text:
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Something's got to give?
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Miss T, by Set 3
Our English Teacher.
George Clooney-admirer
Yummy food-cooker
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Ratmaninov! And a Freudian slip!
In the course of the meal, as these things often go, my colleague A announced she had a quiz for us all. In this case, a quiz with a Freudian bent.
First, we had to choose our favourite bird and explain why. I chose a robin, because they are cheerful.
Secondly, we had to choose an animal....I went for a hedgehog, because they are odd and funny.
Lastly, we had to choose the one drink we'd choose to drink if we could only drink one beverage for the rest of our lives. I chose water because (and I quote) "It's refershing, and I'm always in the mood for it."
Turns out the bird is how you see yourself. The animal is how you think others perceive you. And the drink? Well, apparently that's how you feel about sex. Hahahaha. Well, it made me laugh!
Have a great weekend, lovely people. I'm really thirsty now ~ what does that mean?
Friday, February 23, 2007
The smell and feel of fresh sheets, put on your bed earlier and now just that little bit starchy and freshly laundered.
The lurch in your tummy when a boy you like (or liked) does some little thing that shows he noticed you.
Being noticed.
The smell of the ground after it rains.
The sound of children laughing, the way it bubbles up and bubbles around, like a brook high up in the mountains.
The colours you see in an early sunset or a late sunrise, oranges and blood reds and purples and blues, like God's gone mad with his crayolas.
A crisp breeze that whips your hair and wakes you up.
A friendly bark.
The sensation of safety and love you get from being exactly where you're meant to be at this time.
Cosy scarves on cold days.
A nice cup of tea and a book, and a cosy old chair, after a long and arduous workday. The green of the trees preparing for spring and the yellows and whites and purples of the flowers just peeking through.
Fresh satsumas, easy to peel and delicious.
Eleven o'clock skies, dark dark blue, shot through with a hundred thousand million stars.
Cookies still warm from the oven with big chocolate chunks that melt on your tongue. A good hug from a little person or, equally brilliantly, from a friend.
A stack of letters waiting for you, or an email out of the blue.
Naps, dreams, and the hope of what's to come.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Back in the saddle again....
Totally slept in this morning, although my inner teen is still horrified that I would consider waking at 6.40 sleeping in! Hey, they published yet another study on Monday about the benefits of sleep - I'm just being healthy :-). I wish someone would tell my boss though!
The George Clooney bonanza continues here - our lovely cleaners at school left me a note on my whiteboard telling me how much they appreciated having the eye candy (photos and calendars agogo) in my classroom over break! And Tian (oh, you guys would love Tian. He is so naughty, but you just can't dislike him, he's a wee poppet) came bounding into school Monday, all "Miss Thornley, Miss Thornley! I found something in a book for you!"....A little background, my little ones are always finding stuff in books for me - river facts, Bible stories, poems, pictures of Scotland, photographs of squirrels....you name it. But what had Tian found....yep, an encyclopedia entry about....George Clooney!
Heh. These kids can always make me smile, I'll give them that.
Right, I have to dash - I have to go fix some rat tails, clean my makeup palette and doublecheck a dance routine. It's all so dramatic here at the moment, dahlings....
Monday, February 19, 2007
New hair....
PS Please excuse the geektacular PJs in the second pic....the penguins are quite the comfort wear!
Saturday, February 17, 2007
A veritable feast of good things....
In honour of half-term (or, as I like to refer to it, an opportunity to rest, bake, and do that pesky research for my professional development file….mmmm, levelling), which is almost done (*sniff*) here's an alphabets worth of fabulosity (including far too many guilty pleasures, I'll warn ya!). I started this and came back to it, so apologies for any random mood or tense changes!:
A is for adverts. No, not those adverts that really, really annoy you (you know, he ones that tell you they can get you out of debt, or that your hair is what's holding you back, or Barry "Who?" Scott with his ridiculous Cillit Bang shouting). But the other ones – I think my current fave is actually the Clearblue one. "The greatest piece of technology you'll ever pee on." Genius. I also find the ad for 'Hoodwinked' far too amusing – it's the tortoises trying to run that does it.
B is for books. I am currently getting back into reading in a big way (I think ignoring Tolstoy is helping…). Last week I read 'The Three Day Rule', 'I Hate Other Peoples Kids' and 'March Hares and Monkeys Uncles', and now I've just started 'A Million Little Pieces' (yeah, I know it's semi-faked, but it's amazingly well written). It's so nice to be reading for fun again.
C is for cooking. I love to cook and I don't always get the time. If you come visit me I'll cook you something nice though. I'm most definitely a cook rather than a chef – my specialities are barbeque chicken, spaghetti bolognese and roast vegetable lasagne – fancy doesn't really come into it. I make good cupcakes though!
D is for dancing. Another thing I love to do. I can't wait till I next live in a city or a town, I really want to take lessons. For now it's getting in, kicking off the heels, cranking up some cheese and throwing some shapes. Good, clean fun.
E is for emigration (potential). It's something I'm looking into.
F is for fresh air. For the last few days I've had the time to go out romping in the fresh air each afternoon, and it's reminded me what a bumpkin I am, how much I enjoy being out-of-doors. Yesterday I must have walked about 6 miles, listening to my MP3 player, looking at all the snowdrops peeping through in Whiteley's wood, playing pooh-sticks in the stream. Lovely.
G is for (being a) grown up (allegedly). Not always good, but a blessing nonetheless. Remind me of this when a bill comes in!
H is for holiday (plans). I am (hopefully) heading to Canada in either August or October (EEEEEEE!). Both Scott and Bee have contributed couches to the cause (thanks, guys!) and I am getting pretty darn excited!
I is for ice cream. I haven't had any in a while. But I really want some now…. Why do ice cream cravings always hit at five to ten, just as the shops close?
J is for jam. I have needed to buy some for three weeks. And yet every time I go to Tescos I forget. It's still yummy though!
K is for kids TV. Much of it I detest…but I'm sort of developing a soft spot for Hi-5.
L is for London. I remember when I was at RAAS, London was an escape, a glamorous place where friends lived, a daytrip at half term. Then I moved back up to Forres and it was a world away, this much hyped place where you went for a holiday to catch a show or a gig or the enormous Topshop. Now it's an hour away on the train, and contains some of my favourite people. I love getting down there – next ETA, late March.
M is for Myspace. And other sites like it. I love being able to be in contact with some many of my friends, and given the isolationist nature of my job (I have friends here, but most of my uni and school friends are at least an hour away, if not a country or a continent removed!) I love having a quick and easy way to keep up ith folk. I like knowing how babies, bands and the whole shebang is going with my gorgeous friends.
N is for nice. And dealing with the fact that I am nice. I'm kind and forgiving and warm. I'm just never going to cut it as mysterious or glamorous and exotic I guess…. And that's OK.
O is for oranges. With Lent looming I am getting back into the healthkick once more. Cue lots and lots and lots of fruit and veg. Yum!
P is for pampering. On a budget! Later today I'm going to dye my hair…photos or a post of rage to follow J.
Q is for quiet. A major part of my life now, and a new thing for me. Years of siblings and boarding school and halls and flatmates, and now I live alone in the country. When I first got here the quiet kind of freaked me out, but now I like it…and I can isolate the little noises of the world around me – the breeze, the birdsong, the occasional scamper of a rabbit or a fox or a deer. Or perhaps a zombie!
R is for red wine. Alcohol is out for Lent (rerun!), so I've made sure to have a few glasses this week.
S is for snow, and snow days. Now it's positively springlike here, but the snows of last week were fabulous. If there's something more fun than refereeing a snowball fight between half a dozen wee ones, then coming in for hot chocolate and shortbread, I don't think I've discovered it yet.
T is for Tilly and the Wall. I am just in love with this band at the moment. Their second album is just amazing and I'm going to see them live in two weeks – YES!!!!
U is for Ugly Betty. Loads of the shows I like (House, Doctor Who, Grey's Anatomy, Buzzcocks) are on hiatus right now, and 'Ugly Betty' is one of the new shows I'm enjoying. It's just really cute and funny, and funny comedy is always an awesome thing.
V is for verisimilitude. OK, so I was struggling for a V thing to extol. This was my favourite word during freshman Film Studies….to give the appearance of being real or true.
W is for work. I like my job. Yes, it feels like a posting sometimes (halfway there!), but the actual job I do enjoy. All that stuff they put in the teaching ads holds true for me – it is inspiring, and I do have to be creative, and no two days are alike, and there are all sorts of perks. As I'm currently writing yet more reports, that's hard to focus on at all times, but I do love teaching.
X is for Xzibit. Oh man, how I love "X to the Z". My fave 'Pimp My Ride' quote of recent eps has to be when he asked some guy "Are you Rick Astley?". The man is a genius.
Y is for Youtube. It's my crack, as many of you know. I could happily spend hours on there (which is why it's probably best I don't have internet at home right now). I'm especially loving some of the video blogs on there at the moment (check out those posted by stuartmoffatDOTcom if you want to sample some genuine Scots banter!).
Z is for Zzzzzzzz. Did I mention I love to sleep?
Night all!
Thursday, February 15, 2007
I loooove halfterm.
It's almost over, but this break has been awesome so far :-). I hope you all have time for a similar break from the norm in the not too distant.
Love, as always,
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Stupidity: A Definition
Guess who just schlepped all the way into town from home, where she was cosily entrenched with a good book, some new CDs and chocolate, across the fields and hills to school to pick up her moped....and left her bike keys in her other purse?
I swear, sometimes accesorising can be such a pain in the ass.
Good day, everyone!
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Girls, girls, girls....
50 girly questions...
(Thanks, Erin!)
• Do you straighten your hair everyday?
I go through phases, because I'm not anti-curly. At the moment I am straightening every day though, I think it makes my hair look better at the current time.
• Do you worry about the size of your boobs?
Not so much worry as get annoyed by – buying shirts or blouses is a royal pain, and any sort of running is a nightmare (yeah, coaching rounders next term is gonna be a blast!)
• What's your favorite girly magazine?:
I try not to buy too many, but when I indulge (long journeys, lazy weekends etc.) it's usually 'Hello', 'Elle' or 'Marie Claire'. I also try to get the Hollywood and music editions of 'Vanity Fair' each year too. At Emma's the other day I read 'Cosmopolitan' – much better than I remembered. I was a magazine addict as a teen!
• Would you kill for chocolate?
What kind of chocolate? Lol. I have to say this one depends entirely on my mood, my location, my stress levels and (sad but true) the time of the month!
• Jeans or skirts?
Love my jeans, but most days find me skirt clad. This sort of crept up on me.
• Do you wear clothes/shoes/jewelry that are uncomfortable?
Not too often, but sometimes. Certain occasions call for killer heels or a particularly binding dress!
• Did you ever spend all day/night getting pretty for a guy?
Um…no? *crosses fingers* Haha, I'm of the school that thinks the getting ready can be half the fun. There's something to be said for having a nice bath or shower, then having a glass of wine and popping on some tunes, then hitting the hair and makeup. Sigh. It's been a while.
• Do you ever cry during a romantic movie?:
All the time. I am a total wuss. I'm off to see the cheesefest that is 'Music and Lyrics' in a couple of hours and I'll probably even cry at that!
• Would you leave the house without makeup on?:
Frequently. I'm more into makeup than I used to be, but oftentimes I just wash and go.
• Do you consider making out "unladylike"?
No! But then again, surely this question depends on who you're making out with? And where you are? And why you're making out with them?
• On a scale of 1-10, how fun is shopping?:
Clothes / shoes: 4. Clothes /shoes with the true genii that we call Jean and Mlle Wilson: 8. Book / toiletry / stationery / DVD / music shopping: 9.
• Are you a girly-girl, tomboy, or in the middle?
In the middle somewhere – equally happy halfway up a hill, romping, battling the elements or sat at home reading 'Elle', watching 'The OC' and doing a manicure.
• Do you think lipgloss is the best?
Am I meant to? I use lipbalm and lipgloss, but it's just an accessory, not a lifechoice!
• Do you freak out if you miss your favorite show?
Nah, it'll be repeated or I'll play catch up. Life's too short to stress over stuff like that :-).
• Do you obsess over your looks?
Yes, sometimes.
• How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?:
Between 20 minutes and two hours! Totally dependent on mood, destination and inclination.
• Do you wear sweatpants/pajama pants to school/work?
Not to school or work, no, but they are bliss for around the house while you're doing housework, paperwork and phone calls.
• Accessories make the outfit- true or false:
They can, but a truly awesome outfit or piece will speak for itself also.
• Are you a sucker for skater guys?
Back in my youth (circa 17th century) yes, I was. Now, not so much.
• Is pink truly the best color in the entire universe?:
It's one of them.
• Status?
"Currently single", to quote Eb.
• Have you ever dressed unlike yourself to impress a guy?
No. That would not work, surely? Maybe I could have a cunning disguise!!!
• Do you often wish there was something you could change?
• Silver?
Lovely, as is gold, I just like pretty shiny things!
• The guy that you like, what does his name begin with?:
A letter! Oh, I'm feeling revelatory….a consonant!
Seriously, if I was going to tell all, would this really be the forum? ;-)
• Do you dress up too much for holidays?
Not really. I dress up a little, but stop well before themed sweater sets and holiday jewellery.
• Do you like wearing dresses?
• Do you write a lot of mushy love poems?:
No. Mainly because it would crack me up to read them back. I do like some love poems though ~ my current favourite (and a bit of a perennial favourite of mine) is 'Where We Belong, A Duet' by Maya Angelou. Gorgeous.
• On a scale of 1-10, how much do guys confuse you?
Somewhere between 1 and 10, dependent on which guy we're talking about and my relation to him. A good mate like Hoti I can fathom out most of the time….with a boy I like I am all at sixes and sevens throughout!
• Do you worry/fuss about your weight?
Who doesn't? But I know it's a work in progress, and the last year or so has taught me so much about how I got to be this size and how I can get the shape I want – five more pounds and I'm halfway to my goal weight! I know, how sad to get excited, but I'll take motivation where I can find it!
• What makeup could you NOT live without?
I think I could live without any of it...I'd miss it, but it's not an essential.
There, was that vapid enough? Hee. Have a great day everybody!
Monday, February 12, 2007
Singalong Sunday, 11 February 2007
Yep, it's going to be love. L'amour. Lurve. The affairs of the heart.
Now, unlike many single girls, I'm not actually anti-Valentines Day. No, I think if you're single, you have many options – you can ignore it, you can bitch about it, you can make it a day of fabulosity (past Valentines have included shopathons, brunches that ended past midnight, and movie fests par excellence). It's all good. For most singles I know, VD (hee…) is just something we're not party to (a bit like Mother's day is only special for mums, and the end of a half-term only matters to teachers, pupils and parents. Many's the time I've called up a girlfriend and been all "Yay! Half-term!", only to have her remind me that in the real world that counts for nothing). At most it's an excuse for cocktails and / or a girls night out. The only heartsink comes when you check the mail and….nothing. Boo. And yes, I still check the mail on Valentine's Day with a teeny little bit of 'maybe' in my thoughts, what of it? Hope springs eternal, y'all!
So if it's not the singles I feel sorry for, who could it be?
I feel sorry for the poor schmucks who are in a casual / dating thing at this time of year. If you're in love it's fab, you can totally go to town and/or be chilled, if you're single you can opt out, but if you're in one of those in betweeny things…..urgh. There are no cards from Hallmark which say "Be my emotional stopgap until something more significant comes along." No stuffed animals say "You're not the One, but you'll do". It must be tortuous…do too much and it's clingy and an overstep, do nothing and what? She's just a friend now? Talk about a minefield.
So, anyway, this week's singalong is gonna get a bit soppy…or rambly, I haven't decided yet. It's all going to be love songs of one ilk or another, and may involve some harsh truths. Eek.
1. I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You) – Aretha Franklin.
Ah, Aretha. Is there anything more Sunday than chilling out with a cup of coffee and a good book, listening to Aretha? Love it.
Anyways, as regular readers will know, were I to sing this song, the parentheses would be defunct (damn, look at me getting all linguistic up in here!). I have never been in love. But I have come pretty close….twice, and I think these two relationships kind of define the big ol' mess my heart is at times.
Boy 1 I met at university in my second year…
2. Let's Make Love and Listen To Death From Above – CSS
Trust me, I'd love to.
Anyways, boy one, let's call him Will. Well, anyways, we meet through a shared interest and in a Claire fashion I fall way too hard too soon. This is still a major factor in my lovelife I must admit – I fall for people way too easily. Clever, huh? Anyways, after a few months I tell him how I feel (feel free to flinch, I totally am at this point. Perhaps I could work cringing into my workout schedule? And cringe, two, three, four…hold.). And he lets me down easy. And we become friends. For two years. Two years of BS. Him stringing me along, and messing with my head, and being passive-aggressive. Me being stupid and masochistic and foolish. Luckily, two years in he left town, but it took me that long to see what the heck was going on.
Dumb, huh?
3. Saving All My Love For You – Whitney Houston.
Not as good as her eighties pop, but the lady gives good ballad.
Boy number 2 I met my final year of university. Let's call him Bill. Ahahaha, Will and Bill. Even my pseudonyms are rhyming – guess what grammar I was covering with my class this week? Anyway, Bill was textbook wonderful (and therefore, not my type!). But I totally fancied him, in a really healthy "wow" way. So what did I do? Did I tell him? Did I take a chance?
Oh hell no. I told you, I am a complete disaster in this arena.
I made friends with him, dated a guy who wound up semi-stalking me (expensive gifts, 4 am phone calls, borderline harassment – great for the soul, trust me), and completely ignored my feelings for Bill. Go Claire, go Claire!
4. Love's First Kiss – Michael Nesmith.
But in this case, fate stepped in. In the early summer (yes, just before I graduated and he left the country for over a year….) we met at a friend's party. And had a few drinks. And got talking. And wound up telling each other how much we liked each other, and how we had since the autumn.
So, there was kissing and fun and awesomeness, and we decided to just leave it for the time being. So far, all good, right? Midsummer, and I travel down to his for his birthday party. It's a great party, it's amazing, it's everything it should be. I'm next to him on the seating plan, his family are the awesome, it's a great night.
But this wouldn't be a Claire story if I didn't screw it up somehow.
5. Love Song – Tilly and the Wall.
Oh man. I'll get back to the story in a minute, I swear, but I just have to say how much I love this song….it's gorgeous. I'm going to see TatW next month and I'm quite seriously afraid that I may cry when this comes up on the set list.
So anyway, we're at the party. And I have one of those drunken epiphanies. Always an error. Anyways, I look at Bill, so handsome and strong and together and nice and clever, and it dawns on me – I'm all wrong for him. I don't deserve a guy like him. And he's going overseas and I don't want him to feel tied to me and….
I realise I have to make him see this. So I kiss his best friend.
I am still mad at myself for this whopper of a misstep.
