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Wedding Ideas
My Trio Rings Blog provides useful information about how to experience the timeless traditions of marriage on an affordable budget
3 High-Tech Proposal and Wedding Trends
Have you been keeping up with the latest engagement and wedding trends? If not, no problem! I keep up with what's going on in the industry, so I can bring that knowledge to you; for example, trends for bridal ring sets. Lately, there are new technologies and fads that brides and grooms are integrating into the engagement and wedding experience, such as using social media during weddings. Have you heard of any of these latest engagement and wedding trends?
1. Ring Cam
Do you want to capture the exact moment of your engagement while also keeping it an intimate moment? Ring Cam allows you to record every smile and tear on your own, without the help of a videographer. It is a specially made engagement ring box that has a video camera inside of it. The ring box looks completely normal, and since you're the only one who knows the camera is there, you can catch your love's completely surprised reaction when you present her with one of our customizable engagement rings. You can buy a Ring Cam for around $200 or rent one for $100.
2. Bouquet Cam
One creative couple came up with a genius way to record their wedding: through a small camera in the bride's bouquet. This allowed the couple to get shots of guests faces as the bride walked down the aisle and close ups of them as they exchanged rings. This isn't something you can buy ready-made, but you can buy a tiny camera and attach it to your own bouquet.
3. GIFs
Have you heard of a photographer named Jeffrey Lewis Bennett? He stitches consecutive engagement and/or wedding photos together to create a GIF, and the results are simply amazing. What makes these more special than a traditional photo shoot or wedding video? Bennett says, "I believe the best GIFs communicate the feeling of the infinite. Like how a great kiss can feel like it's lasting a lifetime while the rest of the world spins on outside of your private moment." Take a look at some of these and see if you agree.
Wedding trends come and go, but these three seem like they could stick around for a while. As technology advances, people are finding new ways to capture their special moments and share them with others. Do you think you would use any of the above techniques?
Before you capture your magical moment, have one of our customizable engagement rings or bridal ring sets ready!
3 Customizable Bridal Ring Sets
Are you one of those people who worries about finding the perfect wedding band to go with your dream engagement ring? We have a solution: our bridal ring sets. Instead of buying your rings separately, why don't you buy them together? Getting them as a set ensures that they'll complement each other flawlessly. Not only can you buy your rings as a set, you can also customize them to your specifications! Last week, I wrote about how you can create your dream engagement ring using our customizable engagement rings feature, but this week I want to highlight some of the bridal ring sets you can create through this new feature.
1 1/10 CT. Bridal Ring Set
For this set, I chose a medium, princess clusterhead for the main stone. Once it gave me a list of the bridal ring sets that can be customized with that head, I picked this bridal ring set. I love the intricate detailing on the bands, and I especially love how the engagement ring will sit nicely above the wedding band because of the groove the band has. These rings have a whopping total of 54 sparkling diamonds! This set is available in both yellow gold and white gold, and you can also choose between 10K gold and 14K gold.
3/4 CT. Bridal Ring Set
Next, I experimented with a small, round solitaire head and loved the look of this 3/4 CT. set. The bands on this set are a little thicker, and I am especially fond of the diagonal pattern on both the bands for the engagement ring and the wedding ring. Between these two rings, you'll be wearing 32 diamonds on your finger. This is another set that can be designed in either 10K or 14K gold, as well as white gold or yellow gold.
7/8 CT. Bridal Ring Set
The last set I looked at was with a medium, princess solitaire head. This 7/8 CT bridal ring set immediately caught my eye because of the baguette cut diamonds on the bands. Often, diamonds on the bands are round cut, so this design stood out among the rest. I especially love how the look with the solitaire princess head! This set is available in both yellow gold and white gold, and you can also choose between 10K gold and 14K gold.
Ready to create your own? Follow these steps:
1. Click the "view customizable rings" button on the top right of the page you're on.
2. Choose your stone cut.
3. Choose the size of your stone.
4. Then, you'll get a list of all our pre-existing rings that match your desired stone cut and size. From there, search the list and find the one you like.
5. After you've found a ring you like, you can click on it and select which type of gold you want.
Ready to try your hand at jewelry design? Head on over to our pages for customizable engagement rings and bridal ring sets now.
How to Create Customizable Engagement Rings
Have you been playing matchmaker in your head when it comes to your engagement ring? You know what I mean: going around and wishing you could have that band with this head with that specific detailing. Have you thought about designing your own rings? Maybe you're even asked a jeweler about their customizable engagement rings, only to realize that your perfect ring might come with an astronomical price tag.
That's where My Trio Rings comes in. We don't think you should ever have to compromise what you want because of availability or price. We want you to have a ring you absolutely adore at a price that you can afford. We're able to offer you top-quality products at low prices because our storefront is online. (However, just because we're online doesn't mean we're not dedicated to offering you the best customer service around.)
To browse customizable engagement rings, follow these steps:
1. Go to the My Trio Rings engagement rings page and click the "view customizable rings" button on the top right of the page.
2. Choose your stone cut.
3. Choose how big you'd like your stone to be.
4. Then, you'll get a list of all our pre-existing rings that match your desired stone cut and size. From there, search the list and find the one you like.
5. After you've found a ring you like, you can click on it and select whether you want white or yellow gold as well as 10K gold or 14K gold.
Not only can you design customizable engagement rings, you can also customize bridal ring sets, trio rings sets, and more! You can follow the above sets for any ring set you'd like.
Here are some examples of the customizable engagement rings you could create:
1 1/5 CT. Customizable Engagement Ring
If you're a fan of the "big diamond, tiny band" trend, you'll love this ring. I picked a princess solitaire head and paired it with an elegant band. You could further customize this ring by having it done in yellow or white gold as well as 10K or 14K gold.
1/2 CT. Customizable Engagement Ring
For this ring, I chose a medium-sized cluster head and paired it with a band that has intricate detailing. This particularly pairing contains 27 natural, glittering diamonds. Again, you can further customize this ring by having it done in yellow or white gold as well as 10K or 14K gold.
What masterpieces can you come up with? Try it yourself with our engagement rings or bridal ring sets!
My Trio Rings Q&A: The Basics of Diamond Rings
When you're getting married, there are a thousand questions running through your mind about each individual aspect. Take the wedding flowers, for example. What types of flowers will you have? What colors will they be? Will the flowers in the centerpieces be different than the ones in the bridal party's bouquets? The questions go on and on.
Now, we might not be able to help with floral arrangements, but we can help with all your questions regarding bridal ring sets, diamond engagement rings, and matching wedding bands. If you've got a question about wedding rings--we can (and we will!) answer them. This post is just the first in a series of Q&A's we'll do to make your decisions a little easier. Today, My Trio Rings is answering three questions about diamonds:
- Why should I buy a diamond ring?
- Should I buy a diamond or a cubic zirconia (CZ)?
- What is the difference between a lab-made diamond and a real diamond?
1. Why should I buy a diamond ring?
Think for a minute: when you see a diamond ring on someone's left hand, don't you automatically assume that he/she is engaged or married? Diamond rings have become a cultural norm. However, that's not the real reason you should buy a diamond engagement ring. The simple fact is this: diamonds are special. They catch the sunlight and sparkle like no other gemstone. If you're looking to wow passers-by or just simply commemorate a life-changing event, there's no better choice.
Need more convincing? Here are some more reasons you should by a diamond ring:
- A diamond engagement ring will match every single piece of your fiancee's wardrobe. You can't say the same about a gemstone.
- Diamonds are thought to be one of the most durable substances on Earth, which means a diamond ring won't give up on you.
- Because they're so durable, diamonds are associated with enduring love.
- During the Middle Ages, diamonds were thought to have healing powers. Talk about a bonus!
2. Should I buy a diamond or a cubic zirconia (CZ)?
Cubic zirconia is an often-used diamond substitute. To an untrained eye, CZ indeed looks like a diamond. If you are looking for a long-lasting stone, cubic zirconia is not the ideal choice. Unlike diamonds, CZ will dull and lose its sparkle over time. Cubic zirconia is also more likely to scratch. Although bridal ring sets with cubic zirconia might be cheaper in the long run, you might find yourself paying more money to replace the stones every few years than you would have if you'd chosen a diamond in the first place. Bottom line: a diamond engagement ring is a piece of jewelry that will last a lifetime.
3. What is the difference between a lab-made diamond and a real diamond?
Did you know that scientists can create diamonds in a lab that are virtually indistinguishable from naturally mined diamonds? They have the same physical and chemical makeup as "real" diamonds, and they're typically cheaper. However, there are some drawbacks. First, laboratory grown diamonds are normally smaller than natural ones. Also, some people find that lab grown diamonds diminish the gemstone as a symbol. Instead of taking millions of years to form, lab-made diamonds just takes days. Currently, lab diamonds must be labeled as such when being sold.
Do you have any questions for My Trio Rings? Put them in the comments below!
What's Your Bridal Ring Set Style?
