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©2007 Chuck Palahniuk; (P)2007 Recorded Books
"This dark religious parable (there's even a resurrection) from the master of grotesque excess may not attract new readers, but it will delight old ones." (Publishers Weekly)
"Outrageous but not quite over the top, full of energetic humor, Rant...is a memorable portrait of the cults that gather around authentically different people and a portrait of dystopia that feels unsettlingly contemporary." (Booklist)
"4 for Creativity"
If you've read other Chuck Palahniuk books, you know that it will not be ordinary. This one is no exception. I suspect the author of having a few interesting ideas, e.g. boosting, that he wanted to write about and put them all into one bizarre manuscript. I use that word on purpose because "story" doesn't seem to be the right word. The format is more documentary, but fictional. Some parts of it are truly gross (big surprise), but it makes your mind stretch so much that I have to give it good marks for creativity and originality. I am not sure if this author is classified as sci-fi, but his themes and commentary sure fit the best of the genre.
"Great on audiobook"
This is one of the best audiobooks I've ever owned. The book was actually much easier to follow in spoken form vs written form. The character voices were great! I would recomend listening to this on audiobook over reading the hardcopy any day.
As for the story, just like other Palahniuk tales it is strange, captivating and just plain gross at times. It's occasionally hard to follow, but it's a story that will make you think. I've listened to it three times now and every time I've caught something new that I missed the time before. I can't wait for a sequel!
"dark and disturbing"
If you enjoy a dark sense of sarcasm and can tolerate a certain level of brash honesty regarding human nature, this book is for you.
"Creative, crude, and don't miss the message"
Palahniuk disguises his message behind a creative, crude plot. Pay particular attention to the boosting and daytimer/nighttimer concepts. Therein lies interesting insight about life in the 21st century.
I loved that Palahniuk effectively weaves together the many points of view from the characters into a cohesive story. At first it was a little hard to follow, but once I caught on, it was pure entertainment. There are definitely some memorable chapters.
Listeners be warned, this is not for the faint of heart; crude, even disgusting at times. Still, you should've known if you're picking up a Palahniuk.
My interests run to psychology, popular science, history, world literature, and occasionally something fun like Jasper Fforde. It seems like the only free time I have for reading these days is when I'm in the car so I am extremely grateful for audio books. I started off reading just the contemporary stuff that I was determined not to clutter up my already stuffed bookcases with. And now audio is probably 90% of my "reading" matter.
"Pretty weird and warped"
But that's what Palahniuk fans expect. Buried in amongst all the time loop craziness and the bizarre goings on, is some intriguing insights into just what it is that makes us all the way we are. Palahniuk specializes in creating worlds that are just like ours except that some key features are simply grossly exaggerated. At his best, this forces the reader to look at the world we actually live in in a new way.
"Faded at the end"
Don't get me wrong. It's certainly not a waste of time. I really liked the ensemble cast and find Palahniuk quite imaginative and funny. I was just expecting the book to say more. Part way through I really thought this book had the potential to be great. I felt the end didn't live up to the beginning. Maybe I just didn't get it.
"Renewed Fath"
I was a big Chuck Palahniuk fan; I have listened to his entire list of book and was looking forward to the next. After listening to Haunted I was so turned off on Palahniuk I did not buy his next two books. I took a chance on Rant. The book did state a little slow for me, but it ended up restoring my faith in Palahniuk's talents. The store was as creative as Diary & Lullaby and as interesting as Choke. It is still not as good as Fight Club. The time travel part was a little far fetched but overall the store was well worth the time.
"His best"
This book is unlike any I have heard or read. Rant is one of the most brilliant charactors out there. I don't even know what genre to put this book in. Truely one of his masterpieces.
"audio super helpful!"
this book was wondefully complex, and having the audio made it so much easier to follow. A must read for Palahniuk fans!
"loved it!!!"
What a bizarre listen!!!! Chuck is the best.
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"Great is poverty, but greater is obedience."
~ Pope John XXII, in his Bull "Quorumdam exigit" (1317); urging a group of separatist friars who engaged in extreme asceticism to follow the Faith (e.g., Romans 13:1-2) and obey their leaders (from the article "Spirituals")

subset: commoncrawl


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I don't have any useful advice, but I wanted you to know that I have been following your threads and I'm rooting for you! I agree with Carol that you shouldn't stress unduly over a single 1-week weight check. Babies don't always read the textbook that says they gain at a steady rate.
I know that you and your nursling have already fought your way through several significant challenges, and that you continue to deal with a lot of pain that limits you. I admire your persistance and want to reassure you that it is all worth it.
You mentioned the possibility of pumping, and recognizing that this would deprive your daughter of the comfort she gets from nursing. If you need another reason to persist with breastfeeding to whatever extent you are able, I would remind you that breastfeeding is the most efficient way of delivering the specific antibodies that your daughter needs, when she needs them. When she nurses, she exposes you to whatever is in her system, and within hours, the specific antibodies to help her fight off those germs start showing up in your breastmilk. It's an amazing process, and one that works less effectively when mediated through a pump and bottles.
I also wanted to reassure you that your perfectly normal responses to the chronic pain you deal with are NOT causing your daughter to undereat. If she wasn't getting enough to satisfy her (both milk in her tummy and time at your breasts) she would let you know very quickly. She is probably taking in more milk than you realize during those feedings when you think she's not eating well. You are nursing on cue, avoiding supplements and artificial nipples. She has free access to the breast, her diaper output is good, and she's usually contented after a feeding. The breastfeeding is working -- believe it!
Keep us posted; I'll want to hear how you two are doing.


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Dear members,
Thank you, NarutoBase Staff
worst chapter ever. **** off kishi
Originally Posted by LssJBroly
Thoughts on the Chapter
Where to begin ? :sy:
Let's start with the dislikes:
Madara seems like the only one with a brain. The rest of them keep on talking and talking. I want to see some action. After 2 pages of talk, talk, talk and a panel wasted on these fodders:
We see Madara's sense come in here:
And I am like finally some action :zonder:
This is still followed by 2 more pages of talk :sy:
Through the whole chapter I wanted to kill this guy, like please bro stop wasting pages.
This has to be the most annoying, plot hole bit in the whole chapter. Read both bubbles.
How the heck does he know that Obito's intangibility only lasts for 5 minutes ?
This quote sums it all up
Also, this whole Shinobi attack thing is pathetic, like Madara put it
This quotes sums up the whole chapter really, made me LOL so much
.................................................. ..............................................
What was actually good
The most promising panel in the whole chapter was :
It actually gives us hope that there is awesomeness yet to come The Sarutobi technique was also a highlight of the chapter
Other than that the chapter made me go
F*ck you Kishi for making me wait a whole week for that sh*t.
I also hate how the shinobi alliance are so easily beating them. Maybe things will make a 180 degree turn the next chapter.
I have a question for them who hate Kishi?
You think you can write Naruto better than him?
Nice chapter. only boring for those who want action all the time
It's such a bullshit chapter. It's no longer a manga. Kishi is ****ing blending everything together just to let it through. This means that manga will soon end, because he probably ran out of ideas. There is no way it was planned by Kishi. At the beginning he had passion. Creating distinct countries and villages to make characters unique and awesome was a great idea. It made Naruto one of the best mangas ever. However, Kishi was probably squeezed by social pressure. The majority rule? Are you Kishi that stupid? I expected shit from everyone but no from you. You disappointed me.
I gave this chapter a 3 and that should probably be a 2. I'm so sick of Naruto's lame speeches and wasted of time talking. He was warned about trying to talk to Madara and Obito yet he continues to do so. I would love to see him get his but kicked simply because he annoys me with all that talk.
I dont see why Madara didnt just wipe the floor with him any way. If I were Madara I would pull out the flower jutsu and knock out half of the army. Then whip out Susanoo and obliterate the rest.
Any way back to my review. I loved seeing Darui's clan and their bloodline limit in action. If I were a naruto character I would want to be half Senju half Darui's blood line!
I also enjoyed finally seeing that there were more members in the Sarutobi clan. Too bad they are all fodder except Konohamaru.
Over all this chapter annoyed me and felt like a waste. This chapter could have been summed up in 5 pages.
Originally Posted by kibainuzuka
I have a question for them who hate Kishi?
You think you can write Naruto better than him?
I dont hate Kishi. I appreciate and thank him for creating Naruto. That being said. I came up with a much better twist that Obito being Madara so to answer your question yes. From the reveal of Obito being Madara I could have done better than Kishi. I wish I was an assistant write for him or something. He seems to need help with the story right now.
Last edited by 9th Raikage; 12-05-2012 at 03:35 PM.
Not bad...
very boring. those combos are so gayish. more like power rangers than naruto eh -.-
it's pretty obvious that the combo will fail since the jubi as well as obito and madara don't seem to be bothered or worried.
anyway, gave it a 3.. kkthxbye
haha look at this random video i found :D
the chapter seemed way to short...3 star's
Originally Posted by Noobastank
Gave it a 2 because it was boring and short... and how did the shinobi alliance know about obito's 5 min time limit? i thought only konan knew that and took that intel to the grave? Kishimoto whats up with that? a waste of good ink on this chapter.Too much talking and the action it did have was pointless. i felt like this chapter was half Ass'd
If Konan was able to figure it out, why wouldn't the Shinobi Alliance? Specially with data collected while Kakashi and Naruto were fighting Obito.
Originally Posted by Great Sage of Uchiha
God your so stupid, you clearly need to go re-read the manga cause sasuke even says he would kill madara, Eff Obito he is pawn. Yall look at sasuke coming to save Naruto as a change of heart no retard, it's not about saving naruto it is about killing Madara and stoping the curse of hatred. GTFO with that crap, sasuke having a change of heart smh, go back and re-read what happen 5-6 months ago.
It's funny you call me a fanboy but your sorry ass doesn't even know who i'm a fanboy of, do me a favor and don't respond.
Lol Madara's already dead...Sasuke has never once stated he once to stop the curse of hatred if anything he's embraced it even to Itachi he's said he hates the village even more now stop sprouting crap Sasuke's goal is to destroy the leaf and kill Naruto
Show me a relevant page of Sasuke saying he wants to stop the curse of hatred and I'll believe you otherwise stop running your mouth.
Boredom due to reading... hope animation will b awesome...
:mad:This chapter was the pitts & short. It was just a fill in & did not accomplish anything. Just a bunch of flashy crap that we do not need to see. :mad
I don't hate him. I just think he is really slacking & extending this longer than it should be.
waster of paper... yeah that's what this chapter was.
Madara and Orochimaru are the only people worth reading this manga for anymore ;p
Originally Posted by OrochimaruFan
Only thing we can predict about 613 is that it can't be worse than 612.
I agree. It can't get any worse than this garbage!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Originally Posted by Jordanofthecloud
I wonder what the next stage of the Juubi will look like.
The way Kishi is writing. We will need 10 more garbage chapter to find out!!!!!!!!!!! Kishi, get a clue & write something worth while!!!
I feel somewhat disappointed
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Bluefield State College Jazz Ensemble's 43rd Annual Spring Concert May 7
CreatedThursday, April 05 2012
Created byJim Nelson/Media Relations - (304) 327-4103 email@example.com
(Bluefield)--The Bluefield State College Jazz Ensemble will present its annual Spring Concert on Monday, May 7 at 7 p.m. in the Basic Science Auditorium on the BSC campus. The Jazz Ensemble is a unique combination of area musicians dedicated to the performance of the finest arrangements featuring the big band sound.
There is no admission charge, and the public is encouraged to attend. Additional information can be obtained by contacting: email@example.com


