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Lawyers are ready to help during these stressful times. Schedule your consultation >
Immigration Lawyer | Serving New York, NY
Immigration Attorney
Serving Long Island & New York
Dana T. Davidson, Principal of Davidson Law Group, is an AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated* attorney with 25 years of experience. With offices in New York City and Glen Cove, Long Island, the firm focuses exclusively on all aspects of immigration and nationality law, including employment based immigration, family based immigration and matters involving consular practice worldwide. Davidson Law Group represents a variety of clientele, including multinational corporations, banks, educational institutions, film production companies, internet companies, software engineering firms, restaurants, religious organizations and other non-profit entities, as well as all other types of businesses, large and small. Davidson Law Group also represents individuals in employment-based matters, family based matters and deportation matters.
Ms. Davidson has been practicing law since 1990, providing legal services to businesses and individuals on a national and international basis. Ms. Davidson began her legal career as in-house corporate counsel at several large multinational corporations, practicing in the areas of general corporate law, large scale commercial banking, asset-based lending, commercial and residential real estate transactions, employment law, employment-based immigration law, and overseeing litigation matters.
Ms. Davidson is active in the American Immigration Lawyers Association, including the Rome, Global Migration, and LGBT chapters. She is a member of the New York Bar Association and the Women's Business Enterprise National Council. She volunteers for the Safe Passage Project, which provides pro bono services to children facing deportation. She is the founder of Educating the Educators, a project dedicated to educating the administrators of high schools and colleges on the profound impact that being undocumented has on families, school districts, and the surrounding communities at large. Ms. Davidson has appeared as a guest on the radio program "Labor Lines" twice: first, to discuss comprehensive immigration reform; second, to discuss Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) cases. She sat on the Board of Trustees of the New York College of Holistic Health and on the Board of Directors of the Momentum Project, a non-profit charitable organization that provides nutritional and healthcare assistance to those living with AIDS. Ms. Davidson graduated from Yeshiva University, where she served as a member and as a judge on the Moot Court Board.
Contact Davidson Law Group, P.C. today for legal assistance in any of the following immigration practice areas:
Call Davidson Law Group today at 516-231-8861 to arrange your initial consultation.
Pro Bono Activities
"I can't recommend Dana Davidson highly enough. Working with Dana and her team at Davidson Law Group has made the sometimes arduous task of applying for a Greencard an absolute pleasure. Dana guided me through the entire process with both warmth and humanity, unlike some impersonal law firms. Her attention to detail and thoroughness with each submission, afforded me great peace of mind. I would (and have) recommended Dana to any friend looking for a straight talking, highly capable professional who doesn't rest until the job is done."
- Kathryn Eisman (TV Reporter/ Bestselling Author), June 2011
"You had a big hand in the house and the quality of life improvement. I never would have considered the move without the assurance that I had permanent status in this country. You made a best efforts promise to get a green card and delivered. The bottom line is that a lot of our professional work is often dominated by drudgery and challenges. I just wanted to let you know that your work made a meaningful difference."
- Michael Letros, CFA-Director, Putnam Lovell NBF Securities, 2008
"Thank you for the referral to Dana Davidson; she always delivers flawless, successful legal advice and services that made this possible. You could not have made a better suggestion."
- Jorge and Maria Bilstein, 2009
"I'm so glad to have you on my side when I was at the most desperate situation. Please accept my most sincere gratitude towards your excellent ability to assist my 'escape' from El Centro. My brother also wanted to tell you that your contacts with him has helped him to relax and understand how to proceed to get me help! He thinks highly of you as a professional and a person. So I know that you have assisted me in multiple areas. Therefore, I must let you know that when we meet, please allow me to buy you a cup of tea, or a package of dimsum or an exquisite 9-course Chinese dinner! Your great work will always be remembered by Maxwell Ho!"
- Ho Chun Wing, July 24, 2009


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As the Big East Conference swelled in numbers, rivalries got watered down.
Not so with St. John's and Rutgers.
And after hearing how badly the Red Storm wants to avenge a 58-56 loss to the Scarlet Knights two weeks ago in the Garden, Rutgers might want to clean off its bulletin board.
"I felt like we should have won the first game,'' St. John's forward JaKarr Sampson said. "I felt like we were the better team than them, and we just pretty much gave them the game. It's always good to have a second chance.''
The two-point loss in the World's Most Famous Arena was more a case of St. John's not taking the game, rather than giving it away. The Red Storm (11-7 overall, 3-3 in the Big East) missed 12 of 27 free throws. Instead of taking the ball strong to the basket, D'Angelo Harrison and Sampson missed 3-pointers in the final minute.
The Scarlet Knights (12-5, 3-3) will have the home court advantage tonight in the RAC, and they are fresh off a controversial 69-66 loss at Notre Dame in which Eli Carter was called for a late charge and the clock operator took 1.2 seconds off the clock on a deflected inbounds pass.
The four teams at the top of the league standings — Syracuse, Louisville, Marquette and Cincinnati — are NCAA Tournament worthy. The next seven, including St. John's and Rutgers, are in what Red Storm coach Steve Lavin referred to as the kettle, giving this game added significance.
"It's going to be a different game,'' Harrison said.
Perhaps. But the Scarlet Knights have become a thorn for St. John's. Quincy Douby of Brooklyn lit up the Red Storm for 36 points in Carnesecca Arena in the last regular season games of the 2006 season, leading the Scarlet Knights to a win that knocked St. John's out of the Big East Tournament.
Last season the Scarlet Knights edged the Red Storm 61-58. The last four meetings, including the 58-56 game on Jan. 9, have been decided by a total of nine points.
"We should have easily won that game,'' Harrison said. "Having a chance to play them again is great.''

subset: commoncrawl


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Weather Research Project
On this page you will find the resources you need to complete your weather research project. If you have any problems accessing the information, please let Mrs. Wong or Ms. Riposa know. The resources below are great, and there are also print resources in the library. Come visit! There are some weather and climate related books and an impressive National Geographic magazine selection that we can search to find helpful articles.
You will keep track of your sources using NoodleTools. Access NoodleTools using your school Google ID. Begin by logging into your Drive or Mail account, click on the app grid and scroll down until you find the NoodleTools logo. Remember, you already started, named and shared your project in class with Ms. Riposa.


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With a stay at Lancaster London, you'll be centrally located in London, convenient to Kensington Gardens and Royal Albert Hall. This 4-star hotel is close to Selfridges and Imperial College London.
Make yourself at home in one of the 416 air-conditioned rooms featuring minibars. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms have designer toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones, as well as safes and desks.
Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as a 24-hour fitness center, or other amenities including complimentary wireless Internet access and concierge services. Additional amenities include babysitting/childcare, gift shops/newsstands, and shopping on site.
Grab a bite at one of the hotel's 2 restaurants, or stay in and take advantage of 24-hour room service. Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at a bar/lounge. English breakfasts are available daily for a fee.
Featured amenities include a business center, express check-in, and express check-out. Event facilities at this hotel consist of conference space and meeting rooms. Self parking (subject to charges) is available onsite.
The recreational activities listed below are available near the hotel; fees may apply.


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Notice: On April 23, 2014, Statalist moved from an email list to a forum, based at statalist.org.
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
RE: st: tsset error codes
Nick Cox <firstname.lastname@example.com>
"'firstname.lastname@example.com'" <email@example.com>
RE: st: tsset error codes
Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:40:46 +0000
What does "did not work" mean precisely?
What did you type in Stata? What did Stata say in response?
William Hart
Unfortunately, that did not work. I should add that each quarter has 3000-7000 observations; there not one row of data per quarter. I don't know if that makes a difference (very new at time series).
Maarten Buis
On Thu, Feb 23, 2012 at 4:27 PM, William Hart wrote:
> I am beginning an analysis of some Consumer Expenditure Survey data. I have quarterly data sets from 1996 through 2009. I have a variable called 'timevar' which is a sequential number unique to each quarter. I used the following code in an attempt to tsset the data:
> . gen newtime = q(1996q1) + timevar-1
gen double newtime = q(1996q1) + timevar-1
* For searches and help try:
* http://www.stata.com/help.cgi?search
* http://www.stata.com/support/statalist/faq
* http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/stata/


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Could our minds be tricked into satisfying our stomachs?
Research to be presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior (SSIB), the foremost society for research into all aspects of eating and drinking behavior, suggests that the key to losing weight could lie in manipulating our beliefs about how filling we think food will be before we eat it, suggesting that portion control is all a matter of perception. Test subjects were more satisfied for longer periods of time after consuming varying quantities of food for which they were led to believe that portion sizes were larger than they actually were. Memories about how satisfying previous meals were also played a causal role in determining how long those meals staved off hunger. Together, these results suggest that expectations before eating and memory after eating play an important role in governing appetite and satiety.
Tratto da "Eurekalert.org" - prosegui nella lettura dell'articolo