Your wedding rings are an extension of your personality and your style. Think about your personal style for a minute. How would you describe it: traditional, glamorous, understated, or vintage? Or maybe it's something entirely different. Some people's clothing style aligns perfectly with their ring style, but sometimes they're different! Maybe you usually dress more conservatively but find yourself drawn to more glamorous rings.
Don't know your ring style? It's simple to figure out. Just think: is there a trend in the rings you feel drawn toward? Maybe every ring you love just happens to have a solitaire diamond head with a simple band. If that's true, you're probably drawn to classic-looking wedding rings. Let's take a look at four different wedding ring styles as well as some bridal ring sets that fit the description.
1. Classic and Traditional
These are the diamond engagement rings you'll often see described as "timeless"--and for good reason. For example, the ultimate traditional ring is a slender band with a single, round, solitaire diamond. That type of ring will never go out of style. But just because these rings are considered classic doesn't mean they can't have a little flair! If you want to mix things up, try a princess cut diamond or even a three-stone ring. Both of these styles give you a little more oomph but still maintain that classic elegance.
2. Glamorous
If simple is just not your style, you might be looking for a bridal ring set with more bling and sparkle. After all, you only (hopefully!) get to choose these rings once. Why not go all out? Glamorous rings are those that are going to stop passers-by dead in their tracks from the glare off all your diamonds. The best thing about these captivating rings is that they aren't confined to any one type of ring. For instance, look at this princess solitaire ring. It resembles a classic style, but 1 1/5 CT. diamond and the accent beads and diamonds put it over the top!
3. Understated
Do you not want anything too flashy? Do you care very much about the look or size of your ring? If not, you might lean toward an understated sense of style. It's possible you may even think of the ring simply as a symbol of your commitment and nothing more. Instead of a traditional engagement ring, you could just opt to wear a simple wedding band. Or,if you wanted just the tiniest bit of sparkle, you might look at something like this simple but beautiful 1/10 CT. diamond engagement ring.
4. Vintage
Maybe you've always been obsessed with trends and styles from the past. Vintage rings are a trend right now, but like traditional rings, they never seem to go out of style. These rings tend to have beautifully crafted intricate details that distinguish it from other bridal ring sets. One popular trend for this season, halo diamond engagement rings, is actually a vintage styling since it's reminiscent of rings from the past.
Browse the many different styles of our bridal ring sets
The Cost of Hand Plastic Surgery vs. Affordable Engagement Rings
Plastic surgery for your hands isn't a new idea. There's probably not a single part of the body that someone, somewhere hasn't put under the knife. So while getting a "hand lift" isn't news per se, the rising motivation behind the procedure is.
Engaged women are dropping big bucks on procedures to make their hands look more youthful.
Because that ring selfie on Instagram has to be perfect, of course!
Hand Lifts for Your Ring Selfies
That's right. People are paying thousands of dollars for what is essentially Botox for your hands. The procedure, which takes around 10 minutes to complete, isn't permanent — it lasts only a few months. For a permanent effect, doctors have to surgically graft fat into the hand.
The prices vary, but a single procedure can cost $300, with packages of six running for around $1500. You could buy one of our affordable engagement rings or bridal ring sets (or even multiple sets!) for that price.
This is all in the name of the perfect engagement ring selfie, complete with declarations of #wereengaged and #putaringonit.
Plastic surgeons and dermatologists have seen an increase in those demanding procedures with the rise of social media. People see pictures of themselves (or their hands) on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and find themselves hypercritical of their appearance. Plastic surgery overall has been on the rise, with social media as one possible cause of appearance insecurities.
Which brings us to hand surgery for ring selfies.
Despite this pressure to look perfect, there are better uses for your money. You're beautiful the way you are! And your engagement should be a source of celebration, not stress. If you worry about the state of your hands for engagement photos, selfies or otherwise, there are tons of DIY hand treatments out there that won't cost you more than your engagement ring (or your honeymoon, for that matter). Get a manicure or whip up a homemade exfoliating sugar scrub.
When you consider spending more money on hand surgery for a selfie than any number of affordable engagement rings cost, you may want to rethink your priorities.
With our bridal ring sets, you could be paying the same for a lifelong, beautiful ring set that you would for a single, impermanent plastic surgery procedure.
So rock that beautiful engagement ring on that beautiful hand! You look amazing.
Browse My Trio Rings' affordable engagement rings or bridal ring sets
Check Out the My Trio Rings Engraving Service!
Did you know that we have an engraving service at My Trio Rings? If you're looking to add a more meaningful and personal touch to your wedding rings, then engraving them might be the way to go.
We make it easy for you. All you have to do is visit our engraving page and select which rings you'd like engraved:
- Choose between a trio ring set, a bridal ring set, an engagement ring, a ladies' band, or a men's band.
- Choose whether you'd like cursive or standard font.
- Write the message you want. Engraving is limited to 15 characters-- so be sure to make every character count!
Engraving wedding rings goes all the way back to medieval Europe when rings were inscribed with romantic poetry. It's the perfect way to add personalization and deepen the significance of your rings. Just imagine going above and beyond and engraving a special, intimate word or phrase on one of our bridal ring sets or trio ring sets for your sweetheart. Not sure what to get engraved? Here are a few ideas:
- Your wedding date
- The date you met
- A quote that means something to you as a couple
- The nicknames you have for one another
- A romantic secret you share
There are also some common phrases that people get engraved on their wedding rings, such as:
- I love you
- Always
- I do
- Forever
- All my love
- To my wife/husband
Already know what you're going to put on your rings? Great! Before you place your order, here are a few tips to consider.
1. Unless you want this to be a surprise, it might be a good idea to check with your significant other before making a decision to engrave your rings. These rings will last forever, so you don't want to make a misstep on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
2. Double check the message you want engraved. Check the spelling. Check the grammar. Read it over and over. Check it again when we email you to confirm the message.
3. If you're not sure about engraving your rings, then wait. You can always have them engraved later. For example, you could have them engraved after a milestone wedding anniversary.
After making your selection from our various bridal ring sets, get the rest of the details on our engraving service.
4 Lovely Same-Sex Matching Bridal Ring Sets
Wedding season is almost here, and we want to make sure all of our customers are ready! Today, I want to highlight some of our most exquisite bridal ring sets for female same-sex couples. All of the rings in this section are matching bridal wedding bands, which perfectly symbolize the union you'll form at the altar. We have a wide selection to choose from, but here are a few of our current favorite bridal ring sets.
1. 1/3 CT. Matching Bridal Set
Want matching wedding bands that represent your unique style as a couple? Check out this 1/3 CT. matching bridal set. The stylish, almost bead-like design of the rings perfectly complements the 3 columns of 2 diamonds in the middle. This set is made with white gold, and you can choose between 10K gold or 14K gold. Both of the rings have a combined total of 12 round-cut, sparkling diamonds that are sure to catch the sun beautifully.
2. 1/4 CT. Matching Bridal Set
If you're looking for a classic ring set in yellow gold, this just might be the set for you. These matching wedding bands are simple enough that they would go well with any engagement ring, but also elegant enough to stand on their own. Each of these rings has 9 natural, glittering diamonds. And if you'd rather have them in white gold, that option is available, too! These rings can also be made in either 10K or 14K gold.
3. 3/4 CT. Matching Bridal Set
Do you prefer a thicker band to a thinner one? This set features the wider style and has 3 columns of 2 diamonds on each ring. This design lets the diamonds take center stage, with the grooves on the bands highlighting their sparkle. This matching bridal set is made in 14K white gold and originally retails for double our price.
4. 3/8 CT. Matching Bridal Set
If both you and your sweetheart have an engagement ring with a head that needs to be accounted for when picking out a wedding band, this 3/8 CT. matching bridal set is a good contender. This wedding band would look especially exquisite under a halo engagement ring, and it will slip right under the halo head. This matching wedding band set only comes in white gold, but you are able to choose between 10K and 14K gold. The set has a whopping total of 42 shimmering, round-cut diamonds.
Browse the rest of our matching bridal ring sets for same-sex couples.
4 Bridal Ring Sets for Summer Weddings
Planning on proposing this summer and don't feel like waiting a long time to walk down that aisle? Instead of buying an engagement ring separate from the wedding band, consider buying them together in one of our bridal ring sets.
This approach has many benefits. For example, buying them together ensures that the rings will match, and it will be one less worry when it comes to planning your wedding. If you're wanting to propose AND get married this summer, we have some exquisite bridal ring sets that are perfect for the season (and ship quickly).
1. 1/7 CT Matching Bridal Set
Summer is a magical time of year, and few of our bridal ring sets scream "magic" quite like this 1/7 CT matching bridal set. The twisted accents on both the engagement ring and the band give this set a romantic and fairytale-esque feel. Snow White herself could have worn these! These rings can be made in 10K or 14K white or yellow gold. There are 17 sparkling, natural diamonds in this set.
