response to growing customer demand.
Supply Chain Director Keith Irvine said: "We are committed to continued investment in our production facilities to ensure that we are able to lead the industry in innovation, food safety, quality and efficiency."
He added: "These investments in state of the art processes will enable us to take another large step forward as a business and will provide fantastic development opportunities for our people."
At its Anwick facility in Lincolnshire, Moy Park has completed a £6 million investment which saw the company refresh the factory's layout and install state-of-the-art equipment including robotic and automation technology.
A £12 million investment is also underway at the company's nearby Grantham facility which will see the installation of new, high-tech mixing and processing equipment as well as the creation of Moy Park's first fully contained "Free From" factory within the Grantham site.
This follows the opening of a £20 million state-of-the-art hatchery at Newark-on-Trent in Nottinghamshire by the firm. Hatching 2.5 million chicks per week, it is the largest single-build hatchery in the UK.


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Check out my Zazzle store for some great deals on mail items!
Always Reiding
What's YOUR Origin Story?
September 16, 2015
A look at us in Kauai in January!
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View all locations
John Wayne's family carries out his greatest wish.
Melinda Wayne Muñoz is certain that her father, John Wayne, would be proud of the cancer breakthroughs accomplished in his name. "I think he'd be thrilled that he gave his name to such a fine Institute." When he was asked to lend his name to a cancer clinic, the actor saw an opportunity to help others.
The family of the actor and cancer activist didn't walk away once the sign was in place, either. Each generation of Waynes is heavily involved with and committed to fighting cancer in their father's name. Each person contributes however they can, says Melinda, from being part of a board to participating in a 5K run. Melinda, 72, and a resident of Orange County, serves on the John Wayne Cancer Institute Auxiliary's board of directors.
She's not worried about the involvement of future generations, either. "Everybody fills the cup," she says. "They do what they can."
She speaks like a proud parent when ticking off the Institute's accomplishments, including the sentinel lymph node biopsy technique developed by Donald L. Morton, MD, and the Institute's Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program, which offers physicians specialized training.
"John Wayne is responsible for a lot of the cancer research that helps people all over the world," adds Ethan Wayne, 51, the actor's youngest son and chief executive officer of the John Wayne Cancer Foundation, headquartered in Newport Beach, and president of John Wayne Enterprises. "The Institute is a big part of that story. We have a mountain of a man in Dr. Donald Morton. As we transition into the future, there is a lot of talent at the Institute."
Marisa Wayne, 47, the actor's youngest daughter, knows the Institute well. She serves on the Auxiliary's board of directors. In addition to assisting in fundraisers, she actively supports the Institute's Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program and serves as an ambassador for the Institute. Over the years, Marisa has discovered a variety of ways to pitch in. "I do basically whatever they ask me to do," she says. "I've been involved, one way or another, since the Institute was founded."
Working with various boards or committees has given each family member a greater appreciation of the Institute's mission, says Michael Wayne, 46, John Wayne's grandson and chairman of the board of advisors at the John Wayne Cancer Institute.
"Every year I've gotten to know more and more about what's being done by the physicians and scientists, and that's been critical in understanding better how I can help," he says.
Michael heaps praise upon those on the front lines. "These doctors are great people – many are practicing physicians who have an interest in trying to wipe cancer out or, until then, extending the lives of people who have it."
It was John Wayne's admiration of Dr. Morton that led to the naming of the Institute. During his treatment, he gave Dr. Morton permission to attach his name to the clinic, and the late Michael Wayne, the actor's eldest son, became the Institute's first chairman of the board.
"My dad clearly asked us, his children, to use his name to benefit the public, the people who were so loyal to him and his films," Melinda explains.
The family's decision to carry on his grandfather's legacy with the Institute was the right choice, Michael adds.
"The biggest reason we did this is because cancer took him away from all of us when he was 72," says Michael, a partner at the Los Angeles law firm Gibbs Giden. "He was a big, strong guy, and I think if he had lived, we would have seen more John Wayne movies."
Adds Ethan: "I feel like I'm facilitating his work. He'd be honored that this work is getting done. He'd be amazed that he still resonates with people in a substantial way."
Entire Wayne families are involved in carrying on the actor's mission to improve cancer treatment. Michael's wife, Christine, serves on the Auxiliary's board of directors. Moreover, Michael says, he discusses the Institute's work with their 14- and 16-year-old sons. The teens participate in community work, such as giving talks to their peers about the importance of using sunscreen to help prevent skin cancer.
"They understand the idea about helping others who are less fortunate," he says. "I'm hopeful they'll want to carry this on."
Other Wayne great-grandchildren participate in activities to support cancer research, such as the Orange County Marathon's 5K, which raises money for the John Wayne Cancer Foundation, says Anita Swift, one of Wayne's grandchildren. Anita is on the Auxiliary's board of directors and serves as its current president.
"We tell them about my grandfather," says Anita, 55, whose husband, Tim, joins her in support of Institute activities.
"We all truly believe in this. Not only did my grandfather die of cancer but also my mother and my grandmother. As I travel the United States for the Institute and the John Wayne Cancer Foundation, I haven't met anybody who hasn't been touched by cancer in some way."
The actor's fans may not realize that a portion of the profits from branded merchandise are directed to specific causes. "We put our money where it needs to be for cancer – for education and research," she says. "That's what he wanted."
The actor remains a symbol of strength. In annual Harris Polls asking people to name their favorite movie star, John Wayne is consistently in the top 10. Decades after John Wayne made his last film, his son Patrick, 74, knows his father is anything but gone from the public eye.
"I don't think any of us had any idea that his popularity and celebrity would be as strong as it is today," he says.
Adds Marisa: "It just amazes me that no matter where I go, people have a story about how my father touched their lives or the lives of their parents and grandparents."
The late actor still resonates with people, which has helped draw awareness and support to what the Institute is doing, says Patrick, chairman of the board of directors of the Institute. "It makes you get up in the morning; it makes you want to do more." His wife, Misha, serves on the Auxiliary's board of directors and is involved in the planning of the annual Benefactors Dinner.
The family's presence is felt at the Institute on a daily basis, says Anton Bilchik, MD, PhD, professor of surgery, chief of medicine and chief of the gastrointestinal research program at the Institute.
"The family doesn't just talk about supporting the Institute, they take action to make things happen," Dr. Bilchik says. "They are keenly interested in how the Institute develops, and then they ask what they can do to make our goals a reality."
Patrick, who lives in Toluca Lake, says his father set an example for being proactive. He recalls that his father's battle with cancer "didn't slow him down at work at all. He also talked more publicly about the fact that he had cancer." He did it "to give hope to other cancer patients. Even in the last few weeks of his life, he'd get out of his hospital bed and talk to people."
And that, he says, personifies courage. "He was in a lot of pain, and for me, the most courageous I ever saw him was in his last days."
Seeing his beloved grandfather ill no doubt fueled a fire in Michael to help others. "I recall seeing him be kind of a shell of what he was. It's tough to have that image in your mind, but it didn't make me forget about the good times."
Those include accompanying his grandfather to cattle sales in Arizona and being with him on film sets. "I'd sit on his lap while he was playing cards, and he'd let me roll the dice for him," Michael recalls. "He was just an amazing guy to be around. He had a great way of making you feel special."
Ethan was only 17 when his father died. "I loved my dad," he says. "He was older by the time I was born. We were sort of pals. He was easy-going. He guided people gently."
Marisa remembers her father, who died when she was just 13, as gracious and hardworking. "He had a zest for life—everything was fun, and he had a big personality. When he walked in a room, you knew he was there. He was very happy in his own skin, and I think that showed in the way he treated people. It was great having a dad like that."
John Wayne was a loving father with a great sense of humor who raised his children to be humble, responsible adults, assigning them chores when they were young, Melinda says. "When you're given so much in life, you need to give back."
So many years after the actor's death, the Wayne family members are overjoyed to see the scientific accomplishments of the Institute. They commend the Institute's many supporters and outstanding faculty and staff.


