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As Leicester City continue their charge towards Premier League glory, they now only have seven games to go before they could lift the title in England's top division. Coming from a team who were last season battling relegation it is a miracle, but will it be the biggest upset? Which other teams have gone on
Robbie Rogers is not the most recognisable name in football but after he revealed his retirement from the sport aged 25 on Friday, he has suddenly become familiar with supporters across the world. Rogers was most recently turning out for League One Stevenage on loan after being released from Leeds United in January, a series
In few of the revolutions in the past, there has always been that one single person whose contribution facilitated in turning the tides against the regime. In Egypt, that person was Google executive, Wael Ghonim who was incarcerated for 11 days in Egyptian prison for creating a Facebook page dedicated to the murdered 28-yr-old Khaled
A few days old but had to share this remarkable story with you. The boy you see above is Gabriel Muniz – an 11-yr-old Brazilian, born 170 miles northeast of Rio de Janeiro, with an unfortunate malformation of both feet. What makes his story interesting is that he is an aspiring footballer who wants to
Taken from Teifidancer Many may not know him by his name, but his action — is somehow linked to the long list of injustices that frequently does not take center stage when it comes to Israeli abuse of the innocent. The 25-year-old member of the Palestinian football team, Mahmoud Sarsak was finally released on Tuesday


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Upcoming Meetings
FDA-AACR: Liquid Biopsies in Oncology Drug and Device Development Workshop
The workshop is already fully booked but space is still available for the live webcast. For more information and to register for the webcast please click here.
Workshop Sessions:
- Session I – Cancer Liquid Biopsies: State of the Science
- Session II – Liquid Biopsies in Lung Cancer Drug Development and Clinical Use
- Session III – Liquid Biopsy Test Development
- Session IV – Accelerating Liquid Biopsy Applications to Improve Patient Care
Recent Meetings
ctDNA working group Meeting
Date: May 16, 2017
Place: Wuppertal
4th Steering Committee Meeting
Date: March 13-14, 2017
Place: Bologna
3rd Steering Committee Meeting
Date: October 3-4, 2016
Place: Helsinki
miRNA Work Package Meeting
Date: May 13, 2016
Place: Hilden (QIAGEN site)
2nd General Assembly Meeting
Date: March 21-22, 2016
Place: Hamburg
2nd Steering Committee Meeting
Date: January 25, 2016
Place: Berlin
Critical Path Innovation Meeting with FDA representatives
CANCER-ID had the unique chance to have a Critical Path Innovation Meeting (CPIM) with representatives of the FDA in order to discuss regulatory aspects of CTC, ctDNA and miRNA based companion diagnostic development. A lot of partners of the CANCER-ID consortium were interested and joined the meeting in form of a teleconference on October 20 2015.
For more information about CPIM please click here.
1st Steering Committee Meeting
Date: September 21st, 2015
Place: Florence
1st DLA Workshop in Düsseldorf
Date: May 19, 2015
Place: University Hospital Düsseldorf
CANCER-ID Kick-Off Meeting in Amsterdam
February 5-6, 2015, The Hampshire Manor Hotel Amsterdam

subset: commoncrawl


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Some friends who moved to MN from Latin America have been looking for good Central and South American food.
We were thinking of checking out some of the restaurants in Northeast Minneapolis and Columbia Heights. This area seems to have some Ecuadorian and Colombian places.
Has anyone had particularly good experiences with food in this area?
We have tried La Vina and Los Andes in South Minneapolis. We have also been to Manana on East 7th in St. Paul and to Mercado Central.
Other suggestions or neighborhoods that we are overlooking for Central and South American fare?


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Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Central States Mission
From Library of Congress Name Authority File
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Central States Mission
Instance Of
Scheme Membership(s)
Collection Membership(s)
- Central States Mission (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
Additional Information
Associated Locale
Additonal Related Forms
Exact Matching Concepts from Other Schemes
- found: A Brief outline of and true significance of Liberty Jail, 1958: t.p. (Central States Mission, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; 302 So. Pleasant St., Independence., Mo.)
- found: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Church History, via WWW, April 6, 2016 (Central States Mission; the Southwestern States Mission was renamed from the Indian Territory Mission in 1898; its name was changed again in 1904 to the Central States Mission and headquarters were moved from St. John, Kansas to Independence, Missouri; beginning in 1907, the mission published the Liahona (later Liahona, The Elders' Journal))
- found: LDS Mission Network, via WWW, April 6, 2016 (Central States; organized on Mon 4-Apr-1904; reorganized as "Kansas-Missouri" on Wed 10-Jun-1970)
Change Notes
- 1988-04-07: new
- 2017-04-30: revised
Alternate Formats


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Technology and science news – abc news, Get the latest science news and technology news, read tech reviews and more at abc news..
Make – definition of make by the free dictionary, Make (māk) v. made (mād), mak·ing, makes v.tr. 1. to cause to exist or happen; bring about; create: made problems for us; making a commotion. 2. to bring into.
Making A Computer Case Out Of Wood
Technology news – 2017 innovations and future tech, Actor kristen stewart co-authors computer science research, revealing how artificial intelligence could be used to create moody shots in her movie "come swim.".
Nova – official website | making stuff, Making stuff: stronger. pbs airdate: january 19, 2011. david pogue (technology reporter, new york times) imagine a world with smart buildings that can ride out any.
7 little words answers, 7 little words answers. thank you for visiting 7 little words answers. we are the biggest community dedicated to solving all 7 little words questions..
Mac – apple, Explore the world of mac. check out the new macbook pro, macbook, imac, and more. visit the apple site to learn, buy, and get support..
Dogfight – the great war online game – funny games, Your mission in this world war i aerial shooter is to pilot your sopwith camel against germany's finest . shoot down enemy aircraft and destroy ground forces to progress..


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Just after opening we dived here, the first group to go there with the Dive College from Playa Blanca. It was an amazing, overwhelming experience. It's more then some statues in the oceon,Jason is telling us something. Hope to return every year, to see the sealife take over.
Monumento is a great museum, but they serve great food as well! It is open till 5 or 6 only, but remember to have it in mind if you get hungry in lunch time. They serve traditional Canary food. Very good. And they have gofio dishes, that are not so easy to find elsewhere.
Great scenes from the cafe and the balconies towards the northenrt coast of Lanzarote. Must see attraction!
Well worth a visit tour really good food excellent the tour is very educational plus the sightseeing is amazing
Every time my friend and I go to Arrecife we visit this restaurant. Well that's a recommendation on it's own!
Visited here while on hols and it was one of the best tours we did. We had a great tout guide who explained everything and patiently waited for all the group regardless of capability which was great as my son wears a splint.
This museum is free of charge and gorgeous from the top as well as at the bottom. We took a lot of nice pictures there. Recommend visiting.
A must see - and it is still being developed. If you like art with a message you will like this. It is also changing as marine life takes over so there will be new things to see each time. Looking forward to when the other 300 statues are added.
I loved the main concept that modern art museum is in the old "castle" or in something like that. It's small building with ocean view. The exposition I liked most was Museo Atlantico Jason de Caires Taylor. There's also restaurant. Omg toilets have big windows with ocean view, that's amazing!!
Me and my sister booked this trip thro our hotel ...very cheap ....well we wasnt disappointed . what a stunning place out of this world and mind boggling beautiful wish i could have lived there lol its got a bar and restaurant inside built into the cave sides and the blue lagoon is to die for ... def a must...


