text:
Suspects & Sleuths Murder Mystery Design Guide
Book by: SteveDestiny
Status: Finished
Genre: Non-Fiction
Chapter1 (v.1) - Suspects & Sleuths Murder Mystery Design Guide
What is a Murder Mystery Party?
A murder mystery dinner party game is an interactive live action role-playing game where your guests take on the roles of suspects or sleuth's and attempt to solve a murder. The host decorates their home to represent the scene of the crime and the guests attend dressed in costumes playing the parts of their characters. A murder will occur and the guests will try to identify the villain by investigating evidence, examining clues, and questioning each other until they can come to a conclusion. Murder mystery games are a great way to liven up your next dinner party and offer your guests an experience that they will rant and rave about for months to come.
Sure, those store bought murder mystery game kits can be quite fun, but there are a number of issues with them:
- You may not be able to find a kit that contains the theme or genre you desire for the game you have in mind.
- These types of games are only playable once. If you intend to play murder mystery games within the same circle of family and friends you would have to buy a new kit every time.
- Indeed, you may buy a game kit only to find out its game structure does not suit the needs of the play style you had in mind. The difficulty level of such a game may be too hard or not challenging enough.
- Other writers and creators of these kits do not know you and your players. What if you do not like the characters included or more importantly your players do not like them? What if you need a scenario for all male or all female characters?
- Developers often do not know your personal preferences. The content and themes involved in the plot of those kits may not be suitable for all of your guests.
- Most game kits are typically dependent on a set number of players to work. They may require more players than you desire or simply not enough.
- Additionally, they can be quite expensive.
Writing your own murder mystery game scenario is the best solution to all of those problems.
Sure, you could read a few articles on the web and gather some general information on how to write a murder mystery game. There are also a few books on the market that claim to tell you how to write these types of games, but the content is usually quite limited. Perhaps you could read one of these books, follow the instructions, and someday, after weeks of research and hard work writing, finally end up with a workable murder mystery game scenario.
What are you to do, however, when your friends and family are asking you, or begging you, to create another game and you feel your inspiration has already been spent writing the first?
Where do you get more ideas and inspiration when you feel your murder mystery Muse has left the building?
Using this guide and my system is the best solution to all of these issues described. Here is why:
- You get to decide on any time period, theme, genre, and whatever location you desire.
- The games you create with this system are playable one time, but you can use the system to create a unique murder mystery scenario every time you desire with a new theme, new location, new event, new victim, new villain, new suspects, new clues, new plots, etc.
- Not only can you decide on the structure of the game scenarios created with this system, but you can also customize them to meet the needs of the game style you wish to play. I will give you several variants for the games created with my system and various ideas on how to begin and end them. You can also control the level of difficulty in your scenarios.
- Using this guide and my unique system, you have the flexibility to write characters for your game scenarios that will also suit the interests of your players, as you know them better than anyone else. You can write your scenario for all women or all men, or a combination of both.
- My system allows you to choose whatever themes and content you feel is suitable to the type of scenario you wish to write for your players.
- With my system and method you can write your scenarios for as many players as you might want. You can write them for six players, or one hundred. It's up to you.
- Creating a new scenario is free; you only have to buy my book one time. You can create an endless number of scenarios with this guide using this system.
- This guide contains numerous lists to provide you with a limitless supply of ideas and inspiration for writing a new scenario any time you want. My system is flexible and customizable. Each chart lists numerous possibilities to choose from and you are able to expand them as needed or desired.
- I have provided all the information, suggestions, and advice you could possibly need in order to host your game event from beginning to end.
- I include ideas for creating your own props, decorations, and costumes to be used in the game and information on how to create any game components you may need for a game. I also give you the ideas on how to achieve all this on a shoestring budget. You can make your games as cheap or as expensive and elaborate as you so desire.
In this guide you will find everything you need to create a super fabulous murder mystery.
Dear Reader, my name is Brianna Carlisle, and I enjoy hosting murder mystery dinner party games. Since you are reading this, I can make a fair guess that you might have an interest in not only writing a murder mystery game, but hosting one as well. With this book, not only will I show you how to write a murder mystery scenario, but also how to host it and how to play it from beginning to end. Whether you are a beginner, an amateur, or even an experienced writer, this book is the perfect guide for writing the professional quality, murder mystery dinner party games of your dreams.
© Copyright 2017 SteveDestiny. All rights reserved.
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text: Howdy gang! I just inherited a 2001 Suburban (5.3 vortec) and I am wondering which spark plugs some of you with vast experience would recommend, I had someone warn me away from Bosch Platinum 4's. They said domestics don't fire as hot as imports and that I should stick to AC Delco. I am obviously not a techy . . . . but are there plugs out there that could improve the performance of the engine . . even a little bit? Thanks

subset: commoncrawl


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Door Dilemma...
For reasons I won't go into...I have to install an interior door but can't mount it "on the inside edge" of the door jamb as is normally done. In other words, the door will almost be in the center of the jamb. What do the pros do if this rare? situation arises as far as the hinges go (the pin side)? I could router a slot for the hinge pin part of the hinge...or is there another way? I realize the door will only open 90 degrees when installed that way...and that is okay. Thanks!
Without going into a lot of detail, you sound like you have the general idea....there are few trisks to doing this, like making sure the mortises you cut for the hinges are true or plumb, stuff like that...just pay close attention to detail, and you will get it done.
Thanks joasis...sounds good!
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text:
Randy Belice/NBAE/Getty Images
Bosh added two blocks to his line Tuesday.
CHICAGO, Feb. 11 (AP)-- A sizable lead gone and the game slipping away, Chris Bosh reached up and helped the Toronto Raptors grab another victory.
Bosh hit two free throws with 2.1 seconds left after he was fouled on an offensive rebound Tuesday night as the Raptors recovered after blowing a 12-point, fourth-quarter lead to beat the Chicago Bulls 112-111.
"This shows how this team has turned it around," Bosh said. "Despite the breakdown at the end, we stood strong and still got out of here with a victory."
The victory was the 28th for Toronto, giving the Raptors one more win than all of last season.
"We're a better basketball team. I think the record says that," Raptors coach Sam Mitchell said. "We have a lot of guys who can make plays."
Bosh finished with 25 points and 14 rebounds for the Raptors, who ended a 15-game losing streak against the Bulls stretching back to Dec. 6, 2002.
Andrea Bargnani added 22 points for Toronto.
In the closing seconds, Chicago's Tyrus Thomas blocked a layup attempt by T.J. Ford but Bosh rebounded and was fouled by Thomas before hitting both free throws.
"Tyrus Thomas is a great leaper. He got a piece of it and I just came up and got the rebound," Bosh said.
"I was talking to T.J. a couple of days ago and we were talking about game-winning free throws. He asked me if I think about it and I said, 'No, I just shoot.' He said, 'Think about it.' So, I thought about it."
Ben Gordon, whose three-point play with 12.8 seconds left had given the Bulls a 111-110 lead and capped a 13-0 run, put up a jumper that was short at the buzzer. Gordon hit the floor but no foul was called on Ford who was guarding him.
"Absolutely," Gordon said when asked if there was contact. "But we didn't get the call. I don't know why. I thought they got a lucky one at the other end. That's just how the game went."
Bulls coach Scott Skiles had no complaints, even though there was contact.
"A little bit, but not enough to call it there," Skiles said.
The Raptors, winners of nine of their last 11, went ahead by eight points early in the fourth quarter when Jose Calderon converted a three-point play and moments later fed Bosh for a basket that made it 94-86.
Finding holes in the Chicago defense, Calderon made three straight Toronto baskets to increase the margin to 12 with about 6 minutes remaining.
Coming off a seven-game road trip and looking a step slow defensively at times, the Bulls got 30 points from Luol Deng and 26 from Gordon.
Chris Duhon's 3-pointer with 1:27 to go closed the deficit to five and after two Toronto misses, Duhon connected again from the corner, another 3-pointer that made it 110-108 with 35 seconds remaining.
Bosh's pass went off Anthony Parker's hands and out of bounds with 21.1 seconds to go and the Bulls had a final chance.
Gordon drove the lane and hit a bank shot as he was fouled, tying the game with 12.8 seconds left. His free throw gave the Bulls a short-lived lead.
"We really didn't take control of the game like we should have in the first half," Gordon said. "To get so close and lose, I'm a little disappointed."
Trailing by five points at the half, the Bulls caught up as Deng scored 12 points in the third with his jumper putting the Bulls up 73-70.
But Jorge Garbajosa's third 3-pointer of the period and layup and then 3-pointer from Parker restored the Raptors' lead to five and they held on for an 87-82 advantage headed into the fourth.
Bargnani was 6-for-7, including three 3-pointers, and also had a roaring dunk to score 17 first-half points -- 12 in the second quarter -- as Toronto took a 56-51 lead. The Raptors shot 60 percent in the first two quarters.
Bosh had 12 first-quarter points and the Raptors surged to a 33-26 lead.
Notes: The Raptors' last win in the series before Tuesday night was 103-89 at Toronto on Dec. 6, 2002. ... A snowstorm coated roads, snarled traffic and made getting to the United Center a tough haul for some of the players. Ben Wallace and P.J. Brown didn't arrive until about 50 minutes before tipoff. ... Despite empty seats from the snow, the game was an announced sellout of 21,776..


text:
Only one magazine. Pretty sad for a pistol that costs as much as a CDP II does, isn't it. Great guns though. Considering getting the Compact next.
You'll probably get advice only different magazines for the pistol but make sure you look at the KimPro Tac Mag when looking to buy. Great mags, IMO.


