text:
I have some 9+ month old males that are $15 each. They are purebred animals that would also be good for breeding. I do have younger animals that are $25 each. There are teddies, abbysinians, American, texel, and silkies available most of the time. All animals are treated ...
Mar 30 -
Orlando :
Oviedo - Livestock
Skinny pigs hairless guinea pig babies .Super sweet gorgeous colors perfect skin .They are smart and interactive . great unique pet s easy to care for fees start at 100 each located in palm harbor
Mar 26 -
Tampa Bay :
Palm Harbor - Other pets
Males and female hairless guinea pig babies just weaned .these babies are gorgeous skinny pigs as they are called are great unique pets .I have been breeding them now for a while .Love them so much you will too come and see why for yourself . Visit our page on Facebook ...
Mar 23 -
Tampa Bay :
Tampa - Other pets
We have one last guinea pig left. It's a male he has a nice coat. If interested call me or text me at (786)302-1326 or just pass by 2917 W. Cypress Street. We are open Mon - Sat from 10:00am till 7pm.
Se vende curiel macho. Solo queda uno. Si le interesa me puede llamar o ...
Mar 17 -
Tampa Bay :
Tampa - Other pets
Exceptional care for your feathered or furry friends. Experienced vet assistant/groomer with over 30 years experience in all types of animal care. Immaculate bird & pet friendly home with cages available. Fresh fruits & veggies offered every day. Experienced in hand feeding ...
Mar 15 -
Miami :
Boynton Beach - Birds
Babies now ready for now homes. Will have extremely long hair when grown. Most are 4 weeks of age and just weaned. Various different colors, males and females.
Raised in my home with love and care. Treated for parasites preventatively.
First picture shows what they will ...
Mar 7 -
Miami :
Palm Beach Gardens - Other pets
I have two adorable black and white female guinea pigs that need a new home. They are under a year and very sweet. They eat and drink well. They both love each other. If interested please email or text me. Thank you
Mar 6 -
Cape Coral :
Fort Myers - Other pets
I have 3 hairless guinea pigs for sale. Two are 12 week old baby girls an the third is a male that is 7 months of age. They are 100.00 a piece or all three for 275.00. They will come with a set up to get you started. They are pretty neet critters. If you text me I will send ...
Mar 6 -
Ocala :
Ocala - Other pets
I have 3 baby skinny pigs they are hairless guinea pigs 2 males, 1 female ready now awesome sweet temperaments interactive exotic look and easy to care for. We also have hard to find long hair breeds Peruvians ,Mini yaks , Silkies aka Shelties , Coronets, Texel , ...
Mar 3 -
Tampa Bay :
Palm Harbor - Other pets
Emma's Happy Tails has moved to Punta Gorda Florida! Emma is a dedicated pet lover and pet owner who has provided the people of Northeastern Pa. with a reliable, trustworthy pet sitting service for over 14 years. Now, the same great service is available to the pet lovers of ...
Feb 25 -
Cape Coral :
Punta Gorda - Animal services
Similar to picture shown, except in green. Great for whelping small breed litters or useful for rabbit, Guinea pigs, etc.. No TEXTING please. Pick up in Orange City, Fl.
Feb 22 -
Daytona :
Orange City - Accessories
3 female guinea pigs looking for a home 6 moths old 15.00 each
Feb 13 -
Orlando :
Longwood - Other pets
This is Joey and Muffin and I am about to move and they will need a new home somewhere around Orlando. They are loads of fun and love to be held and LOVE carrots! They would be a perfect addition to your family with their fun personalities. Prices is negotiable. Please ...
Feb 11 -
Orlando :
Winter Garden - Other pets
My daughter and I raise show quality merino, coronet, silkie and abbyruvian guinea pig babies. We have babies for sale most of the year. Our babies are socialized, and fed quality food, timothy hay, greens and vitamin C water daily. Guinea pigs make wonderful pets for ...
Feb 8 -
Tampa Bay :
Palm Harbor - Other pets
i have several young male and female guinea pigs looking for homes. i have all colors.
65.00 with cage
will also sell with out cage
Feb 3 -
Orlando :
Longwood - Other pets
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Supporting every student to be the very best they can be
Our school offers quality secondary education to the Gaven / Pacific Pines community which extends into parts of Arundel. The school's ultimate function is to serve this community which has become clearly defined both geographically and socially. The school has placed itself at the hub of this community through partnership with the local developer Stockland and Gold Coast City Council.
This is further supported through our relationships with local primary schools through the Gaven and Pacific Pines Precinct of schools. The most visible signs of those relationships are the construction of Pacific Pines Community Centre on the school grounds and the constant interaction with the Primary School.
View the current annual report
View the current Newsletter
Excellence Program & Scholarship information now available for 2016.
Essential clothing and equipment list for Maroon Outdoor Education Centre.
Year 11 & 12 Term 1 Block Exams 2015
Parents and Citizens Association Annual General Meeting is on 11th March at 6:15 in the...
All state school students from Prep to Year 12 are eligible for this offer from Microsoft and can...
Due to the inclement weather, the Year 7 evening will be postponed.
Gold Coast Oral Health (Dental) Services are offering free dental check-ups to children in Year 10.
It has become a federal requirement that all people undergoing vocational training must now apply...
Pacific Pines State High School Facebook page
Our Online Newsletter
Computers and Technology including information for the Take Home Laptop program
Procedures and forms for enrolments at PPSHS. Links to stationery and uniform lists.
Junior classes and information regarding Years 7 & 8 in 2015
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Links to Student Work webpage.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Chinese Communication Studies: Contexts and Comparisons
Many varying factors contribute to the dynamics of Chinese communication, which both resembles and differs from its Western counterparts. In this provocative new collection of essays, an international group of scholars challenges the conventional notion of Chinese culture as static, recognizing the causes of cultural change and strategies of resistance. Examining communication contexts in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, and comparing them to those of the United States and Europe, Chinese Communication Studies: Context and Comparisons considers the relationship between culture and communication in Chinese political, gender, family, and media contexts, providing the reader with insight both into how enduring Chinese cultural values are, and how they are being appropriated to meet political and economic goals.
Additional information
Includes content by:Publisher:
- Xing Lu
- Ling Chen
- Rita Mei-Ching Ng
- Changfu Chang
- Mary M. Garrett
- Westport, CT
- 2002


text: Almost every aspect of our stay at the Jaypee Palace was perfect. Warm and welcoming staff, a large well appointed, quiet room opening onto the beautiful gardens. Comfortable bed and good shower. All the expected extras plus some (fruit, chocolates and home made biscuits in our room; washing powder in the bathroom). Good food (though I question the idea of... More


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"I have saw Dr. Pacelli for three different hand injuries in 2008 and each time he was great. My wrist was badly broken but Dr. Pacelli fixed it ..."
"The care from this practice is beyond excellent! Dr Drew did surgery on my torn ligament in my elbow, you cant even see the scar. I was back ..."
"Did an amazing job explaining a complex problem that two other surgeons in town had passed on"


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- We are sorry, but this item is currently unavailable.
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We Wish You A Merry Christmas Glass Ball Christmas Ornaments
Personalized Christmas Ornament
"We wish you a merry Christmas" is one of the most recognizable and popular Christmas carols of all time! Celebrate its adoration with this unique and beautiful glass ball Christmas ornament. Do you know someone who just loves to celebrate Christmas or sing carols? This ornament would be perfect for them! Personalize it with their name and the year. They will make it a keepsake on their tree for years to come. It also comes with a matching gift box (shown).
Material: Glass Ball
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I am trying to compile a fortran program which uses a bunch of modules. I obtain an error when I compile it, and it's driving me crazy. The error is originated by the addition of one subroutine and takes place when I try to recompile the program:
Main program contains these two lines:
call read_step(nStepOne,molOne)
call read_step(nStep,mol)
This is calling one of the subroutines in a file "fileio.f90":
subroutine read_step(n,tape)
implicit none
integer, intent(in) :: tape
integer, intent(out) :: n
character(len=6) :: dum
read (tape,*)
read (tape,*) dum, n
end subroutine read_step
When I try to compile it, the following error arises:
ifort -o SpIdMD.x *.o -static-intel -openmp
SpIdMD.o: In function `MAIN__':
SpIdMD.f90:(.text+0x3b2): undefined reference to `read_step_'
SpIdMD.f90:(.text+0x3c5): undefined reference to `read_step_'
make: *** [SpIdMD.x] Error 1
Other calls to subroutines in the same module did not give any error, and I just don't see any difference between the calls to the "old subroutines" and the one I just created.
An example of one of these "old subroutines", which does not give any complaint, is:
In the main program:
call get_dim(n_atom,nSnap,mol)
In the fileio.f90:
subroutine get_dim(n,n_snap,tape)
implicit none
integer,intent(in) :: tape
integer,intent(out) :: n, n_snap
integer :: m
read (tape,*,err=1,end=2) n
m = 0
do while (.true.)
read (tape,*,err=1,end=3)
m = m +1
end do
3 n_snap = m/(n + 2)
if (m.ne.(n_snap*(n + 2))) stop 'unexpected end of input file'
1 stop 'error in input file'
2 stop 'unexpected end of input file'
end subroutine get_dim
I have absolutely no idea why this behavior. I'd be grateful if anybody could help me solve this nightmare. Thanks!


text:
Source: Sell-Side Technology | 29 Mar 2012
Categories: Exchange Data
The Orion Market Data Platform will run on an ultra-low latency XDP solution, enabling distribution in Mainland China.
