text:
What a week it was
By Michael James
Published on: 3/2/2012
Usually when I write a vacation trip report, I try to do it timely. Nothing worse than reading about something that happened a few weeks ago, when references to weather, the ball game, etc., seem dated. But that's gonna happen with this one. I was on the road for nine days, and even though I've only been back for a few, the start of the trip was a long time ago. Keep in mind that in links with photos in which the URL begins with "media.jsonline.com", the photos were taken by me or my wife. All other photos in links were found on Google and repurposed for my convenience.
Saturday, Feb 18
- This was a travel day for me. Due to My-Sugar-Na's previous back issues, we didn't think she'd want to start the trip with a
1000 mile drive
, so we bought a one-way plane ticket for her and she left the next day, while I left before the sun rose.
Driving is just driving, but some points along the way that took me along I-94 through Chicago,
where I picked up I-57 into Missouri
, then I-55 to the evening respite in Grenada. MS...
The first 120 miles were no problem, as I drive to Chicago often. The trip did lag through most of Illinois, though. Even driving through cities like Champaign and Matoon... you aren't driving through them as much as you are driving around them. I did make it all the way through Illinois and into Missouri before I needed to fill the gas tank, though.
All along, I had considered breaking up the drive and relaxing at a casino along the way, though I just figured I would do it in Tunica, MS, which would be just a short bit out of the way. As I am driving through the bottom part of Missouri, though, I see a sign for the
Lady Luck Casino
in Carruthersville. The sign looked like it was .5 miles off the freeway, but was in reality 5 miles. But since I had gotten off the freeway, I figured I would continue on. It was a
riverboat on the Mississippi River
, and a couple of hands of blackjack and a couple rolls of dice later, I was ahead $30 and decided to take my profit and hit the road.
I arrived in Memphis, TN and my planned dinner stop at
Neely's Interstate BBQ
around 6:00 PM. As stated on my
pre-trip blog
, I had seen this place on the
Travel Channel's Barbecue Paradise
, and wanted to
try the BBQ spaghetti
. Since I hadn't bothered to stop for a proper lunch, I ordered
the sampler platter
that had pork ribs, beef ribs, brisket, pulled pork and a hot link. It also came with a side of the
BBQ spaghetti
. Unfortunately, the spaghetti was nothing to write home about. The pasta was the consistency of Spaghetti-Os and was overrun with the BBQ sauce. The meat, however, was a highlight, especially that hot link (in which both the waitress and cashier refused to disclose who makes it or how I could buy some).
Having previously stopped at a casino, I decided to bypass Tunica on the trip down and ended at the very comfortable Motel 6 in Grenada. This used to be an EconoLodge, but the property seemed to be quite new and it was a very nice room for $35.
Sunday, Feb 19
- After a stop at the Waffle House (and a pecan waffle, with hash browns Scattered, Smothered and Peppered) and a drive of the last 300 miles or so, I met my wife at the airport and the vacation began. We had planned on staying in Slidell, but right before I left I Pricelined (Side note; Look! I made a verb!) a hotel at the same price and was given a nice
Courtyard by Marriott in Covington, LA
, about 30 miles from downtown New Orleans. So with the wife in tow, we headed across the
Lake Ponchartrain Causeway
to the hotel, unloaded her,
the luggage and the 30 bowling balls
that I brought with me, then headed to the first vacation stop.
The first stop was the
Crescent City Steakhouse
for dinner. I was tipped to this place first in an episode of
, and when I read
this blog
(the ultimate companion piece for each Treme episode) it mentioned the 75+ year history of the place,
linked to this article
and I was sold. The atmosphere was almost
as good as the steak
, as I had reserved one of the
with the privacy curtain. I also had a Sazerac (the
Official Cocktail of New Orleans
) which tasted strikingly like lighter fluid (Side note; props to Mr. College Girl for that one). Having a drink of the locals in Sazerac, I was then free to drink the drink of tourists (
Hand Grenades
) for the rest of the trip.
After dinner, we joined the slow-paced gridlock towards the location of St. Charles Avenue for which our
grandstand tickets
were located. At first when My-Sugar-Na suggested we buy reserved seats ($40 per ticket for Sunday's sole parade and $60 per ticket for Tuesday's four parades) I thought that it was too much. I was dead wrong, as it allowed us a seat without having to arrive four to ten hours early, and we could move around freely within that cordoned off area (the private bathroom didn't hurt, either).
At one point, we had been stopped in traffic for about five minutes when we saw a hotel
advertising $50 parking
. We considered it, but moved on and found a garage that advertised $40 parking, but only charged us $20. We walked to our grandstand and
probably 15 minutes, but for what seemed like hours.
The parade routes are roughly
4 to 5 miles long
, and we were at least 3/4 from the start, which meant the 5:15 parade got to us at 8:15 or so. In talking to a few parade veterans, they said that especially these highly anticipated parades (if which the
Krewe of Bacchus
certainly qualifies) the parade moves more slowly to make a big deal of
celebrity king in the first float
. The parade could be seen down the block, but it seemed like it would never get to us... until it did, and then the first float moved so quickly that it was like Will Farrell was shot out of a cannon. I got one photo of him - and you can't tell it is him - and
it isn't a very good one
. Well, at least I know it is him.
As the people in our section moved around, my wife and I found ourselves down front,
hugging the barrier
... I couldn't have asked for a better location. After
each float
(containing 10-20 costumed Krewe members throwing all manner of beads, doubloons, cups, stuffed animals, etc) was a local high school marching band. However, in the 20 bands that passed us, I don't think any actually played. Just the drumline keeping a beat. At one point, the parade came to a dead stop with a float right in front of us. After a few minutes, one of the Krewe members asked if I was hungry, and I said "I am 300 pounds, I am always hungry". So he threw a box lunch to me with a ham and cheese sub, Krunchers chips and a white macadamia nut cookie. These ain't no July 4th parades.
After the nearly 3-hour parade ended, we drove back to our hotel and
examined our loot
. Pretty impressive, but that was just the beginning.
Monday, Feb 20
Lundi Gras
(translated, means "Only one more day before Mardi Gras ends and we have to become good Catholics again") started with us sleeping in a little, then packing the car again. We had previously paid for two nights in the
Warehouse Arts District
(about a mile from the French Quarter) but didn't want to pay for the Sunday night (I'll pay $200 a night for two nights. Wasn't gonna do three.)
We had considered eating breakfast when we instead decided to go right to
Willie Mae's Scotch House
for lunch. You can read
some of the history here
, but the short story is that this house in the rundown Treme neighborhood has been serving fried chicken almost forever. Hurricane Katrina damaged the restaurant but the food world wouldn't let it die so they
helped rebuild it
. From that point, both the
Travel Channel
Food Network
have made it into a tourist destination.
So much so that while we stood in line -
- for almost an hour just to get in line inside, we talked to our line mates and found none were actually from New Orleans. Represented right around us was Annapolis, MD, Cleveland, OH, and San Jose, CA.
Of particular note was this
couple from San Jose dressed in purple
(Side note for those of you new to my blog; these rambling stories are key to my trip reports because, well, I like stories). She was Asian, about 30ish, 5'2" and maybe 100# soaking wet (I'll call her "Fried Chicken"). She wore a short dress and knee-high purple boots, and had long, flowing hair that she was constantly brushing and adjusting in her hairband. She just could not stand still. Not in a jittery way, but more like that she had to be moving, talking, talking, moving, adjusting, moving and talking some more. She was very attractive, but clearly very high maintenance. Her boyfriend was just the opposite. He just stood there. He talked to her, but he was as stoic as she was in constant motion. But they were very friendly people, and are even in
this photo
with us. We talked to a number of people in line, but they made quite the impression.
We finally get seated inside Willie Mae's and order the (expensive) fried chicken. You get two choices... a leg, thigh, wing and one side for $10, or a breast, two wings and a side for $13. We weren't going to cheap out on vacation, but it is clear that the tourist-clientele is reflected in the pricing. Lunch comes, it is delicious and well worth the hour wait. The crispy batter shattered in your mouth, then dissolved like cotton candy. Meanwhile, Fried Chicken and her boyfriend are at the table next to us. He is picking the chicken off the bone with a fork and not eating much of the skin. When he is done, he gives her the entire plate and she picks up the bones and finishes them off, then eats every piece of the skin he left. But she doesn't stop there. She licks her finger and dabs at every single crumb on the table; it is like she had never eaten before. The way she packed that food away, there is only one way she maintains weight. Boyfriend just looked at us and said "As long as she is happy". That tells me that behind closed doors, she makes him happy, too.
But enough about them. We finish up our delicious meal and head to
Harrah's New Orleans
, as that is where some of my bowling buddies Pin Hacker, his dad Almost Birthday Boy, The Dealer and The Female Dealer. had said to meet them. We didn't gamble, but just used Harrah's as a starting point to walk through the French Quarter, and more specifically
Bourbon Street
. We start walking around and I notice that I don't have a drink in my hand. I am not a big drinker, but I am in New Orleans on Bourbon Street and I am not holding a drink... I felt out of place. I goad everybody into having a Hurricane, but the group never really loosens up. We last around two hours with them, and with a packed
Bourbon Street
, they kind of lose interest. I think The Female Dealer would have lasted longer, but the three guys seemed to have had enough. Not me. We bid farewell to those four, and after a brief break, My-Sugar-Na are back at it.
She had reserved a spot on a
vampire tour
that started in the French Quarter at 8:30, so I dropped her off there and explored New Orleans on my own. Bourbon Street seemed to be for the younger crowd, so I took a
walk to
Frenchman Street
, where the live music clubs are... thinking live music would be more for us old-timers that wouldn't mind sitting in one spot.
I get to Frenchman Street (Side note; Think
Brady Street
in Milwaukee, only the smell of heroin is more pronounced on Frenchman Street). It is kind of icky there, so I find a nice club and ask when the music starts. Finding out is starts in two hours, I buy a glass of beer to go (a very underrated aspect of vacation) and
walk from club to club
and listen to the music outside before deciding to go in. The party that night was definitely outside, as the clubs seemed only about half full. I finally
find a club
with a
band that sounded pretty good
and I order a Hurricane and dinner (a crawfish quesadilla which - if it had been grilled instead of microwaved would have been phenomenal) and listen for awhile. When the band takes a break, I decide to get back to where I had dropped my wife off.
As I am walking back, it starts raining - pretty hard - for about two minutes. This rain served to turn the
into a slurry... you had no way of knowing what you were walking through. The brief shower
didn't stop the party
, though, and once My-Sugar-Na's vampire tour was done, we took a cab back to our hotel (Side note; even though it was only a mile, I was very surprised that the cab ride was only $10. Being at midnight the day before Mardi Gras, I kinda figured it would be $20 just to get in the cab).
Tuesday, Feb 21
- The
Krewe of Zulu
parade started at 8:00 AM, but again, we were going to be well down the parade route so we took our time through the hotel breakfast. As we are getting ready to go, the local TV station is broadcasting the parade near the starting point, and is showing the float of the
Zulu Queen
. She is resplendent in her white feather costume, and I'm getting giddy about it. Here I am, little ol' me, about to go to a real live Carnivale parade ON MARDI GRAS DAY. How cool is that?
We get to our grandstand location a few blocks away from Sunday night's spot, and we no sooner arrive and the parade starts. I will let
photo do the talking, but this parade takes almost three hours, and I am having the
time of my life
Krewe of Rex
parade immediately follows (so much that we weren't sure when one parade ended and another started). Rex marches on and on (Side note; Other than the gorgeous floats and the pageantry surrounding it, the truth is the parades all have the same pattern...
float with costumed people throwing stuff
, a
marching band
not playing anything,
then another float
so on
). The crowd in our section of grandstand starts thinning out, and who do we see down our row? Fried Chicken and Boyfriend! They don't notice us at first, and she is acting just as she had done the day before.
The Rex parade ends, and My-Sugar-Na has had enough (what? At only the 5-1/2 hour mark?) She convinces me that she is OK to walk back to the hotel while I stay for the
Krewe of Elks Orleanians
parade. This was the same but different. The previous parade floats were pulled by old John Deere or International Harvester
. The Elks Orleanians floats are all pulled by big
, and there are no marching bands. They just pass one
. The good news is that by this time, the crowd has really thinned out, so the thrown-stuff-per-parade-watcher ratio is close to 1:1, but the bad news is that I've had junk thrown at me for almost 7 hours and I don't even bother trying to catch stuff any more. This doesn't affect Fried Chicken and Boyfriend though, as they keep me company during the Elks Orleanians parade. They end up with four bags of stuff... I wonder if they forget that they have to carry all this stuff back to their car or hotel, and how are they going to get it all on the plane back to San Jose?