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Our body is connected by nerves and these tiny tubes tend to be a medium for connection with our brain. Every time we feel something, the nerves deliver the message with the use of the nervous system and even pain is delivered as information to the body because of these nerves. There are cases whereRead More
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Sick Child in the Hospital Sent us a Card (still crying over the kindness)
We received our holiday greeting card today from our Secret Santa sender. When we got it, we were shocked at the high quality of the card. We opened it and were greeted by a dadaist Snowman. At this point we are thinking, classic redditor. We open it and begin reading. The redditor gave us five dollars for a Starbucks coffee, five dollars that she won in a bet over whether The Hulk was an Avenger (he is, the redditor won, lol)
However, it is slowly revealed that the sender is a sick child, so sick that she is in the hospital. Memories of my (Sarah's) little brother being confined to an oxygen tent at the young age of 5 because of pneumonia start flooding back. We both start crying. We wish we knew who this kind, young redditor was so that we could send her a gift this Christmas.
So to whoever sent this, parents or the redditor herself, please let us know either in the comments or in a message, because we want to do something nice for you this holiday. You deserve it.
Thank you so much for your kindness Maddie! I hope you feel better soon.
Front of Card
Inside of Card
Inside of Card (Close-up of top half)
Inside of Card (Close-up of bottom half)


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|Home > Publications > Lives of Saints
In this homiliary, Father James Thornton introduces fifty of the greatest Fathers of the Orthodox Church. Eschewing the dry language of history and the recondite language of theology alike, Father James opts to present his subjects in the pious language of hagiography. He thus renders the Church Fathers immediately accessible to all, challenging us to ask ourselves about them, in our own spiritual lives: "Seest thou how faith wrought with...[their]...works, and by works was faith made perfect?"
About the AuthorThe Reverend Dr. James Thornton holds the Diploma and Licentiate in Orthodox Theological Studies from the C.T.O.S., where he is a Research Associate, and a Doctorate in Advanced Pastoral Studies from the San Francisco Theological Seminary. He serves the Holy Trinity Eastern Orthodox Church in Oxnard, California, a parish of the American Exarchate of the Orthodox Church of Greece, Holy Synod in Resistance.
|Home > Publications > Lives of Saints


