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Elevator Pitch is a regular feature on Lifehacker where we profile startups and new companies and pick their brains for entrepreneurial advice. This week, we're talking with Abraham Mikhail, founder of Fone King.
In 128 words or less, explain your business idea
Fone King was founded to give Australians a one-stop shop for high quality phone repairs and much-needed data recovery. Whilst many companies offer phone repairs, Fone King stands out by only offering trained and qualified phone technicians that not only specialise in data recovery, but also offer the best repair services, using quality – not used – parts. With every technician abiding to a confidentiality contract, customers can truly trust Fone King with their phone.
What strategies are you using to grow and finance your idea?
Firstly, being driven to provide the best customer service, to ensure each and every customer love our services, staff and the overall Fone King in-store experience. Happy customers mean more customers and now we have come to the stage that we are franchising and expanding our national footprint which is very exciting. We chose to use the franchisee model in the way of a reward schedule, inviting for example ten-year staffers the opportunity to become a franchisee.
How do you differentiate your business from your competitors?
We saw a gap in the retail market to provide an exceptional phone repair and data recovery service that others can't. We knew people in general were having bad experiences when it came to their phone – breaking it and not being able to get it fixed on the spot, getting a new part for that only to break, and being ripped off with low quality products. Furthermore, not feeling comfortable with handing over their phones or passwords.
I believe we differ from other competitors with the in-store customer service we provide, the quality of the products we sell, the expertise and trustworthiness of our staff, and the education we offer to caring for your phone. We understand the value a phone has – and all that it holds – in a person's life and the importance of protecting it!
We take time and care and personalise the experience. Everyone leaves Fone King with something; a smile, a repaired phone, recovered data, and/or a bag of goodies.
What's the biggest challenge facing your business?
- Other dodgy repair outlets that leave customers unhappy and taint the reputation of our industry.
- Phones that have been attempted to be repaired either by DIY tips from the internet or other phone repair stores. Often customers come in and see us as their last resort, when they have done more damage than good! We can save them money – and time – if they come to us first!
- We also need to diversify – the quality of our phone repair service and the phone protection products we offer means less people need to fix their phones less often!
What one phone, tablet or PC application could you not live without?
I cannot live without Siri. Due to my dyslexia Siri helps me a lot.
What's the best piece of business advice you've ever received?
Follow the dream, not the competition!
Want to see your startup featured in Elevator Pitch? Get in touch using our contact form.


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One of the most fun things about pop surrealist art is that you never know what you're going to get.
A great case in point comes via the work of Ginette LaPalme whose artwork consists of imaginary animal characters (which are mostly feline) in psychedelic environments.
Especially amusing are these erotic animal portraits. Ginette is a part of the Woweezonk artist collective and halohalo studio in Toronto.
Implications - Consumers are looking for a shock element in all of their products. Designs that integrate a sexual aspect with unexpected characters create that element of surprise that takes the product to the next level. Companies could incorporate this into their items in order to attract more customers.
Ginette LaPalme's Whimsical Sexy Critters are Surreal
Christina Butty — October 13, 2009 — Naughty
References: ginettelapalme & magic-pony

subset: commoncrawl


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There was an agonising sense of deja vu as residents in a Northumberland town were forced to evacuate their homes in the early hours, one year ago yesterday.
At around 6am on September 25 last year, people in around 100 households at Morpeth had to flee their properties as the River Wansbeck burst its banks in heavy rain.
It was a scenario townspeople hoped they would never have to go through again, with memories of the devastating floods of four years earlier still painfully fresh for many.
On that occasion, on September 6, 2008, up to 1,000 people were forced to flee around 400 flooded homes, with many unable to return for months.
Thankfully, however, 2012 turned out to be on a much smaller scale with around 40 homes being flooded.
Among those affected was John Best, a 55-year-old legal consultant, whose home at Abbey View was infiltrated by five inches of water.
It may not sound much, but it was enough to cause extensive damage to the back of the home he shares with his partner.
Their kitchen, utility and dining room were affected, with plaster having to be removed, floors needing to pulled up and the kitchen replaced piece by piece.
The couple had to create a temporary kitchen in their home for five months until things were back to normal.
The five months' disruption compared very favourably to the floods of 2008, which saw the couple forced out of their home for two years.
Mr Best said: "Because the water was not as great as it was in 2008 it was much easier to fix. In 2008 we got more than four feet, it was a huge job."
Following last year's flood, there was some exasperation as to why long-awaited improvements to the town's flood defences had not materialised in time to prevent a repeat of 2008.
Since then, work has of course begun on phase one of the £21m Environment Agency and Northumberland County Council project.
Alan Bell, chairman of the Morpeth Flood Action Group, said last night: "We are pleased that work is progressing but there is always going to be a risk until 2014, when it is completed, that we could have a similar event."
And according to Mr Best, regardless of the work on the defences, homes like his remain at risk of flooding.
He claims his property was flooded 12 months ago not by the rising river, but by surface water run-off.
And Mr Best says a planned pumping station which would alleviate the surface water problem has been put on hold for the time being as the council and agency have insufficient funds, adding: "As a householder I do not really care where the water came from – it is in the house."
A county council spokeswoman said: "We are looking at surface water solutions as part of the Morpeth flood alleviation scheme. We will be making a decision on a solution this autumn, but we have ruled nothing out yet."
Also in Northumberland, flooding hit Rothbury, where water from the River Coquet entered four properties at the Matlings and one at Riverside.
At least two more homes flooded in Thropton and Netherton and a couple of cars were washed down the river.
On Tyneside, a month's worth of rainfall in just 36 hours shut major roads and dozens of schools as emergency services worked around the clock to rescue residents trapped by rising water.
An apartment block at Newburn was left teetering on the edge of a raging waterfall, forcing residents to evacuate. The collapsed culvert beneath it – said to have been the cause of the damage – has since been repaired at a cost of £10m.
The River Wear also burst its banks in Durham city centre and at Chester-le-Street while flooding was also reported at Gateshead, Gosforth and Sunderland.
Meanwhile, a County Durham Catholic Academy has returned to brand new and remodelled facilities after flooding ruined extensive areas of the school and its sports pitches earlier this year. Pupils and staff at St Bede's Catholic School and Sixth Form College in Lanchester are back in class to find completely refurbished ground floor areas throughout all buildings which were severely damaged during storms in late May.
The renovation project cost more than £400,000.


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I sent off "Takeover" to Crossroad Press.
I'm telling myself to keep my expectations low. The publisher is going to try to finagle a "New Release" BookBub for "Takeover," and then follow it with a regular BookBub for "Deadfall Ridge."
But I know the odds are against me. (20% chance on "Takeover" and a 3% chance on "Deadfall Ridge.") I have no idea if having been a previous BookBub release increases those odds.
BookBub seems to be the one thing that really works. I'm still selling "Deadfall Ridge" better than any of my other books.
But I think keeping my expectations low is prudent.
One thing's for sure. If the BookBubs happen, I'll immediately set about writing a third Hart Davis adventure.
Follow the momentum.
Coming 7/15/20.
4 hours ago


