text:
Trend Spending™ During the Holidays Can Impact Finances All Year Long
KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — The time of Trend Spending™ is here. Americans are projected to spend $1,536 per consumer on holiday shopping.1 What most shoppers don't think about are the extras that go with the holiday shopping trips and how those «extras» can add up.
Barbara Thomas, SouthEast Bank's Executive Vice President and head of the Education Loan Finance Division, uses a term to describe that type of spending: Trend Spending™. «Trend Spending™ is spending on the latest 'it' items for which you don't really budget. It's just part of your weekly or even daily routine, yet it can add up to thousands of dollars a year, especially when that fancy latte before work now becomes two or three. Couple that with holiday spending, and you will easily be acquiring additional costs and spending money needlessly.»
Thomas advises to know where your money is going. «We find that many individuals, especially Millennials, can be caught in the Trend Spending™ phase, often without realizing it. Millennials frequently feel pressured to keep up with friends when it comes to subscription services for media, beauty, and fitness trends. When you figure that 63% of millennials have more than $10,000 in student debt2, these Trend Spending™ behaviors could have lasting effects on their financial future.»
According to the Brookings Institute, more than 44 million Americans have student loans totaling nearly $1.4 trillion. Student loan debt is now the second-largest source of household debt in the U.S. after home mortgages, with Millennials accounting for more than $1 trillion of the student loan debt.3
Adding just one extra payment a month to a student loan can help pay that debt faster, explains Thomas. Education Loan Finance can assist college graduates in refinancing their student loan debt, with ELFI customers saving $309-a-month on average, coupled with an average savings of $20,936 over the life of the loan.4
«Once people do the math, they are amazed at the amount of money they are spending on the latest trendy items or items. According to the 2017 Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Expenditure Survey, Millennials ages 26-34 spent $3,416 annually on food away from home. Take that $8 burrito lunch five times a week, and that adds up to more than $2,000 on burrito lunches for the year. If you were to take that money and place it towards your student debt, you could see some real progress on eliminating that debt. If the borrower took that one step further and refinanced those student loans, the progress could be accelerated exponentially.»
Trend Spending™ should be enjoyed responsibly. Enjoy the new latte flavor or the latest subscription service. Just don't let it get in the way of your financial future. «There are a number of ways that consumers can save money, such as only using cash or having an emergency fund so you don't end up paying interest for things that happen unexpectedly. The one piece of advice that I would give anyone is just know where your money is going,» recommends Thomas.
Thomas suggests using some of the finance apps available. «There are a number of really good apps out there that can help track your spending. Once you have all your debts and monthly spending in one spot, you can better see the full picture. Taking a good look at where your money goes, and where you're Trend Spending™, is a great first step towards empowering your financial future.»
Follow us on our social platforms:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/educationloanfinance/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/educationloanfinance/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/elfi
Social Media Hashtags: #ELFI, #EducationLoanFinance #TrendSpending #EmpoweredByELFI
More information on TrendSpending™:https://www.elfi.com/stop-the-trend-spending/
About Education Loan Finance
Education Loan Finance, a division of SouthEast Bank, is a financial technology company and leading online lender designed to assist borrowers by consolidating and refinancing private and federal student loans into one simple, low-cost loan. Education Loan Finance believes that providing consumers comprehensive refinancing and consolidation options empowers the consumers on their financial journey. To learn more, visit www.elfi.com.
About SouthEast Bank
Headquartered in Farragut, Tennessee, SouthEast Bank operates branches throughout East and Middle Tennessee, blending modern amenities with hometown service and decision-making. Our customers enjoy free access to convenient electronic and mobile platforms such as online banking, remote deposit, automatic fraud monitoring, and a worldwide ATM network. In the last decade, SouthEast Bank, along with its holding company, has donated over $20 million to support secondary and post-secondary education in our local communities and universities throughout the state of Tennessee. To learn more about SouthEast Bank, please visit southeastbank.com.
1: https://www2.deloitte.com/insights/us/en/industry/retail-distribution/holiday-retail-sales-consumer-survey.html?nc=1
2: https://padillaco.com/the-news/news-items/weighing-down-workplace-engagement-infographic/
3: https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2015/cb15-113.html
4: Average savings calculations are based on information provided by SouthEast Bank/ Education Loan Finance customers who refinanced their student loans between 8/16/2016 and 10/25/2018. While these amounts represent reported average amounts saved, actual amounts saved will vary depending upon a number of factors.
Contact Information:
Heather B. Price
(865) 824-3350
[email protected]
View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/trend-spending–during-the-holidays-can-impact-finances-all-year-long-300760961.html
SOURCE Education Loan Finance


text:
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Expectations - Pray For Silence
It was not long ago when I read Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo. I was eagerly awaiting the release of the next book in this Amish mystery series featuring Police Chief Kate Burkholder. Well ... Pray For Silence was just released and the wait is over!!! Now that I have read it I have to say it was not exactly what I expected.
And that is how the story starts off - not according to expectations. Here is why! When you think of an Amish community, you think of the simple life - almost a paradise. (I do anyway.) There should be few distractions and none (or little) of the typical English stresses. By the way, in case you do not know, the English is how the Amish refer to those outside of their faith / community.
Anyhow, the story starts off with the discovery of an entire Amish household being brutally murdered. The big question is why? And the related question is who did it? There is little to point to the reason or who did it. The investigation goes slow but little by little possible clues come up.
The chief of police, Kate Burkholder, has been on both sides - she was raised in an Amish family but she left the Amish community when she came of age. Now she is back serving both parts of the community - the English and the Amish. This presents some challenge since she is now outside of the Amish community but is still seen as an outsider by the other part of the community as well. The Amish part of her struggles with the murder of the family and complicates the law enforcement side of her.
In addition to this struggle, she has a struggle with personal feelings she has for John Tomasetti - an investigator with the state who helped in the previous book. Both have their share of problems and neither of them feel comfortable sharing their personal feelings with each other. Put them together with a case to solve, they both try to concentrate on the case and avoid their obvious feelings for each other.
There are a number of possibilities they have to examine to determine the reason for the murder. At first it was thought to be a murder/suicide which seems so unlikely within the Amish lifestyle. This was quickly ruled out when it became apparent the suicide was staged.
I think it best for you to see all the possibilities as they are being considered in the story so I will not give any more. These are parts that make the story different than what was expected. Even so (and maybe because of this as well), I really found the story interesting - you might too!!!
In case you want to check out more on this author, she has a web page. It is located at http://www.lindacastillo.com/.
Posted by misterreereeder at 1:17 AM
2 comments:
- JenningsJunk said...
Oh my! I need to get more serious about my current book stack because there aren't any titles I'm willing to give up (...thanks to great reviews from here) - this has REALLY peaked my interest for both books!!
- June 29, 2010 at 6:57 AM
- Meadowview Thymes said...
Wow, that sounds very intense, but GOOD! I think I may need to check this one out!
- July 6, 2010 at 3:11 PM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Sopheon plc, the international provider of software and services that improve the financial return from innovation and product development investments, issues its interim management statement for the period since 1 July 2010 to date, in line with the requirements of the EU Transparency Directive.
Sopheon's 2010 performance reflects a strong recovery from the effects of last year's recessionary climate. Revenue visibility* for the year currently stands at £8.8m, surpassing the company's total revenues of £8.3m for the full year 2009. Nearly two full months remain for us to add more business, with many of the opportunities forecast to close between now and the end of December coming from existing customers. We are also pleased to report an increase in new-customer orders, and a general resurgence of buyer interest in our market. Since the start of 2010, the sales value of our pipeline activity has risen steadily.
In response to escalating customer and market demands, we have begun to recruit new employees for critical parts of our organization, including positions in sales, product development and services. Positive market trends notwithstanding, end-user buying behavior remains unpredictable and pricing is still under pressure. Accordingly, we continue to make investment decisions with caution.
In the aftermath of the global economic crisis, many companies are once again focusing their attention on growth, and innovation is returning to the forefront as a strategic priority. Eighty-four percent of the senior corporate executives participating in a recent global survey by McKinsey & Company stated that innovation is extremely or very important to their companies' growth strategy. Principal challenges listed by the group included integrating innovation with strategic planning, selecting the right product ideas to develop, and establishing a consistent process for bringing the best concepts to market. Sopheon's solutions address these needs head-on. We are unique in offering an all-in-one software system that encompasses support for product strategy development, ideation and process execution. We are energized by the strength of our market position, and by our potential for continued, substantial growth.
* A definition of how visibility is calculated was provided in our half- yearly report published on 26 August 2010.


text:
Pakistan's citizens must now declare their religion when applying for identity documents, or if they want to work in government or register to vote, Islamabad's High Court ruled this month.
Applicants who disguise their true religion defy the constitution and betray the state, the judge stated. Their true religion must now also be visible on birth certificates, ID cards, voters' lists, and passports.
Those who apply for a job in the judiciary, armed forces, civil services, and other government jobs also need to submit an affidavit declaring the Khatm-i-Naboowat (that Muhammad was the final prophet), stated Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui in his ruling, as reported by Pakistani newspaper Dawn.
Human Rights Watch's Saroop Ijaz said the judgement "would enable and incite violence," in particularly directed at the Ahmadi community, Reuters reported.
"All [the judge's] specific instructions are about ensuring and finding out who is an Ahmadi," human rights lawyer Jibran Nasir told Reuters. He said the order would provide the government with lists of who belonged to which religious minority.
Pakistani passports already show the holder's religious belief. A local source told World Watch Monitor (WWM) that minority groups, such as Christians and Ahmadis, did not object against this because it has benefited them in, for example, applying for asylum elsewhere.
A previous move by the government in 1992 to try to add citizens' religious belief to their ID cards, however, was met with protests by Christians, who said they would face economic and social exclusion. The idea was then shelved.
Christians and Ahmadis are two of a number of minority groups in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, who together make up an estimated 20 percent of the total—mainly Sunni Muslim—population. The Ahmadis face a lot of discrimination because they are considered non-Muslims; to call themselves Muslim or to refer to their faith as Islam is a punishable offence under the country's blasphemy laws.
Christians are already instantly recognisable in Pakistan because of their names—men are given the surname Masih, deriving from Messiah. But this is not the case for Ahmadis, making the new ruling more of an issue for them, as they can no longer hide their identity nor safely claim to be Muslim.
During the hearings, the court learned how a group of 10,000 Ahmadis apparently changed the religious status on their Computerised National Identity Cards to Muslimwhen applying for a government job. They would then change it again once retired.