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January 6, 2006
Eliminating chronic diseases will not reduce Medicare expenditures, but obesity might be the exception, according to economists and physicians from the RAND Corporation and the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System.
Analyzing a sample of about 10,000 Medicare beneficiaries age 65 and older, they suggest that eliminating any one disease will not dramatically affect future health care costs. This is because the chronically ill are responsible for higher Medicare costs, but do not live as long as beneficiaries without chronic illness. If obesity is an exception to this rule, combating it could have important implications for Medicare since close to half of the U.S. population is overweight.
- Obesity is a "double whammy" for Medicare, because it raises annual health care spending but does not affect longevity and thus the number of years spent in the Medicare system.
- Obese 70-year-olds can expect only four disability-free years and will spend 40 percent more time disabled than their normal-weight counterparts, who can expect nearly seven years without disability.
- Starting at age 70, an obese person will cost Medicare about $149,000; Medicare spending on an obese person is 20 percent higher than for the overweight, and 35 percent higher than spending on a normal person.
The researchers conclude that Medicare could experience a considerable financial burden from the increase in obesity nationwide, spending about $38,000 more over the lifetime of an obese 70-year-old than it will spend on a beneficiary of similar age and normal weight. However, the researchers argue that the effects of disability from obesity, rather than increased spending, might be the more important component of the social burden of obesity.
Source: Research Highlights, "Future Health and Medical Care Spending of the Elderly: Implications for Medicare," Rand Corporation, September 2005.
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We are creatures of habit, bad and good. My latest passion, is writing. I guess that can be both bad and good.
sort by best latest
It was difficult to stop smoking.
First time I tried 20 years ago.As time passed by I started again,stopped and started...
Finally, I used my acupuncture knowledge on myself and stopped years ago.
When my father passed away I restarted smoking.
Stopped smoking two weeks ago.It may last.Time will give the answer.
I like writing and enjoy it since I was a small boy.When you like something it is natural and good habit, I think,nurtures you!
You can help the HubPages community highlight top quality content by ranking this answer up or down.
Kicking the habit
Years of smoking finally caught up with my friend John one morning when he keeled over at work, clutching his heart. He was rushed to a hospital and peppered with questions.
"Do you smoke?" asked a paramedic.
"No," John whispered. "I quit."
"That"s good. When did you quit?"
"About 25 minutes ago."
this is an example of an answer to both questions. How am I doing?
You can help the HubPages community highlight top quality content by ranking this answer up or down.


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Brave Story Trailer (2006)
22 May 2006 Fantasy, Animated, Sci-Fi 112 mins
Jr. High School Student Wataru and his friends like playing in an abandond building and looking for ghosts. However it seems he is not the only one. Another mysterious student Mitsuru shows Wataru that there is a magical door to another world where one can go and get the Goddess of Fortune to grant one wish! When tragedy strikes Wataru's family he decides to open the door for himself.
Watch the official Brave Story 2006 trailer in HD below or find more Brave Story videos on Vidimovie.


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IMPROVEMENTS to a historic city street are well under way.
Durham County Council started the eight-week work programme on Bow Lane, in the heart of Durham city, in early September.
Now highways bosses at the authority have issued a revised completion date.
The £195,000 facelift is expected to be finished by Sunday, November 13.
During this time the road leading from Kingsgate Bridge to the cathedral is closed to vehicles and pedestrians and there is no through access over the bridge or from the Riverside.
However, visitors/users of the city centre colleges can follow the diversion signs via New Elvet, Elvet Bridge and Saddler Street.
The refurbishment involves relaying the existing river cobbles and stone paving where possible, along with the addition of kerbs and paving stones.
It will also see a loading bay created for residents.
The council's senior technician in highway design, Sara Forbes, said: "We appreciate the co-operation we're receiving from colleges, residents and members of the public and thank everyone for their patience."
She added: "While works are progressing we also want to remind people to continue to use alternative routes."


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Live from the NCAA tournament: Sizing up Harvard's chances against Vanderbilt
Credit: AP
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Somehow in the days since Selection Sunday, Vanderbilt has morphed into the '86 Celtics and Harvard has become the '80 US hockey team. At least that's how it feels here in Albuquerque.
Most of the media focus on Harvard has been directed on the novelty of the academic superpower achieving basketball success. Vanderbilt, on the other hand, has become a trendy pick to make a deep run into the tournament after winning the SEC tournament last weekend.
It's not that both storylines are without merit. Harvard basketball hasn't achieve much in its history. Vanderbilt does have a big, athletic team that is riding high after beating No. 1 Kentucky in the SEC championship game on Sunday.
But Harvard isn't a perfect fit in the cuddly underdog role. Not with a 26-4 record, a top 25 ranking for much of the season and a win over ACC tournament champion Florida State in November. And despite the Commodore's strong finish, they did lose 10 games, including a home loss to Indiana State early in the season. (The Sycamores aren't exactly at the level of the Larry Bird glory days).
With all of that said, it has been widely agreed that Vanderbilt is a less than ideal matchup for Harvard. The Crimson are small up front, while the Commodores frontline measures 6-foot-7, 6-foot-8 and 6-foot-11. The scariest part about Vandy is that its best player is 6-foot-4 guard John Jenkins. The sharpshooter averaged 19.9 points to lead the SEC in scoring and connected on 44.8 percent of his 3-point attempts.
"There are no holes with this basketball team," Harvard coach Tommy Amaker said. "There is no question about it. As many people are starting to talk about around the country with teams that have a chance to make deep runs into the tournament, I think Vanderbilt is one of those teams that are at the forefront of everybody's mind."
When all of that is considered, an obvious question comes to mind: How did Vanderbilt ever lose?
"There was a time when we weren't defending very well. There was a time when we weren't taking very good care of the ball. There was a long time where we didn't rebound very well," Vandy coach Kevin Stallings said. "So those are really kind of the three areas that, over the course of the season, we have felt a need to try to fix and make better. Those things have gotten better, and thus we've become a better team."
The Commodores have also been plagued by premature exits in their last three tournament appearances. As a No. 4 seed in 2008 and 2010 they got bounced in the first round by No. 13 seeds. Last year, they were a No. 5 seed and got sent packing by No. 12 seed Richmond in their first game.
Vanderbilt has a veteran roster, so the players are well aware of that inglorious history.
"I don't think focus will be a problem," Stallings said. "I would think our team may have as much motivation to play in this tournament as any of the teams that were selected. I don't think that motivation will be an issue whatsoever."
The Crimson have plenty of motivation as well. The program has building toward this moment since Amaker took over five years ago. Now that the time has arrived, they have no plans for a short stay.
"We walk into every game thinking and believing that we can win," senior guard Oliver McNally said. "It's one thing to say that, but I think as a unit we do believe that. We're going to face a really talented and hot team in Vanderbilt, but we're not just happy to be here and win our first solo Ivy title and just throw in the towel. We're here to win and that's what we're expecting to do."
We're about two hours from McNally and Harvard getting that chance. In the meantime, you can find plenty of Harvard coverage in today's Herald. I'll post updates here at halftime and immediately after the game and you can follow along for more instant analysis on Twitter.


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Revelation Trailer (1999)
"The Book has been opened." 07 May 1999 Horror, Action, Thriller 98 mins
This is the sequel to Apocalypse. In this movie Thorold Stone is still looking for his family. The Christians, whom the rest of the world has started to call The Haters, are being framed for many murders and terrorist acts. Thorold and his partner go to investigate the location of the detonator of one of these acts. They find a group of Christians holding a service. He arrests them and one of them hands him a disk from O.N.E. , One Nation Earth. He finds men in the building who aren't Christians. They chase them around and one of them is killed. Then he meets with Mr. Parker who works for Franco Malacousso. Parker shoots them both but Thorold doesn't die. He is then framed for the shooting of his partner and he goes to a computer programmer with the disk. Virtual Reality is used to bring the Day of Wonders to fruition. There is something odd about the cd that the woman gave Thorold because the programmer can't get access to it and they take it to the Christians headquarters...
Watch the official Revelation 1999 trailer in HD below or find more Revelation videos on Vidimovie.


