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Her second, Dobara Phir Se (DPS), releases today (25 November, 2016). Her first, Raamchand Pakistani, came out eight years back in 2008 and was one of the pioneer films of what we see of our film industry today.
One of the finest directors Pakistan has, of film and TV, and certainly someone whose work we can immensely be proud of, films or otherwise. Who else but, Mehreen Jabbar.
I interviewed her recently and she had a lot of worthy things to say. Down below is how it went:
Ramchand Pakistani in 2008 and then an eight year sabbatical from films where you did a lot of television work. Despite being one of the pioneers of this revival of cinema in Pakistan, what was it that kept you away from films for so long?
Mehreen: The reason is very simple, the industry here wasn't developed yet at that time. There were not enough cinemas, not enough investors and so when Raamchand came out, there was Khuda Ke Liye that had come out before and Bol sort of came right after, and then there was a long period when nothing really happened, and everyone sort of took a step back. Even Shoaib sahab's next has been announced just now and is yet to start. Eight years is a long time but things do need time to get better. And they are better now and sometimes I really wish Raamchand could be seen by a wider audience, it didn't run for that long. So maybe at some point. Would love to re-release it.
So not because I didn't want to make films, but because there was no other way to do local cinema. I got into doing a lot of serials which I don't regret because I think I did some of my favourite work there.
From the director's Point of View, what exactly have you tried to create in Dobara Phir Se? Is there a particular genre that explains the film?
Mehreen: I feel it is a genre that has been done before in America or even in India. A love story but not a RomCom, not a laugh out loud, ha ha hee hee sort of film either. It is about love and friendship, but it deals with it in a much more lighthearted way even though it deals with very complicated relationships. To specify the genre, I would say it's Romantic-drama, that is probably the closest thing to it. It has an original story of course, but films like Before Sunset (2004) and others such; which are sort of all about relationships but are dealt in a more mature, adult way, are what describe it in terms of its treatment, but it is an ensemble film with bunch of characters that differentiate its treatment at the same time.
So that was my intent, because we have had films like Moor, Manto, Dukhtar, which are sort of about social issues, and then we have had RomComs like Wrong No. and Na Maloom Afraad, and then we have had films on terrorism. We are in a budding industry and I thought there should be something more close to what I could do, especially after Raamchand. And so this is my kind of commercial film. (Laughs)
DPS cast says your business sense is Zero. But being a feature film director, one cannot remain aloof to the surrounding market needs, the business sense or the marketing sense specifically. Your take?
Mehreen: I think marketing or having its sense is absolutely important, more so because of the social media and all. There are various avenues now and you can innovate in terms of product projection. But in the sense of making a film for a particular audience, that's something I have trouble with, I think you should make the best film you possibly can with the absolute desire that as many people will want to see it as possible and will enjoy it. The biggest Hollywood films have failed and they have spent 200-300 million dollars and they thought this formula is going to work, and although they may even have had done well at Box office but critically they are really bad. So you have to be very honest with how you treat a subject and then really hope that the audience likes it. That's what I believe about it all.
You seem to have an extremely good ear for music. What's the approach usually? Do you believe in picking the right team, or you are someone who picks up just anyone, dictate him how it's going to be and get the results?
Mehreen: I am a true believer in collaborations and if I have got a music composer or singer in, I am not going to tell them this is how you do it. I actually got them on-board because I liked their kind of music. For example, Mata-e-Jaan was Waqar Ali and Bilal Khan, and I wanted Bilal in it so I got him over and we discussed how it's going to be. Same with Daam where Zeb and Haniya had never done an OST but I thought that would be really refreshing. I think it spoils things when you don't have that knowledge and you just become that arrogant director and dictate. I want to choose my people well so that they can do what they are good at. I don't have any kamaal in it, just a good ear I guess, yes. (laughs)
What sort of sound have you guys tried to create for Dobara Phir Se?
Mehreen: We have seven songs, three are sung by Jimmy Khan, one each by Urooj Aftaab, Hania Aslam & Ali Hamza, Rekha Bharadwaj, and Shiraz Uppal & Zarneesh. And Haniya has done the background composition too. Seven songs, but there are only two that are lip sync, because it's a situational kind of film and so rest of the songs are all narrative. We wanted a fresh feel because obviously it is a film about Pakistanis, but it is also set in New York and Karachi. So we brought in all these guys, who are some of my favourites, just to create that contemporary feel. Whether it was Jimmy, whose voice I love, been a massive fan of Zeb and Haniya for years, and same goes for Shiraz Uppal who I really respect, and then of course Vishaal and Rekha Jee, I am a huge fan, so it was great to have them onboard. It was a mix of my taste, the writer's taste and of course what made sense for particular situations.
Recalling now, in a Raamchand BTS video long time back, someone talked about how meticulous you were about minute little details like the growth of plants over a period of time in film. This looks like a trait of perfectionist. Do you see yourself as that?
Read the response of DPS cast on the same question here.
Mehreen: I would actually really wish that I was a perfectionist. I think I am a mixture of compromise and perfection (laughs). Having been in this industry for so long, having edited a lot of my projects, having produced alot, I have sort of an overall view of what I can manage, and I have become very practical in how I approach things. Now I can throw a fit also if those plants aren't of the appropriate height, and can say 'pack up,' cause a delay and waste money, or I can just simply figure out what to do. So I think direction is all about you come with a plan and you have to be ready to throw that plan out of the window because on set things can really change, and new ideas can come up, you have to have that flexibility.
Anyone who has been in your eyes for a long time but haven't got a chance to work with yet? Any wish of that sort?
Mehreen: Yes, there are three such very famous, very talented people. Fawad Khan, Saba Qamar, and Fahad Mustafa. I would love to have the opportunity to do something with them.
So honestly, who has been the naughtiest on sets?
Read how the cast responds to the same question here.
Mehreen: Naughtiest… well, Ali is called the Energizer bunny because he is absolute, incredible, good energy 24/7. Even if we want to kill ourselves and want to kill each other and are really tired, he always had smile on his face and was always positive. So, naughty koi nahee tha but he was just someone who lifted everyone's sprit.
If Dobara Phir Se was being done Dobara Phir Se, one thing you wouldn't do, or would do differently?
Mehreen: There are few things, but since the film hasn't come out yet, I can't really tell you. I think in film or any other project, once you are done with it, firstly it is very difficult to let go because you want to keep making it better, but once you let go and once you see it, then you think , 'Oh my God, I wish I had done this. I wish I had put the camera here, I could have written or had this scene more expansive. But I am hoping people don't see it the same way (Laughs).
Your plans post Dubara Phir Se?
Post Dobara Phir Se I want to sleep for one week. And after I wake up, hopefully I do, I have a TV Serial planned, and I am also working on another script with Bilal Sami, an interesting story which we are aiming to make into more of a crossover film because it is based again in America, but I want to sort of explore what Meera Nair and Deepa Mehta have done. Even though the film is about Indians and Pakistanis, but I feel Pakistani Americans also need something that they can own, so would like to explore that market.


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NYX claims: "Our pressed powder blush delivers sheer, silky color that glides on easily, blends beautifully and creates a natural glow. The formula is richly-pigmented and lasts for hours."
Mocha is a matte mid-tone pink . I would say that this colour would suit almost every skin tone and is very flattering. The formula is very soft and silky and not at all chalky. Remember that a little goes a long way, and it's always easier to build up the colour if you need to rather than removing it.
Angel is a matte soft pink. It is a very subtle colour and therefore can be incorporated in various make up looks. On my skin the colour payoff is quite mild (I have medium-toned skin) so I like to use it as a subtle accompaniment to a contour, on days when I don't feel like having as much colour on my cheeks.
Pinched is a coral pink with gold glitter and iridiscence. This is definitely my favorite out of the 3. Although the gold glitter in the pan can look quite scary if you're not into glitter, it isn't very obvious on the skin. Actually, when the glitter catches the light, it also highlights your cheekbones and gives your skin a lovely glow. Many say that it is a dupe for NARS Orgasm blush which is one of the most iconic blushes of all time.
Regarding the longevity, considering that they are powder blushes, you can expect to have some fading throughout the day yet you're still left with a nice hint of colour on your cheeks, which can easily be touched up if needs be.
The only thing I'm not a big fan of is the packaging. They are packaged in a black plastic casing with a see through lid, which can be very hard to open and is very prone to breaking if dropped. However, for the price I'm not complaining and these blushes definitely have my approval.
Until next time,


