text:
2nd annual "Horsepower for Veterans" hits the road
Updated: 06/30/2012 - Turnout doubles for second annual veteran motorcycle run to Highgrounds Memorial Park in Neilsville.
Updated: 06/30/2012 - Turnout doubles for second annual veteran motorcycle run to Highgrounds Memorial Park in Neilsville.
Updated: 06/30/2012 - Chippewa Fire District plans situational house fire to teach firefighters proper procedures.
Updated: 06/30/2012 - Several people including children are hurt after a campfire "explosion" at a Houston County campsite.
Posted: 06/30/2012 - Wisconsin authorities have recovered the body of the Minnesota man who disappeared after falling into the St. Croix (KROY') River near Prescott earlier this week.
Updated: 07/01/2012 - The state is warning residents to be aware of recent scams involving "secret shoppers" and foreign lotteries.
Posted: 07/01/2012 - Organizers of the annual Pioneer Days Mud Bog race near Eau Claire say all five people who were hurt during Saturday's event have been released from the hospital.
Posted: 06/29/2012 - This past week, Grassland Dairy Products shipped a load of dried milk to an orphanage to Peru to be used as an ingredient in meals for the children.
Updated: 06/29/2012 - Agents are trying to find a man they say robbed the Alliance Bank in Lake City, Minnesota just across the Wisconsin border and a bank in Oregon.
Updated: 06/30/2012 - A summertime tradition went sour Friday morning after witnesses said an 83-year-old woman stole a sword from an Eau Claire thrift sale.
Posted: 06/29/2012 - A Clark County man will spend 90 days in jail after he was convicted of homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle.
Updated: 06/29/2012 - The grants were awarded to the organizers of 15 events that contribute more than $1 million to the local economy.
Posted: 06/29/2012 - A Cadott man will spend the next four months in jail for firing gun shots into a home.
Updated: 06/29/2012 - 24-year old Shoua Bauer now has a certificate from Chippewa Valley Technical College to become a police officer.
Posted: 06/29/2012 - A series of new rules for ATV and UTV use will take effect July 1st.
Updated: 06/29/2012 - This warm weather we've been having is already affecting the prices in our grocery stores.
Updated: 06/29/2012 - Area kids played tennis and got to meet an Olympic athlete Friday.
Posted: 06/29/2012 - The La Crosse Police Department says it's concerned that an extremely potent supply of heroin has made its way into the area.
Posted: 06/29/2012 - Unless major errors are uncovered in the next few days, a recount will conclude that Republican state Sen. Van Wanggaard has lost his recall election.
Posted: 06/29/2012 - Congress has passed a massive measure that will salvage some 2.8 million jobs and shield college students from sharply higher interest rates on college loans. The bill would also shore up the federal flood insurance program.
Updated: 06/29/2012 - Gov. Scott Walker has asked federal officials to declare an agricultural disaster in Wisconsin counties that suffered fruit and vine losses during this spring's fluctuating temperatures.
Updated: 06/29/2012 - A former Antigo High School football coach and retired special education teacher has been sentenced to six months in jail after pleading guilty to drug charges.
Posted: 06/29/2012 - Savannah Guthrie has been named co-anchor of NBC News' "Today." The announcement was made today by NBC News President Steve Capus and is effective immediately. The new "Today" anchor team of Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker and Natalie Morales officially debuts Monday, July 9.
Updated: 06/29/2012 - The state attorney general says he doesn't believe challenges to Wisconsin's voter identification law will be settled before the November election.
Updated: 06/29/2012 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency filed a lawsuit against La Crosse-based Dairyland Power Cooperative.
Updated: 06/29/2012 - Firefighters battled an early morning fire at the Carousel Inn and Suites in Wisconsin Dells.


text:
todd levin
Results: 1 - 1 of 1
Exclusive: Todd Levin on How Conan O'Brien Got Screwed
A year ago, Todd Levin got the job of a lifetime--writing for 'The Tonight Show.' Nine months later, he was packing his desk. Now he recounts what it was really like: helping reboot a fifty-six-year-old franchise; watching his boss, Conan O'Brien, get screwed; and saying good-bye to the funniest late-night show to barely exist read more
August 2010
- Tags:
- The Comedy Issue,
- Entertainment,
- Celebrities,
- Humor,
- Todd Levin
Results: 1 - 1 of 1
News + Politics
- The Original Donald
- GQ Style: Wes Anderson's Highly Influential, Slightly Tweaked Take on Reality
- Jerry Lee Lewis Will Not go to Hell
- Matthew McConaughey: America's Space Cowboy
- Logan Lerman Went to Bootcamp with Brad Pitt for Fury
- Under the Influence: How Def Jam's Early Days Inspired this Season's Look
How To
Food + Travel
- David Chang's Kitchen: Don't Get All "Fresh" with Me
- David Chang's Kitchen: Your Idea of Bologna is Total Baloney
- Chart: The Family Tree of Bourbon Whiskey
- Recipe: Semi-Summer Salad - Chef Jeff Taibe of Oak + Almond
- The Great Franco-Italian Pasta Experiment
- How to Pick from an Overpriced Restaurant Wine List

subset: commoncrawl


text:
I still want a baby goat. Read More »
Author Archives: Mason
Students Prank Principal by Hiring Mariachi Band to Follow Him Around
I want to do this to Jose. Read More »
The Secret to a Perfect Body – Genetics
Genetics? Curses. I was hoping this was a new fad diet. Read More »
He's kinda scary…until he takes his mask off..then ADORABLE! Read More »
Little Girls Headbanging
Makes me want to rage. With a Capri Sun. Read More »
Jimmy Falon got Beefy
I'm into it. Read More »
This made my day.
Obsessed with this song.
I needed a summer anthem!
And Tiesto provided! Read More »
Donkey Smiles On Command
Kids at an Arizona ostrich farm inadvertently discover a happy donkey's special trick. Read More »


text:
I need to know, are there any risks using the
realloc() function to get additional memory?
For instance , I'm storing some stream into a
char* variable. The problem is that we can't specify at the beginning the maximum size of the input stream, so we need from time to time to expand the memory area.
My question is: could reallocating memory cause data loss of my reallocated variable?


text:
26 July 2010
News: Swedish Column at The Comics Journal
As of today I have a column at the website for the American magazine The Comics Journal. I will there report on comics from a Swedish perspective, i.e. mostly do what I do here.There will thus be cross-posting of articles etc. back and forth a bit. TCJ are hard at work building a crew of dedicated writers from all over the world and their website is gaining momentum as an alternative to the printed version of the magazine. Go there and check it out!
kl. 16:54 View Comments
Etiketter: The Comics Journal
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)


text:
It's just a shirt, they tell you.
Lighten up. Have a sense of humor.
Oh geez, they say, it's just one ad. Or just one pair of pajamas.
It's no big deal. Everything is so PC nowadays.
Just a shirt, just an ad, just a pair of pajamas, just a different playing field, just a way to keep girls interested in science, just a pay disparity, just a ceaseless, subtle societal messaging system that says A. women are lesser and B. lighten the fuck up about it.
No big deal really.
This is a roundup of all the sexist bullshit I found on Facebook this week alone. It's meant to simply connect a few dots because my feed was filling up with example after example of messages that subtly, or not so subtly, degrade girls and women — with all the obligatory comments about chilling out about it all.
Viewed in a vacuum, I get it. One shirt isn't so bad. Ha ha, very funny. I also enjoy easy, tired jokes from time to time myself.
But view them all together — again, just one week's worth of bullshit — and tell me there's not an incessant, pervasive messaging system that is so powerful we often overlook it or laugh it off as completely normal.
Exhibit A
Target (which, for the record, had been doing well at offering T-shirts for girls with the same sporty slogans as boy shirts) decides to sell pajamas in which the boy babies can grow up to be heroes and the girl babies can grow up to … date them. Because girls obviously will never want to be powerful super heroes themselves.
But, you know, it's just one set of pajamas. Chill out already.
Exhibit B
Walmart. Here we've moved up in age from pajamas for babies who can't read anyway so just let parents have a little fun in sexualizing infancy to shirts for teens who can, hopefully, read. And yet the message stays the same. Boys can be heroes. Girls can marry them.
Again, I hear you: Lighten up, asshole, it's just one shirt.
Exhibit C
This is my favorite. If T-shirts and pajamas don't tell you something's wrong with how society treats girls and women, how about this: a sign. A sign that fucking spells it out for you.
It's from the Carnegie Science Center working with the scouts.
But oh yes, I hear you already: It's just a way to get girls interested in science by using something they're interested in! After all, we've spent a lifetime telling them their only merit comes from appearance and spousal ability so now we're stuck with girls who couldn't give fewer fucks about STEM and this will set them right again!
Exhibit D
You probably hear this phrase a lot: Even the playing field. As a metaphor, it means treating women and men equally. In this real-life example, it literally means even the playing field. Professional women soccer players had to file a lawsuit just yesterday to be able to play the World Cup on grass next year instead of artificial turf. Hold just about any men's friendly match to drum up support for the game and FIFA will go to great lengths to cover the field in sod. The next two men's World Cups will have grass, including the 2022 tournament in Qatar. Grass for men. In a drought-ridden desert.
But hold the premier event for the women's side, and it's turf for the first time ever. Of course.
And don't even get me started on news of women's soccer. Upload the ESPN FC soccer app and you can get coverage from bumblefuck B leagues in Ecuador and Sweden. You can get news about the Johnston's Paint Trophy. But no scores or news about the women's national team. You probably know the team. It's the one that actually wins. It's the one that should have loaned Megan Rapinoe to the men's side this summer in favor of hammer footed Michael Bradley and maybe we would have had a chance.
But I digress. And I'm sure I could keep digressing on example after example.
This is, after all, just one week's worth of bullshit. And you get the point.
It's ironic that these examples popped up in my feed just a few days after social media went atwitter at Emma Watson's amazing speech last week on feminism and equality.
It's also amazing that these discussions about just one shirt, or just one bad message, continue day after day and year after year. For instance, I wrote about the shitty messages of sexist T-shirts years ago. I offer this only to say it's nothing new. It's continuous and plague like.
But it's just a shirt, they still tell you.
Lighten up, they say.
It's just a constant, subtle messaging system that is so pervasive, degrading, and normalized that we can't even tell it's bullshit anymore.


text:
November 27, 2014
It's a sure sign that the summer season is nearly upon us.
We're getting reports of beaches being closed in Madison because of high bacteria counts.
The Madison Department of Public Health is telling us high bacteria counts have led to the closing of Olin Beach.
And too much blue green algae is forcing the city to close B–B Clarke and Hudson Beaches.
Click Here to access the online Public Inspection File
Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or email@example.com.


