text:
|The time on the clock is actually "time left until the start of the race." We started at 6 am. In the dark.
|Here we go!
So I walked and I ate some peanut butter pretzels - OMG, yum! - and I made friends with a guy who was wearing the neatest gaiters. My opening line as I came up behind him: "Are those pin-up girls on your gaiters?!?" Yes. Yes, they were. We chatted. He was looking for a 13 hour finish, like me, but had started too fast, like me. His wife was way ahead of us. This wasn't his first 50. He was great company as we cruised into the first aid station and I got to see UIH for a minute.
|I never saw any of these people again. They probably finished before I was at the halfway point, speedsters!
A few miles before aid station #2, I was out of water. I wondered why I hadn't filled up at aid station #1 and vowed not to make that mistake again. I was walking and eating enough and my stomach was feeling much better. I called my sister and let her know that I was going to be on the tail end of the times I had told her to meet me. By the time I cruised into the aid station at Willow Creek (#2), I really had to use the bathroom. Hooray for hydration! I filled up my water bottle and skedaddled on down the trail. Just a few more miles until I would see my crew at the Aquatic Center!
|What a wonderful and welcome sight! My mom and sister, who did fantastic at their first ultra crewing job!
|Only a half marathon into my day, it's not hard to keep smiling!
I ran happily into aid station #4, ready for another bottle of water and more potato chunks. I was thinking about when UIH ran the AR50 two years ago and how strong he looked at this point (Mile 20), when the volunteer behind the potatoes said to me, "Ummm, do you write a blog?"
"Yes....Adventures of an Average Athlete?"
"OMG, yes! I read your blog!"
I squealed like a piglet and thanked her (at least I think I thanked her. I hope I did. I couldn't exactly remember later, because while we were talking, I was thinking about asking if I could take her picture to post here and then I thought that might sound creepy or weird, so I didn't. But then I regretted not asking.) and told her she made my whole day, which she did. I LOVE being recognized from my blog!!
Off I went, feeling all full of myself and semi-famous and excited that I would get to see my awesome crew at the next aid station, which was also very nearly the halfway point (Mile 24.31). Looking back, this was definitely the best I felt all day. I still had a good amount of energy, I was fueling and hydrating well (I stopped right after the aid station and used the bathroom again - yay!), and I was more or less on the time plan I had given my crew. The only negative was that the next four miles to the aid station were pretty much all uphill, but I could handle that.
|Because, you know. Llama. On a leash. On my race course. Eating a tree.
|I love, love, LOVED the cheer signs!!
|Still smiling because I am almost halfway done - woo hoo!
|Love my mama!
The aid station at Beal's Point was awesome, with an announcer calling out everybody's name, LOTS of spectators, and - my personal favorite - indoor, flushing toilets. Everything a girl needs to run another 26 miles! I am super familiar with the five miles between Beal's Point and Granite Bay, so I was feeling really good. I picked up a new friend who was really struggling and had been dropped by her running buddies. She ran intervals with me and my Gymboss (which had long since been changed to the far more reasonable run:walk ratio of 3:1). She was running her first 50 and it was even her first ultra! She had a lot of marathon experience. I assumed she had only run road marathons, because she seemed pretty overwhelmed by all the dirt and hills we were encountering. She had thought that she would run the whole fifty miles without taking any walking breaks. I tried not to laugh out loud. I imagine there are people who don't walk during ultras, but I am sure as heck not one of them!! We caught up with her running group, who kind of seemed like they were giving her a little shit about being a slowpoke. Maybe it was funny, I couldn't tell. I left her with them and continued on my way.
|My amazing view at Mile 27-ish.
The guy who dropped his aid station list/pace chart very accurately described Miles 30-40 as "The Meatgrinder." It was hard. I walked A LOT. I finally turned off the Gymboss altogether because it was just pissing me off. The day suddenly seemed very warm and the field had really, really spread out. I had nobody to talk to and it was just SO difficult. A little after 2 o'clock, somewhere around Mile 32 or so, I... well, I didn't hit the wall, exactly. But I didn't really want to be doing this anymore. I called UIH because I needed to hear a friendly voice. We chatted for just a minute or two, but the cell coverage was spotty. I was lonely and I felt like crying, so I ate some more pretzels. And then I ate some more and drained the last of my Gatorade, and then I finally felt a little less like crying. I was pretty sure the next aid station was farther away than the advertised 5.22 miles. The few people I ran into looked as desperate and exhausted as I felt, but eventually I made it to Buzzard's Cove and aid station #7. And not a moment too soon, because I was out of water again.
Making it to the next aid station was more of the same, but it was a little closer (just 3.47 miles away), so I felt a little less overwhelmed by the task. I had to pee really bad, but there were no bathrooms out here in the middle of nowhere, so I dodged behind a tree when there didn't seem to be anybody too close behind me. I got pee on my shoes, and of course the people behind me arrived in time to see me pulling up my skirt, but my diminished modesty was nothing in the face of the relief my bladder felt! Onward!
After aid station #8, where I tore through the salted potatoes and filled up my water bottle, I ran for quite a few miles with a really, really, really nice guy named Dave, who pretty much saved my life, or at least my sanity. As I came up behind him, he tried to step aside and let me pass. I asked him if I could just follow his shoes for awhile and we started talking. He was an experienced ultra runner and usually much faster, but he was pacing himself as part of 100-mile training. His friends were all probably done with their races. We talked about his daughter and my kids. I asked if his wife was a runner, too, and he hesitated before saying, "No. I don't have a wife. But my girlfriend runs," and we laughed about how it was better to not have a wife than have a wife who doesn't run. I took my turn pulling in front of him and before I knew it, we were at aid station #9, Rattlesnake Bar, where my mom and sister were waiting!!
|Look how cheerful they still are at Mile 40 (almost 41)!!
|Still smiling! Ready to get this thing done!
I'm not sure exactly when I stopped running altogether, but it was somewhere around here. Even though I was at Mile 44, so close I could taste it, I just didn't have any run left. My walking pace was awesome, though. It was a real hustle, arms a-swingin', feet picked up, but just shy of a run or even a jog. I had to pee so bad I thought I was going to burst. I'd actually had to go at Rattlesnake Bar, but didn't have the wherewithal to find the porto-potties there. Silly me. Every step I took was screaming in my ear: Go! Pee! Go! Pee! Go! Pee! It was agony. The trail was a rather steep incline on one side and a very steep ravine on the other and all surfaces seemed to be creeping with poison oak. Not exactly squat friendly! Finally, somewhere around Mile 46, there was the tiniest clearing and I took the opportunity. I was barely into my squat when I heard (thankfully) female voices coming around the corner. "I'm over here!" I hollered at them. "Oh, do you want privacy?" they asked.
"No, I just didn't want to scare you."
"Girl, we TOTALLY understand!"
Ultrarunners are the best. They ran past me, I pulled up my skirt and off I went. Of course, less than a mile later, there was a porto-potty on the trail.
|This is NOT a porto-potty, it's just a pretty picture of the beautiful American River.
I started laughing when we turned the corner and started climbing Cardiac. I was giddy. Yeah, it was awful, but it was almost over. For months now, I've been dreaming of climbing this hill on this day and finishing with a smile on my face, and now it was happening! I had one final thing to do, and that was take a picture at the "1 Mile to Go" sign. My favorite picture in the world of UIH was taken in front of that sign and I wanted one of me, too. I climbed and I walked. It was tough going, but I didn't stop. Everybody on that hill seemed to have a pacer cheering them on, encouraging them to run just a little more and telling them what a great job they were doing! I tried to summon my inner pacer for a little of that oomph, but she was exhausted. Walking with my hustle pants on would just have to do.
|He's so handsome. I'm glad I married him!
So I ate another pretzel and I kept on moving towards the Finish Line. "Let it go, let it go-ooooo-ooooo!"
I looked at my watch, 6:04 pm. I had exactly twenty minutes to get to the finish before I was going to have to "let go" of my PR dream, and you know what? That wasn't going to happen. I walked my little heart out that whole mile. There was a tiny bit of trotting, a little bit of hustling, but nothing much resembling a run. I gave it everything I had left in me. I climbed that last, cruel hill and I knew the finish was right there waiting for me! I looked for my mom and my sister as I broke into a run-ish, but being the most AWESOME CREW in the entire world, they weren't at the far corner, they were right smack dab next to the finish arch, because they knew that was the picture I really wanted!!
|Money shot.
I looked at my watch again and totally had to choke back tears. I did it!! I ran 50 miles all by myself and I beat my previous best time by seven minutes!! As I was running through the long, long, loooooooooooong finisher's chute, I heard the announcer saying, "Here comes Pahla B, with her arms in the air! Look at that smile!!" Seriously, it was like he knew that all I wanted from the day was to run happy.
Official finish time - 12:17:58
|Sobbing as I picked up my medal and finisher's jacket.