6. I Used To Love Him – Lauryn Hill.
This song is genius. How much do I want Lauryn to get herself together and release a proper follow up the 'The Miseducation of…."?
So Bill left the country, I left uni, we grew up and moved on. We're still friends and he's a truly great guy, but on this one I have to hold up my hand and say "Yep. I messed that one up good."
So those two are the closest calls, the nearest I came to falling for someone. But it was always going to be a losing game, I must admit. The facts of the matter are…I think I'm capable of intense, amazing, wholehearted and pure love. And it absolutely terrifies me. I've seen the true splendour and horror of love in its myriad forms in my life and the lives of those around me, and this keeps me running. Hope, lust, abandonment, abuse, heartbreak, selflessness, kindness….the power you give to someone when you let them in. The gamble you take. What's at stake.
Wow, who knew I had a deep side? ;-)
7. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me – Dusty Springfield.
I love this track. It's one of my favourite karaoke tracks, but it only works if you go all Edith Piaf on it, clutching a tumbler of bourbon and mugging up a storm. Good times.
So, the fear keeps me going. I have run away from almost every chance of a relationship I've had. Does that make me a commitmentphobe? Perhaps. I have run physically, mentally, emotionally. I've hidden, both literally and figuratively. I've been too loud, too quiet, too confident, too shy, too clever, too clingy, too standoffish….I am fat (or large, or chubby, you choose the euphemism) because I figured that way guys wouldn't notice me. They still do. So I take it to the next step.
8. To Be Loved – Curtis Stigers.
Cheesey Dawson's Creek track alert!
If and when I like a guy, or when I get the idea that someone likes me, I am blue ribbon level at getting rid of them. The guys who call and are keen and involved? I ignore. The ones who need their space and are aloof? I call and email and clamour for. So wrong. So what I've been doing.
But, I'm growing out of it.
I think I've always felt, deep down, like I'm not good enough. Like I don't deserve the whole love thing. I mean, I am lucky. I've got so much of the package, the job, the friends, the passions…perhaps anything else would just be greedy?
The more I think about it, the more I realise that's the fear talking.
9. Elephant Love Medley – Ewan McGregor, Nicole Kidman et al.
Because I am scared. Really scared. To fall in love, to give up that much power, to be that dependent on another person? Eek. I may have to go sit down. Hang on, I am sat down. But do you know what I mean? I hope so, otherwise you guys are going to conclude that I'm a mental, or that I have been drinking. Neither of those conclusions would be correct.
I think it's just I've dabbled before and sustained some pretty harsh body blows….it's going to take a lot of steeling to get back out there. But I think it's time.
Come on fate, bring it!
10. Dedicated To The One I Love – The Mamas and the Papas.
Hee, I'm such a geek. On our love theme, no only did I go for love songs, I also made sure they all had "love" itself in the title. It's wrong how much that tickles me.
So there, we have it, a baring of bones. If you made it to the end of a rather epic ramble (hey, this is my break from levelling and assessment :-)), kudos. Oh, and in advance, Happy Valentine's Day!
Love, as always,
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Parents Evening is even stressing out my clothing....
Teaching my gang a ceilidh-folk type dance, guess who, while dancing, went one way, but her trousers didn't quite follow and therefore tore? Guess who also didn't notice this? And had to be told by a precocious (and fairly brave, I think) eight-year-old....."Miss? Your trousers have gone wrong."
I love my life! :-)
Here are some questions for the people who are a little more mature, stolen from about twenty of my fellow bloggers!
1. What bill do you hate paying the most?
My loan payment – I appreciate that I had to pay to get qualified and be where I am now…but sometimes the payments suck.
2. Where's the best place to eat a romantic dinner?
Anywhere where you're with the right person! I'd probably go for at home, where you can relax, or at a nice little cheap and cheerful hole in the wall.
3. Last time you puked from drinking?
Too long ago to remember! High five! Haha, it's actually only happened twice, back in my mispent youth – once due to punch, the other time was the first time I met Senor Cuervo!
4. When is the last time you got drunk and danced on a bar?
Never danced on the bar. Podium / stage? A few years back.
5. What is the name of your 2nd grade teacher?
Can't remember the one at Applegrove, at Hayfield Lane it was the true horror of Mrs Gofton. Wow, was she ever a bad teacher.
6. What do you really want to be doing right now?
Still sleeping? Nah, I'm actually good with where I am right now – cosy, having a coffee, easing into the day.
7. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Writer / singer / teacher / DJ / diplomat / mum / shop owner / actress / journalist / John Craven on Newsround. I'm thinking of working through them all!
8. How many colleges did you attend?
2 – Aberdeen for undergrad, Durham for post-.
9. Why did you wear the shirt that you have on right now?
Because it's warm and comfy – it's an old one I threw on over my PJs.
10. GAS PRICES First thought?
Isn't it crazy that we're not putting more money into alternatives?
11. If you could be anywhere and take someone with you...Who WOULD IT BE?
I'd fly to Canada next week, and take the Gilesgaters, Hannabanana, Hoti and Emma with me.
12. First thought when the alarm went off this morning?
"5.30? What? OK, I'll lie in till 6. My god, I just referred to six as a lie-in. Scary."
13. Last thought before going to sleep last night?
Probably something inane about parents' evening.
14- What chore do you despise?
Hoovering. Most of the time. I think it's mainly cos our hoover sucks. Or actually, when I think about it, it's precisely because our hoover doesn't suck.
15. If you didn't have to work, would you volunteer at an art gallery?
Nope. Somewhere else, yep, but not a gallery.
16. Get up early or sleep in?
Sleep in... sleep in as late as possible without mashing up the day.
17. Who is your favorite cartoon character?
Homer Simpson.
20. Favorite NON sexual thing to do at night with a girl/guy?
Just hang out, watching movies and listening to music, chatting and relaxing.
21. A secret that you wouldn't mind everyone knowing?
If I told you, it wouldnt be a secret.
22. Are you planning on remaining in your current field?
I could and might (I love it and I'm (allegedly!) good at it), but I am definitely tempted to go and try on some different careers in the next few years…. But I imagine I'll come back to teaching and / or always be involved with working with or for kids in some way, shape, or form.
23. If you are not married, do you see yourself married in the next five years?
That would be great. So, yes please.
24. Your favorite lunch meat?
Anything identifiable – years of mystery meat have terrified me into a knowledge of what I'm eating frenzy!
25. What do you get every time you go into a Wal-Mart?
Something that I didn't need but that was a freaking steal.
26. Beach or lake?
Beach, beach, beach. Or lake. I just love the water (and yet am living in one of the most inland places in the entire U.K.. Seriously, how did I get here?).
27. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual that was invented by people who died at 20?
No. I think it's lovely, but not for everyone. Trust me, if I find the person I'm meant to marry, I'm going to be doing the vows and commitment thing, stat. The whole spending twenty thousand pounds on a wedding, however, I will not be doing!
28. Who do you stalk on MySpace?
Heh, no-one. I don't have the time to commit to stalking!
29. Favorite guilty pleasure?
It's going to have to go plural – napping, long baths, cheesey eighties and nineties pop, a good swear when I'm annoyed, pasta, cheese and red wine.
30. Favorite movie you wouldn't want anyone to find out about?
I own far too many teen-demographic movies to get into this. I think the fact that I can pretty much quote 'Mean Girls', 'Clueless' and 'Bring It On' verbatim says a lot.
31. What's "your" drink?
Anything / everything depending where I am. Mainly water though!
32. Cowboys or Indians?
The woman who owns the saloon.
33. Cops or Robbers?
The police reporter (I like a defined character).
34. Do you cheer for the bad guy?
Depends why, exactly, he's bad.
35. What hollywood star do you look most alike?
Al Pacino. Heh. In all seriousness, I don't know. Answers on a postcard please!
36. If you had to pick one, which cast member of Lost would you be?
I don't watch Lost. Could we do this about Grey's or House or Ugly Betty, please?
37. What do you want when you are sick?
Someone to take care of me, and snuggle with me. Haha ~ totally with Jana on this one!
38. Who from high school would you like to run into?
Most of the cool folk I do run into / see occasionally. Lucky me, huh?
39. What radio station is your car radio tuned to right now?
No car – classroom is tuned to Classic fm, home to Radio 2.
42. Norm or Cliff? (Cheers)
Both, for a drunken night out and playing of darts.
43. The Cosby Show or the Simpsons?
Simpsons, although I do love Cosby sweaters.
44. Worst relationship mistake that you wish you could take back?
Not a thing. The mistakes show you what you need to avoid / improve / seek / change. Wow, when did I turn into a grown up?
45. Do you like the person who sits directly across from you at work?
That would be my class…..yeah, I love them to pieces.
46. If you could get away with it, whom would you kill?
No one. I would never want that on my conscience.
47. What famous person would you like to have dinner with?
Right now, Hillary Rodham Clinton. So many questions.
48. Have you ever had to use a fire extinguisher for its intended purpose?
No, touch wood.
49. Last book you read for real?
A funny book called 'I Hate Other Peoples Kids'. Now onto a slab of chicklit, always good for late night reading!
50. Do you have a teddy bear?
Yes. And thanks for reminding me – I need to take him into school today (we're having a teddy bears picnic this week :-)).
51. Strangest place you have ever brushed your teeth?
In a valley in Wales, looking out and up to Snowdonia. I do freak out my kids by brushing my teeth in my classroom (by the sink, never fear) each early avo break too…..I'm all about the dental hygiene.
52. Somewhere in California you've never been and would like to go?
The Golden Gate bridge.
53. Number of texts in a day?
Between none and twenty ~ totally varies, but probably averages somewhere in the two to five zone.
54. At this point in your life would you rather start a new career or relationship?
Relationship. Ask me again after Parents' Evening, however!
55. Pencil or pen?
Pen. Most of the time.
56. bueller??? bueller??? bueller???
"Ferris Bueller, you're my hero"
57. How many jobs have you had?
9? I think? If we count them all from the very start.
58. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Oh man, I'm trying to figure it out. Ideally I'd be happy, fairly settled, fulfilled, married to whoever I'm meant to be married to and working on having a brood of kids. To quote 'Love Actually', in ten years I'd like to be having lots of sex and babies. Oh, and naps, of course.
And on that hopeful note, it's time to jump. Parents' Evening tonight – wish me luck!
Have a great day!
Monday, February 05, 2007
Singalong Sunday, 4th February
1. Losing My Religion – R.E.M.
Haha, I genuinely love my media player right now. How apt that in the week I jump ship from a church this song comes up first…. So yes, I've decided to leave the whole situation behind. Truth be told I'd caused ripples within the church before, I think (for example, I'm not anti-gay and refuse to be so because someone further up the church tree decrees it. That was a fun ladies group session), and I think the total lack of support from anyone on the pastoral team over this week's debacle was a rather delightful mix of ignorance, apathy and not knowing how to accommodate differences of opinion within the church. Not one person from church has come out to defend or help me, or even see how I am – to be frank a church where things like this happen and foul up like this (over something so small!) is not a church I want to be part of.
To conclude, still Christian, still loving it, now back to having lie-ins on Sundays :-).
2. Lights Are Changing- Mary Lou Lord
So this weekend has been busy, but great fun – just as much fun as I'd been hoping for. Don't you love when that happens? All too often you can look forward to something for ages and then it disappoints…but I have had a superb weekend. I'm exhausted now and my feet hurt, but I feel so relaxed and chilled and fulfilled, it's quite intoxicating.
As soon as school was out yesterday I threw my stuff together, headed back to mine, then headed to the train station on my trusty yellow steed (viva la Bumblebee!).
3. Chain Reaction – Diana Ross.
The lyrics to this are quite the inappropriate a rama, don't you think?
An hour later I was in Marylebone, and so ready for some fun in the city. I adore the country, the space, the pace of life, but a jaunt to the city always does me good. It's busier and sparkier somehow, and I love how everyone in London struts. I totally strut when I walk around London, and crack up when I catch myself doing so. In the countryside my gait is probably more like a lollop!
4. The Way We Get By – Spoon.
So, across town I ventured, to the delights of Arsenal, where the lovely Emma and Stu now live. They have got an adorable flat near the Emirates stadium (and they are not joking when they say near the stadium – it's what their front room looks out onto! Pics to demonstrate will follow). We had pasta, we preened, we watched some footy on the telly, we derided the performance of Scotland in the Six Nations, and then Emma and I headed out.
5. Put Your Records On – Corinne Bailey Rae.
Within twenty minutes we were in Leicester Square (I got IDed again. If that doesn't say a lot for moisturising regularly, I don't know what does….), Coronas in hand and a hearty chat going on. I love the chats you can have with good friends you've know a while, where there's lots of backstory and history and you just know each other really well. We chatted about work, men, plans, dreams, travel and generally caught each other up, and all in time before Shaun joined us!
6. Let's Get It On – Marvin Gaye
Oh man, I loooove this track. Just one of the sexiest and smoothest make out songs of all time.
So Shaun and Emma and I had another beer and a very boozy cocktail, then headed off to the club we'd been to last time. Which was closed. Not just closed, but boarded up closed. Never a good sign!
Undeterred, we called Shaun's friends and skiddaddled to Tottenham Court Road to meet them. I love the tube (even when it's rammed with theatregoers post-'Dirty Dancing', it's just so convenient!). Drinks, then walking for two miles (in heels! Past Hamleys! Where there was a giant My Little Pony!). Eventually we get to Piccadilly, and a club where we paid ten quid to get in (please don't get me started) and then hated the music. Nevertheless, the banter and fun was all there, so we had fun. Till about half two when we departed for the joy of the night bus. Once we'd changed seats because the guy next to us was actually vomiting (ewwwwwwww) the journey was fine. We even had a nice conversation with two wannabe actors about the etiquette of kebabs.
It was nice to have a proper Saturday night.
7. How To Be Dead – Snow Patrol.
And it was even nicer to get to bed. A great night's sleep, a hot shower, a fried egg sandwhich and some more chat with Emma and Stu, then I bid them goodbye and set off once more for lunch and fun with Hoti.
And we just had a brilliant afternoon – he's one of my best mates and we always seem to have a great time no matter what we do. Today was no exception (pics to follow!).
8. Brimful of Asha (Norman Cook Remix) – Cornershop.
First of all we went to lunch in a restaurant which was porn level in its décor – beads and pillows and velvet and lowlighting, oh my (and bow-chicka-bow-wow also). Great food though, all Arab and Turkish stuff. We ate tonnes of goodies and were sat next to a table of incredibly good value girls – the kind that assume that everyone wants to hear all about their catfight at high school, friend's sexual escapades, exes deficiencies etc. etc.. They were very loud but also amusing, so we went with it. My favourite was the girl in the group who was really really quiet, except for every five minutes or so when a new guy's name would crop up and she'd say "Oh, he's so hot." I kid you not, every time, every guy. That was her sole contribution. Nice.
9. New Slang – The Shins
After we had eaten a ludicrous amount, we decided to venture off into the city. It was such a nice day it seemed silly to waste it. We walked and talked for hours and had a great time. We got off the tube at Bank, walked through the enormity of the city, went past St.Paul's, over Millennium bridge and on past Tate Modern. A long walk along the South Bank, then through Westminster, Whitehall and Trafalgar. Miles and miles through the city. Is there anything more fun than walking along on a cool crisp day with one of your favourite friends, just chatting and catching up? OK, there might be some things that are just as much fun, but it's up there, right? A great afternoon.
10. Baby C'mon – Stephen Malkus.
And now I'm home and bathed and ready for bed…..this week is going to be high stress, but this weekend has been really good fun.
Apologies for spellings, grammar, rambling – it is definitely time for bed now.
Sweet dreams and wishes for a lovely week to all!
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Yesterday was a beautiful day...
My building, where I spend altogether too much time.
The view from the top of our wee hillock.
Main school, the gate, and beyond.
Main school dappled with winter sun.
Summery shoes!! In February!!11!!11!
I wish you all a beautiful, beautiful day, wherever you are.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Lalalala, thank the frogs it's Friday
I'm thinking this is going to be a bit of a ramble. It's twenty past ten on a Thursday and I just feel beat – it's been a week of compiling, comparing and formatting reports and target updates and I just feel like I never want to see another report template in my life. It's the part of my job that reminds me why I'd never survive too long in the office life. Reports aren't the worst thing in the world (despite what many say), and can oftentimes be useful, but…..writing and proofreading and filing them can be deathly dull.
However, I'll no doubt be looking back on this epoch of paperwork as a true beacon of serenity, calm and fair weather when next week rolls around, because yes (you guessed it!) it's parent-teacher meeting time again. Now, I like the parents of my pupils, I love the kids, and I've got loads of great news to impart…but….there's always the potential for left field things (last time my top two fave randoms were the ten minute ramble about biscuits (?), and a five minute tirade about rugby) to jam the system somewhat.
So work's been busy, but it's all good. Social life has been pretty good also (in that all too rare free time), and I'm down to London for the weekend again (yay!). I'm staying with one of my favourite couples (the delectable Emma and Stu) and we're going to go drink ridiculously monikered cocktails and go dancing. And then on Sunday Hoti and I are going to do one of our lunch things. I'm looking forward to it.
[Y'all. I'm so tired. But I figured I'd blog to say hi and hello there and let you all know I'm fine after church-gate. There are still a few after ripples but in the main I think it's sorted. Hey, you never know, but I think the drama has at least subsided.]
So it's been a hectic week, but a week with lots of fun and excitement, including a package from the US with five (count 'em!) scarves made by the gorgeous Kimber – they are beautiful, fabulous and warm (that's pretty much my recipe for the ideal man also, FWIW); a great dinner with Fi and Seb (with Angel Delight! Woo!); tickets booked for Brian Wilson (that sound you heard Tuesday morning? Was me squeeing); driving lessons sorted (hilarity soon to ensue, I'm sure); and my next trip home arranged (April in Forres, nothing like it :-)). On top of lessons, reports, sleep and trying to be a regular human bean, I'd say that's pretty good.
And now, I'm going to finish watching skins and go to bed. Next time I'm going to post you a kenning written by my Set 3 (lower ability pupils represent!!) lovelies….once we'd got the rudiments sorted they decided they wanted to write one for me.
Have a fabulous day,
PS The George Clooney thing is quite bizarre. I eat all my lunches with the kids (trust me, getting 17 of them fed, watered and trained in basic table manners is quite a feat. I don't jest when I call lunch a lesson!), and the top topic of conversation this week? Is my impending relationship, nuptials and offspring with Mr Clooney. C'est tres, tres bizarre – pinnacles of the chat this week include the decision that our children will, in fact be good looking ("Well, Miss, he's fairly good looking and you're very pretty…" Is it any wonder I love these kids to pieces? I did before the flattery, but now it's unstoppable), and also, the boys questioning whether he is in fact worthy of their tutor. They're mental, but my kids do crack me the heck up.
Have a great weekend!