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Dear John: Benefits of Beginning with a Site Plan
Q: Dear John,
We have a house on 3 acres of land with a 4-stall metal barn. It's been years since horses have been on the property. The pasture and paddock are overgrown with trees and shrubs and are now essentially wooded areas. The fences are in disrepair. The area is hilly. We need to see if we can flatten an area to use as a riding ring. Drainage will be an issue. Basically, we need to figure out a way to rework what's here to maximize what we can use. We understand that it will be a large undertaking and we want to properly plan to do it right and complete in several stages over a couple years.
Your website has been helpful and informative, but any additional information would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Midwestern Equestrian
A: Dear Midwestern Equestrian,
Almost weekly, our office receives calls or emails from people who own a property and plan to put horses on it. Maybe there's already an old structure there. Or perhaps they want to start from scratch. They ask for advice on where to begin.
Midwestern Equestrian, I suggest you start with a site plan. Even with an existing structure (your 4-stall barn), there are so many benefits to putting together a "roadmap" for future changes/improvements. And since you want to put four horses on three acres, efficient planning is critical. Consider that there are three major categories of costs when planning to bring horses onto your property: 1. Operational, 2. Environmental, and 3. Infrastructure. Proper planning will save you money in all three areas. Fewer roads, less fencing, better drainage all ensure that the whole farm, not just the horse barn but the entire collection of structures on the site, operates efficiently and safely.
Operational Considerations: First locate where you'll put the horses – where is your turnout? Where will you store hay, equipment, or vehicles? Do you have access for manure pickup, large-truck deliveries, guests or visitors? Minimizing the number of steps necessary for your daily routine (turnout, stall mucking, etc.) will save labor time, which of course you know is money in the farm biz. Planning will also preserve space for paddocks.
Environmental Considerations: Figure out structure placement within your acreage. It's important to properly orient any new buildings in the landscape. We design our barns to generate their own ventilation, placing them perpendicular to prevailing summer breezes. (One of many design considerations for maximizing light and ventilation, which is a subject I've written about often.) Additionally, placing structures where the land will drain easily makes good sense.
Infrastructure Considerations: Fewer roads to maintain means fewer dollars spent.
Creating a master plan does not mean that every part of it needs be built at once. The plan may end up taking years to implement, but as each new structure or paddock is added, it isn't done in the usual haphazard way. It will save you from asking, "You know, I could use a tractor shed somewhere?" Even those with very limited budgets should consider getting the advice of an expert at the planning stage, given the importance of the optimum farm layout.
Hope this helps in your planning, and good luck with your farm!
Horses in Cities: Driving Cars Out Of Central Park
Central Park should be a place to escape the congestion, noise and stress of the city and cars have become something of an intrusion to the pace and tranquility of the park. In an effort to protect the safety of park-goers and reduce pollution, the de Blasio administration has shut down car access to drives along the parkland above 72nd Street on weekdays. Cars are already restricted from the park on weekends. A recent article in the New York Times and a subsequent opinion piece on the topic has me thinking once again about the ongoing New York horse carriage issue and how these recent decisions regarding car access could be a starting point to resolving both sides of the conflict.
For those unfamiliar with the issue, a selection of animal rights advocates would like to put an end to the horse-drawn carriages operating in the city. Having secured the support of the de Blasio administration, these groups cite the health and well being of the horses as their primary motivation for seeking the ban. They have proposed to replace the horse-drawn carriage tours with vintage inspired electric cars. The carriage industry, with its deeply rooted history as a staple of New York City, objects to the push and has staunchly defended that the working and stabling conditions of the horses are healthy and safe. The issue has vocal and high-profile supporters on either side and it has been the topic of documentaries and long-form media. Of course, the issue is much more complex than I've illustrated here.
I oppose eliminating horses from NYC streets but I do continue to advocate for their protection, health and safety. Horse-drawn carriages are part of New York City's rich heritage and it would be a shame for it to be effectively replaced with something the city has more than enough of – cars. For a long time now, I've been an advocate for expanding equine activity in the city by delegating the horse-drawn carriages to the park and introducing more horse trails, equestrian programs and stabling options. Concrete and asphalt are not ideal footing for horses for extended periods of time but they're not inherently "bad" for them either. I understand that the new restrictions will be a hindrance to taxis and others who use the park as a shortcut across town. It's difficult to relinquish convenience, but I look at it as an improvement to the park experience and an opportunity to increase the presence of horses through a variety of activities and horse drawn carriages is just one of them.
Though horse-drawn carriage use in the park will not be affected by NYC's new policy, it does raise questions about how the park will be traversed in the future. If horses are banned in the city and replaced with electric cars, the park would become inaccessible to many visitors seeking a scenic, non-pedestrian tour. Perhaps the reduction of car use in the park and the increase of equine activity can benefit everyone. The carriage industry can continue, pollution is reduced and pedestrians can maneuver safely.
I agree with the author of the opinion piece regarding the original intentions of the paved pathways. Frederick Law Olmstead had horse-drawn "vehicles" in mind for those Central Park roadways. Reducing car-use in the park and horses on the city streets just might be first step to revitalizing and expanding equine activity in the city.
A Summer With Blackburn Architects
In today's blog, our summer intern, Alexa Asakiewicz, shares her summer experiences here at Blackburn. Alexa is an equestrian (former captain of the Villanova Equestrian Team) and currently a graduate student at Rhode Island School of Design. This year she will be completing her Masters of Architecture degree. Alexa joined us from late May to August as an architectural summer intern. Her skills are exceptional; you can check out some of her work at www.alexaasakiewicz.com. She has been helping me put together the promotional campaign for my book, Healthy Stables By Design; updating our social media presence; and assisting with architectural projects. At this point, I'll hand it over to her.
As a life-long equestrian and an architectural student, I have been following Blackburn Architects and their projects for many years. This summer, I was fortunate to work in the office and learn more about the practice and John's new book. Immediately upon my arrival, John showed me his book and videos. From those, I began to further understand his natural principles of design (many of which have been shared on this blog).
I not only saw these principles in design projects I assisted with, but also learned how to share them with a public audience. I realized that in addition to design work, architects are tasked with marketing themselves. While helping John update and maintain the Stable Minded blog, website, and social media, I was fortunate to learn even more about the everyday life of an architecture office. I hope you all have enjoyed looking at some of the past and present Blackburn projects on facebook, pinterest, and Houzz, as well as learning more about John's design strategies through the blog. I have and will continue to work on the blog and facebook throughout the school year, so check back often to explore our projects and happenings.
In assisting John with publicity for Healthy Stables by Design, I gained experience working in concert with Washington International Horse Show, Phelps Media Group, and John's co-writer, Beth Herman. I was also fortunate to be able to attend the event at WIHS. It was a great opportunity to see some of my work come to fruition, watch some great riding, chat with my co-workers again, and meet up with all the people I have spoken with and never met. Check out the tour list to find your opportunity to meet John.
The most exciting part of my summer was helping with the architectural projects in the office. I really enjoyed assisting the architectural staff with the Westchester Condominium project, the Valley Vista Project, and a private farm. One treasured experience was the chance to make a few conceptual site plans of my own. Not only did John teach me about the many considerations when designing a site, but he allowed me to put the concepts into practice. Fortunately, I also got the chance to check out the River Bank Barn and River farm. It was nice to see all John's principles come to life as we explored both structures.
Being an equestrian myself, I have spent a good deal of time in barns. I have always been partial to the beautiful simplicity of these structures. As John told me more about his rationale behind every detail, I was fascinated. It was always interesting to hear the reasons for things that I had always before taken for granted. It also made me look at barns in a different way. I continue to contemplate the benefits of ventilation and Dutch Doors. In every barn I have been in since, I have made at least one comment on the ventilation properties (much to my mother's chagrin).
I really enjoyed my time at Blackburn Architects and want to thank the staff for having me. I feel very lucky that I had such a great opportunity to learn from John and everyone in the office.
Barn Detail Photos: The Barn Door Collection
Over the years, I've collected much too many photos of barn details, which includes everything from latches on stall doors to drains in aisles. It's only natural to collect the things you love, right? I often refer to my virtual stash of detail images when I'm designing a barn and hope they might serve as an inspiration to you as well. I will probably add to the collection (correction: I WILL add to the collection because I won't be able to help myself) over time. What can I say, the details separate a fine barn from a fantastic barn. On that note, I hope you'll forgive my lack of photography skill. Some of these images were taken during or just after the construction process by yours truly. That should serve to explain any and all photos with incomplete landscapes (aka piles of dirt) and unique angles (aka crooked) that are artistic-driven (aka fuzzy, out-of-focus) images.
By way of introduction to my collection, I think it seems fitting to begin this set barn detail images with the door. Every dutiful, the door is a part of every barn, everywhere. (At least I hope so.) You'll see many images of my favorite, the Dutch door, which aids ventilation within the barn. There's also human-only doors, main entrances, side doors, etcetera. Hopefully it's not too much of a hodgepodge for you to enjoy.
Incidentally, I've asked one of the more tech savvy staff (basically anyone but me) to link these images on Pinterest; we're attempting to hop on that fast-moving train because we architects sure appreciate a visual aid. If you're a Pinner yourself, let me know so we can follow you there. Until then, happy collecting!
Dear disgruntled artists: the key to success isn't kicking down the door; it's building your own.
Brian Celio
Read more:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/door_14.html#ixzz1pshKJzeM
Shipping Horses to London: NPR Story
"The largest competitors at this summer's Olympics in London are not weightlifters….the largest competitors are horses." — Morning Edition, NPR, March 7, 2012
Who knew that horses could arrive via FedEx? What a great story on NPR this morning about how the horses competing in this summer's London Olympics will arrive safe (and in style). Tim Dutta, who owns an international horse transport company, said he expects to ship between 50 to 60 horses to London this summer. Dutta said that like people, horses respond to flying in various manners. Some are nervous and may require sedatives; others are happy to munch on hay and drink cocktails of apple juice and water to pass the time. And of course, the horses aren't left to their own devices on the planes — with them is a full entourage, including a vet and a groom. Which reminds me, I've read that racehorses can supposedly benefit from a little jet lag….wonder if the same holds true for events like dressage. Listen or read the full story on NPR.
Custom Blackburn Greenbarn: Construction Progress
I'm excited to share photos of the progress at Starbright Farm in Grass Valley, California because it's one of our first Greenbarns to enter the construction phase. Greenbarns is a line of pre-designed barns that my firm offers as an alternative to full-scale custom design.
How It Works: We can customize the Greenbarn model of your choice (there's four to choose from) as we've done for this client, but the Greenbarns method reduces the overall architectural design fees because we're not starting from scratch. You simply choose a Greenbarns model (this project uses The Hickory design), and either build it as specified, or ask us to make a few changes to make it your own.
I like to think of a Greenbarn as a leaner and greener version of a Blackburn custom horse barn in that we offer a package of top-quality materials and finishes, replete with Lucas Equine stall systems and value engineered, eco-friendly materials. In other words, a high quality, durable, and well designed barn with the details you need. Full disclosure: Greenbarns aren't really more green than our custom designs, because we prioritize natural lighting and ventilation in all we do, but leaner and greener sure is fun to say.
At Starbright Farm (tentative name – always a tough decision for the owners to settle on the best farm name!), the owners decided to combine two Greenbarns Hickory models. The first barn is under construction, with the second to occur during a later phase. The plan calls for the two barns, which each house five stalls along with wash/groom stalls and tack/office space, to be arranged around a courtyard with views to the west and surrounding paddocks. There's also two run-in sheds (almost complete) and a composting system designed by the team at O2 Compost. The owners and their daughters plan to use the stables and their new 100×200 outdoor arena for both pleasure riding and hunter/jumper training with the local pony club.
I look forward to seeing this project in its completion and hope it will be a big hit with the local pony club and, of course, the owners and their family.
Ask the Equestrian Architect: What's in it for Me?
I think that's the top question I get (the gist of it, anyway) and it SHOULD be. Why should you hire an architect to design a horse barn? Or, Is hiring an architect to design a barn really necessary?
In short: no. However, hiring an equine architect can save you time, your horse's health and safety, and even money in the long run. Allow me to state my case.
A horse is so much more than a pet: it's a companion, a worker, a teammate, an athlete. Whether you ride for pleasure or compete, the horse—your horse—is irreplaceable. I wish not to gild the lily just to make my point, which you already know, that horse owners think the world of their horses and want to treat them with the utmost care and respect. If you keep a horse, it's your duty to protect it. While a horse is perfectly pleased to graze outdoors most days, the barn is a necessity – so I say, let's do our best to protect that horse and maybe make your life a little easier in the process.
Barn This Way – Product vs. Service
When you decide to build a barn, you have a few choices. The least costly solution is to purchase a prefab or kit barn. The prices range (rather wildly), as does the package itself. Labor is often an additional cost as well as nails, roofing, and concrete costs. Usually a contractor charges between 10 to 25 percent of the total cost of materials for construction services. However, this percentage may go up if your project is on the small side in order for it to be financially viable for the contractor. For many horse owners, a prefabricated or kit barn is a perfectly reasonable and cost-effective solution.
If you're looking for a step above prefabricated, or can afford to customize your project a bit, you may then wish to research design/build contractors – but this is where I'd stop and suggest that you alternatively consider working with an equestrian architect.
Why? A design/build contractor is selling a product, not a service, and is not often a trained architect, which limits his or her ability to think creatively outside of the box. In most cases, thinking outside of the box eats up profits and costs more money (for the design/build contractor). For a design/build contractor, the goal is to build quickly above all else. I think this compromises your program and the overall result because the design/builder does not want to eat up time resolving special issues or conflicts. The design is usually cookie cutter, following whatever pattern the design/build contractor typically uses, and there is no one there to really represent the owner (you) and oversee the quality of the project and if it's built as intended or promised.
To Serve and Protect
With an equestrian architect, you're purchasing a service rather than a product. The architect is there to resolve the needs of the owner, from overall site planning, programming, phasing, and design to overseeing the entire construction to make sure the barn is built as intended. The service costs a bit more than a design/build contractor but, if your barn is your livelihood or your sanctuary, I believe that you'll save time and stress, frankly by getting it done right the first time.
Typical services an equestrian architect (straight from the horse's mouth here, if you'll forgive my pun) will provide:
- Site planning: can reduce infrastructure costs (fewer roads, less fencing, better drainage, etc.) and improve the site to function at its best for your needs.
- Programming: ensures that the whole farm (not just the horse barn but the entire collection of structures on the site, if applicable: residence, guest house, caretaker's quarters, hay/bedding, vehicle storage, etc.) operates efficiently and safely.
- Code analysis: certainly the codes vary across states/municipalities. We've designed horse stables in counties with very specific codes and regulations and understand what to look for and how to work with the various officials to resolve issues. The architect can save you a lot of hassle!
- Budget Development and Cost Control/Scheduling: I like to develop a budget as early in the process as possible and revisit it periodically during the project. My job is to determine if the owner's programmatic needs and budget fit the site, and if the design aesthetic suits their personal design goals. We can also plan to develop the barn or various structures in phases, if applicable.
- Conceptual Design: Here we develop the character and massing of the structure(s) and prepare a preliminary floor plan and elevations to illustrate our ideas. At Blackburn, this is the final phase of what we call Master Plan Services (site plan, written program, conceptual design, and preliminary construction development). From here, we move on to more detailed design work.
- Schematic Design: After we complete a master plan that works well for the owner, we begin to prepare detailed drawings to give you an idea of the layout and general appearance of the barn (and possibly other buildings). We'll talk about finishes, materials, stalls, tack rooms, etc. For a lot of people, this phase of design is the fun part!
- Design Development and Construction Drawings: Here we'll really start to nail down the final design and specify the materials, stall systems, finishes, and other details and prepare construction drawings that instruct the contractor how to build the barn.
- Bidding and Construction Administration: Because construction drawings are open to interpretation, it's important that the architect works with the contractor to oversee that the project is carried out according to the design intent. We're the owner's rep to make sure that construction is done well and done right.
I understand this may seem like a lot, but each is a valuable step toward designing a healthy, safe, and functional facility. As an architect, I want to study how you operate and design a barn that feels inviting and personal (because it is). No barn or farm operates exactly alike as each owner or barn/farm manager operates his/her facility in a particular fashion. While designing a barn from scratch is not realistic for everyone, if you are choosing between a design/build firm and an equestrian architect, I'd strongly advise that you approach both for more information and weigh out your options carefully. It could save you your horse.
As always, I invite your questions and comments. Thanks for reading!
An architect is trained to design as the great Louis Sullivan (1856-1924) states: "Form ever follows function." After all, if your barn doesn't function properly, what's the point of a great design?
Ketchen Place Farm: Rock Hill, South Carolina
On fifty gently sloping acres south of Charlotte, North Carolina, Ketchen Place Farm is a family-owned, female-run farm that breeds thoroughbred and warmblood sport horses. Blackburn Architects provided architectural services for the construction of a 20-stall barn and a not-yet-built, separate four-bay garage with a two-bedroom, two-bath residence above. The master plan includes redesign and improvement of roads, fencing, paddocks, a run-in shed, and a well-defined entrance to the facility. The shed-row style barn, which includes a studio apartment above for the observation of foals, wraps around three sides of a courtyard that doubles as a small sand training paddock. The project was featured in the Spring 201o issue of Architecture DC Magazine.
Program 20-stall barn with groom's studio, four-bay garage with residence, redesign of roads, fencing, paddocks, shed, and facility entrance
Completion 2008
Mutton Busting and Barn Night at the Washington International Horse Show
I admit it: I've never even heard of mutton bustin' until reading about the event, which is part of tonight's lineup at the 53rd annual Washington International Horse Show, in yesterday's Washington Post. Apparently mutton bustin', in which kids weighing 60 lbs. or less play rodeo kings and queens while riding on SHEEP (like a fluffier and friendlier bull?), is popular in Australia. Wonder if it will catch on in the states. Or am I already behind?
It's hard for me to imagine that any sheep with a 6-year-old on its back would feel inspired to do much other than lie down for a nice nap, but apparently it can get quite rowdy (witness the poor kid in the photo below). My curiosity is certainly piqued. I'll even get to see the "action" live because my staff and I are attending tonight's show (it's BARN NIGHT, after all). Everyone at Blackburn enjoys watching the terrier races, but I bet mutton bustin' gives the dogs a run for their money, at least as far as the cute factor goes.
For those of you who plan to attend tonight's show, please follow me on Blackburn's Facebook page, where I'll post about the event and coordinate to meet up with fellow horse and barn lovers. And if you can't make it to the show, consider watching it via live streaming.
Weather Advisory: May you and your horses stay safe!
We've had our fair share of Mother Nature in DC as of late. Last week brought a relatively mild yet rare 5.8 quake (and apparently those of us in the District could use a lesson in Earthquake 101, based upon our reaction). While I'm curious to know how horses in the area reacted to the scare, it wasn't surprising to read articles about how the animals and critters at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park appeared to be the first to know.
Where were you during the earthquake? Did you know what it was? Were any of you riding? While I was stuck indoors that day, I remember that it was a particularly beautiful, temperate, and seemingly calm afternoon. I hope everyone and their four-legged friends did OK.
Three days later, it's Friday afternoon in the District and, once again, the weather gives no impression that anything's amiss. But this time we know better. Weather forecasters are in overdrive, studying the direction and predicting the trail of Hurricane Irene. The storm threatens most of the East Coast, with several states, including our neighbors Maryland and Virginia, issuing a state of emergency. I can only hope that those of you that are or will be affected by Hurricane Irene take these warnings very seriously and are able to bring yourself and your family (and horses) to safer ground or have taken all precautions.
If you or your horses have been affected by this onslaught of extreme weather, please let us know how you are doing and if there's anything those of us who are concerned can do to help. The Florida Horse website has a helpful article on how to prepare yourself and your horses for the worst. Here's another one from the Virginia Horse Council.


