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2010 BIO Conference – Wednesday
This is the third day of our coverage of the 2010 BIO International Convention, a massive biotechnology conference being held this week at McCormick Place in Chicago. Come back all day for reports from panels, lectures, and the exhibit floor on how scientists, government leaders, and industry hope to use the combined forces of science and technology to tackle some of the world biggest problems. For the first two days of our coverage, click here and here.
6:00 PM – Biotechnological Patriotism and the Petabye Age
Walking through the elaborate castles erected by countries from Europe, Asia, and South America on the exhibit floor (pictured below), an American might develop some anxiety about their country's status as undisputed champion of biotechnology. That's partially an illusion – if all of the kiosks for individual American states and U.S.-based biotech companies were pooled into one giant USA! USA! booth, it would take up the majority of the exhibition. But paranoia that the rest of the world is hot on America's trail was palpable through the conference, with rumblings of new biotech epicenters in China and India rippling through McCormick Place.
A panel organized by Scientific American this afternoon sought to set some of those fears at bay, and the message was delivered through a persuasive moderator: CNN's Fareed Zakaria. With his keynote address, Zakaria talked about the economic landscape as the world recovers from a global financial crisis, but said that the real economic story of the last 50 years was not bubbles and recessions, but the broader participation in the world economy. No longer is all the exciting innovation and economic development happening in a few North Atlantic nations, Zakaria said; now even small countries have robust, independent economies and an impact on the global system.
The downside of that phenomenon, for Americans at least, is that we are no longer the one place where the world's biggest achievements are located. The biggest mall in the world, Zakaria pointed out, is no longer Minneapolis' Mall of America – it's the South China Mall in Beijing. The richest man in the world lives in Mexico City. The world's largest refinery is in India. But the United States can still lay claim to the most highly-respected universities in the world, and the "extraordinary quantity of high quality research" that goes along with that system.
Joined by a panel of biotechnology industry leaders, the reassurance continued. China and India – while several orders of magnitude larger in population than the United States – are too concerned with building infrastructure to pose a near-term threat to American biotech expertise. The American investment system, which rewards creativity and understands that many big ideas fail, remains a model for the world. And as long as United States universities are perceived as the world's best, they will attract the best students from around the globe to our shores – even if, increasingly, those students return to their home countries to apply their education.
With all those warm feelings, it was a little disheartening to find what I thought would be one of the day's most engaging research sessions – on applications of computational science to drug discovery – to be also the day's most sparsely attended. Fascinating, exciting research was presented by scientists from the University of Illinois and Argonne National Laboratory on how the rapid growth of computing power capabilities has made new types of experiments possible.
Emad Tajkhorshid showed animations representing the dynamic wobble of protein interactions, drugs and targets undulating like ocean waves – suggesting that scientists will no longer be constrained by the necessary simplifications of benchtop science. Rick Stevens, from Argonne, talked about grabbing a small soil sample and sequencing every organism within, grabbing potentially thousands of complete genomes – many of them never before seen – at once. As one questioner said, we've brought everyone into the genomic age, but the next step will be the petabyte age, an age of previously unfathomable computation enabling the creation of new science. Unfortunately, this afternoon there were few there to witness the new age's early steps.
3:00 PM – Smoothing Out Diabetes…with an iPhone
A diabetic's glucose levels over the course of 24 hours can look like the most majestic mountain range, with tall, jagged peaks and deep valleys. That's a big problem; to minimize complications, controlling those glucose fluctuations into a tighter range – demolishing that mountain range is necessary. Currently, diabetics have a variety of options for doing just that, from low-tech solutions such as finger-prick tests and insulin injections to fancier glucose monitors and insulin pumps. But even the latest devices for glucose control are less than ideal – slow sampling rates can miss fast spikes or troughs of glucose levels, human action is still necessary to read a monitor and trigger an injection, and the devices, though currently as small as an iPod, still become a nuisance when worn all day.
The theoretical answer is what scientists call an artificial pancreas, a device that's much less organ-like than it sounds. Essentially, an artificial pancreas would unite the glucose monitor and the insulin pump in one device, and coordinate the two functions such that changes in glucose levels automatically trigger the right injection of insulin at the right time. There are mechanical hurdles to creating such a device, but the main problem is one of mathematics – finding the right algorithm that allows glucose levels to be controlled with over-correcting into hyper and hypoglycemia. That's no easy task, as scientists at an afternoon session explained: even a single patient can exhibit wildly different glucose patterns from day to day, and insulin is relatively slow to work.
But with those caveats in mind, the news from the session was promising. Bruce Buckingham from Stanford and Roman Hovorka from Cambridge both described successful, albeit small, trials that united already-existing devices with complex calculations to narrow the range of glucose fluctuations during sleep, when dangerous hypoglycemia incidents can occur (the worst resulting in "dead in bed" syndrome, which is as bad as it sounds). For now, their setup required a bedside device the size of a small alarm clock, but Buckingham hoped that someday the technology could be integrated into a diabetic patient's iPhone.
Even cooler were the trials described by Boris Koratchev from the University of Virginia, whose laboratory developed a new animal-free way of testing an artificial pancreas algorithm. Simulating the metabolism of humans in silico with 26 parameters and several lengthy, complex mathematical equations, Koratchev's group could simulate several thousand experiments to test out their method of controlling glucose. Importantly, they also managed to convince the FDA that such trials were an appropriate replacement for animal trials, speeding up the research process by years, Koratchev said. Information learned from that in silico trial was later applied to a small human trial with success, suggesting promise for both diabetics and those looking for science that moves beyond animal trials.
1:30 PM – Food Elitism and False Dichotomies
It's hard to think of a more ironic way to spend the lunch hour than talking about world hunger, but that's was the topic on the menu for Wednesday's press luncheon. Entitled "When Politics Impedes Progress to Combat Hunger," the panel actually turned into a wider discussion between the journalists and scientists at the podium and the journalists and scientists scarfing down turkey sandwiches about the communication gap that has lingered over the entire conference. Not a session has gone by, in my observation, without at least one mention of how biotechnology scientists and companies need to do a better job of communicating the benefits of their products or discoveries to the public, and the lunch meeting was a chance to analyze why that conversation has broken down.
The effects of poor communication are especially felt in the field of genetically modified agriculture, where resistance to products such as pesticide-resistant plants and high-yield seeds has been strong in the United States and Europe. Michael Specter, a staff writer at The New Yorker, and author of the book, Denialism: How Irrational Thinking Hinders Scientific Progress, Harms the Planet, and Threatens Our Lives, chalked that resistance up to one word: elitism. It's fine for people in Berkeley and Oak Park to worry about what kind of cattle their eating, Specter said, but it's a luxury that few countries can afford.
"Everybody who buys food from a farmer's market in this country should go spend some time in India," Specter said. Later, he added, "There are reasons to buy organic foods, but it shouldn't be a religion.
That sentiment was echoed by panelists Channapatna S. Prakash of Tuskegee University and Margaret Zeigler of the Congressional Hunger Center, who said they had seen the real benefits of genetically-modified crops in developing countries such as India and Guatemala. Parkash said genetically-modified crops have reduced pesticide use in India by 800 million pounds while increasing food productivity. Zeigler said that the small-scale farmers she's spoken to in poor Latin American countries are eager to use genetically-modified organisms on their own farms.
"If you're growing food, whatever makes it easier is a good thing," Zeigler said.
But in the United States and Europe, the debate has broken down to an argument between organic farming and the application of modern technology to agriculture – a false dichotomy, said UC-Davis food scientist Pam Ronald. Many consumers have a false image of the purity of the modern organic farm, Ronald said, and fail to recognize that a better goal would be sustainable agriculture, rather than impossible standards of natural practices. Centuries of "conventional breeding" has already made most agricultural crops vastly different from their natural counterparts.
"Virtually nobody eats anything harvested from the wild and grown on a farm; there's virtually nothing that we eat that exists in the wild," said Ronald, the author of the book Tomorrow's Table. "We need to move beyond saying 'organic is better' and judge food by the criteria of sustainability."
12:oo PM – Biotechnology EPCOT
Either the late-morning session options were a little dry or I'm just a bit burnt out, so it seemed like a good time to take another whirl through the surreal indoor city of the exhibit floor. This time through, it occurred to me that the exhibition is not unlike EPCOT, with dozens of kiosks and complex multi-part structures representing individual countries and drug and biotech companies standing in for Future World. All it was missing was a giant golf ball in the middle – someone should get to work on that for next year. Here's a quick sample – I'll post more pictures tomorrow.
10:00 AM – The Dark Side of Biotechnology
The vast majority of the BIO conference focuses, of course, on the promise of biotechnology to improve the world. But the same technology used to produce more food or cure disease can also be exploited for nefarious means in the form of a biological weapon. For that reason, the third day of the conference features a day-long discussion of biosecurity, the policies and tools needed to prevent the misuse of biotechnology by those who seek to do harm and cause panic.
One could assess just how seriously the current administration takes this threat by the heavy-hitters present on the session's opening panel, with top representatives (all women, interestingly enough) from the White House, the Department of Homeland Security, the Food & Drug Administration, and the Department of Health and Human Services. All four speakers stressed the importance of preparedness and had the documents to prove it; I picked up a copy of the National Security Council's National Strategy for Countering Biological Threats. But the ironic message of the panel was that as biotechnology becomes more successful and spreads around the globe, so too do the tools for creating a biological weapon become more accessible and affordable.
"The proliferation of technology is unstoppable," said Tara O'Toole, undersecretary for science and technology for the Department of Homeland Security. "The big question is will the pace and extent of biotechnology proliferation and the potential for this technology to be used for malignant purposes outrun our capacity to defend against biothreats."
To underscore the importance of this point, O'Toole said she often asks rooms of scientists whether they themselves would have the ability to create a biological weapon that could kill thousands of people. The result, as it was this morning, was an awkward, poignant silence.
Interestingly, a couple of the speakers pointed to last year's H1N1 epidemic as a trial run for formulating a response to a biothreat. Nicole Lurie, assistant secretary for preparedness and response at the DHHS, said that the action of federal and local governments during the H1N1 outbreak showed both the strengths and weaknesses of current plans in place – perhaps heavier on the weaknesses side, depending on your perspective. Lurie worried that roughly half of the U.S. population was skeptical about the safety of the H1N1 vaccines despite extensive testing by the FDA before approval, and said that communication would be the key in case a more deadly virus spread either naturally or due to terrorism. Another case study for biothreat response: the Icelandic volcano's disruption of international flights, a trial balloon for what it might look like if the U.S. or another country were forced to close its borders due to a global outbreak.


