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Stephen Hawking was this morning flown to the Arctic Circle where, after a suitable hole had been cut in the ice, he was removed from his motorised chair and thrown into the freezing polar sea.
The famous physicist's dunking resulted in his entering a hypothermic coma, which medical experts say "Will almost certainly kill him, but it's hard to tell, as he never moves or says anything without the computer anyway."
ALS 'Ice Bucket challenge' co-ordinator, Dwayne T. Osspot said "Hawking is a really good sport for doing this. Really good sport. Although, we didn't actually ask, as he might have said no. But one of the good things about ALS sufferers is that you can do whatever you want to them. Stick silly hats on their heads, paint penises on their chins… anything!
"This is a great way to raise awareness, without resorting to cheap, attention-grabbing stunts."
Ice Bucket dunkee, Gwyneth Paltrow, said "When I had an ice bucket upended over me, I was like, 'wow, so this is how ALS sufferers feel', and I really understood it, on a deep, moving level. I think that's because I am such a big-hearted person. Anyway, I stood there in my little bikini, which really accentuates my pert breasts, and then my maid dried me off with a big fluffy towel. God it was tough. Then I nominated my cunt of an Ex.
"Apparently I got loads of publicity out of it, but that wasn't the point. We all do our bit. Mine just happens to be looking good, and promising to donate $20 to Amyotropherific lateroll – er… to ALS."
Paltrow, along with many other celebrities who selflessly undertook the public challenge, subsequently signed a petition calling for Hawking's Arctic dunking, because "The ice bucket thing would be wasted on him; he already knows how it feels!
"We're all massively putting ourselves out for thirty seconds to help these cripples, so it's only fair he goes that one step further, and gets chucked into the sea. Or possibly fired into the absolute zero temperature of deep space."
Someone who wasn't famous and had thought about it for a second said "I understood the whole awful thing with ALS is that it goes on for the rest of your life? Aren't we just saying a big 'fuck you' to anyone with ALS when we towel-off and walk away?
"Also, aren't there charities that campaign to get precious fresh water to dying people around the world? Or charities to get rich people to stop making everything about themselves, and just help other people for the sake of it, anonymously? No? Oh, OK. Carry on then."


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Ten years ago I wrote: "My friend Mike ate breakfast last week, which is nothing short of a miracle.
"He doesn't shake anymore or wake up in the middle of the night sweating. The little green monkeys that haunt him are gone too."
This week, my friend Mike is celebrating 10 years being sober. Not just sober, but healed and forgiven, whole and hopeful. He's tasted the mercy of God, felt his hand of grace that pulled him from the abyss.
Monterey Baptist Church
If you haven't returned your baby bottle for Avenues for Women clinic, please do so as soon as possible. Please return all bottles whether or not they are filled.
The monthly planning meeting will be at 7 p.m., Tuesday, July 19. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
A Night of Prayer will begin at 7 p.m., Saturday, July 23 at the church. This is a time for the church to come together for corporate prayer, as well as individual prayer.
Adult Bible study meets at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Ninth Grade Honor Roll
Esmeralda Aldama, Devenee Bolen, Peyton Burton, Robert Caldwell, Caitlyn Cox, Marissa Craig, Shane Dawson, Courtne Dempsey, Adam Dunavent, Michael Goderwis, Jessica Herrmann, Hannah Johnson, Cameron Lesuer, Ravin McMillian, Dalton Miley, Hannah O'Connor, Elijah Patterson, Destiny Pickett, Emmaleigh Richardson, Lexie Robinson, Stevee Rohling, Ethan Searcy, Tori Smith, Colton Stedam, Caylin Trenary, Dillon Vinal, Brian Wallace, Brooke Woodyard and Baileigh Young.
Ninth Grade Super Honor Roll
Weekend Gardener
Powdery mildew is probably the most common garden fungus around. It is not too terribly picky about where it spreads, it likes humid and dry weather, thrives in the heat of the summer and is hard to control once it has started. The trick here is to prevent it from happening by proper plant selection, spacing and treatment before it takes hold.
N-H Columnist
Perhaps you heard about the woman who was pulled over for doing 65 mph in a 40 mph zone?
When the policeman asked for her license, she told him she didn't have one, that it was revoked two years ago for drunk driving.
The policeman then asked for her vehicle registration, but she said she had stolen the car, killed the driver and stashed his body in the trunk.
"Ma'am, don't move," the policeman ordered. "I'm calling for backup."
When I first met my husband he drove a brand-new 1973 Mercury Comet GT, white with orange pinstripes along the sides and orange vinyl interior – and a manual transmission.
As Barry attempted to teach me how to drive it, I proved myself to be a willing student, but not an adept one.
I understood the whole clutch-brake-gas pedal thing in theory, but when it came to putting my foot on the correct pedal at the correct time there seemed to be either one too many pedals or I had one too few feet to do it right.
Cedar Hill Baptist Church
We had a wonderful morning of worship through beautiful special music provided by Mikala, observance of the Lord's Supper, and a great message of truth from God's Word. The message from Proverbs 29:18 titled "Give Them Something to Believe In" challenged us to surrender our whole life to God and to get our priorities in order.
The summer camping program at the Kentucky Sheriffs' Boys & Girls Ranch officially opened to campers for its 41st season on Sunday, June 12. The camp runs throughout June and July, serving both boys and girls alternating weeks, throughout the camp season.
By ASHLEY CRAIGMYLE
Owen County Summer Intern for 4-H Youth Development
We are only a few weeks away from the 2016 Owen County Fair.
With the fair fast approaching, I would like to challenge you to not miss out on seeing all the 4-H and FFA exhibits that will be a part of the fair. For the first time we are adding to the annual 4-H and FFA Livestock Sale this year.
Copyright © 2019
The Owenton News-Herald is your source for local news, sports, events and information in Owen County and Owenton, KY, and the surrounding area.

subset: commoncrawl


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The stuff of our lives — the meaningful things we surround ourselves with, find, are given, gather up, inherit — is the stuff of history.
"These things may not make big money on 'Antiques Roadshow,' but they can have real significance in our lives," says historian and author Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, who has long enjoyed material culture and the "seriousness of innocuous things."
Ulrich spoke recently at an "Evenings at the Museum" program at the Church History Museum. A professor of history at Harvard University, and immediate past president of the American Historical Association, she is the author of numerous articles and books, including "A Midwife's Tale," which won the Pulitzer Prize for History in 1991.
It was not until the late 1700s, she said, that Americans began to be aware of American history, that they began to, as a man named Jeremy Belknap noted, "search in the garrets and ratholes of old houses," for important artifacts. In 1791 Belknap founded the Massachusetts Historical Society, the first formal society to focus on the history of the United States, and the model for many other societies around the country.
Nineteenth-century New Englanders began to care about objects and about saving them, Ulrich said. "They would stuff everything up into the attic in case they needed it later." An interesting find in an attic of that period: a box full of bits and pieces of string labeled "string too short to be saved."
Many of the other objects that were saved have made their way into museums and to local and national historical societies, making us acutely aware, she said, "of the way objects make history.
History is not what happened, it is an account of the past, based on surviving sources. If there are no sources, there is no history."
In a sense, she said, that makes us all historians. "By caring for your things and the things of your ancestors, you contribute to a larger historic picture."
Even the simplest objects can make a contribution, said Ulrich. "They connect to the past. They are a source of family and national pride. They reinforce family stories. They can surprise us, challenge us, force us to confront things we would just as soon not confront. Objects teach technology. They can inspire us as we make our own history, striking out in our own circumstances, in our own way."
Ulrich told of a small table that she has, with ornate carvings and an octagon-shaped top. "It was my job to dust it as a little girl." The little round holes made by the carvings were fun to dust, although it took a lot of time. "But I loved doing it, especially after my mother said that when she was a little girl it was her job to dust the table, that it belonged to her grandmother."
It was thought that the table had been ordered out of a catalog, but that was about all Ulrich knew, until she began to do some research.
She learned that about the time her great-grandmother would have gotten the table, the country was caught up in an interest of "Orientalism." Tapestries, furniture and other objects that captured the flavor of exotic locations such as the Middle East and the Far East were wildly popular. "I looked closer at the table and could see that influence."
It tickled her to no end, she said, to think that her great-grandmother, who was a handcart pioneer, "kept up with the latest fads after she got to Utah. That taught me something about her that I would not otherwise have known."
She told of a quilt that had belonged to her husband's grandmother. "I took it to an antique dealer, who told me it was not worth anything because it had obviously been in a washing machine. I took it to an art historian, who was not interested in it because it was faded and very ordinary."
Ulrich did not care about the monetary value, but she wondered what the quilt could tell her about her husband's family.
Through her research she discovered that the "Grandmother's Flower Garden" pattern was one that was "rampant in Missouri at that time," which is where the grandmother lived. The fabric in the quilt was not quite as fancy, quite as good as the fabric in some other quilts of the period, which led her to think it was maybe from used clothing, maybe even men's shirts. "Grandma Ulrich has been left a widow at a young age to raise her children; she was very frugal."
Ulrich told of another object that came from that same household. It is a white enamel bowl, nicked and banged-up. "But it was the bowl my husband's grandfather used to make angel-food cakes that won prizes at the Morgan County Fair."
These are very simple objects, she said, "but they can remind us of people we have forgotten, if we look at them and care. Maybe in these simple stories, we will find ways to tie us together as a family and give us meaning and purpose to our lives."
We save things for many reasons, she said: because we might use them, might need them, we don't know what else to do with them, we think maybe our kids will want them. But one of the most important reasons that we save things is to remind us, to inspire us, to help us know we belong to something even bigger.
We all want to be remembered, she said, showing a sampler made by a young Colonial girl, which said. "When I am dead & buried & all my bones are rotten, then this will be to remember me, that I ma'n't be forgotten."
When the Ulrichs did some work on their house a few years ago, they found a note stuck there by their then 9-year-old daughter, telling the history of the house and noting that "when you find this, I'll probably be dead."
Both girls, living so long apart, shared the same desire, she said.
"In this throwaway society, it's OK to hang on to junk," said Ulrich.
Keep it, preserve it, cherish it, learn from it — and keep the stories that go with it, she said. "As we walk the earth, we connect to one another, to the past and the future through objects."
e-mail: [email protected]


