text:
Okay, so while Ms. Thang's away in some remote cottage, high atop a hill where the deer and the antelope play—she asked me to blog.
And here we are. Do you hear that? That's the sound of my creative juices coming to an abrupt halt. When Nat asked me to blog, I had no clue what to blog about.
I still don't.
I've done nine thousand and two blogs in the last month for an upcoming release. People are sick of me. I'm sick of me. Sick.
So let's talk about you.
The readers.
Go ahead. I'll sit quietly and observe.
I'm kidding 🙂 Here's what I thought we'd do—let's talk about reader things. For instance, what kind of author promotion turns you on? What turns you off?
Do you get sick to death of us hawking our wares on every available social network? After you've seen the same tweet tweeted and retweeted nine bazillion times, do you just tune out? Or do you make voodoo dolls out of our online pics and poke pins in us to make us shut up?
If, when you tweet us about a character in a book, would you prefer we just say thank you for the compliment (or not, as the case may be), or do you want us to respond with "Yeah! I loved my Xavier Long Dong Johnson, too! Isn't he dreaaaammmy?" Does that make you want to gag?
What kinds of contests do you like? ARC's, cash, Amazon/Barnes and Noble/Borders gift certificates? Spa retreats, Caribbean cruises? Which, as a p/s, won't ever be something I give away. If there's a cruise to be had, I'm going to be the one in the lounge chair on the deck while Gopher brings me festive drinks with pretty umbrellas 🙂 No slight intended, but thass just the truth.
What contests don't interest you at all?
Do you like excerpts for new and upcoming releases? Do they wet your whistle, or do you forget about them after you've read them?
What's your cash limit on buying books? Do you look at a hardcover and think, "Blow me, bitches! I can get five mass markets for that price. I'll wait till it's out in mass." Or are you the kind of reader who can't wait and buys it in hardcover. I only ask because you'll NEVER have to make that choice with me.
Evah. LOLLOL.
Have you ever met an author in person and ended up disappointed because they weren't like their online personality? No naming names—just gimme your in general experiences because I might know the author who trashed your image of them, and I'll tell them you said it. I will… No, I'm kidding. I wouldn't tell-tell. Okay, the guilt would eat me alive. So don't tell me 🙂
So here's the deal—answer one or all of the questions—it's up to you. Or don't answer any. I'm sooooo not pushy like that. Besides, it isn't like I'm blazing some new journalistic path with my insightful, thought-provoking questions.
But if you want to win something, you gotta answer at least one to be thrown in a random drawing which I'll leave to Nat when she returns from her rendezvous with nature to pick winners etc 🙂
There's no overseas entry limit—I'll ship to Tibet if goats are available to lug shit up hills to you while you zen with the Dalai Lama—or just a cute Tibetan guy.
So—discuss. I await. I got ALL day, fine people 🙂
Hey Dakota,
I love to win books!! Any contest will do unless they make you do so many things that it is easier just to go buy it!, unless it's a signed copy. lol
I love to read excerpts but it makes it so hard to wait for the book-anticipation. lol
I've kept author responses in my file folder of those that really seem justified to me. (agreeing with me) lol
Hard covers are so expensive but those series that I follow they are a must buy. The bigger books are harder to hold when reading also! I usually buy a used copy of the mass market when they come out then sell the hard cover. (they are too big and take up room on my shelves)
LOVE your books D and can't wait for the next from you to come out!
Dear Dakota–
Forget money–I'll just spend it on bills or something whereas gift cards? No guilt at all in using them to buy books. (I think my record for emptying a $100 Amazon gift card is three minutes.) Tweets go right over my head. They're just noise to me, but I will pay attention if a book is mentioned on a blog.
I like freebies, so excerpts and first chapters are great.
What's a hard-back book? I just don't buy them any more. The price point was more than $20. And I'm starting to have a problem with mass market books too. I used to toss two or three in my shopping cart but the last book I bought was $9.99 and after awhile, that sort of adds up. Thank God for paperback book swap and buying used (like new) from Amazon.com.
As for meeting authors–I have never really been disappointed. And I love how accessible you are to your fans and readers. ( am one.)
Aw, thanks, doll–and I'm all about the paperback swap!
I have never met any of my favorite authors. I suppose I am afraid to . I kinda put these people up on a pedistal, like a superhero or some of my favorite actors. I like reading about them or talkin to them via web, but I don't think I want to meet any. It might destroy my fantasies of them or my ideals. Aurthors create dreams and fantasies for people like me to enjoy. Wouldn't want to do anything to jephordize that.
Contests?? I love gift cards especially amazon as I have a kindle. I try not to buy paper anymore unless its taking too long to be put on a kindle, then I buy whatever is availabel!! When a book comes out that I want no matter what form I get it. And I know what the book is about because of the excerpts whick I devour. I love the previews in the back of one book about the upcoming series.
Hi Dakota,
I love your book!! You may be getting sick of hearing that from people, but I really do.
I love to win books or gift cards. I also love to win about anything. I don't like contests that make
you do so many things that you just want to give up and buy the book yourself.
I have never met any but would love to. I think the only thing that would disappoint me would
be if the author was stuck up and thought she was better than everyone else. I have met
several country music singers and some of them are that way.
I do love the fact that you and most of the other authors are eager to answer emails from
your fans.
I love all contest! An autographed book with some bubble bath and tea.A gift card.I'm thankful for anything.
I would love to meet an author, but have never had that opportunity… maybe some day I will. As for contests, I think they're great. I love to read and always have one in the process with several as back-ups. Winning books or gift cards to purchase books is fantastic. Secretly, I'd love to be an author myself!
Hi again Dakota!
Promise I'm not stalking you…ok, maybe a little 😛 Let's see…I actually love hearing from authors and reading tweets and excerpts. Of course, I always have to wait on the excerpts till closer to the release day cause it would drive me nuts to have to wait too long. As for spending money, HA, I have spent so much my husband jokes that books are my version of crack. 🙂 But that's ok, I love to read. I prefer paperback, but have been known to buy some of my can't wait-next one in the series-gotta read now titles in hardcover because I would have serious withdrawals if I had to wait. 🙂 I love the contests too, especially for ARCs! It makes me feel all special to read the book before it's in stores. Of course, I have only won one ARC, but I have read a bunch while working at the book store I work at. 🙂 Anyhoo, that's what I like, so…yeah. 🙂
Hi, Dakota!
I love, love, love contests and giveaways. The only things I don't like to receive are shirts, aprons, and spatulas or other kitchen utensils. I love signed books, spas, makeup, perfumes, gift certificates, etc. – and yes, I'd really enjoy winning a trip. I'm fairly easy to please. LOL!
I love to read about authors new books coming out. Most of them make me want to buy them. I prefer buying paperbacks because they are cheaper. I do have some hardbacks, but I won them in contests or giveaways.
I have never seen any authors at signings, but would love to. It seems like not many of them come to KC.
It's great to see you here today. I'll answer a few of your questions. I love contests to win books or gift cards to book stores. I especially love signed books—I never get rid of them, much to Hubby's chagrin. I really don't like contests with lots of requirements to enter. I don't do facebook. I don't twitter. I enjoy reading book excerpts and columns by authors on lots of topics. I keep a long TBR list and I will add books for future release as they appeal to me. Thanks for visiting.
Being the spazz that I generally am, I don't get sick of the promos at all. It is a great way to remind me to go pick up the book! I like blogs or group postings the best. Twitter sorta overwhelms me (though I don't mind tweeting the word out for others). Facebook is more friendly networking arena for me.
Ohh I love giveaways from authors – almost anything will do ;), I like books, gift cards, and ereaders the best. Lol spa retreats, vacations and such would be super nice in a dream world :D.
Hardbacks – umm yah, it's really really rare I treat myself to one of those – my hardbacks pretty much consist of review copies or gifts I've gotten. Paper or ebook is my motto.
I love excerpts on new/upcoming releases!
My avg book price is $6.99 but I do pick up some $10ish prices ones also. Really just depends on what I know I can get away with without dipping into the bill money.
Most promotions are fine. The only one that was a bit of a let down was a "Bag of Swag" from one site. It contained bookmarks and post cards from a variety of authors plus a few other odds and ends. Not really anything I could use or read. If the bookmarks etc. are from a single author as part of a prize package, that is another story. If I like the book, they show me what else is available. I appreciate the expense these promotions cost authors, stuff I will just throw in the recycling bin is a waste for both myself and the author.
Hawk away. It is a competitive market out there and you have to get your book out there for people to find out about. I visit a wide variety of sites and each takes a different approach to their interviews and reviews. Each review and interview sheds a bit more light on the author and the book. Several times it has been the 3rd or 4th review that has shown a different light on the story and convinced me I needed to read it.
A thanks should be enough. I have both twitter and facebook accounts, but seldom have time to check them. Usually they are clogged with so many messages from a variety of authors, it is just impossible to read or respond to them all. I certainly can't expect a busy author to do much more.
I enjoy all types of contests. The exception is the one mentioned above. A cruise would be fantastic, but I'm with you. Why give it away when you can take it yourself. Books and gift certificates are always great.
Excerpts are good. I have been seriously hooked by several. I have also discovered that a book is not for me. That is a good thing too. You don't want someone buying one of your books and then finding it is not at all what they like. A sale is a sale, but a dissatisfied customer will express that and could cost you another sale. I have found authors where I like some of their books, but know that another they have written just isn't for me.
Paperbacks are great. They are affordable and don't take up a lot of room – something important for those of us who seem to keep every book we have ever purchased. The one disadvantage is for libraries. As someone who purchased books for a library, it is a consideration. Yes, most have paperback sections and ours is a good size. Some people prefer that format. However, trade paperbacks and hardcovers are usually preferable just because they tend to hold up better. (Unfortunately, that is becoming less true. New books just seem to fall apart so much sooner.) They also show better on the shelves and are easier to find.
I have met some authors. Most have been local, a couple big names. Surprise! They are real people. They don't sparkle and shine, have perfect makeup/hair/wardrobes. They go grocery shopping, clean house and have families. One western author comes in to the post office where my husband works. He is a nice guy and just another customer. I have discovered there are a couple of romance writers that live in our town and one in my old home town. I never realized it and haven't met them. They don't need stalkers. They need to be left alone to live their real lives and to be authors only when they have that public hat on. I have never understood why some fans expect an image instead of a person and feel they can approach whenever and where ever they feel like it.. Most have been gracious and chatted. At a signing or large event, you can't expect them to spend a lost of time treating you like a long lost friend. Expecting more is unrealistic. As long as the author is personable and makes an effort to answer my questions and comments (which they have probably heard a thousand time and are ready to scream if they hear it one more time) in a reasonable way, I have no complaints. We all have bad days and I don't see how authors can not at some point yell "I don't want to hear that question ONE MORE TIME! There is a poster at the end of the table and I've put all the dumb questions and answers on it."
librarypat AT comcast DOT net
I love contests that offer ARC'S and ones that offer up B & N gift cards .I realy dont care for ones for ebooks as I dont have an e reader and I dont have time to sit at my pc all day reading lol Id never go to work.As far as hawking goes go ahead I love hearing about books lt me know whats out there for me .
Well, since you asked for our personal type opinions, that's what I'll give. Just be wary of assigning any credence to mine; I'm well aware that I am quite odd.
Promotions are pretty much lost on me. If I wanted to buy something before, I still will. If it didn't interest me before, you're not likely to tell me something about it that will change that.
Hawk away. The only social networks I participate in are blogs and, because a pixie twisted my arm, twitter. It's easy to read and forget things that you're not interested in on twitter and even easier to never click the link from a blog's rss feed. It's more like vendors in a street market than a door to door salesman because it's not personal.
Say whatever you like in response to my constant barrage of requests to feed my Nina addiction. I mean, I still read Rob's books even if she is a bit of a douche to her fans.
About the only ones I'm likely to participate in are the ones where I get to hear myself talk (or rather read myself type) because I'm just a narcissist like that. I don't usually care much about actually winning anything.
Excerpts are slightly complicated. For unreleased books: Do Not Want. It drove me about half nuts getting a chapter a week waiting on Changes; I'll be skipping them next time. For released books though, they're nice to have posted. It's like being able to skim the first couple chapters in the bookstore to see if it's worth buying.
Hardcovers don't bug me at all that they cost $20-30. If it's one that I think I'll want to have a copy of twenty years from now, I'll get the HC. If not, paperback. E-books are the only thing where the prices seriously bother me. If I'm paying more than the cost of a mm paperback, I demand more than the value of a mm paperback. I work with tech daily, so I know better than to trust anything in digital format won't suffer a spontaneous existence failure at the least convenient time. Paperbacks at least can be trusted barring fire, children, or overuse.
I'm not interested in meeting authors, having books signed, etc… I completely fail at the whole idolizing people for their celebrity thing. Celebrities tend to be perfectly normal human beings. And (to quote the cab driver in Harvey) you know what stinkers they are.
Oh, my darling, Buzz–you are the sharp, pointy pin in my bubble. I adore that about you. LOLLOL
Oh, and Nina says, "I love a good hard ass. Make me feel all fucking shiny."
My favorite contests are, obviously, the ones I win! LOL
But I love ARC giveaways, gift cards, swag, I'm just thrilled that authors love us readers enough to bother doing it!
As for promotion, I like reading excerpts because I get a feel for the tone of the book, insight into the characters–it lets me know whether or not I'm going to actually want to read the book after I've bought/won it. I like to see authors tweeting about their books, but not so often that it gets repetitive or boring. Every once in a while, mixed in with regular life stuff–I like knowing that they've got lives outside of their writing too. 🙂
Hey Dakota,
Any contest is fine for me as long as there is a book up for grabs! I am such a bookworm! And thanks to the so many wonderful people around the world who are lovely and generous enough to give away books!! Love them all!
And I rarely buy hardcovers! They are so heavy on the pocket!
I love contest where ARCs are involved (giftcards are a close second). It's like the movie "Something About Mary", but ARCs instead of Mary. I also like seeing how creative authors can be with the contests they come up with.
There is one instance where an author's internet personality was tarnished by their actions on the internet. I've never met the author in person but the more they tweet/facebook/lj, the more groans escape my mouth (That sounded dirty. Meh.). They also sent me a note when I mentioned to another person that I didn't like how the back cover of a pending release read. I don't mind if a conversation is eavesdropped but at least have the courtesy to allow people there opinions. I felt very scolded by there DM.
I've got nothing else.
Oh. My. Now that's not something I've ever encountered, personally, but holy bejebus! Talk about Big Brother, eh? EEK!
Yeah. How far down the totem pole that author has fallen and been replaced. Often. And with prejudice.
Nix on the money deal. Yeah, it would be nice to win cash but since I am the responsible type, instead of spending that on new books, I would use that money for bills and other house items.
Gift cards to various book stores, books, and ARC's are awesome! Even small promotional items like T-shirts (which I have about three), mugs/coffee cups (use to have one Bonnie Rose Leah until my kids broke it and my hubs was like "Well it's a cup it gets used") are awesome. Totes are awesome. I finally won one from Larissa.
Excerpts are ify with me. Sometimes they just frustrate me to no end because I want the book then not later.
Hardbacks – I have a very strict "no buying hardback" rule EXCEPT for Sherrilyn Kenyon's dark-hunter books. Once the paperbacks come out, I give my hardbacks to a friend in Mass. But yeah, the price of them make me think "Why blow all that money on one book when I can buy two, three, possibly four books." I get very disappointed when publishers after so many books switch to putting new releases in hardback. So, if I can catch it early, I'll go to my library instead. Then, when the paperback comes out, buy it for my collection.\
My spending limit? Since I am the responsible type, unlike my spouse, I keep my spending realitively small. Now once a year I may be able to spend about fifty to a hundred dollars on books. Then holidays and birthdays I'll get to spend twenty to possibly thirty bucks on books (never this Valentine, Mother's Day and Easter since Rock on the Range was my gift from the spouse).
I've only met "one" author so far at a signing. That was Sherrilyn Kenyon. The hubs drove me four hours to attend this signing because he knew how much I adored this author and her books. I had tried to get him to read them. He read Kyrian's book and stopped. She was awesome. I was going through a rough patch the month of August and being at that signing just drained all the problems like they didn't exist. I do know that she did make an impact on my husband. On our long drive back home, he looked at me and said "Which book is after Kyrian's." Now he's addicted like me
Hey Dakota!!
I would give you my author name but yeah I is being covert. LOL!!!
Hmm as to the prizes I am reading all the answers peeps, for serious! LOL!!! I love that you all like ARC's and goodies. I have done the whole Amazon gift Cert. I would do it again…like within the next two months LOL!!
Of all the authors I have talked too, am I disapointed…well…there is one, but I won't name names. You on the other hand, my AI, SYTYCD, HWoNJ, twitter companion are far and beyond the funniest author I have talked too! I have talked to a few more that are just as gracious and give me kudoo's when I get a new contract. Which is really weird. LOL!!! One of these days I will meet you all and you will be all blown away with my wit! LMAO…not really but I would like to meet you all LOL!!!
As for what I like as a tadpole in the lilypads of bull frogs(tryin to get the biggest frog here) wait am I even supposed to enter these contest…is there some unwritten author rule for this? Well if not, as a reader I like the updates, to a point, by the fifteenth post in 3 hours I'm ready to shut down and hide for the rest of the day. I love when authors get glowing reviews, I love when authors get new contracts because they are always excited and I love reading great stories. I will buy Hardbacks, especially if its the only way I can read a series I am in love with and I have never done a paperback swap…should look into that LOL!
I will make this one comment though and its not gonna be harsh, but there is a comment right above where I am typing. Miss Wanda, some of us haven't gone to paperback yet and I understand not wanting to sit at your computer all day reading. But you shut out us, who are at the bottom working our way up, we are authors too. We work just as hard as any author out there, we edit, we do all the promo, we are our books and to say you won't read what we write because it's an ebook…hurts and you're missing out on some really great authors and some really great friends of mine with some really good stories. I would hope you could give us a chance. Heck if you find a short, print it out and read it. Just like holding a paperback. Just saying.
