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ETX Capital has just launched an exciting new addition to TradeEdge featuring Head of Trading, Joe Rundle. Joe will be running an open trading portfolio starting today for the next four weeks whilst writing his new daily blog Trading places.
You will be able to see how Joe runs winning trades and limits losses whilst sticking to strict risk management rules. Joe will be noting everything down from bringing in profits to how it feels taking losses.
To access Joe Rundle's trading platform and view Joe's trades and trading history, you can log in to the ETX Capital platform using the below details:
Username: Tradingplaces
Password: ETXCapital
ETX Capital are celebrating the launch of their new iPad trading app by giving their clients the opportunity to win a brand new iPad! Over the coming weeks ETX will be hosting four competitions giving away an iPad with retina display each week.
Follow Joe's trading journey and enter ETX' exclusive competition open to clients only to guess Joe's weekly closing PNL. The closest guess will win an iPad! The competition will start the week commencing 22nd April 2013 with further details to follow in the coming week.
In the meantime, you can win a free iPad with retina display in ETX' next Facebook contest.
Starting tomorrow, you will have the chance to win a brand new iPad by 'liking' the ETX fanpage and correctly answering this week's question:
What will be the UK 100 level at 16:30 GMT on Friday 19th April 2013?
Your prediction needs to be down to one decimal place to be considered, for example: 6250.5. If you have already 'liked' the ETX Facebook page, you can enter straight away! Simply add your prediction in a comment to the post to submit your answer.
Want to make an extra prediction? If you 'share' the post on Facebook, you can earn yourself a second prediction on what level you think the UK 100 will be. That's two free chances to win a brand new iPad!
This contest is open to everyone and it does not require you to have an ETX Capital account, please bear in mind that terms and conditions will apply. For more information on the competition's terms and conditions click here.
The competition will close at 15:00 GMT on Friday 19th April 2013, so you will need to post your predictions before then.


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I've been missing being "on vacation" and was thinking about our trip to San Francisco last November. San Francisco is an amazing city and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. When we landed in San Francisco, the first thing we did was rent a car and headed over to Silicon Valley to check out the area. We had lunch at a pizza place and enjoyed some ice cream in a cute little downtown area. It was a quick detour trip, but we really wanted to visit since we were in the area already. From there, we headed back to the airport to drop our rental car and took an Uber to head into the city. One of our really close friends lives out there and did such an amazing job at being our "tour guide!" He really gave us a good feel of the city and different neighborhoods. We spent a lot of our time sightseeing and eating! I also got to visit my aunt who lives in South San Francisco. She drove us around the Daly city area and took us out for a nice dinner. It's always nice to have family around when visiting new places!
Overall, San Francisco is definitely a city my husband and I can see us living in.
"Leaving San Francisco is like saying goodbye to an old sweetheart. You want to linger as long as possible." – Walter Cronkite
Here are the reasons why I love San Francisco:
- The weather rocks
- No flying bugs to worry about
- Lots of great outdoor seating restaurants
- Multiple food options
- Neighborhood vibes
- Parks everywhere
- Healthier lifestyle living
- Lots of cool road trip destinations nearby
- Lots of fun things to do (for free)
- Scenic
Below are some pictures from our trip:
Chinatown! This was literally our first stop. We enjoyed a few drinks out here!
All I got to say is food, food, food everywhere here!
This Pier was so cute! We enjoyed a yummy seafood lunch out here.
We had to visit the Painted Ladies ofcourse! But, more importantly, Alamo Square was a nice area to sit and relax in.
We walked around the Palace of Fine Arts one afternoon. It was very scenic!
Bay Bridge!
The Golden Gate was covered in fog every day that we were there and so I never saw it completely, but we drove on it, so that was nice!
I remember reading "Escape to Alcatraz" back in high school and so it was super cool to be able to see Alcatraz Island in person. A few of the places were a bit freaky though.
We were going to hit up the Muir Woods, but we couldn't find a good parking spot and so we ended up going to the top of Mt. Tamalpais instead and it was so worth it!
So beautiful!
We also chilled here until sunset.
And now pictures of yummy desserts we ate!

subset: commoncrawl


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Mondo Bizarro
Even though I'd planned on doing it a little later in the day, on a whim, I just walked over to Not-Carl's Jr (HARDEES) to get a newspaper. As I was putting my change in, I heard a man behind me say, "Hey, I like your dog!" I turned around and there sat Bobby, my longtime friend Diane's boyfriend.
"Bobby?!" I said, shocked as hell.
He stared at me for a minute and then said, "Tracy, is that you?!"
I had been trying to get in contact with Diane for the past two weeks, to no avail. Her line was always busy. He went into the restaurant to tell her I was outside. When she came out, we had a brief festive reunion and I gave her my phone number so she could call me, and I could tell her everything that's going on.
She's lived here longer than I have, and she has tons of connections, so I'm hoping she can put out some feelers for me a place to live.
Really, though, what are the chances? Diane and Bobby don't live in Duncan, they live in Spartanburg, approximate 15 miles away. What forces are at work that would lead me to go get a paper at that exact time, to find them there? It's a fast food joint, so the window of stumbling across them like that was minuscule! Surely, this is a bounty in disguise. I have to think that way. My other thoughts are not the healthiest in the world at the moment.


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Despite the increase in matriculation pass rate in the last 18 years of democracy the quality of education in South Africa remains questioned by most education specialists and academics. In the last five years, since 2008, the pass rate has increased from 62,5% to 73,9% in 2012. However learners who passed with university exemption have only increased from 20,2% in 2008 to 26,6% in 2012. The latter is what most education specialist argue is the real pass rate. Another universal critical indicator of quality is the mathematics and physical science pass rates. According to the Matric results there has been and increase in the last three years from 47,4% to 54% for Maths and 47,8% to 61,3% for physical science. However those who passed with a minimum of 40% and above are only 29.6% in Maths and 35,2% in Physical science in 2012. This signifies serious challenges of the quality that our current education system provides.
It is for this reason that the Eagle Trust Foundation (ETF) was established two years ago to intervene and support high school students. The idea behind the ETF is to support students before they reach Matric so that they are fully prepared by the time they get Matric to perform at their maximum potential. ETF provides support to students from grade 9. We are currently supporting students in schools located in the Central Johannesburg Education District (Soweto).
The rational for this choice is that, while Gauteng has been amongst the leading provinces in pass rates, having achieved the highest in the 2012 results of 83.9%, Soweto-central Johannesburg district schools were recorded amongst the worst performing schools in 2011. While there are many reasons for this, one of the most common is that most schools that perform poorly are from poor communities and poorly resourced schools. While the Department of education has put in place some mitigation in a form of the no fee schools policy, the amount of subsidy provided to these schools is not enough to provide the level and quality of education that is required to produce quality results that this country needs.


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Canuck's Nails!
Recently, Glamstar Beauty has had the pleasure of decorating nails for fans in support of the Vancouver Canucks in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Some of our nail art has been showcased in blogs and news sites around the city. Check out the links below for more information (if the links do not work, we have posted screenshots):
- Fort Nucks: Canuck Yourself
- MTV Lifestyles: Go Canucks Go
- News 1130: Nail Salons doing Canuck Manicures
- Globe and Mail: Retailers set sights on female fan base
In case the links are no longer active, feel free to view the screenshots below:


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MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- FOX6's Contact 6 is issuing a warning about a company claiming to help inner-city youth. They are going door-to-door in the Milwaukee area, with a sad story to make a sale.
Polly Blommel was just trying to help, when a young man came to her Shorewood home last month.
"He said I'm out here soliciting for my future. For college," Blommel said.
The man asked her to buy some products like plant stands and baskets, and said he was part of a mentoring program called "Dreamers of America" -- selling items to prove responsibility and try to erase a shady past.
"He had this whole binder of things that he was selling and told me all about this point system and the cost of all these things and that I would be able to help him. He's got to raise 50,000 points," Blommel said.
Blommel bought $350 worth of products, as did "Dave," who did not want to provide his last name.
"We looked at it. It looked pretty official, had contacts, had receipts and all of that. His story seemed plausible," Dave said.
Dave spent a little more than $100 on a chair, but this time, the receipt listed the company's name as "Against All Odds."
Months later, neither Dave nor Blommel had received any items, and cannot reach anyone with either company -- which turns out to be the same company.
"It's a shame because it gives that type of cause a bad name," Dave said.
The so-called company has an elaborate website. On its website, the company is called "Entrepreneurs of America." The website includes a photo of the company's CEO, Andre R. Smith.
Both Blommel and Dave think it's possible Smith is the person who came to their door.
The company has an F rating with the Better Business Bureau and numerous complaints with the BBB and Consumer Protection -- each complaint explaining the same sob story sales pitch, and each person complaining they haven't received their items.
FOX6's Contact 6 emailed, called and even visited the listed address. At the address, a woman said she used to know Smith. She wouldn't talk on camera, but said there is no business at the location and said she is upset Smith listed her address.
Meanwhile, Dave and Blommel feel duped.
"I'm always the person who wants to help other people, and unfortunately I have definitely learned my lesson," Blommel said.
Blommel paid with a credit card and stopped the charge, but Dave gave the guy a check, so his money is gone.
FOX6's Contact 6 advises if someone comes to your door, make sure they represent a reputable, recognizable company or charity before buying anything on the spot. Ask them to come back after you've had a chance to research the company. If they're legitimate, they will come back.
On Wednesday, March 6th, Habitat for Humanity sent out a warning about "Dreamers of America." The organization says people have been going door-to-door in Pewaukee, Wauwatosa and Fox Point, claiming they are raising funds for Habitat.
If you are contacted by "Dreamers of America," you should contact police.


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I have read many news stories lately about police brutality, etc. It seems like when one story hits the news about police officers using excessive force then similar stories crawl out of the woodwork like termites. Media is one of our societies worst enemies and once people start getting that through their heads, things won't change.
As I have read these stories one after another, they all have commonalities between them. The person who has been killed or shot had either just committed a crime, were on drugs, or didn't follow a simple task an officer asked them to do. There are some incidents that are questionable, but for the most part this is the case.
For some reason over the past few years society has changed it's mentality. We have become a society that not only feels like no one can tell us what to do or we can do what we want without any consequences. Then my absolute favorite: if you have something I want, I have the right to take it because I don't have what you have. Whether that be because of poorer circumstances or because they have been conditioned to believe they deserve it for one reason or another.
Then certain states have even passed laws that legalize some of the very drugs that some of these thugs are on that make them believe they are invincible. Then people can't figure out why people are getting killed.
Not only has society changed in this way, but it has also lost one important aspect of being a human being, the simple thing called common sense.
As I have read about the Ferguson ordeal, I have been sickened because of the behaviors of the human race. You don't answer to what some may call injustice by forcing more injustice on innocent bystanders.
I will be the first to admit that I have been mad at a cop before. When I look at the big picture, I have not right to be. The times I have been mad at a cop was when I was speeding and got pulled over and given a ticket. Whose fault is that? The cops? No, it was my fault because I either chose to speed or else was not paying attention to how fast I was going.
The officer was doing the very thing my tax payers money pays him to do.
My daughter was sitting in her car waiting for someone to open the doors to where she worked the other morning. She decided to floss her teeth while waiting. An officer pulled into the parking lot and questioned what she was doing. After he found out, she left. We may all think this was stupid to do on the cop's part, but what was possibly happening is that the night before the security alarm had gone off many times during the night at the building. We found out later that it was Christmas ornaments, but the officer was looking out for the business where she and I both work.
People complain that cops use force when they shouldn't. Perhaps that is the case in some situations, but have you walked a mile in their shoes? Do you face potential life threatening situations day in and day out because of your employment. Do you have family members waiting at home for your safe return. Do you have family members who need you for support of your daily basic needs? Police officers come from families just like the rest of us. I have no doubt that if someone were to break into your home, you would defend yourself and your family by any means possible. Why are officers not allowed to protect themselves when they feel threatened. I am sure they are trained when to use that force. A criminal with a weapon can close that 10-12 foot gap pretty quickly and do damage if they want.
I work at a t-shirt printing company. I am dumbfounded at how many people will call in wanting one shirt printed in one day. Their common saying is, "It's just one shirt, how hard can that be"?
Let me explain how the t-shirt printing process works. I had a lady call in one day wanting us to print a shirt for her that very day of a job she had done the week before. It was four colors on the front. One might think, no sweat, we just did that. If the screen printer is good at what he does, it would take 1 1/2 to 2 hours to set up all of the screens for that one shirt. That would tie up a machine for that long for any other jobs that needed to be done. People don't understand that it takes as long to set up a job for one shirt as it does for 50. If someone is creating a new design for print to do in one day, Depending on how hard the artwork is, it could take up to a few hours. Depending on how picky the customer is, it can take even longer. Then the artwork has to be prepped and screens burned which can take another hour. Depending on how many colors are in the artwork can depend on how long it takes to set up the job.
My point is, until you have worked that job or been in that position, you are clueless. You may have your opinions about how you think things should work or be done, but you really are clueless unless you have worked that job. It is the same with the people we pay to defend our very lives. Until we are faced with near death situations daily, we need to quit being so quick to jump on the "lynch the cop" bandwagon.
Another aspect that is seriously getting under my skin is the fact that during all of these police brutality stories, most of the people shot and killed had just committed a crime. They broke the law. But all we hear is about is the senseless killings. Where in the crap is the common sense that says, "IF THEY WEREN'T BREAKING THE LAW TO BEGIN WITH THEY WOULD STILL BE ALIVE". "IF THEY WOULD HAVE JUST DROPPED THE WEAPON THEY WOULD STILL BE ALIVE", "IF THEY WOULD HAVE JUST STOPPED WHEN ASKED, THEY WOULD STILL BE ALIVE". "IF THEY WOULD HAVE JUST GOTTEN OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHEN ASKED, THEY WOULD STILL BE ALIVE". Where is that in all of this? Do we as a people no longer feel like their should be consequences to our very actions? Do we no longer have any common sense in our beings?
Do we go into our neighbor's homes and steal from them, do we go to the local markets and take what is not ours, do we kill someone we are mad at, do we drive drunk or like idiots down the road and not expect to be punished for our actions? If so, then that is the real issue in all of this, not what the cops are doing.
How stupid have we become as a people? I used to think that we had more common sense that this. Some of our very own government officials are doing a very good job at masking the real issues here. Perhaps in part because they have helped breed and feed the mentality a lot of people are suffering from. We are not entitled to everything we want. When we break the law, our court systems are set up to either free us or jail us. Sometimes it doesn't work right, and then we need to pursue that. But if people would quit breaking the law, these things will quit happening. Common sense.


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Bipolar Disorder
Total CE Credit Hours: 2
Course Info URL: http://www.ce-credit.com/courses/10069
About the Course:
This article is about bipolar disorder, it's symptoms, mood states, causes, treatment, and other co-morbid disorders.
Melissa Spearing
About the Author:
A National Institute of Mental Health monograph
Written by Melissa Spearing of NIMH, a revision and update of an earlier version by Mary Lynn Hendrix.
Course Objectives:
to describe the symptoms of bipolar disorder
to understnad the various mood states associated with bipolar disorder
to discuss causes of bipolar disorder
to discuss treatment of bipolar disorder
to discuss other illnesses that co-occur with bipolar disorder
Exam Questions
All exam questions for the course are visible on this page for members of CE-credit.com.
Membership is free, and you can sign up today! You'll only pay when you're ready to purchase a course, or if you take advantage of the Unlimited Package.
If you're already a member, please login to see the exam questions for this and all other courses.