text:
Spinelli decides to go for it with Maxie, Jason and Claudia are trapped, Nik finally makes the right decision.
Patrick gives Robin the 3rd degree about the visit with Elizabeth that he just walked in on. As she starts to explain her phone rings. She's surprised to hear her mother's voice, but they have a bad connection so she hangs up. She was able to make out a few words however, "I'm coming to Port Charles." Patrick doesn't understand why Robin isn't more excited. She explains, "How do you tell Wonder woman that she's going to be Grandma?"
Over at Crimson's headquarters, Kate is impressed when Maxie recognizes one of the new gowns as one from Nina Laurente's collection. Lulu, on the other hand, is grumbling about the tasks in front of her. After Kate leaves them to their tasks, Spinelli walks in and both girls are thrilled to see him. They argue over whom he came to see and it turns out that Kate has hired him to find a blogger for her to create some internet buzz.
"I'm done doing business with you," Nik tells Dr. Devlin out at the Spoon Island stables. Dr. Devlin reminds him that he will no longer see his beloved Emily without his drugs and then cuts his price in half. Nik tells him that he needs to accept his decision or else he'll turn him into the medical board. After Devlin leaves, Emily is very proud of Nik for making the right decision. He's not so sure that he hasn't made a mistake but she reminds him that he lost her in November the rest has been his imagination. He cries as he recalls the first time he met her and how much they've grown since then. He mentions her cancer and their divorce and laments that when they finally get back on track, it's over. She tells him that as long as he's alive, they are not over!
From a hole in the ground with bullets flying past their heads, Jason asks Claudia who might be trying to kill her. "My father," is her reply. Jason yells at her for calling him out to be shot at! Claudia tells him that it was a coincidence, that's all. They bicker with each other over how to get out of there and Jason finally tells her to make a run for it. She's not going anywhere, instead she nervously talks Jason's ear off as he returns fire.
Alexis pays Sonny a visit and is shocked not to see any guards on his door. After it's clear he doesn't want to discuss it, they talk about Michael for a little while. Then she gets to the point of her visit. She wants Sonny to talk Ric out of working with Anthony Zacchara because legally he might end up a free man. Sonny tells her to go to Ric, but Alexis says that Sonny has more bargaining power. She says that Ric would listen to him because he has always wanted his big brother's attention.
Diane walks in and assumes that Alexis is talking to Sonny about letting Max see her. Sonny is offended that all she can think about is sex with his bodyguard when so much is going on in his life. She reminds him that Max is no longer his bodyguard and assures them that she can do her job without acting like a love-struck school girl. Alexis whispers to Diane that she's making a big mistake and Diane finally figures out that she is jealous. "A little," Alexis admits as Sonny looks on with disgust.
Ric is at Shady Brook with Anthony preparing him for next week's hearing. He tells him to appear as much of a victim as the people he hurt. As they talk, Johnny walks in and demands to know where Claudia is. Anthony takes the opportunity to grill his son over whether or not Ric came to him on his own or was sent by him and his sister? Johnny takes the credit for providing Ric's services and Logan speaks up and says that Johnny is lying. Johnny leaves, for now, and Anthony reminds Ric that he used to rip people's tongues out for lying to him.
Later, Spinelli bursts into Sonny's office looking for Stone Cold, but he only finds Diane. She offers her services and he sheepishly asks if he can ask her about women? Diane is only too happy to oblige. In their unique round-about language, she encourages him to seize the day and go for the target of his affections. Fully puffed up with testosterone, Spinelli explodes out the door.
Devlin returns to GH and asks Nadine if Nik called for him. She tells him no and she's glad. He asks if she has a problem with him and she lists many, especially the way he's taking advantage of Nik's love for Emily by selling drugs. He grabs her arm and threatens her to keep quiet. Not long after, Nik shows up at the nurses' desk. Nadine is putting together a bag of puppets to entertain her patients and he tells her that he's done with Devlin. She looks enormously relieved as he tells her that he is going to schedule his surgery because he's ready to move on with his life.
Jason and Claudia are running out of options as the shooter clearly isn't giving up. Finally Jason convinces her to run and draw fire so that he can see where the shooter is. They manage to make it to an abandoned cabin, but with no phone and limited bullets, Claudia is freaking out. He tells her to look around and see what she can find, but she'd rather complain about the situation they're in. She asks why he even risked his life to save hers anyway?
Lulu has left work early so she can meet up with Johnny on the waterfront. She thinks he's ready to have fun together, but it turns out that he just wanted to warn her about Anthony's soon-to-acquire freedom. He tells her that unless they are over, his dad will use her to control him.
Over at Robin's place, she hears someone come in her front door and yells, "You don't have to check on me every five minutes, I'm pregnant, I'm not helpless." When she (and her belly!) make it out to her family room, it's not Patrick who has come, it's a stunned Anna.
Spinelli pounces into Crimson's foyer and finds Maxie drying on a red designer gown. She asks if he'll help her put it back before she ruins it, but he's a stammering idiot at the moment. She thinks he's having a stroke, so she helps him to sit down. Spinelli reaches for her shoulder but somehow his hand lands smack on her right breast.
Sonny walks into Anthony's room looking for his "brother". Ric, surprised to hear Sonny use the word, gives him a minute. In front of Anthony, Sonny says that they wasted a lot of years hating each other and now is their chance to actually be brothers. Ric, tired of him playing the brother card only when it's convenient asks Sonny what's in it for him. Sonny's answer is one syllable. "Me."
Next on General Hospital:
Ric turns Sonny down cold.
Lulu wants Johnny to choose her.
Jason asks Claudia what she was going to tell him about Michael's shooting.
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
TPS, Libbey alumni to meet, decide trophies' fateWritten by Brigitta Burks | News Editor | email@example.com
Two groups occasionally at odds, Libbey High School alumni and Toledo Public School representatives, plan to meet March 5 to discuss what to do with trophies and memorabilia from the closed school.
"We consider it a step in the right direction," said Larrie Baccus, president of alumni group Libbey High School Alumni Inc.
About 350 trophies and memorabilia items are in a Toledo Public School storage unit at Libbey-Owens-Ford, according to TPS.
LHSA is seeking a home for the items in the community, preferably near Libbey. TPS indicated it would be open to this plan and also suggested displaying Libbey trophies with memorabilia from other shut schools.
Lisa Sobecki, president of the Toledo Board of Education, directed James Gant, chief business manager, to prepare a plan of what to do with the items in time for the Feb. 22 Ohio Schools Facilities Commission meeting. He was also asked to get in touch with alumni about two World War II pieces of memorabilia they requested at a Jan. 24 board meeting.
Gant said he tasked Gayle Schaber, director of special projects and compensatory programs and former Libbey principal, with arranging the meeting.
"[Schaber] understands a lot more than I would," Gant said. "We have given her some clear direction on how we should proceed."
"My goal for this meeting is to invite the Libbey community and hear what their concerns are and make a plan," Schaber said. "The Libbey community needs to have input on 80 years of memories."
After the meeting, Schaber said she will report to the TPS cabinet for approval of the plan.
"I don't have a problem that Gayle has been charged with [memorabilia]. She knows what the issues are. I don't think they want us in their hair at TPS about these matters, and I'm hoping on our end, we find a home short of leaving it up to them to do that," Baccus said.
Baccus said he plans to reach out to government officials and organizations before the meeting to solidify a plan.
Warren Woodberry, a local activist involved with LHSA, said he contacted the Toledo History Museum/Old West End Antiques Market to house the trophies, but has not heard back.
Baccus said Schaber plans to invite other alumni representatives to the meeting. Francine Coogler Boyd, chair of the final roundup committee, said she had not heard from Schaber at press time.
Libbey alumni groups have not always gotten along in the past, Baccus said.
"There is some lack of understanding," he said. "My view of what might transpire on the 5th is they will all have their little opinions and things, but we will have mapped out what we want."
He added however that LHSA is willing to work with the other groups.
Boyd said she doesn't think LHSA has always acted realistically in the past, adding that she hopes the trophy situation can get resolved, "where there's not a lot of controversy."
She added that she would be willing to go the meeting.
Baccus said Schaber also plans to invite a group of alumni from the late '60s and early '70s and that he will invite the Libbey Lunch Bunch, a group of older alumni.
In addition, LHSA is planning a Veterans Day celebration centered on a Lt. Robert Craig plaque, commemorating the Congressional Medal of Honor honoree, and a plaque listing the names of 106 Libbey alums who gave their lives in World War II.
Schaber said she takes the plaques very seriously as her second cousin is listed among the World War II veterans.
At a Jan. 27 meeting of six LHSA individuals, Baccus called for ideas from the public of what to do with the trophies. Anyone with suggestions of where to house the plaques or trophies can call Baccus at (419) 244-1236. LHSA is also interested in any photos of the memorabilia. A list of the memorabilia is available at www.site.toledolibbeyhsalumni.com/.
The meeting between alumni and TPS is set for 6-8 p.m. March 5 at Jones Elementary School. LHSA may also meet before then.
Tags: Gayle Schaber, James Gant, Larrie Baccus, Libbey High School, Libbey High School Alumni, Lisa Sobecki, memorabilia, Toledo Public School, trophies