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|Home > Summary...
Experienced, self-motivated professional with strong computer skills. Proven leadership record and broad-based knowledge in planning and implementing business-to-business marketing communication strategies. Strengths include creative design, long range planning, budget management, systems implementation, and productivity/efficiency expertise.
of Marketing Experience: 16
|2003: Speaker at Illinois Association of School Boards 71st Annual Conference: "Making the Most of Your Web Site"
|2003: Interview with Anita Padilla of Channel 5 News on "How One School District is Preparing for Homeland Security"
|2003: Article in Database Designs Associates Newsletter regarding "The Truth About Web Traffic"
|2000: Published White Paper: "Best Practices in Web Development"
|1999: Best of Pod, Better Builders Program, Tripod
|1990: Certificate of Commendation: Nominated for Young Direct Marketer of the Year, Direct Marketing Council, Kobs & Draft, Chicago, IL
|1990: Charter Entry in Marquis' Who's Who in Advertising, Wilmette, IL
|1979, 1980, 1981: School of the Museum of Fine Arts Annual Graphics Show (Juried Entries)
|1976-1977: Rotary Youth Scholarship to Sir J. J. College of Architecture, Bombay, India at age 15
|1975: Youngest Student to Complete Center Summer Curriculum at Boston Architectural Center at age 14


text: I am so excited to see all the new blogs my fellow teachers have put together for the upcoming school year. It is awesome! I think some of them surprised themselves with how easy it is to make a blog. I am also absolutely loving the names of the blogs. So creative!! Here are the links to ones that have been created so far.


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Drinking Game
Take a Drink: for anything that would fit right in Miami Vice
Take a Drink: whenever Willie Parker says "Willie Parker"
Take a Drink: every time a gun is drawn
Take a Drink: whenever Tim Roth freaks out
Take a Drink: whenever John Hurt does something cold-blooded
Do a Shot: for not so veiled threats
Community Review
Movie Review
By: Henry J. Fromage (Three Beers) –
When you hear the name Stephen Frears, you're likely to think of prestige fare, like Dangerous Liaisons, Philomena, or The Queen. Or you may think of screwball misfires like Tamara Drewe or Lay the Favorite. When he began his career, though, you wouldn't have been surprised to hear that he'd turn into the next Michael Mann.
Philomena would've been a tad different…
The Hit was Frears' second film, coming right before his big breakout, My Beautiful Laundrette. Terrence Stamp is a low-level gangster, Willie Parker, who rats on his mates, sending them to prison. Their broken courtroom rendition of "We'll Meet Again" is just a tad ominous, so it's no surprise 10 years later when he's kidnapped in Spain by a stone-faced hitman (John Hurt) and his hot-headed assistant (Tim Roth). Things get complicated when they're required to off a witness (Bill Hunter) and take his young Spanish girlfriend (Laura del Sol) on the road with them.
A Toast
Frears shows that he had style to spare at this point of his career, pairing with legendary cinematographer John A. Alonzo (Chinatown, Scarface) to deliver a film full of dramatic lighting, bright pastels, and album cover shots, backed by Eric Clapton's guitar-shredding theme and a liberal dose of energetic flamenco cuts.
Goes well with gun fights.
The acting is sold across the board, with Stamp in particular doing a great job of conveying surprisingly glib confidence, Hurt exuding coldness and menace, and Roth showing an early iteration of his trademark volatility. Hunter, though, steals the screen with his brief, sad performance as a doomed gangster who knows his time has come. His scene just intensifies the feeling of unavoidable tragedy pervading the film, a feeling that finally manifests in the brutal, shocking finale. The Hit is a meditation on death and the various ways we react when it comes knocking… and the lies we tell ourselves about how we will when it does.
Beer Two
I understand how Frears is trying for something archetypal for his characters- providing almost no background and only the barest of motivation for them, but this also limits the power of his message. Our empathy is limited for this collection of criminals, and consequently, so is our shock or sorrow when they die.
Beer Three
There's some pretty brutal dubbing at play here and there, particularly the Spanish gang at the beginning. I speak Spanish relatively fluently, and I don't think they're speaking that or any other human language.
Frankly, they sound like Minions.
The Hit is a stylish crime film that doubles as a rumination on death.


