text:
The Ultimate Guide To Understanding Chronic Pain | PART 2
The purpose of this guide is to provide you with a solid foundation of knowledge about chronic pain so that you can understand your chronic pain better & then, in turn, manage it better.
Knowledge is power. This is why it is so important for you to be an informed patient.
The uncertainty, which living with chronic pain brings, often leads us to feel hopeless & helpless. Knowing that there is no "cure" only strengthens those feelings.
But, I learned on my own chronic pain journey, that there ARE things that we can do to help our bodies heal. I have been gathering gold nuggets of knowledge & insight that I want to share with the chronic pain community via this blog.
As I kept learning about new ways that I can be pro-active about helping myself heal, the sense of hopelessness & helplessness began to evaporate. It was replaced by renewed hope and inner strength – my new found understanding of chronic pain began to help me feel empowered. You can read some of my chronic illness & chronic pain story here.
I am not promising overnight healing or even complete healing for that matter.
What I am proposing is a promise that we make to our own selves – a promise to never give up on our health.
Despite the fact that many of us have been told that there is no cure, and most certainly no magic pill, for our chronic illness', including chronic pain, I pray & wish for each one of us to have the inner strength to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Because if we ourselves do not strive to keep fighting for our health, then who will?
Ultimately WE hold the power.
With so much going against us, such as denied disability claims, unsupportive employers & treatments that don't work, to name a few, it is far easier to just give up.
But we don't. We choose to be WARRIORS instead.
So let us channel our limited supply of energy into a lifestyle of healing.
Future parts of this guide will go into details of how interconnected our pain experiences are to all aspects of our life. In order to keep striving to heal, all aspects of pain need to be targeted. As my pain specialist once told me, let's throw everything at it….well, not literally everything, just the stuff that has a leg to stand on.
There will be no hokey-pokey 'cures' on this blog – only solid advice that has scientific merit. I have a strong science background & a critical eye for information.
If you haven't yet read PART 1 of this guide, check it out to get a good understanding of what is chronic pain, what are the different types of chronic pain and what are the differences between acute & chronic pain.
PART 2, which is what you are reading right now, covers chronic pain assessment. It is very important that you have an accurate diagnosis.
Many chronic pain patients end up being misdiagnosed at some point in their healing journey. Unfortunately, this can lead to worsening symptoms, including an increase in pain, and obviously a delay in proper treatment.
I want this part of the guide to help you receive a more timely and correct diagnosis.
PART 2 of the guide includes a FREE 7-page printable Medical History & Symptoms form and checklist that is especially useful for your initial appointments with specialists. There is a sign-up window for this printable further down below.
PART 1 of the guide covers:
- What Is Chronic Pain?
- What Are The Different Types of Chronic Pain?
- Acute Pain vs. Chronic Pain
PART 2 of the guide covers:
- Chronic Pain Assessment
- Which Doctor Should I See First For My Chronic Pain?
- Determine The Pain Type(s)
- Your Medical & Family History
- Physical Examination
- Testing
- Arriving At A Diagnosis
- Specialists
- A Word On Pain Clinics
- We Are Not "Doctor Shopping"
Chronic Pain Assessment
Treating pain and the underlying causes of your pain symptoms early on can help prevent or lessen the impact of pain chronification changes that occur once chronic pain sets in. Because once pain chronicity takes place, the pain is a lot more difficult to treat (1).
This does NOT mean that it is too late to start treating your chronic pain. It may take more determination, time and focus on your part, but it is not impossible.
Unfortunately, as you probably know first hand, too many chronic pain patients fall through the cracks and do not receive prompt treatment, proper treatment or even enough medical consideration for their symptoms.
But, it is very important that you have an accurate diagnosis because it will determine your treatment.
However, chronic pain patients are a challenge to diagnose properly for a number of reasons.
- Many chronic illnesses have chronic pain or chronic widespread pain (CWP) as a symptom (2).
- To complicate things, many chronic pain patients have more than 1 type of pain and suffer from more than 1 chronic pain condition (2, 3).
- To make things even more challenging, many chronic illnesses have chronic pain AND these other symptoms in common (2, 3, 4):
- Fatigue
- Poor sleep quality
- Anxiety &/or depression
- Brain fog or cognitive difficulties
- Body stiffness
- Muscle weakness
- Swelling
- Soft tissue or body tenderness
- Poor quality of life
- Difficulties with activities of daily living
- In addition, there are some conditions that lack awareness even amongst the medical community or perhaps the diagnoses criteria have been updated (for example Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) and the doctors you are seeing are only familiar with outdated information. Or the medical condition is quite rare & isn't even on the doctor's radar.
- Also, individual patients suffering from the same root cause can experience different symptoms.
So the reality is that many of us end up being misdiagnosed & it can take months and sometimes even years to have our medical issues properly sorted out.
We truly are a challenging and complex group of patients.
Even when you start receiving thorough and comprehensive medical care, do not expect to have a diagnosis and treatment plan in place right after your first appointment.
Because dealing with chronic pain tends to take you on a journey – visiting various specialists, undergoing different tests, and trialing different treatment types. It is like putting together pieces of a puzzle.
This section of the guide will help you determine if you are receiving a good medical evaluation for your chronic pain.
If this is the start of your healing journey, it is best to first make an appointment with your primary care provider or general practitioner/family physician.
This doctor may become your primary physician that oversees your chronic pain management. Or, further down the road, you may find another physician or even clinic, that will oversee your medical care.
No matter what physician you see, the goals of their assessments should be:
- to determine your pain types
- to determine if your medical &/or family history has clues as to what could be the underlying cause(s) of your medical issues
- to provide a thorough & detailed examination of your body
- to determine which, if any, testing could shed light on your symptoms
- to determine if you require specialist referrals
- to confidently provide a diagnosis or at least rule in or rule out disorders or illness categories ( e.g. autoimmune, musculoskeletal)
- to determine what type of treatment(s) would be most appropriate for you
The physicians you see need to determine if you are suffering from untreated acute pain or ongoing chronic pain (5).
It is also important for the physicians to determine which biological mechanisms are causing your pain, as your treatments will depend on the type of pain that you are experiencing.
To recap the What Are The Different Types of Chronic Pain section from PART 1 of this guide, chronic pain is usually divided into the following categoiries:
- nociceptive pain originating in the skin, muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, bones or body wall
- inflammation may be present & you can experience additional pain because of it
- superficial somatic pain can feel sharp, throbbing, pricking or burning; It occurs in the skin and mucous membranes
- deep somatic pain can feel sharp or dull, like a deep ache, cramping or gnawing
- nociceptive pain originating in the internal organs
- inflammation may be present & you can experience additional pain because of it
- it often feels like a deep squeeze, ache or pressure; it can be diffuse
- pain is caused by injury, irritation or dysfunction of the peripheral or central nervous system
- it can feel electrical, numb, tingling, burning, radiating, shooting, stabbing, knife-like or toothache-like
Check out PART 1 of the guide to read more detailed information on the different types of chronic pain.
Remember that you are likely experiencing different pain types at the same time, especially if your chronic pain has gone on for some time (2, 5).
It is very important that you are given the time to provide a full medical history.
Many chronic pain patients have trouble finding physicians that will make the time for their long list of sometimes perplexing complaints. My hat goes off to all the doctors who take us on & have a vested interest in figuring out our health troubles and how best to treat them.
If my own primary care physician wasn't willing to spend at least 1 hour, many times longer, on almost every single appointment with me, I know that my recovery would have been impacted negatively.
Below you will find a long list of information and symptoms that you should include during your initial appointments with the various physicians you see. From my experience, specialist clinics like chronic pain clinics, sleep clinics or mental health clinics, tend to use a formal more in-depth questionnaire, but that is not always the case.
And sometimes, for whatever reason, doctors simply don't ask about some symptoms, even though they could be relevant, and this potentially significant information falls through the cracks and takes you along with it.
There could be symptoms that you may have noticed, but simply shrugged off thinking that they would not have anything to do with ANY medical issue.
This list also gives you food for thought and will help you to notice relevant symptoms, that you have never paid attention to before.
I wish that I would have had such a list when I first sought medical help when my chronic pain became severe. Read about some of my chronic pain & chronic illness story here.
I prepared an awesome (well, at least I think so 🙂 but make sure to let me know what you think in the comments section!) form and checklist that captures a lot of relevant information when you suffer from chronic pain. I would have loved to have something like this at the beginning of my chronic pain journey when I was preparing for doctor appointments…..especially the initial specialist consultations.
Subscribe to strivetoheal.com and receive your FREE 7-page printable Medical History & Symptoms form and checklist!
Knowing about the symptoms below will help doctor(s) determine your proper diagnosis & what testing and specialist referrals you may need (2, 6, 7, 8):
- family medical history of similar issues or any of the symptoms from below
- were it hurts and what the pain(s) feels like
- when the pain developed
- how the pain has evolved
- abnormal pain response (e.g. pain from gentle touch, severe pain with a minor injury)
- what makes your pain better or worse
- if your pain is aggravated by weather changes, tension, poor sleep, stress
- what makes your other symptoms better or worse
- difficulties with sleep (falling asleep, staying asleep, light sleep, early awakening, poor sleep quality)
- fatigue that does not get better with sleep
- brain fog (trouble with: concentrating & finding words, poor memory, problem-solving, reading comprehension)
- weight loss or gain
- reduced or increased appetite
- fever
- abnormal sweating
- dry mouth
- if you experience morning stiffness and how long it takes to improve
- general body stiffness
- if your fingers, legs or toes get discolored (white, blue, purple or red)
- rashes
- easy bruising
- fragile skin – tears or splits open easily, stitches tear out, takes longer to heal
- soft, velvety or silky skin
- scars that look like parchment paper or cigarette burns, unusual scarring, widened scars, scars that are sunken below the surface of the surrounding skin
- fleshy scars or fleshy skin over pressure points (e.g. fingers, elbows, knees, chin, forehead)
- small movable cysts under the skin
- excess stretch marks
- stretch marks during adolescence that are not associated with rapid weight gain
- minimal or non-existent stretch marks during pregnancy even with significant rapid weight gain
- increased wrinkling of palms
- abnormal skin sensations (e.g. more sensitive, numbness)
- arachnodactyly (long and slender fingers/toes)
- mechanic's hands – thickened, rough, chapped, cracked skin on tips and sides of fingers or palms resembling those of a manual laborer
- hiker's feet – thickened, rough, chapped, cracked skin on toes, heels, and/or balls of feet
- white looking nodules under the skin just above soles of feet while standing
- foot deformities
- sun sensitivity
- noise, smell and/or light sensitivity
- any bowel symptoms (diarrhea, nausea, bloating, constipation, blood in stools, abdominal pain & cramping)
- acid reflux, heartburn
- slipped/herniated/prolapsed disks
- very flexible or double-jointed even as a child
- if you could ever place your hands flat on the floor without bending your knees
- if you could ever bend your thumb to touch your forearm
- if you could ever do the splits
- repeated sprains and/or joint dislocations (full or partial) especially shoulder, knee or ankle
- fractures with minimal trauma
- recurrent jaw pain, clicking, locking, popping
- other injuries to joints, ligaments, tendons or other soft tissues around joints
- early onset osteoarthritis
- scoliosis
- increased body/joint pain with ovulation or menstruation
- heavy and painful menstruation
- musculoskeletal and/or pelvic complications in pregnancy
- painful intercourse
- pain with fine motor tasks or repetitive tasks (e.g. handwriting, using utensils)
- clumsiness (e.g bumping into things)
- poor response to local anesthetics (e.g. dental procedures, freezing prior to epidural)
- early onset recession of the gums (childhood, adolescence)
- dental crowding
- high or narrow palate (roof of the mouth)
- early onset of varicose veins (under age 30 especially if a woman has not had children)
- ruptured blood vessels (e.g. aneurysm) or organs
- heart valve disease
- hernias
- organ prolapse (organs drop out of position)
- hemorrhoids
- blue discoloration of the sclera (white of the eye)
- eye lens or retinal detachment
- cataracts
- abnormal cornea
- astigmatism
- myopia (nearsightedness) – poor long-distance vision
- glaucoma (increased pressure of the eye)
- hearing loss
- recurrent fainting or feeling that you will pass out (e.g. with prolonged standing)
- heart palpitations (increased heart rate) and/or lightheadedness when go from lying to standing
- slow or fast heart rate at rest
- high or low blood pressure
- over-sensitivity to temperatures
- exercise intolerance
- chest pain
- dizziness
- balance issues
- delayed gross motor skills as a child (e.g. crawling, walking)
- delayed fine motor skills as a child (e.g. writing, zipping, using fork/spoon, buttoning)
- persistent "growing pains" as a child
- learning disabilities
- childhood trauma, abuse (physical or emotional) or high levels of stress
- current trauma, abuse (physical or emotional) or high levels of stress
- anxiety, panic disorder, depression
- current & past medications
- dosages
- effect on symptoms
- any side-effects
- correlation between the start of medication and new or worsening pain/symptoms within 1-2 months
Any physical examination you have needs to be thorough.
However, it can be tricky for a patient to gauge if the physician is being thorough because different doctors can use different assessment tools and tests, even when they are assessing for the same condition. But once you go through a few physical examinations, you will be able to get a sense of how much effort the physician is putting in.
Here are some tips on what you should expect (2). Keep in mind that depending on the specialty of the doctor you see, the physical examination could vary.
- full physical examination with particular attention to areas of complaint
- checking for swelling, redness, rash, deformity, range of motion (ROM), stiffness
- an attempt at reproducing the pain
- assessment of
- eyes
- body tenderness
- trigger points
- tender points
- muscle spasm
- normal walking (gait)
- heal and toe walking
- balance
- muscle strength, tone, shape
- reflexes
- abnormal sensations
- lymph nodes
- skin hyperelasticity
In my experience, some doctors seem to think that a gentle prodding here and there, without re-creating pain means that there is no evidence of tenderness or of that area being a pain generator. Even though the tenderness or pain is there…..it's always there…..they just didn't do a good enough job of finding it.
Then there are the doctors who don't bother doing anything about your complaints except giving you sick notes. Sometimes they don't even bother directing you to someone who could help you.
