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The 2019 PK Grills Cookout
The 2019 PK Grills Cookout and Steak Cookoff is coming. We would write a lot of words about it, but we spent all our time on this poster, so just scroll down. We would love to see you there so get
Roasted and Pulled Chicken - PK Grill Style
Posted by Mikey Kay - manmeatbbq.com on 10th Mar 2016
Whether you are cooking for a special someone, or for a whole party, you can never go wrong with some chicken! Like pulled pork, pulled chicken is a simple yet delicious and juicy meat to make sandwiches. Not to mention, chicken is pretty inexpensive and can be a healthier option.
Let's just get started with this recipe, shall we? Most importantly, buy a whole chicken. You won't have to wine-n-dine, but rather get personal real quick. Put your hand right up in there and take out the insides. As a prerub, lightly drizzle olive oil and cover the chicken, so the rub will stick. Next, take out your favorite seasoning and apply liberally.
Now it's time for the fun part! Set up your PK grill for smoking by adding charcoal along with your favorite hard wood. Cherry and Orange are a couple of my favorites.
Once the grill is set to 250-275 degrees, lay the chicken on it's back in the grill. If you don't have an internal grill thermometer, you can put the end of your instant read thermometer into one of the PK's top vents to measure the grill's heat.
Let the chicken take a nap for about 2 hours or until the breast reads an internal temperature of 165 degrees. After that, wrap the chicken up in foil for up to 20 minutes to steam a little and lock in those juices.
Grab a tray and start shredding off the bone. For added flavor, you can then take the shredded meat and sprinkle a little more seasoning on that, but that part's optional.
Ladies and gents, there you go. Wasn't that easy? The classics, like pulled chicken, will never fail. Make sure to share your creations on Instagram, Facebook, and all those other social media outlets. Please use #PKgrills and #manmeatbbq along with your posts, and have fun cooking!!
Wanna see more from Mikey Kay? Visit his blog manmeatbbq or Instagram #manmeatbbq.
Little Rock'n Rosemary Garlic Chicken
Stuff one whole fryer chicken with fresh rosemary sprigs, 6-8 smashed cloves of garlic, 1/2 apple chopped.Coat outside of chicken with extra virgin olive oil and a liberal amount of fresh ground black pepper.Use indirect grilling method and smoke with Apple wood. Total cook time 3 hours.Very simple but guaranteed to be the best chicken [...]
Barbecue Chicken
Ingredients:Juice of 1 Lemon1/2 cup cooking oil4 tbsp. vinegar2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce1/4 tsp. Tabasco sauce2 tsp salt2 tsp. sugar1 tsp. garlic salt1 tsp. paprika1 or 2 chickens cutMix all ingredients except chicken. Brush sauce on chickens and marinate for 4-5 hours or longer. Then cook on PK grill baste occasionally with remaining sauce [...]
Beer Can Chicken
Ingredients:1 (4-pound) whole chicken2 tbsp olive oil1 can beer1 tray of water1 good chunk (1" x 2" x 4 ") of wet hickory or mesquite1 pair of tongs1 16" dowel or a 1-piece shotgun cleaning rodThe "Rub":2 tbsp paprika2 tbsp brown sugar2 tbsp kosher salt1 tbsp black pepperRemove neck and giblets from chicken (I grill [...]
Blonde Chicken
Marinate 4 chicken breast (bone in or out) in your favorite Italian dressing overnite, in a zip lock bag, turn several times (when you go for that after dinner snack).Put your charcoal on half of PK grill, leave other side with no charcoal (indirect cooking).Put on hot grill, brown both sides, carefully, not too brown, [...]
Herb Brine for Smoked Chicken
Brine Scant-1/4 cup kosher salt4 cups hot tap water1 bay leaf1 teaspoon dried thyme2 cloves1 small sprig of rosemary4-5 sage leaves, choppedJuice and zest from a lemon or limeThis is enough brine for 2 whole fryer chickens or a small turkey. Let brine cool. Place bird in ziplock bag, add brine (one bird per bag). Burp [...]
Orange Crush Chicken Legs
One large deep aluminum cooking panOne package of 10 to 14 chicken legsTwo large onionsYour favorite seasoningsOne 12 oz. can or bottle of Orange Crush Soda (or your favorite beverage, we have use beer, Dr Pepper, Pineapple Soda, Coke, water and red wine)One 12 oz. bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce. (We use Kraft Mesquite [...]
Pop's Drunk Chicken
This recipe comes from a combination of my Mom and Dad (Pop), and no, you don't have to get the chicken drunk, before cooking him/her.1 chickens per personSalt and pepperStart your charcoal fire, and let coals burn until they are gray. Place some (two handfuls) pre-soaked hickory chips on the fire.Salt and pepper chicken halves [...]
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Figure out how to Set Objectives
There are the individuals who are limited by laws and guidelines, yet achievement is excessively inaccessible for them. Then again, there are the individuals who give off an impression of being agreeable individuals yet are fruitful. Think you have what it takes to be similar to them? Alternately would you rather do something other than what's expected to attain the subtle achievement? Take heart and set your objectives.
What do objectives speak to coincidentally? These are really representations of your dreams about you and your future. Objectives ought to be achievable and reasonable. These sorts of objectives permit you to place them into practice or in any event do a few exercises that permit you to screen your advancement. Notwithstanding, more is included in simply only setting practical objectives. Keep in mind that so as to attain your objectives, you must act as per your objectives. Something else, all else would be vanity on the off chance that you don't apply exertion in arriving at them. The accompanying will help you set achievable objectives:
- Enhance your aptitudes in attaining focused on objectives by setting destinations, and also standard and discretionary exercises that will help you meet your objectives.
- Strategize and go for broke in gathering your objectives. Key intuition is imperative on the grounds that this will permit you to be profitable and concentrate on the exercises as indicated by your objectives.
- Act in understanding to your objectives. Fitting personality setting is paramount in accomplishing your objectives. Take the additional mile. Take a stab at going out on a limb yet never bargain your wellbeing. Going out on a limb implies that you are prepared to learn new things and difficulties that will help you over the long haul.
On one hand, you may ask why there is a requirement for you to set objectives in the event that you think you have not fizzled at all in your attempts. Keep in mind that setting objectives does not imply that you generally come up short. Setting objectives implies that you are recognizing your limits and you are prepared to work your path up towards achievement, professionally or actually. It is thus why target objectives matter.
Pushing ahead, you likewise need to consider that there are objectives that are simply excessively hard to attain all alone. On occasion, these objectives even make clashes that you may consider surrendering over the long haul. Take heart. Everyone have comparable concerns now and again. In the event that this circumstance happens and you feel that surrendering is the last choice, why not search for an accomplice, a companion perhaps who is eager to bail you out with your objectives? Team up with your prospective accomplice and figure out how to prioritize. In the event that it obliges investing time in plotting all the potential outcomes, both the upsides and downsides, attempt it.
Keep in mind that objective setting is centered on your profits. So have a go at working things out and center, center, and centering. Minimize or stay away from preoccupations if conceivable so you can work your objectives better. Work that fitting outlook for a clearer vision of you attaining those important objectives. In the event that you are vying for advancement in your working environment, it is paramount that you see yourself officially in the position you need. In the event that you are going for an individual or instructive objective, get things going by arranging and doing things identified with your objectives. You will then understand that objectives, regardless of how troublesome they may show up, are still significant to consider. Once your objectives are attained, sweet achievement thumps on your entryway recognizing you for work well done.

subset: commoncrawl


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Mentalist • Comedian • Writer
Welcome to the web home of Curtis Frye, corporate entertainer and keynote speaker. His Magic of the Mind show and Improspectives® workshops provide intelligent entertainment and professional development for a wide range of audiences.
"Your entertainment the night of the event was a wonderful addition to our program. This benefit was an overwhelming success, raising $95,000.00"
— Nanette White, Columbia River Mental Health Services
For questions about availability or information on how I can help you make your event a success, feel free to contact me by e-mail as firstname.lastname@example.com or by phone at 503.880.1638.
Copyright © 2013 curtisfrye.com. All rights reserved.


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St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Church is located at 410 Main St. in Buchanan, ND. St. Margaret's celebrated the first Eucharist in the basement of the present building on Christmas Day 1924.
There are currently 20 households and 37 individuals registered. The parish is served by the St. James Basilica priests. Parish Council Chairperson: Chad Albrecht.


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Uruguay is fantastic country with great opportunity for the future and I hope you find your way here one day. Please let us know if there is anything we can help you with such as providing references for information on visiting or relocating.
For information on my "food security plan" hover over "About" above.
You will find me more often over at twitter: @cecalli_helper and Cafe Rad Lab: www.caferadlab.com where Lucas Hixson of Enformable nuclear news hosts a discussion forum on radiation science.
Você vai me encontrar com mais frequência durante pelo twitter: @cecalli_helper e Cafe Rad Lab: www.caferadlab.com onde Lucas Hixson de Enformable notícias nuclear hospeda um fórum de discussão sobre ciência radiação.
Note: Links at the very top for country/investor information or media will direct you to external websites.