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Floor Joist Notch
4 Attachment(s)
Hi All,
My house is a raised bungalow in which I'm renovating my main level washroom. Due to the orientation of the washroom and floor joists below, I had to notch the top half of one floor joist where the bathtub drain entered into the floor for abs fitting clearance. Im worried about this, and as much as I didn't want to do this, I didn't have a choice. At least at this location there is another floor joist 6 inches over, rather than the repetitive 16 inch on center 2 x 8's.
Firstly, I'd like to talk about the floor joist. The integrity of the floor joist is obviously messed with. To remedy I have cut a 3/4 in. thick piece of plywood that I will glue and screw (or bolt) to the back side of the cut joist to help provide strength. Ill run it about 32 in. long along the back side of the joist. Any suggestions? Should I screw or bolt after I pl400 it? See attached pictures, as theres not a lot of room to put a drill up there.
Secondly, back to the original problem. The 2006 Ontario Plumbing Code notes that 1/4 inch radius fittings (90 deg elbows) are not permitted unless going from horizontal to vertical, I believe with the exception of traps. I'm going to try and use to 45 degree fittings if I have space to clear the side of the joist and connect to my trap rather than use two 90 degree fittings which was previously used. Are there any other special fittings that can be used, maybe flexible?
That joist is definitely over-notched and is definitely severely compromised. At a minimum....(And I'd really recommend consulting an engineer)...Glue 48" pieces of 3/4" plywood the full depth of the joist using construction adhesive. Nails are muchs stronger than screws, so I'd suggest at least a couple rows of 10d nails at 6" centers the full length of the plywood. If at all possible, use 2x dimension lumber instead of plywood.
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Spain wins 2010 World Cup; Jau is very unhappy
Trip Start Dec 07, 2009
88Trip End Sep 26, 2010
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We got good seats in the theatre. It was packed and a really good atmosphere even with people blowing their pesky vuvuzelas. It wasn't the best football, and it was a very rough game, but Spain came through in the end with a late goal and were crowned world champions. It was an exciting World Cup and I'm glad I got the chance to watch the entire thing from a soccer crazy country.
Not much else has happened for the last few days, mostly just relaxing with my friends, and organization for Uganda. Heading there on Wednesday morning. 13 hour bus ride, oh joy, how I am looking forward to that.
Will have more updates from Kampala.


text:
Angelina Jolie Shows Off A Lot Of Black & White While Promoting 'The Tourist'!
Is it premiere perfect or pretty terrible?
Angelina Jolie may be a gorgeous a-list actress, but unfortunately the star can't dress to save her life — I've tried to be nice and give some of her looks a chance, but at the end of the day it's Angie who's sucking the life out of her get-ups. Not only does she stick to a basic color palette of black and white, she opts for the worst hair and makeup. The star always looks like she ran out of time and got ready in the car before walking out onto the red carpet.
Sure, she's a multi-tasking mom, but there's no excuse for looking so drab on the red carpet — especially because she has so much potential! I'm so disappointed she's lost her touch. While her recent Versace was one of her better looks that isn't saying much. And Angie, I know menswear is a huge trend, but your Ferragamo pants are more suited for a conference, not a carpet!
Regardless of whether you're on team Angie or team Jen, there's no denying the fact that Jen dominates when it comes to getting glam.
What do you think of her get-up's so far?


text:
The Cerritos College women's soccer team fell behind by three goals Tuesday and was stunned by Pasadena City, losing the South Coast Conference match 4-2 on the road.
The Falcons (15-2-2, 10-2-1) trailed 2-0 at halftime and 3-0 early in the second half before rallying. Lauren Nanez and Gaby Zamarripa each scored to cut into the Lancers' lead, but Cerritos never got any closer.
Long Beach City 7, ECC Compton 0: Jennifer Abarca scored three goals for the host Vikings (10-5-4, 6-3-4) in an SCC triumph. Ashley Lopez added two goals for Long Beach and sophomore defenders Marissa Macias and Priscilla Perez each had two assists. LBCC closes its regular season Friday at El Camino.
Men's soccer
Benito Gonzalez recorded four saves for host Cerritos, which posted a 5-0 SCC victory over Pasadena City.
The Falcons (12-5-3, 8-4-1) visit Mt. SAC in their SCC finale Friday.
Long Beach City 2, ECC Compton 2: Manuel Larios and Kevin Jimenez each scored a goal for the host Vikings (4-12-4, 2-7-4) in an SCC draw.


text:
Panthers lead Bruins, 2-1, after two
|12.27.10 at 9:03 pm ET
After some back-and-forth, as well as some video review, the Panthers are leading the Bruins, 2-1, heading into the third period.
After a Steven Kampfer turnover in the Bruins' end led to David Booth scoring his ninth of the season on a snapshot, Tim Thomas came up big in stopping Chris Higgins on a breakaway.
David Krejci scored his first goal in five games when he whacked a rebound off a Michael Ryder bid past BC product Scott Clemmensen. Zdeno Chara, whose slapshot set up the initial rebound to Ryder, picked up his first point in seven games.
Michael Frolik snapped one off from the point that was redirected by Mike Santorelli and past Thomas. The play was reviewed to determine whether Santorelli's stick was above cross-bar height and was ultimately ruled a goal.


text:
HJD3225 - Cutler-Hammer Circuit Breaker
- Description
- Shipping Details
- Item Condition
- Review(s)
HJD3225 - Cutler-Hammer Molded Case Circuit Breaker
This product is a molded case circuit 3 pole 225 ampere with Hjd type Frame, it has a standard interrupting capacity with non-interchangeable trip, (LI) Long-Time and Instantaneous trip functions and line & load side lug terminals, thermal magnetic, molded case circuit breakers.
We have this product in stock, ready to ship today.
Specifications :
Manufacturer : Cutler-Hammer
Cat. No. : HJD3225
Alternate Part No. : HJD-3225
Product Type : Cutler-Hammer Molded Case Circuit Breaker
Frame Type : Hjd
Voltage Rating : 600 Vac At 50/60 Hz
Amperage : 225-Amps At 40 Deg C
No. Of Pole : 3-Pole
No. Of Phase : 3-Phase
Interrupting Rating : 100 Kiloampere At 240 Vac, 65 Kiloampere At 480 Vac, 25 Kiloampere At 600 Vac, 22 Kiloampere At 250 Vdc (Ul)
100 Kiloampere At 240 Vac, 65 Kiloampere At 380/415 Vac, 22 Kiloampere At 250 Vdc (Iec)
Terminal Aluminum/Copper Standard Pressure Line Terminal, Standard Pressure Load Terminal
Size 4.125 Inch W X 4.063 Inch D X 10 Inch H
Hjd Model
Applicable Standard Iec 157-1
Approvals : UL
Authentic Cutler-Hammer Product.
Free Shipping Policy
- Orders with item value overe $100 qualify for free ground shipping within the continental US.
- We do not charge for handling or minimum order on any orders.
- SuperBreakers does not ship on customer accounts.
Same Day Shipping
- We strive to ship out your items the same day the order is placed.
- In exceptional circumstance, SuperBreakers reserves up to 5 business days to consolidate orders for complete shipment.
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- Orders being sent via 2 Day Shipping, 3 Day Business and Next Day Air must be received by 3pm EST to Guarantee same-day shipments.
- Expedite orders only ship on normal business days. Saturday and Sunday are not normal business days.
Clickfor additional shipping details and restrictions.
SuperBreakers classifies new Cutler Hammer HJD3225's as items that have not been energized previously. These HJD3225's generally will be new in manufacturer boxes. obtained from established independent procurement channels. SuperBreakers is not an authorized distributor of any manufacturer. On occasion a new surplus, opened box or new out of box HJD3225 may be shipped where items are deemed to be unenergized and never wired as determined by SuperBreakers. All new products carry a 1-year warranty from SuperBreakers.
Re-Certified Cutler Hammer HJD3225's are offered by SuperBreakers as a way to save over the cost of purchasing new. These Cutler Hammer products benefit from a highly selective process where they are cleaned, tested and repackaged to our exacting standard by our technicians.
All Re-Certified HJD3225's from SuperBreakers are priced aggressively and carry a 2-year warranty to assure our customers guaranteed operation without interruption of service. Please note that we cannot guarantee current vintage or "like-new" condition on these items.


text: I am helping a friend pick a 45 acp handgun for ccw. The want a small package,hi cap, and want to keep price down. The Taurus PT 145 looks like the perfect combo of form/function, but we are concerned with Taurus quality and holster options for the handgun. Opinions/experience with PT145? Any IWB holsters that are from reputable makers out there for pt 145? Thanks!


text:
DISCOUNCERT: Roxette concert in Barcelona
Today we want to announce Roxette's concert in Barcelona. SAVE THE DATE: May 14, 2015.
The European tour (XXX - The 30th Anniversary Tour) of the Norwegian duo "Roxette" began last October 2014 and will go through the Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona in May, after performing in Italy, France, Netherlands, Romania, Hungary, Germany, Austria and Poland.
Important data: after the summer of 2015, Roxette will launch a new album, and the XXX - The 30th Anniversary Tour will end in 2016 with the thirtieth anniversary of the duo: Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle.
Do not let them tell you!
WHERE: Palau Sant Jordi Barcelona
WHEN: May 14, 2015 at 21: 30h
TICKETS: here
REMEMBER that with the Discouncerts you will have a 10% discount on your stay in Barcelona. Show your ticket at the front desk when you arrive.