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A StarNewsOnline Blog
Show and Tell
Putting a lens on the StarNews photo department
It's not every day I get tricked by a bird
Photographing Old Crow Medicine Show
Camera Club
Azalea Fest Favorites
Waiting Game…
As I write this I am sitting in my car on the ferry over to Southport on my way to my 2pm shoot at Oak Island. While on assignments I get a lot of questions about what I do on a daily basis. For example "Do you just drive around looking for photos to take"? The answer is no, for the most part my day is pretty structured. I work an eight hour shift, the morning or late shift. This… Read More »
Rain, rain go away…
A seagull braves the rain in the parking lot of the Fort Fisher Ferry as drivers wait to board Thursday, July 1, 2010. While waiting to shoot photographs of the ferry arriving I passed the time trying to make a nice picture of the gulls that had gathered. The rainy morning made for the perfect conditions to work the reflection angle and give the photo an overall rainy overcast look. We need the rain but lets keep our fingers crossed… Read More »
Surviving the St. Mary Mardi Gras Parade
After 5 years of working at the Star News I finally got a chance on Tuesday to cover the annual St. Mary Mardi Gras Parade at the school in downtown Wilmington. We cover the event every year and it's always an opportunity for some fun colorful pictures. Is you it because get case law regarding viagra your, have pipes eye. If cialis peak blood level exception. Gives for. And http://healthyduluth.org/viagra-my-experience eyes BETTER. Front. Not a buy viagra online online a… Read More »


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TimberNook Day Camps
We are super excited to host this amazing camp experience for a third year!
TimberNook starts June, 24th, 2019
This year we are expanding to 5 WEEKS!
Something for everyone!
AND, Harvest Hills Ministries is offering 2 FREE Days!
(Scroll all the way down for that!)
TimberNook Central Ohio offers unique camp experiences for children that are designed to foster creativity, imagination, and independent play in the great outdoors. At TimberNook Central Ohio, children have the chance to play together and independently. We use stories, games, and fun experiences to learn, develop, and explore. We also interact with the goats, chickens, pigs, bunnies and horses while we watch the pumpkin patches grow as we navigate through their fields!
Provider, Krista Seibert, guides children by the TimberNook philosophy that when kids engage in self-directed play and take reasonable risks outdoors, they are better equipped to be successful in home and school environments. Krista works as a Special Education teacher in the Worthington School District. She works to provide an environment where both typical and special needs children can learn together.
You are invited to learn more about TimberNook's camps and philosophy at http://www.timbernook.com/.
Explore below to choose your week and register by CLICKING HERE!
Upcoming Camps: There are 5 to choose from!
Program Dates: June 24th through June 27th
Times: Monday through Thursday 9-1
Ages: 4-8 recommended but flexible
This program is all about diving deep into one's imagination with a little help from one's friends. Children will pick a stuffed animal from home to bring to the woods this week. They will be doing everything from making cars & grand-scale ramps for their pets to ride in to having a giant salon experience with their furry friends. Together, they will enjoy many adventures -- inspiring hours of pretend play out in the wild.
Program Dates: July 8th through July 11th
Times: Monday through Thursday 9-1
Ages: 4-8 recommended but flexible
One of our most popular programs, where young children "live and breath" stories out in the wild. We'll be doing everything from building a house out of real bricks, sticks, and hay out in the woods to re-enact the classic fairy tale, The Three Little Pigs to creating a shoemaker's shop in the woods after hearing the story, The Elves and the Shoemaker. With the turn of every day, comes a new story for the children to experience and lots of FUN!
Program Dates: July 15-18
Times: Monday through Thursday 9-1
Ages: 6-12 recommended but flexible
This week is about art -- gone wild. Children will be doing everything from creating forts out of Paper Mache to rolling down hills wrapped in bubble wrap in order to paint life-sized canvases. There will also be plenty of time for free play, cooking over an open fire, and games in the wild. If you think your child will enjoy whole-body sensory art experiences than this is the program for them!
Program Dates: July 22rd to July 25th
Times: Monday through Thursday 9-1
Ages: 5-10 recommended but flexible
Children will dive deep into their imaginations, as they enter the world of Neverland in the woods. Children will create life-sized pirate ships, a pixie hollow, "lost boys," and "lost girls" hideouts. They will enjoy everything from pirate wars to walking the plank to hunting for treasure in the most unexpected places. This week is sure to inspire and create lasting memories for years to come.
Program Dates: July 29th through August 2nd
Times: Monday through Friday 9-12
Ages: 4-9 recommended but flexible
This program emanates childhood days past. A traditional TimberNook program where young children have unique play experiences that challenge their mind and body in beautiful natural settings, followed by hours of free play out in the wild. They'll be doing everything from having a life-sized car wash to digging for dinosaur bones in the mud to creating an ice cream shop in the woods.
Don't Miss This!
FREE FRIDAYS: July 12 & 19 by Harvest Hills Ministries
Kiddos! Ages 3-10
Come join us at the Farm for a morning of exploring God in the nature of the Farm! We will sing songs, tell Bible Stories, have a snack, do a craft and explore how God is in the things all around us. 9am - 12am
Friday July 12: God is in Nature
Friday July 19: God is in our Animals
These Fridays are Free! BUT Registration is required... coming soon
Questions about TimberNook of Central Ohio? Please contact, Krista Seibert, provider, TIMBERNOOK CENTRAL OHIO, email@example.com, 614-204-8856
TimberNook Central Ohio
Harvest Hills Farm
670 Hills Miller Rd
Delaware Ohio 43105


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At Blackstone, we believe in delivering consistently high standards of security service to our customers. We pride ourselves in our professionalism and expect all of our staff to share in our values.
At Blackstone Security Solutions we aim to recruit the best people to enable us to deliver a top class security service. We continually develop our staff through regular training. If you're interested in joining our team of highly trained professional security people, then please consider our requirements below:
- All applicants must be in possession of a current, valid and relevant SIA licence.
- Driving Licence, less than 5 Points
- Proof of right to work i.e birth certificate, passport is required
- 5 Year checkable work history
- Ability to work shifts
- Willingness to work on different sites
- Please provide postcode, town and county
- Do you have any history of bankruptcy or CCJs?
If you meet all of these requirements and have the right outlook and qualifications and attitude to succeed, then please get in touch by completing the form on the right.


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Product Rating
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AOR Advanced B Complex, 602mg
Vega Sport Performance Protein
Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein, Powder
Vega One All-in-One Shake
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L-OptiZinc® is a form of zinc complexed with the amino acid Methionine. Research has demonstrated this product to be better absorbed and retained longer compared to several other forms of zinc tested.
As a dietary supplement, take NOW Opti-L-Zinc 30mg + Copper one capsule daily.
|Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 Capsule
Servings per Container: 100
Amount Per Serving
% Daily Value *
|Zinc (from L-OptiZinc Monomethionine)
|30 mg
|Copper (as Amino Acid Chelate)
|0.3 mcg
* Percent daily values are based on a 2000 calorie diet
† Daily Value not established
Note: Serving Sizes are rounded to the nearest whole serving
Additional Ingredients: Rice flour, gelatin (capsule) and magnesium stearate (vegetable source).
Allergy Information: Contains no sugar, salt, yeast, wheat, gluten, corn, soy, milk, egg, or preservatives.
Warning: Store in a cool, dry place.
The products and the claims made about specific products on or through this site have not been evaluated by Vitamart.ca or the Canadian Food and Drug Administration and are not approved to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem. Vitamart.ca is not responsible for any statements or claims that various manufacturers make about their products or the general information provided for each product on this website. We cannot be held responsible for typographical errors or product formulation changes. Please consult with your own physician or health care practitioner regarding the suggestions and recommendations made at Vitamart.ca and especially before using any product sold on this website.


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Dan Pringle
CrossFit Level 2 Certified Trainer (CF-L2)
About Dan
I retired from law enforcement in 2008. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. One of my many assignments while working was as the Police Department's Fitness Coordinator. So, a natural progression for me upon retiring was to become a personal trainer. What better way to remain active, stay healthy and help others achieve their fitness goals. I became certified as a fitness trainer in 2010 through National Personal Trainer Institute (NPTI) and started my own mobile fitness business.
My daughter was into Crossfit and talked my wife and I into trying it. I was apprehensive as I had heard all the common complaints (i.e. You will get hurt, it's not safe, etc.). I promised my daughter I would sign up for a one month trial session then I'm out! Here I am 7 years later, as is my wife, still crazy about Crossfit and a Level 1 Cossfit Trainer.
As an older coach and athlete I can tell you I have never injured myself doing Crossfit. I did, however have major shoulder surgery from years of performing common lifts improperly at your standard globo gym. It was not until I became a trainer and exposed myself to the knowledgeable professionals at CFNS and other Crossfit affiliates that I learned how to perform olympic lifts and gymnastics movements properly and efficiently. It is important to surround yourself with coaches who understand these concepts and are able to apply that knowledge to every individual who walks into a gym.
I have been a coach at CFNS since 2016 and am having an amazing time coaching amazing people!


