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Debates of April 14th, 2008
House of Commons Hansard #78 of the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was appointments.
- Question Period
- Treatment of Rare Disorders
- Judges Act
- Richard Paré
- Verna Bruce
- Clos Saragnat
- Northwest British Columbia
- CFB Trenton
- Geoffrey Pearson
- National Victims of Crime Awareness Week
- Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs
- Bloc Québécois
- Municipal Property Taxes
- Liberal Party of Canada
- Homelessness
- Louise Arbour
- "There for Quebec"
- Aboriginal Affairs
- Liberal Party of Canada
- Afghanistan
- Heritage Buildings
- Securities
- World Food Program
- The Environment
- Aboriginal Affairs
- The Senate
- Infrastructure
- Ethics
- Broadcasting Industry
- Court Challenges Program
- Sealing Industry
- Health
- Foreign Affairs
- Human Resources and Social Development
- Federal Protected Areas
- Aboriginal Affairs
- Presence in Gallery
- Canada-Japan Treaty
- Government Response to Petitions
- Criminal Code
- Committees of the House
- Petitions
- Questions on the Order Paper
- Questions Passed as Orders for Returns
- Judges Act
- Committees of the House
- Judges Act
- Criminal Code
Judges Act
Government Orders
1:55 p.m.
Larry Bagnell Yukon, YT
Mr. Speaker, I think the member is going to be sad that he asked about democratic procedures and the small little point he is making about an extra speaker when the government has been so bad, anti-democratic and so disastrous in its process.
I recall in the justice committee what a lack of justice there was in the process. Witness after witness would come to committee and say that a bill did not make any sense, that it had no foundation in law, would make Canada a more dangerous place, and yet the government would not even accept any of this advice. We might as well not have had committees.
I do not know if this is because they have a book that explains for their members how to stop committees. In the last couple of weeks, we have had discussions about the Conservatives and how they have cost Canadians hundreds of thousands of dollars. They have been stonewalling committees by going on and on. They have illegally walked out of committees to stop them just so they could not be investigated.
Judges Act
Government Orders
1:55 p.m.
The Acting Speaker Andrew Scheer
The hon. member will still have eight minutes left for his questions and comments period.
We will now move on to statements by members. The hon. member for Edmonton East.
Richard Paré
Statements By Members
1:55 p.m.
Peter Goldring Edmonton East, AB
Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to honour the life and service of a proud Canadian, Mr. Richard Paré, retired Parliamentary Librarian, who passed away last Thursday at the age of 70.
I join with my fellow members of Parliament to acknowledge what Mr. Paré did to contribute to Canadian parliamentary democracy.
After serving as Associate Parliamentary Librarian for 14 years, Mr. Paré was appointed Parliamentary Librarian by the Prime Minister of Canada in 1994, serving in that position until his retirement in 2005. His extensive expertise in library information systems and services was a benefit to us all. He was the first francophone Chief Parliamentary Librarian, a fact in which he took great pride.
More than just a librarian, Mr. Paré was known throughout Parliament as a true gentleman. Today the library continues to impress with its tremendous services and efficiency, a true testament to Richard Paré's life's work.
Verna Bruce
Statements By Members
1:55 p.m.
Shawn Murphy Charlottetown, PE
Mr. Speaker, this Friday Verna Bruce, a long serving and well respected federal public servant, will be retiring after 34 years of public service.
Ms. Bruce began her public service career with the government of Prince Edward Island in 1994. Competently rising through the ranks, Ms. Bruce had an impressive career with the provincial government including deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, Treasury, Intergovernmental Affairs and Clerk of the Executive Council.
After 24 years with the province, Ms. Bruce joined Veterans Affairs Canada as associate deputy minister and served in the position of acting deputy minister. During the past 10 years, Ms. Bruce has provided impressive leadership to the many challenging and evolving issues facing Canada's veterans. Important veterans' policy issues did not get lost in changes of deputy ministers and ministers as Ms. Bruce provided continuity and leadership in the department.
Along with the demands and commitment required of her public service life, Ms. Bruce always found time to lend her talents to the volunteer community, especially those dedicated to the social welfare of children.
On behalf of all members, I wish to congratulate and thank Ms. Bruce for her dedication and commitment to public service, and wish her every success in her future endeavours.
Clos Saragnat
Statements By Members
2 p.m.
Christian Ouellet Brome—Missisquoi, QC
Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Christian Barthomeuf and Louise Dupuis, cider producers from Frelighsburg in my riding.
The Clos Saragnat cider mill tied for this year's prize from Spain's Asturian cider foundation. The award is presented to individuals or businesses whose personal or commercial contribution has contributed to the evolution and promotion of cider in all its forms worldwide.
In 1989, Mr. Barthomeuf created and perfected the process involved in producing ice cider. He also planted the first vineyard in Dunham in 1979, and later those in Sutton and Frelighsburg.
Clos Saragnat decided to pursue an ecological, natural cultivation process, one that is adapted to the soil, environment and climate of the region.
Congratulations to these entrepreneurs from my riding.
Northwest British Columbia
Statements By Members
2 p.m.
Nathan Cullen Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Mr. Speaker, the northwest of British Columbia is a land of partnership and a deep collective spirit. For millennia people have worked with the environment and continue to hold true to that value today.
A coalition of first nations, commercial fishermen and sport fishermen, municipal and environment groups, and every day citizens joined together to fight the provincial and federal governments' plans for open net fish farms at the mouth of the Skeena. Friends of Wild Salmon fought alongside northerners and we won.
Even as we celebrate this victory, we must turn our attention to another threat. Shell's plans to drill for coal bed methane in the Sacred Headwaters bringing the threat of irreparable damage.
We are a hunting and fishing people. We work to be stewards of the land. Northerners will work with those companies willing to work with us, like Galore Creek and Blue Pearl Mining.
If not, we will unify. We will organize and we will defend our rivers and our way of life for future generations to come.
CFB Trenton
Statements By Members
2 p.m.
Rick Norlock Northumberland—Quinte West, ON
Mr. Speaker, Northumberland--Quinte West is the proud home of Canadian Forces Base Trenton, the hub of Canada's air force. Since the Conservative Party became the government there has been an unprecedented amount of investment at the base in Trenton. The frequent flights of Canada's new C-17s are a visual reminder of this.
Over the next 10 years the government will invest many millions of dollars into the base. The economic spinoffs are and will continue to be an economic boon for the entire region. Contracts have been let to businesses in Cobourg, Colborne, Trenton, Brighton, and there will be more to come.
CFB Trenton is a vital part of the community, and the thousands of military families and support staff are the backbone of our community. I am proud to represent them and all of the people of Northumberland—Quinte West, and proud to be a member of a government that recognizes the importance of protecting our sovereignty. We have placed a priority in rebuilding the Canadian Armed Forces which were shamefully neglected for far too long.
Geoffrey Pearson
Statements By Members
2 p.m.
Yasmin Ratansi Don Valley East, ON
Mr. Speaker, on Saturday hundreds of people gathered here in Ottawa to celebrate the life of Geoffrey Pearson.
A career diplomat and recipient of the Order of Canada, Geoffrey Pearson held many key posts at the Department of External Affairs, including ambassador to the Soviet Union during the height of the Cold War and special representative for arms control under Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.
As the son of Nobel prize winning Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, Geoffrey Pearson established his own brand of diplomacy with an ambitious view of the role Canada plays in the international community. He served as the first executive director of the Canadian Institute for International Peace and Security and later as president of the United Nations Association of Canada.
A loving father and grandfather, Geoffrey Pearson leaves behind his wife, retired Senator Landon Pearson, his beloved children and grandchildren and, ultimately, a legacy that serves every Canadian around the world today.
National Victims of Crime Awareness Week
Statements By Members
2 p.m.
Rob Moore Fundy Royal, NB
Mr. Speaker, today marks the beginning of National Victims of Crime Awareness Week. This year's events revolve around the theme "Finding the Way Together", a very appropriate theme which acknowledges that it takes the efforts of many people from all walks of life and throughout our communities to address victims issues.
During National Victims of Crime Awareness Week, people in communities across Canada will be getting out the message about what crime does to victims and what all of us can do to help victims more effectively.
Our government is committed to protecting Canada's citizens, but we cannot do it alone. Clearly, all of us must work together to help victims and to prevent crime and that is what National Victims of Crime Awareness Week is all about.
I would also like to recognize that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the first Canadian Statement of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime.
Canadians now have a government that cares about victims issues. This government will continue to stand up for the victims of crime and for their families.
Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs
Statements By Members
2:05 p.m.
Michel Guimond Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC
Mr. Speaker, last Thursday, to undermine opposition efforts to get things moving in the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, the member for Elgin—Middlesex—London finally resigned as chair of the committee.
In his letter of resignation, he goes on at length about a supposed "tyranny of the majority", which he seems to be confusing with the democratic expression of the will of the majority of elected members of this House.
However, when the Chief Government Whip tells us to buckle under or else the Prime Minister will go to see the Governor General, that is tyranny. When the chair of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights vacates his chair to avoid holding a vote on a motion on the Cadman affair that is embarrassing to the government, that is tyranny. When the chair of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs resigns to avoid calling meetings and prevent us from shedding light on the Conservatives' irregular election spending, that is tyranny. When the Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons makes barely veiled threats that "there will be consequences", that is tyranny.
Bloc Québécois
Statements By Members
2:05 p.m.
Jacques Gourde Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Bloc is trying every way possible to take credit for the Conservative government's accomplishments. The Bloc's inconsistency is certainly not in the interest of Quebec. In fact, at 18 years of age, when it should be mature, the Bloc is still going through adolescence: it yells, it contradicts itself and it tries to advance its own agenda when it is in fact at the mercy of its head office. The Bloc would like to prove its relevance here, in Ottawa, but it will never have significant influence.