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEx) has selected NYSE Technologies' Exchange Data Publisher (XDP), an ultra-low latency solution that disseminated real-time data to both local and global customers, to power its upcoming HKEx Orion Market Data Platform.
All securities and derivatives traded on HKEx will be included in data platform and delivered in a common message format at more than 100,000 messages per second, or microsecond latency. Orion will first deliver securities markets data towards the end of the second quarter in 2013; derivatives markets integration, as well as a point of presence, enabled by a remote distribution hub, in Mainland China, are set to follow.
"The HKEx Orion Market Data Platform will enable us to improve our customers' market data experience by providing a suite of market data product feeds with content, market depth and bandwidth requirements tailored to suit the needs of different types of customers," says Bryan Chan, head of market data at HKEx.
Meanwhile, NYSE Technologies is enthusiastic about further expanding its business in Asia's emerging markets.
"In XDP we are providing HKEx with the robust features of a proven platform and the advantages of functions tailored to their unique trading environment. We are pleased to be working with one of the world's leading markets to deploy a world class market data platform that will serve customers in Hong Kong and Mainland China," adds Stanley Young, CEO of NYSE Technologies.
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text:
A Scavenger Hunt That Ends With The Voice's Christina Milian? Only in LA.
The only thing that would make this better is if Christina Milian sang the Kim Possible theme song at the end.
This post was created by a user and has not been vetted or endorsed by BuzzFeed's editorial staff. BuzzFeed Community is a place where anyone can post awesome lists and creations. Learn more or post your buzz!


text:
Year-Round Vines
I would like to create a trellis screen on my balcony to block the view of my neighbors, but I'm not sure what kind of vine to plant. My main concerns are that it do well in a container (flower box) and that it provides a screen all year, even if it doesn't stay in bloom that whole time. I am most interested in morning glory/moon flower, or some form of honeysuckle or jasmine, but I'm not sure how well they would suit my needs. The location would get pretty good sun for most of the day (south-facing). Also, I live in Southern California (San Fernando valley) and have reasonably good weather year-round, but since I am just now undertaking the project, I'm afraid it's too late in the season to plant anything. Any thoughts?
Thanks so much.
Morning glory/moon flower is an annual where I live. May be in your area. I don't know. Confederate jasmine is evergreen and has wonderful smelling, tiny white blooms. It's used often here. It's easy to grow in sun or shade. It has my vote. Fall is generally the best planting season, spring is next. However in your zone you could probably plant now if you keep pouring the water to it. Do a google search on the Confederate jasmine to see pictures.
In your zone passion flowers will bloom all year mine did for 2 years in zone 9.The lavender lady seems to be harder more frail than the red or sky blue.I also had honeysuckle bloom all last year here.But confederate jasmine does have the best smell just slow grower for me but easy to care for no pest and will take alot of water or drought very easy to please.
A vine that is evergreen here and has nice Spring flowers is the near jasmine relative,some species of Gelsemium. Perhaps sempervirens. I think one sort is called 'Margarita' and another double one called 'Pride of Augusta'. They are yellow flowered, odorless and eventually seem to get top heavy, but are glossy green in all but the coldest temps. Under ideal conditions Spring bloom can be spectacular but short lived.
Here in zone 7, the crossvine stayed green, so might be another choice.
Another evergreen that can have spectacular masses of fragrant white flowers briefly in Spring is Clematis armandi.


text:
Wish List
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Home | About | Programs | Class Schedule | Wish List | Forms | Instructors | Employment | Contact Us
Coming Soon!
Summer Registration:
Registration for our Summer 2015 semester of classes is now open for families currently enrolled in our Spring session of classes. Online registration is not available during the priority registration period. If you are currently enrolled in classes and want to register for summer, please call, e-mail or stop in. Thank-you! Online registration and registration for new and returning families will begin Tuesday, April 7th at noon. Click here for our Summer 2015 schedule of classes. Click here for our Summer 2015 schedule of Music Therapy groups.
Snow Policy:
As a reminder, our policy at FMS is to follow the lead of PSD in terms of snow days. If PSD schools are open and in session, so are we. If we cancel any classes due to snow we will notify families via e-mail and phone messages. Canceled classes due to snow will be rescheduled and refunds will not be available. Thank-you!


text:
Listen to free music played by VinylVenus
Blip.fm is internet radio made social. It's easy to search for, play, and discover free music recommended by real people. Join today to create your own free station and start listening to @VinylVenus.
VinylVenus rb@BluJulius: "ur will is my way<3@Lunaladee: ""yes..i am a witch.. and i have conjured you" ; ) thx, luv@BluJ" (reblip)
Lunaladee gave props on Jan 17 at 6:02 pm
What other DJs are saying about the bird and the bee witch
RoxBox Good one @RobotGhost /// The Bird and the Bee ::: "Witch" (reblip)
JunkYardGypsy Witch ~ Bird and the Bees
Blakeyb a real shirley bassey sound and oldskool...
missmarybee "How could i know that my spell was broke?" a James Bond Theme song, now with more witches.


text:
Eagles turn to Brad Bates
Eagles turn to Brad Bates
New AD follows retired Gene DeFilippo
New AD follows retired Gene DeFilippo
Brad Bates played football for Michigan and loves watching hockey.
Those credentials alone would be enough to convince Boston College alumni and Eagles enthusiasts to nominate Bates for the post of athletic director. Boston College president Rev. William P. Leahy's criteria were a lot more demanding and selective.
|The article you requested has been archived


text:
What Are The Side Effects Of Delavirdine
Here's a taste of what TheBody.com has to offer on this topic:
Get the Facts
An Overview of Rescriptor (Delavirdine)... de-la-VIR-deen --> Brand Name: Rescriptor Other Name(s): 136817-59-9, DLV, Delavirdine mesylate, Mesilato de delavirdina,U-90152S Drug Class: Non-nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors Delavirdine, also known as Rescriptor, is a type of medicine called a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). NNRTIs block reverse transcriptase, a protein that HIV needs to make
Ask the Experts
Worried about delavirdineI recently started therapy for the first time after being diagnosed with HIV 2 years ago. My doctor prescribed Combivir and abacavir 2 weeks ago. I have been taking this combination with no real problems. Just yesterday, my doctor prescribed...
Response from Cal Cohen, M.D., M.S.
Harvard Medical School...especially in those with a lower initial viral load. The meds may have been started this way in order to avoid the overlapping side effect of rash which can happen on both delavirdine and abacavir - so staggering these meds this way might allow... Read more »
delaviridine,viread,kaletraI was wondering whether the combo delaviridine, viread and kaletra is potent and with less side-effects than some of the other hiv meds. What should I watch out for if I go on this combo. I am switching from fosamprenavir to delaviridine as fos...
Response from Gerald Pierone, M.D.
AIDS Research and Treatment Center of the Treasure Coast...(Rescriptor) is rarely used anymore. It should be a very potent regimen, but Kaletra and delavirdine are not known for a low side effect profile. There is probably a reason why it was recommended, but without some drug treatment and resistance... Read more »
Side Effects of Testosterone TreatmentHello. I'm HIV+ now for 15 years and have 800 t-cells and undetectable viral load. I have been on the same drugs now for the past 8 years (Delavirdine and Combivir). I'm still amazed that these drugs have worked so well for so long. About 6...
Response from Keith Henry, M.D.
University of Minnesota, School of Medicinetough to say. I usually replace testosterone with a more physiological approach (daily treatment with a topical). I am unaware that lipoatrophy of the legs is due to testosterone replacement since it can occur with your HIV treatment (thought your... Read more »
Side Effects of Testosterone TreatmentHello. I'm HIV+ now for 15 years and have 800 t-cells and undetectable viral load. I have been on the same drugs now for the past 8 years (Delavirdine and Combivir). I'm still amazed that these drugs have worked so well for so long. About 6 months...
Response from Brian Boyle, M.D., J.D.
Cornell University, Weill Medical College...occur/worsen with that therapy, but other drugs can cause it as well although the ones you're on are not terrible in that respect. Consider having a testosterone level drawn to see if your levels are high on replacement and tapering the... Read more »
Delavirdine (Rescriptor)... What Is Delavirdine? Who Should Take It? What About Drug Resistance? How Is It Taken? What Are the Side Effects? How Does It React With Other Drugs? What Is Delavirdine? Delavirdine is a drug used as part of antiretroviral Read more »
Rescriptor... Common Name: delavirdine Brand Name: Rescriptor Class: non-nucleoside analogs (also called non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, NNRTIs or non-nukes) Standard dose: Two 200 mg tablets Read more »
Taking Current Antiretroviral Drugs... Part A: Nucleoside and Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs) (Nukes) Non-Nucleoside Read more »
An Overview of Crixivan (Indinavir)...doctor. Contraindications Individuals should tell a doctor about any medical problems before taking this medicine. Possible Side Effects Along with its desired effects, indinavir sulfate can cause some serious unwanted effects, including... Read more »
Connect With Others
Thanks for your support and any more advice?
Posted by motherinlaw, 3 RepliesI want to thank everyone for their support and help. I posted this in response to my own previous posting and felt it might have gotten lost in the shuffle and so am reposting. I have just spoken to my son again. He was finally able to convince... Read more »
Isentress & Side Effects
Posted by design36, 3 Replies...I have been taking Isentress for about a month...Adnormal dreams, Insomnia, Excessive fatique have been side effects and seem to be ones for a lot of people. Does anyone have experience with this drug? Did the side effects get better? Read more »
What should I think?