text:
Republican Senator John McCain blames President Barack Obama for Russian President Vladimir Putin's takeover of the Crimean Peninsula in the wake of the breakdown of the Ukrainian government.
The honorable senator from Arizona advised the Obama administration to hit Russia with economic sanctions, a freeze on the assets of Russia's one percent, and he also wants the president to prevent Russian big shots from coming to America.
Think that'll turn Putin around?
Economic sanctions!
Blocking a few fat cat Russians from our customs lines!
Pretty tough stuff . . . huh?
Even if Putin doesn't give a rat's behind about economic sanctions that would likely hurt Europe and America as much as it will hurt Russia, how can Russia's number one tough guy ignore us?
After all, this is America speaking!
This is, after all, the land of the free and the home of the brave . . . the world's policeman . . . and we're telling Russia that it is wrong to invade a smaller, weaker country on a phony pretext!
How can President Putin possibly not listen to sound advice from the good old USA?
A reader with a critical nature might say, "Davy, what are you talking about? Have you forgotten that we kinda, sorta don't have the moral ground here?
"Have you forgotten that we invaded, bombed, and maimed and killed thousands upon thousands of human beings in smaller, weaker countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Grenada, Panama, Afghanistan, and good old Iraq?"
That same critical reader might even add, "Davy, are you off your rocker?
"You're forgetting that we're still firing missiles . . . at will . . . to kill more human beings in sovereign nations like Pakistan, Somalia, Yemen, and who knows where else!"
Okay . . . I get it . . . if you happen to be that critical reader, you could say that because we made a few mistakes in the past, we don't have the right to tell Putin to stay home.
So, Mr. Smart-Alec, if that's what you're saying, what do you think we should we do?
Institute a no-fly zone over the Crimean Peninsula?
Send Seal Team 6 to 'get' Putin?
Send the Marines to invade the Ukraine?
Go to DEFCON2, light up some nukes, and take out Russia?
Or should we simply sit down and shut up?
You tell me.
Comments? Questions? Contact the author at: email@example.com or Tweet: @DavyZJones