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Periodic table of #STEAM apps updated! – ICTEvangelist. Back in early July I created the periodic table of STEAM (that's Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics for those who think I'm full of hot air) apps in the same format as my previous two periodic tables.
This time the various sections were different to what I had and based around different areas of 'STEAM'. When I made this one (and the previous one too) I had meant to put them both on ThingLink and then add links to all of the different apps to the images. It was one of those things that ends up on your 'to do' list but you never actually get around to.
I was contacted recently by Wendy Torres from Baltimore, MD via my website who asked if she could do exactly what I had never actually got around to and link up each and every one of the 82 apps on the table. She has now very kindly done that and shared it with me on Twitter. My thanks to Wendy for taking the usefulness of the resource one step further. Object moved. STEM es un acrónimo utilizado por los educadores, funcionarios de gobierno y los responsables políticos para describir la educación en los campos de la ciencia, tecnología, ingeniería y matemáticas.
En el aula STEM se promueve el aprendizaje la investigación y el cuestionamiento integrado. Poniéndole énfasis en el diseño y resolución de problemas y integrando las disciplinas a través de temas de investigación. STEM fomenta la motivación del alumnado; la retención de los aprendizajes por más tiempo; la capacidad de transferir aprendizajes de unas situaciones a otras, y, en definitiva, el aprendizaje por competencias básicas. Object moved. Top 5 Unexpected Apps for STEM Education - StratoStar STEM Education Blog. In today's world, we use apps for everything from managing our bank accounts to expressing our thoughts via tweets, so why not use them for our STEM education projects?
StratoStar has compiled a list of our top 5 favorite apps will make tracking, solving equations, and creating reports simpler. 1. The Periodic Table of STEAM iPad Apps. I recently published a post showcasing a collection of some pretty amazing apps for enhancing teaching and learning displayed in a periodic table-style infographic.
Check it out here. Due to its popularity, I'm revisiting this topic, except the focus has shifted this time around to apps that address STEAM—the addition of art/design into the interdisciplinary approach of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). These resources are categorized in areas such as computing, making, photography, virtual reality, augmented reality and more! As you take a closer look at this super cool guide, think about this: It's never just about the apps. Instead effective technology integration is all about how tools support curricular goals in a meaningful, relevant, student-centered manner. Click here to view and/or download a high resolution file of this image, which was created and compiled by ICT Evangelist Mark Anderson. Full STEAM ahead toward your next app adventure! 60 Apps to Teach STEAM in the Classroom.
Using a tablet to explore STEAM concepts is a natural pairing—as kids drag, draw and create they learn more about technology and the world around them.
That's why we've gathered 60 of our favorite apps for teaching STEAM in the classroom, with recommendations for every grade level. Read on to get our list! 42 STEM iPad Apps for Kids (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Object moved. Object moved. Close formatos disponibles Ir al contenido principal All the community You are in: Panel Information Utilizamos cookies propias y de terceros para mejorar la experiencia de navegación, y ofrecer contenidos y publicidad de interés.
STEM: Apps, TV, and More for Science, Tech, Engineering, and Math. Tap here for our Free App!
Get all our media picks, personalized for your kids. No thanks Jump to navigation "Best of" Lists. 10 Must-Download STEM iPad Apps for Kids. I'm happy to have my super-smart friend, Shelly Kramer, chime in today with her 10 favorite STEM iPad apps for kids.
See her bio below. I love apps – for anyone who knows me, that's no surprise. 42 STEM iPad Apps for Kids (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) 6 Educational STEM Apps for Kids. (Image: File) Whether it's teaching science using multimedia "Jeopardy" like games, or math with step-by-step animation of complex problems, the iPad has proven to be an incredible learning tool for children of all ages.
The device not only offers children the ability to practice hands on learning, but the various types of game based learning activities makes science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) engaging and fun for students. Here are a few educational STEM apps to consider: Sid's Science Fair - The app designed by PBS and the Jim Henson Company is designed for kid's ages 3 to 6.
Based on the hit TV show "Sid the Science Kid," the course uses three science fair games to help kids with experiential learning in core science and math concepts like classification and identifying patterns to charting and sequencing. [Related: Travel Around the World in NYC Without Jumping on a Plane] NASA App – Allows kids to explore astronomy and outer space. 100+ STEM iPad Apps For Learning. 100+ STEM iPad Apps For Learning STEM education is "an interdisciplinary approach to learning where rigorous academic concepts are coupled with real-world lessons as students apply Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in contexts that make connections between school, community, work, and the global enterprise enabling the development of STEM literacy and with it the ability to compete in the new economy.
(Tsupros, Kohler, & Hallinen, 2009) Not coincidentally, several other trends in learning–from mobile learning and tablets in the classroom, to personalized learning and adaptive learning apps–are all at least somewhat connected to STEM education, which makes the following collection of STEM iPad apps for learning from Listly user Randy Yerrick helpful. The list is impressively diverse, from communication tools (Skype) to social readers (Flipboard), to composition tools (Pages) to graphing calculators (Quick Graph). 25 STEM Education Apps You Need in 2015. STEM APPS.
7 STEM Apps for Students. Like everything else, technology has transformed education. Students' backpacks don't just include pencils and notebooks anymore, but also chromebooks and tablets. Although some parents may argue those gadgets are distracting them from their studies, there is no denying that technology is also enabling greater learning for kids of all ages. There are hundreds of apps available on iPhones and Android devices that are making science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fun for kids. Although apps can't replace traditional teaching methods, they represent the kind of self-paced learning that's guided by technology. By enabling interactive learning, apps can spark an interest in students for STEM-related careers at an early age. Here are seven mobile apps that are enabling STEM education. Using Simple Machines children can learn how machines work. Simple Machines Tinkercad Created by a former Google engineer, the 3D design app Tinkercad helps create and print 3D models.
Blokify Scratch Jr. 50 Best iPad Apps for STEM Education. Despite early doubts, the iPad has proven to be an incredibly valuable tool for education, both in the classroom and in homes around America. By offering students, from elementary school all the way up to the university level, the chance to do some hands-on learning, exploring, and sometimes even educational gaming, the device makes education fun and exciting, something that isn't always easy to do.
With schools falling behind in math and science education and companies unable to find enough qualified professionals to fill jobs in science and technology fields, pushing STEM education is more important than ever. Educators and parents can help get kids interested and perhaps even hooked on STEM no matter their age with the help of the iPad and the myriad great educational applications it offers. General These applications address STEM more generally or act as amazing tools and reference guides for learning.


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Finish a Phonegap app
Budżet $50-150 USD
It´s a study where you have to write a text everyday from Sunday to Friday
The Saturday you don't write text, you select one of the week
And the last day of the month you select the text of the month from the texts of the week that you selected on saturday
All that is already done
Everyday that you select or write a text, the next 12:00, 16:00, 20:00, you need to get a notification
With that text. That´s the part I need to be done.
Maybe there will be other minor issues that we´ll work with hourly rate.
1 freelancer złożył ofertę na kwotę $55 do tego projektu
We Provide you best quality development work in which you will get attractive Interface and Di anemic content. we have experience in development more about 8+ years well qualified team to get ready to work with you.


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LACO's LHCT03D Helium Concentration Tester is designed to measure helium concentration in production parts previously filled with helium gas. Working in conjunction with a helium mass spectrometer, the LHCT03D provides excellent accuracy and fast response times. Includes the LSP-HCT-5 sniffer probe.
- Interfaces with test ports of most helium mass spectrometer leak detectors including LACO's TITANTEST, Alcatel, Pfeiffer, and Inficon
- Analyze test data quickly and easily with digital readouts and fast response times (typically less than 5 seconds)
- Collect accurate helium measurements with the highly sensitive sniffer probe and simple calibration process
- Micro-controller based control system with 4.3" color touch screen
- Micro-controller menu includes test, calibration and advanced settings
- Data collection and software updates via USB port
- Sniffer probe for sampling at atmospheric pressure (custom sampling probes available)
- Ethernet port for TCP/IP communication with tester for device and test information


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Can begin 5G trial within a month of Indian government's nod: Huawei
Amid reports suggesting that Huawei may not get the government's approval for 5G trial in India, Huawei India CEO Jay Chen on Tuesday dismissed the reports as wild speculation and stressed that the Chinese tech giant can begin 5G trial within a month of approval from the government.
"We have made three-four rounds of presentation to the government and all of my engagements with the government have been positive so far. We are just waiting for the government's approval to commence the 5G trial," Chen said at a media workshop on 5G here.
"We are fully prepared. We can start the 5G trial within one month of getting approval from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT)," Chen told IANS on the sidelines of the workshop, adding that Huawei was in talks with all the major telecom operators in India including Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio and the state-run BSNL for 5G roll-out in the country.
Huawei is leading the 5G race globally with its massive investments in R&D but the Chinese giant is facing the heat from some Western countries, particularly the US which alleges that the Huawei 5G network could pose a national security threat.
Australia and the US has already blocked the use of Huawei technology for its 5G network. New Zealand, which earlier raised similar security concerns, on Tuesday said it may consider involving Huawei on its 5G network if the security concerns are adequately addressed.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last week warned European countries that using technology from Huawei could hurt their relationship with Washington.
Dismissing the allegations as mere "politics", Chen stressed that no country has been able to give any evidence of wrongdoing on Huawei's part.
"It would not be logical to exclude Huawei from the 5G trial in India as it would mean losing the benefits of innovative technologies that we can bring to the 5G ecosystem in the country," Chen noted.
"I hope India will have its own judgment," he said, adding in a lighter vein that 5G without Huawei could be what India would be without cricket.
Saying that the roll out of 5G could unleash in the world such dynamic changes as the invention of electricity did, Chen called on the international community to evolve universal standards for security.
"Right now every country has its own security standards. It would help if we have universal standards for security and every technology company is subjected to the same standards of security," he added.
Read More News:
Facebook adds 5 new partners to fact-checking network in India
Google Maps AR navigation feature testing begins for select users


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We are excited to let our PlayHappy family know that after six years of loving use of our indoor playplace, we are giving PlayHappy a facelift!
We have lots of things in store, including a fresh coat of paint, new carpets and new toys and amenities that will make your kids smile.
Look at our new walls!
Come visit us soon to enjoy the new updates.
Thank you for choosing PlayHappy to be the place to make memories.
We are looking forward to many more years ahead.


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Why is the UK a Prime Target for DDoS Attacks?
Reports surfaced last week that the UK has now become the world's second most targeted nation for Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, following a 220% rise in the number of attacks globally in the last year.
While the figures may sound alarming, the rising volume of DDoS attacks is hardly surprising given the proliferation of cheap and easy-to-launch attack tools. Today's DDoS attacks are almost unrecognizable from the attacks of old. Once the preserve of bad actors coding in their bedrooms to carry out protests and cause mischief, DDoS attacks have now evolved into a cheap method of attack that just about anyone can launch for just a few dozen dollars a month.
It's crucial to understand the reasons behind the steady growth of DDoS attacks, what makes the UK disposed to such attacks, and how users can stay protected.
Early Warning Signs
Last week's news mirrored an announcement by the City of London Police in May this year, which warned of a new wave of ransom-driven DDoS attacks orchestrated by Lizard Squad, in which UK businesses were told that they would be hit with a DDoS attack if they refused to pay a ransom. In addition, a recent survey by Corero Network Security revealed that 80 percent of European IT security professionals expect their business to be threatened with DDoS ransom attacks during the next 12 months.
But why is the UK such a target? The motivations for DDoS attacks are endless, from financial and political reasons to extortion and everything in between. Among the possible implications – depending on the scale of the attack or whether it has been used as additional element to a wider breach – are data theft, revenue loss and reputation damage. Considering the size of the UK's digital economy, and London's status as a financial center of Europe, it's not surprising that attackers have put the UK in their crosshairs.


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Facebook has been plagued by major privacy scandals over the past several years, but perhaps none made a bigger impact than the Cambridge Analytica controversy last spring. It caused an uproar among the public and lawmakers alike when it was revealed the political marketing firm had harvested information from tens of millions of users without their consent. Now, according to attorneys for the District of Columbia, Facebook employees knew what Cambridge Analytica was up to months before it became public knowledge.
This revelation came to light as part of a lawsuit filed by D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine, who is suing Facebook for "unlawful trade practices." According to Racine's filing, his office possesses documents containing email exchanges between Facebook employees — some of which reveal the company knew Cambridge Analytica was violating its privacy policies.
The filing states that these messages are "candid employee assessments that multiple third-party applications accessed and sold consumer data in violation of Facebook's policies during the 2016 United States Presidential Election… It also indicates Facebook knew of Cambridge Analytica's improper data-gathering practices months before news outlets reported on the issue."
Facebook is already in trouble over its data practices, and news like this won't help it claim innocence — not to mention making it harder for the company to regain user trust.
Recommended Resources
Bitdefender 2019 solutions stop attacks before they even begin. Try 90 days free of Bitdefender Total Security 2019
Private Internet Access is an award-winning, cost-effective VPN solution. The use of an anonymous and trusted VPN is essential to your online privacy, security and identity protection.
System Mechanic 14 – Make your computer run like new. Winner of 200+ Editor's Choice awards!