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Common Problems
How do I get a pet?
How do I activate my pet?
Why has my pet stopped using its skills?
How do I use pet pocket functions?
It's dangerous to go alone! Take this…pet! Devoted helpers, constant companions, pets will follow you into the heat of battle.
Pets are a fun addition to your character and you can acquire pets at any level. Pet skills can range from collecting loot, auto-applying healing potions, providing extra inventory storage, or gathering resources.
Getting a pet
Summon pet manuals can be purchased from the En Masse Store with EMP, through the Trade-broker, directly from other players, and there might even be a way to get a pet for free in-game.
If you purchase a pet through the En Masse Store, be sure to grab their Pet Manual through Item Claim with the correct character. A pet manual can only be used by one character, so choose wisely!
Once the item is in your inventory select the Pet Manual to learn that pet summoning skill.
Using your pet
Summon your pets through the skills tab at the bottom of the main skills window. To use their special powers (like Pet Pockets) open the Pet UI and go to Skills > Special > Pets. Pet summoning and special abilities can be assigned to the skills bar like any other skill.
Feeding your pet
Regularly feeding your pet is important. If it runs out of energy, its emotes may become sad and it won't be able to do its handy Pet Functions.
You can purchase pet food from merchants in the General Goods tab, as well as from Trade Brokers, and other players via parcel post. Parcel post trading is at your own risk.
Only summoned pets can be fed, by activating pet treats in the consumable goods inventory. Pets only consume energy while they're summoned.
Pet UI: special pet functions and energy levels on Console
You can check how much energy a pet has remaining, and use any special powers, through the Pet UI.
Access the Pet UI via Main Menu:
- Select Character and select Skills.
- Select the Special tab.
- Select Pets (the cute paw icon).
Many players add pet skills to their hotbar shortcuts for ease of use.
How to use your storage pet
Some pets act as a second bank that follows you around! To access their storage function go to the Pet UI and select their Pet Pocket Pet Function. From there you can use it the same as a bank, except that it follows you around. Getting more pets with this ability will open up more tabs in your Pet Pocket.

subset: commoncrawl


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Your Business Inspiration
What sparked your online business idea?
Many new business startups are inspired by a hobby or a passion, through solving a problem or filling a 'gap' in the market. This is the 'spark' that ignites your idea; the hard work is the oxygen that keeps it burning.
The 'spark' for a new online businesses could be:
- Expanding your hobby, talent or skill to turn it into a business
- Branching out on own - you have built the skills and experience from working for others and now want to start your own business
- New qualifications - you have completed a qualification and now want to put your skills into practice
- The desire to be an 'uber' worker, working independently/freelancing across a number of businesses and industries
- An opportunity based on new technology, i.e. utilising new technology to engage with and reach a wider range of customers and deliver goods or services, such as an online buying and trading business.
- Addressing a 'gap' or need in the market - if you cannot find something that you need or want you may be able to build an online business to address that need or want.
Using the hashtag #RMITbusinessinspiration, share and post on Twitter an image of something that encapsulates your own business 'spark'.
© RMIT University 2017


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What buck is that
Next time your 'non-knife' friends question why you carry a knife, ask them to smile. If you can bear to look, you may notice worn down enamel and teeth that are out of alignment, chipped, fractured, or missing according to experts.
Teeth are meant to chew food NOT perform cutting tasks
Dentists report that many of their patients use their teeth to perform 'odd jobs'. If your teeth are the only tool you've got, it may seem natural to open wrappers, packaging or cut through plastic sales tags with your choppers. Dentists say that your teeth were made to chew food and there are consequences when you use them to perform cutting tasks.
Jimmy Fallon's broken tooth incident
Jimmy Fallon, host of the Tonight Show recently learned this the hard way:
"It's one of those tubes .. you have to cut the end off," NBC's late night host recounted as a guest on the Ellen DeGeneres show. "I don't have scissors or a knife so I just bite it off with my teeth .. and my tooth chips in half."
The sharp edges of plastic can also cut or cause abrasions in your gums or mouth, which could increase your risk of developing painful infections.
You can buy a good pocket knife for under $50
So, remind your 'non-knife' friends if they want to keep a healthy mouth, their teeth looking great, and avoid a costly trip to the dentist – they can pick up a good pocket knife for under $50.
What buck is that
Buck Vantage Force Avid
This page is awesome yall always repsond quickly
I broke a tooth while on vacation and had a sharp part that was cutting my tongue, Used a Leatherman to file it out, Nice rum kept the pain at a minimum haha
He has a face like omg sir you have a cavity *stabs paitent* in your heart
The photoshop job makes the knife look bigger than it is, I think. The vantage has a 3 1/4″ blade.
Is it any good do yall know
Lol read some reviews on amazon its ok for a 90 dollar knife but idk if id get it
Buck vantage force avid
The s30v seem great
Those are the ones i was reading the reviews on they have a problem with blade centering
What's the other 20% of dentist problem then?
Thats why I carry benchmades
What keeps you with benchmade?
Gee that Buck is right beside the laptop…


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Neil R. LebowitzLebowitz Law Firm -- We Listen. We Explain. We Advocate.
- Employment Law, Family Law, Divorce ...
- District of Columbia, Maryland
At the Lebowitz Law Firm, we represent clients in the areas of employment law, family law, and personal injury.
We will listen to you. We will explain the law to you and the options available to you. And we will advocate for you.
We are firm believers in what we call "advocacy with integrity." This principle applies to our dealings with both clients and third parties alike. When communicating with a client, we discuss all of the issues in the client's case in a straightforward and respectful way, taking time to explain the positive and negative aspects of each potential course of action. When we communicate on behalf of a client with the court or an opposing attorney, the client can rest assured that we will advocate for the client in a zealous, yet fully dignified manner. The ultimate goal in any case is obviously to attain a successful outcome, and experience has taught us that "advocacy with integrity" is the best method to achieve that goal for our clients.
- University of Maryland School of Law
- Honors: Graduated with Honor
- University of Maryland - College Park
- B.A. (1992) | History
- Honors: Graduated Magna Cum Laude (Top 5%) as a member of Phi Beta Kappa
- Litigation Attorney
- Lebowitz Law Firm
- - Current
- Litigation Attorney
- Zipin, Melehy & Driscoll, LLC
- -
- Litigation Attorney
- Anderson, Coe & King, LLP
- -
- Judicial Law Clerk
- Hon. Steven G. Chappelle, Circuit Court for Charles County
- -
- Maryland Employment Lawyers Association
- President
- - Current
- Maryland Employment Lawyers Association
- Vice President
- -
- District of Columbia
- District of Columbia Bar
- Maryland
- 3rd Circuit
- 4th Circuit
- D.C. Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
- U.S. Supreme Court
Credit Cards Accepted
Visa, MasterCard, and Discover
Contingent Fees
In certain types of cases, the firm may elect to undertake representation of a client on a contingency basis.
- Employment Law
- Family Law
- Divorce
- Personal Injury
- Appeals & Appellate
- Gov & Administrative Law
- English: Spoken, Written
- Website
- Website


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Moritz Helmstaedter is a neuroscientist dedicated to mapping connectomes, the complex networks of nerve cells in the brain. A medical doctor and physicist by training, Moritz completed his doctoral thesis with Nobel laureate Bert Sakmann at the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research in Heidelberg, Germany. During his post-doctoral work, together with Winfried Denk and Kevin Briggman, he developed methods to map nerve cell networks using electron microscopes and computer analysis tools. This is making it possible for the first time to decipher large complex networks in the brain at single-cell resolution. He is currently setting up his own laboratory at the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology in Munich, where he aims to understand the computations in sensory cortex, and to unravel what distinguishes a human brain from, say, that of a mouse, at the structural level. Moritz has pioneered crowd sourcing for connectomics, engaging more than a hundred students to work together to analyze the immense amounts of data. Going forward, he aims at motivating thousands of curious minds to collaborate online on the task of reconstructing the powerful and fascinating neuronal networks of the brain.
Header Image(s) from Pixabay & Gratisography


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On Wednesday, October 13 students from Ygnacio Valley and Meadow Homes Elementary came on a field trip to the Food Bank. These two schools are both served by Farm 2 Kids, a program that provides fresh fruits and vegetables to low-income schools. Students on each school's Youth Advisory committee got to come and see how the Food Bank receives, packs, and delivers the produce that they receive each week. The children were excited to see the trucks, forklifts, and other equipment in action but the highlight of the trip was getting to go inside the walk-in refrigerator and freezer.
The kids were full of questions and learned everything about the Food Bank, from the types of food in our warehouse to the safety procedures our staff follow. The trip came full circle when the students were able to see the apples in our warehouse that would be sorted and boxed by volunteers and then delivered to their school that Friday. Not only are they receiving healthy produce each week, but they now know where it comes from.


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Government was different in the 19th Century, but not as starkly different as some people believe. The 20th Century was the Progressive Era. Foreign policy went from staying out of European quarrels to policing the world whether the world desired policing or not. Unchecked government intervention became the rule.
Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson were the mothers of all pernicious 20th Century policy. Roosevelt was a psychopathic proto-fascist. Wilson was more a humorless Lenin-like person. Wilson plunged the nation into unnecessary WWI, busting up four empires, and guaranteeing that more war would happen.
FDR was a full-fledged Wilsonian who prolonged the depression and WWII. The pygmy Truman had a domestically corrupt administration and a failed foreign policy. Eisenhower delivered a quieter time. The modern welfare state was put in place in the 60s and 70s.
Why did we move from limited government to galloping statism? Are we really better off having government experts running things? Men like John Dewey helped push us into collectivism. Great uncertainty for business was created by new federal agencies. Unfounded fears about running out of simple resources like timber served to expand governmental control. Conservationists have never understood the concept of value versus economic behavior.
Lecture 4 of 10 from Robert Higgs' Crisis and Liberty: The Expansion of Government Power in American History.
Robert Higgs
Dr. Robert Higgs is retired and lives in Mexico. He was a senior fellow in political economy for the Independent Institute and longtime editor of The Independent Review; he was also a senior fellow of the Mises Institute. He is the 2007 recipient of the Gary G. Schlarbaum Prize for Lifetime Achievement in the Cause of Liberty, and the 2015 Murray N. Rothbard Medal of Freedom.