text:
Below is the poem entitled Thankful if for but Another Day which was written by poet
solomon. Please feel free to comment on this poem. However, please remember, PoetrySoup is a place of encouragement and growth.
Read Poems by
Shane Solomon
Yes, it is night, and even though the summer air is moist with a dry dew it still remains good
For an ingrate; would scold at the temperature, the gentle rhythm of the creatures
Frolicking in dark, or perhaps the dull shade of the moon
Might curse at the stars for not shining bright enough
Here I hold my folded hands, my rite of pleading, still at a begges stance
I am thankful, if for not the end of a plentiful day
The impatient might grow weary, for the dark has called to settle me down
So that my mind finds peace while I slumber
For I will be mindful that dawn will approach steadily to casually erase my dreams
Yes, it is morning, as my body shakes loose of its resting phase
I'll proudly say...
I am thankful if only for but another day


text:
AirHop Garners $1M, Adds Management
Just ahead of the 4G World conference in Chicago this week, LTE systems startup AirHop Communications came out of stealth mode today with a $1 million investment and the addition of several wireless industry players to its team.
"We are now poised to extend our lead in solving the challenges of deploying 4G networks with self-organized networking (SON), inter-cell coordination, real-time provisioning and efficient frequency reuse," said Yan Hui, founder and CEO of AirHop, in a press release.
The company did not reveal the names of its investors, but it did name new members of its management team. Joining AirHop as COO is Garrett Choi. Jerry Hall is vice president of marketing and Anand Parikh is vice president of business development.
Stephen Diamond also joined as chairman of the board and Adrian Nemcek joined as a new board member. John McDonough also is a board observer and advisor to the San Diego-based startup.