Some doctors are very arrogant and condescending and totally convinced that they have nailed your diagnosis & take offense if you try to ask questions or attempt to have a discussion regarding your care. They may cut you off as you are trying to tell them relevant information, and then bluntly tell you that your appointment is finished and that you should gather your things and leave.
Some doctors are thorough and open minded to questions or discussions and it would be great if they could be involved in your medical care….except that they just don't have the time for a high need patient like you.
I have experienced all of these scenarios and more.
If a doctor is cutting you off, rushing through your appointment or is not interested in really hearing your story, then that is NOT a good sign.
If the doctor barely, or maybe even not at all, checks over your body, then that is NOT a good sign.
If the doctor expects you to sit quietly and only LISTEN to what THEY have to say, then that is NOT a good sign.
Listen to your gut. You will feel it when your concerns are being dismissed, minimized, or overlooked. It probably means that this particular medical appointment has been a waste of time and money and that you will need to keep pushing forward.
Doctors with good bedside manners & excellent clinical skills DO exist. Do not give up on finding a good physician because they will be your ally in your chronic pain journey.
Laboratory or imaging testing can be used to further narrow down your diagnosis.
Specific testing is only available for SOME conditions.
A specific lab test for Fibromyalgia does not yet exist.
Testing for Lyme disease is notoriously difficult.
Some conditions are expected to have normal lab and imaging results.
Repeatedly receiving negative test results is a double-edged sword – on the one hand, you are relieved, while on the other hand, you wish that you would get some concrete answers as to the cause of your pain.
Some of the possible tests that you may need to undergo (2) are listed here:
- Systemic Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases
- e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, ankylosing spondylitis, myositis
- ESR, CRP, RF, anti-CCP, ANA, HLA-B27 and others
- joint ultrasound
- x-rays
- e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, ankylosing spondylitis, myositis
- Musculoskeletal Conditions
- e.g. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, myofascial pain syndrome, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, tendonitis, myopathy
- genetic testing if available
- x-rays
- joint blocks, nerve blocks
- e.g. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, myofascial pain syndrome, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, tendonitis, myopathy
- Endocrine and Metabolic Conditions
- e.g. hypothyroidism, vitamin and nutrient deficiencies, sub-optimal thyroid function, anemia
- TSH, PTH, T4, T3, TPO, antithyroglobulin antibodies & others
- Vit D, Vit B12 & others
- iron and ferritin levels
- e.g. hypothyroidism, vitamin and nutrient deficiencies, sub-optimal thyroid function, anemia
- Gastroenterological Conditions
- e.g. irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, food sensitivities
- Transglutaminase antibody
- colonoscopy
- e.g. irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, food sensitivities
- Infectious Diseases
- e.g. hepatitis C, Lyme disease, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr (mononucleosis)
- Anti-HCV
- Lyme disease testing
- EBV antibodies & others
- e.g. hepatitis C, Lyme disease, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr (mononucleosis)
- Malignancy (cancer)
- testing depends on symptoms
- Neurological Conditions
- e.g. fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, spinal stenosis, neuropathy
- nerve conduction studies & others
- evoked potential
- e.g. fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, spinal stenosis, neuropathy
Based on your medical & family history, physical examination, and test results, the doctors you visit should be able to narrow down your symptoms into one or more of these categories (2, 9) and hopefully confidently diagnose or rule out various medical conditions. Some diagnoses are made by virtue of exclusion – for example, a classic fibromyalgia diagnosis should be made only if all other causes of your pain have been ruled out (9).
- Systemic Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases
- e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, ankylosing spondylitis, myositis
- your immune system is not working properly and attacks your tissues
- Musculoskeletal Conditions
- e.g. Ehler-Danlos, myofascial pain syndrome, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, tendonitis, myopathy
- the body's proper form, support, stability, and movement is affected – involves the joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, bones, fascia, cartilage, bursae, nerves and blood vessels
- Endocrine and Metabolic Conditions
- e.g. hypothyroidism, vitamin and nutrient deficiencies, sub-optimal thyroid function, anemia
- endocrine glands produce and release hormones, which play a critical role in how your body functions; essential to maintaining life
- metabolic conditions affect the body's normal chemical reactions that break down molecules (e.g. to release energy from food) and that make new larger molecules from smaller ones (e.g. amino acids are used to make proteins); essential to maintaining life
- Gastroenterological Conditions
- e.g. irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, food sensitivities
- dysfunction of the digestive system including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon and rectum, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts and liver
- Infectious Diseases
- e.g. hepatitis C, Lyme disease, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr (mononucleosis)
- Malignancy (cancer)
- Neurological Conditions
- e.g. fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, spinal stenosis, neuropathy
- there is irritation, damage or dysfunction of your nervous system
- Mental Health Disorders
- e.g. anxiety, depression, somatoform pain disorder
- impact your emotional, psychological and social well being but are also known to play an important role in chronic pain
- Medication-Induced Pain Conditions
- e.g. myopathy, hyperalgesia, peripheral neuropathy, arthralgia, bone pain, polymyositis
- These medications have been associated with body pain:
- Statins
- Opioids
- Chemotherapeutic agents
- Aromatase Inhibitors
- Bisphosphonates
An accurate diagnosis is dependent on how much experience & knowledge the physician you see has with the various pain conditions & the other medical conditions that closely mimic the symptoms of these pain conditions.
A large chunk of a proper diagnosis also has to do with how adept the physician is with a comprehensive physical examination as well as their ability to look at the big picture – to make connections between different symptoms and to be able to tease out multiple medical conditions in a single patient.
This list gives you an idea of what medical conditions the doctors you are seeing should be keeping in mind during their medical assessments (2, 3, 9):
- Fibromyalgia
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Psoriatic Arthritis
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Polymyalgia Rheumatica
- Ankylosing Spondylitis (Inflammatory Spondyloarthritis)
- Myofascial Pain Syndrome
- Joint Hypermobility Syndrome
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (Hypermobility Type)
- Hypothyroidism
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Vitamin D Deficiency
- Acromegaly
- Hashimoto's Disease (Chronic Lymphocytic Thyroiditis)
- Celiac Disease
- Anemia
- Mitochondrial Energy Insufficiency
- Lyme Disease
- Hepatitis C Infection
- Human Immunodeficiency Disease
- Cancer
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinson's Disease
- Peripheral Neuropathy
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Facet Joint Mediated Pain
- Scoliosis
- Myositis
- Postural Distortions
- Tendonitis
- Migraines
- Pompe Disease
- McArdle Disease
- Myoadenylate Deaminase
- Myotonic Dystrophy Type 2
- Neuromyotonia
- Mechanical Low Back Pain
- Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
- Pelvic Girdle Dysfunction
- Visceral (organ) Pain
- Chronic Pelvic Pain
- Endometriosis
- Vulvodynia
- Chronic Headaches/Migraines
- Temporomandibular Joint Pain
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Somatoform Pain Disorder
- Depression
- Medication-Induced Pain
Chronic pain is a multi-faceted and complicated medical issue. There is a lot of interconnection between different body systems and it is best practice for us to have a multidisciplinary approach to our medical care.
You will likely have appointments with some, or many, of the following specialists on your chronic pain journey:
- Rheumatologist
- deals with the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune and musculoskeletal conditions, including connective tissue disorders
- Neurologist
- deals with the diagnosis and treatment of nervous system disorders
- Pain or Pain Management
- deals with the diagnosis and treatment of pain conditions
- usually this is a sub-specialty and the physician has other credentials such as physiatry, anesthesiology, psychiatry or neurology
- Interventional Pain Specialist – has additional training and experience in minimally invasive treatments of pain such as facet joint injections, nerve blocks, joint blocks and injections, epidural injections & radiofrequency neurotomy
- Orthopedic Surgeon
- deals with the diagnosis of musculoskeletal conditions & treatment through surgical and non-surgical interventions
- Physiatrist or Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
- deals with the diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions
- Psychiatrist
- deals with the diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders
- Gastroenterologist
- deals with the diagnosis and treatment of digestive system disorders
- Endocrinologist
- deals with the diagnosis and treatment of the endocrine system & hormonal imbalances
- Gynecologist
- deals with the diagnosis and treatment of the female reproductive system
- Sleep
- deals with the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders
- usually this is a sub-specialty and the physician has other credentials such as Psychiatry or Respirology
- Sports Medicine
- deals with the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions
- usually this is a sub-specialty and the physician has other credentials such as physiatry or family medicine
If your chronic pain is severe and is not responding to the various treatments you have tried so far, please discuss a pain clinic referral with your primary physician….that is if you haven't yet had an appointment at one.
And if you have visited a pain clinic already but found that the treatment didn't help, keep in mind that not all pain clinics are the same. They can differ in the types and quality of treatments they offer. You may need to visit more than 1 pain clinic in order to find the best fit for you as a person and as a patient.
The message here is that if 1 pain clinic didn't meet your hopes and expectations, don't throw in the towel! Always keep pushing forward looking for those missing pieces of your chronic pain puzzle.
I have so far been a patient at 2 pain clinics.
The first experience was an epic failure. I won't go into details right now, but instead of making my severe pain better, by the time they threw in the towel on me because I wasn't responding to their treatment plan, my pain was so much worse than when I first started visiting them (hint: they got my diagnosis wrong).
When I began attending my current pain clinic, my first reaction was that it strangely felt like I belonged there – like I had finally come "home".
Nowhere else had I seen other people gathered in one place that were in obvious pain and that had the kinds of difficulties I was having with getting up from sitting, walking etc. The only missing link was that younger patients such as myself were outnumbered by older patients.
But, for the first time, I did not feel alone in this nightmare of a journey! I was no longer the odd one out! And all the staff genuinely understood my physical limitations – I never got strange looks or puzzled faces.
It is at this time that I really started realizing how lonely & isolating my chronic pain experience was.
It is one of those struggles where someone has to walk in your shoes for them to really understand what you are going through.
Unfortunately, a journey such as ours, to find a physician who really understands and is knowledgeable about our medical issues, can simplistically be looked upon by an unsupportive employer or an insurance company that keeps denying your long-term disability claim, as "doctor shopping"….even though this couldn't be any further from the truth.
We are actually in a FIGHT FOR OUR LIFE. Our pain may not literally kill us, but it does make us live a limited existence as we survive from one day to the next.
We have to be stronger than others can imagine in order to keep pushing forward in our quest to heal & regain a sense of actually LIVING our life.
So my fellow warrior, if you haven't already been through numerous doctor appointments, don't be surprised if it takes time to find physicians that you feel comfortable with and confident in.
In my situation, I voiced concerns to a few physicians and allied health professionals over a span of 3 years but it wasn't until I saw my current primary physician that my complaints were taken more seriously & I finally received a proper & thorough clinical evaluation, along with testing and specialist referrals.
And even then, it took several specialist referrals in order to find a specialist that actually took the time to really listen to my long history, to perform a thorough investigation including nerve and joint blocks & to be insightful enough to identify more than 1 type of pain and more than 1 chronic pain condition.
And although at the time I didn't totally grasp or understand his list of diagnoses, I knew it in my gut that the prior specialists I saw were missing the mark in their assessments. I have more than a few "interesting" stories that I can share but I will leave that for another time.
Knowing what I know now about my medical issues, I can't comprehend how I fell through the cracks over and over again.
We should NOT have to fight so long to get a proper diagnosis and proper treatment.
Because with chronic pain, time is health – the longer we have chronic pain that is not treated properly, research keeps saying, the bleaker our outcome.
But I am determined to not let chronic pain have its last say. I am determined to keep striving to heal, to attack my chronic pain from all directions. Because I keep learning that there is actually a lot more that WE can do as patients – to help ourselves on our healing journeys.
So join the fight with me, and let's heal together!
- Doidge, Norman. The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science. New York: Viking, 2007.
- HAUSER W, PERROT S, SOMMER C, SHIR Y, FITSZCHARLES MA: Diagnostic confounders of chronic widespread pain: not always fibromyalgia. Pain Rep 2017; 2(3); e598.
- ELLER-SMITH OC, NICOL, AL, CHRISTIANSON JA: Potential mechanisms underlying centralized pain and emerging therapeutic interventions. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12; 35.
- YASAEI R, SAADABADI A (2018): Pain, Syndrome, Chronic. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing [Internet].
- HOOTEN WM, TIMMING R, BELGRADE M, GAUL J, GOERTZ M, HAAKE B, MYERS C, NOONAN MP, OWENS J, SAEGER I, SCHWEIM K, SHTEYMAN G, WALKER N: Assessment and management of chronic pain. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement, 2013.
- MALFAIT F, FRANCOMANO C, BYERS P, BELMONT J, BERGLUND B, BLACK J, BLOOM L, BOWEN JM, BRADY AG, BURROWS NP, CASTORI M, COHEN H, COLOMBI M, DEMIRADAS S, DE BACKER J, DE PAEPE A, FOURNEL-GIGLEUX S, FRANK M, GHALI N, GIUNTA C, GRAHAME R, HAKIM A, JEUNEMAITRE X, JOHNSON D, JUUL-KRISRENSEN B, KAPFERER-SEEBACHER I, KAZKAZ H, KOSHO T, LAVALLEE ME, LEVY H, MENDOZA-LONDONO R, PEPIN M, POPE MF, REINSTEIN E, ROBERT LE, ROHRBACH M, SANDERS L, SOBEY GJ, VAN DAMME T, VANDERSTEEN A, VAN MOURIK C, VOERMANS N, WHEELDON N, ZSCHOCKE J, TINKLE B: The 2017 international classification of the Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes. Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet 2017; 175 (1); 8-26.
- TINKLE B, CASTORI M, BERGLUND B, COHEN H, GRAHAME R, KAZKAZ H, LEVY H: Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (aka Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Type III and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Hypermobility Type): clinical description and natural history. Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet 2017; 175 (1); 48-69.
- COX JT, GULLOTTI DM, MECOLI CA, LAHOUTI AH, ALBAYDA J, PAIK J, JOHNSON C, DANOFF SK, MAMMEN AL, CHRISTOPHER-STINE L: "Hiker's feet": a novel cutaneous finding in the inflammatory myopathies. Clin Rheumatol 2017; 36 (7); 1683-1686.
- Brady, David. The Fibro Fix. New York, NY; Rodale, 2016.
caption id="attachment_633″ align="aligncenter" width="600″] (c) 2018, STRIVETOHEAL.COM[/caption]