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10 of the most popular Strava segments across Canada
Stretches of pavement that many Canadian cyclists have ridden
Strava has collected the data of thousands of cyclists since it was launched in 2009. Across Canada, GPS data from rides is recorded and uploaded to the social training app by cyclists. Whether a short jaunt, a commute or a long weekend ride, chances are where ever you rode your bike you passed over dozens of Strava segments. Stretches of trail and road all over Canada have virtual segments on them. Strava segments are member-created portions of road or trail where athletes can compete for time virtually. Here are 10 of the most popular Strava segments across Canada:
Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve 4.03 km
Montreal – 4 km – 275,869 attempts by 7,122 Strava users
The track that host the Grand Prix Canada Formula One race is a hot spot for Montreal residents looking for smooth tarmac in a car-free environment.
Prospect Point Climb
Vancouver – 1.2 km at 4 per cent – 216,353 attempts by 10,888 Strava users
Stanley Park is an extremely popular spot for cyclists in Vancouver. Beginning at the Stanley Park seawall and heading up through the park this segment has been ridden by over 10,000 people.
High Park – Main Loop – Centre Road
Toronto – 1.8 km – 124,229 attempts by 3,162 Strava users
High Park is a green space tucked away in the heart of the sprawling city of Toronto. For cyclists looking for somewhere for a short ride away from the busy city, it's no surprise many of them head here.
Lap of Hawrelak Park
Edmonton – 2.2 km – 55,004 attempts by 1,648 Strava users
Located in Edmonton's river valley along the North Saskatchewan River, Willaim Hawrelak is a popular spot of Edmontonians to ride.
Gatineau entrance to Pink lake
Gatineau – 6 km at 2 per cent – 61,151 attempts by 5,404 Strava users
Residents of Ottawa and Gatineau, Que. are fortunate enough to have a national park on their doorstep. In Gatineau National Park there are kilometres of beautiful riding on road and trails which many residents take advantage of. To get into the heart of the park, the Promenade de la Gatineau is used my most riders.
Calgary – 1.2 km at 7 per cent – 32,629 attempts by 2,827 Strava users
Climbing up from the Bow River in Edworthy Park in
northwestern southwestern Calgary, this climb is a popular training spot. Other biking and hiking trails crisscross the small park.
Big Green
400 m – Quebec City – 15,776 attempts by 2,960 Strava users
Lots of cyclists use this stretch of bike path to head out of the city. It's a straight stretch of bike path that passes by the Domaine de Maizerets.
Wellington Whistle
Winnipeg – 1.5 km – 12,868 attempts by 1,270 Strava users
A nice green space with a bike path heads towards the city of Winnipeg along the Assiniboine River. For commuters and recreational cyclists, it's a popular stretch of bike path.
Bluestone Punch Climb
Halifax – 300 m at 6 per cent – 7,747 attempts by 648 Strava users
If you life in Halifax and are coming back from a ride along the coast south of the city you will come upon this punchy hill in Purcell's Cove as you approach the limits of the city.
Sydenham Alma to Lookout
Hamilton – 1.2 km at 8 per cent – 18,191 attempts by 2,175 Strava users
A very popular climb that ascends the escarpment out of Dundas, Ont. Sydenham Rd. has a Clara Hughes plaque at the top because she used to use it as her training hill. With a tough eight per cent gradient and 1.2 km in length, it is a good spot for a hard effort.
What's the most popular Strava segment where you life? Leave a comment below.


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Internet casino games' reputation are going fever pitch frenzy these days, as social media web sites advertise them plus the economy's people are motivated by financial problems to enjoy them rather than real world casino activities. Although one particular casino on the web game which appears to be driving remaining behind would be craps, slot devices, poker, blackjack as well as the many variations of theirs are spending during a virtual planet.
Craps is a casino game which entails players betting about the end result of a dice roll, or maybe the outcomes of a number of dice rolls. Players are able to produce wagers against one another (what is thought as block craps or maybe capturing the bank account or dice) (aka kitchen table or even tangkasnet casino craps). Craps are rather sought after only in real world casinos all around the Country, Europe as well as Asia. It's a thrilling, busy game, as well as a particular is going to be hard pressed to search for almost any half filled craps tables within every casino.
Effectively, aside from the internet type. For stark disconnect with craps in actual casinos, craps in internet casinos will often be played half full, often with just one or maybe 2 people actively playing. And so, the reason why the difference?
A lot of players state which playing craps on the internet and to come down with real life casinos are merely very distinct, as well as all that creates craps like a fascinating game to have fun on the planet are merely sucked from the internet casino variations.
For instance, the primary joy which players receive from craps originates from coming the dice. A lot of players have created different approaches with wrist and hands flicks shakes which can regulate the way a dice rolls along the bad table's sensed top part, that'll ultimately end up the dice within no matter what quantity the participant needs them to give up. Which bodily element of the craps is totally eliminated around internet casinos. There's simply no tactile expertise together with the dice, along with undoubtedly absolutely no hands methods by what players assume they are able to hedge the chances in the favor of theirs.
Taking part in craps also is produced entertaining by the ambiance of taking part in having a group of cheering, muttering, groaning, players crashing in a person out of every side while they make an effort to press closer towards the kitchen table. Internet casinos as but can't replicate that here affluent encounter, as players remain with just rote mouse clicking and maybe a few refined background music to record the viral buzz which often comes with a complete craps dining room table.
There's always expectation for internet casino craps, although, as increasingly more individuals are little by little getting used to a non physical dice toss. Most are additionally finding the advantages of actively playing internet casino craps. Primary these is the fact that new players who'd want learning roughly the guidelines of craps may initially acclimate themselves, kind of buy a sense with the craps dining room table, prior to actually actively playing within real world casinos in which the common viral buzz is going to be unforgiving to untutored players. Crap-lovers, also, are discovering that craps is craps, and the online edition of its may be the simplest way to assuage their craps cravings ASAP. And after that, there's the financial reason: numerous web sites are selling internet casino video games for free and that the times doesn't wish to obtain something without any compensating?


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"Bullshit is the glue that binds us as a nation" was said by George Carlin. He was an American stand-up black comedy comedian, actor, author, and social critic.
When Sonny Liew became the first S'porean to win an Eisner Award (In fact he won three*: the Eisner Awards are the comic industry's Oscars.), I realised that "Bullshit is the glue that binds us as a nation" applies here too because of the hostility to alternative narratives to the "The S'pore Story: The PAP Version".
"The S'pore Story: The PAP Version"
goes something like this: Newly independent from its bigger neighbor Malaysia, small and vulnerable in the middle of the Cold War, beset by Communist infiltrators and surrounded by domino nations, Singapore finally found stability and a road to prosperity when its founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, defeated dangerous left-wing opponents, regrettably by having many tossed in jail.
"The S'pore Story: The PAP Version"
has been hammered home in textbooks, the mass media and television shows. To oppose it meant risking detention without trial, costly libel suits or extreme marginalization in a country where the state controls most purse strings and levers of power.
The above extracts are from
After the above book was published, Singapore's National Arts Council (NAC) withdrew a publishing grant, and an official wrote in a letter to the constructive, nation-building ST that the book "potentially undermines the authority and legitimacy of the Government and its public institutions."
(The author talks about his present relationship with the NAC: http://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-asia-40606324/singapore-artist-tops-comic-book-oscars-nominations)
Then there's "State of Emergency", another novel. The author sent the first draft of book to NAC and his subsidy was stopped.
Siew Li leaves her husband and children in Tiong Bahru to fight for freedom in the jungles of Malaya. Decades later, a Malaysian journalist returns to her homeland to uncover the truth of a massacre committed during the Emergency. And in Singapore, Siew Li's niece Stella finds herself accused of being a Marxist conspirator.
Jeremy Tiang's debut novel dives into the tumultuous days of leftist movements and political detentions in Singapore and Malaysia. It follows an extended family from the 1940s to the present day as they navigate the choppy political currents of the region. What happens when the things that divide us also bind us together?
"A well-written novel, and it has a wide historical perspective."—Philip Holden, author of Heaven Has Eyes and NUS Professor of English
"A superbly structured piece of work. The sweep of the dramatic narrative is impressive, with just the right dose of intrigue and mystery."—Haresh Sharma, Resident Playwright, The Necessary Stage
(Btw, both books are published by Epigram Books, owned by Edmund Wee. He wants to make S'pore Literature Great.)
Then there's Mr. Thum Ping Tjin, better known as PJ Thum, a Research Associate at the Centre for Global History and co-ordinator of Project Southeast Asia, University of Oxford. He's got local academics foaming with rage over his analysis of Operation Coldstore. He used declassified British archives to challenge the PAP narrative that S'pore faced a credible Communist threat. Really there's nothing really very new about his analysis. Some Western historians had been disagreeing with the PAP's narrative even before the British declassified their records, basing their analysis on information available from US and Australian archives.
(Here's his analysis of the 1964 "racial riots": https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2016/07/26/why-history-matters-to-singapore/. It's not the official narrative.)
Btw, he has his own alternative history podcast on S'pore. Again this often goes against the PAP narrative but in the main it follows what Western historians have talked about. S'poreans are generally not aware of what Western historians write about S'pore because their books and articles are about the region, and the S'pore material is just a "little red dot".
I'm no fan of his because I think in his analysis of S'pore in the 50s and 60s, he leaves out the bigger picture of Western fears and concerns, not unreasonable, about the danger of Communism to their regional and global interests. For example, in any analysis of S'pore in the late 50s and early 60s, account must be taken of the PKI, the Indonesian Communist Party. By 1965, the PKI was the strongest communist party outside the USSR and China. It had influence over Sukarno.
*Nominated in six categories for graphic novel "The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye", Liew won three:
Best Writer/Artist,
Best US Edition of International Material – Asia, and
Best Publication Design and categories