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Beef burgers with hidden veggies – serve with more vegetables to turn this kid favourite dish into something healthier.
Moving to Australia has dramatically changed our life, the main change being how much of our time is spent outdoors. Days are packed with park visits, beach visits, walks or lazy days in the garden. With this shift in lifestyle our eating/cooking habits have changed quite a bit too. We have more picnics and definitely eat more BBQs.
We have been trying to experiment with the foods we cook on the BBQ and experiment with a range of different meats, fish/seafood and lots of different veggies. Despite this, the boys still request burgers nearly every time we mention the word BBQ. So, in an attempt to make it a little healthier, I have started grating different veggies and mixing them into the burger mix to make these hidden veggies beef burgers. Of course you don't need to make these on the BBQ, they are great in a frying pan too.
I am all for hidden veggies but I also think it is important to serve sides of vegetables with every meal too. These burgers contain zucchini (courgette), onion and carrots and I usually serve them along with a side salad or in a bun packed with other delicious vegetables. Pictured, I served the burgers in a bun spread with avocado and topped with lettuce, tomato and beetroot. To add a further veggie hit I served them with some carrot and sweet potato fries.
Hidden Veggies Beef Burgers
Hidden veggies Beef burgers are a kids meal made healthier. Serve with more veggies and veggie fries to make this an even healthier kids meal
- 500g (1.1lb) Steak / Beef mince (ground beef)
- 1 small onion (grated)
- 1 carrot
- 1 zucchini (courgette)
- 1 garlic clove (minced)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 egg (lightly beaten)
Grate the onion, carrot and zucchini and squeeze as much liquid out as possible (I placed the grated vegetables in a clean cloth to squeeze)
Place all the ingredients into a large mixing bowl and mix until just combined.
Divide the mixture into 6 and flatten to make burgers slightly bigger than your burger buns. (As they will shrink slightly when you cook)
Place an indent in the centre of each burger using your thumb. (This stops the burger from doming and shrinking)
- Cook on a BBQ or place in a frying pan. Cook for 3/4 mins on one side (until the bottom is nicely browned. Flip and cook for a further 2/3 mins until cooked through.
Serve straight away


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PCDJ RED Mobile 3 - DJ Software For Mobile DJ`s
PCDJ Red Mobile 2 for Windows or MAC is DJ software designed for pro DJ's and Entertainers. Red Mobile 2.0 boasts a powerful library that allows you to Import, mix, and search all of your MP3, OGG, WMA, FLAC, WAV files, MP3+G unprotected iTunes files quickly and easily. New in version 2 is karaoke show hosting, the ability to playback MP3+G karaoke files and display lyrics on an external monitor/TV.


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- Home /
- NOW Sports, Arginine & Citrulline, 500/250 mg, 120 Caps
NOW Sports - Arginine & Citrulline - 500/250 mg - 120 Caps
Arginine and Citrulline are two amino acids that are integral to protein metabolism and utilization, as well as to the maintenance of muscle tissue. Both are key intermediates in the urea cycle, where they participate in the detoxification of ammonia via the production of urea. Arginine that has not been converted to urea enters general circulation where it is distributed to various tissues and metabolized for other uses such as protein synthesis. Scientific studies have shown that supplementing Citrulline along with Arginine helps maintain nitrogen balance better than supplementation with Arginine alone.*
Suggested Usage
As a dietary supplement, take 2 capsules 1 to 3 times daily as needed, preferably with juice or water on an empty stomach, before exercise or at bedtime.
Supplement Facts
|Serving Size 2 Capsules
Servings Per Container 60
|Amount Per Serving
|% Daily Value
|L-Arginine (Free-Form)
|1.0 g (1,000 mg)*
|L-Citrulline (Free-Form)
|500 mg*
|* Percent Daily Values are based on 2,000 calorie diet.
† Daily Value not established.
Contains no: sugar, salt, starch, yeast, wheat, gluten, corn, soy, milk, egg, shellfish or preservatives.
Warning: This supplement should be avoided by persons with glaucoma or herpes simplex unless otherwise prescribed by a physician. Do not use if you have had a myocardial infarction or have established coronary artery disease.
Do Not Eat Freshness Packet. Keep in Bottle.
PLEASE NOTE: Product image is representative of the product offered but may not have the exact attributes. Please read product description for the specific attributes of this product.
PLEASE NOTE: The information above is intended for reference only. While we attempt to keep our information accurate, we cannot guarantee it is an accurate representation of the latest formulation of the product. If you have any concerns, please visit the vendors web site. The information above are the views of the product's manufacturer, not the views of Same Day Supplements. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
*Prices are subject to change at any time and some items are limited to stock on hand.
|NOW Foods
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I've never been into symbolism, but I have slowly gathered meaningful pendants and charms that I wear on a necklace and bracelets. Each has its own story. Today, I'll start with my South Tahitian pearl. During this past frigid winter that introduced the term "polar vortex" into our lives, I slipped away for a few weeks of warmth. My first stop was Tahiti, where I spent some time in solitude, pondering life. So that is where I'll begin.
I sat, alone, on the balcony of a bungalow in Moorea that reached over the water, supported by a foundation of poles that disappeared into the water and sand below. South Pacific — One more check on my bucket list. I fingered the smooth, imperfect pearl on a chain around my neck. Rolling it between my fingers intricately to become familiar with its deviations as I drew parallels to beauty despite the imperfections of life. Wind howled through the South Pacific mountainsides and rushed across the surface of the ocean. It was noisy despite the calm that was displayed.
Palm fronds rustled on the bungalow's roof and wind touched my face. Salt air rushed across my skin as I took in the wonders of the Pacific. Clouds gathered at the horizon, hovering to mask and shape the brilliant sunset. Dogs barked in the distance. Birds cawed and warned of the coming night. A rooster crowed, defying the myth of only crowing at daybreak . Headlights, in-congruent with the remoteness of the surroundings, popped in and out of view as cars circled the island on a road with ocean on one side and a rapidly rising mountain on its other.
Ocean water flowed quickly as the peaceful depths hid fish in the coming night. Two large sting rays glided by gracefully, their lovely gray fins floating through the water. Fish scattered as two sharks approached, circling in a deceptively calm nature, their soft gray color illuminated by a light under the deck. Night-time was almost upon me – the girl with the imperfect Tahitian pearl on a chain around her neck. The girl whose life had been ingrained with a thirst for travel despite many odds.
The surface of the pearl became more and more familiar even as the foreign feel of Pacific air, sounds, and fading light enticed my senses. Twinkling lights of civilization betrayed the remoteness of a vast ocean and isolated island. Mountains jutted high in the sky, contrasting with the flatness of a seemingly endless ocean. The water's surface varied from still to rippled, with no visible logic for the difference in movement. Pockets of floating sea weed were pulled gently by the tide. The jagged yet flowing beauty of my surroundings reminded me of the intricacies of life and its ups and downs.
The value of a South Pacific pearl is measured by its roundness, size and darkness in color. The world gives a monetary value to the pearl based on these criteria. I had gone into the store and asked to see the cheapest pearl in the store. Not the huge and long strands in the window. Not the pearls intricately surrounded by diamonds. The clerk, after resigning herself to the fact that mine would not be a large purchase, pulled a tray of pearls from deep within a drawer. On it were the imperfect and undesirable pearls.
In several shades of grey, various shapes, ridged or oblong, the tray looked sad compared to the beautiful jewelry that filled the store. I looked in the top left corner of the tray at the cheapest pearl in the store. That was the one I wanted. It was beautiful in my eyes. Medium gray, ridged at the top with a polished shine. Taken out of the environment of competition in the store, it now lives gracefully on my travel necklace, sharing top billing with treasures from abroad. I love it.
God loves each of us too. Based on His criteria, not ours. He reaches deep into the folds of his sheep to love the imperfect, specifically those who feel undeserving. He reaches past the seemingly perfect sheep to touch those with feelings of unworthiness in their hearts and minds. He sees beauty in each and every sheep in his flock.
I sat outside the bungalow and fingered my new pearl that, to me, represented hardship that brought beauty. It began as an irritant in a living oyster, possible as small as a grain of sand. The oyster learned to live with it by laying shell material until the pearl became tolerable and smooth. It represented faith that God carries me through rough waters, smoothing my rough edges as needed. I looked at the beauty of the tiny corner of the world that I was in and felt the love of God, and relaxed deeply into my surroundings.


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Office Space for Rent
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Things to put into account when renting the office space
An office is a room or any other that is used so that the owners or people who have hired can run administrative work. An office in other terms is the position that is given to an individual depending on his or her area of specialization. The operations that happen here are only official with a common goal of having the success of the organization. The majority of the offices handles issues that are related with businesses where the organization is gaining profits from the operations. An office can be made depending on the owner's expectations or the designed that is most preferred. There are some offices that are small in size and the workers hardly enjoy in the work place. When the workers are comfortable, they get to be motivated since they have enough working space and they can also have their privacy. Read more great facts on
best bolingbrook office space
, click here.
For convenience, you can decide to rent office space or you can also decide to build new offices depending on the cash that you have. When you decide to rent office space, you should ensure that the surrounding fits the business that you are running. For instance, you can choose an environment that is quiet when the operations require the worker's concentration, and therefore the can be able to operate efficiently. If they are dealing with food products, the owner can decide o hire an office space that is clean for the sake of the health of the customers who will buy the products. You can
view great office spaces in bolingbrook!
You should also take into account the profit that you get in the operations of the business and consider the office space that you can be able to handle and also pay for the expenses. There are some instances that you may rent an office space, and you end up suffering losses since you cannot be able to pay for the expenses. Ensure that you rent an office that will fit your budget and whose maintenance cost is low.
When hiring the office space, ensure that that where it is located will be convenient for every member of the organization. Ensure that it is somewhere that they can be able to come each day. There are some cases where you may end up losing some of the workers since they the geographical area where the office is located is too inconvenient for them. Make sure that you consider each one of them. Please view this site
for further details.