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Isn't it interesting that we don't always see ourselves the same way as others see us? Or is that just another facet of human nature? I'm aware of the fact that our perception of ourselves (or how we think others see us) isn't always the same as how other people actually view us. But I had not considered the fact that this could be true also of cultural or racial groups. The fact was brought home to me recently by a comment somebody made.
I had just written an article for a Sri Lankan travel magazine about the Muslims of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka, to lay some background to this whole entry, is kind of strange in that the people here don't consider themselves Sri Lankans. Instead, they usually consider themselves as parts of a different ethnic groups – the Sinhalese, the Tamils and the Muslims. To me, that's the strangest way to go about being a nation because you are never a single whole but a sum of fractured parts, if that makes any sense :p But then again, I guess this same sense of fragmentation occurs in many nations, human beings being who they are, just not to this extent.
Anyway, as I said before, I wrote this article about the Muslims of Sri Lanka. I was asked to write the article since I am a Muslim myself. So I wrote it and I kept it totally factual – I researched the story thoroughly, though I knew most of the bare outlines, and laid out the story of the Muslims from the early days in Sri Lankan history to the present (well, not actually the present – most of the major historical stuff ended around the British colonial period but who's counting, right? :p) The editor's comment on reading the article was that it was good but "not what he'd expected". I was a bit surprised since I thought the story was fairly accurate, so I asked him what he'd expected thinking that I'd slipped up somewhere. He said that he'd expected a story replete with buriyani and watalappam.
Now for the confused, let me hasten to enlighten you. Buriyani is a rice-dish that Sri Lanka Muslims are famous for, in Sri Lanka. It's actually an Indian dish but they call it biryani there, what do they know? They might have invented the dish (I don't know if they actually did …) but they can't go around naming stuff differently than us Sri Lankans now can they? :p It's basically rice, meat (and sometimes potatoes – the recipe varies a bit) cooked together with spices and it tastes really good. Muslims usually have buriyani at weddings, festivals and other festive occasions and so buriyani has come to be identified with Muslims.
Watalappam is a dessert. It's basically a jaggery pudding. But then I guess I have to go into what jaggery is :p It's the solidified treacle from either the kitul or coconut palm and is really sweet. It's like a big, brown, chunky block of sweetness 🙂 And watalappam is basically jaggery and eggs. Again, it's considered a Muslim delicacy in Sri Lanka and most people agree that Muslims make the best watalappam.
So what has all this got to do with the article? From my perspective, nothing :p I didn't really think of the Muslims as being identified by either buriyani or watalappam since that has nothing to do with who the Sri Lankan Muslims are, how they came to be in Sri Lanka and their involvement in Sri Lankan history or politics. On the other hand, the editor, being a non-Muslim, expected me to write about buriyani and watalappam because I was after all, a Muslim :p I just find the fact that we have such diverse perceptions of the Sri Lankan Muslims as a whole and find myself wondering, if another Sri Lankan Muslim had written the article, would s/he have written about buriyani?
Posted by Fahim at 7:28 am | 1 Comment


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423 - Bride of the Monster (w/ Hired! Part I) - I can't think of anything really off with this episode, but I just didn't find myself laughing much. This may not be the episode's fault. I had to stop the show in the middle due to a bad DVD-R. Tip: never, ever buy Fujifilm DVD-Rs (so far, I've never had trouble with Taiyo Yuden discs). This disc was so bad, the new dual layer burners in both my PC and my Mac couldn't rip it. I had to crack out Old Faithful -- the original DVD-R drive that came with my Mac -- to extract the data. This hour and half detour of frustration probably didn't help my experience of this episode.
This is the first Ed Wood movie I've ever seen. It wasn't that bad. The stock footage, the rubber snake, the bad stand-ins, and the beanbag chair octopus were fun. I'm thinking the "Worst Director Ever" tag is more of a loving nickname rather than a criticism. People enjoy his movies in an ironic way because of the unintentional bad acting and poor production values, but they do enjoy them. That's something that can never be said for Bill Rebane's monstrosity.
This movie is a MST3K reunion show of sorts. We've got Tor Johnson from The Unearthly, Bela Lugosi from The Corpse Vanishes and The Phantom Creeps, George Becwar from War of the Colossal Beast, and the nine-fingered Harvey B. Dunn from Teenagers from Outer Space. I bet this is a record, discounting sequels and Master Ninjas, of course.
Speaking of things we've seen before, Willie the Waffle, the wonderful, whimsical, wisecracking waffle springs into action to describe the horror of a world without ads. A Case of Spring Fever is still six years in the future for the guys, much as this apparently bothers them. Servo helpfully points out that this costume is from episode 317. What no one mentioned is that the device to see into Crow's mind during the dream host segment was seen way, way back in episode K19. In that show, Joel uses a device to watch Crow's first memory. We haven't had a KTMA repeat in a really long time. I think this one was probably accidental, though.
"You know, I thought being killed by an octopus was supposed to be peaceful." (6/10)
film d. Edward D. Wood Jr. (1955)
short p. Jamison Handy (1940)
mst d. Kevin Murphy (23 Jan 1993)


