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The art of terracotta
Darwen Terracotta offer a fascinating insight into their process - from site survey, to terracotta and faience production, through to delivery and logistics. The company has the specialist skills required to design, match and produce terracotta to the highest quality.
"Generations of dedicated artisans have passed on their knowledge and experience which enables us to continue providing the best quality and service to our customers. The manufacturing process has changed little over time, though we combine our skills and experience with the latest modelling, casting, drying and kiln firing technology.
We are always pleased to meet clients, architects or contractors at the earliest opportunity to discuss and advise accordingly. With the technology today we often give general advice from photographs but when necessary we visit site and view the condition of the existing terracotta to determine the best approach forward. Dependent on the information available we can prepare either budget or firm quotations. We welcome working with you to develop proposals and contract programmes, and becoming a true partner who understands construction demands.
Upon instruction to proceed, each project comes under the immediate control of our Contracts Department who will coordinate all design and production matters with the relevant parties throughout the duration of the contract until final delivery and completion.
Our specialist fully safety trained survey teams both in the UK and US will visit site to take all necessary dimensions and profiles of units to be replaced. We have experience of surveying from scaffold or mobile platforms.
We have extensive 2D and 3D CAD modelling facilities. Our specialist survey teams will produce shop drawings of each individual piece and where required will send to the customer for approval. Elevation layout drawings are produced to show the location of replacement blocks, to assist the installation on site, all in accordance with your requirements.
Working with a blend of the finest refined clays from the renowned European ball clay deposits. Material properties are tightly controlled at the manufacturing stage to meet exacting requirements and ensure high quality standards are maintained.
Upon receipt of an original piece of terracotta/faience, our laboratory will commence colour match development. Whilst we have a vast library of colours it is usual that we must slightly adjust recipes to ensure we have the closest match possible. Samples will then be submitted for approval.
Models are CNC produced in polystyrene, formed oversize to allow for the natural clay shrinkage, from which a reverse plaster mould is made in the traditional way. The mould can be relatively simple or very complex dependant on the piece. Moulds are dried in dedicated temperature and humidity rooms to ensure optimum production performance and dimensional consistency. Our team of craftsmen work closely with our design and survey team, to ensure all models and moulds are produced in line with site demands.
We offer a range of casting techniques. The clay is mixed in house with colour and conditions to suit the requirements of the particular project. We only use virgin European clays giving us an industry leading level of control of dimensional accuracy and consistency. All our material is tested to British, European and American Standards.
Our casting is typically undertaken by producing liquid slip and pouring it into pre-conditioned moulds. The mould is filled to a tightly controlled thickness and when partially dry the piece is turned out of the mould prior to hand finishing. The slip casting method has been used for over a hundred years and offers improved performance specifications and good dimensional control and strength having a consistent wall thickness, allowing even drying alleviating the potential for failure sometimes found in other methods.
Hand pressing is our alternative method, using a more solid clay pressed into the mould by hand. This method generally used for intricate sculpture or ornate work.
After the clay piece has been turned out of the mould, each visible face of the piece is meticulously worked on with a variety of wooden and metal tools, along with leathers, all to give the finish required. Finished pieces are then allowed to dry naturally at room temperature, taking anywhere between two days and three weeks depending on the complexity of the piece. They are then moved to our large automated humidity controlled drying rooms to fully dry and remove any residual moisture.
For blocks that require glazing (Faience), a project specific engobe and/or glaze is formulated and applied by hand to a tightly controlled thickness. In some cases where complex mottles are required to achieve the desired effect, the glazing process can take a three coat application.
Our production kilns have the latest computer controlled technology, to ensure the very best quality and consistency of product. Kiln firing takes around thirty hours to temperatures around 1200 degrees Celsius (2200 fahrenheit), to meet the performance criteria for both BS and ASTM Standards.
Each piece is carefully checked for quality including size, shape and colour. For some new build projects it may be beneficial to dry lay sections of the facade, for both architect and contractor to take an overall view and also to check. Each piece can then be approved and marked with its final location on the elevation.
We offer a range of packaging solutions dependant on shipping destination, site conditions/access etc.
For overseas shipments, product is carefully placed in very heavy duty drop sided plastic crates, with one inch thick wooden tops to allow for safe stacking. High density polystyrene is used to separate and protect each individual piece within the crate. We experience zero transport damage as a result of our very high packaging specification. Each pallet/crate is marked with the contents corresponding with the delivery note. Overseas shipments are delivered in containers through our dedicated shipping partner, taking care of all transport documentation for the customer. We have our own importer, taking care of all aspects, with consistent reliable deliveries, for example two weeks door to door in New York."
For further information visit www.darwenterracotta.com


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I'm trying to create a horizontal gallery with images that zoom in and out like the mac dock effect.
I was able to create a slider gallery using this fabulous tutorial here:
Now I'm having trouble making the images enlarge as they pass through the center. I know that there are plugins like the jqDock (http://www.wizzud.com/jqDock/) that does that, but this doesn't have the slider.
Can anyone help me integrate the two?

subset: commoncrawl


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| 10.2°C Belfast
The surprising thing about the case of Dominique Strauss-Kahn and the alleged sexual assault of a hotel chambermaid isn't that all charges have been dropped - it's that he was charged in the first place.
Even if DSK hadn't been one of the world's most powerful, well-known men, the chances of his being found guilty and going to prison were always low, as they are for most men who find themselves accused of rape or sexual assault.
"Rapists who end up being convicted in a court of law must regard themselves as exceptionally unlucky," Professor Joanna Bourke of Birkbeck College argued in her magisterial book Rape: A History from 1860 to the Present.
There is no mystery about this. The hunt for the ideal rape victim is never-ending, but fruitless, for the simple reason that it requires unimpeachable conduct on the part of the victim in every area of her life, past and present.
Women who have been drinking, who know their alleged attacker or who've ever told a lie to a public official, even in an unrelated matter, are not victims prosecutors want to put before juries. What's fascinating about the Strauss-Kahn case - which comes down to the word of the former head of the International Monetary Fund against that of an immigrant from West Africa - is that in the beginning prosecutors clearly believed her story.
So confident was the Manhattan district attorney, Cyrus Vance, that he proceeded to charge Strauss-Kahn, turning him into one of the world's most high-profile defendants.
Even on Monday, when Vance asked a judge to dismiss the charges, he used an ambiguous formulation to explain his change of heart. "The nature and number of the complainant's falsehoods leave us unable to credit her version of events beyond a reasonable doubt, whatever the truth may be about the encounter," he said. This is a classic outcome, signalling not the vindication of the defendant, but the prosecution's judgment that the accuser would not make a good witness.
Vance's own words suggest that his decision was based not on the complainant's account of the alleged assault, but lies she told when she arrived from Guinea and claimed asylum in the US.
If the alleged victim's persuasive account of a violent sexual assault is to be dismissed because she lied to get into the US, the implications for other immigrants are alarming.
This is surely setting the bar too high, as well as sending a message that some potential victims cannot expect the protection of the law. It's well-known that sexual predators often choose their victims with care, selecting girls and women who are 'vulnerable' in some way - black, poor, working-class - and likely to make less-convincing witnesses.
In the case of DSK, fairness demands that his past conduct should also be examined with equally rigorous standards and the picture that's emerged is far from edifying.
French writer Tristane Banon has given a graphic account of what she claims was an attempt by Strauss-Kahn to rape her when she went to interview him in 2003; her mother, Anne Mansouret (a Socialist politician and colleague of Strauss-Kahn) claims that he "took me with the vulgarity of a soldier" during a consensual encounter three years earlier.
It is possible that the former IMF boss is the victim of a truly dreadful coincidence, becoming the victim of slander by women who don't know each other on two continents. But it is also possible he is a sexual predator who targets women who are reluctant to report him, or unlikely to make a good impression on a jury.


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Dinners and catering at Il Rosolaccio
From May to October, dinner is served from Thursday to Monday, to a minimum of six guests, with a fixed, four course menu for € 31 per person. Dinner includes coffee but not beverages.
Tuesdays and Wednesdays, or for fewer than six guests on other days, we will be available to serve you a board of local cold cuts and cheese, bruschette and dessert.
Vegetarian options are always available. If you are following a special diet, or have an intollerance or allergy, please let us know your reqirements in advance.
Dinner is served outside with splendid views over the vineyards, weather permitting.


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Skies to get more crowded says IATAComments
The number of airline tickets sold is expected to rise to 3.3 billion by 2014 from 2009's two and a half billion – an increases of nearly a third.
The International Air Transport Association is making that prediction based on strong growth in Asia, particularly China.
Global airlines have seen a strong rebound from the sharp downturn in 2009 as economies, notably in Asia, have recovered from the recession.
But the international air body said the effects of the global recession were still affecting parts of the industry.
"The shadow of the global economic recession is expected to remain over parts of the industry for some time to come," IATA director general Giovanni Bisignani said.
In December, IATA revised up its profit forecast for the whole airline industry to $9.1 billion this year from a previous estimate of $5.3 billion.
Last year's profit of the industry was estimated at $15.1 billion, compared to September's forecast of 8.9 billion. The numbers compared to a total industry loss of $9.9 billion in 2009.


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Pearl Shape: Round
Pearl Size: 13.5mm
Pearl Grade: A3+
9ct Rose Gold
Chain included in price Mirror 18RG
For an amazing pendant that is easy to wear you can't go past this beautiful 9ct rose gold South Sea Pearl Cocos Pendant. Honoring the elegance of being simple, this piece can be worn from day to night.
The tapered bail in this pendant helps to maximize and capture the lights' reflection.
The Cygnet Bay Pearl guarantee is simple: every pearl Cygnet Bay sell comes from the farm at Cygnet Bay. Best referred to as an Australian South Sea Pearl, but also colloquially called a Broome Pearl, the precious gift of a Cygnet Bay Pearl captures the spirit of the pristine Kimberley; unspoilt, wild and free, bringing with it genuine beauty and authenticity. You will receive a certificate stating your pearl's origin, and grade, along with information about your pearl's setting.
Your Cygnet Bay Pearl is not only a pearl from an environmentally sound and sustainable process but also represents a piece of Australia's pearling heritage.
Sign up and receive information on new arrivals, special offers and event invitations.