text:
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Beginning a Sulawesi tank *update 4/21*
(planning and building are easy, I suppose its getting the livestock and keeping them alive that will pose the challenge!)
Well, I am now starting my second scape (not counting a 10 gallon crs tank) and my wife has informed me it will be my last! Well, I better make it worth while then.
My goal is to have a Sulawesi biotope, very different from my 90 gallon. This one will have a pH between 7 and 8, lower light ( 2watts per gallon) and fewer plants - i am thinking moss and emergent growth plants,(up through the surface) maybe more Giant Hair Grass. Please let me know if you can suggest any plants that would be appropriate.
The tank:
A 60 regular = 48" x 15" and 17" high.
The mechanicals - This will be a closed loop system.
4 holes (1 and 3/4 inch diameter). The water from the tank will go through 2 x 1" bulk heads with a shrimp friendly modified prefilter. The returns will be split - two 3/4 in Loc-Line nozzles at the substrate level, and an over the top-edge Loc-Line with flared nozzles at the surface to keep things flowing and well aerated.
Filtration -
mechanical will be provided by a 20 inch Big Blue whole house sediment filter. This will take 4.5" x 20" pleated polyester cartridges - 50 micron - by Flow- Max. These are chemically resistant which will allow them to be cleaned and re-used. Flow rate through put on these is 20gpm at 2psi. The housing was available for $26 on e-bay and the cartridges are $18. A big savings over the $160 Ocean Clear with a $60 cartridge! Performance is equivalent.
Biological - That Pet Place had the Ocean Clear 354 Polybead filter for $61! This has 7 lbs of small beads to host one heck of a bacterial colony for breaking down organic waste. I will inoculate the filter from my existing filter on the 90g tank.
Mechanical part two. I have a small filter housing that will take a 20 micron pleated cartridge for polishing the water coming from the Ocean Clear. Probably not necessary but I love clear water.
UV - I got an 18 watt Aqua Ultraviolet system. - Don't want to allow pathogens to spread and don't want green water.
Heater - 300 watt Hydor Theo plumbed in line
Substrate About 50% crushed coral gravel, 40% ADA Aqua soil "Malaya" and 10% fine sand. Interesting note: my tap comes out with a pH around 8. Even with the crushed coral, the aqua soil brings the pH down to 6.8 over night. I am changing 50% of the water daily to hopefully over come the buffering. Powerful stuff!
Lighting - an old Power Compact system with two 55 watt bulbs and a white plastic reflector. If I go with my plan of looking for plants that will grow out of the water, I will have to consider raising the light and installing better reflectors. We'll see.
No CO2 yet. Not sure I want/ need it. preventing algae will be different in this tank
Here are the picks so far:
Drilling stuff
Braced the rig to keep it steady
Built another stand
The lower shelf with it's acrylic overlay to protect from the inevitable spills
My pre filter with Shrimp friendly screen
Intake and outputs
The rest of the plumbing - yikes
The tank - I am a lousy photographer, sorry
Some detail - the Aqua soil has been placed on either end, held up by the rocks. The middle had crushed coral laid down and then I dropped the sand in from the top with the filter flowing - it created a cool rippled surfaced like you would see on a sandy bottom exposed to waves or current.
a different view
this is really cool to see in person - I can't capture it in pics.
The right side
right side with two Chocolate Poso snails
The left side
The center
Finally the filters (and some tank)
Obviously, I have more to do. I will probably start with some moss and hair grass. I also have three small, Erio "sulawesi" that I'll put in. but I am looking for help with plant selections - this is where I am a NOOB! I don't know that many plants, especially ones that work well north of pH 7.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Wow. This is a seriously ambitious project. Look at all those plumbing fittings. :eek5:
That's a great hardscape man. I wonder why you don't see more like that. It looks very natural.
An obvious guess for plants would be crypts, although I understand that most of the high pH crypts are from Sri Lanka, not Indonesia. Somebody here ought to be able to suggest some good authentic plants.
Really fantastic scape. How exactly were you planning on growing mosses? Attached to additional rocks, or are you planning on adding driftwood?
You're the first person I've seen using Malaya. Very interesting.
First - thanks again for the stand design! It's great.
Second - you are a good choice to help me with a plant selection question. I have read that the Sulawesi lakes do have reeds and other plants that grow out of the water in shrimp habitat. I was thinking about Giant Hair grass as I have some. Do you have any other suggestions? I would like they plants to be able to access atmospheric CO2 instead of pumping it into the tank at high levels. Don't want to lower the pH or gas the shrimp.
Any thoughts?
As for the moss, I will attach it to small rocks and fit it into a few crevices.
Love, love, love the way the sand and rocks make the bottom look like a river system :proud:! Looking forward to seeing the rest of the scape.
Hope you're gonna have lots of luck with your Sulawesis, so you can sell some to me in a few months :biggrin:.
You know for underwater plants needle-leaf Java fern might be a good one to start with. You might want to cut back on the lighting for this non-CO2 and high pH setup.
Thanks for your suggestion
double post - woot!
i just remembered this link. it has some good photos of what you're recreating.
So long as the room air isn't too dry Java fern can work great as an emersed plant too.
I don't know how authentic it would be, but Cryptocoryne ciliata is another one that will grow happily emersed and likes hard water. You could plant ciliata right in the bottom, or in riparium planters. C. balansae--better as an underwater plant--also grows best in hard water
Those look like some kind of Vallisneria in the link (from that very unpopular Website) that oldpunk78 posted. Vals are also good ones for hard water. I don't know Vallisneria at all really, but the plants in those pictures look like they have very short leaves, with long flower stalks. Something like that would scale nice with your tank.
I like Vallisneria. Those lake-bottom pictures resemble the hard water lakes that we have around here, in the springtime, before they fill up with stinky algae.
Wow. Your tank looks great already with out any plants.
Old Punk - thank you for the link. I have done some searching for info but those pictures are great.
Hydrophyte, I have some plant lists from some searches and I think they are a species of Val. At any rate, it looks like something with a grass like form would be a good choice.
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UKRAINIAN Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and the entire government resigned on Monday in a surprise move after controversial elections as the economy teeters on the brink of recession.
The presidency said President Viktor Yanukovych had accepted Azarov's request to give up his post and become an MP, a move expected to be repeated by several cabinet ministers.
It remained unclear who would fill the powerful post of premier, with some analysts speculating it could go to a member of the elite close to Yanukovych known as the "Family".
"President Viktor Yanukovych accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, satisfying the demand of the latter," the statement added.
The move comes as a new parliament prepares to meet after October 28 legislative elections which raised new concerns about democratic standards under Yanukovych.
The ruling Regions Party appears to have retained control of the Verkhovna Rada with the help of independents despite a strong challenge from the opposition parties of boxer Vitali Klitschko and imprisoned ex-premier Yulia Tymoshenko.
OSCE observers slammed the polls as a setback for Ukraine, marred by the absence of Tymoshenko who is serving a seven-year sentence on abuse of power charges she says were trumped up by Yanukovych.
But economists also fear the country is entering troubled times and could be on the brink of a new recession that would see it seek billions of dollars in disbursements from an IMF standby package.
Ukraine's economy contracted by 1.2 percent in the third quarter of this year, and several banks fear the country is heading for zero growth in 2012, not to mention a sharp devaluation of the local currency.
"This (the resignation) is linked to a number of economic challenges which Ukraine has fallen into thanks to this president and this government," said opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk.
A Russian-speaking bureaucrat mocked by many in Ukraine for his dry and humourless image, Azarov took office in 2010 shortly after Yanukovych defeated Tymoshenko in a fiercely contested presidential election.
Azarov has always been seen as a close ally of Yanukovych, but some analysts believe his power base has been undermined by the recent rise of a "Family" of close acquaintances of the president into top positions.
Possible successors to Azarov could include First Deputy Prime Minister Valery Khoroshkovsky and National Bank chief Sergiy Arbuzov, analysts said.
Originally published as Ukraine's government, PM resign en masse


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Spring Family Fun: Free drop-in activities
- Sponsor:
- Location:
- Sarah P. Duke Gardens - Map
- When:
- Contact:
Smith, Sara
- Email:
- Phone:
Join us on Sundays in April and May to enjoy several activity stations and displays. Each week we will focus on science or craft projects, often including something to make and take home. Learn about nature and discover the wonders of the world. Please go to our website for a full schedule of activities and displays. Location TBA at the front desk in the Doris Duke Center. No registration and no participation limits. Adult chaperone required.


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Category: baby boy names 2011
Want the hottest baby name trends for 2012? Check out our baby names 2012 story.
Baby names 2011 signal a new lighter feel in the air and more optimistic outlook for our offspring. Here, our predictions for the top trends for baby names 2011.
For a long time, as girls marched in masculine naming territory, appropriating such boys' names as Blair and Blake, Avery and Riley, Peyton and Parker, the boys retreated to firmly male turf, reviving such classics as William and Henry, forging into new macho terrain with names like Hunter and Stone.
It was okay, the thinking went with names as with clothing, toys, and career aspirations, for girls to adopt masculine attributes, but not for boys to take up girlish things.
Now, though, something surprising has happened. Boys' names are getting decidedly softer, with traditional choices that include sibilant sounds and vowel endings gaining in popularity, and parents reclaiming unisex names for their sons.