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Using Remote Desktop Virtualization Host role
services, you can deploy a fully featured VDI within your organization.
A VDI allows you to provide computer workstation capabilities to your
users, while maintaining the workstation, a virtual computer, inside
the datacenter. This provides greater security, better manageability,
and easier troubleshooting for end-user computer problems. For example,
if a user's "virtual" workstation crashes, that user can quickly be
assigned a new workstation and be up and running within minutes opposed to hours it may take to rebuild a physical computer.
A Windows Server 2008 R2 VDI uses a combination of
Hyper-V and Remote Desktop Services to provide users with a pool of
virtual machines, meaning that each user remotely connects and logs
onto the next available machine in a group. As a second option, the VDI
deployment can provide some or all users with a dedicated virtual
machine, meaning that the user would connect to the same VM each time
they logged on. Figure 28 depicts what a small VDI deployment might look like.
to deploying a VDI using Remote Desktop Services and Hyper-V, you
should spend time properly planning your deployment. You first need to
determine whether you will be using a pool of VMs or whether each user
will have his or her own dedicated VM. You may also decide whether you
need a hybrid deployment to support both pools and dedicated VMs.
As part of the planning process, you will also need
to properly size your hardware to support the number of VMs required
for your user base. You will want to ensure that the VMs are not
starved for computing resources that could impact on your end-user's
ability to use the system.
You may also need to consider the mobility of your
company's workforce. Since a VDI solution stores the workstations,
along with their associated data, on servers in the datacenter, VDI may not be a good fit for organizations that have a highly mobile workforce.
Additionally, you will need to consider the
requirements for deploying VDI using Hyper-V and Remote Desktop
Services. To deploy virtual desktop pools, your Active Directory domain
must be Windows Server 2008 functional level or higher. If you wish to
support dedicated personal virtual machines, your domain functional
level will need to be Windows Server 2008 R2. You also need to ensure
that Hyper-V is installed prior to installing the Remote Desktop
Virtualization Host role service.


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Military engineering, the art and practice of designing and building military works and of building and maintaining lines of military transport and communications. Military engineering is the oldest of the engineering skills and was the precursor of the profession of civil engineering.
Modern military engineering can be divided into three main tasks: (1) combat engineering, or tactical engineer support on the battlefield, (2) strategic support by the execution of works and services needed in the communications zones, such as the construction of airfields and depots, the improvement of ports and road and rail communications, and the storage and distribution of fuels, and (3) ancillary support, such as the provision and distribution of maps and the disposal of unexploded bombs, mines, and other warheads. Construction, fortification, camouflage, demolition, surveying, and mapping are the province of military engineers. They build bases, airfields, depots, roads, bridges, port facilities, and hospitals. In peacetime military engineers also carry out a wide variety of civil-works programs.
Classical and medieval eras.
Evidence of the work of the earliest military engineers can be found in the hill forts constructed in Europe during the late Iron Age, and later in the massive fortresses built by the Persians. One epic feat of ancient military engineering was the pontoon bridge built by the engineers of the Persian king Xerxes across the Hellespont (modern Dardanelles), which, according to Herodotus, was accomplished by a mile-long chain of boats, 676 in all, arranged in two parallel rows. The greatest ancient defensive work ever built is the Great Wall of China, which was begun in the 3rd century bc to defend China's northern frontier from its barbarian neighbours. Counting its tributary branches, the Great Wall is about 6,400 km (4,000 miles) long and dwarfs any other set of fortifications ever built.
The Romans were the preeminent military engineers of the ancient Western world, and examples of their works can still be seen throughout Europe and the Middle East. The Romans' castra, or military garrison towns, were protected by ramparts and ditches and interconnected by straight military roads along which their legions could speedily march. Like the Chinese, the Romans also built walls to protect their empire, the most famous of these being Hadrian's Wall in Britain, which is 73 miles (117 km) long and was built to protect the northern frontier from Picts and Scots. The troops and engineers of the legions built many of the greatest works of the Roman Empire, including its extensive network of roads; the watchtowers, forts, and garrison towns manned by its troops; the aqueducts that brought water to cities and towns; and various bridges, harbours, naval bases, and lighthouses. The Romans were also masters of siegecraft who used such devices as battering rams, catapults, and ballistae (giant crossbows) to take enemy fortifications.
The Byzantine Empire, India, and China continued to fortify their cities with walls and towers, while in Europe urban civilization collapsed with the fall of the Roman Empire and the ensuing Middle Ages. One sign of its revival was the motte-and-bailey forts that sprang up on the continent in the 10th and 11th centuries ad. These basically consisted of a high mound of earth (motte) encircled by wooden palisades, ditches and embankments (the bailey), with a wooden tower occupying the central mound. They were replaced from the 11th century by stone-built castles that served as both military strongholds and centres of administration. (See castle.) Medieval engineers became proficient at mining operations, by which tunnels were driven under the walls of castles and their timbering set afire, causing the masonry overhead to collapse.
The Renaissance and after.
The development of powerful cannons in the 15th century brought about a reappraisal of fortification design and siege warfare in Europe and parts of Asia. In China and India the response to the new siege guns was basically to build fortifications with thicker walls. Sixteenth-century Europe's response was the sunken profile, which protected walls from artillery bombardment, and the bastioned trace, a series of projections from the main fortess wall to allow both direct and flanking fields of fire against attackers. This system was brought to a peak of sophistication in the 17th century by Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban of France, whose fortifications and siege-warfare techniques were copied by succeeding generations of military engineers. The system perfected by him did not change until the second half of the 19th century, when breech-loading artillery and the use of high-explosive shells called for drastic alterations in the design and construction of defenses.
The 19th century.
Technological advances changed the nature of military engineering in the century following the Napoleonic Wars. British and French military engineers first used the electric telegraph in the Crimean War (1853–56). With the spread of railways, military engineers became responsible in theatres of war for the construction and maintenance of railway systems and the control of the rail movement of troops and military matériel. Military engineering schools offered the finest technical training in Europe well into the 19th century, and their graduates were among the technical elite of industrialized nations. As European countries colonized vast portions of Africa, Asia, and Australia, military engineers were often given responsibility for the exploration and mapping of these regions and for the construction of public buildings and utilities, roads, bridges, railways, telegraph networks, irrigation projects, harbours, and maritime defenses. In the United States, the Army Corps of Engineers led the way in developing the West; they explored, surveyed, and mapped the land, built forts and roads, and later assisted in building the transcontinental railway. The corps later specialized in improving harbours and inland waterways and constructing dams and levees.
The 20th century.
The protracted trench warfare of World War I called upon all of the traditional siegecraft skills of the military engineers. Trench tramways and light railways were built for the maintenance of forward troops. Large camouflage projects were carried out to screen gun positions, storage dumps, and troop movements from enemy observation. Mining and countermining were carried out on a scale never before attempted. The greatest achievement was the firing in June 1917 by British sappers of more than 1,000,000 pounds (450,000 kg) of explosive, placed in 16 chambers 100 feet (30 m) deep, which completely obliterated Messines Ridge in Belgium and inflicted 20,000 German casualties.
The scope of military signaling increased enormously and reached such a size and complexity that, when World War I ended, military telecommunication engineers became a separate corps in all armies. New techniques were developed for fixing enemy gun positions. Mapmaking by the use of aerial photographs (photogrammetry) developed. Field printing presses were set up to provide vast quantities of maps of the fighting areas, and a grid system was introduced for maps covering the whole theatre of operations.
In the 1930s French military engineers designed and constructed the Maginot Line, a supposedly impregnable defensive system protecting France's common frontier with Germany and Luxembourg. The military engineers of World War II faced and solved problems on a scale and of a character not previously experienced. Because of the importance of air power, hundreds of airfields and airstrips had to be built, often in great haste and while under fire. Amphibious operations, involving the landing of troops on a hostile shore, involved a host of engineering problems, from the underwater demolition of obstacles to the rapid construction of open-beach dock facilities, such as the prefabricated Mulberry Harbour used to maintain the Normandy landings in 1944. Special equipment, including armoured engineering vehicles that had to be capable of wading ashore from landing craft, was developed for the Allies' amphibious operations. Inland, new and stronger types of temporary bridges were developed to support the passage of tanks and other heavy armoured vehicles.
Minelaying is a subspecialty of military engineering that acquired increased importance in the 20th century. Floating submarine mines were first used to destroy ships in the 19th century and came into wide use in World War I during the Battle of the Atlantic. Antitank mines came into wide use in World War II and became the principal obstacle to the movement of armoured forces. Special techniques and equipment were developed for minelaying, mine location, and the breaching and clearing of minefields.
One of the most extraordinary feats of military engineering during the war was the building in 1944 by Allied forces of a supply road from Ledo, India, to the Burma Road at a point where the road was still in Chinese hands. This Stilwell (originally Ledo) Road opened in January 1945, was 478 miles (770 km) long, and twisted through mountains, swamps, and jungles. The most important fortifications of the war were those built by Germany along the coast of northern France in 1942–44 to resist an Allied invasion across the English Channel. The largest task carried out by military engineers in World War II, however, was the Manhattan Project, which produced the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Civilian scientists as well as engineers were recruited in large numbers for this mammoth project, whose success made it a model for later large-scale government efforts involving many scientists and engineers from different disciplines.
In the latter part of the 20th century military engineers were responsible for the construction of command and control facilities such as the granite-delved complex at Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado Springs, Col., U.S., which houses the operations centre for the North American Aerospace Defense Command (better known as NORAD) and other aerospace units.
Learn More in these related Britannica articles:
history of technology: Military technologyRoman military technology was inventive on occasion, as in the great siege catapults, depending on both torsion and tension power. But the standard equipment of the legionnaire was simple and conservative, consisting of an iron helmet and breastplate, with a short sword and…
Castle, medieval stronghold, generally the residence of the king or lord of the territory in which it stands. Strongholds designed with the same functionality have been built throughout the world, including in Japan, India, and other countries. The word castleis sometimes applied to prehistoric earthworks, such as Maiden Castle…
aerospace engineering: Aerospace engineering functions…work on the design of military vehicles. The largest demand for aerospace engineers comes from the transport and fighter aircraft, missile, spacecraft, and general aviation industries. The typical aerospace engineer holds a bachelor's degree, but there are many engineers holding master's or doctorate degrees (or their equivalents) in various disciplines…
Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban…March 30, 1707, Paris), French military engineer who revolutionized the art of siege craft and defensive fortifications. He fought in all of France's wars of Louix XIV's reign (1643–1715).…
ancient Rome
Ancient Rome, the state centred on the city of Rome. This article discusses the period from the founding of the city and the regal period, which began in 753 bc, through the events leading to the founding of the republic in 509 bc, the establishment of the empire in 27…
More About Military engineering3 references found in Britannica articles
Assorted References
- major reference
- aerospace engineering
- Vauban