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Discover the perfect inn for your Bourton on the Water vacation with Booking.com. The best cozy rooms and lodges are available throughout Bourton on the Water. Find your country inn and start exploring Sudeley Castle, Broadway Tower and Weston Park. With great rates and good availability, Booking.com makes it easy to find an inn for your trip to Bourton on the Water.
|The Lamb Inn Great Rissington, Bourton on the Water, GL54 2LP, United Kingdom
Score from 237 reviews: Very goodA beautiful inn in the heart of the Cotswolds, The Lamb Inn offers a country-style restaurant and bar alongside its luxurious room and suites. More…
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|Old Manse Hotel Victoria St, Bourton-On-The-Water, Bourton on the Water, GL54 2BX, United Kingdom
Score from 361 reviews: GoodWith original features and traditional charm, Old Manse Hotel overlooks the River Windrush. In picturesque Bourton-on-the-Water, the hotel has free parking, a riverside terrace and a restaurant. More…
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|The Coach And Horses Stow Road, Bourton on the Water, GL54 2HN, United Kingdom
Score from 171 reviews: Very good There are 2 people looking at this inn.The Coach and Horses Inn is a refurbished 400-year-old Cotswold traveler's lodge with good food, Sunday lunches, refurbished rooms and free parking. There is free wireless internet at Coach and... More…
$86 Average price per night
|The Plough Inn, Cold Aston The Plough Inn, Cold Aston, Cheltenham, GLOS, Bourton on the Water, GL54 3BN, United Kingdom
Score from 20 reviews: ExcellentThe Plough Inn, Cold Aston is located in this charming Cotswold village. This beautiful property offers lovely rooms and an award-winning pub. More…
$126 Average price per night
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10/31/2014HESI Solicits Proposals for 2015 Action
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- Product Information
Product Description
Our box of 1 1/2" Poker Chips are packed 100 chips to a box. Each box has assorted color poker chips. Poker chips are packed in units of 1 dozen boxes. Please order in increments of 1 unit (1 dozen boxes).
- Questions & Answers
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- great value! Review by Iheartpoker
Amazing price!
(Posted on 7/27/10)
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How to Make Your New Year's Eve Party the Easiest Party You've Hosted
Don't sweat the small stuff this New Year's Eve—planning for a party becomes a piece of cake with the help of New Year's Party Kits!
10 Ways to Decorate Your Office or Classroom this Holiday Season
Add Christmas decorations to your office, cubicle or classroom to bring some festivity into the work place this holiday season! Get inspiration from some of these decorating ideas.
Ideas on Decorating for Hanukkah Celebrations This Year
Invite friends and family over for a Hanukkah celebration! Decorate the party space in blue, white and silver and serve traditional foods while making memories.


text:
a word to describe the African-american culture of which contains a ghetto/hood/gangster mentality. it's suggested the targeted subject is extremely unsophisticated. Although the word is not consider an ethnic slur today, its underlined meaning is derogatory and usage projects an inferior perception.
"Yo...this club we be hitting up is so urban now days."
person #1 "His pants are sagging low"
person #2 "yea, he's got urban stylez"
"those urbs are having a freestyle battle"
person #1 "His pants are sagging low"
person #2 "yea, he's got urban stylez"
"those urbs are having a freestyle battle"
بواسطة Rudah يوليو 8, 2013
inner city
thoes ppl are really urban
بواسطة charliee mcfell سبتمبر 25, 2010
Urban means City Culture around the World.
It can also mean New (as cities and people often grow and change).
It can also mean New (as cities and people often grow and change).
Does urban culture affect modern music? Or does modern music affect urban culture?
بواسطة Kimberley130 فبراير 11, 2010
Modern. Describes something seen as current with the majority culture in the West.
The term urban legend designates a folk tale perceived as more modern than other traditional or culture-specific stories, in spite of the fact that many urban legends do not take place in urban areas.
بواسطة jskinner ديسمبر 7, 2008
I am trying to write a few more urbans to add to my total.
بواسطة wario ديسمبر 4, 2008
A word commonly used by those of lower intelligence, or rednecks, when attempting to tell a story in past tense. Esp. when put under pressure or in the presence of those with higher social standing thus causing an attemp at formality (proper grammar).
John Dyss: Uh, officer what I be tryin... 'Err, been' (pronounced 'urban') tryin ta tell ya is I was busy brandin' ma cows, If ya know what I mean;) , night o' the robbery."
بواسطة ClothyMonster ابريل 5, 2011
The native language of those who live in Urbania. Since the discovering of this small society and their language, some of their words have crept into everyday english and the way people dress.
Oh my god, yesterday, on the way to work I saw this guy sitting on a bench who looked sooooo Urban
بواسطة sheldonlt ديسمبر 29, 2008


text:
MUFFLER, EX. - Honda (18307-634-673)
Discontinued Part
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Genuine Honda Parts
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This MUFFLER, EX. is a genuine OEM Honda part #18307-634-673 and carries a factory warranty. We offer the best online prices with fast shipping on any order placed with us.


text:
- My Story, By Billy GilmanPosted 7 days ago
- How Much Exercise Does It Take To Burn Off Those Thanksgiving Day Calories?Posted 2 weeks ago
- A Tale of Love and LossPosted 2 weeks ago
- The Upside of Going SoloPosted 3 weeks ago
- My Favorite After Halloween SpecialPosted 3 weeks ago
- Finally, We Can Pronounce GIF Correctly!Posted 3 weeks ago
- Where does it pay to be a developer?Posted 1 month ago
- Paper Airplane Machine GunPosted 2 months ago
- 40 Ways to Stay CreativePosted 2 months ago
- Take a Step Back, This Will Help You Relax.Posted 2 months ago
Tujurikkuja 3 Ott Sepa Klass (ENG subtitles) (Extreme Dodgeball!)
Sounds Swedish to me, but the comedy is seen all around. We all remember middle school dodge-ball, and while this is a clear dramatization, so were our imaginations during the game. Have fun with this and enjoy...
- Posted 3 months ago
Prescott Highside, Wear a Helmet!
This relatively raw video shows a younger guy do a complete wipe-out at the hangout. Why did this incident not cause an immediate ride to the emergency room? A helmet, so let that be a lesson to...
- Posted 3 months ago
The History of the Music Video
So, MySpace is still around for anyone wondering, they're now basically a place for music lovers and bands to share their music. MySpace made this Infographic back in 2010, showing the history of the music video, and...
- Posted 3 months ago
ALS (The Ice Bucket Challenge!)
ALS made a great play with their simple idea of the Ice Bucket Challenge. Sure, there are Nah-Sayers who will discredit ALS, (mostly with the comment "clean water wasted and not given to the needy") but the...
- Posted 3 months ago
Team Fortress 2 Facts
I can't say that I play this myself, but being a fan of multiplayer online games, I understand the need for balance and game mechanics. The guy that found an exploit is a great example of what...
- Posted 4 months ago
A Cosplay Not Easily Topped
Assassin's Creed has become the number one game people talk about when it comes to assassination games. It's simple game mechanics have also made it easy for people to jump into and play. From a financial standpoint,...
- Posted 4 months ago
Only Buy Real Ice Cream, the Fake Ice Cream Does This!
This was easily the most unsavory thing I've seen all day. Ice cream that is filled with so many chemicals it can't even melt in the sun. This is disturbing on a new level, much like the...
- Posted 4 months ago
29 Ways to Stay Creative
While short, This info graphic gives great tips for designers and writers alike. keeping a clean environment, paper and pencil nearby, and staying relaxed is key to keeping a healthy and productive workplace. Image from magnetoworks.com
- Posted 4 months ago
Website Do's and Don'ts
Websites are key in this new age of business. I can't stress enough the impact a good, easy-to-navigate website is for the small and large business. Websites are the first place a consumer will go to look...
- Posted 4 months ago
There Were Statues, Then There Were People, Then This.
Enjoy taking pictures with statues? Me too, so here's some of the most interesting pictures I have ever seen of people doing crazy and wacky stuff with statues. I think I'd find a Greek War Statue and...
- Posted 4 months ago


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Fugitive lip biter arrested in California
Nov 6, 2014
Jonathan E. Benedict
Oct 30, 2014
Darrell W. Cook
Oct 2, 2014
Michael Polchies
Sep 25, 2014
Home » News » Crime
Lawyer: Epping defendant tired of 'sharing' girlfriend
Defense lawyer Andrew Cotrupi told jurors on Monday that Eaton lied to police about being able to see his assailant in the pitch-black dark because there were no street lights on the roadway. Cotrupi said Eaton and two other state witnesses had credibility problems because of their criminal records.But Cotrupi acknowledged that a lot of the trial will focus on the words and actions of Letourneau.
Tensions between the men had escalated for months with exchanges of threatening texts and a face-to-face confrontation in 2011 when they both visited Letourneau at a local hospital at the same time, according to Blanchard.About an hour prior to the shooting on Dec. 11, 2011, Letourneau exchanged about 35 texts messages with Eaton while she was with Locascio, Blanchard said. For the next hour, the men exchanged heated phone calls and text messages. Blanchard said that Locascio told Eaton that he would shoot him with a shotgun, and that "I have an excavator for a reason."
Souther testified that the conversation went from talk about exchanging blows to Locascio saying, "How about I just jam a shotgun in your face."
"I don't know Jackie that good, but I certainly didn't need her problems that night and I don't need them now," Souther told the jury.
Jennifer Erickson, 33, of Dracut, Mass. who was dating Eaton's uncle at the time, testified that her cell phone rang and Letourneau was on the other end of the line screaming.
- Robbery at pizza house in Dover - 0
- Police obtain warrants for suspect wanted in Dover, Manchester bank robberies - 0
- Police searching for person stealing from cars in Manchester - 1
- Innocent verdict in vehicle death of former Amherst Fire Chief - 11
- NH Guard Officer convicted of sex trafficking - 2
- MBTA sergeant facing a dozen charges after multiple arrests - 0
- Portsmouth mechanic arrested Friday on theft charges - 1
- Police: Conn. woman falsely accused KSC student of rape - 2
- Jury acquits Mont Vernon driver, who was checking text, in death of former Amherst fire chief - 7
30 years later, Tammy Belanger isn't forgottenREADER COMMENTS: 0
- NHIAA Football: Campbell pounces on Newport mistakes - 0
- NH's Trahan felled in Salem battle - 0
- Tiger hires new swing coach - 0
- Dave D'Onofrio's Patriots Notebook: Expect an aerial display - 0
- College Football: Wildcats are CAA champs - 1
- NHIAA Football: Leadership matters - 0
- Windham turns back St. Thomas - 0
- College Notebook: Daniel Webster relishes its men's soccer conference crown - 0
- Dover's Burt leads Panthers - 0
Proposal calls for gas pipeline across 17 NH communitiesREADER COMMENTS: 0
A kinder, gentler House Speaker?
College Football: Wildcats are CAA champs
Carpenter ready for break from baseball
Obama's action a first step?
Driver acquitted in Amherst ex-chief's death
A kinder, gentler House Speaker?
College Football: Wildcats are CAA champs
College Hockey: Providence blanks UNH
- Whom do you think bears the brunt of the blame for the mayhem this weekend in Keene?
- KSC students
- 37%
- KSC administration
- 2%
- Police
- 6%
- Visitors from out of town
- 18%
- A combination of any/all of the above
- 37%
- Total Votes: 2483