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Kat Dyson Aug 3rd on www.blogtalkradio.com/tmill
Her Smash single "Love in the middle."
Kat Dyson
Guitarist-vocalist, composer and artist Kat recently relocated to Los Angeles from Minneapolis where she was a featured guitarist/vocalist with The Artist Formerly Known as Prince as a member of the New Power Generation. Her outstanding contribution to this musical alliance can be heard on the following CDs Emancipation, The Truth and Newpowersoul on NPG Records.
Since completing the Emancipation and Jam of the Year world tours as guitarist/vocalist with New Power Generation (NPG), Kat has been recording at various studios in Montreal, Nashville and Los Angeles completing her solo underground EP, Colour Kommentary.
Kat as a member of NPG performed alongside such artists as Tony Rich, D'angelo, BB King, Chaka Khan, Larry Graham and GCS, Carlos Santana, Sheila E, Stevie Wonder, Rufus Thomas and Doug E. Fresh.
Along the way, Kat has performed with renowned artists including Debra Cox, Ivan Neville, Bruce Willis, Donny Osmond, George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars, Tchukon, The Winans, Big Mamma Thornton, Smokey Robinson, UB40, Ben E. King, Bo Diddley, Odetta, Celine Dion, Roch Voisine and Etta James. Kat is also a soloist for the world renowned Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir and is featured on many of their albums.
A native Southerner, residing between New York, Montreal and Los Angeles, Kat's earliest foray into the music industry was a collaboration with Geraldine Hunt on the song "Can't Fake The Feeling" . . . a number one Billboard Dance Chart hit.
In 1992, Kat and her band Colour Kommentary hosted a spectacular Blues summit in Montreal. Featuring some of the greatest Blues legends, the evening culminated in an unforgettable final jam session with Buddy Guy, Johnnie Johnson, Mick Taylor and the late John Campbell.
Kat has toured the world as featured guitarist and vocalist with Warner Brothers recording artist Colin James. It was Colin James whose Bad Habits world tour gave Kat the opportunity to play alongside such great artists as Mavis Staples, Jimmy Vaughn, B.B. King, French rock idol Johnny Hallyday and perform at the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal.
Kat's studio work includes sessions for such artists as Prince, Ziggy Marley, Sheila E., Dave Stewart (Eurythmics), Jeff Healey and Gowan, as well as working with Paul Shaffer and members of the CBS Orchestra, Jamaican producers Sly and Robbie, Cat Cooer of Third World, Epic recording artist Patra, Odetta and Bernie Worrell (Parliament Funkadelic).
Before joining forces with the Artist, Ms. Dyson was a contributing guitarist and vocalist on the multi-platinum seller Cyndi Lauper's greatest hits album, 12 Deadly Cyns . . . and then some and the sold out world tours that followed. She made numerous television appearances on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with David Letterman, Top of the Pops and The American Music Awards, as well as participating on Ms. Lauper's critically acclaimed Sisters of Avalon CD.
She also just completed 6 months on the road with Ms.Lauper, opening for Cher on the Living Proof Tour 2002-2003
Her playing and compositions can be heard in film and television. As a featured credited musician, her soulful guitar can be heard in the filmscore for DANCING AT THE BLUE IGUANA, starring Darryl Hannah. She also composed and performed several pieces of music for HBO's acclaimed series AMERICA UNDERCOVER. Since 1998, Ms.Dyson has also been a fixture in such talk-show house bands as The Wayne Brady Show, The Donny & Marie Show and The Magic Hour, with Sheila E.
At present, in between recording, producing and composing for her group, film, television and touring with various other artists; she is a part of a new formation called Sheila E. and the 5th Element. This band has been touring here and abroad to rave reviews and is presently recording its first album.


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Uji Bridge is the main bridge that crosses the Uji River in the city of Uji (Kyoto Prefecture). Uji River was of great strategic importance in the past as it was a significant physical barrier to armies.
All Bridges in Kyoto
Togetsukyo Bridge
Togetsukyo Bridge, also known as the Moon Crossing Bridge, is a famous picturesque bridge over Oi River in Arashiyama on the western outskirts of Kyoto. Togetsukyo Bridge obtained its alternative name, Moon Crossing Bridge, after Emperor Kameyama stated that the bridge appeared to stretch to the moon. The current Togetsukyo Read more [...]