Our Conservative government recognizes the nation of Quebec within a strong and united Canada. The Conservative caucus of Quebec has been working day after day, month after month, for over two years now, on such things as respect for Quebec, UNESCO, the fiscal imbalance, providing $350 million for Quebec's green plan, resolving the softwood lumber dispute, support for farmers, support for supply management and the reopening of the military college in Saint Jean.
The Bloc Québécois is as powerless as ever on its perpetual opposition benches. In the next election, Quebeckers will choose the winning team: the Conservative team.
Municipal Property Taxes
Statements By Members
April 14th, 2008 / 2:05 p.m.
Albina Guarnieri Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON
Mr. Speaker, homeowners in Mississauga and around the country are bracing for massive property tax increases as the federal government continues to shortchange the future of Canada's cities.
The latest estimates show that homeowners will pay thousands more in property taxes over the next decade to rebuild roads, transit, waste management, and other municipal infrastructure that are the essential bodily functions of a growing economy.
In Mississauga the bill will work out to $100 per resident per year, adding over $300 to the average property tax bill. This is the end of the road for Canada's cities. Property taxes will have to rise unless the federal government rises to the occasion and finally commits to funding the infrastructure our economy is built on.
Liberal Party of Canada
Statements By Members
2:05 p.m.
Patrick Brown Barrie, ON
Mr. Speaker, the Liberal Party's inability to articulate clear policy on virtually any issue is evident by the number of flip-flops made by the leader and his party.
The Liberals' pattern of behaviour is becoming all too familiar. First, they criticize the government's policy initiatives, and then they turn around and support the good work of our government.
The Liberals have criticized a number of our government's policy initiatives, too many to name, but I will showcase a few.
During the Afghanistan debate on extending the mission, the Liberal leader changed his mind as often as he changed his shirt. On the important issue of the budget, the Liberals attacked it, only to turn around and let it pass. Just recently on immigration reforms, after a few days of criticizing our initiatives, the Liberals voted in favour of them.
With the number of flip-flops reaching close to 100, it is no surprise Canadians are confused about where the Liberals stand.
Our government was elected to stand up for Canada and that is what we are doing.
Statements By Members
2:10 p.m.
Dawn Black New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC
Mr. Speaker, last week the Social Planning and Research Council released the homeless count for metro Vancouver.
To say that the results were devastating is an understatement. Across the Lower Mainland, homelessness increased by 19% over the last three years, in New Westminster, 53%, in the tri-cities, a whopping 157%.
There is something fundamentally wrong with this picture. The numbers have increased in B.C. since 2001 and continue to rise. Not since the Great Depression have we seen a crisis like this.
The Conservative government is failing its people. There was a lot of back-slapping in Ottawa over the announcement of $148,000 for a homelessness strategy. Yet the reality for ordinary folks in B.C. is that this money is less than one-quarter of the cost of a family home in Coquitlam.
We do not need more strategies. We need housing. The government is failing, and we see the results of that failure under every bridge and on every street corner in metro Vancouver.
Louise Arbour
Statements By Members
2:10 p.m.
Omar Alghabra Mississauga—Erindale, ON
Mr. Speaker, it is my honour to rise in the House to recognize an extraordinary Canadian. Louise Arbour was the first francophone ever appointed to the Ontario Court of Appeal.
Renowned for her courage, she relentlessly pursued justice and dignity as chief prosecutor for both Rwanda's and Yugoslavia's international tribunals.
In 1999 Louise Arbour was appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada. In 2004 Ms. Arbour became the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
During her tenure she spoke with clarity about the responsibilities governments have toward their citizens. She has always been a strong advocate for civil and political rights and did not spare despots or democracies when making her point.
Ms. Arbour led the world in exposing problematic practices in Darfur, Zimbabwe, China, Sri Lanka, the Middle East and the United States, to name a few.
Louise Arbour has shown the world the best of what Canada stands for. We hope that we will see even more from her.
On behalf of all Canadians, I want to thank Ms. Arbour for her brilliant record of public service to Canada and the world.


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Product Information:
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Nvidia Corp.'s next-generation code-named Kal El system-on-chip for media tablets and high-end smartphones will not only be considerably faster than the current Tegra 2, but will also be more energy-efficient, according to the company. Nvidia believes that the new Tegra "Kal El" will further boost the company's momentum on the market of ultra-portable devices.
"Kal-El is going to be world's first quad-core [ARM] processor [for ultra-portable devices]. It has so much higher performance than Tegra 2 and at so much lower power! Very few people have internalizes that Kal-El is lower power in every use case compared to Tegra 2. So this is, it is really a great breakthrough based on the technology we call variable SMP, variable symmetric multiprocessing, that makes it possible for us to achieve much higher performance where performance is needed and much lower power in almost everything that you do," said Jen-Hsun Huang, chief executive officer of Nvidia, during the company's most recent conference call with financial analysts.
At present Nvidia has 53 design wins with Tegra 2. In the current quarter the company will add more design wins as more smartphones powered by the SoC get announced. Besides, Nvidia expects "a whole lot of design wins with Kal El".
"We ramped [our Tegra business] up pretty hard, and we have a whole lot of new design wins on Tegra 2, and we have a whole lot of new design wins on Kal-El. [...] I would say that the [Tegra] business is doing better than on track in a sense that our design win momentum is better than ever," said Mr. Huang.
Nvidia again did not reveal precise specifications of Tegra "Kal El", but based on a previous reports we know that the system-on-chip (SoC) is based on four Cortex-A9 application cores, will feature a GeForce graphics processor with twelve stream processors and will have a new display and video engines capable of supporting Blu-ray disc video playback and stereo-3D graphics output. Other capabilities and clock-speeds of the novelty are not known previously. The chip developer claims that the new chip outperforms Nvidia Tegra 2 by up to five times.
Earlier this year at the Mobile World Congress (MWC), Nvidia demonstrated that the Tegra 3 can browse the Web, run games and stream/decode video with 2560x1440 (1440p) extreme HD resolution. At the trade-show Nvidia demonstrated its Tegra "Kal El" in an Android-based tablet with 10.1" screen.
Nvidia promises that the Glowball demo will be available on the Android Market and that everyone will be able to check it on their devices.
Back in February Nvidia said that its partners would produce devices powered by Tegra "Kal-El" starting from August and therefore those products will be available sometimes in Q4 2011.
Tags: Nvidia, Tegra, Cortex, Kal-El


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Budget shortfall looms
Fort Dodge officials are wrestling with a roughly $380,000 difference between the city's expected general fund revenue and the amount it will take to pay for providing local government services in the next fiscal year.
That projected deficit affects only the general fund, an account which pays for police and fire protection, parks and recreation, the Fort Dodge Regional Airport, the Blanden Memorial Art Museum and a handful of other government functions.
It is the hardest account to balance because it is so dependent on property tax revenue, City Manager David Fierke told the City Council Monday.
He gave the elected officials an assessment of the general fund as they continue working on the 2013-2014 budget. The 2013-2014 fiscal year begins July 1, but state law requires cities to have their budgets completed by mid-March.
Also on Monday, the council received proposed budgets for the police and fire departments. The spending plans for both departments maintain the current levels of personnel and services.
The general fund
The general fund relies on property tax revenue and that revenue is essentially flat, according to Fierke.
He said the total value of all property in the city remains almost unchanged at about $1 billion.
"We didn't get the growth," he said.
Fierke added that the growth in property value that has occurred is mostly in tax increment financing districts. Increased property tax revenue in those districts is set aside to be reinvested in them and cannot be placed in the general fund.
He estimated general fund revenues for the next fiscal year at $9,948,677.
He said budget proposals from agencies within the general fund total about $10 million.
The $380,000 deficit, he said, may be reduced as he and the city staff do more work on the budget in the coming weeks. But he asked the council to establish its priorities for dealing with it.
Councilman Mark Taylor called for asking nonprofit entities to give the city some money for the services it provides. Such a fee is called a Payment in Lieu of Taxes or PILOT.
Nonprofit entities don't pay property taxes.
Taylor mentioned Iowa Central Community College, Trinity Regional Medical Center and Friendship Haven as entities that should be asked to make such payments.
"I don't think it would hurt them much at all and it would help our general fund immensely," he said.
Fierke said PILOT programs are voluntary, and no organization can be required to make those payments. He said he discussed a PILOT program with leaders of some nonprofit entities about five years ago, and the idea was soundly rejected.
Councilman Don Wilson said recreation fees need to be set at a level that keeps pace with expenses. He said expenses are going up by 3 percent, but the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission approved only 2 percent fee increases.
"We take all the flack and the commission sets the rates," Wilson said. "We have nothing to say about it. The commission, I feel, has too much power."
The council directed Fierke to look at raising fees, but avoid cutting services if possible.
Police Department
Police Chief Tim Carmody proposed a $3,150,912 budget.
The police budget is now $2,974,621.
The proposed budget calls for having 40 officers. The department currently has an authorized strength of 40 officers, but there are two vacancies.
Carmody projected that the department will generate $230,950 in revenue from things like fines, tickets generated by the traffic camera system, and federal payments for providing security at the airport while flights are boarding.
Included in the police budget is $63,363 for the city's share of animal control services, which are provided through an agreement with Webster County. Carmody said the budget provides a 3 percent raise for Blaine Hepp, the animal control officer, bringing his salary to $48,363.
Three police cars with an estimated total cost of $98,950 will be purchased in the next fiscal year.
Fire Department
The proposed Fire Department budget is $1,705,371.
That's an increase of about $21,000 from the current budget of $1,684,160, according to Fire Chief David Luers.
The budget will maintain the current staffing of 31 firefighters.
Replacing 20 air tanks for the firefighters' self-contained breathing apparatus will be the major purchase for the department in 2013-2014. Luers said the federal government is requiring the tanks to be replaced because of their age. He said he has applied for a federal grant to pay for them. If that grant isn't approved, $19,500 from the Fire Department's share of hotel-motel tax revenue will be used.
The ambulance service provided by the department is operated under a separate budget.