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Stephen DiDuro/GalaxyTrail's demo of Freedom Planet for Windows is a breath of fresh air for indie platformers, filled with large, colorful worlds to blaze through without brutal punishment or rote memorization, all to the tune of utterly epic non-chiptune music.
Diehard Sonic fans may be offended by how many pages Freedom Planet takes from its inspiration, but I didn't mind. It felt 70-80% as fast as old Sonic, but the spectacles like loops and wall runs weren't as magical to do or watch.
Touch damage is gone, making the game somewhat easier than Sonic. Also gone is the familiar ground dash, but in its place is a special meter that allows for eight directional air-dashing like Sparkster of Rocket Knight Adventures. The hidden red coins of later-gen Sonic take the form of 10 cards placed around the huge areas.
Comparisons aside, Freedom Planet plays and sounds like butter. Sample the audio after the jump.
While the music collaboration from the developer, Blue Warrior from VGMusic and Woofle from FurAffinity was amazing, I could not discern the disappearing shield sound effect in Freedom Planet from Sonic, so if this game goes commercial, some SFX will need tweaking. There may be other borrowed SFX audiophiles will catch.
Visually, I feel the characters are rather colorful and well-animated (not as smooth as current games, but it fits the 16-bit vibe). The brown foreground was a bit bland, though; I felt it drowned out the vibrant, multi-layered background. Maybe less brown set lower so we can see the beautiful beyond?
Still, I think every platformer fan should grab the Freedom Planet demo from IndieDB. I hope DiDuro does a Kickstarter so we can have the full game before YouTube-commented release estimate of 2014.


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Last week, the edge newspaper published an interesting article on MAS Union election draws record nominations that caught our eyes and special attention. We probed into this allegation attributed by NUFAM to the EDGE on what it seems a demonstration of the unhappiness among MAS cabin crew have caused them joined NUFAM.
We have strong basis this is an understated statement from NUFAM leader a.k.a. The Troublemakers/The Lipas Man (Ismail Nasarudin) who hides under the table whenever spearheading a public statement. However, what it seems really nowadays the spearhead of NUFAM have no names when making public statement. Now that's the argument of incognito in the making of public statement.
A phone call to clarify the names of NUFAM spearhead was made to its mini-office but to no avail as the line went straight to voice mail all the times; pretty similar to a con-job depiction.
Another article published by the Edge much earlier here – MAS Union Heads Seek Re-election legibly concurring the non-fictional narrative of what seems to be the unhappiness of MAS workers including its cabin crew, pilot and ground workers.
The origin of MAS workers being unhappy about is legibly backed by the mismanagement of Ahmad Jauhari who keeps axing MAS routes for Tony Fernandez of AirAsia to grab a larger segment of market distribution leaving a smaller portion of market for MAS to survive. In this pandemonium, it is natural for MAS workers who are most affected by such trimming of MAS flight frequencies.
We have some bad news for MAPA – Malaysia Airlines Pilot Association and we'll gonna talk a little in our next episode Part 3 of this thread.
MASEU along with other 7 Unions and Associations have been the biggest stumbling block for Tony Fernandez carrying out his heist inside Malaysia Airlines. In what it seems NUFAM is working hand-in-hand with those MAS workers who are easily bought over with lots of non-written assurances by Tony Fernandez specially a higher overtime for the ground workers if the new incumbents working for Tony Fernandez successfully win in the Union Election. What this group didn't know is the productivity clause for AirAsia will apply for MAS ground workers where RM900 will be deducted if one-day leave is taken. Our resources informed us the one-day leave could be included the annual leave entitlement.
Simultaneously the group under Tony Fernandez has this CEO and managing director for Malaysia Airlines now forming alliance with his subordinates Zahrah Zaid and Azahari Dahlan cooking plans behind the MAS Union's election process. The alliance has grown larger with a few of MASEU former Executive Councils (1 + 3) involving in the same plans to rid off the union leaders – Alias Aziz and Ab Malek Areff who bravely had Tony Fernandez (AirAsia) expelled from Malaysia Airlines.
We had a phone interviewed with Mr. Ab Malek Areff of his opinions on Tony Fernandez and he replied if he is the government of Malaysia, he would expel Tony Fernandez out of Malaysia because Tony Fernandez does not abide by nor respect the country laws.
Now we really curious about how the Government of Malaysia taking this with Tony Fernandez? Why is Tony Fernandez giving the freedom to conduct all acts above the land laws?
The ring leader has formed this alliance grouping MAS CEO/Managing Director Ahmad Jauhari, Zahrah Zaid and Azahari Dahlan to challenge the present MAS Union leaders Alias Aziz and Ab Malek Areff in a big way to terminate 5000 MAS workers after the union election is over. On the separate issue, MAS cabin crew will be on a sharing room basis if the two strong leaders have been successfully ousted.
Our phone interview with Mr. Ab Malek Areff included the subject of MAS being a commercial airlines may be placing its cabin crew on a sharing room basis similar to AirAsia practice and that if it really happened, MAS will be the first premium airline in the world to downgrade its premium workers' benefits.
Mr. Ab Malek Areff replied he and Mr. Alias Aziz are in no way to permit MAS cabin crew to share room in overseas.
On a separate ground work, we have gather information on the group under Tony Fernandez of whom will be stealing votes from MAS workers by distorting facts and tarnishing the reputation of the credible leaders in MASEU that fought tirelessly for the cancellation of share-swap which had Tony Fernandez ousted from Malaysia Airlines.
We'll gonna publish it on our next episode Part 3 of this thread so please stay tuned with Malaysiaairlinesfamilies.


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Evening stroll through the sinking sunlight, after what was a horrendous day of rain. Seeking the moment deciding to get some peace whilst walking the dog. We headed to our favourite haunt Trentham Gardens, after not managing to get here for a while it would be interesting to know how the gardens have grown. Knowing that in May they were planting 1000s of new beddings its hard to imagine the bare patches of grass they were once, now full of flower and bloom.
Mum mentioned that she had seen someone tweet about the roses and we finished the walk making our way through the walk way.
They smelt divine, true smell of summer, and being as its the longest day tomorrow it was setting the scene for us perfectly. Sid my dog thoroughly enjoyed it, makes a change from smelling his usual essences.


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- 20% Discount on Total Bill (Dine in/ Home delivery/ Take away)
- Buy medium spicy Italian veg/non veg Pizza & get a Pasta veg/ non veg free. ((Dine in/ Home delivery/ Take away)
- Buy a 9" Thin Crust Pizza and Get second thin crust Pizza free. (Dine in/ Home delivery/ Take away)
Papa John's Pizza
P&T Colony, R.T.Nagar main road, Bangalore
Food Type:
American, Pizza
11 AM to 11 PM
Papa John's is third largest pizza company in the world and first in customer satisfaction of all fast food restaurants in America. Papa Johns brings a world-class Pizza experience right to you. Papa John's is known the world over for its delicious and superior quality Pizzas. Papa John's were able to achieve this by sticking single-mindedly to their promise BETTER INGREDIENTS AND BETTER PIZZA. At Papa John's we love to cater to our customers with some delicious Pizzas, and with that special care for delivering world class products, hot and fresh at your doorstep. Our pizzas are freshly made when you order and we use only the finest ingredients, to serve you "THE PERFECT PIZZA"


text:
have you ever seen these? I got them at my local CVS
as a "healthier" snack for hubs
he is not a fan
I got a bag on sale.........they are delicious!
brought a bag into work.........
the gals devoured it
brought a second bag to work..........
this bag is mine.........ALL MINE LOL
trying to clear out projects that need to be done
there are three pair of pants here
that need hemming.............
why is it I procrastinate?
because hemming is not as much FUN
as quilting, right?
gotta put the nose to the grindstone and gettem done!