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Well, it's no secret that we love, love, love AdvoCare and we love this business model. I am all about shopping local when possible and would definitely rather benefit someone's family than some big company. There are some really great companies out there- Rodan + Fields, Mary Kay, 31, Origami Owl…We have friends who are part of all of these & really enjoy them, and we think that is AWESOME!
I know direct sales is not for everyone, but I have to share how simply sharing our love for these products has changed our lives. 1 Corinthians 1:31 tells us to "boast in the Lord," and we have to share what God has done in our lives through this opportunity.
We absolutely LOVE the AdvoCare products and being able to help people improve their health. We love helping a mom have the energy to play with her babies when she gets home from work. Or helping someone who has always struggled with their weight to finally win the battle. Or helping an athlete break through a plateau. Or even help my parents to sleep better (Sleep Works is the bomb!) & help their joints feel better (Joint Promotion & Bio Tools are the bomb too). (Sorry Dad….all those years of catching for me finally got ya. I guess owed it to ya to find something to help, huh?) It is extremely rewarding to help other people in that way, and it's an added bonus that WE feel better too. I know that when we feel better and are healthy, we are more productive both in our home and in the community. Good, clean energy = one happy mama!
Plus, we don't have any quotas or monthly minimums or autoships or anything, so there is never any reason to pressure anyone to do anything. We have never tried to "sell" anything to anyone. We are obviously quite passionate about what the products have done for us personally and so many others in our life, so we do not hesitate to share for that reason, but we totally respect any and every decision. I love that we truly get to focus on the needs of others and how we can add value to their life. There are so many OPTIONS, which is part of what I appreciate about it. We have lots of people who order Spark on the reg because it helps them feel better, have more mental focus, & quit drinking soft drinks or expensive coffee. Lots of fitness enthusiasts get straight pumped about using the same products the pros do (and for a good reason!). Many others really want to manage their weight- lose weight, break through a plateau, maintain, or put on lean muscle. Others just like the quality vitamins and wellness products. We have lots of people get the membership just to enjoy the world's finest nutritional products at a discount. Some are totally cool paying full price because they know they are worth every red cent. We love helping people no matter how they choose to get involved (if at all) and respect any decision.
Still, we truly believe one of the best products AdvoCare has to offer is the income opportunity. It's not for everyone, of course, but our company was designed to help ordinary people (like us) to earn an extraordinary income. We have helped a LOT of people earn extra income for their family, and I think it's pretty safe to say that any additional income these days is helpful. Our very first paycheck in AdvoCare was $276, and I know at that time, that made a big difference for us. It meant I didn't have to teach pitching lessons that week if I didn't want to. (One of our goals at that time was to pay off our house and save up a big nest egg for when I would become a stay-at-home-mom.) We have some people that bring home an extra $100 a month to help pay for their products, all the way to others on our team that bring home thousands per month so they can bring a spouse home, retire from the military, stop traveling so much for work, be able to cut hours of overtime, pay for an adoption, pay off student loans, etc. It is really humbling to play a small role in that.
We have been blessed to have an opportunity to help people, even people I've met through the blog, to be successful with the income opportunity AdvoCare offers. Here are just a few of them that happen to have their own blogs – some I knew personally before AdvoCare, and some I met through this blog. (These are just a few who I know won't mind if I give you their link. And if you are reading this and I forgot yours, shoot me a message ASAP so I can get it added.)
When we first got introduced to AdvoCare back in March of 2012, we were not parents yet. We were doing exactly what society taught us to do, and honestly, we didn't know anything else was possible. We were pretty satisfied with what we were doing and didn't really consider the business because 1.) We didn't have extra time for anything else on our plate, and 2.) We are not sales people. I was teaching middle school and LOVED it! loved my awesome co-workers, my sweet kiddos, and teaching in general- it's definitely a passion and calling. Jonathan was working with his dad in the construction industry, but a couple months into it, we were earning enough additional income through Advo that Jonathan felt led to open his own custom cabinet business with a friend. They were very successful because they are both hard workers and did BEAUTIFUL work, but it meant a lot of stress and a lot of time for Jon. Owning your own business sounds like a dream, but when it's a brick and mortar type business, there is a ton of time, overhead, stress, etc., involved. Plus, you don't get paid when you don't work. (That's part of the beauty of a residual income with direct sales.) When we went to Success School for the first time, we saw "stay at home families" working their AdvoCare businesses from home, on their own time, and still making enough income to take the pressure off. These were normal, down to earth, good people. Some were coaches, some teachers, some pastors, some police officers, some trainers, some attorneys, some physicians, some blue collar workers, some white collar workers. All walks of life. This was the first time we realized something different from what we had always been taught was even possible. These were just normal people like us, so even though it scared us a little, we thought "Why not us? If they can do it, we can too."
Now just to clarify, this is not some get rich quick scheme. It is absolutely a work program. We may not be a lot of things, but we sure aren't strangers to hard work. Both sets of our parents are extremely hard workers and definitely instilled that in us. You also have to be really coachable to be successful here (you can't try to "do it your own way") and you have to make up your mind early on to never quit. Naturally, when we found a part-time opportunity like this that was going to allow us to earn as much as we were making from all of our other side jobs, we went for it. We were both still working our full-time jobs, but investing in our AdvoCare business for 5-10 hours a week, which allowed us to earn as much in our first 9 months of AdvoCare as I make with an entire year's salary as a teacher (with both a Master's and Specialist's). Honestly, that was 5-10 hours was time we would spend doing something unproductive anyway that wouldn't really add any value to our family, so it just made perfect sense. As we continued to grow in our business, grow personally, and help more people, our checks continues to grow. Our desire is to be servant leaders (why I became a teacher in the first place) & we love seeing others have success, so this has been a perfect fit for us! Plus, we are passionate about health/fitness, nutrition, debt freedom, FAMILIES, and our faith, so this lined up on all accounts.
Like I said, the income opportunity is not for everyone. But to be clear, everyone does get the exact same opportunity here.
Statistics show that over 80% of Americans hate what they do for a living. I did not fall into that category, so I can't really relate. And if you do love you do, that is AWESOME! We are passionate people & can definitely appreciate someone who is passionate about what they do.
I am so thankful for military, doctors, nurses, church staff, teachers, law enforcement & firefighters, farmers, (and so many others) who do what they do to keep our society running . Their contributions to society are undeniable & we are so thankful for the impact all of you are making! We also know (according to the statistics) that there are lots of people who do not feel satisfied or fulfilled with their current profession. For us, I loved teaching (the actual TEACHING aspect of it- nothing else) and Jonathan loved woodworking, so it wasn't trying to find something else that drew us in. However, we did not like the idea of where we would be 30 years from now in our same professions. We did not like the idea of missing out on things with our kiddos. In a perfect world, we would be able to do something fulfilling that allows us to teach others & be servants, continue to learn & grow ourselves, have time freedom with our family, and still make enough income that we don't have to fight or stress over money. Is that real life? Well, it has been AdvoCare for us. (When I read this out loud to Jon, he said "That part kind of sounds cheesy, but it's true so I guess you should keep it in there. Haha!)
Yes, this is outside of the box. And no, our "inside the box" wasn't bad by any means. We had a great life prior to getting involved with this, but this has blessed our family in SO MANY WAYS and it has been a true joy to be able to pay that forward.
Honestly, I'm a better wife, mother, daughter, etc. now. And Jonathan is better too.
We have TIME together. We don't have to rush through life like we did before, just making it through the week and waiting for the weekend so we could do it all over again the next week. We aren't working crazy hours and side jobs trying to get ahead. We both have the opportunity to be home with Jase all day, every day, which is really unique. (And the times we do choose to travel, he gets lots of sweet attention from all of his awesome grandparents.) When my brother passed away, it wasn't a stressor thinking about having to call in, take off work, etc. We could just BE with my family, all day, every day, for as long as they needed us.
We now work about 20 hours a week or so, and the beauty of that is we CHOOSE our schedule. I rarely take phone calls (or even texts) when Jase is awake. I do the majority of my work while he is napping or after he has gone to bed at 8 pm. And I also have time to keep our house clean and have healthy, homemade meals on the table every day. Meals that we get to eat together as a family. Jonathan also helps out big time around the house and with Jase, so I never really feel frazzled or exhausted or overwhelmed. He runs the majority of our business so I can focus on being a mom (I am very passionate about being a 'homemaker'- post to come on that), but he is still PRESENT. I LOVE having Jonathan here with me and being able to alongside him towards a common goal. He is truly my best friend, and I married him because I ENJOY spending time with him. We love to do things together- whether it's running errands like going to the bank or grocery store, working out, or working on our business.
We also aren't stressing about finances, and that has been a major blessing. Over half of all marriages today end in divorce, and the #1 cause of divorce is financial stress. The love of money is the root of all kids of evil, but we have found that now that we aren't stressing over it anymore, we give way more freely and abundantly than before. We aren't desperately doing everything we can to try to make more money and are completely satisfied with where we are. Truthfully, we would be completely content with less, but we have big goals of paying our house off, buying land to live on a somewhat self-sustaining farm, and helping our parents retire. Plus, there are still a LOT of other people who desperately need either these products or this opportunity. We strive to work hard as if working for the Lord, just as we did with our jobs before, but feel we have found a way to work smarter. (Again, this is a WORK program and we do work really hard with it.) We still have a budget, are frugal (Jase is not spoiled with anything other than lots of LOVE & TIME), and we are big savers (other than traveling). We don't ever argue about money anymore. Our biggest question each month is what ministry we want to give to, and how much beyond our tithe we feel the Lord is leading us to give. Not only are we able to give financially, we are able to give our TIME. We can serve others, teach Bible studies, get involved with causes we are passionate about, etc. I don't say any of this to be boastful, so please hear my heart. That's why I don't ever blog about things like that. It is truly all for the glory of God and not for a pat on the back, but I do feel the need to share this so you know what IS possible with time freedom. I often ask people "What would you do if time and money weren't an issue for you?" and I always get some AMAZING responses. There are some really, really great in this world; people with big dreams and big hearts that want to CHANGE the world, but who haven't yet found the vehicle to make their dreams a reality. For us, this has been our vehicle and we are still praying about what bigger things the Lord has in store for us down the road. We'll keep you posted on that. More work to do!
Now, that doesn't mean this has been easy. There was a time before Jon came home to do this full-time with me where I sometimes felt a little overwhelmed, frustrated, or out of balance. Something tough would come up and I would question if I was really doing the right thing. Sometimes I DID have to talk on the phone while Jase was awake, and sometimes I didn't have dinner on the table when Jon came home from work. And you better believe there have been some naysayers! (I'll go more into that in a minute.) Even our parents in the beginning were kinda iffy about me walking away from teaching to do this full-time. Looking back….was it worth it? AB-SO-LUTELY!!! We would do it a hundred times over if it meant that 2 1/2 years into this, we would be a full-time stay at home family. Jonathan is the best dad, and I am so thankful Jase has so much T-I-M-E with him so he can learn what it means to be a real man. If you ask most adult men, one of the #1 regrets of their lives is working too much and missing out on too many moments.
Now as much as I would love to say everyone has been happy for us, that simply isn't the case. Our families are thrilled (yep, even though they were some of our skeptics early on) for the freedoms & options this has provided for us. And our TRUE friends are so supportive too. (In fact, the majority of our best friends, that were our best friends prior to Advo too, our now involved on SOME level.) Many of our other friends have had success, and we LOVE getting to celebrate that with them.
But there are going to be times when some people, even so called 'friends,' aren't going to be happy for you. This pretty much sums that up.
I've had a few(and really, I am talking like 3) people tell me that "I've changed." My only response is "Thank you." I pray that this time next year, people will say the same thing. I do not WANT to be the same person I was 10 or 15 years ago….or heck, even 6 months ago. I didn't realize quite how important personal growth was before AdvoCare, but both Jon and I have grown tremendously in our marriage, our financial education, our walks with the Lord, and our leadership since being a part of this company. So to me, not being the same person I once was is a compliment. Now I know I still have a LOT to work on, and I always will, but to the people who know me best, it has been a positive change. So as a result, some of our friends have had to change. For the others, I have found that it's hard watching someone else become a better version of themselves when you're staying exactly the same. Some people don't place value on the same things we do and apparently find it offensive that we are so passionate about what we believe is important. (Different opinions are fine, to each their own. That's what makes the world go round, right?)
Bringing Jon Home:
We prayed through this a while back to decide if this was something we really wanted to do. Like I said, our hearts and minds saw bigger picture a couple years ago, but was this what we REALLY wanted? Jonathan LOVED what he did and was really good at it. And he was earning a great income. We discussed it, prayed over it, and received confirmation this is what the Lord wanted for our family. We truly believe being independent AdvoCare distributors is the BEST use of our time, talent, and resources. Again, it's not for everyone, but this is what we feel called to do at this point in our lives. If you can't tell from the blog, a few of the things we are extremely passionate about are faith, families, and fitness. We love helping moms to get home with their babies (dads too if they want to), helping people cut back on hours at their jobs so they have more time to be with their family, and helping people learn to live a healthy lifestyle. We love being part of a company that promotes debt freedom and big giving. Plus, we do our best to make sure that no matter what, God is at the forefront of our business. We hope to encourage others in their walks, even if it's from example. We have had the opportunity to pray with a friend for her husband for MONTHS and watch him pray to receive Christ in July. We have had the opportunity to talk with others about their faith and encourage them in their walk. And of course we want to make sure that we always give God every bit of the glory.
So, "What if something happens?" Well, I guess the same thing that would happen if anyone lost any other job for any reason. By the way, NO job is safe. Pretty much every year at school, some positions were being cut. And Jonathan was in construction. Thankfully God was faithful throughout the housing market crash, but who is to say that couldn't tank again at any time? So our answer? We would get another job. We both have some skills & degrees & certifications that could be put to use in the workforce if needed. We definitely PREFER to be entrepreneurs, but could go to work if needed. And who knows, we could be called into the mission field tomorrow! For now, tomorrow isn't promised to any of us and we are thankful to be able to take full advantage of our time together each day. Plus, we feel really, really confident that AdvoCare isn't going anywhere but up. (Different post for a different day.)
May 6th was Jonathan's last day waking up and driving away from what he loves most. We are beyond thankful for this opportunity and for some awesome friends we get to work with on a daily basis.