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Dumping actually refers to the means of selling the product in the foreign market at a price lower than that in the home market. There are various types of dumping:
To understand this concept in detail, let us take a look at the following graph.
Consider that the producer is selling goods in two markets – the Home Market and the World Market. In the Home market, the producer is established as a Monopolist and hence is the price – maker. However, perfect competition exists in the world market, and hence in the world market the producer is a price – taker and not a price maker.
The price in the home market is PH and the price in the world market is Pw. Due to the perfect competition, in the world market, the average revenue curve ARw and marginal curve MRw are horizontal and they coincide i.e. ARw=MRw. However, the scenario in the home market is different than this as in the home market the producer is a Monopolist. Hence, the average revenue curve ARH slopes downwards and the marginal revenue curve MRH lies below it. It can be observed that the point E is the point of equilibrium for producer as it the point of intersection of both the marginal revenue curves (MRH & MRw) and the marginal curve MC.
Thus the producer produces OM quantity of products in order to maximize his profit. However, out of those OM products, the producer sells only OH quantity of products in the home market and sells the remaining HM quantity of products in the world market. This is because up to H units, the marginal revenue in the home market is higher than the marginal revenue in the world market. But beyond H units, the marginal revenue in the world market is greater than that in the home market. Hence, the producer has to take the price of the product as Pw for the output of HM quantity of products in the world market and as PH for the output of OH quantity of products in the home market. Thus we can see that the price of the product is higher in the home market and lower in the world market. This means that the producer is selling the same product in two markets at two different prices. This is called as Price Discrimination. And the act of selling the product in a foreign market at a lower price than the price in the domestic market is called as Dumping.
Usually dumping is considered to be a negative term as it has a distressing impact on the country in which the product is being dumped. Even though the advocates of a free economy consider dumping as beneficial for the buyers and believe that protectionism to prevent it would have net negative consequences, however a larger section of economists believe that such trade practices hamper home industry. Dumping results in hurting the producers and industry of the country in which the commodity is being dumped. It influences the sales volume, damages the market shares, prompts decline in profitability and finally results in job losses. Due to these reasons, countries have incorporated strict anti – dumping measures. The whole idea of anti – dumping measures is to support the domestic producers. Anti – Dumping reinstates fair trade and fair competition. It also provides protection to the domestic producers and the industry. It rectifies unfair trade practices pertaining to dumping.
This article has been authored by Supriya Gunthey from Welingkar.
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I have decided to start making a few themed, weekly posts on my blog, one of which will be Weekend Links. This is my chance to share with you a few things that I have enjoyed throughout the week, in a list compiled during the weekend. I hope you enjoy them as well.
A few things I enjoyed this week:
1. Listening to Junip perform at Trouw with good friends
2. Visiting the Breda Photo Festival with my colleagues and seeing Irene Cécile's work Handleiding tot een speelser leven (Guide to a more playful life, pictured above)
3. Reading an article about mid-career sabbaticals in The New York Times
4. Watching the trailer for The King's Speech
5. Reading an article about procrastination in The New Yorker
6. Baking a coffee cake
7. Listening to the latest album from Wir Sind Helden in preparation for their Sunday night concert
8. Going on a walk to take photos of Slatuinenweg (post to come!) and to check out the new neighborhood restaurant Radijs
9. Reading the blog Ardor, oddities for everyday (via Urban Weeds)
10. Listening to a collection of tracks from the Chilean music scene on NPR
Enjoy these links and the weekend!


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Unfortunately due to COVID19 after 39 years trading we have had to temporarily close our doors. We are looking at reopening as soon as possible in line with government guidelines
We are still running Vehicle Hire on COI (Companies Own Insurance) and also on private own insurance.
For any urgent assistance please email email@example.com
Thank you for your patience in the matter and we look forward to seeing again in the not so distant future.
*Includes cars with a CO2 figure over 225g/km but were registered before 23 March 2006.


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Nantwich is an attractive and thriving market town located on the River Weaver in the south of the Cheshire plain.
It is a much sought after location in which to live, offering good schools and easy accessibility to the rest of the North West and further afield. Close to the M6, it is located on the Crewe to Cardiff Marches railway line with the West Coast main line only 5 miles away at Crewe. Despite its recent growth in size it still serves the needs of the surrounding rural area as a traditional market town and has retained its historic character.
It is second only to Chester in the county for its wealth of historic buildings.
The town boasts a vibrant local community and supports a wide range of societies and sporting clubs. It is an increasingly popular visitor destination for short breaks and is in easy reach of other tourist destinations in the Peak District and North Wales.
Nantwich in Bloom
The town has recently received national and regional recognition in the Britain in Bloom competition winning a national a Silver Gilt at the awards ceremony in Guernsey
followed by a Gold at the Southport event in the North West.
This success is due in large part to the voluntary efforts of the town's Nantwich in Bloom committee.
Beam Heath Trust
In certain parts of Nantwich, residents are paid to live in the town.
The Beam Heath Trust makes annual payments to those who were born or live within the original town boundaries from the proceeds of their tenanted land holdings.
The Beam Heath was an area of common land where local people had the right to graze cows.
For more information go to http://www.dabbersnantwich.me.uk/letter4.htm


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Koi fish mural removal and restoration
The koi fish mural on the retaining wall in front of 925 SE 33rd will be removed and put in storage over the next few days.
[Google street view map]
The owner will be removing and replacing the aging concrete wall that supports the mural. After the new wall is in place, the mural will go back up.
Check back on this blog for information as the project progresses.


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Seller's Success System
Our 10 step Seller's Success System will take all the fear and guess work out of getting you from listing to closing. I will be there with you every step of the way guiding you through the process.
Step 1: Initial phone consultation
Initial phone consultation to determine your real estate goals and how to achieve them. During this consultation I will gather the pertinent information to prepare a comparative market analysis (CMA) for your home that will establish your home's value in today's market. If you would like to get started immediately you can contact us and fill in your homes pertinent information or you can call at 916-317-3050.
Step 2: First in home consultation
I will come out and take a tour of your home. I will have with me a CMA that I have prepared based on the comparable sold, active, pending and expired listings as well as taking into consideration the current market forces. At this first meeting the CMA will provide a range of possible value for your home. Once I have seen your home I can go back to the inventory and properly place your home amongst its competition based on the actual features, benefits and quality that I observed during my tour.
Step 3: Second in home consultation
I will come back out to the house and present the recommended listing price and custom walk through marketing plan for your home. We will then fill out a listing agreement and begin marketing your home immediately.
Step 4: Exposure and Access
Install professional yard sign, flyer box and lock box.
Step 5: Custom Walk Through Marketing Plan
I will prepare and install custom walk through marketing materials and brochures. To learn about our custom walk through marketing plans click here.
Step 6 – Disclosures
I will provide you with all necessary disclosures and assist you in fulfilling your disclosure obligations. Non-disclosure is the number one reason for a buyer to sue a seller after a home sale. I will make sure that you have all of the necessary, up to date disclosure forms and that you have satisfied all of your legal disclosure obligations.
Step 7 – Marketing To My Sphere of Influence
I will send your listing to my entire database and other local agents. I will host the Realtor Open house at your home. I will post your listing on my website, my separate listings micro site, Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, and of course the MLS which will allow it to be found on a search for homes on any Realtors website. I will also highlight your listing in my monthly newsletter.
Step 8: Presenting offers to you and aggressively negotiating on your behalf
I will ensure that all buyers submitting offers are pre-qualified for a loan or have submitted a proof of funds if they are a cash buyer. I will present all offers to you regardless of terms. I will present the offer in its entirety with my interpretations and feedback and a net bottom line number that the offer represents to you so you can make an informed decision as to how you would like to respond. You choose the terms under which you will sell your home. I will negotiate on your behalf to make it happen.
Step 9: Escrow
I will walk you through the escrow process every step of the way including providing resources for moving and cleaning and helping you identify your replacement property if necessary.
Step 10: Closing
I will Be present at your signing appointment to support you in the closing process.


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Times are economically challenging, to say the least.
As the year winds down, our good friends at the Old Town School of Folk Music are facing a deficit for 2008 and are reaching out to the community that supports and benefits from their great classes and concerts, for a bit of help.
A small donation . . . → Read More: give a little, help a lot


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Signed in as:
January 21, Mike Brown, Governmental Affairs Director of the Coalition of Labor, Agriculture and Business (COLAB) of both San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties.
February 18, Debbie Arnold, District 5 Supervisor, San Luis Obispo County.
March 18, Stephen Frank, Sr. Contributing Editor, California Political Review and Candidate for California Republican Party Chair
Steve Frank is the only candidate for California Republican Party Chair that has been active in the CRP. He has been elected to the Board of Directors by the delegates, served several terms on the Executive Committee and four terms as Parliamentarian. He is the only candidate to serve on CRP committees.
As an activist for over twenty years he has given 50-75 speeches a year around the State.
April 15, PRRWF - Informational Workshop
May 8 Evening General Meeting, Dick Mason, News Director of KPRL Radio Station.
June 17, Greg Grewal, Water Resources Advisory Committee
Greg Grewal is currently a rancher in the Creston area of San Luis Obispo County. Greg served as a firefighter for the Los Angeles Fire Department for over 30 years, where he was regarded for his skill, public relations, and aptitude for his job. Greg was also the Ventura County chairman of Ducks Unlimited, an organization that educates people about wetland conservation. He is passionate about the outdoors and natural wildlife, and has been a member of organizations such as the Farm Bureau, Rancheros Vistadores, and is currently the Director of the Paso Robles Trail Riders. He strives to represent the concerns and interests of the residents of this area to maintain our water basins.
July/August no meeting
September 16, John Peschong, 1st District Supervisor
October 21, Jessica Millan Patterson, Chairwoman of the California Republican Party
November 18, Andy Caldwell, Exccutive Director COLAB and Congressional Candidate for California's 24th Congressional District
December 16, Annual Christmas Brunch, Paso Robles Inn
Teresa Sullenger & Sue Rodeck...transfer of the gavel.
We love making new friends and welcoming new members.
PRRWF - P.O. Box 1856, Paso Robles, CA 93447
Copyright © 2018 Paso Robles Republican Women Ferederated - All Rights Reserved.
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Pragma Identity Mythology
The Making of a Legend
According to folklore the unicorn was a magnificent white horse with a beautiful spiral horn atop its head. Although the being that forms the basis of the Pragma ID resembles a classic unicorn, it is in fact a depiction of the mythical Karkadann. All the individual symbols fuse together to form one delicately balanced design that encapsulates the legacy, wisdom, virtues and aspirations of the Pragma Group. Concept & Copy by Daniel Bothma. Art Direction by Charles Moussa.