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Store of Baby?
I did a quick search and didn't see a post with this at a glance, so I apologize if it's been discussed here! FTM/FTCD and my friend just sent me this link:...
Started by Phoebezxy on 10/13/2014 in Cloth Diapering Mommies
Last update on 10/13/2014 by Phoebezxy


text:
Dallas Cowboys: Niles Paul
Report Card: Redskins run over Cowboys
Rushing Offense
The Cowboys had arguably the worst rushing attack in franchise history, but the ground game was adequate in the season finale. Dallas ran the ball 22 times for 100 yards, which was much more effective than the norm this season. DeMarco Murray carried 17 times for 76 yards, highlighted by a 21-yard run that featured a fantastic cutback. Felix Jones, the former first-round pick who probably played his last game in a Cowboys uniform, showed surprising quickness while gaining 24 yards on five carries.
Passing Offense
This looked like the Tony Romo from the first half of the season. It's hard to beat a quality opponent when you throw three interceptions. Romo didn't make nearly enough plays to overcome his critical mistakes, finishing with 218 yards and two touchdowns on 20-of-37 passing. It didn't help that Miles Austin (no catches) missed most of the game due to a high ankle sprain or that Dez Bryant (four catches, 71 yards) was sidelined in the fourth quarter by back spasms. The Redskins only sacked Romo twice, but they blitzed him effectively throughout the game.
Rushing Defense
This was a disaster. The Cowboys simply couldn't stop rookie running back Alfred Morris, who broke Clinton Portis' franchise record for rushing yards in a season. Morris gashed the Cowboys for 200 yards and three touchdowns on 33 carries. His dominance allowed a gimpy Griffin to gain 63 yards and score once on six carries when the defense got sucked in by the zone-read fake. A healthy Griffin would have probably run for well over 100 yards.
Passing Defense
After the Thanksgiving Day debacle, the Cowboys were determined not to let Robert Griffin III beat them with his arm again. He didn't, completing only 9-of-18 passes for 100 yards. However, the Cowboys' pass defense didn't make any game-changing plays. Dallas didn't create any turnovers. They didn't have any real pass rush with DeMarcus Ware a one-armed shell of himself. Anthony Spencer had the Cowboys' lone sack.
Special Teams
Dwayne Harris was a difference-maker again on punt returns. He averaged 26.0 yards on three returns, including a 39-yarder that set up the Cowboys' last touchdown. Dan Bailey drilled a 48-yard field goal on his lone attempt. But punter Brian Moorman had a net average of only 32.0 yards on four punts. The Cowboys allowed Niles Paul to average 30.7 yards on three kickoff returns, including a 48-yarder that featured a few missed tackles.
Jason Garrett's staff got outcoached by Mike Shanahan's staff. That's not a surprise, considering Shanahan has won two Super Bowls as a head coach and Garrett has never been to the playoffs. Garrett's inability to counter the Redskins' blitz packages was particularly problematic. His decision to punt instead of attempting a 52-yard field goal in the final minute of the first half was also questionable.
Other Side: Washington Post's Rick Maese
Archer - Dan Snyder hasn't been the most patient owner, so is there any chance that Mike Shanahan could be on the hot seat?
Maese - I think that'd very doubtful at this point. For starters, Shanahan will have three years left on a contract that pays him around $7 million per season. While Snyder has certainly thrown away money on players, he hasn't been as eager to buyout coaches. But I think Snyder has also shown more patience as he's grown as an owner. Shanahan inherited a bad team in just about every way possible. The more likely scenario, I think, is for Snyder to bring in someone to beef up the personnel and scouting departments.
Archer - From the outside the quarterback position has gone horribly wrong. Is that Mike Shanahan's fault? His son's? The players? Are fans calling for Andrew Luck yet?
Maese - Ultimately, Mike Shanahan has final say in personnel decisions, so he has to shoulder the responsibility for the terrible quarterback play. Now, he's certainly taking into consideration what he hears from his coaches, including Kyle Shanahan, his son and offensive coordinator, but at the end of the day, it's his call. I think every human being in the Washington area would be shocked if either Rex Grossman or John Beck is somehow starting Week 1 in 2012. Unfortunately for them, the team's 3-1 start likely eliminated them from the Luck Sweepstakes.
Archer - The Redskins have Tashard Choice on the roster and he said he's playing this week vs. his former team. What type of role is there for him there?
Maese - As bad as quarterback play has been, the team's running game has been even less consistent. The offense is supposed to be built off the running game, and they're on pace to have the worst season running the ball in more than 40 years. So there's an opportunity for Choice. He'll have to show in practice this week that he's picked up Shanahan's system and deserves playing time this Sunday -- not to mention his hamstring needs to be 100 percent.
Archer - It appears the defense is still playing pretty well. How has another ex-Cowboy, Stephen Bowen, done in his first year?
Maese - Despite the Redskins' myriad problems, they feel like they beefed up their front-seven and that certainly seems to be the case through nine games. Bowen has held up well, despite an increase in snaps over last season. Depth is a problem along the defensive line and the Redskins can't afford to be without Bowen at this point.
Archer - So much talk about how bad the season has been, what's been the best thing this year?
Maese - There's been flashes of promise from young players. First-round draft pick Ryan Kerrigan should be in the running for rookie defensive player of the year. Rookie tailback Roy Helu set a franchise record with 14 catches in one game, breaking a mark set by Art Monk. Rookie Leonard Hankerson, who went on IR this week, topped 100 receiving yards last Sunday. Rookie Niles Paul is currently sidelined with a toe injury but has shown promise. Second-year linebacker Perry Riley had his first start last week and recorded four tackles for loss. So there are a few bright spots; they're just overshadowed by injuries.


text:
Dr. David P. Malone, MD
Internal Medicine, First Charlotte Physicians Of Matthews
- 1401 Matthews Township Pkwy Ste 200
Matthews, NC 28105
- 1 Office Location
- (704) 384-6901
Dr. David P. Malone has been practicing medicine for 24 years. Dr. Malone graduated from the West Virginia University School of Medicine in 1990. He practices medicine in Matthews, NC and specializes in Internal Medicine. Dr. Malone is affiliated with Novant Health Matthews Medical Center and Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center. He speaks English and Spanish.
Gender: Male
Years in Practice: 24 Years
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish
Medical School: West Virginia University School of Medicine
Graduation Date: 1990
Hospital Affiliations: Novant Health Matthews Medical Center, Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center
Specialties: Internal Medicine


text:
Dr. Dale P. Skoog, MD
General Practice, Suburban Adult Services
- 960 Maple Rd
Elma, NY 14059
- 1 Office Location
- (716) 805-1440
Dr. Dale P. Skoog has been practicing medicine for 50 years. Dr. Skoog graduated from the Tulane University School of Medicine in 1964. He practices medicine in Elma, NY and specializes in General Practice.
Gender: Male
Years in Practice: 50 Years
Languages Spoken: English
Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine
Graduation Date: 1964
Hospital Affiliations: Not Available
Specialties: General Practice


text:
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The situation is clear-cut for No. 19 Missouri.
If the Tigers (8-2, 5-1 SEC) win today at Tennessee (5-5, 2-4) and Nov.
DETROIT - There will be free football in Detroit on Monday night.
Fans are being offered free tickets to the NFL game that was moved to Ford Field from snow-plagued Buffalo.
VIDALIA - Vidalia defeated Coosa 45-14 in the second round of the state Class AA playoffs Friday night.
Nate McBride rushed for 127 yards and three touchdowns for the Indians, the Region 2-AA top seed.
Vidalia had 337 yard rushing in the game.
ATLANTA - Demarco Cox had 15 points and seven rebounds Georgia Tech improved to 3-0 for the third straight season with a 78-69 victory over IPFW on Friday night.
DASHER - Georgia Christian, a first-year varsity program, went toe-to-toe with defending state champion Memorial Day on Friday.
TIGER - Benedictine started off slowly with a pair of turnovers in the first quarter Friday, but the Cadets found their groove quickly and dominated the rest of the way in a 42-9 win over host Rabun County in the second round of the Class AA playoffs.
VALDOSTA - The Armstrong State University men's basketball team built a 27-point halftime lead and cruised to a 94-79 win over Carver Bible College at the Valdosta State Invitational on Friday night.
If Savannah Christian wanted to come out and make a statement in its first playoff game, it accomplished that goal.
The Raiders defeated the Vikings of St.
Coaches will tell you as long as there's a tick on the clock there's a chance.
Calvary Day actually had less than a tick left before halftime, and the Cavaliers made the most of it.
Teague has 28, Hawks hold off Pistons 99-89
ATLANTA - Jeff Teague scored a season-high 28 points and the Atlanta Hawks recovered after blowing a 19-point lead to beat the Detroit Pistons 99-89 on Friday night.
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Savannahnow.com, Savannah Morning News ©2014. All Rights Reserved.