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The Controversial Issues in the News library is designed to help students develop a greater understanding of current events and explore their own capabilities as active members of a community. We post a new issue each month, offering a balanced examination of a bill moving through Congress, a high-stakes Supreme Court case or another hot topic in the news. Issues are framed by a central question, and concise pro/con arguments, allowing students to move quickly from reading about the issue to discussing and debating it with their classmates.
Once students are familiar with an issue, Close Up resources help teachers take their engagement a step further. Through practical skill-building exercises, students expand from the classroom to the community, explore the impact of current issues in their own city and state, and take concrete actions to express their views to leaders and decision-makers.
What kinds of topics does this library explore?
- Racial Profiling: Should Congress pass legislation to end the use of racial profiling in law enforcement?
- Syrian Refugees: Should the United States halt its acceptance of Syrian refugees?
- Voter ID Laws: Should Americans be required to present a photo ID when voting?
- The Dakota Access Pipeline: Should the Trump Administration approve the route of the Dakota Access Pipeline?
What additional resources are included for teachers?
- Debate formats to shape productive classroom discussions
- Assignments to move students from conceptual understanding to practical application of ideas
- Project outlines for in-depth research and multi-tiered civic action
- Thematic lesson plans for tying it all together
Controversial Issues in the News is available in both high school and middle school reading levels. For more information, please contact us at email@example.com or 703-706-3665.