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Roundup: Where will Mariota, Williams, other Pac-12ers go?
The first round of the NFL draft is Thursday, and while it's widely expected that Jameis Winston will be the first one off the board, much of the talk surrounds Marcus Mariota. It has been reported that the Cleveland Browns have offered their two first-round picks to Tennessee for the No. 2 pick to select Mariota. The Browns currently have the No. 12 and 19 picks in the first round, while the Titans are at that No. 2 spot for now.
Gotta respect dude's confidence – Leonard Williams thinks he should be the first pick of the NFL draft (he said it with a smile according to NFL.com). The former Trojan is a very likely top-5 choice (this Raiders fan would love him in Silver and Black).
Bruins Nation looks at the draft prospects for former Bruins Brett Hundley, Eric Kendricks and Owamagbe Odighizuwa. All could potentially go in the first round but are more likely second-round choices, at least in the opinion of Bruins Nation and various mock drafts.
Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports thinks Cal quarterback Jared Goff will be one of the top-10 quarterbacks to talk about in the 2016 NFL draft (of course, Goff will still have one more year of eligibility). Kevin Hogan and Cody Kessler also make the list. Additionally, Chris Johnson of Sports Illustrated writes that Ivan Rabb is already helping Cal basketball.
Meanwhile, Kyle Ringo writes that Colorado is likely to not have a player drafted for the first time since 2010. Cornerback Greg Henderson has the best shot of any Buff to hear his name called.
Cool story right here – Jon Gold of the Arizona Daily Star features former Arizona football player Haig Abnous, who is now an agent and represents former Dawg Danny Shelton, who in turn figures to go in the first half of the first round (potentially top 10).
Oregon State cornerback Dashon Hunt has medically retired from football, reports Gina Mizell. Hunt has spinal stenosis, which "can cause pain, numbness, muscle weakness and problems with bladder or bowel function," according to the Mayo Clinic. Hunt's Instagram post is included in Mizell's link.
Juicy future scheduling news – Utah football will play a home-and-home series with Baylor in 2023 (Baylor) and 2024 (Utah). Unless they meet in a bowl game or College Football Playoff, the 2023 battle will be the schools' first meeting.
Ted Miller discusses the Washington football depth chart at the conclusion of spring practice. Not a whole lot of things have been decided personnel-wise, but the secondary has certainly looked good.
David Lombardi examines Arizona State football's summer conditioning program headed by sports performance coach Shawn Griswold.
Jacob Thorpe explains that the Washington State quarterbacks will lead offseason workouts without coach supervision.
Stanford men's golf won the Pac-12 title again, while Maverick McNealy took home medalist honors. The Cardinal had a 14-stroke edge over second-place Oregon.
Pac-12 PlaylistThu 4/9 | 7:00pm PTLive
Pac-12 PlaylistMon 4/13 | 7:00pm PTLive
Pac-12 PlaylistThu 4/16 | 7:15pm PTLive


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At only 5 foot 2 inches, Diane Blue may appear to be someone who has to work hard to prove herself. Yet, once she gets behind a microphone and starts belting out a tune and playing her harmonica, everybody finds that she is the one controlling the room.
Blue moved up to the Boston area from Rhode Island in 2003 to pursue music.
"I got a day job to pay the bills," she said. "I was at a point in my life where I just wanted to make music my focus."
After her move she went to a couple of popular jams.
"Its a very closed feeling until you get out there and make yourself known, and thats pretty much what I did. Im still working on it," she said.
Blue had just played a festival in Greenfield, N.H. with Roomful Of Blues shortly before giving this interview.
"It was good. It was hot. It was like 95 degrees and humid," she said. "Four people were sitting in front of me for my first set because it was so unbearable to sit in the sun. We did two sets and the second set was a little more lively, and Roomful Of Blues played at the end. It was a pretty big crowd."
Blue never dreamed of this when she was young. She was 25 when a musician friend discovered she could sing, and he pushed her to get up on stage. Somewhere along the line she got comfortable with it and found herself. When she embraced it and started to run with it, she left behind a corporate world lifestyle and a lot of money. Some of her family members wondered if she had taken leave of her senses when she became a blues mama. Although one of her sisters said she respected her for following her dreams.
"Im not following a dream," Blue had retorted, Im just trying to be who I am."
One person told her that she looks like a soccer mom. Another called her a geek because she majored in computer science. Yet, personal history proves her cool. Blue had been playing out in Rhode Island from 1990 to 2002 when she made the move to Boston. Although Providence and Beantown are similar New England cities, this singer saw a major advantage.
"The thing that drew me up was just that it was a bigger city and there were more venues, she said. "That doesnt mean that there are more venues that are right for me. I learned a long time ago that you dont want to play a room thats not right for you. I just wanted exposure in a bigger city. I grew up in a small town, and I lived in Newport for ten years. So I wasnt exactly exposed to city life. I always wanted to give it a try and see what it would be like."
Blue has been making quite a name for herself at the Cantab Lounge in Cambridge, where the diminutive singer and harp player belts out tunes like nobodys business.
"The first jam I found was at the Cantab, and it was like I found my home," Blue recounted "I started hanging out there pretty regularly because I love the music that they play. Its all blues and soul and R&B. Not only do I do blues, but I do soul, and I do R&B. All of that music speaks to me. I hung out there pretty regularly for the Sunday nights and the Wednesday nights when it was Little Joe Cook running the jam. You get to know the same people who hang out there and the same people who play there, and once people realize that youre dedicated and youre not fooling around - you love what youre doing - you start to catch on.
Blue kept it low key as a person while letting her passion come through in her music.
"I love what Im doing and I try not to be pretentious or give anybody diva vibes in any way, and opportunities just started coming my way," she said.
People noticed she was good, and she was invited to join bands.
"I was very cautious at first because I didnt want to get locked into something and then find out there was something different. So I did some freelancing, and I still had my gigs in Rhode Island so I still had a couple of things going on, and I tried to feel it all out and then things came together naturally," Blue said.
She recruited a lot of popular Boston players to help her record her disc, Here I Am, released last year. Her credits feature Marty Ballou, Gordon Beadle, Chris Stovall Brown, Steve Burke, Mike Duke, Johnny Juxo, Vinny Pagano, and Mark Taber.
"At the time that I decided to do my CD, I had been working with most of those players pretty regularly, she said. "I did a house gig at the High Hat in Providence. It was every other Thursday, the first and third Thursday of every month. Marty Ballou helped me get in that room, so it was only right to ask him if he wanted to do the gig with me. In doing that gig with me, he really opened a lot of doors for me in suggesting other players to fill in when I needed a guitarist. If I needed a drummer or if he couldnt do the gig, hed pass me the name of a bass player. Thats how that got formed was through word of mouth from players like Marty."
Drummer Pagano pounds the skins on all of her albums tunes. Pagano is also Blues musical mentor.
"He started working with me probably five or six years ago," Blue recounted. "Hes watched me learn and grow in the business. At first I felt like I was undeserving, being on the same stage with all of them. By no means do I feel like Ive surpassed anybody or that Im all that or that Ive arrived in way, because I have a long way to go. But I feel like I can hold my own."
Blues title track "There I was....Here I Am" was inspired by her experience working in the corporate world when she was living in Ohio.
"I was driving a rental car to my job. I was feeling like I was stuck. I was sitting in my car, and I just said, So there I was."
Blue said the words "So there I was" in the same cadence she had heard The Three Stooges use the expression "Niagara Falls...slowly I turned." The comparison made her giggle during this interview.
"There I was thinking in my head and then I just decided that I wanted to make a little story out of it. None of that has any truth to it - It all started with that little phrase There I was. I really was feeling lonely, and I didnt know what to do to get out of it," Blue explained.
Her song "Gypsy Child" comes from a very personal place.
"I wrote that for my mother. I used to travel a lot to work when I worked in the corporate world. She used to always call me her gypsy whenever I came home. Shed go Oh, my gypsys home now. And Im the baby of the family. Im the youngest of eight kids. I wrote it for my mother. I wrote it before she died. She was sick when I first wrote it. It just came to me one day. She had always been so humble, yet she taught me so much without ever saying a word and I want to be like her," Blue said.
Blue feels she has learned her mothers wisdom and her love for life.
"Shes gone now, and she still speaks to me. I hear her words in my head. I say her words. They come out of my mouth, and I go, Oh, my God. I am my mother," Blue said.
A slow, torch number, "Restless," also stems from a difficult time in Blues life. The song talks about feeling blue and restless at the end of the workday when her personal life was going nowhere.
"That one is also from my corporate world days when I was working for the man," she said. "I had it all, except no one to share it with, and thats where that came from. I had money. I traveled all over the world. I bought a house. I had a brand new car. I could buy whatever I wanted. But I really just wanted someone to share it with. So, I ditched the corporate world and now Im more happy. Im ten times happier."
Blues standards, classic rock cover songs, R&B from the 1950s and 1960s, and a Billie Holiday number round out her disc. Personal taste and variety was what she was looking for - a chance to put her own personal stamp on popular tunes.
"I just did them because I liked them. I dont like to be categorized, so I choose songs with different styles, so I could do what I do best. I wanted to feature my vocals, mostly. I also wanted to play harp because thats part of who I am. I just picked songs where I liked the groove or I liked the words. All that spoke to me in some way," she said.
Blue can recall many memorable moments in the studio, such as working with her favorite friends, created a sense of camaraderie.
"The best part for me was to have the whole band in the studio together and to do it live. I could feel their vibe. I didnt want to put layered tracks because you cant capture the essence of the performance when you layer tracks," she said.
Blue has become as known for her harmonica playing as she has for her vocals. Her old friend Paul White, a Rhode Island guitarist, encouraged her early on to get on stage. He also slapped a harp in her hands and told her to give it a shot.
"I was definitely afraid to get on stage," she admitted. "Paul White basically groomed me for the stage. He forced me to practice. We did an open mike together. After a few months of practicing together, he threw a harmonica at me, and he said Honk on this and see what you can do with it. It will differentiate you from all the other chick singers out there, cause theres not a lot of chicks who play. So, it was at his suggestion that I picked it up, and I just started practicing. Im mostly self-taught," she said.
Playing harp may not work as a marketing gimmick in gaining rooms and fans, but it does make Blue a little bit different.
"It does differentiate me in that you get more bang for your buck, she said. "You get two for one. I sing and play. Sometimes Im asked to front for other things because I can do both. Its part of who I am. But really, Im a singer who plays harp. Im not a harmonica player who sings."
Blue did not have much to say about why many girls dont learn to play the harmonica.
"Its hard to say because I like it. Ive met a few who do it. Of course, Cheryl Arena is great. I havent met Annie Raines but I respect her work a lot. I was in the crowd when she played," Blue said. "When I play too many nights in a row, I get cuts on my lips. You cant wear lipstick. It takes a little bit away from your femininity. It could be something about that. I dont know why people dont do it. I only know why I do do it."
Like many other blues singers, Blue began singing in her church choir. She moved onto college musical theater, and passed a college audition for a musical revue from the 1950s.
"I thought it was all going to be Happy Days music. It turned out that it wasnt anything like that at all. It was all music from the theater musicals," she said.
Her first time on stage found her doing two duets and two company numbers.
"It was the musicals of the 50s. It was real straight up theater stuff," she said.
Blue has become contented in her new life as a blues mama. Her music has become her way of connecting to a lot of people at once, even when she is playing to a roomful of people she doesnt know very well. She also has good reason to believe music has the power to heal many things.
"If I can touch one person in a whole big old room, then Ive done my job, she said.
'Sometimes you never know. Sometimes they tell you. There was a man who had been diagnosed with cancer, and I didnt know that, and I didnt know him. And he came to me and he told me that he had been diagnosed that day. And he said, You made me forget everything for a few hours while I was listening to you,'"