text:
I have a program and when they drop files into it I want it to get the path show a messagebox "of the path" then delete it. Can anyone shed some light on how to do this?
Take the 2-minute tour ×
Stack Overflow is a question and answer site for professional and enthusiast programmers. It's 100% free.
First of all, you'll need a window that can accept dropped files. This is accomplished by setting the ExStyle of your window to WS_EX_ACCEPTFILES:
Second, you'll need to handle the WM_DROPFILES message in your WinProc() callback.
Third, you'll need a function that can remove all of the sub-directories and files from any directories that are dropped onto your dialog:
Lastly, you'll need to be VERY CAREFUL with this snippet - it deletes files after all.


text:
Check out the social media sites at the University of San Francisco. Join our social network and connect with USF people who share your interests.
Full directory of official USF social media accounts:
View more social media from the university community at #USFCA.
The external links on this page do not constitute endorsement by the University of San Francisco of the linked sites, or the information, products, or services posted on those sites. For other than the official USF social media sites, the University of San Francisoc does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. Please contact us about existing links in the directory which you believe are inappropriate, or to suggest that we add additional links to the directory.
Are you managing a USF-related social media venue and would like to make it official? Read the guidelines for official USF social media here.
If you have a USF official social media site that you would like to add to this page, please tell us more about your site.