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Some cheaper drugstore brands like CoverGirl and Max Factor, Revlon etc have the long-lasting ones but they tend to be drying.
You could be using really sheer types that aren't mean to be on lips too long.
I've heard putting foundation or powder on your lips helps to make lipstick adhere better.
The brand Benefit has something called "She Laq" that seals makeup.
Guerlain has a nice lip primer.
You can get both from sephora.com.
Reapplying isn't that bad, though.
I think nice sheer colors and even lip glosses look better than lipstick anyway.
I buy most of my lip glosses from Dior, that's a great brand.


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Recent Blog Posts
Helping Dogs Cope With Visitors to Your HomeFebruary 15, 2017Dogs can have many different reactions to visitors, from excited piddling and jumping to fearful growling and anxiety to barking and aggression.
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How Long Should Pets Be Outdoors In WinterFebruary 1, 2017Many pets love to be outdoors, but the cold, wet, windy conditions of winter can be dangerous, even fatal if pets are kept outside too long.
read more
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T9A Poster Collection 1.0.0
A collection of T9A posters
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The latest issue of the 9th Scroll is here! You can read all about it in the news.
Our beta phase is finally over. Download The Ninth Age: Fantasy Battles, 2nd Edition now!
And on December 24th, Father Chaos brought us... A brand new army book for Daemon Legions!
Version 1.0.0
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Ok, I called them... It went surprisingly smooth (and it did sound like I was not the first with this problem).
They already shipped a new card and the courier will take back the wrong product.
So, they solved it very nicely and efficiently.
If the previous delivery time is anything to go by, I should receive it by tomorrow evening.


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in progress embroidery for Portland show, originally uploaded by maybeemily.
I am super excited to tell you about a new body of work I have been doing! This is a little sneak peak - the in progress shot of a piece I am doing for a show in Portland.
I am using acrylic paints and the glorious Golden fabric painting medium, and then embroidering over the paintings. I think its such a great direction for me to go in. It takes the best of my resin/gouache/acrylic paintings, the subjects on my prints, and my love of embroidery all into account. I have 4 or 5 pieces underway right now, and I haven't been this excited about a piece of artwork in a long time.
I finished and framed this piece earlier this week (with the super awesome emergency help of my friend Kim!), and sent it away to Portland. This will be the first time I am showing one of these pieces, and I am very anxious to find out what people will think of them!
I can't wait to show ya'll (yep, all 2 of you that read this) the others I am working on!
Have a happy weekend! It is supposed to be 70 degrees here in Seattle, on the first day of March! Thats crazy!