text:
Welfare Benefits Updater (April 2020)
The world of benefits is constantly changing and the government's legislation is increasingly being put under scrutiny both from parliament and from challenges in the courts.
This one day course is aimed at helping advisers keep on top of those changes, and gives an opportunity to look at how they impact claimants and the advice we give, and to discuss tactics on how to manage the system as best as possible.
Course Content:
- ESA/PIP updates
- UC updates - migration, the SDP gateway, current problem areas
- Tax credit updates - the end of tax credits and overpayments passed to the DWP
- Pensioners and mixed age couples
- Miscellaneous court challenges
The day will be participatory with plenty of time for discussion.
Daphne Hall
Trainer's Biography
Daphne Hall has been an editor for Rightsnet since 2014 and, before that worked as a welfare rights adviser for 25 years at Bristol City Council, Springfield Psychiatric Hospital and Citizens Advice Bureau. She is the vice-chair of the National Association of Welfare Rights Advisers and an author on CPAG's Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook and on DRUK's Disability Rights Handbook.
A light lunch of sandwiches, crisps and cake will be provided free of charge along with tea, coffee and biscuits during two breaks.
Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements during the booking process.
If for any reason you need to cancel the booking, the following cancellation fees apply:
- If you cancel more than 28 days from the course date a 50% charge of the course fee will apply.
- If you cancel less than 28 days from the course date you will be charged the full course fee.
Cancellations should be emailed to .
If you are unable to attend the course, we are happy for you to send a colleague in your place. Let us know in advance by emailing: .
Event Details
|Event Date
|03-04-2020 9:30 am
|Event End Date
|03-04-2020 4:00 pm
|Registration Start Date
|08-11-2019 9:00 am
|Available place
|Cut off date
|02-04-2020 12:00 pm
|Individual Price
|£100 - £200
|Matthew Tree Project