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Business professionals already know that money is time and time is money. Getting stuck in traffic is no excuse, especially if there is a conference you need to attend. Don't fall for taxi services that can't guarantee your conference arrival or rental companies that offer a GPS.
Instead, think about hiring a driver for airport transfers to your next out-of-town work conference or business trip in the valley. Hiring chauffeur is the best way to get around unfamiliar cities and locations for all business professionals, especially in the "Valley of the Sun". Some may even say, it's the fastest, cheapest and most comfortable professional transportation solution. Ride in style and elegance. Image is everything, right?
Value your traveling time. Spend it reading emails, answering calls, and preparing for the conference. Not wondering, how to get from point A to point B. And just FYI, your chauffeur can show you the finer things in the valley. The valley nightlife is one to explored.
With all this in mind let's take a look at some of the reasons that make hiring a chauffeur for your out-of-town work conference or business trip worthwhile. Trust, this is the smartest way to get around in the valley for business professionals.
Even though a chauffeur is a person who drives for a living, a chauffeur typically implies a professional driver that operates exquisite and elegant passenger vehicles, such as a late-model Lincoln Town car or spacious Cadillac Escalade.
If that's not enough, maybe a chauffeur's local knowledge, professionalism, timeliness, and stylish transportation will change your mind. For all business professional, airport transfers are the bread and butter of their business trip.
So why settle for less?
Here are reasons for hiring a chauffeur like those from Scottsdale VIP Limo service:
Without a doubt, hiring a chauffeur will bring you peace of mind. The chauffeur will know the area that you are traveling and offer a piece of local advice. The chauffeur will also offer you local support throughout your work day. This is great for those business professionals that are not familiar with the area. Now, Isn't that worth?
If the professional look is part of your reputation, pulling up in a beat up taxi won't help. On the other hand, riding in a luxury sedan will set you apart from the rest. Feel good about yourself while still representing the company in an elegant, yet fashionable way.
More than likely, you're traveling on a fixed schedule. So if you value your time, don't waste it worrying about traffic and parking. Alternatively, have a chauffeur worry about those things. Spend you're traveling time efficiently with the matter at hand. Work on the move. Get things done. It goes without saying, you are on a business trip. Not a vacation.
When considering hiring a chauffeur, safety and training should always be your number one concern, which you may not find with a typical taxi service. Ask the chauffeur to give vehicle safety records and their safety standards.
Additionally, chauffeurs have more qualifications than just a driver's license. So rest assure that your chauffeur limo service has tested them on and off the road before they start driving. They will also have ongoing training.
Getting a taxi is a pain in the butt. So is renting a car that fits your style, unless you're okay riding in an economy vehicle. Even still, you will have to deal with the hassle of riding or driving in an unfamiliar place. The valley is no joke. If you don't understand the grid system, then forget about it.
On a more positive note, hiring a chauffeur can ease the stress. All you have to do is let the chauffeur know where you want to go and boom, you are there. Oh yeah, you don't need to worry about traffic, licensing, and insurance. The chauffeur will have that all covered.
If you agree with all these points, then you are ready to ride with Scottsdale VIP Limo. Have Scottsdale VIP Limo waiting for you after you land for a comfortable trip to your conference or hotel. Enjoy the complimentary services, like in-car WiFi, smartphone charger, and a chilled beverage.


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Richard Hughes, 'Jimmy, Jimmy' (2010)
Richard Hughes, 'Jimmy, Jimmy' (2010)
Hubert Robert, 'The Accident' (ca. 1790-1804)
'An architectural fantasy' (ca. 1663) by Jan van der Heyden
Luis Galán García & Daniel Fernández Pascual, 'Road Trip through Madrid's Bubble Challenge' (2010)
After a decade of unprecedented real estate development, Madrid starts to deal with its contemporary ruins: on one hand, more than 47,000 empty apartments wait for a first buyer (Asprima report/Dec.2009), and on the other, hundreds of kilometres of perfectly paved streets run between eerie blocks, waiting for a first construction on their sides.
'Road Trip through Madrid's Bubble Challenge' is an on-going photo-reportage of these frozen in time areas of development. Can they become the natural protected areas of the future?
'Oae' by Patrizio Di Massimo (2009)
'Oae' is a video work which takes Italy's colonial occupation of Libya as its subject matter. Patrizio Di Massimo examines this dark chapter in his native Italy's history by overlapping excerpts of his own footage with black and white documentary and archive material taken from The Lion in the Desert, a film made in 1981 by Mustapha Akkad and censored in Italy at the time for its exposé of empire building and military atrocities. Filmed in high-definition colour on the streets of modern day Tripoli and amongst historical ruins across Libya, the artist sought out the monuments and architectural remnants of both Ancient Rome and more recently Fascist rule from 1911-1940.


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My very first card as part of the Love to Create Challenge DT. You can check out the challenge blog here:
This is the very first time I have been part of a Design Team altogether!! I've gotten to know the ladies for the past month and man, they have been the coolest! They were all friendly and I've learned so much from them! Product suggestions, YouTube tutorials and and answering all my silly questions! I feel like a little girl in a candy shop and needing people to guide me through it!
This week's challenge is generously sponsored by Bugaboo Digi Stamps!
Here is my inspiration for this weeks theme "Autumn":
I used Stella Calendar Months – Thanksgiving. She is the cutest little lady ever! Maybe about month ago I saw her on someone else's wonderful project and I knew I had to use her one of these days, and here she is today!
Remember, for a chance to win this fabulous prize make sure you link up your project over at Love to Create Challenge blog!
Party Time Tuesdays – Anything Goes
Pink Elephant – Coloring Medium (Copics!)
Stampavie and More – Autumn
Poodles Parlour – Autumn
One Stitch at a Time – Anything Goes
Raise the Bar – Anything Goes
Challenges for Everybody – Anything Goes
Pause Dream Enjoy – Orange and Brown
Crafty Catz – Texture
Fab and Funky – Die Cuts


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webpack is THE build solution for modern web applications.
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See how money openly circulates through webpack. All contributions and all expenses are published in our transparent public ledger. Learn who is donating, how much, where is that money going, submit expenses, get reimbursed and more!
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Webpack bundles both ES6, CommonJS, and AMD modules (even combined). In addition to code-splitting, webpack can create a single bundle or multiple chunks that are asynchronously loaded at runtime (to reduce initial loading time). Dependencies are resolved during compilation reducing the runtime size.
Loaders can preprocess files while compiling, e.g. coffeescript to JavaScript, handlebars strings to compiled functions, images to Base64, etc. webpack makes no assumption about your workflow, framework of choice, or development environment, and because of that, we are in the top 1% most used packages on npm!!!
Webpack has a highly modular and configurable plugin system that lets you do whatever else your application requires.
This Collective is run by and for the benefit of the independent contributors to the webpack open source software project. This Collective is not endorsed or administered by OpenJS Foundation, Inc. (the "OpenJS Foundation"), the OpenJS Foundation does not receive and has no control over any funds contributed, the OpenJS Foundation does not direct or otherwise supervise the actions of any contributor to the webpack project, and all donations made will be expended for the private benefit of or otherwise to reimburse individuals that do not have an employer/employee, contractor, or other agency relationship with the OpenJS Foundation. The webpack marks used herein are used under license from the OpenJS Foundation for the benefit of the open source software community.


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Ninja Boots Cosplay
These Ninja Boots are the perfect shoe wear to complete your Ninja look! Made with Faux Leather!
Halloween is right around the corner so don't miss the opportunity to get yourself some Ninja Boots to complete your Cosplay look! Get yours while supplies last!
Sizes based on CM


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Global Calcium Acetate Market Insights and Forecast to 2024 with a point by point data on Calcium Acetate Market. This report analyses developing patterns, key challenges, future development opportunities, drivers, focused viewpoint, restrictions, possibilities, and market organic community, and esteem chain research of Global Calcium Acetate Industry. This report exhibits a top to the bottom... Continue Reading →
2019-2024 Comprehensive report on Calcium Acetate Market by leading key players like Niacet, Macco Organiques, Akshay group, & more
The global Calcium Acetate Market report serves with all-inclusive, highly-effective, and thoroughly analyzed information in a well-organized manner, based on actual facts, about the Calcium Acetate Market. The whole information from the scratch to the financial and management level of the established industries associated with the Calcium Acetate Market at the global level is initially... Continue Reading →