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Argo, the political thriller, has received widespread critical acclaim. The movie documents what was behind the rescue by the CIA of six diplomats from the U.S. during the Iran hostage crisis of 1979.
Nevertheless, the movie's director Ben Affleck was overlooked to the surprise of many for a nomination in the Best Director category for the upcoming Academy Awards. The nominations were announced on Thursday by the Academy.
Many movie critics said Affleck's omission for Best Director was the biggest omission of all by the Academy. Bradley Cooper an Oscar nominee himself said Affleck was robbed, although Argo did receive a total of seven nominations.
However, the Critics Choice Awards held Thursday and considered a good Oscars predictor, gave the Best Director award to Affleck, who was completely shocked. The award prompted many whispers backstage that his win, which was much deserved, was a jab at the Motion Picture Academy.
Affleck did not waste time addressing the Academy when he accepted the Critics Choice Award. He first thanked the Academy, but then said no, no I am kidding. This award is the one that counts, not the other.
Zero Dark Thirty, the other film that is politically charged dominating the current awards season is about the hunt for and subsequent killing of Osama bin Laden. The movie has been surrounded by controversy and its star Jessica Chastain and director Kathryn Bigelow are happy it is more than only entertainment.
Chastain won the Best Actress Award from the Critics Choice Awards on Thursday for the movie.


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I was recently nominated for The Sunshine Blogger Award. Thank you Jessica @ Mud and Stars for the nomination! It was very sweet of her to think of me! If you haven't checked out her blog, you should!
The Rules:
- Answer the 11 questions from the blogger who nominated you.
- Nominate some wonderful bloggers.
- Write 11 questions for them.
Jessica's questions for the me:
1.If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, which book would you choose?
It would have to be a choose your own adventure book because then I could read the same book with several different outcomes.
2.If you were stranded on a desert island, which 5 fictional characters would you most like to be stuck there with?
Kate & Gus from Bright Side because they're super cool and they would help me stay positive. Kaz from Six of Crows because he would find a way off the island. And Kaz would need Inej and Nina to help, of course.
3.Which Hogwarts House are you in?
According to the Almighty Guru Harry Potter House Sorting Quiz, I am a Hufflepuff.
4.Who is your least favorite main character of a book and why?
Nick from Gone Girl. I just didn't like him. He was so sketchy.
5.What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?
There are ton. I hate admitting this. Most recently it was when I took my daughter to a birthday party. I didn't know anyone and was making small talk with another parent I didn't know. She was going on and on about her amicable divorce. I have never been divorced so I was comparing it to a friend's amicable divorce. I ended up realizing at the end of the day that my friend's old neighbors were also there and most likely heard everything I said. No big deal except they're friends with my friend's ex. At least I didn't say anything bad — just more than I should have. Lesson learned.
6.What is the weirdest dream you have ever had?
When I was a kid I dreamt I was being chased by the Tootsie Pop owl. It was freakin' scary! "How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop…"
7.Which book do you wish you had written?
I would love to have been witty and creative enough to have written just about any book!
8.Have you ever met anyone famous, and how did you react? If not, who would you most like to meet and how you do think you would cope with it?
I went to school with Heather from the 80's Christian music duo Heather and Kirsten. They had an album and also sang the national anthem at a ton of major sporting events. They even recently sang the national at a Seahawks game. Does that count?
I also went to junior high with ex-NBA player Michael Dickerson (he was older and I didn't know him). I also helped him with a bank transaction when in college when I was a teller. I also sat next to NBA player Brian Scalabrine in Speech class at Highline Community College (I actually talked to him and he said he was going to play bball at UCLA, but I didn't realize he was really good). Those probably don't count either.
Or how about one of the girl's mom's on my daughter's soccer team is old friends with Kevin Federline's wife? That's just like knowing KFed and Britney, right? Yeah, I didn't think so.
My sister's husband's co-worker's daughter is Seahawks player Ricardo Lockette's girlfriend. I was in a book group with the co-worker for a while. Yeah, that doesn't count either.
I have seen a ton of famous people during fight weekends in Vegas (Mario Lopez, Eva Longoria, Mike Tyson, Ludacris, etc.) but I was never close enough to react to them.
So, yeah, I really got nothing.
Oh, wait! I did shake Al Gore's hand at a book signing my BFF drug me to years ago and I have met Washington's Governor, Jay Inslee. My BFF works for him so I said hi and stuff. I'm lame.
9.Which TV shows are you addicted to?
So You Think You Can Dance, The Blacklist, The Big Bang Theory, Scream Queens, The Voice, The Mindy Project
10.What were your first words?
No clue. Sorry. My mom didn't write it in my baby book. I checked.
11.If you had another blog, what would you blog about?
Mommy stuff probably.
My nominees:
Kat @ Life and Other Disasters
Jesse @ Books at Dawn
Joey @ Thoughts and Afterthoughts
Jordyn @ J.Bookish
Sky @ Bookish Night
Feel free to ignore the nomination if you've already done this and don't want to or just plain old don't want to. 😉
My questions for my nominees:
1.If you had to give each of the following people a book, what books would you give them: a child, your best friend, your mom and your significant other?
2.If you could be friends with someone famous who would it be and why?
3.Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera?
4.What is the weirdest topic you've ever discussed at a holiday meal?
5.What is your favorite board game?
6.If you could co-author a book with someone who would it be and what would your story be about?
7.Name your favorite band and what book you would like them to create a soundtrack for.
8.Who is your favorite person to talk books with?
9.What was the last book someone recommended to you that you loved and what was it?
10.Do you review all of the books you read? Why or why not?
11.Would you ever rate a book on Goodreads before you read it? If so, why?
Have fun!


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On September 3rd, 1964 President Lyndon Johnson signed the Wilderness Act into law, which set aside 1.9 million acres as protected wilderness, and gave us the tools and framework to inventory and designate wild places "where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain". Over the last 50 years, Congress has added over 100 million acres of wildlands to the National Wilderness Preservation System in recognition of their ecological, scientific, cultural, economic and spiritual values.
Wilderness plays an important role here in Colorado, providing us with clean air and water, and sustaining our tourism economy. We are fortunate to have wilderness areas like the Maroon Bells, Hunter-Fryingpan and Holy Cross. However, many existing protected wilderness areas consist of 'rock & ice' landscapes. While these areas draw tourists for their spectacular beauty, it is the nearby mid-elevation lands that provide more diverse habitat, migration corridors and winter range for wildlife. These areas are largely unprotected and citizens have developed a proposal to protect additional qualifying lands through wilderness designation and 'special management areas'.
Rep. Jared Polis introduced his Eagle and Summit County Wilderness Preservation Act in April 2011, which will protect 162,000 acres in those two counties under wilderness or near-wilderness designations. In February 2012, Sen. Mark Udall unveiled his Central Mountains Outdoor Heritage proposal, which includes all the same areas and acreages as Polis's bill, plus all citizen-proposed areas in Pitkin County. It will create several brand-new, standalone wilderness areas and enlarge the boundaries of all the existing wilderness areas in our region - all together, 32 separate parcels totaling 235,000 acres. In July 2012, Sen. Michael Bennet announced his intention to work on a separate bill for lands in Gunnison County through a process he's calling the Gunnison Public Lands Initiative .
Aspen, Colorado 81611


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In 2014, we already do just about everything on our phones. Whether it's paying for our mocha lattes with our Starbucks app or submitting our homework last minute using our cell browser, thanks to apps, the world is just a better, easier place. And it's only going to get easier in 2015. Thanks to the growing number of mobile payment apps and tools, you don't have to worry about carrying cash or your debit card around. And pretty soon, you may not need to bring your wallet out with you at all, because even driver's licenses are going digital!
Iowa state transportation officials have announced they're developing a mobile app that will enable residents to carry virtual versions of their driver's licenses on their phones at all times! YASSSS! That means selfies for license pics and cheaper renewal fees, right?!!??!?! (Please.)
Well, yes, and no. Although making driver's licenses digital seems like the obvious next step in our app-run world, law professionals are wary of the legal complications the new app introduces. Like the fact that drivers would have to hand their cell phones over to the police to be scanned any time they get stopped, which could give police officers access to personal info on your phone (not to mention all the embarrassing selfies you took with your bestie).
Andrea Henry, the spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Transportation, says the app is still in development, along with the security measures they'd take to protect your texts (and selfies). For example, the app may include a privacy feature that stops someone from looking at other information while the driver's license program is open, which could solve that pesky security issue.
So while digital driver's licenses sound super awesome, it'll be awhile before they actually become a reality nationwide. The program will be pilot-tested in Iowa beginning in 2015, and they hope to offer it to the public in 2016!
What do you think of digital driver's licenses? What other apps do you want to happen in 2015? Comment below!
GIF Keyboard App Is The New Emoji!
And The Best iPhone App Of 2014 Is... Not What You Think!
17 Best & Worst Trends Of 2014!
Photo Credit: Getty Images


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Mashed Potatoes With Olive Oil Recipe
- 4 lb. Yukon Gold Potatoes, peeled and cut
- 2 Tbsp. Kosher salt; more for seasoning
- 1 cup Virgin Olive Butter Olive Oil
- Black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- Place a large pot of cold water on high heat.
- Add the potatoes and 2 Tbs. salt. Bring to a boil.
- Boil until soft, about 20 to 30 minutes.
- Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot in which they were cooked.
- When the potatoes are done, set aside 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
- Mash potatoes with a potato masher.
- Stir in the olive oil.
- Add some of the reserved cooking liquid until as creamy as you would like.
- Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
- Top with parlsey.
image courtesy of: http://www.simplypotatoes.com