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What can you learn about wedding flowers by talking to one of Gatlinburg's top floral designers? Quite a bit.
Gaynell Weeks has spent most of her life creating floral designs for brides, wedding venues, hotels and commercial events. If you're planning a wedding Flowers of Gatlinburg is one of the top shops in the Smoky Mountains. Their creations are always stunning.
A couple of days ago I stopped by to ask her a few questions I thought might be helpful to our clients.
For a spring what wedding flowers would you suggest?
Tulips, dehlias, ranunculus, hydrangeas.. there aren't really many flowers that can't be ordered in the spring.
What about summer?
Pretty much the same except for peonies. We can get them in the summer but they're much more expensive because they have to be ordered from either Canada or Holland. Also garden roses can be expensive because they're grown by specialty growers. They're in high demand because of their popularity on Pinterest.
But your average everyday flowers like carnations, callas, iris, daisies, astilbe can be ordered about anytime. If you want fresh succulents or lavender we just need more notice to get them.
What about fall and winter weddings?
Just about anything except for peonies. Those are about the only popular wedding flowers you can't get year round now.
So if a bride comes in and just wants a beautiful bouquet what would you tell her?
I'd advise her to use a mixture of hydrangeas, roses, gerber daisies, tulips; just whatever their favorite flower is. Orchids take a special order and more time. Gardenias are very fragile and sometimes won't make it through the day. Same with lilies of the valley. I'd stay away from those.
We just need to know what the colors are and then their favorite flowers. I advise brides to choose their colors early and the best first step is to pick out the bridesmaids' dresses and buy them. Sometime you might pick the dresses for the bridesmaids but the style and size you can't get so that will affect the colors for the wedding. So it's best to contact the florist after you get those dresses.
Tell me about different kinds of wraps for bouquets?
These days with shabby chic in style it could be burlap or twine but typically the bridesmaids bouquets are wrapped in the color of the dress. The bride's dress (typically) will be white or cream and I suggest they use the same color as the dress.
How did you learn so much about wedding flowers?
I've done just about everything in decorating and flowers. I have been doing everything in a flower shop for over 40 years; weddings,outdoor weddings, tent weddings, decorating malls and department stores for Christmas. We did the Backstreet Boy's manager's wedding at the Four Seasons in Atlanta. Also some really big weddings at the Art Institute. We've hung flowers from tent poles, strung tule with lights in it climbing ladders all the time… the reason I love Gatlinburg so much is because the wedding venues take care of all that so we can just concentrate on the flowers.
Any words of wisdom for a bride on picking out her flowers before the wedding?
Just make sure you get your colors right before you get with the florist or get a good wedding coordinator or find a great all-inclusive venue like Bluff Mountain Inn where they take care of everything for you.


text: Come Flex Your Fitness every Friday! Different challenges will be held each Friday of the month at the Warrior Fitness Center. Ask a staff member at the front desk to watch you perform between 1200 and 1600. Top 3 male and female participants will be listed on the WFC Challenge Board.


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October 2017 HTA Team Announcements
Happy One Year Anniversary, Ron and DC!
This month, we celebrated the one-year anniversary since Ron Shurie and David Casey joined the Howard Tech Advisors Team! Both joined last October during the acquisition of Micro Performance (MPI). We are so grateful to have them on our team, and be able to continue serving their clients. A few of them have seen the value in our managed services. We look forward to many more years together!
Happy Two Year Workversary, Dylan!
Early October is also the 2-year work anniversary for Dylan, our Onbording Specialist. Dylan joined us in 2015 as our Dispatcher. Since then he has had a great view of our team, as he has moved in to other roles, including Service Engineer. His latest role seems to be a great fit for his organization skills, technical acumen, and meticulous eye for details.
HTA Has Officially Served Over 1 Million Tickets
That's right, on October 11th our 1,000,000th (or "1000000" as we see it in our ticketing system), was resolved. It has been a pleasure to service our clients and our community! We look forward to closing many, many more.


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Creamfields 2012 Information
Name: Creamfields 2012
Venue:Daresbury, Cheshire, UK
About Creamfields 2012
Creamfields is the world's leading dance music festival. Born in 1998, the original dance festival set out to provide the
clubbing world with a bespoke large scale outdoor event and has gone on to become the most popular and renowned open air electronic
music festival in the world.
It's famous for many things not least its heritage but its consistent delivery of a world class line-up and unbeatable atmosphere! The Creamfields line-up mixes together genre breaking pioneers from across the DJ and live music spectrum and features a Live Outdoor stage and between 8-10 arenas. In 2006 Creamfields UK moved from its Liverpool home to Halton in the heart of the idyllic Cheshire countryside (Between Manchester & Liverpool), with the successful move attracting even more visitors from across the UK and beyond. In 2008 Creamfields became a 2 day camping festival, and in 2009 attracted record breaking numbers and repeated this sell out success in 2010. The event has won many awards along the way, no more so than in the last 2 years, where Creamfields scooped the award for Best Dance Event in the UK Festival Awards for the 2nd year running + they won the prestigious Music Week Award for 'Festival Of The Year' beating off festival titans Glastonbury, V and Reading.
The success of Creamfields has attracted worldwide attention which has led to the festival being staged internationally since 1999 and is the only festival concept that has been successfully established in the global market, to date Creamfields has been staged in 17 countries with more territories to be announced for 2012.


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I presented first this morning. As I was waiting, the administrative assistant for the DNP program came up and told me that she saw some TED talk that said if you stood with your hands on your hips like Superman for a few minutes before you present, you do a lot better. So I did, and she started laughing.
If I have learned anything this week so far, it is that the DNP faculty have a great sense of humor. They are mostly very laid back and continually stress that they want us to be successful. It relaxed most of us considerably. One of the faculty was assigned to be my project advisor. She's not really the laid back type, which is ok, because I think the not-laid-back-type is what I need.
My presentation went well. I was able to say everything I needed to say in the allotted time without referring to my notes. I really do know what I am talking about.
About halfway through, I tossed in some random statistics I remembered from a project I did for my master's degree that had to do with the prevalence of diabetes among the Hmong communities in California and Michigan, just to illustrate a point. It will come in handy eventually I think, because as they were talking about implementation this afternoon, I decided that the population I was planning to study isn't going to work. I am going to have to pick a new population.
In the afternoon we got a tour of the campus. Lots of red brick buildings and bronco statues scattered around. One of my fellow students, from the north of Idaho tells me that up there, they call this place the "My Little Pony School."
The campus is bordered on one side by the Boise River, and there is a walking bath that stretches for miles up and down the river's edge. It is a pretty spot.
When I was in the Air Force, and stationed about an hour south of here, we would come up to Boise periodically to shake off the small town blues. We would wander around for a while, go the the Black Angus and have a good dinner, and then head back to the pit of hell we were stationed in. I've always had a fondness for Boise.