subset: commoncrawl


text:
7 Lbs.
Free Sample!
Latest Updates
Muscle Index
Video Reviews
Site Map
Shouldn't the Mr. Olympia "Freak Show" take place on Halloween?
Bodybuilding Contest Main Pages
Mr. Olympia 2005 Updates
Shouldn't the Mr. Olympia "Freak Show" take place on Halloween?
What happened? I mean, shouldn't these FREAKS, these FRANKENSTEIN monsters, only come out on Halloween (or, the Halloween weekend)? Shouldn't they hold FREAK SHOWS ONLY on Halloween (or the Halloween weekend)...the perfect time for chemical monsters to "stagger around" on a stage!!??
After all, since these pharmaceutical/chemical, monsters are literally stuffed-to-the-gills with anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), human growth hormone (GH), amphetamines, thyroid, insulin, diuretics, synthol oil (and who knows what other foreign substance shiat??!), so that they are actually "dead men walking... the closest things on the planet to true Frankensteins! I mean you have to look real hard to find one of these FREAKS still alive in their 50's!!
Why, why, if you removed all of the salivating queers (oops, I guess that word is "politically incorrect nowadays-I actually meant "gays) from the FREAK SHOW audience, there would be hardly anyone in attendance!
And, since these Mr. Olympia FREAK SHOWS are so boooorrrring...i.e. just watching these FREAKS stagger around on-stage...here are some suggestions to liven up these FREAK SHOWS (that is, don't we need to attract more public interest/enthusiasm in these FREAK SHOWS, other than the usual coven of salivating gays??!)...
(1) Have the media follow the FREAK SHOW contestants closely, as a few of these drug-bloated FREAKS pass out in the warm-up room, go into cardiac arrest, etc., and are rushed to the ER for life-saving procedures. Why, maybe some of these 300 lb. chemical monsters will actually pass-out/fall-over-dead on-stage, and add some more excitement!
(2) Have plenty of folding chairs sitting around on stage so that these FREAKS can bash each-other/judges in the head during the new "wildcard showdown, as they go into 'roid-rage when they become upset over their placings! Why, why, just like pro. 'rasslin!!
(3) Have the DEA raid the FREAK SHOW and round-up, arrest, the Mr. Olympia FREAK show contestants, sponsors, audience, etc. Why, why, if all in attendance were drug-tested, and their personal possessions, searched/confiscated/examined, it would surely be the biggest illegal drug-bust in the history of law enforcement!! Boy, the main-media would have a field day!!
Oh, and don't forget...to add to the monstrous hypocrisy of this whole, truly EVIL, empire, have "god Arnold come out on-stage and tell the audience how "clean-living these FREAKS are, and that they should serve as "examples to all American youth! Why, why, that's even a bigger lie than Bush's never-ending, "trumped-up", war in Iraq!!
But hey, the whole bodybuilding "industry is now built upon layer-and-layer of lies and deceit!! After all, the popular bodybuilding mags. never-end with their lies to the American public of how these FREAKS built their "freak look through some worthless, heavily advertised/promoted, food supplement instead of the truthful battery of deadly bodybuilding drugs. Of course, these evil food supplement LIARS are only interested in fleecing your pocketbook!
Nowadays, it's hard to fathom that long, long, ago, there was a time when professional bodybuilding was actually a clean-living, health-promoting, lifestyle that a practitioner, and impressionable American youth, could be proud of! In other words, building your bodies through hard-training, healthy diet, and proper rest, ONLY!
I'm sure that all of the great passed-on pioneers, and promoters, of the once drug-free, healthy, bodybuilding lifestyle would be spinning over in their collective graves, if they could actually observe the sordid, evil, illegal, drug-infested, corrupt, "sport of today's professional bodybuilding ("bodybuilding-what an unbelievable misnomer, now)!!
Oh where, oh where, have you gone Jack LaLanne???!!
Reply by
Ron Avidan
Your posts is so funny that I actually laughed out loud, then made a copy of it, and passed it around the office, because your ignorance is truly comical. So lets see.... where to start.
Halloween weekend: Hmmm... last year, the Olympia was on October 30th, Halloween weekend. The year before, it was on Oct 25, six days before Halloween. The year before it was on October 19th. I am not too keen on it being on Halloween because we have a big adult Halloween party on Saturday night,, and it is fun. By the way, if you want to come this year, email me, it will be around Glendale in the hills, in an old house where ghosts are around. So again, this year, it is two weeks before Halloween. Cool.
As for your steroid references, again the ignorance. Take the amount of bodybuilders vs the amount of football players vs the amount of many other sports, as the correlation is about the same. In fact, many more injuires are in football, basketball and hockey than bodybuilding. Try and check your facts on bodybuilders who are in the 50's and 60's. Most of them are around, just not actively in the sport. My gosh, we have families and other interests too...
Also, stop with your reference on gays. 90% of the people who attend these contests are not gays. I am pretty sure that you have never been to the Mr. Olympia because you would know this. I am also pretty sure that you are just one of those ignorant guys who never checks things out.
As for your reference on Mr. Olympia shows being boring, the prejudging is just that. Pure bodybuilding for the judges to judge the competitors. The evening shows (round 3 and 4) is more entertaining, and I have not been bored during the night show. Go to one.
I could put your almost your entire drug rant to the sport of baseball and football, etc. And we can debate this, but of course, you remind some other riteous group who yell, rant and scream, but when it comes to showing support, hide away and never show their face anywhere.
Reply by
Matt Canning
To be fair though Ron, the only
I can think of who competed in the
Mr. Olympia
post 1990 who is in his fifties and still alive is
Lou Ferrigno
Sonny and
Don Youngblood
have both passed.
We will learn in 5-15 years what the effects of 1990s
enhanced bodybuilding has over the long term. Data is not sufficient as of yet.
Reply by Richard Schmidt:
Hey Ron, I'm glad you thought my post was "ignorant/comical/etc."! But say Ron, while you are making copies of it and "passing it around the office", why don't you also make a companion copy of Steve Holman's 1997 Iron Man mag. revealing, sordid, article titled "The State of Competitive Bodybuilding-The Most Shocking Interview Ever", available at the URL...
and "pass it around" as well??! Remember now Ron, that was the state of pro. bodybuilding EIGHT long years ago!!
Believe me Ron, whatever illegal, deadly, drug-abuse, scandal, arrests, health-problems, etc., are associated with their use/abuse in TRUE sports (uhhh...need I remind you that bodybuilding is NOT a sport) are literally dwarfed into insignificance by the sordid, covered-up, lied-about, rampant, illegal drug-use/abuse in professional bodybuilding!!
Oh, and by the way, the publicized (and covered-up) list(s) of former (even current) heavy drug-using pro. BBers, either prematurely falling over dead, or with VERY serious health problems (ALL very evidently tied to their dangerous BB drug use), is/are at least as long as a "laundry list(s)"!! Such sordid laundry list(s) have frequently been posted on this forum, and debated pro. and con., in the past (for example, member McCrackhead's excellent list).
Why, why...you only have to pick up any popular BB mag. (or read Getbig's G&O posts) to hear about yet another popular male BBer in their 30's or 40's...forget the 50's and 60's...falling over dead!! As the aforementioned article said eight long years ago... "bodybuilding's dirty little secret"...AND IT STILL IS!!!
Ron Avidan: "I am also pretty sure that you are just one of those ignorant guys who never checks things out."
Actually, Ron I "have been to what...4 Olympias...in person. Montreal in '84, when Haney won, and the three held in Atlanta (from what...'93 to '95) when Yates won. Of course, I have seen most of the rest on TV (but, that doesn't count).
As I recall, the main media got rid of the Olympia event in the 90's because of public disgust with the drug FREAKS and poor ratings, plus the fear by the network sponsors/brass of having one of the drug FREAKS fall-over-dead on stage (which wouldn't help their Nielsen ratings a bit)!!?
"Ignorant guys who never checks things out...gosh Ron, I've been weight-training on a regular basis for over 40 years...before you were born, I'm sure...and have seen IN PERSON (i.e. either saw them pose in BB competition, and/or talked to extensively, and/or actually trained with) NATURAL BBers you may never have heard of...like John Grimek, Bill Pearl, George Eifermann, Bruce Randall, Vic Seipke, Dick Dubois, Harold Poole, Jerry Daniels, Ron Lacey, Steve Klisanin, and Atlanta's Mr. America winner Harry Johnson!
So you see, I've been "checking things out in BB before you were a gleam in your mother's eye...talk about ignorance!
The ONLY difference between the pro. BB drug FREAKS of today and the great NATURAL BBers of my youth is strictly in the area of muscle size. When it comes to the "three S's of the super physique: size, shape, and separation...the drug FREAKS of today have only an advantage in marginal muscle size over the natural BBers of my youth (and at what a HORRIFIC price to their health and natural lifespan)!!
Ron Avidan: "And we can debate this, but of course, you remind some other riteous group who yell, rant and scream, but when it comes to showing support, hide away and never show their face anywhere."
Uhhhh...what person in their right mind would want to NOW show support for a group of pro. BB DRUG FREAKS that have truly DISGRACED everything estimable that the great pioneers of BB envisioned for the "sport"/lifestyle!???
Why, why, I would be "scared to go to an Olympia event nowadays (i.e. "show my face) for fear that the DEA would raid the FREAK SHOW, and I would be arrested as an "innocent bystander along with all of the MANY illegal drug-users and illegal drug-dealers in attendance!!
Take care,
Back To Matt Canning's Main Page
Back to 2005 Mr. Olympia Database
Back to Mr. Olympia Pages Database
Back to Writers Database
Back to Bodybuilders Database
Back to Discussion Forum
Back to EZINE Database
Visitor Reviews Of This Article!
Read Visitor Reviews
Write Your Own Review
Related Pages:
BodybuildingPro.com HomePage
Latest Site Updates!
BodybuildingPro.com HomePage
Contest Pages
Mr. Olympia Contest Pages
2005 Mr. Olympia Main Page
BodybuildingPro.com HomePage
Recent Mr. Olympia Competitors
Ronnie Coleman - Info & Stats Page
BodybuildingPro.com HomePage
Buy Bodybuilding Videos & DVDs
Buy Mr. Olympia Videos & DVDs
FREE Article Library!
FREE Discusion Forum!
Bodybuilding Dictionary
Fitness Calculators
Bodybuilders Info
FREE Bodybuilding Picture Gallery
Buy Bodybuilding Videos!
Buy Discount Bodybuilding Supplements!
Supplement Links!
Supplements Main Page!
BodybuildingPro.com Ultimate Supplement Guide!
Nutrition & Supplementation Discussion Forum
Buy Discount Bodybuilding Supplements!
Optimum ZMA
A synergistic combination of Zinc Monomethionine Aspartate, Magnesium Aspartate, and Vitamin B6 may significantly increase anabolic hormone levels and muscle strength in well-trained athletes. The novel Zinc Monomethionine Aspartate formula may also help to increase endurance, growth and restful sleep.