text:
Win a $250 Travel Card!
Tell us where the best fall destination is and why, and you will be automatically entered in for a chance to win a $250 Travel Card! Then you can use your prize towards staying at a Best Western at your favorite destination!
Leave your entry in the comment section below. One lucky winner will be randomly selected from all the entries to win a $250 Travel Card. Check back often to read other people's favorite fall travel spots.
Contest ends on Oct 16, 2010. Only one entry per person. Must be a resident of the U.S. or Canada.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Master Theater
1029 Brighton Beach Avenue,
5 people favorited this theater
The 2,184-seat Oceana Theatre was opened in 1934, operated by an independent exhibitor. By 1943 it was operated by Rugoff & Becker. In the 1950's, it was taken over by the Century Theaters chain.
The Oceana Theatre was later divided into a 4-screen multiplex. What was interesting though is that the owners were so concerned about people going from picture to picture, that they made a "rats maze" in where you had to go through different doors to access each individual auditorium.
The candy counter upstairs and down was divided in half and each theatre even had its own rest rooms! However, this shrunk the lobby into a very small size.
Later, they took the backstage area, and added theatres 5 and 6 to the building. The backstage area used to have vaudeville-era clothes in boxes and other great old items plus the original stage was hidden behind the screens on the 1st floor.
Also, originally in multiplexes, all screens had to share a common projection booth due to union rules. At the Oceana Theatre the booth was in the back of the two downstairs theatres and the upstairs booth was accessed through a ladder which would go to the booth which was in the middle of the theatre upstairs.
They eventually got rid of the booth structure and moved the projection booth to the rear of the upper theatres after union rules were relaxed.
Known later on as the Atlantic Oceana, the theatre operated as a venue for Russian live dinner theatre, known as the Millennium Theatre. This closed in 2014, and in the summer of 2014, it was being converted into a Russian supermarket. It was reopened in 2016 as the 1,326-seat Master Theater.
Recent comments (view all 22 comments)
This is a 1934 sketch of the proposed Oceana:
does anyone remember Zeimars Deli which was located in Brighton Beach? My uncle used to own it.
Living on Brighton 12th street in the 1960's, the Oceana was my neighborhood theater. I remember attending a premire of The Monkey's Uncle, starring Annette Funicello, in 1965. After the picture started I remember following Annette and watching her hail a cab on Brighton Beach Avenue. What a time, no security, no escort, no chaperone.
I took piano lessons from Mrs. Bocher in a studio over the Oceana's marquee. There was an electronic repair shop in the storefront to the east of the entrance. I used to wait there before catching the bus to go to school. By the way, singer Neil Diamond's parents had an infant's aparell shop located a few doors east of the theater.
A big article in today's NY Times:
Relatively little is said about the theater itself except for this nugget: "The theater, with its glittering chandeliers and red-carpet walls, has a threadbare glamour." It also calls this 1,400 seat theater a Lincoln Center of sorts for the Russian Community. I wonder how much of the original details remain.
There's also this photo gallery with several glimpses at the interior (mostly portions of the lobby).
Thanks Ed, I don't know ho wI didn't see the link! That said, I'm not sure what to think about the photos. I thought the one shot of the red carpeted walls with the chandelier was interesting but the other shots made the interior look rather bland. This might be deceiving though. What do you think?
I think the streamlined architectural lines in the portions of the lobby ceiling depicted are consistent with a theatre built in the 1930's. The color scheme seems a bit garish, and most likely not original. I'd also think some of the lighting is retro-fitted. The carpeting along the staircase wall appears to be repeated in the auditorium side walls – at least from what I can make out in the very first picture taken of seated patrons that appears in the gallery. Outside of the lobby ceiling, I'm not sure very much (if anything) survives from the original interior design.
Apparently the theater is no more. A 15,000 feet gourmet Russian supermarket is due to open on the site offering 40 varieties of caviar. It's called Gourmanoff. Foods of Bulgaria, Uzbekistan and Latvia will also be featured.
This has reopened as the Master Theater.
I grew up on Banner Avenue and Brighton 7th Street in the 1950s. The Oceana was our regular neighborhood tgeater (along with the Tuxedo on Ocean Parkway off Brighton Beach Avenue). I remember going to the Oceana in about 1955 (I would have been 9 years old) to see a live stage show with tge Merry Mailman, Ray Heatherton (actress Joey Heatherton's father). Many good times at the Oceana.
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater


text:
As a matter of religious conscience, I could no longer participate in these devotions.
This speech was delivered on Oct. 13, 2007, at the 30th annual national convention of the Freedom From Religion Foundation at the Monona Terrace Convention Center, Madison, Wis.
The video of this speech can be viewed here. Listen to the audio version.
By Ellery Schempp
Thank you for that lovely introduction. Thank you for this award.
I am happy to accept this award in memory of my parents, Edward and Sidney Schempp. It was my dad who introduced me to Freedom From Religion Foundation and the ACLU. My father was made an honorary Life Member of FFRF. Dad was a bit cantankerous in his later years, and I plan to carry on the tradition.
I accept this award also in honor of the ACLU and in memory of the attorney who argued our case, Henry W. Sawyer. Sawyer's legal scholarship, his hours in research and crafting the arguments and personal thoughts, were essential.
Everyone loves a hero. The real heroes were my parents, Henry Sawyer, and the ACLU.
The Supreme Court case is fully known as Abington vs. Schempp and Murray vs. Curlett. Madalyn Murray brought a parallel case, and the two cases were joined by the Court.
In accepting this recognition, I want to emphasize that the Schempp/Murray case was just one part of a continuum. Prior families who paved the way: Everson, McCollum, Torcaso, and Engel. And after the Abington decision, there were: Griswold (1965), Epperson v. Arkansas (1968), Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971), Wallace v. Jaffree (1985), Edwards v. Aguillard (1987), Lee v. Weisman (1992), and Glassroth v. Moore (2002).
Pennsylvania has had more than its fair share of important court cases-- Abington, Lemon, Allegheny County, Dover--the wonderful decision about "intelligent design" in Dover, Penn. This is because Pennsylvania is Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, with Alabama in between.
Last month I gave a talk on Constitution Day, commemorating the anniversary of that day 220 years ago, when the 39 delegates of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia signed the draft Constitution for the United States and forwarded it to the states to hold ratifying conventions. These were our Founders.
Talking about the Constitution and the bible is a rather odd combination. Because there is nothing in the Constitution about the bible and there is nothing in the bible about democracy or our Constitution.
Our Constitution never once mentions God or Christianity or any commandments. It is a purely humanistic document. The preamble begins, "We the people do ordain and establish. . . ."
It mentions religion just twice, and both times the word "no" is attached. The first mention is in Art. VI: "no religious test shall ever be required. . . ." The second time is in the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." The Constitution is a purely humanistic, religiously neutral, secular, and political document. No delegate thought the idea of a bicameral legislature came from divine revelation.
The bible never once mentions democracy, a republic, or anything related to American values. The bible never once mentions freedom of speech or freedom of religion. It does not mention separation of powers and limitations on the power of the executive, nor an independent judicial branch. It does not mention elections or voting. The bible provides no model for "good" government or for personal freedoms. It is a purely religious/theological document.
So it seems to me that bible-reading and prayer in schools do not promote American civic or patriotic values at all.
And in quoting the First Amendment's religion clauses, which were written by James Madison, it is entirely fitting that we are here in Madison, a city happily named for him.
I became involved in thinking about the Constitution and the bible way back in 1956. I was a 16-year-old junior in the Abington Senior High School, in a suburb of Philadelphia. Pennsylvania had a law that required ten verses of the bible to be read in every classroom at the beginning of each school day. This was followed by the students standing to recite the "Lord's Prayer" and the flag salute. Twenty to thirty states had similar laws.
It is interesting that this daily ceremony was known as "Morning Devotions." It seemed to me that this established, or preferred, a Christian religious practice in the schools under the authority of the government. I had read the First Amendment; it is only 45 words long, and not taxing even for teenagers.
What I actually did was:
On the Monday after Thanksgiving weekend, I brought a copy of the Quran to school. I wanted to show that there were other holy books; the bible was not unique. The Quran was picked merely by accident--in 1956 hardly anyone in the U.S. knew anything about Islam, including me. My friend's father had a copy in his library. It could have just as easily been some Hindu or Buddhist scripture.
The school rule was that during bible-reading, kids were required to put away all other material and listen--or at least pretend to be attentive. On that Monday morning, I disobeyed the rule by opening the Quran and reading it--silently--and nervously, I might add. I did not stand for the Lord's Prayer. But I jumped up for the pledge.
The reaction was swift. My homeroom teacher demanded to know what was going on. I replied that, "As a matter of religious conscience, I could no longer participate in these devotions." It is fair to say that he was pretty much speechless. But he knew disobedience when he saw it.
He sent me to the school principal, the school disciplinarian. He was equally dumbfounded when I said that I thought these "devotions" violated the First Amendment. He waved his arms in a wide sweep and said that there were 1,300 other students here, and it was a matter of respect.
Now there was a bit of teenage rebellion in me, but it was clear to me that he meant respect for his authority. And in his mind, there was little difference between respect and being "devoted to." But I felt on safe grounds talking about the Constitution--I am sure he read up on it that night. He was at a loss as to whether this was a discipline problem.
Y'see, the school attitude was that there were two categories of kids. The good ones conformed, had school spirit, and didn't make waves. Then there were the rotten apples in the barrel. I was a quiet student, never getting detention for infractions--maybe once for talking in class, not wholly angelic--and I had good grades. My being in front of him introduced cognitive dissonance, big time.
Since I didn't fit the mold, he sent me to the guidance counselor, who inquired about my family life and whatever troubles I might be having. Perhaps I had a conflict with authority and my father? No, I had a disagreement about bible-reading. Yes, I had mentioned to my parents that I was thinking of making this protest. I was confident of their support. After two or three hours, she sent me back to my regular classes.
That evening over dinner, I reported on the day's events to my folks. My Dad suggested that I write to the American Civil Liberties Union.
The letter that I wrote to the ACLU was long forgotten, but Steve Solomon, the author of the recently published book about the Abington Supreme Court case, found a copy in the National Archives (of all places).
I typed it out on Dad's typewriter with two fingers. (Looking out on this audience--there are far too many of us who remember typewriters.)
The letter I wrote to the ACLU in Philadelphia said:
"November 26, 1956
"As a student in my junior year at Abington Senior High School, I would very greatly appreciate any information that you might send regarding possible Union action and/or aid in testing the constitutionality of Pennsylvania law, which arbitrarily (and seemingly unrighteously and unconstitutionally) compels the bible to be read in our public school system. I thank you for any help you might offer in freeing American youth in Pennsylvania from this gross violation of their religious rights as guaranteed in the first and foremost Amendment in our United States' Constitution.
"Sincerely yours,
"Ellery F. Schempp"
Well, speaking for American youth was rather pretentious, indeed. I was 16 years old then. Since then, I learned to write shorter sentences. I also enclosed a $10 bill--$100 today. This got their attention--if a kid can save this sum from his allowance and grass-cutting, he must be serious.
1956. This was two years after the Supreme Court desegregation ruling that racial segregation was intrinsically unequal. A few years after the McCarthy era, when every dissent was labeled "communist" and treason. Two years after Congress added "under God" to the pledge. The mood was to conform as the highest objective in life, like in the book, The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit.
Seven years later, in 1963, a year after I graduated from Tufts, the U.S. Supreme Court decided the case called Abington v. Schempp and Murray v. Curlett. The Justices decided 8-1 that bible-reading and public-prayer rituals in the schools were unconstitutional under the First Amendment. It is important to note that three of the court's most conservative members supported this decision in their understanding of "original intent."
We received about 5,000 letters, roughly a third supporting us, a third opposing in reasonable terms, a third hateful and vituperative. Many of the letters in support mentioned Matthew, Chapter 6, about not praying for public display as "hypocrites do" seeking public approval and not using "vain repetitions." This is a theological viewpoint, but it has overtones for understanding our secular Constitution.
My parents answered every letter with a return address. This was in the days before Xerox machines and when stamps cost five cents--still, hundreds of dollars. We were accused of being everything the writer hated: what are you--commies, Nazis, Catholics, Jews? What are you, Baptists? "In the name of Christ, go to hell." I don't recall any letter that accusingly asked: What are you, Zoroastrians? I conclude that nobody hates Zoroastrians. (You might want to look into this.)
One of the things we learned was that in the United States, it was considered bad not to be Christian, it was very bad to be a communist, but it was really quite awful to be an atheist. When people called us "you communist atheists" they had reached their ultimate outrage! Atheists are the most hated--and feared--group in America.
My family did not suffer as much as Madalyn Murray's, because we were Unitarians. Nobody knew what that meant, but it sounded good. Most church-goers don't know that they are Trinitarians. In any case, we had the magic word "church" in our traditions. If Unitarians had pagodas, it would have been different. However, my brother Roger was kicked around a few times; kids shouted "now passing the commie camp" from the school bus. My sister Donna was mortified, and some parents told their daughters not to play with her. I later learned that my principal wrote letters of disrecommendation to every college I applied to.
I really never contemplated going to court. I thought that having a sectarian Christian practice in the schools was clearly against the First Amendment. And once I pointed this out, the grown-ups would correct this. Surely they weren't serious. At age 16, grown-ups were hard to understand. Unfortunately, at my age, they still are.
Besides, I had got to thinking--this is always a bit risky! The school lawyers argued that prayer and bible-reading were vital for instilling moral values. I began to worry. Kids in Arizona, Oregon, Minnesota, Colorado, and 15 other states didn't have these "devotions." Did that mean they were less moral than us in Abington? (Fortunately, they were too far away, so we didn't have to meet "heathens" playing us in sports.) Then I had a really scary thought--maybe it meant that Abington kids had fewer morals and we were in much greater need!
Several feelings and thoughts motivated me:
First, I felt that there was a fundamental issue of fairness for all. My Jewish school friends were clearly uncomfortable with Christmas and Easter passages. Jews do not consider the New Testament the "Word of God," and there are certainly passages there that have been hurtful to Jews over the centuries. The bible is not the holy book of Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs, or Hindus. Nonbelievers, pagans, and others do not need Christianity preached to them in the schools. If freedom of religious conscience is good for some, it is good for all. That is equality and fairness.
Nor do I consider the bible a valuable source of truth--certainly no more than any other book written 2,000 years ago. While there are some beautiful verses, there are also many quite ugly sections. And the notion of reading about Noah's Flood under the imprimatur and authority of a state-sponsored devotion and then going to geology or biology class was, and is, deeply offensive to my scientific understandings. We all know that Noah's Flood never happened. I do not believe in miracles or supernatural interventions in human affairs, and I thought it was wrong for the schools to teach them.
I note that when Catholics and Protestants talk about "morality," they actually mean sex. But no writer in biblical times had the slightest clue about sperm, ova, and genetics. I do not see the Ten Commandments as showing the slightest concern for children or "family values," nor for freedom of conscience. Our laws are clearly based on economic capitalism and humanistic values. Is there anyone who thinks our tax laws and Medicare laws are based on Ten Commandments?
Secondly, I consider that the First Amendment has served our nation very well, and the more we respect it, the more strength it gives us--even at the present time. "It is proper to take alarm at the first experiment on our liberties."--James Madison, fourth president of the United States (1751-1836).
I was much moved by reading a wonderful book titled The Democratic Way of Life, by Thomas Vernor Smith and Eduard C. Lindeman (published in 1951--copyright 1926, 1939 by T.V. Smith, 1951 by Smith and Lindeman; the copy I read is Third Printing 1955, A Mentor Book, New American Library, NY, NY).
It presented an idealistic view of democracy based on liberty, fraternity, and equality and the role of political minorities, and made no mention of God. This gave me confidence that separation of church and state was a valuable ideal for liberty, equality, and social comity.
Thirdly, I oppose the view that praying and searching for "spiritual peace/healing" is a satisfactory substitute for learning about difficult issues in the world--and struggling with them. I think our struggle is not to find inner peace, but to keep alive the itch that makes us want to do better. As John Donne observed, there is peace in the grave, "but none, I think, do there embrace."
Public prayer is not intended to promote religious values, but to enhance the authority of some churches and some political views over others. Similarly with the posting of the Ten Commandments. It is about power, not about religion. Government by Christian or Islamic or any other faith has rarely been progressive.
And the Constitution clearly intends that there should be freedom from religion. Government is to be free from religious interference. This is clear, because the Constitution makes no provision for any church or religion to have any official role. Our Constitution does not depend on any divine blessing.
We got many letters about the missionary position. Many people who protested the Supreme Court's decision said, "Well, if it weren't for prayers in the schools, many kids would never hear about Christ or God." What an absurd idea. But so what? What is the source of this notion that "everyone has to be introduced to Christ"--or to Allah--in order that their souls might be saved? If believers are happy with their souls, why not leave mine alone? It makes me think they are insecure in their faith, and only by getting converts do they gain confidence that they may be right after all. The right to privacy--to be left alone by government and police--is an important constitutional liberty.
After all, it is largely religious dogma that opposes gay marriage and rights of women. It was religious dogma that made contraception illegal. It is religious dogma that promotes circumcision and genital mutilation. It is religious dogma that promotes "abstinence" and categorizes masturbation as "sin." In the last century, prejudice against Native Americans and African-Americans had strong religious underpinnings, particularly in denying that the "heathens" possessed souls.
It was religious dogma that described women as "morally unfit" to vote.
And it is religious doctrine that aims to discredit evolution and insert "intelligent design" or creationism in the schools in place of sound science.
It was religious dogma that rejected the discovery that germs cause disease while priests and preachers insisted that disease was "God's way" and humans should not interfere. (You will note that these preachings pretty quickly lost traction when children did not die, when women did not die in childbirth.)
In our Constitution, the word in the First Amendment is "religion." "No law respecting an establishment of religion." The phrase is not "a" religion, but religious doctrines or dogmas in general, which are prohibited from being established by governments. This is an important distinction--non-establishment is broader than merely one church or ecclesiastical organization.
The Founders were thoughtful men, and they did not choose the word "religion" over "church" without careful thought as to the meaning. Madison noted that throughout history, "superstition, bigotry, and persecution have accompanied the union of religion and government." He also noted that Christianity did not need the support of government to flourish. This is a counterpoint when "original intent" is shouted out.
Owing to Thomas Paine, the general intellectual movement of the times, and distaste for the existing systems, the founders reached back to ancient Greece--a pagan civilization--for inspiration about democracy and a government based on the common man. Having discarded the Divine Right notion, they had no intention of allowing a new set of religious doctrines to take over.
The "Divine Right of Kings" notion had prevailed from the earliest days of Christianity, and arose from earlier pagan philosophy that rulers, by virtue of their being rulers, were obviously favored by the gods. This Divine Right notion not only gave kings legitimacy in the eyes of the church, but allowed that whatever religion the king had, everybody else had to have. Kings loved the idea, of course.
Almost all the language in the Declaration of Independence is to refute the church authority in rulership. This is where we see "inalienable rights," granted by the Creator to ordinary humans, disputing the supposed superiority of the kingship class that had been supported by the Church. The Declaration of Independence is equally for independence in both government and in religion.
It had to be so. Divorcing the King meant divorcing the King's religious authority.
The Declaration of Independence was not based on the bible. In fact, it was in direct opposition to churches and religious hierarchies. There is not a single phrase in the bible that offers a model for the Declaration of Independence.
For the Colonies to declare independence in direct violation of the King was, indeed, a radical step. The Divine Right notion was deeply imbedded in everybody's mind, in priestly leadership, and in political thinking before this.
The authors of the Declaration, mostly Thomas Jefferson, needed poetic language and appeals to emotion to overcome the Divine Right mindset, and to reject the notion that we needed a blessing from the Almighty in order to prosper. Our Founders managed to achieve this radical departure in human, political and social thinking. It was mind-blowing. Thomas Paine deserves much credit.
One of the most brilliant ideas of the Founders--probably from James Madison--was the idea of an independent judicial branch.
This, too, was a radical departure from the European systems the Founders were aware of. Under the Divine Right notion and the hegemony of the church, there were actually two different court systems--normal civil and criminal courts under the King, but also church courts. Church courts dealt with cases of heresy and blasphemy as well as clergy misconduct. There were no checks and balances on these courts at all.
This issue was revisited a few years ago when the Catholic Church in Boston actually argued that our courts had no power over priests, that priests were to be judged only by the church's canon law courts. This self-serving position was summarily rejected by the U.S. federal courts. This was a ratification that constitutional law trumps church law.
People sometimes say, "We are a Christian nation." We are not. We are a constitutional nation.
It is, of course, entirely true that a majority of Americans self-identify with some brand of Christianity. But our Constitution, our laws, and our government are not Christian. They are not Jewish or Muslim or Buddhist, either.
And look how successful separation of church and state has proven to be. The United States has more church-goers, more denominations, and more money donated to churches than any other country in the world. All the evidence shows that the secular Constitution has been extremely good for "religiousness."
Although 60-70% continue to say in opinion polls that they want prayer in schools, I think this issue is largely pass. A little prayer won't hurt anyone, some people say. The problem has always been, whose prayer, to which deity, and how to be fair to all. By the time we sort out having some Christians praying "in thy closet in secret," prayer rugs and prayer shawls, Hindu shrines, Buddhist chanting, milk & cookies blessings, it's hard to imagine how there will be time left for math, English, science, and the civics of the Constitution.
And we all know, a little prayer here, then someone comes along saying this one is not devout enough, then a bigger prayer. For those wishing to be "seen of men" for their public religiosity, little prayers will not satisfy them.
Today there are loud voices claiming that Christians are being persecuted and that their beliefs are under threat of annihilation. I have great trouble taking them seriously. When I drive down the street, almost every corner has a church, with a prominently displayed cross. It is absurd to think that Christians are an endangered species.
In fact, the Christian right is thriving--and flush with political power. And have huge amounts of money. And claim to speak for all Americans.
But are they using this power to promote tolerance, good government policies, and decent conditions for our citizens? Sadly, often not. They are exercised about posting the Ten Commandments, having more public prayer, getting tax money for religious schools, denying gays the right to marry, and insisting on keeping "under God" in the Pledge. I think people turn to gods when their own situations are unhappy or confused. If there is fear for the future and little joy, then a promised reward in an "afterlife" looks attractive.
Christian and other fundamentalist zealots often like to describe us atheists as "bitter, angry, unloving, unlovable, immoral, negative, ungodly." Well, the ungodly part I recognize.
We all know beauty in our own lives. Expanded is a wider love and understanding, such as poetry inspired from the Dead Sea Scrolls: "So I have walked on Uplands unbounded, and know that we, who arrived unbidden, may have consort with things eternal." Our uplands embrace music and science and beauty and caringness beyond the fartherest horizons of scriptural literalists.
Historians have noted three periods of religious fervor and zealotry in our country's history. These are called "Great Awakenings." Don't blame me for the name.
The first was in the 1730-1770s. It ended Puritanism and gave birth to Unitarians--so it wasn't all bad. But it ended before the Revolution and Constitution. For this, we can say, thank god.
During the Second Awakening, in the mid-1800s, many new denominations arose--Shakers, Mormons, Christian Scientists, Jehovah's Witnesses, and many schisms within church groups, including the seeds of "Reformed" Judaism.
The Third Great Religious Awakening was in the early 20th century. It was mixed with social reform movements, women's suffrage, social Darwinism, prohibition, and resulted in a new social understanding under Franklin Roosevelt. Lots more schisms within organized church and synagogue groups. Religious fervor always has strange consequences.
We have been now in the fourth period of religiosity. I would call it the Great Darkening. But it will end, I am sure of that. The pendulum always swings.
Many of our fellow Americans seem to feel vague fears and seek refuge in the supernatural for a nave sense of security by displays of religiosity. The role of separation of church and state is all the more important--it does government no good to rely on magical thinking, and it does religion no good to be separated from reality.
There are many dimensions to fear. There is a huge amount of belief in psychics, astrology, alien abductions, faith healing, appearances of the Virgin Mary--even on cheese sandwiches!--stone statues that burst into tears, in exorcism, ghosts, prayer, demons, life after death, crop circles, raptures, creationism, magnetic bracelets, homeopathy--all stuff related to magical thinking and supernaturalism--the list of irrational nonsense is endless. We used to call this superstition. We are in an age of belief in silly things. Many are relatively harmless, but it is a sign of an unhealthiness in our society. And this is, I think, related to fear.
Apparently, for many, the world does not make sense. And is thus a bit unknown--or worse, unknowable. This makes people want to cling naively to all sorts of weird notions that give them emotional comfort and seem to make sense. My plea is to use the power of our rational minds to understand the world.
To return to the "free exercise" clause for a minute, we can have personal religious beliefs of every and all kinds. Yours do not have to make sense to me, or vice versa. Where we get into dangerous territory is when we say that because I believe, you should also. Some apparently believe that God is looking out for this nation especially, but I think it is a superstitious notion that public prayer will make Him or Her more favorably disposed.
The danger is that by wrapping God up in political discussion, we short-circuit and short-change the public square of discourse. Claiming that your idea is more godly than mine or that some people are more "chosen" or more "saved" than others is bad politics and bad religion. If it is a good idea, then it will succeed by persuading others on its evidence, not by saying "God says so."
And for some reason, televangelists are unwilling to share God's email address with the rest of us. Doesn't sound like Christian charity to me. I mean, for people who talk to God every day, via telepathy or satellite, I am willing to put up with Comcast.
I do know that one-way tickets to Heaven are frightfully expensive. There are better bargains on the Internet.
The idea of bible-reading is, of course, a Protestant idea. It differs from Roman Catholic traditions, Jewish traditions, and since I cannot keep up with all 189 different sects and denominations, it probably differs from Coptic, Armenian, Eastern Orthodox, Mormon, Jehovah's Witnesses traditions--and whatever is labeled as heresy by one sect or cult or another.
Many people are surprised to learn that bible-reading in the schools was controversial 150 years ago. In 1844, there were riots in Philadelphia over the practice; men were killed, churches were burned--over bible-reading. This is well-described in Solomon's book. It is just as divisive today--the question as to which version of the bible--the Douay version used by Catholics, one of the 20 or so versions used by Protestants--from the King James version to the many newer translations.
Since there is no original text and translators from the ancient Greek or Aramaic differ, nobody can claim to have the "true, authentic" version of the bible.
Our Constitution is different. It has a clear origin; it was written in English.
Y'know, there are actually 613 commandments in Jewish scriptures filled with "thou shalt nots." But our Constitution significantly does not include or refer to a single so-called commandment. Although it is amusing that the Bill of Rights in the first Ten Amendments echoes this style--government "shall not" establish, abridge, etc. The phrase "shall not establish religion" comes first, followed by no abridgement of freedom of exercise, speech, the press, assembly, petition.
As to constitutionality and morality, I am a little confident of being moral--I have never boiled a baby goat in its mother's milk. Trust me about this. Although, I do confess to having eaten a shrimp and a cheeseburger at the same picnic.
I oppose superstition. I oppose ritual genital mutilation.
From a democracy viewpoint, religious officials and promoters are not elected, take no oath of office for the Constitution, and do not have to account for their money. Religious leaders have always tried to capture the power of government to promote their self-interests and agendas.
The Constitution of the United States of America has proved itself to be a remarkably successful model for decent government.
I am confident. I think "We, the people . . ." is a beautiful and enduring idea.
There is, in fact, no alternative but to have faith in our Constitution and "We, the people. . . ."
There is a viewpoint: "No man or men can save this nation. It's time to put our trust in God, or we perish." I totally reject this idea. I think our Constitution reminds us to do like the delegates did in Philadelphia 220 years ago--it's time to roll up our sleeves and get to work. They did not sit around waiting for prayer or scripture or rapture.
As I said, I think our country is emerging from a period when many people thought that religion would make for a better world. It is now clear that more prayer, more bible-reading or more Quran-reading, more faith-based government and appeals to God do not solve our problems in war, do not solve our concerns about the environment and global climate change, do not solve issues about health insurance or care for our elderly.
The Constitution alone does not solve these problems either. But it provides the framework for our discussions and for developing sound policies.
More and more Americans now recognize that more displays of public piety are not any answer. We want effective leadership, rather than a "preacher-in-chief."
I end with these thoughts:
Discussion about the complexities of dealing with terrorist threats and bad governments here and abroad is impaired when God and religion are mixed up with patriotism.
The Constitution was made for "We, the people . . ." not for deities. It is up to us humans to cherish and defend it. Various gods can fend for themselves quite well without help from hairless apes.
I am a strong supporter of the Secular Coalition for America. All of us atheists, humanists, agnostics, non-believers, secularists, skeptics have to work together. Christianists are schismed into 189--189!--or so denominations, sects, and cults, which keeps them confused. Their power came from when they were united. We must do the same.
In freedom from religious agendas, our voice has to be clear, despite doctrinal nuances. And we cannot rely on courts. We have to win elections.
Now, following me, comes Matthew LaClair. I am of the graybeard generation. Looking out, there are too many of us who remember typewriters. I strongly support the Secular Students Alliance. This is where the future lies. I urge your support to students.
Last year I was 66. Two 6s; but to be truly evil. . . . Well, I definitely aspire to the third 6.
Finally, I wish this recognition to go also to Anne Nicol Gaylor, Annie Laurie Gaylor, and Dan Barker. Their energies over the years are vastly more important than anything of a one-trick pony. The FFRF people have been champions for 30 years; all of you have been the best t than anything of a one-trick pony. The FFRF people have been champions for 30 years; all of you have been the best of champions.
Thank you for all your energies on behalf of freedom from religion.
Thank you all.
Ellery Schempp graduated from Abington Senior High, Penn., in 1958, graduated cum laude from Tufts in physics and geology, and earned a Ph.D. in physics from Brown University. In 1956, as a high school sophomore, he initiated a protest of "morning devotions" at his public school, and with the support of his parents and the ACLU launched the lawsuit resulting in an 8-1 decision by the Supreme Court barring devotional bible readings and prayers from public schools.
He worked on fiber optics research at Bell Telephone Laboratories, and became assistant professor of crystallography and research assistant professor in physics at the University of Pittsburgh. He joined the staff of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in 1980, and in 1984 worked on the development of MRI systems. He is a member of the American Physical Society. He has authored or co-authored articles in many professional journals.