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In Rememberance Of Morris (1990 - 21st June 2006)
What can I say about Morris! I still remember the day I phoned the Cat Protection League to ask if they had a brown tabby kitten. We had had a family meeting to discuss having a cat and I got out voted! I was so against having a cat, we moved a lot with my husband's job and it wasn't fair to keep uplifting an animal. Little did I know that I would fall totally and absolutely head over heels, hook, line and sinker with Morris.
He arrived, with style I have to say, killed my rubber plant inside a month, refused to eat kit-e-kat and didn't like using the littertray because he didn't want to be watched!
He ruled the roost and lived life to the full. I still remember how heartbroken we were when he disappeared for the whole day, returning late evening, covered in dirt and rabbit droppings where he had got stuck down a hole! He had his nine lives twice over that boy!
Rescued with cat flu, one of only two who survived the litter! Then at 8 years of age gets a bowel condition requiring half his bowel to be removed and a visit to the vet school in Edinburgh as it was so rare!
He was so well travelled, on a plane once when we sent him to my in laws to live for three years whilst nipping abroad. On a train south when we came back, much to the pleasure of my husband who used him to attract some young females attention!
In the car, regularly, which reminds me of the day we were getting ready to go to visit family for the week. We lived in the north of Scotland at that time. We were all ready to go, the girls decided to put him in the car ready, but our youngest opened the door and he legged it up the waste ground at the back of the house. We called, we climbed up there but couldn't catch him. We had to hide the car back in the garage and leave the back door open. Three hours later he ventured in, I can tell you three people all jumped on him at once and he was in his box and in the car under five minutes!
Vets was another situation. We had to spell the word "V E T" - as if you didn't he would seize the moment and leg it out of any available route and be gone for a good few hours! Much to the amusement of the vet when we phoned him to cancel and re-book because he had gone again!
What else can I say about Morris, he liked feet and took great pleasure in sticking his claws into them at every available opportunity, particularly our youngest daughters! He would wait under the bed for her to come into our room in the morning and just as she got near - pounce! He was extremely vocal, including chirping noises which increased in volume if you didn't do what he wanted. Then a full major tantrum just like a two year old, claws into the carpet, growls, chirps and grumps! Just to get what he wanted.
Today is Midsummer's Day and the saddest day of our lives because we lost our precious Morris after a brave fight with cancer! I feel so priviledged to be loved by him, he was a great cat, very friendly and loving. He gave my family such pleasure, I will always be indebted to him for the total and absolute love he gave us. He will be greatly missed.
By: Eileen Blezard


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We love gaming. Whether it's the boisterous cast of characters, the addictive online multiplayer, the mind blowing cut scene or the heart stopping ending, video games have something that few things can match. But somewhere in the midst of these great experiences is the subtle master of the video game world: the Easter egg. Arguing over which particular hidden gem is the shiniest is as pointless as… well… an Easter egg. So instead, let's take a moment and give a tip of the hat to some of the franchises that frequently give us the lovely Easter eggs we so incredibly enjoy.
Super Mario
Okie Dokie! There are so many noteworthy eggs hidden in the seventy eight million Mario titles that it would take far too long to go through them all. So let's just say five seconds down on the white platform, warp pipes, and the infinite water level made so many childhoods better.
How hard would it actually be to find an Easter egg in a post-apocalyptic wasteland? Even before Bethesda took charge, Fallout has brought some awesome Easter eggs from extra experience opportunities, Star Wars references, and actual Easter eggs. Fun little secrets scattered across the expansive maps always light up our eyes like Pipboys.
Halo has always had its landmark Easter eggs, but there's something noteworthy about Halo's Easter egg contributions. The Halo skulls gave Easter eggs substance. Spend hours of extra time running around, scouring maps, and grenade jumping (who was the first person to decide that was a terrific idea?!?). The payoff: additional gameplay changes that offer increased difficulty (no body damage) or gag effects (confetti popping grunts).
Metal Gear
Two words: Johnny Sasaki. Or how about three words: Controller Port Two. Metal Gear doesn't offer the gamer a massive amount of Easter eggs in the 'traditional' sense. Half of the franchise's dialogue options, gameplay, and even pivotal boss fights (The End) are malleable Easter eggs. For example, during your first play through of Metal Gear Solid 2, you could have missed the dog tag portion of the game entirely. Though the tags really fall underneath 'collectibles,' just finding them is the Easter egg. If you never had the chance to experience these games, check out the WONDERFUL Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection.
Grand Theft Auto
Nobody rocks the Easter egg quite like Rockstar. Grand Theft Auto has given us so many Easter egg moments, our stomachs are coated in red dye #5. How about the most controversial Easter egg in gaming to date: San Andreas' Hot Coffee. How many times did you try to float over in your Dodo in GTAIII to try and reach the 'Ghost Town.' Not to mention the almost countless tidbits scattered throughout each title, Rockstar took Easter eggs to a whole new level.
Happy Easter, hardcore gamers! Take some time away from your family and tell us about your favorite Easter eggs!