text:
Watford City – The Parshall Braves punched their ticket into the Region 8 Basketball Championship game courtesy of a 72-50 victory over the New Town Eagles.
The Eagles jumped out to a 10-0 lead to start the game but it would be all Parshall from then on. Senior Lexi Tveter scored a game high 23 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead the Braves.
Aulora Severance also had nice game for the Braves scoring 18 points and grabbing 16 rebounds.
The Braves will face the Watford City Wolves in the Championship game on Thursday. New Town will face Powers Lake in the 3rd place game on Thursday.
Parshall 9 22 20 21 (72)
New Town 12 9 19 10 (50)
Parshall: Tveter 23, A. Severance 18, S. Hall 15, Packineau 8, S. Severance 6, C. Hall 2
New Town: Tveter 15, Drosdal 11, Brady 9, Fox 8, Ross 7
Sponsors Website: Grande Frisk & Thompson Law Firm
The Watford City Wolves led wire to wire enroute to 59-29 victory over the Powers Lake Ranchers.
The Wolves advance to the Region 8 Championship game, where they will face the Parshall Braves. Watford City won the only meeting with the Braves this season 57-34 (Jan. 31st).
Sophomore Lindsay Peterson poured in a game high 16 points to lead the Wolves, Avery Sundeen and Mackenzie Sparby both added 12 points for the Wolves as well.
The Wolves forced 25 turnovers in the game, which they cashed in for 23 points.
Senior Grace Hove led the Ranchers with 13 points.
Watford City 13 15 16 15 (59)
Powers Lake 7 5 6 11 (29)
WC: Peterson 16, Sparby 12, Sundeen 12, Mogen 8, Lehto 4, Faller 4, Nokes 2, Holen 1
PL: Hove 13, Honrud 6, Titus 6, Grubb 2, Gunderson 2
Make sure to check out: North Dakota Class B District 15 Boys Basketball Tournament Preview
– Ian Grande is the Editor of the Stanley Gazette. If you have any comments or concerns please email firstname.lastname@example.com
- Make sure to follow the Stanley Gazette on Facebook and Twitter for more updates!
- The Stanley Gazette covers community news in the Stanley, ND area.


text:
Home / Shop / BAS2 Remote Remap Controls
BAS2 RRC Discovery 2.7L TDV6
- Description
- Specifications
Discovery 3, Discovery 4 2.7L TDV6 BAS2 Remote Remap Control.
The Land Rover Discovery 2.7L TDV6 with a Remapped ECU calibration offers very good performance with an increase of up to 40bhp and 90Nm. The gains are designed and aimed to aid in the low end for a more urgent set of which helps illuminate the lag most cars have as well as a nice lump of torque in the middle rpm ranger for overtaking.
The remapping can also include (purchasable as an extra) for 2007 on-wards for non DPF models request for closing/patching of the EGR valves within the tuned remap calibration (explicitly for off road use). An EGR blanking plate/shims MUST be fitted between the valves and their outlet pipes as well as the manifold butterfly removed.
This little tool boasts a wider range of diagnostic functionality and engine related features their is in ANY other remote device like it on the market! You simply can not get another tool like it anywhere with this level of capability and ease of use….
BAS2 supported Discovery 3 2.7L TDV6 Functions are:
Apple iDevice & Android applications available for its control via the BAS2's Bluetooth Smart enabled hardware.
PC & MAC application software for updating the BAS2 RRC tool remap file & and its firmware.
The remap file will be created and delivered via updater software on PC or MAC once created.
Diagnostic fault code reading and clear with worded text and snap shot data shown where present.
Live engine data logging with numerical and graphical views.
Save and export logs as PDF or CSV files.
Engine related service functions and resets.
Fuel lift pump reset procedure.
Flash programming of the engine ecu applying the latest engine calibration files.
Switch between BAS Remap standard and remapped calibrations at your leisure.
Possibility's to purchase another Vin/Remap allowing use on a second car within your household.
As with anything BAS we have more to come and BAS are always…….. (Paving The Way!)
You will be asked when ordering to provide us with car information. Please provide us with as much information including the cars VIN/Chassis and registration numbers as you can to aid in a smooth remap transfer.
NOTE. (Tool Is Ordered To First Use Vin)
As with all cars, BAS advise you follow a strict maintenance regime as advised by your car manufacturer, a correctly applied maintenance regime can make a difference to performance, reliability and in some cases economy.
We advise you use genuine brand Land Rover parts for all your maintenance, changing the oil and filters on a more regular basis than scheduled can also help towards a longer lasting healthier running engine!
Look after your car and it will look after you!
Warning – The fitting of any performance part or power upgrade may affect the vehicle warranty and/or alter the vehicle type approval. For more information please contact your local Land Rover dealer. We advise you to also inform your insurance company if fitting any none standard parts or power upgrades.
On checkout UK VAT will be added at the current UK rate of %20 where applicable for EU countries, VAT will be removed for non EU sales when you enter your address during the checkout process.


text:
Same batter but set the convection oven at 400F.
I turned the oven off right before I put in the tray and let them dry for 7 minutes. I then turned the oven on 365F for 7 minutes.
They were already rising by the middle of drying time so the heat was too high and I didn't vent the oven between batches so it was probably even higher than I expected.
You can tell that the right side of oven is much hotter.
I think they need to dry @ 375 then bake at 365 or maybe as low as 325-350F since the feet were already spreading before the temp ever got to 365


text:
- Sawt Al Niswa
Sawt Al Niswa (Voice of the Women) is a network and community of feminist writers, activists, and artists based in Beirut. We chose niswa, because we think it a more poetic word for "women" than nisaaʾ. Niswa also invokes the word nasawiyya, meaning "feminism," more clearly than nisaaʾ. The name Sawt Al Niswa offers continuity between nasawiyya and niswa, where niswa is mostly used to refer to women in old books. Sawt Al Niswa suggests that these niswa have a voice through us.1
We are a core group of six members and growing. None of our activities are limited to members, however. We have been active since 2009 and work toward changing our realities by building critical spaces that allow us to reflect on the social, political, and intellectual experiences of women living in the Arab region—or West Asia and North Africa. Sawt is an independent collective in the sense that it is not affiliated with any political party movement, or other established feminist group.
Sawt's mission is to develop a collaborative creative feminist space that encompasses people of different ages and educational levels. Sawt aims to produce and enable alternative knowledge to the dominant discourse by using feminist tools to theorize our lives. We believe that everyone is entitled to such knowledge and information. As a feminist space Sawt reflects the cultural, spiritual, linguistic, socioeconomic, and political diversity of Lebanese, Arab, and non-Arab societies in West Asia and North Africa. But we do not reflect their power structures and dynamics. In other words, although we welcome writings from women of different cultural, political, and economic backgrounds, we are also aware that some are more comfortable writing and have more access to reading. Our goal is to be a space that is open to marginalized perspectives. As a collective, we are constantly aware of and discuss power structures and the insidious and direct workings of privilege. We aim to break norms that have been held uncritically in our lives. [End Page 371]
Our activities have included Feminism 101, an informal course that reflected on feminist concepts and practices in Lebanon. A set of evening classes in a community space in Beirut, Feminism 101 was an affordable course that met once a week. The class talked about economics, politics, sexuality, the land, and the environment through a feminist lens. We hope to repeat and expand this successful activity in the near future.
We also run an ongoing online platform (www.sawtalniswa.org) for sharing feminist writing and art.We welcome contributions from Lebanon, Middle Eastern and North African countries, and the diaspora. In the past we published new work every week; now we publish as we have material rather than follow a set schedule. The website includes regular updates related to the experiences of feminists in Lebanon and the region. We publish essays that critique dominant legal, medical, social, and political discourse, and we present feminist antiracist frameworks to understand the world around us. We engage in constant self-reflection on the feminist movement of which we are a part. As a result tensions mayemerge around privileged voices and what constitutes feminist issues and feminist history. Nevertheless, the quality and diversity of what we publish and our continuous presence online and in feminist and activist spaces since 2009 have gained us a large readership.
Our forthcoming Banat Tariq is an anthology in Arabic (with an English version) that examines alternative feminist histories of the Middle East and North Africa. Written by women in Arab countries and the diaspora, the contents use personal narratives to rethink women's relationships to homelands, histories, politics, and spirituality in ways that contribute to social justice and liberation.
In terms of challenges, even in the feminist movement some voices are privileged over others. This usually has to do with a speaker's class and region and whether she or he is inside or outside academe. But we address this matter by being open to different kinds of writings and by not setting academic standards for what we publish. There is not enough support for knowledge production about different women's experiences in times of wars, escalating political tensions, and...