Click here to read more.
Source: Christianity Today


text:
May 26, 2015
Tuesday, May 26, 2015 Gareth Bain
63 comments:
- Barry G. said...
Morning, all!
The fist theme answer I got was the last one (LAN NETWORK), and I thought it was pretty annoying. But then I realized that it *WAS* a theme answer and the redundancy was part of the theme, at which point all was forgiven...
Minor hesitations at ERITREA and SOTO, but everything else was smooth sailing today.
Oh -- I'm traveling on business today and tomorrow, so I won't be posting tomorrow...
- May 26, 2015 at 5:46 AM
- George Barany said...
Let me congratulate Gareth Bain today for achieving the relatively rare feat of having two puzzles published the same day, one each in the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times.
The redundancies demonstrated in the puzzle under discussion today have a name: "pleonasms." To the best of my knowledge, William Johnston was the first to build a puzzle around this theme, as published in the NYT on July 12, 2001. The following four entries were arranged in a pinwheel fashion: ABS_SYSTEM, ATM_MACHINE, LCD_DISPLAY, and PIN_NUMBER, and the "reveal" PLEONASMS went across dead center. Fred Piscop, in a December 23, 2012 NYT diagram less, reused ATM_MACHINE but found four more examples: IRA_ACCOUNT, SALT_TALKS, VIN_NUMBER, and UPC_CODE. A friend of mine sent me his own version of the theme for beta testing a while back, and I'm reasonably sure that it included both PDF_FORMAT and SAT_TEST. It was long enough ago that I don't remember whether it was ever submitted, but for sure our advice was that the theme had already been done.
The issue of theme duplication has been discussed previously, and my favorite example involves Crossword Corner's own Marti. Click here for Marti's puzzle, and here for the discussion.
- May 26, 2015 at 6:48 AM
- Hahtoolah said...
Good Morning, Argyle and friends. Fun Tuesday puzzle. I loved the redundancies ~ Phrases we all use, but complain about.
Things to Connect = DOTS was my favorite clue.
Hand up for wanting Oprah before ELLEN.
There is a fellow in my agency who always has a CHAW (Chew) of tobacco. He carries around a little cup to spit in. It's pretty gross and I don't like to sit next to him in meetings.
Violent storms passed through last night, which was rather scary, especially after we lost power.
QOD: All adventures, especially into new territory, are scary. ~ Sally Ride (May 26, 1951 ~ July 23, 2012)
- May 26, 2015 at 6:56 AM
- desper-otto said...
Good morning!
Nice puzzle, Gareth. Argyle, enjoyed your "Were you listening?" comment about ROAN. Got the theme immediately and never lost my footing on the slalom to the bottom.
ERITREA is easy to remember, probably because it's right nextdoor to Djibouti. If Djibouti were ruled by a sheikh (hell, maybe it is) would he be Sheikh Djibouti?
- May 26, 2015 at 7:05 AM
- unclefred said...
A fun romp today, ran right through it. Even picked up the theme with "ATMMACHINE", the very first clue. Usually, I finish the puzzle and STILL don't see the theme until I read the write up here, then slap my forehead. Anyway, I really liked Gareth's effort today. Thanks for the nice write-up, too, Argyle, well done!!
- May 26, 2015 at 7:13 AM
- Argyle said...
Trust the NYT to use a "reveal" : PLEONASMS that most people wouldn't know. 250,000 Google hits ain't much.
- May 26, 2015 at 7:28 AM
- Madame Defarge said...
Good Morning, Cornerites.
Thanks Gareth for a pretty smooth run. Generally themes escape my brain function, but after I saw the redundant theme clues during the first run, ATM MACHINE was the first find, and the rest were easy-peasy. I liked UNCLE as it gave me UNMAN and NOONE--couldn't remember Peter's last name.
Thanks for the walk through, Argyle. Have a good day, everyone.
- May 26, 2015 at 7:34 AM
- kazie said...
This bottom comment box is right across my whole screen today. Same for others too?
As previously remarked, this was an easy solve, and for once, I too got the theme quickly. I agree that it's a reasonable step up from the Monday level. My only hesitations were the W in CHAW and the A in HADRON. I couldn't remember if it should be E until TAR PIT appeared.
- May 26, 2015 at 8:01 AM
- Avg Joe said...
Yep! Nice step up in difficulty for a Tuesday, and the theme was worth a good chuckle....as well at the oblique mention of La Brea. That had to be intentional., with tongue in cheek.
Not sure, Argyle, but maybe Adam? Not Hoss.
- May 26, 2015 at 8:07 AM
- Chairman Moe said...
"Puzzling thoughts":
Thanks Gareth and Argyle for the puzzle and recap. I hesitated putting ON ME in 3d as I saw the double M coming, but as I continued down and across I could quickly see the theme develop; no other hiccups except my hesitation on ERITREA. World Geography is not my strongest subject; odd, too, as I've probably visited or worked in about 20-25 countries outside the US
Missed commenting on yesterday's puzzle as Memorial Day plans took precedent over solving clues. But when I saw EIFFEL as a solve it brought back this ditty:
A sniper in Paris did stifle
His AK Four-Seven type rifle.
We all thought him insane
To sit high o'er the Seine,
But from there he got quite an EIFFEL
Today I am using the few computer-esque references to write:
A young carpenter living in Niles,
Gave a job to a tech geek named Miles.
He said, "find out the pox
That infects my toolbox.
It appears it's deleted my files!"
- May 26, 2015 at 8:10 AM
- CrossEyedDave said...
Puzzle was easier than trying to fix my PC.
Thanks to the latest automatic windows update, I have no keyboard, mouse, screen, or a way to reboot it into safe mode.
This may take a couple of days.
Hope to post silly stuff soon...
- May 26, 2015 at 8:23 AM
- Jerome said...
In all the years that I've commented at The Corner never once have I been critical of anything about a fellow constructor's puzzle... never. I think to do so is supremely declass. But I'm afraid I'm going to have to be declass for a moment and hope the Crossword Gods forgive me. UNMAN. Say it ain't so...please, anything but UNMAN. It's impossible that using it couldn't have been avoided. The word makes SLEEKENS look like a sparkling, snappy, fun jewel of a word. You can live with certain things in a puzzle. They all have a bit of imperfection. Sometimes like Lots of partials, SOTO, HADRON, OTO, SAAR, and NEER. Throw in UNMAN and it doesn't matter that the theme is fine because now the avoidable junk has kicked dents in the Mercedes and it comes out having the feel of the Clampett's family car.
So, I've soiled my soul by being a critic of a good and prolific constructor. It feels like I've been unmanned.
- May 26, 2015 at 8:25 AM
Ben' horse was a buckskin.
Adam's horse was a chestnut.
Hoss' horse was dark brown (looks black in some pictures).
Litle Joe's horse was a Paint (see Paint vs. pinto).
- May 26, 2015 at 8:37 AM
Pretty easy solve today. Got the theme answers right away. Needed perps for ERETRIA and some others. Thanks, Gareth, for a quick puzzle.
Nice write-up, as usual, Argyle.
Only 3-1/2 inches of rain last night! ENOUGH!
- May 26, 2015 at 8:58 AM
- thehondohurricane said...
Howdy folks,
What Jerome said about 5A. Didn't like it at all. The rest of the puzzle was fine even though I wasn't crazy about the theme. ATM MACHINE gave me the theme and the rest of the clues were sussed easily,
Large HADRON Collider was a newbie and likely soon to be forgotten.
Nothing else to comment about, straight forward Tuesday offering, but pleasurable after last Fri && Sat.
Sounds like the long hot summer will be introduced this week. Time to hibernate.
- May 26, 2015 at 9:05 AM
- Tinbeni said...
Argyle: Nice write-up. I especially enjoyed the HADRON Wiki link. Interesting information.
Gareth: Thank You for a FUN Tuesday puzzle.
(C.C. I also enjoyed your MEMORIAL DAY puzzle with a timely theme!)
Fave today, of course, was my CSO at NE'ER-do-well. lol
Also liked, that if you are going to have a "directional" clue, such as the one at 65-a, Los Angeler-to-Phoenix, that the answer was a word EAST.
(Yeah, I guess that was a CSO to Lucina).
A "Toast-to-ALL" at Sunset.
- May 26, 2015 at 9:10 AM
UNMAN vs. SLEEKEN
Sorry Jerome.
- May 26, 2015 at 9:11 AM
- Irish Miss said...
Good Morning:
I always enjoy GB's offerings. Caught the theme early which made the solve quick and easy.
As Hondo said, we're in for some hot and humid weather. We need rain, also, although we're nowhere near as needful as California.
Going to a birthday party tonight making it my third straight night out. I'm getting too old for all this partying!
Have a great day. (Yes, Kazie, my comment section spans the entire screen.)
- May 26, 2015 at 9:16 AM
- Irish Miss said...
Oops, did it again! Sorry. A big thank you to Gareth and Argyle for a fun Tuesday.
- May 26, 2015 at 9:19 AM
- Spitzboov said...
Good morning everyone.
Kazie, My comment box spans the bottom too, now. Guess we've been 'upgraded'
Easy solve as Peg said. Needed perps for HADRON and TARPIT. Wanted tundra first for Mammoth locale.
UNMAN - Don't see what the flap is about. Clue coincides almost exactly with Merriam dict. definition.
SAAR - is the easiest spelt German Land (state). Fought over with France through the years. Plebiscite made
it German in 1957.
Have a great day.
- May 26, 2015 at 9:19 AM
I agree with Jerome.
- May 26, 2015 at 9:26 AM
- Qli said...
Thanks to Gareth and Argyle for a nice experience today. I knew the answer to ERETRIA, but needed perps to get the I and Es in the right place. BOLE also needed perps, but it rang a tiny little bell when it got it via perps.
Off to the grocery store of the stuff that wasn't on the bare shelf yesterday; must have given the stockers the holiday off. I'll try a different store today, just in case.
- May 26, 2015 at 9:30 AM
- GrannyAnny said...
Re: UNMAN
Jerome and Hondo: I don't get it. Am I missing a joke of some kind? Is "unman" by some stretch of the imagination sexist or racist? Seems to me it's a straightforward clue and answer. What's the nit you're picking?
I enjoyed this one. Solving moved along smoothly but misspelled NEMESiS which gave me DRIi for 26A which I wouldn't have caught anyway.
- May 26, 2015 at 10:26 AM
- JJM said...
I do the Puzzle thru the MENSA site and it hasn't updated since SAT. Has this happened to anyone else or has the License Agreement between LAT and MENSA just run out and I'm unaware of it?