I already had been wondering what the chance is that in a tourist town on a mega-tourist event, that two sets of tourists would be at two completely separate events, within speaking distance of each other, when it occurred to me; Maybe I was being tailed by the Feds, and they were in charge of keeping us at hand. I don't believe in conspiracy theories, but if Fried Chicken and Boyfriend would have ended up at Mass the next day in the same pew, or bowling in Baton Rouge a couple of days later, I might have had to rethink that.
I walk back to our hotel with our bag of loot and we plot our course for
Mardi Gras evening
. I had tried to talk to some locals about what they do on Mardi Gras evening, but I couldn't get a straight answer, just basically "Well, you won't find us in the French Quarter!". One police officer did say that a lot of locals have house parties with friends and families. That said, since we didn't have a house, nor friends or family in town, we were going to go be a tourist again. But instead of Bourbon Street, we were going to go back to Frenchmen Street and listen to some music.
We started our walk to the
Riverfront Streetcar
with a slight side trip to
Mother's Restaurant
another touristy-wait
) for my first real-life Po' Boy. And after having one? Well, it is just a glorified sub sandwich. Good, yes, but there was no real secret ingredient that gave it that zazz that I was expecting. We both had the
Famous Ferdi
, which is roast beef, ham, "debris" (the ends and bits of the beef that come off the roast and end up in the au jus), mayo, lettuce, onion and Creole mustard. I had expected the meat to be hot, but they were the temperature of cold cuts. Only the debris was hot, which gave a weird sensation of cold meat and warm juice. Dinner's done, on to the music.
The Riverfront Streetcar stop is about three blocks from our hotel, and will drop us off about three blocks from Frenchmen Street. The problem is that I couldn't get a square answer as to the last return trip of the streetcar. One part of the transit system website indicated special Mardi Gras times that went past midnight, another part indicated that Mardi Gras day would be on the Saturday schedule, and the conductor said the last streetcar would leave Frenchmen Street at 10:00 PM. Not wanting to risk it, we used 10:00 PM for the end of Mardi Gras.
I found out that the
Treme Brass Brand
was playing at
(Side note; I hate when a proper name is lowercase). They
started at 8:00
and took a break at 9:30, which perfectly allowed us to get back to the streetcar for the (possibly) last trip back towards our hotel.
One of the traditions of Mardi Gras day is that at the stroke of Midnight, the
police chase the tourists off the street
(that time being when Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season begins). When we were back in the hotel, it occurred to me that with as immersed as I was in Mardi Gras, I didn't take it to the end. But that's OK, including the all day drive on Saturday, it was a long four days.
Wednesday, Feb 22
- Another touristy thing that needed to be done was to have an order of
and a cafe au lait at
Cafe du Monde
in the French Quarter. Beignets are basically doughnuts, with an insane amount of powdered sugar on them. We again hopped the Riverfront Streetcar and were at the cafe in a few minutes...
again waiting in line
. Apparently we are not the only ones to get our dining ideas from the Food Network or the
Travel Channel
The line wasn't too long, but there wasn't anybody to seat us... it is kind of like we're standing in line on our honor, and when someone leaves the next in line takes the dirty table. I wasn't crazy about that at all, and when it was our turn to grab a table, I just stood over it. It took a few minutes for this tiny Philpino waitress to come around and she told me to sit, but she
didn't clean the table
. When she finally did get around to it, she took a Handi Wipe and turned this insane amount of leftover powder sugar into a sludge that got all over my arms when I finally did sit down. Not cool. The beignets were fine, the cafe au lait was good too, but the dirty cafe took a shine off of this TV treasure.
The next stop was to the
St. Louis Cathedral
a couple of blocks away for Ash Wednesday Mass. I didn't realize the significance of this church, but the
Archbishop of New Orleans
said the Mass in front of a standing-room only, um, crowd and a bunch of news cameras. We
just missed being on TV, though
, as we were in the pew right in front of the bald, black guy getting ashes at the 0:33 mark.
The last "destination" dining locale was next, at
Johnny's Po Boy Restaurant
, which was a couple of blocks from the Cathedral (and
another opportunity to stand in line
). Another Po Boy was on the menu, but since it was a Holy Day and a day of fasting, I sacrificed and my
Po Boy with fried shrimp
. Again, I don't see the knee-buckling fascination with Po Boys. It was a good sandwich purchased and eaten in an historic location, but it wasn't better than anything you could get from any sub shop around here.
Back to the hotel to get the packed car, and we headed the
75 miles west to Baton Rouge
for why I am told we traveled to Louisiana... to bowl the
National tournament
(Side note; You might have noticed that this report has been quite long to this point. The good news for you,
Gentle Reader
, is that most of the notable "stuff" happened on the first half of the vacation, and the back half isn't quite as, well, notable. The rest of this will go relatively quickly.)
After checking into our Baton Rouge home, we had a quick dinner at the
(Side note; Picadilly is a
cafeteria-style family restaurant
. You get your tray then ask the
lunch lady
to give you your food. The special this particular day was "Parmesan crusted fish", but none of the three lunch ladies we asked had any clue what fish was crusted in Parmesan. But being vacation, I grabbed one of them with a side of turnip greens. Good eatin', huh?) then met most of the bowling buddies to bowl the
40-Frame Game
, which is a tournament with one continuous 40 frame game, with each frame having a special hook... 9-pin tap frame, a strike being worth 10 bonus pins, cash for a strike, etc. It was also the first hint that we'd have approach issues, as they were so tacky that they actually
brought out a floor buffer
to try to make them slidable.
I bowled the best of our bunch (but not sure if I bowled well enough to make any money) but with only four of us, we bowled pretty quickly and were warm and sweaty when we left. We opened the exterior door of Circle Bowl and it was like walking into a sauna. The same front that brought a
few inches of snow to Milwaukee
brought in a storm that increased the temperature and humidity... it was like the middle of summer. It was horrible. We went right back to our hotel and cranked the air conditioning.
Thursday, Feb 23
- A couple things related to the USBC Open Championships fell into place nicely for what could have been an advantage to our group. After Hurricane Katrina, the
River Center in Baton Rouge
was used as a rescue center for those evacuated from New Orleans. The damage from this repurposement allowed for a remodel and expansion of the building. Among the things allowed for were
four "Showcase Lanes"
which could be rented for practice at $90 an hour for ten people ($9 an hour is not a lot to pay for practice) and the practice was on lanes with the same lane condition, pins, etc. that the were used for the tournament. In other words, for $9 bucks a guy, we get a preview of what was waiting for us in the tournament.
What was waiting for us was the toughest lane condition that I think I have ever faced. Only nine of us
showed up for practice
, and not one of us said we ever found a comfortable line during that hour.
That continued when we began our
Team event
that afternoon. I had my lowest three game series in at least five years, and none of the rest of us bowled significantly better (Side note; remember in years past, when I would detail how I bowled? Not this year. Night terrors.)
With our collective tails between our legs, we went to
Parrain's Seafood Restaurant
for a team dinner. It was really cool to get together with everyone and NOT talk about bowling (much). As a group, we had some fantastic gulf seafood (including an great seafood gumbo and an entree of andouille crusted Mahi-mahi on a bed of shrimp, crawfish and onions).
Evening came and morning followed, the sixth day.
Friday, Feb 24
- We bowled the Nationals doubles and singles events in the morning. All I need to say is that for the previous four Nationals (36 games) I had averaged 197. This year? 168. I hate bowling.
In addition to bowling like donkey dung, I had already bowled 13 games (and maybe about three more during the practice session) with sticky approaches (humidity can really wreak havoc with plastic approaches) and my knees were in pretty rough shape. So what did I do? Right. Promised My-Sugar-Na that I'd bowl a doubles tournament with her. But first, I needed some lunch, so we met Bowling Uncle UJ and Ain't B at the
Cheesecake Bistro by Copelands
(think Cheesecake Factory).
Lunch was good but unremarkable, but that
Butter Pecan Cheesecake
. OMG! (a shoutout to the youngsters still tuned in). I am not a huge cheesecake fan, but the cake itself was light and airy, with huge pecans, and this warm buttery carmel topping. Sigh. I could take one right about now.
We wish my aunt and uncle a good trip back (they, too, are driving instead of flying) and we head to Metro Bowl for the
Bowlers Journal Handicapped Mixed Doubles
tournament. In short, I still hate bowling, now my wife hates it, too, and my knees hurt even more. What could make it better? Right, cramming into a Ford Focus for a
six hour drive to Tunica
We head north on US-61, and after a few hours we realize that we hadn't had dinner. But it is after 9:00 PM and we kinda just want to get to Tunica, so we find a
gas station
for some schnecks. Rick's Express (my new favorite gas station in Shaw, MS) at that time on a Friday night serves only to sell its clientele 40 ouncers of beer for $1.99 a bottle. But as we are looking for a soda and bag of chips, I see this little old lady way in back over a flat top grill. I ask her if the grill is open, and she asks "What do you want, honey?" I love this place already. I ask for a grilled cheese sandwich (it is a
Friday during Lent
, you know), she asks how I want my bread grilled, how much cheese, and butter or margarine. Meanwhile, My-Sugar-Na is hiding behind my skirt as one, um, barely legal teen after another comes in and buys a bottle or two of beer. She said that she feared for the car and the stuff in it... out of state plates and all, but would be more afraid of being outside in the car with out of state plates. After a couple of minutes, I had my sandwich and we were back on the road.
She asked me how the sandwich was. I said it tasted like hamburger, chicken, bacon, etc. Might have possibly have been the best sandwich ever.
Saturday, Feb 25
- This part happened at midnight, but it kind of goes hand in hand with the checkout, so I will put this as a Saturday thing.
Harrah's Tunica casino
is about a half mile or so from the Harrah's-owned hotel that we had been booked in.
When we checked into Harrah's
Veranda Hotel
in Tunica, they didn't have the room that had been comped for me. Although in the big picture it wasn't a big deal, after a week on the road, crappy bowling and a long ride, I wasn't in the mood. But what took the cake was the absolute un-heartfelt apology from the clerk. I would have just rather that she said "Take your free damn room and go to bed". I told her that she can apologize until she is blue in the face, and I swear, she apologized again! I had to go to the car and let My-Sugar-Na finish checking in because I was besides myself.
So about 10:00 AM, we plan to check out, then gamble a bit, eat brunch, gamble some more, then hit the road towards St. Louis. When we go to check out, the clerk (a different, equally helpful soul) tells us that they can't comp the room since we hadn't gambled at their property. Besides the fact that the confirmation didn't say that I had to gamble to be comped (I had over 40,000 points on my card, which is well more than needed for the $25 room) I was stunned that after staying less than 10 hours, I had to travel a half mile and gamble just to check out. It didn't make any sense. Fuming, I did go down the road and put exactly one point on my card, then went to the VIP Host and made him check me out from his office. I could see if the casino was attached to the hotel - it wouldn't be that inconvenient to earn a point - but no quarter was given because of the relative locations.
So once we got the check-out complete, we went to
non-Harrah's properties
to gamble for awhile. Showed them who's boss.
Soon we were
on the road
Harrah's St. Louis
, and the first thing out of my mouth upon check in was "Don't treat me like they did in Tunica". And check-in (and check-out the next day) couldn't have been smoother.
We had dinner at
Kelly English Steakhouse
at Harrah's, and for the first time with a $35 steak, I wasn't happy. I ordered it medium rare and received it well done. I sent it back (and watched My-Sugar-Na finish her steak) and then mine came back out. But it was way over seasoned, and wasn't very good. I didn't want to send it back again, so I grinned and beared it. They did buy me a beer for my troubles, so there is that... (Side note that I probably should have included above, but oh, well; I have developed an affinity for
Abita Purple Haze
, which is a wheat beer with raspberries added. I had considered buying a case to bring home, but I wimped out. Their website says that I can get it from Discount Liquor, I'll have to check.)
After getting my kiester handed to me in the casino, we went to bed, and tucked myself in the last hotel bed of the trip.
Sunday, Feb 26
- I don't have much. We checked out and drove home.
I do want to give props to my
Gas Buddy app
on my Android (it is also available for the iPhone and
). I saved a ton of money on gas along the way. You tap the center icon that says "Find Gas Near Me", then it gives you a map with all nearby gas stations and their reported prices. The map is interactive so that you can slide down the road and see what is up ahead. The best example of savings was as were leaving Missouri. Gas had crept up to about $3.56 as we headed into Illinois, and at that point all we saw was gas in the $3.75 range... made me wish we had gotten gas in St. Louis. But I pulled out the phone and found that about
50 miles up the road
, gas was still at $3.51. We did get gas there, and it was (by far) the lowest gas price we found in all of Illinois.
I still hate bowling. But next year's Nationals will be in
Reno in mid-to-late-May 2013
I may try it again by that date.


