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Monster hunters of the Southern Hemisphere email@example.com
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
More on the Grafton Yowie
Yowie researcher and author Paul Cropper was interviewed recently on ABC Radio in relation to the latest Yowie sighting - north of Grafton, NSW - to hit the headlines.
"In our book we recorded around 350 reports going back to the late 1700s, early 1800s, but I imagine there's a lot more than that which don't ever reach the media – people have these experiences and then just keep it to themselves," Mr Cropper told the Daily Examiner last week.
"One thing you can say with absolute certainty is that Aborigines and Europeans have been recording these things for a long time – the Aboriginal stories go back to the Dreamtime and the European stories go back to basically the first settlement … there's just this consistent thread of stories up until (last) Tuesday morning."
The related ABC Radio interview is great and the witness statement sounds intriguing indeed! Have a listen.
If you're interested in reading about similar sightings, or checking out the Bible of Yowie research, The Yowie: In Search of Australia's Bigfoot, be sure to drop by Paul and co-author Tony Healy's website www.yowiefile.com.
Posted by RR at 19:56
Labels: australian yowie research, paul cropper, the yowie, the yowie: in search of australia's bigfoot
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I eat way too much pasta, cheese and pizza. In fact, mac and cheese is one of my favorite foods, and it's rare that HQ and I don't end up eating some form of it every week. A lot of other attempts where we've attempted to change how we've eaten have failed within a few days. So earlier this month I decided to try something else: Whole30.
The program seems pretty simple: eat real food for 30 days. Avoid added sugar, alcohol, grains, dairy, legumes, carrageenan, MSG or sulfites — and do not try to recreate sweets or baked goods. I've eaten a lot of delicious salads, thai food, taco salad, and more.
It's been seven days on the program. The toughest part has been added avoiding sugar and dairy. It's been easier going the past few days, but I felt horrible the second day, probably because of low blood sugar, because I hadn't eaten any fruit the day before. Once I ate some strawberries and apples I felt much better.
The next 21 days aren't going to be easy, but I'm hoping it will help us both eat better in the future!
What are your ways of incorporating more healthy food into your diet?

subset: commoncrawl


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Sat, 29 December 2012
Boys from Books that We Can't Wait to Spend Time with in 2013!
Direct download: swoonyboyspodcast_ringin2013.mp3
Category:Swoony Boy Files -- posted at: 11:45pm CDT
Sat, 22 December 2012
Join Kassiah and Meg in this Swoony Boys Podcast episode featuring Edward Cullen of the Twilight Saga.
Direct download: swoonyboyspodcast_edward.mp3
Category:Swoony Boy Files -- posted at: 9:09pm CDT


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Summer is almost upon us, and that leaves us with another opportunity of looking great for the season. This is around the time of year where fashion trends blossom in popularity, thanks to the radiant sunshine and therefore ability to wear more adventurous items of clothing.
But where should you start? You've looked great for the last few years and now you're lost. What fashion resurgence could possibly return that hasn't already been re-visited? How do you look great without looking stale or repetitive?
Well, don't worry, because this fashion and style guide for summer 2017 will allow you to incorporate some of the hottest trends into your wardrobe, and turn plenty of heads as a result. Another promising aspect of this summer is the number of retailers that are having sales. What's further is, you could use vouchers to reduce your clothing costs even more. For example, check the Jack Wills sale to learn more.
Without further ado:
Bright Colors
Bright colors are making a comeback. In fact, that's the main trend of this summer. No matter what item of clothing that's likely to be stocked in the hot sections of the high street retailers, you can be sure that they'll have a bold and beautiful color scheme. Deep reds, fuschias, greens, and yellows are here to celebrate the summer in style. This was first noticed at Paris Fashion Week, where the bold often bring their most experimental items of clothing.
This was a gorgeous and beautiful display, the model's positively beamed from the catwalk, and it wasn't their drop dead gorgeous looks this time. Instead, the clothing did all the talking. What was special about the color scheme was that it wasn't limited to a select method of display. Instead, super bright all-in-one's, heels and trousers were seemingly all part and parcel of the display. Be sure to incorporate this bold yet elegant look for a truly show-stopping aesthetic this summer.
The 80's are back, with a slightly modern twist. Huge belts, large shoulder arraignments, and big heels are doing the rounds. Leather jackets are also big as a nighttime accessory if your local can support you wearing such an insulated item. This is a great time to ask your parent to raid their wardrobe and visit vintage sales. Apps like Depop or Sphock also have a thriving online marketplace for this sort of stuff. Anything goes, but be sure to give it a modern twist to help identify it in the current era. Harping back to old decades is a tried and true method of the fashion world, yet keeping it current brings the methods of the past in front of a new, beautiful and chic light.
See-Through Dresses
If you've seen any A-List shows lately, you'll have noticed the see-through, strapless and sometimes purely exposing dresses they wear. This is in this summer. Showing a little bra can be tasteful if done elegantly, and with a strapless see-through top, you might not even need that. This isn't to encourage you to reveal anything you're not comfortable with, in fact supplementing these items with underneath garments is also all the rage this summer, especially during the nightwear. Look at the upcoming award shows like the Tony awards, hosted on June 11th for a clearer example of what we mean.
Vertical and diagonal stripes are quickly entering the modern fashion trend and for good reason. It's not hard to understand why wearing thick, deeply colored stripes can help you both emphasize your figure and implement the bright colors trend listed above. This must be the summer of love because the hippy motif is also a strong one this time. Imagine your favorite decorative tapestry, and now imagine someone has made a chic dress out of it. That's the style you should be aiming for. Clashing colored stripes are in, and the more detailed and decorative the better.
Minimal purist is a big look this summer too, and it's probably in a sensible counterbalance to the bright color motif that seems so popular at the moment. Stonewashed colors and little frills on an outfit are to be emphasized if you're just not feeling the summer color splash. Post-modernist chic is going to be prevalent throughout summer because of this. Incorporate this into your wardrobe to prepare for the rainy days or the days that you just don't feel like making a statement.
Overall, fashion is dictated by your personality and how you feel on the day. Taking inspiration from all the headings listed above will detail your wardrobe with a ubiquitously applicable arsenal to mix and match with ease.


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About Our Church
Kirk O'Cliff Presbyterian Church was built in 1876, by a group of Scottish Presbyterians on cliffs overlooking the Anna River in what is now the Lake Anna area of Central Virginia. In 1911,long before the lake was created, the church building was taken apart and relocated to its present site in order to be closer to the location of its membership. Were the church still at its original location, it would be covered by the waters of the lake.
Who We Are
Originally our church family was made up of farmers but with the development of Lake Anna as a recreation and retirement area, our church family is now made up of retired persons from all walks of life, farm families and locals as well as weekenders. We are a group of people who according to our creed believe in one God, the Father; who sent Jesus to live and die for us that we might be reconciled to the God and Father of all, regardless of race, nationality or religious background. We believe that after Jesus' death and resurrection, He has charged the church universal with the task to make disciples of all nations. We are a warm, welcoming church family who cares for its members, community as well as the world; seeking always to care for spiritual, physical, emotional and social needs.
Our Goal
As a church family we have adopted as our motto or goal "To Be a Beacon of God's Love," so that the whole community may reflect God's love and peace. Our creed states that "through prayerful discernment and with the power of the Holy Spirit, we believe we will be led to engage in activities that will make a difference, by living our values of caring, commitment, leadership, spirituality, and tolerance." We invite you to learn more about us by reading the specific descriptions of various areas of worship, study and work within our website and more importantly we encourage and welcome you to come experience God's love with us.
October 28, 2020
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Worship Service 11 AM
Adult Sunday School 10 AM
Join Us!
If you're curious about what a truly nurturing community of believers is like, then you should come to the "Join Us" section to find out how you can get involved.
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[vc_row type="grid"][vc_column][vc_column_text]SailPoint's Unified Approach to Managing the User Lifecycle Across an Entire Organization Has Helped Chip Away at the Shares of Legacy IAM Models
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., September 10, 2015 — Based on its recent analysis of the identity and access management (IAM) market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes SailPoint with the 2015 Global Frost & Sullivan Award for Entrepreneurial Company of the Year. SailPoint's knowledge of the traditional approaches to IAM and its ability to deliver solutions that bridge the gaps has made it one of the largest pure-play vendors in the IAM market.
"While existing IAM solutions manage either on-premises applications or cloud access, SailPoint manages customers' hybrid environments," said Frost & Sullivan Senior Industry Analyst Chris Rodriguez. "Its IdentityIQ and IdentityNow solutions provide a holistic approach to IAM by enabling convenient and secure access to on-premises solutions, cloud applications, and mobile environments."
IdentityIQ delivers essential governance-based IAM capabilities including self-service password management, self-service access requests, automated user provisioning, auditing, reporting, risk analysis, and a workflow engine. Furthermore, it centralizes identity data and creates a single place to understand and manage roles, policies, and risks. IdentityIQ includes connectors for third-party provisioning solutions from IBM, Sun, Oracle, and Microsoft; as well as connectors for mobile device management (MDM) solutions such as those from AirWatch, Good Technologies, and MobileIron. This helps businesses extend identity-based controls to mobile processes such as user onboarding, policy enforcement, and auditing. All of SailPoint's 80+ connectors are available to customers for free.
Similarly, IdentityNow presents single sign-on (SSO), provisioning, access certification, and password management capabilities. It is a cloud-based model that allows customers to choose between a monthly or yearly subscription fee, thereby eliminating costly capital expenses and ensuring a lower cost of ownership. While customers of traditional enterprise software are responsible for deploying and updating software and maintaining related hardware platforms, SailPoint IdentityNow offers IAM-as-a-Service and manages the underlying platform and software.
"Its strong brand name and reputation have helped SailPoint gain customers from all industries around the world. Its product line caters to organizations of any type," remarked Rodriguez. "The company provides IdentityIQ to customers desiring an on-premises deployment, and IdentityNow to those requiring IAM services delivered in the cloud."
SailPoint also gives customers the flexibility to deploy a combination of IdentityIQ and IdentityNow, depending on their IAM needs, as well as their need for a software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution. It continues to research new ways to interconnect IAM with IT services and security systems to enhance protection and improve the overall user experience.
The company recently introduced a responsive mobile user interface to make IdentityIQ as user friendly on a mobile as on a desktop. The sleek interface is designed to improve user productivity by empowering business users to participate in the organization's compliance and security efforts from the device of their choice.
Owing to the strong product benefits, SailPoint achieved more than 50 percent revenue growth for five years in a row, and now has 425+ employees and offices in 11 countries. Moreover, its partner eco-system spans 100 countries and six continents. With its strong overall performance, SailPoint has earned the 2015 Frost & Sullivan Entrepreneurial Company of the Year Award.
Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has demonstrated excellence in devising a strong growth strategy and robustly implementing it. The recipient has shown strength in terms of innovation in products and technologies, leadership in customer value as well as speed in response to market needs. In short, the award looks at the emerging market players in the industry and recognizes their best practices that are positioned for future growth excellence.
Frost & Sullivan's Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for outstanding achievement in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research.
About SailPoint
As the fastest-growing, independent identity and access management (IAM) provider, SailPoint helps hundreds of global organizations securely and effectively deliver and manage user access from any device to data and applications residing in the datacenter, on mobile devices, and in the cloud. The company's innovative product portfolio offers customers an integrated set of core services including identity governance, provisioning, and access management delivered on-premises or from the cloud (IAM-as-a-service).
About Frost & Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants.
Our "Growth Partnership" supports clients by addressing these opportunities and incorporating two key elements driving visionary innovation: The Integrated Value Proposition and The Partnership Infrastructure.
- The Integrated Value Proposition provides support to our clients throughout all phases of their journey to visionary innovation including: research, analysis, strategy, vision, innovation and implementation.
- The Partnership Infrastructure is entirely unique as it constructs the foundation upon which visionary innovation becomes possible. This includes our 360 degree research, comprehensive industry coverage, career best practices as well as our global footprint of more than 40 offices.
For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Is your organization prepared for the next profound wave of industry convergence, disruptive technologies, increasing competitive intensity, Mega Trends, breakthrough best practices, changing customer dynamics and emerging economies.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]