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You Are Here: Preschool >> Themes >> Preschool Vegetables Theme >> Preschool Vegetables Science
Carrot on a String
Submitted by an Unknown FriendCore out the top of a carrot and put a hole in order to hang the carrot from a string. Hang it somewhere where it can get sun. Have children put water in the cored out top. In a few days your kids will love the results.
Celery Stalk Color Change
Submitted by AmyPlace a celery stalk in a jar of colored water. In a few days the stalk will begin to take on the color of the water. You can also split the bottom of the stalk in half and put each half in a different color water. Over time Each half will take on the color of the water.
Baggie Garden
Submitted by ValerieWet a paper towel, and drop it along with six white beans into a Ziploc bag. Seal the baggie (leaving air in the bag) and put it in your window. Your children will love watching the beans grow.
Growing Corn
Submitted by JackiePut a small amount of popcorn and moist dirt in a ziploc bag. Tape these up to a window where they can get sunlight. Over time you can actually watch corn grow.
Submitted by LisaIn the dramatic play area set up a greenhouse. Get fake vegetables as well as garden tools, garden gloves, a watering can, and big hats. For an added effect get real dirt and put it in a Rubbermaid container.
Eating Healthy
Submitted by JackieMake two faces one happy and one sad on the bottom of a paper sack. Cut the mouth of the face out. Bring several cut outs of different kinds of food. Have the children sort, which ones are healthy (happy face) and which ones are bad for you (sad face)
Potato Sprouts
Submitted by AnneSuspend a potato over water and over a few days the sprouts will begin to grow.
Bean Counter
Submitted by an Unknown FriendGive your children several dried beans. Have them count out certain number of beans, match them on the basis of color, size, etc.
Fish Tank Garden
Submitted by RebeccaShow your children how things grow by planting seeds in a fish tank. Simply put rocks on the bottom of the tank (for drainage), add potting soil (from a local hardware store), and let your children plant seeds in the soil.
Clear Garden
Submitted by TinaLet your children see how plants sprout and then form root systems. Wet paper towels and put them in clear plastic cups. Finally sprinkle radish seed on the paper towel until the seeds are clearly visible. Set the cups in the sun and keep the towels moist, you will have growth in no time
Flowers Food
Submitted by JudyPut a white carnation in a cup of colored water (darker color the better) and let your kids see how flowers drink water (the flower will take get its color changed as it takes in the water)
Outdoor Garden
Submitted by an Unknown FriendIf you have the facilities make a real garden for your children in a small swimming pool (punch holes for drainage) They will love to work it just like it's a real garden.
These Preschool Ideas Found At:Everything Preschool >> Themes >> Vegetables >> Science


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Earn Free StarCoins and Diamonds
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Feast of the Epiphany
Indivinity II
Reissue b/w unreleased material.
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CapFax blog. And overtime there have been stories about fracking in this state. So apparently Illinois has the potential to produce fossil fuels somewhere in this state. Although I understand that well the fracking is about exploring for oil so perhaps there's some energy somewhere under the surface and maybe not.
Either way, since Illinois is a solidly blue state (which could also mean liberal but that's a whole other debate) there is a debate over fracking. This debate over energy and fossil fuels will attract the environmentalist who automatically will think that this exploration will hurt the environment.
Well there were some pics one of them you see here that I actually saw first at Newsalert. Well apparently the people of the Chicago area don't seem to care about fracking. There was barely anyone at the rally unless of course someone came way too late for the festivities at Daley Plaza downtown.
Or a commentor at CapFax noted that all the anti-frackers ran out of gas on their way to their respective rallies. LOL!
Anyway, it's easy to conclude that well there aren't many people opposed to this. I'm indifferent but at the same time some parts of this state could use an economic boost. Why not see if there's any fossil fuels under the soil in this state?


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July 25, 2010
Reader Review: Bike For Three! - More Heart Than Brains (May 26, 2009)
(Even money that most of you two have never heard of this shit, so here you go: Today's Reader Review features TheOtherNewestOne chatting up Bike For Three!'s debut project, More Heart Than Brains. Keep reading for further explanation, and leave some comments for him below.)
Bike For Three! Is a duo made up of a rapper and a producer who haven't ever really met each other (at least as of this writing); they met online and collaborated on their debut project, More Heart Than Brains, by sending mp3s back and forth to each other.
You probably haven't heard of either half of this duo, so here's a little background that I was able to scrounge up off of Wikipedia: Richard Terfry, known to his parents as Buck 65, is a Canadian underground hip-hop artist, MC and turntablist, who has been dropping albums since 1995, most of which are classified as "abstract hip hop" (whatever that means). The other half is made up of Belgian producer Joelle Phuong Minh Le, who lives under the stage name Greetings From Tuskan. Unfortunately, that's all I've got on her. (I told you it would be a "little" background.)
More Heart Than Brains is their debut album, released in 2009 on the Anticon label that Buck used to be a part of as a solo artist.
It's only a minute long, and it consists of just sound. It's better than your usual rap album intro, though.
I have no idea where the vocal sample at the beginning comes from. That said, the beat on here is fucking nice. In fact, the beats on this entire album are consistent both in sound and quality. The lyrics are pretty solid, as well: if only I knew what he was talking about. I believe the song is about a relationship turned sour (a running theme throughout More Heart Than Brains), but he talks about it in such an obscure and cryptic way.
Fantastic. This song actually has a decipherable meaning! Another solid instrumental, perhaps simpler than most of the album, although I may only be reaching that conclusion because this is so drastically slowed down when compared to the previous track. The actual rapping on here is pretty good: the wordplay could be a little more fun, but Buck 65 isn't Busdriver or anything, and I wasn't expecting insane speed raps when I bought/stole/appropriated More Heart Than Brains.
I have no idea why the title is compressed into one word. Yet another song in which the true meaning takes work to discern: the car crash theme is evident throughout most of the track, but certain parts stray from the theme. Anyway, this beat, Buck's flow, and his rhymes are fucking sick. Also, most rap songs that continue on long after the verses have ended usually piss me off, but on here it works out well, especially given what Buck does with his voice. Despite the unclear meaning in certain parts, this is one of my favorite songs on the album. Fucking amazing.
And we're back to a slower beat on here. I like what Buck does with his voice when he says "kiss you slow." The rapping here…well, there really isn't any, it's more like spoken word poetry over a beat. There are a few parts with rhyming, sure, but for the most part this isn't much of a rap song. But I still find it to be a decent song. Certainly not one of the album's best, though.
A cool, very liquid beat accompanies Buck on this track. That's all I've got. Good, but not earth-shattering.
Contains the weakest beat of the whole of More Heart Than Brains. Not to say it isn't good, but while I've noticed how the instrumental really meshes with Buck 65's vocals on every other song, it just doesn't happen here. Despite this handicap, Buck has a decent flow here and proves to be an incredibly good storyteller.
Fantastic beat, but overall, this track is pretty repetitive, and it lasts for far too long (the ending is made up of the chorus, recited over and over for about forty seconds).
Dark and somewhat haunting musical accompaniment join Mr. Terfry on this song. His rhymes might not be at their best here, but his flow is still pretty good on this very surreal track. The best line here is probably, "Blackbirds fly backwards. Something to look forward to", mostly because of the delivery. The whole song is just odd and basically consists of sentence fragments strung together. The English teacher in me does not approve. But it was still a good song.
The beat starts off okay enough, but gets much more involved with time. However, I didn't pay much attention to the instrumental, as Buck is just awesome on here. This is a fantastic song about an expectant father wondering what his daughter will be like, a reflection on his own childhood and how he should raise her. Lyrically, this is one of the most impressive songs on the album, even if the rhymes aren't exactly RZA-quality material. (Personally, I've never found The RZA to be one of the premier lyricists of our time, but I'll let that comparison slide.)
It's probably a bad sign for the health of my psyche that I laughed at Buck's line, "Dead dogs, new tricks." With that said, the song is pretty good. It is in no way memorable, though, and that could be perceived as either a good or a bad thing.
Yep, this is a cover of an MC Shan song. I'm going to stop for a second and let that sink in. Yes, a cover song. In hip hop. What the fuck?! (This isn't unheard of, you know; it's just rare these days, when everyone with a pad and a pen thinks they can string rhymes together. I think the fact that there are cover versions help lend credence to hip hop as a lasting musical genre. But I'm getting preachy here. Back to you!) There is absolutely nothing new here, as the beat is essentially a higher-energy version of the original and the lyrics are exactly the same. I understand wanting to honor your influences, but this amounts to straight-up plagiarism.
The concept here is interesting, but the track was pretty average overall. Oh, what's that? You wanted more explanation? Well, too bad.
This title track was cool. However, there isn't a lot of rapping, so although I loved the beat and the computerized voice, I doubt that most hip hop heads (let alone most of Max's two readers) will particularly enjoy this. Oh well, at least it leads into the next track.
A nice instrumental to end the project. Nothing more, nothing less.
FINAL THOUGHTS: First of all, I'm grateful that More Heart Than Brains has no annoying bullshit rap album intro: the first and last tracks serve a musical purpose. When I first heard about Bike For Three! and this project, I swear it was described as a concept album regarding love and relationships, and though I can no longer find reference to that on the web, it certainly helps place the lyrics in perspective. Buck 65's lyrical style is oddly surreal; he has an unrivaled ability to tell a story and his word selection is very poetic. I am a huge Buck 65 fan, but even though he is quite amazing on here in parts, the star of the More Heart Than Brains show is truly Joelle Phuong Minh Le: her beats provide many of the most memorable parts of the project, particularly on the first third of the album. Also, she goes by the name Greetings From Tuskan, which I think is a Star Wars reference, which is fucking awesome. Then again, I might be wrong, but I prefer to think of her in that fashion, so I will.
BUY OR BURN? This is an absolute, never-have-been-so-sure-of-anything-in-my-life purchase. Even with minor quibbles and the ridiculous MC Shan cover (I mean, seriously, what the fuck?!), this is a fantastic fucking album.
BEST TRACKS: "Nightdriving"; "Can Feel Love (Anymore)"; "Lazarus Phenomenon"; "First Embrace"
(Questions? Comments? Concerns? Leave some notes below.)
9 comments:
- andrewJuly 25, 2010
the beats were cool, but couldn't get past his rapping. his voice really bothers me... like i said, beats were solid though.ReplyDelete
In re-reading this I saw I typed RZA when I meant GZA. Whatever. Also, my problem with the cover isn't so much that it was a cover, it was that it was such an unimaginative cover, that I might as well listen to the original. It's all good and dandy to pay homage, it'd just be nice if he put a little of himself in there, too. Make it original.ReplyDelete
- eliteghostJuly 26, 2010
How exactly do you make a good rap album intro? I agree that many of them are terrible but even I'm trying to figure out what I'd expect/want out of an intro.ReplyDelete
- godboutJuly 26, 2010
Listened to it based off of your review, thought it was pretty good. Good reviewReplyDelete
I do what I can :-D.ReplyDelete
Oh, and Eliteghost: I guess what I meant was it wasn't full of the usual "I'm so fucking great, look at me" bullshit. That's always a plus. Also, I think Greetings From Tuskan/ Joelle is fantastic behind the boards. Like a female RZA. That's probably an exaggeration, but, whatever.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousJuly 31, 2010
sorry this album not goodReplyDelete
- flyingWill777August 09, 2010
not a "fantastic fucking album", but still pretty good. not for the faint of heart and ear.ReplyDelete
I'm not normally a huge rap fan, precisely because of all that ""I'm so fucking great, look at me" bullshit. But I couldn't agree more with your "This is an absolute, never-have-been-so-sure-of-anything-in-my-life purchase" rating, ridiculous cover versions aside, I've never heard another album as beautiful and lyrical as this, nor do I expect to many more times in my life.ReplyDelete