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Business Travel Tips for Salt Lake City
Traveling for business is often overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be stressful. If you are planning to visit the Salt Lake City, Utah area for business, having a few easy tips in mind can reduce stress and simplify your experience so you can focus on work. Being prepared ahead of time will help your travel go by smoothly. Here are good business travel tips for visiting Salt Lake City.
Finding Good Accommodations
Salt Lake City isn't a huge metropolis, but it is one of the major metro areas in the Southwest region. You'll want to find a hotel that's not out in the hinterlands. A popular choice for business travelers is the Hyatt Place Salt Lake City/Downtown/The Gateway. It's located in the heart of downtown SLC, just across from the Vivint Smart Home Arena (home to the Utah Jazz). The hotel is also near the UTA TRAX, the city's impressive light rail system.
Sign Up for TSA Pre-Check
If you are traveling within the country, signing up for TSA Pre-Check is a good idea. Essentially, it allows you to have a more efficient time at the airport and eliminates the hassle and frustration of checking in for your flight. You must plan ahead for this, but TSA Pre-Check will help you to save so much time when you go to the airport to catch your flight. It costs just $85 and lasts for five years.
Keep Essentials Packed at All Times
This is especially important if you travel frequently for business, but you should always keep your bare essentials packed at all times, meaning in your travel bag or carryon that you have on you. This includes items like extra chargers for your phone, laptop, and other tech gadgets, as well as your toiletries. Although your SLC hotel no doubt has extras of many of the latter items, it's smart to keep a few things on you in case of delays or accidents.
Keep Electronics Fully Charged
Keeping your most essential electronic devices fully charged ahead of time can really take the extra worry away when you are traveling for business. Traveling in general usually means you're putting a heavier drain on your devices. Bringing a good external battery pack (or even a power strip) means you won't have to scramble to find an outlet at the airport.
Be Loyal to Companies
If you are a frequent business traveler, being loyal to the same companies is absolutely essential. Rewards and member perks are either free or extremely worth it if you travel frequently. You should strive to fly with the same airline as much as possible, use the same rental car company, and stay at the same hotel brand any time you go on a business trip. You can decide on a backup for each of these things but being loyal to the same companies or brands can help you in the long run as it can give you perks or save money.
Download Travel-Related Apps
You can make your business travels even more efficient by using certain travel-related apps on your smartphone. Some of the best options include TripIt, which helps you to track your itinerary while traveling, a ridesharing service like Uber or Lyft, the airline app for your preferred carrier, and your preferred hotel app — remember that loyalty tip above!
These travel tips can help you to have a much better experience when you plan a business trip to Salt Lake City, Utah.


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Matt Dawson was part of the England squad that took the country to victory in the 2003 World Cup, and with 77 caps under his belt, he is England's most capped scrum half, captaining the side 9 times.
He played for Northampton and the London Wasps as well as for England, and represented the British & Irish Lions on three tours. During the 1998 tour to Australia and New Zealand – 'The Tour from Hell' – he was congratulated on his leadership. He also captained the England Rugby team to win the Six Nations Championships in 2000.
Matt Dawson is regarded as one of the more outspoken rugby icons and he has had substantial experience in written journalism. His position as Team Captain since 2004 on BBC1's much loved flagship sports quiz "A Question of Sport" has elevated him from a well-known rugby player to a national TV personality, and the show continues to average over 8 million viewers per week. He continues with his rugby column for the Daily Mirror this year.
Throughout 2012 Matt continued to work across BBC Sport's rugby coverage, contributing to their 6 Nations coverage and presenting online content in the form of the popular "Dawson Debates" which he continued into 2013. In the Olympic year, he joined the BBC presenting team where he covered the cycling from the Velodrome for BBC Radio Five Live. In 2013, he joined the BT Sport team as a rugby commentator and pundit alongside some of his former England team-mates and also makes regular appearances on the 'Rugby Tonight' show with many of his fellow 2003 team mates.
Since winning Celebrity Masterchef in 2006 he has further pursued his love for food and in 2011 filmed two new food-based shows; "Matt and Allegra's Big Farm" for UKTV's Good Food channel and "Tesco's Real Food Family Cook Off" for Channel 5. 2011 also saw the return of "Monster Munchies" on Good Food, a channel that he has formed a strong relationship with having previously presented "Mitch and Matt's Big Fish".
Matt Dawson has been a brand ambassador for Young's Seafood and has roused his creativity and knowledge by partnering with food brand Tulip to develop a range of fuller flavoured sausages. He teamed up with Bordeaux Wines (2012) to help produce a series of video clips and booklet that features exclusive food and wine pairings that featured in in The Sunday Telegraph and The Sunday Times. In 2014 he became the new face of Bioglan Superfoods, bringing his favourite superfoods such as Chia, Flaxseed and Acai Berries to the public and encouraging healthier lifestyles.
Matt Dawson applies lessons from the pitch and dressing room and combines them with his commercial knowledge to deliver messages on everything from staff engagement to leadership culture. As well as serious business insights he is also an accomplished presenter, adding humour and understanding to awards and to conferences. He also pairs up with his Question of Sport sparring partner Tuffers for an evening of light-hearted chat and anecdotes.
Enquire Now
- + 44 (0) 20 3384 3664
- email@example.com


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Analysis of Organizational Culture
Dr. Meghan Griffin
MAN 3240 V4: Organizational Behavior
Onja T. Payne
April 03, 2013
Analysis of Organizational Culture
Organizational culture is the foundation of any company. The culture is unique to all companies and is set by the founders of the organization. Organizational culture is defined as "a system of shared meaning held by members that distinguishes the organization from other organizations." In many instances the stated organizational culture may not coincide with the values that are being enacted by the company. Organizational Culture: Employee of the month (2006)
Employee of the Month was my movie selection. This movie was a good laugh, a light-hearted comedy about the common American workplace displaying the effects and influence of motivation within the context of organizational culture. Zach Bradley is the main character who is a witty fellow drowning in a pool of under-achievement, doing enough to just get by because he has nothing better to do. When a new employee, Amy (Jessica Simpson), hits the scene carrying the reputation for falling for guys who top the list as Employee of the Month, Zach seizes the opportunity to take his performance to whole new level. Zach battles it out with his co-worker nemesis, Vince, who is up for the challenge. The movie is full of pranks and surprises, and does a good job of illustrating the power and effects of motivation. Also, I think the movie gives a good snapshot of the organizational culture of a common American workplace, and how it affects different employees in different ways. I really enjoyed the movie for what it's worth and was able to get some valuable insights into concepts, such as organization objectives and organization values, and how they interact and affect organizational culture. The Employee of The Month movie has many core values shown in the movie. The values include motivation, competition, story-telling, pride, and selfishness. Of all the values that encompass the motivation the value of community is the one that has been questioned most in recent years. Each organization has a different culture. The culture can help shape how an organization functions and has the potential to set it apart from the competition. There are three levels to culture: observable artifacts, espoused values, and enacted values (Baack, 2012). Each level plays a different part within an organization. Observable artifacts are the outward viewable signs of an organization. Observable artifacts are viewed not only by the employees of the company but also by outsiders.
Shared Values and Shared assumptions
This movie showcased several business concepts with the main concept obviously being motivation in the workplace. It also showed two extreme personalities through Zack and Vince. It was hilarious because I have worked with both types, someone who almost has to work at doing nothing rather than doing their job and a person who really goes overboard. Employee of the Month was a good comedy about how and what employees do in common American workplace and the context of organizational culture. It was funny but it show a serious problem people face in the workplace competition between employees. Movie described that employees get promoted in good and bad ways
Espoused values
Although the movie took a comical approach for their interpretation it had many good points worth noting. One would be that not every employee is going to take the incentive program seriously. This is either because they don't think they will be able to get the title of employee of the month or they might just not care to be the employee of the month. For the latter there isn't much that can be done to motivate these employees, but for the employees that care it tends to motivate them to be more productive. Espoused values are aspirational opposed to the actual outcome. The values set forth by the company are to act as a...
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Disabling Javascript on an iPhone 6 in iOS 8
The steps in this guide were written using an iPhone 6 Plus, in iOS 8. These same steps will also work for other iPhones running iOS 8. Javascript can also be turned off in some earlier versions of iOS as well, but the steps may vary slightly from those show below.
Step 1: Tap the Settings icon on your Home screen.
Step 2: Scroll down and select the Safari option.
Step 3: Scroll to the bottom of the screen and touch the Advanced button.
Step 4: Touch the button to the right of Javascript. You will know that it is turned off when there is not any green shading around the button. Javascript is turned off in the image below.
Would you like to hide your website browsing history from other people that might be using your iPhone? Click here and learn how to delete cookies and history from Safari in iOS 8.
Disclaimer: Most of the pages on the internet include affiliate links, including some on this site.


text: To Access the Webinar Replay: This webinar will guide you through how to differentiate yourself as a coach. You will learn: Three common mistakes coaches make The paradigm shifts that need to take place And how to take action to make change happen Watch the replay: Access the Content: Webinar Slides 10 Question Checklist Printable Notepad Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Coaching is the world's largest executive coach network. Our Executive Team is at the forefront of measurably growing leadership effectiveness around the world. Schedule a call with us to learn more about Marshall Goldsmith's executive coach training. Click to schedule a call


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What is Mouse Shoulder?
- Massage, Mind, Stress Management, Uncategorised
- Comments are off
Mouse shoulder is a modern term which refers to a specific collection of neck and shoulder symptoms and pain. It is recognisable as being specific to people who use computers for long periods of time.
How can massage help those who suffer with mouse shoulder?
It is often experienced as a 'burning' or 'deep aching' pain over one side of the neck, spreading into the shoulder. This feeling is often connected to repetitive mouse use, so it is a form of a repetitive injury.
Mouse shoulder can take months, even years to develop, but once established it can be debilitating for people needing to use computers.
The Cause: The shoulder is a complex structure and the muscles like to work in balance. If one set of muscles are over-used, they become tense. If another set of muscles are under-used, they become weak.
The shoulder and shoulder blade attach to the body by various muscles that have their origins into the base of the skull, the neck, the ribcage and the vertebrae. Using a mouse causes some muscles to repetitively contract as the muscles support the outstretched arm. This continuous action causes the issue.
What can you do to help?
Technical: Modify the way you use a mouse if possible. Look to either become more ambidextrous and/or change the mouse to a trackball or marble mouse and bring it closer to you.
Lifestyle: Remember repetitive strain means that it's a good idea to stop being repetitive and mix things up. So it's a good idea to add as much variety as you can to your desk practise, and find exercises to develop the weak shoulder muscles. This it turn will help provide more balance to the shoulder girdle. Racket sports, swimming, and targeted weights exercises are all good.
Massage: For September only, we are giving a special discount of £10 off a neck, shoulder and back massage. Our highly trained therapeutic massage therapists can help reduce the pain and relieve the muscle spasm. We know that massage helps relieve tension in shoulders and reduces shoulder pain that arises from muscle overuse by using specific muscle trigger points. We also know that massage improves flexibility as it decreases tension in the muscles. Therefore leading to a reduction in repetitive injury pain as movement comes back to the shoulder. Research also shows that massage therapy increases the blood flow and circulation, which brings needed nutrition to muscles and tissues. This also aids in recovery of muscle soreness from soft tissue injury caused by repetitive strain.