- May 26, 2015 at 10:41 AM
- Lucina said...
Hello, friends!
How odd to have the comment box at the bottom and across.
Argyle, I'm still laughing at your ANNE Rice/UNCLE Ben comment!!
Thanks to Dan Brown I knew HADRON, spelled with E first until TARPIT appeared. In the past I had many students from ERITREA. They fled the 30 years civil war in their country and are very sweet people.
Yay! I remembered DREI.
Thank you, Gareth Bain, for a clever and easy workout today. And Argyle for a really deep chuckle.
Tin, thank you for the CSO.
Have a lovely day, everyone!
- May 26, 2015 at 10:47 AM
- Bill G. said...
Hi everybody. It's overcast here which isn't pretty but it's cool and pleasant.
Yes, my comment box is across the bottom. Like most changes, I don't like it much.
Except for UNMAN, this was an enjoyable solve. I didn't know BOLE or ERETRIA.
I have no problem with themes that have been repeated. I didn't do many of them earlier and wouldn't remember them anyway. If it's a good-quality puzzle and isn't just copied from someone else, I'm OK with that. Clever ideas can occur to more than one person.
- May 26, 2015 at 11:28 AM
- Misty said...
What a clever theme, Gareth--thank you so much! I loved not only the redundancies in the answers but in their end/beginning letters, MM, NN, TT, FF, NN again--redundancies upon redundancies. Lots of fun, and enjoyable expo, Argyle, as always.
Great way to start a Tuesday--have a wonderful day, everybody!
- May 26, 2015 at 11:29 AM
- Anonymous T said...
HI All!
Paper didn't drop 'till after 8 thanks to the floods so I had to print the puzzle from a link provided by Barry G. yesterday - perfect timing since MENSA didn't work either. Thanks Berry. Thanks too to Argyle not being redundant this day today.
W/os: EMoRY b/f TERN fixed it; TRItE b/f the La Brea (cute GB).
Let's see if I can pull this off... I scored well on the SAT so I could study LANs and get into security where I read a PDF on how to steal PINs at ATMs.
Constructors - next time x goDparticle w/ HADRON :-)
Fav: he who SMELT it (dealt it...)
And since CED is having computer issues Redundancy Poster.
Cheers, -T
- May 26, 2015 at 12:40 PM
- coneyro said...
Lost all my comments. Darn...Will try again.
Interesting puzzle. Noticed double letters..THAT'S how I got the answers. Didn't even think of redundancy until all done.
Who says TV is a mental wasteland...Knew HADRON Collider because it featured prominently on an episode of "Big Bang Theory".
Speaking of SUPERMAN..Am I the only one who is annoyed that the writers of DC comics have set the hero universe on its ear by changing or cancelling out just about every origin story. Earth One, Earth Two? Who cares? Took all my childhood memories and just erased them. It wasn't broken, why fix it?
Doing the crossword the old fashioned way is more satisfying, IMO, than online. No red letter help; you're on your own. Who else on the blog thinks so?
The dependency on computers is really getting scary. Kids can't spell or do cursive writing. Reading from actual books is becoming the exception. Don't know what the future holds, but it doesn't bode well. What will happen if the main frame of data crashes? Everyone would be like lost sheep.Reminds me of a famous TV show episode years ago; Twilight Zone, perhaps, or "Outer Limits".
Well, let me press "publish" and hope for the best.
Until tomorrow, then....
- May 26, 2015 at 12:44 PM
- Jayce said...
Nifty puzzle today. I enjoyed it. I also enjoyed your comments, Argyle.
- May 26, 2015 at 12:48 PM
I do the puzzle online without red-letter help and without Googling. There are several advantages: no need to erase or white-out. No need to suffer with (my) horrendous penmanship. You get positive reinforcement (the musical "TaDa!") when it's completed properly. You get better at solving puzzles (thanks to the aforementioned positive reinforcement).
Secondary advantages: No need to subscribe to a newspaper, hope it arrives, hope the right puzzle is printed, and hope you can read it. You save a tree and the gas necessary to deliver your newspaper (if it's delivered).
You're going online anyway (to read this blog) so why not start online?
I would suggest trying it online for a week or two. If you don't like it you can always go back to paper.
- May 26, 2015 at 1:02 PM
Alternatives to the frozen-in-time Mensa site were posted in yesterday's comments. It's happened before and is usually back to normal within a week.
- May 26, 2015 at 1:06 PM
- Chairman Moe said...
I am an old-fashioned puzzle-solver; pen with no eraser; occasional "ink blots" but they usually happen when I forget to check the perps; I've done a puzzle on the computer but to me it was "meh"; but as the "online guy" states, try it and see.
There are four puzzles in our newspaper to get me kick-started each morning: The LAT Crossword, a Sudoku, Jumble, and Celebrity Cryptoquips. With any luck I am finished with them before I need a second cup of coffee!! ;^)
And to add to the redundancy, the comment box is at the bottom of the page, just like the rest of you have noticed! Not sure why the change but we'll go with it. What choice do we have??!!
- May 26, 2015 at 1:13 PM
- Anonymous T said...
I agree - I like a puzzle on paper, I like non-reference books bound (reference books on computer are searchably nice ), and the last good DC reboot was Frank Miller's Dark Knight.
But, C'MON, I need a computer to help w/ my dyslexic spelling so I only come off as a partial moron.
Actually, only a huge solar flare or other biblical event could wipe out the world's data. Most providers (Google, Amazon, Microsoft, et.al.) have multiple UN-MAN'd* data-centers around the word. Talk about redundancy.
I'll remove myself from your lawn now...
Cheers, -T
*Take that Jerome :-)
- May 26, 2015 at 1:19 PM
I should have noted that I'm using an "old-fashioned" desktop computer with a real monitor and a real (full-size) keyboard. I have no experience with, and no interest in, solving on a tablet or a smartphone.
- May 26, 2015 at 1:20 PM
- Bill G. said...
I came to crosswords late in life; maybe six or seven years ago. I started doing doing one of the Universal puzzles on the NBC news page, edited by Timothy Parker. I stumbled upon this blog, switched to LAT crosswords and the rest is history. I have tried doing easier CWs (Mon thru Wed) on paper and I do OK, maybe faster than online. But I continue to do the LAT puzzles online every day because of the possibility (probability?) of getting stuck on some of the harder puzzles (Friday and Saturday). I can't imagine working them on paper and just giving up at some point when I've made a mistake or can't figure out an answer. Online, I turn on red letters and get the necessary hints to finish. I don't like using red-letter help but I much prefer it to giving up with a DNF. (Yes, I am on a desktop iMac. I have never gotten used to a touchpad or or my wife's iPad.)
(PLEASE bring back the old comment box at the top!)
- May 26, 2015 at 1:52 PM
- Bluehen said...
Very enjoyable puzzles these last two days. Thanks CC and Gareth, and to you, Argyle for your entertaining expos. So much nicer an experience than Friday and Saturday. Saturday was a rare DNF even with red letter help. Give me a Saturday Silkie any time.
Saturday wasn't a total loss around here. About two years ago we adopted a pit bull/boxer cross from the SPCA. 6 mos. later she slipped away and wandered off.
We couldn't find hide nor hair of her, despite alerting all the pounds in the area and local veterinarians (she was chipped). Low and behold, she shows up Saturday!
She had been adopted by another family in the neighborhood. After a year gone, the neighbor hears through the grapevine that we lost a dog a year ago, and showed up at our front porch to see if she was the one. You can't imagine our happiness. Wonders will never cease.
That's all for now. Cya!
- May 26, 2015 at 2:12 PM
Bill G.@1:52: "PLEASE bring back the old comment box at the top!"
The comment box is where it's always been (at least on my computer; I can't speak for tablets and smartphones), it's just wider (as others have noted).
Its new size is actually closer to what the comment will look like when published. If the box was originally this wide and then narrowed, everyone would be asking why they shrunk the comment box.
I'd say it's either (a) an improvement or (b) doesn't matter.
- May 26, 2015 at 2:17 PM
- CrossEyedDave said...
Finding these daily links is an art form, you have to be in the right frame of mind...
Curiously, I took my desktop mainframe to the PC repair store, who claimed it would take 3 days to fix it. An hour later I got a call, they plugged it in and nothing is wrong with it?
(The Universe is messing with my head...)
- May 26, 2015 at 2:18 PM
- CrossEyedDave said...
- May 26, 2015 at 2:26 PM
Your desktop computer is not a mainframe computer.
Here, thanks to Wikipedia, is a humorous guide:
You can throw a laptop
You can lift a workstation
You can tilt a minicomputer
You cannot move a mainframe
- May 26, 2015 at 2:27 PM
- CrossEyedDave said...
Online Guy @ 2:27
I stand corrected,
but you didn't see me trying to lug the dang thing from the parking lot...
- May 26, 2015 at 2:41 PM
- Irish Miss said...
Bluehen - You made my day! What a happy family you must be to have your pooch back.
The comment section has always been at the bottom on my iPad, but it was a much smaller box than it is now.
I have been doing crosswords for almost 40 years beginning with the Sunday New York Times. What I knew then would fit on the head of a pin and it wasn't unusual to spend days trying to at least complete part of each puzzle. Before I got my iPad, I was a paper and pen solver which entailed cutting out the puzzle and putting it on my clipboard. (I still solve the Sunday NYT in pen as I don't have a subscription and it is printed in my local paper.) I prefer the IPad for ease and neatness. I do not use red letter help or Google; if I don't know an answer and I have hit a brick wall, then it's a DNF and I come to the Corner for answers. I have learned a lot in the 3+ years I've spent here and expect to keep learning, even if it's only how diverse we are in our preferences, e.g., _ _ _ or neat, eh, Tin? 😉
- May 26, 2015 at 2:52 PM
- Lemonade714 said...
I enjoyed the puzzle and do often cringe at not only redundancy but what I was taught in school are illiteracies. I find it especially fascinating to read the comments of George Barany (initials GB) about the the theme used today by Gareht Bain (GB).
I do not get the message; should GB have looked and seen that the theme was used before? Is it an inside joke that a reused but modified theme is in itself a redundancy? Since all of the puzzles are gridded very differently, is the existence of duplicate fill or duplicate clues a crime? How many times have clues been reused? Fill?
Did you have a good time?
Finally, UNMAN is just clued weirdly, suggesting a loss of manhood, but was that GB? Rich?
- May 26, 2015 at 2:52 PM
- Beach Bum said...