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New Mexico...The UFO State
By Jim Hickman <email@example.com>
New Mexico's UFO's
New Mexico is the UFO state. Some say Nevada has that honor, but I say New Mexico has had, and continues to have the most, and best sightings you will find anywhere. Remember, Roswell was in New Mexico!. Here's an old one to start things off.
Mar. 26, 1880, Lamy, New Mexico. Four men walking near Galisteo Junction were surprised as they heard voices coming from a "strange balloon," which flew over them. It was shaped like a fish and seemed to be guided by a large fanlike device. There were eight to ten figures aboard. Their language was not understood. The object flew low over Galisteo Junction and rose rapidly toward the east.
From the U.S. Air Force's Unknown files.
April 5, 1948; Holloman AFB, New Mexico. Afternoon. Witnesses: Geophysics Lab balloon observers Alsen, Johnson, Chance. Two irregular, round, white or golden objects. One made three loops then rose and disappeared rapidly; the other flew in a fast arc to the west during the 30 second sighting.
April 24, 1949; Arrey, New Mexico. l0:30 a.m. Witnesses: General Mills meteorologist and balloon expert C.B. Moore and others on a balloon launch crew. One white, round ellipsoid, about 2.5 times as long as wide.
Feb. 24, 1950; Albuquerque, New Mexico. 1:55 p.m. Witnesses: Municipal Airport Weather Observers Luther McDonald, Harrison Manson. One white, slightly elongated oval was watched for 1.5 minutes through a theodolite while it flew straight and level.
Feb. 25, 1950; Los Alamos, New Mexico. 3:55 p.m. Witnesses: Twelve Atomic Energy Commission security inspectors. One cylinder with tapered ends, silver and flashing, flew slow and hen fast, fluttered and oscillated, and changed course. observations by individuals varied from 3 seconds to 2 minutes.
Jan 16, 1951; Artesia, New Mexico. Time unknown. Witnesses: Two members of a balloon project from the General Mills . Aeronautical Research Laboratory, the manger of the Artesia Airport, and three pilots. The balloon crew was observing their 110' balloon at an altitude of 112,000' when a dull white, round object was spotted. It appeared larger than the balloon, but made no movement. Later, the balloon crew and the others saw two objects from the airport; flying side-by-side, they circled the balloon and flew away to the northeast. The second observation lasted about 40 seconds. Note: there is confusion over the date of this case, with some USAF records showing it as 1952; however, 1951 appears to be correct.
Aug. 25, 1951; Albuquerque, New Mexico. 9:58 p.m. Witnesses: Sandia Base Security Guard Hugh Young and wife. A flying wing- shaped craft passed over their heads at an estimated 800-1,000' altitude with no sound. Size estimated at 1.5 times wingspan of B-36 bomber,or 350'. Dark, chordwise stripes on underside, and 6-8 pairs of soft, glowing lights on trailing edge of "wing". Speed estimated at 300-400 m.p.h., object seen for about 30 seconds.
April 24, 1952; Clovis, New Mexico. 8:10 p.m. Witness: USAF light Surgeon Maj. E.L. Ellis. Many orange-amber lights, sometimes separate, sometimes fused, behaved erratically. Speed varied from motionless to very fast during 5 minute sighting.
May 28, 1952; Albuquerque, New Mexico. 1:45-2:40 p.m. Witnesses: two city fire department employees. Two circular objects--one shiny silver and the other orange or light brown-- were seen three times performing fast maneuvers.
June 5, 1952; Albuquerque, New Mexico. 6:45 p.m. Witness: S/Sgt T.H. Shorey. One shiny round object flew 5-6 times as fast as an F-86 jet fighter for 6 seconds.
June 7, 1952; Albuquerque, New Mexico. 11:18 a.m. Witnesses: crew of B-25 bomber #8840 at 11,500'. One rectangular aluminum object, about 6'x4', flew 250-300' below the B-25.
June 8, 1952; Albuquerque, New Mexico. 10:50 a.m. Witnesses: Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Markland. Four shiny objects flew straight and level in a diamond formation.
Note: Walker AFB, was in Roswell.
June 16, 1952; Walker AFB, New Mexico. 8:30 p.m. Witness: USAF maintenance specialist S/Sgt. Sparks. Five or six greyish discs, in a half-moon formation, flew at 500-600 m.p.h. for l minute.
July 22, 1952; Los Alamos, New Mexico. 10:50 a.m. Witnesses: control tower operator Don Weins, and two pilots for Carco. Eight large, round, bright aluminum objects flew straight and level, then darted around erratically during 25 minutes.
July 26, 1952; Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. 12:05 a.m. Witness: Airman lst Class J.M. Donaldson. Eight to ten orange balls in a triangular or V-formation flew very fast for 3-4 seconds.
July 30, 1952; Albuquerque, New Mexico. 11:02 p.m. Witness: USAF lst Lt. George Funk. One orange light remained stationary for 10 minutes. No further details in files.
Note: Holloman AFB is the current home to the F-117 "stealth fighter".
Aug. 25, 1952; Holloman AFB, New Mexico. 3:40 p.m. Witnesses: civilian supervisor Fred Lee, foreman L.A. Aquilar. One round silver object flew south, turned and flew north, made a 360 turn and flew away vertically after 3-5 minutes.
Oct. 7, 1952; Alamagordo, New Mexico. 8:30 p.m. Witness: USAF Lt. Bagnell. One pale blue oval, with its long axis vertical, flew straight and level for 4-5 seconds, covering 30 in that time.
Oct. 17, 1952; Taos, New Mexico. 9:15 p.m. Witnesses: Four USAF officers One round, bright blue light moved from north to northeast at an elevation of 45* for 2-3 seconds and then burned out.
Oct. 17, 1952; Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico. 11 p.m. Witness: one military person (no detail). One white streamer moved at an estimated 3,000 m.p.h. in an arc for 20 seconds. No further details in files.
Nov. 12, 1952; Los Alamos, New Mexico. 10:23 p.m. Witness: security inspector. Four red-white-green lights flew slowly over a prohibited area for 15 minutes.
Nov. 27, 1952; Albuquerque, New Mexico. 12:10 p.m. Witnesses: pilot and crew chief of UAAF B-26 bomber. A series of black smoke bursts (4-3-3-4-3), similar to antiaircraft fire, was seen over a 20 minute period.C. 12:30 a.m. Witnesses: radar
March 27, 1953; Mt. Taylor, New Mexico. 7:25 p.m. Witness: pilot of USAF F-86 jet fighter at 600 kts. (700 m.p.h.). One bright orange circle flew at 800 kts. (900 m.p.h.), and executed three fast rolls. Pilot chased object for 4 minutes.
Jan, 1, 1955; Cochise, New Mexico. 6:44 a.m. Witnesses: instructor and student pilot in USAF B-25 bomber/trainer. A metallic disc, shaped like two pie pans face-to-face, and 120- 130' in diameter, paced the B-25, showing both its edge and its face, for 5-7 minutes. Only item in case file was summary form.
Feb.l, 1955; 20 miles east of Cochise, New Mexico. 7:55 p.m. Witnesses: Instructor Capt. D.F. Ritzdorf, aviation cadet F.W. Miller in TB-25 bomber/trainer. One red and white ball hovered off the left wing of the TB-25 for 5 minutes, then made a very fast climb. Total time of sighting was 8 minutes.
Nov. 6, 1957; Radium Springs, New Mexico. 10:50 p.m. Witnesses: one Las Cruces policeman, one Dona Ana County Deputy Sheriff. One round object--changing from red to green to blue to white-- rose vertically from a mountain top. Sighting lasted 10 minutes.
April 24, 1964; Socorro, New Mexico. 5:45 p.m. Witness: Socorro policeman Lonnie Zamora. Watched object with flame underneath descend toward the desert. Two small humanoids observed near vertical oval on ground. Later watched object take off with a roar, go silent and fly away. Burning and charred brush found at landing sight
This is the famous Zamora case investigated by Dr. J. Allen Hynek. The experience of Lonnie Zamora on April 24, 1964 stands as one of the most profound ufo events in the modern history of the phenomena. To this day it remains a case in which all the facts involved support the witnesses claims and it is this kind of case that makes the ufo phenomenon such an enduring mystery.
Lonnie Zamora saw a highly unusual device of unknown origin, what can only be described as a "craft" of some kind, and he reported seeing what he believes were occupants. Despite the controversy, which often surrounds the subject of UFOs, the incident at Socorro remains an example of what the UFO phenomenon is, in fact, all about.
Sergeant Lonnie Zamora of the Socorro Police Department was the individual who witnessed the Socorro landing in New Mexico on Friday 24 April 1964. The Project Blue Book investigation stated: "There is no doubt that Lonnie Zamora saw an object which left quite an impression on him. There is also no question about Zamora's reliability. He is a serious officer, a pillar of his church, and a man well versed in recognizing airborne vehicles in his area. He is puzzled by what he saw, and frankly, so are we. This is the best documented case on record."
Sept. 25, 1965; Rodeo, New Mexico. 10 p.m. Witnesses: Dr. George Walton, physical chemist, and wife. Two round white objects flew side-by-side, at 30-50' altitude, pacing the witnesses' car for 6 minutes.
I have had my share of sightings in New Mexico also. I call them
The New Mexico UFO Incidents
I took these photos in 1998 while on vacation in New Mexico. I've blown up the photo above quite a bit, and the original is below. You can see the object in the upper left of the photo below. This photo was taken in White Sands National Park.
The photo on the right was taken by me on April 25, 1998 at White Sands, the one on the left was taken in 1952, notice any similarities? I did.
This is a series of photos taken the next day north of Las Cruces, New Mexico. There appears to be 2 objects, one cylindrical and the other seems more rounded, they are next to each other in this photo
This is the second photo taken about 10 seconds later, you can see that the first object has moved to the left and has gone to about a 45-degree angle...