text: For our military academy, this year's pledge is all about delivering a much better line of (web and blog) communications that the last year, as the reality of today is that if your success is not being shared online - then it is absent from the common notion. This new school year you will be getting much more activity streams and pictures on our website and (we hope) articles in your local papers about activities and cadet life. Two of our academy's staff members will be shooting pictures of cadets in class this morning, and they will be posted before this blog is even published. We are the best academy in the state and we're all excited about our 119th school year, and all that will come with it. read more


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Photo by: Darren Cheng
Location: Madrid, Spain
- Check out the many museums like Museo Del Prado, Centro de Arte de Reina Sofía, and the National Museum of Science and Technology!
- Visit the Royal Palace!
- Check out the Puerta Del Sol ("Gate of the Sun")!
- See the beautiful architecture of the Basilica of St. Francisco el Grande!
- Stroll down Gran Vía ("Great Way"), where you'll see even more beautiful architectures as you shop around!
- Take a breath in the "lungs of Madrid" when you visit El Retiro Park. While you're there, visit the nearby Royal Botanical Garden!
- Explore the many castles of Spain!
- If you're into theater, Madrid has many opportunities to see a show!
- Madrid is a great place to explore food! Visit restaurants throughout the city during your trip!
- Of course, what trip is complete without some shopping? Visit the many shops, malls, and more when you have free time!