I started doing crosswords about 7 or 8 years ago with the NYT puzzles in the Pensacola News Journal. It took me a few years before I could consistently complete the Friday and Saturday ones. I doubt I became any smarter during that interim, so I guess crossword puzzle solving is a learned skill. We moved to Clearwater a few years ago and now I do the LA Times puzzles merely because that's what the Tampa Bay Times runs. I tried doing some other ones on line but it didn't do much for me. I like paper, pencil and coffee.
- May 26, 2015 at 2:57 PM
- Beach Bum said...
Oh, also ... been lurking here for about a year.
- May 26, 2015 at 2:59 PM
L714@2:52: "UNMAN is just clued weirdly, suggesting a loss of manhood"
But that's what it means. You could look it up.
- May 26, 2015 at 3:26 PM
- Jerome said...
Lemon- Different constructors come up with the same themes all the time. I've been told numerous times by an editor that they liked my puzzle but it duplicated a themed puzzle that they had previously published. However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't, or can't, send that puzzle to a different editor. Actually, it's the same with any puzzle an editor rejects for any reason. You might be very surprised to know how many times you've solved an LAT puzzle that the NYT rejected... or vice versa. Many constructors send their rejects down the line until someone accepts it or everyone says "No thanks." Then we pout and tell ourselves, "What the heck do they know"
If your a guy, it is a very unmanning experience.
- May 26, 2015 at 3:54 PM
The puzzle was very nice and the blog by Argyle was as always, delightful. Unman and Bole, are unusual words, but I can accept them with equinanimity.
OnLine Guy - your humorous comment, on various computer sizes, from Wiki was absolutely deightful. I have noted it down in my diary. Very, very, very CUTE !!! Thank you.
I have simple demands and expectations on crossword puzzles - if I can solve most of the puzzle without being totally confused then I dont care if the theme has been done a thousand times before. (I can barely remember my own wife's name - most of the time, anyway.)
- May 26, 2015 at 4:03 PM
UNMAN is a perfectly fine fill clued accurately. I really don't understand the nit.
Some people are simply destined to be friggin' unhappy. Sheesh.
Thank you, Gareth, for starting my day with 2 fine puzzles.
- May 26, 2015 at 4:07 PM
- SwampCat said...
Anon T and Hahtoolah, the same storm must have roared through here last night, too. Tornados and 110 mph winds, but no deaths as are being reported in Texas.
I enjoyed the puzzle, loved the expo, and had no problems with the theme or UNMAN. I've heard that enough not to be surprised by it. It really is a real word. Maybe after last weekend I'm happy with anything!
Coneyro, I'm a pen and paper person, too. I work across and down at the same time to check out the perps, and I like to look at the whole puzzle. Different strokes...!
- May 26, 2015 at 4:17 PM
- Bluehen said...
Irish Miss, we are indeed. When we first adopted her, some in the family were concerned about bringing a pit bull mix into the house. She turned out to be the most affectionate, submissive dog we've ever had. She "adopted" our youngest who has a natural way with animals, and stuck by his side so completely, we renamed her "Shadow". He couldn't move without her "dogging" his footsteps. what a sweetheart. Life is good.
- May 26, 2015 at 5:22 PM
- Lucina said...
We've had this conversation many times so those with a history on the Corner know that I started doing crosswords at age 10 in fourth grade and have been happily hooked for 67 years. In the convent I did biblical puzzles. Paper, pencil, clipboard and coffee are my preferred "tools."
I tried doing it on-line once and was completely frustrated, but then I'm not electronically oriented.
Let's just be happy with what we do. It's all about the solve, after all.
Jerome, at the risk of being redundant I have to say, you're funny!!
- May 26, 2015 at 5:23 PM
- Yellowrocks said...
I filled in UNMANNED immediately without a care. It seems normal to me, meaning emasculated or robbed of manhood. Just now in my novel a teen doubting his manhood was asked to set up a toy bunny indicating the bathroom was in use. He said, "It humiliated me or something. UNMANNED me. I took it very personally."
I prefer solving on paper, even though I have solved online many times. Rather than not finishing , when I get stuck on paper I type in the questionable places online using red letters. Then switch back to Masters to see it I can get more correct without help. I switch back and forth checking. After I finish, whether I am online or not, I check my answers on the blog and Google many of them, even the right ones.If i find any mistakes it's a DNF. I always learn a lot, even on things I thought I knew. The best thing about online is that I can use it in Masters mode to resolve a huge inkblot.
- May 26, 2015 at 6:57 PM
Man is not rational. Man is rationalizing.
- May 26, 2015 at 7:14 PM
- Anonymous T said...
CED - If I could do that w/ 4 beers... Thanks for your art.
Beach Bum - don't just lurk, play!
SwampCat - yeah, the storm was something (you guys in S. LA got it too, no?) - 8" in 5 hours. Pool overflowed, school was closed, Mayor Parker said @4p there's still >750 abandoned vehicles on the freeway to tow. Being a NET-geek, I just VPN'd from home and carried on. We may be in for another wallop tonight if I'm reading the radar correctly.
I started "doing" xwords w/ grandpa -T when I was 10 or so. It was fun to watch him curse the clues (Damn it, Mae, what the [redacted] is a sech? :-)) and pencil new words into his xword dictionary. I began in earnest about 9 years ago when insomnia and boredom after finishing the paper set in. I'm hooked but still feel lucky to get >80% of a LAT Friday w/ just pen & paper. Sat LATs are way out unless I tax the Great Google.
My favorite part is learning words that look like fun to say... WHEEeeeeeeDLE.
NO ONE isn't NO HELP in complaining about that xing //ducks
Cheers, -T
- May 26, 2015 at 7:52 PM
- fermatprime said...
Cool puzzle, Gareth. Nice expo, Santa.
Liked the theme.
NOONE was perps. No cheats.
Just got home from rheumatologist. Took 7 tries to get my blood pressure taken.
- May 26, 2015 at 8:49 PM
- Irish Miss said...
Bluehen @ 5:22 - I can relate to your naming the dog Shadow. My favorite nickname for our Bichon, who was unduly (IMHO) attached to my husband, was Velcro! (Perhaps I was a little jealous, no?). Anyway, glad for your happy ending! ☺
- May 26, 2015 at 9:16 PM
- Jerome said...
Yellow- It would have been impossible for you to fill in UNMANNED with or without a care.
- May 26, 2015 at 9:23 PM
- OwenKL said...
Comment box is in the same place as always for me, but it is longer. Thank goodness! Word wrapping is a demon to poetry! Especially concrete poetry, such as my UP limerick last week, or maybe IDYLS by Theocritus.
UNMAN is sexist, like fireman or policeman, implying that bravery is a purely masculine trait; but it is still a word, and so fair game for a non-PC puzzle that's not restricted to firefighter or police officer. (BTW, why are all police officers? are there police privates?)
I always do the first pass at the master (non-red-letter) setting, but Fri & Sat usually switch after that. Sun thru Thur I stay on master till the bloody end!
Do you all know that the LAT appears in THREE formats online? It's too late today, but tomorrow, which is your favorite for which feature?
Across Lite .puz format, such as @ http://www.cruciverb.com/
UClick format, such as @ http://www.us.mensa.org/play/games/games/la-times-crossword/
Arkadium format, such as @ http://cdn.arenaconnect.arkadiumhosted.com/games-storage/daily-crossword/game/daily-crossword.swf
- May 26, 2015 at 9:30 PM
- Yellowrocks said...
Please do not call me Yellow.
You missed the point. This was not about bravery. It was about the young teen's angst about gender identity. According to my studies this a normal developmental task. PC or not the lad felt unmanned.
- May 26, 2015 at 10:24 PM
- Bill G. said...
CED, I LOVED your rabbit photo picture! I think it's one of the cleverest I've seen in a while.
Owen, I much prefer the UClick format, maybe because that's what I'm most used to. Next is Across Lite .puz and last is Arkadium. Across Lite is OK except for their insistence about putting little black or red triangles when you've made a mistake. Annoying.
"I asked God for a bike but I know God doesn't work that way. So I stole a bike and asked for forgiveness."
- May 26, 2015 at 10:32 PM
- Anonymous T said...
OwenKL - I prefer MENSA likely because I've memorized every click to get the darn thing printed. I'm not keen on computer solving because I can't see enough at once.
Bill G. Funny.
To you fiction readers who didn't know HADRON, I think it was in a Dan Book (OK, I looked at Argyle's wiki-link and confirmed). CERN is looking for the Higgs Boson aka God Particle. When I googled biggest machine for pix of HADRON, the Smithsonian said biggest machine is the US Power Grid. Like our data, it too is subject to a solar flare.
I really tried, no really, to top CED's bunny-ears cartoon and this is the best I have that's the best. It pales...
RAS syndrome - Redundant Acronym Syndrome syndrome.
Cheers, -T
- May 27, 2015 at 12:02 AM


text:
|Smog Alley, Obsidia
|That poor section of Obsidia that no one ever sees, because they don't want you to see it. It's tucked away behind the mountain where the factories and their workers are stashed so they don't interrupt the pristine beauty of the falls and the city.
|18 September, 3013
The smog over The Alley keeps the streets in an almost perpetual dimness, so time of day is sometimes hard to tell, unless it's full night or full noon. So, it's one of those times in between the two, but if the foot traffic is any indication, it's probably in between shifts at the factories, as people of differing states of dull weariness or dull alertness rub shoulders along the walkways. Around the knees of this throng, Phelan slips about like a little quicksilver fish, popping up here and there, but, contrary to what one might think of seeing such an urchin in a crowd, his hand never reaches for a pocket.
Reena has developed an outfit for the various Down Belows. It's a simple pale taupe cotehardie with a hood, and a plain red sideless surcoat, that looks very much like the simple garb most of the poorer citizens make do with. She has a basket in hand, in which she hides her datapad beneath layers of what look like boring sewing things. She's asked her brother along for protection. "I just want to look around a bit, see what that anonymous woman was talking about. I can get the area on the list for the charity, for eventual development."
Finding the place again, Nitrm accompanies his sister this time with a far more common hooded coat that hangs low over his eyes as he walks. Still, his black leather gloves slip around the filter of a cigarette, trailing smoke as he walks. Expecting the right people to be perceptive, he's worn the same boots as he did the last time he arrived. "Sure thing," Nitrim replies quietly to his sister as they walk. "Whoever that girl was she knew this place well. She's bound to be not too fa—" He stops, nodding his head in the direction of the boy snaking through the crowd. "That's the boy. He'll know where she is."