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- Please select a date to see the proper prices!
- Meal can be requested on the spot
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134.10 € / person / night, no meal
Description of the accommodation:
Rooms, services When taking a trip to Turkey, booking a room at Nidya Hotel Galataport Istanbul may be a great decision. The guests of the hotel may stay in 120 nicely furnished, comfortable rooms in Istanbul. In case you ever feel like eating in, you may taste delicious local dishes in the restaurant of the hotel. Refreshing wellness services will be available to you on the spot, <a/an> hairdresser's parlour will also be at your disposal. You may check the most important tourist higlights by taking a car rental service or an organized city tour. The café or the bar can be an ideal place for a meeting or a pleasant evening talk. An exact and detailed list of equipment in the rooms and of the services provided by Nidya Hotel Galataport Istanbul you will find on the information sheet below, including any applicable additional fees.
Payment Depending on the selected date, room and price, you may need to provide credit card guarantee or advance bank card payment to finalize your reservation.
Arrival, opening hours The earliest arrival time is 14:00, the latest time to leave the rooms is 14:00. The personnel can communicate with you in the following languages: Turkish and English.
Nidya Hotel Galataport Istanbul rooms Rooms
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Organized sightseeing nearby, Car rental nearby
- Wellness section, relaxation
- Finnish sauna
- Hairdresser's parlour
Bar, Cafe, Elevator
Own restaurant