text:
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USAAmerican Forces Press Service
BALAD, Iraq, July 12, 2006 Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld arrived here today on an unannounced visit to meet with U.S. troops. He was then to travel to Baghdad to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and senior U.S. military leaders.
Coalition forces will win in Iraq when they help the Iraqi people take the fight to the terrorists and achieve their own success in the country, Rumsfeld said at a town hall meeting of U.S. military members at Logistics Support Area Anaconda here.
"Success ultimately will be won by the Iraqi people over a period of time, and they're invested in it, let there be no doubt," he said.
The Iraqi people have shown their commitment to their country by supporting the new government, providing tips to coalition forces to facilitate the capture of terrorists, serving in security forces, and voting, Rumsfeld said. U.S. servicemembers have made it possible for Iraqis to participate in their government by placing their lives on the line every day, he noted.
"Each of you is playing an important role in this critical effort," he said to the troops. "You're making history every day, and I thank you for it."
Rumsfeld said that each time he comes to Iraq, he sees changes and important progress. Seeing the troops from different services work together at bases such as this reminds him of the importance of a joint future for the military, he said. "Here in Iraq, you're making 'jointness' a reality," he said.
The coalition and Iraqi security forces have achieved many successes in Iraq, and the terrorists have suffered many setbacks, but that doesn't mean they will stop fighting, Rumsfeld said. They know that a free, prosperous Iraq will mean certain defeat for them, and they will never give up their cause of terrorizing free people, he said.
"These enemies are not going to quit -- not in Iraq, not in Afghanistan or elsewhere," he said. "The question of our time is ... whether we fight the enemy on their terms or on ours, on our territory or on their territory."
Terrorists know they cannot defeat coalition forces in battle, so their only option is to try to break the will of the American people, Rumsfeld said. But their efforts on that front have failed as well, he noted, because Americans know the fight is important.
"Fortunately, I think the American people have got a darn good center of gravity," he said. "We wouldn't be the country we are today if the American people didn't have a good center of gravity."
Rumsfeld's visit to Iraq comes after stops in Afghanistan, where he met with U.S. troops and commanders, as well as Afghan President Hamid Karzai, and in Tajikistan, where he met with national and defense leaders to bolster military-to-military relations between the United States and that country.
Related Sites:Multinational Force Iraq
Related Articles:Rumsfeld: U.S. Will Continue Commitment to AfghanistanTajikistan Important to War on Terror, Rumsfeld Says


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Snackr: RSS headline news ticker for your desktop
Add a nice little news ticker to your desktop for all your RSS feeds with Snackr.
Back in the '90s, the idea of having headlines pushed to your desktop seemed really good, but it never caught on. There's nothing wrong with the basic concept, and it could work better today than with any of those 20th century efforts.
If you do like the idea of choosing a set of websites and having their headlines run across your computer, like a news ticker on TV, there aren't many options to choose from.
So, today, I'm calling out Snackr as a tool that works across both Mac and Windows.
It's based on Adobe AIR, it's two years out of date and it can seem a little sluggish — but of all the options out there, this is the slickest ticker I could find. It works with Google Reader and it can be positioned on any side of your monitor or pushed to a second screen, if you're using more than one.
If anyone knows a better one, let us know! Or go make one!


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Slippery slide
By: Avezola
Hesaki's long sexy endless tongue 2
By: Hesaki23
Matter of Perspective 5
By: valecity
The Santa Buf(Fe)t Rail Line.
By: RoboMax
The Club
Amanda sighed in exhaustion as she stepped out of her car. She never had fun at the university; everyone called her a nerd because of her glasses, and her only friend went to another school. Katrina was Amanda's best, and only, friend; the only day she didn't at least call Amanda was the first of the month. Since it was the first of the month Amanda was surprised to see Katrina at her door as she got out of her car. "Hi Katrina, I didn't expect to see you today." Amanda sa
The Club
By: giantessfanx


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What are the benefits of Baby Massage? Baby Massage has a wealth of benefits for you and your baby and provides special bonding time for you both, away from the stresses of the every day routines. Baby Massage can help to relieve colic, promote better sleep, soothe a fussy...Read More
"Indian Head Massage is guaranteed to lift you out of the hustle and bustle of everyday stress." What is Indian Head Massage? Indian Head Massage is a complementary therapy that employs techniques used in India for thousands of years. Indian Head Massage...Read More
Reflexology is the physical act of applying pressure to the feet and hands with specific thumb, finger and hand techniques It is based on a system of zones and reflex areas that reflect an image of the body on the feet and hands with a premise that such work effects a...Read More
Zoe has been trained by Jane Sheehan foot reader to the stars! She trained to enhance the treatments already available to clients. More recently Foot Reading has become a "stand alone" consultation. It's amazing what your feet can say about you! 1 hour...Read More
This is an exciting new course which I'm offering to parents who want to use the of reflexology to help their children with common childhood ailments. I have brought together all of my knowledge and experience as a reflexology practitioner along with that of working with...Read More
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Indian Head Massage – ideal for stress and relaxation.
Reflexology – a non-invasive holistic therapy used to promote health and well-being and treat a variety of conditions
Baby Massage – fantastic for colic, sleep, bonding and special time with your new baby
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Top to Toe Massage is based in the Norfolk market town of Dereham where treatments and classes are given in my own purpose built treatment room that provides a calm and relaxing environment. Home visits can also be arranged by special request.
To find out more about my classes or treatments please get in touch by phone or email.


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Adjust they did.
It started against Hebei, the same team that downed the Cats on Tuesday, 3-1. On Friday, UK reversed that tally with a 3-1 victory. Sara Schwarzwalder and Shelby Workman led the way, with Workman tallying a team high in kills and hitting over .300.
UK sustained the momentum on Saturday. In spite of falling behind two sets to one, the Cats rallied to victory. Their coach was pleased with the way his team battled in Zhangjiakou, while the players couldn't help but notice a group of fans in attendance.
Good win for us today in 5 sets after being down 1-2. Mentally we wavered, but pushed through at the end. #UKVBtoChina-- Craig Skinner (@UKCoachSkinner) May 31, 2014
We finished the tournament 2-2, winning the last two.Very good competition & close matches.Definitely a good experience for us #UKVBtoChina-- Craig Skinner (@UKCoachSkinner) May 31, 2014
Playing against professionals in this tournament was invaluable. They will not give you anything. It's all earned.-- Craig Skinner (@UKCoachSkinner) May 31, 2014
This trip continues to amaze me. The team just had friendly scrimmage w a local club.Prob 30-40 media including 2 TV stations. #UKVBtoChina-- Craig Skinner (@UKCoachSkinner) May 31, 2014
We legit had a Chinese biker gang come to our match...😳😎-- Kelsey Wolf (@bigbad_wolf21) May 31, 2014
I didn't wake up this morning thinking we would play a match in front of a Chinese motorcycle gang...but it happened. #UKVBtoChina-- Anders Nelson (@VBDers) May 31, 2014
The Cats managed to sneak in some sightseeing around their matches, going for an evening hike.
UK's cultural exchange trip to China is now about to enter its final leg. The Cats will travel to Beijing for a three-day stop before they head home on June 4.
So excited to go to Beijing tomorrow!-- Lauren O'Conner (@LaurenOC12) May 31, 2014
And after Beijing means 🏠 😁☺-- Lauren O'Conner (@LaurenOC12) May 31, 2014