Luckily, we had several others who saw this same object, and I was able to get a Email report from one of them. In his email he describes us as one of the cars parked by the side of the road, and here's his report...
Date: Saturday, April 25, 1998 9:09 PM
Subject: UFO Sighting---New Mexico, April 22
For Posting Sighting Report
This was related to me by my brother. At about 10:30 AM on Wed. April 22 he was traveling east on Rte 10 in southern New Mexico west of Las Cruces, near he border of Luna and Dona Ana counties, when he saw several cars parked on the side of the road with the occupants outside looking up in the air.
He glanced over where they were looking and saw a stationary white object. He stopped also, got out and began to observe the object with the others. He said that it was a typical "saucer shape" tilted upward at about 10 to 30 degrees from vertical. It was about the thickness of a pencil held at arms length and at about a 60 degree angle from the horizon.
He judged it to be about several miles away and a few thousand feet up, south towards the Mexican border. He and the others observed it motionless in the sky for about 10 minutes. It then began to level out to a horizontal position after which it slowly started to move to the south.
In a few minutes it was gone from view. My brother is an "open minded skeptic" and since it was too far away to see any identifiable features and did not perform any erratic or unconventional maneuvers he is not saying for sure that he observed a "flying saucer", but it was nothing like he had ever seen before and did not look like it "belonged there". Anyone else with any knowledge of this or similar sighting near that place and time please respond.
And from Vallee's Magonia files,
Oct. 25, 1953 Santa Fe (New Mexico). Jim Milligan, 16, was driving through a park when he saw something fall in front of his car and stopped as the object landed in some bushes. He walked toward it, found a craft that looked like two ship hulls, about 3 m long, 2 m wideglued together. When he tried to touch it, the object flew away. (Wilkins A 223)
May. 18, 1954 Cannon Air Force Base (New Mexico). Two persons witnessed the landing of a lens-shaped object the size of a house. It came to the ground near the railroad tracks, kicking up a small sand storm in the desert. One witness first decided to approach it, then ran away in fear. (Binder)
Nov. 03, 1957 White Sands (New Mexico). At Stallion Site, an army patrol in a jeep saw an orange,"apparently controlled," luminous object on the ground near the site of the first A-bomb explosion. It was first seen as a sunlike source 50 m above ground, descending to ground level after 3 min, and landing several km away at the northern end of the testing grounds. Two witnesses.
Nov. 06, 1957 Santa Fe (New Mexico). J. Martinez and A. Gallegos saw an egg-shaped object coming toward them at low altitude. It moved slowly, illuminating their car and producing a humming sound. The car engine, the clock and a wristwatch stopped. The object shot away toward the southwest.
Apr. 22, 1964 Lordsbury (New Mexico). Marie Morrow and two other persons were driving west, about 2O km east of Lordsbury when the entire area was illuminated by a bluish light "as bright as day," and a round object flew about 3 m above the car, making a whining sound, then went north.
Apr. 26, 1964 La Madera (New Mexico). Orlando Gallegos observed a bright, metallic, egg-shaped object about 70 m away, on the ground, north of La Madera. Blue flames appeared to circle the base of the machine, which was silent and about the length of a telephone pole. Scorch marks and four imprints were found, according to Police Capt. Martin Vigil.
Apr. 28, 1964 Anthony (New Mexico). Numerous witnesses, among them policeman Paul Arteche, saw a reddish, round object hover at low level, then take off very rapidly toward the west.
Jun. 02, 1964 Hobbs (New Mexico). A "black object with flames" is blamed for burns suffered by an 8-year-old child, who said he saw the object coming from the sky. His grandmother, Mrs. Frank Smith, who was standing nearby, heard a sound similar to that of a bullet, but saw nothing. The child suffered second-degree burns on his face, and lost part of his hair.
From the Journal Archives, Sunday Morning, July 6, 1947
Veterans Hospital Patients Report Flying Disc Here
Four patients at the U.S. Veterans' Administration Hospital here said that they watched a "flying disc" disappear into and come out of the clouds in the southwestern sky Saturday afternoon.
The group, all in the same room, were John Goyng, Charles Roat, Fred Lucero and Lorenzo Garcia.
They watched it out of a window, they said, and it "seemed like a round ball, brighter than any airplane we've ever seen and was going straight ... not dipping. It had nothing projecting from it that we could see."
It was the second report about discs from Albuquerqueans Saturday. In the morning, Jess Satathite of W. Candelaria Rd. reported having seen five, saucer shaped objects and said one of them circled the city. They appeared from the west, he said, as he was working on the house.
From CAUS's Chris O'Brien comes several reports of activity in New Mexico.
A close proximity report of unexplained aerial activity near or over a small body of water has surfaced in Northern NM. Note: The La Veta, CO Jan 26th sighting featured a craft extending a beam into a small lake on the 18th hole of the La Veta Golf Course Fri Feb 19, 1999 between 9:30 PM and 10:00 PM, 1/4 mile south of Black Lake, NM--about 23 miles SE of Taos, NM, CE1 Duration: 5-10 minutes Mora/Colfax Counties
A couple w/ a south facing house witness 2 objects (each w/ a single brilliant white light) rise from the Coyote Canyon area NE of Chacon, NM., about 2 miles south of their home. Lights viewed under binoculars were "rapidly oscillating as if they were rapidly spinning." Woman witness described the lights as being between their vantage point and the mountains 2 miles away. The lights were described as being "... so bright they left an after-image" when the witnesses looked away.
Within minutes of the commencement of the sighting the first two objects/lights were joined by 4 similar lights/craft. 1st two objects stopped out "in front of the living room window" and "began bouncing around like they wanted our attention." Then, the group of lights headed down to the lake for several minutes before 2 of the objects went straight up and the other 4 "drifted off over the mountains to the south."
No sound was associated with the entire episode and in the witnesses estimation, there was "no way they were helicopters." Woman estimated they were less than a mile away at their closest approach and completely silent.
The following day a truck driver told the couple he had been returning up NM 434 after a delivery; at the same time as the couple's sighting, and had also witnessed the 6 unusual lights.
Thu Mar 4, 1999 at 11:00 PM North of Del Norte, CO Airfield AN1 Rio Grande County A couple that live near the Del Norte, CO airstrip call to report watching "a large straw-colored light hovering over Jeep Hill," 1/4 mile away to the SW of their house. They estimated the size of the light to be "15 feet in diameter." Craft/object/light then turned on a spotlight which illuminated the area below it. Witnesses told me this was the second sighting of a similar light/event in the area; the first event occurred in the late Fall '98.
The Black Lake, NM couple claims they have watched similar bright white lights "almost ever night" since a multiple-object sighting on Feb 19. Lights have appeared to be higher in altitude. In one sighting:
Mar 8, 1999 at 8:30 PM, Black Lake, NM; a bright white light [similar to the lights in the Feb 19 sighting] appeared to rise from behind the mountains (just to the south of their location), to the altitude of a passing jet. The light "paced the plane--sitting 15 miles behind it" as the two headed south toward Las Vegas, NM.
ALBUQUERQUE -- IamLeona writes that on April 2, 1999, my wife and I observed a very bright luminous object traveling east just south of our home 10:03 PM. We are located at 8,000 feet up in a mountainous area 20 miles SE of Albuquerque. The object was a bright luminous amber sphere slightly smaller than the moon would appear and traveled just above tree top level. The distance from us was difficult to judge because the size is unknown but we both estimated it to be between 50 and 300 yards away. The object was definitely not anything like the air traffic we normally see and made no sound. We observed the object for 15 - 20 seconds until it disappeared behind trees
August 15, 1999 - A dramatic bluish-white ball of light was seen by observers over northern New Mexico. Witnesses described it to be the apparent diameter of the full moon , and said it lit up the ground like daylight.
And so it continues, New Mexico is a state of mystery.
Jim Hickman Director-Aerial Phenomena Research Group CAUS-Staff/Consultant www.caus.org CUFOS-Associate www.cufos.org Homepage: http://aerial.itlnet.net/ Email: firstname.lastname@example.com Host-The Hickman Report www.xzone-radio.com
"All warfare is based on deception" Sun Tzuon-The art of war
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ENTRELAÇADOS - Contemporary Dance Festival
Part of 365 Algarve - Every Day CountsTue Nov 1st 2016 to Sun Nov 6th 2016
Algarve, PortimãoAlgarve https://www.myguidealgarve.com/events/entrelacados VISIT WEBSITE
Event Details
The rhythm of dance is back in Portimão this November with ENTRELAÇADOS, the Contemporary Dance Festival.
The event runs for a week and features dancers, creators and contemporary arts, at different stages across the city. In addition, there will be chocolate and wine tasting!
Part of 365 Algarve - cultural programme from Oct 16 to May 17.
For more information visit the website.
My Guide Website?