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Communicating With Your Dog
- 30 May 2018
- 0 Comments
- ksmith
Dogs are very good at communicating. However, as humans, we're not always as good at understanding them. Fortunately, it doesn't have to remain this way. By taking some time to learn a little more about the different ways dogs communicate, you'll learn what your pet is trying to tell you with different sounds and body language. Today, we want to take a look at some of the different ways dogs can communicate through barking and wagging their tails:
4 Different Types of Barks
It's easy to dismiss barking as a dog "acting up" or trying to get attention. But once you take a closer look at this method of communication, it becomes clear that dogs have a lot of different things to say. Sounding the alarm is the first example of what a dog may want to communicate. A dog "alarm" is a rapid string of two to four barks with pauses between. Slower continuous barking at a lower pitch generally signals imminent danger. Next up is a dog greeting its owner or a visitor by barking. Most dogs do this with one or two sharp, short barks of high or midrange pitch.
If your dog lets out a long string of solitary barks with a deliberate pause after each one, it means your dog is feeling a little lonely and wants some companionship and attention. Finally, a joyful bark that sounds like a stutter means a pup is ready to play. You can be sure about this form of communication if the bark is accompanied by the dog having its front legs flat and rear held up in the air.
Tail Wags Have Different Meanings
Many people don't realize that dogs use their tail to communicate in a variety of different ways. The first is a salutation wag, which takes the form of small swings. Next is the most common tail wag, which signals satisfaction. If your pup does something like eating a delicious bowl of dog food and then starts wagging its tail with a broad sweep, you can be quite sure this means your dog is feeling completely satisfied. When a dog slowly wags its tail at half mast, it's a sign the dog feels confused. And if you notice your dog wagging in a way that resembles vibrating, it means your pet is experiencing a feeling of fight or flight.
Most dogs want to communicate with their humans as much as we want to communicate with them. By watching and listening, you'll be communicating with your dog in no time.
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Cobalt is proud to be represented by the company's UK Managing Director, Christopher Mackenzie, at the upcoming LGBT Property Business Diversity Conference where he will be discussing the question - "How are Recruitment Agencies Helping Attract LGBT Diverse Talent?"
This will be an industry first event, hosted by BNP Paribas Real Estate and JLL, and will take place in London on 5 July 2017. The day will include panels and speeches from the market leaders of the property industry discussing LGBT diversity.
Other topics for the day will include:
• "Where is LGBT diversity at in the property world?"
• A session with Senior Leaders for developing an LGBT-inclusive workplace
• What does LGBT inclusivity do for your business?
Some of the additional panellists include speakers from Aviva Investors, British Land, CBRE, Crown Estate, Cushman & Wakefield and Deloitte as well as Ruth Hunt, CEO of Stonewall.
Is your company doing anything to attract LGBT talent? Share in the comments below.
Image source: http://www.realestateforachangingworld.co.uk/2017/05/lgbt-property-business-diversity-conference/