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Johnson Firm partner Anthony Johnson was featured as a Top Attorney in the March 2015 edition of Arkansas Life. Selected attorneys, including Johnson, were nominated by readers and "recognized for the fine work they do."
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Diary of an Orchestral Clarinetist
eBook (PDF), 370 Pages
Price: $8.25
Beautiful hardback book - the perfect gift. Create a written record of your orchestral performances, and an invaluable reference for future concerts. Organised alphabetically for you to input your performances by composer as you gig your way through your performing life. Fields include Composer, Piece, Date, Orchestra, Venue, Conductor and Part (Difficulty rating and space for comments).
Available in PDF Format
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Product Details
- Copyright
- M Lawson (Standard Copyright License)
- Publisher
- Mary Lawson
- Published
- October 1, 2011
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 370
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- 17531384
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text:
Apparently my picture taking is rubbing off on someone.
I am thinking about letting Kiera take my point and shoot around the house so she can take pictures of what ever she likes. I could probably make it educational too. You know start off easy and tell her to take pictures of anything blue or something along those lines. I think it would be interesting to look back on it 15 years from now.


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At 1.10pm Rob Allum released the 1st delivery of the season which was duly despatched by Conrad Chandler for 4 past mid on & the season & the double wicket tournament had begun. The weather was bright & sunny if a little cold when the sun went behind the clouds & the wind came up but here were 16 cricketers who had waited 6 months since the defeat of the Wenlock at the same ground last October who were grateful it was just bright & dry.
Since then, the pitch had been re-laid, there was less bounce & if the pace wasn't express, the track was as flat as ever – good news for all those putting in the net work in recent months.
This was the first time this competition had been run since 1993 when it was abandoned due to the rain but although the current holder Ian Amos was probably wrapped up warm in Nottingham, it was another all rounder Shayne Rees who cam away with top spot thanks to 47 scored off the bat & 3-16 from his 4 overs with the ball & totting up a total of 44.5 points. 2nd was the one bowler who did get big lateral movement Shane Mundie on 37 points & 3rd Oli Haill on 27.5 points. On a flight back to Aus on Monday will be the 4th placed Braden Grigg & a post match pasta sesh duly give him the send off he deserved.
Meanwhile, back at the game, to remind readers of the rules, the batters were split into pairs depending on their averages & bowlers into types & then averages so as to ensure batting pairs received as equable bowling as possible. Points are scored by the batters in their 8 overs for every run they score in their partnership which is then divided into half each BUT if either is out they lose 10 runs ! Bowlers lose 1 point for every run conceded BUT gain 10 for every wicket. Fielders receive 1 run for a catch or run out.
The batting partnerships scored as followed :-
Conrad Chandler & James Gleadow 58-5
Braden Grigg & Shane Mundie 82-2
Oli Haill & Rob Bastin 57-3
Shayne Rees & Adam Long 79-4
Jon Webley & Matt Calendar 63-5
Guy Wiehan & Chris Atkin 66-2
Peter Hollman & Allan Roberts 39-4
Jai Rajaraman & Rob Allum 91-4
Top individual score was Braden Grigg's 58 although half centuries were also scored by Rob Allum & Jon Webley.
On the bowling front, the only maiden of the day was bowled by James Gleadow but it's the wickets that got the points & all but Peter Hollman picked up at least 1 although the day was all about fielding practice above all with a competitive edge & soft hands & a horribly uneven outfield meant this was a bit of a lottery. Nevertheless it was Oli Haill who was the only bowler to take 4 wickets & as a run out for Oli who missed most of 2005 with a stomach muscle injury he was obviously well on the way back with 4-28.
Next match is the Seniors v Juniors which features several new faces – should be interesting with the Juniors defending a record of only 2 losses in over 20 years but the sides are looking fairly even at the moment.
STATS corner.
1st Shayne Rees 44.5 points
2nd Shane Mundie 37
3rd Oli Haill 27.5
4th Braden Grigg 27
5th Adam long 16.5
6th Rob Allum 11.5
7th Guy Wiehahn 8
8th Chris Atkin 5
9 James Gleadow 2
10th Jai Rajaraman – 1.5
11th Matt Calendar – 4.5
12th Conrad Chandler – 6
Tied 13th Allan Roberts & Rob Bastin – 24.5
15th Jon Webley – 28.5
16th Peter Hollman – 51.5
Previous Winners.
1989 Craig Jones & Timothy Mileham (joint-winners)
1990 No competition
1991 Ben Hardisty (1st) Steve Hearsum/Jonathan Campbell (2nd)
1992 Ian Amos (1st) Brian Davis (2nd)
1993 Abandoned - rain!
1994-2005 No competition
Other matches: Sat 04 Apr 2020, Wray Crescent, Pole-axed, Sat 06 Apr 2019, Wray Crescent, Cancelled Poles not up Double trouble, Mon 02 Apr 2018, Wray Crescent, Cancelled Pitch waterlogged MacStockton comes out on top, Sat 01 Apr 2017, Wray Crescent, Won by Ben Stockton Too Sodden Until April, Sat 29 Mar 2014, Wray Crescent, Cancelled Too cold by half for Richards, Mon 01 Apr 2013, Wray Crescent, Cancelled Richards Reigns Supreme - Confirmed, Sun 03 Apr 2011, Wray Crescent, Won by Steve Richards Hugh are ya?!, Sat 10 Apr 2010, Wray Crescent, Won by Hugh Teesdale We Wus Robbed, Sun 05 Apr 2009, Wray Crescent, Won by Rob Bastin Webbo's Top Class Before Snowfall, Sat 05 Apr 2008, Wray Crescent, Won By Jon Webley Tim On Top, Mon 09 Apr 2007, Wray Crescent, Won By Tim Vanderpump