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Your Dollars at Work:
The work and grants of ABUW touch children at every stage of their life. Personal words of thanks from families in Acton & Boxborough served by our agencies say it best:
"I have been meaning to write a note to express my gratitude…As you can probably guess, life as a single father is not always easy. It meant a lot to me this summer to be able to send my boys to NARA Park Camp. It was a tremendous relief to receive the financial support your scholarship provided. This enabled my sons to attend camp while I was at work every day. Not having this available would have caused a substantial financial hardship to our family. It was also good to know the boys were in a safe, enjoyable environment each day."
"It (has) been a godsend to be able to work a few weeks worry-free during the summer. I'd like to share with you my daughter's path. She is now 16 and secure in who she is and what she is reaching for in life… She went to camp many years (through Camperships) then became a CIT…which led to volunteer work…so this summer she will be working for the Town. The Town has seen how responsible she has become through the years. So we should be very proud of this young lady. Without Doli I ask myself, "Where would she be?"
Here are more examples of your dollars at work for local Children & Youth:
- A six-month old is in a safe and educational pre-school through a scholarship fund allowing their parents to maintain their jobs.
- A 2-year old struggling with a speech delay receives critical screening at an early intervention program as well as an appropriate group to enjoy and build social skills.
- A 10-year old with Autism attends a recreation program during vacation for needed structure allowing his single mother to work.
- A Boxborough woman meets with the teenager who broke into her home. Together, with members of the community, they find a way to repair the harm through mediation.
- An Acton teenager receives emergency legal representation to protect her from a physically abusive boyfriend.
- "Brad", a local high school student, started a Facebook group recruiting others to say what they'd do to a classmate "Brad" found extremely annoying. Brad's posts were graphic and gruesome. The police became involved and "Brad" was faced with charges of criminal harassment. As an alternative, the police asked C4RJ to take on the case. "Brad" made a 2-month commitment to meet with a volunteer facilitator where they would discuss what constitutes bullying, how one can be a bully without meaning to be, and how much power words wield. The C4RJ circle worked hard to help "Brad" understand that the words and the deeds he described were shocking and grotesque. At his closing circle, he was able to articulate what he had done that had so hurt another and had begun to understand a little more about himself and how he reacts to those who scare or bother him.


text: HomeBuild that holiday into THAT holiday!My Family Picnic This entry did not advance past the phase. Contest Entry My Family Picnic KingAragorn1 3 Share Description Updates 0 Comments 3 Official Comments 0 Entry Updates 0 Comments 3 Official Comments 0 3 Share KingAragorn1 Recommended More To Do Contest Celebrate The Holidays in a Galaxy... View Contest Create ART to be enjoyed by all! View Submit A Product Idea


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11 Poses to Ignite Your Second Chakra and Spark Creativity
Unleash your creative potential with this hip-opening sequence that will ignite your second chakra. Feeling inspired by Mary Beth LaRue's sequence? Her upcoming course, Yoga for Creativity, will breathe inspiration and bliss into your practice or teaching. (Sign up now.)
Imagine wading through a river choked with mud and fallen branches. For many of us, this is how reaching toward our life goals can feel. We get blocked— by dead-end career paths, robotic daily routines, or too much drama in our relationships—and feel stranded, without the momentum to make change. That's because we can't flow toward the life we want until the debris is cleared. To demolish that dam you need creativity, the power to turn dormant, dusty thoughts and dreams into actions and realities, and to find clever solutions to relationship, work, and other life challenges.
So how do you tap into that truly transformative, but often elusive, energy of creativity? Via the chakras, first mentioned thousands of years ago in sacred Hindu texts called the Upanishads. Described as interconnected nodes within the subtle-energy body, the chakras run along your spine and essentially map to your endocrine and hormonal systems. It's the second chakra, svadisthana chakra, that holds the key to unlocking and harnessing the energy you need to be innovative and to make change.
Energetically, the second chakra rules creativity, emotions, joy, enthusiasm, and sensuality. Physically, it's located near your sacrum and hips, below your navel, and is said to be the seat of your reproductive organs. When svadisthana energy is in balance—not too intense and not too laid-back—you can access feelings of abundance, joy, and pleasure, and clear the way for creative energy to flow freely.
However, when svadisthana is blocked, by emotional trauma or chronic stress, for example, you are unable to connect with your passions. You also tend to try to control everything, and your life might lack zest. In addition to feeling like you're in a rut, you might be unable to connect intimately or embrace deep self-love, explains Christiane Northrup, MD, a board-certified OB/GYN and author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom, a woman-centered book about the unity of mind, body, emotions, and spirit. Physically, the body can manifest these shackled emotions as unexplained lower-back pain, tight hips, sexual-organ dysfunction, and reproductive challenges.
Unfortunately, our modern, predominantly desk- and car-bound lives can exacerbate imbalance in the second chakra. We sit more, and for longer periods, than ever, resulting in restricted (and sometimes weakened) hips that inhibit the second chakra's creative energies. To that end, one of the most accessible ways to undo these restrictions and find second-chakra balance is through asana. Yoga's physical postures allow prana (or life-giving breath) to flow, activating and directing energy appropriately, according to yogic philosophy.
"A hip-focused yoga practice can release discomfort and help you look at everything as an opportunity," says Mary Beth LaRue, a Los Angeles–based yoga teacher and co-founder of Rock Your Bliss, a yoga-inspired coaching business that helps people craft creative lives. "Ultimately, hip-opening asanas teach you to loosen your grip on life and let things ebb and flow. And finding a sense of fluidity in your day-to-day life transforms all of your relationships, including your relationship with yourself."
Keep It Contained
While most of us suffer from tight hips, it's not unheard of to have hips that are too loose. To harness the second chakra's power, you need both physical openness to unlock creativity, and structure to give that creativity direction. How you feel in your hips is a good indication of how balanced your second chakra is: Expansive freedom of movement (think knees all the way to the floor in Supta Baddha Konasana [Reclining Bound Angle Pose]) can signal that svadisthana energy is unbridled and overly wild. In this case, you may notice that you're addicted to turbulent and unhealthy relationships, or experience jealousy, emotional outbursts, and unfulfilling, confusing lust. To counter this energy, add more poses like Low Lunge, with an emphasis on drawing in, containing, and stabilizing the hips. Focus on grounding with each inhale, engaging your abductors (outer-thigh muscles), hugging in toward your midline with your adductors (inner-thigh muscles), and lifting your pelvic floor to support the lower back. This will give the second chakra a clear, constructive way to express your true self, explains LaRue.
11 Poses for Opening Up to Possibility
Try this hip-opening sequence, designed to help you spark svadisthana and tap into your creative potential. "If your second chakra is balanced, it is much easier to go into the world and create the life of your dreams," says Northrup.
When the second chakra is balanced, you can meet challenges with curiosity and playfulness, rather than letting your emotions carry you away or, alternatively, experiencing a knee-jerk reaction of shutting down or becoming defensive. Because most of us suffer from tight hips, this practice focuses on opening the physical seat of the second chakra. LaRue warns that a hip-opening practice can make us feel vulnerable. If that applies to you, bring your awareness to your breath to find a grounding sense of stability as you practice.
With the following 11 poses, LaRue creates a safe space for you to step into your potential. "Pay attention as you move through this sequence to see where you encounter resistance, then use your breath to soften that resistance," says LaRue. Find a distraction-free space outdoors or in your home and set an intention for your practice, something that either reminds you of your life goals or inspires you to reach for them. Encourage yourself to move creatively or intuitively, which may bring about a more open-minded way of being. Then, see how this sense of fluidity travels with you off the mat.


text: Stories have trained us to expect life to progress in a linear nature: Set-up, complication, and resolution — preferably in that order and ideally with some connective tissue. In reality, it's a little more circuitous. The connections are there, but some distance is required. That seems to be the motivation of American Woman, the new drama from director Jake Scott and writer Brad Ingelsby, that, on the surface, appears to a be a standard missing-persons drama. American Woman is, but with a little distance, proves to be much more. The center here is Debra (Sienna Miller), a single mother living in … Continue reading AMERICAN WOMAN