Since boots are about the height of the youngster, and he is definitely perceptive, when a turn brings him up facing the boots he halts. He performs a perfunctory, yet mostly correct, bow to the Lord, before looking up towards hooded face. "Are you going to do more tricks with fire, Lord Nitrim?" he asks curiously, his head then tilting to look to the woman with him. He pauses, glancing between the two, then gives her a quick bow as well, but, as is usual with children, he is more interested in the amusement he knows. "That was really cool. Sister said that the snake was probably your.. oorah? What is an oorah?"
Reena looks from her brother, to the boy, and back again. Rather than do or say anything to startle him, she defers to Nitrim, swinging her basket lightly with both hands, and keeping her head bowed so her face is in shadow beneath the hood.
Glancing down to Phelan, Nitrim's goatee'd lips crack into a mirthful grin as the fire-animals he made for the boy are brought up. He looks over to his sister and gives her a little shrug. He's good with kids. Who knew? With a brush of his gloved hand over his jaw, he nods his head to the boy. "Aura. Aura, like saying orange." He replies to the boy, reaching down to pat the kid on the shoulder. "It's good to see you again, lad. Say…your friend with the scarf. We're looking for her. Do you think you could take us to her?"
"Aura" the child parrots obediently. "What is an aura, then?" he asks, this time asking with the correct pronunciation. "You mean Blue Sister? She goes over to Old Man Simmons on Wednesdays. She brings him his medicine. I can show you where it is…" he trails off, giving a little twist of his body with his hands clasped behind his back, the trailing of the words seeming to suggest a bargain, but his bright eyes don't seem to imply money.
Reena reaches into her basket and she pulls out a loaf of fresh bread, handing it to the boy. "We really need to speak with her, if you can bring us. I'd really appreciate it," she says quietly.
Long distance to Orren: Klaudea chuckles
"See…I have connections." Nitrim murmurs to Reena, pointing to her in a rather brotherly way. A little proud of himself, he starts to walk after the boy and then realizes that he's asking for a barter. Nitrim stops and laughs, rubbing at his jaw as he waits to see how the loaf of bread goes over.
Phelan is busy looking at Lord Nitrim, but the loaf of bread only distracts him long enough for him to take it, give it a sniff, and a smile as he bobs his head. "Thank you, milady," he says, then returns his attention to the man. "What is an aura?"
Reena seems amused by the enterprising streetrat. She tilts her head slightly to see what Nitrim has to offer him.
"An aura…" Nitrim replies, looking to the tilt of Reena's head with a smile of his own. His fingers turn and a coin is produced, which he offers down to the boy. "Is a manifestation of energies brought on by the combined forces within the body of an Awakened. It's a culmination of their markup." He delves into shop-talk. "But mostly it's just like a sign of who the person is. Like a drawing."
The lad tilts his head to the side, considering, the coin not seeming to interest him at the moment while his mind is busy churning the information. "So, does that mean you are really just a big, green snake?" Phelan asks. However, Nitrim has upheld his end of the bargain, so he turns and skips into the thinning crowd. "This way," he calls over his shoulder.
Reena bites her tongue, choking back laughter and any comments that pop into her head. She whistles a little tune, nothing to see here.
"Something like that." Nitrim replies to the kid, starting to walk behind him. As they go, he reaches out and gives Reena's elbow a soft shove as he falls into line, trailing the child out to find the Blue Sister. "I'm more of a large, overgrown serpent, I suppose…"
Seeming satisfied with the answer, Phelan skips through the crowd, looking back on occasion to make sure he hasn't lost his 'tail'. He turns a corner, and then there's a little shriek, followed by his laughter.
When they round the corner, they'll see the boy squaring off in a basic boxing crouch against a figure in a faded blue hooded cloak and scarf. She holds her hands up on front of her as she crouches. "Now, show me the left jab," she tells him, watching as he pivots and strikes out at her hand. "Getting better, just turn your body a little more to get some more weight behind it. Try again." The boy gives a fierce look, and then his left fist jabs out again, this time she gives it a shake as she stands up. "Ow! Now that's what I'm talking about, kiddo!" the hood lifts, and she notes the boy isn't alone.
The curtsy she performs to both of them isn't overly prolonged, but it is quite proper in every particular. "My lord, my lady," she greets, then stands and gives a curious tilt to her head.
Reena dips her head in greeting. "Forgive me. I do not have a name to call you by," she admits quietly. She looks to Nitrim for help in this.
Nitrim lowers his cowled head as well in near-time with Reena. It's a gesture the two have practiced often. Taking a step to the side, he turns to watch the Blue Sister, motioning towards Reena, the Blue Sister will understand the rest, as he's said he'd relay the message.
The eyes above the scarf crinkle a little at the siblings' synchronized nods. "It's all right, my Lady. I don't go by a name here, I take care of the people as I would if I was their sister."
"And she always blue," Phelan pipes up. "That's why I call her Blue Sister."
A hand with a pale gray leather glove comes to rest on Phelan's shoulder, and the young woman, as she doesn't seem old, gives a nod. "And it is a nice name, Phelan, thank you," she says. The hood moves to look to each of the Khournas again, resting more on Reena. "I am guessing, my Lady, that Lord Nitrim has kept his word and relayed the message I asked him to pass on?"
Reena dips her head in a nod. "He did, and I've relayed it further to those who are in a position to look into it, legally and with authority. I'm sorry I can't be of more help in that. But I have come to look around and see about getting the area on the charity's list for eventual aid. The list is long already, and I regret it may take some time."
"It's the only real way to do it." Nitrim replies to the others, keeping his voice nice and low. Standing to the side to let the two ladies meet each other, he slips a cigarette out of his pocket and lights it with a flash of flame from the palm of his hand. "I know some of these alleys, though not many of the people, Sister. I'll be the first to admit I'm a bit of an ash-viper slithering through the garbage when I've come here, but she has some really valid points."
The scarf hides most of the woman's response, but she doesn't seem to be displeased. "That is what I was hoping, my lady. I thought if anyone could send it on to the right people, well…" she pauses and glances to Nitrim, "I figured you could as well, my lord, but it would possibly carry more weight, or make more sense, coming from someone who is already trying to improve the conditions for people caught in a place where they have little choice." She glances down, "Phelan, it looks like you have something to take home to your mother for dinner," she notes, giving the boy a ruffle on his head. "Go ahead. I'll stop to see your mother after I talk to Old Man Simmons." The boy pouts a little, but a gentle nudge from her hand as he starts to edge away brings a quick, dutiful bow to the Lord and Lady, and then he's back away, watching Nitrim as he goes, a hopeful look in his eyes.
Once the boy is gone, she nods. "I can tell you most of the families that are hit hardest, which places need cleaning, where a clinic would be helpful, most things that you-'ve expressed an interest in changing. I've been wondering around here since I was a child."
"I'll do what I can to help, personally, until the charity can work at fixing the issues," Reena says quietly, watching the boy skitter off. She looks back at Klaudea. "Do you still reside here?"
"These are Ibrahm lands. They're not ours to meddle in, though we have friends among the Ibrahm." Nitrim replies, falling into place alongside his sister as he regards the Blue Sister. "All of the information that you can give my sister will help her in what she seeks to do. Of course, I love my sister and what I can do to help, I will. I'm far more interested in the care of the people than most would think." Nitrim's tone goes sour, made black in mood by the recent news and troubles that have surrounded his name.
"I do not /live/ here any more, but my family is here," Sister replies to Reena, but then her head tilts to Nitrim. "I have been raised to serve the Ibrahm, Lord Nitrim," she replies neutrally. "I know our boundaries like the back of my hand… and that we are a vassal of Khournas. Sometimes it can help when people know where the Paramount stands." She's quiet for a moment, then, she actually closes the distance to the nobles, and reaches out to lay a hand on Nitrim's arm. "I know, my lord," she says quietly, however shadowed her eyes, they look up to his. "My lady, I would be grateful any assistance you can personally give, as my funds are running low currently. There's been a lung sickness in the drudge quarter, and most cannot afford the medicine the doctors prescribe for them."
"Take me there," Reena says calmly. "I have my medkit in the basket. I can help," she notes. She looks at her brother, with worry in her eyes, then back to the woman.
Nitrim is cold, wrapped in a dark cloud that he can't seem to shake easily, even with the Blue Sister's hand to his shoulder and the look that his sister gives him. Patting the Blue Sister's hand, he looks over to his sister and gazes long to her, allowing a hint of the hurt that he's feeling to show through. "It's fine." Nitrim says, drawing the cigarette back to his lips. "We came here for other reasons and there are people that are sick. There'll be time for other things later. Just—-refer to me as Shadow or brother while we're down here. Don't use my name for the now." He replies, evidencing his need to shrink away from the public view as his fingers leave the woman's hand. "Please…lead the way."
Sister dips her head, "as you wish, Shadow," she replies, then cants her head to Reena. "Do you wish me to not use your name, my lady?" she asks as her hand drops away and she turns to lead them through the warren of alleyways. "I should make a quick stop at Old Man Simmons so he doesn't worry that I have forgotten him this day, if that is all right."
"You can call me Talia," Reena says. It's a play on her middle name, her grandmother's name Italya. She links her arm through her brother's, silently bolstering him, and gestures for the Blue Sister to lead the way.
A faint smirk tugs at the corner of Nitrim's cheek at Reena's preferred name, recognizing it easily. His arm squeezes in, a kind of hug the nobles sometimes use as it is hard to spot, hard to catch. Lowering his head, Nitrim starts to follow after the Sister and steps over a small pile of alley-garbage, trailing the smoke from his cigarette. "Wherever you need to take us, Blue Sister. We are your guests now. But…I thank you for your kindness and your choice of anonymity behind that scarf is something I appreciate. Sometimes people who do the right thing shouldn't have a face, because it's the right thing."
Sister nods, and glances back as she stops in front of a door. "I will be right back out," she says as she knocks. "You need not worry, where we are going, you are unlikely to be recognized." At the call from inside, she enters, closing the door quickly behind her, and, true to her word she's back out before too long. On the one hand, her clothing seems to take pains to blend in, but her manner of walk and her posture lack the slouch and slump of those who have heavier burdens on their shoulders. There's something of her posture that, to the practiced eye, denotes someone who can take care of themselves,- the lightness of step and the crook of arm indicating a readiness to strike.
They turn a corner, and down a sloping alley where there is not only the smog of the factories, but the low hanging smoke of fires in cans. From some of the houses, coughing can be heard, or from people sitting on doorsteps outside as they talk to their neighbors.