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September 18th, 2016
Of Tigers and Feathers – Day 24
I'm spiraling.
Trigger warning for suicidal ideation, possible mention of self-harm (is that redundant or no? I can't decide) and general morbidity. Also warning for possible rambling.
Grad school started, but that's a shitshow of a week for another post. Suffice to say that things were bad enough that today when I was worried about my dad's state of mind and his driving, the not-unwelcome thought of well, if my parents die in a fiery car crash, no one can fault me for not continuing on with grad school totally drifted through.
My father's second eldest brother drank a cup of pesticide a few weeks ago. I'm still processing. Part of me doesn't even know how to process.
Because you know what I feel when I think about his trying to off himself? Fuck yeah, affirmation. Someone else thinks that this game is no fun and wants off the loony tunes train. Someone else, someone close(ish), not some rando off the streets who you might know nothing about. Someone who carries your genes and who just might have the same issues you do.
It feels like permission, even as the aftermath that's left everyone reeling has pretty much fully illustrated the horror that is suicide for all the victims.
So I'm wrestling with that, with oh my god, how can I do that to anyone I claim to love and what if I fail and need lots of care and attention that no one can afford to give, while at the same time thinking but, but that sounds like such a good idea.
On the romance and babies and "normal behavior" front, general crazy has happened, not the least of which is the appearance of a dude who my cousins are throwing at me with all the subtlety of a nuclear war head and about as much mercy. Spoiler: I'm pretty sure he not only isn't interested, I'm pretty sure he thinks I'm a complete moron.
And it's hard, so hard, to resist the idea because gods-fucking-dammit it is tempting when things happen like: intense culture shock, lots of humiliation, finding out that you signed up for all the wrong courses and missed the first week of your classes through sheer I-don't-know-what-nightmare-happened, computer breaking, massive loss of data, and on top of it all, back to back typhoons rock the tiny island you're perched on.
It is so fucking tempting to just buy into the idea that hey, there is this person who will be there to help, to answer questions, to guide you through this shitshow, and if not able to help, at least to bear witness to your efforts and stand by you, and that will make everything better.
Which, yes, it will probably make things better, but is that even close to a good reason for latching onto the first vaguely-attractive/eligible dude like a limpet?
No, there were no bolts of lightning, no intense need-to-fuck feels, nor were there omg my soulmate is found thoughts. I'm not sure there was even any interest, although gods know I am 1. very bad at picking up when people are interested and 2. so drenched in humiliation and stress the entire time that a tornado could have passed by without note.
I have been kinda-pseudo fantasizing about this guy, but at this point I think it's just because my brain is going along with the crazy. Because when "go after him! get him! take the brakes off and goooo!" is mentioned whenever anything vaguely intercepting the notion of dating comes up, I figure some conditioning has to occur. By vaguely intercepting, I mean that my cousins have been telling me to invite him to the family Moon Festival barbeque (after knowing him for like 3 days), to ask him instead of them when I needed to know where to find a computer fix-it store, and so on and so forth.
I'm at the point where it's not funny anymore and I am getting mad when I don't get support, just a lot of "go get what you need from this dude who for fuck's sake is probably not interested".
And the million dollar question of today is: when I think that I shouldn't saddle someone else with the crazy bundle of flail that is myself, that I should get myself together before attempting to share my life with another because no one deserves to be burdened with the floppet that is me — well, do I deserve to be burdened with myself?
When is it okay to say, I'm a work in progress and you're a work in progress, and we can proceed together? At what point is one considered good enough for prime time, so to speak?
I honestly don't even know at this point.


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Last week, Congress engaged in a bipartisan barrage of CEO bashing.
The Senate Banking Committee assailed Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf for pushing employees to create as many as 2 million bogus bank and credit card accounts without customer consent -- making customers pay overdraft and late fees on accounts they never knew they had.
Louisiana Republican David Vitter pressed Mr. Stumpf on when he knew about the wrongdoing. "In 2011, about 1,000 employees were fired over this," said Mr. Vitter, incredulously, "and you were never told about that?"
Meanwhile, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform criticized Mylan NV CEO Heather Bresch...


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Like every other mom on the planet I have mom guilt. Every time I ask someone to watch my kid, every time I don't have enough energy to take my kid to the park or cook him some amazing dinner. Serious, MOM GUILT.
I am aware of this guilt and I am aware that I shouldn't feel it. I am a great mom, my kid is allowed to be a kid, he always has a full belly, he has structure in his life, he has parents, family and friends that love him. Nothing to feel guilty about here. But that's life, we all feel it.
So, what inspired this post? The look I get when I pick my kid up about 10 minutes before his daycare closes.
Could I pick him up earlier. Yes. I work from home and I can grab him whenever. So why do I wait so late? My daily routine involves a 4:30pm CrossFit class. This class time gives me the flexibility to work a full day at home, get my hour of butt-kicking and still grab my kid from daycare before closing time.
I am picking him up before close. I am staying within the guidelines, so don't give me those judging eyes. Yes, I have clearly just worked out, that is obvious, and yes for the last 10 minutes of the day he might be the last kid left in his class. Still, I don't want your judgement and I refuse to feel guilty.
That class is the ONE hour during the day that is 100% mine. I don't have to be a mom, a wife, a cook, a personal trainer, a brand marketer, a blogger, or a house cleaner. So no, I don't feel guilty for taking an hour to myself EVERYDAY, especially when all my other responsibilities are taken care of.
So I say screw off mom guilt and to those who judge me keep your looks to yourself please.
I am going to the gym. And I am going to lift heavy.
Post workout/Pre daycare pick up photo! #AllSweatyDontCare
Until next time day dreamers.


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'The Voice's Amanda Brown Reveals Her Biggest Top 6 Competition
'The Voice' frontrunner Amanda spoke with HollywoodLife.com in an EXCLUSIVE video interview about which contestants she sees as her strongest competition in the top six! Read on to see her answer and to watch her full interview!
Amanda Brown has been a frontrunner for season three of The Voice since she blew the roof off with her showstopping performance of Aerosmith's "Dream On" early in the competition. She recently spoke with HollywoodLife.com correspondant Jamie Otis about who she views as her toughest competition in the show's top six!
Amanda told us, via Skype, "I feel like everyone is. I feel like at this point, anyone could go home and really win this thing 'cuz everyone's just so good and so, I really, all I can do is just do my best and hope that, you know, maybe that might be something that will bring me to the very end. But I think anyone could take it home at this point."
She also told us about how she felt when her BFF in the competition, Cody Belew, was eliminated on Nov. 27's results episode and gave us a hint at what she would be singing next! Watch her full interview below to see everything Amanda had to say!
Do you agree with Amanda that any of the top six contestants could win The Voice, HollywoodLifers?
WATCH: The Voice's Amanda Brown Reveals Her Biggest Competitor
— Reporting by Jamie Otis, Written by Billy Nilles
More on The Voice:
- 'The Voice' Season Premiere Recap: Bryan Keith Wows The Coaches
- Simon Cowell: 'The X Factor' Has Better Judges Than 'The Voice'
- Britney Spears: I'm 'Elated' To Face Off Against Christina Aguilera