text:
Feb. 28, 2014
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. ---- Pardis Kianoush took a 6-3, 6-4 win at the third singles court, but the UAB women's tennis team could not overcome Chattanooga as the Mocs downed the Blazers, 6-1, on Friday.
UAB now gets set to face Louisiana Tech at George Ward Park, with first serve slated for Noon CT.
"This is the best we have competed as a team up and down the lineup in singles and doubles," head coach Mark Tjia said. "We have a very young team that grew up today. I saw signs today that we might be starting to understand what it takes to be a good college team."
After falling on the doubles courts, UAB fought hard in singles, taking two matches to three sets, while Kianoush took a 6-3, 6-4 win at the third court.
For more information on the UAB women's tennis team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UABAthletics, @UABWTennis) and on the web (www.UABSports.com).
Tennis Match Results
UAB vs Chattanooga
Feb 28, 2014 at Chattanooga
(UTC Tennis Courts)
Chattanooga 6, UAB 1
Singles Results
1. Kayla Jones (UTC) def. Rachel Daniell (UAB) 6-7, 6-3, 6-4
2. Kaylene Chadwell (UTC) def. Amy Lowther (UAB) 4-2, retired
3. Pardis Kianoush (UAB) def. Kelsey Coots (UTC) 6-3, 6-4
4. Alexa Flynn (UTC) def. Paula Castro (UAB) 6-4, 6-2
5. Claire Mulyadi (UTC) def. Catherine Ragon (UAB) 6-4, 6-3
6. Katie Polk (UTC) def. Elaine Simon (UAB) 3-6, 6-4, 6-4
Match Notes:
Chattanooga 7-2
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (2,4,3,5)