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Few things put as big a smile on City Manager Kevin Duggan's face as his story of meeting the founders of Google. When Larry Page and Sergei Brin came looking for a home in Mountain View, their servers were small enough to fit in a closet. Perhaps it was thanks to Duggan's charm that the city is now home to "the hottest company in the world" as he likes to say.
Read the full story here Web Link posted Friday, December 17, 2010, 12:00 AM
Town Square
End of an era: Duggan stepping down
Original post made on Apr 24, 2011
Like this commentPosted by Observer
a resident of Old Mountain View
on Apr 24, 2011 at 8:43 am
Yeah, I'd be smiling too, but for leaving the city and taxpayers strapped for years.
Duggan, Kevin C City Manager
City Manager
Salary $280,374
Overtime $3,354
Total $283,728
Health/Dental/Vision $16,975
Employer Contrib to Retirement $32,444
Other income $9,349
Total $342,496
Web Link


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$2,300 2 bed 2321 West 10th Street, Los Angeles CA, 90006
Previously Listed $2,300 2 bed
2321 West 10th Street, MacArthur Park, Los Angeles, 90006
Commute to Downtown Florence-Graham
2321 West 10th Street is a 13 minute walk from the Metro Purple Line (805) and the Metro Red Line (802) at the Westlake / MacArthur Park Station stop.
This apartment is in the MacArthur Park neighborhood in Los Angeles. Nearby parks include South Bonnie Brae Tract Historic District, MacArthur Park and MacArthur Park, Los Angeles, CA.
2321 West 10th Street has a Walk Score of 94 out of 100. This location is a Walker's Paradise so daily errands do not require a car.
Upper unit in 27-unit building. 2-car Tandem Parking. Excellent location at 1.2 mile from LA Live and 1.8 miles from Korea town this property gives easy access to both and all of their restaurants and night life.Building built in 2009 with 2 spacious 2 BR and 2 bathrooms with split layout. Upgraded stainless still appliances including stove, freezer, dishwasher, washer and dryer.Building has an indoor courtyard for relaxing. 2 parking spaces, plus guest parking available.
Pets allowed:
Owner/manager tools | Report bad listing | From WestsideRentals.com
MacArthur Park, Los Angeles, 90006
Daily errands do not require a car.
Transit is convenient for most trips.
Mostly flat, minimal bike lanes.
About your score
Explore how far you can travel by car, bus, bike and foot from 2321 West 10th Street.
2321 West 10th Street has excellent transit which means transit is convenient for most trips. Car sharing is available from RelayRides and Zipcar.
Rail lines:
Metro Purple Line (805)
0.5 mi
Metro Red Line (802)
0.5 mi
Metro Blue Line (801)
1.3 mi
Metro Expo Line (806)
1.3 mi
Bus lines:
603 Metro Local Line
0.1 mi
28 Metro Local Line
0.1 mi
200 Metro Local Line
0.2 mi
728 Metro Rapid Line
0.2 mi
66 Metro Local Line
0.2 mi
18 Metro Local Line
0.8 mi
720 Metro Rapid Line
0.8 mi
51/52/352 Metro Local Line
0.8 mi
201 Metro Local Line
0.8 mi
Car shares:
View all MacArthur Park apartments on a map.
Search for homes in Los Angeles or find a Los Angeles real estate agent who knows walkable neighborhoods. Links will open on our partner site Redfin.com.
2321 West 10th Street is in the MacArthur Park neighborhood. MacArthur Park is the 2nd most walkable neighborhood in Los Angeles with a neighborhood Walk Score of 94.
Moving to Los Angeles from another city? View our moving to Los Angeles guide.


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Oregon Historical County Records Guide
Jackson County Scenic Images
J-ville Tavern Sign
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The neon sign for the J-ville Tavern in Jacksonville. (Photo No. jacDA0026)
About this image
Dimensions: 2571 x 3872 pixels (300 dpi version); Date created: July 2008; Camera: Nikon D80 Digital SLR; Lens: Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED; Photographer citation: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives; Keywords/Tags: vertical, Oregon, Jackson County, Jacksonville, downtown, J Ville Tavern, history, historic building, cars, sidewalk, sign, people, pedestrians, blue sky.
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How many people are named canyon?
I'm not sure, and I would like to know. My name is Canyon, and I made this question. If you know please answer it!
How many named bones are in the body?
The human body has 206 named bones, connective tissues that provide structure to the body. The femur, which is also known as the thigh bone, is the largest bone in the human skeleton. The stirrup b...
Read More »
How many babies are named Joelle?
So far as I know only 1. -Maker of this question.
How many named varieties of camellia are there?
There are more than 2,300 named varieties of Camellia currently. Camellias grow very slowly, and they bloom from winter through spring. Camellias are considered a shrub, and they are very susceptib...
Read More »
How many NFL teams are named after animals?
Of the 32 teams in the National Football League (NFL), 14 of them are named after animals. The 14 teams are the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colt...
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by Philip Connors
Discussed in this Article:
Sam Lipsyte, The Ask [Macmillan, 2010]
Sam Lipsyte, Home Land [Flamingo, 2004]
Sam Lipsyte, The Subject Steve [Broadway Books, 2001]
Sam Lipsyte hasn't always had it easy, despite an auspicious debut. His first book, a collection of razor-sharp stories called Venus Drive, came wrapped in blurbs by Padget Powell, Edmund White, Robert Stone, Robert Olen Butler, and Gordon Lish, among others—too many to fit on the book's back cover—and was named one of the twenty-five best books of 2000 by the Village Voice. Lipsyte's next book was a novel, The Subject Steve, a deeply sad yet somehow hilarious exercise in manic dystopia that appeared poised to catapult him into full-fledged book-world stardom, except it happened to be published on September 10, 2001, and plummeted into obscurity before it had a chance to register on the culture's radar, where circuits were just then overloaded. A damn shame, too, and not merely because the book was a wicked satire of millennial America but because it was prescient—too prescient for its own good, probably. "These goddamn countries were exporting horror and they had to be stopped. Maybe invaded, even," the narrator thinks after watching a film about airplanes hurtling out of the sky. Whole sections of the book are given over to meditations on torture and media synergy, plenty enough to have qualified Lipsyte as a dark prophet of a new age, if anyone had been listening. We were too busy pondering the horror of airplanes hurtling out of the sky.
The novel Home Land (2004), Lipsyte's third book, suffered for its predecessor's sales figures. Despite its being arguably the funniest American novel of the decade, three-dozen or so New York editors passed on the opportunity to publish it, or were forced to pass by the bean counters in the suites waving copies of the numbers for The Subject Steve. Home Land found a home first in the UK with Flamingo and only later as a paperback "original" from Picador in the States. Composed as a series of unpublishable updates to its narrator's high-school alumni newsletter, it became a cult hit by sheer force of prose personality, as if Lipsyte had channeled a justifiable bitterness into the most ribald and scabrous monologue of the new millennium:
It occurs to me . . . sitting here composing this latest update, that someday, if and when the collected works of Lewis Miner ever see the light of day, some futuristic editor-type might attempt to assemble these dispatches in a certain manner, to, for example, tell a story, or else effect some kind of thematic arrangement of interwoven leitmotifs: Work, Love, Masturbation. . . .
This would be a grave mistake.
What's all this storytelling stuff, anyway? Stories pour out of us daily, and most of them might not unfairly be lumped under the taxonomic heading: More Boring Than Your Neighbor's Spork Collection. Ever notice how whenever anybody says, 'Hey, have you got time for a story?' or 'You simply must hear this story' or even, in that down-to-business style of today, 'Quick story', you find yourself wishing some wheezing and pustular people-snatcher would burst through the wall and carry you off to some dank cave to feast on your viscera?
There's a reason you wish this.
Nobody likes a story, especially a good one.
Lipsyte is fond enough of this to recapitulate it, in more succinct form, in his newest novel, The Ask, now out in paperback: "Stories were like people. We pretended they all counted, but almost none of them did."
Lipsyte's narrators prefer an eloquent self-deprecation, aware that telling their stories is an act of outrageous hubris. As in Homeland, "'Pretentious mediocrity must have a place in this world, or why would Nature allow for it?' [Lewis] Miner asks. 'Each of us walks to the beat of a different drummer. It's just that some of these drummers suck'." But from beneath the self-loathing riffs bubbles a profound sadness, like caustic magma. Yes, these characters are funny, Lipsyte seems always to be saying, but their clowning masks a deep insecurity—in some cases maybe even a grief that verges on the unspeakable. Their lurid smiles are painted on their faces to camouflage the masks of despair carved in them by stupid choices, bad breaks, or the sudden death of someone they can't live without—maybe even all of these at once.
It may not be entirely louche to find elements of autobiography in all of Lipsyte's fiction. In an anthology of essays on the subject of caring for family members through illness or death,* Lipsyte once admitted that he'd made a mess of his life before he'd reached the age of twenty-five. He'd come home to live with his mother and straighten himself out after "a lot of bad drugs and bad decisions made in the interest of the bad drugs," and as he was pulling himself together his mother shared the news that she'd had a recurrence of her breast cancer. "I wondered who was going to ease my mother through this awful time while I was out in the world rebuilding my humanity," Lipsyte admitted. "I was sort of relieved when I realized it was going to be me. Why knock yourself out trying to resuscitate your life when you can cling to somebody else's?"
Once you've read and absorbed this relatively unknown and heartrending essay, you can't help but find its echos everywhere in Lipsyte: in the junkie who mixes his mother's cremains with his smack before shooting up in Venus Drive; in the eponymous Subject Steve, whose health-insurance company informs him that he's maxed out his lifetime benefits even as he's dying of an unknown disease; and in Lewis Miner, who admits that after his mother passed away he'd lunged across her hospital bed and "kissed her cold dead calves." No matter the story he's telling, Lipsyte is always laughing and crying simultaneously. The laughter is impossible to miss; the crying shows itself more subtly, in the runny face paint of his teary-eyed clowns.
If, in each of his first three books, Lipsyte wrote from the point of view of the bewildered offspring of flawed—or unjustly dead—parents, then The Ask marks a departure in that the narrator, Milo Burke, is burdened less by the generation before him than by the one after. There need be no worry that this shift will turn Lipsyte's perspective saccharine. Consider Milo's description of his four-year-old son Bernie as the two of them wait for Bernie's babysitter to arrive and whisk the kid off for the day: "A few seasons in Christine's cement yard with Queens County's puniest toughs and Bernie had the strut of an old-time dockside hustler. It was hard to imagine the boy completing kindergarten, remarkably easy to picture him in a tangle of fish knives and sailor cock under some soft-rot pier."
The story at the center of the novel concerns Milo's trials as a middle-class American, development officer at a mediocre university in New York City, "slab-bellied father," balding and undersexed husband, half-hearted devotee of Internet porn, and denizen of a world where the smart-aleck office temp extemporizes on the decline of empire: "America . . . was a run down and demented pimp. Our republic's whoremaster days were through. Whither that frost-nerved, diamond-fanged hustler who'd stormed Normandy, dick-smacked the Soviets, turned out such firm emerging-market flesh? Now our nation slumped in the corner of the pool hall, some gummy coot with a pint of Mad Dog and soggy yellow eyes, just another mark for the juvenile wolves." These are the novels first words, and they announce a journey fueled mostly by stylistic panache. Now that Don Delillo has drifted into the writing of austere philosophical inquiries half-disguised in the outerwear of fiction, Lipsyte is arguably the most energetic phrase-maker on the American scene.
Early on Milo loses his job over some ill-advised words to the daughter of a university donor, words judged to have constituted hate speech. Milo does not dispute the charge: He cops to his crime and is shown the door. With his days now free, he wanders the neighborhood where he lives in outer-borough New York. He haunts the local donut shop. He tries to be a proper father to his son, unsure of what would constitute success. His life has slid into terminal drift. He surveys what he sees on the streets with rueful sociological insight: "A man who looked like me, same eyewear, same order of sneaker, charged past. They were infiltrating, the freaking me's. The me's were going to wreck everything, hike rents, demand better salads. The me's were going to drive me away."
Soon Milo is called back to the job from which he'd been fired, given the task of nailing down a particular "ask" from a potential major donor to the mediocre university. The donor, a college friend of Milo's, has specifically requested Milo's services. The appearance of this apparition from his past reminds Milo of the life he'd once dreamed for himself. He'd wanted to be a painter, wanted a life of creativity—something purer than a life of consumption and breeding—but he'd given up. Instead he wanders alone through a marriage with a wife he suspects of having an affair with a gay office colleague, and a dismal career that hangs by a thread. Purdy, his old college chum, arrives on scene with ulterior motives only dimly perceived by Milo. Purdy's illegitimate son, Don, is just back from the Iraq War: bitter, enraged, equipped with two titanium legs he calls "my girls," courtesy of a roadside IED. Somehow Milo is supposed to assuage the mistrust felt by Don for the father he's never known; Purdy fears that his son, the product of a youthful liaison he'd just as soon hide from his wife, will come whirling into the present like the IED that maimed him and slice to shreds the life he's crafted for himself. If Milo is successful he'll secure "the give" from Purdy, bequeath the university a major chunk of change, and retrieve his job from the shame of his previous actions.
These are the rudiments of the plot—actually, this is the plot—but it's never plot that drives a Lipsyte novel. The engine is always in the language. Having just reread the summary above, it sounds to me like an outline for a novel by John Irving or Philip Roth. Lipsyte shares far less with their (admittedly disparate) methods than with, say—and here let us play that old literary game of bastard offspring—Kurt Vonnegut and Barry Hannah, masters of everyday absurdity and twisted syntax. The defining traits of Lipsyte's style are the looping arabesque, the sudden swerve, and the abrupt stop. And if Hemingway's style at its purest owed a great deal to the simple word "and," Lipsyte's sentences generate their coiled and sneaky power through its calculated absence.
He salts his books with familiar characters, repeating motifs: It can be an entertaining game to find the links from one work to another. The Subject Steve's best friend, for instance, turns out to have a tavern named for him in The Ask, and this is merely one of the more obscure winks. It's impossible not to keep a mental catalogue of the fake books (Tao Jones: A Poem Cycle, Favorite Recipes From the Mossad), newsletter names (Gimp Snatch—for handicap fetishists), cheese-rock bands (Spacklefinger), and album titles (Barbecue Pork Class Suicide, Sporemonger) sprinkled across the stories and novels. He never fails to make of the inanity of modern branding something snappily perverse. Repetition, that tried and true comedic strategy, is of course among Lipsyte's bag of tricks, as is a healthy dose of scatalogical absurdity; Milo describes a painting by a former college rival this way: "A river coursed through a verdant gorge. The sky bled rich reds and blues. In the mossy foreground, a nude woman tongued the anus of an elk." As often as not the laughs result from the sudden subversion of an earnest description or feeling.
Toward the end of the The Ask, Milo tries to imagine what has become of Don, whose sudden disappearance remains, for the moment, a mystery. Milo chooses to picture him on holiday somewhere in Europe:
Maybe Don would finally know that fallen joy, the empty liberation, of drinking an espresso or a crisp white ale and then strolling along some worn battlement where young men once lay in heaps, hacked and gored by halberds and axes and pikes, smashed by siege stones, and the women and children and old men lay nearby in other shit-streaked heaps, raped, dead of fever, all this slaughter just a little historical entertainment between cafe stops, the horror far in the past, bound up in modes of thought and styles of hosiery humankind would never abide again.
In that one simple phrase, 'styles of hosiery,' Lipsyte cuts against the grain of the preceding litany of horrific death, in a manner that briefly scrubs away the horror and makes it almost unreal—except of course it's not unreal, and certainly wouldn't be for Don, either, the Iraq War veteran intimate with scenes of human suffering Milo can never know. The clown smiles; the mask cracks; the tears run. Milo knows the score: "Perhaps I pictured this idyll just to avoid the truth, which was that Don was probably never going anywhere." Every so often, Lipsyte's narrators meet the truth head-on.
*An Uncertain Inheritance: Writers on Caring for Family, edited by Nell Casey (William Morrow, 2007).