text:
One who is a member of the shroomery.
Yeah I was just hanging out with those shroomerites, it was a blast, as always.
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text:
Hot answers tagged encryption
I got a SaaS product and the data is kinda sensitive. I want to give my customers 100% security on the fact that I can't read their data. If it's software as a service, and you do more than simply store blobs of data then give those blobs back when the customer asks, this is pretty much impossible. You're dreaming. You can't realistically combine SaaS ...
Microsoft's MSDN blog has a table describing the possible conditions and their outcomes. See Selectively using secure connection to SQL Server to understand client side setting and connection property options impacting secure connections for just the client involved. The server and other clients are not impacted.
Only top voted, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible


text:
Last fall I spent three weeks there and this spring I returned for two and a half. On both visits I only intended to stay a … Read the rest
The post The Girl I Was on Koh Tao appeared first on Ashley Abroad.]]>
Last fall I spent three weeks there and this spring I returned for two and a half. On both visits I only intended to stay a week, but well, Koh Tao is tough to quit.
Koh Tao is heaven for young people. A palm tree-fringed paradise where hour-long massages cost $6, where you can scuba-dive and fight muay thai and motorbike at your leisure, where partying is practically an art-form.
My memories of Koh Tao are equally distant and fond, so hazy it's as if they belong to someone else.
Even though I was there only six months ago, I was a different girl. Back then I flitted around the world, unsure of myself or what I wanted to do. I was rootless. I vacillated between seeking adventure and food and travel and craving community and career growth and lasting friendship.
Similar to an addiction, travel evolved from a love to an escape to an obsession to a lifestyle. After nine years of obsessive travel, I traveled because it was all I knew how to do. I was equally scared for the future and determined to savor the present. When the dreaded question "What will I do when I get home?" arose, I cast it from my mind.
I lived simply and cheaply, my only shoes a pair of black flip flops, my hair usually wet and plaited to the side. I was a girl who felt wildly indulgent paying $40 a night for an air-conditioned bungalow, who considered staying out until two an early night. I worried a lot. I partied a lot. I had metric tons of free time but carried a deep guilt for not feeling constantly happy. After all, who was I to feel lonely in paradise? How dare I?
I was a girl I recognize but can't remember being.
But I do remember some things about my time on Koh Tao. I remember the bathwater sea, the banana pancake truck parked in front of Ban's, the bright long tail boats bobbing in the surf. I remember drinking frothy pineapple juice as the tourmaline sea glittered. I remember swaying in a hammock listening to Manu Chao, sniffling and feverish from too many nights out.
And needless to say, I miss that lifestyle at times. I miss blissing out under Tiger Balm massages while listening to the soft pulsing of the sea. I miss sipping lukewarm Changs on the beach at night, watching the fire dancers spin, the flames bright as stars.
But mostly, I feel time has given me clarity. I forgive the girl I was back then for being anxious and guilty once in a while, because of course I had rough days on the road. Of course I felt insecure about my future and longed for deeper friendships. One can only live untethered for so long without yearning for security.
In retrospect I see that I was far too hard on myself.
I doubt I will ever go back to Koh Tao- actually, I don't want to. For me, it's so intertwined with youth, both the uncertainty and the frivolity of it. I want the island to remain fixed in my mind just as it was when I was 23. Because I will never again be the girl I was on Koh Tao, for better or worse.
Koh Tao- what a special little piece of paradise.
The post The Girl I Was on Koh Tao appeared first on Ashley Abroad.]]>
The post Blogger Spotlight: Meet Nat & Robson from Love and Road appeared first on Ashley Abroad.]]>
Name(s): Natalie Deduck and Robson Cadore
Age(s): Nat 31 & Rob 34 years old
Occupation(s): Full-time travellers and bloggers, a former journalist and a former sales manager in a shipping company.
Hometown(s): Itajaí, Brazil
Residence: Southeast Asia for the next 5 months.
Website: loveandroad.com
How long you're been blogging: 4 months
Country count: 29
Favorite city: Barcelona (it wasn't an easy decision, but we need to be near the sea and in a place with cool parties!)
Favorite museum: Le Centre Pompidou, Paris. Not only the expositions, the building itself is amazing. [Editor's note- One of my favorites too!]
Favorite blog (s): That's a big list :-) Rob follows The Professional Hobo and Hecktic Travels, I'm always reading post from Hippie in Heels, Just One Way Ticket and of course, yours. We follow you since we started planning our Love and Road Project back in 2013!
Favorite hostel: We don't stay too much in hostels, we prefer to share houses and apartment with local people (cheaper and a more genuine experience).
Favorite hotel: I'm in love with Family Cave Hotel in Cappadocia. We just came from there and it was a great place to stay. Family-run, it's a small hotel with beautifully decorated rooms. We even had a hammam in our bathroom. For budget travellers that was a spoil!
Favorite piece of street art:
Our pick is the one we spotted in Lisbon, near the Santa Apolónia Station.. This huge wall is amazing and we really liked how the artist played with the textures.
We are really into street art, we even have a gallery for it on our blog called Street Art from Around the World, have a look for some amazing work.
It's hard work! First I write all the posts in English and then I do a Portuguese version of them. I struggle a lot with vocabulary, grammar and expressions. I know our content doesn't have a flawless English, but the idea is to tell our story to as many people as possible, and through English is the best way do it. Portuguese is spoken in just a few countries and we are always thinking big, that's why we are blogging in two languages.
And it's not only the blog posts that are we write in two languages, Facebook posts, Tweets and Instagram too. It's an everyday challenge and the worst is because of writing English and travelling to countries with complete different languages, my Portuguese is getting worse everyday. :-(
I love Barcelona! We spent a few days there last summer and the parties were amazing. On our blog post 5 Tips to Enjoy Barcelona like a Local, we give some precious advice for those who want to party in a Catalan style. (Day & night ;-))
I'm a big fan of electronic music, what makes Berlin is one of my favorites cities for clubbing. Germany's capital is one of the best places to have fun while listening to good beats. Brazil is on the top of my list too. Big clubs in front of the beach (like Ibiza superclubs), carnival and good music make my country a dream destination for any party animal.
Also one summer music festival per year is a must for me! This summer we danced our socks off at Sonus Festival, in Croatia.
It was great fun! In Brazil we are all the time making jokes about Portuguese people, the accent they have and some super funny expressions. Turned out after two weeks travelling through the country I was already speaking quite alike to them.
Because Portuguese culture, language and food are similar to ours I thought it would not be so interesting to travel around the country. Our plan was to stay one week just to visit a friend. But once we were there we had so much fun that we postponed our plans. One week trip became 20 days and eight travel articles. We first explored Lisbon and then head to the north of the country for a train trip and wine tasting in Porto.
Ireland is my second home! Rob hates the weather, but he agrees with me when I say that we had two amazing years living there. Dublin was our first experience abroad, there we learnt how travel makes you a better and stronger person. It was there that our travel addiction started.
We decided to move to Ireland in 2006 after a weekend trip to Argentina. Me and Rob were together just for a couple of months but we realized that travel would be a great tool to keep us happy and together. We wanted an English-speaking country to study and live, USA was out of our plans, Australia and New Zealand too far, England would bankrupt us, so Ireland sounded like a possible option.
When we arrived there I couldn't be more happy and sure about the choice we made. Beautiful country, amazing people, great Guinness and tons of fun. If they have sunshine everyday it would be paradise!
Love and Road is online since July and from the beginning we look to it as a serious business, trying to take it to professional level and be proud of the work we are doing. I love Facebook, and I'm using it for more than 7 years, so when we launched our Love and Road profile I was posting stuff 3-4 times a day, asking friends to like the page and share it. In two months we reached 1K followers in an organic way. (Rob was notified by Facebook to slow down, he was messaging all his friends everyday, spammer!)
Twitter is our second biggest social network and it brings good traffic to our blog. We post everything related to travel, nice articles from other bloggers, pics, curiosities… The followers are coming, not as fast I would like, but in consistent way. Twitter really surprised me, I started our Instagram account one month before the Twitter and the percentage of growth is not so high, even putting lots of effort in great and interesting pictures.
My new challenge is Pinterest. We have a couple of boards out there but I still can not make the magic happen. I definitely have to learn more about social media apps and online tools. Everyday I spend about 2/3 hours managing Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest accounts. That's lots of work!
[Rob] I really enjoy preparing a tuna teriyaki and an Asian noodle soup recipe. Both dishes are not complicated at all and they are absolutely delicious. Actually I enjoy being in the kitchen all the time, but always need a glass of wine or a really cold beer beside me.
If you want the recipe just email us, it will be my pleasure share some tricks that will make you look like a master chef while preparing a simple but good food!
There are a couple of things that make me proud of being Brazilian:
– We are really creative and talented people. Handicrafts, music, dance, painting and design, we can do them all with an impressive quality and beauty. Our cultural mix made us a colorful country, full of differences and brilliant people.
– Brazilians are happy by nature, we celebrate everything (good and bad). We never give up and we believe that the sun, the beach and God will help us through all the problems. Not sure if you heard but it's said that God is Brazilian. :-) (Argentineans hate this quote.)
Here is Rob again! Jaguaruna is far from all the main attractions, however for me is a special and unique place. It reminds my childhood, my summer surf holidays, sandboarding on the dunes, homemade food and lots of fun.
The beach is located in the south of Brazil (Florianópolis is the biggest and most known city around), has amazing waves for surf and a really laid back atmosphere. During winter time most of the houses are closed and the city belongs only to the fishermen, seagulls and surfers. It's the best spot in Brazil for Town-in surfing!!!
Pretty far from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Jaguaruna is a great example what our country is far from the spotlight.
Not anymore, and that makes us sad!
The best moment was in 2009 when we went for winter holidays in the French Alps. Skiing wasn't an option for me so I went to the information center to find out what kind of activities were happening in the mountains. The girl from the desk looked at me and asked, "You sound Irish, but you don't look Irish. Where are you from?" At that moment I felt proud of myself. A year and a half in Ireland and I got the leprechaun accent! Super!!!!
Thanks you two for the interview! Here's where to show the love:
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The post Blogger Spotlight: Meet Nat & Robson from Love and Road appeared first on Ashley Abroad.]]>
As fate would have it, … Read the rest
The post Hanging Out in Bangkok During the Coup appeared first on Ashley Abroad.]]>
As fate would have it, I had a flight to Bangkok booked for May 23.
So on my last night in Delhi, I weighed my options:
Cons- Coup. Potential imprisonment. Border crossings could be tricky.
Pros- Thailand. Already spent $200 on ticket. Nowhere else to go. THAILAND.
And as I half-joked to my parents, I'd rather be a political prisoner than spend one more day in India.