text: Hi there. My dd is nearly nine months old. She will be going to day care soon as I need to get back to work. Only thing is, she refuses drinking formula or pumped bm in any which way or form. We've tried everything, she just won't have it. My question is, can she survive having her morning feed around 8:30 and then her evening feed twelve hours later at about 20:30 when she goes to bed? She has a solid lunch and a snack at around 16:00. When I'm at home she likes to have her bm with her naps in the afternoon and sometimes for the mid-morning nap too. Will she be alright with just two feedings a day? Also, any tips to help her go to sleep at the day-care? She has always fallen asleep either on my breast, in her pram or in the car. Any attempts for her to go to sleep in her crib have not been successful.


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Are you planning to start wearing braces to help align your crooked teeth? Braces have become very common in the modern days in queens and other parts of the world because they act as the cheapest option many people have to straighten their teeth and have better look. In addition to helping straighten your teeth, there are also other several health and social benefits involved in having the braces. Here are some of the major benefits of wearing braces in Queens.
Boost self confidence
One of the major benefits cited by many people who wear the braces is that they develop more self confidence, which leads to improved life because they can interact with other people effectively. This goes a long way in helping improve both their personal and social life. With self confidence, patients also develop high self esteem in the society which helps in their psychological growth and development.
Health benefits
There are several benefits involved in wearing of the braces. They help improve dental health especially if you have a problem in maintaining good dental hygiene as a result of having misaligned teeth. They help straighten the teeth thus making it easy for you to clean the teeth them. This helps to reduce dental health problems that affect the teeth and the gums. In addition, the braces help reduce risk food build up between the teeth. This reduces the risk of having bacteria that form of the surfaces of your teeth. Such bacteria are major cause of gum and periodontal disease. In overall, they are effective in boosting your overall dental health.
Teeth protection
Another major benefit of braces is that they help in protecting the teeth. If you have irregular bite pattern, you experience uneven stress and impact on some of your teeth. As time goes on you may wear at a higher rate. This leads to premature dental problems and you may need to replace or repair the damaged teeth. People with protruding teeth have high risk to suffer from teeth damage. Braces offer better alignment, which reduce the risk of such damages.
Improved eating
With misaligned or crooked teeth, you will have a lot of problem when eating because you cannot chew or bite food effectively. As a result you stand high chances of experiencing nutritional and digestion issues. Having difficulties in chewing and biting food may lead to a lot of pain and discomfort while you are eating. However, with straightened teeth using the braces, most people in Queens have been able to resolve such eating issues.
Social benefits
In addition to the health benefits of having braces, there are also social benefits. Most orthodontic patients wear braces because they are not happy with their teeth appearance. Most of them get embarrassed because they have feelings that they do not appeal visually to other people. This makes them feel uncomfortable and avoid social situations. Braces help boost morale which can help a person get more productive in their lives. The good thing is that they do not cost a lot, so you do not strain in your budget.


text: The Incorruptibles. Jaxerback posted:8/10/2013 10:02:59 PM Do some "saints" bodies remain forever incorruptible as the church claims? Is it all just wax and lies? http://skeptoid.com/episodes/4126bobprin posted:8/11/2013 6:10:21 AM Sometimes yes, a dead body does not decay. Take the case of pennsylvania general Anthony (mad anthony) Wayne. A hero in the revolutionary war he died an ignominious death in Erie, pa. After TWO years his son learned of his death and wished to inter his famous father in the family plot near philly. The son traveled to Erie in a wagon to retrieve him. They dug him up, there was no coffin, his clothes had rotted but the flesh was still intact. However, it being july the body did begin to rot and the son had to do something. So they chopped him up, boiled the flesh off his bones, poured the mad anthony soup back in the grave and the bones were carted away. On the way to Philly the wagon was upset in an accident and the bones scattered on the road in the mud. His ghost is said to lurk there searching for a few lost bones.gary107 posted:8/11/2013 10:08:35 AM delightful tale, shame the story does not include the account of his relatives drinking the soup. It would have added just the right flavour.Jaxerback posted:8/11/2013 7:34:59 PM What?? Shudders.... ParanormalPaul posted:8/13/2013 11:00:08 AM The problem with this or any other topic is that bothsides are notorious and printing and repeating any arguement that fits their previous views. Both sides are disingenious to prove thier pointJaxerback posted:8/13/2013 8:06:02 PM Sometimes there are more than two sides to a debate.. Please log in or become a member to add a post.


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For Immediate Release
Thursday, September 25, 2008
ISBE honors more than 150 outstanding individuals for their service to education
34th year agency to honor contributions to education at Those Who Excel/Teacher of the Year Program
SPRINGFIELD – More than 150 award recipients will be singled out for their outstanding service to education at the 34th annual Those Who Excel/Teacher of the Year banquet. One hundred and sixty-two outstanding teachers, administrators, student support personnel, educational service personnel and community members will take center stage Saturday, October 18, when they are honored by the Illinois State Board of Education. The highlight of the awards banquet will include the announcement of Illinois Teacher of the Year for 2008-2009.
"We are honoring these individuals for their outstanding contributions to schools throughout the state," said State Superintendent of Education Christopher A. Koch. "They represent the thousands of people who support our schools daily to help all our students become successful lifelong learners."
Candidates are nominated by their local schools and people in their communities. The nomination includes a brief biography of the nominee, his or her philosophy of education, professional development and community involvement and their opinions of the state's most pressing educational needs. Letters of recommendation are also required.
A committee of peers chooses the award winners. The committee represents statewide education organizations and includes former award winners.
The categories for recognition are:
- Classroom teacher
- School administrator
- Student support personnel
- Educational service personnel
- School board member and/or community volunteer
- Teams—which recognizes groups of teachers and administrators; citizen committees; civic organizations; parent organizations; school boards; booster clubs and others that have a significant impact on teaching and learning in a school or district.
- Early Career Educator
This year, all levels of awards will be presented at the banquet. There are:
- 43 recipients of the highest award level, Excellence.
- 56 recipients of the Award of Merit.
- 63 recipients of the Award of Recognition.
Teacher of the Year finalists comprise all teachers given the Award of Excellence. Finalists sit for a videotaped interview as part of the selection process. The Teacher of the Year serves as the state's ambassador for teaching and represents Illinois in the National Teacher of the Year programs sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers, and ING.
Ruth Meissen, an art teacher at Harlem Middle School, District 122, in Loves Park, is the current Illinois Teacher of the Year.
This year's Those Who Excel/Teacher of the Year banquet will be held at the Hotel Pere Marquette, 501 Main Street, Peoria.
A list of winners can be found at http://www.isbe.net/news/2008/twe09.pdf.


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Adopted Grandchildren
Over 120,000 adoptions are conducted in the United States each year. If you find yourself the grandparent of an adopted child, try to understand your child's decision, your feelings about his or her decision, and your new grandchild's special needs.
Deciding to Adopt
Your child may opt for adoption for a variety of reasons. Adoption might be the answer because of your child's sexual orientation, your child's inability to conceive, or maybe your child is single and simply wants to adopt. Keep in mind that your child's decision to adopt might be a difficult choice, and your child needs approval and support. At first, you might feel bothered because the adopted child is not related to you by blood, or the adopted child comes from another religious or ethnic background. Try not to let these differences put a damper on the relationship with your grandchild-this might cause other family tensions.
Your Adopted Grandchild
Your adopted grandchild may come with a special set of needs. Specialized parenting, emotional support, and mental health will be crucial for a child unsure of their biological origin. As a grandparent, act as a sounding board and listen to your grandchild's concerns and needs. If you are babysitting your adopted grandchild, ask your family or child about any issues you should be aware of such as stealing or fears.
If you have other grandchildren, make sure you do not favor one grandchild over another. Especially during holidays, make sure each grandchild (adopted or biological) receives equivalent gifts to avoid jealousy or favoritism. Also remember to spend equal amounts of time with each grandchild, and hold all grandchildren to the same standard and set of rules.
If your grandchild is older, try to refrain from asking too many questions about the past. This might solicit a hostile response such as "it's none of your business." Also try to abstain from "buying" your adopted grandchild's love with materialistic items. Instead, fill this gap with emotional support and boost the child's self esteem.
Bonding with Your Adopted Grandchild
Bonding with your adopted grandchild will take time-especially if your grandchild is older. Try exposing your grandchild to some of your favorite outdoor activities, go on a vacation, or even babysit for your child. Your adopted grandchild might be uninterested in bonding at first, but persistence is the key component to building a lasting relationship.