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On the Argentinian football team cancelling their 'friendly' game with Israel and the links between politics, power and sport in the region and beyond.
As the world prepares for a carnival of football to begin in Russia next week, the Argentinian national team has been flung into the media spotlight. Heeding the calls of the Palestinian BDS movement, they have cancelled their 'friendly' game with Israel, scheduled to take place at the 'Teddy stadium' in Jerusalem on Saturday.
Home to the Beitar Jerusalem football team (incidentally the only team in the Israeli league not to employ an Arab player and thus regularly accused of racism), the stadium is located on land that was once a Palestinian village subsequently destroyed in 1948.
The decision by the Argentinian Football Association — endorsed by high profile players such as Gonzalo Higuain and Lionel Messi — is a strong message to the Netanyahu government. Whereas momentum for the
Across the region, football is sacrosanct; with Real Madrid and Barcelona the most widely followed teams. In Palestine, the two most high profile players, Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina's talismanic forward, Lionel Messi are revered. Thus, the decision to play the game in Jerusalem disillusioned many in Palestine who viewed the move by their hero as an act of betrayal.
The Palestinian FA chairman, Jibril Rajoub, had called on Palestinians to show their disdain by burning Argentina tops and pictures of Messi. However, the reversal of the decision will have allowed Messi and co. to retain their deified status in the region.
Whereas the Israeli national football team enjoys the fruits of FIFA and UEFA membership, being invited to take part in European competitions and competing on the global stage, Palestinian footballers aren't afforded this luxury. In fact, Palestinian footballers have regularly been subject to Israeli Defence Force brutality. In 2014 Jawhar Nasser Jawhar (age 19), and Adam Abd al-Raouf Halabiya, (age 17) had their feet riddled with IDF bullets as they approached a checkpoint in the Occupied territories before being attacked by police dogs so as to ensure their dreams of making it as a professional were over.
Most recently Mohammed Khalil — a footballer who plays in the Gaza Strip — had his career brought to a premature end by an Israeli sniper. In addition, as has been noted by Amnesty International amongst others, Palestinian footballers from Gaza who have been selected to represent their national team are routinely refused a visa by the Israeli authorities to do so.
Sport and politics
The intersection between sport and politics is a powerful one. The sporting stage is often used as a way to stage peaceful protest. Few will forget the iconic sight of Tommie Smith and John Carlos and their Black Panther salute at the 1968 Olympic games. Or, in more recent times, the Colin Kaepernik 'taking a knee' in protest against police brutality in the United States.
Sporting arenas too have long been used to call on the upholding of Palestinian rights. High profile campaigns such as that held by the famous 'Green Brigade' — Glasgow Celtic's Ultras — revealed the power of this particular platform. Despite being fined by UEFA for displaying 'political symbols', the Celtic supporters launched a highly successful crowd funding campaign calling on supporters to, 'Match the fine for Palestine'. Subsequently, over £130,000 was raised to help support local Palestinian youth organisations Such was the impact of this campaign that several Celtic affiliated teams have been formed in the West Bank, including 'Aida Celtic', a team based in the Aida refugee camp, Bethlehem.
Argentina have form and have used the football platform as a political stage before, most recently when they declared their support for their governments most recent attempt to reclaim control over Los Malvinas (Falkland Islands) and held up a banner as such.
In Ireland, a country with a long history in supporting the Palestinian call for BDS, the Gaelic Athletic Association — Ireland's leading sporting body — recently attempted to curb the flying of Palestinian flags at local matches, a call that was subsequently ignored.
Football United?
On other occasions, football event have provided the ideal opportunity to publicly display a sense of sporting 'togetherness'. Again, Ireland represents a good example when, at the recent 2016 European Championships held in France, much was made of the ability of supporters from the north and south of Ireland to come together and encourage each other despite longstanding animosity.
The grossly asymmetrical power dynamics, the ongoing illegal occupation of Palestine and the seemingly never-ending attacks on peaceful protestors in the Gaza Strip, would suggest that soft displays of 'togetherness' will not yield fruit. The move by the Argentinian football team to display solidarity with the people of Palestine is a powerful one and perhaps signals a tide changing in terms of unopposed sporting support for Israel.🔷
(This piece is an original piece, first published by the author in PoliticsMeansPolitics.com)


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She asks you where you are going. The destination does not matter. She will take you to where you name any destination. She has the guts to do things in her own way. And, that's what inspired me to write this post.
I could not inquire much about her. All that I could know is that she has been driving e-rickshaw on the Burari-GTB Nagar line since last four years. She is about 35 years of age. She is so far the only LADY e-rickshaw driver I have come across in Delhi. The first ever that I witnessed personally.
At first, I thought she was with her son or husband. She was asking the passengers where they are heading to. She was speaking fast, vigorously. When she saw me with my friend, she inquired the same. When we said Sant Nagar, she asked us to board the rickshaw. We did. That's when I came to know that she was the driver!
Amidst the crowd of male drivers who keep shouting and fighting with each other to get passengers fast, she was no less. She was full of energy, confidence and was equally capable. She fought her way, shouted loudly, got the passengers fast and drove us to our respective destinations with ease.
Elsewhere in the world, seeing a lady driver may be normal. But in India, this is a rarity. All of us know why and I do not intend to engage in that stuff here.
I would say that the lady inspired me in many ways. She reminded me of especially the value of hard work. This does not mean that I do not see the unfairness of life, the inadequacy of the system, the protest of the oppressed, and that she might be pushed into doing that job she might not necessarily want. I simply wanted to celebrate the virtues she excelled. This short article is a small salute to her courage, determination and confidence.
Next time you see her, say hello. She will smile.
May you shine in life sister!


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Hampton Pontoons Dealer
Our attention to service and quality has made us an industry leader. At Clements Marine Sale and Service the customer always comes first, and we constantly strive to exceed your expectations! With our wide range of storage, products and services, you're sure to find exactly what you're looking for. Check out our Craigslist button for more defined photos.
April 1-November 1
Sunday: 9:00-3:00
After November 1-
CALL and leave message
we will be on winter hours.
Clements Marine Sales and Service
14059 Falls of Rough Rd.
Falls of Rough Ky. 40119
Phone: 1- 270-257-2073


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If you live in the UK, the name William Hill is probably already familiar to you. One of the most well-known bookmakers in the country, they have been operating casino games in their stores since 1934. In 2001 they launched the William Hill Online Casino and haven't looked back since.
Today, in addition to continuing to offer sports betting, the William Hill Company runs literally hundreds of online casino games. These include all your classic casino favourites such as blackjack, craps, baccarat and poker, as well as a comprehensive range of high tech slots, fruit machines and live video versions of casino standards. While William Hill still caters primarily to UK players, with the GBP the preferred unit of currency, their casino games are now also enjoyed by players all over the world.
As important as it is for a casino to offer a variety of games that customers will enjoy playing, security and fair play are even more important. The player is putting up his or her own money and needs the assurance that the casino is providing a safe and secure playing environment and also that the games are fair.
While William Hill Casino is apparently not eCogra certified, the good news is that another reputable organization, Testing Systems Testing, has evaluated the games and certified them for fairness. Still, this reviewer would have preferred to see recent verification of average game payouts reported on the website.
At William Hill, all of your personal information and financial transactions are fully protected. The casino uses state-of-the-art encryption technology to assure the safety and security of every player.
William Hill is a huge brand when it comes to gambling and after our online casino review, we can safely say that its online version is just as impressive. The casino powered by Playtech has all of the active creations for a great time on slots, table games, card games, video poker, live games and more. Variety is crucial but the Marvel video slots always seem to get most of the attention, even on the mobile casino.
A very long list of banking methods makes it very easy for players from different corners of the world to join and there is no doubt in our minds that William Hill is 100% reliable when it comes to real money betting. Cashing out is very fast and so the only thing remaining is to join, claim the bonus and start winning.
Is William Hill not quite making the cut? Check out even more online casino reviews.
Our Casino Experts - Over 30 Years Combined Experience
To ensure we bring you the hottest casino information, we have built a team of experts who spend their days at online (and offline) casinos, racking up experience and building their bankrolls. This team brings you the benefit of their years of experience by sharing their tips, strategies and recommended online casino sites with you.
Who are they? Let's meet your casino guides:
David Sheldon
David has been playing casino games for over 10 years. His speciality is blackjack and baccarat and, although he has never had the success that the MIT Blackjack team had, he does enjoy passing on his accumulated wisdom regarding strategy and odds.
Katie Barlowe
Katie is our resident slot machines guru. If you don't know what a payline, bonus game, free spin or a scatter symbol is - Katie is the girl to ask. She can often be found spinning the reels of her favorite games, testing out new machines, and keeping a close eye on the progressive jackpot meters.
Kevin Horridge
Kevin has probably forgotten more about odds and statistics than many people ever know. He is always the man to ask about which game to play in a casino (and why). Kevin is also a history buff and can tell you all about the obscure origins of many of the games you can find in an online casino.
Samantha Beckett
Samantha is our go to girl when we want to know what goes on behind the scenes in a casino. A self confessed tech geek, she can explain the inner workings of random number generators, as well as cast a critical eye on the software an online casino uses.


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Lovely new green foxes print double oven glove.
Featuring a hoard of busy foxes on a dark forest green coloured background, these kitchen items will look beautiful in any kitchen.
On-trend green kitchen accessories look beautiful against a dark or fresh white painted kitchen and fox prints are a real favourite of ours.
A perfect present for any animal lover or a small treat for your new kitchen.
18 x 84cm
Heat Resistant
Featuring a Hanging Loop
100% Cotton
Machine Washable
Designs may vary slightly as handmade from a roll of fabric
Although we hold the vast majority of items in stock, it is not always possible to hold every item in stock all of the time. If any item you are wishing to purchase is out of stock, we will contact you as soon as possible via email or telephone with an estimated date for delivery. We endeavour to excel in customer service and are happy to cancel or amend any order should the products not be available within your preferred time frame.
Coroanavirus : Please note, during these uncertain times, delivery may take a little longer than usual - if you are unsure, please call us on 01548 856779 and we will do our best to help you get your parcel when you want it.
FREE standard delivery on many smaller items to UK addresses and we always offer FREE standard delivery for all UK mainland orders over £50.00*
EXPRESS NEXT DAY delivery to UK Mainland addresses is available on many items for just £6.95, so long as you place your order before 2pm for next day delivery.
STANDARD delivery to UK Mainland address starts at just £2.95 for small parcels and £4.95 for larger parcels.
CLICK & COLLECT available, please email or call for details before placing your order.
*some exceptions apply on larger items requiring manned delivery
We aim to dispatch all orders within 1-2 working days of receipt of order for items in stock.
Overseas delivery can be arranged on many items for an additional postage fee calculated at checkout.
We will happily offer an exchange, refund or credit items (without fault) returned to us in perfect order and in original packaging within 14 days. If you return an item, please ask for proof of postage from your post office. We suggest items are returned by registered post as we cannot refund items broken or lost during return transit. Delivery charge and return postage will only be refunded if the item is faulty.
In the unlikely event of an item arriving faulty or not as ordered, please inform us within 24 hours of receipt and we will be happy to replace it.


