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Categories > Celebrities > My Chemical Romance > Twist of Fate
Signed1 Reviews
"Are you sure?"
The next morning Donna comes up to see if we are going back to school. Amber says that she wants to. So we get ready and take my car back to Manhattan. I can tell that Amber is feeling better, that this won't be like last time. Amber just needed a few days to sort things out. Although the depression lasts the rest of the week by Friday Amber is back to her normal self.
My new band has a show the following weekend so Amber and I don't go back to Jersey. She acts as our unofficial roadie and helps set up the stage. She is really good at it. I suppose it is natural for her now since she'd been helping me set up garage shows since I'd started playing in bands back in eight grade.
When it is time for my band to go on Amber kisses me for a long time, "You'll do great."
I smile and kiss her cheek, "Only because you're here."
"Good luck."
I kiss Amber again and then leave her to head onto the small stage.
I do the show like I do every other show. What I mean by this is I give it my best. We are only one of the opening bands so we play a few songs before saying goodnight and leaving the stage. I go right to where Amber is waiting, side stage, and pull her into a tight hug. I am sweaty and kinda gross but Amber doesn't really seem to care.
"How was it?" I ask her.
"Amazing," she says with a smile.
I smile and release her. Amber helps us take the stage apart so the next band can get ready. She helps load our equipment back into the van. She takes my guitar case as one of my band mates walks up to me.
"Frank, come here," he says. "This guy wants to talk to us about a signing."
"No way," I reply.
"He's from Eyeball records."
I follow him over to where the rest of the band is talking to the guy. He is from Eyeball records like my mate said. They aren't a very big company but they like to help local bands get a foot into the industry. He says he likes our stuff and wants to sign us and help us record a CD.
"Amber, come here," I say motioning for her to come over. She walks over to us wearily.
"Is this your girlfriend?" the suit guy asks as I wrap my arm around her shoulder.
"No, this is my life partner. She's also an unofficial member of Pency Prep, so she's coming."
The other guys roll their eyes as the guy wanting to sign us nods, "Cool with me."
We follow the guy back into the club.
"What's going on?" Amber whispers to me.
"He's from Eyeball records. He wants to sign us," I inform her.
"No way," Amber says excitedly.
I laugh, "For sure."
We all sit down at a booth and start to go over some legal stuff. He walks us through the contract and stuff as Amber falls asleep on my shoulder. We'd met with other agents before but never been super serious about them. They were either too constricting or just desperate. This guy seems genuinely into us and sets up a flexible contract that will eventually allow us to move onto bigger and better things. By the end of the night we are signed.
Amber and I say goodbye to everyone and I lead her back to my car. I am full of excited energy. I am officially a signed musician. Sure it isn't much but to me it was like being handed and Emmy.
"Oh my fucking God, I can't believe you guys got signed!" Amber says when we are settled in the car.
I laugh, "I know! It's amazing. If I wasn't driving I'd be all over you right now."
"Go back to your dorm. We can be all over each other there. If we go to Gerard's he'll get uncomfortable."
"Sounds like a fucking plan. I wish we could get beer too."
"I could ask Gerard but then he'd demand that we drank in his presence and I think I'm going to take your clothes off."
"Well then we'll have to avoid Gerard's."
"Good plan."
So I drive back to my place. I get my guitar out of the back and lug it up the stairs to my room. Luckily Patrick isn't there. I bet he's out wandering the campus for some slutty girl. He usually finds one. The second I put my guitar down Amber attacks me. She kisses my lips roughly and struggles to pull my hoodie off.
"Mm…my arm is stuck," I say.
So we work together to pull it out. When we finally get it out Amber pushes me onto my bed and climbs on top of me, "Amber, I don't think we're ready for this."
"Sure we are. We'll just…go slowly this time. I'll be on top. That way if I get uncomfortable I can just…stop."
"Are you sure?"
"What if Patrick comes back?"
"Then we'll just ignore him and keep going. It's not like he's ever been courteous to us or anything."
"As long as you don't mind," I answer.
"I don't mind."
Amber pulls off her sweat and reaches down to yank her shoes and shocks off. I sit up and roll her onto her back. I kiss her for a moment before pulling my own shoes and socks off. I then throw the blanket over us to give us some privacy and then we remove the rest of our clothes.
"Do you have any?" Amber whispers as she kisses my chest.
"Um…" I move the blanket up over my head and think about it. "Fuck…I'm sure Patrick has some."
Amber's nose does that crinkly thing, "I don't want to use his."
I climb off of her, taking the blanket with me to cover myself. Amber uses the sheet to block her body.
"They're wrapped, Amber."
I go to the other side of the room and open Patrick's nightstand.
"What if he pokes holes in them?"
I shuffle through his crap. Dude is messy as shit, "That's his worst fear. Don't worry about it."
I locate one and close the drawer. I go back to Amber and resituate the blankets. I then kiss her again and only pull away to get the condom on, "Are you sure you want to be on top?"
"Yes, but I don't really know what I'm doing."
"It's okay. I'm so sexually frustrated you could probably sit on me the wrong way and I'll still finish."
Amber laughs softly and pushes me onto my back. She then climbs on top of me and kisses me. I pull the blankets up around her hips so that if Patrick does happen to walk in all he'll see is her back. Amber kisses me for a moment longer before sitting up slowly. I tighten my grip on her hips. She is still for a moment as if trying to let herself adjust to me. It is in this moment of hesitation that I realize she is nervous…this is not a good sign.
Slowly, Amber begins to move her hips. I breathe out heavily and close my eyes. Amber stays slow for the first few minutes, not rushing it…just taking her time. I can tell this isn't the same…Amber's not into it. She might even be scared. I keep my eyes on her just to judge her reaction. When I see her wince I know something isn't right. I guess maybe Amber is seeing something she doesn't want to see.
"You okay?" I ask with a heavy breath.
"I'm fine," she replies.
"We don't have to continue."
"It's okay," she responds.
"Amber, look at me…maybe it'll help."
She opens her eyes and looks down at me, "I feel weird looking at you…like I'm being caught in the act."
I smiled, "I don't mind. We're doing this together, remember? This is our time."
Amber breaths out heavily, "Okay, I can do this."
Then she goes back to it. Instead of looking me in the eyes she focuses on my chest, occasionally looking down at my sparrow tattoos. Although Amber relaxes a little bit she still isn't quite here. Then the door opens behind her and Patrick walks in. His eyebrows raise and Amber and I both freeze. Amber turns her head and covers her breasts with her arms. I'm pretty sure Patrick hadn't seen anything.
"Uh… sorry," he mumbles.
I pull the blankets up over Amber's shoulders. She holds them, keeping herself covered. Patrick closes the door and goes over to his bed. He doesn't turn on the lights so Amber continues. I am nervous about Patrick being here. I said I didn't care before but now that he is actually here it bothers me. I don't want him to think about Amber having sex. Although he hides himself under his blankets and ignores us I'm not so sure.
Amber leans down and puts her arms on either side of my head. The blankets act as almost a privacy tent for us. I take her face in my hands and pull her so me so I can kiss her.
"I love you," I whisper.
"I love you too," she replies.
At that Amber seems to relax even more. She wraps the blankets around herself and sits back up. Then she begins to move a bit faster. I can see that she is starting to enjoy it again. Amber's breathing is ragged and she gasps a few times. After a while I completely forget that we aren't alone. Amber feels amazing.
When I can't hold on any longer I grip Amber's hips tightly and close my eyes. She goes fast and gasps, knowing what she has just done and enjoying the fact. I grip her thighs to stop her. We both take a moment to breathe heavily and then I pull her to me. Amber rests her head next to me and I touch her cheek.
"Are you okay?" I whisper.
"I'm fine."
"Were you scared?"
"Not scared just…thought about some things I'd rather I didn't."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay. I just want to get over it. I don't want to be scared anymore."
I nod, "I don't want you to either."
"Did you finish?"
"I already told you. You could have sat on me the wrong way and I would have finished."
Amber laughs as I pull my face close to hers so I can kiss her, "Love you."
"Love you too."


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Obama/Biden Jr 1440
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Governor race
Shumlin 1214, Brock 924
Pearce 1032, Wilton 1015
Hoffer 1018, Illuzzi 892
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Reports: China body-searched 10,000 pigeons
BEIJING (AP) — The 10,000 doves released in a ceremony Wednesday for China's National Day underwent unusual scrutiny, each having its feathers and anus checked for dangerous materials, state-run media reports said, reflecting government jitters over possible attacks. Full Story
Andre 3000: 'Will I be the 'Hey Ya!' guy forever?'
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Donald Trump accidentally retweets serial killers' photo
Picture of Fred and Rosemary West went out to nearly 3 million people on Twitter.

subset: commoncrawl


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Nice place to shop?
Better place to live?
For some folks in North Dakota, it's been a big yes to the latter.
Only the retail colossus says no.
According to the Bismarck (N.D.) Tribune, visiting oil workers have been living in campers in a Walmart parking lot in Williston for months, and apparently accepting the accommodations.
But now the store is saying be on your way.
This week store executives warned the squatters that they'd better leave or their vehicles would be towed at their expense.
Some were.
Walmart cited safety, noise and litter as the issues.
A housing shortage in the area drove the workers to the parking lot, even though the accommodations were less than plush. There were no water or sewer hook-ups, for example, and many were crowded into small campers without heat or electricity. Some lived there for weeks or months.
Walmart said it was concerned with the environment for its customers and employees.
February 10th, 2012
2:39 pm
February 10th, 2012
4:36 pm
I'd kill myself before living at WalMart. They're usually to scary to shop at…let alone live!
February 11th, 2012
9:28 am
if these people can't live at walmart anymore, will they still buy stuff there?
February 11th, 2012
10:49 pm
Please Walmart scary slow for checking out maybe. But not scary.
February 12th, 2012
2:44 pm
walmart has good prices on frozen chicken and colby jack shredded cheese—some of my best deals in town.
February 13th, 2012
7:34 pm
charge $20.00 a night watch what happens.
February 15th, 2012
10:02 am
Nice place to shop? No. Better place to live? Ugh! Great place to surreptitiously photograph bizarre humanoids for internet postings? Apparently so! Check out "peopleofwalmart.com" Ha-ha!