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The Boys are Back in Town
Fresh off a four day break from baseball the Pittsburgh Pirates returned from their reunions with family and friends and set up shop back in PNC Park. The Giants were in town and so were the Peaslee men.
My brother, Zach, my father, Rick, and myself went to Pittsburgh for a nice Friday evening of baseball and fun. You're probably wondering why I would let my brother wear a Giants shirt. After all he too is a die-hard Pirates fan and bleeds black and gold. Once you see the back you may understand the method behind his madness.
You see Zach is a big fan of the Giant's pithcer and National League All-Star starting pitcher Tim Lincecum, but then again who isn't? I, too am a big fan. The lanky hurler is a fresh face for the MLB and is turning into the elite name in all of baseball. At just 24 year sold he has been captivating the baseball nation ove rthe past few years. He has been on the cover of countless magazines and is the cover of the video game, MLB 2k9. Lincecum is featured on a commercial for Major League baseball being shown as just a down home guy, my type of baseball player. He is here for strict love of the game and the fact that he plays so well and i so dominating makes his aura even better.
On the ride the park we tuned in to the local sports talk radio station. Ellis Cannon, sports talk personality in Pittsburgh spoke wonders about Lincecum and the entire Giants franchise. He was raving and had every right to. The Giants are so much improved this year. A big part of the success is their home grown talent. Some the Pirates are looking to do—–build from within. Players like pitchers Lincecum and Matt Cain and third baseman Pablo Sandoval have all risen up through the system and are striving over time in the San Francisco clubhouse.
Players like that will continue to shinebecause they are young and have a whole career ahead of them. Who knows what is to come?. The sky is the limit. Maybe sometime Tim Lincecum himself will turn into a bigger international legend than he already is, maybe even have a parking garage floor named after him like this guy…..
Roberto Clemente! The Great One will forever be remembered for his heroics on and off the
field. In Pittsburgh he is highyl regarded in the community with many parks, monuments and even a bridge named for him. In the parking garage right outside PNC Park you too can take part in celebrating his life, by parking on the 7th floor. The ten floor parking garage features ten diffrent Pittsburgh sports legends. For just 12 dollars to park you can honor you rfavorite legend. Players such as Tony Dorsett, Franco Harris, Dan Marino and Andy Van Slyke all are honored. It is my favorite place to park in the city. It is always fun parking on a different floor to see which player you will end up with.
As we walked to the park it was drizzling. Not a heavy rain but enough to suspend play. The game was slated to start at 7:05 but wound up beginning at 7:50. From the gates we passed through we were handed beach towels, it was beach towel night. The perfect give away item on a rainy day. They were perfect to wipe off the damp seats. From the main home plate gate we ran out to center field, our destination was the bullpen. We wanted to catch a glimpse of the freak known as Tim Lincecum as he was warming up. We were greeted with a throng of people out there and Zach even met his match.
The man in the authentic Lincecum jersey had to be in his mid-50s. He was watching Tim warm up, analyzing his throws and capturing it all on his state of the art camcorder. We figured it was either his father (who is shown on that MLB commercial) or a big creep out to follow his every move. Either or he was a die hard fan. There were close to 30 people at the bullpen awaiting Lincy's arrival. It was pretty cool, everyone was anticpating a big celebrity like the Pope. But it was just Tim Lincecum, but either way he was quite the spectacle.
He went through a rigorous warm up routine. Stretching in many different positions. It was almost like a Yoga lesson.
Once he entered the bullpen many people started flashing their pictures. He had his trademarked crazy windup going all out. He through some nice strikes to the bullpen catcher. He was ready for action looking to improve from his mediocre showing at the All-Star game.
When his name was announced and he enetered the game a large cheer went up from the Pittsburgh crowd. Everybody knows who he is and like I said before you can't not like this kid. I was surprised with the amount of Giants fans in the crowd. If you've ever looked at a map you can see how far San Francisco is from Pittsburgh, a good 3,000 miles. Whether it was actual Northern Californians or just bandwagon fans I won't know. But I saw double digit numbers of Lincecum shirts and jeresys as well as many Bonds jerseys. I will admit that I have a soft spot for the Giants and the whole Bay Area vicinity, I will explain that later, back to the game last night.
It wa steh definition of a pitcher's duel. Paul Maholm took the hill for the Pirates and had his most successful outing of the season. Maholm only allowed 4 hits and struck out 7 batters over 7 innings of work. Lincecum duplicated Maholm's success only allowing 5 hits and striking out 7 of his own. Lincy did get shaken up a bit in the first inning when Garret Jones went deep to straight away center for his 6th dinger of the season. The one nothing score would remain like that until the 7th inning when the Giants tied it thanks to an error on a stolen base attempt. The one-one tie would last beyond the regular nine innings as this one headed to extras.
The extra frames were excruciating No team could do anything. Popouts, groundouts and strikeouts were all wer were able to see, from both teams. Nobody really threatened and the game looked like it would never end. During an inning break we went to the bathroom, and used it as an excuse to stretch our legs. It takes a toll on the body sitting for that long. The entertainment crew took note of that as well and played "Take me out to the Ballgame" AGAIN in the middle of teh 14th. I've never heard it twice in a game before.
On our bathroom trip Zach stopped at a souvineer stand and picked up this beauty.
A $27 dollar Andre McCutchen T-shirt. A fabulous item of clothing in my mind. I would die to have one honestly. But at $27 dollars that is a little pricy. Zach made the case that he only has one other Pirate shirt and he wanted to be one of the first people to own a McCutchen shirt. Now as much as I love Cutch, I'm sorry but I just got to save my money. He will most definately enjoy the shirt and wear it proudly. It is just too bad Andrew did not notice as he went 0-5 in the game.
The bottomof teh 14th game and Garret Jones stepped up to the plate and finished what he started. Jones blasted a Bob Howry pitch into the Allegheny River for the walk off win. I couldn't believe it. As soon as he made contact I knew it was gone. It was a surreal momment. I gradually stood up and just raised my hands in the air. It was the perfect ending to a great night at the ballpark. There's nothing I love more than a walk off win and the mobbing that comes at home plate.
There have been just 2 Pirate walk off wins this year and I'm proud to say I have been in attendance at both. Jones' accomplishments at the plate this year have been next to unbelievable. He was 15 hits, 7 of which are home runs. He is an absolute beast. It is great for him, the team and the fans but sooner or later he is bound to cool down. When that happens it will be interesting to see if he can sustain himself at the major league level. The Pirates now stand at 39-50 on the year.
18 Comments
I love those words "The boys are back in town." It makes me all giddy when my boys are back that I start playing that song
I love that 2k9 commercial. When his videogame self is jamming to some old song and his real self turns off the radio and says, "We don't listen to that." Hilarious.
You reminded me of when I used to go to Cubs games with my dad and my brother. Good times…
I wanted to buy an All-Star Game Longoria t-shirt at the last Rays game I was at, but, like you said, $27 is a little pricey. I looked at the ASG jerseys and was blown away to find them going for $150 or something like that. Then I saw two guys walking around wearing them! I guess if we as fans keep paying it, MLB will keep charging it.
Glad that you had a good time.
You must bring your team good luck! And what is it with 24 year old pitchers? We have two on the Red Sox – Clay Buchholz and Daniel Bard. The future of the Sox.
Sounds like you had a great time at the game. Lincecum is a great young kid and the Giants are doing a great job of bringing guys up through the minor league systems. That Cutch shirt is going to be worth something someday. I'd love to have one!
your right… us college kids gotta save money. I'll buy a Cutch shirt when they get them at Gabriel brothers😉
*Yo – big win over the Giants on Saturday bro. I figure I'll drop some lines on your page the days I can't write about the Pirate adventures, (considering you added my link. I appreciate it more than your know man… When you first start a blog, you're lost in a sea of MLB fans!) – Morton went 7 innings, allowed NO runs, and on let up 3 little hits. That's professional work right there…
Must be pretty demoralizing knowing your two best players don't want to play in Pittsburgh anymore… I mean, that's how it looks after rejecting those offers. Ouch.
I don't blame you for not wanting to spend 27 bucks on a shirt! Ouch!
Glad you guys had fun! Congrats on the win!!
Sounds like you guys had a great time at the game. One of these days I'd love to get to the Pirates' ball park, which I've heard is one of the nicest around. And I'd love to see anything about Clemente, who was a favorite of mine growing up, even though I rooted for the Yankees.
Really good to see the Giants and Pirates at PNC Park. You actually got to see some great plays in person that night.
Matthew T
It's Sunday night and I really thought the Pirates were going to sweep the Giants today, can't belive it, Duke had a really good outing, just 82 pitches thru 7 innings and he still lost…..wow! just a tough 6th inning..
Outside the Phillies Looking In
Roberto Clemente is a legend. I'm from Puerto Rico and I've had his poster up since I was born to another one in my dorm room in St. Louis. I'm glad Pirates fans still have not forgot him.
I'm a lot like you in that I can appreciate players from teams other than the one I root for. I love seeing younger guys coming up the ranks in the Majors; that way it's not necessarily all about the big bucks and names. Lincecum and McCutchen are definitely going to be players to watch in the coming years!
Love the new entry with all those pictures! Looks like fun! Nice family portrait too :] Oh my goodness, how FUN are the walk-off wins especially when you're there to witness it huh? SWEET! Lucky you!! xoxo http://diamondgirl55.mlblogs.com
I was at this game, too, and it was SO exciting. Garrett Jones is the man! It will be interesting to see how much playing time at first he gets now; it sounds like Pearce will be getting a long look.
I also read the entry about the trip you're on now — have a great time! Seeing them on the road is tons of fun — I'm trying to decide if I can squeeze in one more out-of-town Buccos' series (Cincy in early Sept.). Look forward to reading about your time out West!