So off I flew to the Thai capital. And I'm glad I did. While I felt lukewarm about Bangkok the first time around, on my second visit I came to adore it.
And really, the coup didn't change much. Yes, there was that pesky 10 p.m. curfew and the local TV channels were completely blocked. But mostly, it was Bangkok as usual: temples and Thai food, shopping malls and duck soup.
(I have to admit, I did break the curfew as one night my travel buddy and I sneaked out at 11 p.m. for a massage. Gasp!)
After six weeks in rural India, Bangkok might as well have been Boston. It was so modern.
I spent my entire first day lapping up modernity at Siam Paragon, Bangkok's swankiest shopping mall. I nearly died of bliss as I sipped a vanilla latte, scrolled through my phone and savored the long-forgotten feel of air-conditioning on my face.
I also stopped at H&M and the beauty country to stock up on Southeast Asia essentials: MAC Studio Fix and Bobbi Brown bronzer. And in the spirit of the girliest, most self-induldgent day ever, then I got a mani pedi. And they had OPI which never happens.
So after I got that out of my system, I went hunting for two of my favorite things in Southeast Asia: food and wet markets.
Khlong Lat Mayom is a floating market on the outskirts of Bangkok, with colorful wooden boats, delicious food and bright umbrellas. And it was a locals-only affair- my travel buddy Joe and I were the only tourists there!
Another perk? The vendors gave out free samples. Don't mind if I do.
Joe and I noticed all the locals were eating fried carp- or rather, some sort of crispy bottom feeder. So we hurried over to get ours too.
Well, it wasn't very good so we tried again. Our second lunch (ahem), was a spicy seafood salad. Delicious.
By the end of the morning I decided that out of all the markets I've visited in Bangkok, Khlong Lat Mayom is by far my favorite.
On Sunday we headed to the Chatuchak Weekend Market, or JJ's, to score a few bargains and see what all the fuss was about. Chatuchak is enormous; I found the sprawl a bit overwhelming but most enjoyed stalls 2-4, where trendy Thai designers hawk their wares (Thanks Alex in Wanderland for pointing me in the right direction!)
While I came armed with plenty of baht and the intent to more or less buy a new wardrobe, I only walked away with a pair of feather earrings. In the end it was too sticky to try on clothes, and at nearly 5′ 8" tall, I'm not exactly Thai-sized anyway.
I really wish I had bought one of these.
But no matter, I still enjoyed spending an afternoon at Chatuchak, and relished the opportunity to have some bánh cuốn. Hey, I love Thai food, but sometimes I just need me some Vietnamese.
As I learned on my last visit in Thailand, the Chao Phraya River Express Ferry is the best way to squeeze in lots of sites while enjoying a breeze.
Our first stop was Wat Pho, the beautiful, gold-coated reclining Buddha…
then the surrounding temples, which were also stunning…
and to finish, the stately Grand Palace.
(Note- make sure you dress respectfully for all these temples! Ladies, think shawls and long skirts.)
But soon we were sweltering in the Bangkok sun so we retreated back to the hostel.
A huge reason I liked Bangkok more the second time was due to the upgrade in accommodation. While last time I bunked up in a cockroach-infested hostel on Khao San Road, this time I stayed at Lub d.
Lub d has two locations: Siam Square and Silom. We chose Silom, a ritzy district where the sois are filled with cheap and tasty eats.
My friend had never stayed in a hostel so I figured Lub d was a gentle segue into the backpacker scene. And Lub d was everything I had bargained for; clean, beautifully designed and staffed with incredibly sweet and helpful employees.
And across the street from Lub d Silom is a stall serving one of the meals of my life. There's only one menu item- duck soup- and it will blow your mind. Have you ever see anything so beautiful?
Coup or no coup, I loved Bangkok. And I honestly think I'd fly back just for that soup- though I'll pass on the government overthrow next time.
Lub d generously hosted our stay for two nights. As always, all opinions are completely my own.
(Note- buy MAC makeup before you get to Bangkok because it was crazy marked up.)
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The post Hanging Out in Bangkok During the Coup appeared first on Ashley Abroad.]]>
The post The Craziest Things That Happened in India appeared first on Ashley Abroad.]]>
Travel writers wax poetic on how India is a Technicolor, multi-sensory travel experience- and yes, it is that. But for me, India was much a spiritual overhaul as it was a descent into chaos.
For better or worse, shit went down.
A human-powered ferris wheel. No biggie.
Here are the craziest things that happened to me in India:
This one is kind of embarrassing. I've only been to, oh, 38 countries, and boarded countless international flights. But after passing customs in Delhi, I realized I was sans wallet.
After two hours of frantic waiting, an airport employee returned the wallet to me with all the credit cards intact, my confirmation number written in blue pen on the leather (a funny story to tell when I pull it out nowadays).
I will forever be grateful to the kind employees of Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Per our Indian wellness pledge, McCall and I woke up at 6 a.m. every day to run. One morning, we passed a trash heap and a pack of macaques leapt out and corralled McCall. Hissing and baring their teeth, McCall kicked at them and yelled, "HEY!"
Seconds later, she shouted "RUN!" and we started sprinting back towards the yoga school.
Later, when I regaled the tale to my uncle, instead of being shocked that I was attacked by monkeys, he said, "Wait. You went running at 6 a.m.?" Ha.
And just in case you're ever attacked; leading primatologists suggest you "Form an "O" with your mouth, lean toward them with your body and head, and raise your eyebrows.
Also, apparently monkeys are more afraid of men than women. That's not even fair.
We were standing at the edge of the Ganges in Rishikesh when I saw a white shape floating quickly down the river. As it came closer, I saw it was a blue-tinged, water-logged corpse.
While my yoga school classmates claimed it was a cow, sorry guys, it wasn't- it was a human corpse with a head full of black hair.
A week after the corpse incident, my classmates wanted to take a dip in the Ganges, which up until that point I was all for. But considering the corpse we had just seen, I opted out. Everyone called me a square.
Every day at yoga school, I would watch as white-water rafters drifted down the Ganges in bright blue rafts. "I want to do that," I sighed.
So one day, to my delight, we headed down to the Ganges to white-water raft.
Soon into our rafting trip two Indian families boarded the raft, the men in blue jeans and loafers, the women in saris. And to our dismay, one woman was holding her ten-month old daughter.
The child was terrified, sobbing hysterically as huge waves rained down upon us. "Pani, pani!" said the mom, pointing to the water.
Also, as an aside, most Indians can't swim.
Anyway, maybe it's a cultural thing, but I don't understand the logic in bringing a baby white-water rafting.
Okay, okay. Maybe I'm being dramatic. But I could've at least broken a leg.
One morning we were hiking down a snowy hill, and I fell and slipped. After sliding down about 15 feet, heading for the edge of the mountain, I managed to grab hold of a rhododendron bush.
And thank god, as there wasn't much past it.
In India men have a curious habit of forming a circle around you, as if they were corralling you. It's rather terrifying.
After dinner in Delhi, my friends (one girl, one guy) and I stopped at the India Gate. We were just walking around the park and stopped to do a few yoga poses. Within seconds, a group of about 15-20 men formed a circle around us. My guy friend grabbed us both by the arms and pushed his way out of the crowd.
My guy friend was genuinely shocked. "Is this what you girls go through all the time?"
(Note- my female friend I had would never have gone to a park at night alone, and only went because we had a guy with us. Unfortunately, we still live in world where two women alone in a park at night in India is a very bad idea.)
How could I talk about India without mentioning my guru and meditation teacher, Swami Ji?
Swami Ji, who referred to me as "sluggish baby", is one of the funniest and good-hearted people I've ever met in my life.
A lover of selfies, Swami Ji would have us pose as a class while he took a selfie with his 13.1 megapixel smartphone.
He liked to meditate anywhere and everywhere. I can still picture his voice perfectly; whenever we asked a question, he would reply, "Yessssssss… baby…"
He introduced us to many forms of meditation, including moon meditation, in which we laid on our backs, stared at the moon and then closed our eyes and tried to remember the moon. And laughing meditation, in which we laughed hysterically for an hour straight.
Thank you, India. It was real. And crazy.
As a note, this post is just a summary of my anecdotal experiences. It in no way speaks for all of India, just what happened to me.
The post The Craziest Things That Happened in India appeared first on Ashley Abroad.]]>
So as promised, I'm starting a … Read the rest
The post Things That Scare Me + This Month's Sponsors! appeared first on Ashley Abroad.]]>
So as promised, I'm starting a new series: The Things That Scare Me. Here are several of my more recent challenges:
Ever since returning to the states, I've been running a ton. (Well for me. And by a ton I mean 20-30 minutes a day, ha.)
So in September I ran a 5K with my dad. Honestly, I wasn't really a fan- for me running is all about solitude, and the race felt crowded. But I definitely still want to do a Tough Mudder and Color Run.
Um, so this one's a doozy. I dropped a guy while rock-climbing on a second-date.
I'm not even kidding,
When he called down that he was descending I grabbed the wrong end of the rope and he plummeted twenty feet to the ground like a log. In shock, all I could do was stare at my bloody, chafed hands.
Worst. Second. Date. Ever.
(And he was just fine, in case you were wondering.)
When people say I'm brave I laugh a bit because really I'm a scaredy cat. Case in point? Haunted houses terrify me. Last month I went to one of the scariest haunted houses in the United States: Erebus. It was awful- four stories of heart-pumping, grab-your-nearest-friend terror.
I have now vowed I'm never visiting a haunted attraction ever again.
After decades of long locks, I finally have a short haircut! It's nice because it dries quickly but not so nice because I actually have to style it. (The closest thing I came to styling my hair used to be braiding it before bed.)
Per my birthday goals, I've FINALLY settled down. And it's nice. But you know you're a true nomad when sleeping in the same bed every night seems radical and crazy.
. . . . . . . . . . .
Onto this month's (amazing) sponsors! Pop over and say hello to them!
Best of the Blog: Łódź: The Black Sheep of Poland. Or so it seems…. // 14 Most Colorful Towns and Cities in Europe // What Can You Expect to See on Iceland's Golden Circle Tour?
Introduce yourself! Facebook // Instagram // Twitter
Have you read my interview with Shing yet? It's a goodie.
Best of the Blog: The Best and Worst Things About Being an Au Pair in Spain // How to Avoid Being "That Tourist" // Making Friends Abroad: How to Set Your Inner Extrovert Free
The company where I'm working, sovrn, is awesome so far- we have ping pong, beer on Fridays and a young, fun 80-person staff. I'm learning a ton about digital advertising and the mountain views from the office make me smile every time I walk to work. All in all, good stuff.
Also shameless plug- if any of you bloggers need advertising let me know and I can be your account manager!
And Denver? I'm in love. It's young, hipster and full of trendy coffee shops and bars, with world-class sunrises and sunsets. I'm counting down the days to ski season.
One downside is that I live in Denver but work in Boulder, and the commute is atrocious- 75 minutes each way of gridlock traffic. Also I'm a terrible driver and after six years of not having a car I can barely park.
And about the blog: although I've been posting less, I've been really happy with my content. My recent posts were highly personal and hard to write; I was especially proud What I Learned from Giving up Meat, Alcohol and Complaining in India and my Himalayan trek posts, Part 1 and Part 2.
Up next I'll be covering my six weeks in Southeast Asia: Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam. I'm excited.
The post Things That Scare Me + This Month's Sponsors! appeared first on Ashley Abroad.]]>
But often when travelers decide to hike the Himalayas, they head to Nepal. I get it- … Read the rest
The post Everything You Need To Know About Trekking the Indian Himalaya appeared first on Ashley Abroad.]]>