text:
AVC is deeply committed to bringing communities together
to provide high quality services to children, families, and our region.
AVC is committed to bringing communities together through high quality services to children, families, and our region.
AVC operates highly specialized, high quality education programs for students with a variety of disabilities in a variety of settings. For more information on our Programs and Services please click below.
Our range of consultation services includes direct services, consultation, training, assessment and evaluation. For more information on our Consulation Services please click below.
AVC provides a variety of workshops, courses, job-alikes and training for education personnel. For more information on our professional development opportunites please click below.
The Assabet Valley Collaborative, an educational service agency, now comprised of 15 school districts was established in 1976.
Click to read the Exceptional Times of REACH and Evolution March 2017
Evolution Cookbooks on Sale for $10.00 - A collection of special recipes from Students and Staff.
"Wraparound services have the potential to help children, families, and teachers alike " - RENNIE CENTER
Free Workshop "Let's Get Organized" March 22nd, 2017 See English Flyer / Portuguese Flyer / Spanish Flyer


text:
Over the next few pages we show a range of test shots. On this page the full size image at the minimum and maximum ISO settings have been reduced to let you see the full image, and a series of full resolution crops have taken from original images at a range of ISO settings to show the overall image quality. These pictures were taken indoors using shaded natural light.
This is the full frame at minimum ISO.
Even at 80 ISO there is a lack of really fine detail, although the white dots are dust on the car model itself, rather than noise.
100 ISO and there is some patchy mottling on the red areas.
200 ISO shows more of the same.
400 ISO and there is a sudden drop in colour fidelity, and the gradients look very patchy.
800 ISO is very noisy, a disappointing result to say the least.
At 1600 ISO the image quality is very poor.
3200 ISO is available at 3MP, but the quality is web-cam standard.
6400 ISO at 3MP, but really, why?
This is the full frame at maximum ISO.
Nikon COOLPIX L110 12.1MP Digital Camera - Black - BUNDLE$64.99 View Item
Nikon COOLPIX L110 12.1MP Digital Camera$99.99 View Item
Nikon Coolpix L110 Digital Camera 12 MP 15X Optical Zoom 28MM Wide-Angle (Black) 4 bids$43.00 View Item
Nikon COOLPIX L110 12.1MP Digital Camera - Black w/Original Box + Accessories$74.99 View Item
Thanks for the review. I have been looking for a mega-zoom camera. Panasonic FZ35 is my choice but it's not available in my place. I live in Indonesia Batam Island...
Nikon L110 is now available here with very a competitive price. But without many manual control is a minus point for me. And the image quality seems not that good...
@andy1m: consider a Pentax X90 :)
Where did you find 9/10 for Value? 8/10 for Build Quality, 6/10 for Features and 7/10 for Image Quality, that lot together is no better than 7/10 on paper for the Value. But in reality, facing the competition at about the same price, this Nikon is worth very little indeed. (Purely personally, 7/10 for Image Quality at over £150 = avoid whatever the other scores may be.) Amazing from Nikon, a development program that has borne virtually nothing.
I have had the piece of $#!@ camera for about 5 years and I have had enough! I just returned from another vacation where I again was cheated out of a once-in-a-lifetime photo due to the batteries being exhausted. The damn camera has no rechargeable battery pack, has no battery meter, and no warning about battery condition until time to shoot the next photo and then it displays "battery exhausted" and you are finished. Even if you carry an extra supply of AA batteries, it takes too long to replace them "in the moment". The only alternative is to replace the batteries every damn time you go to use the camera--a rather expensive proposition. I even tried lithium batteries and they last a little longer, but it is still unpredictable how long. I am going to list it on EBay for the some sucker to be the highest bidder and get it out of my life once and for all. If anyone wants to buy this POS cheap, reply here.
More information -
Trusted Reviews is part of the Time Inc. (UK) Ltd Technology Network
Get TrustedReviews' award-winning reviews and advice delivered to your inbox for free!


text:
Sep 25, 2013 - By Steven R. PeckEven as investigations continue, some parties ought to cover costs for the Pavillion water truck
By now, feelings are deeply ingrained in the case of contaminated water east of Pavillion and who, or what, is responsible for it.
It is more than doubtful at this point whether anyone's position on that question can or will ever be changed.
At the heart of it all is the general acknowledgment that the household water supply for dozens of property owners in the area is not fit to drink, to bathe in, or to use for household laundry.
That may be as close to agreement as can be achieved in this case, which has stretched on for years.
It is upon that core of common ground that a remedy to many symptoms of the problem is about to be implemented.
A large-scale water storage system intended to provide satisfactory water for the property owners affected is going to be built. Bids for the big water containers, called cisterns, and the loading station where water can be transferred to the property owners are being accepted this month, and the engineering firm hired to see that the system is installed intends to get started while the weather permits this fall.
The underlying disagreement will not be removed via water truck or backyard tank. What can be addressed, however, is the necessity of clean drinking and washing water for residents who have been living from bottle to bottle for a long time now.
Once the cisterns are in place, a basic measure of convenience that the property owners have not experienced for years will be restored. And that is something.
It does not answer the ultimate question about the groundwater. It does not assign responsibility officially. It does not compensate the aggrieved in a way that a court order might. It does not absolve anyone, nor does it blame anyone.
But it is something. And in the complicated, often frustrating reality of civilized existence, something is better than nothing.
One specific problem remains in the cistern plan. Cisterns are to be installed, and a loading station for the transfer of water is to be placed. The source of money for those things has been located and agreed upon. But the huge detail of who will pay for the water truck to haul water to the loading station has yet to be resolved.
There may be a worry that agreeing to pay for that element of the system could portray the payer as a responsible or even a guilty party in the process. A similar concern may well affect property owners, some of whom have been reluctant to accept the cistern proposal because they later might be said to have accepted a permanent solution that has legal standing, thereby surrendering future opportunity for recompense.
At this point, the best idea might be for the state of Wyoming and Encana, the natural gas exploration giant in the region, to accept joint financial responsibility for the truck necessary to begin the actual water delivery process.
In so doing, the state, the company, and the property holders who will use the cisterns could agree mutually that putting the cistern plan into operation does not preclude further investigation or action that someday might produce a definitive conclusion about responsibility and redress.
An uncomfortable truth about the Pavillion water crisis is that no one ever may find complete satisfaction or peace of mind about the whys and wherefores of the bad water.
In the meantime, the entities that have the money can agree to do what is necessary so that these families can draw a clean bath and brew a decent cup of coffee again.
Find a way to pay for the truck and bring the water. There will be time enough for more arguing after that. There always is.
MAIL SUBSCRIBERS: Tuesday's edition of The Ranger was delivered to the Riverton post office at 3:30 p.m., in time to meet the postal deadline for next-day mail delivery.
Get your copy of The Ranger online, every day! If you are a current print subscriber and want to also access dailyranger.com online (there is nothing more to purchase) including being able to download The Mining and Energy Edition, click here. Looking to start a new online subscription to dailyranger.com (even if it is for just one day)? Access our secure SSL encrypted server and start your subscription now by clicking here.