Posted by motherinlaw, 9 Replies...give her one year, without six months. Three young children 12 through five (she is only 26). I don't think he has really considered what this will mean and her self esteem is so low she has just decided that this is the hand that fate dealt her.... Read more »
Posted by Anonymous...suspected but the HIV-1 RNA PCR test is negative or shows a low titer, the initial high level of viral RNA may have already subsided. The patient should be followed with HIV-1 antibody tests at three months, six months and one year. If these... Read more »
Resource Centers
Guides for People With HIV


text:
404 File Not Found
Host by NetBox Version 2.8 Build 4128
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Storkcraft Beatrice 4 Drawer Chest - WhiteMade of solid wood and wood products. Easy assembly using cam-lock construction. Steel drawer glides with safety stop. Round wooden pulls. Durable non-toxic finish, tipping restraint included.
Storkcraft Beatrice 5 Drawer Chest - White
The abundant storage of this chest is just right for your little one's most precious belongings.Modern, clean lines and round wooden pull handles add to the smart tone of this piece.Made of attractive solid wood and wood products, finished in a variety of dazzling colors.
Storkcraft Beatrice Combo Tower - White
The Beatrice Combo Tower Chest features the perfect combination of modern and sleek design elements, solid, well-built construction and generous storage space. This timeless combo storage dresser features three deep drawers and a raised side cabinet to store your baby's most precious possessions. The round wooden pull handles add to the smart tone of this exquisitely designed piece. Set-up this modern combo tower chest, made of solid wood and wood products, effortlessly with it's easy to follow directions. All Stork Craft chests are designed with security in mind, featuring a tipping restraint and fortified steel drawer glides with safety stops. The Combo Tower Chest is designed to work with the Beatrice Combo Hutch (not included); creating the ideal chest to use for all stages of your little one's development. Complete your nursery look by adding an assortment of matching accessories by Stork Craft: Crib, Beatrice 3, 4 or 5 drawer chest, and matching hutch. Limited 1 Year Warranty for Parts
Product NotesView All Storkcraft - Beatrice View All Storkcraft View All Furniture Collections
|Storkcraft Beatrice 5 Drawer Chest - White
|Currently Unavailable
|Storkcraft Beatrice 4 Drawer Chest - White
|Discontinued by vendor
|Storkcraft Beatrice Combo Tower - White
|Discontinued by vendor
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text:
Bermuda Sunset
Sunsets seem to be heavy on my mind these days. They are filled with color, pattern and contrast especially when there are clouds present. I'm working on a new series of 8"x8" skys in sunset and moonscape. I'll start posting them as soon as they are dry. I think you're going to like them.


text:
Former beauty queen Sushmita Sen was snapped at PVR Cinemas in Mumbai. She had stepped out with her daughters, Renee and Alisah.
Sush was casually dressed for the occasion. Her eldest daugh...Read More
Sushmita Sen scorched the ramp as showstopper on the opening day of fashion, beauty and lifestyle exhibition Myntra Fashion Weekend. The three-day event will bring together a line up of designers f...Read More
After the success of the 'Mary Kom' biopic, here is another one that looks extremely interesting. It is the M.S. Dhoni biopic, which was said to be facing some hurdles earlier.
Earlier, the...Read More
Bollywood diva Sushmita Sen walked the red carpet for Jagran Film Festival. Sushmita is currently working for her Bengali debut film which will release soon.
Sushant Singh Rajput emerges from his self-imposed silence for a heart-speak. Let's see what he has to say-
There is a lot of talk in the film industry about how much you've changed with s...Read More


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Why did you choose this product?
Thick and soft, the colors are beautiful. This is in our entry....
Woven Butler Rug
Meticulously woven from polypropylene this rug features a traditional design with a plush pile. This rug is available in vibrant color palettes.
- Details
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- Reviews
ITEM#: 14949704Meticulously woven from polypropylene this rug features a transitional design with a plush pile. This rug is available in vibrant color palettes.
- Primary materials: Polypropylene
- Pile height: 0.433 inches
- Style: Transitional
- Primary color: Ivory, black, red
- Pattern: Floral
Tip: We recommend the use of a non-skid pad to keep the rug in place on smooth surfaces.
All rug sizes are approximate. Due to the difference of monitor colors, some rug colors may vary slightly. We try to represent all rug colors accurately. Please refer to the text above for a description of the colors shown in the photo.
Plush Pile
|Black Ivory Red
|Formal Transitional Vintage
|Synthetic Fiber
|Weave Type
|Rectangle Runner
|Rug Type
|2 ft. x 3 ft. 3 in.
|100% Polypropylene
|Model Number
Customer Reviews
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A warm, lovely rug
Thick and soft, the colors are beautiful. This is in our entry.Read More
Subtle beauty
Nice little area rug. Perfect for my kitchen. Fast shipment. Took a day to lay flat and now it's a great fit. Kinda funky but traditional at the same time.Read More
Very beautiful rug. Lots of colors to pull into a room. It is very thin however. May need a thicker mat underneath. Overall very happy with it and get tons of compliments on it! Can go into many different style homes. Well worth the price.Read More
Nice front entry rug
Just a nice good quality, great color rug for my entry way.Read More
Totally gorgeous!
Taking advantage of the fantastic sale on area rugs last month, I ordered three. The reviews for all were mixed, some loved the rugs and some rated them low, so I had to take my chances to see what I thought. In the Butler rug, I got the Burgundy background. I wish I had ordered the Black and the Ivory backgrounds also, because this rug is straight-up BEAUTIFUL! It's nice and soft, extremely well-made, and the pile is deep enough that I can feel my feet sinking into it (tho it could stand to be just a smidgen thicker). The colors are absolutely true to the photos, and provide a great palette to work from (burgundy, taupe, Dresden blue, pale olive, black, and white) when I choose other elements for the room. Thank you, Overstock.com for another fine product at an unbelievable price!!Read More
Woven Butler Rug
I ordered 2 of these rugs for my kitchen area. So far I am not disappointed in the quality of the rugs. They are thick and vibrant. They vacuum nicely and are comfortable to stand on.Read More
Beautiful rug
I bought 3 of these rugs in black to use as throw rugs in my kitchen. I am very pleased with the quality, price and looks of the rugs. Exactly what INeeded to replace rugs in my Tuscan kitchen.Read More
Questions & Answers
i chose this product because of classic paisley print and colors.
I am very interested in this rug in the 2x3 in black, It seems as if it's not available. Will you get it back in stock??
Unfortunately, this item is out of stock. We currently do not have inventory to check, and cannot guarantee the item will be restocked. Please feel free to check back with us periodically to see if the item has returned.
This size and color was what I had ordered. However, I ordered and received this product months ago and have not seen it since online.
Shopping Guides
How to Decorate Your Living Room with Square Rugs
The living room is often the hub of family entertaining and gatherings. Make the room cozy and friendly to all ages of family members by accenting the floor with square area rugs. Placed on hard floors or worn carpet, square rugs provide a soft play area for children and pets. Decorative area rugs also unify colors in the room, add texture to the decor and provide a focal point for guests.
How to Decorate Your Dining Room with Round Area Rugs
Add color and warmth to your dining room by laying area rugs atop hardwood or tiled floors. Round area rugs are a perfect fit for dining rooms with circular tables. Whether it's the main dining table, a decorative accessory table or simply a floor lamp with a spherical lamp shade, round area rugs are the perfect accent piece. They can also be used to freshen the look of worn or stained carpet in a well-used dining room.
How to Choose a Kitchen Rug
Dress up the central gathering spot in your home with a stylish, durable kitchen rug. It's easy to add color, texture and warmth to your kitchen with a bright kitchen area rug that fits your style. Whether you need non-slip kitchen mats to place near the sink area or decorative accent rugs as a transition into the dining area, the following suggestions will help you find the area rugs that work for your space. Read on for tips on choosing a kitchen rug.
Why You Need a Jute Rug
Add exotic texture to your living room or bedroom with a simple jute rug. Jute, also known as hessian, is a long vegetable-fiber spun into coarse strands commonly used to make burlap fabric. These natural fiber rugs are often hand-woven using hessian and other plant fibers, making them organic home decor pieces. Read on for a few reasons to buy a jute rug and tips on purchasing the perfect rug for your home.
How to Remove Stains from a Rug
When you have a stain on your area rug or carpet, you want to remove it as soon as possible so the stain doesn't become a permanent part of your home decor. This article explains how to remove stains from a rug with common household products. With this guide, you'll learn how to remove stains from nearly any contemporary rug, oriental rug or carpet
Tips on Buying a Carpet Pad
Protect your rugs from wear with a durable carpet pad. With the right rug pads, you can keep your rugs from slipping and bunching on the floor. Rug pads also prevent flooring from wearing out prematurely. Here's what to look for when you're shopping online for rug pads.
How to Size Your Room For an Area Rug
A rug in the right size can complement the whole room, accent furnishings, bring life to a dull room, or make a subtle statement. However, if it's too big or too small, it may leave the impression of an unfinished or poorly decorated room. Before you start shopping for area rugs, you'll want to size the room. This guide will help you to select the right size rug in any room.
FAQs about Worldstock Area Rugs
An area rug can change the look of a room, and the more unusual and detailed a rug is, the more impact it will have. The Worldstock area rugs from our Worldstock Fair Trade store are created by artisans from across the globe. These rugs are unique and beautiful and come from some of the oldest rug-making traditions in the world. Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about Worldstock rugs.