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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Paterson Patterson Wyman & Abel was formed in January 2006 by partners Douglas A.S. Paterson, Q.C., Robert L. Patterson, Jodi L. Wyman and Scott D. Abel. Paterson Patterson Wyman & Abel ("Patersons") is a general practice law firm with offices in Brandon, Neepawa, Virden, Clear Lake and Killarney. As a seven lawyer firm we are proud to offer a full range of legal services to local, regional and national clients, while keeping in mind our rural roots. At Patersons we are always working to provide our services in an efficient and cost-effective manner, and strive for excellence in all areas of the law. Our practice areas includeread more...
Patersons' Brandon Office is located in Carriage House, 1-1040 Princess Avenue. Carriage House was built in 1939, and was formerly home to the Brandon Bus Depot, of which many Brandon residents hold fond memories. In 1984 the partners of Paterson, Bass and Dubois purchased the building and transformed it into a full-service law firm. In doing so, the partners preserved many of the building's original details, including the rounded exterior walls, and the glass ceiling that is now a focal point of our library/boardroom. Since being renovated by the partners of Paterson, Bass and Dubois, Carriage House has also been home to the firm Paterson Ross, and most recently to Paterson Patterson Wyman & Abel.
In early 2008 Patersons doubled its physical space by expanded eastward into Unit 2 – 1040 Princess Avenue. This expansion has allowed the firm to grow and has given our very talented support staff some much needed (and greatly deserved) space.
Together, the Partners, Associates and Support Staff of Patersons look forward to serving your legal needs.