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Individuals interested in discovering whether they have Native American ancestry or those wishing to prove it to apply for a Certificate of Indian Blood must conduct a lot of research. Those interested in applying for Choctaw tribal membership must first prove they descend from a Choctaw. Those individuals must obtain a Dawes Roll number, also known as the Final Rolls of Citizens and Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes in Indian Territory. The National Archives holds the Dawes Rolls, which are searchable.
Identify the approximate age of your ancestor during the time period 1898 to 1906. This was the enrollment period for the Final Rolls of Citizens and Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes in Indian Territory. Choctaws listed on those rolls must have been living in the Indian Territory during that time period and registered.
Search the index to the Dawes Rolls (archives.gov/research/arc/native-americans-final-rolls.html). You must have the tribe and the person's name. In this case, you are looking for records on the Choctaw tribe.
View the Choctaw by Blood pages on the National Archives page. The pages are listed in alphabetical order. If you are searching for a Choctaw by the name of Evelina Amos, open the first Index for Choctaw by Blood and search through the pages of surnames beginning with A to locate Amos, Evelina. The roll number will be listed next to her name.
Search the Final Roll listing (archives.gov/research/arc/) by entering the roll number in the search box. Click "search" and then the link "The Final Rolls of Citizens and Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes in Indian Territory." Click the tab "digital copies" click through the listing to locate your tribe and individual. This may take several attempts scrolling through the pages.
View the final listing which states the individual's name, age, sex, blood (full or some variation of Choctaw) and census card number.


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3DOcean Waving Flag Cloth and Wind Simulation 6 Flags inc 5058308
3DOcean Waving Flag Cloth and Wind Simulation 6 Flags inc 5058308
3D Model \ Clothes & Accessories
Flag \ Simulation \ Cloth \ Wind \ Anthem \ Animation \ Britain \ Great \ Germany
3D Model - Waving Flag Cloth and Wind Simulation 6 Flags inc 5058308 by Scorp1 @ 3DOcean
3D Model \ Clothes & Accessories
3D File Formats Included: .max (3ds Max), .obj (multi format); Animated: Yes; Created In: 3ds max 2010; Geometry: Polygons; Materials: Yes; Poly Count: 4900; Rigged: Yes; Textured: Yes; UV Layout: No.
The file includes the native 3D Studio Max 2010 .max file with a dynamically animated flag. The flag is a cloth object animated by a physical simulation of blowing wind. There is a total of 6 flag textures included: Germany, USA, Great Britain, France, Jamaica and Australia.
The animation length is 200 frames. The US flag version is pre-rendered to a transparent PNG image sequence. An After Effects file using this image sequence with scrolling text of the US National Anthem is also included.
Keywords: US anthem, american, animation, anthem, australia, australian, cloth, cloth modifier, flag, flag animation, flag in the wind, france, french, german, germany, great britain, jamaica, jamaican, national flag, physical simulation, simulation, wind.