But often when travelers decide to hike the Himalayas, they head to Nepal. I get it- Nepal is home to the tallest mountains in the world: Everest, K2, Annapurna. But most of us aren't looking for a one-in-three chance of death (Annapurna) or a ten-week trek (Everest); we just want to enjoy nature and see big mountains.
Which is why I whole-heartedly recommend the Indian Himalaya; it's uncrowded, cheap and absolutely beautiful. And why hike in Nepal, which is becoming increasingly touristy, crowded and expensive, when you can have the Indian Himalaya all to yourself?
And I mean all to yourself. We came across eight other hikers in our entire eight-day trek.
We chose to hike the absolutely beautiful Kuari Pass Trek in the Garhwal Mountains. Our trek started and ended in Rishikesh, and lasted 10 days total: two days in transit, and eight days of hiking.
Hankering for ancient monasteries? Head to Ladakh, a Tibetan Buddhist region. Verdant forests? Think Sikkim. Stunning mountain vistas? The Garhwal Mountains, especially around Nanda Devi. (This was my trek!)
Personally, I didn't even consider independent trekking as I'm not an experienced enough hiker. But on my trek we met four hikers who were hiking independently so it can be done.
When in doubt, check TripAdvisor. Our trekking company, Red Chilli Adventure, came highly recommended on TripAdvisor, ranked #1 in Rishikesh and with a Certificate of Excellence.
I absolutely adored Red Chilli- there wasn't a kink in the whole operation. We had charming guides, delicious food and smooth logistics. Really I couldn't recommend them highly enough. Plus, the value for your money is incredible.
One thing to note is some trekking operators prefer to take on a certain number of clients; for example, Red Chilli has a minimum of four hikers and a maximum of ten. If you have a smaller or larger group, you will pay an additional fee.
We had a group of four, and each of us paid $440 USD. Costs became incrementally cheaper with more trekkers:
Group of 2 pax INR 34000 per person
Group of 3 pax INR 28500 per person
Group of 4-5 pax INR 25000 per person
Group of 6-7 pax INR 22500 per person
Group of 8-10pax INR 20000 per person
Note: we paid 50% of the total in advance as a deposit, and there was a 3.09% government service tax.
And don't forget to factor in tips for your guides and porters! We tipped our guides $75 each, and our porters $40 each.
Our trek included transportation to and from Rishikesh, one night in a hotel, tents, three meals a day and all permits and entrance fees. This also included a staff of two guides, five porters, one cook and a team of mules.
Our trek didn't include sleeping bags, but they could be rented for 100 rupees ($1.50 USD) a day. (Pro tip- bring a silk liner if you're planning on renting!)
If you're an avid and experienced hiker, then a difficult hike may be right up your alley. Our trek was moderate which was the perfect difficulty level for me; challenging but bearable.
As a rule, the best times to hike the Himalayas are spring (March-May) and fall (September to November). The summer months are monsoon season and the winter months are quite cold, so spring and fall are optimal.
We did our trek in May and the weather was sunny most days.
If you're short on time, a five-day trek might be perfect. Our trek lasted ten days total: two days of transit, eight days of trekking. For me this was the perfect length; any longer and I think I would've lost it.
Day-pack- I absolutely adore this backpack, and it was essential for carting around my snacks, Camelbak and extra layers on the trail.
Sleeping bag- I love, love, love my Marmot Angel Fire and am so glad I brought it. (I also slept in it for the entire month of Yoga Teacher Training!) But if you're renting a sleeping bag from the trekking company, pack a silk sleeping bag liner- they're also great for grimy hostels.
Power bars – While Red Chilli supplied us with snacks on the trail, sometimes I was glad to have a Luna Bar or two.
Camelbak – for quick hydration. This went straight in the daypack and was an absolute lifesaver.
iPhone and headphones – great for taking photos and listening to music. To save battery life, I turned off a bunch of my phone's functions with this list.
Solar charger – Not essential, but great if you're on a longer trek and need to charge your phone. Note- pre-charge it in an outlet before the trek- the solar function didn't seem to work very well.
Face wipes – to clear away sweat and grime after a long day.
Headlamp – Essential for midnight or pre-dawn bathroom runs.
Pain killers - I packed Advil for headaches and back pain.
Sunscreen with SPF 50 – Essential when you're hiking at high-altitude. And don't forget your your ears and the tops of your hands- that's where we got burnt the worst! Consider bringing aloe vera too if you burn easily.
Small scissors, Neosporin, band-aids – a godsend to those of us who blister!
Kindle - great for lazy post-trekking afternoons. Bonus points if the light is built-in.
Hair ties
Plastic bags – for dirty or wet clothes.
Note- pack warm, with lots of layers. Ski socks are especially great for cold nights!
My usual outfit: a tank top or t-shirt and Hot Chillys thermal top, with a fleece and rain coat in my bag. For bottoms I wore either athletic shorts or Hot Chillys thermal leggings layered with Zella leggings on top. For my shoes I wore hiking boots and socks, with a dorky wool hat and sunglasses to finish off the look.
Warm jacket
Rain coat
Hiking boots and socks
Ski socks for sleep
Flip flops – to change into post trekking. SO nice!
Wool hat
Sunglasses with UV protection
Hot Chillys thermal top and bottom - I'm a lifelong fan of Hot Chillys, so silky and warm or cool depending on what you need!
Leggings and/or hiking pants
Tons of tank tops or undershirts
Pijamas – in my case, a big t-shirt and athletic shorts
Rain cover for both day-pack and backpack
Red Chilli Adventure did not pay or perk me in any way for this mention- I really just loved them this much! And the Amazon links in this post grant me a small commission at no extra cost to you- thanks for helping keep Ashley Abroad afloat.
The post Everything You Need To Know About Trekking the Indian Himalaya appeared first on Ashley Abroad.]]>
The post Blogger Spotlight: Meet Shing from The Culture Map appeared first on Ashley Abroad.]]>
In this interview I quiz Shing on everything about her I'm dying to know: her life in London, childhood in Yorkshire and her love for street art and Scandinavian design. Without further ado!
Name: Shing Lin Yoong
Occupation: Product developer for a specialist tour company
Hometown: Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire
Residence: London
Website: www.theculturemap.com
Country count: 32
Favorite city: London or Berlin
Favorite museum: The Tate Modern.
Favorite blog (s): The Skint Foodie and That Emily Chappell. Neither of them are prolific bloggers but what they lack in frequency they make up for in detail. Both have exceptional stories and distinct voices.
Favorite hostel: Gosh, telling you the ones to avoid would be easier!
Favorite hotel: The Igloo Hotel!
Favorite piece street art:
There's a city in Poland called Łódź that's totally redesigning the way it looks through street art. Lifeless communist blocks have been brought to life by huge wall murals. They are bigger than huge, they are massive. It's an awesome initiative. The one below is by Polish street artist, Sainer, who is also one half of Etam Cru.
They are chronically different. The people, mentality, economy, landscape, culture – the similarities are few and far between. For example, Yorkshire people are much friendlier, it's normal for strangers to smile and greet each other, but do that in London and you've just committed a deadly sin. It's very funny. Yorkshire has an abundance of nature too, incredible landscapes that inspired some of England's most well-loved writers. The Brontë sisters were born in Yorkshire and Sylvia Plath was put to rest there. Of course London has a huge literary legacy too but there is something romantic and Gothic about the Yorkshire Moors that London can't touch.
However, London has many things that Yorkshire could only dream of having. The options are endless here. If you want to see live music from the world's best musicians then you can any day of the week, and all the major museums have free entry. But whilst you can discover many free and interesting things to do and see, the cost of living is exceptionally higher. To rent out a one bedroom flat you could rent a 4-bedroomed house in Yorkshire with a large garden for cheaper!
There's a superb tapas in Soho called Barrafina, it's small and doesn't take reservations so there's often a queue but worth it. Their motto is 'great ingredients cooked simply' and that's exactly what they give you. When I need a fix of fresh air I go to Greenwich Park, as well as the nature it easily offers one of the best views of London's skyline. When I have guests I always take them to Hackney, which stretches from East to North-East of the city and comprises of Shoreditch, Hoxton, Dalston and Islington. [Ashley here- I loved Hackney! :)] It feels and looks more creative and diverse than anywhere else in London. There's also a lot of street art, and pocket-friendly eateries offering scrumptious food. I recommend trying one of the Middle Eastern or Vietnamese joints.
The history, mystique, architecture and all those grumpy Russian writers were begging me to visit. I very much felt like I needed to more than I wanted to.
However, it's not an easy country to travel to, especially not in light of recent conflicts with Ukraine so my impressions are limited to areas in and around St. Petersburg and Moscow.
Quite a few people said I shouldn't go, not just based on the aforementioned but other humanitarian issues too. I've got quite a few friends and family who are gay and believe, as well as other hetrosexual friends, that I should boycott a country that is openly homophobic. And whilst I do support this view, I also believe travelling and interacting with different countries is probably the best thing we can do to shrink social differences and bridge necessary gaps. Saying this, if I were gay, lesbian or transgender then I doubt I would want to go to Russia. I want to feel safe and I want to be able to express myself wherever I go. That's not asking for much.
Then there is the matter of racism that I had read about. However, neither I nor my travel buddy who is Indian felt on any occasion unwelcomed, on the contrary, one of the biggest surprises we experienced was how helpful and kind the people are. To look at, Russians can appear rather stoic and severe but that changes when you interact with them.
My overall impressions of Russia were far more positive than we expect going by media portrayals. It's a shame, Russia has such a vast and incredible history, culture and beauty, but the restrictive and narrow-minded ideology of its government casts a shadow over the positive reasons for going.
It's a love that keeps growing! There's a significant stress on equality in terms of gender, distributed wealth and race. Norway is ranked number 1 on the Human Development Index report which measures worldwide life expectancy, literacy, education, standards of living, and quality of life. And Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Iceland are all ranked within the top 25. Although Iceland isn't technically Scandinavia it's commonly associated as being part of Scandinavia because it was under Norwegian and later Danish rule until becoming independent in 1944, so it still shares many of the same intellectual qualities.
Importantly, all these countries are very forward thinking when it comes to sustaining the planet. They are pioneers of eco-living. Most eateries take pride in using local and seasonal food, reward systems are put in place to encourage recycling, Copenhagen is continually named the greenest city in the world (as well as the happiness), and Iceland is the only country in the world that can claim to obtain nearly 100% of its electricity and heat from renewable sources. If that's not something to aspire towards in a time where the planet is being brutalized by man then I don't know what is! Because of all this you won't find cleaner air anywhere else in the world. It's the small things like drinking the purest water and breathing in the crispiest, freshest air that add to the overall enjoyment of being in this part of the world.
And then finally… the nature and wildlife. The whole of Scandinavia is a melting pot of natural beauty but it's the Arctic that really makes me feel what it's like to be in awe of the universe. Being up there does something to you. The higher you go the starker and more powerful the landscape becomes, but at the same time it's also incredibly fragile and hostile. The days can be extremely dark when the sun doesn't go past the horizon. But every cloud has a silver lining if you get to see the Northern Lights during a really strong display, not just a few wishy-washy lines of white and pale green…