Luers is estimating that ambulance fees will generate $108,380 in the coming fiscal year. He added that operating the service is expected to cost $70,651.
The projected $37,729 profit from the service will be transferred into the general fund to help balance it.


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Dome Pearl Hostel
Real Reviews
Real reviews from fellow travellers
These are trusted reviews from guests who have actually stayed here. We hope you find them helpful.
Note: we only give a property a rating once it has received a minimum of 3 reviews.
- Page:1/1
- " Loved the location right in the center of the old city where everything was, so nice! Liked the whiskey bar downstairs. Ok rooms. Ok clean, but it didnt bother me. "
- 06 Feb 2014 Ina Norway
- " This was the worst Hostel of our Trip. The price was cheap, the Hostel was located direct in the center. BUT it was extream cold because the heating doesn't work well, and the gully in the bathroom was smelling so bad, that we changed to an other Hostel. The staff was quit unpolite and not really helpfull. "
- 30 Jan 2014 Philipp Austria


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Americans adopt more children from foreign countries every year than all other countries in the world combined. The United States strongly supports international adoption as an option for children who need a family. The Department's Office of Children's Issues works hard to support and assist American citizens interested in foreign adoptions.
Unfortunately, some international adoptions from Vietnam are not straightforward. Our colleagues on the ground in Vietnam have found serious irregularities, including forged or altered documentation, mothers being paid, coerced or tricked into releasing their children, and children offered for adoption without the knowledge or consent of their birth parents. (See Warning Concerning Adoptions in Vietnam) American parents shouldn't have to question whether the child they've adopted and brought into their family was taken from unwitting birth mothers. And no parents should be coerced or tricked into relinquishing their children. Vietnam needs to strengthen procedures to protect children and parents to advance our common goal of protecting children, their birth parents, and adopting parents from exploitation.
International adoptions from Vietnam are governed by a Memorandum of Agreement, but the agreement expires on September 1. And last week, the Government of Vietnam announced it will not renew this agreement. The United States could consider drafting a new agreement. However, until Vietnam puts into place safeguards and procedures to protect babies and families involved in international adoptions, we will be unable to sign a new agreement .
The United States urges Vietnam to create an adoption system that is transparent and protects the children and parents involved. There currently is an adoption system that works, one the United States joined on April 1. (See The Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption). Over 70 countries are members. If Vietnam joined the Hague Convention, the United States and Vietnam could ensure that adoptions take place in the best interests of children, free of abduction, sale, trafficking, or other abuses.
Eric in New Mexico writes:
This may seem like an odd solution, but given a designated number of refugees the U.S. allows per year, what if some of those were granted status as orphans, where Dept. of State worked with orphanages directly to provide the opportunity for folks who are willing to adopt, do so without the risk of third party criminality involved?
Joe in Tennessee writes:
The problem of International ethics goes beyond the paperwork and reaches into the very existence of all our beings. Why these childern are homeless is the real question that has to be addressed. Even here in America, there are so many children with no home. Most are due to ethics, not economics as much as in developing countries; but, the consequences of having children with no support functions available is the sole burden of the bearer, with the exception of rape victims.
What can you really say? If we are a Christian based country morally, then "For Jesus so loved the Children" ...any step to salvage a life is worthy.
The weak and the poor always suffer the most, which is not a good report card for the world after all the years of civil existence is it?
SNP in Syria writes:
@ Joe in Tennessee -- Where in the Constitution and history of the United States it says that America is based on Christian theology and the Jesus myth? You must be relying on the Quakers, JW and Josef Smith golden tablets given to him by the angle Moroni.
But if you insist on fabricating such Christian history and value for America, was it a Christian way to slaughter the Indians, steal the land and shove them into reservations?
Joe in Tennessee writes:
@ SNP in Syria --
- Want to start with the Scottish Rite Masons who had the guts to start the Revolution and form this country? You do not know American History apparently.
- Even if I agree with you, there is more than enough evidence to say Jesus was not a myth...no more then Mohamed was a myth. What people perceive as Religion is varied, but a constant in decision making world wide.
- You need to educate yourself to POINT IN TIME relationships of historical values of culture.
- You need to re direct your anger toward different views of God to another venue...like your own life. Syria was a homestead of Christian values, least you forget your heritage. You would not have Islam were it not for Christianity. That is the most confusing of issues to me in separation of beliefs on the common man level. This is how both sides have been controled through out history by both Religious demonations. How can one point of view be wrong if both are right?
No loving God would want a child to Starve and God Bless America for all the childern it feeds world wide.
John in Greece writes:
@ SNP in Syria -- Joe is right SNP.
Not only you translate history and religion subjectively, but also you never really interpreted how America was created.
You write:
"But if you insist on fabricating such Christian history and value for America, was it a Christian way to slaughter the Indians, steal the land and shove them into reservations"?
"American" settlers who were reaching the New World back then were immigrants forced to go there. If they had not manage to survive, then the Indians would have killed those immigrants.
They had to fight for their lives, they had to survive and to achieve great things. And they did achieve The Greatest Things of the modern history, science, culture, democracy and civilization.
Besides, I would suggest that instead of analyzing the Christianity of the first U.S. settlers, on the same basis of your argumentation, we can talk about Muslim Holy Wars of the past. Although, I?m sure that you believe that these wars were Godly inspired and pure -obviously not for survival though.
Moreover, I do not quite understand this unexpected, strange love of yours about Indians. I think that your thesis has nothing to do with your sympathy for the natives, but with your hate for the United States.
Forrest in South Carolina writes:
To Whomever Should Read This:
The United States cannot and should not try to control the world. There are exploittions in domestic adoptions in this country. Why not ATTEMPT to repair that situation first?
The families who are following all the State Department and the Vietnamese government's guildelines for proper documentation to adopt a child are the ones who are being punished if WE do not renew this agreement!!!! That is no way to treat Americans who are honest and working hard with their accredited agencies to enable them to become parents.
My son and daughter-in-law are some of the Americans caught up in this nightmare. It is not fair or right for them to be penalized due to the illegal acts of others.
Vietnam is the ONLY country that would accept them to be parents due to my daughter-in-law's cancer 4 years ago. Guatemala is closed thanks to our government. This government needs to realize that their is corruption everywhere in this world and we cannot dictate to others what WE want.
This country is in a sad state and I shudder to think what is going to happen in the near future. Give these hardworking, honest Americans a break in order for them to give an orphan a home and life, none of which they will have if we continue to cutt off our ties to other countries. Who are we to set the standards for another country when the respected adoption agencies who work day in and day out strive to give Americans their dream to become parents.
We ought to be ashamed of ourselves as a country when our own citizens do not have a say in such a gut-wrenching subject.
AMERICA needs to tend to its own adoption issues here at home and allow the accredited adoption agencies do their work in Vietnam and elsewhere. We will not stop any illegal adoptions in Vietnam or elsewhere. They will always continue and just go from country to country.
Please give my son and daughter-in-law the chance to be called Mommy and Daddy. They need to know that our country is working on their behalf rather than against them.


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The healthy food products dietitians are most excited about.
You may have heard whispers about some of the latest healthy food products�like chia seeds, ancient grains and coconut flour. But what do the experts think? As part of our partnership with HealthyAperture.com, we polled 38 registered dietitians and asked what new healthy food products they�re MOST excited about. Check out their latest discoveries, and how they use them. Chia seeds. You may have heard that these ancient seeds are replacing flax seeds as the latest healthy add-on�unlike flax, they don�t need to be ground and they keep much longer. Dietitians like chia because the seeds are packed with fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, and they expand in your stomach to help you feel full. Sprinkle them on oatmeal, salads or yogurt, or blend into a smoothie or a pudding. Hemp hearts. Also known as shelled hemp seeds, hemp hearts are another increasingly popular healthy food product packed with protein, fatty acids and B vitamins. ��They�re great to throw on top of foods for added benefits and nutty crunch,� says registered dietitian Louise Goldberg, who blogs at An Apple A Day Nutrition. Coconut flour. Just when you thought the coconut craze was over � Still, it�s easy to see why some dietitians like this flour: It�s gluten-free, relatively low in carbs and has a natural sweetness. Be aware that you can�t sub this one-for-one with traditional flour; you�ll need to make other adjustments to recipes in order to use it. ��It�s a steep learning curve, as it doesn�t behave like other flours,� says registered dietitian Alison Murray of� the blog Om Nom Ally.��But the results are high in fiber and protein!� Freekeh. 2013 is shaping up to be the year of the ancient grain. A cousin of bulgur, also popular in Middle Eastern cooking, freekeh is a new favorite among dietitians. It�s lower on the glycemic index than other whole grains, and higher in protein and fiber than quinoa. However, it�s not gluten-free. But if that�s not an issue for you, try it in place of brown rice or couscous. It has a naturally smoky flavor and chewy texture. Nutritional yeast. This powdery, deactivated yeast has long been a staple in vegan diets because it can substitute for cheese in dishes. But anyone can benefit from its taste and versatility. �It adds umami flavor, especially to vegetarian foods,� says registered dietitian Michelle Dudash of MichelleDudash.com. �It�s low in sodium, so it can be sprinkled on stir fries, pizza and much more.� Microgreens. The term �microgreens� doesn�t just apply to the size of the leafy veggies�it also means they�re younger, having been picked at less than 14 days old. And according to a new study in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, they may have 4-6 times more nutrients than their older siblings. Dietitians also love the convenience factor. �I�ve recently discovered I can use them for just about anything: a base for salads, soups, smoothies and on tacos,� says registered dietitian Rachel Begun, who blogs at The Gluten-Free RD. Brought to you by: Spry Living


text: The Blues is a fedora made of "litefelt" a patented water repellent wool felt. It's a great value, and is crushable, packable, and easy to wear. This is our recommended hat for the someone who is hard on their hats. A great everyday wear with a 1.5" brim and moderate crown.