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wikiHow to Make a Shell Candle
Do you want to make a candle in a shell? Great. Let's get started. Good luck making it!
1Clean the shell. Make sure there is no sand or other debris stuck on the walls.
2Add a drop or two of fragrance and coloring to the wax. This gives it a nice scent and color, making it more attractive.
3Hold the wick in the middle of the shell as you slowly pour the wax into the shell. You may want a friend to help you with this.
4Let the wax slowly cool.
5Voila! You are done.
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- If you have a table outside, then make three candles and put it in the middle of the table. Like this, it doesn't need to be lit!
- It's best to make sure the shell is clean, a little deep, and not wet.
- Do not leave the flame unattended.
Things You'll Need
- Shell
- Wax
- Wick
- Coloring
- Fragrance
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In This Free For All for VOTE 2008..Are We Still Living In The Game Show World of "Did /Will Your Vote Count?!"
In the rush to gather money to see who will get the press/promotion/ads for the primary to see who will be candidate for President, there seems to be something missing. Where is the necessity of safeguarding our most precious vote..knowing that each voice will be heard? There is still no legislation to protect the process. So, no matter who runs, how will we know who wins? Even without going into the TV special that has shown that the voting tallies can be stolen or hacked, America been through two presidential elections with glaring irregularities. Haven't we learned anything? With more people registering as independents, it is now far from just a partisan concern. It is about some thugs who decided that they did and do not have to play fair. The bigger the lie, the bigger the cheat, the easier it is to get away with it. America was already in shock before Al Gore stood at the podium and said, " I won't fight." regardless of how many Americans were counting on that fight to make it right. Well, it is time to insure that such a debacle NEVER occurs again. Forewarned is forearmed, so it is said. How many times does this American promise have to be trampled on before Americans stand up and solve the problem by eliminating the possibility of fraud? Ask the candidates HOW they intend to protect the vote they will be asking for. No, demand it. This is not about raising money. Money will not fix this. Only integrity and that old American grit will safeguard this basic right. Nothing they say will matter a hill of beans if the process can be stolen and sold like swag off the back of a truck.


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Birthday Tea Cup
I hope that you are all having a wonderful weekend! It has been gorgeous here in Maryland.
Today is Challenge # 11 at International Art & Soul - Flowers.
For my design team I made this little teacup box card. It is from SVGcuts Garden Party.
I put blackeyed susan flowers in the cup because they are the Maryland State flower and also my favorite flower. I embossed & chalked the flowers to help them stand out. I used brads from my stash. The colors make me think of my bloggy friend Shirl sipping tea in Hawaii.
Look at how it folds up to go into an envelope.
I have it sticking out a little so you can see how it folds right up. The "Wish Big" sentiment is from Craftin Desert Diva's Short n' Sweet Tags.
I am entering this card into the following challenges:
Allsorts Challenge - Week 421 Flower Power
Crafting With Friends - Challenge #46 Anything Goes
Jo's Scrap Shack - Funday Friday Challenge - FFC 194 Anything Goes with a twist - Red, orange & aqua.
DLART June Linky Challenge
Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes
Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope to see your project over at International Art & Soul. Or just stop by to see what the rest of the design team made and get a little inspiration.
9 comments:
Your card is beautiful and very colourful. The black eyed susan flowers are lovely, I don't think we have them here in the UK. HazelxReplyDelete
This is so beautiful!! I love the papers you used and the design!! The flowers are fabulous!! Thanks so much for playing along at DL.ART!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)ReplyDelete
A Mermaid's Crafts
Chriss, that is so beautiful with the flowers and the hand.ReplyDelete
A beautiful floral creation and just perfect for our Allsort theme this week, many thanks for joining in.ReplyDelete
B x
Your teacup card is absolutely gorgeous!! I love the pretty flowers.Wonderful job!ReplyDelete
Have a wonderful day,
Migdalia Rodriguez
Oh WOW! This is oh so BEAUTIFUL Chriss!!! LOOVE it to pieces! :)ReplyDelete
Theresa's Crafty Creations
Your tea cup box card is so beautiful! Fabulous colors and cool design!ReplyDelete
Sherrie K
What a fun 3D card!!! I've never seen a tea cup card! Great idea! Thank you so much for joining us at Seize the Birthday!ReplyDelete
Lovely teacup card thanks for sharing it with us at Crafting with Friends, Louise DT xReplyDelete
"When the trees their summer splendor
Change to raiment red and gold,
When the summer moon turns mellow,
And the nights are getting cold;
When the squirrels hide their acorns,
And the woodchucks disappear;
Then we know that it is autumn,
Loveliest season of the year."
- Carol L. Riser, Autumn


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All around the Valley of the Sun, median home prices have jumped to their highest levels since 2009. Tempe, Arizona, specifically, is in the middle of an economic boom. With multi-national corporations like Shutterfly and State Farm moving in and expanding to the once small college town, it's time for long standing Tempe home owners to sell your home and cash in on real estate investments.
Business is booming in Tempe AZ
Businesses like Shutterfly, State Farm, and GoDaddy are either expanding or moving into Tempe, bringing thousands of local jobs to the area. Apple and Northern Trust are also expected to be hiring over 1,000 people each for their East Valley locations. All this means that the East Valley and Tempe areas are in an economic boom and with that, it is expected that more and more people will be moving to the East Valley. As such, median home prices have reached their highest levels since 2009.
Tempe may be booming now, but not for long.
It may seem counterintuitive to move out of an area that is prospering like Tempe, but as a real estate investor, you want to leave a market when the iron is hot. Other than 2008, the average price per square foot for a home has never been this high. Without mortgage companies inflating the market this time around, it's hard to envision the average price going up much higher. According to the Arizona Republic, home prices are beginning to flatten out, which is scaring away investors. This could cause a drop in pricing as demand may drop once all the new job expansion has settled down
The national economy is still uncertain.
You know what's bad for the economy? New presidents. Specifically after the previous president served 2 terms. Reagan, Bush 1, Bush 2, and Obama either inherited economic hardships, or the economy faltered shortly after their taking office. Bad economies naturally equal bad home selling markets as fewer people have the finances available to purchase a new home. As a new president will be set to take office in 2017, the economy could also be changing from a bull to a bear, causing the recent trend of higher home prices to drop.
Risk VS Reward: Sell Your Home in Tempe
Although higher home pricing trends may continue upward for another year or so, it's doubtful that prices may reach levels where getting out now would seem like bad investment strategy. As long as you didn't buy a house in Tempe between 2006-2009, you're making money on your investment. Hanging on for another year could be risky. Businesses have already made their commitments towards expansion and the light rail has pied pipered whatever business it was going to attract. ASU has also finished the majority of their Tempe campus expansion plans, eyeing further projects in Phoenix and the West Valley. All this points to a slowdown in Tempe development. If the things that naturally attract home buyers to Tempe are beginning to show signs of flattening out, then now could be an optimal and safe time to sell your home and leave the market.
If you are looking to sell your home and don't know where to start, CENTURY 21 Northwest offers a free home evaluation. For more information click here.