Area Rug Glossary
Rug descriptions use many terms that are common in the industry but are not necessarily well-known to shoppers. The materials in and descriptions of area rugs can be confusing, especially when shopping online. Below is a glossary of rug terminology and commonly used rug terms to make your online rug shopping experience a little easier.
Area Rug Styles Buying Guide
Whether you have carpet, tile or wood flooring, adding an area rug or two to your home will protect your floors in high-traffic areas from furniture movement and daily use. Rugs are an instant update to the decor of your living room, dining room or bedroom. Area rugs come in many styles, sizes, materials and weaves so you can find the perfect rug, no matter what your style. At Overstock.com, we divide our rugs into seven styles for your convenience. Our styles are casual, contemporary, country, traditional, transitional, novelty and outdoor. If your home is mainly French country, for example , you'll probably be drawn toward traditional or country style and away from contemporary; keep reading for an explanation of area rug styles according to Overstock.com.
How to Care For Carpet and Area Rugs
Proper cleaning and maintenance of your carpet and area rugs can keep them looking like new. When you choose carpeting, take into account how much wear the carpet will receive and how difficult it will be to remove stains. These factors are just as important as color or pattern decisions. Choosing the right carpets and area rugs for your lifestyle can make floor care a simple procedure and ensure that you'll be able to enjoy your new purchase for years to come.
How to Keep Outdoor Area Rugs Looking New
Outdoor rugs generally require little maintenance. They are made to dry quickly, resist fading, and clean easily. To get the most life out of your outdoor area rug, however, it doesn't hurt to do some regular maintenance. Here are some tips on keeping your rug looking like new.
Tips on Buying a Persian Rug
Add classic elegance and rich texture to your home with a Persian rug. These stunning area rugs, which date back to ancient Persia, are traditionally made in Iran, though the designs are often copied and made in other countries, too. Whether you are interested in silk Persian rugs for your dining room or Persian carpets to complement the antique furniture in your living room, these tips will help you to find durable, well-made rugs for your home.
5 Best Area Rug Patterns
Patterned area rugs simultaneously add style to your home and protect your floors from wear, making them a smart choice for any room. Decorating with a printed rug can seem like a big commitment, but there is actually a lot of versatility when it comes to patterned area rugs. If you want to inject style into a dull room, try one of these popular rug patterns.
Best Area Rugs for Christmas
No matter the style and design of your home, an area rug can help add color and texture to any room. When choosing a rug for family or friends this Christmas, there are endless possibilities for patterns, colors, and materials. To help get you started on your search for the perfect rug, here are this year's most popular rug styles.
How to Clean Your Area Rugs
Keeping your area rugs clean will not only keep them looking great, but will also help them last a long time. With the proper care of your area rugs, you'll be able to enjoy their beauty for years to come.
Area Rug Buying Guide
Rugs come in sizes ranging from small welcome mats to room-size area rugs of 13 feet by 17 feet and larger. There are even larger wall-to-wall oversize rugs, measuring 26 feet by 37 feet or larger. If none of the pre-made area rug sizes fit your needs, custom rugs are a possibility; you can have the perfect rug no matter what size and shape you want.
Tips on Buying Cheap Rugs
Rugs are a great way to make your home warmer, softer, and more inviting. If you have a large room or many rooms requiring rugs, the cost may seem prohibitive, but choosing cheap area rugs can make rug buying an affordable option in home decor. Cheap rugs don't have to be unattractive; by choosing the right rugs, you can update your home and keep your decorating budget in check.
Tips on Buying a Sisal Rug
Add exotic texture to your living room or bedroom with a sisal rug that fits your home's decor. Sisal flooring can protect hardwood floors and enhance carpet in entryways and hallways. Stylish sisal mats are also made of natural fibers, making them environmentally friendly. Whether you have concerns about buying the right size or finding a blend that will be comfortable under your feet, this guide will answer your questions about sisal area rugs. Read on for tips on buying a sisal rug for your home.
New Trends for Shag Rugs
Once the dominion of the 70s and 80s, shag rugs are making a powerful comeback. Hordes of trendy, urban adults are furnishing their apartments, flats and homes with new, fashionable shag rugs. While some think shag rugs are outdated, hipsters in the know are more than happy to take advantage of this trend-worthy blast from the past. Don't get left out in the cold, join the shag rug revolution with some of these uber-hip shag rug trends.
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Bakersfield, home of the gods of bad gas
June 1, 2012 § 2 Comments
How many times in your life do you get to compete for a championship? I'm not talking an NFL championship, or an NBA championship, or even an NHPA or an NTL championship. Those last two are National Horseshoe Pitching Association and the National Tiddlywinks League, and no, I don't make this shit up. I make up other shit.
The fact is, you don't often get to scrap for a championship, especially when you're old, gizzardy, brokedown, brokebacked, when you piss too often, crap too seldom, are creaky in the morning and wore out by mid-afternoon. Nope, championships are generally for the young and the restless.
Once a year, though, if you are a bicyclist, you can compete for a state bicycling championship, where you pedal your bicycle as quickly as you can to win a prize. Then, if you win the prize, you can buy an even more special prize, to wit, a poorly made, ill fitting jersey in someone else's size with a bad design that, ugly though it is and fitting as a potato sack though it may be, bears the words "State Champion" and the year of your championship.
This is a prize worth fighting for.
The course of snakes, stinging insects, drunk truckers, and champions
Today is Friday, June 1, 2012. It's two days before the 45+ Elderly Fellows' State Championship Road Race in Bakersfield, California. The race covers three 25-mile loops around a hilly course in the desert that has one moderately long climb and numerous short, punchy climbs designed to sap your legs, drain your fluids, and crush your will to survive. As I write this, a friend has Facebooked the current temp there, a moderately warm 105 degrees.
Although you would think that a desert course like this is destined to be hideously ugly, it isn't. The hills are beautiful, and the desert has the rugged beauty of places where rain is scarce. The visual appeal of the course, however, can only be appreciated in a fast-moving car with the window rolled up and the air conditioner cranked up to "ten."
Once you are pitched out from the cool security of the car like a fledgling forced to make its first flight, distanced from easy reach into the cooler and its mother lode of cold water, cold soda pop, and cold beer, the desert racecourse that has been designed by the Bakersfieldians is not beautiful at all. Its lack of beauty is only partially caused by the fact that the searing heat is so intense that your corneas begin to roast off the surface of the eyeball.
The true source of the course's hideousness is the pounding sense of terror and desperation as you flail and pedal and struggle your way out, praying that you will make it back in. This isn't a sprinter's special, where well oiled, handsome, kitted up Adonises leisurely pedal for 54 minutes and pedal hard for one.
This is a course where the cowering starters start slowly, knowing that most will quit halfway through, and where the group will only pedal faster when some idiot attacks, or accelerates, or behaves like he's in a bike race. The pain and torture of the heat, compounded by stinging flies, bee swarms, and poisonous snakes along the roadway to bite those unlucky enough to collapse from heat prostration make Bakersfield truly a place for others to call home.
The contenders
The field will be half-filled with Big Orange, a smattering of SPY-Blue, and onesy-twosy riders from other teams. Although the bragging rights to the winner are galactic in scope, realistically hardly anyone has a chance of winning. Better to stay home and race another crit than suffer the expense, exhaustion, and humiliation of a beatdown so far from home.
What follows is a list of contenders, beginning with the odds-on favorite.
1. Wankmeister. Let's face it, I'm the favorite here. First off, I grew up in Texas, so 105-degree heat is nothing. Average summer temperatures where I grew up were 140. At night. It's true that I suffered a few issues at Punchbowl and got dropped rather quickly, finishing next to last. It's also true that I got dropped on this same course a couple of months ago, finishing next to last. It's also true that I've never even come close to winning a race in more than twenty years. However, I had Chinese food last night, and after the ER doc pumped my stomach I remembered that my fortune cookie had said this: "Time is a mirror of your desire." So, that's pretty clear. My jersey size is small. Thanks.
Pluses: Blogability. No one out-blogs the Wankmeister in a hilly road race. Plus I've got a cool helmet cam.
Minuses: Kind of lacking in the speed, strength, and endurance department. But I've got a day to come around.
2. DQ Louie: Unless he gets dq'd, which frankly is most of the time, there's no one who can beat him in a hilly road race. Blazing speed. Relentless attacking. Strategic wheelsucking when necessary, full-on TT mode when he's off the front. Always has a vicious kick at the end.
Pluses: Tininess. He's got a drag coefficient of .00000002, which is about the same as a newt or a flea. His power-to-weight ratio is 3 gigawatts per kilo. So you're basically fucked.
Minuses: Cheatyness. The officials love to dq DQ Louie. Why? He's from Nevada, that's why. The races are in California. He's the dude on the freeway doing 80 who gets pulled over when everyone else is doing 100. Sorry, dude. But not really.
3. Roadchamp: He won last year, and he won two years before that, and he had a creditable showing at Vlees Huis even though they'd removed all twelve lower teeth for implant surgery the week before the race.
Pluses: He's so skinny that he has to safety pin his socks to his calves. He's focused. He's all about winning. He hasn't had sex in months, ergo mucho ferocityness.
Minuses: Everyone will be gunning for him; carries around old trophies from previous road victories as a talisman; has been known to crumple in the extreme heat. The pressure of not having won yet this year may be too much.