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Universal Fit
SonoCore Bryan COA-803+
It's rare to see a dual dynamic driver earphone in the sub $100 range, and that's exactly what we will be taking a look at today. After reviewing top tiered IEM's, I thought it would be good to take a step back and look at some budget IEM's, tailored for all the mid-fi people wandering around on the market. The SonoCore COA-803+ is a dual dynamic driver earphone that...
AO Safety 99014 Blockade Noise Isolating Earbuds
Radically reduces external noise that interferes with your music. Ends dangerously loud music struggling to compete with mowers, chain saws, hammers and other loud sounds. Hearing Protector Type: Noise Isolating Earbuds, Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) (dB): 24, Pairs (qty.): 3, Case Included: Yes


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Deeplinks Blog posts about Patents
There are many reasons software patents cause so much trouble. The Patent Office does not do a good job reviewing software patent applications to see if they are claiming something new. And these patents often describe the purported invention with highly vague and ambiguous language. Software patents also tend to claim every way to solve a problem, rather than the particular solution developed by the applicant. This is known as functional claiming. While it may seem like an arcane legal dispute, functional claiming is a key feature of overbroad software patents.
In the movement toward patent reform, the Patent Office, Congress, and the courts aren't the only targets for change. Individual and corporate patent owners have steps they can take to reduce the harmful effects of software patents and disempower patent trolls, largely through alternative licensing schemes.
We're excited to announce the first set of patents released under one such scheme, the Defensive Patent License (DPL). The 23 patents, owned by EFF cofounder John Gilmore, were created by Pixel Qi, a startup that aimed to advance low-power LCD screens. With these patents under the DPL, anyone can license them royalty-free as long as they license their own patents (and commit to licensing future patents) under the same terms—even if they don't have any patents at all.
Legend has it that trolls turn to stone when faced with sunlight. That's why yesterday, EFF filed a motion in the Eastern District of Texas (a favorite jurisdiction for patent trolls) to intervene and unseal documents in a patent infringement case. In the motions, EFF argues that the plaintiff's infringement contentions (the documents that lay out, step-by-step, why the defendant's product is allegedly infringing the patent) are improperly sealed from public scrutiny.
Yesterday, EFF filed an amicus brief at the Federal Circuit urging it to confirm that U.S. Patent No. 6,585,516 improperly claims ineligible abstract ideas. In the brief, we argue that the patent on using picture menus stored in a database to create meals should never have been granted in the first place. But more importantly, EFF argues that the Federal Circuit should confirm that quick, early decisions as to patent eligibility are vital to clearing our system of bad patents.
Ever wanted to own the latest in "teamwork" technology? Well, you're in luck. On December 8, Penn State is holding a large patent auction, and one of the items is U.S. Patent 8,442,839. This patent purports to describe an improved collaborative "decision-making process." As well as being a good example of a silly patent, this month's winner highlights concerns with universities trying to monetize their patent portfolio. Why would a university, which presumably has a mission of promoting knowledge and innovation, sell an unsuccessful patent that has no value except to a troll?
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- All our glass canisters are hand blown, therefore dimensions may vary slightly.
- All height measurements include the pewter top.
Renaissance Kitchen Canister
Brighten up your kitchen with these colorful glass canisters from Mexico! Painstakingly hand-blown by glass artisans in a studio workshop, you'll appreciate the unique details from traditional craftsmanship. Perfect for keeping snacks or cooking ingredients handy, each canister includes a neoprene gasket on the pewter lid to help keep air sealed inside. Choose from several different lid designs and glass colors. Sets of all three sizes are even available below at a discount!
Please Choose an Item
Helpful Information
Renaissance Kitchen Canister
2011-06-24 My canisters are here and I love them!
"My canisters are here and I love them! They look exactly as I had hoped. Thank you again for all your help."
Geneva M.; Lodi, WI
Renaissance Kitchen Canister 1
Why Shop at La Fuente Imports?


text: For those that don't know, the new video game Indiana Jones and the Staff of kings is coming out tommorrow. But the novel that was supposed to be released later has been canceled. The member of the Raven Indiana Jones Forums have created a petition. Please take 2 minutes of your time and sign this petition. Tank You so much! here's the link http://www.petitiononline.com/IJatSoKN/petition.html also the book has been completely writen and done but it isn't being published...yet


text: FB, I didn't get flagged for fraud, but it did take over a week for the transaction to process. A minor complaint, but the HTS flyer said all prices included tax. Zarana was $14 and the Skystriker $54, IIRC. So why was the total $70.01? I know it's a minor issue to complain about one penny of sales tax, but I'm sure someone did at some point.


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Engineered by TYR for competition, uses some of the most advanced aquatic engineering. With low flatlock stitching to reduce drag for a maximized performance in the water.
Fabrication Logic and Fluid Channel Dynamics a trademark of TYR's allow for this flow with isolated compression technology.
Posted by LAAD on 18th Sep 2013
TYR Fusion 2 Aeroback Short John – we based our initial order on a size 34 (as per the size chart) and ordered one size down to ensure less drag – item had to be returned and reordered for a size 28. However for the price and the quality well worth the investment for a full competitive swim suit
Posted by mee on 18th Mar 2013
being not youthful or fit, this suit is perfect for the coverage it provides and, if you follow the size guide recommended by the manufacturer, the compression applied to the body to prevent wobbly parts from moving around. too bad the next time i need a suit it will most likely be discontinued.
Posted by Tammy -- Swim Team Mom on 8th Dec 2012
My daughter has been on swim team for 3 years now and I decided to get her this suit which was the best decision I could've made. She is now 3 seconds away in 2 strokes from going to state and that was before the suit. Her attitude is now that she has the suit she'll be going to state in all the strokes. Thanks for making a great suit
Posted by Jennifer - Annapolis, MD on 20th Aug 2012
I'm traditionally NOT a 1piece suit gal despite swimming daily and this was a PERFECT option for me. I absolutely love the quality, the fit and the performance...as well as the price...THANK YOU Swimmers Choice!
Choose a currency below to display product prices in the selected currency.


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Photo of the Day: Overeem and Badr Hari 2013
- Written by Dave Walsh
Well, they might not be fighting any time soon, as Badr Hari is currently a man without a home and Alistair Overeem is happy in his UFC contract, but fans can dream, can't they? These two have met in the ring twice now, with each having a win over each other, but they have been training together recently at Mike's Gym, which just proves that anything can happen in combat sports and that there really is no such thing as mortal enemies, right? [source]


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The Florida Bar
Standing Committees
Eminent Domain
The scope and function of the Eminent Domain Committee is to study and keep informed of recent developments in the field of condemnation of private property for public use by governmental agencies or private companies who have the power of eminent domain. It should keep the members of the Bar informed of developments of great significance in this field, maintain liaison with private companies and governmental agencies who have and use the power of eminent domain, and study and consider legislation, law or problems in the area of eminent domain law as developed by the committee or assigned by the president or the Board of Governors.
Eminent Domain Committee Newsletter (13 pg.)
Staff Contact Chase Early
[Revised: 7-1-2016]


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Grado GR10 In-ear Headphones
" I am lost for words for 2 reasons, 1st: These in ears behave much more like over ears headphones in all the good ways. 2nd: these deserve to be much more popular than they are, I am simply shocked that there is not much more renowned! I currently own the Shure SE535's as well as Sennheiser IE8 and have used and owned many of the 500 and under earphones, such as Monster Turbine Copper Pro..." --Tenor123
Grado GR8 In-Ear Headphones
" I love the full size grado HF2 and older grado's but these do not sound good to my ears. Strident and uneven. These were not lovingly crafted or dialed in. There was no 'man' behind the tuning of these and this is evident in the final product. I'd love to see grado come out with a smooth yet dynamic sounding iem similar to the HF2 but am not holding my breath, especially when I've found..." --thelostMIDrange
• Pro quality sound reproduction • Acoustically-tuned and balanced high end 12.5mm Neodymium driver • Vertical earphone design delivers a high-definition sound stage • Noise-isolating technology further isolates outside noise and enables deep punchy bass for the ultimate audio experience • Copper-Clad Aluminum Wire (CCAW) voice coils for accurate and linear...
Spider TinyEar
" **** Please note that I received these from Spider Cable for free [ http://www.head-fi.org/t/564608/spider-gives-away-20pcs-tinyear-micro-driver-iem ] I've owned these IEMs for about a week now, and in that time I've used them exclusively and quite often. I don't have any IEMs in this price range (~$40) other than my Meelec M6 (which I haven't used in months because they..." --earthpeople


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The Board of Governors is seeking applicants for the following vacancy to be filled during its February 1, 2013, meeting:
The Florida Bar Foundation Board of Directors: Two lawyers to serve three-year terms, commencing July 1, 2013, on this 33-member board of directors which administers Florida's IOTA program. Directors shall be members of the Foundation during their term(s) as directors.
Persons interested in applying for this vacancy may download and complete the application and review the "Expectations for Service of Board Members" from the Bar's website, www.floridabar.org, or may call Bar headquarters at (850) 561-5757, to obtain these documents. Completed applications must be submitted to the Executive Director, The Florida Bar, 651 East Jefferson Street, Tallahassee, 32399-2300, no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, December 14. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application.
[Revised: 12-13-2016]