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All I can say is WOW!
Welcome to the Quilting Board!
OHHHH I love it I have not been brave enough to start that quilt. Did you go throgh a BOM club or do all of it youself? It is stunning :!: :!:Originally Posted by Riley
Thank you all so much for your kind words! Each time I have posted a px, you have all been so kind with your pats on the back! You encourage me to keep right on stitching!
Tricia, I have had this done several years. I did this on my own, no BOM.
(BTW, I grew up in Erath County, North Central TX!)
At the time, there was not as much CW Repos available as we have now. (I would probably do things a tad differently if I were doing this now.) For the most part, it does have CW Repos used.
I did substitute Thimbleberries on some & on some, I used a few that just looked like they "should" be CW Repos! :mrgreen:
I learned more on this quilt than I have learned since 1993 when I began quilting. It is not all that hard after the first few...you learn as you go... it is time consuming though.
I would work on a few rows & then do other things. But it IS addictive! You always wonder what the next block brings. (I did mine in rows & in order.)
I am hand quilting(only kind I know how to do!) so I will be awhile. It is both a pleasure & a challange to hand quilt these blocks.
OH MY! I have rambled long enough to write a book--- so sorry!
Thanks again!!!! Riley
Thanks Tricia. Your quilts are great too! :) Wow Riley!! All i can say is wow!!! :)
I am soooooo impressed.. You did an amazing job picking fabric. I want to do one with bright colors because I always see it in repos. I have a hard time getting into the muddier brown colors. I can not believe you are hand quilting.... you go girl :thumbup:
My most numerous pieces quilt was 1320 for a lap size. I made it for my dil's mom on her 50th birthday.
Barb, Tricia, and Riley...your quilts are beautiful!!!
Carol's 50th birthday quilt
I think whatever you do this quilt in, Tricia, it will be a wonderful thing of beauty!
I am handquilting because that is all I know how to do.
Would you also faint if I told you I hand pieced the Jane Stickle Quilt? :mrgreen: That is my preferred method & almost everything I do is handpieced.
(My DH is disabled & I can sit there & hand piece & quilt without running back & forth to check on him---so it is easier for me to do it that way!)
YOUR quilt is also a beauty, BJ!!! WOW, lots of talented people here!
Thanks again!!! Riley
I just knew eveyone would post their beautiful quilts if I asked.
BJ I love the quilt and bought the book recently. Just gathering fabric for it. The fabric is soooo important in this quilt. Yours is fantastic!!
Originally Posted by Riley
WOW all I can say is WOW!!! what an amazing quilt!!! What an accomplishment!!!
As for me I think mine would be 2,000 in my Y2K quilt. I don't have a photo of it right now as it is packed away in storage until I move into my home. I will take one once I move and unpack the little darling!! :)
Oh wow bj! I've never seen a pattern like that, absolutely beautiful!!! :)


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The X Factor final is but six days away and we know who the finalists will be singing with!
The names in the mix so far have included stars such as Adele and Beyonce and insiders claimed that The Killers and even Jane McDonald were being lined up by bosses to join the last remaining contestants on the stage.
Well scrub all that because it seems there will be no one new on the show next weekend.
We already know that Emeli Sande and One Direction will be performing over the two night finale, which will be staged in Manchester Central but apparently they won't be singing with any of the three acts.
Instead Jahmene Douglas, James Arthur and Christopher Maloney will each be taking to the stage with…….their mentors.
Olly Murs just revealed:
"Jahmene and James will be duetting with Nicole and Christopher will be duetting with Gary Barlow."
So a carbon copy of last year's final then.
In 2011 Tulisa Contostavlos sang with Little Mix, Kelly Rowland performed with Amelia Lily and Gary Barlow crooned a Stevie Wonder song with Marcus Collins.
We enjoyed the performances immensely at the time but we have to admit, we would have liked to see some real star power on the show this Saturday and Sunday and we would have expected Simon Cowell to have pulled in some major industry names, as a way of boosting ratings if nothing else.
What do you think of the news? What songs would you like to see Nicole and Gary sing with their hopefuls?
We want to hear from you in the comments section below!
Also, check out all the details, spoilers and news on this year's final here.