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Originally Posted by kiriahatake
Sirena comes in but trips and falls on top of Jellal.
"Oh my gos i'm sooo sorry you know how much of a clust i can be...."
Then she suddenly shuts up as you looking her eyes her face is blood red where she's hoving over you. She's wearing her normal clothes today although its snowing out; tank top and short shorts. She seems scared and unable to move.
"It's okay" Jellal can't say or do anything as he looks into her dazzling eyes.
Suddenly she relizes she has to move. So moves quickly and doesn't give you a second glance.
"Come on get your stuff. We're going to be late for class..."
She comands as she gathers her stuff and heads out your dorm without another word.
"uh.. okay.." Having said that Jellal quickly runs to grab his backpack and runs behind Sirena. "uh.. could you stop running.. i only had a shower and i don't wanna get sweaty again"
"actually i'm just jogging. If want i can actually run. You need back in to shape boy." she yells because shes half way up the road alread when your class is on the other side of campous. o_O
"COME on slow poke. We have exams to day. We can't be late." In high school she did cross contry while you sat at home playing halo.
"I can catch up to you, but my bag is heavy " Jellal yells after her, but then picks up pace and jogs besides her. "I know we do.. and i'm not looking forward to it either.. >_<"
Nah. I don't play halo, COD MF 3
You notice she doesn't have any books. She smirks and laughs then runs down the road, your bag just got hevayer. >_> Whats going on here. When she runs it lookslike she's gliding along the road, but you asume your eyes are playing tricks. Its starting to snow again; how can she not be cold in 23 degree farnen height weather like this in those clothes? Or ever get sick for that matter?
"Wow".. jellal thinks. He suddenly notices his bag is heavier. "OI"
The minute Jella walks thourgh the door the bell rings and sirena is already in her seat ready to go. Dang she's fast when she wants to be.
Teacher: well its bout time you got here your late. Class is half way over, where have you been?
Thats impossible though you where just with her in the hall she walks in then me ; so is this some type of joke?
Just looks around in confusion..
Troll: *shuffles feet with a troll face and stick body, slaps the both of you then trolls away*
That sucks, he got banned halfway thru an rp
-Winter vacation starts-
Yet again siren is asleep. when a bou slips a pieve of paper under her door. Jella catches him just turning around the coner.... then disappears.
Forum Rules


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"I am a convert to the Catholic Church and barely knew the basics about the faith. I have learned so much since I have been listening to Catholic Answers Live. Thank you for answering my questions and helping me better understand my faith."
"I have loved justice and hated iniquity, therefore I die in exile."


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'Mad Money' Lightning Round: Don't Sell MasterCard
NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Here's what Jim Cramer had to say about some of the stocks callers offered up during the "Mad Money Lightning Round" Wednesday evening:
Toll Brothers
Celldex Therapeutics
Peabody Energy
Regions Financial
To read a full recap of "Mad Money" on CNBC, click here.
To sign up for Jim Cramer's free Booyah! newsletter with all of his latest articles and videos please click here.
To watch replays of Cramer's video segments, visit the Mad Money page on CNBC.
-- Written by Scott Rutt in Washington, D.C.
To email Scott about this article, click here: Scott Rutt
Follow Scott on Twitter @ScottRutt or get updates on Facebook, ScottRuttDC


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Reviewed By Joe A (Palmdale, CA) Reviewed for a 2004 Chevy Monte Carlo —11/9/2006 9:25 PM
Thank you AutoAnything for your procducts, customer service and spead of shipping. As with other orders I have placed, these arrived much faster then I had thought and quality was A1. Your web site is great and I will be returning for more "goodies". Thanks again


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Condition: good, I would say and 8/10. Some anno wear where pump parts rub. CP rail is half-ass painted black cause it looked ugly red, not in bad condition just sorta ugly.
Color: black and purple
Upgrades: J&J barrel which is honestly a big overbore but a little tape makes it work, or throw on another smaller bore barrel. purple venturi style bolt, not sure what brand. ANS quickfire slider frame. SP on/off and CP rail. White Wolf Airsmithing pump kit. By far my favorite pump kit.
Known Problems: not a single one. It is a a great no nonsense and reliable pump
Asking Price: $150 obo, but DO NOT ASK MY LOWEST PRICE. You came to me, you offer a price. Also I have no need to sell this gun so I am in no hurry. Not going to take too much lower.
Shipping Options: USPS medium flat rate
Trades of interest: Would be willing to do a two for one with my alias for another pump. Here is the alias: http://www.techpb.co...howtopic=209796
Location of item: Kansas City, MO
What is Included: gun, barrel
Edited by kawasaki.kdx200man, 12 January 2013 - 10:06 PM.


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By Panda Strong, Contributing Writer
Tax season is one that fills many with dread. However, there is plenty of help available if you remain calm and take your questions one at a time.
Begin by asking yourself what type of help you need. Do you need the encouragement of a person on the phone? Do you need face-to-face help in preparing your taxes? Are you comfortable working with an online site?
IRS Telephone Assistance
The most complete and authoritative tax information is provided by the Internal Revenue Service. For official IRS telephone assistance, call 1-800-829-1040.
Anyone may call this number to ask questions regarding forms, tax laws or preparation of tax returns.
If you are a low-income taxpayer, there is a program called the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA).
VITA provides volunteers to assist you in preparing and filing your tax return for free. Call 1-800-829-1040 to find the location nearest you. Hearing impaired people can call 1-800-829-4059 (TDD) and for business information you can call 1-800-829-4933.
Other Telephone Assistance
The TCE (Tax Counseling for the Elderly) is another IRS program. By calling 1-888-227-7669, it will allow you to locate a tax aide site sponsored by the AARP in your area.
These sites provide face-to-face help with preparing your taxes. If you are 60 or older, this service is free.
The United Way also provides assistance through the IRS VITA program. Call 1-800-358-8832 to contact the United Way.
According to UWBA.com, there is a great deal of information to be obtained in this manner. Information on tax credits such as the child tax credit and earned income tax credit (EITC) is offered.
Remember, even if you pay no taxes, you may qualify for a tax credit, but you must file to receive it.
The Web site NationalBusiness.org recommends the following places to obtain tax help:
- Your Local Public Library: These institutions have long been known for having tax forms available to pick up. They are also places used by many groups to provide information and assistance to taxpayers.A list of who is sponsoring each event, along with date and time information, should be available by calling or by looking on the bulletin boards. Also remember that libraries often provide online access if you wish to contact any of the sites discussed later.
- Local Community Centers: Local senior centers, social service agencies or neighborhood community centers often provide space for many groups that offer tax preparation assistance.Other places that offer such assistance would be the YMCA and the YWCA.
- Your Church Or Ministry: Any caring group that you are familiar with and that you would feel comfortable asking for advice most likely can point you in the right direction.
Special Military Information
Military personnel from any branch of the service can file at any military VITA center, according to the LifeLines Web site.
The Armed Forces Tax Council oversees the operation of the VITA military tax programs worldwide.
The program provides free tax advice, tax preparation, return filing and other tax assistance for Marine Corps, Air Force, Army, Navy and Coast Guard members and their families.
Internet Assistance
For those who prefer working online, Fox Business online recommends the official site of the IRS.
This site has all the official answers. The site provides a link to "Free File" where low income taxpayers can file electronically without a fee.


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Hey Guys! I thought I would send you a little dare while you are on break just in case you were bored. I figured I should probably do this challenge while the hype is still fresh with everyone. I saw the movie and was totally blown away with everything, the effects, the writing, the actors….it was awesome! It completely surpassed all my expectations, especially since I read the comic as a kid and the movie adaptations always seem to fall short of the story/details. So, my challenge to you guys this…
Dare of the Week: 012
Sketch Your Favorite Avenger!
And remember, once you are finished, post those sketches here:
Tags: avengers, cogswell, dare of the week, sketch, zombie


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Thomas Square, a historic Honolulu park, has been a place to play and even a place of protest in the past. Monday evening, Oahu residents gathered to share their vision of what the popular park will be in the future.
Thomas Square is many different things to many different people.
"I see the promenade at Thomas Square at the beginning as having art. I see it as a beautiful area," said Honolulu resident Jack James.
For some, the park is an important reminder of Hawaii's past. It was there the British occupation of Hawaii ended 170 years ago.
"From its origin it has been a political place. The occupy guys should have a place there as it has always been political," stated Honolulu resident Aaron Ching.
For the past two years, deOccupy Honolulu occupied Thomas Square to protest the lack of housing for Hawaii's homeless. Their efforts have generated support from some in the audience.
"I have used Thomas Square park for a number of years. There are homeless there and they have never bothered me. Before you spend millions on beautification resolve the increasing homeless problem," said Honolulu resident Bob Loren.
Some residents called for more amenities at the park for everyone.
"How about a toilet, bathroom or sink that actually works? We've got one water fountain for the whole park -- that's a mile square," said deOccupy Honolulu protester "True Blue."
New planters now line the park, but many were not happy about the additions.
"I'm told the planters are 42 inches across, that means wheelchairs cannot pass. The city is going to have to take those planters away," exclaimed Honolulu resident Larry Geller.
Some were worried about invasive plants sprouting up at Thomas Square, while others were more concerned about those who run the park.
"Ever since the United States arrived here and all the other invasive species, you folks have prevailed with lies," said Kalani Asam, with Ka Lei Maile Ali.
Thomas Square has gone through declines and rebirths before. Now some residents are ready for a cleanup and changes to keep it from being an eyesore.
"We don't want shantytowns, this is Hawaii. Respect the land, respect the people of Hawaii," said Honolulu resident Walter Balinski Jr.
Dozens of different visions for Thomas Square were presented. Which means coming up with plan that will appease everyone may turn out to be no walk in the park.
All the comments, spoken and written, will be compiled by the city to help officials come up with a plan for the park.
While Monday's event was well attended at the Academy of Arts' Doris Duke theater there are no current plans for a repeat performance.