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Preserving Creata
Chronicles of Han Storm - Book 1
Part 3
Han Starts working with his abilities, confirms his destiny and comes face to face with his previous life on Creata.
*** Twenty-one ***
I tried not to be too sullen on the aircraft, keeping mainly to myself and declining the food and drink Panam brought me.
I just needed some time to myself to sort through the downloaded information.
Racewater requested everyone to avoid me until I wanted to make contact again. This brought me welcome relief from unwanted attention and I settled into a comfortable position from where I could work.
I brought up the words, hoping that the answers would flow forth.
Entity. An individual spirit experiencing its own memories, emotions and feelings.
Spirit/ Soul. The pinprick of light that is really yourself, without a body attached, with all its memories, emotions and feelings of all its physical and non-physical lives intact.
Astral body. The substance an entity presents when travelling outside a body, but still being connected to it with a strong particle path.
Astral Travel. The journey an entity can undertake when leaving the body behind, but still being connected to it. You can travel wherever your level of training allows you to. You can view everything on your planet, or on other planets.
You can go to the lower astral dimensions where negative entities reside.
You can go to the higher astral dimensions where you can visit the Recording Halls, either for your residing Planet or for individual entities.
Or you could be trained or receive even more information that you might want or need. I, personally, call these sessions 'Downloads '.
You could also visit higher dimensions and go home for a while to rest or plan something else to do on the planet your body resides on.
Particle/Energy path. Everything leaves an imprint in the Cosmos. These particles are useful in finding your way around.
Ghost/ Passed over Spirit. The spirit of an entity no longer connected to a body. Generally not yet left for the home dimension or visiting for a specific purpose. Usually presenting themselves in a form recognizable to the person they wish to visit.
Body. The electromagnetic matter that ultimately becomes a total receptor of psychic energies and can also be used to project psychic energies.
Psychic. A person sensitive to and aware of forces not recognized as within the natural laws of their physical world.
Energy Points on the body. The body has various energy points that need to work together, in harmony, in order for the body to function at optimum potential. Also referred to as Chakras by some Clans.
Guides, Spirit helpers, Guardians. Entities trained to assist one or more spirits that are connected to the physical planes with bodies. These helpers might have had physical lives before, or none whatsoever.
Matter. Thought is the highest vibration. Thought expands into the vibratory frequency called light. Light's vibration is then further slowed down to become electrum. Electrum's vibration is further slowed down to become Gross Matter. Gross Matter is further slowed down to become solid. Electrum can be manipulated to form everything physical. Thus Matter is Light, slowed in vibratory frequency and taken to its densest form.
Electrum/Aether. Whitish, bluish, cloudy stuff smelling like ozone. Usually filling 'space' between air particles. The building blocks of all Matter.
Dimensions. Different spaces overlapping one particular area. Every Planet has its own Dimensions. From the 5th dimension onwards are where our spirits usually reside, unless they want to experience the physical. Then they need to re-create a body on the third or fourth dimensions and re-integrate into it.
Inter-Dimensional travel. When you are aware of the different dimensions of a Planet and can move your consciousness and/or spirit from one to the other, or be aware of your consciousness in any one or more of the dimensions at the same time.
Here is were you can consciously travel to the Recording Halls or visit an entity's life-memories. As long as you know how to get there, and are able to leave your body in a safe environment without interruptions, you are quite safe.
It is when you are unexpectedly interrupted that you can lose your way, get lost or even separated from your body.
Usually a disturbance of any kind pulls you back to your body in an instant, but sometimes, especially if you were away a long time, you cannot reach your body in 'time' and it may perish from lack of your spirit being in it. A body needs the spirit to reside to function properly.
Parallel Worlds. The Cosmos seeks infinite experience. Therefore it created different versions of the same thing to 'run' at the same time. Sometimes the time continuum is so thin that the worlds actually touch and overlap, creating havoc in both time-lines.
Parallel Travel. Physical parallel travel is where you can enter a world or time, parallel to the planet you are on. The parallel planet usually represents your own on almost all levels.
You may or may not have a 'double' in the parallel. This entity is as unique as you are, as the other planet is.
Travelling in the physical form is safer, as your spirit goes with the housing. Your physical portal may collapse in on you, in which case you lose your body, or you may get stuck on the new planet and be forced to finish your life-term there.
Parallel Travel in the Astral form. Here you can use two techniques. Either enter the parallel world through a portal, which will give you the similar experience I had. I could only follow my energy trail back, thus needing the portal to stay open.
The second, more commonly used, and safer technique also requires specialized training. Here you leave your body behind on your own planet, safeguarded from disturbance and under constant surveillance and supervision. Then you can relatively safely go to a parallel world to do whatever you must and come back to a well preserved body.
This second technique can also be used for inter planetary travel and inter galactic travel.
Universe. The collective consciousness of everything in a certain area of creation.
Galaxy. A lot of star systems forming a particular Universe.
Inter Planetary Travel. Travelling from one planet to the next within the same Star system.
Inter Galactic Travel. Travelling from one star system to the next within the same Universe.
Cosmos. The Ultimate Consciousness, incorporating everything and all the Universes and Galaxies. The Creator of all things, God itself.
Source or Source Energy. The connective Cosmos energy. That which creates everything. It can be tapped into and used for various purposes, including manipulating Matter for various reasons.
Portal. Various fixed spaces that allows for physical (or non-physical) travel between places, planets, either within the same Universe, inter-galactically or to parallel worlds, or spiritual (or astral) travel between different dimensions.
Portal Travel. Nothing. So I still cannot access this one.
Let's try Worm Hole. An expansion of energy between space, creating a pathway to other planets, galaxies, parallel and dimensional worlds.
Time Travel. Multiple choices.
Time Travel - life memories. Every entity has his or her life memories available in a Cosmic recording facility. You can usually gain access to it through the Recording Halls of your own Planet, which is somehow also linked to the Cosmic Recording Facility. You can either go to your current life-memories, or access all your physical life memories in this way. Similar to regression.
Time Travel – physical plane. Currently not allowed. Parallel worlds are created for all the different scenarios and can be accessed by specially trained entities to adjust or re-adjust timelines.
By this time my head was spinning with all the 'new' terminology and the memories each one brought up from past lives lived a long time ago.
There were feelings and emotions attached to the memories, some good and others terrifying.
I have been through the mill and made it time and again.
This lifetime seems to be going the same way. Maybe all the memories would help make my life easier. But right now, it was definitely creating more confusion within me.
I felt someone standing in front of me and gave the person my attention.
It was Panam offering a mug of coffee and a sandwich.
"You are welcome. You have had nothing to eat and the Captain let us know that we will be landing in about 15 minutes. So finish that and get ready."
I obviously did not catch the conversation which stated where we were flying to.
As we exited the aircraft, a burst of super-hot air assaulted us. It snatched the breath right out of us, sending rivulets of sweat streaming down our bodies almost immediately. The glare of the sun was so bright, we had to squint to see where we were going.
A low, long vehicle, with six doors instead of the usual four, was waiting at the edge of the landing-field. It drove up to us slowly. A back door was opened and we followed Racewater into the air-conditioned luxury.
We settled opposite a hard-faced, dark-haired man dressed in a business-suit.
The driver headed out into a desert area that looked like a sea of sand.
"I am called Hamish. I am the local Agent for the Batista County" the man introduced himself.
The county name brought memories of organic fuel of the type most vehicles used. It was one of the richest counties with almost unlimited resources available to them.
"I am sorry to say but you do not look like the team of specialists I have been promised" Hamish told us disappointedly.
Racewater, already irritable from the travel and the hard days we have just been through, snapped back "We have just wrapped up a very difficult case in Atlantica and we have been ordered straight here. I would appreciate you backing off a bit and giving us some space to rest up before we proceed. If that is in order?"
Hamish gave Racewater a really hard look. Then he took a closer look at Panam and me. It seemed to dawn on him that we all looked under the weather.
"The mine cannot proceed until this situation is sorted out and I am receiving pressure from every angle. We already requested forensic help a week ago, and now they sent me a bunch of overworked people. Any suggestions to sort out this mess?"
Racewater visibly calmed himself.
"Give us until tomorrow morning to rest up. In the meantime, you can fill us in on what your big problem is. We have not yet received the documentation, except to get here as soon as possible."
"Our biggest mine had authorization to dig a new tunnel at a very deep level. Our specialized Organic Fuel Scanners indicated that there is an exceptionally large deposit of fuel at that level.
Before they were able to reach the level, the digger fell through the roof of a huge cave.
When my people reached the digger, they found the bottom of the cave covered in human remains. We were scared that it could be the site of a plague and requested the Government's involvement. They have run tests and assured us that there is nothing to fear in that regard.
But, it is still a mystery, and the bosses want to know who those people were and why they were down there in the first place. The whole place will have to be cleared out as it is right on top of the fuel deposit. Our local doctors did not want to estimate how long the bodies have been there. I really hope you will be able to help."
We were driving towards a double gate with guards. They threw the gates open in time for the vehicle to pass unhindered.
We entered a compound surrounded by mean looking fences. Guards in special hot-suits were posted every hundred meters. It made fascinating viewing and I wondered exactly how the suits worked. It looked as if they could be recycling body-water.
"Why all the security? It is surrounded by desert" Panam queried.
"Yes, it is surrounded by desert and the desert is swarming with desert people not wanting us here" Hamish replied.
"The war has raged since the beginning of the mines. Lately, the intensity had increased dramatically. No-one is safe outside the fence any longer" he informed us.
I was wondering if the war had anything to do with the graveyard somewhere under the sand.
"Has anyone ever asked the desert people why they are waging war on you?" I asked.
"I honestly do not know. I have been posted here for almost ten years and know the habits of these people as well as anyone else.
They are very wild and do not mingle easily with anyone not from their own Clans. No-one ever left any notes as to why they waged war on all strangers. I must say that the mines in the rockier areas do not have quite so many attacks."
Definitely something to do with the cave. I would really want to get down there and have a look for myself.
The vehicle stopped in front of a domed-shape building. Double doors automatically opened and we drove inside. The doors closed with a whoosh as they sealed. Only then were we allowed to get out of the vehicle. This place was air-conditioned as well.
Hamish escorted us to an underground sleeping facility. We were shown a comfortable room with all the facilities needed to freshen up properly.
"The water is rationed, so you only get a three minute shower each" Hamish informed us. "I will send some food. There is bottled water in the fridge. Do not drink or brush teeth in the wash water. Let us just say, it is not to be trusted.
I have to see to my other duties now. I will leave a guard at your door. You can ask him to get in touch with me if you need to. Otherwise he will organise whatever else you might require. Rest well gentleman. I will see you bright and early."
Racewater closed the door and bolted it. Turning, he looked at us.
"Well. It does seem as if they are a bit paranoid. Han, you shower first. I want you fed and rested as soon as possible. I have a lot of work for you."
I nodded and went ahead to receive my three minutes of cold water. It really did wonders to the body to be clean. By the time I was finished, the food had arrived and we lunched on cold meats, sliced fruits and an assortment of biscuits and cheeses. Not a meal that would go a long way, but satisfying enough for now.
Racewater unceremoniously ordered me into bed to get a head start on rest.
He woke me what felt like late afternoon. It was confirmed by the electronic time-keeper above the door. Dinner was served and there was enough solid food to go around. We had a hearty meal in silence.
"You ready to go to work?" Racewater asked as I pushed my empty plate to the middle of the coffee table.
"After coffee?"
"No, you can have coffee when you come back. It would be an incentive to return quickly."
He was serious. I have never seen him this way. "What do you want me to do?"
Even Panam was getting in on the act. He lent forward in a conspiring way, waiting for Racewater to give me the order.
"I want you to go see what this Hamish guy is up to. I do not trust him one bit and I have this gut feeling everything here is about money and nothing about any-one's welfare."
"I have scanned the room. There are no bugs. Does that let you feel better?"
"No, not really. Now get going."
I made my body comfortable and left on my astral quest. Concentrating on Hamish's aura and his particle path quickly allowed me to go where I wanted to be.
This was an enormous underground facility. There might be a few domes sticking out on the surface, but under the sand, it was a city.
I had to travel down, into the bowels of Creata, passing through a few layers of sleeping quarters, followed by a whole floor that served as a mess-hall with kitchens and dining areas, before coming to the office areas.
Hamish was easy to track. He had a very strong aura, shining brighter than all the people around him.
He was busy on a video-link with what I could only presume to be one of the bosses, judging by the apologetic way in which this usually authoritive person was speaking.
"They only arrived a few hours ago" he told the person on the screen.
"Have they been to the cave yet?"
"I am sorry sir. They seemed exhausted and I thought it best for them to rest first. We will go there tomorrow first thing."
"I have deadlines to meet. I cannot afford to waste even one day. Do you get me! Not one single day!"
"I know sir, but the other investors first want to find out what is going on. As you know, the government is involved now and we cannot do otherwise but adhere to their wishes. They have requested a full investigation and that is what we have to give, or they shut this shaft down."
It looked as if the balding man on the video-link was going to have a fit.
"Okay, okay. Just get it over with as quick as you can. That is what I pay your bonus for."
He logged off. Hamish spat at the screen.
It would have been an eye if the other man was still on.
"Fool, always hurry up and then I have to clean up the mess" he muttered to himself.
A shadow detached itself from a darkened corner.
Hamish was not surprised.
"How do you want to handle the Planetary Security Force people?" Hamish asked the shadowy figure.
"Very carefully. The Captain seems straightforward and the Doctor is fine. I cannot pick up on that Storm guy. He is the one that might be a problem."
I suddenly recognized the shadow. It was a specialized person too.
I quickly brought my shields up to guard myself from being noticed.
I need not have bothered. This person had heightened senses, but was not a trained psychic. I softly scanned him. He did not even detect my scan.
This person was Hamish's edge in this place. His own, private edge that could perceive beyond the normal. That is probably what Racewater picked up on.
"I would advise to leave them to do their job. Then we can re-assess the situation and make plans from there" the person with heightened senses said.
"I will play along with it for now. But I cannot afford more delays. You know it as much as I do."
With that remark, Hamish left the room. The would-be psychic went back to reading in a corner, the light barely lifting the figure out of the gloom.
I carefully 'snuck' up for a closer look.
And was shocked right back to my body.
I landed hard and stood up with a shudder, the grisly features engraved on my mind.
Both Panam and Racewater were taken unawares and jumped up as well.
It took me a second to get my body under control. Then I sat down again and related to them what I had seen and heard.
"Is there anything you could do for that poor deformed man?" Panam asked when I had finished.
"No, not unless he wants to he healed and look normal again. Even then, it will take a great deal of energy to realign all that tissue damage. It is a much bigger task than I had with Director Thornton's father."
"And we really need to stick together on this one. It looks as if we might be in for some fighting. Panam, as Han does not know what might happen tomorrow I want you ready with everything you have" Racewater added.
We discussed some more strategies and safeguards and then Racewater ordered all to bed.
My sleep was invaded by dreams of caverns covered in strange markings. Dancing and chanting people filled these caverns. They were inviting me to join them.
By the time Racewater woke us, I was feeling more exhausted than before going to sleep.