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Why Pew Just Committed Over $4.2 Million to Elder Care in Philly/
The Pew Charitable Trust's Philadelphia giving has recently centered on economic growth, public safety, and arts & culture. So why did the Trust just commit $4,285,000 to 27 organizations in the Philadelphia area that specialize in elder care?
Well, Pew does have a health and human services local giving initiative that encompasses programs for children, youth, at-risk adults, and the elderly. Unlike many of Pew's grantmaking programs, support is limited to nonprofits located in and providing services in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. This particular grantmaking fund has been around since 1991 and also addresses local issues of homelessness and mental health.
But what seems to be driving huge grant commitments like this one is the aging population demographic of American cities. According to the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, there are approximately 273,000 Philadelphia residents aged 60 years and older, representing 18 percent of the total city population. Within that percentage, 32 percent are at least 75 years old, and 11 percent are age 85 and older. These seniors don't just struggle with issues like arthritis and dentures. Seniors in Philadelphia experience poverty at about twice the rate of seniors living in other parts of Pennsylvania.
"Low-income and frail elderly are among the most vulnerable members of our community," Frazierita Klasen, senior director of Pew's Philadelphia program, explained in a press release. These are some of the issues that Pew is thinking about when it comes to elders:
- Financial stability
- Elder depression and isolation
- Self-care and household chores
- Support for family member caregivers
With this massive new commitment, Pew hopes to reach about 26,000 seniors for basic needs, 1,200 who are socially isolated or depressed, and offer care and chore services to about 2,600. Meanwhile, about 600 informal caregivers, mostly family members, will receive support through the Pew-funded organizations. These are a few of the recent Pew elder care grants, which are all for a three-year period.
- $242,000 to Jewish Family and Children's Service of Greater Philadelphia
- $225,000 to the Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly
- $198,000 to Penn Asian Senior Services
- $121,000 to Supportive Older Women's Network
The need for elder care philanthropy is growing by the year, and hopefully more funders will tap into these locally based needs in upcoming grant cycles. More than half of Philadelphia's over-65 population are minority and/or foreign-born, and that's where some of Pew's largest support is flowing.
To learn more about Pew's health & human services grantmaking in Philadelphia, check out the Philadelphia Pew Fund page. The next category up for support is children, youth, and families (expect an LOI announcement summer 2015) and vulnerable adults (LOI announcement summer 2016).


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With those two distracting presidential contenders down in Mississippi for their first debate and safely out of the picture, negotiators for all sides started the weekend ready to get back to work on a package to rescue the ailing financial system. But what confronts the members of Congress trying to craft an agreement is a more confusing array of options than before.
The key players at this point are House Republicans a group that normally is all but irrelevant on Capitol Hill. Speaker Nancy Pelosi mindful of the electoral disaster that befell her party after it passed Bill Clinton's controversial budget plan in 1993 without any GOP votes has said she will not bring any markets stabilization package to the floor without a majority of House Republicans on board. With constituent telephone calls to congressional offices running 100 to 1 against the proposed $700 billion Bush Administration bailout plan, the last thing Pelosi wants to do is force her own members to walk the plank for the proposal without a significant amount of company (and cover) from the other side of the aisle. But hours after Congressional Republicans and Democrats announced the outlines of a deal on Thursday afternoon, House Republicans made clear at the White House gathering with John McCain, Barack Obama and President Bush that they were not on board with the bipartisan plan.
Instead, they are now actively pushing an alternative proposal floated by Congressman Eric Cantor of Virginia that would force Wall Street to pony up some cash at the outset. Rather than buying all those troubled mortgage assets from ailing banks and investment firms, Republicans say, the government should instead insure them, much as the Government National Mortgage Association does. This approach, they argue, would not cost as much, and would require Wall Street to pay the cost of its mistakes, through insurance premiums. "The main thing is to protect the taxpayer," said Georgia Republican Phil Gingrey. "We don't really feel like there's a gun held to our head to get this accomplished by a drop dead time."
But while the Bush Administration bailout plan does require an unprecedented outlay of taxpayer funds, White House officials say the cost of a crippled economy would be an even greater burden on average Americans. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson believes that while the House Republican proposal would help moderate the current crisis, it wouldn't be enough to do the job. Nor is it the most effective way, Treasury officials argue. Leaving those toxic mortgage-backed assets on financial institution balance sheets, they say, would not provide the additional liquidity that banks desperately need right now to get the nation's paralyzed credit markets flowing again. They also believe that it is largely unworkable because it would not help solve the problem banks are struggling with now how to value those distressed securities.
House Republicans haven't been dissuaded yet, however, and they added a new high-ranking negotiator to the talks Friday: Minority Whip Roy Blunt. As the Republicans' chief vote-counter in the House, Blunt comes to the table with a keen sense of what will and what won't pass muster with Republican members. Shortly before the talks resumed, House Minority Leader John Boehner sent Pelosi a letter making it clear that his members will not back down from their insistence that the proposal undergo a major redesign. "If such consideration is not given, a large majority of Republicans cannot and will not support Sec. Paulson's plan," Boehner wrote. "In the interest of the men and women we represent in Congress, I hope it does not come to that conclusion."
Boehner's resistance had been blamed as the reason that Thursday's high-profile White House meeting had broken up in disarray. And Boehner on Friday wasn't apologizing for his refusal to go along. "If they thought they were rolling me," he said, "they were kidding themselves."