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Taking a risk-based approach to EU MDR compliance
The European Parliament has published its EU Medical Device Regulation, setting the stage for sweeping changes across the medical device value chain.
Taking a risk-based approach to EU MDR compliance
Galvanizing innovation in medtech – and biopharma
New normal: US$200b+ M&A as big pharma leads way
New normal: US$200b+ M&A as big pharma leads way
Navigating Brexit: Tax and legal implications for life sciences
As our population ages, how can we rein in rising costs?
Pharmaceutical R&D tax incentives
Megatrends - Health reimagined
Firepower and growth gap report 2015
Life Sciences
Finding sustainability in biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical technology
Amplified business decisions are the new norm thanks to rapid changes. From new market entrants and regulatory reform to expiring patents and the growing challenge of chronic diseases, leaders in the life sciences community must explore a new course to address the changing climate for health care — one driven by patients and focused on health outcomes.
Our Global Life Sciences Network brings together a worldwide team of professionals to help you achieve your potential.
We cover key issues in these areas:
- Biotechnology
More than any other technology, biotechnology has the potential to alter our lives in a positive way. And by achieving this potential, today's biotech companies are delivering new levels of health, prosperity and sustainability — across the world.
But with uncertain capital markets, increasing regulation, growing pricing pressures, competition for acquisitions and an evolving health care environment around the world, this sector faces unprecedented challenges.
We have been a pioneering presence in the biotechnology industry. We were the first professional services firm to build a practice dedicated to serving your industry.
We've stayed committed to your business with our leading reports and our network of knowledgeable professionals.
So it's not surprising that we serve more biotech companies than any other professional services firm — by a wide margin.
Take a closer look:
- Pharmaceutical
Pharmaceutical companies are facing great changes to the industry — emerging science, new products and services, shifting demographics, evolving regulations, transforming business models and increased stakeholder expectations. We are helping pharmaceutical companies around the globe to address the challenges presented by this new world we call Pharma 3.0.
We also publish a series of reports to bring you clear insights on accounting, tax, transaction, compliance and business process issues, as well as our annual report on pharmaceutical industry trends, Progressions. Our thought leadership helps you navigate the shifting global landscape and grow your business — the new business imperative of improving health outcomes.
Today we stand on the cusp of the next big wave in improvements in health outcomes – driven not just by new products, but by behavioral change. We are moving to a world in which more emphasis will be on gathering evidence to identify interventions that are most effective at improving health outcomes, and then realigning the behavior of all stakeholders — patients, providers, manufacturers and others — around these interventions.
Take a closer look:
- Media
Contact us
Dmitry Khalilov
+7 495 755 9757
Dmitry Khalilov
Partner, Tax, Life Sciences Leader, Russia & CIS
Connect with us
Stay connected with us through social media, email alerts or webcasts. Or download our EY Insights app for mobile devices.
Applying IFRS 10 and IFRS 11
How will IFRS 10 and IFRS 11 impact collaboration arrangements in the life sciences industry? We explain.
Biopharma in an era of elusive growth
Have investor-friendly capital allocation and new competitors upended the world order in M&A? Find out how the biopharma sector is facing this challenge.


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11 Signs He's Having An Affair
- Next1 of 12Thinkstock
- Previous Next2 of 12James Woodson/Thinkstock
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- 11 Signs He's Having An Affair5 Zodiac Signs That Party Hard
- Find out why some signs will never be BFFs
- Hollywood Hunks of Every Sign
- Yoga Poses for Every Sign
- 9 Things Men Should Never Say to a Woman
- 10 Best Beach Reads for June 2014
- Life Lessons Dads Can Teach Their Daughters
- 9 Conversations To Have Before Marriage
- 8 Things That Make Guys Feel Insecure
- 8 Proven Tips for Moving On After a Breakup
- What Your PDA-Style Says About Your Relationship
- 10 Things Guys Think When They First Meet You
- 12 Dating Rules to Break Now
- 11 Reasons to Consider Dating a Divorced Man
- What to Watch, Read & Shop in June
- 8 Things Men Learn in the First Month of Marriage
- 8 Proven Tricks to Strengthen Your Marriage
- 10 Things Men & Women Will Always Disagree On
- Fights Grown Women Have With Their Moms
Cheater, Cheater1 of 12
It's safe to say that no one wants to think about the possibility of an unfaithful partner. But, in the event that you suspect your man may be cheating, these helpful tips will shed some light on just some of the behaviors indicating that he could be. —Glo
He's Changed2 of 12
By Woman's Day
"A man who drastically alters his clothing style, appearance or body shape for no apparent reason may be having an affair. Perhaps the other woman has suggested he grow a beard, or use cologne. If he's dressing differently for work, there may be a coworker he's trying to impress," says Danine Manette, private investigator and author of Ultimate Betrayal.
His Attitude Shifts3 of 12
"Cheating creates a lot of internal turmoil and tension, which gets played out between the two of you. Plus, in order to cheat on someone, you have to be focused on what you don't like about her. By making that loud and clear, he feels more justified in cheating and less guilty," explains Jennifer Oikle, Ph.D.
ON WOMAN'S DAY: 10 Man Myths
He's Distant4 of 12
"[This is] the number-one giveaway of infidelity, because it's hard to be emotionally invested in two people at once and to be emotionally intimate with someone while you betray her trust ... Plus, distance creates a shield, protecting him from detection — if he doesn't say much, he's less likely to say something incriminating," explains Oikle.
He Acts Guilty5 of 12
He may shower you with affection and attention (giving you gifts for no reason, complimenting you frequently or helping around the house more), but diamonds and doing the dishes aren't necessarily the signs of an uncharacteristically sweet husband — they could indicate a guilty one.
Secretive Behavior6 of 12
"The computer screen changing when you walk into the room, hushed telephone conversations or calls taken outside, strange body language when in the company of the new gal at work, reluctance to take you places with him and his friends, and general unexplained behavior that feels suspicious, are all clues that your partner is straying," says Manette.
You Rarely See Him7 of 12
If he's suddenly never around, he may really be busy at work or he may be busy with someone else. While he's likely to have a wide range of plausible excuses for his new absentee status (he's working a lot of overtime, he's traveling for business, he's training for a 10K), they could just be an attempt to cover up the fact that his extracurricular activities involve another woman.
He's Unreachable8 of 12
Are you suddenly finding it hard to get in touch with your significant other? Is his mobile phone turned off during times you normally can reach him? Or maybe he says he has business meetings all night or a work conference all weekend, so don't call him, he'll call you? According to Tony DeLorenzo, owner of All State Investigations, if he's frequently unavailable, it may be because he's with someone else.
Your Gut Tells You Something's Up9 of 12
If you think he's acting strangely, hiding something or seeing someone else, don't ignore your instincts. "A woman's intuition is the best thing we go by in our business. She knows all of her man's aches and pains, when he is mad, happy or lonely, and when he's there in body but not in mind. She knows when something is not right," says DeLorenzo.
He's Different In Bed10 of 12
"Both more and less interest in sex can signal infidelity," says Oikle. If he's suddenly rebuffing your advances when he never turned you down before, he could be satisfying his sexual needs elsewhere.
ON WOMAN'S DAY: Facts About Couples Therapy
There's A New Woman11 of 12
While you may assume no man would be stupid enough to actually bring up his mistress with his wife or girlfriend, many men do. "Sometimes cheaters take the strategy of being half truthful ... in some ways it's less of a heavy burden if half of the cat is out of the bag. Plus, he may be thinking about this new person so much that he can't help talking about her," explains Oikle.
He's Defensive12 of 12
"Why are you asking all these questions?" "Why do you care where I was?" "I was watching the game at Mark's. If you don't believe me, call him!" If these defenses sound familiar, your significant other could be up to no good.
ON WOMAN'S DAY: Why Men Cheat


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"I have been a fan of Catholic Answers from its beginnings. Keep up this great apostolate, as it does help many of our Catholics appreciate their faith, especially in the military. Blessings and prayers for your continued success."
~ Fr. Eric, US Army, Baghdad
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"In the week immediately before Lent everyone shall go to his confessor and confess his deeds and the confessor shall so shrive him as he then may hear by his deeds what he is to do [in the way of penance]."
~ Anglo-Saxon "Ecclesiastical Institutes" translated from Theodulphus by Abbot Aelfric about A.D. 1000; explaining the English term "shrovetide" (from "to shrive", or hear confessions) wherein the religious idea is uppermost; but before long, human nature allowed itself some exceptional licence.