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DOMA and Proposition 8 are Religion-Based Impositions on the Liberties of the Nation: The U.S. Supreme Court Should Smite Both
by admin on March 25th, 2013
in General Wellness, Politics
What Robert Green Ingersoll said of the Bible (About the Holy Bible, 1894) applies as well to the Christian religion that promotes it, namely, it imprisons the brain and corrupts the heart.
While many examples could be cited, what clearer illustration of this reality could be found than in the positions advanced by religionists on the two issues now before the U.S. Supreme Court, namely, DOMA (the Defense of Marriage Act) and California?s Proposition 8 banning gay marriage?
Religious dogma leads otherwise decent people to deny certain basic human rights to others that affect them in no way whatsoever. In the case at hand, dogma has motivated Christians to oppose marriage equality. Why? Because Christian faith beliefs persuade followers that if others are allowed to do what they find sinful, namely allow marriage equality for gays and lesbians, this will be a violation of their religious liberties .
How convoluted is that? Is intolerance a Christian virtue?
Gays and lesbians are not seeking to compel any churches or religions to do anything they don't want to do. At present, gays or lesbians can marry without any involvement of religious officials, though some Christian ministers are supportive of such marriages and will perform such ceremonies in states where same sex unions are recognized.
Secularists and Christians and other religiously-oriented Americans who support freedom are wise to join in common cause to protect basic human rights and oppose religious encroachments on our laws and public policies.
Besides DOMA and Prop 8, other issues can be identified where liberties and personal freedoms are compromised, distorted, restricted or otherwise constrained by religion-inspired repression?
* Restrictions on sexual conduct, including but not limited to same-sex relations between consenting adults.
* Overt discrimination in the military. Only in the past year has the infamous don?t ask, don?t tell policy, which banned openly gay or bisexual from serving in the military, been overturned.
* The status of women, who until the twentieth century were viewed as subordinate to men, lacking a full capacity for reason and dependent on husbands and other males. Not entirely but to a considerable extent, this prejudice was religiously inspired via holy books and suppressive elements of dogma and religious authority.
How odd that many still associate religions with the teaching of ethics when it fact religious policies and practices often are unethical. Freethinkers base their ethics not on ancient texts or the pontifications of pontiffs and other religious authorities but on reason and evidence. Religious dogma, usually vague and filled with you better the hell not threats, seems a sorry basis for ethics or public policies.
Who knows for sure that there is a God or, if one wants to believe there is, what his or her factual position is on freedoms and human rights?
There is only one reliable source for identifying the nature of human rights - us. We, the members of a given society, determine the nature of the rights we get to enjoy. In most Western nations, we rely on democratic processes to identify desired human rights based on our sense of desirable conditions under which we wish to live peacefully and productively with others with shared values. This is how we came up with what humanists call common decencies. We do not need religions to know that it is in our interest not to kill, steal, injure or plunder, break agreements, tell lies, ignore commitments, fail to assist others and so on.
Do you need a god or a religion to know these things? If someone is unlikely to refrain from doing such things save for fear of a god who will water-board him, hang him upside down and burn him forevermore in some future life-after-death hellhole, would you want to associate with such a fiend?
Do you think this after-life form of justice motivates Christians who choose to oppose gay marriage?
Most of us accept the secular codes of conduct and common decencies of a positive nature even though we sometimes fail to function accordingly. (Self interest, temptations of varied kinds, special circumstances and so on lead us imperfect humans astray, some more often than others.) We accept these purely secular core norms, though often religionists give their faith traditions credit for their good, ethical behavior.
In this country and many others, we also embrace a variety of quite secular liberties for ourselves and others, including freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom of religion, freedom to pursue an education and so on. For those who take their freedoms seriously, such liberties extend to sexual freedoms, though this is an area that brings conflict with those under the influence of religion.
Which brings me back to DOMA and Proposition 8. In the current issue of Free Inquiry Magazine (March 25, 2013), Ronald A. Lindsay has an article entitled, ?Humanism, LGBT Equality and Human Rights. It concludes with this summary:
The freedom to marry is different from other fundamental liberties. To speak freely, to exercise your religion freely, and to have intimate relations with the partner of your choice, government just needs to stay out of the way. Marriage, however, is a State-run institution. One cannot get married without State support and approval. But these facts do not change our analysis significantly. If the State supports an institution such as marriage, which allows couples to obtain certain benefits by legally solemnizing their union, then all individuals should have the same right to take advantage of this institution. Denying same-sex couples the right to marry makes no more sense than denying women the right to vote or African Americans the right to attend integrated schools.
Let?s support a society wherein everyone enjoys fundamental human rights. Let?s recognize that religion is often no friend of liberty, though many Christians either have already or will come to favor human rights over dogma if the issues of freedom are communicated effectively.
Americans have a great stake in the current battle to gain equal rights for LGBT citizens. The right to marry based on reason and this nation?s commitment to liberty should trump the tenets of ancient religious texts.
I?m proud to be associated with the American Humanist Association, the Center for Free Inquiry, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the Freedom from Religion Foundation and a diverse coalition of many other secular and humanist organizations that are leading the fight to have the Supreme Court strike down these two infamous, religion-inspired constraints on everyone?s liberty. Let?s hope that the religionists on the court decide the cases not so much in accord with the make-believe better angels of their nature but in concert with their training in law and passion for justice. If so, we should expect their support for what we secularists believe is the best interpretations of liberty of, by and for the people.
February 14 - A Great Day: Let?s Also Honor Charles Darwin as Part of the Celebrations
by admin on February 10th, 2013
in General Wellness, Politics
I enjoy all holidays, and other days in between for that matter, but some special occasions inspire particularly good thoughts about an honoree whose life is recalled and celebrated.
Two of my favorite holidays are August 11 and July 18.
On August 11 in 1833, Robert Green Ingersoll was born in Dresden, NY. Not many Americans save those of the most ardent secular persuasion recognize August 11 as a holiday, take the day off and raise a toast in honor of The Great Agnostic, a colossal REAL wellness pioneer.
But I do. For me, August 11 is a holiday. I take the day off and toast the occasion.
Even fewer people take off, toast or revere July 18, but for me it?s one of the biggest holidays of all. And why not? After all, it's my birthday.
I celebrate numerous other special days, particularly February 12, December 2, January 25 and July 27. The first of these dates, February 12, is the birthdate of Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin (1809 ? what a day for humanity); the latter three dates the arrival days of my daughter, son and wife.
I?ll give Abraham Lincoln his due, no doubt of that. But Charles Darwin was special in a different and equally positive way, and unlike Lincoln, does not get nearly enough attention.
Many men and women of a scientific bent credit Charles Darwin for making the greatest advance of the 19th century. Paradoxically, many, and you know who they are, vilify Charles Darwin for that reason ? they simply cannot reconcile the creation myth with the reality of Darwin?s great discovery.
Tuesday is Darwin?s 204th birthday. A bill (House Resolution 41) has been introduced in the Congress expressing support for designation of February 12, 2013, as Darwin Day and recognizing the importance of science in the betterment of humanity.
It reads as follows:
- Whereas Charles Darwin?s theory of evolution by the mechanism of natural selection, together with the monumental amount of scientific evidence he compiled to support it, provides humanity with a logical and intellectually compelling explanation for the diversity of life on Earth;
- Whereas the validity of Darwin?s theory of evolution by natural selection is further strongly supported by the modern understanding of the science of genetics;
- Whereas it has been the human curiosity and ingenuity exemplified by Darwin that has promoted new scientific discoveries that have helped humanity solve many problems and improve living conditions;
- Whereas the advancement of science must be protected from those unconcerned with the adverse impacts of global warming and climate change;
- Whereas the teaching of creationism in some public schools compromises the scientific and academic integrity of the United States education systems;
- Whereas Charles Darwin is a worthy symbol of scientific advancement on which to focus and around which to build a global celebration of science and humanity intended to promote a common bond among all of Earth?s peoples; and
- Whereas February 12, 2013, is the anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin in 1809 and would be an appropriate date to designate as Darwin Day: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives
- supports the designation of Darwin Day; and
- recognizes Charles Darwin as a worthy symbol on which to celebrate the achievements of reason, science, and the advancement of human knowledge.
The Congress would do the nation proud if House Resolution 41 passed unanimously.
A few years ago, a New York Times column contained this summary of Charles Darwin?s legacy: By the time Darwin died in 1882, he was recognized as one of England?s greatest scientists and was buried in Westminster Abbey. By then, most biologists had come to agree with Darwin that species shared a common ancestry. But many rejected natural selection, preferring other kinds of mechanisms to drive evolutionary change. It was not until twentieth-century biologists uncovered DNA that they were able to confirm the reality of natural selection, by discovering how it worked on the level of molecules. (Carl Zimmer, (February 10, 2009.)
There is speculation that the Republican Congressman from Georgia?s 10th Congressional District. Representative, Paul Broun may not support the resolution. Representative Broun recently told the Liberty Baptist Church Sportsman?s Banquet that all that stuff I was taught about evolution and embryology and the Big Bang theory, all that is lies, straight from the pit of hell. Evolution is one of those lies to try to keep me and all the folks who were taught that from understanding that they need a savior.
Mr. Broun chairs a House science committee and attends a Baptist church in Athens, Ga. He is a member of the Gideons, the group that places Bibles in hotel rooms. His position makes sense to those who believe in the literal truth of a Bible written when people believed that life began and takes place on a flat, unmoving Earth at the center of a 6,000 year-old universe. Darwin?s theory, in other words, does not comport with Genesis. On the contrary, natural selection explains our existence without so much as a reference to a divine creator.
Americans are probably more familiar with the Tennessee law that sparked the infamous Scopes Monkey Trial in 1925 banning the teaching of human evolution than they are with the nature of evolution itself, as described in Origin of the Species.
This, of course, is just one more reason for doing what we can to make this coming Thursday, the 14th of February a celebratory part of the holiday that also honors President Abraham Lincoln.
The Constitution Applies to Disaster Relief: Federal Funds Are Not Appropriate Resources for Rebuilding Damaged Churches
by admin on February 1st, 2013
in General Wellness
You probably know by now that Congress is about to grant an additional $50.5 billion to the $9.7 billion in federal recovery aid for Hurricane Sandy. FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) and HUD will determine how the aid is distributed.
Can you anticipate a church/state conflict in this? Would it surprise you to learn that religious interests are pressuring Congress to force taxpayers, millions of whom are not religious, to contribute to the rebuilding of churches, temples and mosques. Don?t be surprised ? be outraged, because it?s likely to happen absent sufficient secular resistance.
Maybe you think religions should be treated the same as other victims. If so, we have a little disagreement. I think disaster aid to religious institutions is unconstitutional, irrational, unjustifiable and deplorable. It?s worse than that, but this will do for starters.
So far, indications are that all citizens will be forced to pay to rebuild churches. In one state alone, over 200 Catholic parishes are expecting taxpayers to make them whole. Other sectarian groups are lining up for tax dollars, including the New York State Council of Churches, the United Jewish Association and a long list of others.
All such applications should be denied.
Churches damaged by the destruction of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City were denied taxpayer aid on constitutional grounds in 1995 by FEMA and HUD. However, religious groups pressured Congress to intervene, which it did, thereby discarding the Constitution members had sworn (on bibles) to uphold. By an act of Congress, $6 million was distributed to damaged churches.