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I just reread my previous blog entries. Haven't accomplished all that I set out to do. I did get a bit sidetracked... not in a totally bad way. I joined a new gym and signed up for twice a week sessions with a trainer in mid April. I had pretty much maxed out whatever improvement I was going to make in physical therapy. I was still having a lot of trouble walking very far, couldn't stand up straight, still weak. I knew that I had to move into some serious muscle building to have any hope of getting back to some semblance of normal physical movement. That is what I have been doing the last 6 months... and I have made huge progress. Walking better... I can stand up straight now... my endurance is better. In that process though, I regained about 30 pounds. A good amount of that may well be muscle gain, as I still wear the same clothes. It was something I really needed to do. The muscle loss from 2 years in a wheelchair was severe.
So.. now again... time to work on the diet aspects of health. It was a rather mixed last 6 months. I did well for awhile, then something would trigger me into a binge situation. I want to try again. I will admit failure only once I stop trying!
What a year 2012 was. Four major surgeries, the last one on Dec 11th. My focus over the last 3 months, in my absence from Spark, has been on 2 surgeries, healing, rehab. Rehab is going to be an ongoing process for the next year. My goal is to get stronger and be able to walk with any assistive device... who knows.. maybe I will end up stronger than ever. It is also time to get back focused on proper diet and get some more weight off.
I can't give up on being healthier. It is so easy to fall back on old patterns of behavior... ingrained emotional reactions that trigger food cravings and poor eating... nothing else really matters, if health isn't part of my future.
A couple things that are different this last week:
I am not constantly thinking about food. I can drive by food places and not even give it a glance!
When it is time to eat, I am making better choices.
I am not tolerating food that isn't "good'... by that I mean, I am not eating food that is cold or soggy or just yukky. You know what I mean.... those limp french fries that even ketchup can't help or that cold, dry hamburger... or half wilted lettuce in a salad. I refuse to use calories on something that tastes like crap! I deserve better! If I am going to eat french fries, they better be hot and crispy! And even then, I can eat maybe 10 fries and quit, being satisfied.... so....
I am doing pretty well stopping eating when I am satisfied, not stuffed. This has, in effect, cut my consumption almost in half... and that is a very good place to start.
When I do eat, I am savoring it more... taking more time enjoying each bite of something that is good.... putting the fork down in between bites.. that kind of thing. Just took me about 15 minutes to eat a fiber bar that I would down in less than a minute in the past. I chewed each bite until it basically disappeared in my mouth!
I missed my water aerobics and gym time yesterday because of a long dental appointment and I actually missed it! I adjusted my work schedule today so that I could make the 2pm open water therapy time so that I would have 2 workouts this week. I also did about 8 minutes of the Nu Step today. As I am still working on rehab from bilateral hip replacements, these are the exercises that I can do for now. But I am doing gym time almost every day... 9 out of the last 10 days!!
These are the behaviors/attitudes that I want to continue to foster and get entrenched into my psyche... pushing aside all those old attitudes and behaviors. A big challenge... over 50 years of the "old" programming to overcome, but it can be done.
Spent 4 hours in the dentist chair this afternoon. Half my face is still numb and liquids run out the corner of my mouth... you know how that goes! Maybe just some oatmeal later this evening. Back to the gym tomorrow!
Today is the seventh day of a streak.... 7 days in a row going to the gym for the workout that I can do. And you know what??? IT FEELS GOOD! In June, when I started my physical therapy after having both hips replaced this Spring, I couldn't walk 100 feet with my walker. I was a crying, exhausted mess! I felt like I would never again be able to walk independently or even be able to walk far enough with my walker to be able to go to a store by myself. Having always been physically strong, this was a rude awakening to me. Over a year in a wheelchair had caused serious deconditioning and muscle mass loss. There were days that I was convinced that I would be better off dead than living the way I was.
I started an aquatic therapy program and it made all the difference in the world. I was able to do exercises in the pool that I would never be able to do on land. I started feeling stronger, little by little. August 1, I was doing well enough to start "maintenance" and an exercise program on my own, going to the same gym where I had my therapy. I am limited on what I can do but I am making progress. My hip abductor muscles (outside the thigh) got super weak so doing that machine and up to 4 sets of 15 reps at 60 pounds. Then I am doing the Nu Step machine which is a non weight bearing cardio machine (if you push yourself). I started at a level 5 with about 100 steps a minute for 8 minutes 3 weeks ago. Yesterday, I did level 6 at 125 steps a minute for 45 minutes without a break! That is some progress! YIPPEEE! Today I did level 6 at 140 steps/min for 20 minutes solid, then level 7 for 5 minutes at 110 steps/minute and then 5 minutes at level 6 at 120 steps/minute. Trying to push into the next level and get my heart a going, which level 7 does at this point. Was nice and sweaty at the end and felt tired but good.
I can walk further now, with my walker. I can stand without supporting my weight on the walker for longer periods of time.... still not quite all the way up straight but a little better than before.
Progress... and hope for more.... a good Monday!


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"Everything I do is motivated by the fear of running out of time." - Jay Reatard.
3am, Jan. 2010, Jay Reatard was found dead in his new apartment. An autopsy result revealed that an overdose of cocaine mixed with alcohol was the factor. His death affected bands like Beck and The Pixies along with the indie community. He was 29; An unfortunate occurrence for a truly talented person.
What I believe the context of 'everything' applied to was Jay Reatard's music. And he recorded some amazing tracks that glow musical talent.
"No Time" is a truly emotional piece of his that defines his talent and defined what I also believe was his emotional state of the time.
His honest lyricism, his energetic sound, and his meticulously arranged compositions are indeed inspirational to me in a career and musical standpoint.
I wish I had met Jay. had a jam session with him. partied together (we have the same birthday). But nonetheless, his talented work will stay to inspire me and other future fans alike.
R.I.P. Jay Reatard. May 1, 1980 - January 13, 2010.
PHOTO - Lego, Ray. "Me and My Contax T3." No Thoughts Magazine. N.p.Web. 07 June 2013.
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NOTE: The new Michigan Schools section of HomeTownLocator has SUBSTANTIALLY MORE INFORMATION about Michigan schools!The new Wayne County School Profiles section has:
Additions and/or corrections to the database are encouraged! Simple Add/Edit Procedure.
|BIG Map |
|Driving Directions |
|Data Source - USGS GNIS FID: 630390
Grosse Pointe Park, MI
(1.9 miles ENE)
Grosse Pointe, MI (3.4 miles ENE)
Hamtramck, MI (4.1 miles WNW)
Detroit, MI (4.5 miles SW)
Harper Woods, MI (5.1 miles NNE)
Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
(5.1 miles ENE)
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI (6.3 miles NE)
Highland Park, MI (6.7 miles WNW)
Grosse Pointe Shores, MI (6.8 miles NE)
Eastpointe, MI (7 miles N)
Conners Creek, MI
(< 0.1 mile)
Jackson Trailer Park, MI (7.4 miles NNW)
Continental Mobile Village, MI (7.4 miles NW)
Motor City Trailer Park, MI (7.5 miles NNW)
Lafayette Place Mobile Home Park, MI (7.6 miles NW)
Leslie's Mobile Home Village, MI
(7.9 miles NNE)
Shadylane Mobile Home Estates, MI (8.3 miles NW)
Glenn Wood Mobile Village, MI (8.5 miles NW)
Parklane Court Mobile Home Park, MI (9.2 miles NNW)
Warren Mobile Home Park, MI (9.2 miles NNW)