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Party Planning Tips & Ideas
Do as much as you can ahead of time, and enlist the help of family members so you are free to enjoy your guests.
- Set the table the day before the party. Or set out dishes and silverware for buffet service. Set out all serving pieces.
- Floral centerpieces can be assembled and stored in the refrigerator to keep fresh.
- For large groups, set up separate tables for beverages and desserts ahead of time.
- Offer plenty of beverage choices. Water, punch and juice as well as coffee and hot or iced tea are good choices.
- Plan on 2 drinks per hour per guest.
- Have a good supply of glasses. Guests sometimes set down glasses and lose track of them. They will need a fresh glass.
- Have plenty of ice in insulated containers and serving tongs.
- Set out plates, forks, spoons, and napkins the day before.
- Set out serving pieces the day before.
Decorations can be general, or reflect the party theme.
- Fresh flowers are always appropriate. Bouquets can be set around the room/house.
- Low arrangements of flowers and/or fruit make lovely centerpieces for dining tables, buffet, and dessert tables.
- Choose tiny pots of fresh herbs for an informal setting.
- Candlelight is great for creating atmosphere. Arrange tall tapers in silver candlesticks. Group low votive candles on a flat mirror for extra sparkle. Or arrange a few floating candles in a beautiful crystal bowl.
- Paper and/or party stores carry general and theme supplies from invitations to table coverings, plates, napkins and decorations for informal gatherings. They also carry inexpensive but attractive plastic serving pieces such as platters and bowls.
- A cherished collection can be an interesting centerpiece—a group of small figurines, a seashell collection, small antique kitchen utensils or cookie cutters.
- Little extras can add a lot. Wrap individual gourmet chocolates in cellophane, tie with a ribbon and place one at each place setting. Place cards are fun for sit-down dinners.
Music enhances the mood.
- Keep the music low and in the background so it doesn't interfere with conversation.
- Choose the music for the occasion—classical music for a formal affair, Irish music for a St. Patrick's Day buffet, or country & western for a backyard barbecue.
- Arrange the CDs in the order you want to play them, or make a playlist from MP3s on your computer.
- To avoid changing music all night, try playing an all-music radio station.
Get acquainted.
- Nametags are nice when all of the guests are not acquainted.
- For an icebreaker, provide each guest with a large stick-on tag that says, "Ask me about..." Some ideas include "my garden," "my dog," "my trip to Paris."
Ready? Turn on the music, light the candles, and enjoy your party!


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Sof Sole Airr Orthotic Insole
Product Information:
Superior cushioning and stability give you the clear cut edge with the Sof Sole ® Airr Orthotic Insole. Polymer gel and energy rebound foam offer unmatched cushioning and response to each powerful stride, whether it's on the field or in the gym. Reinforced stability plates and IMPLUS ® foam shock absorption ease the pressure on your foot and Hydrologix ™ moisture management keeps you cool, comfortable and focused on pure domination.
For additional information relating to the Manufacturer's Warranty, please contact 1-800-446-7587.
- Polymer Gel for ultimate cushioning
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- One year warranty
- Style: 1234W
- Sof Sole
For additional information relating to the Manufacturer's Warranty, please contact 1-800-446-7587.
Country of Origin: ImportedWeb ID: 11620855
Customer Reviews:
Rated 4.1 out of 5�by 158 reviewers.
Rated 1 out of 5�by Deedee12 Not worth the money. Was advised by doctor to get insoles for help with my knee problem. Bought this item they made my knees and feet hurts worse... Return them with in two days!! October 25, 2016
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Rated 5 out of 5�by miksak Use these all the time! I have used this product numerous times. When purchasing new tennis shoes, the first thing I do is remove the stock insoles and insert a pair of these. I am full sized (6'3"/250 lbs.) with flat feet and they are a good option to full fledged prescription orthotics. August 31, 2016
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Rated 5 out of 5�by Judd Outstanding By far the best insoles I have ever purchased and ZI have tried them all. Upon purchasing a pair for my daily hikers I ended up going back few days later to get a pair for my sneakers as well. I just cannot say enough good things about the support and cushioning these give at a very affordable price. July 27, 2016
Rated 3 out of 5�by Military Metatarsal relief Not as soft as I thought they were. They would probably be better in my running shoes. July 5, 2016
Rated 5 out of 5�by Howard This product has great comfort. This product is very comfortable and supportive. Love this product! June 22, 2016
Rated 5 out of 5�by Steves64 Great Cushion With Support Great fit , good support and all day comfort. I've been through several different styles and this seems to work best for me. June 21, 2016


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Integrated Services for Small and Medium Business
The Cisco 2811 Integrated Services Router is part of the Cisco 2800 Integrated Services Router Series which complements the Integrated Services Router Portfolio.
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- Security
- On-board encryption
- Support of up to 1500 VPN tunnels with the AIM-EPII-PLUS Module
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- Intrusion Prevention as well as stateful Cisco IOS Firewall support and many more essential security features
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- Analog and digital voice call support
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With the growth of eco-tourism in Hawaii, there is now a push to make sure tour companies show off spectacular natural resources without making a big impact on the environment.
On his Hawaiian vacation from Chicago, Mattheis Carley is gearing up for a workout: hours of mountain biking in Windward Oahu.
"I'm not a lay-at-the-beach type of person. I am more active. I am interested in seeing things that I wouldn't be able to see in a car or bus, that I can see on a bike," said Carley.
At Kualoa Ranch, Bike Hawaii has seen an increase in riders just like Carley ready to saddle up for eco-tours.
"It's a nice way to be introduced to Hawaii, you are outdoorsand you leave a light footprint," said tour guide Jeremy Wagner.
With increased interest in experiencing Hawaii's natural attractions, concern has grown over how companies protect island resources.
The Hawaii Ecotourism Association now certifies tour operators that meet its safeguarding standards.
"We look at how they conduct their groups, the size of groups, and how they warn them of hazards. We also see how they dispose of litter and how can they minimizeimpact to communities," said Alan Hong with the HEA.
Like a good housekeeping seal of approval, the certification sets guidelines for the entire industry and also gives visitors an idea of who is truly being green.
"A good portion of visitors are looking for tour companies that minimize the impact on our natural resources," said Hong.
Bike Hawaii and Kualoa Ranch are two of just a handful of Hawaii eco-tour companies already certified. As the numbers grow, there is hope more groups will reduce visitor's impact on the natural environment.
"Our impact is really zero. the bikes might leave a little track in the dust, that's about it really," said Wagner.
To find certified eco-tourism companies around Hawaii visit this link:


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Since the start of this blog in 2006 both Montenegro and Kosovo have become independent. Now it is the Republic of South Sudan's turn. At 12:01 am, July 9th local time (9:01 UTM, July 8th) the new republic came into being from Sudan, a country which it fought a brutal 22 year civil war with. This is the first map change in Africa since Zaire renamed itself back to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1997. It is also the first sovereignty change in Africa since Walvis Bay was transferred in 1994 from South Africa to Namibia.
Problems Ahead
Now the new country faces many challenges. Already it has had several micro-civil wars between various tribes and military leaders. United Nations peacekeepers planned to be rushed in to keep order but they face many challenges including a returning refugee crisis, poor internal controls, and no one quite knowing the final borders of South Sudan.
The last problem has manifested itself in the form of a shooting war. The Abyei region, jointly administered by Sudan and the southern regional government, was due to have a referendum on whether it would join South Sudan. The Sudanese government, however, dissolved the joint administration and cancelled the vote. The state of South Kordofan, which Abyei is a part of, attempted to unilaterally join South Sudan. This has started a war which the south stayed neutral in and even agreed not to take South Kordofan.
While I have been wrong before on geopolitical predictions I estimate within two years a moderate-to-serious civil war will occur in South Sudan.
South Sudan: Truly a sub-Saharan African Country
The Republic of South Sudan has truly seceded from Sudan. The Republic of Sudan models itself as an Arab, Islamic state in Northern (Arab-culture) Africa. South Sudan is ethnically black African, it's flag use sub-Saharan (non-Arab) colors and style, and the flag even has the Star of Bethlehem on it representing its Christian nature as a unifying factor.
Where on the Map
|Your maps are out of date. Map from The Economist.
Currently Google Maps, Bing Maps, and Yahoo Maps do not have South Sudan on the map. I will report as soon as possible when the first one of these big three update their maps. (Update: OpenStreetMap beat everyone)
South Sudan will most probably have an easy time being recognized by all countries. Sudan itself is willingly giving it away and all five members of the United Nations Security Council have stated they will recognize South Sudan. This is greatly different from Kosovo, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia. All these unilaterally declared independence without the consent of the losing country. Many other countries are worried about making a prescient for other want-to-be breakaway states.
What's in a Name?
Several names were debated for the new republic. Names like Kush recalled Biblical geography while others like Nileland were geographically based. Much like West Virginia, however, the name of South Sudan was chosen for simplicity sake.