text:
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text:
❮ Back | ×
It's doesn't have to be Shark Week to plan a fin-tastic shark themed birthday party. Whether you have a boy that's obsessed with all things shark or a girl crazy about the ocean and one of its most amazing creatures, we have a variety of shark party ideas sure to please kids of all ages. We'll help you take a bite of the party planning stress with shark party supplies that include hanging decorations, banners, custom lawn signs, invitations, favors and cardboard standees that are perfect for capturing photo moments that will be unforgettable. Kids will love posing with the great white shark standee or a fun shark fin standee, and both decorations are freestanding and are easy to assemble. When the party's over, let the birthday child keep it in his or her room for a fun décor piece.
read more
Shark birthday party supplies aren't complete without a fabulous underwater backdrop or wall covering. Add decorative fishing nets and an anchor for a look to complement the ocean and shark decorations. Coordinate all the decorations with themed shark birthday invitations. These can be customized with a photo as well as special messages. Be sure to include the important time, date, place and R. S. V. P. information as well as any notes your guests need to know, such as: "Bring a sleeping bag because it's a sleepover party!" Shark themed party favors are a must-have for this event as well. Choose fun treats like shark-shaped gummy candy, mini candy bars wrapped in the Shark Attack theme wrappers, shark squirt toys and even a cool shark pincher toy.
read more


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Well, that took long enough.
This week the Google Art Project was launched, with the aim of digitizing the contents of seventeen major art galleries. Through integration with the Streetview technology it's possible to go on a virtual tour through the galleries, but whilst that's a neat trick, it's not why I'm interested. I'm excited by this project because the extent to which art is available online has long disappointed me. In the digital age, for works of art to only be visible 'in the flesh', in whatever gallery they are housed, is a travesty. These works are too good to be limited by their mere physical location.
Some galleries have invested in digitizing their collections, but the overall picture of the availability of art online is a disappointing one. To properly experience most pieces of art you have to visit them in person. Failing that, you'll have to make do with a 300×400 pixel imitation on a computer screen, that may have been poorly photographed, and with a distorted colour balance. The second full post in this journal was a discussion of Otto Dix's War Triptych, and I was quite disappointed by the quality of the photographs available online. I'd love to see the Triptych in its full splendour, and the internet has not been particularly helpful in facilitating this.
So I'm delighted that more works are being digitized. It's fantastic that high-quality reproductions of these works are being made available to anyone with access to the internet and the desire to seek them out.
Of course, I have some reservations, – the large institutions that the project is focusing on could already afford to digitize their collections, so surely a real triumph would be a concerted project to also chronicle the contents of less wealthy institutions? – but that should not detract from the potentially massive impact of this project. Any drive to make our great cultural works more accessible is an important step.
This project is probably as much about convincing these large galleries to make their content available to everyone online as it is about the mechanical process of digitizing. The combination of a drive towards openness and the concerted effort to acquire high-quality records of these works is a powerful one. Hopefully smaller institutions will be able to follow in the footsteps of the larger galleries, taking advantage of the investment in equipment and expertise. Properly digitizing works is incredibly important in terms of preserving at least something of their legacy if the physical version is ever destroyed, and any project could be usefully integrated with curators' digitalisation projects.
Let's take a step back and think about what impact this project could have on how we experience art. How does viewing art digitally differ from viewing it in a gallery? What impact does the change in setting have? The very act of going to an art gallery is a powerful one – you are making the commitment to go out and see something beautiful, and are opening yourself up to being moved by what you experience. You've taken the time out of your normal routine – indeed, you've physically removed yourself from it – to experience the artworks properly. There's more of a sense of occasion when one's in a grand space. You stand before the piece of art, and it's the only thing that matters in your universe right now. Viewed online, there's the risk of the work of art being subsumed amongst the clutter of the computer session, amongst the chat messages or emails. I don't want such things intruding on my encounter. A grand work of art deserves to be viewed in a space that is suitably undistracting, rather than being framed by my desk and other debris of domesticity. So maybe there's something to the gallery experience. The space of the art gallery is as much a sanctuary for the visitor as it is for the paintings.
On the other hand, viewing art in a gallery isn't always ideal. Works only exist in a single place at any one time, meaning that if you don't happen to be within travelling distance, you can't experience them. Even if you are able to visit them, some of the greatest paintings are spoiled by their gallery setting. The Mona Lisa in the Louvre is too distant to see through the crowds, and sheltered behind perspex so that you can't see her properly. And you have to travel to Paris for the privilege! I've studied her features more carefully in a high-qualify photograph in The Story of Art, taking my time, in good light, to examine the details of the painting. This was a much more powerful encountered than seeing the 'real thing', so I'm hopeful about the possibilities presented by wider-scale digitization. De-localising cultural works – in other words, making it so that they can exist in more than one place at once, by digitizing them – will mean that we can each appreciate them more carefully. The security measures, noise and bustle of the art gallery don't add to the experience – unlike, say, an enthusiastic crowd at a gig, which heightens the atmosphere – as experiencing a work of art is a one-on-one relationship. Anything else is a distraction, a detraction.
The project raises some important questions – how should we preserve our cultural works? Who should preserve them? Is this project too important to be left to Google, or are they exactly the right organisation for the job? Should the dissemination of these great works continue to be throttled by art galleries' jealous guarding of copyright? (It's not yet possible to embed images from the project in other websites, for example.) But I'm going to sidestep these issues and dream for a moment.
Imagine what an art gallery could look like ten years from now. It doesn't look like much from outside – indeed, it could be a small room in a local hall rather than a space in a grand gallery– but it is a real portal to art. Imagine a room with high-quality computer screens on the walls, waiting to display the art works desired by the visitor. Each visitor could become their own curator – choosing which works to display and where, deciding what information they would like to see alongside their paintings, and under what lighting conditions. This would combine the best elements of digitization with the best elements of visiting a gallery; allowing art to be freed from physical constraints, and art galleries to become spaces to experience art, rather than mere store-rooms.
In terms of digitizing art, we've been lagging behind where we ought to be. But these developments give us a glimpse of a thrilling future that could lie ahead of us. Curators of the world unite; make your individual galleries obsolete for the sake of art!


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Fast & Furious 6 (*****)
TGG sent me this haiku to use in today's post before we actually saw the movie. It was so perfect, I couldn't pass up using it.
Cars go crazy fast
Bald muscle men drive and fight
Drive, punch, drive. The end.
PROBABLE SPOILERS AHEAD. The Fast and Furious franchise—as ridiculous as it is—is one of my absolute favorites. The action is often improbable and the lines are often laughable, but that's what makes the movies so good. Fast and Furious 6 doesn't disappoint.
In F&F 6, Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel), Brian O'Connor (Paul Walker) and the gang, who are living large in non-extradition countries thanks to the spoils of Fast 5, are contacted by Hobbs (The Rock) to help catch a gang of thieves. Said thieves have a certain set of skills (i.e., crazy good car handling) and only Dom's crew can come close to comparing. (The thieves also have a very familiar face in their crew.) For the promise of pardons, Dom and his crew head to London to do what they do best. Lots of car chases and explosions ensue.
Somewhere between movies four and six, Dom and his crew went from being petty crooks who could drive pretty well to a team of internationally renowned criminals. I love it. I'm so glad that almost everyone from Fast 5 was back for this movie. Their interactions with each other, regardless of whether they're "well acted" make me smile. And I think it's awesome that the Rock has become an honorary member of the team, even if he does frequently try to everyone that he's on the right side of the law. I laughed so hard during this movie that I nearly cried. It's just that good.
And OMG, I know it's a little early to be so excited, but I cannot wait for Fast and Furious 7—there's a scene after the first bit of the credits of F&F 6 that, even though I'd heard the rumors, absolutely blew me away. (You can spoil it for yourself here, if you want ...)


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A quick copy of all my pictures / videos was performed. Basically I copied everything off the SD card. I lost nothing here so this was not required but still advised.
I downloaded Keis, installed it, did a reboot, ran it and it needed to install an update to itself. Next I plugged in the phone and told it to start up in Keis mode after I connected the USB cable. It said it was connecting but did not so unplugged and plugged in again and it worked. I was not using the cable that came with the phone but that did not appear to be the issue. I was using a USB port on the back of my machine via a USB extension cable.
It then said I had updates and downloaded them the put them on the phone with a single phone reboot. I lost my home screen icons as it put the ones out there that Samsung and T-Mobile decided I needed the most. Deleted all that crap and reset to what I basically remember my phone being set to and I was off and running.
I must say I was expecting more initially. Things really look the same. There are little tweaks here and there, good tweaks so far, but nothing major seems to have changed. I don't know what I expected but I guess I wanted some WOW factor that I did not get.
The tweaks I have noticed:
- GMail application has more buttons that don't scroll off screen when you scroll the text of the message. Reply, Reply All, Next Msg, Prev Msg, etc. This is very nice.
- GMail - easy access to more than one account with account name along top of screen.
- Bluetooth (BT) - turn it on and you instantly see what devices it is scanning against to connect to.
- BT - turn it off from notification drop down and it just turns off, no need to pop up screen and press the check box to toggle it off
- Settings menu now has color icons
- Menu screen search control has drop down of things to search against (All, Web, Apps, Contacts)
- Accuweather on daily briefing has new layout and more information
- AP Mobile news on daily briefing has news type tabs
- You can stop auto rotation from the notification toolbar
- WiFi calling application (I have not used this)
- New USB debugging enabled icon
The update was smooth enough and did not appear to break anything so I also updated my wife's phone. She has the exact same model. I showed her the changes I had found and asked if they liked / wanted them first. Of course it had to redownload the binaries. Thought maybe it would have cached them to disk but I guess most will only update one phone so that is understandable. I wrote down what she had on her home screens and tried my best to recreate them after the reboot. She will enjoy a lot of the changes more than I do as she gets a lot more email, uses the calendar more than I do and checks the weather more often too.
Good to be up to date. I have not tried out any Flash games or sites as of yet. Don't know if the phone is any faster / slower than it was before. I connected to both of my Blue Tooth devices this morning (ODBII reader I use with Torque and standard car BT talk on phone + music) without a hitch.
I have not had the phone for long and have never rooted it or really done anything out of the norm with it. I use it as my main development device at home and work. I had to install new USB device drivers to get ADB to work again. They installed via Kies installed at home and work. So far so good.