4. Invincible: He's won this race before, he's got national crit titles to his name, he sprunts, he climbs, he time trails, and he has more wins in the 45+ this year than everyone else combined.
Pluses: Dude always fucking wins. What more of a plus could you want? Best all around tactician in the game. Knows who to work with, how to control a break, how to kick out the shirkers, how and when to pull out all the stops.
Minuses: Sneakiness. He makes DQ Louie look positively forthright. Plus, he'll be isolated in the race. THOG is recovering from a major injury. Glasship got his fill of Bako heat at Vlees Huis and is on sabbatical to the beer capital of Deschutes County. So, he's by himself…yeah, I know. So what?
5. G$: This is one title that's always eluded him, either due to bad luck, or poor luck, or inferior luck, or luck that wasn't quite right, or fuckaluck. That's too bad, because he's one of the top guys in any category, and built to succeed on a course like this. He has specially prepared snake stomping boots that were made just for this race. With a huge B.O. contingent, he will likely let attrition do its nasty work, and only get to stomping dicks in earnest at the end, when they've all gone limp and stretched out from the heat.
Pluses: Time trails. Climbs. Attacks. Makes cool interview videos. Deep and wide team support to control the race or protect a break or send guys up the road. You know he's got to be frothingly hungry for this jersey. He's been tapering on the local rides, and has even cut back to five burgers 'n fries a week. Serious shit.
Minuses: He'll be dogged by Invincible and DQ Louie. If they get up the road with him, he's got slim chance in a sprunt. Also, his team is so strong that Roadchamp, Kalashnikov, Capture the Flagg, Thing Two, Herndy Doo, or Hottie could wind up on the podium.
6. FTR DS Jaeger: The smartest rider in the bunch, always goes with the right move. Conserves when he has to, churns out the watts when it matters, never gets dropped on the hard climbs. Missed the vee at states by the narrowest of margins a couple of years ago, this could be his year.
Pluses: Savvy. Tenacious. Experienced. The best in the peloton at making up with savvy and smarts what he lacks in the legs, which frankly isn't much.
Minuses: Can't sprunt. Small team, and partially weighted by the anchor teammate from hell, a/k/a Wankmeister.
7. Kalashnikov: Super strong, fast, and clearly on form, Kalashnikov has the benefit of his Big Orange teammates to further strengthen his hand. He will likely play the role of agitator, forcing the other teams to waste valuable energy chasing, a strategy that has worked like a charm in the past.
Pluses: As stated above.
Minuses: If he has to go early, the bitterness of the course could spell doom.
8. Your name here. I'm sorry I left you off. You deserved to make the list, as you've got the right stuff, the training miles are there, and it's finally your year. On the other hand, it's almost 8:00 PM on a Friday night and I'm blogging about a stupid bike race for old men out in the fucking desert, for dog's sake. This is enough, even for me.
A 15-minute video is worth an hour of excusifying
May 28, 2012 § 15 Comments
It's hard to explain to people what it's like riding with the leaders up the climb on the Holiday Ride. "Um, it's hard," or "Well, you see I was gassed and then Billy Boozles made a sweep up the right-side gutter while Arnie Aspartame swung off and then…"
Thanks to my new GoPro helmet cam, I got the chance to video the thing and let you see for yourself. Click here to watch the Mandeville Canyon climb all the way to the top with the leaders. Don't tell me that it's "blurry" or "fuzzy" or "dogshit quality video, dude."
It seems that I stuck my finger on the lens cover and smudged it. Still, remind me again, how much did you pay for this? Exactly.
My ride commentary, with video documentation, is below.
#1. The video don't lie
It's amazing how much people lie about what they did during a ride. By the time they get done, they've fabricated a narrative that is so distorted that you wonder if the dude telling you the story was in the same century as you, much less in the same breakaway.
This video quickly punctures some of the biggest whoppers that bubbled up immediately after the climb. G3 complained, after getting caught and dropped, that his teammates had chased him down.
They all denied it. Vehemently. "We wuz riding tempo so you could stay away!" "I'd never chase down a teammate!" "Some dudes from another team reeled you in, dude, I swear!"
G3 was brought back by a well-oiled machine consisting exclusively of his own teammates. I know it won't make you feel any better, Greg, but this is exactly how I feel when you chase me down on the Wheatgrass Ride, or when you chase me down at TELO, or when you drop me going up to the Domes. The only difference is that we're not teammates. On the other hand, I know you'd do it to me even if we were.
Plus, there was no way in hell you were going to solo the canyon vee. Unless, of course, your teammates hadn't chased you down, in which case, well, who knows?
#2. The dude taking the video is a wheelsuck deluxe
Yep. I sat on the whole way. Never took a pull. You'll see Surfer Dan look back a couple of times and invite me to take a turn. You'll see me refuse.
"Wow," you're thinking. "This is the guy who's always telling everyone to take a pull? What a douche."
As I like to say, "If the nozzle fits…"
I was gassed and too afraid of Surfer Dan to do anything other than suck wheel and pray that no one attacked hard enough to drop me, which is what usually happens. That's how it is when you're a wanker.
#3 The dude who won the hill is an even bigger wanker
Yeah. Sitting on your teammate for the entire canyon climb and then blasting by him with totally fresh legs after assisting with the earlier chase, catch, and drop of G3, who is also your teammate? What's up with that?
Answer, and I quote: "That's MY wall."
Those who don't know Tree well will know this much after watching this video: It's all about Strava. He will sit, chill, and torch anyone, teammates included, if it gets him closer to a Strava record. In this case, he didn't get the KOM, but he moved up the leaderboard to fourth. And he got the KOM for something called "Westridge to White Picket Fence." So there's that.
Attacking and dropping your teammate who tows you all the way to the end and being labeled a wanker is a small price to pay for an incremental gain on Strava.
Those of you who think this is just sour grapes because he blasted by me so fast and hard I couldn't have hung on with a tow rope…you're right! Of course, if I have to get my ass handed to me on a plate, Tree's my first choice as server, because even after I called out his wankage he smiled back and said, "Good effort out there, Wanky!" Some people are nice no matter what. Go figure.
#4. Dave Jaeger is a total badass
The dude is 51 years old. Remembers Armistice Day. Helped Caesar cross the Rubicon. Was one of the first users of the new invention, dirt. Nonetheless, he attacks the breakaway. Gets reeled in by Surfer Dan. Attacks again and dusts off the remaining hangers-on. Gets reeled in.
Still finishes with the break for fifth. Tells me after the ride, "You rode smart for once."
Me: "I wasn't riding. I was holding on for dear life."
#5. The real artillery was either home getting oiled or out doing a real race at CBR
Kalashnikov and G$ started the ride, which was about 150 strong, but parted company in Marina del Rey to go and do a real bike race instead of a kit parade w/15-minute hillclimb effort + frappucino at CotKU. Roadchamp was home, resting after a hard weekend of riding and putting the finishing touches on his afterburners for the state road race next weekend in Bakersfield. King Harold, Launch, Vapor, Critchamp, et al. were racing, placing, or winning.
#6. Tink is amazing
Check out the first part of the video where she winds up the pace and keeps the gas on. You can't see the wreckage in the rear because I'm too busy sucking wheel to look back and catch it with my helmet cam, but she's causing mayhem and destruction behind her. She sheared three minutes off her Mandeville PR and finished just after the first chase group. She now holds the QOM for Mandeville and sits 20th on the men's leaderboard. This girl is simply incredible.
#7. The camera makes your butt look fat
It's a 170-degree wide angle, and my nose is pretty much stuffed up your rear end, further magnifying the ginormousness of your hindquarters. Trust me, in real life your derriere is svelte, lean, muscled, and the stuff of magazine covers. It's the fault of the camera that we all look like candidates for a bovine butt porn shoot.
#8. Surfer Dan is a total badass
Yesterday he went up to NorCal and got 8th in the state road race. This morning he turned on the jets going up San Vicente and kicked most of the holidayers out the back. On Mandeville he ramped it up, led the vicious chase to reel in his teammate, chased down Jaeger twice, shrugged his shoulders when Wankmeister cowered in the rear, and drilled it all the way to the top. He was gracious and not in the least bit miffed by Tree's finish line antics or by my wheelsuckage, proving that the really good guys just go do their ride and never bitch about the result, while we wankers run home to our keyboard, uncork and savor a vintage 1876 whine.
Your bike outfit looks like dogshit. Other than that, it's fine.
May 17, 2012 § 13 Comments
Okay, so when people want to know what to wear, Wankmeister isn't on speed dial. I get that. But I do know a thing or two about fashion. Just because I always wear that black t-shirt, ratty jeans, and those Vans with the holes in the back doesn't mean I don't know what's what.
What's What
For example there's a difference between chick fashion and dude fashion. Chick fashion follows "TPO," which means "Take my Panties Off." Dude fashion follows "FOMI," or "Focus On My Income."
In other words, chick fashion is sexy, whereas dude fashion is all about brand recognition and money. Cycling fashion, however, is a unique blend. Tight, slinky, revealing stuff that is also designed to make you remember names and buy shit while hopefully not drawing too much attention that your junk is really tiny. Cycling clothes were gay before gay was the new straight.
Got that? Good.
A brief history of cycling fashion
A long time ago, cycling fashionistas wore wool shorts with real leather pads that scrunched up around your groin and acted as involuntary butt wiping rash inducers. You'd pull off the shorts along with a pound or two of brown crud. Yeccch.
Shorts were black. Shoes were black. Socks were white. Jerseys had a couple of sponsors' names in big letters. Primary colors all the way, except for the occasional gay Italian ice cream sponsor who liked lime green and purple.