The amount of funds at stake in the current recovery effort is vastly greater than in the Oklahoma situation.
Suppose the religious forces seeking taxpayer-funded restitution were mostly Muslims, or Buddhists or Pastafarians or, God-forbid, atheists seeking to rebuild their godless meeting halls and freethinker centers for rational living? Would Congress override the Constitution again for minority faiths or, in the latter case, minority no-faith groups? Ha!
In an article supporting taxpayer funds for religious institutions damaged by Hurricane Sandy, a writer quoted Catholic Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York in favor taxpayer-funded restitution. Gee, what a surprise ? the Catholic Cardinal wants money, even if some of it comes from infidels. Here is the Cardinal?s objective, no-special interest perspective: ?The wind and waves did not discriminate when it came to destroying property. The houses of worship are the very bedrock of the neighborhoods now trying to rebuild. To not offer natural disaster assistance grants to rebuild a house of worship just doesn?t make any sense.? (Avi Schick, ?Separation of Church and State, Disaster Edition? in the Wall Street Journal Houses of Worship Section, January 24, 2013.)
I wonder how many non-religious Americans consider the ?houses of worship? to be ?the very bedrock? of their neighborhoods? I?m going to go out on a limb here and say, ?none.?
In the current issue of Free Inquiry, Tom Flynn writes, ?The nation?s religious composition is vastly different today than it was in, say, 1995?yet current law regarding separation of church and state and the rights of religious minorities has changed scarcely at all. American public life is no less redolent of Christianity, no less steeped in illegitimate privilege for the orthodox, today than it was in the 1990s.?(See Tom Flynn, ?When ?Current Law? Is Not Enough,? February/March 2013, Volume 33, Number 2.)
The current effort to utilize public money for rebuilding religious institutions demonstrates the validity of Mr. Flynn?s assessment.
Government has no business paying to erect, maintain or repair houses of worship. Writing for American United for Separation of Church and State, Maggie Garret makes these salient points in support of that position:
- This exclusion has been U.S. policy for more than 220 years.
- Religious groups are expected to pay their own way.
- Religions are not treated the same as other secular interests ? the rules do not allow government funding, but they do enjoy tax exemption and are often free from regulations and oversight that other entities must follow.
- It is not government?s role to provide places for people to worship or to subsidize sacred spaces.
- Unlike schools, hospitals, libraries and community centers, houses of worship serve a private purpose ? to promulgate specific theological points of view.
(Source: Maggie Garrett, ?Storm Damage And Religion: Hurricane Sandy Didn?t Blow Away The Constitution,? Americans United for Separation of Church and State, January 25, 2013.)
Was it not conservative Republican Right-Wing Christian groups screaming about getting big government out of their lives during the recent presidential election? Have they decided that government is pretty good, after all? Well, it doesn?t matter ? the Constitution protects all taxpayers from having to subsidize any religions, except for the onerous tax exemptions given to religions, which are bad enough. Let?s not allow things to get much, much worse with disaster relief for religion.
Let?s resist this effort to impose a religion tax on all the people ? churches and other religious institutions should do what homeowners and business owners do to safeguard their interests against disasters ? buy good insurance policies.
Be a Patriot, Strike a Blow for Liberty and Protect the First Amendment: Fold Your Arms in Protest While Declining to Recite the Religious Pledge of Allegiance
by Don on December 27th, 2012
in General Wellness, Religion
Imagine how put off you would be if, at the start of every workday, all employees at your worksite were expected to stand, face the flag and recite the Lord?s Prayer - or passages from the Bhagavad-Gita or the Holy Quran. Unless you were a devotee of the favored religion, you?d probably find the exercise rude at best or, much worse, a violation of your rights.
I suggest it?s time for the twenty percent of the ?nones? in this country and all other citizens, including Christians, Jews, Hindus, Muslims who do not believe that the Republic is ?under God? (or, if they do believe that, do not believe that the inclusion of this religious phrase in a once secular pledge of loyalty is appropriate or constitutional), to show overt opposition to the Pledge of Allegiance wherever and whenever it is recited.
I recommend a simple, respectful but clear physical technique for displaying opposition to this McCarthy-era imposition of Christianity into secular national affairs: stand, like everyone else but with folded arms, silently while slowly moving your head slightly from side to side in an unmistakable expression of ?NO!?
In doing so, you and other co-conspirators for safeguarding separation of church and state will effectively be acting as patriots for your country, striking a blow for liberty while protecting your rights under the First Amendment. Patriotism need not be defined or associated with God-belief. To do so, as occurs with the recitation of the revised Pledge, marginalizes freethinkers. We have a right to communicate dissent from this imposition on our own, non-Christian convictions.
If the folded arm version of dissent from the Pledge catches on, it won?t be long before the odious ?under God? Pledge is seen as the divisive intrusion into secular civility that it is. As expressions of silent dissent expand throughout the nation, the Knights of Columbus and communist scare era origins of the religious modification to the historic Pledge will be better understood by the American public. The ?under God? addition will be widely discussed and debated. Many, if not most, service clubs, schools and other institutions that have for too long gone along with the revised Pledge absent organized resistance will drop it entirely. The commotion and needless discord it generates will be seen as more trouble than adherence to this ritual is worth.
Not incidentally, the national debate and the disharmony associated with the ?under God? intrusion will also be factored into future deliberations at state, federal and the Supreme Court levels when the next round of challenges reach these courts.
Speaking of which, there is a promising court challenge to the Christian version of the Pledge. As reported in an About.com essay, the argument this time is new and quite possibly improved. Furthermore, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has agreed to hear the new arguments. (See Austin Cline, ?Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to Review 'Under God,' ? About.com - Guide, October 31, 2012.)
In the case described, parents of public school children required to start each day with the Pledge assert that the phrase 'under God' ?transforms a patriotic exercise into a religious exercise which encourages prejudice and bigotry to nonbelievers like themselves.? Of course that?s exactly what it does wherever participation is expected as part of a public ritual. "This," the Massachusetts plaintiffs hold, "violates that state's constitutional protection of the equal rights of all citizens." The plaintiffs case ?pits the legal equality of nonbelievers against the desire of Christians to have their beliefs endorsed, promoted and supported by the government.? Just so.
The head of the American Humanist Association is quoted to the effect that such a discriminatory practice stigmatizes non-believers and those of other faith traditions and therefor clearly violates the equal rights safeguards for all.
Let?s not wait for the courts to act. Let?s start a folded arms campaign against the Pledge immediately. Next time you are at a town hall, civic association, school or other gathering where the Pledge is about to be recited, think of all the patriots that have done so much over more than two centuries to protect the rights we enjoy today. In their honor and for the good of your country, stand and display an alternative to the ?under God? pledge. Give everyone a look at the truly patriotic Pledge, a folded arms, NO head movement side to side that sends a clear message that America is actually under a constitution of, by and for the people.
As Frank Zappa put it, ?Anybody who wants religion is welcome to it, as far as I'm concerned -- I support your right to enjoy it. However, I would appreciate it if you exhibited more respect for the rights of those people who do not wish to share your dogma, rapture or necrodestination.? (Cited by FFRF as attributed to Warren Allen Smith in ?Who's Who in Hell.?)
What Do We Really Know About the Female Orgasm?
by Don on December 14th, 2012
in General Wellness, Sex
The religion of orgasm: utilitarianism projected into sex life; efficiency versus indolence; coition reduced to an obstacle to be got past as quickly as possible in order to reach an ecstatic explosion, the only true goal of love-making and of the universe. Milan Kundera, Slowness
I dunno, maybe some articles should be marked gender specific or something. I mention this because I struggled a bit with a column in the December 12 edition of the Huffington Post. An essay by Kristen Mark dealt with a topic we guys are famous (infamous) for not contemplating so much, namely, the female orgasm. Thus, my initial reaction in coming upon Ms. Mark?s piece about the significance, if any, of the female orgasm in evolution was both immediate and confident: Good gracious, heaven?s to Betsy, OMFG! What brought that up? Of course this phenomenon serves an evolutionary purpose. How could it be otherwise? Why have it if not?
At which point I began reading Dr. Mark?s essay.
Kristen Mark, Ph.D., is a behavioral health scientist with an academic background in psychology and public health. Her specialty is sexuality and romantic relationships, according to her blog. She is an Assistant Professor at the University of Kentucky in Health Promotion and also serves as Managing Editor for Good in Bed. And an occasional columnist for the Huffington Post.
The essay in Huff Post begins with an admission that, like me and most guys, even Dr. Mark, an expert on sexuality and romantic relationships, hasn?t given this question a lot of thought! What?s more, sexual scientists don?t agree on what role, if any, the female orgasm played and/or still plays in evolution. But, the good news is that studies shed a bit of light. Research points to two different hypotheses on the role of the female orgasm (henceforth the FO): the byproduct hypothesis and the mate-choice hypothesis.
The byproduct hypothesis denies an evolutionary role for the FO. It holds that women experience orgasm because of men?s adaptation to it. I don?t even understand this hypothesis, as explained by Dr. Mark in the Huff Post. Maybe you can figure it out. Here?s the deal: Men have sensitive orgasmic penises. These appendages reward seed spreading. Both male and female genitals develop from the same anatomical structure. The genitals of fetuses are undifferentiated during the first two months of gestation. This fact somehow gives women the benefit of this pleasure reward. Go figure. As noted, this is over my head. If you know what it means, good on you. But please ? no need to write me with an explanation. It?s not necessary for a person my age to know everything about the FO. I know more about the sneeze than I do the FO. For example, I know a sneeze is 1/10th of an orgasm. When Jarod Kintz discovered this, he said, Perhaps that?s why it takes me 18 seconds to sneeze.
Dr. Marks suggests the mate-choice hypothesis might be a little easier to follow. That was good news. This hypothesis is that the FO evolved to attract mates. The FO favors males who might want a long-term relationship and/or males with higher quality sperm. How that works is not explained, unfortunately.
Other studies suggest that the FO boosts a woman?s chances of getting pregnant. Yet another found that women who faked orgasm performed a greater number of mate retention behaviors than women who didn?t fake orgasm. This is said to support the mate-choice hypothesis.
A better hypothesis, IMHO, is the How was it for you? hypothesis (my term) ? that the FO, in concert with the MO (male orgasm), produces post-coital pair-bonding. Anxieties and hormones (oxytocin in females) are released and cigarettes are smoked (well, not anymore but we?re talking about evolution here so an historical perspective must be maintained for scientific purposes) and genuine tenderness and affections follow. Usually.
On the other side, there are reasons to conclude that the FO did not and does not have an evolutionary role. Among these contra factors are the following:
- The FO occurs infrequently during intercourse. If the FO were adaptive, you?d think a FO would be at least as common as a MO (male orgasm) during intercourse.
- Relative to masturbation, penile-vaginal intercourse takes forever to reach paydirt, so to speak. If the FO were all about evolution, things would work the other way around.
- You?ve heard the ad expression, Where?s the beef? Well, with regard to the FO and evolution, Where?s the pleasure in intercourse ? for the female?
Well, where does this leave us regarding the basic issue of the role of the FO in human evolution? I think it leaves us a little unsatisfied, yearning for more, disappointed in our partner (i.e., the scientists who should know about this matter with greater evidentiary depth of understanding) and looking somewhere else to get our needs met.
Maybe there are other ways the FO connects with evolution, unrelated to spreading seeds, cultivating the fields and keeping the game going. Maybe the FO and the MO as well prepare us for the end, an idea captured by Peter Redgrove but not cited in the scientific literature: We rehearse for the big death through the little death of orgasm, through erotic living. Death as transfiguration. On the other hand, this might not be one of the other ways, though there almost surely are other explanations.
I?m thinking right now of another source for help on the matter, someone like the writer Benson Bruno, whose contribution to the topic was to observe: When I?m thinking about the plot arc of a romance and I want to shape my climax, I make origasmi.
Whatever the case might be on this important question, I think that all sensitive New Age guys should pay more attention to the FO and less to the MO.