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Sixth Grade A
Ashley Anton, Christian Atkins, Benjamin Aubel, Thomas Baker, Briana Buck, Jace Combs, Rachel Debuck, Jayla Demaine, Carsyn Duncan, Jeremy Froebel, William Gavitt, Mary Gray, Syrena Holmes, Cassidi Jackson, Tessa Jackson, Alexis Jones, Erin Maloney, Jada McCladdie, Cornelius McCord, Kyra Nakagawa, Whittney Page, Madison Schumm, Christopher Smith, Noah Smith, Jacob Tedder, Marica Tubman, Jacob Varner, Allison Wood, Edeliz Zuleta and Kole Zumbro.
Sixth Grade A/B
Third Grade A
Hometown newspaper of
Alexander Kirov
Boy scout car wash
Boy Scout Troop 108 is holding a car wash from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 16 at Advanced Auto, 5140 Wrightsboro Road in Grovetown.
Talent show
As reported 54 years ago in the pages of The Columbia News, May 22, 1958:
Booster president
Gerald Carter, Harlem contractor, was elected president of the newly formed Boosters Club at Harlem High during ceremonies following a barbecue supper Tuesday night of this week. Several hundred people attended the supper and the program that followed.
Other officials elected included Sgt. H.C. Hardy, vice president; and Bob Meybohm, secretary and treasurer.
Riverwood Land LLC to First Choice Homebuilders LLC, 4084 Dewaal St., $45,000.
First Choice Homebuilders LLC to Kevin R. Tanquary and Summer D. Tanquary, 4071 Dewaal St., $379,900.
Riverwood Land LLC to First Choice Homebuilders LLC, 4066 Dewaal St., $45,000.
Lakeview Augusta LLC to Jillene W. Katz, 509 Scenic Drive, $122,750.
First Choice Homebuilders LLC to Anna M. Fields, 808 Oliver Lane, $325,000.
Vonnie Lee Harris and Elmer Davis Bullard applied for a marriage license on March 14, 2012, and were married March 23, 2012, in Evans.
Luke Hunter Garland and Carole Kristine Koons Triana applied for a marriage license on March 23, 2012, and were married March 24, 2012, in Appling.
Issac Reynaldo Schroeder and Summer Lindsay Clark applied for a marriage license on March 27, 2012, and were married March 27, 2012, in Evans.
Jennifer Lynn Prescott and Wayne Kenneth Prescott, May 21, 2012.
Revenia Irene Lipham Bisso and Toby Alan Bisso, May 22, 2012.
Katedra W. Adams and Brad L. Adams, May 21, 2012.
Judith Kay Fields and Charles Kent Fields, May 21, 2012.
Amanda Verret Rasch and Brandon Rasch, May 22, 2012.
Junita Vonkramer and Richard Daniel Voss, May 9, 2012.
Anthony Darrell Rhoden and Heather Frost Rhoden, May 14, 2012.
Carolita Rebecca Kielbasa and Brent Joseph Kielbasa, May 21, 2012.
Walter Griffin and Lucy Elaine Griffin, May 25, 2012.
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|Competitive Comparisons
Comparison of maximum dynamic deflection coefficients and maximum isolated relative motion for various makes and grades of tables 4' x 8' x 12" thick in light traffic environment. W Q =10 -10 g 2 /Hz
* Calculated from catalog data.
+ Data taken from catalog and recalculated for lower PSD.


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Avago Technologies Current Rally Fully Deserved
Critical Timing • Thu, Sep. 11
- Avago Technologies net income from continuing operations increased to $428 million from $233 million reported in comparable period a year ago.
- The stock has rallied close to 70% since the beginning of 2014, backed by strong performance of previous quarters and is now up 122% over the last twelve months.
- The guidance from Avago for the Q4 FY14 has been revised and the company is expecting a 18-22% increase in revenue while the gross margin is expected to remain flat.


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Volunteer Opportunity for Corcoran Students
We are seeking 10–12 Corcoran students to participate in a great opportunity to work with young DC poets
DC Scores is a local nonprofit organization that "inspires youth to lead healthy lifestyles, be engaged students, and become agents of change in their communities" via after-school programming with an emphasis on soccer and poetry. One of the organization's annual fundraising events, "Inspired Art" is being held here at the Corcoran in May.
DC Scores will pair each Corcoran student with a poet from their program. Each participating artist would create work inspired by the poems. The gala will include an auction of the artworks as well as a performance by the DC Scores poets.
This is a good opportunity for Corcoran students to become involved in a community outreach effort as well as receive some exposure for their work. Work in all media is welcome.
All interested students should contact Stephanie Moos in the Office of Student Affairs at (202) 639-1831(202) 639-1831 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
CallSend SMSAdd to SkypeYou'll need Skype CreditFree via Skype


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Welcome to my pantry! Recently I posted on my new bucket find and Kayla from Fit Life Forward asked to see my whole pantry. After a brief gasp as I looked into it, I decided why not?! It was actually a great excuse to get a couple more buckets. :)…
My new favorite buckets
My pantry has as many jobs as I do!
It has to house the aprons, the brooms, and the recycling. It has to keep it's shelves organized between cereal, coconut, beans, etc, etc, etc, sesame oil, lentils, pasta, green chilies, spaghetti squash, nuts and dried fruit, cornmeal, vital wheat gluten, birthday candles, sugars, etc, etc, etc, chocolate, extra salt, the weird containers that need some place to hang out, and the extra boxes of baking soda I seemed to have acquired.
Sometimes it freaks out. Sometimes the cereal attacks. Well, that might be when the household 2-year-old waves his arms frantically and sends them all flying.
Regardless, I needed to get some things under control. I still have a ways to go (Bonnie get real, this is a forever job!), but I have found one of my new favorite things!
And not just any buckets. These are smaller ones that fit 2 stacked high perfectly under the bottom shelf in my squished pantry.
Another plus, I splurged a couple extra bucks and bought the twisting lids rather than the hurt-your-fingers-pry-off lids.
Seriously, I'm not sure it gets better than this. Wow, I'm such a mom. Good thing moms are cool!
If you want to get some, I found them in the bulk section of WinCo. They have big buckets and big twisty lids too. You'll love them and want to find more uses for them. I promise.
Avocado Hummus Veggie Sandwich
With a grandma in town, hubs and I escaped for a date night this past weekend. We did a super cool thing and meandered through the bookstore without buying anything (love these kind of dates). I did get myself lost in the cookbooks, but I pulled out only wanting a couple things: True Food and Superfood Kitchen.
Bookstores give two purposes: make you feel smart and make you want to leave something significant in the world. Well, buying books could be another purpose, but that's not what happened. :)…
Welcome to the Blog
I'm so glad you're here! I'm excited and slightly anxious to share my new blog with you.
If you're coming from Pretty Dubs, I hope you'll still enjoy my home and crafty projects there as well as my food here. I have some good things coming up for both places.
As I (and all of us) wiggle into this new home site, I would appreciate any heads up on weird blog things or suggestions to different aspects of the blog.
Enjoy and stay a while. :)