2. 1/3 CT Matching Bridal Set
One of the biggest wedding ring trends this season is a halo engagement ring. This 1/3 CT. bridal set combines that trend with a matching wedding band. This trendy, yet timeless square halo diamond engagement ring looks even more gorgeous next to the wedding band that incorporates the same diamond pattern. These rings are made with 10K white gold, and the set has a whopping total of 61 shimmering diamonds.
3. 1/2 CT Matching Bridal Set
Take one look at this ring set, and I bet you'll be able to to tell why it's perfect for summer. Figure it out? It's the elegant flower motif on the engagement ring! The head of the engagement ring on this 1/2 CT matching bridal set has a subtle floral design, which gives a unique spin on a classic cluster head engagement ring. These rings are available in either yellow or white gold, and you can also choose between 10K and 14K gold. You'll also find a total of 21 conflict-free diamonds in this set.
4. 11/10 CT Matching Bridal Set
Here's another matching bridal set that has an engagement ring with a floral motif head. We love how the large head is paired with thin bands (which is another wedding ring trend this summer). The thinner bands perfectly complement the centerpiece, while also letting it take center stage. This 11/10 CT. bridal ring set has a total of 50 glittering diamonds, and it comes in both white and yellow gold. You can also choose between 10K and 14K gold.
Plan ahead and get one of our bridal ring sets today!
Best Places to Propose in San Jose, California
Silicon Valley is the home of some of our most innovative digital technology companies (for example, Google, Apple, Facebook, and so on). It might not be the first place you think of when a romantic proposal crosses your mind, but you'd be wrong. San Jose is located in the beautiful Bay Area and has a variety of perfect places for you to get down on one knee and present your sweetheart with a diamond engagement ring. Here are four of the best places to propose in San Jose, California:
1. Redwood Canopy Tours
Want to do something fun and outdoorsy? Take your partner on a redwood canopy tour! The two of you can get the adrenaline pumping as you zip-line through the coast of the redwood forest. The tours are around two hours, so take that into consideration when planning your proposal. Do you want to do it before, during, or after? Whatever you choose, take advantage of the fact that you'll be 150 feet above ground. I bet not many people can say they were proposed to from that high up!
2. Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve
Despite the name, this vast and beautiful preserve can be found just outside of San Jose (and not in San Antonio). If you want to take your partner on a hike or a picnic, this is the place to do it. You'll be wowed be the views. Here's a tip: get there early. This is a popular spot in the San Jose area since it provides an escape from the city, so it can get pretty crowded. If you want a more intimate proposal, take your sweetheart out for a sunrise breakfast picnic or hike.
3. Japanese Friendship Garden
Here's another beautiful outdoor spot to consider. With over five acres of gardens, you'll quickly see why this would be one of the most picturesque places to propose in San Jose. You'll also find a koi pond, fountains, and numerous streams. In fact, this is a popular wedding venue! Imagine having your proposal and ceremony in the same place. That's the epitome of romance. In fact, you could present her with a sparkling diamond engagement ring and tell her that you want to marry her in this very spot. (Browse our bridal ring sets before you propose, and remember that you can save 10% on your future wedding band purchases with our She Said Yes program.)
4. Plaza de César Chávez
If you're looking to do a public proposal, this open plaza is the perfect spot. This space hosts a number of different festivals and fairs throughout the year. It even houses the official city Christmas tree during the holidays. Just imagine presenting your partner with a diamond engagement ring under that tree. If you don't want to propose at an already scheduled public event, try doing something creative of your own!
Do you have any best places to propose suggestions? Share with us!
Buy one of our bridal ring sets and save.
Bridal Ring Sets for Every Budget
You're looking for cheap wedding rings, and so unlike many grooms-to-be out there, you know to shop smart and look for inexpensive trio wedding ring sets or bridal ring sets rather than purchasing each ring a la carte for more money. And if you are looking for beautiful bridal ring sets at a great price, then you have come to the right place.
My Trio Rings offers a wide variety of high quality, cheap wedding ring styles to match any taste and any budget.
1. Option 1
If price is your primary consideration, then you might want to consider a lovely 1/7 carat bridal ring set which includes both a diamond engagement ring and a diamond wedding band crafted from 10 K white gold. The round cut diamonds are clustered on the rings in a pattern reminiscent of leaves and flowers. This gorgeous real diamond ring set is only $305.99, and it includes free shipping and a generous return policy.
2. Option 2
If it is inexpensive bridal ring sets you are looking for, then any of the rings or ring sets that My Trio Rings has to offer will likely cost you much less than a standard diamond solitaire engagement ring at a brick-and-mortar jewelry store. Consider a 3/4 carat bridal ring set which is set in 14 K yellow gold. Its extravagant, ornate design looks like a very expensive designer ring set, but in actuality, it only costs $713.99.
3. Option 3
Even the most expensive bridal ring sets that My Trio Rings sells are only $1101.99, which is less than many men pay for just the engagement ring. For that price, you can get a 3/8 carat diamond engagement ring and ladies' wedding band, set in either white gold or yellow gold with a modern geometric pattern.
Get started shopping for rings today!


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2008 Subaru Legacy
desertrat5 Posts: 85You are correct. We are shopping across class lines because we are looking for an AWD sedan. In our price range the selection is not large - hence we have wandered over into the smaller SUVs. We have driven the Taurus now in both the SEL and Limited models and it is definitely in the running. My wife likes the larger car while I prefer the smaller Subaru. So the selection process continues.
I was in your fine country in June. Quick business trip spent mostly in meetings and on airplanes. Did enjoy what time I had to wander around (which wasn't much) -
desertrat5 Posts: 85
famof3kids Posts: 160Ok, I'm a long time driver/owner of Subaru products, and I've been anxiously awaiting the R Limited after seeing pictures on the Japanese Subaru site for a few years.
So, I took my 2003 Legacy in for its first brake job, rear pads at 53k miles, and the dealer had a black one on the lot. That is a great looking car. So, as I continued to stare at it while waiting on my car, I had to drive it. At $32k, it competes with a lot of different makes, including entry luxury market. But, I've been reading of Subaru wanting to head in the entry luxury direction, so, are they ready...
Well, I'll have to say that the car is beautiful. The dash, leather, and door sill trim all looked luxurious. The paint is great and the body panel fit seems perfect. The wood trim matched nicely. The blue gauges are nice. The stereo was great. The NAV and info center was cool. The 12volt adapter and aux stereo input was in armrest and nicely hidden. It seems to have all the bells and whistles. On looks alone, I'd buy it.
But, then the drive. It started in typical Subaru fashion, sounded the same, etc. But, first thing I noticed was the harsh ride. It rides rougher than my 2003. Then as my speed increased, in came the road noise. Also louder than my 2003. Then I noticed a weird whining noise from the engine area. Then, only at exactly a steady 50mph, I felt a surge. Hum.... I was so disappointed.
I spoke with service manager about the surge, he said the transmission does that for first 1,000 miles as it 'learns' and he hears that complaint a lot in the begining. Hum, ok.
It is not the luxury Subaru I thought it might be. And for $32k, it was unacceptable. A firm ride might be OK, but, road noise and a whining engine don't cut it.
I remember the great Subaru SVX and drove a few of these. They had the H6 engine as well. That car, however, was almost silent. I remember the dealer saying that was one of the trademarks of the car was its silence. Everything from the engine, transmissions, exhaust, all was very quite. So, I know that Subaru can do it. However, that car, in 1990, was $30k. So, today it would cost much more.
Maybe 2010 model.... :confuse:
2003 Subaru Legacy Wagon L+ (current)
1998 Subaru Legacy Outback
1995 Subaru Legacy LS Sedan
1991 Subaru Legacy L+ Sedan
1987 Subaru Loyale Sedan
1986 Subaru Wagon
1984 Subaru Wagon -
mogul2 Posts: 14But, I've been reading of Subaru wanting to head in the entry luxury direction, so, are they ready...
Actually Subaru gave up the hopes of becoming a premium brand last year. It is all about selling to the masses now. Have seen the latest Impreza? It is as vanilla as you can get with design language. Unless you are Honda or Toyota looks does matter when selling to masses. VW is selling well in spite of terrible reliability because of exterior and interior. Subaru cars are engineered very well. Now if only they can get their act together in exterior/interior design and marketing... -
ateixeira Posts: 72,587I bet the air pressure in the tires was sky-high, my Subie was delivered with a shopping 40psi. They felt like rocks.
The Premium strategy was dropped, in fact here is an Automotive News headline from this morning:
Subaru cools premium pricing, sales goals
With new CEOs at the helm in Japan and the United States, Subaru still is setting prices above its Japanese competition but is less eager to jump into the same league as European premium brands.
Bummer about the engine whine, though. -
danmanmom Posts: 1I'm thinking of buying a 2008 Legacy. All the exterior colors I like are paired with the Warm Ivory Leather interior. Does anyone out there have this in their car? I'm afraid it will show dirt like crazy. Has that been your experience? Do you think that color interior is a mistake, and that I should go with the black leather?
xwesx Fairbanks, AlaskaPosts: 8,738I cannot comment on the light interior's visual durability, but I can say that the dark interior will show dirt "like crazy." Dirt, it turns out, is not typically black. It is more commonly reddish/brown, and those colors show up quite markedly on black. Cleaning out the foot well area of my '07 Outback before I sold it squandered quite a bit of my time to render it what could pass for clean.