And that was pretty much fuckin' it.
Modern cycling fashion
Then someone realized that plastic fabric was better than wool. It tore up easier. It was less comfortable. It didn't breathe at all. And the synthetic chamois was originally a variant of sandpaper. But unlike wool, when you sweated it didn't smell like an old tampon. So it prevailed.
The other thing that happened with cycling fashion is Adobe Illustrator. Every moron with a computer now had a 56-million color palette and the template for a bike outfit. At about the same time, local clubs realized that they could defray some of their beer money by selling ad space on their kits.
Real estate became scarce. Good taste became scarcer. Legit fashion and design skills became extinct. Pro and amateur teams alike wore whatever vomit some junior high school pre-accounting major with a laptop threw together. Design wasn't an afterthought. It was an afterbirth.
Rewarding ugliness
Bicycling magazine recently posted a list of the best cycling kit designs in the Amgen Tour of California. It's a shame that so little thought went into the piece, which could have shed light on some of the mechanisms behind the grotesquely ugly kits that generally blotify the pro and amateur pelotons, not to mention the "ride jerseys" and club outfits that litter our beautiful California landscape.
As a public service announcement, I've decided to review their list and comment on it. If you don't want to read the whole thing, I can sum it up thus: Get Joe Yule and StageOne to design your stuff. It's really that simple.
1. Black proves you can't design
"These lads know how to dress. Black jersey, black shorts, and stealthy black bikes—it's all so punk-rock." Uh, are you fucking kidding me? Black is the ultimate non-test of design. ANYTHING looks good in black. It's the default color for slimming a double-wide butt, for repositioning curves that are in the wrong places, and for lifting saggy belly lumps that belong above the belt line…Black is such an addicting and easy color to design and dress with that once you get used to it, it's hard to wear anything else, kind of like a vampire. But the problem isn't that it's "punk rock," it's psychotically depressing. It's what people wear to funerals. It's the color of religious clothing, judges' robes, executioners' masks, Ozzie Osbourne. Worst of all, it demonstrates zero design skill, because it goes with anything. Black bike. Black helmet. Black jersey. Black tires. Black deep dish rims. An occasional red highlight if you like the police car look, or a yellow one if you fancy bumblebees. Boom. You're done. For cycling, as a design motif black sucks because it's a slow and boring color. That's bad, because for spectators, cycling is already a slow and boring sport. You want excitement on two wheels? Watch a fucking formula motorcycle race or some dirt bike action. Manorexic weenies with spindly arms who are clad head to toe in slow black women's clothing? I'd almost take NASCAR. Almost.
2. If you're even thinking about Orange, you'd better be nicknamed "G$"
"Those orange stripes! So swoopy! Swoopy is good, in case you were wondering. An orange and black pairing often evokes thoughts of Halloween, but on these Optum Orbeas, orange and black mean fast and stylish" Wow. Someone really wrote that, someone who supposedly wasn't smoking a crack pipe. Her name is Jen See. Jen, the orange stripes aren't "swoopy, swoopy." They're buttlicking ugly, especially with the lightened orange squares and slashes blended in with the regular orange. The other problem with this nasty looking kit is that you can hardly read the sponsors' names even in a still photo. Are we really supposed to tell what this says at 35mph? Which brings us to the "money and brand" part of the design package. On a pro bike kit, you sure as shit better be able to read the sponsors' names. And what brand of LSD was it that suggested the black/white/orange combo would look good with…green lettering…yellow shoes…bright red bottle? Kill the mutant now, doctor, before it spreads.
3. Everything looks good on a winner, right? Wrong.
"Does it matter what color a four-time Paris-Roubaix winner wears? The sea-foam and white jerseys are paired with black shorts—never a bad choice." Actually, Jen, sea-foam is always a bad choice, unless you're in a Jello marketing focus group or unless you happen to actually be an ocean. This color is so fucking ugly that it wasn't even popular during the 70's disco boom. The idea that winning makes everything pretty is doubtlessly true if your objective is to give Tornado Tom a fangirl fucking, but all the pave trophies piled up in a heap don't make sea-foam green anything other than fugly. The epaulettes, arguably the most valuable real estate on the kit, have a tiny-ish red "S" for Specialized and a completely illegible scrawl for "innergetic," along with some squiggly shit on the world champion sleeve striping. Poisonest of all, the sea-foam is really similar to the Astana "Blood Doping Blue" made famous by Vino, Tainted Meat, and a whole host of crooked drug cheats. When all you've got is a nasty coke habit like Tom, you don't want to wear colors associated with dopers.
4. Garmacuda was styling when Jen See was still calling pale orange "swoopy"
"But with this year's kit, the Garmin-Barracuda boys have hopped on the style train." Jen has dealt out a true left-handed compliment, but at least she gets that the Garmacuda kit designed by Joe Yule is badass. In fact, Garmacuda has been on the "style train" from its inception. The last two years in particular have seen forceful, noticeable color combinations that do an extraordinary job of highlighting sponsors' names and looking fantastic. This is shit you'd wear to a job interview. To a first date with a rich girl. To your fucking wedding. And it's not "swoopy." It's "leg rip-offy," Jen.
5. Your kit is boring and blah, but I love your Pinarello.
"How did Bissell get on the most stylish list? Two words, my friends: Pinarello and Campagnolo." At first I thought, "Shit, this girl is funny." Then I realized she was serious. Yep. Your kit is stylish because of your bike frame and your Campy gruppo. So, like, you could just ride naked. Jen, honey, your LinkedIn profile says you fucking went to Claremont College, Georgetown University, UCSB, you have a Ph.D., you speak French, Italian, German, Spanish, and Dutch…and your critical analysis calls the Bissell kit stylish because of the BIKE FRAME? Our country is so fucking doomed it's not even funny. Note to the computer programmer who designed the Bissell kit: That red and white swooshy thing on the ass that looks like a tuning fork or a toothless barracuda's jaws…drop me a line when you finally figure out what the fuck it's supposed to be. Thanks.
6. Just because it's a color doesn't mean it looks good
"Quite simply, this team oozes style from head to toe…Liquigas is all about color, lime green to be exact. The color isn't for everyone, but the men of Liquigas totally own it." No, Jen. The men of Liquigas don't "own it." They are contractually obligated to wear it. There's a difference. You are sort of right when you say lime green isn't for everyone, but to get it exactly right you should probably say "lime green isn't for anyone." For starters, it's a total JOC, or "junk outline color" as we say in the trade. This means that it totally highlights each dip and curve of your package. For bike racers, who are scrawny little fellows with scrawny little toolboxes, that's bad. Lime green doesn't go with anything, but it especially doesn't go with blue. Now I know what you'd say, Jen: "Does it matter what a four-consecutive-stage winner of the ATOC wears?" And again, we'd say, uh, yeah, it matters. Like, it really matters. And if you don't believe me, try googling images for something called "Mapei."
And when you get around to looking at the rest of the peloton, check out Spider-Tech. Shoulda been number two, after Garmacuda. Ciao, baby.
Tuesday's NPR round-up: Cheaters never win, but they sure have FUN!!!
May 8, 2012 § Leave a comment
I don't know who coined the phrase, "Cheaters never win." It was obviously someone who was never elected to office, never practiced law, never worked in banking, never submitted reimbursement requests to MediCare, never was married, or never won the TdF.
To make it strictly accurate, the phrase should be re-worked to say, "Cheaters didn't win on the NPR today."
We had a huge group at the Pier including the usual suspects: G$, Mighty Mouse, New Girl, Bull, Heeleys Dad & Jr., USC John, Fireman, Suze, Cary, Scott Apartmentsyndicate, Gooseman, Chris D., Kramer, Wolfeman, Lisa C., and guest appearances by Roadchamp, DJ, Damien "The Omen," and on and on and on. And on.
Everyone began yelling "Bike path!!" on roll-out, so we stomped up the hill instead and took the Alleyway of Death just to be contrarian. The usual barely-caffeinated drivers backing out of their garages, runners stepping off curbs, huge potholes, and blind roadway entrances kept things lively until we hit Vista del Mar. As the nice 2×2 formation gradually ratcheted up the pace, G$ rolled to the fore and ordered that the pace be cut so that people could catch back on.
I hung my head, scolded, and retreated towards the back. It was a big-ass group.
It's a new sport called Dodgecar
The mechanics of the NPR are kind of funny, because in addition to picking up people along Vista del Mar, once we bend right to go up Pershing there's always a big group of 20-40 people camped out in the parking lot waiting for us to come by. They are stopped. In a parking lot. Unclipped. Around a blind corner. At the bottom of a hill.
We are single file. Coming down a long, fast grade. Through a green light. At about 30.
If we hit the red light, it gives the campers a chance to adjust their maxi-pads, apply the final coat of lip gloss, clip in, and then get started up the hill so that when our light turns green they can meld with the group. If we hit the green light, there is pandemonium worthy of a soccer match between pre-schoolers. Leaping on bikes, flailing cleats clicking into chains instead of pedals, curses, shouts, wobbly starts in the wrong gear, swerving bikes at 5 mph veering out of the parking lot into the middle of the 30 mph swarm…in short, it's the kind of early morning clusterfuck that makes you glad you're on your bike, and makes you determined to be the clusterfucker rather than the clusterfuckee.