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New scam promises fake tax refunds
A recent warning released by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reports that a recent scam promising fake returns is targeting senior citizens and low-income individuals. Every year during tax season, scammers find new ways to steal money from taxpayers. In response, every year the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) publishes aRead More


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I'm currently in Africa, a continent full of dictators whose presumably noble original intentions have morphed into despotism as those in charge of a country conflate their personal best interests, with the country's overall interest.
Even nominally democratic South Africa resembles a one party state (in the Singapore tradition, rather than the more malign alternatives) with the ANC undefeatable in the national parliament and eight of the nine provincial governments.
The best of intentions often descend into a mixture of incompetence and even corruption when a political party, or a politician, rules for too long with no real chance of losing an election to the opposition.
In South Africa, one of the nine provincial governments has elected a Premier from a different party. In Western Cape, Helen Zille is the Governor, representing the Democratic Alliance which she is also the federal leader of.
Zille is praised widely in Cape Town, a city she used to be the Mayor of, and was proclaimed World's best Mayor in 2008. In Cape Town crime has declined massively (down 90% in the BCD over five years) and the economy grew 12% in her first two years in office.
Now in case anyone thinks Zille is some sort of opponent of equality, she was the journalist (when in her 20s) who exposed the truth behind the death in custody of Steve Biko. She was arrested by the apartheid era Government for her activities. This helps explain why she increased the vote for the Democratic Alliance by 24% in a province which is 50% coloured, 30% black and 18% white.
The thing that strikes me the most is the corrupting influence of unchallenged power, and how essential it is to have both a viable alternative in the opposition, but also limits on how long individuals can wield power.
In how many countries has a ruler who has served say more than 15 years actually been good for the country? There are one or two exceptions such as Singapore, but the far more common alternative is Zimbabwe where the bread basket of Africa has become a failed state due to the inability of one man to surrender power.
Now in New Zealand, we do not face these problems. John Key does not want to rule for ever. I suspect he would be glad to serve for eight years or so, and then depart Parliament in 2017. However for far too many politicians, politics is about how often they can get re-elected.
Hence I have been a long-term champion of term limits for both MPs and PMs. I first proposed a six term term limit for MPs in the early 1990s when I was a Young National. The NZ Herald helpfully pointed out that the only two MPs it would effect and push out of Parliament were jim Bolger and Bill Birch, neglecting to mention I had proposed existing MPs be grand-fathered in. So I avoided the Beehive for a few months.
I still believe a term limit of say six terms would be a good thing for New Zealand. If MPs knew that they had a maximum tenure in Parliament, I believe they would focus more on what they could achieve during that limited time, rather than be focused on how to get re-elected time after time after time.
Arguably one could also have a term limit for the top job of Prime Minister also. Isn't nine years enough for any one person to make a contribution?
Some people argue against term limits saying they are undemocratic as they prevent the public from voting the same person back into office time after time. But I see it differently. I think incumbents have a huge advantage often, and term limits stop them using that incumbency advantage to retain power for extended periods of time. Consider what limits of excess US Presidents might go to, if they were able to seek re-election for more than two terms. The moral (and now constitutional) limit of two terms set be George Washington has been one of their greatest strengths - especially when you contrast how it has been exploited in Russia with Putin's thirst for continual power.
So I hope the constitutional review next year considers the issue of term limits and recommends them. I think it would improve government in New Zealand.


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Sci-Fit's Carb Suppress has been designed to reduce the body's ability to absorb carbohydrates through the small intestine.
How does Carb Suppress work? The "carbohydrate inhibiting" action of Carb Suppress is centered around the main ingredient "Phaseolus Vulgaris" (white kidney bean extract). Research has shown Phaseolus Vulgaris to inhibit the ability of the enzyme alpha amylase to break down starchy carbohydrates.
• Reduces carbohydrate absorption
• Contains Phaseolus Vulgaris
• Breaks down starchy carbohydrates
Starchy carbohydrates are too large to be absorbed through the small intestine. They must be broken down into smaller molecules and to do this you need the enzyme alpha amylase. As Carb Suppress inhibits the action of alpha amylase, the starchy carbohydrates are not able to be absorbed and will simply be passed through.
Staff Notes: Carb Suppress, developed by Sci-Fit, reduces carbohydrate absorption by breaking them down with its main ingredient, Phaseolus Vulgaris.
Review This Product & You Could Win $100! »
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Two weeks ago we got our first listen of actress turned singer Leighton Meester's debut single Somebody To Love (which features sexy crooner Robin Thicke) and today we get to check out behind the scenes photos from her music video shoot. Here are a few pics of Leighton on the NYC set of her video for Somebody To Love:
I understand this video was directed by Zoe Cassavetes and the single is already available for purchase on iTunes HERE. Now, because Robin Thicke sings with Meester in the song you'd prolly expect him to be in the video, right? Well … you're in luck, cuz he is! After the jump, check out a few behind-the-scenes photos of Robin on the music video set lookin' all kinds of hawt …
Woot!! As much as I love hearing Robin sing on the track, I think I prefer seeing him in the video :) This music video looks like it's gonna be steamy. I can't wait to see how it turns out.


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Senator Feinstein (D, CA) plans to introduce her oppressive, infringing, gun banning bill tomorrow. It would ban about 80% of modern firearms: most firearms with detectable mags, all magazines over 10 rounds, certain cosmetic features on any type of firearm, it will ban the transfer, importation, and manufacture a long list of guns, and only grandfather firearms with a $200 tax per gun, lots of red tape and owner registration for confiscation further down the road. This bill is so insane it hopefully won't go far, but contact your representatives now and let them know how you feel!
This is her current wish list she has proposed:
- Bans the sale, transfer, importation, or manufacturing of:
- 120 specifically-named firearms [no list shown, perhaps the list from bill H.R. 1022?]
- Certain other semiautomatic rifles, handguns, shotguns that can accept a detachable magazine and have one military characteristic
- Semiautomatic rifles and handguns with a fixed magazine that can accept more than 10 rounds
- Strengthens the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban and various state bans by:
- Moving from a 2-characteristic test to a 1-characteristic test
- Eliminating the easy-to-remove bayonet mounts and flash suppressors from the characteristics test
- Banning firearms with "thumbhole stocks" and "bullet buttons" to address attempts to "work around" prior bans
- Bans large-capacity ammunition feeding devices capable of accepting more than 10 rounds.
- Requires that grandfathered weapons be registered under the National Firearms Act, [same restrictive regulations as owning a machine gun since 1934] to include:
- Background check of owner and any transferee;
- Type and serial number of the firearm;
- Positive identification, including photograph and fingerprint;
- Certification from local law enforcement of identity and that possession would not violate State or local law; and
- Dedicated funding for ATF to implement registration
In essence this is a ban of all self loading firearms that have been around for over 100 years. The "grandfathering" clause demands complete registration and strict approval that is required as ownership of a rare machine gun. This is not "reasonable" in the least. But what do you expect from an anti-gun extremist who also declares:
"If I could have gotten 51 votes in the Senate of the United States for an outright ban, picking up every one of them . . . Mr. and Mrs. America, turn 'em all in, I would have done it. I could not do that. The votes weren't here."[24] (Feinstein said on CBS-TV's 60 Minutes, February 5, 1995)
Contact your representatives continually until they recognize our freedoms and stop attempting to infringe on them.
Read more on Feinstein's Past Plans


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Today marks the start of the inaugural Auckland Restaurant Month, an 18-day event involving more than 60 central city eateries.
Modelled on similar events in other cities around the globe, restaurant month aims to showcase a range of Auckland eating spots - from institutions to undiscovered and quirky eateries.
Participating restaurants have created special offers for the duration of the event, with set menus at the various eateries classified in one of three different budget categories: under $20, $21-$30 and $30 or over.
Heart of the City chief executive Alex Swney said the response from local businesses had been outstanding.
"There are 61 restaurants in this inaugural event and through the planning of [it] we can't believe the number of people who've come on board and said, 'look, we want to do this next year and this next year,' so we're quite convinced that we're clearly onto a winner."
Swney said Heart of the City believed events were the "the cornerstone to modern, urban tourism economies" and said the association's aim was to stage at least one substantial event every month.
"No one's going to come here from the Hawkes Bay because we've got great wine and no one's going to come here from Nelson because we've got beautiful beaches, they come because we have got an urban story to tell," he said.
In addition to special set-menu prices, people dining at participating restaurants over the next two-and-a-half weeks will be invited to enter a draw to win a trip for two to next year's New York City Restaurant Week.
The inaugural Auckland Restaurant Month runs from Thursday, July 28 - Sunday, August 14.
For more information and to find out which restaurants are participating, see biglittlecity.co.nz.


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Blogs Liberty and Power Musings on McCain and ChechnyaSep 5, 2004 8:58 am
Musings on McCain and Chechnya
Just saw John McCain on This Week with George Stephanopoulos. I was astonished by how the arguments he uses, and those offered by many in the Bush administration, parallel the welfare liberal sociology that we heard for several generations as an explanation for why kids go into a life of crime: that when people have no hope and no opportunity, they are prime candidates for becoming criminals. McCain simply uses that as a rationale for why young people in the Middle East become terrorists. No hope, no opportunity. So the US must simply go in there and provide them with hope and opportunity. The Great Society Goes Global! Bring in HUD!
Something else I found curious: McCain has long understood that brutal Russian policies toward Chechnya are fueling the spread of lethal terrorism there, resulting this past week in the horrific deaths of over 300 people, many of them children. Indeed, Chechen terrorists are not at war with the Russian"way of life"; they are at war, McCain understands, with Russian policies,"blowback" leading to terrible tragedies like the one at Middle School No. 1 in Beslan.
Likewise, as I have argued, here and elsewhere:
the history of US policy in the Middle East has provided, at least partially, the context for the current problems with Islamic terrorists. That is not a justification for Islamic terrorism against innocent American civilians; but it does provide, at least partially, an understanding of the context within which such terrorism has taken root and flourished. There is a difference between explanation and justification. I say"partially" because the vast array of problems in that region cannot simply be reduced to a pure product of US intervention. There are tribal, ethnic, and religious conflicts fomenting in the Middle East, which long predate US intervention—and which have now become deeply intertwined with the US presence. The US has stepped into a minefield of historical complexities, which can only generate explosive unintended consequences over the long-term.
The phenomenon of unintended consequences is equally applicable to the current Russian-Chechen situation. As George Will observed on"This Week," the current context represents a collision of nationalism, ethnicity, and religion, complicated now by the fact that the long nationalist war for Chechen independence is drawing power from Muslim separatists. But none of these factors can be abstracted from the context of policies pursued. In the long run, different policies will be necessary. In Chechnya. And in the Middle East.
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- Bozeman schools prefer kids in class on MLK Day
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- Trump Budget Proposes Devastating Cuts to Federal History, Archival & Education Programs
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- Jill Lepore: Americans Aren't Just Divided Politically, They're Divided Over History Too
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- Diane Ravitch says the Democrats paved the way for the education secretary's efforts to privatize our public schools
- Mark Moyar explains why he came to believe the Vietnam War was winnable
- How should Texas high schoolers learn history?