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Supplier crowned Slot Provider of the Year at the prestigious International Gaming Awards
February 8th, 2017 – Leading slot supplier Play'n GO has emerged triumphant from the prestigious International Gaming Awards with the highly-coveted Slot Provider of the Year accolade.
The award recognises the company's spectacular 2016 that saw blockbuster releases such as Grim Muerto, Fire Joker, Bugs Party, 7 Sins and Hugo take the industry by storm.
Play'n GO, who were also highly commended in the Mobile Product of the Year category, is exhibiting at ICE and can be found at stand N3-410.
Johan Törnqvist, CEO of Play'n GO, said: "We're ecstatic to win a prestigious IGA award, which is a fantastic recognition of all of the work the team has put in over the past 12 months.
"We've been extremely busy in the last year, releasing more than 20 new games and signing deals with over 20 operators. I'm sure the award win will be just the start of what looks set to be a fantastic year ahead."
Play'n GO will be hosting a special musical guest and showcasing their portfolio of games on stand N3-410 at ICE Totally Gaming.
For more Information on this release or to arrange an interview with Johan Törnqvist please contact email@example.com
About Play'n GO
Play'n GO is the leading developer of systems and games for mobile devices, gaming terminals, and websites. Their content can be uniquely-customised to suit the style of any operator or brand. In addition to premium quality slots and table games, Play'n GO ensures its clients are equipped with superior back-office administration tools for reporting and marketing.
From offices in Sweden, Malta, and Hungary, Play'n GO delivers the finest gaming experience available to players today, including bespoke games designed for some of the world's leading casino brands. For more information about Play'n GO please visit http://www.playngo.com


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Vino di Vita, (Italian for "Wine of Life") our tasting room is open 7 days a week!
National recognition came from the Creedence Clearwater Revival song "Lodi," but the small agricultural town and surrounding area are well known for the cultivation of grapes and production of wine. Starting in the early 20th century, and right up to the early 1980s, Lodi promoted itself as the "Tokay Capital of the World" due to the abundance of the Flame Tokay variety in the area. With the replacement by other varietals, primarily Zinfandel, Lodi now proudly promotes itself as the "Zinfandel Capital of the World."
With over 90 wineries in the area, Lodi can barely contain its excitement and passion for wine! Lodi celebrates all year around at the Grape Festival, Taste of Lodi, Wine and Chocolate, and Zinfest. Check out the Lodi Visitor's Center or LoCA for more information regarding these events.
Above the entrance to Viaggio Estate & Winery reads the quote, Where Your Journey to Forever Begins.
For owners Teri and Larry Lawrence, that insightful motto serves as a daily reminder of how one bold decision forever changed the course of their lives, thus beginning their journey into the delectable world of fine wine and gracious hospitality that is Viaggio Estate & Winery.
As a Microbiologist/Scientist and President of Viaggio Winery, Teri Lawrence has put her dedicated skillset to work on the grapes and holds the title as Viaggio's Winemaker. Originally from Louisiana, Teri coordinates and supervises staff at the winery and handles duties alongside her husband as a farmer and real estate investor.
At Viaggio Estate & Winery, Larry Lawrence has strong ties to Northern California as a farmer and real estate investor, formerly serving as President of the Sacramento County Farm Bureau. Larry oversees the daily maintenance and operations of the estate.
With four sons and three grandsons, their lives are full and satisfying each and every day.
"We are very happy with everything we've accomplished, giving all the credit and glory to God, and thank Him daily for the courage and strength to live our lives to the fullest each day."
Contact Us
Administrative Office & Wedding Inquiries: 209-368-1378 ext. 2
Tasting Room, Wine Club: 209-333-0431
General Inquiries, Photography or Breezeway Reservations: firstname.lastname@example.com
Wine Club Membership: firstname.lastname@example.com
Weddings: firstname.lastname@example.com
Band Bookings, Billing: firstname.lastname@example.com
Tasting Room Hours:
Sunday: 11 am – 5 pm
Monday: 11 am – 5 pm
Tuesday: 11 am – 5 pm
Wednesday: 11 am – 5 pm
Thursday: 11 am – 5 pm
Friday: 11 am – 8 pm
Saturday: 11 am – 5 pm
Office Hours:
Sunday: Closed
Monday: 10 am – 2 pm
Tuesday: 10 am – 4 pm
Wednesday: 10 am – 4 pm
Thursday: 10 am – 4 pm
Friday: 10 am – 4 pm
Saturday: Closed
Professional Photo Shoots at Viaggio:
– $50 flat fee per session, pre-pay with CC to make reservation
– ABSOLUTELY NO WEDDING PHOTOS (TRADITIONAL OR CULTURAL.) unless it is your wedding day on the property.
– Must check in day-of in tasting room!
– Reservation required, call or e-mail at least 72 hours in advance to be added to calendar
100 E. Taddei Rd. Acampo, CA 95220
View Larger Map
Quarterly: 4 shipments a year
Cancellation Policy: One year commitment required. Your membership automatically renews every year. Members may cancel at any time after receipt of their 4th consecutive release. Cancellation is required in writing and notice can be emailed to firstname.lastname@example.com. If a member cancels prior to their 4th release then any previous discounts received will be reversed and charged to the card on file. During Wine Club release processing, if a members card is declined more than 3 times, the membership will automatically be cancelled until payment of the current release is received and all information is updated. For any wine club questions, call (209)333-0431.
California shipping is $20 for 2 bottles. Shipping cost vary from state to state. Please email request for shipping rates if out of California. We do not ship to Utah or New Hampshire. Delivery requires signature of adult 21+. Each shipment will be available at our "Pick Up Party" or anytime thereafter.
Available every Friday 4 pm – 8 pm, Saturday & Sunday 12 pm – 4 pm, no reservations necessary!
*This is a limited accessory event, with limited quantity available.
All food is prepared in accordance and compliance with CA Health & Safety Regulations.
Accepting bookings for 2022, 2023 and beyond!
For inquiries, availability, or to make an appointment please contact
Mia King, Wedding & Events Director at email@example.com.
Viaggio recently invited Google Maps to make a virtual tour of the property! Start by strolling down Main Street. Along the way, you'll find our exclusive Man Cave for Viaggio groom's and La Vita Bella, our tasting room to your right. Head towards the main lawn to see a wedding ceremony setup along the river, and the reception hall getting prepared for the following day's festivities. Also take a peak in the Viaggio Wine Trolley as well!


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1023 past events Florence | 40541 past events Italy
Past events Florence
Wednesday 28 October 2020
Michael Bublè in Florence
Category: Theatre
Time: On 00/00/0000
Michael Bublè presents a new and thrilling show at Mandela Forum.
Where: Mandela Forum
Address: viale Pasquale Paoli n. 3 - Florence
Web-site: http://www.mandelaforum.it/
Le murate
Category: Theatre
Time: On 00/00/0000
Performance live, music and shows during the whole summer. For further information check the programme
Where: Ex carcere Murate
Web-site: /www.comune.fi.it/opencms/opencms/citta/
David Gilmour
Category: Theatre
Time: On 00/00/0000
David Gilmour performs live in Italy.
Where: Visarno Arena
Address: Piazzale delle Cascine - Florence
Web-site: www.davidgilmour.com
Giuliano da Sangallo. Disegni degli Uffizi
Category: Art exhibitions
Time: From 16/05/0017 to 20/08/2017
The Galleries of the Uffizi devote an exhibition to Giuliano Giamberti, better known as Giuliano da Sangallo, a protagonist of the Italian Renaissance. He was the first architect to whom a collection of drawings was kept, guarded and heeded by heirs.
Where: Uffizi - Gabinetto dei Disegni e delle Stampe
+39 055 23885
Address: Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6 - 50122 Florence
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Web-site: www.uffizi.it
Art and homosexuality: from Von Gloeden to Pierre et Gilles
Category: Art exhibitions
Time: From 27/10/2006 to 06/01/2008
This exhibition examines, for the first time in Italy, the relationship between art & homosexuality through around 220 works by 150 artists: from the photos of Von Gloeden up to the works of Pierre et Gilles.
Where: Palazzo Reale
Info: +39.02.54915
Web-site: www.artematica.tv
Simonetta, the first Italian woman of fashion
Category: Art exhibitions
Time: From 09/01/2007 to 17/02/2008
Donna Simonetta is the first career woman in Italian fashion, capable of affirming Italian culture at an international level. A gallery of over 50 outfits show off her creativity & success.
Where: Galleria del costume di Palazzo Pitti
Info: +39.055.3693214
Web-site: www.pittimmagine.com
Etruscan coins
Category: Art exhibitions
Time: From 23/03/2007 to 24/03/2007
An exposition of more than 400 pieces that illustrate almost the entire monetary production of the Etruscans.
Where: Museo archeologico nazionale
Info: +39.055.23575
Web-site: www.firenzemusei.it/archeologico
Renaissance in Valdarno
Category: Art exhibitions
Time: From 10/05/2007 to 25/11/2007
The exhibition is dedicated to the works of masters Giotto, Angelico, Masaccio, Andrea della Robbia and Ghirlandaio located in the churches around Florence, juxtaposing them with the works lent by the city's great museums and churches.
Where: Museums of Vallombrosa, Cascia di Regello, Figline, San Giovanni and Montevarchi
Info: +39.055.941265
Web-site: www.rinascimentovaldarno.it
Filosofico umore e maravigliosa speditezza
Category: Art exhibitions
Time: From 19/06/2007 to 13/04/2008
The exhibition presents 38 works that illustrate the production of major Neapolitan painters from the 17th Century who sojourned in Florence for rather long periods of time.
Where: Galleria degli Uffizi
Info: +39.055.294883
Web-site: www.pitturanapoletanaagliuffizi2007.it
Michelangelo architetto a San Lorenzo
Category: Art exhibitions
Time: From 20/06/2007 to 12/11/2007
The exhibition studies 4 problems regarding Michelangelo's work in San Lorenzo through the master's drawings and information support.
Where: Casa Buonarroti
Info: +39.055.241752
E-mail: email@example.com
Web-site: www.casabuonarroti.it


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Connswater Community Greenway, Conservation Volunteers and a team of volunteers from the local community recently participated in the planting of wildflowers in Victoria Park.
In the finest tradition of previous CCG events we had clear blue skies and sunshine for the event which attracted 14 local residents to Conservation Volunteers (CVNI) Organic Community Allotment in Carrickfergus. CVNI have been running this allotment for approximately one year in partnership with two Carrickfergus based community groups.
A walled garden at the Victoria Day Centre has received a makeover that TV's '60 minute' team would be proud of.
And it is all thanks to a combined effort by a host of local community groups.
The latest CCG Stakeholder Forum was held at Connswater Community Centre on Friday 5th February with approximately 53 people in attendance.
An update on the project was given by Sean Brannigan, Community Engagement Officer, in which issues such as land assembly, design and ongoing community engagement activities were discussed.
Over 100 Santas were getting in shape for the big Christmas Eve event, by cycling along part of the Connswater Community Greenway and the Comber Greenway on Sunday.