I took an '08 wagon (blue w/ black interior) out for a test drive a couple weeks back. My son's feet (sitting in his car seat behind the driver), while mostly clean, left plenty of marks on the plastic seat backing over the duration of the ten minutes we were in the car.2010 Subaru Forester, 2011 Ford Fiesta, 1969 Chevrolet C20 Pickup, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250 Pickup, 1974 Ford Pinto Wagon -
cptplt Posts: 1,075well after 3 days and 300 miles I can say the ivory seating is holding up well! so far anyway!!.
black can indeed show dirt quite a bit, but at least oil and grease shows up less than on ivory!! I would think you may need to clean up the sets a little more than the black to maintain the original color longterm. I had a 92 Legacy with creamy cloth seats which surprisingly did very well with dirt, except when I spilled some driveway sealant on the carpets! -
moparbad Posts: 3,842VW is selling well in spite of terrible reliability because of exterior and interior.
For the record, VW does not have terrible reliability. #1 Lexus has 1.36 problems per vehicle and VW has 2.9 problems per vehicle in JD Power long term dependability. Subaru 2.3 problems per vehicle. -
ateixeira Posts: 72,587Subaru's numbers should improve with JD Power soon. 2002 was the last year they had head gasket issues. I think the Dependability study looks at 5 year old models, so once they start looking at 2003s I bet you'll see significant improvement there.
Then again, VW phased out the 1.8T, so the ignition coil failures will eventually disappear from those studies as well. -
upstatedoc Posts: 710
fxoffroad Posts: 67this is too funny. you seem to be the expert at lots of things... though I have yet to see your credentials. :lemon:
Everyone likes to spin JD Powers, Consumer Reports, Edmunds and others. Consumer Reports for example... will rate some new vehicles based on their replacement model w/ some brands and not with others. Consumer Reports doesnt send me a surveys for my new vehicle purchases - JD Powers does. I chose to rely on information that I've actually experienced and know first hand that they ask consumers for data. -
cptplt Posts: 1,075CR sends surveys to all their subscribers. which is a pretty large population, whether they (or more importantly those who reply) are truly representative of the general motoring public is another question. I have had 3 JDP surveys in my time and the CR ones for two decades or more, they ask very different things.
guidomerkens Posts: 2I need a definitive answer: can I use a 15" wheel for snow tires on an '08 Legacy 2.5i Limited that comes with 17" wheels as standard? I have a nice set of Blizzaks from my old car that I would like to use on my new Legacy.
TireRack says no due to brake clearance; Discount Tire Direct says yes. The '08 Legacy has an 11.5" vented front disc and a 10.6" solid rear disc. By comparison, the 2004 Legacy L (the last year that came with 15" wheels as standard) had a 10.7" vented front disc and an 11.3" rear disc.
Anyone have an idea? My thanks in advance. -
paisan Posts: 21,181
kurtamaxxxguy Posts: 1,759I'm considering an '08 outback Xi (?) series (the one with the 4 cyl turbo engine) given that the base 170 HP engine just isn't enough (0 - 60 times longer than a Prius and with less than half the MPG).
But I do not know if the turbo engine tolerates 89 or 87 octane fuel (Subaru recommends 91). I also don't know, in general, how Subaru turbos hold up (one work associate of mine went to great lengths to put additional oil pumps on his, along with long idle up and idle down times).
I also don't know how seat comfort holds up over long trips. Any comments from folks around 170 lbs who have had long stints in this car would be welcome. -
rsholland Posts: 19,741Regular gas in a Subie turbo? Don't do it. These engines "require" (not recommend) premium gas. Also, new for '08 Subie turbos, is that they now require oil changes every 3750 miles, not 7500 as per earlier turbos. Not sure why the change this year.
I've got almost 30K on on my '06 WRX 2.5 turbo without any problems.
Bob -
ateixeira Posts: 72,587
xwesx Fairbanks, AlaskaPosts: 8,738I find the seat comfort on the Outback to be outstanding. I just drove one more than 5000 miles over a two week period. I still needed to stretch now and again, but it was leagues beyond any other seat I have experienced. They are firm, but supportive. Note of caution - do not sit for long periods with things (like a wallet) in your back pocket.2010 Subaru Forester, 2011 Ford Fiesta, 1969 Chevrolet C20 Pickup, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250 Pickup, 1974 Ford Pinto Wagon
This discussion has been closed.

subset: commoncrawl


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Just wanted to say Merry Christmas to all my painting friends. I am thankful everyday for the blessings that have been bestowed upon me, and yall are at the top of the list. I love coming to this forum where we share a commom love of all things painted. I wish the happiest Christmas to each of you and I pray the new year will bring you your hearts desire. Love to you all.
Brenda - my real name (of course I am B, Bebe, PaintingFool, Gigi, Yaya, and Bunn to many). |
Follow-Up Postings:
Wishing everyone the best at this holiday season. How a little time changes our lives. Today we are online friends who share the same love of painting, while 20 years ago we would have been pen pals. I am so very thankful for the change, it's much quicker and easier and now I have more "pen pals" and I thank you for your friendship and your support! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All! May this coming year be the best ever! Claudia - my real name ( of course I am Belle) PS....Brenda.....how do you keep all of those names straight? |
- Posted by paintingfool (My Page) on Sat, Dec 25, 10 at 13:05
Belle, I had eight sisters and two brothers so it wasn't unusual to be called someone else's name. Imagine being a parent with that many children, it was hard keeping us straight so we answered to whatever they called us. Looking forward to the new year. Have some major cleaning to do in my paint room. But it is winter time here (54 degrees outside - brrrrr), and I love to clean and organize when it is cold out. Take care, have a great day, |
Thanks Bebe and Belle, I'm hoping everyone had a beautiful Christmas and here's to a wonderful New Year! I will try to spend more time painting... 54 and Brrrr???lol I'd love to have it that warm here. It's 23 here - brrrr! Punk |
- Posted by luvstocraft (My Page) on Mon, Dec 27, 10 at 12:51
I had responded to Belle's Merry Christmas on the conversations side but will also respond here. PF, I'm with you--the 50's feel "cold" when we are not used to it, huh? Punk, at 23 degrees, I would just have to hibernate like a bear! LOL Hope all of you enjoyed good times with your families and got lots of nice goodies from Santa. Luvs |
Hope you all had a Merry Christmas. I am with Punk at 23 degrees oops it is now 28 at 1 pm. And that doesn't include windchills. I sure do appreciate the kinship of those in this forum. Rhonda (calirose - cali - rhomy) |
- Posted by luvstocraft (My Page) on Wed, Dec 29, 10 at 12:48
Rhonda, what a sweet thing to say. This is a nice little group of gals and it's sure nice to have you joining in with us here. We are going to have to get ourselves motivated and get some projects painted to share on here for sure! It's rainy and chilly here today, maybe I will pull out some painting books and look for some New Year's or maybe Valentine patterns that might be fun to paint. Luvs |
Jumping in real quick....frozen popsicle here...21 high for the day. Really wishing I could hibernate!! We have some real sweethearts on this forum. It's been really fun getting to know you over the years and wishing you all many blessing in the New Year!! Anj |
Happy New Year to All! Our weather is for once clean and sunny, of course the down side is that it is 26 degrees and dropping, 10 is forecasted This is a wonderful group and the nice thing is that all newcomers are welcome and encouraged to share as much or as little of themselves as they wish. Hope everyone had a great Christmas, I for one am glad for the week between the holidays......it's a nice quiet, rest (ya! right!!!!) time. We are hosting the family game night on New Years Eve, so we might see in the new year. Wishing all a great New Year with joy and good health and lots of painting! Belle |
- Posted by luvstocraft (My Page) on Fri, Dec 31, 10 at 18:31
Happy New Year, Belle. Hope you win big while playing all the games! Hope all of us will have lots of great times and fun things to do in the New Year. The most important wish of all is for good health for each of you. Best wishes, |
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The original deal pioneer keeps on pinching pennies and cracking wise. No, that price isn't a typo.
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447,992 deals (and counting) from around the web, shared and ranked by a community of deal fiends like you. Go to Deals.Woot.
Wootalyzer's Pricing Post! - The price of today's woot item is saved here for future reference------------------------------------------------------------Powerbag 16" 3000mAh Charging Backpack$54.99 + $5 Standard OR $12 Two-Day OR $15 One-Day ShippingCondition: New*DISCLAIMER* Wootalyzer! is in no way affiliated with Woot!, and this post may not always be here!
Cute idea, but really what's the point if you can't charge a laptop?
So couldn't you just keep a power pack in your current bag? Am I missing something here?