There are fewer animals, fewer plants, and fewer people. Go further up to Svalbard, the last stop before the North Pole, and you might see Polar bears, walruses, Arctic foxes, and ringed seals. Going to the Arctic and Scandinavia made me care much more about the planet. So in a way, this part of the world changed me for the better and I'm very thankful for that.
Likewise Ashley! I don't think I have one, but I do like to keep things simple and natural. So plenty of water and fresh fruit and veg! Less is usually more in all facets, especially when it comes to packing. I'd rather re-wear my clothes than pack an unnecessary amount. I'm definitely not a glam traveler, or at least that's not my aim! For example, I usually wear dresses, not because I'm trying to be fashionable but because I can't be bothered thinking about what top I need to team up with what pair of jeans!
If I'm not travelling for work then I'm budget travelling. I save a lot of money on accommodation by selecting hostels and reasonably priced AirBnB apartments and I nearly always try and eat locally, use public transport and research free things to do in a place beforehand.
Food. Food. And Food.
It's really important for us to be mindful of where our money is going when we travel, before purchasing something I try and ask 'who is profiting from this?' So one thing I avoid is McDonalds and other global, fast-food chains. Keeping it local is key.
I set up The Culture Map just over two years ago now. However, I did set up another travel blog in 2009 but only updated it once every 4 or 5 months so needless to say it never left the ground. Quite the opposite, the poor thing is dead and buried now. Consistency is therefore my advice to travel bloggers. This is still something I have to remind myself all the time. Also, travelling to offbeat destinations and finding a niche will help make your blog become more identifiable and memorable.
Oh that's easy. Denmark. Oh, wait… then there's Sweden too… ;-)
Thanks so much Shing for your thoughtful answers! And if you guys want to connect with Shing (or ask her any more questions!) here's where to find her:
The post Blogger Spotlight: Meet Shing from The Culture Map appeared first on Ashley Abroad.]]>
The Taj Majal is located in Agra, a few hours south of New Delhi. Built in memory of the Emperor's third and favorite wife Mumtāz … Read the rest
The post The Taj Majal at Sunrise: A Photo Essay appeared first on Ashley Abroad.]]>
The Taj Majal is located in Agra, a few hours south of New Delhi. Built in memory of the Emperor's third and favorite wife Mumtāz Mahal, the Taj Majal is one of the world's most beautiful examples of Mughal architecture in the world. But you already knew that, right?
Honestly, I didn't really want to see the Taj Majal. I kind of resent "the things you have to see while traveling" because the list is just so damn long.
So we awoke before dawn to see the Taj Majal in all its splendor. Impressions? It was smaller than I thought but the early morning light turned the marble a pretty shade of pink-orange conch shell. And dawn turned out to be an excellent time to visit, as the temperature is cool and the crowds are minimal.
Of course, we took the super touristy optical illusion and Princess-Di-on-a-bench shots. Obviously.
And okay no, the Taj Majal isn't my favorite tourist attraction in Asia. (I'm looking at you, Angkor Wat.) But I'm still glad to have laid eyes on it, and am especially grateful we went at dawn.
Where we stayed: the ITC Mughal. It's a steal with SPG points!
Where we ate: Peshawri. Amazing!
How we got there: We hired a private car from Le Meridién and it was a huge rip-off- something like $80 a person! Unfortunately all the trains were booked weeks in advance so we couldn't take a train. The highways were an absolute joy though- a world away from the dirt roads on the way to Rishikesh!
The post The Taj Majal at Sunrise: A Photo Essay appeared first on Ashley Abroad.]]>
In the past five weeks, I had eaten meat once (goat stew), drunk one beer (Kingfisher- blergh), completed … Read the rest
The post High-rolling in Delhi appeared first on Ashley Abroad.]]>
In the past five weeks, I had eaten meat once (goat stew), drunk one beer (Kingfisher- blergh), completed 100+ hours of yoga in 110-degree heat and lost countless pounds due to extreme physical exercise and a diet of lentils.
It was time for some fun. And some air-conditioning.
So after dropping off Alice at the airport, Joe, McCall and I headed straight to Le Méridien, courtesy of McCall's SPG points.
I was thrilled not only to stay in a luxury hotel, but to feel air-conditioning on my skin and to have power that didn't go out 15 times a day.
And then in one of those ironic, are-you-flipping-kidding-me-India moments, the power went out in the entire hotel while I was in the elevator. India, you got me good.
On our first night back in civilization, we gussied ourselves up and headed to Le Méridien's cocktail lounge for some complimentary snacks and champagne. Upon the first sip of bubbly, I was reminded why I will never give up alcohol for a prolonged period of time ever again.
That night we headed to Varq, a swanky restaurant where Joe sweetly bought us dinner along with many bottles of wine. I have generally good feelings about the night but don't remember precise details- apparently champagne and I had too intense a reunion.
The next day we headed to Agra to see the Taj Majal, an adventure that deserves its own post.
When we returned to Delhi, we stayed at Leela Palace, one of the most luxurious hotels in India.
And how did we come to stay in such a nice hotel, you may be wondering? Well hours before the Himalayan trek I realized I had forgotten to book a hotel for our return so I shot my dad a quick email- I needed a cheap hotel in Delhi, please put it on my credit card.
But instead of booking a crappy hotel on my card, he booked a really nice hotel on his.
When we waltzed in, a string quartet and a lobby full of lilies greeted us. My singular thought was, OH MY GOD THANK YOU SO MUCH DAD.
Sidenote- my dad is ridiculously thoughtful and knew I would be craving luxury after not showering for 10 days. When I asked why he chose Leela Palace he said, "It seemed like the kind of hotel where I would stay." The man has good taste.
Also what's great about India is that this five-star hotel cost only $200 a night- a bargain.
Apologies for the poor iPhone photos, but Leela Palace was amazing. The bed was made of angel's wings and the bathtub had a TV and was about four feet deep. As we settled into our room, a waiter brought us homemade lemon iced tea on a silver tray.
While we only got one night in the lap of luxury, it sure was blissful.
Have I ever mentioned how much I adore room service?
One night we went to Bukhara, a fancy restaurant where the Clintons have dined. Okay yeah, Bukhara is touristy and wildly overpriced for India. But the food was insane- I don't think I'll ever stop dreaming of the ridiculously tender lamb skewers.
We also did some cultural stuff, okay?
I love home-cooking classes, so on our last night in India we signed up for Farheen Cooking Class. Farheen, our chatty, pink-cheeked instructor, taught us how to make lots of our Indian favorites: chapati, parantha, chai, paneer butter masala and lentils.
I learned a ton. Who knew chapati and roti are the same thing, just called by different names?
Also Farheen told us that North Indian cuisine is spicier and uses mustard seed oil and wheat flour, while South Indian relies on coconut oil and rice or white chickpea flour. Someday I'd love to travel to South India to taste the difference firsthand.
When we asked if her husband helped in the kitchen, Farheen laughed. "Men in India don't cook!"
She also taught us tikka means cooked in a tandoor. I probably should've known that.
The spices used to make chai…
Homemade chai, which is crazy delicious…
Making paneer butter masala, my favorite…
So yeah, we had a great time in Delhi. We both ate and slept in style, capping off our trip with a bit of luxury.
And then- Joe and I were off to Thailand. With only one problem- we were flying into Bangkok during a military coup. So stay tuned for that adventure!
Where to stay: Le Méridien, Leela Palace
Where to eat: Varq, Bukhara
What to do: The Red Fort, home-cooking class
The post High-rolling in Delhi appeared first on Ashley Abroad.]]>
After three days of trekking I finally started to get the hang of hiking. Okay, fine- both sleeping in a sleeping bag and uphill hiking were still miserable, … Read the rest
The post Magic in the Mountains: My 10-Day Himalayan Trek (Part II) appeared first on Ashley Abroad.]]>
After three days of trekking I finally started to get the hang of hiking. Okay, fine- both sleeping in a sleeping bag and uphill hiking were still miserable, but I was acclimating. And as we ascended higher and higher into the Himalaya, it was so beautiful I could almost forget my badly blistered feet.
At higher altitudes, we saw less villages and more nature: magenta rhododendron, thick groves of oak and deodar, hawks circling in the crisp blue sky.
On day five we passed a flock of long-haired goats. The goatherd told us that one of his goats had broken a leg and he had to slaughter it. Would we like to buy a leg?
Why, yes. We would. And I will never forget watching our mule walk by with a freshly skinned goat leg in the saddlebag, hoof up. Hygiene, schmygiene.
That night we sat down for goat stew, and I can't remember anything so satisfying. Ever. The goat was surprisingly tender and blanketed in a rich gravy. And after five meat-free weeks, the goat stew might as well have been a medium-rare ribeye with béarnaise sauce.
We awoke early on day six to hike to the top of the Kuari Pass. I knew the hike would be trying, so I used precious iPhone battery reserves to listen to music.
The ninety minutes to the summit were a battle. I paused to catch my breath frequently, and tried to bar negative thoughts which were invading my mind at an alarming rate.
Ultimately I felt ashamed for being the slowest hiker, and I couldn't decide if it was my body or my mind that was the problem. In retrospect I know I was being too hard on myself; I was hiking the freaking Himalayas, jeez! But at the time I was beating myself up every step of the way.
The only consolation prize was seeing a Himalayan mouse on the trail. It was round and furry like a chinchilla, but brown in color. As far as rodents go, quite cute.
Once we crested the Kuari Pass, we were rewarded with the Himalayas in all their snowy glory.
Fun fact- did you know Himalaya means "House of Snow" in Sanskrit?
The rest of the day was blissful. We trekked across snow and golden grass on relatively flat terrain. The views were straight out of Middle Earth, which prompted Alice and I to quote Lord of the Rings at
possibly excessive length.
Maybe it was the 14,000 foot altitude, but Alice's impression of Gollum in her Essex accent just about killed me. "Why do you cry, Sméagol?"
Gotta love hypoxia.
This was also the day when I realized my hands were absurdly swollen. Twice their normal size, lobster red, skin as tight as a drum. Seriously, they were Frankenstein-esque.
That night I had a decision to make. Would I wake up at 4 a.m. to hike to the top of the pass, or would I sleep in? While I'd liked to say I was racked with guilt over the decision, in reality it was easy: sleep in, duh.
I'm not sure if it was the high-altitude sunburn, the blisters or the exhaustion, but I had no desire to squeeze in an extra five-hour hike. But I was a bit jealous when the others came back with photos of holding yoga poses high above the clouds.
The rest of the afternoon was the perfect rainy day. The four of us spent the day just relaxing: listening to Joe read Scott Foster Wallace, debating American/English pronunciations in the tent and taking dramatic mountain portraits.
That night the chef prepared us an adorable cake in honor of our last night- how do you even make a cake camping?
After dinner and cake the four of us huddled up in the meal tent and played Egyptian Ratscrew, Asshole and Oh Hell while sipping ginger tea out of Little House on the Prayer tin cups. It was freezing; we were blowing on our fingers all evening just to play cards.
Despite the cold, we headed out for one last bonfire with the crew. They sang songs in Hindi and Garhwali, passing around a strange local herb. The stars above us were dazzlingly bright, but unfortunately my attempt at astrophotography failed.
The last day of hiking was so beautiful I'll let the photos speak for themselves:
And then the second we descended from the mountain I saw an errant brown cow with a tie around its neck, and a group of Indian men who asked me for a picture. I couldn't help but chuckle to myself; Yep, I was back to reality.
Our trekking company, Red Chilli Adventure in no way paid or perked me for this mention. Overall we were blown away by Red Chilli's food, service and professionalism- I couldn't recommend them highly enough!
The post Magic in the Mountains: My 10-Day Himalayan Trek (Part II) appeared first on Ashley Abroad.]]>