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Michigan State edges TCU 17-16 in BWW BowlBy JOHN MARSHALL
The Associated Press | December 31,2012AP Photo
Michigan State kicker Dan Conroy, center, celebrates with teammates Donavon Clark, left, and Skyler Burkland, right, after kicking the game-winning field goal against TCU during the second half of Saturdays Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl in Tempe, Ariz. Michigan State won 17-16.TEMPE, Ariz. Dan Conroy kicked a 47-yard field goal with 1:01 left, LeVeon Bell ran for 145 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown, and Michigan State rallied to beat Texas Christian 17-16 in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl on Saturday night.
Michigan State (7-6) labored through the first half before going on the longest drive in the schools bowl history, a 90-yard march capped by freshman Connor Cooks 15-yard touchdown pass to Aaron Burbridge in the third quarter. The Spartans recovered a muffed punt by TCUs Skye Dawson at the 4-yard line midway through the fourth quarter and Bell scored two plays later by racing around left end for a 14-13 lead.
TCU (7-6) rallied to set up Jaden Overkrom for a 53-yard field goal with 2:42 left, but left Conroy too much time for his second straight postseason game-winner after beating Georgia with a 28-yard kick in the third overtime of last years Outback Bowl.
Trevone Boykin threw for 201 yards on 13-of-29 passing with an interception for the Horned Frogs.
TCU and Michigan State came to the desert with an awful lot of similarities.
The Horned Frogs opened their first season in the Big 12 with four straight wins before losing four of their final six games. Michigan State started 4-2, then lost four of six down the stretch.
Michigan State had the nations fourth-best defense and was 10th in scoring defense during the regular season. TCU was 18th in total defense and 10th against the run.
Michigan State quarterback Andrew Maxwell was up-and-down in his first season as Kirk Cousins replacement, throwing 13 touchdown passes and nine interceptions. Boykin took over after four games for Casey Pachall, who was suspended and later left the team, and threw for 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
The biggest difference between the teams was Bell.
The junior was third nationally with 137.3 yards rushing per game and had 1,648 on the season, second-most in Michigan State history and 242 fewer than TCU had as a team.
Early on, the Horned Frogs gave him nowhere to go.
Filling holes inside and stringing plays out toward the sidelines, TCU stuffed the 237-pound junior on nearly every touch, holding him to 38 yards on 11 carries in the first half.
Of course, it didnt seem to matter what Michigan State did. The Spartans had 29 yards on 12 plays in the first quarter and werent a whole lot better in the second, with Maxwell throwing two near-interceptions on consecutive passes and an ill-advised trick play that probably should have resulted in a turnover, too.
Michigan State had three first downs and 76 total yards in the first half.
The Spartans still seemed to be stuck in the ruts in the third quarter before grinding out a 14-play scoring drive led by Cook, who replaced Maxwell for the second time in the game. They had their biggest play on a floating pass from Bell to fullback TyQuan Hammock (29 yards), then Cook threw his first career touchdown pass, a 15-yarder to Burbridge on a crossing route that cut TCUs lead to 13-7.
TCU didnt exactly have its way with Michigan States defense, but did enough to put together three first-half scoring drives.
The Frogs started gashing the Spartans for decent-sized chunks with their option midway through the first quarter, setting up Matthew Tuckers 4-yard touchdown on an end-around.
Boykin had an impressive off-the-back-foot throw to freshman Kolby Listenbee for 59 yards on the last play of the first quarter and nearly had a 19-yard touchdown pass to open the second, but LaDarius Brown was bumped and dropped the ball in the end zone. Oberkrom followed with a 47-yard field goal and added another from 31 yards after Boykin hit Josh Boyce on a 61-yard pass to put TCU up 13-0 at halftime.
The Frogs couldnt keep it up in the second half.
TCU had 30 yards of offense in the third quarter and continued to labor in the fourth before its last-ditch drive ended in the closing seconds.MORE IN Wire SportsPITTSBURGH Rusney Castillos long journey to the major leagues is over. Full StoryMINNEAPOLIS Hours after reversing course and benching Adrian Peterson indefinitely, Minnesota... Full StoryTALLAHASSEE, Fla. Full Story
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by CPT Kenneth Morris
During home-station train-up at Fort Hood, Texas, for 4th Infantry Division�s division capstone exercise (DCX Phase I), COL Robert Cone, commander of 2d Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, received approval from his division commander to supplement his M2A3 command vehicle with more Army Tactical Command-and-Control System equipment. Cone requested this capability to more efficiently C2 his digitized brigade and to have increased and sustained situation awareness while on the move and away from his tactical-operation centers.
This was only one example of why Cone and his brigade executed a very successful training rotation at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif. However, it�s noteworthy because he forwardly deployed his combat vehicle away from his TOC and, with his ATCCS� assistance, he gained information dominance of the battlefield. By achieving information dominance, Cone and the Raiders of 2d Brigade Combat Team significantly assisted Training and Doctrine Command in validating one of the seven exercise objectives: �assessing the brigade�s ability to employ information as a decisive element in combat power.�
As TRADOC�s proponent for brigade-and-below C2, we at the Armor Center, Fort Knox, Ky., are trying to capitalize on Cone�s insight and apply appropriate doctrine, training, leaders, organizations, materiel and soldiers-based solutions across the Army�s transformation axes. This article discusses our efforts in this.
�With this capability, I wasn�t required to stay at my command post, but I could move forward on the battlefield and get a personal, up-close view of the battle,� Cone said. �If I wanted or needed to talk with a battalion commander or soldiers in my brigade, I could locate them on my Force XXI Battle-Command Brigade and Below System and then drive to their location.�
In addition to better C2 and situation awareness, Cone�s battle command on-the move proved to be a morale and esprit de corps builder. Most soldiers were shocked when they saw their brigade commander at their location, but their shock turned into motivation, knowing their commander was with them in the fight.
Another closely related key
insight from DCX I was that the Force XXI heavy digitized division doesn�t
possess the equipment and personnel the table of organization and equipment
authorizes to adequately execute BCOTM at brigade-and-below level according to
the operational concept. The commander and his operations group need survivable,
mobile combat platforms with appropriate information systems that provide
execution-based core functions during tactical engagements and battles.
Currently there�s a TOE shortfall in the Force XXI maneuver brigades� headquarters combat vehicle that doesn�t account for emerging requirements (personnel and equipment) to provide the maneuver commander with the ability to maintain situation awareness and subsequent control of assigned forces. Before he departed command, Cone submitted changes to his modified TOE based on the success of his NTC rotation. His recommended changes included adding appropriate information systems to the commander�s vehicle, authorizing a similarly equipped platform for the brigade S-3 and adding another M1068 to the brigade tactical command vehicle.
Also, Cone recommended that five more soldiers fill key positions in manning the equipment and sustaining a 24-hour operational capability within the command group and the brigade�s tactical command post.
BCOTM, simply stated, is the requirement for a commander to conduct battle command and leadership while detached from his static CPs. In viewing the modernization of legacy forces and the requirement for the commander to execute offensive-oriented and distributed operations throughout his assigned battlespace, BCOTM becomes the maneuver commander�s essential capability to fight decisively forward and create a �commander-centric, mission-focused� organization instead of a �TOC-centric� organization.
In the expanded battlespace of digitized-division operations, placement of key people and facilities is of special importance. The maneuver commander may opt to position his command vehicle in a location that distributes senior leadership in depth throughout his operations area, allows observation and command presence at a decisive point, or provides senior-leader presence on separated mobility corridors.
Immediately following DCX I and based on the recommendations contained in the exercise�s initial-insights memorandum, TRADOC�s commander tasked the Armor Center to detail a more narrow focus on C2OTM at division, brigade and battalion level. One of our key tasks was to develop an operational and organizational concept for battle command at brigade-and-below that articulates the requirement for the commander to access relevant information and execute battle-command tasks untethered from CPs. Another key task for us was to develop an operational architecture for battle command at brigade and below using the approved O&O, followed by development and refinement of the systems architecture to support this OA.
Fiscal resources were provided in early May 2001 to develop and demonstrate this concept during DCX Phase II in October 2001. BCOTM became one of the Army�s priority-study issues for DCX II.
DCX II�s goal was to use a surrogate light-armored, mobile-capability platform that exploited horizontal technology integration to demonstrate a concept for BCOTM and C2OTM by brigade commanders and division command groups. The concept potentially could:
|Apply to legacy-force division, brigade and interim brigade and division commanders;
|Be an early-entry C2 capability;
|Be in the objective force; and
|Provide insights on lightweight, multifunctional alternatives to TAC CP configurations.
Initially the Armor Center developed the BCOTM O&O concept based on DCX I insights, emerging doctrinal concepts, battle-lab experiments, strike-force lessons-learned, interim BCT development, 4th Infantry Division�s tactical standing operating procedures and specific guidance from TRADOC�s senior leadership. In concert with doctrinal developers from the Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., the Armor Center�s Directorate of Force Development provided a draft O&O to material developers and 4th Infantry Division that became the baseline for the concept-validation demonstration during DCX II.
The next �deliverable� was the OA � an effort guided by the Armor Center�s deputy commanding general � which provided a clearer definition of what functions and tasks a commander and his operations group should perform vs. which ones the various CPs (TAC, TOC, forward, main, etc.) should conduct. The OA determined which critical capabilities and functions should be performed on command platforms:
|Display the common operational picture;
|Direct and control maneuver operations (air and ground);
|Control direct/indirect fires and effects;
|Monitor enemy/intelligence activities;
|Synchronize forces;
|Direct reconnaissance/counter-reconnaissance operations;
|Execute and issue orders;
|Receive/render reports; and
|Articulate on-the-move vs. short-halt tasks.
The OA also identified which functions and tasks were to remain delegated to CPs. Following this OA and task analysis, the combat developer needed to provide the material developer with a clear understanding of the requirement based on operational capabilities for command-group platforms.
Following OA development, there needed to be a blueprint for the material solution, and that was the systems architecture. The systems architecture had to adequately address the desired capabilities in meeting the O&O�s tenets. The systems architecture is the blueprint for the material solution of the required equipment and its network. The BCOTM�s systems architecture provided on-the-move communications, frequency-modulation voice, FM data (high rate), position location, satellite communications, ultra-high frequency (for ground-air coordination), situation-awareness displays, multiple processors and multiple battlefield-functional-area applications (FBCB2, Maneuver-Control System, All-Source Analysis System, Advanced Field-Artillery Tactical-Data System and Air and Missile Defense Workstation).
Once the systems architecture was completed, the Armor Center defined roles and missions for the �team of teams.� This integrated �team of teams� had the daunting challenge of producing a pair of identically configured commander�s platforms in less than two months. The teams consisted of TRADOC and the Armor Center�s DFD as the overall-lead combat developer; the ultimate user, 4th Infantry Division, provided input. The combat developer made final determination on what equipment was installed on the platform.
A team that was part of the �team of teams,� Team Monmouth, consisted of Communications-Electronics Command�s research, development and engineering center and the program executive office for command, control and communications systems. These subject-matter experts provided the latest technology and technical connectivity inside and outside the platform for communications and computer-based display systems. PEO-C3S was also responsible for platform integration and delegated this mission to Lockheed-Martin, the project manager for TOCs and the project manager for platforms.
The Tank and Automotive Armaments Command and TACOM�s RDEC, with assistance from General Dynamic Land Systems, provided the technical expertise for the platform and power configuration.
The team�s first and most difficult task was to rapidly acquire the surrogate vehicles in which to integrate the C2 and communications suite according to the systems architecture. TACOM, with TRADOC�s assistance, was able to obtain two vehicles which already been produced, procured and in a Defense Department agency�s possession. The timeliness and cost-avoidance of borrowing DoD-owned equipment greatly aided the Armor Center�s ability to meet the demanding time schedule. The surrogate light-armored wheeled vehicle used in the BCOTM concept-validation demonstration was the 6x6 Pandur, produced in Austria.
The BCOTM platform�s design was a concept-based, user-guided program that had a multifocus axis, but the program produced vehicles on time and under budget. The capabilities provided by this communications suite � which can be tailored to unit, echelon and mission � will give multiple command groups the ability to sustain situation awareness and provide command presence in areas of greatest importance.
One key point is that these platforms aren�t an additional CP and can�t support 24-hour operations. The platform�s operations-group staff is small and intended only to support the commander�s immediate needs for sustained information that will allow him to �see, decide and act.� Traditional tasks such as planning, synchronizing and controlling the battle will still remain with the main and TAC CPs.
The technology used in BCOTM isn�t totally new; it has been used in several other venues. The Army once had a program called the C2 vehicle that consisted of a C2 module mounted on a Multiple-Launch Rocket System chassis. The C2 vehicle provided highly mobile communications equipment for the maneuver brigade and battalion CPs. The C2V program was cancelled in late 1999 as the Army transitioned to a lighter, deployable and more lethal force.
The Army Airborne C2 System is another Army program that includes similar equipment and capabilities as the BCOTM platform, except that A2C2S is installed in a UH-60 helicopter.
The most promising technological inserts for the BCOTM program stem from the A2C2S program. This technology could provide lightweight, multifunctional alternatives for a number of TAC CP configurations as well as multiple combat and combat-support vehicles. Technological inserts include the multiprocessor unit and the keyboard-video-mouse switch unit.
The MPU is ideally suited for ground and air platforms as well as for CPs that require fusion and display of BFA computer systems� software systems (when the software is of mixed vintage and the computers have different operating systems). The MPU provides a versatile, configurable platform that consolidates up to six powerful single-board computer modules in a single chassis.
The KVMU allows the software that the MPU �houses� to be quickly transferred to and displayed on any screen or workstation. These screens and workstations may be mounted on a platform or contained in a CP.
Coupled together, the MPU and KVMU technologies enabled us to install many more capabilities onto a small, mobile platform than most Armor Center team members could envision at the start of our project design. Prudent application of these and other technologies clearly show potential in reducing the size and footprint of CPs as well as other possible venues.
CECOM sent its safety, communications and equipment-integration engineers to Fort Hood�s New Equipment Fielding Facility to work directly with PM-Platform�s installation team. This teamwork would help ensure optimal solutions for integrating mission equipment. User requirements for a time schedule, safety features, crew configuration, limited space and cosite-interference minimization were among the many challenges in integrating these platforms before the deadline of Aug. 3, 2001.
Also, completing the demonstration vehicles by this date was necessary so the crews could have enough time to train with various 4th Infantry Division headquarters elements. Safety engineers from TACOM, CECOM and the Armor Center joined the team at Fort Hood to assist platform integrators in meeting safety-certification standards before issuing the vehicles to soldiers for training. From operational-concept development through safety release, having a small group of knowledgeable and empowered team members from both the combat- and material-development communities confirmed that the �team of teams� approach is one of the best methods for mission success.
Despite the constraint of very little time between DCX Phases I and II (less than six months), 4th Infantry Division�s commander, MG Ben Griffin, embraced our efforts. Griffin was extremely supportive in integrating our late-breaking demonstration into the train-up for and execution of 4th Infantry Division�s Battle-Command Training Program warfighter exercise. He clearly recognized the opportunity to address a known shortfall in the force and provided our project team all the assistance we needed in achieving our goals and objectives.
The 4th Infantry Division chose to employ the BCOTM platforms at division level and requested TRADOC�s assistance in training crews to properly employ the systems that would support the division�s command group. Five quality �Iron Horse� soldiers were assigned to each platform supporting the commanding general and assistant division commander for maneuver. Three battle-staff officers or noncommissioned officers and two soldiers (primary and alternate drivers) became the operations group for each platform. The officers and NCOs � known as battle captains � assumed responsibilities in three functional areas: maneuver, intelligence and �effects.� These soldiers immersed in an intensive program for seven weeks, attempting to become qualified and highly trained multifunctional staff officers. Each battle captain became proficient in operating more than BFACs.
A three-phased training approach before the platforms were employed during DCX II began in early July 2001, with the crewmen receiving extensive training on the capabilities, maintenance and operation of the platform and its unique equipment. The 4th Infantry Division�s assigned crewmen received hands-on training in using the field-power unit and environmental-control unit. The training�s second phase covered operating Army Battle-Command System equipment and platform-unique communications equipment; MPU and KVMU; and the AN/VRC-83 high-frequency radio. The final phase of training taught crewmen how to employ the BCOTM platform and its communications package supporting the commander�s requirements.
The Armor Center contracted several digital SMEs who had a wealth of experience in brigade-level operations to train the crewmen.
As I said earlier about DCX II�s demonstration goal, TRADOC�s mission guidance required the Armor Center to identify key features that could be applied to all three Army transformation axes. Early observations from SMEs and field commanders suggested it was impractical to design and procure a new platform to house the BCOTM communications suite. As appropriate, the demonstrated systems architecture should be integrated into the TOE documented or programmed platform for each unit.
Legacy-force mechanized-maneuver commanders unanimously said they didn�t want a wheeled command vehicle because of its lack of armament, extraordinary silhouette and enemy-target susceptibility. They agreed with the concept of the Bradley fighting vehicle as their preferred BCOTM platform. For the interim force, it�s recommended that a BCOTM-like systems architecture be integrated into the interim armored vehicle�s command variant as quickly as possible to affect fielding of follow-on IBCT equipment.
Leveraging insights and findings from major events � such as advanced warfighting experiments and capstone exercises � into solutions enabling warfighters to dominate the future battlefield is a difficult but critical task the combat developer must accomplish for our operational forces. Validation of the BCOTM concept is gaining momentum daily. Continually refining the O&O, capturing and documenting revised operational requirements, and using rapid prototyping and spiral development will carry the BCOTM initiative well on its way to meeting the Army chief of staff�s vision of transformation as we change the way commanders fight and lead in battle. BCOTM efforts through DCX II and beyond will provide a baseline of emerging requirements for brigade and division commanders� platforms, with more refinement by echelon and transformation axis likely to follow.
CPT Morris is the acquisition officer for tactical communications and command, control, communications and computers at the Armor Center. He is a graduate of the Signal officers� advanced course and field-artillery basic course, as well as airborne and air-assault schools. He considers his best assignment so far as command of a tactical/strategic Signal company in Korea.
BFA � battlefield functional area
BFAC � battlefield-functional-area computer
C2 � command and control
C2OTM � command and control on-the-move
C2V � command-and-control vehicle
CECOM � Communications-Electronics Command
CP � command post
DCX � division capstone exercise
DFD � Directorate of Force Development
DoD � Department of Defense
FBCB2 � Force XXI Battle-Command Brigade and Below (System)
FM � frequency modulation
IBCT � interim brigade combat team
KVMU � keyboard-video-mouse (switch) unit
MPU � multiprocessor unit
NCO � noncommissioned officer
NTC � National Training Center
OA � operational architecture
O&O � operational and organizational (concept)
PEO-C3S � program executive office(r) for command, control and communications systems
PM � project manager
RDEC � research, development and engineering center
SME � subject-matter expert
TAC CP � tactical command post
TACOM � Tank and Automotive Armaments Command
TOC � tactical-operations center
TOE � table of organization and equipment
TRADOC � Training and Doctrine Command
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Army Communicator is part of Regimental Division, a division of Office Chief of Signal.