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Welcome to Mike James Celebration Cakes. Established in 1985, we are based in Clevedon, North Somerset.
For more information you are welcome to phone on 01275 878713 or mobile 07974000784
You can contact us Monday - Friday. We are closed Saturday and Sunday.
Or you can email us at; firstname.lastname@example.com. Emails replied to Monday - Friday
Please include your name, Contact number and the area you would like the cake delivered to.
If you require a cake with less than two weeks notice please phone to see if we have any availability


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Corporate Office
Wellington-Royal Palm Beach - Office
Mizner County Club Foreclosures
Mizner Country Club Home Foreclosures in Delray Beach FL
Mizner Country Club is an exclusive country club community, built by Toll Brothers, located one mile north of Boca Raton in Delray Beach.
This gated community is situated on 384-acres amid an Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course and natural preserves featuring ten unique neighborhoods that offer estates homes, 2-story homes and ranch style homes ranging in size from 2,400 to 9,000 square feet.
Mizner Country Club features a cascading water fountain, lush landscaping and luxurious amenities including; a world-class 18-hole Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course, 6 Har-Tru tennis courts, a resort-style swimming pool, cabanas, a well-equipped fitness center, card rooms, and a variety of activities for members of all ages.
Many homes feature extraordinary architectural details, grand entrances, open floor plans, high ceilings, gourmet kitchens, high-end appliances, spacious family rooms and living areas, formal dining areas, and swimming pools with private patios.
Membership to Mizner Country Club is mandatory, with different levels of membership available to suit residents' lifestyles.
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Babe The Sheep-Pig is to be performed at Chesterfield's Pomegranate Theatre from March 7-11.
Presented by Tom O'Connell Productions, Limelight Productions and Polka Theatre, it has been adapted by Olivier Award winner David Wood (Goodnight Mister Tom, James and the Giant Peach, The BFG) and based on the best-selling book by Dick King Smith.
Directed by West End director Michael Fentiman, it has beautiful puppets designed by Cirque Du Soleil's Max Humphries with amazing puppetry from War Horse's Matthew Forbes, and will be starring a talented cast of West End performers.
Meet the lovable Babe in a heart-warming tale of friendship, adventure and bravery.
When Babe arrives at Hogget's Farm he is taken in by the trusty sheep dog Fly and discovers a talent for herding. With the help of his adopted Mum, our polite piglet soon wins over the most suspicious of sheep. But can a small pig make it in a dog's world, and when his farmyard friends are in trouble can Babe save the day?
Come along for an enchanting family favourite, as the classic novel which inspired the Oscar-winning film, is bought to life in a show brimming with laughter, thrills, stunning puppetry and original live music.
Get ready for the incredible story of one piglet's rise to become the world famous Sheep-Pig.
For more, go to www.chesterfieldtheatres.com


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FBI doing its job: Obama
May 1 - U.S. President Barack Obama praises investigation into Boston Marathon bombing. Julie Noce reports.
U.S. President Barack Obama told reporters the FBI and other government agencies have been on track in their investigations of the Boston Marathon bombing. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING: "What I can say is that based on what I've seen so far, the FBI performed its duties, Department of Homeland Security did what it was supposed to be doing, but this is hard stuff." As the investigation continues, FBI officials were seen taking potential evidence from the home of the parents of Katherine Russell, the widow of one of the suspected bombers. 24 year old Russell- seen here in black- was married to Tamerlan Tsarnaev who was killed by police. His brother, 19 year old Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, is currently in a prison hospital near Boston. Three people died and more than 200 were injured in the April 15th attack after homemade explosive devices were detonated near the finish line of the Boston Marathon


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Donal Og Cusack has called for a change in the colour of the sliotar.
The former Cork netminder was a pundit on RTE's coverage of last night's Division 1A clash between the Rebels and Clare in Pairc Ui Rinn.
When giving his reaction to a Tony Kelly point attempt that was waved wide, Cusack suggested a way of making life that little bit easier for umpires.
"The ball is the wrong colour, simple as that," he commented.
"It needs to be a ball that can be seen. I know Croke Park are looking at it, but that change can't come soon enough."
'The ball is the wrong colour...it needs to be a ball that can be seen' - Donal Og has his say after it appeared Clare had a point chalked off as a wide by the match officials pic.twitter.com/PtkZFsjvRP— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) February 16, 2019


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SOE announced the Call of Forsaken expansion for EverQuest at SOE Live back in August and began beta testing soon after. The initial plan set the release date for the expansion around late-September, but a recent update from Senior Producer Thom Terrazas has confirmed that the release date has been pushed back a bit to October 8th to allow a bit more beta testing and polish time to get things ready for release.
If youre curious to learn more about the expansion, you can check out the pre-order page for additional details or sign up for the beta to try it out for yourself before next months launch.
Be sure to keep your eyes glued to EQHammer for all the latest news on the EverQuest franchise.
Source: EverQuest Forums
To read the latest guides, news, and features you can visit our EverQuest Game Page.


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Some wild ideas here.
So first some questions.
Is there a way to infold an energy like electricity or magnetism to colloidal particles without them clumping? Secondly, mind you I know of aether, the four worlds, and the internal work necessary in the traditional method but do these exercises culminate in a measure able energy that materialist cannot deny?
Seeing as Gold, Silver, and Copper are the most electro-conductive of the elements is there a synergy between them, and can they be commingled into a new element. Here details of my process must remain unsaid, mind you I believe I have found a novel method for their fusion, though it is dependent on the questions above


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Ballymoney, Coleraine, Moyle and Limavady Councils are disappearing on 31st March 2015 with the Causeway Coast & Glens being born on 1st April.
To mark the event, a 'wake' is being organised in each of the four Councils in March to share and remember the stories of
the 'old' Council with a 'wedding' to celebrate the new union in April.
Breige Conway from the North Antrim Community Network who are organising the second 'wake' for Moyle Council on Thursday 19th March from 7.30 – 9.00 pm in Cushendall Sailing & Boat Club says: "There will be live music and refreshments at each 'wake' so come along and join us for the evening."
Lyn Moffett from Ballymoney Community Resource Centre who are organising the last wake for Ballymoney Council on Wednesday 25th March from 7.30 – 9.00 pm in the Ballymoney Town Hall says "People are working very hard at the moment whether in the community and/or the Councils to get ready for the new Council. It is important that we also take time out to remember the stories of our relationship with a Council that is about to go forever."
Further information on the 'wedding' event to be released.


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You are here: Motorcycle For Sale > Husqvarna > All Types,Mx,Husqvarna,FC 350,IL,Moline,
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2015 Husqvarna FC 350 - Husqvarna
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- Year: 2015
- Make:Husqvarna
- Model:FC 350
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2015 Husqvarna FC 350, With top-level performance guaranteed by the lightweight agility of a 250 and the hard-hitting power of a 450, the FC 350 carves through turns effortlessly and powers down straights aggressively. Standard equipment such as the electric start system and the handlebar-mounted map switch highlight the FC 350's technological edge over the competition.
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Future homeowner Suyapa Mejia and Keynote Speaker LisaMarie pose for a photo at Women Build Day. Thanks to LisaMarie for writing this guest blog post!
On Saturday, April 30, I was honored to participate in Habitat for Humanity's National Women Build Day as we began to build a home for Suyapa and her 14-year old daughter, Michelle. In addition to getting to know this wonderful family and even hammering in a few nails at their soon-to-be-new home, during lunch I had the opportunity to speak about change and transition to those gathered for this event. One question I was asked was, "How does moving into a Habitat house make for an easier change and transition than moving into a traditional house?"
Change begins with anticipation. After completing the significant application process, waiting for the decision, and spending the required hours helping to build others' houses, Habitat home owners develop a tremendous anticipation for their own house to be built.
The next phase in change is ending. Many endings occur leading up to a move; many are hard, despite the excitement and anticipation about the new house. Suyapa and Michelle's change of address and transition from old home to new house, new neighborhood, new school, and new friendships will be overwhelming at times. But their path will be less steep than most who change addresses because Habitat communities are uniquely supportive.
Finally, new beginnings will take place as Suyapa and Michelle stand at the doorstep and turn the key to their new house. The beginning of their life in their Habitat house will be an easier transition because they've literally had a hand in the building process. Friendships were built along with the house. Neighbors, volunteers, and Habitat personnel are connected by shared experiences of having built each other's' houses and having similar life paths that made them eligible for their Habitat homes. They have empathy, one for another.
I've purposely been saying "house" because "home" happens over time as they settle in, when routines are built, when where they came from becomes less significant than where they are now. As the sense of belonging in this new house grows, it finally becomes their home.
Suyapa and Michelle's transition into their new home will be enjoyed with peaceful fulfillment because of the personal engagement that has come from helping to build it with their own hands. Because Habitat owners and neighbors are intimately engaged together in the creation of their houses, and collectively their homes form their neighborhood community, more often they readily experience the positive wonder that can accompany this significant change.
Check out the photos from Women Build here.