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This week, I've been listening to David Bowie's 1971 LP "Hunky Dory" for what I can learn as a songwriting musician. This was Bowie's fourth album and my second for this "To My Ear" project after "Ziggy Stardust" about a month ago. I'm doing it backwards, I suppose. "Hunky Dory" came out about 7 months before "Ziggy Stardust" and a line of artist progress runs between the them. Sometimes, I feel this album shows Bowie as an actor seeking a role, which he later finds in Ziggy Stardust.
The album opens with "Changes" which immediately hits me with the same sense of theatrical found on "Ziggy Stardust." I love this about both albums: they as much about music as they are performance. The peculiar first verse hints at the idea of Bowie as the actor in search of something. In the first verse, the performer reflects and almost confesses. "So I turned myself to face me, but I've never caught a glimpse how the others must see the faker."
Musically, I love the dynamic difference between the verses and choruses of "Changes". Bowie sings the verses gently over a quiet accompaniment of piano, bass guitar, and strings with no percussion. It's theatrical with the lights down low. Then drums march along during the chorus which has more of a 50s rock n roll feel with a bit of boogie-woogie.
"Life On Mars" is the best track on the album. The chord progression originated from a french song, "Comme d'habitude" which was also rewritten with English lyrics as "My Way" by Paul Anka. As much as I like the Sinatra song, especially the Sid Vicious cover, I believe "Life in Mars" is a superior song.
The lyrics tell the story of "the girl with the mousy hair" who is to meet her friend at the movies to escape her unhappy mundane life at home. However, her friend doesn't show up and "the film is a saddening bore". What isn't much different than her own dull life is something she's already seen in countless other movies. The titular line "Is there life on Mars?" is a cry for something more than Earth has to offer. Bowie performs the song over cinematic accompaniment that opens with beautifully played piano, that dances like a snow-globe ballerina. I love that the song begins with a single note that rings for a full second. Strings play majestically with the first chorus. It's overall a beautiful song that demonstrates fully the principal of elevating the mundane.
One of my other favorite tracks is "The Bewlay Brothers" because of it's sense of memory, love, and loss. The fairly basic accompaniment mostly consists of piano, acoustic guitars, and watery electric guitar. The lyrics begin with the word "and" relaying the story in third-person perspective, "And so the story goes they wore the clothes; They said the things to make it seem improbable: Whale of a lie like they hope it was." Then with later verses, Bowie switches to first-person perspective. It does not seem that the characters change, only the perspective.
The endearing song feels like it tells the overall story of two brothers lives together. Lines of the song share emotionally-charged snapshots of moments in their lives. The general feeling is that those times are in the past and they cannot return. The repeated final line calls out to leave current circumstances and live like they used to: "Just for the day, Please come away."


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21 Responses to "Reviews"
Seeing Tunahaki was a great experience for both of us. It reemphasized the basic truth that healthy lives are built on close, loving personal relationships, not on material stuff. And those relationships all develop and exist within this thing we call "culture". When we mess with other people's culture, we mess up the network of relationships that the people need tp be strong and healthy. I see that clearly now. I'm not sure I would have seen it any better than Scott did if I had been in his shoes. Thanks again for a great documentary and a great life lesson.
I have been a 'supportive observer' of this film making journey from the beginning when Mason was blogging from Tanzania during his first trip. As a longtime friend of Mason's, I know Mason to be an extremely talented film maker, cinematographer, story teller and photographer. I was not surprised at the outstanding quality of the film, production, music and images. What is surprising is the tragedy of these young people in Tanzania and the ongoing unfinished story that seems very dismal. However, Mason's ability to tell the story and his courage to tell the truth is what has become the importance of the film. Upon leaving the theater I am faced with asking myself questions like: Who am I serving when I volunteer, myself or the issue at hand? Is it better to expose people who have less than me to a grandiose world and not expose them to methods and skill sets to get there themselves? How do I continue my work in non-profit/and volunteering and insure that the impact is sustainable? Many thanks to Mason and his entire team for this documentary. It was originally supposed to be a 'beautiful' story to tell/share, it has become a true educational discussion for not just for academia, but all of us who are open to creating change in the our community.
I thought the film was great. I liked how the story developed and it showed real life. I think there are many things that a person can learn from seeing this film. I hope that the film comes to DVD or TV so I can tell other people to watch it! Fantastic!
Every man, when he comes to be sensible of his natural rights, and to feel his own importance, will consider himself as fully equal to any other person whatever.
The thing we fear we bring to pass.
I was definitely in for a surprise at the end of this film and I appreciate that the filmmaker remained honest in the storytelling. The curve ball came so quick though that I found myself wishing there was a bit more. The point was made though and the opportunity for reflection and dialog was provided. Moving, insightful and thought provoking. This is a touching story that highlights some very important questions. Well done!
This is unlike any documentary we have seen. It's one thing to see a film about the good in charity; the ideal of giving, and its positive effect upon someone's life. Quite another to witness an honest portrayal of the darker aftereffects of both. My wife, Nancy and I have seen Tunahaki twice now, and it is still provokes thought.
The story of the TUNAHAKI orphans is like none I've seen before, it can make you laugh one moment and cry the next. You feel like you go on an emotional journey of your own thanks to Mason Bendewald's impressive and candid storytelling abilities. Visually the images are stunning, evocative and majestic. The musical score is an amazing language of its own, and throughout the film I felt it was used to carry the story forward better than words could. There is such hope, strength of spirit, and humanity in the stories of the children and their teacher, David. I find myself still wondering about them and how their lives are since their time in the USA.
For anyone who has ever wanted to help those with different life experience, you must see this film. It is so thought provoking with regard to what kind of help should you give and how should you go about delivering that help. What kind of help is good, necessary, life sustaining aid? I promise that you will walk away asking those questions and having long discussions with your circle of trust of how to answer them. TUNAHAKI is the definition of what a documentary film should be, because it shows you the truth without filters and judgment. TUNAHAKI will change your life, your perceptions of the world you live in and the world you have yet to discover.
I can't urge people enough to see this film. I was inexpressably moved and inspired, as I have been only a few times in my life. The hearts of everyone involved in this story are so enormous it is overwhelming. Despite the admittedly disheartening ending, I have been newly motivated to donate my time (and, if I ever some, my money) to helping those in need. A beautiful, soul-altering film.
On behalf of my tunahaki children and me, we love the film story but we feel discouraged at the end.
Thanks for everyone in USA .
I have deep admiration for films that don't shy away from telling the harder tale, films that push on into the shadow to reveal what's not immediately obvious. With a warm-fuzzy subject matter like that of Tunahaki, the danger would be to stay in the light, leaving audiences with a pleasant and good-feeling–yet incomplete–tale of an heroic American benefactor bestowing African children with the blessings of the West. Instead, Tunahaki manages to pose hard questions about the potentially misguided priorities of American culture, and does it without being preachy or heavy-handed. No one would argue against the joy that was brought into the lives of these kids by the American. Yet Tunahaki serves to remind that with nearly every good intention comes something unexpected–and all too frequently something unfortunate–and furthermore, that those who teach must also be willing and prepared to be taught.
I was immediately drawn into this documentary. The story of the children touched my heart. They were so innocent and joyful in the beginning and when they returned home their lives, attitudes and hopes had changed. The ending truly makes you ponder. This is a documentary everyone should see.
"You can't help but be moved to action. The childrens' purity and honest enjoyment is infectious. You can't help but feel something. Beautiful cinematography captures not only the beauty of Tanzania but the raw enthusiasm of the orphans."
"A very interesting way of looking at charities and how good intentions don't always go quite as planned. Fun, charming, and entertaining film."
Watching Tunahaki was an uplifting experience. The enthusiasm of the children toward their experience in the USA was infectious and inspiring. As one who has been involved in mission experiences, the film caused me to reflect on how I might deepen my own commitment to make a difference in this world. The somewhat troubling (but honest) information at the end was very thought-provoking, to say the least and shows the producer and director were committed to honesty, not propaganda.
"It was a long four year journey, but it was worth the wait!"
-Liz L.
"I was truly moved by the children of TUNAHAKI."
-Rhonda C.
"I really liked that it ended honestly. We talked about it all the way home."
-Deanna S.
"Thoughtful, enchanting, and stirs the right questions!"
-Melanie L.
"I am moved by the honesty of the documentary. . .It gives me a lot to think about: first and third worlds, charity vs. self-determination, the vapid traps of western culture, wounded healers. Magnificent work. I am touched. I am grateful."
-Leslie A.
"a beautiful and emotional film that will stay with me for a long time. Without even knowing it the kids help us see ourselves in a new way."
-Melissa G.