"You did not rest, did you?" Racewater asked me.
"No. I kept on having the weirdest dreams."
"Did you get any specifics?" he wanted to know.
"No, it was very vague, filled with things I feel I should know."
"That is weird" Panam chipped in.
We had no further opportunity to discuss my dreams. The guard knocked and Racewater opened up.
"I am to take you to the Chief. Come, follow me."
We were in a labyrinth of passages, steadily working our way to the middle of the complex.
We eventually emerged at a central transport system. I took a quick peek over the edge. Up and down went on for what looked like forever. The whole shaft was lighted with a bluish tint.
A cage came to a stop and opened up. We stepped onto a mesh floor. We could see almost all the way down.
Then it felt as if the ground did drop out from under us!
My stomach threatened to pop out my mouth. Racewater kept his usual unconcerned calm. Panam looked as if he was going to be sick.
The guard smiled. "It takes some time getting used to."
"Why is the elevator not solid?" Panam gasped at him.
"Security reasons. This way everyone can see if someone does not belong here."
Good point.
We kept on going down for a very long time. I stopped counting floors when I reached approximately twenty.
I was just getting used to the idea of falling when we came to a sudden, bone-jarring stop. The doors opened and Panam and I stepped out on unsure legs.
Racewater kept on moving and we had to hurry to keep up. The guard was already on his way back up.
"At last. I expected you ten minutes ago" Hamish complained. There were two more guards with him. Racewater followed behind Hamish and the guards brought up the rear.
We all entered another cage at the end of the passage. Cool air was blowing from an air-conditioner unit. It was actually cold.
The Elevator did not have a light and we went down in darkness.
It was even scarier not being able to see. Small lights lining the walls threw some light from time to time. It was just enough to make us aware that we were now faced on all four sides with bare rock. This was a new shaft.
We stopped, dust settling on us.
Hamish threw a switch and most of the cavern was thrown into the glare of spotlights.
It was of gigantic proportions. The roof could barely be seen in the glare. The cave made a natural theatre.
We were at the top end. It sloped down gradually to a slab of rock which could have been used as a platform or stage. Heaps of dust lay everywhere. There were definite open passages between these mounds.
Hamish walked over to one of the heaps of dust and carefully moved it with his foot. A dried-out face of a mummy became visible.
"All these little heaps represent mummified remains of people. Even the clothes are still discernable. Unfortunately, the few mummies we tried to move crumbled to dust. The Government people did not find any known viruses floating around, so it should not be dangerous to us.
Still, for so many people to have died all at once, whatever happened, must have been of catastrophic proportions.
That is why you are here. The investors want to know what happened. My bosses are taking a tremendous loss because of lost time. So I am advising you. Whatever you have to do, needs to be done quickly."
Racewater nodded. Turning to me he asked "When you are ready?"
I nodded back in silence.
My heart was racing with excitement and apprehension. This place was ancient and a memory was trying to surface. It was stuck somehow, but I knew it would come.
Ignoring everyone's stares I started walking through the crowd of mummies.
I found a path running along the back of the cavern.
I have been here before.
Firelight was dancing off the walls.
People were milling around.
Those nearest me were reaching out to touch me, but every time stopped short of the actual deed.
I looked back at Racewater.
They were still standing in the bright glare of the spotlight.
They were still watching me.
At the same time I could see more torches, held by white-robed priests. They were also standing where Racewater was standing, sharing almost the same space.
I was experiencing an overlapping vision.
One part of me saw the exact current time, yet at the same time some other part of me was experiencing what had happened here eons ago.
Continuing, I started to walk through the crowd.
They were calling my name.
I knew it was my name.
I knew they were revering me.
I smiled at my people, extending my arms to acknowledge their gestures. They moved back to open more space around me.
I turned into a passage left open between the people. It would take me all the way to the raised platform.
The people were chanting now. I knew I was supposed to know this language.
*Request a download.*
Sensaii's voice was a long way off. It was barely audible against the noise of the chanting inside my head.
Noise became words.
They were singing the praises of their warrior that would go forth and plead for their childrens' lives before the Galactic Council.
It was a song of survival and love and passion for life. It was a song of regret and the pleading for forgiveness.
I came to the raised platform.
In actual time, it was a slab of rock, covered in dust with huge blocks of rock strewn on the top.
I turned back to the people. They were all kneeling. The singing and chanting came to an end. They were no longer looking at me.
I could still see Racewater's group watching me. It seemed unimportant, yet my brain recognized it.
I turned to a man in a white tunic. He was waiting on the platform. An upside down horseshoe shape formed the back of the stage.
The man spoke to me. "We only have one chance to open this portal before total collapse. You must make it to the Planetary portal. Only then will we be able to save our children. All these people are sacrificing their life-energy to open this portal for you, our only hope."
He took my hand in his. Even now, in this vision, my psychic senses took over.
I saw the surface of the planet covered in green growth. Children of all ages and some adults were waiting on the surface, praying silently that their parents would not give their lives for nothing. If they lived through the next seven days, they would know that their parents were successful. If not, it would not matter anyway.
The man turned towards the people. I stepped up to the now non-existent portal.
I could feel the electricity of thousands of people draining their life-energy to open the portal for me. They channelled their energy to the man on the stage. He was starting to glow, taking in all their energy.
I waited expectantly.
He touched the portal.
It started to form the sticky substance I had encountered before.
I knew the people were dying. I could feel their spirits leave.
The portal was ready to enter.
I looked back at the priest one more time and stepped through. . .
And off the other end of the stage.
My body did not have far to fall.
I knew I relived one of my lives. Suppressed memories were flooding back.
I could hear running.
I placed my back against the granite of the stage. Encircling my legs, I buried my head in the gap between my chest and thighs and wept.
This was a holy place.
The desert people were my descendants too. They were trying to protect this place. Creata's history was intertwined with this cavern system.
Racewater, Panam and Hamish came to a stop in front of me. Hamish tried to say something, but Panam hushed him.
"He is still busy" Racewater whispered. "Let him be until he returns by himself."
They backed off a bit, but I could feel all eyes expectantly on me.
I made my decision.
I stood up, keeping my face blank and my eyes unfocussed, hoping that Racewater would not see through the deception.
I addressed them in the language of the vision.
It really created consternation amongst them.
I walked up to Racewater, touching his arm I pointed in the direction from which they just came.
Again I requested him to follow me. Again using the old language.
He nodded. I started walking.
"What is going on?" Hamish whispered at him.
"He is still in a vision. He seems to want us to follow. Come." Racewater started after me. Panam and Hamish followed. Hamish indicated to the guards to stay put.
I took them to the back of the cavern. There were several entrances here which led to further chambers and I was sure one would lead directly to the fuel-fields.
The entrance I was heading for was still sealed. I read the markings, which were no longer strange to me, before placing my hand on the entry panel, letting a small bit of my life-energy drain into it. I hoped the door would respond after all these years.
I have never heard such a joyous sound as the grating of that door. It opened up without difficulty, as if it had closed only yesterday. I marvelled at the science, now lost to this Planet and its people.
It was dark in the passage.
Memory – Light!
I wondered if the crystal would still respond to the order to make light. If it was built as good as the door, it should.
"Neono!" I ordered.
Wonder above wonder, the blue haze flicked and sputtered and then blinked on. One panel after another.
I was smiling from ear to ear. I could not help myself any longer.
This was once my home. I guess that after never having had a home as a child in this current lifetime, this still was my home after all the years in between.
My home.
Ancient memories surfaced. Memories of loved ones. Loved ones left behind in order to save them.
I walked to the travel capsules or elevators as they are now called.
I pressed in the code from so long ago.
The capsule did not respond. It was deactivated.
I hit the door in frustration. I turned around, walking back the way I came, passing a slightly flabbergasted Racewater. Panam had concern written all over his face. Hamish wore one of awe.
I found the back-up system. Punched in the code.
Again nothing.
This was bull!
There was a way in, so there must be a way out again.
Ah! Yes, the hidden stairwells.
I started knocking on all the panels, listening for the distinct hollow sound. I found it almost all the way back to the start, at the beginning of the tunnel.
I put my shoulder to it, breaking the fragile crystal into millions of shards, cutting my hand in the process.
I had the common sense not to touch my own blood and allowed it to drip.
The next assault made the base material shatter. It was not built to withstand so much shock after thousands of years.
I came out onto a landing. Aluminium stairs ran up and down in a long vertical shaft.
There were no lights here, only torches. I took one and put the flint next to it into action. It took like tinder.
I did not wait for the others but started up the stairs, two at a time.
It was Racewater's anxious voice.
I ignored it.
"Han, Wait!"
It was an order.
I stopped. I did not dare turn around.
Another flick and another burning torch started coming up the stairs.
"Please," Racewater's voice was soothing now, "please Han. If we lose you now, we will spend an eternity looking for you and might never find you again."
I did not answer but started up the stairs again.
We passed three more landings before we came to the one I was looking for. It had a sign on it that read Sub-Level 44. To the others it would just be a bunch of scribbles.
The door was bolted from my side. I opened it and asked for the lights, which also responded promptly. I doused the torch and replaced it carefully in the rack holding other torches.
Racewater was right behind me. Panam came up behind Hamish, who also followed my lead and put away his torch too. I proceeded down the corridor.
This was where I used to live with my family.
I wanted to see and feel my home one more time. I was here, and this would be the only opportunity I would ever have again.
I remembered the route to take as if it was yesterday. The other people kept close to me.
I stopped in front of my door.
Would it respond to my new body?
The life-essence is supposed to stay the same.
"Where are we?" Panam asked without thinking, making Racewater jump and almost give him a slap.
"Home" I answered in their language.
Somehow, I was still part of the past, not the time where the other three individuals resided.
For me, time, at this moment, was turned around.
Sensaii was trying to warn me that I am going too far. That what I am doing is very dangerous.
Right now it did not matter. He was no longer my concern. Only my family was.
I released some life-energy into the locking mechanism.
I was right. The life-essence stayed the same, no matter what body you occupied.
The door opened and I walked back into my life . . .
My beautiful wife had her finest on. A gilded flowing dress, revealing her graceful arms and shoulders, placing emphasis on her long, graceful neck. Her golden hair was fastened on top of her head, one lock hanging down the side. Her strange hazel eyes bored into mine.
I stopped just inside the door.
Her eyes were accusing me. Accusing me of leaving her and the children to fend for themselves in the wild world on the surface.
These were the memories I had locked away. Now I had opened them up and was having a total emotional flow-back.
I should have listened to Sensaii.
It was too late now.
My children were already up on the surface. No-one would ever again come here. All this luxury would eventually be forgotten.
"Why did you volunteer?" my wife was asking me.
Once again I gave her the same answer "That is what I was born to do."
Judging from the stares I was receiving from my companions in the exact present time, I must have spoken out loud. I was just not entirely sure in which language I had answered her.
"Take the crystal. It will protect you on your journey" she continued, holding a protection crystal out to me.
The first time I declined it. It was still lying on the marble table in the middle of the floor.
I stepped up to it and took it into my hands. It started images I did not want to have right now.
Pushing it down into the pocket of my pants, I left, continuing to walk very fast to the other landing at the end of the passage. I did not wait for anyone anymore. They will just have to keep up.
I wanted to get out, do what I needed to do and retire to be by myself. To grieve by myself - once more.
I heard the others hasten after me. Someone closed the door behind them. The typical 'whoosh' of the seal told me it locked securely. No-one would disturb my old home's peace.
From this landing I led them into another stairwell. We proceeded down another four flights.
Using the torches as before, I found the door that led to the fuel reservoirs. We almost never used fuel, as the clean, inexpensive crystal energy was freely used in my time.
I smiled at myself. My time. I was still very much within my own vision.
I placed the burning torch in a niche specially cut for this reason. No fire was allowed into the reservoirs. The door was unlocked and I entered, indicating with a hand for the others to wait for further orders.
I fumbled around in the dark until I reached the manual switch that was used here. Flipping the switch, the whole area was washed in brightness.
Hamish doused the torches before entering.
We were standing on a landing at the top of the reservoirs. A guard rail ran the circumference of the cavern, preventing people from accidentally falling into them.
This was the hoard that Hamish and his men were digging for.
They may have it, as long as they avoid the sacred ground. I turned to him, switching back to present time and our shared language.
"These are the reservoirs. They are filled with fuel. The office would have the exact figures in storage, but it is at the bottom level and the elevators are out. I am not going to walk twenty floors down to get that for you."
I was suddenly feeling tired.
"Where do we get out?" Panam asked, always the practical one.
"There are doors on the surface leading here. We never used them, as the quantities of fuel needed from the reservoirs were so little. I will take you there" I told them.
Hamish was still in shock. "This beats drilling any day. Where exactly is this surface entrance?"
I was already on my way to the other side of the cavern and did not bother to answer him.
They followed.
I found the stairwell I was looking for and lit another torch. Handing it to Racewater I flipped the switch behind us, hiding the cavern in darkness. I made sure the door was locked and proceded up the stairs.
Another few flights later, we reached the loading bay.
Hamish and his team would just have to figure a way out to get the cargo lifts working again.
The huge double doors were still sealed. It had been made to admit cargo aircraft. I headed across the empty floor to the side of the doors. There should be smaller entrance doors at the side.
I found one on the left-hand side, hidden behind some storage containers.
After moving these out of the way, I inspected the locking mechanism. It was another energy lock.
Only authorized personnel used to be allowed here. I was confident that I used to have this authorization, so placed my hand over the lock and released some of my life-essence.
We all waited in expectation.
Nothing happened.
I tried again, releasing a bit more energy.
Still nothing.
I backed off from the door.
There should be writing indicating what type of lock this was.
Signage in red presented over the top. These doors could only be opened through DNA identification.
Now that opened memories I really did not want to remember. The darker side of our times. I sat down heavily, holding my head in my hands, as if this could make the sudden, invasive flashes of memory more bearable.
"Han, we need you to get us out of here" Panam's voice reached me from far away.
I pulled myself together, shaking my head to clear it.
DNA markers were still swimming around in it.
Could it be that this body I now occupied still had some of the same markers of my previous body?
Highly unlikely.
A memory hit my mind like the crack of lightning.
I involuntarily ducked down at the force of it. Panam helped steady me.
I have always been born from Source Energy. Always!
In all my physical lives, I have not once known a father. NOT ONCE!
I pushed Panam gently away from me and parked myself in front of Racewater, holding out my hand to him.
"Knife please" I requested.
He handed me his pocket knife without a word.
Opening it on the way back to the door, I noticed that everyone was closely following my every move.
Holding my hand over the key, I cut my thumb, letting the blood drip into it.
A holographic screen appeared, showing the markers of my blood.
I cleaned the knife on my sleeve, closed it and handed it back to Racewater.
The screen was sifting through hundreds of possibilities. Panam placed a plaster around my thumb to stop the bleeding.
The screen beeped. It showed two sets of markers matching my blood exactly!
We all stared at the screen. This was supposed to be a physical impossibility. This was not natural.
The sound of the door unlocking brought our attention back to the immediate crises of getting out of this maze.
We hurried to the door, making our escape. As we started down the tunnel towards a light somewhere at the front, we heard the door close and locking behind us.
The DNA match was something both Racewater and Panam were going to want answers to.
And me too.
Copyright © H Gibson Chronicles of Han Storm. All rights reserved. 2009-2015