"And sometimes you can only guilt others into doing the right thing by using the power of your identity," Reena notes to Nitrim. Thus what she's been doing. "A little of both can go a long way to making a better life for a lot of people." She waits patiently for the woman to come back out of the house, and when they enter the alley, she grimaces, tightening her grip on Nitrim's arm. It's too much like Khar-Mordune's Down Below and the Black Sector of Volkan. Any doubt poverty existed beyond the capital is wiped out.
Distantly, Nitrim nods to the squeeze Reena gives his arm, they've seen this before, the black-lungs of the factory workers and the sick conditions that come from years of prolonged exposure the noxious fumes that come with factory work. Without thinking about it, Nitrim reaches for a scarf beneath the hood of his cowl and places it protectively over his mouth, both concealing his identity and giving him a slight protection from any infectious microbes floating around the wind before him. His eyes soften at the sound of the coughing, and the words escape his lips before he can catch them. "Six protect these people…my gods…"
The fact that the woman in blue arrives with others, rather than alone, means that somewhat furtive glances are cast her way, but no one speaks at first. Turning, Sister notices Nitrim's action and there's a twitch of her head backwards from the grunt she emits with the unseen smirk. "Now you know another reason I wear the scarf," she says in a low voice. She walks towards one of the doors and knocks twice. "Basia," she calls out, then waits until a woman opens it and pokes her head out, holding a dirty cloth to her face.
"Did you bring the medicine?" Basia asks, the question making her cough into the rag.
"I have some medicine, but I have brought something better for you, Basia," Sister replies. "I have brought my friend Talia. She is trained in medicine, and she can help you." Turning, she allows the woman to now see past her to Reena and Nitrim. Seeing Basia's glance to the latter, she adds, "do not worry. Her friend protects her when she has to go to places like this. He will not harm you."
With a nod, the door is finally opened, and Basia shuffles back inside. "Iban is not doing any better," she tells them, leading them down a dingy hall to a small bedroom. A couple of barefoot children come to another door, but no further, to look at the visitores.
Reena lowers her hood, knowing they probably don't know what the youngest children of the paramount of their vassal look like. "I'm here to help." She sets down the large basket and pulls the sewing items from the top, revealing her med kit and datapad below. The kit comes out and she opens it, setting out items she'll need to test and treat with.
Slipping in with the others, Nitrim stands near the door, looking as if he's helpless to the situation. He knows enough medicine to kill and to patch up wounds, but he's far from doctor material. Still, he's no stranger to hardship or death, and his visible eyes fail to recoil in sadness. They remain calm, peaceful, and passive like light cresting over a mirror. As Reena moves forward, he gives a long look to the Blue Sister before he finds a spot against the wall to lean against and fold his arms across his chest.
The man in the bed is propped on some flattish pillows, and he coughs often, doubling over. The rag he holds is discolored, and his eyes dull as he looks to the women and man who enter. Blue Sister hangs back, letting Reena take the lead and do what she needs, although she remains close enough to be able to act if requested. At some point, her head lifts slightly, and even though she doesn't really turn to look at Nitrim, there's something in her stillness resembling a deer in the forest that knows a predator is watching them, and hasn't decided yet whether to run or remain calm.
Reena begins her examination, passing her datapad over the man's chest, getting a view of his lungs. It's not an uncommon illness among those living below the smog levels. She digs in the kit and pulls out a few items, antibiotics, mask for filtering his air, a cough suppressant. Then she reaches her hands under her surcoat and undoes a jeweled necklace. "Is this what the majority are suffering from?" She asks the woman.
As Reena starts to work over the man, Nitrim's eyes sharpen. He's been worked on many times by his talented sister, but it's rare that he gets an opportunity to watch her at work outside of a military capacity. His eyes trace over the datapad, and perhaps sensing another set of eyes on him, he lowers his head and turns to look in the Blue Sister's direction. The fold of his arms tighten, uncomfortable, but only in posture as he looks to her, trying to find the slid in her scarf to memorize her eyes, starting to suspect and trying to place her.
Since Reena doesn't seem to need her for the moment, Sister turns to look at Nitrim, the worry for the man apparent in eyes that are open windows to her feelings, even if the color is still hard to define in the shadows of her hood. About the only thing that can be gleaned is that they aren't dark, but what sort of lighter color is hard to tell. Then the lady's words bring her attention back. "I believe so my- friend," she covers the almost mistake as she steps toward the man. "I am not a medical expert, but the symptoms seem the same to me. Is it possible to keep it from spreading?"
Reena hands the necklace towards the woman, and writes down a list of things. "If you can set up a place for treatment, these are the things they will need, and that should buy most everything when you sell it. Antibiotics, masks to be worn outside of their homes, and for the ones suffering, cough suppressants and oxygen treatments. That will require tanks and masks, and a safe place to store them where there is no open flames or heaters."
There's a gasp from Basia at the sight of the necklace, and she looks between the Sister and her 'friend'. As for the woman receiving the necklace, she holds it long enough to take it in, then she pulls it underneath her cloak to tuck it away. Her eyes narrow in thought, but the angle of the brows drawn together is troubled. "I am not sure where one such as I can sell this, but…" there's a sigh into the cloth, and a squaring of her shoulders. "I may know someone who does. I can buy the things once I have the funds."
Reena hands over the rest of her supplies of masks, antibiotics, and cough suppressants. "This is all I have with me, so distribute it to the oldest and very youngest first, the teens and younger adults can hold out for the resupply."
The supplies are tucked away, except for a mask handed to Basia, who coughs intermittently, even if it's not as bad as her husband, yet. The blue hood nods slowly a couple of times as she is already thinking of who may need what. She turns and goes back into the hallway, squatting down to eye level with one of the children. "Zuza, can you please go over to the old foundry? If no one is squatting there, yet, we can clean it and use it as a treatment place. Some of the old storage rooms can be locked, I can get power supplies for them to reprogram the lock codes."
"I will try to come back in a few days and check on things," Reena says quietly, as she puts her kit and datapad back in the basket, and the sewing items on top. Her hood gets drawn up once more.
As Reena starts to pack up, Nitrim's eyes shift over to his sister and then to the sick man in the bed beneath her. Once again, concern returns to his eyes as he rises from his lean against the wall and scrapes his boots across the floor. Watching Reena closely, he steps over to the Blue Sister and lowers his voice, speaking to her in hushed tones. "How many altogether would you say are suffering this sickness? Less than a hundred?"
"Thank you, Talia," the Blue Sister remembers the name given this time, and she gives Basia an encouraging nod. "It will be all right. Zuza can find me at the Dobrevs. I'll go there first, then the Ransas." She pauses to allow the guests to preceed her down the hall and to the door, back into the street, but then Nitrim is stepping up to her with a question. Her eyes cloud as she tries to figure. "At this time, yes," she nods. "It hasn't spread much beyond this neighborhood, they're mostly unemployed, or work at Felton's."
Reena heads for the door when beckoned. This is the second necklace of hers she's sold in the last few weeks to help people she couldn't get to with ehr charity quick enough. She pauses when the others stop.
"How likely is it to spread, is it contagious?" Nitrim asks, assuming that it is, but it's the sort of question that people ask when they have a distinct need and want to be sure. As if sensing the answer, he tightens the scarf in front of his face and turns his dark green eyes over to his sister. It's a shared look, a grave look that he passes over to her. He was having a rough day to begin with, and now he's got something else to concern himself with.
Glancing towards the woman already waiting for them, Klaudea shrugs her shoulders, continueing her walk. "I don't know if it's contagious, but if it was, I would think that it would have spread by now. Unless it's one of those slow-acting diseases." She looks to Reena for clarification as they draw closer, then out onto the street. "Can you find your way back on your own? And, Shadow, if I could have a word before you go, I would appreciate it."
"It's not contagious. It's from exposure to unclean air over long periods of time. The air filters here are clearly not functioning," Reena says quietly. She arches a brow at her brother, then nods her head. "I'll step outside.
"Lovely, so it's because of a mechanical device, or a screen that fits through it." Nitrim drolls under his breath, a fog-like sigh escaping his lips. So much for wanting to have a cigarette, though oddly enough breathing through the filter of an unlit cigarette might be good for him at this time. Returning Reena's arched brow, he nods softly to her, suggesting that he'll be with her soon. Head bowed, he brushes his gloved hands over the front of his chest and looks to Klaudea. "Sure…" He murmurs to her. "…what could I help you with?"
Reaching into her cloak, Blue Sister pulls out the necklace that Reena gave her. "This," she says quietly. "I don't- well, I /do/ know fencers, but they are people I steer clear of. I can't afford to have the Watch take me for anything, they will unmask me. And I can't sell this with my true self, it would raise too many questions. I was thinking of someone, but even that-" She pauses to figure the explanation she's fumbling for. "People around here trust me because I don't mix with those who break the law. I can't risk that trust."
"Tell you what…" Nitrim replies, reaching into his pocket. He pulls out a wallet and holds it where the others can't see and digs the cash out of it and hands it over to her. "Take this for now and get these people taken care of. I'll get more of that where it came from later, it's no issue. It's the right thing to do." He replies, slipping the necklace into his pocket. "I know a few fences and that cash should tide you over until I get what this necklace is worth." He replies, looking to her eyes again, trying to place them with a nod of his head. "I'm assuming we know each other, or you know me and I've seen you before. At the least, I'll make no attempt to unmask you. Be safe." With that…he slips out into the alley.


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Keto buzzwords and the case for balance (with case study attached)
The two most popular words in the low carb dieting world are gluconeogenesis and de novo lipogenesis (or is that four words). Both are red herrings for what actually happens, now don't get me wrong both happen in our bodies daily but they aren't the main way the process happens. Also there is this false claim that we are all eating more but calorie intake is actually down by quite a bit, so why aren't we all losing weight and why are we still dealing with an obesity issue?
"Eat fat to lose fat" is that true?
First let's address the two words, basically gluconeogenesis is the process your body uses to break down glucose when you don't make it readily available, the two primary sources are protein and fat (since the idea is that glucose is not available). In theory we evolved with this way of doing things in times where carbohydrates weren't abundant. This process also happens when carbs aren't abundant acutely because your brain requires glucose to survive. I use to joke in live seminars where there was a brain and a person negotiating about denying carbohydrate intake and the brain would ask "but why would you do that, it makes me hurt" (I didn't say it was a funny joke but it was funny to me and the delivery typically killed). So while the body CAN do it, the body doesn't prefer to do it that way. It's funny, any time you talk about carbohydrate consumption some low carber chimes in "high carb diet, high carb diet" as if a reasonable amount of carbs for your bodies needs doesn't exist.