text:
Well you never know.Originally Posted by Mathman
Well you never know.Originally Posted by Mathman
Well, to start, I think the hatred is not so much MK herself as it is her FANATICS. Sure, there are those that will take any opportunity to shoot her down but in this argument, one (conveniently?) forgets the other group- the Kwan worshippers. I think that particular group gets on people's nerves and they take out their anger on the skater rather than the skaters' fans. It's sometimes a turnoff how certain people think MK is "the Kween", above everyone else, can do no wrong, etc. She is HUMAN. She has flaws just like you and me.
I say it's people's perogative whether they want to like her or not. No one should force somebody to like this person, or shame them for not liking this person. It's just a matter of favorites.
That said, with MK going to Torino, this discussion is basically over. I'm sick of hearing about how Emily is being "robbed", etc. It just gets me back to the "Kwan's being handed this spot just because she's MK" frame of mind, and I don't like that. Let's just "stop the hating and enjoy the skating".
None says she isn't HUMAN. History prove she is human, otherwise she won't lost, she won't have injuries, etc.....Just because she is human and yet able to do what she does, that make her more admirable for her fans.Originally Posted by Red Dog
The USFSA allows for a competitor to request an injury bye, they have granted MK one, and deemed her fit to compete. MK, though recently recovered from a series of injuries, is also a proven competitor who is generally very consistent. People criticize her for not competing under the COP, but in the 2005 Worlds, she was 4th under the COP, so how bad can she be? Emily is charming and talented, but is unproven on the international level. MK, if healthy and fit, can perform well enough to make the podium, and certainly could have a top five finish (the qualifier of course is "if healthy and fit.") I don't consider Emily to be a poduim contender at the Olys. Of course, she might have surprised everyone if given the chance. Still, I agree with the USFSA's decision.
Originally Posted by show 42
Remarks like you make are reasons why non-fans of Michelle react like they do.
QUOTE "Even losing the top spot, she outshines the winner". "That's the mark of a true champion and icon". I don't think it's dislike of Michelle but the dislike of the remarks some fans make. I am a fan of figure skating. Waiting for the news of Michelle's upcoming test skate, I was just as excited and pleased as an of her fans. BUT, when you start making remarks of jealously, other favs "moment of glory" being over-shadowed , even losing the top spot, she outshines the winner, that's the remarks that get's her non-fans in a hissy-fit.
Be proud of her but you don't have to put down other fans and skaters in the process.
Best of luck to Michelle and the other skaters.
What I don't understand is all the "Emily Hughes loses her spot to the Olympics" statements that were bandied about yesterday. Neither Emily OR Kimmie were guaranteed a spot on the Olympics team and I just don't understand why people think they were. Even more, I don't understand why professed figure skating fans (and not fans of any particular skater) have gotten so eaten up over Emily not going to the Olympics. Personally I enjoyed watching Emily skate at Nationals. I like her much better than I do Kimmie Meissner, but I also thought Kimmie did a wonderful job and did secure herself a spot on the Olympics team.
I also thought that Kwan used the injury rule as she is allowed to. That others before her have used this rule without all the hoopla and "she/he shouldn't go because so and so got 3rd at Nationals" has absolutely stunned me. And this is from a lot of posters across the boards who "say" they are fans of figure skating. If they are, then why aren't they glad we are sending our best skaters and that one of our best was injured at the time of Nationals?
Yesterday, every tidbit of news I heard about Kwan's test skate prefaced it by saying Emily lost her spot. It made me want to call them up and say "Emily never HAD a spot".
soogar, I didn't know you had a crystal ball that you could look in and read Emily's figure skating future or lack thereof. I certainly hope she sticks around until 2010 because she and Katy and Alissa are 3 of my favorite up-and-comers to keep watching for.
Originally Posted by millie
Well said. It's these types of comments that set people on edge. OK, she got to go to the Olys! No need to rub salt along with it, too!
That is the part that I don't get. Why do you find it annoying if someone else wants to adopt a favorite player and gush over her? If a fan thinks the sun rises and sets in Michelle's behind, why not just smile indulgently and go on to the next thread?Originally Posted by Red Dog
As for me, Jamie Silverstein and Ryan O'Meara are going to rip in the Olympics. Navka and Kostomorov are toast. (N&K say, "who?")
(Of courseI I wouldn't post that at the Watanabe and Kido Forum.)
ITA . What gets my goat are the fans of one skater who denigrate another, and then swear up and down that they are not fans at allOriginally Posted by Mathman
See, I'm with Mathman. I don't understand why anyone gets upset over comments by Kwan's fans. I certainly don't get upset over comments made by Cohen's fans and there have been more than a few made by them as well. Every skater has fans that are only fans of that skater. I know that some fans have only started watching figure skating more avidly since Kwan, some since Cohen. Some, like me, have watched since Fleming won her OGM.Originally Posted by Red Dog
I just take the comments with a grain of salt because with every comment made, there's always some truth in it. Like the "jealousy" comment that Show made. Whether non-Kwan fans like it or not, there is a grain of truth in that statement. The more anti-Kwan fans (not saying that's anyone here) do show signs of "jealousy" because Kwan seems to get more news coverage even when she doesn't skate at a competition. Do I think that's fair? Certainly it isn't, at least not to the skaters who are competing, but I understand that's how the journalists make their moolah, so to speak.
I, personally, have always been a figure skating fan first and foremost. Kwan has been my favorite skater for a very long time (but I didn't like her when she first skated, so go figure that out). I have three up-and-coming favorites that will fill that spot when she retires-Hughes/Taylor/Czisny and maybe Meissner.
Easier said than done. This is not just a case of one, two or even ten fans who adore MK and gush about her to no end. That can be dealt with by ignoring said thread or post. But included in this fanbase is a group of people who put down other skaters and fans in order to "raise" MK up. There is this incessant need to "settle a score" with anyone who doesn't share their viewpoint on kwan. And personally, I can do without that. Maybe some of you guys can, but I can't.Originally Posted by Mathman
The comical thing? I see poster after poster getting either "ripped on" or "talked to" if they are non-Kwan or anti-Kwan. But let's say someone feels the same way about Irina? Or Cohen? Not a peep. (OK, lately I've been seeing a few Cohen defenders coming out of the woodwork). But that's it for me. This has been played out. Kwannies, enjoy your victory. I'm sure your "Kween" will do well at the Olys.
Mathman, you caught my drift completely. There are many skaters with fervently devoted fans and I see all of those fans post. Their posts are very similar to the Kwan fans' posts. Fan talk is never extremely interesting for the less devoted (example: see my Toller gush/ tirade on a thread! LOL! It would be nothing but Greek to someone oblivious to his appeal). All fans can be tiresome; just don't visit those threads or read through those comments. I think Anti-Kwan stuff is less typical and much more disturbing given the "vanilla" quality of its subject. Actually, I would rather read gush about anyone than poisonous innuendo and all of that is just worse when it comes to Michelle, for some mysterious reason.
The fans don't reflect on Michelle at all, in my opinion. Until I see confirmation (videotapes, photographs) that she is bent on world domination with a cadre of Kwan revolutionists, I will continue to judge her by her own history, actions, and words which are innocuous at worst and inspirational at best. This dislike continues to be a mystery to me. I didn't care for a good many skaters (and don't really have a strong opinion about Michelle), but I can't imagine posting comments about them like the ones I have seen about Michelle.
Last edited by 76olympics; 01-28-2006 at 03:35 PM.
Alright, seems I got a little farther into that than I should have. Now since someone else responded since I posted above, let me respond to that.
It's not comments from Kwan's FANS, you understand. It's the fanatical "can-do-no-wrong" and "if you don't agree with me, you're going to h!!!" that gets to me and others as well. There is a difference between admiration and pure fanaticism (I like to call it "worship" because these are the fanatics that dedicate a room in their house as a "shrine" to that person). That's what the fans must grasp as well.Originally Posted by swannanoa54
I don't doubt this. Sure, there are those that are jealous because their faves aren't getting the attention that MK is getting. But you see, there's more to it because I don't even have a favorite and some of this extreme behavior and "I told you so" attitude by some of Kwan's more rabid fans gets to me. So there are two groups in that sense.I just take the comments with a grain of salt because with every comment made, there's always some truth in it. Like the "jealousy" comment that Show made. Whether non-Kwan fans like it or not, there is a grain of truth in that statement. The more anti-Kwan fans (not saying that's anyone here) do show signs of "jealousy" because Kwan seems to get more news coverage even when she doesn't skate at a competition. Do I think that's fair? Certainly it isn't, at least not to the skaters who are competing, but I understand that's how the journalists make their moolah, so to speak.
Glad you think there's life after the Kwan anyway, I agree. There are many performances that wow you and tempt you to become a fan of that skater. It hasn't happened to me yet, and the way things are going, probably never will, considering after the Olys, my days in the "skating world" are numbered.I, personally, have always been a figure skating fan first and foremost. Kwan has been my favorite skater for a very long time (but I didn't like her when she first skated, so go figure that out). I have three up-and-coming favorites that will fill that spot when she retires-Hughes/Taylor/Czisny and maybe Meissner.
I'm still holding onto my prediction that Michelle will win the OGM, but man, it's going to be a nail biter, finger biter, hand, wrist, and arm biter.
Congratulations, Michelle, on making the Olympic team. Now go out there and show your stuff!:chorus: :chorus:
On the predictions that MK will win- I don't know whether to laugh, not do anything, or just shake my head. I know not to count anyone out, but man- she hasn't competed all season! I don't exactly expect her to win or anything...I DO expect her to live up to her own hype and skate all out "from the heart". Will that be enough to win? I don't know, and don't think so. But it might be enough to upset someone for yet another Olympic medal.