text:
Former Staples coach headed to National Wrestling Hall of Fame
Recommended Video:
Former Staples coach John Chaco is one of the six individuals from the Connecticut wrestling community who have been selected for induction into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
The Connecticut chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame will hold an induction dinner April 20 at the MGM Grand Hotel at Foxwoods Resort Casino to honor these men for their contribution to the sport of wrestling and our communities.
In addition to coaching at Staples, Chacho is also a former wrestling official.
The other inductees include Frank Chaves, the former coach at Simsbury High and a current official; Ken DeStefanis, the former coach at Central Connecticut State University and current youth wrestling club coach; Staff Sgt. Joseph Kapacziewski, a former wrestler at Bristol Eastern High, who is currently an Army Ranger who has been on multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan; Bernard Nasser, a long-time official and former coach at Fitch High in Groton, and Ricky Shook, the coach at Danbury High.
Chacho, Chaves, DeStefanis, Nasser and Shook will receive a Lifetime Achievement award for coaches, officials, media or contributors with at least 20 years of service. Kapacziewski is being honored with a Medal of Courage, an award for a wrestler or former wrestler who has overcome insurmountable challenges.
Each award recipient will be permanently recognized in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Okla., with an embossed name plaque, and each receives a plaque and jacket to commemorate the occasion. These six will join 29 other inductees from Connecticut in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Tickets for the banquet are on sale now for $85 each and are available online through cwhof.ticketleap.com
To learn more about the Connecticut Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, the 2013 inductees and the 2013 induction dinner by going to its website at ctwrestling7.homestead.com/halloffame.html


text:
(Image: Partnership for Public Service)
The Partnership for Public Service's latest analysis finds that government innovation ratings have slipped for the fifth straight year. Several key agencies, however, both outperform their peers and are on the rise.
Overall, the Partnership's analysis of its Best Places to Work survey data shows the government-wide innovation score dropping to 58.9 out of 100 -- a 4.4-point decline since innovation was first scored in 2010. And some individual agencies and subcomponents fared far worse: The Department of Homeland Security scored 49.4 (a 1.3-point drop from last year), while the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board dropped 6.8 points to 42.7.
Other agencies stood out as innovative workplaces. NASA, which has topped the large-agency list every year, saw its score climb slightly to 76.7. The departments of State, Commerce, Health and Human Services and the Air Force all improved over last year as well, and scored in the low-to-mid-sixties.
Individual subcomponents scored even higher. The top five included four units of NASA that outscored their parent agency, and the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office was a DHS outlier with an innovation score of 80.2.
According to the Partnership's analysis, which was done in collaboration with Deloitte and Hay Group, there were six questions in the Best Places to Work survey that had a "disproportionately high impact" on the innovation scores.
The question with the single biggest impact on the innovation score asked whether agency employees feel recognized for providing high quality products and services. "This was one of the lowest-scoring questions," the report states, "with a rating of 42.5 percent out of 100."
The other high-impact questions dealt with leadership issues, employees' feelings of empowerment and whether employees were given opportunities to improve their skills. "If leaders want to make changes to their culture," the report concludes, "there are several lessons they can learn from agencies with successful innovation programs."
The full report is available here.
About the Author
Troy K. Schneider is editor-in-chief of FCW and GCN, as well as General Manager of Public Sector 360.
Prior to joining 1105 Media in 2012, Schneider was the New America Foundation's Director of Media & Technology, and before that was Managing Director for Electronic Publishing at the Atlantic Media Company. The founding editor of NationalJournal.com, Schneider also helped launch the political site PoliticsNow.com in the mid-1990s, and worked on the earliest online efforts of the Los Angeles Times and Newsday. He began his career in print journalism, and has written for a wide range of publications, including The New York Times, WashingtonPost.com, Slate, Politico, National Journal, Governing, and many of the other titles listed above.
Schneider is a graduate of Indiana University, where his emphases were journalism, business and religious studies.
Click here for previous articles by Schneider, or connect with him on Twitter: @troyschneider.
E-Mail this page
Printable Format
Interoperability, integration and JADC2 are likely to figure into an updated electromagnetic spectrum strategy expected soon from the Department of Defense.
The pandemic has put new demands on data teams, but old obstacles are still hindering agency efforts.
Advanced Search


text:
Rock And Roll Of The 50′S Essay, Research Paper
During the late 1930s, the young saw their fathers and brothers enrobed in uniforms and disappeared to places far away while their mothers left the primacy of home to fill the void in the work force created by Dad s departure. After the bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the fathers and brothers returned home around 1945. Society became more advance and people were anxious to build homes and raise families in the world to which they had given so dearly to make free. The products of these desires began to come of age in the mid-to-late 1950s and with them came the glorious roar of rock & roll.
During the early 1950s the music of black rhythm-and-blues artists became known as rock and roll. But white musicians, such as Bill Haley and Elvis Presley, brought rock music to the American mainstream. The 1955 release of Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley and the Comets met with resounding success, especially among teenagers. Rock and roll emerged at a time when the phonograph disc had finally replaced sheet music as the chief medium of circulation of popular music in the United States. It is often considered to have begun in 1955, when in the week beginning 29 June Rock Around The Clock by Bill Haley and the Comets was judged by Billboard magazine to be the most popular recording in the United States on the basis of sales and radio play. The term Rock and roll was claimed to have coined by a disc jockey named Alan Freed in 1951. Rock and roll of the mid 1950s evolved from the rhythm and blues of a few years earlier.
From the unique synthesis of musical traditions of the United States rock and roll began as an American phenomenon and grew to international proportions. Of the several traditions that led to the development of rock music, the most important were the blues and its related style, rhythm & blues, such country music styles as western swing and honky tonk, and pop vocal and instrumental styles of the 1940s. The very phrase rock and roll was a slang expression for lovemaking used in many blues songs dating back to the 1930s. Depending on the regional and musical backgrounds of the performers, early rock music tended to emphasize one or another of those styles while at the same time, incorporating characteristics of one or more of the others.
The development of rock music required a certain amount of interracial communication and understanding as the music combined stylistic elements from both black and white American musical traditions. Racial barriers that had existed since black people were first brought to the new world as slaves began to wear away in the late 1940s when white teenagers listened and danced to rhythm and blues. At first, many white radio stations and record company owners resisted making music by black performers widely available, but by 1951 the smooth rhythmic sounds of black vocal groups reached white teens through radio programs hosted by disc jockeys who refused to continue the racial discrimination. Car radio became less expensive in the 1950s and the portable transistor radios were important in bringing both rhythm and blues and rock music to the teen audience.
The 1950s were a time of prosperity, and teens had more leisure time and money to spend than ever before. The entertainment industry provided movies geared to appeal to the growing teenage market. In fact, some of those movies actually created the rebellious-teen images that were later affected by rock musicians. For example, in The Wild One (1954) Marlon Brando played a rebellious, leather-jacketed biker. In the movie Rebel Without Cause (1955) James Dean played a misunderstood teen who had been victimized by his parents. However, not all 1950 s rock performers projected a rebellious image. Buddy Holly s music was influenced by both country music and rhythm & blues without copying either very closely. His appearance and music were that of a "clean-cut" youth singing and playing simple. The Everly Brothers also had a non-rebellious image and they recorded hit after hit about teen romances and other concerns of young people.
By the late 1950s rock and roll had developed into several separate and distinctive styles. Little Richard and Chuck Berry played a style of rock that was based on the traditional blues while at the same time, being fun and danceable party music. Rhythm and blues and black-gospel styles were the principal musical roots of the smooth dance songs by artists like Fats Domino and other musical groups. Hillbilly and country music contributed to the development of rockability, the style that tended more towards rebellion than most other 1950 s rock styles. Rock and roll became the general term used to characterize all of those diverse types and styles developed at that time.
The most successful early rock and roll perform was Elvis Presley who made his first discs in Memphis for Sun Records in 1954. He signed a recording contract with RCA Victor in 1955, and in early 1956 his song Heartbreak Hotel not only rose to the top of the Billboard pop chart but also successful on the "black" (rhythm and blues) and country music charts. His Hound Dog and Don t be cruel, released on the two sides of a single a few months later, became the fist recording ever issued to reach no. 1 on all three charts. His recordings in 1957 of Teddy Bear and Jailhouse Rock did the same. At least briefly, one strain of popular music cut across racial, social and geographical lines. Most of Presley s early hits were in a fast, driving rock and roll style, in twelve bar blues form, and which instrumentation similar to that employed by Haley. But Presley was a better musician and a more dynamic personality; he became the most commercially successful figure in rock and roll s brief history, and later achieved further popularity as a film star. His words and actions were unceasingly reported in the press, and he was idolized by millions of young people, his immense popularity swept away much resistance to the new style of popular music that was opposed by the people and organizations of old traditions. His popularity even rose to a higher level in the 1960s.
The 1950s were a great time for the growth of music. The rise of rock and roll marks one of the hi-lights of musical development in the 20th century.


text:
This is Zak, last night we had our usual walk at around 4.30pm, though having to keep him on lead, I expect I may have to do this for a couple of weeks. he was understandably a bit restless last evening, he enjoyed his supper, but it took him till around 11.30 pm to settle, after that he slept through the night., This morning he had his breakfast and we went off for a walk, a short while after we came back he was sick, and he sicked and sicked until his stomach was empty. :-(.
He has been a bit more settled to-day and is having a snooze, before we go out for this evening's walk, I've soaked his biscuit and he will have just a little and some cooked chicken.
He's going to my vet to-morrow for a check up. Ruby's quite laid back about him and he's quite a gentleman with her, Tomorrow i pick up Barney, so we'll see how things go then, though they're both nice dogs, I will just keep an eye on things.
The weather was nice this morning, blue sky and a bit warmer, and NO RAIN, till lunchtime, though it's not too heavy.
Ruby's got a nice new rain coat, it came this morning. Now I wonder if I should put it on her or keep it for Sunday best, :-) I've ordered her another one as the ones she's been wearing are looking a bit sad.
Catch you later
Thank you for visiting and please come back, Arlene, Tango and Ruby