Anyway thanks for this Dakota, its opening my eyes as an author too!
You know, I never post reviews. If a fan posts one on twitter, I love them for it, but I always feel so uncomfortable asking people to retweet it. I just can't. I think the only time I'd post a review of my work is if like Zach Levi reviewed it.
You know, Chuck? So we'll never have to worry about that. LOLLOL
I have only had one review…so I posted it. LOL!!! But I don't go over board unless I have a release coming up…I figure if you want my stuff you'll get it, if not…well all of the promo I do or review postings isn't gonna change your mind…is that the wrong atittude? LOL!!!
And who is Chuck…just curious LOL!!!!
Love your pic. I like it when authors share excerpts of current releases and sneak peeks of what they are writing. For contests, books, gift certificates, cash, bath products, candles, etc. are good. I don't buy a lot of hardbacks. They are just too expensive for me.
Hi Dakota! It's me again, and yesssss I'm stalking you! lol Anyhoo, I would love to meet my favorite authors (you) in person but never have. I much prefer books over any other gift or gift cards so I can buy books. My husband told me once that I had too many books, I gave him the look (you know what look) and told him he was crazy. You can NEVAH have too many books! Specially Dakota's! As for hardback versus paperback, in this day and age I'll take what I can get but I used to always buy the hardbacks the minute they came out. Nowadays, it's paperbacks and the library. I would love to have ALL your books in My library and will some day. And as for you being on the internet…I love chatting with you and listening to your blogs! You just plain crack me up sistah! Don't ever change!
Muwah, muwah, muwah! Thank you love!
Hi Dakota! I don't think you can ever go wrong with gift cards as a contest prize – especially Amazon gift cards; I should buy some stocks from Amazon just to get some of my money back from all the crap I buy on that website. Of course I would never turn down a spa certificate or cruise of any kind 🙂 Also, I'm not a huge fan of excerpts for new books/series unless it's from the very beginning of the book. But if it's an established series then it's a great way to refresh the reader's memory of the characters "current events" and I know it gets me excited for the next book to come out. You know, I just realized I've never met an author other than my brother-in-law, Joshua Palmatier, and he's cool 🙂
I love contests that give away books but honestly I'd rather have a gift certificate to get the book that you are giving away. I always order enough books to get free shipping. Who pays for shipping anyway, not moi. I absolutely cringe when I win a book that is sent UPS by a publisher or author. My GAWD, I could have gotten two or three books for what they spent shipping it UPS. If you gotta ship it-ship it MEDIA MAIL- I'll wait an extra day or two cause it's FREE! And hardbacks, I can count on one hand the amount of hardbacks I buy. OH, and ebooks not gonna happen as long as they are the price of a print book or more. I want it in my hot little hand and I want to be able to share it with others after enjoying it.
Okay, got that over with.
I like short excerpts from books, maybe a chapter but I'm probably not gonna read it unless I'm undecided on the book. These just piss me off as I then have to wait for the rest of the story.
Don't mind tweets cause if its repetitive I can ignore it. I enjoy reading blogs that interview an author but I don't enjoy seeing it 10,000 times. Although, you'd probably hear me snicker the first 1000 times if it was yours. Have no interest in meeting authors, I'm only interested in your writing (yeah, I know, you've hear that from guys a thousand times). No really!
I've really enjoyed some of the vlogs that BittenByBooks have had of authors. They make you'll seem more real, you know- hair uncombed, shirt a bit crooked, sneaking a smoke or sip from that cup that we always wonder what's in.
I love when answers tweet/email back with more than just a quick response. Makes my fan girl heart swoon 😉
I love contest for ARC's the most! Love when I get the book just a little bit early 🙂
I never read excert for upcoming releases unless it's a new-to-me author and I'm trying to decide whether to buy their book or not.
I don't have much of a limit on my book hoardingOOps, I mean buying, problem. If it's one I'm dying to read I'll buy it hardcover or MMP, don't matter.
I love contests about as much as I love answering questions. So here goes. I love all types of contests. Though I have been to some sites where the authors wants you to answer 30 questions about one of their books and that is a bit overwhelming. I can appreciate an author trying to promote themselves. But I have a author that is also a friend on goodreads and while her books look interesting and my style she is relentless, she recommends her book to me atleast 5 times a week. Which is a bit much.
I like when authors "hawk their wares" I have discovered many new authors from other authors websites and social networks. Thanks to Michele Bardsley discovered you.
I love any contests, getting things in the mail makes me giddy. I think anything is cool but if you want to send me on a cruise I am good with that. I love signed books.
I like excerpts it helps me know what I want to read or not.
I personally do not buy hardbacks because like you said I can get so many paperbacks for the same price. But if I really really want it I will buy a hardback or large trade paperback especially if I am at a signing.
I love book signings, I have always had a good time at them. I get kinda of irritated when people in the audience ask spoiler or just silly questions. LOL
Ok so I think that is enough from me.
One of my favorite promotions is when the characters from the book are interviewed. Never met any of my favorite authors. I only buy bargain bin hardcovers. As for contests, gift certificates and books are tops.
I love winning books. Ebooks are great as there's the instant gratification thing and no shelf storage required. But print books are good too. ARCs are great because you get them ahead of the release date (see above point re instant gratification). But I just love winning BOOKS!!!!! Gift cards sound good and are less expensive I know for authors to ship (I'm in Canada) but I'd worry about whether they'd honour them here…..
Other things not so interesting to me. And I like peaks at books that are either already out or just about out. Teasers are great, but not months in advance. (Again, see point re instant gratification, totally consistant here)
I don't enter anything that means I have to search for things, figure things out, or *gasp* remember anything. But talk. Yeah, I can do that *smirk*
Hi Dakota,
I love to win books. Can't tell you how many auto-buy authors I discovered from winning one of their stories. The contests I usually take a pass on are YA titles. Don't read them myself, and don't have any kidlets the right age who would enjoy reading them either.
caity_mack at yahoo dot com
Hmm, I don't care what I win as long as I win. Hardcover books are only meant to be checked out of the library. I reserve the book ASAP because the list is looonnngggg for the authors that I want to read in hardback. Otherwise, I wait for to be it in MM. My TBR pile is overflowing as it is!
Don't tweet, but I do read blogs. I file any references to books upcoming that sound appealing. I love, love, love excerpts, but they can be frustrating. You then hafta wait until the book is released! Some books I just must read as soon as they are available. Like yours, and a few other authors. Had to buy and read the ebook of Raising Kane today because I'm addicted to the Rough Rider series.
As too authors disappointing? Not so far. I can only count on one hand the authors I've met in person and none were not what was expected. Heck, I've probably disappointed them because I got so star struck! I am much more quiet in person.
Hee hee, double negative!
My favorite giveaways are signed books. Where I live we don't get that many author signings so any chance to get a signed book I get very excited. And I don't mind all the self promoting on blogs and twitter. I have found some of my favorite books from authors pimping themselves out that way.
My biggest pet peeve (excuse me while I rant) is when a series decides four books in that they want to start releasing the new books in hardcover only. Now I have four small paperbacks and then one big hardcover and my book shelf OCD kicks it and can't take it. GRRR!
I love to win books, journals, jewelry, and gift certs.
Hey! Voodoo dolls. Now there's an idea! LOL! I have one…..hmmm…..
I've met a lot of authors who are now friends. Only once was I put off by an author's attitude. Plus she ran over my foot with her suitcase. Hee. Pretty good, eh?
I do enjoy reading excerpts and by doing so have found some really good books.
Limit? HA! There is no limit to what I'll spend on books. I LOVE MY BOOKS!
Meljprincess AT aol DOT com
My favorite giveaways are signed ARC's the gift card for more books is always good. And of course the Love Boat with Gopher and Issac and don't forget Julie. what was her deal anyways??? And who names a character Merl…really? That show was prob one of the last Gary Colman did…or maybe he was on fantasy Island. I just don't know…But anyhow…books books and more books…I agree with the freak'n don't follow me it the tweets annoy you deal. I usually buy ebooks but if I'm jonesing on a series I will buy the hardcover..usually because Barnes and Noble made me…can you believe they don't like you to smell their new books or maybe its the drool they don't like..meh whatever. I don't know. I just know I have had to buy a few. Other wise its Kindle Baby! Oh and the voodoo dolls have noting to do with he hawking of wares…really!.
want to know what kind of contest burns me up? well, in general, any contest that i can only enter on facebook or twitter. i dont have the time (or level of intelligence) to use either of those sites. yesterday ,i was all excited, because a contest popped up to win 100 books, WOW!! BUT, i could only enter on facebook or twitter. please, anyone who spends their days on either of those sites is NOT a reader. give me a good book anyday, i read avariciously and i would really have enjoyed that particular prize immensly, but, alas, tis not to be. thanks for allowing me to vent my frustration upon your head. love ya, sue
I think I have to respectfully disagree with you, Sue, about not being a reader if you're on FB and Twitter. I think the venue is good for those who want to interact and follow their favorite authors, but I don't necessarily think it makes them less or not a reader. Maybe more just a reader who wants to get involved and chat with their favorite authors 🙂
Different strokes for different folks, I suppose. You'd be amazed the firsthand info you can pick up by following authors/celebs etc. I follow a celeb or two just so I can hear the news first about the shows I watch 🙂
I love reading about all the books on facebook. I have learned about so many new and great authors. I also like getting to know them more. Authors use to be these people that I just adored from afar. I now feel like they really value their fans and that makes me buy more books.
I am a book hoarder….serioulsy…I can spend up to 100 dollars just at half price books. if I hear a book is good I HAVE to have it. I am looking into help for this..RA??? BA??? not sure what route to go!!!
With that said I love to win books. If it is a signed copy I will go to any lenght. What disappints me is when I get a signed copy and it is a stamp of their name…rip off!!! The only hardbacks I will get anymore is if it is signed. I only have five signed copies of books and they are from great authors. I will tell you…I may have to chose between them and my kids in a fire…probably. Maybe I will just put one in each of their rooms so it will be eaiser to save them all….hummmm..brb…I have to go move some things around!!!
Thanks for your stories…they are awesome and a great way to spend the day!!
Ok, I admit freely that I'm a book whore, or is addict a better word to use in this context?! I have now set limits on myself with certain types of books. I will buy one hardcover per year; the lucky winner this year is Christine Feehan's Dark Peril. Borders, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, and certain websites have received my money several times a month for books (mainly trade-size and mass markets). It is a painful addiction that I suffer from— the wait for new books is unbearable at times. UGH!
I love reading excerpts of upcoming novels, entering contests, being the lucky winner of ARCs, etc. However, I have not heard of any contests dealing with books that would allow me to travel to the Caribbean. If such a contest existed, I would sign up big time. I would make my friends and family sign up to win such a contest. I have no shame when it comes to getting free stuff from my favorite authors. I have nagged Cynthia Eden, Jory Strong, Sherrilyn Kenyon and a few others about their books. I have attended booksigning events in my home state of VA and as far as Kentucky and Maryland. I am not much of a twitter follower but check into my facebook as much as I can stand it. LOL.
You know the thing that I would love to see would be my favorite books being turned into movies and tv shows. I guess the rating for them would be rated R.
I love all types of contests, especially ones with books I desperately want to get my hands on and gift cards are always nice too! I can't say anything about the Twitter thing since I don't have one and never plan to, my lazy butt does not want to manage another online program thank you very much. I love how you're rocking the princess crown and boa in the pic!
My favorite giveaways are signed books and gift cards. In these tough economic times it
is nice to be able to by books that I don't have to spend my hard earned money on. Of
course I would never turn down a spa gc or trip either. 🙂 I don't like to answer 15 questions about a book just to enter a contest. Up to 5 is my limit. If I like the author i'm
going to buy their book anyway. Sometimes it is good to just send in my name.
I only buy hard backs if it is a very, very fav author. Why do the publishing companies have
to go to hard backs in the middle of a series. What really ticked me off was JD Robbs books going to hb after the 17th or 18th book (i think). I guess they think they can get more money out of the saps who read these books. I usually wait til it comes out in MM the next year.
I don't mind some reviews and excerpts. It reminds me of a particular author having a book
come out. (my mind isn't always up to date on these things.) LOL
I don't tweet, never got into it. I do have a face book page and a my space, but I don't visit often.
I usually wait for the author's newsletter to come out to remind me. I like to hear about their
every day lives. It makes them more real to me. Have never met any authors. They don't come
to KC much. Of course the romantic times convention was in KC a few years ago, but I was unable to attend (sniff 🙁
I love all contests that give away books! I love little tid bits of whats to come . I prefer paperback, but since I have no patience for my favorite authors I will concede. I do not have any author signed books, that we be great!
I love to read. Especially series. The more the better in the series.
I love contests as I like winning anything.
I buy books in paperback as I have no room for hardbacks, plus the cost is way too high.
I have never meet any of my favorite authors. Would love to tho.
Keep writing those great books.
LOVE contests….but I hate when the prize is jewelry, clothes….nothing that has to do with a book. When I do an author's contest I want to win a book, bookstore gift cards, or some other way to get a book! Hardbacks are for the library….if I can't wait for a paperback, I read it in hardback from the library and then buy it in paperback when it comes out! Since I'm a librarian, I've met several authors at conferences and only one disappointed me (a children's author). I think authors are some of the funniest people to meet!
I can't get sick with promotion at social networks. I don't do social networks 😉 None, zip, zero. I've no account at facebook, myspace, tweeter… About contests, I love all, so no problem there, except thosw with B/N gift cards (B/N doesn't sell to me, Spanish here) 😀 About purchasing books, no hardcover for me, sorry. I like more mass market: cheaper and smaller… And about knowing my favorite authors, no problem there, I doubt they come to Spain, only Lisa Kleypas came once (and I like her books, but not my favorite).
Hi Dakota….let's see, your books, excerpts, books, books series, your books, your book series. Did I mention any of your books? LOL
I don't need any dust collectors…trying to get rid of those I have so I have more room for books. Oh and my quilt fabric. Only two real passions in my life now…quilting and books…both take up lots of room.
I dream of the day that I can make it to a con and meet all the wonderful writers!!! A dream come true!!!!
Giveaways? I love pens, I use them at work an they almost always get stolen so that imo is a way for authors to get promo out there to people who might not read them.
T-shirts, I love them. I always get comments when I wear a tshirt with a book on them or author name, people ask about them.
The coverflats are nice but they end up getting messed up.
ARCs are cool just for tormenting other readers that you have something they want.
I have to say that most of the authors I have met have been extremely nice. Most of them have been nicer then there online persona. There have been some that have become really good friends. In my opinion meeting authors is comparable to say someone meeting a rock/movie star cause to readers you are our idols. It is cool when I go t a bookstore and see an author I can point them out and say he/she is very cool and their books are awesome.
True there are some authors I know I could sit and have a pizza with and others you just say hi to, but most of the authors are very personable.
I know I am posting more then you thought. 🙂 hehe Bet your sorry you asked 🙂
I don't tweet, so no bother for me 🙂
All contests are pretty great. Books, gift cards, bookmarks, etc.
Excerpts are fantastic! Especially the ones that come from a random spot in the book, instead of just the first chapter. Gives you a little more idea of the author's writing style. And a more interesting teaser 🙂
As to book prices, honestly, it depends on who the author is. If it was one of my favorite authors who randonly happened to come out in hardback, you betcha I'd buy it. But somone I'd never read? I'd wait until it came out in paper back.
And I've never met an author, but that would be fan-girl awesome! 8)
Hey Princess Dakota (I expect you'll be moving up to Queen status soon right?lol)
You are too hilarious! So anyway, here's my scoop on the issue. When responding to a compliment on a character, saying thanks is always good; but more of a reply is better.
All kinds of contests are good. Of course receiving copies of new books before they are released is better. Then you feel like a V.I.P. Exerpt emails are good, but I do usually forget afterwards….it's a side effect I have due to reading a lot of great books. :0)
Hardback books vs. paperback books….well that depends on my cash flow at that time. Of course sometimes the store doesn't have the hardback and the only choice you have is paperback. But it's all good because you still get to read the story.
That's it for me. I hope you have a great day!
Kim :0)
Well, I myself love bookmarks. I always love Swag but I think it should be stuff you just mail to your readers if you talk to them. (such as the many lovely ladies and gentlemen that you talk to on face book, etc) As for contests I love books! Maybe cool swag that's hard to get..or something.
I honestly love talking to the authors I know on Facebook and things. Its always nice to get to know the people that you read their books. Gift cards make everyone happy though too.
Just my two cents. 🙂
Giveaways?? Any and all swag are welcome but I do love my ARC's.
And I try not to read excerpts since I hate to spoil the book for myself, but that's just me and I'm okay with skipping if you want/need to post.
And if you're one of my fav authors (and of course you are, Oh Gorgeous One) then I don't mind shelling out the bucks for hardcovers, cause I totally have no patience and having to wait for MMP would kill me.
Well, B, looks like we're good to go–no way will ANYTHING I write ever be in hardcover. 'Cept if I do it myself. LOLLOL
you dude's have been awesome sauce today! Lot's of good info and interesting ops–YAY, readers!
Oi…you've thrown a ton of questions our way…*okay cracking my knuckles*…and Go!
*I love contests…they are a brilliant way for me to be introduced to an author…plus it's also great to win books from authors I already follow. My fave type of contests if you haven't figured out by now are book giveaways (electronic & print), I also love getting GCs to retailers who sell ebooks and/or print books.
*I like hearing about your new releases but I do feel for y'all having to spend so much time doing the tours…I enjoy the blog tours…posts on facebook etc.
*I used to be able to buy any books regardless of whether it was hardcover or mass paperback…BUT now that I don't have a permanent full-time job…my book budget has taken a serious hit. I still buy books but nowhere in the numbers that I used to.
I confess, I'm a readaholic and as such I don't buy the hardcovers, way too much money, however it just about kills me to wait for the paperback! So, if I know its coming out in hardcover, I don't always read the excerpt.
As long as I don't have to jump thru hoops, I don't mind answering a couple of questions for a contest, especially for giftcards (to buy books) or for a book, but not for a backlist since if I like you (and I do) then I probably already own it. Thank you and have a great 4th of July holiday!!!!