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Seneca Highlands IU9: Pre-K Students of All Abilities Learn From Their Peers
In the northern reaches of Pennsylvania, young children with developmental delays get to experience prekindergarten in classrooms with their typically developing peers. All the children benefit, whether it's special-needs children making developmental progress, or typical peers learning compassion and awareness as they interact with their classmates.
Seneca Highlands IU9, the early intervention provider for children ages 3 to school-age, in Cameron, Elk, Potter, and McKean counties, offer classes, known as reverse mainstream preschools. There, half the children who attend have Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and the other half do not.
IU9 launched the initiative in the mid-2000s, responding to the need for greater inclusive opportunities for young children, as well as the need for parents to find quality preschool experiences in their rural region.
"Families in our area face issues with availability, tuition and transportation to quality early learning programs," says Janice Vicini, IU9's early intervention supervisor. "We asked, what can we do that will help our children and also help other children in our rural communities?"
Reverse mainstream classrooms allow children with developmental delays to interact with their same age peers. The IEP students make significant progress in communication, social/emotional, cognitive, and motor skills. And their peers benefit as well.
"They motivate each other," says Vicini.
The parents of the non IEP students often marvel over how much more compassionate their children are with others and how much more patient they are with their siblings.
"The children build such an amazing camaraderie with each other." "The relationships these children build with each other will transcend into Kindergarten and beyond," says she.
IU9 holds eight reverse mainstream sessions in schools in Cameron, Elk, Kane, and McKean counties. By the time the IEP students age out of early intervention at 5 or 6, they're ready for a smooth transition to school.
See all IU Spotlight Articles
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For ranking methodology and other information about the series, see the original post. To read the about the No. 7-rated stadium, the Camp Nou in Barcelona, click here. To see all "soccer mecca" entries click here.
No. 6 Estadio Bernabeu, Madrid
Open since: 1947
Capacity: 80,000
Tenant(s): Real Madrid
World Cup hosts: 1982
We have now had two stadiums in Argentina (Bombonera at No. 9, Monumental at 8), followed by two in Spain (Camp Nou was 7). Is this pattern going to continue? No chance. In fact, I promise the top five will be in countries that have not yet been visited in this series.
We're probably going to have to deal with this eventually so let's get it right out of the way: Why is the Bernabeu ahead of Camp Nou? Two reasons:
1. It's 10 years older and therefore has 10 years' worth of additional history;
2. It hosted a World Cup final, a Euro final (in 1964, before it was known as such) and three European Cups (forerunner to the Champions League) while Barcelona hosted just one Champions League final and semifinals in the other two events.
What this all boils down to is that the Bernabeu has hosted more high profile matches than Camp Nou. From what I can tell Camp Nou appears to have the edge in the "cachet" department but that's a subjective area (not to mention a sensitive one when it comes to Real Madrid and Barcelona. Then again, what isn't?)
What isn't debatable is that Real Madrid has had more success on the pitch than its Catalan rival. Make that more success than just about any club in any nation in any sport: Nine European champions' trophies (including three in the Champions League era), two UEFA and Cup Winners' cups, 31 domestic league titles (even the New York Yankees "only" have 27), 14 Copa del Rey (domestic cup) trophies, eight Spanish Supercopas and three intercontinental cups.
Much of that originates with the stadium's namesake, Santiago Bernabéu Yeste. Himself a former player and manager with the club, Bernabeu became Real Madrid president in 1943--a position he would hold 35 years until his death. It was under his tutelage that Real became what many consider the first "modern" multinational squad, including one that effectively dominated the sport from 1953 to 1960.
It bears mentioning that Bernabeu was an avowed fascist who fought in the Spanish civil war (for Franco, natch). Upon his arrival at Real in 1943 "the club was forever after associated with Franco, with conservative politics and with the Spanish Castilian center in opposition to the pull of the regions, Catalunya (and arch-enemy FC Barcelona) in particular," writes Albion Road in its history of the club.
As distasteful as this is (particularly to somebody in the U.S., the country that invented freedom and democracy) Bernabeu deserves credit for building Real from complete scratch after the civil war. At that point the club had been left for dead by the Spanish government, which gave financial support to Atletico Madrid, and by the Madrid establishment, which also cast its lot with the rojiblancos, according to brjago.eu.
Building the stadium that would eventually bear his name was a central part of Bernabeu's plan. At the time its size was seen as absurdly ambitious--only slightly less absurd than the concept of a dedicated training ground across the street, another idea developed by Bernabeu. How he got (what I'm assuming were) private sector sources to finance these operations at that time and place remains another question entirely. But given this backdrop it is perhaps no coincidence that the stadium stands right next to the heart of Madrid's central business district.
The postwar history of both Real Madrid and the Spanish national team was largely written at the Bernabeu. The 1964 European Nations' Cup (as the Euro was then known) was a coming out party of sorts, with Spain playing--and winning--its semifinal and final matches at the Bernabeu. Both games were highly dramatic: The semifinal against Hungary went to extra time (links to uefa.com match report) and the final against the Soviet Union, attended by Franco himself, was decided late in the second half. Other than a silver medal at the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium and a fourth place finish at the 1950 World Cup in Brazil, this was until 2008 Spain's crowning (and only) achievement in world soccer.
Seven years prior to the European championships, Real Madrid defeated Fiorentina in the second-ever European Cup final before 120,000 on their home grounds, a game that was eclipsed by its semifinal victory over Matt Busby's Manchester United (playing in their first European cup).
The following season Real were pushed to the limit by their crosstown rivals in the tournament's semifinals. Had the games been played under today's rules, Atletico would have advanced after losing the first leg at Bernabeu 2-1 and winning at home 1-0. But in those days a third match was required, which Real won 2-1 in Zaragoza.
Real won the first five European cups but their run ended in 1960. Up until that point no team had so much as managed a draw at Bernabeu--a 15-game winning streak where they amassed a goal difference of 66-8, according to EuropeanCupHistory.com. That ended on Nov. 9, 1960 (the same day John F. Kennedy was elected President of the United States) in a 2-2 draw with old rivals Barcelona. Their first home defeat came two years later when Juventus Turin won the return leg of the semifinals by 1-0, matching Real's margin of victory from the first leg and forcing a third game (in Paris, which Real won. They would lose the final to Benfica Lisbon).
That fall, one of the biggest upsets in European football to that point took place at Bernabeu, when Belgian side Anderlecht managed a 3-3 draw in the first leg of their first round match up. The Belgians won the return leg 1-0 and Real was out.
In the first round of the 1967 tournament, Real defeated Ajax Amsterdam (with Johan Cruyff) in a memorable return leg by 2-1 in extra time on a goal from Jose Luis Veloso. Later that season Manchester United won a stirring semifinal on a goal by Munich survivor Bill Foulkes (assist to George Best) to advance to its first European cup final.
The final was held at Bernabeu again in 1969 but AC Milan won an anticlimactic match 4-1 over Ajax Amsterdam.
The 70s were a pretty bad decade for Real but the Bernabeu did see some impressive comebacks from their heroes. In '75 the Madrilenos bounced back from a 4-1 loss to Derby County to win 5-1 and advance and in '80 they returned a 2-0 loss at Celtic into a 3-0 victory at home to reach the semis. They would lose to defending champions Hamburg SV. The German side(with Kevin Keegan) lost a memorable final at the Bernabeu to Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest largely thanks to the heroics of Peter Shilton, according to this UEFA.com match report. That may have been the second-most famous match ever held at the Bernabeu.
The most famous was of course the 1982 World Cup final, though it was a bit of a letdown after the semifinal epic in Seville three nights earlier. Italy defeated Germany 3-1 with all goals scored in the second half. For some reason the Bernabeu only hosted four games that tournament: three in the second group stage and the final. Bobby Robson's England side in fact played its second group stage matches here, but both were forgettable 0-0 draws to West Germany and the hosts Spain, respectively. West Germany won the group with a 2-1 victory over Spain.
Photo taken without permission from unosaficionados.com.
Please share any memories or tidbits, including information on epic matches I may have omitted!
Nov 11, 2009
Ranking the world's soccer meccas: No. 6 Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
For ranking methodology and other information about the series, see the original post. To read the about the No. 7-rated stadium, the Camp Nou in Barcelona, click here. To see all "soccer mecca" entries click here.
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The main purpose of the Trust is the advancement of religious education and artistic and cultural development in children and young people in Scotland through the use of music, the development of music in worship and the development of the Christian faith.
It is envisaged the Trust's main activities will be the provision of grants primarily for children and young people to help them find faith or help them in developing their faith and for musical instruments and access to relevant courses and events. The Trust may also make grants to other charitable organisations or individuals whose purposes are similar to their own and may consider the setting up and running of summer schools or such similar training events to specifically promote and advance the purposes of the Trust.
It is intended that the activities of the Trust will run on an ongoing basis throughout the year. The Trust will consider applications for grants from, or on behalf of, children and young people throughout Scotland as well as other UK registered charities. Details of the application process and form can be found in the applications section of the website.
It is envisaged that this will provide a benefit to the public as it will allow individuals (and primarily children and young people in Scotland) to benefit both directly (as a result of direct grants from the Trust) and indirectly (through other UK charities with similar purposes) from the Trust funds.
The Angela Lynsey Macdonald Trust is a charity registered in Scotland through OSCR, the Scottish Charity Regulator. Details of our registration can be found here.