De novo lipogenesis is possibly the biggest red herring of all, it's the process within your body where carbs are stored as fat. To give you an example, in studies that were deliberately trying to over feed participants with specifically carbohydrates and refined sugar a mere 1.4% of fat storage came from de novo lipogenesis, the body is much more likely to use that excess energy rather than store it.
So why do we have more fat than we would like, that answer is pretty simple. Your body stores fat to keep you alive, the primary driver of course is carbohydrates eaten WITH fat. A convenient fact that low carbers ignore is that fat stores as fat MUCH easier than carbs. Which is a real problem but like I said above, not our biggest problem but let me address the insulin hypothesis here real quick. It would seem obvious, even logical, that if you can decrease insulin you could hypothesize that fat could not store. This can be easily be disproved in about 3 days of just eating 10,000 calories of just fat, which seems ridiculous right, why would anyone do that? Well, the few studies that do support low carb dieting do exactly that the opposite way, they try to argue that the 1.4% adds up over time as if we don't all eat mixed meals with protein, fats and carbs. The insulin hypothesis was put out there by Gary Taubes and has been disproven by science up to this point by a series of studies that were funded by a group led (in part) by Gary Taubes. In short, what the studies showed was that compared to the standard american diet (which by the way I am not in favor of or arguing for) that low carb was not superior in terms of burning fat. When calories were adjusted neither was superior, this was a big deal because what it said is essentially what I am saying in these articles. Low carb dieting is mostly dealing with water levels and not fat.
So let me just stop there because there are a lot of severely obese people that will often show up when you write an article about low carb dieting. They will throw out "oh yeah buddy, well I am down 60 pounds so put that in your pipe and smoke it" and they aren't wrong. Weight alone is a powerful motivator but here is my question, did they try a balanced approach also? The severely obese, as you can imagine are carrying around a lot of water and a lot of fat and just so we are clear here, they are losing mostly water but some fat assuming they are eating in a caloric deficit and let's be real, if you are obese and you are moving to a low carb diet you are essentially trying to manage the discomfort. What I can say to you is that we ALSO get amazing results for the severely obese with an intervention of food, activity and lifestyle changes. Are you pulling more water out with low carb and therefore losing a bit more weight, sure but that is often offset with a balanced approach by the increase in metabolism of gradually lowering calories so activity can be a big part of the mix. I think an example would work well here for illustration:
Recently I saw a before and after of someone that lost 50 pounds in about a 2 year period low carbing and in a calorie deficit. Most of the weight was lost early on and the last 20 pounds were the hardest, that will be the same for the second person as well. The goal for this individual was very clearly "weight loss" and she lost muscle in that process, so it wasn't all fat by a long shot.
In the second example is an Eat To Performer, I will add her case study to down below and give everyone the chance to opt in to all of our other case studies. She ALSO lost over 50 pounds but in about 9 months and kept more muscle in that process! But how and why would it be faster than the low carb approach? That's simple and that will be the emphasis of my next article on this topic but let me just say this, if overall we are eating less then why aren't we losing fat?
Here is Part 1 of the series that focuses on hydration and the origin of Ketogenic dieting
Part 2 tackled the issue of whether or not you are losing fat with some great case studies from my days body fat testing 1000's of clients
A couple of notes about the video below, this case study was from a series we sold last year, in the video I say she has lost 40 pounds but she actually continued on to go as low as 158.1. All while maintaining muscle and that will be the emphasis of tomorrow's article. Also ETP members will be able to notice there have been a lot of changes and improvements even since this video last year. Enjoy! (make sure to subscribe to our channel, we have been uploading a lot of case studies and tutorials that help you understand how to diet better with better information).
Latest posts by eattoperform (see all)
- Why most people fail at flexible diets - April 29, 2020
- You'll probably hate this tip (Surviving the Rona Tip #2) - April 14, 2020
- The silver lining? (the thing that ACTUALLY makes diets work) - April 8, 2020


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My take on Google Chrome
September 3, 2008 - 4:50pm
Here's my take on the Google Chrome browser, which was officially released in beta yesterday.
- Tabs run in separate processor threads, which means the whole browser doesn't die when one tab crashes/freezes, just that individual tab. Sounds good, but I haven't encountered a crash yet so I haven't seen the "sad tab" face (see page 5 of the Chrome Comic).
- Separate threads for separate browser tabs also means potentially less memory bloat when you've had your web browser open all day, and opened and closed hundreds of tabs. In principle, closing a tab means killing off each individual processor thread, so the memory footprint shouldn't become a monster after a day's worth of unclaimed memory leaks.
- The task manager sounds like a fun tool for control freaks like me. Even if I don't need to manually kill individual threads, it's great to watch the stats on the processes. I especially like the almost-hidden "Stats for nerds" view (also available by typing "about:memory" in the omni-bar).
- A new, faster javascript virtual machine, combined with Google Gears, should be quite helpful for making js-heavy Google web apps (Gmail, Google Calendar, etc.) really fly. As a heavy user of these apps, this sounds awesome, and should keep them running fast as they get more feature-rich.
- Since it's built off the Webkit rendering engine, it doesn't introduce any new standards or compliance issues. As a developer, I'm pleased to see that I won't have to test sites against yet another browser. And hopefully, it'll help push Webkit toward becoming the de facto standard, which means less variation amongst browsers, which means less work for me.
Cons (and these are major, far more important to me than the pros listed above):
- There's no extensions support yet. No PDF Download, no ScreenGrab, no IE Tab, no Greasemonkey.
- The native DOM inspector isn't that feature-rich, and a poor substitute for Firebug. Until Chrome supports extensions, it's unusable as a web development tool.
- There's no setting that forces Chrome to jump to newly opened tabs.
- No bookmark editor. As far as I can tell I can't easily move around large groups of bookmarks at a time. This became especially annoying when Chrome imported my Firefox bookmarks into a "Imported Firefox Bookmarks" folder.
- In an attempt to maximize window real estate, there's no status bar at the bottom. Unfortunately for me, I prefer having a dedicated status bar. Text sometimes pops up down there in the bottom of the Chrome window, such as revealing the destination of a link, or giving highlights of "page loading" status, but it's an annoying flicker on the page.
Verdict so far: it's fun to play around with, and it has nice animations, but it's not robust or complete enough to switch over fully yet.
Category: Technology


text: On February 27, 2019, we successfully developed a hack for Wgt. This tool is very well suited for the players who are looking for a method in generating plenty of Credits. Our generator will mail both currencies to our accounts immediately after we've accessed it. Furthermore, our Wgt hack tool has been chosen as the best generator in 2019 and it has become people's favorite since it is working perfectly on all devices. It shows how good our tool is.sports


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The Summit
570 Wellington St W & 701 King St W, Toronto
An established building complex in the landscape of Toronto condos that optimizes space and location to create active and comfortable King West living, The Summit is a must see.
Located on King Street between Tecumseth Street and Bathurst, The Summit tower stands at 13-storeys of brick and glass and offers over 200 King West condos for sale and for rent. Suites at The Summit range in size from junior one-bedroom to two-bedrooms plus den, and are known for some of the best square-footage in the neighbourhood, spacious layouts with floor-to-ceiling windows, and an exciting list of amenities. Nestled in Toronto's Entertainment District, you're nearby to the Rogers Centre stadium, the CN Tower, and the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, as well as all the shops, restaurants, bars and clubs of King West.
Most Notable Features
Stands the test of time: The Summit has certainly proven its tenure in the King West neighbourhood. Constructed in 1985, the complex has been providing quality downtown Toronto condos for 30 years. Residents can sleep soundly knowing that their home stands the test of time.
The Summit Club: Residents at The Summit enjoy a great long list of building amenities wrapped up in a membership to the Summit Club. The three-buildings share access to a full range of entertainment extras like private move theatres, plus athletic highlights like squash courts, two pools, and a full fitness centre. A great way to keep active and healthy, all from the comfort of home.
Many suite options: With three residence towers, The Summit complex offers a total of over 600 suites, all in the same King West neighbourhood. So if the location is calling your name, and the amenities get your excited, then you're sure to find a spacious suite to call your own.
Building Details 701 King St W
Maintenance Fees at The Summit cover:
Year over year change in values at 701 King St W, Toronto
Based on 11 recent sales at 701 King St W, Toronto
Based on 4 recent rentals at 701 King St W, Toronto
At the The Summit
About 701 King St W, Toronto
Living at 701 King Street West you will always have something to do on any given night. The building is a nice walk or TTC hop from the Rogers Centre, where you can enjoy watching your favourite baseball player hit a home run, or you could explore the deep-sea thrills of Ripley's Aquarium of Canada. Not to mention boutique shopping and restaurants along King West's Fashion and Entertainment Districts, Queen Street music and shows, and outdoor activities along Toronto's waterfront. Some local hot spots to check out include Blowfish on King for sushi and inventive Japanese food, Cheesewerks mac 'n' cheese on Bathurst, and CHILL Ice House Toronto for an evening at a frozen ice lounge, family friendly, and fun for private parties.
For local grocery stores you can find Fresh & Wild Food Market at the corner of Spadina and King, The Kitchen Table is right next door, and Loblaws can be found on Queen Street at Portland.
For a breath of outdoor space, The Summit is just down the street from Stanley Park on King, and equal walking distance to either St. Andrew's Playground on Adelaide or Victoria Memorial Park on Wellington.
For those residents of 701 King St W without a car, you can get around quite easily. The closest transit stop is a Light RailStop (KING ST WEST AT TECUMSETH ST) and is nearby, but there is also a Subway stop, ST ANDREW STATION - NORTHBOUND PLATFORM, a 16-minute walk connecting you to the TTC. It also has (Light Rail) route 304 King, (Light Rail) route 504 King, and more nearby. If you need to get on the highway often from The Summit, Gardiner Expressway and Rees St has both on and off ramps and is within a 4-minute drive.


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Camino de Santiago Trek
- Trek one of the world's oldest pilgrimage routes filled with beautiful countryside and rustic villages of Northern Spain
- Sample the local Galician cuisine along the way
- Explore Romanesque cathedrals, mediaeval monasteries and unspoiled rural scenery
- Complete the last 130km of the pilgrimage route to Santiago and receive a "compostela" at the finish
- Visit the historic Galician capital of Santiago de Compostela
Trek one of the worlds oldest pilgrimage routes "The Camino de Santiago de Compostela" travellers have made their way across northern Spain to Santiago on 'The Way of St James' for over 1000 years. The route is marked by the symbol of the scallop shell, typically found on the Galician shores, and a long-standing tradition is to obtain the 'compostela', a certificate of accomplishment given to pilgrims upon completing the way; gained by walking at least 100km of the route, which you will complete on this trip.