So... I now have to charge my backpack to charge my phone/iPod/laptop/mini disc player?
So is it still messed up, or does nobody want this thing, either?
No water bottle compartment? I mean, I know water and electronics don't mix...but...it's a BACKPACK! =(
Wow, this seems like a really neat idea. I'm wondering, however, how much trouble you would have getting this past TSA security at an airport. Having this to keep your iPhone running for a long flight would be a real win.
Big ol' Cornucopia bag of charging
donotaku wrote:So is it still messed up, or does nobody want this thing, either?
I think the site is falling apart. None of the other items have changed in the last 10 minutes either. Come on! I want to spend money I don't have on frivolous things I don't need!
musclesmarinara68 wrote:I think the site is falling apart. None of the other items have changed in the last 10 minutes either. Come on! I want to spend money I don't have on frivolous things I don't need!
Me too!
rhmurphy wrote:Wow, this seems like a really neat idea. I'm wondering, however, how much trouble you would have getting this past TSA security at an airport. Having this to keep your iPhone running for a long flight would be a real win.
Get one of these and just toss it in your existing backpack.http://www.amazon.com/10000mAh-Multi-voltage-External-Battery-Recorders/dp/B005NGKR54/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353348431&sr=8-1&keywords=RAVPower+1000mah
It's a decent idea, but I think the price is too high for the many reasons we're trying to think up just to justify buying it.
Ordered one, said I was on a waiting list. Where's the Football??
This is great. Some days I -do- get a little tired during the day. Having a recharge battery available in a backpack would be a great thing. Of course, I'd have to wear a damn backpack around all the time.... hmmmm, maybe not.
Can you put anything else into this backpack?
It appears that a crap bag killed woot...
If it had solar recharge that might be really nice!
prttymf8 wrote:Get one of these and just toss it in your existing backpack.
Or how about these...
OfficeMax has it for 49.99 with free shipping for $50 or over purchase. My son has it and uses it to keep his cellphone charged.
dtscooter59 wrote:OfficeMax has it for 49.99 with free shipping for $50 or over purchase. My son has it and uses it to keep his cellphone charged.
Do you have the link?
Costco has the 6000 mAH one on sale for fifteen dollars more. http://www.costco.com/Powerbag%E2%84%A2-Business-Class-Laptop-Backpack.product.11733493.html
How does he like it? Is it useful?
yet another Basket of Cranberries slows woot to a crawl
Does the Big ol' Cornucopia still work the same as before? I am a little confused with all the new sites. (Havent been on here for about 5 months) Last months Woot-Off I did not see a Big ol' Cornucopia at all? help please!
rocklob wrote:yet another Basket of Cranberries slows woot to a crawl
Seems like taking the battery and charger out of the bag and carrying those around makes more sense. Why do I need a backpack for a charger? Seems like a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.
It appears that these are about as popular as a fart in a crowded elevator.
sixxgunn wrote:yep
If there was one, I never saw it -- the last item went from 100% to 0, and then this backpack came on immediately thereafter.
Sadly, someone is going to have to buy this thing to progress the woot off. Those are the rules of the woot off. As the AMAZING theme song states.
where are these things being listed? on their facebook page or something?
Wow, no one is buying this ridiculous bag.
It's not lack of consumers. Woot is broken. All Woot-off items are stuck. Please fix it or I'll be forced to go back to work and actually do work!!
woot god... show us mercy!
jimbof3 wrote:Do you have the link?
Check out monoprice.com if you're looking for battery packs. Bigger Battery from Monoprice Someone mentioned it on a previous battery-related woot item, and I have gotten great use out of mine!
Waitlisted with 94% available - Woot! is having issues. Bought 1 - figure I'll fill the bag with crap for my kid or make it a BOB and keep the charger for moi. I'm generous that way... = >
Because 3Ah just doesn't sound as impressive as 3000 mAh. :P
The powerbag is on Amazon for Black $74.39, Red $61.18 and Blue $51.17. http://www.amazon.com/Powerbag-Designed-Charging-Smartphones-eReaders/dp/B005NCMXQ4/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1353350482&sr=8-9&keywords=powerbag
Ed3rd wrote:Or how about these...
I got suckered on these. Lost/wouldn't hold a charge after 6 months....
View All →


text:
Round two with Daniel Ramirez, exec chef of Gaetano's
If you could cook in another chef's kitchen, whose would it be? I'd go back to that authentic Italian kitchen with Giovanni at Trilussa restaurant in Rome. I have so many questions for him now that I've been creating Italian dishes for so long. He would always tell me that the best school is in the kitchen, and I'd love to go back to his school for a master's degree.
Favorite celebrity chef: Sonia Peronaci, who publishes original recipes in Italian. She also has a TV show that I'd love to be on someday.
Celebrity chef who needs a muzzle: Mario Batali. I don't care for his cooking shows, and I don't think he does much actual cooking.
What do you enjoy most about cooking? Creating new recipes using classic ingredients and new techniques. I also love training new cooks, specifically on Italian culinary techniques and flavors, and providing them with some Italian-language training.
Greatest accomplishment as a chef: I'm so proud of spending such a long time as the chef at Pagliacci's, and when it closed, I wasn't sure where I'd be able to bring my love of Italian cooking. I was honored -- and so pleased -- to get the position at Gaetano's. To have the opportunity to work in two of the longest-standing, most beloved Italian neighborhood institutions in Denver is really, for me, a very proud accomplishment.
Last meal before you die: What else? Really good, fresh pasta with red sauce.
What's always lurking in your refrigerator? Milk, eggs, orange juice, Mexican cheese, white-corn tortillas, chicken, beef and flan.
When you have a day off away from the kitchen, how do you spend your time? Whenever I have free time, I'm with my kids. I have four of them, and my last two are four-year-old fraternal twins -- a boy and a girl -- so I'm a busy dad.
What question should I ask the next chef I interview? If you were a pasta, what shape would you be, and why?
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Who do you think looks best today? (5 photos)
The best street style from London Fashion Week: http://ow.ly/p48HS via @StyleCaster
Miller's hair is a bit Bardot and a bit romantic, both of which make for a fantastic party option. To get this look, stylist Fabrice Gilli recommends starting with natural waves, then teasing the hair at the crown. Part the hair partway back and put it into a high ponytail and either twist it into a bun or secure it in a ponytail, which is more casual. Pull out face-framing pieces and finish with a coat of shine spray.Read MoreLess


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We have two very tall Yaupon Holly trees along the front of our home. The two trees are over twenty years old and now overwhelm the front of our house. We love these trees and want to keep them if we can reduce their size. I would like to know: 1) Can these tress could be reduced in height by 50% or more? 2) Would it be best to cut them all the way back to ground level? 3) When and how should they be cut back? 4) Would the reduced height or new growth trees then grow new canopies? |
This post was edited by big_daddi on Mon, Jun 24, 13 at 17:24
Follow-Up Postings:
- Posted by greenthumbzdude (My Page) on Mon, Jun 24, 13 at 6:56
We need some pics |
Will upload today. |
- Posted by dave_in_nova VA zone 7a (My Page) on Mon, Jun 24, 13 at 12:57
Most hollies can really take a good shearing. Not sure about yaupons, but I suspect they are no exception. You may want to do major pruning/topping, etc. in March or April just prior to new growth. |
Photo now attached to original message. |
Youpons take very well to shearing and rejuvenation pruning. If you cut those at the base and start over, you will have an army of suckers to shape into whatever your heart desires. Personally, I think yours like fine as is. John Edit: Oh and I would cut them within an inch or two of the ground late next winter. As for cutting them at height, my experience with these is they will send out suckers from any and all exposed wood left. So your entire stems would be covered in new growth that could be pinched off in any areas that are undesirable to you. |
This post was edited by j0nd03 on Mon, Jun 24, 13 at 18:46
Thank you John. We may just reduce the current canopies width. |
This post was edited by big_daddi on Mon, Jun 24, 13 at 23:03
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[Translate to it:] Despite being home to some 1.3 million people and such industrial giants as Siemens and BMW most visitors go to Munich looking to sample the famous Bavarian Gemütlichkeit, and find it most usually at the bottom of a Masskrug (litre mug) in one of the cities justly famous beer-halls or gardens.
Not only during the Oktoberfest is Munich the place to wash down sausage, kraut and dumplings with some of the best tasting beer on the planet until the stomach groans, the ears buzz, ( the legs wobble? ) and the heart sings. The Münchners are famed for their ability to find an excuse to celebrate all year round, be it in a cosy kneipe with 20 seats or the world's biggest beer garden with over 8000, and rest assured assured, a pair of lederhosen will never be far away.
It is though of course not just the beer which makes Munich one of Central Europe's favourite backpacker destinations…
* The three Munich`s Pinakotheken ( masters, impressionists and modern ) are regarded as among the world's finest art galleries.
* The Deutsches Museum houses the world's most extensive science and technology collection.
* 4 x European Cup (Champion's League) winners FC Bayern Munich are one of the world's premier football clubs.