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As for me, I went to see the first sunrise of the year, just like what I did last year (link to 2017 New Year celebration, here). But this time was at a different kind of place! Last year was at a slope in Harajuku, and this year was at a park near uni! Probably just 10 minutes walk from my dorm.
Musashino Mori Park
Left to right: My Indian bestie Afrin, My Turkmenistan bestie Jennet, and yours truly ☺😉
I still have some other shots from today that I plan to feature on the blog later, hehehe. For the special post about catching 2018's first sunrise to be exact. Wait okaay! ❤🙏🏻
Alright, let's jump right to what happened in my life in 2017! Woohoo!
- Let's start with the failures of the year! -
Hahaha yes, I'd love to start it with the tough ones being the first, okay? Just because... I need myself a fair shot of life as a whole, with its ups and downs, with what worked and what didn't/haven't, with what made me smile from ear to ear and what made me frown for days (usually they lasted not more than 3 days tho! hahaha).... I'm so gonna share them now! 😉
I guess I dealt with three major failures this year. I believe there are more than three failures if I break them down into details by digging into daily-weekly-monthly goals. But no, we're not going there this time. RIP my fingers then, hahaha.
The first and second failure are of the same category:
Failed at making it to a fully funded international conference and summer school organized by the same foundation. I took the application processes very seriously. I shed my energy and mind, trying to write something as appealing as possible, but of course still tried to make everything as genuine as possible. You know, I wanted these opportunities so bad because I knew how they could have been such great events for me to foster my self-presentation ability in the global/international contexts.
I always found myself hungry for such kind of experiences! In such events, you will usually able to meet a bunch of inspiring people, yet at the same time, you'll be able to meet another side of you that you might never know/realize before; such as the braver you in pitching ideas in front of people that are probably greater than you in terms of knowledge, experiences and whatnot.
But yeah, the ideas that I offered during the application processes, and self-experiences that I tried to sell were maybe still far from what the organizers expected. Or maybe I was just unlucky this time. Or again, maybe, my time just hasn't come yet. Too many maybes, because they didn't really tell why I failed. But one thing that I'm 100% sure is that, the competitions in order to make it to big international events of such kinds are extremely tight and fierce. Everyone tried their best, not just me. I was actually competing for something really big, with all the excellent competitors out there that I barely know how excellent they actually are. But I'm happy because even though I failed at them, I had given myself another chance to try.
I even got to try for the second time after the first failure. No room for trauma, no. I had always thought that I wouldn't be able to start all over again to the (almost) exact same battle once I was defeated. But I was totally wrong... I fought back, with the same amount of optimism and burning energy as the first one.
Even though the second result was a failure once again, at this point, I'm still eager beyond reason to challenge myself to go to the same battle yet again! I won't stop until I manage to get them. I promise to myself. All of these failures have taught me resilience and a handful of knowledge about just how tough this world is. At least, the kind of world that I've been dreaming of. I'm struggling for something big, and I've been so proud about this fact ever since the beginning.
"To continue enjoying each and every struggle", I guess, is my 2018 motto. You know, optimism is probably the best gift that I can ever give to myself. Not just about optimism in facing what's coming next, but also optimism towards failures. That every failure has their own meaning. And now, I've come to an understanding, that we might find out the meanings in a shorter or maybe longer time after the failures occur. But for sure, those meanings will emerge just at the right time.
Alright, moving on...
The Third Failure:
The third failure is actually about how loose my time management was in the last quarter of 2017. I didn't really stick to the timeline that I made. This mainly about my research timeline. Everything went normal and well actually. Nothing disastrous I could say. But I failed at realizing one last thing that I had set to conduct in December: an interview with the next potential respondent.
Well, I hate to say irresponsible remark like this, but, December has always been in that kind of year-end holiday season vibe or mood... that apparently had made me unable to behave academically relevant. And now I'm 30% upset about this. Hahaha.
With that time management failure being mentioned above, I'll strive for a better time management this year. Behaving academically relevant to my research timeline is my concrete goal. Because... I'm planning to debut myself at a symposium/s this year *fingers-crossed🤞*. I really need to speed up my data collection process as well as the analysis. Also, I have to do everything well and firmly reasoned so that when those faith-shaking remarks from my advisor strike, I could debate her and make sure that my logic win hahaha. 😆🤞
So yeah, cheers to an academically productive 2018, Shab! At least I have what it takes to conducting a research, that is, "loving the subject". Because keep coming back to something that you don't love is such a pain in the ass. And in conducting research, you basically keep coming back to that one particular topic over and over again. So the key point here is to make sure that I'll keep coming back to what I love doing. Hehe.
Omg, it's 23:34 already. I guess I need to stop here. I can actually just continue this post but, I really need to sleep asap because I have an appointment tomorrow. I'm going to meet my high school friends and about to hang out to some fun places in Tokyo! I'll get back to this blog super soon to finish this post.... on the 2nd part!
Well, I hope you tons of good lucks this year! Keep being you!
You do you, I do me, and we're a happy family! 😉😆
This is a repetitive thing, but I wish I can be more productive in this platform just like those good old days!
*the last finger-crossing🤞*