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SeaWorld plans bigger killer whale environmentBy MARLEY JAY
the associated press | August 16,2014ap file photo
Trainers Joe Sanchez, left, Brian Faulkner and Kelly Aldrich, right, work with killer whales Trua, front, Kayla, center, and Nalani during a SeaWorld show in Orlando, Fla., in 2011.NEW YORK After more than a year of public criticism of its treatment of killer whales, SeaWorld said Friday that it will build new, larger environments at its theme parks and will fund additional research on the animals along with programs to protect ocean health and whales in the wild.
The Orlando, Florida, company said the renovations have been in the works for some time and that they are not a response to the documentary Blackfish or the criticism of the company that followed the release of the film.
The companys shares, which are trading near their lowest point since SeaWorld listed its stock on public markets last year, rose Friday. But it remains to be seen if the renovations will fully address concerns about keeping large marine mammals in captivity.
The 2013 documentary Blackfish suggested that captivity and SeaWorlds treatment of the whales provoke violent behavior, which in turn has led to the death of trainers. Since the release of the film, a series of entertainers have pulled out of planned performances at SeaWorld parks. SeaWorld also recently said its longtime corporate partnership with Southwest Airlines is ending, and on Wednesday the company reported disappointing second-quarter financial results because of the backlash.
SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. says it will build a tank with 10 million gallons of water at its San Diego park, almost twice the size of the current tank with a depth of up to 50 feet.
The new environment will be called the Blue World Project, and SeaWorld said it will include features that will be more stimulating for the whales. Those include a fast water current that will allow the whales to swim against moving water.
The facility will open to the public in 2018, and after that SeaWorld will make similar changes at its Orlando and San Antonio locations.
The company said the cost of the project will be in the hundreds of millions of dollars but would not specify the exact budget.
The company is also pledging $10 million in matching funds to support research focused on threats to killer whales, or orcas, in the wild. It also announced a $1.5 million commitment to a partnership focused on ocean health.
Former SeaWorld trainer Mark Simmons praised the moves, saying the new environments will provide the whales with mental stimulation that will help keep them healthy. He said the content of the whales environment is even more important than the size, and that SeaWorlds trainers do a good job of interacting with the whales. He said and the new features of Blue World Project will give them new tools that will let them improve.
I think its an enhancement, an obvious evolution of SeaWorlds mission, Simmons said in a phone interview. Simmons worked at SeaWorld Orlando from 1986 to 1996.
Blackfish director Gabriela Cowperthwaite said the changes wont please the public or improve the lives of its whales. She said that in captivity the whales are forcibly bred, separated from their families and fight constantly for dominance. She added that the larger tanks may not mean the whales will have more room.
SeaWorld stock rose 66 cents, or 3.7 percent, to $18.66 Friday. The shares have dropped 35 percent this year.MORE IN National / World BusinessNEW YORK Its not just the musical Hairspray that will air live on NBC tonight. Full StoryOXON HILL, Md. Far from the Las Vegas Strip, MGM Resorts International opens its $1. Full Story
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Pujols and Piniero in Philadelphia (7-24-09)
It had been a couple months, but Friday afternoon, Tim and I hopped into the car and headed down the PA Turnpike bound for Citizens Bank Park.
There was one reason, and one reason alone, that I decided we should go to this game — Albert Pujols. The guy is a monster. I wanted to get our third peak of this future hall of famer. And I was hoping he would go yard for us.
We tend to go to more day games than night games. Many of them have no batting practice. So I decided we'd head down a little early for this game so we could watch some BP and maybe see Pujols put on a display of his skills before the game got started. I was also hoping we'd see Jamie Moyer. I've seen him hanging out signing autographs before games with his own sharpie. I was hoping he'd be out so we could try to get a picture with him.
However, none of it was in the cards. Little did I know that thousands of 7-year-old Jonas Brothers fans would be out in force. The Brothers Jonas were playing next door to Citizens Bank Park. They managed to make our 72 mile drive take over 2-and-a-half hours. We completely missed BP. It wasn't the most pleasant driving experience.
Interestingly, we have NEVER made it to BP at Citizens Bank Park. Never.
Anyway, we were at the park early enough that we didn't have to hurry to get into the stadium once we parked. The Phils fans have a good time before games. Tailgating is rampant. So we decided to play a little catch in the Lincoln Financial Field parking lot…
…then we grabbed our tickets from will call and Tim watched some bees in the flowers outside the home plate entrance:
And, there were lots of bees. If you go sit there, be careful that you don't get stung!
After we headed into the park, Tim really wanted to look at the "map." Just in case you are interested, here it is.
I wasn't too excited to spend a lot of time looking at the directory because I didn't know what time it was and if we were risking missing Pujols's first at bat. Tim on the other hand wanted to take a nice, slow, thorough look at this thing. Luckily, it all worked out. We didn't miss anything.
When we made our way into the field seats by the third base dugout, we found players stretching down the base lines, the Philly Phanatic warming up the crowd, grounds crew people were doing the final prep work on the field, and the announcer was reading the starting line-ups.
Here is what the scene looked like:
And, before long, it was game time. We sorta have a standard game plan at Citizens Bank Park, and it usually starts with watching the first couple innings from the SRO areas behind home plate. At this game, we decided to move a little to the right for the beginning of the game so we could get a good view of Albert. Unfortunately, no first inning fireworks — here is his swing resulting in a ground out to first base:
At the far right, you can see the ball (a blurr) just entering the picture. Sadly, there would be no Pujols HR on this day (although he did get one hit)…and this is the best I could do as far as action shots of Pujols goes. But here are some less interesting "batting stance" shots:
In the bottom of the inning, I was happy to get a chance to see my old buddy, Joel Piniero, on the mound…
…here he is shown with a picture of Chase Utley about to fly out to Ryan Ludwick in CF.
But back to Piniero. Joel was a Mariner from 2000-2006. Joel started out great with the M's. It seemed he was poised to be a terrific starter for years to come for the Mariners. However, he cooled off. He ended his time as a Mariners with a career record of 58-55.
Anyway, it was great to see Joel in action once again — and he got the win for the Cardinals.
In the top of the second, the Cardinals took the lead 1-0 and Tim asked to go to the play area. I figured it was a good time to go because Pujols had just been up in the first inning and we probably had a while before he was up again. So, as requested, it was play area time:
Tim loves this little marble maze in the picture to the right. Actually, he generally just loves the Phillies play area. By far, it is his favorite of any park we've visited.
After playing in the play area for a few minutes, it started to rain a bit. Although it didn't seem like much, they closed the play area. I told Tim we could go get his ice cream and check out the what is going on in the game.
Before we got ice cream, this is what we found on the field:
No play area. No game. Yep, its time for ice cream.
We headed up to the second deck because I had a brilliant idea that it would be less crowded. In my defense, I had some decent logic here. 90 percent or more of the field level seats are out in the open (in the rain) while much more of the second deck is under cover. So I figured the field level concourse would be packed.
Well, it might have been. But I'm not sure it would be possible to be any more "packed" than the second deck concourse. We got stuck walking through it and it took a while to get out — without ice cream. Check out what it looked like (taken from the third deck):
Now that I see that picture again, I guess that not many of the seats up there are covered. Oh, well.
We finally made it through the third deck to a food stand that *appeared* to have ice cream. By this time, Tim was begging and praying for some ice cream:
Well, they only had ice cream in pint cartons. That's unacceptable. But they pointed us to "Seasons Pizza" where we could find ice cream helmets. (Referring back to the directory above, we usually get Tim's ice cream helmet at "Old City Creamery" behind section 137 on the 3B line).
So on we marched on our ice cream buying-and-eating trek that would eventually have us see almost the entire ball park…or so it seemed.
Indeed, Seasons Pizza had ice cream helmets with chocolate sprinkles ($5.00). We bought Tim's helmet and went up into the stands so he could sit down and enjoy his helmet. We went toward the top of the upper deck so we'd be under cover. There were tons of open seats because everyone was packed into the concourses below.
Here is Tim at the first stop on our ice cream eating tour:
The rain stopped. They started to uncover the field. Here is what it looked like from our first ice cream seats of the day:
Soon, people came for our seats. Tim decided he wanted to go down to the field level. I thought that seemed like a good idea. There are a lot of standing room counters on which tim usually sits to eat his ice cream while I stand and watch the game.
We headed down numerous flights of stairs until we found ourself in the field level concourse. Or, I should say, the still extremely over crowded field level concourse. Number of counter spots available: zero.
So we heaed up to the second deck down the LF line. Not gonna work.
So we headed back to the third deck where there are also lots of standing room counters. Unfortunately, they are out in the open and, consequently, they were soaked. But we eventually found one that was under cover.
The melted ice cream eating resumed:
It looked really cool up there with the sun coming through the rain clouds. The bad part was that they were about to start playing the game again, and we couldn't see the field.
Instead, this was our view:
So it was on to our third set of ice cream seats — actually another counter, not seats.
This counter was wet too. But luckily I bring lots of extra clothes for Tim — in case he destroys his clothes with chocolate ice cream — so I could wipe down a spot for Tim to sit.
Here was our view from our third and final ice cream spot:
It was a long road to this final ice cream eating spot — but we were happy with our journey and destination. We recorded the moment with a self portrait:
Hey, look at that, the Ryan Howard shift!
Next, we decided to go spend some time in the outfield and by the bullpens. We've never really hung out by the bullpen at Citizens Bank Park before. So I thought it would be a nice plan.
On the way down the long ramps in the LF corner, I took some pictures of the front and back of the big scoreboard/video screen in LF…
…then it was time to head to Ashburn Alley in CF…