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Upper Eyelid Surgery
Upper eyelid blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) is our second most common eyelid procedure overall and our most common cosmetic procedure in men. Upper eyelid blepharoplasty can be done in our privately owned surgical center with minimal anesthesia and with next to zero downtime. Patients commonly return to work within 48 hours.
As we age, the upper eyelid skin tends to elongate and droop. It is also common to develop bulging eyepads on the inner eyelid whereas, we tend to get extra skin on the outer eyelid. When bulging eyepads and/or excess skin occurs in the upper eyelids, we look tired, fatigued, or even sad.
One of our most common requests that we hear from our cosmetic patients is a desire to look less tired. Our patients often report feeling good, but wish that their outer physical appearance better reflected their inner spirit. At Ocean Drive Plastic Surgery, we believe in offering a variety of services for rejuvenating eyes that can include surgical as well as nonsurgical approaches such as BOTOX cosmetic. Upper eyelid rejuvenation involves evaluation of the patient's eye and facial skin, eyelash length and fullness, and presence or absence of excess fat around the eyes and face.
Ideal Upper Eyelid
The ideal upper eyelid should provide a bright, youthful, and energetic look. The eyelid and eye itself should have either an oval or almond shape. In women, there should be a robust row of eyelashes on the upper and lower eyelid, but the upper eyelid is more noticeable. There should be minimal excess skin in the upper eyelid, and surrounding the orbital area in general. Crow's feet should be minimized. Lastly and most importantly, there should be a well defined cleft between the superior end of the upper eyelid and the inferior beginning of the lower brow. This upper eyelid cleft is crucial to your overall appearance, as it provides definition between the upper eyelid and the brow.
4 Important Eyelid Features
During your consultation, there are 4 critical structures in the upper eyelid that must be evaluated to improve your overall aesthetics.
- Upper eyelid skin.
- Upper eyelid fat pads
- The Obicularis muscle & upper orbital septum
- Presence or absence of ptosis (aka eyelid droop)
Upper Eyelid Skin
As we age, our brow position tends to fall over time. We fight this brow descent by activating our Frontalis muscle, which lifts and elevates the brow position. By doing this, we create a tension on your upper eyelid.
These movements, which happen thousands of times a day will effectively stretch and elongate upper eyelid skin over the course of daces causing dermatochalasis, which is the term for having excess upper eyelid skin. The only truly effective treatment is upper eyelid blepharoplasty.
Upper Eyelid Fat Pads
There are 3 fat or glandular components in the upper eyelid. The three components are the medial fat pad, the middle fat pad, and laterally the lacrimal gland (aka the tear gland). During upper eyelid surgery, we routinely reduce or remove the medial fat pad to emphasize the natural almond shape of the upper eyelid. However, we do not routinely reduce the middle fat pad as reduction or removal of this pad commonly creates a hollowed out appearance to your eye. Instead of reducing or removing the middle fat pad, we tighten this fat pad using a specific type of laser to create a revitalized appearance to the upper eyelids. Lastly, the lacrimal gland is left untouched to prevent disruption of tear flow and to maintain appropriate eye function.
Upper Eyelid Cleft
We strongly advocate for defining the upper eyelid cleft during upper eyelid surgery. There is a natural elegance to a clearly defined upper eyelid and brow. If this cleft is obscured or absent, many patients will require a surgical brow lift or a chemical browlift to create the cleft. Conversely, in patients who have good overall brow position and merely have descent of upper eyelid, those patients can achieve outstanding results though reduction of the orbicularis muscle and removal of the excess upper eyelid skin and septum. By removing the septum and reducing the muscle, Dr. Durkin is able to recreate the natural upper eyelid cleft that you were born with. This specific maneuver that Dr. Durkin utilizes separates our upper eyelid results from our competitors. By addressing the foundation tissue planes of the upper eyelid, we are able to create natural, youthful appearing eyes with lasting results. Reduction of the orbicularis muscle and septum has no effect on eyelid function. It is an accessory function muscle and manipulation of the orbicularis does not alter your ability move your eyes.
Eyelid Droop or Ptosis
As we age, facial structures and landmarks tend to drift downwards. When this happens in the upper eyelid, we call this ptosis. Ptosis refers to the overall position of the upper eyelid in relation to the eye itself. It does not indicate whether or not the eyelid has exta skin. Rather, this refers to eyelid position overall. This assessment is taken during your initial evaluation. Repair of ptosis is traditionally done through manipulation of the Levator muscle, or another important muscle known as Muller's muscle. Ptosis repair can provide a dramatic improvement in facial appearance. Dr. Durkin has extensive experience in regarding ptosis repair of the upper eyelid, and brow. There are many causes of eyelid ptosis, and the repair of each type differs. Ptosis evaluation is one of our cornerstones in eyelid surgery, as repair of upper eyelid droop is absolutely crucial towards overall outcome in upper eyelid surgery.
Not all patients are candidates for isolated upper eyelid surgery. Many require brow lifting as well because their brow has fallen. This is very common in women. Upper eyelid evaluation is not complete unless your brow position is evaluated as well. We eval both for you at your consultation and define your options for you.
We also commonly employ upper eyelid blepharoplasty with Botox® and or latisse to get the maximum result possible. As well, all patients are evaluated in terms of brow position. Many patients who request an up eyelid surgery, commonly need a brow lift as well. We discuss this at length during your consultation and ensure all of your questions are answered before surgery.
Pros & Cons Upper Eyelid Surgery
Pros to Upper Eyelid Surgery
- Comprehensive eye rejuvenation that lasts 15+ years
- Direct controlled & precise rejuvenation
- Minimal anesthesia
- Treats all layers of eyelid: muscle, fat, skin, & septum
- Minimal downtime, back to work in 48 h
Cons of Upper Eyelid Surgery
- Requires surgery
- Cosmetic complications could occur
Lower Eyelid Surgery
One of the most prominent stigmantas of aging is bagginess or puffiness in the lower eyelid, making eyelid surgery a widely popular cosmetic surgery procedure. As we grow older, we develop excess fat projection, excess skin, and skin discoloration in our lower eyelids. Dark circles under the lids are especially bothersome to women. Lower lid blepharoplasty is a permanent solution to dark circles/pigmentation ounder the eyelids.
We take the lower eyelid rejuvenation is one of the most complicated procedures in cosmetic surgery. The definition of the perfect lid varies between gender and race. Many believe that Scarlet Johansen has the perfect lower eyelids for a caucasion woman whereas, this does not fit for an Asian or African female. Naomi Cambpell is a great example of a woman with ideal lower eyelids for an African American.
What should the lower eyelid look like? There should be a smooth transition from the lower eyelid to the cheek. There should not be excess skin or lumpiness. Lastly, in woman, cheek mass commonly equates to modern beauty.
As with upper eyelids, if you are going to operate on the upper lid, you must evaluate the brows. With the lower eyelid, if you are going to operate the lower lid, you eval the cheek. Many patients presenting with lower eyelid surgery will require a cheek lift. The line that forms underneath the eyelid forms because the cheek fat has fallen. The line is called arcus marginalis. To remove this line the cheek must be reposition in conjuction with the structure of the lower eyelid. The primarly goal is to create a harmonious lower eyelid/cheek junction without a tear trough deformity.
Our services include lower eyelid rejuvenation, repair of tramatic injuries, repair of drooping eyelids and revisional surgery following previous cosmetic eyelid surgery. People come with ectropins, which are drooping lower lids. Scarring after lower lid bleph or trama can cause ectropionss. Scarring can be technique driven.
Pros to Lower Eyelid Surgery
- Rejuvenates appearance of face
- Foundation for facial rejuvenation
- Minimal anesthesia
- Treats all layers of eyelid: muscle, fat, skin, & septum
- Minimal downtime, back to work in 48 h
Cons to Lower Eyelid Surgery
- Requires surgery
- Cosmetic complications could occur