text:
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This Article Provides All You Need To Know About Desktop Computers
At some point in your life, it's likely you've had a desktop computer. However, how much knowledge do you really have about computers? If you're not aware of the important details, do some research. The following article has some worthwhile tips.
Use virus protection software. Without an antivirus program malicious software can find its way into your operating system. There are many kinds of bad software than can slow your computer down or even compromise your personal information. There are many programs that will run scheduled checkups to make sure your computer stays clean.
People give desktops away for free today, so look for these opportunities. Many more people use tablets and laptops these days so they'll be getting rid of their desktops for cheaper prices. These computers are usually in fine shape, but before you buy, make sure.
Only buy the best products when building a computer. Some motherboards are incompatible with specific brands of processor. Certain RAM units only work well with particular motherboards. Check for compatibility when looking for your components. This can save a considerable amount of time and headaches if you build your own computer.
Buy a desktop you can buy with everything you need installed. A lot of people unfortunately end up spending too much money on additional features that they won't ever use. Be picky when it comes to accessories and features so that you get the best price.
To make sure your computer is most efficient and to make sure your fan is properly cooling the components, dust the inside of the computer every week. Typically, it's simple to unscrew the case and take it off. Then, all you have to do is use a compressed air can to spray the dust away. That way, the machine stays clean and the fan stays functional.
If you want to buy a Mac but you also want to run PC programs, think about getting Parallels for Mac. This will let you run a virtual PC on your Mac. This will let you run your PC programs. It will be necessary for you to buy the operating system.
Make a list of the things you are going to be doing on your new desktop. The computer you get depends on what you need it to do regularly. If you like to play games a lot, what you need will differ from someone who just wants to check email and surf the web.
Invest in a DVD optical drive that is writable if you are going to be transferring large video files. A CD drive may not be enough for bigger multimedia files. You will likely require the space of a DVD drive. It's more expensive, but typically worth the expense.
Is plenty of memory available? Memory is one of the most important things about a computer. Do you need to store lots of files on your machine? Do you take tons of photos? If you do need to store a lot of data, you need to make sure that your computer has the memory to handle it.
Mini PCs are a great way to lower your carbon footprint. The electric usage is very low, yet the power is sufficient for daily tasks. This machine is perfect for Internet surfing, basic document creation and shopping.
Do not be lured in when a price drops significantly. Some individuals only pay attention to what deals are the best. They never follow through when they are always waiting for that magic deal. Usually, the difference in price will be very small, so when you find the computer what you want, just buy it.
When searching for a new computer, pay attention to the different add-on components. The least you need is a mouse, keyboard, monitor and speakers. In addition, printers and a modem should be purchased. Think about the other hardware that may be of need to you.
Be careful going too cheap with your desktop purchases. You generally get what you paid for. Try to stick with buying from reputable manufacturers, computers stores, and online marketplaces. If you think a deal is simply too good for reality, it likely is. Some sellers might offer good deals, but you'll discover their computers are not as advertised, and may need repairs.
If you purchase a used desktop computer, a warranty is not something you can expect. Most brands won't allow the warranty to be transferred to you. If you want to get a used computer, do it without thinking about the warranty.
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text:
Dierks Bentley says he owes his career to embracing the past while looking toward the future.
Mr. Bentley, best known for country hits such as Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go) and Settle for a Slowdown , appears Tuesday at the Kicks 99 Guitar Pull at the University of South Carolina Aiken Convocation Center.
Raised in Arizona and New Jersey, Mr. Bentley said his style of country music has little to do with the Nashville norm. Instead of Music Row, Mr. Bentley said, his singing, songwriting and playing owe more to the crisp twang of the Bakersfield, Calif., sound.
"Bakersfield is where it all starts for me," he said. "The band we use is modeled after the Buck Owens band. Sure, we make records in Nashville, but I've never used strings or piano or a Hammond B3. It's always been about guitar -- electric and steel."
Mr. Bentley said because his early influences, which include Owens and legendary music outlaw Waylon Jennings, were never strictly Nashville stars, it never bothered him that he was growing up so far outside the Nashville establishment.
"It's funny, because growing up on a farm and being country never seemed to go hand-in-hand until I moved to the South," he said with a laugh. "I mean, Waylon Jennings starting playing country music in Scottsdale, so I actually thought I was growing up at ground zero for country music."
Like the legends he draws from, Mr. Bentley carefully crafts his music, doing much of the writing, producing on top of performing. He said his hands-on approach means he can release a record about once every two years.
"The thing is, the success I want is both commercial and critical," the Grand Ole Opry member said. "I know I'm not choosing the easiest path, but I'm also not willing to just do whatever it takes to be commercially successful."
His strong connections to country music history has made Mr. Bentley a champion for the style's pioneers. He said he sees his job as being about education in addition to entertainment.
"It's part of my passion," he explained. "I believe it's important to maintain those ties to the past. It's something I see as a real responsibility."
Reach Steven Uhles at (706) 823-3626 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
WHAT: The Wiggles: Racing to the Rainbow Live
WHEN: 3 and 6:30 p.m. Monday
WHERE: The University of South Carolina Aiken Convocation Center, 471 University Parkway, Aiken.
COST: $25-$37, 866-722-8877, www.uscatix.com
Click here to listen to Dierks Bentley singing 'What Was I Thinking?'