In the picture to the right, the green walls going down into a big pit are the walls of the bullpens.
Tim loved the statue of Richie Ashburn out there:
Tim kept calling the statue a "Trophy." He loves trophies! In this picture, he is swinging a fake bat and then running to the base on which Richie is standing. He did that over-and-over-and-over-again.
Here is the view of Ashburn Alley from the Ashburn "Trophy":
Next, we headed over to the area by the bullpens where we found a steel beam with a two foot high concrete base…
Tim had fun standing inside the groove in the beam, and the concrete base was great for boosting me above all of these fans (top right) standing around "watching" the game. We also had a good view of the bullpens if we scooted a few feet closer to CF:
In the picture to the right, the Phillies' Andrew Carpenter is warming up (the ball looks like a blur in the middle of the picture) and the Cardinals relievers are milling about up top. Carpenter came in and gave up a HR to Julio Lugo.
I took the picture to the left because I thought it was an interesting view of the outfield wall. You can see the corner of the Phillies' bullpen in the bottom right of that picture.
In the RF corner of the field level concourse, there are a couple big baseball games and a BBQ stand. I've never taken Tim over there because I haven't wanted to test his patience standing in line for the games. However, at this game, I decided he was ready — and he did great standing in line watching the other kids play the game. Here is the game we played:
The kid in the Utley shirt is standing at the control box. There are two big buttons. One says "pitch" and one says "swing" When you press the pitch button, a door opens up on the pitcher's hand and a volleyball sized baseball rolls down the board. Then you press swing and try to hit the ball into one of the slots at the top. You get three outs.
Most of the kids got three outs without getting any hits. The first kid we watched who got a hit was a pro at it. He ended up scoring four runs. Tim and I played together and we ended up with two triples and one run scored.
Here is the view of the RF-RCF seats and concourse from the Ballpark Pinball game:
These pictures are the same, but taken on different settings of my camera. The red arrow is pointing toward the top of our standing room beam.
And here is a picture taken from our beam toward the concourse leading to the RF foul pole and the 1B infield concourse:
You can't tell from this shot, but the concourses at Citizens Bank Park provide a ton of room for standing room viewing of the game. My only complaint is that the concourses are often windy. However, it was nice at this game. Really no noticable wind in the RCF concourse area.
Next, Tim wanted to go up onto an elevated walkway all the way out in deep CF. They call it the "rooftop" for some reason. They have cheap bleachers out there. We took a couple panaramics up there, here is the first which is closer to the small section of bleachers (the bleachers are toward the RF side of the rooftop — and are shown in the first picture in this entry, below the liberty bell):
The rooftop seems like a nice place to hang out and have some drinks and food with friends. There are a bunch of picnic tables with umbrellas for shade up there. But the big brick wall blocks out your view of a huge portion of the outfield. The wall is the backside of the batters eye.
As you'll see in the next picture, during the game, they fence off the bottom section of the historical time-line and wall of fame area to the left end of the brick wall. My guess is they do that so people don't stand on the fence and bug the people in the bullpen, which is just below that area.
Here is another picture from the rooftop where you can see the red and blue fence blocking the area above the bullpen. Also, this is taken from deeper CF, toward left a bit, and it provides a much clearer view of the field:
We took this funny picture of ourselves before heading down from the rooftop:
Finally, we headed down to the fancy seats behind the Phillies dugout for the ninth inning. The Cardinals were blowing out the Phils so there were plenty of empty seats and no one checked out tickets when we went down between innings.
This was our view of the Phils hitting in the ninth:
Above, on that swing, Pedro Feliz grounded out. Below, two seconds later, Carlos Ruiz got nailed in the side of the leg. Matt Stairs followed with a fielder's choice / error by Albert Pujols. Finally, J-Roll and Victorino grounded out to end the game.
At the beginning of the game, they announced that Adrian Johnson was the home plate umpire. They don't have a separate umpire tunnel at Citizens Bank Park. I wasn't sure if they would exit through the Phillies dugout or the Cardinals. I figured we'd try the Phillies side. But I figured wrong.
After the final out was recorded, Johnson started walking toward the Cardinals dugout. I yellowed, "Hey, Mr. Johnson, Adrian Johnson!" He stopped and turned around and looked my way for maybe five seconds. He couldn't figure out who called his name. So he turned around again and left. No umpire ball for Team Cook. Thus, we snapped our family record 7 game streak of getting a ball. Oh, well. It wasn't a surprise, we've got a grand total of 1 ball ever at Citizens Bank Park (from Rockies 1B coach and former Mariner Glenallen Hill) and 1 total ball ever from the Phillies (J-Roll in D.C. in May).
All in all, we had a great time at the ball park — highlighted by our tour of the park looking for a spot for Tim to eat his ice cream.
And, the Jonas Brothers must have let out early. It only took about an hour and a half to get home.
Season Fan Stats:
20 Games (plus one 5+ hour rain out with no game)
7 Stadiums (Safeco Field, Camden Yards, Citizens Bank Park, Citi Field, Nationals Park, Yankee Stadium, and Fenway Park)
16 Teams (Mariners, A's, Rangers, Rays, Orioles, Tigers, Red Sox, Yankees, Phillies, Mets, Nationals, Cubs, Braves, Padres, Dodgers and Cardinals– and sort of the Giants)
16 Ice Cream Helmets (Mariners (4), Phillies (4), Mets, Nationals (3), Red Sox (3) and Yankees)
18 Baseballs (12 Mariners, 2 Rangers, 1 Phillies, 1 Red Sox, 1 Umpire, 1 Nationals)
4 Divisions Closed Out (So far in Tim's Life — AL West, AL East, NL West, NL East)
3 Autographs (King Felix Hernandez, Jason Phillips, Ryan Perry)
2 Player/G.M. Photographs (King Felix Hernandez, Jack Zduriencik, Ryan Perry)
5 Mascot Pictures (Mariners Moose (2), Orioles Bird (2), 3 Presidents (Nats), Screech (Nats) — Honorable Mention: The Green Monster statue bench)
14 Comments
I hate to repeat myself, but oh well. Awesome post and great pics.
That sky looked ugly. I'm surprised they got the game in. I'm happy the Phils are taking it to the Cards because that is really helping my Cubs take over 1st place in the Central. Awesome! I do hate those Cardinals.
Glad you could find ice cream through the mob. Seeing all those huddled masses under the seats was a hilarious pic.
Read your whole trip to Citizens Bank Park. I really enjoyed it. Was almost like being there. =)
Carol MLBlogs.com How 'Bout Those Phils?
PS I always wondered what happens in the concourses during a rain delay. =) THank you!
Carol MLBLogs.com How 'Bout Those Phils?
Nice trip! I love seeing the ice cream "action shots"! I'm going to another Minor League game tonight (7/27), BUT I'm gonna see your M's on Thurs. (7/30) & I'm going to use your advice. Thank you! Great photos as usual, I'll try & out-do you on thurs. Just kidding. I'll get more pics of the ice cream helmet! When's the next game for you?
Nice trip! I love seeing the ice cream "action shots"! I'm going to another Minor League game tonight (7/27), BUT I'm gonna see your M's on Thurs. (7/30) & I'm going to use your advice. Thank you! Great photos as usual, I'll try & out-do you on thurs. Just kidding. I'll get more pics of the ice cream helmet! When's the next game for you?
Sorry about the double comments, my computer was asleep I guess.
RAYSFANBOYS – Glad the Phils could help your Cubs. Thanks for the comment on the picts. As for the jammed concourse, its more hilarious to see in the picture than it was to see while trying to walk through it. No aisle way. Just a lot of people standing shoulder to shoulder not moving.
CAROL – Thanks! Come back some time and I'll do my best at making it almost like you're at a bunch of other stadiums – including Citz Bank, Wrigley Field, HHH Metrodome, Miller Park, U.S. Cellular and Progressive Field in all in August.
BRIAN – Thanks. Good luck on 7/30 — to you, not the Rangers. Hope my advice helps, I'll be watching for the report. I'm sure you could out do me. You've turned in some great stadium shots at the Ballpark this season.
Great entry once again – the rain must follow you on night games (may be Tim's way of getting more food into his tummy) – love the pictures of Tim begging/praying for ice cream.
That last spot where Tim finished up his ice cream helmet must be the spot for parents and kids. It was the exact same spot my daughter finished up her ice cream helmet when we visited Citizens Park last month.
At some later date can you share why Jamie Moyer is your favorite ball player – It amazes me how at his age he continues to pitch so consistently solid.
great pictures. it really is a nice ballpark. i love this father-son time too. youre a great dad. and yeah we're holding up in pittsburgh, its tough to swallow seeing everybody shipped out but its honestly what we need. i really like the direction we're headed, the future looks nice. but who knows if all else fails. it cant get any worse
That's awesome you get to spend time with your son watching baseball. He's a very lucky kid. Looks like you guys are having a great summer. I took by son with me on this year's baseball trip and we had a blast. Please check out my blog when you get a chance to see the pics.
'Minoring In Baseball'
PEAS – you got it, there is really only staying level or going up for the Pirates. Best of luck on taking the upward path. We'll most likely be at PNC Park for a couple games against the Dodgers at the end of September. It'll be good to check out the Pirates progress, and their beautiful riverfront stadium.
MIKE – thansk for stopping by. excellent Minor League Baseball blog, man. I've only really been to two MiLB stadiums — the Harrisburg Senators (Expos/Nats affiliate) and the Reading Phillies (Phillies). Both of them are excellent, you should check them out if you're in PA sometime.
Great roadtrip blog! We just got back from our own Cards road trip a few weeks ago… check it out at Go Go Cards! http://gogocards.mlblogs.com/ Good to see your interest in watching Albert hit. As a Cards fan, it's a bonus right now to see one of the greatest hitters in the game wearing the birds-on-the-bat!
I still need to see if you've written much about Safeco Field…. one of the best ballparks around! Hopefully, you'll get out to see how Busch Stadium compares. Lots of "trophies" for Tim to check out! Great to see you raising your son to be a baseball fan as well. Nice job!
BROCK105 – Thanks. I'll definitely check out GoGoCards. Albert Pujols is insane at the plate. Hopefully next time we'll get to see him pop one out of the park. We're thinking of a Cards-Royals-Rangers-Astros trip next season. Hopefully that works out. New Busch looked great at the All-Star game.
I have written 6 entries on Safeo Field — May 1-5 and June 13th.
TEEMO – Sorry, I missed responding to your comment. For starters, Jamie Moyer is the all-time winningest pitcher in Mariners history. He has 145 win in a Mariners uniform. For 10+ years, he was simply brilliant for the M's. Those years included two 20-win seasons, and three trips to the playoffs. Second, he's a true pitcher. He doesn't blow anyone away. I just knows how to get big league hitters out. On top of that, he's just a super-high-class guy. For example, see http://www.moyerfoundation.org/