text:
Resource Description
Doody's Core Titles presents a comprehensive list of core titles in 121 specialties in clinical medicine, basic science, nursing, allied health, and other health-related disciplines. A completely new edition is published each year. Access is limited to the Kent campus. When you click on this link, you will be directed to login with your Flashline login and then you will get the login information for connecting to Doody's.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Game of the Day: SAFC 3 M'Boro 2
by Ashley Houghton
Late Murphy strike seals key win back in 2008.
The Black Cats came out on top in a five-goal Wear-Tees derby as Daryl Murphy's injury-time winner secured Sunderland's Barclays Premier League status.
Danny Higginbotham and Michael Chopra also scored for the hosts after Tuncay had given Boro the lead.
Afonso Alves looked like he had earned the Teesiders a point but Murphy headed home at the death to win it.
Roy Keane's side started slowly and were behind inside the opening five minutes as Tuncay found space in behind the Sunderland defence and slotted past Craig Gordon.
Higginbotham replied immediately for the Black Cats when he guided Danny Collins' cross beyond Brad Jones in the Middlesbrough goal.
Chopra put the hosts in a commanding position on the stroke of half-time after he latched on to Liam Miller's long ball and smashed a left-footed strike in off the underside of the bar.
Alves scored what looked to be the equaliser 15 minutes from time as he slotted home after former Black Cat, Julio Arca, saw his shot deflect into the path of the Brazilian.
Sunderland showed great desire to bounce back and got their reward in injury time when Murphy rose to head Leadbitter's near-post corner home.
When news came through of Birmingham's draw at Liverpool, which meant the Black Cats were safe, the majority of the 45,059 crowd inside the Stadium of Light were on cloud nine.
Sunderland: Gordon, Whitehead, Nosworthy, Higginbotham, Collins, Edwards (Leadbitter, 60), Reid, Miller, Richardson, Chopra (Murphy, 85), Jones.
Subs not used: Prica, Fulop, Harte.