text:
TSA agent steals $200K worth of gear, resells it on eBay

"Finally busted, police discovered an inventory of 66 cameras, 31 laptops, assorted jewelry, and more when they searched his home"

"His latest haul: A near-$50,000 camera that an HBO employee had been traveling with"

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/107092
Hmm.... it's a good thing I carry on my cameras... Always. That isn't fun to read though.
Always Carry on your cameras!
Did he really think he could get away with selling it on Ebay?
yeah, who would check in 3k worth of gear let alone a 50k camera?

That's just nuts.

X3 for always carry on your cameras.
"yeah, who would check in 3k worth of gear let alone a 50k camera?"

What do you do when you can't carry it all with you?

Has anyone looked into FedEx'ing their gear instead of checking it in? With all the talk of airlines charging for 2nd carry-on's, I think I might look into mailing my gear next time (which would then be trackable, lockable, insured, etc)...
Is it just me or do Scott's posts keep disappearing... I get them over email, but when I check the thread they are not here..

It's definitely disconcerning that this sort of stuff is happening even after the heighten security at all the airports. Either way common sense says don't let your valuables out of your possession and if you do.. ship them via UPS or FEDEX and insure then for their value (insurance is pretty cheap.. something like $8 for $1200 worth of gear.)

This is good reading for those who travel (or plan to) with their gear: http://thinktankphoto.com/airport/
can you even hand-carry a $50k camera on-board?
haha...wtf? I dunno...and when I opened up my laptop and clicked on the A/V forum to check this thread it opened with the full text of my previous post in this box. Weird. I blame the weather!
I guess you wouldn't be able too, but I would never check it in. I guess advance shipping insured is the way to go at that point.
btw - I just checked my UPS statement and it shows that to insure my jib arm for $1200 was $10.80.

Scott - The weather must "really" suck where you're at then. :-p

Joe - Probably not.. but then again a lot of the studio camera guys don't own the cameras so they are probably a little bit more relaxed than us.
thats why whenever i go on shoots I only bring my disposable hd cam. so rad.
Strobist had a post about this exploit a while back, but it seems to have vanished. Check your gear in a locked case along with a gun...

http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2006/09/expensive_camer.html
|All times are GMT -7. The time now is 2:02 AM.


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Bethenny Frankel Talk Show
January 25, 2012 by staff
Bethenny Frankel Talk Show, Remember when the prospects for Bethenny Frankel's new talk show seemed slimmer than a Skinnygirl ccktail? Well, step aside, naysayers! Sure, Warner Brothers wasn't able to line up enough stations to carry the show this fall, but Bethenny is moving forward, anyway.
"The queen of too much information is coming to DAYTIME," wrote Frankel on her blog. Her show will debut in the form of a six-week, summer try-out on some FOX-owned stations in big markets (including New York and Los Angeles). If viewers like what they see, the show could get its own, regularly scheduled time slot in the fall of 2013.
How did she do it? It helps to have friends in high places, and Ellen DeGeneres clearly believes in Frankel, 41. Not only is she co-producing the show, she's had Frankel on The Ellen DeGeneres Show several times, and those appearances will no doubt continue.
Other reasons Frankel's being given this chance? Well, there's the obvious one, of course. Her straight-shooting frankness and confrontational style made her a breakout star on Bravo's The Real Housewives of New York, and it's carried her through three seasons of her spin-offs, Bethenny Getting Married? and Bethenny Ever After.
Not everyone loves her (hello, Jill Zarin!), but she sure gets people's attention. "Bethenny is a lightning rod," Frank Cicha,the senior vice president of programming for the FOX Television Stations, said in a statement. And season 3 of Bethenny Ever After (premiering Monday, Feb. 20, at 9 P.m. ET on Bravo) will wrap up in June — just in time to lead right into the start of her talk show. "From a marketing standpoint," the statement continues, "we love the idea of her hit reality series dovetailing into this test."
There's also the "real woman" factor. Frankel may be wealthier, more attractive and more powerful than most of her fans, but in her reality show she comes across as the snarky, clever pal in your circle of friends. The one with chutzpah, that is. She has built a business empire and established herself as a celebrity — all while acting like just one of the girls.
Please feel free to send if you have any questions regarding this post , you can contact on
Disclaimer: The views expressed on this site are that of the authors and not necessarily that of U.S.S.POST.


text: Hello Vinod (<email@example.com>) wrote: > I'm using Debian Sarge and am connecting to the net through a dial-up > modem. I'm using kernel 188.8.131.52 and tried connecting through various > programs as minicom and kppp. However after dialing into the ISP, the > pppd dies as soon as it starts. Why does this problem occur? Enable the debug mode in /etc/ppp/options, look at the output, post the parts that are interesting here. Also tell us the exit code ot pppd. Without this information, nobody will be able to help you. best regards Andreas Janssen -- Andreas Janssen <firstname.lastname@example.com> PGP-Key-ID: 0xDC801674 ICQ #17079270 Registered Linux User #267976 http://www.andreas-janssen.de/debian-tipps-sarge.html