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Well, we didn't reach 50 entries (which, I'm still quite baffled by...where is everyone out there?! gone for summer??...), but anyways, there's no reason to be sad, because we still have FIVE winners in my Firmoo Glasses Giveaway! Each of these lucky ones will be emailed one $20 e-voucher for their choice of any Classic Series frame over at Firmoo.com. Woo-hoo! So, if one of the winners is you...be on the look-out in your inbox! (Oh, and I'd LOVE to see which ones you actually pick, too...maybe even a pic or two when they come in?!) Everyone enjoy the last bit of your weekend! :)
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Congrats To My Glasses Winners!
Well, we didn't reach 50 entries (which, I'm still quite baffled by...where is everyone out there?! gone for summer??...), but anyways, there's no reason to be sad, because we still have FIVE winners in my Firmoo Glasses Giveaway! Each of these lucky ones will be emailed one $20 e-voucher for their choice of any Classic Series frame over at Firmoo.com. Woo-hoo! So, if one of the winners is you...be on the look-out in your inbox! (Oh, and I'd LOVE to see which ones you actually pick, too...maybe even a pic or two when they come in?!) Everyone enjoy the last bit of your weekend! :)
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Tips 6-10 To Help You & Your Students With Dyslexia
Today I'll be sharing 5 more "tips" to help you and your kiddos with dyslexia out. In fact, as I've mentioned in the past, many (if not all!) of these little hints can apply to ALL of your students, not just ones with dyslexia. In case you want to brush up on some "back story" and read my two previous posts, you can click on over to my first recent entry: What's It Like Being Dyslexic to watch 2 videos and read some pointers, and then hop on over to Tips 1-5 To Help You & Your Students With Dyslexia.
If you're all caught up and ready to roll with tips 6-10, here we go! (And, just like before, some of these tips and hints are pretty common sense and cut and dry. Also, if you have anything to add or any ways to expand on these, please do share with myself and other readers through the "comments" section at the bottom!) Now, let's begin:
Number Six: Re-establish Self Confidence.
Okay, here's the deal with number six. I truly believe there is a fine line between authentic, genuine praise and "fake teacher praise". AND, on top of that (yes, I do know it's not grammatically correct to start a sentence with "and", but I was going for the rambly, "on a mission", mean it, sentence starter there...) I truly believe students can tell the difference! So, instead of simply dishing out the "fake teacher praise", provide your students with the opportunities to succeed. Believe it or not, you spend more time with your students than even their parents do; therefore, you should know them well! Figure out what they're good at, how they can successfully complete tasks, etc. etc., and use that information to allow them to succeed and feel good about it!
Don't forget, though, to also give praise for small achievements, too. Just make sure it's genuine! :) I love to write my kiddos small notes on their desks or whisper in their ears-- that way the praise is personal and simply between the student and myself...not the whole class (because I will tell you, too, that many of my dyslexic students have been a tad shy and sometimes even embarrassed at being called out in class, even if it was for a compliment!).
Number Seven: Do not expect a dyslexic student to copy from a board or book. Give a printout.
This one kind of reminds me of tip number one-- not asking students with dyslexia to read out loud. Let's face it...we can't ALWAYS have printouts ready. There are SO many times my class writes little notes or facts in our journals "on the fly". So, instead of never asking students with dyslexia to copy from the board, simply limit it when you can, and when you can't, well then help them learn how to SUCCESSFULLY copy from the board or document camera!
What does that entail, you ask? Well, I can't seem to find where I once read this, but color coding notes really helps. Most (if not all) of your dyslexic students are going to be visual learners, so use that to your advantage!
Write every other line of your notes on the board
in a different color dry erase marker.
Be sure to change lines at the end of sentences, too.
This not only helps students visually discriminate
where they are and what they need to write, but
it can help with their processing, too!
Neat and easy!
Also, don't forget what I mentioned in tip number 4-- even if you're not the most artistic teacher in the world, little visual doodles and pictures REALLY help! You draw them next to your notes, and the class can draw them next to theirs. By the middle of the year, your students will be coming up with their OWN "doodles" to represent each fact or piece of curriculum, which is AMAZING, because now they're not only copying information, they're making connections which will help them retain the information. (Hello, Bloom's!)
Number Eight: Accept homework or written assignments created on a computer or word processor.
In 2nd grade, we really don't have any written homework, nor do we have any long, hand-written class assignments. So, I can't really tell you much about this one, however, it does seem pretty straight forward! :)
Number Nine: Dyslexics have weak auditory memories.
Do not expect anything you say to be remembered. Don't let this hurt your feelings or lead you to believe that you're not a good teacher. It's simply that students with
dyslexia lack a little bit when it comes to listening, most likely because of their STRONG visual skills (as I mentioned before). Refer back to tip number seven, above, for facts, info, and tricks about writing and drawing to help your dyslexic kiddos!
Number Ten: Give the opportunity to answer questions orally, rather than in writing, to demonstrate understanding and ideas.
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Many dyslexic students are EXTREMELY bright, they simply struggle getting their ideas out. Don't make it harder by requiring pencil and paper. Help your students by allowing other forms of answering assignments. For more ideas, see tip number four from my previous post!
Whew! Ten "tips" down, and ten to go. Sorry for the lame-o Microsoft Word visuals today. I know they're not nearly as neat or "pin"able as the graphics from my Tips 1-5...but I was just a little tired today...
I'll be back soon with more posts. In the meantime, I'd love to know what YOU know! Leave me a comment, if you'd like, with any other new tip or trick you use in your classroom! Ta-Ta for now. Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Oh, and don't forget to enter in my Free Glasses Giveaway! It's ending TOMORROW!
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Giveaway Reminder (Ends Soon!!!)
Have you entered for your brand new pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses yet?!
Based on the poor, pathetic number of entries into my Firmoo Glasses Giveaway, I'm thinking probably not... So what's taking you so long?!? All you have to do is leave one measly blog comment...that's it! :)
So, take this as a "formal" reminder (haha!) that my Firmoo Glasses Giveaway ends in less than a week. Click on over today to check it out!!! (Since there are so few entries, I'd say your odds of winning are preeeettty good.)
Happy "Hump Day"!
Monday, June 24, 2013
Tips 1-5 To Help You & Your Students With Dyslexia
This past Friday, I posted about "What's It Like Being Dyslexic". If you missed it, I'd love for you to click on over to watch both videos and read the tips!
Today, I'm going to go through tips #1-5, to more deeply explain how I use these "rules" in my classroom. While some may seem simple, I'll simply explain how they help and/or work in my room, and by any means, if you have any thoughts or ways to improve, please do tell! J
Number One: Do not ask on a dyslexic student to read aloud.
Yes, I completely agree—under NO circumstances should a student with dyslexia be "surprised" with you calling on them to read. Let's be honest…I'm not really a huge fan of "popcorn reading" in the classroom anyways. Research has shown there are various other ways more effective to teach; but let's face it, there are just SOMEtimes that we, as teachers, need to do this. I begin the year not calling on any of my students with dyslexia, in fact, I only call on students who are sure of themselves to read. Over the first few months, I make sure to have the conversation (one-on-one, in private) with each student about their thoughts and feelings of reading aloud. It's actually pretty interesting to get their take on it! After a few months, here's how I work it, if I HAVE to have a "popcorn reading" in my class—I either A) let my students raise their hands to volunteer when/if they feel comfortable OR B) I "assign" the very first paragraph or sentence or chunk to one of my students with dyslexia. I tell them AHEAD of time (like 5 minutes or so) that this is what I'd like them to read aloud, then they can practice independently and make sure they're comfortable with the part. This way, they're not stressed during the reading, wondering whether or not I'll call on them, or practicing their part to come, thus NOT paying attention to what everyone else is reading!
Number Two: Don't punish students with dyslexia for forgetting books and/or supplies.
It happens. Let's face it, even as adults, we forget things all the time. For a child, it's easy to "just forget" something. Students with dyslexia are more prone to being disorganized (and even have a higher percentage of ADHD diagnosis), therefore they are going to be your ones to forget things more often. In my class, it is really no big deal. Personally, there are so many other things to stress about with you students. If they start forgetting something regularly, then I work together WITH the student to come up with a system to help. For example, this past year, I had a student with dyslexia who constantly would forget to bring his yellow "homework folder" or write down his reading in this folder each night. I knew he was doing it, therefore punishment would do no good. Instead, we came up with the idea of a reminder bracelet. Each afternoon, he would cut a piece of yarn and bring it to me. We would tie it around his wrist (very loosely, of course), with a small "tag" reading "homework" on it, as a reminder for him to record his homework and bring his yellow folder to school the next day. After her wrote it down and placed his folder BACK in his bag each evening, he would cut it off. As the year progressed, we didn't need the tag on the bracelet, and later on, we barely ever needed the bracelet at all!
Number Three: Don't call dyslexics lazy.
Students with dyslexia work 184058104875 times harder than your "average" student. Think about what all their brains have to go through to end up at the same place as their classmates. Just remember—they're trying…they're trying HARD. If you feel yourself getting frustrated (which I will admit, WILL happen), take a breath, and instead, give praise and ask how you can help that student. Chances are, if you're frustrated, so are they. So remind yourself of that! (This one took a lot of effort for me at the beginning of the year, but once you start "training your brain", it almost becomes an automatic response!
Number Four: Expect less written work.
Now I know as students progress through school, there is simply more and more written work required. It's just the "facts" of life. This rule doesn't mean make things easier for your dyslexic students—simply "tweak" assignments! Instead of 10 sentences, have them write 3-5 WELL developed ones. This takes some communication and modeling, but in time I promise it works. Also, think of how else a student with dyslexia could complete the assignment? Could they use a computer? Could they use an app such as "Educreation" to create a visual tutorial where they verbally explain what originally would be written? (My kiddos LOVE working with Educreation!) There are many, many ways out there to hold your dyslexic students to the same standards and accountability, just with various methods-- and remember, just because you're expecting less writing does NOT mean you're expecting less!
Number Five: Prepare a printout of homework with step by step directions and stick it in their book.
In 2nd grade, our homework is very student driven—20 minutes a night of reading their book of choice and 10 minutes a night of math fact practice, in their "method" of choice. So this "rule" doesn't fit completely. I do use the step by step direction part, though, on a regular basis! It not only helps students with dyslexia, but ALL students. Have a math page with multi-step directions? Of course you're going to explain them and go over them verbally, but now, as you go over them, LABEL each one! BOTH you and the students can write a "1" next to the first part and even draw a mini picture! Then, a "2" by the second step, and so on. Remember, students with dyslexia need visuals…visuals that work well with ALL students (and adults!). I'll have to admit, since beginning to write out/draw/label step by step directions, my WHOLE class performs better on assignments, and rarely forgets any steps!
So, here's a quick pic of all the "rules" combined (because let's face it, plenty of us love visuals, too!). Feel free to share it, Pin it, use it, love it, etc. etc., AND be sure to come back by soon for tips 6-10, 11-15, and 16-20.
Saturday, June 22, 2013
A Freebie and Giveaway Reminder!
Happy Saturday! It's going to be a bit happier in just a few seconds when I tell you about Janaye's Sweet and Simple Saturday Freebie! Starting this Saturday (TODAY), she is going to share a sweet, simple freebie with you. "It could be an activity page, game, graphic organizer, foldable, or craftivity. And the best part is the freebies will be for multiple grade levels and subjects! And the even BESTER (coined term) part is that they will all be FREEEE!"
So click on over to her Tales of Frogs and Cupcakes to cash in on her Sweet and Simple Saturday Freebie!
Also, don't forget to enter my FREE Firmoo Glasses Giveaway! It ends in week, and I don't know where everyone is out there...but as of now, the pickin's are slim...meaning YOUR chance of winning is even better!!! Click on over NOW! :)
Happy Saturday Everyone!!!
Friday, June 21, 2013
What's It Like Being Dyslexic?
Back at the beginning of this past school year, I mentioned in my post about Dyslexia in the Classroom that I'd be sharing with you tips, tricks, and teaching methods that I learned throughout the year that seem to help with my kiddos with dyslexia. Aaaaand, I failed. It's funny, how even back in September, I could see how busy and crazy this school year was going to be, when I wrote: "No promises though-- I don't know what it is, but I just can't seem to juggle this year like I could last!"
Now, though, that school is out, and I have a few more minutes of free time, I really am going to try my "darndest" ;) to share with you a few nibblets of knowledge that I've picked up over the year...starting with "What's it like being dyslexic?"
For most of us, that's a question that's truly hard to wrap our brains around. I mean, I had SO much interaction with so many students with dyslexia this year, and I still can't even come close to relating to what it must be like to have dyslexia.
You may remember this video that I shared back in September on my original "Dyslexia in the Classroom" post:
Now, in addition to that, I have a new, animated video to share today.
This video was actually part of an app that I downloaded this year, simply called "Dyslexia". This app has 4 parts-- "What's it like being Dyslexic?", "Tips for Parents", "Tips for Schools", and finally "Take the Dyslexic Quiz".
In addition to sharing the video with you today, I also want to share the "Tips for Schools" portion...because it truly has some great advice. Although some of the tips are "no brainers", it is great to be reminded of these things every so often (because actually, many of these tips can be used for ALL students!)
#1 Don't ask a dyslexic to read aloud. Words are likely to be misread or skipped, causing embarrassment.
#2 Don't punish a dyslexic for forgetting things like books or sports kits.
Offer positive strategies such as having one place to put things away.
#3 Don't call a dyslexic lazy.
Dyslexics have to work harder to produce a smaller amount. Dyslexics have difficulty staying focused when reading, writing or listening.
#4 Expect less written work.
A dyslexic may be verbally bright but struggle to put ideas into writing.
#5 Prepare a printout of homework and stick it in their book.
Provide numbered steps, e.g. 1. Do this, 2. Do that, etc.
#6 Re-establish self-confidence.
Provide the opportunity to succeed. Give praise for small achievements.
#7 Do not expect a dyslexic to copy from a board or book. Give a printout.
They can highlight key areas and draw thumbnail pictures in the margin to represent the most important points.
#8 Accept homework or written assignments created on a computer word processor.
#9 Dyslexics have weak auditory (listening) memories.
Do not expect spoken information to be remembered. Adding funny stories and pictures will make it memorable.
#10 Give the opportunity to answer questions orally rather than in writing, to demonstrate understanding and ideas.
#11 Background noise or activity will cause distraction and prevent concentration.
Dyslexics need a quiet, structured environment.
#12 'Look-Cover-Write-Check' as a way to learn spellings does not usually work for dyslexics.
Draw or visualise a funny picture linked to the word and say aloud each letter as it is written.
#13 Encourage key word bullet point planning of ideas before writing.
#14 Dyslexics have poor sequencing ability, making it very difficult to learn times table multiplication facts.
Use a table square or a calculator.
#15 Look out for signs of stress.
Consequences of dyslexia are frustration, anger, low self-esteem or becoming withdrawn.
#16 Provide worksheets, notes and screens with a coloured background.
Dyslexics often find that black text on white creates page glare making reading tiring.
#17 Allow a dyslexic more time for reading, listening and understanding.
#18 Dyslexics respond well to a multisensory, phonic approach.
Advance in small steps and revise frequently.
#19 Encourage a dyslexic to use their finger to reveal a word in chunks.
Build up the word by syllable and learn to recognise prefixes and suffixes.
#20 Discuss an activity to make sure it is understood.
Visualising the activity or linking it to a funny action may help dyslexics remember.
#2 Don't punish a dyslexic for forgetting things like books or sports kits.
Offer positive strategies such as having one place to put things away.
#3 Don't call a dyslexic lazy.
Dyslexics have to work harder to produce a smaller amount. Dyslexics have difficulty staying focused when reading, writing or listening.
#4 Expect less written work.
A dyslexic may be verbally bright but struggle to put ideas into writing.
#5 Prepare a printout of homework and stick it in their book.
Provide numbered steps, e.g. 1. Do this, 2. Do that, etc.
#6 Re-establish self-confidence.
Provide the opportunity to succeed. Give praise for small achievements.
#7 Do not expect a dyslexic to copy from a board or book. Give a printout.
They can highlight key areas and draw thumbnail pictures in the margin to represent the most important points.
#8 Accept homework or written assignments created on a computer word processor.
#9 Dyslexics have weak auditory (listening) memories.
Do not expect spoken information to be remembered. Adding funny stories and pictures will make it memorable.
#10 Give the opportunity to answer questions orally rather than in writing, to demonstrate understanding and ideas.
#11 Background noise or activity will cause distraction and prevent concentration.
Dyslexics need a quiet, structured environment.