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Years before my husband and I had kids, we had a dog. A wonderful sweet yellow Lab that we brought home on August 3, 2002. Her name was Ashley, but quickly became known -- simply and affectionately -- as Dog. Dog joined us for many adventures before the kids came along, and although she was getting on in years when our boys became ambulatory, tail-pulling toddlers, she was always gentle and patient with them.
We tearfully said goodbye to Dog in June of 2011, and I figured that while we'd never truly get over the heartbreak of losing her, it wouldn't be long before we welcomed another canine member of the household. But it's been almost two years, and every time I think about getting another dog, I get hung up on one thing.
The MESS.
Well, and the responsibility. What if our next dog isn't as good-natured and well-behaved as Dog was? What if she/he has behavior issues? What will we do with him/her when we leave town? What if New Dog decides our cat would make a delicious long-haired snack?
But I've got to be honest, it's mostly the mess that gives me pause. I love that our backyard is refreshingly feces-free, and that I don't have to inspect the kids' shoes when they run indoors. I live in Oregon, where a person must be resigned to a muddy dog several months out of the year, and I don't miss wiping down a rainy, dirt-coated dog several times a day. Ditto on the non-nostalgia for scrubbing the carpet after a dog experiences a bout of explosive gastrointestinal distress.
I'd likely be up for dealing with all of those things if I wasn't at near-capacity with kid-related messes. I'm already cleaning up after people all day long, from the sticky pools of cereal milk in the morning to the final toothpaste-on-the-mirror smear at night. I have moments of feeling precariously close to curling up in the corner and weeping when faced with yet another Sisyphean housecleaning task -- the laundry pile is threatening to become sentient again? -- and I suspect adding another animal who increases my overall workload might just be the tipping point that spirals me straight into Britney Spears levels of crazy. And not the relatively normal, if desperately in need of a good bra Current Britney, either ... I'm talking about the shaved-head, umbrella-whacking version.
The thing is, I still feel guilty about how our sweet dog plummeted down the priority list after kids came along. We gave her a wonderful home until the very end, I'm sure of that -- but she didn't receive the same level of attention she did before we became parents. I'm not sure I think bringing a dog into a loud, chaotic, already well-populated household is the right thing to do, either for the dog in question or for me.
Maybe when the kids are a little older, is what I tell myself. But it's hard not to look back on all those wonderful years we had with Dog and not feel tempted to try and find another furry companion. Sure, she might have been a little messy, but oh, it was worth it. She was a good, good dog.
Where are you at with kids and dogs? The more, the merrier? Or are you happier having fewer creatures to take care of?
Images via Linda Sharps
We had a dog when son #1 came along 6 years ago, and he also quickly plummeted to the bottom of the list. He was a sweet pup, but when he passed and another son came along, we knew we didn't want another dog for a long time. We just recently added a new puppy to our lives and it was the right time to do it. He's a sweet, loving, and easy dog and we're really enjoying him. Yes, the mess is a bit of a hassel, but with two boys already, I hardly notice. He's also forcing me to exercise more since he needs good, long walks every day. Adding a dog to a busy family with young kids is a challenge, but I'm glad we were finally ready to do it.
We have 2 girls and a boxer, who, at my husband's insistence, lives IN THE HOUSE with us. And she STINKS. hahaha I'm not really a dog person (I prefer cats), but our dog is very sweet and very loving toward our kids. Once this one is gone, which I will be very sad about one day, there will most definitely be no more dogs in our house. EVER.
Our sweet old lab passed away last year and I came pretty close to divorcing my husband when he came home two weeks later with a puppy. The last thing I needed was another living thing to feed, clean up after, take to the doctor, etc. And I still curse the extra work but my daughter loves him to the moon and back. She more than makes up for my inability to lavish a lot of time and attention on him. Every day I hear her giggling mischievously in her bedroom and find the dog dressed to the nines at a tea party, having his nails painted, or listening to her "teach".
Great pics, the Dog was part of your family and you will always remember him! You will probably get another dog one day, maybe when your boy are a little older and then they can Scoop The Poop!!!
I also had a lab before I had a child. He was very energetic and needed lots of attention, and he was great company while my husband was deployed. When the first baby came though, I had zero time and patience for him. He went from sleeping in our bed to the downstairs couch. I could never take him out and I was constantly snapping at him. He shed like crazy and my son would get dog hair in his mouth all the time which was gross. Not to mention he sometimes dragged in poop from outside and when you have a crawling baby no amount of cleaning seems to suffice. I felt bad because he was a good dog and I could tell he wasn't happy. Thankfully my mother-in-law loves dogs and her pets all died so she gladly took him in and he's loving it she spoils him. I told my husband that I will only get a dog again when he is permamently home and no longer deploying or when the boys are old enough to take care of it completely on their own. But that won't be for a looooong time.
beautiful pictures