If the above dates do not suit you and you have a group of over 8 people, please get in touch as we'd be happy to set up a date that meets with your requirements between April – May and September – October (dependent on accommodation availability). Trips can be run in June, July & August but please bear in mind this is in the height of summer and trekking conditions will be extremely hot. For more details please email: firstname.lastname@example.com or call 01492 588 069.
Included in the price of the trip
All transfers in Spain
Accommodation – 2 nights in hotel, twin share, and 5 nights hostel accommodation.
Meals – breakfast
Qualified English speaking local guide
Adventurous Ewe leader for groups of 10+
Not included in the price of the trip
All lunches
Evening meals
Travel Insurance
Day 1
Your group flight will arrive late in the evening where you will be transferred to your hotel in Samos. There's time to rest before your trek briefing the following morning.
Day 2
Your week of trekking starts in one of the most unspoilt sections of the Camino, as you walk through the Galician countryside, populated by a number of traditional agricultural villages. You will visit the monastery of Samos (entrance not included), one of the oldest monasteries in Spain, and will then continue through ancient oak forests to the town of Sarria.
Trekking information: 200m ascent, 14km trek taking approx. 5-6 hours
Day 3
Today will see you walking up and down the hills of Galicia to the town of Portomarin, which was rebuilt on a hilltop from its original location in the River Mino's valley. This was done to escape flooding when a reservoir was constructed in 1962. The old church was moved, stone by stone, to its current location. Today's section is along small country roads and country paths, it is generally tree lined and will provide good shade from the sun.
Trekking information: 250m ascent, 23km trek taking approx. 7 hours
Day 4
Today will see you start with a steady ascent to the village of Ventas de Naron, where the terrain levels out. Along the way to Palais de Rei there are plenty of cafes where you can enjoy a break.
After lunch you will reach Portos and, time permitting, you can take a detour to the Romanesque Church of El Salvador which dates from at least 1184 when it was taken over by the Knights of the Order of St James. This visit takes around 45 minutes. It then became the official burial place for the order in Galicia. The church is classified as a Spanish national monument due to the important artistic treasures contained within. There are tombs of knights of the Order of St James, a stone Retablo that portrays scenes of the Miracle of the Eucharist and the Descent from the Cross. The most spectacular items are the 15th century Gothic frescos that are rare in Spain. They portray the Annunciation and include two figures that are thought to be King Juan II and Queen Maria of Aragon.
Palas de Rei marks the half-way point of your trek where you will spend the night in a hotel, and really feel the spirit of the 'Camino' since many walkers also stop here.
Trekking information: 300m ascent, 25km trek taking approx. 5 hours
Day 5
This is the longest day of walking though it is along a very picturesque stretch of the Camino, crossing several Roman bridges and passing mediaeval churches. Lunch will be in the small town of Melide, renowned for its delicious octopus with potatoes. Following your afternoon of trekking there is more culinary delights as you finish in Arzua which is famous for its cheeses.
Trekking information: 100m ascent, 28.5km trek taking approx. 7-8 hours
Day 6
Today's walk to the village of Pedruozo involves a number of short ascents and descents through woods, fruit fields and eucalyptus. As Santiago draws ever closer, more pilgrims will cross your path, adding to the anticipation of reaching your goal, the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
Trekking information: 200m ascent, 19km trek taking approx. 5 hours
Day 7
Your final day's walk takes you climbing up to the famous Monte do Gozo, where pilgrims traditionally took in their first views of the towers of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. As part of the centuries-old tradition, you will make your way through the city's streets and crowds to Plaza del Obradoiro, dominated by the impressive Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, where most Fridays you can observe a mass service with the impressive "Botafumeiro" incense swinging.
Trekking information: 50m ascent, 20km trek taking approx. 7 hours
Day 8
Free morning in Santiago de Compostela before returning to the UK.
Essential Info
How big is the group?
Our minimum size group is 6 and a maximum of 14 per expedition leader
What will the accommodation be like?
The first and last night we will stay in a 2 star Hotel; twin share with en-suite washing facilities. Whilst on trek, we will be staying in comfortable hostels with dormitory style rooms. There is a restaurant, shop and shower facilities in the mountain hut.
Who will be leading the group?
We employ experienced and fully qualified English speaking guides to accompany and lead you. The guides are first aid qualified and have extensive experience in leading expeditions throughout the world. They will be ultimately responsible for the running of the itinerary and the safety of your group. They will be carrying full safety equipment and mountain first aid kits with them at all times.
Food matters – what's provided?
All breakfasts are included.
Breakfasts in Spain usually consist of coffee with milk, toast with ham, olive oil, tomatoes, cheese and butter and jam. Bakery items such as pastries, fruit and juice are also popular. During this trip you can expect different variations of breakfast at the hotels and pensions we stay at but they will all include at least some of the standard breakfast items that are popular in Spain.
The land in north Spain is rich and produces almost everything one might want to eat from fish and seafood to good quality meat, vegetables and fruit. Your leader will recommend good places to eat. Sometimes it will be tapas, sharing some "raciones" as a group and sometimes you will be able to choose from the menu.
Lunch is not included, this is to give you more flexibility and also sample the local cuisine such as Tortilla de Patatas, a Spanish dish that is made of egg and potatoes, you will also have the option to buy a packed lunch or baguette in one of the many cafes along the route.
On the Camino de Santiago restaurants and bars offer a set menu called the "Menu del Pergrino" and offer 5 starters, 5 mains and dessert, coffee and drink for about EUR 10-15.
Vegetarians can be catered for, as are other dietary requirements although there may not be the same choice or variety as you have at home and please be prepared to be flexible. Please tell us in advance if you are vegetarian or need a special diet.
What is the Compostela?
The Compostela is a certificate of completion for all the Camino routes; there are a couple of conditions attached to the issue of them. You must have walked the last 100 km into Santiago and have two stamps per day to qualify
What shall I do about spending money?
We recommend you bring around €200 for drinks, meals, snacks and local staff tips.
There are ATM's and money exchanges on arrival at the airport and you will have the opportunity to withdraw money during the trek from an ATM.
Weather & Safety
The weather during the spring and autumn months is generally sunny days and cool nights. However, conditions can change very quickly, What can start out as a good day can soon become very poor. It is very important to be well equipped and prepared for all conditions.
All our guides are first aid trained and carry fully equipped medical kits for serious medical emergencies.There are no compulsory vaccinations for Spain but we recommend you consult your GP before departure. A good level of fitness is required for this trek.
The first night you will stay in a 2 star Hotel; twin share with en-suite washing facilities. Whilst on the trek you will be staying in comfortable hostels with private dormitory style rooms for the use of our group. Your last night in Santiago will be in a 3 star hotel.
What do you do to protect the environment?
We are keeping to a small group so that we limit the impact we have on the surrounding environment. We will ensure that all rubbish is disposed of responsibly. We follow the local guidelines on cultural and environmental Protection and respect.
How to book your challenge
The easiest way to book your trip is online via the website, simply click Date and Availability, You will need to pay a non-refundable deposit of £150.00 at the time of booking.
It is possible to reserve a place on this challenge by email to email@example.com, however you will need to pay your deposit of £150.00 to confirm your place on this trek together with completing a booking form.
The full balance is required to be paid no less than 4 weeks prior to departure.


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Since moving from Ohio, my wife and our three children have enjoyed living in Florida, participating in community activities and going to the movies.
I believe it is essential as a provider to listen to patients in order to care for them, mind, body, and spirit. The decision to have surgery is not one that should be taken lightly and is always based on the individual. Completing a fellowship in movement disorder surgery has allowed me to offer cutting-edge treatments for patients with disabling tremors such as essential tremor or Parkinson's disease. I've also had the opportunity to care for patients with spinal disease, especially those with cancer involving the spinal column. I believe the relationship between patient and physician is the cornerstone of excellent care.
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Out of stock
Jonah is a 10 year old boy who was born in Durame, Ethiopia and he's developed an amazing talent for crochet! This year he's donated his talents to Upcycle Ethiopia and we're thrilled!
This blue and white crochet market bag is perfect for your day at the coop, local farmers market or store. It's strong with the perfect size handles!


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The Endura Hummvee Trousers II take you from trailhead to downtown sprawl, all in one garment. With an elasticated rear waistband and adjustable belt, plus ankle adjustments the fit is ideally suited to any type of riding, allowing excellent freedom of movement when pedalling.
Fully Clickfast™ liner compatible you can easily pair these trousers with your favourite Endura liner shorts raising comfort levels for those longer rides around town or when hitting rougher trails. With zipped hand pockets, cargo pockets and rear map pockets you've got plenty of storage space for essentials.
Just like the iconic Hummvee shorts these long legged versions will, we think, soon become your favourite do it all riding trousers. Rugged and built to last you'll be donning these season after season when the going gets tough.
All Endura Baggy Shorts with the "Clickfast™ compatible" logo are Clickfast™ ready. These can be worn with any Endura Clickfast™ undershort or liner. Some Endura ranges already include a Clickfast™ liner and are marked with the "Comes with liner" logo.
|89 - 94cm
|94 - 99cm
|99 - 104cm
|104 - 109cm
|109 - 114cm
|114 - 119cm
|119 - 124cm
|74 - 79cm
|79 - 84cm
|84 - 89cm
|89 - 94cm
|94 - 99cm
|99 - 104cm
|104 - 109cm
|35″ - 37″
|37″ - 39″
|39″ - 41″
|41″ - 43″
|43″ - 45″
|45″ - 47″
|47″ - 49″
|29″ - 31″
|31″ - 33″
|33″ - 35″
|35″ - 37″
|37″ - 39″
|39″ - 41″
|41″ - 43″
We will happily refund any item purchased on Wiggle if returned to us within 365 days; excluding Wiggle gift vouchers, nutrition and customised products, except when faulty.
Please note: Bikes and other bulky items cannot be returned using our local returns service (where applicable). Please contact us and we can arrange to collect these from you using our discounted courier rates. There is a fee for all collections, except for faulty products.Returned goods must be unused and supplied with their original packaging, unless the goods are faulty. Wiggle will pay the return postage costs for any faulty items.