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Happy Anniversary Mr M
8 October 2005 Mr M and I were married on the Isle of Skye. I was wondering how we should celebrate this year's anniversary when fate just seemed to take over. My son was coming to stay for a few days before starting a new chapter in his life. On Monday (being our anniversary) he needed to get on the West Highland train. Mmm I wondered. After last week's adventure in Glen Lyon, Mr M had said he thought he would be taking a break from walking with me! However, I could now see the possibility of a train journey up North to accompany my son on part of his journey, sneak in a walk and stay overnight in a hotel with Mr M to celebrate 13 years of married bliss. A bit of research on the internet and I calculated that it would be possible for us to all get the train from Croy. My son could sit back and relax and enjoy a long train journey whilst me and Mr M could jump off the train at Tyndrum. We could then walk roughly 6 miles on the West Highland Way up to Bridge of Orchy, stay in the hotel there overnight, relax over long leisurely breakfast and get the train back just after lunch.
A Perfect Plan
Now to convince Mr M that he wanted to walk part of the West Highland Way on his anniversary. "I thought we could have a night in a hotel to celebrate our anniversary My Sweet", I said. Enough detail for now I decided. The rest of the information could be released at appropriate intervals.
So with Mr M on board with my plan, I phoned the hotel and was very pleasantly surprised that I managed to get a dog friendly room booked for us so we could take Beatrix with us. Not only did I manage to book a room, but got a deal on a separate cottage next to the hotel. Perfect. There would be nobody to walk past the hotel room causing Beatrix to bark to protect us. What could possibly go wrong this week? I did have a bit of a giggle with the manager on the phone when he asked me if I wanted the room setting out with two single beds or a double bed. "Well it is our anniversary," I laughed.
"Have you seen the weather forecast for Monday and Tuesday?" asked Mr M. "It is going to be teaming it down both days". Now we all know that Mr M's idea of bad weather and my idea of bad weather are poles apart. "It will be ok. We are only walking on the West Highland way and the guide books tell us we don't even need a map or a compass". Mr M raised an eye brow at me. "Oh, we are walking are we?" Smiling sweetly I discussed the plans for the two days and advised Mr M that he just needed to travel light as he would be walking for 6 miles carrying everything for the overnight stay along with his picnic.
Yellow Weather Warning!
Everything was planned. Sunday came and the tearoom was closed and cleaned for our weekend. A quick check on social media at on the Sunday evening and I noticed a message from a friend, "Have you seen the weather for the West Coast. You must be mad". I could ignore Mr M's warnings of bad weather, but when a friend mentions the weather…. I logged onto the weather on the internet and there it was, yellow warning for torrential rain covering Crianlarich, Tyndrum, Bridge of Orchy and beyond. Now I have never walked any of the West Highland Way so have no idea what the terrain is really like, only what I have read in guide books. I read the section from Tyndrum to Bridge Orchy and the words that were suddenly jumping out of the book at me were "flood plains". Oops. Perhaps a change of plan was needed. Ok, we would get the train all the way to Bridge of Orchy then go for a walk once we were there.
Second adjustment of plans needed. All ferries up North were cancelled for Monday. My son now needed accommodation for Monday night. Should I book him into the hotel with us? On our anniversary? So, accommodation sorted for him on his journey right by the ferry terminal ready for the re-commencement of the ferries.
An Early Start
Monday morning at some ridiculous hour, the alarms went off and we all nibbled at our breakfast and pretended that we did not mind being up so early. After a short 10 minute train journey we were in Glasgow Queen Street. We had an hour to kill before the next train but Beatrix kept the whole of the station amused going from one person to the next getting cuddles, strokes and, of course, there was always the possibility of a biscuit or too if she did the puppy dog eyes.
8.20 and we were settled on the next train. We had just short of 3 hours on the train (though my son had about 6!). How long should we hold off before we had our picnic? Realistically we could probably last until we got off the train then have our packed lunch on the walk. Just outside Helensburgh the train came to a standstill. "Ladies and gentlemen, there will be short delay". The track on this line is single track in several places so a delay with a train from the opposite direction can cause delays for all other trains. We waited patiently, we chatted, we looked at the views (ha, ha), I did some crochet and some reading. Then, by 9.30 ish our picnics had started to creep out of our rucksacks and you know what happens once you start. It was not long before I had to tell everyone they would have to stop eating their snacks as we all had a long day ahead of us – some longer than others. Beatrix had certainly had enough – every time I looked at her my son seemed to be giving her some treat or another.
Eventually, the delayed Caledonian Sleeper train came down the track and we were once again on our way. Once beyond Arrochar and Tarbet, the views should have been amazing but imagination was needed as the rain moved in. We trundled along past Ardlui and up the long incline passing the Falls of Falloch on route to Crianlarich. Of course today any little waterfalls were now raging torrents. Next stop was Upper Tyndrum, leading to our final stop at Bridge of Orchy. So, hugs and kisses given to my son, we left the train for the very short 5 minute walk to the hotel.
The Bridge of Orchy Hotel
By the time we got to the hotel we were like drowned rats as the weather was so bad. In my opinion though, that's what good waterproofs are for. We checked in at reception only to find that the lovely annex cottage we had been promised was now flooded due to the inclement weather so we had been moved to a different room. Did we mind? Not at all, especially as the lovely hotel manager removed the additional charge for Beatrix and even gave us a further discount for the inconvenience. Ok, time for a walk. Mr M was on his best behaviour and was, in his words, quite happy to do what I wanted as it was my anniversary treat. "Let's walk up the West Highland Way towards Inveroran" says I. My already favourite hotel manager gave us a map and told us about a round trip we could undertake in about 3 hours or so to go the top of Màm Carraigh, drop down to the Inveroran Hotel and back to the Bridge of Orchy hotel. I think the manager's words to us were something like "you're mad".
Within the first 5 minutes of the walk we had hit the mud, the flood water and the comments of "this is just too wet to go any further" started. Watching two other people go in front of us, I pointed out to Mr M that they had not come to any harm so we would be fine. It was difficult to see at this point whether it was the rain on Mr M's face or if there were actually some tears as he reluctantly agreed to follow me. Thankfully we were soon through the mud and the path started to climb steadily to become just a stream to walk in rather than a mud bath. Before long we were passing the forest and I noticed a nice spot for lunch – sheltered from the rain and with a few logs to act as a table. What better place to have lunch on your anniversary. I also knew that the thought of warm tea and food would cheer up Mr M. Ok, so it was not quite so sheltered from the rain and all the fallen trees were way too wet and slippy to use as a table, but we had a lovely lunch and I even managed to get a cheeky anniversary kiss.
We continued on our way, with the rain getting heavier and the wind getting stronger. We did get a few glimpses of the hills around us and decided that we would go to the top of the Màm Carraigh and decide what to do from there. Lo and behold we could see the Inveroran Hotel in the distance so we knew we could make it to there and then a gentle 3 mile stroll back on the single track road to the hotel. Before long, we arrived back at the hotel, very wet and with an equally very wet dog shaking herself in reception. I confessed to the manager that I had forgotten to pack a towel for Beatrix and asked if he had an old towel I could use. This was not good enough for him though and he very kindly gave us a lovely fluffy bath sheet to use. Did I tell you how great I think this manager is?
We finally got to our room only to find that the fabulous manager had remembered our joke on the phone a few days earlier and there were chocolate covered strawberries in our room with a lovely hand written anniversary note. Hot showers and dry clothes (and chocolate covered strawberries) and the wet walk was quickly forgotten. If you are ever looking for a cosy, friendly hotel in the middle of nowhere, then the Bridge of Orchy Hotel is just perfect. We had a lovely meal in the restaurant, sitting next to the log burner, chatting to the staff and the other guests. Beatrix, of course, was the star attraction again.
Out in the Wind and Rain Again
All was going well until 4 am in the morning when, as the saying goes, Beatrix was as sick as a dog. The accumulation of treats stretching from Glasgow Queen Street, the train journey to Bridge of Orchy, the lunch in the rain and who knows what else on the fells, was too much for Beatrix and she very kindly returned them all. Yes, on the hotel room floor before we had chance to get dressed and get her outside. Fortunately the floor was not carpeted so whilst Mr M was once again outside in the wind and rain, I was on my hands and knees cleaning the hotel floor! Then, as all dog owners will understand, 10 minutes later Beatrix was back to her usual self and now snuggled up on her lovely bath sheet acting as though nothing had happened.
Happy Anniversary Mr M x
Oh, the song for this week? Under the moon of love by Showaddywaddy.
Snow In Glen Lyon
This week saw our long, hot summer slip gently away to be replaced by another of nature's amazing seasons. Of course, up in Scotland we can often experience all four seasons in one day! There has been frost in the mornings this week and even some windscreen scraping. The temperature gauge in the car has dropped to 2 degrees at times and I have to confess that I succumbed to popping the central heating on at home for an hour on Monday night. We do have a bit of a challenge at home when we see who will give in first to the heating. A couple of extra layers, a few brisk walks and plenty of hot, steaming tea and you can usually hold off the heating for a couple more weeks.
All Quiet At The Tearoom
At the tearoom this week it's been very quiet (as always at this time of year for some reason). This has given me time to catch up on some of my own crafting, share tea, cakes, gossip and laughter with the lovely customers and start to plan for our exhibition table at the Soul Sista's event at the end of October. The tearoom will be closed that day so that Mr M can come along to the event and we can both show off with pride what Mother Murphy's is all about.
I Will Succeed
After last week's disastrous trip up to Glen Lyon I decided that this week, no matter what, I was going to be successful in climbing Stuchd an Lochan before winter makes the Ben Lawers road impassable for mere mortals like myself.
After bit of a late night on the Sunday with a birthday celebration and I headed to bed and had the alarm set for 6.00 am. Mr M had said that he thought he would not go walking as he had a few things to do. I did wonder if that was his way of saying, "there is no way on this earth that I am ever getting into a car with you again and heading down Glen Lyon, never mind thinking of going up Stuchd an Lochan".
So, Mr M was not going. Was I brave enough to go out on the hills without Beatrix and have a totally solitary outing? Well, here's the thing and all dog owners will know exactly what I mean. For me to go out on the hills without our highly intelligent, but sometimes naughty Border collie, I would have to put some sort of escape plan together. Firstly, I would need to pack my rucksack with all my walking clothes and boots the night before and have them stashed away in the car. Then, on the day of the walk, I would have to appear downstairs in my non-walking gear, have breakfast as usual and then try to get my packed lunch and flask ready without Beatrix seeing this. Of course, she does have some sort of sixth sense, so even if she didn't see this secret planning, she would be able to sense it. Then the looks would start – the puppy dog eyes. There has been actual scientific study into puppy dog eyes, where the brow is raised to make the eyes appear wider and sadder. Oh, and only when humans are looking. So, lying there trying to sleep, my guilty conscience got the better of me just for thinking about it, so walking the hills without Beatrix was never going to happen!
Mr M Is Coming Too
6.00 am the alarm went off and I crept out of bed, dressed and headed out for a short walk with Beatrix to let her do what a dog needs to do.
Heading back home, the lights were all on. I smiled to myself because this could mean only one thing. Mr M was making my porridge. Sure enough porridge was on the go but I also spied Mr M's rucksack in the room. Ok, so there would be three again in Glen Lyon.
Just before setting out I checked the mountain rescue weather forecast and was pleased to read that it was going to be fine and sunny until around 4.00 pm and visibility was recorded as very good. The views were going to be great. This week it will be great.
The drive again took us along the A84 up from Callendar and past Loch Lubnaig. What stuck both of us (and possibly Beatrix noticed it) was the difference in the colours in just a week. Last week there was a hint of autumn in the trees and hills. This week, the greens were replaced with autumn golds, yellows and orange. The sun was shining and the sky clear blue. Again! The loch shimmered again and the reflections were just as clear as last week. This week, the hills were all cloud free and there was not a hit of rain. The weather forecast was correct.
The single track road from Killin up to Ben Lawers and Bridge of Balgie was just as narrow and scary as the previous week, but this week there were no timber lorries for me to reverse for. There are signs out on the road advising a speed limit of 10 mph as there is a risk of skidding in places. Let me tell you, 10 mph is positively speeding on this road! Turning left at Bridge of Balgie I assured Mr that I had carried out extensive research on the internet and I knew exactly where I was going. Ok, I had re-read my Munro books and looked at the ordnance survey map a little closer! I knew now that the little turn off I had discarded the previous week was actually the road I needed to take. With Mr M sleeping most of the way I had no back seat passenger this week. He woke up as I switched on the indicator to take the road on the right. Why I felt the need to do that I am not sure. Who on earth did I think needed to see which way I was going? The deer? The cattle? The sheep? Well, this did wake up the back seat driver. "Why are you going down here? This is not the way. I don't remember this road". Anyway, 5 minutes down this even narrower road, we could see the dam in the distance. Phew!
Mr M kindly opened the gate for me to enter the final stages of our journey. This road takes us into the remnants of the Caledonian forest and these fences and gates are vein attempt to protect this wonderful area from the deer and sheep. Unfortunately for car drivers, highland cattle are not prevented from roaming this area. Now, Glen Lyon is a vast glen. Actually it is the longest enclosed glen in Scotland, running for 34 miles from Loch Lyon in the west to the village of Fortingall in the east. Why then I ask did all the highland cattle feel the need to be on the road I was travelling on. Mums, Dads and baby highland cattle. Oh flip I thought. Not to worry, if I drive slowly they will move off the road when I get to them. Or so I thought! Before I had chance to panic, the car was surrounded by cattle all looking in the windows, licking the windscreen and generally putting their huge horns far too close to my windows than would like. Now, don't forget that I had a back seat driver and a border collie in the car with me. Beatrix by now was barking like a ferocious wild animal in the back of the car. This just intrigued the cattle more and they were putting their faces even closer to the car to get a better view of the barking dog. The back seat driver was telling me that I should not scare the cattle because we didn't know what they would do. Is that right I thought! I inched forward slowly and eventually I was able to crawl the car through the herd. On any other road, I would have thought about reversing and going home for a cup of tea, but this was, don't forget, the narrowest road you could find, so reversing was not an option for me.
Eventually though we were though the beasts and the car was parked safely at the side of the correct dam this week. The sun was still just about shining but there was a strong, cold breeze blowing in. Off we went.
Stuchd an Lochain starts with an almost impossibly steep climb to begin with and you do question at times whether you are walking a path or a stream. Eventually though it eases out and the views start to open out. Past the initial very steep beginning, the rest of the route up to the summit is gentle in comparison. I love this walk because you are walking most of the way up what feels likes a horseshoe ridge. The views are spectacular and mountains stretch as far as the eye can see. I was hoping to see lots of deer around the Loch on the way up to the summit but it was not to be today. Now let's not forget that I checked the weather forecast just before setting off this morning and read about the sunshine and the very good visibility. Maybe I will send my photos to the mountain rescue weather people. Stopping for a snack and to catch our breath a little, we could see that the clouds were rapidly heading our way. The rain started but stopped almost as quickly as it started – to be replaced by snow! I am in my element in the winter weather and love the snow, the driving rain, the wind. I know! I am a little mad. Mr M, however, loves the hot, sunny weather. By now were perhaps an hour away from the final summit. Being the thoughtful, caring wife that I am, I did say to Mr M that I was happy not to go to the summit if he thought the weather was too bad. "I am not coming this far and not getting to the top" was the reply. Oops, my plan worked then!
Finally arriving at the summit, the views were not as spectacular as I had hoped but the feeling of isolation was still the same. We should have been able to see across Rannoch Moor and the Ben Nevis range but we could just about make out the dam across the valley that we arrived at by mistake the previous week. It was very cold and windy at the top so we did not hang around too long. The descent was very pleasant and the snow turned back to rain, though not quite so heavy now. The final mile or so is not quite as pleasant as we had to go back down the steep descent where the stream path was now a bit of a raging torrent at times. There were several slips and slides and lots of little swear words (from all three of us I think).
Finally we reached the dam road and just had a 5 minute walk back to the car from here. Suddenly Beatrix disappeared. I whistled to her, shouted to her and looked all around. My initial thought was that she had somehow managed to get into the dam workings. Don't be silly, there is no chance of that. I looked and saw she was down at the edge of the water playing with the stones. Phew! Then she disappeared again! There was lots of shouting, cursing. How could we walk all that way and then loose her! I set off down to the car to see if she had gone past without us seeing her. No. She was not there. I set off back up the dam service road to see if Mr M had found her. She came running towards me like a bullet, stopped at my feet and dropped a half-eaten fish at my feet, smiling like only a collie can smile. She won't be hungry now I thought to myself!
Drama over, we were all back in the car and Mr M said he would drive home. As we set off back up the hill, the highland cattle were nowhere to be seen but like magic they suddenly descended on the road and surrounded the car again. No matter how much we waited and waited, they were not going to move. "You will have to get of the car and shoo them along", said Mr M. Well, I have to say, it took Mr M quite a while to keep getting out of the car, shooing the beasts and jumping back in the car to drive. I can tell you, there was no way I was getting out of the car to shoo these beasts!
Mr M says that he is going to have a little break from walking with me!
This week's song for you to sing along to,
Rocky Mountain High by John Denver.
Debra (Mother Murphy)
Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.
November 2019


text:
Stocks rally on hopes for US-Mexico potential deal
The US stocks rallied once again on the hopes that US/Mexico would either delay tariffs due to be enacted on Monday, or come to a deal that would avoid them altogether.
The final numbers are showing:
- The S&P index up 17.28 points or 0.61% at 2843.42. The high reached 2852.10
- The Nasdaq rose 40.08 points or 0.53% at 7615.55. The high reached 7634.11
- The Dow closed up 181.09 pointo0.71% at25720.66. THe Dow has had its longest winning streak since March.
For the Nasdaq, the index is back up testing the 100 day MA at 7630.708. The high today did extend above that level but the index is closing below the level at 7615.55.
This article was originally published by Forexlive.com. Read the original article here.


text:
rebrand sets stage for growth era in podcasting
When Scripps acquired the Stitcher app, Midroll advertising, and the Earwolf comedy network, their goal was to establish an audio industry leader for the podcast era. They came to us for brand strategy and design. We created the Stitcher Media brand architecture with a new art direction that pulls together a unified story. Our logo design represents a chorus of voices reflecting the content and culture of the company. Upon relaunching the brand, we also developed a comprehensive out of home and digital campaign. We've continued to advise on brand strategy and audience development.