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As you might be aware, our trip has unfortunaltely been postponed. We are now aiming to start the trip either Easter or Summer 2015.
In the meantime we keep putting info up here and on http://www.rtco.org/#!blog/c9q3
This time a very intruigiung view of the history and present of Canliforinia.
Rich Hall's California Stars
Rich Hall takes the viewer on a skewed but keenly-eyed journey to the place built on a tectonic faultline that still deigns to call itself the Land of Dreams - California.
Hall takes the viewer on a journey "to the place built on a tectonic fault-line that still deigns to call itself the Land of Dreams".
He will also explore Californians' main concerns, from their looks and spirituality, to the government and cars.
Rich Hall's California Stars
Summer School Postponed, New Travel Dates soon.Watch that space!
Photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto on tradition: ART21: Is your photography process straightforward? Do you use any special techniques?SUGIMOTO: Special techniques? Well, this is my studio in the Chelsea area of New York. I am on the eleventh floor, facing the north sky. This is like a very...
We will project our final film in Smith's Ranch Drive-In, in 29 Palms - who has ever seen a fleet of electric cars gazing at the electric screen in the night? Here's a bit of the Drive-In Story and Drive-In Photographs: "In July 1895, two aptly named Frenchmen, the Lumière brothers, presented...
'Often, people ask what I'm photographing.. it's a hard question to answer... and the best that I've come up with is "life today" ' ' I do have a personal discipline.. I've only taken one picture of one thing, not two.. '
Alec Soth on becoming a photographer:
PACIFIC HIGHWAY ONE/WINDSCREENSby Goswin SchwendingerDirector of Love and Crime. Basta! AA Visiting Schoolon http://conversations.aaschool.ac.uk/pacific-highway-onewindscreens/22 May 2014Pacific Highway, USA Imagine 12 researchers, 5 electric vehicles and the whole length of the Pacific...
Untitled by Octave Pero, Nice 2012
Michael confirmed that he indeed created continuous, uninterrupted exposures over those long periods of time. This can be seen through the long light lines in the sky, which were created by the movement of the sun across the sky during those many months. Michael wanted to highlight that he also...
George Eastman House, Image Magazine, Vol. 17., No.4, December, 1974, Originally Published in Yale Alumni Magazine, February, 1974.Walker Evans, the eminent American photographer, who taught photography at Yale until his retirement several years ago, talks informally with today's students about...
Values in music and photography, instinct and technique.. "the justification for technique is being able to do what you want to do, when you want to do it!"
working method with Ansel Adams
For much more detail
Ansel Adams, Photography and the Sierra Club
Ansel Adams and Wilderness
The old Pioneers of the West discovered a wild new place, Trevor Paglen now uncovers invisible secrets lying in the landscape..:
trevor paglen on secrets in the landscape
Alec Soth, inspired by the films of Ozu, working on portraits: How does he communicate a story and manipulate space to take a photograph..:
Jean-Michel Crettaz, who will meet us in LA for a talk, sent us this photograph of a road-side encounter.
Two years ago, Oregon unveiled it's 'electrichighway':Don't worry, we are finding out many ways of charging along the coast! http://www.nbcnews.com/video/nightly-news/48074602#48074602
What does a tesla look like inside..?Like a strange super-light go-kart glued together with resin!
The photographer and filmmaker Larry Clark delves into the making of Marfa Girl, his first feature in seven years and the winner of the Marco Aurelio Award for Best Film at the Rome Film Festival.Set in the eponymous Texas desert town, the new work focuses on the culture clash arising from the...
working method with Larry Clarck
Reading the "Autonauts of the Cosmoroute", by literature and photography giant travellers J. Cortazar and C. Dunlop: In May of '82, Julio Cortázar set out with Carol Dunlop aboard their VW camper van (a.k.a. "Fafner") to explore the uncharted territory of the Paris-Marseilles freeway. It was a...
Please keep checking our RTCO blog updates during the build-up to our electric trip on http://www.rtco.org/#!blog/c9q3
Trevor Paglen talks about the tradition of landscape photography.
The Microsite RTCO.org goes online. it is currently being fed with all necessary information. Please keep checking. http://www.rtco.org
Dear Friends. We are so excited to tell you: The next "Love&Crime-Basta!" experience, part of the Architectural Association Visiting School programme, will be in form of a road trip. Check first details on: http://www.aaschool.ac.uk/STUDY/VISITING/pacifichighwayone Don't miss out and...
*More and more info is being constantly uploaded to: http://murmurinthecave.tumblr.com Keep an eye on it.
We are set to accept further applications. Please visit the AA website for an outline of the CALABRIA Visiting School. http://www.aaschool.ac.uk/STUDY/VISITING/calabria and here for the online application https://www.aaschool.ac.uk/STUDY/ONLINEAPPLICATION/visitingApplication.php?schoolID=...
We are starting to be ready. This summer we are heading South. From the Côte d'Azur to the Calabrian coast, we leave the modernist concrete labyrinth of the Villa Arson to settle in an empty cinema hanging over a cliff. Our cameras and sensibilities will focus on the theatre which...
Just imagine: The LOVE CRIME BASTA crew is taking you this summer to CALABRIA/ITALY Just imagine an abandoned cinema on a cliff over the mediterranean sea... More soon. Goswin Schwendinger
Tommorw at 14:00 we all meet at Villa Arson's "Salle Paul Gagnard" for the introduction of the 10 days cinematic experience. As guests we will be joined by the Poet Steno Branca. Helping us on the course is Octave Perrault.
The Architectural Association brings you - Love & Crime. BASTA! WIN THE COMPETITION TO ENTER THE SUMMER SCHOOL AT A REDUCED FEE! (scroll down for details) The Godfathers of Cinematic Architecture are running a summer school in Nice, France. Monday 6th August – Thursday 16 August...
Dear Friends. We are so excited to tell you: The next "Love&Crime-Basta!" experience, part of the Architectural Association Visiting School programme, will be in form of a road trip. Check first details on: http://www.aaschool.ac.uk/STUDY/VISITING/pacifichighwayone Don't miss out and plan your next summer wisely. Best greetings from all at RTCO (Research Team for Cinematic Operations)


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Email Ross
(the webmaster)
New shot are available
Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone, the Material Girl was born August 16, 1958, in Bay City, Michigan. The eldest of 8 children, she lost her mother to cancer when she was 6 years old, leaving her engineer father to raise their eight children. Madonna's star quality was evident at an early age, which prompted her to participate in school shows, be a school cheerleader, as well as take piano and ballet lessons. She attended the University of Michigan on a dance scholarship, but she put aside her studies after two years of student life to head for New York City and pursue her dreams of becoming a star. In the Big Apple with hardly any cash, Madonna barely earned a living by working several minimum wage jobs, one of which was at a Dunkin Donuts counter at Times Square ...
Read full Madonna's biography
: You're hearing a sample realised in the 2000. Madonna and William Orbit recorded this sample as the theme song of a new TV serial (Wonderland). The TV serial not realised: it was blocked after two episodes.
There are a loto of sample, unreleased and demo versions of other songs. Click here to know...
Click here (ITALIAN PAGE)
Nobody Knows me
American Life (Making Video)
Star - a movie by Guy Ritchie
Jane Magazine 2002
Regan Cameron 2000
A lady named Madonna
April 2003: W Magazine, one of the biggest magazines around documenting history.
Photographer Steven Klein and Madonna make those who think they know what they see wonder what it is they really see. See all the photos taken from this reportage.
Check all shots
VERSACE Atelier 1995 - 2005
1995: Madonna poses for the new catalogue of the Italian maison "Gianni Versace". The maison choose two photographers:
Mario Testino
Steven Meisel
2005: Madonna and
Mario Testino
reinvented the catalogue of Maison Versace. New shots, new look, new glamour.
Check all shots from 2005 session
Check all shots from 1995 session
Lorenzo Agius Session
Ladies' HomeJournal
Blue perform a cover of "Like a prayer"
Download "Wonderland" theme.
A short movie directed by Guy Ritchie and performed by Madonna. Here videostills, the hq video and more.
Avatars, cd cover, desktop themes, flash, icone, midi, cursori, screen saver, video capture...
Play with us:
Under my skin...
SEX book: here you'll find the virtual version and a book to read page to page on your computer.
How many cd have Madonna sell around the world? And what about her pick position? Click here and you'll descover it!
If your mobile have the composer section, you can compose a Madonna's ringtones for free!


text:
- Overview
- Specs
- Reviews
Pearl Izumi Attack Short Sleeve JerseyThe design and fabric of Pearl Izumi's new Attack cycling jersey is inspired by jerseys twice the price. Packed with features such as a full zipper, three back pockets and reflective elements, this style gives you everything you need for the ride without breaking the bank.
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African-American Designs for Not-So-Ordinary Buzz Cuts
The hairstyle resonates nicely with groomed facial hair and gives rise to a "finished" look. Starting with a buzz cut, concentric shapes are then etched into the head, resulting in fantastic texture and contrast even with most of the hair gone. A clean hairline defines the shape of the face, and goes on to sweep thinly down the sides to connect with a well-trimmed mustache and beard. The eyebrows are broken up towards the outer edge to echo the clean spaces in the skull.
Jerry's Coiffure


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Mrs. Flinger: A work in progress
UPDATE TO Mrs. Flinger October 16, 2015
Because the Universe has a wicked sense of humor, after this delcaration, my blog threw up all over my last upgrade.
So I'm starting over using Craft. Turning 40 and kid entering Jr High next year, sometimes it's just time for a change. These archives will still exist in the way the last child goes off to college and their room is the same for 20 years, but it's just time to move forward.
Be vewy vewy quiet Feb 19, 2010
I feel a bit like Elmer Fudd these days. I can see the rabbit, our house, just right——-> there. Right now we're close. We're SO CLOSE. We have a closing date that is nearly impossible to believe. We have boxes in the house. We have painters coming. We have a zillion tons of energy and hope surging through our family. We buzz in anticipation.