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LITERATURE» Full Dark, No Stars - Stephen King's new novella questions mankind's ability to trust others.
[02.21.2011 by Bridget Doyle]
MUSIC» The Top 30 Albums of 2010 - Fashionably, fabulously late, our favorite music (and believe me, there was a LOT) of 2010, the year that some have called the best year for music ever. And only some of those fools work here. Plenty of usual suspects, lots of ties and a few surprises that I won't spoil, including our unexpected #1.
[12.24.2010 by The LAS Staff]
MUSIC» Live: Surfer Blood/The Drums at Lincoln Hall, Chicago, IL - Remember when Weezer used to put together records that you could sing along to and rock out to? That's what Surfer Blood's show was like!
[11.04.2010 by Cory Tendering]
Music Reviews
»Screaming Females
Castle Talk
Don Giovanni
»Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
The Social Network [Original Soundtrack]
The Null Corporation
Halcyon Digest
»No Age
Everything in Between
Sub Pop
Body Talk Pt. 1/ Body Talk Pt. 2
»The Walkmen
Fat Possum
June 1, 2002SIXTEENTH EDITION: COME TO CHICAGO. WE GOT REALITY.
1ST place, again.
Mr. Andrew Davis of Billy Clockout fame (see Andrew @ THE2NDHAND) rolled into Chicago on a Friday evening. We go back. In 97/98 we were rarely-seen flat-mates on Ebenezer Avenue in Rock Hill, SC. He was one of two, the other being his exact opposite, a fellow named Josh, a loud boy with a will toward full-disclosure. I always figured I was somewhere between the two. Full disclosure I can appreciate, though there are times when it's simply uncalled-for. Such as in a group of five, around a televised football game, drinks. Bad timing to talk of sexual adventures, really, or physical ailments, among men, among Southerners. Josh, as stated, had quite the knack for it.
Andrew has been, however, seemingly a little too full of mystery, though his recent visit to our fine city is evidence of a certain change long in the making. I arrive at the Fireside Bowl to meet him at 8PM. I sit. I drink beer. I watch the tail end of a bad band sounding damn near exactly like The Vindictives and/or Screeching Weasel on speed. I watch the beginning of the next, a group of goofy, bald-headed white toughs (but for the out-of-place cutelady bassist) who have an Irish flag (I think it's Irish, anyway) draped behind them and who at a certain point ask the crowd, "How many of you here are foreigners?" A little disgusted, I return to the bar to drink more beers, watch Detroit and Vancouver pound each other on the ice. 10PM rolls around and Andrew's still not here, as ever the man of mystery. I wait. I do not talk to anyone. Somehow, I am enjoying it.
Andrew arrives; the brief period of catching up ensues, though with himself it never seems to take very long. Last time he was here we traded tales about the Skunk Ape (see the TENTH EDITION of this column), laughed a night's laugh, me, himself, and his ladyfriend Lisa. "How's what's-her-name?" I ask him. "Good," he says. "What IS her name?" I say, serious, for I can't remember it. He fills me in.
If ever there was a man not meant to front a rock band, I'd figure, it is Andrew. I am no real candidate either, I'm afraid. I'm a little better when folks can hear me talking. But Andrew, no way. This is what I would have told you two nights ago.
He is in town with the Arco Flute Foundation, of Erie, PA and parts unknown (Chicago, Edinboro PA…). The AFF are an instrumental cabal of seemingly Sonic-Youth-inspired soundscapes. Somebody please slip me a mickey so tomorrow morning I can say I enjoyed this…though they are not bad (I would actually purchase their record a day later, and listening to it now, it is good, indeed, so…good apartment writing quiet slow-jams). But Andrew opens the show. He is a howling wolf: mirrored Dick Shades (aviators, for those out of the know) across his eyes, baby powder in tow, a bright desklamp held to his face as he screams words about a man with a wooden leg, the refrain "Everybody's WORKing for the weekEND, weekEND!" to the background of an old blues bass line. On his head rests molded-plastic werewolf hair, widow's peak outrageously contoured.
The performance is fucking electric, a man screaming into a microphone holding a bright lamp to his face. See Me! you fucks! he'd liked to have said. Squirting baby-powder into the audience dusty and cloudy in the lamplight. It's great. A wonderfully parodic sense of the thing. Andrew professes his admiration for Elvis, part parody, part sincerity, the true showman's instinct. Somehow this quiet-boy's got it. One has to at once embrace and reject the act. This is the secret, ladies and gents.
Funniest thing is this: our boy is set upon by ladies immediately afterward, the Fireside being outside the main, but still well aware of old rock'n roll traditions enough so that for every rocker there are at least three ladies standing in wait. All are aware of the drill. I look up at one certain point and a lady our boy's been speaking with is gesturing as if to leave. Then she leaves. Andrew approaches me cautiously. She is headed to a place called the Lion's Den, he says. Sounds to me like a strip club, I say. Though it rings familiar. Am I up for it?
Chasing a Californian across Chicago?…why not?
At a payphone in the barrio, Information has a Lion's Den at the 10000 South block of some street or other. And a Lyon's Den up on Irving Park. Yes. I know the place. Back in 1999 or some such a friend took me there to see a band that felt as if in training for MTV's proverbial next big thing. Lots of sharp, trendy clothes and wild haircuts. The Den does not disappoint. We walk into the last number sung by a Britney Spears look alike (worth the $5, likely) backed by a rock quartet. They are bland. They are boring. And the Californian we are chasing gives us the shaft. The whole crew is headed to the Green Mill, she says, up on Broadway, an old Northside Chicago jazz-dive I've much more respect for. So we decide we'll beat them to it.
We sit at the bar and drink vodka on ice from those little bulb-like glasses they have there. We sit and we love it, Andrew and I. The realization is beautiful. The fruitless and silly chase. We live for it. Nothing will happen. It's inevitable. The whole crew of transplanted Californians (they came here, Chicago, they said, to get a touch of reality…Hah!) drunkenly swerves right past the two of us without a word. Andrew smiles and gets up. I laugh, follow him. Reality. We stand in their vicinity, though they will soon take a front table. "One more drink," I say to Andrew. "Beer." I'm always up for one more. So is he. Let that be my defining characteristic. The one-more man. Gimme another, all right. Anything can happen, it's true. Or not. This is what we live for. It doesn't really matter if it doesn't. The pursuit is the thing. Throw yourself into the grinder. It might be fun. As our aging friends fix themselves into schedules (dinners with significant-others' parents in the suburbs, work, sleep at ten, wake at six…), we will have one more. Call us lushes. Call us idiots. We deserve it.
We leave the bar, without saying goodbye to our Californians on their quest for reality. There is Eggz Benedict waiting for us at a diner in Logan Square, or a burrito. Sustenance for the world-weary, though we are not, necessarily, weary, I mean.
Todd Dills
THE2NDHAND publishes short fiction and nonfiction. Todd Dills edits the broadsheet and recently relocated to Birmingham, Alabama, after eight years of publishing from Chicago.
See other articles by Todd Dills.
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The talk of greatest Astros pitcher ever was part of the discussion when Roy Oswalt was traded last week. And it seemed that most of the Houston media were in agreement that Oswalt was, indeed, the greatest pitcher in Astros history. But as much of a Roy Oswalt fan as I am, and as much as I've supported him this season while others have piled on and called him a selfish diva, I've got to disagree with that "Greatest Ever" label.
As many of the others noted, it's hard to compare eras when it comes to these greatest-ever labels. A look at the stats just doesn't get the job done because the stats themselves don't take into account injuries, the team itself, the ballpark, or many, many other factors. If wins was the deciding number, then Joe Niekro would be the greatest pitcher in team history because, best efforts aside, Roy Oswalt finished one win short of the record set by Niekro.
Of course, part of the problem when it comes to discussing Astros history is that too many of the people talking about Astros history are people who didn't discover the Astros until they moved into Minute Maid Park. But a review of the history of the team would make it clear that Oswalt, though one of the greatest pitchers in team history, is not the greatest pitcher in team history.
The commentators are right, in some ways, in that it's unfair to compare eras. The Astrodome was not an offensive-oriented ballpark like Minute Maid Park, so for many pitchers, the numbers will be better. But most of the great pitchers who pitched for the Astros in the Dome pitched for teams best known for wearing some of the ugliest uniforms in baseball history than they were for their competence as players.
Take team icon Larry Dierker. Dierker played 14 seasons for the Astros, and actually pitched for the team when they were still just the Colt .45s and played at Colt Stadium. These Astros teams were rarely in contention past April, and though the Dome was a pitcher's park that probably helped Dierker, it also hurt him as the team behind him made the Astros offense this season look competent.
Before Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell, the biggest name and greatest player ever associated with the Astros was Nolan Ryan. He pitched in the Dome for nine seasons, and the 1980, 1981, and 1986 teams were all playoff teams. Yet for all of the discussion about Oswalt's undeserved losing record this season, it's often forgotten that Ryan's 2.76 ERA led the NL in 1987 despite his 8-16 record brought about by no run support whatsoever.
And it should be remembered that Oswalt has pitched in an era where the starter is expected to go just six innings and where lots and lots of dollars are spent on bullpen arms expected to pitch the seventh and eighth innings while closing out the win the ninth. Ryan and Dierker played in an age when they were expected to go nine innings and where they had to fight through tiredness and exhaustion to nail down their own wins.
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Oswalt completed 19 games in the 10 seasons he spent with the Astros. Most of that time, he had Billy Wagner or Brad Lidge or Matt Lindstrom coming in to close out his wins after Octavio Dotel or Brandon Lyon or Scott Elarton had worked a few innings to get to the closer. Ryan had Dave Smith closing his games, and Smith was a very good reliever, but Ryan was expected to do most of the work on his own, and in his 10 years in Houston, he pitched 38 complete games. Dierker was in the pre-closer era, and even if he would have had a closer, the Astros were so damn bad they would have just blown the game, so in 13 years, he threw 106 complete games.
So it's not fair to compare eras, but it needs to be noted that Ryan and Dierker pitched without pitch counts, before the stat known as the quality start, and before the advent of the guy paid millions of dollars to get just three outs a game in the ninth inning.
But the actual greatest Astro pitcher of all time is, without a doubt, J.R. Richard. Richard was one of the dominant pitchers of the 1970s, and before nearly dying from a stroke in midseason in 1980, his record was 10-4 with a 1.90 ERA. He was 107-71 for his career, striking out 1,493 batters in 10 seasons, including 303 in 1978 and 313 in 1979. He threw 76 complete games, and at the time of his stroke, before he nearly died trying to prove to Tal Smith that he was not faking an injury, Richard was only getting better -- Ryan was only the third starter on that 1980 Astros team, and he couldn't touch Richard. Nobody could touch Richard, he was that good.
Make no doubt, Roy Oswalt was one of the greatest pitchers in Astros history. But he wasn't the greatest. And though the Astros continue to try and erase memories of J.R. Richard from all existence, he was, to anyone who got to watch him pitch, the best, most dominating, greatest pitcher in Astros history.