#12 'Look-Cover-Write-Check' as a way to learn spellings does not usually work for dyslexics.
Draw or visualise a funny picture linked to the word and say aloud each letter as it is written.
#13 Encourage key word bullet point planning of ideas before writing.
#14 Dyslexics have poor sequencing ability, making it very difficult to learn times table multiplication facts.
Use a table square or a calculator.
#15 Look out for signs of stress.
Consequences of dyslexia are frustration, anger, low self-esteem or becoming withdrawn.
#16 Provide worksheets, notes and screens with a coloured background.
Dyslexics often find that black text on white creates page glare making reading tiring.
#17 Allow a dyslexic more time for reading, listening and understanding.
#18 Dyslexics respond well to a multisensory, phonic approach.
Advance in small steps and revise frequently.
#19 Encourage a dyslexic to use their finger to reveal a word in chunks.
Build up the word by syllable and learn to recognise prefixes and suffixes.
#20 Discuss an activity to make sure it is understood.
Visualising the activity or linking it to a funny action may help dyslexics remember.
The above tips were taken from the Dyslexia Nessy.com app. (Keep in mind that they are a British company, so many of the words are spelled just a teensie bit differently, such as "recognise"!) :)
So, what do you think? What will you use? What do you already do? I'd love to hear your thoughts and see if you have any other "tips" to share!
My next post will be about these tips and how I specifically used them. Later on next week, I'll chat about movement and dyslexia. Be sure to click on over! :)
Thursday, June 20, 2013
My Most Recent Thoughts on Technology... (and a giveaway reminder!)
This coming school year, our campus is adding 3 new iPad mini carts to our inventory. 90 new tiny digital tablets with which to use in a meaningful way…when you think about it, it's kind of mind boggling. The role of technology has changed so dramatically recently (yes, I know, DUH…we all know that!). Now, instead of merely one teacher computer and a few student desktops, many teachers have the opportunities, like mine, to put technology in the hands of all their students.
How we use it, though, for benefit of our students, or just for our own ease, is up to us. By having these new iPad minis, is learning going to get pushed farther or just simply a digital "center" to keep students static but happy?
The question, I think, is: What do we really want students to accomplish with technology?
I'll admit…it's a big, loaded question with no one correct answer. That's why I thought I'd throw it out there and see what you all think. Here are our state standards, by the end of 2nd grade:
-Basic Operations—open, save, save as, print, audio, video, close
-Participation in virtual field trips, etc., Skype, Lync, blog
-Use a processfor creative thinking and problem solving
-Use fonts, font size/color, spacing, graphics, copy, paste, cursor, presentation tools, and drawing/painting tools in a simple document
-Describe the difference between search engine and browser
-Use internet 1-2 keyword searches and navigate
-Follow copyright and cite work
-Internet permission, who owns the work
-Know vocab—CPU, document camera, SmartBoard, tablet, printer, mouse, keyboard, storage devices, drives
-Keyboard home row, letters, numbers, shift, spacebar, enter, ctrl, alt, delete, backspace, ESC, capslock
That's a pretty long and in depth list for 7 and 8 year olds, I must admit. But just because it's long, doesn't mean it's out of reach. So what do you think? Could your kiddos do these things? I'll admit, thinking back on my students this previous year, I did not do my very best to make sure they were all 100% successful at these technology standards. Which is where my goal comes in—next year I need to be sure to make my technology use meaningful and purposeful to help my students become prepared for today's "connected" world!
PS—Don't forget about my Firmoo FREEGLASSES Giveaway! It's an easy entry (just a blog comment), and I'd love for you to win! J Click on over today.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Okay, I hope my all caps title grabbed your attention! :) What can I say-- I was looking for something catchy, so you could learn more about....
Now that you're here, let me tell you about this great little GIVEAWAY I'll be hosting over the next 10 days! I'm pairing up with Firmoo, a global, online, optical store, and at the moment, the world's most popular online eyeglass store!
For this pair and share (of sorts!), Firmoo will be giving my lucky readers a chance to win one of FIVE (5) $20 e-vouchers to use towards a pair of their Classic Series Frames. And GUESS WHAT?!? Many of the frames in that line are under $20 (or pretty dang close), so you know what that means?!? You have the chance to make your winnings next to nothing!!! :)
This little pair is only $16! (And would probably be the ones I'd pick...let's face it, I'm ready to dive head first into this whole "nerdy glasses" trend!!!)
|Or maybe I'd pick these...hmm...the options are limitless!
Not digging the nerdy theme? That's okay, because there are PLENTY to choose from...69 pairs to be exact!
The best part of this Firmoo promotion, you ask?! Well, it HAS to be that if we gather up to (or over!) 50 valid entries, one grand prize winner will receive a TOTALLY FREE PAIR of classic series frames of their choice, including shipping! Woo-Hoo!!!
So, now you have all the facts, use the Rafflecopter box below to enter.
***Important UPDATE: You MUST visit Firmoo.com and comment with your favorite pair to be qualified for the giveaway! Don't forget that very important part! :) Good Luck!!!
Winners will be notified Monday, July 1, so keep an eye on your inbox!
Worried about not winning? Don't be! You can still score a free pair from Firmoo with their First Pair Free promotion. All you pay is shipping! Check it out here.
Good luck to all! Can't wait to here from you and see your favorite frames! :)
Good luck to all! Can't wait to here from you and see your favorite frames! :)
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Donor's Choose Projects of 2013
I love Donor's Choose. I know many of us use the site to help provide our classrooms with materials and activities we otherwise could not afford (or should not have to pay out of our own pockets). Of course I love the site for myself, but I also love to go on and browse other teachers' pages. Honestly, it really helps ME put things in perspective. After all, I AM pretty lucky to work in a school with mid to high SES. And sometimes, many times actually, it's nice to be reminded...because I'll be honest, it is quite easy to forget.
So, although I do work in a school with a higher socioeconomic status population, there are still items out there that I wish to have in my room to help my students succeed. And for that, I'm thankful for Donor's Choose! I have submitted a total of 3 projects, 2 of which have been filled. (The one that didn't was actually my first project, which I submitted in late April, early May, not even realizing how that would impact the project getting funded or not. Now, I know better to "plan" my projects and their timing!)
The latest project I had funded this year was "Fabulously Focal Math Fluency: Building Our Speed In Grade 2". It centered around math fluency supplies to help my students build their foundational skills in other ways than just file folder games. Don't get me wrong-- I'm SO not hating on file folder games...trust me, I have PLENTY, and my students use them daily. It was nice, though, to have new, fun, and different centers for the students to use for math facts, because let's face it, they are SO important. I think my favorite part of my submission hits home on this point:
"Grover Whitehurst, the Director of the Institute for Educational Sciences (IES), noted this research during the launch of the federal Math Summit in 2003: "Cognitive psychologists have discovered that humans have fixed limits on the attention and memory that can be used to solve problems. One way around these limits is to have certain components of a task become so routine and over-learned that they become automatic." These new math items will help all learners with this fluent retrieval!"
ANYWAYS...enough with the ramble...now it's time to share what all came with my funded project:
~Math Dash: A fun way to practice math facts, instead of simple flash cards. Students pick a color, draw a "fact", and if correct, get to place their "fact" tile down on the sum or difference. First color to get 4 numbers in a row on the board wins. You can read the actual rules/directions here. Review? My class LOVED it! And all it was was simple addition and subtraction problems...but having them in this new format was great!
~Math Mat: A plastic, battery powered "mat" that spouts out questions about numbers, counting, addition, subtraction, and even missing addend. Players listen to question, then press correct answer. Features 3 games with 2 skill levels each, although we stayed pretty much on level 2. The level 1 questions were a tad too easy for end of the year in 2nd grade. Review? Another GREAT tool my kiddos loved! It was fun, colorful, talked, and they got to move. I loved it because they had to listen to the question before answering, so it also taught them that even though it was fun, they couldn't be CRAZY or loud, because they would miss their question!
~Math Diction: A "Pictionary" type game, where students would draw a math vocabulary word or phrase. Then, they would spin to see if they had to act it out, draw it out, give a hint, or read the definition for their partner to guess. Review: Although the cards were separated into Grade 2, 3, and 4, some of the 2nd grade cards were not content we learned, and some of the 3 and 4 cards were! Nevertheless, it was a good little review game where my students got to think about important vocab from throughout the year (that otherwise, we may not have had time to review!).
|Thinking and drawing a math word/phrase during Math Diction!
|Acting out a math vocab word/phrase during Math Diction!
Three other parts of our project not photographed were Mathological Liar, Block Building, and Place Value/Ordering/Missing Number cards.
Matological Liar is an interesting little game that we played as a whole class. It is a "card game" based on sets of math mysteries. Each round is a new "case". Each "case" presents a setting and a problem. There are 4 suspects per case, one or more who may be guilty. Out loud, I would read the "case", and then read each of the 4 cards containing each suspect's alibi. If the math in a suspect's alibi is correct, then he is innocent. Incorrect math indicates guilt. Players decide if their suspect is innocent or guilty as a table! (These are not the "exact" directions, because it is meant to be a small group game, but I loved doing it as a whole class!) Then, on white boards, tables would tell me who the guilty person/people are and WHY. This made them think about their math reasoning and work together. There are over 50 "cases", and needless to say, we did NOT get to them all! Review: SO very awesome, and I'm so glad to have this fun game for future use.
The Block Building and Place Value/Ordering/Missing Number cards were more individual activities, but our class loved them both, too.
So, enough about me. Tell me about you! What all have you submitted in the past? What all have you had funded? (My first project was for a NOOK Tablet that my children loved to use and abuse...)
I'd love to hear about your experiences (and maybe even get some ideas...), so feel free to leave me a comment below! :)
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Part 2 (and a FREEBIE) of My Summer Gift For Students!
For those of you who read my previous post, I explained the first part of my summertime "gift" for my students. Along with the beach ball and activity booklet, I add a few other goodies to their paper grocery bags. What are they, you ask?
Well, the first is the part that actually contains the rest of the goodies...an adorable cardstock box. My students were absolutely OBSESSED with my Silhouette this year, and every time I brought it in to use, they always loved to watch it, ask questions, see how it worked, and of course, got little cut-outs of their own. So, what better than to make them their own little "secret box" to keep for ever and always?! :)
Inside the box were 3 more small gifts...
1. A black & white picture with me-- Of course I LOVE to take pictures (not normally of myself, though!), and my students know it. All year long I'm snapping pictures, so what a better way to end the year than with a picture of each student and myself?! The reason I did black and white this year, you ask? Partially because of my OCD, and partially because it fit my "theme" of the boxes, where everything was black/white and one color...
2. A "hippo forever" award-- Our school has a HUGE award assembly the last week of school, where students are recognized for "legit" awards, such as "AB Honor Roll All Year", "Perfect Attendance All Year", etc. etc. What a more fun way to celebrate the end of the year than with a mini award reminding the students that even though they're leaving my class, they'll still always have a place in my heart (and theirs) as a hippo forever (our class "mascot", if you're confused!). :)
3. A small, top open card, containing an end of year letter for my parents--
|I know it's small and blurry, but you can
see it all by downloading the freebie file!
You can have a free, generic version of this letter as a PDF file by clicking here. There are 2 pages-- one blue for boys (with the wording containing "he", "him", etc.) and one red for girls (with the wording contain "she", "her", etc.).
I always "address" each of mine with the parents' names up top and sign my name and the year at the bottom, but you can choose to do it how you'd like! :)
So, that's it! There's the last of my "End Of Year" gifts for each of my students. Like it? Hate it? Have something better? I'd love to hear what you guys do for your own students at the end of each year! Leave me a comment...I'll be waiting to read 'em! :)
Hope You Have a "BALL" Summer Gift For Students (& a GIVEAWAY)!
The end of the school year is hard. I mean, on top of all the teacher stuff, like paperwork, folders, files, documentation, grades, and so on and so forth, you have the class stuff, too! And, I'll be honest, most years it's kind of sad. Even those tough years can get me a little blue in the end, too. We spend 9 months in a room with 20+ kiddos, each and every day, and then, all of a sudden, they're not going to be ours anymore. It's certainly a weird feeling that I do believe no other profession experiences.
So, end of year activities are always fun. We always complete a "Memory Book", do other fun Summer activities, travel to other 2nd grade rooms to sign yearbooks, and much more. But, for the past two years, I've also been partaking in a few, special "End of Year" gifts which are both meaningful to me (and the kiddos, too!) and fun!
|You can find this fun activity with more info on
what's included here on TpT!
We unwrap our beach balls, and I give the students about 5-10 minutes and ONE section (generally the white one) to write the name LARGELY and doodle with sharpies. I try to spread out the colors of sharpies, and they share at their tables.
After the students have had ample time to "doodle", we all choose one color sharpie, then play "scoot" with our signatures! For those of you who are unfamiliar, basically we start out at our desks, then SCOOT to the next "stop" (desk), where we will sign out names, put our sharpies up in the air to signal we're ready to move, then SCOOT again! This continues until we're all done signing and return back at our own desk.
After we finish signing, the balls get returned to me, I put them in a large paper bag (paper grocery bag is a great size), and store them away until I can add the rest of the "gift". What's the rest, you ask? Well, of course, it's the little booklet that you can find on TpT to accompany the beach ball, BUT, there's also a 2nd part to my gift each year...
**Want to win a free copy of my "Hope You Have a "BALL" Summer Gift"? See if you can GUESS what else goes into the paper bags for my end of year gifts. I'll give you a clue...there are 3 other parts! The first 3 people to correctly guess one part (that hasn't already been guessed!) will WIN a FREE copy of my TpT file!!! Woo-Hoo! So, whatcha waiting for? Start guessing!!! :) I'll be back soon to post "part 2" of what goes in the bag!
Friday, June 14, 2013
Eric Wight Author Visit!
Last year, our elementary school paired with a few other schools around town to bring Kevin O'Malley to our campus to chat, perform, inspire, and just be a little silly with our students! :) THIS year, we were blessed to have another author visit from the chapter book author and illustrator, Eric Wight. For those of you unfamiliar, he is the creator of the "Frankie Pickle" series.
School Library Journal describes his first book: "Franklin Lorenzo Piccolini is a fourth grader with a big imagination and an alter ego named Frankie Pickle, an amalgam of pop-culture icons from Indiana Jones to Batman. His messy room spawns an adventure that ends when the filth is too much even for him. Wight matches a silly story to black-and-white cartoon graphics in a chapter-book format. Readers who have graduated from Dav Pilkey's Captain Underpants and Ricky Ricotta series (both Scholastic) will be charmed by this longer story." –Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Charlotte, NC
Well, not only does the main character in Eric Wight's chapter book series have a huge imagination filled with creativity, but the author himself most certainly does, too! In our hour long, grade level presentation, Mr. Wight not only told the students about himself and his life, but he also truly inspired the students to write themselves by sharing his experiences and his writing styles and techniques! He made it seem SO very fun and effortless, that we all left with a new story frame/outline to help us create our own, new story, but also with a new outlook on writing for most of my kiddos!
The new story idea, you ask? Well, it's none other than "Frankie the Hilarious Hippo"!
Just like Kevin O'Malley, Eric Wight used the students' ideas to come up with this new, outrageous story line/knock-off of Frankie. Our class was so proud to help focus the new character around none other than a hippo (our class "mascot")! Who knows, after all his fun and kooky stories, maybe Frankie as a hippo could be next?! I mean, it's not too far off from some of his other tales...
Anyways, of course, after hour of fun inspiration, we just HAD to pose with our newest favorite author!
So, 2 visits in 2 years...LOVE it! How about you? Do you have author visits? If so, who have you seen in person? I'd love to hear about it! :)
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We GO Together
Team Members
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We GO Together
This is the page that your supporters will see when they make a donation to your GABR team. Please include information about the event, as well as information about why you are a part of GABR.
You can upload photos of yourself to make your page more interesting. And if you are raising funds in honor of someone, you can include a photo of your honoree as well. You can also embed videos and add links to other sites.
As you progress in your fundraising or want to share exciting news or information with your potential donors, you can always update this page.
Sample message:
I'm racing in the Great American Bike Race (GABR) benefiting Sanford Children's Miracle Network on April 28 for kids like Collins, the 2018 GABR champion. At just 4 years old, Collins is an amazingly brave and strong little girl who has dealt with cystic fibrosis all her life.
Through Collins' journey, her family has been thankful to have such incredible care close to home. Join me in making a difference for local kids!


text:
home > archive > 2004 > this article
Kerry's green machine
By Henry Lamb
The League of Conservation Voters has launched a vigorous campaign to get John Kerry elected President. And why wouldn't they? As a Senator, Kerry votes for the League's position 96 per cent of the time. More importantly, John's wife, Teresa F. Heinz Kerry, directs the distribution of grants from three Heinz foundations with combined assets worth more than $1.5 billion.
The Heinz foundations provide substantial funding for the League, and for several of the organizations whose directors are also members of the board of the LCV.
In recent years, the Heinz foundations have given $57,300 directly to the LCV. LCV board members who have also benefitted from Kerry's wife include:
Ron Arnold's Center for the Defense of Free Enterprise has developed a very thorough record of Kerry's wife's involvement in green politics.
The League has a lot at stake in this election. The last Democrat in the White House appointed Bruce Babbitt, then head of the League of Conservation Voters, to be the Secretary of Interior. Should Kerry reclaim the White House, the League will expect, and undoubtedly get, similar influence in the Kerry administration.
The League's Kerry campaign includes television ads aired in primary states, as well as telephone banks, and "mobilizing scores of volunteers for visibility efforts." These campaign efforts appear to ignore new rules issued by the Internal Revenue Service, and the Federal Election Commission that restrict the political activity of not-for-profit organizations.
IRS Ruling 2004-6, says that not-for-profit organizations "have to be very careful that they don't cross the line into speech that is "directly related to and support[s] the process of influencing or attempting to influence the selection, nomination, election, or appointment of any individual to public office or office in a political organization."
According to the new rule, the criteria for identifying such forbidden speech "include, but are not limited to":
Perhaps the League of Conservation Voters considers itself above these rules, or perhaps the League is betting that the confusion over the new rules will not be resolved before they get their candidate elected.
The League, and its gaggle of green organizations will not have to worry about money. John Kerry's wife has plenty, and with her influence over her family's and other well-heeled foundations, she can pretty well guarantee that the green army will mobilize behind her husband.
This green money flow, however, is somehow different from the "special interest" money that Kerry has vowed to eliminate in Washington. It is quite likely that Kerry – like Clinton-Gore – would fill his cabinet with people from these same "special interest" groups. Democrats continually chastize Bush for filling his cabinet with "corporate special interests," but applauded Clinton-Gore for doing the same thing. This is simply politics, regardless of the party.
At the end of the day, politics reflect a philosophy. Kerry's philosophy, as well as his wife's, is very clear; both have supported issues and causes that are at best, socialist, and at worst, anti-American. In 1970, Kerry told the Harvard Crimson: "I'm an internationalist. I'd like to see our troops dispersed through the world only at the directive of the United Nations." Though less direct, his current campaign speeches carry the same message.
Kerry's wife's foundations provided $4.3 million to the Tides Foundation, a "portal" operation through which money flows to a variety of leftist groups, including Ramsey Clark's International Action Center, which is the force behind International ANSWER, which sponsored the major antiwar (and anti-Bush) rallies before the invasion of Iraq. When ANSWER was outed as a Communist organization, United for Peace and Justice, headed by longtime Communist Party member Leslie Cagan was created as a "moderate" alternative.
A Kerry presidency, like Clinton's, would be a "twofer." You get two for the price of one - Bill and Hillary; John and Teresa. Neither make any apologies for their support of projects and causes that are blatantly socialist – or worse. If America is ready to abandon its founding principles and move into the global socialist community, then John and Teresa are ready to lead the way.
Henry Lamb is the executive vice
president of the Environmental
Conservation Organization (ECO), and chairman of Sovereignty
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Does it Work Wednesday
MXZ Pocket Saw
By: Lauren Keith
MXZ Pocket Saw
By: Lauren Keith
The MXZ Pocket Saw claims it can cut through anything, even bricks and ceramic tile. So, we got the help of two Cape Girardeau contractors.
Immediately after Quentin Williams examines the Pocket Saw, he's skeptical. "I'm not too sure it's going to work. We'll give it a shot," he says.
First, we start with a brick. The MXZ slices into it, but's it's not as easy as it may look. "It's cutting it, but I don't know how long my arm will go," says Quentin, in between breaths.
After five minutes, Quentin's wearing out. "I have to trade off!" he says.
So, fellow contractor Lyle Riggs steps in. After a few minutes, he too, shoves the MXZ aside. Both guys say a true brick saw works much better than the MXZ.
Now let's go back to that commercial. I've slowed it down a bit, so you can take a good, close look. It appears to me, this brick has already been cut before the MXZ slices into it! Quentin says that's pretty deceptive. "They cut through it pretty quick, but they got a head start!" he says.
So far, this saw hasn't impressed us. Now, let's see if it can cut through ceramic tile. We find it's even harder to cut the tile! Plus, after a lot of sawing, we haven't made too much progress. "We only got about a quarter of an inch!" says Quentin.
The guys are ready to move onto the next project - still not impressed and definitely skeptical this thing will cut glass.
Once again in the commercial, the actor got a head start, but this one's more obvious. You can completely see how this vase is already in two pieces - it merely just comes apart! Give us a break!
Now back to reality, the guys have an even tougher time trying to get the MXZ to break our glass vase. Finally, it comes apart after Lyle put some force into it!
Next we use the MXZ on a section of drywall. The guys both note, once again, you have to put a lot of force into this saw. Then the drywall breaks! That's definitely not a clean cut! Quentin shows us how it's much simpler to use a utility knife. Now, it's time to hand out a final grade.
"I'm going to give it a D. It's not quick and it's not feasible if you've got a lot of work to do," says Lewis.
"I don't think I'd waste my money on it. It's much better to get the right kind of tool for the job you're trying to do," says Quentin.
Technically, this saw slices through most things, with a lot of effort, that is. Still, I can't technically flunk it, but it certainly deserves the next grade closest to failing!
The $15 MXZ pocket saw doesn't cut it. it gets a D- on this Does it Work Wednesday test.