But oh god do not say a word or you'll scare it.
Denial is a funny thing. Denial says not to pack a single box until you know for sure. But denial hears good news and waits. Denial hears a closing date and doubts. Denial looks around the house and thinks, "we don't have that much stuff anyway."
Denial. She's funny, no?
We enter the last seven days. THE LAST SEVEN DAYS. Paperwork is signed, bank records are sent. Boxes are stacking. Painters are scheduled.
Work is intense these days. A deadline lands the day after we close. But it focuses me. Grounds me. Keeps me from too much denial.
I see the date coming faster and closer and all I can think of is "be vewy vewy quiet."
Please god to not scare the rabbit away. It's always my luck to be chasing a bunny in women's clothes. And dooped in the end.
It's time to change all that.
In the softest most quiet voice I can muster: We got the house.
Our house.
You're all invited to our backyard for a huge BBQ and fresh lettuce.
And rabbit stew.
Because there are huge images on this blog Feb 17, 2010
Wow. Apparently I think you're all blind. Or slightly blind. Or have the terrible eyesight I have.
500 pixel mix tapes. HELLO!
Really, I just wanted to push that huge tape down a post. I have posts. In my head. And all you get is some hopped-up-on-pain-killers dribble about the Olympics.
That's right. PAINKILLERS.
No, wait, THE OLYMPICS ON DRUGS.
But legal.
I have a failed root canal that got an infection and turned me in to a 34 year old woman in the fetal position on the couch moaning, "MYTEEFMYTEEF." It was so attractive.
I begged three dentists to DO SOMETHING OMG and one did. Anti-biotics and Vicodin. And a new! root! canal! to look forward to. I win.
I bet those skaters are hopped up on something. Something with sparkles. I bet they snort glitter pre-skate.
I would.
So in short, as a review, lessons learned are: 1. Brush and floss daily 2. Take Vicodin and do not blog 3. snort glitter pre-competition.
Just say no to drugs.
Mrs. Flinger
The Best Meat Loaf Feb 17, 2010
My family loves meat loaf. Well, they love this meat loaf. The kids love to help me make it by squishing the ingredients together with their hands. They feel so empowered that they made their own dinner, it's never a fight to have them finish it.
Truly, you have no idea how miraculous those words are.
I promised you the recipe and here I am delivering. FINALLY. GAWD. (Sorry)
3/4 cup Ketchup (we use organic low-sugar)
3/4 cup quaker oats
4 egg whites
1c salsa
1 Onion chopped
1 1/4 pd lean ground turkey
1pkg Knorr dry vegetable soup mix
Heat oven to 350.
Mix turkey, oats, egg whites, salsa, onion, and soup mix together. Mold into 13x13 pan. Top with the Ketchup and bake for 1 hour.
We like it with a side of asparagus cooked in olive oil.
We made you mixed tapes Feb 14, 2010
That's love yo. That's love.
From Mrs. Flinger to You, The Interwebz
Right Click and Save As for Download
Adelaide by Old 97's
Whistle For The Choir by The Fratellis
High School Stalker by Hello Saferide
The World's Greatest by Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
Sea Green, See Blue by Jaymay
Anyone Else But You by The Moldy Peaches
You Love Me by Kimya Dawson
Bury Me Closer by Palomar
Chariots by Joseph Childress
Birthday Present by Mirah
Fairytale by Sarah Bareilles
If We Go To The West by Nina Nastasia
Pollen by Mirah
Persimmon (Unplugged) by Hot Bitch Arsenal
Simple Song by Emily Arin
You Could Be Happy by Snow Patrol
5 Years Time by Noah And The Whale
Honey Bee by Zee Avi
Remember The Mountain Bed by Billy Brag and Wilco
From Mr. Flinger to The Webiverse
Right Click and Save As for Download
Ugly Love by Eels
Grow Old with You by Adam Sandler
If you Love Me by Flight Of The Conchords
Just you and Me by Zee Avi
Where is the Love by Black Eyes Peas
If you love me by Tim Minchin
Story Book Love by Mark Knopfler
Let's Do It by Louis Armstrong
Beautiful by G Love and Tristan Prettyman
In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel
I'm Yours by Jason Maraz (new version- live)
Crazy For You by Adele
The Luckiest by Ben Folds Five
You are so beautiful
She's got a way by Billy Joel
I always knew I was Demi and he was my Ashton Feb 11, 2010
We don't "DO" Valentine's Day. We never have. We do "The Discount Chocolate Day" on February 15th, but not a day before. We do "let's go to the mountain today" or "let's make home-made cookies" or "let's go to the beach" but we don't do Vday.
Vday is too.. I dunno.. Venereal sounding for me.
I've always told Mr. Flinger if I asked him to do something nice for me on Valentine's day it means he's in deep shit. VERY deep shit. Instead, I prefer not getting a dozen roses or a card with a half-assed scribbled, "with love, your-husband-that-sleeps-next-to-you-every-night-remember-me?" He better be making an effort to love the me other days of the year and if he's not, he will have to do much more than get a card or purchase some diabetes-inducing chocolate. He better buy me an island in the Pacific.
So we don't do gifts. We don't do a special dinner. We don't do a date night or a holiday or a trip.
Instead, let's all gather around and watch some fantastically fun songs. Shall we? Gather hands now and sing along.
Lalallalalalal Let's Make Out! Lalallalalalalalal Let's Make Out!
Let's Make Out from Mrs. Flinger on Vimeo.
I love you more than a kid loves candy. More than a PMSing woman loves chocolate. Well, almost as much as that last one.
Love You More from Mrs. Flinger on Vimeo.
And if that doesn't make you smile, here's a little more "risque" card:
Who says I'm not romantic?
I'll even make some good-carb pancakes for the children in the shape of a heart with some strawberries just for Love-Day.
Are you gagging yet?
I am.
In the spirit of Ashton, let's all tell the people we hate on Valentine's day how we really feel and go back to loving our people the rest of the year. Deal? Deal.
Carb Swap- A Great Alternative Pancake Feb 11, 2010
I've started reducing our sugar intake thanks to The Belly Fat Cure and half a dozen other resources that have scared the ever-living-shit out of me in regards to sugar.
Sweet, lovely, death.
Anyway, so I've cut back on our sugar. Turns out? You only need about 15g of sugar A DAY to live. I KNOW! RIGHT? Crazy effers. But it's true. I started this and am living to talk about it.
The kids, tho, are a harder sell.
So in the spirit of keeping our favorite foods around, and believe me when I tell you my son is a pancake connoisseur, (he man knows his pancakes) I'm adopting this new recipe for a healthier, lower carb pancake.
2 1/3 cups Organic Soy Flour
2 TBSP. plus 1/2 tsp. Baking Powder
1 tsp. Xylitol
1/2 tsp. Salt
4 eggs
1 1/3 cups half and half
1/3 cups Almost Breeze Vanilla Unsweetened Almond Milk
2/3 cup water
5 Tbsp melted butter, divided
To make:
1. Sift together the flour, baking powder, xylitol, and salt in to a large bowl; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, half-and-half, almost milk and water until blended.
2. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour wet ingredients in to the well and stir until just combined. Blend in 4 Tbsp. of the melted butter.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the remaining Tbsp. of butter to the pan. Add about 1/3 cup of batter per pancake and cook until golden and bubbly. Flip over and cook about 45 seconds more. Repeat until the batter is gone.
4. Top each take of pancakes with a Tbsp of butter and serve with a side of Joseph's Sugar Free Maple Syrup. Optional: Blueberries!
Desk is to Chair as Ass is to Spreading Wildly Without Concern Of Emotional Recoil Feb 09, 2010
#Fitness#Weght Loss and Body Image
Here's something. You remember those horrific questions on the SAT and GRE? Those "This is to That as That is to _____" and then you have to pick from a list that matches NOTHING and OMG my fourteenth #2 pencil just broke and I need a smoke and I don't even smoke.
I'm a living proof those standardize tests do two things:
1. Prove nothing. I was told, after each test, to just go live barefoot in the kitchen because you stupid whore, you can't even do a multiple choice test well and mygod what will society do with a creative thinker? and
b) traumatize me forever.
Which is obvious with the start of this post.
In other traumatic, although not unexpected news, I've gained weight. That's right, laugh all you want. EATING CLEAN IS MAKING ME FAT. Yes. You read it here. DO NOT EAT CLEAN. Go! Eat your High Fructose Corn Syrup and your Corn-based by products and corn-fed chicken and turn in to a giant stalk of corn because at least you'll be tall and thin and not round like an apple.
I say this for your health. Go eat a candy bar. Pronto.
I could probably blame a lot of things. I can blame my mid-thirty estrogen-imbalance. I could blame my new full time desk job. I could blame my love of a good dark stout or the fact that I am now making homemade meals nightly that rock our worlds and OMNOMNOM.
But I'm not.
I'm sitting here, on my spreading ass, in total awe. SHOCK and AWE if you will.
And so? Enters Hot Yoga.
If you haven't done it, it's like a sauna with other half-naked people sweating but bending over in front of you so as to reveal things about them that you will wish you could forget. But it will be branded in your mind forever.
The man who wore the tiny speedo-ish shorts? With the belly? And the tattoos? And the, OMG the, loudest breathing ever? And the slap-slap of your thighs? You are a hero to someone. I think maybe yourself.
The lady with the bra and shorts that twisted in ways I envision people pretending to know how in inappropriate chat rooms, just.. wow.
I have no room to judge, though. This is why I think Hot Yoga is the great equalizer. I left there as red as a ricotta, wet as rain. My pores were shiny. My legs shook. The heavy-tattoed-speedo wearing bearded man? Suddenly looked smart. A SPEEDO! DUH!
As painful as it was, as reminiscent of a Galveston Gulf Coast Mid-Afternoon in August, I ache to return. Ache being the optimal word. It's oddly addicting, oddly rewarding and simply odd. Which fits me just fine. Unlike my pants right now.