text:
We are seeking qualified and experience Italian and English mother tongue teacher.
To teach English we only accept American or English mother tongue candidates with a degree in arts, science and music, geography or sports.
We also accept teaching certificates for teaching English as a foreign language. Experience is necessary.
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Tel. 0583.587484 - 0583.53564
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In a new report, the Children Ombudsman has voiced huge concerns 'about the serious and ongoing violations of the rights of children waiting for scoliosis treatment'. Two children whose surgeries were delayed reveal the physical and psychological impact of this delay
Delilah's Story
I was diagnosed when I was eight years old, in 2011. We didn't know about it until I fell off the swing we have on a tree in the back garden.
My mum is a nurse and she was looking at my back to see if I had injured myself and she noticed that something wasn't right with my spine. We went to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, and they diagnosed me with scoliosis and referred me to the consultant in Crumlin. I think I was already about a 40-degree curve at that time.
The first treatment the consultant advised was to refer me to go get a brace. They knew straight away that I would need the surgery at some point but they wanted to stabilise things and for me to get older and not be growing as much before I had the surgery. I was eight years old and so at first I thought it might be kind of cool to have a brace, but it didn't end up that way.
First, I waited six months for the brace but they ended up making me the wrong type. I wore it for about six months until my next appointment in Crumlin. The second the consultant saw it on me he told me to take it off and that it was not doing any good. He referred me for another one, which was the right type, but that was a year after I had been told to get it. My brace was very uncomfortable and I would often have bruising or bleeding, which they told me was very uncommon. In primary school, I would have to go out of class to take the brace off because it was so painful.
Once I started growing, things went downhill and the curvature increased. My hips were sore and I had internal pain all the time.
It got more difficult to do things. I was hunched, you could see it. My back, my shoulders, legs, and hips, they were all out of place and I was bent sideways. It's a big thing when you are young, how you see yourself.
I knew the longer I waited, the worse it could get, I just didn't realise how bad it would get and how serious the operations I would end up having would be.
Emotionally it was draining, constantly feeling like I couldn't do stuff, missing activities, missing school. I had appointments every six months. At one of these, in 2014, when I was 12, I was told to throw the brace away, that it was no good for me anymore and that I would just have to go for the operation. I was told I was now on the surgery waiting list.
We had known I would need surgery from the start so I was prepared for getting the news. But then we just waited to hear when I would actually have the surgery. I was always thinking "maybe it will be this month", but it never was. That was so frustrating. My parents were annoyed as well, they felt that there was no forward planning; all along, the hospital knew I would have surgery but they waited until it became critical before putting me on the surgery waiting list.
About a year after that, I was finally told that I was going to have the surgery.
I would have to go to England for it, but by that point I just wanted it done. In autumn 2015 we were asked if we would consider going to Stanmore (the hospital in England) for surgery as they were sending children over there. Although it wasn't perfect we straight away said yes. We met with the consultant and staff from Stanmore. The consultant had been a surgeon to the royal family! We were one of the first to accept the offer of going over so we'd be one of the first surgeries.
We had waited a long, long time and then, after being told I could have the surgery in Stanmore, it was only a month and a half until the surgery. It was just me and my dad who went over. We were fortunate because we had relatives in London who we could stay with for a night before I went to hospital and after surgery as I wasn't allowed fly for a while. Some people turned down going to Stanmore and I think the costs of going over there was part of the reason. The HSE pays for some but not all of the costs and it hasn't been easy to get all that sorted.
By the time I had the operation, my spinal curve was 90 to 100 degrees, which is a lot. Because of that, I didn't know if I would be having a one-part or two-part surgery and they wouldn't know until they saw inside me. It ended up that I needed a two-part surgery because of how severe my curve was. That was disappointing because I would have to stay in hospital about a week longer and because, if they had done it earlier, I could have had a one-part operation, which would have been easier and less painful.
They were big operations. They opened me up and then they had to move my organs to one side so that they could work on one part my spine. They also had to cut away some of my ribs.
Then they had to wait a week before operating on the other part of my spine. I was prepared for that but the thing that surprised me was that they had to put a chest drain in me between surgeries because they had to collapse my lungs. Out of everything they did, that was the most horrible part.
I remember crying and not wanting to move when all the physiotherapists were trying to get me out of the bed after the second surgery. When I first stood up after the operation I was very shocked. I felt very off-balance, standing straight for the first time in years.
I grew two inches because of the operation, suddenly I was taller than my sisters. We have a bit of a competition about height so I was happily surprised by that!
It wasn't great coming back getting services. We never get anything from Crumlin without having to ask. We had a follow-up in Crumlin after the operation when the team from Stanmore came over but even that didn't go perfectly as they didn't have the X-rays that we had taken to review things. We were meant to find out if I could go swimming and cycling on my holidays to France. That was annoying.
In Stanmore, they thought that physio would be waiting for me. They told me that once I was healed I should start getting physio in Ireland straight away. After years of having a curve in my spine the muscles around my back and shoulders need to be worked on. But I still don't have physio in Ireland, I'm still in pain, and my muscles spasm a lot. I've actually only just been told that I'll be getting some physio next week.
The point of me going to England was that I felt I could get it over and done with and move on with my life. Nearly a year later, I still haven't had physio and I'm still missing out.
Jane's story
When we were on holidays in summer 2013, my mum noticed that I was leaning and that one of my hips stuck out more than the other. When we got home we went to the GP and he told me I had scoliosis and referred me for an X-ray. Actually, when I was told I had scoliosis it made a bit of sense to us as I had always had a bit of back pain when I was playing sports. That was September 2013 and I was at 50 degrees already so I was referred to Crumlin.
I had my first appointment in November 2013 and they put me on the waiting list for surgery that day. Anything over 50 degrees needs surgery. I was 12 at the time and it didn't really register with me what I had or what was going to happen, nothing like how I felt near the end anyway.
It was idiopathic scoliosis, so we don't know how or why it developed, it just did, that's how it was explained to me.
I didn't know anyone else who was getting or who had had the surgery, or scoliosis. It was isolating. I feel like if there was a community built around scoliosis to exchange tips and stories it would help everybody. Your parents and the hospital can help to a certain extent, but you are the only one who has to go into school or look at yourself every day. Mum had gone on Facebook for tips and found pages such as Scoliosis Ireland and found parents and people who had the surgery. We didn't even know what scoliosis was before I had it. We had to kind of figure it out ourselves. Since my operation, Crumlin has put parents and kids from the area in touch with my mum to help with explaining and reassuring about things. That could have eased a lot of pressure on me if we had that.
At first, we were told it would be August 2014 when I would have my surgery, so we had our hopes set for that and, even in June of that year, they were still telling me August, but that rolled around and nothing.
And it went on and on like that, being pushed out by a month and then another month every time I would go up for an assessment. They would explain that emergency cases were being done, or someone else had been moved up the list, or there was no theatre time.
You'd get your hopes up every month, until, by the end, when they'd say it should be next month I'd just say to myself, OK I know it's not going to happen.
During that time, my scoliosis was getting worse and worse. By June 2014, it was 78 degrees. I had a curve in my upper back that was arched and another curve in my lower back that was more like normal scoliosis. At that stage, I had given up hockey, running, and dancing, and all the other stuff that I did. It was a lot for a 13-year-old to deal with.
By September 2014, I was over 96 degrees, up from 50 in one year.
I had gone from very little pain, to pain all the time, having to carry paracetamol in my school bag. I'd come home and basically be crippled and just have to lie down or sit against something warm to help with the pain. And then, at the very end of it, just before my surgery, my ribs had begun to enclose in on my lungs so I was having trouble breathing and I had a lot of indigestion because my food pipe was bent with my back. It was getting really bad.
On top of that, mentally and emotionally I was starting to hit early puberty and I was feeling like I didn't look like anyone else because my hip stuck out, I had a lump on my back, my shoulder was uneven, and I leaned to my left and was very collapsed on myself. It made me very self-conscious and it was draining to feel that way. My whole upper body was squished into itself so my clothes didn't fit right, I didn't like wearing tight clothes that would show off my back problem and I didn't like looking in the mirror because I knew I looked weird.
In the hospital, they would use the word deformity in front of me a lot. I know that's what it is, but when you're 13 or 14, it's not nice to have adults talk like that and say things like "your deformity has got significantly worse" right in front of you. The consultant was good at talking to me and explaining, but he wasn't always available when we went up, so we wouldn't always see him; when we didn't it wasn't always as easy for me, it could be very formal and 'doctory', and, ironically, I felt a bit out of place in a children's hospital!
I was told in February 2015 that I was going to have my operation and the date was set for March. Because my curve was so bad by that point I was going to need two surgeries. Initially I just thought it would end up being another "it'll happen next month" thing but as the date came closer we started to feel like it was actually going to happen this time.
We went up the night before my operation, but even then, we didn't know for sure if we had a bed because they couldn't tell us until we got there. We were just praying it would go ahead. Thankfully, it did and I had my first surgery the next day. It felt surreal, we had waited so long and now it was happening, it kind of goes by you in a blur.
Then I was a week in hospital before the spinal fusion surgery. That week in hospital was not fun. It was painful, especially the chest pump. I spent most of it asleep.
The ward that I was in was very run down for a spinal injury ward. There were no facilities for parents to stay on the ward and there were two children in each room, which is a bit uncomfortable. There were three broken wheelchairs on the ward to share between all the kids. There was one shower and three toilets. I couldn't eat much but the food was just not nice or very healthy. At night, there were only two nurses on duty to look after children who couldn't even sit up on their own, let alone go to the toilet or whatever. The nurses were fantastic, though, and took great care of me.
When I woke up after the second operation I had a big cry. I had this moment when I reached down my body and I felt my rib area and they weren't sticking out and then I reached down where my hip was and it wasn't sticking out and then I started bawling. It had been so long since I had seen myself not deformed, twisted, sore, and broken. There was also so much relief and happiness that it had finally happened after a year of waiting, complaining, and giving out to people.
The surgery went really well and they got a better result than I could have hoped for. I was at 108 degrees at surgery and they got it down to 18 degrees. I couldn't be happier with that, but it could have been even less had they done the surgery a year or so before that.
The recovery took a while. I went to physio for about a year after coming out of hospital. They gave me shoulder and core exercises to get me back on my feet. I did get a lot of pain in the months after the operation as my muscles were still stretching back to where they were meant to be and that kind of thing. But 2016 was a good year for the pain, I still get the occasional backache or whatever but it's better.
I'm basically back to normal and how I should be, but there are some issues and restrictions. One of my shoulder blades sticks out. I think that's because my ribs are a bit deformed from it happening while I was still growing.
They removed four discs in my vertebrae to make sure the bones would fuse together and not go back to the way it was, but that has meant that I don't have as much flexibility. I have to keep my back straight because I can't bend my back any other way, so things like tying my shoes is a bit weird and I can't relax into a couch, little things like that. It's not painful, it's just restrictive. I'm all one solid object in my upper body.
At the time, I was just so relieved to have the operation done but now, looking back, it's annoying and makes me angry. My operation could have been so much simpler and better. I wouldn't have been out of school for months afterwards. I wouldn't have been in hospital as long. I wouldn't have taken a bed that someone else could have used. I wouldn't have had the chest pump while I was in hospital and I wouldn't have taken up two theatre dates instead of just one. I have two giant scars now, one from my ribs to my belly button and one down my back, whereas if they had done it a year earlier I would have been left with just a tiny scar on the middle of my back, less pain, less time recovering, and have more movement in my back.
But really, I'll deal with all that, I'm just glad I don't have scoliosis anymore.
The surgery gave me a new lease on life. I could start afresh. I basically felt like a new person.
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A Place Called Home is a wonderful organization. At this moment I am taking a break from serving Thanksgiving to the South Los Angeles community. This morning APCH gave over 500 grocery bags and Turkeys that will certainly make tomorrows Thanksgiving special. My whole family is volunteering to make this day, this season a special one for the community. We love that we can come together as a family and give back. Thank you APCH!
When you believe that every child deserves an opportunity to become the very best they can be, then you would hope that all children, no matter how poor their family, could be a member of APCH. From help with homework, being tutored to being mentored, children entering APCH enter a loving , caring enviornment where they know they are safe, no matter how difficult the neighborhood in which they live. With calles in art, music, dance, computers, drama,and sports, kids get the opportunity to experience so many of the enrichment programs that are not available to them in their public schools. Finally, it is remarkable the number of members that have become the first in their family to attend university with college scholarships and guidance. Every child should have the same chance in life to maximize their potential.
APCH is contributes to children's lives everyday. This organization is not an "organization" - it is a family that works together everyday to touch and positively impact the lives of community children by giving them access to creating a healthy, balanced and personally fulfilling life. I am honored to be a part of this "family" and cannot think of a more valuable organization to donate my time or resources.
I carefully choose which organization to get close to and support for time commitment and financial reasons. APCH was the absolute right choice. I get more out of being involved and volunteering from the children that attend APCH than I could ever give back. I see the difference the staff and programs make in these young lives with everything from college scholarships to teaching the kids to back to their community. It is quite a thing of beauty.