text:
By keeping A/V in mind from the start, we've designed solutions that make life on the job easier and more efficient.
For years, A/V installation has been an afterthought in the remodeling and construction of buildings, leaving integrators with the challenge of creating work-around solutions. But today, through Wiremold Pathways and Ortronics Connectivity, we are changing the way integrators work, by integrating A/V into our broad product line from the start.
The new EvolutionTM Series Wall Boxes deliver power, communications and A/V with outstanding flexibility and functionality - as well as stylish good looks.
Bring power, communications and A/V from the building infrastructure to the point-of-use with products that are designed to fit together, seamlessly.
Support and protection products to mount integrated AV systems in residential, commercial, broadcast, and security applications.
1. Thanks for visiting Legrand. How would you rate your overall experience with the Legrand website today?
Thank you for your input. We truly value your opinion.
As we design to be better at everything we do, we could use your help improving the Legrand website:
Thank you for taking our survey and helping Legrand serve you better.
Thank you for your time!


text:
suggested this on January 3, 2014, 15:54
Acquiring Facebook Likes can would give the idea that a substitute course when to be totally straightforward, it should be a bit of your additionally stunning informal communication system. Getting your Facebook fan page to buy cheap facebook fan is the hardest things to do, yet when you get there, incredible things start to happen. Various inclination creates quite a few people more likes. Exactly when real people see your fan page is populated and captivating, they will fillow. Nobody needs to leave behind a real open door for something extraordinary. This is the reason buying facebook likes works.once you get your beginning buy facebook likes , it gets much easier to enrapture your fans and get certified benefit for your long range interpersonal communication attempts. We concentrate on our organization especially to picture takers and creatives. We've seen picture takers drive more development to their portfolio from Facebook than Google, Twitter or whatever accessible on the web.
The showcasing masters reliably mastermind contrastingly to beat their adversaries. When you have incredible plan to beat your opponent, you need to apply the course of action on your long range interpersonal communication page to get more disciples and easy followers instagram . This gives vitality scan for your business profile and it will pull in more new customers. Your essential plan should be amassing the instagram supporters in quick time. Perform more explores on your additional times and track your results with the support of substance record. Likewise Email your new frameworks with your workers to look for your web systems administration page. When you take after the plans out and out, you will smoothly taste the accomplishment quickly. You will never give a little place to any buy instagram followers in your game plan and be reliably with more thoughtfulness regarding keep up your flourishing.
Its no secret that there's a huge amount of contenders out there, and something that offers you and your brand ideal component will make a store of qualification as most of the buy twitter followers is in the long run changed into dollars. Don't get me wrong, its still discriminating to framework and exchange quality photos. This investment has created for a conventional hunting decision down bastards. When you choose to buy twitter aficionados, you're clearing yourself up to give that time to distinctive things twitter-related. Regardless these ways are the way you ensure your disciples. They'd rather not stay through various substance pointless for their redirections until a fitting one springs up. You can do this in a couple of courses: by copying diverse records online and how to get twitter gain more twitter followers acquiring fans and tweets. This investment has built for a better than average hunting option down sham skilled workers.
You need to understand the reason in the matter of why you should buy Youtube sees. Understanding the capacity of Youtube will help you to place assets into this kind of viewpoints. It is one of the genuine procedures of publicizing your business through peculiarity as a kind of media. There is compelled thing or brand improvement where there is no advertising. When you buy boosting youtube views of view, you are basically taking part in developed publicizing which is the best kind of pushing in the 21st century.buying concentrated on Youtube viewpoints fabricates your business' online region. Various Youtube viewpoints means stretched gimmick predominance. It suggests that the higher the viewership the more your gimmick will be conferred over all interpersonal collaboration stages. Inside a concise time of time your peculiarity will go viral.in separation to some of our opponents, we pass on sees from genuine customers just. We never adventure fake records or bots to give our clients the obliged number of buy youtube comments . Thusly, you may make sure that when you purchase sees on Youtube, each one of them are from certified people.