* The castles and palaces of 'mad' King Ludwig are just part of a rich historical heritage.
* The nearby Dachau concentration camp memorial makes a very sobering reminder of a less than glorious recent history.
In addition the day trip potential from the Bavarian capital is huge, with lakes, mountains and castles ( including Neuschwanstein, the 'disney castle' ) within easy range.
For the place to stay in Munich look no further than the Euro Youth Hotel. Munich's member of Europe's Famous Hostels and Let's Go's favourite Munich hostel for the last 8 yrs running.
Ideally located in a quiet side street 80 m from the main train station the EYH is held in high esteem for it's friendly staff, lively bar and consistently clean and comfortable rooms.
Getting to Munich is a piece of cake from just about every conceivable direction.
Lots of lowbudget operators fly into Europe's 7th busiest airport, and trains ( both overnight and daytime ) run directly to and from cities such as Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Prague, Vienna, Rome, Berlin, Venice, Zurich and many more.


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Makes about 1 cup
- 1/2 teaspoon whole cuminseed
- 1/2 teaspoon whole coriander seeds
- 1/4 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
- 1/4 cup hot water
- 2 teaspoons white-wine vinegar, or to taste
- 1/2 cup sour cream
In a dry small heavy skillet toast cuminseed and coriander seeds over moderate heat, shaking skillet, until spices are fragrant, about 2 minutes. Cool spices completely and in a mortar with pestle or in an electric spice or coffee grinder grind fine.
In a bowl whisk together tahini and water until smooth and whisk in spices, vinegar, sour cream, and salt and pepper to taste. Dressing may be thinned with additional water if necessary.
my notes
recipe at a glance
type: Quick & Easy, Salad Dressing
main ingredients: Sesame, Dairy, Spice, Sour Cream
cuisine: Middle Eastern
dietary considerations: Low Sodium


text:
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-----Original Message----- From: William Hubbs [mailto:firstname.lastname@example.com] Sent: February 21, 2009 5:07 PM To: email@example.com Subject: Re: [gentoo-accessibility] Installing gentoo (was gentoo installerand handbook) -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 On Sat, Feb 21, 2009 at 04:41:16PM -0500, James Homuth wrote: > > No, software speech is not supported on that cd. You will need a > hardware synthesizer. > > I thought as much, but had to make sure. And since I don't > particularly feel like purchasing a hardware synth for single use, the > SSH way will have to do. Gotcha. Once you have the live cd booted and are able to ssh into the box, you can just follow the installation handbook. There is a speakup ebuild for gentoo, which I am about to update shortly, so once you are in the croot with the kernel compiled and installed, you can just emerge speakup and espeakup, configure espeakup to start in the default run level, configure the speakup_soft module to load when you boot the system, then you should be ready to go. Let me know if you need more explanation about how to set these up. I do have one more question, however. I'm assuming the live CD won't stay at the boot prompt for long (I remember hearing something about it being 5 seconds or so?). I'm wondering if there's some way I'd be able to tell when it reached the boot prompt. Of course if not, I can always wait for it to load and change the password/start SSH the old fashion way.
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The F-word flies out of somebody's mouth a remarkable 27 times during the 30-minute first episode of the corrosively cynical and very funny political comedy Veep, which stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus as a vapid and hapless vice president named Selina Meyer, who drops such elegant turns of phrase as ''pencil f---ed'' and ''f---tard'' and ''I need a s---.'' The West Wing this is not.
Created by British political satirist and notorious cursing virtuoso Armando Iannucci (best known here for his Oscar-nominated 2009 movie In the Loop), Veep follows Selina and her mostly incompetent staff as they navigate a parade of disasters, screwups, and humiliations. The first episode starts off innocently enough, with Selina on her way to talk filibuster reform with a roomful of senators. But that brief opening is her lone flicker of dignity. Soon enough a botched tweet about cornstarch utensils (it's complicated) leads to Selina spectacularly blowing a speech at a fund-raiser, and the real VP is revealed: a woman who is well-intentioned but politically clumsy, constantly pinballing from one misstep to the next, taken seriously by more or less nobody. After that calamitous speech, Selina plots her own version of The West Wing's famous walk-and-talk. ''What we're gonna do,'' she tells her staff, ''is we're gonna walk slowly to the car, okay? But you guys surround me, very purposeful. We're discussing important...'' She pauses for a long beat, a flash of confusion on her face, before concluding, ''...things.''
Veep recalls other awkward workplace comedies like The Office and The Larry Sanders Show, and its supporting cast is similarly crucial. Anna Chlumsky (My Girl) is a master of comic exasperation as chief of staff Amy, the show's one truly likable character. Spokesperson Mike (Matt Walsh) offers dubious crisis-management strategies like ''Let's not make it the story and panic, okay? What if Tom Hanks dies?'' And Selina's drippy assistant, Gary (Arrested Development's Tony Hale), hovers at her ear with a patter of facts about the people she's constantly greeting: ''His daughter Emily just graduated from Harvard'' or ''She's got a small mustache. It's a little disturbing. Don't stare at it.'' (One character who doesn't appear at least in the first three episodes is the president, whose ongoing lack of communication with Selina is a running gag.)
Charmingly goofy as ever, Louis-Dreyfus isn't quite believable as a vice president even a sitcom VP whose lack of gravitas is the show's central joke. But she's still a joy to watch, especially when she shows off that famous gift for physical comedy. The first episode's high point comes when Selina, fed up after one bumble too many, unleashes a full-body heave of a ''What! The! F---!'' that'll have you reaching for the rewind button. Veep's mix of energy, obscenity, and enmity is a bleak vision of American political folly. It would actually be pretty depressing if it weren't so amusing. B+


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Hi all, As upstream is pretty dead [1][2] and bug #127241 [3] is still applicable, I'd like to request that somebody more knowledgeable take over the work I started on fixing the waimea window manager (see [3] for files and info), if possible. If nobody lets me know to the contrary, I'll remove x11-wm/waimea and the only package depending on it (x11-misc/wampager) in 30 days. For now though, they're in package.mask. -- Joe Sapp [1] http://lists.freedesktop.org/archives/waimea/2006-January/000190.html [2] http://lists.freedesktop.org/archives/waimea/2006-June/thread.html [3] http://bugs.gentoo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=127241
Updated Jun 17, 2009
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For any of you in the know, pain on the outside of the knee. I see it fairly frequently. The reason I'm throwing this out for discussion is because the usual treatment strategies are being called into question: *Foam-roll the bejabbers out of the little monkey: but the ITB is stronger than a tractor tire. *Stretch the damn thing: but the ITB is stronger than a tractor tire and may actually be less relevant biomechanically than other structures. Are the glutes typically a major player here ? Is the medial glute THE major player ? Thoughts ? Observations ? Waddaya got for me ?
I have little knowledge of this other than knowing two people who have had issues with theirs. One was training for a marathon and the other just worked on her feet all day. I think both of them did a lot of foam roller and used the theracane. Theracane is awesome by the way.
Thanks, Leaf. It certainly does seem to be a common complaint among runners. Fortunately for them - and unfortunate for me - medial knee pain is dicier.
Well let me start out by saying the ultimate solution to any lower extremity and spinal injury is to stop running....running is terrible for you in terms of the musculoskeletal system....each time your foot hits when running you send a GRF (Ground Reaction Force) up the kinetic chain of the body...and over time it just wears out your knees, hams, calves, feet, lower back, etc....in an ideal world I would tell everyone to do cardio with machines (tread, elliptical, bike,etc) but I know thats not going to happen... Anyway with the OP, you do wanna stretch the ITB actively because not only can it cause ITB syndrome if it's tight, it can also lead to PFPS (patellafemoral pain syndrome)...what happens with PFPS is the ITB pulls the patella (kneecap) outwards and gets the patella out of its groove in the joint...thus causing irritation on the underside of the patella...think of a train being off the tracks...its gonna grind and grind until it wears out the brakes/rails/etc....this is called chondromalacia.... As far as the foam roller, I did not realize it is being called into question...I know a number of physical therapists who have their patients perform this exercise...i liken it to a combination of a ITB stretch and massage....it helps to break up the tight muscle fibers.... And yes the glutes are a major player...your glutes along with your piriformis (the muscle that can cause sciatica) are external rotators of the hip...meaning if they are tight they are going to cause the whole leg to turn outwardly thus making the ITB tighten...conversely if the internal rotators of the hip are tight, its gonna cause the leg to turn inward and put the ITB on stretch....so Dreamliner yes your glutes are a major player in preventing and treating ITB syndrome...make sure you have the patients with ITB stretch the glutes....to be more specific I would say the piriformis and gluteus medius are the two biggies....
Thanks for the feedback. I suspect that you're on the money on the glutes. The recent reservations arise from the nature of the ITB - it's unbelievably tough. In any case, the two runners I'm working with are WEAK in the lower body. They find bodyweight squats and lunges challenging. One had come to me for an upper-body program "because their lower-body was already strong from running." I told her, "no, it's not." :laugh:
Hahaha thats awesome..I love the blunt honesty...yeah lower body strengthening is also important because it can help compensate for a weak/injured ITB...although just be careful having them do those exercises if they are already experiencing pain with the ITB...but yeah the ITB is hard to describe...not many people know how to describe it...its not really a muscle but acts like one...i just called it a band of soft tissue....and yeah the ITB is very hard because its so fibrous....and throughout the day it is constantly being used through walking, sit to stand, stand to sit, etc...
I am a triathlete and in 2007 during an Olympic triathlon I started having some ITB problems on the bike. It then worsened on the the run about mile 4 and I hobbled to the finish line. I had only done Sprint tri's to this point. I went to an orthopedist who diagnosed it as ITB. He recommended stretching and taking Aleve to prevent the swelling. He did not recommend any surgery and said I was good to go as long as I could take the pain. In 2008, I continued training and started using The Stick Roller and using the ITB straps that went around your knees. In 08 I did a Half Ironman and Marathon using this techniqued, but I still had pain throughout the 08 race season. It usually happened after long bike rides (50-60 miles) or long runs (15-20 miles). In Feb 2009 I was determined to do an Ironman so I hired a Trainer who had done quite a few Ironmans. I told him about my ITB and my prior history. He laughed at my staps and said he didn't like them. He put me on a regular stretching program, a foam roller, alot of core strenghtening exercises and a lower body weight training program. I continued to take Aleve before training. I ran a Marathon in April 2009 and at mile 20 my ITB swelled up and I limped to the finish line. At my wife's insistance, I did not take Alleve before the race because they are NSAID's and she read they were bad to take before exhaustive exercise...even though I had done all my long runs using Alleve. By September 09 I ran the same Half Ironman and cut 45 minutes off the 08 half Ironman with no ITB pain. In November 09, I completed my first Ironman in 12:17 with no ITB pain and in December 09 I went to Australia and completed my second Ironman with no ITB problems. Since the Marathon in 09, I have been free of ITB problems. I feel the lower body strength training along with the core exercises and stretching helped the most. I still continue to take Alleve every day. Two on long workout days...don't tell my wife.
Re: the wife - mum's the word. But that's quite an inspiring story! What kinds of exercises did you do for lower body ? What did you stretch ?
Thanks. Did mostly leg extension type exercises with not alot of weight. I also used a Pilates ball where I would lay on my back and put my feet on the ball. Keeping stomach tight I would raise my body up and bring the ball towards me with my feet. For my core I lay stomach down with my elbows/arms on the ground and supported my body as long as I could. I would then turn on my side and do for each side. I would do 3 sets of this twice a day. For stretching I used a rubber band where I would lay on my back and try to bring my leg back towards my head for a minute. I would then stretch my right leg to the right and hold for a minute. Then I would stretch my right leg to the left across my body for a minute. I would do the same with the left leg. I would do 3 set twice a day.
has never failed me. key is pelvic and lumbar spine position so the IT band rides over the greater trochanter which adds a perpendicular force to the tendon causing more of a stretch. jutting the hip out intensifies it. ITB stripping is always fun and super painful for the client. not a lot of pain on earth like a thumb or god forbid the point of an elbow running down your thigh right next to a tight inflamed ITB. great for masochists and sadists alike. i dont recommend either for anybody with opposable thumbs...or hip replacements. consult your doctor before doing anything.
Dream, we have had these discussions before. My experience in dealing with this issue with my clients is increase overall lower body strength. More specifically the VMO and Glut Max and I believe that most ITB pain can be traced back to weak adductors. The ITB is used by the body for stabilization. It keeps you from swaying side to side like a dancing girl when propelling yourself forward. The adductors are rarely activated except when pulling your leg inward as in when you get into a car and put one leg in at a time. Over time this weakness causes a bowing inward of the knee and a tracking issue with the patella tendon. Summary- strengthen inner thigh and stretch outer thigh, increase glute activation and VMO strength. I have found that if the pain is mild incorporating slide board work into a routine really fires off the adductors and can relieve the ITB stress in a matter of weeks.
Damn! I knew I shouldn't have thrown out that Cheryl Ladd sliding board my wife and I used years ago! But I must confess that I've been thinking more in terms of a need for a(b)ductor activation than adductor activation. I'll take this under consideration. thankfullly, I don't have ITB. Wish I did as PFPS seems a bit more squirrely in terms of treatment.
Dream, it depends how the patella is tracking as to what muscles you want to strengthen vs stretching...if its tracking lateral (which can happen with a tight ITB because the ITB will pull it lateral) then you do want to strengthen VMO and adductors since those are medial muscles to help pull the patella back into the groove and keep it there...its like a tug of war between medial and lateral basically... On the contrary, if the patella tracks medial, you want to strengthen lateral and stretch medial.....and just so ya know PFPS is a garbage term...it doesnt always mean patellar tracking issues...it could be chondromalacia (which could however be caused by patellar tracking), it could also be a patellar fracture or dislocation...it stands for patellafemoral pain syndrome which means any type of injury that causes pain in the knee joint can technically be incorporated under that abbreviation.... Hope this helps...
Loyal, I'm afraid I'm losing confidence in the more conventional explanations. It seems to me that stretching and/or foam-rolling the ITB would be about as effective as stretching and/or foam-rolling a tractor tire. With respect to medial knee pain, why would anyone want to perform a movement (TKE's) that only serve to stress the inflamed area ? Aren't you a chiro ? Aren't you chiros fond of telling your patients "What's hurting is not where you're hurt" ? :wink:


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When DeMarco Murray gashed the Ravens for 91 yards in just the first half of the Cowboys' eventual loss yesterday, pants were soaked everywhere. Then when he barely played in the second half and left with an apparent foot injury, pants were soaked again, but this time it was with sorrowful bodily fluid.
Now please ensure that you're near a facility of some kind before reading on, because although we still don't have official MRI results yet and information is vague, there are reports that Murray's foot injury could be a little more serious than what was first expected.
Todd Archer of ESPN Dallas reports that the team fears Murray has suffered "significant ligament damage." How significant that significant damage is remains to be seen, and thankfully we have the technology to update this post as more information becomes available. But from the next line in Archer's report we can deduce that the injury may be serious enough to keep Murray out for a handful of weeks, but it won't be long term or season ending, as he's avoided the doom of a Lisfranc injury.


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Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear recently relayed some good news to workers with experience in the skilled trades – that they soon may be able to find work at ZF Rubber and Plastics Hebron.
The governor said the manufacturing company will spend $17.9 million to expand its existing factory by 52,000-square-feet and add new equipment to produce additional products for the automotive industry, including engine mounts and plastics components, according to WLEX News. The expansion will create 60 new positions.
Kentucky is currently home to more than 440 automotive-related businesses that employ approximately 68,000 people.
"Manufacturing is the heartbeat of industry," state Senator John Schickel of Union stated. "It's always good when a company finds such success with their workforce that expansion of that workforce becomes part of the business plan. I congratulate ZF and Hebron."
ZF officials said they expect construction, which is already underway, to be completed by the fourth quarter of this year.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for industrial production managers are expected to increase by 9 percent through the end of the decade and be best for those with postsecondary training and on-the-job work experience.


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5 Things the Redskins Can Do to Help RGIII
September 19, 2013 in Redskins Personnel
With Robert Griffin III still recovering his mechanics and timing after his offseason ACL surgery, the Redskins could do a number of things to help him out to ease his transition back to normal. Here are the 5 top things they should be doing:
1. Run the football and don't give up on it early:
-The Redskins are built to be a run first team, yet the last two weeks they abandoned the run early on. This was due to two reasons: one the run wasn't very effective and two the Redskins got down early. The first reason while valid also applies directly to the passing attack.
The Redskins passing game has simply been awful early in these games, so why are the Redskins trying to double down on throwing the football. If you stick with the run it has a better chance of being effective, and it's not putting undue pressure on a quarterback who is rusty.
As for getting down early, that explains why the Redskins are throwing the football so much the 2nd half, but not the first half. Last year when the Bengals got up early on the Redskins, Washington ran the ball to get back into the game. Running the football sets up so much of this offense, that to abandon it is just asking to put Griffin in a bad place.
2. Utilize more screens and quick slants:
-These were the bread and butter plays of the Redskins last year, and a big part why they were so successful on offense. This year we've barely seen them, yet we wonder why RGIII can't get into a rhythm. Now not all screen passes will produce 45 yard gains like the one to Pierre Garcon on Sunday, but most of them will produce 4-7 yards which can help move the chains and get RGIII comfortable.
With utilizing more shorter passing, Griffin won't have to hold the ball as long to read opposing blitzers. Also these throws aren't as predicated on proper footwork. The Redskins will of course have to mix it up some, but if DB's start playing in tighter to defend these passes the Redskins can hopefully find an opening elsewhere.
3. Move the pocket:
-Griffin and the Redskins offensive line are seeing a lot of pressure up the middle and it is having a significant impact on their passing game. The Redskins need to go back to the Mike Shanahan basics and utilize more rollouts and bootlegs in this offense. There are of course drawbacks like halving the area in which you can safely throw the ball, but it should get Griffin away from pressure and allow him to set his feet better.
4. Max Protect More:
-The Redskins don't necessarily like to do this, but with Griffin facing more blitzes and unable to get away from them, the Redskins have to help him out. They need to keep one or two backs or tight ends in there to at the very least chip the defenders if not help out in the blocking. This may limit Griffin's options down the field, but it will give him precious time to get the ball away. It's not the most ideal situation, but it is something that is going to be more necessary from time to time.
5. Defense and Special Teams need to step up:
-Last year the Redskins won in spite of their defense and special teams, due to their high powered offense. This year the Redskins can't rely on the offense the same so they need the defense and special teams to do their part. They don't need to carry the team, but they can't simply keep making the mistakes their making.
They have to give Giffin better field position to start, and try to limit the score somewhat. That is not saying they need to shut out opposing teams, but hold them to more field goals, maybe get a turnover. If they don't pick up their games, Griffin will continuously be playing from behind and have to drive 85-90 yards for a score, not exactly a winning combination.


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At Marvin, we believe that good design is a crucial component to happiness. And where better to put that in to play than educational institutions? In the Architect's Challenge Showdown, we're lucky enough to have some gorgeous Marvin schools (well, not schools that teach Marvin; that's called our Wm. S. Marvin Training and Visitor Center!). Let's take a look, shall we?
The 27,500-square-foot school dormitory was originally built in 1971. This renovation project was done in three phases, from 2010 to 2012. Phase one encompassed student dorm rooms, phase two addressed exterior finish systems, and phase three renovations included film studies, radio studio, offices and theater-arts spaces.
Berkshire School Allen Hall Renovation by Steve Nelson of Moser Pilon Nelson Architects Massachusetts
Currey Ingram Academy is a college prep K-12 school that caters to students who have unique learning styles. The high school is the fourth completed building on this rural site outside of Nashville, Tennessee.
Currey Ingram Academy by Michael Ward of Allard Ward Architects Tennessee
This clubhouse for the men's and women's rugby clubs at an Ivy League college is flanked by two rugby fields separated vertically by 20 feet of elevation. Taking advantage of the sloping site between the fields, the primary public spaces are located on the parking or upper level. The locker rooms and team rooms are located at the lower level, accessing the main playing field. The clubroom and deck face south, which gives spectators a warm spot to watch games in rugby seasons.
Rugby Clubhouse at Dartmouth College by Randall Mudge of Randall T. Mudge & Associates New Hampshire
What do you think of these amazing schools? Do they remind you of your schools, or are they what you wish learning looked like? Let us know in the comments, and don't forget to vote in the Showdown!
Try Marvin's free Online Remodeling Planner for inspiration and organization
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Warren Buffett is without doubt the best investor the world has ever seen. Starting with a few hundred dollars in 1956, he managed to transform his stake to $20 million by the time he liquidated Buffett Partnership Limited in 1969. His entire net worth by then was in Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) stock, a small textile mill which he transformed into a diversified holding company.
After reading his letters to shareholders, and analyzing SEC filings, I have uncovered an interesting trend in his long-term investments at Berkshire. Notably, Buffett has focused on companies which tend to grow income without much in additional capital investment. This is possible when you invest in a business that has strong pricing power, because consumers are addicted to the brand name product or because you have some other form of strong competitive advantage. The 1972 purchase of See's Candies is a prime example of this. In his 2007 Letter to Shareholders, Buffett mentioned the following:
We bought See's for $25 million when its sales were $30 million and pre-tax earnings were less than $5 million. The capital then required to conduct the business was $8 million.
Last year See's sales were $383 million, and pre-tax profits were $82 million. The capital now required to run the business is $40 million. This means we have had to reinvest only $32 million since 1972 to handle the modest physical growth – and somewhat immodest financial growth – of the business. In the meantime pre-tax earnings have totaled $1.35 billion. All of that, except for the $32 million, has been sent to Berkshire (or, in the early years, to Blue Chip). After paying corporate taxes on the profits, we have used the rest to buy other attractive businesses.
It is evident that he invests in businesses with minimal capital needs, and utilizes the profits to purchase other businesses. This is similar to what a dividend investor typically does – accumulate distributions and then invest them in the best long-term opportunities at the time. In essence, the 1972 investment in See's Candies is producing mind-boggling yields on cost currently. Warren's investments in Washington Post (WPO), Coca-Cola (KO) and American Express (AXP) have also resulted in double or even triple digit yields on cost.
In 1973, Buffett initiated a position in Washington Post (WPO) for $10,628 million. His shares have an effective cost basis of $6.15/share. At the annual dividend of $9.80/share, his company's yield on cost is 159%.
Between 1991 and 1994 Buffett acquired over 151,670,700 million shares of American Express (AXP) at a cost of $1.287 billion, which translates into $7.96/share. His initial investment was using preferred shares that were convertible into ordinary shares at a fixed price, plus additions to his holdings. At the present annual dividend of 80cetns/share, his yield on cost is exceeding 10%.
Between 1988 and 1994, Berkshire Hathaway accumulated 400 million split-adjusted shares of Coca-Cola (KO), for $1.30 billion dollars. His average cost per share comes out to approximately $3.25. Based on the annual dividend of $1.02/share, Berkshire's yield on cost is a stunning 31.40%/year. This means that simply by accumulating the dividends for three years, Berkshire will recover its investment, but still retain ownership in Coke and have a claim on future distributions. In his 2010 Letter to Shareholders:
Coca-Cola paid us $88 million in 1995, the year after we finished purchasing the stock. Every year since, Coke has increased its dividend. In 2011, we will almost certainly receive $376 million from Coke, up $24 million from last year. Within ten years, I would expect that $376 million to double. By the end of that period, I wouldn't be surprised to see our share of Coke's annual earnings exceed 100% of what we paid for the investment. Time is the friend of the wonderful business.
Unfortunately, as his holding company got bigger and had billions to allocate on a monthly basis, his focus has been mostly on large-cap "elephant" acquisitions. The 2010 acquisition of Burlington Northern is a prime example of this change in strategy.
It is also interesting that most of the businesses that Buffett has purchased such as Geico, Flightsafety International or Wesco Financial had achieved either the dividend achievers or dividend champions status. His purchase of quality, wide-moat companies with growing earnings, has paid huge and rising dividends for Berkshire Hathaway. These seeds have been reinvested in additional businesses, thus expanding cash flow available for investments dramatically. This is a strategy that is similar to the strategy that many dividend growth investors tend to employ. Inspired by Buffett's legacy, I have been quietly building my own dividend machine, mini Berkshire.
Full Disclosure: Long KO
Relevant Articles:
- Buffett Partnership Letters
- Dividend Champions - The Best List for Dividend Investors
- Seven wide-moat dividends stocks to consider
- Strong Brands Grow Dividends
Monday, February 11, 2013
Warren Buffett's Dividend Stock Strategy
Posted by D at 1:00 AM
Labels: Warren Buffett
6 comments:
- AnonymousFebruary 11, 2013 at 4:46 PM
I have been reading this blog for about a year now. First let me say that I enjoy it and keep up the good work. I have yet to see a post where you discuss your positions in terms of dollar amounts. I can understand why you wouldn't want to do that, but it would be very interesting to know two things; how much total in stock do you own, and how much money in divdends does it produce per year? If you don't want to post that info it is ofcourse understandable.
ReplyDelete DGI,
I like the way you put that - building your own "mini Berkshire".
That's what I'm trying to do as well. I don't have an elephant gun like Uncle Warren, but I make do with my 9 mm pistol! :)
People often ask me why I don't invest in ETF's...but why bother when I'm creating my own and skipping the fees in the process.
Best wishes!- AnonymousFebruary 11, 2013 at 6:22 PM
I recall reading that Buffet/Berk. Hathaway had a bunch of Goldman Sachs perpetually preferred stock that pays like 1.4 million a day in dividends.
ReplyDelete - AnonymousFebruary 12, 2013 at 9:06 AM
Got to do like Buffett.Buy stocks for the long term.Let them appreciate tax free.Buffett talks like he wants to pay more taxes,but lives like he doesn't.I guess he wants all the envious,greedy Democrats to love him,after he dies.
ReplyDelete - AnonymousFebruary 12, 2013 at 6:10 PM
This also seems to be the strategy of Altria Group as it relates to the SAB Miller holding. Altria has always been a long term thinking company. The SAB stake is nearly a third of that company, market value in excess of $20B. SAB increases it's dividend regularly and is doing quite well. Altria gets to spend that dividend as they see fit, perhaps they invest in new products, make a aquisition, or use it to improve their dividend. Altria Group is a dividend growth investor too. We are in good company I think!
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