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Hi everyone! Just thought I would post real quick to show you what I've been working on for 2 weeks (or more).
There are 54 3x3 cards. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but these were a bit of work. I embossed, stamped, outlined, glimmer misted, wrapped twine, tied bows and glued them all together! I actually made 55, but my MIL wanted one for her fridge :)
Sorry the color isn't the best. I'm on my way to an all-weekend crop with these but wanted a quick picture.
Have a great weekend!
Friday, September 28, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
Hugs to You
Hi everyone! I discovered on Saturday that I am just a better day time crafter. Which is hard since I have a full-time 8-5 job! But I was able to make a few cards over the weekend, one of which I can show you. I submitted a few for publication so we will see how that goes :) And I have been working on 55 3 x 3 calling cards for a week, here and there at night. They need to be done by the 28th. I think I am half way done so I'm doing pretty good :)
I'm sending this card in a care package this week. I really wanted to get it off on Saturday, but I did not get it finished in time.
Here are the details:
I'm sending this card in a care package this week. I really wanted to get it off on Saturday, but I did not get it finished in time.
Here are the details:
- Hello Kitty cut at 4 inches
- Strawberry Cupcake Trendy Twine
- DCWV paper
- My Pink Stamper Everyday Life stamp
- Yellow Stickles
- Doodlebug Mini Jewels
- Pop dots
I hope to have some more to post this week. But I am having a House Party on Saturday and need to get ready for that too. I should Cricut a banner--that would be fun!
Have a great week!
Posted by Helen at 7:00 AM 5 comments:
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
September 2012: National Stamping Month
Just another quick video from Close to My Heart highlighting the special It's Your Day double stamp set. You can get this special for only $5 when you place a $35 order!
Have a fabulous day!
Posted by Helen at 8:00 AM No comments:
Monday, September 10, 2012
Easy Party Planning with Cricut®
Hi everyone! Here's a video from Close To My Heart that they allow Consultants to share. It's about 4 minutes and shows all the things you can make for a party with just one key!
Posted by Helen at 10:34 AM No comments:
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Birthday Wishes Trendy Twine Challenge
Removed for publication :)
Posted by Helen at 5:00 AM 16 comments:
Monday, September 3, 2012
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Boo to You! Create a Critter 2
Hi everyone! I am supposed to be making a DT project, but look what I have--Create a Critter 2!! I LOVE this cartridge. It's being released this week, but people have been finding it at Joann's. So my friend texted me that they were at our local Joann's and I ran right over. Good thing they have a sale on carts :)
I made this card for the sneak peek challenge on Cricut.com but am not sure I'm going to enter. I think the prize is this cart and another so I'm not in a rush to enter any more!
Here are the details:
I made this card for the sneak peek challenge on Cricut.com but am not sure I'm going to enter. I think the prize is this cart and another so I'm not in a rush to enter any more!
Here are the details:
- Ghost cut at 4 inches; 'cloud' at 2 inches from Create a Critter 2
- DCWV The Bewitched matstack
- Grape Licorice Trendy Twine (new awesome color!)
- My Pink Stamper Spookalicious set
- iRock gems
- Glam Pink Stickles
- Signo White pen
- pop dots
I had to actually use my cartridge in my E2--I am so not used to using it without my Gypsy :) I really should learn about it! You can see in the second picture that I cut 2 white layers and pop dotted them to give a little dimension.
I wanted to mention one more thing--There are 28 days left to take advantage of the double stamp stet for $5 with Close to My Heart. And now that it's September, there is a new stamp set of the month. It is a cute fall themed set that you can get for $5 when you spend $50. So that is really a total of 3 sets for $10 if you get both! I have a flyer with this set on it I can email you. Also, if you would like a catalog, I can send you one :)
Just contact me if you want to order--I will give you a 20% discount which is not good for the $5 sets though. But it does save you some money :)
Have a wonderful Sunday!
Posted by Helen at 10:54 AM 7 comments:
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Past the Edge of the Comfort Zone
It is often said that we need to get out of our comfort zones as teachers and learners. It's true. The struggle, the messiness, the uncomfortableness is where we truly learn. When we step back and reflect on what went right and what went wrong, we dig in and we figure things out. We cannot do this alone. I'm convinced it's impossible.
Through my years, I've been in different places. I've been in situations where I was the one of the only people in my school working on something. It's awful. To be the only person passionate about "a thing" that you believe in can be lonely, maddening, and downright disheartening. It can make you feel like you are alone. Like your passion doesn't matter. It's what drew me to Twitter so many years ago and my PLN became the family of support I needed to keep pushing me forward. Connection for growth. Through conversations and learning, I've realized there are tons of people in education that feel this way. People who feel far less than empowered to make change. People buried in data and negativity.
Right now, I'm in a different place. A place where I'm part of a team. And it's changed everything. People to share ideas with, notice joy with, and people who will brainstorm with me when something doesn't work out. People who feed me ideas. People I laugh with on a daily basis. People that I trust enough to share my own ridiculousness with. People that share their mistakes with me. People to ask me questions that I hadn't considered myself and people who expect me to grow. People who are working hard everyday to make the world better through making school the best it can be. People who do everything for each other that we expect our kids to do in a learning community.
Then, I look around at all of the products flying around education. Programs to subscribe to. Certifications to earn. It's noise. So. much. noise. It's the promise of making education better through a quick buy. And I can't help but think about what truly needs to happen. We have to change ourselves and how we do things to truly empower our kids and our future. We have to be willing to fail. We have to lean into the messiness that lies outside of our comfort zones. We have to be willing to be seen, authentically, and we need to be living breathing examples of growth mindset.
It's like the difference between fast food and eating raw. We think we want fast food because it's good, and it will change things on the surface, right now. Feed us. But it's not going to lead to long term satisfaction. Guides and packets are not the way to the future. Doing activities and buying STEM in a box isn't the answer. They might change your day, but they won't change the course of learning that's needed.
We need a revolution. We are the revolution. Creativity for all. Deep learning and thinking. Human Connection. Community. The right kind of school for every single learner, big or small. The kind where each and every teacher is valued as a learner and a human being, just as we must value and honor the needs of each and every student.
And my brain hurts when I think about it. Maybe because I'm afraid it won't fully happen. Maybe because I don't want to be the person who doesn't have all the answers. Maybe because fear is louder too many times. But, there's hope. Knowing, in the deepest part of your heart, that the thing that matters to you most is a thing that some kid, somewhere, needs. That? It's a flicker of hope.
And I think back about this team I'm part of. I think about a moment where they all just showed up. With a Sharpie Bouquet (literally) and support during one of the darkest days of my life. The day I returned to work a few days after my dad passed away, a day that also happened to be my 40th birthday. It didn't feel like a day to celebrate. And yet, there they were, at my door, reminding me that I was not alone in that moment, nor any day, no matter how terribly dark something might be. Like little rays of sunshine picking me up when I didn't even want to admit I needed to be.
And then I realized in order for us to really change school and learning environments, we have to be willing to change ourselves first. Human nature will always gravitate toward the thing that is easy. In reality, that's so dangerous. That is not what our kids need experience with in school, and it's not what is going to get us to be the kind of education system we need. Creativity can't be the afterthought because for some kids, it's the air they breathe. It's inside each and every single one of us, and only real change will release it. One flicker of hope away from being uncomfortable and making change happen.


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Analyze all aspects and opportunities that your business (work, school etc.) require and find an appropriate time and place for a meal.
If you carry snacks to work, think where to keep them, certain food can spoil if stays on hot or direct sunlight. There are meals that can be prepared easily at work. Make the connection between nutrition and convenience to not favorite industrial foods or bakery. If you have secured food during the day at work, your problem boils down to that meal (or meals).
Planning is a process in which better approach to problem solving, gives you better meals.
How many meals you should eat?
The diet would in any way limit the intake of calories, which means that we need to know how much (at least approximately) food we have to eat. So spread the amount of food on the number of meals to suit your lifestyle and appetite, and it can be from 3 until 5 or even 6-7 meals in a day including snacks.
What time to eat?
Do not be forced to eat at a certain time because it is just breakfast or lunch. If it's easier for you or you prefer to start the day with less food, eat more on the other part of the day. The exact time of the meal is not so important; just try time between meals to not pass more than 4-5 hours. If your life circumstances do not permit it, eat a small snack such as fruit. As the total number of meals, as well as the exact time of the meal may not be strictly defined as long as pay attention to the total amount of food.
When you eat with regard to training?
Most trainees will correspond that the last meal before training to be consumed about 2 hours before exercise. But if you exercise early in the morning, it is desirable to eat some fruit 30 minutes before training. After the training, preferably within 1-2 hours eat a rich meal that will provide important nutrients for the body adaptation after hard training but keep in mind to consume some protein in 45min window after training.
So, keep in mind, that is not healthy to skip meal, plan your meals, but if you obligations don't allow you full meal, eat a snack,fruit or some shake.


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Davenant International
'We live in one world. What we do affects others, and what others do affects us, as never before. To recognise that we are
all members of a world community and that we all have responsibilities to each other is not romantic rhetoric, but modern
economic and social reality.'
Putting the world into world-class education, DfES 2004
'The school curriculum should contribute to the development of pupils' sense of identity through knowledge and understanding
of the spiritual, moral, social and cultural heritages of Britain's diverse society and of the local, national....and global
dimensions of their lives....the schools curriculum should...secure their commitment to sustainable development at a personal
local,national and global level.'
Statement on values, aims and purposes of the National Curriculum in England,QCA 2000
'Global poverty will not be significantly reduced until we forge new international policies and practices regarding aid,
trade, and debt while honestly facing the real issue of governance and transparency in poor countries. Only a new commitment
to moral and political responsibility on the part of wealthy nations and a new level of public integrity to root out the corruptions
of poverty brings in the poor nations will create the capacity for genuine partnerships.....'
Jim Wallis
Founder of Sojourners
Davenant International, the innovative student forum on global issues was set up in the summer of 2005. That summer the focus
was on poverty and the need of the international community to turn words into action and reach out to countries who were burdened
by international debt. Third World countries were appealing for a level playing field where markets in the West would open
up to goods and services.
In 2005 the biggest ever anti-poverty movement 'Make Poverty History' was launched in the United Kingdom and all over the
world. This key campaign struck a chord with students of Davenant Foundation School who were moved by statistics like 15,000
children around the world die each day from starvation. Davenant students decided to get up and do something about it.
Davenant students wore the simple white wristband, the symbol of the campaign and joined millions in supporting the three
main aims of Make Poverty History - Trade Justice, Drop the Debt and More and Better Aid.
The summer of 2005 also saw the United Kingdom taking over the Presidency of the G8 group of world leaders - United Kingdom,
United States of America, France, Germany, Russia, Canada, Italy and Japan.The G8 Summit was held at the Gleneagles Hotel
in Perthshire, Scotland from 6-8 July 2005. World leaders reached some agreement on developments in Africa and climate
change. They were determined not to be defeated by the tragic 7/7 bombings in London that summer and discussed other issues
such as peace in the Middle East, countering global terrorism and the proliferation of weapons. Students at Davenant
discussed what was going on at the G8 Summit and contributed to briefing papers for their fellow students.
Some Davenant students also attended the Live 8 Concert in London organised by Bob Geldof, Bono and others to put pressure
on the G8 leaders to reach out to Africa to make poverty history. Bono, the pop star said: "Live 8 was, and remains
a brilliant moment but what is more important is the brilliant movement of which it was a part. This gives the poorest of
the poor real political muscle for the first time. It is this movement of church people and trade unionists, soccer
moms and student activists, that will carry the spirit of Live 8 on. It is this movement, not rock stars, that will
make it untenable in the future to break promises to the most vulnerable people on this planet.That was always why we put
on the concerts," said Bono.
Coinciding with the Live 8 Concerts was the massive march on Saturday 2nd July 2005 when 225,000 people took to
the streets of Edinburgh to call on world leaders to act at the G8 summit. Campaigners were dressed in white to form the world's
largest human white band and speakers from around the world addressed the crowd to speak of the difference the G8 could make
when they met later in the week at Gleneagles. They urged G8 leaders to help the poorest of the poor.
Davenant International was set up against the backdrop of these historic events in 2005. The students of Davenant Foundation
School were determined to make a difference. They were not content with mere words but wanted to act on some of the serious
issues of the day.
The setting up of Davenant International was so much in keeping with the Christian ideals of the founder of the school,
Reverend Ralph Davenant who was passionate about social justice.
Davenant International: The Vision