text:
Parcells quit coaching because of Romo?
Hey guys thought you should check out HBO's Real Sports Tuesday night at 10 p.m. They sent us an advanced transcript and the most interesting tidbit revealed by a relaxed Bill Parcells was that basically Tony Romo's botched hold on the snap that cost the Cowboys the wild card victory over the Seahawks two seasons ago drove him into retirement from the sidelines forever.
"We'd just lost to Seattle and I'm flying back," Parcells told Andrea Kremer of HBO from his summer home in Saratoga Springs. "I'm sitting up with the pilots, you know, I have a little fear of flying so I ride up in the cockpit. And I said, 'This is probably going to be my last trip.' And you just know. You don't want to go through the whole process again, to get to right where we were. You know?
"And all you got to do is kick a field goal, the most elementary of plays, and then you just don't do it. And so I don't want to go through that process again. Too much blood."
Parcells said he would never return to the sidelines and that he won't offer any input during games this season. He would however assist the coaching staff earlier in the week, particularly on personnel decisions. He also said he most likely won't be traveling to road games and that he prefers to watch games by himself.
The interview was conducted before the Jason Taylor trade. Parcells didn't return my phone call (or anyone else's other than possibly his pal at ESPN Chris Mortensen) Sunday night.
Poor Tony Romo gets blamed for lots of stuff.


text:
Blue Petyl was founded in 2010 with a concept to create high-quality, couture wedding bouquets, as a compelling alternative to traditional flowers. We are a family-run business
based in San Diego, California, and we have a passion for our work.
Since our beginning, we have pioneered new design concepts with our jeweled silk flower, button, and brooch bouquets and accessories. We have assembled a talented team of
designers who strive to provide only the highest level of customer service to our brides.
Our popular bridal bouquets feature buttons, brooches, jewelry, silk flowers and other handmade details. Each bouquet we create is a unique work, can be personalized for your wedding, and can be cherished and displayed for as long as your memories. We believe our bouquets are beautiful and unique. We believe their details will surprise you the closer you
look at them. We like to do things differently, and we are passionate about our work.
"I just want to say thank you again!!! My brooch bouquet was truly the biggest hit of the wedding, EVERYONE raved about how cool it was."
San Diego, CA


text:
I conducted a series of interviews yesterday about my lawsuit regarding my employment with the Minnesota Senate. On September 6, 2012, a federal magistrate issued an order which prohibited the parties involved from "public discussing this case". The order issued on September 6, 2012 specifically stated:
"IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT all parties and attorneys are ordered to refrain from publicly discussing this case pending the outcome of the settlement negotiations. No public comment, either direct or indirect, shall be permitted concerning the negotiations or the case in general until further order of this Court."
After the gag order was issued, Senator Dave Senjem, Senator Paul Gazelka and Senator John Howe all spoke about the case publicly, while another Senator commented anonymously to a media outlet and staff for the Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus tweeted about the case.
On Friday, my attorneys requested the gag order be lifted because of the repeated violations by Senators and staff at the Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus. The gag order was lifted on Friday afternoon and therefore, for the first time in 10 months, I commented to the media extensivley about my employment with the Minnesota Senate. Click here to view my interviews with FOX 9, the Associated Press, Minnesota Public Radio and the Star Tribune. I'm taking a couple days off from blogging at politics.mn, so please check back on Wednesday for new posts.


text:
by Anonymous from Florida
I have read the Florida Statutes 61.20 5,5 and 6 that requires both parties to complete a Parenting course.
We have been to court and she was never made to take this course nor was she excused from taking it.
Now I am filing a modification case and I want to know what to do to make her have to take this course, or can I file her in contempt of court for failing to do so?
Answer to Florida Custody & Visitation QuestionDear Anonymous,
You Are Here → Home › Custody & Visitation FAQs › Contempt Child Custody & Visitation
Return to Child Custody Visitation.


text:
Stanford travels to Los Angeles this weekend for the MPSF Championship, set to be held at USC's Uytengsu Aquatics Center. As the top seed in the seven-team draw, the Cardinal receives a bye into Saturday's semifinal round, where at 2:30 p.m. it will take on the winner of Friday's quarterfinal between No. 4 California and No. 5 San Jose State. Stanford seeks its first MPSF Championship crown since 2006.
All games at this weekend's MPSF Championship will be streamed online through USC's Championship Central website, which can be found here.
Entering the 2014 MPSF Championship, Stanford has previously captured four conference tournament titles (2000, 2001, 2003, 2006) and appeared in the title game 11 times. Since its last title in 2006, the Cardinal has lost in the championship game four times (2007, 2009, 2012, 2013) and thrice finished third (2008, 2010, 2011).
Stanford, with a bye into Saturday's semifinal round, will face the winner of Friday's quarterfinal matchup between No. 4 seed California (17-7) and No. 5 seed San Jose State (20-11). This year, the Cardinal owns a combined record of 3-0 against the two teams, with two of the victories coming against California.
California has gone 4-6 over its past 10 games entering this weekend's MPSF Championship, most recently dropping the Big Splash to the Cardinal by a score of 9-6 on Saturday. The Golden Bears are led in the pool by the the MPSF's leading scorer, Dora Antal, who averages 3.10 goals per game and has 65 goals total. In the cage, Madeline Trabucco owns a goals-against average of 8.05.
San Jose State brings momentum into the weekend, having won seven of its past nine games. The Spartans earned the No. 5 seed by defeating Cal State Bakersfield this past Friday, and, despite a three-way tie at 2-4 with California and Arizona State in the MPSF standings, ending up second in the three-way tiebreaker. The Spartans are led by the play of Clara Espar Llaquet (2.97 goals per game) and Rae Lekness (2.45), who rank second and fourth, respectively, in the MPSF. In goal, Katelynn Thompson is fourth with a goals-against average of 6.23.
Stanford has scored 288 goals so far this season and ranks second in the MPSF with 13.71 goals per game. A big reason for the Cardinal's offensive prowess is the versatility of its scoring threats, as five players have scored at least 30 goals. Junior Kiley Neushul leads the pack with 42 goals while Ashley Grossman has scored 40. Also over the 30-goal mark are Maggie Steffens (38), Annika Dries (37) and Anna Yelizarova (34), giving the Cardinal five 30-goal scorers in a season for the fifth time (1997, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2014).
The Cardinal defense has been on point against some of the best competition in the country over the past month, helping fuel Stanford's 11-game winning streak. That streak has included wins over each of the other top-five teams in the country (USC, UCLA, Arizona State, California) in which the Cardinal allowed a combined total of just 23 goals (5.75 goals per game). Field players such as Steffens and freshman Jamie Neushul have come up with key field blocks on the defensive end, while Dries has proven one of the top two-meter defenders in the country. In the cage, sophomore Gabby Stone ranks third in the MPSF with a 6.12 goals-against average, and the Cardinal defense is third in the conference allowing just 5.95 goals per game.


text:
You're itching to get away, perhaps with family members in tow, but $300-a-night hotel rooms aren't in the budget. Perhaps it's time to join the tens of thousands of happy travelers who have embraced home-swapping.
"Exchanging may be the best thing I have ever done, and I wish I'd discovered it years earlier," says Boyd Scheff, a New Yorker in his 70s who has done 18 such swaps. In addition to great vacations, Scheff's takeaway includes a goddaughter in Barcelona, the child of the first couple he and his wife exchanged homes with (proving how strong swappers' bonds can become).
With accommodations that include everything from Paris pied-à-terres to Connecticut country homes to Bahamian beach houses, home-swapping is one of the hottest travel trends and offers something for everyone. (Well, everyone comfortable with the idea of letting strangers stay in their home, that is.) And for good reason: Excluding the cost of posting a listing, home swaps are entirely free.
According to HomeExchange.com, a well-respected organization that facilitates swaps, these exchanges work especially well for experienced travelers seeking affordability and authenticity. "In my career as a management consultant, I have stayed in hundreds of hotels the world over," Scheff says, "and I can't say that I miss them at all."
Helen Coyle Bergstein, founder of the 13-year-old exchange service Digsville.com has fond memories of a Caribbean home exchange. "In Anguilla one summer, the entire island treated us like family because our swap partners' dad owned a local jazz club. My husband, Joe, had his flute with him and was invited to sit in with local musicians almost every night of the week."
It's that type of priceless experience that Bergstein says "would not have happened had we been staying in hotels or resorts."
(MORE: Save Money and Feel at Home by House-Swapping)
3 Good Reasons to Swap
- Go local and save money. As a general rule, you'll benefit from more space, increased privacy and all the comforts of home — away from home. Some swappers also trade vehicles and pet care, making the package even more financially attractive. You essentially become a local and get all the perks that go along with that.
- Conserve resources. Keghan Hurst, director of public relations at HomeExchange.com, says trading addresses is also growing in popularity because of what she calls "a collaborative consumption trend." Hurst says, "By exchanging and sharing items, such as your home, bicycle, car, etc., you essentially reduce your carbon footprint." Basically, home-swapping allows you to have an authentic experience, save money and be an environmental do-gooder all at once. It's another sign of sustainable tourism's appeal to the 1.5 billion people expected to travel internationally by 2020.
- Forge lasting relationships. In many situations, exchange partners become friends for life. An alternative to exchanging keys at the same time is to agree to a "hospitality exchange," where members host each other in their private homes at designated times. These do-it-yourself houseguest arrangements nurture social interaction and can be very appealing for mature travelers with years of travel notes to share.
How to Make a Home Swap Happen