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I have 107 credits, yet when I try and resubmit an image it tells me I don't have enough credits, this was happening yesterday too. Frustrating.
Hi Chrissie, can you please try to clear your browser cache? This can happen if your imagedetail page (where you resubmit) is showing a cached version of the site (where you didn't have enough credits). Force refreshing page (Shift+F5) or clearing cache will usually solve this.
Please let me know if this doesn't help.
Please let me know if this doesn't help.
Thank you, Jasenka, things have been okay today. My browser cache clears every hour. I use Google Chrome on a mac so not sure how to force refresh the page unless you mean refresh the browser page which I did try doing. It seems to happen late evening in the UK. I'll see how things go this evening.
Hi Chrissie, thank you for additional information. If you are still having problems you can always try to sign out then sign back in.
Thank you, something else to try!
I'm glad I could help Chrissie. Please do let me know if you still encounter this problem even though you made all above-mentioned refreshes to your browser.
It's happening again. I have signed out and signed back in, refreshed the browser etc. Sometimes it just refuses to resubmit, coming back with the same page, more often it comes up with the error message of not enough credits.
looking at part of the behaviour that you describe, probably partly related to https://c.getsatisfaction.com/pixoto/topics/resubmit-often-needs-2-attempts
Thanks, Ad, yes, I think it is, I've tried everything I can think of. Have commented on the other link too.
Thank you for information Chrissie, I've forwarded this to be checked.
Thank you. Still can't resubmit an image today.
Chrissie, can you please post here a link to the image you would like to resubmit so I can try to do it to eliminate computer issue?
I've tried several images, all with the same result, but you can try with this one. I have recently moved my computer to a different position on my desk!!!https://www.pixoto.com/images-photography/animals---dogs/portraits/max-5949116996386816
Thank you for information Chrissie, I just now tried and I get the same error so it is not specifically related to your computer. I'll forward new information to Scott too.
Thank you, Jasenka, have just managed to successfully resubmit an image!
That was short lived, just tried again with another image, have the same message - not enough credits!
Tried again today but no success yet again with this image
The only way round it, is to delete and reupload.
The only way round it, is to delete and reupload.
Hello Chrissie, do you have a current example that I can see the issue with?
Hi Scott, many thanks for getting back to me. This problem is intermittent and, funnily enough, now you've asked, I'm not having a problem tonight, have just successfully resubmitted 5 images!
Just tried this one and it tells me I don't have enough credits, although I do have 26 credits.
Strange, I was able to reproduce the issue, but it does not appear to be a simple fix. It may be a caching issue. I am going to need a few days on this one. Thank you for providing an example.
Thank you, hope you can get it sorted. Have come back after a year away and was hoping to find a better run site.
The issue still exists, have not been able to resubmit for the last two days.
Resubmitted 4 today then the problem reoccurred.
Do you have a current example of an image you are trying to resubmit?
This one, Scott
Sorry just deleted that one and uploaded again! Have just resubmitted two more then couldn't resubmit this one!
Problem still exists, not been on for a few days, resubmitted two images then the issue of not enough credits returned.
Hi Chrissie, sorry for the delay in getting this resolved. I had to prioritize another release which is now out. Can you please provide another current example I can replicate the issue? Thanks again for all your help.
Sorry, Scott, not been on for a few days. However so far today I've not had a problem with resubmitting, have successfully resubmitted four. Will get back to you if the problem reoccurs.
Resubmitted one tonight, second one comes up with the error not enough credits. https://www.pixoto.com/images-photography/animals---dogs/portraits/dotty-5948732991078400
Right, this is the limit, just tried to resubmit an image, screen flickered, image not resubmitted but 10 credits taken from me, so how many credits have I lost so far, not checked credits before?
I'm sorry for the delay Chrissie, I let Scott know that you are still having issues.


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I have more than 16 years of progressive teaching experience in the Biological Sciences at the College level. In addition I have 16 years of experience working one on one with students. I have been teaching various courses with both a lecture and laboratory component in genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, general biology, and chemistry. My students have scored in the 90%+ in these various courses.
I am very passionate about my subject matter and very enthusiastic in teaching stud... ... More
I am a music education major at Bluffton University, with a concentration in voice. I also play the flute, and have for the past 11 years. I am involved in Concert Band, Camerata Singers (audition only group), and University Chorale. I teach a k-2 Church choir in Pandora and work as the Music Building Office Assistant.... ... More
I am currently in my third year at Heidelberg University majoring in English Writing and Literature. I have maintained a high grade point average throughout these three years, and my studies are highly serious to me. I love the process of study and learning. It brings me joy, and I would be ecstatic to help others find enjoyment, as well.
During high school, I tutored a middle school students in any subject he needed assistance with. Though I specialize in English, I will help in any subj... ... More
My name is Emily and I am a Sophomore Early Childhood Education Major at Ohio Northern University. I have aspired to be an educator since I was in middle school and spent many hours helping elementary teachers in their classrooms after I was done with classes for the day. It is my dream to graduate from college and teach kindergarten or first grade. After graduation, I plan to obtain my masters in language arts and reading education and further students' knowledge of reading and literacy in h... ... More
I believe I have several qualifications, which would make me an excellent candidate for a tutor position with a student who would like to learn English. First, I am a native speaker of English. I hold a Masters degree in TESOL (Teaching English as a Second or Other Language), A Bachelors of Science degree in Educational Technologies, and a second bachelors degree in International Studies and South East Asian Languages and Literature. I can speak Chinese and Japanese at a rudimentary level. I ... ... More


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SANS Product Review - EnCase Endpoint Security 6
SANS Instructor Jake Williams (@malwarejake) reviews EnCase Endpoint Security 6, its features, and how it performed under simulated attacks and investigations.
Specifically, Jake discusses:
-Market drivers for incident response in 2018
-Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) for incident response
-Critical capabilities for any EDR solution
-SANS review of EnCase Endpoint Security 6
Related Topics:
Incident Response , Endpoint Detection and Response
Related Products:
EnCase Endpoint Security
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Here you will find information pertaining to the UES Roleplay Civilian Operations, one of the most misunderstood roles within the entire GTA roleplay community.
Welcome to the Civilian Operations Department of UES Roleplay. Here you will find information pertaining to the role of the civilian within our community. Being a civilian in UES is no easy task. It requires vasts amount of maturity, discipline, and creativity. The role of civilian in roleplay communities is quite often misunderstood. People tend to think that it requires less concentration and experience than that of the police role. This is not the case in UES Roleplay.
The civilian role in UES Roleplay is not for everyone. Persons who serve in this position are expected to demonstrate their creative talent and perform to the highest degree. Civilians in UES Roleplay have a full understanding of their scenarios, demonstrate restraint within them, and constantly strive to perform the next best event for other civilians or law enforcement to take part in. This role requires a vast set of qualities and a mind that constantly thinks outside of the box. Civilians must be able to demonstrate the following:


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Transcribed Medical Transcription Sample Reports and Examples
Sample Type / Medical Specialty: Orthopedic
Description: Open repair of right pectoralis major tendon. Right pectoralis major tendon rupture. On MRI evaluation, a complete rupture of a portion of the pectoralis major tendon was noted.
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The Seven Best Food Photography Props to Give Your Images the Extra Oomph
Props are an essential part of food photographs. In fact, they are as important as the food itself!
Food provides a multi-sensory experience that begins with our eyes. Before we take in the aroma or have the first bite, we form preconceived notions about how the food will taste like by evaluating how mouthwatering it looks.
However, the game changes when it comes to food photography Dubai. Since the viewers can only judge the dishes by their sense of sight, the professionals not only use innovative technology but also assemble the food with different props to emphasize the prime subject.
"Propping should not distract the viewer from the food but make it more interesting", explains food photography expert at GLMA Studio. "And they don't have to be expensive also", he further adds.
Whether you are taking photos for your food-based business or you are simply a hobbyist wishing to upload images of your creation on social media, adding props to the setup will bring your favorite dishes to life.
Here, we list down some of the staple prop items that will make your food look more detectable.
- Unique cutting boards
People like to see food being prepared – in action. A wooden cutting board or a marble slab does the trick if you want to capture food being handled or manipulated in different ways. Complete your in-the-works dish with a standard knife, a rolling pin, or cutters for a classic shot.
- Textured fabrics
A simple piece of cloth can add an extra depth to your photograph. However, stick to neutral color and fine patterned linen, as dark colors will give your food a weird tint.
- White crockery
A set of white crockery does a great job of highlighting the food and is a versatile addition for any dish. You can also be a little more adventurous by opting for white pieces in uncommon shapes.
- Matte dinnerware
Beware of shiny objects that reflect light in your photographs. Instead, go for dinner props in matte-finish to reduce the amount of reflection produced by light. Dark-toned shades such as black, brown, and blue with no rim works best if you can find them.
- Ingredients
Peppers, flours, coriander, mint, and assorted seeds – these and many other extras can make great props themselves. Use them to garnish your food items or sprinkle them around the serving dish to make your food look livelier.
- Decorative flatware
Look for spoons, knives, and forks in unusual shape and size to liven up an ordinary display. Gold utensils with decorative handles also look good and add the much-needed vigor to your dish.
- Parchment paper
A crinkled piece of parchment paper can add texture and depth to the photo's compositions without being distracting. The inexpensive item can be used in place of napkins and works well when photographing baked goods.
Bonus item: Cooking spray
A dish starts looking dull when it sits out for even a few minutes. Cooking spray is a great way to make your food shine and fresh out of the oven.
Focus on the food
If you feel overwhelmed with all the props and tips, simply concentrate on the food and leave the food photography Dubai to experts. At GLMA Studio, we stock a wide variety of food props to add details to your dishes. Get in touch with us and notice the magic.


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By Andrew Seidel
Every year, the Freedom From Religion Foundation gets complaints about graduations in public schools. Preachers delivering sermons, staff and students scheduled to deliver prayers, the graduation being held in a church — you name the violation, we've seen it. None of these is an issue for a commencement ceremony at a private religious college, such as Hillsdale College in southern Michigan, which, however, had a problem of its own.
The trouble with Hillsdale's commencement, which was full of religion, was that it was also full of lies and alternative facts (but perhaps I repeat myself). The source of this problem was Vice President Mike Pence, who addressed the graduating class.
One of Pence's favorite lines, which he used when he accepted the Republican nomination and trotted out again for the graduates, nicely illustrates the Pence problem: "I'm a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican — in that order." Pence considers himself a Christian before anything else, including someone who values facts and truth (but perhaps I repeat myself yet again).
Continue reading by clicking the name of the source below.


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Recently, I decided to focus more on drawing animals, particularly in ink. In that process, I ran across the YouTube channel of an amazing artist named Alphonso Dunn. He has a huge catalog of videos there, which he's graciously produced and made available for free. One that particularly caught my eye is titled "The Less is More Principle". Which led to this drawing.
Pen can be tricky, and as Alphonso teaches, it can be very useful to learn to be brief with your strokes, and capture the immediacy of the subject in that moment. I wanted to capture the essence of this dog quickly, and I was happy with this effort.
Incidentally, Alphonso came out with his first book a few weeks ago. He wanted to produce the kind of book he wanted when he was trying to teach himself how to draw in pen. "Pen and Ink Drawing: A Simple Guide" doesn't disappoint. He is passionate about teaching and about drawing, and he is one of the few artists I've come across who is really good at both. He can boil difficult principles down to a paragraph or two. (He has some wonderful videos on perspective, for example, that brought me closer to understanding this than anything I've come across.)
He is wonderful, and has such a gentle and gracious way about him, too. By the way, he also works in pen and watercolor, graphite; he doesn't limit himself to just ink. I encourage you to check out his YouTube channel, and consider taking a look at his book (free preview on Amazon, here) to see if you might find it useful. It's already the #1 bestseller on Amazon in its category. Congratulations, Alphonso, and well-deserved!
Happy Wednesday; we're almost home free now! I want to thank all of you for taking this journey with me. Peace and creative wonderment to all.


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We are a local neighborhood community meeting spot where people and dialogue meet in concord. We want our guests to enjoy new friends and have discussions about what matters most in our community, our city, and our lives. Our focus is open dialogue and listening.
If we are to be true to ourselves, we will need to be social, sustainable, and deeply rooted to our community.
Owls represent wisdom. A quality needed when trying to see through masks to find truth. We all hide behind something and this lounge will be here to allow the removal of our masks; let us be comfortable in our beliefs no matter what, and speak and hear each other's truths.
More specifically, Burrowing Owls are one of only two owls that are social. They inhabit prairies in Colorado acting like Prairie Dogs, just hanging out near their home and spending time with one another. Burrowing Owls are active both during the day and the night, truly enjoying the warmth of sunshine as well as the sweet moonlight.


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Copyright© 1985-2011, Corn Gods Publishing Company, Inc., Hampton Bays, NY, All rights reserved.
These pages could contain copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. This website distributes this material without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. We believe this constitutes a fair use of any such copyrighted material as provided for in 17 U.S.C § 107.


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Earlier this week, Portland Trailblazers star Damian Lillard, who goes by the alias Dame D.O.L.L.A in the music world, was out in NYC doing a press run to promote his upcoming album Confirmed which is dropping October 6th. While visiting Sway In The Morning the other day, Dame decided to give them the green light to debut the project's first single "Run It Up" featuring Lil Wayne, which has officially now surfaced on all streaming services today (9/22) after leaking online.
Going in over production from Scott Storch, Dame shows off his slick flow & lyrical wordplay, rapping about the hustle and "running" up the check, while Weezy helps with the chorus and handles the second verse referencing wanting a thot and sipping syrup [lean] again. I" want a thot, I want a model with a bubble butt/ A double cup of some codeine and my slushy slush" Weezy spits in his verse.
"After the first song we did for my [last] album, he liked it so. In between that time and this album he had been sending me songs. So we got a number of songs we did together from my first album till now" Dame says talking about how the collab came about with Lil Wayne. "We kinda just bounced ideas off each other for a little bit, but it was cool. It was cool just to see him work," he added. "I kinda felt like I had arrived as an artist."
As mentioned by Dame (above) this isn't the first time these two superstars joined forces together on a song either. Last year, Weezy assisted Dame on the song "Loyal To The Soil," but it was unfortunately removed from Dolla's album due to a presumed dispute with Cash Money.
Take a listen and let us know what you think. Record available on iTunes.
Quotable Lyrics:
Aye, I'm finna run it up
And tell them niggas hurry up and fuckers runnin' up
Them haters try to bring me down, I shouldn't have brung 'em up
She askin' me to bring her out, I only bring a blunt
Run it up, we runnin' things, she want run with us (yeah)
Yada, yada young mula, kiss my such and such
I want a thot, I want a model with a bubble butt
A double cup of some codeine and my slushy slush
Pullin' stunts, I'm pullin' strings, and I'm pullin' up
I spun it up and bounced back like a bungee jump
And D. Lill. in the bill, nigga one of us
Them D. Lills on my feet after 1-on-1


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Under certain circumstances, you may want to "Factory Reset" a tag you own.
- You want to factory reset the tag and give it to another person to activate/use.
- You realize the tag is not the right style or size for your application – so you want to return / replace it.
- The tag is no longer needed and you want to erase its contents.
All you have to do is:
- Sign in to your account
- On your "My Tags" screen, click the "Tag ID" button of the tag you want to manage
- Now that you are on the tag's "Manage" screen, click the "Reset" operation from left menu.
Your tag contents will be erased – and the tag will be removed from your account.
If the physical tag is in usable condition, it can now be "Activated" by any dynotag account holder and start working – again.


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Modeling and Analysis for Electrowetting Driven Hele-Shaw Flow with Contact Line Friction
Shawn Walker
Electrowetting On Dielectric (EWOD) refers to a parallel-plate device that moves fluid droplets through electrically actuated surface tension effects. These devices have potential applications in biomedical `Lab-On-A-Chip' devices (automated DNA testing, cell separation) and controlled micro-fluidic transport (e.g. mixing and concentration control). The fluid dynamics are modeled using Hele-Shaw type equations (in 2-D) with a focus on including the relevant boundary phenomena. Specifically, we model contact line pinning as a static (Coulombic) friction effect and effectively becomes an inequality constraint for the motion of the liquid-gas interface that accounts for the `sticking' effect of the interface. The model is presented in a variational framework and is discretized using Finite Elements. The curvature/surface tension is discretized in a semi-implicit way for accuracy using an explicit representation of the interface. Simulations are presented and compared to experimental videos of EWOD driven droplets. These experiments exhibit droplet pinching and merging events and are reasonably captured by our simulations.


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Overview of Stop Katraj Dairy- Sarpodyan
Add Katraj Dairy- Sarpodyan as your favorite.
Near by Stops at Katraj Dairy- Sarpodyan
Savant Vihar Dattanagar [Highway] Chaitanyanagar Devendra Mangal Karyalaya Katraj Dairy- Sarpodyan Bharati Vidyapeeth Gate Katraj Bus Stand Sundarban Khandoba Mandir Santoshnagar [Katraj] Dattanagar [Katraj] Khandoba Mandir Corner Hariprasad Bungalow Sudarshan Nagar [Katraj] Bharati Vidyapeeth Hostel Chandrabhaga Restaurant Pratibhanagar Mohan Nagar [Dhanakawadi] Sai Palace Somanagar Society Bharati Vidyapeeth [Computer College] Rajas Society Upper Indiranagar Corner Ganesh Chowk[Dhanakawdi] Bhushan Soc Rajiv Gandhi Nagar [Upper Depot] Gulabnagar Maruti Mandir [Katraj] Rajmudra Soc Shivshankar Chowk More Bag Sukhsagar Nagar Balajinagar [Satara Road] Daulatnagar Corner Upper Indiranagar Rajas Soc. Corner Dhankawdi


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Employees information about the RIBA Pension Solution - in association with Salvus Master Trust
Tel: +44(0)20 7307 3737
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Your pension and coronavirus
With current market volatility across the world, pension investment funds could be impacted. If you are approaching retirement or if you are concerned about market volatility in 2020, we hope these tips provided by PS Aspire (PDF, 64KB) will help.
RIBA Pension Solution
If you have been auto enrolled into the RIBA Pension Solution (provided by Salvus Master Trust) you can find information on the scheme, a link to access your account and a range of information.
Most items can now be accessed online from your personal account (provided by the Salvus Master Trust) but if you are having difficulty finding the information you need please send an email and a member of the team will reply shortly.
Personal account
Check the amount in your Pension pot, nominate a beneficiary, view your invested funds, change personal details, check the fund performance and request to transfer another pension into your account.
Opt out, opt in or change how much you contribute
You can now change how much you contribute or opt out online without needing to complete a form. After you have received an auto enrollment letter you can use the online link to make a change.
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A choice of funds available to employees
Voluntary enrolment form
For employees not eligible but who would like to join their workplace pension scheme, you can also use the opt in link above.
One-off additional contribution form
Employees can make a one-off additional contribution into their Pension pot
Further information on the Salvus Master Trust (the pension provider) including the funds and governance can be found at http://www.salvustrust.com/


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Magazines are one of the best ways to spread awareness in the society about the current and social affairs. Magazines are published from various industries in different languages such as fashion industry, sports industry, music industry, etc.
Magazines are one of the best ways to spread awareness in the society about the current and social affairs. Magazines are published from various industries in different languages such as fashion industry, sports industry, music industry, etc.
There are number of distribution channels used to sell these magazines like newsstands book stores, vendors, online book shops or through free distribution at selected pick-up locations. Online book shop provides vast information and updates about the different industries to its readers. Nowadays, magazine subscriptions help the magazine enthusiasts to subscribe to their favorite magazines at discounted rates.
There are online magazine stores that provide best deals for online magazine subscriptions. The wide range of popular magazines such as fashion magazines, entertainment magazines, health magazines, business magazines, sports magazines etc. are available with great deals and discounts There is a varioty of information online on how to learn more about the Secretes to effective magazine advertising.
Magazine subscriptions provided by different online stores also give free gifts and accessories along with the chosen subscription of magazine. Fashion magazines are the imperative source of the latest fashion trends and many popular fashion magazines like Cosmopolitan, Elle and Vogue have lustrous and well-designed pages.
These magazines also have illustrated images of fashionably clothed models, fashion accessories advertisements and provide latest information on beauty products. Nowadays, through these online book stores, magazines can be send as a gift to family or friends. These magazines can be delivered at the address without any extra charges.
The systematically categorized online magazine stores provide with a vast variety of magazines, through various categories related to fashion, music, sports, photography, etc. A particular magazine can also be searched with the help the search facility available at these online stores.
Searching for magazines at an online store is more feasible and less time consuming as compared to physically searching them at shops or bookstores. Some of the best deals and offers for fashion magazines subscriptions, along with other magazines, are available at online stores, which can help subscribed readers to get their favourite magazines without any extra shipping charges.


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When I first heard the title of this book, I immediately felt a connection to the author, Jamie C. Martin. Like me, Jamie's calling is to reach the next generation with the wonder that is God's most amazing creation, the people around the world. Gaining an understanding for those who are not like us is an essential characteristic in our 21st Century world where we are closer in many ways, yet more divided than ever. Jamie's book is a primer on how to teach your children systematically and from a young age to value and respect all people.
Jamie starts off by sharing a glimpse at her journey in becoming the mother of a multicultural family that represents four different ethnic backgrounds. But this book is not just for those who have adopted internationally and want their children to know something about their heritage. Give Your Child the World provides lists of age-appropriate books for age 4-12, categorized by the region or country represented and including a brief description to help you select books of the most interest to your family. She also has great suggestions for how to incorporate reading these books, or any books, into your family activities in a way that is sure to broaden your children's (and maybe your own!) perspective on the world.
As a mother of four, my only regret is that my youngest is now well beyond the age for these books, but I was encouraged to see many familiar titles among them. Whether your interaction with children is as a parent, a teacher, a Sunday school teacher, or a babysitter, this book provides excellent guidance that allows you to give the children you love an experience they will never forget and create in them a love and appreciation for all people.
I highly recommend Give Your Child the World to anyone who has children in their life!


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2017 Season 4 Week 2 – Sim Racing
I don't want to slack on my racing. I had missed the entire week 1 and am already regretting it. No practice and not racing. I did not like it. So i'm starting this week early and getting the GT3 cars in now. It's Tuesday night and the Blancpain Series is at COTA. I ran a bunch of laps in a private practice session and then decided that i could race clean enough to actually run a race. I was right, i only spun twice in the entire 40 minute run. I qualified 16th as the 12 car and finished 15th. That's not bad because the first spin out was in the beginning where i was shuffled all the way to the back. I then raced my way back up to 15th out of 22. If i could only run fast while maintaining control in this car that would be great. Practice, practice, practice.
The next race i ran was the Xfinity series at Kentucky motor speedway. I ran a couple of laps of practice the other day and decided that was good enough so i hoped in this race with very little practice. I qualified in 12th position and finished there. I was running pretty good laps but during one of the longer green flag runs I ran down a little low trying to save tires and get a good run off the corner but hit the flat part of the track and started spinning. This caused me to hit the wall and spin down to the lower part of the track. I did not hit anyone so called for a tow. This put me a couple of laps down and i was now back in 12th where i started, and finished.
The third race was the Advanced Mazda Cup at Summit Point. It was run on the full corse so I really like this one. There were 23 cars registered and we all ran together. I was the 11 car and i qualified in 13th position. The start of this race was a complete disaster, the 17 car was a wrecking ball and the 18 car hit my right rear on turn 1 in the 2nd lap. He had a good run but he didn't need to take me out. I was able to keep going but the car was damaged and slow. I was trying to keep up eith the 2 guys i let pass and in trying to do so with the damaged car i spun out and had to wait for the feild to pass to get going again. That put me all the way in the back. I did manage to fight my way back up through the feild to finish in 15th. Considering that crappy start i guess i'll take it.


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This post is authored by Rick Roop, president of ISA 2015.
As my year as ISA president draws to a close, I want to reflect upon what has been a very productive and progressive year for the Society and a very rewarding experience for me personally.
Needless to say, we have much to celebrate. We've accomplished a great deal toward implementing our plans for the calendar year and attaining our five long-term strategic goals in Content, Data, Coolest Delivery, Cybersecurity, and Advocacy. Through this, we've:
- Developed and refined many levels of details within our tactical plans
- Forged valuable collaborative teams and relationships between the Executive Board liaisons and staff goal leads
- Allocated and re-allocated resources to align with plans as they finalize
- Established regular reporting mechanisms to ISA leaders and other key Society stakeholders
- Gained invaluable support from dedicated ISA board and staff members
We have such a great story to share, whether it relates to what (goals) we're doing, and how (tactics) and why (awareness and understanding) we're doing it.
Certainly, the acquisition of Automation.com—which was announced in late 2014—paid significant dividends for ISA in 2015 and delivered a very positive message to the marketplace that ISA is broadening its presence across media channels and expanding access to its renowned technical content.
As highlighted in previous columns in Insights, ISA is focused on investing in new technologies and applications—such as new mobile applications to assist attendees of our technical symposia. While some of these new offerings may not be correlating to revenue growth at this point, they deliver added value to our members and customers, and underscore our commitment to innovation.
One of our newest opportunities—made possible through our working relationship with the U.S. government on industrial automation and control system security initiatives—will enable ISA to serve as the host organization for an automotive industry consortium on industrial cybersecurity. This exciting venture opens the door for ISA to establish new relationships and gain valuable exposure within another industry segment—one with massive economic impact.
ISA also has benefited greatly over these past many months from the support and involvement of our corporate partners and sponsors. These relationships inspire new and collaborative ways of solving common challenges, make our members and customers aware of additional resources and capabilities that could benefit them, and foster best-practice approaches that advance the automation and control profession.
My experience as 2015 ISA president has made me profoundly aware of the importance and relevance of the Society—amid and in light of so many industry changes and challenges—and of the outstanding contributions and efforts of ISA leadership, members, and staff.
It's been immensely gratifying and inspiring to see how much has been accomplished in 2015 and recognize how these accomplishments position the Society for much greater success in the months and years ahead. ISA has put in place the strategic foundation and plans needed to sustain a bright and prosperous future for the automation profession.
In closing, I want to express how blessed I've been to have learned so much from previous ISA leaders with whom I have served, and to have gained and benefited from so many valuable friendships. These relationships have been vital to me during my tenure as president and instrumental to my success on a professional and personal level.
My sincere thanks to all and best wishes for the new year.
About the Author
Rick Roop has been a member of ISA since 1983 and established the Society's Evansville, Ind. and Terre Haute, Ind. Sections. Rick has held a variety of ISA leadership positions including district vice president and chairman of the Council of District Vice Presidents, Power Industry Division board member, and he has also served as chairman of the Finance Committee and chairman of the Investment Committee. Rick worked as a senior instrumentation engineer at Southern Indiana Gas & Electric Company (now Vectren). He then joined Hoosier Energy, REC, first as an instrument and electrical engineer, and later as general manager at the company's Frank E. Ratts Generating Station. Since 2012, Rick has held the position of vice president, senior portfolio manager and owner of Donaldson Capital Management, an Evansville, Ind.-based SEC-registered investment advisory firm with $1 billion in assets under management. Rick earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering technology from Murray State University and a master of business administration degree with an emphasis in finance from Indiana State University.
Connect with Rick:
A version of this article also has been published in ISA Insights.


text: GET LYFTED Lyft's open-concept area features floor to ceiling windows that offer a powerful view of the city, inspiring your workouts and elevating your performance. Reap the benefits of multiple barbell stations on our power rack system with the space you need for the functional lifting and movement your body craves. FACILITY HOURS: WEEK DAYS: 07:30am – 6:30pm SATURDAY: 10:00am – 4:00pm SUNDAY: CLOSED MEET OUR TRAINERS Our Team TOUR OUR FACILITY See Gym


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Company and Culture
At Urban we believe we are only as good as our people. Working at Urban you can expect to be invested in, supported, challenged and empowered to build to a fulfilling career with growth and opportunity.
Being a startup, it is all hands-on deck. Our close-knit team is looking for individuals that are motivated, driven and ready to tackle any task. Our company culture is something we value and will continue to prioritize throughout our growth. Urban invests in our employees and we want teammates who are in for the long haul!


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Public Utilities Commission
Sponsored By
California Lawmaker Calls For Investigation Of Regulators After Many Report PG&E Bill HikesOne state lawmaker says regulators may to blame for skyrocketing PG&E bills residents are reporting recently.
Brown Picks Former Aide To Lead Troubled California Utilities CommissionCalifornia Gov. Jerry Brown has named a former aide to be the next head of the troubled state utilities commission.
PG&E Fined $8.1M For Substandard InspectionsCalifornia regulators have fined Pacific Gas & Electric Co. more than $8 million for a contractor's botched inspections of more than 200 welds on natural gas pipelines.
California Adopts Car-Sharing Service RegulationsWeb-based car-sharing companies will have to make sure drivers undergo training and criminal background checks and have commercial liability insurance under rules approved Thursday by California regulators.
Calif. And Canadian Utility Reach $750M SettlementCalifornia Attorney General Kamala Harris and the Public Utilities Commission say that a Canadian utility has agreed to a $750 million refund as part of a settlement for overcharging ratepayers during the state's energy crisis more than a decade ago.
CBS13 Clears Confusion Over Thunder Valley Casino Bus LicensingWhen CBS13 dug into the matter with Thunder Valley, the PUC changed its stance and said the casino was in compliance.
Call Kurtis Investigates: Where's My Stuff? The Risk of Rogue MoversWhen Elaine Lawrence zipped up her duffel bag eight months ago to drive to Oklahoma, she had no idea the bag and its contents would be all that's left of her Roseville life.
Brown Shakes Up Power BoardsGov. Jerry Brown has appointed more members to the bodies that oversee California's utilities and energy.


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Results near Willow
Alaska Peony Cooperative (3,012.78 mi)
in Flower Farmers, Weddings & Events, National/Overnight Delivery, Wholesalers of American-grown Flowers
The Alaska Peony Cooperative is a group of Alaskan Peony Farms offering Premium Alaskan Grown Peonies for wholesale and retail markets from July to September. Farmer owned and operated. Hand harvested, graded, packed and shipped overnight to you.
PO Box 913
Willow, Alaska 99688
United States
Review this


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From the Partner's Desk
We, being in the stream of education, have learnt a lot about the international curriculum which goes all across the medium of studies. Therefore, we dreamt to build an initiative with Kangaroo Kids to guide education right from the inception of life in a pre-school, shaping the young minds' and creation of such leaders to achieve their goal in order to place themselves high in the society.
Jayati Chowdhury
Letter from the Founder
"Leaders never say 'I'. They don't think 'I'.
They think 'we'; they think 'team'. The 'team' functions with responsibility and without disrespect to anyone, and each person gets the recognition and satisfaction of a job well done.'"
Ms. Lina Ashar
We empower a child to acquire knowledge through the process of self exploration
We impart knowledge through
innovative teaching methodologies
We empower a child to acquire knowledge through the process of self exploration
Parent of Arnab Suthar
"Heartfelt thanks for all the efforts and energy that you guys put in for the grooming of kids. It's nice to see that Arnab looks forward to going to school everyday and I can see the overall development in his understanding and cognitive capabilities."
Parent of Keiyona Kulshrestha
"It takes immense pleasure to say that I am very happy about entire Kangaroo Kids staff and teachers. Have seen very good improvement in Keiyona's overall well being. Teachers are very good, they handle kids very nicely and affectionately."
Parent of Ishan Joshi
"First of all I would like to appreciate all the teaching staff for their sincere and excellent efforts for taking care of our kids in a beautiful manner and being so friendly with the children and treating them like your own kids. Teaching methodologies are excellent and I feel every kid of the school enjoy while learning."
197, Ashokgarh,
Dunlop Tower, P.W.D. Road,
Kolkata 700108,
West Bengal, India
- Kangaroo Kids International Preschool


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Dreams come in all shapes and sizes, but the bigger ones are the hardest to get a handle on. Dream too big and your dream might be unachievable. A particular case from an anime that I hold near and dear to my heart has been on my mind for about a year now. I noticed that I have (and sometimes still do) fallen into a similar trap as the one in the anime.
WARNING: Spoilers for The iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls (particularly the second season) are present beyond this blurb.
A brief refresher on Cinderella Girls (or explanation, if you're new to the series and ignored the warning). The series follows a group of girls who are recruited by 346 Productions, a company dedicated to propelling these girls into becoming full-fledged idols. The girls each have their own "unit"—a group consisting of three or more members that compete for the top position.
This article focuses on a unit called New Generations, consisting of three members: Rin Shibuya, Uzuki Shimamura, and Mio Honda (with a primary focus on Uzuki). Uzuki, with her upbeat attitude, is the primary source of positivity for New Generations. She tells the group that they will be able to pull off their performances if they have faith in themselves. But after Rin and Mio start working on projects outside of the unit, their unit begins to slowly drift apart and doubt begins to take root in Uzuki.
This doubt in herself and her abilities sends her self-esteem to rock-bottom levels. As Rin begins simultaneously working for another unit and Mio balances her idol gig with a newfound passion in drama classes, Uzuki is left in awe and pain over the overwhelming brilliance of her fellow idols. It incites, and eventually solidifies, her belief that she is just an ordinary girl compared to them on stage—she begins to see herself as nothing special. Why bother putting in effort when it amounts to nothing? She decides to press on in spite of these doubts, and commits to starting from the basics and work her way back up until she feels comfortable enough to perform alongside Rin and Mio once again. She practices and practices every day, amidst phone calls and confrontations from acquaintances who are concerned about her well-being, until one day, she suddenly stops. She sits in the training room, hunched up, face hidden from the world.
My heart was shattered, mainly due to seeing part of myself in her. Low self-esteem has plagued me since day one, and it's not fun. My first thought regarding most actions I take are negative; I end up having very little faith in myself. Criticism directed towards me feels like a mental attack and I often take it too far, often equating it to "Don't ever try this again. You know what you did wasn't worth a damn thing." I don't feel safe from myself—when I begin comparing myself or my work to others', my mood turns sour fast. I will never put myself on a pedestal, but I have a serious problem with giving myself a pat on the back. Comparisons are the biggest pitfall for me, and I still keep doing it. I don't think I'll ever be able to erase this.
In true-to-life fashion, Uzuki bottles her problems up. Despite the numerous phone calls and confrontations from the people closest to her wanting to know she's okay, and them wanting her to let them know if she is not, Uzuki chooses to not say anything. She wants her precious friends to focus on their work, and most importantly, doesn't want her problems to become a burden on them. The worst part of this is Uzuki believing she needs to do everything by herself and yet clearly struggles with finding ways to improve. She shuts down because she is not achieving this goal she sets for herself. This goal, unfortunately, is incredibly vague without a clear way to determine progress. Her goal to "practice until [she] can stand on stage with them again", is immeasurable and based on personal conjecture. This feeds into her low self-esteem and prevents any further progress.
I'm going to be preaching to the choir here, because I am guilty of these same issues. Searching for a solution to your problem is good to an extent. It's when you become overwhelmed by the process that you should branch out to other people, even if said problem is personal. But I understand Uzuki's plight in that personal problems are problems I want to solve personally. I should know myself better than anyone else who knows me. But my reluctance to ask for help is because I've been helped throughout my life thus far, in ways both big and small, regardless of whether I asked for it or not. My parents pay for my tuition because I don't make enough money to make ends meet. In all stages of my education prior to college, I had what is known as an IEP (Individualized Education Program/Plan) that gave me some leeway on assignment due dates and had someone, akin to a supervisor of sorts, in almost every class who would offer to help on class assignments and sometimes even take notes for me.
That frustrated me. I felt I had the inability to function as a human being at times. It was almost as if I had maids and butlers to cater to my every whim. I never asked for that. There was little room for the independence and responsibility that I wanted to initiate. I don't feel I learned any of those back then. There were no big failures that I could learn from, which is terrible in some respects, because failure hits me harder than people advising me what I can do before failure occurs.
In recent years, I've been wavering on a core aspect of my life: my Japanese-language education. It's been five years since I began learning the language as a starry-eyed high school sophomore with a big heart for anime and manga. I knew it would only get tougher as time passes on—it's the same for learning any foreign language. But I've felt my progress become stagnant as I repeated one class level two times due to switching colleges and also not having friends I could try flexing my language skills with face-to-face. I felt the world passing me by as friends reach N2-level proficiency in all the time I've been studying and I listen to them discuss the amazing experiences they had during their trips in Japan.
Here I sit, without having completed any level of the JLPT and no trip to Japan taken. I did wonder whether there was any point to continue studying. I don't consider myself to be the most studious student—I'm far from it. I understand first-hand that dedication to your craft is necessary for learning foreign languages, and yet I feel as if I still don't put in the dedication and effort required. Sometimes I feel as though I'm clinging on to a glimmer of hope that has long since faded—that hope being fluency in the language.
Despite what I just stated, I did try my hand at translation. My friends complimented my work, with who is probably my closest Japanese-speaking friend telling me at one point, "Nah, your Japanese is on par with mine. Don't think I stressed this before, but your translations are excellent." And internet strangers, who didn't have to say anything if they so choose, thanked me for these translations I worked on out of unfiltered love. That was highly encouraging and I began to think maybe all hope wasn't lost. Perhaps it was still there.
Uzuki's doubts are unclouded when Mio, and especially Rin, tell her that she never dragged them down in the first place. She didn't have "nothing". Her producer shows her around a venue where she previously worked at, telling her: "Even if you don't have faith in yourself right now, I have faith in you." This is particularly powerful to me because words of encouragement go far for me and many others. He also asks her to make a choice: "Stay here as you are... Or believe in new possibilities and go forth." So she does, and gives a heartfelt performance signaling her declaration to move on and believe in herself again.
There was a message I took away from this entire thing that was not explicitly stated: "You are often better than you think." I realized that I am unnecessarily harsh on myself at times, and it is frequently unwarranted. I don't know if what I do is good until others tell me it is. It's likely that these issues may not go away, but I hope to find ways to improve my self-esteem and become confident enough in myself. Above all, I am still baffled at how an idol anime of all things got me to cry my eyes out and have a character I can relate to on the deepest, most personal level. But I sure as hell am glad I experienced it.
A huge thank-you goes out to Dilkokoro, who took the time out of his day to proofread and make this article I wrote (while I was a blubbering mess of an emotional wreck) look more pretty than it previously was.
You're reading AniTAY, the anime-focused portion of Kotaku's community-run blog, Talk Amongst Yourselves. AniTAY is a non-professional blog whose writers love everything anime-related. Click here to check us out.


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WWE '13 Hands-On Preview – Now With Added Attitude
Written Tuesday, October 09, 2012 By Richard WalkerView author's profile
1997. That was the height of our WWE (or WWF as it was known at the time) fandom, and with the Attitude Era in full swing and the likes of D-Generation-X, Undertaker, Kane, Mankind and others all mixing it up in the square circle, it's hardly surprising that wrestling (or sports entertainment, if you prefer) was at the height of its popularity too.
WWE '13 is bringing back the Attitude Era in full force, with an entire roster devoted to the superstars that once defined the World Wrestling Federation. Packed into WWE '13's skintight trunks are dozens of current superstars alongside dozens of Attitude Era faces, most of which are actually locked from the outset, waiting to be unlocked within the new Attitude Era mode. Completing various objectives based on the actual historical events is the crux of Attitude Era mode, so in one infamous match-up between HBK and Mankind, you'll have to break out a chair, hit your opponent and get yourself disqualified.
Attitude Era mode is WWE '13's new season mode for all intents and purposes, consisting of a number of chapters charting the rise of D-X and beyond. It's also our first port of call for our hands-on session with WWE '13, starting as Shawn 'The Heartbreak Kid' Michaels against Mankind, before Hunter Hearst Helmsley joins in against the Undertaker and Mankind in a tag-team match. You take the reins as a number of superstars throughout Attitude Era mode, reliving the events as they happened back in the day.
For anyone who revelled in the mid to late 90s WWF, Attitude Era will feel like a nostalgia-fuelled homecoming, with a whole array of Attitude superstars, including Mick Foley showing up again further down the line as Dude Love, the late British Bulldog cropping up as a rival, and Bret 'The Hitman' Hart and others all making an appearance at some point. During our time with the Attitude Era mode, we get to see video footage taken from the actual match-ups and the pre-event build-up, taking us right back to the glory days when the sport was at the very peak of its powers.
In the full Attitude Era mode, there's more than 60 chunks of archive footage and over 35 superstars including Stone Cold Steve Austin, Kane, The Rock and the aforementioned, all of which can be unlocked – alongside alternate attire and other gubbins - to use in any of the plethora of modes on offer in WWE '13. Speaking of which, there's still the full complement of game types you'd expect to find, including the return of the I Quit Match alongside the usual stuff.
From a gameplay perspective, WWE '13 essentially retains the same system, using the right trigger for countering grapples and attacks, with split-second timing required to turn the tide. It's a system that served WWE '12 well, but required hair-trigger reactions and even a little bit of anticipation to successfully turn things around. It still works nicely here, demanding practice to get the timing just right. Thankfully, Attitude Era also eases you into things, with a gentle tutorial of sorts introducing you to the basics.
You'll find the dynamic cameras, face button grapples and movement is pretty much unchanged too, although the game's Predator Engine is in its second iteration, making the action slightly more fluid, while collisions, transitions and so on have been tightened up and refined. Targeting and standard attacks have also been brushed up, so there's less flailing at thin air, and engaging in a match with multiple opponents is a lot less of a headache. It all plays rather nicely, provided you can master the timing on the right trigger, otherwise you're in for a bit of a miserable time.
With the grappling action pretty much intact, WWE '13 will really be all about its content, and on that front, the game looks poised to deliver on practically every conceivable level. With Attitude Era providing the core of WWE '13 and I Quit returning, you can expect the usual suite of game types to flesh out the rest of the game, with matches like Hell in a Cell, Royal Rumble, Backstage Brawl, Steel Cage, Last Man Standing, Submission, TLC and a host of others that encompass 1 on 1, 2 on 2, Triple Threat, Fatal 4 Way, 6-Man, Handicap matches and more.
You can also tweak match parameters using the Match Creation feature, while the WWE Universe enables you to engage in a whole bunch of match cards with branching storylines, and My WWE allows you to keep tabs on your stats, progress and unlockables. WWE '13 is looking to be every bit as feature and content laden as its predecessor, and then some. Championship Scramble also returns, giving you 10 minutes to score as many pinfalls as you can against an opponent, with a new superstar entering the ring every 2-minutes. The wrestler with the most pinfalls is crowned the champion. It's just as confused and messy as before, but still fun. Kinda.
Add that lot to the unparalleled wrestler creation feature, and you have yet another instalment in the WWE franchise that should prove to be every bit as accomplished as the titles that have gone before it. Attitude Era mode is genuinely exciting, and the grappling systems feel neater and more accomplished than they did in WWE '12. Wrestling fans of all types are going to love WWE '13 regardless of course, and getting the chance to return to the halcyon days of DX, Undertaker, Mankind, The Rock et al is something that we welcome with open arms. Open arms just aching to grapple with WWE '13 and choke slam it into the canvas. Why? Because we said so! Or Stone Cold did... We can't remember.
WWE '13 is out on October 30th in North America and November 2nd in Europe.


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The Courtyard at 200 FIRST STREET…the gathering place in Beaches Town Center! You'll discover the best boutique shopping at the beach and the best place to enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and a bite to eat under palm trees rustling in the ocean breezes.
Music in the Courtyard plays every Friday and Saturday night from 6 to 9 pm. Inside or out, rain or shine!
The Courtyard at 200 First Street is THE place to be during the North Beaches Art Walk, held every third Thursday of each month, from 5 to 9 PM. All of the Courtyard Shoppes participate by hosting a variety of local artists to compliment the goods and services already offered. Music performed by local musicians and drinks and small bites from Southern Grounds and Co. make it a shopping destination!
Southern Grounds is a great place for folks to "Gather Together" to enjoy fine coffees, homemade desserts, wine, craft beers with a chef driven menu! Inspired by the coffee culture movement in Europe, Australia and now the US; Southern grounds created a space that takes you away. The pull a great cup of coffee has to connect people, start conversations and create friendships. Coffee for #SoGro is about relaxing with friends and family.
After many years of designing functional and minimal residential interiors the staff at KMH Design made the decision to expand their "name" and create KMH Home, a collection of wares that are essential to daily living. Everyday items, that have been selected to make life a little less complicated, more comforting and balanced. The focus on each area of the home from living and kitchen, to bedroom and bath selecting items that work together like pieces of a puzzle to help create a narrative. The staff at KMH Home provide a personalized shopping experience, to create a curated collection of items to take home or a well selected gift for a friend.
Jaffi's This shop offers a hand-selected collection of the best each season has to offer in fashion and accessories from the hottest contemporary designers. The Jaffi's "look" embodies a clean, simple effortless style, yet is comfortable and wearable. Each piece can always work in tandem with another or add spice to an ever-building wardrobe. From jeans and flip-flops to a great dress and your best heels. Fun and fearless with style best describes the aesthetic of this store and the Jaffi's shopper.
At Boutique Unique you'll find the international fashions that are fun, festive and perfect for everyday wear or elegant evening occasions. They host After Hours Parties, perfect for "Girls Night Out," which include refreshments and special incentives.
Bali Cargo Company specializes in luxurious housewares, furniture and jewelry from the islands of Indonesia. Traveling throughout the year to the island of Bali to fill the store with unique pieces, custom designed and crafted just for this store.
Classic, Home, Fun is what best describes The Red Daisy: A unique gift shop that combines the old with the new. New items mixed with antiques and vintage finds make this shop a destination. With inventory that is constantly changing, you're sure to find the perfect gift.
Kyds is an innovative boutique offering fresh, trend-infused casual sportswear, shoes and accessories for children. With a wide selection of non-traditional fare for boys and girls, infants to sizes up to 14, parent and child are encouraged to embrace individuality and style without sacrificing quality and comfort. The Kyds store is a bright and modern playground that melds fun and function with fashion. An open invitation is extended to all ages to discover the vibrant colors and textures that make up the world as seen through the eyes of a Kyd.
The Courtyard at 200 FIRST STREET is the gathering place for our beachside community, one block from the ocean, and hosts events that are always fun, free and open to the public such as musical performances, art openings, charity events and other family oriented functions. Contact the property manager at 904.241.1026 to find out how you can reserve the courtyard for your special event!
Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and at www.200firststreet.com


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Monday night's matchup of candidates for District Attorney General, in a forum conducted by the League of Women Voters at Hooks Central Library, was more of an even-steven affair than most attendees might have expected, to start with.
The proponents of incumbent D.A. Amy Weirich, the Republican candidate, had every reason to believe that she would perform competently and well, and she did. If there was a surprise in the event, and perhaps there shouldn't have been, it was the degree to which Carol Chumney, the Democratic candidate, was able to match Weirich answer for answer overall.
Weirich has made a generous number of personal appearances since being appointed by Governor Bill Haslam in early 2009 to succeed her former boss, Bill Gibbons, now serving as state Director of Homeland Security and Public Safety. That shows, as does her 21 years as a prosecutor, the ample trial experience that goes with it, and the sheer familiarity with the business of her office.
Chumney had been more of a question mark. She can boast 13 years in the state legislature and four years as a member of the Memphis City Council. But legislative experience – for reasons corresponding to the distance between Nashville and Memphis – tends to go less noticed than it should, and Chumney's Council term, in which she figured as a constant and conspicuous critic of customary practices, is now five years in the past.
And, though she ran well in a mayoral race against then incumbent Willie Herenton in 2007, finishing a strong second in a three-candidate field, her follow-up race against eventual winner A C Wharton in the special mayoral election of 2009 was a relative bust.
Moreover, Weirich's opening remarks at Monday night's forum effectively removed from Chumney's arsenal the "glass ceiling" issue of gender representation: "My name is Amy Weirich I am your District Attorney General, and I am the first female to hold that job in Shelby County."
So far this campaign season, Chumney had not been front and center to nearly the same degree as Weirich – a fact that had troubled Democratic activists – though she did hold a recent press conference at the local party's new Poplar Avenue headquarters, in tandem with Shelby County Democratic chairman Van Turner.
At that press conference Chumney — whose resume includes the former chairmanship of a legislative committee on children's services and her sponsorship of reform measures — had expressed concern about a Department of Justice report finding deficiencies at Juvenile Court, ranging from what was arguably racial discrimination to vague presentation of charges at hearings.
Predictably, the Juvenile Court matter came up Monday night, though the League's strictures against ad hominem comments and direct challenges of one candidate against another, which were firmly stressed by LWV president and event moderator Peg Watkins, effectively kept the issue from gaining real traction.
And Weirich was able to argue plausibly that several of the alleged defects had been mitigated since DOJ investigators had acquired their data and that much of the problem could be blamed on incomplete reports by arresting officers.
In general, Weirich had a commanding presence, especially in regard to the practices and procedures of her office. But Chumney held her own, consistently making connections between issues being discussed and matters she had dealt with in the legislature and on the Council.
If either contender displayed a leaning, it was, in Weirich's case, toward the meting out of justice in the sense of imposing specific curbs on crime, and her history of biting that bullet of "tough enforcement," and, in Chumney's, on seeking out preventive measures like youth mentoring programs. But each candidate displayed an ability to discuss both ends of the process –the before and the after scenarios regarding crime in the community.
Weirich had an eloquent moment addressing the subject of victims'' rights in the context of holding lawbreakers "accountable," while Chumney approached the level of inspiring in speaking of "restorative justice," an innovative method of handling first offenders though such means as mock trials and peer pressure.
The candidates hit specific issues head on when their buttons were pushed. . Asked about the proposal of Councilman Shea Flinn (a Weirich supporter) for an official "red-light" district, Weirich would have none of it. "As I have said many many times to my good friend Shea Flinn," such attempts at rationing vice would not succeed. "That industry creates crime and creates dysfunction"
And to a question as to whether the D.A.'s office should actively investigate claims of voter suppression, Chumney grew impassioned: "I can't imagine anything more important than making sure the democratic process works. I'll do whatever I can to make sure that when you cast your vote it's going to be for who you want."
Monday night's event suggested that, all other things being equal, this could be a race. But there's the rub. Weirich has considerably more financial backing, and her support is to some degree bipartisan. If she wants to be a true contender, Chumney will have to play some serious catch-up. But her performance Monday night should at least give her the opportunity to try.
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- Dunhu (district).
- Dunhu kana matunhu pakuwanda (Open veld especially on a slope).
- Dunhu (Distance between two places).
- Dunhu (Game of dodge-ball)
|This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title.
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May 2011
We're on the train back from New Jersey, where we'd spent the previous evening celebrating his mother's birthday with heaps of Italian food at a restaurant followed by cake and cookies from Natale's (aside: If you're not a regular rum-drinker, the Italian rum cake will render you an alcoholic upon the second bite). He's reading The Great Gatsby and I am trying with moderate success to block out a baby's bawls with iTunes. He looks up from his book. Oh, how simultaneously handsome and adorable he is, the curl falling across his forehead so beautiful that I could just cry.
Amid the crush of subway pushers cramming themselves into a car not really equipped to handle the stuffing is a chubby Asian woman pushing a wheelchair containing a grab-bag collection of mismatched textiles covering the tiny body of what I assume from the patterns is a woman, perhaps an ancient one. But maybe not, because the head is hanging and the face is obscured, and even the hands, which barely move, are covered with gloves, textured and cream-colored. I feel I cannot speak in the presence of such a being, that to express anything but solemn respect would be overkill.
I'd love to carve the word COWARD, with a rusty butter knife, into the face of the super tough macho piece of filth who stomped on the head of his pit bull in upstate New York. I'd like to do it without the benefit of anesthesia or any sort of wood block between his gnashing teeth to prevent tongue-biting, soulless eyes pried open, in a room that is nothing but mirrors, and have him wear a stethoscope for the duration of the procedure, so he could hear his own screams and bloody shrieks loud and oh so very, very clear.
A while ago, out and about in my neighborhood, I came upon a young mother simultaneously pushing her kid in a stroller and walking her Irish Setter. The dog was focusing all its energy on separating the bagel from the mom's hand and having moderate success. I remarked in passing that the dog was quite crafty, and we stopped for a few moments to chat. I was gaga over the dog, praising its beauty and ingenuity. When we parted ways, I realized I hadn't mentioned the kid at all. "Oh," I said, out of obligation, "and, um, cute kid too."
Unlike other cats I've heard about, Shana has absolutely no interest in the computer. She has no desire to magically appear atop my desk and tiptoe in front of the monitor, commandeer the mouse (while making hilarious remarks about it not looking like any mouse she's ever seen) with a deft paw, or plunk herself down on the keyboard and type something in code such as "ufa89t4aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaari;o839058". She would rather quietly collate somewhere else in the room, check items off a mysterious list on a clipboard using a Sharpie, or arrange her 19-pound body on a small yellow Post-It note.
She removes the lid from the paper cup, its rim when exposed revealing brown stains and gooey coral lipstick, the sixth time in the 10 minutes I've been waiting for the bus, peers inside, and brings the cup to her naked lips. Just short of tasting it, she says to the contents, as if continuing a conversation, "Nope. Still piss," and sighs. She holds a plastic shaker of McCormick's paprika to her nose and inhales what would amount to a "line", looks over her shoulder and shouts, "Fuck I love the smell of cinnamon, Bernard!" No one is behind her.
One of my best friends, B, finds that any time he's in need of guidance or support or is having a tough time in general, a pair of seagulls presents itself to him, one time even on a window ledge outside his gym, high above street level. He'll hear their calls, trace them to the source, and there the pair will be. He's convinced they contain the spirit of his parents, both of whom died many years ago, who sought him out to let him know everything will be okay. Once they see that he's seen them, they fly away.
Long before the store has even begun to climb its way out of sleep, splash cold water on its face, and present itself to its eager public, a line equivalent in length to that of a Depression Era bread line forms on the sidewalk outside, corralled and monitored by guys who have probably just ended their shifts as club bouncers. Thank you, logo store, for affording these dimwits the opportunity to spend exorbitant sums of money they don't have to advertise shoddily-constructed merchandise upon which your brand is emblazoned, just so they can feel they're part of an exclusive club.
For several months, I regarded the corner of 49th and Sixth as a landmark in the demise of our relationship. It was the last place he and I made physical contact while in Manhattan. That's where I perched on his lap like a cat while waiting for friends, I'd think when passing on the bus, and turn my head so I wouldn't mortify myself just by seeing the site.
Now I grimace with disgust, not mortification, choosing to remember instead how, that same afternoon, just across 49th Street, he stood beside me and plucked a nose hair with his fingers!
It had taken so long for Paul and his wife to come up with the perfect name for their unborn baby -- consultations with family and friends and co-workers, texts and tears and fights, lost sleep, admonishment from his brother that the kid would grow up "unpopular and a member of the mathletes with a name like that, and I'm not joking" and even a trip to a psychic just to assuage his wife -- and now this? Can't they just bury the stillborn baby with one of the rejected names and save the good name for the next one?
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday dear beautiful, handsome, adorable, brilliant, hilarious, sweet, generous, animal-loving, email-writing, art-creating, music-making, pancake-flipping, cupcake-eating, flower-bearing, dish-washing, bed-making, cookie-bringing, screwdriver-wielding, shiny-haired, best kisser ever boyfriend who I am so fortunate to have in my life and who makes every day worth celebrating
Happy birthday to you!
I present you with a small Oreo cheesecake. You close your almond eyes, make a wish, and blow out the candle. I silently guess you wish for this to never end. (Don't tell me if I'm wrong.)
It's a wish I can make come true.
Even though it's known to be part of Central Park where men "hook up", I wanted to take my boyfriend there because it feels completely secluded, like you're in a sanctuary deep within a forest without a compass. The only times I'd found it before were when I wasn't looking for it, so of course our trek wasn't successful. Finding huge rocks instead, with a secluded alcove near the water, was serendipitous. I wasn't thrilled, though, when upon leaving, I saw that another couple had discovered this "secret" spot and had been 10 feet away from us the entire time.
I won't apologize for sending your husband a note congratulating him on the opening of his new store. Twenty-seven years have passed since he and I were an item and you and he apparently were an item simultaneously. I had no idea at the time, so he is the one to blame for the duplicity, not I. You knew, though, yet you married him anyway. Trust me, harried harridan, I'm not sniffing around to see if he's available. I've got my own Italian boy, way hotter than yours, who doesn't look like he's been eating up all the profits. Basta!
In the event that I should happen to need to be outfitted with a ring for some sort of ceremony that indicates a certain commitment, the only one I want is one that springs forth from the tiny, tiny hands of my gorgeous and glorious solder-iron-wielding Sister Scorpio Slut, the one and only Flannery Grace Horan. I will specify what I want, and this brilliant babe will bring it to awesome and awe-inspiring life, as she does with every brainstormed and insanely perfectly handcrafted jewelry baby I've ever seen birthed from her Arkansas studio/home. Tiffany's can fuck itself.
Continued 5/15
From 5/14
The ring I commission from Flannery will be one of her impossibly fantastic shaker rings, inside of which will reside minuscule silver charm-like objects (such as a cat and musical note and puppy) that can be viewed via cut-outs in the ring's base. A stone or two, of course, will be featured centerstage, but I haven't decided what kind. Definitely not a diamond, but nothing that could be misconstrued as one. Whatever it is, it will be one of a kind, like nothing she's created for anyone else. How better to symbolize and celebrate the relationship it commemorates!
It would help if the women trainers at the gym looked like they actually lifted a few real weights themselves once in a while, something heavier than the big back to school issue of Seventeen magazine, so they'd give their clients some form of living proof that, gee whiz, this stuff really works. Even worse are those who teach the girl-heavy classes, who look like they treat themselves to a long visit to Krispy Kreme after an hour of sweat obtained while performing a bouncy routine best left on the cutting room floor of a 1980s exercise videotape production company.
Larry reaches across the table for another poppin' fresh roll.
"Nice way to forget to put your wedding ring back on," Marilyn says.
Through a mouthful of dough already crammed into his maw, he offers his wife a crowd of muffled consonants as explanation. She thinks she hears "washed hands."
"Right. But if you'd done that, the light foundation you used to make your finger as white as its tan line from the ring would have washed off. Next time, why don't you just try using a bit of bronzer on the tan line instead? It's a lot less work."
The M7 is at the light, about to galumph its way to the stop, where several people wait to board. I have to make my mind up quickly: Do I take this bus, a local, or do I wait for the limited M5, which I can't see anywhere down Sixth Avenue but which is supposed to be here in a few minutes? The last time I took the M7 I swore "never again" because stopping every two blocks is maddening. Still, I don't want to hurt the bus driver's feelings by rejecting his bus. Like he really gives a shit.
I'm convinced that Poppop has been coming to me in the form of a fly for at least seven years. The first time he appeared was when I lived downtown. He landed on my computer monitor, refusing to budge while I wrote a blog entry, languorously cleaning his legs. Not realizing he was my grandfather, I yelled at him to scram, but did he listen? No.
He came back, both my apartment uptown, in the same fashion, and here in this apartment. Now, though, I greet him robustly, and when he buzzes, I convince myself it's with a Polish accent.
When in Italy almost 20 years ago, I saw a small group of boys beating a largish dog with a stick on the sidewalk. I was beyond livid and yelled at them to stop. It doesn't matter that I didn't speak Italian and they didn't speak English. The tone of my voice was enough to convey that I'd wield that stick on them if they continued. I still cry for that dog and want to find those kids and wring their adult necks for that event and for whatever other hideous acts they no doubt perpetrated in the intervening years.
Every dog, no matter how young or old, waggy or dejected, mange-riddled or notch-eared or three-legged or two-legged or otherwise legged, no matter if its tongue is unfurled and lolling out of its mouth because of edentulousness, blind or deaf, spastic or spry, no matter how seemingly common and unremarkable, deserves to be treated like royalty. I often make a fuss out of "ordinary" dogs, those I'm sure don't get special attention from passersby or aren't the ones any observers at the dog run would choose to watch. I insist that every single one know it is admired and loved.
After her divorce, Michelle decides to only seek guys in wheelchairs so she won't have to worry about enduring dates that involve horseback-riding, rollerblading, skiing, mountain-climbing, dancing, trampoline-bouncing, sky-diving, or paddle boats.
Anything else, I ask?
Sky-diving, she says with a shudder, remembering Bruce's suggestion years ago.
What about that disabled guy on TV, I say, pulling a mythical guy from my ass, who piggybacked onto an able-bodied friend for a jump?
I just can't win, she says.
I suggest she date morbidly obese guys for the same effect.
She tells me that's the most ridiculous thing she's ever heard.
You, at my door, your arms full of flowers, your face full of smiles, your hair full of sunshine and wind, your knapsack full of whatever you need for our weekend together here in my apartment. Five months in, and I'm giddy knowing you were on the subway on your way to see me, giddier imagining your walk up Broadway and down my block, and giddiest when I finally see you after daydreaming about this moment all week.
I greeted others like a cat, aloof and sidelong. But with you, I'm a dog, all floppy and goofy and tail-waggy. Woof!
Yesterday I watched Oprah's "Most Amazing Person" episode, the fourth to the last one ever, and still feel like I need to have my brain scraped with one of those wire brushes they used to use in elementary school when kids would fall off their bikes or off the monkey bars and get gravel stuck in their knees.
The noxious, cloying patronization that oozes from her pores sticks to and is embedded in my flesh like so much gravel. I would sooner endure a three-minute blast of Bactine to such bloody wounds than witness one more moment of Oprah ooze.
It's my own fault for getting involved with the "dog people" on Facebook, my own fault that now, because I'm "friends" with these people, the faces of so many abused and neglected dogs appear in my news feed, either smiling as if they don't know the odds of their being rescued or pleading because they do. I cry every day for these dogs, for their noses and paws and ears and bellies and hearts, not just when I see their photos before me but when I close my eyes and go to sleep. Sometimes I wish I just didn't care.
A girl who apparently spends way too much time in tanning beds raves, bordering on giddy lustfulness, to a pale female counterpart about how the sunflower butter she's buying is superior to peanut butter. As she turns to proceed in the opposite direction, I ask what they're talking about and I put a jar in my cart.
"I'm a health and exercise freak!" she says, as if the broad shoulders, athletic stride, kale, overabundance of spandex, and T-shirt announcing some competitive event isn't enough of a giveaway. I could say the same about myself but refrain, thinking, isn't it obvious?
The young Venezuelan woman whose face literally melted off in a fiery car crash 15 years ago sits across from Oprah and says that contrary to the first time they met, she now allows herself more than five minutes a day to be sad about what happened. For a split second I think, "Wow, and here I am fretting over a tiny blemish that'll be gone in two days, I should be grateful that's all it is." During a bathroom break a minute later, though, I grimace at my reflection and wonder how I'll leave the house with this monstrosity.
All right, so I watched the last four episodes of Oprah's show -- including the two with surprise celebrity guests/friends/sycophants who apparently couldn't speak from the heart (Hi, Katie Holmes! How's it hangin', Madonna?) but robotically recited poorly-worded tripe from a teleprompter and an excruciating rendition of "Amazing Graze" by a scarily sleeveless Aretha Franklin that took about five over-the-top minutes for the one verse that was televised -- and I must say, I did have an "a-ha moment" -- the one when I realized that, yes, no matter what, I'm still not buyin' what she's sellin'. O, so sorry.
One of Myrna's most endearing yet frustrating qualities was her total inability to grasp logic. Once, when stopped in a cab at an intersection, she was afflicted with more than her usual allotment of impatience and asked how long we'd be waiting for it to change to green. Probably 30 seconds, I said.
"How long will it take for the other side to change to red?" she asked.
"The same," I said.
"How does that work then?" she asked.
Fortunately she found a stray M&M in the bottom of her purse just then and I was spared having to explain.
bubble bubble bubble bubble fizz bubble bubble bubble bubble bubble bubble bubble bubble fizz bubble bubble bubble fizz bubble bubble fizz fizz bubble bubble bubble bubble bubble bubble bubble bubble bubble bubble fizz bubble bubble bubble fizz bubble bubble fizz bubble bubble bubble you-und-me bubble bubble bubble bubble bubble bubble bubble bubble fizz bubble bubble bubble bubble fizz bubble bubble bubble bubble bubble bubble bubble bubble bubble bubble bubble bubble bubble bubble bubble bubble fizz bubble bubble what a delicious treat! bubble bubble fizz fizz bubble fizz bubble bubble bubble bubble bubble bubble bubble bubble fizz bubble yay!
We are headed into our sixth month, our half-year, a milestone that doesn't sound like something a number-happy toddler would hold up severak gummi-bear-sticky fingers to count. At the end of the coming month, we can say, when people ask how long we've been seeing each other, "Oh, we've been together half a year," without sounding like the kind of people who count the months, the weeks, the days, the hours, the number of dates they've been on, and how many times they've been to that cute, romantic Indian restaurant uptown and how many times they ordered the malai kofta.
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