Avatar + Rush Limbaugh = Me Feb 04, 2010
#Life#Getting to know me#Mother F.U.C.K.E.R.#The Flinger Family
Small fact:
This is your brain.
This is your brain completely consumed on the dream house you are still waiting to hear about while playing cat - n - mouse with the Dept. of Ed.
(Your brain is the fleshy delicious goodness of pig fat in this scenario.)
Update: If this goes much longer my pig fat will be grilled and buttered before I have the chance to pick out colors for the new living room.
The professional translation of that statement as told to me by my broker? "We're getting closer."
I hear: Your brain tastes great around green beans OMNOMNOM
*************** Now back to our story ************
We, like everyone else on the first-world-commercial-industrialized-planet (even, though questionable, the Vice President) saw Avatar a few weeks back. We loved it. LOVED IT. It was enough to make me want to chain myself to a tree. Almost seriously.
I've said this before, and I'll say it again, I am switzerland. I am so mid-ground it's dumb. To a conservative I'm a crazy lib. To a democrat I'm a tightass repubilcan.
In reality, I just sit back and laugh that HAHA You're an Ass and You're a huge mofo. Why, peeps, why the animals?
If I had to pick an animal to be, I'd probably pick this hodgepodge:
I think one can possess both strong views on each side of the fence. I think it's possible to not run down party lines. I think it's possible to listen to Rush Limbaugh because he reminds you of your dad and listening to him is a little like being home without the 4 hour flight and 300 dollar ticket while simultaneously believing it's good to do what you can for the environment.
I call this LOGIC.
I've recently had the opportunity to review my beliefs. It's nice to take time to re-evaluate where you are in your beliefs and how you're prioritizing your life. It comes down to this:
My family.
My friends.
My work.
I know we sometimes get off-balance in our house. We're a little "off" right now. But in general, even if we do not go to church (someone in the back! FAN MY MOTHER BEFORE SHE FAINTS) we still take to heart the family values and believe in building each other up. We spend quality time together. I work to provide healthy, clean, good meals. We give the kids love, consequences, structure and more love.
In general, I'm just not a fan of Big Brother. No matter what He looks like. Government, Taxes, Policies, or The Department Of Ed. In my experiences I've found the more layers of "stuff" there is before you can get to a decision maker, the harder it is to feel connected as a person, to have the power to make changes, and the confidence to stand up on your own two feet.
Which is why I'm a Rush Limbaugh avatar living in a tree feeling connected to the earth while yelling, "NO MORE TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION" and telling people to help each other but for the love of GOD if you can stand up and help DO IT or I will come spank you.
In a nutshell.
Reality Check Jan 31, 2010
I know in the large scheme of things, this will all seem like an over-dramatic reenactment of some time in our life we'll totally forget. I know there are bigger worries. I'm reminded daily watching one of my dearest friends stay positive in a high risk pregnancy waiting for a blood clot three times the size of her baby to dissolve. I see my sister face a year without her husband as he gets deployed to Korea. I know my mom is going in for surgery on her shoulder and ultimately her neck where they take a piece of bone from her leg and use it to provide space between her vertebrate.
I get this and I'm thankful that this is not a loss of a person, but a house. As upset as my family is, we keep our perspective and we're thankful.
I do so appreciate all your advice. I feel so Meg Ryan from "You've Got Mail" but with a much worse haircut and much less grace. "Go to the Mattresses" "Fight. FIGHT FIGHT." The end result may not change, but it will not be because I didn't try.
I'm armed with some names and a few lenders to try. I know that if anything truly horrid ever happened, I'd come back here and find comfort and support. It's what you do, "you", the "interwebz". But it's more than that. The community of bloggers jumps at the chance to lift up someone in pain and I will always reciprocate that knowing how much your words have meant.
Inexplicable pain, heartache, and why I continue to fight Jan 30, 2010
I read the email at 7AM friday morning. I dropped the phone and clutched my stomach. "Noooo" I could hardly breathe.
It was true, I was sure it was true. My groggy mind tried to form the words. "We lost the house." I said it out loud just to be sure I was awake.
"We lost the house" Louder now with more force.
"WE LOST THE HOUSE" I ran to the bathroom to get Mr. Flinger who was busy getting ready for a normal day. A regular Friday.
But this was no longer a regular Friday.
He looked boggled, confused, unsure. I began to sob. "Wait, calm down, what?"
Unable to speak I pulled him downstairs and showed him the email. The lender denied us. My credit score fell over 120 points this one month alone. I couldn't speak.
"It. Was. The. Late. Payment. On. My. Student. Loan." I chocked.
Apparently, not realizing my student loan didn't get switched with our other bills to our new bank, I neglected to check it for two months. Two months. Any other two months would not matter. This two months, though, will change our life.
I paid the bill in full on January 8th, 2010. I set up automatic deduction so I would never make this mistake again. I thought I fixed it. I didn't think twice.
Until Friday.
The 60 days will cost us the house. Our house. The house that just Monday we stood in, for only the second time, talking to each other like new lovers. "Doesn't it feel like we've lived here before?" "Yes, what is that? Did we marry in another life and have this house?" The children have moved in according to their drawings at school and home. We've made plans for our garden. We have, very much literally, fallen in love, as a family, with this house. The kids have their own rooms. They have a back yard. They look forward to schools with great reputations and parental involvement.
It was surely a dream too good to be true. A gem. Our house.
My husband and I have worked hard to get to where we are. We planned, nearly too well, the order of events. We finished undergraduate school, got jobs, and got married. I finished graduate school before I had our first child. I planned, the entire time, to use my graduate degree to provide a life for my children where their mother was both happy and involved. I followed a passion to get my continued education. My husband passed the creditials for being a professional engineer to better serve his family and work. We continue, planning, to this point. This end. This dream.
This is the year we were to move in to a hose big enough for the children to grow up in, finish school in, bring home boy friends, girl friends and leave for college in.
Our goal, since dating in 1989, has been to be in The House by the time our first child entered public school. Our goal was to provide a stable home for our children in a house we could stay in.
We found that house in October, 2009.
Literally, it was familiar upon first glance and immediately ours in our hearts.
Having a few quiet moments in our house on Monday, I sat, alone, watching the ghosts of the future. I saw my children running in from the school bus. I heard my daughter talking endlessly on the phone up in her room. I saw my parents visit and have enough space to stay after their long flight from Texas and a backyard big enough to house our puppy we are all eager to get.
Ghosts, fleeting hopes, and wishes.
I spent Friday working with our mortgage broker and the Dept of Ed. I called, I cried. I wrote earnest letters begging for help. The difference I'm asking for is simply this;
Remove the 60 day late off my credit, make it 30 days, and I can get the house my family needs.
This window will close quickly. We may not get an extension on this house. If we don't move fast, our chance for finding any house will be gone as the market rises and the chance to leave our small condo closes. In the words of our mortgage broker, it's now or in ten years when you recover from this market.
My fifteen year old daughter and thirteen year old son growing up without a backyard and sharing a room. This is the future if we don't move quickly.
So I called up the chain of command. Three times. I asked, begged, who do I talk to? Who can help me? I just need thirty days marked off my credit. My account is in good standing. I have auto-deduct set up. You will get paid on time. I am sorry. It was a mistake.
I am sorry.
These are the words I choked out to my family yesterday morning. I sobbed, "I am sorry I am sorry I am sorry" as they gathered around me on the couch. The intense pain of knowing I let each and every one of them down was almost too much to take. They snuggled me. They kissed me. My son offered his lovie to me. And I sobbed even harder knowing how hard we worked for this dream and how I had single-handedly destroyed it.
And now I'm begging you.
I have no other choice but to fight for our new life. It is my fault it is gone and it is my duty to fight for it. I am asking, begging, pleading with you. Do you know anyone in the Credit Clearing department in the Department of Ed? Do you know a lender who will accept a 583 credit knowing my husband's is in the 700's and mine will return there shortly? We are good people, we pay our bills, we are a family just wanting to do what is best. We work hard to be where we are and will continue to do so. It is who we are.
I will do anything for this dream.
My daughter asked if she could help me. She was confused by my tears. "Moms and Dads cry too?" My children looked lost and afraid. I hugged them. I said they could help. They could help mommy because Moms and Dads are just people, too. We make mistakes. Small, silly, life altering mistakes.
And God I'm sorry.
So my daughter recorded this video for you. It is all she knows to do. I write because it is all I know to do. My husband supports us, loving us even if, in his words, we had to live in a shack and my son offers his stuffed toys because he wants to help. We plea, we beg, we call, and all I can do is hope we get this house in the end.
Our house.
Mygodmygod, it is our house.
From the archive where I first wrote about finding the house:
Imagine my shock, then, when we go for a drive at our lunch hour to "scope out the neighborhood" we'd ideally love to live, and find our dream.
I've never felt this way about a house before.
He clearly never has either.
Or a person for that matter.
We walk around noting the emptiness. We walk all over the grounds, picturing the children playing and each other fixing up the yard. We talk about where we would put the furniture as we peer through the spider-web windows.
It's so…... "Up" ..... in a way.
The house is ours from first sight. We're not sure about financing yet, if the foundation is sound, if we can even do this. But for some reason, this particular house, this one time in our lives, there isn't s spreadsheet, a lengthy discussion, a hesitation.
This one time I got to see my husband fall in love on first sight.
And I was right there with him falling in love, too.
I hope we found our home.
Our home.
Something tells me this is "it."
I just know.


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Mexican Fernet: A New Way to Melt Your Face
— By Kevin Montgomery (@kevinmonty) |
Fernet is San Francisco's ultimate meme. Most move here having never heard of it, only to have a newfound friend order them a shot and watch their face curdle upon impact. And yet, miraculously, most snarl "I like it!" after swallowing their revulsion and go on to order it again and again.
It's a beautifully foul tradition, really.