text:
Alternative energy isn't on a lot of people's minds right now.
The first hurdle is a practical one: Energy remains cheap. Crude oil has swung between $80 and $110 a barrel for the last few years, but there seems to be underlying stability despite the short-term volatility. Also, natural gas remains extremely cheap thanks to the fracking boom.
It's not a surprise, then, that Bloomberg New Energy Finance reports that clean energy investment dropped 11% in 2012.
But the real surprise is that while the broader market for green energy technology investments did fall, it soared in China. Consider this from the report, released in January:
"Investment fell 32 percent in the U.S., 51 percent in Italy, 68 percent in Spain and 44 percent in India. That offset gains in China and from small hydropower projects… China's total surged 20 percent to a record $67.7 billion. It was more than 50 percent above the U.S., which reaped $44.2 billion for its clean energy industry."
So while Western governments cut back on alternative energy subsidies and research, China is becoming a global superpower. In 2011, China was responsible for about one-fifth of total worldwide investment in green energy. In 2012, it spent more than one quarter of the $268.7 billion invested globally.
That's hard to ignore.
Granted, leading in gross spending doesn't always correlate to dominance — just look at high-priced CEOs that fail miserably. Consider this telling chart about the plummeting cost of solar power, borrowed from Uncommon Wisdom, and there might be a similar argument to be made for alternative energy.
To wit: There are ways to generate green energy that don't break the bank … and it's not exactly a secret that graft and inefficiency plague government spending in China.
But don't just dismiss China out of hand. It has a big incentive to become a world leader in alternative energy — namely, its status as the world's leader in greenhouse gasses.
So why not turn the negative into a positive by pushing big into alternative energy? That not only fixes China's issues should the world tax carbon emissions or should its citizens rise up against dirty business practices, but also provides a great market for its work force to continue its growth into high-tech sectors and away from manufacturing.
Sounds like a win-win for China. But how can you profit from this?
Investors can play this trend by looking into Chinese alternative energy stocks, including SunPower (NASDAQ:SPWR), Suntech Power (NYSE:STP) LDK Solar (NYSE:LDK), Yingli Green Energy (NYSE:YGE), Trina Solar (NYSE:TSL), JA Solar Holdings (NASDAQ:JASO) and the oddly named Canadian Solar (NASDAQ:CSIQ). These are all China-based solar stocks, though SunPower and Yingli are the largest by market cap.
This segment of the alternative energy market seems the best place to start, since solar leads all categories. Of the $268.7 billion invested in 2012, over half of that ($142.5 billion) went to solar.
Another riskier investment — in wind — includes the small-cap China Ming Yang Wind Power Group (NYSE:MY).
Do your research thoroughly if you're thinking about picking any of these players, but remember that many Chinese companies are notoriously opaque.
And if you still want China alternative energy plays but don't like the risk of individual stocks, there also are exchange-traded funds that provide exposure.
The Powershares WilderHill Clean Energy Portfolio (NYSE:PBW) has SunPower as a top holding, though it also has Western companies including Tesla Motors (NASDAQ:TSLA). Get BPW details here at InvescoPowerShares.com.
A true global player is the iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (NASDAQ:ICLN) with only 14% exposure to the U.S., though it also is spread across South America and Europe as well as Asia. Get ICLN details here on iShares.com.
And a final note: This story about a pot of gold at the end of the alternative energy rainbow has been tossed around for years, with little long-term gains made for the players so far. SunPower is indeed up 60% in the last several months … but remains more than 85% below its 2008 peak.
There's no sure thing in any sector, including alternative energy. But the rise of China and the long-term transition away from fossil fuels seems a compelling case for a long-term investment.
Related Reading
- Of course, there are big risks here — as evidenced by the fall of China's "solar king." (Bloomberg Businessweek)
- Some experts contend alternative energy actually might be cheaper than fossil fuels in Australia right now. (Gizmag)
- China continues to push nuclear as well as solar energy alternatives. (International Business Times)
Jeff Reeves is the editor of InvestorPlace.com and the author of "The Frugal Investor's Guide to Finding Great Stocks." Write him at email@example.com or follow him on Twitter via @JeffReevesIP. As of this writing, he did not own a position in any of the stocks named here.


text:
Mass layoffs in May 2012
June 21, 2012
Employers took 1,380 mass layoff actions in May involving 130,191 workers, seasonally adjusted, as measured by new filings for unemployment insurance benefits during the month.
The number of mass layoff events decreased by 8 from April to May, and the number of associated initial claims decreased by 5,409. Year-to-date mass layoff events (6,768) and initial claims (636,484) both recorded their lowest figures since 2007.
In May, 264 mass layoff events were reported in the manufacturing sector, seasonally adjusted, resulting in 29,675 initial claims.
These data are from the Mass Layoff Statistics program. For more information, see "Mass Layoffs — May 2012" (HTML) (PDF), news release USDL-12-1245. Each mass layoff involved at least 50 workers from a single employer.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, The Economics Daily, Mass layoffs in May 2012 on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2012/ted_20120621.htm (visited June 26, 2016).
Recent editions of Spotlight on Statistics
Employment and Wages in Healthcare Occupations
Healthcare occupations are a significant percentage of U.S. employment. Some of the largest and highest paying occupations are in healthcare. This Spotlight examines employment and wages for healthcare occupations.
Fifty years of looking at changes in peoples lives
Longitudinal surveys help us understand long-term changes, such as how events that happened when a person was in high school affect labor market success as an adult.
- A look at pay at the top, the bottom, and in between
The Spotlight examines how earnings and wages have changed over time and how they differ within a geographic area, industry, or occupation.


text:
"Autism...because we don't know much about it; its in such a wide spectrum, that we consider it like a puzzle."
A puzzle that Sheri Hunt learned about when her 2 year old son, Patrick was diagnosed with a form of autism called PDDNOS.
"Honestly, we had really known something was wrong for a while and I think, for me myself...it was more of a relief to know what was going on so I would know how to fight it."
Sheri was then introduced to Debbie Meador, who herself has a 19 year old son who suffers from Autism, and the two decided to work together for Autism awareness..
"Me and Debbie got to talking. We talked for a few weeks and decided we wanted to form a support group. We started advertising, not expecting much, honestly. But thankfully the community has been wonderful and really responded well."
It was the community of Scottsville, as well as Horse Cave and Bowling Green that came out Sunday to walk for Autism awareness, something Debbie says barely existed when her son was first diagnosed 15 years ago.
"I remember the first time they said John had some autistic-like behaviors, I didn't even know. I said "what does that mean?" I had never heard the word "autistic".
Sheri and Debbie both hope Sunday's march will raise awareness throughout South Central Kentucky.
"I think they need to know that because a child is autistic they still have feelings, they still need to be treated well. Its not bad behavior, they're just reponding to us from their environment cause they feel things different than us."
"We're trying to piece the puzzle together one piece at a time."
The Allen County Autism Support Group has been in operation since the beginning of this year.
For those interested in the Autism support group or just want to discuss the topic...You can contact Debbie Meador at (270) 237- 4473 or Sheri Hunt at (270), 622- 6414.


text:
Skydiving.com now has a network skydiving location serving Guayama and Guayama County in Puerto Rico. Call Skydiving.com at 1-800-617-7948 for details, free information and specials on skydiving in Guayama, PR today!
Popular Tags for Skydiving Guayama:
Skydiving Guayama, Skydiving in Guayama, Sky Diving Guayama, Skydive Guayama PR, Skydiving 00784, Guayama Skydiving, Skydiving Guayama Puerto Rico, Skydiving near Guayama, Skydiving in Guayama Puerto Rico, Guayama Sky Diving, Skydive 00784, Skydiving Guayama PR, Skydive Guayama, Skydiving Guayama County, Skydive in 00784, Skydiving PR, Sky Diving Guayama PR, Guayama, Puerto Rico
Conveniently Serving 00784 and 1 other Guayama, PR zipcode:
Sign up for our newsletter and receive updatesand specials on skydiving across America!


text:
Garden Party Clutch by Kristin Omdahl
Welcome! You are browsing as a guestWould you like to see projects made from this pattern and much more? join Ravelry now What am I missing?
© Tahki Stacy Charles, Inc.
Garden Party Clutch
This pattern is available for $6.00 USD
buy it now or visit pattern website
buy it now or visit pattern website
1 skein EACH in colors #4202, #4605, #4872 and #4997
For more information, see: http://tahkistacycharles.com/product/patterns/garden...


text:
Jan. 6, 2011
PALO ALTO, Calif. - University of Arizona Wildcat women's basketball picked up its first Pac-10 loss on Thursday after falling to the No. 4/4 Stanford Cardinal, 87-54. Arizona falls to 11-3 overall and 2-1 in Pac 10 play while Stanford moves to 10-2 overall and 2-0 in Pac-10 play.
Stanford snapped Arizona's six-game winning streak that started on the road at New Mexico on Dec. 7. The Cardinal win on Thursday extends their home win streak to 53 games.
"It was a tough loss for us tonight," head coach Niya Butts said. "Certainly, we wish we gave them a better performance. Stanford is a tough team, especially at home. We have to bounce back and get ready to play at Cal on Saturday. Our team will be ready to do that. It's just unfortunate that tonight things didn't go our way."
"Taylor Dalrymple absolutely stepped up for us tonight," Butts said. "Her leadership on the floor was good and her leadership on the bench was good. That was definitely a bright spot for us and hopefully she can carry that over to Saturday's game."
For the third-straight game, junior guard Shanita Arnold led Arizona in scoring. Against Stanford, she had 13 points to go with her two rebounds and three assists. She was the lone Wildcat to score in double figures but senior forward Ify Ibekwe (8), junior forward Taylor Dalrymple (8), sophomore guard Davellyn Whyte (9) and junior guard Reiko Thomas (9) were not far off. Ibekwe paced Arizona at the glass with eight boards.
Stanford took over in the second half, shooting 70.4 percent with 19-of-27 from the field. On the game, the Cardinal out-rebounded the Wildcats, 50-35, and kept Pac-10 leading Ibekwe at bay with just eight rebounds.
The Cardinal opened the first half with a 9-0 run that eventually ended with an Arnold jumper just outside the 16-minute mark. The Wildcats got back in the game thanks to three's from Whyte and Arnold and four defensive rebounds from Ibekwe.
Stanford's Nnemkadi Ogwumike had 14 points and five boards in the first 20 minutes. The Cardinal were 17-41 from the field (41.5 percent) while the Wildcats were 14-35 (40.0 percent) in the first half. Stanford out-rebounded Arizona, 31-17. The Wildcats hung tough with Stanford in the first half and were within 40-33 at the break despite shooting 4-for-4 from three-point range and missing their first eight field-goal tries.
For Stanford, N. Ogwumike was the leading scorer with 24 points. Chiney Ogwumike and Kayla Pedersen led at the glass with 11 rebounds each. The Cardinal had four players score in double digits. Stanford shot 41.5 percent for the first half, 70.4 percent in the second half and 52.9 percent for the game.
Arizona's usual starting five again got the nod on Thursday: Arnold, Ibekwe, junior guard Brooke Jackson, senior forward Soana Lucet and junior Whyte. Junior guard Reiko Thomas saw the most minutes off the bench with 22. She pitched in with nine points, five boards, an assist and a steal.
Arizona will return to the court on Sat., Jan. 8, to face California at Haas Pavilion. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. in Berkley, Calif. MT.
Niya Butts postgame at Stanford