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And for international orders Citifloral.com


text: Wind Chime Café is the first in the Wind Chime series by Sophie Moss. From the setting to the characters I slid right into this feel good tale. Moss delivered an engaging tale with few twists and characters that wrapped around my heart. Mini review: Small-town charm, sweet romance with a Navy Seal hero and a little girl who will steal your heart.


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Combining past experiences I have had in the dating scene with stories told to me by some of my girlfriends I came up with this list of the top 20 things a man should NOT do when taking us on a first date. Starting with the top answer I received, here is the list of those things he would do that will have us ignoring his phone calls later.
(I have changed names in order to protect privacy of friends and ex dates)
Jessica: "I was having an amazing dinner with this guy that I was really starting to like. The conversation went well and there was definitely a connection…until we left the restaurant and he walked me to my car. He grabbed me and started kissing me in a very forceful way. It was not a sweet, reciprocated first date kiss. It was the total opposite and in an instant that aggressiveness completely turned me off."
There is a time for everything. Being too touchy on the first date only shows that the person is desperate. It can be very uncomfortable. We are just getting to know you and for most of us, it is more about finding out who you are than to feeling your hands (or tongue) all over us.
Having sex on the first date has worked for some couples but in the majority of the cases it is the end of what has not even started. We could easily be left with this thought: Is this what he does with every woman he asks out?
Aside from physical aggressiveness there is also the one that could happen during conversation. Asking too many personal questions on a first date can also make us feel uncomfortable. As I said, there is a time for everything and topics during a first date should be kept light and simple.
Getting to know a girl should be the reason why she is being taken out on a date. So, it is pretty much common sense that the cellphone should be put away by both parties.
LESLIE: "I once went out with a guy who had me ask for a table while he ran out to the parking lot to go get his cellphone. I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt thinking he did not want it stolen from his car, but as the night went on, every minute was worse than the one before. He had his cellphone on the table the whole time, constantly checking it, texting and even changing his Facebook status a couple of times. I was tempted to do the same and change it to SOMEONE PLEASE GET ME OUT OF THIS HORRIBLE DATE! (Tagging his name along with the status update)."
Put that phone away and focus on your date. Enough said. This actually goes beyond dates. When you have someone in front of you, try to stay away from playing with your cell.
Taking your date out to a loud place where you cannot hear each other is a bad idea. If going out dancing or to a concert is your idea of a great date night, make sure there is some quiet time prior to the party scene. We want to get to know you before anything else and this is why we accepted your invitation. This guy Antonio who I was very much attracted to asked me out and it was fine with me that he chose a local club that played great live music. I knew this place had a patio area where we could sit and talk. It was not the ideal place for a first date but I was open to going out with him. We had a good conversation even with the music coming from the room next door and with all the distractions that came from all the people walking around us. But, I cannot say that it was the best date as it was pretty noisy and uncomfortable to carry on a conversation.
Going to the movies is one of the top invitations I have received when asked out by a man. It is also my first no-no as to where I prefer to go. You spend two hours of your date on complete silence, watching a movie that you might like but then, you might also hate. And there goes that date. I got to know your lousy choice of movies and absolutely nothing else about you. Movies are good for couples that have already passed those first dates.
With the intention of making himself look good a man might tend to talk too much about what he has, or pretends to have. Showing off your expensive car, jet, villa in Europe, the condo in Miami or the yacht at the nearest marina will not impress us that much. Even if he has all of these, there is a way and a time to let us know. On our first date we just want to know who you are, not everything you possess. When the conversation turns more into a pitch for us to choose you as our man, only two things can happen: The woman will date you only for your possessions or you will not hear from her again.
Also, keep all your personal details for later. Saying too much or too soon can scare anyone away. Make it a dialogue and not a monologue.
MONICA: "I was sitting at this bar with someone I was really into. It was our first time out together after getting to know each other through phone conversations and social gatherings. There was a connection there and we both knew that we liked each other. We walked into a bar to grab some drinks and dinner as we wanted to keep it more casual than a sit down fancy dinner date. Twenty minutes into the date I lost his eyes. As girls came in and walked by us, they took his eyes with them. It is acceptable to admire a beautiful girl that walks by, but to stare at each and every girl that walks by, not so. I kept it cool, ordered myself the most expensive wine and excused myself because I was "tired" and wanted to go home. Let me call this: "I have an early meeting tomorrow morning." Talk about a clueless man as he kept calling me to ask me out. I did not waste my time giving him excuses or telling him why I was turned off by him. I simply told him I was not interested. He had been very rude and disrespectful and didn't even notice. But, that was his problem, not mine. My eye ended up wandering all the way to the man I married and now call my husband."
Having a glass of wine or a drink is a great way to chill out the nervousness that comes with first dates. Overdoing it is the best way to kill the possibilities of a second. Although this article is focused on what men should NOT do on a first date, the wrongdoing on getting drunk on this first outing goes for both men and women.
The same way we take the time to get ready and prep up, men should do the same.
SOFIA: "I was once asked to dinner and got all dressed up only to open the door to a man wearing sneakers, ripped jeans, an overly washed t-shirt and a jacket that appeared to belong to a man three sizes bigger than his. I was terrified. Men should make that extra effort the same way that we do.
Smell is also very important. Make sure that you wear a good cologne without overdoing the amount of sprays. Have some breathe mints on you just in case. Clean up the car before you pick her up. These to do's before you leave the house are simple but trust me, we do notice.
Although it was our second date, being that we had not seen each other for some time because of some traveling for work, I was excited to meet up with Ricardo. We had been communicating via phone and email and were very excited to see each other again. I drove to his place and got into his car for our dinner date, only to find that my seat was in the back. He had two other people in the car and on our drive to the restaurant I felt I was in a business meeting rather than that date that we were supposed to be having. And this business-date-meeting lasted for two hours where my disappointment levels increased by the minute.
Taking a girl out on what is supposed to be a date and inviting other people without prior discussion should never happen. The only way it could be acceptable is if both of you talk about it and it is okay with her. Still, this situation on a first date is not the way to go as the plan of getting to know one another will be disrupted. It is a time where you should remember: Not open for Business!
Being rude to people does not make you more manly.
ROSE: "I was finally asked out by Fernando. There were so many things I liked about him just by what I have heard from other people and the brief times we had hung out at social events. He picked me up and my heart was beating like crazy. He smelled so good and looked great! We went to a beautiful sushi restaurant that I had wanted to go for months. Every little thing he did and said to me was perfect and my heart was very content. It was one of those situations where everything just flowed in perfect symmetry. And then came the waitress. I had never felt this embarrassed in my life. The poor lady was being treated in the worst possible way by my date. From the moment she came to our table to the moment we left, he made this woman's time miserable. The way he spoke to her and made her feel less important than us was unbearable. As we walked out to leave, I went back into the restaurant pretending I had to visit the restroom. I just wanted to talk to her. I apologized for what had just happened and for my horrible taste in men. This was obviously the first and last time I went out with him."
No matter who you are there is no need to be rude to others, especially someone who is there to serve you.
This one goes hand in hand with being rude to people. Talking bad about others while on a date shows lack of sensitivity. If you are upset at a friend or relative, keep it to yourself but don't take your first date as a venting session. Who wants to be around a person that is full of complaints and pessimistic behavior? It leads us to believe that you are weak and carry too much emotional drama.
First dates are an opportunity to see if there is a romantic connection with someone you already started to like. It is in present time and the two should take the opportunity to find out if there is a chance. Don't think too much about the future. Analyzing if this is the woman/man that you want to marry and have children with is putting too much pressure on the other person and yourself. Bringing the past to the table is also a way of creating tension.
One of the biggest turn offs is when a man you are out with tells you that he just broke up with his girlfriend. Who wants to feel that they are on the rebound seat? Although some women want to know why it did not work out with your ex, a first date is not the right moment. We do not want to hear it in that precise moment when the focus should be on each other. Asking about our ex's it is not the way to go either. It is a waste of time on both parts if the discussion on the past relationships takes place, at least on your first night going out.
LAURA: "We met on a dating website. I was very much into this man that I met online and shared great connection with. We finally set up a date to meet at a local coffee shop. Some people photograph very different from what they actually look like. But then there is the person that knowingly puts a picture out there that was probably taken ten years ago just because he looked better at the time. And this was the case with my coffee shop date. Not only did he look completely different, but his height was way off from what his profile said. I saw him and just walked away. He didn't even see me. What upset me the most was that he lied. It is not about not being attracted to the man I was looking at, it was the fact that he was not being honest right from the start. "
I am a big supporter of online dating. I know of happily married couples that met this way. Not everyone is into going out to clubs and bars, so trying to meet someone this way is a great way to put yourself out there and meet people. There should be no need in altering who you are to "impress" someone. You are blocking your own way to meet someone who will like you for who you are.
First date conversations can go two ways: A dialogue that flows without too much effort or one where you end up looking around for someone to come and save you. Being out with a boring person that has absolutely nothing to talk about is torture. Men that just sit there and look handsome will not cut it for us. It takes courage to ask a girl out. Therefore, leave the shyness at home and don't be afraid to be yourself and speak out.
Okay. Before the men start throwing the "Times have changed and women are more independent," card on me, let me be clear. It is fine to split the bill on dates, just not the first one or two. I know. Times are rough and like I said, things have changed throughout the years. But, on a FIRST date you guys should pick up the tab. Call me old-fashioned but this is the way it should be. It shows you are a gentleman and that you appreciate the time you just spent with her.
As crazy as it sounds this does happen.
CLARISSA: "I will never forget when I went out with this guy and everything was going well until he took a piece of chicken from my plate. He wanted to try it and thought it was okay to grab it from my plate without even asking."
So men, if you want to try something from her plate, just ask and I am sure it will be fine with her to put some on YOUR plate. You are not three years old anymore. I am laughing as I write this but unfortunately it has happened to more than one person that I know.
This is the guy that knows everything about you. He has been on your online profiles and studied every single detail about your life. You go out on a date with him and it becomes creepy. Not only does he know about your hobbies, work, family and friends and makes sure that you know that, but then he says so by staring at you. Ahh!! Stalker mode on full blast mode.
He then agrees on everything you say, at times not even allowing you to finish your sentences. Men: Even if you have practiced the online Psycho 101 course on your date, don't let her know that by telling her everything you found out when you googled her or whichever way you went to "stalk her". It is completely and absolutely uncool and she will run away faster than you can say, "Please call me!!"
You are not the only one out there asking us out. If you really like a girl and take that step and ask her out, respect that she does have a life. Being late without further notice is a no-no. Calling and setting up the date at the last minute might show that she was a last minute thought or simply the second choice. Cancelling more than once is also a sign that you are not taking this date too seriously. Be honest if something comes up and you cannot make it but if you do this a second time, don't expect her to accept the next invitation.
Also, we do not want to be on a date in which you are constantly checking your watch. If you don't want to be there, what was the whole point of asking her out. If you are not into her anymore and the date has not gone as planned, at least be decent and finish what you started. Her time is as valuable as yours. By now, she probably doesn't want to be there either so finish up and let her go. She will thank you for that.
As my friend Linda says, "Being rude or defensive when someone hits on you at the bar, or not being protective of you when someone is annoyingly hitting on you at the bar." I love her statement! We want to feel protected, even if we are just friends.
Even if she drove herself to the date, men should escort their dates. Always make sure that they make it to their cars safely and a phone call to know she made it home safe is always a great way to end a date.
If the date went well, don't be afraid to let her know. Ignore the three day "rule" and follow up. Dating is not easy, especially with all the social media sites. Some men rely on checking out your profile to see what you are up to instead of calling. If there was a spark and everything went well on your first date stop playing games and plan for a second.
LADIES: If dating a certain man is becoming too stressful, it is time to move on. Trust me when I say, there is always someone better out there and you know you found him when everything just feels right!
Love and Light,
You can also read this article on http://www.clubfashionista.com (January)
© DarleneVazquetelles, [2013]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog's author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [DarleneVazquetelles] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.


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Beazer Homes Introduces New Townhomes At Colonial Forge In Stafford
Apr 15, 2013, 03:36 ET
CHANTILLY, Va., April 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- After successfully selling single family homes in Colonial Forge, Beazer Homes, USA, Inc. (NYSE: BZH), one of the country's top 10 homebuilders, is pleased to introduce its new townhome offerings in the community.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130415/PH94881 )
This new section will offer two different townhome designs, ranging from 1,514 to over 2,500 square feet. The homes are well priced, in the $200s, and the first homes are expected to be completed in early summer.
"We're excited to be offering these affordable townhomes at such a great community," said John Reeves, Division President at Beazer Homes. "The exteriors will be the same 'craftsman style' as the single family homes and interiors will have the same quality construction we strive to provide in all of our homes."
Colonial Forge is located in Stafford, Virginia, in one of the most beautiful, historic regions of the country. Colonial and civil war history are woven into nearby Fredericksburg, with battlefield sites, historic storefronts, and presidential homesteads open for touring. Fantastic dining, shopping, and entertainment are just 20 minutes away at Spotsylvania Towne Center and Central Park shopping center. Colonial Forge is right off of I-95, and near the V.R.E. commuter rail, and an international airport. Two hospitals and several major employers are nearby, including Quantico Marine Base, Fort Belvoir, and Prince William and Fairfax counties, and the only Blue Ribbon designated high school in the county is adjacent to the community. Planned community amenities include a pool, clubhouse and playground.
For more information, visit www.beazer.com
Beazer Homes USA Inc.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Beazer Homes is one of the country's 10 largest single-family homebuilders. The Company's homes meet or exceed the benchmark for energy-efficient home construction as established by ENERGY STAR® and are designed with flexible floorplan options to meet the personal preferences and lifestyles of its buyers. In addition, the Company is committed to providing a range of preferred lender choices to facilitate transparent competition between lenders and enhanced customer service. The Company offers homes in 16 states, including Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Beazer Homes is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "BZH." For more info visit Beazer.com, or check out Beazer on Facebook and Twitter.
SOURCE Beazer Homes USA Inc.