This morning, having been relegated by G$, I nosed towards the fore as we approached the light. Red. Just before I touched the brakes…hallelujah!!…GREEN! I mashed it hard as a lumbering SUV in front of me turned on its right-hand blinker. So far so good, but there was nowhere for it to turn, except into the parking lot of campers, who were now wildly flailing to exit and hook onto the tail of the missile.
I easily cruised around the car, but it scrubbed off the 60 or so riders behind me except for Roadchamp and Bull.
Vapor, rolling out of the parking lot at a standstill, was none too pleased. "Hey, wankers! Be careful! And quit attacking while we're stopped!"
Don't piss off the dude who rides tempo at 32
By the time I got to the top of the small hill, I'd been joined by Roadchamp, Bull, Seanergy, and Suze. The Sho-Air dude from a couple of weeks ago was parked on the side of the road, glumly eyeing us as he changed a flat. We pounded on.
At the overpass, the pack was in another county. Roadchamp and Bull were taking gnarly pulls from hell. Seanergy was working. I was wondering how they had spotted my testicles lying in the road while we were going so fast, yet still managed to stop, pick them up, and them stuff them down my throat. Which made breathing hard.
When we hit the Parkway, Sho-Air Shawshank redeemed himself, and then some. He began pulling so hard that our tiny group could barely rotate around him, much less match his speed. Shawshank now had the bit between his teeth, and we had a breakaway. As with other completely futile fantasies grounded in an unfirm grasp of reality, we thought it might stick. No break has ever stuck from the beginning of the NPR.
Come on baby, light my fire
Meanwhile, back in the pack, Vapor was pissed. We'd blitzed him by surprise (though in my own very, very weak defense I always mash it up Pershing) and now we had a huge gap with some horsepower. Vapor began taking pulls that were so fast and sick that Fireman reported entire lungs being coughed up from those unlucky enough to be on his wheel. If you've ever done Tim Roach's Hour of Power at the velodrome and had Vapor show up, you'll know what this was like. The dude can go harder and faster and longer than anything without an internal combustion engine. And when he decides to pour on the coal, the combustion is what happens behind him.
Fortunately, our little cadre of cheaters was soon joined by other cheating wankers. Tree Perkins, who'd been out toodling around, hopped into our group and took a couple of pulls. Adam Tattooed Leg Dude got overhauled, hopped in, and helped out for a lap. Big fat Equipe wanker out for a Parkway pedal joined our team and almost sort of halfway kind of thought about maybe taking a pull before he quit.
And the entire way Roadchamp, Bull, Shawshank, and Seanergy were flogging the big meat harder than a teenage boy on his first visit to pornhub.com.
All good things must end. Bad things, too.
Just before the light at the beginning of the third lap, we all came together, ridden down by the efforts of Vapor and sub-efforts by some of his lieutenants, including G3, Austin Heeley, USC John, and G$. "Cheaters never win!" he yelled.
A spirited discussion between him and Roadchamp ensued. As the cheater-in-chief, I thought it best to keep rolling lest the donkey tail get pinned on me, where it mostly belonged. I glanced around and people looked destroyed. At that moment Mighty Mouse roared to the fore, and I could tell that she'd worn her very best dick-stomping boots to the party. Whatever sausages hadn't been speared and roasted, she proceeded to stomp to a fare the well.
The end was predictable. I made one last flailaway attempt that never even gained separation. The group was shot to shit, and hardly anyone had any gas at all in the finale, except for Vapor and Motorhead. Motorhead took the sprint with what looked like a nice lead-out from Vapor. I was so far back that the only way I got the results was from smoke signals.
Moral #1: Don't piss off Vapor with a sneaky, cheapass move and expect to stay away.
Moral #2: If you're hoping we'll start easy at the bottom of Pershing, you might be disappointed.
Moral #3: That taste of puke in your mouth at 7:30 AM? Well, it beats sitting in traffic.
The taste of bitter, Devil's Punchbowl 2012, Part 4
May 1, 2012 § 4 Comments
Meanwhile, back at the race…
Steelhead had died 999 deaths in the suicide breakaway, but not 1,000 deaths because he'd already died once two years ago at Boulevard when he rode up to G$ and said, "Hey, dude, I finally made it over the first climb with you!" then hit a rock, splatted on his head and would have bled out except that STEEL DON'T BLEED.
After getting kicked out of the break, Steelhead took a breather, and with no teammates in the break drilled his brains out to bring back the two leaders, who came into sight just about the time that Steelhead threwsa rod, seized up, and was forced to put in an order for an all-new engine from Jessup Chevrolet. However, he also had to pay the extra $582.22 towage fee, as his carcass was dragged around the rest of the course in a more or less completely broken down state.
Purple Parks and Axena were finally brought back on the last climb up the big hill, and the tired remnants of the lead group slowly trimmed itself down to six. The heads of the snake were G$, DQ Louie, Jack Benny, Purple Parks, Ignoble, and Axena. Axena made a final attack with another rider in a one last bid for glory, getting a small lead on the rest of the lead group.
You're my friend and I respect you that's why I completely lied and stabbed you in the nuts
With Ignoble gassing it through the sandy, off-camber turn of death, the group chased up to Axena and his fellow traveler. G$ countered, gapping the group and taking DQ Louie with him. That's when the hijinks began.
G$: "Pull through, bro. I need help."
DQ Louie: "I'm done, man."
G$: [to himself] "Done? That must mean he's going to be content with second and give me the win. He's an honest rider and would never trick me. Plus, he's probably forgotten about UCLA."
DQ: [to himself] "Does that sorry cocksucker think I've forgotten about UCLA and the way I hooked Axena, Big Orange protested, I got relegated, and Glass Hip was given the win? Fuck him."
G$: [to himself] "Yeah, we've raced together for years. He's a class act. Not like a lot of these other douchebaguettes who will lie and cheat and fake it and then whack you at the line."
DQ: [to himself] "I can't believe it. G$ is going to tow me to the line! What a sucker! I'm so gonna whack his ass at the line."
G$: [to himself] "If it was anybody else, there's no way I'd tow them to the line. Especially not a good field sprunter like DQ. But he said he was done, and he's no liar. Okay, legs, uncork!"
With a mile to go, G$ switched into glide. The leaders were left to choke out their death rattle on his fumes. And then, as the line approached, DQ Louie hit the jets and took the win.
G$ couldn't believe it at first. Then, little by little, he began to taste it. Devil's Pukebowl. Hopes dashed. The taste of bitter.
Post-race interviews
After the dramatic stab-from-behind victory of DQ Louie in the 45+, Wankmeister patrolled the crowd and spoke with various participants. Their comments are below.
WM: How was the race?
Roxy [Bike Palace]: It went well. But it was hard. Really hard. I think I almost broke my hoo-ha.
WM: How was the race?
Mighty Mouse [Unattached]: It sucked.
WM: Why?
Mighty Mouse: This highly experienced racer dude who's been coaching me and is a Pukebowl veteran gave me the wrong starting time, so I missed my race.
WM: And who is this highly experienced dude?
MM: Do you know G$?
WM: You were depending on G$ to get you to the race on time?
MM: Yeah. Why?
WM: Bwah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!
WM: How was the race?
Tink [Big Orange]: It went great! Thanks, Wanky! I followed your advice!
WM [nervously]: Uh, what advice?
Tink: Where you told me to suck wheel and never work in the break! They kept prodding me to go to the front, but I refused, and then finally I only took weak, slug-like, ineffective 10-second pulls! It was awesome! I got third!
WM: Uh, there's a group of chicks coming our way with clubs and a pitchfork. Why don't you crawl under my car for a few minutes?
WM: So, when does your 40+ race go off?
Fireman [warming up on trainer]: Ten minutes.
WM: Are you ready?
Fireman: Yeah. You got any food?
WM: Uh, sure. Here's part of a half-eaten BonkBreaker from my last race.
Fireman: Fuck. Thanks, dude. I'll take it.
WM: Good luck.
Fireman: Hey, could you do me a favor?
WM: Sure.
Fireman: Give me your rear tire, wouldja? Mine has a blister on the sidewall and is about to pop.
WM: My rear tire?
Fireman: Yeah. I'll put your good tire on my wheel, and this fucked up one on yours.
WM: This bad one that's about to pop?
Fireman: Yeah. Is that a problem?
WM: Uh, I guess not.
…after Fireman's race, via text message…
Fireman: Fuck, dude. That was a 48-mile time trail.
WM: How'd the tire hold out?
Fireman: It was too heavy. That's why I got dropped.
WM: Oh. Sorry. At least you didn't flat.
Fireman: Yeah, a flat would have been great.
WM: How was the race?
G3 [Big Orange Cat 3, not to be confused with G$]: Fucking sucked. My tactics sucked.
WM: How so?
G3: Typical negative Cat 3 bullshit. I fucking hate racing with the 3's. What a bunch of wankers.
WM: Why don't you race 45+?
G3: Uh, no.
The Hand of God, Part 4: Capture the Flagg
April 25, 2012 § 9 Comments
Incredibly, Wankmeister's legs were golden this epic day at Vlees Huis Ronde as he pedaled madly in his Spy Blue team kit through the anus of the Central Valley. Perhaps it was the blinding heat mixed with the nasty particulates and suffocating ozone that make Bakersfield's air the most polluted in North America, a combination of stench, pain, and discomfort that can really only be approximated by growing up in Texas or living near Amarillo, boxes that Wankmeister has ticked off his gut-bucket list with the fattest Sharpie out there.
Perhaps it was Wanky's new "Grind Over And Thrust" climbing technique which he has begun using to compensate for the VO2 maxiness of his betters.