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5 Reviews
Whew, there it is.
Don't panic—you didn't forget to pack a sleeping bag. The Marmot Plasma 30 Sleeping Bag is just so compact and lightweight that it may feel like you left it at home. It's not designed for Arctic expeditions, but for summer and moderate shoulder-season trips; its super-high-loft 875-fill down will keep you plenty warm without slowing you down or taking up space in your pack. The insulation's also been treated with Down Defender to improve its water-resistance, and the tough-but-ultralight Pertex Quantum shell has internal and external DWR coatings as well, to shed water and keep your down as fluffy as the day you bought it.
It would be tough to make a bag with a traditional design this light, but the Plasma uses Insotect Flow vertical baffles, which help direct heat to the wrap-around footbox, keeping your toes warm without the need for extra down. Leaking and drafts are minimized, too, with help from the insulated draft tube, collar, and face muff, so you don't have to deal with cold air sneaking into your bag and ruining your night.
- 30-degree rating
- 875-fill goose down with Down Defender water-resistant treatment
- Mummy bag with Insotect Flow vertical baffles
- 10D Pertex Quantum nylon ripstop fabric
- Ultralight
- Drawcord hood with insulated collar and draft tube
- Wrap-around footbox construction
- Two-way zippers with garage
- Hang loops
- Item #MAR003F
Tech Specs
Gearhead Help
Tech Specs
- Reviews
What do you think about this product?
Have questions about this product?
review flagged as Promoting another site. Click here to view.
Great Bag
I used this bag on an 8 day, 7 night Yosemite trip in mid-September. I was in a 3 season tent, sleeping on top of a Synmat Hyperlight air mattress (r value of 3.3). It got down to low 40s, and even into the 30s some nights, but I was never cold (although I did have to mummy-up a couple times). The most I ever had to wear was lightweight long underwear, liner socks, and a fleece hat, which I didn't mind since I was already packing the weight. Perfect for ultralight excursions when there could be a wide range of temperatures. This bag was the second lightest bag I tested, the Mountain Hardwear Mtn Speed 32 being the 1st. After dealing with several frustrations with the Mtn Speed 32, like extreme claustrophobia, difficulty getting in and out (it only has a half-length zipper that snags), and cold spots, I decided that all the extra space and features of the Plasma 30 were more than worth a few extra ounces. The Plasma 30 is a masterpiece. I read a review questioning its durability, but that must have been a fluke, because mine took a beating and the Pertex Quantum and stitching held together just fine. No snags or tears. The zipper occasionally gets caught on the draft tube, but I've never had a bag where this didn't happen. A quick reversal fixes it quickly. Finally, the vertical baffles really do make a difference. My feet were cold upon crawling into the bag a few nights, but the heat transfer from the rest of my body warned them up more quickly than I'm used to from some of my old bags. This bag is 200% better than anything I've ever owned.
Phenomenal Bag
- Familiarity: I've used it several times
I just wrapped up a 4 night Trans-Zion backpacking trip with this sleeping bag and thoroughly love this new piece of equipment. Marmot has designed a great sleeping bag for mid-spring to mid-autumn in the desert.
First, the Plasma 30 is extremely light. I knew this when purchasing but its ridiculous to feel it in hand. Historically I have strayed from going too light for issues of durability but....
Second, the Pertex Quantum this bag uses for its shell and lining is by far the most down-proof material I have ever experienced. After almost a week of use and compression I have yet to see a single down feather. I have never used a piece of down equipment that didn't lose at least one feather a trip. Not a hint of this bag giving up a feather yet which means its will keep its warmth rating much longer.
Third, the shape and features on this bag are perfect for my body and sleeping style. The zipper is long enough for ease of use while ending well above the toe-box for thermal efficiency. The draft collar came in handy for my first night when the temperatures dropped to 25F, which only required that add my down vest to keep warm (this bag is accurately labeled at 30-32 for my body temp). And the hood is well designed as well: it has the proper lanyards for cinching while also being fashioned in a way for me to open it up and breathe when side sleeping. I move alot while sleeping and found this bag worked perfectly on my side or back.
All-in-all.....I can't imagine a better design coming from a major company for a lightweight summer and shoulder season sleeping bag. Compressable, proper EN temperature rating, durable and comfortable. And I really can't provide enough praise for the Pertex Quantum they chose to use.
(Per the zipper issues...they seem to be a thing of the past. Never had a problem with the new 2014 model.)
I like this bag
- Familiarity: I've used it several times
I have the 2013 model and after about five uses, I really like it. I agree that the zipper tends to snag a little too often on the bag, but it comes un-stuck pretty easily most of the time. The loft is great, the bag itself is unbelievably smooth, comfortable and it is ridiculously light. I tend to sleep a little cold, and last night was the coldest night I have had in it; 35* and I wore socks, a pair of Under Armour tights, a 160 Icebreaker base layer with a North Face DNP hoodie and was spot-on comfortable; never hot and never a shiver - perfectly warm. Some might say the bag sleeps cooler than the 30* rating, I prefer to say I sleep cold...which I definitely do. It was on sale here, but they must have run out so I got it somewhere else at the on-sale price...which is good, as I couldn't justify paying close to $500 for this unless you are a _serious_ weight weenie and are only camping in moderate weather. Can't discuss wet-weather/conditions performance yet, but will when I experience that.
Any update? Im debating on buying this new version or the order one.
No wet weather use yet; can't comment. I would recommend going for the '13 bag if you can still find it, though...
Not too warm, very bad zipper problem
- Familiarity: I've used it several times
This is a very comfortable bag filled with a lot of quality down. The outer material is very soft and the neck baffles do a good job of comfortably preventing drafts from getting in. It lofts significantly when and unpacked and can be compressed very tightly--I definitely believe that this is 900-fill down.
However, I don't recommend this bag at all. First off, it's ridiculously expensive for a 30 degree back, a rating that is very questionable. Technically, the EN low end comfort limit is 32 deg (which they rounded down to 30), so this is is more suited for temps of 45+. I would even say that I would be slightly cold in this bad at 50 deg, unless I were wearing some sort of sweater or jacket. This is definitely a summer bag, unless you intend to wear a down jacket while sleeping in the shoulder seasons.
The main problem, and the reason why I hate this bag though, is that the zipper constantly snags. I would say 3/4 times of unzipping or zipping this bag, the zipper gets caught on the extra flap of fabric used to insulate the zipper. The thinness and slipperiness of the outer fabric makes it very easy for it to flap around get caught in.
Sounds like a minor problem, but becomes especially problematic when it's cold at night and you want to zip up, but then the zipper snags and you have to figure out how to fix it in the dark, which can seriously take a two or three minute, then fall back asleep. Or if you're really hot and you can't quickly unzip the damn thing. I should be able to consistently make these quick adjustments in my sleep without being woken up to fix this stupid problem. This has happened to me on several occasions. I'm a sensitive sleeper and the fact that making comfort adjustments wakes me up means I'm returning this pack. Imagine having to get out of your bag, put on your boots, and walk out of your tent at night to zip/unzip the mesh it if it's too hot/cold. You really have to do more than fiddle around to fix these snags.
I had this Marmot bag in my cart until a...
I had this Marmot bag in my cart until a few weeks ago when it apparently sold out and was removed. At that time it had many strong reviews; now it's available again and it has only one 2 star review. It's also $200 more now and even more expensive than the Plasma 15. No longer being on sale is my loss for waiting but what happen to the reviews? Was there a discrepancy with the previous reviews? I tend to lean heavily on reviews and want to ask before I pursue this bag again.
My review was based on last year's model. It seems that model is no longer in stock and this year's model is slightly different as it has the new water-resistant down that's becoming very popular. I would doubt that they made any changes to the zipper and to me the WR down is actually a negative. The longevity seems unproven and the fact that WM considers it a "gimmick" has convinced me that it's not really all that impressive.
The reason for the change in reviews and price are because this is the 2014 version of the Marmot Plasma 30. This bag has been updated and is new for this season, so it will be receiving its own list of reviews independent from last season's model.
Since ryan2206705 has stated that his review is about the 2013 model, I guess we actually don't have any reviews currently for the 2014 model.
Happily, I have had some experience with the 2014 Marmot Plasma 30 and I was very impressed with the bag overall including the changes that were made to improve it over last year.
First of all the zipper was improved to decrease the risk of snagging which was somewhat of a problem in previous editions, though I must say, no more of a problem than on most other sleeping bags. This bag also employs Marmot's 875 fill Down Defender WR down which has a "wet-out" limit 10 times longer than untreated down. If you constantly find yourself sleeping in a waterproof tent where moisture is not a concern, this attribute may seem irrelevant or even gimmicky. However, if you are sleeping in the open air or on a bivy ledge where moisture is a constant threat, treated down comes in handy pretty quickly.
When it comes to price, it is true that you can find a lot of 30 degree bags out there for less money, and even plenty of 30 degree down bags. But the whole point of the Marmot Plasma line is to design bags that are extremely light and compactible for their temp rating. When judged by this standard, the Marmot Plasma 30 becomes a very good value for the quality of the product you are getting.
So in the end I think you have to analyze your own intended use. If you are looking for a solid 3 season bag that is super light weight and compactible, with channeled baffles for excellent down distribution, and you could really benefit from a water-resistant treated down, than this is the bag is a very good option for you.
Mike, thanks for the info. I should have read the specs closer and I would have noticed the differences. It would help if there was a "new" banner of some sort identifying the change. This also explains the 2 plasma 15's selling for 2 different prices as well.


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Programming basics, variables, expressions and statements
I will post further material, tips and tricks and cheat sheet for the same.
After a couple of days I will post a few programming puzzles that
relate to security,
will cover only the material of the above two chapters and
will show you how to apply these concepts.
We'll discuss these puzzles in this thread only.


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OK so here's a little background, I have a 2yo CLM who is the best duck dog I have ever had. He sits calmly in the boat or field, does not break (at least so far), does not wine while waiting, makes excellent marks and multiple blind retrieves, can somewhat cast ( trained myself, never sent away for PRO training) excellent family pet and super friendly to everyone and any dogs. With that being said, I also pheasant hunt a lot and he is IMO not a pheasant hunting dog. He will make retrieves, flush, and hunt for them but never hard or fast. He will not work birds around anybody but me since he always stays within 30 yards at all times from me and comes to check in with me very frequently. Not saying this is a bad trait but not exactly what I want in a pheasant dog. So here's my question. Do I consider getting another lab for pheasant hunting only and keep him nice and calm for waterfowl. Or get a different breed all together? It would be nice for him to have a kennel mate also.
Note: I do not want to breeds dogs, that's not my department or expertise. He is a outside dog by himself in a very large 30'x50' outside kennel with heated dog house so there is plenty of room to put separate runs for two dogs.


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Log In now to add this Gigapan to a group gallery.
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About This GigapanToggle
- Taken by
- David Engle
- Explore score
- 115
- Size
- 0.09 Gigapixels
- Views
- 9526
- Date added
- Aug 22, 2010
- Date taken
- Aug 21, 2010
- Gear
Leica D-Lux 3
- Categories
- Galleries
- Competitions
- Tags
- riverwalk, paseo, texas, ricew, wendy, antonio, san, walk, river, del, rio, bill, clinton
- Description
One of the most popular places to visit in the State of Texas; these two links explain it all: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Antonio_River_Walk and hubpages.com/hub/Texas-San-Antonio-Riverwalk-Fun-tourist-destination
As for my friends (tinyurl.com/Wendy001 ) and I, we had a wonderful time eating at this restaurant, riding the River Boat and walking around seeing the sights.
This 15-photo hand-held panorama was taken with a Leica D-Lux 3 camera and stitched as usual using the GigaPan Stitcher, version 1.0.0804.
Note: This panorama can be seen in Google Earth as a curved panorama on a curved surface by clicking the link, View in Google Earth (assuming that you have Google Earth installed on your computer).
Gigapan Comments (10)Toggle Minimize gigapan_comment
As I have alluded to elsewhere in comments, Houston does not have many GigaPan moments. Basically, what I have found for the most part are the numerous vistas around the small campus of Rice University: tinyurl.com/RiceUniversity . Elsewhere in the city, there may be a few more worthwhile panoramas and I will continue to search; however, recently the Houston Chronicle has this to say about the lack of tourism in the city: www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/busin ess/7192397.html /. We have the rodeo that brings in a good crowd, but that lasts two weeks, and Offshore Technology Conference that brings in *many* visitors from all over the world, but that is only for a week or less. On the other hand, if I were to have taken the Living-it-Up on the Riverwalk at 8PM versus 11AM, you would have a blur of people as thousands come to the Riverwalk every night almost the entire year. San Antonio is the number-one city in the State of Texas for potential GigaPan activity.
I'd be surprised if a city as big as Houston doesn't have any tourism business. I guess size is no guarantee but even places like Birmingham in the UK - which in most UK people's minds is a sprawling industrial place - has made an effort to create places to attract tourists. Eg what were industrial wastelands now look like this gigapan.org/gigapans/49074/
Tourists in the city are here for typically on business and are staying downtown and are visiting the city during the summer, SO they stay inside where there is cool or cold air conditioning. Now the opposite end of the tourist spectrum are the homeless and in recognition of their transportation requirements, I have created some GigaPans: tinyurl.com/HoustonMetroRail-Redli ne especially ... tinyurl.com/Homeless001 They ride the train from the inner city to the church to have breakfast and then the train back home, only to return to one of these churches for lunch: www.gigapan.org/gigapans/28917/ Note: There are no homeless to be seen on the Riverwalk. San Antonio deals with this problem differently than the manner that Houston does ... maybe that is why there are so many of these unfortunate people here in Houston.
Surely Houston must have some kind of plaza where people go to eat/drink? The sort of place that appeals to tourists?
For me, that task may be challenging; however, for you it is much easier: www.gigapan.org/gigapans/22509/ and www.gigapan.org/gigapans/45254/ All you had to do is to walk a few blocks from where you live, but as for me, I would have to drive and drive and drive many miles. On the other hand, simply moving a few hundred yards east and south would have provided me with another memorable vista along the San Antonio River.
This is a very picturesque scene. I wonder if you can find other places - presumably for the rich and famous - of equal prettiness?
right and preferably, cash. If you loose your cash, by rook or crook, you are out some money; however, if you loose your credit card, then you have a *problem*
Ah, you mean it's a case of "If you have to ask, you can't afford it."
When you eat or drink on the Riverwalk, you can't be concerned about prices as about 200 feet behind the family is where they serve ice-cold Texas beer in champaign buckets.
This looks like a really nice place. How much is the coffee though?
Where in the World is this GigaPan?Toggle
Stitcher NotesToggleMinimize
GigaPan Stitch version 1.0.0804 (Macintosh)
Panorama size: 89 megapixels (21528 x 4180 pixels)
Input images: 15 (15 columns by 1 rows)
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8 North American Fighters to Keep an Eye On
- Written by Dave Walsh
With Jarrell Miller winning a spot in the K-1 Final 8 tournament bracket, the possibility of more Americans competing at an international level in kickboxing doesn't seem so unbelievable anymore. As K-1 is breaking into mainstream U.S television next year, it's almost guaranteed that they'll be looking to use local talent. Here's a list of 8 promising North American fighters you might be seeing in the future.
1. Matt Embree/Canada
Embree's had a good year, picking up a win over Nils Widlund and defeating Coke Chanhuwat for the WBC International Interim belt at LionFight 5, although he most recently lost a decision to Lerdsilla Chumpairtour in August. Embree was originally scheduled to face Kevin Ross a few months ago, but Ross was forced to withdraw due to an injury. If this fight happens in the future, it'll almost certainly be fireworks
2. Andy Singh/USA
If you didn't catch Andy Singh at LionFight 7, you missed out. He defeated Anthony Castrejon for the 118 pound WBC National Title, using vicious face-teeps to bloody Castrejon en-route to a decision victory. I expect to see Singh fighting internationally soon, as there aren't too many challengers for him in the States.
3. Ognjen Topic/USA
Topic is a guy to watch for sure. He recently TKO'd Rami Ibrahim to take home the WBC International Super Featherweight title at Warriors Cup XV. Topic is a big featherweight, and I could see him making the move to one of K-1's new, lighter-weight divisions.
4. Eddie Walker/USA
There's been a lot of talk about Eddie "Showtime" Walker lately. After KO'ing Joe Schilling at LionFight 7, many people questioned whether his win was luck or skill, Regardless, Walker's stock has skyrocketed in the past few weeks, and there will be a significant amount of pressure on his shoulders when he enters the K-1 ring for the first time.
5. Gabriel Varga/Canada
Varga made some serious waves in September when he defeated Lerdsilla in a superfight at K-1 Rising. A heavy underdog, Varga pressed Lerdsilla the entire match and prevented the Thai from being his usual elusive self. He is expected to fight on K-1's HW Grand Prix card in New York.
6. Brett Hlavaceck/USA
Hlavaceck currently has a record of 6-0 in Muay Thai, with his last win being over Harry Baker in England. He's been touted as "the next big thing" by more than a few people, and despite being nearly 30 years old, could have a bright future in the sport. He'll be fighting Stephen Richards at The Warriors Cup XVI on November 3rd for a WBC National title.
7. Joseph Valtellini/Canada
With a professional record of 6-1, Bazooka Joe tasted defeat for the first time at LionFight 7, dropping a decision to the experienced Gregory Choplin. Joe's previous 6 fights all ended by way of TKO, which speaks both to Choplin's skill and Valtellini's knockout power. He plans to fight again in December.
8. Cyrus Washington/USA
If you follow American Muay Thai even a little bit, then you probably know Cyrus Washington. He's been on somewhat of a rough streak lately, losing two in a row to Nieky Holzken and Ky Hollenbeck, before taking time off to train MMA fighters. Washington's next bout is going to be at Muay Thai at the Mecca 2, which goes down November 10th. It'll be good to to see if "Black Dynamite" can return to form after the break.


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Updated on 30 September 2013
Scientists discover that monocytes are able to capture the virus in chronically-infected patients and use it to boost the patient's own immune response
Singapore: Scientists at A*Star's Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS) and the Singapore Immunology Network (SigN) have used patients' own blood to treat infection. This has led to the birth of a new personalised treatment strategy that can help patients suffering from diseases like HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, among others. The findings have been published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation.
Patients suffering from chronic infections either undergo long periods of anti-viral drug therapy or turn to vaccines in order adress there problems. However, while anti-viral drugs are not fully effective against many viruses, vaccines for patients with chronic infections are often difficult to produce since these patients already have weak immune responses or the vaccine is not effective due to genetic diversity amongst viruses.
The team at SICS led by Professor Antonio Bertoletti discovered that monocytes are able to capture the virus in chronically-infected patients and use it to boost the patient's own immune response. By using the viral antigen already present in the blood of the patient, this strategy redefines therapeutic vaccines by cutting down on time and resources as there is no need to specially isolate the viral proteins from patients, purify it, and then inactivate it to create a vaccine.
All the proteins present within the virus can be used to create a personalised vaccine for each individual. This also means that many of the complex issues associated with current vaccine therapy against chronic infections can be overcome, such as that of genetic diversity of viruses.
One of the greatest beneficiaries of this discovery would be chronically-infected patient populations in lower socio-economic strata. By tailoring vaccines to be more specific to each virus and each patient, vaccine production can be simplified and thus less costly. Vaccines produced via this discovery could improve the accessibility of such treatments.
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All our prices include VAT at 20%


text: Has anyone seen the ROTJ AT-AT in your neck of the woods yet? I see on rebelscum they have reports of it in San Diego and Las Vegas Toys R Us. Cost is $129.99. I live in Ohio and have not seen it yet at Toy R US and it is not listed on the toysrus website yet.


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Thermaltake, In-ear Headset
Thermaltake Tt eSPORTS ISURUS Gaming Earphones Headset With Voice Capability Premium Bass In-Line Microphone Shinning White HT-ISU005EBWH. Premium Bass. In-Line Microphone. Electro-Placed Finishes. Ergonomic Design. 3 Sets of Ear Sleeves. Multimedia Play
Astro Gaming A*Star In-Ear Headset
Cut through the noise. The bold design of the ASTRO A*STAR™ In-Ear Headset is the ultimate in hack-n-slash combat; featuring an in-line medallion with mic, volume dial and answer/hang up button, flat tangle-resistant cables, a PC splitter, three sizes of ear gels and a handy carrycase. Inspired by the light-weight materials and aggressive forms of high performance headgear, the A*STAR...


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Web Stories
Palestinian film series, Dec 5, 11
Posted December 4, 2000; 04:26 p.m.
The Program in Near Eastern Studies is sponsoring a series of films by Arab and Palestinian filmmakers. The last two films will be shown this month.
On Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. in Frist 307, the series features Wedding in Galilee, a richly detailed allegory of marriage, tradition, and national identity by Palestinian director Michel Khleifi. The film is 113 minutes long, in Arabic with English subtitles.
The second film, on Monday, Dec. 11 at 8 p.m. in 113 Jones Hall, is A Day For You, A Day Against. "This documentary film, based on three years of research, explores the historical complexity of the war of 1948 and its impact upon the Arab inhabitants of Palestine, and provides insight into the diversity of Palestinian refugee experiences since then." It is 45 minutes.
Contact: Marilyn Marks (609) 258-3601


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jm1o314 she is beautiful she is sexy she is skinny
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|Research Interests
I work on computer vision to develop computational algorithms that will allow the computer to see the world as we humans do. I am currently working on a number of problems including human recognition through body motion (HumanID), segmentation and grouping, image/video retrieval and intelligent desktop.
My long-term research interests center around a broader area of machine intelligence. I see the development of a "visual thinking" module is not only a way for computer to understand the environment around us, but also a promising path for achieving higher level cognitive abilities such as machine memory and learning.
|Additional Interests
Chair Robotics Institute Seminar
|Research Interest Keywords
|artificial intelligence, computer vision, gesture recognition, machine learning, object recognition
|The Robotics Institute is part of the School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University.
Contact Us | Update Instructions


text: I have tried to post a couple of pictures here and they were too big. I do not know how to re-size them. I have a Photobucket account which automatically re-sizes them. May I post pictures from there to here (I just don't know how to do it)? Computers are obviously not my strong point. Thanks in advance for any help.


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SEXY E-SESSION LOVE | Joyce + Joey + Boudoir | Strike a Pose with Your Honey for the World to See…
I saw this PHENOMENAL e-session on Wedding Chicks the other day and couldn't believe my eyes. Let me explain.
There have been a LOT more risqué photo shoots on the internets these days. But just because they're becoming more prevalent, it doesn't mean I'm getting used to them. Each time I catch a glimpse of a brand spankin' new butt, or the side-most section of a titter-tatter, I feel like a peeping Tom. It's like I'm seeing something I shouldn't be seeing…
But then I scroll down – because you can't look away… I mean, right? – and I'm usually met with a bevy of absolutely stunning, evocative images that prove to me, almost every time, how beautiful and important these sessions truly are to the subjects involved. Of course, there's the obvious drive in pretty much all of us to capture forever on film the smooth, supple skin of our youth… the fleeting, all over "perkiness," if you will. But there's also a deeper, less superficial purpose to these sessions, and it involves the unique bond between these couples. It screams off the page in sessions like these. That electric love experienced by both partners charges these images, and who doesn't want that etched in something that lasts forever… say, film?
Well… Joyce, Joey and Ellen of Hong Studio: this is what I consider a mission accomplished:
I should note here that the shoot wasn't wholly scandalous. I mean, even the finest couple needs a few shots to take home to Grandma. So, Grandma's shots:
Precious. Touching. Totally innocuous. Grandma will never catch on that they were just sexing it up, naked-style half an hour earlier.
Umm… s'cute! as my baby nephew says:
Here's a fun fact: the breathtaking bride-to-be has her own eyelash studio in Vancouver, Canada. Uh, wow, Joyce. I'm impressed. It's called Noir Lash Lounge Inc. Sadly, I couldn't be farther from Vancouver, and I don't have a good enough reason to take a trip out there any time soon. (My bank account doesn't consider eyelashes a good enough reason, and I have to agree with it.) Oh, and by the way, she's not just the owner… she's also a client! HAHAHAHHHH yeah I'll be here all week.
Photos: Hong Photography Studio // via Wedding Chicks


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"For everyone to whom much is given, of him shall much be required." -- Luke 12:48
Raven - Moneybird's Black Magic Marker***
(Esprit's Power Play x Trumarc's Lean Cuisine)
Mick - Moneybird's Jumpin' Jack Flash***
(Clubmead's Road Warrior x Oakdale Whitewater Devil Dog)
Peerless - Moneybird's Sole Survivor
(Two River's Lucky Willie x Moneybird's Black Magic Marker)
Last edited by road kill; 12-18-2012 at 09:55 AM.
Stan b & Elvis
"I guaruntee you I can out shoot a bushmaster .223 at 250 yards with some weapons I own.
And the calibers are much larger than a .223. "
Maybe, big claim as we have never seen you shoot. But I digress.
Your comparison is way off. The murders were commited at extremly close range with a light weight, easily concealed, highly moble, and effective platform. The ease in which an AR platform can be made to be mis-used is, IMO, the issue, not the platform itself. I have not seen any magizines offered in the "holds 30 rounds" class for my BAR.
Again, Cool the posturing and work on solutions Regards
Never trust a dog to watch your food!
I want answers too.
I want to know why every year since the 60's MORE & MORE Gun Regulation Laws have been passed under the guise of 'Protecting the Innocent' yet they have done just the opposite and a strong argument could be made that these laws actually have put MORE innocent people in harms way.
So why? why are all these new laws year after year not working?
Good Read here;
Last edited by Dustin D; 12-18-2012 at 10:09 AM.
Stan, "Secular Progressive" is a term entirely created by Bill O'Reilly. If you read or listen to him expound on the subject, he makes McCarthyites look like Boy Scouts. If you break it down, it actually means "non religious affiliated person or group that seeks new and improved methods". Does NOT mean God hating communists. I know why we own the firearms we do, but definitely do not believe they should be bragged on, advertised, pushed on other people or placed in the hands of any person who accepts a teaching certificate. (I know a lot of really immature, not so bright teachers, also some very talented and capable individuals). What people fear from "assault weapons" is......uh.......assault! People today are so quick to use catch phrases and slogans, that the things are identified by their names, not their function. Weird freakin' world.
PS, was that a new way of saying, "show me yours and I'll show you mine" Little too old for those kinda games!
Carol Howey
Owned and handled by Cruisin' with Indiana Jones, JH
Alternate Handler: Westwind Buffalo Soldier
Apprentice Handler: Snake River Medicine Man, SH


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My dad recently had passed after some time of illness! Not sure why I am posting but just feel empty inside!
He was never a dog man but we had the best relationship a son could ask for. We had many days of riding our Harleys on the back roads of CT and MA, Shooting our handguns at the range and just spending quality time together watching a football game. When growing up he never missed one of my football games, basketball games or a weightlifting meet, a true supporter of my activities/hobbies! I had the opportunity to have him and my mom watch a few HT with my boy Harley and he really started to understand my new passion. Then I got my FT dog Ella and he couldn't understand why she spent so much time away from home with my pro training for FT's, but after I explained he sort of got the drift. I had the opportunity to take him with me to Virginia for a big derby, we had a fantastic time and he really got to see what the FT games are about! We had a nice weekend with a 4th place in a highly contested derby. It was so nice for him to be their and a very special moment to share with my dad! I will continue to miss his support and stive to be the best I can and make him an even more proud dad!
Thanks for listening!


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Even though I sort of spent my entire summer waiting for my favorite season (fall) to arrive, I can't stop missing the warmer weather in the worst way. And this little gem of a wedding sent to us by Love Is A Big Deal has me wishing for a week-long stay on Cuttyhunk Island, like, tomorrow. A New England masterpiece with pastel hues, succulent-filled blooms from Amy's Town Florist and all sorts of romantic details, it's the kind of affair that makes you want to kick off your heels, soak in the salty air and dance the night away. See so much more right here.
From the Bride… Our wedding was everything we imagined it could be and so much more. It's such a unique experience to have all the people you care about in this world, come together in one place to witness and celebrate the love you and your partner in life share. That in itself is pretty incredible, but getting married on Cuttyhunk Island just made everything that much more special. It truly was the best day ever!
When my husband Tom proposed in April of 2012, we knew without a doubt that we wanted to get married on Cuttyhunk Island. Cuttyhunk is a little slice of heaven on earth. The outermost of the Elizabeth islands off of Massachusetts, the tiny island is only one square mile and is home to a couple hundred people in the summer, but only about 20 year round. This island runs at its own speed and no one wears a watch. There are more golf carts than cars, a working phone booth, a one-room schoolhouse, and someone's garage has been turned into a pizza place. Everyone knows everyone and even if they don't you say "hi" anyway.
My paternal great-grandfather fell in love with Cuttyhunk after visiting on a fishing trip and ended up building a summer home on the island where all of my family has spent many wonderful summers. Almost every summer since I was born, I spent a few weeks on Cuttyhunk… fishing, reading, playing scrabble, going on treasure hunts and eating lobster. It is one of my favorite places in the world and always has and always will hold a special place in my heart. From his first visit, Tom too relished visiting the magical little island. It is serene, quiet and the epitome of laid-back and it's the relaxing, low-key nature of the island that is absolutely contagious and what we really love. We knew it was the perfect place to have our wedding.
Everything came together perfectly. Despite a rainy Friday afternoon the lobster bake rehearsal dinner and s'more-filled beach bon fire kicked off the celebration in just the right manner. We woke up to gorgeous clear sunny skies on Saturday and our very personal ceremony was exactly what we had hoped it would be. The party began with an oyster and shrimp filled cocktail hour with Mr. and Mrs. Signature drinks. Then on to tasty food and emotion-filled speeches, followed by an unbelievable dessert bar and non-stop dancing under the tent. Everything about the wedding reflected our location and personal style. From the Save the Dates to our attire to our Polaroid guest book, we wanted people to say "That's Kelly and Tom." It was classic and elegant yet laid-back. We paired artisan handmade pieces (many from Etsy) with natural elements and some nautical touches. Some of my favorite details included the things to-do welcome card with accompanying lobster lollipop, the beachy shades of blue ceremony program fan, the lavender at each place setting, the wooden cake toppers that resembled us and the etched wooden place cards. While time consuming, it was the little details and personal touches that really reflected us, made an impression on guests and brought our wedding vision to life.
My advice to any brides-to-be is to make the day what you and your fiancé want it to be. This day is about you and it should reflect your personal style and the things that are important to you. Also make sure you put time and thought into the ceremony. It is after all the reason for the big party and the most important part of the day. It should be as substantial and meaningful as you two decide it should be. Beyond that have fun! It's easy to get overwhelmed during the planning process and inevitably you will, but try to enjoy it as much as possible. When the big day comes, forget the details and be in the moment. At some point during the reception, take your new husband 's hand and look around at all the people that love you two and are there to celebrate your new life together. You will be taken back and humbled by just how happy, special and loved you feel.
Photography: Love is a Big Deal | Flowers: Amy's Town Florist | Wedding Dress: Augusta Jones | Invitations: Paper Source | Bridesmaids Dresses: J.Crew | Catering: M&C Café | Hair and Makeup: Tricia Keller | DJ: Cape and Islands Entertainment | Bow Ties: The Tie Bar | Groom: Tai Pan Row Tailors, Hong Kong | Venue: Cuttyhunk Fishing Club | Bride's Reception Dress: French Connection | Cuttyhunk Fishing Club: Cuttyhunk Fishing Club | Dessert Bar and Cookie Favors: Artisan Bake Shop | Musicians: The Con Brio Trio | Raw Bar: Raw Bar Catering: Cuttyhunk Shellfish Farms | Rentals and Tent: Chase Canopy | Save the Date: DefineDesign11 | Wedding Dress Style: Augusta Jones


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Someone pointed me to this site as "like Slashdot, only with people who can actually think". Sort of like the Scary Devil Monastery on a web site, I guess, though the "Certification" process seems a mite complex and also, well, kind of limited. Also, what the hell is wrong with calling a Journeyman a "Journeyman"? Ah well, I guess I'll write up something about myself, troll for votes, see who bites... and maybe use the opportunity to get some exposure for my free software tools.
Anyway, I've been writing free software since 1981. I've written a lot of small programs, and worked on a few big ones (a lot of the semantics of Tcl are my fault, for example... Karl Lehenbauer and I contributed a lot of stuff to it early on, though for some reason they scrubbed most of the early contributors names from the sources around the Tcl 6-7 timeframe). I also did Patch Kit 24 to 386BSD and I've been working on FreeBSD since the beginning.
What else? Oh, I'm the demented person who kicked off Usenet II and The Internet namespace Cooperative.
You can see some of the free tools I've written at my software page.
And I can't believe that nobody caught on to the Slashdot lawsuit hoax. Cordwainer Bird? Doesn't anyone read *paper* books any more?
Whoops the diary code needs a little tuning. Somewhere in there it's got a chunk of code that looks something like...
If the last line was blank, insert a <p> at the beginning of this line.
That really borks editing. It really needs to be...
If the last line was blank, and this line doesn't start with a <p> insert a <p> at the beginning of this line.
Does anyone else try to use "vi" commands when editing something in a browser?


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Home > Sustainable Landscapes & Buildings Project > Parking Garden Project
Parking Garden Project
Parking Garden
"A Gateway to Green Living"
Rendering of new Parking Garden in construction. Sven Johnson Illustration
The Parking Garden is composed of a variety of paving materials including permeable pavers to allow infiltration of water and parking bays interrupted by planted bioswales that manage stormwater on site. It will include 6 ADA compliant spaces, 92 standard spaces and 19 overflow spaces (composed of grass grown in a gravel medium) for 117 total spaces. These new landscapes all contribute to QBG's efforts to foster environmental stewardship and enhance the visitor experience.
Click to Enlarge Image. Queens Botanical Garden Master Plan Ilustration
The above illustration demonstrates how the new Parking Garden will manage stormwater, mitigate urban heat island effect and transform the visitor's view of a what defines a parking area.
Other new landscapes are both botanical collections and functional parts of the Garden's water conservation and stormwater management systems. These include bioswales, a green roof, a cleansing biotope, and a constructed wetland.
To learn more about how this project helps our environment, please explore the Sustainable Systems page.
Hours & Directions | Press Room | Copyright 2006 Queens Botanical Garden | 43-50 Main Street, Flushing, NY 11355 | 718.886.3800 | email@example.com
Support to QBG given by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs


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So roseberry glasses if you choose to appreciate cheaters knock yourself out but don't accuse me of doing something illegal that you approve of. If you continue to make false accusations it wouldn't be difficult to track you down and file suit. I ask where is your proof of what is being fed to my chickens?
I have learned I need these dogs much more than they need me. Tim Bockmon
Last edited by roseberry; 01-31-2013 at 05:36 AM.
john mccallie
I don't know about Aaron but Mays was widely known to use amphetamines.
I have learned I need these dogs much more than they need me. Tim Bockmon
Like John said... They are all using something... Hell... I read this morning that golfer Vijay Singh used the deer antler spray that Ray Lewis used. Golfers? It's all about the money.
Bill Davis
well the story now is " deer antler spray"....being a long time deer hunter, I wonder if they are actually using doe urine or doe estrus either of which are the most disgusting vile scents you never want to experience...
seriously the deer antler spray is the stuff that game biologists have been using for years to genetically alter these freaks at game farms across the country which produce freaks of nature, by stimulating excessive cell growth
any insinuations that Mays or Aaron cheated are false....they both possessed bodies sculpted by the almighty...Aaron wielded a bat that was only eclipsed by that of Richie Allen...Mays had it all, he was really the first player that would be considered a 5 tool player ..Mays and Aaron also had to face the likes of Koufax,Gibson,Marichal,Spahn,Drysdale, a dead ball and pitchers ball parks...Mays and Aaron didnt need to cheat they were that good....


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Results 1 to 3 of 3
Stocking Advise - Working w/Angelfish
My 46 gallon tank where I work is pretty bare. I had a big die off over the course of several months (due to old age I'm thinking) and would like to restock it. Right now, all I have is (1) clown pleco, (1) angelfish, (1) julli corycat, and (1) oto cat.
I really want to add a couple of firemouth cichlids, but I know that they can't be mixed with angels so my next choice would be a pair of bolivian rams. I was also considering maybe some gouramis, but I'm concerned about the angels fins/feelers. I'd also like to add a few more corycats to keep my current one company. My question regarding corycats is if the different species will interact with each other. I'm going to try to find jullis, but if I can only find emeralds, will that be ok? Will my current corycat try to mingle wiht them?
Can you recommend any other fish that would be suitable to add? This is a 46 gallon bow front. It's been running for about 8 years now so it's completely established.
One other question, I do not have a QT tank. I only have this 46 gallon, my stocked 75 gallon at home, and an empty 10 gallon at home. If I were to just fill up the 10 gallon and hook up a thermometer and filter now (no gravel, I'll put some type of rock structure in though), would the fish be ok in it for the weekend? I'm looking to pick the fish up on a Friday and bring them to work Monday. Due to my work schedule I don't have time during the workday to go fish shopping so this the best alternative I can think of.
I can't see gourami's going after the feelers of angelfish but the problem I do see if the reference to "some" gourami's. Gourami's get along together just about as well as angels so if you were to get a gourami, I would keep it at one only, just like the angel.
I too like firemouths but I can tell ya that they spawn about every month and the population can easily become 200 if you have nothing to eat them or no one to give them to. I wish we could wave a little wand at our fish and keep repeating "safe sex" and they would magically STOP spawning!! I gave my firemouths away altho they were great fish but culling hundreds of babies was not something I appreciated. Killing fish is not why I got into this hobby.
Different corys do not school together so you'll have to get some others and keep an eye open for more jullis. You can only do what you can do and if they aren't available, the fish will have to do with what they have. I have several oddballs left out of schools that appear to want to live forever. I either can't find more of them or don't want more of them. Who knows? Perhaps your jullis will fit right in with your new selection.
Personally, I would get more corys, the rams you want and fill the tank with one or two large schools of tetra's. Or one school of tetra's and a school of cherry barbs and nix the firemouths and the gourami.
(I would avoid getting serpae tetra's, however, due to the fins of the angel.)
Last edited by Lady Hobbs; 03-21-2013 at 03:20 PM.
Hobbs has some great advice for you so far, but in regard to the later questions.
Hook your 10 gallon filter to either your 75 or 46G tank and let it run for several (4+ would be ideal) weeks to establish a good BB colony and then your 10 would be a fine QT. Keep them in the QT for a minimum of 2 weeks before you put them in the established tank, to ensure the safety of your remaining fish.
If you skip the running the filter on the main tank step, then your new fish will be additionally stressed as they are used to cycle the 10G for at least the duration of the weekend.
If you skip or skimp the QT, well then any nasties they had at the pet store you may introduce to your established tank.


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I think I am finally starting to get dry. Still have clothing and some stuff in my room in Fort Morgan - the motel was evacuated Saturday night. Fortunately, I got another room. Tom Vaughn wasn't so lucky and spent the night at the Red Cross Shelter
Anyway, results are up on Entry Express.
Thanks to
- Our bird boys who suffered through 3 rough weather days
- Our judges - Brad Bellmore, Ted Brewer, Erik Gawthorpe, and Chris Hatch who rolled with the weather punches and put together some very nice tests
- Paul and Julie Knutson, who donated their property for our use, when we evacuated the Teal Lodge
- Our contestants who remained flexible all weekend
- Riley, our Junior Handler, who finished our five series derby in style
I missed someone I apologize in advance


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Celebrity kids are so lucky. Not only do they have A-listers for parents, they often have fellow A-listers for godparents. Recently, Elton John and partner David Furnish said that they were asking Lady Gaga to be the godmother to their son, meaning that kid is going to have one hell of an enviable wardrobe someday. But what other celeb kids have super-famous and connected godparents?
10 Celebrity Kids with Celebrity Godparents
- 6 years ago by Lilit Marcus
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I can't even tell you the last time I went to the beach when going back to Lauderdale. Took my girlfriend for a ride down Ocean Drive on South Beach just because she's from Amish country in Eastern Pennsylvania and they're amazed by anything outside of Pennsylvania. I guess that kinda counts as going to the beach.
Just dirt and water IMO
well if you arent part of the solution you are part of the problem..i love my team, will support them no matter what..if that makes me a sucker...well i have been called worse:)