text:
Miami Dolphins: No. 1 WR? Who cares?
Tony Sparano was asked at the last open OTA day whether he had a No. 1 receiver. He said that he believed that he did. Then he said it could be one of a number of guys.
Which means that he doesn't have one.
Which, in my view, is fine.
Bill Parcells took Giants teams to Super Bowls without one (his best receiver was his tight end).
The Dolphins won 11 games without one last season.
Remember, at this time last year, Ernest Wilford was supposed to be on the other side of Ted Ginn, Jr. Greg Camarillo was supposed to get cut. Davone Bess was an outside shot to stick. David Martin, the one returning tight end, was coming off a terrible year. Chad Pennington wasn't even on the roster yet, and wouldn't be for nearly three more months.
And yet Pennington found a way to spread the ball around, and move the team enough to win the division.
Would it be nice for the Dolphins to have one receiver who struck fear in opponents, and forced defenses to overcompensate with a special gameplan? Sure. The Giants struggled without a primary target last year, after Plaxico Burress went down. But if Ginn is as improved as Sparano suggested today, maybe the third-year man becomes that guy.
And if he doesn't, ask yourself this:
How many true No. 1s are there? Guys who always demand a safety over the top?
Steve Smith. Larry Fitzgerald. Andre Johnson. Randy Moss and Terrell Owens, when motivated and sedated, respectively. Anquan Boldin, perhaps, if he wasn't his team's No. 2. Calvin Johnson someday, perhaps starting this year.
Hines Ward? Love his game, and he's a perfect fit for the Steelers' style. But do you fear him?
Torry Holt was a No. 1. Not anymore. Same for Marvin Harrison, who doesn't even have a team, which gives Reggie Wayne a chance to step into that spot.
Antonio Bryant and Roddy White showed that potential last year, but both need encores to cement their status. Braylon Edwards? Too many drops. Chad Johnson? Too temperamental. TJ Houshmanzadeh? We'll see this year in Seattle, but I doubt it. Roy Williams? He's paid like one, but he hasn't always played like one.
Tennessee won last year without one. The Jets don't have one. Neither do the Redskins, though Santana Moss would be an above-average No. 2. And on and on.
The point is that it's not important that the Dolphins declare a No. 1 guy, or that someone develops into a receiver diva. It's simply important that Pennington can trust multiple guys in key situations.


text:
Porsche breaks 'Ring record with new Panamera Luxury
4 hours ago
4 hours ago
Lyft offering rides in new Ghostbusters Ecto-1... Videos
June 30, 2016
June 30, 2016
First Drives
Auto Shows
Spy Shots
Car Tech
Rolls-Royce is gearing up for the launch of an all-new Phantom in 2018 but sadly there will no longer be coupe and convertible versions to go along with the sedan. That means... read more May 22, 2016 by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
Rolls-Royce is currently developing an all-new aluminum spaceframe architecture for its next-generation lineup, and here we see one of the more advanced test mules out and... read more March 17, 2016 by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
Rolls-Royce is hard at work developing an all-new aluminum platform that will eventually underpin its entire portfolio of cars, including a new SUV. The first model to be... read more February 23, 2016 by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
When a high-profile ride like a Rolls-Royce Phantom goes missing, we imagine it winds up on a shadowy slow boat to South America, or categorically corrupt enclave in Eastern... read more May 26, 2015 by John Coyle
On the heels of the stunning Serenity Concept unveiled in Geneva enters the latest model in Rolls-Royce's famous line of bespoke vehicles. The Phantom Limelight Collection... read more April 25, 2015 by John Coyle


text:
Not Asking for It: Scenes From SlutWalk NYC
Photos from the weekend's other protest.
Wall Streeters weren't the only ones being protested in New York City over the weekend. In the vicinity of Union Square on Saturday, hundreds of women (and some men) took part in the first New York City SlutWalk, a protest against people who believe that women invite rape when they drink too much or dress provocatively. People such as Police Constable Michael Sanguinetti, who sparked the first SlutWalk in Toronto earlier this year when he remarked, not very delicately, that "women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimised." On Saturday — amid a spree of unsolved sexual attacks in the Park Slope area — a sea of scantily clad women expressed just how much they don't appreciate that kind of advice. Our own Konstantin Sergeyev was there to document it all.