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hi ya guys, im fan of sonic, megaman, card captors (kinda obvius) and angelic layer
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Riding without a lockring on velodrome
Hi, I happen to have a flip/flop hub and not a fixed/fixed hub and was wondering if it is safe to ride on the velodrome without a lockring. I am only 130lbs so is this ok/safe to do, or should I take the time to change gears in between workouts? Also will changing cogs to much wear down the threads of my hubs and cogs? What would you do? Thanks in advance.
I ride without a lockring. Just be careful when you thread on your cogs and you'll be fine. I see you're in Nor Cal. See you at the track =)
Were you at hellyer this weekend? If so we probably did see each other
Clean well and re-grease the threads each time you change gear and the hub should outlast you.
Lockrings are redundant riding on a track. The only caveat to that is if you are using the Miche system which makes changing cogs so much easier, but necessitates a ring.
Should you spend time changing gears? Depends. You tend to change if you want to train in some specific way or gearing up/down for particular races. I tend to not change to 'warm up', but some riders are pretty religious about that.
I've never used a lockring, and there have been some hubs (specialized tri-spokes) that don't even accept them. I've known more people who've spun cogs off forward on standing starts (only a couple) than I've known people who have spun them off backwards.
you strip the hub
Theoretically it can be done, but that doesn't mean you are not risking some serious (or embarassing) problems. In my experience, if you crank down hard and ride hard without a lock ring, you likely will not have any problem.
If you change gears on the non locked side often, you likely will have problems. Sooner or later you wont spin it on tight enough and will be shocked to find you dont have brakes when you really need them (i.e. coming off the track into the pits).
If you are not using a lock ring, dont grease the bloody thing! You need the friction to keep the gear on there.
So, yeah it can be done if you put the gear on there tight and dont change it. If you change the gear on that side often use a lockring. Sooner or later youll have problems if you dont.
Problem solved. Just went to the LBS and they just showed me miche cogs.
All those years I skinned my knuckles pulling off cogs .... the guy who invented the Miche system, I owe you a beer good sir.
id get one. $15 at most after tax
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Haute Courtesans - High Calibre West Midlands Escort Agency
Haute Courtesans is a new boutique escort agency, covering Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Shropshire and the West Midlands. We provide a discreet and high class service for your pleasure and indulgence. With many years' escort industry experience. Haute Courtesans only represents the highest quality escorts. Their beauty, charisma and personality surpass anything you will have experienced before. Our portfolio only consists of girls who choose to work as escorts, as a lifestyle choice and is something they choose to do for enjoyment. You can view the Haute Courtesans girls in the portfolio on our website.
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Linteloo: Feel-Good Designs for Easy Modern Living.
Linteloo was established in The Netherlands in 1993 by Jan te Lintelo.
Born into a family of furniture retailers, Jan's parents started a business, te Lintelo Wonen, which became one of the most successful stores in the region with leading international furniture collections. In his spare time Jan helped his parents in the shop, appreciating the craftsmanship of furniture making at a young age. He attended college in Rotterdam and soon started his career with cabinetmaker Pastoe in Utrecht. After several years with Pastoe and later Gelderland he decided to start his own company, Linteloo.
Linteloo was a departure from the popular Dutch Design influences of the nineties, starting a new concept with a feel-good factor that is now a famous element of Linteloo designs. Today Linteloo is a leading furniture brand with showrooms in Zeist (The Netherlands), Cologne (Germany) and Milan (Italy). Continuing to expand their reach, Linteloo now delivers comfortable designs for easy living all across the globe.


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Treat all of your VIP's to high-class living on the high seas with the 279 Sport Cuddy. Never miss a moment of action, whether you're in the boat or riding the wake behind it! With luxury amenties such as a roomy above-deck area and cozy, spacious cabin, and a built-in head, you can spend more time on the water and soaking up the sun.
|Length Overall
|27'00" / 8.23 m
|Hull Length
|25'00" / 7.62 m
|8'6" / 2.55 m
|Dry Weight in Pounds (Including max. engine)
|5,780 lbs / 2,622 kg
|22 degrees
|Fuel Capacity (Usable fuel capacity 10% less than listed)
|68 gal / 257 l
|Horse Power Capacity
|430 HP / 321 kw
|Bridge Clearance
|62.5" / 1.59 m
|Draft Up
|23.0" / 0.58 m
|Draft Down
|39.5" / 1.00 m
|Person Capacity
|Yacht Cert.
|Weight Capacity (Including persons and gear)
|Yacht Cert.
For a complete list of specifications, download the PDF.
Take control of your journey at hub of the 279 Sport Cuddy, the helm. This intuitive control panel was designed to get you where you're going, even if you have nowhere special in mind.
It's always good be the Captain of the ship, but it's never been this comfortable. The 279 Sport Cuddy's Captain's Seat ensures you'll stay comfortable all day on the water.
Settle in for a few drinks or some great conversation with guests in the 279 Sport Cuddy's cabin area. Get cozy on the plush seating around the convertible table or add an extra sectional for an extra sleeping space. This is the perfect space to relax and unwind.
Sometimes the best way to enjoy your boat is by jumping off of it into the water! The 279 Sport Cuddy comes equipped with an easy-access swim platform on the back.
Spend more time on the water and less at the dock with the 279 Sport Cuddy, as it comes with a spacious head including shower, toilet and sink.
Entertaining is made easy and convenient with a below deck sink and cabinet combo.
You never know what the day will bring, so gear up before you head out with the 279 Sport Cuddy's convenient underfloor storage compartment.
Fuel up for more on-water fun with food or drinks from the concealed cooler storage area under the seating area!