But like most memes, it has to keep developing or risk losing the interest of its most flighty fans. So, following on the imported success of Mexican Coke, some San Franciscans are now importing Mexican Fernet for those of you bored of the commonalty of Fernet-Branca.
CHOW's John Birdsall has the marketing material-ready backstory on Fernet-Vallet, discovered in some edgy Guadalajara taverna "where tourists rarely go" and conveniently imported to the safe confines of your favorite mixologist hang-out:
Epic saga short, [Jake Lustig of Haas Brothers importers] eventually persuaded the Vallet family to allow him to import Fernet-Vallet, along with their angostura bitters. The Vallets have distilled Fernet since the 1860s, when Napoleon III was trying to make Mexico a protectorate of France's colonial empire. Fernet-Vallet arrived here last summer, and it's started to percolate up through cocktail bars in New York. It's caught the attention of a subset of LA mixologists, guys, Lustig says, "interested in developing Latin cocktails beyond the margarita and the daiquiri." I noticed Mexican Fernet a couple weeks ago on the menu of little Nido in Oakland, California, where it's set up as a shot with a beer.
Of course, it's more than mixologist droolings. As Birdsall notes, "Vallet is smoother than Branca, lacks the latter's blast of peppermint oil and breathes baking spice, though it's just as antiseptically bitter." And we're sure that smoothness will be welcome relief to the many left reeling in shock by the taste of Branca, although this blogger has always found the accompanying jolt of consciousness that Fernet provides after a hard night of alcohol guzzling to be a pleasing side-effect.
Anyway, if Mexican Fernet is found in the Mission (or elsewhere in San Francisco, I guess), do let us know. We're eager to shove some in our faces.
[CHOW, via Grub Street]


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My Bride is a Mermaid
The Man Without A Past
Episode 23 | TV-14
Akeno suspects Masa knew her missing brother in the past, but he doesn't remember life before the Seto gang. When he learns just how correct Akeno's hunch really is, Nagasumi must go all out to protect Masa!
Sub Expires: 09-20-2013
Official Site: www.funimation.com/shows/my-bride-is-a-mermaidHide Details


text:
|Connecticut, Connecticut Broadleaf, Dominican
|Dominican Republic
These ugly ducklings are actually tasty little treats.
Maker's Choice cigars are Dominican handmades that are "freehand" rolled without using any molds. As a result they look a little mangy, but are decent little knockaround cigars. They're called "Maker's Choice" because so many of the rollers in this factory puff on these during the day.
Ordered these for knock around cigars. Arrived in two days and smoked one right out of the box and was very surprised. Just a subtle hint of vanilla throughout and smoked down to the nub. Definitely will be reordering! Great deal CI!
Great occasional little cigars; nice flavor and folks love the aroma! The only complaint is they can be a bit spongy and hard to draw initially, so usually setting a few of 'em out of the wrapper to dry a bit the day or so beforehand seems to help a lot. A terrific value.
Got the Vanilla. Best described as "rustic" in it's construction, but don't let that scare you away. Great everyday smoke and the price is really hard to beat. The flavor is not overpowering, just pleasant enough. Great on the patio with a cold one and steaks on the grill.
I drive a truck for a living and these are just the right size. Taste is good. Gonna order some more today!
I bought 50 of the Vanilla 5x36. I smoked one right away and it was a pretty damn good smoke. I am satisfied all around with the service, price and product. Thank you CI.
These off the truck were very moist and strong (vanilla) aroma, raised the humidity level in humior to 71%, so I put them in a container with lid cracked open and rotated them for a day, put them back in humidor and after a week have turned into great yard/chore/driving smoke, will get natural next to try, save the premiums for relaxing and smoke these through out the day
All I can say is WOW. These are some damn good little smokes. Wife even likes the smell of them. Outstanding
Good smoke for a good price.
I'm not usually one who makes or gives reviews, but I gotta say that these babies really & completely "blew me away" with their satisfying taste for such a cheap cigar, as they "in my opinion" easily compare to the taste of a 4-6 dollar cigar.
I have premiums by the boat load, but I have to say I keep coming back to these little suckers! I have spent over a year trying to find a good $1 a stick smoke vs my $3 to $6 a stick premiums. This is the one! Great 25 minute smoke with consistent burn and flavor. Semi sweet (vanilla) and down right good! Favorite smokes: Drew Estate Copper, Oliva O, Punch Bareknuckle, and any Acid or CAO.
I had these little cigars when they first came out and they were great! A good size little cigar. When I ordered them the last time I was disappointed in the size! They are supposed to be a 28 ring size, they were 25 at best! Just thought that you should know. Thanks. Charles
I ordered a bundle of the vanilla. I already have my second bundle on the way! These aren't the most consistent suckers out there; some have a much stronger vanilla flavor and smell than others. A few almost seem to have none of the vanilla at all. BUT even with this minor gripe, these things are a steal and are highly enjoyable. Great cigar for me when I don't have the time for my churchills or gordos. One of only a handful of cigars that my wife actually enjoys the smell of. These are on my short list of "regulars" for my humi.
These are a great little smoke, I bought a mazo of the maduro. Not the prettiest of cigars, but more uniform than the Backwoods. Nice flavour and great for when I want a cigar but don't want to freeze to death since I do not have a man cave to smoke in yet. I will be ordering these again to keep in the humidor for when all I need is a short smoke.
If you want a 15-20 minute sweet cigar this is a great one. I love it and will buy some more.
Great kick round smoke, I keep them on hand all the time!
These are the tastiest small cigars I have found any where and believe me, I have tried a lot of small cigars. They are also the perfect size and feel like a small cigar and not like your smoking a pencil. These are my go to sticks when I want a short (30 minutes) smoke that actually tastes good. I smoke these when I'm working on my trucks, mowing the yard, messin' around the garage and on short trips. Plus I can smoke 3 of these a day before going to my premium after dinner stick with out breaking the bank. My only complaint is sometimes they arrive really "wet" and they are hard to keep lit with out constant puffing or re-lighting. Other than that, these are my every day, go to smokes.
Smooth and tasty with just the right amount of flavor. Great for that everyday smoke. Burns straight and lasts longer than I expected. These will be on my list for a long time to come.
Just received CI vanilla today put the kids to bed went outside to try one of them for the first time and I'm very impressed with these. They are very good. If your on a budget or just want a quick cigar these are perfect. I would recommend these. Can't wait until I run out to order more.
Best under a dollar cigar around. I'd put it up against several I have paid $3-4 for.
Great little cigars!
Great smoke I had had them before along time ago but was never able to find them. Till now great taste good pull don't mind the wrap they're still great at the price my only problem was I only order 50 .
"Maker's Choice", these are great little cigar's. I have bought many of the 50 "stick" bundle's, notice I said stick.... that is what they look like but, don't let that fool ya ! These are a perfect quick smoke. My girl friend actually enjoys the aroma when I light up one of the vanilla ones, my fav. They are great give a way's for non cigar afficianados too. I love to smoke em when pressed for time and need a stogie fix ! The price is right from CI .... try a bundle and enjoy.
These are definitely great little smokes. They last about 25 to 30 minutes, just perfect for a lunch break or a quick smoke. I'm definitely going to keep these regularly stocked in my humidor from now on.
Ordered the Vanilla flavored and I must say this is my favorite cigar, sweet taste on the lips and just a great smoke. These did not last long in my humidor as we smoked them up pretty quick, even my wife enjoys smoking one of these time to time!
Just started smoking cigars and still looking for the "one". While doing that, and in between my search I tried these inexpensive cigars. Not too bad, burn is uneven and seem to be loosely packed but worth the price. Has a nice vanilla flavor that fades after a couple of minutes and seems to even out. If your looking for a quick, cheap smoke give these a try.
Honestly, I read the reviews AFTER I sent in my order and I got a little gunshy while waiting for them. I shouldn't have!!! These are some tasty little sticks! As others have said, yeah they look a little mangy, and they may not always have the best roll. But THEY ARE WELL WORTH THE $! I have already had 4 of them and they were all very flavorful and burned well. A nice 20min smoke that smells nice to others around you and has a nice flavor. NO they are not $5 a stick cigars, but comparing apples to apples, they are a VERY good deal.
Holy smokes (no pun intended)!!! Got a box of the naturals yesterday. They are so good that I smoked 3 last night! Can't imagine what they'll smoke like after resting a while. Think I'll go ahead & order at least 50 more. They are just a little sweet on the lips. Incredible ash & smoke for such an inexpensive stick. Very pleasant smoke. These would be a great pass around cigar, & great for newbies, women, & moochers :-) If they extend the life expectancy of my nice sticks I'll be happy!
Personally too sweet for my liking. I believe I would have been more satisfied with the natural rather than the vanilla.
Second bundle I ordered that have been a big disappointment. Soft and hard to stay lit. Once lit it burns uneven, wasting half the cigar....
Great tasting little smoke. A little manky in their rolling, but they make up for it in their price and taste. Really enjoy these for a light afternoon smoke.
I always keep a stock of the vanilla in my humidor. Great flavor and a smooth smoke. Beats any flavored, machine made cigar on the market. Awesome 15-20 min. smoke, and you can't beat the price.
Great smoke! I bought the vanilla 2-fer deal and I'm really impressed. I wasn't expecting anything special. Maybe just a decent knock around cigar but I smoked one with virtually no humi time and it was great. Vanilla flavor is very noticeable but not over bearing. Very tasty. The aroma is very pleasant. My girlfriend loves the smell. Just CI business as usual. Great smokes for amazing price!
I got the vanilla sticks to give to my dad and brother when they come over so they don't have to smoke the grocery store cheapo sticks. I smoked one right out of the box when they arrived. The draw was a little tight, but that doesn't bother me, I smoke slow. They were really tasty otherwise. Hopefully, there will still be some in my humi when my dad visits again, I might smoke them all.