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|Conservation Priority List
|Breeders Directory
|Breed Comparison Chart
|Breed Clubs and Associations
Breed Facts
Eggs, Meat
Egg Color:
Egg Size:
Market Weight:
4 – 6 lbs
Calm and Genial
Good forager, likes to range
The Dominique chicken is recognized as America's first chicken breed. The exact origin of the breed is unknown, although their initial creation may have involved European chicken breeds and later in its refinement, some Asian varieties. The name of "Dominique" may have come from birds that were imported from the French colony of Saint-Domingue (today known as Haiti) and which are thought to have been used as part of the development of the Dominique breed.
Barred chickens with both rose combs and single combs were somewhat common in the eastern United States as early as 1750. As interest in poultry breeding increased, attention was given to develop uniformity in chicken breeds. Early names of these fowl include Blue Spotted Hen, Old Grey Hen, Dominico, Dominic, and Dominicker. The breed was widely known on the eastern coast of the U.S. as the Dominique.
The Dominique was plentifully bred on American farms as early as the 1820's, where these birds were a popular dual-purpose fowl. In 1871 the New York Poultry Society decided that only the rose combed Dominique would become the standard for the breed and the single combed Dominiques were relegated to and folded into the Plymouth Rock breed – popular in New England, created by crossing large, single comb Dominiques with Java chickens. Dominiques were never used commercially, and the breed was eventually eclipsed on the farm by the gradual shift to the larger "Plymouth Rocks." In 1874 the Dominique breed was officially admitted to the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection.
The Dominique enjoyed popularity until the 1920's at which time interest in the breed waned due to the passing of aged, long-time Dominique enthusiasts and breeders. The breed managed to survive during the Great Depression of the 1930's due to its hardiness and ease of up-keep. By the end of World War II as industrial poultry operations began to take a foothold in the U.S., the Dominique once again experienced decline. By 1970 only 4 known flocks remained, held by: Henry Miller, Edward Uber, Robert Henderson, and Carl Gallaher. Through the effort of dedicated individuals the remaining owners were contacted and convinced to participate in a breed rescue. From 1983, following published reports on the breed by The Livestock Conservancy, until 2006, Dominiques steadily rose in numbers. As of 2007, it has been observed by the breed's enthusiasts that numbers are once again beginning to decline, as old time breeders of Dominique age and are no longer involved with keeping and promoting the breed.
The Dominique is a medium-sized black and white barred (otherwise known as "cuckoo" patterned) bird. The barred plumage coloration is also referred to as hawk-colored and serves the Dominique in making the bird less conspicuous to predators. The Dominique sports a rose comb with a short upward curving spike that is characteristic to this breed. The males average seven pounds and the females five pounds. The Dominique's tightly arranged plumage, combined with the low profile of the rose comb, make this breed more resistant to frostbite than many other breeds of fowl. Dominiques are also known to adapt well to hot and humid climates. Historically the close feathering of this breed not only protected the birds in cold weather, but provided ample material for the pillows and featherbeds of their owners.
Dominiques carry their heads high up on well-arched necks. The males of the breed have an almost "u" shaped back outline. Their body is broad and full with long and full tail feathers that are held the highest of the American breeds. Females have back outlines that slope from head to tail. Although categorized as a dual-purpose breed, these birds are first and foremost egg producers with hens historically averaging 230-275 small- to medium-sized brown eggs.
You may be interested in...
Storey's Illustrated
City Chicks
- Pat Foreman
The Small Scale
Poultry Flock
- Harvey Ussery


text: Welcome to Moisture Matters Episode 6! In this episode, we're exploring the moisture content of food oils. Which do you think has more moisture - extra virgin olive oil or sesame oil? Watch the full video to find out! If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the Computrac® Vapor Pro® XL or any other Computrac® moisture … [Read more...]


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Uttar Pradesh created a record of sorts -- out of the 2,195 candidates that contested the election, 795 had criminal records against them, reports Vicky Nanjappa
Akilesh Yadav, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh may have taken up the task to promote a clean party, but the fact is that 26 of the 48 cabinet ministers analysed have a criminal record, which is 54 per cent of the ministers.
The affidavits of the newly appointed cabinet ministers that was analysed by the National Election Watch suggests that 54 per cent ministers i.e. (26 out of 48 analysed) have self declared criminal cases as per their affidavits filed during the recently concluded assembly elections. Nine or 19 per cent of ministers out of the 48 analysed have declared serious IPC charges like rape, murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, dacoity registered against them.
Among these, 26 ministers have declared criminal cases against themselves. The following Ministers have declared the highest number of criminal cases against them:
1) Mehboob Ali (of SP from Amroha) has declared 15 cases against himself including charges related to attempt to murder, kidnapping, robbery etc.
2) Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiya (IND MLA from Kunda) has declared 8 criminal cases against himself including attempt to murder, kidnapping, dacoity.
3) Arvind Kumar Singh (of SP from Ram Nagar) has declared 3 criminal cases including charges of attempt to murder.
4) Manoj Kumar Paras of SP from Nagina constituency has declared a rape charge in his affidavit submitted to the Election Commission at the time of his nomination. The others in the list who are in the top ten are Vinod Kumar, Rajendra Singh Rana, Manoj Kumar Paras, Ram Karan Arya, Jagadish and Bhawat Saran.
The crorepatis:
The affidavits that have been analysed show that 38 out of the 48 cabinet ministers in the Yadav cabinet are crorepatis.
Kunwar Anand Singh of Samajwadi Party from Gaura constituency has the highest assets (Rs 18.30 crore) among the Uttar Pradesh cabinet ministers, followed by Raja Mahendra Aridaman Singh of SP from Bah constituency with assets worth Rs 14.79 crore. Raja Bhaiya an IND MLA from Kunda Constituency has assets worth Rs 7.11 crore among the Uttar Pradesh cabinet ministers.
The average asset of a minister in Uttar Pradesh works out to be 2.79 crore. Balram Yadav, member of legislative council in Uttar Pradesh, with assets worth Rs 16.31 lakhs, has the lowest assets among all the ministers analysed in Uttar Pradesh.
Among the 48 ministers analysed, only 1, Aruna Kumari of SP from Bilhaur, is a women minister.
Uttar Pradesh had created a record of sorts. Out of the 2,195 candidates that contested the election, 795 had criminal records against them. This means that 35 per cent of the candidates who contested the elections had criminal records against them.
SP had 199 out of 401 (50 per cent), Bharatiya Janata Party had 144 out of 397 (36 per cent), Congress had 120 out of 354 (34 per cent), Bahujan Samaj Party had 131 out of 403 (33 per cent), Janata Dal(United) had 46 out of 220 (21 per cent), Peace Party had 55 out of 209 (26 per cent), Apna Dal had 22 out of 76 (29 per cent), Qaumi Ekta Dal had 13 out of 38 (34 per cent), Rashtriya Lok Dal had 16 out of 46 (35 per cent), Bundelkhand Congress had 5 out of 33 (15 per cent) candidates with pending criminal cases.
After the final result, there were 189 MLAs with a criminal record, which means 47 per cent of the UP assembly had criminal candidates. The number shot up since 2007 when there were 140 such candidates. Out of these 189 MLAs, 98 (24 per cent) have serious criminal cases against them. In 2007, out of the 140 such MLAs 78 faced serious charges.