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However, making these hangers can seem a bit challenging at first. To help you learn the basic knots and patterns of macramé, FTD has put together a video tutorial and guide that will go over the process in simple and easy steps. You are going to love the way your macramé plant hanger turns out!
Here is a list of the three types of basic knots we will be using in the video:
- Loop knot
- Half square knot or spiral knot
- Square knot
Materials we will be using in the video:
- 2 pieces of 5-foot long rope
- 8 pieces of 15-foot long cotton cord (3.1 mm thick)
- 2" brass ring
Macramé Plant Hanger: Video Tutorial
How to make a macramé plant hanger:
- Gather all 8 pieces of cord, fold in half and loop through the ring.
- Using your 5-foot long piece of string, tie a loop knot right below the ring.
- Take four strands and tie a square knot. Repeat 6 times.
- Repeat this pattern with the next group of 4 cords, and repeat for the remaining cords.
- Leave a 2 1/2 inch gap and tie a half square knot.
- Repeat until you've created a 5-inch spiral.
- Repeat this pattern for the remaining knot groups.
- Leave a 6- inch gap and create a crossover square knot using the 2 right cords from your first group and the 2 left cords from the adjacent group.
- Repeat for the remaining knot groups.
- Leave 6- inch gap and create another crossover square knot by alternating the cords from the previous step.
- Leave a 3 1/2 inch gap and and tie a loop knot.
- Trim off excess cord to create a tassel finish.
Decorating With Your Macramé Plant Hanger
Now that you have learned how to make your own macramé plant hanger it's time to decorate! Here are two ways that you can accessorize your macramé plant hanger:
Here's how you can dip-dye your macramé plant hanger in five easy steps:
- Prepare dye solution according to package instructions. Be sure to use a glass jar or bowl to prevent staining. For this project, we used half a package of Rit dye in Teal.
- Carefully lower the plant hanger into the solution until ⅓ of the length is submerged.
- Loop the upper part of the plant hanger over a wooden dowel and place over the opening of the jar or bowl. This will keep the plant hanger suspended while the lower part is being dyed. Wait 30 minutes.
- Remove the plant hanger from the dye solution. Rinse in warm water to remove excess dye. Ring out until water runs clear.
- Let completely dry.
Here's how we used colorful bands to decorate our macramé plant hanger:
- Lay a piece of embroidery floss down, and wrap over the piece. Continue until desired length has been covered.
- To finish the section, cut the floss and tuck the loose piece into the wrapped portion by using a wooden stick or toothpick.
- Repeat this with other colors to complete the pattern.
Now that you know the basic steps on how to make a macramé plant hanger, have fun displaying your houseplants all around you home! You can find more ideas and FTD's full guide here.
For more decorating with plants: Decorating With Succulents | Modern Planters, Indoors and Out


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Dancing On Ice contestant Ben Hanlin has told fans he has suffered a "big injury" during training that has left him in "agony".
The magician posted a video on Instagram captioned "Problem!!!!" as he revealed he fell on the ice and "smashed" his ribs.
Read more: John Barrowman replaces Jason Gardiner on DOI
The ITV ice-skating show starts on Sunday (January 5) but Hanlin said at this point he is not able to manage some of the lifts with his professional partner Carlotta Edwards because of the pain.
Showing some strapping around his torso, he told his followers: "We have a problem.
"A couple of days ago I went on the ice just before I came back, I wanted to work off the Christmas turkey.
"I've had a big injury, I've fallen over, I've smashed my ribs and they're all strapped up, and under that strapping I've got more strapping."
Hanlin said when he was last on the ice he struggled with some of the moves.
"I couldn't lift Carlotta because my ribs are doing me in," he said.
"I've got until Sunday to get through it, and just do it anyway," he added.
Read more: Holly Willoughby praises DOI for same sex couple
Hanlin told The Sun the accident happened when he was warming up.
"I was going left and right, hit a toe pick, slammed face first, belly flopped looking like a complete idiot and got up and realised that my ribs hit the ice first," he said, adding that he has been "in agony" since then,
Hanlin isn't the first person to hurt themselves on the current series of the ITV show.
Entertainer Michael Barrymore was due to make his TV comeback as a contestant but had to pull out after taking a tumble and breaking his wrist.
He recently updated fans on his condition, saying he was "on the mend".
On the mend... Cast reinforced today and to be removed in just 2 weeks time. Thank you to all the wonderful staff at the NHS; this whole process couldn't have been easier. Happy New Year x MB #dancingonice #xray… https://t.co/WdHbo0kj9P— Michael Barrymore (@MrBarrymore) December 31, 2019
"Cast reinforced today and to be removed in just 2 weeks time," he said on Twitter.
"Thank you to all the wonderful staff at the NHS; this whole process couldn't have been easier."
Dancing On Ice starts on January 5.


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The Mahabharata Trail
written by Shreya at in category Education with 0 Comments
The Mahabharata Trail
Mahabharata, we usually hear this word and we go all like, it's an old boring hindu literature for the older generations. How fast we make a judgment about something? Even without reading a book we think it is boring. Therefore it was rightly said 'NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER AND A MAN WITH HIS FACE'. We often feel that reading Mahabharata would properly make us feel old. It is not like that if you are an atheist than don't read it like a 'granth' read it like a book.
If the book is translated in so many languages by so many scholars than obviously it had something in it. Between 1919 and 1966, scholars at the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune, compared the various manuscripts of the epic from India and abroad and produced the Critical Edition of the Mahabharata, on 13,000 pages in 19 volumes, followed by the Harivamsha in another two volumes and six index volumes. This is the text that is usually used in current Mahabharata studies for reference. This work is sometimes called the "Pune" or "Poona" edition of the Mahabharata.
In the 18th centrury on the order of Akbar, Mahabharata was translated in Persian titled Razmnameh by Faizi and `Abd al-Qadir Bada'uni, the Victorian prose version by Kisari Mohan Ganguli, was considered the first complete transaction which was published between 1883 and 1896. Many of the critics consider the translation by ganguli to be faithful to the original text.
Indian economist Bibek Debroy has also begun an unabridged English translation in ten volumes. Volume 1: Adi Parva was published in March 2010.
Many condensed versions, abridgements and novelistic prose retellings of the complete epic have been published in English, including works by Ramesh Menon, William Buck, R. K. Narayan, C. Rajagopalachari, K. M. Munshi, Krishna Dharma, Romesh C. Dutt, Bharadvaja Sarma, John D. Smith and Sharon Maas.
Now this is what authors have said about the great literature but we don't usually see any youth writing on the epic, because reading about our culture probably makes us uncool, probably? The Mahabharata is an epic narrative of the Kurukshetra War and the fates of the Kaurava and the Pandava princes. It also contains philosophical and devotional material, such as a discussion of the four "goals of life" or purusharthas (12.161). It is said that once a person has read the Mahabharata he knows the ups and downs of life and he is able to understand them and fight with them with inner strength. I don't know how true it is, but they say it teaches us the basic value of life. Books play a very important part in our life. We read books and we learn a lot of new things and try to implement in our life.
They have made a very clear deal and Vyasa has narrated the story with 20,000 verses that depict as many as 100 of characters with different shades of colors and who are definitely not guest appearances. The book has given detailed description for each of them, the enormous detail of their birth, their childhood, their marriage, their asceticism, their sadhana, their conquests, their joys, their miseries, their death, and for most of them, even their previous lives as well as their next lives. The Mahabharat is about 10 times longer than the Odyssey and the Iliad put together.
We can't just sit here in the 21st century and make judgments on people who lived 5000 years ago, isn't it unfair? And I feel that if they come alive now and they would look at our culture of living they would have 100 of judgments of make for us. It is not about good or bad, right or wrong. This is about exploring human nature like it has never been explored anywhere else. It is simply an exploration – do not draw conclusions. The great sage Vaysa who took the challenge to write the story wanted us to live that story. Since then many people have had their own little version of the great epic with mild adaptations. Every storyteller, looking at the crowd that is sitting in front of him, has made his own adaptations. But the story is not contaminated by adaptations. It has only been enriched by them, because in these 5000 years, no one has ever contaminated the story by trying to judge it. You should not do that either. Do not think in terms of "Who is the good guy? Who is the bad guy?" That is not how it is. These are just people. The moral of Mahabharata was not just for the character of the epic, it was for all the people who have read the great epic and who tend to follow the epic with the morals and value. The epic had talked about the karma and believe in the fact that everyone should do their task and follow their karma irrespective of the result.
The long story short we all should once in our life read the great epic to enhance our knowledge and wisdom. So, that we can look at life in a broader view.
Be the change to see the change.


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Looking for a healthy breakfast or snack idea? Try this Mini Quinoa Frittata Recipe. It's easy, nutritious, and satisfying. Plus, you can add whatever vegetables you like!
This Ham and Cheese Frittata is also delicious!
Table of Contents
Mini Quinoa Frittata Recipe
We've been making mini frittatas, or as the kids like to call them egg cups, for years.
They're easy to throw together with whatever veggies you have on hand and they reheat really well, so they're a convenient make-ahead meal. My husband likes to grab a few, warm them up, and eat them on the way to work. I think they make a yummy lunch or snack when I don't have time to cook. This Mini Quinoa Frittata Recipe is so versatile.
We also love this savory Ham & Cheese Frittata for dinner.
Recently we started adding quinoa to our mini frittatas to make them even more healthy and delicious. It's more satisfying with the quinoa…It's almost like eggs and toast in one little cup!
Why Cook with Quinoa
Quinoa has steadily gained popularity in recent years and with good reason. Perhaps its most striking health benefit is its overall nutrient richness.
This recipe calls for cooked quinoa, so if you want to know How to Make Quinoa Perfectly every time, we've got you covered.
Quinoa seeds {yes, it's a seed, not a grain} contain essential amino acids like lysine and small quantities of calcium, phosphorus, and iron. Quinoa can also provide small amounts of omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. Quinoa is also considered a complete protein. It's gluten-free and easy to digest, so those with sensitivities can enjoy this one.
We like using my silicone baking pan because the frittatas slide right out and it's easy to clean, but you could use a regular metal one as well.
Once the veggies are cooked and quinoa and cheese are put in the cups, they're ready in just over 20 minutes!
If you try these Quinoa Frittatas or any other recipe on Suburban Simplicity, then don't forget to rate the recipe and let us know how it went in the comments below, we love hearing from you! Better yet, use the hashtag #suburbansimplicity if you make the recipe.
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Mini Quinoa Frittata Recipe
- 2 1/2 cups diced vegetables (your preference, but onions, peppers and zucchini work well)
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 20 ounces of liquid egg whites
- 1 Tablespoon Italian herbs
- Dash of salt and pepper
- Heat pan on medium high heat. Place olive oil in pan. Cook vegetables about 5 minutes or until tender.
- If using metal pan, coat with non-stick cooking spray.
- Place equal amount of vegetable mixture, quinoa and feta cheese in each muffin cup.
- Pour in egg whites until cup is full. Top with Italian herbs and pepper and salt.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until center is firm.
- Let cool before removing from pan. Enjoy!
Other Quinoa Frittata Recipes
Because you can customize the ingredients, kids really like mini frittatas too. They're like a little cupcake quiche that makes a tasty meal. We've tried:
- bacon, broccoli, and cheese
- spinach and feta
- as well as just plain cheese.
All delicious!
Your cupcake pan can make more than muffins and cupcakes so try this Mini Quinoa Frittata Recipe and let me know what you think!
If you're looking for another healthy breakfast recipe try these Easy Oatmeal Bars.