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I was hit with a rock block that took me on a demon hellride. I was shunned by the Jame session. I heard no rock and roll music at all!
by Wesley Willis October 25, 2004
When a friend or colleague does something to prevent rock and roll from happening.
i.e. changing the radio station from rock to rap, or the turning off of someone's amp during band practice.
i.e. changing the radio station from rock to rap, or the turning off of someone's amp during band practice.
by Skittles135 November 11, 2008
I was in the car with my friend when a Lady Gaga song came on. I tried to listen for a little bit, but my friend just got way too into it so I had to ROCK BLOCK him.
by GPREANY July 26, 2011
The notice of an engagement ring when sizing up a potential mate.
I saw this hottie the other day at Starbucks talking on her cellphone. She smiled at me and I thought to myself, "Game on!" That was until I approached the bar and saw the band on her cellhand. Total rock block!
by Drewsus September 06, 2007
Like when Fred had been talking to the cute waitress at Texas Road House for weeks before he saw her hand and realized he'd been rockblocked
by deathsled November 16, 2006
Similar to a cock block, a rock block is when someone or a group of people purposefully sabatoge a drug deal. Although this term has roots in the crack cocaine trade it can be used for all kinds of drug deals which go bad. Busted gang membems will sometimes cooperate with police and rock block in order to get a reduced sentence for their own crimes or they'll rock block out of revenge.
by Sid Barrett January 20, 2011
by Chris Pez August 29, 2007
The vengeful act of crapping on a lover's chest while they sleep.Buy the plush


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Does anyone make 9600m gt work on acer 5920g?
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Can Kejriwal be tried under IT Act, asks BJP MP
The BJP MP wanted action against Kejriwal for his allegations against Parliament, political parties and their leaders.
New Delhi: Can Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal be tried under the Information Technology Act for his allegations against Parliament, political parties and their leaders? This question was asked in the Rajya Sabha on Friday by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member Jai Prakash Narayan Singh.
Replying to this, Telecom and IT Minister Kapil Sibal said though he would not like to name any person in the House, but there were provisions in the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to sue for making defamatory allegations. "But if we misuse IT Act... I think it will be mockery of democracy. And I don't think it is right," he said.
Singh, while raising the question, said it had become a fashion to level allegations against people holding high positions to get publicity.
He referred to Kejriwal, founder of Aam Admi Party, and said he leveled allegations against Parliament, political parties and senior leaders and hogged limelight in the media. He wanted to know if there was any provision in the IT Act to book such people.


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Washington Theological Consortium
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Washington Theological Consortium is an ecumenical organization with its regular membership composed of Christian theological schools located in or near the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area that cooperate and share resources.[1][2]
A student enrolled at the master's level or above at a member institution may cross-register into courses offered by other member schools.[3] In addition, a student of one member institution may use and borrow from other institutions' libraries.[4]
In 2004, the consortium became the first group of its kind in the United States to include an Islamic graduate school, Cordoba University's Graduate School of Islamic and Social Sciences, as an affiliate.[5]
Members, Associates, and Affiliates[edit]
- Catholic University of America School of Theology and Religious Studies
- Howard University School of Divinity
- John Leland Center for Theological Studies
- Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
- Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies
- Reformed Theological Seminary
- Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University
- Virginia Theological Seminary
- Wesley Theological Seminary
Associates and Affiliates:[1]
- St. Paul's College
- Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation
- Woodstock Theological Center
- The Graduate School of Islamic and Social Sciences
- InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington
External links[edit]
- ^ a b c "Home Page". Washington Theological Consortium. Retrieved 2009-08-23.
- ^ "Mission Statement". Washington Theological Consortium. Retrieved 2009-08-23.
- ^ "Academic Practices". Washington Theological Consortium. Retrieved 2009-08-23.
- ^ "Borrowing Policies for Consortium Libraries". Washington Theological Consortium. Retrieved 2009-08-23.
- ^ Broadway, Bill (3 July 2004). "In Brief: Islamic School Joins Area Religious Group". Washington Post. p. B09. Retrieved 2009-08-23.


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I have a pair of sportiva Katana, size 38, UK 5. They're almost new, still got good edges. Only been used in the indoor wall.
stephenmurphysa at gmail dot com
La sportiva Katana 38, almost new R500
Do you have gear to sell? Looking for gear? Wanted & For Sale. Post it here.
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moisture barrier issue: oak hardwood over concrete slab
Last summer, we had a floor professionally installed.
From top to bottom, it looks like this:
3/4 tongue and groove prefinished red oak (Lauzon)
felt underlayment
2 layers of interior plywood (7-ply birch); layers are floating and screwed to each other
six mil plastic (seams covered with gorilla duct tape)
We are in the Bay Area of California and have had some significant rain. As a result, the plywood underneath appears to be buckling, causing a gap between the plywood subfloor and the hardwood; even thought the floor is naildown tongue and groove, you can see it flex when you walk across it. I recall that they did not leave much room for expansion between the plywood sheets.
I presume that the moisture barrier below was compromised or not installed properly. We don't have any cupping just yet. What are the long term prospects? If water vapor is getting through from the concrete, will the plywood completely rot over time, or just the very bottom? We do have 2 layers of 7-ply with felt on top of that before you get to the hardwood. I want to have some idea before I insist that the flooring company tear it all out and start from scratch. Many thanks in advance.
Off the cuff I would say there is an installation issue ( Mind you this is an internet assesment).
If there is so much moisture that it is buckling exterior grade plywood , then the floor should never have been installed. There isnt a moisture barrier in the world that will hold back that amount.
Did the installer or retailer do a moisture test befor the install?
Definately get them back there to address this. This is their fault
Thanks Mike. The plywood is interior grade (two layers of 7-ply)--not sure if that would differ from exterior grade. In any case, they said they were experts at installing on concrete slab... apparently not.
Your right too. It should have been exterior grade plywood but it still sounds like a serious moisture issue
"have had some significant rain" ?
Try a little honey before you break out the vinegar. Ask the floor installer... when would it be a good time for him to come out and help find the problem.
Well I had some crew out from the floor company. They claim that moisture isn't the issue, as individual boards would be cupping. Instead, what I've got are waves propagating across the floor when you walk on it, as the nail down floor has separated from the plywood sub floor by as much as 0.5 inch. They suggested that the plywood sheets which are floating and not anchored could be rocking on a the concrete floor beneath. The plywood has come up so much that they had to cut the french doors by about 0.5 inch just so they would open... A veritable mess this has become, but the hardwood itself has not been affected on a board by board basis.
Sorry to hear about the issue Paul. To start, it is hard to give an authoritative opinion without seeing the issue. It sounds like the plywood swelled as your floor has raised 1/2" and doors had to be trimmed.
More than likely it is a moisture issue that has affected the plywood and probably hasnt reached the flooring yet. For one, the concrete should have been sealed (plastic is the "poor mans" option). Second roofing paper is not a mositure sealer for hardwood flooring. I see this all the time and one of the biggest problems was roofing felt used in lieu of a proper moisture barrier.
By the sounds of the flooring install, it seems they did float it correctly, but may have put each piece of plywood too closely together. I wish there was an easy fix, but I am afraid if it is moisture, there is not. The only way to prevent the growth and future problems, is to remove the flooring and seal the concrete.
If you have any questions you can e-mail me at jordanpeterson72 at gmail.com.
#1 plywood should NEVER be laid tight together.
#2 moisture is the only reason plywood will swell
What I would recomend is to contact the NWFA and arrange for an independent inspection. The will charge you, but you will also get a definitive answer (in most cases). Sounds like a ripout to me, and installer error IMHO, sight unseen. Do yourself a favor and contact the NWFA, they can help.
To me, installing plywood over a slab, whether on grade or below is not smart. That goes double when hardwood is then installed or it. People have been trying things like that for ever, it works much of the time, but it's a high risk installation.
There are procedures to installing 3/4" hardwood over a slab, but most times cut-rate installers do not follow the rules.:furious:
here are some visuals of the problematic hardwood installation over concrete slab
Well I haven't been able to track down a hardwood floor inspector in my area (Bay Area, CA). Here is a link to a visualization of the issue that I am dealing with. Bear in mind this is a nail-down, not a floating floor. I bargained for a nice living room floor, not a trampoline. --Paul
The website for NWFA is nwfa.org but it seems to be down, not sure why.
Try here http://www.inspectors-experts.com/CA_A-L.html
Disclaimer: I have no affiliation at all with them, just googled :)
LOOK HERE: http://www.fitscertified.org/floorin...california.php
Paul I have one question for you. Is there a gas fireplace in this room?:)
Thanks for the link, deef1999.
Bud: There is no fireplace in the house. Just forced air heat.
I did have another wood floor company come over to look and they had a hard time believing that this isn't a floating floor. They had never seen a nail-down with this outcome. I just hate to spend the hard earned cash and end up with slowly rotting plywood under a trampoline floor.
Best regards,
That looks strange too me. Looks like all the boards move together like they are still nailed to the plywood but that the plywood has seperated from the second plywood layer. I am no expert but I would think for all the boards to move together like that it would have to be not nailed down, they didn't use very many nails or they drove every nail 90 percent through the product and they have worked their way the rest of the way through.:(
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The original Kong toy is a best seller for dog owners everywhere.
We like to put a little bit of peanut butter inside the Kong toy and it keeps our dogs busy for hours!These are made out of a durable rubber material that can last for years.
Aggressive chewing dogs should use the black rubber Kong toys found here.Red Kongs are recommended for dogs with an average chewing temperament. Available in five sizes.
Small - 3"Medium - 3.5"Large - 4"XLarge - 5"King - 6"
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Janesville, WIAfter the hunters have had a long day in the field at Cheyenne Ridge in South Dakota, they come in to a delicious spread of pheasant inspired dishes created by our Chef of the Month, Sean Finley. Besides creating flavorful dishes, Sean oversees all culinary operations for The High Adventure Company, a company that focuses on extraordinary hunting destinations throughout the world. Customers of The High Adventure Company expect world class hunts and meals that match the first class experience.
Your customers, vendors and employees will love receiving one of our great Corporate Gift Packs!Learn More