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This is the new-for-2018 Skoda Fabia. It may not look that different to the last one, but as one of Skoda's highest-selling models, this third-generation model has been given a refresh to keep it competitive in the supermini segment.
Unfortunately, since this generation's launch in 2014, the supermini class has taken an upward step in terms of both refinement and tech, making the Fabia more vulnerable than Skoda might like to admit. The two dominating models in the class – the Polo and Fiesta – are both all-new and at full strength, too, so does the new Fabia deserve any of your attention?
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On first acquaintance, it seems to offer many of the Polo's attributes, sharing engines, transmissions and an overall VW-group sheen with its more expensive relative, but under the skin the Fabia makes do with a more higgledy-piggledy mixture of both the new and old Polo. This is felt mostly through the slightly cramped interior, which once was class leading, but has since been overtaken by the new Polo and the latest SEAT Ibiza, both of which now trounce the Fabia for interior and boot space. On the flip side, Skoda offers a Fabia estate, but you just wouldn't.
There is further fly in the ointment, too – as with the previous generation Fabia the new model does without a vRS hot hatch derivitive and nor does Skoda intend on developing one. The Monte Carlo model that tops the range might fill you with hope of a warm version, at least, but has no mechanical upgrades, or changes over the standard models, save for a set of larger wheels and more sculpted seats.
It is still the Fabia that's cheaper than most rivals though, quite significantly in some cases, and although it does have its compromises, Skoda hasn't skimped on safety or tech, both of which have been focused on in this update.
Engine, transmission and 0-60 time
Engines at launch are all 1-litre, three-cylinder units, comprising two turbocharged TSI and one non-turbocharged MPI versions. They vary from the glacial 74bhp entry car (plus what must surely be a mobility-scooter specification 59bhp version to come) through to 93bhp and 109bhp TSI units. All engines are connected to manual gearboxes – five-speeds for most and six for the top TSI – which are pleasingly slick, easy to use and with just enough notchiness to stop it feeling slack. The top-spec 109bhp TSI is also available with a seven-speed DSG gearbox, which is typically smooth and well sorted, with only a hint of the judder and delay associated with most dual-clutch gearboxes.
> Click here for our review of the previous-generation Fabia 1.2TSI
Performance, understandably, is not really a high priority. The 74bhp car will reach 62mph in a heart-stopping 14.9sec, uses more fuel than the more powerful models, and is generally best avoided. The 94bhp and 109bhp turbocharged units are torquey enough to flow with traffic, but little more, hitting 62mph in 10.4 and 9.6sec respectively. The Fabia's less insulated interior does allow some more of the thrummy three-pot sound to enter the cabin, though, helping it feel a little more interactive than the new Polo at low speeds, although this might well be an accident and not by design...
Technical highlights
It's pleasingly satisfying to write that the Fabia does not ride on Volkswagen's MQB platform, although describing anything under the Fabia's bodywork as a technical highlight is probably pushing it a little… MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam out back make up the basic suspension, with no form of adaptive dampers or even a sports suspension set-up available.
The ride you're left with is relatively well sorted, though, absorbing the ridges and corrugations of our Czech test route with enough pliancy. We tried the Fabia on both 16 and 17-inch wheels and the latter didn't seem to affect the ride quality negatively, although we'd suggest the new optional 18-inch units might be a bit of overkill.
Changes for the facelift amount to nearly nothing underneath the skin, but new LED headlights are available for the first time on a Fabia, likewise an upgraded infotainment system and new active safety tech like adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera and blind spot monitoring are also in higher-specification models.
What's it like to drive?
If you're expecting the Fabia to have an identical driving experience to something like the Polo, you'll be surprised to hear that it's not. Despite sharing much of its hardware with the Polo, its more rudimentary underpinnings give the Fabia a more 'basic' feel. Somewhat lessened is the neoprene skin-like slickness, but what's in its place is by no means a bad thing.
To begin with the steering has more heft to it, and although it would be a bit rich to call it feelsome, it does inspire more confidence than the lifeless Polo, which I suppose is the same thing. Push a little deeper into the Fabia's dynamic capabilities and you'll find that the ride has a slight extra edge over the positively cushion-like Polo (on standard suspension, admittedly), again increasing the interaction between your inputs and the Fabia's responses. Of course, it's hardly as intuitive or fluid as the new Fiesta, but the somewhat basic set-up does seem to have stripped away some of the Polo's polish, only to reveal an entirely able chassis underneath.
The SEAT Ibiza is a possible fly in the ointment, arguably combining the best traits from both the Ford and Volkswagen into a sharply designed little Spanish omelette, but if a lower asking price is top of your agenda, the Skoda does give you the most bang for your buck.
Price and rivals
Pricing is where the Fabia's real USP lies. The entry-level Fabia S starts at just £12,840 – over £1400 less than the entry-level VW Polo and Ford Fiesta. Jump up a trim level and engine choice, and the 94bhp SE model also compares favourably at £14,845, while the equivalent SEAT Ibiza, Fiesta Zetec and Polo SE all sit between £16k and £17k.
Often overlooked and deeply underrated is the Mazda 2, which actually undercuts the equivalent Fabia on price in some cases, but loses out where equipment is concerned. It is the far more entertaining drive, though, and in mid-spec 95bhp SEL Nav+ form is a very worthy alternative.
Other rivals such as the Peugeot 208, Renault Clio, Citroen C3, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Micra etc, all do slightly different things at similar price-points, but trail the class leaders. The crux of the supermini class is a pretty simple one: the Fiesta is the best to drive, the Polo is the most grown up, the Ibiza does the best compromise between the two, and the Mazda 2 is the one you should actually go out and buy. Simple.


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As expected, EMC shuffled the deck today. It named COO Pat Gelsinger as the new VMware CEO, replacing Paul Maritz who has moved into a new role as EMC's chief strategist.
Yesterday I reported that Maritz was out as VMware's CEO and was being considered as a replacement for EMC CEO Joe Tucci, who is expected to retire by the end of next year. We also reported Maritz is a candidate to lead Cloud Foundry, the successful open-source platform as a service (PaaS) that has the potential to become a core part of EMC's core cloud offering. It has been reported that Cloud Foundry will be spun out as a subsidiary of EMC. VMware is a subsidiary of EMC .
Maritz will remain on VMware's board of directors. Gelsinger's new job takes effect September 1.
EMC and VMware need a stronger cloud strategy. At present, it's missing pieces such as a dedicated infrastructure environment. Its most recent acquisition of DynamicOps helps to some degree. VMware is the leader in the virtualization space but it needs a deeper play that goes beyond licensing virtual machines. DynamicOps has established itself by helping its customers turn their existing IT infrastructure into more elastic environments that essentially mimic the public clouds of the world.
But Cloud Foundry is the jewel.
It would say a lot if Maritz led Cloud Foundry but it is unlikely. With him as EMC's CEO, it's a good thing, too. Maritz is a technologist who has so far been a supporter for Open Stack. With him gone, it could be trouble for the nascent PaaS service.
But maybe not. EMC has shown it sees where the market is going. The leading storage company recently acquired XtremIO to boost its flash play, which is increasingly popular for big data environments. Data centers are starting to replace mechanical spinning disks systems with SSDs due to their superior speed.
But EMC is more about convergence than distributed architectures. Cloud Foundry's significance is in how it can fit into an open cloud environment such as OpenStack. EMC big play is in converging its networking, storage and compute into one machine. That's great for data center consolidation but it is not an environment that developers flock to. And it's hardly cloud.
Cloud Foundry has attracted developers. To continue doing so, it needs Maritz to stay at EMC. He serves as a leader who is also deeply respected in and outside the company. Without him, it would be trouble. For now though, it's steady as it goes.


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Lil Bug Has Naturally Occuring Mechanical Gears On Legs
Scientists using an electron microscope and high-speed cameras have discovered that Mother Nature apparently invented gears long before humans did, and included them on the legs of teensy planthopper insects to help them jump straight. Tell you what, Mother Nature -- you don't take the credit for inventing gears and I won't chop down this tree. "No deal." But you're Mother Nature! "And that's a telephone pole."
The reason for the gearing, they say, is coordination: To jump, both of the insect's hind legs must push forward at the exact same time. Because they both swing laterally, if one were extended a fraction of a second earlier than the other, it'd push the insect off course to the right or left, instead of jumping straight forward.
The gearing is an elegant solution. The researchers' high-speed videos showed that the creatures, who jump at speeds as high as 8.7 miles per hour, cocked their back legs in a jumping position, then pushed forward, with each moving within 30 microseconds (that's 30 millionths of a second) of the other.
"We usually think of gears as something that we see in human designed machinery, but we've found that that is only because we didn't look hard enough," Sutton said. "These gears are not designed; they are evolved--representing high speed and precision machinery evolved for synchronisation in the animal world."
Amazing, right? These lil buggers EVOLVED gears. That's crazy to think about. Also, what it would be like to live in space. For me, probably a constant panic attack. I DON'T LIKE THIS, I WANT TO GO BACK TO EARTH, I CAN BARELY TURN AROUND IN THIS CAPSULE, I'M FEELING CLAUSTROPHOBIC, THIS IS NOT OKAY. "Please sir, calm down." *banging head on control panel* THIS IS NOTHING LIKE F***ING STAR TREK.
Hit the jump for an animated GIF of the gears in action.
Thanks to Paulevalence and CalebMakesLessThanAlex, who agree it's only a matter of time before we discover Mother Nature also invented astronaut ice cream.


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Freddie Mac released its weekly update on national mortgage rates on Thursday morning, reflecting continued declines in the cost of buying a home -- nearly across the board.
Both 30-year fixed-rate mortgages (FRMs) and 15-year FRMs got cheaper over the past seven days, with 30-year FRMs declining seven basis points to 4.27%, and 15-year FRMs falling five b.p. to 3.33%. One year ago, 30-year FRMs averaged 3.41%, and 15-year mortgage averaged 2.64%.
5/1 adjustable-rate mortgages (ARM) also got cheaper over the past week, shedding six basis points to fall to 3.03%. The outlier here is 1-year ARMs, which appreciated by three basis points, rising to 2.44% over the past week. A year ago, 5/1 ARMs cost 2.60%; 1-year ARMs 2.63%.
Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist Frank Nothaft noted crosscurrents in the housing market that may be affecting rate movements. Housing starts increased 2.8% in March, Nothaft noted in a statement, but housing permits, an even more advanced indicator of housing market strength, declined 2.4%. February's housing permit number was also revised downward.