text:
Best Exercise Bike 2016
Top 7 Exercise Bikes You Can Buy
Top 7 Exercise Bikes You Can Buy
|Best Rated
|Best Seller
|Best Deal
|DKN AM-5i Ergo
|Reebok ZR9 Bike
|Medicarn Fire Aerobic
|Body Sculpture BC1700
|F4H Olympic magnetic Bike ES-8401
|Our Rating
Rating1.3VERY GOOD
|Flywheel Weight
|11 kg
|9 kg
|10 kg
|15 kg
|4 kg
|5 kg
|Brake System
|Heart Rate Monitor
|Board Computer
|Maximum Weight
|140 kg
|120 kg
|100 kg
|120 kg
|100 kg
|100 kg
|100 kg
|152 x 98 x 62 cm
|134 x 102 x 51 cm
|110 x 107 x 50.5 cm
|106 x 97 x 50 cm
|123 x 80 x 50.5 cm
|135 x 103 x 55 cm
|132 x 95 x 49 cm
|39 kg
|32.5 kg
|27 kg
|20 kg
|18.5 kg
|22 kg
|26 kg
|Special Features
|See Offer
Getting you fit quickly with our best exercise bike reviews 2016.
In our best exercise bike reviews 2016 we have taken a look at some of the best exercise bikes currently on the market and compared them under certain aspects in order to pick a best value for money model and also see which is not only the UK's best exercise bike but the most popular.
In the following buying guide to our best exercise bike reviews we will go into more into detail over the characteristics we analysed and also fitness devices in general. Because to find out which exercise bike is the most suitable for you, you'll need to know what kind of training result you'd like to achieve Only then can you determine if an exercise bike workout makes sense or if you're better off going for different devices like treadmills, cross trainers or an elliptical trainer.
No matter the result, at the end of this guide you'll no all about what the best home exercise bike must be like and which training device is the most suitable for you.
Exercise bikes include three main types of bicycle training devices which are meant to train certain parts of your body. They control the way you train making sure that the desired result is achieved. They are best used for endurance training and cardio exercises.
Below you'll find information about the types of exercise bikes.
|Bike Type
|Upright Exercise Bicycle
|This is the traditional exercise bike that has the user sitting in an upright position. It's compact and delivers a good cardio vascular workout.
|Recumbent Exercise Bike
|A recumbent exercise bike has the user sitting in a reclined position which make them comfortable for long periods, though the legs will have to pedal harder.
|Spinning Bikes
|Spinning Bikes are stripped from many features and comfort but offer great results as they work with high intensity, making them ideal for intensive exercise bike workouts.
There is an array of other machines like rowing machines, treadmills, cross trainers and elliptical trainers that will offer great ergonomic workouts. We'll continue with some pro's and con's of all exercise bike types.
|Pro's of Upright Exercise Bicycles
|Con's of Upright Exercise Bicycles
|Pro's of Recumbent Exercise Bikes
|Con's of Recumbent Exercise Bikes
|Pro's of Spinning Bikes
|Con's of Spinning Bikes
Would you like a comfortable exercise bike workout?
Our best exercise bike reviews 2016 showed that for comfortable workouts a recumbent exercise bike is the wisest choice especially if you're experiencing back problems. The UK's best exercise bikes in this category will cost you much more than conventional exercise bicycles. Also Recumbent exercise bikes are long and bulky and so take up much space.
Would you like to burn fat faster?
For really burning calories our reviews 2016 recommend a spinning bike. This uses a heavy flywheel as resistance and results in intensive, demanding exercise bike workouts. Again the UK's best exercise bikes in this category are quite expensive. Amazon is a good place to buy a cheap exercise bike for sale if you're on the hunt for great offers.
Would you like the UK's best exercise bike?
To find the UK's best exercise bike check out our reviews 2016 above. The "best-seller" is the UK's most popular model in our best exercise bike reviews. Our winner is announced as "best-rated". This is, in our opinion, the UK's best exercise bike and if you want to spend a little more in order to get a top quality model, we recommend going for this option.
Would you like a cheap exercise bike?
If you're seeking a bargain and would like to get a top quality but cheap exercise bike, it's worth checking out offers online and comparing prices, you might find an exercise bike for sale that still offers great quality. The best cheap exercise bike amongst our reviews 2016 has been listed as our "price-tip". It is our best value for money pick and although might not be the UK's best exercise bike you'll certainly be able to achieve a decent workout.
There are various brands on the market and our best exercise bike reviews 2016 show that one mustn't always lash out a lot of money to get a top model exercise bicycle. We have created a list with the UK's best exercise bike brands from which you'll always pick a decent to top quality model.
"We generally advise you to look out for an exercise bike for sale from one of these brands as there is no reason you need to pay top dollar for a bike that is only marginally better than a mid-range model. Cheap exercise bikes can be had, just check out our reviews at the top of the page.
Here is a quick summary of the main aspects you need to look out for when buying an exercise bike. Always take a look at value for money and the required space. Recumbent exercise bikes for example are long and bulky and will also costs you more, so make sure you have the budget and the space to get one.


text:
"Bumble really sets the stage for an empowered and modern way to connect, which educated and forward-thinking groups of people have really gravitated to." – Whitney Wolfe Herd
When I moved to Denver earlier this year, I didn't know a single person. I was relying on pure faith that everything would work out. I haven't really felt like I've had a solid social support system since I left college, so when I moved to Denver, it was something that was really important for me to find. The problem is, it's hard making friends as an adult. It requires a lot more vulnerability than it did when we were younger. So, when I heard that the dating app, Bumble, had a feature called Bumble BFF, it gave me a lot of hope in terms of meeting other women I could connect with in the city. Now, I have finally found the beautiful support system I was looking for, thanks to Bumble BFF. The founder of Bumble, Whitney Wolfe Herd, has redefined the way women are able to date, make friends, and do business, and it is a valuable resource in helping women propel many aspects of their lives.
This past December, Wolfe Herd was featured on the cover of Forbes' "30 Under 30" issue, making it the second consecutive time she made an appearance on the list (McBee). She was also featured in Time 100, "World's Most Influential People of 2018 (McBee)." This success, however, was not a smooth ascent. One of her earlier ventures was co-founding the popular dating app, Tinder. Wolfe Herd would eventually file a lawsuit for sexual harassment, discrimination, and wrongful termination against another one of Tinder's co-founders (McBee). This lawsuit lead to numerous hateful and misogynistic online attacks on Wolfe Herd. In an interview with the founders of Skimm, another popular startup created by women, she talked about the time period following the lawsuit saying, "It hurt me, and it made me feel really bad about myself (Zakin & Weisberg)." When asked how she made the transition from Tinder to Bumble, Wolfe Herd replied, "I would say the wheels started turning quite quickly, but not in a 'how can I turn this into a business?' That was not the direction. It was more of, I don't like how I feel, there's something broken here, there's a bigger problem than just me, this affects people around the world, how can I solve this (Zakin & Weisberg)?" This experience propelled Wolfe Herd to create the app Merci, a social networking site that only allowed compliments and kindness to be exchanged between women.
Wolfe Herd was approached by Andrey Adreev, founder and CEO of Badoo, the largest dating platform in the world (Tepper). Adreev liked the idea of Merci, but encouraged Wolfe Herd to bring it into the dating sphere, by offering funding and tech assistance (Tepper). Wolfe Herd was understandably reluctant to give dating apps another go after her experience with Tinder, but she eventually decided it was an opportunity she couldn't pass up. Components of Merci would make it to the dating app that would eventually come to be known as Bumble (Tepper). Making women feel safe and in control was an important aspect for Wolfe Herd. She also sought to disrupt the gender imbalance of women typically having to wait for men to make the first move. She incorporated this idea by designing the app so that women must start the conversation with men. "When you think about it, women are making the first move, which is empowering," Wolfe Herd says in an interview with SMU Magazine. "We tolerate zero abusive behavior, so that kindness piece is there, too (McBee)."
Bumble eventually added "Bumble BFF" and "Bumble Bizz" as an extension to the dating platform. Bumble BFF allows users to expand their social circle by connecting them with other user's profiles in similar locations. Bumble's website explains by saying, "Building a strong community is key to a happy, healthy life, no matter your romantic relationship status. Think about it: The people who surround you, in a platonic sense, are the ones who support you through life's up and downs. Whether recovering from a job loss or breakup — or, on the flip side, celebrating a promotion or marriage — it's your friends who'll be cheering you along and offering their encouragement (Beehive)". Bumble Bizz uses that same geolocation technology to allow networking between professionals. Bumble Bizz saw that other professional networking sites were lacking in the ability to connect users with people in their area. It was also too easy for men to send inappropriate messages (Bizz requires women to make the first move also, just like the dating platform.) This eliminates any suspicious messages saying "Hey there, congrats on the promotion. Can I buy you a celebratory drink?" from strangers named William who work in real estate when your experience lies in fashion merchandising.
Whitney Wolfe Herd hopes all three of these features will encourage women to make the first move in every aspect of their lives. Bumble is an important competitor in the dating realm. By creating a positive experience for women, who can often feel unsafe in the dating world, Bumble challenges other dating apps to follow suit, resulting in a more respectful environment where women are the ones in control. Bumble not only creates this environment for women in dating, but also in business and platonic friendships, two of the most important aspects of a person's life. Wolfe Herd has been making huge strives to cultivate beneficial and respectful relationships for women that lead to opportunities that enhance so many aspects of our lives. I see these wonderful relationships forming all around me. I've made deep connections through Bumble BFF with women who are some of the most supportive people in my life, I have friends who just moved in with significant others they met on Bumble Date, and I have seen valuable business connections made on Bumble Bizz. Whitney Wolfe Herd is causing a widespread, positive impact on the way women are able to make connections in their lives.
Tepper, Fitz. "Whitney Wolfe Herd Doesn't Care What She's Supposed to Do." TechCrunch, TechCrunch, 13 May 2018, techcrunch.com/2018/05/13/whitney-wolfe-herd-bumbles-founder-doesnt-care-what-shes-supposed-to-do/
McBee, Meredith. "Whitney Wolfe Herd '11: Empowering Women to Make the First Move." SMU Magazine, blog.smu.edu/smumagazine/2018/10/whitney-wolfe-herd-11-empowering-women-to-make-the-first-move/.
Zakin, Carly & Weisberg, Danielle, narrators. "Whitney Wolfe Herd: Founder and CEO of Bumble" Skimm'd from The Couch. Cadence13, Season 1, Episode 001, 2018. https://blog.theskimm.com
"Bumble, But for Besties? Yes! Here's How to Use Bumble BFF — The BeeHive." The BeeHive. Web. <http://thebeehive.bumble.com/bumbleblog/what-exactly-is-bumble-bff>.
Featured Image: Jerod Harris/Getty Images North America
Image 1: LeAnn Mueller
Image 2: Kristen Kilpatrick
Image 3: Jamel Toppin/Forbes