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Electro Permanent Magnet Gripper (OpenGrab EPM v3)¶
This article shows how to use the Electro Permanent Magnet Gripper (OpenGrab EPM v3) with ArduPilot.
The OpenGrab EPM v3 (from NicaDrone.com) is a small (less than 4cm x 4cm x 2cm) Electro Permanent Magnet gripper capable of 200N of force meaning it can hold about 15kg of cargo securely. The gripping and releasing of the cargo is accomplished by delivering a short pulse to an electromagnet which reverses it's field. Objects that it grips onto should be metal or have the included thin steel target square attached to them.
The device accepts a standard PWM servo input or UAVCAN and uses a 5V power supply. A significant amount of power is only required for about 1 second when it first grips or releases the cargo.
Useful links¶
- Documentation
- PCB / Schematic (Revision is printed on PCB).
- Source code
- Store
- Report problems/issues
Connecting to a Pixhawk via UAVCAN¶
- When Vin of the EPM drops below 5V the EPM will go into low power mode. Slowing down switching to prevent crashing the power rail.
- When Vin drops below 4.5V the green status LED will blink fast indicating an error condition.
- The Pixhawk UAVCAN connector power rail voltage is < 5V.
- External powering of the EPM is recommended (see image above).
- EPM UAVCAN cable set is required. Clickmate -> DF13.
- UAVCAN requires termination, terminator included in UAVCAN cable set.
Firmware setup¶
Auto mission using PWM works with current Copter release, this step may be skipped. UAVCAN support requires Copter-3.4A or later.
At the moment Copter 3.4A is not released. It can be built from the master. or:
- Download APM firmware here:.
- Upload custom firmware via Mission Planner or QGC.
Parameter setup¶
Set BRD_CAN_ENABLE = 2 (Enable support for dynamic node ID allocation and firmware update). Save and restart the board. After about 5 seconds the RED CAN LED on the EPM will start blinking. This indicates that CAN frames are being received.
Set CH7_OPT: Channel 7 option = 19 (EPM) (Channel 7 - 12 maybe used)
All done! The EPM can be controlled via channel 7 or AUTO mission or MAVLink command.
Parameter setup¶
Set CH7_OPT: Channel 7 option = 19 (EPM) (Channel 7 - 12 maybe used).
All done. The EPM can be controlled via channel 7 or AUTO Mission or MAVLink command.
Auto mission¶
Add a Do Gripper command in your mission.
Magnetic interference and board voltage check¶
The EPM can cause magnetic interference especially while gripping or releasing the cargo or if left in the "on" state with no cargo attached. Magnetic interference is minimal at a distance of 10 cm
Testing the EPM impact on the compass is highly recommend when mounted close then 10 cm distance from flight computer
The EPM's impact on the compass can be tested in real-time by connecting with the Mission Planner. Go to the Flight Data screen and click on the "Tuning" checkbox at the bottom, middle. Double click on the graph that appears on the top right and when the "Graph This" window appears select "magfield".
Turning the EPM on and off and ensure the magfield length does not change by more than 10%.


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The last session has ended, posters and flowers have quickly been taken away: Tropentag 2016 is finally over. It's been three intense days filled with uncountable posters, lively discussions in public and private, fascinating and more or less mass compatible presentations, music, food and lots of coffee. Even dancing!
Many questions have been asked, but some important ones, I must say, have been left unanswered. "What are the next steps to take?" was one of my favourites, asked by Sara Kaweesa, at the end of the closing session, hoping to get a take home message, something to hold on to, so that this conference could actually help to take a step towards a more sustainable and fair world, and not just have been a gathering of many scientific people wanting to talk extensively about their researches and hoping to make a good impression on certain project funding ministries and donors. As Michael Hauser, who by the way together with Ms. Kaweesa has done an impressive job moderating during this conference, has stated, we'll need to meet again next year, look back at our work and see if we have been true to our many nice, promising words about sustainability, solidarity, food security, fair distribution of resources etc etc.
Do you know what rice consumption in Nigeria and milk consumption in Kenya have in common? It's something that both livestock and crop farmers, especially in developing countries, have to deal with: the risk of exposure to mycotoxins in food. One could hear about this topic today, last day of Tropentag 2016, in the fourth oral presentation about food security and nutrition, as well as yesterday in the third poster session about mobile dryland pastoralism. I had the chance to hear both Olusegun O. Atanda's and Caroline Makau's research results about such an issue on food safety, which is considered as a specific problem of tropical regions. Exposure to mycotoxins, in fact, should be as low as possible since these are genotoxic and carcinogenic.
In Kenya, aflatoxins (a type of mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus, a species of fungus) pose a safety risk in cow milk. Research revealed that this resulted from poor feed storage and on field infestation during plant growth, which then contaminated animal feeds and finally ended up in the milk. Caroline Makau stated that especially rotten maize cobs used as ingredients in on-farm formulated feeds caused this problem, and that contamination was especially high in peri-urban farms.
Olusegun Atanda's study is mainly a call for doing more large-scale research and for stressing the need to continually monitor mycotoxin levels in rice. As it seems, this subject is worth being followed in the future.
If yesterday was the day for BIOCHAR, today's topic of the sessions about soil fertility and nutrient management was MAIZE. From strategies to outbalance nutrient insufficiencies for maize production in Kenya, to fertiliser optimisation under weed competition and the economic analysis of maize production, many aspects have been covered.
Jacobo Arango and Stefan Burkart presented their researches about Brachiaria Humidicola.
Godfrey Nambafu summed up his results about the strategies adopted by African indigenous plants to cope with phosphorus deficient soils.
Personally, I really enjoyed Patrick van Damme's research results about Sesbania Rostrata, which used to grow on abandoned rice fields and can be cropped and then plowed into the soil in alternation with rice thanks to its beneficial effect through nitrogen fixation.
Later on, I went to the first oral presentation about the same subject and attended Enos Onyuka talking about the organic carbon input into the soil by plant residues of African indigenous plants. He also stressed the potential for increasing the organic carbon availability in AIV by the use of appropriate harvesting techniques.
Is it the timing? Am I just choosing the unpopular topics? Is the air-conditioning too cold? I think it is. Or is it common that the audiences at poster sessions are usually rather scarce? In occasion of the poster session about Mobile Dryland Pastoralism (2.2, Tuesday 20th, 9:45 am), I found it especially regrettable that not many people attended. So, I decided to highlight some of my favourite topics of today's poster session 2.2.
Jenny Bischofberger, for example, presented an interesting poster about the integration of stakeholder's knowledge in land-use management in Namibia, based on interviews analyzing their perception about what is most important to save from degradation in the savannah.
I also appreciated Cornelia Heine's presentation based on a survey about enabling environment and policies related to pastoralism in 26 countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, analyzing pastoralist's livelihoods.
I don't know if everyone would agree with me that poster sessions are very entertaining. The first one on Monday about soil fertility and nutrient management (1.2) was actually quite insightful (supposing one has some interest in fertilisers made from waste and fecal sludge or manure from thirsty goats, which sounds meaner than it is – or isn't it?).
The main topic of this session was biochar: Just put biochar on maize and see what happens. Irrigate your crop with wastewater or add biochar and, again, see what happens. Filter your wastewater with biochar, put the biochar on your crop and, oh yes, see what happens.
These research topics were indeed highly interesting, and I would invite you to go see the posters yourself and get your own impression. You will also find more information about conservation agriculture practices in Kenya and how to grow Cassava in the D.R. Congo.
By the way, there will be another poster session about this subject tomorrow morning, and the oral presentations at 11:30 am. It's certainly worth a look!
Today at 12:30 pm the Tropentag 2016 has been officially opened in the Audimax by Bernhard Freyer, director of the Division of Organic Farming at BOKU University. Let's recall together, in order of appearance of the speechmakers, what has been said.
Joseph Glössl, Vice Chancellor for Research, welcomed the keynote speakers and introduced BOKU University emphasizing the role of its Centre for Development Research.
Robert Zeiner, head of Programmes and Projects International (ADA), appealed to all countries and stakeholders to act, and in general to support fair and sustainable production and resource management as well as to strengthen vulnerable groups. He stressed the importance of sustainable land use and local land management in assuring food security and avoiding resource related conflicts. Also, he underlined that equal access for smallholder farms is necessary.
Gerardo Patacconi, Officer-in-Charge at BOKU, then stressed the importance of sustainability and fairness in development work which could only be achieved by working together.
It's nine o'clock on the first day of the Tropentag 2016, the room quickly filled up with people eager to hear what's new about the sustainable integration of livestock smallholders in value chains through multi-stakeholder platforms. Following the motto "More meat, milk and fish for and by the poor ", during this interactive workshop CGIAR presented the results of their five-year research in developing countries, encouraging to ask critical and challenging questions in order to improve their model.
Background of the experiment is the increasing demand of livestock in developing countries, where smallholders currently provide about 70% of livestock produce. While the production of livestock thus offers great business opportunities, smallholders are often not part of this transition. CGIAR, in this "very expensive experiment", tried to develop models, strategies and technologies to empower smallholders and women, ensure food security and improve health and environmental issues, amongst others.
What to expect from the Tropentag 2016 in Vienna?
As a student reporter and student of horticultural sciences I am eager to immerse myself into the universe of this conference, listening, asking, observing and of course, reporting - critically, curiously and controversal.
Join the discussion!
Click here to visit the Tropentag website