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I have read many books and resources on wild edibles and many of them have some great information. Some have good pictures and that is really what is needed when Identifying these plants. My frustration with these resources and therefore the inspiration for this site was that the text would often say "eat the plant when young" and then show me the plant when mature. How on earth was I to identify the plant when young if I didn't know what it looked like young!?
The books I offer on this page will help you get good information if you are looking to learn more about wild edibles. I'll find good resources on Amazon.com and link directly to them for you here.
Love this book! I recently purchased this through Amazon for my Kindle app and this guy has the best book I have read so far on the topic!


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I've been a pally for ever, healin in Vanilla cause ......thats all we could ldo lol. Later have been Rofl ret who couldn't get into raids cause we had no cc, and how do you do heroics withought CC in TBC? in wrath, (or just at the end of TBC) we got given replenish, and rpent, are dmage was boosted, we were made uber and a million people became ret.
I got given a Beta pass pretty early, and i played Beta till about a month ago, i'm not a math wizz, and i'm not uber insightfull, but this is the 1st time EVER i have NOT had fun on my pally...
We've been up and down Nerf wise it never bothered me when were underpowered, it definatley was fine when we were overpowered, But this is the 1st time since vanilla i have not had fun on him.....even with all the shiny new stuff.


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- Minh Do
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- Vietnam
Director of Marketing Communications, An Giang University
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What would the next Homo Sapiens look like? What kinds of characteristics would they have?
Homo Sapiens Idaltu (the subspecies) is dated to be 160,000 years old and Homo Sapiens Sapiens (the subspecies) reached full behavioral modernity 50,000 years ago. Homo Sapiens (the species) arrived on the evolutionary scene about 200,000 years ago. Doesn't that mean that we've been due for another evolution for quite sometime now? Or have we already evolved and didn't even notice? Or have we been preventing our own evolution via medicine and technological enhancements? Or have those enhancements really done the opposite? Enhanced our evolution? Either way, what are the characteristics of this new subspecies that could already be here today or will show its face in the centuries to come?
In other words, what do scientists, philosophers, and you think is the natural evolutionary step in our own species? Especially given this new human-built environment that we have been constructing for the past millenia.
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Apr 3 2011: Some developments I can see are inability to focus on one thing at once (there was a study that now social media triggers instant reward centers of the brain, thus people get a rush of pleasure every time someone posts a comment or likes their status - so they stop having the same pleasure when they accomplish only one thing at a time, focused, and get little recognition for their work) - or attention deficit disorder. Other developments can include a larger brain, more multitasking abilities (hopefully), and a higher tolerance for information overload. Maybe. But then again, we might not have the time to develop all those, I think technology is going a bit too fast for everyone right now. What will happen if we can't keep up with it?
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Mary Ersek, PhD, RN, FAAN, FPCN, has been promoted to the rank of Professor for Pain and Palliative Care in the Standing Faculty Clinician-Educator track effective July 1, 2014.
Dr. Ersek's program of research explores pain and palliative care in older adults, with an emphasis on nursing home residents. Her extramural research support has been consistent and impressive; she has served as principal investigator on numerous grants and as co-investigator on many other projects focused on older adults.
Originally recruited by the Veterans Administration to initiate a program in palliative care, Dr. Ersek was selected in April 2011 to direct the National PROMISE at the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center. PROMISE (Performance Reporting and Outcomes Measurement to improve the Standard of care at End-of-life) is an integral part of the VA's nationwide Comprehensive End-of-Life Care Initiative.
Since her appointment in 2008, Dr. Ersek has published 28 peer-reviewed journal articles, one book, and 10 book chapters. An internationally-recognized authority, she receives numerous speaking and policy analyses invitations. She has presented for the National Palliative Care Research Center, the VA Health Services Research and Development National Conference, the End-of-life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) for Veterans, and the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association. She currently serves as a member of the Expert Advisory Panel on Palliative Care for the Health Care Improvement Foundation.
A very gifted teacher, Penn Nursing students leverage Dr. Ersek's leadership reputation and skills through the classes she teaches, including NURS367/557: Principles of Palliative Care and NURS577: Advanced Practice Issues for Palliative Care Nurses. Her national and international citizenship is complimented by her presence, proactivity, and citizenship at the School and the University levels.
| Copyright © 2014 Penn Nursing Science, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing


text: Zyprexa I found this medication cause excessive weight gain, no energy , makes you very tired and effects your sex drive. This medication did not work well for me this medication caused me to have a hormone imbalance and had to take birth control pills to take care of the problem. Seroquel has worked the best for me and have lost 110lbs in the past 3 years since talking the pill wich i am no longer on. thanks to my doctor