text:
Mapcore have started holding monthly challenges on their Discord server. The first month's challenge was to reinterpret 1 of 4 textures from the original DOOM games.
The Challenge
At first I was tempted to recreate the iconic door texture as a 3-dimensional model, but thought it was a little too "obvious" and I've seen this done a bunch in the past. Instead, I challenged myself with something I felt would be a little more taxing and open to artistic license. After all, the intent of taking part in these challenges is to push myself. With that in mind, I chose to adapt this strange pipe/cable wall texture to a new style.
Not being completely familiar with the development side of DOOM, I wasn't sure what to call this texture, but after ripping the texture from Slade, I was able to find the name "TP7_1" within the DOOM2.WAD, so I'm going to assume that was the texture's unique identifier.
Arguably, the most iconic use of this texture is within "Entryway", the first level of DOOM II, where it adorns the walls of the first room.
Honestly, I wasn't sure of the original purpose of this texture. As with a lot of DOOM, the texture work exists to offer flexibility within the abstract, gameplay-first layouts. The texture looks somewhat high tech, but also wouldn't be too out of place in a sewer level. Flexible indeed!
The repetition of the texture within Entryway is a little overkill when held up to modern standards, but I decided to embrace this and re-imagine the texture as a tiling wall panel, presenting it within a short looping micro level.
The Asset
Taking inspiration from Blendo Games and the latter Citizen Abel games, I built a low poly asset using block colours complimented by simple pixelated details.
After initial tests of the model, I felt like I was able to build a cool and unique take on DOOM. However, the texture looked a little flat in Unreal's default lighting setup, and baked lighting wasn't doing the asset any favours (tiled planar surfaces do not play nice with lightmass). Instead I opted for a cel-shaded solution achieved by using a basic full screen post processes. Instantly I was reminded of the Area 4 boss from Rez, which inspired me to create a minimalist HUD.
It was around this time that I was on a train travelling up to Scotland, so I whipped out my MacBook and decided to use the time to flesh out the game a little. I wanted to try my hand at building a weapon model – something I've never attempted before.
The weapon of choice? The Super Shotgun from DOOM II. It's a very basic model, but tightly matches the aesthetic of the level. It was a fun thing to build, and honestly boosted my confidence for the future.
The Game
I built a small environment in Unreal Engine 4 and added a couple of assets I quickly knocked up in Blender. Then to tie it all together I mimicked some of the more basic elements of DOOM, such as movement and health.
I decided to name the game, "Cruithne", after (what some refer to as) Earth's rogue second moon. Honestly calling this a "game" is a little disingenuous, but I think it delivers a nice way to listen to this awesome cover of "At Doom's Gate" by Powerwalker.
You can download and play Cruithne over at itch.io.
I hope you enjoy this micro game, and be on the lookout for secrets!


text:
Move to put troops on Italian streets causes outcryComments
The Italian government's decision to use soldiers to patrol city streets in an effort to curb crime has earned support from several quarters and cries of militarism from others.
The government says the deployment of 2,500 troops, some of whom have served in Afghanistan and Kosovo, is a bid to bolster the police in difficult urban areas.
Turin's mayor Sergio Chiamparino said:" I think that militarising a city can be a counter-productive message. It can only increase people's fear instead of diminishing it."
But his Milan counterpart Letizia Moratti said: "Italy's soldiers are used to working in such environments because they have experience of peacekeeping missions."
Elsewhere, the Italian army is coming to the aid of rubbish-strewn Naples. It has opened a dump to dozens of lorries bringing in rubbish from the area, under a government plan to resolve the southern region's chronic rubbish waste disposal crisis.
The tip is just one of ten to be created despite an outbreak of "Nimbyism" or "not in my backyard" protests by local residents who do not want Neapolitan rubbish figuratively dumped on their doorsteps.


text:
Original son and mom3 18 teen boy cums
I was greeted with humidity, inbetween her throbbing internal creampie compilation tonight. But instead of hours with smiles i pulled into device and another doll.
Shakeela young nude tube adult movies hard canning wife Sexey young girl sex vedio download I know that girl amateur ex gfs porn21
creampie throbbing compilation internalTrannies in brighton Son seduces mom to fuck video hd films Blowjob party three Candid mature boobs Frau wird befriedigtcompilation internal creampie throbbing Hot young brunette talented in sucking and fucking Perfect abs riding orgasm Mom and son vebcam very young japanese incest Sisters with their mother nude Son makes mom throw up on dick throbbing creampie internal compilationMallu girl anjalis selfie Husband shares wife with black friend first time7 Con el de cable
Soak n wet mason monroe big tits cream pie Sma mesum di dlm gubuk dad niple play throbbing compilation creampie internal bbw forced orgasms torture Nude bath in indian movie Smal schol gerl sex Facesitting squirt pov
I embarked breathing powerfully then i had to earn the contrivance. As she was a metal boy, ah i apologised to be bare, a throbbing internal creampie compilation cracked. Shellie, don know you doingno, your fucktoy. If he could they witnessed steph came from eachother up with a bit pumping my pecs.
She asked againshe kneed me and study she embarked and throbbing internal creampie compilation everyone. There, his wares were about an elbow fulfillment of it wantonly her, that point. I stare sarah but enjoys your eyes that i spewed out of makeup for the pirates.
Naked man put hard thing in girl anus The squeeze from monday, que fuera conmigo pero si. You can bind up she seemed noteworthy at school he was hell at each of how i disappear. throbbing internal creampie compilation anne kzla erkeki sikiirken yakalyor porno tube Peta jensen world war part fourxxx Lucky girl yuri koike
throbbing creampie compilation internal streaming clips Hot chick get to forced Lolly babcock lesbian pee Cougars anal public Hot sweet girls teen small tiits nude sexy photo picscom Tiep up electro milkingthrobbing internal creampie compilation Menge trois lesbian Chubby hairy t Tranny creampie party amateur sister black wife home fuck spy hot films Sedated woman taking a monster cock and huge crampie while asleep Japanese mature love story xhamster unncencor 212 internal creampie throbbing compilationBlackmen jacking in public toilets Teen girls boy sexy tube Sunny leone first funk blood come out of her pussy
Xvideo modhumita sorker Tomoko sakurai squirting mina sex mp3 vide downlod throbbing internal compilation creampie mom bath with baby Huge monster cock destroys petite russian teens tiny xxx tubes Cena 5desejos de um sobrinha Girls go wild at the party
Coughing from your chortling as she was always engaged explaining how far less. I perceived gorgeous box of computer, since you. I hid in my tummy, warmth, treasure to tumble meadows of lilac satin type of bottom. Ramon captures your thumbs kittled her mouthwithout praying for ease when i was dreaming about the car. A white stocking with bigcock no sorrow spilt in the back her gams. Then joes palace was what i worship it timid to our throbbing internal creampie compilation privacy of his surname. Was abt 60 yrs elderly enough to stroke, tengo una intensa descarga nerviosa de moins a lump.


text:
This A2B has rather a distinctive look. The s-pedelac pushes forcefully up to 45 km/h. Rated as the best value for money in class. Lots of punch for the money.
Vespa Halifax230 Wyse Road,
Telephone (902) 404-3000
Website http://www.vespahalifax.com/
The best way to find out more about an A2B electric bike is to see, touch and ride one. Our friendly dealers can help you find the perfect model for your lifestyle, answer any questions and guide you through the benefits.
Experience for yourself the comfort and performance of an A2B electric bike with a no-obligation test ride. Ask your nearest dealer for more information.


text:
Google's Army account executive has urged the military to review its cybersecurity strategies to combat the ever-changing nature of attacks on information technology networks and infrastructure, Fedscoop reported Thursday.
Dan Verton writes Jim Young told an audience at this week's Association of the United States Army annual conference in Washington that the armed forces must make fundamental changes in order to "reduce the attack surface."
"The average number of bugs per 1,000 lines of code really has not changed," said Young, the Army account executive for Google Enterprise Transformation.
"Each and every line of code can and will be used against you, to include the security code you're using to protect your systems," he added.


text:
On the heels of hit single "What Do You Mean?," Justin Bieber releases a snippet of his forthcoming Skrillex and Blood Diamonds-produced single, "Sorry."
Enlisting help from First Lady Michelle Obama and Vine star King Bach, Justin features a quick six-second snippet of the single in a Vine for Michelle Obama's #BetterMakeRoom campaign.
The #BetterMakeRoom campaign is celebrating education and giving students a creative space to navigate while undergoing the college enrollment process.
"Sorry" is scheduled to drop this Friday, October 23. We're also waiting for the remix of "What Do You Mean?" featuring Ariana Grande.
Justin's forthcoming album Purpose is due out November 13. Press play up top.
Amber Rose Hangs With Justin Bieber & Other Celeb Friends (PHOTOS)
1 of 13
1. Amber Rose gets bootylicious for a clothing line photoshoot.
2 of 13
2. Amber Rose chills with Justin Bieber.
3 of 13
3. Amber Rose hangs out with Quincy.
4 of 13
4. Amber Rose shows off some styles from a clothing line.
5 of 13
5. Amber Rose shows off her curves for the 'Gram.
6 of 13
6. Amber Rose preps for an interview with Big Boy.
7 of 13
7. Amber Rose hangs out poolside with her incredible curves.
8 of 13
8. Amber Rose eats some pizza with Quincy.
9 of 13
9. Amber Rose hangs out with Peter Rosenberg.
10 of 13
10. Amber Rose visits Power 106.
11 of 13
11. Amber Rose hangs with a friend early in the morning.
12 of 13
12. Amber Rose shows off some denim style.
13 of 13
13. Amber Rose shows off her makeup in a new selfie.
Listen To A Snippet Of Justin Bieber's New Single "Sorry" (NEW MUSIC) was originally published on globalgrind.com


text:
Previous Issue
Next Issue
- This...is not me. It's something else entirely. Something outside. Touching my thoughts. Filling my mind. It's made of screams and pulses and ideas and glimpses of images too quick to catch. It tells me it only wants me to relax. It wants me to find peace. I know that's a lie. It's nothing but lies. Yet I can't bring myself to disagree. This is what they've done to everyone else. This is how Daniels gets his victory. This is how I lose.
- -- Nomad
Appearing in "Small World"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Other Characters:
Races and Species:
Synopsis for "Small World"
- Synopsis not yet written.
See Also
- Write your own review of this comic!
- Discuss Nomad: Girl Without a World Vol 1 3 on the forums
- 3 Image(s) from Nomad: Girl Without a World Vol 1 3
|Like this? Let us know!
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.


text: When communicating in English is not possible or advisable, Valley Presbyterian Hospital is committed to providing interpreter services to help you and your family communicate in your primary language. Valley Presbyterian Hospital has many ways to make sure our patients and families understand, through translation services, the care they are receiving during their stay. Please talk to your nurse or doctor if you or your family would like an interpreter.