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Not the West Highland Way – Race Report (June 2015)
It's been a while.
It was a race I hadn't really planned to do with the IAU WorldTrail Champs being only a few weeks earlier. Lots of sensible reasons not to. But racing isn't as cold as that for me. Things aren't black and white.
I don't race to strict heart rate zones. Sometimes I run sections hard because it feels good. Sometimes I slow because I feel like it, and I can (or simply that I have to). Sometimes I make mistakes. Other times it comes good. It's a race. Not a time trial. And sometimes you make racing decisions that you'll live with, good or bad. (more…)
A Winter WHW trial (08.11.2013)
On Friday I set out on a challenge that was never really meant to be. I had other plans that had been scuppered by circumstances and bad timing's (a recurring theme for me of late). So rather than do nothing and waste the ambition I decided on a double WHW. Yep, I know, off-the-cuff like that doesn't quite give that particular challenge enough respect. A fair accusation I guess, but I do know what's involved in a WHW both in summer and in winter. (more…)
West Highland Way Race Report – 2012
The 'Big One'
Can't believe I'm writing my report already. It's done. It's gone for another year and already I'm dreading the long wait for its return. I love the West Highland Way race. There, I said it. There is always a drama, there are times when you'd choose to be anywhere else in the world but for now at least, it feels like a home-race.
I won't go in to all the details – there are a lot of other reports for you to get through and you've probably heard most of the same stuff from me for a while. In short, training had been good, taper was pretty straightforward and I was more organised than the year before thanks to all we had learned on my first WHW race. I arrived in Milngavie feeling good but perhaps not as confident as I had hoped having pulled out of the Cateran Ultra after 20 miles or so due to stomach problems. It was an emotional exit having won it the year before and had been extra stoked by the fantastic line-up of talent on the day. It wasn't to be though – so had to try to put it to the back of my mind.
GO33 Ultra Race Report (2011)
Weather – perfect
Turnout – excellent
Scenery – stunning
Pretty much all the ingredients were there for a great race through the Glen and back. Due to the higher than expected numbers the route was changed at the start which meant a couple of extra up's and down's on some forest track. Better than the planned road start any day!
Brecon Beacons Ultra – 19th November 2011
Entry available!
I have a place at the Beacons Ultra on the 19th November if anyone fancies it? Entry closed weeks ago as it's a pretty popular race. I'm not going to be able to make it now. Looks like a cracking race. Entry was £40 – yours for £35. Just give me a shout if you fancy it. Go on!!
Nice way to finish the season.
Inside my box – SUMS 2011
Well, look what arrived the other day!
It's not really that exciting is it? Well, it doesn't really matter what it is or what's inside the box. Not that I don't care. I do. A lot. It's the trophy for finishing 3rd in this year's Scottish Ultra Marathon Series.
Whilst I was well-beaten to 1st and 2nd, I guess it is an achievement considering the strength, experience and talent of the other competitors. I dare say I probably had a bit of luck along the way, although I have worked hard for it, completing 6 races and running as hard as I could in each one. More than acceptable in Season 1.
It's just that the way I was presented it, was much more important to me than the accolade itself. There was no presentation, no clapping and no champagne.
It was given to me by the most important man that's ever been in my life. My Dad. And, he shook my hand and said "Well done Son." Does it really get any better than that? For me, no, I don't think it does. I've had such incredible support from my Dad (and the rest of my family) all my life and trying not to let them down is something that courses through me, and always will. I guess the 'white box' was an opportunity for him to let me know that I'm doing ok – making every stride of each race (occasionally in the wrong direction), every 4.30am training run, every sickly energy gel, bout of cramp and lost toenail more than worthwhile. I'd do it all over again (except quicker!) for another one of those.
So, thank you SUMS – it was an awesome 2011.
Let's just wait and see 🙂
RAW River Ayr Way Ultra – race report 2011
I'll keep it short.
Weather turned out pretty decent following the heavy rain on the Friday. Arrived at Glenbuck in plenty of time, registered and chatted to some friendly faces. Got ready to race – warmed up, then just hung about until they finally managed to gather everyone and start the race around 20mins late.
Last of the SUMS – River Ayr Way Ultra
Well, I can't believe it's the September weekend already! It's crazy just how quick this year has passed. We haven't exactly had a summer to remember in Scotland but I guess we're used to it.
Tomorrow is the final race in the Scottish Ultra Marathon series (SUMS) – The River Ayr Way Challenge (RAW). 41ish miles (more…)
The Speyside Way Ultra – Race Report 2011
Tummy trouble
I was supposed to race the Devil 'o the Highlands a few weeks before this but stomach problems meant that I couldn't start. Was pretty gutted. Felt like I'd run out of luck as I'd had gastroenteritis just before GEDM earlier in the year.
So, next thing to focus on was the Speyside Ultra (part of the SUMS series). My folks had booked a cottage up in Buckie so we were all looking forward to a mini-break. My training since missing the Devil had gone pretty well and into race week I tapered and increased the carb intake from the middle of the week. On Thursday it appeared to strike again and I had the worst stomach (I won't go into details) and the realisation that as well as an underlying issue I must be doing this to myself. I think I know what it is now so if anything, that's a step forward (and another post). I couldn't drive up on the Thursday as planned as I needed to be near a toilet so I set out on the 4.5hr drive on Friday with a decent supply of immodium.
The rest of the day was spent trying to get sorted – boiled rice, bananas, trip to the chemist. It wasn't great and the stress of trying to get myself fit for the race probably wasn't helping. (more…)
Post race blues?
Thought it about time I actually posted something. Been keeping my head down after the WHW race. It's been a strange month and I've had a few injury concerns, but building back up to peak training weeks.
First things first – a question!
Post race blues – is this a recognised condition?
It doesn't seem to be talked about much. Maybe it isn't real? Or maybe it doesn't affect the full-time athletes as much as there is no 'normal' to return to after the event. Most of us anyway have to return to our normal day-to-day working lives only days after a lengthy physical event like the West Highland Way race. I was back in work a couple of days after and whilst I expected it to be ok (at least for the first few hours) I wasn't really prepared for the slump that followed.
I know it was only a race but I did learn a lot about myself and where I want to head. (more…)


text: An independent analysis of studies found that these are better than manual ones at removing plaque and preventing gum disease, perhaps because they produce more strokes and users tend to brush longer (two minutes is ideal). They may also be less likely than manual brushes to wear teeth along the gum line, Wheeler says, because users are less "heavy-handed." Research on less expensive battery-operated brushes is limited, but some people (especially kids) may find them more fun and brush longer.