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As the leading UK performance doorset manufacturer, Leaderflush Shapland Laidlaw continues to innovate for the demanding needs of the building industry
In August 2011, the SIG IM division was acquired by Laidlaw, a leading supplier of ironmongery, integrated doorsets and handrailing solutions
Virtually any door or doorset which has been designed and manufactured by Leaderflush Shapland Laidlaw has performance levels engineered-in above and beyond normal expectations
The brand has great flexibility providing bespoke solutions for any application from major PFI projects to small commercial developments.
The leading commercial interiors supplier offering doorsets, ironmongery, access control, handrail & balustrades, architectural glass, washrooms & partitioning
Leaderflush Shapland Laidlaw is continuously striving to improve the service and quality delivered to our customers. As a result of this aim we are constantly seeking talented, forward thinking individuals
Leaderflush Shapland Laidlaw as part of the Laidlaw Interiors Group has a set of Core Values or guiding principles
Providing an overview of its specialist products and services, Laidlaw Interiors Group (LIG) has launched its new corporate video, delivering an insight into its expertise and the capability of its divisions.
Issues to consider include the adoption of factory-assembled doorsets to improve environmental efficiency, techniques to maximise operational design life and, particularly, use of verifiable sustainable timber sources.
As a business we set high standards of environmental performance across all our manufacturing sites and work closely with our supply chain to play our part in conserving the world's natural resources
As a natural, organic, renewable material that is also recyclable, waste-efficient, biodegradable and non-toxic, timber has many environmental advantages for the building industry - and doorsets in particula
Leaderflush Shapland Laidlaw recognises that working conditions, which are safe and promote good health are vital to achieving business excellence
An exhaustive performance testing programme enables us to offer the widest available scope for certification and assessment of flush performance doorsets
The aim of the Leaderflush Shapland Laidlaw is to provide products and services that consistently satisfy our customers and earn us the reputation of being clearly superior over our competitors
We consider the performance and design aspects of doors and doorsets in relation to legislation, British Standards and NHS requirements
All you need to know about doors and doorsets in education: a step-by-step approach,
from initial design to successful delivery
Leaderflush Shapland Laidlaw take a collaborative approach to work closely with architects, contractors and specifiers to ensure design and performance requirements of the project are met, while complying with relevant Building Standards and Building Regulations for the commercial sector.
This section contains information on important Regulations, as well as other standards and documents that have an impact on doors and doorsets
This section outlines detailed technical information to supplement individual Leaderflush Shapland Laidlaw product range brochures which should be read in conjunction.
Clear opening width' is measured up to any projecting door item including furniture, weatherboards, etc
We can help specifiers with selection and provide samples of veneers and products which are useful during the project planning stage
RIBA assessed CPD seminars from Leaderflush Shapland Laidlaw
The following figures give an indication of the Light Refl ectance Values (LRVs) of commonly used door face materials and ironmongery finish options
The importance of a fully certifiable performance has been recognised in the Construction Products Regulation and the introduction of CE marking of doorsets
The core product offer from Leaderflush Shapland Laidlaw is the Designer range of flush performance doorsets, providing specifiers the opportunity to produce unique designs meeting specific performance requirements
The use of radiused vertical edges to door leaves and all frame edges, and the postforming of facings around them, is an integral part of the Plasform® concept
The Extended Performance Range takes fully engineered flush doorsets to the highest specified performance levels while offering freedom of choice with styles and finishes
The Pivette doorset is based on a unique two-leaf articulated design, developed to minimise door swing area whilst maximising clear opening width
The innovative and exclusive facing option. With Envision, your doorset design is limited only by your imagination
Sentinel is an innovative hand and finger protection solution that allows specifiers and architects to achieve outstanding performance, without compromising design or architectural integrity
As part of our ongoing product development programme we are pleased to be able to add Hygieniform Eco to the Hygieniform range.
EnduraCor is a cost-effective engineered performance core which is both versatile and stable
When Hygienilac is added to wood lacquers, it kills most species of bacteria including C.diff, MRSA, Salmonella and E.coli and goes on killing them for the lifetime of the lacquer - up to 10 years.
Intelliglass provides an excellent design innovation in doorsets creating new options for specifiers.
As part of the core offer which includes flush fitting ironmongery, Leaderflush Shapland Laidlaw has put together a range of architectural hardware to provide a complete end-to-end solution for a total doorset package
EcoGuardTM offers contractors and installers, accurate and even coverage around the perimeter of the frame all in one clean and simple on-site application - without the requirement for tubes of intumescent mastic, which can be difficult and messy to work with.
An increased awareness of the potential hazard of patient barricade together with an increased awareness of the risk of ligature points represented by doorset components, has led Leaderflush Shapland Laidlaw to launch an innovative anti-barricade, anti-ligature doorset solution.
In some environments such as schools and hospitals it is desirable for vision panels to offer both a security and a privacy solution.
As part of the Laidlaw Interiors Group (LIG), Leaderflush Shapland Laidlaw offers financial strength, security and global enterprise, whilst our UK regional business centres can be relied upon to deliver local knowledge.
Fire resistance is one of the most fundamental performance criteria for fire doors and doorsets, resulting in a complexity of interrelated regulations, standards and guides
Fire resistance is one of the most fundamental performance criteria for fire doors and doorsets, resulting in a complexity of interrelated regulations, standards and guides.
Acoustic control within buildings using acoustic doors can be a complex area traditionally involving either specialist consultants or a purely subjective approach
A wide choice of high performance security doorsets has been developed by Leaderflush Shapland Laidlaw for situations requiring resistance against forced entry, vandalism and more serious burglary or armed attack
Various documents, including BS 8214, stress the importance of specifying the appropriate classification of doors to ensure long-term performance under anticipated uses.
With hygiene being such a critical factor across all sectors, Leaderflush Shapland Laidlaw introduce Hygienlic, an anti-bacterial finish for infection control in doors and doorsets
Leaderflush Shapland Laidlaw has developed the Leadline range of doorsets providing various levels of X-ray protection while accommodating all the standard Leaderflush Shapland Laidlaw facing options
Introducing Designer
The core product offer from Leaderflush Shapland Laidlaw is the Designer Range, giving specifiers complete freedom in flush doors and doorsets with numerous wood veneer, PVC, paint and metal finishes. The most popular options are included with 4 frame types and 11 vision panel designs – all of which have already been fire-tested and certified.
The Designer Range also gives the specifier opportunities to produce unique designs that meet specific performance requirements. This is achieved by the partnerships which we forge with specifiers to ensure that design visions are carried through to practical long-term solutions.
All Designer Range doors, doorsets and screens are made to order and there are no prescribed opening dimensions. As an intrinsic part of our service to you, door constructions and thicknesses, together with detailed design and doorset component selection, are automatically generated to meet your performance requirements and design concepts. To maintain consistently high quality standards, our doors and doorsets
should be supplied fully decorated and factory glazed wherever possible, although on-site finishing by others can be accommodated. We also advocate specification of complete doorsets – factory assembled under strict quality control regimes and fully certificated to ensure consistent performance on-site.
Why choose Designer
The Designer Range brings you complete design freedom in flush doorsets, while we focus on meeting performance demands and realising your design vision. This is achieved by working in partnership so that you benefit from our unrivalled expertise, service and product quality.
The Designer Range suits virtually any application and the only limit to what we can achieve together is your imagination. With every commercial wood veneer option available, as well as PVC, paint and metal finishes, the choice is massive. Add distinctive vision panels and ironmongery to create your own style of flush doorset, in the knowledge that fire, smoke, acoustic, durability and other performance requirements are being met.
The Designer Range is intended to be as flexible as possible in meeting the specifier's visual and performance requirements
Read more...
Vision panels – suitable for non-rated, FD30 and FD60
The Designer Range offers a choice of four recognised frame designs, although we are able to manufacture other frame sections if preferred.
Performance intumescents and seals
Creative freedom realised with our expertise in veneers
Once the sheets of veneer have been cut they are assembled to produce lay-ons
Designs to highlight the simplicity and beauty of wood
Inspirational veneer lay-ons can be created to complement the surrounding environment
An unrivalled selection of door facing materials
Click below to visit the Designer Range Brochure download page


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"Hi Keshya. My name is Daphne Thompson. I sent you a friend request. I saw your comments on Andre's post, and would would like to chat with you. I am from Northeast Indiana. Thanks!"
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© 2014 Created by Clay Gordon.


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"Matka vase" by Pepe Heykoop (Source: jeffrigerator via risdid)
Using distinctive techniques from his Skin Collection, Matka Vases are designed by Pepe Heykoop and produced in his workshop located in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Mumbai, India, providing meaningful jobs, income and hope for the neediest.
Matka Vase is designed using recycled Matka's (traditional Indian stainless steel water carriers) and scrap leather. Every single vase contains a unique and personal story both of its previous owner and the person who gave it new life and use. Matka Vase has just recently gone into production and proceeds from sales are partly used to send street children to school.
As a reaction to the huge amount of waste of high quality leather created by the furniture industry (25 up to 30%), Pepe has designed the Skin Collection in 2011. In 2012, the Matka vase was born. The scraps generate a unique and random pattern as every piece has a different shape, giving the Matka a new life by turning waste into a Vase.
Kishua objects by Maya Selway (Source: mayaselway.com)
Porcelain planters by 224porcelain (Source: Spoon & Tamago via idreamcreateandadmire)
"Bloom My Buddy" vases by Niels van Eijk and Miriam van der Lubbe (Source: Beautiful Life)
"90°" vase by Cuatro Cuatros (Source: Beautiful Life)


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Beautiful Hair Styles.
rana | Nov 05, 2012 | Comments 0
Hair styles are of many kinds. It is said that women is incomplete with out hair. So hairs should be proper and beautifully handle in stylish look.
As we know that women preparation is incomplete with out proper hair style. If you are wearing very stylish dresses with no proper hairstyle you look kind of incomplete and awkward. Today I will tell you about latest hairstyles for girls. There are many hairstyles that you could adopt depending on accession you are going, messy hairstyles look very stylish in parties, beautiful french braids and high buns , short punk hair style can be made when you are about to attend any wedding ceremony. Working women can adopt layered and wavy hairstyles which look very decent. Housewife's can go for normal braid or buns at home and school going girls could go for beautiful high pony tails with bead pins and bouffant pony tail which gives a very cute n chic look. Their are many hair accessories available in markets by using them you can beautify your hairs even more. One thing that girls must remember is, always go for those hairstyle that look good with your face shape because face shape plays a very important part in it. Coloring hairs and highlighting are also very much famous in fashion but one must use high quality coloring creams or you will end up in messy dry hairs..
Hair styles can be adopt easily but the major thing is to maintain your hairs shine and growth. Your hairs should be shinny and healthy. Hairs needs alots of care because it is seen that now a days there are many hair problems we are already facing.
Here are some beautiful hair styles for you:
Messy hair style.
Curly hair style.
French braid.
Layered hair.
Short punk hair style.
These all are very stylish hair styles which can be easily adopt.
Filed Under: Hair Styles
About the Author:


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Pin It
I was approached a couple of weeks ago by my friend Christy who coaches softball to make some sparkly headbands for her team because the girls wanted to bling out their uniforms. Christy is a runner and bought a few of those fancy runner's stay-in-place headbands to help hold her hair back. She asked if I could duplicate her headbands for the girls. I looked at the headband (which retails for $15-18+) and realized it was only sparkly ribbon backed with velveteen ribbon with a small piece of elastic attached. Piece-O-Cake!!!
So I went shopping at Hobby Lobby and they had a great selection of ribbon. I went with red sequin ribbon and matching red velveteen. I am almost finished the 20 that she ordered for the team. Here is what I have so far…
I just have to put the elastic on and I'll be ready to deliver them to the girls!
Anyway, I decided to put together a little tutorial on how to make these and I am using pink ribbons to celebrate breast cancer awareness month.