text:
Some Game Themes
Season Two of the Mike Stoops era kicks off with a road trip to Salt Lake City ... Both Arizona and Utah will be opening their respective seasons to a nationally televised audience on ESPN ... After matching the high-flying Utah offense nearly yard-for-yard in 2004, can a more experienced and effective Arizona offense take advantage of scoring opportunities after kicking just a pair of field goals in five red zone chances against the Utes a season ago ... What look will Utah show after losing its head coach, offensive coordinator, starting QB and its top two productive wideouts from last season ...
In a series that dates back to 1924, Utah owns a 18-15-2 advantage against Arizona in 35 all-time meetings ... Thirteen games in the 35-game series have been decided by seven points or fewer ... Utah's 23-6 victory over Arizona in Tucson last season snapped a two-game winning streak in the series for the Wildcats and a seven-game UA winning streak over the Utes in Tucson ... In games played in SLC, Utah owns a slight 9-7 lead in the series and an 8-7 mark against Arizona in Rice-Eccles Stadium ... Arizona's last trip to its neighbor to the north in 2000 resulted in a 17-3 Wildcat win ... As members of the Western Athletic Conference, Arizona tallied a 9-4 record against Utah from 1965 to 1977 ... Since UA joined the Pac-10 in 1978, Arizona and Utah have played five times, including three times in the last five years, to a 3-2 Arizona advantage
Two costly turnovers and an inability to post points inside the red zone doomed Arizona to a 23-6 loss to Utah at Arizona Stadium in Tucson last season ... The Wildcats matched the Utes nearly yard-for-yard on offense (326 UU to 312 UA), but a fumble on the first play of the game at the UA 27 and a Kris Heavner interception inside the Arizona 20 twice gave Utah a short field to work with and an easy 10 points ... UA's Nick Folk ended Arizona's eight-game streak without a field goal conversion with a pair of successful attempts in the game, but the six points fell well shy of what could have been as Arizona penetrated Utah's red zone five times in the contest and came up scoreless thrice ... Utah's Marty Johnson led all players with 105 yards rushing and a TD and UU's Alex Smith posted 170 yards passing and two TDs to receiver Steve Savoy ... While a small consolation, Arizona held Utah to its lowest scoring output of what turned out to be an undefeated and Fiesta Bowl championship season in Mike Stoops' second game as head coach at UA.
Noting the Utes
Utah enters its season-opening game against Arizona with a 16-game winning streak in tow after winning the final four games of the 2003 campaign and capping off the most historic season in Ute history in 2004 with a 12-0 record and a championship in the Fiesta Bowl ... Since the 35-7 victory over Pitt in Tempe last Jan. 1 a lot has changed for Crimson and White. Gone are head coach Urban Meyer (to Florida), offensive coordinator Mike Sanford (to UNLV), quarterback and Heisman Trophy finalist Alex Smith (to the NFL), leading rusher Marty Johnson (graduation) and leading receivers Steve Savoy and Paris Warren (both to the NFL) ... Despite all the offseason turnover in the Beehive State, the cupboard wasn't exactly left bare for former Ute defensive coordinator and current head coach Kyle Whittingham. The Utes return five starters on both offense and defense, including three-fifths of the offensive line, their leading tackler from 2004, linebacker Spencer Toone, and defensive back Eric Weddle, who intercepted four passes and broke up five others in 2004 ...
Arizona will attempt to tie the school record for consecutive seasons with a victory in the opening contest of the year at six straight against Utah on September 2 ... UA has won six straight season-openers four times in school history, with the latest coming from 1971-76 ... The Wildcats extended their winning streak in season openers to five straight after defeating Northern Arizona 21-3 last year ... Dating back to 2000, UA has beaten Utah (2000), San Diego State (2001), Northern Arizona (2002, 2004) and UTEP (2003) to open each respective year ... The Utah game in 2000 and the San Diego State contest in 2001 were on the road ... Dating back to 1899, Arizona is 73-23-5 all-time in season-opening games.
Wildcats Picked To Finish Eighth
No Let Up On The Schedule
Just like the previous two seasons,
In The Second Year
Mike Stoops is looking to join predecessors Larry Smith and Dick Tomey as the two
Mike Stoops
Tony Mason
Larry Smith
Dick Tomey
John Mackovic
1977* - 5-7, 3-4
1980 - 5-6, 3-4
1987 - 4-4-3, 2-3-3
2001 - 5-6, 2-6
2004 - 3-8, 2-6 1978 - 5-6, 3-4
1981 - 6-5, 4-4
1988 - 7-4, 5-3
2002 - 4-8, 1-7
2005 -
Mike Stoops
* In Tony Mason's first year
* In Tony Mason's first year
Stoops Named Pac-10's Rising Star
Something To Build Off Of
Although the Wildcats suffered through their sixth-straight non-winning season last year, the improvement over the course of the year could be seen both on the field and the stats sheet.
Defense On The Rise
Not quite on par with the nationally renowned "Desert Swarm" defenses of the mid-90's, last year's defensive squad did take significant strides towards reestablishing UA's reputation on that side of the ball. Opponents gained 1,347 less yards on offense in 2004 as they did in 2003 and scored 154 fewer points. With a full year in the Stoops system, even more improvements are expected out of the group this year.
Defensive Improvements
Stat 2003 2004 Difference
Opp Scoring 429 275 -154
Opp Pts/Game 35.8 25.0 -10.8
Opp 1st Downs 284 220 -64
Opp Rushing 2,169 1,363 -806
Opp Rush Yds/Game 180.8 123.9 -56.9
Opp Passing 3,351 2,810 -541
Opp Total Offense 5,520 4,173 -1,347
Opp Total Yds/Game 460.0 379.4 -80.6
Start Me Up
The Wildcats have a number of players on both sides of the ball with considerable starting experience on the resumes. Led by senior free safety Darrell Brooks' 30 starts, the UA defense has seven different players with 11 or more career starts (SS Lamon Means 25, DE Marcus Smith 17, DE Copeland Bryan 13, DT Paul Philipp 12, CB Antoine Cason 11 and CB Wilrey Fontenot 11). On offense, lineman Kili Lefotu paces the Cats with 29 career starts, including 10 in 2004. Others with significant starting experience include RB Mike Bell (25), OL Peter Graniello (11) and WR Syndric Steptoe (11).
Freshmen Looking To Make an Impact
A number of first-year Wildcats are looking to earn their way on the field this season. Michael Thomas, Blake Kerley, Brandon Tatum, Xavier Smith, Adrian McCovy and Garrett Fields headline a freshman class that made a strong a impression during fall camp. Thomas is pushing for playing time in
Run G.M.C.
Run GMC Season Totals
Avg. Bell
0 Henry
0 Harris
0 Combined
Firstly, They're Hardly Secondary
Led by senior team captain Darrell Brooks, the
The "Js" are Okay
There seems to be a trend developing among UA's wide receiver corps: B.J., B.J., M.J., A.J., S..., well it doesn't quite work across the board, but the depth among UA's pass-catchers will most certainly be a strength for the UA offense in 2005. Returnees Anthony Johnson, Mike Jefferson, B.J. Dennard and Syndric Steptoe have been joined by newcomers B.J. Vickers and Michael Thomas to form a potent offensive threat that will help to keep opposing defenses honest. Offensive coordinator Mike Canales and receivers coach Charlie Williams are counting on the group to not only help improve last year's average of 170.5 yards per game through the air, but to free up running space around the line of scrimmage for UA's running backs as well.
Injury Bug Bites LBs
The Wildcat linebacking corps has been the lone victim of the injury bug during the preseason. Projected starters Ronnie Palmer (foot), Randy Sims (ankle) and Spencer Larsen (knee) will all miss UA's season opener against
Kovalcheck's the One Under Center
Incumbent starting QB Richard Kovalcheck has shown no ill effects from a spring surgery on his back. The second-year starter took over the reigns of the
D-Line Has Some Depth
Unlike a season ago when UA was forced to use players out of position and throw true freshmen into the starting lineup, the 2005 D-line appears to be well stocked with capable run stoppers and pass rushers. At end, three-year starter Marcus Smith will team up with senior classmate Copeland Bryan and sophomore Jason Parker and redshirt freshman Johnathan Turner. Inside JC tranfer Byron Smith has the edge for the starting nose tackle position while Paul Philipp returns to his starting tackle slot. Also in the mix inside are sophomores Yaniv Barnett and Lionel Dotson and JC transfer Rickey Parker.
Booting Danny Baugher
Nick Can Kick
A year ago at this time, the
Replay Comes Into Play
Beginning this season the Pac-10, along with nine other Division I conferences, will have instant replay on questionable plays on the field. The head coaches in the Pac-10 will have no say on whether a play should be reviewed or not, instead the conference will assign an observer in the press box that will make the calls. "Indisputable video evidence" must be present in order for a call to be overturned by the replay official in the booth. There is no limit on the number of plays that can be reviewed by the observer during the course of a contest.
Reviewable plays are as follows:
- A runner breaking the plane of the goal line.
- Pass complete/incomplete.
- Runner/receivers/interceptor in or out of bounds.
- Recovery of a fumble.
- Touching of a pass by an ineligible receiver.
- Touching of a pass by a defensive player.
- Ruling on forward pass/fumble.
- Forward or backward pass thrown from behind the line of scrimmage.
- Runner not ruled down.
- Forward progress in relation to first-down marker.
- Touching of a kick.
- Number of players on a field.
- Resetting of the game clock after a reversal.
Non-reviewable plays are: Holding, offside, illegal blocks, illegal formations, encroachment, pass interference, personal fouls, facemask, taunting/excessive celebration, false starts, roughing the passer/kicker, fighting participants.
A Change of Clothes
The Wildcats will debut a new set of duds in its season opener at
Lining Up Against Them
A Couple of Familiar Faces
Standing on the opposite sideline in the series opener will be a pair of faces that most UA fans will recognize.
All Access From arizonaathletics.com
Wildcat fans can hear all of the gridiron action this fall via cyberspace. By purchashing an All Access subscription at arizonaathletics.com, UA backers can hear live audio broadcasts of all the home and away contests, get insider articles and see live and on-demand videos of press conferences and live events in the comfort of thier own home on their computer. Service rates and and computer requirements can be found at
Arizona Football Depth ?- at Utah 2005 WR 2 B.J. Vickers 6-2 217 Jr. 9 Anthony Johnson 6-2 205 So.* 4 B.J. Dennard 5-11 194 So. LT 76 Peter Graniello 6-5 296 So. 74 Adam Hawes 6-4 302 Jr. LG 69 John Abramo 6-4 301
Wildcat Offense
Arizona Football Depth ?- at Utah 2005
2 B.J. Vickers
9 Anthony Johnson
4 B.J. Dennard
76 Peter Graniello
74 Adam Hawes
69 John Abramo


text:
1200 Reviews
$1000 Protection*
Great services, I have given the website to my friends needing replacement George Foreman grill parts.
Nla orifice #58s short
Orifice #58s short - this part is no longer available
Arkla: A35AE A47AE
Charmglow: 1353S
Sunbeam: 35B3E 35B3K 47C5E A350E-5 A350K-5 B353E C353E-5 C353E6
Sunbeam Continued: C353F-5 C353K-5 C353S-5 C353W-5 C358E6 E353E
This part may fit other models. Please contact us if you require additional assistance.
Our warehouse is stocked full of parts for all kinds of appliances.
Questions? Just ask - No call centers!
We are a USA business based in Denver, Colorado and we stand fully behind our products and service


text:
Skydiving.com now has a network skydiving location serving Osprey and Sarasota County in Florida. Call Skydiving.com at 1-800-617-7948 for details, free information and specials on skydiving in Osprey, FL today!
Popular Tags for Skydiving Osprey:
Skydiving Osprey, Skydiving in Osprey, Sky Diving Osprey, Skydive Osprey FL, Skydiving 34229, Osprey Skydiving, Skydiving Osprey Florida, Skydiving near Osprey, Skydiving in Osprey Florida, Osprey Sky Diving, Skydive 34229, Skydiving Osprey FL, Skydive Osprey, Skydiving Sarasota County, Skydive in 34229, Skydiving FL, Sky Diving Osprey FL, Osprey, Florida
Sign up for our newsletter and receive updatesand specials on skydiving across America!


text:
In June 2008 I produced my first volume of over 400 toy theatre sheets. Since then my collection has grown and now it is time to share many of these new additions with my friends and fellow collectors around the world.
Inside this volume you will find several complete plays, numerous
additions to the plays already featured in volume one and of course
yet more orphaned sheets waiting for you to reunite them with sheets in your own collections.
This book contains plates by Green, Lloyd, Matthews, Park, Redington, Skelt, Webb, and of course Benjamin Pollock.
You can use this book as a reference guide to many of the toy theatre plays of the last two hundred years, as a practical source book to produce your own toy theatre productions or simply as a beautifully illustrated history of the scenery and costumes of the 19th century Theatre.
I hope you enjoy it and gain as much pleasure from these charming images of a by-gone age as I do.
I have been advised that the softback cover option suffers from the fact that this is a very thick book and so can be prone to the pages becoming loose, Consequently this option has been removed for that reason.
Nigel Peever
Comment posted.
Log in or create an account to post a comment.
Toy Theatre Published May 30, 2013
ALADDIN Published January 01, 2011


text:
Like many good things – a rainbow, a shooting star, luck at cards – it arrives suddenly and doesn't stay long. For a couple of weeks in late June and early July, the 14,000 lavender plants at Cape Cod Lavender Farm in Harwich burst into purple bloom, filling the air with their distinctive, pungent scent.
All picking of the tender stalks is done by hand, said Cynthia Sutphin, who owns the farm with her husband, Matthew. The farm sells most of the crop fresh, and the rest is hung to dry. By September, everything is gone.
"Lavender is the most versatile plant, in my opinion, that God has created," Cynthia Sutphin says. "It's pleasing to the touch, it has a wonderful scent, and it tastes delicious. It pleases all the senses."
Visitors can meander the lavender fields at no charge, though it will be difficult to leave without purchasing something to capture that lavender smell. The farm sells more than 20 varieties, all hardy for the Cape, the Boston area, and Connecticut, Sutphin said.
Visitors, especially children, will enjoy the Enchanted Garden, created by Harwich gardener and stonemason Eddie Foisy. A circular walkway leads to a miniature turreted castle in a shade garden filled with hosta, ferns, and sweet woodruff. Children often leave shells, pebbles, pine cones, or coins on the castle's doorstep -- "gifts for the fairies," Sutphin explained.
Lavender finds its way into a variety of products, most crafted by Cape Cod artisans, in the farm's shop. Among the most popular are soap, candles, and a lavender-lemon marmalade Sutphin likens to chutney and recommends for chicken, fish, and pork or served with crackers and brie.
Fresh lavender stems will remain fragrant and moist in a container (no water) away from direct sunlight for about two weeks, Sutphin said. After that, the plants will dry naturally and the scent will intensify. Each bud contains an oil sac that, when touched, will release a tiny burst of aromatic oil. A sachet of dried lavender contains hundreds of such sacs and will remain fragrant for years with only an occasional squeeze.