When I first bought these and tried one I thought they were dry and didn't taste like vanilla at all. Even after couple days in the humi still didn't taste it so I thought maybe I got the wrong package even though it said vanilla on it. But after about 2 weeks in the humi now they are coming into their flavor they are pretty good for the price. Watch out for the uneven burn that is my biggest annoyance
I really like these ugly little sticks! I can see why the makers like to smoke them while they make other fine cigars for us to enjoy. They're smooth, just a leeeeetle sweet, draw well, and have a good flavor that lingers for a while after you reluctantly put the tiny butt in the ashtray. Wonderful value! Highly recommend Maker's Choice for a good, go-to cigar to relax with.
I got a batch of the vanillas and they were great! Very mild and easy. The smell and flavor is oddly like your grandmother's powder but in a good way.
Tasty little cigars. Were a little dry upon receipt, but after a week in the humidor they turned out great!
Bought 25 of the maduro variety , and was very pleased I did. These "junior" sized cigars are actually very robust , and significant in size , and easily last me 1/2 an hour when I'm not hot-boxing them. I actually prefer these hand-made , junior cigars , over the other full sized cheapo sticks. These , Bandidos , and Outlaws , are my favorite go-to smokes.
I smoke alot of Maduros and was not expecting what I got out of these little cigars, especially because they were free. I took one out of the plastic and it felt really moist which wasnt bad so I cut it, fired it up, and started puffing away. It was really good, it was suprisingly smooth and had a thick smoke. Like the other comments it does burn uneven but nothing a little torch flame can't handle. I will definitely buy more of these.
Holy smokes! No pun intended. The Makers Choice was such a pleasant surprise! I just began enjoying cigars last year, & my first love was the Acid Blondie. However, being a blue collar worker, I am unable to smoke them as often as I like. I've found the Cuban Honeys Vanilla to be a great sweet smoke with a pleasant aroma, but have continued experimenting. The Makers Choice Vanilla is my new everyday smoke. Sweet to the lips with a rich, vanilla aroma. Mild yet satisfying. I just made another bid on MMAO for 100 more! If you like a mild smoke that is sweet to the lips with a pleasant, non-offensive aroma, you need to order a bundle of these right away! Thanks CI for great products, prices, & service...
wow these are really good. Didn't expect much for the price but boy was i wrong.
I was a bit reluctant to order these but I'm glad I did. In fact, I will buy more when these are gone. They are bold yet mild with a bit of sweetness. Just a great all around smoke, with a great price.
Took a chance and ordered a bundle from the MMAO page. Bought the Maduros and waited for them to arrive. When I got them, they were almost too wet to smoke, so I let them sit in my humi for a couple days without their wrappers and what a difference! I have had a couple that burn unevenly, but all in all they are a nice little smoke... especially for what I paid for them!
I am pretty new to cigar smoking. I have tried partega,macunudo,viejo indios, etc. ? These little guys fool you with their manginess sometimes, but ,wow, Whenever I do my better brands I seem to follow them up with one of these. I love the vanilla taste sometimes. Definately will purchasing more.
The (Maduro) wrap cigars are a good taste for the price. I am a huge fan of Junior Sized Cigars so I ordered 25 from MMAO....I got these relatively cheap and I found strange details with these. I only smoked one and it was a good taste with a nice easy draw. I thought it had a good taste but it really left a strange taste in my mouth when I was done. I'm not sure how to describe it. These cigars should last a good 30-40 minutes I found that it's a truly good size for a Junior Size cigar if you can deal with the strange taste. The (Vanilla) sounded interesting to me but I couldn't imagine buying 50 of them! That's quite a few too many when it comes to these cigars. I bought (Bandidos) that were cheaper then these and they are incredible the only bad thing I have to say about those is that they are too short when I want a longer smoke, otherwise they are so good one of my favorites. Like I said I want to get the (Vanilla) but every Vanilla cigar I've tried tastes like ass.
"Not a bad smoke for the $. I got the (MADURO). Made a Bid from MMAO great price $15.
Not a bad smoke for the $. I got the Natural (not vanilla) but they DID have a vanilla flavor anyway.
Not a bad little smoke. They work well for when you've got some time but can't commit to smoking something good. They certainly won't win any beauty contests and every once in a while you'll get a poorly rolled one. Best to let 'em sit in the humidor for at least a week, I think the short fillers tend to dry out quicker during shipment.
Take what I say with a grain of salt, I've only started smoking cigars in the past few months. With that said, I will not buy these again. I would rather find a stick that's around $2 that I will be happy with. This things just make me appreciate the good cigars even more. I let these sit in the humi for 2 weeks to see if the one that I smoked rott just needed to rest, didn't help any at all.
I was looking for a small cigar for my girlfriend to enjoy with me cuz she does not appreciate premiums. These little guys were the right price and got great reviews so I decided to give'em a shot. I received them quickly (thanks CI) and I have to say, I will probably be puffing on them much more than she will! They're great right off the truck and I know some time in the humi will make them even more enjoyable.
You aren't getting top toer with these by any stretch of the imagination, but for the price I think this is a great little knockaround smoke. I find them great for driving in between appointments (I'm a service guy). My wife does tend to enjoy the aroma of these a little but less than some of my premiums, but I don't really notice anything. The contruction of these (obviously, lol), is a little crazy...some stems and sticks in there, but overall, I like them. Get some on MMAO, and try them out!
bought these on favorable reviews i had read. very disappointed.slightly bitter taste would not recommend.
This was my first order (makers choice naturals) from CI. I've smoked many a more expensive brands, (Arturos being my favorite) and I must say these are a great lil smoke. My first bundle of 25 went right into the humidor. Those seemed like they were a tad bit wet from the factory. Had a hard time burning and keeping them lit was a chore. Even with that said, they tasted great. The second bundle I let sit out for a few days and the burn has improved by a great deal. Although I still think they could stand a few more days left out to dry out some. I'm impressed enough with these that I am now waiting on my second order of them. I'll write again after the second batch drys out and ages a little in the humidor. They can only get better with age.
CI's service cannot be beat! No extra shipping costs for an APO + fast turnaround time (took less than a week to get here, which is almost unheard of in Afghanistan) = totally satisfied customer. I've been handing out Maker's Choice like candy since they got here, and it's gotten a unanimous thumbs up from all takers thus far. With the rate that we're tearing through those, I'll be picking up another bundle (or two) very soon - and there's only ONE company I'll be using or recommending as long as I'm in Afghanistan. And probably when I get back home as well!
Color this new to cigar's pipe smoker impressed. This is a nice tasting reliable cigar for a great price. I'll never waste my money on Macanudo Ascots while smokes like these are available.
I was pleasantly surprised when I smoked my first Makers Choice [natural] cigar. Initially these smokes are definitely rough looking but don't let that fool you. These little gems are a joy to partake in as an everyday smoke when I don't feel like dipping into my boutique brands. While quite tasty out of the box, I can definitely recommend letting them age for a little while before smoking.
Just a quick add on to my last comment; I got a ton of the (Maker's Choice) Vanilla. After I got them I stripped off the cellophane and put em down in the humidor for awhile. That took the edge off the sweetness. I've compared these with henry clay, padilla , El mejer and others makers choice is my favorite.
These little smokes are good (Maker's Choice VANILLA). They look alittle rough,although not too bad. I got the flavored ones, and you notice right off the smell. Kind of sweet. Same with the taste you get when you put it in your mouth before you light it. ( real sweet). Once lit the smoke is plentiful and very plesant. That's the bottom line for me, taste. It also had a good draw. I really want to try the natural ones. Overall well worth he price. My current favorite everyday smoke.
These little guys are delicious (Maker's Choice VANILLA). Forget smoking them, I just want to eat the whole pack... Seriously! For the price, you will not find a better flavored smoke. Great deal CI, thanks.
This is another CI deal that seems too good to be true. (Makers Choice Vanilla) But I must say, I ordered a couple of bundles and I really like them. I was looking for a semi small lightly flavored cigar (preferably handmade). Soemtimes I only have time for a twenty minute smoke. these cigars fit the bill. They have a light vanilla flavor and are well constructed even though they are a bit rough looking. Give em a try.
Just smoked a Maker's Choice vanilla out of the box. Man i tell you it's one sweet smoke. If you are a little tight for cigar money these babies are a poor man's Cuban Honey. Slightly milder than the C.H., but they have all the flavor....GREAT DEAL, as always cu dos C.I.
I bought these (Maker's Choice Vanilla) as "give aways" for my non-smoking friends who wanted to try a cigar. It has a nice feel to it for a inexpensive cigar. It smells great and leaves a satisying taste in your palette. Great for doing yard work with and the occassional poker night.
Don't let the mangy facade fool you, this is a tasty smoke (Maker's Choice VANILLA) that's really cheap! I can't tell you how they are right out of the box just because I assumed they needed some hang out time in the humi. But when I did try them I was impressed. Not as sweet as the Drew Estate Kahluas, but a nice sensation on the tip of your tongue that's not overpowering like other flavored sticks. Don't get me wrong, they're not a top tier caliber smoke by any means. They are however a nice flavored alternative for the smoker on a budget that burns in 25 min.
Something on your mind? Get a little more 411, pal. Ask a product specific question about Maker's Choice.Ask A Question


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Hello and welcome to my first question on Tech-PB! I have some questions about my future gear selections before I purchase them. The "Notes" to the side of the product are the reasons/questions about the product. All feedback and suggestions are welcome! Thank You and take a gander at my future setup!
- Empire E-Vents: Because I have a larger head, I want a lot of protection, but I don't want to skimp on a mask.
- Invert TOO or Spyder FASTA 18v: I cannot decide, choose one and tell why I should buy it. I cannot afford a rotor, I want a mid range loader.
- Ninja Grey Ghost 68 4500 with an adjustable regulator: Cheap, Ninja, Adjustable Reg.
- GOG Extcy or ETEK 4: I like spools, but I think the etek 4 would be better.