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This month, we're teaming up with another group of Italy bloggers who also write on a monthly theme.
We're joining forces with the COSÌ group, which stands for Crazy Observations by Stranieri in Italy, to write about the topic of AUTHENTICITY.
Not only do you get to read the thoughts of the usual bunch of Italy Roundtable bloggers, you get to hear from a whole new crop of expats in Italy. Enjoy!
There are words and phrases that get overused in any profession. In the world of travel writing, there are plenty – I know one editor who won't tolerate the word "nestled" when describing any village, and who automatically deletes email with the word "staycation" in the subject line. One word that is not only overused to the point of not meaning anything anymore but also potentially troublesome even when people try to use it in good faith is "authenticity."
Every travel magazine is touting the secret to finding "authentic" (fill in the blank with whatever city or country name you like). Every traveler wants to get "off the beaten path" to find the "real" place.
But, tell me, what's this supposedly elusive "authentic" place you seek, and how is it different from the place you're trying so hard to avoid?
Despite the proliferation of Italy travel information extolling the virtues of travel throughout the country, most people still go to Venice, Florence, and Rome on their first visit. They may include a few other stops along the way, but those three – I call them the "Holy Trinity" of Italy travel – are nearly always on the menu.
And of course it makes sense that they should be. Tourist attractions are, after all, touristy for a reason.
Venice, Florence, and Rome are popular year-round, busy with tourist crowds, and have learned to cater to tourist whims. They're not alone. Pisa is the perfect example of a tourist destination giving the visitor precisely what he wants – an easy route from the train station to the one attraction the vast majority want to see, plenty of places to buy knickknacks around said attraction, and an easy way back to the train station in order to move on to the next city.
One side effect of all of this is that these places are deemed "less authentic" by holier-than-thou travelers who think tourist throngs must equal tourist trap. Those folks rile me nearly as much as the ones who claim the words "tourist" and "traveler" don't mean the same thing. (Don't even get me started on that one.)
Pisa is authentic Italy – both the part of the city swarming with tourists around the Leaning Tower and the part of the city ignored by tourists and busy with students at the historic university. You may prefer one over the other – or you may prefer a different city altogether – and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. But to declare one part as "authentic" and another as "not authentic" just because you like one better?
That's balderdash.
I am fond of the dictionary and thesaurus, so in brainstorming for this article I looked up "authenticity" on thesaurus.com. Some of the words and phrases associated with "authenticity" are:
There is no denying the existence or tangibility of that ring of souvenir stands around the Leaning Tower of Pisa. They are genuinely trying to make a living, tempting tourists with reminders of their real world experience at this world-famous attraction. And those tourists are actually trying to capture the accuracy of the moment with their staged photographs of themselves propping up the tower.
Maybe Pisa doesn't appeal to you. Maybe you've been and you didn't really love it. That? That is completely fine. If all of us wanted to visit the exact same places, those places would always be overcrowded (and, probably, destroyed) while the rest of the world never got any visitors. To call the places you don't like "inauthentic" is, however, just factually inaccurate.
Even the Las-Vegas-Venetian Venice is authentic – it's just authentically Las Vegas.
In September last year, I got on my soapbox a bit and scolded people who routinely use the "you haven't seen Italy unless you've been to…" line:
If you get any guff from anyone – and I mean anyone, including me – about your itinerary, I hereby give you permission to reply thusly:
You say I can't really see Italy if I don't go to a certain city? Oh yeah?
Watch me.
The same goes for calling part of Italy "inauthentic." If anyone belittles your itinerary, for a trip you've already taken or one you're dreaming of, by telling you that's not really "authentic" Italy, here's your reply:
Oh, that's funny, because I had to get an authentic Italian passport stamp to go there.
I like saying that I want you to own your itinerary, to craft it exactly the way you want it to be and then go forth proudly with it. Part of that, unfortunately, is being armed against the travelers who think they know better than you do. To them, I say phooey. They know better for their trips, but that doesn't give them the right to be haughty about yours.
So, embrace your trip, no matter what's on your must-see list, and come back with your own opinions about Italy. When someone asks for your advice for their trip, offer it gladly – opinions and all – and then congratulate them when they form their own itinerary, whether it's the same one you'd have taken or not, because then they'll have their own authentic experience.
That's the kind of authentic Italy I can get behind.
This month you have loads of reading to do, between the Italy Roundtable blogs and the blogs of the COSÌ gang. Click along with me through to the following links to read each of their posts – and please leave comments, share them with your friends, and tune in next month for another Italy Blogging Roundtable topic!
COSÌ bloggers:
Have you LIKED us on Facebook? Are you following us on Twitter? Please drop by and say hello, we're quite friendly. And we're always taking suggestions on future topics for the Italy Blogging Roundtable! Drop us a note on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a comment on one of our posts.
I was surprised to read your post as I didn't expect to find Pisa in there! I am not from Pisa, but I have lived here for 20 years so it's my second home. What you say is totally true. Some people believe that Pisa is the leaning Tower. They come, they get off the train, get on the LAM Rossa bus, get off the bus by the stalls selling souvenirs, walk to the Tower, take their picture, and go back to the bus stop and off to the train station they are. They say they have been to Pisa, and that's true. They say Pisa is not that interesting, it's a theme park. And that's false. They have been to Pisa, but they have certainly not seen Pisa. The leaning Tower is the most famous landmark in the city, but it is certainly not representative of it. To see Pisa for real, you need to venture off Campo dei Miracoli, where people work, study, live. And one soon finds out that outside that small area of the city, Pisa is a completely different reality, well worth experiencing. Not just a tourist trap, but an "authentically Italian" city. Whatever that means.
So it WASN'T just the way my husband and I saw it! Ha! (Yes.)
It's so true…I get emails all the time asking for my "off-the-beaten-path" suggestions to find authentic Italy. After all my years of living in Italy, my favorite site is still the Pantheon, which I saw during my first trip 15 years ago. Off-the-beaten-path? No. Authentic? Doesn't get any more authentic, even when surrounded by souvenir salesman and tourists with selfie sticks.
Jessica, wonderful post! I am so happy we did this blogger collaboration because now I have completely procrastinated from work to read a bunch of your posts :). I like Rick, get a lot of those same 'hidden finds' email questions from those looking for the 'authentic' Florence yet my advice is almost always the same. There is a reason that people line up to see David's Bum or the Primavera at the Uffizi, they are marvelous works of art that no-one visiting Florence should ever miss. I think people should ignore the chime of people telling them what THEY should do and just go with their gut. Cappuccino after 11am? That's fine too 🙂
For me the most "authentic" place in Rome is the Borghese Gardens on a Sunday afternoon. Tourists are clustered around the entrance of the Villa Borghese Gallery, of course, but then there is a vast expanse of walking paths and hidden mini gardens where local folks kick back and cool off next to fountains. Old men playing bocci ball, choral groups practicing in the open air, dog walkers, uniformed boy scouts, couples walking hand-in-hand, sisters, mothers and daughters arm-in-arm; families driving around on rented pedal cars.
Yes to all of this! The 'but that's not the *real* Italy' guff really annoys me. Everyone has a different reality, and so long as you're happy with yours and don't try to knock mine, that's fine by me. Suggestions of places to see? Great. Bring 'em on! Denigration of my experiences because you don't deem them 'authentic' enough? Not cool. Not cool at all.
I agree with everything you say! I lived in Milan, which is the quintessential 'inauthentic Italy' but in a slightly different way. Apparently because it's "not pretty" and a big city with the associated bustle and less time for coffee breaks and gossiping in a piazza, it's "not really Italian".
To be honest, the idea of there being a definition of 'authentic Italy' is a joke anyway. When I lived in a tiny village in Le Marche, my neighbours didn't think they had much in common with the "city folk" an hour away (from Urbino, population 15k, not exactly a metropolis!) nevermind people in other regions!
Seems to be a bit of a chip on the shoulder, understandably, but humour me if you can muster the patience: "Don't get me started…people who say tourist and traveller don't mean the same thing"
Is this simply a semantic discrepancy that disregards what people mean by those things, coming from hearing a phrase that's turned cliche from repetition, or is there something else to it?
I'm happy to be wrong, but despite the similarity in basic definition, I use the terms differently.
I like meeting what I call "travellers" in my home country. They're the people who come to form experiences and memories, to learn about the cities and countries they visit, to meet people and let it change them in some way. They can be extroverted or introverted — it all comes out differently. They're respectful, understanding this is not their home and they adapt to culture.
"Tourists", as I've heard the term used, have variations, but generally do all or most of the following:
-"Photo-rape" everything they see (objectifying everything and not caring to actually see or experience it, but either being concerned about cataloguing and seeing things only through their iPhone screen or posing in front of things for selfies). I saw a woman rapid firing terrible smartphone pictures out the Bernina Express window through Swiyzerland and immediately look at them on her computer, she didn't look at the scenery at all. No exaggeration.
-Utter disregard for social customs, and no apparent desire to learn about them
-Disrespectful to the environment around them, possibly including people
-Objectifying people and their surroundings as something "other than"
-Thinking gimmicks or tourist traps are cultural mainstays
Common thread: disrespect, selfish cluelessness, closed-minded ignorance. Basically, people don't like having you around for other than your money.
I.e. by tourist traps I mean people selling fake Prada bags for a 'special price', thinking that everyone listens to "Con Te Partiro" all the time because buskers frequently play this song, etc.
I'm with you longbowman. The Rick Steve's and travel bloggers of the world don't write about the tourists (hords of) enough though. Maybe they are afraid of offending people, the very people whom make their living. Maybe to some, like Jessica above there, they are just part of the travel environment just like everone else, there's good ones and bad ones. IF you don't like tourists, maybe stay home. But for me, the occasional traveler, middle-aged, and first time to Italy, as an Italy-American, I was utterly shocked by the tourists in Florence. On my first day I began think wow, what did I do? Mistake? Next stop India? Art, Architecture, and medieval monuments were not my only reason for travelling to Italy, but were high on the list. I wanted to see and experience the life. I do not see the life standing in front of David. I see the history, the human achievement, the humanity, and a lot of god-damn tourists with selfie-sticks. The life part I missed mostly, but got some glimpses perhaps at Chestnut Festival in Marradi (full of Italian 'tourists' but not groups of foreigners standing in front of every statue, church or cobble street with an iPhone), great food; fun for all. Sitting at a park after school watching the kids play, and the moms or dads nearby catching up on the local gossip. That was the Italy I sought, culture, attitude, life. Found bits of it. But not enough really, maybe I was too much tourist, and not enough traveler. I learned things though, yes, felt all my hardwork planning, learning the trains, it all came together so nicely without really any hitches (forgot to cancel hotel reservation and lost some money, worse thing that happened really). But I cam home with an emptiness, and feeling like I didn't do it right. Not about the church or museum we didn't see, saw all things listed in Rick Steve's must see list, but still just felt like something, was missing. Or maybe that's just my sub-concious saying 'go back, there's more!'.


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Nottely Marina
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Nottely Marine Inc. has been locally owned and operated by Carleen Doucette since 1993. With experience, knowledge, and outstanding customer service Nottely Marina is an exceptional place to visit on Lake Nottely. Whether you're looking for bait, boat rentals, slip rentals, or if you are looking to learn more about our beautiful lake.... Nottely Marina is the place to visit!
We offer a full service fuel dock with non-ethanol 90 octane gasoline, general store on the water for your boating or snacking needs, clean restrooms, pontoons rentals, boat launch with adjacent courtesy dock, slip rentals.... and much more! Whatever your boating or water needs may be... stop in and speak with the great staff at Nottely Marina!
All visitors to the area are encouraged to come down to the marina, learn about the lake, and enjoy a great relaxing day on the water.
- Snacks on the water!
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3 Miles North of town


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Gigapan McDonald Observatory Overlooking Fort Davis, TX
McDonald Observatory Overlooking Fort Davis, TX. View from the porch of Bill Wren, the lead of Dark Sky Preservation at University of Texas Astronomy. Copyright 2017 Douglas Robertson for Citizen Doug Productions See it on the gigapan site. More gigapans … Continue reading
Posted in Gigapans Tagged 5Dmiii, astronomy, Bill Wren, Dark Sky Preservation, Davis Mountains, Fort Davis, gigapan, gigapixel, McDonald Observatory, panorama, Sunset, texas, University of Texas Leave a comment


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Kanye West was "shaking" with nerves as he received an honorary degree yesterday (11.05.15).
The 37-year-old rapper told 900 graduates at the prestigious School of the Art Institute of Chicago that he would make their lives "easier" as he picked up the honour because he would no longer need them to "defend" his credentials.
He said: "I felt my nerves a bit, and I don't feel that feeling a lot. The nerves of humility and modesty when being honoured. A humanisation, a reality of being recognised. And all I thought as I sit here, kind of shaking a little bit is... I need to get rid of that feeling. I need to not be nervous.
"This honour is going to make your lives easier. Two reasons: You don't have to defend me as much. And, I'm gonna make all of our lives easier."
And the 'All Day' hitmaker - who has 22-month-old daughter North with wife Kim Kardashian - also advised the students to apologise a lot as it made it easier to give an opinion.
He said: "I am a pop artist. So my medium is public opinion and the world is my canvas.
"'I'm sorry' is something that you can use a lot. It gives you the opportunity to give your opinion. Apologise for it. And give your opinion again. People say, 'You should not be sorry for your opinions!' "
Kanye - who dropped out of Chicago State University to pursue a music career - admitted when he decided to branch out into design having qualifications would have made things "easier".
He said: "It would have been easier if I could have said I had a degree at the Art Institute of Chicago."


text: I have a AMD 3500+ 2.21ghz 1gig ram and video card is Gforce 6800 I want to upgrade, get a nice clean transfer of all my current files to a new computer. Here are 2 options I have, let me know if they are significant and long lasting upgrades from my current setup. _______________________________________________ First one: $975 This system is Mega Powerful for Gaming or running Multithreaded Apps. Whatever you need from a system, this beast likely has it! Here's the tech sheet: AMD Phenom 2 945 Processor (3.0GHz, 4 cores) MSI 790GX Motherboard (High-end AMD chipset) 4GB G.Skill PC8500 DDR2 RAM nVidia 9800GX2 1GB Video card (dual GPUs!) 1TB Western Digital Black HDD (the fastest 1TB drive) Corsair 620 Watt Power Supply 22X SATA DVD burner Antec 300 case Windows Seven (Ultimate, RC, 64-Bit) I benchmarked it with 3DMark06, and at all stock speeds, it scored a 15632. _____________________________ Second one: $980 wanted to build a solid system around the Phenom 2 processors, but this WAY overachieved what I thought possible. Here's the rundown of components: Processor-AMD X2 550 Black (Specific stepping chosen for OC ability) Heatsink-OCZ Vendetta 2 RAM-4GB G.Skill PC8000 DDR2 (2X2GB) Motherboard-Gigabyte MA785G-UD3H Video Card-HIS HD4890 1GB Hard Drive-Hitachi 500GB SATA2 Power Supply-Corsair HX520 (Modular) Case- Silverstone PS02B with added 140mm top fan Optical- Pioneer 212 DVD burner OS-Windows 7 Ultimate RC 64-Bit This CPU is unlocked to be a quad core and runs STABLY at 3.94GHz, all 4 cores (OCCT verified). With only 5% overclocking on the Video card, this system pulled a 17574 3DMark06 score, with a CPU rating of 5698 (faster than an i7 920 or i7 940 at stock speeds). CPU temps under 100% load over hours never broke 55 celcius, well below the TDP for this processor, so it's not going to burn out on you 3 months down the road. For overall performance, nothing in this price category even comes close!! _____________________________________________ I play mainly FPS but I do want an all around upgrade while keeping the gaming a priority.


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Today in the Rhode Show Kitchen we're making Fish Reuben with Chef Mike Cote of Blount Clam Shack.
some clam cakes. >> or fish reuben. >> or fish reuben, which i have actually never had before. chef mike is here from blount's clam shack and you guys actually have a couple locations. >> we have one atryside and a smaller menu, but we bring more stuff in. >> and your main one is in warren. >> warren street. >> michelle was telling us this morning that she really liked it. we're going to get started frying these up. justin white, our floor director, was very interested in the type of oil that you guys use. tell me about this. >> it's called a non-transfat free oil. >> it's a little healthier. >> little healthier for everybody. >> and what — what is it a soy oil? >> soy oil. >> let's get started with this haddock, because i actually tried the one that i made before and it was pretty good. >> you guys cut your own haddock? — catch your haddock. >> we get it from blount fine foods. we hav
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The Circle is a 2017 American film directed by James Ponsoldt and written by Ponsoldt and Dave Eggers, based on Eggers' 2013 novel of the same name. The film stars Emma Watson, Tom Hanks, John Boyega, Karen Gillan, Ellar Coltrane, Patton Oswalt, Glenne Headly, and Bill Paxton, in his final film appearance following his death in February 2017.
A young tech worker named Mae Holland takes a job at a powerful Internet corporation called The Circle that was co-founded by Eamon Bailey and Tom Stenton. She quickly rises up the company's ranks and soon finds herself in a perilous situation concerning privacy, surveillance, and freedom. Mae comes to learn that her decisions and actions will determine the future of humanity.


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Apartment, Mooloolaba
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From $148 per night {{quote.pricing.message}} Total {{quote.pricing.price | format:'currency':'short'}} for
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Magnificent, world class waterfront/ocean views of Mooloolaba Bay and beyond greet you from every room of this amazing light and airy north-facing apartment Stay, play and relax with sparkling beach, river, pool and great nature walks and bikeways only a few steps away - YOUR PIECE OF PARADISE AWAITS
Located 100kms north of Brisbane on the beautiful Sunshine Coast, a relaxing escape at Mariner Point Apartments is your perfect getaway
You are within a 1 minute's stroll to both the surf beach stretching for miles - on one side of the complex - and the Mooloolah River with its yachts peacefully at anchor on the other. Right on your doorstep are beautiful walking tracks and bikeways, fishing opportunities, the beach, La Balsa waterfront park with its BBQ and outdoor gym facilities right on the water's edge, Point Cartwright nature reserve and spit with its fabulous nature walks, and a great alfresco cafe serving delicious meals also with an outlook to the water.
Relax on the balcony in your deckchairs watching the world go by or take a splash in the sparkling pool downstairs perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Mooloolaba Harbour entrance.
Each day dawns where you can't wait to wake up to the beautiful sunrises, dolphins frolicking, early morning kayakers paddling, and sit on the balcony towards sunset marveling at nature's amazing sunsets and the twinkling lights of Mooloolaba. Be lucky enough to book over New Year's Eve and watch the awesome fireworks spectacular at Mooloolaba from your very own private vantage point - just fantastic
All of this and Mooloolaba restaurants are only a 5 minute drive away; the Sunshine Coast airport a 15 minute drive; and day trips easily undertaken from this central location.
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