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Gamecocks Fall To Charlotte 65-63 In Charleston Classic Semifinals
CHARLESTON, S.C. - A potential game-winning three pointer from Sindarius Thornwell caromed just off as Charlotte (3-0) earned a 65-63 win over South Carolina (2-2) Friday night in the semifinals of the Charleston Classic. Hot shooting from the 49ers early in the second half erased a seven-point Gamecock lead at the half.Read More
Gamecocks Survive and Advance to Round of 16 in PKs vs. Seattle
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – For the second Friday in a row, No. 18 South Carolina went to penalty kicks in an NCAA Tournament match after 110 minutes of scoreless play. This time, the No. 3 seeded Gamecocks (13-5-5) claimed the shootout, 2-1, over Seattle (15-4-3) to advance to the NCAA Round of 16 for the second time in school history. With senior All-American keeper Sabrina D'Angelo out of the net due to injury, freshman Abbey Crider stepped in to earn her first career shutout and to make two crucial saves in penalty kicks.Read More
Upstate Takes Winning Streak South to UCF
Spartanburg, S.C. – On the heels of a three-game winning streak to open the season, the USC Upstate men's basketball team looks to move to 4-0 for the first time since 2005-06 when the Spartans travel to Orlando, Fla., to face UCF Sunday at 6 p.m. from CFE Arena.Read More
Tigers Drop Heartbreaker to Gardner-Webb, 72-70
ST. THOMAS — The Tigers surrendered the final five points Friday in a heartbreaking 72-70 defeat to Gardner-Webb in the opening round of the Paradise Jam. Gardner-Webb's Tyler Strange tied the game with a three-pointer and the Tigers were whistled for a technical foul on the ensuing inbounds pass for calling a timeout they did not have, leading to two free throws that gave the Runnin' Bulldogs an amazing 72-70 victory.Read More
Driesell Announces The Citadel's Men's Basketball 2015 Signing Class
CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Citadel head basketball coach Chuck Driesell announced on Friday that Matt Frierson, Trevor Jain, Zane Najdawi and James Pado signed their National Letter of Intent and will join the South Carolina Corps of Cadets as part of the class of 2019.Read More
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High School
SCBCA Releases Preseason High School Basketball Rankings & Awards For 2014-15 Season
The South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association (SCBCA) released their preseason rankings and awards today for the 2014-15 SCHSL basketball season, and they are as follows.Read More +
SCHSL & SCISA High School Football Scoreboard (Week 5)
Here are the final scores from around the state for "Week 5" high school football games in both the SCHSL and in SCISA.Read More +
SCISA High School Football Schedule (Week 5)
Here is the schedule of "Week 5" SCISA high school football games to be played this weekend. All games are scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted below.Read More +
SCHSL High School Football Schedule (Week 5)
Here is the schedule of "Week 5" SCHSL high school football games to be played this weekend. All games are scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted below.Read More +
SCHSL & SCISA High School Football Scoreboard (Week 4)
Here are the final scores from around the state for "Week 4" high school football games in both the SCHSL and in SCISA.Read More +
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Summerville 2015 OL Zack Bailey Commits to South CarolinaBy 2014-08-11 13:21:34/South Carolina landed a prized 2015 instate commitment this morning when Summerville OL Zack Bailey (6'5" 315lbs) announced via twitter…Read More +
South Carolina Picks Up Commitment From Offensive Lineman Christian PellageBy 2014-08-08 18:18:28/Brooksville, FL (Nature Coast) offensive tacke Christian Pellage (6'7" 290lbs) became the latest member of the South Carolina 2015 recruiting…Read More +
Clemson Lands 2015 DE Commitment From GeorgiaBy 2014-07-19 14:00:29/Clemson, SC- Friday evening the Clemson Tigers landed their 19th commitment of their 2015 recruiting class when Austin Bryant (6'5"…Read More +
2015 Running Back AJ Turner Commits To South CarolinaBy 2014-07-10 22:38:32/The South Carolina Gamecocks continued their torrid pace on the 2015 recruiting trail when Clifton, VA (Centreville H.S.) running back…Read More +
Gamecocks Pick Up Commitment From Talented South Florida CBBy 2014-07-09 15:27:58/South Carolina picked up yet another commitment in their 2015 recruiting class Tuesday evening when St. Thomas Aquinas CB Damon…Read More +
Clemson Lands 2015 DE Commitment From VirginiaBy 2014-06-04 20:37:18/The Clemson Tigers picked up commitment number 20 for the 2015 recruiting class when Richmond, Virginia DE Clelin Ferrell (6'5"…Read More +
Blue Hose Falter Against American, Fall 63-38RUSTON, LA. – The Presbyterian College men's basketball team opened the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic Friday night with a 63-38 loss to the American Eagles at the Thomas Assembly Center in Ruston,… Read More +
No. 7 Clemson Hosts Coastal Carolina in Second Round of NCAA TournamentCLEMSON, S.C. - The seventh ranked and seventh seeded Clemson men's soccer team will host Coastal Carolina this Sunday night in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The match kicks off… Read More +
Dogs Look To Extend Home Winning StreakCHARLESTON, S.C. - The Citadel basketball team returns to action at McAlister Field House on Saturday at 6:00 p.m when it hosts Bob Jones University for the first-ever meeting between the two… Read More +
No. 9 Limestone's Championship Journey Comes Up Short in Third RoundYOUNG HARRIS, GA. - The nationally ninth-ranked Limestone College (16-3-1) men's soccer season came to a close following a 3-1 loss to No. 2 Young Harris College (19-0-1) in the third round… Read More +
Newberry Set For Home Opener Against BrevardNEWBRRY - Following a thrilling victory on Tuesday evening at Coker the Wolves welcome the Brevard Tornados on Saturday afternoon for the 2014-15 home opener slated for 4 p.m. inside the friendly confines… Read More +
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Pro Sports
Road Warriors Ignite Offense in 6-3 Win Over WalleyeToledo, OH – The Greenville Road Warriors (9-6-0-0), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, earned six goals from six different skaters on Friday en route… Read More +
Dreidger Stops 34 Shots as IceMen Defeat WarriorsEvansville, IN – Chris Dreidger stopped all 34 shots he faced on Wednesday as the Evansville IceMen (5-5-1) defeated the Greenville Road Warriors (8-6-0), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers… Read More +
Pelicans Notch 10-4 Victory Over Lynchburg, Claiming Best Road Record In Team HistoryLYMCHBURG, VA – The Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Texas Rangers, scored four runs in the first and led the whole way in a 10-4 victory over the Lynchburg… Read More +
Pelicans Down Wilmington 3-2MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.– The Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Texas Rangers, salvaged the three-game series with a 3-2 over the Wilmington Blue Rocks on Thursday night at TicketReturn.com Field… Read More +
Avelino Sparks RiverDogs' Early Rally in Wire-to-Wire Blowout Win Over DriveGREENVILLE, SC – Abiatal Avelino's first-pitch, leadoff home run helped the Charleston RiverDogs to the truest of wire-to-wire wins, a 12-0 shutout victory against the Greenville Drive on Thursday evening at Fluor Field… Read More +
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Starbucks Card eGift
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The Fine Print
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The Ice Bucket Challenge hits Wichita Falls High School athletics.
Top Plays Of The Week
Wichita Falls beats Hirschi in the Gold Bracket quarterfinals of the Cool in Boomtown volleyball tournament.
Wichita Falls beats Iowa Park in the Gold Bracket semifinals of the Cool in Boomtown volleyball tournament.
Windthorst beats Wichita Falls in the Gold Bracket finals of the Cool in Boomtown volleyball tournament.
We are now down to the 10 plays under consideration for the 2014 KFDX Play Of The Year.
Here are the second 10 plays in contention for the KFDX Play Of The Year.
Earlier Saturday at Memorial Stadium former Rider Raider Markelle Martin wrapped up his annual No Fly Zone Football training camp.
The Wichita Falls Coyotes are looking for a new head baseball coach.
Quanah's Cory Bodine & WFHS' Eric Butler joined Jermaine Ferrell on Sports Sunday to talk about their teams competing in the 7 on 7 state tournament in College Station from July 10-12.
Here are the first 10 plays in contention for the KFDX Play Of The Year.
Dave Campbell 2014 Texas Football Predictions
Former Rider coaches Scot Green and Kerry Hargrove and current Coyotes coach Rob Johnson visit the KFDX Studio to discuss their new venture!
O.J. Clark received an offer from SMU and...
Tuesday, June 10 - Thursday, June 12
Old High's Mike Smith and Jaydon Martinez signed...
This year during Coyote Volleyfest Jerry Allen will be honored.
High School Baseball: Aledo at Wichita Falls
Here are the latest high school softball & baseball playoff pairings
Two Coyotes football players will be on the opposite side of the ball against Midwestern State next season.


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Separate names with a comma.
Naturally Smart., Male, from Huh?
Happy Birthday to you too Leo Bro!
Hey Bro!
Hey Bro! long time no see, hope you are doing well!
Hey Bro.
Happy new year, T.!
Merry Christmas T.!
I didn't forget about your titty av... Trying to think of something creative.
Hello old bro
boring can be good.
I'm gonna get you tomorrow.
I'm fresh out.
Hey Bro.