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Vascular Dementia
Heart Disease Can Cause Memory Loss
Though Alzheimer's Disease is the best-known cause of dementia, another cause is Vascular Dementia. "Vascular" means the vessels, or arteries, that carry blood through your body.
Fat, cholesterol and other materials can build up in the arteries creating a plaque. Over time, this plaque continues to build just like the plaque on your teeth builds. Eventually, it narrows the arteries and slows the blood flow and clots can form as a result.
TIAs (Transient Ischemic Attacks)
The most common type of vascular dementia involves mini strokes (TIAs) which often go unnoticed. They are caused by small blood clots interrupting regular blood flow to the brain. The result is forgetfulness and confusion. Over time, more areas of the brain become damaged by TIAs and greater memory loss is the result. This type of vascular dementia develops slowly.
Usually lapses in memory and reasoning are followed by periods of stabilty, then there is further decline.
Stroke can be caused by a large blood clot that prevents blood flow to the brain and the brain begins to die. Sometimes the arteries that carry blood to the brain have become hardened and brittle because of plaque build up and they can burst.
Symptoms of Vascular Dementia
Some of the symptoms mirror Alzheimer's Disease so it's important to get a proper evaluation.
Mental and emotional symptoms include slowed thinking, general forgetfulness, confusion, personality changes, mood swings and loss of social skills.
Physical symptoms are dizziness, tremors, rapid shuffling steps, balance problems, and loss of bowel or bladder control.
Behavioral symptoms include slurred speech, laughing or crying without apparent cause, difficulty following instructions, and difficulty with ordinary things like a favorite card game.
Prevent Vascular Dementia
Managing or preventing heart disease can also prevent memory loss. Steps include lowering cholesterol and high blood pressure, getting regular exercise, maintaining social interactions, maintaining healthy eating habits, keeping the brain active, not smoking (at all) and not drinking heavily.
|Coronary Heart Disease
|Heart Rhythm
|Heart Valve
|Vascular Dementia


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Typo Keyboard For iPhone Faces Sales Ban
Wow rip off (205 comments)
I _was_ going to say, "I can't imagine blocking such a product would increase RIM's market share. All this does is make people hate Blackberries even more."
But then I saw what it looks like. It's a freaking Blackberry keyboard rip off! At least take the time to design something a LITTLE new, guys.


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I have been a member of EPZ for quite a few years and this has got to rank as probably the best thread that I have read.
I recently watch the TV episode and formed many of the same thoughts as others mentioned earlier in this thread and felt quite sad. However Andy came over as a very nice lady and protective of her girls, which was lovely to see. I also loved the bit where Andy was shaking in the studio of the other professional and one of the her girls immediately got involved in starting to offer some direction to the model, which clearly took some of the pressure off mum. There were also other parts which clearly demonstrated the family bond and this was great to watch also.
What has then made my day is that then up pops Emma and Andy on EPZ to tell us the truth of what really happened. What an eye opener and shows you what some not so very nice people will do in the name of "entertainment".
What I would love to see now is another programme about the truth behind the making of the initial programme such that it shows the reality about Andy and her girls and the twisted version portrayed by these so called programme presenters..... won't happen of course.
Good luck to you Andy and your "team" and thank you for putting us all straight on things.
Best wishes
Quote: I'd be surprised if Peach Lane Studios hadn't benefited in any way from the publicity and advice
Yep.............. no such thing as bad publicity, they say.
We would never have heard of Peach Lane had it not been for the TV show.
The problem is that only people who read this forum will know the truth. Others will believe the view put out by the TV & may be put off using Peach lane Studios by that.
Why don't you add some portraits to this site. It can't hurt!
Hiya PeachLane (Andy)
People starting there own businesses 'have balls' in my book, they gamble a hell of a lot on it and it's something I don't think I could ever do (not with Photography, I'm just an enthusiastic amateur!). I watched the program but didn't realize we had a thread on here with the 'stars' of the show
Does Polizzi really talk through her nose that much and does she always have a cold???
All I can really say is "No publicity is bad publicity". The whole of the UK have seen you and what you can do and I wish you, your family and business all the very best!
Andy (No, I'm not restating your name, I'm an Andy too!)
It was a huge gamble starting the business, particularly for my mum putting her life savings into it. But we had to do it. We all have to start somewhere and can't be experts at running a business straight away.
I have to say I am really touched by all the new messages on here - nearly bought a tear to my eye and I don't cry as easily as my mum and sister.
Andy - yes Alex is a very loud nose breather! I don't think she ever had a cold? Lol
Yes the publicity is going to be great, so I guess we will have to just ride the ridicule and keep doing what we are doing and more!
We are going to be at Focus next Monday, which I am dreading a little as there wil be so many photographers that will have judged us on what they have seen on the show. I just hope that all our photographer friends will have managed to get the real story out to as many as possible. Maybe we will meet some of you kind folk there? If so, please come and say hi! X
Quote: Yes the publicity is going to be great, so I guess we will have to just ride the ridicule and keep doing what we are doing and more!
You presumably did it for the publicity. The programme gets its show. You both gain. People who know you know what you are like, why would you care about people who don't know you?
From your point of view you are centre of a storm. The truth is most people know nothing about you or your business.
There is a wonderful story about Einstein when he moved to the USA. He was great friends with Charlie Chaplin and one night Einstein went with Chaplin to a premiere of one of Chaplin's films. People were banging on the car windows and chanting their names, whooping and cheering. Einstein turned to Chaplin and said, "Charlie, what does all this mean?" "Nothing", replied Chaplin.
I watched it last night. I normally miss programs like that so I'm glad this thread started
I didn't read all the comments in here before viewing so I could have an open mind. Whatever the slant or bias - fiction or none fiction. I thought it was a great program that any photographer considering starting out as a pro should watch as it gave a real insight into the dilemmas that may appear. I imagine many who start up have little or no experience of anything other than being able to take a decent photo. The various angles that were covered seemed from a snapshot point of view good: how to market better, how to promote, how to understand cashflow, through to presentation, diversification etc. If I was starting out I would have gleamed some useful snippets of info from this. Having a real life example, and illustrating it as it not working well, emphasised/dramatised that more.
Now we know the truth, and some of what we saw was not really the truth, but it could easily have been, so I place it in a more fictional account and it's helpful for learning. It would have been poor entertainment for the masses if they'd said here's a business that's doing ok but we can make it do a bit better. Viewing figures would plummet, no one would talk about it. As it happens people were saying did you see that program...blah blah. And it even triggered someone to post on our forums, so you got much more exposure. No doubt people have talked about it elsewhere.
When watching you can see that it's not actually lazy daughters, it's more about not knowing the more detailed aspects of business and management, which you're all clearly clever enough to grasp and appear to have done so as the program unfolds. Taking feedback about the crappy logo and changing it to a much more professional one, presenting your work better etc, getting out and marketing yourselves etc. So no matter how it made you look it (and my thoughts were inexperienced not lazy) it will have made you stronger. Add that to your photography which was already really good I'm sure it's been a worthwhile move. I wish you well in the new studio, which it turned out towards the end was actually saving you loads of money not costing, so again TV dramatisation at play! I think you ended up with a much more professional looking business in similarly professional location. Would/could you have done that without help of the TV program?
I'd say a result!
And now you've found us... I hope you both continue to contribute...and maybe even post some of the photos in your profile Andy? BTW I really felt for you in that first studio session with Jessica (she's been photographed before fame by several of our members and used to be a regular face in the gallery) what pressure in what I imagine was a busy TV set with hardly any pre-planning. I'd like Rachel to join too and post some of those advertising based photographs. She has a good eye for angles and focus point.
If commercial is something you are hoping to do more of, I would reflect that a bit more on your home page which is still very much portrait session based.
Quote: I'd say a result!
Funny how people involved in media and publicity see it differently from people not.
Personally, the services of a professional whom I could never afford off my own bat giving me advice for nix in return for a few knocks - sounds a bargain to me.
Last Modified By
Moderator Team at 25 Feb 2013 - 3:18 PM
Quote: Now we know the truth, and some of what we saw was not really the truth, but it could easily have been,
That is an interesting turn of phrase, if you are going to make up what "could easily have been", why bother involving real people? Why not just use actors?
Its a slippery slope from making up "what could have been", as it soon becomes "what we want it to be" and before you know it your The Daily Mail
Quote: Its a slippery slope from making up "what could have been", as it soon becomes "what we want it to be" and before you know it your The Daily Mail
That remark makes sense so long as you know nothing about entertainment and TV production. Even someone making a YouTube video knows that you cannot show 'real life' as it happens. Hours of video has to be edited unless viewers are prepared to watch a program lasting days. In the editing choices have to be made. Already it is not truth, even if everyone could agree what truth was.
The Daily Mail in general does not print out and out lies. It presents a version of the truth, slanted to some people's eyes. The Guardian et al do the same thing. You can buy or not buy the Daily Mail or the Guardian. But if you are looking for yer actual truth, you had better join an organised religion or the more tribal members of a political party. It still won't be truth but the members will have been browbeaten or brainwashed enough to all agree with one another.
?As an aside, I wonder if there's any chance of changing the title of this thread, oh moderators?
Hi Peach Lane !
I have watched the program and read these comments too with great interest as have always considered starting a studio but as a wedding photographer its never really been a necessity, more a luxury which i havent needed.
I can quite see how the TV team would want to make sure that the program made ratings and how things would be twisted but would also say in their defense too that you did know what program you were going on and would have been quite aware of the idea behind the program.
Its testament then to your business skills whether you mean to go on or not that you have now created yourself a great deal of publicity all of which can only be good for your business so from your point of view you should view it as a good thing no matter how badly you think you may have been portrayed - the very factor of your tv appearance will bring with it more brand awareness and more customers , it will be down to you to convert them and own them and I am sure you will.
Quite a funny remark Alex made about Peachy Pics being a childish name ! I have just a moment ago watched a national tv advert for a new loans company called - you guessed it - 'Peachy ' !
Andrew Davies Photography North East
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