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The Powerpuff Girls have changed... Looks like Professor Utonium went batsh*t insane in this alternate universe of the cartoon, and instead of sugar and spice, he added cyborg bodysuits to his concoction.
The Powerpuff Girls by Rickyryan [DeviantART]
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We're Borderline Vintage
November 22nd, 2012
"Want to see something cool?"
Of course.
We took the elevator
The doors opened
And we were greeted with my greatest vice of all.
The story is this.
I was home for the holidays. Prepared for a week chock-full of on again off again reminiscing between family and old friends reciting conversation after conversation about "How much as changed!" "How have you been?! I'm good and how about YOU?"
"Do you remember when?
"Isn't it crazy that – "
Seems just like yesterday we…"
"Do you remember that one place where – "
Unprepared for the interesting realization that lived right behind this forbidden door. My friend Alex and I grabbed a drink earlier that evening, and eventually after we exchanged banter about the high school days and a few sentences that started with '"Do you remember when – " ,"Isn't it crazy that – " , "Seems like just yesterday we -" "Do you remember that one place where – " the night eventually came to a neat end and we were on the verge of saying goodbyes when he said hey! That he knew of a place and would I per chance,
"Want to see something cool?"
Of course.
We took the elevator
The doors opened
We pushed past the do not enter sign and to our subtle surprise found the alarms to be silent and door to be completely unlocked. We slowly opened the heavy door revealing yet another doorway on the other side with a glowing light kissing the perimeter of the entry way.
We slowly p-a-c-e-d our way through the entrance and into the next room and began to explore.
And the whole time
We were down there
I grazed my hands along the paint chipped walls
And wondered
What in the hell
This used to be
And then I saw one more doorway
And Alex ran ahead
And I followed closely behind.
And watched as he turned around, glanced up and said
And so I did. And what I saw. Were the remnants of a ballroom. That I'm sure. Used to be magnificent. And that maybe.
Just maybe
A story happened here.
And so I asked him what he thought and we began fabricating guesses that we both knew were only half as good as the ones that really existed. And so that night, I did some research.
Type in:
T-h-e C-o-m-m-o-d-o-r-e P-e-r-r-y H-o-t-el T-o-l-e-d-o O-h-i-o
And as it turns out. Many stories did happen there. In fact, the ballroom that I discovered? That I was just in? Well.
Turns out Elvis Presley was in that exact same room once.
But not just on any day.
But rather, on the exact same day that I was there.
Exactly 56 years ago.
He was there on November 22nd, 1956.
And I trailed in a little later on November 22nd, 2012.
And the story is this:
Elvis Presley was standing in the ballroom bar room unwinding after his very first performance in the grand city of Toledo.
And another man was there too. A man who in fact approached him and said that he was upset. He was upset that Elvis received so.much.attention and shortly after quoting "My wife carries your picture but doesn't carry mine!"
Elvis threw a punch
And then another
And then 5 more.
And eventually the brawl got so big, Elvis didn't return back to Toledo for another 21 years.
And what was so crazy.
Was that this very fight? And those words?
Were now just echoes. In this torn up room.
So then I got to thinking. About the places I used to know. And what they are now.
Like my childhood days.
When my sister and I used to sCaMpEr around our backyard down in Louisiana. Sporting sparkly bathing suits by the pool and chugging an obscene amount of homemade koolaid, whilst cannon-balling our childhood away. The mom would put watermelon on the table and I would water the palm trees in the back because I had "heard a rumor that they were thirsty, Mom!"
And how that pool. And that place. Wasn't ours anymore. But rather that family's after that. And then the old married couple after that. And how that very pool. Was now just a decoration in the backyard. And if they ever knew. That 2 really happy children used to play back there every day. With their sparkly bathing suits. And their homemade koolaid. All while cannon-balling their childhood away. And eating watermelon. And taking such good care of their now palm trees, because I gave them water every time they were thirsty.
And then there was high school.
And you're in your car and you pass that one driveway. And you think back to that one time. The one time where you sat in that one car. With your one friend. Who told you about how they were adopted. And you knew that, but they had never really talked about it. And it was 3 A.M. But for some reason they wanted to talk about it right.now. And so they tell you that all they know is that their mom was a prostitute and had to give him away. A long time ago. Right at birth. So he was lucky if he really thought about it. But don't get him wrong, he loves his adoptive family! And he thinks they're great! And it doesn't even matter to him if his real parents are still around or not. He wants to find them anyway. Or at least hear their story. Because he just feels a little less complete without knowing. And he can't explain why. And he's got this container, in the way back of his closet that's slowly but surely collecting money, to pay for that ticket. To fly to his birthplace. And find them one day. And he's going to do it, he says, really, he will.
And this conversation of promises, hopes and desires were encapsulated in his 2000 Jetta
That, you know, eventually had car problems, so he ended up getting it fixed and eventually giving it away. And I wondered if the new car owner. Had any idea. That such an incredible epiphany. Happened in the very passenger seat of their car.
And then there was college.
And you remember this one pathway in particular on your college campus. But only because you walked it every single day together. To class, I mean. And for the first year down this path she would be swinging her tote bag and would tell you almost every day about her boyfriend and how it's going so well! And he's just the best. And truth be told, there probably won't be anyone else like him. He's her best friend, you know?
And then the next year rolls around and you're walking down the same path. And she's swinging her purse and she's telling you that actually they're not together anymore. But they talk sometimes. And it's still sad. But it is better this way. It was her decision after all.
And then the year after that? Well we're walking down this path and she's playing with her wristlet and she explains to you that actually, she found someone new. Someone incredible. Scary incredible. Like. Shit. Could this be the one? Incredible. They met at a wedding, you see. And she never even knew someone like him, could possibly exist. And so we make our final strides our last year down this path:
And we're walking except this time she's just swinging her hand – and it has an engagement ring on it – and she's spilling her plans about her wedding. And telling you that she's never quite been this happy.
And I wondered. If the other students who walked up this pathway. Who probably studied flashcards on this pathway, walk of shamed – on this pathway, threw up on this pathway, walked to class just.like.us. on this pathway, knew that an entire love story was narrated on it, almost every day, for 4 years.
And then you hit the "real world."
And you're sitting at your internship at Calvin Klein typing, filing, researching away for any glimpse of a hope of getting any sort of opportunity at all. And then your phone goes off. And it's an unrecognizable number. But you've seen it before. In fact, you think you know exactly who it is. So you sneak out the back door and into the lobby and crevice yourself into the corner of the main room, so no one can see you. No one at all. And you say "Hello?" And the person on the other line is named Vanessa. And she asks you how you are and you say fine, and then she tells you that her company would like to offer you your very first full-time position. And they would love it if you would accept. And if you would accept, then they would be happy to send over the offer letter as soon as possible. And you're standing there in this one corner of the lobby. Where no one can see you. No one at all. And you start to cry. On the phone. By yourself. Well, I guess Vanessa's there too. But you cry anyway.
Because you finally did it.
And you wonder, if anyone else, in that lobby could hear you. And if they knew, that just a few feet away, a girl's dream job just called her and turns out.
They wanted her too.
And it really wasn't until that one night that I was standing in that abandoned ballroom where Elvis used to be that I realized that:
I was that other person.
The person who didn't know.
And who would never really know.
What it looked like. Or what happened. Because I wasn't there. And how that was the strangest part of all. How everyday I
Next to a thousand ghost of memories. And how none of them are mine. And how none of mine are theirs. That the platform next to the shuttle to Times Square was romantically mine once, and the corner of 47th street and 5th ave garnered memories of internship nightmares, the 1 square foot bathroom on the top floor of that bar in Ohio held in some of the bravest confessions I'd ever heard, and how that damn Tompkins square park turned into one of my most ridiculous memories of all. And if you asked me if it bothered me that my backyard isn't' mine anymore? Or how that car is no longer my friends? That the pathway I walked down was shared with thousands of other students everyday or if no one heard me in the lobby? I'd say no. Because the thing is, they all happened. And I could point to it one day and tell you that it did happen. And even if these places get
Torn down
Or sold
Those moments still exist anyway.
And how it sort of makes you feel like you're living in a borderline vintage world. And maybe realizing that the things we say and do are worth the physical or mental snapshots because maybe people like you, and people like me really will wonder what memories lingered in the very place that we're standing in right now. And that we should probably make a few more of these stories and moments while we can. You know, just so we can point to them one day and claim them as ours, and tell someone that they happened.
Even if that person is yourself.
And in the meantime, everyone else who is
Right by you? Are manufacturing these stories as well. And before you know it you'll be standing in a vintage ballroom surrounded by millions of them and wondering what in the hell happened there.


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You may be begging to worry about the expenses of the holiday season and even dreading the start of a New Year and the resolutions you know you need to make, but you shouldn't be. The truth is that there is never a bad time for checking your finances. Now is the time for budgeting and saving.
Most people don't budget because they simply don't know where to begin. The best place to start is by outlining categories for your expenses and assigning them a value.
Housing 30-40% — your expenses for rent, a mortgage, taxes, insurance, and repairs should not exceed 30-40% of your monthly income. Many people forget to calculate the costs of repairs, and while they may not always be monthly, they can certainly put a strain on finances when they occur. Be sure to have some cushion by keeping your actual rent or mortgage closer to the 30% or less, leaving with 10% for those extras and unexpected.
Utilities 10-15% – expenses for electricity, gas, water, trash and phone lines should all keep within the 15% of your monthly income. Again, remember that these values can change from month to month and vary considerably by season, so don't max out your expenses in the winter and have no room in your budget for the extra $100 in air conditioning over the heat of the summer.
Food 10-20% — food related expenses include groceries, dining out and pet food. This tends to be one of the most commonly overspent categories each month. Therefore, make sure you have grocery lists and stick to those items only and set rules for dining out for how often per week and how much can be spent. Don't forget to set aside extra for those special occasions like a birthday or anniversary, which are typically much more than you spend normally.
Transportation 15-25% — these expenses include not just the payment for a vehicle each month, but gas, repairs, insurance and tolls. If you have a car payment keep it around the 15% mark to allow room for the other items in this category. Vehicle repairs can be costly when they do happen, so having a car payment that is closer to 25% could quickly put you over budget.
Medical 10-15% — medical expenses include insurance premiums, prescriptions, doctor copays or bills, and even deductible expenses. Keep in mind that just because you have insurance doesn't mean all bills are covered, so staying around the 10% mark can be helpful when that unexpected doctor or hospital bill arrives.
Savings 10-15% — rarely do people save the full 10% each month, but having at least three or more months of enough money to cover all the expense categories listed can be the difference between financial insolvency and the need for Phoenix bankruptcy and getting back on your feet the old fashioned way. Although savings may be listed last, it should be prioritized first!
Budget Planning 101
You may be begging to worry about the expenses of the holiday season and even dreading the start of a New Year and the resolutions you know you need to make, but you shouldn't be. The truth is that there is never a bad time for checking your finances. Now is the time for budgeting and saving.