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A Belen is the Filipino version of the Nativity Scene, which depicts the birth of Jesus Christ in the manger, usually showing Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the Magi. It may also include farm animals, angels and the star.
The Filipino version is usually made with local materials, such as using rice straws to make the thatch roof of the manger.
The belen above is found in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3


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This is everything I've figured out so far about how to get Gitorious up and running on your own server. It's not everything yet, but it's a lot of stuff.
OK, so first you want to install the dependencies. I think this are all of them, assuming you've installed the basic rails stuff:
apt-get install librmagick-ruby libonig-dev gem install mime-types oniguruma textpow chronic BlueCloth
Then make a place for Gitorious and download the code:
mkdir /path/for/gitorious; cd /path/for/gitorious git clone git://gitorious.org/gitorious/mainline.git cd mainline
It's a good idea at this point to read the HACKING file for informational purposes.
The next thing we need to do is create a git user. This will be the user that gets used for SSH connections, running the task queue, and servering the repositories over HTTP:
adduser git
Once we've created a user, we can create a place for your git repositories. It has to be owned by the git user, and if you want people to be able to clone over HTTP, it has to be web-accessible. That means your web server has to be running as the git user:
mkdir /path/to/repos chown git:git /path/to/repos
You are going to need to add your database settings and gitorious configuration. Start with:
cp config/gitorious.sample.yml config/gitorious.yml nano config/gitorious.yml;
… and put in the necessary info. Next put in the database information:
cp config/database.sample.yml config/database.yml nano config/database.yml
I called my databases gitorious_development, gitorious_production, and gitorious_test, and I set up a gitorious user in mysql with a fancy password. At this point you want to create the development databases, and then you can start the server:
rake db:migrate script/server
You should now have the gitorious app running on http://localhost:3000 or wherever you specified in gitorious.yml. Give it a look in your web browser. If you want the server to run in the background, kill the current process (CTRL+C) and then run:
nohup script/server &
That will start the server up in a separate process and spit the output into nohup.out. You can try creating a user account through the web interface. If you don't get an activation email, there's something screwy with your mail server. I had to patch Gitorious to use a SMTP server, but that's a separate post. As a workaround, just go into your gitorious_production database, find your account in the users table, and copy the date in the "created_at" column into the "activated_at" column.
Now you should be able to log in, create a project, and add your SSH public key to your profile. Unfortunately, Gitorious is going to tell you that your key and your project are being created, but they won't get created without some more intervention.
In order to create the keys and the repositories, you have to set up a separate process that does those tasks regularly. Gitorious has a script set up for this purpose in script/task_performer. Go ahead and run that script, making sure that you run as the "git" user and that you set the correct rails environment. So if you are working in the development environment, run:
su git RAILS_ENV=development script/task_performer
That will create the repositories and add the keys to /home/git/.ssh/authorized_keys. The authorized_keys file also specifies that before users can be authenticated for git push over SSH, the command "gitorious blah" needs to run (where blah is the users's username). Except there is no gitorious command in the git user's path. So let's link it up:
ln -s RAILS_ROOT/script/gitorious /bin/gitorious
Now if you return to Gitorious, you should see that your keys and repositories have been created. You may want to stick that task_performer script in a cron job… or write a little script that will run it repeatedly in the background.
At this point, you should be able to do a git push (which goes over SSH) and a git clone over http, assuming your repositories are in a web accessible folder. In order to do git clones, you have to start the git daemon. Gitorious has a script for this, but again make sure to run as the git user:
su git nohup script/git-daemon &
And now you should be able to do git:// clones too.
What's left to do:
- I haven't configured ultrasphinx, so search doesn't work.
- I haven't set up script/graph_generator, so there are no graphs.
- I have no idea what script/fixup_hooks does. It might be important.
Thanks pygi and teknofire in #gitorious on irc.freenode.net for helpful pointers. Thanks Johan for guidance on getting ssh working correctly for git push.


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On September 9, 2011, Bruce Collisson of St. Albert passed away at the age of 82 years.
Bruce will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 60 years, Margaret; sons, Todd, Daniel (Kim), Scott (Beverly) and Brent (Sandra); grandchildren, Erin, Amy, Julian, Luis, Paul, William, Arania, Bradley and Marilyn; his brother, Donald (Aurora); and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, George.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at Braeside Presbyterian Church, 6 Bernard Drive, St. Albert.
The family extends their thanks to the staff at the Misericordia Hospital for their care and compassion. Those who so desire may make memorial donations in memory of Bruce to World Vision, 1 World Drive, Mississauga, ON, L5T 2Y4