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RepairPal is your advocate for car care advice and guidance
Q: windsheild wipers only operate on the fastest speed. on 2004 Hummer H2
windsheild wipers only operate on the fastest speed. all speeds were working yesterday. does the motor did replacing? Where can I obtain step by step instructions to replace? Many thanks.
Step by step instructions will be in a repair manual that you may be able to get online or likely at a parts store. The rheostat that controls speeds is likely bad. It is a progressive resistance circuit that builds ohms resistance to control the speed. May be a seperate part or in the motor or a prob with the speed control in the vehicle.
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text: Today the status bar at the top of my screen just diappeared in ADW. I shut the phone off and restarted. The status bar came back. Then the setting widget (bluetooth, wifi, etc.) started to look funky almost like static on a tv. I tried to put the widget in the trash can and it would not delete. I swithed to stock android launcher and everythin was fine. Switched back to ADW and still had the funky widget. I deleted ADW and redownload and now it is working fine. Anyone else experiencing this?


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I caught up with OUAT last night. The show airs on ABC, a Disney company, which would make sense that their fairy tale is based on Disney's take of my classic childhood favorites.
As a child, I didn't like Snow White all that much. Because her story was tragic. ("Why'd she have to die???" --- I asked this as a child. I loved Cinderella way better. Her shoes? To die for. Hee!)
Anyway, the series dramatizes the tragedy further.
It takes off after Snow White's Prince Charming found and saved her. They marry and she becomes pregnant, and the Evil Queen enters the picture and makes their lives miserable (of course!).
Without giving too much of the plot away, lemme just say that the birth of Snow White's daughter, Emma --- a twist I thought was actually cool --- triggered the change in their fairy tale world. This is what OUAT would like to build on --- giving an old classic its new way of telling the story.
So now, we see this alternate world where Snow White is a school teacher and her prince is on a hospital bed somewhere, in a coma. (Role-reversal! Fantastic!)
And all the rest of the fairy tale characters are either accountants or policemen; basically, common folks like the rest of us. They don't have any memory of who they really are. Snow White, especially, moves and talks as if she's in a trance.
The Evil Queen, however, seems to know. In the alternate world, I'm not sure what she is (Mayor's wife?), but she is the same cold-hearted bitch.
The key to all of these is Henry, a kid of about 9 or 10 years old. He lives in the alternate world, and is, in fact, adopted by the Evil Queen (who now goes by Regina). Henry has gotten hold of an acient book that gave him these ideas about who these people are.
And the other twist is --- Henry is supposedly SnowWhite's grandson, Emma's biological son.
Intrigued yet?
I'm also quite intrigued by how similar these lead characters look physically. Ever since the promo posters for Once Upon A Time came out, I've wondered how all these women's characters are connected.
|EMMA, Snow White's daughter
|THE EVIL QUEEN, SNOW WHITE's Step Mom
Anyway, the pilot was not impressively written as I would have expected. Although none of that matters now, because the pilot, which actually aired last Sunday, was well-received. The highest-rated debut of a new show for this season, in fact.
My beef though is that the exposition of some of its storylines, to me, felt forced. And I think the problem lies with trying to lend a 'darker tone' to a Disney fairy tale (where it's mostly sugar and spice, right?). But towards the last few minutes of the episode, the story picked up. If you plan on watching, I suggest you muster a little patience and sit through it because it DOES get better.
I've watched Jennifer Morrison, the central character (Emma), on House all those years and I was never sympathetic to her character there. It's not the same case for me for OUAT. I thought she did great and I thought there was chemistry between her and that child who plays Henry.
Henry, however, is lacking in charisma.
This is the kind of show viewers would love to pick apart, especially since we all know our fairy tale characters well. (Coz we read books of it during our time. There were no Angry Birds to play with!)
And once Grimm does air by the end of the week, it would interesting to see how these shows stack against each other. Grimm, being Grimm, is expectedly morose.
Which fairy tale based program would live happily ever after in TV world, where viewership matters?


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PLEASE COMPLETE REGISTRATION BEFORE MAKING PAYMENTS. Course fees include CAOHC application fee and nursing contact hours. Fees are due at the time of registration and are refundable, less 20%, up to 2 weeks prior to class date. After that, fees are not refundable but may be applied to a future course within 6 months for a 20% transfer fee. Fees not applied within 6 months are subject to forfeit. If you are a no show at the class without prior notice, all fees are automatically forfeited. We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule classes as necessary. Sound Solutions does not reimburse travel cancellation fees. Please wait for written course confirmation before scheduling flights.


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The Peninsula Spa Tokyo
When you need a break from stressful business meetings in the surrounding Marunouchi neighborhood, relief after a long flight or an indulgent end to a day of walking around the nearby Ginza shopping d...
The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo
You'll feel on top of the world at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo. And it's not because of the four-handed Oriental Harmony scrub and massage (though that certainly doesn't hurt). Per...
Yu, The Spa at Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo
Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Yu, The Spa is such a beautiful wellness facility that it is the reason many guests decide to visit
Mizuki Spa at Conrad Tokyo
You'll find an otherworldly place at Mizuki Spa at Conrad Tokyo, the largest such facility in the city. Taking up the entire 29th floor of the
CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo
While all high-end spas offer a respite from the outside world, CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La, in the boutique-style Four-Star
Spa & Fitness KIOI
Tokyo's skyline is on grand display at Spa & Fitness Kioi, located on the 30th floor of
The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo Spa & Fitness
The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo towers above the city, occupying the top nine floors of Tokyo's t...
AO Spa at Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills
Located on the 37th floor of the Toranomon Hills Mori Tower in the Toranomon Hills development, the 14,500-square-foot club and spa of
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Nagomi Spa & Fitness at Grand Hyatt Tokyo
Hidden away on the fifth floor of Grand Hyatt Tokyo, Nagomi Spa & Fitness is all about harmony and b...


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Since dog/cat pee/poo makes a predator mark/scent that causes native animals to act more warily, do non-pet owners sight more wildlife than pet owners (irrelevant of that pets hunting)?
What a pleasant topic of conversation! 😳
My pets don't go out. But, I've seen many carnivores/omnivores out my window; coyotes, foxes, raccoons, possums, skunks, bobcats, feral cats, hawks and eagles. I also see many herbivores; squirrels, chipmunks, mice, rabbits, deer and birds.
The presence of predators doesn't keep the prey animals from visiting our yard, … Read more


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Comfort Inn & Suites Farmington - Victor
Select your stay dates to check availability at Comfort Inn & Suites Farmington - Victor
Comfort Inn & Suites Farmington - Victor
About the Hotel
Property Location
With a stay at Comfort Inn & Suites Farmington - Victor, you'll be centrally located in Farmington, convenient to Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack and Ravenwood Golf Club. This hotel is within the vicinity of Ganondagan State Historic Site and Parkview Fairways Golf Course.
Make yourself at home in one of the 60 air-conditioned rooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wired and wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming provides entertainment. Conveniences include desks and coffee/tea makers, as well as phones with free local calls.
Rec, Spa, Premium Amenities
Don't miss out on the many recreational opportunities, including an indoor pool, a spa tub, and a 24-hour fitness center.
A complimentary buffet breakfast is included.
Business, Other Amenities
Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, a computer station, and a 24-hour front desk. Planning an event in Farmington? This hotel has facilities measuring 540 square feet (49 square meters), including a meeting room. Free self parking is available onsite.
Hotel Facilities
- Free RV, bus, truck parking
- Number of floors - 3
- Free self parking
- Spa tub
- One meeting room
- Computer station
- 24-hour business center
- 24-hour fitness facilities
- Free WiFi
- 24-hour front desk
- Free breakfast
- Total number of rooms - 60
- Safe-deposit box at front desk
- Elevator/lift
- Conference space size (meters) - 49
- Indoor pool
- Number of buildings/towers - 1
- Conference space size (feet) - 540
Room Facilities
- Free WiFi
- Free cribs/infant beds
- Iron/ironing board
- Rollaway/extra beds available
- Hair dryer
- Free wired high-speed Internet
- Connecting/adjoining rooms available
- Coffee/tea maker
- Flat-panel TV
- Desk
- Phone
- Cable TV service
- Air conditioning
- Free local calls
Hotel Policy
Know Before You Go
- The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.
The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check-in, or check-out.
- Rollaway bed fee: USD 10 per night
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.Show all hotel policy Show less hotel policy