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Posted on May 1, 2015
Growing up in Texas, I never thought much about California. I knew it had heat and deserts, oceans and hippies, traffic and urban sprawl, and I had all of those things already, while the things we didn't have, like mountains and movie stars and earthquakes, didn't interest me much. The east coast was what gripped my childhood imagination. I longed for dense cities, noise, snow, apple cider, seasons, and sweaters, and for the last seven years they've been mine all mine.
And yet, 18-months ago, we got the opportunity to spend a lot of time in California, and being the people we are, leapt at the chance to explore a new place in depth. We visited deserts and mountains, oceans and orange groves, vineyards and ancient forests. We biked across the foggy coast, visited old missions, kayaked with sea lions, ate ridiculous amounts of fish tacos and roasted artichokes, and listened to the waves crash against the coast again and again. I'm not sure when California crept into my heart, but slowly I fell for her, hard and unexpectedly.
Now our travels there have finally come to an end, and I'm sad and mournful for California in a way I've never been for a place. I miss the slower speed of life, the dry heat of the desert, and the cool damp of the coast. I long to drive through eucalyptus groves with the windows down and to smell the strawberries in the air as we pass through the Salinas Valley. I want to buy giant bags of oranges at roadside stands and I want half the radio stations to be in Spanish. I miss the mountains and the colors and the Pacific ocean and the palm trees. Mostly I just want to go back, not for short vacations, but for long stretches of time, maybe forever, and I can't figure out how to do it. Someday, maybe I will, but for now, here's a travelogue of our time on the west coast, my love letter to you, California.
Posted on April 21, 2015
Posted on April 20, 2015
Posted on April 14, 2015
Over the last eighteen months, we've spent a lot of time in Carmel-by-the-Sea, eating at great restaurants, admiring all the tiny charming houses, but most of all, loving the beach, with its twisted cypress trees, white sands, and blue-green waters. At this point, I don't know when we'll be able to come back again. Not too terribly long, I hope. To say goodbye, we gathered a few of our dear ones and enjoyed one last bottle of wine, watching the sun set and listening to the crash of the waves.
Posted on April 8, 2015
A last minute and unexpectedly delightful stop, the climb up Moro Rock was heart-pounding, and the sheer drops over the side of the rock made my knees wobbly if I looked down too long. At 6,700 ft, the views were stunning, shifting and opening-up again and again as you zigzagged your way up the rock. It was lovely to look out over the expanse of forest and valley, and to have a last glimpse at the Sierra Nevadas in the distance.
Posted on April 7, 2015
One of the more magical afternoons we've had in California was spent hiking in a quiet forest of glowing giants. The air was crisp and the light was golden, and every time we came upon another giant copse of sequoia, it was all I could do not to lie down on the springy pads of pine needles at their feet, and, surrounded by my fortress of giants, stare up at the treetops until I drifted off to sleep
Sequoia National Park, California. March 2015.
Posted on April 6, 2015
Posted on April 1, 2015
Posted on March 27, 2015
Posted on March 25, 2015
Posted on March 24, 2015
For our final visit to California (where the Mister is finishing up a graduate degree), we decided to travel in a couple days early so we could visit Sequoia National Park. Over the years, I've been lucky enough to visit a few redwood groves, but had never seen their giant cousins, the ancient sequoias, and couldn't miss this last opportunity. Driving into the mountains, you expect the trees to grow gradually larger as you ascend, but instead, they suddenly double and triple in size just past the park entrance, and we exclaimed and pointed loudly again and again as we made our way to our lodge. Later we'd find ourselves in awed silence again as we encountered trees bigger than we could have imagined. As someone who often communicates memory and experience through photographs, I found myself struggling to find ways to capture the scale and grandeur of this wonderful place, and finally gave up on that as I got lost in the way the magical, golden light bounced off the reddish bark of the trees, setting the ancient forest aglow.
Tips for your visit:
Posted on March 20, 2015
Today we are heading to California for the last of our scheduled trips, and already, I find myself emotional and mildly panicked at the thought that this part of our lives is nearly over. I never expected to like California very much, and, as it turns out, I've fallen very much in love. With the mountains and the deserts, the forests and the fertile valleys, the classic cars on every road, the lush vineyards, the speed of life, the unending battle between the sunshine and the foggy marine layer, and the cold wild Pacific Coast, all of which have already begun to haunt my dreams. I've spent years listening to love songs written to California; how foolish to think that this place wouldn't get at my heart, too. All week long I've been listening to sad songs, reading Cheryl Strayed's Wild, looking at photos, and getting a little weepy. California, I'm not ready to let you go.
Photo from Yosemite, California. January 2015.
Posted on March 18, 2015
Posted on February 23, 2015
While we were in California last month, we made a couple of spooky drives through Pacheco Pass, a somewhat dangerous stretch of highway in the Diablo Range that is rumored to be haunted. Not surprising with all the lonesome, twisted trees dotting the landscape. One afternoon, as we wove through the twists and turns of the highway, I thought I caught a glimpse of a robed figure standing by a creek along the side of the road. We were around another bend before I could get a better look, but thinking about it now still gives me a delicious little chill.
Posted on February 12, 2015
Posted on February 11, 2015
We couldn't have asked for a lovelier day to spend on the snowy slopes of Badger Pass. I'm new to skiing and it was a bit icy out that day, so after sliding around on the little hills for a while, I retreated to the decks of the day lodge to enjoy the sunshine and the views. While sipping on hot chocolates, it was relaxing to watch the other skiers speed down the mountains, especially the Mister, who's been skiing since he was very young. Every few minutes I'd spot his bright red jacket hurtling down the slope, and when he'd reach the bottom, he'd give me a little wave before happily hopping on another lift to head back up the slopes.
Posted on February 10, 2015
Posted on February 9, 2015
There are so many breathtaking sights in Yosemite National Park, but the one that looms most in my memory is Yosemite Falls. At nearly 2,500 feet, Yosemite Falls is the highest waterfall in North America and the seventh highest in the world, an impressive spectacle located just above the cozy lodge in which we stayed. The falls were the first thing we saw when we opened our door in the morning, they loomed over us as we ate our meals at the lodge restaurant and had drinks in the lounge, and even in the pitch black of night, we could hear the roar of their waters crashing down over the granite mountainside. One frosty morning, we made our way up the Yosemite Falls Trail, a grueling hike of rocky switchbacks and sheer drops that I've heard equated to climbing the stairwells of two Empire State Buildings. In the winter, if you leave early enough, the trail is quiet and lonely, and its easy to imagine you are alone with the mountains and the valley. The hike affords beautiful views of the snow pile left at the base of the upper falls where the sunlight pulls rainbows out of the misty air, and when the rocky switchbacks break into flat trail, there are often stunning views of the valley and Half-Dome, often along cliff-sides so high up that my knees went wobbly every time I looked out on the valley spread out below.
Posted on February 6, 2015
Posted on February 5, 2015
We felt very lucky to be staying in Yosemite during the final week of Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson's historic free climb of the Dawn Wall on El Capitan, a smooth, steep rockface that is considered by many to be the longest and most difficult free climb anywhere. In fact, they finished on the final day of our visit.
El Cap's 3000-ft face is a challenging favorite among climbers, though the smooth expanse of the eastern-facing Dawn Wall had never been successfully free climbed (utilizing only hands and feet, with ropes attached merely as a safety precaution in the event of a fall) until Caldwell and Jorgeson's 19-day effort. It was fun to be in the Valley as it buzzed with excitement over the climb, and we enjoyed overhearing the climbing chatter everywhere from the Valley shuttle to the hiking paths, at dinner at the Alwahnee and over drinks at the Mountain Room Lounge, as well as seeing dozens of media trucks gathered in a meadow near El Cap on the final day of the climb. One afternoon, we hiked over to the base of El Capitan to get a closer view of the climbers camp halfway up the mountain and were thrilled to see the tiny figure of Tommy Caldwell working his way up the wall for that evening's ascent (he is visible as a tiny yellow form in the left-center photo, two shots down.) Here are a couple of great articles from National Geographic, if you'd like to read more:
Posted on February 3, 2015
You come to love places in different ways. Some places reveal themselves slowly, rooting their way bit-by-bit into your heart, until you find you've fallen in love. Other places dazzle you and grip your heart from the first moment, leaving you breathless and at a loss for words. Yosemite was the latter. Driving there, you twist and turn around mountainside curves, which are perfectly lovely, but then suddenly the valley opens up before you and your heart is gone along with your ability to find adequate words.
Over the days we spent in Yosemite Valley, I often found myself standing in a meadow, staring up at the mountains that seem to rise up straight out of the valley floor, and wondering how there was still enough space for the sky to seem so big.