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Stop Counting Calories to Lose Weight
Recently I read an article entitled "Stop Counting Calories to Lose Weight." I was intrigued because I lost 100 pounds by counting my calories and I've kept the weight off now for 5 years by continuing to count my calories. (You can read more here: How to Count Calories.)
I went into the article expecting to hate it and rip it apart. Not because I think MY WAY is the best way, but because I've read a lot of articles criticizing calorie counting and it rubs me the wrong way when they discredit something that works. It may not work for everyone, but it works for a lot of people (I mean really, Weight Watchers is essentially calorie counting, just in a different format–points).
Let's talk about calorie counting for a minute. One question I get asked a lot is how I counted my calories. I've written a plethora of posts on the topic but the question that stands out is that people want to know if I tracked fat, carbs, etc. All those micro-nutrients and saturated fats, blah blah blah. Sure those things are probably important but I didn't track that. I didn't care. All I cared about was the calorie count because it was SIMPLE. I didn't want to overwhelm myself with all of those other things. Seriously, I couldn't fathom tracking all of those things because I was overwhelmed as it was and I was also hand writing everything! Now things are easier. There's websites and apps that do all that stuff for you.
"… not everyone has to count calories to lose weight. In fact, for some OCD people or people with eating disorders, it could be counterproductive. "
This is an excellent point about counting calories. If you struggle with restriction and have a history of eating disorders, it's probably not a good idea. Instead, discuss your options with a doctor or RD. I'm sure they have some alternatives that can help you succeed without triggering disordered thinking.
Intuitive Eating is a popular thing these days. There are a lot of bloggers out there that swear by it and there's a ton of books on the topic. I tried it once. It did not work for me. The reason it didn't work for me was because I'm a REFORMED BINGE EATER who used to be obese. "Intuitively" I want to binge eat. I have to practice self-control and willpower in order to not do this. While binge eating isn't something I have to worry about most days, there are still times in my life where I do want to revert back to the old habits I had. (Read these posts: Psychology of Weight Loss and Stop Dieting!)
When you spent half your life with bad habits and the desire to overeat, it's difficult to trust your mind and your body to eat only what it NEEDS to survive and not what it CRAVES. For me, there needs to be a happy medium between intuitive eating and calorie counting. I address it in more detail here: Why All or Nothing Doesn't Work For Me.
"…it is not necessary. Many people have gotten down to single digit body fat without ever counting a single calorie. They practiced portion control."
This is entirely possible. I know several people that practice portion control instead of calorie counting. I believe that portion control is a crucial element of weight loss and maintenance. Once you achieve goal weight, it's not like you can go back to eating an entire pizza in one sitting. You have to continue the healthy practices you did to lose the weight in the first place. But can you JUST measure portions out and still lose weight? You bet. I don't see why not.
"You need to focus on the quality of the food that's going into your mouth. Until your diet is 80-90 percent whole foods, you're wasting your time counting calories."
This has been an evolution for me. When I was first losing my weight I ate a TON of processed foods because they were portion controlled and I knew exactly how many calories I was eating (which made calorie tracking so much easier). Over the last few years that I've been maintaining 110 pounds lost, I've moved more toward eating natural, whole foods. The article recommends adding whole foods and remove processed foods from your diet. I agree whole-heartily. I love my veggie garden! 🙂
The bottom line is this: All Calories Are Not Equal. You cannot sustain a healthy body and lifestyle eating only 1500 calories of Twinkies in a day. It is true that there are much healthier calories we can be eating!
So while I went into the article expecting to hate it, I did agree with a lot of their points and suggestions. Counting calories works for me. I lost my weight and I've kept it off for years. Because it works so well, I've continued it.
What's your take on the article?
Lisa Eirene
About Lisa Eirene Lisa lost 110 pounds through calorie counting and exercise. She swims, bikes, runs, hikes and is enjoying life in Portland, Oregon. Her weight loss story has been featured in First Magazine, Yahoo Health, Woman's Day and Glamour.com.
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24 Responses to "Stop Counting Calories to Lose Weight"
I am with you. I'm overwhelmed with it all. Counting calories is simpler. The all or nothing approach does not work for me either! It's too restrictive. However, I do try to incorporate fruits and vegetables into my day as much as possible as well as make sure I've got protein goin' on. I'm not sure intuitive eating would work for me either. I think I'd have a lot of other food issues to overcome first…
I worry more about carbohydrates than calories due to my health condition but I agree it is all very overwhelming. Especially since there are so many different opinions about the right amount calories to eat etc. I just try to concentrate mostly on no processed food (hard one for me), eating regular meals/snacks and eating mostly veggies, fruit and meat.But counting calories has helped me realize how many are in fast food meals or eating out which has been very helpful in losing weight and why I continue to count!
I do think calories matter too. When I first started WW, those Bakers Breakfast Cookies came out and because they were so high in fiber, they ended up being 1 point each – they were huge and filling!
Fast forward a couple years, and they changed their labeling – calling 1 cookie 1/2 a serving and it ended up being a 300 calorie cookie! Sometimes I ate two because I was only "using" 2 WW points.
I use fatsecret.com to track my calories and to get nutrition labels for my recipes – love it!
I count weight watchers points….and though it is a tiring and boring exercise at times, its something that works when its done properly. Its very obvious that all calories aren't created equal, and I feel so much better spending points on filling healthy foods rather than junk. BUT…I had to go through all kinds of trial and error to reach that conclusion. Thanks for the through provoking post Lisa, have a great day.
I totally agree with it that learning to eat the right kinds of foods is a huge boon to the undertaking. I've found the better I eat, the less processed foods, the easier my losses are. I've also found healthier foods are not always more expensive.
I also very briefly tried the intuitive eating thing and my intuition told me to eat everything in the house… lol. Like you, I couldn't trust my body to say it had had enough thanks to years of bad eating habits.
And yup. WW is totally calorie counting, though don't ask me how many I eat in a day. I honestly don't know or care as long as the scale keeps moving. 🙂
I think you have to count something, whether it is portion size, calories, points, whatever. You just have to be aware of what you are eating. I think people can get really obsessive with exact calories and those people should stop counting. I have no problem with numbers and understand that they are an approximation at best.
Similar to how people have different learning styles, I think people have different eating styles as well. As a result, effective methods for losing weight can be varied.
For me (and it's taken some time to figure this out), it's a blend of paying attention to calories, serving size and macro-nutrient ratios. And the overall theme that seems to impact things the most is sticking with whole, healthy foods 85% of the time.
I have found eating whole foods, removing grains & dairy, and looking closely at carbs to be absolutely key in weight loss/maintenance. My carbs in weight maintenance are very, very narrow- so my weight can be effected by eating too much fruit on low activity days.
I wish I had understood this all the times I yo-yo'ed around. I can eat on the higher end of my calorie range on more active days- and a few more carbs, too- but there is a very fine line cut-off.
I track on MFP about 80% of the time. Keeps me on track.
As long as you stay in your "calorie range" you won't gain weight, it doesn't depend on what you eat. That you are more comfortable staying within that range by limiting carbohydrates is another matter.
Calories absolutely matter. That being said, I counted (or monitored) fat percentage which in essence had a similar affect. Fat has a lot more calories than carbs/protein so I naturally began to eat fewer calories. I also became a dedicated measurer of foods to help me control my portion sizes. We all have to find what works and for me, intuitive eating did not. I had too many emotional issues tied up with food to make that work for me, but I admire people who make it work.
To be honest, I dislike the idea of "intuitive eating," as choosing foods "intuitively" is what I reckon made a lot of people overweight in the first place – when I was overweight, my intuition told me that it's quite alright to eat a pizza and then, as a late meal, have nachos with cheese dip.
Other than that, I agree with you: counting calories worked for you (and for me), and while limiting calories is behind every successful loss of weight, counting them does not work for everybody.
I lost nearly 50lb through reducing my portion and limiting junk. I am more of an intuitive eater, I guess 🙂 I counted calories a few times, but not religiously. I mainly did it for a few days at a time to check myself, making sure I was eating what I thought I was. I eat similar foods most days so calorie counting every day would be redundant. I actually had my biggest problem when I got to my goal weight. I increased my intake, but not enough. I have lost around 4lb in 3 months because I guess I am eating just under maintence. Some people would love that problem, I'm sure, but I had just invested in size 10 stuff(which was a little loose) but the 4lb along with the weights I do has pushed me firmly into a size 8, and I can't afford to buy new clothes.


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Compressor problems
my compressor only builds up pressure up to 90 psi , how do i increse it to 150psi as it says on it that can run this high, the gague on it says 200 psi max , there is a nob that i can turn but only decreases the pressure , why does it stop pumping at 90 psi whats wrong with it ? where is the main valve that tells the compressor when to turn off ?
There will be a pressure switch in between the line cord and the motor; it will be connected to the tank or an air line. There should be a screw or nut to adjust the pressure setting. If this is one of those cheap oilless compressors, it may be hidden under a cover along with motor/pump assembly.
Yes, there will be a pressure switch in some where, pipe, compressor or air tank which you can adjust screw or spring.
Other things you should consider for more presure, maximum limited of tank, safety valve, the flex line cord.
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