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Electric vehicles and the smart grid
By Gregorio Cappuccino, IEEE smart grid technical expert
Gregorio Cappuccino
I'm often asked how I see energy storage fitting into the new smart grid paradigm and, possibly, the energy markets of tomorrow.
Energy Storage
First, a viable business model for energy storage should create financial incentives for all stakeholders. The opportunity to participate in an energy market may convince consumers skeptical of all of the coming changes to become engaged. Though this might require a regional or national organization to set rules and enforce them, that's a small price to pay to engage consumers.
Think of energy storage as falling into two different classes. Utility-scale, bulk storage is characterized by concentrated storage facilities managed by utilities and industrial players. The other class can be described as a "constellation" of smaller systems, scattered across a utility's service territory. These two classes are characterized by disparate technologies and have different applications.
Typically, distribution systems will need further development as advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and advanced communication networks are introduced. Distribution system topologies will need modification to take advantage of distributed intelligence and effective interconnections between local nodes of the network to make those small, distributed storage devices useful, particularly for the integration of grid-tied renewables. On the other hand, in certain countries, the distribution system is already able to support utility-grade systems in terms of power flow as well as a two-way communications network.
Smarts, as they apply to EV charging, implies a system in which grid-to-vehicle energy flow adapts dynamically to the needs of both the grid and the user.
Market and technological developments in vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and its opposite grid-to-vehicle (G2V) could make these concepts a reality.
V2G should serve as an energy reserve for the grid's actual needs, such as balancing. The V2G game has three players: vehicle owners, grid operators and utilities. Each player must invest capital and actively participate to make that investment worthwhile. Consider the unique circumstances in play. Electric vehicles, obviously, are mobile. To access their batteries as storage devices means accessing sources randomly available in time and space, and in terms of available energy. Taking advantage of that energy means developing an infrastructure capable of transferring energy and, perhaps more challenging, enabling an accurate, swift monitoring of all the grid's terminal nodes.
The exploitation of these mobile energy sources, with their varying degrees of available energy -- that is, the charge left in each vehicle battery when that energy is accessed -- will rely on fast discharge from each node. Managing that process effectively will require deep knowledge of battery technology and behavior. Relevant factors include the life cycle and charge/discharge capabilities of the battery as well as charger/inverter characteristics.
Challenges: networks, control systems, customers
These needs pose a challenge for communication and control systems. The reaction time and reliability needed for such systems outstrips what's needed for stationary storage. In terms of the market, EV manufacturers to date have tended to underestimate the appeal that superior V2G performance could bring to their EV product line.
Imagine advertising a vehicle that earns the owner varying but significant amounts of money each month, without impacting reliability or longevity. That could be a strong market differentiator and an incentive for consumers to leave behind highly polluting, internal combustion engine technology, with its variable but generally increasing cost of fossil fuel.
Success in electrifying the transportation sector depends on progress in grid modernization.
That's the consumer side. For utilities and/or grid operators to realize benefits, the business case may require a critical mass of EVs to obtain energy in sufficient quantity to balance the grid, for instance. If EVs become popular to a degree that high penetration occurs in clusters, utilities will need to take steps to mitigate the potential for high loads on local circuits. While this might be accomplished by upgrading transformers, for example, it could also be achieved by prioritizing EV charging by customer. If an EV owner wants high priority, perhaps for fast charging, s/he should be willing to pay for that as a premium service. The added cost might induce the EV owner to weigh whether they really need prioritized fast charging. And it should help raise consumer awareness of the fact that energy costs vary based on where, when and how it is produced and consumed. In emergencies where available energy is in short supply -- Hurricane Sandy, for instance -- first responders that are using EVs in a particular place and time could be given priority by vehicle ID or class.
Smart charging
In fact, every incident of EV charging will require an exchange of information between the EV owner and the utility. Obviously, this will be an automated process, one that "understands" the individual EV owner's circumstances, status and so forth, to determine charging parameters such as priority, charging speed and financial calculations. The amount of energy required from the grid or the amount being returned to the grid will determine the value of the transaction -- as noted, the market value of energy is time sensitive.
This topic falls under what I call "smart charging." Smarts as they apply to EV charging implies a system in which grid-to-vehicle energy flow adapts dynamically to the needs of both the grid and the user. The best charging practice -- "smart charging" -- would address the circumstances of each specific situation, and serve the needs of both the grid and the customer, whether that's saving money, maximizing efficiency, avoiding grid overload, etc.
Drivers for grid modernization
To place this discussion in context, success in electrifying the transportation sector depends, in part, on progress in grid modernization. Several drivers affect the pace of smart grid deployment, but a central one is seemingly ubiquitous: government policies and funding that foster infrastructure development as well as reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The lack of these policies is apparent in countries where smart grid deployment is slow to take hold or in its early stages.
Other players matter too. Utilities must be driven by the need for more effective resource management and by the need to better serve their customers.
These drivers are playing out differently across the globe. In the United States, for instance, the main driver seems to be short-term, operational benefits for the utility, to improve grid reliability by reducing peak loads and/or unbalanced conditions. Yet President Obama's second inaugural address included a call for greater attention to climate change and increased penetration of renewable energy -- an indication that U.S. policy could shift in the near future. If that comes to pass, it would bring U.S. policy closer to Europe's, in which the main goal historically has been CO2 reductions in addition to grid efficiencies and renewable resource integration.
If enlightened regulatory and funding initiatives are adopted in the Asia-Pacific region, smart grids could see widespread implementation there, and countries in that region might leap-frog ahead of Europe and the U.S. (The smart-grid test-bed on the Korean Island of Jeju is one example of advanced grid research in the APAC region.)
Private sector efforts
Development of electronic systems for highly efficient, battery-based energy storage is underway. This includes smart chargers for EVs, as well as smart meters, which will combine real-time monitoring of chargers and batteries in the storage system with certain predictive features of system performance under varied operating conditions.
These meters are being designed to support a user-friendly interface and communication capabilities which allow the user or a grid manager to determine charging parameters for efficiency and cost optimization. This sort of innovation is valuable for industrial and household storage applications and for charging EVs because it manages energy storage tasks in the most efficient manner based on grid conditions. Efficiency in storage systems, as in the grid as a whole, will be a fundamental theme going forward.
About the Author
Gregorio Cappuccino is an IEEE Smart Grid technical expert, senior member, and a member of the IEEE Technical Committee on Analog and Signal Processing and the Advisory Committee for the IEEE Transportation Electrification Initiative. He serves as associate editor for the Journal of Circuits, Systems and Computers and the Journal of Low Power Electronics and Applications. He also works as an associate professor in the Department of Computer Science Engineering, Modeling, Electronics, and Systems at the University of Calabria, Italy, and is CEO of CalBatt, which specializes in the development of high efficiency electric vehicle charger and stationary storage technologies.


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DENTAL TECHNICIAN - Lab or Clinical
Dental Lab Tech - Finishing
- Read, interpret, and design pressed porcelain restorations from Doctors' prescription forms.
- Interface with various support personnel to assure case success (e.g. Technical Advisor, Consultants, Quality Assurance Technicians, Waxers, and Designers).
- Review and approve the work of Waxers, Designers, and Model Workers, as directed, for a case's production. ...
Jul 27 -
Las Vegas
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Protest Snarls Main Exit at MWC
BARCELONA—Students protesting education spending cuts took to the streets, holding up traffic for conventioneers trying to get to and from Mobile World Congress (MWC) late Wednesday.
Authorities shut down the main entrance and exit as thousands of attendees were trying to leave, forcing them to find alternative exits. Police began erecting barriers at about 4 p.m., before the protesters arrived.
The Associated Press cited reports of violence and some fires in garbage cans elsewhere in the city.
Protests took place in Madrid and Valencia as well. Multiple reports said young adults are angry with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy for enacting widespread cuts to prevent a meltdown like those in Greece, Ireland and Portugal. Spain's unemployment rate for people ages 16-24 is at nearly 50 percent, the AP reports.
Convention organizers at the GSMA earlier in the week said it was their understanding the student protests would take place away from the convention area. Over the weekend, a threatened transit strike was avoided, which would have shut down the bus and Metro system.


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MAC Body Blends Collection for Winter 2003
MAC Body Blends Collection for Winter 2003
Help Us Complete the Archives: If you have additional photos, promotional imagery, description/finish/status corrections, please let us know so we can make this archive the best it can be. Drop us a line at [email protected]. Thank you!
Body Blend/Lotion (Limited Edition)
- Lightweight, silky body cream that leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth.
Body Blend/Shower Gel (Limited Edition)
- A rich, velvety foaming cleanser recommended for all skin types.
Check out more photos!
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Slow cooked Tuscan Chicken
At the end of the recipe for Vanilla Cream Pots is mention of a video demonstrating slow cooked Tuscan Chicken - no way for me to open this up and couldn't find the recipe on SE - any body have any ideas for me - would be appreciated.
Talk is closed, but that doesn't mean the conversations have to stop!
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Click Here to Watch the Whole Video in HD at Raw Fuck Club
Raw Fuck Club is an edgy new site from the 'always outrageous' Directors at Dark Alley. RFC offers loads of ejaculation-inducing scenes, served fresh and raw daily.
Danny Gets Fucked by Charly.
Pixels: 320X240 | Bitrate: 350K
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Cooking and Baking
Vegetable Quest: Beets!
Some of you may remember a previous post I made about turnips. I am again questing, if you will, to learn about new vegetables. This time I have fresh beets, with the tops attached. I have some ideas for the beet roots, but can I do anything with the tops? Can I do something besides bake or boil the beets?
Talk is closed, but that doesn't mean the conversations have to stop!
Check out this post for a more thorough explanation, and jump onto our Facebook page or our Twitter feed to keep the conversations going!


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To view research papers or posters related to NEDSAC, click the links on the left. Click the Reports link to view study summaries we have prepared for the agencies and families that are participating in NEDSAC.
Last updated by the National Epidemiologic Database for the Study of Autism in Canada in October 2010