Perhaps it was Wankmeister's decision to go off-grid and just begin following the advice of his coach, Captaintbag, who, after telling Wankmeister that he should give up racing, also told him that if he insists, then JUST GO HARD.
Most perhaps of all, though, it was likely the visages of misery, suffering, despair, and disbelief mixed with the expressions of failure, humiliation, and defeat that were scrawled across the faces of everyone remaining in the lead group. Wankmeister had never lasted so far forward into a hard California road race. Here he was, surrounded by the most recidivist of the forcats de la route, and they looked like shit.
Golden legs. Brutal course. Smothering heat. Everyone else all fucked up. If the legs held, with a smattering of strategy Wankmeister could be a factor in the finish. If not, smoking all this crack sure had been fun.
We will show you mercy. Then after you look at it we will put it back in the box and kill you.
As the leaders sped up the first big climb on the second lap, Flagg of No Quarter attacked and gapped the field. Knowing that my legs couldn't possibly hold out for a 20-mile breakaway, and that cleverness mandated conservation, I chose suicide by surging from the group and bridging the gap. We worked mightily together, with Flagg taking huge, mile-long pulls up the climb, and me taking brief, four-second pulls on the descents until the field was out of sight and a distant memory.
As Flagg of No Quarter upped the pace, I muttered, "Urgh," or perhaps it was "Gurgle." Whatever the sound your vocal cords make when your throat has been slit and the blood mixes with the final exhalation of air…that's the sound I made. Flagg looked at me as I took my final, puny pull. "No worries," he said. "You did your best."
Then Flagg of No Quarter did his best, and vanished up the climb.
The Hand of God smites the unworthy
The field, which had once been a distant memory, now became a visible, living, breathing, fast approaching mob of the undead, with the Hand of God leading the chase. Ten thousand hundred million billion years old, white-haired, bent from the weight of the universe, bedecked in the 456 million-colored sleeve stripes on his champion of the universe jersey, THOG pushed, then pulled, then thrust the group forward until, after my ten mile breakaway attempt, I was swallowed up.
A series of droppage and catchage ensued, where I came off on the climbs and chased back on the downhills, usually with the help of Darling Todd. As we made our second and final ascent up Leibert's Corner, the Hand of God looked back and saw the cluster of unworthy dingleberry sinners still entwined in the hairs on his rear.
THOG took out his giant Paddle of Doom and carefully inspected it for giant, rusty nails protruding from the end. Finding none, he reached into his jersey pocket and inserted several of the largest and rustiest. Then, with one mighty swat of the Paddle of Doom, THOG smacked the living shit out of the dingleberries who had, 'til then, tenaciously clung to his ass.
We were pounded loose with that one whack. The fire in my stove had gone completely out, and try as I might I couldn't even reignite the pilot light. The other dingleberries rolled slowly up the road, dislodged from the leaders, while THOG led the remnants back onto the main road, capturing the Flagg, and bringing everyone back together.
In a matter of two miles I was 3:30 down.
The Hand of God meets the steel-toed boot of Satan
With four miles to go, G$ launched an attack into the headwind. None could follow save THOG and DJ. As the large gap filled with even more real estate, some sprunter dude gave the mother of all efforts and bridged. Just as he latched on, he took a second to catch his breath. In that second, G$ unleashed a mighty kick from the steel-toed boot of Satan.
Sprunterdude panicked and threw a chain, with G$ now hitting the bottom of the 1k climb to the finish. THOG waited for DJ to bridge, apparently unaware that the only time DJ bridges is when there are three other players at the card table and it's his bid.
THOG unleashed the thunderbolt of doom, but too late to fend off the blow to the skull by the pointy, steel-toed boot of the devil. In a reverse of the 2011 finish, it was the devil first, the Hand of God second.
I dribbled in four hours or so later to secure 19th place, the exact same result from 2010. What a difference two years of training, a $15,000 bike, and experience make!
Back at the Suburban, Roadchamp was stitching his gums together with some baling wire, wondering why, after a 12-hour surgical procedure and losing two pints of blood, he'd not had the legs to go with the leaders. "Must have been the heat," he concluded, carefully draping a towel around the meat cleaver trophy in the hopes that no one would notice.
King Harold came in later that night and immediately called his girlfriend to sob about the heat, the misery, the thirst, the hills, and most of all the massive cramps that soon engulfed him. We changed his didey, gave him a Wankmeister pacifier made out of granite and barbed wire, and headed home.
No one told any stories of epic danger, death, and courage in the face of utter destruction, however. We'd all just lived through one.
The Hand of God, Part 1: What day is today?
April 22, 2012 § 1 Comment
Words can't describe the brutality of the 2012 Vlees Huis Ronde, held in Bakersfield. Oh, wait a minute. Yes, they can.
It started off the way that bike races this time of year always start off. "Hey, honey, I'm racing in Bakersfield tomorrow. Want to come and hand me up water in the feed zone?"
"Bakersfield? Is that the really hot ugly place with no shade?"
"I don't know if I'd call it 'ugly.'"
"I would. It's that sandblown, windswept, terribly hot place with bad air and oil derricks everywhere. I hate that place. Aren't the races there really long and, like, the bikes only come by once every hour or something?"
"Oh, honey, it's not that bad. I mean, yes, you're right, but for Vlees Huis we actually come by once every hour and a half or so."
"Well, I hate that place and it stinks and the dry dirty air hurts my throat and it's bitterly hot and I hate it and there's trash everywhere and every third person is driving a pickup or has meth mouth. If Maggie hadn't been there with me that time I would have killed myself."
"Okay, aside from all that, is there like a REASON you won't go. I really need water in the feed zone. They say it's going to be in the high 90's."
"Since you ask, yes, there is a REASON I don't want to go."
"What's that?"
"Tomorrow's my birthday."
[Tune in tomorrow for "Wanky Dodges a Marital Dissolution"]


text:
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Originally published 03/20/2013
The Iraq War: Learning Lessons, Ignoring History
Front page of March 20, 2013 edition of the New York Times.Talk about a gap between serious academic history and the policy community. The New York Times, which has made a big deal of the tenth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, offers a stunning case in point. At least five different items in the paper for Wednesday, March 20, seek some perspective from "authorities" heavy tilted toward policy specialists and former Bush administration officials. There is nary a historian of any sort to be seen.
- Joan Baez, Sly Stone, Steve Martin, Ben E. King -- all honored by the Library of Congress
- StoryCorps to Launch Global Expansion With $1M TED Prize
- Hofstra Event Looks at Bush Presidency
- Did Israel steal uranium from a town in Pennsylvania in the 1960s?
- Sequel to Nelson Mandela's Long Walk to Freedom to be published next year
- OAH denounces anti-gay legislation signed by Indiana governor
- Emory's Leslie Harris says we should remember the racist roots of American colleges as we think about what went wrong at OU and other schools
- Stanford historian looks to the U.S. Postal Service to map the boom and bust of 19th-century American West
- U.S. historian denounces Japanese scholars' statement over wartime sexual slavery
- Timothy V Johnson Named Head of Tamiment Library


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Watch This Dog do Yoga Better Than She Does! [VIDEO]
I have several friends and co-workers who love yoga. Never been there myself. Might possibly die. But whether you do or don't...this is how a dog shows some fast flexibility!
I have several friends and co-workers who love yoga. Never been there myself. Might possibly die. But whether you do or don't...this is how a dog shows some fast flexibility!
More than 30 breweries – mostly from the Pacific Northwest -- are scheduled to attend the 19th annual Untapped Blues & Brews Festival May 8-9 at the Benton-Franklin Fairgrounds in Kennewick.
When was the last time you logged onto the WA State Licensing web page? Apparently, it's tops, literally.
I have some very unique -- and recognizable -- glass doors that used to be in the changing rooms at Oasis Water Works. I know they'll go for a great price to the right buyer, but how do I find that buyer? I recently tried "Tri-Cities Deal or No Deal." Anyone have a favorite "garage sale" group?
When I was visiting Utah last week, I went on lots of hikes! Most of the snow had melted but there was some up a ways. I thought it was so cute how my sister's dog, would cool herself in the snow as we went along! Pretty cute!
Well, I have hit that age, where it's recommended I get a Colonoscopy every 5-10 years. I've had one before and all was fine. But, it's time.
I have a guy friend that I met a few months ago that told me he was trying to get a 100 mile race under his belt. He's 57 years old and in fantastic shape! He has entered a few 50 mile runs and is aspiring to make the 100!
At first I thought this is totally INSANE! Who does that??? Then I find out that plenty of people are actively running LONG runs like that!
Just a quick note to the guys out there....SHE IS ALWAYS RIGHT AND ALWAYS WILL BE! Because what's up with all the CHARMS in Lucky Charms cereal these days? There were only 5 back in the day, right?? Look how many now!
Well, my wife and I had a discussion about how many 'charms' there used to be
102.7 KORD is excited to welcome Tim McGraw, the Shotgun Rider Tour 2015 to the Spokane Arena on September 3, 2015!
Last week, I decided to take my dog 'Crystal' and head out on a road trip to Utah!
This is spectacular. This cave is Roughly 600 feet high, 450 feet wide, and 3 miles long, and it has a river and a rainforest. All the vegetation is possible because of two giant holes in the ceiling that let light in
The father and daughter that created this video apparently used over $100,000 in Legos to create this video...who knows how long it took to create and edit. Either way, I think they did a great job and they hit the movie spot on. Check it out: