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Mark Muller is the director of the Environment and Agriculture Program at the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy. In his work, Mr. Muller helps to promote sustainable agriculture and protecting the environment. He is also an advocate for farmers and farming communities. His diverse interests over the years have included physics and environmental engineering, but he began working in the policy field after he came to understand how integrated policy and environmental issues are.
Mr. Muller graduated from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Geneseo with a Bachelor of Arts in Physics and a minor in Mathematics. He went on to get his Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from Manhattan College. He has been with IATP for seven years, and he has also worked as a science teacher, an environmental scientist, and a water project engineer, and he interned at an organic farm. His work has taken him from New York to Guatemala and Puerto Rico.
About Mr. Muller & His Career
Please tell us about your career.
I am the director of the Environment and Agriculture Program at the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy in Minneapolis. We are a nonprofit organization that promotes viable agricultural communities that protect the environment.
My background is not in policy, but environmental engineering. I spent a couple of years as an engineer, but became increasingly interested in the policy forces that were causing some of the environmental problems. And I have always had an interest in agriculture, having spent several summers working on farms and at the cooperative extension. Agriculture is the dominant land use in much of the United States, and farming and food processing contribute enormously to our economy. Agriculture is a driving force for both positive and negative changes in the environment.
What do you enjoy most about your career?
Without question, the best aspect of my career in agricultural policy is when our work contributes to positive changes. Some of the new conservation provisions in the farm bill are a result of the hard work of thousands of people with a vision for a different kind of agriculture. Being part of these successes makes it all worthwhile.
You volunteered for several months in Guatemala, working with members of the San Lucas Water Project. Please tell us about this experience, and how it influenced your career path.
I went down to Guatemala just after completing my master's degree in environmental engineering. I think all volunteers have a vision of changing the world, and I was hoping my education could help bring clean water to some of the communities surrounding San Lucas in the western highlands of Guatemala.
Of course, the real world is much more complicated. The San Lucas municipal wells did a good job of supplying the town with potable water, but the high iron and sulfur content of the water made it unpopular. So we did some work building a prototype slow sand filter, which did a great job of removing the red tint from the iron, but was much too expensive to build on a large scale.
The most rewarding part of being in Guatemala was working with some of the small rural communities on getting clean water. This mostly entailed helping to dig ditches and fix leaks. It was amazing to see how much effort people needed to put forth to obtain clean water, while we in the United States hardly give our water supply a second thought.
Spending that time in Guatemala influenced my career path considerably because I saw firsthand some of the downsides to globalization. Large food companies own most of the prime fruit-growing regions by the coast. Campesinos that own small parcels of land in the mountains receive lousy prices for their coffee beans. Few alternatives existed for Guatemalans in the rural regions to earn a decent living.
What are some of your favorite projects you've worked on, and why?
What has probably been my most interesting project has been studying Mississippi River navigation. The US Army Corps of Engineers is currently studying the feasibility of expanding several locks on the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers from 600 to 1200 feet. The reason this is being considered is because increased tow capacity allows one towboat to transport nearly 1200 feet of barges. Currently, these large tows need to lock through in two parts, sometimes causing several hours of delays during peak traffic times. I have been involved with this project because of our concern that the enormous cost of this project (over $1 billion to taxpayers) will not provide significant cost savings to farmers, and will result in continued deterioration of the Mississippi River ecosystem.
This project has been so interesting because it ties in so many different issues - international trade, farm income, agricultural transportation, river ecology, and economic forecasting. I really enjoy trying to make sense out of the different threads.
Another one of my favorite projects has been promoting "third crops". Two crops, corn and soybeans, dominate much of Upper Midwest agriculture. While this region and our farmers produce some of the highest yields for these crops in the world, it has not resulted in economic prosperity for most farmers. Prices are often below the costs of production, and the annual row crops contribute to soil erosion and excessive nutrients in water bodies.
We have found that many farmers are more than willing to explore alternative crops. We've put together a couple of workshops, presentations and a newsletter on these "third crop" opportunities. The response has been tremendous, because both the agricultural and environmental communities are looking for ways to get out of the current two crop system.
Do you feel that it's important for someone to be passionate about Sustainable Agriculture to be successful in the field?
Yes, I think it is important for anyone to find a career that they have some passion for, particularly in the nonprofit world. Salaries are lower and we don't have some of the perks that are common in a corporate atmosphere, so without some passion I think someone would start to wonder why they are doing this very quickly.
What are some of your personal and/or professional goals for the future?
I am very interested in seeing some of the ideas we have been promoting take off as small businesses. Several years ago, IATP started an organic, fair trade coffee operation, called Peace Coffee. It has struggled along, but in the past couple of years business has really taken off. It seems that a critical mass of people now understand what organic and fair trade means, and are willing to seek these products out in the marketplace. I think there are a lot more opportunities like that, from promoting locally produced food to renewable energies.
About Sustainable Agriculture
Please tell us about the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy. What is the Institute doing to further the goals of Sustainable Agriculture?
IATP is involved with agriculture and trade policy at the state, national and international levels. The organization started in 1986 with a concern that the development of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (which later formed the World Trade Organization) would reduce our nation's ability to implement policies that maintain a strong agricultural economy and protect the environment. So IATP was formed in order to promote these concerns at the international levels.
In the past eight years we have recognized the importance of developing positive, alternative visions to the dominant "free trade" paradigm. We started a forestry program that is helping landowners form forestry cooperatives and obtain certification for sustainable practices. We have worked on maintaining strong standards for organic agriculture and have begun a process for defining standards for sustainable agriculture. We disseminate information on alternative cropping practices and help farmers develop markets for alternative crops. We also started an organization called Renewing the Countryside that highlights success stories of entrepreneurs finding creative ways to earn a living while protecting the environment.
You are currently the Director of the Environment & Agriculture Program at IATP. What does this position entail?
As director, the biggest change in my work life has been an increase in fundraising responsibility. The downturn in the economy in 2001 reduced the funds that foundations have available to disperse. So the biggest challenge has been finding enough funding sources to keep our program thriving. I continue to stay involved in three or four projects. Presentations and papers are another important component of the work.
What are the most rewarding, and the most challenging, aspects of your job?
I've really enjoyed the people I work with, and I always love meeting with farmers and hearing their stories. And as I mentioned before, the policy successes are very rewarding. A very challenging aspect of the job is trying to keep spirits high when those successes are not happening. Project development is also a challenge - finding the right mix of feasible short-term change, long-term vision, and funder interest.
Why is Sustainable Agriculture socially important?
Our food system impacts so much of our lives, including food safety, health, land use, culture, ecology, economic development and foreign relations. For the past 50 years we seem to have followed a path of maximizing the production of a few crops and livestock and then opening up foreign markets for our agricultural products. We are once again realizing that agriculture can provide much more than that. A healthy rural landscape is not only good for the environment, but it also can provide the basis for hunting, fishing, recreation and tourism, and many other benefits. The explosion in organic and local foods also demonstrates that consumers are looking for more out of their food system.
Education in the Field: What to Expect
Please tell us about your education experience.
My background is in science and engineering. I really had no idea what I wanted to do with those degrees, but figured it would give me a solid background for a lot of different careers. What probably had the most impact on my current career was the work I did in the summer in agriculture.
You majored in Physics as an undergrad; your Master's degree is in Environmental Engineering;, and now you're in Sustainable Agriculture. How did you choose these different fields?
I chose physics because I had no idea what I wanted to do. Because of my interest in environmental issues, I thought environmental engineering would be a logical transition. When I learned about the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, I was very excited about potentially working there and combining my science and environmental engineering background with agriculture and policy.
Based on what you hear in the industry, what do you think are the most respected and prestigious Sustainable Agriculture schools, departments or programs?
There are several excellent agricultural schools that provide students with an opportunity to focus on sustainable agriculture. The ones that I am most familiar with are:
- Cornell University
- University of Minnesota
- University of California-Davis
- University of Wisconsin
- Iowa State University
What kinds of degree programs can students choose that would lead to a career in Sustainable Agriculture?
Just like any industry, there are many different angles to approach sustainable agriculture. Agronomy, business management, agricultural engineering, entomology, marketing, transportation logistics, and public policy would all have practical applications in sustainable agriculture.
You often present IATP's research and policy recommendations at conferences and meetings. How would you recommend that students prepare for a job that may require public speaking?
I'm not sure if there is any other way to prepare for speaking in front of large audiences except to do it a few times. I was a high school science teacher for two years, and that definitely helped me gain some confidence. The key for me is preparation - the better I know a topic, the more comfortable I am speaking about it.
What advice can you give to students who are just starting out in the environmental field?
The environmental issues that we are currently facing seem more complex than 30 years ago. In the early 1970s, the environmental contamination was obvious and caused a public outcry. This led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Clean Water Act, probably the most important piece of environmental legislation that exists. A regulatory approach was needed and it worked.
Now, some of the most ecologically destructive contaminants are ubiquitous, such as nutrients in water bodies and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. We cannot simply stop farmers from fertilizing fields and people from burning fossil fuels. Effective policies are going to require the use of market forces, incentives, targeted research, and other methods of pushing our society in the right direction.
Jobs in the Field: What to Expect
What are some of the career paths a student can pursue with an education in Sustainable Agriculture?
The most obvious path is to become a farmer. But with high land values, high costs of equipment, and many lenders' uneasiness about sustainable agriculture, obtaining the capital for a farming operation can be a challenge. Many sustainable agriculture advocates have found careers in universities and nonprofits. I think there is a growing opportunity for jobs in the organics and sustainable food industry. The demand for these healthy foods is there, but we are struggling to increase access to these foods.
What is the average salary for someone in Sustainable Agriculture?
I don't really have any idea. I suspect a farm laborer might only make $15-$20,000/year, while executives at some of the very successful businesses and cooperatives like Organic Valley could be doing very well.
What kinds of experiences outside of the classroom can help prepare students for work in the field?
The best experience I had was working on farms. It is important to have those types of experiences in order to ground policy work.
The Industry
What topics are emerging as hot issues in the field of Sustainable Agriculture?
I think the tremendous interest in local and organic foods remains the hot issue. Organic agriculture has been growing at 20% a year. We need to figure out how farmers and retailers can meet that demand while remaining true to the principles of organic agriculture.
Has the popularity of the Internet affected your profession?
Farmers are finding very innovative ways of using the internet to distribute food. Our office receives a monthly email from a farm cooperative with the foods they have available and the prices. We place an order, and in a few days the food is delivered directly to our office. It's a great, low-cost method of distribution.
Consumers are now realizing that the Internet can provide an alternative to supermarket shopping. We have also used the internet to let consumers know about farmers in their local area. The Eat Well Guide http://www.eatwellguide.org has thousands of farmers and retailers of sustainable food listed.
What problems will be addressed by the industry in the next five years?
Some of the problems that I see need to be addressed:
- Loss of farms - the economic difficulties of farming may result in having very large, industrialized farms and a few niche farms, with little opportunity for family-sized sustainable farms.
- Differentiation - the organic food industry has used a certification process to differentiate itself. Sustainable agriculture does not have any certification. How do we ensure consumers that sustainably-grown foods are indeed better than conventional foods?
- Genetic contamination - consumers have voiced a strong preference for GMO-free [Genetically Modified Organisms] foods, yet cross-pollination is making it very difficult for sustainable farmers to remain GMO free.
- Food retailer consolidation - as Wal-Mart and other huge stores increasingly dominate food retail, it gets more difficult for small farmers to gain access to consumers.
- Farm policy breakdown - The changing world grain markets and international trade policy will lead to dramatic changes in US farm policy in the next few years. We need to make sure that sustainable agriculture can thrive in this new world.
Closing Remarks
Is there anything else you can tell us about yourself, your career, or the profession that would be interesting or helpful to others aspiring to enter and succeed in Sustainable Agriculture?
I think flexibility is one aspect of my personality that has helped me in the sometimes chaotic realm of policy development. I sometimes have to act like an engineer or an economist or a data-entry person. Knowing something about several topics is important.
EDITOR'S NOTE: For more information about the educational and career outlook for Agricultural Science majors, click here.


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Major Section: PROOF-TREE
Example forms: (checkpoint-forced-goals t) (checkpoint-forced-goals nil)Also see proof-tree.
By default, goals are not marked as checkpoints by a proof tree
display (as described elsewhere; see proof-tree)
merely because they force some hypotheses, thus possibly
contributing to a forcing round. However, some users may want such
behavior, which will occur once the command
t) has been executed. To return to the default behavior, use the
(checkpoint-forced-goals nil).

subset: commoncrawl


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So a few days has passed since my visit to the doctors and I've received a lot of encouragement from friends and team mates. To be honest, when I blogged about the verdict on my knee and the operation, I have to be honest and say that I knew to anticipate it and knew in the back of my mind that the knee would need surgery to repair the damage.
The only reason why I was slightly bummed out by it was simply because I know I will miss some games in the cup and I've worked hard to get myself in shape. The team also looks good and composed and we've had a series of good training sessions, so from that point of view, it's tough to sit out.
However, I know that the operation will fix a problem that has hampered my performance for the past three years. I guess you could say that I'm going through some sort of analysis or stages of things. Alcoholics have their steps to recovery and if I go by their scale, I'm now on step called anger.
Why am I angry? I'm angered by the treatment that I have received up until now. From the early onset when I described my symptoms and the pain that I felt, the doctor I'm seeing now has been able to tell me what the likely cause is and treat it properly.
When I first sustained the injury I was taken to the Bristol A&E (Emergency department for any Americans) where the knee was examined and X-rayed. Despite being in so much pain that I was on gas and morphine at the time and not being able to bear weight on the leg or bend it, as the X-ray didn't show a break or a fracture, I was sent home with a shrug of the shoulders and given a diagnosis of 'ligaments' and told to stay off the leg for 6 weeks.
Despite having a good remainder of the season that year, I never fully recovered. The season after that was plagued by the injury and every stride that I took felt like someone was twisting a knife in the knee.
However, training hard for last season I was able to regain some form and felt that the knee had finally settled.
Between these seasons, particularly the 08 summer cup, I went to see a 'specialist' at an NHS clinic where my knee was scanned but nothing was seen. Though it turned out that the 'doctor' was a physio therapist rather than an orthopaedic specialist. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing but respect and admiration for physio therapists. They were able to provide some form of pain alleviation when I was at my worst and have treated many of my other ailments.
However, to make a long story short, the diagnosis that I got from the 'doctors' was that the pain was all in my head and I was imagining most of it. So in space of a year I had gone from having an injury to a crazy person. The treatment was a course of painkillers, which only got stronger and stronger as time went on. I'm honestly surprised that I have not gotten addicted to any of the medications I have been on, as most have warning labels stating that can cause addiction.
So the reason why I'm angry is that it seems that doing things through public healthcare is a nightmare, unless you have been involved in a serious accident or have another acute health problem. I have to admit that when I had to get my appendix removed, the service I got was first class.
But it is frustrating, when if your condition is not serious or has something to do with a joint, you are overlooked. Understandably joints are difficult to diagnose, the knee in particular, but if a patient keeps coming back frequently and with same symptoms you would expect that the problem would be properly looked into, but no.
I wonder how well I would've played and trained had the knee been treated properly the first time around, but because of it, I have lost three years of playing at my sharpest edge.
In either case, I'm happy that it is going to be treated and I look forward to hitting the ice once it has healed. Who knows, maybe it will re-invigorate my play like it Teemu Selanne's after the lock out.


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Holidays/lego store haul
by Krisproductions on Jan.07, 2012, under Updates
:2012, a, awesome, brick, haul, Hul, kris, krisp, krisproduction, krisproductionstudios, Lego, Mtt, my, pick, productions, sets, star, Starwars, store, studio, summer, thumbs, up, vids, wars, winter
Just an update for all of you who will see this. Right now i am on my way back from vacation in Hawaii. To my luck i got to go to the Lego store. I lucked out and got great pick-a-brick! I got tons of great bricks, and a big surprise which none of you will ever see coming! Just hand on a few more days for a over all Christmas haul. So check my main youtube channel for that!
1 Comment for this entry
April 4th, 2012 on 1:11 pm
kris i think we shoud see what you look like.


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Nikon 1 cameras offer superior basic performance, as well as new forms of imaging expression and the enjoyment that goes along with them. In addition to the high-speed performance achieved with an advanced hybrid AF system that ensures certain capture of the intended subject under a wide variety of circumstances, Nikon 1 cameras are also equipped with Nikon's exclusive compact and lightweight Nikon 1 lens mount. The cameras also enable new imaging experiences with features such as Motion Snapshot and Smart Photo Selector.
In addition to the performance achieved with previous Nikon 1 cameras, the J2 also offers a number of improvements in terms of design and usability. An elegant design utilizing metal has been adopted, and the number of colors in which the camera is available has been increased to six, allowing users better expression of personal preference and individuality. A new Creative mode has been added to the four original shooting modes available on the mode dial, allowing for easy specification of the desired shooting scenes from a total of eight options, including Night Landscape. What's more, the J2 can be turned on or off using the retractable lens barrel button on applicable lenses, and monitor visibility has been increased with adoption of a high-resolution, 921k-dot LCD monitor.
The J2 is an excellent camera for those looking for a high-performance camera that offers a variety of functions, yet for whom simple operation is a requirement. It is an excellent choice for users accustomed to the portability and simple, familiar operation of a compact digital camera looking to take the next step to an advanced camera with interchangeable lense system.
High-definition, high-speed AF for movies and still images
The advanced hybrid AF system that offers both incredibly fast focusing and superior definitionThe advanced hybrid AF system combines phase-detection AF, which enables fast focusing and excellent tracking performance for moving subjects, with contrast-detect AF, which achieves superior performance even under dim lighting. As the camera automatically chooses the best AF system according to the subject and shooting conditions, instantaneous focusing on any subject is always possible. With extremely fast and accurate AF tracking capability, the camera is also perfect for photographing moving subjects.
A super high-speed AF CMOS image sensor that enables high-speed, high-performance AF
The super high-speed AF CMOS image sensor developed by Nikon is compatible with Nikon's new CX format. With the addition of this CX format, Nikon has added a new imaging format to its existing FX and DX formats for digital-SLR cameras. Focal-plane phase-detection AF is built into the sensor, enabling the world's fastest autofocusing*1, as well as the most focus points*2?73 with phase-detection AF?available with any camera in the world. The sensor supports standard imaging sensitivities of ISO 100?3200 with an additional Hi 1 (equivalent to ISO 6400) setting for superior sensitivity performance. It also enables high-speed continuous shooting at approximately 10 fps with AF tracking. When focus is locked, continuous shooting of full-resolution images at hight-speed continuous shooting rate of 60 fps*3 is also possible. These features ensure certain capture of decisive moments with a variety of scenes, whether photographing the antics of children or animals at play, or action-packed sporting events.
*1Among interchangeable-lens digital cameras available as of August 9, 2012. Statement based on performance with shooting using the 1 NIKKOR VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 at the maximum wide-angle position with AF-area mode set to single-point. Results based on testing in accordance with Nikon guidelines.*2Among interchangeable-lens digital cameras available as of August 9, 2012. Refers to the number of phase-detection AF points available for selection at an AF-area mode setting of single-point. Statement based on research conducted by Nikon.*3The maximum number of shots per burst is 12. Maximum shooting rate when focus is locked with the first shot in a burst. Results based on Nikon test conditions as of August 9, 2012.
EXPEED 3 for faster image processing with better performance
The J2 is equipped with EXPEED 3, Nikon's exclusive comprehensive image-processing concept optimized for the Nikon 1 system for superior high-speed image processing. Users can experience the full potential of EXPEED 3 when using features such as Motion Snapshot or Smart Photo Selector, which require high-speed processing, as well as with the ability to capture full-resolution still images while recording full-HD movies.An attractive appearance that will make users proud to keep the camera with them wherever they go
The world's most compact* and lightweight camera system
Nikon has achieved the world's most compact* and lightweight camera body, with which Nikon's exclusive Nikon 1 mount has been adopted. The system allows users to easily enjoy stress-free photography in any situation.
*As of August 9, 2012. Among interchangeable-lens digital cameras equipped with image sensors of the same size, or larger than, the CX format size. Statement based on research conducted by Nikon.
Designed with metal for an elegant look and feel
Metal has been adopted for components including the camera's top cover and mode dial for a better texture and increased elegance. A new face has been added to some models with adoption of a textured finish on the front cover that is well suited to the feel of the new metal components (red and pink models only).
Six color options suited to a variety of individual preferences
The J2 is available in six colors, allowing users to choose the color best suited to their individual style or preference. In addition to the five colors available with the J1, the J2 will also be available in a vivid new orange. Depending upon the color selected, the camera back will be either black or dark brown. In addition, the barrels of kit lenses are the same color as the camera bodies for an integrated look not expected of interchangeable-lens cameras.
New forms of imaging expression
Motion Snapshot combines a full-HD movie vignette with a still image for more dramatic imaging expressionIn Motion Snapshot mode, simply pressing the shutter-release button records a still image and about a second of movie footage beginning before and ending after the time the shutter-release button was pressed. Movies recorded in Motion Snapshot mode are played back in slow motion. When Motion Snapshot files are played back, the movie vignette is played in slow motion over approximately 2.5 seconds, followed by display of the still image. Playback of the entire sequence, with pre-selected background music, lasts approximately 10 seconds.
Don't just preserve still images of precious moments. Use this new form of imaging to combine slow-motion movie vignettes with still images to record emotional scenes from weddings or birthdays, to show just how cute children or pets are at play, or to capture impressive scenes from nature such as a breeze blowing through the trees or the flow of water. Add the slow-motion movie recorded with Motion Snapshot to slide shows played back with the camera to create your own original movies.Motion Snapshot allows users to record dramatic and original imaging works using conventional shooting operations. Use this feature to enjoy a new form of imaging expression that combines a movie vignette, still image, and background music.
Smart Photo Selector for simple capture of the best shot
When the shutter-release button is pressed halfway in Smart Photo Selector mode, the camera begins recording images to the memory buffer. When the shutter-release button is pressed the rest of the way down, 20 shots, buffered at a rate of 30 fps both before and after the shutter-release button was pressed all the way down, are initial candidates for best shots. Once buffering is complete, the camera automatically eliminates images that are blurred, or in which the primary subject is not included in the frame, to choose the best five candidates based on movement and composition to record to the memory card. From the five candidates, the camera then chooses the best image to display in the monitor.
Smart Photo Selector is an excellent function for capturing images of children or animals whose movements can be quick and erratic, as well as any time you don't want to miss the perfect shot. This feature also eliminates the need to re-take pictures and helps to save space on memory cards when taking group shots at parties or on trips as it frequently eliminates shots in which people's eyes are closed. You no longer need to capture a large number of shots and then go through them manually to find the best photo. By simply pressing the shutter-release button as usual, Smart Photo Selector does all the work for you.
Superior image quality with both still images and movies
High-resolution still images (3840 x 2160 pixels?approx. 8.3 megapixels, 16 : 9) can be recorded while recording movies in movie mode without interrupting movie recording. This allows users to enjoy recording both full-HD movies and high-resolution still images without having to choose between the two.
Creative mode
The mode dial on the first Nikon 1 cameras (Nikon 1 V1, Nikon 1 J1) offered four shooting modes: Motion Snapshot mode, Smart Photo Selector mode, still image mode, and movie mode. The new J2 mode dial offers Motion Snapshot mode, Smart Photo Selector mode, auto photo mode, movie mode, and the new Creative mode. Easily enjoy a variety of forms of imaging expression by simply choosing one of the scenes available in Creative mode?Night Landscape, Night Portrait, Backlighting, Easy Panorama, Soft, Miniature Effect, Selective Color, four exposure modes?prior to shooting. In addition, assist images, displayed with scene selection, have been built into the camera to show the sorts of results you can expect from each Creative mode scene.
Layout of operational controls
The J2X1030 offers a mode dial with five shooting modes for simple shooting preparation by simply rotating the mode dial to the desired mode. J2 dials and other controls are larger than with the camera's predecessor, making them easier to see and enabling smoother operation. What's more, the camera can be turned on or off using the retractable lens barrel button on applicable lenses*. With power control linked to the lens retractable lens barrel button, one less step is required when photo opportunities suddenly present themselves, or when putting the camera away after shooting, for overall smoother operation.
*Compatible lenses: 1 NIKKOR VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6, 1 NIKKOR VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6, 1 NIKKOR 11-27.5mm f/3.5-5.6
LCD monitor with higher resolution
The Nikon 1 J1 was equipped with a 3-inch, approximately 460k-dot, LCD monitor. The J2 is equipped with a 3-inch, approximately 921k-dot LCD monitor with wide viewing angle for greater definition and increased visibility.
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Phenomenon, remuneration and statistics have topped a list of the most commonly mispronounced English words.
Speakers also have a problem getting their tongue around ethnicity, hereditary and particularly, according to the body charged with recording public utterances.
The British Institute Of Verbatim Reporters (BIVR) is the UK's leading organisation for professionals involved in taking down speech at court and tribunal hearings.
A poll of its members found 10 words that Britons consistently find the most challenging to pronounce.
Completing the list are conjugal, specific, processes and development.
Leah Willersdorf, of the BIVR, said: "We work with many different types of professionals and hear all kinds of voices during our work.
"However, when it comes to the English language it always seems to be the same few words that verbally trip people up, with the speaker having to repeat the word in order to get it right, or just abandoning their attempts and moving on."
BIVR members were quizzed by the team behind the popular word game Scrabble.
According to the words buffs, one in 10 players admit to being reluctant to producing words that they cannot pronounce.
Scrabble is a favourite with British families over the festive period, with an estimated 11 million going head to head on Boxing Day, according to its makers.
University of York sociolinguistics expert Professor Paul Kerswill said the English language has evolved to compensate for tricky pronunciations but some words remain a challenge.
He said: "People always find a way of simplifying words that they find difficult to get their tongues round, so that an everyday word like 'handbag' sounds like 'hambag'.
"Our forebears simplified 'waistcoat' to 'weskit' - but we've turned our backs on that.
"We certainly don't pronounce Worcester and Gloucester the way they are spelt any more. And 'York' used to have three syllables, not one.
"And most people talk about 'Febry' and 'Wensday'."


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Latex Kitty Menu Driven Features:
The following menus can be accessed from any of the worn attachments.
Once the Lock command is selected it will effect all the worn parts making them all undetachable. This removes the need for each part to be locked seperately.
-OWNERS - Ownership Ability allows you to add owners and give them access to the menus. Simply click on the Kitty, go to 'OWNERS' and select 'Add OWNER'. Then choose the appropriate button number to add the person you want And your done!
- LOCK - Locks all the Kitty's attachments.
- UNLOCK - Unlocks all the Kitty's attachments.
- BLOCK TP - Blocks all forms of Teleport, TP to Landmarks, TP to Map Locations, TP to Friends and TP to Sit on Objects.
- GAG - Prevents the Kitty from talking.
- UNGAG - Allows the Kitty to talk again.
- BREATHE ON - Turns Breathe sound effects on for use in breath play.
- BREATHE OFF - Turns Breathe sound effects off.
- UPDATE - Checks for any upgrades to your product (Note: You must be in range of the Update Server located at the HybridZ Main Store.)
- FREEZE - Freezes the Kitty to the spot preventing any kind of movement.
- UNFREEZE - Unfreezes the Kitty.
- ISOLATE - Isolates the Kitty from interacting in the SecondLife Environment, Inventory access denied edit objects TP etc, IM to locker/OWNER only permitted for safety reasons.
- REM ISO - Turns off Isolation.
Once an Owner has been added to the list they can click on the Kitty to get an extended features list. All the above functions will be present but with the following additional buttons:
- POSES - Choose from 8 built in poses allowing you to control your Kitty. (You may find these poses do not trigger correctly unless the Kitty turns off the Collar AO. They can use the chat commands 'ao off/ao on' if this is the case.)
- CLOTHING - Allows removal of individual clothes, also ALLOW ALL/ DENY ALL controls whether your Kitty can wear or remove clothing.
- GIVE - Dispenses a copy of the Leash Handle/Leash Post or Instructional Notecard to the owner. The Leash Handle is worn on the LEFT HAND.
Once an Owner is wearing the Leash Handle they can then click it to access the LEASH,UNLEASH and LEASH LENGTH options.
Additionally whilst the Kitty is leashed the owner may rez a Leash Post and click on the ring to leash the Kitty to the Post. Clicking on the Leash Handle transfers the leash back from the Post to the Handle.
- Please note if the Kitty is leashed without the Owner wearing the Leash Handle the leash will attach to the Owner at the default 'Pelvis' point.
Additional Features:
- Locking Sound Effects when certain parts are Locked and Unlocked.
- Kitty Purring Sound Effects upon walking.
If you have any Questions, please contact:
fyre Furse, natalie Serapis
Friday, 8 May 2009
HybridZ SubmissionZ Latex Kitty™
Latex Kitty Menu Driven Features:


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Welcome to the CBR SUNDAY CONVERSATION, a weekly feature where we speak in-depth -- and at-length -- with some of the most interesting members of the comic book community. These discussions run the gamut in terms of topics, from current projects to classic stories, talking trends, tastes and wherever else the conversations lead.
Eisner-nominated colorist Jordie Bellaire traded sunny Florida for the ashen skies and supersaturated greens of Ireland, where she lives with fellow "Moon Knight" artist and boyfriend Declan Shalvey. In these past three years both artists have made names for themselves, and Bellaire in particular has been especially prolific. She's established distinct color palettes for "Pretty Deadly," "Magneto," "Nowhere Men," "Flash Gordon," and many, many more. At one point in 2013, she colored nearly 20 concurrent comic books.
This week, CBR News talks to Bellaire about her "Comics are for everybody" initiative toward inclusion and compassion in the comics community, as well as her industrious career in coloring.
CBR News: Tell me about "Comics are for everybody" and how that initiative started.
Jordie Bellaire: Comics are for everybody. I was in Seattle with Declan for Emerald City. That was a great show. Something happened, where -- I don't know, I'm always upset about some femme thing happening in comics, some exclusion happening. I always end up hearing one or two stories and I get really angry. We were coming back on the plane. I turned to Declan and said, "Hey, I have this idea. It's really simple. It's just this on a shirt." He was cool and suggested I google it when we got home to make sure it doesn't already exist. We didn't know about "Friends of Lulu" yet, so I felt stupid when that happened. I googled it to make sure no one was using the slogan for anything. Of course there were bumps in the road there too. When we finally put it out there, I didn't expect people to be so excited. I'd e-mailed a bunch of collaborators first to work on secretly, with the intent of launching it all on one big day. Then that shirt went out from WonderCon.
The fangirls and coffee shirt.
And when I saw that, I got really pissed off. [Laughs] "I'm not waiting anymore!" And I just posted it. I had e-mailed Steven Finch -- AKA Fonografiks of "Saga" fame -- who was my first choice. I said, "Hey, here's this thing. I don't know much about you. We work together, but still. I really want to do this. If you're a cool dude and you have the time, I'd love to pay you to do it." And he didn't even accept payment. He just sent me the thing. He said, "You know, I have a daughter, and this is how I want comics to be perceived for sure. Anything you need, let me know." So I was really happy that he was into the movement as well. Which is what I was hoping it'd be considered. It is meant to be bigger than any particular individual. It was hard for a while. It was just me. I'd been hearing a lot over the past few years, "Stop doing too much on your own." [Laughs] So, I got Jen Aprahamian to do web stuff and R Stevens of Diesel Sweeties to print and distribute, which is amazing. A godsend. He's incredibly kind and generous with his time. And Steven Finch, of course. It's kind of like the four of us on this one thing. It's been very exciting. We've got retailers signing up for the free stickers. I just got an e-mail from Stevens saying he just got a bunch of the printed shirts. He said they came out great. We'll have photos. It started out as a small idea and basically did not think it would be this crazy. I'm just happy that people like it.
Have you received a lot of feedback aside from the orders themselves? What are people saying?
Positive or negative? [Laughs]
There's a bit of both?
Yeah, a lot of people have been cool. People have been really, really neat, including collaborators I've worked with before like Kieron Gillen and Kelly Sue DeConnick. Warren Ellis. A lot of the people I'd touched base with in advance to see how they felt about it. I e-mailed Jon Hickman too. I just wanted to see if enough of them said, "Jordie, this is stupid. Don't do this." But nobody did. they were all really supportive. And I think since it's all happened, fans of comics, readers of comics, collaborators, really seem to dig it, and we've sold a lot. Which is exciting, because I think today makes a week since we launched it. But we did get some negative feedback in that some felt the symbol [an equal sign inside a traditional word balloon] was too closely linked to the HRC [Human Rights Campaign] political issues. I got a lot of support saying to dismiss that. Which was nice, but really wrong. [Laughs] That's exactly what this is not about. We cannot forget anyone, regardless of whether you think the concern is ridiculous or reactionary. I don't want anyone to feel excluded by it, even if it's just a symbol. So we've removed the symbol. I would say that's as negative as thing's got, and it got pretty scary, because a whole group of people felt excluded, and that sucks. The gay and transgender community. Why the hell would I want to shut anybody out, especially those who nobody really takes the time to understand? No way. So we fixed that.
The whole intention is obviously inclusion, so if there's any notion of there being limits, it defeats the purpose. It's so deceptively easy to lose sight of the whole spectrum in terms of the language used though. Even with the best of intentions.
Exactly. Exactly. I was so bummed out, too, because a lot of the people saying to just forget it, to not change anything -- they meant well. They didn't want to see me go through the trouble. They knew I'm pretty empathetic and it might get me down, but a lot of that was coming from white men or white women. They speak for a majority.
It's great for everyone to rally around it, but if it doesn't go to bat for the smallest of groups, those most in need of recognition, there's something hypocritical about that. It sounds like you made the right choice.
That's kind of what the whole things is, I hope. Everybody's starting to ask more questions about what they say nowadays. I think Declan said in his conversation with you he talked about programmed sexism.
RELATED: CBR SUNDAY CONVERSATION: Declan Shalvey, Part 1
That's right.
It's the same thing with inadvertently dismissing the transgender community. You can't do that. It's quite possible you've never met a transgendered individual in your day to day life, but you can't dismiss someone because they're not part of your experience.
[At this point in the conversation, Bellaire's boyfriend Declan Shalvey pokes her on the shoulder with the offer of coffee. Pleasantries are exchanged. Soon enough, Bellaire voices mock irritation at Shalvey's lingering presence and swats him away.]
Declan, we're trying to journalism. Journalism is so hard.
It's so hard when you're living with this Irishman, trying to be part of journalism. [Laughs]
How long have you been in Ireland?
Three years!
What was the biggest surprise about Ireland?
No sun.
That was a surprise?
I was living in Florida and then New York for a year. I'd been in Florida most all of my life, and between that and my one crazy New York summer, I did end up missing the sun more than I'd anticipated. I miss driving as well. But honestly, when I first came here, Declan and I were hoping we'd only be here for a year, then we'd go back to New York City and live there. Then his career took off in a big way that second year. "Northlanders" happened, and that was great. He got out of doing fill-ins. Things were going really well for me. I finally started making money and people started knowing who I was with things like "Hulk: Season One" and "Doctor Strange: Season One." Then "Rocketeer" happened last spring too. With stuff like that going on, we ended up staying another year. Then "Moon Knight" got offered for the both of us and we realized we should just stay. This is our HQ. If we moved right now, I don't even knew that we could. We've just got so much work, it's better for us to just sit here and wait for it to kind of die down.
[Laughs] Do you see that happening?
Well it should! I hope so. Declan has things coming up he's very excited about. I keep getting offers, but I'm trying to be limited. I used to feel bad; I wanted to do everything. Now I'm trying to be more selective. We're hoping for two more years. Then I'll have dual citizenship. Then maybe we'll go live in Portland, Maine. But everybody in Portland, Oregon is trying to get us to go there.
Some of my very favorite people in the world are divvied up between the two Portlands.
Portlands are great. You can't really lose.
But for now at least, you're happy in Ireland? Has the culture shock subsided by this point?
There's still some things that drive me mental. I feel like every other day something happens, even though it's been three years now. Declan and I will get into a heated debate because either he'll misunderstand what I said, or he just looks at me like I'm stupid. He just goes, "What is your deal?" I'm like, "What do you mean, 'what's my deal?' What's your deal?" He goes, "What are you expecting?" and I'll go, "Well, in America..." And he just starts shaking his head. We're not in America. That's not how this is going to play out.
Well, you just said "mental." You've been assimilated.
Oh, it's happened. I say "shite." I say "mentalist." "Jay-zus."
Speaking of which, how many books are you coloring right now?
Not right this second as we're talking, just in general.
[Laughs] Well, I've taken down my schedule a lot. Last year was really, really, really stupid. I was coloring too much. Right now I'm coloring about half of that. I think I'm at like eight or nine.
So, you were coloring something like sixteen books at a given time last year?
It was a little more than that. Sometimes. It was bad.
This is in one given month?
Yeah. Those were bad times. I have this great thing called the UP band. It shows you how much sleep you're getting. My mom had gotten me one in August. That September was the worst September on my life. I don't even know how I made it through. I was going through the UP stats recently because I knew I'd been getting a great amount of sleep. Eight hours a night. But I wanted to compare it to something. I thought of September. It said that for the entire month, I got 23 hours of sleep. How does that make sense?
RELATED: Ellis, Shalvey & Bellaire Put a New Face on "Moon Knight"
You'd be dead basically. How are we talking without the use of a Ouija board right now?
I know! But it made sense, honestly. I remember days where I didn't sleep at all, and then I'd catch up and get six hours after two or three days. In September I was a zombie. It was an awful time. After that I met Matt Hollingsworth in person for the first time. He said to me, "How many books are you coloring, like 17?" I looked at him and said, "Who told you?" He'd been kidding. "Are you serious? Jordan, you should not be coloring 17 books." He and even Dave Stewart at Seattle this year told me the same thing -- which is amazing; I worship the ground both of them walk on. Dave said he colored four or five books, seven at the worst. He's such a soft-spoken, lovely guy. Being told this by him and Matt Hollingsworth is like being yelled at by two dads. After they got in my face so politely about it, I realized I should start taking it down a notch. After some of those books ended, I wouldn't fill it in with something else right away. I'm making sure to say no to a lot more things.
There's a point where the human eye must just turn to powder after a while.
Oh yeah. I actually just went in to my optometrist again. I went in in October. I actually have a lot of very bad problems with my eyes. I won't go into it, but they're not great. They're healthy, but I'll have pains and double vision. But it had only been a year and my prescription had changed to such a ridiculous degree, it was embarrassing. So I went back in again this week to double check before I get my new lenses. They ask this horrible question: How many hours on average do you spend in front of your computer in a given day. Well, how many hours are there in a day? 24. So, something like 18? She's like, "Jay-zus." But I am losing my vision. They also say not to wear your glasses when you're looking at the monitor if you don't have to, but I'm actually blind, so I have to wear them. It's the worst. [Hyperbolic groaning noise] Paul, it's the worst.
So, that's the physical wear and tear on your vision. Losing that much sleep, did you have visions or anything?
Oh yeah. Yeah. You mean like hallucinations? There was one time Declan was walking down the stairs. If I was taking a half hour or hour-long nap, I'd just be talking total nonsense. I'd also be really alert and freakishly scared of everything. Declan would go to put his arm on me or touch me and I would jump out of my skin. I was definitely falling apart. I might be paranoid, but I think my hair was also thinning. We were living off of pizza and Indian food, so I definitely packed on some September pounds. From the end of September to the rest of the year I still had a crazy workload, though it never got back up to 17. It hovered around 13-15. Then in January, everything slowed down. Some books ended or went on hiatus. But I got sick for four weeks. It just caught up with me. From New Year's to February 1st, I was sick in bed. It was terrible. I never want to push my body so hard again. My body was just so angry.
What's the most underrated color, in your estimation?
Uh, Purple! Everybody hates purple.
I don't hate purple. Sam Jackson doesn't hate purple.
Thank you. I don't understand the big deal. There are a lot of artists on record as saying they don't want colorists to use purple. I love Tom Fowler. I love him. But when we first started working together he said, "Look at purple in nature. Make sure you don't use purple in my book unless it's in nature." I said, "You know what, you're gonna deal with how I use purple, because purple's great." I guess I see colorists who abuse it, but there are others who wield it and make it do what they want, like Javier Rodriguez on "Daredevil." Rico Renzi. Matthew Wilson. Those dudes are kings of purple. They know how to use it.
It's the royal color. The color of kings and queens.
It is! Do you know why it is? Do you know why?
NYCC: Creating comics with Two X-Chromosomes - Real Talk with Image's Female Creators
Well, of course I do. I mean, naturally. But you should tell the readers.
Murex was a snail that was found at the bottom of the sea. They would harvest it and use it. As a dye, it would make this really gorgeous, royal purple. It was such a fancy thing that only kings and stuff could get. This is back in ancient Sumerian and Egyptian culture. Only the royals could use it. I heard -- I heard -- back in history class -- this is ages ago -- that they farmed out the Murex though. There's no more murex snail. That's what I heard. He might still be there though.
Purple should be celebrated. It's an extinct color. It's the Tasmanian tiger of colors.
Kind, sorta. As a natural pigment anyway. I don't know if you can get it in a lesser form out of flowers or anything. Anyway, purple is the best.
So, what we're seeing is fake purple, not the real deal?
Unless you got to a museum, I guess. Seeing paintings in real tempera paint at a gallery? That stuff makes me so emotional. Knowing all the things the artist went through to get their pigments? Those colors are pretty wild.
I went to see an exhibit here in Philadelphia of Van Gogh -- [attempts accurate pronunciation of Van Gogh's name] -- and I think the most heartbreaking thing was stepping out from that gallery into the museum gift shop. Being a nose away from the genuine article only moments before, the reproductions of those same paintings appear so helplessly drab. And these are museum quality prints.
And that they're on mugs and magnets and things. You wonder what he'd think about that appropriation. If he'd appreciate that.
There's that, too. Part of me says he'd be hungry enough that he might go for it. We'll never know I guess.
I know artists like Mark Rothko would see their pieces hanging in places that didn't feel appropriate, he would say something to the effect of, "My art is not wallpaper." It's meant to be an experience. You're invited into it. He'd be quite deliberate about the way things were hung. I saw one of his works in, I think, St. Petersburg, Florida. I got a little sad because I can't imagine he would've been happy with the setup. It was still nice. I put my nose up on it. I lived it. I experienced those colors. [Sighs] I like Mark Rothko.
What was your last religious experience with color, whether it was an exhibit or film, or natural setting?
Oh! That's a hard question, my friend. I really like movies. You know, there's one that's really been on my mind. I'd like to do a study on it. I really like "Stoker." Something's happening there with color, and I want to examine it. There's some interesting things happening there for sure. I'm sure there are plenty of other things. When I come out of a film, I'm immediately thinking about the color. The little accent colors people are using. They're narrating with color. But the average person doesn't think about it, because really you're not supposed to. It's meant to be there to explain things without you being explicitly told.
As we've established, you've worked with many creators over the past few years. That's a lot of individual collaborative experiences, each with their own idiosyncrasies. Have you noticed any trend from your fellow artists and writers e specially, toward greater appreciation and curiosity about color?
Yeah. In my case anyway, I try to be really adamant about contacting artists. Sometimes you're not always patched through. That's not to say the editor isn't doing their job; there's a process. But I like to normally -- every single time -- e-mail an artist and ask them what they've been listening to, watching, their likes and dislikes when it comes to color in comics. Have they ever been colored by someone they really loved or hated? Have they colored themselves? Can I see that? It's good to see what their instincts are, whether or not they think they're talented.
What they've been listening to?
Yeah! It's just helpful to know where their mind is as they're working on the book, vibe-wise. Ales Kot, for instance. I really like when we work together, because he always sends me scripts with music. I like that kind of thing. You can get into their headspace completely. There's no room for miscommunication. I've heard about so many bad experiences. So I want to be very careful. Let's get on the samest-of-the-samesies pages. Let's do this together.
Stay tuned to CBR for more on Jordie Bellaire's many, many projects and follow her on Twitter at @whoajordie.


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Nov. 13, 2012
(Reuters) – The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to consider whether criminal defendants who are acquitted can recover fees from the Justice Department for conducting prosecutions in bad faith.
The high court rejected an appeal brought by Ali Shaygan, a Miami doctor cleared of charges of illegally prescribing pain-killers, who sought to hold federal prosecutors responsible for alleged misconduct in his case.
Shaygan, a pain-management specialist, was accused of trafficking in illegal prescriptions after a patient died of a drug overdose.
A jury acquitted Shaygan and a Miami federal judge later awarded the doctor $602,000 under a federal law called the Hyde Amendment, which allows judges to sanction prosecutors for taking positions that are "vexatious, frivolous or in bad faith."
The judge found that prosecutors acted in bad faith by pursuing new charges and secretly recording Shaygan's defense team. The steps were taken in retribution after Shaygan's attorney tried to keep statements the doctor made to investigators out of evidence, the judge found.
The judge called the prosecution's tactics "profoundly disturbing," adding that they raised "troubling issues about the integrity of those who wield enormous power over the people they prosecute."
But the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta overturned the award, ruling that prosecutors have broad discretion under the doctrines of sovereign immunity and separation of powers.
Regardless of prosecutors' subjective ill will, they had an objectively reasonable basis for their acts, the appeals court found.
Shaygan appealed to the Supreme Court, with the support of close to 70 federal judges and prosecutors who filed an amicus brief in the case. They argued that prosecutors' subjective ill-will should be sufficient to justify sanctions under the Hyde Amendment.
The Supreme Court declined to take the case without comment. Justice Elena Kagan, who previously served as U.S. Solicitor General, did not take part in the decision, the order said.
David Markus, a lawyer for Shaygan, said he was disappointed the court decided not to review the case despite the support from prosecutors, judges, defense lawyers and doctors.
"Despite the decision, no one can ever take away the fact that Dr. Shaygan was found not guilty of 141 counts that never should have been brought in the first place," he said.
A Justice Department spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The case is Shaygan v. United States, U.S. Supreme Court, No. 12-44.
(Reporting by Terry Baynes in New York; Editing by Xavier Briand and Dan Grebler


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Xbox on Windows games lets you take advantage of Xbox Live features, such as Achievements and the ability to share your gameplay history. Learn how to connect to Xbox Live with Xbox on Windows games.
To connect to Xbox Live from an Xbox on Windows game, you'll need the following:
If you launch an Xbox on Windows game for the first time, and your Microsoft account is already associated with your Windows 8 logon, you are prompted to enable the game to connect to Xbox Live.
If your Microsoft account isn't yet associated with your Windows 8 logon, you are prompted to add your Microsoft account to the Xbox on Windows game.
Sign in using the Microsoft account credentials that are associated with your Xbox Live profile.
If you have problems connecting to Xbox Live from Windows on Xbox Games, see Connecting to Xbox Live from a PC.
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Archive for April, 2015
Kiss Cosmetics – Locked Lips; Exclusive!
Posted by belleamourblog in Reviews on April 23, 2015
Open up and read this blog post about our exclusive 'never seen before' review on lip products by a new British niche 'lip focused colour cosmetics brand' Kiss Cosmetics ❤
Kiss Cosmetics specialises in quality lip products focusing solely on lips for all skin-tones (finally a brand that cares!). They also cater for the "not so much" to "I'm very confident" dolls. Kiss Cosmetics have entered the market at the right time as lips have become a hot topic thanks to trend-setters like Kylie Jenner!
The development of the Kiss Cosmetics product has been influenced and shaped by one of many key stakeholders – Beauty Bloggers (bbloggers) and Make-up Artists alike. Kiss Cosmetics ensured to involve feedback where possible to bring the most realistic and best products into the market!
Just to add, for my brand conscious dolls, Kiss Cosmetics IS a local British Brand; therefore for those who are actively boycotting bigger beauty brands (*Estee Lauder group*) can find Kiss Cosmetics as a safer alternative. 😉
*We have been given Locked Lips to trial alongside the mini KISStick.*
Here is the Locked Lips. As the name states, it is a lip sealant to keep your lipstick woes at bay to ensure that lipsticks don't cross the line and stay within your pout! So, when you're drinking tea (like me) or biting into a messy burger (like me again) you should be confident that your lip colour is 'locked down' and truly put.
The Locked Lips is due to launch online on 29th April, 2015.
Locked Lips comes in a glass container (3.1ml) with a nail polish brush attached for use. For those who love the smell of nail polish, you will enjoy this smell! For those who dislike strong scents, unfortunately this lip sealant is slightly strong in smell.
Here are the ingredients:
You need to ensure your lips are fully hydrated and not dry/chapped or cracked as the lip seal contains preserving alcohols which naturally gives a burning sensation. Please ensure you hydrate your lips before use!
How I Used This Product – PLUS a mini lip tutorial =D
- Once lips are hydrated (I use L'Occitane Lip Balm for hydration) I dust translucent powder on top of my lips to lock in moisture from the balm;
- Use your favourite lip liner to line your lips. Here is one method to lining your lips:
- Using Kiss Cosmetics KISStick in Frisky Fuchsia fill your lips;
- Blot the KISStick on tissue paper then dab and fill the lips with Locked Lips and wait for 1 min;
- THEN…as we say on Belle Amour > Pout. Wink… and Kiss! Voilla! You now have 'woe free' Locked Lips for 10 hours (trailed and tested), so be confident!
Personal Experience, Feedback and Tips:
We have used the Locked Lips for 3 consecutive days to bring you first-hand reliable feedback. Here are some main points we have experienced and found:
– Just like any other sealant, the Locked Lips is quite sticky when wet, so, if you close your lips early you may get slightly stuck. Do not close your mouth and allow 1 min to dry;
– Locked Lips gives a tingling sensation to the lips; for the dolls who love a plumpy pout, this can be in your aid!
– Once Locked Lips is applied, it provides an additional shiny glazed finish to the lips;
– After 4-5 hours, the thin film of Locked Lips looses its glazing shine and lipstick starts feeling matte yet slightly moisturised but not drying;
– Locked Lips showed no signs of cracking, peeling and does not leave a bitter taste on your lips;
- Make-Up Artist Tip: Increase the longevity of your client's lipstick. Pour 2 drops of Locked Lips on a palette, use a synthetic lip brush and dab the product on your client's lips 🙂
– Due to Denatured Alcohol being present in the ingredients, the nail polish brush stays hygienically clean as product build-up breaks down into smaller fragments. When using Locked Lips, it is apparent that the lipstick stain will transfer on the bristles; especially when you are switching between colours. Rest assured that interchanging lipsticks (when used in conjunction with Locked Lips) WILL NOT transfer onto your current colour.
For my busy dolls living a hectic life-style, topping your lips can be a pesky task. Sometimes I am booked with a day's worth of meetings, therefore distancing myself from my desk vanity area. I have drank tea, ate foods to really give the Locked Lips a full-on trial.
Here is my tea cup, it has little harmless transfer:
Kiss Cosmetics KISSTICK:
Alongside the Locked Lips, a mini KISSTICK was kindly given in the shade Frisky Fuchsia. The KISStick has finally been launched yesterday (22nd April) available in 10 shades and I was lucky to get my hands on one of these cruelty free lippys!
As I have an olive skin tone, this beautiful raspberry mid-toned shade went well with my skin-tone. Frisky Fuchsia is a pigmented creamy lipstick. For those who dislike matte lipsticks, you will enjoy the moisturising formula as it glides effortlessly on the lips.
Frisky Fuchsia Swatches:
Whip your lips to shape with Locked Lips and feel confident that it is cruelty free beauty. Work the pout and be wise with your money as you invest in a cost-effective yet a quality make-up brand; now that's a compromise 😉
Kiss Cosmetics operate on the following medias:
With Love,


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Ultrarunner and hotel/restaurant magnate Karl Hoagland has acquired Ultrarunning Magazine, and will be taking over as its Publisher starting with the July, 2013 issue. Hoagland is no stranger to ultrarunning, having finished over 40 ultras including a 15th place at the 2010 Western States 100 (he also serves on the board of WS).
Scott Dunlap's blog of trail running, ultrarunning, triathlon, and other life adventures. I enjoy the physical, emotional, and spiritual journey of outdoor events and the chance to meet cool people. This blog contains interviews, research, original fiction, new product ideas, and all things trail running.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Ultrarunner Karl Hoagland Takes Over at Ultrarunning Magazine
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Not to be premature, but it looks like a new day might be dawning in the Twin Counties — one that holds the promise of an amicable relationship between the Town of Hillsville and Carroll County.
Though the town and county have cooperated in the past when they expected mutual benefits, it seemed the officials for the two localities did not see eye to eye very often.
An atmosphere of hostility seemed to be the norm, as water and sewer disagreements stretched on for half a dozen years or more.
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In the Box
A waterfall in the appropriately named Box Canyon along the Cabin Springs Loop on the Mogollon Rim.
See-ing Colors
Autumn foliage in See Canyon taken during dusk.
Autumn Tranquility
Fall colors in See Canyon.
Bleed through the gold.
A grove of maples intermingle with hearty aspens among a carpet of golden leaf litter.
A slice of Autumn paradise.
A unique setting of fall colors along the upper East Verde River.
Sunset Glow
A setting sun at the entrance of Box Canyon along the Cabin Springs Loop on the Mogollon Rim.
First Sign of Fall
The beginning of Autumn along the upper East Verde River near Washington Park.
The Mogollon Jungle
A rare seasonal waterfall along the Cabin Loop Trail.
Autumn in the Air
The first signs of fall begin to show along the upper East Verde River near Washington Park.
Pot of Gold
Monsoon storms flood the inside of Christopher Creek Gorge with a rainbow hovering above.
Evening along the East Verde
A long exposure of rapids and fall colors downstream of Second Crossing along the East Verde River.
Maple Hallway
Maple leaf litter line the banks of the upper East Verde River along the Colonel Devin Trail near Washington Park.
Maple Swirls
Cascades and maple leaf litter on the upper East Verde River along the Colonel Devin Trail near Washington Park.
Staircase Falls
A natural staircase waterfall along upper Tonto Creek on the Mogollon Rim.
The Dude
A closeup view of Dude Creek along the Highline Trail on the Mogollon Rim.
Calf Pen Canyon
Sunset above Calf Pen Canyon along the western portion of the Mogollon Rim.
Stormy Sunset
An agave during sunset along the outskirts of Payson with the Mogollon Rim in the background.
High Country Heaven
A waterfall along upper Tonto Creek on the Mogollon Rim.
Afternoon Delight
Late afternoon light shines through the forest along Tonto Creek on the Mogollon Rim.
Slender Sally
A large waterfall along the East Verde in the Waterwheel area.
A Fiery Mix
Maples and aspens intermingling with one another and showing off their fall colors on the Mogollon Rim.
Summer Refreshment
Clear waters of Canyon Creek flow downstream from the Mogollon Rim.
Flowing Springs
The East Verde river with Autumn Foliage around the Flowing Springs Camground Area.
Maple Haven
An impressive amount of maples line the edges of the upper East Verde River along the Colenel Devin Trail near the Washington Park.
Rim Radiance
Intermingling maples and aspen on the Mogllon Rim apart of Turkey-Beaver Wildlife Area.
Chevelon Sunrise
Sunrise along the waters of Chevelon Canyon on the Mogollon Rim.
Chevelon Canyon
A reflective sunrise in Chevelon Canyon on the Mogollon Rim.
Potato Lake
A lone elk takes an evening drink from Potato Lake on the Mogollon Rim.
East Verde RiverWaterwheelSecond Crossing


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Getting an even distribution of heat through your baking tin has now been made an absolute breeze with the Level Baking Belt by PME, superb for ensuring your cake rises evenly all the way around!
Previously it has been incredible difficult to ensure your cake is baked through evenly and even in some extreme cases the edges may have turned out burnt whilst the middle was not even cooked! The Level Baking Belt from PME will remedy this problem and give you a level, even finish every time without the use of heating cores!
Whether you are an expert or a complete novice, the belt is easy to use and will save you time and is one less thing to worry about going wrong when you bake.
Unlike heating cores or bake even strips, the Level Baking Belt is extremely reliable so you rest assured that your cake will come out of the oven, delicious, moist and even.
The baking belt measures 56" x 2" and can go around either an 12-16" round baking tin or a 10-12" square baking tin.
How to use the Level Baking Belt:
1. Select a baking belt that is the right size and height for your tin.
2. Soak the belt in cold water and remove the excess. Do not wring.
3. Pour your cake batter into the pan and bake as required.
CAUTION: Do not exceed 180 degrees Celsius and please check that the baking belt is not in direct contact with any heating element, gas flames or the side of the oven.
Dispatch Time & Price
Orders which are placed before 4pm (3:30pm for edible images) will be dispatched on the same working day (Monday - Friday). Please note that this does not include Bank Holidays.
3 Days (Mon-Sat)
£2.99 (Free - spend over £40)
2 Days (Mon-Sat)
£3.99 (£1.99 - spend over £40)
Hermes - Next Day Delivery (Mon-Sat)
£4.99 (£3.99 - spend over £40)
DPD - Next Day Delivery (Mon-Fri)
£6.99 (£5.99 - Spend Over £40)
Pre 10:30am (Mon - Fri)
Pre 12:00pm (Mon - Fri)
Saturday or Sunday Delivery*
£6.99 (£5.99 - spend over £40)
International Delivery Pricing
*Weekend deliveries are only possible for orders placed Mon-Fri before 4pm.
Please note, there may be additional postage charges if your order consists of unusually large or heavy items. If this is the case, you will be contacted prior to dispatch.
Next Working Day Delivery (UK)
Any order placed before 4pm (3:30pm for edible images) Monday - Friday, with the Next Working Day Delivery option selected, will be dispatched for delivery the following business day (Monday - Friday), between the hours of 8am - 9pm. A signature is required for this method, so you will need to be at the delivery address to sign for it. Please allow an additional 24 hours for any order to be delivered to the Scottish Highlands.
If delivery cannot be made, DPD will try again on the next working day. If this is unsuccessful, it will be held at the depot for an additional 5 working days. After this, the parcel will be returned to us, at a surcharge of £5.
Please Note: None of our services are a guaranteed service. DPD have a 98% success rate on next day deliveries.
Any order containing a product that is listed as a preorder, will be held until the preordered item has arrived in stock. Orders containing a preorder cannot be split, if other items are needed before the expected delivery date, these items should be ordered separately.
Weekend Deliveries (UK)
Any order placed before 4pm* on Friday, with the "Saturday Delivery" or "Sunday Delivery" option selected, will be dispatched on the same day for delivery between the hours of 8am - 6pm on the selected day. A signature is required for this method, so somebody will need to be at the delivery address to sign for it. If the order is placed after the 4pm cut-off on a Friday, the order will be dispatched for delivery on the following weekend.
Please note we are unable to guarantee any order being dispatched to the Scottish Highlands to arrive within the quoted time frame.
*Orders for edible images have a cut-off time of 3:30pm – orders placed after this time will be dispatched for delivery the following weekend.


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For most of his life, Jeff has had a condition called Essential Tremor, which is an uncontrollable, rhythmic shaking of the voice, hands, neck and other extremities. ET can usually be treated with medications, but severe cases can be helped by a revolutionary surgery in which a deep brain stimulator (DBS) is implanted in the patient's brain to control the tremors. The stimulator is similar to a pacemaker and sends electrical impulses into the brain to override the tremor signals.
For more information on DBS surgery and Essential Tremor, visit www.newhopeforessentialtremor.com.
Last year, I received an e-mail via the new Web site Medtronic developed for Essential Tremor patients who are considering deep brain stimulator (DBS) surgery. Ron is a gentleman with tremors who wanted to know how things went, both during and after my DBS surgery. He was the first person interested in surgery with whom I had been put in touch via the Web site.
When I called him that evening, I discovered that his story sounded very familiar. He is 36 years old and lives in Houston. His tremors had become severe enough that he had become withdrawn and was trying to avoid being out in public as best he could. Fortunately, he was able to find a job as an online travel arrangement booker. It allowed him to stay employed, but it kept him away from contact with lots of people who would see his tremor. Working from home allowed him some sense of dignity.
Ron's biggest concern was the amount of time it would take to go through surgery and then be able to physically function again. Brain surgery sounded intense, so he assumed he would be laid up for a long time as a result. When I told him that I went in for surgery on a Wednesday and was back at work on the farm by Saturday, he was incredibly relieved. I could sense an immediate change in his voice and his attitude.
Then he wanted to know what I could do today that I couldn't do before surgery. I went down a list of things that are easy for me today that I wasn't able to do before DBS. The one that caught his attention (and that was at the top of my list) was drinking from a glass with one hand.
"You don't even use a straw?" he asked.
"No, there are no straws in my life anymore," I said. "They still arrive with a drink sometimes, but now they stay in their wrapper through the whole meal."
That one hit home with Ron. He couldn't imagine what it would be like to drink without a straw. It had been so long since he had been able to do that, it was only a distant memory for him.
Ron and I corresponded a few times. He told me he had a surgical date lined up. As the day set for his DBS surgery grew nearer, he sent me another e-mail. He had been getting very anxious prior to surgery. One thing kept him focused: being able to drink something without using a straw. He told me about a recurring dream he'd been having. It had recently changed slightly.
"Some friends and I were all sitting at a table in a bar. The waitress brought over our drinks and I noticed there was no straw in it. I asked her for a straw and she said they were out. I reached over and grabbed the glass and drank straight from it. I woke up just happy and smiling and realized that in just a few days time, I'll REALLY be able to do that! Hey, it's a small dream, but a HUGE one at the same time."
After Ron's surgery, I talked to him in his hospital room. Surgery went extremely well for him. His tremor control was outstanding. He described the surgical procedure to me. Then I asked what he did to test his tremor control during surgery.
"Lots of stuff. They had me push my hand against their hand. They had me touch my finger to my nose and back to their finger. There was lots of stuff."
I asked him if he had to pick up anything and handle it to test his tremor control. He almost choked up and said they gave him a glass.
"I picked it up and brought it to my mouth like I was drinking from it. It was just perfect, Jeff! There was no straw. It was absolutely perfect. Just…perfect."
Being able to do one simple activity can mean the world to a person with tremors. That one little straw can seem like a lifeline when you're trying to drink something, but it can also feel like an anchor at the same time, never letting you forget why you need it.
Ron is extremely grateful for the opportunity to cast away that anchor. I was glad I could come along for the ride.
Guy No. 2


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Death and the Girl Next Door
Author: Darynda Jones
Series: #1 in the Darklight series
Ten years ago, Lorelei's parents disappeared without a trace. Raised by her grandparents and leaning on the support of her best friends, Lorelei is finally beginning to accept the fact that her parents are never coming home. For Lorelei, life goes on.
High school is not quite as painful as she thinks it will be, and things are as normal as they can be. Until the day the school's designated loner, Cameron Lusk, begins to stalk her, turning up where she least expects it, standing outside her house in the dark, night after night. Things get even more complicated when a new guy—terrifying, tough, sexy Jared Kovach—comes to school. Cameron and Jared instantly despise each other and Lorelei seems to be the reason for their animosity. What does Jared know about her parents? Why does Cameron tell Jared he can't have Lorelei? And what will any of them do when Death comes knocking for real?
I have to admit when I started Death and the Girl Next Door, i wasn't sure what to expect. I think I was one of the few people who didn't fall madly in love with the other series by this author (Charley Davidson), although it has grown on me as it has progressed. And when i saw the description of D&tGND (since the title is too long to continue typing), I was worried that it was going to be super similar to Charley Davidson but more YA-ish. Thankfully, it was not so, and I ended up enjoying it a bit more than I expected.
At first, the whole angel of death thing, I wasn't so sure about…but as you got to know Lorelei as a character, I came to like her, and then having 2 sexy guys (protectors) looking after her (Cameron and Jared), whew. Her friends were also entertaining and I'm really want to find out more about them in the future. The say the book was action-packed was an understatement – it was definitely a roller coaster of a ride, with more ups, than downs through-out.
I think my biggest complaint about the book is that some of the world-building was a bit confusing – while I realize that there are going to be several books in the series – I felt a bit lost, and it wasn't until I got closer to the end that I saw how much development had gone on. while I don't want an info dump on the world-building, it needed a bit more…either way, I am intrigued enough, that i will be picking up the next book when it comes out in March. Overall, I'd give it a solid 3 stars. A good but not great intro to a new series (yes, I am very picky), but I think anyone looking for a YA paranormal/urban fantasy will like it.


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I haven't been posting because I've been enjoying and entertaining family and friends over the Thanksgiving holiday. That's at the heart of why we are all genealogists, right? I had a wonderful time and hope all of you did too. But, I missed my blog! And my good genea-buddy has been reminding me for days I need to post so I am back with just a short snippet. But a good one.
I have a website that I've had bookmarked forever but only tonight did I start digging around in it and now, an hour later, I am changing my original blog topic to post this. I can always use the other one another night.
The website is called, "The Atlantic Slave Trade and Slave Life in the Americas: A Visual Record."
As the website describes, the project contains approximately 1,235 images of mostly enslaved laborers in the Americas and the New World. This is a joint project of the Virginia Foundation and the Digital Media Lab at the University of Virginia Library. There are 18 categories of pictures, some of which are:
- Capture of Slaves and Coffles in Africa
- European Forts and Trading Posts in Africa
- Plantation Scenes, Slave Settlements and Houses
- Physical Punishment, Rebellion and Running Away
- Music, Dance and Recreational Activities
- Emancipation and Post Slavery Life
I had some interesting thoughts while perusing this collection. Because many of us are focused on uncovering our specific ancestors in Virginia in 1870 or South Carolina in 1849, we forget the scope and scale and reach of slavery—the path through the West Indies, the tearing apart of custom and tradition. How it formed the economic backbone of entire countries and forced redefinitions of family & manhood, womanhood and faith. I think also because of modern photography, we all are drawn to the more common images from the 20th century, and late 19th. I think I even was guilty of "poo-pooing" illustrations–but if you want to try to envision a plantation in Jamaica or Cuba in 1759 or 1810, you're going to have to look at illustrations. I found that as I looked at these (many of which were from books published in England), it made me recall the length and depth of the tragedy of slavery. The extraordinary expanse of the crime. My my. And remember that most slaves in the Caribbean from this era did not live to significantly reproduce other generations as in mainland North America–most died and planters simply purchased more.
Here are a few pictures from the database, but please do go and spend a little time looking around when you can.
In the category "Slave Sales and Auctions: African Coast and the Americas":
I have never seen nor thought of slaves being sold in top hats.
In the category, "Religion and Mortuary Practices":
I was struck by how ornately the enslaved were dressed.
The caption says that the people with their faces covered were the mourners.
In the category "Marketing and Urban Scenes":
The caption says that they are not wearing shoes because only freed blacks could wear shoes!
In the category "Domestic Slaves and Free People of Color":
They make it all look just so delightful, don't they? Hmfph.
And last, but not least:
I can't fathom that someone felt this image was worthy of remembrance !
I hope that last picture doesn't dissuade you from viewing this fascinating and eye-opening collection.
This database reminded me of a plantation visit. I was in St.Croix last year & visited an 18th-century sugar plantation called "The Whim Plantation". It was fascinating….the docent was extremely knowledgeable. Here are a few pictures:
I also found some pictures from sugar plantation ruins on the Virgin Island that are much larger.


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text:
American Chemistry Council's Dooley calls for reform of toxic substances law
In a significant step, the American Chemistry Council recently called for the modernization of the 33-year-old Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to reflect the latest scientific research. During today's OnPoint, ACC President Cal Dooley makes the case for reforming the law and explains why changes are needed to boost consumer confidence. He comments on EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson's role in the discussions on TSCA reform. Dooley also gives his industry's take on the recently released Waxman-Markey climate and energy draft bill.


text:
Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) previewed Mitt Romney's primetime convention address tonight saying it will have a mix of elements from both the "head" and the "heart."
Ayotte is one of the many young female GOP stars that were showcased this week at the party's gathering in Tampa. After last week's "rape" comments from Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO), the Republican party has had to deal with the resurgence of the abortion rights debate and talk of the "gender gap." The party also just adopted a platform that does not include exceptions on abortion in cases of rape, incest and the life of the mother. Mitt Romney, on the other hand, does believe in having those exceptions.
When asked how Mitt Romney's views on this square with the party, Sen. Ayotte said, "there's wide room in our party for diverse views on those issues. ... That is demonstrated [by] our nominee and many in our party who have their own personal views on these issues, and we respect that."
The freshman senator also thinks the GOP is a different party than it was under the Bush administration and has become more fiscally responsible.
"I've acknowledged that when we look at the debt this is a bipartisan issue, that Republicans spent too much and Democrats spend too much." Ayotte pointed to budget proposals from Paul Ryan to show that the GOP is not "gonna duck the tough issues."
Watch the entire PRESS Pass conversation above to hear more from Sen. Kelly Ayotte and the 2012 race, and get her reviews on some of the speeches thus far in Tampa.


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After much thought and deliberation, I have decided to announce a cartographic coalition, with three parties taking a share of the spoils. The three winners will each receive 3 months worth of premium membership, and an official CC Contest medal. Please join with me in extending warm congratulations to Industrial Helix (Gallipolli), Rih0 (WWII Norway) and 00iCon (Natura)
Honourable mention should also go shakeycat (Culloden), General Brock II (Convoy Battle ONS-5), and Wolffystyle (Bay of Pigs) for their contribution to the competition. All six finalists will be permitted to continue development of their competition maps in the Gameplay Workshop, and may be subject to future graphics contests (should the developers so desire).
I look forward to seeing all these maps develop, and hope they flourish in the foundry!
Hello Foundry goers!
After a week of voting, the poll is now ended.
Obviously the whole Foundry Team would like to thank everyone who have taken part.
It doesn't seem that we have a landslide victory, but rather three favorite maps.
For this reason the Boys in blue want to run a final 7-days poll to see which, between the three most voted maps, will take the final victory!
The last race between the three finalists of the April Gameplay Competition starts now:
- Entry B: The Battle of Gallipolli
Entry D: WWII Norway: Operation Weserübung
Entry E: Natura
Entry B: The Battle of Gallipolli
Entry D: WWII Norway: Operation Weserübung
Entry E: Natura
May the best map win!
- The Cartography Assistants -
It was good to see a number of good entries to this contest; particularly for those CCers who may have been making their first foray into mapmaking territory! I was unsure how it would work out, but there are a couple of gems just waiting to shine! Due to a technical error (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it), it looks like the actual poll didn't get posted; so without further ado, it gives me great pleasure to announce the finalists of the April Gameplay Competition:
- Entry A: The Battle of Culloden
Entry B: The Battle of Gallipolli
Entry C: Convoy Battle ONS-5
Entry D: WWII Norway: Operation Weserübung
Entry E: Natura
Entry F: Bay of Pigs
Entry A: The Battle of Culloden
Entry B: The Battle of Gallipolli
Entry C: Convoy Battle ONS-5
Entry D: WWII Norway: Operation Weserübung
Entry E: Natura
Entry F: Bay of Pigs
In addition to the shortlisted finalists, congratulations to the following CC members for taking part:
rockandrull - Louisiana Purchase
The Bison King - Battle To Legalise
Without further ado, let the voting begin!
The Foundry is pleased to announce the
April Gameplay Competition
Foundry competitions usually focus on the war of art. This April, the foundry is running a competition which is open to all conquer club members regardless of graphical ability... The focus on this contest is all about gameplay!
Your challenge (should you choose to accept it), is to come up with an idea for a map that is thematically linked to April, and that includes a victory condition* of some sort. Once you have an idea for a map, all you need to do is to plan how the gameplay would work and submit a detailed sketch and a textual description/explanation.
*A victory condition is an objective (group of territories or continents) which you must conquer and hold for one round to win the game.
Competition Rules
- The theme of your map should be somehow linked to April - whether that be a historic battle or some other event connected to the month.
- Entries should consist of a full, playable gameplay sketch without any fancy graphics. The sketch can be created in any graphics application (even MS Paint), or could be hand-drawn and scanned in. For easy viewing, please ensure that your sketch image is no larger than 1024x768 pixels.
- The textual description/explanation of your map should be brief (no more than 250 words), and should give context to the map, as well as explaining any gameplay features. The sketch and summary should explain everything that is needed to understand how the map would play. The purpose of this is to provide some context to the map, and to ensure that everything that should be on the sketch actually is.
- The victory condition can be as simple or creative as you like, thanks to the recent XML update!
- All other gameplay features should be currently available; you may wish to familiarise yourself with the Foundry Gameplay Guidelines.
- Once you have completed your entry, post it in the Foundry Competitions Forum as a new topic with the title "April Competition" and your name. This is so you can get feedback from the community during the competition, and so you can make adjustments if needed, and make the best entry you possibly can. Entries will be taken from the first post of each topic (one entry per contestant please).
- The competition will run from today April 5th until April 21st 23:59 GMT, after which the Cartography Assistants will select a shortlist of finalists, and a one-week public voting period will be held to determine the winner, who will receive an official CC Contest Medal.