text:
GX Gaming Maurus X FPS/RTS Approved Gaming Mouse Review
Final Thoughts
There is a lot that I do like about the Maurus X. Things like an easy to use and pretty comprehensive software and driver package. There is also the looks and styling of the mouse and the strong body lines and almost automotive inspired curves all lend to something that most can get used to in no time at all. There is also a lot of top end gear inside of the Maurus X. Using a 32-bit Cortex M0 processor, having one of the highest click gen crystals I have seen, and offering the Avago ADNS3090 and Omron switches to keep you in the best control of your game possible, what more can you really ask for in a mouse at this price point? I, for one, am very pleased with the overall performance, and ability to get the job done, even if it does require a bit of programming to get it just the way you like it.
This is not to say that there aren't some personal gripes I have with the Maurus X. Starting off with the simple things, why does the LED in the heel of the mouse fully illuminate in pulsation modes? While I was able to turn it off and get the full lighted effect, I think without it in the pulse mode, it makes the name look lame - why bother? Aside from the mouse being a little too small for my hands, it does offer very accurate travel and pinpoint precision right on up to the 4000 DPI. The issue here was more with the feet choice, rather than the mouse's ability to do its job. By this I mean there is a very grainy feel to the movement of the Maurus X, and I tested this on various cloths, composites, and even an aluminum mouse pad. While it does tend to slow movements down when you are trying to snipe someone across the map, the coefficient of friction is too high and makes normal run and gun movements somewhat tiresome.
To me the most frustrating part is that you spend way too much time in the software with the Maurus X. Whether to swap profiles, swap DPI, whatever the minor changes, due to the limited buttons available, you always have to cancel out one ease of access for another, which also becomes tiresome, and is not beneficial to gaming when you spend the first 30 seconds of a round in your mouse software to change setups for a new map.
I can't really say that the Maurus X will not fit certain user's needs, nor can I say that the construction or included hardware is in any way limited or incapable. What I am saying is that if you do like the looks of this mouse, and you don't have the need for various profiles, Macros and DPI selection on-the-fly, then maybe you should keep looking. To me this mouse is more for the relaxed gamer who wants to have six things under control of one hand, while the other is on the keyboard. I guess the bottom line is that I feel that even with a well constructed mouse that looks and works fine, it is almost like they tried to pack too much into the Maurus X to match all that top end hardware, but are missing at least two more buttons to make the mouse as functional as it seems on paper.
Even so, I think the pricing of $62 is good for what the Maurus X brings to the table, just be certain you are fully aware of the shortcomings if you are an advanced gamer looking for total control with your non-keyboard hand.
PRICING: You can find products similar to this one for sale below.
United States: Find other tech and computer products like this over at Amazon's website.
United Kingdom: Find other tech and computer products like this over at Amazon UK's website.
Canada: Find other tech and computer products like this over at Amazon Canada's website.
- We at TweakTown openly invite the companies who provide us with review samples / who are mentioned or discussed to express their opinion of our content. If any company representative wishes to respond, we will publish the response here.
Related Tags
Latest News Posts
- Destiny 2 replaces major subclasses and abilities
- Far Cry 5 isn't a Western, set in modern day Montana
- Apple could launch the iPhone 8 and iPhone 7S this year
- Lenovo confirms smaller battery for the Moto Z2 Play
- First images of Nokia's upcoming flagship leak
Forum Activity
- ASUS RT-AC1900p Wireless Router Review
- GA-Z97X-UD5H-BK with SSD M.2 Plextor M8PeG 256gb. low speed after shut down
- Prey Review: Dark Stars, Darker Thoughts
- Alien Covenant Movie Review
- Custom Storage Unit
Press Releases
- Western Digital sets new standard with latest generation in popular HGST-brand Ultrastar SAS SSD family
- AMD raises expectations for server performance, unveils EPYC processor brand for the datacenter
- HighPoint's SSD7101 PCIe board-sized drive series integrate Samsung 960 NVMe SSDs to deliver groundbreaking performance over 12GB/s
- Micron accelerates all-flash storage speed, performance and value with new flexible petabyte-scale enterprise data center solution
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 and 630 mobile platforms drive advanced photography, enhanced gaming, integrated connectivity and machine learning


text:
energy tochange the world
reduce energy costs and your
carbon footprint.
reduce energy costs and your
carbon footprint.
As an independent energy consultant to businesses, we deliver savings while helping you progress your green agenda in the commercial world.
Organisational priorities generally come first, but what if you could access energy for your commercial needs that brings you savings and helps the environment?
Using efficient energy advances your green credentials, offering longer term opportunities and gaining recognition from suppliers, buyers and partners. For many big brands, environmental concern is a compulsory requirement for engaging with any commercial enterprise.
We have been using untied utilities for approximately 6 years and have made significant savings as a result. The service is efficient; user friendly and most importantly, delivers the most cost effective option every time.
We have used Untied Utilities for the past 5 years and whole heartedly recommend them. Their help has saved us hundreds of pounds. They always source the best deals and make the transfer to new suppliers very easy.
Not only are we now getting the best deal from the utility companies but I can rest assured that Untied Utilities will contact me in plenty of time when the contract needs renewing. I would recommend their services to busy practice managers.
I contacted Untied Utilities who stepped in and took the hassle out of checking price comparisons from us. They were quick, very helpful and assisted me in making cost savings for the practice.
We have used the services of Untied Utilities for several years now after being recommended by another Practice Manager. The service is brilliant, the personnel employed extremely helpful and friendly. I have no hesitation in recommending their services.
The Practice has been using Untied Utilities for 5 years. They have been successful year on year in finding alternative utility contracts offering more competitive prices therefore reducing practice expenditure.
For the past three years I have relied totally on the support of Untied Utilities to search for the best deals for our electricity, gas and telephone supplies. They have done all the hard work and found deals which have saved the practice a great deal of money.
News for business leaders about energy changes and information that affects your business


text:
The Essex and East London Church Music Committee of the Royal School of Church Music organizes training and other musical events in support of all church musicians in the Area. Drawing on support from the national RSCM organization, RSCM - EEL is a self funding body which utilizes local resources for the benefit of all those involved or interested in church music, whether they are organists, clergy, singers or instrumentalists.
The Committee organizes a wide programme of events, which attempts to cover many different interests and training requirements in church music and very much on an ecumenical basis. Events are open to all church musicians, but those who are from churches which are not members of the RSCM will be asked to pay a supplementary price.
The RSCM is an educational charity dedicated to raising standards and promoting music in every style of Christian worship and every denomination. Membership of the RSCM is an investment in the future of church music - and expresses support for our work.
Since its foundation in 1927 the RSCM has grown into an international organisation, providing inspiration and guidance to around 7,000 affiliated members and 4,000 individual members and Friends. Our Members are drawn from different denominations, they worship in different ways, they enjoy different musical styles, but what they have in common is the belief that good music, used effectively, greatly enriches Christian worship.
Our work is for the needs of the future, as well as the present. These are long-term challenges:
Do find out more about our activities and come along to some of these events.


text:
New Treasures at San Jacinto Museum of History
A signed photographic portrait of Sam Houston and an original signed letter from General Santa Anna have been added to the collection at the San Jacinto Museum of History. The photograph of Sam Houston was taken approximately between 1858 and 1863, the year of his death; it shows Houston seated. The portrait was discovered by Dr. Jim Harris of Tyler in an antique store in Las Vegas. An article in The Bayshore Sun [Oct. 28, 2009, pg. 4, Sect. A] states: "This type of photograph is rare: a minimal number of portraits of Sam Houston currently exist. The fact that this portrait is signed by Sam Houston himself is extraordinarily rare".
The second item added is the document "Farewell of General Santa Anna to the Texan Army". It was dictated by Santa Anna when he was a prisoner of war at Velasco after the Battle of San Jacinto. The date on the letter is June 1, 1836.
The new acquistions will be available for public viewing in early 2010. For more information, visit the website of the San Jacinto Museum or call 281-479-2421.


text:
FDA Approves First Rapid Test to Detect HIV-1, HIV1/2 »
"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the first rapid Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) test for the simultaneous detection of HIV-1 p24 antigen as well as antibodies to both HIV-1 and HIV-2 in human serum, plasma, and venous or f"...
Read the FDA Approves First Rapid Test to Detect HIV-1, HIV1/2 article »
No serious unexpected side effects have resulted from studies involving MEGACE Oral Suspension administered in dosages as high as 1200 mg/day. In post-marketing experience, limited reports of overdose have been received. Signs and symptoms reported in the context of overdose included diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, shortness of breath, cough, unsteady gait, listlessness, and chest pain. There is no specific antidote for overdose with MEGACE Oral Suspension. In case of overdose, appropriate supportive measures should be taken. Megestrol acetate has not been tested for dialyzability; however, due to its low solubility, it is postulated that dialysis would not be an effective means of treating overdose.
History of hypersensitivity to megestrol acetate or any component of the formulation. Known or suspected pregnancy.This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.
Last reviewed on RxList: 9/2/2016
Megace FDA Prescribing Information
Additional Megace Information
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
WebMD Daily
Get breaking medical news.


text:
This could be an Operating in Training or an Operator position depending upon qualifications.
O'Neal Steel, Inc. one of the nation's largest metal service centers has an opening for a Warehouse Craft III. We are looking for a highly motivated and hard working Warehouse Craft III that will be responsible for the set up and operation of one or more machines that because of their size, cost, speed, sophistication, and/or complexity. Set up and operation includes adjustment and/or replacement of expendable tooling, guides, jigs, and fixtures.
This position is currently not accepting applications.
To search for an open position, please go to http://testonealindustries.isg2.com


text:
Group Booking Terms and Conditions
Because you are making a Group Booking, there are additional Terms and Conditions that apply. Please read them and click 'I Accept' below to continue with your booking
General Group Booking Terms
By making a group reservation through Hostelworld.com you agree to the following terms and conditions as set by Hostelworld.com and as set by the hostel in question.
- In order to make a group reservation on Hostelworld.com it is necessary to pay a deposit. The balance is due directly to the hostel according to their payment conditions.
- The booking deposit is non-refundable.
- Please note that any cancellations must be notified directly to the hostel at least 24 hours in advance of your scheduled arrival date, unless otherwise stated in the hostel's conditions.
- Hostelworld.com are not responsible for changes or amendments to your reservation once it has been processed. All correspondence with regard to changes to your booking need to be dealt with directly with the hostel.
- Cancellations for reservations must be made directly with the hostel and must conform with the individual hostels cancellation policy (see below)
- It is your responsibility to pay the balance of your accommodation cost to the hostel in accordance with their payment conditions (see below). Failure to do so may result in your reservation being cancelled by the hostel.
- Individual hostels may have special booking conditions relating to group stays, please read the hostel booking conditions carefully before making your reservation.
Hostel Specific Terms & Conditions
The remainder of the amount due will be charged to your credit card 3 weeks prior to arrival. Should numbers or room selection change, the per person deposit times the number of people who actually travelled will be deducted from the total accommodation charge levvied by the hostel.
Cancellation / No Show & Reduction in Numbers Policy
'The Beach' has a cancellation policy of no refund on the booking deposit or booking fee for a cancellation, no show or reduction in numbers. A deposit of the min. 50% of the total amount has to be made 3 weeks before arrival via Banktransfer.
Additional Terms and Conditions
'The Beach' has a cancellation policy of no refund on the booking deposit or booking fee for a cancellation, no show or reduction in numbers. A deposit of the min. 50% of the total amount has to be made 3 weeks before arrival via Paypal. Please contact us for banking details at firstname.lastname@example.com or Tel: +254722415199
Additional Info:
Special Offer for Volunteer Groups (min 5 - 10 pax)
2 weeks at 70 Euro per person per day incl. Bed ( Mixed Dorm or Tent) and 2 meals a day.
Group participation required at the Beach Turtle Community Center, Beach Clean, Turtle Watch, Mangrove planting, etc.
Any cancellations resulting from agreement to these terms and conditions under false pretences will result in loss of deposit.
Selling Out Soon
Latest Review
" Although we were cautious going in due to a couple of other reviews, we decided to give it a try. It was fantastic--affordable, very friendly, beautiful as far as the view goes (the place itself was also nice as long as you aren't expecting a five star resort), and the restaurant had delicious food. Even the hawkers trying to get you to buy their wares were not overly persistent. I loved it and would definitely return and recommend it to all of my friends including my fellow hostelworld people! "- Anonymous
Hostelworld Mobile Apps
Book on the go with the new Hostelworld mobile apps.


text:
Hey guys, that's right, this will be the first official meet/grand opening/bbq at Driven Addictions in Sayreville starting at 1pm.
Here's the addy:
776 Jernee Mill Road Suite 122
Sayreville, NJ 08872
I'll be posting directions very shortly. There will be other clubs there as well from Club Lexus, NJIC, and a Mustang board that I'm on. Just trying to spread the word about the place and trying to raise interest.
The shop will start out as a mostly A/V and online retailer of popular performance products for what we hope is both import and domestic, car and trucks. We will then be moving on to installations of those performance items. We already have some major brands locked in and gaining more each day. If you have any questions, please PM me. Thanks guys!


text: The Leonard Lopate Show Published by The Leonard Lopate Show Razzle Dazzle Download this audio Want to embed this player? Use the code below. More info. <iframe frameborder="0" scrolling="no" height="130" width="100%" src="https://www.wnyc.org/widgets/ondemand_player/wnyc/#file=/audio/json/60439/&share=1"></iframe> Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email a Friend Mitzi Gaynor, Golden Globe nominee for the 1958 film "South Pacific" and Emmy Award winner for her many TV variety specials, discusses her career and her upcoming New York debut of "Razzle Dazzle: My Life Behind the Sequins." She's performing with a seven piece band in the Feinstein's at Loews Regency ballroom, 540 Park Avenue at 61st Street, May 18-22 and May 25-29.


text:
Size15 m²
Floor No.
- Internet/WiFi
- Kitchen
- Washer/dryer
- Towels
Accommodation summary
|Little Russell St, London, United Kingdom
|Property type
|Property ID
|Acceptance rate
|Response time
|A few hours
|Calendar updated
You will have a comforatble double bed, a desk area and our own big kitchen and shower room.
The closest tube stations are Tottenham Court Road, and Holborn, both are 5 mins walk away. The flat has broadband, and also has a washer, dryer.
The flat is right in the heart of London, so it is difficult to pick out any one place in particular that you must visit, but for eating out my favorite is Old Compton Street, one of the first places in London to start serving food late at night.
The British Museum is at the heart of Bloomsbury. Historically, Bloomsbury is associated with the arts, education and medicine so the area sets a sophisticated and modern atmosphere. The Bloomsbury theater, a very respected theater within the eyes of Londoners
Locals to the area are spoil for choice with restaurants, bars and clubs being within feet of each other. The location is amazing! Come and visit, and experience central London for yourself :)
House rulesSecurity Deposit: £59
No party please
Please try to be quite home and please do not slam the door
Please when in and out the house make sure door is locked
|Price for > 1 guests
|£ 16 per guest/night extra
|Check-in After
|On arrangement
|Check-in before
|On arrangement
|Check-out Before
|On arrangement
|Cancellation Policy
Reviews for this host's other properties
This apartment was everything it said it was.... Great location, very clean double room, would stay again!
Everything was really fine.
The flat was clean and the location is just amazing..
Really what we were looking for.
Thx Maggie.
Extremely convenient accommodation in the centre of the town. Although we didn't even meet Maggie, everything went according to plan. Highly recommendable!
It was perfect, wonderfull host, vert clean flat, the location is just amazing. I Will definitly stay at The same place next Time i'm in London. Thanks a lot Maggie
We had a great time in London. Maggie was very friendly, we met her 3 times. The flat was perfectly located - only 5 minutes walk to the underground. We were even able to store our luggage, so that we could spend our last hours without having to carry around our luggage. We highly recommend Maggie's apartment.
Very good location to see London, Maggie has' proved always available and precise questions to our apartment, clean and spacious, excellent, and reliable. The only minor thing but the internet came a bit 'wrong on the third floor. For the rest I would highly recommend this apartment and Meggie very serious. Thanks
Posizione molto buona per vedere Londra, Maggie si è' dimostrata sempre disponibile e precisa alle nostre domande, appartamento pulito e spazioso, ottimo e soprattutto affidabile. Unica cosa ma di poco conto la connessione internet arrivava un po' male al terzo piano. Per il resto consiglio vivamente questo appartamento e Meggie molto seria. Grazie
It has been a completely disaster:
- the owner is not able to manage check-in and guest stay (the owner was 5 hours late on the agreed checkin time)
- the apartment was completely dirty and it totally lacked of hygene
- the apartment (and the built) smell of smoke
- the walls of the apartment were full mould
The only good point is the location that is very central and good to visit london. But this is a total waste of money
Very good location. It was a perfect weekend, Maggie have not met personally, but any problems in the housing, and when we need it solved a problem by phone instantly.
No doubt, if we repeat London.
I recommend it.
Muy buena ubicación. Ha sido un fin de semana perfecto, no hemos conocido a Maggie personalmente, pero ningún problema en el alojamiento, y cuando la necesitamos nos solucionó un problema por teléfono al instante.
Sin duda, si volvemos a Londres repetiremos.
Os lo recomendamos.
Finalmente no vi a Maggie, pero me senti atendida antes y durante mi estancia.
La situacion fue perfecta para mi. Todo correcto. El lugar limpio. no me importaria repetir.
Abbiamo passato circa 20 giorni in questa abitazione e complessivamente ci siamo trovati molto bene. La posizione è impagabile rispetto a tutte le zone di interesse: è centrale e tranquilla, vicina anche ai supermercati e alle vie dello shopping (oxford street) e di ristorazione (old compton street). È ben servita dai mezzi. La stanza è fedele alle foto ed abbastanza confortevole, dotata anche di asciugacapelli ed adattatori per la corrente. Il bagno è condiviso con le altre due stanze dell'appartamento e quindi un secondo servizio sarebbe stato l'ideale ma ne complesso ciò non ha causato alcun problema. La cucina sta nel piano inferiore ed è dotata di tutti i necessari confort, dal microonde al doppio forno, alla lavatrice con asciugatrice. Sono compresi anche piccoli elettrodomestici come bollitore e tostapane. Maggie è molto gentile e disponibile. Lo consiglio e se dovessimo nuovamente optare per un soggiorno a Londra sceglieremmo nuovamente questa soluzione.
- Quality assured accommodation
- Every host is verified by telephone
- Secure payment via SSL encryption


text:
Beautiful horses.....you look like you were having a a blast on Bella!! Keep having fun, fun, fun!!! Sounds like it rains alot in Florida. Probably like Hawaii where it's a warm, humid rain. Say "hi" to all. Enjoy!
Horsing Around
Trip Start Jun 04, 2010
100Trip End Sep 08, 2010
Map your own trip!
Loading Map
Loading Map
Map Options
Show trip route
Hide lines
Where I stayed
House Guest of John and Adrienne
After riding John insisted that I go back into the house and enjoy some vacation time. Before I knew it I fell asleep only to be awakened by the sound of a hard rain coming down. I saw John, Adrienne and Mikey sitting on the front porch, so I joined them. Boy was it raining hard and long. Their front porch is so nice to sit on and enjoy a good rain. If I could stick it in my car and take it home with me I would, but I'm afraid they might miss it before we got out of the state. Now you might ask where was Dave during the storm.....He was in the bedroom hiding under the blanket!
He feels real bad that I have been spending this 2nd week here in Florida helping them pack and move to the new ranch house. Both Dave and I agree that we don't mind helping out and they have not been working us too hard. Most of the major house hold goods have already been packed and moved to a storage unit. Anyone who knows me, knows I don't mind cooking for people. So I made or planned most of our daily meals. John is very easy to please, he praised all my meals. It's so nice to cook for someone who really appreciates your efforts. He said it was a big help to have someone planning and preparing the meals that way Adrienne didn't have to stop with what she was doing with the move and make food for them. He is such a sweet guy! So tonight we had left over tacos from yesterday. In the two days we all went through 6 doz. of them. I guess we all worked hard and worked up big appetites the last couple of days.
After our showers we all sat around and rested until bed time. Wishing all my friends a blessed evening.